POSITIONABLE SHOULDER STRAP PAD FOR A BRASSIERE

COUSSINET DE BRETELLE DE SOUTIEN-GORGE POSITIONNABLE

English Abstract

There is provided a shoulder strap pad having a pad assembly and a fabric
cover.
The fabric cover is connected to the pad assembly along each side or axial
edge by
a binder to form an opening or channel therebetween. The shoulder strap of the
brassiere is positioned in the channel formed by the fabric cover and the pad
assembly. The shoulder strap pad is movably positionable anywhere along the
shoulder strap of the brassiere, thereby maximizing the comfort level provided
to
the wearer. The fabric cover has a first end positioned toward the front of
the
wearer and a second end positioned toward the back of the wearer. The first or
front end is cut along a diagonal on one end to provide a larger opening for
receipt
of a brassiere shoulder strap. This diagonal first end also facilitates easier
movement of the shoulder strap pad along the brassiere shoulder strap.

Claims

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege
is claimed are defined as follows:
1. A brassiere shoulder strap pad comprising:
a first fabric layer having one or more longitudinal edges, said first fabric
layer
having a first end and a second end, said first end being cut on a diagonal at
an
acute angle with respect to said second end;
a pad assembly having longitudinal edges that mate with said longitudinal
edges of
said first fabric layer, said pad assembly having a first end and a second
end;
a binder for connecting together said longitudinal edges of said first fabric
layer and
said longitudinal edges of said pad assembly, and forming a channel
therebetween;
wherein a brassiere shoulder strap is positioned between said first fabric
layer and
said pad assembly.
2. The brassiere shoulder strap pad of claim 1, wherein said shoulder
strap pad is movably positionable along said brassiere shoulder strap.
3. The brassiere shoulder strap pad of claim 1, wherein said channel
has a front opening and a rear opening.
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4. The brassiere shoulder strap pad of claim 3, wherein said front
opening is directed toward a breast cup of brassiere and said rear opening is
directed toward a back panel of a brassiere.
5. The brassiere shoulder strap pad of claim 3, wherein said front
opening is larger in width than said rear opening.
6. The brassiere shoulder strap pad of claim 3, wherein said rear
opening is cut in a line perpendicular to said brassiere shoulder strap.
7. The brassiere shoulder strap pad of claim 1, wherein said first fabric
layer is made of a rigid fabric.
8. The brassiere shoulder strap pad of claim 3, wherein said rigid fabric
is a material selected from the group consisting of nylon, polyester and a
combination of nylon and polyester.
9. The brassiere shoulder strap of claim 1, wherein said first end of said
first fabric layer is cut on an angle of 40 degrees.
10. The brassiere shoulder strap pad of claim 1, wherein said pad
assembly is comprised of a top layer, a bottom layer, and a cushion layer
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positioned in between said top layer and said bottom layer.
11. The brassiere shoulder strap pad of claim 1, wherein said top layer is
made of nylon.
12. The brassiere shoulder strap pad of claim 1, wherein said top layer is
made of a three bar tricot or knit marquisette fabric.
13. The brassiere shoulder strap pad of claim 1, wherein said bottom
layer is made of polyester fleece.
14. The brassiere shoulder strap pad of claim 1, wherein said bottom
layer is a two bar tricot knit fabric.
15. The brassiere shoulder strap pad of claim 1, wherein said cushion
layer is made of a non-woven fiberfill web.
16. The brassiere shoulder strap pad of claim 1, wherein said cushion
layer is made of polyester.
17. The brassiere shoulder strap pad of claim 1, wherein said pad
assembly has an elongated aval shape.
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Description

CA 02379520 2002-03-28
POSITIONABLE BRASSIERE SHOULDER STRAP PAD
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to a shoulder strap pad. More
particularly, the present invention relates to a positionable or moveable
shoulder
strap pad for use in a brassiere shoulder strap.
BACK~aROUND OF THE INVENTION
A well known problem associated with a brassiere shoulder strap is the
discomfort caused by the strap on the shoulder of the wearer. Specifically,
each
brassiere strap will normally cause either a depression or irritation in the
shoulder and may even interfere with arterial or venous drainage. Numerous
attempts have been made to relieve this discomfort. Some attempts have
included use of shoulder pads of cotton or foam or rubber that are interposed
between the strap and the wearer's shoulder, and some are releasably
attachable to the strap.
Significantly, such pads have proven to be bulky and unsightly. Also,
there are inconveniences attendant with such attachments since such pads will
normally need to be removed, and subsequently reattached, each time the
brassiere is washed.
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CA 02379520 2002-03-28
Some brassiere straps have attempted to incorporate a pad structure in
the strap itself. Such brassiere straps may have achieved a modicum of success
in relieving discomfort. However, such brassieres have limited user life since
they fail to maintain their desired appearance after several machine washings
apparently due to the effect cleaning detergents have on the construction and
materials of the brassiere strap. For example, pads and straps made of foam
have been found to yellow after a few washings. It is also common that
brassieres that have incorporated a pad therein have a knotted or bumpy
appearance after repeated machine washings.
Other attempts to relieve discomfort, yet provide a modicum of pleasing
appearance, have included widening the shoulder strap to better distribute the
weight in the shoulder area. Still other attempts have been to incorporate
elastic
bands with a padded cover in the strap to provide more flexibility and thus
attempt to better distribute the pressure in the shoulder area.
All such attempts have, heretofore, failed to achieve the desired results,
namely relief of the discomfort in the shoulder area, with a smooth attractive
appearance that is maintained even after repeated wear and machine washing.
Thus, tong wear life and comfort have evaded prior art shoulder straps.
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CA 02379520 2002-03-28
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a shoulder strap pad that
is
movable along the shoulder strap of a brassiere.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a shoulder strap
pad that is positionable along the strap, and thus anywhere along the shoulder
of
a wearer.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a shoulder
strap
pad that may be utilized by wearers of varying body types.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a shoulder strap
pad that has that conforms to the anatomy of the shoulder area of the wearer.
It is a further object of the present invention is to provide such a brassiere
shoulder strap that has one and, preferably, all of the following attributes:
alleviates discomfort and irritation of the shoulder area of the wearer, has a
non-
bulky, aesthetic appearance, and has a long wear life.
These and other objects and advantages of the present invention are
achieved by a shoulder strap pad having a pad assembly and a fabric cover.
The fabric cover is connected to the pad assembly along each side or axial
edge
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CA 02379520 2002-03-28
by a binder to form an opening or channel therebetween. The shoulder strap of
the brassiere is positioned in the channel formed by the fabric cover and the
pad
assembly. The shoulder strap pad is movably positionable anywhere along the
shoulder strap of the brassiere, thereby maximizing the comfort level provided
to
the wearer. The fabric cover has a first end positioned toward the front of
the
wearer and a second end positioned toward the back of the wearer. The first or
front end is cut along a diagonal on one end to provide a larger opening for
receipt of a brassiere shoulder strap. This diagonal first end also
facilitates
easier movement of the shoulder strap pad along the brassiere shoulder strap.
IN THE DRAWINGS
The objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent
from the following detailed description of the present invention, in
conjunction
with the accompanying drawings wherein:
Fig. 1 is a front view of a brassiere having a pair of the brassiere straps
each incorporating the shoulder strap pad of the present invention;
Fig. 2 is a rear perspective view of the brassiere of Fig. 1;
Fig. 3 is a top view of the shoulder strap pad of Fig. 1;
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CA 02379520 2002-03-28
Fig. 4 is a bottom view of the shoulder strap pad of Fig. 1;
Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the shoulder strap pad taken along lines
5-5 of Fig. 4.
DESCRIPTION OF A SPECIFIC EMBODIMENT
Referring to the figures and, in particular, Fig. 1, there is provided a
brassiere
generally represented by reference numeral 10. Brassiere 10 has a pair of
breast
cups 100 and a pair of shoulder straps 150. Each shoulder strap 150 has
positioned thereon, as shown more clearly in Fig. 2, a shoulder strap pad 20
of the
present invention. As seen in Fig. 2, brassiere 10 also has a pair of back
panels
125 each connected to a separate one of the pair of breast cups 100.
As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, shoulder strap pad 20 is made of a fabric cover
200 and a pad assembly 300. Shoulder strap pad 20 is preferably in the shape
of
an elongated oval. More preferably, shoulder strap pad 20 is kidney shaped.
The
shape of shoulder strap pad 20 deviates from the vertical plane created by a
conventional brassiere strap. This deviation permits the shoulder strap pad 20
to fit,
as desired, in accordance with the contour or anatomy of the shoulder of the
wearer.
Shoulder strap pad 20 has an outer curve 260 and an inner curve 270. Shoulder
strap pad 20 is positioned on the shoulder of a wearer such that outer curve
260 is
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CA 02379520 2002-03-28
directed toward the wearer's neck. This allows shoulder strap pad 20 to
conform to
the shape of the wearer's shoulder.
Fabric cover 200 is connected to pad assembly 300 along each longitudinal
edge by a binder 205. Referring to Fig. 5, binder 205 creates a channel or
opening
230 between fabric cover 200 and pad assembly 300. Channel 230 provides for
receipt and movement along of shoulder strap 150.
Fabric cover 200 has a first end 210 directed toward the front of brassiere
10,
and thus breast cups 100, and a second end 220 directed toward back panel 125.
First end 210 of fabric cover 200 is cut along a diagonal so as to provide a
larger
than normal front opening 240 for receipt of shoulder strap 150. Shoulder
strap 150
does not consume all of front opening 240 so that it moves easier through the
front
opening. Thus, front opening 240 facilitates easier movement of shoulder strap
pad
along shoulder strap 150.
Preferably, first end 210 of fabric cover 200 is cut at an acute angle with
respect to the axis of shoulder strap 150. This angle is about 35 degrees to
about
45 degrees, and preferably about 40 degrees. The diagonal may be angled either
20 toward or away from the breast of the wearer.
1n this embodiment, rear end 220 of fabric cover 200 is cut in a line that is
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CA 02379520 2002-03-28
almost perpendicular to the axis of shoulder strap 150. Accordingly, rear end
220
creates a rear opening 250 with pad assembly 300 that is sized, as shown in
Fig. 3,
so that there is very little space on either side of shoulder strap 150.
Accordingly,
rear opening 250 acts as a guide for shoulder strap 150. With front opening
240
and rear opening 250, fabric cover 200 does not cover portion 330, 340 of pad
assembly 300. Accordingly, poirtions 330, 340 act as surfaces that absorb the
initial
movement of shoulder strap 150 through shoulder strap pad 20 and, thus avoids
frictionally contacting the wearer's shoulder. Since shoulder strap pad 20 is
movably positionable along the axis of shoulder strap 150, shoulder strap pad
20
can be positioned anywhere along the shoulder of the wearer to provide the
maximum amount of comfort to the wearer.
Referring to Fig. 5, fabric cover 200 is made of a rigid material, such as
nylon
or polyester or a combination of nylon and polyester. Preferably, fabric cover
200 is
made of one hundred percent nylon.
Pad assembly 300 has three portions, namely a top layer 305, a bottom layer
315, and a cushion layer 310 that is positioned between top layer 305 and
bottom
layer 315. Preferably, top layer 305 is made of one hundred percent nylon.
More
preferably, top layer 305 is made of a three bar tricot or knit marquisette
fabric.
Bottom layer 315 forms the outer or bottom part of the shoulder strap pad that
contacts the skin of the wearer. Preferably, bottom layer 315 is made of one

CA 02379520 2002-03-28
hundred percent polyester fleet:e. However, bottom layer 315 may be made of
other materials, for example coiaon or nylon. More preferably, bottom layer
315 is
made of a two bar tricot knit fabric. Cushion layer 310 is made of a one
hundred
percent polyester non-woven fiber web, marketed under the trade name
Densafil~.
The present invention provides relief from the normal discomfort associated
with shoulder straps, while maintaining the desired aesthetic appearance even
after
repeated machine washings.
The present invention having been thus described with particular reference to
the preferred forms thereof, it will be obvious that various changes and
modifications
may be made therein without dE:parting from the spirit and scope of the
present
invention as defined in the appE~nded claims.
s

Representative Drawing