Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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BRASSIERE STORAGE ASSEMBLY
BACKGROUND
The present invention relates to women's undergarments and more specifically
to the storage of brassieres to ensure the protection of the structural
integrity of
the brassiere. The invention further relates to a brassier support assembly
which
allows bra storage in a manner which prevents damage to bra cups. The
invention further relates to an assembly having adjustable and selectively
detachable elements which receive and retain thereon individual brassieres so
that a plurality of brassieres can be stored in a generally stacked
arrangement in
a box, drawer or the like.
PRIOR ART
There have been a number of attempts to address the known problem of bra cup
damage which is often occasioned when a brassiere is inadequately stored. Bra
storage is an important consideration in prolonging the life of a bra and to
avoid
structural damage to a bra cup.
Brassiere cups are usually made from soft pliable material with an elastic
memory but bra cups are not rigid enough to withstand light point loads
tending
to distort the cup contour. If a point load is applied in a particular
location on a
cup plastic deformation can result which effectively renders the bra un
wearable
as the deformed region cannot be restored by elastic memory or by application
of a load in the opposite direction to the cup distortion. If a distortion
takes
place the bra is unwearable as the defective cup contour shows through
garments and therefore gives an unsightly appearance. .
Maintenance of design cup shape is a desirable objective as brassieres are
relatively expensive since damage even to the cups can shorten the life of the
brassiere leading to unwanted additional expense.
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There have been a number of attempts to provide brassiere storage facilities
some attempting to prevent distortion of brassiere cups.
One example of such facilities is disclosed in Japanese JP 8332123 which
discloses a case for storing an object to be stored without deforming it by
partitioning a space for storing the object to be stored into two storage
spaces
with an expanded member having an expanded part and supporting the object to
be stored at the expanded part . The storage case is provided with first and
second main bodies having erected walls. The second main body of the case to
be functioned as a lid pair is fitted freely attachably and detachably to the
first
main body of the case. An expanded wall expanded in the form of a turned-
down cup is formed on the inner wall of the first erected wall. A gap between
the erected walls and the expanded wall is defined as a first storage space,
and
the outer surface side of the expanded wall is defined as a second storage
space .
The inner surfaces of cup parts of a brassiere touch the outer surface of the
expanded wall and the other parts of the brassiere are stored in the storage
space
so that the storage with no deformation can be performed. This is a cumbersome
and rudimentary solution to the well known but unwanted problem of bra cup
distortion.
Another attempt to address the problem of bra storage is disclosed in
JP2003237865 The brassiere storage container comprises an approximately
rectangular base, and is equipped with creases at borders between peripheral
and bottom walls at four corners. A pair of semispherical cup holding
projections are provided on the bottom wall. The peripheral walls are folded
onto a rear of the bottom wall and also folded into a plane, providing a mount-
formed showcase. The peripheral walls are folded onto a front from the folded
state to stand from a periphery of the bottom wall, providing a brassiere
storage
box with an upper surface opened.
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Another assembly is disclosed in Japanese patent application JP 2004269037
which provides a brassiere storage case, which prevents loss of shape of the
brassiere and saves a space for storage to store the brassiere elegantly and
neatly, to allow convenient storage and carrying the brassiere.
In another example of a storage assembly, United States patent US 2005020182
discloses a receptacle for protectively storing at least one brassiere and
includes
a garment support deck and a pair of brassiere cup support members. Each of
the support members is rotatable with respect to the support deck and is
coupled
to the support deck during storage of at least one brassiere. The support
members are rotatable relative to the support deck so that non-concentrically
positioned domed-shaped contacting surfaces of the support members can be
moved toward and away from each other to correspond to the natural distance
between the cups of the brassiere(s).
In a further example of brassiere storage assemblies US Patent 2006086740
discloses a brassiere travel and storage system and method to facilitate
storing a
plurality of padded brassieres such that the cups of the brassieres do not
degenerate and/ or become crushed during storage, such as when a person
travels. A container is provided that is capable of situating and positioning
the
one or a plurality of brassieres in a predetermined position, such as an
angled
position, so that the brassieres or at least a portion of them can be viewed
for
identification and selection by a user. The storage system and method
described
is adapted to be received in a suitcase an is capable of protecting a
plurality of
brassieres stored therein so that they do not become crushed or deformed from
storage.
In a further example United States patent US 2007 1 23 1 44 discloses a frame
for
maintaining the shape of a brassiere during drying and storage. The frame
includes one or more hemispherically-shaped shells having a plurality of
apertures formed therethrough. The shells may be formed from a first polymeric
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material and may further include a second polymeric material disposed on an
outer surface thereof, to frictionally retain a cup of the brassiere. In one .
embodiment, first and second shells are joined by an interconnection extending
therebetween. The interconnection may maintain the shells in a tandem
arrangement, or may permit the shells to be positioned such that their
respective
peripheral edges confront one another.
In another example, US patent No. 2008099518 discloses a container for
supporting a brassiere or a similar garment for cleaning and storage. The
container includes opposed flat plate members connected by a hinge, and
opposed container cup members connected to the respective plate members at
hinge connections for folding the container cup members over the plate
members and for folding the plate members with respect to each other to form a
closed container for supporting a brassiere. The plate members include hinged
support members, each having an arcuate cross shape, for supporting brassiere
cups between the plate members and the container cup members. Spaced apart
clips secure the brassiere straps to the plate members. Spaced apart latches
releasably secure the cup members to the plate members and the plate members
to each other for placing the container in a compact folded position. This
device
is unnecessarily complicated to use and manufacture and does not provide the
simplicity which is ultimately required to address the problem of the
invention.
There are already various methods to preserve the shape and appearance of
brassiers to ensure that they do not lose their structural integrity. Known
methods. to store brassiers are either complicated to use or too expensive to
make.
One drawback with the known brassiere storage assemblies is that they are not
versatile and requires considerable hardware to protect the brassiere from
distortion damage. The problem of cup distortion is well known but the has not
been in the past a convenient effective and versatile bra storage assembly
which
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can be used in a container or outside and moved to another storage location
such
as a drawer. There has not been a bra storage assembly in the past which meets
all of the above objectives and which is convenient to use in comparison to
the
known assemblies.
There is a long felt want in the brassiere industry to provide a brassiere
storage
assembly which allows a user the versatility to protect brassiere cup shape
and
which has the versatility required to enable transportation and relocation and
which is relatively economic to manufacture.
INVENTION
The present invention seeks to ameliorate the problem of brassiere storage to
preserve the integrity of the brassiere by providing a brassier support
assembly
which allows bra storage in a manner which prevents damage to bra cups. The
invention further provides an assembly having adjustable and selectively
detachable elements which receive and retain thereon individual brassieres so
that a plurality of brassieres can be stored in a generally stacked
arrangement in
a box, drawer or the like.
In its broadest form the present invention comprises:
a brassiere support assembly comprising:
a base including a bearing surface;
at least one brassiere support member supported by the base and capable of
movement along the base;
formations on the support member each contoured to conform generally to the
shape of a brassiere cup thereby allowing the at least one brassiere to be
supported by the support member.
In another broad form the present invention comprises:
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a brassiere support assembly comprising a base including an upper region and a
lower region which engages a support surface;
at least one brassiere support member extending from the base and including
first and second formations each having a surface contoured to conform to the
shape of a brassiere cup received thereon to allow support of the cups by the
formations,
the upper region including a connection which enables releasable connection of
the brassiere support member to the base;
wherein the formations prevent deformation of the brassiere cups when the
brassiere is mounted on the support member.
In another broad form the present invention comprises:
a container for retaining at least one brassiere support assembly each said
assemblies comprising; a base including an upper region and a lower region
which engages a support surface;
at least one brassiere support member extending from the base and including
first and second formations each having a surface contoured to conform to the
shape of a brassiere cup received thereon to allow support of the cups by the
formations,
the upper region including a connection which enables releasable connection of
the brassiere support member to the base;
wherein the formations prevent deformation of the brassiere cups when the
brassiere is mounted on the support member.
In another broad form the present invention comprises:
a drawer mountable brassiere support assembly comprising a base including an
upper region and a lower region which engages a support surface;
at least one brassiere support member extending from the base and including
first and second formations each having a surface contoured to conform to the
shape of a brassiere cup received thereon to allow support of the cups by the
formations,
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the upper region including a connection which enables releasable connection of
the brassiere support member to the base;
wherein the formations prevent deformation of the brassiere cups when the
brassiere is mounted on the support member.
In another broad form the present invention comprises:
a brassiere support assembly kit comprising a plurality of mounted support
members mounted on a spine including an upper region and a lower region
which engages a support surface;
each said plurality of brassiere support members including means to allow
movement between a first state in which the support members are detached
from or folded against the spine and a second state in which the support
members are attached to the spine or unfolded; each said support. members
extending from the spine and including first and second formations each having
a surface contoured to conform to the shape of a brassiere cup received
thereon
to allow support of the cups by the formations,
the upper region including a connection which enables releasable connection of
the brassiere support member to the spine;
wherein the formations prevent deformation of the brassiere cups when the
brassiere is mounted on the support member and wherein the spacing of the
support members is adjustable along the spine.
According to a preferred embodiment the base comprises a spine which receives
and retains thereon a plurality of like support members. Preferably the each
support member is moveable relative to the base to enable rotation of one
support member relative to another support member so as to create a gap
between support members. According to one embodiment each support
member is attached via hinge to the spine and is adjustable therealong.
According to a preferred embodiment the first and second formations are
capable of displacement relative to each other.
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Preferably the connection is a hinge which allows the formations to rotate
through an arc along the longitudinal axis. The formations are spaced part
along the spine to allow a plurality of formations to be mounted on the spine
to
enable support and storage of a plurality of brassieres.
Preferably the formations are convex outward to receive opposing concave
breast cups mounted thereon. The formations are capable of displacement to
enable placement of a brassiere cup and then replacement to an original
position
Thus the formations have multiple degrees of freedom and are capable of
movement relative to an adjacent formation or relative to the spine to
facilitate
ease of placement and removal of a brassiere for storage of same. Movement of
the formations relative to the spine may be effected by pivotal or other. form
of
mutual engagement. The formations are removable from the spine and may be
moved along the spine.
The present invention provides an alternative to the known prior art and the
shortcomings identified. The foregoing and other objects and advantages will
appear from the description to follow. In the description reference is made to
the
accompanying representations, which forms a part hereof, and in which is
shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may
be practiced. These embodiments will be described in sufficient detail to
enable
those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood
that
other embodiments may be utilized and that structural changes may be made
without departing from the scope of the invention. In the accompanying
illustrations, like reference characters designate the same or similar parts
throughout the several views.
The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a
limiting
sense, and the scope of the present invention is best defined by the appended
claims.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
Figure 1 shows an exploded view of a simple form of brassiere support
assembly with one brassiere support element according to one
embodiment.
Figure 2 shows a front elevation view of the assembly of figure 1 with
brassiere support fully assembled.
Figure 3 shows a perspective view of a brassiere assembly with a plurality'
of bra support elements fitted to a support runner.
Figure 4 shows a top rear perspective view of the assembly of figure 3.
Figure 5 shows a side elevation view of the brassiere assembly of figure 4.
Figure 6 shows a long sectional view of the assembly of figure 5.
Figure 7 shows a perspective view of a brassiere support assembly inserted
in a container.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The embodiments referred to herein are illustrative and are not to be regarded
as
limiting the scope of the invention. While various embodiments of the
invention
have been described herein, it will be appreciated that these are capable of .
modification, and therefore the disclosures herein are not to be construed as
limiting of the precise details set forth, but to avail such changes and
alterations
as fall within the scope of the description .
Figure 1 shows an exploded view of a simple form of brassiere support
assembly I with one brassiere support member 2 according to one embodiment.
Brassiere storage assembly I includes a base structure 3 which incudes ground
engaging member 4 having a lower surface 5 and upper surface 6 which is
connectable to a ground surface, such as a drawer base, with fasteners (not
shown) via openings 7, 8 and 9 in member 4. Base 3 further comprises frame
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comprising web 11 and depending therefrom flanges 12 and 13 which
together with web 11 and member 4 define channels 14 and 15. channels 14 and
are closed by end capping 16. Brassiere support member 2 comprises body
17 including convex formations 18 and 19 which in use receive and support
5 brassiere cups so that the convex formations generally retain the optimal
shape
of a brassiere cup during storage on the assembly. Formations 18 and 19 are
preferably contoured to conform to the shape of a brassiere cup received
thereon
to allow support of and protection for the shape of the cups.
10 Body 17 of support member 2 includes retaining eyelets 20 and 21 which
receive and retain bra straps to secure the brassiere. Reinforcing frame 22
provides a central rigidity to member 2 at a region of load transfer when
member 2 is mounted on base 3. Body 17 further comprises opening 23 in
which there is disposed wheel 24 mounted on axle 25 and wheel 26 mounted on
15 axle 27. When member 2 is coupled to base 3 wheel 24 travels in channel 14
and wheel 25 travels in channel 15. Once support member 2 is mounted on base
3 channels are closed via end capping 28. Wheels 24 and 25 allow support
member 2 to be rotated through an arc of travel up to 180 degrees relative to
base assembly 3. . This allows displacement and more space for the purposes of
mounting a brassiere on the support assembly particularly when a plurality of
support members are mounted on base assembly 3. Once a brassiere is mounted
the support member 2 if initial displacement is required, it may be returned
back
to its original position by contra rotation.
According to an alternative embodiment, formations 18 and 19 may be
arranged for separate rotation such that one formation may be displaced to
receive a first brassiere cup and the other may be displaced to receive a
second
brassiere cup. In this case, formations 18 and 19 are restored to their
original
position once the brassiere is mounted.
Figure 2 shows with corresponding numbering for corresponding parts,
a front elevation view of the assembly 1 of figure 1 with brassiere support
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member 2 fully assembled on base assembly 3. Base 3 is shown in cross section
so that it can be seen that wheel 24 travels in channel 14 and wheel 25
travels
in channel 15. This arrangement allows releasable connection of member 2 to
base 3 and in the same manner a plurality of like brassiere support members.
Figure 3 shows with corresponding numbering for corresponding parts
perspective view of the brassiere assembly 1 with support member 2 and a
plurality of bra support members 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35 and 36. Support member
2 is shown advanced along base assembly 3 and rotated in a direction of arrow
37 to form an increased space 38 which allows clearance to enable a user to
mount a brassiere on formations 39 and 40 of support member 30. Likewise
each support member may be advanced along and /or rotated relative to base 3.
Figure 4 shows with corresponding numbering a top rear perspective view of
the assembly of figure 3. Figure 5 shows with corresponding numbering a side
elevation view of the brassiere assembly of figure 3. Support members 30, 31,
32, 33, 34, 35 and 36 are respectively mounted on wheels 41, 42, 43, 44, 45,
46,
and 47 each of which travel along channel 15. As described the wheels allow
axial travel along the channel 15 and arcuate rotation relative to web 11.
Figure 6 shows with corresponding a long sectional view of the assembly of
figure 5.
Figure 7 shows a perspective view of a brassiere support assembly 50
associated with a container 51 which may be a box, drawer, case or the like
for
use when a user requires storage of a variety of brassieres. Figure 7 shows
container 51 as a storage box comprising walls 52 defining internal space 53
which receives and retains therein assembly 50. Support assembly 50 comprises
base 54 which forms a spine which may be secured to the bottom of a support
surface in container 51 and brassiere support member 55.
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Rotation allows more space for the purposes of mounting a brassiere on the
support assembly without interference from an adjacent support member. In one
embodiment brassieres may be `sandwiched' between adjacent support
members so that convex outer surfaces presents to a concave inner surface of
an
adjacent support member. Once a brassiere is mounted, the support assembly
may be returned back to its original upright position by contra rotation.
Preferably each of support members 21 - 30 are moveable relative to the spine
31 such that the spacing between adjacent formations can be altered according
to individual spacing requirements. This arrangement may, according to one
embodiment, be effected by sliding engagement. Alternatively, the support
members may be advanced by using a ratchet mechanism. Various other forms
of releasable engagement between support members and the base may be used
such as snap fit adjustment. Preferably, the base and support members are
manufactured from separate plastics moulds with size variable according to
requirements. According to one embodiment, the support assembly is adapted
for inclusion in a storage box to prolong the life of brassiere stored in the
box.
The box may typically include a storage location for bra accessories other
than
the cup. In another embodiment the assembly is locatable in a drawer such that
brassieres which would otherwise be randomly thrown in a drawer can be
carefully protected from unwanted damage. The underside of the assembly may
be adapted with adhesive means such as peel and stick elements or tapes to
secure the assembly via its base to a drawer base.
It will be appreciated that with this versatility integrated into brassiere
storage
assembly a user has wide capacity to adjust the configuration of the assembly
according to the number of brassieres to be stored. Also formations may be
adapted to suit a variety of brassiere sizes and types all of which may be
stored
in the one container. The support members are detachable and can be arranged
with alternative spacing depending upon bra size.
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It will be recognised by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations
and
modifications may be made to the invention broadly described herein without
departing from the overall spirit and scope of the invention.
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20
30
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