Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
CA 02495127 2005-O1-27
COMPOSITE SUPPORT SYSTEM
[0001 ] The present invention relates to a composite support system. More
specifically,
the present invention relates to a composite support system having improved
versatility.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The undergarment industry has expended considerable energy in producing
undergarments for women that shape and support the body. Of the types of
support garments
known in the art are brassieres, girdles, panty girdles and the like. In order
to provide maximal
support and shaping to the female body various composite undergarments have
been developed.
[0003] For example, U.S. Patent No. 3,185,156 (Steinberger) discloses a
combined
midriff covering brassiere and lower torso covering corselet. The corselet is
a girdle-type
corselet and is detachably joined to the brassiere at the front by a zipper
fastener while remaining
unattached at the back. Similarly, U.S. Patent No. 3,327,714 (Steinberger)
teaches a combined
brassiere and panty girdle or slip. The brassiere and panty girdle or slip is
detachably connected
at the front by a zipper assembly, but remains unattached at the back. The
brassiere of '156 and
'714 is also of a long-line type construction and the zipper fastener of both
'156 and '714 is in
the waist area.
[0004] U.S. Patent No. 4,154,249 discloses a combination brassiere and panty
girdle.
The upper portion is a longline brassiere, which overlaps the panty girdle and
is releasably
attached to it by a plurality of snaps attached to the upper and lower
portions at a location
approximately waist level. Others have shown similar arrangements with various
fastening
methods, for example U.S. Patent No. 1,625,664; U.S. Patent No. 1,966,973;
U.S. Patent No.
2,010,592; and U.S. Patent No. 2,525,666.
[0005] U.S. Patent No. 5,938,500 (Hampton) teaches a combination brassiere and
undergarment with removable cups. The undergarment may be a torso-covering
garment, a
midriff support, or a girdle, and is a one-piece sheath coming together in a
seam at the front of
the garment. Underwires made of metal or plastic and having fasteners are
provided on the
upper end of the undergarment, to which the breast-supporting cups are
removably attached.
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[0006] While the prior art garments have provided shaping of the body, the
comfort of
the garments are somewhat questionable. In particular, those garments with
overlapping of the
brassiere and bottom portions at the waist cause a bulk of fabric that is both
uncomfortable and
visible through the wearer's clothing. Also, the nature of the prior art
garments is such that the
garments are stiff and usually comprise stiffening structures such as
reinforced stitching, bones,
stays or the like. The '500 structure is particularly rigid in the breast
area, and would likely
allow no relative torsion movement between the upper torso and the waist. The
prior art
garments diminish the free body movement of the wearer and reduce the wearer's
comfort level.
Furthermore, such reinforcing structures may cause pinching, chaffing,
rubbing, and/or general
discomfort for the wearer.
[0007] Some progress in this area was disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5,038,414
(Freeman),
which describes a full body hosiery garment that includes a panty portion and
a camisole portion
attached at the waist. The camisole portion may be connected to the panty
portion along an
upper edge thereof by a sewing technique or by releasable fasteners. However,
'414 is formed as
hosiery and does not provide significant support and shaping to the body.
[0008] U.S. Patent No. 5,996,120 (Balit) describes a seamless swimsuit liner
or
undergarment. The garment provides shaping of and firm support to the body
through various
stitching patterns. As the undergarment of Balit is an integral garment, it
does not allow for
interchanging of brassiere and bottom support structure. Therefore, such a
garment cannot
accommodate variations in body types.
CA 02495127 2005-O1-27
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The present invention relates to a composite support system. More
specifically,
the present invention relates to a composite support system having improved
versatility.
[0010] It is an object of the present invention to provide a composite support
system.
[0011] The present invention provides a composite support system comprising:
(a) a body garment having an upper edge along which is provided one, or more
than
one first fastener; and
(b) a brassiere portion having at least a bra base, two breast supporting cups
each
with a lower edge, and one, or more than one second fastener along the lower
edge of the breast supporting cups, along the bra base, or any combination
thereof, said second fastener complementary to the first fastener,
The complementary joining of the one, or more than one first and second
fasteners releasably
attaches the lower edge of the breast supporting cups, the bra base, or a
combination thereof, of
the brassiere portion to the upper edge of the body garment.
[0012] The present invention also provides the composite support system
defined above,
wherein the body garment is a midsection support structure. The midsection
support system may
be a panty midsection support structure or a body slip midsection support
structure. The
midsection support structure may also be a long-leg panty midsection support
structure, a Capri
midsection support structure, a thong midsection support structure, or a
camisole midsection
support structure.
[0013] The present invention pertains to the composite support system defined
above,
wherein the one, or more than one first and second fasteners are complementary
invisible zipper
fasteners.
[0014] The present invention is also directed to the method as described
above, wherein
the midsection support structure is a seamless Structure. The seamless support
structure may
comprise a maximum support stitch, a medium :support stitch, a soft selection
area stitch, or a
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combination thereof. The maximum support stitch is use,~i at the mid-section,
anchor portions
around buttocks, rear, portions around legs, or hip portions, or a combination
thereof; the
medium support stitch is used in the waist and rear portions, or around legs,
or_ a combination
thereof; and the soft selection area stitch is used in the bust, buttock, or
crotch areas or a
combination thereof.
[0015] The present invention is also directed to the composite support system
as just
described, wherein the bra base does not extend lower than about 3 cm from the
lower edge of
the breast supporting cups.
[0016] The body garment and brassiere portion of the present invention are
advantageously constructed so that various sizes of each are compatible. For
example, different
sizes of brassiere portions may be releasably attached to a given size body
garment; alternatively,
different sizes of body garments may be releasably attached to a given size
brassiere portion.
Therefore, the composite support system of the present invention is versatile,
in that it
accommodates various body types. Additionally, the body garments and brassiere
portions may
be provided in a variety of colours, which allows mixing and matching of both
sizes and colours.
[0017] The construction of the composite support structure, and the placement
of the one,
or more than one first and second fasteners, in the present invention prevents
the accumulation of
a bulk of fabric at the waist, as seen in several prior art garments. This
increases the comfort
level of the wearer and renders the garment invisible through the wearer's
clothing. In addition,
location of attachment of the brassiere portion to the body garment allows
free movement of the
wearer without undue distortion of the composite support structure or the
body, which may
prevent pinching, chaffing, rubbing, and/or general discomfort for the wearer.
[0018] This summary of the invention does not necessarily describe all
necessary
features of the invention.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] These and other features of the invention will become more apparent
from the
following description in which reference is made to the appended drawings
wherein:
[0020] FIGURE lA-F shows a schematic diagram of various embodiments of the
composite support system according to the present invention, with different
types of support
areas shown in different types of shading. FIGURE lA is one embodiment of the
present
invention, showing front and back views of a classic panty-type body garment.
FIGURE 1B
shows a second embodiment of the present invention, showing front and back
views of a body
slip-type support garment. FIGURE 1C shows another embodiment of the present
invention,
showing front and back views of a long-leg-type body garment. FIGURE 1D shows
yet another
embodiment of the present invention, a front view of a Capri-type body
garment. FIGURE lE
shows a fifth embodiment of the present invention, showing front and back
views of a thong-type
body garment. FIGURE lE shows still another embodiment of the present
invention, showing
front and back views of a ca.rnisole-type body garment.
[0021] FIGURE 2 shows a schematic diagram of various embodiments of the
brassiere
according to the present invention. FIGURE 2A shows a schematic diagram of a
brassiere
portion with non-removable shoulder straps 80. FIGURE 2B shows a schematic
diagram of
another embodiment of the brassiere portion with removable shoulder straps 80,
such that the
brassiere may be converted to a strapless brassiere. FIGURE 2C shows a
schematic diagram of
yet another embodiment of the brassiere portion as a strapless brassiere.
[0022] FIGURE 3A shows a schematic diagram of one embodiment of the composite
support system according to the present invention, with the body garment and
brassiere portion
releasably attached. FIGURE 3B shows a schematic diagram of the composite
support system
of Figure 2A with the body garment and brassiere portion detached. FIGURE 3C
shows a
schematic diagram of another embodiment of the composite garment according to
the present
invention, with the body garment and brassiere portion detached. FIGURE 3D
shows a
schematic diagram of yet another embodiment of the composite support system
according to the
present invention, with the body garment and brassiere portion detached.
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DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0023] The present invention relates to a composite support system. More
specifically,
the present invention relates to a composite support system having improved
versatility.
[0024] The following description is of a preferred embodiment by way of
example only
and without limitation to the combination of features necessary for carrying
the invention into
effect.
[0025] With reference to the figures, according to an embodiment of the
present
invention there is provided composite support system 10 (e.g. Figures 1 A-D),
comprising:
(a) a body garment, for example 22 or 24, having an upper edge 25 along which
is
provided one, or more than one first fastener (110, e.g. Figures 3B-3C); and
(b) a brassiere portion 30 having at least a bra base (50, or 60 and 70) two
breast
supporting cups 40 each with a lower edge 35 and one, or more than one second
fastener 120 along the lower edge 35 of the breast supporting cups 40, along
the
bra base (50, or 60 and 70), or any combination thereof, the second fastener
120
complementary to the first fastener 110.
The complementary joining of the one, or more than one first and second
fasteners reversably
attaches the lower edge of the breast supporting cups, the bra base, or a
combination thereof, of
the brassiere portion to the upper edge of the body garment.
[0026] By the term "composite support system" or "composite garment", it is
meant a
garment comprising at least two pieces, a body garment, and a top garment or
brassiere portion,
that are joined together at one or more than one location.
[0027] The bottom portion of the composite support system according to the
present
invention is a body garment or a body suit (for example 22, Figures 1 and 3B-
3D). By the terms
"body garment" or "body suit", it is meant any suitable midsection and lower
body-covering
garment. 'The body garment may cover at least the midsection and the buttocks,
and may
optionally cover part or all of the thighs or legs (e.g. Figures 1 f:-E). The
body garment may also
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CA 02495127 2005-O1-27
cover the midsection and part of the buttocks (e.g. l~igure 1F). For example,
but without wishing
to be limiting, the body garment may be a midsection support structure or a
slip garment (e.g.
Figure 1D). Preferably, the body garment is a seamless midsection support
structure, for
example as disclosed in U.S. 5,996,120 (Balit; which is incorporated herein by
reference).
[0028] By "midsection support structure" it is meant a garment that
substantially controls
the shape of the wearer in a desired manner in order to, for example, enhance
appearance. 'the
support structure provides sculpting control of the mid-section (stomach),
buttocks, thigh, or a
combination of these areas. It is to be understood that the midsection support
structure of the
present invention covers at least the loin and mid-section areas of the torso.
However, the
support structure of the present invention may also comprise a garment that
provides support to
the buttock, thigh and/or leg areas. Examples of such different garments,
which again are not to
be considered limiting in any manner, include:
a combined mid-section-loin-buttock support and panty girdle;
a combined mid-section-loin-buttock support and long-leg girdle;
a combined mid-section-loin-buttock support and Capri girdle;
a combined mid-section-loin support and thong;
a camisole; and
a body slip.
[0029] It is preferred that the midsection support structure as described
above should
provide support and control to the body. The areas of the body that typically
require sculpting
control and support include the bust, the mid-section, loin, and buttock
regions, or any
combination thereof. As will be seen below, the bust region will be supported
by a separate
garment that is removably attached to the body garment.
[0030] Preferably, the midsection support structure is a unitary garment, and
may be of
any suitable construction. For example and without wishing to he limiting in
any manner, the
midsection support structure may be constructed of a number of panels that are
joined together at
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seams, similar to the girdle-type constructions known in the art. Preferably,
the midsection
support structure is a seamless garment, for example as disclosed in U.S.
5,996,120 (which is
incorporated herein by reference). 'The composite support structure of the
present invention may
also comprise a midsection support structure containing alternate elements for
providing support
or rigidity, for example, stitching or reinforced seams, bones, stays, frames,
wires, or other
similar structures known in the art.
[003 I ] By the term "seamless", it is meant a midsection support structure
that is
produced in a single sleeve, with no seams. A non-limiting example of such a
garment may be
found in U.S Patent No. 5,996,120 (which is incorporated herein by reference
in its entirety).
[0032] The seamless support structure may incorporate different types of
stitches,
different use of yarns, or a combination thereof. The various stitches and
yarns should be used in
appropriate areas, in order that the stitch gives the appropriate control as
needed for each
separate area. For example, different stitches and/or yarns can be used for:
maximum support areas such as the stomach, anchor portions around buttocks,
and rear
portions around legs, and hip portions;
medium support areas including the waist and rear portions around legs;
intermediate support areas are used between maximum support and very soft
selection
areas, for example in the front areas around legs and area around buttocks;
soft selection areas including the buttock and crotch areas; and
band areas including the waistband.
[0033] For example, but without wishing to be limiting in any manner, proper
selection
of stitches for the above areas may provide for the following results: the
band area, for example
on the waist, compresses the area to provide additional support of the support
structure to keep
the complete support structure in place without cutting the figure. Similarly,
maximum support
stitches within the mid-section, hips and rear portions around legs provide
very efficient shaping
of those areas in combination with soft areas on buttocks and intermediate
support areas around
buttocks, without being uncomfortable to the user. This way, the buttocks are
shaped to give
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them a natural look, and in the same time they are supported around in gradual
manner. Anchor
portions (maximum support areas) of a generally symmetrical T-shape
configuration are located
in the crack between the cheeks of buttocks and allow to bring up the whole
buttock area, yet
functions in a discreet manner in that it hides the fact that there is support
providing the desired
figure. The symmetrical T-shaped anchor portions have a tendency to be pulled
to each other,
thus facilitating the lifting and shaping of buttock areas into a naturally
looking form. Other
combinations of degree of support and body area may be used, as desired.
Various embodiments
of the combination of different areas of support are shown in Figures lA-F
using different types
of shading. The different stitches and different yarns used to create the
areas of varying support
may be, but are not limited to, those described in U.S Patent No. 5,996,120
(incorporated herein
by reference).
[0034] Alternatively, the midsection support structure could be of a
construction similar
to that described above, but may comprise one, or more than one seam. For
example, but
without wishing to be limiting, the garment may be of one piece, but provided
with one seam
along the back, front or side of the garment; alternatively, the garment may
be of two pieces,
provided with one seam along each side, or in front and back.
[0035] Regardless of the construction of the midsection support structure, it
is to be
desired that external forces exerted on the body do not unnecessarily distort
the garment. As
force is exerted on a controlled part of the body when the support structure
is in use, the support
structure may also control other parts of the body so that the displaced flesh
does not appear
elsewhere. Furthermore, the midsection support structure may include
additional elements, for
example but without wishing to be limiting, edging tape stitched onto the
garment around the
legs, a closure in the gusset, or other elements for convenience or comfort.
[0036] Alternatively, the body garment could be a loose-fitting slip garment.
The slip
may be of any construction that is known in the art. Generally, a slip is a
tubular skirt, is loose
fitting, and is made of any material known in the art appropriate for the
intended purpose.
[0037] The body garment has an upper edge (25, e.g. Figures 3A-3D), which is
complementary in shape to the lower edge (35, e.g. Figures 3A-3D) of the top
portion of the
composite garment.
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[0038] The top portion of the ee~mposite garment of the present invention is a
brassiere
portion (30, e.g. Figures 3A-3D). The brassiere portion provides support to
the bust region. The
construction of the brassiere portion of the present invention will be well
known to those of skill
in the art. The brassiere may be constructed of any suitable material in any
suitable style and
should include at least a pair of breast supporting cups (40) and a bra base
(e.g. 50, Figure 3D; or
60 and 70 Figure 3B). The bra base encircles the upper torso on a level with,
or just below the
level of the breasts, as is known in the art; it may be provided as a
continuous or discontinuous
length. Without wishing to be limiting in any manner, in the case where the
bra base provided is
discontinuous, a front panel may be attached between the breast supporting
cups, and side/back
panels may be attached on either side of the cups. Alternatively, the panels
may be sewn
together to form a single continuous bra base, which is attached to the lower
edge of the breast
supporting cups (Figure 3D). In another example, the continuous bra base may
be constructed of
a single panel. The bra base may have a closure, either in the front or back,
which may be, but is
not limited to a hook-and-eye closure.
[0039] The breast supporting cups are attached to the bra base in any manner
know in the
art. In a non-limiting example, the cups may be sewn to the bra base, or may
form an integral
part of the bra base such as, but not limited to that disclosed in U.S Patent
No. 5,996,120
(incorporated herein by reference). Furthermore, the breast supporting cups
may be padded, for
example as in a push-up bra, or they may be soft cups.
[0040] Regardless of the construction of the bra base, it should be confined
to the breast
region of the torso, and should not extend to the waist. Generally, the bra
base of the brassiere
portion should not extend more than 5 cm from the lowermost portion of the
breast supporting
cups. For example, the brassiere portion may extend about 0 to about Scm from
the lowermost
portion of the breast supporting cups, or about 0, l, 2, 3, 4, or 5 cm from
the lowermost portion
of the breast supporting cups. The brassiere portion of the present invention
is not intended to
encompass a longline brassiere.
[0041 ] The brassiere may also be provided with underwires along the lower
edge of the
breast supporting cups, in a manner known in the art, to provide additional
support. The brassiere
portion may (e.g. Figures 2A-2B; 3A-3B) or may not (e.g. Figures lA-1D; 2C)
have shoulder
CA 02495127 2005-O1-27
straps 80 that connect to the bra base in the front and back in the customary
way, or the shoulder
straps may be removable or interchangeable. It is a feature of the present
invention that the
brassiere portion is a functioning entity and may be worn separately from the
bottom, or body
garment, portion.
[0042] The brassiere portion 30 and the body garment 20 are releasably
attached from
each other by one, or more than one fastener 100. According to the present
invention, the
fastener may be any suitable fastener known in the art, including, but not
limited to a zipper,
snaps, hook and loop fasteners for example, VelcroTM, traditional metal or
plastic hook-and-eye
type fasteners, lacings, or the like. As will be recognized by a person of
skill in the art, the types
of fasteners appropriate for the present invention are those comprising two
complementary
components. In this case, one part of the one, or more than one fastener will
be referred to as a
"first fastener" 110, while the complementary portion will be referred to as
"second fastener"
120. It should be noted that permanent fasteners, such as seams, are to be
avoided.
[0043] The one, or more than one first fastener is provided along the upper
edge 25 of the
body garment (e.g. see Figures 3B-3D). The one, or more than one second
fastener is provided
below the breast supporting cups of the brassiere portion 30. By the term
"below", it is meant
that the on, or more than one second fastener may be provided along the lower
35 edge of the
breast supporting cups, on or along the bra base, or any combination thereof.
For example but
without wishing to be limiting in any manner, the one, or more than one second
fastener may be
located along the lower edge 35 of the breast supporting cups (Figures 3B-3C),
which may
coincide with the seams attaching the cups to the bra base. In another non-
limiting example, the
one, or more than one second fastener may be provided along the bra base
(Figure 3D). In this
arrangement, the second fasteners) may be placed at any location along the
width of the bra
base; for example, the one, or more than one second fastener may or may not
contour the lower
edge of the breast supporting cups, or may be provided along upper or lower
edge of the bra
base, or any combination thereof. Regardless of where the second fasteners) is
provided on the
brassiere portion, it is important that the placement of the one or more than
one second fastener
complement the placement of the one, or more than one first fastener, such
that complementary
joining of the first and second fasteners) can occur without distortion or
bunching of the body
garment or brassiere portion.
CA 02495127 2005-O1-27
[0044] The one, or more than one first and second fasteners may join the
brassiere
portion and the body garment in the front, in the back, or a combination
thereof. For example,
the one, or more than one second fastener may be provided along the entire
length, or a portion
of the length, of the bra base; in such an arrangement, the one, or more than
one first fastener
would be located along the entire upper edge of the body garment, or a portion
thereof. Also, the
one, or more than one second fastener may be provided along the entire length
of the lower edge
of the breast supporting cups and/or bra base, or a portion thereof. As
distortion or bunching of
the body garment or brassiere portion is to be avoided, a preferred placement
of the one, or more
than one first and second fasteners is along the front of the composite
garment.
[0045] Along the inside of the garment may be provided a fabric, which
prevents contact
of the joined one or more than one fastener with the skin of the wearer. Thus,
any discomfort to
the wearer may be reduced.
[0046] It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the fasteners as
described
above allow for complementary joining of the one or more than one first and
second fasteners.
Upon complementary joining of the one, or more than one first and second
fasteners, the body
garment and brassiere portion become releasably attached. Therefore, the
brassiere portion can
be removed from the body garment and replaced, at will. Also, the brassiere
portion and body
garment may be interchanged; for example, but without wishing to be limiting
in any manner,
different types, colours, or sizes of brassiere portions can be removably
attached to a given body
garment, or different types, colours, or sizes of body garments can be
removably attached to a
given brassiere portion. It should also be understood that the fasteners on
the body garment and
the brassiere portion must remain in complementary positions regardless of the
type, colour, or
size of each portion.
[0047] The support structure of the present invention may also be provided as
a swimsuit,
a swimsuit liner, or a combination thereof. In a non-limiting example, the
brassiere portion may
be provided as a swimsuit top, while the body garment is a swimsuit liner that
is covered by the
swimsuit outer material; alternatively, the body garment may be provided as a
swimsuit bottom.
[0048] Referring now to the drawings, Figures 1 A to 1 F show various
embodiments of
the composite garment 10 of the present invention:
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a brassiere portion 30 with a classic panty midsection support structure 22
(Figure lA);
~ a brassiere portion 30 with a body slip midsection support structure 22
(Figure 1 B);
a brassiere portion 30 with a long-leg panty midsection support structure 22
(Figure
1 C);
a brassiere portion 30 with a Capri midsection support structure 24 (Figure 1
D);
a brassiere portion 30 with a thong midsection support structure 24 (Figure 1
E);
a brassiere portion 30 with a camisole midsection support structure 24 (Figure
1 F);
[0049] While the brassiere portion 30 is shown in Figure 1 with shoulder
straps, it is to
be understood that various types o:f brassiere are contemplated for use in the
present invention.
Figures 2A-2C show non-limiting embodiments of the brassiere portion 30; for
example, a
brassiere with straps (Figure 2A), a brassiere with detachable straps (Figure
2B), or a strapless
brassiere (Figure 2C) may be suitable for use in the present invention.
Furthermore, the brassiere
portion 30 may be any type of brassiere, for example, but not limited to a
push-up bra, a soft-cup
bra, a seamless bra, or a padded or unpadded bra.
[0050] Figures 3A and 3B show one embodiment of the present invention, Figure
3A
shows the composite garment 10 with the body garment and brassiere portion 30
attached, while
Figure 3B shows these components detached. The panty midsection support
structure 22 (body
garment) may be provided with two invisible zipper first fasteners 110 (with
the carriage) along
its upper edge 25 and a closure at the gusset (not shown). Complementary
zipper second
fasteners 35 are provided along the lower edge 35 of the breast supporting
cups 40 of the
brassiere portion 30. The first and second zipper fasteners 110, 120 join in a
complementary
fashion to releasably attach the brassiere portion 30 to the panty midsection
support structure 22.
In Figures 3A and 3B, the brassiere portion 30 also has a bra base 50 that is
discontinuous and
defined by the front panel 60 and side/back panels 70. Shoulder straps 80 with
double end hooks
attach the breast supporting cups 40 to the side/back panels 70 and to the
back of the panty
midsection support structure 22. A back closure 90 provides means for
attaching the bra base 50
around the wearer's torso. As can be seen in Figure 3A, when the brassiere
portion 30 and panty
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midsection support structure 22 are removably attached by fasteners 100, the
upper edge 25 of
the panty midsection support structure 22 is complementary to the lower edge
35 of the breast
supporting cups 40 and the top edge of the front panel 60.
[0051 ] An alternative method of reversibly fastening the body garment and the
brassiere
portion is shown in Figure 3C. The brassiere portion 30 and the panty
midsection support
structure 22 have a construction as described above, except for the placement
of the
complementary second and first fasteners, 120 and 110, respectively. In this
embodiment, a
single invisible zipper fastener 110 (i.e. the first fastener), with carriage,
is provided along the
upper edge of the panty midsection support structure 22 A complementary zipper
fastener 120
(i.e. the second fastener) is provided along the lower edge 35 of the breast
supporting cups 40
and the lower edge of the front panel 60. As can be readily determined from
the figure, the
upper edge 25 of the panty midsection support structure 22 is complementary to
the lower edge
35 of the brassiere portion 30.
[0052] In yet another embodiment shown in Figure 3D, the bra base 50 of the
brassiere
portion 30 is a continuous bra base 50. As previously described, the
continuous bra base 50 may
be constructed of one panel, or of more than one panel sewn together. The
panty midsection
support structure 22 is constructed as previously described, with a single
invisible zipper fastener
110 (i.e. the first fastener) provided on its upper edge 25. A complementary
zipper fastener 120
(i.e, the second fastener) is provided along the lower edge 35 of the
continuous bra base 50.
Again, the upper edge 25 of the panty midsection support structure 22 is
complementary to the
lower edge of the brassiere portion 30.
[0053] The body garment and brassiere portion of the present invention are so
constructed that various sizes of each are compatible. For example, different
sizes of brassiere
portions may be releasably attached to a given size body garment;
alternatively, different sizes of
body garments may be releasably attached to a given size brassiere portion.
Therefore, the
composite support system of the present invention is versatile, in that it
accommodates various
body types. Additionally, the body garments and brassiere portions may be
provided in a variety
of colours, which allows mixing and matching of both sizes and colours.
14
CA 02495127 2005-O1-27
[0054] The construction of the composite support structure, and the placement
of the one,
or more than one first and second fasteners, in the present invention prevents
the accumulation of
a bulk of fabric at the waist, as seen in several prior art garments. This
increases the comfort
level of the wearer and renders the garment invisible through the wearer's
clothing. In addition,
location of attachment of the brassiere portion to the body garment allows
free movement of the
wearer without undue distortion of the composite support structure or the
body, which may
prevent pinching, chaffing, rubbing, or general discomfort for the wearer.
[0055] The above description is not intended to limit the claimed invention in
any
manner. Furthermore, the discussed combination of features might not be
absolutely necessary
for the inventive solution.
