Abstract:
A weighted vest includes a pair of mirror image front panels joined to a back panel to form a sleeveless weight supporting vest. A plurality of pliable easily conformed weight packets are secured within the vest interior by fabric attachment pads together with a combination of elastic bands and belts. The vest provides weight distribution particularly suited to activities of substantial acceleration such as sprint starting, American football or the like. A porous liner and mesh outer layer over certain areas of the vest allow heat to be vented from the vest interior. A pair of variable spring rate expansion joints are coupled between the front panels and the back panel passing over the shoulder, neck and collar bone region of the athlete's body to provide reduction of localized stress upon the athlete.
Abstract:
A posture support garment comprises shoulder cap straps designed to pull the shoulders back thereby straightening the wearer's posture. The shoulder cap straps may be lined with silicone or some other appropriate material to grip or “grab” the skin at the area of the pectoral muscles or may be designed to cup the shoulders mechanically. This invention provides an effective posture enhancement while also providing a garment that is comfortable to wear all day. The posture support garment may be integrally designed and manufactured into a brassiere, T-shirt, bodice, or other top garment. The posture support garment may be worn by computer users or others concerned with detrimental genetic posture or the detrimental effects of everyday activity.
Abstract:
A reversible adjustable shoulder strap which can be used with high versatility in a variety of strap patterns, for a brassiere, has a strip formed with injection mold male and female closure members which can mate with one another and are identical on either side of the strip.
Abstract:
A strap suspender for a brassiere uses for holding either a cloth strap or a bead strap. The strap suspender for a brassiere has a body and a holder. The holder is pivotally mounted on the body. The body has a transverse lip formed on the body and a central slot defined through the transverse lip. The cloth straps and the bead straps can pass through the central slot and be held by the transverse lip or the holder.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a cushioning laminate insert for a garment shoulder strap, such as a brassiere strap. The cushioning laminate insert of the invention includes: (1) a first outer fabric layer; (2) a central cushioning area of cured polyurethane elastomer cushioning material; and (3) a second outer fabric layer. One surface of the first and second outer fabric layers is laminated with a thermoplastic urethane (“TPU”) film. The laminated surface of the first outer fabric layer is covalently bonded to a first lateral surface of the central cushioning area, and the opposite lateral surface of the central cushioning area is self-adhered to the laminated surface of the second outer fabric layer in an open-sandwich configuration to thereby form the cushioning laminate insert. Garment shoulder straps including the cushioning laminate insert of the invention, as well as methods for making the cushioning laminate insert are also provided.
Abstract:
The present invention provides an adjustable underwire support bra especially suited for larger breasted women. The bra is designed to allow a wearer to create their own most comfortable fit by independently adjusting inner and outer cup support straps. The bra is also designed with a centerpiece in which to embed the underwire to prevent the underwire from slipping or from poking through the fabric causing discomfort to the wearer and/or fabric wear.
Abstract:
In apparatus attachable to a strip of material associated with a garment, the combination comprising a flexible support base, and two foldable flaps carried by the base at spaced apart fold locations, and characterized in that the flaps are separately foldable from open positions allowing placement of the strip part at least one open position flap and toward the base, to closed position in which portions of the flaps directly overlie one another and the strip is retained to the base by the flaps; the flaps consisting of mutually face-to-face adherent material to adhere when the portions are pressed together in the closed position of the flaps.
Abstract:
A padded strap for brassieres and similar garments that includes an integral molded pad portion. The strap, including the pad, is suitable for forming the load-bearing straps of the qarment while presenting an attractive, smooth and seam-free outer appearance and also being free of seams along the wearer's skin. The padded strap of the invention also may be used as a separate pad for a conventional strap by attaching appropriate hooks or other hardware to the ends of the strap. A method for forming a strap according to the invention is also disclosed. The method includes laminating selected fabrics to a resilient core to form a laminated sandwich, molding the sandwich under pressure and temperature to compress a portion and leave an uncompressed portion to form a pad portion, cooling the molded sandwich in a curved position to induce a curved set, cutting the molded sandwich to size to form a strap, and securing the strap to a garment.
Abstract:
A padded strap for brassieres and similar garments that includes an integral molded pad portion. The strap, including the pad, is suitable for forming the load-bearing straps of the garment while presenting an attractive, smooth and seam-free outer appearance and also being free of seams along the wearer's skin. The padded strap of the invention also may be used as a separate pad for a conventional strap by attaching appropriate hooks or other hardware to the ends of the strap. A method for forming a strap according to the invention is also disclosed. The method includes laminating selected fabrics to a resilient core to form a laminated sandwich, molding the sandwich under pressure and temparature to compress a portion and leave an uncompressed portion to form a pad portion, cooling the molded sandwich in a curved position to induce a curved set, cutting the molded sandwich to size to form a strap, and securing the strap to a garment.