Breast restraint for athletic activity

Abstract

A restraint that reduces breast movement while a person exercises or performs some other activity, as well as a method of using the restraint. The restraint includes a strap that fits across the tops of the person's breasts, under the person's arms, and around the person's back, and also includes an adjustable fastener for fastening the strap together. At least part of the strap is sufficiently elastic so as to ensure a close fit, but is also sufficiently inelastic so that the restraint avoids contributing to movement of the breasts during exercising or other activities. The strap preferably is at least one inch wide at a portion that fits across the tops of the breasts. The strap can be all of a uniform width, or the strap can be shaped so as to be wider at the portion that fits across the tops of the breasts. Other arrangements are possible. Preferably, the strap is all of a single elastic material and the fastener is a velcro fastener. The restraint can be adapted to be worn in addition to a bra. Alternatively, the strap of the restraint can be incorporated into a bra such as a sports bra.

What is claims is:  
     
         1 . A restraint that reduces breast movement while a person exercises or performs some other activity, comprising: 
 a strap that fits across tops of the person's breasts, under the person's arms, and around the person's back; and    an adjustable fastener for fastening the strap together;    wherein at least part of the strap is sufficiently elastic so as to ensure a close fit, but is also sufficiently inelastic so that the restaint avoids contributing to movement of the breasts during exercising or other activities.    
     
     
         2 . A restraint as in  claim 1 , wherein the strap is at least one inch wide at a portion that fits across the tops of the breasts.  
     
     
         3 . A restraint as in  claim 2 , wherein the strap is all of a uniform width.  
     
     
         4 . A restraint as in  claim 2 , wherein the strap is shaped so as to be wider at the portion that fits across the tops of the breasts.  
     
     
         5 . A restraint as in  claim 1 , wherein the strap is all of a single elastic material.  
     
     
         6 . A restraint as in  claim 1 , wherein the fastener is a velcro fastener.  
     
     
         7 . A restraint as in  claim 1 , wherein the restraint is adapted to be worn in addition to a bra.  
     
     
         8 . A restraint as in  claim 1 , wherein the strap is incorporated into a bra.  
     
     
         9 . A restraint as in  claim 8 , wherein the bra is a sports bra.  
     
     
         10 . A method that reduces breast movement while a person exercises or performs some other activity, comprising: 
 fitting a strap across tops of the person's breasts, under the person's arms, and around the person's back; and    fastening the strap together with an adjustable fastener;    wherein at least part of the strap is sufficiently elastic so as to ensure a close fit, but is also sufficiently inelastic so that the restaint avoids contributing to movement of the breasts during exercising or other activities.    
     
     
         11 . A method as in  claim 10 , wherein the strap is at least one inch wide at a portion that fits across the tops of the breasts.  
     
     
         12 . A method as in  claim 11 , wherein the strap is all of a uniform width.  
     
     
         13 . A method as in  claim 11 , wherein the strap is shaped so as to be wider at the portion that fits across the tops of the breasts.  
     
     
         14 . A method as in  claim 10 , wherein the strap is all of a single elastic material.  
     
     
         15 . A method as in  claim 10 , wherein the fastener is a velcro fastener.  
     
     
         16 . A method as in  claim 10 , further comprising wearing a bra.  
     
     
         17 . A method as in  claim 10 , wherein the strap is incorporated into a bra.  
     
     
         18 . A method as in  claim 17 , wherein the bra is a sports bra.