Support Device

Abstract

A support device and method of installation is disclosed to help prevent the protrusion of a relatively rigid support structure end portion from garments sue has bras, corsets, swimsuits, and other articles of clothing. The support device includes abase, a surrounding sidewall extending from the base with the surrounding sidewall terminating in an opening. The base and sidewall define an interior being operational to loosely receive the end portion of the support structure associated with the garment such as a bra underwire. The support device also includes a flange extending from the sidewall which is positioned to be oppositely disposed of the interior, wherein the flange is adapted to attach to the garment.

1 . An article of clothing support device, comprising:
 (a) a base;   (b) a surrounding sidewall extending from said base terminating in an opening, wherein said base and said sidewall define an interior, wherein said interior is sized and configured to loosely receive a portion of a support structure associated with an article of clothing; and   (c) a flange extending from said sidewall, said flange is positioned to be oppositely disposed of said interior, wherein said flange is adapted to attach to a fabric.   
   
   
       2 . An article of clothing support device according to  claim 1 , wherein said base, sidewall, and flange are made of materials selected from the group consisting essentially of polyethylene, polypropylene and polyurethane materials. 
   
   
       3 . An article of clothing support device according to  claim 1 , wherein said base, sidewall, and flange are made of materials selected from the group consisting essentially of stainless steels. 
   
   
       4 . An article of clothing support device according to  claim 1 , wherein said interior is sized and configured to loosely receive the support structure in the form of a bra underwire end portion that can move in a limited omnidirectional manner in relation to said interior. 
   
   
       5 . An article of clothing support device according to  claim 4 , wherein said interior has a substantially continuous curved surface. 
   
   
       6 . An article of clothing support device according to  claim 1 , wherein said flange is sized and configured to include an aperture therethrough, said aperture being operational to allow an attaching element to substantially secure said flange to the fabric. 
   
   
       7 . An article of clothing support device according to  claim 6 , wherein said attaching element is made of materials selected from the group consisting essentially of attachment stitching and fasteners. 
   
   
       8 . An article of clothing support device according to  claim 1 , wherein said flange is positioned in relation to said sidewall such that said interior loosely receiving the support structure is operational to automatically position said flange in relation to the fabric such that said flange attachment to the fabric is substantially in tension due to the relative movement of the support structure to said interior. 
   
   
       9 . An article of clothing support device according to  claim 1 , wherein said base, sidewall, and flange are substantially transparent. 
   
   
       10 . An article of clothing support device according to  claim 1 , wherein where said flange is adapted to attach to a fabric is made of attachment materials selected from the group consisting essentially of adhesive and hook-and-loop fasteners. 
   
   
       11 . An article of clothing support device, comprising:
 (a) a base;   (b) a surrounding sidewall extending from said base terminating in an opening, said sidewall being about a longitudinal axis, wherein said base and sidewall define an interior, said interior including a surface that is substantially continuously curved about said longitudinal axis, said interior is also including a surface that is substantially continuously curved between said base and sidewall, where in said interior is sized and configured to loosely receive a portion of a support structure associated with an article of clothing; and   (c) a flange extending from said sidewall, wherein said flange is positioned to be oppositely disposed of said interior, said flange is adapted to attach to a fabric.   
   
   
       12 . An article of clothing support device according to  claim 11 , wherein said base, sidewall, and flange are made of materials selected from the group consisting essentially of polyethylene, polypropylene and polyurethane materials. 
   
   
       13 . An article of clothing support device according to  claim 11 , wherein said base, sidewall, and flange are made of materials selected from the group consisting essentially of stainless steels. 
   
   
       14 . An article of clothing support device according to  claim 11 , wherein said interior is sized and configured to loosely receive the support structure in the form of a bra underwire end portion that can move in a limited omnidirectional manner in relation to said interior. 
   
   
       15 . An article of clothing support device according to  claim 11 , wherein said flange is sized and configured to include an aperture therethrough, said aperture being operational to allow an attaching element to substantially secure said flange to the fabric. 
   
   
       16 . An article of clothing support device according to  claim 15 , wherein said attaching element is made of materials selected from the group consisting essentially of attachment stitching and fasteners. 
   
   
       17 . An article of clothing support device according to  claim 11 , wherein said flange is positioned in relation to said sidewall such that said interior loosely receiving the support structure is operational to automatic ally position said flange in relation to the fabric such that said flange attachment to the fabric is substantially in tension due to relative movement of the support structure to said interior. 
   
   
       18 . An article of clothing support device according to  claim 11 , wherein said base, sidewall, and flange are substantially transparent. 
   
   
       19 . An article of clothing support device according to  claim 11 , wherein where said flange is adapted to attach to a fabric is made of attachment materials selected from the group consisting essentially of adhesive and hook-and-loop fasteners. 
   
   
       20 . A method of installing a support device to receive a support structure associated with an article of clothing, comprising the steps of:
 (a) providing a support device that includes a base, a surrounding sidewall extending from said base terminating in an opening, wherein said base and sidewall define an interior, wherein said interior is sized and configured to loosely receive a portion of the support structure associated with the article of clothing, said device also including a flange extending from said sidewall, said flange is positioned to be oppositely disposed of said interior, wherein said flange is adapted to attach to a fabric;   (b) grasping said support device to be adjacent to the article of clothing and to be adjacent to the portion of the support structure associate with the article of clothing;   (c) positioning said support device such that the portion of the support structure associated with the article of clothing is disposed within said interior creating a selected position of the support device adjacent to the article of clothing; and   (d) attaching said flange to the article of clothing at said selected position;   
   
   
       21 . A method of using an article of clothing support device according to  claim 20 , wherein said attaching step utilizes an aperture in said flange for using an attaching element that is operational to attach said flange to the article of clothing. 
   
   
       22 . A method of using an article of clothing support device according to  claim 21 , further comprising a step of confirming that said interior is loosely receiving the support structure associated with the article of clothing that is operational to automatically position said flange in relation to the fabric such that said attaching element is substantially in tension due to relative movement of the support structure to said interior.