Uplift Bra

Abstract

A bra with two breast cups, joined together at a mid region. A chest strap extends from each breast cup, to encompass the chest of the wearer. The chest straps are engaged to each breast cup at least two locations, a first location being above a second location. Each breast cup has a panel with a perimeter defining a neckline and a support line. The support line is of a continuously curved nature between its upper terminus where a shoulder support strap is located, and its inner terminus where the cups are joined. The breast cups each include a longitudinally extending line of inelasticity extending between the first location and the mid region.

1 . An uplift bra comprising
 two breast cups, each to receive at least part of a breast of the wearer of the bra,   means for joining said breast cups at a mid region of said bra to define with said breast cups so joined, a breast cup assembly   a chest strap or straps extending from each said breast cup, to encompass at least part of the chest of the wearer of the bra so that when worn the chest strap or straps hold the breast cups against the chest region of the wearer, the or each chest strap engaged to each breast cup at least two locations, a first location (herein after “upper point”) being above a second location (herein after “lower point”)   wherein each breast cup consists of a panel (whether defined by a single or multi panel, single or multi ply assembly) which includes a perimeter defining a neckline and a support line, the support line generally extending about the lower region of the breast cup and the neck line generally extending about the upper region of the breast cup, said support line being of a continuously curved (but not necessarily constant curvature) nature between;
 (i) its upper terminus at or proximate to which at least one of (a) an over the shoulder support strap and (b) the upper point is located, and 
 (ii) its inner terminus at or proximate to which at least one of (a) the lower point and (b) the means for joining the two breast cups is located 
   wherein each said breast cup includes a longitudinally extending line or region of inelasticity extending between said upper point and said means for joining.   
   
   
       2 . The uplift bra as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said longitudinally extending line or region of inelasticity terminates at a first end at said upper point and at its second end, at or proximate said means for joining. 
   
   
       3 . The uplift bra as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said longitudinally extending line or region of inelasticity passes below the region of said panel at where said nipple of the wearer is to be located. 
   
   
       4 . The uplift bra as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said longitudinally extending line or region of inelasticity lies on a direct albeit contoured to the cup shape of said breast cup line between said upper point and said means for joining. 
   
   
       5 . The uplift bra as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said longitudinally extending line or region of inelasticity lies on a downwardly curved and contoured to the cup shape of said breast cup line between said upper point and said means for joining. 
   
   
       6 . The uplift bra as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said longitudinally extending line or region of inelasticity lies on a direct albeit contoured to the cup shape of said breast cup line between said upper point and said mid region of said bra. 
   
   
       7 . The uplift bra as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said neckline defines the upper side of said panel located above said longitudinally extending line or region of inelasticity and said upper terminus of said support line is above said upper point. 
   
   
       8 . The uplift bra as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said support line is of a continuously curved (but not necessarily constant curvature) nature between;
 (i) its upper terminus at or proximate to which at least one of (a) an over the shoulder support strap and (b) the upper point is located, and   (ii) its inner terminus at or proximate to the means for joining the two breast cups.   
   
   
       9 . The uplift bra as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said support line is of a continuously curved (but not necessarily constant curvature) nature between;
 (i) its upper terminus at or proximate to which an over the shoulder support strap is located, and   (ii) its inner terminus at or proximate to the means for joining the two breast cups,   wherein the upper point is disposed to the support line of the breast cup below the upper terminus.   
   
   
       10 . The uplift bra as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said chest strap or straps includes means to define a top and bottom pull line each pull line provided engaged at the upper and lower point of a said breast cup respectively. 
   
   
       11 . The uplift bra as claimed in  claim 10  wherein said means defining said pull lines are non elastic regions of said chest strap or straps. 
   
   
       12 . The uplift bra as claimed in  claim 10  wherein each said pull line is defined by a non elastic band. 
   
   
       13 . The uplift bra as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said upper point is above the nipple of the wearer. 
   
   
       14 . The uplift bra as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said lower point is below the nipple of the wearer. 
   
   
       15 . The uplift bra as claimed in  claim 10  wherein for each said breast cup, said respective bottom pull line is horizontally in line with the means for joining said breast cups. 
   
   
       16 . The uplift bra as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said panel of each breast cup is at least of two sub panels engaged together along said line of inelasticity. 
   
   
       17 . The uplift bra as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said line or zone of inelasticity is a line of stitching. 
   
   
       18 . The garment which incorporates a bra as claimed in  claim 1 . 
   
   
       19 . (canceled) 
   
   
       20 . (canceled)