Bra strap with stabilizing material

Abstract

A stabilizing shoulder strap for an upper torso garment is provided, having enhanced stability in the shoulder region. The stabilizing shoulder strap has a first end, a second end, and an intermediate shoulder portion in between the first end and the second end. The intermediate shoulder portion may have a greater width than the first end and the second end of the stabilizing shoulder strap. A panel is attached to opposing longitudinal edges of the intermediate portion of the stabilizing shoulder strap, and may be more rigid than the intermediate shoulder portion to which it is attached, thereby providing improved stability to the shoulder strap.

1 . A stabilizing shoulder strap for an upper torso garment comprising:
 a first end portion having a width;   a second end portion having a width;   an intermediate shoulder portion between the first end portion and the second end portion, having first and second surfaces, a length, opposing longitudinal edges, a thickness, and a rigidity;   a panel attached to one of the first and second surfaces and extending along some portion of the length of the intermediate shoulder portion and between the opposing longitudinal edges of the intermediate shoulder portion; and   the panel having a rigidity greater than the rigidity of said intermediate shoulder portion.   
     
     
         2 . The stabilizing shoulder strap of  claim 1 , wherein the panel comprises a slip-resistant surface. 
     
     
         3 . The stabilizing shoulder strap of  claim 1 , wherein the intermediate shoulder portion has a width greater than the width of at least one of the first end and the second end. 
     
     
         4 . The stabilizing shoulder strap of  claim 1 , wherein the intermediate shoulder portion has a curvilinear shape. 
     
     
         5 . The stabilizing shoulder strap of  claim 1 , wherein the panel is a knitted jersey fabric having a thickness greater than the thickness of the intermediate shoulder portion. 
     
     
         6 . The stabilizing shoulder strap of  claim 1 , wherein the panel is a knitted jersey fabric having a knitted density greater than the density of the intermediate shoulder portion. 
     
     
         7 . An upper torso garment comprising;
 a chest panel;   a back panel;   a pair of shoulder straps, each shoulder strap comprising:
 a first end portion having a width; 
 a second end portion having a width; 
 an intermediate shoulder portion between the first end portion and the second end portion, having first and second surfaces, a length, opposing longitudinal edges, a thickness, and a rigidity; 
 a stabilizing panel attached to one of the first and second surfaces and extending along some portion of the length of the intermediate shoulder portion and between the opposing longitudinal edges of the intermediate shoulder portion; and 
   the panel having a rigidity greater than the rigidity of the intermediate shoulder portion.   
     
     
         8 . The upper torso garment of  claim 7 , wherein the garment is selected from the group consisting of a brassiere, a swimsuit, and a tank top. 
     
     
         9 . The upper torso garment of  claim 8 , wherein the chest panel is a brassiere and comprises breast receiving cups. 
     
     
         10 . The upper torso garment of  claim 7 , wherein the stabilizing panel comprises a slip-resistant outer surface. 
     
     
         11 . The upper torso garment of  claim 7 , wherein said stabilizing shoulder strap comprises an intermediate shoulder portion having a width greater than said first end and said second end. 
     
     
         12 . The upper torso garment of  claim 7 , wherein the stabilizing panel is a knitted jersey fabric having a thickness greater than the thickness of the intermediate shoulder portion. 
     
     
         13 . The upper torso garment of  claim 7 , wherein said panel is a knitted jersey fabric having a density greater than the density of the intermediate shoulder portion.