An Expandable Brassiere

Abstract

An adjustable brassiere ( 100 ) having two cups ( 102,104 ) joined to each other, a back band ( 106, 108 ) and shoulder straps ( 110,112 ). The back band has two parts: a first back band ( 108 ) having a first end connected to the first brassiere cup and having a second free end, and a second back band ( 106 ) having a first end connected to the second brassiere cup and having a second free end. The second free end of the first back band is detachably connected to the second free end of the second back band. The first shoulder strap ( 110 ) has a first end connected to the first brassiere cup and has a second end connected to the first back band, and the second shoulder strap ( 112 ) has a first end connected to the second brassiere cup and has a second end connected to the second back band. Adjustable side fasteners ( 114 ) connect the first and second brassiere cups to the first and second back bands, and these are able to alter an angle between the first and second brassiere cups and the first and second back bands. In two or more adjustable front fasteners ( 116 ) incorporated along each of the first and second brassiere cups connect the first and second brassiere cups and the first and second shoulder straps. The adjustable side fasteners allow the size of the brassieres cups to be increased in volume by one size and the adjustable front fasteners allow the cups to rotate to increase in capacity once side fasteners have been adjusted. The wearer can thus adjust the effective cup size of the brassiere to allow for size fluctuations during pregnancy and/or breast-feeding.

1 . An adjustable brassiere including: a first brassiere cup ( 102 ) and a second brassiere cup ( 104 ) connected together; a first back band ( 108 ) having a first end connected to the first brassiere cup and having a second free end, and a second back band ( 106 ) having a first end connected to the second brassiere cup and having a second free end, wherein the second free end of the first back band is detachably connected to the second free end of the second back band; and a first shoulder strap ( 110 ) having a first end connected to the first brassiere cup and having a second end connected to the first back band, and a second shoulder strap ( 112 ) having a first end connected to the second brassiere cup and having a second end connected to the second back band; characterised by: an adjustment means whereby, in use, the wearer is able to adjust the effective cup size of the brassiere to accommodate fluctuations in breast size. 
     
     
         2 . An adjustable brassiere according to  claim 1  in which adjustable side fasteners connect the first and second brassiere cups to the first and second back bands, the adjustable fasteners able to alter an angle between the first and second brassiere cups and the first and second back bands; and two or more adjustable front fasteners incorporated along each of the first and second brassiere cups connecting the first and second brassiere cups and the first and second shoulder straps; whereby the wearer may adjust the effective cup size of the brassiere to allow for size fluctuations of the breast. 
     
     
         3 . An adjustable brassiere according to  claim 1  in which the second free end of the first back band is detachably connected to the second free end of the second back band by means of an adjustable rear fastener. 
     
     
         4 . An adjustable brassiere according to  claims 1  in which the adjustable front fasteners, adjustable side fasteners and adjustable rear fasteners comprise any one of the group consisting of: hook elements, hook and eye elements, clasp elements, and clamp elements. 
     
     
         5 . An adjustable brassiere according to  claim 1  including two or more shoulder strap fastener receiving elements ( 118 ) incorporated along a length of each of the first and second back bands, the shoulder strap fastener receiving elements adapted to receive and attach the first and second shoulder straps at different locations on the first and second back bands. 
     
     
         6 . An adjustable brassiere according to  claim 1  in which the first and second brassiere cups include a strap part fitting around the wearer's breast and a front part fitting over the wearer's breast. 
     
     
         7 . An adjustable brassiere according to  claim 6  in which the front part is adapted to be detached from the shoulder strap to allow the wearer to give access to the breast by a feeding infant. 
     
     
         8 . An adjustable brassiere according to  claim 1  wherein a magnetic attachment is provided. 
     
     
         9 . An adjustable brassiere according to  claim 8  wherein the magnetic attachment is/are removable prior to laundering. 
     
     
         10 . An adjustable brassiere according to  claim 1  and substantially as herein described with reference to the Figures.