Bra

Abstract

A bra including: an elongated front strap; and an elongated back strap; wherein at least one end portion of the back strap is adapted to overlap and be fastened to at least one corresponding end portion of the front strap, so that the bra can be put on and fastened to a wearer's torso by using a single hand; and wherein at least one of the end portions of at least one of the front strap and the back strap includes an elongated stiffening element, the stiffening element stiffening the end portion horizontally to maintain a horizontal orientation of the end portion when the bra is hanging on the wearer's body before being fastened.

1 . A bra including:
 an elongated front strap; and   an elongated back strap;   wherein at least one end portion of the back strap is adapted to overlap and be fastened to at least one corresponding end portion of the front strap, so that the bra can be put on and fastened to a wearer's torso by using a single hand; and   wherein at least one of the end portions of at least one of the front strap and the back strap includes an elongated stiffening element, the stiffening element stiffening the end portion horizontally to maintain a horizontal orientation of the end portion when the bra is hanging on the wearer's body before being fastened.   
     
     
         2 . The bra of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one end portion of the back strap is adapted to be fastened to at least one corresponding end portion of the front strap by at least one hook-and-loop fastener. 
     
     
         3 . The bra of  claim 2 , wherein the hook-and-loop fastener includes:
 a loop member attached to an interior surface of the end portion of the front strap or the back strap; and   a hook member attached to an exterior surface of the end portion of the back strap or the front strap.   
     
     
         4 . The bra of  claim 1 , wherein both of the end portions of the front strap or the back strap include the stiffening element. 
     
     
         5 . The bra of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the end portions of the back strap includes the stiffening element, and the end portions of the front strap do not include the stiffening element. 
     
     
         6 . The bra of  claim 1 , wherein the stiffening element includes a pair of horizontal bones extending on or approximate to an upper edge and a lower edge of each of the end portions 
     
     
         7 . The bra of  claim 1 , further including:
 a cup portion including two cups for receiving breasts of the wearer, wherein at least one of the two cups includes an inner pocket for holding a prosthetic.   
     
     
         8 - 11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . The bra of  claim 2 , wherein both of the end portions of the front strap or the back strap include the stiffening element. 
     
     
         13 . The bra of  claim 12 , wherein the stiffening element includes a pair of horizontal bones extending on or approximate to an upper edge and a lower edge of each of the end portions. 
     
     
         14 . The bra of  claim 2 , wherein at least one of the end portions of the back strap includes the stiffening element, and the end portions of the front strap do not include the stiffening element. 
     
     
         15 . The bra of  claim 14 , wherein the stiffening element includes a pair of horizontal bones extending on or approximate to an upper edge and a lower edge of the at least one end portions of the back strap. 
     
     
         16 . The bra of  claim 15 , further including a cup portion including two cups for receiving breasts of the wearer, wherein at least one of the two cups includes an inner pocket for holding a prosthetic. 
     
     
         17 . A method including:
 fastening a first side of a bra using a first fastener on the first side;   wearing the bra with the first side fastened under a first arm, supported by shoulder straps of the bra, and a second side unfastened; and   fastening the second side of the bra using a second fastener on the second side and only one hand by applying a pushing force on the second side of the bra towards a wearer's torso, wherein the second side is opposite the first side and under a second arm.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the one hand is on the second arm. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein fastening the second side of the bra further includes:
 holding a back end portion of the second fastener with a palm of the hand; and   grasping a front end portion of the second fastener with fingers of the hand.   
     
     
         20 . A bra including:
 a front strap for wearing across a wearer's chest; and   a back strap for wearing across the wearer's back;   wherein at least one end portion of the back strap is adapted to overlap and be fastened to at least one corresponding end portion of the front strap at the wearer's side, so that the bra can be put on and fastened to the wearer's torso using a single hand; and   wherein at least one of the end portions of the back strap includes an elongated stiffening element, the stiffening element stiffening the end portion horizontally to maintain a horizontal orientation of the end portion when the bra is hanging on the wearer's body before being fastened.