Brassieres

Abstract

Brassiers and bikini tops have generally vertical straps such as shoulder straps and neck straps which extend over the wearer's shoulder or clavicle and below the upper edge of a breast cup as a single strap with a lower front portion branching to a multi-strap configuration. Other brassieres use a single horizontal strap which passes through lower portions of breast cups and is securable on the side of the wearer or in front of the wearer.

1 . A brassiere comprising a front portion and a rear portion, said brassiere comprising:
 at least one breast cup adapted to support a breast and comprising a top portion, an upper edge and a bottom portion;   at least one generally vertical strap extending from said rear portion to said bottom portion of said breast cup;   at least one generally horizontal strap;   said at least one generally vertical strap extending from the top portion of a breast cup to the bottom portion of said breast cup, said at least one vertical strap comprising a single strap proximate the top portion of said breast cup and branching into a plurality of lower, front straps at a first location which is below the top portion of said breast cup and above the bottom portion of said breast cup such that a plurality of lower, front straps extend to the bottom portion of said breast cup.   
     
     
         2 . A brassiere according to  claim 1  wherein said at least one vertical strap branches into two lower, front straps. 
     
     
         3 . A brassiere according to  claim 1  wherein said at least one vertical strap comprises two shoulder straps. 
     
     
         4 . A brassiere according to  claim 1  wherein said generally horizontal strap forms at least a part of said rear portion and said shoulder straps are connected to said generally horizontal strap. 
     
     
         5 . A brassiere according to  claim 1  wherein said at least one vertical strap is a neck strap. 
     
     
         6 . A brassiere according to  claim 1  wherein said first location is above a wearer's nipple. 
     
     
         7 . A brassiere according to  claim 1  wherein said first location is about one inches to about three inches below the top edge of said at least one breast cup. 
     
     
         8 . A brassiere according to  claim 1  comprising two breast cups wherein said breast cups comprise slots in said bottom portions and said generally horizontal strap extends through said slots in said breast cups. 
     
     
         9 . A brassiere according to  claim 8  wherein said generally horizontal strap comprises connectors for attaching a first portion of said generally horizontal strap to a second portion of said generally horizontal strap. 
     
     
         10 . A brassiere according to  claim 1  wherein said at least one breast cup comprises slots in said bottom portion and said generally horizontal strap extends through said slots in said breast cup. 
     
     
         11 . A brassiere according to  claim 8  wherein said generally horizontal strap comprises connectors for attaching a first portion of said generally horizontal strap to a second portion of said generally horizontal strap. 
     
     
         12 . A brassiere according to  claim 1  further comprising at least one decorative cover over at least one of said breast cups. 
     
     
         13 . A brassiere comprising a front portion and a rear portion, said brassiere comprising:
 two breast cups, each adapted to support a breast, and each comprising a top portion, an upper edge and a bottom portion;   at least one generally vertical strap extending from said rear portion to said bottom portion of said breast cups;   at least one generally horizontal strap;   said breast cups comprise slots in said bottom portions and said generally horizontal strap extends through said slots in said breast cups;   said generally horizontal strap comprises connectors for attaching a first portion of said generally horizontal strap to a second portion of said generally horizontal strap.   
     
     
         14 . A brassiere comprising a front portion and a rear portion, said brassiere comprising:
 two breast cups, each adapted to support a breast, and each comprising a top portion, an upper edge and a bottom portion;   at least one generally vertical strap extending from said rear portion to said bottom portion of said breast cups;   at least one generally horizontal strap;   said breast cups comprise slots in said bottom portions and said generally horizontal strap extends through said slots in said breast cups;   said generally horizontal strap comprises at least one connector for securing the ends of the horizontal strap in front of the wearer.   
     
     
         15 . A brassiere according to  claim 14  wherein opposite end portions of said horizontal strap cross in front of a wearer when the horizontal straps are secured. 
     
     
         16 . A brassiere according to  claim 14  wherein opposite end portions of said horizontal strap do not cross in front of a wearer when the horizontal straps are secured. 
     
     
         17 . A brassiere according to  claim 14  wherein said at least one generally vertical strap extends from the top portion of a breast cup to the bottom portion of said breast cup, said at least one vertical strap comprises a single strap proximate the top portion of said breast cup and branching into a plurality of lower, front straps at a first location which is below the top portion of said breast cup and above the bottom portion of said breast cup such that a plurality of lower, front straps extend to the bottom portion of said breast cup. 
     
     
         18 . A brassiere according to  claim 14  wherein said at least one vertical strap comprises two shoulder straps. 
     
     
         19 . A brassiere according to  claim 14  wherein said generally horizontal strap forms at least a part of said rear portion and said shoulder straps are connected to said generally horizontal strap. 
     
     
         20 . A brassiere according to  claim 14  wherein said at least one vertical strap is a neck strap.