Brassieres

Abstract

Brassieres have torso straps with adjustable tensioning mechanisms.

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, a bottom portion and a generally horizontal channel extending entirely through the interior of said bottom portion;   a shoulder strap supporting said at least one breast cup;   a torso strap extending through said channel and forming a continuous loop adapted to pass around a wearer's torso;   a tensioning cord passing through said torso strap; and   a tensioning mechanism for selectively tightening or loosening said torso strap.   
     
     
         2 . A brassiere according to  claim 1  wherein said shoulder strap comprises at least one generally vertical strap extending from said rear portion to at least one of said breast cup; 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. 
     
     
         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  comprising two breast cups. 
     
     
         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  wherein said tensioning mechanism comprises a ratcheting spool. 
     
     
         9 . A brassiere according to  claim 1  further comprising at least one decorative cover over at least one of said breast cups. 
     
     
         10 . A brassiere according to  claim 1  comprising a plurality of torso straps, each of said torso straps comprising a tensioning cord. 
     
     
         11 . A brassiere according to  claim 10  comprising a tensioning mechanism for each torso strap. 
     
     
         12 . A brassiere according to  claim 1  comprising a tensioning cord comprising a plurality of generally horizontal, parallel portions. 
     
     
         13 . A brassiere according to  claim 12  wherein said parallel portions are disposed in separate channels formed in said torso strap.