Support bra system and method

Abstract

A bra is provided in the form of a base structure having a front portion, the front portion including a first cup, a second cup, and a center portion disposed therebetween. A first plurality of elongated elements is coupled to the base structure and are arranged in a substantially parallel manner. A second plurality of elongated elements is also coupled to the base structure. Each elongated element of the second plurality of elongated elements further includes an upper portion, and each upper portion the elongated elements of the second plurality of elongated elements is positioned within or proximate to the center portion of the bra to form a reinforcement zone. In addition, the first plurality of elongated elements at least partially overlies the second plurality of elongated elements.

1 . A bra, comprising:
 a base structure forming a front portion of the bra, the front portion of the bra including a first cup, a second cup, and a center portion disposed of therebetween;   a first plurality of elongated elements coupled to the base structure and arranged in a substantially parallel manner; and   a second plurality of elongated elements coupled to the base structure, wherein each elongated element of the second plurality of elongated elements further includes an upper portion;   wherein the upper portion of each elongated element of the second plurality of elongated elements is positioned proximate to the center portion of the bra to form a reinforcement zone, and wherein the first plurality of elongated elements at least partially overlies the second plurality of elongated elements.   
     
     
         2 . The bra of  claim 1 , wherein the base structure is provided as a three-dimensional knit structure. 
     
     
         3 . The bra of  claim 1 , wherein the base structure further includes a front layer and a rear layer, and wherein the first plurality of elongated elements and the second plurality of elongated elements are positioned between the front layer and the rear layer. 
     
     
         4 . The bra of  claim 3 , wherein the base structure further includes an intermediate layer positioned between the front layer and the rear layer, and wherein the first plurality of elongated elements and the second plurality of elongated elements are formed from the intermediate layer. 
     
     
         5 . The bra of  claim 3 , wherein the front layer comprises a first fabric and the rear layer comprises a second fabric different from the first fabric. 
     
     
         6 . A bra cup, comprising:
 a body extending from an apex portion to an outer edge and provided in a substantially hemispherical shape, the body further comprising a first fabric layer including an inner surface and an outer surface, the outer surface of the first fabric layer providing an exterior surface of the body; and   a support system comprising:
 a first set of support elements, the first set of support elements including a first assembly of elongated components, each elongated component of the first assembly of elongated components having a first curved shape and is configured to extend across the body of the bra cup; and 
 a second set of support elements including a second assembly of elongated components, each elongated component of the second assembly of elongated components having a second curved shape; 
 wherein the support system is coupled to the inner surface of the first fabric layer. 
   
     
     
         7 . The bra cup of  claim 6 , wherein each elongated component of the first assembly of elongated components extends from a first portion of the body to a second portion of the body. 
     
     
         8 . The bra cup of  claim 6 , wherein the first assembly of elongated components abuts the inner surface of the first fabric layer and each elongated component of the second assembly of elongated components at least partially overlies at least one elongated component of the first assembly of elongated components. 
     
     
         9 . The bra cup of  claim 6 , wherein at least some of the first set of support elements and at least some of the second set of support elements are arranged to form a mesh zone provided on the body of the bra cup. 
     
     
         10 . The bra cup of  claim 9 , wherein at least a portion of the mesh zone is provided below the apex portion of the bra cup. 
     
     
         11 . A bra, comprising:
 a first cup and a second cup, the first cup having a first inner edge and a first outer edge, the second cup having a second inner edge and second outer edge, and wherein the first inner edge of the first cup is positioned proximate the second inner edge of the second cup;   a back fixation strap extending from the first outer edge of the first cup to the second outer edge of the second cup to form a bra body;   a first plurality of elongated components extending from the first outer edge of the first cup and to the second outer edge of the second cup;   a second plurality of elongated components positioned on the first cup, the second plurality of elongated components at least partially overlapping a first portion of the first plurality of elongated components positioned on the first cup; and   a third plurality of elongated components positioned on the second cup, the second plurality of elongated components at least partially overlapping a second portion of the first plurality of elongated components positioned on the second cup,   wherein the second plurality of elongated components and the third plurality of elongated components at least partially overlap.   
     
     
         12 . The bra of  claim 11  further comprising:
 a first shoulder strap having a first end positioned proximate to the first cup; 
 a second shoulder strap having a second end positioned proximate to the second cup; and 
 wherein at least one elongated component of the first plurality of elongated components extends from a first position proximate to the first end of the first shoulder strap to a second position proximate to the second end of the second shoulder strap. 
 
     
     
         13 . The bra of  claim 11 , wherein the first plurality of elongated components are imparted with a first elasticity, the second plurality of elongated components are imparted with a second elasticity, the third plurality of elongated components are imparted with a third elasticity, and the first elasticity is different from the third elasticity. 
     
     
         14 . The bra of  claim 11  further including a center region positioned at least partially above the first inner edge of the first cup and the second inner edge of the second cup, wherein the second and third pluralities of elongated components at least partially overlap in the center region. 
     
     
         15 . The bra of  claim 11 , wherein the first and second pluralities of elongated components at least partially overlap in a first lower region of the first cup and the first and third pluralities of elongated components at least partially overlap in a second lower region of the second cup. 
     
     
         16 . The bra of  claim 11 , wherein at least one elongated component of the first plurality of elongated components is provided in a substantially U-shaped configuration. 
     
     
         17 . The bra of  claim 11 , wherein
 the first and second pluralities of elongated components form a first mesh zone adapted to provide support to the first cup, and   the first and third pluralities of elongated components form a second mesh zone adapted to provide support to the second cup.   
     
     
         18 . The bra of  claim 11 , wherein
 the first plurality of elongated components are arranged in a first spaced-apart relationship,   the second plurality of elongated components are arranged in a second spaced-apart relationship, and   the third plurality of elongated components are arranged in a third spaced-apart relationship.   
     
     
         19 . The bra of  claim 11 , wherein each elongated component of the first plurality of elongated components is substantially parallel with respect to each other. 
     
     
         20 . The bra of  claim 11 , wherein the back fixation strap includes an attachment mechanism configured to place the back fixation strap into an open configuration and into a closed configuration.