Goods & Services

Underwires used as components of brassieres and swimsuits; hardware used as components of brassieres and swimsuits being underwires for brassieres and swimsuits.

Abstract

A folding underwire is disclosed for use in supporting garments such as brassieres. The underwire generally includes a generally U-shaped arcuate member, having a first generally arcuate section and a second generally arcuate section positioned adjacent the first generally arcuate section, and having an arcuate curve generally opposite the arcuate curve of the first generally arcuate section. A hinge device having a pivot pin connects the first and second generally arcuate sections in a manner to permit relative pivotal movement between the first and second generally arcuate sections to permit folding of generally arcuate sections relative to each other. An alternative embodiment includes more than one hinge device to facilitate additional folding capability. A brassiere incorporating such folding underwire can be folded for compact storage or the like.

IPC Classes  ?

• A41C 1/14 - StaysSteels

Abstract

A protective device for an end portion of an underwire for a garment including a cushion tip having a proximal portion and a distal portion. The proximal portion has “an internal cavity extending over a portion of the length of the proximal portion and is dimensioned to receive the end of an underwire of similar cross-section. The distal end of the cushion tip extends from the proximal portion a distance beyond the cavity length and includes at least one portion of relatively reduced bending strength formed by reducing the cross-sectional area by way of a groove or grooves, or the like. The at least one groove provides a flexible region between the proximal and distal portions. The portion of relatively reduced bending strength can be provided by other known means such as molding the protective device with different materials of relatively different strengths.

IPC Classes  ?

• A41C 1/14 - StaysSteels
• A41C 3/00 - Brassières

Abstract

A protective device for an end portion of an underwire for a garment including a cushion tip having a proximal portion and a distal portion. The proximal portion has 'an internal cavity extending over a portion of the length of the proximal portion and is dimensioned to receive the end of an underwire of similar cross-section. The distal end of the cushion tip extends from the proximal portion a distance beyond the cavity length and includes at least one portion of relatively reduced bending strength formed by reducing the cross-sectional area by way of a groove or grooves, or the like. The at least one groove provides a flexible region between the proximal and distal portions. The portion of relatively reduced bending strength can be provided by other known means such as molding the protective device with different materials of relatively different strengths.

IPC Classes  ?

• A41C 3/14 - Stiffening or bust-forming inserts
• A41C 3/00 - Brassières

Abstract

An underwire including an arcuate member for use with supporting garments, such as brassieres, has one or more zones of increased lateral flexibility along the longitudinal axis of the arcuate member in order to provide greater comfort to the individual wearer, without substantially affecting the arcuate rigidity that provides support. The increased flexibility is provided to the zones of increased flexibility by reducing the cross-sectional area of one or more end portions by tapering one or more sides, by sequentially and progressively stamping increasing numbers of incremental portions of the end portion in a stamping apparatus, to taper one or two opposed surfaces of the arcuate member. Alternatively a' single step stamping method can be utilized to provide the flexible end portion.

IPC Classes  ?

• A41C 1/14 - StaysSteels

Goods & Services

underwires which are sold as a component of brassieres and swimsuits