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(11) | EP 0 156 518 A1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | Chest band |
| (57) A chest band is worn just above the breasts of a woman to prevent discomfort or injury
due to up-and-down motion of the breasts during exercise, the chest band comprising
a longitudinally elastic strap (12,18) and means (14) for joining the two ends of
the strap together, the strap being mounted around the chest close to the armpits
and above the breasts. The strap may carry lateral ribs (18) to prevent lateral displacement
of the strap. |
[0001] This invention relates to a chest band, and more particularly to a band worn across the chest of a woman during exercise to prevent discomfort or possible injury to the chest or breasts during the exercise.
[0002] Various types of brassieres have been developed in the past to provide support to the breasts of women while exercising. With the advent and increased popularity of aerobic exercises, which involve constant jumping, hopping and skipping for extended periods of time, these brassieres have not proven to be adequate, especially for large-breasted women, to protect the delicate breast tissues from injury due to constant up-and-down movement of the breasts during exercise.
[0003] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a chest band for use in controlling the up-and-down movement of the breasts during vigorous exercise, which is comfortable to wear.
[0005] In the preferred embodiment, the chest band comprises a unitary elastic band which is ribbed and has a Velcro (RTM) fastener. The band is approximately two and one-half inches (6.3 cm) wide with a first set of ribs on the band extending from one edge of the band to approximately its longitudinal centre line. When in use, the band is placed around the chest, not on the breasts, but immediately above them, with the first set of ribs extending downwardly, whereby up-and-down motion of the breasts is restricted. A snug fit is insured by joining the two ends of the band in front of the Velcro fastener. Once the band is properly in place, the woman can put on her regular bra and her exercise clothes and commence exercising.
[0006] Reference is now made to the accompanying drawings, wherein:-
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a chest band according to the invention showing each of the separate parts of the chest band; and
Figure 2 shows the chest band as it is intended to be worn.
[0007] In Figure 1, the chest band 10 is shown as comprising a long elastic strap, which is capable of longitudinal elastic expansion. The elastic strap is substantially smooth on the upper half 12 and has uniformly-spaced ribs 18 on the bottom half. The ribs 18 extend generally perpendicularly to the length of the band from the lower edge of the band-to approximately its midpoint and serve to prevent lateral movement of the strap relative to the wearer's body during strenuous exercise. In an alternative embodiment, the upper half 12, instead of being smooth incorporates a second set of uniformly spaced ribs which are perpendicular to ribs 18. This second set of ribs prevent longitudinal movement of the strap relative to the wearer's body during exercise.
[0008] As is shown further in Figure 1, sewn to one side of one end of the strap is a piece of loosely-woven or nonwoven synthetic or cotton fabric 16. Sewn to the other side at the other end of the strap is a longer piece of material 14 containing a series of closely-spaced plastic hooks. The two ends of the strap can be joined together by pressing the fabric patch 16 against the plastic hook patch 14, thereby forming a durable bond between the two ends of the strap to allow for exercise to be done comfortably. Such attachment means is sold under the registered Trade Mark "Velcro".
[0009] Figure 2 shows the proper positioning of the chest band 10. As is shown in this figure, the chest band 10 is wrapped around the torso in a position immediately above the breasts and immediately below the armpits. It is not intended that the strap be worn directly on the breasts, but rather that it be worn on the chest above the breasts. Wearing the strap in this position limits, in an effective but comfortable fashion, up-and-down movement of the breasts which can cause injury during exercise.
1. A chest band to be worn during exercise to prevent breast discomfort or injury,
comprising a strap (12, 18) which is sufficiently long to allow it to surround the
chest on the area immediately above the breasts and means (14, 16) for connecting
the two ends of said strap together.
2. A chest band according to Claim 1 wherein said means for connecting the two ends
of the strap together comprises a fabric portion (16) attached to one side of the
strap at one end thereof and a plastics portion (14) attached to the other side of
the strap at the opposite end thereof and containing a multitude of hooks which are
engageable with the fabric portion to form an attachment sufficiently durable to withstand
the forces exerted during exercise.
3. A chest band according to Claim 1 or 2 wherein said strap is made of a flexible,
longitudinally elastic material.
4. A chest band according to Claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein said strap has a series of equally
spaced rib portions (18) extending upward from the lower edge of the strap approximately
to the longitudinal medion line of the strap.
5. A chest band to be worn during exercise to prevent breast discomfort or injury,
comprising a strap made of a flexible, elastic material which is sufficiently long
to surround the chest during exercise and which is sufficiently stretchable so that
it will not interfere with the expansion and contraction of the chest during breathing;
the strap having numerous spaced ribs extending from the lower edge of the strap approximately
to its longitudinal medion line; and means for fastening the two ends of the strap
together, said means including a first portion on one side of the strap at one end
thereof, constructed of a fibrous material and a second portion sewn to the other
side of the strap at the opposite end thereof and constructed of plastics and having
a multitude of hooks which engage the fibrous material of the first portion when in
use.
6. A chest band to be worn by a woman during exercise to prevent discomfort or injury
to her breasts, the band comprising a strap (12, 18) in the form of a length of flexible
fabric which is longitudinally elastic, and fastening means (14, 16) at each end of
the strap engageable to form a continuous band, the length of the strap being such
that the band can be firmly fastened around the chest so as to extend above and adjacent
to the breasts.
7. A method of supporting the breasts of a woman to prevent discomfort or injury during
exercise, comprising fixing a longitudinally elastic, fabric band around the chest
the band being located close to the armpits and above the breasts.