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`US008597072B 1
`
`c12) United States Patent
`Lucas
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 8,597,072 Bl
`Dec. 3, 2013
`
`(54) POCKET BRA SYSTEM
`
`(76)
`
`Inventor: Sharon J. Lucas, Belleair, FL (US)
`
`( * ) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term ofthis
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 276 days.
`
`5,496,205 A *
`5,799,336 A *
`7,753,759 B2 *
`8,257,140 B2 *
`2008/0032600 Al *
`2009/0104845 Al *
`2009/0209173 Al *
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`3/1996 Lee ................................. 450/89
`9/1998 Cooper ............................. 2/247
`7/2010 Pintor et al.
`.................... 450/89
`9/2012 Kenny ............................ 450/89
`2/2008 Updyke .......................... 450/89
`4/2009 Pintor et al.
`.................... 450/31
`8/2009 Arledge et al.
`. ................ 450/39
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 13/066,822
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Apr. 26, 2011
`
`(51)
`
`(2006.01)
`
`Int. Cl.
`A41C 3/00
`(52) U.S. Cl.
`USPC ................................................. 450/89; 2/247
`( 58) Field of Classification Search
`USPC ....................... 2/247-251; 450/89, 36, 54-57
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`2,624,881 A *
`3,747,545 A *
`4,263,678 A *
`
`1/1953 Dunson ........................... 450/89
`7/1973 Nicolay et al.
`112/68
`4/ 1981 Off .................................... 2/247
`
`Primary Examiner - Gloria Hale
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A strap assembly includes a chest strap and shoulder straps.
`Similarly configured left and right cups are provided. Each
`cup has inside and outside surfaces. A rectangular patch is
`operatively associated with each cup. Each patch has upper
`and lower edges and interior and exterior edges. In this man(cid:173)
`ner a periphery is coupled to an associated cup. A linear slit is
`formed in each patch parallel with, and closely spaced from,
`the upper edge of each patch. Each slit has an elastic band
`within the patch surrounding the slit. The elastic band is
`adapted to return the slit to a closed orientation. The elastic
`band is further adapted to allow the slit to stretch to an
`enlarged orientation.
`
`9 Claims, 4 Drawing Sheets
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`/00
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`/
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`1/8
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`120
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`108
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`NIKE-1050
`p. 1
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`

`

`US. Patent
`U.S. Patent
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`Dec. 3, 2013
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`Dec.3,2013
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`Sheet 1 of 4
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`Sheet1of4
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`US8,597,975BI
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`US 8,597,072 Bl
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`U.S. Patent
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`Dec. 3, 2013
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`Sheet 2 of 4
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`US 8,597,072 Bl
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`FIG. 2
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`40
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`40
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`38
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`FIG. 3
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`p. 3
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`

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`U.S. Patent
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`Dec. 3, 2013
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`Sheet 3 of 4
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`US 8,597,072 Bl
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`FIG. 4
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`

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`U.S. Patent
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`Dec. 3, 2013
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`Sheet 4 of 4
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`US 8,597,072 Bl
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`

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`US 8,597,072 Bl
`
`1
`POCKET BRA SYSTEM
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`Field of the Invention
`
`The present invention relates to a pocket bra system and
`more particularly pertains to removably receiving a hand held
`electronic device while providing support and shape to the
`breasts of a wearer, the receiving and supporting and shaping
`being done in a safe, convenient and economical manner.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`In view of the disadvantages inherent in the known types of
`bra systems ofknown designs and configurations now present
`in the prior art, the present invention provides an improved
`pocket bra system. As such, the general purpose of the present
`invention, which will be described subsequently in greater
`detail, is to provide a new and improved pocket bra system
`and method which has all the advantages of the prior art and
`none of the disadvantages.
`To attain this, the present invention essentially comprises a
`pocket bra system. First provided is a strap assembly. The 25
`strap assembly includes a generally horizontal chest strap.
`The chest strap is positionable around the chest and back of a
`wearer. The strap assembly includes left and right generally
`vertical shoulder straps. The shoulder straps are positionable
`over the shoulders of the wearer. The shoulder straps have free 30
`ends. The free ends are coupled to the chest strap adjacent to
`the chest of the wearer and adjacent to the back of the wearer.
`A left cup is provided. A similarly configured right cup is
`provided. Each cup has an inside surface and an outside
`surface. The left and right cups each have an upper-most 35
`point. The left and right cups each have a lower-most point. A
`generally vertical axis is provided. The vertical axis divides
`each cup into an inner hemisphere interiorly and an outer
`hemisphere exteriorly. The left and right cups each have an
`inner-most point. The left and right cups each have an outer- 40
`most point. A generally horizontal axis is provided. The hori(cid:173)
`zontal axis divides each cup into an upper hemisphere above
`and a lower hemisphere below.
`A rectangular patch is provided next. The patch is opera(cid:173)
`tively associated with each cup. Each patch has generally 45
`horizontal upper and lower edges. Each patch has generally
`vertical interior and exterior edges. The patch has a periphery.
`The periphery has stitching. In this manner the periphery of
`each patch is coupled to the inside surface of an associated
`cup. The majority of each patch is in the upper hemisphere. 50
`The majority of each patch is in the outer hemisphere. A
`rectangular chamber is provided. The chamber is provided
`between each patch and its associated cup. The chamber is
`rectangular. The chamber has a height of 120 and 140 milli(cid:173)
`meters. The chamber has a width of between 60 and 70 55
`millimeters. The pockets and the patches are fabricated of a
`resilient closed cell polyurethane foam. The foam has a thick(cid:173)
`ness of between 2 and 4 millimeters.
`Further provided is a linear slit. The slit is provided in each
`patch. The slit is provided parallel with, and closely spaced
`from, the upper edge of each patch. Each slit has a length
`greater than 90 percent of the width of the chamber. An elastic
`band is provided. The elastic band is provided within each
`patch. The elastic band surrounds the slit. The elastic band is
`adapted to return the slit to a closed orientation. The elastic 65
`band is further adapted to allow the slit to stretch to an
`enlarged orientation.
`
`2
`Provided last is a hand held electronic device. The hand
`held electronic device is positionable within the chamber. The
`hand held electronic device has a height of 115 millimeters,
`plus or minus 10 percent. The hand held electronic device has
`5 a width of 59 millimeters. The hand held electronic device has
`a thickness of 9 millimeters plus or minus 10 percent. The slit
`is adapted to stretch to the open orientation when adding the
`hand held device to, or removing the hand held device from,
`the chamber. The slit is adapted to contract to the closed
`10 orientation when the hand held device is within or without the
`chamber. The thickness and the material of the cups and the
`patches are adapted to abate inward projections by the hand
`held devices in the chambers tending to poke a user. The
`thickness and the material of the cups and the patches are
`15 adapted to abate outward projections by the hand held devices
`in the chambers tending to create unsightly projections.
`There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more
`important features of the invention in order that the detailed
`description thereof that follows may be better understood and
`20 in order that the present contribution to the art may be better
`appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the
`invention that will be described hereinafter and which will
`form the subject matter of the claims attached.
`In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment
`of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the
`invention is not limited in its application to the details of
`construction and to the arrangements of the components set
`forth in the following description or illustrated in the draw(cid:173)
`ings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of
`being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to
`be understood that the phraseology and terminology
`employed herein are for the purpose of descriptions and
`should not be regarded as limiting.
`As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the
`conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily
`be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures,
`methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of
`the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the
`claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions
`insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the
`present invention.
`It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide
`a new and improved pocket bra system which has all of the
`advantages of the prior art bra systems of known designs and
`configurations and none of the disadvantages.
`It is anotherobject of the present invention to provide a new
`and improved pocket bra system which may be easily and
`efficiently manufactured and marketed.
`It is further object of the present invention to provide a new
`and improved pocket bra system which is of durable and
`reliable constructions.
`An evenfurtherobject of the present invention is to provide
`a new and improved pocket bra system which is susceptible of
`a low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and
`labor, and which accordingly is then susceptible oflow prices
`of sale to the consuming public, thereby making such pocket
`bra system economically available to the buying public.
`Even still another object of the present invention is to
`provide a pocket bra system for removably receiving a hand
`60 held electronic device while providing support and shape to
`the breasts of a wearer, the receiving and supporting and
`shaping being done in a safe, convenient and economical
`manner.
`Lastly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a
`new and improved pocket bra system. A strap assembly
`includes a chest strap and shoulder straps. Similarly config(cid:173)
`ured left and right cups are provided. Each cup has inside and
`
`p. 6
`
`

`

`US 8,597,072 Bl
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`The invention will be better understood and objects other
`than those set forth above will become apparent when con(cid:173)
`sideration is given to the following detailed description
`thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed
`drawings wherein:
`FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a pocket bra system
`constructed in accordance with the principles of the present
`invention.
`FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 30
`
`3
`outside surfaces. A rectangular patch is operatively associ(cid:173)
`ated with each cup. Each patch has upper and lower edges and
`interior and exterior edges. In this manner a periphery is
`coupled to an associated cup. A linear slit is formed in each
`patch parallel with, and closely spaced from, the upper edge 5
`of each patch. Each slit has an elastic band within the patch
`surrounding the slit. The elastic band is adapted to return the
`slit to a closed orientation. The elastic band is further adapted
`to allow the slit to stretch to an enlarged orientation.
`These together with other objects of the invention, along 10
`with the various features of novelty which characterize the
`invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims
`annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better
`understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and
`the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be 15
`had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in
`which there is illustrated preferred embodiments of the inven-
`tion.
`
`4
`ends. The free ends are coupled to the chest strap adjacent to
`the chest of the wearer and adjacent to the back of the wearer.
`A left cup 18 is provided. A similarly configured right cup
`20 is provided. Each cup has an inside surface and an outside
`surface. The left and right cups each have an upper-most point
`22. The left and right cups each have a lower-most point 24. A
`generally vertical axis is provided. The vertical axis divides
`each cup into an inner hemisphere interiorly and an outer
`hemisphere exteriorly. The left and right cups each have an
`inner-most point 26. The left and right cups each have an
`outer-most point 28. A generally horizontal axis is provided.
`The horizontal axis divides each cup into an upper hemi(cid:173)
`sphere above and a lower hemisphere below.
`A rectangular patch 3 2 is provided next. The patch is opera(cid:173)
`tively associated with each cup. Each patch has generally
`horizontal upper and lower edges. Each patch has generally
`vertical interior and exterior edges. The patch has a periphery.
`The periphery has stitching. In this manner the periphery of
`each patch is coupled to the inside surface of an associated
`20 cup. The majority of each patch is in the upper hemisphere.
`The majority of each patch is in the outer hemisphere. A
`rectangular chamber 34 is provided. The chamber is provided
`between each patch and its associated cup. The chamber is
`rectangular. The chamber has a height of 120 and 140 milli-
`25 meters. The chamber has a width of between 60 and 70
`millimeters. The pockets and the patches are fabricated of a
`resilient closed cell polyurethane foam. The foam has a thick(cid:173)
`ness of between 2 and 4 millimeters.
`Further provided is a linear slit 38. The slit is provided in
`each patch. The slit is provided parallel with, and closely
`spaced from, the upper edge of each patch. Each slit has a
`length greater than 90 percent of the width of the chamber. An
`elastic band 40 is provided. The elastic band is provided
`within each patch. The elastic band surrounds the slit. The
`FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of a pocket bra system
`constructed in accordance with an alternate embodiment of 35 elastic band is adapted to return the slit to a closed orientation.
`The elastic band is further adapted to allow the slit to stretch
`the invention.
`to an enlarged orientation.
`FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG.
`Provided last is a hand held electronic device 46. The hand
`held electronic device is positionable within the chamber. The
`40 hand held electronic device has a height of 115 millimeters,
`plus or minus 10 percent. The hand held electronic device has
`a width of 59 millimeters. The hand held electronic device has
`a thickness of 9 millimeters plus or minus 10 percent. The slit
`is adapted to stretch to the open orientation when adding the
`hand held device to, or removing the hand held device from,
`the chamber. The slit is adapted to contract to the closed
`orientation when the hand held device is within or without the
`chamber. The thickness and the material of the cups and the
`patches are adapted to abate inward projections by the hand
`50 held devices in the chambers tending to poke a user. The
`thickness and the material of the cups and the patches are
`adapted to abate outward projections by the hand held devices
`in the chambers tending to create unsightly projections.
`An alternate embodiment 100 of the present invention is
`55 provided. An under-wire 104 is provided. The under-wire is
`provided beneath each cup.
`A central patch 108 is provided. The central patch is pro(cid:173)
`vided intermediate the cups. In this manner a central chamber
`is formed. The central patch has horizontal upper and lower
`60 edges 110, 112. The central patch has vertical side edges 114,
`116. The upper and lower edges are longer than the side
`edges. The central patch has a central slit 118. The central slit
`is provided parallel with and in proximity to the upper edge.
`The central chamber is adapted to receive and support keys.
`An upper patch 120 is provided on each shoulder strap. The
`upper patches have horizontal upper and lower edges 122,
`124. The upper patches have vertical side edges 126, 128. The
`
`1.
`
`2.
`
`4.
`
`5.
`
`4.
`
`7.
`
`FIG. 3 is arearelevational view taken along line3-3 ofFIG.
`
`FIG. 6 is arearelevational view taken along line 6-6 ofFIG.
`
`FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view taken along line 7-7 of FIG.
`
`FIG. 8 is arearelevational view taken along line8-8 ofFIG.
`
`The same reference numerals refer to the same parts 45
`throughout the various Figures.
`
`DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENT
`
`With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to
`FIG. 1 thereof, the preferred embodiment of the new and
`improved pocket bra system embodying the principles and
`concepts of the present invention and generally designated by
`the reference numeral 10 will be described.
`The present invention, the pocket bra system 10 is com(cid:173)
`prised of a plurality of components. Such components in their
`broadest context include a strap, left and right cups, a rectan(cid:173)
`gular patch and a linear slit. Such components are individu(cid:173)
`ally configured and correlated with respect to each other so as
`to attain the desired objective.
`First provided is a strap assembly. The strap assembly
`includes a generally horizontal chest strap 14. The chest strap
`is positionable around the chest and back of a wearer. The
`strap assembly includes left and right generally vertical 65
`shoulder straps 16. The shoulder straps are positionable over
`the shoulders of the wearer. The shoulder straps have free
`
`p. 7
`
`

`

`US 8,597,072 Bl
`
`5
`upper and lower edges are shorter than the side edges. The
`upper patches each have an upper slit 130. The upper slit is
`provided parallel with and in proximity to the upper edge. The
`upper chambers are adapted to receive and support pills.
`As to the manner of usage and operation of the present
`invention, the same should be apparent from the above
`description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the
`manner of usage and operation will be provided.
`With respect to the above description then, it is to be
`realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the 10
`parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials,
`shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and
`use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in
`the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in
`the drawings and described in the specification are intended to 15
`be encompassed by the present invention.
`Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only
`of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous
`modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled
`in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact 20
`construction and operation shown and described, and accord(cid:173)
`ingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be
`resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.
`
`What is claimed as being new and desired to be protected 25
`by Letters Patent of the United States is as follows:
`1. A bra pocket system comprising:
`a strap assembly including a chest strap and shoulder
`straps;
`similarly configured left and right cups, each cup having 30
`inside and outside surfaces, the strap assembly being
`attached to the cups whereby the strap assembly adheres
`the cups to a wearer;
`a rectangular patch operatively associated with each cup,
`each patch having upper and lower edges and interior 35
`and exterior edges forming a periphery coupled to an
`associated cup forming a pocket between the patch and
`the cup; and
`a linear slit formed in each patch parallel with, and closely
`spaced from, the upper edge of each patch, each slit 40
`having an elastic band within the patch surrounding the
`slit adapted to return the slit to a closed orientation and to
`allow the slit to stretch to an enlarged orientation.
`2. The system as set forth in claim 1 wherein each cup has
`an inside surface and an outside surface, the left and right cups 45
`each having an upper-most point and a lower-most point with
`a generally vertical axis dividing each cup into an inner hemi(cid:173)
`sphere interiorly and an outer hemisphere exteriorly, the left
`and right cups each having an inner-most point and an outer(cid:173)
`most point with a generally horizontal axis dividing each cup 50
`into an upper hemisphere above and a lower hemisphere
`below.
`3. The system as set forth in claim 2 wherein the cups and
`the patches form pockets, the cups and the patches being
`fabricated of a resilient closed cell polyurethane foam with a 55
`thickness of between 2 and 4 millimeters.
`4. The system as set forth in claim 3 and further including
`a hand held electronic device, the hand held electronic device
`being placeable within the pocket.
`5. The system as set forth in claim 1 and further including 60
`an under-wire coupled beneath each cup in a generally hori(cid:173)
`zontal plane.
`6. The system as set forth in claim 5 and further including
`a central patch intermediate the cups to form a central cham(cid:173)
`ber, the central patch having horizontal upper and lower edges 65
`and vertical side edges, the upper and lower edges being
`longer than the side edges, the central patch having a central
`
`6
`slit parallel with and in proximity to the upper edge, the
`central chamber adapted to receive and support keys.
`7. The system as set forth in claim 5 and further including
`an upper patch on each shoulder strap, the upper patches
`5 having horizontal upper and lower edges and vertical side
`edges, the upper and lower edges being shorter than the side
`edges, the upper patches each having an upper slit parallel
`with and in proximity to the upper edge, the upper chambers
`adapted to receive and support pills.
`8. A bra pocket system for removably receiving a hand held
`electronic device while providing support and shape to the
`breasts of a wearer, the system comprising, in combination:
`a strap assembly including a generally horizontal chest
`strap positionable around the chest and back of a wearer,
`the strap assembly including left and right generally
`vertical shoulder straps positionable over the shoulders
`of the wearer, the shoulder straps having free ends
`coupled to the chest strap adjacent to the chest of the
`wearer and adjacent to the back of the wearer;
`a left cup and a similarly configured right cup, each cup
`having an inside surface and an outside surface, the left
`and right cups each having an upper-most point and a
`lower-most point with a generally vertical axis dividing
`each cup into an inner hemisphere interiorly and an outer
`hemisphere exteriorly, the left and right cups each hav(cid:173)
`ing an inner-most point and an outer most point with a
`generally horizontal axis dividing each cup into an upper
`hemisphere above and a lower hemisphere below, the
`strap assembly being attached to the cups whereby the
`strap assembly adheres the cups to a wearer;
`a rectangular patch operatively associated with each cup,
`each patch having generally horizontal upper and lower
`edges and vertical left and right edges, a periphery with
`stitching coupling the periphery of each patch to the
`inside surface of an associated cup, the majority of each
`patch being in the upper hemisphere, the majority of
`each patch being in the outer hemisphere, a rectangular
`pocket formed between each patch and its associated
`cup, the pocket being rectangular with a height of 120
`and 140 millimeters, the pocket having a width of
`between 60 and 70 millimeters, the cups and the patches
`being fabricated of a resilient closed cell polyurethane
`foam with a thickness of between 2 and 4 millimeters;
`a linear slit formed in each patch parallel with, and closely
`spaced from, the upper edge of each patch, each slit
`having a length greater than 90 percent of the width of
`the pocket, an elastic band within each patch surround-
`ing the slit adapted to return the slit to a closed orienta(cid:173)
`tion and to allow the slit to stretch to an enlarged orien(cid:173)
`tation; and
`a hand held electronic device within the chamber, the hand
`held electronic device having a height of 115 millime(cid:173)
`ters, plus or minus 10 percent, a width of 59 millimeters
`and a thickness of 9 millimeters plus or minus 10 per(cid:173)
`cent, the slit adapted to stretch to the open orientation
`when adding the hand held device to, or removing the
`hand held device from, the pocket, the slit adapted to
`contract to the closed orientation when the hand held
`device is within or without the pocket.
`9. A pocket bra system comprising:
`a strap assembly including a chest strap and shoulder
`straps;
`similarly configured left and right cups, each cup having
`inside and outside surfaces;
`a rectangular patch operatively associated with each cup,
`each patch having upper and lower edges and left and
`right edges forming a periphery coupled to an associated
`
`p. 8
`
`

`

`US 8,597,072 Bl
`
`7
`cup forming a pocket between the patch and the cup, the
`strap assembly being attached to the cups whereby the
`strap assembly adheres the cups to a wearer; and
`a linear slit formed in each patch parallel with, and closely
`spaced from, the upper edge of each patch, the linear slit 5
`being the only entry means into the pocket for allowing
`items to be inserted and removed from the pocket that is
`formed by the attachment of the patch to the bra.
`* * * * *
`
`8
`
`p. 9
`
`