United States Patent (19)
`Lee
`
`III IIII
`US005496205A
`5,496.205
`11
`Patent Number:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`Mar. 5, 1996
`
`(54)
`
`BRASSERE WITH CONCEALED CLOSABLE
`POCKETS
`
`76)
`
`Inventor: Lausanne Lee, P.O. Box 373, Denver,
`Colo. 802.01
`
`21
`22
`51
`52)
`
`58
`
`56)
`
`Appl. No.: 358,488
`Filed:
`Nov. 22, 1994
`Int. Cl. ............................ A41C 3700; A41D 27/20
`U.S. Cl. ................................... 450/89; 450/57; 2/247;
`2/250
`Field of Search .................................. 2/73, 247, 248,
`2/249, 250, 251, 252; 450/30, 31, 32, 36,
`89, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`2,610,325 9/1952 Schuessel .................................. 450/89
`2,920,628
`1/1960 Work .......................................... 450/89
`3,384,091
`5/1968 Block .................................... 450/89 X
`4,217,905 8/1980 Atwater et al. ........................... 450/14
`4,699,144 10/1987 Sherwood ................................. 450/54
`5,395,280 3/1995 Greenberg ................................. 450/54
`Primary Examiner-Jeanette E. Chapman
`(57)
`ABSTRACT
`A brassiere having concealed pockets which are configured
`and sized for adaptability to breast variations and cup
`configurations. The concealed closable pockets are config
`ured and sized to dwell within the upper section of each
`brassiere cup, having upper and lower sheet portions folded
`over and stitched together. The pocket opening is designed
`with an inner lip portion, which is reinforced and includes
`fasteners, such as VELCROTM fastener strips to secure
`enclosed valuables in the pocket.
`
`1,136,727
`1,273,419
`
`4/1915 Smith ........................................ 450/36
`7/1918 Stewart ....................................... 2/249
`
`2 Claims, 3 Drawing Sheets
`
`
`
`NIKE-1055
`
`p. 1
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 5, 1996
`Mar. 5, 1996
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`Sheet 1 of 3
`Sheet 1 of 3
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`5,496,205
`5,496.205
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`Fig. 1
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`p. 2
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`p. 2
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`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 5, 1996
`Mar. 5, 1996
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`Sheet 2 of 3
`Sheet 2 of 3
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`5,496,205
`5,496.205
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`p. 3
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`p. 3
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`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 5, 1996
`Mar. 5, 1996
`
`Sheet 3 of 3
`Sheet 3 of 3
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`5,496,205
`5,496.205
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`Fig. 3
`Fig. 3
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`p. 4
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`p. 4
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`

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`1.
`BRASSERE WITH CONCEALED CLOSABLE
`POCKETS
`
`5,496.205
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`2
`(f) to provide a closable pocket in each brassiere cup
`which is concealed on the inside upper linings of the
`brassiere, allowing for convenient access to pocket
`opening,
`(g) to provide pockets constructed within each brassiere
`cup, sewn into an alternative seam, which allows for
`secure fitting within the lining of the brassiere;
`(h) to provide a pocket which is reinforced with fasteners,
`such as VELCROTM fastener strips to secure valuables
`inside the pocket; and
`(i) to provide a brassiere option to the wearer, which
`provides additional convenience and enhanced safety
`of valuables during a variety of activities.
`Additional objects and advantages are to provide a bras
`siere with concealed closable pockets which can be easily
`and conveniently opened and resealed without being too
`obvious and which provides ample space and comfort to
`conceal small valuables. Further objects and advantages will
`become apparent from a consideration of the ensuing
`description and drawings.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`The formal drawings provide related figures which
`explain in detail the construction, placement and implemen
`tation of the concealed pockets located within the structure
`of the cups.
`FIG. 1 is a perspective view, representing the frontal
`appearance of the invention as it is worn on the body.
`FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 showing the location of
`the concealed closable pockets.
`FIG. 3 shows the location and attributes of the concealed
`closable pocket as seen from the rear of the brassiere, the
`construction of the brassiere cup from the rear view, i.e., the
`rear-outer fabric lining, the intermediate padded lining, and
`the front-outer fabric lining.
`
`List of Reference Numerals
`
`10 brassiere
`12 breast cups
`14 front-outer lining
`16 side/back panels
`18 elastic band
`20 alternative center section
`22 shoulder straps
`24 alternative rings
`26 alternative reinforced seam
`28 concealed closable pocket
`30 rear-outer lining
`32 opening to pocket
`34 fastener
`36 pocket inside
`38 intermediate padded lining
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`This invention relates to a brassiere with concealed clos
`able pockets, and more specifically to a brassiere which
`incorporates pockets within the lining of the cups to provide
`for convenience and safety of valuables.
`
`5
`
`10
`
`PRIOR ART
`Brassieres have been developed and mass produced for
`decades to provide increased support and elevation of breast
`for a more appealing body form and figure. Over the years
`brassieres have been designed in many styles, from under
`wire to full support, from seamless to strapless, and from full
`body to self-supporting cups.
`The present invention improves on the heretofore known
`20
`brassieres by incorporating concealed closable pockets for
`valuables, constructed within the internal structure of the
`brassiere. The construction of the pockets, placed in the
`inside upper section of each cup, provides for a comfortable
`fit with the additional enhancement of safety for valuables.
`
`25
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`15
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`30
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`35
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`40
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`45
`
`50
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`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`The brassiere of the present invention is constructed
`having a pair of concealed closable pockets, one in each cup.
`Each brassiere cup has a front-outer fabric lining, an inter
`mediate padded lining, a concealed closable pocket, and a
`rear-outer fabric lining.
`The concealed closable pockets are located in the upper
`section of each brassiere cup. The pockets are concealed
`between the intermediate padded lining and the rear-outer
`fabric lining, which allows valuables to be concealed within
`the pockets and invisibility of valuables from the exterior
`view of the brassiere. The opening of the pockets are
`reinforced with fasteners, such as VELCROTM fastener
`Strips.
`The brassiere cups and pockets are configured and sized
`to meet various breast specifications, enhancing comfort and
`fit.
`
`OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES
`Besides the objects and advantages of the closable pock
`ets described in my above patent, several objects and advan
`tages of the present invention are:
`(a) to provide a comfortable fitting brassiere in a wide
`variety of colors and styles, but all providing the
`convenience of the concealed closable pockets for
`safety of valuables;
`(b) to provide a brassiere with concealed closable pockets
`which is configured and sized to accommodate the
`various sizes of wearers,
`(c) to provide a brassiere which incorporates concealed
`pockets in each cup, which is invisible from the exterior
`view of the brassiere;
`(d) to provide a brassiere with concealed closable pockets
`which does not interfere with the basic look, fit and
`comfort of the brassiere;
`(e) to provide a brassiere with concealed closable pockets
`made with superior quality;
`
`DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION
`Referring to the drawings, specifically FIG. 1-3, numeral
`10 represents a brassiere with concealed closable pockets
`constructed in accordance with the present invention. Bras
`siere 10 includes a pair of individual brassiere breast cups 12
`joined by an alternative center section 20. A pair of com
`bined side/back panels 16 and elastic band 18 are joined,
`respectively, to the brassiere breast cups 12. The breast cups
`12 and the side/back panels 16 are joined by an alternative
`connecting ring 24 to form shoulder straps 22. The side/back
`panels 16, the shoulder strap 22, and elastic band 18 are
`preferably made of elastic material. Also, interengaging
`
`60
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`65
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`p. 5
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`

`

`5,496,205
`
`3
`fastening elements (not shown) are provided on the body of
`War.
`The positioning of the concealed closable pockets 28 are
`revealed through the front-outer lining 14 in FIG. 2. Alter
`native reinforced seams 26 are constructed in each brassiere
`breast cup 12 to secure lower edge of the concealed closable
`pocket 28 within brassiere 10.
`The construction of the concealed closable pockets 28 as
`implemented within the upper section of the brassiere breast
`cup 12 is shown in FIG. 3 and is a representation of the
`construction of both brassiere breast cups 12. FIG.3 depicts
`a perspective/dissected view of the construction of the
`brassiere from the rear. The rear-outer lining 30, the con
`cealed closable pocket 28, the intermediate padded lining 38
`and the front-outer lining 14 are four separate members that
`are attached at the upper cdges and sewn together.
`The pockets are concealcd between the intermediate pad
`ded lining and the rear-outer fabric lining. The front outer
`lining, the intermediate padded lining and the rear outer
`lining are sewn together to form an upper and a lower
`formation of the cup. In summary, each cup includes a pair
`of inside pockets. The inside pockets are positioned and
`attached to an upper scam of said intermediate padding
`lining and of said rear-outcrlining adjacent said upper edge.
`The pockets include confronting edges adjacent said upper
`edges and fastening mcans for securing the confronting
`edges together. The pockct is constructed of flexible material
`attached to said intermediatic padded lining and the rear
`outer lining for concealed visibility from the front view of
`the brassiere.
`Alternatively, the central region of the cup attaches the
`upper section to the lower section of the brassiere, supported
`by an alternative reinforced seam 26, which secures the
`lower edge of the concealed closable pocket to the brassiere.
`The space between the inner linings of the pocket 36
`defines a concealed closable pocket opening 32. An interen
`gaging fastener such as VELCROM fastener strips 34 is
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`10
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`15
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`20
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`25
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`30
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`35
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`4
`attached to inner facing sections of the pocket opening 32 to
`secure valuables within the pocket.
`I claim:
`1. A combination brassiere with concealed closable
`pocket openings in each cup section for carrying Small
`valuables, which are normally carried in a handbag or purse
`comprising:
`a brassiere formed of a front-outer lining, an intermediate
`padded lining, a rear-outer lining, and pocket deposed
`between said intermediate padded lining and the rear
`outer lining,
`said front-outer lining, intermediate padded lining and
`rear-outer lining are sewn together to form an upper and
`lower formation of said cup;
`each of said linings include an upper edge in Said upper
`formation of said cup;
`each cup includes a pair of inside pockets, said inside
`pockets are positioned and attached to an upper seam of
`said intermediate padding lining and of said rear-outer
`lining adjacent said upper edge,
`the said pockets include confronting edges adjacent said
`upper edges; and fastening means for securing the
`confronting edges together; and
`the pocket is constructed of flexible material attached to
`said intermediate padded lining and the rear-outer
`lining for concealed visibility from the front view of the
`brassiere.
`2. A combination brassiere with concealable closable
`pockets as defined in claim 1:
`said cups are sized and configured to fit the cup measure
`ments of a variety of wearers.
`
`ck
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`k
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`k
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`p. 6
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