Adjustable Underwire Assembly

Abstract

An adjustable underwire assembly 12 for brassiere cups is disclosed, including a first generally U-shaped arcuate under wire member 14 dimensioned and configured for insertion into a correspondingly generally U-shaped enclosure which extends along at least a portion of a first brassiere cup, and a second 16 generally U-shaped arcuate underwire member dimensioned and configured for insertion into a correspondingly generally U-shaped enclosure which extends along at least a portion a second brassiere cup adjacent the first brassiere cup. A connecting and adjustment device 22 connects the first generally arcuate member to the second generally arcuate member, the connecting device including a plurality of locking teeth or other locking surfaces or devices to selectively alter and maintain the regular angular orientation between the first and second generally arcuate members to facilitate adjustment of the brassiere cups as required by the wearer. The cups may be rotated downwardly for comfort, or upwardly for cleavage enhancement.

1 . An adjustable underwire assembly for brassiere cups, which comprises: 
 a) a first generally U-shaped arcuate underwire member dimensioned and configured for insertion into a correspondingly generally U-shaped enclosure which extends along at least a portion of a first brassiere cup;    b) a second generally U-shaped arcuate underwire member dimensioned and configured for insertion into a correspondingly generally U-shaped enclosure which extends along at least a portion of a second brassiere cup adjacent said first brassiere cup; and    c) a device which connects said first generally arcuate member to said second generally arcuate member, said connecting device including means to selectively alter and maintain the relative angular orientation between said first and second generally arcuate members to facilitate adjustment of the brassiere cups as required by the wearer.    
   
   
       2 . The adjustable underwire assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein said connecting device comprises a first elongated member attached to said first arcuate member and a second elongated member attached to said second arcuate member, said first and second elongated members being connected relative to each other by an adjustment device which permits adjustment of the angular relationship therebetween, said adjustment device further being capable of maintaining selected relative angular positions of said elongated members and said generally U-shaped arcuate underwire members.  
   
   
       3 . The adjustable underwire assembly according to  claim 2 , wherein said first elongated member is attached to said first generally U-shaped arcuate member and said second elongated member is attached to said second generally U-shaped arcuate member.  
   
   
       4 . The adjustable underwire assembly according to  claim 3 , wherein said adjustment device comprises a first generally circular member having a first plurality of radially inwardly extending teeth and a second generally circular member at least partially positioned within said first generally circular member, said second generally circular member having a second plurality of radially outwardly extending teeth which mesh with said first plurality of teeth to retain the relative angular orientation between said first and second underwire members.  
   
   
       5 . The adjustable underwire assembly according to  claim 4 , wherein said first generally circular member is an outer ring-like member and said second generally circular member is an inner ring-like member positioned with said first ring-like member, said first and second ring-like members being relatively rotatable.  
   
   
       6 . The adjustable underwire assembly according to  claim 5 , wherein said outer and inner ring-like members are rotatable relative to each other by providing rotative force to at least one of said ring-like members to cause said respective teeth to progressively engage and disengage each other during said rotation.  
   
   
       7 . The adjustable underwire assembly according to  claim 6 , wherein said first outer ring-like member includes a generally radially extending relief groove at a pre-selected circumferential location between and adjacent selected inwardly extending teeth to permit flexing of said outer ring-like member and relative rotation of one of said ring-like members relative to the other.  
   
   
       8 . The adjustable underwire assembly according to  claim 7 , wherein said inwardly extending teeth extend over the entire inner periphery of said outer ring-like member, and said outwardly extending teeth extend over the entire outer periphery of said inner ring-like member.  
   
   
       9 . The adjustable underwire assembly according to  claim 7 , wherein said inwardly extending teeth extend over a portion of the inner periphery of said outer ring-like member.  
   
   
       10 . The adjustable underwire assembly according to  claim 9  wherein said outwardly extending teeth extend over a corresponding portion of said inner ring-like member.  
   
   
       11 . The adjustable underwire assembly according to  claim 10  wherein said inwardly extending teeth extend over a portion of the inner periphery of said outer ring-like member at at least two locations.  
   
   
       12 . The adjustable underwire assembly according to  claim 10  wherein said inwardly extending teeth extend over a portion of the inner periphery of said outer ring-like member at three distinct locations spaced equally over the inner periphery of said outer ring-like member.  
   
   
       13 . The adjustable underwire assembly according to  claim 11 , further comprising a pin extending transversely of said inner and outer ring-like members and generally centrally thereof, said pin having a manually operable push-button at one end and a locking device at the opposite end, said locking device adapted to engage certain of said outwardly extending teeth of said inner ring-like member to lock said inner ring-like member in a pre-selected angular orientation relative to said outer ring-like member, said locking pin being spring biased to the locked position and movable by manual actuation of said push button to a second position to release said teeth from said engaged position to permit relative rotation of said inner and outer ring-like members.  
   
   
       14 . The adjustable underwire assembly according to  claim 8 , further comprising means to maintain a predetermined relative angular orientation between said inner and outer ring-like members.  
   
   
       15 . The adjustable underwire assembly according to  claim 14 , wherein said means to maintain a predetermined relative angular orientation between said inner and outer ring-like members comprises at least one elongated locking member fixedly attached to one of said ring-like members and positioned for releasable engagement with said outer ring-like member at selected locations thereon for maintaining a relative angular presentation between said outer and inner ring-like members.  
   
   
       16 . The adjustable underwire assembly according to  claim 15 , wherein said at least one elongated locking member is attached to said inner ring-like member and adapted to releasably engage one of a plurality of indentations associated with said outer ring-like member.  
   
   
       17 . The adjustable underwire assembly according to  claim 16 , wherein at least two of such elongated locking members are attached to said inner ring-like member and adapted to releasably engage one of a plurality of indentations associated with said outer ring-like member.  
   
   
       18 . The adjustable underwire assembly according to  claim 3 , wherein said connecting device comprises at least two generally circular shaped members connected for relative rotation about a common axis, a first of said generally circular shaped members including a plurality of teeth extending from one annular surface and the second of said generally circular shaped members including a corresponding plurality of mating teeth facing said first plurality of teeth and extending from a corresponding facing annular surface, and means is provided to releasably separate said facing teeth to facilitate relative rotation of said members and corresponding adjustment of said underwires.  
   
   
       19 . The adjustable underwire assembly according to  claim 18 , wherein said means to permit adjustment of said underwires includes means to separate said annular mating toothed surfaces to release said mating teeth from relative engagement with each other to permit rotation of one of said generally circular shaped members relative to the other.  
   
   
       20 . The adjustable underwire assembly according to  claim 4 , wherein locking means is provided to assist in maintaining the relative angular orientation between said first and second generally circular shaped members, said locking means comprising at least one elongated locking member extending from one of said generally circular members toward the other, and a corresponding plurality of apertures correspondingly positioned on the other of said generally circular members, said plurality of apertures being located for reception of said at least one elongated locking member to assist in maintaining relative angular positions between said first and second generally circular members and said arcuate members.  
   
   
       21 . The adjustable underwire assembly according to  claim 20 , wherein at least two of such elongated locking members are provided for reception and removal with respect to at least two of said plurality of apertures in said other generally circular member.  
   
   
       22 . The adjustable underwire assembly according to  claim 3 , wherein said connecting and adjustment device comprises a first generally circular member and a second generally circular member positioned adjacent said first generally circular member, said generally circular members being rotatable about a common axis and having means to maintain a predetermined angular orientation between said two arcuate members.  
   
   
       23 . The adjustable underwire assembly according to  claim 22 , wherein said means to maintain a predetermined relative angular orientation between said two generally circular members comprises at least one elongated locking member extending from one of said generally circular members and a corresponding plurality of apertures in the other of said generally circular members, said elongated locking member adapted to be releasably inserted into at least one of said apertures to maintain a predetermined relative angular orientation between said arcuate members.  
   
   
       24 . The adjustable underwire assembly according to  claim 23 , wherein at least one of two of said elongated locking members are provided on said first of said generally circular members and said elongated locking members are positioned for selective reception and removal from at least two of said corresponding apertures and said other of said locking members.  
   
   
       25 . The adjustable underwire assembly according to  claim 24 , further comprising means to separate said generally circular members to release said elongated locking members from said correspondingly aligned apertures on said other of said members.  
   
   
       26 . The adjustable underwire assembly according to  claim 25 , wherein each of said elongated locking members comprises an elongated pin.  
   
   
       27 . An adjustable underwire assembly for brassiere cups, which comprises: 
 a) a first generally U-shaped arcuate underwire member dimensioned and configured for insertion into a correspondingly generally U-shaped enclosure which extends along at least a portion of a first brassiere cup;    b) a second generally U-shaped arcuate underwire member dimensioned and configured for insertion into a correspondingly generally U-shaped enclosure which extends along at least a portion of a second brassiere cup adjacent said first brassiere cup; and    c) a device which connects said first generally arcuate member to said second generally arcuate member, said connecting device including first and second members assembled for rotation relative to each other, one of said members including a surface having a plurality of teeth extending toward a corresponding opposed surface of the other of said members, and said corresponding surface of the other of said members having a plurality of teeth extending toward said first plurality of teeth and positioned, configured and dimensioned for releasable engagement therewith to selectively maintain a predetermined relative angular orientation between said first and second members.    
   
   
       28 . The adjustable underwire assembly according to  claim 27 , further comprising means to assist in maintaining a predetermined relative angular orientation between said first and second members.  
   
   
       29 . The adjustable underwire assembly according to  claim 28 , wherein said means to assist in maintaining a predetermined relative angular orientation between said first and second members comprises a plurality of apertures in a first of said members and at least one elongated pin extending from a second of said members for releasable entry into one of said apertures.  
   
   
       30 . The adjustable underwire assembly according to  claim 29 , wherein at least two of said elongated pins are provided on said second member.  
   
   
       31 . An adjustable underwire assembly for brassiere cups, which comprises: 
 a) a first generally U-shaped arcuate underwire member dimensioned and configured for insertion into a correspondingly generally U-shaped enclosure which extends along at least a portion of a first brassiere cup;    b) a second generally U-shaped arcuate underwire member dimensioned and configured for insertion into a correspondingly generally U-shaped enclosure which extends along at least a portion of a second brassiere cup adjacent said first brassiere cup; and    c) a device which connects said first generally arcuate member to said second generally arcuate member, said connecting device including first and second connecting members relatively rotatable about a common axis with respect to each other, and means associated with each of said first and second connecting members for selectively rotating and retaining one of said generally arcuate members relative to the other to thereby selectively alter and maintain the relative angular orientation between said first and second generally arcuate members to facilitate adjustment of the brassiere cups as selected by the wearer.    
   
   
       32 . An adjustable device for connecting a pair of U-shaped arcuate underwire members for a brassiere to facilitate relative rotation of said arcuate shaped underwire members to permit selective adjustment of the relative angular orientation thereof to predetermined positions selected by the wearer of the brassiere, which comprises: 
 a) a first generally circular member;    b) a second generally circular member assembled with said first generally circular member, said generally circular members adapted for rotation relative to each other about a generally common axis; and    c) means associated with said first member in the form of a plurality of generally pointed teeth facing toward a corresponding mating plurality of similarly dimensioned and configured teeth on said second member for selectively retaining the relative angular positions of said first and second members in a predetermined relation.    
   
   
       33 . The adjustable underwire assembly according to  claim 32 , further comprises means to assist in maintaining a predetermined relative angular relation of said first member with respect to said second member.  
   
   
       34 . The adjustable underwire assembly according to  claim 33 , further comprising means to release said members to facilitate relative rotation of at least one of said members relative to the other.  
   
   
       35 . The adjustable underwire assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein said connecting device comprises an outer ring-like member and an inner ring-like member adapted for relative rotation about a common axis, and means for retaining the relative angular positions of said generally circular members, which comprises a plurality of apertures on one of said ring-like members and at least two elongated pins attached to said other of said ring-like members and positioned and adapted for removable insertion into selected apertures to retain the relative rotational positions of said generally circular members.  
   
   
       36 . An adjustment device for an article of clothing including breast supports comprising: 
 a) a first member and a second member, the first member being adapted to connect to a first underwire of a first breast support, said second member being adapted to connect to a second underwire of a second breast support, said first member and said second member being rotatably connected to selectively alter the relative angular positions of said first and second underwires; and    b) means to maintain said first and second members in pre-selected relative angular positions to maintain said first and second underwires in corresponding pre-selected angular positions relative to each other.