Sports bra

Abstract

An encapsulation and compression sports bra ( 1 ) with cups ( 7 ) formed of elastic material to elevate and compress breasts ( 8 ) of a wearer ( 2 ) to restrict anatomical breast support structures reaching their end of range during downward breast trajectory to thereby reduce exercise induced breast discomfort.

1 . A sports bra with cups for separately encapsulating and compressing the breasts of the wearer, the cups being constructed to elevate and compress the breasts. 
     
     
         2 . A sports bra with flexible, resilient cups constructed to support the breasts in an elevated, compressed condition thereby to raise an effective low point of vertical breast displacement (VBD) during exercise and thereby reduce loading on anatomical restraints. 
     
     
         3 . The sports bra of claim, wherein the cups include flexible sections of elastic material designed to be on stretch when fitted to the wearer, in order to compress the breasts. 
     
     
         4 . The sports bra of  claim 3 , wherein the cups are arranged to stretch in superior/inferior and medial/lateral directions. 
     
     
         5 . The sports bra of  claim 3 , wherein the cups include inferior/lateral portions for supporting and elevating the breasts. 
     
     
         6 . A sports bra as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the inferior/lateral portions are more stiff than the flexible sections. 
     
     
         7 . A sports bra as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the inferior/lateral portions are in the form of pads fitted into an inferior/lateral aspect of the cups. 
     
     
         8 . The sports bra of  claim 5 , wherein the inferior/lateral portions are integral with the bra cups. 
     
     
         9 . The sports bra of  claim 5 , wherein the inferior/lateral portions and flexible sections are formed of a resilient material, with the inferior/lateral portions having a greater thickness and/or stiffness to provide for relative increased stiffness. 
     
     
         10 . The sports bra of  claim 5 , wherein the cups are substantially formed of a material with elastic sections providing the flexible sections and less elastic sections providing the inferior/lateral portions. 
     
     
         11 . The sports bra of  claim 10 , wherein the material is formed as a unitary structure providing a gradual change in elasticity between the elastic sections and the less elastic sections. 
     
     
         12 . The sport bra of  claim 1  wherein the cups include flexible sections of elastic material, whereby the resistance of the elastic material varies with breast volume. 
     
     
         13 . (canceled)