Brassiere for large breasted, athletic women

Abstract

A bra for large breasted women which is both comfortable to wear and allows a user to engage in vigorous physical activity without experiencing discomfort to her breasts. The bra comprises a pair of molded cups, each of which is mounted in a non-stretchable harness member that encircles the breast giving it firm support. Also attached to the harness member is a soft, stretchable cloth cover. The cover both enhances the appearance of the bra and provides additional support for the breast. The two harness members, which are generally mirror images of each other, are removably fastened together in the front by a heavy duty zipper. Rearwardly, each individual harness member is supported by three straps which encircle the user's body. Among these straps are an elastic waistband, a wide shoulder strap of adjustable length, and an underarm strap. The underarm and shoulder straps are joined to the harness member at points distal from the zipper and proximate with the upper and lower edges, respectively, of the molded cup mounted in the harness member. The two pairs of shoulder and underarm straps are connected together, forming a yoke, in the center of the back. Flexibility to provide freedom of movement is found in a pair of elastic inserts. The first insert is located within the harness member itself between the shoulder and underarm strap attachment points; and the second insert in the otherwise non-stretchable underarm strap