Foundation garment providing orthopedic support

Claim 2

A foundation garment providing orthopedic support, comprising a body-enveloping sheath having front and back elastic panels, a first non-elastic panel at the upper middle portion of said front panel and secured thereto, a second non-elastic panel on said back panel at the upper middle portion thereof and secured thereto, an elastic band sUbstantially encircling said sheath, means operatively connected to said first non-elastic panel for releasably securing the ends of said band thereto; said means for securing the ends of said band comprising triangularly shaped tabs of a non-elastic material secured by their bases to opposite edges of said first non-elastic panel and having first fastening members thereon, said band having second cooperating fastening members at the ends thereof, and means to releasably secure the free ends of said tabs to said front panel.

Claim 3

A foundation garment providing orthopedic support, comprising a body-encircling sheath having front and rear panels of an elastic material, a first non-elastic panel having lateral portions overlying said front panel at the upper portion thereof; a second non-elastic panel overlying said back panel at the upper portion thereof, a removable elastic band substantially encircling said sheath, and cooperating means on the lateral portions of said first non-elastic panel and on said band for releasably securing the ends of said band to said first non-elastic panel, and means releasably securing a mid portion of said band to said back panel in vertically adjustable relationship thereto.

Claim 4

A foundation garment providing orthopedic support, comprising a body-encircling sheath having front and rear panels of an elastic material, a first non-elastic panel having lateral portions overlying said front panel at the upper portion thereof; a second non-elastic panel overlying said back panel at the upper portion thereof, a removable elastic band substantially encircling said sheath, and cooperating means on the lateral portions of said first non-elastic panel and on said band for releasably securing the ends of said band to said first non-elastic panel, and means releasably securing a mid portion of said band to said back panel in vertically adjustable relationship thereto.

Claim 5

The foundation garment according to claim 2 wherein said cooperating means for securing said band to said first non-elastic panel comprises tabs secured at only one edge thereof to opposite sides of said first non-elastic panel, said tabs having first hook members thereon, the ends of said band having second cooperating hook members thereon, and means for releasably securing the free ends of said tabs to said front panel.

Claim 6

The foundation garment according to claim 1 wherein said means for securing said tabs comprises pieces of a first material secured to the rear surface of said tabs and pieces of a second material secured to said front panel, one of said materials having numerous hook-like elements on one surface thereof, the other of said materials having numerous loop-like elements on one surface thereof.

Claim 7

The foundation garment according to claim 2 wherein said means for securing said band comprises a piece of a first material secured to said band at the mid point thereof and a piece of a second material secured to said second non-elastic panel, one of said materials having numerous hook-like elements on one surface thereof, the other of said materials having numerous loop-like elements on one surface thereof.

Claim 8

The foundation garment according to claim 2 where said band securing means include a pair of vertically extending cooperating fastening strips, one being secured to the inside surface of said band and the second being secured to said second non-elastic panel, said fastening strips enabling vertical adjustment of the band on a wearer.

Claim 9

A foundation garment providing orthopedic support, comprising a body-enveloping sheath having front and back elastic panels, a first non-elastic panel at the upper middle portion of said front panel and secured thereto, a second non-elastic panel on said back panel at the upper middle portion thereof and secured thereto, an elastic band substantially encircling said sheath, means operatively connected to said first non-elastic panel for releasably securing the ends of said band thereto; said means for securing the ends of said band comprising triangularly shaped tabs of a non-elastic material secured by their bases to opposite edges of said first non-elastic panel and having first fastening members thereof, said band having second cooperating fastening members at the ends thereof, and means to releasably secure the free ends of said tabs to said front panel.

Claim 10

A foundation garment providing orthopedic support, comprising a body-enveloping sheath having front and back elastic panels, a first non-elastic panel at the upper middle portion of said front panel and secured thereto, a second non-elastic panel on said back panel at the upper middle portion thereof and secured thereto, an elastic band substantially encircling said sheath, means operatively connected to said first non-elastic panel for releasably securing the ends of said band thereto; said means for securing the ends of said band comprising triangularly shaped tabs of a non-elastic material secured by their bases to opposite edges of said first non-elastic panel and having first fastening members thereof, said band having second cooperating fastening members at the ends thereof, and means to releasably secure the free ends of said tabs to said front panel.

Claim 11

The foundation garment according to claim 7 wherein said securing means for said band comprises a piece of a first material secured to said band at about the mid point thereof and a piece of a second material secured to said second non-elastic panel, one of said materials having numerous hook-like elements on one surface thereof, the otheR of said materials having numerous loop-like elements on one surface thereof, both of said pieces of material extending substantially vertically of the garment.

Claim 12

A foundation garment providing orthopedic support, comprising: a body-enveloping sheath having front and back elastic panels; a first non-elastic panel, having lateral margins, on and overlying said front panel at the upper middle portion thereof and secured thereto; a second non-elastic panel on said back panel at the upper middle portion thereof and secured to and forming a part of said back panel; an elastic band for encircling said sheath; means connected to said first non-elastic panel on the lateral margins thereof releasably operably securing the ends of said band to such first panel whereby a convertible garment is provided and abdominal support is provided by the double thickness portion of said front panel; and means for releasably securing a mid portion of said band to said back panel, and said last-named means comprises a piece of a first material secured to said band at about the mid point thereof and a piece of a second material secured to said second non-elastic panel at the lower portion thereof, one of said materials having numerous hook-like elements on one surface thereof, the other of said materials having numerous loop-like elements on one surface thereof whereby adjustment of the position of said band on the back of the garment can be made.

Claim 13

A foundation garment providing orthopedic support, comprising: a body-enveloping sheath having front and back elastic panels; a first non-elastic panel, having lateral margins, on and overlying said front panel at the upper middle portion thereof and secured thereto; a second non-elastic panel on said back panel at the upper middle portion thereof and secured to and forming a part of said back panel; an elastic band for encircling said sheath; means connected to said first non-elastic panel on the lateral margins thereof releasably operably securing the ends of said band to such first panel whereby a convertible garment is provided and abdominal support is provided by the double thickness portion of said front panel; and means for releasably securing a mid portion of said band to said back panel, and said last-named means comprises a piece of a first material secured to said band at about the mid point thereof and a piece of a second material secured to said second non-elastic panel at the lower portion thereof, one of said materials having numerous hook-like elements on one surface thereof, the other of said materials having numerous loop-like elements on one surface thereof whereby adjustment of the position of said band on the back of the garment can be made.