US4023575A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Contour bustette
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1976-03-02
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Granted: 1977-05-17
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Expires: 1996-03-02
Abstract
Abstract A prosthesis to replace a surgically removed breast has a single panel in contact with the body of the wearer within the cup and underarm portion of a conventional brassiere. The brassiere-contacting surface of the prosthesis is formed by upper and lower front panels interconnected along a seam aligned with the horizontal seam of the brassiere. The centerline of the brassiere is aligned with a releasable closure retaining a filler between the front and rear panels.
Inventors
- 👤 Letha R. Nixon
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 20:15
CPC Classifications
A; A41; A41C; A41C3/00; A41C3/12; A41C3/14; A41C3/148; A61; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/50; A61F2/52; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/24; Y10T428/24008; Y10T428/24017
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
190 words
In combination with a brassiere, a breast prosthesis adapted to be positioned on the body of a mastectomy patient inside one of te cups and underarm side portions of the brassiere that has a seam extending between the side portions across the centerline between the cup portions to which shoulder straps are connected; said prosthesis comprising a single flexible body-contacting panel forming a continuous surface of convex curvature, at least two flexible brassiere-contacting panels peripherally secured to the body-contacing panel and interconnected to each other along a continuous edge portion substantially aligned throughout with the seam of the brassiere, said brassiere-contacting panels forming a breast contour surface of convex curvature and an underarm section extending from the centerline in contact with substantially the entire cup and underarm side portion of the brassiere, closure means releasably connecting the brassiere-contacting panels to the body-contacting panel at an end remote from the underaram section in substantial alignment with said centerline of the brassiere to enclose a cavity, and a mass of filler material retained in said cavity by the closure means to maintain said convex curvatures of the surfaces formed by the panels.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
190 words
In combination with a brassiere, a breast prosthesis adapted to be positioned on the body of a mastectomy patient inside one of te cups and underarm side portions of the brassiere that has a seam extending between the side portions across the centerline between the cup portions to which shoulder straps are connected; said prosthesis comprising a single flexible body-contacting panel forming a continuous surface of convex curvature, at least two flexible brassiere-contacting panels peripherally secured to the body-contacing panel and interconnected to each other along a continuous edge portion substantially aligned throughout with the seam of the brassiere, said brassiere-contacting panels forming a breast contour surface of convex curvature and an underarm section extending from the centerline in contact with substantially the entire cup and underarm side portion of the brassiere, closure means releasably connecting the brassiere-contacting panels to the body-contacting panel at an end remote from the underaram section in substantial alignment with said centerline of the brassiere to enclose a cavity, and a mass of filler material retained in said cavity by the closure means to maintain said convex curvatures of the surfaces formed by the panels.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
46 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein brassiere-contacting panels are secured to the body-contacting panel along spaced longitudinal edges extending from the closure means to outline the breast contour surface, one of said edges extending in close adjacency to one of the shoulder straps of the brassiere.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The combination of claim 5 including a weighted device embedded in the filler and means anchoring the weighted device to the other of said edges.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The combination of claim 1 including a weighted device embedded in the filler below the edge portion.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
152 words
In combination with a brassiere having a pair of cups interconnected at a centerline, underarm side sections connected to the cups and a seam extending between the underarm side sections across the cups, a breast prosthesis adapted to be positioned on the body of a mastectomy patient underneath one of the cups and underarm side sections of the brassiere, comprising two flexible brassiere-contacting panels extending in contact with the one of the cups and underarm side sections of the brassiere, means interconnecting said brassiere-contacting panels along a continuous edge in aligned contact with the seam of the brassiere throughout, a single body-contacting panel peripherally secured to the interconnected brassiere-contacting panels to form a smooth continuous surface including a breast contour portion and an underarm portion, closure means releasably connecting the panels to each other along the centerline to enclose a cavity, and a filler retained in said cavity by the closure means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
152 words
In combination with a brassiere having a pair of cups interconnected at a centerline, underarm side sections connected to the cups and a seam extending between the underarm side sections across the cups, a breast prosthesis adapted to be positioned on the body of a mastectomy patient underneath one of the cups and underarm side sections of the brassiere, comprising two flexible brassiere-contacting panels extending in contact with the one of the cups and underarm side sections of the brassiere, means interconnecting said brassiere-contacting panels along a continuous edge in aligned contact with the seam of the brassiere throughout, a single body-contacting panel peripherally secured to the interconnected brassiere-contacting panels to form a smooth continuous surface including a breast contour portion and an underarm portion, closure means releasably connecting the panels to each other along the centerline to enclose a cavity, and a filler retained in said cavity by the closure means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-05-16 | 1980-11-15 | 1981-05-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-05-16 | 1984-11-15 | 1985-05-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-05-16 | 1988-11-15 | 1989-05-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |