Ms. Heather M. Knox of Pennsylvania asserts that Victoria’s Secret’s Bo Fit Bra in its larger D and DD sizes, infringes her patent number US 7,074,108 “Multi-layer uplift bra”
Ms Knox apparently devised her invention being dissatisfied with the effects of both push up and of full coverage brassieres.
Apparently, despite being a moderate size C, the inventor found herself spilling out of the push up bra but looking saggy with the more traditional full-coverage designs.Her solution was to wear both at the same time, until inventing her multi-layer solution.
A multi-layer uplift bra which enhances a woman’s natural curves while providing adequate support and coverage for the breasts includes a bottom portion capable of encircling the torso of a wearer, a pair of breast cups joined at a center portion, and a pair of straps, each of which being connected at one end to a breast cup and at another end to the bottom portion of the bra. The pair of straps are capable of extending over a pair of shoulders of the wearer. The breast cups include a first layer for lifting the breasts and creating cleavage and a second layer for supporting and holding the breasts in place. A joining means is provided for joining the first and second layers together along the bottom portion of the multi-layer uplift bra.
It is not the first time that Victoria’s sectret has been sued for allegedly ripping bras off competitors. Apparently the firm has been sued by a Katerina Plew, claiming that United States Patent No. 6,733,362 is infrenged by the “Very Sexy 100-Way Strapless Convertible Bra”.
Despite the obvious advantages of wearing one brassiere instead of two to combat aged induced sagginess, the inventor had considerable difficulties in marketing her solution to lingerie manufacturers. This may be a case of Opportunity Knox!
The bra was invented by Mary Phelps Jacobs in 1913.
Much of its subsequent commercial success can be attributed to the U.S. War Industries Board called on women to stop buying corsets in 1917, thereby freeing up some 28,000 tons of metal. Despite a brief periods of unpolularity due to suffragettes and hippies, the bra has pretty much replaced corsets, to the benefit of both women and whales.
Perhaps the pinnacle of the bra’s success was when the French Government erected a monument to the Triumph, favored by the well endowed:
Appart from briefly prosecuting a couple of patent applications for bra straps, my experience of lingerie is somewhat limited. That said, I drafted US 6,755,051 titled “Knitted garments and methods of fabrication thereof”, for Delta Galilee Industries, Israel’s largest lingerie manufacturer, which faccilitated the seamless knickers (panties) that were subsequented marketed by Victoria’s Secret. Interestingly, by petitioning to make special and by explaining why the manufacturing technique was novel and inventive over every other patent or published application in it’s class, we managed to obtain the patent without any office actions in time for the XMas season.
Posted by Dr Michael Factor 
