Underwire End Protector Having a Flexible Zone and Underwire Assembly Incorporating Same

A protective device for an end portion of an underwire for a garment, which comprises a protective tip having a proximal portion and opposed distal portion, said proximal portion having an internal cavity extending over a portion of the length of said proximal portion and dimensioned to receive the end portion of the underwire for retaining said tip thereon, said distal portion being connected to said proximal portion by a connecting portion having bending strength less than that of said proximal and distal portions respectively, said connecting portion being spaced distally from an innermost end of said internal cavity.

A protective soft tip for an underwire, which comprises a generally elongated member having a predetermined cross-section and defining a generally elongated inner cavity having a closed innermost end for reception of an end portion of the underwire for mounting thereon, said elongated member including a portion having a cross-section less than said first-mentioned predetermined cross-section and spaced from said innermost end of said inner cavity.

An underwire assembly, which comprises:

• a) a generally arcuate member intended to be fitted into a sleeve of a brassiere;
• and
• b) a protective soft tip positioned on at least one end portion of said arcuate member, said protective soft tip comprising a generally elongated member having a predetermined cross-section and defining a generally elongated inner cavity having a closed innermost end, said underwire end portion being inserted into said inner cavity to support said protective soft tip thereon, at least one portion of said generally elongated member having a cross-section less than said first mentioned predetermined cross-section, and spaced from said innermost end of said inner cavity such that in the event said elongated member is broken at said reduced cross section, the tip end of said arcuate member will not be exposed.