BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to padded shapewear garments, and more specifically, to figure-adjusting garments for filling indentations in the hips and smoothing fat around the waistline.
2. Description of Related Art
For centuries, curvy, hourglass figures have been heavily glamorized. As a result, figures that don't quite fit the said mold have been inadvertently stigmatized. Additionally, in recent years, figures containing “hip dips” have received much contempt, and therefore have become a topic of controversy. Hip dips are naturally occurring indentations in the hips that are influenced by the bone structure, found mostly in individuals with high or wide hips. It is the space formed by such positioning of the hip bone (pelvis) on the thigh bones (femurs) that is recognized as the hip dip, violin hips, or like terminology. Numerous attempts have been made to efface the appearance of hip dips, in order to achieve a more desired, smooth and curvy hourglass physique. Yet, centuries later, a method that is simultaneously quick, temporary, painless, cost-effective, and naturally-appearing ceases to exist.
Because hip dips are influenced at the skeletal level, they are virtually impossible to get rid of by any ordinary means—including those such as targeted exercise and/or weight gain. Although targeted exercise is said to reduce the appearance of hip dips, this method lacks in presenting an entirely dip-free silhouette due to the size and location of the gluteus minimus, the muscle that extends across the hip dip area. The relatively small gluteus minimus muscle is surrounded by other gluteal muscles: the gluteus maximus and gluteus medius, which become activated during hip exercises, including those intended to isolate the gluteus minimus. Therefore, when performing targeted exercise for the purpose of getting rid of hip dips, individuals also grow the surrounding muscles, resulting in generally larger—but not necessarily dip-free—hips. Gaining weight to get rid of hip dips may also provide the appearance of fuller hips. However, using weight gain to rid the figure of hip dips is inconvenient since it may also encourage the development of unwanted fat in other areas of the body. For this reason, some women turn to more drastic means such as cosmetic surgery, to reduce or completely eradicate the appearance of their hip dips. The two most common surgical procedures used for removing hip dips are fat grafting, in which fat from the waist area is reassigned to the hips, via injections; and hip augmentation implants, in which incisions are made in the hip area, and silicone pads are then inserted beneath the flesh. These methods, both of which either semi-permanently, or permanently reconfigure the physique, are sought by women who aim to achieve the fancied curvy, and voluptuous hourglass silhouette. However, due to the cost, risk, physical pain, and recovery time associated with cosmetic surgery, the need exists for the present invention.
Prior inventions, taken singularly or combined, have been deficient in providing a product that works to enhance the hips by specifically filling the indentations that may exist within the hips of a wearer (otherwise known as the “hip dips”), in order to provide the wearer with fuller hips, and therefore, display a proportionally smoother and curvier silhouette. Furthermore, no prior art addresses hip dips as the subject matter. Among these inventions are: U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,430,753; 6,182,297; and 2013/0036530.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
To compensate for the shortcomings evident in prior hip enhancing garments, the present invention describes a garment system, regardless of embodiment, comprising at least of compression briefs with sections of different elasticity that retain the fat around the waistline (love handles), combined with padded inserts that work to specifically fill the indentations of the hips (hip dips) in order to give the appearance of fuller hips, and therefore provide the wearer with a flattering, smooth and curvy silhouette.
The purpose of the present invention, which will be further elaborated upon hereinafter, is to subtly, yet effectively adjust the figure of a wearer, in order to provide the wearer with a generally desired physique.
According to one aspect of the present invention, a multi-stretch compression garment retains fat along the waistline in order to contribute to an overall smoother and curvier physique.
It is an object of the present invention, in some embodiments, to comprise of a multi-stretch compression garment that also retains areas along the upper and lower torso in order to contribute to an overall smoother and curvier physique.
It is also an object of the present invention to comprise of a multi-stretch compression garment that offers pockets to hold padded inserts.
It is another object of the present invention to include slender, weightless pads that are removable, adjustable, and configure to accommodate the unique shape of each wearer.
It is yet another object of the present invention to consist of inverted, hemispheric (plano-convexly) shaped pads that protrude inward against the hips, and lay flat outward against the garment to prevent the pads from bulging.
It is also an object of the present invention to consist of plano-convexly shaped pads that fill the indentations of the hips in order to provide the appearance of fuller hips.
It is also an object of the present invention to, in other embodiments, comprise of hook and loop fasteners that prevent the pads from displacing.
It is another object of the present invention to inconspicuously fill the voids that exist in the hips in order to give the appearance of fuller hips, and effectively smooth and flatter the body's physical appearance without exaggerating its natural proportions.
It is an object of the present invention to provide the appearance of fuller hips in order to contribute to an overall, naturally-appearing, smoother and curvier physique.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a single garment that may be embodied in a variety of styles, including, but not limited to: a pair of leggings, a pair of tights, a slip, a half slip, knee-length compression shorts, compression briefs, a bodysuit, etc.
It is an object of the present invention for some embodiments to be worn as outer clothing while continuing to produce a flattering, dip-free appearance to the body.
It is also an object of the prevent invention to be worn with or without the pads in order to allow the wearer the option to exchange between sporting their natural physique or opting for one that is more smooth and curvy.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)
The present invention will be further elaborated upon hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a front aspect of the garment system as would be worn by a wearer.
FIG. 2 is a back aspect of the garment system as would be worn by a wearer.
FIG. 3 is a side aspect of the garment system as would be worn by a wearer.
FIG. 4 is a front aspect of the briefs alone.
FIG. 5 is a back aspect of the briefs alone.
FIG. 6 is an internal cross-section aspect of a pocket of the briefs alone.
FIG. 7 is a top aspect of a padded insert of the system.
FIG. 8 is a side aspect of a padded insert of the system.
FIG. 9 is a cross-section of the layers of fabric of which the garment pockets are comprised.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The following description will further delineate the applications and additional embodiments of the present invention, in reference to the accompanying drawings. It is worth noting that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments as disclosed in the following specifications. It is also worth noting that the system may be depicted in various embodiments without deviating from the scope of the present invention.
In other embodiments, changes may include but are not limited to: the type of fabric used to manufacture the garment, the types of stitches sewn onto the fabric, the style of the garment, the composition of the pads (type of foam, silicone, or like material used to create the pads), etc.
Now referencing the drawings, FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 depict the garment system as would be worn by a wearer. The dashed lines in FIGS. 1 and 2 represent parts of the natural physique of a wearer where the upper dashed lines are representative of the fat deposits (love handles) that may be present around the waistline, and the lower dashed lines indicate the hip indentations (hip dips) that may be present on a wearer and are not to be confused with the solid lines that represent components of the garment.
Alone, the stretchy compression briefs as depicted in FIGS. 4 and 5 consists of ten integral parts that work in unison to retain fat deposits on the torso, particularly around the waistline for the purpose of contributing to a smoother and curvier physique, as well as of holding pads (7) in place. The pads (7), shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, function to conceal the appearance of hip dips. The briefs in combination with the pads form a system that functions to provide the wearer with a naturally appearing, smooth and curvy, dip-free silhouette. These components of the system and their constituents will be further elaborated upon hereinafter.
As shown in FIGS. 1-5, the high band (1) functions to support the garment. This component reinforces the entire garment starting at, above, or below the bust, but above the navel in some embodiments; or at, or below the navel in others. The high band (1) prevents the garment from falling when worn and is made by down-folding and stitching the entire perimeter of the upper portion of the mesh compression fabric (2) using a type of flat zigzag stitch. In some embodiments where the high band may be made seamless, this portion may be lined with non-slip silicone or like material to prevent the garment from sliding.
In addition to forming the supportive high band (1), the mesh compression fabric (2) found in FIGS. 1-6 and 9 also works to discreetly smooth and retain fat depositions and other prominences along the torso, as well as along the lower thighs, while simultaneously providing comfort and preventing bulk, due to its light- to medium-weight composition. This mesh compression fabric may be, in some embodiments, comprised of an 80% Nylon/20% Lycra or 95% Polyester/5% Spandex blend.
The mesh compression fabric (2) of the system, as depicted in FIGS. 1-6 and 9 is segmented by the panty (4), into an upper and lower portion. Both the upper and lower portions are connected to the panty (4), as depicted in FIGS. 1-6, via flat seam stitches made along the top waist portion of the panty (4), and around the bottom leg portions of the panty (4). In most embodiments, the panty (4) is comprised of either a 60% Rayon/36% Nylon or 81% Nylon/19% Lycra solid knit fabric. The panty purposes to further retain the love-handles, or any prominent portions of the lower external oblique muscles. An additional purpose of the panty (4) is to contain slits (3) to allow for pads (7) to be inserted. The thong shape of the panty (4) functions to prevent visible panty lines from occurring. In the lower crotch area of the panty (4) exists a soft cotton gusset (5) that adds comfort for prolonged wear and also allows for the system to be worn without additional underwear.
Also shown in FIGS. 1-5 is the lower portion of the garment, which in some parts, specifically in the parts comprising the pocket (10), is made up of multiple layers. These layers are made more evident in FIG. 9. It is in this portion that the two lateral pockets (10) exist. These internally located pockets (10) have a vertical starting point of directly below the slits (3) of the panty (4) and the ending point of at least 1½ inches above the thigh bands (9). Horizontally, these pockets (10) extend from the front outer leg, directly to the back outer leg (at least covering the entire upper hip area). These pockets are made of, as depicted in FIG. 9, two layers of mesh compression fabric (2) held together by a stretchy polyester knit fusible interface (6) that is stitched to the inner mesh compression fabric portion (2) and ironed to the outer portion. In this formation, a wide, rectangular area is left unbound. This area extends from the front outer thigh directly to the back outer thigh, so as to create space for the pocket (10). In some embodiments, the pockets (10) may not include the fusible interface (6), and may instead be stitched and lined entirely with loop fastener fabric so that a hook strip may be attached to the padding (7) in order to adhere to the inside of the pocket (10), and therefore prevent the pad (7) from displacing, allowing it to be maintained in the desired position.
In FIG. 6, the pockets are made by folding approximately ⅕ of the knit fabric required to create the panty onto itself and stitching the small fold of this fabric to the mesh compression fabric (2). The pockets extend from the front outer thigh to the back outer thigh, and consist of two superimposed layers of mesh compression fabric, in order to allow space for the convex-shaped pads (7) to be inserted. Adhesive hook and loop fasteners may be applied to the padded insert (7) to hold it in place while dressing. The padded inserts are shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. These plano-convexly shaped inserts resemble a stingray in the sense that they are elevated at the center, and gradually reduce in thickness toward the edges so that the tapered edges of these padded inserts (7) may lay smoother on the less indented parts of the hips. These pads (7) may be made of a type of foam, silicone, or like material, depending on the embodiment. In the present embodiment, the upper portion of the pad (7a.) is made of a soft, small cell polyurethane foam. This type of foam serves the purpose of optimizing the compression of the garment by, when compressed, conforming to the unique shape of each wearer's hips in order to prevent protruding, and therefore improve the outward appearance of the garment. Also, this soft, pliable material further contributes to a smoother compression of the padding within the garment system. The thickness of the pads used may vary for any reason, however, the padding of the system will maintain its purpose, regardless of embodiment.
Also shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 is the lower portion of the pad (7b.), which in some embodiments, may be made of ethylene-vinyl acetate foam, a more sturdier foam relative to the polyurethane used on portion 7a. This lower portion of the pad serves the purpose of reinforcing the softer polyurethane foam by giving it form.
In FIGS. 7 and 8, both components of the padding join to form a plano-convexly shaped pad (7), with a rounded profile (7a.) on one side that is made to lay inward against the upper hip area, while the flattened side (7b.) lays outwardly against the lining of the garment, so as to inconspicuously fill the indentations in the hip and provide the appearance of fuller hips, to therefore create a natural appearing curve in the physique. Depending on the embodiment, the pads may taper toward the upper pelvis, to the middle of the buttocks, or to the upper thigh. This pad (7) protrudes inward against the hip to fill indentations in the hips & lays flat against the garment to present an undetectable appearance to smooth and subtly, yet effectively fill the hip dip to give the appearance of fuller hips. The purpose of the inward protrusion of the pad (7) is to allow all the system to conform to the unique shape of each wearer by pressing against the hollows of the hips so as to inconspicuously fill them, while the outer portion lays undetectably flat against the compression garment, so as to provide a consistently smooth, naturally-appearing curve in the hip, that respects the natural proportions of the wearer. In some embodiments, the pads may be slightly thicker so as to provide a natural-looking, yet more curvy and voluptuous appearance to the body, while still covering the appearance of hip dips.
Shown in FIGS. 1-6 are the thigh bands (9) that are folded in and reinforced by laterally positioned, flat seam zigzag stitches (8) that extend horizontally approximately three-inches along the outer thigh and three-inches along the inner thigh, leaving the front and direct back of the lower leg portion unstitched. Aside from adding a seam to the garment (which in some seamless embodiments may cease to exist), these stitches (8) attach and secure all layers (as shown in FIG. 9) of the lower portion of the garment. The reason for refraining from stitching the entire perimeter of the leg parts of the garment is to allow for the unstitched portion (9) to stretch freely in order to accommodate the size of the wearer's thigh, while providing a comfortable hug around the circumference of the thigh, and therefore prevent the garment from the digging that could cause uncomfortable pressure marks or imprints that would appear in the thighs after prolonged wear. The stitched portion of the leg parts of the garment serves the purpose of preventing the unstitched portion of the seam from unrolling and sliding, as well as maintaining compression and support.
Another attribute of the present invention not expressed in the depicted embodiment, is the ability for the garment, in some other embodiments, to be worn as outer garments. Some embodiments of this invention may be worn as outer clothing while continuing to produce a flattering, dip-free appearance to the body.
The aforementioned descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for descriptive and illustrative purposes. These descriptions and illustrations are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present invention to be embodiment in the forms exactly as disclosed. Additionally, variations and modifications of the present invention are possible. The exemplary embodiments were selected to in order to provide an explanation of the principles and practical applications of the present, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the present invention and its various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.
Patent Application
20200068958
