Hip Pad for Decreasing a Waist-to-Hip Ratio

Abstract

A hip pad is provided for decreasing a waist-to-hip ratio of a user and includes a generally elongated body having a hip portion and a thigh portion that are integrally formed with the generally elongated body. The hip pad also includes an interior surface of the hip portion that is contoured to an anatomical curvature of a hip region of the user. An interior surface of the thigh portion is contoured to the anatomical curvature of a thigh region of the user. A curved exterior surface of the hip portion is configured to decrease the waist-to-hip ratio of the user.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is a continuation of prior application Ser. No. 13/208,159 filed on Aug. 11, 2011, and entitled "Hip Pad for Decreasing a Waist-to-Hip Ratio," the contents of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This invention relates generally to hip pads, and more particularly, to hip pads for decreasing a waist-to-hip ratio.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] One feature of the human figure is a waist-to-hip ratio, e.g. the ratio of the circumference of the waist (measured at the smallest circumference of the natural waist) to the circumference of the hips (measured at the widest part of the buttocks or hips). The waist-to-hip ratio can be used as an indicator to measure the health and/or attractiveness of a person. Men and women can have different waist-to-hip ratios (e.g., the waist-to-hip ratio of females is generally lower than males) and can vary within cultural groups as well. For example, a feminine figure can have a waist-to-hip ratio of about 0.7, and a masculine figure can have a waist-to-hip ratio of about 0.9.

[0004] Therefore, individuals that want a more feminine figure seek a lower waist-to-hip ratio. The waist-to-hip ratio of both men and women can be adjusted by diet and/or exercise. However, some individuals cannot achieve a preferred waist-to-hip ratio through diet and/or exercise because of physiological limitations and thus seek artificial enhancement of their waist-to-hip ratio, and more particularly, seek artificial enhancement of their hips.

[0005] Both men and women can use padding at their hips to make their hips appear wider (e.g., increase the circumference of the hips), thus decreasing the waist-to-hip ratio. However, currently available padding is either inadequate or ill-fitting. Existing commercial hip pads generally result in unnatural looking hips and do not account for natural body curvatures.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The invention features a hip pad that can be used to increase the circumference of the hip, thus decreasing the waist-to-hip ratio, and, when worn by a user, can provide for natural-looking hips. An illusion of a wider hip can be obtained by providing a hip pad that tapers naturally to the thigh of a user. The hip pad can have a hip portion as well as a thigh portion that can be contoured to an anatomical curvature of a user to provide a better fit than current hip pads. A hip pad with an elongated body can provide the illusion of a wider hip that can be visible from the hip to the thigh.

[0007] The invention, in one aspect, features a hip pad for decreasing a waist-to-hip ratio of a user. The hip pad has a generally elongated body with a hip portion and a thigh portion integrally formed with the generally elongated body. The interior surface of the hip portion can be contoured to an anatomical curvature of a hip region of the user, and the interior surface of the thigh portion can be contoured to an anatomical curvature of a thigh region of the user. The curved exterior surface of the hip portion can be configured to decrease the waist-to-hip ratio of the user.

[0008] The invention, in another aspect, features an article of clothing for decreasing a waist-to-hip ratio of a user. The article of clothing has a right leg portion, a left leg portion, a waist portion, and a pelvic portion with a right hip area and a left hip area. The article of clothing has a right hip pad and a left hip pad disposed relative to the right and left hip areas and the right and left leg portions, respectively. Each hip pad has a generally elongated body having a hip portion and a thigh portion integrally formed with the generally elongated body. Each hip pad also has an interior surface of the hip portion contoured to an anatomical curvature of a hip region of the user. An interior surface of the thigh portion of each hip pad is contoured to an anatomical curvature of a thigh region of the user. A curved exterior surface of the hip portion of each hip pad is configured to decrease the waist-to-hip ratio of the user.

[0009] The invention, in another aspect, features a method for manufacturing a hip pad that decreases a waist-to-hip ratio of a user. A generally elongated body having a hip portion and a thigh portion is provided. An interior surface of the hip portion is contoured to an anatomical curvature of a hip region of the user. An interior surface of the thigh portion is contoured to an anatomical curvature of a thigh region of the user. A curved exterior surface of the hip portion is configured to decrease the waist-to-hip ratio of the user.

[0010] In some embodiments, the generally elongated body tapers from the hip portion to the thigh portion. A thickness of the hip portion can be greater than a thickness of the thigh portion. In some embodiments, the thickness of the hip portion tapers to the thickness of the thigh portion. The thigh portion can wrap around the thigh region of the user.

[0011] In some embodiments, the hip pad also includes a gluteal portion relative to the hip portion of the generally elongated body. The gluteal portion can be integrally formed with the generally elongated body. The gluteal portion can have an interior surface contoured to an anatomical curvature of a gluteal region. The gluteal portion can also have a curved exterior surface configured to decrease the waist-to-hip ratio of the user. In some embodiments, the thickness of the hip portion is substantially the same as a thickness of the gluteal portion.

[0012] In some embodiments, the hip pad also includes a second hip pad. The second hip pad can have a generally elongated body having a hip portion and a thigh portion integrally formed with the generally elongated body of the second hip pad. The second hip pad can also include an interior surface of the hip portion contoured to an anatomical curvature of a second hip region of the user. An interior surface of the thigh portion of the second hip pad can be contoured to an anatomical curvature of a second thigh region of the user. A curved exterior surface of the hip portion of the second hip pad can be configured to decrease the waist-to-hip ratio of the user. The hip pad can be configured for alignment with a right hip of the user and the second hip pad can be configured for alignment with a left hip of the user.

[0013] The hip pad and the second hip pad can be attached with one or more connectors. In some embodiments, the connector can be, for example, Velcro, tape, pins, thread, or fabric. In some embodiments, the second hip pad is integrally formed with the hip pad.

[0014] In some embodiments, the right and left hip pads are integrally formed with the article of clothing. The right and left hip pads can be removable from the article of clothing. The article of clothing can be, for example, pants, shorts, leggings, hosiery, stockings, or skorts.

[0015] The right and left hip pads can further include a right and left gluteal portion relative to the hip portion of the right and left hip pads, respectively. In some embodiments, the right and left gluteal portion are integrally formed with the generally elongated body of the right and left hip pads, respectively. The right and left gluteal portion can each include an interior surface that can be contoured to an anatomical curvature of a right gluteal region and a left gluteal region, respectively. In some embodiments, a curved exterior surface of the right and left gluteal portions can be configured to decrease the waist-to-hip ratio of the user.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] The advantages of the invention described above, together with further advantages, may be better understood by referring to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead generally being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention.

[0017] FIG. 1A is a front view of a hip pad, according to an illustrative embodiment of the invention.

[0018] FIG. 1B is a side view of a hip pad, according to an illustrative embodiment of the invention.

[0019] FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of a hip juxtaposed with a padded hip, according to an illustrative embodiment of the invention.

[0020] FIG. 3 is a side view of a hip pad with a gluteal portion, according to an illustrative embodiment of the invention.

[0021] FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of a first and second hip pad with a connector, according to an illustrative embodiment of the invention.

[0022] FIG. 5A is a back view of article of clothing with a two hip pads, according to an illustrative embodiment of the invention.

[0023] FIG. 5B is a side view of an article of clothing with a hip pad, according to an illustrative embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024] FIG. 1A shows a front view of a hip pad 101. The hip pad 101 has a generally elongated body 105. The generally elongated body 105 can be integrally formed with a hip portion 109 and a thigh portion 113. FIG. 1B shows a side view of hip pad 101. An interior surface 117 of the hip portion 109 can be contoured to an anatomical curvature of a hip region of a user (not shown). An interior surface 121 of the thigh portion 113 can be contoured to an anatomical curvature of a hip region of a user (not shown). A curved exterior surface 125 of the hip portion 109 can be configured to increase a width of the hip.

[0025] The hip pad 101 can be used for different body types and sizes by varying the shape and/or size of the hip pad 101 to accommodate a variety of human figures. For example, the generally elongated body 105 can be different sizes to accommodate the different heights, leg lengths, and/or sizes of thighs that individual users can have. For example, the hip pad 101 can be made in three sizes, small, medium, and large. In some embodiments, a length of the hip pad 101 can be any length between about 12 inches and about 24 inches. In other embodiments, a width of the hip pad 101 can be approximately 6 inches to approximately 18 inches.

[0026] The generally elongated body 105 can taper (e.g., graduate) from the hip portion 109 to the thigh portion 113. This tapering can create an illusion of a realistic-looking hip instead of an unnatural bump at the hip region of a user. The thickness T1 of the hip portion 109 can be greater than the thickness T2 of thigh portion 113. The thickness T1 of hip portion 109 can also taper or graduate to the thickness T2 of thigh portion 113, which can provide for a natural looking waist and thigh area of a user. In some embodiments, the thickness T1 of the hip portion 109 can be about a 1/2 inch to about 4 inches. In other embodiments, the thickness T2 of the thigh portion 113 can be about a 1/2 inch to about 4 inches.

[0027] The hip pad 101 can taper in a number of different directions. For example, the hip portion 109 can be tapered 146 from an approximate center 116 of the hip portion 109 to the top 129 of the hip portion 109. The hip pad 101 can also taper from the approximate center 116 of the hip portion 109 to a bottom 134 of the hip portion. In some embodiments, the hip pad 101 is tapered 154 between the hip portion 109 and the thigh portion 113. The thigh portion 113 can have a taper 150 from the top 138 of the thigh portion 113 to the bottom 142 of the thigh portion 113. In some embodiments, the thigh portion 113 can taper from an approximate center of the thigh portion 113 to the top 138 and bottom 142 of the thigh portion 113. In some embodiments, the bottom 134 of the hip portion 109 can be the same point as the top 138 of the thigh portion 113.

[0028] In some embodiments, the generally elongated body 105 can taper to all edges (as opposed to just from the top to the bottom) of the hip pad 101. This can form, for example, a dome-type shape with the area of greatest thickness near the center of the generally elongated body 105, hip potion 109, or thigh portion 113 and the area of least thickness near the edges of the hip pad 101. The generally elongated body 105 can also be a generally semi-spherical structure that has a single- or multi-bump dome shape. The number of bumps can be determined by thickness and tapering of the hip and thigh portions 109, 113. For example, the hip pad can have two dome-type shapes, one at the hip portion 109 and one at the thigh portion 113. In some embodiments, the bumps in the dome shape are generally rounded ovals. The particular shape of the hip pad 101 can emulate a variety of natural curves.

[0029] In some embodiments, the hip pad 101 can be customized for an individual user. The hip pad 101 can be molded into the exact shape of the individual user's leg. The thickness of the hip portion 109 and the thickness of the thigh portion 113 of the hip pad 101 can also be made to a desired thickness of the individual user.

[0030] In some embodiments, the hip pad 101 can be made out of one of more types of material. The hip pad 101 can comprise two or more pieces of material. For example, the hip pad can be formed from foam due to its light weight, malleability and sturdy properties. In some embodiments, a medium weight foam is used. The hip pad 101 can be made out of any material that has light weight, malleable and sturdy properties, such as, for example, silicone, gels, rubber, polymers, paper mache, cotton, netting, wire frames, foam, fabric, rubberized fabric, neoprene, vacuformed plastics, molded rubber, molded foam, or any combination thereof.

[0031] FIG. 2 shows a waist 201 and hips 205 of an individual. The hip 205 can be enhanced with a first and a second hip pad 209a, 209b, respectively. As a result of wearing the first and second hip pads 209a, 209b, the individual can appear to have a wider hip 213. The wider hip 213 can be dependent on the thickness of the first and second hip pads 209a, 209b. The hip pads 209a, 209b can have a generally elongated body 217 that has both a hip portion 221 and a thigh portion 225. The generally elongated body 217 can start at the waist 201 and end at a thigh 219 of the individual. The ratio of the circumference 229 of waist 201 to the circumference 234 of the hip 213 when the user is wearing the hip pad 209 is smaller than the ratio of the circumference 229 of waist 201 to the circumference 238 of hip 205 when the user is not wearing the hip pad 209. Thus, use of the hip pad 209 can decrease the user's waist-to-hip ratio by increasing the circumference of the user's hip.

[0032] FIG. 3 is a side view of a hip pad 301 with a gluteal portion 305. A generally elongated body 313 can include a hip portion 309 and a thigh portion 310. The gluteal portion 305 can be relative to the hip portion 309. The generally elongated body 313 can be integrally formed with the gluteal portion 305. The hip pad 301with a gluteal portion 305 can have a shape that resembles an elephant ear. An interior surface (not shown) of the gluteal portion 305 can be contoured to an anatomical curvature of a gluteal region (not shown) of a user. A curved exterior surface 317 of the gluteal portion 305 can be configured to decrease the waist-to-hip ratio of an individual.

[0033] In some embodiments, a thickness of the hip portion 309 can be substantially the same as a thickness of the gluteal portion 305. For example, the thickness of the hip portion and the thickness of the gluteal portion can both be about a 1/2 inches to about 4 inches. The curved exterior surface 317 of the gluteal portion 305 can increase the circumference of the hip without the need of increasing the thickness of the individual's hips to an unrealistic proportion. Therefore, the hip pad 301 can maintain a natural look of the hip and/or gluteal region of a user.

[0034] FIG. 4 shows a first hip pad 401 and a second hip pad 401' that can be worn by a user at the same time. Both the first hip pad 401 and the second hip pad 401' can have features of a hip pad shown in FIGS. 1A-B, 2, and 3. The first and second hip pads 401, 401' can have a curved exterior surface 405, 405', respectively, which can be configured to increase the width of a left or a right hip of a user. Interior surfaces (not shown) of both the first and second hip pads 401, 401' can accommodate natural curvatures of a user making the hip pads 401, 401' more comfortably to wear and providing a better overall fit for the user.

[0035] In some embodiments, the first and second hip pads 401, 401' can be configured for alignment with a left and a right hip of a user, respectively. Since the first and second hip pads 401, 401' can be contoured to an anatomical curvature of a user, each hip pad can be made to correspond to either the left or the right hip of a user. The curvature of the left and the right hip of a user can be different, which can require specially contoured hip pads. For many users, the curvature of the left and the right hip will be complementary.

[0036] In some embodiments, the hip pads 401, 401' can be secured to a body of a user using, for example, tape, double-sided tape, stockings, hosiery, or tying with a strap, ribbon, twine, rope, or any other type of string or string-like material.

[0037] In some embodiments, the first hip pad 401 and the second hip pad 401' can be configured to be attached with a connector 409. The connector 409 can be made from variety of materials, such as Velcro, tape, pins, thread, or fabric. In some embodiments, the hip pads 401, 401' can be attached with multiple connectors. The hip pads 401, 401' can also be one piece. In some embodiments, the first hip pad 401 is integrally formed with the second hip pad 401'.

[0038] FIG. 5A shows an article of clothing 501 for decreasing a waist-to-hip ratio. The article of clothing 501 can have a right leg portion 505, a left leg portion 509, a waist portion 513, and a pelvic portion with a right hip area 517 and a left hip area 521. A right hip pad 525 can be disposed relative to the right hip area. A left hip pad 529 can be disposed relative to the left hip area. The right hip pad 525 and the left hip pad 529 can be similar to any of the hip pads of FIGS. 1-4. FIG. 5B shows a side view of the article of clothing 501. The article of clothing 501 can facilitate the use of hip pads. Incorporating hip pads into articles of clothing can allow users to wear the hip pads without the need to find to secure the hip pads directly to the users' body.

[0039] FIGS. 5A and 5B show a gluteal portion. A right gluteal portion 534 and a left gluteal portion 538 can be relative to the right leg portion 505 and the left leg portion 509, respectively. The right and left gluteal portions 534, 538 can have an interior surface (not shown) contoured to an anatomical curvature of a gluteal region (not shown) of a user. The right and left gluteal portions 534, 538 can have curved right and left exterior surfaces 542, 546 configured to decrease the waist-to-hip ratio of a user. The thickness of the curved exterior surfaces 542, 546 can decrease the waist-to-hip ratio of the user.

[0040] In some embodiments, the right hip pad 525 and the left hip pad 529 can be integrally formed with the article of clothing 501. The hip pads 525, 529 can also be removable from the article of clothing 501 so that a user can reuse and wear the same hip pads even if the user is not wearing the article of clothing 501.

[0041] In some embodiments, the article of clothing 501 can be any type of bottom, including clothing such as pants, shorts, leggings, hosiery, stockings, or skorts. In some embodiments, a user will wear another article of clothing, for example, a dress, over article of clothing 501. For example, the article of clothing 501 can be stockings and a user can wear a dress or a skirt over the stockings and hip pads. This can help provide the appearance of a natural looking waist.

[0042] In some embodiments, a thigh portion of a hip pad can wrap around a thigh of an individual. Wrapping the thigh portion around the thigh can provide a better fit and can prevent the hip pad from moving or shifting, thus securing the hip pad in place. The thigh portion can wrap around an outer thigh region of a user, an inner thigh region of a user, or both.

[0043] In some embodiments, a hip pad can be worn in a number of settings and can provide realistic-looking hips in all different environments. The hip pad can be worn by males to give a man a feminine figure. The hip pad can also be worn in costumes, for example, by actors or actresses. The hip pad can allow a user freedom of movement so that the user can walk or run fluidly without appearing to be wearing hip pads.

[0044] One skilled in the art will realize the invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The foregoing embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects illustrative rather than limiting of the invention described herein. Scope of the invention is thus indicated by the appended claims, rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are, therefore, intended to be embraced therein.

Claims

1. A wearable enhancement system for decreasing a waist-to-hip ratio of a user from an initial ratio to a ratio that is at or less than about 0.7 to provide a natural-looking hip profile on the user, the system comprising: a replaceable clothing article to be worn by the user underneath an outer garment; and a pair of opposing artificial figure enhancing hip pad portions coupled to the clothing article, each hip pad: comprising an elongated body formed of a generally round upper portion comprising a gluteal portion and a pelvic portion with hip area, and a lower thigh portion, where the gluteal portion, pelvic portion with hip area, and thigh portion are integrally formed with one another, the body having a tapered thickness from a maximum thickness of about 0.5 inches to about 4 inches at a central region of the hip area and tapering to its perimeter in all directions, wherein: i) the gluteal portion is configured to be contoured to, and cover a portion of, a gluteal region of the user and, ii) the pelvic portion with hip area is configured to partially cover and contour to an anatomical curvature of a hip region of the user and to increase a circumference of hips of the user to form a maximum hip circumference that defines the waist-to-hip ratio that is at or less than about 0.7, and iii) the thigh portion extends downwardly from the gluteal portion and/or the pelvic portion; and being uniformly formed of light weight, malleable foam configured to accommodate a natural curvature of the gluteal and hip regions of the user, so that the light weight, malleable foam, in combination with a realistic-looking hip profile created by the tapering of the body, forms a hip-to-waist profile free of unnatural bumps of the hip pad as the hip pad tapers to the natural curvature of the user.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein a thickness of the hip area is greater than a thickness of the thigh portion.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein a length of the hip pad is greater than a width of the hip pad.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein the length of the high pad is between about 12 inches and about 24 inches.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein the width of the hip pad is between about 6 inches and about 18 inches.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein the clothing article comprises pants, shorts, leggings, hosiery, stockings, or skorts.

7. The system of claim 6 wherein the clothing article comprises shorts from which the hip pads are removable.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein the hip pad portions are removably coupled to the clothing article.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein the hip pad wherein the hip pads are formed or a molded foam.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein the hip pad is shaped substantially like a tear drop.

11. The system of claim 10 wherein the thigh portion is disposed at a pointed tip end of the tear drop.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein the gluteal and pelvic portions are disposed at a round end of the tear drop.

13. The system of claim 1 wherein the hip pads are integrally formed within the clothing article.

14. The system of claim 1 wherein the hip pads comprise different maximum thicknesses.

15. The system of claim 1 wherein each hip pad comprises two pieces of light weight, malleable foam.