Patent Publication Number: US-2017354187-A1

Title: Hip Pad for Decreasing a Waist-to-Hip Ratio

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     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 
     This invention relates generally to hip pads, and more particularly, to hip pads for decreasing a waist-to-hip ratio. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     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. 
     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. 
     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 
     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. 
     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. 
     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. 
     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. 
     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. 
     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. 
     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. 
     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. 
     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. 
     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 
       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. 
         FIG. 1A  is a front view of a hip pad, according to an illustrative embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 1B  is a side view of a hip pad, according to an illustrative embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic illustration of a hip juxtaposed with a padded hip, according to an illustrative embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a side view of a hip pad with a gluteal portion, according to an illustrative embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic illustration of a first and second hip pad with a connector, according to an illustrative embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 5A  is a back view of article of clothing with a two hip pads, according to an illustrative embodiment of the invention. 
         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 
       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. 
     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. 
     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 T 1  of the hip portion  109  can be greater than the thickness T 2  of thigh portion  113 . The thickness T 1  of hip portion  109  can also taper or graduate to the thickness T 2  of thigh portion  113 , which can provide for a natural looking waist and thigh area of a user. In some embodiments, the thickness T 1  of the hip portion  109  can be about a ½ inch to about 4 inches. In other embodiments, the thickness T 2  of the thigh portion  113  can be about a ½ inch to about 4 inches. 
     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 . 
     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. 
     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&#39;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. 
     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. 
       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  209   a ,  209   b , respectively. As a result of wearing the first and second hip pads  209   a ,  209   b , 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  209   a ,  209   b . The hip pads  209   a ,  209   b  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&#39;s waist-to-hip ratio by increasing the circumference of the user&#39;s hip. 
       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  301 with 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. 
     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 ½ 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&#39;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. 
       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. 
     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. 
     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. 
     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 ′. 
       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&#39; body. 
       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. 
     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 . 
     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. 
     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. 
     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. 
     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.