COMBINATION GARMENT AND FIGURE-ENHANCING DEVICE AND METHOD

Abstract

A combination garment and figure-enhancing device provides for an enhanced or more desirable appearance of the buttock region of a wearer thereof. Figure-enhancing devices are positioned within casings, which, in turn, are coupled to the garment. In one embodiment, the figure-enhancing devices are permanently attached to the garment. In another embodiment, the figure-enhancing devices may be removed from the casings. In a further embodiment, each figure-enhancing device and casing may be removed from the garment as one unit. The figure-enhancing devices may be used with unisex type garments, such as jeans, pants, shorts, and the like, or may be used with garments for females, such as skirts, Capri pants, and the like.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to figure-enhancing clothing articles and, more particularly, to a combination garment and figure-enhancing device that may provide for an enhanced or more desirable appearance of the buttock region of a wearer thereof.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is often the case that individuals, especially women, are unhappy with the appearances of their figures. This may be particularly true for individuals having flat or relatively unshapely buttock regions, who may view such conditions as figure flaws. Devices for enhancing the appearance of one's figure have been developed to help compensate for such figure flaws, and are known in the prior art. Such devices include, for example, padded undergarments, padded swimsuits, undergarments with rear supports, and the like.

Various limitations exist with the aforementioned prior art devices. For example, because the padding in such prior art devices is typically secured to an undergarment, a person desiring to enhance his or her figure is often required to wear a special undergarment equipped with padding devices in order to achieve an enhanced figure effect. For various reasons, individuals desiring to enhance their figures may not wish to wear such specialty undergarments. Such reasons may include, for example, that a typical prior art specialty undergarment provides an extra layer of clothing for the wearer, in that it needs to be worn underneath the wearer's regular clothing. The extra layer of clothing may feel uncomfortable to the wearer, and/or may affect the wearer's freedom of movement. In addition, the edges of such a specialty undergarment may be noticeable beneath the wearer's outer clothing, creating undesirable “panty lines.” Further, many of these specialty undergarments are made of artificial or synthetic materials, such as polyester, spandex, Lycra®, and the like. Such materials may be undesirable for many of today's wearers who may prefer to wear fabric composed of natural materials, such as cotton. Further still, in the event that a wearer of such a specialty undergarment needs to undress in front of others, the wearer may feel embarrassed to be seen wearing the specialty undergarment, due to its old-fashioned style and look, and often full-coverage nature. As yet another example, many people today, especially women, prefer to wear undergarments that provide less than full coverage, that are light and thin, and that are not conducive to supporting padding.

A need therefore exists for a figure enhancing device that may be secured directly to a garment of a wearer thereof, that is flexible, that does not inhibit a wearer's freedom of movement, that is discrete, that may be composed of natural fabrics, and that may provide figure enhancement for a user without requiring the user to wear specialty undergarments.

The present invention satisfies these needs and provides other, related advantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a combination garment and figure-enhancing device is disclosed. The device comprises, in combination: a pair of jeans; at least two figure-enhancing pads adapted to be coupled to a rear portion of the jeans; at least two casings, wherein each casing is adapted to hold one of the at least two figure-enhancing pads; and at least two coupling members, wherein each coupling member is adapted to couple one of the at least two casings to the jeans.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a combination garment and figure-enhancing device is disclosed. The device comprises, in combination: a skirt; at least two figure-enhancing pads adapted to be coupled to a rear portion of the skirt; at least two casings, wherein each casing is adapted to hold one of the at least two figure-enhancing pads; and at least two coupling members, wherein each coupling member is adapted to couple one of the at least two casings to the skirt.

In accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention, a method for enhancing the appearance of a person's buttocks is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of: providing a combination garment and figure-enhancing device comprising, in combination: a pair of jeans; at least two figure-enhancing pads adapted to be coupled to a rear portion of the jeans; at least two casings, wherein each casing is adapted to hold one of the at least two figure-enhancing pads; and at least two coupling members, wherein each coupling member is adapted to couple one of the at least two casings to the jeans; and wearing the combination garment and figure-enhancing device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a combination garment and figure-enhancing device in position on a wearer thereof, with the figure-enhancing device shown in phantom, consistent with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of a figure-enhancing device, consistent with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the figure-enhancing device of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a front view of a portion of a combination garment and figure-enhancing device, shown from the interior of the garment, with the figure-enhancing device shown in phantom, consistent with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken through line 5-5 of the combination garment and figure-enhancing device of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a front view of a portion of a combination garment and figure-enhancing device, shown from the interior of the garment, with the figure-enhancing device shown in phantom, consistent with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective, interior view of a portion of a combination garment and figure-enhancing device, with the figure-enhancing device shown in phantom, consistent with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken through line 8-8 of the combination garment and figure-enhancing device of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a side view of a combination garment and figure-enhancing device, with the figure-enhancing device shown in phantom, consistent with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10A is an exploded view of a casing portion of a combination garment and figure-enhancing device, with a lower portion of the figure-enhancing device shown in phantom, consistent with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10B is a perspective view of a casing portion of a combination garment and figure-enhancing device, with the figure-enhancing device shown in phantom, consistent with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11A is an exploded view of a casing portion of a combination garment and figure-enhancing device, with a lower portion of the figure-enhancing device shown in phantom, consistent with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11B is a perspective view of a casing portion of a combination garment and figure-enhancing device, with the figure-enhancing device shown in phantom, consistent with an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring first to FIGS. 1, 4, and 5, an embodiment of a combination garment and figure-enhancing device 10, consistent with an embodiment of the present invention, is shown. The combination garment and figure-enhancing device 10 comprises the following principal components: a pair of jeans 12 and a pair of figure-enhancing pads 14 secured to the jeans 12. The combination garment and figure-enhancing device 10 may comprise a unisex-type garment, but preferably comprises a type of garment that would be worn by females.

An example of the figure-enhancing pad 14 is best illustrated in FIGS. 2-3. The figure-enhancing pad 14 is preferably substantially egg-shaped, as shown in FIG. 2. However, the figure-enhancing pad 14 could be substantially round, circular, or could take on other shapes, as desired. As best seen in the embodiment in FIG. 3, the figure-enhancing pad 14 preferably has a substantially flat inner surface 14A and a substantially convex outer surface 14B. In this way, the figure-enhancing pad 14 may mimic the shape of a natural buttock when in position on a wearer. However, the inner surface 14A of the figure-enhancing pad 14 may be curved, rounded (i.e. not substantially flat), or the like, if desired. The figure-enhancing pad 14 is adapted to be positioned in a garment, such as the jeans 12 shown in FIGS. 1, 4, and 5, such that the inner surface 14A of the figure-enhancing pad 14 faces the body of the wearer of the combination garment and figure-enhancing device 10, while the outer surface 14B of the figure-enhancing pad 14 faces an interior portion of a garment, such as the jeans 12. This configuration is best seen in FIG. 5.

The figure-enhancing pad 14 is preferably flexible and composed of a resilient material, such as silicone, foam, gel, or the like. In this way, the figure-enhancing pad 14 may conform to the contours of the body of a wearer of the combination garment and figure-enhancing device 10, thereby helping to provide a natural look and feel, particularly when a person wearing the combination garment and figure-enhancing device 10 is engaged in movement, such as walking, bending, etc. The figure-enhancing pad 14 of the combination garment and figure-enhancing device 10 is further preferably configured to correspond to the particular width of a back pocket of the garment, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4. However, the figure enhancing pad 14 may take on different shapes and/or sizes, depending upon the preference of wearers of the combination garment and figure-enhancing device 10. The pair of figure-enhancing pads 14 is preferably used to enhance the figure of a wearer of the combination garment and figure-enhancing device 10, such as by increasing and/or reshaping the appearance of the buttock region of the wearer, thereby making it more attractive, especially for individuals whose buttock regions may be relatively flat, unshapely, not voluptuous, or the like.

In this embodiment, the jeans 12 consist of a standard pair of jeans having two back pockets 16. It may also be desired to fashion a combination garment and figure-enhancing device 10 using garments other than jeans 12, such as slacks, shorts, Capri pants, skirts (as further described below), and the like. The jeans 12 may be comprised of virtually any fabric suitable for jeans, such as denim, corduroy, and the like. In this embodiment, the back pockets 16 serve two main purposes. In this regard, the back pockets 16 provide an attachment point for the figure-enhancing pad 14 of the combination garment and figure-enhancing device 10. In addition, because the back pockets 16 provide another layer of material to the garment used for the combination garment and figure-enhancing device 10, the back pockets 16 help to conceal the presence of the figure-enhancing pad 14. For this reason, it is preferred for the combination garment and figure-enhancing device 10 to employ a garment having back pockets 16. However, it may be desired to fashion a combination garment and figure-enhancing device 10 in which the garment has interior pockets or fake pockets. It may also be desired to fashion a combination garment and figure-enhancing device 10 in which the back pockets 16 are omitted. It may also be desired to fashion a combination garment and figure-enhancing device 10 that lacks pockets altogether.

The embodiment of the combination garment and figure-enhancing device 10 depicted in FIGS. 4-6 further comprises a pair of casings 18, each of which are adapted to receive a figure-enhancing pad 14. Preferably, the casings 18 are each composed of fabric. Virtually any type of fabric may be used for the casings 18 as desired. In this embodiment, each casing 18 comprises a first panel 18-1 and a second panel 18-2, which are coupled to each other, creating a “pocket” into which the figure-enhancing pad 14 may be inserted, as best illustrated in FIGS. 10A and 10B. In this embodiment, the casings 18 include a first edge 18A, a second edge 18B, a third edge 18C, and a fourth edge 18D, such that each casing 18 is four-sided. While the casings 18 in this embodiment are four-sided, the casings 18 could have more or less sides, as desired. For example, the casings 18 could be three-sided, such that they are substantially triangular-shaped. In this embodiment, the casings 18 are positioned on the rear, interior portion of the jeans 12. To form each casing 18, panels 18-1 and 18-2 are preferably stitched together along the fourth edge 18D. Preferably, each casing 18 is secured to the jeans 12 with stitches 20. The first edge 18A may be secured to (or inside) a side-seam of the jeans 12, the second edge 18B may be secured to (or inside) a middle seam of the jeans 12, and the third edge 18C may be secured to a waistband portion of the jeans 12 (or beneath the belt stitching of the jeans 12), as seen in FIG. 4. It should be noted that it is preferred that the fourth edge 18D of the casings 18 not be secured directly to the jeans 12. When fully assembled, the casings 18 serve to securely position the figure-enhancing pads 14 on an interior portion of the jeans 12. In this regard, a figure-enhancing pad 14 would be positioned between panel 18-1 and panel 18-2 and secured with stitches 30, as illustrated in FIG. 10B. The casings 18 may be machine-stitched or hand-stitched to the jeans 12. However, other types of stitching could be used, as desired. With respect to the first edge 18A and second edge 18B of the casings 18, such edges may be stitched to a seam allowance or directly to a seam, which may help to ensure that any stitching employed to secure these edges of the panel 18 to the jeans 12 are concealed from view when the jeans 12 are turned right-side-out. However, virtually any type of stitching may be employed to secure the casings 18 to the jeans 12.

The figure-enhancing pad 14 may be removable or fixed. In this regard, it may be desired to leave a small opening 31 (as shown in FIGS. 4 and 10B) along (or under) the third edge 18C of the casing 18, in order that the figure-enhancing pad 14 may be removed from the jeans 12. Alternatively, the third edge 18C of the casing 18 may be stitched to a waistband portion of the jeans 12, such that the figure-enhancing pad 14 is not removable.

In another embodiment of the combination garment and figure-enhancing device 10, as shown in FIG. 6, the casings 18 are removably secured to the jeans 12, and each casing 18 and figure-enhancing pad 14 housed therein may be removed as one unit. The embodiment of the combination garment and figure-enhancing device 10 shown in FIG. 6 is similar to the embodiment of the combination garment and figure-enhancing device 10 shown in FIG. 4, except that instead of employing stitches 20 to secure the casing 18 to the jeans 12, the casing 18 is secured to the jeans 12 with buttons 22. Preferably, the casing 18 includes a plurality of buttonholes corresponding to each button 22. Instead of buttonholes, it may be desired to use button loops, rubber bands, or the like. Preferably, at least six buttons 22 and corresponding buttonholes are employed. However, more or less buttons 22 and buttonholes may be used, as desired. While buttons 22 are used in this embodiment, it may be desired to use other types of fasteners, such as snaps, hooks and eyes, zippers, hook and loop fasteners, and the like.

Referring now to FIGS. 7-8, another embodiment of the combination garment and figure-enhancing device 10, consistent with an embodiment of the present invention, is shown. In this embodiment, casings 24 are employed for positioning each figure-enhancing pad 14 in the jeans 12, instead of the casings 18 employed in the embodiment of FIGS. 4-6. Each casing 24 is adapted to hold a figure-enhancing pad 14. Preferably, the casings 24 are each composed of fabric. Virtually any type of fabric may be used for the casings 24, as desired. In this embodiment, each casing 24 comprises a first panel 24-1 and a second panel 24-2, which are coupled to each other, creating a “pocket” into which the figure-enhancing pad may be inserted, as best illustrated in FIGS. 11A and 11B. In this embodiment, each casing 24 includes a lower edge 24A and an upper edge 24B. The lower edge 24A is preferably curved to correspond to the contours of the lower portion of the figure-enhancing pad 14, but may take on other shapes, as desired. The upper edge 24B is preferably substantially squared-off, as seen in FIG. 7 (and as also seen in FIGS. 11A and 11B). In this way, the upper edge 24B is adapted to be secured to a waistband portion of the jeans 12 or beneath the belt stitching of the jeans 12, as further discussed below. However, the upper edge 24B may be shaped in other ways, as desired. For example, the upper edge 24B may be curved, rounded, or the like. To form each casing 24, panels 24-1 and 24-2 are preferably stitched together along the edge 24A with stitches 32, as shown in FIG. 11B.

As shown in this embodiment, each casing 24 is adapted to be positioned on the rear, interior portion of the jeans 12. Preferably, each casing 24 is secured to the jeans 12 with buttons 26. In this embodiment, the buttons 26 are positioned on the jeans 12. In this regard, for each casing 24, a pair of buttons 26 is positioned on lower corner regions of the pocket 16, while three buttons 26 are positioned along a waist band portion of the jeans 12. However, more or less buttons 26 may be used, as desired. Further, the buttons 26 may be positioned in other arrangements, as desired. Each casing 24 further includes a plurality of rubber bands 28, in order to attach each casing 24 to the jeans 12. In this embodiment, five rubber bands 28 are used to correspond to the five buttons 26. However, more or less rubber bands 28 may be used, as desired, in order to correspond to a number of buttons 26 that may be used. The rubber bands 28 are attached to the casing 24, preferably with stitches 34. In a preferred embodiment, the rubber bands 28 are substantially thin, but rubber bands 28 of various thicknesses may be employed, as desired. In order to secure the casing 24 to the jeans 12, each rubber band 28 would be placed around one of each of the buttons 26.

While in this embodiment, buttons 26 and rubber bands 28 are employed to secure each casing 24 to the jeans 12, each casing 24 may be secured to the jeans 12 in other ways, as desired. For example, each casing 24 may be secured by using a button and buttonhole configuration, a button and loop configuration, snaps, hooks and eyes, zippers, hook and loop fasteners, and the like.

In this embodiment, the casing 24 and figure-enhancing pad 14 contained therein may be removed from the jeans 12 as one unit. Preferably, the figure-enhancing pad 14 is not removable from the casing 24. However, it may be desired to fashion a casing 24 in which the figure-enhancing pad 14 may be removed therefrom. For example, it may be desired to leave a small opening 31, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 11B along the upper edge 24B of the casing 24, in order that the figure-enhancing pad 14 may be removed from the casing 24.

Referring now to FIG. 9, a further embodiment of the combination garment and figure-enhancing device 10 is shown. In this embodiment, instead of jeans 12, the garment comprises a skirt 13. The same features discussed above with respect to the combination garment and figure-enhancing device 10 comprising jeans 12 may be employed in substantially the same manner using the skirt 13 instead of jeans 12.

While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to the preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing and other changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A combination garment and figure-enhancing device comprising, in combination:

a pair of jeans;

at least two figure-enhancing pads adapted to be coupled to a rear portion of the jeans;

at least two casings, wherein each casing is adapted to hold one of the at least two figure-enhancing pads; and

at least two coupling members, wherein each coupling member is adapted to couple one of the at least two casings to the jeans.

2. The combination garment and figure-enhancing device of claim 1, wherein the at least two figure-enhancing pads are substantially egg-shaped.

3. The combination garment and figure-enhancing device of claim 1, wherein the at least two figure-enhancing pads are substantially round.

4. The combination garment and figure-enhancing device of claim 1, wherein the at least two figure-enhancing pads are comprised of one of silicone, foam, and gel.

5. The combination garment and figure-enhancing device of claim 1, wherein each of the at least two casings comprises a substantially egg-shaped lower portion and a substantially squared-off upper portion.

6. The combination garment and figure-enhancing device of claim 1, wherein the coupling members comprise stitches.

7. The combination garment and figure-enhancing device of claim 1, wherein the coupling members comprise buttons.

8. A combination garment and figure-enhancing device comprising, in combination:

a skirt;

at least two figure-enhancing pads adapted to be coupled to a rear portion of the skirt;

at least two casings, wherein each casing is adapted to hold one of the at least two figure-enhancing pads; and

at least two coupling members, wherein each coupling member is adapted to couple one of the at least two casings to the skirt.

9. The combination garment and figure-enhancing device of claim 8, wherein the at least two figure-enhancing pads are substantially egg-shaped.

10. The combination garment and figure-enhancing device of claim 8, wherein the at least two figure-enhancing pads are substantially round.

11. The combination garment and figure-enhancing device of claim 8, wherein the at least two figure-enhancing pads are comprised of one of silicone, foam, and gel.

12. The combination garment and figure-enhancing device of claim 8, wherein each of the at least two casings comprises a substantially egg-shaped lower portion and a substantially squared-off upper portion.

13. The combination garment and figure-enhancing device of claim 8, wherein the coupling members comprise stitches.

14. The combination garment and figure-enhancing device of claim 8, wherein the coupling members comprise buttons.

15. A method for enhancing the appearance of a person's buttocks, comprising the steps of:

providing a combination garment and figure-enhancing device comprising, in combination: a pair of jeans; at least two figure-enhancing pads adapted to be coupled to a rear portion of the jeans; at least two casings, wherein each casing is adapted to hold one of the at least two figure-enhancing pads; and at least two coupling members, wherein each coupling member is adapted to couple one of the at least two casings to the jeans; and

wearing the combination garment and figure-enhancing device.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the at least two figure-enhancing pads are substantially egg-shaped.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the at least two figure-enhancing pads are substantially round.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the at least two figure-enhancing pads are comprised of one of silicone, foam, and gel.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein each of the at least two casings comprises a substantially egg-shaped lower portion and a substantially squared-off upper portion.

20. The method of claim 15, wherein the coupling members comprise one of stitches and buttons.