Garment Structure with Elastic Shaping Bands

Abstract

A garment structure is provided to lift glutei and thin hips. The garment structure includes a belt part, a front part, a rear part, and one or more elastic bands positioned within an interior space of the garment structure. The garment structure may include one or more rear elastic bands positioned to be between the user and the rear part when the garment structure is worn by the user, one or more front elastic bands positioned to be between the user and the front part when the garment structure is worn by the user, or both one or more rear and one or more front elastic bands.

Description

BACKGROUND

[0001] A relatively high demand exists for garments, such as pants, which are able to lift the glutei, thin the hips, and shape the front of a person wearing them. Knitted fabric is well-known as a "soft fabric" to shape glutei; but it cannot fit just any shape or modify it and therefore doesn't allow substantial lifting.

[0002] Conventional solutions include Italian patent MI2012A000904, registered on May 24, 2012, and disclosing pants to shape female glutei. This patent discloses pants having a first rear section (2, 102, 202) suitable for covering glutei, at least partially, and a second front section (1, 101, 201) suitable for covering the abdomen, at least partially. The first rear section (2, 102, 202) includes: at least a first element (7B, 107B, 207B) suitable for covering at least the final lower section (S1) and the side section (S2) of the glutei, at least a second element (9, 109, 209) suitable for covering at least the central section (S3) of the glutei, and another third element (4, 10, 104, 110, 204, 210) suitable for covering at least the final upper section (S2) of the glutei, distinguished by the fact that the first (7B, 107B, 207B), second (9, 109, 209), and third (10, 4, 110, 104, 210, 204) elements include knitted fabric, that the first element (7B, 107B, 207B) and the third element (10, 110, 210) mark out a central opening (40, 140, 240), that the external edges (9C, 9D, 109C, 109D, 109E, 209C, 209D, 209E) of the second element (9, 109, 209) are limited to the edges (7H, 10A, 107H, 110A, 207H, 210A) marking out the opening of the first element (7B, 107B, 207B) and third element (10, 4, 110 104, 210, 204) in order to close the opening, and that the second element (9, 109, 209) includes two sections (9A, 9B, 109A, 109B, 209A, 209B), each one suitable for covering only one of the two central sections (S3) of the glutei, and that the two sections are limited between each other along their corresponding side edges (9F, 109F, 209F) arranged by the cleft (S4) between the glutei through a central seam line (16) suitable for being arranged by the cleft.

[0003] This known technique has some disadvantages including the complicated structure of the pants. Since the structure includes several sections to be sewn together, it needs an opening on the central section of the glutei and needs to be closed according to the shape of a special and complicated paper pattern.

[0004] Besides the different and numerous seams arranged in a special way all along the pants, actual lifting requires coupling with other components which may develop an active lifting, such as a cord (18) which nevertheless serves to pull the knitted cloth within the cleft between the buttocks, but actually does not lift them, or a fitting-in section (150a) and (150b) which in any case, if arranged in the final lower section (S1) and side section (S2) of the buttocks, does not allow the lifting of all the glutei, but only of a section of it. Thus, the body cannot be made slimmer.

[0005] All these seams also make the pants less stylish and make it especially apparent that one is trying to shape the glutei, which the wearer of the pants would prefer to keep hidden because of a less than optimal glutei shape.

[0006] Other known solutions include manufacturing the pants from an elastic material to completely surround the whole area of the glutei in the elastic material. Even these solutions have disadvantages such as crushing or smashing the glutei. The crushing does not allow for upward lifting and also crushes the glutei sideways and further down so that the person wearing them is not made slimmer but actually large or misshapen instead.

[0007] U.S. Published Patent Application U.S. 2017/0042257, entitled Garment Structure to Lift Glutei and Thin Hips, discloses a garment structure having a pair of deformable elastic bands within an interior space of the garment structure to lift the glutei and thin the hips.

SUMMARY

[0008] The present application describes a garment structure, such as pants, to lift glutei, thin hips, and shape the front of a person wearing the garment structure.

[0009] In an exemplary embodiment, a garment structure includes a belt, a front part, and a rear part, and one or more elastic bands positioned within an interior space of the garment structure. In one exemplary embodiment, the garment structure includes a pair of rear elastic bands positioned to be between the user and the rear part when the garment structure is worn by the user. In another exemplary embodiment, the garment structure includes a pair of front elastic bands positioned to be between the user and the front part when the garment structure is worn by the user. In yet another exemplary embodiment, a garment structure a first pair of rear elastic bands positioned to be between the user and the rear part when the garment structure is worn by the user and a second pair of front elastic bands positioned to be between the user and the front part when the garment structure is worn by the user.

[0010] Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description made with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] Features and advantages of the general inventive concepts will become apparent from the following detailed description made with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0012] FIG. 1 is a rear view of an exemplary embodiment of a garment structure;

[0013] FIG. 2 is a right-side view of the garment structure of FIG. 1, showing the shape of the garment structure as if worn;

[0014] FIG. 3 is a rear sectional view of the garment structure of FIG. 1, showing two elastic bands;

[0015] FIG. 4 is a right-side sectional view of the garment structure of FIG. 1, showing the shape of the garment structure when not worn;

[0016] FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the garment structure of FIG. 1, according to the lines V-V of FIG. 3 and when not worn;

[0017] FIG. 6 is a front view of two elastic bands of the garment structure of FIG. 1;

[0018] FIG. 7 is a rear sectional view of another exemplary embodiment of a garment structure, showing two elastic bands;

[0019] FIG. 8 is a rear view of another exemplary embodiment of a garment structure;

[0020] FIG. 9 is a rear view of two rear elastic bands of the garment structure of FIG. 8, showing the shape of the two rear elastic bands when worn;

[0021] FIG. 10 is a front view of the garment structure of FIG. 8;

[0022] FIG. 11 is a front view of two front elastic bands of the garment structure of FIG. 8, showing the shape of the two front elastic bands when sewn in the garment and worn;

[0023] FIG. 12 is a front view of the two front elastic bands of the garment structure of FIG. 8, showing the shape of the two front elastic bands when unworn and unattached;

[0024] FIG. 13 is a side view of the two front elastic bands attached to the two rear elastic bands of the garment structure of FIG. 8;

[0025] FIG. 14 is an exterior bottom view of the two front elastic bands attached to the two rear elastic bands of the garment structure of FIG. 8;

[0026] FIG. 15 is a rear view of another exemplary embodiment of a garment structure;

[0027] FIG. 16 is a rear view of a rear elastic band of the garment structure of FIG. 15, showing the shape of the rear elastic band when worn;

[0028] FIG. 17 is front view of the garment structure of FIG. 15;

[0029] FIG. 18 is a front view of two front elastic bands of the garment structure of FIG. 15, showing the shape of the two front elastic bands when worn;

[0030] FIG. 19 is an exterior bottom view of the two front elastic bands attached to the two rear elastic bands of the garment structure of FIG. 15;

[0031] FIG. 20 is front view of another exemplary embodiment of a garment structure; and

[0032] FIG. 21 is a front view of the two front elastic bands of the garment structure of FIG. 18, showing the shape of the two front elastic bands when worn.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] This Detailed Description merely describes exemplary embodiments in accordance with the general inventive concepts and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention or the claims in any way. Indeed, the invention as described by the claims is broader than and unlimited by the exemplary embodiments set forth herein, and the terms used in the claims have their full ordinary meaning.

[0034] The general inventive concepts will now be described with occasional reference to the exemplary embodiments of the invention. These general inventive concepts may, however, be embodied in different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the general inventive concepts to those skilled in the art.

[0035] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art encompassing the general inventive concepts. The terminology set forth in this detailed description is for describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the general inventive concepts. As used in this detailed description and the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0036] Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities of ingredients, properties such as molecular weight, reaction conditions, percentages, and so forth as used in the specification and claims are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term "about." Accordingly, unless otherwise indicated, the numerical properties set forth in the specification and claims are approximations that may vary depending on the suitable properties sought to be obtained in the embodiments of the present invention. Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forth the broad scope of the general inventive concepts are approximations, the numerical values set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely as possible. Any numerical values, however, inherently contain certain errors necessarily resulting from error found in their respective measurements.

[0037] This application is directed to a garment structure designed to cover portions of the body. The structure may cover different portions of the body, such as for example, pants for the lower section of the body, or pants, skirt, and culottes or clothing/dress for the lower section of the body and the whole chest.

[0038] The garment structure may include elements that shape and support portions of a wearer of the garment structure. The garment structure may, for example, shape or support one or more of a wearer's bottom, hips, thigh, front, lower abdomen, and pelvis region so as to make the figure of the person wearing this garment slimmer. In one embodiment, the garment structure lift the bottom upwards and, at the same time, reduces the hips, the thigh, the bottom, and the front, by approximately one clothing size.

[0039] The garment structure may give no external signs of bandaging under the garment.

[0040] The garment structure may have low manufacturing costs which can be made with conventional machinery and facilities.

[0041] In the manufacturing examples below, single features according to specific cases can be in fact interchangeable with other different features of other manufacturing examples.

[0042] The exemplary structure disclosed is a pair of pants. Alternatively, as external use, the garment can cover some or all of the chest both in case of skirt or culottes or clothing-dress.

[0043] Referring now to the Figures, an exemplary embodiment of a garment structure is shown in FIGS. 1-6. FIG. 1 shows a garment structure 1 for lifting the glutei 16 and thinning the hips. The exemplary garment structure is pants to cover the lower body section. The pants include a belt 2, a front section 3, and a rear section 4 sewn between each other. The rear section includes at least two trapezoid-shaped deformable elastic bands 5a, 5b.

[0044] The material of the elastic bands will be discussed in detail. The advantage of this garment is the use of a fabric called "comfort," which is formed following known manufacturing procedures. Inside the garment are at least two deformable elastic bands 5a, 5b which can be manufactured with different materials such as for example, lycra, jersey, cotton, silk, linen, polyester, nylon, polyamide, paired with the desired elasticity ratio or any other deformable fabric and/or suitable materials.

[0045] The shape of the elastic bands will be discussed in detail. Each band 5a, 5b has a geometrical shape, essentially trapezoidal, marking out a smaller base 6a, 6b, a larger base 7a, 7b, and a first and second side 8a, 8b and 9a, 9b. The smaller base 6a, 6b and the larger base 7a, 7b can be linear or slightly curved, for example, concave turned toward the bottom of the pants. Each second side 9a, 9b is at least partially unsecured and marks out the first arch-shaped stretch 10a, 10b which is between the larger base 7a, 7b and the second linear stretch 11a, 11b, joined with the smaller base 6a, 6b.

[0046] Each first side (8a, 8b) is sewn all along its length by the side seam 12 of the leg connecting the mentioned front 3 and rear 4 sections. Each first side 8a, 8b also has the first edge 13a, 13b joined with the larger base 7a, 7b sewn in a point next to the mentioned belt 2. The length of each first side 8a, 8b is such as to arrange a second edge 14a, 14b, joined with the smaller base 6a, 6b at a height essentially corresponding to the tangent line 15 to the lower section of the glutei 16.

[0047] The shape and construction of the second sides is different than the first sides. Each second side 9a, 9b is sewn all along its length by the final lower seam section 17 located in the cleft 18 between the glutei 16 thus affecting the inner thigh seam 9. Especially the first arch-shaped stretch 10a, 10b of the second side 9a, 9b affects the seam 17 starting from the area below the line 20 passing transversely through the center of the glutei 16 to the crotch point 21. In contrast, the second linear stretch 11a, 11b of the second side 9a, 9b starts from the crotch point 21 thus affecting the inner thigh seam 19. Thus, each smaller base 6a, 6b has a third end 22a, 22b joining the second linear stretch 11a, 11b which is joined with the inner thigh seam 19. Besides that, each band 5a, 5b is arranged in such a way that the smaller base 6a, 6b of each band is beneath the tangent line 15 to the lower section of the glutei 16. Along the stretches corresponding to the smaller base 6a, 6b and to the larger base 7a, 7b, each of the bands 5a, 5b is not sewn to the garment. Alternatively, the larger base 7a, 7b can be sewn to the aforementioned garment on some points, only in order to keep their position when the pants are being worn. Each band 5a, 5b can be fixed by different fixing systems or seams or any other suitable fixing means such as buttons of various kinds, Velcro-fasteners, hooks, zip-fasteners, and adhesive sections. Also, for example, the two bands 5a, 5b can be previously sewn between each other, before then being sewn to the pants.

[0048] Exemplary elastic bands 5a, 5b are shown in FIG. 6. The elastic bands each have sides which are unsecured to the garment and sides which are secured with other parts of the garment. For example, the elastic bands 5a, 5b have outside sides 8a, 8b that are joined by the side seam of the leg 12 which joins the front section 3 and the rear section 4, and inside sides 9a, 9b joined by the final lower seam section 17 and arranged on the cleft 18 between the glutei 16. The elastic bands 5a, 5b affect seam 19 inside the thigh because the deformable elastic bands 5a, 5b are arranged with the larger base 7a, 7b and the smaller base 6a, 6b, made inclined with the edges of the larger base 7a, 7b joined starting from a point next to the belt 2 to at least a point lying in the area below the line 20 passing transversely through the center of the glutei 16.

[0049] FIG. 7 illustrates another exemplary embodiment of elastic bands 105a, 105b for a garment structure. Each band 105a, 105b has a smaller size than the embodiment previously discussed, in such a way that the smaller base 106a, 106b directly joins the first side 108a, 108b and a section of the second side, so that the third end 122a, 122b coincides with the final end of the first arch-shaped stretch 110a, 110b. In this way, the second linear stretch is missing 11a, 11b, and the bands are joined by the seam 117 arranged in the cleft 118 between the glutei.

[0050] FIGS. 8-15 illustrate another exemplary embodiment of a garment structure 200. The garment structure 200 may be substantially the same as the garment structure 1, including having a belt 202, a front section 203, and a rear section 204 sewn to each other. The garment structure 200 may include one or more elastic bands for shaping and supporting portions of a wearer of the garment. In some embodiments, the garment structure 200 may include one or more elastic bands associated with the rear section 204, similar to the garment structure 1. In other embodiments, the garment structure 200 may include one or more elastic bands associated with the front section 203. In other embodiments, garment structure 200 may include one or more elastic bands associated with the rear section 204 and one or more elastic bands associated with the front section 203.

[0051] In the illustrated embodiment, the rear section 204 includes one or more rear elastic bands 205a, 205b for lifting the glutei and thinning the hips. The rear elastic bands 205a, 205b may be substantially similar to the elastic bands 5a, 5b of FIGS. 1-6 or substantially similar to the elastic bands 105a, 105b of FIG. 7. Thus, the descriptions of the elastic bands 5a, 5b and elastic bands 105a, 105b may also apply to the rear elastic bands 205a, 205b.

[0052] In the illustrated exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 8-14, the garment structure 200 includes a first rear elastic band 205a and a second rear elastic band 205b. In other embodiments, however, the first rear elastic band 205a and the second rear elastic band 205b may be formed as a single, unitary elastic band. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the garment structure 200 may include more than two rear elastic bands.

[0053] Referring to FIG. 9, in the illustrated embodiment, the first rear elastic band 205a and the second rear elastic band 205b are substantially similar as the elastic bands 105a, 105b in that the rear elastic bands 205a, 205b are positioned inside the garment structure 200, each having a geometrical shape, essentially trapezoidal, marking out a rear lower base 206a, 206b, a rear upper base 207a, 207b, a rear first side 208a, 208b, and a rear second side 209a, 209b. The rear lower base 206a, 206b and the rear upper base 207a, 207b can be linear or slightly curved, for example, concave turned toward the bottom of the pants. In the exemplary embodiment, the rear lower base 206a, 206b has a shorter length than the rear upper base 207a, 207b. In other embodiments, however the rear lower base 206a, 206b may have the same or greater length than the rear upper base 207a, 207b.

[0054] Each rear first side 208a, 208b joins with the rear upper base 207a, 207b at a rear first edge 213a, 213b and with the rear lower base 206a, 206b at a rear second edge 214a, 214b. Likewise, each rear second side 209a, 209b joins with the rear lower base 206a, 206b at a rear third edge 222a, 222b and with the rear upper base 207a, 207b at a rear fourth edge 224a, 224b.

[0055] Each of the rear first sides 208a, 208b is sewn all along its length by a side seam 212a, 212b of the leg connecting the front 203 section and the rear 204 section. The rear first edge 213a, 213b is sewn in a point on the side seam 212a, 212b at a distance D1 below where a yoke 228 of the garment structure 200 intersects the side seam 212a, 212b. The distance D1 can vary in different embodiments and in different size of the garment structure 200. In some exemplary embodiments, the distance D1 below the yoke 228 where the rear first edge 213a, 213b is attached to the respective side seam 212a, 212b is in the range of 1/2 inch to 21/2 inches, or in the range of 1 inch to 2 inches, or 11/2 inches.

[0056] The rear second sides 209a, 209b are sewn together all along their length by the lower seam section 217 located in the cleft 218 between the glutei.`

[0057] Referring to FIG. 10, in the garment structure 200, the front section 203 also includes one or more front elastic bands 230 positioned inside the garment structure 200 for shaping the front of a user. The one or more front elastic bands 230 may be configured in a variety of ways. For example, the number of bands, the shape, the size, the thickness, the elasticity, and the material used to construct the one or more front elastic bands 230 may vary in different embodiments.

[0058] In the exemplary embodiment, the one or more front elastic bands 230 include a first front elastic band 230a and a second front elastic band 230b. In other embodiments, however, the first and second front elastic bands 230a, 230b may be formed as a single band. The first and second front elastic bands 230a, 230b may be made from the same materials, or from one or more different materials, than those used for the rear elastic bands 205a, 205b. Thus, the first and second front elastic bands 230a, 230b may be made from, for example, but not limited to, one or more of lycra, jersey, cotton, silk, linen, polyester, nylon, polyamide, "comfort" fabric, or any other deformable fabric, and/or suitable materials that can be paired with the desired elasticity ratio.

[0059] Referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, each of the front elastic bands 230a, 230b have a geometrical shape, essentially trapezoidal, marking out a front upper base 236a, 236b, a front lower base 237a, 237b, a front first side 238a, 238b, and a front second side 239a, 239b. The front upper base 236a, 236b and the front lower base 237a, 237b can be linear or curved. In the illustrated embodiment, the front lower base 237a, 237b is concave turned toward the top of the pants and the front upper base 236a, 236b is linear. In the exemplary embodiment, the front lower base 237a, 237b has a longer length than the front upper base 236a, 236b. In other embodiments, however, the front upper base 236a, 236b may have the same or greater length than the front lower base 237a, 237b.

[0060] Each front first side 238a, 238b joins with the front upper base 236a, 236b at a rear first edge 243a, 243b and with the front lower base 237a, 237b at a front second edge 244a, 244b. Likewise, each front second side 239a, 239b joins with the front lower base 237a, 237b at a front third edge 246a, 246b and with the front upper base 236a, 236b at a front fourth edge 248a, 248b.

[0061] Each of the front first sides 238a, 238b is sewn all along its length by the side seam 212a, 212b of the leg connecting the front section 203 and the rear section 204. The front first edge 243a, 243b is sewn in a point on the side seam 212a, 212b at a distance D2 below where the yoke 228 of the garment structure 200 intersects the side seam 212a, 212b. In some exemplary embodiments, the distance D2 below the yoke 228 where the front first edge 243a, 243b is attached to the side seam 212a, 212b is in the range of 1/2 inch to 21/2 inches, or in the range of 1 inch to 2 inches, or 11/2 inches. In some embodiments, the front first edge 243a, 243b is attached at the same distance from the yoke 228 as the rear first edge 213a, 213b. In other embodiments, however, the front first edge 243a, 243b may be attached at a smaller distance or a larger distance from the yoke 228 than the rear first edge 213a, 213b.

[0062] As shown in FIG. 10, in the exemplary embodiment, the garment structure 200 includes a front fly 249. In other embodiments, however, the garment structure 200 may not include a front fly 249. In the exemplary embodiment, the front second sides 239a, 239b are linear (see FIG. 12). Each of the front second sides 239a, 239b includes a first portion 250a, 250b that is attached to the corresponding fly seam allowance 252a, 252b along the front fly 249. Thus, the front second sides 239a, 239b are not connected to each other along the first portion 250a, 250b.

[0063] Along a second portion 254, each of the front second sides 239a, 239b is sewn together to form a front seam 259 starting at a point below the first portion 250a, 250b and ending at the crotch point 260. In the exemplary embodiment, a third portion 255 of the front second sides 239a, 239b, such as the remaining portion, is sewn along each of the inner thigh seams 262a, 262b from the crotch point 260 to the front third edge 246a, 246b. In other embodiments, however, the front second sides 239a, 239b are not sewn along each of the inner thigh seams 262a, 262b and may end at the crotch point 260.

[0064] Referring to FIGS. 13-14, each of the front elastic bands 230a, 230b are also attached to a respective rear elastic band 205a, 205b along the inner thigh seam 262a, 262b and the crotch point 260. In other embodiments, however, the front elastic bands 230a, 230b may be attached to a respective rear elastic band 205a, 205b along a crotch line that is not sewn to the inner thigh seam 262a, 262b and is not connected to the front section 203 or rear section 204 at the crotch point 260 or inner thigh seam 262a, 262b.

[0065] As mentioned above, each of the front first sides 238a, 238b and the rear first sides 208a, 208b are sewn along their lengths to the side seams 212a, 212b. Thus, the front elastic bands 230a, 230b and the rear elastic bands 205a, 205b, when sewn to each other and to the garment structure 200, form two openings 264a, 264b allowing the legs of a person wearing the garment structure 200 to fit through the front and rear elastic bands while forming a lifting and support structure surrounding the waist, glutei, and front pelvic/lower abdomen area of the wearer.

[0066] FIGS. 15-19 illustrate another exemplary embodiment of a garment structure 300. The garment structure 300 is substantially similar to the garment structure 200 of FIGS. 8-15 including having a belt 302, a yoke 328, a front section 303, and a rear section 304 sewn to each other. In the illustrated exemplary embodiments of FIGS. 8-15, the garment structure 300 includes a single, unitary rear elastic band 305 that is configured similar to the first rear elastic band 205a and the second rear elastic band 205b when the first and second rear elastic bands 205a, 205b are sewn together. Since the elastic band 305 is formed as a single, unitary piece, however, the elastic band 305 does not include a lower seam located in the cleft between the glutei similar to the lower seam 217 of the garment structure 200.

[0067] Referring to FIGS. 15 and 16, the rear elastic band 305 is positioned inside the garment structure 300 and includes a rear lower base 306, a rear upper base 307, a rear first side 308, and a rear second side 309. The rear lower base 306 and the rear upper base 307 can be linear or slightly curved, for example, concave turned toward the bottom of the pants.

[0068] Each rear first side 308 joins with the rear upper base 307 at a rear first edge 313 and with the rear lower base 306 at a rear second edge 314. Likewise, each rear second side 309 joins with the rear lower base 306 at a rear third edge 322 and with the rear upper base 307 at a rear fourth edge 324.

[0069] Each of the rear first side 308 and the rear second side 309 are sewn all along their length by a side seam 312a, 312b of the respective leg connecting the front 303 section and the rear 304 section. The rear first edge 313 and the rear fourth edge 324 are sewn in a point on the side seam 312a, 312b at a distance D3 below where the yoke 328 of the garment structure 300 intersects the respective side seam 312a, 312b. In some exemplary embodiments, the distance D3 below the yoke 328 where the rear first edge 313 and the rear fourth edge 324 attach to the respective side seam 312a, 312b is in the range of 1/2 inch to 21/2 inches, or in the range of 1 inch to 2 inches, or 11/2 inches.

[0070] Referring to FIGS. 17 and 18, in the garment structure 300, the front section 303 also includes one or more front elastic bands 330 positioned inside the garment structure 300 for shaping the front of a user. The one or more front elastic bands 330 may be configured in a variety of ways. For example, the number of bands, the shape, the size, the thickness, the elasticity, and the material used to construct the one or more front elastic bands 330 may vary in different embodiments.

[0071] In the exemplary embodiment, the one or more front elastic bands 330 include a first front elastic band 330a and a second front elastic band 330b that are substantially similar to the first front elastic band 230a and the second front elastic band 230b of the garment structure 200 except for how the first front elastic band 330a and a second front elastic band 330b attached to each other and to the rest of the garment structure 300.

[0072] Each of the front elastic bands 330a, 330b have a geometrical shape, essentially trapezoidal, marking out a front upper base 336a, 336b, a front lower base 337a, 337b, a front first side 338a, 338b, and a front second side 339a, 339b. The front upper base 336a, 336b and the front lower base 337a, 337b can be linear or curved. In the illustrated embodiment, the front lower base is concave turned toward the top of the garment structure 300. In the exemplary embodiment, the front lower base 337a, 337b has a longer length than the front upper base 336a, 336b. In other embodiments, however the front upper base 336a, 336b may have the same or greater length than the front lower base 337a, 337b.

[0073] Each front first side 338a, 338b joins with the front upper base 336a, 336b at a rear first edge 343a, 343b and with the front lower base 337a, 337b at a front second edge 344a, 344b. Likewise, each front second side 339a, 339b joins with the front lower base 337a, 337b at a front third edge 346a, 346b and with the front upper base 336a, 336b at a front fourth edge 348a, 348b.

[0074] Each of the front first sides 338a, 338b is sewn all along its length by the side seam 312a, 312b of the leg connecting the front section 303 and the rear section 304. The front first edge 343a, 343b is sewn in a point on the side seam 312a, 312b at a distance D4 below where the yoke 328 of the garment structure 300 intersects the side seam 312a, 312b. In some exemplary embodiments, the distance D4 below the yoke 328 where the front first edge 343a, 343b is attached to the side seam 312a, 312b is in the range of 1/2 inch to 21/2 inches, or in the range of 1 inch to 2 inches, or 11/2 inches. In some embodiments, the front first edge 343a, 343b is attached at the same distance from the yoke 328 as the rear first edge 313a, 313b. In other embodiments, however, the front first edge 343a, 343b may be attached at a smaller distance or a larger distance from the yoke 328 than the rear first edge 313a, 313b.

[0075] Each of the front second sides 339a, 339b are sewn together along the length of the front second sides 339a, 339b to form a front seam 359 starting at fourth edge 348a, 348b and ending at the second edge 346a, 346b. In the exemplary embodiment, each of the front elastic bands 330a, 330b is attached to a respective rear elastic band 305a, 305b along a crotch seam 362a, 362b.

[0076] Unlike the garment structure 200 of FIGS. 9-14, however, the front elastic bands 330a, 330b and the rear elastic band 305 are not sewn to the inner thigh seams of the garment structure 300. Thus, the front elastic bands 330a, 330b and the rear elastic band 305 are not connected to the front section 203 or rear section 204 at the crotch point 260 or inner thigh seam 262a, 262b and are only connected to the front section 203 or rear section 204 along the side seams 312a, 312b. In other embodiments, however, front elastic bands 330a, 330b and the rear elastic band 305 may be connected to the rest of the garment structure 300 in one or more additional locations, such as for example, at the crotch point 360.

[0077] The front elastic bands 330a, 330b and the rear elastic bands 305a, 305b, when sewn to each other and to the garment structure 300, form two openings 364a, 364b allowing the legs of a person wearing the garment structure 300 to fit through the front and rear elastic bands while forming a lifting and support structure surrounding the waist, glutei, and front pelvic/lower abdomen area of the wearer.

[0078] FIGS. 20-21 illustrate another exemplary embodiment of a garment structure 400. The garment structure 400 is substantially similar to the garment structure 200 of FIGS. 8-15 including having a belt 402, a front section 403, and a rear section (not shown) sewn to each other. The garment structure 400 also includes one or more front elastic bands 430 positioned inside the garment structure 400 for shaping the front of a user. The one or more front elastic bands 430 may be configured in a variety of ways. For example, the number of bands, the shape, the size, the thickness, the elasticity, and the material used to construct the one or more front elastic bands 430 may vary in different embodiments.

[0079] In the exemplary embodiment, the one or more front elastic bands 430 include a first front elastic band 430a and a second front elastic band 430b that are substantially similar to the first front elastic band 230a and the second front elastic band 230b of the garment structure 200 except that the first front elastic band 430a and the second front elastic band 430b extend farther upward toward the belt 402 than the first front elastic band 230a and the second front elastic band 230b of the garment structure 200.

[0080] Each of the front elastic bands 430a, 430b have a geometrical shape, essentially trapezoidal, marking out a front upper base 436a, 436b, a front lower base 437a, 437b, a front first side 438a, 438b, and a front second side 439a, 439b. The front upper base 436a, 436b and the front lower base 437a, 437b can be linear or curved. In the illustrated embodiment, the front lower base is concave turned toward the top of the pants and the front upper base is linear. In the exemplary embodiment, the front lower base 437a, 437b has a longer length than the front upper base 436a, 436b. In other embodiments, however the front upper base 436a, 436b may have the same or greater length than the front lower base 437a, 437b.

[0081] Each front first side 438a, 438b joins with the front upper base 436a, 436b at a rear first edge 443a, 443b and with the front lower base 437a, 437b at a front second edge 444a, 444b. Likewise, each front second side 439a, 439b joins with the front lower base 437a, 437b at a front third edge 446a, 446b and with the front upper base 436a, 436b at a front fourth edge 448a, 448b.

[0082] As shown in FIG. 20, in the exemplary embodiment, the garment structure 400 includes a front fly 449. In other embodiments, however, the garment structure 400 may not include a front fly 449. In the exemplary embodiment, the front second sides 439a, 439b are linear. Each of the front second sides 439a, 439b includes a first portion 450a, 450b that is attached to the corresponding fly seam allowance 452a, 452b along the front fly 449. Thus, the front second sides 439a, 439b are not connected to each other along the first portion 450a, 450b.

[0083] Along a second portion 454, each of the front second sides 439a, 439b is sewn together to form a front seam 459 starting at a point below the first portion 450a, 450b and ending at the crotch point 460. In the exemplary embodiment, a third portion 455 of the front second sides 439a, 439b, such as the remaining portion, is sewn along each of the inner thigh seams 462a, 462b from the crotch point 460 to the front third edge 446a, 446b. In other embodiments, however, the front second sides 439a, 439b are not sewn along each of the inner thigh seams 462a, 462b and may end at the crotch point 460.

[0084] Each of the front first sides 438a, 438b is sewn all along its length by the side seam 412a, 412b of the leg connecting the front section 403 and the rear section (not shown). The front first edge 443a, 443b is sewn in a point at a distance D5 below the belt 402 of the garment structure 400. In some exemplary embodiments, the distance D5 below the top of the belt 402 where the front first edge 443a, 443b is attached to the side seam 412a, 412b is in the range of 0 inches to 1 inch, or in the range of 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch, or 3/8 inch.

[0085] Each of the front elastic bands 430a, 430b may be attached to one or more rear elastic bands in a similar manner are described for the garment structures 1, 100, 200, and 300, described above.

[0086] The garment structures disclosed in the present application, due to the front and rear elastic bands and their connection points to the pants, can lift the bottom upwards, shape the front pelvic/lower abdomen, and reduce the size and/or otherwise redefine the appearance of the hips, thigh, and pelvis, making the figure of the person wearing the garment appear slimmer. Specifically, the bands allow a traction force lifting the glutei upwards and a side force making the hips slim, while additionally, slimming the inner thigh. Further, since the bands are arranged and concealed inside the garment, the garment is not perceived to be a slimming or buttocks lifting garment.

[0087] While various inventive aspects, concepts, and features of the general inventive concepts are described and illustrated herein in the context of various exemplary embodiments, these various aspects, concepts, and features may be used in many alternative embodiments, either individually or in various combinations and sub-combinations thereof. Unless expressly excluded herein all such combinations and sub-combinations are intended to be within the scope of the general inventive concepts. Still further, while various alternative embodiments as to the various aspects, concepts, and features of the inventions (such as alternative materials, structures, configurations, methods, circuits, devices and components, alternatives as to form, fit and function, and so on) may be described herein, such descriptions are not intended to be a complete or exhaustive list of available alternative embodiments, whether presently known or later developed. Those skilled in the art may readily adopt one or more of the inventive aspects, concepts, or features into additional embodiments and uses within the scope of the general inventive concepts even if such embodiments are not expressly disclosed herein. Additionally, even though some features, concepts or aspects of the inventions may be described herein as being a preferred arrangement or method, such description is not intended to suggest that such feature is required or necessary unless expressly so stated. Still further, exemplary or representative values and ranges may be included to assist in understanding the present disclosure; however, such values and ranges are not to be construed in a limiting sense and are intended to be critical values or ranges only if so expressly stated. Moreover, while various aspects, features, and concepts may be expressly identified herein as being inventive or forming part of an invention, such identification is not intended to be exclusive, but rather there may be inventive aspects, concepts, and features that are fully described herein without being expressly identified as such or as part of a specific invention. Descriptions of exemplary methods or processes are not limited to inclusion of all steps as being required in all cases, nor is the order that the steps are presented to be construed as required or necessary unless expressly so stated.

Claims

1. A garment structure wearable by a user, comprising: a belt part; a front part; a rear part joined to the front part by at least two outer leg side seams and two inner thigh seams, the inner thigh seams connecting to one another at a crotch point, and a pair of front elastic bands positioned within an interior space of the garment structure to be between the user and the front part when the garment structure is worn by the user; wherein each of the front elastic bands includes a first side, a second side, an upper base extending between the first side and the second side of each respective elastic band, and a lower base extending between the first side and the second side of each respective elastic band; wherein the first side of each front elastic band is directly joined to a respective one of the outer leg side seams; wherein the second side of each front elastic band includes a first portion that is directly joined to a corresponding first portion of the other front elastic band and a second portion that is directly joined a respective one of the inner thigh seams starting at the crotch point.

2. The garment structure of claim 1, wherein the lower base of each of the pair of front elastic bands is concave towards the top of the garment structure when worn.

3. The garment structure of claim 1, wherein the first side of each front elastic band meets the upper base at a first point and wherein the first point is directly joined to the respective one of the outer leg side seams at a position below the belt.

4. The garment structure of claim 3, wherein the first point is directly joined to the respective one of the outer leg side seams at a position less than 0.5 inches below a top of the belt part.

5. The garment structure of claim 4, further comprising a yoke part situated below the belt part, wherein the first point is directly joined to the respective one of the outer side seams at a position in the range of one to two inches below the yoke.

6. The garment structure of claim 1 wherein each lower base is concave turned toward the belt.

7. The garment structure of claim 1, wherein the pair of front elastic bands include a fly seam allowance.

8. The garment structure of claim 7, wherein the fly seam allowance comprises, in each of the front elastic bands, a recessed area positioned along the front second side extending from the upper base downward to the first portion.

9. The garment structure of claim 1 further comprising a pair of rear elastic bands positioned within an interior space of the garment structure to be between the user and the rear part when the garment structure is worn by the user; wherein each of the rear elastic bands includes a first side, a second side, an upper base extending between the first side and the second side of each respective rear elastic band, and a lower base extending between the first side and the second side of each respective rear elastic band; wherein the first side of each rear elastic band is directly joined to a respective one of the outer side seams; wherein the second side of each rear elastic band includes a first portion that is directly joined to a corresponding first portion of the other rear elastic band and a second portion that is directly joined to a respective one of the inner thigh seams starting at the crotch point.

10. The garment structure of claim 9 wherein each rear elastic band is directly joined to each respective front elastic band along a respective one of the inner thigh seams starting at the crotch point.

11. The garment structure of claim 9 wherein each lower base of each rear elastic band is concave turned toward the bottom of the garment structure.