U.S. patent application number 10/841719 was filed with the patent office on 2005-11-10 for specialized clothing capable of securing electronic devices.
Invention is credited to Groom, John F..
Application Number | 20050246823 10/841719 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35238074 |
Filed Date | 2005-11-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050246823 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Groom, John F. |
November 10, 2005 |
Specialized clothing capable of securing electronic devices
Abstract
The present invention comprises a novel class of clothing which
may be worn as described herein. The various embodiments of such
clothing share the common attribute that a pocket for accepting
various devices or other items is sewn or otherwise embodied within
the article of clothing. The clothing is easily manufactured and
the pockets may be deployed in various configurations to accept and
retain a wide variety of devices and other objects. Further, the
pockets are designed to provide a secure and snug fit around the
device to lessen movement during various activities such as
exercising. The pockets may also contain a specially configured tab
for accepting and routing wires and cords associated with, for
example, electronic devices for playing music.
Inventors: |
Groom, John F.; (Arlington,
VA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Charles B. Lobsenz
Roberts, Mlotkowski & Hobbes, PC
Suite 850
8270 Greensboro Drive
McLean
VA
22102
US
|
Family ID: |
35238074 |
Appl. No.: |
10/841719 |
Filed: |
May 7, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
2/247 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41D 27/20 20130101;
A41D 27/205 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
002/247 |
International
Class: |
A41D 027/20 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A garment for securely holding an item comprising: a pocket
fastened to the exterior of said garment, said pocket further
comprising a flap which may be selectively opened and closed;
wherein a front face of said pocket further comprises an access
port permitting ready access to said device without requiring said
flap to be opened.
2. The garment of claim 1 wherein said access port is located on a
said flap rather than on said front face of said pocket.
3. The garment of claim 1 wherein said garment comprises a
shirt.
4. The garment of claim 1 wherein said garment comprises a
jacket.
5. The garment of claim 1 wherein said garment comprises pants.
6. The garment of claim 1 wherein said pocket is substantially
square.
7. The garment of claim 1 wherein said pocket is substantially
rectangular.
8. The garment of claim 1 wherein said flap is selectively closed
and opened via a zipper.
9. The garment of claim 1 wherein said flap is selectively closed
and opened via at least one button and a corresponding slot.
10. The garment of claim 1 wherein said flap is selectively closed
and opened via corresponding pieces of velcro.
11. The garment of claim 1 wherein said pocket further comprises an
internal divider capable of holding at least two items and wherein
said at least two items are separated from one another via said
internal divider.
12. The garment of claim 11 wherein said internal divider is
comprised of the same material as the exterior portion of said
pocket.
13. The garment of claim 11 wherein said at least two items
comprise a portable music device and at least one storage medium
for storing music.
14. The garment of claim 1 wherein said pocket includes at least
one aperture for routing a cord out of said pocket and along an
interior portion of said garment.
15. The garment of claim 1 wherein said pocket includes at least
one aperture for routing a cord out of said pocket and along an
exterior portion of said garment.
16. The garment of claim 1 wherein said pocket further comprises at
least one flexible component for promoting a tighter fit of said
item within said pocket.
17. The garment of claim 16 wherein said at least one flexible
component comprises a flexible plastic piece formed in an
accordion-like manner.
18. A customizable solution for securing at least one electronic
device to a garment comprising: (a) a garment, said garment
comprising an attachment means for selectively attaching and
detaching at least one pocket to and from said garment; (b) said at
least one pocket comprising an means for selectively attaching and
detaching said pocket to and from said garment; and (c) said at
least one pocket being specifically configured to securely hold a
particular one of said at least one electronic devices.
19. The customizable solution of claim 18 wherein said at least one
pocket further comprises at least one access port for readily
accessing one or more controls on said electronic device.
20. The customizable solution of claim 18 wherein said means for
selectively attaching and detaching said pocket from said garment
comprises a zipper.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates generally to apparel and more
specifically to apparel designed and customized to securely
restrain personal electronic devices and related items.
[0003] 2. Background of the Invention
[0004] In today's society, electronic devices, and especially
portable electronic devices, are ubiquitous. These devices perform
a myriad of functions and exist in a practically unlimited number
of shapes, sizes and configurations. Examples of such portable
devices include compact disc (CD) players, radios, MP3 players,
wireless telephones, pagers, personal digital assistants (PDAs) and
various devices that combine some or all of these functions.
[0005] These devices are typically carried in some manner with the
user during much of the business day and beyond. Many people carry
cell phones with them at all times for business or personal
communication; others require almost continous access to portable
music devices, which can be used while waiting for buses and subway
trains, while walking from place to place, while exercising--in
fact, the general trend is that Americans, especially in urban
environments, expect to have continual access to communication and
entertainment devices, no matter what activity in which they are
engaged.
[0006] One of the problems that has not been adequately addressed
is the manner of holding or securing the electronic device during
typical user activities. When exercising it is highly desirable
from the user point of view not to have to hold the electronic
device so that hands and arms are free to participate in the
activity without constraints. For example, when running, it is
preferable for the user to not have to hold the device in his or
her hand. However, absent acceptable solutions, many users do hold
the electronic device in their hands while exercising or engaging
in other activities. When working with weights in a gym
environment, the user needs to keep his or her hands and arms free
to use in connection with the particular exercise. Even while
engaged in activities such as walking, or in simple waiting, it is
important to secure electronic devices so as not to interfere with
other activities.
[0007] Various solutions have been proposed. Some electronic
devices are equipped with belts, bands and other strap-type or
similar attachment features that permits the user to secure the
device to the user's arm, waist or head, for example. Other users
simply attempt to use conventional clothing, and the pockets
typically designed for such clothing, to hold the devices. However,
neither of these solutions--specially designed strap-on devices,
and conventional pockets--adequately address the problem. In the
case of conventional pockets, the pockets are not sized
appropriately for the devices, and are not secure, so the devices
tend to bounce around, or fall out, particularly in environments
where strenuous physical activity is being undertaken. In some
cases, the holding areas can be so large that the device is at risk
of falling out and/or becoming damaged. Additionally, in some cases
such as in the case of CD players, device operation can be impaired
or fail as a result of too much movement resulting from activities
such as running.
[0008] Other drawbacks are also associated with existing solutions
for holding portable electronic devices. By way of example, arm
bands and waist bands can constrain the user's movement as well as
restrict blood flow which has obvious implications to the safety
and effectiveness of exercising. Many people find such bands around
the arm or waist uncomfortable or awkward. Also, existing carrying
solutions can make it difficult for the user to adjust controls
such as power, volume and track selection buttons while in the
carrying device. Yet another problem is that many of the electronic
devices employ headphones with a wired attachment to the electronic
device. These headphone wires can become unwieldy and can get in
the way of various exercises and other activities not to mention
the unsightly look of the wires.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] It is therefore a primary object of the present invention to
provide a carrying solution for portable electronic devices and
other items which is designed to overcome the above stated
problems, drawbacks and deficiencies.
[0010] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
carrying solution which assures the secure containment of a wide
variety of personal electronic and other devices and items.
[0011] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide
a carrying solution that permits an individual to move about freely
without occupying the user's hands, legs or other element of his or
her body.
[0012] It is a still further object of the present invention to
provide a carrying solution which avoids problems associated with
wires connecting headphones to the electronic devices.
[0013] It is an even further object of the present invention to
provide a carrying solution which may be readily adjusted and
configured to accept a wide variety of devices and other items of
various shapes and sizes.
[0014] It is still another object of the present invention to
provide a carrying solution which allows ready access to the
devices contained therein as well as the various controls
associated therewith.
[0015] These and other objects of the present invention are
obtained in connection with a novel class of clothing which may be
worn as described herein. The various embodiments of such clothing
share the common attribute that a pocket for accepting various
devices or other items is sewn or otherwise embodied within the
article of clothing. The clothing is easily manufactured and the
pockets may be deployed in various configurations to accept and
retain a wide variety of devices and other objects. Further, the
pockets are designed to provide a secure and snug fit around the
device to lessen movement during various activities such as
exercising. The pockets may also contain a specially configured tab
for accepting and routing wires and cords associated with, for
example, electronic devices for playing music.
[0016] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the
clothing of the present invention comprises at least one pocket for
accepting and securing a device or other item. In one embodiment,
pockets are specifically sized and shaped to accept a particular
device or item of known size or shape. In another embodiment of the
present invention, pockets are designed to be adjustable to devices
and items of various sizes ensuring that all items meeting
particular size and shape constraints will fit securely and snugly
within the pocket such that movement within the pocket is minimized
or eliminated.
[0017] These and other advantages and features of the present
invention are described herein with specificity so as to make the
present invention understandable to one of ordinary skill in the
art.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] FIG. 1 is an illustration showing a garment with a pocket
according to the present invention in a preferred embodiment
thereof;
[0019] FIGS. 2(a) and 2(b) are illustrations showing the detail of
a flexible sizing element for a pocket according to one embodiment
of the present invention;
[0020] FIG. 3 is an illustration showing another embodiment of the
present invention wherein multiple pockets are located upon a
single garment; and
[0021] FIG. 4 is an illustration showing a detailed view of a
pocket in the opened position according to one embodiment of the
present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0022] The present invention is now discussed to provide the reader
with a detailed description of the novel class of clothing of the
present invention. It will be understood that while the following
discussion addresses particular embodiments and applications of the
present invention, the claimed invention is not necessarily limited
thereto and other embodiments and applications exist and the
present invention is limited only by the specific claims appended
hereto.
[0023] Referring now to FIG. 1, the novel carrying solution of the
present invention is shown in one form according to a preferred
embodiment thereof. In this case, a pocket 120 is located on a
t-shirt 110 for carrying a portable electronic device, some other
device or any other item that would benefit from being carried by
the wearer without the need for the wearer to hold the item or to
otherwise use a separate component for securing the device or item.
As will be obvious to one of skill in the art, t-shirt 110 is
merely one example of an article of clothing to which the teachings
of the present invention may be applied. For example, in addition
to t-shirts, pockets for holding devices and items may also be
applied to sweatshirts, jackets, coats, vests, pants, shorts, hats,
gloves, and various other articles of clothing and other items worn
on or attached to the body.
[0024] In one embodiment as shown in FIG. 1, pocket 120 includes a
covering flap 130 which is secured in place by a button 140 located
on pocket 120 itself such that button 140 passes through a properly
sized slot or opening on flap 130 in order to secure flap 130 in
the closed position. Alternative methodologies for securing flap
130 in the closed position once the device or item has been
inserted into pocket 120 are also available. For example, multiple
buttons 140 with multiple associated slots on flap 130 may be used
to provide additional security in maintaining flap 130 in the
closed position. This solution may also be beneficial if multiple
smaller items are to be held in pocket 120 so that they don't slip
out on either side of a single button 140 closure. In another
preferred embodiment of the present invention, a zipper may be used
to selectively close and open pocket 120. Alternatively, velcro or
some other velcro-like material may be used to secure flap in the
closed position when desired but also to permit flap to be opened
as required.
[0025] Pocket 120, in a preferred embodiment is sewn on to t-shirt
110 or another article of clothing as applicable. Pocket 120 may be
sewn on the two sides and the bottom, leaving the top portion open
for insertion of the item to be carried. Flap 130 is preferably
sewn on the top portion only such that flap 130 falls on top of and
covers the top opening of pocket 120.
[0026] Pocket 120 and the associated flap 130 may be located at
various spots on the article of clothing. One particular advantage
of locating pocket 120 in the center of t-shirt 110 or another
article of clothing worn over the torso is that the device to be
carried is fixed in position in a spot that is generally easier to
reach with both hands so that the wearer can more easily remove and
insert the item from pocket 120 as well as access controls on the
device as desired. Aesthetically, a central pocket is more pleasing
as well. In some cases, such as with a garment that closes via a
zipper up the middle of the garment, a central pocket is not
possible in which case, it is preferable to locate pocket 120 on
one or both sides of such a central zipper.
[0027] Pocket 120 may be formed in a practically infinite number of
sizes and shapes. In particular, it is expected that pockets may be
specifically manufactured to tight sizing and shaping requirements
to fit specific electronic devices or other items. Although not
shown in FIG. 1, pocket 120 may be located in various locations
instead of or in addition to the center of t-shirt 110 or another
article of clothing. Multiple pockets 120 may also be positioned in
various places on the article of clothing as is discussed in
greater detail below.
[0028] Instead of stitching pocket 120 on the garment, it is also
possible to attach it to the garment in other ways. For example,
pocket 120 may be attached to t-shirt 110 or another article of
clothing via velcro or a velcro-like material or via a zipper with
one "rail" of the zipper located on the garment and the other
located upon the pocket. In this way, pocket 120 can be selectively
removable from the garment as desired. Additionally, a set of
pockets of various sizes may be interchangeably attached to the
garment one at a time depending upon the size and shape of the
device or other item which the wearer desires to carry. In this
manner, a single garment may function to accept multiple pockets
each of which has been specifically sized and shaped to fit a
specific device or other item.
[0029] It is important, however, that in whatever manner of
attachment is used, the supporting garment material be strong
enough to generally support the weight of pocket 120 and the weight
of the device or other item intended to be carried in pocket 120
without a large degree of sagging. This can be addressed by, for
example, reinforcing pocket 120 and the portion of t-shirt 110 or
other garment to which pocket 120 is attached. Reinforcement may be
via, for example, a stronger cloth or rubberized material in place
of the base garment material.
[0030] In one embodiment of the present invention an optional slot
or hole 115 may be included on the outer surface of pocket 120.
Slot 115 may be included to provide ready access to, for example,
the controls of a portable electronic device without requiring the
wearer to open flap 130 on pocket 120. Slot 115 may be sized and
located on pocket 120 in a specific manner to accommodate, for
example, a particular electronic device and the location of the
controls thereupon.
[0031] Turning now to FIGS. 2(a) and 2(b), an additional feature of
the present invention is discussed. In this case, pocket 220 may
include an element designed to be adjustable in relation to the
size and shape of the inserted device. For example, in FIG. 2(a) an
electronic device 250 can be inserted into pocket 220 and a
flexible securing element 260 located at the bottom of pocket 220
enhances the fit of device 250 ensuring that it is snug in the
pocket. For example, flexible securing element 260 may comprise a
small, flexible, accordion-like component which expands and
contracts as device 250 is removed and inserted, respectively.
Flexible securing element 260 may be, for example, manufactured
from plastic which has the desired compression and expansion
characteristics to flex and accept device 260 and ensure a snug fit
within pocket 220. Flexible securing element 260 may be secured
within pocket 220 using, for example, glue to secure it to the
bottom of pocket 220. Other materials may also be used to form
flexible securing element 260 such as, for example, bubble wrap or
any other suitable flexible and cushioning material,
[0032] While FIG. 2(a) shows a single flexible securing element 260
located at the bottom of pocket 220, in an alternative embodiment
as shown in FIG. 2(b), a pair of flexible securing elements 270 may
be located on each of the sides of pocket 220.
[0033] FIG. 3 shows an example of the present invention wherein
garment 310 includes two pockets 320 and 375. Pocket 320 may be
sized and shaped to accept, for example, a specific CD player which
may be securing in place using flap 330 and button 340. Similarly,
pocket 375, below pocket 320 may be configured to accept and
securely hold one or more compact disks for use with the CD player.
In various embodiments, CDs may be carried within pocket 375 using
thin, appropriately sized plastic bags to keep CD's from rubbing
against one another. Alternatively, separate slots for each CD may
be used within a single pocket provided that the material
comprising the pocket should be selected such that it does not
scratch or otherwise damage CD's which are subject to moving
somewhat within the slots. In another embodiment of the present
invention, a single pocket may be used to provide storage for both
the CD player and CDs wherein, for example, one or more slots for
storing CDs are located behind or in front of the pocket which
holds the CD player.
[0034] From a marketing perspective, garment 310 and/or pockets 320
and 375 may be labeled and imprinted with various logos,
trademarks, photos, and other identifying and/or branding
information correlating to the specific types of devices contained
within the apparel, and for which the apparel has been specifically
designed. For example, garment 310 may comprise a sweatshirt
marketed to Brittany Spears fans having her name 370 and/or
likeness imprinted thereon, as well as her CD's, and a book
containing such CDs. Pockets 320 and 375 may also be imprinted with
photos, text and/or any other kind of branding desired. Various
other marketing concepts can be employed in connection with the
features of the present invention. For example, a book which is
shaped and sized substantially the same as a compact disk or a
compact disk case could be included in connection with a sale of a
garment and/or made available separately from the garment. Such a
book may contain a pocket within which a CD is placed and the book
may also contain liner notes including lyrics, photos and various
text. In a preferred embodiment such a book is "hardcover" although
this is not required.
[0035] Turning now to FIG. 4, yet another feature of the present
invention is described in connection with the Figure. In this case,
pocket 420 is imprinted with branding information for Jessica
Simpson and her husband Nick Lachey and one of Jessica Simpson's
album names. Further, flap 430 contains matching velcro strips 480
and 485 for selectively closing and opening flap 430. It will be
recognized by one of skill in the art that other methodologies for
closing and opening flap may be used such as, for example, a
conventional zipper. As can be seen in FIG. 4, pocket 420 also
contains two holes 490 and 495 located on flap 430 and pocket 420
respectively. In one embodiment holes 490 and 495 line up when flap
430 is closed. In this way, a cord, such as a headphone cord for a
portable music device, can be routed out of pocket 420 in a neat
and orderly way. Although not shown in FIG. 4, it is also possible
for the garment material to include a hole somewhere on the garment
within the area covered by pocket 420. This hole effectively
creates a path for routing a cord from a portable device on the
inside of the garment through the hole and then up and out of the
garment via, for example, the neck area of a shirt. Using such an
embodiment, the majority of the length of such a cord can be hidden
inside of the garment and the cord will only be seen from the neck
and above to the ears.
[0036] As a general matter, the novel clothing and related pockets
described above can be used to securely hold a practically
unlimited variety of devices and other items. Particular examples
include cell phones, portable MP3 players, portable CD players,
portable radios, CDs, tapes, books and other portable musical
devices although this invention is by no means limited thereto. In
order to provide additional protection, the pockets of the present
invention may include padding either internal to the pocket or on
the outside surface of the pocket. Such padding is particularly
helpful when electronic devices or other sensitive items are placed
within the pocket.
[0037] It will also be recognized by one of skill in the art that
although all of the teachings provided above with respect to the
garment and associated pockets of the present invention have been
referenced in terms of a pocket appearing on the exterior of the
garment, the invention is not necessarily limited thereto. For
example, the teachings provided herein may be similarly applied to
a pocket that is located on the interior portion of the garment,
perhaps between the garment and the body of the wearer. Although
this can provide an added level of assurance that the item will
remain in place, access to the item is more difficult than if the
pocket is located on the exterior of the garment.
[0038] The foregoing disclosure of the preferred embodiments of the
present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration
and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit
the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Many variations and
modifications of the embodiments described herein will be apparent
to one of ordinary skill in the art in light of the above
disclosure. The scope of the invention is to be defined only by the
claims, and by their equivalents.
* * * * *