U.S. patent application number 12/568097 was filed with the patent office on 2010-04-01 for detachable travel pocket.
Invention is credited to Harry O..
Application Number | 20100077530 12/568097 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42055819 |
Filed Date | 2010-04-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100077530 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
O.; Harry |
April 1, 2010 |
DETACHABLE TRAVEL POCKET
Abstract
An upper garment includes a generally tubular panel having first
and second opposite openings along a longitudinal axis of the
garment and covering at least a waist section of a wearer s body.
The panel is adapted to be tuck into a lower garment worn, at least
along a waist line of the wearer. A first fastener is disposed on
an interior surface of the panel facing the body of the wearer and
is positioned generally adjacent to the waist-line of the wearer.
The upper garment further includes a pouch including a second
fastener. The second fastener is adapted to releasably mate with
the first fastener mechanism. When the second fastener is
releasably mated with the first fastener, the pouch is at least
partially overlaid by the panel and is positioned to be tucked,
along with the panel, into the lower garment.
Inventors: |
O.; Harry; (Horsham,
PA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Howard IP Law Group
P.O. Box 226
Fort Washington
PA
19034
US
|
Family ID: |
42055819 |
Appl. No.: |
12/568097 |
Filed: |
September 28, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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12435742 |
May 5, 2009 |
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12568097 |
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61136713 |
Sep 26, 2008 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
2/115 ; 2/251;
2/252 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41D 27/20 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
2/115 ; 2/251;
2/252 |
International
Class: |
A41B 1/00 20060101
A41B001/00; A41D 27/20 20060101 A41D027/20 |
Claims
1. An upper garment comprising: a generally tubular panel having
first and second openings at opposite ends along a longitudinal
axis of the garment, said panel covering at least a waist section
of a wearer s body, said panel adapted to be tucked into a lower
garment worn at least along a waist line of the wearer; a first
fastener disposed on an interior surface of said panel facing the
body of the wearer and positioned generally adjacent to the waist
line of the wearer; and a pouch having a second fastener adapted to
releasably mate with said first fastener mechanism, wherein, when
said second fastener is releasably mated with said first fastener,
the pouch is at least partially overlaid by said panel and is
positioned to be tucked, along with said panel, into the lower
garment.
2. The upper garment of claim 1, wherein said first fastener
comprises a first zipper track and said second fastener comprises a
second zipper track adapted to mate with said first zipper
track.
3. The upper garment of claim 2, wherein said first fastener is
generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the garment.
4. The upper garment of claim 2, wherein said first fastener is
generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the
garment.
5. The upper garment of claim 1, wherein said first fastener
comprises a first of a hook and loop fastener, and said second
fastener comprises a second of the hook and loop fastener.
6. The upper garment of claim 1, wherein said first fastener
comprises a first of a snap button and a socket therefor, and said
second fastener comprises a second of the snap button and a socket
therefor.
7. The upper garment of claim 1, wherein said pouch has a mouth
adapted to receive an article for storage within the pouch and
further comprises a sealing mechanism for reversibly sealing said
mouth.
8. The upper garment of claim 4, wherein said sealing mechanism
comprises at least of a zipper, a hook and loop fastener, or snap
button.
9. The upper garment of claim 7, wherein said sealing mechanism is
disposed on a surface of said pouch opposite of the body of the
wearer.
10. The upper garment of claim 1, further comprising a flap
covering said first fastening mechanism such that said flap is
interposed between the interior side of said panel of said garment
and the body of the wearer.
Description
REFERENCE TO CROSS-RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of co-pending
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/435,742, entitled UPPER GARMENT
WITH POCKETS, filed May 5, 2009 and claims benefit of and priority
to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/136,713,
entitled DETACHABLE TRAVEL POUCH, filed on Sep. 26, 2008, which
applications are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their
entireties.
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0002] The present invention is in the field of pockets for
garments and more particularly to detachable pockets for upper
garments and other clothing items.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Pockets have been traditionally provided on garments to
enable the wearers to store items conveniently on their person. The
use of pockets helps free up the hands of the wearer and may
dispense with the need to carry a handbag or a purse. As is known
in the art, the pockets on the garments have been used to carry
small and/or valuable items on the person of the wearer. Such items
may include keys, money, credit and debit cards, wallets,
passports. There is a risk of such items falling out of a pocket.
There is also a risk that a pick-pocket may steal such valuable
items from the wearer. Alternatives are desired.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] According to an embodiment of the invention, an upper
garment includes a generally tubular panel having first and second
openings opposite one another along a longitudinal axis of the
garment and covering at least a waist section of a wearer s body.
The panel is adapted to be tucked into a lower garment worn at
least along a waist line of the wearer. A first fastener is
disposed on an interior surface of the panel facing the body of the
wearer and is positioned generally adjacent to the waist line of
the wearer. The garment further includes a pouch having a second
fastener adapted to releasably mate with the first fastener. When
the second fastener is mated with the first fastener, the pouch is
coupled to the garment and generally overlaid by the panel. The
pouch is positioned to be tucked, along with the panel, into the
lower garment.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] Understanding of the present invention will be facilitated
by consideration of the following detailed description of the
exemplary embodiments of the present invention taken in conjunction
with the accompanying drawings, in which like numerals refer to
like parts and in which:
[0006] FIG. 1A is a front view of a detachable travel pouch
attached to an interior surface of an upper garment, according to
an embodiment of the invention;
[0007] FIG. 1B is a view of the interior surface of the upper
garment of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the invention;
[0008] FIG. 2 is a front view of the first, second, and third
panels of the detachable travel pouch of FIG. 1, according to an
embodiment of the invention;
[0009] FIG. 3 illustrates a first sub-assembly of the pouch of FIG.
1 wherein the first and second panels of FIG. 3 are coupled with a
first sealing mechanism, according to an embodiment of the
invention;
[0010] FIG. 4 illustrates a second sub-assembly of the pouch of
FIG. 1, wherein the third panel of FIG. 3 is coupled with a second
sealing mechanism, according to an embodiment of the invention;
[0011] FIG. 5 shows a fourth sub-assembly of the pouch FIG. 1,
wherein the third panel of the second sub-assembly of FIG. 4 is
attached to the first and second panels of the first sub-assembly
of FIG. 3, according to an embodiment of the invention;
[0012] FIG. 6 illustrates a fourth panel onto which the first,
second, and third panels of the fourth sub-assembly of FIG. 5 are
attached to, according to an embodiment of the invention;
[0013] FIG. 7 is a front view of a fourth sub-assembly of the
detachable travel pouch formed by attaching the first, second, and
third panels of the third sub-assembly of FIG. 5 to the fourth
panel of FIG. 6, according to an embodiment of the invention;
[0014] FIG. 8 illustrates the fourth sub-assembly of FIG. 8 with a
first fastener mechanism, thereby forming the detachable travel
pouch of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the invention;
and
[0015] FIG. 9 illustrates a detachable travel pouch, according to
another embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0016] It is to be understood that the figures and descriptions of
the present invention have been simplified to illustrate elements
that are relevant for a clear understanding of the present
invention, while eliminating, for purposes of clarity, many other
elements found in typical garments and other clothing items.
However, because such elements are well known in the art, and
because they do not facilitate a better understanding of the
present invention, a discussion of such elements is not provided
herein. The disclosure herein is directed to all such variations
and modifications known to those skilled in the art.
[0017] Referring to FIGS. 1A and 1B, an upper garment 100 with a
detachable travel pouch 120 is illustrated, according to a first
embodiment of the invention. FIG. 1A illustrates upper garment 100
with its bottom edge (170 of FIG. 1B) folded up to reveal travel
pouch 120 underneath garment 100. FIG. 1B illustrates an interior
surface 112 of upper garment 100. In the illustrated embodiment,
upper garment 100 is a T-shirt or an under-shirt. However, it will
be clear to one of ordinary skill in the art that upper garment 100
may also include clothing articles such as a tank-top, thermal
wear, tube-top, long underwear, golf shirt, and any other clothing
article which covers at least a section of the trunk downward of
the mid-riff of a wearer and which may be tucked into a lower
garment such as a trouser or a skirt. Upper garment 100 has a
generally tubular, closed panel 110, which covers at least the
section of trunk downward of the mid-riff of a wearer. Tubular,
closed panel 110 generally has a first opening 114 and a second
opening 116 opposite to first opening 114. First and second
openings 114, 116 are along a longitudinal axis L of upper garment
100. In the illustrated embodiment, first opening 114 is an upper
opening for accommodating the head of the wearer and second opening
116 is a lower opening for accommodating the waist of the wearer.
In other configurations, first opening 114 may be sufficiently
large to accommodate the torso of the wearer, for example, in a
tube-top. In an exemplary embodiment, upper garment 100 may have
further openings (for example, with or without sleeves) for
receiving arms of the wearer, which openings are offset from
longitudinal axis L and may be along a horizontal axis generally
perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L.
[0018] At least a section 115 of panel 110 is generally tucked
into, or adapted to be tucked into, a lower garment such as a pair
of trousers, shorts, or a skirt, for example, by the wearer, which
section will be referred to hereafter as a waist section 115. Upper
garment 100 does not extend significantly below the torso of the
wearer, thereby adapting waist section 115 of upper garment 100 to
be tucked into the lower garment. In an embodiment of the
invention, upper garment 100 includes only waist section 115. In
other embodiments, upper garment 100 further includes an upper
section which generally covers the body section upward of the
mid-riff of the wearer and may optionally include sleeves. An upper
garment 100 is a garment which is generally pulled over the wearer
s head as opposed to a buttoned shirt that has a generally vertical
opening which permits the wearer to wear the shirt through the
vertical opening
[0019] Referring still to FIGS. 1A and 1B, a waist-line 140 of a
wearer is generally illustrated by a parallel dashed line, denoted
by letter W. Waistline 140 generally designates an imaginary line
on upper garment 100 beyond which upper garment 100 is generally
tucked into the lower garment. Waist-section 115 includes generally
at least the portion of upper garment lying between waist-line 140
and a bottom edge 170 of upper garment 100, and may further include
a portion above waist-line 140. Generally, waist section 115 is
tucked, or adapted to be substantially tucked, in a lower garment
such a pair of trousers or a skirt, for example. If upper garment
100 is a T-shirt, by way of non-limiting example only, waist
section 115 would have a length generally about 20% to 35% of the
total length of upper garment 100, as measured longitudinally from
bottom edge 170 of upper garment 100 towards first opening 114.
Waist-line 140 may also coincide with a top edge of a lower garment
such as a pair of trousers or shorts or a skirt.
[0020] Referring still to FIG. 1B, interior surface 112 of upper
garment 100 has a first fastener mechanism 150 fixedly attached
thereon. In the illustrated embodiment, fastener mechanism 150 is
generally parallel to and above waist-line 140. In one
configuration, fastener mechanism 150 is generally adjacent to
waist-line 140, i.e., within about two inches of waist-line 140. In
the illustrated embodiment, fastener mechanism 150 is positioned
generally about front center of waist section 115. In other
embodiments, fastener mechanism 150 may be disposed at any other
position within waist section 115, for example, along the sides or
along the back of the wearer s body. First fastener mechanism 150
is covered by a flap 160 such that flap 160 is interposed between
first fastener mechanism 150 and the skin of the wearer. In one
embodiment, flap 160 may be fabricated from the same fabric as that
of upper garment 100. In other embodiments, other materials may be
used to fabricate flap 160. In one configuration, first fastener
mechanism 150 may take the form of a single track of a zipper or a
slide fastener, for example, and adapted to couple to a
complementary second track of zipper. By way of non-limiting
example only, first fastener mechanism 150 may be similar to slide
fasteners used on jackets wherein the two tracks of the slide
fastener may be easily separated from or coupled to each other.
[0021] Referring now to FIGS. 2' 8, there are illustrated various
panels for fabricating detachable pouch 120, according to an
exemplary embodiment of the invention. FIGS. 2 and 6 illustrate a
first panel 210, a second panel 220, a third panel 230, and a
fourth panel 610, from which pouch 120 is fabricated. FIGS. 3' 5
and 7' 8 show various successive sub-assemblies of panels 210, 220,
230, and 610 during the fabrication of pouch 120 as described
herein. In particular, FIGS. 3' 5 illustrate, as described herein,
the formation of a first pocket 520 (see FIG. 5) of pouch 120,
which first pocket 520 is formed between second panel 220 and third
panel 230. FIGS. 7' 8 further illustrate, as described herein, the
formation of a second pocket 720 (see FIG. 7) of pouch 120, which
second pocket 720 is formed between second panel 220 and fourth
panel 610. The various steps and intermediate subassemblies for the
fabrication of pouch 120 are described in further detail below.
[0022] Referring now to FIG. 2, there are illustrated second panel
220 and third panel 230 which form first pocket 520 (see FIG. 5)
therebetween of pouch 120. Also illustrated in FIG. 2 is first
panel 210 which defines a mouth or opening 340 (see FIG. 3) of
first pocket 520. Second panel 220 has an upper edge 225, a bottom
edge 227, a left edge 221 and a right edge 223. Similarly, third
panel 230 has an upper edge 235, a bottom edge 237, a left edge 231
and a right edge 233. In the illustrated embodiment, first, second,
and third panels 210, 220, 230 have generally the same width W, in
which case the width of first pocket 520 (see FIG. 5) will be the
same the width of second panel 220 and third panel 230. In other
embodiments, third panel 230 may have a width less than the width
of second panel 220, in which case the width of first pocket 520
(see FIG. 5) will be the same as the width of third panel 230. It
will be understood that more than one panel 230 may be affixed to
second panel 220 to correspondingly define more than one pocket
520. In one configuration, panels 210, 220, 230 may be fabricated
from the same material as that for upper garment 100. In other
configurations, panels 210, 220, 230 may be fabricated from a
different material such as cotton cloth, synthetic cloth, silk, and
plastic, by way of non-limiting examples only.
[0023] Now referring to FIG. 3, there is illustrated a first
sub-assembly 300 including first and second panels 210, 220. First
and second panels 210, 220 cooperate to define mouth or opening 340
of first pocket 520 (see FIG. 5) between an upper edge 225 of
second panel 220 and a bottom edge 215 of first panel 210. In the
illustrated embodiment, a sealing mechanism 320 is disposed along
upper edge 225 and bottom edge 215, thereby reversibly sealing
mouth or opening 340 of first pocket 520 (see FIG. 5). In one
configuration, sealing mechanism 320 may take the form of a slide
fastener or a zipper, wherein one track of sealing mechanism 320 is
affixed to upper edge 225 and a complementary or mating track of
sealing mechanism 320 is affixed to bottom edge 215. By way of
non-limiting example only, sealing mechanism 320 may be a slide
fastener or a zipper with a closed end to prevent the two tracks
from separating from each other. In other configurations, sealing
mechanism 320 may take the form of a hook and loop fasteners (such
as those available under trademark VELCRO.RTM.), one or more pairs
of snap-buttons, and other sealing mechanisms known in the art. In
the illustrated embodiment, the tracks of fastener mechanism 320
are attached to the respective edges 225, 215 using first and
second stitches 310, 330 respectively.
[0024] Referring now to FIG. 4, there is illustrated a second
sub-assembly 400 including third panel 230 and at least one
component of a sealing mechanism 410 attached to an upper edge 235
(see FIG. 2) of third panel 230. In the illustrated embodiment,
sealing mechanism 410 may take the form of a slide fastener or a
zipper and the at least one member may be a first track of the
slide fastener. By way of non-limiting example only, sealing
mechanism 410 may be a slide fastener or a zipper with a closed end
to prevent the two tracks from separating from each other. In other
configurations, sealing mechanism 410 may take the form of a hook
and loop fasteners (such as those available under trademark
VELCRO.RTM.), one or more pairs of snap-buttons, and other sealing
mechanisms known in the art.
[0025] Referring to FIG. 5, a third sub-assembly 500 formed from
first sub-assembly 300 and second sub-assembly 400 is illustrated.
Third sub-assembly 500 includes combination 400 (see FIG. 4)
overlaying combination 300 (see FIG. 3), thereby forming a pocket
520 therebetween. In one configuration, combination 400 overlays
combination 300 such that bottom edge 237 (see FIG. 2) of third
panel 230 (see FIG. 2) aligns with bottom edge 227 (see FIG. 2) of
second panel 220 (see FIG. 2) and left and right edges 231, 233
(see FIG. 2) of third panel 230 (see FIG. 2) align with left and
right edges 221, 223 (see FIG. 2) of second panel 220 (see FIG. 2).
In other configurations, third panel 230 may have a smaller width
than second panel 220. Third panel 230 of sub-assembly 400 and
second panel 220 of first sub-assembly 300 define pocket 520
therebetween wherein upper edge 235 of third panel 230 defines a
mouth 530 of pocket 520 in conjunction with second panel 220.
Sealing mechanism 410 reversibly seals mouth 530 and pocket 520
between second and third panels 220, 230. A complementary or mating
member of sealing mechanism 410 may be attached along upper edge
225 of second panel 220. The complementary member cooperates with
the at least one member (see FIG. 4) to form sealing mechanism 410.
In the illustrated embodiment, stitches 510 divide pocket 520
between the second and third panels 220, 230 into three
compartments. It will be understood that more than three or less
than three compartments may be formed in the pocket defined by
second and third panels 220, 230.
[0026] Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 7, there is illustrated a
fourth panel 610 and fourth sub-assembly 700 formed from third
sub-assembly 500 and fourth panel 610. In particular, fourth
sub-assembly 700 is formed by overlaying third sub-assembly 500
(see FIG. 5) on fourth panel 610. A second pocket 720 is defined
between second panel 220 of fourth sub-assembly 700 between
combination 500 and fourth panel 610 wherein upper edge 225 (see
FIG. 2) and bottom edge 215 (see FIG. 2) defines mouth or opening
530 (see FIG. 5) of second pocket 720. Sealing mechanism 320 (see
FIG. 3) reversibly seals mouth 720 of second pocket 720 defined
between third sub-assembly 500 and fourth panel 610. Fourth panel
610 has an upper edge 615, a bottom edge 617, a left edge 611 and a
right edge 613. In one configuration, upper edge 615 aligns with
upper edge 211 (see FIG. 2), bottom edge 617 aligns with bottom
edges 227, 237 (see FIG. 2), left edge 611 aligns with left edges
221, 231 (see FIG. 2) and right edge 613 aligns with right edges
223, 233 (see FIG. 2).
[0027] Referring now to FIG. 8, detachable pouch 120 is
illustrated. In the illustrated embodiment, detachable pouch 120
may be fabricated from fourth sub-assembly 700. A second fastener
mechanism 810 is affixed to upper edge 615 (See FIG. 6) of fourth
panel 610 (see FIG. 6) as well as upper edge 211 (see FIG. 2) of
first panel 210 (see FIG. 2). Second fastener mechanism 810
cooperates or releasably mates with first fastener mechanism 150
(see FIG. 1B) to releasably or detachably couple detachable pouch
120 to upper garment 100. In one configuration, first and second
fastener mechanisms 150, 810 take the form of two tracks of a slide
fastener in which both the tracks of the slide fastener may be
completely separated. Such first and second fastener mechanisms
150, 810 facilitate easy attachment and detachment of detachable
pouch 120 to upper garment 100.
[0028] Referring now to FIG. 9, a detachable travel pouch 900 is
illustrated, according to another exemplary embodiment of the
present invention. A panel 910, for example a fabric panel, may be
folded about a top edge 912 and a bottom edge 914 to form a mouth
920. In one configuration, stitches 930 at least along the sides of
panel 910 define a pocket with mouth 920. A sealing mechanism 940
is schematically illustrated, which reversibly seals mouth 920. A
first fastener mechanism 950, also schematically illustrated, is
fixedly attached to top edge 912 of pouch 900. In one configuration
first fastener mechanism 950 may take the form of a track of slide
fastener or a zipper. First fastener mechanism 950 is adapted to
cooperate with fastener mechanism 150 (see FIG. 1) to releasably
couple pouch 900 to garment 100.
[0029] An advantage of the detachable travel pouch as described
herein is that the pouch may be discreetly and inconspicuously
attached underneath an upper garment, generally in the waist
section. Furthermore, when such an upper garment is tucked into a
lower garment worn by the wearer, a pair of trousers or a skirt,
for example, the travel pouch is substantially tucked into the
lower garment. When so tucked, the travel pocket is less likely to
attract a pick-pocket s attention, thereby increasing the safety of
the contents placed therein. In one configuration, waist-line 140
generally coincides with a belt line of a lower garment such as a
pair of trousers or shorts worn by the wearer. In one embodiment,
the fastening mechanism members 150 (see FIG. 1B) and 810 (see FIG.
8) are generally positioned about one to two inches above
waist-line 140. Such positioning ensures that travel pouch 120 is
substantially tucked into the lower garment along with upper
garment 100 and that travel pouch 120 is generally inconspicuous,
as pouch 120 is overlaid by upper garment 100 as well as the lower
garment. Travel pouch 120 may be appropriately dimensioned to hold
items such as passports, currencies, traveler s checks, credit and
debit cards, driver s licenses and other valuable items.
[0030] Fastener mechanisms 150 and/or 810 may be abrasive to the
skin of the wearer. Therefore, contact between fastener mechanisms
150 and/or 810 may cause discomfort to a wearer. An advantage of
the present invention is that flap 160 reduces such undesirable
contact between fastener mechanisms 150 (see FIG. 1B) and/or 810
(see FIG. 8) with the skin of the wearer in instances when travel
pouch 120 is detached from upper garment 100 as well as when travel
pouch 120 is attached to upper garment 100.
[0031] It will be understood that travel pouch 120 may be
fabricated in a manner different than one described herein, without
departing from the scope of the present invention. For example,
various embodiments of the pockets described and illustrated in
parent application Ser. No. 12/435,742, may be adapted to form a
detachable travel pouch as described herein. The number of the
pockets, the type of sealing mechanisms, the number of compartments
in one or more pockets may all be varied according to a given
requirement without departing from the scope of the present
invention.
[0032] Although the detachable travel pouch has been described in
conjunction with an upper garment, such a pouch may also be adapted
to be removably coupled to a lower garment, particularly in the
waist section of a lower garment. For example, a short or a skirt
may have a first fastener mechanism affixed to the lower garment,
which first fastener mechanism is adapted to cooperate with a
second fastener mechanism to releasably couple the pouch to the
lower garment.
[0033] While the foregoing invention has been described with
reference to the above-described embodiment, various modifications
and changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the
invention. Accordingly, all such modifications and changes are
considered to be within the scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *