U.S. patent application number 12/554648 was filed with the patent office on 2011-03-10 for pocket flap.
Invention is credited to Kinely M. Bennett, Kathy A. Missett.
Application Number | 20110056001 12/554648 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43646509 |
Filed Date | 2011-03-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110056001 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Missett; Kathy A. ; et
al. |
March 10, 2011 |
POCKET FLAP
Abstract
A selectively attachable/detachable pocket flap includes a base
member and a flap member. Respectively straight edges of the base
and flap members are joined together to establish a hinge line so
the members can each be rotated about the hinge line to establish a
potential space between them. In use, the base member is inserted
into a pocket that is established by a pocket panel on an article
of clothing. Stated differently, the pocket panel is positioned in
the potential space between the base and flap members. The flap
member is then rotated about the hinge line to position the pocket
panel between the base member and the flap member to hold the
pocket flap on the article of clothing.
Inventors: |
Missett; Kathy A.;
(Carlsbad, CA) ; Bennett; Kinely M.; (Vista,
CA) |
Family ID: |
43646509 |
Appl. No.: |
12/554648 |
Filed: |
September 4, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
2/244 ; 2/251;
2/252 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41D 27/201
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
2/244 ; 2/251;
2/252 |
International
Class: |
A41D 27/08 20060101
A41D027/08; A41D 27/20 20060101 A41D027/20 |
Claims
1. A device for engagement with a pocket panel on an article of
clothing which comprises: a base member formed with a substantially
straight edge; a flap member formed with a substantially straight
edge, wherein the edge of the flap member is joined with the edge
of the base member to establish a hinge line at the juncture for
rotation of the flap member around the hinge line relative to the
base member to selectively create a potential space therebetween
for receiving at least a portion of the pocket panel therein; and a
means mounted on the device for engaging the device with the pocket
panel to hold the pocket panel between the base member and the flap
member.
2. A device as recited in claim 1 further comprising a wire
positioned along the hinge line to provide stability for the device
while the device is engaged with the pocket panel.
3. A device as recited in claim 2 wherein the wire is made of metal
and is sufficiently flexible to allow for bending the wire into a
configuration to conform the hinge line of the device to a body
surface of a user of the device.
4. A device as recited in claim 1 wherein the base member includes
a substantially rectangular shaped layer made of a stiff material,
and wherein the base member is dimensioned for insertion into a
pocket on an article of clothing established by the pocket
panel.
5. A device as recited in claim 4 wherein the stiff material is
cardboard.
6. A device as recited in claim 1 wherein the means for engaging
the device with the pocket panel comprises: a first magnet mounted
on the base member; and a second magnet mounted on the flap member,
wherein there is an attractive force established between the first
magnet and the second magnet.
7. A device as recited in claim 6 wherein the first magnet is a
pair of magnets and the second magnet is a pair of magnets.
8. A device as recited in claim 1 wherein the means for engaging
the device with the pocket panel comprises: a first part of a loop
and hook means mounted on the pocket panel; and a second part of a
loop and hook means mounted on the flap member, wherein the first
part interacts with the second part to fasten the flap member
against the pocket panel.
9. A device as recited in claim 1 wherein the means for engaging
the device with the pocket panel comprises: a first snap means
mounted on the pocket panel; and a second snap means mounted on the
flap member, wherein the first snap means interacts with the second
snap means to fasten the flap member against the pocket panel.
10. A device as recited in claim 1 further comprising ornamentation
affixed to the flap member.
11. A device for engagement with a pocket panel on an article of
clothing which comprises: a substantially straight hinge wire; a
base member mounted on the hinge wire for rotation around the hinge
wire; a flap member mounted on the hinge wire for rotation around
the hinge wire to create a potential space between the base member
and the flap member for receiving at least a portion of the pocket
panel in the potential space; and a means mounted on the device for
engaging the device with the pocket panel to hold the pocket panel
between the base member and the flap member.
12. A device as recited in claim 11 wherein the wire is made of
metal and is sufficiently flexible to allow for bending the wire
into a configuration to conform the hinge line of the device to a
body surface of a user of the device.
13. A device as recited in claim 11 wherein the base member
includes a substantially rectangular shaped layer made of a stiff
material, and wherein the base member is dimensioned for insertion
into a pocket on an article of clothing established by the pocket
panel.
14. A device as recited in claim 13 wherein the stiff material is
cardboard.
15. A device as recited in claim 11 wherein the means for engaging
the device with the pocket panel comprises: a first magnet mounted
on the base member; and a second magnet mounted on the flap member,
wherein there is an attractive force established between the first
magnet and the second magnet.
16. A device as recited in claim 11 wherein the means for engaging
the device with the pocket panel comprises: a first part of an
attachment means mounted on the pocket panel; and a second part of
the attachment means mounted on the flap member, wherein the first
part and the second part interact with each other to engage the
device with the pocket panel.
17. A device as recited in claim 11 further comprising
ornamentation affixed to the flap member.
18. A method for affixing an ornamental and decorative device to a
pocket panel on an article of clothing which comprises the steps
of: providing a device having a base member formed with a
substantially straight edge, and a flap member formed with a
substantially straight edge, wherein the edge of the flap member is
joined with the edge of the base member to establish a hinge line
at the juncture, for rotation of the flap member around the hinge
line relative to the base member to selectively create a potential
space therebetween for receiving at least a portion of the pocket
panel therein, and further wherein the device includes a means
mounted on the device for engaging the device with the pocket
panel; inserting the base member of the device into a pocket
established by the pocket panel, wherein the base member includes a
substantially rectangular shaped layer of a stiff material
dimensioned for insertion into the pocket; and activating the means
for engaging the device with the pocket panel to hold the pocket
panel between the base member and the flap member.
19. A method as recited in claim 18 wherein the device further
comprises a flexible metal wire positioned along the hinge line to
provide stability for the device while the device is engaged with
the pocket panel, and the method further comprises the step of
bending the wire into a configuration to conform the hinge line of
the device to a body surface of a user of the device.
20. A method as recited in claim 18 wherein the means for engaging
the device with the pocket panel comprises: a first magnet mounted
on the base member; and a second magnet mounted on the flap member,
wherein there is an attractive force established between the first
magnet and the second magnet.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention pertains generally to decorative and
ornamental embellishments for articles of clothing. More
particularly, the present invention pertains to embellishments for
apparel that can be selectively attached to or detached from the
apparel as desired. The present invention is particularly, but not
exclusively, useful as an embellishment that is formed as a flap
and is selectively engaged with a pocket on an article of clothing
to create a decorative and ornamental pocket flap for the article
of clothing.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] For many clothes designs, pockets are located on the article
of clothing and made with primarily utilitarian purposes in mind.
Pocket utility, however, is not always required and may often be a
lesser interest. Instead, it may be more important for a person to
be attractive by wearing an article of clothing, such as a shirt, a
jacket or a pair of pants, that is embellished with ornamental or
decorative design on its pockets. Pockets in particular, even when
utilitarian purposes are otherwise intended, provide an opportunity
to incorporate appropriate eye-catching ornamentation and designs
for the particular article of clothing. It may also happen that a
person is simply tired of basic design for an article of clothing
and wants to experience a change by adding an embellishment (a.k.a.
"Bling").
[0003] From a more practical standpoint, whenever the basic design
of an article of clothing is to be changed, it is important for the
device or element that manifests the change to appear as though it
was an original aspect of the article, rather than being merely an
add-on. Further, it is important that the device or element be
functionally and easily incorporated into the design of the article
of clothing. Moreover, the device or element that is being added to
an article of clothing needs to be effectively and firmly attached,
in order to minimize the possibility it will become dislodged or
detached from the article of clothing. In any event, if an
embellishment is incorporated as an attachment to a pocket, it may
be desirable for the functionality of the pocket to be
maintained.
[0004] In light of the above, it is an object of the present
invention to provide a pocket flap that can be selectively attached
to a pocket of an article of clothing in a manner that will provide
an appropriately decorative and ornamental embellishment for the
clothing. Another object of the present invention is to provide a
pocket flap for an article of clothing that can be effectively and
firmly attached to a pocket in order to minimize the possibility it
will become dislodged or detached from the article of clothing. Yet
another object of the present invention is to provide a pocket flap
for selective attachment to the pocket of an article of clothing
that is simple to use, is easy to manufacture, and is comparatively
cost effective.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] A pocket flap (device) that can be selectively
engaged/disengaged with the pocket of an article of clothing is
provided by the present invention. Functionally, the device can be
attached to the pocket panel that creates a pocket on the article
of clothing. As intended for the present invention, the pocket flap
(device) can be adorned with ornamentations ("Bling") that will
contribute to or enhance the attractive aspects of the article of
clothing.
[0006] Structurally, the pocket flap of the present invention
essentially includes a base member and a flap member. A wire can
also be included, as disclosed below. In detail, the base member is
essentially a rectangular shaped layer that is made of a stiff
material. Typically, this stiff material will be enclosed in a
fabric material that is the same as, or is compatible with, that of
the article of clothing on which the pocket flap is to be used.
Importantly, the base member will be dimensioned so it can be
inserted into the pocket of the article of clothing. On the other
hand, the flap member need not be stiff. Instead, the flap member
will provide the desired embellishment to the article of clothing
that is the intended purpose of the pocket flap. Accordingly, the
nature of the material (e.g. fabric) that is used for the flap
member, as well as the decorative ornaments that may be made part
of the flap member, will depend on the whims and preferences of the
designer.
[0007] Both the base member and the flap member of the pocket flap
have a substantially straight edge. For the present invention,
these edges are joined together to establish a hinge line.
Typically, this will be done by sewing the fabric material of the
base member to the fabric material of the flap member. Thus, the
base member and the flap member can rotate, relative to each other,
about the hinge line to create a potential space between them. As
mentioned above, a wire can also be included in the pocket flap. If
so, the wire will be sewn into the pocket flap (device) at the
juncture between the base member and the flap member to help mold
the structure to the body shape. For this purpose, the wire is
flexible so it can be bent and thereby configured to conform the
hinge line of the device to a body surface of a user of the
device.
[0008] An important aspect of the present invention is that the
pocket flap (device) be firmly engaged with the pocket panel of a
pocket when in use. This is necessary so it (the device) will not
become dislodged or detached from the article of clothing during
use. Preferably, this is accomplished with magnets. Specifically,
in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a first magnet,
or plurality of magnets, is(are) mounted on the base member. Also,
a second magnet, or plurality of magnets, is(are) mounted on the
flap member. For this preferred embodiment of the present
invention, the first and second magnets generate an attractive
force between them that will hold the device on the pocket panel of
a pocket. Alternatively, an attachment means can be provided
wherein a first part of the attachment means is affixed to the
pocket panel. A second part of the attachment means will then be
affixed to the flap member. For this embodiment, the first and
second parts of the attachment means will interact with each other
to engage the pocket flap with the pocket panel. As envisioned for
the present invention, the attachment means may be either a hook
and loop type fastener (e.g. Velcro.RTM.) or a well-known snap type
fastener.
[0009] In use, the base member of the pocket flap of the present
invention is inserted into a pocket that is established by a pocket
panel on an article of clothing. Thus, the pocket panel is
positioned in the potential space between the base and flap
members. The flap member is then rotated about the hinge line,
toward the base member, to position the pocket panel between the
base member and the flap member. For the preferred embodiment of
the present invention, this rotation of the flap member also brings
the first magnet on the base member into active engagement with the
second magnet on the flap member to hold the pocket flap on the
article of clothing.
[0010] For an alternate embodiment of the present invention, the
base member can be modified to function as a clip or it can be
effectively replaced by a clip. For instance, in place of the base
member, a fabric strip can be attached to the back of the flap
member. Clips, of a type well known in the pertinent art, can then
be affixed to the fabric strip and used to engage the flap member
with the pocket panel.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] The novel features of this invention, as well as the
invention itself, both as to its structure and its operation, will
be best understood from the accompanying drawings, taken in
conjunction with the accompanying description, in which similar
reference characters refer to similar parts, and in which:
[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the pocket flap of the
present invention;
[0013] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the pocket flap
with portions shown in phantom for clarity;
[0014] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of an alternate
embodiment of the pocket flap shown with ornamental and decorative
embellishments that can be provided for all embodiments of the
present invention;
[0015] FIG. 4A is a view of a pocket on pants being worn by a user;
and
[0016] FIG. 4B is a view of the user as seen in FIG. 4A with a
pocket flap of the present invention being worn on the pants
pocket.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0017] Referring initially to FIG. 1 a pocket flap in accordance
with the present invention is shown and is generally designated 10.
As shown, the pocket flap 10 includes a flap member 12 and a base
member 14 that are joined together at a juncture that defines a
hinge line 16. For the present invention, the flap member 12 and
the base member 14 can rotate about the hinge line 16 relative to
each other, to thereby create a potential space 18 between them. As
envisioned for the present invention, both the flap member 12 and
the base member 14 will be, primarily, a fabric type material
chosen by the manufacturer of the pocket flap 10. Further, the base
member 14 will also incorporate a stiff material, such as
cardboard, that will give the base member 14 a degree of
rigidity.
[0018] Referring now to FIG. 2, it will be seen that the flap
member 12 is also formed with a substantially straight edge 20, and
that the base member 14 is formed with a substantially straight
edge 22. It will be appreciated by cross referencing FIG. 2 back to
FIG. 1 that the hinge line 16 is established when the edge 20 of
flap member 12 is joined with the edge 22 of base member 14, such
as by sewing. FIG. 2 also shows that the pocket flap 10 may include
a wire 24 that can be sewn into the hinge line 16 as the flap
member 12 is joined to the base member 14. When incorporated into
the pocket flap 10 of the present invention, the wire 24 is
preferably bendable so it can be appropriately configured as
disclosed below in greater detail.
[0019] FIG. 3 shows that the flap member 12 can be adorned with
ornamentations 26. Specifically, if used, the additional
ornamentations 26 can be of any type desired by the designer. The
purpose here is that the pocket flap 10 be used to distinctively
influence one's personal appearance. For example, a comparison of
FIG. 4A with FIG. 4B shows a use without the pocket flap 10 (FIG.
4A), and a use with the pocket flap 10 (FIG. 4B). In this example,
FIG. 4A shows how a typical pocket 28 looks, without a pocket flap
10, when it is created by a pocket panel 30 on a pair of pants 32
and is worn by a user 34. FIG. 4B then shows the same user 34,
wearing the same pants 32, when the pants 32 have been embellished
by a pocket flap 10.
[0020] Returning to FIG. 2, a preferred embodiment of the pocket
flap 10 of the present invention is shown. In this preferred
embodiment, pair of first magnets 36a and 36b are shown mounted on
the base member 14. Also, a pair of second magnets 38a and 38b are
shown mounted on the flap member 12. In a manner well known by
almost everyone, when the magnets 36a and 36b are proximate the
magnets 38a and 38b an attractive force between them will hold the
flap member 12 against the base member 14 and thereby substantially
eliminate the potential space 18. As intended for the present
invention, when the pocket flap 10 is in use, the pocket panel 30
on pants 32 will be held between the flap member 12 and the base
member 14 within what was formerly the potential space 18.
[0021] In an alternate embodiment of the pocket flap 10 that is
best appreciated by cross referencing FIG. 3 with FIG. 4A, an
attachment 40a (shown in phantom) can be affixed to the flap member
12. This is done in a manner well known in the art, such as by
sewing or gluing the attachment 40a onto the flap member 12.
Likewise, an attachment 40b can be affixed to the pocket panel 30
as shown in FIG. 4A. With this arrangement, the present invention
envisions the attachment 40a on the flap member 12 can be connected
with the attachment 40b to hold the flap member 12 against the
pocket panel 30. As envisioned by the present invention, the
attachments 40a,b can either be a loop and hook type fastener (e.g.
Velcro.RTM.) or a standard snap type fastener. It is to be
appreciated that the present invention envisions other types of
alternate arrangements for various fasteners. Further, in place of
the attachments 40a and 40b, a clip (not shown) can be used to hold
the flap member 12 against the pocket panel 30. The important thing
for any embodiment is that the pocket panel 30 somehow be firmly
held between the flap member 12 and the base member 14 or, stated
differently, that the flap member 12 be effectively engaged with
the pocket panel 30.
[0022] In use, the base member 14 of the pocket flap 10 is inserted
into the pocket 28 of an article of clothing (e.g. pants 32). This
places the pocket panel 30 in the potential space 18 between the
flap member 12 and the base member 14. Once the base member 14 is
properly positioned, the flap member 12 is then rotated about the
hinge line 16. This rotation will effectively eliminate the
potential space 18 and, thus, position the pocket panel 30 directly
between the base member 14 and the flap member 12. For the
preferred embodiment of the present invention, this rotation of the
flap member 12 will also engage the magnets 36a,b on the base
member 14 with the magnets 38a,b on the flap member 12 to firmly
hold the pocket flap 10 on the pocket 28. Similarly, alternate type
fasteners (e.g. attachments 40a,b or a clip) will accomplish the
same function.
[0023] While the particular Pocket Flap as herein shown and
disclosed in detail is fully capable of obtaining the objects and
providing the advantages herein before stated, it is to be
understood that it is merely illustrative of the presently
preferred embodiments of the invention and that no limitations are
intended to the details of construction or design herein shown
other than as described in the appended claims.
* * * * *