Apparel Having Pockets Permitting Access Beneath Apparel Layer

Abstract

The clothes, apparel, or garment, whether it be pants, jeans, trousers, shorts, a skirt, a dress, a shirt, a hat, socks, sweatshirt, jacket, bikini, swim suit, bra, or any other possible item of clothing that has, or could have a pocket as part of the clothing, whereby a pocket as part of a garment has an opening for gaining access to the interior of the pocket. The pocket may include optional closure means or flap for closing the exterior of the pocket. The interior of the pocket may provide the full functionality of a normal pocket, but in addition, may have a second opening (which may take any number of forms, shapes, or sizes) within the interior of the pocket for gaining access to the wearer's body, and wherein the second opening may be closed using one or more buttons, snaps, clasps, zippers and/or laces or other closure means.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] There has been innovation in the construction of apparel, including with regard to pockets and pants, or trousers. An example of this is U.S. Pat. No. 3,828,368 entitled "Wearing Apparel," issued to Lam on Aug. 13, 1974. A further development in the construction of wearing apparel, such as pants with pockets, is U.S. Pat. No. 4,446,573 entitled "Trousers Having Modified Pocket," issued to Green on May 8, 1984. U.S. Pat. No. 4,446,573 involved conventional pants in which the seat or rear portion is provided with a cut out portion, or opening in the seat or hip portion, for gaining access to the wearer's body. Traditionally, pockets have served as a means for carrying various articles, although some, including U.S. Pat. No. 4,446,573, have served as a means for gaining access to the wearer's body with little function of the pocket beyond that purpose.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to the field of clothes, apparel, or garments that may be provided with a pocket. More specifically, the invention relates to any item of clothing such as pants, trousers, jeans, a shirt, a skirt, a dress, a jacket, swim wear, underwear, or any other item of clothing that may have a pocket that may provide access to the interior of the item of clothing and may provide access to an inner garment or to the wearer's body.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] This invention relates in general to wearing clothes, apparel, or a garment that is or could be provided with a pocket, and could pertain to any item of clothing such as pants, trousers, jeans, a shirt, a skirt, a dress, a jacket, swim wear, underwear, or any other item of clothing and may relate particularly to a pair of pants or jeans. A pocket is the combination of at least a first layer of material, a second layer of material, and a first opening that may provide access to a volume of any size between the layers of material. A pocket may have multiple layers and multiple openings to provide access to the interior of the pocket. Multiple layers of material may be defined by one continuous piece of material or by multiple pieces of material. As used herein, the term pocket includes pockets of any location, orientation, placement, size, shape, angle, or form. The same is true for the terms openings, layers, and edges as referenced herein. Pants, trousers, or jeans will be referenced through the remainder of this patent for the purpose of explaining the utility and benefit of this invention and not for the purpose of limiting the applicability of the invention to any other article of clothing. Additionally, fabric and/or material will be referenced through the remainder of this patent for the purpose of explaining the utility and benefit of this invention as it relates to pants, trousers, or jeans and not for the purpose of limiting the applicability of the invention to articles of clothing made from any other apparel construction material.

[0004] One embodiment of this invention provides an article of clothing having a pocket, the article further comprising a first layer of material defining an exterior of the pocket. A second layer of material defines an interior of the pocket. The pocket has a first opening that provides access to the interior of the pocket. A second opening in the second layer of material provides access from the interior of the pocket to an interior of the article, the second opening being closeable to substantially restrict access to the interior of the article.

[0005] In another embodiment, the second opening may be configured to preserve the carrying functions of the pocket.

[0006] In another embodiment, the second opening (which may take any number of forms, shapes, or sizes) may be positioned such that the wearer of the article may carry any appropriately sized objects, such as loose change or a credit card, in at least a portion of the pocket without any of the objects escaping from the interior of the pocket.

[0007] In another embodiment, the first opening may be closeable to substantially restrict access to the interior of the pocket.

[0008] In another embodiment, the first opening is defined by an area within the first layer of material that has greater permeability than the surrounding material of the first layer, such that it provides access to the interior of the pocket.

[0009] In another embodiment, the first opening may have any number of possible closure or attachment means including, but not limited to, flap, magnet, snap, Velcro, zipper, button, clasp, laces or other similar means.

[0010] In another embodiment, the first opening may not be fastened, closed, or attached at all.

[0011] In another embodiment, the first opening may be defined at least by one or more smooth, uniform, or regular edges.

[0012] In another embodiment, the first opening may be defined at least by one or more stressed, jagged, or irregular edges.

[0013] In another embodiment, the first layer of material may contain at least two openings that provide access to the interior of the pocket.

[0014] In another embodiment, the first layer of material may be concealed from view.

[0015] In another embodiment, the second opening is closable to prevent objects located in the pocket from moving through the second opening into the interior of the article.

[0016] In another embodiment, the second opening is defined by an area within the second layer of material that has greater permeability than the surrounding material of the second layer, such that it provides access to the interior of the article.

[0017] In another embodiment, the second opening may be defined at least by one or more smooth, uniform, or regular edges.

[0018] In another embodiment, the second opening may be defined at least by one or more stressed, jagged, or irregular edges.

[0019] In another embodiment, the second layer of material may contain at least two openings that provide access to the interior of the article.

[0020] In another embodiment, the second layer of material may be concealed from view.

[0021] In another embodiment, the second opening may be located near the top of the second layer of material.

[0022] In another embodiment, the second opening may be fastened, closed, or attached using any number of possible means, including but not limited to, flap, magnet, zipper, Velcro, snap, button, clasp, laces or other similar means.

[0023] In another embodiment, the second opening may not be fastened, closed, or attached at all.

[0024] Another embodiment provides an article of clothing comprising a first layer of material defining an exterior of a first pocket. A second layer of material defines an interior of the first pocket. One or more additional layers of material cooperatively define the interior of one or more additional pockets in the article. Finally, one or more openings in each of the second layer and additional layers of material provide access from the first pocket of the article to an interior of the article. In further particular embodiments, any of the various layers may be visible, and in other embodiments may be concealed from view. In still further embodiments, any of the various openings maybe visible, or, in other embodiments, concealed from view.

[0025] Another embodiment provides an article of clothing having a first layer of material and a first opening in the first layer of material providing access to the interior of the article. A second layer of material may also be provided. The second layer of material may cooperate with the first layer of material to define an interior of a pocket, the pocket having an opening that provides access to the interior of the pocket.

[0026] Another embodiment provides an article of clothing comprising a first layer and a second layer of material cooperating to define a first opening that provides access to the interior of the article. The article further comprises a third layer of material which cooperates with the first layer of material to define an interior of a pocket, the pocket having an opening that provides access to the interior of the pocket. In another embodiment of the invention, the third layer of material cooperates with the second layer of material to define an interior of a pocket, the pocket having an opening that provides access to the interior of the pocket.

[0027] An advantage of the disclosed embodiments include, but are not limited to, allowing for both functionality of the pocket as a means for carrying all different kinds of appropriately sized items, including but not limited to loose change, in addition to allowing access to the wearer's body from within the pocket.

[0028] The present invention has significant differences and advantages over U.S. Pat. No. 4,446,573. One of the significant differences is that the pocket of the present invention provides the wearer of a garment with the traditional ability to carry appropriately sized objects in the pocket and with the added ability to access, through the pocket, either an inner garment or the wearer's body. The pocket disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,446,573, on the other hand, provides only for cut-outs or openings inside a pocket which eliminate or severely limit any ability to carry objects in the pocket. The present invention, at a minimum, overcomes that problem.

[0029] All other objects, features, advantages, and innovations of the present invention will become apparent from the following description and the appended claims in conjunction with accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] The following drawings and the associated descriptions are provided to illustrate embodiments of the present disclosure and do not limit the scope of the claims.

[0031] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of the rear portion of a typical pair of pants or jeans, which may be provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] FIG. 2 illustrates a view of a typical pocket that may, according to an embodiment of the invention, include some means for closure.

[0033] FIG. 3 illustrates a sectional side view of an embodiment of the present invention, showing the first layer of fabric, also known as the exterior of the pocket, and the second layer of fabric, which provides, and may also be described as the interior of the pocket. Also depicted in FIG. 3 is the placement of the second opening, according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0034] FIG. 4 illustrates another embodiment of the invention.

[0035] FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of a rear portion with closure or attachment means, according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0036] FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view illustrating a representation of a first layer of fabric, also known as an exterior of the pocket, removed to expose an interior of the pocket and secondary piece of fabric with opening for gaining access to an interior of the pants, according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0037] FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view illustrating a representation of a first layer of fabric, also known as an exterior of the pocket, removed, as well as a second layer of fabric with an opening to the interior of the pants removed, to expose an interior of the pants typically occupied by an inner garment and/or the wearer's body, according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0038] FIG. 8 illustrates another embodiment of the invention with an optional flap as a closure means for the pocket.

[0039] FIG. 9 illustrates another embodiment of the invention.

[0040] FIG. 10 illustrates a sectional side view of an embodiment of the invention that contains one additional opening in the second layer of material.

[0041] FIG. 11 illustrates a sectional side view of an embodiment of the invention that includes a second layer of material and one additional layer of material defining one additional pocket, as well as an opening in the second layer of material and one opening in the one additional layer of material.

[0042] FIG. 12 illustrates another embodiment of the invention.

[0043] FIG. 13 illustrates a sectional side view of an embodiment of the invention that includes a second opening defined by an area of greater permeability.

[0044] FIG. 14 illustrates a sectional side view of an embodiment of the invention that includes multiple openings in the first layer of material.

[0045] FIG. 15 illustrates another embodiment of the invention.

[0046] FIG. 16 illustrates a sectional side view of an embodiment of the invention that includes a second layer of material and one additional layer of material that cooperatively define one additional pocket in the article. FIG. 16 also illustrates an opening in the second layer of material and one opening in the one additional layer of material.

[0047] FIG. 17 illustrates a sectional side view of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 16 with one additional opening defined by an area of greater permeability.

[0048] FIG. 18 illustrates a sectional side view of an embodiment of the invention that includes a third layer of material forming a pocket with a first layer of material.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0049] As illustrated in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, this invention discloses wearing apparel or clothes which may specifically include and be described as pants or jeans 1 having front or rear portions defining a hip portion and a pair of leg openings. The rear portion of the pants or jeans may have a hip portion 11 between the waist and leg. The hip portion may include a hip pocket 10 comprised of a first layer of fabric 103 situated on the hip portion to define a first opening 101 along the top of the pocket for accessing the interior of the pocket. The first opening 101 may alternatively be placed in various parts of the first layer of fabric 103, and may take any number of forms, shapes, or sizes, and may include more than one separate opening.

[0050] Within the interior of the pocket, and concealed from view by the outer fabric portion 103 of the pocket, a second layer of fabric 104 may be present, as shown in the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 3-4, 6, and 10-17. In other embodiments, the first layer of fabric 103 may also be concealed from view. A second opening 102 (which may take any number of forms, shapes, or sizes, may be placed in various parts of the second layer of fabric 104, and may include more than one separate opening) defines an access point at which one could, through the second opening 102, physically interact with the interior 12 of the pants, including an inner garment and/or the wearer's body.

[0051] To keep the second opening 102 closed, any number of closure or attachment means 110 may be provided, as shown in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that said means may advantageously include, but would not be limited to, one or more strips of a hook and loop structure such as Velcro, one or more buttons, snaps or magnets, one or more zippers or clasps, laces, or any other form of fastening or attaching device, and may optionally include one or more flaps that may, at least partially, interact with or cover the opening. To keep the first opening 101 in the first layer of fabric 103, or exterior of the pocket 13, closed, similar closure or attachment means, such as those disclosed in connection with the second layer of fabric 104, may be used. Such closure or attachment means may also include one or more flaps 190, as illustrated in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 8 and 9.

[0052] The invention may embody many forms and is not necessarily limited to the forms disclosed in the following paragraphs. The invention is not limited by type of garment. Some garments that may be appropriate for this invention include pants, shorts, shirt, skirt, dress, jacket, swimsuit, undergarment, socks, sweatshirt, bikini, and bra.

[0053] The openings and pockets and other areas within the scope of this invention may be characterized as having smooth, uniform, regular, stressed, jagged, or irregular edges.

[0054] A person having ordinary skill in the art would appreciate that methods of making pockets, layers, and/or openings using standard sewing machines and/or any of a variety of textile equipment are well known in the art, and the present inventions are not limited by any particular manufacturing equipment or process. A person having ordinary skill in the art would also appreciate the many different pocket styles that exist and would know that any and all of these styles may apply to the current invention. Additionally, a person having ordinary skill in the art would appreciate that pockets, layers, and/or openings can also be created or formed using mass production machinery. Any type of pocket may be used in connection with the present invention, from a simple sew on pocket, such as found on the back of standard denim jeans (wherein a roughly rectangular piece of material with the edges along all four sides folded in and stitched to make outer peripheral seams is then stitched and joined to the back of the jeans along three of the peripheral seams with the remaining side seam oriented to the top of the pocket and simply left unstitched to form the outer opening of the pocket); to more simple or more intricate pockets including double-welt type or pipe pockets, whose fabrication is well understood by one of ordinary skill. The process or technique for treating edges and seams of an article of clothing such that they appear stressed, jagged, or irregular, such as, for example, including worn, torn, ragged, or used, is also well known in the art, and the present invention is not limited by any such process or technique.

[0055] FIG. 10 illustrates a sectional side view of an embodiment of the invention that contains one additional opening 1022 in the second layer of material 104. The opening 1022 may be characterized as being made of material having greater permeability than the material surrounding the opening 1022 on the layer 104.

[0056] FIG. 11 illustrates a sectional side view of an embodiment of the invention that includes a second layer of material 104 defining a first pocket 14, and one additional layer of material 1041 defining one additional pocket 15, as well as an opening 102 in the second layer of material 104 and one opening 1021 in the one additional layer of material 1041.

[0057] FIG. 12 illustrates another embodiment of the invention that includes a second layer of material 104 and one additional layer of material 1041. The embodiment also provides for an opening 102 in the second layer of material 104.

[0058] FIG. 13 illustrates a sectional side view of an embodiment of the invention that includes a second opening 1022. The opening 1022 may be characterized as being made of material having greater permeability than the material surrounding the opening 1022 on the layer 104.

[0059] FIG. 14 illustrates a sectional side view of an embodiment of the invention that includes multiple openings 101 in the first layer of material 103.

[0060] FIG. 15 illustrates another embodiment of the invention illustrating that an opening 101 in the first layer of material 103 may be at a different location on the layer 103 than other embodiments.

[0061] FIG. 16 illustrates a sectional side view of an embodiment of the invention that includes a second layer of material 104 and one additional layer of material 1041 that cooperatively define one additional pocket 15 in the article. FIG. 16 also illustrates an opening 102 in the second layer of material 104 and one opening 1021 in the one additional layer of material 1041. In other embodiments, any or all of the openings 101, 102 and 1021 may be closeable so as to restrict access to the pocket 14, the additional pocket 15, or to the interior 12 of the article. Additionally, any or all of the openings 101, 102, and 1021 may be defined as being made of material having greater permeability than the areas surrounding the opening on the respective layer of clothing. In this and some other embodiments, the location, size, and shape of these openings may be such that the carrying functions of each pocket are preserved.

[0062] FIG. 17 illustrates a sectional side view of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 16 with one additional opening 1024. The opening 1024 may be characterized as being made of material having greater permeability than the material surrounding the opening 1024 on the layer 1041.

[0063] FIG. 18 illustrates a sectional side view of an embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment the first layer of material 103 and the second layer of material 104 cooperate to define a first opening 101 that provides access to the interior 12 of the article. The article further comprises a third layer of material 105 which cooperates with the first layer 103 to define an interior of a pocket, the pocket having an opening 102 that provides access to the interior of the pocket.

[0064] The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the essential characteristics as described herein. The embodiments described above are to be considered in all respects as illustrative only and not restrictive in any manner. The scope of the invention is indicated by the following claims rather than by the foregoing description.

Claims

1. An article of clothing having a pocket, the article further comprising: a first layer of material defining an exterior of the pocket; a second layer of material which cooperates with the first layer of material to define an interior of the pocket, the pocket having a first opening that provides access to the interior of the pocket; and a second opening in the second layer of material that provides access from the interior of the pocket to an interior of the article, the second opening being closeable to substantially restrict access to the interior of the article.

2. An article of clothing as set forth in claim 1 wherein the first opening is closeable to substantially restrict access to the interior of the pocket.

3. An article of clothing as set forth in claim 1 wherein the first opening is defined by an area within the first layer of material that has greater permeability than the surrounding material of the first layer, such that it provides access to the interior of the pocket.

4. An article of clothing as set forth in claim 1 wherein the first opening is defined at least by one or more smooth edges.

5. An article of clothing as set forth in claim 1 wherein the first opening is defined at least by one or more uniform edges.

6. An article of clothing as set forth in claim 1 wherein the first opening is defined at least by one or more regular edges.

7. An article of clothing as set forth in claim 1 wherein the first opening is defined at least by one or more stressed edges.

8. An article of clothing as set forth in claim 1 wherein the first opening is defined at least by one or more jagged edges.

9. An article of clothing as set forth in claim 1 wherein the first opening is defined at least by one or more irregular edges.

10. An article of clothing as set forth in claim 1 further comprising additional openings in the first layer of material that provide access to the interior of the pocket.

11. An article of clothing as set forth in claim 1 wherein the first layer of material is concealed from view.

12. An article of clothing as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a means for substantially closing the first opening.

13. An article of clothing as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a flap which substantially restricts access to the interior of the pocket.

14. An article of clothing as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a zipper which substantially restricts access to the interior of the pocket.

15. An article of clothing as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a hook and loop structure such as Velcro which substantially restricts access to the interior of the pocket.

16. An article of clothing as set forth in claim 1 wherein the second opening is positioned such that the wearer of the article may carry any appropriately sized object in at least a portion of the pocket without the object escaping from the pocket.

17. An article of clothing as set forth in claim 1 wherein the second opening is closeable to prevent objects located in the pocket from moving through the second opening into the interior of the article.

18. An article of clothing as set forth in claim 1 wherein the second opening is defined by an area within the second layer of material that has greater permeability than the surrounding material of the second layer, such that it provides access to the interior of the article.

19. An article of clothing as set forth in claim 1 wherein the second opening is defined at least by one or more smooth edges.

20. An article of clothing as set forth in claim 1 wherein the second opening is defined at least by one or more uniform edges.

21. An article of clothing as set forth in claim 1 wherein the second opening is defined at least by one or more regular edges.

22. An article of clothing as set forth in claim 1 wherein the second opening is defined at least by one or more stressed edges.

23. An article of clothing as set forth in claim 1 wherein the second opening is defined at least by one or more jagged edges.

24. An article of clothing as set forth in claim 1 wherein the second opening is defined at least by one or more irregular edges.

25. An article of clothing as set forth in claim 1 further comprising additional openings in the second layer of material that provide access to the interior of the article.

26. An article of clothing as set forth in claim 1 wherein the second layer of material is concealed from view.

27. An article of clothing as set forth in claim 16 wherein the second opening is located near an upper portion of the second layer of material.

28. An article of clothing as set forth in claim 1 wherein the location, size, and shape of the second opening preserve the carrying functions of the pocket.

29. An article of clothing as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a means for substantially closing the second opening.

30. An article of clothing as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a flap which substantially restricts access to the interior of the article.

31. An article of clothing as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a zipper which substantially restricts access to the interior of the article.

32. An article of clothing as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a hook and loop structure such as Velcro which substantially restricts access to the interior of the article.

33. An article of clothing as set forth in claim 1 wherein the article of clothing is a pair of pants.

34. An article of clothing as set forth in claim 1 wherein the article of clothing is a pair of shorts.

35. An article of clothing as set forth in claim 1 wherein the article of clothing is a shirt.

36. An article of clothing as set forth in claim 1 wherein the article of clothing is a skirt.

37. An article of clothing as set forth in claim 1 wherein the article of clothing is a dress.

38. An article of clothing as set forth in claim 1 wherein the article of clothing is a jacket.

39. An article of clothing as set forth in claim 1 wherein the article of clothing is a swimsuit.

40. An article of clothing as set forth in claim 1 wherein the article of clothing is an undergarment.

41. An article of clothing as set forth in claim 1 wherein the article of clothing is a hat.

42. An article of clothing as set forth in claim 1 wherein the article of clothing is a pair of socks.

43. An article of clothing as set forth in claim 1 wherein the article of clothing is a sweatshirt.

44. An article of clothing as set forth in claim 1 wherein the article of clothing is a bikini.

45. An article of clothing as set forth in claim 1 wherein the article of clothing is a bra.

46. An article of clothing comprising: a first layer of material defining an exterior of a first pocket; a second layer of material defining an interior of the first pocket; one or more additional layers of material cooperatively defining the interior of one or more additional pockets in the article; and one or more openings in each of the second layer and additional layers of material that provide access from the first pocket of the article to an interior of the article.

47. An article of clothing as set forth in claim 46 wherein at least one of the one or more openings is closable to substantially restrict access to the interior of at least one of the one or more additional pockets or to the interior of the article.

48. An article of clothing as set forth in claim 46 wherein at least one opening is defined by an area within the one or more additional layers of material that has greater permeability than the surrounding material of the one or more additional layers of material, such that it provides access to the interior of the one or more additional pockets or to the interior of the article.

49. An article of clothing as set forth in claim 46 wherein the location, size, and shape of one or more openings preserve the carrying functions of each pocket.

50. An article of clothing as set forth in claim 46 further comprising a means for substantially closing the one or more openings.

51. An article of clothing having a pocket, the article further comprising: a first layer of material defining an exterior of the pocket; a second layer of material which cooperates with the first layer of material to define an interior of the pocket, the pocket having a first opening that provides access to the interior of the pocket; and a second opening in the second layer of material that provides access from the interior of the pocket to an interior of the article, the second opening being configured to preserve the carrying functions of the pocket.

52. An article of clothing as set forth in claim 51 wherein the location, size, and shape of the second opening preserve the carrying functions of the pocket.

53. An article of clothing as set forth in claim 51 wherein the second opening is closeable to prevent objects located in the pocket from moving through the second opening into the interior of the article.

54. An article of clothing as set forth in claim 51 further comprising a means for substantially closing the second opening.

55. An article of clothing having a first layer of material, the article further comprising: a first opening in the first layer of material providing access to the interior of the article; and a second layer of material which cooperates with the first layer of material to define an interior of a pocket, the pocket having an opening that provides access to the interior of the pocket.

56. An article of clothing comprising: a first layer and a second layer of material cooperating to define a first opening that provides access to the interior of the article; and a third layer of material which cooperates with the first layer of material to define an interior of a pocket, the pocket having an opening that provides access to the interior of the pocket.

57. An article of clothing comprising: a first layer and a second layer of material cooperating to define a first opening that provides access to the interior of the article; and a third layer of material which cooperates with the second layer of material to define an interior of a pocket, the pocket having an opening that provides access to the interior of the pocket.