U.S. patent application number 11/803183 was filed with the patent office on 2011-04-28 for performance duty uniform for law enforcement and other uniformed personnel.
Invention is credited to Sol N. Jacobs, Michael I. Spiewak, Roy J. Spiewak.
Application Number | 20110094003 11/803183 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43897097 |
Filed Date | 2011-04-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110094003 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Spiewak; Roy J. ; et
al. |
April 28, 2011 |
Performance duty uniform for law enforcement and other uniformed
personnel
Abstract
For uniformed personnel a shirt having a concealed belly pocket
which overlies the inside surface of one of said front left and
right panels of the shirt, this pocket being closed at the top,
bottom and one end, and having an opposite open end which can be
closed with a zipper that is located along the seam between one
front panel and the back panel and extending generally vertically
downward from beneath the arm to an area near the waist of the
shirt.
Inventors: |
Spiewak; Roy J.; (Teaneck,
NJ) ; Spiewak; Michael I.; (New Hope, PA) ;
Jacobs; Sol N.; (New York, NY) |
Family ID: |
43897097 |
Appl. No.: |
11/803183 |
Filed: |
May 10, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60800968 |
May 16, 2006 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
2/69 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41D 27/20 20130101;
A41B 1/08 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
2/69 |
International
Class: |
A41B 1/10 20060101
A41B001/10 |
Claims
1. A shirt comprising: a. a back panel with top and bottom parts,
side edges and a central longitudinal axis extending between said
top and bottom parts, b. left and right front panels, each having
top and bottom parts and opposite inner and outer side edges, said
outer side edges of said front panels respectively being attached
to one of said side edges of said back panel forming attachment
areas, where each of said attachment areas is a longitudinal zone
generally parallel to said central longitudinal axis, said front
panels' inner edges adapted to overlie and be releasably secured to
each other, c. an arm part attached between and to each of said
front panels and said back panel near said top parts thereof, d. at
least one of said attachment areas including a longitudinal opening
at an elevation below said arm part and above said bottom part of
said back and front panels, said opening defined by front and rear
edges of said front and back panels respectively, e. a concealed
belly pocket formed of front and rear sheets, said belly pocket
closed at the top and bottom and having one end closed and an
opposite end that is open and defined by front and rear lips of
said front and rear sheets respectively, said pocket having a
central longitudinal axis extending between its ends generally
transversely of said central longitudinal axis of said back panel,
f. said belly pocket situated to lie adjacent a first of said front
panels, with said closed end of said belly pocket attached to said
inner edge of said first front panel intermediate the top and
bottom thereof, and said open end of said belly pocket attached to
said attachment area associated with said first front panel and
with said front and rear lips of said belly pocket attached to said
front and rear edges of said opening respectively of said opening,
and g. closure means for releasably joining said front and rear
lips of said pocket.
2. A shirt according to claim 1 wherein said closure means is a
zipper comprising adjacent toothed strips engageable to each other,
each of said strips fixed to one of said lips of said belly
pocket.
3. A shirt according to claim 1 wherein said attachment area is a
seam, and in said attachment area said side edge of said back panel
and said outside edge of said front panel each have a flap folded
inwardly away from said seam, and said closure means is a zipper
comprising a set of adjacent engageable strips attached
respectively to said flaps, and said belly pocket's front and rear
lips are attached to said zipper strips, whereby closure of the
zipper closes said belly pocket.
4. A shirt according to claim 3 wherein said attachment area in the
vicinity of said belly pocket comprises: A. a first laminate of (1)
said flap of one of said front panels, (2) a first of said zipper
strips, and (3) one of said lips of said belly pocket, and B. a
second laminate of (1) said flap of said back panel, (2) the other
of said zipper strips, and (3) the other of said lips of said belly
pocket.
5. A shirt according to claim 1 wherein said closure means is a
zipper comprising adjacent toothed strips engageable to each other,
each of said strips fixed to one of said edges of said back and
front panels joined at said attachment area.
6. A shirt comprising: a. a back panel with top and bottom parts,
side edges and a central longitudinal axis extending between said
top and bottom parts, b. left and right front panels having inside
surfaces which overlie said back panel, each of said front panels
having top and bottom parts and opposite inner and outer side
edges, said outer side edges of said front panels respectively
being attached to one of said side edges of said back panel forming
an attachment area, where each attachment area is a longitudinal
zone generally parallel to said central longitudinal axis, said
front panels' inner edges being adapted to overlie and be
releasably secured to each other, each of said front panels having
an inside surface facing said back panel, c. an arm part attached
between and to each of said front panels and said back panel near
said top parts thereof, d. said inner edge of a first of said front
panels having a terminal margin and including a longitudinal
opening situated between said top and bottom parts of said front
panel and situated inward of said terminal edge, said opening
defined by left and right lips, e. a belly pocket formed of front
and rear sheets, said belly pocket closed at the top and bottom and
having one end closed and an opposite end that is open and defined
by front and rear lips of said front and rear sheets respectively,
said pocket having a central longitudinal axis extending between
its ends generally transversely of said central longitudinal axis
of said back panel, f. said belly pocket situated to overlie said
inside surface of said first front panel, with said closed end of
said belly pocket attached to said attachment area intermediate the
top and bottom thereof, and said open end of said belly pocket
attached to said attachment area with said front and rear lips of
said belly pocket attached to said inner edge of said front panel
front and rear lips of said belly pocket attached to said left and
right edges of said opening respectively, and g. closure means for
releasably joining said front and rear lips of said pocket.
7. A shirt comprising: a. a back panel with top and bottom parts,
side edges and a central longitudinal axis extending between said
top and bottom parts, b. left and right front panels, each having a
top part joined to a top part of said back panel, a bottom part,
and opposite inner and outer side edges, said outer side edges of
said front panels respectively being attached to one of said side
edges of said back panel in a seam junction, said front panels'
inner edges adapted to overlie and be releasably secured to each
other, c. an arm part attached between and to each of said front
panels and said back panel near said top parts thereof, d. at least
one of said seams including a longitudinal opening at an elevation
below said arm part and above said bottom part of said back and
front panels, said opening defined by front and rear edges of said
front and back panels respectively, e. a concealed belly pocket
formed of front and rear sheets, said belly pocket closed at the
top and bottom and having one end closed and an opposite end that
is open and defined by front and rear lips, said pocket having a
central longitudinal axis extending between its ends generally
transversely of said central longitudinal axis of said back panel,
f. said belly pocket situated to lie adjacent a first of said front
panels, with said closed end of said belly pocket attached to said
inner edge of said first front panel intermediate the top and
bottom thereof, and said open end of said belly pocket attached to
said seam with said first front and rear lips of said belly pocket
attached to said front and rear edges of said opening respectively,
and g. closure means for releasably joining said front and rear
lips of said pocket.
Description
[0001] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119, 120
based upon applicant's Provisional Application, Ser. No. 60/800,968
filed May 16, 2006.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] This invention is in the field of uniforms worn by law
enforcement, fire and other uniformed personnel, and particularly
by persons who need to carry special equipment such as a two-way
radio, a weapon, a bullet-proof vest or other body armor inside or
on the uniform and to have a concealed pocket in the uniform. This
invention pertains to both Class A "Dress" or "Appearance" uniforms
and Class B "Utility" or "Work" uniforms.
[0004] 2. Background of the Invention
[0005] In police departments across the country police personnel
Class A or "dress" uniforms are the standard for normal workdays,
whereas Class B or "work or utility" uniforms are usually limited
in use for tactical functions, SWAT team, search, rescue and
emergency service units and the like. The Class B "work" uniforms
tend to be more comfortable and more functional, in contrast to the
Class A "dress" uniforms that obviously need to provide an official
and neat appearance. In actual use, however, Class A uniforms must
also accommodate numerous items of special equipment which basic
Class A shirt-and-pants uniforms were never intended to hold or
hide. For example, a bulletproof vest, of necessity, is thick,
bulky and somewhat stiff, so that shirttails of a uniform shirt
covering such vest will tend to pull out from the pants' waistband.
There are many circumstances where a policeman is wearing a Class A
uniform without special equipment, but where the policeman is
physically active, by running, squatting and/or bending, where
normal shirt tails tend to come out. These uniforms will not only
appear sloppy, which is inconsistent with typical police or
military philosophy, but it may interfere with a policeman's
ability to carry out his duties with his weapons, communication or
other equipment. For many, shirttails even partially hanging out of
a waistband are annoying, uncomfortable, and/or aesthetically
displeasing.
[0006] Class A uniforms become further distorted by the equipment
carried on or in the uniforms, such as a heavy belt around the
waist for a gun, a nightstick or billy club, a two-way radio and a
ticket pad. Many devices and shirt and/or pants constructions have
been developed in efforts to try to retain shirttails neatly within
pants' waistbands, examples being disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos.:
6,088,831; 5,123,120; and 3,298,036. Still further but less
relevant prior art patents include: 2,223,621; 3,590,390;
3,638,658; 3,930,090; 5,515,544; and Japan 10-130-901.
[0007] Obviously, a pants-and-shirt uniform will have numerous
pockets, but there are practical limits. In shirts, for example,
pockets are essentially limited to the upper front area, with the
back, waist and collar being impractical areas for pockets and the
sleeves being too small for useful pockets and also impractical for
pockets if an outer jacket will be worn. Uniform pants have the
usual front and rear pockets which are internal and essentially not
visible except for the conventional access slits. Rear patch
pockets, as seen on typical dungarees, are not considered
acceptable dress for Class A uniforms, and furthermore have very
limited capacity, because they lie flat and close to the seat
portion of the pants.
[0008] A pocket invention that has been used with military "field"
uniforms, where appearance obviously defaults to utility, is an
external cargo pocket which, due to side gussets or pleats, may
have the ability to expand to hold very large capacity. Such cargo
pockets have been positioned along the outside surface of each pant
leg side, positioned near the thigh, the knee and/or the calf.
[0009] External cargo pockets not only have great utility, but have
become immensely popular in casual non-military clothing and in
Class B utility uniforms. These cargo pockets may in fact not even
have side gussets or pleats, but are still known as cargo pockets
due to their large storage capacity and positioning on the side of
the pant leg. However, such external cargo pockets are not
acceptable for use in Class A uniforms for police departments and
for many other governmental or business organizations or military
dress uniforms.
[0010] Many prior art shirt and/or pants construction have been
developed in efforts to provide additional or different pocket
spaces, examples being disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos.: 2,977,602;
4,464,798; 4,498,200; 4,561,124; 5,669,078; 6,175,966; 6,253,379;
US2003/0150042; and Japan 0221003.
[0011] A third problem area with current Class A uniforms is the
conventional but awkward attachment of a microphone to a shirt
collar or front breast pocket. Placement on collars and pockets is
often not optimum for voice communication, and such placement with
conventional clips eventually damages the fabric and thus damages
the appearance of these most visible portions of the shirt. A
number of prior art microphone attachment means have been developed
in efforts to provide quick, easy and good functional attachment,
examples being disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos.: 2,641,760; 3,940,039;
5,111,981; 5,886,739; 5,915,609; US2003/0019015; and
US2004/0187183.
[0012] A fourth area of interest in Class A uniform structure is
concealed pockets that are reasonably large and accessible while
being hidden from view. A few samples of known concealed pockets
include: (a) a pocket situated to generally underlie a basic front
pocket in a pair of pants with the slit opening hidden by a thin
flap of material near the opening of the basic pocket, and (b)
pockets accessible by reaching inside and past the lapel area to a
pocket opening that is on an inside surface of a front panel of a
shirt or jacket.
[0013] In summary, the present invention addresses four problem
areas:
[0014] a. shirttails coming out of waistbands because of active
running, bending or squatting, or because of body armor and/or
other equipment pulling or protruding,
[0015] b. dress pants having insufficient large capacity pockets
for the greater amount of hidden utility equipment required to be
carried,
[0016] c. awkward and fabric damaging attachment of microphones to
shirt collars and/or front pockets, and
[0017] d. pockets that are concealed but readily accessible from
the outside of the shirt portion of a Class A uniform.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE NEW INVENTION
[0018] This invention is an improved uniform that provides both
Class A appearance and Class B functionality in a new dress uniform
for law enforcement and other uniformed personnel who need to
carry, on or inside the uniform, special equipment such as a
two-way radio, a weapon, a bullet-proof vest or other body armor
and miscellaneous other items. This uniform invention comprises
pants and shirts alone or in combination, having new structural
features that address any one or any combination of the three
problem areas described above. More specifically, a first feature
to restrain shirttails neatly within a wearer's waistband is a
pants-and-shirt shirttail retainer combination which includes a set
of mating soft silicone (or other sticky or textured, friction
producing material) strips of particular size, shape and location
on the internal surface of the pants' waistband and on the external
surface of the shirttail, respectively. Preferably, the strips lie
horizontally on the waistband and vertically on the shirttail,
where pressure contact of one strip on the other creates a friction
force that effectively bars the shirttail from rising from the
waistband. This shirttail retainer functions passively, in that no
awareness or action of the user is required for it to function as
intended. Thus, there is no need for a user to join or separate
coupling means or to even think about them.
[0019] The second feature of this invention is a hidden cargo
pocket situated on the inside surface of the pants' outseam in the
area extending from the thigh to the calf, or possibly lower. In
one preferred embodiment the new hidden internal cargo pocket will
be located on the inside of the pants, generally opposite the
location of a common external cargo pocket. Such a hidden internal
cargo pocket will provide capacity generally similar to that of a
conventional external cargo pocket and will be accessible from the
outside, but will be essentially not visible except for the access
slit at the top (upper lip). The pocket may employ gussets along
the side edges for expansion purposes and may employ a zipper or
other closure means at the top. If the pocket is filled, there
might be a bulge but due to its internal button securing the pocket
to the outseam, as the pocket is filled it expands to the inside of
the wearer's leg, and not to the outside, creating minimal visible
bulge. And either way, the outside seam will still be neat and
uninterrupted by a conventional visible external pocket.
[0020] A third feature of this invention, in summary, is a
microphone sling designed to replace conventional spring clips for
attachment of a microphone to a collar or to a shirt pocket. The
new microphone sling is an elongated strap having a proximal
portion adapted to engage a microphone and a distal portion adapted
to releasably engage a button or other coupling means situated
beneath a shoulder epaulet. The coupling means could be a button
sewn to the shoulder of the shirt beneath the epaulet for coupling
to a button hole in the distal end of the sling, or the coupling
means could be mating snap buttons or mating Velcro.RTM. elements.
In all cases, the coupling means beneath the epaulet, when not in
use, is either not visible or is essentially not noticeable. When
the microphone sling is used, its proximal end positions the
microphone to be laterally spaced from the collar and at an
elevation above the breast pocket, this location being functionally
and aesthetically better than attachment to the collar or to the
pocket, and of course, with this sling there is no damage to the
collar, to the epaulet, or to the pocket. As indicated above, when
the sling is not needed, it can be easily removed, leaving an
official dress uniform appearance of the shirt.
[0021] It is thus an objective of this invention to provide a Class
A duty uniform that has improved functionality and performance in
any or all of the above-described three features, while maintaining
a neat and official dress appearance. Since a police officer, for
example, may wear a bullet proof vest and wear a microphone and
carry so much equipment that a cargo pocket is needed, all the
novel features of this invention are included and coordinated with
the shirt and pants combinations; however, these three features
could be employed in different combinations or separately. In all
cases, an official and neat appearance can now be better
maintained. Excellent appearance of the uniform helps maintain
respect from the community and self-respect and pride by the
wearer.
[0022] The new hidden and secure internal cargo pocket will avoid
the interruption of the smooth line along the outside seam of a
pants leg that occurs with a conventional external cargo pocket,
and more significantly will allow a neater, uninterrupted external
stripe down the outside seam of many uniforms which until now was
achievable only with pants having no cargo pockets. Securing this
internal pocket with a button to a buttonhole loop inside the pant
outseam not only allows for post-production customization of the
external stripe, but also allows the pocket to expand to the inside
of wearer's leg instead of seeing a visible bulge on the outside,
and secures the pocket from flopping about when the wearer walks or
runs and from sagging down when the wearer sits.
[0023] The new shirttail retainer is particularly useful to
overcome the problem of shirttails pulling out due to the body
armor and other equipment worn inside the shirt or on the shirt or
on the pants hanging from the waist.
[0024] The new microphone sling will avoid the prior art procedure
where a microphone is clipped onto a collar, or an epaulet, or a
pocket which causes the look of patchwork or "jerry rigging" with
unsightly pulling on one of these attachment points, as opposed to
an official uniform appearance.
[0025] A fourth feature of this invention is a concealed "belly
pocket" situated inside and underlying the right or left front
panel of the shirt of the Class A uniform at an elevation generally
below the bottom of the arm part and above the waist part. This
pocket has closed top and bottom parts and a central longitudinal
axis extending between one closed end and an opposite open end.
This central longitudinal axis extends transversely of the vertical
central axis of the shirt. The closed end of the pocket is fixed to
the front edge of one front panel, and the open end is fixed to the
seam area joining the front and rear panels. This pocket extends
from beneath the arm part downward toward the waist part. The open
end of the pocket comprises front and rear edges respectively of
the front and rear sheets forming the pocket. These front and rear
edges of the pocket are each attached to front and rear strips of a
zipper closure. To simplify said zipper attachment and
simultaneously to assure concealment of the zipper, each terminal
edge of the pocket is sandwiched between one zipper strip and one
folded back flap of the back or front panel.
[0026] One objective of this inventive feature is to provide a
concealed pocket, particularly for documents and other generally
flat articles, that is still readily accessible. Prior art vests
worn underneath a shirt require at least unbuttoning or partial
removal of the shirt before a document can be retrieved. The new
belly pocket lies generally adjacent the wearer's belly and is
attached to the shirt in a way that does not telegraph to a third
party observer that a pocket lies beneath the front panel of the
shirt. To achieve this concealment the attachment includes no
stitching or other attachment means such as stitch lines, rivets or
snaps that could be observed from the front of the shirt. To retain
the front panel of the shirt as basically flat except for the
breast pocket and the placket strip extending down the front inside
edge of the front panel, the new concealed pocket is attached only
by its closed end along said placket and by its open end along the
vertical seam joining the front and back panels.
[0027] The closed end of the pocket is sewn into the area of and
concealed by the front placket strip, with the stitching hidden
beneath the narrow marginal flap of the placket. The opposite open
end is sewn to adjacent and mating zipper strips which in turn are
sewn to adjacent edge of the front and back panels in the area of
the seam which joins these panels beneath an arm part of the shirt.
In the area of the zipper this seam joining the front and back
panels is open (unsewn) to allow access to the pocket interior.
With a shirt and pocket of this structure, the user can access the
pocket interior without unbuttoning the front of the shirt, and
thus without even partially undressing.
[0028] In a second version of the new shirt, the belly pocket is
situated again adjacent a front panel of the shirt; however, access
is via a zipper situated adjacent and concealed behind the edge of
the front placket, with the closed end of the pocket sewn into the
seam joining the front and back panels beneath the arm part.
[0029] One final optional feature for both the woman's and the
man's version of the new shirt is a support strap extending from
the top of the belly pocket to the top of the front panel, with no
stitching visible at the outside front surface of the shirt that
would suggest the existence of the secret pocket.
[0030] The new duty uniform of this invention provides the comfort
and functionality of a Class B uniform with the neat and
professional appearance of a traditional Class A dress uniform.
[0031] A preferred embodiment of the shirttail retainer portion of
this invention includes a shirt worn with pants,
[0032] a. wherein said shirt includes front and rear panels, each
said panel having an upper portion, an opposite shirttail portion
and a waist portion between said upper and shirttail portions, said
waist portion having an outward facing surface, and
[0033] b. said pants include a waistband at the top with a radially
inward facing surface adapted to contact said shirt waist portion
when it is worn within said pants waistband, said shirttail
retainer comprising: [0034] i. a friction strip fixed to and
extending around at least part of said inward facing surface of
said pants waistband, and [0035] ii. a plurality of friction
elements circumferentially spaced around and fixed to said outward
facing surface of said waist portion of said shirt, said friction
strip and said friction elements each comprising a thin layer of
silicone rubber, said friction elements, when pressed into contact
with said friction strip, as a result of said pants waistband being
urged radially inward against said waist portion of said shirt,
establishing a frictional force that resists movement of said shirt
waist portion upward relative to said pants waistband.
[0036] A preferred embodiment of the microphone sling portion of
this invention is a shirt and microphone sling combination for
releasably holding a microphone having an attachment clip,
comprising:
[0037] a. a shirt having: [0038] i. front and rear, right and left
fabric panels, each panel having a top portion, [0039] ii. a right
shoulder between said top portions of said right front and rear
panels and a left shoulder between said left front and rear panels,
and [0040] iii. a collar between said shoulders,
[0041] b. an epaulet affixed atop each of said shoulders,
[0042] c. a first coupling means affixed atop at least one of said
shoulders and beneath said epaulet thereon, and
[0043] d. a microphone sling formed as a strip having top and
bottom parts, said top part having a second coupling means
attachable to said first coupling means with said strip hanging
downward therefrom to lie adjacent and against said shirt's front
panel, and said bottom part adapted to be engaged by said
microphone clip for releasably attaching said microphone to said
sling.
[0044] A preferred embodiment of the internal cargo pocket portion
of this invention herein which comprises a pair of pants including
an internal cargo pocket comprises:
[0045] a. a pair of pants having an upper portion with a waistband,
and left and right leg portions extending downward from said upper
portion, each leg portion having a top part, a bottom cuff part and
an intermediate part, each leg portion formed by front and rear
panels which are joined along their side edges as inner and outer
seams respectively, said seams extending from said cuff part upward
to said upper portion of said pants, said inner seams of said two
leg portions being adjacent each other, and said outer seams being
remote from each other, and
[0046] b. at least one internal cargo pocket formed by inner and
outer panels, said panels having respective bottom and side edges
joined together respectively as closed sides and a closed bottom of
said cargo pocket, said panels having respectively top edges
separate from each other and defining a top opening of said cargo
pocket, each of said top edges extending transversely across said
outer seam of said leg portion and overlying and joined to parts of
said front and rear panels adjacent said outer seam.
[0047] One preferred embodiment of the shirt with belly pocket
invention comprises:
[0048] a. a back panel with top and bottom parts, side edges and a
central longitudinal axis extending between said top and bottom
parts,
[0049] b. left and right front panels, each having top and bottom
parts, and opposite inner and outer side edges, said outer side
edges of said front panels respectively being attached to one of
said side edges of said back panel forming an attachment area,
where each attachment area is a longitudinal zone generally
parallel to said central longitudinal axis, said front panels'
inner edges adapted to overlie and be releasably secured to each
other, preferably with a placket along one of said inner edges,
[0050] c. an arm part attached between and to each of said front
panels and said back panel near said top parts thereof,
[0051] d. at least one of said attachment areas including a
longitudinal opening at an elevation below said arm part and above
said bottom part of said back and front panels, said opening
defined by front and rear edges of said front and back panels
respectively,
[0052] e. a belly pocket formed of front and rear sheets, said
belly pocket closed at the top and bottom and having one end closed
and an opposite end that is open and defined by front and rear lips
of said front and rear sheets respectively, said pocket having a
central longitudinal axis extending between its ends generally
transversely of said central longitudinal axis of said back
panel,
[0053] f. said belly pocket situated to lie adjacent a first of
said front panels, with said closed end of said belly pocket
attached to said inner edge of said first front panel intermediate
the top and bottom thereof, and said open end of said belly pocket
attached to said attachment area with said front and rear lips of
said belly pocket attached to said front and rear edges of said
opening respectively, and
[0054] g. closure means for releasably joining said front and rear
lips of said pocket.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0055] FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of a shirt of the new
shirt-and-pants combination with a shirttail retainer.
[0056] FIG. 2 is a rear elevation view of the shirt of FIG. 1.
[0057] FIG. 3 is a top front perspective view of the pants of the
new shirt-and-pants combination with the new internal cargo
pocket.
[0058] FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of the pants of FIG. 3.
[0059] FIG. 4A is a fragmentary detail of FIG. 4 showing the
outseam, stripe and buttonhole tab.
[0060] FIG. 5 is a fragmentary view in section taken along line 5-5
in FIG. 4, showing the internal cargo pocket.
[0061] FIG. 6 is an elevation view of the internal cargo pocket
alone.
[0062] FIG. 7 is a top front perspective view of the cargo pocket
of FIG. 6.
[0063] FIG. 8 is a side elevation exploded view of a
shirt-and-pants combination.
[0064] FIG. 9 is a fragmentary detail view of the shirt-and-pants
combination.
[0065] FIG. 10 is a top plan view of an epaulet and microphone
sling as seen in FIG. 1.
[0066] FIG. 11 is a fragmentary view in section taken along line
11-11 in FIG. 10.
[0067] FIG. 13 is a front perspective view of a woman's uniform
shirt showing in dashed line a belly pocket concealed behind the
right front panel of the shirt.
[0068] FIG. 13A is a bottom perspective view of the belly pocket
separate from the shirt.
[0069] FIG. 14 is a sectional view taken along line 14-14 in FIG.
13, showing the concealed belly pocket inward of the standard
external front breast pocket.
[0070] FIG. 15 is a sectional view taken along line 16-16 in FIG.
13 of said concealed pocket.
[0071] FIG. 16 is a front perspective view of the shirt of FIG. 13
with a document being inserted into the belly pocket.
[0072] FIG. 17 is a sectional view taken along line 17-17 in FIG.
16.
[0073] FIG. 18 is a front elevational view of the man's uniform
shirt showing in dashed line the belly pocket concealed behind the
left front panel of the shirt.
[0074] FIG. 19 is a sectional plan view taken along line 19-19 in
FIG. 18 showing the concealed pocket.
[0075] FIG. 20 is a sectional elevational view taken along line
20-20 in FIG. 18 showing the concealed pocket.
[0076] FIG. 21 is a sectional plan view taken along line 21-21 in
FIG. 18 showing details of the zipper closure beneath the placket
of the shirt.
[0077] FIG. 22 is a front perspective view of the shirt of FIG. 18
with a document being inserted into the belly pocket.
[0078] FIG. 23 is a sectional plan view taken along line 23-23 in
FIG. 22 showing details of the zipper closure situated within the
seam joining the front and back panels of the shirt.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
1. Shirttail Retainer Feature
[0079] For convenience and clarity in describing these embodiments,
similar elements or components appearing in different figures will
have the same reference numbers.
[0080] The shirttail retainer feature 10 is illustrated in FIGS.
1-3 and 8-10. This feature functions by the cooperation of vertical
friction strips 12 on the shirttail 14 of shirt 15 and a horizontal
friction strip 16 on the inside surface of the pants waistband
17.
[0081] FIGS. 1, 2, 9 and 10 show the four vertical strips 12 on the
front and rear, right and left portions of shirttail 14. Each strip
12 is about 3 inches long and 1/2 inch wide and is comprised of
soft silicone rubber about 1/32 to 1/16 inch thick, with the four
edges of each strip sewn to the shirttail.
[0082] The shirt is constructed typically of right and left front
panels 16R, 16L, right and left rear parts 17R,17L formed as a
single rear panel, and various other component parts for the
sleeves, cuffs, collar 20, pockets, epaulets 22, buttons, stitching
and optional ornamentation.
[0083] The friction strips 12 are located generally in the middle
of each front panel 16L,16R on each of rear panel 17L,17R and at an
elevation intended for them to lie generally adjacent the inside
surface of waistband 19 of pants 20 waist as seen in FIGS. 9 and
10. The number and placement and sizes of these strips 12 can vary,
so long as there is enough frictional surface to effectively engage
the pants waistband friction strip 18 for retention of the
shirttail.
[0084] As seen in FIG. 3 and FIG. 8, the pants friction strip 18
extends around substantially the entire circumference, except for
the break at the fly. Thus, this pants friction strip is
essentially continuous; however, a strip of spaced-apart segments
could be used. FIGS. 8 and 9 show conventional external belt loops
19A.
[0085] FIGS. 9 and 10 show the juxtaposition of vertical strips 12
of the shirttail with the horizontal strip 18 of the pants
waistband, when such shirt and pants are worn by a person in a
conventional way. Since the length dimension shirt strips 12 is
considerably greater than the height dimension of pants strip 18,
the shirt-and-pants strips will become coupled even though there
may be substantial variations in the dimensions of torsos, waists,
chests, stomachs, etc.
[0086] The nature of these silicone rubber (or other sticky or
textured substance) strips 12 and 18 is that with even mild
surface-to-surface pressure contact, which will vary with the
tightness or fit of the pants, frictional forces will develop, and
the shirttail 14 will be retained from being pulled upward from
waistband 19. Similarly, these frictional forces will help restrain
the pants from slipping downward away from the shirt, even when the
pants are urged downward by the weight of a gun belt, or a utility
belt for other equipment, or by the weight of heavy objects in the
pants pockets. They will likewise serve to keep the shirt tucked
into the pants even while running or squatting or bending during
work.
[0087] FIG. 10, dimensioned not necessarily to scale shows
schematically, the engagement of waistband friction strip 18 with a
shirttail friction strip 12. In FIG. 10 the strip 18 is shown with
a slightly accurate exposed surface pressing into a shirttail strip
12; however, strip 18 might be flat or have another contour, so
long as it contacts the exposed surfaces of shirttail vertical
strips 12. Additional dimensional and shape variations are possible
for strips 12, which may vary from the rectangular shape
illustrated herein. With a shirttail so restrained, the result will
be more comfortable attire for the benefit of the wearer, and a
neater and more professional appearance, likely to please both the
wearer and observers. Also, with this shirttail retainer, shirts
can be made with shorter shirttails, which fit better and are more
comfortable in warm weather. A still further benefit is that the
cooperating shirt and pants of this invention have use not limited
to being used together. The shirt of this invention can be used
with any pants, and the pants of this invention can be used with
any shirt, obviously without the full benefit of the shirttail
retaining invention.
2. Hidden Cargo Pocket Feature
[0088] The new hidden cargo pocket may be constructed in a variety
of ways. FIGS. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 9 show aspects of one embodiment
of the new hidden cargo pocket 36. As seen, pocket 36 is generally
rectangular and formed of outer and inner fabric panels 37,38
joined at the sides 38S and bottom 39 and open at the top. The
pocket has top and bottom lips 40,41 defining the pocket opening
42. The pocket is closable by zipper 43 which is attached to the
top and bottom strips 40A,40B. Zipper is covered by pocket flap or
welt 45. As indicated above, the pocket and its attachment to the
pants may vary.
[0089] FIGS. 3, 5 and 9 show how cargo pocket 36 hangs downward.
FIGS. 3, 5, 6 and 9 show a button 44 at the lower outside surface
of pocket 36 for attachment into slot in tab 46 sewn to the inside
surface of leg seam 48. By this feature cargo pocket 36 can be
secured from flopping about when the wearer walks or runs,
especially if the pocket contains one or more heavy objects, and
from sagging down when the wearer sits.
[0090] Decoupling of button 44 obviously allows the pocket to be
flipped away from seam 48 so that during initial manufacture or
post-manufacture customization, a uniform or identifying stripe 50
can be easily sewn onto the outside surface of the seam from the
cuff upward to the pocket opening 42 and a second stripe segment is
sewn from the waist down to the pocket opening and onto pocket flap
45. Without the releasable button 44, conventional sewing of a
uniform stripe would either: (a) cause the pocket to be captured
during the sewing and sewn flat and close to the seam, or (b) cause
extremely impractical manipulation of the pocket to avoid being
sewn closed. Placement of the tab 46 with button slot perpendicular
to the outseam with the buttonhole extending beyond the outseam
toward the pant front, as seen in FIG. 4A, allows for unimpeded
sewing of the stripe (traditionally placed over the outseam
slightly off-center toward the pant back), while still permitting
ease of buttoning to re-secure the pocket. Also seen in FIG. 4A,
the stripe 50 is offset slightly to the rear from the outseam.
[0091] The practical aspect of manufacture and post-manufacture
customization of these uniforms cannot be disregarded, because
without highly efficient manufacture (cutting, assembling and
sewing) and post-manufacture customization by dealers/distributors,
these uniforms cannot be customized and sold at a reasonable
cost.
[0092] It is particularly common and usually required, by tradition
and/or function, that these types of uniforms for law enforcement
and other activities include stripes to identify the wearers as
being authentic and professional, and sometimes being to identify
rank and authority.
[0093] It has been determined that cargo pockets are extremely
useful, favored and/or demanded by many wearers who must carry an
excessive amount of equipment. However, conventional external and
externally visible cargo pockets have been objected to by many law
enforcement officials, where overall good appearance, including
striping along the outer leg seam is mandatory. A cargo pocket that
is hidden, internally restrained and/or allows for leg striping
constitutes a novel and very useful construction.
3. Microphone Sling Feature
[0094] As seen in FIGS. 1, 11 and 12, the new microphone sling 60
is a generally elongated fabric strip whose top end 61 is removably
positioned beneath epaulet 24 by attachment of the buttonhole 62
onto button 63 which is sewn onto the shoulder of 15 beneath
epaulet 24. This is a conventional epaulet that lies atop the shirt
shoulder, and in this case has outer end 64 sewn to the shoulder
and inner end 65 buttoned down (or secured with snap or
Velcro.RTM.) to the shoulder by button 66. Thus, button 63 is
essentially hidden by epaulet 24, whether this button stands alone
or is coupled to the top end 61 of microphone sling 60. The bottom
part 67 of microphone sling includes a short horizontal strip 68
having its ends sewn to sling 60, thus leaving its top and bottom
edges 70 unattached to the sling. Accordingly, a clip or other
attached element can be easily connected to strip 68. In practice,
a small microphone 71 (see FIG. 1) would include a clip for
attachment to strip 68.
[0095] Many variations for attachment of the microphone to the
sling are possible, but the objects here are:
[0096] a. to removably attach the microphone to the shirt without
clipping to and damaging (or pulling for unsightly appearance) the
collar, lapel, pocket or epaulet,
[0097] b. to position the microphone in a functionally preferable
location adjacent the collar, below the epaulet and above the
pocket,
[0098] c. to provide a coupling means (the sling) where the
attachment means to the shirt is invisible (button hidden beneath
epaulet), the sling may be totally removable when not needed with
no residual evidence of its coupling, and may be replaced if and
when damaged.
[0099] The pants and shirt of this invention can be made of any
conventional fabric, but in a preferred embodiment are made of a
colorfast, breathable, comfortable, durable, wrinkle resistant
fabric utilizing nano technology to provide water and stain
resistance and/or moisture management. One further option with the
microphone sling and with the hidden cargo pocket is to replace the
button connections with Velcro.RTM. or other fastener means.
4. Concealed Belly Pocket
[0100] Two embodiments of the new uniform shirt and belly pocket
combination are illustrated in FIGS. 13-23 as described below.
[0101] The first embodiment seen in FIGS. 13-17 was initially
contemplated as a uniform shirt for female police officers because
the concealed pocket could be accessed without unbuttoning the
front of the shirt; however, this shirt could be used by male
officers as well. In FIGS. 13 and 16 uniform shirt 80 comprises a
back panel 81, right front panel 82, right front outer pocket 83,
left front panel 84, left front outer pocket 85, right arm 86, left
arm 87, collar 88 and placket 89 as a strip with button holes
extending down the inside edge 90 of right front panel 82.
[0102] As seen in FIG. 13, outside edge 81A of back panel 81 lies
adjacent outer edge 82A of right front panel, these edges 81A, 82A
being sewn together in seam 91 that extends from the bottom of
right arm 86 down to the bottom of shirt 80. The left side shirt
structure is similar. In this specification "inner" edge of a front
panel will mean the edge near the center which is buttoned to an
opposite inner edge of the other front panel, and "outer" edge will
mean the edge near the side of the shirt under the arm.
[0103] The new concealed belly pocket 92, shown in dashed lines in
FIGS. 13 and 16, extends horizontally from its vertical slit
opening 94 seen in FIG. 16, that extends in and along seam 91, and
across the front of the shirt, but immediately behind front right
panel 82. As seen in FIGS. 13, 14, 15 and 16, pocket 92 is closed
at the top, bottom and closed end as indicated by dashed lines 92A,
92B and 92C respectively in FIGS. 13 and 16 and by sewn junctions
in FIGS. 14, 15 and 17, and has its open end 92D coincide with slit
94 in seam 91.
[0104] As seen in FIG. 16 the wearer of this shirt can insert an
article, such as a confidential envelope 95, into the slit opening
94 of pocket 92, where the article can be concealed adjacent the
wearer's belly. The construction of pocket 92 utilizes a common,
basic shirt structure as a foundation, while producing a
well-concealed but readily accessible pocket. The pocket shown in
FIGS. 13 and 16 and in section in FIGS. 14, 15 is generally
rectangular, comprising overlying elongated front and rear sheets
96, 97 joined at the top edge 92A, bottom edge 92B, and at the
inside edge 92C, and open at outside edge 92D.
[0105] FIG. 13A shows pocket 92 separate from the shirt, the pocket
comprising front and rear sheets 96-97 respectively and zipper 99
which is discussed in further detail later.
[0106] FIG. 15 is a sectional view through left front panel 82 and
belly pocket 92, including front and rear sheets 96, 97 of said
pocket. As seen in FIG. 15 pocket 92 has its closed and open ends
92C,92D attached to the shirt, while its top and bottom parts
92A,92B remain unattached to the shirt, so that a person looking at
the front of the shirt would not see any stitches revealing the
pocket behind the panel. For the pocket attachment, rear sheet 97
of pocket 92 has its inner edge 97A sewn onto placket 89, as seen
in FIG. 15, and its outer edge 97B of rear sheet 97 sewn onto the
folded-over flap 81B of back panel 81. Front sheet 96 of pocket 92
has its inner edge 96A sewn onto back sheet 97 at junction 96C, and
its outer edge 96B folded as a flap and sewn onto folded over flap
82B of front panel 82. The junction of the outer open end 92D of
pocket 92 is further shown in enlarged view FIG. 17, where front
sheet 96 of pocket 92 has its outer edge or flap 96B folded and
sewn.
[0107] For additional strength an extra strip of material 96D is
included where flap 96B is sewn to flap 82B of front panel 82. Also
shown in FIG. 17 is the junction of flap 81B of rear panel 81,
strip 99A of zipper 99, and flap 97B of rear sheet 97 of pocket
92.
[0108] As evident from FIGS. 16 and 17 the article 95 is being
inserted into pocket 92 via the opening 94 established by zipper
99.
[0109] As seen in FIG. 15, when zipper 99 is closed, the flap 81B
of back panel 81 and the flap 82B of front panel 82 enclose and
conceal zipper 99, so that there is no evidence of the existence of
the concealed pocket 92. Above and below zipper 99 is the normal
sewn seam 91 joining the back and front panels 81,82.
[0110] FIGS. 18-23 illustrate the second embodiment of the present
shirt and concealed belly pocket invention, where shirt 101 has
concealed belly pocket 102 with a zipper opening 103 along the edge
105 of the placket 106, with FIG. 22 showing a document 107 being
inserted into the unzipped opening.
[0111] This shirt comprises back panel 81, front left panel 84,
front right panel 82, placket 106 fixed to left front panel 84,
buttons 101B fixed to right front panel 82, arms 108L and 108R, and
as seen in FIG. 19, seam 109 joining outer edges 81A, 84A of said
back and front panels, respectively. Front and rear sheets 102A,
102B of pocket 102 are joined at the top in seam 102C and at the
bottom in seam 102D as seen in FIG. 20. This pocket is secured to
the shirt essentially only by said outer seam 109 joining left
front panel 84 and back panel 81, and by the open end of the pocket
at the placket as follows.
[0112] As seen in FIG. 23 pocket 102 comprises front and rear
sheets 102A, 102B. Edge 102E of inner sheet 102A is joined to
zipper edge 105 and to front panel edge 84B. Rear sheet 102B of
pocket 102 has its inner edge 102C fixed to placket 106 and to
zipper part 105A in a laminate bundle 114. The outer end of pocket
102 is secured at seam 109 to folded flap 84B of left front panel
84, as seen in FIG. 19. With zipper 104 open as seen in FIGS. 22
and 23, an article can be easily inserted or removed.
[0113] Belly pocket 102 is thus attached to the shirt only (a) at
the pocket's closed end 100B to seam 109 beneath arm 108L, and (b)
at the pocket's open end 102A adjacent placket 106. Access to the
pocket via zipper 110 is achieved by pulling up the edge 106A of
placket 106 which exposes the zipper.
[0114] FIG. 20 illustrates an optional concealed support strap 120
situated inside the shirt and extending from the top 102C of belly
pocket 102 to an area at the rear of the front panel breast pocket
85. This optional strap can help keep pocket 102 from sagging if it
contains one or more heavy articles.
[0115] While the invention has been described in conjunction with
several embodiments, it is to be understood that many alternatives,
modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in
the art in light of the foregoing description. Accordingly, this
invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives,
modifications, and variations which fall within the spirit and
scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *