U.S. patent application number 13/145092 was filed with the patent office on 2012-02-09 for pocket systems for garments.
This patent application is currently assigned to DASHAMERICA, INC. D/B/A PEARL IZUMI USA, INC., DASHAMERICA, INC. D/B/A PEARL IZUMI USA, INC.. Invention is credited to Caroline Marois, Sue McKinney.
Application Number | 20120030864 13/145092 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42340110 |
Filed Date | 2012-02-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120030864 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Marois; Caroline ; et
al. |
February 9, 2012 |
POCKET SYSTEMS FOR GARMENTS
Abstract
A pocket system for an athletic garment according to embodiments
of the present invention includes a center pocket and first and
second pockets each having an outer, inner, top, and bottom edge.
The top edges are open, while the inner, outer, and bottom edges
are closed. A vertical centerline of the garment substantially
aligns with a user's spine, and the first pocket is located on the
athletic garment on one side of the vertical centerline, while the
second pocket is located on the garment on the other side of the
vertical centerline. The first and second pockets are in a
substantially symmetrical configuration about the vertical
centerline, and the center pocket is substantially centered on the
vertical centerline. The first, second, and center pockets are
disposed entirely within a larger, outer pocket, according to such
embodiments of the present invention.
Inventors: |
Marois; Caroline;
(Lafayette, CO) ; McKinney; Sue; (Broomfield,
CO) |
Assignee: |
DASHAMERICA, INC. D/B/A PEARL IZUMI
USA, INC.
Louisville
CO
|
Family ID: |
42340110 |
Appl. No.: |
13/145092 |
Filed: |
January 15, 2010 |
PCT Filed: |
January 15, 2010 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US2010/021271 |
371 Date: |
September 21, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
12355638 |
Jan 16, 2009 |
|
|
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13145092 |
|
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61154257 |
Feb 20, 2009 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
2/251 ;
2/247 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41D 2600/104 20130101;
A41D 13/0012 20130101; A41D 27/20 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
2/251 ;
2/247 |
International
Class: |
A41D 27/20 20060101
A41D027/20 |
Claims
1. A system of pockets for an athletic garment, the system
comprising: a first pocket having a first outer edge, a first inner
edge, a first top edge, and a first bottom edge, wherein the first
pocket is closed along the first inner, outer, and bottom edges and
open along the first top edge; a second pocket having a second
outer edge, a second inner edge, a second top edge, and a second
bottom edge, wherein the second pocket is closed along the second
inner, outer, and bottom edges and open along the first top edge,
wherein a vertical centerline of the athletic garment substantially
aligns with a user's spine, wherein the first pocket is located on
the athletic garment on one side of the vertical centerline,
wherein the second pocket is located on the athletic garment on the
other side of the vertical centerline, and wherein the first and
second pockets are in a substantially symmetrical configuration
about the vertical centerline; a center pocket having a third outer
edge, a fourth outer edge, a third top edge, and a third bottom
edge, wherein the center pocket is closed along the third bottom
edge and the third and fourth outer edges and open along the third
top edge, wherein the center pocket is substantially centered on
the vertical centerline; and an outer pocket having a fifth outer
edge, a sixth outer edge, a fourth top edge, and a fourth bottom
edge, wherein the first, second, and third pockets are disposed
entirely within the outer pocket, and wherein the outer pocket is
closed along the fifth and sixth outer edges and the fourth bottom
edge and open along the fourth top edge.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the first and second pockets are
adjacent to one another at the vertical centerline.
3. The system of claim 1, wherein the first top edge forms at least
a part of the third top edge, and wherein the second top edge forms
at least a part of the third top edge.
4. The system of claim 1, wherein the third top edge includes a
pocket closure device.
5. The system of claim 4, wherein the pocket closure device is a
zipper.
6. The system of claim 1, wherein the fourth top edge includes a
pocket closure device.
7. The system of claim 6, wherein the pocket closure device is a
zipper.
8. The system of claim 1, wherein the third top edge is formed with
overlock construction.
9. The system of claim 1, wherein the first top edge and second top
edge are formed with overlock construction.
10. The system of claim 1, wherein the first top edge and the
second top edge include elastic.
11. The system of claim 1, wherein the fourth top edge includes
elastic.
12. The system of claim 1, further comprising: a gusset formed
along at least one of the first bottom edge, the second bottom
edge, the third bottom edge, and the fourth bottom edge, the at
least one gusset configured to provide increased storage
capacity.
13. The system of claim 1, wherein the third top edge is positioned
on the athletic garment above the first and second top edges such
that the third top edge is visible even when the first and second
pockets are closed, the third top edge comprising a zipper closure
device.
14. The system of claim 1, wherein the athletic garment, the first
and second pockets, the center pocket, and the outer pocket are
stretchable.
15. The system of claim 14, wherein the athletic garment, the first
and second pockets, the center pocket, and the outer pocket are
made of a single stretchable material.
16. The system of claim 1, wherein the center pocket is situated
between the user's back and at least part of the first and second
pockets.
17. The system of claim 1, wherein the center pocket is wide enough
to accept a standard-sized cycling water bottle.
18. The system of claim 1, further comprising a closure device
between the first and second top edges and the athletic garment,
the closure device configured to permit access to an inside of the
first, second, and third pockets.
19. A system of pockets for an athletic garment, the system
comprising: a first pocket having a first outer edge, a first inner
edge, a first top edge, and a first bottom edge, wherein the first
pocket is closed along the first inner, outer, and bottom edges and
open along the first top edge; a second pocket having a second
outer edge, a second inner edge, a second top edge, and a second
bottom edge, wherein the second pocket is closed along the second
inner, outer, and bottom edges and open along the first top edge,
wherein a vertical centerline of the athletic garment substantially
aligns with a user's spine, wherein the first pocket is located on
the athletic garment on one side of the vertical centerline,
wherein the second pocket is located on the athletic garment on the
other side of the vertical centerline, and wherein the first and
second pockets are in a substantially symmetrical configuration
about the vertical centerline; a center pocket having a third outer
edge, a fourth outer edge, a third top edge, and a third bottom
edge, wherein the center pocket is closed along the third bottom
edge and the third and fourth outer edges and open along the third
top edge, wherein the center pocket is substantially centered on
the vertical centerline, wherein the first pocket at least
partially overlaps the center pocket, and wherein the second pocket
at least partially overlaps the center pocket.
20. (canceled)
21. (canceled)
22. The system of claim 19, wherein the third top edge includes a
pocket closure device.
23-39. (canceled)
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 12/355,638, filed on Jan. 16, 2009, and the
present application also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application Ser. No. 61/154,257, filed on Feb. 20, 2009.
Both aforementioned applications are incorporated by reference
herein for all purposes.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to
athletic jerseys, and more specifically to back pockets for cycling
jerseys and jackets.
BACKGROUND
[0003] An ability to store and/or carry items on cycling jerseys
and jackets provides a significant benefit. Standard jerseys having
three pockets in the center (one in the center and one on each
side) on the lower back of a garment help the user maintain
balance. However, the size of the back of an athletic jersey is
often too small to incorporate a standard three-pocket design. For
example, many women's cycling jerseys are too narrow in the lower
back portion to incorporate a standard three-pocket side-by-side
design without causing significant imbalance. When pockets are
placed further towards the sides of the jersey, the risk of an
uncomfortable imbalance increases. Many cycling jerseys with
multiple pockets often do not include any mechanism for concealing
smaller pockets and/or making such pockets more aesthetically
pleasing.
SUMMARY
[0004] Embodiments of the present invention include a system of
three pockets on the back of a cycling jersey which looks from the
back view like two pockets, but which also includes a third
centered pocket. Other embodiments of the present invention include
a system of multiple pockets, for example three pockets, on the
back of a cycling jersey which are enclosed by and/or surrounded by
and/or concealed by a larger outer pocket, which may include a
zipper closer, according to embodiments of the present
invention.
[0005] A system of pockets for an athletic garment according to
embodiments of the present invention includes a center pocket and
first and second pockets each having an outer edge, an inner edge,
a top edge, and a bottom edge. The top edge of each pocket is open,
while the inner, outer, and bottom edges of each pocket are closed,
according to such embodiments of the present invention. A vertical
centerline of the athletic garment substantially aligns with a
user's spine, and the first pocket is located on the athletic
garment on one side of the vertical centerline, while the second
pocket is located on the athletic garment on the other side of the
vertical centerline. The first and second pockets are in a
substantially symmetrical configuration about the vertical
centerline, and the center pocket is substantially centered on the
vertical centerline. The first and second pockets each at least
partially overlap the center pocket, according to such embodiments
of the present invention.
[0006] A system of pockets for an athletic garment according to
embodiments of the present invention includes a first pocket having
a first outer edge, a first inner edge, a first top edge, and a
first bottom edge, wherein the first pocket is closed along the
first inner, outer, and bottom edges and open along the first top
edge; a second pocket having a second outer edge, a second inner
edge, a second top edge, and a second bottom edge, wherein the
second pocket is closed along the second inner, outer, and bottom
edges and open along the first top edge, wherein a vertical
centerline of the athletic garment substantially aligns with a
user's spine, wherein the first pocket is located on the athletic
garment on one side of the vertical centerline, wherein the second
pocket is located on the athletic garment on the other side of the
vertical centerline, and wherein the first and second pockets are
in a substantially symmetrical configuration about the vertical
centerline; a center pocket having a third outer edge, a fourth
outer edge, a third top edge, and a third bottom edge, wherein the
center pocket is closed along the third bottom edge and the third
and fourth outer edges and open along the third top edge, wherein
the center pocket is substantially centered on the vertical
centerline; and an outer pocket having a fifth outer edge, a sixth
outer edge, a fourth top edge, and a fourth bottom edge, wherein
the first, second, and third pockets are disposed entirely within
the outer pocket, and wherein the outer pocket is closed along the
fifth and sixth outer edges and the fourth bottom edge and open
along the fourth top edge.
[0007] While multiple embodiments are disclosed, still other
embodiments of the present invention will become apparent to those
skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which
shows and describes illustrative embodiments of the invention.
Accordingly, the drawings and detailed description are to be
regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 illustrates a front perspective view of a pocket
system according to embodiments of the present invention.
[0009] FIG. 2 illustrates a front view of the pocket system of FIG.
1, according to embodiments of the present invention.
[0010] FIG. 3 illustrates a top and front left side perspective
view of the pocket system of FIGS. 1 and 2, according to
embodiments of the present invention.
[0011] FIG. 4 illustrates a top and front right side perspective
view of the pocket system of FIGS. 1-3, according to embodiments of
the present invention.
[0012] FIG. 5 illustrates an inside back view of the pocket system
of FIGS. 1-4, according to embodiments of the present
invention.
[0013] FIG. 6 illustrates a partial front view of a pocket system
with a center pocket holding a water bottle, according to
embodiments of the present invention.
[0014] FIG. 7 illustrates a front view of a pocket system according
to embodiments of the present invention.
[0015] FIG. 8 illustrates an elastic top edge of two pockets of the
pocket system of FIG. 7 being opened to show the inside of the two
pockets and a center pocket, according to embodiments of the
present invention.
[0016] FIG. 9 illustrates a gusset at the bottom edge of the pocket
system of FIGS. 7 and 8, according to embodiments of the present
invention.
[0017] FIG. 10 illustrates a top and front perspective view of a
pocket system according to embodiments of the present
invention.
[0018] FIG. 11 illustrates a front view of the pocket system of
FIG. 10, according to embodiments of the present invention.
[0019] FIG. 12 illustrates a front top left perspective view of the
pocket system of FIGS. 10 and 11, according to embodiments of the
present invention.
[0020] FIG. 13 illustrates a front top right perspective view of
the pocket system of FIGS. 10-12, according to embodiments of the
present invention.
[0021] FIG. 14 illustrates a top and front perspective view of the
pocket system of FIGS. 10-13 with a center pocket zipper in a
closed configuration, according to embodiments of the present
invention.
[0022] FIG. 15 illustrates a front view of a pocket system similar
to the pocket system of FIGS. 10-14, according to embodiments of
the present invention.
[0023] FIG. 16 illustrates a front view of the pocket system of
FIG. 15, with the center pocket zipper open and the elastic pulled
outward, according to embodiments of the present invention.
[0024] FIG. 17 illustrates a front view of the pocket system of
FIGS. 15 and 16, with the center pocket zipper closed and the
elastic pulled outward, according to embodiments of the present
invention.
[0025] FIG. 18 illustrates a gusset at the bottom edge of the
pocket system of FIGS. 15-17, according to embodiments of the
present invention.
[0026] FIG. 19 illustrates a front view of an alternative pocket
system according to embodiments of the present invention.
[0027] FIG. 20 illustrates an enlarged front view of a center
pocket opening of the pocket system of FIG. 19, according to
embodiments of the present invention.
[0028] FIG. 21 illustrates a front perspective view of a pocket
system with three pockets inside of a larger outer pocket,
according to embodiments of the present invention.
[0029] FIG. 22 illustrates a left front perspective view of the
pocket system of FIG. 21, according to embodiments of the present
invention.
[0030] FIG. 23 illustrates a right front perspective view of the
pocket system of FIGS. 21-22, according to embodiments of the
present invention.
[0031] FIG. 24 illustrates a front perspective view of the pocket
system of FIGS. 21-23 with the larger outer pocket zipped closed,
according to embodiments of the present invention.
[0032] FIG. 25 illustrates a back view perspective view of the
pocket system of FIGS. 21-24, according to embodiments of the
present invention.
[0033] While the invention is amenable to various modifications and
alternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way of
example in the drawings and are described in detail below. The
intention, however, is not to limit the invention to the particular
embodiments described. On the contrary, the invention is intended
to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling
within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended
claims.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0034] Embodiments of the present invention include a system of
three pockets on the back of a cycling jersey which looks from the
back view like two pockets, but which also includes a third
centered pocket.
[0035] According to embodiments of the present invention, a pocket
system 100 may be added to a garment 102, such as, for example, a
cycling or running jersey. As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the
pocket system 100 includes a left pocket 110, a right pocket 120,
and a center pocket 130, according to embodiments of the present
invention. The left pocket 110 includes a top edge 112, a bottom
edge 114, an inner edge 116, and an outer edge 118, according to
embodiments of the present invention. Similarly, the right pocket
120 includes a top edge 122, a bottom edge 124, an inner edge 126,
and an outer edge 128, according to embodiments of the present
invention. As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 5, the center pocket 130
includes a top edge 132, a bottom edge 134, and outer edges 136,
138, according to embodiments of the present invention. According
to some embodiments of the present invention, the left pocket 110
is closed along edges 114, 116, 118 and open at the top edge 112;
the right pocket 120 is closed along edges 124, 126, 128 and open
at the top edge 122, and center pocket 130 is closed along edges
134, 136, 138 and open at the top edge 132.
[0036] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, pockets 120 and 130 are adjacent
to each other at a vertical centerline 202. The vertical centerline
202 is a virtual or imaginary line along the garment 102 which
substantially aligns with a user's spine during use. In other
words, the vertical centerline 202 extends along the horizontal
midpoints of the back of the garment 102, which also correspond
with the typical location of the center of a user's back (e.g. the
user's spine). The athletic garment 102 need not include an actual
centerline, such as, for example, a stitching pattern, which
corresponds with the virtual centerline 202.
[0037] The left pocket 110 is located on the left side of the
vertical centerline 202, and the right pocket 120 is located on the
right side of the vertical centerline 202, according to embodiments
of the present invention. The left and right pockets 110, 120 are
in a substantially symmetrical configuration about the vertical
centerline 202, according to embodiments of the present invention.
In other words, the inner edges 116, 126 and outer edges 118, 128
of each pocket 110, 120 are substantially parallel and
substantially equidistant from the vertical centerline 202. This
substantially symmetrical configuration can also exist even when
one or more of the pockets 110, 120 includes an irregular shape or
pattern over part of the pocket 110, 120; for example, the
substantially symmetrical configuration of pockets 110, 120 about
the vertical centerline 202 would still exist even if a notch were
cut out of the upper right hand corner of pocket 120 (but not
pocket 110), or if a star pattern were cut into the center of
pocket 110 (but not pocket 120), according to embodiments of the
present invention.
[0038] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the
center pocket 130 is substantially centered on the vertical
centerline 202. In other words, the outer edges 136, 138 are
substantially parallel and equidistant from the vertical centerline
202. Such a substantial centering of the center pocket 130 on the
vertical centerline 202 would exist even if the center pocket 130
were of an irregular shape, or a shape that varied by height and/or
width. In such cases, the center pocket 130 would be centered on
the vertical centerline 202 if either the area centroid of the
center pocket 130 substantially coincided with the vertical
centerline 202, and/or if the left side 131 and right side 133 of
the top edge 132 were substantially equidistant from the vertical
centerline 202, and/or if a vertical symmetry line of the center
pocket 130 substantially aligned with the vertical centerline 202,
according to embodiments of the present invention.
[0039] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the
left pocket 110 at least partially overlaps the center pocket 130,
and the right pocket 120 at least partially overlaps the center
pocket 130. In other words, when the pocket system 100 is flattened
or is in use on a user's back, at least part of the left pocket 110
and right pocket 120 is over or under the center pocket 130.
According to some embodiments of the present invention, the center
pocket 130 is positioned to be between the user's back on one side
and the pockets 110, 120 on the other side. FIG. 6 illustrates a
water bottle 600 placed within a center pocket 130 of a pocket
system 100, according to embodiments of the present invention. A
standard-sized cycling water bottle has a diameter of approximately
three inches. According to some embodiments of the present
invention, the center pocket 130 is sized to snugly fit a
standard-sized water bottle as depicted in FIG. 6. Although the
terms "left" and "right" are used herein, one of ordinary skill in
the art will appreciate that the two terms are relative to a user's
vantage point, and that either pocket 110 and/or pocket 120 may be
referred to as a "left" or "right" pocket.
[0040] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the
bottom pocket is sewn at the hem with a single needle stitch or
overlock. The top edge 132 of the center pocket 130 contains
"invisible stitching" or overlock construction and can be with or
without top stitches, according to embodiments of the present
invention. The top edges 112, 122 of the pockets 110, 120 can be
made with or without elastic in the fold hem or binding finish,
according to embodiments of the present invention. The interior of
the center pocket 130 is of overlock construction, and may be with
or without top stitches, according to embodiments of the present
invention. The garment 102 and/or the pocket system 100 may be
constructed of a stretchable material, for example a knit material,
or may be constructed of a non-stretchable material, for example a
woven material. According to some embodiments of the present
invention, the pockets 110, 120, 130 and the garment 102 are all
made of the same stretchable material. According to some
embodiments of the present invention, the top edge 112 forms at
least a part 137 of the top edge 132, and the top edge 122 forms at
least a part 139 of the top edge 132. One or more of the bottom
edges 114, 124 and/or the outer edges 118, 128 is rounded,
according to embodiments of the present invention. For example, the
bottom edges 114, 124 may be rounded as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and
2.
[0041] FIGS. 7-9 illustrate an alternative pocket system 700
according to embodiments of the present invention. Pocket system
700 includes a left pocket 710 and a right pocket 720, according to
embodiments of the present invention. The left and right pockets
710, 720 each include a top edge that forms a combined top edge 722
extending across both pockets, as shown, according to embodiments
of the present invention. The left pocket also includes a bottom
edge 714, an inner edge 716, and an outer edge 718, and the right
pocket also includes a bottom edge 724, an inner edge 726, and an
outer edge 728, according to embodiments of the present invention.
The inner, outer, and bottom edges 714, 716, 718 are closed, as are
the inner, outer, and bottom edges 724, 726, 728, while the top
edge 722 is generally open, according to embodiments of the present
invention.
[0042] According to embodiments of the present invention, the outer
part of top edge 722 includes elastic. The elastic holds the
pockets 710, 720 closed and also holds the outer part of the top
edge 722 against the jersey 702 to help conceal the center pocket
730, according to embodiments of the present invention. Elastic may
be applied to the top of the left pocket 710, the right pocket 720,
and/or the center pocket 730, according to embodiments of the
present invention. The pockets 710 and 720 of system 700 may also
be in a substantially symmetrical configuration with respect to
each other about the vertical centerline of the jersey 702, and the
pockets 710, 720 may overlap the center pocket 730 as described
with respect to system 100, according to embodiments of the present
invention.
[0043] A gusset 902 may be formed and/or included along the bottom
edge 714 and/or 724, according to embodiments of the present
invention. The gusset 902 can be an extra piece of fabric, or an
extension of the fabric out of which the pocket 710 is made, folded
on itself and attached to the jersey 702 in order to expand the
storage capacity of the pocket 710, according to embodiments of the
present invention. As seen in FIG. 7, the gusset 902 is relatively
imperceptible when the pockets 710, 720 are closed and with nothing
in them, but is readily able to expand to permit the pocket to
accept wider items, according to embodiments of the present
invention. According to some embodiments of the present invention,
a closure device, such as, for example, a zipper, is incorporated
into the gusset 902 to permit access to a pocket 710,720 through
the bottom edge 714, 724 of the pocket 710, 720. According to some
embodiments of the present invention, a closure device (e.g. a
zipper) is incorporated along the bottom edge 714, 724 of the
pocket 710, 720 without a gusset 902, to permit bottom access to
the pocket 710, 720. According to yet other embodiments of the
present invention, a gusset is incorporated inside of closure
device along the bottom edges 714, 724, such that opening the
closure device permits an opening and expansion of the gusset.
According to some embodiments of the present invention, a closure
device (e.g. a zipper) is incorporated into the top edge 722 of the
pocket 710, 720 with or without a gusset 902 at the bottom edge,
and the closure device permits top access to the pocket 710, 720,
730. According to some embodiments of the present invention, a
closure device (e.g. a zipper) is incorporated into or along the
top edge 722 between top edge 722 and athletic garment 702.
[0044] According to embodiments of the present invention, the
pocket system 700 includes elastic along the outside top edge 722
of the pockets 710, 720 and is recessed one and a half inches from
the jersey bottom hem with a gusset 902 to provide more storage.
Specifically, the bottom pocket is sewn at one and a half inches
from the jersey bottom hem with an invisible top stitch, according
to embodiments of the present invention. Gusset 902 is also
included on one or more pockets 710, 720 to provide more storage.
The top of the pockets 710,720 contains "invisible stitching" or
overlock construction and can be with or without top stitches,
according to embodiments of the present invention. The outer part
of the top edge 722 is made with or without elastic in the fold hem
or binding finish, according to embodiments of the present
invention. The interior center pocket 730 is of overlock
construction with or without top stitches, according to embodiments
of the present invention.
[0045] FIGS. 10-18 illustrate a pocket system 1000 similar to the
pocket system 700 of FIGS. 7-9, but with a closure device 1002
across the top edge of the center pocket 730, according to
embodiments of the present invention. According to some embodiments
of the present invention, the closure device 1002 is a zipper. The
zipper 1002 may be an invisible or a standard coil zipper, for
example. According to other embodiments of the present invention,
the closure device 1002 is a hook-and-loop closure device, a snap
closure device, a button closure device, a Ziploc.RTM.-type closure
device, and/or a slider-type closure device. FIGS. 10-13 illustrate
the pocket system 1000 with the closure device 1002 open, while
FIG. 14 illustrates the pocket system 1000 with the closure device
1002 closed, according to embodiments of the present invention. As
illustrated in FIG. 18, the pocket system 1000 may also include a
gusset along the bottom edge of the pockets as shown, according to
embodiments of the present invention. According to some embodiments
of the present invention, a closure device (e.g. closure device
1002) may be used with the center pocket 130 of the pocket system
100 of FIGS. 1-5.
[0046] FIGS. 19 and 20 illustrate a front view of an alternative
pocket system 1900 according to embodiments of the present
invention. According to some embodiments of the present invention,
pocket system 1900 is similar to pocket systems 700, 1000, except
the top edge 1932 opening for the center pocket is positioned on
the athletic garment above the top edge 1922 of the first and/or
second pocket, such that it is visible even when the first and/or
second pockets are closed. According to some embodiments of the
present invention, the top edge 1932 includes a pocket closure
device, such as, for example, a zipper. Such a pocket closure
device is configured to permit opening and closure of the top of
the center pocket, according to embodiments of the present
invention.
[0047] FIGS. 21-25 illustrate a pocket system 2100 with three
pockets 2110, 2120, and 2130 inside of a larger outer pocket 2140,
according to embodiments of the present invention. According to
some embodiments of the present invention, including a larger outer
pocket 2140 permits the other inner pockets 2110, 2120, 2130 to be
concealed during use. This creates a jersey with a more aesthetic
appearance, while still permitting the storage of articles in the
smaller inner pockets 2110, 2120, 2130 to be done in a manner that
assists with balance and stability. This is often not possible for
existing large-pocket jerseys, which often permit stored articles
to shift from side to side and/or bunch up in a single
location.
[0048] Pocket system 2100 may be formed in a jersey 2102 or other
garment, according to embodiments of the present invention. Pocket
system 2100 includes a large outer pocket 2140 which includes a top
edge 2142, a bottom edge 2144, an outer edge 2146 and an outer edge
2148, according to embodiments of the present invention. According
to some embodiments of the present invention, the bottom and outer
edges 2144, 2146, and 2148 are closed, while the top edge 2142 is
open as illustrated in FIGS. 21-23.
[0049] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the
top edge 2142 includes a closure device 2149 such as, for example,
a zipper. According to some embodiments of the present invention,
the closure device 2149 may be a double closure device, such as a
double zipper, which includes one zipper head on each side of the
top edge 2142. Such a double zipper configuration permits items
that are taller or larger than the outer 2140 and/or inner pockets
2110, 2120, 2130 to be placed within the pocket as desired and the
zippers closed up to or near the item. For example, a tall water
bottle could be placed in the center pocket 2130, and each of two
zippers slid from each end of the top edge 2142 up to or near the
water bottle to help maintain its position.
[0050] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the
inner center pocket 2130 overlaps one or more of the inner side
pockets 2110, 2120 similar to the pocket system of FIG. 1;
according to other embodiments, the inner center and side pockets
2110, 2120, 2130 are in a standard three-pocket configuration with
the center pocket 2130 centered along a vertical centerline of the
garment 2102. According to some embodiments, the large outer pocket
2140 surrounds an inner system of two pockets, one on either side
of the vertical centerline, or of one pocket, instead of three
pockets 2110, 2120, 2130. According to some embodiments of the
present invention, the top edge 2142 of the outer pocket 2140
includes elastic. Based on the disclosure provided herein, one of
ordinary skill in the art will appreciate the various combinations
of pocket sizes, placement, closure devices, and other elements
that may be used to create a pocket system.
[0051] Various modifications and additions can be made to the
exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of
the present invention. For example, while the embodiments described
above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention
also includes embodiments having different combinations of features
and embodiments that do not include all of the above described
features.
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