U.S. patent application number 15/229224 was filed with the patent office on 2018-02-08 for garment with waistband pocket.
The applicant listed for this patent is Under Armour, Inc.. Invention is credited to Cam Yen Le.
Application Number | 20180035736 15/229224 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 59558342 |
Filed Date | 2018-02-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180035736 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Le; Cam Yen |
February 8, 2018 |
GARMENT WITH WAISTBAND POCKET
Abstract
A garment made includes at least a waist portion, a first leg
portion, and a second leg portion. The waist portion further
includes a pocket on the front of the garment, where the pocket is
defined by at least the waist portion and a backing panel. The
backing panel may be constructed from a resilient material and is
reconfigurable between an empty configuration and an expanded
configuration. When in the empty configuration, the backing panel
may include a plurality of folded panels and may be aligned with
the waist portion. When in the expanded configuration, the backing
panel may be stretched to extend beyond the waist portion. The
backing panel is reconfigured from the empty configuration and the
expanded configuration when an object is disposed within the
pocket. The pocket is sized and shaped to receive small personal
items, such as smartphones, keys, money, credit carts,
identification, etc.
Inventors: |
Le; Cam Yen; (Baltimore,
MD) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Under Armour, Inc. |
Baltimore |
MD |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
59558342 |
Appl. No.: |
15/229224 |
Filed: |
August 5, 2016 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41D 27/20 20130101;
A41F 9/00 20130101; A41D 1/08 20130101; A41D 27/205 20130101; A41D
27/204 20130101; A41D 1/06 20130101; A41D 27/201 20130101; A41D
7/005 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A41D 27/20 20060101
A41D027/20; A41F 9/00 20060101 A41F009/00; A41D 1/08 20060101
A41D001/08; A41D 1/06 20060101 A41D001/06 |
Claims
1. An article of clothing comprising: a first leg portion; a second
leg portion; a waist portion coupled to the first leg portion and
the second leg portion, the waist portion having an interior
surface and an exterior surface; and a backing panel coupled to the
interior surface of the waist portion, wherein the backing panel
and waist portion define a pocket.
2. The article of clothing of claim 1, wherein the backing panel
and the waist portion are constructed of fabrics that include an
elastomeric material.
3. The article of clothing of claim 1, further comprising: a first
flap coupled to the backing fabric and disposed on the exterior
surface of the waist portion; and a second flap coupled to the
waist portion on the exterior surface of the waist portion, wherein
the backing panel, the first flap, the second flap, and the waist
portion collectively define the pocket, and the first flap and the
second flap are repositionable between a closed position, where the
first flap at least partially covers a portion of the second flap,
and an open position, where the first flap is spaced apart from the
second flap to provide access to an interior of the pocket.
4. The article of clothing of claim 1, wherein the backing panel
includes a first configuration and a second configuration, the
backing panel in the first configuration contains a plurality of
folded panels.
5. The article of clothing of claim 4, wherein the waist portion
includes a top edge and a bottom edge, and the backing panel
includes a top edge and a bottom edge.
6. The article of clothing of claim 5, wherein, when the backing
panel is in the first configuration, the top edge of the backing
panel aligns with the top edge of the waist portion and the bottom
edge of the backing panel aligns with the bottom edge of the waist
portion.
7. The article of clothing of claim 5, wherein, when the backing
panel is in the second configuration, the top edge of the backing
panel extends above the top edge of the waist portion and the
bottom edge of the backing panel extends below the bottom edge of
the waist portion.
8. An article of clothing comprising: a lower portion configured to
be positioned around the legs of a person wearing the article of
clothing; and an upper portion coupled to the lower portion and
configured to be oriented around the waist of the person wearing
the article of clothing, the upper portion including: an exterior
surface; an interior surface opposite the exterior surface; and a
backing panel coupled to the interior surface, wherein the backing
panel and the interior surface define a pocket.
9. The article of clothing of claim 8, wherein the upper portion
further includes a top edge and a bottom edge.
10. The article of clothing of claim 9, wherein the backing panel
includes a top edge, and a bottom edge.
11. The article of clothing of claim 10, wherein the backing panel
is reconfigurable between a first configuration, where the top edge
of the backing panel aligns with the top edge of the upper portion
and the bottom edge of the backing panel aligns with the bottom
edge of the upper portion, and a second configuration, where the
top edge of the backing panel extends above the top edge of the
upper portion and the bottom edge of the backing panel extends
below the bottom edge of the upper portion.
12. The article of clothing of claim 11, wherein the backing panel
is in the first configuration when the pocket is empty and is in
the second configuration when an object is disposed within the
pocket.
13. The article of clothing of claim 10, wherein the backing panel
is reconfigurable between a first configuration, where the backing
panel includes a first number of folded panels, and a second
configuration, where the backing panel includes a second number of
folded panels, the second number of folded panels being less than
the first number of folded panels.
14. The article of clothing of claim 10, wherein an interior of the
pocket is accessible when the top edge of the backing panel is
separated from the top edge of the upper portion.
15. An article of clothing comprising: a lower portion configured
to be positioned around the legs of a person wearing the article of
clothing; and an upper portion coupled to the lower portion and
configured to be oriented around the waist of the person wearing
the article of clothing, the upper portion including: a waist
portion having a top edge, and a bottom edge; and a backing panel
coupled the waist portion, the backing panel having a top edge and
a bottom edge, wherein the backing panel and waist portion define a
pocket, and the backing panel is reconfigurable between a first
configuration and a second configuration.
16. The article of clothing of claim 15, wherein the backing panel
and the waist portion are constructed from a fabric that includes
an elastomeric material.
17. The article of clothing of claim 16, wherein the backing panel
and the waist portion are reconfigurable between an open position,
where the top edge of the backing panel is spaced from the top edge
of the waist portion, and a closed position, where the top edge of
the backing panel abuts the top edge of the waist portion.
18. The article of clothing of claim 17, wherein when the upper
portion is oriented around the waist of the person wearing the
article of clothing, the waist stretches the upper portion
outwardly, which creates tensile forces that retains the backing
panel and the waist portion in the closed position.
19. The article of clothing of claim 17, wherein when the backing
panel is in the first configuration, the top edge of the backing
panel aligns with the top edge of the waist portion, and when the
backing panel is in the second configuration, the top edge of the
backing panel extends above the top edge of the waist portion.
20. The article of clothing of claim 15, wherein the backing panel
reconfigured from the first configuration to the second
configuration when an object is disposed within the pocket.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to an article of clothing or
garment. More specifically, the present invention relates to pants,
shorts, and other types of bottoms that contain a pocket with a
tension closure, the pocket being configured to receive objects
therein.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Garments typically are equipped with pockets that enable the
wearer of the garment to store items within the pockets. Garments
equipped with conventional pockets allow items to fall out of the
pocket, especially when the wearer of the garment is performing
athletic activity. Thus, garments equipped with conventional
pockets are often equipped with fasteners that enable the
conventional pockets to securely store any items placed within the
pockets. In addition, athletic garments equipped with conventional
pockets may cause the garment to be uncomfortable and/or create
unwanted and unflattering lines or bulges in the surface of the
garment. Therefore, it would be desirable to provide an article of
clothing, or garment, that is equipped with a pocket that securely
stores personal items without the need for fastener. It would also
be desirable to provide a garment that retains personal items in a
pocket while athletic activities and movements are performed by the
wearer of the garment.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] An article of clothing, or garment, disclosed herein
includes a storage system with a pocket in the waistband of the
garment. The pocket of the garment is reconfigurable between an
empty configuration and an expanded configuration. In the empty
configuration, the pocket is folded to be of approximately the same
height as the waistband of the garment. In the expanded
configuration, the pocket is configured to securely store personal
items (smartphones, keys, identification, credit cards, money,
etc.) while the wearer of the garment performs activities.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0004] FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of a garment in accordance
with a first embodiment of the present invention.
[0005] FIG. 2 illustrates a rear view of the embodiment of the
garment illustrated in FIG. 1.
[0006] FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of a first side (e.g., right
side) of the embodiment of the garment illustrated in FIG. 1.
[0007] FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of a second side (e.g., left
side) the embodiment of the garment illustrated in FIG. 1.
[0008] FIG. 5 illustrates a schematic view of the front side of the
pocket of the embodiment of the garment illustrated in FIG. 1.
[0009] FIG. 6A illustrates a schematic view of the rear side of the
pocket of the embodiment of the garment illustrated in FIG. 1, the
pocket being in the empty configuration.
[0010] FIG. 6B illustrates a detailed view of the folds and panels
of the pocket of the embodiment of the garment illustrated in FIG.
1 when the pocket is in the empty configuration.
[0011] FIG. 6C illustrates a schematic view of the rear side of the
pocket of the embodiment of the garment illustrated in FIG. 1, the
pocket being in the expanded configuration.
[0012] FIG. 7 illustrates a front view of a garment in accordance
with a second embodiment of the present invention.
[0013] FIG. 8A illustrates a schematic view of the inner side of
the pocket of the embodiment of the garment illustrated in FIG. 7,
the pocket being in the empty configuration.
[0014] FIG. 8B illustrates an interior view of the embodiment of
the garment illustrated in FIG. 7, and illustrates the pocket in
the empty configuration.
[0015] FIG. 9A illustrates a detailed view of the folds and panels
of the pocket of the embodiment of the garment illustrated in FIG.
7 when the pocket is in the empty configuration.
[0016] FIG. 9B illustrates a detailed view of the interior of the
pocket of the embodiment of the garment illustrated in FIG. 7,
where the pocket is completely unfolded and laid flat.
[0017] FIG. 10 illustrates a top view of the pocket of the
embodiment of the garment illustrated in FIG. 7 in the open
position.
[0018] FIG. 11A illustrates a perspective view of the pocket of the
embodiment of the garment illustrated in FIG. 7, where an object is
being placed within the pocket.
[0019] FIG. 11B illustrates a front view of the pocket of the
embodiment of the garment illustrated in FIG. 7, where an object is
being placed within the pocket.
[0020] FIG. 12A illustrates a rear view of the pocket of the
embodiment of the garment illustrated in FIG. 7, the pocket being
in the expanded configuration.
[0021] FIG. 12B illustrates a front view of the embodiment of the
garment illustrated in FIG. 7, the pocket being in the expanded
configuration.
[0022] Like reference numerals have been used to identify like
elements throughout this disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0023] Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 4, illustrated is a first
embodiment of a garment that can be worn by a person, where the
garment includes a pocket in the waistband of the garment. The
embodiment of the garment illustrated is a pair of pants 10. The
term pants may refer to any type of bottom typically worn by
people, including, but not limited to, pants, knickers, capris,
shorts, trousers, skirts, kilts, etc. The pants 10 contain a front
side 100, and a rear side 200, the rear side 200 oriented opposite
of the front side 100. The pants 10 further include a first (e.g.,
right) side 300 connecting the front side 100 to the rear side 200.
The pants 10 also include a second (e.g., left) side 400 that is
oriented opposite of the first side 300 and that also connects the
front side 100 to the rear side 200. The pants further include a
top side 110 and a bottom side 120 oriented opposite of the top
side 110.
[0024] The embodiment of the pants 10 illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, 3,
and 4 may contain a waist portion 130, a first leg portion 140, and
a second leg portion 150. As illustrated, the waist portion, or
waistband, 130 is disposed proximate to the top 110 of the pants 10
and includes a top edge 132 and a bottom edge 134. The waist
portion 130 extends around each of the sides 100, 200, 300, 400 of
the pants 10 and defines opening 136 proximate to the top side 110
of the pants 10. Opening 136 is configured to receive portions of
the body of the user wearing the pants 10. When worn by a user, the
waist portion 130 of the pants 10 is configured to encircle or
surround the user proximate to the user's waist. The waist portion
130 further includes an exterior surface 138 and an interior
surface 139. When worn by a user, the interior surface 139 of the
waist portion 130 contacts the portion of the body in which the
waist portion encircles, while the exterior surface 138 remains
exposed.
[0025] As described herein, the waist portion 130 of the pants 10
can be constructed of any suitable elastomeric fabric materials,
including elastomeric fabrics that provide two-way stretch or
four-way stretch characteristics so as to provide a form-fitting or
compression fit against the user's body. Elastomeric fabrics can be
formed from yarns, fibers and/or filaments using any suitable types
of elastomeric and/or non-elastomeric components. An example of an
elastomeric materials for use in forming the fabric materials for
the pants are polyester-polyurethane copolymers used to form
synthetic yarns, fibers or filaments and commonly referred to as
spandex or elastane. Fabrics formed from yarns or fibers comprising
spandex or elastane provide significant elasticity to the fabric so
as to achieve a desired form or compression fit to the user's body.
In one embodiment, the waist portion 130 may be constructed from a
woven polyester/stretch blended fabric that contains 86% polyester
and 14% elastane.
[0026] In addition, the first leg portion 140 is disposed proximate
to the front side 100, rear side 200, and first side 300 of the
pants 10. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the first leg portion 140
includes a top edge 142, a bottom edge 144, and a front edge 148.
As illustrated in FIG. 2, the first leg portion 140 also includes a
rear edge 210. The first leg portion 140 extends downwardly from
the waist portion 130 towards the bottom side 120 of the pants 10,
where the top edge 142 of the first leg portion 140 is coupled to a
portion of the bottom edge 134 of the waist portion 130. The bottom
edge 144 of the first leg portion 140 defines a first leg opening
146 that is configured to receive the first (e.g., right) leg of
the user wearing the pants 10. The first leg opening 146 is
disposed proximate to the bottom 120 and first side 300 of the
pants 10 and surrounds or encircles at least a portion of the first
leg (e.g., thigh, knee, calf, ankle, etc.) of the user wearing the
pants 10. Similar to the first leg portion 140, the second leg
portion 150 is disposed proximate to the front side 100, rear side
200, and second side 400 of the pants 10. As illustrated in FIG. 1,
the second leg portion 150 includes a top edge 152, a bottom edge
154, and a front edge 158. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the second leg
portion 150 also includes a rear edge 220. The second leg portion
150 extends downwardly from the waist portion 130 towards the
bottom side 120 of the pants 10, where the top edge 152 of the
second leg portion 150 is coupled to a portion of the bottom edge
134 of the waist portion 130. The bottom edge 154 of the second leg
portion 150 defines a second leg opening 156 that is configured to
receive the second (e.g., left) leg of the user wearing the pants
10. The second leg opening 156 is disposed proximate to the bottom
120 and second side 400 of the pants 10 and surrounds or encircles
at least a portion of the second leg (e.g., thigh, knee, calf,
ankle, etc.) of the user wearing the pants 10.
[0027] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the first leg portion 140 is
coupled to the second leg portion 150 at a central location on the
front 100 of the pants 10. More specifically, the front edge 148 of
the first leg portion 140, which is vertically oriented, is coupled
to the front edge 158 of the second leg portion 150, which is also
vertically oriented. Similarly, as best illustrated in FIG. 2, the
first leg portion 140 is coupled to the second leg portion 150 by
the rear edge 210 of the first leg portion 140 being coupled to the
rear edge 220 of the second leg portion 150. Similar to the front
edges 148, 158, the rear edges 210, 220 of the first and second leg
portion 140, 150 are vertically oriented.
[0028] The waist portion 130, first leg portion 140, and second leg
portion 150 may be coupled to one another via stitching, such as,
but not limited to, flatlock stitching, overlock stitching, blind
stitching, etc. In addition, the waist portion 130, first leg
portion 140, and second leg portion 150 may be coupled to one
another by means other than stitching, such as, but not limited to,
bonding, adhesives, etc. In some embodiments, the first leg portion
140 and the second leg portion 150 may be constructed from a woven
polyester/stretch blended fabric that contains 86% polyester and
14% elastane, similar to that of the waist portion 130. Thus, the
waist portion 130, first leg portion 140, and the second leg
portion 150 are at least partially resilient/elastomeric and may be
configured to stretch, deform, and take the shape of a portion of
the body (e.g., the waist) of the user of the pants 10 when the
user is wearing the pants 10.
[0029] As further illustrated in FIG. 1, a waist pocket 160 is
disposed in or within the waist portion 130 of the pants 10
proximate to the front 100 of the pants 10. The waist pocket 160
may be centrally disposed in the waist portion 130 on the front 100
of the pants so that the waist pocket 160 is disposed equidistant
from the first side 300 and the second side 400. The waist pocket
160 is further disposed on the exterior surface 138 of the waist
portion 130 such that the waist pocket 160 is exposed and viewable.
The waist pocket 160 has a top edge 162, a bottom edge 164, and a
front surface 166. The top edge 162 of the waist pocket 160 is
aligned with the top edge 132 of the waist portion 130, while the
bottom edge 164 of the waist pocket 160 is aligned with the bottom
edge 134 of the waist portion 130.
[0030] FIGS. 5, 6A, 6B, and 6C illustrate the waist pocket 160 of
the embodiment of the pants 10 of FIGS. 1-4. As illustrated in a
front view of the waist pocket 160 (e.g., viewing the side or
surface of the waist pocket 160 that is on the exterior of the
pants 10) in FIG. 5, the waist pocket 160 includes a first, or
outer, flap 500 and a second, or inner, flap 510. The first flap
500 may include a top edge 502 and bottom edge 504. The top edge
502 may be disposed proximate to the top edge 132 of the waist
portion 130 of the pants 10 such that the top edge 502 of the waist
pocket 160 aligns with and/or is fixedly coupled to the top edge
132 of the waist portion 130 of the pants 10. In other words, the
top edge 502 of the first flap 500 of the waist pocket 160 may form
the portion of the top edge 132 of the waist portion 130 at the
location where the waist pocket 160 is disposed on the waist
portion 130. The bottom edge 504 may be disposed opposite of the
top edge 502 such that the bottom edge 504 is disposed more
proximate to the bottom edge 134 of the waist portion 130 than to
the top edge 132 of the waist portion 130 of the pants 10. In
addition, the sides 506, 508 of the first flap 500 may be fixedly
coupled to the waist portion 130. As illustrated, the bottom edge
504 of the first flap 500 may be arcuate, or, in other words,
contains a curvature 509. In other embodiments, the bottom edge 504
of the first flap 500 may include a quarter inch encased elastic
with a gathering that is undercut so that, when manipulated, the
bottom edge 504 of the first flap 500 returns to its position
proximate to the bottom edge 164 of the waist pocket 160.
[0031] As best illustrated in FIG. 5, the second flap 510 includes
a top edge 512 and a bottom edge 514. The top edge 512 of the
second flap 510, shown in phantom in FIG. 5, may be disposed
proximate to the top edge 132 of the waist portion 130 of the pants
10 and the top edge 502 of the first flap 500. As illustrated, the
top edge 512 of the second flap 510 may be disposed underneath the
first flap 500. Thus, the first flap 500 at least partially lies
overtop the second flap 510 such that the top edge 512 of the
second flap 510 is covered by the first flap 500. The second flap
510 further includes a bottom edge 514 opposite of the top edge
512, where the bottom edge 514 may be exposed and fixedly coupled
to the bottom edge 134 of the waist portion 130, such that the
bottom edge 514 appears to be aligned with the bottom edge 134 of
the waist portion 130. In other words, the bottom edge 514 of the
second flap 510 of the waist pocket 160 may form the portion of the
bottom edge 134 of the waist portion 130 at the location where the
waist pocket 160 is disposed on the waist portion 130. Thus, by the
positioning of the waist pocket 160 illustrated in FIG. 1, the
second flap 510 may also be fixedly coupled to the top edge 142 of
the first leg portion 140 and the top edge 152 of the second leg
portion 150. Similar to the first flap 500, the second flap 510 may
also include sides 516, 518 that may be fixedly coupled to the
waist portion 130. In addition, the sides 516, 518 of the second
flap 510 may be fixedly coupled to the sides 506, 508 of the first
flap 500. While the schematic drawing of FIG. 5 illustrates that
the waist pocket 160 is substantially rectangular, in other
embodiments of the waist pocket, the sides of the waist pocket
formed by sides 506, 508 of the first flap 500 and sides 516, 518
of the second flap 510 may be angled to form a substantially
trapezoidal waist pocket 160.
[0032] The first flap 500 and the second flap 510 may be
constructed from a 100% polyester fabric, or, because the first
flap 500 and the second flap 510 from a portion of the waist pocket
160, which is inline with the waist portion 130, the first flap 500
and the second flap may be constructed from a blended fabric of
polyester and elastane (e.g., 86% polyester and 14% elastane).
Thus, the flaps 500, 510 may be either non-resilient, where the
flaps 500, 510 are not configured to stretch, or the flaps 500, 510
may be constructed to be resilient/elastomeric, where the flaps
500, 510 are configured to stretch and deform. In the embodiment of
the pants 10 where the flaps 500, 510 are not resilient, at least
the bottom edge 502 of the first flap may contain an elastomeric
member with an undercut length, as explained previously, to return
the bottom edge 504 of the first flap 500 to its position proximate
to the bottom edge 164 of the waist pocket 160 after manipulation.
In the embodiment of the pants 10, where the flaps 500, 510 are
configured to be resilient, the flaps 500, 510 are configured to
stretch and deform with the waist portion 130.
[0033] FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate that a rear view of the waist
pocket 160 (e.g., viewing the side or surface of the waist pocket
160 that faces the interior of the pants 10) shows the various fold
lines of the waist pocket 160. As illustrated, the rear side 600 of
the waist pocket 160 includes a first side 610 and a second side
612 opposite the first side 610. The first and second sides 610,
612 are coupled to the waist portion 130 of the pants 10. Both the
first side 610 and the second side 612 are coupled to the waist
portion 130 of the pants 10 via stitching 614. The first and second
sides 610, 612 may be coupled to the waist portion 130 via other
means, such as, but not limited to, adhesives, tape, bonding,
etc.
[0034] The waist pocket 160 illustrated in FIGS. 6A and 6B is in a
first or empty configuration A, while the waist portion 160
illustrated in FIG. 6C is in a second or expanded configuration B.
As best illustrated in FIG. 6B, when in the empty configuration A,
the rear side 600 of the waist pocket 160 contains four sections
facing a first, or interior, direction (these sections face towards
the interior of the pants 10): first section 620, second section
622, third section 624, and fourth section 626. The rear side 600
of the waist pocket 160 also contains three sections facing a
second, or exterior direction (these sections face towards the
exterior of the pants 10): fifth section 630, sixth section 632,
and seventh section 634. Each of the sections 620, 622, 624, 626,
630, 632, 634 are separated by a plurality of fold lines 640, 642,
644, 646, 648, 650. As illustrated, the first section 620 is
defined by the top edge 162 of the waist pocket 160 and the second
fold line 642. The fifth section 630 is defined by the second fold
line 642 and the first fold line 640. The second section 622 is
defined by the first fold line 640 and the fifth fold line 648. The
sixth section 632 is defined by the fifth fold line 648 and the
third fold line 644. The third section 624 is defined by the third
fold line 644 and the sixth fold line 650. The seventh section 634
is defined by the sixth fold line 650 and the fourth fold line 646.
Finally, the fourth section 626 is defined by the fourth fold line
646 and the bottom edge 164 of the waist portion 160.
[0035] As further illustrated in FIG. 6B, when the waist portion
160 is in the empty configuration A, the fifth, sixth, and seventh
sections 630, 632, 634 are not exposed. Furthermore, the second
section 622 is fully exposed, while the first and third sections
620, 624 are at least partially exposed. The fourth section 626 may
be at least partially exposed (as shown by the small exposed
portion illustrated in FIG. 6A proximate to the bottom edge 164 of
the waist pocket 160), or may not be exposed. As further
illustrated, the fifth section 630 faces the first section 620, the
sixth section 632 faces the third section 624, and the seventh
section 634 faces the fourth section 624. The fifth section 630 and
at least a portion of the second section 622 cover at least a
portion of the first section 620, and leaves a portion of the first
section 620 exposed. Similarly, the sixth section 632 and at least
a portion of the second section 622 cover at least a portion of the
third section 624, and leaves a portion of the third section 624
exposed.
[0036] Furthermore, as best illustrated in FIG. 6A, the total
length of the waist pocket 160, or the distance between the first
side 610 and the second side 612, is represented by L1. The
sections 620, 622, 624, 626, 630, 632, 634 and the fold lines 640,
642, 644, 646, 648, 650 span the distance L1 across the waist
pocket 160. The sections 620, 622, 624, 626, 630, 632, 634 and the
fold lines 640, 642, 644, 646, 648, 650, moreover, are also bound
or coupled to the waist portion 130 via stitching 614. Because the
sections 620, 622, 624, 626, 630, 632, 634 and the fold lines 640,
642, 644, 646, 648, 650 are bound by stitching 614, when the waist
pocket 160 returns to the empty configuration A from the expanded
configuration B, the sections 620, 622, 624, 626, 630, 632, 634 and
the fold lines 640, 642, 644, 646, 648, 650 are reformed and take
shape.
[0037] As best illustrated in FIG. 6B, the first section 620 has a
height of the combination of X1 and X2, where X2 is the height of
the fifth section 630 and X1 is the height of the exposed portion
of the first section 620. In some embodiments, X1 and X2 may be
equal to one another, while in other embodiments X2 may be larger
than X1, or X1 may be larger than X2. Furthermore, the sixth
section 632 may have a height of X3, where X3 may be equal to X2,
or may be smaller or larger than X2. The second section 622 may
have a height of the combination of heights X2 and X3.
Additionally, the third section has a height of the combination of
heights X3 and X4, where X4 is the height of the exposed portion of
the third section 624. The fourth section 624 and the seventh
section 634 have a height of X5. As further illustrated, the total
height of the waist pocket 160 is X6, which is the combination of
heights X1, X2, X3, and X4. Because, as previously explained and as
illustrated in FIG. 6A, the top edge 162 of the waist pocket 160 is
aligned with the top edge 132 of the waist portion 130, and the
bottom edge 164 of the waist pocket 160 is aligned with the bottom
edge 134 of the waist portion 130, the height of the waist portion
130 may also be equal to the height of waist pocket 160, which is
represented by X6.
[0038] In one embodiment, X1 may be equal to 0.25 inches, and X2
may be equal to 0.5 inches. Similarly, X3 may be equal to 0.5
inches and X4 may be equal to 0.25 inches. Thus, because the second
section 622 has a height equal to the combination of heights X2 and
X3, the height of the second section 622 may be approximately 1
inch. As further illustrated, X5 may be equal to 0.5 inches, and
the total height X6 of the waist pocket 160 may be approximately
4.5 inches. The length L1 between the first side 610 and the second
side 612 may be equal to 7.25 inches.
[0039] As previously explained, the waist pocket 160 in the
expanded configuration B is illustrated in FIG. 6C. The waist
pocket 160 is reconfigured from the empty configuration A to the
expanded configuration B when an item or items (e.g., mobile phone,
wallet, credit card, keys, etc.) are placed within the waist pocket
160. As illustrated, when items are placed within the waist pocket
160, the pocket 160 is expanded in the vertical direction such that
the distance between the top edge 162 and the bottom edge 164
increases from the height of X6 illustrated in FIG. 6B to the
height of X7 illustrated in FIG. 6C while the height of the waist
portion 130 remains the same at a height of X6. Thus, the height X7
is greater than the height X6. With the height X7 being larger in
the expanded configuration B than the height X6 in the empty
configuration A, the top edge 162 of the waist pocket 160 no longer
aligns with the top edge 132 of the waist portion 130. Furthermore,
the bottom edge 164 of the waist pocket 160 no longer aligns with
the bottom edge 134 of the waist portion 130 when the pocket 160 is
in the expanded configuration B. As illustrated, the top edge 162
of the waist pocket 160 is disposed above the top edge 132 of the
waist portion 130, while the bottom edge 164 of the waist pocket
160 is disposed lower than the bottom edge 134 of the waist portion
130. Additionally, when the waist pocket 160 is in the expanded
configuration B, the rear side 600 may no longer contain the
plurality of sections 620, 622, 624, 626, 630, 632, 634 and the
plurality of fold lines 640, 642, 644, 646, 648, 650. The size of
the object placed within the pocket 160 dictates the height X7 of
the pocket 160 in the expanded configuration, and also dictates how
many of the plurality of sections 620, 622, 624, 626, 630, 632, 634
and plurality of fold lines 640, 642, 644, 646, 648, 650 that are
no longer present.
[0040] In one embodiment, the rear side 600 of the waist pocket 160
may be constructed from a polyester blended fabric. Thus, the rear
side 600, with the plurality of sections 620, 622, 624, 626, 630,
632, 634 and the plurality of fold lines 640, 642, 644, 646, 648,
650, may be constructed from a fabric that is 90% polyester and 10%
elastane. This embodiment of the rear side 600 of the waist pocket
160 may have a slightly less resilient structure than that of the
waist portion 130 and front flaps 500, 510 of the pocket 160. This
construction, however, provides the rear side 600 with a degree of
resiliency that enables the rear side 600 to stretch into the
expanded configuration B when an object is placed within the
interior of the waist pocket 160, and return to the empty
configuration A, where the rear side 600 reforms the plurality of
sections 620, 622, 624, 626, 630, 632, 634 and the plurality of
fold lines 640, 642, 644, 646, 648, 650. In addition, because the
rear side 600 of the waist pocket 160 is facing the interior of the
pants 10, when the pants 10 are worn by a user, the rear side 600
may abut or contact the user. Thus, the rear side 600 may include
anti-microbial/moisture wicking properties to prevent sweat from
the user's body coming in contact with the objects placed within
the waist pocket 160.
[0041] In order to place an object within the waist pocket 160 of
the embodiment of the pants 10 illustrated in FIGS. 1-5, 6A, 6B,
and 6C, the user must separate the first flap 500 from the second
flap 520 to gain access to the interior of the waist pocket 160. In
the closed position, illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 5, the first flap
500 lies at least partially over the second flap 510, such that the
interior surface of the first flap 500 abuts against, contacts, or
is adjacent to the exterior surface of the second flap 510.
Additionally, when in the closed position, the bottom edge 504 of
the first flap 500 is oriented lower than the top edge 512 of the
second flap 510, such that the first flap 500 covers the top edge
512 of the second flap 500. In other words, in the closed position,
the top edge 512 of the second flap 500 is oriented closer to the
top edge 162 of the waist pocket 160 than the bottom edge 504 of
the first flap 500, which overlies the second flap 510. When a user
manipulates the waist pocket 160 to place objects within the waist
pocket 160, the first flap 500 is at least partially pulled away
from the second flap 510, such that at least a portion of the
interior surface of the first flap 500 is disposed or spaced away
from the exterior surface of the second flap 510. Thus, when
opening the waist pocket 160, at least a portion of the interior
surface of the first flap 500 is oriented farther away from the
exterior surface of the second flap 510 than when in the waist
pocket 160 is in the closed position.
[0042] Once the first flap 500 is oriented away from the second
flap 510, an opening may be created by the first flap 500 and the
second flap 510. This opening provides access to the top edge 512
of the second flap 500, which can be pulled downward to access the
interior of the waist pocket 160. The bottom edge 504 of the first
flap 500 may be pulled closer to the top edge 162 of the waist
pocket 160, while the top edge 512 of the second flap 510 may be
pulled downward, away from the top edge 162 of the waist pocket
160. Thus, the top edge 512 of the second flap 500 may be at least
partially exposed, such that the first flap 500 does not cover or
overlie the entire top edge 512 of the second flap 510. By pulling
the top edge 512 of the second flap 500 downward and the bottom
edge 504 of the first flap 500 upward, access is provided to the
interior of the waist pocket 160.
[0043] An object or item (i.e., mobile phone) may then be slipped
or forced between the interior surface of the first flap 500 and
the exterior surface of the second flap 510 such that the object
moves past the bottom edge 504 of the first flap 500 and the top
edge 512 of the second flap 500, and into the interior of the waist
pocket 160. When an object is positioned within the interior of the
waist pocket 160, the waist pocket 160 is reconfigured from the
empty configuration A, illustrated in FIGS. 6A and 6B, to the
expanded configuration B, illustrated in FIG. 6C. The waist pocket
160 expands to the expanded configuration B to accommodate
object(s) that may be larger in width and/or depth than the waist
pocket 160 in the empty configuration A. After the object has been
secured within the waist pocket 160, the first flap 500 and the
second flap 510 return to their closed position, where the first
flap 500 lies at least partially over the second flap 510, such
that the interior surface of the first flap 500 abuts against the
exterior surface of the second flap 510. Furthermore, the bottom
edge 504 of the first flap 500 is oriented lower than the top edge
512 of the second flap 510, such that the first flap 500 covers the
top edge 512 of the second flap 500.
[0044] As best illustrated in FIG. 5, the waist pocket 160 is
substantially equivalent to the size and shape of the second flap
510. The waist pocket 160 is defined by and disposed between the
first and second flaps 500, 510, the rear side 600 of the waist
pocket 160, and the sides 610, 612 of the waist portion 160. The
sides 610, 612 of the waist pocket 160 are substantially vertical,
making the waist pocket 160 substantially rectangular. In other
embodiments of the waist pocket 160, however, these sides 610, 612
may be angled or curved to give the waist pocket 160 another
shape.
[0045] FIGS. 7, 8A, 8B, 9A, 9B, 10, 11A, 11B, 12A, and 12B
illustrate a second embodiment of a garment or pants that can be
worn by a person, where the garment includes a pocket in the
waistband of the garment. Similar to the first embodiment of the
pants 10, the second embodiment of the pants 20 include a front
side 700, and a rear side oriented opposite of the front side 700,
a first (e.g., right) side 702 connecting the front side 700 to the
rear side, and a second (e.g., left) side 704 that is oriented
opposite of the first side 702 and also connects the front side 700
to the rear side. The second embodiment of the pants 20 further
include a top side 710 and a bottom side 720 oriented opposite of
the top side 710. Also similar to the first embodiment of the pants
10, the second embodiment of the pants 20 may contain a waist
portion 730, a first leg portion 740 extending downwardly from the
waist portion 730 proximate the first side 702, and a second leg
portion 750 extending downwardly from the waist portion 730
proximate the second side 702. As illustrated in FIG. 7, the waist
portion or waistband 730 is disposed proximate to the top 710 of
the pants 20 and includes a top edge 732 and a bottom edge 734. The
waist portion 730 defines opening 736 proximate to the top side 710
of the pants 20. Opening 736, similar to opening 136 of the first
embodiment of the pants 10, is configured to receive portions of
the body of the user wearing the pants 20. The waist portion 730
further includes an exterior surface 738 and an interior surface
739, where the interior surface 739 of the waist portion 730
contacts the portion of the body that the waist portion encircles.
As best illustrated in FIG. 7, the second embodiment of the pants
20 differs from the first embodiment of the pants 10 in that the
pocket 160 of the first embodiment of the pants 10 is disposed at
least partially on the exterior surface 138 of the waist portion
130 such that the waist pocket 160 is visible, while the waist
pocket of the second embodiment of the pants 20 is not visible when
viewing the exterior surface 738 of the waist portion 730.
[0046] Instead, as best illustrated in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the waist
pocket 800 of the second embodiment of the pants 20 is disposed on
the interior surface 739 of the waist portion 730. The waist pocket
800 may be disposed centrally on the interior surface 739 of the
front side 700 of the waist portion 730 of the pants 20. The waist
pocket 800 illustrated in FIGS. 8A and 8B is in the first or empty
configuration C. The waist pocket 800 includes a top edge 802, a
bottom edge 804 opposite the top edge 802, a first side 806
proximate the first side 702 of the pants 20, and a second side 808
proximate the second side 704 of the pants 20. The total length of
the waist pocket 800, or the distance between the first side 806
and the second side 808, is represented by L2. As illustrated in
FIGS. 8A and 8B, the top edge 802 of the waist pocket 800 is
disposed proximately to, and aligned with, the top edge 732 of the
waist portion 730. Similarly, the bottom edge 804 of the waist
pocket 800 is disposed proximate to, and aligned with, the bottom
edge 734 of the waist portion 730. The first side 806 and the
second side 808 are coupled to the waist portion 130 of the pants
10 via stitching 810 and/or bar tacks 812. The stitching 810 and
the bar tacks 812 may not be visible from the exterior surface 738
of the waist portion 730. In other embodiments, the first and
second sides 806, 808 may be coupled to the waist portion 730 via
other means, such as, but not limited to, adhesives, tape, bonding,
etc.
[0047] As further illustrated in FIG. 8A, proximate to the first
side 806 of the pocket 800, the interior surface 739 of the waist
portion 730 includes a set of bar tacks 814 that define openings
through which a drawstring may be threaded. Typical athletic shorts
contain a drawstring that extends centrally from the interior
surface of the waist portion, where the drawstrings are operable to
tighten the waist portion. However, when the pocket 800 is
centrally disposed on the interior surface 739 of the waist portion
730 of the pants 20, the drawstrings extending from the interior
surface 739 of the waist portion 730 may be shifted towards the
first side 702 or the second side 704. Thus, as FIG. 8A
illustrates, the set of bar tacks 814 proximate to the first side
806 of the pocket 800 define openings that enable a drawstring to
be threaded through the openings, where a drawstring extending from
the bar tacks 814 may be used to tighten the waist portion 730 of
the pants 20.
[0048] The embodiment of the pocket 800 illustrated in FIGS. 8A and
8B includes a backing sheet 850 that contains three exposed panels
820, 830, and 840 when in the empty configuration C. First exposed
panel 820 includes a top edge 822 and a bottom edge 824. Second
exposed panel 830 also includes a top edge 832 and a bottom edge
834. As illustrated, the bottom edge 824 of the first exposed panel
820 may be disposed proximate to, and aligned with, the top edge
832 of the second exposed panel 830. However, FIG. 8B illustrates
the bottom edge 824 of the first exposed panel 820 slightly
separated from the top edge 832 of the second exposed panel 830,
revealing other panels of the pocket 800. As further illustrated,
the top edge 822 of the first exposed panel 820 may be aligned with
the top edge 802 of the pocket 800, and thus the top edge 732 of
the waist portion 730, because the top edge 822 of the first
exposed panel 820 may also form, as further explained below, the
top edge 802 of the pocket 800 when the pocket is in the empty
configuration C. In addition, as best illustrated in the schematic
illustration of FIG. 8A, the bottom edge 834 of the second exposed
portion 830 may be disposed proximate to the bottom edge 804 of the
pocket 800, but is disposed far enough away from the bottom edge
804 of the pocket 800 to at least partially expose third exposed
panel 840.
[0049] As illustrated in FIG. 9A, the backing sheet 850 of the
pocket 800 includes a plurality of exposed or partially exposed
panels 820, 830, 840, and a plurality of unexposed panels 900, 910,
920, 930, 940. The exposed panels 820, 830, 840 are exposed when
viewing the interior surface 739 of the waist portion 730. As
previously explained, the first exposed surface 820 includes a top
edge, or top fold line, 822, and a bottom edge, or bottom fold
line, 824. Thus, first exposed surface 820 is defined by the top
edge 822 and the bottom edge 824. The first unexposed panel 900 is
defined by bottom edge 902 and top edge 822, and is covered by, or
layered behind, the first exposed panel 820. Thus, when the pocket
800 is in the empty configuration C, the first unexposed panel 900
is disposed within the interior of the pocket 800. The bottom edge
902 of the first unexposed panel 900 may include a binding 904 that
may encase elastic is undercut so that, when manipulated, the
binding 904 and bottom edge 902 of the unexposed panel 900 may
return to its position within the interior of the waist pocket 800.
The top edge 822 may form the top edge 802 of the pocket 800, where
the first exposed panel 820 on one side of the top edge 822 is
disposed on the exterior surface of the pocket 800 and the first
unexposed panel 900 on the opposite side of the top edge 822 is
disposed within the interior of the pocket 800 between the waist
portion 730 and the first exposed panel 820.
[0050] As further illustrated in FIG. 9A, the second unexposed
panel 910 may be defined by a first interior fold line 912 and
bottom edge 824 of the first exposed panel 820. Thus, as
illustrated, the second unexposed panel 910 is covered by, or
layered behind, the first exposed panel 820. The third unexposed
panel 920 may be defined by the first interior fold line 912 and
the second interior fold line 922. In addition, the fourth
unexposed panel 930 may be defined by the second interior fold line
922 and the top edge 832 of the second expose panel 830, while, as
previously explained, the second exposed panel 830 may be defined
by the top edge 832 and the bottom edge 834. Thus, as illustrated,
the fourth unexposed panel 930 is covered by, or layered behind,
the second exposed panel 830. The third unexposed panel 920 may be
located, or layered, behind both the second and fourth unexposed
panels 910, 930 and the first and second exposed panels 820, 830.
If the bottom edge 824 of the first exposed panel 820 separates
from the top edge 832 of the second exposed panel 830, the third
unexposed panel 920 may be at least partially exposed, as
illustrated in FIG. 8B.
[0051] The fifth unexposed panel 940 may be defined by the bottom
edge 834 of the second exposed panel 830 and the third interior
fold line 942. As illustrated, the fifth unexposed panel 940 may be
layered behind, and covered by, the second exposed panel 830, and
may be at least partially layered behind the fourth unexposed panel
930. Finally, the third exposed panel 830 may be defined by the
third interior fold line 942 and the bottom edge 804. As
illustrated in FIGS. 8A and 9A, the third exposed panel 830 may be
partially exposed with a portion of the third exposed panel 830
being layered behind the second exposed panel 830.
[0052] The backing sheet 850 of the pocket 800 being completely
unfolded is illustrated in FIG. 9B. Thus, FIG. 9B illustrates each
of the panels 820, 830, 840, 900, 910, 920, 930, 940 and each of
the fold lines 822, 824, 832, 834, 912, 922, 942. As illustrated,
the shaded panels 820, 830 are the panels that are exposed to the
interior of the pants 20 when the pocket 800 is in the empty
configuration C. The unshaded panels 900, 910, 920, 930, 940 are
the panels that are not exposed when the pocket 800 is in the empty
configuration C. As further illustrated in FIG. 9B, panel 840 is
partially shaded, which indicates the portion of the panel 840 that
is exposed and the portion of the panel 840 that is not exposed
when the pocket 800 is in the empty configuration C.
[0053] As best illustrated in FIGS. 9A and 9B, the first unexposed
panel 900 may have a height Y1 that spans between the bottom edge
902 and top edge/fold line 822. In addition, FIG. 9B illustrates
that the portion of the first unexposed panel 900 proximate to the
top edge/fold line 822 has a length of L2, while the portion of the
first unexposed panel 900 proximate to the bottom edge 902 has a
length of L3. The length L3 may be greater than the length L2,
where the length L2 is also the distance between the first and
second sides 806, 808 of the pocket 800. As further illustrated in
FIGS. 9A and 9B, the first exposed panel 820 may have a height Y2
that spans between the top edge/fold line 822 and the bottom
edge/fold line 824. The second unexposed panel 910 may have a
height of Y3 that spans between the bottom edge/fold line 824 and
the fold line 912, while the fourth unexposed panel 930 may have a
height of Y4 that spans between the fold line 922 and the top
edge/fold line 832. As best illustrated in FIG. 9B, the third
unexposed panel 920 may have a height of Y5, which may be
equivalent to the combination of Y3 and Y4. In other words, and as
illustrated in FIG. 9A, the height Y5 of the third unexposed panel
920 may be equivalent to the combined heights of the second
unexposed panel 910 and the fourth unexposed panel 930.
[0054] As further illustrated, the second exposed panel 830 may
have a height of Y6 that spans between the top edge/fold line 832
and the bottom edge/fold line 834. The fifth unexposed panel 940
may have a height of Y7 that spans between the bottom edge/fold
line 834 and the fold line 942. The third exposed panel 840, which
is only partially exposed, may have a height of Y8 that spans
between the fold line 942 and the bottom edge 804 of the pocket
800. As further illustrated, the unexposed portion of the third
exposed panel 840 may have a height of Y9, which may be equivalent
to the height Y7 of the fifth unexposed panel 940, and the exposed
portion of the third exposed panel 840 may have a height of
Y10.
[0055] In one embodiment of the pocket 800, Y1 may be equal to 1
inch, and Y2 may be equal to 0.875 inches. Heights Y3, Y4, Y7, and
Y9 may all be equal to one another and equal to 0.5 inches. The
height Y5 may be equal to 1 inch, while the height Y6 may be equal
to 0.75 inches. In addition, height Y10 may be equal to 0.125
inches. Thus, the height Y8, which may be equal to Y9 plus Y10, may
be 0.625 inches. The length L2 between the first side 810 and the
second side 820 may be equal to 7.5 inches, while the length L3 of
the bottom edge 902 of the first unexposed panel 900 may be 8
inches. Other embodiments of the pocket 800 may contain different
dimensions.
[0056] Furthermore, as best illustrated in FIG. 8A, each of the
panels 820, 830, 840, 900, 910, 920, 930, 940 and each of the fold
lines 822, 824, 832, 834, 912, 922, 942 span the distance L2 across
the waist pocket 800. The panels 820, 830, 840, 900, 910, 920, 930,
940 and the fold lines 822, 824, 832, 834, 912, 922, 942, moreover,
are also bound or coupled to the waist portion 730 via stitching
810 and/or bar tacks 812. Because the panels 820, 830, 840, 900,
910, 920, 930, 940 and the fold lines 822, 824, 832, 834, 912, 922,
942 are bound by stitching 810 and/or bar tacks 812, when the waist
pocket 800 returns to the empty configuration C from the expanded
configuration D, the panels 820, 830, 840, 900, 910, 920, 930, 940
and the fold lines 822, 824, 832, 834, 912, 922, 942 are reformed
and take shape.
[0057] In one embodiment, the waist pocket 800, and more
specifically, the panels 820, 830, 840, 900, 910, 920, 930, 940,
may be constructed from a polyester blended fabric similar to the
front flaps 500, 510 or the rear side 600 of the first embodiment
of the waist pocket 160. This construction, however, provides the
pocket 800 with a degree of resiliency that enables the panels 820,
830, 840, 900, 910, 920, 930, 940 to stretch into the expanded
configuration D, illustrated in FIGS. 12A and 12B, when an object
is placed within the interior of the waist pocket 800, and return
to the empty configuration C, where the plurality of panels 820,
830, 840, 900, 910, 920, 930, 940 and the plurality of fold lines
822, 824, 832, 834, 912, 922, 942 are reformed. In addition,
because the panels 822, 824, 832, 834, 912, 922, 942 of the waist
pocket 800 are facing the interior of the pants 20, when the pants
20 are worn by a user, the panels 822, 824, 832, 834, 912, 922, 942
may abut or contact the user. Thus, the panels 822, 824, 832, 834,
912, 922, 942 may include anti-microbial/moisture wicking
properties to prevent sweat from the user's body coming in contact
with the objects placed within the waist pocket 800.
[0058] In order to place objects (e.g., mobile electronic devices,
wallets, credit cards, keys, etc.) within the pocket 800, the top
edge 802 of the pocket 800 must first be separated from the top
edge 732 of the waist portion 730 as illustrated in FIG. 10.
Because the pocket 800 is disposed on the interior surface 739 of
the waist portion 730, when separating the top edge 802 of the
pocket 800 from the top edge 732 of the waist portion 730, the top
edge 802 of the pocket 800 may be pulled towards the user wearing
the pants 20 and/or the top edge 732 of the waist portion 730 may
be pulled away from the user wearing the pants 20. As illustrated
in FIG. 10, separating the top edge 802 of the pocket 800 from the
top edge 732 of the waist portion 730 creates an opening 1000 that
exposes the interior 1010 of the pocket 800. The interior 1010 of
the pocket 800 may be defined by the panels 820, 830, 840, 900,
910, 920, 930, 940 and the interior surface 739 of the waist
portion 730, where the interior surface 739 of the waist portion
730 is disposed opposite of the panels 820, 830, 840, 900, 910,
920, 930, 940. Thus, the interior surface 739 of the waist portion
730 may form the front side 1020 of the interior 1010 of the pocket
800, while the backing sheet 850 with panels 820, 830, 840, 900,
910, 920, 930, 940 may form at least a portion of the rear side
1030 of the interior 1010 of the pocket 800. The interior 1010 of
the pocket 800 is also bound by the first and second sides 806, 808
of the pocket 800.
[0059] When viewing the interior 1010 of the pocket 800 through the
opening 1000, at least some of the unexposed panels 900, 910, 920,
930, 940 and the fold lines 912, 922, 942 of the backing sheet 850
may be visible. Furthermore, the bottom edge 902 and the binding
904 of the first unexposed panel 900 may also be visible through
the opening 1000.
[0060] Once the opening 1000 has been formed between the top edge
802 of the pocket 800 and the top edge 732 of the waist portion
730, an object 1100, such as a mobile electronic device, may be
placed within the interior 1010 of the pocket 800 as illustrated in
FIGS. 11A and 11B. Once placed within the interior 1010 of the
pocket 800, the first unexposed panel 900 may be slipped over the
object to place the object 1100 between the first unexposed panel
900 and the other panels 820, 830, 840, 910, 920, 930, 940. As
illustrated in FIG. 11A, the bottom edge 902 and the binding 904 of
the first unexposed panel 900 are slid over the top of the object
1100 to position the object 1100 between the first unexposed panel
900 and the other panels 820, 830, 840, 910, 920, 930, 940. The
longer length L3 of the bottom edge 902 may more easily allow
objects to be positioned between the first unexposed panel 900 and
the other panels 820, 830, 840, 910, 920, 930, 940. As illustrated
in FIG. 11B, once the object is disposed between the first
unexposed panel 900 and the other panels 820, 830, 840, 910, 920,
930, 940, the user continues to slide the bottom edge 902 and the
binding 904 of the first unexposed panel 900 down the object 1100
causing the other panels 820, 830, 840, 910, 920, 930, 940 of the
backing sheet 850 to become at least partially unfolded along the
edges/fold lines 822, 824, 832, 834, 912, 922, 942 and increasing
the overall height of the pocket 800 (e.g., the distance between
the bottom edge 804 and the top edge 802). The sliding of the
bottom edge 902 and the binding 904 of the first unexposed panel
900 down the object 1100 causes the pocket 800 to be reconfigured
from the empty configuration C to the expanded configuration D. The
overall height of the pocket 800 when in the expanded configuration
D may vary depending on the size of the object 1100 placed within
the interior 1010 of the pocket 800. Therefore, the larger the
object 1100 disposed within the pocket 800, the larger the distance
between the bottom edge 804 and the top edge 802 of the pocket 800.
Moreover, the larger the object 1100 disposed within the pocket
800, the more the panels 820, 830, 840, 910, 920, 930, 940 of the
backing sheet 850 become unfolded. In other words, the larger the
object 1100, the panels 820, 830, 840, 910, 920, 930, 940 and the
fold lines 822, 824, 832, 834, 912, 922, 942 become less
visible.
[0061] The bottom edge 902 and the binding 904 of the first
unexposed panel 900 must be slid down the object 1100 disposed
within the interior 1010 of the pocket 800 so that the bottom edge
902 and binding 904 are positioned lower than the top edge 732 of
the waist portion 730. This ensures that the object 1100 is secured
within the pocket 800 when the pocket 800 is in the expanded
configuration D. As further illustrated, sliding the bottom edge
902 and the binding 904 of the first unexposed panel 900 down the
object 1100 also raises the top edge 802 of the pocket 800 beyond
the top edge 732 of the waist portion 730. The resilient and
elastic nature of the panels 820, 830, 840, 900, 910, 920, 930,
940, and/or the binding 904 of the backing sheet 850 secure the
object against the interior surface 739 of the waist portion 730.
The resilient and elastic nature of the panels 820, 830, 840, 900,
910, 920, 930, 940, and/or the binding 904 of the backing sheet 850
also keeps the first unexposed panel 900 folded over the object
1100 disposed within the pocket 800. Because the first unexposed
panel 900 is disposed over the object 1100 such that the bottom
edge 902 of the first unexposed panel 900 is oriented lower than
the top edge 732 of the waist portion 730, the first unexposed
panel 900 serves as a cap, lid, or cover for objects 1100 placed
within the interior 1010 of the pocket 800.
[0062] As previously explained, FIGS. 12A and 12B illustrated the
pocket 800 in the fully expanded configuration D, where an object
1100 is disposed within the interior 1010 of the pocket 800. As
illustrated in FIG. 12A, when in the expanded configuration D, the
exposed panels 820, 830, 840 separate from one another, and become
at least partially unfolded, causing at least some of the unexposed
panels 910, 920, 930, 940 to be visible from the interior of the
pants 20. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 12A, the object
1100 placed within the interior 1010 of the pocket 800 causes the
bottom edge 824 of the first exposed panel 820 to separate from the
top edge 832 of the second exposed panel 830 to reveal at least the
third unexposed panel 920. FIG. 12A further illustrates how the
panels 820, 830, 840, 900, 910, 920, 930, 940 and the fold lines
822, 824, 832, 834, 912, 922, 942 of the backing sheet 850 are
bound or coupled to the waist portion 730 at the first side 806 and
the second side 808 of the pocket 800. Thus, once the object 1100
is removed from the pocket 800, the backing sheet 850 is returned
to its configuration or form when the pocket is in the empty
configuration, where the backing sheet 850 contains the panels 820,
830, 840, 900, 910, 920, 930, 940 and the fold lines 822, 824, 832,
834, 912, 922, 942.
[0063] FIG. 12B best illustrates how, when the pocket 800 is in the
expanded configuration D, the top edge 802 of the pocket 800 is no
longer aligned with the top edge 732 of the waist portion 730 and
is disposed above the top edge 732 of the waist portion 730.
[0064] When the pants 10 and pants 20 are worn by a wearer, the
waist portions 130, 730 are stretched and/or deformed outwardly or
laterally. More specifically, when the waist portions 130, 730 are
stretched and/or deformed laterally, the openings 136, 736 formed
by the waist portions 130, 730, respectively, increase in
diameter.
[0065] With respect to the first embodiment of the pants 10, the
lateral stretching of the waist portion 130 causes the first flap
500 to also stretch laterally. Because the first flap 500 is
fixedly coupled to the top edge 732 of the waist portion 130 and
the first and second sides 506, 508, the lateral stretching of the
first flap 500 creates a tension closure over the second flap 510
to secure the pocket 160 closed. Because of the first and second
seams 614, the lateral stretching of the waist portion 130 creates
opposing tensile forces on the pocket 160, which causes the first
flap 500 to press against the second flap 510. In other words, the
opposing tensile forces cause the interior surface of the first
flap 500 to abut or contact the exterior surface of the second flap
510. As the amount or degree of stretching of the waist portion 130
in the outward or lateral direction increases, the amount of the
opposing tensile forces that act on the first flap 500 also
increases. Thus, the greater the amount of stretching of the waist
portion 130, the stronger the amount of tension in the first flap
500 that keeps the first flap 500 pressed against the second flap
510 to secure items within the pocket 160. In other words, as the
lateral load on the waist portion 130 increases, the forces that
force the first flap 500 to locks down onto the second flap 510 to
secure items within the pocket 160 also increases.
[0066] Continuing with the first embodiment of the pants 10, the
first and the second flaps 500, 510 and the rear side 600 may
together act as an adaptable and dynamic pocket system. Because
each of the first and the second flaps 500, 510 and the rear side
600 are constructed from materials with the same or similar degrees
of resiliency, the pocket 160 is adaptable to the person wearing
the pants 10 and the items stored within the pocket 160 of the
pants 10. Because of the resilient nature of the flaps 500, 510 and
the rear side 600, as the lateral load on the waist portion 130
increases, the opposing tensile forces on these components 500,
510, 600 also increases, causing these components 500, 510, 600 to
stretch laterally. These components 500, 510, 600, however, are
configured to stretch simultaneously, or in unison, so that the
first flap 500 still serves as a tension closure to the pocket 160.
As previously explained, as the amount or degree of stretching of
the waist portion 130 in the outward or lateral direction
increases, the opposing tensile forces that act on the components
500, 510, 600 also increases.
[0067] With respect to the second embodiment of the pants 20, the
lateral stretching of the waist portion 730 causes the backing
sheet 850 to also stretch laterally. Because the backing sheet 850
is fixedly coupled to the waist portion 730 at the first and second
sides 806, 808 of the pocket 800, the lateral stretching of the
backing sheet 850 creates a tension closure to secure the pocket
800 closed. More specifically, because of the first and second
seams 810 and/or the bar tacks 812, the lateral stretching of the
waist portion 730 creates opposing tensile forces on the pocket
800, which causes the first unexposed panel 900 to press against
the exposed portion of the backing sheet 850. The opposing tensile
forces on the pocket 800 also causes the backing sheet 850,
including the first unexposed panel 900, to press against the
interior surface 739 of the waist portion 730, which closes the
opening 1000. In addition to the tensile forces imparted onto the
pocket 800 by the lateral stretching of the waist portion 730,
because the backing sheet 850 is disposed on the interior surface
739 of the waist portion 730 (i.e., the side of the waist portion
730 that faces the user wearing the pants 20), when the pants 20
are worn by a user, the user's body presses the backing sheet 850
against the interior surface 739 of the waist portion 730. As the
amount or degree of stretching of the waist portion 730 in the
outward or lateral direction increases, the amount of the opposing
tensile forces that act on the first unexposed panel 900 and the
remaining portions of the backing sheet 850 also increases. Thus,
the greater the amount of stretching of the waist portion 730, the
stronger the amount of tension in the first unexposed panel 900
that keeps the first unexposed panel 900 pressed against the
remaining portions of the backing sheet 850 to secure items within
the pocket 800.
[0068] The backing sheet 850 acts together with the waist portion
730 as an adaptable and dynamic pocket system. Because the backing
sheet 850 and the waist portion 730 are constructed from materials
with the same or similar degrees of resiliency, the pocket 800 is
adaptable to the person wearing the pants 20 and the items stored
within the pocket 800 of the pants 20. Because of the resilient
nature of the backing sheet 850 and the waist portion 730, as the
lateral load on the waist portion 730 increases, the opposing
tensile forces on backing sheet 850 also increases, causing backing
sheet 850 to stretch laterally. The backing sheet 850, however, is
configured to stretch simultaneously, or in unison, with the waist
portion 730 so that the first unexposed panel 900 and the remaining
portions of the backing sheet 850 still serve as a closure to the
pocket 800. As previously explained, as the amount or degree of
stretching of the waist portion 730 in the outward or lateral
direction increases, the opposing tensile forces that act on the
backing sheet 850 also increases.
[0069] With the pockets 160, 800 being disposed on the front side
100, 700 of pants 10, 20, respectively, the pockets 160, 800 are
easily accessible by users wearing the pants 10, 20. Thus, users
may easily secure objects 1100 within the pockets 160, 800 while
wearing the pants 10, 20 and performing activities (e.g., running,
playing sports, working out, etc.). It then follows that objects
disposed within the pockets 160, 800 are also easily accessed by
users wearing the pants 10, 20 while also performing
activities.
[0070] While the invention has been described in detail and with
reference to specific embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to
one skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can
be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope
thereof.
[0071] Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers the
modifications and variations of this invention provided they come
within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. It
is to be understood that terms such as "top", "bottom", "front",
"rear", "side", "height", "length", "width", "upper", "lower",
"interior", "exterior", and the like as may be used herein, merely
describe points of reference and do not limit the present invention
to any particular orientation or configuration.
[0072] Although the disclosed inventions are illustrated and
described herein as embodied in one or more specific examples, it
is nevertheless not intended to be limited to the details shown,
since various modifications and structural changes may be made
therein without departing from the scope of the inventions and
within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims. In
addition, various features from one of the embodiments may be
incorporated into another of the embodiments. Accordingly, it is
appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a
manner consistent with the scope of the disclosure as set forth in
the following claims.
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