US20160007665A1

US20160007665A1 - Flex pocket

Info

Publication number: US20160007665A1
Application number: US14/795,680
Authority: US
Inventors: Mark Wayne Austin
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-07-09
Filing date: 2015-07-09
Publication date: 2016-01-14

Abstract

The invention embodies a process of combining two fabric blend materials to create a flexible open ended pocket for jeans, pants and garments in an external dedicated location. The pocket provides easy accessibility for cell phones and other technical devices. The pocket conforms to said devices securing it in place with a compression force to prevent undesired removal.

Description

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention
The present application relates generally to clothing and, more particularly, to a stretchable pocket to hold items.
2. Description of Related Art
In the present market, clothing items such as pants and shorts have a number of pockets. The pockets are typically made from the same material as the main portions of the clothing item. The fabric is typically not repeatedly stretchable without eventual distortion. Therefore, for pockets to be useful, pockets are designed to have a gap or space between them and the body of the clothing item. Traditional pockets have a number of disadvantages. For example, pockets are usually one size meaning the opening size is set. Objects tend to be different sizes and can either not fit in the pocket or be too small and fall out. No tension is applied for varied sized objects.
Although great strides have been made with respect to pockets in clothing items, considerable shortcomings remain. A new type of pocket is needed that permits for flexible expansion to accommodate different sized objects and provides tension on the object within the pocket to prevent undesired removal of the object.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following is intended to be a brief summary of the invention and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention related to an external opened pocket to garments (i.e. pants, jeans, and shorts) through the configuration of combining two separate materials. The materials may be a cotton blend and a synthetic blended in a process manufactured to maximize flex and providing conformity to an object within the pocket. The flexibility of the pocket provides easy accessibility to accommodate technical devices and other items.
An object of the present application is the incorporation of two fabric blends being unified into a single exterior layer coupled to a garment to produce a pocket. One fabric is similar in form and function to fabric used in the garment. The other fabric is configured to be stretchable without concern for deformation. The exterior layer is exposed on the garment and is configured to selectively stretch to accommodate varied sized objects.
It is a further object of the present application that the pocket materials are configured to generate a tension force designed to press the object within the pocket against the clothing item to prevent undesired removal.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features believed characteristic of the application are set forth in the appended claims. However, the application itself, as well as a preferred mode of use, and further objectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a series of front views and side views of a flex pocket on a garment according to the preferred embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the flex pocket of FIG. 1 having a plurality of blends;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the flex pocket of FIG. 2 including and exterior seam allowance;

FIG. 4 is a side view of a first blend in the flex pocket of FIG. 2 having cotton blend materials; and

FIG. 5 is a side view of a second blend of the flex pocket of FIG. 2 having synthetic materials;

While the system and method of the present application is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the description herein of specific embodiments is not intended to limit the application to the particular embodiment disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the process of the present application as defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Illustrative embodiments of the preferred embodiment are described below. In the interest of clarity, not all features of an actual implementation are described in this specification. It will of course be appreciated that in the development of any such actual embodiment, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve the developer's specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which will vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it will be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time-consuming but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.
In the specification, reference may be made to the spatial relationships between various components and to the spatial orientation of various aspects of components as the devices are depicted in the attached drawings. However, as will be recognized by those skilled in the art after a complete reading of the present application, the devices, members, apparatuses, etc. described herein may be positioned in any desired orientation. Thus, the use of terms to describe a spatial relationship between various components or to describe the spatial orientation of aspects of such components should be understood to describe a relative relationship between the components or a spatial orientation of aspects of such components, respectively, as the device described herein may be oriented in any desired direction.
The system in accordance with the present application overcomes one or more of the above-discussed problems commonly associated with conventional pockets on the exterior of a garment. Specifically, the system of the present application is configured to provide an external layer over a garment that is composed of a plurality of materials designed to flex or stretch to conform to the shape of an object placed in the pocket. The system includes separate distinct layers of fabric combined into a single layer. The pocket is configured to provide a tension force to press the objects in the pocket against the garment. These and other unique features of the system are discussed below and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
The system will be understood, both as to its structure and operation, from the accompanying drawings, taken in conjunction with the accompanying description. Several embodiments of the system are presented herein. It should be understood that various components, parts, and features of the different embodiments may be combined together and/or interchanged with one another, all of which are within the scope of the present application, even though not all variations and particular embodiments are shown in the drawings. It should also be understood that the mixing and matching of features, elements, and/or functions between various embodiments is expressly contemplated herein so that one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate from this disclosure that the features, elements, and/or functions of one embodiment may be incorporated into another embodiment as appropriate, unless otherwise described.
The pocket system of the present application is illustrated in the associated drawings. Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference characters identify corresponding or similar elements in form and function throughout the several views. FIG. 1 in the drawings illustrates pocket system 101 coupled to a garment 103. System 101 is configured to flex or stretch as items are placed into and/or removed from system 101. System 101 includes a plurality of separate fabrics coupled together to form a single fabric layer. The fabric layer is coupled to garment 103 at selected locations, as seen in FIG. 1. External layer 18 and 16 are shown on different portions of garment 103.
Referring now also to FIGS. 2-3 in the drawings, external layer 16 is illustrated in more detail. System 101 integrates two materials comprised of a cotton blend 10 b and a synthetic blend 10 a to form a flexible pocket in an external open ended application for holding items, such as cell phones and other technical devices. The process of integrating the two fabric blend materials increases the stability of flex within layer 16. At the same time, use of the two fabrics limits the gathering and drag that conforms to the items. Additionally, use of the two fabrics avoids bunching issues of garment 103 where too much gathering force is realized.
It is understood that the particular size of layer 16/18 of system 101 is not limiting and that additional shapes and designs are contemplated herein that may still be within the scope of the present description. System 101 is configured to attach to garment 103 in such a manner to provide a pocket having at least one entry location and one exit location. Any other shapes or edge designs are herein contemplated. For example, the length may be six inches and the width of layer 16 may be four and one quarter inches.
Layer 16 is coupled to garment 103 at the apex with a rivet wherein the edge 11 below and around the base and along the length of blend 10 a is sewn in communication with garment 103. Layer 16 descends in a concaved slope but not limited to one and one-half inches to edge 11 at blend 10 a.
As seen in FIG. 3, layer 16 is prepped in the process of joining with garment 103 by blinding stitching seam allowances 12. Top stitching the bottom intersection of blend 10 a in FIG. 2 up to the apex of blend 10 b. Layer 16 is affixed to the top panel of garment 103 but not limited to three inches below the apex of the side seam top portion of garment 103. Top stitching is used around the periphery of layer 16 from the apex of blend 10 a around to the apex of 10 b. There is no stitching along the top blend 10 a to permit a maximum flex to allow conforming to items. FIG. 3 depicts outside seam allowance 12 for layer 16. Seam allowance 12 is not limited to one-half inch of the embodiment of the two fabric blends 10 a/10 b to start configuration process to construct the pocket. Pocket is created upon attachment of layer 16/18 with garment 103. Seam allowance 12 is shown around edge 11 of layer 16, but not at the opening portion of blend 10 a.
Referring now also to FIG. 4 in the drawings, cotton blend 10 b is illustrated in more detail. The size of blend 10 b is not limited to that shown. An exemplary size is seven inches in length by three inches in width along the right side. From the top, at point 8 c starts a descending concaved slope to point 8 b. Along the left side from point 8 b to 8 a, the length can be five inches. A one-quarter inch seam allowance is permitted. Other sized may be used and are contemplated.
Referring now also to FIG. 5 in the drawings, synthetic blend 10 a is illustrated in more detail. FIG. 4 depicts a particular size but is not limited to that shown. As seen, blend 10 a may have a width of two and three-quarter inches and a length of eleven inches. A seam allowance is also used. The seam allowance may be one-quarter inch. Seam allowance 8 d and 8 e may be different sizes or the same size. Seam allowance 8 e is used to couple to blend 10 b to construct the two fabric blends of layer 16. Blend 10 a is folded in half with the length but not limited to five inches. Blind stitching is used as a means of treating and tailoring the edges of blends 10 a/10 b.
There are a plurality of benefits of system 101. The two blend portions of layer 16 allows for the controlled and measured flexation of layer 16 during the insertion and removal of items between layer 16 and garment 103. Additionally, the flexation of blend 10 a provides a tension compressive force against such items configured to press the items against garment 103. This prevents slippage from the pocket during movement or while stationary.
It is understood that the functions and features of layer 16 apply equally to that of layer 18. Layers 16 and 18 being mirror images of one another and differ in their respective location on garment 103 as seen in FIG. 1. The sizing of blends 10 a/10 b may be altered as desired. Additionally, blends 10 a/10 b may be alternated wherein more than one blend portion of 10 a and 10 b are used to form a single layer for the pocket.
The current application has many advantages over the prior art including at least the following: (1) flexation of the pocket during removal and insertion of objects; (2) compressive force to press items against the garment; (3) layer of two or more fabric blends; (4) each blend having a different flexation property; and (5) protection of items in the pocket by allowing the layer to conform to the size and shape of the item.
The particular embodiments disclosed above are illustrative only, as the application may be modified and practiced in different but equivalent manners apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings herein. It is therefore evident that the particular embodiments disclosed above may be altered or modified, and all such variations are considered within the scope and spirit of the application. Accordingly, the protection sought herein is as set forth in the description. It is apparent that an application with significant advantages has been described and illustrated. Although the present application is shown in a limited number of forms, it is not limited to just these forms, but is amenable to various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A pocket system, comprising:

a first blend, the first blend configured to stretch and flex;

a second blend coupled to the first blend to form a single layer;

wherein the layer is coupled to the exterior of a garment to form a pocket, the pocket configured to flex and conform to the shape of items placed therein.

2. The pocket system of claim 1, wherein the second blend is a cotton blend.

3. The pocket system of claim 1, wherein the first blend is a synthetic blend.

4. The pocket system of claim 1, wherein the layer is coupled to the garment via a sewing stitch.

5. The pocket system of claim 1, wherein the layer is coupled to the garment with a rivet.

6. The pocket system of claim 1, wherein the first blend is a synthetic material configured to maximize the flexation of the pocket to provide conformity to the items within the pocket.

7. The pocket system of claim 1, further comprising:

a third blend coupled to at least one of the first blend and the second blend.

8. The pocket system of claim 1, wherein the first blend is configured to provide a compression force against the items within the pocket to press the items against the garment.

9. The pocket system of claim 1, wherein use of the first blend and the second blend is configured to increase the stability of flex while limiting the gathering and drag.