US20100000003A1 - Upper garment with pockets - Google Patents

Abstract

An upper garment with a travel pocket includes a panel covering a part of a wearer's body and a first pocket positioned on the panel generally below a waist line of the wearer. The first pocket is accessible to the wearer from a first top side of the first pocket, wherein said first top side is substantially along the waist line of the wearer. A second pocket is positioned between the first pocket and the panel, and is accessible to the wearer from a first top side of said second pocket. A first fastener mechanism reversibly closes the first top side of the first pocket with respect to the panel.

Description

REFERENCE TO CROSS-RELATED APPLICATIONS
• This application claims benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/129,563, entitled “TRAVEL POCKET B,” and filed Jul. 7, 2008, U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/129,564, entitled “TRAVEL POCKET C,” and filed Jul. 7, 2008, U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/129,565, entitled “TRAVEL POCKET D,” and filed Jul. 7, 2008, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/129,562, entitled “TRAVEL POCKET E” and filed Jul. 7, 2008, which applications are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.
FIELD OF INVENTION
• The present invention is in the field of upper garments and more particularly to pockets for upper garments and other clothing items.
BACKGROUND
• Pockets have been traditionally provided on garments to enable the wearers to store items conveniently on their person. The use of pockets helps free up the hands of the wearer and may dispense with the need to carry a handbag or a purse. As is known in the art, the pockets on the garments have been used to carry small and/or valuable items on the person of the wearer. Such items may include keys, money, credit and debit cards, wallets, passports. There is a risk of such items falling out of a pocket. There is also a risk that a pick-pocket may steal such valuable items from the wearer. Alternatives are desired.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• According to an embodiment of the invention, an upper garment with a travel pocket includes a panel covering at least a waist section of a wearer's body. The panel is adapted to be tucked into a lower garment worn by the wearer at least along a waist-line of the wearer. A first pocket is positioned on the panel generally below the waistline of the wearer. The first pocket is adapted to be generally tucked into the lower garment and is accessible to the wearer from a first top side of the first pocket. The first top side is substantially along the waist line of the wearer. A second pocket is positioned within the first pocket and is accessible to the wearer from a second top side of the second pocket. The upper garment further includes a first fastener mechanism for reversibly closing the first top side of the first pocket with respect to the panel.
• According to another embodiment of the invention, an upper garment includes a panel covering at least a waist area of a wearer. A second panel is attached to the first panel generally below a waist line of the wearer. The second panel is attached to the first panel and defines a first pocket. The first pocket is accessible to the wearer through a first opening defined along an edge of the second panel. A third panel is disposed between the first and second panels. The third panel is attached to either the first panel or the second panel defining a second pocket. The second panel is accessible to the wearer through a second opening defined along an edge of the third panel. The upper garment also includes a fastener mechanism for reversibly controlling access to the first pocket through the first opening of the first pocket. The fastener mechanism includes a first element positioned on the first panel and a second element positioned on the second panel. The first and second elements cooperatively control access to the first pocket.
• According to an aspect of the invention, a method includes a step of tucking in a waist section of an upper garment into a lower garment, wherein the upper garment covers at least a waist section of a wearer and wherein the lower garment is worn by the wearer at least along a waist line of the wearer. The upper garment includes a first and a second pocket positioned on the waist section of the upper garment. The first and second pockets are adapted to be substantially tucked into the lower garment below the waist line. The second pocket is positioned within the first pocket. In the tucking step, the first and second pockets are concealed by the lower garment.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• Understanding of the present invention will be facilitated by consideration of the following detailed description of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like numerals refer to like parts and in which:
• FIG. 1 is a front view of an upper garment with a travel pocket, according to an embodiment of the invention;
• FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing an internal pocket within the travel pocket ofFIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the invention;
• FIG. 3 is a rear view of the travel pocket ofFIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the invention;
• FIG. 4 is a front view of an upper garment with a travel pocket, according to a second embodiment of the invention;
• FIG. 5 is front view of an internal pocket within the travel pocket ofFIG. 4, according to the second embodiment of the invention;
• FIG. 6 is a front view of the internal pocket ofFIG. 5, after three compartments are created therein, according to the second embodiment of the invention;
• FIG. 7 is a front view of an upper garment with a travel pocket, according to a third embodiment of the invention;
• FIG. 8 is a sectional view showing an internal pocket, with three compartments, within the travel pocket ofFIG. 7, according to the third embodiment of the invention;
• FIG. 9 is a front view of an upper garment with a travel pocket, according to a fourth embodiment of the invention; and
• FIG. 10 is a sectional view showing the internal compartments of an internal pocket attached to the travel pocket ofFIG. 9, according to the fourth embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
• It is to be understood that the figures and descriptions of the present invention have been simplified to illustrate elements that are relevant for a clear understanding of the present invention, while eliminating, for purposes of clarity, many other elements found in typical garments and other clothing items. However, because such elements are well known in the art, and because they do not facilitate a better understanding of the present invention, a discussion of such elements is not provided herein. The disclosure herein is directed to all such variations and modifications known to those skilled in the art.
• Referring toFIG. 1, anupper garment100 with apocket120 is illustrated, according to a first embodiment of the invention. In the illustrated embodiment,upper garment100 is a T-shirt. However, it will be clear to one of ordinary skill in the art thatupper garment100 may also include other clothing articles such as a shirt, under-shirt, vest, tank-top, thermal wear, tube-top, long underwear, sleeveless shirt, golf shirt, long-sleeve shirt, and any other clothing article which covers at least a section of the trunk downward of the mid-riff of a wearer and which may be tucked into a lower garment such as a trouser or a skirt. A section ofupper garment100, which covers the section of trunk downward of the mid-riff of a wearer, and which is generally tucked into, or adapted to be tucked into, a lower garment such as a pair of trousers, shorts, or a skirt, for example, by the wearer, will be referred as a “waist section” hereafter.Upper garment100 does not extend significantly below the torso of the wearer, thereby adapting waist section ofupper garment100 to be tucked into the lower garment. In an embodiment of the invention,upper garment100 includes only a waist section. In other embodiments,upper garment100 further includes an upper section which generally covers the body section upward of the mid-riff of the wearer. A waist-line110 of a wearer is generally illustrated by two parallel dashed lines, denoted by letter “W”. Awaist section115 ofupper garment100 is illustrated inFIG. 1. Generally,waist section115 is tucked, or adapted to be tucked, in a lower garment such a pair of trousers or a skirt, for example, by the wearer. Ifupper garment100 is a T-shirt, by way of non-limiting example only,waist section115 would have a length generally about 20% to 35% of the total length ofupper garment100, as measured from a bottom edge ofupper garment100.
• Pocket120 is defined by apanel160 attached to apanel105 ofupper garment100.Pocket120, denoted by letter “A,” has fouredges122,124,126, and128. In the illustrated embodiment, edges122 and126 represent two side edges,edge124 represents bottom edge andedge128 represents a top edge. While the embodiment ofFIG. 1 showsadjacent edges122,124 and124,126 as perpendicular to each other, it is understood that one or more ofedges122,124,126 may be curved or rounded. In the illustrated embodiment,panel160 is attached to an exterior front surface, designated as apanel105, ofupper garment100 at first, second, andthird edges122,124,126, definingpocket120. In the illustrated embodiment,panel160 is sewn topanel105 ofupper garment100 atedges122,124,126 bystitches150, represented by dashed lines. In another embodiment,panel160 may be attached toupper garment100 on an interior side (not shown) ofpanel105. It is also understood that in other embodiments,panel160 may be attached to a back panel or side panels ofupper garment100. Thus,panel160 in conjunction withpanel105 defines a generallyflat pocket120 without any appreciable bulge inpanel160.Pocket120 is dimensioned to hold generally flat objects such as passports and bank cards and other objects such as a thin portable music player. Anopening140 is defined attop edge128, betweenpanel105 andpanel160.Opening140 is defined generally along a top edge of waist-section115. Afastener mechanism130 reversibly closes opening140 and thus controls access topocket120. In the illustrated embodiment,fastener mechanism130 takes the form of a hook and loop fastener commercially available, for example, under the trade-mark Velcro®. In other embodiments,fastener mechanism130 includes one or more of a zipper, buttons, snap-fasteners and other fastener mechanisms known in the art. An advantage offastener mechanism130 is thatmechanism130 prevents objects stored withinpocket120 from falling out ofpocket120 accidentally. In an embodiment of the invention,panel160 is conveniently made of the same fabric as that ofpanel105. In other embodiments,panel160 is made of a fabric different than the fabric ofpanel105.
• Still referring toFIG. 1,pocket120 is positioned inwaist section115 ofupper garment100 such that when a wearer wearsupper garment100,pocket120 is positioned, to a large extent or generally, below waist-line110 ofgarment100 and consequently, below the waist-line of the wearer. Thus, by the virtue of its position onwaist section115, and relative to a waist-line of the wearer,pocket120 is adapted to be tucked into a lower garment such as a pair of trousers or shorts or a skirt. Opening140 ofpocket120 is positioned substantially along waist-line110 ofgarment100, and consequently, along the waist-line of the wearer. An advantage ofupper garment100 having apocket120 generally disposed belowwaistline110 ofpanel105 is that whenwaist section115 ofgarment100 is tucked into a trouser or a skirt or other lower garment by the wearer,pocket120 is also generally tucked into and concealed by such lower garment. Aconcealed pocket120 is less likely to draw attention of, and less likely to be picked by, a pick-pocket, for example. Furthermore,concealed pocket120 is adapted to hold generally flat and/or thin objects, and therefore is inconspicuous. Moreover, opening140 ofpocket120, being substantially along waist-line110 of the wearer, remains generally accessible to the wearer, without any significant inconvenience.
• Referring now toFIG. 2, aninternal pocket260, denoted by letter “B,” disposed onupper garment100 is illustrated, according to the first embodiment of the invention. Afirst element235 offastener mechanism130 is also illustrated.First element235 is fixedly attached toupper garment100. In an exemplary embodiment,first element235 is sewn topanel105 ofupper garment100. In the illustrated embodiment, apanel295 is attached topanel105 ofupper garment100 along first, second, andthird edges261,263,265 definingpocket260. Anopening269 is defined betweenpanel295 andpanel105 at afourth edge267 ofpanel295. In the illustrated embodiment, afastener mechanism270 is provided betweenpanel105 andpanel295 alongfourth edge267, to reversiblyclose opening269. In an exemplary embodiment,fastener mechanism270 is a double fly zipper. In another embodiment, fastener mechanism includes a hook and loop fastener, snap fasteners, and buttons with co-operative button-holes, by way of non-limiting examples only. In an exemplary embodiment,pocket260 is divided into first, second andthird compartments262,264,266. In other embodiments,pocket260 may be divided into more than three or less than three compartments. First, second andthird compartments262,264,266 are formed bystitches280,285stitching panel295 topanel105.Compartments262,264,266 may be sized to hold various items such as credit and debit cards, driver's license, insurance cards, by way of non-limiting examples only. Opening269 may be accessed only through opening140 ofpocket120. Therefore, items placed inpocket260 are secured not only byfastener mechanism270 ofpocket260, but also byfastener mechanism130 ofpocket120. In another embodiment,pocket260 may not havefastener mechanism270.
• Referring now toFIG. 3, aninternal surface305, denoted by “A-,” ofpanel160 is illustrated.Second element337 of fastener mechanism130 (ofFIG. 1) is fixedly attached tointerior surface305 ofpanel160. In an exemplary embodiment,second element337 is sewn topanel160.First element235 and second337 cooperatively formfastener mechanism130 and control access to and reversiblyclose pocket120. In an exemplary embodiment,fastener mechanism130 is a loop and hook fastener, in which case,first element235 is a loop strip and second element237 is a corresponding hook strip, or vice versa.
• Referring now toFIG. 4, anupper garment100 with apocket120 is illustrated, according to a second embodiment of the invention. Panel160 (ofFIG. 5) is attached topanel105 ofupper garment100 at threeedges122,124,126, in a fashion similar to that of the first embodiment described above.Panel160 andpanel105 definepocket120 and anopening140 therebetween. While the embodiment ofFIG. 2 showsadjacent edges122,124 and124,126 as perpendicular to each other, it is understood that one or more ofedges122,124,126 may be curved or rounded. Asecond panel465 is sewn on top ofpanel160 definingpocket460 and anopening440.Pocket460 is similar topocket260 ofFIG. 2. In the illustrated embodiment,pocket460 is divided into first, second, andthird compartments262,264,266. In other embodiments,pocket460 may be divided into more than three or less than three compartments.Compartments262,264,266 are formed bystitches280,285sewing panel465 onpanel160. Afirst fastener mechanism130, disposed along opening140, controls access topocket120 and asecond fastener mechanism270, disposed along opening440, controls access topocket460. In an exemplary embodiment,fastener mechanisms130,270 are double fly zippers. In other embodiment, other known mechanisms for closingpockets120,460 may also be used and are, therefore, considered to be within the scope of the present invention. Bothpockets120,460 are disposed generally within waist-section115, and generally belowwaistline110 ofupper garment100. Thus, when waist-section115 ofupper garment100 is tucked into a lower garment by the wearer, pockets120,460 are substantially concealed.Openings140,440 are generally along waist-line110. Access to each ofpockets120,270, throughrespective openings140,440, is independent of each other. The wearer may choose to access either ofpockets120,270 without having to access the other pocket.
• Referring now toFIG. 5,pocket120 withfastener mechanism130 is illustrated beforepanel465 definingpocket460 withcompartments262,264,266 is sewn onpocket120.
• Referring now toFIG. 6, there is illustratedpanel460 attached overpanel160.First element235 offastener mechanism130 is attached topanel105 ofupper garment100 along opening140 whereassecond element337 offastener mechanism130 is attached topanel160 alongopening140. In an exemplary embodiment,first element235 andsecond element337 are two toothed tracks of a slide fastener or a zipper. Afirst element635 offastener mechanism270 is attached topanel160 along opening440 and asecond element637 offastener mechanism270 is attached topanel465 alongopening440. In an exemplary embodiment,first element635 andsecond element637 are two toothed track of a slide fastener or a zipper. In an exemplary embodiment, the attachment ofpanel465 topanel160 is in the form of a straight stitch betweenfastener mechanisms130 and270.
• Referring toFIGS. 7-8, anupper garment100 with apocket120 is illustrated, according to a third embodiment of the invention. In the illustrated embodiment, pockets120,260 are similar topockets120,260 ofFIGS. 1-2. In this embodiment,fastener mechanism730 is a slide fastener or a zipper.
• Referring toFIGS. 9-10, anupper garment100 with apocket920 is illustrated, according to a fourth embodiment of the invention. In the illustrated embodiment,only fastener mechanism130 is accessible, and visible, onpanel105 ofupper garment100, as seen inFIG. 9.Pocket920 is in the form of apouch925 and is attached topanel105 on an interior side ofpanel105 only alongedge128, such thatopening940 is accessible from an exterior side ofpanel105.Pouch925 is not attached toupper garment100 at other threeedges922,924,926.Panel465 is sewn onpouch925 definingpocket460 such thatpocket460 can be accessed only through opening940 ofpocket920 and thus is positioned betweenpanel105 andpouch925. Opening940 ofpocket920 is reversibly closed byfastener mechanism130. In the illustrated embodiment,pocket460 is divided into first, second, andthird compartments262,264,266. Afastener mechanism270 further controls access topocket460. In an exemplary embodiment,fastener mechanisms130,270 are double fly zippers, by way of non-limiting examples only.
• While the foregoing invention has been described with reference to the above-described embodiment, various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. Accordingly, all such modifications and changes are considered to be within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (20)

1. An upper garment with a pocket comprising:

a panel covering at least a waist section of a wearer's body, said panel adapted to be tucked into a lower garment worn, at least along a waist line of the wearer, by the wearer;

a first pocket positioned on said panel generally below the waist line of the wearer, said first pocket adapted to be substantially tucked into the lower garment and being accessible to the wearer from a first top side of said first pocket, wherein said first top side is substantially along the waist line of the wearer;

a second pocket positioned between said first pocket and said panel, said second pocket being accessible to the wearer from a first top side of said second pocket; and

a first fastener mechanism for reversibly closing said first top side of said first pocket with respect to said panel.

2. The upper garment ofclaim 1, wherein said first pocket is attached to an exterior side of said first panel along a first, a second and a third edge of said first pocket.

3. The upper garment ofclaim 1, wherein said first pocket is attached to an interior side of said first panel along a first, a second and a third edge of said first pocket.

4. The upper garment ofclaim 1, wherein said first pocket is attached to an interior side of said first panel along said first top side.

5. The upper garment ofclaim 1, wherein said second pocket is attached to said panel.

6. The upper garment ofclaim 1, wherein said second pocket is attached to said first pocket.

7. The upper garment ofclaim 1, wherein said second pocket is divided into a plurality of compartments.

8. The upper garment ofclaim 1, further comprising a second fastener mechanism for reversibly closing said first top side of said second pocket.

9. The upper garment ofclaim 1, wherein said first top side of said second pocket is accessible through said first top side of said first pocket.

10. An upper garment comprising:

a first panel covering at least a waist area of a wearer;

a second panel attached to said first panel generally below a waist line of the wearer, said second panel attached to said first panel and defining a first pocket, said first pocket being accessible to the wearer through a first opening defined along an edge of said second panel;

a third panel disposed between said first and second panels, said third panel attached to either said first panel or said second panel defining a second pocket, said second pocket being accessible to the wearer through a second opening defined along an edge of said third panel;

a fastener mechanism for reversibly controlling access to said first pocket through said first opening of said first pocket, said fastener mechanism comprising:

a first element positioned on said first panel; and

a second element positioned on said second panel,

wherein said first and second elements cooperatively control access to said first pocket.

11. The upper garment ofclaim 10, wherein said fastener mechanism comprises a slide fastener.

12. The upper garment ofclaim 10, wherein said fastener mechanism comprises a hook and loop fastener.

13. The upper garment ofclaim 10, wherein said second pocket is divided into a plurality of compartments.

14. The upper garment ofclaim 10, wherein said first pocket is divided into a plurality of compartments.

15. The upper garment ofclaim 10, further comprising a fastener mechanism for reversibly controlling access to said second pocket through said second opening of said second pocket.

16. The upper garment ofclaim 10, wherein said second pocket is accessible through said first opening of said first pocket.

17. The upper garment ofclaim 15, further comprising a fastener mechanism for reversibly controlling access to said second pocket through said second opening of said second pocket.

18. A method comprising:

tucking a waist section of an upper garment into a lower garment,

wherein said upper garment covers at least a waist section of a wearer,

wherein said lower garment is worn by the wearer at least along a waist line of the wearer,

wherein said upper garment comprises a first and a second pocket positioned on said waist section of the upper garment, said first and second pockets adapted to be substantially tucked into said lower garment below the waist line,

wherein, said second pocket is positioned within said first pocket, and

wherein, in said tucking step, said first and second pockets are concealed by the lower garment.

19. The method ofclaim 17, wherein said upper garment further comprises a fastener mechanism for reversibly closing said pocket, said method further comprising a step of operating said fastener mechanism to reversibly close said pocket.

20. The method ofclaim 18, further comprising a step of inserting an object into said pocket before the step of operating said fastener mechanism to reversibly close said pocket.

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