Reinforcement System and Method

A system and method for reinforcement helps reinforce a pocket at the seams and edges with panels, stitches, and folds. The system helps reinforce a pocket at the seams and edges, such that abrasive forces on the pocket are alleviated. The reinforcement comprises an addition of multiple layers of material and fabric that overlay the pocket at sections of the pocket where engagement and movement most often occur. The system uses unique reinforcement panels that overlay the original panel that forms the pocket. The reinforcement panel is of different material than the panel. The reinforcement panel overlays the panel at the open end, where abrasive movement occurs for accessing the interior of the pocket, and also overlays a closed end, where items accumulate inside the pocket. The system utilizes a secondary pocket inside the pocket, along with a zipper and a loop for enhanced usability.

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Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Japanese patent 3185304, entitled Reinforcement System and Method, filed on 2013 May 31, under 35 U.S.C. 119(a).

RELATED CO-PENDING U.S. PATENT APPLICATIONS

Not applicable

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER LISTING APPENDIX

Not applicable.

COPYRIGHT NOTICE

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or patent disclosure as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office, patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

One or more embodiments of the invention generally relate to a reinforcement system and method. More particularly, the invention relates to a system and method for reinforcing often used areas of a pocket.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The following background information may present examples of specific aspects of the prior art (e.g., without limitation, approaches, facts, or common wisdom) that, while expected to be helpful to further educate the reader as to additional aspects of the prior art, is not to be construed as limiting the present invention, or any embodiments thereof, to anything stated or implied therein or inferred thereupon.

The following is an example of a specific aspect in the prior art that, while expected to be helpful to further educate the reader as to additional aspects of the prior art, is not to be construed as limiting the present invention, or any embodiments thereof, to anything stated or implied therein or inferred thereupon. By way of educational background, another aspect of the prior art generally useful to be aware of is that a pocket is a bag or envelope-like receptacle either fastened to or inserted in an article of clothing to hold small items. Pockets may also be attached to luggage, backpacks, and similar items. In older usage, a pocket was a separate small bag or pouch.

Typically, pockets receive substantial wear and tear at the access point where hands reach in to grab and deposit items therein. The pocket also receives wear and tear at the bottom end where the items accumulate. The fibers at the seams can be stretched. The stitches can be plied apart after a duration of use.

In many instances, a patch is a piece of a flexible material used to repair an object that has a hole in it, to protect an object from damage even before it is damaged, or to decorate clothing or other fabric items. The patch can be fabricated from a similar material as the clothing that the patch overlays.

In view of the foregoing, it is clear that these traditional techniques are not perfect and leave room for more optimal approaches.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings and in which like reference numerals refer to similar elements and in which:

FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate side views of exemplary panels on an exemplary mounting surface, where FIG. 1A illustrates a panel joined with a mounting surface to form a pocket, and FIG. 1B illustrates a detailed perspective view of an exemplary panel with at least one panel stitch, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of an exemplary reinforcement panel with an arc shape, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of an exemplary reinforcement panel with a square shape, a zipper, and an exemplary loop, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of an exemplary reinforcement panel joined with a secondary pocket, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate sectioned views of exemplary junctions and folds between an exemplary mounting surface and an exemplary panel, where FIG. 5A illustrates the junction, and FIG. 5B illustrates four layers of the panel, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Unless otherwise indicated illustrations in the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is best understood by reference to the detailed figures and description set forth herein.

Embodiments of the invention are discussed below with reference to the Figures. However, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the detailed description given herein with respect to these figures is for explanatory purposes as the invention extends beyond these limited embodiments. For example, it should be appreciated that those skilled in the art will, in light of the teachings of the present invention, recognize a multiplicity of alternate and suitable approaches, depending upon the needs of the particular application, to implement the functionality of any given detail described herein, beyond the particular implementation choices in the following embodiments described and shown. That is, there are numerous modifications and variations of the invention that are too numerous to be listed but that all fit within the scope of the invention. Also, singular words should be read as plural and vice versa and masculine as feminine and vice versa, where appropriate, and alternative embodiments do not necessarily imply that the two are mutually exclusive.

It is to be further understood that the present invention is not limited to the particular methodology, compounds, materials, manufacturing techniques, uses, and applications, described herein, as these may vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is used for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. It must be noted that as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include the plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, a reference to “an element” is a reference to one or more elements and includes equivalents thereof known to those skilled in the art. Similarly, for another example, a reference to “a step” or “a means” is a reference to one or more steps or means and may include sub-steps and subservient means. All conjunctions used are to be understood in the most inclusive sense possible. Thus, the word “or” should be understood as having the definition of a logical “or” rather than that of a logical “exclusive or” unless the context clearly necessitates otherwise. Structures described herein are to be understood also to refer to functional equivalents of such structures. Language that may be construed to express approximation should be so understood unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meanings as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Preferred methods, techniques, devices, and materials are described, although any methods, techniques, devices, or materials similar or equivalent to those described herein may be used in the practice or testing of the present invention. Structures described herein are to be understood also to refer to functional equivalents of such structures. The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to embodiments thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

From reading the present disclosure, other variations and modifications will be apparent to persons skilled in the art. Such variations and modifications may involve equivalent and other features which are already known in the art, and which may be used instead of or in addition to features already described herein.

Although Claims have been formulated in this Application to particular combinations of features, it should be understood that the scope of the disclosure of the present invention also includes any novel feature or any novel combination of features disclosed herein either explicitly or implicitly or any generalization thereof, whether or not it relates to the same invention as presently claimed in any Claim and whether or not it mitigates any or all of the same technical problems as does the present invention.

Features which are described in the context of separate embodiments may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable subcombination. The Applicants hereby give notice that new Claims may be formulated to such features and/or combinations of such features during the prosecution of the present Application or of any further Application derived therefrom.

References to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “example embodiment,” “various embodiments,” etc., may indicate that the embodiment(s) of the invention so described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but not every embodiment necessarily includes the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Further, repeated use of the phrase “in one embodiment,” or “in an exemplary embodiment,” do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, although they may.

Headings provided herein are for convenience and are not to be taken as limiting the disclosure in any way.

The enumerated listing of items does not imply that any or all of the items are mutually exclusive, unless expressly specified otherwise.

The terms “a”, “an” and “the” mean “one or more”, unless expressly specified otherwise.

Devices or system modules that are in at least general communication with each other need not be in continuous communication with each other, unless expressly specified otherwise. In addition, devices or system modules that are in at least general communication with each other may communicate directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries.

A description of an embodiment with several components in communication with each other does not imply that all such components are required. On the contrary a variety of optional components are described to illustrate the wide variety of possible embodiments of the present invention.

As is well known to those skilled in the art many careful considerations and compromises typically must be made when designing for the optimal manufacture of a commercial implementation any system, and in particular, the embodiments of the present invention. A commercial implementation in accordance with the spirit and teachings of the present invention may configured according to the needs of the particular application, whereby any aspect(s), feature(s), function(s), result(s), component(s), approach(es), or step(s) of the teachings related to any described embodiment of the present invention may be suitably omitted, included, adapted, mixed and matched, or improved and/or optimized by those skilled in the art, using their average skills and known techniques, to achieve the desired implementation that addresses the needs of the particular application.

The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to embodiments thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

There are various types of pocket reinforcement systems and methods that may be provided by preferred embodiments of the present invention. In one embodiment of the present invention, the system and method for reinforcement helps reinforce a pocket at the seams and edges with panels, stitches, and folds. The system helps reinforce a pocket at the seams and edges, such that abrasive forces on the pocket are alleviated. The reinforcement comprises an addition of multiple layers of material and fabric that overlay the pocket at sections of the pocket where engagement and movement most often occur. In some embodiments, the system may utilize unique reinforcement panels that overlay the original panel that forms the pocket. The system may also utilize a secondary pocket inside the pocket, along with a zipper and a loop for enhanced usability. These additional features also serve to alleviate abrasion to the garment and/or attached pocket by minimizing use of the pocket.

In some embodiments, the panel at least partially overlays a mounting surface to form a pocket. The mounting surface may include a garment, while the panel may include a section of material that joins with the mounting surface to form a pocket—often used for depositing, storing, and removing items. The panel may include a body portion having a generally rectangular shape with one end having an arc shape, and the other end having a straight edge. The body portion may include an interior surface and an exterior surface. The interior surface engages the mounting surface to form a cavity for depositing, storing, and removing items therebetween. The exterior surface receives the reinforcing material.

In some embodiments, the panel may also include an open end, often having an arc shape. The open end does not join with the mounting surface from the middle section. However, a pair of terminal ends join with the mounting surface; thus forming a pocket. The open end may be efficacious for enabling access to items with a hand or tool. The panel may also have a closed end that joins with the mounting surface. A pair of lateral ends extend between the open end and the closed end and also join to the mounting surface. In this manner, the open end is not joined with the mounting surface at the middle section. This creates a gap for depositing or removing items between the mounting surface and the inner surface of the body portion.

In some embodiments, at least one reinforcement panel may overlay the panel at the open end and the closed end. The reinforcement panel may extend completely across each end, along the edges. This provides multiple layers of material in areas where stress and wear are common in a pocket. The reinforcement panel is of a different material composition than the panel—generally thicker. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the upper edge and terminal junctions of the open end receive much wear because the open end must be separated from the mounting surface to access inside the pocket. The closed end also receives wear because the contained item has a tendency to fall to the bottom of the pocket, where the closed end joins the mounting surface. In some embodiments, the reinforcement panel may be formed from a different material than the mounting surface. The reinforcement panel may be stitched to the panel and mounting surface. However in other embodiments, the reinforcement panel may have a zipper along one edge to form a secondary pocket between the panel and the reinforcement panel. The at least one reinforcement panel also serves as a base for a loop, such that the loop can be pulled to help spill items from the pocket without engaging the open end of the panel.

FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate side views of exemplary panels on an exemplary mounting surface, where FIG. 1A illustrates a panel joined with a mounting surface to form a pocket, and FIG. 1B illustrates a detailed perspective view of an exemplary panel with at least one panel stitch, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In the present invention, the system 100 and method for reinforcement helps reinforce a pocket 104 at the seams and edges, such that abrasive forces on the pocket are alleviated. The reinforcement comprises an addition of multiple layers overlaying the pocket at sections of the pocket where engagement and movement most often occur, such as at an open end 110 and a closed end 112.

In some embodiments, the pocket may include, without limitation, a frontier pocket, a trouser pocket, a jean pocket, a flap pocket, a pouch pocket, and a bound pocket. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the pocket may be used for the accommodation of small items such as phones, pens and money. Because of constant rubbing caused by the inserting and extracting of the items by a wearer's hand, the pocket fabric may wear, causing holes to open and seams to split. For example, without limitation, the open end is stretched and moved while accessing items within. The closed end is where the items accumulate from within the pocket.

In some embodiments, the system works in conjunction with a panel 102, which forms the substantial part of the pocket. The panel at least partially overlays a mounting surface 108 to form a pocket or pouch, which is often used for depositing, storing, and removing items. The mounting surface may include a garment, a trouser, a blue jean, a shirt, and a jacket. The panel may include a section of material that overlays the mounting surface to form a pocket. In some embodiments, the panel may include a body portion 116. The body portion may follow the arc shape of the open end, and have a generally rectangular shape towards the closed end. The body portion may include an interior surface and an exterior surface. The interior surface engages the mounting surface to form a cavity for depositing, storing, and removing items therebetween. The exterior surface receives the reinforcing panel. At least one panel stitch 106 fastens the panel to the mounting surface.

In some embodiments, the panel may also include an open end, often having an arc shape. Though in some embodiments, the open end forms a linear shape. The open end joins with the mounting surface at a pair of terminal ends. A middle section of the open end does not attach to the mounting surface, and thus forms a gap that enables access to the interior of the pocket. In this manner, the open end may be efficacious for enabling access to items with a hand or tool. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the pair of terminal ends receive excessive wear as the pen end is manipulated. In some embodiments, the panel may also have a closed end that joins with the mounting surface. The closed end is generally lower than the open end such that items in the pocket accumulate towards the closed end. This may cause wear at this section of the pocket. A pair of lateral ends 114 extend between the open end and the closed end and also join to the mounting surface.

FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of an exemplary reinforcement panel with an arc shape, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In the present invention, at least one reinforcement panel 200 may overlay the panel at the open end and the closed end. The panel is viewed folded open at a median crease 204. In some embodiments, the system may have at least one reinforcement panel to overlay the panel. The at least one reinforcement panel includes multiple layers of material that increase the thickness and strength of the panel and mounting surface. The reinforcement panel uses a different material than the panel. The reinforcement panel can be attached to the panel through at least one reinforcement stitch 202. The reinforcement stitch may include, without limitation, a single turn or loop of thread or yarn. However, in other embodiments, the reinforcement panel attaches to the panel through an adhesive, a pin, and a button.

In some embodiments, the at least one reinforcement panel overlays a peripheral area of the open end, forming a substantially arc shape. The at least one reinforcement panel may also overlay a peripheral area of the closed end, extending across to form a rectangular shape. These two areas of the pocket are susceptible to wear and abrasive forces due to the gap formed by the open end, and the accumulation of items in the closed end. The reinforcement panel may include images, colors, patterns, logos, and text. In some embodiments, the body portion may include an interior surface 206 and an exterior surface 208. The exterior surface receives the reinforcing panel. The interior surface engages the mounting surface to form a cavity for depositing, storing, and removing items there between.

The reinforcement panel may extend completely across each end of the panel, along the edges. This provides multiple layers of material in areas where stress and wear are common in a pocket. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the upper edge and terminal junctions of the open end receive much wear because the open end must be separated from the mounting surface to access inside the pocket. The closed end also receives wear because the contained item has a tendency to fall to the bottom of the pocket, where the closed end joins the mounting surface. In some embodiments, the reinforcement panel may be formed from a different material than the mounting surface. The reinforcement panel may be stitched to the panel and mounting surface. However in other embodiments, the reinforcement panel may have a zipper along one edge to form a secondary pocket between the panel and the reinforcement panel. The at least one reinforcement panel also serves as a base for a loop, such that the loop can be pulled to help spill items from the pocket without engaging the open end of the panel.

FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of an exemplary reinforcement panel with a square shape, a zipper, and an exemplary loop, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In the present invention, the system may also utilize a secondary pocket inside the pocket, along with a zipper and a loop for further alleviating wear and tear on the pocket. These additional features also serve to alleviate abrasion to the garment and/or attached pocket by minimizing use of the pocket.

In some embodiments, one end of the reinforcement panel joins the panel with a zipper 304. The zipper is operable to move between a closed position and an open position. In the open position, a gap forms between the reinforcement panel and the panel. The gap forms a pouch, which may be used in conjunction with the pocket. The reinforcement panel on the open end is efficacious for attaching the zipper. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the orientation of a hand approaches from a top rear position. The gap formed by the zipper is at the rear edge of the reinforcement panel. In one embodiment, a diagonal seam 300 crosses the reinforcement panel to create a second closed end for the pouch formed by the zipper. In some embodiments, a loop 302 joins with the at least one reinforcement panel at the closed end. The loop is configured to enable gripping, such that the items in the pocket can be removed without engaging the open end. This further reduces wear on the pocket.

FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of an exemplary reinforcement panel joined with a secondary pocket, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In the present invention, a secondary pocket 400 joins with the reinforcement panel. The secondary pocket may be sized and dimensioned to receive smaller items, such as coins, pens, and candy. In some embodiments, the secondary pocket may not be larger than the width of the open end. At least one secondary pocket seam 402 fastens the secondary pocket to the reinforcement panel.

FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate sectioned views of exemplary junctions and folds between an exemplary mounting surface and an exemplary panel, where FIG. 5A illustrates the junction, and FIG. 5B illustrates four layers of the panel, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In the present invention, the panel and the reinforcement panel join at a junction 500. The junction may include a plurality of folds, forming a plurality of layers 506. The increased amount of layers serve to strengthen the seams and pressure points on the pocket. Each fold reinforces the pocket by a magnitude. In one embodiment, the reinforcement panel may include four layers having two folds. An external fold 502 and an internal fold 504 are formed through the folding of layers. The external and internal folds are sewn into place with the at least one reinforcement stitch.

In one alternative embodiment, the pocket is on a shirt. In yet another alternative embodiment, the reinforcement panel is detachable through a temporary fastener, such as a hook and loop fastener, buttons, and magnets. In yet another alternative embodiment, the reinforcement panel is the same material as the panel.

Those skilled in the art will readily recognize, in light of and in accordance with the teachings of the present invention, that any of the foregoing steps may be suitably replaced, reordered, removed and additional steps may be inserted depending upon the needs of the particular application. Moreover, the prescribed method steps of the foregoing embodiments may be implemented using any physical and/or hardware system that those skilled in the art will readily know is suitable in light of the foregoing teachings. For any method steps described in the present application that can be carried out on a computing machine, a typical computer system can, when appropriately configured or designed, serve as a computer system in which those aspects of the invention may be embodied. Thus, the present invention is not limited to any particular tangible means of implementation.

It will be further apparent to those skilled in the art that at least a portion of the novel method steps and/or system components of the present invention may be practiced and/or located in location(s) possibly outside the jurisdiction of the United States of America (USA), whereby it will be accordingly readily recognized that at least a subset of the novel method steps and/or system components in the foregoing embodiments must be practiced within the jurisdiction of the USA for the benefit of an entity therein or to achieve an object of the present invention. Thus, some alternate embodiments of the present invention may be configured to comprise a smaller subset of the foregoing means for and/or steps described that the applications designer will selectively decide, depending upon the practical considerations of the particular implementation, to carry out and/or locate within the jurisdiction of the USA. For example, any of the foregoing described method steps and/or system components which may be performed remotely over a network (e.g., without limitation, a remotely located server) may be performed and/or located outside of the jurisdiction of the USA while the remaining method steps and/or system components (e.g., without limitation, a locally located client) of the forgoing embodiments are typically required to be located/performed in the USA for practical considerations. In client-server architectures, a remotely located server typically generates and transmits required information to a US based client, for use according to the teachings of the present invention. Depending upon the needs of the particular application, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, in light of the teachings of the present invention, which aspects of the present invention can or should be located locally and which can or should be located remotely. Thus, for any claims construction of the following claim limitations that are construed under 35 USC §112(6) it is intended that the corresponding means for and/or steps for carrying out the claimed function are the ones that are locally implemented within the jurisdiction of the USA, while the remaining aspect(s) performed or located remotely outside the USA are not intended to be construed under 35 USC §112(6).

All the features disclosed in this specification, including any accompanying abstract and drawings, may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

It is noted that according to USA law 35 USC §112(1), all claims must be supported by sufficient disclosure in the present patent specification, and any material known to those skilled in the art need not be explicitly disclosed. However, 35 USC §112(6) requires that structures corresponding to functional limitations interpreted under 35 USC §112(6) must be explicitly disclosed in the patent specification. Moreover, the USPTO's Examination policy of initially treating and searching prior art under the broadest interpretation of a “mean for” claim limitation implies that the broadest initial search on 112(6) functional limitation would have to be conducted to support a legally valid Examination on that USPTO policy for broadest interpretation of “mean for” claims. Accordingly, the USPTO will have discovered a multiplicity of prior art documents including disclosure of specific structures and elements which are suitable to act as corresponding structures to satisfy all functional limitations in the below claims that are interpreted under 35 USC §112(6) when such corresponding structures are not explicitly disclosed in the foregoing patent specification. Therefore, for any invention element(s)/structure(s) corresponding to functional claim limitation(s), in the below claims interpreted under 35 USC §112(6), which is/are not explicitly disclosed in the foregoing patent specification, yet do exist in the patent and/or non-patent documents found during the course of USPTO searching, Applicant(s) incorporate all such functionally corresponding structures and related enabling material herein by reference for the purpose of providing explicit structures that implement the functional means claimed. Applicant(s) request(s) that fact finders during any claims construction proceedings and/or examination of patent allowability properly identify and incorporate only the portions of each of these documents discovered during the broadest interpretation search of 35 USC §112(6) limitation, which exist in at least one of the patent and/or non-patent documents found during the course of normal USPTO searching and or supplied to the USPTO during prosecution. Applicant(s) also incorporate by reference the bibliographic citation information to identify all such documents comprising functionally corresponding structures and related enabling material as listed in any PTO Form-892 or likewise any information disclosure statements (IDS) entered into the present patent application by the USPTO or Applicant(s) or any 3rd parties. Applicant(s) also reserve its right to later amend the present application to explicitly include citations to such documents and/or explicitly include the functionally corresponding structures which were incorporate by reference above.

Thus, for any invention element(s)/structure(s) corresponding to functional claim limitation(s), in the below claims, that are interpreted under 35 USC §112(6), which is/are not explicitly disclosed in the foregoing patent specification, Applicant(s) have explicitly prescribed which documents and material to include the otherwise missing disclosure, and have prescribed exactly which portions of such patent and/or non-patent documents should be incorporated by such reference for the purpose of satisfying the disclosure requirements of 35 USC §112(6). Applicant(s) note that all the identified documents above which are incorporated by reference to satisfy 35 USC §112(6) necessarily have a filing and/or publication date prior to that of the instant application, and thus are valid prior documents to incorporated by reference in the instant application.

Having fully described at least one embodiment of the present invention, other equivalent or alternative methods of implementing reinforcement panels around the seams and open ends of pockets for alleviating abrasion and wear according to the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Various aspects of the invention have been described above by way of illustration, and the specific embodiments disclosed are not intended to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed. The particular implementation of the reinforcement panels around the seams and open ends of pockets for alleviating abrasion and wear may vary depending upon the particular context or application. By way of example, and not limitation, the reinforcement panels around the seams and open ends of pockets for alleviating abrasion and wear described in the foregoing were principally directed to at least one reinforcement panel that overlays an open end and a closed end of a pocket, and includes secondary pockets and loops to further alleviate wear and use implementations; however, similar techniques may instead be applied to reinforcing metal sheets in a ship, which implementations of the present invention are contemplated as within the scope of the present invention. The invention is thus to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the following claims. It is to be further understood that not all of the disclosed embodiments in the foregoing specification will necessarily satisfy or achieve each of the objects, advantages, or improvements described in the foregoing specification.

Claim elements and steps herein may have been numbered and/or lettered solely as an aid in readability and understanding. Any such numbering and lettering in itself is not intended to and should not be taken to indicate the ordering of elements and/or steps in the claims.

The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed.

The Abstract is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R. Section 1.72(b) requiring an abstract that will allow the reader to ascertain the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to limit or interpret the scope or meaning of the claims. The following claims are hereby incorporated into the detailed description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a panel configured to at least partially overlay a mounting surface,
wherein said panel and said mounting surface form a pocket,
said panel comprising a body portion, said body portion comprising an interior surface configured to engage said mounting surface, said body portion further comprising an exterior surface,
said panel further comprising a closed end configured to join with said mounting surface,
said panel further comprising an open end comprising a pair of terminal ends, said pair of terminal ends configured to join with said mounting surface,
said panel further comprising a pair of lateral ends configured to join with said mounting surface; and
at least one reinforcement panel comprising at least one layer, said at least one reinforcement panel configured to overlay said exterior surface at said open end and/or said closed end,
wherein said at least one reinforcement panel at least partially inhibits abrasion to said pocket and/or said mounting surface.

2. The system of claim 1, in which said mounting surface comprises a garment.

3. The system of claim 2, in which said garment comprises a denim trouser.

4. The system of claim 3, in which said panel is disposed to position on a front section of said denim trouser.

5. The system of claim 4, in which said system comprises at least one panel stitch configure to fasten said panel to said mounting surface.

6. The system of claim 5, in which said at least one reinforcement panel joins with said open end.

7. The system of claim 6, in which said at least one reinforcement panel joined with said open end comprises a generally arc shape and/or a generally square shape.

8. The system of claim 7, in which said at least one reinforcement panel joins with said closed end.

9. The system of claim 8, in which said at least one reinforcement panel joined with said closed end comprises a generally rectangular shape.

10. The system of claim 9, in which said at least one reinforcement panel comprises a different material from said panel.

11. The system of claim 10, in which said at least one reinforcement panel comprises at least four layers.

12. The system of claim 11, in which one end of the at least one reinforcement panel joins said panel with a zipper, said zipper configured to form a gap between said at least one reinforcement panel and said panel.

13. The system of claim 12, in which said at least one reinforcement panel comprises a secondary pocket.

14. The system of claim 13, in which said at least one reinforcement panel comprises a plurality of folds.

15. The system of claim 14, in which said at least one reinforcement panel joins with a loop.

16. The system of claim 15, in which said loop is configured to pull for at least partially overturning said pocket.

17. The system of claim 16, in which said system comprises at least one reinforcement stitch.

18. The system of claim 17, in which said at least one reinforcement stitch is configured to fasten said at least one reinforcement panel to said panel.

19. A method comprising:

means for overlaying a panel over a mounting surface;
means for fastening said panel to said mounting surface with at least one panel stitch, wherein a pocket is formed;
means for overlaying at least one reinforcement panel over said open end;
means for overlaying said at least one reinforcement panel over said closed end;
means for forming at least one external fold and at least one internal fold with said at least one reinforcement panel;
means for fastening said at least one reinforcement panel to said panel with at least one reinforcement panel stitch;
means for alleviating wear on said open end and/or said closed end and/or a seam;
means for joining a hook to said at least one reinforcement panel on said closed end;
means for overturning at least one item from said pocket; and
means for joining a secondary pocket to said at least one reinforcement panel on said open end.

20. A system consisting of:

a panel configured to at least partially overlay a mounting surface, said mounting surface comprising a garment, said garment comprising a denim trouser, said panel disposed to position on a front section of said denim trouser, wherein an open end orients above a closed end,
wherein said panel and said mounting surface form a pocket,
said panel comprising a body portion, said body portion comprising an interior surface configured to engage said mounting surface, said body portion further comprising an exterior surface,
said panel further comprising a closed end configured to join with said mounting surface, said closed end configured to accumulate at least one item inside said pocket,
said panel further comprising an open end comprising a pair of terminal ends, said pair of terminal ends configured to join with said mounting surface, said open end configured to enable access to a gap between said interior surface and said mounting surface,
said panel further comprising a pair of lateral ends configured to join with said mounting surface;
at least one panel stitch configured to fasten said panel with said mounting surface;
at least one reinforcement panel comprising four layers, said at least one reinforcement panel configured to overlay said exterior surface at said open end and/or said closed end, said at least one reinforcement panel joined with said open end comprises a generally arc shape and/or a generally square shape, said at least one reinforcement panel joined with said closed end comprises a generally rectangular shape, said at least one reinforcement panel comprises a different material from said panel,
wherein said at least one reinforcement panel at least partially inhibits abrasion to said pocket and/or said mounting surface; and
at least one reinforcement stitch configured to fasten said at least one reinforcement panel with said panel.
Patent History
Publication number: 20140352024
Type: Application
Filed: May 29, 2014
Publication Date: Dec 4, 2014
Inventor: Takayuki Echigoya (Sapporo)
Application Number: 14/289,722
Classifications
Current U.S. Class: Body Garments (2/69); Reinforced (2/248); Trousers Or Overalls (2/227); Garment (112/475.09)
International Classification: A41D 27/20 (20060101); A41D 1/06 (20060101);