Secure and concealed pocket system
A pocket system for a garment including a passageway extending across the garment, the passageway being defined by a first surface and a second surface, an inlet defining an opening through the first surface for providing access to the passageway, and at least one pocket extending from the passageway such that the pocket extends at an angle relative to a central axis of the passageway.
This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent App. No. 60/559,656 filed on Apr. 5, 2004, the entire contents from which are incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUNDThe present invention relates to pocket systems and, more particularly, to a concealed pocket system for securely and discretely storing items.
Pockets are a common component of articles such as bags, purses, holsters, belts and garments (i.e., shirts, undershirts, T-shirts, sweatshirts, skirts, pants, dresses and the like). Pockets are typically used to store items such as cell phones, MP-3 players, wallets, glasses, keys and the like. However, when these items are placed into a typical pocket, there is a possibility that the items may fall out of the pocket, thereby becoming lost. Furthermore, placing such items in typical pockets may negatively affect the aesthetic appeal of the article due to the stuffed and bulky appearance of a pocket filled with such items.
Accordingly, there is a need for a concealed pocket for securely store everyday items.
SUMMARYOne aspect of the present invention is a pocket system for a garment including a passageway extending across the garment, the passageway being defined by at least a first surface and a second surface, an inlet defining an opening through the first surface for providing access to the passageway, and at least one pocket extending from the passageway such that the pocket extends at an angle relative to a central axis of the passageway.
A second aspect of the present invention is a pocket system for a garment including a passageway extending generally horizontally across the garment and including a first end and a second end, wherein the passageway is defined by at least a first surface, an inlet defining an opening through the first surface for providing access to the passageway, the inlet being positioned generally centrally relative to the first end and the second end, a first pocket extending from the first end, and a second pocket extending from the second end, wherein the first and second pockets extends at an angle relative to the passageway.
A third aspect of the present invention is a pocket system for an article including a passageway extending across the article, the passageway is defined by at least a first surface and a second surface, an inlet defining an opening through the first surface for providing access to the passageway, and at least one pocket extending from the passageway such that the pocket extends at an angle relative to a central axis of the passageway
Other embodiments, objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description, the accompanying drawings and the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
As shown in
In one aspect of the present invention, illustrated in
The inlet 14 is an opening through a surface of the garment 12 for providing access to the passageway 16. According to one aspect, the inlet 14 is sized such that a user wearing the garment 12 may insert a hand into the inlet 14 to access the passageway 16 and pockets 18, 20, 32. According to a second aspect, the inlet is sized such that a user may feel an item in one of the pockets 18, 20, 32 and manipulate the item, thereby causing the item to move towards the inlet 14 without the need for inserting a hand into the passageway 16.
The inlet 14 may be vertically oriented (see
As shown in
The passageway 16 and pockets 18, 20, 32 may be formed from a material such as cloth, spandex, wool, cotton, polyester or any other like material, which may be cut or shaped to create the passageway 16 and the pockets 18, 20. In one aspect, the passageway 16 and pockets 18, 20, 32 may be formed from anti-radiation material such that energy/radiation that emanates from electronic devices (e.g., cell phones) does not harm the user. In a second aspect, the passageway 16 and pockets 18, 20, 32 may be formed from a waterproof material (e.g., nylon with Goretex or Nextex treatment) to prevent or reduce moisture and/or condensation in the pockets 18, 20, 32. As shown in
In one aspect of the present invention, the pockets 18, 20, 32 are formed from an elastic material such that, when items are placed into the pockets 18, 20, they are closely grasped and received by the elastic material. The material (i.e., second surface 44) may be aligned with the inlet 14 and attached to surface 42 (see dashed lines in
The passageway 16 extends across the garment 12 to provide access to the pockets 18, 20, 32. In one aspect of the present invention, shown in
The pockets 18, 20, 32 may be positioned on a front portion 26 of the garment 12 and may extend generally perpendicularly from the passageway 16, towards the abdominal region 24 of the garment 12. Alternatively, the pockets 18, 20, 32 may extend at an angle of about 45 to about 90 degrees relative to the passageway 16.
As shown in
Each pocket 18, 20, 32 may be sized to closely receive items 35 such as cell phones, MP-3 players, wallets, glasses, keys and the like, such that once these items are placed into the pockets 18, 20, 32, they are secured into a specific pocket and do not shift to other pockets 18, 20, 32. Each pocket 18, 20, 32 may have a unique shape, corresponding to a specific item, or alternatively, two or more of the pockets 18, 20, 32 may be uniform in size and shape. The pockets 18, 20, 32 may be designed and shaped to closely receive specific items, thereby concealing them such that they are not readily visible through the surface of the garment 12. Furthermore, the pockets 18, 20, 32 are positioned in a manner such that should a user wearing the garment 12 bend over, the items in the pockets 18, 20, 32 may shift into the passageway 16, but then as the user stands upright, the items may fall back into their respective pockets 18, 20, 32. However, should an item placed into a specific pocket 18, 20, 32 accidentally be moved from the desired pocket 18, 20, 32 to another pocket 18, 20, 32, the user may feel the item through the garment 12 and shift it back into the desired pocket 18, 20, 32.
As shown in
The inlet 14 may remain open at all times. Alternatively, closure mechanisms such as hook and loop fasteners, buttons, zippers, magnets or other like closing mechanisms may be utilized to close the inlet 14 when not in use, while allowing the user to easily open the inlet 14 when desired. The closing mechanism may prevent items that have shifted out of the pockets 18, 20, 32, due to erratic movement of the user, from accidentally exiting the inlet 14 and falling out of the pocket system 10.
An alternative embodiment 50 of the pocket system 10 of the present invention is shown in
The belt 52 may be worn around a torso 62 of a user and supported by the shoulder straps 54, as shown in
As shown through
As shown in
As shown in
Although the invention is shown and described with respect to certain embodiments, it is obvious that equivalents and modifications will occur to those skilled in the art upon reading and understanding the specification. The present invention includes all such equivalents and modifications and is limited only by the scope of the claims.
Claims
1. A pocket system for a garment comprising:
- a passageway extending across said garment, said passageway being defined by at least a first surface and a second surface;
- an inlet defining an opening through said first surface for providing access to said passageway; and
- at least one pocket extending from said passageway such that said pocket extends at an angle relative to a central axis of said passageway.
2. The pocket system of claim 1 wherein said garment is a T-shirt, undershirt, dress shirt, blouse, coat, sweater, pant, dress, skirt or harness.
3. The pocket system of claim 1 wherein said passageway includes a first end and a second and a first pocket extends from said first end and a second pocket extends from said second end.
4. The pocket system of claim 3 wherein said passageway extends generally horizontally across said garment.
5. The pocket system of claim 4 wherein said first and second pockets extend substantially perpendicularly relative to said central axis.
6. The pocket system of claim 1 wherein said inlet is larger than said passageway.
7. The pocket system of claim 1 wherein said passageway and said pocket are formed from an anti-radiation material.
8. The pocket system of claim 1 wherein said passageway and said pocket are formed from a waterproof material.
9. The pocket system of claim 1 wherein said passageway is generally V-shaped.
10. The pocket system of claim 1 wherein said pocket includes a curved edge.
11. The pocket system of claim 1 wherein said pocket is sized to closely receive an electronic device.
12. The pocket system of claim 1 further comprising at least one imbedded pocket connected to said first or second surface.
13. The pocket system of claim 1 wherein said inlet includes a closure mechanism.
14. The pocket system of claim 1 further comprising an opening through said garment, said opening being positioned generally above said inlet.
15. The pocket system of claim 1 further comprising at least one anchor tab attached to said garment.
16. The pocket system of claim 1 further comprising a wire anchor attached to said garment.
17. A pocket system for a garment comprising:
- a passageway extending generally horizontally across said garment and including a first end and a second end, wherein said passageway is defined by at least a first surface;
- an inlet defining an opening through said first surface for providing access to said passageway, said inlet being positioned generally centrally relative to said first end and said second end;
- a first pocket extending from said first end; and
- a second pocket extending from said second end,
- wherein said first and second pockets extend at an angle relative to said passageway.
18. The pocket system of claim 17 wherein said garment is a T-shirt, undershirt, dress shirt, blouse, coat, sweater, pant, dress, skirt or harness.
19. The pocket system of claim 17 wherein said angle is about 45 to about 90 degrees.
20. The pocket system of claim 17 wherein said inlet is larger than said passageway.
21. The pocket system of claim 17 wherein said passageway and said pockets are formed from an anti-radiation material.
22. The pocket system of claim 17 wherein said passageway and said pockets are formed from a waterproof material.
23. The pocket system of claim 17 wherein each of said pockets includes a curved edge.
24. The pocket system of claim 17 further comprising at least one imbedded pocket positioned within said passageway.
25. A pocket system for an article comprising:
- a passageway extending across said article, said passageway being defined by at least a first surface and a second surface;
- an inlet defining an opening through said first surface for providing access to said passageway; and
- at least one pocket extending from said passageway such that said pocket extends at an angle relative to a central axis of said passageway.
26. The pocket system of claim 25 wherein said article is a bag, purse, holster, belt, chair, sofa, hat, computer case or briefcase.
Type: Application
Filed: Feb 9, 2005
Publication Date: Oct 27, 2005
Inventor: Jeasung Yoo (Lyndhurst, OH)
Application Number: 11/054,114