POCKET FOR REVERSIBLE GARMENTS

Abstract

A pocket for a reversible garment that provides access from both sides of the garment. The pocket is comprised of a fabric panel attached to the first side of the garment that creates a pocket space and that is accessed from an opening on one edge. The pocket space is accessed from the second side of the garment by an elongated closure that is typically a zipper or a microhook/microloop fastener.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO A SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISK APPENDIX

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to clothing, more particularly, to pockets for reversible garments.

2. Description of the Related Art

Reversible garments, such as coats, jackets, vests, and pants, are well-known articles of clothing. Some reversible garments are for use where resistance to water penetration is desirable, for example, for public safety officials. Until now, putting a pocket in a water resistant reversible garment has entailed either putting a pocket on one side only or putting two independent pockets back to back. The reason is that, in order to maintain water resistance, there could be no opening between the two sides of the garment. There are currently no reversible, single-ply garments that have pockets accessible from both sides.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a pocket for a single-ply, reversible garment that is accessible to both sides.

Another object is to provide a pocket for a single-ply, reversible garment that maintains water resistance from both sides.

The present invention is a pocket for use with any reversible garment that provides access from both sides of the garment. The present invention is designed for use with single-ply, water resistant or waterproof garments, but is not limited thereto. The pocket is comprised of a fabric panel attached to one side of the garment in whatever manner is appropriate and that creates a pocket space. The pocket space is accessed from an opening on one edge that is optionally closable.

The pocket space is accessed from the second side of the garment by an elongated closure that is typically located adjacent and parallel to the pocket opening. The closure can take various forms, the preferred closure being a zipper or a microhook/microloop fastener. For a waterproof or water resistant garment, the preferred closure is a waterproof or water resistant zipper.

When the garment is worn with the first side out, the pocket space is accessed through the opening. When the garment is reversed, the pocket space is accessible after opening the closure.

Other objects of the present invention will become apparent in light of the following drawings and detailed description of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a fuller understanding of the nature and object of the present invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a first side view of the pocket of the present invention on a garment;

FIG. 2 is a second side view of the pocket of the present invention on a garment;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a garment material;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the pocket of FIGS. 1 and 2 employing a zipper; and

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the pocket of FIGS. 1 and 2 employing a microhook/microloop fastener.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The pocket 10 of the present invention can be used with any reversible, single-ply garment 12. For convenience, the two sides of the garment 12 are referred to as the first side 14 and the second side 16. Since the garment 12 is reversible, in one configuration, the first side 14 is outside and the second side 16 is inside. When the garment 12 is reversed, the second side 16 becomes the outside and the first side 14 becomes the inside.

A single-ply garment 12 is produced from one layer of fabric 20. The fabric 20 may be a single fabric material or it may be a laminate of two or more materials, both cloth and non-cloth. The pocket 10 of the present invention may be used on garments 12 that are composed of waterproof, windproof, breathable laminates. Contemplated laminates are comprised of a pair of outer cloth layers 22, 24 and a medial membrane layer 26. Examples of laminate constructions are sold under the trade designations CROSSTECH and GORETEX by W.L. Gore and Associates, Inc. The water resistance performance of the laminates is primarily a function of medial membrane layer 26, which consists of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) that is optionally impregnated with an oleophobic polymer. The ePTFE membrane contains billions of pores per square inch, each being thousands of times smaller than a water droplet but hundreds of times larger than a water vapor molecule. This composition passes perspiration vapor from the inside, but blocks water and wind from the outside. The impregnated oleophobic polymer provides resistance against blood-borne pathogen and common chemical liquid penetration.

Generally, a garment will have more than one pocket. For example, a jacket will have a pair of pockets, one for each hand. The present specification describes the construction of a single pocket 10, but it is understood that any number of pockets of the present invention can be designed into a garment 12. It is also understood that the size, shape, and location of the pocket 10 is not an element of the present invention. The pocket 10 can have any size, shape, and location that is desirable.

As shown in FIG. 1, the pocket 10 of the present invention includes a fabric panel 32 attached to the first side 14 of the garment 12 along seams 34 to create a pocket space 28. The pocket space 28 is accessed by an opening 36 along one edge. Generally, although not necessarily, the panel 32 is composed of the same fabric as the garment fabric 20. Optionally, the opening 36 has a closure, such as a zipper or microhook/microloop fastener.

The fabric panel 34 is attached to the first side 14, as at 30, by whatever means is adequate for the particular usage. Example attachments include sewing, adhesives, and heat sealing.

As shown in FIG. 2, the pocket space 28 is accessed from the second side 16 by an elongated closure 38 in the garment fabric 20. Generally, though not required, the closure 38 is located adjacent and parallel to the first side pocket opening 36. This location provides two advantages. First, it maximizes the useful pocket space 28 accessible from the second side 16. Second, it facilitates access under the garment 12 through the first side pocket opening 36, for example, to reach into a pants pocket through a jacket with a pocket of the present invention.

The present invention contemplates various forms for the closure 38. The preferred closures are zippers 40, shown in FIG. 4, and microhook/microloop fasteners 42, shown in FIG. 5. Other fasteners that may be adapted for use with the present invention include a row of snaps, a row of buttons, a row of hooks and eyes, etc.

If the garment 12 is to maintain water resistance, the closure 38 is designed to be waterproof. Water resistant and waterproof zipper designs are well-known in the art.

To use the present invention, when the garment 12 is worn with the first side 14 out, the pocket space 28 is accessible through the opening 36, just like any typical pocket. When the garment 12 is reversed so that the second side 16 is out, the pocket space 28 is accessible after opening the closure 38.

Thus it has been shown and described a pocket for a reversible garment which satisfies the objects set forth above.

Since certain changes may be made in the present disclosure without departing from the scope of the present invention, it is intended that all matter described in the foregoing specification and shown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Claims

1. A reversible garment comprising:

(a) a fabric having a first side and a second side;

(b) a fabric panel attached to said first side to enclose a pocket space, said pocket space having an opening on one edge thereof for access from said first side; and

(c) an elongated closure in a portion of said garment fabric defining said pocket space, said closure providing access to said pocket space from said second side when said closure is open and denying access to said pocket space from said second side when said closure is closed.

2. The garment of claim 1 wherein said closure is approximately adjacent to and parallel to said opening.

3. The garment of claim 1 wherein said closure is a zipper.

4. The garment of claim 1 wherein said closure is a microhook/microloop fastener.

5. The garment of claim 1 wherein said fabric is a single-ply fabric.

6. The garment of claim 1 wherein said fabric is water resistant.

7. The garment of claim 1 wherein said fabric is a waterproof, windproof, and breathable fabric.

8. The garment of claim 1 wherein said panel is composed of the same material as said fabric.

9. A reversible garment comprising:

(a) a single-ply fabric having a first side and a second side;

(b) a fabric panel attached to said first side to enclose a pocket space, said pocket space having an opening on one edge thereof for access from said first side; and

(c) a zipper in a portion of said garment fabric defining said pocket space, said zipper providing access to said pocket space from said second side when said zipper is open and denying access to said pocket space from said second side when said zipper is closed.

10. The garment of claim 9 wherein said zipper is approximately adjacent to and parallel to said opening.

11. The garment of claim 9 wherein said fabric is water resistant.

12. The garment of claim 9 wherein said fabric is a waterproof, windproof, and breathable fabric.

13. The garment of claim 9 wherein said panel is composed of the same material as said single-play fabric.