UPPER GARMENT WITH POCKETS

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 of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the travel pocket of FIG. 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 of FIG. 4, according to the second embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a front view of the internal pocket of FIG. 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 of FIG. 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 of FIG. 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 to FIG. 1, an upper garment 100 with a pocket 120 is illustrated, according to a first embodiment of the invention. In the illustrated embodiment, upper garment 100 is a T-shirt. However, it will be clear to one of ordinary skill in the art that upper garment 100 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 of upper garment 100, 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 garment 100 does not extend significantly below the torso of the wearer, thereby adapting waist section of upper garment 100 to be tucked into the lower garment. In an embodiment of the invention, upper garment 100 includes only a waist section. In other embodiments, upper garment 100 further includes an upper section which generally covers the body section upward of the mid-riff of the wearer. A waist-line 110 of a wearer is generally illustrated by two parallel dashed lines, denoted by letter “W”. A waist section 115 of upper garment 100 is illustrated in FIG. 1. Generally, waist section 115 is tucked, or adapted to be tucked, in a lower garment such a pair of trousers or a skirt, for example, by the wearer. If upper garment 100 is a T-shirt, by way of non-limiting example only, waist section 115 would have a length generally about 20% to 35% of the total length of upper garment 100, as measured from a bottom edge of upper garment 100.

Pocket 120 is defined by a panel 160 attached to a panel 105 of upper garment 100. Pocket 120, denoted by letter “A,” has four edges 122, 124, 126, and 128. In the illustrated embodiment, edges 122 and 126 represent two side edges, edge 124 represents bottom edge and edge 128 represents a top edge. While the embodiment of FIG. 1 shows adjacent edges 122, 124 and 124, 126 as perpendicular to each other, it is understood that one or more of edges 122, 124, 126 may be curved or rounded. In the illustrated embodiment, panel 160 is attached to an exterior front surface, designated as a panel 105, of upper garment 100 at first, second, and third edges 122, 124, 126, defining pocket 120. In the illustrated embodiment, panel 160 is sewn to panel 105 of upper garment 100 at edges 122, 124, 126 by stitches 150, represented by dashed lines. In another embodiment, panel 160 may be attached to upper garment 100 on an interior side (not shown) of panel 105. It is also understood that in other embodiments, panel 160 may be attached to a back panel or side panels of upper garment 100. Thus, panel 160 in conjunction with panel 105 defines a generally flat pocket 120 without any appreciable bulge in panel 160. Pocket 120 is dimensioned to hold generally flat objects such as passports and bank cards and other objects such as a thin portable music player. An opening 140 is defined at top edge 128, between panel 105 and panel 160. Opening 140 is defined generally along a top edge of waist-section 115. A fastener mechanism 130 reversibly closes opening 140 and thus controls access to pocket 120. In the illustrated embodiment, fastener mechanism 130 takes the form of a hook and loop fastener commercially available, for example, under the trade-mark Velcro®. In other embodiments, fastener mechanism 130 includes one or more of a zipper, buttons, snap-fasteners and other fastener mechanisms known in the art. An advantage of fastener mechanism 130 is that mechanism 130 prevents objects stored within pocket 120 from falling out of pocket 120 accidentally. In an embodiment of the invention, panel 160 is conveniently made of the same fabric as that of panel 105. In other embodiments, panel 160 is made of a fabric different than the fabric of panel 105.

Still referring to FIG. 1, pocket 120 is positioned in waist section 115 of upper garment 100 such that when a wearer wears upper garment 100, pocket 120 is positioned, to a large extent or generally, below waist-line 110 of garment 100 and consequently, below the waist-line of the wearer. Thus, by the virtue of its position on waist section 115, and relative to a waist-line of the wearer, pocket 120 is adapted to be tucked into a lower garment such as a pair of trousers or shorts or a skirt. Opening 140 of pocket 120 is positioned substantially along waist-line 110 of garment 100, and consequently, along the waist-line of the wearer. An advantage of upper garment 100 having a pocket 120 generally disposed below waistline 110 of panel 105 is that when waist section 115 of garment 100 is tucked into a trouser or a skirt or other lower garment by the wearer, pocket 120 is also generally tucked into and concealed by such lower garment. A concealed pocket 120 is less likely to draw attention of, and less likely to be picked by, a pick-pocket, for example. Furthermore, concealed pocket 120 is adapted to hold generally flat and/or thin objects, and therefore is inconspicuous. Moreover, opening 140 of pocket 120, being substantially along waist-line 110 of the wearer, remains generally accessible to the wearer, without any significant inconvenience.

Referring now to FIG. 2, an internal pocket 260, denoted by letter “B,” disposed on upper garment 100 is illustrated, according to the first embodiment of the invention. A first element 235 of fastener mechanism 130 is also illustrated. First element 235 is fixedly attached to upper garment 100. In an exemplary embodiment, first element 235 is sewn to panel 105 of upper garment 100. In the illustrated embodiment, a panel 295 is attached to panel 105 of upper garment 100 along first, second, and third edges 261, 263, 265 defining pocket 260. An opening 269 is defined between panel 295 and panel 105 at a fourth edge 267 of panel 295. In the illustrated embodiment, a fastener mechanism 270 is provided between panel 105 and panel 295 along fourth edge 267, to reversibly close opening 269. In an exemplary embodiment, fastener mechanism 270 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, pocket 260 is divided into first, second and third compartments 262, 264, 266. In other embodiments, pocket 260 may be divided into more than three or less than three compartments. First, second and third compartments 262, 264, 266 are formed by stitches 280, 285 stitching panel 295 to panel 105. Compartments 262, 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. Opening 269 may be accessed only through opening 140 of pocket 120. Therefore, items placed in pocket 260 are secured not only by fastener mechanism 270 of pocket 260, but also by fastener mechanism 130 of pocket 120. In another embodiment, pocket 260 may not have fastener mechanism 270.

Referring now to FIG. 3, an internal surface 305, denoted by “A-,” of panel 160 is illustrated. Second element 337 of fastener mechanism 130 (of FIG. 1) is fixedly attached to interior surface 305 of panel 160. In an exemplary embodiment, second element 337 is sewn to panel 160. First element 235 and second 337 cooperatively form fastener mechanism 130 and control access to and reversibly close pocket 120. In an exemplary embodiment, fastener mechanism 130 is a loop and hook fastener, in which case, first element 235 is a loop strip and second element 237 is a corresponding hook strip, or vice versa.

Referring now to FIG. 4, an upper garment 100 with a pocket 120 is illustrated, according to a second embodiment of the invention. Panel 160 (of FIG. 5) is attached to panel 105 of upper garment 100 at three edges 122, 124, 126, in a fashion similar to that of the first embodiment described above. Panel 160 and panel 105 define pocket 120 and an opening 140 therebetween. While the embodiment of FIG. 2 shows adjacent edges 122, 124 and 124, 126 as perpendicular to each other, it is understood that one or more of edges 122, 124, 126 may be curved or rounded. A second panel 465 is sewn on top of panel 160 defining pocket 460 and an opening 440. Pocket 460 is similar to pocket 260 of FIG. 2. In the illustrated embodiment, pocket 460 is divided into first, second, and third compartments 262, 264, 266. In other embodiments, pocket 460 may be divided into more than three or less than three compartments. Compartments 262, 264, 266 are formed by stitches 280, 285 sewing panel 465 on panel 160. A first fastener mechanism 130, disposed along opening 140, controls access to pocket 120 and a second fastener mechanism 270, disposed along opening 440, controls access to pocket 460. In an exemplary embodiment, fastener mechanisms 130, 270 are double fly zippers. In other embodiment, other known mechanisms for closing pockets 120, 460 may also be used and are, therefore, considered to be within the scope of the present invention. Both pockets 120, 460 are disposed generally within waist-section 115, and generally below waistline 110 of upper garment 100. Thus, when waist-section 115 of upper garment 100 is tucked into a lower garment by the wearer, pockets 120, 460 are substantially concealed. Openings 140, 440 are generally along waist-line 110. Access to each of pockets 120, 270, through respective openings 140, 440, is independent of each other. The wearer may choose to access either of pockets 120, 270 without having to access the other pocket.

Referring now to FIG. 5, pocket 120 with fastener mechanism 130 is illustrated before panel 465 defining pocket 460 with compartments 262, 264, 266 is sewn on pocket 120.

Referring now to FIG. 6, there is illustrated panel 460 attached over panel 160. First element 235 of fastener mechanism 130 is attached to panel 105 of upper garment 100 along opening 140 whereas second element 337 of fastener mechanism 130 is attached to panel 160 along opening 140. In an exemplary embodiment, first element 235 and second element 337 are two toothed tracks of a slide fastener or a zipper. A first element 635 of fastener mechanism 270 is attached to panel 160 along opening 440 and a second element 637 of fastener mechanism 270 is attached to panel 465 along opening 440. In an exemplary embodiment, first element 635 and second element 637 are two toothed track of a slide fastener or a zipper. In an exemplary embodiment, the attachment of panel 465 to panel 160 is in the form of a straight stitch between fastener mechanisms 130 and 270.

Referring to FIGS. 7-8, an upper garment 100 with a pocket 120 is illustrated, according to a third embodiment of the invention. In the illustrated embodiment, pockets 120, 260 are similar to pockets 120, 260 of FIGS. 1-2. In this embodiment, fastener mechanism 730 is a slide fastener or a zipper.

Referring to FIGS. 9-10, an upper garment 100 with a pocket 920 is illustrated, according to a fourth embodiment of the invention. In the illustrated embodiment, only fastener mechanism 130 is accessible, and visible, on panel 105 of upper garment 100, as seen in FIG. 9. Pocket 920 is in the form of a pouch 925 and is attached to panel 105 on an interior side of panel 105 only along edge 128, such that opening 940 is accessible from an exterior side of panel 105. Pouch 925 is not attached to upper garment 100 at other three edges 922, 924, 926. Panel 465 is sewn on pouch 925 defining pocket 460 such that pocket 460 can be accessed only through opening 940 of pocket 920 and thus is positioned between panel 105 and pouch 925. Opening 940 of pocket 920 is reversibly closed by fastener mechanism 130. In the illustrated embodiment, pocket 460 is divided into first, second, and third compartments 262, 264, 266. A fastener mechanism 270 further controls access to pocket 460. In an exemplary embodiment, fastener mechanisms 130, 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

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 of claim 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 of claim 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 of claim 1, wherein said first pocket is attached to an interior side of said first panel along said first top side.

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

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

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

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

9. The upper garment of claim 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 of claim 10, wherein said fastener mechanism comprises a slide fastener.

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

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

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

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

17. The upper garment of claim 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: 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.

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

19. The method of claim 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 of claim 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.