GARMENT WITH REMOVABLE POCKET

Abstract

A garment in accordance with an embodiment of the present application includes a removable and replaceable pocket with a unique design that can be removed and replaced with a pocket of a different design.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/096,451 filed Sep. 12, 2008 entitled GARMENT WITH REMOVABLE AND REPLACEABLE POCKET, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Disclosure

The present invention relates to a garment with a removable and replaceable pocket.

2. Related Art

Clothing has increasingly become an important avenue of self expression and individuality. However, most people have a limited budget and thus a limited amount of clothing.

Thus, it would be advantageous to provide clothing that allows for an individual to express various looks from a single piece of clothing.

SUMMARY

It is an object of the present invention to provide a garment with a removable and replaceable pocket.

A garment in accordance with an embodiment of the present application includes an attachment device operable to selectively attach a pocket to the garment.

A pocket in accordance with an embodiment of the present application includes an attachment device operable to releasably attach the pocket to a garment.

A garment in combination with a pocket in accordance with an embodiment of the present application includes a garment including a first attachment device; and a pocket including a second attachment device positioned on an inner surface of the pocket, wherein the first attachment device is operable to releasably receive the second attachment device to connect the pocket to the garment.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description which refers to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A-1D illustrate a garment with a removable and replaceable pocket in accordance with an embodiment of the present application.

FIGS. 2A-2F illustrate a garment with a removable and replaceable pocket in accordance with another embodiment of the present application.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

In FIG. 1A, a garment 10 is illustrated with a removable pocket 12 attached thereto. The pocket 12 is removable from the garment 10 by simply pulling it away from the garment, as is illustrated in FIG. 1B, for example. As can be seen in FIG. 1C, the garment 10 and the pocket 12 include an attachment device 16 that is used to attach the pocket to the garment when desired. FIG. 1D illustrates the garment 10 with the pocket 12 removed.

In a preferred embodiment, the attachment device 16 is a hook and loop fastener. Several strips 16a of loop fasteners are secured to an inner face of the pocket 12 around the periphery thereof, as can be seen in FIG. 10, for example. The strips 16a are preferably sewn into the pocket and spaced approximately 1/16 of an inch inward form the outer edge of the pocket 12. However, the strips 16a may be attached to the pocket in any desired manner. The width of each strip 16a is preferably approximately 9% of the width of the pocket 12 at its midpoint. This positioning and sizing allows for the strips 16a to be largely concealed when the pocket 12 is attached to the garment. While these dimensions are preferred, the strips 16a may be wider or narrower and spaced further or closer to the periphery of the pocked, if desired. It is noted that the strips 16a are preferable attached along all edges of the pocket 12 except for the top edge so that the user can place things in the pocket without detaching it from the garment 10. An additional fastener 18 may be provided in the middle of the top edge of the pocket 12 to allow the pocked to be closed as well. This fastener 18 is also preferably a hook and loop fastener.

The garment 10 preferably includes strips 16b of hooks which are preferably sewn into the garment in a pattern mirroring that of the strips 16a sewn to the inner surface of the pocket 12. The strips 16b are of a similar size to the strips 16a. When the pocket 12 is brought into contact with the garment 10, the loops of the strips 16a interact with the hooks of the strips 16b to hold the pocket on the garment. If desired, the strips 16a with the loops may be attached to the garment 10 and the hooks of the strips 16b can be attached to the inner surface of the pocket 12. The additional fastener 18 similarly includes loops on the portion positioned on the inner surface of the pocket 12 and hooks on the portion attached to the garment 10, however, these positions may also be reversed if desired. In a preferred embodiment, the pocket 12 also includes a design 19 formed on the pocket. The design 19 is preferably embroidered on the pocket 12, but may be formed in any other desired manner, for example, by silk screening. It is contemplated that a user may have several different pockets 12 that can be attached to the same garment 10. Each pocket 12 preferably has a different design. As a result, users can alter the look of the garment 10 by simply removing the pocket 12 and replacing it with another pocket with a different design. In a preferred embodiment, the inner surface of the pocket 12 also includes an indicia of some sort which indicates a size of the pocket 12. For example, in FIGS. 1B-1D, the letter B is formed on the inner side of the pocket. The garment 10 may also include indicia indicating a size of pocket suitable for attachment thereto, as can also be seen in FIGS. 1B-1D, for example.

In an alternative embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 2A-2F, the pocket 112 may include a pull tab 105 preferably connected along the top edge of the pocket. The pull tab 105 provides a convenient way for the user to remove the pocket 120 from the garment 110. As is illustrated in FIGS. 2B-2C, the user grips the pull tag 105 and pulls it to separate the pocket 112 from the garment 110. As can be seen in FIG. 2D, the pocket 112 includes strips 116a of loop fasteners which are preferably sewn or otherwise attached to the pocket in a manner similar to that described above with respect to the strips 16a. In addition, an additional attachment mechanism 118 is provided at a top corner of the pocket, preferably opposite the pull tab 105 to provide additional attachment support for the pocket 12. The additional attachment mechanism is preferably also a hook and loop fastener.

The garment 110 includes corresponding strips 116b of hooks arranged in a pattern to mirror the strips 116a. The hooks interact with the loops to hold the pocket 112 on the garment 110. The pocket 112 preferably also includes a design 119 as well. The tab 105 makes it easier for the user to remove and replace the pocket 112 when desired.

In a preferred embodiment, the garment 10, 110 is a pair of jeans, however, the present application is not limited to this specific embodiment and other articles of clothing may be used. In addition, the pocket 12, 112 is preferably a back pocket, however, the pocket need not be a back pocket.

The pockets 12, 112 are preferably sold separately and can be used with any compatible garment. Thus, a user can by a single pair of jeans, for example, and attach a different pocket every day, if desired, to provide multiple looks. Further, the pocket 12, 112 may be sold as part of a kit that also includes a shirt, or other article of clothing that includes a design 19, 119, for example, that matches that on the particular pocket. In this manner, users will be able to quickly and easily coordinate outfits as well.

In a preferred embodiment, the garment 10 and/or the pocket 12 are sold with instructions that suggest washing the garment with the pocket attached in order to keep the pocket from becoming attached to other clothing in the wash. The versatility of the garment of the present application allows users to save money while still remaining fashionable and being able to creatively express themselves. In addition, the ability to remove and replace pockets allows user to try new combinations and experiment with new looks. While the garment 10 has been illustrated with a single replaceable and removable pocket, the garment may include additional removable and replaceable pockets, if desired. In addition, users may trade pockets with friends to allow for even more flexibility. Further, since the pocket sizes are preferably standardized, all pockets of the same size will work on all garments that indicate compatibility with that size, which also increases versatility as well.

Although the present invention has been described in relation to particular embodiments thereof, many other variations and modifications and other uses will become apparent to those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A garment comprising:

an attachment device operable to selectively attach a pocket to the garment.

2. The garment of claim 1, wherein the attachment device further comprises at least one strip of hook fasteners connected to the garment at a desired location and operable to releasably receive a pocket.

3. The garment of claim 2, wherein the attachment device includes a plurality of strips of hook fasteners, the strips of hook fasteners positioned on the garment such that they approximate the shape of a pocket.

4. The garment of claim 1, wherein the attachment device further comprises at least one strip of loop fasteners connected to the garment at a desired location and operable to releasably receive a pocket.

5. The garment of claim 4, wherein the attachment device further comprises a plurality of strips of loop fasteners, the strips of loop fasteners positioned on the garment such that they approximate the shape of a pocket.

6. A pocket comprising an attachment device operable to releasably attach the pocket to a garment.

7. The pocket of claim 6, further comprising an aesthetically unique design formed on a front surface thereof.

8. The pocket of claim 7, wherein the attachment device further comprises at least one strip of loop fasteners positioned on a rear surface of the pocket at a desired location and operable to releasably attach to the garment.

9. The pocket of claim 8, wherein the attachment device further comprises a plurality of strips of loop fasteners positioned on the rear surface of the pocket adjacent the bottom and side periphery of the pocket.

10. The pocket of claim 7, wherein the attachment device further comprises at least one strip of hook fasteners positioned on a rear surface of the pocket at a desired location and operable to releasably attach to the garment.

11. The pocket of claim 10, wherein the attachment device further comprises a plurality of strips of hook fasteners positioned on the rear surface of the pocket adjacent the bottom and side periphery of the pocket.

12. A garment in combination with a pocket comprising:

a garment including a first attachment device; and

a pocket including a second attachment device positioned on an inner surface of the pocket, wherein the first attachment device is operable to releasably receive the second attachment device to connect the pocket to the garment.

13. The garment of claim 13, wherein the first attachment device further comprises at least one strip of hook fasteners.

14. The garment of claim 13, wherein the second attachment device further comprises at least one strip of loop fasteners.

15. The garment of claim 14 wherein the first attachment device further comprises a plurality of strips of hook fasteners, the plurality of hook fasteners positioned on the garment to correspond to an outline of the pocket.

16. The garment of claim 15, wherein the second attachment device further comprises a plurality of strips of hook fasteners positioned on the rear surface of the pocket adjacent the bottom and side periphery of the pocket such that they align with the plurality of strips of hook fasteners on the garment.

17. The garment of claim 13, wherein the first attachment device further comprises at least one strip of loop fasteners.

18. The garment of claim 17, wherein the second attachment device further comprises at least one strip of hook fasteners.

19. The garment of claim 18, wherein the first attachment device further comprises a plurality of strips of loop fasteners, the plurality of loop fasteners positioned on the garment to correspond to an outline of the pocket.

20. The garment of claim 19, wherein the second attachment device further comprises a plurality of strips of hook fasteners positioned on the rear surface of the pocket adjacent the bottom and side periphery of the pocket such that they align with the plurality of strips of loop fasteners on the garment.