GARMENT HAVING ELASTICIZED WAISTBAND WITH POCKET

Abstract

A garment is provided that has a waistband, and a segment of fabric connected to the waistband. The waistband and the segment of fabric are connected to form a pocket. A pocket connected to a garment having waistband, the pocket having a first segment of fabric, and a second segment of fabric. One of the first segment of fabric and the second segment of fabric is a portion of a waistband of the garment and the other of the first segment of fabric and the second segment of fabric is attached to the waist band to form the pocket.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/494,145 filed on Jun. 7, 2011, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This disclosure relates to a garment with a built-in pocket for carrying small items. More particularly, this disclosure relates to a garment with an elasticized waistband with a built-in pocket for carrying small items.

2. Description of Related Art

Currently, there exist different accessories for carrying small valuables for hands free movement, or during athletic activity or exercise. Typically such accessories are small purses or wristlets that are often worn by women. There are also small pockets for women that may be worn in the brassiere or at other locations close to the body for such purposes. However, there do not exist any articles of clothing, for women and particularly for men, for discretely and securely carrying small personal items during exercise or athletic activity.

Accordingly, there is a need for a simple and discrete pocket or pouch that is built into a garment having an elasticized waist to enable individual to carry small items securely to leave their hands free for exercising and athletic activity.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure provides for a pocket that is integral to a waistband of a garment.

The present disclosure also provides for an elasticized pocket that is integral with the waistband of a garment to securely hold small valuables and items.

The present disclosure further provides for a garment that has an elasticized pocket that is made from the same or similar material as a waistband of such athletic garment to securely hold small valuables and items.

The present disclosure still further provides for a garment having an elasticized waist that has a pocket that is made from the same or similar material as the waistband of such garment and has a closure to securely hold small valuable and items. Such garment is a male athletic supporter, swimming trunks, athletic shorts, a woman's undergarment or swimming suit bikini.

A garment is provided that has a waistband, and a segment of fabric connected to the waistband. The waistband and the segment of fabric are connected to form a pocket.

A pocket connected to a garment having waistband, the pocket having a first segment of fabric, and a second segment of fabric. One of the first segment of fabric and the second segment of fabric is a portion of a waistband of the garment and the other of the first segment of fabric and the second segment of fabric is attached to the waist band to form the pocket.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a front perspective view of the pocket of the present disclosure in an opened configuration; as part of a waistband of a garment, a male athletic supporter;

FIG. 2 illustrates the garment of FIG. 1 showing the detail of the pocket in a closed configuration, according to the present disclosure; and

FIG. 3 illustrates the garment of FIG. 1 showing the detail of the pocket in an opened orientation, according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 4a illustrates a front side of men's athletic shorts that have a pocket, according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 4b illustrates a rear side of the men's athletic shorts of FIG. 4a, showing the pocket in an opened configuration, according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 illustrates swimming trunks having a pocket, according to the present disclosure, in an opened configuration;

FIG. 6a illustrates a front side of a woman's undergarment that has a pocket, according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 6b illustrates a rear side of the women's undergarment of FIG. 6a, that has a pocket, according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 illustrates the rear side of the lower part of a woman's swimming suit or a panty that has pocket, according to the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERED EMBODIMENT

Referring to the drawings and, in particular to FIG. 1 a garment according to the present disclosure is shown and referenced by reference numeral 10. Garment 10, shown as a man's athletic supporter, includes a waistband 15 and a pouch 20 connected to waistband 15 for supporting male genital organs during exercise or similar physical activity. Garment 10 is shown as having two leg straps 25 that are each attached to waistband 15 and to the bottom of pouch 20. Garment 10 includes a pocket 30, according to the present disclosure, that is above pouch 20. FIG. 1 references garment 10 that is structured as a man's athletic supporter, however, garment 10 may be a different garment, such as those discussed below, that have an elasticized waistband 15 and are often worn during athletic activity or exercise at a time when valuables must be stored on the person and when such valuables cannot be held in the hands.

Referring to FIG. 2, a detailed view of front of garment 10 shows waistband 15, and a pocket 30. Waistband 15 can be of a standard width such as 1 inch, 2 inches or 3 inches. Further, four inch waistbands are possible for certain sports. Pocket 30 is formed by a segment of fabric 35 and waistband 15. Segment of fabric 35 is sewn to waistband 15 such that an opening 32 (not shown) is formed between waistband 15 and segment of fabric 35. A segment of fabric 40 that is a part of waistband 15 is opposite segment of fabric 35. Accordingly, pocket 30 has two segments of fabric, namely segment of fabric 35 and segment of fabric 40, where segment of fabric 40 is integral with, or part of, waistband 15. Segment of fabric 35 is secured to waistband 15 by sewing. Segment of fabric 35 is the same width as waistband 15 to seamlessly blend with waistband 15 to form pocket 30. Segment of fabric 35 is also made from the same or similar elasticized material as waistband 15. FIG. 1 shows segment of fabric 35 secured to an outer or facing surface of waistband 15. Alternatively, segment of fabric 35 could also be secured at inside of waistband 15 to form pocket 30, such in garments in which waistband is covered with fabric of clothing to which waistband 15 is connected, as shown in FIG. 4b.

Segment of fabric 35 is shown as being rectangular, although other four sided shapes such as a square, a parallelogram, or a quadrilateral may also be used for the shape of segment of fabric 35. When segment of fabric 35 is four sided, such segment is sewn to waistband 15 on three sides. Alternatively, segment of fabric 35 could also have a triangular shape or a semi-circular shape, in which, segment of fabric 35 is secured to waistband 15 on two sides or along a semi-perimeter, respectively.

Referring to FIG. 3, segment of fabric 35 of pocket 30 is movable or stretchable relative to waistband 15 to provide access to contents within pocket 30. In particular segment of fabric 35, or both segment of fabric 35 and waistband 15 can be moved or stretched to provide access to contents of pocket 30. Segment of fabric 35 is secured, to waistband 15 to form pocket 30. Opening 32 may be oriented facing upward towards the face of the wearer or along the circumference or perimeter of waistband 15 such that pocket 30 opens to the left or right side.

Pocket 30 can be of different sizes depending upon the height of waistband 15. Pocket 30 has the same height as the height of waistband 15. Accordingly, the size of pocket 30, specifically height and width of pocket 30, can be varied according to the desires of the manufacturer. In an alternative embodiment, additional pocket 30 or a plurality of pockets can be added to garment 10 at different locations along waistband 15.

Referring to FIG. 3, pocket 30 has a closure mechanism 50 that can be a hook and eye closure, snaps or buttons. Closure mechanism 50 is disposed on inside of segment of fabric 35, facing body of wearer, and on outside of segment of fabric 40, away from body of wearer, for simple and secure closing of pocket 30. Pocket 30 is sized to hold small items and valuables such as money, a locker key or a license. Closure mechanism 50 together with elasticized segment fabric 35 and elasticized fabric of waistband 15 and, in particular, of segment of fabric 40 ensure that valuables will be secure inside of pocket 30 during active movement that characterizes exercise.

Referring to FIGS. 4a and 4b, garment 10 is structured as a pair of athletic shorts 60 often worn by men. Athletic shorts 60 have a waistband 15; however, do not contain a pocket typically connected to a side seam. Accordingly, garment 10 has pocket 30 at front. As shown above with regard to FIGS. 1 through 3, pocket 30 has segment of fabric 35 and a segment of fabric 40 that is integral and actually part of waistband 15. Further, and as shown in FIG. 4b, segment of fabric 35 is connected to inside of waistband 15 to form pocket 30. Alternatively, as noted above, pocket could be located along the side or at the rear of athletic shorts, as opposed to the front of garment.

FIG. 5 shows a pair of swimming trunks 70. Swimming trunks 70 have a pocket 30 formed from segment of fabric 35 and waist band 15. In particular, pocket 30 has a segment of fabric 35 and a segment of fabric 40 that is integral with waistband 15. FIG. 5 shows segment of fabric 35 that is attached inside of waistband 15.

Referring to FIGS. 6a and 6b, shows a woman's undergarment 80. Undergarment 80 has a waistband 15 and a pocket 30 at front side of undergarment 80. As shown above with regard to FIGS. 1 through 5, pocket 30 is formed from a segment of fabric 35 and waistband 15. Segment of fabric 35 is connected to waistband, preferably by sewing. Segment of fabric 40 is part of waistband 15 and is opposite segment of fabric 35. Undergarment 80 shows pocket 30 located towards the right side of the garment or towards the right hip of the wearer. Alternatively, pocket could be located above the buttocks of the wearer in the rear of garment 10.

FIG. 7 shows garment 10 as a bikini bottom (or panty) 90, such as those commonly worn as part of a bathing suit. Panty 90 has two pockets 30 and 31, one pocket at the front of panty 90 and another pocket at the rear of panty 90. Each pocket 30 and 31 has a segment of fabric 35 and a segment of fabric 40 that is integral with waistband 15. Garment 10 of the present disclosure could have a plurality of pockets along waistband 15.

Segment of fabric 35 is easily incorporated into the existing manufacturing process of garment 10, of the various types disclosed herein, to form pocket 30. Additionally, pocket 30 is easily be incorporated into male and female undergarments. The sewing of pocket 30 is additional simple step during the sewing of garment 10. During the sewing process, fabric 35 is sewn to waistband 15 to make pocket. 30. Waistband 15 and segment of fabric 35 that form pocket are made from material that incorporates an elasticized material such as rubber, or a synthetic elastomer. Waistband 15, including segment of fabric 40, and segment of fabric 35 are moved apart by wearer of garment 10 to secure items between segment of fabric and waistband 15 that form pocket 30.

Although the present disclosure describes in detail certain embodiments, it is understood that variations and modifications exist known to those skilled in the art that are within the disclosure. Accordingly, the present disclosure is intended to encompass all such alternatives, modifications and variations that are within the scope of the disclosure as set forth in the disclosure.

Claims

1. A garment comprising:

a waistband, and

a segment of fabric connected to said waistband, wherein said waistband and said segment of fabric are connected to form a pocket.

2. The garment according to claim 1, wherein said waistband and said segment of fabric can be moved apart for securement of an object therebetween.

3. The garment according to claim 1, wherein said waistband comprises an elasticized fabric connected to the garment.

4. The garment according to claim 1, wherein said segment of fabric comprises an elasticized fabric.

5. The garment according to claim 1, wherein said waistband is made from elasticized fabric and said segment of fabric is made from elasticized fabric.

6. The garment according to claim 1, wherein the garment is an athletic garment, an exercise garment or an undergarment.

7. The garment according to claim 1, wherein the garment is selected from the group consisting of a male athletic supporter, an athletic short, a swimming trunk, women's undergarment or a bikini panty, men's briefs and women's panties.

8. The garment according to claim 1 wherein the waistband comprises rubber or a synthetic elastomer.

9. The garment according to claim 1, wherein the segment of fabric comprises rubber or synthetic elastomer.

10. The garment according to claim 1, wherein the segment of fabric comprises a shape selected from the group consisting of a square, a rectangle, a parallelogram, a quadrilateral.

11. The garment according to claim 10, wherein said segment of fabric is connected to said waistband on three sides.

12. The garment according to claim 1, wherein said segment of fabric has a semi-circular shape and has an edge and said segment of fabric is connected to said waistband at said edge.

13. The garment according to claim 1, further comprising a second segment of fabric connected to said waistband to form a second pocket.

14. The garment according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of segments of fabric connected to said waistband to form a plurality of pockets.

15. A pocket connected to a garment having a waistband, the pocket comprising:

a first segment of fabric, and

a second segment of fabric;

wherein one of said first segment of fabric and said second segment of fabric is a portion of a waistband of the garment and the other of the first segment of fabric and the second segment of fabric is attached to the waist band to form the pocket.

16. The pocket according to claim 15, wherein said first segment of fabric and said second segment of fabric are elasticized fabric, and wherein the elasticized fabric comprises rubber or a synthetic elastomer.

17. The pocket according to claim 15, wherein said first segment of fabric is said portion of the waistband and wherein said first segment of fabric has two sides and said second segment of fabric is connected to either side of the first segment to form a pocket.

18. The pocket according to claim 17, wherein said first segment of fabric and said second segment of fabric can be moved apart for securement of an object therebetween.

19. The pocket according to claim 15, wherein the garment is an athletic garment, an exercise garment or an undergarment.

20. The pocket according to claim 15, wherein the garment is selected from the group consisting of a male athletic supporter, an athletic short, a swimming trunk, a man's undergarment, a woman's undergarment or a bikini panty.

21. The pocket according to claim 17, wherein the second segment of fabric comprises a shape selected from the group consisting of a square, a rectangle, a parallelogram or a quadrilateral.

22. The pocket according to claim 17, wherein the second segment of fabric is connected to said waistband on three sides.

23. The pocket according to claim 17, wherein said second segment of fabric has a semi-circular shape.

24. The pocket of claim 15, wherein the pocket further comprises a closure to secure said first segment and said second segment.