ADAPTABLE POCKET AND TETHERING SYSTEM
A system and method of attaching a pocket to an article of clothing or an accessory via a magnetic attachment or a bistable spring structure. The system includes a first sleeve, a first magnet, a pocket, a second sleeve, and a second magnet such that the pocket is attached to the article of clothing or the accessory via a magnetic attraction between the first magnet and the second magnet. The system includes a bistable spring structure and a pocket such that the pocket is attached to the article of clothing or the accessory via the bistable spring structure.
This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/376,049 filed Aug. 17, 2016, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThis invention relates to a detachable pocket for apparel such as an article of clothing and, in particular, to a pocket adapted to be detachably, moveably, and magnetically affixed and/or tethered to an article of clothing or accessory and which serves to embellish the article of clothing or accessory and/or temporarily store and/or conceal and/or display items via the pocket.
BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTIONIn the clothing industry, pockets such as shirt pockets or pants pockets are typically attached to a clothing item via stitching. This attachment is formed at the time of manufacturing of the clothing item. Pockets may also be attached to a clothing item via one or more pins, for example. Such an attachment may occur after the clothing item is sold to a customer, and may be attached by the customer.
Many articles of clothing are manufactured without attached pockets. This may be because pockets are considered unnecessary for the clothing item, physically uncomfortable to the user, or unaesthetic. Some articles of clothing are manufactured with a plurality of pockets. This may be to allow for the storing or concealing of a multitude of articles in different locations along the clothing item.
Some existing pockets have printed indicia or affixed logos or artwork or the like which may have been created to achieve a desired aesthetic effect.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present disclosure may relate to at least one of the above. However, the present disclosure may also prove useful to other technical areas. Therefore, the disclosure should not be construed as necessarily limited to addressing any of the above.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a pocket which may overcome some of the disadvantages of conventional pockets. For example, pockets which are permanently sewn into the clothing item provide no flexibility in the location of the pocket or additional utility of the pocket. Even if the pocket was detachable, the process for detaching and reattaching the pocket may be timely and cumbersome and the clothing item may become torn in the process. If the pocket is attached via a pin, the result may be a loosely attached pocket which may be liable to become detached from the clothing item without the knowledge of the wearer.
Furthermore, pockets with printed indicia or affixed logos or artwork are usually permanent and fixed with respect to the pocket and clothing item and do not permit the pocket or clothing item itself to have versatility in their appearances.
Accordingly, in a non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, a pocket is provided, comprising a first magnet disposed on one side of the pocket which may be magnetically attached to a second magnet, wherein at least a portion of a clothing fabric may be disposed between the first and second magnet.
In an alternative non-limiting embodiment of the invention, the magnet includes at least one magnetic component.
In an alternative non-limiting embodiment of the invention, the pocket may be attached to an apparel or an apparel accessory such as an article of clothing such as a belt, jacket, pants, boot, or hat, or to a carrying item such as a briefcase, handbag, or purse.
In an alternative non-limiting embodiment of the invention, the pocket includes an opening to allow placement of the magnetic component inside.
In an alternative non-limiting embodiment of the invention, the sleeve may be at least partially sewn to the pocket with the magnetic component disposed therein.
In an alternative non-limiting embodiment of the invention, the pocket or a plurality of pockets may be adapted to be modular and may be provided to allow for user customization of the pocket with respect to the apparel via attachment, detachment, adjustment and rearrangement of the pocket. Additionally or alternatively, the components that comprise the pocket and or its attachment may be custom selected and modularly configured by a user. For example, a user may custom select the magnets, tethers, or embellishment components.
In an alternative non-limiting embodiment of the invention, the magnets are configured as modular magnets and are capable of attachment, detachment, adjustment and rearrangement and to be interchangeable by the user.
In an alternative non-limiting embodiment of the invention, the pockets permit a user sensitive to magnetic fields to wear a magnetized pocket and may be capable of mitigating magnetic interference with magnetically sensitive pocket contents.
In an alternative non-limiting embodiment of the invention, the pockets permit a magnetotherapy user to conceal therapy magnets in the pockets, and to adjust magnet strength and to harness the effects of magnetic fields.
In an alternative non-limiting embodiment of the invention, the pocket allows for at least one of the following: (i) the adjustment of magnet strength and the harnessing of the effects of magnetic fields, (ii) to protect sensitive pocket contents, such as cell phone and credit cards, eliminating risk of data erasure from stray magnetic fields, (iii) customize pocket clamping forces, by allowing addition of extra magnets, for more secure carrying of items that are bulky, awkward or otherwise heavy, (iv) users highly sensitive to magnetic fields to use such pockets, (v) user option to add or dynamically arrange magnets for greater clamping strength, (vi) personal, customized magnet choices for magnetotherapy users, (vii) freedom for a user to dynamically arrange magnets within the pocket, and (viii) user embellishment and customization of the exterior of the pocket.
In a non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, a tethering mechanism comprising one or more multiple bands is provided which may be threaded or inserted through an apparel and/or accessory item, and a pocket may be attached to the apparel and/or accessory item via the band tethering mechanism.
In a non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, the tethering mechanism may be a bistable spring mechanism.
In a non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, the bistable spring mechanism may be a layered, flexible, stainless steel bistable spring band, encased or sealed with fabric, silicone, plastic, or other material.
In a non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, the bistable spring mechanism may be exposed, partially exposed, or concealed from view.
In a non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, the bistable spring mechanism may be permanently or non-permanently affixed to the apparel and/or accessory item.
In a non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, the bistable spring mechanism may be inserted or threaded through an entire or a partial length of the apparel and/or accessory item.
In a non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, the bistable spring mechanism may have bistable springing properties.
In a non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, the bistable spring mechanism may be formed of metal, leather, or rubber material.
In a non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, one or more pockets may be attached to the bistable spring mechanism via at least one clipping and/or magnetic mechanism.
In a non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, the bistable spring mechanism may contain or have attached thereto a non-permanent or permanent magnet source for affixing a pocket containing or having attached thereto a permanent and/or non-permanent magnet.
In a non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, at least one clip, hook, clamp, etc. and/or magnet may be non-permanently or permanently attached to the apparel and/or accessory item and/or pocket.
The present disclosure may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings. However, attention is called to the fact that the drawings are illustrative. Variations are contemplated as being part of the disclosure.
The accompanying drawings illustrate example embodiments of the present disclosure. Such drawings are not to be construed as necessarily limiting the disclosure. Like numbers and/or similar numbering scheme can refer to like and/or similar elements throughout.
Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the following drawings in which:
The present disclosure is now described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which example embodiments of the present disclosure are shown. The present disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as necessarily being limited to the example embodiments disclosed herein. Rather, these example embodiments are provided so that the present disclosure is thorough and complete, and fully conveys the concepts of the present disclosure to those skilled in the relevant art. In addition, features described with respect to certain example embodiments may be combined in and/or with various other example embodiments. Different aspects and/or elements of example embodiments, as disclosed herein, may be combined in a similar manner.
The terminology used herein can imply direct or indirect, full or partial, temporary or permanent, action or inaction. For example, when an element is referred to as being “on,” “connected,” “coupled” or “attached” to another element, then the element can be directly on, connected, coupled, or attached to the other element and/or intervening elements may be present, including indirect and/or direct variants. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly connected” or “directly coupled” or “directly attached” to another element, there are no intervening elements present.
Although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not necessarily be limited by such terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another element, component, region, layer or section. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer, or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer, or section without departing from the teachings of the present disclosure.
The terminology used herein is for describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be necessarily limiting of the present disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms “comprises,” “includes” and/or “comprising,” “including” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. Further, alternate terminology should not be limited necessarily as exclusionary, but can be inclusionary as well.
Example embodiments of the present disclosure are described herein with reference to illustrations of idealized embodiments (and intermediate structures) of the present disclosure. As such, variations from the shapes of the illustrations as a result, for example, of manufacturing techniques and/or tolerances, are to be expected. Thus, the example embodiments of the present disclosure should not be construed as necessarily limited to the particular shapes of regions illustrated herein, but are to include deviations in shapes that result, for example, from manufacturing.
A preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in
It will further be appreciated that the magnet/tether sleeve or sleeves may be constructed as a separate unit or units that may be used modularly for attachment to new, recycled or upcycled pockets or pocket-like containers, e.g. a pocketbook or cell phone case or apparel, e.g., a skirt. Thus, for example, an existing or new pocketbook, clutch, cell phone case, and/or apparel may be customized or retrofitted with a modular magnet/tether sleeve which may be coupled with, e.g., a belt. Alternatively or in addition, a clutch band unit may include a magnet/tether sleeve element for modularly adapting and/or retrofitting a pocketbook.
The reversible belt 50 may be designed as a single, continuous unit adapted for wrapping around, or suspending on, or across a user, and the buckling mechanism at the end of belt 50 may be accomplished via one or multiple fasteners, tethers, buckles or any other means known to one skilled in the art. In an alternative embodiment, the reversible belt 50 may be designed as one or multiple segments adapted for wrapping around, or suspending on, or across a user, that may be affixed together by tethers or fasteners or any other means known to one skilled in the art.
The pocket 10 is detachably attached to the belt 44 via at least one magnetic sleeve 14 partially or fully attached to the pocket 10. In an example embodiment, the sleeve 14 is attached to the backside of the pocket 10 via at least one rivet 56. It will also be appreciated that the sleeve 14 may be attached to the pocket 10 in other manners besides or in addition to a rivet 56 whether permanently or non-permanently, e.g., bolt, adhesive, and all are within the scope of the present invention. A magnetic component 16 is disposed within the sleeve 14 such as via a top side of the sleeve 14. The pocket 10 is held in place along the belt 44 due to a magnetic attraction between the magnet 16 contained in the sleeve 14 and the magnet 18 disposed on the opposite side of the belt 44, or via a tethering mechanism further described herein.
The pocket 10 is detachably attached to the boot shaft 48 via at least a second magnetic sleeve 58 partially or fully attached to the pocket 10. In an example embodiment, the second magnetic sleeve 58 is attached to the backside of the pocket 10 via at least one rivet 56. A second magnetic component 16 is disposed within the second magnetic sleeve 58 such as via a top side of the sleeve 58. The pocket 10 is held in place along the boot shaft 48 due to a magnetic attraction between the magnet contained in the sleeve 16 attached to the pocket 10 and the magnet 16 attached to the boot shaft 48. Additionally, a clipping mechanism 60 may be disposed between the two magnetic sleeves 14, 58.
The bistable spring mechanism 62 may be detachably attached to the belt 44 via its snapping, bistable spring mechanism. The bistable spring mechanism may exist in either a straight and coiled/circular state. The bistable spring mechanism 62 may be attached to the belt 44 by snapping or slapping it around the belt 44 causing it to coil around the belt 44. It will also be appreciated that the bistable spring mechanism 62 may be attached to the belt 44 in other manners besides or in addition to its snapping, bi-stable spring mechanism whether permanently or non-permanently, e.g., encasement, bolt, adhesive, and all are within the scope of the present invention.
The bistable spring mechanism 62 is attached to the belt 44 via threading the bistable spring mechanism 62 through the belt 44. In an alternative embodiment, the bistable spring mechanism 62 is attached to the belt 44 via other manners besides or in addition to being threaded through the belt 44 whether permanently or non-permanently, e.g. bolt, adhesive, and all are within the scope of the present invention. The bistable spring mechanism 62 may also be placed over or within the belt 44, for example, in the form of a sleeve. In addition, the bistable spring mechanism 62 may be inserted or threaded through an entirety of or a partial length of the belt 44.
The bistable spring mechanism 62 is attached to the pocket 10, which may be used, for example, to contain a cellphone or wallet, via being threaded through the pocket 10. In an alternative embodiment, the bistable spring mechanism 62 is attached to the pocket 10 via other manners besides or in addition to being threaded through the pocket 10 whether permanently or non-permanently, e.g., bolt, adhesive, and all are within the scope of the present invention. The bistable spring mechanism 62 may also be placed over the pocket 10, for example, in the form of a sleeve.
Additionally or alternatively, the bistable spring mechanism 62 is attached to the pocket 10 magnetically. The pocket 10 is detachably attached to the bistable spring mechanism 62 via at least one magnetic sleeve 14 partially or fully attached to the pocket 10. The magnetic sleeve 14 may be attached to the backside of the pocket 10 via at least one rivet 56. A magnetic component 16 is disposed within or on the magnetic sleeve 14 such as via a top side of the sleeve 14. The pocket 10 is held in place along the belt 44 due to a magnetic attraction between the magnet 16 contained in the sleeve 14 and the bistable spring mechanism 62 attached to the belt 44. Additionally or alternatively, the bistable spring mechanism 62 is attached to the pocket 10 via at least one clip. The pocket is detachably attached to the bistable spring mechanism via the at least one clip. The clip may be attached to backside of the pocket 10 so that it is fully or at least partially concealed from view. In addition or alternative to clips, other types of fasteners as known to one skilled in the art may be attached or partially attached to the belt and/or pocket to join or facilitate joining the belt 44 and the pocket 10. For example, barbs, hooks, clamps, screws, straps, and adhesive may be attached to the belt 44 and/or pocket 10.
The bistable spring mechanism 62 may be fully exposed, partially exposed, or concealed from view. For example, when concealed from view, both ends of the bistable spring mechanism 62 may be flush along opposite sides of the belt 10. As shown in
In an alternate embodiment, the band 62 may be a tether band that does not operate in the manner of a snap band, i.e. bistable springing properties, and may be formed of, for example, leather or rubber. However, it will also be appreciated that other materials are possible for the tether according to alternative example embodiments, for example, the tether, may be formed of any material, e.g., fabric or metal.
Bistable spring mechanism 62 may provide scaffolding, constriction and/or stability for stand-alone wear, or for coupling with modular components, such as pocket containers, wrap skirts, and other accessories and apparel. Bistable spring mechanism 62 may be encased within, bonded within, or threaded through any textile, including leather, synthetic leather, or silicone rubber.
A portion of the belt 44, such as the tongue, may be composed of a stretchable, flexible textile 66, such as neoprene, providing constriction and allowing for a degree of wearer movement. This component may pass through or is buckled via flex frame tension clip and buckling mechanism 68.
Flex frame tension clip and buckling mechanism 68 may provide a means for elegantly harnessing textiles that are stretchable and to mitigate ripping and tearing of fabrics that are not suitable for conventional buckling mechanisms, such as bistable spring mechanism 62. The flex frame tension clip and buckling mechanism 68 may include a lock and release mechanism feature. The flex frame tension clip and buckling mechanism 68 may be lined on its interior with a nonslip, gripping material or coating. It may also be used modularly, as a form of clipping mechanism 64, for coupling a belt 44 and a pocketbook or clutch purse.
The description of the present disclosure has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to be fully exhaustive and/or limited to the disclosure in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations in techniques and structures are apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the disclosure. For example, the tether, sleeve, and/or belt may be formed of any material, e.g., fabric or metal, elastic or non-elastic. Accordingly, such modifications and variations are contemplated as being a part of the present disclosure. It will further be appreciated that the magnet/tether sleeve or the bistable spring or the pocket may be constructed as separate units or elements that may be used modularly for attachment to articles of clothing or accessories, or may be constructed as part of, or integrated with, the article of clothing or accessory.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
- 10 FRONT OF POCKET
- 12 POCKET CHAMBER ENTRY AND/OR CLOSURE
- 14 MAGNET SLEEVE
- 16 EXTERIOR MAGNET
- 18 INTERIOR MAGNET
- 20 CROSS-VIEW OF APPAREL
- 22 BACK OF POCKET
- 24 ADDITIONAL POCKET CHAMBER(S)
- 26 POCKET WINDOW
- 28 EMBELLISHMENT CHANNEL—SOCKET
- 30 EMBELLISHMENT ANCHOR—STUD
- 32 EMBELLISHMENT
- 34 EXTERIOR SHUNTED OR CORRELATED MAGNET
- 36 INTERIOR SHUNTED OR CORRELATED MAGNET
- 38 EMI/RFI SHIELD
- 40 TETHER
- 42 BUTTON FASTENER
- 44 BELT
- 46 APERTURE
- 48 BOOT SHAFT
- 50 BELT
- 52 APERTURE
- 54 TETHER APERTURE
- 56 RIVET
- 58 SECOND MAGNETIC SLEEVE
- 60 CLIP
- 62 BISTABLE SPRING MECHANISM
- 64 CLIPPING MECHANISM
- 66 STRETCHABLE TEXTILE
- 68 FLEX FRAME TENSION CLIP AND BUCKLING MECHANISM
Claims
1. An article of clothing or an accessory comprising:
- a first sleeve attached to an interior side of the article of clothing or the accessory;
- a first magnet disposed within the first sleeve;
- a pocket;
- a second sleeve attached to a back side or an inside of the pocket; and
- a second magnet disposed within the second sleeve,
- wherein the pocket is attached to the article of clothing or the accessory via a magnetic attraction between the first magnet and the second magnet.
2. The article of clothing or the accessory of claim 1, wherein the second sleeve is sewn to the back side of the pocket such that at least one side of the second sleeve is open for insertion of the magnet.
3. The article of clothing or the accessory of claim 1, wherein the back side of the pocket includes or is at least partially formed of a magnetic shield and/or a radio wave shield.
4. The article of clothing or the accessory of claim 1, wherein the second sleeve comprises at least two sleeves.
5. The article of clothing or the accessory of claim 1, further comprising:
- a tether inserted through an opening in the pocket, wherein the tether includes at least one fastener configured for attachment to the article of clothing or the accessory.
6. The article of clothing or the accessory of claim 5, wherein the article of clothing or the accessory includes a plurality of apertures, wherein the pocket is attached to the article of clothing or the accessory via a connection between at least one aperture of the plurality of apertures and the at least one fastener.
7. The article of clothing or the accessory of claim 5, wherein the tether is an adjustable tether configured to be adjusted vertically, horizontally, and/or diagonally along the article of clothing or the accessory.
8. The article of clothing or the accessory of claim 5, wherein the tether is configured to connect a plurality of pockets to the article of clothing or the accessory.
9. The article of clothing or the accessory of claim 5, further comprising:
- an embellishment magnetically attached to a front side of the pocket.
10. The article of clothing or the accessory of claim 1, wherein the article of clothing is a belt, jacket, outerwear, pants, boot, hat, or vest, and wherein the accessory is a belt, briefcase, purse, handbag, tote bag, or backpack.
11. The article of clothing or the accessory of claim 1, wherein the pocket is configured to be a modular pocket.
12. The article of clothing or the accessory of claim 1, wherein the pocket is at least one of configured to be detached from the article of clothing or the accessory or moved with respect to a surface of the article of clothing or the accessory.
13. The article of clothing or the accessory of claim 5, further comprising:
- a clip, wherein a first portion of the clip is configured to be attached to the pocket and a second portion of the clip is configured to be attached to the article of clothing or the accessory.
14. An article of clothing or an accessory comprising:
- a bistable spring structure disposed over or through a section of the article of clothing or the accessory;
- a pocket having a sleeve or a clip attached to a back side or an inside thereof,
- wherein: the sleeve or the clip is configured to receive a portion of the bistable spring structure; or the clip or a tethering structure is disposed between the sleeve and the bistable spring structure,
- wherein the pocket is attached to the article of clothing or the accessory via the bistable spring structure.
15. The article of clothing or the accessory of claim 14, wherein the bistable spring structure is a slap band.
16. The article of clothing or the accessory of claim 14, further comprising:
- a first magnet disposed within the sleeve; and
- a second magnet attached to an interior side of the article of clothing or the accessory;
- wherein the pocket is attached to the article of clothing or the accessory via a magnetic attraction between the first magnet and the second magnet.
17. The article of clothing or the accessory of claim 14, further comprising:
- a first magnet disposed within the sleeve,
- wherein the bistable spring structure is at least partially magnetic,
- wherein the pocket is attached to the article of clothing or the accessory via a magnetic attraction between the first magnet and the bistable spring structure.
18. The article of clothing or the accessory of claim 14, wherein the sleeve is sewn to the back side of the pocket such that at least one side of the sleeve is open for insertion of the bistable spring structure, the clip, and/or the tethering mechanism.
19. The article of clothing or the accessory of claim 14, wherein the back side of the pocket includes or is at least partially formed of a magnetic shield and/or a radio wave shield.
20. A method comprising:
- attaching a pocket to an article of clothing or an accessory, wherein the attaching is at least one of via a magnetic attachment or a bistable spring structure.
Type: Application
Filed: Aug 17, 2017
Publication Date: Feb 22, 2018
Inventor: Veronica Holland Graves (Dallas, TX)
Application Number: 15/679,743