Abstract:
Garments having an inside-out appearance are disclosed and are designed to be inside-out and fashionable. Unique fasteners, belt carriers and modifications of pockets make possible wearing a garment having an inside-out appearance. When a conventional garment is turned inside out many features such as belt carriers, zippers, and pockets become difficult or impossible to use when the garment is worn. Garments disclosed herein permit full use of features such as belt carriers, buttons, zippers, and pockets.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention generally relates to clothing, and more particularly to garments having an inside-out appearance.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     Garments can be made using many different fabric types and can come in a variety of styles. Fabrics used in garments often have a so-called right side and a so-called wrong side, the right side indicating the side of the fabric normally shown on the outside of the garment when worn and the wrong side indicating the side normally hidden from view.  
         [0003]     When making a garment, the fabric can be laid out and pattern pieces can be cut from the fabric. Multiple pattern pieces of various sizes and shapes can be created from the fabric, usually by cutting the fabric along a predetermined path. The pattern pieces are used to create the shape of the garment by attaching the pattern pieces together at predefined locations. A variety of attachment mechanisms can be used, including numerous stitching techniques, as is known in the art.  
         [0004]     As mentioned above, garments are usually created with the right side of the fabric displayed on the outside of the garment. Fasteners are used on the garment to facilitate wearing and are oriented to encourage wear of the garment wherein the right side of the fabric is shown on the outside of the garment. Some fasteners useful in wearing garments include buttons, zippers, and belt carriers. Any given garment can be made having a combination of various fasteners.  
         [0005]     Some garments can also be made having a number of functional elements such as pockets and belt carriers. Pockets can be made having a number of different configurations, such as a panel pocket, pocket bag, and coin pocket. The pockets can be attached by sewing and/or or can be riveted. Likewise, belt carriers can be sewn, stitched or otherwise attached to add to the functionality or appearance of the garment.  
         [0006]     When a garment is turned inside-out it can become difficult to continue full use of the garment. For example, in some garments fasteners are meant to be used when a person wears the garment conventionally and are not intended to be functional when the garment is worn inside-out. Likewise, features such as pockets or belt carriers can be difficult or impossible to fully use when the garment is worn inside out. Because of this, it can sometimes be difficult to properly wear a garment inside-out.  
         [0007]     In view of this background, the need remains for garments intended to be worn with an inside out appearance. The present invention is addressed to these needs.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0008]     Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself, and the manner in which it may be made and used, may be better understood by referring to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying figures forming a part thereof.  
         [0009]      FIG. 1   a  depicts the front view of a pair of pants.  
         [0010]      FIG. 1   b  depicts the back view of a pair of pants.  
         [0011]      FIG. 2  depicts a close-up view of the top of the pair of pants of  FIG. 1   a.    
         [0012]      FIG. 3  depicts another close up view of the top of the pair of pants of  FIG. 1   a.    
         [0013]      FIG. 4   a  depicts another close up view of the top of the pair of pants of  FIG. 1   a.    
         [0014]      FIG. 4   b  depicts another close up view of the top of the pair of pants of  FIG. 1   a.    
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0015]     For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, and alterations and modifications in the illustrated devices, and further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein are herein contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.  
         [0016]     Certain embodiments of the present invention provide novel arrangements of garments having an inside out appearance and/or provide for inside-out fashion. Furthermore, certain embodiments of the present invention provide an aesthetic appearance and feel which are pleasing to some people and can be unisex or designed specifically for men, women, or children. Novel approaches to providing fasteners on the wrong side of fabric on the outside of garments provide useful garments having an inside-out appearance. As used herein, the term ‘garments’ includes but is not limited to pants, slacks, jeans, shirts, blouses, skirts, jackets and hats. Also as used herein, the term ‘fasteners’ includes but is not limited to buttons, rivets, zippers, hooks, hook and loop fasteners sometimes referred to as VELCRO, snaps, and belt carriers.  
         [0017]     Turning now to  FIGS. 1   a  and  1   b,  a pair of pants  100  is shown having the appearance of a conventional pair of pants which have been turned inside-out. Pants  100  of the illustrated embodiment are constructed from conventional denim fabric. In other embodiments, however, the pants or other garments may be formed from another fabric type. As used herein, the term ‘fabric’ includes but is not limited to woven or knitted fabrics such as denim, duck cloth, cotton and cotton blends, corduroy, velveteen, linen and linen blends, wool and wool blends, double knits and canvas. The pants  100  are constructed such that the right side of the fabric faces the inside of pants  100 . Additionally, the seams facing the inside of the pants  100  appear as they would appear on the outside of a conventional pair of pants. As used herein, ‘conventional pair of pants’ and ‘conventional pair of jeans’ is intended to encompass a pair of pants such as standard jeans and DOCKERS manufactured by LEVI STRAUSS that are constructed using the right side of fabric showing on the outside of the pants, as is well known in the art. Also as used herein, the term ‘conventional garment’ means a garment that is constructed using the right side of fabric showing on the outside of the garment. The pants  100  are also constructed such that the wrong side of the fabric faces the outside of the pants, giving the pants  100  the appearance of being inside out even though they are not.  
         [0018]     Pants  100  include features similar to conventional pants such as pant legs  110 , front pockets  120 , back pockets  130 , coin pocket  140 , fly guard  150  and belt carriers  160 . Some of these features such as coin pocket  140  and belt carriers  160  are attached to the outside of pants in the illustrated embodiment to add functionality and usability even though the pants provide the illusion of being inside-out. If the pants  100  were merely conventional pants turned inside out, these features would be situated on the inside of the pants  100 . As used herein, the term ‘attached’ includes but is not limited to sewn, stitched, glued, and riveted. When pattern pieces are attached to one another a variety of seams can be created, some of which include flat felled seams and serged seams.  
         [0019]     In the illustrated embodiment, side seams  170  are finished having serged seam stitching shown on the outside of pants  100 , contrasted with a conventional pair of pants where the serged seam would be hidden on the inside of the pants. Constructing pants having the serged seam visible on the outside is useful in creating the illusion that a conventional pair of pants has been turned inside out.  
         [0020]     In the illustrated embodiment the inseams  180 , crotch seam  190  and back yoke seam  200  utilize a flat felled seam application. It will be understood that inseams  180 , side seams  170 , crotch seam  190  and back yoke seam  200  are created when two pattern pieces are attached together and thus can take on a variety of forms as discussed above. Thus, in other embodiments a crotch seam can be created using a serged seam application to name just one example. Likewise, a back yoke seam can be created by attaching pattern pieces using double chain stitching to name just one example.  
         [0021]     Back pocket  130  is attached in an inside out manner to the outside of pants  100  to add functionality and usability. The use of back pockets in the illustrated embodiment can be contrasted with a conventional pair of pants that have been turned inside-out. When conventional pants are turned inside-out the back pockets would face the inside and thus be inaccessible to the wearer when the pants are worn. Embodiments of the present invention, however, provide for back pockets useable in a pair of pants having an inside-out appearance.  
         [0022]     The pair of back pockets  130  in the illustrated embodiment are patch pockets attached with the wrong side of denim facing the outside of the pants  100 . The inside-out illusion is thus maintained while at the same time maintaining the utility of back pockets. The back pocket hem  220  is turned away from pants  100  thus exposing the right side of the denim of back pocket  130 . Exposing the right side of the fabric in the back pocket hem  220  is also useful to highlight the outline of back pocket  130  and provide visual contrast. The back pocket  130  is thus constructed the same way a back pocket on a conventional pair of jeans would be constructed, but it is attached to the pants  100  with the conventional inside of the pocket facing outward. Providing back pocket  130  as described in the illustrated embodiment is similar to removing a back pocket from a conventional pair of pants and reattaching the pocket to the pants. In other embodiments, back pocket hem  220  can be turned toward the inside of pants  100 , much as the hem would be created on a conventional pair of pants.  
         [0023]     To further create the appearance of an inside-out pair of pants, the pant leg hem  230  is turned toward the outside of pants  100  with the right side of the fabric showing. Exposing the right side of the fabric in the pant leg hem  230  is useful to, among other things, highlight the bottom of pant leg  110  as well as to provide visual contrast. Because the pant leg hem  230  is turned away from pants  100 , pant leg hem  230  creates the illusion of having been created by simply turning a pair of conventional pants inside-out. The pant leg hem  230  is thus constructed the same way the pant leg hem on a conventional pair of jeans would be constructed, except that the hemmed material is turned to the outside of the pants  120  instead of the inside, as is done with conventional pants. In other embodiments, pant leg hem  230  can be turned toward the inside of pants  100 , much as the pant leg hem would be created on a conventional pair of pants.  
         [0024]     Turning to  FIG. 2  and examining the illustrated embodiment in more detail, pants  100  include a pair of front pockets  120  comprising front pocket bags  250  as found on the inside of a conventional pair of pants. Front pocket bags  250  are depicted as partially showing on the outside of pants  100 , the remainder of the bag is hidden from view much like a pocket bag of a conventional pair of pants. In a conventional pair of pants, the upper portion  255  of front pocket bag  250  would be concealed by a flap of fabric, typically matching the fabric from which the remainder of the pants  100  are constructed, as is known in the art. Allowing a portion of the front pocket bags to show at the top of the pocket  120  further reinforces the illusion that the pants  100  are inside out. In other embodiments, however, front pocket bags  250  can be attached similar to pocket bags in conventional jeans wherein the bag is hidden from view.  
         [0025]     Front pocket hem  260  is formed at the top edges of the pocket  120  opening. Front pocket hem  260  is turned toward the inside of pants  100 , much as the front pocket hem would be created on a conventional pair of pants. In other embodiments, front pocket hem  260  can be turned toward the outside of pants  100 . Exposing the right side of the fabric in other embodiments is useful to, among other things, highlight the front pockets  120  as well as to provide visual contrast.  
         [0026]     Front pocket rivets  270  are affixed to each end of front pocket hem  260  in the same areas where rivets are normally found on a conventional pair of jeans. As is known in the art, the front pocket rivets  270  comprise a rivet front and a rivet back which are mechanically coupled to one another with material thereby secured therebetween. Front pocket rivets  270  are attached in an inside out configuration wherein the back side of the rivet normally hidden from view on the inside of a conventional pair of pants is now shown on the outside of the illustrated embodiment. This effect can be created by actually riveting the pants with the rivet back on the outside of pocket  120  and the rivet front on the inside of pocket  120 , or the rivet back may be on the inside pocket  120  and the rivet back may be on the outside of pocket  120  (i.e. the same orientation used in conventional pants), except that the rivet front is flipped over before securing it to the rivet back, such that the rear side of the rivet front faces outward from the outside of the pants  120 . Placing rivets in the same orientation as conventional pants provides the protruding piece of the rivet to face out and provide maximum comfort and wear Because front pocket rivets  270  are attached backwards compared to a conventional pair of pants, the illustrated embodiment creates the illusion of having been created by turning a conventional pair of pants inside-out. In other embodiments, either the rivet front or the rivet back could be attached to the outside of pants  100  thus creating the impression that a rivet has been mechanically coupled.  
         [0027]     Coin pocket  140  is sewn as a patch pocket and is attached to front pocket bag  250  with the wrong side of the fabric showing on the outside. The inside-out illusion is thus maintained while at the same time providing for the usefulness of coin pockets. Coin pocket hem  280  is turned away from the pants  120  thereby exposing the right side of the fabric on the outside. Exposing the right side of the fabric in the coin pocket hem  280  is useful to, among other things, highlight the outline of coin pocket  140  as well as to provide visual contrast. In other embodiments, coin pocket hem  280  can be turned toward the inside of pants  100 , much as the coin pocket hem would be created on a conventional pair of pants. Coin pocket  140  is attached to pants using coin pocket rivets  290  attached to the top comers of coin pocket hem  280 . Furthermore, three sides of coin pocket  140  are attached to pants  100  by stitching. In some embodiments, only one rivet may be used if only one corner of the top of the coin pocket were normally visible in any given design of pants  100 .  
         [0028]     Coin pocket rivets  290  are attached in an inside out configuration wherein the side of the rivet normally hidden from view on the inside of a conventional pair of pants is now shown on the outside of the illustrated embodiment, as discussed hereinabove with respect to the front pocket rivets  270 . Because coin pocket rivets  290  are attached backwards compared to a conventional pair of pants, the illustrated embodiment creates the impression of having been created by turning a conventional pair of pants inside-out. Coin pocket rivets can be oriented similar to front pocket rivets discussed above. The coin pocket  140  is thus constructed the same way a coin pocket on a conventional pair of jeans would be constructed, but it is attached to the pants  100  with the conventional inside of the pocket facing outward.  
         [0029]     Turning now to  FIG. 3 , waistband  300  displays a single chain stitch on the outside of pants  100  as would be found on the inside of the waistband of conventional denim pants. Waistband  300  in the illustrated embodiment shows the right side of fabric. Exposing the right side of the fabric in waistband  300  is useful to, among other things, highlight the outline of waistband  300  as well as to provide visual contrast. In addition, because the waistband  300  displays the right side of the fabric it creates the illusion of having been created by simply turning a pair of conventional pants inside-out. In other embodiments, waistband  300  can be attached to pants  100  showing the wrong side of the fabric. In some embodiments waistband  300  can display stitching on the outside similar to the outside of a conventional pair of pants. In other embodiments waistband  300  can display stitching on the inside similar to the inside of a conventional pair of pants. In other embodiments, waistband stitching can include single chain stitching, double chain stitching, or any other types of stitching.  
         [0030]     Belt carriers  160  are shown in the illustrated embodiment sewn onto the outside of waistband  300 . Belt carriers in the illustrated embodiment are made having the wrong side of fabric shown on the outside of pants  100  creating the appearance of an inside-out pair of pants. In addition, belt carrier tab  305  is shown oriented away from waistband  300  in contrast to a conventional pair of pants where belt carrier tab  305  would be oriented toward waistband  300 . Orienting belt carrier tabs  305  away from the waistband also contributes to the inside-out appearance. In other embodiments, carrier tab  305  can be oriented toward waistband  300 . In still other embodiments, belt carriers  160  can be provided using the same configuration as found on a conventional pair of pants wherein the right side of the fabric is shown on the outside of the pants and wherein carrier tab  305  is oriented towards waistband  300  and therefore hidden from view. Exposing the right side of the fabric in belt carriers  160  is useful to, among other things, highlight the outline of belt carriers  160  as well as to provide visual contrast. Although the belt carriers in this embodiment appear conventional, the pants maintain an overall appearance of inside-out and are not detracted by belt carriers in this embodiment. In still further embodiments, belt carriers  160  can be provided using a similar configuration as found on a conventional pair of pants wherein the right side of the fabric is shown on the outside of the pants but wherein carrier tab  305  is oriented away from waistband  300  and therefore hidden from view.  
         [0031]     Belt carriers  160  are attached in the illustrated embodiment to allow for functionality and usability, such as for use with a belt, as contrasted to a conventional pair of pants turned inside-out wherein the belt carriers would be located on the inside of the pants thus impeding and/or preventing use of a belt. Carriers provided in this way permit normal use of pants  100  such that the pants may be readily worn by threading a belt through the carriers as can be done in a conventional pair of pants. As used herein, the term ‘normal use’ refers to, among other things, the use that is typical of a conventional pair of pants such that pockets, belt carriers, buttons, and zippers are readily accessible from the outside. For example, if a conventional pair of pants are turned inside-out it can be difficult and/or impossible to continue use of items such as pockets, belt carriers, buttons and zippers because these items have been turned towards the inside of the pants and are not readily accessible with a person&#39;s hands or fingers. To continue use of these items in a conventional pair of pants turned inside-out therefore requires changes in the normal use of the pants. Embodiments of the invention described herein, however, provide normal use of pants wherein pockets, belt carriers, buttons, and zippers can be readily accessible from the outside.  
         [0032]     Carrier hem  310  is folded toward waistband  300  in the illustrated embodiment. In some embodiments, carrier hem  310  can be folded away from the waistband. Stitching  315  is added to the outside of belt carriers  160  to provide the appearance of a belt carrier hem folded away from waistband  300 . Because belt carrier hems are normally configured towards waistband  300  and therefore hidden from view, providing stitching in this way mimics the appearance of a carrier hem folded away from the waistband and therefore contributes to the illusion of inside-out pants.  
         [0033]     With regards to belt carriers, it will be understood that any combination of right side/wrong side fabric, orientation of carrier tabs towards or away from waistband, and/or additions of hem stitching, can be made within the scope of the invention.  
         [0034]     Turning now to  FIGS. 4   a  and  4   b,  a close up view of the fly and button region of pants  100  is shown. Button  320  is attached to the outside of waistband  300  similar to buttons attached to conventional pairs of pants. Buttonhole  330  is created in the complementary side of the waistband to receive button  320 . Button  320  and buttonhole  330  are positioned for functionality and usability so as to permit fastening of the pants around a person&#39;s waist as contrasted to a conventional pair of pants turned inside-out wherein the button would then be facing the inside of the pants, creating difficulties in fastening the pants. Buttons attached to pants as described herein thus provide for pants having the illusion of being inside-out but having the usefulness of a conventional pair of pants.  
         [0035]     Fly guard  150 , traditionally found on the inside of conventional pairs of pants, is exposed on the outside of the garment  100 . The fly guard  150  is configured showing the right side of the fabric on the outside of pants  100  and is attached with bar tack  152  to hold fly guard  150  in place. In other embodiments fly guard  150  can be constructed showing the wrong side of fabric. Fly guard  150  is finished with serged seam  156 . Because fly guard  150  displays the right side of fabric as well as the fly guard construction on the outside of pants  100 , the illustrated embodiment provides the impression of a conventional pair of pants turned inside-out.  
         [0036]     Zipper  340  is turned out in a normal manner and is attached to fly guard  150 . Zipper  340  is positioned for functionality and usability such that zipper pull  350  can be used to open the fly of pants  100  as contrasted to a conventional pair of pants turned inside-out wherein the zipper pull would be located on the inside of the pants thus impeding and/or preventing use of the fly. Therefore, while the zipper of the pants  100  is positioned and used the same as a conventional pair of pants, placement of the fly guard on the outside of the pants  100  and having the right side of the fly guard fabric facing the outside of the pants  100  creates the impression of a conventional pair of pants turned inside out.  
         [0037]     Other types of garments can be created using the invention as disclosed herein. For example, blouses and jackets could be made having seams and fabric constructed to provide an inside-out appearance while maintaining the functionality of a blouse or jacket having fasteners such as buttons which are oriented to the outside of the inside-out appearing garment. Some garments could also be made using non-traditional attachment methods as described above.  
         [0038]     While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character. Only certain embodiments have been shown and described, and all changes, equivalents, and modifications that come within the spirit of the invention described herein are desired to be protected. Any experiments, experimental examples, or experimental results provided herein are intended to be illustrative of the present invention and should not be considered limiting or restrictive with regard to the invention scope. Further, any theory, mechanism of operation, proof, or finding stated herein is meant to further enhance understanding of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention in any way to such theory, mechanism of operation, proof, or finding. Thus, the specifics of this description and the attached drawings should not be interpreted to limit the scope of this invention to the specifics thereof. Rather, the scope of this invention should be evaluated with reference to the claims appended hereto. In reading the claims it is intended that when words such as “a”, “an”, “at least one”, and “at least a portion” are used there is no intention to limit the claims to only one item unless specifically stated to the contrary in the claims. Further, when the language “at least a portion” and/or “a portion” is used, the claims may include a portion and/or the entire items unless specifically stated to the contrary. Finally, all publications, patents, and patent applications cited in this specification are herein incorporated by reference to the extent not inconsistent with the present disclosure as if each were specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference and set forth in its entirety herein.