Abstract:
An article of clothing containing concealed pockets for storing and protecting smart phones, identification cards, credit cards, and other objects is provided. In some preferred embodiments, the article of clothing is sportswear or a sports bra.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appln. No. 61/645,248, filed May 10, 2012, and U.S. Provisional Appln. No. 61/732,340, filed Dec. 1, 2012, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to the field of brassieres, sports bras and athletic wear. In particular, the invention relates to sports bras and other athletic tops for women containing concealed pockets for storing and protecting cell phones, identification cards, credit cards, and other objects. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Electronic Dance Music (EDM) concerts, raves, and the club scene have become popular among teenagers and young adults. In these environments attendees often wear tight clothing that allows full body movement for dancing, such as mini-skirts, shorts, tank tops, bras, bikinis, bodysuits, body-hugging dresses and the like. While men&#39;s apparel, such as shorts, typically includes pockets for holding valuables, the same has not been true for women&#39;s fashions and particularly for the type of women&#39;s fashions found in the EDM/dance environment. Making things more difficult, because female attendees of these events are often dancing in close proximity with other people and using their hands in dance movements, carrying a purse is neither practical nor safe as the purse itself or items contained within the purse may be lost or easily stolen during dancing or other physical activities. 
     Brassieres with pockets are known in the art. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,585,200 and 7,753,759, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/074,302. However, none of these brassieres are appropriate for EDM concerts, raves, clubbing or intense exercise. First, female attendees of EDM events often wear as little clothing as possible while still being dressed appropriately. Most attendees would prefer to wear a tight, supportive tank top or sports bra or bikini top to a traditional bra. Second, traditional bras are often made of delicate fabrics such as lace and may contain unwire to support the breasts. These fabrics are not only uncomfortable, particularly on sweaty skin, but they can easily be damaged in a heavy dance environment. Further, underwire brassieres can poke into skin, causing irritation, and the underwire itself may break through the fabric under intense dance movement or other intense physical activity, destroying the brassiere and making the wearer extremely uncomfortable. 
     Finally, none of these pocketed brassieres prevent items from falling out of the pockets or protect items contained within them from heavy perspiration. This is particularly important for cell phones and other electronic devices as heavy sweating may damage or corrode the integrity of the device. 
     Thus, there is a need for a bra, for example, a sports bra, or sportswear with pockets that can hold and protect valuables such as cell phones, money, keys, cosmetics, credit cards, or other objects that women may wish to keep close to their body while dancing or performing some other physical activity, while allowing for a full range of movement for the wearer. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide an article of clothing, such as a sports bra, tank top, bodysuit, dress or the like, which includes pockets to hold and protect personal belongings and can be worn during physical activity such as dancing, running, yoga or any other athletic or physical activity. 
     It is another object of the invention to provide, in some embodiments, an article of clothing, such as a sports bra, tank top, bodysuit, dress or the like, that includes water-resistant or water proof pockets to hold, secure and protect personal belongings from damage due to water or sweat. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide an article of clothing, such as a sports bra, tank top, bodysuit, dress or the like, that allows the wearer to experience a full range of movement while securing the wearer&#39;s personal items close to the body. 
     It is another object of the invention to provide, in some embodiments, an article of clothing, such as a sports bra, tank top, bodysuit, dress or the like, that includes a securing or closure means (for example, a zipper, flap, button, magnetic flap, hook and loop, or Velcro®) for a pocket to reduce or eliminate the possibility of objects falling from, or being unintentionally removed from, the pocket during physical activity, including dancing, jogging, tennis, or any other athletic or physical activity. 
     A method of protecting personal belongings and valuables during physical activity such as dancing, running, or yoga is also provided. The method comprises: placing the personal belonging or valuable into a pocket of an article of clothing of the present invention, and wearing said article of clothing. 
     Such method of protecting the personal belongings and valuables during heavy activity may further include securing such personal belonging or valuable in said pocket by any securing or closure means provided, such as a zipper, flap, button, magnetic flap, hook and loop, or Velcro®. 
     Other systems, methods, features, and advantages of the present invention will be or become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following drawings and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features, and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the present invention, and be protected by the accompanying claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       This patent application file contains at least one photograph or drawing executed in color. Copies of this patent application publication with color drawing(s) will be provided by the Office upon request and payment of the necessary fee. 
       Many aspects of the invention can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present invention. Likewise, elements and features depicted in one drawing may be combined with elements and features depicted in additional drawings. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views. 
         FIG. 1  is a front view of an embodiment of an article of clothing (e.g., a sports bra) of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of an embodiment of an article of clothing of the invention (e.g., a sports bra) showing one of the preferred embodiments of the invention wherein a pocket is positioned on the side of the chest beneath the armpit of the wearer. 
         FIG. 3  is back view of an embodiment of an article of clothing (e.g., a sports bra or a supportive tank top) of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is an alternative embodiment of an article of clothing of the present invention wherein the article of clothing is a supportive tank top and the pocket or pockets for holding personal belongings and valuables, in a preferred embodiment, may be positioned anywhere along the side of the body, from beneath the armpit to the waist. 
         FIG. 5  is a detail of a pocket of the present invention showing a closure or securing means, for example, a zipper or a flap. 
         FIG. 6  is a color photo showing a front view of an embodiment of an article of clothing (e.g., a sports bra) of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  is a color photo showing a side view of an embodiment of an article of clothing (e.g., a sports bra) of the present invention. In one of the preferred embodiments of the invention, a pocket is positioned on the side of the chest beneath the armpit of the wearer. In  FIG. 7 , the wearer is shown inserting a smartphone into the pocket of the article of clothing. 
         FIG. 8  is a color photo showing a side view of an embodiment of an article of clothing (e.g., a sports bra) of the present invention. In  FIG. 8 , a smartphone is shown secured by a closed zipper in the pocket of the article of clothing. 
         FIG. 9  is a color photo showing a side view of an embodiment of an article of clothing (e.g., a sports bra) of the present invention. In  FIG. 9 , the pocket of the article of clothing is shown with an open zipper, allowing objects to be inserted or removed from the pocket. 
         FIG. 10  is a color photo showing an alternate side view of an embodiment of an article of clothing (e.g., a sports bra) of the present invention. In  FIG. 10 , the wearer is shown inserting a smartphone into the pocket of the article of clothing. 
         FIG. 11  is a color photo showing a back view of an embodiment of an article of clothing (e.g., a sports bra) of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The following description is exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the scope of the invention as defined by the claims appended hereto. As will be apparent to one of skill in the art, modifications to described elements below may be made without deviating from the scope of the present invention. 
     Following long-standing patent law convention, the terms “a,” “an,” and “the” refer to “one or more” when used in this application, including the claims. Thus, for example, reference to “a subject” includes a plurality of subjects, unless the context clearly is to the contrary (e.g., a plurality of subjects), and so forth. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , an example of an article of clothing of the present invention  10  is shown. In this embodiment, the article of clothing is a sports bra. In  FIG. 1 , the pockets  11  of the sports bra are shown as extending out from the article of clothing  10  to enhance clarity of the invention, however in an actual embodiment of the invention the pockets  11  would preferably be sewn into the side of the article of clothing  10  and virtually invisible as shown in  FIGS. 6 and 11 . Further, there need not be two pockets in the article of clothing  10 , as shown in the figures, but the article of clothing  10  may contain one, two, three, four, or as many pockets as may be desired. 
     In  FIG. 1 , the pockets  11  are shown positioned below the breast portion  13  of the sports bra, however, the pockets  11  may be positioned anywhere on the article of clothing  10 . Another preferred embodiment of the invention, for example, includes pockets  11  that are positioned directly to the side of the breast portion  13  of the article of clothing, as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 6  though  11 . 
     The article of clothing  10  may have straps  12  on the shoulders that hold the article of clothing  10  in place. The portion of the article of clothing  10  that covers the breasts  13  may, in some embodiments, have multiple layers of fabric for comfort, additional support or modesty. Preferably, the article of clothing  10  does not utilize any underwire underneath the breast portion  13  as underwire tends to be uncomfortable, may poke the wearer and prevents full movement of the body during dancing, exercise or other physical activities. Then article of clothing  10  may stop just below the breasts, as shown in  FIG. 1 , or extend toward or beyond the belly button, as shown in  FIG. 4 . 
     The article of clothing  10  may be made from a variety of materials, including natural fabrics (e.g., cotton, cotton blends, wool, linen), or synthetic breathable materials (e.g., nylon, nylon blends), and the like. In one preferred embodiment, the pockets  11  of the article of clothing  10  are made from a water absorbing material such as cotton or a blend thereof. In another preferred embodiment, the pockets  11  of the article of clothing  10  are made from a water-resistant/sweat resistant material, for example, nylon, spandex (or a blend thereof), a fluoropolymer fabric (for example, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)), vinyl, latex, neoprene, polyurethane, mesh fabric, polyester or any similar material, blend of or combination of the foregoing. In another embodiment, the entire article of clothing  10  is made from a water-resistant/sweat resistant material. The article of clothing  10  may comprise one or more layers of material. 
     Further, the inside (not shown) of the pockets  11  of the article of clothing  10  of the present invention may be treated with a water resistant material, for example, silicone, which term includes silicone analogues and derivatives, including but not limited to siloxanes (e.g., dimethylsiloxanes, polydimethylsiloxanes, etc.) and silicones (e.g., amino functional silicones, methyl hydrogen silicones, epoxy and hydroxy functional silicones, silicone polyethers, etc.), and may include any mixture of a silicone (with other silicones or other compounds). In one example, the silicone is a silicone sealant or adhesive, such as Liquid Nails® Clear Small Projects Silicone Adhesive (information available at: www.liquidnails.com/products/product.jsp?productId=74) and Liquid Nails® Silicone Premium Universal Sealant (information available at: www.liquidnails.com/products/product.jsp?productId=13&amp;d#details). Such treatment helps to prevent sweat or water from permeating into the cavity of the pockets, thus protecting valuables (particularly electronic devices) from exposure. 
     In other embodiments, the pockets  11  of the article of clothing  10  may be made of a textile with a microporous Teflon membrane backing, GORE-TEX®, a textile treated with NikWax PolarProof (see, e.g., www.seattlefabrics.com/nikwax.html), a textile treated with a Durable Water Repellent (DWR) finish, a textile with a HydroMAX finish, or any textile treated with any other type of finish that provides any level of water-resistant properties. 
     In yet another embodiment of the invention, the inside of the pockets  11  of the article of clothing  10  of the present invention may be treated with an “energy textile” that allows a cell phone or other electronic device to charge while in the pocket. See, for example, www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2010/01/e-textile-charge/ and Bao, Lihong et al.,  Towards Textile Energy Storage from Cotton T - Shirts , Advanced Materials, Vol. 24, Issue 24, pp. 3246-3352 (Jun. 26, 2012) (available at http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/adma.201200246/abstract;jsessionid=57635F550AFF14F218B22714C99ABEDC.d03t03). 
       FIG. 2  shows a side view of an article of clothing  10  of the present invention. In this embodiment, a pocket  11  is shown as a rectangle, however a pocket  11  may be any shape, including, for example, rounded, square or a horizontal or vertical rectangle as shown in  FIGS. 7 ,  8  and  10 . A pocket  11  may also be any size desired. For example, in the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 7 ,  8  and  10 , the pocket  11  is large enough to accommodate a smartphone. 
       FIG. 3  shows a back view of the article of clothing  10  of the present invention. As discussed above with respect to  FIG. 1 , the pockets  11  are shown as extending out from the article of clothing  10  to enhance clarity of the invention, however in an actual embodiment of the invention the pockets  11  would preferably be sewn into the side of the article of clothing  10  and virtually invisible as shown in  FIG. 11 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 , the pockets  11  are shown positioned at the waist of the wearer, however, as discussed above, the pockets  11  may be positioned anywhere on the article of clothing  10 . Another preferred embodiment of the invention, for example, includes pockets  11  that are positioned directly to the side of the breast portion  13  of the article of clothing, as shown in shown in  FIGS. 2 , and  6  though  11 . 
     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 , the straps  12  are shown crossing over each other, however other arrangements of the straps are contemplated. For example, the straps may be parallel in the back (as shown in  FIG. 1  for the front of the article of clothing  10 ) or the straps may tie around the neck of the wearer. 
       FIG. 4  provides another embodiment of the article of clothing  10  of the present invention. In this figure, the article of clothing is a tank top and the pockets  11  are shown placed at the waist of the wearer, however, the pockets  11  may be located anywhere on the article of clothing  10 , for example, along the side of the article of clothing extending from the waist to the armpit. Other embodiments of the article of clothing  11  of the present invention include body suits, swimwear, dresses or the like. 
       FIG. 5  provides a cross section close up view of a pocket on the invention. In  FIG. 5 , a pocket  11  is shown as a horizontal rectangle (as opposed to a vertical rectangle shown in  FIGS. 7 through 10 ) that can hold a smartphone  15  (outline shown by dotted line), however as discussed above, the size and shape of the pocket  11  may vary. The pocket  11  is shown in this embodiment with a flap  16  that may act as a closure means to protect valuables from being lost or stolen during physical activity. The flap  16  may use any securing/closure means known in the art, for example, a snap  17 , buttons, hook and eye, magnetic strips, or Velcro®. In another embodiment, the securing/closure means may be a zipper, as shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 . 
     The opening for the pocket  11  may be in any configuration desired, for example, as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 10 , the opening of the pocket  11  and the closure means are shown at the top of the pocket  11 , however, these may be located at the sides of the pocket, beneath the pocket, or diagonally across the pocket, for example. 
     The contents of the articles, patents, and patent applications, and all other documents and electronically available information mentioned or cited herein, are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety to the same extent as if each individual publication was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. Applicants reserve the right to physically incorporate into this application any and all materials and information from any such articles, patents, patent applications, or other documents. 
     The inventions illustratively described herein may suitably be practiced in the absence of any element or elements, limitation or limitations, not specifically disclosed herein. Thus, for example, the terms “comprising”, “including,” containing”, etc. shall be read expansively and without limitation. Additionally, the terms and expressions employed herein have been used as terms of description and not of limitation, and there is no intention in the use of such terms and expressions of excluding any equivalents of the features shown and described or portions thereof, but it is recognized that various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention claimed. Thus, it should be understood that although the present invention has been specifically disclosed by preferred embodiments and optional features, modification and variation of the inventions embodied therein herein disclosed may be resorted to by those skilled in the art, and that such modifications and variations are considered to be within the scope of this invention as defined by the appended claims. 
     The invention has been described broadly and generically herein. Each of the narrower species and subgeneric groupings falling within the generic disclosure also form part of the invention. This includes the generic description of the invention with a proviso or negative limitation removing any subject matter from the genus, regardless of whether or not the excised material is specifically recited herein. 
     All of the compositions, objects and methods disclosed and claimed herein can be made and executed without undue experimentation in light of the present disclosure. While the compositions, objects and methods of this invention have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, it will be apparent to those of skill in the art that variations may be applied to the compositions, objects and methods and in the steps of the sequence of steps of the method described herein without departing from the concept, spirit and scope of the invention. More specifically, it will be apparent that certain agents which are both chemically and physiologically related may be substituted for the agents described herein while the same or similar results would be achieved. All such similar substitutes and modifications apparent to those skilled in the art are deemed to be within the spirit, scope and concept of the invention as defined by the appended claims. 
     Other embodiments are set forth within the following claims.