Abstract:
An athletic garment having at least one pocket that allows the wearer access to items stored within a pocket while the wearer is exercising. Athletic shorts/pants are provided having at least one pocket formed therein and configured to receive and secure an item including, but not limited to a gel flask, a gel packet, a food bar, water, ice packet, that remains in place within the pocket during exercise.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/514,898, filed Aug. 3, 2011, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates to athletic garments having one or more pocket(s) designed and/or located to secure items when the wearer is actively exercising. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Advances in the understanding of human sports physiology have made clear the performance advantage of maintaining liquid and nutrition intake during athletic events. In races, training, and games that occur without outside support, athletes have learned to carry their own hydration and nutrition. Replacing water and minerals lost to sweat production prevents dehydration and the associated risk of muscle cramping, rising core temperature, and reduction in metabolic energy production. In addition, intake of carbohydrates is critical for replacement of muscle glycogen used in cellular energy production. 
         [0004]    Sport, travel and general merchandise stores commonly sell articles for holding water and hydrating fluids for use during a variety of activities to enable the user to keep one&#39;s body hydrated, ward off thirst and improve sports performance. These fluid-carrying articles are used for, and during, activities from leisurely walking and everyday use to hiking and endurance sports or activities such as running, in-line skating, cycling and triathlons. These articles, depending on their configuration, provide varying levels of comfort and convenience relative to the intended activity and unique/varying activity variables. 
         [0005]    Originally, day hikers used small to large frame-less and internal/external frame, backpacks with shoulder straps, to carry bottles of water or other containers for holding fluids and/or supplements in a hands-free fashion. With the increased popularity of running, packs which included shoulder straps presented an uncomfortable means of carrying fluid bottles for activities, such as running and fitness walking, due to the chafing of the shoulder straps, bouncing, large surface area coverage trapping sweat, and general inaccessibility to fluids and/or supplements while in motion (without stopping to take off and open the pack). Bottles, flasks, bars, gel packs and blocks have been strapped to hands, or placed in or on belts, packs and pockets. However, hand carrying items becomes cumbersome, tiring on the hand and arm, and may hinder competitive performance levels over longer periods of strenuous activity and is therefore generally undesirable for many athletes. To improve the “hand-free” options for carrying fluids and/or supplements and further address the unique hydration carrying needs of more active sports enthusiasts, waist packs with a receiving holster or outside pocket for a water bottle have become available. These types of packs are similar to a basic general use fanny pack available currently at most general merchandise stores. The water bottle holding packs are similar to general use fanny packs in that they attach around one&#39;s waist with two waist straps which usually buckle in the center front of the waist and include a rear “pack” portion for holding articles, are commonly made of fabric such as denier nylon (backpack style material), which rests just above, or partially on, the buttocks. However, these active sports water bottle packs differ from the above described general use waist (fanny) packs due to the unique jostling and body movement and activity related variables and physics. With the more recent active sports water bottle carriers, the rear pack portion, which rests on or above the buttocks and sides, provide one or more vertical or partially angled mounted receiving holster(s) or bottle sleeves with an opening at the top, in which the holster and opening is sized and shaped primarily to receive or hold “sports” (round cross section sports type) water bottles. To use such a bottle-holding waist pack one reaches ones arm around and pulls out the bottle, drinks and then replaces the bottle. A “sports” water bottle is commonly a semi-durable plastic round cross section type bottle often utilizing a screw or press-on cap and a pop-top nipple or the like for drinking Water or fluid may be expressed through the opening or nipple by squeezing the bottle with one&#39;s hand or and with some by holding the bottle upside down using gravity. Many of these packs are offered and constructed to carry up to two or more standard water bottles (holding volumes of about 20 oz. of water/fluid). These pack/bottle configurations are not optimal for running and other similar jarring types of activities: with such packs both with the bottle holster vertically configured, and slanted versions which the bottle rests at roughly a 45° angle to one side there is considerable bouncing due to the in-optimal position of the bottle relative to the waist strap angle producing torsional movement “about” (around) the waist strap plane causing localized chafing of the bottle onto the user&#39;s body, and poor (distant) positioning of the weight (mass) of the water relative to the user&#39;s body&#39;s center of mass resulting in bouncing, sloshing of fluid in the water bottle due to the bottle position and bottle&#39;s cross sectional geometry, and ergonomic discomfort due to lack of integration of the components relative to the user&#39;s body. 
         [0006]    In other designs, pockets are sewn into apparel are typically constructed from one or more pieces of fabric that create a pouch. This pouch is attached along its upper edge, or part of its side edge, to the fabric of the garment. The resulting container hangs from this connection or is sewn to the outer material of the apparel along three sides. To date, all of these have proven inadequate and unsatisfactory due to bouncing and swinging of contents and the resulting friction and irritation, and due to interference with the swinging motion of the arms while running. 
         [0007]    Compression shorts are garments worn by individuals for a variety of purposes, but are primarily worn by active individuals and athletes engaged in athletic activities. Essentially, a compression short serves as a type of girdle, providing compressive support to various areas of the wearer&#39;s body, including the back, hips, pelvis, abdomen, groin and thigh areas. Compression shorts are particularly helpful to those who have suffered some type of injury to those areas of the body, either for additional support of those areas permanently weakened by injury, or for temporary support of those areas while an injury heals. 
         [0008]    Compression shorts are often manufactured using stretchable or elastomeric fabrics such as LYCRA™ or SPANDEX™. Typically, a compression short is constructed such that this elastomeric fabric is placed in tension when the short is pulled onto the wearer&#39;s body, thereby providing some degree of compressive support for the wearer. The particular part of the body receiving this compressive support depends upon the nature of the construction of the garment. 
         [0009]    Some athletic shorts and skirts designed for running and other sports are comprised of an inner brief or compression short that provides stabilization and coverage of the genitalia and an outer short designed to provide style and camouflage the shape of the body. Typically, these two layers are designed to connect at a shared waistband resulting in a single apparel piece. In addition, past products have had pockets, supported by the outer fabric, the waistband, or some combination, for carrying hydration, nutrition and/or personal electronics. Attempts have been made to connect the pocket to the inner short where it can be stabilized by the compression fabric with an opening in the outer short, but design, construction and production have been too difficult. 
         [0010]    Thus, there is a need, especially in the field of running, for an athletic garment incorporating a manner of holding items securely and without impeding the movement of the athlete wearing these garments. The garments of this invention achieve these and other advantages discussed more fully below. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    It is therefore a primary object of the subject invention to provide athletic garment having at least one pocket formed therein and configured for receipt of an item including, but not limited to, a gel flask, gel packet, food bar, water, or other energy supplement, that is held both securely and easily-accessible during exercise. Furthermore, the pocket is placed such that the pocket and its contents do not interfere with the athlete engaged in exercise, such as running, cycling, hiking, or walking. 
         [0012]    The athletic garment construction of the present invention makes possible the efficient and economical attachment of stable pockets to the inner liner by moving the attachment of the outer layer down to expose a section of liner. The attachment seam may follow a straight, angled, or curved path to expose as much or as little of the liner as needed to anchor the pocket. The pocket may also be positioned to avoid the path of the athlete&#39;s arm swing and be easily assessable. Through prototyping, testing, and athlete evaluation, the present inventors have determined that a preferred position for the pocket to be in the hollow, at the side of the hip muscle. Other positions, such as the center of the back and the front on the hip are also functional. 
         [0013]    The construction of the pocket itself may be further refined through the use of elastic fabrics that aid in compressing articles in the pocket against the body. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]      FIG. 1  illustrates a back prospective view of an embodiment of an athletic pant of the invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  illustrates a back view of an embodiment of an athletic pant of the invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  illustrates a side view of an embodiment of an athletic pant of the invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  illustrates the opposite side view of an embodiment of an athletic pant of the invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  illustrates a back prospective view of an embodiment of an athletic pant with a side pocket on the right side of the athletic pant; 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  illustrates a back view of an embodiment of an athletic pant with a side pocket on the right side of the athletic pant; 
           [0020]      FIG. 7  illustrates a side view of an embodiment the athletic pant with a side pocket on the right side of the athletic pant; 
           [0021]      FIG. 8  illustrates a back prospective view of an embodiment of an athletic pant with a side pocket on the left side of the athletic pant; 
           [0022]      FIG. 9  illustrates a back view of an embodiment of an athletic pant with a side pocket on the left side of the athletic pant; and 
           [0023]      FIG. 10  illustrates a side view of an athletic pant with a side pocket on the left side of the pant. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0024]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , an athletic garment is illustrated, where the athletic garment is an athletic pant and more specifically a short. Though reference is made to a short throughout the specification, it is understood that the present invention is suitable for use with other athletic garments such as skirts, pants, tights and the like. The shorts  100  of the present invention are shown in a prospective view of the back of an individual. The shorts  100  illustrated are knee length, though it is to be understood that the shorts could be shorter or longer, depending on the comfort of the wearer and the activity of the wearer, including full-length athletic pants. The short may be a compression short, or it may be a looser material, containing a compressive section around the pockets  104  and  106 . The shorts may also comprise loose material over and/or affixed to a compressive undergarment. In addition, the short may also be connected to an upper portion such as a shirt, tank top, suspenders or the like. In some embodiments, the athletic garment may be a skirt or skorts, which may also be connected to an upper portion. 
         [0025]    In one embodiment, the garment has two sections stitched together to make the shorts  100 . It is understood that additional seams and sections may be used without deviating from the present invention. The garment may also have only one seam and may be a single piece of fabric. Two pockets  104  and  106  are shown in  FIG. 1 , though it is understood that either of these pockets may be used individually without deviating from the claimed invention, or they may be used together as shown in  FIG. 1 . Furthermore, any number of pockets may be added to the garment in any location on the garment without deviating from the invention. In some embodiments, the pockets are located on the posterior side of the short  100 . In some embodiments, pocket  104  and pocket  106  are located between the compressive undergarment or compressive section of an athletic garment and a loose material over the compressive undergarment or section. In some embodiments, the compressive undergarment or section and an exterior material (such as a loose material) are sewn in such a way that the seam between the compressive undergarment or section and the exterior material recedes below the lip of the pocket  104  and/or pocket  106  to make it easier to access the pocket contents. 
         [0026]    The attachment seam between pocket  104  and/or pocket  106  may follow a straight, angled, or curved path to expose as much or as little of the liner as needed to anchor the pocket  104  and/or pocket  106 . 
         [0027]    The present invention also includes optional pocket  102 . The optional pocket may be located anywhere on the shorts  100 , but in a preferred embodiment, the optional pocket is located at approximately the midpoint on the back of the short. In some embodiments, optional pocket  102  is a pocket located between the compressive undergarment or compressive section of a short and a loose material over the compressive undergarment or section. Optional pocket  102  may be closed in any suitable manner, for example with a zipper, elastic material, buttons, snaps, overlay material or the like, or combinations thereof. The optional pocket  102  may comprise any number of internal pockets. In some embodiments, the optional pocket forms a pocket system including a center pocket and a right pocket and a left pocket each having an outer edge, inner edge, top edge, and bottom edge. The top edges are open, while the inner edge, outer edge, and bottom edge are closed. In some embodiments, one edge of the right pocket may be adjacent with an edge of the center pocket. In some embodiments, one edge of the right pocket may be joined to one edge of the center pocket. Similarly, one edge of the left pocket may be adjacent with an edge of the center pocket. In some embodiments, one edge of the left pocket may be joined to an edge of the center pocket. 
         [0028]    A vertical centerline of the garment substantially aligns with a user&#39;s spine, and the first pocket is located on the athletic garment on one side of the vertical centerline, while the second pocket is located on the garment on the other side of the vertical centerline. The vertical centerline is located at approximately the midpoint of the short. In some embodiments, the entirety of the right pocket is located on one side of the vertical centerline, while the entirety of the left pocket is located on the other side of the vertical centerline. The right and left pockets may be in a substantially symmetrical configuration about the vertical centerline, and the center pocket is substantially centered on the vertical centerline. The right, left, and center pockets may be disposed entirely within one or more larger, outer pocket(s). 
         [0029]      FIG. 2  illustrates a back view of the shorts  100 . Pockets  104  and  106  may be set at an angle on the shorts  100 . With reference to the waist  108  of the shorts  100 , the top side of pocket  110  may be parallel with the waist  108  such that angle α is at approximately 0°. Alternatively, angle α may be any angle. In some embodiments, angle α is at an angle from approximately −90° to approximately 90°. In preferred embodiments, angle α is not 0°, but rather is set at an angle, preferably about −45° as shown in  FIG. 2 . Pocket  104  may also be a mirror image of itself such that the angle of pocket  104  is about 45°. Similarly, top side pocket  112  may be parallel to waist  108  such that angle β is at approximately 0°. Alternatively, angle β may be any angle. In some embodiments, angle β may be between approximately −90° to approximately 90° (though may be any angle). In preferred embodiments, angle β is not 0°, but rather is set at an angle, preferably around 45° (or about −135° C.) shown in  FIG. 2 . Angle α and angle β may be at the same angle, but may be at different angles. Angles α and β may be chosen independently for optimization of functionality and performance. 
         [0030]    In the preferred embodiments, the pockets  104  and  106  as shown in  FIG. 2  are advantageously angled such that when the shorts are worn by a user, the pockets  104  and  106  are positioned in front of the gluteus maximus/minimus muscle in the concave part of the body for maximum comfort. In some embodiments, the pockets  104  and  106  are located on the outer surface of a backside of the compressive portion of the short. In some embodiments, the pockets  104  or  106  are located in the hollow at the side of the hip. Pockets  104  and  106  may also be substantially a mirror image of themselves about the vertical centerline. In some embodiments, pockets  104  and  106  may be similar shapes and sizes, and in some embodiments, the pockets  104  and  106  are approximately the same shape and/or size. In some embodiments, the pockets  104  and  106  are positioned on the shorts symmetrically about the vertical centerline. Furthermore, the pocket  104  and/or pocket  106  may also be positioned to avoid the path of the athlete&#39;s arm swing and be easily assessable. 
         [0031]      FIG. 3  illustrates a side view of the pocket  106 . The dimensions of the pockets  104  and  106  may be any suitable size and any suitable shape. In a preferred embodiment, pocket  106  is a trapezoidal shape, such that the opening  112  is slightly larger than the bottom of the pocket  118 . In a specific embodiment the first edge  116  is approximately 0.11 meters. In some embodiments, the second edge  114  is approximately 0.12 meters. The top edge  112  is approximately 0.067 meters and, the bottom edge  118  is slightly smaller than top edge  112 . The dimensions may be the same for pocket  104 , however, pocket  104  and  106  may be different sizes and/or shape on the shorts  100 .  FIG. 4  illustrates another side view of the shorts  100 , further illustrating pocket  104 . In a preferred embodiment, pocket  104  is a trapezoidal shape, such that the opening  110  is slightly larger than the bottom of the pocket  120 , the first edge  122  is approximately  0 . 11  meters, the second edge  124  is approximately 0.12 meters, the top edge  110  is approximately 0.067 meters and the bottom edge  120  is slightly smaller than top edge  110 . In this embodiment, the dimensions may be the same for pocket  106 , however, pocket  104  and  106  may be different sizes and/or shapes on the shorts  100 . 
         [0032]      FIG. 5  illustrates another embodiment of the shorts  200 . In this embodiment, only one side pocket is attached to the shorts  200 . Pocket  204  is located on the back of the short  200  and off to one side. The pocket  204  may comprise four edges, the top edge  210 , the bottom edge  220 , the first edge  222 , and the second edge  224 . The pocket  204  may be similar dimensions as the pocket  104 . The pocket  204  may be set at an angle α with relation to top edge of the short  208 . As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , a may be at any suitable angle. In preferred embodiments, a is at an angle between the top of the shorts  208  and the top edge  201 . Angle α is between about 0° to about −90° (about 0° to about 90°). Shorts  200  may include optional pocket  202 .  FIG. 6  illustrates the back view of shorts  200 . Pocket  204  is illustrated with pocket  202 . The top edge  210  of pocket  204  is at an angle α with relation to top edge  208  of the shorts  200 .  FIG. 7  illustrates a side profile view of shorts  200 . Pocket  204  is illustrated in  FIG. 7 , along with a partial view of optional pocket  202 . The pocket  204  may also be positioned to avoid the path of the athlete&#39;s arm swing and be easily assessable. 
         [0033]      FIG. 8  illustrates another embodiment of the shorts  300 . In this embodiment, only one side pocket is attached to the shorts  300 . Pocket  306  is located on the back of the shorts  300  and is off to one side. Optional pocket  302  is also illustrated.  FIG. 9  illustrates a back view of shorts  300 . Pocket  306  and optional pocket  302  are shown. Pocket  306  may be the same dimensions as pocket  106 .  FIG. 10  is a side profile view of shorts  300 . Pocket  306  and optional pocket  302  are shown. 
         [0034]    The pockets may be made of any suitable material, including a stretch or elastic material such as LYCRA™, SPANDEX™, mesh, and the like, or any combination thereof. A portion of the pocket may also be the same material as the short. The pockets are located on the shorts such that they do not impede the wearer when the wearer is active. For example, the wearer is free to run without her elbows coming into contact with the pockets. However, the pockets are also positioned such that the wearer has access to the pockets to remove items from the pockets while active. For example, the wearer may store at least one gel pack or flask, at least one block, at least one food bar, or other nutritional need, or personal belongings of the wearer such as a personal electronic device, a cellular phone, keys, or the like or combinations thereof, within the pockets. Additionally, the material of the pocket stabilizes the stored item, allowing the wearer to carry heavy items without it flapping or moving during the activity of the wearer. Optionally, the top of the pockets may include an elastic band or another mechanism to seal the pocket, such as a zipper, elastic material, at least one button, at least one snap, additional material flap, button, snap or the like, or combinations thereof. 
         [0035]    In some embodiments, the athletic garment may contain marking material. The marketing material may be a company logo, a race number, an identification mark or combinations of the same. The foregoing examples of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. Furthermore, these examples are not intended to limit the invention to the form disclosed herein. Consequently, variations and modifications commensurate with the teachings of the description of the invention, and the skill or knowledge of the relevant art, are within the scope of the present invention. The specific embodiments described in the examples provided herein are intended to further explain the best mode known for practicing the invention and to enable others skilled in the art to utilize the invention in such, or other, embodiments and with various modifications required by the particular applications or uses of the present invention. It is intended that the appended claims be construed to include alternative embodiments to the extent permitted by the prior art.