Patent Publication Number: US-2006015987-A1

Title: Pocket reinforcement device, and methods of constructing and utilizing same

Description:
The present patent application is a continuation-in-part and claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/590,426 filed Jul. 22, 2004, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference thereto. 
    
    
      The present invention relates generally to a pocket reinforcement device, and methods of constructing and utilizing same.  
      More particularly, the present invention relates to a pocket reinforcement device which prevents the edge of a pocket from fraying when a tape ruler or other device is slipped on and off of the pocket.  
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      Most craftsmen and craftswomen wear their tape measures on the pocket of their pants. This causes the lip of the unreinforced pocket to rip or fray.  
      After a short period of time of such use as mentioned hereinabove, depending on the number of times the tape ruler is placed on and off of the pocket, the cloth of the pocket becomes ruined. Invariably, the tape ruler can no longer be placed on the pocket anymore.  
      This happens to virtually all pants pockets. The pants are still in good condition, but the pockets become ruined.  
      The present invention solves the problem as described hereinabove.  
      The prior, but not necessarily relevant, art is exemplified by the following United States patents: Tucker U.S. Pat. No. 3,723,994, entitled “REINFORCED TROUSER POCKET’;  
      Grover U.S. Pat. No. 4,613,991, entitled “WORK PANTS”; and Dean U.S. Pat. No. 4,791,681, entitled ‘HEALTH CARE GARMENT AND POCKET THEREON”.  
      It is a desideratum of the present invention to avoid the animadversions of the conventional and prior art techniques and devices, and to provide a simple, effective and inexpensive solution to the problem set forth hereinabove.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention provides a pocket reinforcement device comprising: a main component fabricated from a substantially thin, substantially flat piece of material for selective and releasable insertion into a pocket of a garment and removal therefrom; said main component including a first long portion and a second short portion; said first long portion being shaped and dimensioned for insertion into said pocket of said garment; said second short portion being adapted to be bent or rolled into a shape to fit over a top edge of said pocket in said garment; and whereby said second short portion retains its shape once it has been bent, and in conjunction with said first long portion serves to reinforce said pocket from wear and tear.  
      The present invention gives a pocket on a pair of pants or other garment a chance for a longer life.  
      It is a primary object of the present invention to prevent the edge of a pocket from fraying from continuous use of a tool, such as a tape ruler, being slipped on and off of a pocket.  
      Another object of the present invention to provide a device as mentioned hereinabove, as formed by the consumer or the manufacturer to fit into a pocket and over the edge of the pocket.  
      The present invention possesses many other advantages and features which will become more apparent to those persons skilled in this particular area of technology and to other persons when reading the detailed description of the present invention as set forth hereinbelow in conjunction with the accompanying patent drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       FIG. 1  illustrates a view of two rear pockets of a pair of pants, into one of which pockets is about to be inserted a device in accordance with the present invention.  
       FIG. 2  illustrates on a larger scale the device in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
       FIG. 3  depicts a side elevational view of the  FIG. 2  embodiment.  
       FIG. 4  illustrates a side elevational view of the device in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention after the upper portion has been bent over ready for insertion into the pocket of a pair of pants.  
       FIG. 5  shows a side elevational view of the device which has been inserted into a pocket with the hook and loop materials mating with each other. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
      With reference to the accompanying drawings, there is shown a pair of pants  10 , partly in section, showing two rear pockets  11  and  12  thereof. As shown in  FIG. 1 , a device  13  in accordance with the present invention is about to be inserted into one pocket  11  of said rear pockets  11  and  12 . The device  13 , of course, can be used in any side, rear, or front pocket, and shaped to be used in any side, rear or front pocket.  
      The device  13 , in accordance with the present invention, has a main component  14  comprising a thin flat piece  15  of a substantially rigid material, such as, for example, vinyl.  
      As best illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the thin flat piece of material  15  is preferably, but not necessarily, provided with two parallel scored lines  16  and  17  which facilitate bending or rolling of the material  15 , so that one part  18  of the material  15  is bent over for placing over the edge  19  of the pocket  11 , and down the outside of the pocket  111  where a tape ruler case may rest. The other long portion  20  of the flat material  15  is inserted into the pocket  11  where the clip of the tape ruler may grip the pocket  11 .  
      The present invention envisions that the device  13  can be bent or rolled into shape by the consumer or a manufacturer to fit over the edge  19  of a pocket  111  or  12 . The device  13  will retain its shape once it has been bent.  
      It is important to note that after the first few times of use, the device  13  in accordance with the present invention will contour to a person&#39;s body and the tape ruler case. The fit will be better and better each and every time it is used.  
      It is also important to note that the optional two scored parallel lines  16  and  17  allow for different thicknesses of pocket material. However, some vinyl will bend and hold shape without scored lines.  
      The term “adhering component” as used herein is intended to mean mating hook and loop materials, abrasive materials, adhesive double-sided tape, and any other components which would aid in adhering the device to the pocket in which it is inserted.  
      With reference to  FIGS. 2-5 , element  21  is an adhering component as defined hereinabove.  
      Preferably, but not necessarily, the adhering component may take the form of one part of a mating hook and loop material, such as component  21 , which is secured to the longer portion  20  of the device  13 .  
      A mating hook and loop material component  25  which is secured to the inner surface of the pocket  11 .  
      With reference to  FIG. 5 , when the device  13  is inserted into the pocket, the mating hook and loop material components  21  and  25  mate with each other for retention.  
      Alternatively, the longer portion  20  of the device  13  may have attached to it an abrasive material  21 , which is glued or taped onto it, just a short distance below the scored lines  16  and  17  to allow it to grip the inside material of the pocket  11 . When a tape ruler is clipped onto the pocket  11 , the clip of the tape ruler places pressure against the abrasive material  21  on the vinyl  15  and the material on the inside of the pocket  11 . When the tape ruler is removed from the pocket  11 , or pulled off the pocket  11 , the gripping action of the abrasive material  21  against the interior pocket material causes the vinyl  15  to remain stuck inside the pocket  11 , without any fraying of the pocket  11  being caused.  
      As shown best in  FIG. 4 , the upper small portion  18  of the device  13 , which is bent or rolled, slips over the outside of the pants pocket lip  19 , and is positioned where the clip of the tape measure sits.  
      As best seen in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the device  13  may be provided with two notches  22  and  23  on the sides of the device  13  to facilitate the bending or rolling of the upper portion  18  of the device  13 .  
      As an alternative, the abrasive material may be replaced by an adhesive double-sided tape  21  which may be applied just below the scored lines  16  and  17 . Preferably, but not necessarily, abrasive material or adhesive tape  21  can be applied to other portions of the device  13 , such as portions  18  and/or  20 .  
      There has been illustrated in the accompanying patent drawings and described hereinabove only some exemplary, unique and novel preferred embodiments of the present invention which can be constructed in many different configurations, arrangements of components, sizes, and shape.  
      It should be understood that many changes, modifications, variations, and other uses and applications of the present invention will become apparent to those 
          persons skilled in this particular area of technology and to other persons after     having been exposed to the present patent specification and accompanying patent drawings.        

      Any and all such changes, modifications, variations, and other uses and applications of the present invention which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention are therefor covered by and embraced within the present invention and the present patent application.