Patent Publication Number: US-2012036617-A1

Title: Apparel access passage for cords and wiring

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to the field of clothing, and, more specifically, to clothing components. 
     BACKGROUND 
     As technology continues to evolve, more devices are becoming portable. For example, the development of cellular phones, personal digital assistants, portable music devices, etc. allowed consumers to take phone calls, emails, music, etc. wherever they travel. As popularity of these technologies increases, these devices become more important in daily routines. 
     Consumers now frequently transport and use portable devices while working, commuting, shopping, traveling, exercising, etc. The increase in portability of these devices has led designers and manufacturers to change how they appeal to technology savvy consumers. In general, consumers look for hassle-free ways to transport portable devices that allow for efficient use of the devices. This includes ways to utilize the devices while on the move, without becoming entangled in attachments such as headphones, wires and cords. For example, consumers may purchase special carrying cases for easy access, shirts with accessible pockets for carrying the devices, and specifically designed headphones that reduce the amount of movement of the cords attaching to the portable devices. 
     Consumer concerns about portability are especially apparent when exercising. During exercise, headphone cords may drape across shoulders, chests, and backs. Designers and manufacturers have attempted to address these issues with, for example, attachments and headphones that secure the cords to the clothing or fabrics worn by the person exercising. This is sometimes nothing more than a special type of clip or a weighting device that uses gravity to hold the cords down. Needs exist for cord and wire management systems for portable devices. 
     SUMMARY 
     Certain embodiments of the apparel access passage for cords and wiring may provide methods and/or systems having beneficial features that make them optimal for use in certain situations, such as exercising. 
     Embodiments may include systems and methods an apparel access passage. A device may include one or more top panels, one or more bottom panels, and one or more hinges coupling the one or more top panels to the one or more bottom panels. One or more fasteners may be coupled to at least one of the one or more top panels and the one or more bottom panels. One or more apertures may pass through at least one of the one or more hinges, the one or more top panels, and the one or more bottom panels. A method may include providing the device, passing cords or wires through the one or more apertures, and securing the one or more fasteners. 
     This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form further described below in the detailed description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. Additional features, advantages, and embodiments of the invention are set forth or apparent from consideration of the following detailed description, drawings and claims. Moreover, it is to be understood that both the foregoing summary of the invention and the following detailed description are exemplary and intended to provide further explanation without limiting the scope of the invention as claimed. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate the invention and together with the detailed description serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is a top view of a device with hook and loop fasteners, according to one embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  is a top view of a device with button fasteners, according to one embodiment. 
         FIG. 3  is a top view of a device with snap fasteners, according to one embodiment. 
         FIG. 4  is a top panel view of the device in a closed position, according to one embodiment. 
         FIG. 5  is a fastener end view of the device illustrated in  FIG. 4 , according to one embodiment. 
         FIG. 6  is a hinge end view of the device illustrated in  FIG. 4 , according to one embodiment. 
         FIG. 7  is a top edge side view of the device illustrated in  FIG. 4 , according to one embodiment. 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a device in a closed position, according to one embodiment. 
         FIG. 9  illustrates a device in use on an article of clothing, according to one embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Embodiments of the present invention may include systems and methods for apparel access passage by cords and wiring. Cords and wiring may be suitably contained during use of a portable device to minimize disturbance of the consumer and entanglement of the cords and wiring. In the following description, use of headphones and cords are described for portable music devices. The description of portable music devices is merely for illustrative purposes, and one of skill in the art would understand that embodiments of the present invention may be used for other types of devices, such as, but not limited to, earpieces for cellular phones, etc. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , certain embodiments of the apparel access passage device  11  may include one or more top panels  13  and one or more bottom panels  15 . One or more hinges  17  may connect the one or more top panels  13  to the one or more bottom panels  15 . The term “one or more hinges” may refer to a region where the device  11  is folded and not exclusively the actual hinge element. Preferably, the one or more top panels  13  and the one or more bottom panels  15  may be constructed of a flexible material, such as cotton, nylon, polyester, plastic, and combinations thereof. The device  11  may be constructed of a similar fabric as an article of clothing. The one or more top panels  13 , one or more bottom panels  15 , and the one or more hinges  17  may be made of a single piece of material. In these situations, the one or more hinges  17  may be a fold in the material. Alternatively, the one or more hinges  17  may be a separate hinge device such as a barrel hinge, living hinge, etc. In other embodiments, the one or more top panels  13  and the one or more bottom panels  15  may be made of rigid or semi-rigid materials. The one or more top panels  13  and the one or more bottom panels  15  do not have to be constructed of the same materials. The one or more top panels  13  and the one or more bottom panels  15  may have any shape. Preferably, the one or more top panels and the one or more bottom panels  15  have corresponding shapes such that when the device  11  is closed, the footprint of the one or more top panels  13  match the footprint of the one or more bottom panels  15 . Dimensions of the device  11  may be varied depending on particular uses. For example, the device  11  size may be adjusted accordingly to small children&#39;s clothing and larger in size for adult sized clothing. The In certain embodiments, the one or more bottom panels  15  may be integral with an article of clothing. Therefore, the one or more hinges  17  may couple the one or more top panels  13  to the article of clothing. In other embodiments, the device  11  may be sewn, glued, adhered, etc. to the article of clothing. An inner surface  35  of at least one of the one or more top panels or the one or more bottom panels may include a frictional surface  37 . The frictional surface may prevent unwanted sliding of the cords or wires. The frictional surface may be a pad constructed of rubber, plastic, etc. 
     One or more fasteners  19  may provide closure of the device  11 . In certain embodiments, the one or more fasteners may include complementary fasteners on the one or more top panels  13  and the one or more bottom panels  15 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the one or more fasteners  19  are hook and loop fasteners that line up when the device  11  is closed by a user. The one or more fasteners  19  may be sewn, glued, etc. or otherwise adhered to the one or more top panels  13  and the one or more bottom panels  15 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the one or more fasteners  19  may be a button  21  and a corresponding button hole  23 . The button  21  and the button hole  23  may be on either the one or more top panels  13  or the one or more bottom panels  15 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , the one or more fasteners  19  may be a male snap fitting  25  and a female snap fitting  27 . The male snap fitting  25  and the female snap fitting  27  may be on either the one or more top panels  13  or the one or more bottom panels  15 . Other types of fasteners may be used. 
     One or more apertures  29  may pass through the device  11 , or part of device  11 . The one or more apertures  29  may allow passage of cords or wires from one side of an article of clothing to another. Preferably, the one or more apertures  29  may allow passage of cords or wires from inside to outside or the opposite. In certain embodiments, such as illustrated in  FIGS. 1-3 , the one or more apertures  29  may pass through the one or more hinges  17 . In other embodiments, the one or more apertures  29  may pass through the one or more top panels  13 , and/or the one or more bottom panels  15 . In certain embodiments, the one or more apertures  29  may be reinforced  31 , such as with thread. Preferably, the one or more apertures are sized to allow passage of cords, wires and earpieces. In certain embodiments, the one or more apertures  29  may substantially align with one or more openings in an article of clothing. In these embodiments, the one or apertures  29  and the one or more openings may be sewn, glued, adhered, etc. together to provide a continuous passage between the inside and outside of the article of clothing. In these embodiments, the one or more apertures  29  may be rectangular or other shaped openings that surround the one or more openings in the article of clothing, such as a button hole. In another embodiment, the aperture  29  may be part of the article of clothing with hinge  17  constructed around, sewn around, or positioned around the aperture  29 . 
     To operate the device  11 , a user may insert one or more cords or wires  33  through the one or more apertures  29  and fastening the one or more fasteners  19 .  FIG. 4  shows a top view of the device  11  in a closed position.  FIG. 5  shows a fastener end view of the device  11  illustrated in  FIG. 4 .  FIG. 6  shows a hinge end view of the device  11  illustrated in  FIG. 4 .  FIG. 7  shows a top edge side view of the device  11  illustrated in  FIG. 4 . 
     Closure of the device  11 , may secure the cords or wires  33  between the one or more top panels  13  and the one or more bottom panels  15 , as shown in  FIG. 8 . This may prevent unwanted movement of the cords or wires  33  relative to an article of clothing  37 . 
       FIG. 9  illustrates the device  11  in use on an article of clothing  37 . Articles of clothing  37  may include, but are not limited to, shirts, tank tops, sweatshirts, sweaters, jackets, pants, shorts, etc. The device may be located on a sleeve, chest, back or any other location of an article of clothing. Preferably, embodiments of the present invention do not include a pocket or storage component for the portable device. Embodiments of the present invention may only allow for passage of wires or cords through the device  11 . The portable devices may be stored in pockets, pouches, arm bands, etc. 
     The above-described exemplary embodiments of a system and method are presented for illustrative purposes only. While this invention is satisfied by embodiments in many different forms, it is understood that the present disclosure is to be considered as exemplary and is not intended to limit the described systems and methods to the specific embodiments illustrated and described herein. In view of this written description, numerous variations may be made by persons skilled in the art without departure from the spirit of this description. Moreover, features described in connection with one embodiment may be used in conjunction with other embodiments, even if not explicitly stated above. The scope of the invention will be measured by the appended claims and their equivalents. The summary, abstract and the title are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the claims, as their purpose is to enable the appropriate authorities, as well as the general public, to quickly determine the general nature of the described systems and methods. In the claims that follow, unless the term “means” is used, none of the features or elements recited therein should be construed as means-plus-function limitations pursuant to 35 U.S.C. §112, ¶6.