Patent Publication Number: US-10306939-B2

Title: Pants with hidden leg pocket

Description:
This application claims the benefit of priority of Chinese Patent Application No. 201721384485.4, filed on Oct. 24, 2017. This and all other referenced extrinsic materials are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Where a definition or use of a term in a reference that is incorporated by reference is inconsistent or contrary to the definition of that term provided herein, the definition of that term provided herein is deemed to be controlling. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The field of the invention is pants with hidden pockets. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The following description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art. 
     Many people prefer to carry small electronic devices (e.g., mobile phones) in the front or back pockets of their pants when they are not using the electronic device. However, there are several problems associated using the traditional design of pant pockets to carry electronic devices. First, it can be uncomfortable, since the electronic device can get in the way during movement (e.g., when sitting down). Second, for pockets that are relatively small, the carried device can easily fall out or be stolen due to pick-pocketing. Third, often the pockets are too small to simultaneously hold an electronic device and an ancillary device (e.g., a portable power source) that needs to be connected with the electronic device. 
     To avoid the problem of pick-pocketing, prior work has attempted to design pants having hidden pockets. See e.g., CN201468046U (Tang), CN202958857U (Dang), U.S. Pat. No. 8,745,767 (Moghaddas), U.S. Pat. No. 8,707,469 (Moghaddas), U.S. Pat. No. 8,745,768 (Moghaddas), US20120185999 (Raviv), U.S. Pat. No. 9,247,776 (Kim), and US20150089716 (Gonzales). Although these pockets are more hidden compared to traditional pant pockets, they still have openings assessable from the outside, and can therefore be accessed by thieves once the pockets are spotted. Moreover, such pockets are positioned around the waist or the crotch, and would therefore bend when the user sits down. This would make the user feel uncomfortable because the rigid electronic device would be compressed, creating tension in the pocket and limiting the user&#39;s movement. 
     Other pockets are positioned further from the waist, for example, U.S. Design patents U.S. D792681 and U.S. D804147 teach pockets in one of the pant legs. But these pockets are located in the middle of the pant leg, and are not readily accessible. Moreover, they have openings on the outside, which can be accessed through a flap that can be targeted by thieves or robbers. US20120117713 (Hoffner) teaches hidden pockets located inside pants on a separate sleeve. But the sleeve can be inconvenient and uncomfortable, and once again, the interior pockets are not easily accessible. 
     Thus, there is still a need for pant pockets that are generally undetectable from the outside, easily accessed only by the wearer, and can comfortably hold an electronic device. 
     All publications identified herein are incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication or patent application were specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. Where a definition or use of a term in an incorporated reference is inconsistent or contrary to the definition of that term provided herein, the definition of that term provided herein applies and the definition of that term in the reference does not apply. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The inventive subject matter provides apparatus, systems and methods in which pants have hidden pockets, near the end of, and inside of, one or both of the pant legs. 
     The pant legs can be any suitable length. In preferred embodiments, the pant legs have a length of no more than 40 cm. In preferred embodiments, the pocket has a cavity typically of the size of a mobile electronic device (e.g., a mobile phone). The pocket can have an opening facing upward, downward, or sideways. It is also contemplated for the pocket to have more than one opening, for example, a bottom opening and a side opening, or two side openings, or a bottom opening and a top opening, or any other combination thereof. 
     When worn, the pocket is preferably location on the front (anterior) portion of the leg, but could alternatively be located on a lateral, medial, or posterior side of the leg. In preferred embodiments, the pocket is located close to the bottom of the pant leg and has an opening facing downward, so that the pocket is easily accessed from the bottom especially with the help of gravity. Preferably, the opening is less than 10 cm from the bottom of the pant leg. More preferably, the opening is less than 5 cm from the bottom of the pant leg. The opening can be at least partially closed by a flap, a zipper, a button, a hook and loop fastener, or any other suitable mechanism. 
     In preferred embodiments, pants have one pocket on each of the pant legs, which are connected by a cable. In especially preferred embodiments, the cable coincides with a crotch folding line of the pants, such that the cable will not be felt by the user&#39;s legs. The cable can be stabilized by one or more fixing members, and is at least partially covered by a rubber layer with a crescent shaped cross-section that insulated the user from the cable. The rubber layer can advantageously be covered by a soft material (e.g., fleece), to make the user feel comfortable. 
     In some embodiments, a pocket has a layer, preferably metalized, that would at least partially shield the user from electromagnetic radiation or other hazardous radiation, substance or material produced by an electronic device in the pocket. 
     Various objects, features, aspects and advantages of the inventive subject matter will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which like numerals represent like components. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1 a    shows a pair of pants with a pocket with a downward-facing opening on the inside of the pant leg. 
         FIG. 1 b    shows a pair of pants with a pocket with an up-facing opening on the inside of the pant leg. 
         FIG. 1 c    shows a pair of pants with a pocket with a lateral-facing opening on the inside of the pant leg. 
         FIG. 2  shows a pair of pants with two pockets, with downward-facing openings on the inside of the pant legs. 
         FIG. 3  shows a pair of pants with two pockets, with downward-facing openings on the inside of the pant legs, where the two pockets are connected by a tunnel. A cable is disposed inside the tunnel. 
         FIG. 4 a    shows a pair of pants with two pockets with downward-facing openings on the inside of the pant legs, where the two pockets are connected by a tunnel coinciding with the folding line, and a cable partially covered by a rubber band. 
         FIG. 4 b    is a cross-sectional view of the tunnel connecting the two pockets in  FIG. 4   a.    
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In some embodiments, the numbers expressing quantities of ingredients, properties such as concentration, reaction conditions, and so forth, used to describe and claim certain embodiments of the invention are to be understood as being modified in some instances by the term “about.” Accordingly, in some embodiments, the numerical parameters set forth in the written description and attached claims are approximations that can vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by a particular embodiment. In some embodiments, the numerical parameters should be construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques. Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forth the broad scope of some embodiments of the invention are approximations, the numerical values set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely as practicable. The numerical values presented in some embodiments of the invention may contain certain errors necessarily resulting from the standard deviation found in their respective testing measurements. 
     As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. 
     Unless the context dictates the contrary, all ranges set forth herein should be interpreted as being inclusive of their endpoints, and open-ended ranges should be interpreted to include only commercially practical values. Similarly, all lists of values should be considered as inclusive of intermediate values unless the context indicates the contrary. 
     The recitation of ranges of values herein is merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range. Unless otherwise indicated herein, each individual value with a range is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g. “such as”) provided with respect to certain embodiments herein is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element essential to the practice of the invention. 
     Groupings of alternative elements or embodiments of the invention disclosed herein are not to be construed as limitations. Each group member can be referred to and claimed individually or in any combination with other members of the group or other elements found herein. One or more members of a group can be included in, or deleted from, a group for reasons of convenience and/or patentability. When any such inclusion or deletion occurs, the specification is herein deemed to contain the group as modified thus fulfilling the written description of all Markush groups used in the appended claims. 
     Throughout the following discussion, numerous references will be made regarding servers, services, interfaces, portals, platforms, or other systems formed from computing devices. It should be appreciated that the use of such terms is deemed to represent one or more computing devices having at least one processor configured to execute software instructions stored on a computer readable tangible, non-transitory medium. For example, a server can include one or more computers operating as a web server, database server, or other type of computer server in a manner to fulfill described roles, responsibilities, or functions. 
     The following discussion provides many example embodiments of the inventive subject matter. Although each embodiment represents a single combination of inventive elements, the inventive subject matter is considered to include all possible combinations of the disclosed elements. Thus if one embodiment comprises elements A, B, and C, and a second embodiment comprises elements B and D, then the inventive subject matter is also considered to include other remaining combinations of A, B, C, or D, even if not explicitly disclosed. 
     As used herein, and unless the context dictates otherwise, the term “coupled to” is intended to include both direct coupling (in which two elements that are coupled to each other contact each other) and indirect coupling (in which at least one additional element is located between the two elements). Therefore, the terms “coupled to” and “coupled with” are used synonymously. 
     As used herein, the term “pants” or “a pair of pants” means an outer garment covering each leg separately, either entirely or partially. By this definition, culottes are considered to be pants, as well as Bermuda shorts, cargo shorts, cycling shorts, and Capri pants. But other than skorts, skirts are not considered to be pants because they do not have separate legs. In preferred embodiments, the coverage of the pants extends from the waist to above the knees. In other embodiments, the coverage of the pants extends from the waist to or below the knees, and even in some cases down to the ankles. As used herein, the term “shorts” or “a pair of shorts” means pants with coverage extending to at most 15 cm below the knees, and therefore not covering the entire length of the legs. 
       FIG. 1 a    is an embodiment of a pair of pants  100 ( a ) that has a pocket  120  on the inside of a pant leg  110 . Pocket  120  has a downward facing opening  130  that can be at least partially closed by a zipper  140 . The opening  130  is less than 10 cm from the bottom  145  of the pant leg  110 , so that the zipper  140  can be easily accessed from the bottom  145 . 
     In alternative embodiments, pocket  120  can have any other opening, including for example, an opening  150  facing upwards ( FIG. 1 b   ), an opening  160  sideways ( FIG. 1 c   ), or an opening  170  diagonally. 
     Pocket  120  can also be at least partially closed by a hook and loop fastener, a flap, a button, or other sealing device. 
       FIG. 2  is an embodiment of a pair of pants  200  that has a pocket  220  on the inside of one pant leg  210 , and a second pocket  250  on the inside of the other pant leg  215 . Pocket  220  has a downward facing opening  230  that can be at least partially closed by a zipper  240 . The zipper  240  can be easily accessed from the bottom  245 , since the opening  230  is near the bottom  245  of the pant leg  210 . 
     In many embodiments, pocket  250  is symmetrical to pocket  220 . In other instances, the pockets  220 ,  250  have different sizes or shapes. 
       FIG. 3  is preferred embodiment of a pair of pants  300  that has a first pocket  320  on the inside of one pant leg  310 , and a second pocket  350  on the inside of the other pant leg  315 . Pocket  320  has a downward facing opening  330  that can be at least partially closed by a zipper  340 . The opening  330  is less than 10 cm from the bottom  345  of the pant leg  310 , so that the zipper  340  can be easily accessed from the bottom  345 . Pocket  350  might or might not be symmetrical to pocket  340 . 
     Pockets  320  and  350  are connected by a cable  380 . Contemplated cables include a USB cable with outlets compatible with a mobile phone, including an iPhone™, Android™ phone, Google™ phone, etc. The cable  380  is fixed to the pants  300  with at least one fixing member  375 . In  FIG. 3 , the fixing member  375  is a thin, elongated piece of cloth with both ends stitched to the pants  300 . The cable  380  runs through the fixing member  375 , so that the cable  380  is at least partially fixed to the pants. 
     Alternatively, pockets  320  and  350  are connected by a tunnel  370 . The tunnel  370  has an opening  371  at the corner of pocket  320  and an opening  372  at the corner of pocket  350 . The tunnel  370  is made of cloth that forms a tube structure connecting openings  371  and  372 . The tunnel  370  is stitched and fixed to the pants  300 . The cable  380  runs through the tunnel  370 . 
       FIG. 4 a    is another preferred embodiment of a pair of pants  400  that has a pocket  420  on the inside of one pant leg  410 , and a second pocket  450  on the inside of the other pant leg  415 . Pocket  420  has a downward facing opening  430  and can be at least partially closed by a zipper  440 . The opening  430  is less than 10 cm from the bottom  445  of the pant leg  410 , so that the zipper  440  can be easily accessed from the bottom  445 . Pocket  450  is symmetrical to pocket  440 . 
     Pockets  420  and  450  are connected by a cable  480 . The cable  480  is fixed to the pants  400  by at least one fixing member  475 . The cable  480  runs along the folding line  465  of the pants  400 , so that the cable would impede the movement of the user. The cable  480  is partially covered by a rubber layer  490 , thermally insulating the user from the cable  480 . Moreover, the rubber layer  490  presses against the cable  480  so that the cable  480  remains elongated and would not twist. 
       FIG. 4 b    is a cross-section view of the rubber layer  490  and the cable  480 . In this preferred embodiment, the cross-section of the rubber layer  490  is crescent shaped. The rubber layer  490  is fixed to the pant leg  410  by a fixing member  499 . The rubber layer  490  is further covered by a layer of soft and fluffy material  495 , to make the user feel comfortable. Contemplated soft materials include fleece, velvet, velour, fur, fake fur, flannel, and so forth. 
     In some embodiments, a pocket has an electromagnetic radiation shielding layer that can at least partially block electromagnetic radiation produced by an electronic device enclosed within the pocket. The electromagnetic radiation shielding layer is preferably made of a metalized fabric. Metallization can be achieved by any suitable manner, including plating, coating, or impregnating fibers with metal particles. Contemplated metals include iron, silver, gold, copper, nickel, aluminum, bronze, zinc, platinum, chromium, titanium, molybdenum, manganese, and any combination thereof. 
     It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that many more modifications besides those already described are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive subject matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spirit of the appended claims. Moreover, in interpreting both the specification and the claims, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the context. In particular, the terms “comprises” and “comprising” should be interpreted as referring to elements, components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced elements, components, or steps may be present, or utilized, or combined with other elements, components, or steps that are not expressly referenced. Where the specification claims refers to at least one of something selected from the group consisting of A, B, C . . . and N, the text should be interpreted as requiring only one element from the group, not A plus N, or B plus N, etc.