Patent Publication Number: US-2012030864-A1

Title: Pocket systems for garments

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/355,638, filed on Jan. 16, 2009, and the present application also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/154,257, filed on Feb. 20, 2009. Both aforementioned applications are incorporated by reference herein for all purposes. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to athletic jerseys, and more specifically to back pockets for cycling jerseys and jackets. 
     BACKGROUND 
     An ability to store and/or carry items on cycling jerseys and jackets provides a significant benefit. Standard jerseys having three pockets in the center (one in the center and one on each side) on the lower back of a garment help the user maintain balance. However, the size of the back of an athletic jersey is often too small to incorporate a standard three-pocket design. For example, many women&#39;s cycling jerseys are too narrow in the lower back portion to incorporate a standard three-pocket side-by-side design without causing significant imbalance. When pockets are placed further towards the sides of the jersey, the risk of an uncomfortable imbalance increases. Many cycling jerseys with multiple pockets often do not include any mechanism for concealing smaller pockets and/or making such pockets more aesthetically pleasing. 
     SUMMARY 
     Embodiments of the present invention include a system of three pockets on the back of a cycling jersey which looks from the back view like two pockets, but which also includes a third centered pocket. Other embodiments of the present invention include a system of multiple pockets, for example three pockets, on the back of a cycling jersey which are enclosed by and/or surrounded by and/or concealed by a larger outer pocket, which may include a zipper closer, according to embodiments of the present invention. 
     A system of pockets for an athletic garment according to embodiments of the present invention includes a center pocket and first and second pockets each having an outer edge, an inner edge, a top edge, and a bottom edge. The top edge of each pocket is open, while the inner, outer, and bottom edges of each pocket are closed, according to such embodiments of the present invention. A vertical centerline of the athletic 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 athletic garment on the other side of the vertical centerline. The first and second pockets are in a substantially symmetrical configuration about the vertical centerline, and the center pocket is substantially centered on the vertical centerline. The first and second pockets each at least partially overlap the center pocket, according to such embodiments of the present invention. 
     A system of pockets for an athletic garment according to embodiments of the present invention includes a first pocket having a first outer edge, a first inner edge, a first top edge, and a first bottom edge, wherein the first pocket is closed along the first inner, outer, and bottom edges and open along the first top edge; a second pocket having a second outer edge, a second inner edge, a second top edge, and a second bottom edge, wherein the second pocket is closed along the second inner, outer, and bottom edges and open along the first top edge, wherein a vertical centerline of the athletic garment substantially aligns with a user&#39;s spine, wherein the first pocket is located on the athletic garment on one side of the vertical centerline, wherein the second pocket is located on the athletic garment on the other side of the vertical centerline, and wherein the first and second pockets are in a substantially symmetrical configuration about the vertical centerline; a center pocket having a third outer edge, a fourth outer edge, a third top edge, and a third bottom edge, wherein the center pocket is closed along the third bottom edge and the third and fourth outer edges and open along the third top edge, wherein the center pocket is substantially centered on the vertical centerline; and an outer pocket having a fifth outer edge, a sixth outer edge, a fourth top edge, and a fourth bottom edge, wherein the first, second, and third pockets are disposed entirely within the outer pocket, and wherein the outer pocket is closed along the fifth and sixth outer edges and the fourth bottom edge and open along the fourth top edge. 
     While multiple embodiments are disclosed, still other embodiments of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which shows and describes illustrative embodiments of the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and detailed description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a front perspective view of a pocket system according to embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a front view of the pocket system of  FIG. 1 , according to embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a top and front left side perspective view of the pocket system of  FIGS. 1 and 2 , according to embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a top and front right side perspective view of the pocket system of  FIGS. 1-3 , according to embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates an inside back view of the pocket system of  FIGS. 1-4 , according to embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a partial front view of a pocket system with a center pocket holding a water bottle, according to embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a front view of a pocket system according to embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  illustrates an elastic top edge of two pockets of the pocket system of  FIG. 7  being opened to show the inside of the two pockets and a center pocket, according to embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 9  illustrates a gusset at the bottom edge of the pocket system of  FIGS. 7 and 8 , according to embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 10  illustrates a top and front perspective view of a pocket system according to embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 11  illustrates a front view of the pocket system of  FIG. 10 , according to embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 12  illustrates a front top left perspective view of the pocket system of  FIGS. 10 and 11 , according to embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 13  illustrates a front top right perspective view of the pocket system of  FIGS. 10-12 , according to embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 14  illustrates a top and front perspective view of the pocket system of  FIGS. 10-13  with a center pocket zipper in a closed configuration, according to embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 15  illustrates a front view of a pocket system similar to the pocket system of  FIGS. 10-14 , according to embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 16  illustrates a front view of the pocket system of  FIG. 15 , with the center pocket zipper open and the elastic pulled outward, according to embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 17  illustrates a front view of the pocket system of  FIGS. 15 and 16 , with the center pocket zipper closed and the elastic pulled outward, according to embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 18  illustrates a gusset at the bottom edge of the pocket system of  FIGS. 15-17 , according to embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 19  illustrates a front view of an alternative pocket system according to embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 20  illustrates an enlarged front view of a center pocket opening of the pocket system of  FIG. 19 , according to embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 21  illustrates a front perspective view of a pocket system with three pockets inside of a larger outer pocket, according to embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 22  illustrates a left front perspective view of the pocket system of  FIG. 21 , according to embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 23  illustrates a right front perspective view of the pocket system of  FIGS. 21-22 , according to embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 24  illustrates a front perspective view of the pocket system of  FIGS. 21-23  with the larger outer pocket zipped closed, according to embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 25  illustrates a back view perspective view of the pocket system of  FIGS. 21-24 , according to embodiments of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     While the invention is amenable to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are described in detail below. The intention, however, is not to limit the invention to the particular embodiments described. On the contrary, the invention is intended to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Embodiments of the present invention include a system of three pockets on the back of a cycling jersey which looks from the back view like two pockets, but which also includes a third centered pocket. 
     According to embodiments of the present invention, a pocket system  100  may be added to a garment  102 , such as, for example, a cycling or running jersey. As illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the pocket system  100  includes a left pocket  110 , a right pocket  120 , and a center pocket  130 , according to embodiments of the present invention. The left pocket  110  includes a top edge  112 , a bottom edge  114 , an inner edge  116 , and an outer edge  118 , according to embodiments of the present invention. Similarly, the right pocket  120  includes a top edge  122 , a bottom edge  124 , an inner edge  126 , and an outer edge  128 , according to embodiments of the present invention. As illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 5 , the center pocket  130  includes a top edge  132 , a bottom edge  134 , and outer edges  136 ,  138 , according to embodiments of the present invention. According to some embodiments of the present invention, the left pocket  110  is closed along edges  114 ,  116 ,  118  and open at the top edge  112 ; the right pocket  120  is closed along edges  124 ,  126 ,  128  and open at the top edge  122 , and center pocket  130  is closed along edges  134 ,  136 ,  138  and open at the top edge  132 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , pockets  120  and  130  are adjacent to each other at a vertical centerline  202 . The vertical centerline  202  is a virtual or imaginary line along the garment  102  which substantially aligns with a user&#39;s spine during use. In other words, the vertical centerline  202  extends along the horizontal midpoints of the back of the garment  102 , which also correspond with the typical location of the center of a user&#39;s back (e.g. the user&#39;s spine). The athletic garment  102  need not include an actual centerline, such as, for example, a stitching pattern, which corresponds with the virtual centerline  202 . 
     The left pocket  110  is located on the left side of the vertical centerline  202 , and the right pocket  120  is located on the right side of the vertical centerline  202 , according to embodiments of the present invention. The left and right pockets  110 ,  120  are in a substantially symmetrical configuration about the vertical centerline  202 , according to embodiments of the present invention. In other words, the inner edges  116 ,  126  and outer edges  118 ,  128  of each pocket  110 ,  120  are substantially parallel and substantially equidistant from the vertical centerline  202 . This substantially symmetrical configuration can also exist even when one or more of the pockets  110 ,  120  includes an irregular shape or pattern over part of the pocket  110 ,  120 ; for example, the substantially symmetrical configuration of pockets  110 ,  120  about the vertical centerline  202  would still exist even if a notch were cut out of the upper right hand corner of pocket  120  (but not pocket  110 ), or if a star pattern were cut into the center of pocket  110  (but not pocket  120 ), according to embodiments of the present invention. 
     According to some embodiments of the present invention, the center pocket  130  is substantially centered on the vertical centerline  202 . In other words, the outer edges  136 ,  138  are substantially parallel and equidistant from the vertical centerline  202 . Such a substantial centering of the center pocket  130  on the vertical centerline  202  would exist even if the center pocket  130  were of an irregular shape, or a shape that varied by height and/or width. In such cases, the center pocket  130  would be centered on the vertical centerline  202  if either the area centroid of the center pocket  130  substantially coincided with the vertical centerline  202 , and/or if the left side  131  and right side  133  of the top edge  132  were substantially equidistant from the vertical centerline  202 , and/or if a vertical symmetry line of the center pocket  130  substantially aligned with the vertical centerline  202 , according to embodiments of the present invention. 
     According to some embodiments of the present invention, the left pocket  110  at least partially overlaps the center pocket  130 , and the right pocket  120  at least partially overlaps the center pocket  130 . In other words, when the pocket system  100  is flattened or is in use on a user&#39;s back, at least part of the left pocket  110  and right pocket  120  is over or under the center pocket  130 . According to some embodiments of the present invention, the center pocket  130  is positioned to be between the user&#39;s back on one side and the pockets  110 ,  120  on the other side.  FIG. 6  illustrates a water bottle  600  placed within a center pocket  130  of a pocket system  100 , according to embodiments of the present invention. A standard-sized cycling water bottle has a diameter of approximately three inches. According to some embodiments of the present invention, the center pocket  130  is sized to snugly fit a standard-sized water bottle as depicted in  FIG. 6 . Although the terms “left” and “right” are used herein, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the two terms are relative to a user&#39;s vantage point, and that either pocket  110  and/or pocket  120  may be referred to as a “left” or “right” pocket. 
     According to some embodiments of the present invention, the bottom pocket is sewn at the hem with a single needle stitch or overlock. The top edge  132  of the center pocket  130  contains “invisible stitching” or overlock construction and can be with or without top stitches, according to embodiments of the present invention. The top edges  112 ,  122  of the pockets  110 ,  120  can be made with or without elastic in the fold hem or binding finish, according to embodiments of the present invention. The interior of the center pocket  130  is of overlock construction, and may be with or without top stitches, according to embodiments of the present invention. The garment  102  and/or the pocket system  100  may be constructed of a stretchable material, for example a knit material, or may be constructed of a non-stretchable material, for example a woven material. According to some embodiments of the present invention, the pockets  110 ,  120 ,  130  and the garment  102  are all made of the same stretchable material. According to some embodiments of the present invention, the top edge  112  forms at least a part  137  of the top edge  132 , and the top edge  122  forms at least a part  139  of the top edge  132 . One or more of the bottom edges  114 ,  124  and/or the outer edges  118 ,  128  is rounded, according to embodiments of the present invention. For example, the bottom edges  114 ,  124  may be rounded as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
       FIGS. 7-9  illustrate an alternative pocket system  700  according to embodiments of the present invention. Pocket system  700  includes a left pocket  710  and a right pocket  720 , according to embodiments of the present invention. The left and right pockets  710 ,  720  each include a top edge that forms a combined top edge  722  extending across both pockets, as shown, according to embodiments of the present invention. The left pocket also includes a bottom edge  714 , an inner edge  716 , and an outer edge  718 , and the right pocket also includes a bottom edge  724 , an inner edge  726 , and an outer edge  728 , according to embodiments of the present invention. The inner, outer, and bottom edges  714 ,  716 ,  718  are closed, as are the inner, outer, and bottom edges  724 ,  726 ,  728 , while the top edge  722  is generally open, according to embodiments of the present invention. 
     According to embodiments of the present invention, the outer part of top edge  722  includes elastic. The elastic holds the pockets  710 ,  720  closed and also holds the outer part of the top edge  722  against the jersey  702  to help conceal the center pocket  730 , according to embodiments of the present invention. Elastic may be applied to the top of the left pocket  710 , the right pocket  720 , and/or the center pocket  730 , according to embodiments of the present invention. The pockets  710  and  720  of system  700  may also be in a substantially symmetrical configuration with respect to each other about the vertical centerline of the jersey  702 , and the pockets  710 ,  720  may overlap the center pocket  730  as described with respect to system  100 , according to embodiments of the present invention. 
     A gusset  902  may be formed and/or included along the bottom edge  714  and/or  724 , according to embodiments of the present invention. The gusset  902  can be an extra piece of fabric, or an extension of the fabric out of which the pocket  710  is made, folded on itself and attached to the jersey  702  in order to expand the storage capacity of the pocket  710 , according to embodiments of the present invention. As seen in  FIG. 7 , the gusset  902  is relatively imperceptible when the pockets  710 ,  720  are closed and with nothing in them, but is readily able to expand to permit the pocket to accept wider items, according to embodiments of the present invention. According to some embodiments of the present invention, a closure device, such as, for example, a zipper, is incorporated into the gusset  902  to permit access to a pocket  710 , 720  through the bottom edge  714 ,  724  of the pocket  710 ,  720 . According to some embodiments of the present invention, a closure device (e.g. a zipper) is incorporated along the bottom edge  714 ,  724  of the pocket  710 ,  720  without a gusset  902 , to permit bottom access to the pocket  710 ,  720 . According to yet other embodiments of the present invention, a gusset is incorporated inside of closure device along the bottom edges  714 ,  724 , such that opening the closure device permits an opening and expansion of the gusset. According to some embodiments of the present invention, a closure device (e.g. a zipper) is incorporated into the top edge  722  of the pocket  710 ,  720  with or without a gusset  902  at the bottom edge, and the closure device permits top access to the pocket  710 ,  720 ,  730 . According to some embodiments of the present invention, a closure device (e.g. a zipper) is incorporated into or along the top edge  722  between top edge  722  and athletic garment  702 . 
     According to embodiments of the present invention, the pocket system  700  includes elastic along the outside top edge  722  of the pockets  710 ,  720  and is recessed one and a half inches from the jersey bottom hem with a gusset  902  to provide more storage. Specifically, the bottom pocket is sewn at one and a half inches from the jersey bottom hem with an invisible top stitch, according to embodiments of the present invention. Gusset  902  is also included on one or more pockets  710 ,  720  to provide more storage. The top of the pockets  710 , 720  contains “invisible stitching” or overlock construction and can be with or without top stitches, according to embodiments of the present invention. The outer part of the top edge  722  is made with or without elastic in the fold hem or binding finish, according to embodiments of the present invention. The interior center pocket  730  is of overlock construction with or without top stitches, according to embodiments of the present invention. 
       FIGS. 10-18  illustrate a pocket system  1000  similar to the pocket system  700  of  FIGS. 7-9 , but with a closure device  1002  across the top edge of the center pocket  730 , according to embodiments of the present invention. According to some embodiments of the present invention, the closure device  1002  is a zipper. The zipper  1002  may be an invisible or a standard coil zipper, for example. According to other embodiments of the present invention, the closure device  1002  is a hook-and-loop closure device, a snap closure device, a button closure device, a Ziploc®-type closure device, and/or a slider-type closure device.  FIGS. 10-13  illustrate the pocket system  1000  with the closure device  1002  open, while  FIG. 14  illustrates the pocket system  1000  with the closure device  1002  closed, according to embodiments of the present invention. As illustrated in  FIG. 18 , the pocket system  1000  may also include a gusset along the bottom edge of the pockets as shown, according to embodiments of the present invention. According to some embodiments of the present invention, a closure device (e.g. closure device  1002 ) may be used with the center pocket  130  of the pocket system  100  of  FIGS. 1-5 . 
       FIGS. 19 and 20  illustrate a front view of an alternative pocket system  1900  according to embodiments of the present invention. According to some embodiments of the present invention, pocket system  1900  is similar to pocket systems  700 ,  1000 , except the top edge  1932  opening for the center pocket is positioned on the athletic garment above the top edge  1922  of the first and/or second pocket, such that it is visible even when the first and/or second pockets are closed. According to some embodiments of the present invention, the top edge  1932  includes a pocket closure device, such as, for example, a zipper. Such a pocket closure device is configured to permit opening and closure of the top of the center pocket, according to embodiments of the present invention. 
       FIGS. 21-25  illustrate a pocket system  2100  with three pockets  2110 ,  2120 , and  2130  inside of a larger outer pocket  2140 , according to embodiments of the present invention. According to some embodiments of the present invention, including a larger outer pocket  2140  permits the other inner pockets  2110 ,  2120 ,  2130  to be concealed during use. This creates a jersey with a more aesthetic appearance, while still permitting the storage of articles in the smaller inner pockets  2110 ,  2120 ,  2130  to be done in a manner that assists with balance and stability. This is often not possible for existing large-pocket jerseys, which often permit stored articles to shift from side to side and/or bunch up in a single location. 
     Pocket system  2100  may be formed in a jersey  2102  or other garment, according to embodiments of the present invention. Pocket system  2100  includes a large outer pocket  2140  which includes a top edge  2142 , a bottom edge  2144 , an outer edge  2146  and an outer edge  2148 , according to embodiments of the present invention. According to some embodiments of the present invention, the bottom and outer edges  2144 ,  2146 , and  2148  are closed, while the top edge  2142  is open as illustrated in  FIGS. 21-23 . 
     According to some embodiments of the present invention, the top edge  2142  includes a closure device  2149  such as, for example, a zipper. According to some embodiments of the present invention, the closure device  2149  may be a double closure device, such as a double zipper, which includes one zipper head on each side of the top edge  2142 . Such a double zipper configuration permits items that are taller or larger than the outer  2140  and/or inner pockets  2110 ,  2120 ,  2130  to be placed within the pocket as desired and the zippers closed up to or near the item. For example, a tall water bottle could be placed in the center pocket  2130 , and each of two zippers slid from each end of the top edge  2142  up to or near the water bottle to help maintain its position. 
     According to some embodiments of the present invention, the inner center pocket  2130  overlaps one or more of the inner side pockets  2110 ,  2120  similar to the pocket system of  FIG. 1 ; according to other embodiments, the inner center and side pockets  2110 ,  2120 ,  2130  are in a standard three-pocket configuration with the center pocket  2130  centered along a vertical centerline of the garment  2102 . According to some embodiments, the large outer pocket  2140  surrounds an inner system of two pockets, one on either side of the vertical centerline, or of one pocket, instead of three pockets  2110 ,  2120 ,  2130 . According to some embodiments of the present invention, the top edge  2142  of the outer pocket  2140  includes elastic. Based on the disclosure provided herein, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate the various combinations of pocket sizes, placement, closure devices, and other elements that may be used to create a pocket system. 
     Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, while the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the above described features.