Patent Publication Number: US-7908675-B2

Title: Multi-pocket system for pants

Description:
CLAIM OF PRIORITY 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Design patent application Ser. No. 29/305,714, filed on Mar. 26, 2008, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention generally relates to multi-pocket systems and more particularly to a multi-pocket system for pants that allows easy access even when a user is in a seated position through multiple access points to the same pocket. 
     BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
     Several types multi-pocket configurations exist in the art. Several of these are for specific or specialty uses and configured for a variety of different types of documents or articles. (see generally U.S. Pat. No. 5,884,338 to Golde). While these various types of pocketed garments appear to work satisfactorily for their intended purpose, they fail to provide desired pocketing for pants, especially when a user is in a seated position. 
     For example, many individuals that must remain seated for extended periods of time in sometimes cramped quarters often have difficulty accessing the contents of their pockets. An international airline traveler who needs to access boarding passes, immigration forms, passports, and the like would have difficulty accessing these documents prior to landing and being able to stand up. A similar situation exists for an individual seated in an automobile with their seatbelt fastened. U.S. Pat. No. 5,509,147 attempts to address the problems facing a seated traveler by placing a multi-pocket configuration on a shirt. Unfortunately, this configuration is rather complicated and would require the discomfort of have several uncomfortable items in your shirt pocket for extended periods of time. 
     Thus, there is a desire and a need in the art to provide a simple multi-pocket configuration that is suitable for application on pants and allow equal ease of access to pocket contents whether a user is seated or standing. 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     Accordingly, the present invention provides a multi-pocket assembly attachable to a garment and more particularly to a multi-pocket system for pants that allows easy access even when a user is in a seated position through multiple access points to the same pocket. 
     In one embodiment for the present invention, the multi-pocket assembly has a a first pocket structure having a front, a top side, a bottom side, and two vertical sides, said first pocket structure having at least two interior access openings with means for closing on said topside and at least one of said vertical sides; a second pocket structure attached to the front of said first pocket, having a second front, second vertical sides, second bottom side, and second top side, having an second interior access opening on the second top side, and a flap to cover said second interior access opening; and a third pocket structure attached to the front of said second pocket, having a third top side, third vertical sides, third bottom side, having an third interior access opening on the third top side, and a second flap to cover said third interior access opening, said third pocket structure smaller in size to said second pocket structure. As illustrated the invention can be practiced on a pant leg, though a variety of garments known in the art could be used. 
     Additional features that can be added to the invention include reflective tape, securable flaps, zippers, pleats, and the like. 
     Other features of the present invention will become more apparent to persons having ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains from the following description and claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
       The foregoing features, as well as other features, will become apparent with reference to the description and figure below, in which like numerals represent elements and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a front view of a pocket of one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a rear view thereof. 
         FIG. 3  is a left side view thereof. 
         FIG. 4  is a right side view thereof. 
         FIG. 5  is a top view thereof. 
         FIG. 6  is a rear view thereof. 
         FIG. 7  is a front view thereof showing an open upper flap with loop and hook fastening means. 
         FIG. 8  is a front view thereof showing an open zipper to allow interior access a first pocket from the top. 
         FIG. 9  is a front view thereof showing an open zipper to allow interior access a first pocket from the side. 
         FIG. 10  is a front view thereof showing an open zipper to allow interior access a first pocket from the side attached to a pant leg. 
         FIG. 11  is an additional front view thereof showing an open zipper to allow interior access a first pocket from the side attached to a pant leg of a seated person. 
         FIG. 12  is a front view thereof attached to an expandable pant leg. 
         FIG. 13  is a front view thereof showing the hidden seams of a gusset and expanding pleats. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a multi-pocket system or assembly and more particularly to a multi-pocket system for pants that allows easy access even when a user is in a seated position through multiple access points to the same pocket. This makes the pocket extremely useful for a seat-belted user sitting for an extended period of time, such as in an automobile or an airplane. 
     Turning now to the figures,  FIG. 1  shows the pocket assembly has a plurality of pockets and is generally indicated at  20 . Generally, pocket assembly  20  has an overall rectangular shape with its longitudinal length being somewhat larger than its lateral length, however, depending upon the particular articles to be carried, the pockets may be modified to meet the desired task. Pocket assembly  20  is designed to attach to any type of garment such as a shirt, coat, vest, jacket, pant leg, or the like. As illustrated in  FIGS. 10-12 , pocket assembly  20  is attached to a pant leg and has a particular advantage when placed on this type of garment (as described below). Pocket assembly  20  has a main pocket and two pocket sub-assemblies attached. 
     Thus, a first main pocket assembly, and second and third pocket subassemblies are labeled  22 ,  24 , and  26  respectively. The pockets are generally formed from a front panel and rear panel which are sewn together. As shown, the front panel of pocket  22  forms the rear panel of pocket  24 . Similarly, the front panel of pocket  24  forms the rear panel of pocket  26 . Flaps  30  and  32  cover the openings of the pockets  24  and  26  respectively and can be secured to the pockets by several means known in the art. As shown specifically in  FIG. 7 , a hook and loop fastening means (such as those sold under the trade name VELCRO), but other fastening means such as buttons, zippers, and the like are possible. As shown in  FIGS. 4 and 6 , both pockets  24  and  26  include pleats  34  and  36  respectively. These pleats enable the pockets to expand when carrying eyeglass cases cell phones, other portable electronic devices, and the like. As shown, pocket  24  further includes a gusset pleat  38  to allow for further expansion of the interior space of the pocket. Pocket  26 , as shown, is configured to securely contain smaller items. With pleats  36 , Flap  32  and hook and look fastening means  42  ( FIG. 3 ) this pocket is ideal for carrying small electronic devices such as a cell phone. 
     As shown in  FIG. 8 , main pocket assembly  22  has separate rear panel  28  (or optionally could be formed from the garment itself), a front panel  24 , a top side  46 , a bottom side  48 , and two vertical sides  50 , said first pocket structure having at least two interior access openings with means for closing said topside  52  and at least one of said vertical sides  54 . The means for closing the interior space can be any means known in the art, though zippers are shown. Hook and look fasteners, buttons, and the like could also be used. As shown, the interior of pocket assembly  22  can be accessed from at least two sides via access  52  and  54 . This offers a significant advantage of the prior art in that the same pocket may be easily accessed while a user is in a seated ( FIG. 11 ) or standing ( FIG. 8 ) position. 
     As shown in  FIG. 7 , pocket  24  can have a front panel  44  with an additional light reflecting, or other smooth surface  56 , sewn under flap  32 . This allows for a more rigid opening that is easy for a user to glide his hand under, provides an attractive appearance, and an added safety feature at night if the material is light reflecting. 
     While the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description. Accordingly, the present invention attempts to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.