Patent Publication Number: US-2022232915-A1

Title: Garment pocket

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application having attorney docket number 384053/160283US04CON and entitled “GARMENT POCKET” is a continuation of U.S. Nonprovisional application Ser. No. 16/822,224, entitled “GARMENT POCKET” and filed on Mar. 18, 2020, which is a divisional of U.S. Nonprovisional application Ser. No. 15/799,578, entitled “GARMENT POCKET” and filed on Oct. 31, 2017, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,834,983 issued on Nov. 17, 2020, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/416,219, entitled “GARMENT POCKET,” and filed on Nov. 2, 2016, which are each incorporated by reference in their entireties. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     Aspects herein related to a garment pocket having a construction suitable to seat and secure a spherical object, such as a ball, within the pocket. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Garment pockets are traditionally used to secure and/or stow objects. However, it has generally been difficult to stow bulky or spherical-shaped objects without distorting the appearance of the garment and/or potentially causing wearer discomfort due to the object pressing against the wearer&#39;s body. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Examples of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the attached drawing figures, wherein: 
         FIG. 1A  illustrates a view of a first surface of a portion of a first panel of material used to form an exemplary pocket structure where the first panel of material includes a gusset insert shown in an unexpanded state in accordance with aspects herein; 
         FIG. 1B  illustrates a cross-sectional view taken along cut line  1 B- 1 B in accordance with aspects herein; 
         FIG. 2A  illustrates a view of the first surface of the first panel of material showing the gusset insert in an expanded state in accordance with aspects herein; 
         FIG. 2B  illustrates a cross-sectional view taken along cut line  2 B- 2 B in accordance with aspects herein; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a view of a second surface of the first panel of material showing the gusset insert in an unexpanded state in accordance with aspects herein; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a view of the second surface of the first panel of material showing the gusset insert in an expanded state in accordance with aspects herein; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a perspective view of a second panel of material used to form the exemplary pocket structure where the second panel of material includes a pleat structure shown in an unexpanded state in accordance with aspects herein; 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a perspective view of the second panel showing the pleat structure in an expanded state in accordance with aspects herein; 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary pocket structure where the pocket structure is in an unexpanded state in accordance with aspects herein; 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a perspective view of the exemplary pocket structure of  FIG. 7  where the pocket structure is in an expanded state in accordance with aspects herein; 
         FIG. 9  illustrates a perspective view of the exemplary pocket structure of  FIGS. 7 and 8  showing a ball stowed within the pocket structure in accordance with aspects herein; 
         FIG. 10  illustrates a front view of a garment having the exemplary pocket structure, where the pocket structure is in an unexpanded state in accordance with aspects herein; 
         FIG. 11  illustrates a front view of the garment of  FIG. 10 , where the pocket structure is in an expanded state in accordance with aspects herein; 
         FIG. 12  illustrates a back view of a garment having the exemplary pocket structure, where the pocket structure is in an unexpanded state in accordance with aspects herein; 
         FIG. 13  illustrates a back view of the garment of  FIG. 12 , where the pocket structure is in an expanded state in accordance with aspects herein; 
         FIG. 14  illustrates a front view of a garment having the exemplary pocket structure, where the pocket structure is in an unexpanded state in accordance with aspects herein; and 
         FIG. 15  illustrates a front view of the garment of  FIG. 14 , where the pocket structure is in an expanded state in accordance with aspects herein. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The subject matter of the present invention is described with specificity herein to meet statutory requirements. However, the description itself is not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure. Rather, the inventors have contemplated that the claimed or disclosed subject matter might also be embodied in other ways, to include different steps or combinations of steps similar to the ones described in this document, in conjunction with other present or future technologies. Moreover, although the terms “step” and/or “block” might be used herein to connote different elements of methods employed, the terms should not be interpreted as implying any particular order among or between various steps herein disclosed unless and except when the order of individual steps is explicitly stated. 
     At a high level, aspects herein relate to a pocket structure for a garment where the pocket structure is configured to stow and secure a generally spherical-shaped object such as a ball. The object is stowed in such a way so as to improve wearer comfort, help maintain the aesthetic appearance of the garment, and help prevent the inadvertent escape of the object from the pocket structure. More particularly, the pocket structure comprises a gusset insert located on a first panel of material that forms the outer-facing portion or surface of the pocket structure when the garment is worn. The pocket structure further comprises a pleat structure having one or more folds formed from a second panel of material that forms the inner-facing portion or surface of the pocket structure. In exemplary aspects, the pleat structure is located at the bottom margin of the pocket structure. Continuing, the long axes of the gusset insert and the pleat structure are generally in parallel alignment with each other, and the pleat structure is positioned a predetermined distance below or inferior to the gusset insert when the garment is worn. 
     Continuing, when not used to stow an object, the gusset insert and the pleat structure of the pocket structure remain in a flat and/or folded state causing the pocket structure as a whole to present a generally flat or planar aspect. However, when an object such as, for example, a ball is stowed within the pocket structure, both the gusset insert and the pleat structure expand or unfold to accommodate the ball. When stowed within the pocket structure, the bottom of the ball is configured to be positioned adjacent to the pleat structure due to the pleat structure forming, at least in part, the bottom margin of the pocket structure. The positioning of the bottom of the ball adjacent to the pleat structure causes the pleat structure to expand or unfold in order to accommodate the ball. As mentioned, the gusset insert is positioned a predetermined distance superior to the pleat structure. In exemplary aspects, the predetermined distance is selected based on the diameter of the ball likely to be stowed within the pocket structure. For example, the predetermined distance may be equal to half of the ball&#39;s diameter (i.e., the ball&#39;s radius). Thus, when the bottom of the ball is positioned adjacent to the pleat structure, the portion of the ball corresponding to its greatest circumference (i.e., the ball&#39;s equator) is positioned adjacent to the gusset insert and the gusset insert expands or unfolds to accommodate the ball&#39;s circumference. As seen, the positional relationship between the gusset insert and the pleat structure helps to secure and seat the ball when the ball is stowed in the pocket structure, thus preventing the ball from inadvertently escaping the pocket structure. This structure may be opposed to more traditional pocket structures formed without a pleat structure and/or gusset. These traditional types of pockets may not have enough interior volume to accommodate and seat the ball. 
     Moreover, by positioning the gusset insert on the outer-facing panel of the pocket structure, the pocket structure generally expands outward or away from the wearer&#39;s body when the ball is stowed within the pocket structure. This may stand in contrast to typical pocket constructions that lack a gusset insert, where such constructions generally expand both towards a wearer&#39;s body and away from the wearer&#39;s body when an object such as a ball is stowed within the pocket, thus possibly increasing wearer discomfort and/or inhibiting wearer movement when the object is stowed. 
     Further still, the use of both the gusset insert and the pleat structure allows for sufficient expansion of the pocket structure so as to accommodate the stowed object. A result of this expansion is that unwanted tension forces on other areas of the garment are reduced or minimized. For instance, when stowing an object such as ball in a typical pocket structure incorporated into, for instance, a pair of shorts, the bottom margin of the leg portions might be pulled upward due to the tension forces caused by stowing the ball within a pocket that does not have sufficient internal volume to accommodate the ball. This pulling of the bottom margin not only presents an unsightly aesthetic appearance but may also contribute to wearer discomfort. 
     Accordingly, aspects herein are directed to a pocket structure comprising a first panel of material having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, where the first panel of material comprises a gusset insert expandable from a first state to a second state. The pocket structure further comprises a second panel of material affixed to the first panel at one or more perimeter edges of the second panel of material, where the second panel of material comprises a third surface and a fourth surface opposite the third surface. The second panel of material is affixed to the first panel of material so that the second panel&#39;s fourth surface is positioned adjacent to the first panel&#39;s second surface. Further, at least a first perimeter edge of the second panel of material has a pleat structure expandable from a first state to a second state. 
     Aspects herein further provide for a garment comprising a torso portion defining at least a waist opening and first and second leg portions extending from the torso portion, where the first and second leg portions define first and second leg openings respectively. The garment further comprises a pocket structure having a first panel of material comprising a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. The first panel of material comprises a gusset insert that is located a first distance from the waist opening of the garment, where the gusset insert expandable from a first state to a second state. The pocket structure further comprises a second panel of material affixed to the first panel of material at one or more perimeter edges of the second panel of material, where the second panel of material comprises a third surface and a fourth surface opposite the third surface. The second panel of material is affixed to the first panel of material so that the second panel&#39;s fourth surface is positioned adjacent to the first panel&#39;s second surface. At least a first perimeter edge of the second panel of material has a pleat structure expandable from a first state to a second state, where the pleat structure is located a second distance from the waist opening of the garment. 
     Aspects herein are further directed to a garment comprising a torso portion defining at least a neck opening, a waist opening, a first sleeve opening, and a second sleeve opening. The garment further comprises a pocket structure having a first panel of material comprising a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, where the first panel of material comprises a gusset insert that is located a first distance from the neck opening of the garment. The gusset insert is expandable from a first state to a second state. The pocket structure further comprises a second panel of material affixed to the first panel at one or more perimeter edges of the second panel of material, where the second panel of material comprises a third surface and a fourth surface opposite the third surface. The second panel of material is affixed to the first panel of material so that the second panel&#39;s fourth surface is positioned adjacent to the first panel&#39;s second surface. At least a first perimeter edge of the second panel of material has a pleat structure expandable from a first state to a second state, where the pleat structure is located a second distance from the neck opening of the garment. 
     As used throughout this disclosure, positional terms used when describing, for instance, a garment or portions of a garment, such as “anterior,” “posterior,” “inferior,” “superior,” “lateral,” “medial,” “superior,” and the like are to be given their common meaning with respect to the garment being worn by a hypothetical wearer standing in anatomical position. Unless indicated otherwise, terms such as “affixed,” “coupled,” “secured,” and the like may mean releasably affixing two or more elements together using for instance, structural differences between the elements, releasable adhesives, snaps, buttons, hook-and-loop fasteners, and the like. These terms may also mean permanently affixing two or more elements together using, for example, stitching, bonding, adhesives, welding, and the like. 
     As used throughout this disclosure, the term “bottom” as in a “bottom margin of a pocket structure” is not meant to imply a particular orientation of the bottom margin such as a horizontal orientation. But, instead, the term “bottom” is meant to convey the portion of the pocket structure at which objects stowed within the pocket structure generally settle due to gravity. Thus, the bottom margin of the pocket structure may assume a horizontal orientation, a near-horizontal orientation, or a diagonal orientation when a garment incorporating the pocket structure is worn. In some aspects, the bottom margin will be opposite the pocket opening. Further, as used throughout this disclosure, the term “upper” as in an “upper margin of a pocket structure,” may be defined as the portion of the pocket structure opposite the bottom margin of the pocket structure. In exemplary aspect, the upper margin of the pocket structure may be that portion of the pocket structure that forms, at least in part, the opening to the pocket structure. 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2A, and 2B , views of a first surface  110  of a first panel of material  100  used to form an exemplary pocket structure are provided in accordance with aspects herein, where  FIGS. 1A and 1B  illustrate a gusset insert in an unexpanded or folded state, and  FIGS. 2A and 2B  illustrate the gusset insert in an expanded or unfolded state. The first panel of material  100  may comprise any known pliable material used in the production of garments or apparel. In exemplary aspects, the first panel of material  100  may comprise a non-stretch material, a two-way stretch material, and/or a four-way stretch material. When the pocket structure is incorporated into a garment, the first surface  110  of the first panel of material  100  would comprise an outer-facing surface of the pocket structure (the surface of the pocket structure configured to face away from a body of a wearer). Further, the first panel of material  100  may comprise the outermost layer of the pocket structure with respect to a wearer&#39;s body. In exemplary aspects, the first panel of material  100  comprises at least an upper margin  111  and may also comprise additional margins such as margin  113  that is used to form an opening into the pocket structure. 
     Further, the first panel of material  100  comprises a linear opening or aperture  112  defined by at least two respective edges  114  and  116 . The aperture  112  may be formed by, for example, laser cutting the first panel of material  100 . Other ways of forming the aperture  112  are contemplated herein such as water jet cutting, ultrasonic cutting, mechanical cutting, and the like. As well, the aperture  112  may be formed by modifying the knitting or weaving process used to form the first panel of material  100  to integrally form the aperture  112 . Any and all aspects, and any variation thereof, are contemplated as being within the scope herein. The aperture  112  is positioned a predetermined distance below the upper margin  111  where the predetermined distance may be dependent upon the type of garment in which the pocket structure is to be incorporated, the location of the pocket structure on the garment, the type of object that will likely be stowed within the pocket structure, and the like. 
     Continuing, a gusset insert  118  is positioned between and secured to the edges  114  and  116  of the aperture  112  such that the gusset insert  118  spans the aperture  112 . This positioning is shown more clearly in  FIGS. 1B and 2B .  FIG. 1B  is a cross-sectional view taken along cut line  1 B- 1 B of  FIG. 1A , and  FIG. 2B  is a cross-sectional view taken along cut line  2 B- 2 B of  FIG. 2A . With respect to  FIG. 1B , the gusset insert  118  is shown in a folded state such that it comprises one or more folds  121 . The particular folded arrangement shown in  FIG. 1B  is exemplary only, and it is contemplated that the gusset insert  118  may be folded in other patterns in accordance with aspects herein. The gusset insert  118  is secured to the first panel of material  100  along at least two of its edges  314  and  316  so that the body of the gusset insert  118  spans the aperture  112  in the first panel of material  100 . More particularly, the edge  314  of the gusset insert  118  is secured to the edge  114  of the first panel of material  100 , and the edge  316  of the gusset insert  118  is secured to the edge  116  of the first panel of material  100 . When the gusset insert  118  is in the folded or unexpanded state, the edges  114  and  116  of the first layer of material  100  are positioned generally adjacent to each other as shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B . In other words, in this state, the distance between the respective edges  114  and  116  is minimal (i.e., less than 2 cm). This minimal distance helps to present a more streamlined aesthetic to the pocket structure when the pocket structure is not being used to stow an object such as a ball. 
     With respect to  FIGS. 2A and 2B , as mentioned  FIG. 2A  illustrates the gusset insert  118  in an expanded or unfolded state. In the expanded or unfolded state, the edges  114  and  116  of the first layer of material  100  are spaced apart from each other. In other words, in this state, the distance between the respective edges  114  and  116  is greater than the distance between the edges  114  and  116  when the gusset insert  118  is in an unexpanded or folded state. The distance between the edges  114  and  116  when the gusset insert  118  is in an expanded or unfolded state may depend on the type of object being stowed within the pocket, the dimensions associated with the gusset insert  118 , the elasticity of the materials used to form the gusset insert  118  and/or the first panel of material  100 , and the like. For instance, a larger object may cause the distance between the edges  114  and  116  to be greater than when a smaller object is stowed in the pocket structure. As explained in greater depth below, the expansion of the gusset insert  118  and the spacing apart of the edges  114  and  116  helps to increase the interior volume of the pocket structure. 
       FIG. 2B  illustrates a cross-sectional view when the gusset insert  118  is in the expanded or unfolded state due to, for example, an object being stowed within the pocket structure. Because the object is adapted to exert an outward force on the first panel of material  100 , the gusset insert  118  is configured to expand outward through the aperture  112 . To put it another way, when the pocket structure is incorporated into a garment, the gusset insert  118  is configured to expand away from a wearer&#39;s body surface when the garment is in an as-worn configuration. 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , these figures depict views of a second surface  310  of the first panel of material  100  where the second surface  310  is opposite of the first surface  110 .  FIG. 3  illustrates the gusset insert  118  in an unexpanded or folded state, and  FIG. 4  illustrates the gusset insert  118  in an expanded or unfolded state. When the first panel of material  100  is incorporated into a pocket structure, the second surface  310  would face toward the interior compartment space of the pocket structure. In exemplary aspects, the gusset insert  118  is formed from a pliable material (elastic or non-stretch) and, as shown in  FIG. 4 , has a shape when it is expanded so that its width at the midpoint of the gusset insert&#39;s longitudinal axis is greater than its width at the endpoints of the gusset insert  118 . For example, exemplary shapes may comprise a diamond shape, an oval shape, an ellipsoid shape, and the like. 
     With further respect to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the gusset insert  118  comprises at least the two perimeter edges  314  and  316 . As previously described, the edge  314  may be affixed to the edge  114  of the first panel of material  100 , and the edge  316  may be affixed to the edge  116  of the first panel of material  100 . Any additional edges would be affixed to the first panel of material  100  so that the gusset insert  118  completely covers or spans the aperture  112 . Affixing may be through, for example, adhesives, bonding, stitching, welding, and the like. In some exemplary aspects, the gusset insert  118  may be formed by modifying the knitting or weaving process used to form the first panel of material  100 . In this instance, the gusset insert  118  would comprise an integral part of the first panel of material  100 . In other words, the gusset insert  118  would be formed from the same yarns as those used to form the first panel of material  100 . With respect to this aspect, the first panel of material  100  with its gusset insert  118  would be considered seamless. Any and all aspects, and any variation thereof, are contemplated as being within aspects herein. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the gusset insert  118  is in an unexpanded or folded state as indicated by folds  121 . This state may exist when an object is not being stowed within the pocket structure and minimal tensioning forces are being applied to the first panel of material  100 . When the gusset insert  118  is in the unexpanded or folded state, its width at the midpoint of the insert&#39;s longitudinal axis may be generally the same (within, for example, 1 cm or less) as the width at the endpoints of the gusset insert  118 . 
     In  FIG. 4 , the gusset insert  118  is shown in the expanded or unfolded state, which may be in response to an object being stowed within the pocket structure and exerting tensioning forces against the gusset insert  118 . In the expanded or unfolded state, the gusset insert  118  assumes a shape where the width at the midpoint of the gusset insert  118  is greater than the width at the endpoints of the gusset insert  118  (i.e., a diamond shape, an oval shape, and ellipsoid shape, and the like). 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , perspective views of a first surface  510  of a second panel of material  500  used to form the exemplary pocket structure are provided in accordance with aspects herein, where  FIG. 5  illustrates a pleat structure in an unexpanded or folded state, and  FIG. 6  illustrates the pleat structure in an expanded or unfolded state. Similar to the first panel of material  100 , the second panel of material  500  may comprise any known pliable material used in the production of garments or apparel. The material may exhibit no stretch, two-way stretch, and/or four-way stretch. In exemplary aspects, the second panel of material  500  may be affixed to the first panel of material  100  to form the exemplary pocket structure described herein. However, it is also contemplated herein that the second panel of material  500  may comprise an integral extension of the first panel of material  100 . For instance, a knitting or weaving process may be modified to simultaneously knit or weave both the first panel of material  100  and the second panel of material  500 . In this aspect, the pocket structure would comprise a seamless construction. When the pocket structure is incorporated into a garment, the first surface  510  of the second panel of material  500  would comprise an inner-facing surface of the pocket structure (the surface facing toward a body of a wearer and away from the interior compartment of the pocket structure). 
     In exemplary aspects, the second panel of material  500  may comprise at least an upper margin  511  and a bottom margin  512 . The second panel of material  500  may also comprise additional perimeter edges or margins such as margin  514 , margin  516 , and margin  518 . When the second panel of material  500  is joined to the first panel of material  100  to form the pocket structure, at least the margin  514  may be aligned with the margin  113  of the first panel of material  100  to form an opening into the pocket structure. Some or all of the remaining margins, such as the margins  511 ,  512 ,  516 , and  518  of the second panel of material  500  may be secured or affixed to the first panel of material  100  to form the pocket structure. 
     In exemplary aspects, the bottom margin  512  of the second layer of material  500  may be formed into a pleat structure  520  comprising one or more folds as indicated by, for instance, reference numeral  522 . In one exemplary aspect, the longitudinal axis of the folds  522  of the pleat structure  520  may be in a generally parallel alignment with the upper margin  511  of the second panel of material  500 . And, as shown with respect to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the longitudinal axis of the folds  522  may also be in a generally parallel alignment with the longitudinal axis of the gusset insert  118 . 
     As the pleat structure  520  forms the bottom margin  512  of the pocket structure, objects that are stowed within the pocket structure will generally be positioned adjacent to and/or in contact with the pleat structure  520  due to gravity. The object stowed within the pocket structure will cause the pleat structure  520  to expand or unfold as shown in  FIG. 6 . Similar to the gusset insert  118 , the expansion of the pleat structure  520  helps to increase the interior volume of the pocket structure. 
       FIGS. 7 and 8  illustrate perspective views of the first panel of material  100  secured to the second panel of material  500  to form a pocket structure  700  in accordance with aspects herein.  FIG. 7  illustrates the pocket structure  700  in an unexpanded state, and  FIG. 8  illustrates the pocket structure  700  in an expanded state. As shown in at least  FIG. 7 , the gusset insert  118  is in a generally parallel alignment with the pleat structure  520 . Further, the gusset insert  118  is positioned superior to the pleat structure  520  by a predetermined distance  710 . In exemplary aspects, the predetermined distance  710  may be dependent upon the characteristics of the object configured to be stowed in the pocket structure  700 . For instance, a typical tennis ball comprises a spherical object having a diameter between 6.54 cm and 6.86 cm as measured from the center of the ball. The distance  710  between the gusset insert  118  and the pleat structure  520  may be selected to be generally half the diameter of the ball (i.e., its radius) or between 2.5 cm and 3.5 cm. By positioning the gusset insert  118  superior to the pleat structure  520  by the predetermined distance  710 , when the bottom of the ball is resting adjacent the pleat structure  520 , the center of the ball would be positioned on a plane with the gusset insert  118 . Thus, when the tennis ball is stowed within the pocket structure  700 , the portion of the ball corresponding to its greatest circumference is positioned adjacent to the gusset insert  118 , and the gusset insert  118  can expand or unfold to accommodate the ball&#39;s diameter. 
     This is shown more clearly in  FIG. 9  which illustrates a ball  900 , such as a tennis ball, stowed within the pocket structure  700 . As seen in  FIG. 9 , the portion of the ball  900  corresponding to its greatest circumference (i.e., the ball&#39;s “equator”) is positioned adjacent to the gusset insert  118 , and the bottom of the ball  900  is positioned adjacent to the pleat structure  520  which forms the bottom margin  512  of the pocket structure  700 . By the ball  900  causing simultaneous expansion of both the pleat structure  520  and the gusset insert  118 , the interior volume of the pocket structure  700  is increased, and the pocket structure  700  is better able to accommodate the ball&#39;s volume. Moreover, the expansion of the pleat structure  520  creates a somewhat planar surface on which the bottom of the ball  900  can rest. This generally planar surface, combined with the increased interior volume of the pocket structure  700 , may help to seat the ball  900  and may help to prevent its inadvertent escape. Further, by the pocket  700  being configured to accommodate the ball  900  through expansion of the gusset insert  118  and the pleat structure  520 , the tension forces generated by the ball  900  on the pocket structure  700  are reduced. As a result, portions of a garment surrounding the pocket structure  700  may not be stretched unnecessarily and the garment as a whole may present a smoother more streamlined aesthetic. Moreover, because the gusset insert  118  is positioned on the outer-facing panel (e.g., the first panel of material  100 ) of the pocket structure  700 , expansion of the gusset insert  118  occurs primarily outward or away from the wearer&#39;s body, which may further improve wearer comfort. 
       FIGS. 10 and 11  depict front views of a garment  1000  incorporating the exemplary pocket structure  700  described herein in accordance with aspects herein.  FIG. 10  depicts the garment  1000  having the pocket structures  700  in an unexpanded state, and  FIG. 11  depicts the garment having at least one of the pocket structures  700  in an expanded state. The garment  1000  is shown as a pair of shorts, although it is contemplated herein that the garment  1000  may be in the form of pants, capris, and the like. 
     The garment  1000  comprises at least a torso portion  1110  adapted to cover the front and back lower torso areas of a wearer when the garment  1000  is worn. The torso portion  1110  defines at least a waist opening  1012 . The garment  1000  further comprises a first leg portion  1014  and a second leg portion  1016  defining a first leg opening  1018  and a second leg opening  1020  respectively. The first and second leg portions  1014  and  1016  are adapted to cover at least a portion of the legs of a wearer when the garment  1000  is worn. The pocket structures  700  are shown as being positioned generally on a front aspect of the torso portion  1110  with one pocket structure  700  positioned along a front right side of the torso portion  1110  and the first leg portion  1014  and the second pocket structure  700  positioned along a front left side of the torso portion  1110  and the second leg portion  1016 . 
     In exemplary aspects, all or portions of the garment  1000  may be formed from the first layer of pliable material  100 . For example, the first layer of pliable material  100  may be used to form the torso portion  1110  and/or the first and second leg portions  1014  and  1016 . Thus, the upper margin  111  of the first layer of pliable material  100  may help to define the waist opening  1012  of the garment  1000 . The margin  113  of the first layer of pliable material  100  may help to form an opening to the pocket structure  700 . Further, the aperture  112  formed in the first layer of pliable material  100  is visible on the outer-facing surface of the garment. As depicted in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , the aperture  112  is positioned a first distance from the waist opening  1012  of the garment  1000 . With respect to  FIG. 10 , the edges  114  and  116  of the aperture  112  are positioned generally adjacent to each other, and the gusset insert  118  is positioned between the edges  114  and  116 . The second panel of material  500  is indicated by the dashed lines. It forms the inner layer of each of the pocket structures  700 . As described earlier, the pleat structure  520  of the second layer of material  500  is positioned inferior to or below the aperture  112  in the first layer of material  100  so that it is positioned a second distance from the waist opening  1012  of the garment  1000 . In exemplary aspects, the second distance is greater than the first distance. Further, in exemplary aspects, the pleat structure  520  is in a generally parallel alignment with the aperture  112  and the gusset insert  118 . And, as described above, the pleat structure  520  generally forms the bottom margin  512  of the pocket structure  700 . 
     Because  FIG. 10  depicts the pocket structures  700  in an unexpanded state due to, for example, the absence of an object being stowed in the pocket structures, the pocket structures  700  present a generally flat or planar surface.  FIG. 11  depicts one of the pocket structures  700  with the gusset insert  118  expanded or unfolded and the pleat structure  520  expanded or unfolded. This state may occur in response to, for example, a ball or other type of spherical object being stowed within the pocket structure  700 . As shown, the gusset insert  118  expands away from the interior of the garment  1000  (i.e., away from a body of a wearer when the garment  1000  is worn). 
       FIGS. 12 and 13  depict back views of another exemplary garment  1200  in accordance with aspects herein, where  FIG. 12  illustrates the pocket structures  700  in an unexpanded or folded state, and  FIG. 13  illustrates one of the pocket structures  700  in an expanded or unfolded state. The garment  1200  is also shown in the form of a short, although it is contemplated herein that the garment  1200  may be in the form of a pant, a three-quarter pant, a capri, and the like. The garment  1200  comprises a torso portion  1210  adapted to cover a front and back torso of a wearer, where the torso portion  1210  defines, at least in part, a waist opening  1212 . The garment  1200  further comprises first and second leg portions  1214  and  1216 . The garment  1200  illustrates another exemplary location for the pocket structure  700 . Besides being positioned on the front of a garment, the pocket structure  700  can additionally be located on the back of a garment. With respect to the garment  1200 , the pocket structures  700  are located on a back right side of the torso portion  1210  and a back left side of the torso portion  1210 , and each present an opening  1218  for accessing the pocket structure  700 . 
     At least one of the pocket structures  700  is shown with the first panel of material  100  cut away to reveal the pleat structure  520  forming the bottom margin  512  of the pocket structure  700 . As shown, the pleat structure  520  is in a generally parallel alignment with the gusset insert  118 . Further, both the pleat structure  520  and the gusset insert  118  are in a generally parallel alignment with the waist opening  1212  of the garment  1200 . As shown in  FIG. 12 , the gusset insert  118  is in a folded or unexpanded state such that the edges  114  and  116  of the aperture  112  are closely approximated to each other. As further shown in  FIG. 12 , the pleat structure  520  is in a folded or unexpanded state.  FIG. 13  illustrates the gusset insert  118  in an expanded state. When the gusset insert  118  is expanded, the edges  114  and  116  of the aperture  112  are spaced apart from one another.  FIG. 13  further illustrates the pleat structure  520  in an unfolded state. 
       FIGS. 14 and 15  illustrate front views of another exemplary garment  1400  incorporating the pocket structure  700  in accordance with aspects herein. The garment  1400  is in the form of a dress such as, for example, a tennis dress. Although shown as a dress, it is contemplated herein that the garment  1400  may be in the form of a shirt, a skort, a skirt, and the like. The garment  1400  may comprise a torso portion  1410  that defines, at least in part, a neck opening  1412 , a waist opening  1414  opposite the neck opening  1412 , and first and second sleeve openings  1416  and  1418 . The garment  1400  may optionally comprise sleeve portions extending from the sleeve openings  1416  and  1418 . 
     The garment  1400  is shown comprising two pocket structures  700  with the pocket structures  700  located on opposing sides of a front aspect of the torso portion  1410 . It is contemplated herein that the pocket structures  700  may be positioned at other locations on the garment  1400  such as on a back torso portion, or a side aspect of a torso portion. Further, it is contemplated that the garment  1400  may comprise just one pocket structure  700  or multiple pocket structures  700 . Any and all aspects, and any variation thereof, are contemplated as being within the scope herein. 
     The pocket structures  700  are shown in an unexpanded or folded state in  FIG. 14 , and one of the pocket structures  700  is shown in an expanded or unfolded state in  FIG. 15 . This may be incident to a wearer stowing an object, such as a ball, within the pocket structure  700 . In exemplary aspects, the aperture  112  may be positioned a first distance from the neck opening  1412 , and the pleat structure  520  may be positioned a second distance from the neck opening  1412 , where the second distance is greater than the first distance. Further, similar to the garments described above, the aperture  112  and its gusset insert  118  are in a generally parallel alignment with the pleat structure  520 . 
     The garments shown in  FIGS. 10-15  are exemplary only, and it is contemplated that the exemplary pocket structure  700  described herein may be incorporated into any article of apparel including, for example, hats, socks, shin guards, shoes, and the like. Further, the locations and positioning of the pocket structures  700  shown in  FIGS. 10-15  are exemplary only, and it is contemplated that the pocket structure  700  described herein may be positioned at any location on an article of apparel that is suited for easy access by a wearer. Any and all aspects, and any variation thereof, are contemplated as being within the scope herein. 
     Aspects of the present invention have been described with the intent to be illustrative rather than restrictive. Alternative aspects will become apparent to those skilled in the art that do not depart from its scope. A skilled artisan may develop alternative means of implementing the aforementioned improvements without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
     It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations and are contemplated within the scope of the claims. Not all steps listed in the various figures need be carried out in the specific order described.