Patent Publication Number: US-2012034842-A1

Title: Bra pouch for cell phone storage

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/370,884, filed Aug. 5, 2010, and entitled BRA POUCH FOR CELL PHONE STORAGE the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. The Field of the Invention 
     The present invention is in the field of storage devices, more particularly, the present invention is directed to storage devices for storing items personal items directly on a person. 
     2. The Relevant Technology 
     Nearly everyone has a small collection of various personal items that are carried on their person such as one or more of cash, credit cards, a drivers license and other identification cards, keys, a pocketknife, a cell phone or PDA, etc. Many such items are generally carried within a person&#39;s pockets or perhaps a wallet (which is then carried within a pocket) or purse. Larger items such as a cell phone or PDA are sometimes stored separately within a pocket or a specially designed holster, for example that attaches to a belt. The storage of such items, particularly larger items such as a cell phone or PDA can often present a difficulty to the user as they can easily fall out of a shirt pocket and be broken or at least be uncomfortable if the person inadvertently sits on the item, which can occur particularly when the item is placed in a pants pocket. Furthermore, available specially designed holsters are often relatively bulky and uncomfortable for the user, and are also often aesthetically less than desirable, resulting in the user having a weighed down appearance akin to Batman&#39;s utility belt. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to a storage pouch for use in combination with a woman&#39;s bra that may be used to store a cell phone (e.g., an i-phone or other smart phone), a PDA, or similarly sized object. The storage pouch may also provide storage for smaller, thinner items such as credit cards, identification card(s), or cash. In one embodiment, the storage pouch includes a front panel including an outer perimeter and a rear panel including an outer perimeter. The front and rear panels may be shaped and sized so as to be substantially concealed beneath one of a user&#39;s bra cups during use. For example, the panels may approximate the shape of a single bra cup, or be smaller than a single bra cup. At least a portion of the outer perimeter of the front panel is attached (e.g., sewn or stitched) to the outer perimeter of the rear panel, forming a cavity between the front and rear panels that is bounded by the attached outer perimeters of the front and rear panels. The rear panel is typically larger than the front panel, and an upper portion of the front panel is not closed but provides an opening through which an object (e.g., a cell phone) may be introduced and removed from the cavity. 
     The storage pouch further includes means attached to at least one of the panels for engaging a bra strap or cup for selectively securing the storage pouch to a user&#39;s bra strap or bra cup. The storage pouch can be disengaged from the bra strap or cup in an inconspicuous manner by simply removing (e.g., sliding) the bra strap or cup out of engagement from the attachment means. The entire storage pouch is substantially or entirely concealed beneath a single one of a user&#39;s bra cups when worn. In one embodiment, the attachment means includes a slidable mechanism that allows the attachment means (e.g., a slide clip) to slidably engage the bra cup or bra strap. This sliding engagement between the attachment means and bra cup or strap allows inconspicuous engagement and disengagement of the storage pouch to/from the bra cup or strap. 
     In another embodiment the attachment means may comprise a resilient snap clip that when in an open configuration slidably engages a user&#39;s bra strap or cup and then may be resiliently snapped to a closed configuration so as to secure the storage pouch to a user&#39;s bra strap or cup. The storage pouch can also easily and inconspicuously be disengaged and removed from the bra strap or cup by flexing the resilient snap clip from closed to its open configuration and sliding the snap clip off the bra strap or cup. 
     These and other advantages and features of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of the invention as set forth hereinafter. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In order that the manner in which the above recited and other benefits, advantages and features of the invention are obtained, a more particular description of the invention briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be considered limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of an exemplary storage pouch according to one embodiment of the present invention including a clip for slidably engaging a right bra strap; 
         FIG. 1B  is a perspective view of a storage pouch similar to that of  FIG. 1A  but configured for slidably engaging a left bra strap; 
         FIG. 1C  is a perspective view of another exemplary storage pouch including a clip for slidably engaging a right bra cup; 
         FIG. 1D  is a perspective view of another exemplary storage pouch including a clip and that is configured for slidably engaging a right or left bra cup; 
         FIG. 2A  is a perspective view of a woman with the storage pouch of  FIG. 1A  substantially concealed beneath her right bra cup, the clip of the storage pouch being slidably engaged with the right bra strap; 
         FIG. 2B  is a perspective view of a woman with a storage pouch similar to that of  FIG. 1C  but configured for concealment beneath the left bra cup and in which the sliding engagement clip is slidably engaged with the left bra cup; 
         FIG. 2C  is a perspective view of the woman of  FIG. 2B  with a cell phone received within the cavity defined between the front and rear panels; 
         FIG. 3A  is a top perspective view of another exemplary storage pouch including a resilient snap clip for slidably engaging and securing the storage pouch to a bra cup; 
         FIG. 3B  is a somewhat different perspective view of the storage pouch of  FIG. 3A  with the resilient snap clip in an open configuration; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a woman with the storage pouch of  FIG. 3A  substantially concealed beneath her left bra cup, the resilient snap clip of the storage pouch being slidably engaged with and snapped closed so as to secure the storage pouch to the left bra cup; 
         FIG. 5A  is a top perspective view of the resilient snap clip shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B ; 
         FIG. 5B  is a top view of the resilient snap clip of  FIG. 5A  in which the two portions are unfolded so as to not overlap one another; 
         FIG. 5C  is a side view of the resilient snap clip of  FIG. 5A  in an open configuration; and 
         FIG. 5D  is a side view of the resilient snap clip of  FIG. 5A  in a closed configuration. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     I. Introduction 
     The present invention is directed to storage pouch devices for use with a woman&#39;s bra. The storage pouch includes a front panel, a rear panel, and a cavity defined between the front and rear panels. The internal cavity is bounded by portions of the outer perimeters of both the front and rear panels that are attached together (e.g., by stitching or sewing). The front panel is typically smaller than the rear panel, and an upper portion of the front panel is not attached to the rear panel so as to provide an opening through which a cell phone or similarly sized object may be inserted into the cavity. The storage pouch is advantageously shaped and sized so as to be substantially or entirely concealable beneath one of a user&#39;s bra cups. The pouch further includes means attached to at least one of the panels (e.g., the front panel) for engaging a bra strap or bra cup so as to secure the storage pouch to a woman&#39;s bra strap or cup. The attachment means is specifically configured so that inconspicuous engagement and disengagement (and removal) of the storage pouch is possible by simply sliding the bra strap or cup into or out of engagement with the attachment means. 
     II. Exemplary Storage Pouches 
       FIG. 1A  shows an exemplary storage pouch  100  that is specifically shaped and configured for concealment beneath a woman&#39;s right bra cup. The shape of pouch  100  approximates the overall shape of such a right bra cup, having a generally tear-drop shape. Storage pouch  100  includes a front panel  102 , a rear panel  104 , and a clip  106 , which is one example of means for attaching the storage pouch  100  to a bra strap. Both front panel  102  and rear panel  104  include an outer perimeter  102   a  and  104   a,  respectively. At least a portion of the outer perimeters of front panel  102  and rear panel  104  are attached to one another (e.g., by stitching, sewing, adhesive, or other mechanism). 
     As shown, the front panel  102  of pouch  100  may be smaller than rear panel  104 , so that an upper portion of rear panel  104   b  extends upwardly beyond the outer upper perimeter  102   b  of front panel  102 . At least a portion of upper perimeter  102   b  is not attached to rear panel  104  so as to form an opening  108  through which an object such as a cell phone may be inserted into a cavity defined between the front and rear panels  102  and  104 , respectively. Providing a larger rear panel including upper exteriorly exposed portion  104   b  aids in inserting an object into opening  108  of the cavity, as the object may be pressed against upper portion  104   b,  helping to spread open opening  108  for easy insertion of the cell phone or other object. 
     Illustrated clip  106  is generally C shaped, including a base  110  and an opposing pair of leg extensions  112 . Extensions  112  are connected to opposing ends of base  110  such that leg extensions  112  overlap base  110  and extend back towards a center portion of base  110 . In the illustrated embodiment, base  110  is attached to the upper outer perimeter of rear panel  104  (e.g., by stitching or sewing base  110  into the material of the outer perimeter). Leg extensions  112  extend towards one another, but are sufficiently short so as to include a gap  114  between opposing extensions  112 . In addition, a slot or space exists between the base  110  and each leg extension  112 . Gap  114  and the above described slot between base  110  and leg extensions  112  allows a bra strap to be inserted through gap  114  and to be disposed within the slot or space between base  110  and leg extensions  112  so as to slidably engage clip  106  with a bra strap, as is shown in  FIG. 2A . 
     As the backside of rear panel  104  rests against the user&#39;s skin underneath the user&#39;s bra, preferably at least the rear panel is formed of a material that is soft, flexible, and breathable so as to comfortably rest against a user&#39;s skin. Preferably, the material is further selected for its ability to wick moisture (e.g., perspiration) away from the skin. Exemplary materials that may be used include polyester, nylon, and/or a polyurethane-polyurea copolymer such as lycra, spandex, and/or elastane. Natural materials such as cotton, particularly as part of a blended fabric, may also be used. Specific synthetic and/or natural materials, including blends of different materials having such performance characteristics will be known to those of skill in the art. 
       FIG. 1B  shows a storage pouch  100 ′ that is similar to storage pouch  100  of  FIG. 1A . The principal difference is that storage pouch  100 ′ is shaped and configured for concealment beneath a woman&#39;s left bra cup. As shown, the upper portion of outer perimeter  102   b  of front panel  102  in the embodiment of  FIG. 1B  curves and/or angles downward from the clip  106  disposed near an upper right side of storage pouch  100 , resulting in an opening  108  oriented for relatively easy insertion of an object into opening  108  with the user&#39;s right hand. Of course, the configuration shown in  FIG. 1A  mirrors that of  FIG. 1B , which allows easy insertion of an object into opening  108  with the user&#39;s left hand. 
       FIG. 1C  shows an alternative storage pouch  200  that is similar to storage pouch  100  of  FIG. 1A  but including a different attachment clip  206  specifically configured for attaching the storage pouch  200  to a bra cup rather than a bra strap. Compression clip  206  includes a base  210  and a retaining member  212  (e.g., S shaped curve) extending from one end of base  210 . Base  210  is attached to front panel  102  (e.g., by sewing or stitching base  210  into the material of front panel  102 ). Retaining leg member  212  is formed of a resilient material (e.g., metal or plastic) and is configured so that a portion  214  of member  212  overlaps and loops back over base  210  so as to contact or approach a portion of base  210 . Because leg member  212  is formed of a resilient material, one is able to flex (e.g., by pressing leg  212  upward) leg  212  away from base  210  so as to temporarily increase a gap between base  210  and portion  214  of leg member  212 . The bra cup is slid between leg member  212  and base  210 , and when released, leg member  212  resiliently springs downwardly towards its original position relative to base  210 . This action compresses the bra cup between portion  214  of leg member  212  and base  210  so as to retain storage pouch  200  in place relative to the bra cup. 
       FIG. 1D  shows another storage pouch  300  including a somewhat differently shaped opening  108  between front panel  102  and rear panel  104 . The substantially V-shaped opening  108  and substantially vertical positioning of clip  306  near a center of front panel  102  (e.g., just below the bottom of the V of opening  108 ) allows pouch  300  to be easily attached and used with either the left or right bra cup of a woman&#39;s bra. V-shaped opening  108  is configured to provide easy access with either the right or left hand when the pouch  300  is concealed beneath the oppositely disposed bra cup. For example, the right hand may be used to insert an object into pouch  300  concealed beneath the left bra cup. Clip  306  is configured so as to function similarly to clip  206 , including a retaining leg member  312  configured so that the end portion  314  contacts or approaches base  310 . Clip  306  is substantially U shaped rather than having a curved configuration such as clip  206 . One is able to flex portion  314  of leg  312  away from base  310  so as to increase the gap between base  310  and end portion  314  of leg member  312 . A bra cup is slid between leg member end portion  314  and base  310 , and when released, leg member  312  resiliently returns towards its original configuration towards base  310 , compressing the bra cup between end portion  314  and base  310  so as to retain pouch  300  in place relative to the bra cup. 
       FIG. 2A  illustrates storage pouch  100  substantially concealed beneath right bra cup  150  of a user&#39;s bra. Clip  106  slidably engages bra strap  152 , retaining strap  152  between extensions  112  and base  110  of clip  106 . The storage pouch  100  may easily and inconspicuously be removed by disengaging strap  152  from clip  106  and then pulling out storage pouch  100 . For example, strap  152  may be disengaged by guiding strap  152  through gap  114  between extensions  112 . Storage pouch  100  may be put in place in a similar manner (i.e., by guiding strap  152  through gap  114  between extensions  112  so that strap  152  is slidably retained between extensions  112  and base  110  of clip  106 ). 
       FIG. 2B  illustrates a storage pouch  200 ′ similar to pouch  200  of  FIG. 1C  but configured for concealment beneath the left bra cup  154 . As seen, left bra cup  154  is slidably engaged between leg extension  212  and base  210  of clip  206 .  FIG. 2C  illustrates the same storage pouch  200 ′ in which a cell phone  156  is inserted within opening  108 , retaining phone  156  within the cavity. As seen in  FIG. 2C , the phone  156  is substantially concealed from view, particularly where the woman wears a shirt over her bra. 
       FIGS. 3A-3B  illustrate an alternative storage pouch  400  including a front panel  102  and rear panel  104 . The overall shape of pouch  400  and rear panel  104  is substantially rectangular in which the outer perimeter of the bottom and at least portions of the two sides of both front and rear panels  102  and  104  are attached (e.g., stitched, sewn, or otherwise attached together). 
     Pouch  400  further includes a divider  116  disposed between front panel  102  and rear panel  104  so as to divide the internal cavity into two storage compartments. A first compartment disposed adjacent opening  118  is defined between front panel  102  and divider  116  while a second compartment disposed adjacent opening  120  is defined between rear panel  104  and divider  116 . In one embodiment, divider  116  comprises a flexible material (e.g., fabric) so that a capacity of each compartment is spontaneously adjustable by flexing the divider  116  towards the front panel  102  or rear panel  104  depending on the thickness of an object inserted into either compartment. For example, if a cell phone is inserted into opening  120  of the rear compartment, divider  116  flexes towards front panel  102  so as to accommodate the thickness of the inserted cell phone. A thinner object (e.g., a credit card or driver&#39;s license) may be inserted within remaining the front compartment adjacent opening  118 . Similarly, if the thicker cell phone is inserted into opening  118  of the front compartment, divider  116  flexes rearwardly towards rear panel  104  so as to accommodate the thickness of the cell phone, and a thinner object (e.g., a credit card or driver&#39;s license) may be inserted within the remaining rear compartment adjacent opening  120 . As shown, rear panel  104  may be larger than divider  116 , which may be larger than front panel  102 . As such, it may be preferred to put the longest of two objects (e.g., a cell phone) into opening  120  and the shorter object into opening  118 . 
     In addition, pouch  400  further includes an elongate tie  122  for securing the openings of  118  and  120  of the two compartments. One end of elongate tie  122  is attached along an upper portion of rear panel  104 , while a complementary button hole  124  is provided through an upper portion of front panel  102 . As the free end of tie  122  is threaded through hole  124 , the tie  122  secures the central portion of openings  118  and  120 . Such a tie helps to hold objects (e.g., a cell phone, credit card, etc.) disposed within one or both compartments, for example preventing such objects from falling out if the user bends over. Such means for securing the opening(s) may be provided with any of the described embodiments. 
     Clip  406  is illustrated as comprising a resilient snap clip  406  as shown in further detail in  FIGS. 5A-5D . Resilient snap clip  406  is configured so that when in an open configuration as shown in  FIG. 5C , a user&#39;s bra strap or bra cup (as shown in  FIG. 4 ) may be slid between base  410  and an upper resilient clamping member  412 . Once the bra strap or bra cup is inserted between base  410  and clamping member  412 , resilient clamping member  412  may then be snapped to a closed configuration as seen in  FIG. 5D , trapping and compressing the strap or cup securely between base  410  and clamping member  412  so as to hold storage pouch  400  in place. The bra strap or bra cup may be released from resilient snap clip  406  by simply flexing clamping member  412  upward away from base  410 , resulting in clip  406  assuming the open configuration of  FIG. 5C . 
     The resilient snap clip  406  is configured so that it is biased to a closed position when closed (as in  FIG. 5D ) and biased to an open configuration when open (as in  FIG. 5C ). In the closed configuration, clamping member  412  is biased towards the concave configuration shown in  FIG. 5D . In the open configuration, clamping member  412  assumes and is biased to the oppositely curved convex configuration shown in  FIG. 5C . During flexing as the clip  406  is moved from an open configuration to a closed configuration and vice versa, clamping member  412  is flexed from either the open or closed curved configuration through a flat planar configuration in which it is unstable and towards the other stable curved configuration. 
     As shown in  FIG. 5B , the entire snap clip  406  may be formed of a single piece of material (e.g., metal) in which clamping member  412  comprises two legs  412   a,    412   b  which are attached together (e.g., by a spot weld, rivet, or other attachment mechanism) at their free ends  413  as seen in  FIG. 5A . 
     The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.