ARTICLE RETAINING GARMENT

[0001]This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 63/618,052 filed on Jan. 5, 2024, the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein for all purposes.

FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY

[0002]The present invention relates to a garment for retaining an article, and more particularly relates to a garment having pockets adapted to securely retain articles such as a portable electronic device.

BACKGROUND

[0003]Garments having pockets adapted to receive articles including personal objects and the hands of the person wearing the garment are well known in the art. However, when a person actively moving, the design of the typical pocket permits articles stored therein to fall out. This is especially the case for electronic devices such as mobile phones also referred to a cellphones. Cellphones are often thin, slick devices that make them especially suitable for inadvertently falling from one's pocket. Repair or replacement of such devices can be expensive; therefore, it is desirable to ensure that they are properly retained.

[0004]Prior art garments such as outerwear including coats, jackets, and sweatshirts, typically have pockets with a certain depth and angle in order permit one to place their hands therein. While the use of flaps or fasteners can be used to secure items in the pocket, they also restrict access and can be cumbersome to use.

[0005]Accordingly, there is a need for having a garment with pockets that are specially designed to retain articles therein as well as permitting the items to be easily accessible.

SUMMARY

[0006]The present disclosure provides an article retaining garment including a back panel and a pair of exterior front panel portions each extending from opposed sides of the back panel to a front edge coinciding with a centerline of the garment. A first retaining pocket is disposed on one of the pair of front panel portions. The first retaining pocket has an opening leading to a pocket interior and the interior being bounded by a bottom seam. The first retaining pocket has a length along a longitudinal axis from the bottom seam to the opening, wherein the longitudinal axis is parallel to the garment centerline. The opening has a width perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the first retaining pocket.

[0007]The present disclosure further provides an article retaining garment including a back panel and a pair of exterior front panel portions each extending from opposed sides of the back panel to a front edge coinciding with a centerline of the garment. A first pocket arrangement includes a retaining pocket disposed on one of the pair of front panel portions. The first retaining pocket has an opening leading to a pocket interior and the interior being bounded by a bottom seam. The first retaining pocket has a length along a longitudinal axis from the bottom seam to the opening, wherein the longitudinal axis is parallel to the centerline of the garment. The opening having a width perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the first retaining pocket. The first pocket arrangement includes a first auxiliary pocket disposed adjacent the first retaining pocket. The first auxiliary pocket has an opening leading to a pocket interior separate from the first retaining pocket interior, and the opening being disposed along a side seam of the first retaining pocket.

[0008]The present disclosure still further provides a portable electronic device retaining garment comprising including a back panel and a pair of exterior front panel portions each extending from opposed sides of the back panel to a front edge coinciding with a centerline of the garment. A retaining pocket is disposed on one of the pair of front panel portions. The retaining pocket has an opening leading to a pocket interior and the interior being bounded by a bottom seam. The retaining pocket has a length along a longitudinal axis from the bottom seam to the opening, wherein the longitudinal axis is parallel to the garment centerline. The opening has a width perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the first retaining pocket, and the pocket is adapted to retain a portable electronic device therein.

[0009]The present disclosure also provides an article retaining garment including a back panel and a front panel portion each extending between opposed sides of the back panel. The front panel has longitudinal centerline forming the centerline of the garment. A retaining pocket is disposed on one of the pair of front panel portions. The retaining pocket has an opening leading to a pocket interior and the interior being bounded by a bottom seam. The retaining pocket has a length along a longitudinal axis from the bottom seam to the opening, wherein the longitudinal axis is parallel to the garment centerline. The opening has a width perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the retaining pocket.

[0018]A preferred form of the garment, as well as other embodiments, objects, features, and advantages of this invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments thereof, which is to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019]FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a garment illustrating pockets formed in accordance with the present invention.

[0020]FIG. 2 is a partial front view of the garment of FIG. 1

[0021]FIG. 3 is a partial front elevational view of the garment of FIG. 1.

[0022]FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional side view of the pocket illustrated in FIG. 3 taken along lines 3-3 thereof.

[0023]FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the garment with pocket shown in a substantially horizontal orientation.

[0024]FIG. 6 is a partial front elevational view of a garment illustrating an alternative pocket arrangement formed in accordance with the present invention.

[0025]FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional side view of the pocket illustrated in FIG. 6 taken along lines 7-7 thereof.

[0026]FIG. 8 is a side view of the pocket arrangement illustrated in FIG. 6.

[0027]FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the hood in the upright position;

[0028]FIG. 10 is front elevational view of the garment of FIG. 10.

[0029]FIG. 11 is rear elevational view of the garment of FIG. 10.

[0030]FIG. 12 is left side elevational view of the garment of FIG. 10.

[0031]FIG. 13 is right side elevational view of the garment of FIG. 10.

[0032]FIG. 14 is a top plan view of the garment of FIG. 10.

[0033]FIG. 15 is a bottom plan view of the garment of FIG. 10.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034]The present invention addresses the problem of articles, such as portable electronic devices inadvertently falling out of garment pockets. Such devices, which include mobile phones, need to be readily available for use and quickly stored in a pocket and retrieved. However, such devices are typically thin and smooth which make them susceptible to inadvertently sliding out of a wearer's pocket. The present invention includes pockets strategically positioned on the garment to provide for enhanced item retention when a user is actively moving. While the garment's ability to retention portable electronic device, such as mobile phones, is described herein, the garment 10 can also securely retain various other articles, including but not limited to, keys, wallets, credit/debit cards, coins, pens, etc.

[0035]With reference to FIGS. 1-3, and 9 to 15, the garment 10 is of the type worn on the torso and may be in the form of a hooded sweatshirt having a back panel 11 and two front panel portions 12. The two front panel portions 12 each extend from opposed side seams 14 of the back panel to a front edge coinciding with a centerline Y-Y of the garment. The front panels 12 may be joined together by a closure 16 such as a zipper, or other closure known in the art, i.e., snaps, buttons, hook and loop fasteners, to secure the garment to the user. The garment may have a centerline Y-Y that extends along the length of the zipper 16. The bottom of the garment is bounded by an elastic waistband 17. A hood 19 having a drawstring 21 extends from the upper portion of the garment. Sleeves 23 extend from the sides of the garment. The sleeves 23 may be short, as shown, or long. It is also contemplated that the garment 10 could be sleeveless. The garment 10 may be formed of a comfortable material such as terry cloth, cotton, or other cloth known in the art. The garment 10 may be worn by a user in the same manner as a typical upper torso garment like a sweatshirt or jacket.

[0036]It is also within the contemplation of the present disclosure that the garment 10 could be in the form of a pullover sweatshirt of sweater that does not have a closure. The garment would have a one-piece front panel. The garment centerline would extend vertically down the middle of the front panel such as in the garment having a closure embodiment discussed above.

[0037]With further reference to FIGS. 3, 4, and 5, the garment 10 includes a pair of pockets 18, with each pocket positioned on the garment front panel 12 so that the pocket openings 33 have a width that is substantially perpendicular to the centerline Y-Y of the garment. The pockets 18 may be uncovered, that is, not including a flap or closure. However, it is contemplated what a flap or closure could be added to restrict entry into the pocket interior 34. Each pocket 18 is sufficiently sized for receiving therein an electronic device 20 such as a mobile phone, cellphone, smartphone, or pocket-sized tablet. The pockets 18 may be sized to snuggly hold and cover a typical mobile phone to prevent it from falling out during bending and sitting. The pockets 18 are designed to hold a typical mobile phone with size and location such that the electronic device 20 does not fall out when the wearer is sitting or bending over but still provides quick and easy access to the device 20. With reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, the pocket is formed with a depth D, of approximately 6 to 8 inches such that when the device 20 is placed in the pocket, it sits below the opening 33. The pocket width W may be in the range of 3 to 5 inches. The width is less than the depth such that it limits the device 20 from rotating inside the pocket 18 and helping to keep the phone from falling out.

[0038]In one embodiment, the main pockets 18 are patch-type pockets. The patch pockets are formed from an outer panel 30 positioned over the outer material 32 of the garment. The panel 30 may be sewn to the outer material along three sides leaving the top open to create the opening 33 into the pocket interior 34. The pocket may have a depth D extending along and axis D-D from a pocket bottom 35 to the opening 33. Axis D-D is preferably substantially parallel to garment's centerline Y-Y. The pocket may have a width W that extend along an axis W-W that is perpendicular to the axis D-D. Due to the orientation of the pocket, the opening 33 will not become situated below the pocket bottom 35 during typical use. In this way, the contents are securely retained even without the need for a pocket closure of flap.

[0039]The pockets 18 have a medial side seam 37 that is disposed a distance X from the centerline Y-Y. For phone protection and storage from the elements, X may be in the range of 4 to 6 inches. By locating the pocket away from the centerline Y-Y, the bottom of the pocket 35 will be less likely to engage a wearer's leg when they sit down and thus cause the device 20 to be pushed out of the pocket 18.

[0040]In addition, in order to enhance the ability of the pockets to retain a device 20, the pockets are preferably located on the garment such that the openings 33 are spaced a distance L having a length of approximately 13 to 15 inches from the neckline 35 as shown in FIG. 1. This location is higher than in typical garments worn on the torso and the location helps prevent the device 20 from exiting the pocket 18 when a wearer bends over or when they sit down, and their leg engages the bottom of the garment.

[0041]With reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, the portable electronic device 20, such as a mobile phone, is inserted into either one the pockets 18. Each pocket 18 may have a folded upper portion 49 secured by a seam 50 on the top opening 33. The seam 50 and folded upper portion 49 interrupt the otherwise smooth inner pocket surface 52. When the phone 20 is inserted in the pocket 18, the top of the phone may sit below the seam 50. Accordingly, when the garment wearer sits or bends over (FIG. 5), the seam 50 and upper portion 49 assists in preventing the phone from falling out and onto the ground or into water. Even in situations where the phone top sits above the seam 50, the upper portion 49 engages the phone 20 to assist in retaining the phone 20 in the pocket 18. With the orientation of the pocket 18 spaced a distance from the centerline Y-Y, and the pocket's vertical depth being greater than its width, a phone will remain in the pocket when a person is in a sitting position. When bending over, due to the pocket orientation and limited width, and the seam on the top, the phone will remain snug by friction created by the fabric.

[0042]In an alternative embodiment shown in FIGS. 6-8, the garment 60 may include a pocket arrangement 62 on each side of the centerline Y-Y with each pocket arrangement including a first pocket 64 and second auxiliary pocket 66. The pocket arrangements 62 are each located on the garment front the same as pockets 18 described above. The first pocket 64 is sized and oriented as the pocket 18 noted above for retaining the mobile electronic device 20. The second pockets 66 are configured to comfortably receive a wearer's hands.

[0043]The second pocket is formed by a piece of material 68 disposed between the pocket outer panel 70 and the garment outer material 72. The first and second pockets 64 and 66 have two separate and discrete openings and holding spaces 34 and 75, respectively. First pocket 64 is similar to pocket 18 described above having a width W-W and depth D-D. The opening 33 is perpendicular to the garment center Y-Y. The second pocket has an opening 74 on the side of the pocket arrangement disposed away from the centerline Y-Y. This location makes for ease of inserting and removing one's hand in the second pockets 66.

[0044]While the pockets described above are in the form of a patch pocket, it is contemplated that the pocket could be formed as a slash-type pocket. A slash pocket includes an opening in the garment front panel and a pocket interior formed by material disposed behind or inside the front panel is used to form the pocket.

[0045]In addition, the fabric employed to form the garment 10 including the pockets may have a degree of elasticity to it. For example, the fabric may be knitted, or woven cotton, polyester, or fabrics combined with elastic material such as spandex. When a portable electronic device 20 is placed in the pocket 18, the device 20 may expand the pocket material having elastic property. This creates a force F acting on the device 20 to help retain the device in the pocket 18.

[0046]As will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art of garment making, the novel pocket structure and strategically located position of the pockets can be adapted for use on a variety of different garments. Although the present invention has been described in detail for adaption to sweatshirt or jacket, it is envisioned that the present invention can also be adapted to be used in any other garment for which pockets are appropriate.

[0047]Although the illustrative embodiments of the present invention have been described herein with references to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood the invention is not limited to those precise embodiments, and that various other changes and modifications may be effected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention.