Golf apparel with multi-layered towel-like pocket structures

Abstract

A golf apparel article wearable on a lower torso of a golfer is provided. The article includes at least one multi-layered pocket affixed on an outer surface of the golf apparel article for cleaning golf balls and golf equipment such as the club faces of golf clubs. The at least one multi-layered pocket is composed of at least three material layers.

Description

BACKGROUND1. Field

[0001] Example embodiments relate generally to a multi-layered pocket structure for a wearable article on a person, more particularly to golf pant-like apparel articles having multi-layered towel-like pocket structures thereon for cleaning golf balls and golf equipment such as the heads and / or faces of golf clubs.2. Description of the Related Art

[0002] While playing the game of golf, a golfer will typically encounter residual dirt, grass and other material on the golf ball, club faces and / or his hands as he traverses the golf course during his round. In an effort to have the cleanest contact between club face and ball, it is desirable for the golfer to continually maintain the faces of the club heads free of debris, dirt and / or grass. Although the golfer cannot remove the ball from the fairway or rough to clean the ball while playing shots to the green, once the ball lands on the green the golfer may mark the spot and clean the ball prior to taking his putt.

[0003] In an effort to maintain his clubs and balls in top rate, clean condition, a golfer will typically carry one or more golf towels either, attached to his belt or to a carabiner on his golf bag. Often, some golfers periodically desire to moisten the towel at a water cooler on the course or in a body of water traversing one or more holes at the course. This occasionally may be a distracting side trip during the round, as it is desirable for the golfer to maintain his tempo on the course so as to be able to concentrate on his swing and / or putt. In reality, most golfers do not wet their towel due to the fact that the moisture often transfers from the towel to their pant leg or other equipment as they are carrying it. The presents a nuisance due to the inadvertent contact between the wet towel and pant leg.

[0004] Thus, many golfers often use their pants to clean the clubface of a golf club, such as both sides of the pants or shorts or even surfaces on wet weather gear. Other golfers may simply carry a loose terry cloth towel as noted above, which might be clipped to a belt loop or to a golf bag or golf cart. But this means that, before aligning for a shot, one would have to move out of their current position to clean the club face. In other words, the golfer might make a couple practice swings, in which the club bottom rubs the ground and grass or takes a big divot and leaves mud on the clubface. The face needs cleaning.

[0005] Once the golfer feels the correct speed, tempo, bottoming out of the sole of the club on the ground, they would be ready for the actual swing. Instead, the golfer would lose both the position and feel as they again stop and use a towel to have a clean club face to hit the ball with. Inevitably, a golfer wants at least one more practice swing to have that feel and hope they don't dirty the clubface again.

[0006] Sometimes, if the clubface is a little dirty, the golfer does not want to take time to walk over and clean the face; they just swing at the ball anyway, but if it's really dirty they take time to use a towel and clean the clubface, and hence lose the immediate feel they need. This takes time away from playing and can increase the entire time of the round a golfer is playing.

[0007] To hurry along and to make sure he / she has a clean clubface to strike the ball with and to have the feel they want, the golfer just swipes the clubface along a leg on their pants, on their thigh, on their pocket, or even swipe the clubface on the backside of a leg. This enables the golfer to not lose that immediate feel, feedback desired. They are able to stay in the moment and continue to visualize the shot and then swing. They could easily wipe the face clean after the feel practice shot they wanted and then just swing at the ball. Doing this might improve pace of play, gives the golfer confidence in the practice swing desired to use on the actual swing, and because the clubface was always clean, the golfer may obtain more predictability of the ball flight which again builds confidence and more enjoyment of the game. The downside of this is that the pants, skirt, or shorts become significantly soiled.

[0008] However, nothing is worse than taking a practice swing and getting the clubface muddy, and them having to walk over to the golf bag with a towel on it (which may be on the other side of a bunker and its uphill and a long walk). Often one can see golfers using the ground and grass to try and wipe as much mud and grass off as possible and then just swing at the ball with a dirty clubface.

[0009] What is needed is a lower torso article wearable by the golfer, such as pants or shorts. The article would be specifically configured so as to enable one to wipe the clubface or ball when in the desired stance before striking, without having to reestablish position, feel, and tempo.SUMMARY

[0010] An example embodiment of the present invention is directed to a golf apparel article wearable on the lower torso of a golfer. Namely, at least one multi-layered pocket is affixed on an outer surface of the golf apparel article for cleaning golf balls and golf equipment such as the club faces of golf clubs. The at least one multi-layered pocket composed of at least three material layers.

[0011] Another example embodiment is directed to a pocket structure attachable to a pant-like apparel article worn on the torso of a person and configured for items to be cleaned of the person wearing the pant-like apparel article. The pocket structure includes a backing material layer attached to an outer surface of the pant-like apparel article and representing a rear panel of the pocket structure, and an intermediate material layer having an inner surface facing an outer surface of the backing material layer in spaced relation thereto so as to create an open pocket interior via an access opening of pocket structure. The pocket structure further includes an outer material layer attached to an outer surface of the intermediate material layer and representing an outer surface of the pocket structure. The backing material layer and outer material layer are each composed of terry cloth, and the intermediate material layer is composed of a blend of recycled nylon filaments and recycled cotton filaments, or a blend of polyester and terry cloth filaments.

[0012] Another example embodiment is directed to an apparel article wearable on a person. The apparel article includes a base pant-like golf apparel article worn on a torso of the person, and at least one multi-layered pocket stitched to an outer surface of the base pant-like golf apparel article for cleaning golf balls and golf equipment such as the club faces of golf clubs. The at least one multi-layered pocket composed of at least three material layers. The apparel article further includes a removable outer flap element attached to the base pant-like golf apparel article for covering the at least one multi-layered pocket.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] Example embodiments will become more fully understood from the detailed description given herein below and the accompanying drawings, wherein like elements are represented by like reference numerals, which are given by way of illustration only and thus are not limitative of the example embodiments of the present invention.

[0014] FIG. 1 is a front view of a pair of golf pants configured with multi-layered pocket structures according to the example embodiments.

[0015] FIG. 2 is a side view of FIG. 1.

[0016] FIG. 3 is a top-down cross sectional view of the pocket to see the layers therein.

[0017] FIG. 4 is a front view of a skirt configured with multi-layered towel-like pockets similar to FIG. 1.

[0018] FIG. 5 is a front view of a skort configured with multi-layered towel-like pockets similar to FIG. 1.

[0019] FIG. 6 is a front view of a pair of shorts configured with multi-layered towel-like pocket similar to FIG. 1.

[0020] FIG. 7 is a side view of FIG. 6.

[0021] FIG. 8 is a front view of a pair of knickers configured with multi-layered towel-like pockets similar to FIG. 1.

[0022] FIG. 9 is a front view of a pair of rain pants configured with multi-layered towel-like pockets similar to FIG. 1.

[0023] FIG. 10 is a photograph of the lower end of a golfer wearing rain pants configured with a multi-layered towel-like pocket having a club face inserted therein, the pocket covered with a removable flap.

[0024] FIG. 11 is a photograph similar to FIG. 10 but showing the removable flap in an open condition exposing the outer material layer of the pocket.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

[0025] The above-noted problems can be overcome by the example embodiments. Namely, the example embodiments are related to unique towel material-based pocket structures that may be attached, stitched or otherwise adhered to golf apparel such as golf pants, golf shorts, golf knickers, golf skorts, golf skirts, golf wet weather attire and any other uniform. Namely, one or more pockets may be made of multiple layers of various towel-like materials that can be built-into the wearable article or sewn so as to be used to clean any equipment used in a sport (such as golf) or even in commercial attire, i.e., an apron or half apron used by chefs or sous-chefs. The towel-material based pockets may have a multi-layer construction so as to be able to stay wet on the outside, but remain dry on the inside so that the wearer does not feel cold wet material against their body.

[0026] The multi-layered towel-like pocket could be in any desired shape (such as a square or triangle) or may include an endorsement logo from a company or logos of a college and high school sports team (initials and / or mascot such as the University of Oregon with duck image) on one or more surfaces of a thigh pocket or foreleg pocket.

[0027] These multi-layered towel-like pockets can be applied on one or both thighs or legs of a wearable lower torso article like pants, skirts, shorts, etc. There can be a slit or opening built into one or more sides of a multi-layered towel-like pocket on thigh and / or foreleg. This pocket will keep your putter and other clubs dry while you are waiting for your turn.

[0028] In the following description, certain specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of various example embodiments of the disclosure. However, one skilled in the art will understand that the disclosure may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures associated with manufacturing techniques have not been described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the descriptions of the example embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0029] Unless the context requires otherwise, throughout the specification and claims that follow, the word “comprise” and variations thereof, such as “comprises” and “comprising,” are to be construed in an open, inclusive sense, that is, as “including, but not limited to.”

[0030] Reference throughout this specification to “one example embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, the appearances of the phrases “in one example embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Further, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more example embodiments.

[0031] As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,”“an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. The term “or” is generally employed in its sense including “and / or” unless the content clearly dictates otherwise.

[0032] As used in the specification and appended claims, the terms “correspond,”“corresponds,” and “corresponding” are intended to describe a ratio of or a similarity between referenced objects. The use of “correspond” or one of its forms should not be construed to mean the exact shape or size.

[0033] In the drawings, identical reference numbers identify similar elements or acts. The size and relative positions of elements in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.

[0034] Referring now to FIGS. 1 to 3 specifically and FIGS. 4-11 generally, pockets 105 and 110 may each be embodied as a single composite pocket composed of multiple material layered sheets, one example being a tri-layer pocket constructed of three (3) material layers. An outer material layer forming the outside front surface of pocket 105 on thigh area 101 (or pocket 110 on foreleg area 102 of the pants 100), and a backing material layer forming the rear panel of the pocket 105 / 110, can be made of the same sheeting material or different materials. Each tri-layer pocket 105 or 110 may be sewn to an outer surface of the pants 100 at one or both of the thigh area 101 and foreleg area 102 locations.

[0035] Namely, each pocket 105 / 110 may be bound to the pants 100 at thigh area 101 and / or foreleg area 102 locations such as by stitching, sealing, fastening etc. (shown by dotted line 106) or other means such as application of a heat sealing or bonding adhesive to secure the pockets 105 and 110 to the pants 100. Advantageously, each of pockets 105 and 110 can have different access location openings into its pocket interior thereof, possible locations illustrated by elements 108a (top access location to interior of pocket 105 / 110), 108b (outside seam access location to interior of pocket 105 / 110) or 108c (inner seam access location to interior of pocket 105 / 110).

[0036] Referring specifically now to FIG. 3, there is shown a sectional view A-A of pocket 110 from FIG. 1, it being noted that pocket 105 has the same tri-material layer construction, hence the pocket hereafter will be collectively referred to as pocket 105 / 110). This sectional view A-A aids the illustrating of material layers composing pocket 105 / 110. Referring to FIG. 3, each pocket 105 / 110 in one example may be comprised of three layers 121, 123, and 125 attached together along three of the four sides of pocket 105 / 110, leaving the aforementioned access opening locations 108a-c into a pocket interior 128, as shown in FIG. 3. Namely, each pocket 105 / 110 includes a backing material layer 121 that resides against the pants 100 outer surface and which serves as the rear panel of pocket 105 / 110; an intermediate material layer 123 having an inner surface 124 facing an outer surface 122 of the backing material layer 121 and in spaced relation thereto so as to create an open pocket interior 126 via any given access opening 108a-c. The third material layer is an outer material layer 125 attached to the outer surface 127 of the intermediate material layer 123; outer material layer 125 serves as the outer surface of the tri-layer pocket 105 / 110. As to be shown hereafter, the outer material layer 125 may be covered by a removable flap element 130 that still allows access into the pocket 105 / 110, but which protects outer material layer 125 of the pocket 105 / 110 from weather elements.

[0037] Backing material layer 121 and outer material layer 125 in an example may be made of a towel like material such as terry cloth alone, or from one or more of cotton or terry cloth in combination with filaments of one or more of polyester, polyimide, polyurethane, and a microfiber for example. Alternatively to using terry cloth as the outer material layer 125, each pocket 105 / 110 may include of a polyurethane-based material such as Narcote™ microfiber, or equivalent material (such as other polypropylene) so that the outer material layer 125 of each pocket 105 / 110 is smooth, to be used as a drying surface.

[0038] In one example, intermediate material layer 123 may be made of a blend of recycled nylon filaments and recycled cotton filaments, or a blend of polyester with terry cloth. Alternatively, intermediate material layer 123 may also be made of Narcote™, a microfiber, a sponge-like material, chamois or other equivalent type material.

[0039] In another alternative construction, the facing outer surface 122 of backing layer 121 and inner surface 124 of intermediate layer 123 may each be wetted with a suitable liquid such as water, however, no moisture is translated to the outer material layer 125 of pocket 105 / 110 due to an optional moisture barrier layer sheet (not shown in FIG. 3) which could be provided between the intermediate layer 123 and outer layer 125 of a given pocket 105 / 110. In an example, these inner facing surfaces 122 / 124 forming the pocket open interior 126 may have a rougher or coarser surface to assist in removing dirt or debris, as compared to the smoother outer material layer 125. In an alternative, the inner facing surfaces 122 / 124 of pockets 105 / 110 may be composed of a sponge-like material or a synthetic or natural chamois leather.

[0040] FIGS. 4 to 9 show additional wearable lower-body pant-like embodiments having multi-layered towel-like pockets as shown similarly to FIG. 1. Namely FIGS. 4 to 9 show each of a skirt 100A, skort 100B, pair of shorts 100C, pair of knickers 100D, and pair of rain pants 100E, modified with the example multi-layered towel-like pockets 105 and / or 110.

[0041] FIGS. 10 and 11 are photographs of a possible commercial embodiment for rain pants 100E. Namely, FIGS. 10 and 11 show how the club end of a golf club 150 is insertable, at access location opening 108b, into pocket 110 on the foreleg area 102 on rain pants 100E. In FIG. 10, there is shown where the outer material layer 125 of packet 110 is obscured, namely because packet 110 is covered by a removable flap element 130. Flap element 130 may be secured to the rain pants 100E in a closed (or open) condition via fastening elements, here shown as alternating male-end snaps 135 (with female-end elements obscured) on either longitudinal edge side of the flap 130). However, in the closed condition there is still access to insert the club head of golf club 150 into the pocket 110, while protecting the outer material layer 125 of the pocket 105 / 110 from weather elements.

[0042] Should the wearer desire access to the outer material layer 125, either to remove debris from the head of golf club 150 (or to clean a golf ball, or even to wipe off the bottom of the golf shoe on the other foot onto outer material layer 125), the flap element 130 is opened into an open condition to expose the outer material layer 125. The open flap element 130 is secured on the back lower leg side of the rain pants 100E at the foreleg area 102 by a second set of fasteners (not shown, but male / female snap element connections, as is known). As an alternative to snaps, Velcro patches or separate zippers could be used for the same functions.

[0043] The example embodiments when applied could revolutionize the game of golf. Use of the example embodiments should immediately speed up the pace of play. And with the example embodiments there is no reason to swing at a ball with a dirty clubface ever again. A golfer wearing one of the items in FIGS. 1-11 may be able to achieve more predictability of ball flight with a clean clubface, which in turn improves their game, i.e., the score is lower which in turn increases enjoyment and then more people play. Having the ability to clean face or ball in position keeps the golfer in the moment and focused on what they want to do, instead of worrying about how to keep the clubface clean or how they are going to clean it after a practice swing.

[0044] Moreover, the inclusion of pocket 110 or foreleg area 102 with openings or slits 113a-c helps to keep club faces dry while waiting for the golfer's turn to hit; i.e., putting, chipping. This slit pocket can also be sewn onto a wet weather gear pants as shown in FIGS. 9-11 using the multi-layer technology previously discussed so as to keep the inside dry, so that the golfer does not feel wetness on the inside of their pants, shorts, skorts etc. Further, and additional towel-like layer could be attached to the inner surface of the flap element 130 to provide yet another surface for cleaning club faces.

[0045] The example embodiments having been described; it is apparent that such have many varied applications. For example, the example embodiments may be applicable but not limited to connection to various devices, structures and articles. For example, although the example pocket-structures are shown in connection with pant-like structures directed to golf, the same could be applied to pants of other sports, or to aprons for cleaning of cooking utensils during food preparation or cooking. Further, various tri-layer pockets pant articles such as shown herein could be embossed with school logos or other advertisements, as desired, such as for school golf teams.

[0046] The present invention, in its various embodiments, configurations, and aspects, includes components, systems and / or apparatuses substantially as depicted and described herein, including various embodiments, sub-combinations, and subsets thereof. Those of skill in the art will understand how to make and use the present invention after understanding the present disclosure. The present invention, in its various embodiments, configurations, and aspects, includes providing devices in the absence of items not depicted and / or described herein or in various embodiments, configurations, or aspects hereof, including in the absence of such items as may have been used in previous devices, e.g., for improving performance, achieving ease and\or reducing cost of implementation.

[0047] The foregoing discussion of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. The foregoing is not intended to limit the invention to the form or forms disclosed herein. In the foregoing Detailed Description for example, various features of the invention are grouped together in one or more embodiments, configurations, or aspects for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. The features of the embodiments, configurations, or aspects of the invention may be combined in alternate embodiments, configurations, or aspects other than those discussed above. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed invention requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment, configuration, or aspect. Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into this Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate preferred embodiment of the invention.

[0048] Moreover, though the description of the invention has included description of one or more embodiments, configurations, or aspects and certain variations and modifications, other variations, combinations, and modifications are within the scope of the invention, e.g., as may be within the skill and knowledge of those in the art, after understanding the present disclosure. It is intended to obtain rights which include alternative embodiments, configurations, or aspects to the extent permitted, including alternate, interchangeable and / or equivalent structures to those claimed, whether or not such alternate, interchangeable and / or equivalent structures disclosed herein, and without intending to publicly dedicate any patentable subject matter.

Claims

1. A golf apparel article wearable on the lower torso of a golfer, comprising:at least one multi-layered pocket affixed on an outer surface of the golf apparel article for cleaning golf balls and golf equipment such as the club faces of golf clubs, the at least one multi-layered pocket composed of at least three material layers.

2. The golf apparel article of claim 1, wherein the at least three material layers further include:a backing material layer attached to an outer surface of the golf apparel article and representing a rear panel of the multi-layered pocket,an intermediate material layer having an inner surface facing an outer surface of the backing material layer in spaced relation thereto so as to create an open pocket interior via an access opening of the at least one multi-layered pocket, andan outer material layer attached to an outer surface of the intermediate material layer and representing an outer surface of the at least one multi-layered pocket.

3. The golf apparel article of claim 2, wherein the backing material layer and outer material layer are each composed of terry cloth.

4. The golf apparel article of claim 2, wherein the backing material layer and outer material layer are each composed of materials selected from a group comprising cotton or terry cloth in combination with filaments of one or more of polyester, polyimide, polyurethane, and a microfiber.

5. The golf apparel article of claim 2, wherein the intermediate material layer is composed of a blend of recycled nylon filaments and recycled cotton filaments, or a blend of polyester and terry cloth filaments.

6. The golf apparel article of claim 2, wherein the intermediate material layer is composed of materials selected from a group comprising any of Narcote™, a microfiber, a sponge-like material, and synthetic or natural chamois leather.

7. The golf apparel article of claim 2, wherein a club face of a golf club or a golf ball is insertable into the open pocket interior created between the facing surfaces of the backing and intermediate material layers.

8. The golf apparel article of claim 1, further comprising a removable outer flap element attached thereto for covering the at least one multi-layered pocket.

9. The golf apparel article of claim 8, wherein each of the flap element and the golf apparel article include fasteners that enable the flap element to be secured in an open condition to expose an outer surface of the at least one multi-layered pocket.

10. The golf apparel article of claim 1, wherein the golf apparel article is selected from a group comprising golf pants, golf skirts, golf skorts, golf shorts, golf knickers, and golf rain pants.

11. A pocket structure attachable to a pant-like apparel article worn on the torso of a person and configured for items to be cleaned of the person wearing the pant-like apparel article, comprising:a backing material layer attached to an outer surface of the pant-like apparel article and representing a rear panel of the pocket structure,an intermediate material layer having an inner surface facing an outer surface of the backing material layer in spaced relation thereto so as to create an open pocket interior via an access opening of pocket structure, andan outer material layer attached to an outer surface of the intermediate material layer and representing an outer surface of the pocket structure,wherein the backing material layer and outer material layer are each composed of terry cloth, and the intermediate material layer is composed of a blend of recycled nylon filaments and recycled cotton filaments, or a blend of polyester and terry cloth filaments.

12. The pocket structure of claim 11, wherein the items to be cleaned of the person include a club face of a golf club and a golf ball, each insertable into the open pocket interior created between the facing surfaces of the backing and intermediate material layers.

13. The pocket structure of claim 11, further comprising a removable outer flap element attached thereto for covering the terry cloth outer material layer of the pocket structure.

14. The pocket structure of claim 13, whereinthe flap element and the pant-like apparel article include fasteners that enable the flap element to be secured in an open condition to expose the terry cloth outer material layer of the pocket structure for cleaning the items of the person, andthe items to be cleaned of the person include a club face of a golf club and a golf ball.

15. An apparel article wearable on a person, comprising:a base pant-like golf apparel article worn on a torso of the person, andat least one multi-layered pocket stitched to an outer surface of the base pant-like golf apparel article for cleaning golf balls and golf equipment such as the club faces of golf clubs, the at least one multi-layered pocket composed of at least three material layers, anda removable outer flap element attached to the base pant-like golf apparel article for covering the at least one multi-layered pocket.

16. The apparel article of claim 15, wherein the at least three material layers further include a backing material layer and outer material layer, each composed of terry cloth.

17. The apparel article of claim 15, wherein the at least three material layers further include an intermediate material layer composed of a blend of recycled nylon filaments and recycled cotton filaments, or a blend of polyester and terry cloth filaments.

18. The apparel article of claim 15, wherein each of the flap element and the base pant-like golf apparel article worn on the torso of the person include fasteners that enable the flap element to be secured in an open condition to expose an outer surface of the at least one multi-layered pocket.

19. The apparel article of claim 15, wherein the base pant-like golf apparel article worn on the torso of the person is selected from a group comprising golf pants, golf skirts, golf skorts, golf shorts, golf knickers, and golf rain pants.

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