Garment pocket

Abstract

A lower body garment pocket comprising: a pocket body enclosed along upper and lower edges, the body enclosed along a first side edge intermediate the upper and lower edges and partially enclosed along an opposing second side edge extending a height from the lower edge to an upper closed position between 40% to 60% of the distance to the upper edge with the remaining distance forming a pocket opening; a flap attached along at least one edge thereof adjacent to or contiguous with the pocket opening and movable to cover or uncover the pocket opening; and one or more flap fixings associated with the flap and configured to engage with corresponding fixings on the pocket body.

Description

GARMENT POCKETCross reference to related applications

[0001] This application claims priority from Australian Provisional Patent Application No. 2025900358 filed 10 February 2025, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.Field

[0002] The invention relates to lower body garments and, in particular, to a lower body garment pocket.

[0003] The invention has been developed primarily for use with trousers extending from the waist of a user toward or beyond their knee and will be described hereinafter with reference to this application. However, it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to this particular field of use and is applicable to other lower body garments including shorts, overalls and others that extend downwardly from the waist region.Background

[0004] Garments such as trousers and short pants and others that extend from the waist downwardly are very well known and long evolved. Generally, these garments extend from around the waist of a user past the hip towards the knee in the case of short pants and to the knee or beyond in the case of trousers. These garments typically include front and back portions with a pair about seams extending the length of the garment and corresponding in seams extending from front and rear rise portions at a crutch region.

[0005] It is usual to have a waistband that may be elasticised, include a tie and / or belt loops around the circumference to restrict the waistband portion vertically about the waist of a user. Also often provided for accessibility reasons is a front fly portion extending from the waist downwardly to the front rise.

[0006] A common accessory on trousers and shorts are pockets that may be located over any predetermined portion of the garment. Two common types of pockets are patch pockets whichare stitched over front or back portions of the trousers or shorts. These pockets are closed at a lower end and about both sides with an opening at the upper end. The upper end of the opening may include buttons & / or other means to secure it closed or retained contents within. The other common type of trouser or shorts pocket is a slashed pocket where an opening is formed below the waist in the front or back portions and extends down a predetermined distance defining a pocket opening. An internal sleeve liner is stitched about the pocket opening on an inside of the garment and is closed internally to define a pocket depth.

[0007] The design of trousers and shorts has evolved little over a relatively long time and in the period of industrial or large-scale lower garment production, user requirements have changed. Particularly, users have evolved from typically being standing and doing manual labour in the majority and in the minority users with sedentary jobs typically wore waistcoats or similar to retain, for example, a handkerchief and a fob watch or glasses. However, currently significantly more people are sedentary or seated for much longer periods of time, most evident in the working environment.

[0008] It is particularly common when a user moves from a standing or substantially upright position to a seating position that items in the trousers or shorts pockets that extend from or about the waist downwardly to force or squeeze those items from the top or side of the pocket depending on the opening. For example, the top of a patch pocket or slashed pocket disposed adjacent an out seam. This is caused by the physical movement of the thigh of a user moving upwardly or toward their waist in the process of moving from standing to sitting or squatting.

[0009] Whilst the problem of items being pushed from the pocket of a user when being seated is well known such as with wallets, the nature of cellular telephones that are typically thin, flat and smooth are particularly susceptible to being pushed out of the pockets of trousers or shorts. It is believed that conventional designs for trousers and shorts were not configured for cellular telephones which is problematic so far as they are extremely ubiquitous and carried by most people over the age of 15. Furthermore, loss or damage of a cellular telephone is particularly exacerbated as a significant number of users will have potentially all functional aspects of their lives associated with applications and data on their telephone, for example Social Security, banking, official identification amongst many other things. Whilst losing either a wallet or a smart phone is undesirable, it is arguable that in modern times loss or damage of a cellular smart phone provides more significant difficulties.Object of Invention

[0010] The object of the invention is a desire to overcome or substantially ameliorate one or more disadvantages of the prior art, or to provide a useful alternative.Summary of Invention

[0011] According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a lower body garment pocket comprising:a pocket body enclosed along upper and lower edges, the body enclosed along a first side edge intermediate the upper and lower edges and partially enclosed along an opposing second side edge extending a height from the lower edge to an upper closed position between 40% to 60% of the distance to the upper edge with the remaining distance forming a pocket opening; a flap attached along at least one edge thereof adjacent to or contiguous with the pocket opening and movable to cover or uncover the pocket opening; andone or more flap fixings associated with the flap and configured to engage with corresponding fixings on the pocket body.

[0012] In preferred embodiments, the pocket may be a patch pocket disposed on an outside of the garment. Preferably, the pocket partially enclosed second side edge is disposed along or adjacent a garment out seam. More preferably, the pocket is disposed on a front portion of the garment.

[0013] Preferably, the lower body garment is trousers extending from the waist to or beyond knee, or the garment is short pants extending from the waist towards knee of a user.

[0014] Preferably, the flap fixings include one or more selected from the group consisting of: one or more buttons; zipper; one or more Velcro portions; one or more magnets; and elastic ties.

[0015] In preferred embodiments, the pocket includes an elastic panel disposed intermediate the first and second side edges and extending substantially between the upper and lower ends. Preferably, the elastic panel is integrally formed with the pocket body or disposed on one side thereof, and the panel is formed from a 4-way stretch material.

[0016] According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a lower body garment slashed pocket comprising:a sleeve-like body extending between a closed end and an open end, the closed end having a length intermediate upper and lower portions of the garment;a flap attached to the garment adjacent to or contiguous with the pocket opening and movable to cover or uncover the pocket opening;wherein the flap extends from an upper end of the opening length between 60% to 40% thereof; andone or more flap fixings associated with the flap and configured to engage with corresponding fixings on the pocket body.

[0017] Preferably there is provided a lower body garment comprising a pocket according to the first or second aspect of the invention.

[0018] According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a method of providing a lower body garment pocket comprising the steps:providing a pocket body and enclosing same along upper and lower edges; enclosing the body along a first side edge intermediate the upper and lower edges and partially enclosing along an opposing second side edge extending a height from the lower edge to an upper closed position between 40% to 60% of the distance to the upper edge with the remaining distance forming a pocket opening;attaching a flap along at least one edge thereof adjacent to or contiguous with the pocket opening and movable to cover or uncover the pocket opening; andproviding one or more flap fixings associated with the flap and configured to engage with corresponding fixings on the pocket body.

[0019] According to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention there is provided a lower body garment slashed pocket comprising:a pocket opening having a predetermined length extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of a leg of the garment;a sleeve-like body extending from the pocket opening terminating at a closed end, the body extending circumferentially about a leg of the garment from the opening ;a flap attached to the garment adjacent to or contiguous with the pocket opening and movable to cover or uncover the pocket opening;wherein the flap extends from 40% of the opening length to 100% of the opening length; andone or more flap fixings associated with the flap and configured to engage with corresponding fixings on the pocket body.

[0020] It can therefore be seen there is advantageously provided a garment pocket that resists items falling from or being ejected from a lower body garment when a user is moving from a standing to seated or crouched position.Brief Description of Drawings

[0021] Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0022] Fig. l is a front view of a garment patch pocket in a closed configuration according to a first preferred embodiment;

[0023] Fig. 2 is a front view of the pocket of Fig. 1 in an open configuration;

[0024] Fig. 3 is a front view of the pocket of Fig. 2 with a smart phone substantially disposed in the pocket; and

[0025] Fig. 4 is a front view of a garment patch pocket in a closed configuration according to another preferred embodiment; and

[0026] Fig. 5 is a front elevated perspective view of a garment patch pocket in a closed configuration according to yet another preferred embodiment;

[0027] Fig. 6 is a front elevated perspective view of the pocket of Fig. 5 with a smart phone substantially disposed in the pocket; and

[0028] Fig. 7 is a front elevated perspective view of the pocket of Fig. 6 with the smart phone substantially removed from the pocket.Description of Preferred Embodiments

[0029] It will be appreciated that in the following description of the preferred embodiment of the invention that like reference numerals have been used to denote like components unless expressly noted otherwise.

[0030] Referring to Figs 1 to 3, there is shown a pocket 1 in the form of a patch pocket stitched onto a front of the outside of a lower body garment 2 around an upper thigh portion of the garment 2 when worn by a user. The lower body garment 2 of the first preferred embodiment is trousers extending from the waist portion to or beyond a user's knee region and pocket 1 may or may not be formed from the same material / s as the trousers. The trousers are formed from one or more woven materials.

[0031] The pocket 1 has a body 3 that is stitched onto the trousers 2. Double stitching is used in the preferred embodiment but any preferred means can be used to attach pocket 1 to the trousers 2. Pocket 1 is enclosed along upper 4 and lower 5 edges by stitching, and the body 3 is enclosed along a first or right-hand side edge 6 between the upper 4 and lower 5 pocket edges.

[0032] The pocket is partially enclosed along an opposing second or left-hand side edge 7. Edge 7 extends a height up from the lower edge to an upper closed position 8. The height of upper closed position 8 is approximately 45% of the distance ‘A’ between the upper 4 and lower 5 pocket edges. However, it will be appreciated that the height of upper position 8 is preferably between 40% to 60% of the distance ‘A’ between the upper 4 and lower 5 pocket edges. In the exemplary embodiment shown in Figure 1, distance ‘A’ is about 23 cm. In other embodiments, distance ‘A’ may range from about 17 cm to about 28 cm.

[0033] The second or left-hand edge 7 forms an opening 12 between the upper closed position 8 to the upper end 4 of the pocket 1. This opening 12 length is preferably between 40% to 60% of the the distance ‘A’ between the upper 4 and lower 5 pocket edges. .

[0034] A flap 10 is attached along an out seam 11 of the trousers 2. However, this need not be the case and can be along or parallel to substantially the same location as the second or left-handedge of the pocket 2. Flap 10 is preferably formed from the same material as pocket body 3 but this can be any desired material. Flap 3 of the preferred embodiment is stitched in the same manner at the edges of the pocket 1.

[0035] An edge 11 of the flap 10 is attached adjacent to or contiguous with the pocket opening 12 by means of double stitching, however, any preferred attachment means can be employed. The flap 10 is movable about edge 10 so as to cover or uncover the pocket opening 12. Fig.1 shows this preferred embodiment with the flap 10 covering or enclosing opening 12 to retain items therein, and Figs 2 & 3 show the flap 10 not covering opening 12.

[0036] The pocket 1 further includes flap fixings 13 in the form of respective Velcro™ portions on an inside of the flap 10 distal flap edge 11 and corresponding portions 13 on the pocket body 2. In this way, the flap 10 is movable from an uncovered position into the closed position where Velcro™ 13 on the flap 10 engages with Velcro™ 13 on pocket body 2 to retain the flap 10 covering pocket opening 12. Items in the pocket are therefore restrained from falling out or being removed when a user is seated.

[0037] It will be appreciated pocket edges 4, 5, 6 & 7 may be linear, curved or segmented, or different lengths and need not have any orthogonality relationship with each other. Further, the pocket partially enclosed second side edge 7 is disposed along or adjacent the garment out seam 11 but it can be disposed remotely therefrom.

[0038] As noted, whilst the lower body garment 2 is described above with respect to trousers, it will be appreciated it is equally applicable on short pants, overalls and other garments that suffer from compression below the waist when moving from a standing or relatively straight position into a seated or crouching position.

[0039] Furthermore, flap fixings 13 can include any preferred means such as a button on the flap 10 or body 3 and aperture or the body 3 or flap 10, one or magnets similarly configured to the Velcro™ of Fig. 1. The fixing means can also include a zipper portion or elastic ties.

[0040] Referring now to Fig. 4, there is shown a pocket 1 according to another preferred embodiment. This embodiment is similar to that of Figs 1 to 3 except it includes an elastic panel 15 is disposed intermediate the upper 4 and lower 5 pocket edges of body 3.

[0041] The panel 15 is formed from a four way stretch material, for example but not limited to Lycra™, polyester and nylon-based materials. The panel 15 extends substantially a height of the pocket body 3 between the upper 4 and lower 5 pocket edges and preferably about the centre of the pocket. In this preferred embodiment, panel 15 is stitched along respective side edges to adjacent body portions 16.

[0042] The base of the pocket is positioned slightly forward on the leg relative to the top of the pocket to improve access when standing. Most advantageously, this assists with more easily inserting or extracting items from pocket 1 when sitting or crouching.

[0043] It will be appreciated that the pocket 2 can be disposed on an inside or outside of the garment 2. However, in another preferred embodiment, not illustrated, garment 2 includes a slashed pocket. Here, a sleeve-like body extends between a closed end and an open end where the open end has an opening length extending between upper 4 to lower 5 edges of the body 3.

[0044] Flap 10 is attached to the garment 2 adjacent to or contiguous with the pocket opening 12 and movable to cover or uncover the pocket opening 12 in the same manner as the first preferred embodiment. That is, the flap 10 extends from an upper edge 4 of the pocket to between 60% to 40% of distance A between the upper 4 and lower 5 pocket edges. Similarly, one or more flap fixings 13 are associated with flap 10 and configured to engage with corresponding fixings 13 on the pocket body 3.

[0045] It can therefore be seen there is advantageously provided a garment pocket that resists items falling from or being ejected from a lower body garment when a user is moving from a standing to seated or crouched position. Any preferred materials or devices may be employed in forming the pocket or garment, the flap and the flap fixing means. Further, use of the elastic panel also allows a user to remove or insert items into the pocket when they are seated compensating for the constriction provided by being in a seated position.

[0046] In yet another preferred embodiment shown in Figs 5 to 7, pocket l is a slashed pocket configured in use to be located on an out portion of a user’s thigh. The pocket 1 includes an enclosed body within the leg of the trousers and in this embodiment, pocket opening 12 is substantially parallel with the out seam and is disposed intermediate the out seam and the in seam or crotch. The pocket enclosed body extends from the opening 12 substantially perpendicular to the out seam circumferentially about the leg of the trousers.

[0047] Flap 10 is located adjacent the opening 12 distal the out seam and is movable between open and closed configurations of Figs 6 and 5 respectively. Although not illustrated, this preferred embodiment can include a 4 way stretch panel in the trouser extending from the opening across the out seam and terminating adjacent an end of the enclosed body.

[0048] Furthermore, whilst flap 10 is shown in this embodiment as extending substantially the length of the opening 12 to cover there entirely thereof, it will be appreciated that flap 10 can range from 40% of the length of the opening 12 to the full length. Yet further, flap 10 can be disposed only over a middle length of the opening 12 if desired.

[0049] In this embodiment the pocket being located over the thigh portion of the user advantageous orients the opening upwardly providing easy access to a smart phone, for example. This contrasts with conventional slashed pockets that compress the pocket while sitting or squatting making it difficult to intentionally retrieve an object from the conventional pocket where a smart phone is either forced out of the pocket or made inaccessible moving into the seated or squatting position.

[0050] The foregoing describes only preferred embodiments of the present invention and modifications, obvious to those skilled in the art, can be made thereto without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0051] The term “comprising” (and its grammatical variations) as used herein is used in the inclusive sense of “including” or “having” and not in the exclusive sense of “consisting only of’.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A lower body garment pocket comprising:a pocket body enclosed along upper and lower edges, the body enclosed along a first side edge intermediate the upper and lower edges and partially enclosed along an opposing second side edge extending a height from the lower edge to an upper closed position between 40% to 60% of the distance to the upper edge with the remaining distance forming a pocket opening;a flap attached along at least one edge thereof adjacent to or contiguous with the pocket opening and movable to cover or uncover the pocket opening; andone or more flap fixings associated with the flap and configured to engage with corresponding fixings on the pocket body.

2. A pocket according to claim 1 wherein pocket is a patch pocket disposed on an outside of the garment.

3. A pocket according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the pocket partially enclosed second side edge is disposed along or adjacent a garment out seam.

4. A pocket according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the pocket is disposed on a front portion of the garment.

5. A pocket according to any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the lower body garment is trousers extending from the waist to or beyond knee, or the garment is short pants extending from the waist towards knee of a user.

6. A pocket according to any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein flap fixings include one or more selected from the group consisting of one or more buttons; zipper; one or more Velcro portions; one or more magnets; and elastic ties.

7. A pocket according to any one of claims 1 to 6 including an elastic panel disposed intermediate the first and second side edges and extending substantially between the upper and lower ends.

8. A pocket according to claim 7 wherein the elastic panel is integrally formed with the pocket body or disposed on one side thereof.

9. A pocket according to claim 7 or 8 wherein the panel is formed from a 4-way stretch material.

10. A lower body garment slashed pocket comprising:a sleeve-like body extending between a closed end and an open end, the closed end having a length intermediate upper and lower portions of the garment;a flap attached to the garment adjacent to or contiguous with the pocket opening and movable to cover or uncover the pocket opening;wherein the flap extends from an upper end of the opening length between 60% to 40% thereof; andone or more flap fixings associated with the flap and configured to engage with corresponding fixings on the pocket body.

11. A lower body garment comprising a pocket according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. A method of providing a lower body garment pocket comprising the steps:providing a pocket body and enclosing same along upper and lower edges;enclosing the body along a first side edge intermediate the upper and lower edges and partially enclosing along an opposing second side edge extending a height from the lower edge to an upper closed position between 40% to 60% of the distance to the upper edge with the remaining distance forming a pocket opening;attaching a flap along at least one edge thereof adjacent to or contiguous with the pocket opening and movable to cover or uncover the pocket opening; andproviding one or more flap fixings associated with the flap and configured to engage with corresponding fixings on the pocket body.

13. A lower body garment slashed pocket comprising:a pocket opening having a predetermined length extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of a leg of the garment;a sleeve-like body extending from the pocket opening terminating at a closed end, the body extending circumferentially about a leg of the garment from the opening;a flap attached to the garment adjacent to or contiguous with the pocket opening and movable to cover or uncover the pocket opening;wherein the flap extends from 40% of the opening length to 100% of the opening length; andone or more flap fixings associated with the flap and configured to engage with corresponding fixings on the pocket body.

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