US20230189910A1

US20230189910A1 - Garment with pocket

Info

Publication number: US20230189910A1
Application number: US18/066,572
Authority: US
Inventors: Jessie Burkhardt
Original assignee: Under Armour Inc
Current assignee: Under Armour Inc
Priority date: 2021-12-16
Filing date: 2022-12-15
Publication date: 2023-06-22

Abstract

An article of clothing, or garment, includes a pocket or pocket system. The pocket of the garment includes a band and a pocket bag that are vertically aligned with, but spaced from, one another. The band may be disposed on a first portion of the garment, while the pocket bag may be disposed on a second portion that is coupled to the first portion of the garment. The pocket may be configured to receive and store an object such that when a first portion of the object is disposed in the pocket bag, the band is disposed over a second portion of the object. Because of the spacing of the band from the pocket bag, a third portion of the object that is disposed between the first and second portions may be exposed such that it may be viewed and/or manipulated by the garment user.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Pat. Application No. 63/290,149, filed Dec. 16, 2021, and entitled “Garment With Pocket,” the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

The present invention relates to an article of clothing or garment. More specifically, the present invention relates to pants, shorts, and other types of bottoms that contain a pocket configured to receive objects therein.

BACKGROUND

Garments typically are equipped with pockets that enable the wearer of the garment to store items within the pockets. Garments worn during workouts, especially by women, are often tight and form fitting. When these tight form fitting sports garments are equipped with pockets, it is often difficult to access the items disposed within those pockets. Furthermore, wearers of these tight form fitting garments desire and/or may require access to their mobile electronic devices (e.g., cell phones, smart phones, etc.) in order to remain connected, listen to music and/or other audio sources, track their workout, etc. Because accessing objects disposed within pockets of tight form fitting garments is difficult, repeatedly accessing a mobile electronic device stored within one of the pockets is a hassle to the wearer of the tight form fitting garment.
It would be desirable to provide a garment that may be a tight form fitting garment equipped with pockets, where the pockets retain personal items while athletic activities and movements are performed by the wearer of the garment. It would be further desirable to provide a garment with pockets that retain personal items, including mobile electronic devices, that are easily accessible to the wearer of the garment. It would also be desirable to provide a garment with pockets that retain mobile electronic devices such that the mobile electronic device disposed within a pocket is at least partially visible and actuatable by the wearer of the garment.

BRIEF SUMMARY

An article of clothing, or garment, disclosed herein includes a pocket or pocket system. The pocket of the garment includes a band and a pocket bag that are vertically aligned with one another, but also spaced from one another. The band may be disposed on a waist portion of the garment, while the pocket bag may be disposed on a bottom portion of the garment, which is coupled to the waist portion. The pocket may be configured to receive and store an object (e.g., a mobile electronic device) such that when a first portion of the object is disposed in the pocket bag, the band is disposed over a second portion of the object. Because of the spacing of the band from the pocket bag, a third portion of the object disposed between the first and second portions may be exposed such that the third portion of the object may be viewed and/or manipulated by the user wearing the garment.
The above and still further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description of specific embodiments thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of a garment equipped with at least one pocket in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a rear view of the garment of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of a first side (e.g., right side) of the garment of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 4 illustrates a close-up view of the upper half (including the waistband and the pocket) of the first side of the garment of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 5 illustrates a schematic view of the front side of the first embodiment of the pocket illustrated in FIGS. 1-4 .

FIG. 6 illustrates a schematic view of the construction of the upper half (in the area of the pocket) of the first side of the garment illustrated in FIG. 4 .

FIGS. 7A-7E schematic views of stitch patterns including reentrant shapes according to embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 8A illustrates a front view of a second embodiment of the pocket in accordance with the present invention, the pocket being empty.

FIG. 8B illustrates a front view of the embodiment of the pocket illustrated in FIG. 8A, where an object is disposed within the pocket.

FIG. 9 illustrates a side view of a garment equipped with a third embodiment of the pocket in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 10 illustrates a side view of a garment equipped with a fourth embodiment of the pocket in accordance with the present invention.

Like reference numerals have been used to identify like elements throughout this disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying figures which form a part thereof wherein like numerals designate like parts throughout, and in which is shown, by way of illustration, embodiments that may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized, and structural or logical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, the following detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of embodiments is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.
Aspects of the disclosure are disclosed in the accompanying description. Alternate embodiments of the present disclosure and their equivalents may be devised without parting from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure. It should be noted that any discussion herein regarding “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, “an exemplary embodiment”, and the like indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, and that such particular feature, structure, or characteristic may not necessarily be included in every embodiment. In addition, references to the foregoing do not necessarily comprise a reference to the same embodiment. Finally, irrespective of whether it is explicitly described, one of ordinary skill in the art would readily appreciate that each of the particular features, structures, or characteristics of the given embodiments may be utilized in connection or combination with those of any other embodiment discussed herein.
Various operations may be described as multiple discrete actions or operations in turn, in a manner that is most helpful in understanding the claimed subject matter. However, the order of description should not be construed as to imply that these operations are necessarily order dependent. In particular, these operations may not be performed in the order of presentation. Operations described may be performed in a different order than the described embodiment. Various additional operations may be performed and/or described operations may be omitted in additional embodiments.
For the purposes of the present disclosure, the phrase “A and/or B” means (A), (B), or (A and B). For the purposes of the present disclosure, the phrase “A, B, and/or C” means (A), (B), (C), (A and B), (A and C), (B and C), or (A, B and C).
The terms “comprising,” “including,” “having,” and the like, as used with respect to embodiments of the present disclosure, are synonymous.
As described herein, an article of clothing, or garment is described herein and that includes a pocket or pocket system. The pocket of the garment includes a band and a pocket bag that are vertically aligned with one another, but also spaced from one another. The band may be disposed on a waist portion of the garment, while the pocket bag may be disposed on a bottom portion of the garment, which is coupled to the waist portion. The pocket may be configured to receive and store an object (e.g., a mobile electronic device) such that when a first portion of the object is disposed in the pocket bag, the band is disposed over a second portion of the object. Because of the spacing of the band from the pocket bag, a third portion of the object disposed between the first and second portions may be exposed such that the third portion of the object may be viewed and/or manipulated by the user wearing the garment.
In one embodiment, an article of clothing includes an upper portion, a bottom portion, and a pocket system. The upper portion may have an interior, user-facing surface and an opposite, exterior surface. The upper portion may further have a top edge and a bottom edge. The bottom portion may have a top edge and a bottom edge, where the top edge of the bottom portion may be coupled the bottom edge of the upper portion. The pocket system may be disposed on the article of clothing such that the pocket system spans over both the upper portion and the bottom portion. The pocket system may include a band and a pocket bag. The band may be disposed across a portion of the exterior surface of the upper portion. The pocket bag may be disposed on the bottom portion. The pocket bag may be vertically aligned with the band, while also being spaced from the band.
In some instances, the upper portion, the bottom portion, and the pocket system may be constructed of fabrics that include an elastomeric material. In some further instances, the top edge of the bottom portion may be coupled to the bottom edge of the upper portion via stitching. In other instances, the pocket bag may have an upper edge, a lower edge, a first edge, and a second edge. The lower edge may be disposed opposite of the upper edge. The second edge may be disposed opposite of the first edge. The first edge may span from the upper edge of the pocket bag to the lower edge of the pocket bag. The second edge may also span from the upper edge of the pocket bag to the lower edge of the pocket bag. In addition, the first edge, the second edge, and the lower edge of the pocket bag may be secured to the bottom portion. The upper edge of the pocket bag and the bottom portion may collectively define an opening of the pocket bag where the upper edge of the pocket bag may be disposed proximate to the stitching.
In another embodiment, an article of clothing includes a waist portion, a bottom portion, and a pocket system. The waist portion may configured to be disposed around a waist region of the user wearing the article of clothing. The bottom portion may be coupled to a bottom edge of the waist portion. The pocket system may be disposed on the article of clothing, and may be configured to store a mobile electronic device. The pocket system may have a band and a pocket bag. The band may be disposed on the waist portion. When the mobile electronic device is disposed in the pocket system, a first portion of the mobile electronic device may be disposed between the waist portion and the band. The pocket bag may be disposed on the bottom portion and may be spaced from the band. When the mobile electronic device is disposed in the pocket system, a second portion of the mobile electronic device is disposed within the pocket bag, and a third portion of the mobile electronic device is exposed between the band and the pocket bag.
In some instances, the waist portion, the bottom portion, and the pocket system are constructed of fabrics that include an elastomeric material. In some further instances, the bottom portion may include a first fabric layer having a top edge and a second fabric layer having a top edge. The top edge of the first fabric layer may be coupled to the bottom edge of the waist portion except for a segment of the first fabric layer disposed proximate to the pocket bag. The top edge of the second fabric layer may be coupled to the bottom edge of the waist portion.
In even further instances, the pocket bag may include a pocket bag fabric disposed between the first fabric layer and the second fabric layer of the bottom portion. The pocket bag fabric may include an upper edge, a lower edge, a first edge, and a second edge. The lower edge may be disposed opposite the upper edge, while the second edge may be disposed opposite of the first edge. The first edge may span from the upper edge of the pocket bag fabric to the lower edge of the pocket bag fabric. Similarly, the second edge may span from the upper edge of the pocket bag fabric to the lower edge of the pocket bag fabric. In some further instances, the first edge, the second edge, and the lower edge of the pocket bag fabric may be secured to the second fabric layer of the bottom portion. The upper edge of the pocket bag fabric, however, may be secured to the top edge of the first fabric layer of the bottom portion. The top edge of the first fabric layer and the upper edge of the pocket bag fabric may be repositionable between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the top edge of the first fabric layer and the upper edge of the pocket bag fabric may be disposed against the second fabric layer. In the second position, the top edge of the first fabric layer and the upper edge of the pocket bag fabric may be spaced from the second fabric layer such that the top edge of the first fabric layer, the upper edge of the pocket bag fabric, and the second fabric layer collectively define an opening of the pocket bag.
In some instances, when the article of clothing is worn by the user and the mobile electronic device is disposed within the pocket system, the exposed third portion of the mobile electronic device may be configured to display notifications and receive inputs from the user wearing the article of clothing.
In yet another embodiment, an article of clothing includes an exterior surface, an interior surface, and a pocket system. The exterior surface may be configured to face away from the user when the article of clothing is worn by the user. The interior surface may be opposite of the exterior surface, and may be configured to face toward the user when the article of clothing is worn by the user. The pocket system may be at least partially disposed on the exterior surface, and may be configured to store a mobile electronic device. The pocket system may include a band and a pocket bag. The pocket bag may be vertically aligned with, and spaced from, the band. When the mobile electronic device is disposed in the pocket system, a first portion of the mobile electronic device may be disposed between the exterior surface and the band, a second portion of the mobile electronic device may be disposed within the pocket bag, and a third portion of the mobile electronic device that is disposed between the first and second portions of the mobile electronic device may be exposed between the band and the pocket bag to enable the user to operate the mobile electronic device while disposed in the pocket system.
In some instances, when the article of clothing is worn by the user and the mobile electronic device is disposed within the pocket system, the exposed third portion of the mobile electronic device may be configured to display notifications and receive inputs from the user wearing the article of clothing.
In some further instances, the article of clothing may further include a first fabric layer that forms the exterior surface of the article of clothing, and a second fabric layer that forms the interior surface of the article of clothing. The first fabric layer may be coupled to the second fabric layer. In some even further instances, the band may have a first end and an opposite second end, where the first end and the second end may be bartacked to the first fabric layer.
In even some further instances, the pocket bag may include a pocket bag fabric disposed between the first fabric layer and the second fabric layer. The pocket bag fabric may have an upper edge, a lower edge, a first edge, and a second edge. The lower edge may be disposed opposite the upper edge. The second edge may be disposed opposite the first edge. The first edge may span from the upper edge of the pocket bag fabric to the lower edge of the pocket bag fabric. Similarly, the second edge may span from the upper edge of the pocket bag fabric to the lower edge of the pocket bag fabric. In addition, the first edge, the second edge, and the lower edge of the pocket bag fabric may be secured to the second fabric layer. The upper edge of the pocket bag fabric may be secured to the first fabric layer at a location where the first fabric layer is uncoupled from the second fabric layer such that the first fabric layer and the upper edge of the pocket bag fabric are repositionable between a first position and a second position. When in the first position, the first fabric layer and the upper edge of the pocket bag fabric may be disposed against the second fabric layer. When in the second position, the first fabric layer and the upper edge of the pocket bag fabric may be spaced from the second fabric layer and define an opening of the pocket bag.
Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 , a first embodiment is depicted of an article of clothing or garment that can be worn by a person, where the garment includes a pocket in or proximate to the waistband of the garment. The embodiment of the garment illustrated is a pair of pants 10. The term pants may refer to any type of garment bottom typically worn by people, including, but not limited to, pants, knickers, capris, shorts, trousers, skirts, kilts, etc. The pants 10 contain a front side 12, and a rear side 14, where the rear side 14 is oriented opposite of that of the front side 12. The pants 10 further include a first (e.g., right) side 16 connecting the front side 12 to the rear side 14. The pants 10 also include a second (e.g., left) side 18 that is oriented opposite of that of the first side 16, and that also connects the front side 12 to the rear side 14. As illustrated, the pants 10 further include a top end 20 and a bottom end 22 opposite the top end 20.
The embodiment of the pants 10 illustrated in FIGS. 1-3 may contain a waist portion 100 (sometimes referred to herein as a waistband, an upper portion, and/or a first portion) and a bottom portion 200 (sometimes referred to herein as a lower portion and/or a second portion) coupled to, and disposed below, the waist portion 100. As illustrated, the waist portion 100 is disposed proximate to the top end 20 of the pants 10 and includes a top edge 110, a bottom edge 120 opposite the top edge 110, and a sidewall 130 that spans from the top edge 110 to the bottom edge 120. The waist portion 100 extends around each of the sides 12, 14, 16, 18 of the pants 10 and defines an opening 140 proximate to the top end 20 of the pants 10. The opening 140 is configured to receive portions of the body of the user wearing the pants 10. When worn by a user, the waist portion 100 of the pants 10 is configured to encircle or surround the user proximate to the user’s midsection (e.g., stomach, hips, lower back, waist, etc.). The waist portion 100 further includes an exterior surface 132 and an interior surface 134. When worn by a user, the interior surface 134 of the waist portion 100 contacts the portion of the body in which the waist portion 100 encircles (i.e., the interior surface 134 faces toward the user), while the exterior surface 132 remains exposed (i.e., the exterior surface 132 faces away from the user).
In the illustrated embodiment, the bottom portion 200 of the pants 10 includes a first leg portion 210(1) and a second leg portion 210(2). While FIGS. 1-3 illustrate the bottom portion 200 of the pants 10 as having first and second leg portions 210(1), 210(2), it should be appreciated that the pants 10 may contain any other type of bottom (e.g., a skirt bottom, a dress bottom, etc.), and that the present invention is not limited to only pants 10 with leg portions 210(1), 210(2). As illustrated in FIGS. 1-3 , the first leg portion 210(1) is disposed proximate to the front side 12, rear side 14, and first side 16 of the pants 10. The first leg portion 210(1) includes a top edge 220(1), a bottom edge 230(1), a middle front edge 240(1), and a middle rear edge 250(1). The first leg portion 210(1) may be configured to receive the first (e.g., right) leg of the user wearing the pants 10. As illustrated, the first leg portion 210(1) extends downwardly from the waist portion 100 toward the bottom end 22 of the pants 10, where the top edge 220(1) of the first leg portion 210(1) is coupled to a portion of the bottom edge 120 of the waist portion 100. The bottom edge 230(1) of the first leg portion 210(1) may define a first leg opening out of which the first (e.g., right) leg of the user wearing the pants 10 may extend. The bottom edge 230(1) of the first leg portion 210(1) is disposed proximate to the bottom end 22 and first side 16 of the pants 10, and, depending on the length of the first leg portion 210(1), surrounds or encircles at least a portion of the first leg (e.g., thigh, knee, calf, ankle, etc.) of the user wearing the pants 10.
The second leg portion 210(2) may be similar to, and a mirror image of, the first leg portion 210(1). As illustrated in FIGS. 1-3 , the second leg portion 210(2) is disposed proximate to the front side 12, rear side 14, and second side 18 of the pants 10. The second leg portion 210(2) includes a top edge 220(2), a bottom edge 230(2), a middle front edge 240(2), and a middle rear edge 250(2). The second leg portion 210(2) may be configured to receive the second (e.g., left) leg of the user wearing the pants 10. As illustrated, the second leg portion 210(2) extends downwardly from the waist portion 100 towards the bottom end 22 of the pants 10, where the top edge 220(2) of the second leg portion 210(2) is coupled to a portion of the bottom edge 120 of the waist portion 100. The bottom edge 230(2) of the second leg portion 210(2) may define a second leg opening out of which the second (e.g., left) leg of the user wearing the pants 10 may extend. The bottom edge 230(2) of the second leg portion 210(2) is disposed proximate to the bottom end 22 and second side 18 of the pants 10, and, depending on the length of the second leg portion 210(1), surrounds or encircles at least a portion of the second leg (e.g., thigh, knee, calf, ankle, etc.) of the user wearing the pants 10.
As illustrated in FIG. 1 , the first leg portion 210(1) is coupled to the second leg portion 210(2) at a central location on the front side 12 of the pants 10. More specifically, the middle front edge 240(1) of the first leg portion 210(1), which is vertically oriented, is coupled to the middle front edge 240(2) of the second leg portion 210(1), which is also vertically oriented. Similarly, as best illustrated in FIG. 2 , the first leg portion 210(1) is coupled to the second leg portion 210(2) via the middle rear edge 250(1) of the first leg portion 210(1) being coupled to the middle rear edge 250(2) of the second leg portion 210(2). Similar to the front edges 240(1), 240(2), the rear edges 250(1), 250(2) of the first and second leg portions 210(1), 210(2) are also vertically oriented.
The waist portion 100, first leg portion 210(1), and second leg portion 210(2) may be coupled to one another via stitching, such as, but not limited to, flatlock stitching, overlock stitching, blind stitching, etc. In addition, the waist portion 100, first leg portion 210(1), and second leg portion 210(2) may be coupled to one another by means other than stitching, such as, but not limited to, bonding, adhesives, etc.
As described in further detail below, the waist portion 100 and bottom portion 200 (first leg portion 210(1) and second leg portion 210(2)) of the pants 10 can be constructed of any suitable elastomeric fabric materials, including elastomeric fabrics that provide two-way stretch or four-way stretch characteristics so as to provide a form-fitting or compression fit against the user’s body.
Turning to FIG. 4 , and with continued reference to FIGS. 1-3 , a pocket or pocket system 300 is disposed on the pants 10 such that the components of the pocket 300 span over a section of the waist portion 100 and a section of the bottom portion 200. In the illustrated embodiment, the pocket 300 is disposed proximate to the top end 20 and the first side 16 of the pants 10. In other embodiments, however, the pants 10 may include any number of pockets 300, and those pockets 300 may be disposed at any location on the pants 10 (i.e., they may disposed on a single portion or fabric panel of the pants rather than over multiple portions or fabric panels of the pants).
The illustrated embodiment of the pocket 300 depicted in FIGS. 4 and 5 may include a band or strap 310 and a pocket bag 330. As explained in further detail below, the band 310 and the pocket bag 330 may work in unison to store an item (e.g., mobile electronic device 500 shown in FIG. 8B) on the pants 10. The band 310 may be coupled to the exterior surface 132 of the sidewall 130 of the waist portion 100, and may include a first end 312 and a second end 314. As best illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5 , the first end 312 and the second end 314 of the band 310 may be secured onto the exterior surface 132 of the sidewall 130 via a bartack stitch 316. In other embodiments, the first and second ends 312, 314 may be secured to the exterior surface 132 of the sidewall 130 via any other method including, but not limited to, other types of stitching, bonding, adhesives, etc. In even further embodiments, the sidewall 130 of the waist portion 100 may have openings, and the band 310 may be a continuous band that is threaded through the openings such that the band 310 is disposed on both the exterior surface 132 and the interior surface 134 of the sidewall 130 of the waist portion 100 (or such that the band 310 is disposed both on the exterior surface 132 and in-between the exterior surface 132 and the interior surface 134 of the sidewall 130 of the waist portion 100). As further illustrated, the band 310 includes a top edge 320 and a bottom edge 322. With the ends 312, 314 of the band 310 secured to the exterior surface 132 of the sidewall 130, the band 310 and the exterior surface 132 of the sidewall 130 may collectively form an opening or channel 324 (e.g., that spans from the top edge 320 to the bottom edge 322) through which an object may be inserted or disposed.
As previously explained, the pocket 300 may further include a pocket bag 330. As best illustrated in FIG. 5 , the pocket bag 330 may be substantially rectangular with a upper edge 332, a first edge 334 coupled to one end of the upper edge 332, a second edge 336 coupled to another end of the upper edge 332 and positioned opposite the first edge 336, and a lower edge 338 positioned opposite the upper edge 332 and coupled to both the first edge 334 and the second edge 336. As further explained below, the first edge 334, second edge 336, and the lower edge 338 may be secured to the pants 10 via adhesive bonding. In other embodiments, the first edge 334, second edge 336, and the lower edge 338 may be secured to the pants 10 via any other attachment/securement mechanism, such as, but not limited to, stitching, formed uniformly, etc. The ends of the upper edge 332 may be secured to the pants 10 via bartack stitching 333. Thus, a significant portion of the upper edge 332 may be repositioned between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the upper edge 332 of the pocket bag 330 may be disposed against the bottom portion 200 (i.e., the upper edge 332 abuts or rests flush with the rest of the bottom portion 200). The upper edge 332 may be repositioned from the first position to the second position by a user pulling the upper edge 332 away from the bottom portion 200 of the pants to space the upper edge 332 of the pocket bag 330 from the bottom portion 200 of the pants 10 in order to form an opening 340 (i.e., collectively defined by the upper edge 332 of the pocket bag 330 and the bottom portion 200 of the pants 10) that provides access to the interior of the pocket bag 330.
Continuing with FIGS. 4 and 5 , the pocket bag 330 may be disposed on the pants 10 such that the pocket bag 330 is aligned vertically with, but disposed below, the band 310. The upper edge 332 and opening 340 of the pocket bag 330 may be spaced from the bottom edge 322 of the band 310 by a spacing/distance S. With the band 310 disposed on the waist portion 100, the pocket bag 330 may be disposed on the bottom portion 200 (and specifically on the first leg portion 210(1)) such that the upper edge 332 of the pocket bag 330 is disposed proximate to the top edge 220(1) of the first leg portion 210(1) (and subsequently the bottom edge 120 of the waist portion 100). As further explained below, the combination of the band 310 and the pocket bag 330 may be aligned and spaced S from each other so that the pocket 300 is able to store and retain an object, such as, but not limited to, a mobile electronic device 500. More specifically, and as discussed in further detail below with respect to FIG. 8B, the pocket bag 330 may be configured to receive a bottom portion of the mobile electronic device 500, while a top portion of the mobile electronic device may be secured between the band 310 and the sidewall 130 of the waist portion 100. The spacing S between the band 310 and the pocket bag 330 may leave a portion 510 of the mobile electronic device 500 exposed (e.g., the portion of the mobile electronic device that displays notifications and/or displays controls configured to be operated by a user (i.e., receive inputs from a user)).
Turning to FIG. 6 , and with continued reference to FIGS. 1-5 , illustrated is a cross-sectional schematic view of the region of the pants 10 that contains the pocket 300 (i.e., taken along line 6-6 in FIG. 4 ), which illustrates one embodiment of the fabric layer construction 400 of the pants 10. As illustrated, the waist portion 100 may include an interior fabric or interior fabric layer 410 and an exterior fabric or exterior fabric layer 420. The interior fabric layer 410 may have an upper edge 412 and an opposite lower edge 414, while the exterior fabric layer 420 may also have an upper edge 422 and an opposite lower edge 424. The upper edge 412 of the interior fabric layer 410 may be aligned horizontally with the upper edge 422 of the exterior fabric layer 420, where the upper edges 412, 422 of the interior and exterior fabric layers 410, 420, respectively, form the top edge 110 of the waist portion 100. The lower edge 414 of the interior fabric layer 410 may be aligned horizontally with the lower edge 424 of the exterior fabric layer 420, where the lower edges 414, 424 of the interior and exterior fabric layers 410, 420, respectively, form the bottom edge 120 of the waist portion 100. While not illustrated in FIG. 6 , the upper edge 412 of the interior fabric layer 410 may be secured to the upper edge 422 of the exterior fabric layer 420 via stitching, bonding, adhesives, or any other suitable manner. In some embodiments, the interior fabric layer 410 and the exterior fabric layer 420 may be a single piece of fabric folded over itself to form the two fabric layers 410, 420 such that the fold line forms the top edge 110 of the waist portion 100. As illustrated in FIG. 6 , the lower edge 414 of the interior fabric layer 410 may be secured to the lower edge 424 of the exterior fabric layer 420 via the stitching or join seam 470.
Continuing with FIG. 6 , the bottom portion 200, and in particular the first leg portion 210(1), may include an interior fabric or interior fabric layer 430 and an exterior fabric or exterior fabric layer 440. The interior fabric layer 430 may have an upper edge 432 and an opposite lower edge 434, while the exterior fabric layer 440 may also have an upper edge 442 and an opposite lower edge 444. The upper edge 432 of the interior fabric layer 420 of the bottom portion 200 may be coupled to the lower edges 414, 424 of the interior and exterior fabric layers 410, 420, respectively, of the waist portion 100 via the join seam 470. As further illustrated, at least in the region of the pocket 300, the upper edge 442 of the exterior fabric layer 440 of the bottom portion 200 may be uncoupled (or may not be directly coupled) to the upper edge 432 of the interior fabric layer 430 of the bottom portion 200. The upper edge 442 of the exterior fabric layer 440 may include a turnback 446 (i.e., a fold over) that is bonded to the inner side of itself via a bonding adhesive 448.
FIG. 6 further illustrates that, in at least the illustrated embodiment, the pocket bag 330 of the pocket 300 may be at least partially formed from a pocket bag fabric 450 that is disposed between the interior fabric layer 430 and the exterior fabric layer 440 of the bottom portion 200. The pocket bag fabric 450 may be shaped and sized like that of the pocket bag 330 of the pocket 300 illustrated in FIGS. 3-5 . Thus, the pocket bag fabric 450 may include an upper edge 452, an opposite bottom edge 454, a first edge (not illustrated in FIG. 6 ), and a second edge opposite the first edge (not illustrated in FIG. 6 ). As illustrated in FIG. 6 , the upper edge 452 of the pocket bag fabric 450 may be disposed within the bonded turnback 446 of the upper edge 442 of the exterior fabric layer 440 of the bottom portion 200 such that the upper edge 452 of pocket bag fabric 450 is captured within the bonded turnback 446. As further illustrated in FIG. 6 , the other edges (first, second, and lower edges 454) of the pocket bag fabric 450 may be bonded to the interior fabric layer 430 via a bonding adhesive 460. In some embodiments, the bonding adhesive 460 may be a quarter inch adhesive. Thus, the bonded turnback 446, in conjunction with the upper edge 452 of the pocket bag fabric 450, form the upper edge 332 of the pocket bag 330 of the pocket 300. With this configuration, when the upper edge 442 of the exterior fabric layer 440 of the bottom portion 200 is spaced from the interior fabric layer 430 of the bottom portion 200 and the join seam 470, the pocket bag 330 is in the opened state (i.e., the upper edge 332 of the pocket bag 330 is in the second position that creates the opening 340), where the opening 340 provides access to the interior of the pocket bag 330 (i.e., a user may access the interior of the pocket bag 330). When the upper edge 442 of the exterior fabric layer 440 of the bottom portion 200 is disposed against the interior fabric layer 430 of the bottom portion 200 and the join seam 470, the pocket bag 330 is in the closed state (i.e., the upper edge 332 of the pocket bag 330 is in the first position, and the top opening 340 is not present), which prevents access to the interior of the pocket bag 330.
Continuing with FIG. 6 , the band 310 of the pocket 300 may be disposed on the outside of the waist portion 100 such that the band 310 is disposed more proximate to the exterior fabric layer 420 of the waist portion 100 than the interior fabric layer 410 of the waist portion 100. When an object (e.g., mobile electronic device 500) is disposed within the pocket 300, the object may be inserted downwardly through the space between the band 310 of the pocket 300 and the exterior fabric layer 420 of the waist portion 100, and then through the top opening 340 of the pocket bag 330 of the pocket 300 (i.e., between the exterior fabric layer 440 and the interior fabric layer 430 of the lower portion 200).
The various fabric layers 310, 410, 420, 430 440, 450 of the pants 10 and pocket 300 construction may contain a degree of resiliency that enables the waist portion 100, bottom portion 200, and pocket components (i.e., band 310 and pocket bag 330) to stretch when the pants 10 are worn by a user. In addition, the degree of resiliency of the various fabric layers 310, 410, 420, 430 440, 450 of the pants 10 and their construction 400 may further enable the waist portion 100, bottom portion 200, and/or pocket components (i.e., band 310 and pocket bag 330) to expand when an object is placed between the exterior surface 132 (i.e., the exterior fabric layer 420) of the waist portion 100 and the band 310 of the pocket 300, and is placed within the interior of the pocket bag 330 of the pocket 300 (i.e., between in the exterior and interior fabric layers 430, 440 of the bottom portion 200). The degree of resiliency of the various fabric layers 310, 410, 420, 430 440, 450 of the pants 10 and their construction 400 may also enable the waist portion 100, bottom portion 200, and/or pocket components (i.e., band 310 and pocket bag 330) to return to a relaxed or empty state (i.e., when an object is not disposed within the pocket 300).
The various fabric layers 310, 410, 420, 430 440, 450 of the pants 10 (and subsequently the various parts of the pants 10: the waist portion 100, bottom portion 200 (first leg portion 210(1) and second leg portion 210(2)), and pocket 300 (band 310 and pocket bag 330)) may be constructed from power stretch or elastic fabrics having the ability to expand under load and regain original form once the load is removed. In an embodiment, the various fabric layers 310, 410, 420, 430 440, 450 may have a stretch value of at least 100% and a recovery value of greater than 50% and preferably at least 90%. By way of example, the various fabric layers 310, 410, 420, 430 440, 450 may be formed from a knit textile. Knitting is a process for constructing fabric with strands by interlocking a series of loops (bights) of one or more strands organized in wales and courses. In general, knitting includes warp knitting and weft knitting. In warp knitting, a plurality of strands run lengthwise in the fabric to make all the loops. In weft knitting, one continuous strand runs crosswise in the fabric, making all the loops in one course. Weft knitting includes fabrics formed on both circular knitting and flat knitting machines.
The strands forming the layer(s) of various fabric layers 310, 410, 420, 430 440, 450 may be of any one or more types suitable for the described purpose (i.e., to form the pants 10). The term strand includes a single fiber, filament, or monofilament, as well as an ordered assemblage of textile fibers having a high ratio of length to diameter and normally used as a unit (e.g., slivers, roving, single yarns, plies yarns, cords, braids, ropes, etc.). In a preferred embodiment a strand is a yarn (a continuous strand of textile fibers, filaments, or material in a form suitable for knitting, weaving, or otherwise intertwining to form a textile fabric). A yarn may include a number of fibers twisted together (spun yarn); a number of filaments laid together without twist (a zero-twist yarn); a number of filaments laid together with a degree of twist; and a single filament with or without twist (a monofilament).
The strands forming the textile can be natural strands (e.g., cotton strands, wool strands, silk strands, etc.) and/or synthetic strands formed of one or more types of polymers, including fibers or filaments having one or more polymer components formed within the fibers or filaments.
By way of example, a strand of the textile includes elastic strands and/or inelastic strands. Elastic strands are strands including elastomeric material (e.g., 100% elastic material). Elastic strands, by virtue of their composition alone, are capable of stretching under stress and recovering to its original size once the stress is released. Accordingly, elastic strands are utilized to provide a textile with stretch properties. An elastic strand is formed of rubber or a synthetic polymer having properties of rubber. A specific example of an elastomeric material suitable for forming an elastic strand is elastane, an elastomeric polyester-polyurethane copolymer.
In contrast, an inelastic strand is formed of a non-elastomeric material such natural and/or synthetic spun staple yarns, natural and/or synthetic continuous filament yarns, and/or combinations thereof. By way of specific example, natural, non-elastomeric fibers include cellulosic fibers (e.g., cotton, bamboo) and protein fibers (e.g., wool, silk, and soybean). Synthetic non-elastomeric fibers include polyester fibers (poly(ethylene terephthalate) fibers and poly(trimethylene terephthalate) fibers), polycaprolactam fibers, poly(hexamethylene adipamide) fibers, acrylic fibers, acetate fibers, rayon fibers, nylon fibers and combinations. Accordingly, inelastic strands possess no inherent stretch and/or recovery properties by virtue of composition.
In general, both elastic and inelastic strands may be used in forming a textile layer, with inelastic strands utilized for ground stitches and the elastic strands being inserted and/or knitted into the structure. Accordingly, elastomeric strands are used in combination with inelastic strands. In an embodiment, the proportion of elastomeric fibers in the fabric may include about 50% or more elastomeric strands to provide desired stretch and recovery properties of the fabric. By way of example, the various fabric layers 310, 410, 420, 430 440, 450 may comprise at least 60% (e.g., 68% - 72%) elastomeric strands (e.g., elastane) and no more than 40% (e.g., 28% - 32%) inelastic strands (e.g., nylon).
Accordingly, the various fabric layers 310, 410, 420, 430 440, 450 may be configured to have high elongation and recovery properties. The elastic or stretch fabric may be a mono-elastic fabric, which stretches in a single, longitudinal or horizontal (crosswise) direction (also called a two-way stretch fabric) or bi-elastic fabric, which stretch in both longitudinal and horizontal directions (also called a four-way stretch fabric).
In an embodiment, the various fabric layers 310, 410, 420, 430 440, 450 may be a power stretch knit textile possessing an elongation value of at least 50% in one or both directions and preferably in a range from about 50% to 200% or greater (e.g., up to about 160% in the dominant elongation or stretch direction (e.g., the width direction), and at least about 50% in the orthogonal direction (e.g., the length direction)). The various fabric layers 310, 410, 420, 430 440, 450, furthermore, may possess a recovery value of greater than 90% (e.g., 94% or greater), preferably in both directions. As used herein, elongation value refers to ability of fabric layer to stretch without shear or damage to the layer, where elongation value is defined as change in dimension over original (unstretched) dimension x 100 (i.e., (ΔL/L) x 100). Recovery value for the fabric refers to degree at which the fabric returns to its original (unstretched) dimension(s) after elastic load is removed from the fabric.
The various fabric layers 310, 410, 420, 430, 440, 450 may also have any suitable thickness that permits suitable elongation and recovery of the various fabric layers 310, 410, 420, 430, 440, 450 for their intended use for the pants 10.
In even further embodiments, the various fabric layers 310, 410, 420, 430, 440, 450 may be constructed with a stitch network that is configured to control an expansion pattern of the waist and/or bottom portions 100, 200 of the pants 10, along with the components of the pocket 300. In particular, the size(s) and shape(s) of cells of a stitch network may have shapes that expand and contract in a predetermined pattern, cooperating to allow and guide the expansion or contraction of the various fabric layers 310, 410, 420, 430, 440, 450 in a suitable dimension during stretching/tension of the various fabric layers 310, 410, 420, 430 440, 450 as well as contraction of the various fabric layers 310, 410, 420, 430, 440, 450 when the tension on the various fabric layers 310, 410, 420, 430, 440, 450 is released. For example, layers 410 and 420, which form the waist portion, can be connected to each other with stitching defined by a stitch pattern or stitch network as described herein. The layers 430 and 440 for bottom portion 200 can also be connected together with stitching defined by a stitch pattern or stitch network as described herein. The stitch pattern or stitch network that couples or connects two fabric layers together defines cells as pockets formed between the adjacent layers that are each enclosed via the stitching pattern or network. Alternatively, a single layer (e.g., layer 410, layer 420, layer 430, layer 440 and/or layer 460) can include a stitching pattern or stitching network of shapes or cells along the fabric, where each cell is simply defined by the stitching that entirely surrounds the cell. In an embodiment, the shapes and/or configuration of the cells (as defined by the stitching pattern/stitch network applied to the layer(s) of the waist portion 100 and the bottom portion 200) may be selected to create a pattern effective to lower the Poisson’s ratio of the layer(s) of the waist portion 100 and the bottom portion 200 (compared to the ratio the waist portion 100 and the bottom portion 200 would have without the array of cells).
The various fabric layers 310, 410, 420, 430, 440, 450 may be configured to provide the waist portion 100, bottom portion 200, and/or components of the pocket 300 with a negative Poisson’s ratio. In other words, when stretched, the various fabric layers 310, 410, 420, 430 440, 450 will move or expand in a direction generally orthogonal or perpendicular to the applied tension or stretching force. This will also cause a change in the shapes of the cells, where the cells collapse along a z-axis (i.e., a direction perpendicular to the plane in which various fabric layers 310, 410, 420, 430 440, 450 are located; direction orthogonal or perpendicular to a direction of corresponding expansion or compression) in response to such tension or stretching force as described herein.
Lowering or imparting a negative Poisson’s ratio to the various fabric layers 310, 410, 420, 430 440, 450 can be achieved by providing a stitch network that forms cells having one or more auxetic shapes (e.g., the auxetic arrowhead shapes, auxetic hourglass shapes, etc.). Further still, the auxetic shapes can be formed as reentrant polygonal shapes. A reentrant polygonal shape has one or more reentrant angles, where a reentrant angle is an internal angle of the polygon that is greater than 180°. Reentrant auxetic shapes can have hinge-like features (e.g., at the reentrant angle locations of the auxetic shapes) that can cause an expansion or compression of the various fabric layers 310, 410, 420, 430 440, 450 upon which the auxetic shape is formed in a direction orthogonal or perpendicular to a direction of corresponding expansion or compression of the various fabric layers 310, 410, 420, 430 440, 450.
Any suitable type or types of auxetic patterns can be formed by the patterned strand network along the various fabric layers 310, 410, 420, 430 440, 450. Some non-limiting examples of cell arrays formed as auxetic patterns which can be used to form cells of a composite material are depicted in FIGS. 7A - 7E. Referring to FIGS. 7A and 7B, stitch networks 705, 710 are shown along a composite material forming cells having an arrowhead auxetic shape. Other examples of auxetic cell shapes that can be provided for a composite material are shown by the stitch patterns 715, 720, 725 in FIGS. 7C, 7D and 7E (e.g., hour glass shaped auxetic cells for stitch patterns 715, 720, and wavy shaped auxetic cells for stitch pattern 725).
It should be understood, however, that other enclosed cell shapes may be utilized in forming the stitch network. For example, non-auxetic polygonal cells may be utilized.
Turning to FIGS. 8A and 8B, and with continued reference to FIGS. 1-6 , illustrated is a view of the pocket 300 where an object is not disposed within the pocket 300 (i.e., the waist portion 100, bottom portion 200, pocket band 310, and/or pocket bag 330 in their relaxed state, empty state, or first position; see FIG. 8A), and a view where a mobile electronic device 500 is disposed within the pocket 300 (i.e., the waist portion 100, bottom portion 200, pocket band 310, and/or pocket bag 330 in their expanded state, storage state, or second position; see FIG. 8B). As previously described herein, when the mobile electronic device 500 is disposed within the pocket 300, a bottom portion of the mobile electronic device 500 is disposed within the pocket bag 330, while the band 310 is disposed across a top portion of the mobile electronic device 500. Because of the arrangement of the band 310 and the pocket bag 330 with respect to one another, including the spacing S between the bottom edge 322 of the band 310 and the upper edge 332/top opening 340 of the pocket bag 330, when a mobile electronic device 500 is disposed within the pocket 300, as illustrated in FIG. 8B, a middle portion 510 of the screen of the mobile electronic device 500 is exposed. This enables a person wearing the pants 10 to both read notifications displayed on the mobile electronic device 500, as well as control various aspects of the mobile electronic device 500 (e.g., music being played by the mobile electronic device 500, workout tracking app being run on the mobile electronic device 500, etc.) because the mobile electronic device 500 displays notifications and/or various controls in the middle portion 510 of the screen of the mobile electronic device 500. Thus, the arrangement of the pocket 300 (i.e., the arrangement of the band 310 and the pocket bag 330) enables a user wearing the pants 10 to read and/or operate the mobile electronic device 500 while the mobile electronic device 500 remains disposed within the pocket 300. In addition, the arrangement of the pocket 300 (i.e., the band 310 and the pocket bag 330 being vertically aligned with one another) enables a user wearing the pants 10 to easily slide the mobile electronic device 500 into and out of the pocket 300 by sliding the mobile electronic device 500 through the channel 324 of the band 310 and through the top opening 340 of the pocket bag 330.
Because of the fabric construction, when the pants 10 are worn by a user/wearer, the waist portion 100 and bottom portion 200 (i.e., leg portions 210(1), 210(2)) are stretched and/or deformed outwardly or laterally. When the waist portion 100 is stretched and/or deformed laterally, the opening 140 formed by the waist portion 100 increases in diameter. The lateral stretching of the waist portion 100 also causes the band 310 of the pocket 300 to stretch laterally because the ends 312, 314 of the band 310 are fixedly coupled to the exterior surface 132 of the sidewall 130 of the waist portion 100. This may create a tension closure between the inner surface of the band 310 and the exterior surface 132 of the waist portion 100 to secure an object disposed between the band 310 and the exterior surface 132 of the waist portion 100 within the pocket 300. When a mobile electronic device 500 is disposed between the band 310, as the amount of stretching of the waist portion 100 increases, the tension imparted onto the mobile electronic device 500 by the band 310 and the exterior fabric layer 420 increases. In other words, as the amount of stretching of the waist portion 100 increases, the mobile electronic device 500 disposed within the pocket 300 is sandwiched between the band 310 and the exterior fabric layer 420 (e.g., the band imparts an inward force against the mobile electronic device 500, while the exterior fabric layer 420 imparts an opposing outward force against the mobile electronic device 500) to secure the mobile electronic device 500 in the channel 324.
Similarly, the lateral stretching of the bottom portion 200 causes the pocket bag 330 of the pocket 300 to stretch laterally because the ends of the upper edge 332 of the pocket bag 330, the side edges 334, 336 of the pocket bag 330, and the lower edge 338 of the pocket bag 330 are fixedly coupled to the bottom portion 200 of the pants 10. This stretching of the bottom portion 200 and the pocket bag 330 may create a tension closure between the interior fabric layer 430 of the bottom portion 200 and the upper edge 332 of the pocket bag 330 to secure an object (e.g., mobile electronic device 500) disposed within the pocket bag 330. Because of the ends of the upper edge 332 of the pocket bag 330 and the first and second edges 334, 336 are secured to the bottom portion 200, the lateral stretching of the bottom portion 200 creates opposing tensile forces on the pocket bag 330, which causes the pocket bag 330, and specifically the top edge 332 of the pocket bag 330 to press against the interior fabric layer 430 of the bottom portion 200. As the amount or degree of stretching of the bottom portion 200 in the outward or lateral direction increases, the amount of the opposing tensile forces that act on the pocket bag 330 also increases. Thus, the greater the amount of stretching of the bottom portion 200, the stronger the amount of tension in the pocket bag 330 that forces the pocket bag 330 (and particularly the upper edge 332) toward the interior fabric layer 430 of the bottom portion 200 to secure items within the pocket bag 330. When a mobile electronic device 500 is disposed within the pocket bag 330, as the amount of stretching of the bottom portion 200 increases, the tension imparted upon the mobile electronic device 500 by the pocket bag 330 (and particularly the upper edge 332) and the interior fabric layer 430 increases. In other words, as the amount of stretching of the bottom portion 200 increases, the mobile electronic device 500 disposed within the pocket bag 330 is sandwiched between the pocket bag 330 (and particularly the upper edge 332) and the interior fabric layer 430 (e.g. the upper edge 332 of the pocket bag 330 imparts an inward force against the mobile electronic device 500, while the interior fabric layer 430 of the bottom portion 200 imparts an opposing outward force against the mobile electronic device 500) to secure the mobile electronic device 500 within the pocket bag 330.
Even when a mobile electronic device 500 is not disposed within the pocket 300, the user of the pants 10 may still utilize the band 310 of the pocket 300 to store other times. For example, the user of the pants 10 may be capable of threading a keyring that contains a set of keys or other fob-like device onto the band 310 of the pocket 300 such that the band 310 is disposed within the middle or center of the keyring. As another example, the user may tuck or insert a portion of a towel or other workout accessory (e.g., gloves, sweatband, headphones etc.) in the channel 324 (i.e., space between the exterior surface 132 of the waist portion 100 and the band 310) to temporarily store these items when not in use.
As further illustrated in FIGS. 8A and 8B, some embodiments of the pocket bag 330 may further include a slot or slit 342 that is disposed proximate to the lower edge 338 of the pocket bag 330. The slit 342 may extend through the exterior fabric layer 440 and/or the pocket bag fabric 450 and into the interior of the pocket bag 330. A user may thread a cord (e.g., for charging, for connecting headphones, etc.) through the slit 342 so that it may be plugged into the bottom end of a mobile electronic device 500 disposed within the pocket bag 330. As further illustrated, disposed around the slit 342 may be a reinforcement member 344, which may be constructed from, but not limited to, thermoplastic polyurethanes (hereinafter “TPU”). The reinforcement member 344 may serve to prevent the pocket bag 330 from tearing at the slit 342.
Turning to FIGS. 9 and 10 , illustrated are additional embodiments of the pants 10, where the pocket 300 may have a different construction from that illustrated in FIGS. 1-6, 8A, and 8B. In both the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10 , the pocket 300 of the additional embodiments may still each contain a band 310 disposed on the waist portion 100 of the pants. FIGS. 9 and 10 further illustrate that the pocket 300 of the additional embodiments may also still contain a pocket bag 330 disposed on the bottom portion 200 such that the upper edge 332 and top opening 340 of the pocket bag 330 are disposed proximate to the coupling of the bottom edge 120 of the waist portion 100 to the top edge 220(1) of the first leg portion 210(1) of the bottom portion 200. The pocket bag 330 embodiments of both FIGS. 9 and 10 , however, may be in the form of an extra fabric layer 600, 600′ disposed over the exterior surface of the first leg portion 210(1) of the bottom portion 200, and secured to the exterior surface of the first leg portion 210(1) of the bottom portion 200 via stitching. As illustrated in FIG. 9 , the extra fabric layer 600 may be the same type of fabric used to formulate the first leg portion 210(1) of the bottom portion 200. Conversely, as illustrated in FIG. 10 , the extra fabric layer 600′ may be of a different type of fabric than that used to formulate the first leg portion 210(1) of the bottom portion 200. For example, the extra fabric layer 600′ may be a mesh fabric, which is different from the fabric used to construct the first leg portion 210(1) of the bottom portion 200. The extra fabric layer 600, 600′ can include an opening (similar to the pocket bag 330) at an upper edge of the extra fabric layer so as to provide a further pocket defined between the extra fabric layer 600, 600’ and the exterior surface of the first leg portion 210(1).
With the pocket 300 being disposed on at least one of the sides 16, 18 of pants 10, the pocket 300 may be easily accessible by users wearing the pants 10. Thus, users may easily secure objects (e.g., mobile electronic device 500) within the pocket 300 while wearing the pants 10 and performing activities (e.g., running, playing sports, working out, etc.). It then follows that objects (e.g., mobile electronic device 500) disposed within the pocket 300 are also easily accessed by users wearing the pants 10 while performing activities.
Thus, the embodiments described herein allow a wearer of the garment to insert and hold an object, such as a mobile electronic device, both within the pocket and by the band of the garment while allowing use of the object as it is held by the garment (due to portions of the object being accessible while still being held by the garment).
While the invention has been described in detail and with reference to specific embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope thereof.
Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. It is to be understood that terms such as “top”, “bottom”, “front”, “rear”, “side”, “height”, “length”, “width”, “upper”, “lower”, “interior”, “exterior”, and the like as may be used herein, merely describe points of reference and do not limit the present invention to any particular orientation or configuration.
Although the disclosed inventions are illustrated and described herein as embodied in one or more specific examples, it is nevertheless not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the scope of the inventions and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims. In addition, various features from one of the embodiments may be incorporated into another of the embodiments. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the scope of the disclosure as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

What is claimed:

1. An article of clothing comprising:

an upper portion having an interior, user-facing surface and an opposite, exterior surface, the upper portion including a top edge and a bottom edge;

a bottom portion having a top edge and a bottom edge, the top edge of the bottom portion being coupled the bottom edge of the upper portion; and

a pocket system disposed on the article of clothing such that the pocket system spans over both the upper portion and the bottom portion, the pocket system comprising:

a band disposed across a portion of the exterior surface of the upper portion; and

a pocket bag disposed on the bottom portion such that the pocket bag is vertically aligned with the band and spaced from the band.

2. The article of clothing of claim 1, wherein the upper portion, bottom portion, and pocket system are constructed of fabrics that include an elastomeric material.

3. The article of clothing of claim 1, wherein the top edge of the bottom portion is coupled with the bottom edge of the upper portion via stitching.

4. The article of clothing of claim 3, wherein the pocket bag includes an upper edge, a lower edge, a first edge spanning from the upper edge of the pocket bag to the lower edge of the pocket bag, and a second edge opposite the first edge, the second edge spanning from the upper edge of the pocket bag to the lower edge of the pocket bag.

5. The article of clothing of claim 4, wherein the first edge, the second edge, and the lower edge of the pocket bag are secured to the bottom portion, and wherein the upper edge of the pocket bag and the bottom portion collectively define an opening of the pocket bag.

6. The article of clothing of claim 5, wherein the upper edge of the pocket bag is disposed proximate to the stitching coupling the top edge of the bottom portion with the bottom edge of the upper portion.

7. An article of clothing configured to be worn by a user, the article of clothing comprising:

a waist portion configured to be disposed around a waist region of the user;

a bottom portion coupled to a bottom edge of the waist portion; and

a pocket system disposed on the article of clothing and configured to store a mobile electronic device, the pocket system comprising:

a band disposed on the waist portion and suitably dimensioned such that, when the mobile electronic device is disposed in the pocket system, a first portion of the mobile electronic device is disposed between the waist portion and the band; and

a pocket bag disposed on the bottom portion and spaced from the band such that, when the mobile electronic device is disposed in the pocket system, a second portion of the mobile electronic device is disposed within the pocket bag, and a third portion of the mobile electronic device is exposed between the band and the pocket bag so as to be accessible for use while being disposed in the pocket system.

8. The article of clothing of claim 7, wherein the waist portion, the bottom portion, and the pocket system are constructed of fabrics that include an elastomeric material.

9. The article of clothing of claim 7, wherein the bottom portion includes a first fabric layer having a top edge, and a second fabric layer having a top edge, the top edge of the first fabric layer being coupled to the bottom edge of the waist portion except for a segment of the first fabric layer disposed proximate to the pocket bag, the top edge of the second fabric layer being coupled to the bottom edge of the waist portion.

10. The article of clothing of claim 9, wherein the pocket bag includes a pocket bag fabric disposed between the first fabric layer and the second fabric layer of the bottom portion.

11. The article of clothing of claim 10, wherein the pocket bag fabric includes an upper edge, a lower edge opposite the upper edge, a first edge spanning from the upper edge of the pocket bag fabric to the lower edge of the pocket bag fabric, and a second edge opposite the first edge, the second edge spanning from the upper edge of the pocket bag fabric to the lower edge of the pocket bag fabric.

12. The article of clothing of claim 11, wherein the first edge, the second edge, and the lower edge of the pocket bag fabric are secured to the second fabric layer of the bottom portion, and wherein the upper edge of the pocket bag fabric is secured to the top edge of the first fabric layer of the bottom portion.

13. The article of clothing of claim 12, wherein the top edge of the first fabric layer and the upper edge of the pocket bag fabric are repositionable between a first position, where the top edge of the first fabric layer and the upper edge of the pocket bag fabric are disposed against the second fabric layer, and a second position, where the top edge of the first fabric layer and the upper edge of the pocket bag fabric are spaced from the second fabric layer such that the top edge of the first fabric layer, the upper edge of the pocket bag fabric, and the second fabric layer collectively define an opening of the pocket bag.

14. The article of clothing of claim 7, wherein one or more of the waist portion, the bottom portion, the band and the pocket bag comprises a fabric including a stitching pattern along the fabric defining enclosed cells having auxetic shapes.

15. An article of clothing configured to be worn by a user, the article of clothing comprising:

an exterior surface configured to face away from the user when the article of clothing is worn by the user;

an opposite interior surface configured to face toward the user when the article of clothing is worn by the user; and

a pocket system at least partially disposed on the exterior surface and configured to store a mobile electronic device, the pocket system comprising:

a band; and

a pocket bag aligned vertically with, and spaced from, the band, wherein, when the mobile electronic device is disposed in the pocket system, a first portion of the mobile electronic device is disposed between the exterior surface and the band, a second portion of the mobile electronic device is disposed within the pocket bag, and a third portion of the mobile electronic device disposed between the first and second portions of the mobile electronic device is exposed between the band and the pocket bag to enable the user to operate the mobile electronic device while disposed in the pocket system.

16. The article of clothing of claim 15, wherein when the article of clothing is worn by the user and the mobile electronic device is disposed within the pocket system, the exposed third portion of the mobile electronic device is configured to display notifications and receive inputs from the user wearing the article of clothing.

17. The article of clothing of claim 15, further comprising:

a first fabric layer that forms the exterior surface of the article of clothing; and

a second fabric layer that forms the interior surface of the article of clothing, the first fabric layer being coupled to the second fabric layer.

18. The article of clothing of claim 17, wherein the band has a first end and an opposite second end, the first and second ends being bartacked to the first fabric layer.

19. The article of clothing of claim 17, wherein the pocket bag includes a pocket bag fabric disposed between the first fabric layer and the second fabric layer, the pocket bag fabric having an upper edge, a lower edge opposite the upper edge, a first edge spanning from the upper edge of the pocket bag fabric to the lower edge of the pocket bag fabric, and a second edge opposite the first edge, the second edge spanning from the upper edge of the pocket bag fabric to the lower edge of the pocket bag fabric.

20. The article of clothing of claim 19, wherein the first edge, the second edge, and the lower edge of the pocket bag fabric are secured to the second fabric layer, and wherein the upper edge of the pocket bag fabric is secured to the first fabric layer at a location where the first fabric layer is uncoupled from the second fabric layer such that the first fabric layer and the upper edge of the pocket bag fabric are repositionable between a first position, where the first fabric layer and the upper edge of the pocket bag fabric are disposed against the second fabric layer, and a second position, where the first fabric layer and the upper edge of the pocket bag fabric are spaced from the second fabric layer and define an opening of the pocket bag.