Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
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THREE-IN-TWO POCKET SYSTEM
TECHNICAL FIELD
Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to athletic jerseys, and
more
specifically to back pockets for cycling jerseys and jackets.
BACKGROUND
An ability to store and/or carry items on cycling jerseys and jackets provides
a
significant benefit. Standard jerseys having three pockets in the center (one
in the center and
one on each side) on the lower back of a garment help the user maintain
balance. However,
the size of the back of an athletic jersey is often too small to incorporate a
standard three-
pocket design. For example, many women's cycling jerseys are too narrow in the
lower back
portion to incorporate a standard three-pocket side-by-side design without
causing significant
imbalance. When pockets are placed further towards the sides of the jersey,
the risk of an
uncomfortable imbalance increases. Many cycling jerseys with multiple pockets
often do not
include any mechanism for concealing smaller pockets and/or making such
pockets more
aesthetically pleasing.
SUMMARY
Embodiments of the present invention include a system of three pockets on the
back
of a cycling jersey which looks from the back view like two pockets, but which
also includes
a third centered pocket. Other embodiments of the present invention include a
system of
multiple pockets, for example three pockets, on the back of a cycling jersey
which are
enclosed by and/or surrounded by and/or concealed by a larger outer pocket,
which may
include a zipper closer, according to embodiments of the present invention.
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[0005] A system of pockets for an athletic garment according to
embodiments of the present invention includes a center pocket and first and
second pockets each having an outer edge, an inner edge, a top edge, and a
bottom edge. The top edge of each pocket is open, while the inner, outer, and
bottom edges of each pocket are closed, according to such embodiments of the
present invention. A vertical centerline of the athletic garment substantially
aligns
with a user's spine, and the first pocket is located on the athletic garment
on one
side of the vertical centerline, while the second pocket is located on the
athletic
garment on the other side of the vertical centerline. The first and second
pockets
are in a substantially symmetrical configuration about the vertical
centerline, and
the center pocket is substantially centered on the vertical centerline. The
first and
second pockets each at least partially overlap the center pocket, according to
such embodiments of the present invention.
[0006] A system of pockets for an athletic garment according to
embodiments of the present invention includes a first pocket having a first
outer
edge, a first inner edge, a first top edge, and a first bottom edge, wherein
the first
pocket is closed along the first inner, outer, and bottom edges and open along
the
first top edge; a second pocket having a second outer edge, a second inner
edge,
a second top edge, and a second bottom edge, wherein the second pocket is
closed along the second inner, outer, and bottom edges and open along the
first
top edge, wherein a vertical centerline of the athletic garment substantially
aligns
with a user's spine, wherein the first pocket is located on the athletic
garment on
one side of the vertical centerline, wherein the second pocket is located on
the
athletic garment on the other side of the vertical centerline, and wherein the
first
and second pockets are in a substantially symmetrical configuration about the
vertical centerline; a center pocket having a third outer edge, a fourth outer
edge,
a third top edge, and a third bottom edge, wherein the center pocket is closed
along the third bottom edge and the third and fourth outer edges and open
along
the third top edge, wherein the center pocket is substantially centered on the
vertical centerline; and an outer pocket having a fifth outer edge, a sixth
outer
edge, a fourth top edge, and a fourth bottom edge, wherein the first, second,
and
third pockets are disposed entirely within the outer pocket, and wherein the
outer
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pocket is closed along the fifth and sixth outer edges and the fourth bottom
edge
and open along the fourth top edge.
[0007] While multiple embodiments are disclosed, still other embodiments
of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from
the
following detailed description, which shows and describes illustrative
embodiments of the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and detailed
description
are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 illustrates a front perspective view of a pocket system
according to embodiments of the present invention.
[0009] FIG. 2 illustrates a front view of the pocket system of FIG. 1,
according to embodiments of the present invention.
[0010] FIG. 3 illustrates a top and front left side perspective view of
the
pocket system of FIGS. 1 and 2, according to embodiments of the present
invention.
[0011] FIG. 4 illustrates a top and front right side perspective view of
the
pocket system of FIGS. 1-3, according to embodiments of the present invention.
[0012] FIG. 5 illustrates an inside back view of the pocket system of
FIGS.
1-4, according to embodiments of the present invention.
[0013] FIG. 6 illustrates a partial front view of a pocket system with a
center
pocket holding a water bottle, according to embodiments of the present
invention.
[0014] FIG. 7 illustrates a front view of a pocket system according to
embodiments of the present invention.
[0015] FIG. 8 illustrates an elastic top edge of two pockets of the
pocket
system of FIG. 7 being opened to show the inside of the two pockets and a
center
pocket, according to embodiments of the present invention.
[0016] FIG. 9 illustrates a gusset at the bottom edge of the pocket
system
of FIGS. 7 and 8, according to embodiments of the present invention.
[0017] FIG. 10 illustrates a top and front perspective view of a pocket
system according to embodiments of the present invention.
[0018] FIG. 11 illustrates a front view of the pocket system of FIG. 10,
according to embodiments of the present invention.
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[0019] FIG. 12 illustrates a front top left perspective view of the
pocket
system of FIGS. 10 and 11, according to embodiments of the present invention.
[0020] FIG. 13 illustrates a front top right perspective view of the
pocket
system of FIGS. 10-12, according to embodiments of the present invention.
[0021] FIG. 14 illustrates a top and front perspective view of the pocket
system of FIGS. 10-13 with a center pocket zipper in a closed configuration,
according to embodiments of the present invention.
[0022] FIG. 15 illustrates a front view of a pocket system similar to the
pocket system of FIGS. 10-14, according to embodiments of the present
invention.
[0023] FIG. 16 illustrates a front view of the pocket system of FIG. 15,
with
the center pocket zipper open and the elastic pulled outward, according to
embodiments of the present invention.
[0024] FIG. 17 illustrates a front view of the pocket system of FIGS. 15
and
16, with the center pocket zipper closed and the elastic pulled outward,
according
to embodiments of the present invention.
[0025] FIG. 18 illustrates a gusset at the bottom edge of the pocket
system
of FIGS. 15-17, according to embodiments of the present invention.
[0026] FIG. 19 illustrates a front view of an alternative pocket system
according to embodiments of the present invention.
[0027] FIG. 20 illustrates an enlarged front view of a center pocket
opening
of the pocket system of FIG. 19, according to embodiments of the present
invention.
[0028] FIG. 21 illustrates a front perspective view of a pocket system
with
three pockets inside of a larger outer pocket, according to embodiments of the
present invention.
[0029] FIG. 22 illustrates a left front perspective view of the pocket
system
of FIG. 21, according to embodiments of the present invention.
[0030] FIG. 23 illustrates a right front perspective view of the pocket
system
of FIGS. 21-22, according to embodiments of the present invention.
[0031] FIG. 24 illustrates a front perspective view of the pocket system
of
FIGS. 21-23 with the larger outer pocket zipped closed, according to
embodiments of the present invention.
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[0032] FIG. 25 illustrates a back view perspective view of the pocket
system of FIGS. 21-24, according to embodiments of the present invention.
[0033] While the invention is amenable to various modifications and
alternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in
the drawings and are described in detail below. The intention, however, is not
to
limit the invention to the particular embodiments described. On the contrary,
the
invention is intended to cover all modifications, equivalents, and
alternatives
falling within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0034] Embodiments of the present invention include a system of three
pockets on the back of a cycling jersey which looks from the back view like
two
pockets, but which also includes a third centered pocket.
[0035] According to embodiments of the present invention, a pocket system
100 may be added to a garment 102, such as, for example, a cycling or running
jersey. As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the pocket system 100 includes a left
pocket 110, a right pocket 120, and a center pocket 130, according to
embodiments of the present invention. The left pocket 110 includes a top edge
112, a bottom edge 114, an inner edge 116, and an outer edge 118, according to
embodiments of the present invention. Similarly, the right pocket 120 includes
a
top edge 122, a bottom edge 124, an inner edge 126, and an outer edge 128,
according to embodiments of the present invention. As illustrated in FIGS. 1
and
5, the center pocket 130 includes a top edge 132, a bottom edge 134, and outer
edges 136, 138, according to embodiments of the present invention. According
to
some embodiments of the present invention, the left pocket 110 is closed along
edges 114, 116, 118 and open at the top edge 112; the right pocket 120 is
closed
along edges 124, 126, 128 and open at the top edge 122, and center pocket 130
is closed along edges 134, 136, 138 and open at the top edge 132.
[0036] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, pockets 120 and 130 are adjacent to
each other at a vertical centerline 202. The vertical centerline 202 is a
virtual or
imaginary line along the garment 102 which substantially aligns with a user's
spine during use. In other words, the vertical centerline 202 extends along
the
horizontal midpoints of the back of the garment 102, which also correspond
with
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the typical location of the center of a user's back (e.g. the user's spine).
The
athletic garment 102 need not include an actual centerline, such as, for
example,
a stitching pattern, which corresponds with the virtual centerline 202.
[0037] The left pocket 110 is located on the left side of the vertical
centerline 202, and the right pocket 120 is located on the right side of the
vertical
centerline 202, according to embodiments of the present invention. The left
and
right pockets 110, 120 are in a substantially symmetrical configuration about
the
vertical centerline 202, according to embodiments of the present invention. In
other words, the inner edges 116, 126 and outer edges 118, 128 of each pocket
110, 120 are substantially parallel and substantially equidistant from the
vertical
centerline 202. This substantially symmetrical configuration can also exist
even
when one or more of the pockets 110, 120 includes an irregular shape or
pattern
over part of the pocket 110, 120; for example, the substantially symmetrical
configuration of pockets 110, 120 about the vertical centerline 202 would
still exist
even if a notch were cut out of the upper right hand corner of pocket 120 (but
not
pocket 110), or if a star pattern were cut into the center of pocket 110 (but
not
pocket 120), according to embodiments of the present invention.
[0038] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the center
pocket 130 is substantially centered on the vertical centerline 202. In other
words,
the outer edges 136, 138 are substantially parallel and equidistant from the
vertical centerline 202. Such a substantial centering of the center pocket 130
on
the vertical centerline 202 would exist even if the center pocket 130 were of
an
irregular shape, or a shape that varied by height and/or width. In such cases,
the
center pocket 130 would be centered on the vertical centerline 202 if either
the
area centroid of the center pocket 130 substantially coincided with the
vertical
centerline 202, and/or if the left side 131 and right side 133 of the top edge
132
were substantially equidistant from the vertical centerline 202, and/or if a
vertical
symmetry line of the center pocket 130 substantially aligned with the vertical
centerline 202, according to embodiments of the present invention.
[0039] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the left
pocket 110 at least partially overlaps the center pocket 130, and the right
pocket
120 at least partially overlaps the center pocket 130. In other words, when
the
pocket system 100 is flattened or is in use on a user's back, at least part of
the left
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pocket 110 and right pocket 120 is over or under the center pocket 130.
According to some embodiments of the present invention, the center pocket 130
is
positioned to be between the user's back on one side and the pockets 110, 120
on the
other side. FIG.6 illustrates a water bottle 600 placed within a center pocket
130 of a
pocket system 100, according to embodiments of the present invention. A
standard-sized
cycling water bottle has a diameter of approximately three inches. According
to some
embodiments of the present invention, the center pocket 130 is sized to snugly
fit a
standard-sized water bottle as depicted in FIG. 6. Although the terms "left"
and "right"
are used herein, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the two
terms are
relative to a user's vantage point, and that either pocket 110 and/or pocket
120 may be
referred to as a "left" or "right" pocket.
[0040] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the bottom
edges are sewn at the hem with a single needle stitch or overlock. The top
edge 132 of the
center pocket 130 contains "invisible stitching" or overlock construction and
can be with
or without top stitches, according to embodiments of the present invention.
The top edges
112, 122 of the pockets 110, 120 can be made with or without elastic in the
fold hem or
binding finish, according to embodiments of the present invention. The
interior of the
center pocket 130 is of overlock construction, and may be with or without top
stitches,
according to embodiments of the present invention. The garment 102 and/or the
pocket
system 100 may be constructed of a stretchable material, for example a knit
material, or
may be constructed of a non-stretchable material, for example a woven
material.
According to some embodiments of the present invention, the pockets 110, 120,
130 and
the garment 102 are all made of the same stretchable material. According to
some
embodiments of the present invention, the top edge 112 forms at least a part
137 of the
top edge 132, and the top edge 122 forms at least a part 139 of the top edge
132. One or
more of the bottom edges 114, 124 and/or the outer edges 118, 128 is rounded,
according
to embodiments of the present invention. For example, the bottom edges 114,
124 may be
rounded as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2.
[0041] FIGS. 7-9 illustrate an alternative pocket system 700 according to
embodiments of the present invention. Pocket system 700 includes a left pocket
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710 and a right pocket 720, according to embodiments of the present invention.
The left and right pockets 710, 720 each include a top edge that forms a
combined top edge 722 extending across both pockets, as shown, according to
embodiments of the present invention. The left pocket also includes a bottom
edge 714, an inner edge 716, and an outer edge 718, and the right pocket also
includes a bottom edge 724, an inner edge 726, and an outer edge 728,
according to embodiments of the present invention. The inner, outer, and
bottom
edges 714, 716, 718 are closed, as are the inner, outer, and bottom edges 724,
726, 728, while the top edge 722 is generally open, according to embodiments
of
the present invention.
[0042]
According to embodiments of the present invention, the outer part of
top edge 722 includes elastic. The elastic holds the pockets 710, 720 closed
and
also holds the outer part of the top edge 722 against the jersey 702 to help
conceal the center pocket 730, according to embodiments of the present
invention. Elastic may be applied to the top of the left pocket 710, the right
pocket
720, and/or the center pocket 730, according to embodiments of the present
invention. The pockets 710 and 720 of system 700 may also be in a
substantially
symmetrical configuration with respect to each other about the vertical
centerline
of the jersey 702, and the pockets 710, 720 may overlap the center pocket 730
as
described with respect to system 100, according to embodiments of the present
invention.
[0043] A
gusset 902 may be formed and/or included along the bottom edge
714 and/or 724, according to embodiments of the present invention. The gusset
902 can be an extra piece of fabric, or an extension of the fabric out of
which the
pocket 710 is made, folded on itself and attached to the jersey 702 in order
to
expand the storage capacity of the pocket 710, according to embodiments of the
present invention. As seen in FIG. 7, the gusset 902 is relatively
imperceptible
when the pockets 710, 720 are closed and with nothing in them, but is readily
able
to expand to permit the pocket to accept wider items, according to embodiments
of the present invention. According to some embodiments of the present
invention, a closure device, such as, for example, a zipper, is incorporated
into the
gusset 902 to permit access to a pocket 710,720 through the bottom edge 714,
724 of the pocket 710, 720. According to some embodiments of the present
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invention, a closure device (e.g. a zipper) is incorporated along the bottom
edge 714, 724
of the pocket 710, 720 without a gusset 902, to permit bottom access to the
pocket 710,
720. According to yet other embodiments of the present invention, a gusset is
incorporated inside of closure device along the bottom edges 714, 724, such
that opening
the closure device permits an opening and expansion of the gusset. According
to some
embodiments of the present invention, a closure device (e.g. a zipper) is
incorporated into
the top edge 722 of the pocket 710, 720 with or without a gusset 902 at the
bottom edge,
and the closure device permits top access to the pocket 710, 720, 730.
According to some
embodiments of the present invention, a closure device (e.g. a zipper) is
incorporated into
or along the top edge 722 between top edge 722 and athletic garment 702.
100441 According to embodiments of the present invention, the pocket
system
700 includes elastic along the outside top edge 722 of the pockets 710, 720
and is
recessed one and a half inches from the jersey bottom hem with a gusset 902 to
provide
more storage. Specifically, the bottom edges are sewn at one and a half inches
from the
jersey bottom hem with an invisible top stitch, according to embodiments of
the present
invention. Gusset 902 is also included on one or more pockets 710, 720 to
provide more
storage. The top of the pockets 710, 720 contains "invisible stitching" or
overlock
construction and can be with or without top stitches, according to embodiments
of the
present invention. The outer part of the top edge 722 is made with or without
elastic in
the fold hem or binding finish, according to embodiments of the present
invention. The
interior center pocket 730 is of overlock construction with or without top
stitches,
according to embodiments of the present invention.
[00451 FIGS. 10-18 illustrate a pocket system 1000 similar to the pocket
system
700 of FIGS. 7-9, but with a closure device 1002 across the top edge of the
center pocket
730, according to embodiments of the present invention. According to some
embodiments of the present invention, the closure device 1002 is a zipper. The
zipper
1002 may be an invisible or a standard coil zipper, for example. According to
other
embodiments of the present invention, the closure device 1002 is a hook-and-
loop closure
device, a snap closure device, a button closure device, a Ziplocg-type closure
device,
and/or a slider-type closure device.
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FIGS. 10-13 illustrate the pocket system 1000 with the closure device 1002
open,
while FIG. 14 illustrates the pocket system 1000 with the closure device 1002
closed, according to embodiments of the present invention. As illustrated in
FIG.
18, the pocket system 1000 may also include a gusset along the bottom edge of
the pockets as shown, according to embodiments of the present invention.
According to some embodiments of the present invention, a closure device (e.g.
closure device 1002) may be used with the center pocket 130 of the pocket
system 100 of FIGS. 1-5.
[0046] FIGS. 19 and 20 illustrate a front view of an alternative pocket
system 1900 according to embodiments of the present invention. According to
some embodiments of the present invention, pocket system 1900 is similar to
pocket systems 700, 1000, except the top edge 1932 opening for the center
pocket is positioned on the athletic garment above the top edge 1922 of the
first
and/or second pocket, such that it is visible even when the first and/or
second
pockets are closed. According to some embodiments of the present invention,
the
top edge 1932 includes a pocket closure device, such as, for example, a
zipper.
Such a pocket closure device is configured to permit opening and closure of
the
top of the center pocket, according to embodiments of the present invention.
[0047] FIGS. 21-25 illustrate a pocket system 2100 with three pockets
2110, 2120, and 2130 inside of a larger outer pocket 2140, according to
embodiments of the present invention. According to some embodiments of the
present invention, including a larger outer pocket 2140 permits the other
inner
pockets 2110, 2120, 2130 to be concealed during use. This creates a jersey
with
a more aesthetic appearance, while still permitting the storage of articles in
the
smaller inner pockets 2110, 2120, 2130 to be done in a manner that assists
with
balance and stability. This is often not possible for existing large-pocket
jerseys,
which often permit stored articles to shift from side to side and/or bunch up
in a
single location.
[0048] Pocket system 2100 may be formed in a jersey 2102 or other
garment, according to embodiments of the present invention. Pocket system
2100 includes a large outer pocket 2140 which includes a top edge 2142, a
bottom edge 2144, an outer edge 2146 and an outer edge 2148, according to
embodiments of the present invention. According to some embodiments of the
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present invention, the bottom and outer edges 2144, 2146, and 2148 are closed,
while the top edge 2142 is open as illustrated in FIGS. 21-23.
[0049] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the top
edge 2142 includes a closure device 2149 such as, for example, a zipper.
According to some embodiments of the present invention, the closure device
2149
may be a double closure device, such as a double zipper, which includes one
zipper head on each side of the top edge 2142. Such a double zipper
configuration permits items that are taller or larger than the outer 2140
and/or
inner pockets 2110, 2120, 2130 to be placed within the pocket as desired and
the
zippers closed up to or near the item. For example, a tall water bottle could
be
placed in the center pocket 2130, and each of two zippers slid from each end
of
the top edge 2142 up to or near the water bottle to help maintain its
position.
[0050] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the inner
center pocket 2130 overlaps one or more of the inner side pockets 2110, 2120
similar to the pocket system of FIG. 1; according to other embodiments, the
inner
center and side pockets 2110, 2120, 2130 are in a standard three-pocket
configuration with the center pocket 2130 centered along a vertical centerline
of
the garment 2102. According to some embodiments, the large outer pocket 2140
surrounds an inner system of two pockets, one on either side of the vertical
centerline, or of one pocket, instead of three pockets 2110, 2120, 2130.
According to some embodiments of the present invention, the top edge 2142 of
the outer pocket 2140 includes elastic. Based on the disclosure provided
herein,
one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate the various combinations of
pocket
sizes, placement, closure devices, and other elements that may be used to
create
a pocket system.
[0051] Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary
embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present
invention. For example, while the embodiments described above refer to
particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments
having
different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of
the
above described features.
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