AU2021279090A1 - Textile article equipped with a reach-through region - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a textile article equipped with a reach-through region (2) for the whole of a human hand, wherein the reach-through region (2) has a separate textile surface (4) which, with its edge, is connected to the edge of a recess in a surrounding textile surface (3), wherein the separate textile surface (4) and the region of the surrounding textile surface (3) that surrounds it can together be arranged flat in a respectively elastically relaxed and respectively fold-free state, wherein the material of the separate textile surface (4) is further and more flexibly elastically extensible than the material of the surrounding textile surface (3). The edge of the separate textile surface (4) and the edge of the recess have the same shape and size. Situated in the separate textile surface (4) is an opening (5), which is wholly surrounded by the separate textile surface (4).

Description

Textile article equipped with a reach-through region

The invention relates to a textile article equipped with a reach

through region. The textile article is typically an item of

clothing; however, it may inter alia also be a pocket or a

backpack, for example.

US 2016007665 Al and US 2016295933 Al each disclose a pair of pants

having a pocket which is areal in an unfilled state and the

interior space of which is delimited by an inner textile surface

and an outer textile surface, wherein the inner textile surface

extends beyond the area of the pocket, the outer textile surface

is sewn onto the inner textile surface and the material of the

outer textile surface can be elastically stretched further and

more flexibly than the material of the inner textile surface. The

reach-through opening to the interior space of the pocket is

located on a section of the edge of the inner textile surface.

When the pants are worn as intended by a person and the pocket is

not filled, the inner textile surface lies areally against the

body of the person, the outer textile surface lies areally against

the inner textile surface and the reach-through opening is narrowed

to a line. If the pants are not kept in shape by the body of a

person wearing them, the reach-through opening may be opened to a

considerable extent even without external actions of force, such

that there is a risk of objects unintentionally falling out of the

pocket.

US 2020029637 Al also discloses items of clothing having pockets,

the inner region of which is delimited by an inner textile surface

and an outer textile surface, wherein the inner textile surface

extends beyond the area of the pocket, and the outer textile

surface is sewn onto the inner textile surface. The opening

extending between the inner textile surface and an edge region of

the outer textile surface is bordered by a third textile surface

with good elastic stretchability, which has approximately the shape of a funnel in the expanded state. That edge region of the elastic textile surface which, where applicable, delimits the larger funnel opening is sewn to the outer textile surface and the inner textile surface. That edge region of the elastic textile surface which, where applicable, delimits the smaller funnel opening is sewn to no other textile and forms the reach-through opening to the interior space of the pocket. This reach-through opening is intended to be reversibly elastically extensible to allow objects to pass through. Said third textile surface is compressed between the inner and the outer textile surface when the item of clothing is used as intended. Said third textile surface can also be sewn to the inner or outer textile surface in the region of the inner funnel opening so that it does not hang away from the item of clothing in an unattractive manner after a hand reaching through the reach-through opening has been withdrawn. This results in a loss of volume for the pocket.

US 2015007379 Al discloses a pocket composed of an elastic areal

textile material which is shaped into an annularly closed tube

which, when worn as intended, encircles the transition region

between hip and waist of a person and lies flatly and tightly

against the body. The annular pocket may be an upper, belt-like

part of a pair of pants - which are typically used for sporting

activities - or a separate item of clothing. The pocket opening is

a relatively narrow hole, provided with an elastic border, in the

lateral surface of the tube-like structure; as a result of the

elasticity of the textile material, this hole is reversibly

elastically extensible to allow objects to pass through.

JP 2001207318 A describes an areal reach-through region, formed

from a rubber-like plastic, for attachment to an opening of a

textile surface of an item of clothing. In this case, the areal

reach-through region is not a textile, that is to say is not

constructed from threads, but rather is a film-like, inherently

monolithic part, and it is stiffer than the surrounding textile.

It has a slot, the edges of which can be elastically bent open for

the reach-through operation and reliably deform back into the

closing starting position again after the reach-through operation.

There are problems with the haptic properties and visual properties

of the reach-through region, and its large area in relation to the

possible width of its passage opening.

US 2008010718 Al discloses, in relation to a glove, openings

through which a respective individual finger tip can be selectively

pushed so as to be able to feel with the finger tip. The openings

are bordered by a textile material which can be elastically

stretched further and more flexibly per unit area than the

customary surface material of the glove, said customary surface

material bordering the elastic textile material.

The inventor has realized that there are a number of frequent

situations in which people are barely able or unable to access

pockets in their clothing, and/or that after accessing a pocket in

the clothing, both hands are required to close the pocket again

whereby the closing may be impossible for example when

simultaneously driving a vehicle. Furthermore, small children are

barely able to properly operate many known closure types on items

of clothing.

Correspondingly, the object on which the invention is based is to

propose a reach-through opening, which can be used for example as

a pocket opening, in a textile surface, which is for example part

of an item of clothing, said reach-through opening being able to

be easily reached through with an entire hand and, after the reach

through operation, automatically moving back into the state prior

to the reach-through operation, and being dimensioned such that it

can be used irrespective of the type of textile material to be

reached through and the area of the textile surface in which the

reach-through opening is located.

To achieve the object, it is proposed to form the reach-through region for an entire hand of a person by means of a separate

textile surface, wherein the edge of the separate textile surface

is connected to the edge of a surrounding textile surface in such

a way that the separate textile surface and that region of the

surrounding textile surface which surrounds it can be arranged

planarly together in a respectively elastically relaxed and

respectively wrinkle-free state, wherein the material of the

separate textile surface can be elastically stretched further and

more flexibly per unit area than the material of the surrounding

textile surface, and wherein an opening is located in the separate

textile surface. In this case, the separate textile surface is

inserted into a cutout in the surrounding textile surface, wherein

the edge of the separate textile surface and the edge of the cutout

in the surrounding textile surface are connected to one another,

and wherein the cutout in the surrounding textile surface has the

same shape and size as the separate textile surface when the two

textile surfaces are in the planar and elastically relaxed state,

wherein the opening is completely encircled by the separate textile

surface, and is at a distance from all outer edges of the separate

textile surface.

The invention, including advantageous further developments, will

be illustrated and explained with reference to drawings, in which

the textile article according to the invention is an item of

clothing:

figure 1 shows in stylized form a detail of a first exemplary

item of clothing equipped in accordance with the invention,

in a position worn as intended, with a viewing direction

from the front.

figure 2 shows in stylized form a second exemplary item of

clothing equipped in accordance with the invention, in a position worn as intended, with a viewing direction from the front.

figure 3 shows in stylized form a third exemplary item of clothing

equipped in accordance with the invention, in a position

worn as intended, with a viewing direction from the rear.

figure 4 shows in stylized form a detail of a fourth item of

clothing equipped in accordance with the invention.

In the four drawings, parts which have the same function are

denoted by the same position number.

The item of clothing 1 of figure 1 has a reach-through region 2

which is inserted into an opening in the surrounding textile

surface 3 of the item of clothing 1. In this regard, the reach

through region 2 has a separate textile surface 4 which, in the

area thereof, replaces the surrounding textile surface 3. The

separate textile surface 4 is pierced by an opening 5 which, as

illustrated, is at a distance from all outer edges of the separate

textile surface 4, and which, as illustrated, is preferably

bordered by a hem 6.

The material of the separate textile surface 4 can be elastically

stretched further and more flexibly than the material of the

surrounding textile surface 3. Material which can be elastically

stretched to a great extent and in a flexible manner is also used

for the hem 6 of the opening 5 in the separate textile surface 4.

In this way, cross-sectional area and peripheral length of the

opening 5 can be of relatively narrow dimension in the elastically

relaxed state, and yet the opening 5 can be reached through with

a hand, or relatively large objects can be moved through said

opening, because the opening 5 is elastically - and thus reversibly

- extensible as required.

The outer edge of the separate textile surface 4 is connected over

its entire length to an edge of the surrounding textile surface 3, typically by sewing. Instead of sewing, adhesive bonding, welding, riveting, etc. would also be possible. Both of the stated surfaces are dimensioned such that they are the same size in the case of elastically relaxed textile surfaces 3, 4. This makes it possible for the reach-through region 2 and the textile surface 3 surrounding it to be free of wrinkles, if nothing has been inserted through the opening 5.

The material of the separate textile surface 4 can be elastically

stretched further and more flexibly, in relation to the same basic

area, than the material of the surrounding textile surface 3. The

areal elasticity of the textile material may be afforded to the

latter both on account of its construction from stretchable threads

which are inherently soft-elastic in a rubber-like manner, and on

account of the manner of interweaving or stitching of the thread

like basic material to form an areal structure. Specialist

knowledge for the production of areally elastic woven fabrics is

well-known among textile experts, for which reason the more exact

formation is not discussed in detail here.

The opening 5 in the separate textile surface 4 is a hole which is

surrounded on all sides by material of the separate textile surface

4, such that said hole is at a distance, preferably of at least 2

cm, from the closest region of the edge 5 of the separate textile

surface 4. What can be achieved by this distance is that the

opening 5 is extensible to a very great extent, in relation to its

entire periphery, as required for moving a hand or a relatively

large object therethrough, and then also reliably narrows to a

significant extent again without any further action being required

therefor owing to the elastic restoring force.

Optionally, it is possible for the opening 5 to be completely

surrounded by the separate textile surface 4, but for certain

portions thereof to be located very close to, for example at a

distance of only a few mm from, an edge of the separate textile surface 4. In relation to the length of the periphery of the opening 5 in the elastically relaxed state of the textile surfaces

3, 4, the opening 5 cannot be stretched out as far as when it is far away from the edges of the separate textile surface, but visual

advantages may be afforded.

Preferably, the opening 5 is embodied in the form of a rectilinear

slot which, in the case of elastically relaxed surrounding textile

material, is approximately as long as the flat palm, without

thumbs, of a person using the item of clothing 1 as intended is

wide, and in this regard it is further preferred for the opening

to be at least elastically extensible enough that the entire

flat hand of said person can be inserted in a longitudinal

direction. Such a high stretchability of the periphery of the

opening 5 can be readily achieved through the selection of the

minimum elasticity of the material of the separate textile surface

4 and possibly of the material of the hem 6, and can best be

ascertained through experimentation. Good handleability and good

security against objects unintentionally falling out of the pocket

2 are thus optimally combined.

Optionally, an additional actuatable closure mechanism may also be

attached to the opening 5, which can be used to selectively

decrease or increase the width of the opening 5. As sketched in

figure 2, this actuatable closure mechanism may, for example, be

a snap fastener 7 - that is to say a two-part mechanism in which

the two parts can be fixed to one another, or detached from one

another, by overcoming a latching-in force. Although this

mechanism reduces the size of the opening, the elasticity and

function thereof remain unchanged.

In the optional case illustrated in figure 2, the reach-through

region 2 leads into a pocket 8 (outline illustrated by dashed

lines) of the item of clothing 1, said pocket lying within the

surrounding textile surface 3 and also being accessible through an opening 9 in addition to the reach-through region 2, said opening being able to be embodied in the manner of known pockets in items of clothing. In this case, the opening 9 may be embodied to be substantially wider than the opening 5 in the reach-through region according to the invention. The wider opening 9 may be used specifically for the passage of particularly large objects, and the narrower opening 5 for quick access.

However, a reach-through region 2 according to the invention may

also be the only opening to a pocket in the item of clothing 1.

If, as sketched, the reach-through region 2 leads into a pocket 8

of an item of clothing, the area of the pocket 8 is preferably

greater than the area of the reach-through region 2. This more

precisely means that the projected area of the pocket 8 at right

angles to the plane of the surrounding textile surface 3 when

placed down flat is preferably greater than the area of the reach

through region 2 when placed down flat. Preferably, the area of

the pocket 8 (or said projected area) is more than twice the size

of the area of the reach-through region.

According to a further variant of the invention, a reach-through

region 2 according to the invention may be a connecting region

between two pockets of an item of clothing, wherein each of the

two pockets has a respective further access opening, wherein the

one of these access openings leads to the outer side of the item

of clothing and the second of these access openings leads to the

inner side of the item of clothing. What is achieved thereby is

that an inner pocket of an item of clothing can be accessed without

having to open the item of clothing therefor - namely through an

outer pocket, and that there is still a separation between the

inner pocket and the outer pocket, such that objects cannot

unintentionally pass from the one pocket into the other.

The reach-through region 2 on an item of clothing does not necessarily have to lead into a pocket of the item of clothing; it

may also simply lead from the outer side of the item of clothing

into the space enveloped by the latter, for example to provide

uncomplicated access to a further item of clothing underneath.

According to a preferred embodiment, the reach-through region 2 is

located on an item of clothing for the upper body and is

specifically positioned in such a way that, when the item of

clothing for the upper body is worn as intended, the opening 5 of

the reach-through region 2 is located, with respect to the body of

the person wearing the item of clothing for the upper body, on the

front side in a height range which extends from 5 cm below the

navel to 10 cm above the navel, and is no further than 10 cm away

from the body plane of symmetry. In this context, an item of

clothing for the upper body is an item of clothing for a person

which covers the torso of the person from the neck down and has

leadthroughs for the arms of the person, that is to say typically

a jacket, a shirt, a vest (waistcoat) or a sweater. As a result of

said arrangement, the reach-through region can also be readily

used if the person wearing the item of clothing 1 is wearing a

harness or a backpack with a hip belt or is sitting with a fastened

seatbelt in a car seat.

According to a further preferred embodiment (not illustrated), the

shape of the area of the opening in or on the separate textile

surface (4) relaxed state is elongate, and the direction of the

greatest dimension of this area slopes in the direction away from

the body plane of symmetry of the person wearing the item of

clothing.

In the example according to figure 3, two pockets 8 on the lower

rear region of an item of clothing 1 embodied in the form of an

item of clothing for the upper body are equipped with reach-through

regions 2 according to the invention. This item of clothing 1 is well suited, for example, for riding a bicycle. The openings 5 of the reach-through regions 2 are elongate in the elastically relaxed state, wherein the longitudinal direction slopes away from the body plane of symmetry of the person wearing the item of clothing

1 - whereby the person wearing the item of clothing 1 can

comfortably reach into the pockets 8 without contorting

themselves. A respective cover strip 10 is attached to the item of

clothing 1 outside the openings 5 of the reach-through regions 2.

This is a strip composed of a textile material, which is connected

to an edge region in an area of the item of clothing 1 lying above

the respective opening 5, and which, in the absence of actions

other than gravitational force, hangs downward from its fastening

region and, as a result, conceals the respective opening 5. The

cover strips 10 practically do not interfere with the access to

the reach-through region 2, but very efficiently have the effect

that moisture, which runs down the item of clothing 1 in the event

of rain, does not flow into the pockets 8.

In the example according to figure 4, a reach-through region 2

according to the invention to a pocket 8 is shown. In this case,

the reach-through region 2 is arranged behind an outer pocket

opening 11, which is in the form of a zip fastener in the example

shown. In order to access the pocket 8, it is necessary to reach

through the outer pocket opening 11 and the opening 5, in the form

of an inner pocket opening, of the reach-through region 2 according

to the invention. The periphery of the outer pocket opening 11 is

embodied to be considerably longer than the periphery of the

opening 5 in the reach-through region 2 when it is elastically

relaxed. This manner of implementation is useful for example in

those situations in which a person has only one hand free to take

something out of a pocket in the item of clothing, but after taking

it out does not have the possibility of closing the pocket because

they would need two hands for this. In that case, the self-closing

function of the reach-through region 2 according to the invention brings about a closure for the pocket 8 that is at least temporarily good enough.

Claims (12)

Patent claims

1. A textile article equipped with a reach-through region (2) for

an entire hand of a person, wherein the reach-through region

(2) has a separate textile surface (4) which is fastened to a

surrounding textile surface (3) in such a way that the separate

textile surface (4) and that region of the surrounding textile

surface (3) which surrounds it can be arranged planarly

together in a respectively elastically relaxed and

respectively wrinkle-free state, wherein the material of the

separate textile surface (4) can be elastically stretched

further and more flexibly per unit area than the material of

the surrounding textile surface (3), and wherein an opening

(5) is located in the separate textile surface (4),

characterized in that

the opening (5) is completely encircled by the separate textile

surface (4), and is at a distance from all outer edges of the

separate textile surface (4), and in that the separate textile

surface (4) is inserted into a cutout in the surrounding

textile surface (3), wherein the edge of the separate textile

surface (4) and the edge of the cutout are connected to one

another, and the edge of the cutout has the same shape and

size as the edge of the separate textile surface (4) when the

two textile surfaces (3, 4) are in the planar and elastically

relaxed state.

2. The textile article as claimed in claim 1, characterized in

that the opening (5) is bordered by a hem (6) which, in the

region in which it adjoins the separate textile surface (4),

can be elastically stretched at least as far and as flexibly

per unit area as the material of the separate textile surface

(4).

3. The textile article as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized

in that the opening (5) in the separate textile surface (4)

has the shape of a rectilinear slot in the elastically relaxed

state of the surrounding material.

4. The textile article as claimed in claim 3, characterized in

that an actuatable closure mechanism, preferably in the form

of a snap fastener (7), is attached to the opening (5) and can

be used to selectively adjust the width of the opening (5).

5. The textile article as claimed in one of claims 1 to 4,

characterized in that it has an inner side and an outer side,

and in that the opening (5) is covered on the outer side of

the textile article by a foldable cover strip (10).

6. The textile article as claimed in one of claims 1 to 5,

characterized in that the reach-through region (2) leads into

a pocket (8) on the textile article.

7. The textile article as claimed in claim 6, characterized in

that the normally projected area of the pocket (8) at right

angles to the surrounding textile surface (3) is greater,

preferably more than two times greater, than the area of the

reach-through region (2).

8. The textile article as claimed in one of claims 1 to 7,

characterized in that the separate textile surface (4), which

has the opening (5), is covered on its outer side by a further

textile surface which has a further opening (11), wherein the

further opening (11) can be selectively closed, for example,

by a zip fastener.

9. The textile article as claimed in one of claims 1 to 8,

characterized in that it is an item of clothing (1).

10. The textile article as claimed in claim 9 and one of claims

claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the reach-through region

(2) is a connection between an inner pocket and an outer pocket

of the item of clothing (1).

11. The textile article as claimed in claim 9 and one of claims 1

to 7, characterized in that the reach-through region (2) does

not lead into a pocket, but rather leads from the outer side

of the item of clothing (1) into the space enveloped by the

latter.

12. The textile article as claimed in claim 9 or 11, characterized

in that the item of clothing (1) is an item of clothing for

the upper body, and the reach-through region (2) is positioned

in such a way that, when the item of clothing for the upper

body is worn as intended by a person, the opening (5) of the

reach-through region (2) is located, with respect to the body

of the person, in a height range which extends from 5 cm below

the navel to 10 cm above the navel, and is no further than 10

cm away from the body plane of symmetry.

Fig. 1

1 2

3

4

5

6

8

1/4

Fig. 2

1

2

4

3

5, 6

9

7 8

2/4

Fig. 3

1

3

4

8 2

3/4

Fig. 4

1 3 4

2

11

5

8

4/4