US20220104568A1

US20220104568A1 - Garment with cell phone pockets.

Info

Publication number: US20220104568A1
Application number: US17/552,054
Authority: US
Inventors: Cynthia Bolker
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2019-05-29
Filing date: 2021-12-15
Publication date: 2022-04-07

Abstract

A garment has two layers, with one or more pockets on the inner surface of the inner layer. The garment is comfortable to wear and can safely, with easy accessibility, securely store a cell phone and other important items. A preferred embodiment of the invention is a pair of shorts, with an elasticized waistband and a seamless, knitted inner layer similar to “boy short” style underwear. This seamless, knitted “boy short” style underwear inner layer provides comfort to the user. Two vertical side hip interior pockets are sewn to the inner liner of the inner layer at the hips of the user, making it comfortable for a user to carry a cell phone and/or other items. The shorts have a thin line of reflective fabric on the seams and hem of the shorts, providing safety for the user.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Utility application Ser. No. 16/425,066, filed May 29, 2019, which is pending, and claims priority back to U.S. Provisional No. 62/683,941, entitled Garment with cell phone pockets, filed 12 Jun. 2018, the contents of which are incorporated by reference.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

This invention was not federally sponsored.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to the general field of clothing, and more specifically, to a pair of shorts, pants or Capris with a specific design and the ability to comfortably, safely, and with easy accessibility carry a cell phone and other items, including but not limited to, a medical device, small wallet, keys, ID, energy bars, cash and/or credit card. In a particularly preferred embodiment, a pair of shorts, pants or Capris with enhanced comfort and cell phone carrying capabilities is described in this application, but the materials and methods laid out in this application could just as easily apply to other items of clothing worn by women, men or children.

Brief Description of Invention

As discussed above, a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention is the utilitarian features of a comfortable, stylish and yet functional short, pant or Capri. To provide comfort, the shorts, pants or Capris incorporate an elasticized waistband with an interior, non-elasticized drawstring cord, so wearers can comfortably slip on the shorts, pants or Capris, and tie them more securely, if and when needed, by tightening the non-elasticized drawstring cord. Inside the shorts, pants or Capris is what is commonly known as built-in seamless “boy short” style underwear, which is comprised of a snug fitting piece of fabric that extends from the waist to the intersection between the legs and the body of the wearer. This seamless “boy short” style underwear provides an inner layer of privacy and comfort, and yet because it ends at the top of the legs of the wearer, it does not bunch up, stretch out or cause chafing, as can be the case with inner garments that extend down the legs of the wearer. The “boy short” underwear is knitted on a machine that creates a seamless inner layer, enhancing the comfort of the wearer.
Since it is anticipated that this short, pant or Capri will be worn by exercisers, walkers, joggers, golfers, hikers, travelers, sportspeople, athletes and runners who often will be in close proximity to roads, an attractive yet effective strip of reflective fabric is sewn into the seams along the sides of the shorts, pants or Capris and around the hems, which can be straight or scalloped. There are two interior vertical side hip pockets for a cell phone and/or the aforementioned items that are sewn below the waistband of the inner seamless “boy short” underwear at the hips of the wearer. Both pockets will accommodate a cell phone and the aforementioned items. These pockets keep the cell phone and other small items securely contained. The pocket placement on the inner liner of the inner layer of the “boy short” underwear below the waistband at the hips of the wearer of the shorts, pants or Capris, ensures that the cell phone and/or the aforementioned items can be carried inconspicuously and comfortably, with easy accessibility. The cell phone and/or the aforementioned items will be kept stable and safely secured while maintaining accessibility to the items in the interior vertical side hip pockets sewn several inches below the waistband at the hips of the wearer.
Making comfortable, functional shorts, pants or Capris has been a challenge. With the profusion of cell phones, and the transition of cell phones from a convenience to an everyday necessity that is taken to almost all activities, the additional challenge of how to effectively secure a cell phone inside shorts, pants or Capris has presented itself.
The key to this invention is a) the location of the pocket placement on the inner liner of the inner layer of the “boy short” underwear below the waistband at the hips of the wearer, so that the phone does not slap, rub or dig into the wearer's front or back sections, and b) placing the cell phone in a pocket on the inside of the inner layer ensures stabilization, easy accessibility, comfort, and prevents pickpocketing. The theory behind the location of the pocket applies to a variety of shorts, pants and Capris.
The prior art presents a number of attempts to solve this problem, but none that so effectively combines the pocket placement for a cell phone and/or the aforementioned items in an ideal location on the inner liner of the inner layer of the shorts, pants or Capris. This particular combination has proven to result in an extremely comfortable and useful pair of shorts, pants or Capris that prevents the exerciser, hiker, golfer, traveler, athlete, sports enthusiast, runner, walker or jogger from having the cell phone slap his/her thigh when the phone and/or the aforementioned items are contained in a pocket located on the individual's thigh; having to shove the cell phone into a woman's or girl's sports bra, which is potentially unhealthy; having to hold the cell phone in his/her hand, which can cause cramping or being strapped to a bicep, which is inconvenient and difficult, when trying to access the cell phone or music device, and can potentially reduce blood flow, create an unwanted rash, and could limit muscle contraction.
There are shorts, pants or Capris with reflective details, however these are mostly reflective patches that are glued or heat-affixed to the exterior of the shorts, pants or Capris. These reflective details tend to get damaged when washed and lose effectiveness over time. These reflective details are typically the logo of the company or a small stripe, and do not create visibility during low-visibility times for the exerciser, runner, sports enthusiast, athlete, golfer, traveler, hiker, walker or jogger.
There are also shorts, pants or Capris with cell phone pockets, however these are usually too small, have inadequate closure methods, or are located on a part of the shorts, pants or Capris where they are inaccessible and/or uncomfortable. The existing cell phone pockets are also not well secured, such that there is a danger of the entire pocket “flipping over” the waistband or out of other pocket locations, thus potentially causing the cell phone and/or other aforementioned items to fall out, be sat on, banged, knocked, or damaged.
Shorts, pants or Capris with elastic waistbands are well known, but the current invention combines an elastic waistband with a non-elasticized drawstring cord, such that the wearer can benefit from the comfort of an elastic waistband, but when he/she really needs to make sure the shorts, pants or Capris stay on, he/she can do so by tightening them with the non-elasticized drawstring cord.
Shorts, pants or Capris with inner layers are also known in the art, but this invention has built-in seamless “boy short” style underwear knitted to enhance comfort and serves a secondary function by anchoring the cell phone pocket to the shorts.
The prior art teaches a number of inventions that address some aspect of pockets and multiple layer short, pants or Capris, but none combine the location of the pocket below the waistband at the hips of the wearer with the location on the inside of an inner layer below the waistband.
For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,145,132 to Towner discloses a two-ply loose-fitting undergarment which lacks a pocket and is not a garment one would wear outside of the house. Towner's invention is joined and sewn together at both the top and bottom of the outer and inner portions, and the outer and inner portions are the same length. Bolker's invention has both the outer layer and the inner layer free hanging, with the outer layer a significant distance “longer” than the inner layer.
US20130091619A1 to Hacker describes athletic shorts with a pocket, but not with a pocket on the inside surface of an inner layer that is basically a “boy short” underwear. Hacker's design extends from the anterior and posterior edges from the superior edge of the pocket assembly. This is triangular in shape and has an anterior or posterior edge with a pocket assembly superior edge with “downward angles defining an apex 58 so as to create an accurate or V shaped configuration.” Bolker's design, is simply a rectangular pocket sewn onto the inside surface of the inner layer of a 2-layer garment, where the two layers are both free hanging. Bolker has no “outer layer” or “pocket assembly” as is clearly defined in Hacker, and Bolker's pocket is not attached or sewn along the waistband, as is Hacker's. The location of Bolker's pocket is essential to the functionality of the invention, as the pocket placement is on the inner liner of the inner layer of the “boy short” underwear (and the cell phone) at the hips of the wearer below the waistband.
By way of further explanation, in Hacker, whose pocket assembly is multi-layered, “the pocket assembly 50 is coupled to the outer layer 30 and the inner layer 40 (Bolker's pocket is coupled only to the inner side of the inner layer) along at least a portion of one or both of the pocket assembly interior edge 56 and pocket assembly posterior edge 56 by sewing stitches 62 (as opposed to Bolker's pocket which is attached only to the inner layer). Access to the pocket 52 may be made via outer layer opening 33 (which Bolker does not have) in the outer layer 30.” Bolker's pocket is not accessible through the outer layer or the waistband.
US20170325531A1 to Lomax is basically a surfing trunk with a drawstring, but no pocket and no “boy short” underwear.
US20180228232A1 to Fisher has a pocket sewn to the inner side of what is known as a “surfing short” that is suitable to hold a key or another small object. The pocket in Fisher is an opening in the space which is formed through the outer layer of the waistband. It is a slit pocket attached to a trim piece waistband on a pair of shorts. The pocket placement on Bolker's invention is situated at the hips of the wearer at the inner liner of the inner layer “boy short” underwear below the waistband and does not extend through the outer layer of the waistband nor is it affixed to a waistband, nor does the waistband communicate with the pocket.
Support for this contention is found the Fisher's Abstract:

- “Aspects herein provide for a pocket structure for an apparel item. The apparel item comprises an outer panel of material, an inner panel of material, a pocket panel, and a double-layer trim piece such as a waistband. A top edge of the outer panel is affixed to an outer layer of the waistband, and a top edge of the inner panel is affixed to an inner layer of the waistband. The pocket panel is positioned between the inner panel and the outer panel, and a top edge of the pocket panel is affixed to the outer layer of the waistband, and a bottom edge of the pocket panel is affixed to the inner panel of material. A pocket space is defined between the pocket panel and the inner panel of material. An opening to the space is formed through the outer layer of the waistband.” [Emphasis Added]

Further support is found in Claim 1 of Fischer:
“1. An apparel item for a lower torso of a wearer, the apparel item comprising:

- an outer panel of material;
- an inner panel of material, wherein the outer panel of material and the inner panel of material form at least a torso portion of the apparel item;
- a waistband comprising a first layer and a second layer, wherein at least one opening is formed in the first layer of the waistband, and wherein a top edge of the outer panel of material is affixed to the first layer of the waistband and a top edge of the inner panel of material is affixed to the second layer of the waistband; and
- at least one pocket panel positioned between the outer panel of material and the inner panel of material, the pocket panel comprising at least a top edge, a bottom edge, and opposing side edges, wherein the top edge of the pocket panel is affixed to the first layer of the waistband, and the bottom edge of the pocket panel is affixed to the inner panel of material so as to define a space between the pocket panel and at least the inner panel of material, and wherein the opening in the first layer of the waistband is in communication with the space between the pocket panel and the inner panel of material.” [Emphasis Added]

US20190174846A1 to Puzzo describes side-zippered pants and does not refer to pockets at the hips of the wearer.
US2016/0331053 to Gordon teaches a “garment having a pocket”, but the “pocket” is in the waistband of Gordon's garment, as opposed to Bolker's invention where the pocket is not attached in any way to the waistband. “The present disclosure further provides such a garment with a pocket in which the garment has a brief body and/or bottom with a waistband that has the pocket formed therein.” [0010]. Looking at Claim 1, the location of the pocket in the waistband is dear:
“1. A garment comprising:

- a body of fabric forming a garment body; and
- a waistband connected to the garment body, the waistband having a first edge and a second edge opposite to the first edge, the waistband having a first layer of material and a second layer of material being connected both at the first edge and the second edge, the first edge also being connected to the garment body, the waistband having a waistband depth defined by a distance between the first edge and the second edge, the waistband forming a pocket, the pocket has an opening that accesses a space inside the pocket and a pocket depth between the opening and the first edge, the waistband depth being greater than the pocket depth, wherein the pocket obfuscates the contents therein. [Emphasis Added]

As opposed to Gordon, Bolker's invention locates the pockets on the inner liner of the inner layer of the “boy short” underwear below the waistband. There is no contact between the pocket and the waistband. The pocket placement is specifically designed and intended to keep the cell phone located at the hips of the wearer on the inner liner of the inner layer of the “boy short” underwear below the waistband, as opposed to having it be in a horizontally oriented pocket in the waistband.
As discussed previously, by placing the pockets directly on the inner liner of the inner layer of the “boy short” underwear below the waistband at the hips of the wearer, Bolker's invention prevents the cell phone and other aforementioned items from chafing or rubbing against the body as the wearer walks or runs. Because the pocket is on the inside of the inner liner “boy short” underwear, it is also a great first layer of defense against pickpocketing. The shape of the pocket is crucial as it secures and stabilizes a modern cell phone and/or the other aforementioned items, and the fact that it is sewn or otherwise attached to the inner liner of the inner layer of “boy short” underwear makes the phone and/or other small item storage more comfortable, safe, accessible and inconspicuous at the hips of the wearer.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a short, pant or Capri with pockets that securely, comfortably and safely accommodate and hold a cell phone and other small aforementioned items, with easy accessibility, and an elasticized waistband that prevents the shorts, pants or Capris from falling down, while wearing the shorts, pants or Capris, with a seamless “boy short” underwear as an inner layer, with reflective fabric sewn on the hems and into the hip seams.
Further objects of the invention include:
Providing shorts, pants or Capris with an effective inner layer that does not bunch up at the intersection of the legs and the body.
Providing a short, pant or Capri with a “boy short” underwear inner layer that has been knitted to be seamless.
Providing a short, pant or Capri with a non-elasticized, continuous interior drawstring cord.
Providing a short, pant or Capri with thin strips of reflective fabric sewn into the hip seams and on the hem of the short, pant or Capri.
Providing shorts, pants or Capris with pockets large enough to secure a large cell phone and/or other small aforementioned items, where the pockets are sewn onto the inner liner of the inner layer of the seamless, knitted “boy short” underwear below the waistband, with the pocket placement at the hips of the wearer.
Providing shorts, pants or Capris with a straight or scalloped hem.
There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. The features listed herein and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.
It should be understood that while the preferred embodiments of the invention are described in some detail herein, the present disclosure is made by way of example only and that variations and changes thereto are possible without departing from the subject matter coming within the scope of the following claims, and a reasonable equivalency thereof, which claims I regard as my invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Two preferred forms of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is an exterior front view of the elasticized waistband portion of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a front interior view of the non-elasticized, continuous interior drawstring cord.

FIG. 3 is a perspective interior view of the interior pockets which are situated at each hip below the elasticized waistband and sewn into the inner liner of the inner layer built-in, seamless “boy short” style underwear below the waistband with a non-elasticized, continuous interior drawstring cord and reflective fabric sewn on the hems and in the side seams of the shorts.

FIG. 4 is another interior perspective view of the interior pockets at each hip which are situated below the elasticized waistband and sewn into the inner liner of the inner layer built-in, seamless “boy short” style underwear with a non-elasticized, continuous interior drawstring cord and reflective fabric sewn on the hems and in the side seams of the shorts.

FIG. 5 is a perspective exterior view of the hem of the shorts, which can be straight or scalloped with reflective fabric sewn into the side of the hip seams and on the hems of the shorts.

FIG. 6 is a front perspective interior view of the shorts showing the location of the two interior pockets on the side of the shorts at the hips of the wearer, and how a wearer can slide a cell phone, slim insertable container, pouch or wallet and/or other items into either one of the pockets.

FIG. 7 is a front perspective interior view of the shorts showing the location of the two interior pockets on the sides of the shorts at the hips of the wearer, and how a wearer can slide a cell phone into either one of the pockets.

FIG. 8 is an interior side view of the shorts, showing the location of the pocket on the inner liner of the inner layer of the “boy short” underwear below the waistband at the hips of the wearer.

FIG. 9 is an interior front view of another embodiment of the invention with longer leg portions.

FIG. 10 is an exterior back view of the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 9, but not turned inside out.

FIG. 11 is an interior, partial cut-away view showing how a cell phone can be slid into one of the pockets.

FIG. 12 is a cross sectional view showing the relationship between the two layers of fabric and the location of the pocket.

REFERENCE NUMBERS USED

1. Elasticized waistband
2. Non-elasticized drawstring cord
3. Channel inside elasticized waistband
4. Eyelet hole
5. Reflective fabric
6. Inner layer seamless “boy short” style underwear
7. Pocket
8. Pocket body
9. Pocket opening
10. (Left blank on purpose)
11. Scalloped hem
12. Insertable container, pouch or wallet
13. Cell phone
14. Outer Layer

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Many aspects of the invention can be better understood with references made to the drawings below. The components in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. Instead, emphasis is placed upon clearly illustrating the components of the present invention. Moreover, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts through the several views in the drawings. Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that the embodiments of the invention are not limited in their application to the details of construction and to the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The embodiments of the invention are capable of being practiced and carried out in various ways. In addition, the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
FIG. 1 is an exterior front view perspective of the elasticized waistband portion of the invention. The elasticized waistband 1 is roughly 2 to 3 inches in height, with an outer surface and an inner surface, stitched together at the base to form a hollow channel between the outer surface and the inner surface.
FIG. 2 is a front interior view perspective of the non-elasticized, continuous interior drawstring cord. The drawstring cord 2 is movably embedded in the channel between the outer surface and the inner surface of the elasticized waistband 1 with a channel in the elasticized waistband 3. The ends of the drawstring cord extend through two eyelet holes 4 to allow a wearer of the invention to tighten the shorts as needed. On each side of the interior of the shorts is a pocket 7 which is attached on the inside of the seamless “boy short” underwear 6, referred to as the inner layer, where the inner layer has an outer liner which faces the short and an inner liner which faces the body where the pockets placement is on the inner liner of the inner layer of the “boy short” underwear below the waistband at the hips of the wearer.
FIG. 3 is a perspective interior view of the interior pockets 7 which are situated below the elasticized waistband 1 with a channel in the elasticized waistband 3, and sewn onto the inner liner of the built-in, seamless “boy short” style underwear 6 at the hips of the wearer, with a non-elasticized, continuous interior drawstring cord 2 and reflective fabric 5 sewn on the hem and into the hip seams of the shorts. The reflective fabric 5, is sewn into the intersection of the front and back panels at each hip, and along the bottom seam of the shorts. This reflective fabric 5 is superior to the prior art that teaches applying a reflective glue or overlay, which will over time potentially deteriorate during the washing of the garment. The reflective fabric 5 serves to alert cars, bicyclists, and even other exercisers, walkers, joggers, hikers, golfers or runners during low visibility times by providing bright reflection from his/her front side, backside, and side of the hips. As can be seen in this illustration, pockets 7 are relatively wide and long—specifically designed to be wide enough and long enough to hold a cell phone or other items.
FIG. 4 is another perspective interior view of the interior pockets at each hip of the wearer which are situated below the elasticized waistband and sewn onto the inner liner of the inner layer of the built-in, seamless “boy short” style underwear with a non-elasticized, continuous interior drawstring cord and reflective fabric sewn on the hem and into the hip seams of the shorts. To enhance the comfort of the invention, an inner layer 6 is provided. The inner layer “boy short” style underwear garment portion 6, which is seamless, snugly fits around the lower torso of the wearer, but ends at the intersection of the torso and the legs, so that it doesn't slap, bunch up, stretch or chafe as the wearer walks, runs, jogs, golfs, hikes or exercises. This inner layer 6 is knitted to avoid any seams, thereby making it more comfortable for the wearer. The interior pockets 7 are sewn below the inside of the elasticized waistband 1 and to the inner layer 6, thereby making it solidly attached at both ends to the garment. This minimizes the effects on the items in the pockets 7 from excessive movements, such as slapping the thigh of the wearer, or swinging back-and-forth, side to side, and up and down while reducing potential damage to the cell phone and/or the items contained in the pockets. By placing the interior pockets 7 on the inner liner of the inner layer of the “boy short” underwear below the waistband at the hips of the wearer, Bolker's invention solves the prior art problem of cell phones placed in pockets at the front of the shorts which jabs and/or slaps the wearer with every step. The prior art problem of a person losing a cell phone from an exterior pocket through either pickpocketing or just having the cell phone fall out is also solved by locating the pockets on the inner liner of the inner layer of the shorts. The interior pocket placement maintains a smooth, sleek look and feel as the items are secured more comfortably and inconspicuously with easy accessibility.
FIG. 5 is a side exterior view of the hem of the short, which can be straight or scalloped 11, trimmed in reflective fabric 5 sewn into the sides of the hip seams and on the hem of the shorts.
FIG. 6 is a front perspective interior view of the shorts showing the location of the two interior pockets 7 on the sides of the shorts at the hips of the wearer on the inner layer 6, and how a wearer can slide a cell phone, slim insertable container, pouch or wallet 12 (or another similarly shaped item) into one of the pockets 7. The insertable container, pouch or wallet 12 can house an ID, credit card, keys, medical information, and/or any other slim items that a wearer of the invention may wish to put in the container, pouch or wallet.
FIG. 7 is a front perspective interior view of the shorts showing the location of the two interior pockets 7 below the waistband 1 at the hips of the wearer, exemplifying how a wearer can slide a cell phone 13 into either one of the pockets on the inner layer 6. After inserting the cell phone 13 into the pocket 7, the pocket helps to retain the cell phone and/or other item(s) safely, inconspicuously and with easy accessibility.
FIG. 8 is an interior side view of the shorts, after they have been turned inside out, showing the location of the interior pocket below the waistband at the hip of the wearer. The pocket 7, with a pocket body 8 and a pocket opening 9, is sewn to the inner liner of the “boy short” style seamless underwear 6 just below the elasticized waistband 1 so that it is secure and will not bounce around when a wearer of the invention runs, walks, jogs, hikes, golfs or exercises with it. It should be noted that the pocket 7 has a rectangular shape, such that a cell phone can be comfortably secured by the sides and bottom of the pocket. The location of the pocket 7 at the hips of the wearer prevents the edges of the cell phone from slapping and chafing the wearer's back, thighs, legs and abdomen while the wearer is walking, running or exercising. In a preferred embodiment, the pocket height is around three times the pocket width, such that it can conveniently secure a cell phone. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the pocket width is 3½″ and the pocket height is 6½″, which is an ideal configuration to secure a modern cell phone. In another particularly preferred embodiment aimed at the Samsung Galaxy Note line of cell phones, the pocket width is 4.1″ and the pocket height is 6¾″. There is a space between the opening of the pocket and the bottom of the waistband 1, and another space between the bottom of the pocket 7 and the bottom of the inner layer 6. The pocket placement is designed to locate the cell phone and/or other small items at the hips of the wearer to minimize any rubbing, chafing, bouncing or slapping of the cell phone and/or other small items.
FIG. 8 also illustrates the horizontal and vertical calculations that went into the pocket placement, so that the pockets are located at the hips of the user. The inner layer 6 extends from the bottom of the waistband 1 to the hem of the inner layer. This distance is referred to as the “inner layer length”. An “inner layer width” is measured from the front of the inner layer 6 to the back of the inner layer, when the garment is laid down flat. A specific vertical point (along the inner layer length) intersects with a specific horizontal point (along the inner layer width) at a pocket placement center. The pocket placement center locates the pocket directly at the hips of the user so that the contents of the pocket do not dig in, jab, chafe or otherwise interfere with the wearer when he/she exercises.
FIG. 9 is a front interior view of another embodiment of the invention with longer leg portions 14. The basic concept behind the invention is preserved, with an elastic waistband 1, two pockets 7, and a comfortable seamless “boy short” style underwear inner layer 6. In this embodiment, the reflective layer 5 is sewn into the hip seams and on the bottom of the leg portions.
FIG. 10 is an exterior back view of the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 9, but not turned inside out. The outer layer/leg portions 14 allow a wearer to stay warmer than with the shorts version previously described, and the longer reflective fabric 5 provides greater visibility for the wearer of Bolker's invention should he/she be out at night or in low visibility areas.
FIG. 11 is an interior, partial cut-away view showing how a cell phone can be slid into one of the pockets. The pocket 7 is attached to the inner liner of the inner layer 6 of the garment and secures the cell phone 13 at the hips of the wearer. It should be noted that the pocket placement is crucial to the effective functioning of the invention, and that placing it at the hips of the wearer prevents unwanted chafing, rubbing, bouncing or slapping as the wearer exercises. This figure also shows how locating the pocket on the inside of the inner layer provides protection against pickpocketing or the cell phone or other small items from falling out of the wearer's pocket.
FIG. 12 is a cross sectional view showing the relationship between the two layers of fabric—the outer layer 14 and the inner layer 6—and the location of the pocket. The pocket 7 is attached to the inside of the inner layer 6. There is space above the pocket 7 and the waistband 1, and another space between the bottom of the pocket 7 and the bottom of the inner layer 6. The pocket is long enough to secure a cell phone 13 and narrow enough to prevent the cell phone from rotating side-to-side while running, walking, or exercising while providing easy accessibility to the items located in the pockets 7.
In a preferred embodiment, the invention provides a garment for exercising, walking, running, golfing, hiking, traveling, or jogging consisting of: an outer layer, an inner layer, and a waistband, where the outer layer 14 and the inner layer 6 are connected to a waistband bottom of the waistband, and where the inner layer has an outer side, an inner side, and an inner layer bottom, where there are one or more pockets placed on the inner side of the inner layer, where each of the one or more pockets has a pocket bottom, two pocket sides, and a pocket opening, where the pocket bottom and the two pocket sides are stitched to the inner side of the inner layer, where there is a bottom space between the pocket bottom and the inner layer bottom, and there is a top space between the pocket opening and the waistband bottom.
Additional embodiments allow for each of the one or more pockets has a pocket height and a pocket width, and where the pocket height is greater than the pocket width, where the pocket height is around two times larger than the pocket width, where the outer layer has an outer layer length, and where the inner layer has an inner layer length, and where the inner layer length is less than the outer layer length.
In other embodiments, designed to very closely nestle a cell phone, the pocket height is 6½″ and the pocket width is 3½″, or the pocket height is 6¾″ and the pocket width is 3.1″.
More broadly, the invention also contemplates a garment for exercising, walking, running, golfing, hiking, traveling, or jogging comprising: an outer layer, an inner layer, and a waistband, with the outer layer and the inner layer are connected to the bottom of the waistband, and where the inner layer and outer side, an inner side, and an inner layer bottom, where there are one or more pockets placed on the inner side of the inner layer, where each of the one or more pockets has a pocket bottom, two pocket sides, and a pocket opening, where the pocket bottom and the two pocket sides are stitched to the inner side of the inner layer, where there is a bottom space between the pocket bottom and the inner layer bottom, and there is a top space between the pocket opening and the waistband bottom, with each of the one or more pockets has a pocket height and a pocket width, and where the pocket height is greater than the pocket width, where the pocket height is around two times larger than the pocket width, where the top space is between ¼″ and ¾″ and the bottom space is between 1″ and 2″, and where the outer layer has an outer layer length, and where the inner layer has an inner layer length, and where the inner layer length is less than the outer layer length.
Additional embodiments consider that the outer portion consists of an outer surface and an inner surface, a front, a back, two sides; a waistband section; two pocket sections; and an inner layer section, where the waistband section consists of an elasticized waistband with a waistband outer face, a waistband inner face, a waistband top and a waistband bottom, where there is a gap between the waistband outer face and the waistband inner face, and where there are two eyelet holes in the waistband inner face, and a continuous interior drawstring cord, where the continuous interior drawstring cord is non-elasticized, and where the continuous inner drawstring cord has two drawstring end sections and a drawstring middle section, and where the drawstring middle section is located in the gap, and where the two drawstring end sections extend from the gap through the eyelet holes, such that at least three inches of each of the two drawstring end sections extend through an outer side of the eyelet holes, where the outer portion consists of four panels of material that extend from the waistband section to two hems, where the four panels of material have two hip seam intersections, where two of the four panels of material are sewn to each other at the two sides, and where two of the four panels of material are sewn to each other at the front and the back, and where each of the four panels of material terminate at a hem,
The invention also contemplates hems with four lines of reflective material, where the four lines of reflective material are sewn on each of the two hems and into each of the two hip seam intersections, where the inner layer section is a seamless, knitted “boy short” style underwear, consisting of an inner layer outer surface, an inner layer inner surface, an inner layer upper end, an inner layer lower end, an inner layer front, an inner layer back, and two inner layer sides, where the inner layer upper end and the inner layer lower end terminates at an intersection of a lower torso between two legs of a wearer, such that the layer does not bunch up, stretch out or cause chafing when the wearer is exercising, walking, running, golfing, hiking or jogging.
Additional considerations include where each of the one or more pockets has a pocket height and a pocket width, and where the pocket height is greater than the pocket width, and where each of the two pocket sections consist of a pocket defined on its sides by a pocket front, a pocket back, two pocket sides, and a pocket bottom, where the pocket front and the pocket back are approximately 6 to 7 inches long and approximately 4 inches wide, and where the pocket front and pocket back are sewn to the inner layer inner surface, where the top space is ½″ and the bottom space is 1¾″.
Alternatively, the invention could have the pocket height is ½ and the pocket width is 3½″, or even the pocket height is 6¾″ and the pocket width is 3.1″, and even, where the outer portion is a short, or even where the outer portion is a ¾ length pant.
Another feature could be where the hem is straight or scalloped, where the outer portion comprises an outer surface and an inner surface, a front, a back, two sides; a waistband section; two pocket sections; and an inner layer section, where the waistband section comprises an elasticized waistband with a waistband outer face, a waistband inner face, a waistband top and a waistband bottom, where there is a gap between the waistband outer face and the waistband inner face, and where there are two eyelet holes in the waistband inner face, and a continuous interior drawstring cord, where the continuous interior drawstring cord is non-elasticized, and where the continuous inner drawstring cord has two drawstring end sections and a drawstring middle section, and where the drawstring middle section is located in the gap, and where the two drawstring end sections extend from the gap through the eyelet holes, such that at least three inches of each of the two drawstring end sections extend through an outer side of an eyelet hole, where the outer portion comprises four panels of material that extend from the waistband section to two hems, where the four panels of material have two hip seam intersections, where two of the four panels of material are sewn to each other at the two sides, and where two of the four panels of material are sewn to each other at the front and the back, and where each of the four panels of material terminate at a hem, where the inner layer section is a seamless, knitted “boy short” underwear, consisting of an inner layer outer surface, an inner layer inner surface, an inner layer upper end, an inner layer lower end, an inner layer front, an inner layer back, and two inner layer sides, where the inner layer upper end and the inner layer lower end terminates at an intersection of a lower torso between two legs of a wearer, such that the layer does not bunch up, stretch out or cause chafing when the wearer is exercising, walking, running, golfing, hiking or jogging, where each of the two pocket sections comprise a pocket defined on its sides by a pocket front, a pocket back, two pocket sides, and a pocket bottom, and where the pocket front and pocket back are sewn to the inner layer inner surface, where each of the two pockets is approximately 6 to 7 inches long and approximately 4 inches wide.
Additional embodiments call for the garment to additionally comprise four lines of reflective material, where two of the four lines of reflective material are sewn on each of the hems and two of the four lines of reflective material into each of the hip seam intersections, where the outer layer length is at least two inches longer than the inner layer length, where the outer portion is a short, where the outer layer length is between 1.5 and 2.25 inches longer than the inner layer length, where the outer portion has an outer section length, and where the outer section length extends below the lower edge of the inner layer section, and is adapted to extend above a foot of a wearer, or where the hem is a straight hem or a scalloped hem.
Additional embodiments call for the outer layer to a full-length, or ¾ length (also called a “Capri”) pant, with the inner layer being the same “boy short” underwear as illustrated in this application.
It should be understood that while the preferred embodiments of the invention are described in some detail herein, the present disclosure is made by way of example only and that variations and changes thereto are possible without departing from the subject matter coming within the scope of the following claims, and a reasonable equivalency thereof, which claims I regard as my invention.
All of the material in this patent document is subject to copyright protection under the copyright laws of the United States and other countries. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in official governmental records but, otherwise, all other copyright rights whatsoever are reserved.

Claims

That which is claimed:

1. A garment for exercising, walking, running, golfing, hiking, traveling, or jogging consisting of: an outer layer, an inner layer, and a waistband, with the outer layer and the inner layer are connected to a waistband bottom of the waistband, and where the inner layer has an outer side, an inner side, and an inner layer bottom, where the inner layer consists of a single knitted garment, where there are one or more pockets disposed on the inner side of the inner layer, where each of the one or more pockets has a pocket bottom, two pocket sides, and a pocket opening, where the pocket bottom and the two pocket sides are stitched to the inner side of the inner layer, where there is a bottom space between the pocket bottom and the inner layer bottom, and there is a top space between the pocket opening and the waistband bottom.

2. The garment of claim 1, where there are two pockets and each of the two pockets has a pocket height and a pocket width, and where the pocket height is greater than the pocket width.

3. The garment of claim 2, where the pocket height is approximately two times larger than the pocket width, where the outer layer has an outer layer length, and where the inner layer has an inner layer length, and where the inner layer length is less than the outer layer length.

4. The garment of claim 2, where the pocket height is 6½″ and the pocket width is 4″.

5. The garment of claim 2, where the inner layer has an inner layer length, where the inner layer length is measured from the bottom of the waistband to an inner layer hem, and where the inner layer has an inner layer width, where the inner layer width is measured from a front of the inner layer to a back of the inner layer, and where the inner layer width and the inner layer length intersect at a pocket placement center.

6. A garment for exercising, walking, running, golfing, hiking, traveling, or jogging comprising: an outer layer, an inner layer, and a waistband, with the outer layer and the inner layer are connected to a waistband bottom of the waistband, and where the inner layer and outer side, an inner side, and an inner layer bottom, where the inner layer consists of a single knitted garment, where there are one or more pockets disposed on the inner side of the inner layer, where each of the one or more pockets has a pocket bottom, two pocket sides, and a pocket opening, where the pocket bottom and the two pocket sides are stitched to the inner side of the inner layer, where there is a bottom space between the pocket bottom and the inner layer bottom, and there is a top space between the pocket opening and the waistband bottom.

7. The garment of claim 6, with each of the one or more pockets has a pocket height and a pocket width, and where the pocket height is greater than the pocket width, where the pocket height is around two times larger than the pocket width, where the top space is between ¼″ and ¾″ and the bottom space is between 1″ and 2″, and where the outer layer has an outer layer length, and where the inner layer has an inner layer length, and where the inner layer length is less than the outer layer length.

8. The garment of claim 7, where the inner layer has an inner layer length, where the inner layer length is measured from the bottom of the waistband to an inner layer hem, and where the inner layer has an inner layer width, where the inner layer width is measured from a front of the inner layer to a back of the inner layer, and where the inner layer width and the inner layer length intersect at a pocket placement center

9. The garment of claim 8, where the outer portion consists of an outer surface and an inner surface, a front, a back, two sides; a waistband section; two pocket sections; and an inner layer section, where the waistband section consists of an elasticized waistband with a waistband outer face, a waistband inner face, a waistband top and a waistband bottom, where there is a gap between the waistband outer face and the waistband inner face, and where there are two eyelet holes in the waistband inner face, and a continuous interior drawstring cord, where the continuous interior drawstring cord is non-elasticized, and where the continuous inner drawstring cord has two drawstring end sections and a drawstring middle section, and where the drawstring middle section is located in the gap, and where the two drawstring end sections extend from the gap through the eyelet holes, such that at least three inches of each of the two drawstring end sections extend through an outer side of the eyelet holes, where the outer portion consists of four panels of material that extend from the waistband section to two hems, where the four panels of material have two hip seam intersections, where two of the four panels of material are sewn to each other at the two sides, and where two of the four panels of material are sewn to each other at the front and the back, and where each of the four panels of material terminate at a hem, and additionally, consisting of four lines of reflective material, where the four lines of reflective material are sewn on each of the two hems and into each of the two hip seam intersections, where the inner layer section is a seamless, knitted “boy short” style underwear, consisting of an inner layer outer surface, an inner layer inner surface, an inner layer upper end, an inner layer lower end, an inner layer front, an inner layer back, and two inner layer sides, where the inner layer upper end and the inner layer lower end terminates at an intersection of a lower torso between two legs of a user, such that the layer does not bunch up, stretch out or cause chafing when the user is exercising, walking, running, golfing, hiking or jogging.

10. The garment of claim 9, with each of the one or more pockets has a pocket height and a pocket width, and where the pocket height is greater than the pocket width, and where each of the two pocket sections consist of a pocket defined on its sides by a pocket front, a pocket back, two pocket sides, and a pocket bottom, where the pocket front and the pocket back are approximately 6 inches long and approximately 4 inches wide, and where the pocket front and pocket back are sewn to the inner layer inner surface, where the top space is ½″ and the bottom space is 1¾″.

11. The garment of claim 10, where there are two pockets, and where the pocket height is 6½″ and the pocket width is 4″.

12. The garment of claim 10, where there are two pockets, and where the pocket height is 6¾″ and the pocket width is 4.25″.

13. The garment of claim 12, where the outer portion is a short.

14. The garment of claim 12, where the outer portion is a ¾ length pant.

15. The garment of claim 12, where the hem is a straight hem.

16. The garment of claim 12, where the hem is a scalloped hem.

17. The garment of claim 8, where the outer portion comprises an outer surface and an inner surface, a front, a back, two sides; a waistband section; two pocket sections; and an inner layer section, where the waistband section comprises an elasticized waistband with a waistband outer face, a waistband inner face, a waistband top and a waistband bottom, where there is a gap between the waistband outer face and the waistband inner face, and where there are two eyelet holes in the waistband inner face, and a continuous interior drawstring cord, where the continuous interior drawstring cord is non-elasticized, and where the continuous inner drawstring cord has two drawstring end sections and a drawstring middle section, and where the drawstring middle section is located in the gap, and where the two drawstring end sections extend from the gap through the eyelet holes, such that at least three inches of each of the two drawstring end sections extend through an outer side of an eyelet hole, where the outer portion comprises four panels of material that extend from the waistband section to two hems, where the four panels of material have two hip seam intersections, where two of the four panels of material are sewn to each other at the two sides, and where two of the four panels of material are sewn to each other at the front and the back of the pair of shorts, and where each of the four panels of material terminate at a hem, where the inner layer section is a seamless, knitted “boy short” style underwear, consisting of an inner layer outer surface, an inner layer inner surface, an inner layer upper end, an inner layer lower end, an inner layer front, an inner layer back, and two inner layer sides, where the inner layer upper end and the inner layer lower end terminates at an intersection of a lower torso between two legs of a user, such that the layer does not bunch up, stretch out or cause chafing when the user is exercising, walking, running, golfing, hiking or jogging, where each of the two pocket sections comprise a pocket defined on its sides by a pocket front, a pocket back, two pocket sides, and a pocket bottom, and where the pocket front and pocket back are sewn to the inner layer inner surface, where each of the two pockets is approximately 7 inches long and approximately 4 inches wide.

18. The garment of claim 17, additionally comprising four lines of reflective material, where two of the four lines of reflective material are sewn on each of the hems and two of the four lines of reflective material into each of the hip seam intersections, where the outer layer length is at least two inches longer than the inner layer length.

19. The garment of claim 18, where the outer portion is a short where the outer layer length is between 1.5 and 2.25 inches longer than the inner layer length.

20. The garment of claim 19, where the outer portion has an outer section length, and where the outer section length extends below the lower edge of the inner layer section and is adapted to extend above a foot of a user.