US3562819A - Pocket protector - Google Patents

Abstract

A POCKET PROTECTOR MADE FROM A SINGLE BLANK OF MATERIAL WHICH IS FOLDED AT CERTAIN CRITICAL LOCATIONS TO PROVIDE A POCKET PROTECTOR INSERTABLE IN, AND FREELY REMOVABLE FROM, TROUSERS POCKETS FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROTECTING AND LINING THE POCKETS. THE LOWER EDGE OF THE POCKET PROTECTOR IS CONTOURED TO CONFORM TO THE BOTTOM AND INSIDE PORTION OF THE POCKET IN WHICH IT IS INSERTED. THE PROTECTOR IS MADE OF A NON-WOVEN MATERIAL.

Description

C. T. CRAWFORD POCKET PROTECTOR Feb. 16, 1971 Filed Sept. 4, 1969 :ELC-3 1 liEf-'E filza-E D. mw F Ww Vm WC Z A w M C c. T. CRAWFORD Feb. 16,v 1971 POCKET PROTECTOR 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 4, 1969 42 Elfi-E "ELETLD E l E.-i i

.em /Mw mp A. NW @M ww n W NC l, -/a .M- @W M W/ C United States Patent O 3,562,819 POCKET PROTECTOR Claura T. Crawford, 1215 W. Randolph, Enid, Okla. 73701 Filed Sept. 4, 1969, Ser. No. 855,332 Int. Cl. A41d 27/20 U.S. Cl. 2-248 6 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A pocket protector made from a single blank of material which is folded at certain critical locations to provide a pocket protector insertable in, and freely removable from, trousers pockets for the purpose of protecting and lining the pockets. The lower edge of the pocket protector is contoured to conform to the bottom and inside portion of the pocket in which it is inserted. The protector is made of a non-woven material.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to pocket protectors used to line and protect pockets of Wearing apparel. More specically, the invention relates to a pocket protector insertable in, and freely removable from, the front pockets of mens trousers.

yBRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART In Buchanan et al. U.S. Pat. 3,066,309, it is proposed to provide an inner pocket or liner for a regular garment pocket by sewing a folded panel into the garment pocket in a way which permits the stitches holding the inner pocket inside the garment pocket to be removed when the liner or inner pocket has become excessively worn. The liner or inner pocket described in this patent is characterized in having a single ply of material forming the opposite sides of the liner or pocket. The material used for this purpose is a web material.

A patch which is designed to be sewn into the lowermost portion of a Worn or damaged trousers pocket to form a liner covering holes or rips in the trousers pocket is described in U.S. Pat. 2,436,879. The patch is held in place in the lower portion of the pocket by adhesive distributed along the upper portion of the patch. A single panel or layer of woven fabric constitutes the two opposite sides of the patch.

Various other forms of liners or inner pockets have been proposed by other patents, and have generally been made of a :fabric material which is stitched into the regular trousers pocket.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION The present invention provides an improved, removable pocket protector for trousers pockets. Broadly described, the pocket protector of the invention comprises a nonwoven panel which is folded along an inner side edge and sewn along certain outer edges after folding so as to provide a cup-shaped o r pocket-shaped article having a curved lower edge of a configuration complementary to the lower portion of the front pockets of mens trousers. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the pocket protector of the invention is double walled, and is made of a leather or synthetic resinous material having high wear resistance.

An object of my invention is to provide a pocket protector for trousers which prevents the development or formation of holes in the pockets f trousers as a result of the carrying of loose change, keys, knives, etc., in such pockets.

Patented Feb. 16, 1971 A further object of my invention is to provide a pocket protector of non-woven material which holds its shape, is of double thickness, and is double seamed at the lower side while being relatively thin in cross-sectional thickness.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a removable pocket protector which can be quickly and easily inserted in, or removed from, the front pocket of a pair of trousers while change, keys, and other articles normally carried in pockets are located therein.

A further object of the invention is to provide a removable pocket liner or protector which can be transferred with its contents intact from the pocket of one trouser to the pocket of another trouser without the necessity to remove the contents of the pocket protector.

An additional object of my invention is to provide a pocket protector that is easy to manufacture, and is strong and durable in construction, and thus is characterized in having a long and defect-free operating life.

A further object of the invention is to provide a pocket protector which is constructed in such a manner that When the bulk of the content which is normally carried in the pocket is placed in the pocket protector, such articles will keep the upper portion of the pocket protector open, making the content thereof easily accessible without removing the pocket protector itself from the pocket each time a part of the content is removed.

Additional objects and advantages of my invention will become apparent as the following detailed description of the invention is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. l is an elevation View of the blank used in forming a pocket protector constructed in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates the blank depicted in FIG. 1 after it has been folded and cut in the performance of certain intermediate steps in the formation of one embodiment of the pocket liner of the invention.

FIG. 3 is an elevation view of one embodiment of the pocket liner of the invention formed from the blank shown in FIG. l.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line 4 4 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is an elevation view of the blank used in forming a diiferent embodiment of the pocket liner of the invention.

FIG. 6 is an elevation view of the blank shown in FIG. 5 after it has been folded in carrying out one of the steps used to form an embodiment of the pocket liner of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a front elevation view of a different embodiment of the pocket liner of the invention which has been formed with the blank shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is an elevation view of a blank used to form yet another embodiment of the pocket liner of the invention.

FIG. 10 is an elevation view of another panel of material used in forming a different embodiment of the invention in conjunction with the panel shown in FIG. 9.

FIG. ll is an elevation view of a different embodiment of the invention constructed using the blank shown in FIGS. 9 and 10.

FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken along line 12-12 of FIG. 11.

yDETAILED `DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION Referring initially to FIG. 1, shown therein is a flat piece of non-woven material constituting a blank from which one embodiment of the invention is made. The blank 10 is preferably made of a synthetic resin material. It will be noted that the blank 10 is in the general shape of a rectangle, the corners of which have been rounded. The blank .10 may be considered as divided into four panels 10a, 10b, 10c, and 10d by two fold lines which will be referred to as a longitudinal fold line 12 and a transverse fold line 14.

In forming the pocket protector of the invention the blank 10 is iirst folded along the transverse fold line 14. Since the transverse fold line 14 is located in substantially the center of the blank 10, this will result in the rounded corners of the blank being placed in alignment or registry. The upper and lower edges of the blank 110 are also aligned. The aligned lower edges and rounded lower corners of the superimposed panels 10c and 10d of the folded blank 10 are next sewn to each other along the line illustrated by the stitching 418. Having folded and sewn the blank 10 into the status shown in FIG. 2, a portion of the lower edges of the superimposed panels 10c and 10d of the folded blank is cut away along the dashed line shown in FIG. 2. It will be noted that the line 20 along which the edge portions of the folded blank are cut lies generally outside of the stitch line 1-8. Attention is directed, however, to the portion of the blank 10 which is immediately below and adjacent the intersection of the longitudinal fold line 12 with the aligned end edges of the folded blank. It will be noted at this location that the stitch line 18 here extends outwardly toward the original uncut end edges of the panels '10d and 10c of the blank 110 and that the line 20 along which a part of these aligned edges is cut extends outwardly to intersect at point X the original edges at the aligned ends of the panels 10c and 10d. The purpose of this will be hereinafter explained.

After the blank 10 has been folded along transverse fold line 14, sewn and cut as illustrated in FIG. 2, the panels 10a and 10b of the blank 10 are folded downwardly along the longitudinal fold line 12 and in opposite directions from each other so that they are superimposed over, and aligned with, the panels 10a and 10b. However, since the lower edge portions of the panels =10c and 10d have previously been cut away along line 20, the edges of the panels 10a and 10b will extend outwardly of, or beyond, the edges of the panels 10c and 10d, except at the location immediately below the intersection of the longitudinal fold line 12 with the end edges of the panels of the blank. It will thus be possible to sew the lower edges of the panels 10a and 10b directly to each other with stitching 22 without sewing through any part of the panels 10c and 10d, except for a small portion of these panels immediately adjacent and directly below the intersection of the fold line 12 with the end edges of the panels. When the lower and side edges of the panels 10c and v10d are sewn to each other in the manner described, a pocket protector having double walls, and having a double seam at the lower and side edges thereof is formed. A cross-sectional illustration of the completed pocket protector appears in FIG. 4. It will be noted that the panels 10c and .10d form the inner walls of the pocket protector and the panels 10a and 10b form the outer walls. It will also be noted that the inner walls are sewn to each other along the lower edge, and the outer walls are sewn to each other along the lower edges but are not sewn to the lower edges of the inner walls. This construction makes an especially strong and durable pocket protector which is relatively thin so as not to be bulky or bulging in the pocket in which it is used. Moreover, the particular contour of the bottom and side edges is adapted to fit the pocket protector smoothly and easily to the contour of the pocket in which it is located.

A different embodiment of the invention is depicted in FIGS. 5-8. In this embodiment of the invention, a blank 26 is utilized to form the pocket protector. The

blank 26 is generally egg-shaped in configuration-that is, one of the rounded ends of the blank is narrower than the other end of the blank. The blank -26 is folded along a longitudinal fold line 28 and a transverse fold line 30. The transverse fold line 30 is bent at its point of intersection with the longitudinal fold line 28 so that both parts of the transverse fold line 30` extend at an angle of less than with respect to the longitudinal fold line 28. The purpose of this arrangement of the fold lines will be hereinafter explained. The fold lines may be perceived to divide the blank 26- into four panels 26a, 26b, 26C, and 26d.

As shown in FIG. 6, an initial step in the formation of this embodiment of the pocket protector of the invention is to fold the blank 26 along the longitudinal fold line 28. When so folded, the panel y26a overlies and is complementary in conguration to the panel 2 6c and the panel 26ib overlies, and is complementary 1n configuration to the panel 26d.

After the blank 26 has been folded along the longitudinal fold line 28 to the position shown in FIG. 6, it is then folded along the transverse fold line 30 to the position depicted in FIG. 7. It will be noted that the result of folding the blank 26 along the transverse fold line 30 1s to align the lower edges of all of the panels 26a, 26b, 26C, and 26d and also the curved corners of each of the four panels which are formed on equal radii. It Iwill be noted, however, that the fold between the panels 26h and 26d which constitutes the right hand portion of the longitudinal fold line 28 is not aligned with the left hand portion of the longitudinal fold line 28 which joins the panels 26a and 26C, but rather extends at an angle with respect to this left hand portion of the fold line 28. Stated differently, the fold which interconnects the panels 26b and 26d lies below, and extends at an angle with respect to, the fold which interconnects the panels 26a and 26C.

With the blank 26 thus folded, the aligned lower and curved side edges of the four panels 26a-26d are sewn together as indicated by reference numeral 32. The result is that the pocket protector constituted by this embodiment of the invention has offset upper edges between the double walls of the pocket protector, thus permitting the fingers to be more easily inserted in the pocket protector lwhen it is desired to place articles therein, or remove articles therefrom.

A third embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 9-12. As shown in FIG. 9, a blank 34 is utilized for making this embodiment of the invention, which blank has a straight upper edge 36, a pair of rounded end edges 38 and 40, and a straight lower edge I42 which extends parallel to the upper edge. There are also indicated on the blank 34 shown in FIG. 9, a longitudinal fold line 46 and a transverse fold line 48 which divide the blank 34 into panels 34a and 34b.

A change pocket blank 50 is illustrated in FIG. 10. This blank 450 has a fold line 52 shown thereon. In completing the embodiment of the pocket protector which is Imade utilizing the blanks shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the blank 34 is initially folded along its longtiudinal fold line 46. This folding movement is used to form a reinforced upper edge portion of the pocket liner. After it is folded along the fold line 44, the folded over upper edge portion of the blank 34 is sewn to the body of the panels 34a and 34b. This effectively hems the upper edges of the pocket protector.

In like manner, the change pocket blank 50` is hemmed along its upper edge by folding the upper edge portion downwardly along the fold line 52 and then sewing this downturned upper edge portion to the bottom of the change pocket blank along the seam line 58. The hemmed change pocket blank is then sewn to the panel 34a by sewing along the lines 60 and 62 as shown in FIG. l1. The Iblank 34 is then folded along the transverse fold line 48 to bring the panel 34h into alignment and registry with the panel 34a, and on the opposite side of the panel 34a from that to which the change pocket blank S0 has been sewn. As the last step in the formation of the pocket protector shown in FIG. 11, the lower edges of the change pocket blank 50 and of the panels 34a and 34h are sewn together by the stitching 64. The pocket protector is now completed and appears in cross-section as shown in FIG. 12. Here it will be perceived that the change pocket blank 50 forms a double wall with the panel 34a and also provides an additional small open pocket for carrying coins or other at articles.

Although certain preferred embodiments of the invention have been herein described in order to illustrate the manner in which the invention is to be practiced, it is to be understood that various changes can be made in the described structure without departure from the basic principles of the invention. Changes of this sort are therefore deemed to be circumscribed by the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is: 1. A pocket protector comprising: four panels folded on substantially perpendicular fold lines from a single blank of material into superimposed relation to form a hollow double walled receptacle having an open top with one of fold lines forming top edges, a straight side edge and a curved side edge on the opposite side of the article from the straight side edge; and

stitching closing the lower edges and curved side edges of the four panels.

2. A pocket protector as defined in claim 1 wherein two of said panels are interconnected through a fold line forming a first opening defining top edge of said article, and the remaining two of said panels are interconnected through a fold line forming a second opening defining top edge 0f said article which is spaced below, and extends at an angle to, said first opening defining top edge.

3. A pocket protector as defined in claim 1 wherein two of said four panels are interconnected through a fold line located at, and forming, said straight side edge, and the other two of said four panels are also interconnected through a fold line located at said straight side edge.

4. A pocket protector as defined in claim 1 wherein said panels are delineated by a longitudinal fold line anda transverse fold line which extend substantially normal to each other in said blank, and wherein a first pair of said panels located on opposite sides of said transverse fold line and on the same side of said longitudinal fold line are sewn to each other while superimposed to form the inner walls of said pocket protector, and wherein the remaining two panels are stitched to each other along said lower edges, and to each other and to said rst pair of panels at a location on said curved side edge.

5. A pocket protector as dened in claim 2 wherein the lower edges of said four panels are aligned and are stitched together.

6. A pocket protector as defined in claim 1 wherein said blank is made of a non-woven material.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,436,879 3/1948 Buck 2-248 2,882,532 4/ 1959 ODonnell 2-253 2,967,307 1/ 1961 ODonnell 2253 3,066,309 12/ 1962 Buchanan et al 2*-248 ALFRED R. GUEST, Primary Examiner

Images