This instant specification relates to a garment, and, more particularly to an upper torso garment having features for use in electronic gaming activities.
In recent years, garments designed as outerwear have been developed to provide more than just warmth and protection. Consumers value storage spaces and ease of access, regardless of whether the garment is used for outdoor activities, such as hiking or camping, or for more urban daily use.
Electronic devices, such as cell phones, media players, and smartphones are now common accessories that consumers carry and use constantly, regardless of the activity. Easy access to these electronic devices and being able to utilize the many features that these devices offer has become increasingly important for consumers. The ability to carry, use and operate such a device, e.g., navigate from one song to the next or one application to the next, is desirable.
Electronic gaming has increased in popularity. Simple “pong” type games that were once played in isolation or pairs at home have evolved into interconnected gaming environments. Enthusiasts have elevated the status of such activities from mere “games” to the level of competitive spectator sports, complete with live tournaments, teams, broadcasts, and sponsorships. And similar to the way that athletic competitors value their personal equipment and would never go into competition without it (e.g., their own shoes, custom golf clubs, specially tuned bicycles, rackets, bowling balls, baseball gloves), competitive gamers value the use of their own personal equipment as well (e.g., customized/specialized gaming controllers and/or keyboards, communications equipment, eyewear).
There are known garment designs that allow interconnectivity between multiple devices positioned in different pockets. The more common electronic devices used by consumers today, however, perform multiple functions, e.g., a single device is a cell phone, a web browser, and a media player, with features that several years ago would have required two or more devices to perform. A suitable garment design that allows electronic gaming enthusiasts to hold and enhance the use of personal electronic gaming equipment and the wires associated with the equipment has not heretofore been known.
In general, this document describes a garment, and, more particularly to an upper torso garment having features for use in electronic gaming activities.
In some aspects, a hooded garment includes a torso section extending from a waist region to a neck region, wherein the torso section comprises a chest region and a back region, the back region comprising a vertical pocket having a pocket opening formed in an upper half of the back region and defining a space having a depth between the neck region and the waist region that is longer than a width between a left torso region and a right torso region, a hood extending upward from the neck region and having a front opening, a right sleeve extending from a right shoulder region of the right torso region and having a first wrist opening, and a left sleeve extending from a left shoulder region of the left torso region and having a second wrist opening.
Various embodiments can include some, all, or none of the following features. The torso section can include at least one of a front right pocket having a first opening in the right torso region proximal the waist region on the chest region, the first opening being at least partly oriented toward the left torso region across the chest region, and a front left pocket having a second opening in the left torso region proximal the waist region on the chest region, the second opening being at least partly oriented toward the right torso region across the chest region. The torso section includes at least one of a back right pocket having a first opening in the right torso region proximal the waist region on the back region, the first opening being at least partly oriented toward the left torso region across the back region, and a back left pocket having a second opening in the left torso region proximal the waist region on the back region, the second opening being at least partly oriented toward the right torso region across the back region. At least one of the right sleeve and the left sleeve can also include a channel having at least a first opening proximal the neck region and a second opening proximal at least one of an elbow region and the first wrist opening or the second wrist opening. The hooded garment can also include an electrical cord assembly comprising a plurality of electrically isolated conductors at least partly retained within the channel, the electrical cord assembly having a first end proximal the neck region and extending to a second end proximal at least one of the elbow region and the first wrist opening or the second wrist opening. At least one of the right sleeve and the left sleeve can also include a retainer configured to be affixed to an electronic game controller. At least one of the right sleeve and the left sleeve can also include an electronic device pocket proximal the first wrist opening or the second wrist opening and having a substantially transparent window configured to permit viewing of a display of an electronic device secured within the electronic device pocket. The hooded garment can include one or more affixment points configured to removably affix ornamental patches to the hooded garment. The vertical pocket can be configured to hold a first portion of a personal computer (PC) gaming keyboard in a vertical orientation, and a second portion of the keyboard visibly extends vertically through the pocket opening toward the neck region.
In certain aspects, a hooded garment includes a torso section extending from a waist region to a neck region, wherein the torso section has a chest region and a back region, a hood extending upward from the neck region and having a front opening, a right sleeve extending from a right shoulder region of a right torso region and having a first wrist opening, and a left sleeve extending from a left shoulder region of a left torso region and having a second wrist opening, wherein the torso section also includes at least one of a front right pocket having a first opening in the right torso region proximal the waist region on the chest region, the first opening being at least partly oriented toward the left torso region across the chest region, a front left pocket having a second opening in the left torso region proximal the waist region on the chest region, the second opening being at least partly oriented toward the right torso region across the chest region, a back right pocket having a third opening in the right torso region proximal the waist region on the back region, the third opening being at least partly oriented toward the left torso region across the back region, and a back left pocket having a fourth opening in the left torso region proximal the waist region on the back region, the fourth opening being at least partly oriented toward the right torso region across the back region.
Various embodiments can include some, all, or none of the following features. At least one of the right sleeve and the left sleeve can also include a channel having at least a first opening proximal the neck region and a second opening proximal at least one of an elbow region and the first wrist opening or the second wrist opening. The hooded garment can also include an electrical cord assembly having a plurality of electrically isolated conductors at least partly retained within the channel, the electrical cord assembly having a first end proximal the neck region and extending to a second end proximal at least one of the elbow region and the first wrist opening or the second wrist opening. At least one of the right sleeve and the left sleeve can also include a retainer configured to be affixed to an electronic game controller. At least one of the right sleeve and the left sleeve can also include an electronic device pocket proximal first wrist opening or the second wrist opening and comprising a substantially transparent window configured to permit viewing of a display of an electronic device secured within the electronic device pocket. The hooded garment can also include one or more affixment points configured to removably affix ornamental patches to the hooded garment. The back region can also include a vertical pocket having an opening formed in an upper half of the back region and defining a space having a depth between the neck region and the waist region that is longer than a width between a left torso region and a right torso region. The vertical pocket can be configured to hold a first portion a personal computer (PC) gaming keyboard in a vertical orientation, and a second portion of the keyboard visibly extends vertically through the opening toward the neck region.
In some aspects, a hooded garment includes a torso section extending from a waist region to a neck region, wherein the torso section has a right torso region, a left torso region, a chest region, and a back region, a hood extending upward from the neck region and having a front opening, a right sleeve extending from a right shoulder region of the right torso region and having a first wrist opening, and a left sleeve extending from a left shoulder region of the left torso region and having a second wrist opening, wherein at least one of the right sleeve and the left sleeve also includes a channel having at least a first opening proximal the neck region and a second opening proximal at least one of an elbow region and the first wrist opening or the second wrist opening.
Various embodiments can include some, all, or none of the following features. The torso section can include at least one of a front right pocket having a first opening in the right torso region proximal the waist region on the chest region, the first opening being at least partly oriented toward the left torso region across the chest region, and a front left pocket having a second opening in the left torso region proximal the waist region on the chest region, the second opening being at least partly oriented toward the right torso region across the chest region. The torso section can include at least one of a back right pocket having a first opening in the right torso region proximal the waist region on the back region, the first opening being at least partly oriented toward the left torso region across the back region, and a back left pocket having a second opening in the left torso region proximal the waist region on the back region, the second opening being at least partly oriented toward the right torso region across the back region. The hooded garment can also include an electrical cord assembly having a plurality of electrically isolated conductors at least partly retained within the channel, the electrical cord assembly having a first end proximal the neck region and extending to a second end proximal at least one of the elbow region and the first wrist opening or the second wrist opening. At least one of the right sleeve and the left sleeve can also include a retainer configured to be affixed to an electronic game controller. At least one of the right sleeve and the left sleeve can also include an electronic device pocket proximal the first wrist opening or the second wrist opening and having a substantially transparent window configured to permit viewing of a display of an electronic device secured within the electronic device pocket. The hooded garment can also have one or more affixment points configured to removably affix ornamental patches to the hooded garment. The back region can also have a vertical pocket having an opening formed in an upper half of the back region and defining a space having a depth between the neck region and the waist region that is longer than a width between a left torso region and a right torso region. The vertical pocket can be configured to hold a first portion of a personal computer (PC) gaming keyboard in a vertical orientation, and a second portion of the keyboard visibly extends vertically through the opening toward the neck region.
In certain aspects, a hooded garment includes a torso section extending from a waist region to a neck region, wherein the torso section has a right torso region, a left torso region, a chest region and a back region, a hood extending upward from the neck region and having a front opening, a right sleeve extending from a right shoulder region of the right torso region and having a first wrist opening, and a left sleeve extending from a left shoulder region of the left torso region and having a second wrist opening, wherein at least one of the right sleeve and the left sleeve also includes an electronic device pocket proximal the corresponding left wrist opening or right wrist opening and comprising a substantially transparent window configured to permit viewing of a display of an electronic device secured within the electronic device pocket.
Various embodiments can include some, all, or none of the following features. The torso section can include at least one of a front right pocket having a first opening in the right torso region proximal the waist region on the chest region, the first opening being at least partly oriented toward the left torso region across the chest region, and a front left pocket having a second opening in the left torso region proximal the waist region on the chest region, the second opening being at least partly oriented toward the right torso region across the chest region. The torso section can include at least one of a back right pocket having a first opening in the right torso region proximal the waist region on the back region, the first opening being at least partly oriented toward the left torso region across the back region, and a back left pocket having a second opening in the left torso region proximal the waist region on the back region, the second opening being at least partly oriented toward the right torso region across the back region. At least one of the right sleeve and the left sleeve can also include a channel having at least a first opening proximal the neck region and a second opening proximal at least one of an elbow region and the first wrist opening or the second wrist opening. The hooded garment can also include an electrical cord assembly having a plurality of electrically isolated conductors at least partly retained within the channel, the electrical cord assembly having a first end proximal the neck region and extending to a second end proximal at least one of the elbow region, the first wrist opening or the second wrist opening, and the electronic device pocket. At least one of the right sleeve and the left sleeve can also include a retainer configured to be affixed to an electronic game controller. The hooded garment can also include one or more affixment points configured to removably affix ornamental patches to the hooded garment. The back region can also include a vertical pocket having an opening formed in an upper half of the back region and defining a space having a depth between the neck region and the waist region that is longer than a width between a left torso region and a right torso region. The vertical pocket can be configured to hold a first portion of a personal computer (PC) gaming keyboard in a vertical orientation, and a second portion of the keyboard visibly extends vertically through the opening toward the neck region. The substantially transparent window can be a material that permits interaction between a user and a capacitive touchscreen user interface within the electronic device pocket.
In some aspects, an upper torso garment includes a torso section extending from a waist region to a neck region, where the torso section includes a front region and a back region. The front region is to be positioned adjacent a chest of a wearer of the garment, and the back region is to be positioned adjacent a back of the wearer. The torso section includes a left torso region and a right torso region, where the left torso region is positioned on a lateral left side of the torso section and the right torso region is positioned on a lateral right side of the torso section. The garment also includes a first reversed pocket positioned on the left lateral side of the front region of the torso section and proximate to the waist region, the first reversed pocket including a first pocket opening oriented at least partly toward the right torso region, and a second reversed pocket positioned on the right lateral side of the front region of the torso section and proximate to the waist region, the second reversed pocket including a second pocket opening oriented at least partly toward the left torso region. The garment further includes a right sleeve extending from a right shoulder region of the right torso region and having a first wrist opening, and a left sleeve extending from a left shoulder region of the left torso region and having a second wrist opening.
These and other aspects can include one or more of the following features. The first reversed pocket can include a double-pocket structure defining a first pocket chamber and a second pocket chamber. The first reversed pocket can include a first, external pocket fabric layer and a second, internal pocket fabric layer, where the space between the first pocket fabric layer and the second pocket fabric layer defines the first pocket chamber, and the space between the second pocket fabric layer and a body fabric layer of the torso section defines the second pocket chamber. The first pocket fabric layer can include a first peripheral edge defining a first pocket opening to the first pocket chamber, and the second pocket fabric layer can include a second peripheral edge defining a second pocket opening to the second pocket chamber, the second peripheral edge being offset from the first peripheral edge. The upper torso garment can further include a holster pocket formed entirely within in the first pocket chamber or the second pocket chamber. The second reversed pocket can include a double-pocket structure defining a third pocket chamber and a fourth pocket chamber. The second reversed pocket can include a third, external pocket fabric layer and a fourth, internal pocket fabric layer, where the space between the third pocket fabric layer and the fourth pocket fabric layer defines the third pocket chamber, and the space between the fourth pocket fabric layer and a body fabric layer of the torso section defines the fourth pocket chamber. The third pocket fabric layer can include a third peripheral edge defining a third pocket opening to the third pocket chamber, and can include the fourth pocket fabric layer comprises a fourth peripheral edge defining a fourth pocket opening to the fourth pocket chamber, the fourth peripheral edge being offset from the third peripheral edge. The torso section can include at least one of a third reversed pocket positioned on the left lateral side of the back region of the torso section and proximate to the waist region, the third reversed pocket including a third pocket opening oriented at least partly toward the right torso region, or a fourth reversed pocket positioned on the right lateral side of the back region of the torso section and proximate to the waist region, the second reversed pocket including a second pocket opening oriented at least partly toward the left torso region. At least one of the right sleeve or the left sleeve can further include an opening proximal at least one of an elbow region of the right sleeve or the left sleeve, the first wrist opening, or the second wrist opening. The opening can be positioned at a rear side of the left sleeve or the right sleeve and adjacent to a wrist cuff of the left sleeve or a wrist cuff of the right sleeve. At least one of the right sleeve or the left sleeve can include an electronic device pocket positioned proximate to the first wrist opening or the second wrist opening, the electronic device pocket including a substantially transparent window to permit viewing of a display of an electronic device secured within the electronic device pocket. The electronic device pocket can include a bottom fabric layer, a touch plastic layer, and an electronic device pocket chamber defined between the bottom fabric layer and the touch plastic layer, the touch plastic layer connected to the bottom fabric layer along at least a portion of a periphery of the touch plastic layer, the touch plastic layer defining the substantially transparent window. The bottom fabric layer can be connected to or formed integrally in a fabric layer of the at least one of the right sleeve or the left sleeve. The touch plastic layer can include an opening through the touch plastic layer to allow passage of the electronic device into and out of the electronic device pocket chamber. The upper torso garment can further include a lapel pocket on the front region of the torso section, the lapel pocket including a lapel pocket opening to a lapel pocket chamber. The lapel pocket can include an internal card pocket formed entirely within in the lapel pocket chamber. The garment can be formed from fabric including spandex, the fabric to provide comfort and flexibility to the wearer. The fabric can include a combination of fleece and spandex. The first reversed pocket can include a zipper to selectively close the first pocket opening, and the second reversed pocket can include a zipper to selectively close the second pocket opening.
In certain aspects, an upper torso garment includes a torso section extending from a waist region to a neck region, where the torso section includes a front region and a back region, the front region to be positioned adjacent a chest of a wearer of the garment, and the back region to be positioned adjacent a back of the wearer, the torso section including a left torso region and a right torso region, the left torso region positioned on a lateral left side of the torso section and the right torso region positioned on a lateral right side of the torso section. The back region includes a vertical pocket having a pocket opening formed in an upper half of the back region and defining a space having a depth between the neck region and the waist region that is longer than a width between the left torso region and the right torso region. The upper torso garment further includes a first quick-draw pocket positioned on the left lateral side of the front region of the torso section and proximate to the waist region, the first quick-draw pocket including a first pocket opening, and a second quick-draw pocket positioned on the right lateral side of the front region of the torso section and proximate to the waist region, the second quick-draw pocket including a second pocket opening.
These and other aspects can include one or more of the following features. The upper torso garment can include a right sleeve extending from a right shoulder region of the right torso region and having a first wrist opening, a left sleeve extending from a left shoulder region of the left torso region and having a second wrist opening, and an electronic device pocket positioned on at least one of the right sleeve proximate to the first wrist opening or the left sleeve proximate to second wrist opening, the electronic device pocket comprising a substantially transparent window configured to permit viewing of a display of an electronic device secured within the electronic device pocket. The electronic device pocket can include a bottom fabric layer, a touch plastic layer, and an electronic device pocket chamber defined between the bottom fabric layer and the touch plastic layer, the touch plastic layer connected to the bottom fabric layer along at least a portion of a periphery of the touch plastic layer, the touch plastic layer defining the substantially transparent window. The bottom fabric layer can be connected to or formed integrally in a fabric layer of the at least one of the right sleeve or the left sleeve. The touch plastic layer can include an opening through the touch plastic layer to allow passage of the electronic device into and out of the electronic device pocket chamber. At least one of the first quick-draw pocket or the second quick-draw pocket can include a double-pocket structure defining a first pocket chamber and a second pocket chamber. The upper torso garment can further include a third quick-draw pocket positioned on the left lateral side of the back region of the torso section and proximate to the waist region, the third quick-draw pocket including a third pocket opening, and a fourth quick-draw pocket positioned on the right lateral side of the back region of the torso section and proximate to the waist region, the fourth quick-draw pocket including a fourth pocket opening. At least one of the third quick-draw pocket or the fourth quick-draw pocket can include a double-pocket structure defining a first pocket chamber and a second pocket chamber. The vertical pocket can hold at least a portion a personal computer gaming keyboard in a substantially vertical orientation. The first quick-draw pocket can be a first reversed quick-draw pocket where the first pocket opening is oriented at least partly toward the right torso region, and the second quick-draw pocket can be a second reversed quick-draw pocket where the second pocket opening is oriented at least partly toward the left torso region.
The garments described here may provide one or more of the following advantages. First, a garment can provide features that enhance an electronic gaming experience. Second, the garment can provide pockets that are oriented for use with electronic gaming accessories. Third, the garment can provide pockets that can be accessed in tight quarters and/or seated positions. Fourth, the garment can transport and display electronic gaming accessories. Fifth, the garment can provide features that enhance the visibility of promotional materials.
The details of one or more implementations are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features and advantages will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.
This document describes an upper-wear (upper torso) garment with features that can enhance the wearer's ability to organize, transport, and use electronic devices such as electronic gaming equipment. Electronic gaming enthusiasts often prefer to play using their own personally selected and/or customized gaming controllers, mice, keyboards, communication headsets, and other equipment. Some electronic gaming enthusiasts also wear clothing or accessories that can help them avoid external distractions and better focus on their game displays. For some gamers, the basic garment of choice is a hooded garment, commonly referred to as a “hoodie”, which can be drawn over the player's head and drawn partly closed about the wearer's face to block out portions of the wearer's peripheral vision and help the wearer maintain focus straight ahead (e.g., toward their gaming screen). In the present disclosure, an upper torso garment is described with multiple pockets positioned at a front side of the garment, a rear of the garment, on one or more sleeves of the garment, or a combination of these locations, and can include an oversized hood (e.g., to allow space for headphones or other headgear), slit openings along a sleeve(s) of the garment for cable management, transparent and/or touch-screen compatible pocket layers (e.g., for interaction with a touch-screen device such as a smartphone or tablet), layered pockets, stretchable fabric material, a combination of these features, and/or other features benefitting a gaming enthusiast.
The design of the example garment 100 is generally based on the design of hooded sweatshirts, commonly known as “hoodies”. The garment 100 includes a torso region 101 extending from a waist region 102 to a neck region 103. The torso region 101 includes a chest region 110 (
A right sleeve 150 extends from a right shoulder region 152 of a right torso region 104 and has a wrist opening 154. A left sleeve 170 extends from a left shoulder region 172 of a left torso region 105 and has a wrist opening 174. In the illustrated embodiment, the right wrist opening 154 is bordered by a radially expandable cuff 155 and the left wrist opening 174 is bordered by a radially expandable cuff 175. The cuffs 155, 175 are partly elastic and configured to at draw the wrist openings 154, 174 at least partly closed against the wearer's wrists.
The garment 100 includes a hood 180. The hood 180 extends upward from the neck region 103. The hood 180 is configured to be pulled up and over much of the wearer's head when in use, and has a front opening 181 for the wearer's face. A drawstring 184 is threaded through a passageway (not shown) within the periphery of the front opening 181. In use, the drawstring 184 can be tensioned in order to draw the front opening 181 at least partly closed around the wearer's face.
The hood 180 of the example garment 100 differs from the hoods of traditional “hoodies” in several ways. For example, the hood 180 is oversized compared to traditional hoods. In some examples, the hood 180 is configured to provide room for not just the wearer's head, but also to provide room for a communication headset 190 worn by the wearer. The hood 180 is also constructed to provide relatively greater acoustic insulation compared to traditional hoods. The hood 180 is made up of two or more layers of cloth and/or sound deadening materials. In use, the hood 180 can provide at least partial acoustic isolation for the wearer. In some implementations, compared to traditional hoods, the hood 180 can provide relatively greater immersion in a game or other task by at least partly isolating the wearer from audible distractions beyond the game (e.g., to help focus on sounds provided by the communication headset 190).
In another example, the hood 180 is configured to project the front opening 181 forward beyond the wearer's face. In use, this additional depth can be used to intentionally reduce the wearer's peripheral vision (e.g., to provide “blinders” to block out distractions around a gaming screen). In some implementations, compared to traditional hoods, the hood 180 can provide relatively greater immersion in a game or other task by at least partly isolating the wearer from visual distractions beyond the game (e.g., to help focus on the gaming screen). In some implementations, the hood 180 can also be used to retain gaming or other accessories. For example, the wearer can store the communication headset 190 in the hood 180 when the hood 180 is down.
While
Referring mostly now to
The pocket 210 can be formed on the garment 100 in a variety of ways. For example, the pocket 210 can be formed by a sheet of material that is sewn, adhered, integrated with, or otherwise coupled to the garment 100 on either an exterior surface of the rear of the garment 100 or an interior surface of the rear of the garment 100. In the example garment 100 of
In some embodiments, the dimensions of the pocket 210 can be selected to accommodate on the size of a typical, full-size personal computer (PC) gaming keyboard. For example, a PC keyboard can be about 17 inches wide and 6 inches deep. In such an example, the opening 220 can be a bit wider than 6 inches in order to accommodate rotated, vertical insertion of the keyboard, and the depth 230 can be about 10 to 18 inches deep (e.g., 13 inches), extending substantially vertically from the pocket opening 220. The opening 220 of the pocket 210 can include a welt along the lateral length (i.e., horizontal length) of the opening 220 on the top edge of the pocket 210. The welt at the top edge of the pocket 210 provides a structured edge to the opening 220 of the pocket 210, which can allow for easier identification of the pocket edge to the wearer, especially when the wearer is wearing the garment 100 and cannot directly see the pocket edge. The welt can also provide cushion to the edge of the pocket opening 220.
Referring now to
In some implementations, the example garment 100 includes a retainer 240 configured to at least partly close the opening 220 of the sheath 200. In the illustrated example, the retainer 240 can be extended between the neck region 103 on the back region 130 and the opening 220 to hold the keyboard 191 in place and prevent it from falling out. The retainer 240 is substantial enough to retain the keyboard 191 while also permitting the upper portion to remain exposed (e.g., to be seen for status or sponsorship purposes). In the illustrated example, the retainer 240 is partly formed of hook-and-loop fastener, but in some embodiments other forms of fasteners may be used (e.g., snaps, buckles, magnets, buttons, elastic, laces, Velcro®, or other). In the example garment 100, the retainer 240 includes a strap that extends vertically over the opening 220 of the keyboard sheath 200 to selectively close the keyboard sheath 200 and at least partially secure contents within the keyboard sheath 200. However, in certain implementations of the garment 100, the retainer 240 can be excluded.
In some instances, the keyboard sheath (and any respective retainer 240) is excluded from the example garment.
Referring mainly to
Traditional “hoodie” designs sometimes include front pockets, and these pockets are generally configured either as a horizontal tube across the wearer's abdomen (e.g., for pullover designs) or separate left and right pockets (e.g., for zip-up designs). In general, traditional pocket designs are oriented to make it easy for the right hand to enter the opening of the right pocket and for the left hand to enter the opening of the left pocket.
The front pockets 156, 176 of the garment 100 differ from traditional pockets. In general, the front pockets 156, 176 are “reversed” relative to traditional pockets. The right opening 157 is at least partly oriented toward the left torso region 105 across the chest region 110, and the left opening 177 is at least partly oriented toward the right torso region 104 across the chest region 110. For example, the right opening 157 opens diagonally toward the left shoulder region 172, while the left opening 177 opens diagonally toward the right shoulder region 152. In such orientations, the wearer can easily access the front right pocket 156 by reaching his/her left hand across his/her abdomen and through the right opening 157, and/or can easily access the front left pocket 176 by reaching his/her right hand across his/her abdomen and through the left opening 177.
In some implementations, the front pockets 156, 176 are oriented to provide easy access for a wearer of the garment 100 in confined spaces, such as a crowd or a racecar-style gaming seat. For example, the front pockets 156, 176 can provide easy access to a game controller 192 without the wearer having to stand up or extend an elbow far behind them in order to reach into the pockets. Instead, the user simply reaches his/her hand into the reversed opening on the opposite side of their stomach area. In some implementations, the front pockets 156, 176 can reduce the chances of theft or accidental loss of their contents. For example, with the front pockets 156, 176, a pickpocket may have to approach the wearer from the front rather than from the sides or back. In another example, the wearer may play games while in a somewhat reclined position in which traditional pockets with rearward openings would permit their contents to fall out, whereas the front pockets 156, 176 would become increasingly secure in a reclined position (e.g., more vertical and pouch-like relative to gravity).
Referring mainly to
The right opening 257 is at least partly oriented toward the left torso region 105 across the back region 130, and the left opening 277 is at least partly oriented toward the right torso region 104 across the back region 130. For example, the right opening 257 opens diagonally toward the left shoulder region 172, while the left opening 277 opens diagonally toward the right shoulder region 152. In such orientations, the wearer can easily access the back right pocket 256 by reaching his/her left hand across his/her lower back and through the right opening 257, and/or can easily access the back left pocket 276 by reaching his/her right hand across his/her lower back and through the left opening 277. For example, the back pockets 256, 276 can provide easy access to a game controller 193 (
The front pockets 156, 176 and rear pockets 256, 276 are shown in
The reversed pockets can be formed on the garment 100 in a variety of ways. For example, the reversed pockets 156, 176, 256, and 276 can be formed by at least one ply of fabric material that is sewn, adhered, integrated with, or otherwise coupled to the garment 100 on either an exterior surface of the garment 100 or an interior surface of the garment 100. In the example garment 100 of
While this description (both earlier and later) makes reference to the example garment 100 of
The front pockets 156, 176 and rear pockets 256, 276 are shown
The peripheral edge 914 of the second pocket fabric layer 912 is shown in
The second pocket fabric layer 912 can follow an entire periphery of the first pocket fabric layer 902, can follow only a portion of the periphery of the first pocket fabric layer 902, or follow none of the periphery of the first pocket fabric layer 902. In some instances, the second pocket fabric layer 912 has periphery that is less than, or internal to, the first pocket fabric layer 902. For example,
In some instances, the reversed pocket 900 forms a third pocket opening 930 on the lateral side of the pocket 900 between an upper longitudinal end and a lower longitudinal end of the pocket 900. For example, the third pocket opening 930 provides access to a third pocket chamber 932 defined by two fabric plies that extend into an interior of the garment. The two fabric plies can be separate from the fabric of the garment itself, in that the two fabric plies are not integral with the body fabric 920, and instead are defined by the two additional plies of fabric material. The two plies of fabric material can be attached to the body fabric at an interior surface of the body fabric at all or a portion of a periphery of the third pocket chamber 932. In some instances, the two plies of material defining the third pocket chamber 932 can provide a fourth internal pocket in the garment, for example, between the body fabric 920 and the two plies of material forming the third pocket chamber 932 at an interior of the garment. This fourth internal pocket can be especially useful in garment embodiments that include a zipper or other central fastener, such that in an unfastened (e.g., unzipped) mode, the fourth internal pocket is easily accessed from an interior surface of the garment.
In some implementations, the second pocket fabric layer 914 (of pocket 900 or 900′) forms an interior holster pocket of stretch-woven fabric material or other material. As described earlier, the interior holster pocket can be the first pocket chamber 908 or second pocket chamber 918, and can be a hidden pocket are of the pocket 900. In some implementations, the first pocket fabric layer 902, second pocket fabric layer 912, or both, can include a hidden holster pocket shaped to hold a wallet, credit card, identification card, or other similar items. For example, the hidden holster pocket can be similar to (i.e., take on the shape and structure of) the internal card pocket 1102 of
The garment 100 (or garment 300, 400, or 500), the reversed pocket 900 (or reversed pocket 900′), or a combination of these, can be made of a variety of materials that promote comfort and flexibility for the wearer. For example, the fabric of the garment can include spandex, which can provide comfort to the wearer and flexibility to the pockets for greater adaptability of items stored in the pockets and a lesser likelihood of the pockets to bind. In some examples, the fabric can be fleece with spandex incorporated into the fabric.
One or more or all of the pocket openings of the quick-draw reversed pockets (e.g., such as the pockets 156, 176, 256, 276, 356, 376, 556, 576, 900, 900′ described in
In some implementations, the example garment (100, 300, 400, or 500) can include forward quick-draw pockets instead of “reversed” quick-draw pockets at one or more of the pocket locations on the garment. Forward quick-draw pockets can take a variety of forms. For example,
In certain instances, the forward pocket 700 includes a third fabric layer 730 connected to the internal pocket fabric layer 712, and forms a third pocket opening 732 on the longitudinal top of the pocket 700. In some examples, the third pocket opening 732 can be formed adjacent to or proximate to the second pocket opening 716. The third fabric layer forms a third pocket chamber starting from the third pocket opening 732 that can include a periphery 734 that extends to some or all of the periphery of the second pocket chamber 718. For example,
One or more or all of the pocket openings of the quick-draw pockets (e.g., such as those pockets described in
Referring again to
In some embodiments, the channel 185 can be a fold or loop of fabric of the sleeve 170 that is sewn, adhered, or otherwise affixed to the sleeve 170, and the cord 194 can be threaded through the channel 185 from the opening 181 to the opening 182 or the opening 183. For example, the communication headset 190 can come equipped with its own fixed or detachable cord. The wearer can run the cord through the channel 185 so the upper end of the cord 194 exits near the wearer's neck/head, and the other end exits near the wearer's elbow or wrist. In use, the channel 185 can keep the cord 194 out of the wearer's way to prevent the wearer from becoming entangled. In some embodiments, the channel 185 may be open along part of its length. For example, the channel 185 may be made of a collection of loops through which the cord 194 may be passed. In some embodiments, the channel 185 may be openable and recloseable along one or more portions of its length. For example, the channel 185 may include a zipper or hook-and-loop fastener that allows the channel 185 to be opened along at least a portion of its length so the cord 194 may be placed inside and then have the channel 185 be reclosed to retain the cord 194 inside.
In some implementations, the wearer may wish to have the cord 194 exit the opening 182. For example, many console games provide a communications port in a handheld gaming controller, and the opening 182 can provide an exit for the cord 194 that is near the wearer's hand that would be holding the gaming controller. In a different example, PC gaming configurations may provide a communications port on the PC itself and the opening 183 may be used to keep the cord away from the wearer's hands during gameplay.
In some embodiments, the channel 185 may be (or include) a semi-rigid conduit. For example, a tube having an interior with a smooth surface and an inner diameter that is larger than the outer diameter of the cord 194 and/or a plug 195 terminating the cord 194. During assembly, the tube may ease the task of threading the cord 194 through the channel. In use, the tube may provide protection for the cord 194 (e.g., against cutting or abrasion) and/or strain relief (e.g., preventing overly tight bends). In some embodiments, the semi-rigid tube may include a lengthwise split that eases insertion and removal of the cord 194 from the length of the tube.
In some instances, the garment 100 excludes the channel 185 altogether, and the respective openings 182, 183, 382, and/or other are simply slits in the fabric of the sleeve itself. In these instances, a cable extending from a wearer's headset can extend down the interior of the sleeve and exit the sleeve through one of the openings, for example, to connect to a device. In certain examples, the sleeve itself can act as the channel 185, instead of requiring a separate, dedicated channel 185 within the sleeve.
In some examples, the garment 100 can include the cord 194. For example, the garment 100 can be constructed with one or more electrically and/or optically isolated conductors pre-assembled into the sleeve 170, and having a plug or jack at or near the opening 181 and another plug or jack at or near the opening 182 or 183. In use the wearer can plug the communication headset 190 into the built-in cord near the neck region 103, and plug the built-in cord (e.g., directly or indirectly) into a communications port of a gaming controller, console, or PC.
Although the illustrated example shows the channel 185 and the cord 194 in association with the left sleeve 170, in some examples the channel 185 and the cord 194 could be part of the right sleeve 150 instead, or similar channels could be included as part of both of the sleeves 150, 170.
The left sleeve 170 of the example garment 100 also includes a retainer 160. The retainer 160 is a tether that is configured to be affixed to an electronic game controller 196. In use, the retainer 160 can help keep the controller 196 close to the wearer's hand (e.g., when quickly switching between use of a keyboard and the controller 196). In some embodiments, the retainer 160 can include a hook, clasp, carabineer, clip, tie-able cord, loop of hook-and-loop fastener, or any other appropriate form of apparatus that can releasably retain a gaming controller or other device.
Although the illustrated example shows the retainer 160 in association with the left sleeve 170, in some examples the retainer 160 could be part of the right sleeve 150 instead, or similar retainers could be included as part of both of the sleeves 150, 170.
The example garment 100 includes an electronic device pocket 162 proximal the wrist opening 154 and the expandable cuff 155 of the right sleeve 150. The electronic device pocket 162 is sized and configured to retain an electronic device, such as a smart phone, a small computer tablet, a handheld remote controller, or any other appropriate handheld electronic device.
The electronic device pocket 162 is at least partly made of a substantially transparent material (e.g., flexible plastic film) arranged as a window into the pocket 162, to permit viewing of a display of the electronic device that is retained inside. For example, the electronic device pocket 162 can be used to hold the wearer's smart phone and keep in a location where it is readily visible, similar to the position of a wristwatch or a playbook wristband similar to those worn by American football quarterbacks. In some examples, gamers may have a companion application running on their smart phone (e.g., a map, a team communication link, an inventory list, auxiliary gaming controls) while gaming, and the electronic device pocket 162 can be used to keep their phone in a convenient location on their forearm.
The window of the electronic device pocket 162 is made of a material that is touchscreen compatible, in that the window material permits interaction between a user and a capacitive touchscreen user interface of a device within the electronic device pocket 162. For example, the wearer of the garment 100 may wish to not only view a smart phone or other device within the pocket 162, but also interact with the device (e.g., push onscreen buttons).
Although the illustrated example shows the electronic device pocket 162 being on the right sleeve 150, in some examples the pocket 162 could be part of the left sleeve 170 instead, or similar pockets could be included as part of both of the sleeves 150, 170.
The example garment 100 can also include an affixment point 164a and an affixment point 164b. The affixment points 164a, 164b provide features that act as attachment points configured to releasably retain additional accessories to the garment 100. In some embodiments, the affixment points 164a, 164b include fasteners (e.g., hook-and-loop pads, snaps, magnets) that can releasably couple with mating fasteners of accessory items that the wearer can add and remove to/from the garment. In the illustrated example, the affixment points 164a, 164b are hook-and-loop pads that provide a location to which a removable patch 165a and a removable patch 165b (e.g., team logos, sponsor messaging, advertisements) are temporarily secured to the garment 100. In other examples, the affixment points 164a, 164b can be used to temporarily attach auxiliary gaming controllers, electronic devices (e.g., to pin a first-person-view livestream camera onto the wearer), personal items (e.g., hydration tube, personal fan), or any other appropriate accessory. In some embodiments, more or fewer of the affixment points 164a, 164b can be located at any appropriate location on or inside the garment 100.
In some embodiments, the affixment points 164a, 164b can provide structure for the removable patches 165a, 165b. For example (e.g.,
The example garment 100 also includes a lapel pocket 166. The lapel pocket 166 is provided upon the chest region 110 and includes a fastener (e.g., zipper, hook-and-loop strip, button, or other). The lapel pocket 166 is shown on the front of the garment on the wearer's right side; however, the position of the lapel pocket 166 can be different. For example, the lapel pocket 166 can be positioned on the wearer's left side, and can be oriented vertically, horizontally, slanted, or otherwise oriented on the garment. In use, personal items or other objects may be stowed in the lapel pocket 166 and retained behind the fastener. The lapel pocket 166 includes a pocket chamber or pocket bag that extends from the edge of the lapel pocket (e.g., at the fastener). The pocket chamber can be used to store personal items or other items of the wearer. In some implementations, the lapel pocket 166 includes one or more internal, hidden pockets within the pocket bag of the lapel pocket 166, for example, for specialized storing and securement of items. For example,
In some implementations, any of the example garments described herein can exclude pockets on the rear surface of the example garment. For example, an example garment can exclude one or more of all of the keyboard sheath, a retainer for the keyboard sheath, the rear quick-draw reversed pocket(s), or the rear quick-draw pocket(s). Further, any of the example garments described herein can exclude one or more of the features described, such as one or more or all of the lapel pocket, patch pad(s), electronic device pocket, controller tether, cord keep, front or rear quick-draw reversed pocket(s), front or rear quick-draw pocket(s), keyboard sheath, or hood.
Although a few implementations have been described in detail above, other modifications are possible. For example, other components may be added to, or removed from, the described garments. Accordingly, other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims.
This application is a continuation-in-part of and claims the benefit of priority to U.S. application Ser. No. 16/007,583, titled “GAMER HOODIE” and filed on Jun. 13, 2018, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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Child | 16412153 | US |