Patent Application
20250228315
The present technology generally relates to garments for organizing sewing tools and patterns for making the garments.
Sewing and tailoring involve the use of various tools. However, one significant hurdle that many stitchers (e.g., seamstresses and tailors) face is the lack of well-organized tools that are easily accessible. While some stitchers utilize aprons, totes, or the like, which have conventionally designed and positioned pockets, accessing tools stored in these types of pockets can be difficult to access or disrupt the wearer's workflow. Better organization and/or storage for tools can greatly increase efficiency and accuracy of the stitcher's trade.
Many aspects of the present disclosure can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale. Instead, emphasis is placed on illustrating clearly the principles of the present disclosure. The drawings should not be taken to limit the disclosure to the specific embodiments depicted, but are for explanation and understanding only.
The present technology is generally directed to garments sized and shaped to partially cover a wearer's body and includes various pockets and other features useful in organizing tools and supplies for the wearer. The garment can be, for example, an apron comprising one or more surface pockets, some of which are sized and/or shaped to carry a tool. The one or more surface pockets can be affixed to a surface of the apron such that the pockets are situated to be easily accessible when the wearer changes position or moves throughout a workspace. The apron can further comprise a plurality of straps that can connect behind the back and/or neck of the wearer. In some embodiments, the apron can be folded such that it assembles into a tote or backpack form to be worn or carried when not being worn by the wearer. Also described herein are templates and associated patterns for making such garments.
While the present technology is capable of being embodied in various forms, the description below of several embodiments is made with the understanding that the present technology is to be considered as an exemplification of the present technology and is not intended to limit the present technology to the specific embodiments illustrated. Headings are provided for convenience only and are not to be construed to limit the present technology in any manner. Embodiments illustrated under any heading can be combined with embodiments illustrated under any other heading.
Sewing is a craft that demands accuracy and precision when forming sewn articles. And for commercial stitchers, efficiency is critical. To achieve such accuracy and precision when efficiently crafting such sewn articles, stitchers utilize a diverse array of tools and supplies. Organization and ease of access to tools and supplies is a crucial aspect of a stitcher's workflow, yet it remains a challenge. Currently, stitchers who organize tools and supplies can do so in totes, aprons, or other garments having conventionally designed and positioned pockets. However, as the stitcher moves throughout his or her workspace, totes are not easily accessible from one location to the next and require the stitcher to transport the tote between locations. Aprons having conventional pockets also present hurdles to organization and efficiency as conventional pockets do not reasonably accommodate the tools needed by the stitcher to perform the task, and/or the tools stored in the conventional pockets are not easily accessible as the stitcher moves within his or her workspace, such as between a seated position and a standing position.
To address these concerns, garments and associated patterns configured in accordance with the present technology integrate pockets sized, shaped, and/or positioned to enhance tool accessibility and organization. In some embodiments, the garments can be configured to be worn and carried in one or more ways, increasing portability for tools stored within the pockets when the garment is worn or being carried.
Certain details are set forth in the following description to provide a thorough understanding of various embodiments of the present technology. However, other details describing well-known features of garments are not set forth below to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the description of various embodiments of the present technology.
The following embodiments of the present technology are generally directed to an apron for organizing and carrying sewing tools and/or supplies via a plurality of surface pockets. The surface pockets are sized and shaped to carry the sewing tools and/or supplies used by the wearer. The apron can be folded into a backpack to be worn over the shoulders of the wearer. Also provided herein are templates for making the apron, which can be present in a kit or as a downloadable form.
As shown, the garment 100 comprise an apron sized and shaped to cover a portion of a wearer's body (not shown). The first surface 101 and the second surface 102 each include an upper edge 103 that is at or near the wearer's neck, and a lower edge 104 opposite to the upper edge 103. The first and second surfaces 101 and 102 are stitched together in an orientation such that the upper edge 103 and the lower edge 104 are both generally parallel with each other and a transverse axis T of the garment 100. The upper and lower edges 103 and 104 are both generally normal to a longitudinal axis L of the garment 100. The longitudinal axis L is also perpendicular/normal to the transverse axis T of the garment 100.
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The garment 100 can be composed of a variety of suitable materials including, for example, canvas, denim, vinyl, leather, and/or leather-like material. Garment 100 can further comprise one material or one or more materials. In some embodiments, surface 101 and surface 102 each comprise the same material. In some embodiments, surface 101 comprises a material that is different from the material of surface 102. Any of the materials from which garment 100 is at least partially formed can be a heat-resistant material or a washable material.
The garment 100 can be worn by the wearer through a plurality of straps. This includes, but is not limited to, a strap that slides over the head that rests on the shoulders or behind the neck of the wearer, two strap pieces that connect behind the neck or the back of the wearer, or straps that fit over the shoulders of the wearer. The straps can connect with a fastening piece. Nonlimiting examples of the fastening piece include a buckle, a loop, a tie, a button, a hook, or a snap. In some embodiments, the hook is present in a hook-and-loop fastener system.
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As noted previously, the garment 100 can include one or more surface pockets. Any one of the surface pockets described herein can be a patch pocket. In some embodiments, for example, the patch pocket is a regular patch pocket, a regular sport pocket, an inverted pleat pocket, a classic flap pocket, a box pleat flap, a safari pocket, a regular dress pocket, a classic pocket, a box pleat pocket, a regular dress flap, a cargo pocket, or a saddle pocket. In some embodiments, any one of the pockets described herein comprises a flap or a zipper at an opening of the surface pocket. The flap can further comprise a button, a snap, or a hook. In some embodiments, the hook is present in a hook-and-loop fastener system. Each surface pocket disclosed herein can comprise any one of a magnet, a puncture proof material or lining, a zipper, flap, hook, and/or button. In some embodiments, the hook is present in a hook-and-loop fastener system. In other embodiments, one or more of the surface pockets may have other suitable closure mechanisms/features.
Referring to
The garment 100 can include one or more additional pockets. In the illustrated embodiment, for example, garment 100 further comprises a second surface pocket 120A and a third surface pocket 120B. The surface pockets 120A and 120B comprise material 121A and material 121B, respectively, affixed to the first surface 101 of the garment 100. The surface pockets 120A and 120B can be composed of materials identical to or similar to those of the surface pocket 110 (e.g., canvas, denim, leather) or other suitable materials. In the illustrated embodiment, the material 121A and the material 121B are each sewn to the first surface 101 such that at least one edge remains unsewn, thereby defining first and second openings 122A and 122B for the first and second pockets 120A and 120B, respectively.
The first opening 122A extends along a second axis, and the third opening 122B extends along a third axis. The second and third axes are offset (non-parallel) with the transverse axis T of the garment 100. For example, the second axis may be offset from the transverse axis at an angle ranging from about 5° to about 75°. In some embodiments, the angle is between 30° and 60°. In additional embodiments, the angle is between 45° and 55°. The third axis may be offset from the transverse axis at an angle identical to or similar to that of the second axis, or the third axis may have a different offset. The angles of the first opening 122A and the second opening 122B are specially selected such that a tool or one or more personal items removably carried/stored within the corresponding surface pocket 120A and/or surface pocket 120B are easily accessible to the wearer throughout a variety of different operations (e.g., when the wearer is in a standing position, when the wearer is in a seated position, when the wearer is moving between workspaces). Further details regarding the accessibility features are described below with reference to
The surface pockets 120A or 120B are sized and shaped to slidably receive or carry a tool, with the tool accessible via the opening of the corresponding pocket. In some embodiments, for example, the tool is a sewing tool. Sewing tools can include, for example, a ruler, a tape measure, a pair of scissors, a thread ripper, a pincushion, a thread spool, a bobbin, a needle, a writing utensil, a chalk pencil, a mobile phone, a calculator, a notebook, a thimble, and a seam ripper. In some embodiments, the tool is a jewelry making tool (e.g., needle nose pliers, round nose pliers, wire cutters, crimping pliers, bent nose pliers, end nippers, bail making pliers, nylon pliers, and tweezers). In still further embodiments, a variety of other suitable tools may be stored/carried in the surface pockets 120A and 120B.
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Referring to
In some embodiments, one or more features of the garment 100 (e.g., the first and second surfaces 101 and 102, the surface pockets 110/115/116/117/118/140, and/or the straps 130A/130B) may comprise a material that is water resistant, puncture resistant, and/or heat resistant. Nonlimiting examples of such materials include denim, canvas, leather, wool, corduroy, ripstop nylon, polyester blends, flannel, and/or nylon. Further, it will be appreciated that the different features of the garment 100 may be composed of the same material, or one or more features may be composed of different materials. The surfaces, pockets and straps may be assembled with the garment 100 using thread, yarn, or a similar material including, but not limited to, embroidery floss, buttonhole twist, upholstery thread, waxed thread, monofilament thread, elastic thread, metallic thread, serger thread, and wool yarn.
As described herein, garments configured in accordance with the present technology comprise pockets sized and shaped to removably hold tool(s) and keep such tool(s) readily accessible/available for a user throughout a variety of different operating environments/orientations of the garment 100.
The opening 113 in the side of the flap 111 can be sized or shaped to allow passage of certain tools.
Another feature provided by the garment 100 is the positioning/orientation/arrangement of the surface pockets 120A and 120B.
In some embodiments, the garments of the present technology can be generated using a template as described herein. The template can be a downloadable and/or customizable template that provides patterns and/or instructions for making and using the garment. In some embodiments, the template is present in a kit or in a web form.
The present technology also provides for garments that can be configured for use in more than one form (e.g., garments that can be both worn and carried by the wearer). In some embodiments, for example, the garments disclosed herein can be folded into a tote form that is carried by the wearer. The tote form can comprise handles for ease of carrying. In some embodiments, the garments can be folded into a backpack that is worn by the user.
Referring to
The above detailed descriptions of embodiments of the present technology are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the technology to the precise form disclosed above. Although specific embodiments of, and examples for, the technology are described above for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications are possible within the scope of the technology as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize. For example, although steps are presented in a given order above, alternative embodiments can perform steps in a different order. Furthermore, the various embodiments described herein can also be combined to provide further embodiments.
From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that specific embodiments of the present technology have been described herein for purposes of illustration, but well-known structures and functions have not been shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the description of the embodiments of the present technology. Where the context permits, singular or plural terms can also include the plural or singular term, respectively. Moreover, unless the word “or” is expressly limited to mean only a single item exclusive from the other items in reference to a list of two or more items, then the use of “or” in such a list is to be interpreted as including (a) any single item in the list, (b) all of the items in the list, or (c) any combination of the items in the list. Furthermore, as used herein, the phrase “and/or” as in “A and/or B” refers to A alone, B alone, and both A and B. Additionally, the terms “comprising,” “including,” “having,” and “with” are used throughout to mean including at least the recited feature(s) such that any greater number of the same features and/or additional types of other features are not precluded. Moreover, as used herein, the phrases “based on,” “depends on,” “as a result of,” and “in response to” shall not be construed as a reference to a closed set of conditions. For example, an exemplary step that is described as “based on condition A” can be based on both condition A and condition B without departing from the scope of the present technology. In other words, as used herein, the phrase “based on” shall be construed in the same manner as the phrase “based at least in part on” or the phrase “based at least partially on.”
Spatially relative terms, such as “beneath,” “below,” “over,” “under,” “above,” “upper,” “top,” “bottom,” “left,” “right,” “center,” “middle,” “forward,” “away,” and the like, are used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship relative to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device or system in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if a device or system in the figures is rotated or turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” or “under” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplary terms “below” and “under” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device can be otherwise oriented (rotated 90° or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein are interpreted accordingly. In addition, it will also be understood that when an element is referred to as being “between” two other elements, it can be the only element between the two other elements, or one or more intervening elements can also be present.
From the foregoing, it will also be appreciated that various modifications can be made without deviating from the present technology. For example, one of ordinary skill in the art will understand that various components of the present technology can be further divided into subcomponents, or that various components and functions of the present technology can be combined and integrated. In addition, certain aspects of the technology described in the context of particular embodiments can also be combined or eliminated in other embodiments. Furthermore, although advantages associated with certain embodiments of the present technology have been described in the context of those embodiments, other embodiments can also exhibit such advantages, and not all embodiments need necessarily exhibit such advantages to fall within the scope of the present technology. Accordingly, the present technology can encompass other embodiments not expressly shown or described herein.
