POCKET ACCESS

Abstract

Example embodiments of the present disclosure comprise a pocket access for providing rapid and secured access to the interior of a pocket.

Description

BACKGROUND

1. Field

The present disclosure relates to providing rapid and secured access to the interior of a pocket.

2. Description of the Related Art

Whether in a golf bag, backpack, briefcase, purse, an item of apparel, or any other structure, pockets are ubiquitous. Some prior art pocket accesses provide rapid access, yet are not secure (items are at risk of falling out). Other prior art pocket accesses are secure, yet do not provide rapid access (e.g., zippers, Velcro®). What is needed in the art is a pocket access that provides both rapid and secured access to the interior of a pocket. The present disclosure addresses this need.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the present disclosure and are incorporated in, and constitute a part of, this specification, illustrate various embodiments, and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the disclosure.

FIG. 1A illustrates a pocket access in accordance with example embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 1B illustrates a resilient flexible member of a pocket access in accordance with example embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate a pocket access in closed and open configurations, respectively, in accordance with example embodiments of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 3 illustrates a pocket access having an inner lip in accordance with example embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The detailed description of various embodiments herein makes reference to the accompanying drawings, which show various embodiments by way of illustration. While these various embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the disclosure, it should be understood that other embodiments may be realized and that logical, chemical, mechanical and structural changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Thus, the detailed description herein is presented for purposes of illustration only and not of limitation.

For example, the steps recited in any of the method or process descriptions may be executed in any order and are not necessarily limited to the order presented. Furthermore, any reference to singular includes plural embodiments, and any reference to more than one component or step may include a singular embodiment or step. Also, any reference to attached, fixed, connected, coupled or the like may include permanent (e.g., integral), removable, temporary, partial, full, and/or any other possible attachment option. Any of the components may be coupled to each other via bolts, dowels, glue, stitching, welding, soldering, brazing, sleeves, brackets, clips or other means known in the art or hereinafter developed. Additionally, any reference to without contact (or similar phrases) may also include reduced contact or minimal contact.

Example embodiments of the present disclosure comprise a pocket access for providing rapid and secured access to the interior of a pocket.

With reference to FIG. 1A, in example embodiments, a pocket access 100 comprises a plurality of opening sides 110, 120. Opening sides 110, 120 are arranged in parallel in example embodiments, and may be formed of, or otherwise defined by, any fabric, textile or other flexible material known in the art, for example, nylon, polyester, cotton, blends of the foregoing, leather, synthetic leather, polysynthetic leather, Gore-Tex®, tarpaulin, polypropylene, polyurethane, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene vinyl acetate, or the like. In example embodiments, adjacent portions of opening sides 110, 120 comprise a low-resistance surface that allows a user's hand to easily slide through pocket access 100 into and out of a pocket 150.

In example embodiments, at least one of opening sides 110, 120 further comprises a resilient flexible member 130, 140. For example, one opening side can be rigid and another opening side can comprise a resilient flexible member 130, 140. In other embodiments, described infra, opening side 110 and opening side 120 comprise resilient flexible members 130, 140, respectively.

What follows now is a further description of resilient flexible members in accordance with example embodiments. While such embodiments will be described with reference to resilient flexible member 140 and opening side 120, persons skilled in the art will appreciate that, unless otherwise specified, the description may be applied to resilient flexible member 130 and opening side 110.

In example embodiments, resilient flexible member 140 is disposed in opening side 120, for example in a channel 122 defined in opening side 120. Channel 122 can be defined by stitching 124, one or more folds 126 in opening side 120, and/or an adhesive.

In general, resilient flexible member 140 comprises an undeformed configuration and a deformed configuration. In example embodiments, the undeformed configuration is longitudinally linear and the deformed configuration is longitudinally non-linear, for example, having an angle or curve. The deformed configuration may be predisposed by one or more weakened or scored portions in resilient flexible member 140.

With momentary reference to FIG. 2A, when the resilient flexible member(s) is/are in the undeformed configuration, pocket access 100 is closed, so as to prevent items from unintentionally falling out through pocket access 100. Turning to FIG. 28, when the resilient flexible member(s) is/are in the deformed configuration, pocket access 100 is open, and can be large enough to accommodate entry of a user's hand and withdrawal of an item through opening sides 110,120.

Turning back to FIG. 1A, in example embodiments, resilient flexible member 140 in a deformed configuration has a structural or material bias toward an undeformed configuration. In example embodiments, the bias can be activated, for example, by manually urging resilient flexible member 140 toward the undeformed configuration.

With momentary reference to FIG. 1B, resilient flexible member 240 can have any suitable cross section along its length, and such cross section can vary along its length, for example, vary at ends 245 of resilient flexible member 240 so as to protect from abrasion against channel 122 of opening side 120. For example, and as described in greater detail below, the shape of the cross section of an example resilient flexible member can comprise a circular arc, a segmented arc, a circle, an oval, a square, a rectangle, a toroid, a trapezoid, or the like.

In example embodiments wherein the cross section of resilient flexible member 140 comprises a circular arc, the length of resilient flexible member 140 comprises opposing concave and convex surfaces 142, 144, respectively, similar to a “slap bracelet.”

In such embodiment, resilient flexible member 140 can be arced and thus may have a radius of curvature R. The width can range from about 10 millimeters (“mm”) to about 40 mm, or preferably about 20 mm.

In various embodiments, and with momentary reference again to FIG. 1B, the cross section of the resilient flexible member 240 comprises a segmented arc shape. For example, resilient flexible member 240 may include one or more linear bends 247 disposed between substantially planar panels 246, 248. In various embodiments, for example, the resilient flexible member 240 may include a central panel 246 and two lateral panels 248 that are coupled to or integrated with the central panel 246 at two linear bends 247 and that extend in an angled orientation from the central panel 246. In various embodiments, the angle of the linear bends 247 (i.e., the angle between each lateral panel 248 and the central panel 246) is between about 165 degrees and about 175 degrees, or preferably about 173 degrees. The resilient flexible member may have a single linear bend between two planar panels, two linear bends separating three panels (as shown in FIG. 1B), three linear bends separating four panels, etc.

The thickness can range from about 0.1 mm to about 0.4 mm, or preferably about 0.2 mm. Notwithstanding the foregoing, persons skilled in the art will appreciate that the radius of curvature R, the width, and the thickness may vary in proportion to the length of resilient flexible member 140.

In various embodiments, resilient flexible member 140 comprises a material that is capable of resilient deformation and is flexible, for example, a plastic, a metal, an alloy, a shape-memory material (e.g., nitinol), a composite, or the like. In various embodiments, resilient flexible member 140 is made from a manganese steel alloy. For example, resilient flexible member 140 may have a composition that comprises about 65% manganese and about 35% steel. While in some embodiments, resilient flexible member 140 may comprise a hinge or spring element, in other embodiments, pocket access 100 is completely devoid of any hinge or spring element.

Resilient flexible member 140 can comprise a coating, for example, to protect a channel of opening side 120 from abrasion, or to impart a desired tactile or auditory response upon resilient flexible member 140 moving from a deformed configuration to an undeformed configuration and/or vice versa. Resilient flexible member 140 can be magnetic or comprise a magnetic coating or feature.

In embodiments wherein one opening side is rigid and an adjacent opening side comprises a resilient flexible member, the rigid opening side can have a dimension that corresponds to a dimension of the resilient flexible member and/or otherwise complements the shape or configuration of the resilient flexible member, for example, a full or partially concave surface to engage with a convex surface of the resilient flexible member.

With reference again to FIG. 1A, in embodiments wherein adjacent opening sides 110, 120 comprise resilient flexible members 130, 140, respectively, convex surface 134 of resilient flexible member 130 can face convex surface 144 of resilient flexible member 140. Resilient flexible members 130, 140 can comprise the same or different dimensions, whether the radius of curvature R, the width, and/or the thickness.

In example embodiments, resilient flexible members 130, 140 are separate and are not in direct contact with each other. Resilient flexible members 130, 140 can be arranged in parallel and can be offset, for example, to nest relative to each other.

With reference now to FIG. 3, in example embodiments, a pocket access further comprises an inner lip 118 along its length. Inner lip 118 can prevent items from unintentionally falling out through the pocket access. Inner lip can be defined by a resilient flexible member enclosed in opening side 110 as described supra. In such embodiments, a channel into which a resilient flexible member is disposed may be stitched or otherwise secured to an opening side on less than all of its edges, for example, on 1, 2, or 3 edges of a rectangular channel, with the unsecured edge(s) forming inner lip 118.

A pocket access can further comprise an overlying cover which, when opened, urges a

resilient flexible member from an undeformed configuration to a deformed configuration, to thereby open the pocket access. By way of non-limiting example, the edges of an overlying cover can be secured to the edges of a channel into which a resilient flexible member is disposed.

The present disclosure further includes methods of use and methods of manufacturing. In various embodiments, the method of manufacturing resilient flexible member may include a heat treatment of between about 250 and 300 degrees Celsius for between about 10 and 20 minutes.

While various embodiment of the present disclosure has been described with reference to a golf bag, the present disclosure is not so limited. For example, a pocket, in accordance with example embodiments, can be on a golf bag, backpack, briefcase, purse, an item of apparel, or any other structure commonly known in the art as having a pocket, whether for use in an activity that is primarily recreational, professional, academic, outdoor, indoor or otherwise.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present disclosure without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosure. Thus, it is intended that the embodiments described herein cover the modifications and variations of this disclosure provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Numerous characteristics and advantages have been set forth in the preceding description, including various alternatives together with details of the structure and function of the devices and/or methods. The disclosure is intended as illustrative only and as such is not intended to be exhaustive. It will be evident to those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made, especially in matters of structure, materials, elements, components, shape, size and arrangement of parts including combinations within the principles of the invention, to the full extent indicated by the broad, general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed. To the extent that these various modifications do not depart from the spirit and scope of the appended claims, they are intended to be encompassed therein.

Claims

1. A pocket access for providing rapid and secured access to the interior of a pocket; the pocket comprising: a first opening side, the first opening side having a channel comprising a resilient flexible member, the resilient flexible member comprising an undeformed configuration and a deformed configuration; anda second opening side.

2. The pocket according to claim 1, wherein the resilient flexible comprises: at least two planar panels and at least one single linear bend; wherein the flexible member has a width ranging from approximately 10 millimeters to 40 millimeters; a thickness ranging from 0.1 millimeter to 0.4 millimeter;and an angle of linear bend between 165 degrees and 175 degrees.

3. The pocket according to claim 1, wherein the resilient flexible member has a cross section that comprises a segmented arc shape.

4. The pocket according to claim 1, wherein the resilient flexible member consists of a single linear bend between two planar panels, wherein the angle of the single linear bend is approximately 173 degrees.

5. The pocket according to claim 1, wherein the resilient flexible member comprises a central panel and two lateral panels that are coupled to the central panel and two linear bends that extend in an angled orientation from the central panel.

6. The pocket according to claim 2, wherein the resilient flexible member comprises a thickness that is preferably 0.2 mm.

7. A pocket access for providing rapid and secured access to the interior of a pocket; the pocket comprising: a first opening side, the first opening side having a channel comprising a resilient flexible member;the resilient flexible member having a width ranging from 10 millimeters to 40 millimeters and a thickness ranging from 0.1 millimeter to 0.4 millimeter, the resilient flexible member having at least two planar panels, wherein the resilient flexible member further comprises an undeformed configuration and a deformed configuration; anda second opening side.

8. The pocket according to claim 7, wherein the cross section of the resilient flexible member comprises a segmented arc shape, a circle, an oval, a square, a rectangle, a trapezoid or the like.

9. The pocket according to claim 7, wherein the resilient flexible member consists of a single linear bend between two planar panels, wherein the angle of the single linear bend is approximately 173 degrees.

10. The pocket according to claim 7, wherein the resilient flexible member comprises a thickness that is preferably 0.2 mm.

11. The pocket according to claim 7, wherein the resilient flexible member comprises a structural bias toward the undeformed configuration.

12. The pocket according to claim 7, wherein the resilient flexible member comprises a central panel and two lateral panels that are coupled to the central panel and two linear bends that extend in an angled orientation from the central panel.

13. The pocket according to claim 7 wherein the resilient flexible member comprises a magnetic coating.

14. The pocket according to claim 1 wherein the second opening side comprises a second resilient flexible member.

15. The pocket according to claim 7 wherein the second opening side comprises a rigid material, having a dimension that corresponds to the dimension of the resilient flexible member.

16. A pocket access for providing rapid and secured access to the interior of a pocket; the pocket comprising: a first opening side, the first opening side having a channel comprising a resilient flexible member;the resilient flexible member having a width ranging from 10 millimeters to 40 millimeters and a thickness ranging from approximately 0.1 millimeter to 0.4 millimeter, the resilient flexible member further comprising a central panel at least two planar panelsintegrated with the central panel, wherein the resilient flexible member further comprises an undeformed configuration and a deformed configuration wherein the undeformed configuration is longitudinally linear and the deformed configuration is longitudinally non-linear, and the resilient flexible members each further comprise a coating; anda second opening side, the second opening side comprised of a rigid material.

17. The pocket according to claim 16 wherein the resilient flexible member comprises a magnetic coating.

18. The pocket according to claim 16 wherein the resilient flexible member comprises approximately 65% manganese and approximately 35% steel.

19. The pocket according to claim 16 wherein the resilient flexible member comprises a structural bias toward the undeformed configuration.

20. The pocket according to claim 16 wherein a linear bend between the at least two planar panels integrated with the central panel has and angle between approximately 165 degrees and 175 degrees.