Patent Application
20240365896
A pocket may include a small area in an apparel item that is designed for carrying small articles. In many instances, a pocket is sewn into the apparel item or otherwise permanently attached to the apparel item.
Pockets are used ubiquitously to provide storage for various items such as phones, keys, wallets, credit cards, coins, writing utensils, makeup, or lip balm among other things. Pockets may also be used to exhibit style, provide ventilation, or for other purposes. As used herein, a pocket may refer to an apparel item that is used to at least partially enclose an object placed therein and may refer to conventional pocket styles (e.g., shirt or pants pockets), pouches, pods, small bags, wallets, lanyards, fanny packs, or the like. Apparel may refer to clothing worn on the legs (e.g., pants, shorts, leggings, skirts, etc.) and/or upper body (e.g., shirts, blouses, jackets, vests, etc.) or accessories (e.g., hats, scarves, gloves, shoes, belts, socks, bags, purses, pet items, etc.).
Despite the numerous advantages of pockets, various apparel styles may be sold without pockets (or without adequate pockets) (e.g., to reach a lower price point). When pockets are included on apparel, the pockets are typically attached permanently to the apparel and are not removeable. For example, a pocket may be sewn in place during manufacturing of the clothing or other apparel. Accordingly, if a particular item of apparel in use by a person does not have the desired pocket combination (e.g., in terms of pocket style, size, placement, or function) for an activity to be performed, the person may have to swap the item for a different item of apparel or carry an extra item of apparel (e.g., a bag) with the desired pocket combination. If an item of apparel includes an undesired pocket, the pocket is generally not removable (at least in an aesthetically pleasing fashion) and the cost of the pocket is still factored into the purchase price of the item. The permanence of the pocket also prevents a person from detaching the pocket and its contents from the item of apparel.
Interchangeable pockets may alleviate various drawbacks associated with apparel with permanent pockets and/or inadequate pockets. However, conventional mechanisms for interchangeable pockets tend to be permanently affixed to the apparel item. For example, such mechanisms may include a portion that is sewn onto the apparel item, or utilize a Velcro® hook and loop system, snapping elements, or zipper attachment, resulting in the item being designed with the hook or loop tape on the outside or having a system permanently sewn onto the garment. Thus, the item must be worn with a precisely sized pocket in the intended space to avoid visible exposure of the attachment mechanism on the item. Other fasteners may be more elaborate and may include multiple fastening elements in the item for the pocket, such as multiple eyelet holes in the apparel in which a fabric strip or ribbon is threaded through the holes and may be changed to a different hole system within the garment. Such a configuration presents a time inconvenience for a user to unthread the pocket placement and replace the pocket with a new threaded tie system and new pocket position and may also result in holes in the item that are see-through to the body when the item is worn.
Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide an interchangeable (also referred to as modular) pocket system comprising a pocket base that may be removably attached to an apparel item. As one example, the pocket base may include magnet assemblies that include a magnet, a pin, and a clasp. The pins of the magnet assemblies may be placed through an item and the clasps may be secured to the pins to hold the pocket base against the item. The pocket base may then serve as an interface to attach an interchangeable pocket to the apparel item. In various embodiments, the magnets of the magnet assemblies may mate with magnets affixed to an interchangeable pocket, thus mounting the interchangeable pocket onto the pocket base and affixing the interchangeable pocket to the apparel item.
The interchangeable pockets may have any suitable design, style, fabric, shape, color, or trim. As the pocket base is removably attached to an apparel item, it may be repositionable on the same item or may be removed from the item and placed on another item, facilitating flexible usability across a number of apparel items.
Any of the various embodiments described herein may provide one or more advantages. For example, an interchangeable pocket system may provide a user with a high degree of customization over the style and size of pockets attached to apparel items worn or otherwise employed by the user and may allow a user to conveniently add to or change aesthetic design elements with respect to the apparel items. This may allow consumers to adapt their clothing and accessories in an enjoyable manner by re-designing or re-styling apparel. For example, a user may purchase basic apparel items and then customize their wardrobe using various interchangeable pockets.
In addition to aesthetic customization, apparel items may also be customized for utility using interchangeable pockets. For example, an interchangeable pocket affixed to an apparel item may alleviate the need to carry an extra bag or carrying case to access items that can be placed in the interchangeable pocket. An interchangeable pocket may be added to an apparel item that was not manufactured with a pocket. An interchangeable pocket and its contents may be removed from the pocket base and transported with the user (e.g., to a bathroom, into a store, around an office, etc.), thus the pocket may function as a separate bag or pouch when removed.
Interchangeable pockets may also result in time savings, as a pocket may be quickly swapped or added to an apparel item to change the look of an outfit, avoiding the need to change multiple items of or a whole outfit. The interchangeable pocket and its contents may also be quickly removed from one apparel item and placed onto another apparel item, thus saving the time required to empty the contents of a pocket and move the items to another pocket.
The interchangeable pocket systems described herein may also have significant sustainability benefits. For example, a user that desires to reduce their environmental footprint may purchase a set of basic apparel items and utilize the interchangeable pockets to significantly increase the flexibility of their wardrobe and longevity of individual apparel items through repurposing of the basic apparel to achieve a longer apparel life cycle, thus reducing waste and pollution associated with the manufacturing and disposal process. Interchangeable pockets may also allow for smaller wardrobes, thus decreasing the closet space required to store one's apparel and reducing the amount of luggage needed for travel.
In the embodiment depicted, the apertures 102A and 102B are formed on either side of the pocket base 100 and are generally centered within the surrounding material of the pocket base 100. In the embodiment depicted in
As depicted in
The platform 101 may comprise any suitable material, such as one or more of plastic, nylon, polycarbonate, metal filaments, cut and sewn fabrics, or other suitable material. The platform 101 may be formed in any suitable manner, such as through three dimensional (3D) printing, a molding process, or cut and sew fabrication. In some embodiments, the platform 101 may comprise a coating on its outer surfaces that provides a desired aesthetic (e.g., a dull look, a shiny look, a particular color, a metallic finish, etc.).
In various embodiments, the material choice and or dimensions of the platform 101 may exhibit a suitable balance of sturdiness (e.g., to provide support for the weight of a corresponding interchangeable pocket and contents placed therein) and flexibleness (e.g., to adapt to the curvature of the particular item that the pocket base 100 is affixed to). For example, to achieve a suitable balance between sturdiness and flexibleness, an average thickness of the platform 101 may be between ⅛ inch and ¼ inch. In one embodiment, the average thickness of the pocket base 100 may be substantially 3/16 inch.
The apertures 102A and 102B are on opposite halves (e.g., left half, right half in the front view of
The second portion 206 also includes pin 208, which may be placed through material of an apparel item (e.g., from an outer surface up to and potentially beyond an inner surface of the apparel item). The clasp 210 may be placed on the other side (e.g., the inner side) of the material and around the pin 208 to secure the second portion 206 (and the platform 101 and first portion 202) to the item (e.g., such that at least a portion of the platform 101 is held against the outer surface of the apparel item). A similar magnet assembly may be placed through aperture 102A and secured to the item in like manner. When a user desires to reposition the pocket base 100 or move the pocket base 100 to a new item, the clasps 210 may be removed from the pins 208 and then reattached to the pins once the pins 208 have been placed through the material of the item at the desired positions. Any suitable clasps may be used, such as flat back clasps or a clasp having a curved edge (e.g., on a side that may contact a body of a person wearing the apparel item with the pocket base 100).
The magnet 204 may interface with an appropriately sized magnet on the back of an interchangeable pocket (as will be described in more detail below) to secure the interchangeable pocket to the pocket base 100 and thus to the item to which the pocket base 100 is affixed. While various embodiments herein focus on a magnetic attachment between the pocket base 100 and the interchangeable pockets, other embodiments may use any suitable attachment mechanisms to sucre the pocket base 100 to interchangeable pockets, such as hook and loop, magnetic clasps, clips, buttons, pin clasp fasteners, or other suitable attachment mechanisms.
Tape 302 and an attached dee ring 304 are attached to the pocket base 100 through the aperture 104. In various embodiments, any suitable hardware (e.g., a dee ring, a lobster claw clasp, etc.) may be attached to the pocket base in order to attach to other fasteners to hold keys, a card holder, or other small items.
The front flap 402 may be opened to expose the pocket in order to place one or more items therein and then closed over the pocket. The tab 404 may extend outward from the border of the pocket and may comprise a trim tab for pulling the pocket 400 to release it from the pocket base 100 to change or remove the pocket 400.
The interchangeable pocket 400 may comprise any suitable material, such as nylon, denim, cotton, polyester, or other suitable material. In various embodiments, the material may be relatively lightweight. The interchangeable pocket 400 may be used to hold any suitable items, such as a phone or a wallet.
In various embodiments, any suitable hardware (e.g., a dee ring, a lobster claw clasp, etc.) may be attached to the pocket 400 in order to attach to other fasteners to hold keys, a card holder, or other small items.
Pocket 400 also includes a back vent 506 (also referred to as a hood) that may be wrapped over the pocket base 100 when the pocket is attached thereto in order to conceal the pocket base 100. In a particular embodiment, the back vent 506 is sewn (or otherwise attached) onto the back side 514 of the pocket 400. In some instances, the back vent 506 may be under tension, so as to pull the pocket base 100 closer to the pocket 400, facilitating concealment of the pocket base 100.
The pocket 400 may also include a back loop 508 attached to the back side 514. The loop 508 may be used as a handle when the pocket 400 is removed from the pocket base 100. For example, the pocket 400 may be used as a makeup bag, a to-go bag, or other suitable apparatus.
Pocket 400 may also include magnets 504A and 504B to interface with the magnets 204A and 204B. For example, magnets 504A and 504B may include female interfaces to mate with the male interfaces of magnets 204A and 204B. In various embodiments, the magnets may be relatively thin (e.g., less than 10 millimeters in thickness), creating a sleek, relatively seamless attachment interface. In some instances, the magnets 504A and 504B may be concealed within a wall, side, back, or flap of the pocket 400.
Although various embodiments herein focus on fasteners comprising magnets as the attachment mechanism between the pocket 400 and the pocket base 100, in other embodiments, any suitable fasteners may additionally or alternatively be included on the pocket 400 or pocket base 100 to provide the attachment. For example, such fasteners may include hook and loop elements, clips, magna pins, snap elements, snap base fasteners, or friction-based fasteners.
Similarly, although various embodiments herein focus on fasteners comprising a pin and/or clasp as the attachment mechanism between a pocket base 100 and an apparel item, any other suitable fasteners (including any of the fasteners mentioned herein) may be used in other embodiments. For example, the fastener may include a magnet attached to the platform 101 and another magnet that goes on the inside of the apparel item and mates with the magnet on the platform 101. As another example, the fastener may include a multi-prong fastener that is attached to the platform. The prongs may pass through the material of the apparel item and then may be bent to affix the platform to the apparel item. Although the depicted embodiments show the fasteners used to attach the pocket base 100 to the apparel item (e.g., the pins and clasps) as integrated with (e.g., part of the same assembly as) the fasteners (e.g., magnets) used to attach the interchangeable pocket to the pocket base, in other embodiments, these fasteners may be separate.
In
As shown, the attachment interface between a pocket base 100 and an interchangeable pocket 400 is essentially indistinguishable from the interface between a pocket that is permanently attached to apparel.
In various embodiments, the caddy 1400 may be constructed of an at least semi-rigid material, so as to provide sufficient support and durability for its functionality.
While the pocket base 1500 may be attached to any suitable apparel or accessory, in various embodiments, the pocket base 1500 may be particularly suited to be attached to an accessory with a smaller attachment surface, such as a hat, shoe, scarf (and to couple an interchangeable pocket to that accessory in a manner similar to that described above). Because the pocket base 1500 includes a platform 1501 and a single magnet assembly (with a single pin through the material of the item), the pocket base 1500 may be capable of spinning around the item it is attached to.
When the pocket base 1600 is attached to an item of apparel, the platform 1601 is folded about a fold line 1606 over a portion of the apparel. For example, the platform 1601 could be folded around a belt or scarf or over the top of a waistline. The platform 1601 may be held in the folded position by fastening mechanisms 1604A and 1604B located, e.g., on the back side of the pocket base 1600. In various embodiments, mechanisms 1604A and 1604B may be magnets, although other suitable fastening mechanisms described herein may additionally or alternatively be used.
Throughout this specification, plural instances may implement components, operations, or structures described as a single instance. Although individual operations of one or more methods are illustrated and described as separate operations, one or more of the individual operations may be performed concurrently, and nothing requires that the operations be performed in the order illustrated. Structures and functionality presented as separate components in example configurations may be implemented as a combined structure or component. Similarly, structures and functionality presented as a single component may be implemented as separate components. These and other variations, modifications, additions, and improvements fall within the scope of the subject matter herein.
It will also be understood that, although the terms “first,” “second,” and so forth may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another and are not intended to imply that the objects so described must be in a given sequence, either temporally, spatially, in ranking or in any other manner. For example, a first contact could be termed a second contact, and, similarly, a second contact could be termed a first contact, without departing from the scope of the present example embodiments. The first contact and the second contact are both contacts, but they are not the same contact.
As used in the description of the example embodiments and the appended examples, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will also be understood that the term “and/or” as used herein refers to and encompasses any and all possible combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. For example, the phrase “A and/or B” means (A), (B), or (A and B), while the phrase “A, B, and/or C” means (A), (B), (C), (A and B), (A and C), (B and C), or (A, B, and C).
The foregoing description, for the purpose of explanation, has been described with reference to specific example embodiments. However, the illustrative discussions above are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the possible example embodiments to the precise forms disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings. The example embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles involved and their practical applications, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the various example embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.
This application claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119 (e) of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 63/499,674, entitled “SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CUSTOMIZING POCKETS” filed May 2, 2023. The disclosure of this application is hereby incorporated by reference herein.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63499674 | May 2023 | US |
