Secure pocket structure

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12016410-B2
Application number	US-202318126627-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 27, 2023
Priority date	Jul 25, 2018
Publication date	Jun 25, 2024
Grant date	Jun 25, 2024

Abstract

Aspects herein are directed to a pocket structure that facilitates the secure storage of items stowed within the pocket structure. The pocket structure includes inner and outer pocket layers defining a pocket space therebetween. The pocket structure further includes a first tapered channel structure positioned in the pocket space between the outer pocket layer and the inner pocket layer, that has an inlet opening and an outlet opening opposite the inlet opening. The first tapered channel structure providing a passageway to the pocket space from the inlet opening edge to the outlet opening edge; and a first tether structure extending from the tapered channel structure to one or more of the outer pocket layer, the inner pocket layer, and a seam joining the outer pocket layer and the inner pocket layer.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A pocket structure for a garment, the pocket structure comprising:
an inner pocket layer comprising an inner opening edge;
an outer pocket layer comprising an outer opening edge, the outer pocket layer and the inner pocket layer defining a pocket space therebetween;
a first tapered channel structure positioned in the pocket space between the outer pocket layer and the inner pocket layer, the first tapered channel structure having an inlet opening defined by an inlet opening edge and an outlet opening opposite the inlet opening that is defined by an outlet opening edge, the first tapered channel structure providing a passageway to the pocket space from the inlet opening edge to the outlet opening edge; and
a first tether structure extending inwardly from the tapered channel structure and secured to one or more of the outer pocket layer, the inner pocket layer, and a seam joining the outer pocket layer and the inner pocket layer, inwardly of the outlet opening.

2. The pocket structure of claim 1 , wherein the first tether structure is continuous with the first tapered channel structure.

3. The pocket structure of claim 1 , wherein the outlet opening edge of the first tapered channel structure is held in a spaced relationship from the inlet opening edge by the first tether structure.

4. The pocket structure of claim 1 , wherein the first tapered channel structure comprises a top edge and a bottom edge, wherein each of the top edge and the bottom edge extends from the inlet opening edge to the outlet opening edge of the first tapered channel structure.

5. The pocket structure of claim 4 , wherein the first tether structure extends from the top edge of the first tapered channel structure to one or more of the outer pocket layer, the inner pocket layer, and a seam joining the outer pocket layer and the inner pocket layer.

6. The pocket structure of claim 4 , wherein the first tether structure extends from the bottom edge of the first tapered channel structure to one or more of the outer pocket layer, the inner pocket layer, and a seam joining the outer pocket layer and the inner pocket layer.

7. The pocket structure of claim 5 , further comprising a second tether structure.

8. The pocket structure of claim 7 , wherein the second tether structure extends from the bottom edge of the first tapered channel structure to one or more of the outer pocket layer, the inner pocket layer, and a seam joining the outer pocket layer and the inner pocket layer.

9. A pocket structure for a garment, the pocket structure comprising:
an inner pocket layer;
an outer pocket layer, the outer pocket layer and the inner pocket layer defining a pocket space therebetween;
wherein the inner and outer pocket layers are coupled to one another around a periphery of the pocket space except at least at a first entry opening disposed at a first edge of the pocket structure;
a first pocket entry structure disposed between the inner and outer pocket layers and extending from an inlet opening disposed at the first entry opening to an outlet opening disposed inwardly within the pocket space relative to the inlet opening, the first pocket entry structure being funnel shaped and having a first funnel edge extending from the inlet opening to the outlet opening and having a second funnel edge spaced apart from the first funnel edge and extending from the inlet opening to the outlet opening, the first funnel edge and the second funnel edge converging toward one another in a direction from the inlet opening toward the outlet opening;
wherein the inlet opening has a first length along the first edge of the first entry opening and the outlet opening has a second length between the first funnel edge and the second funnel edge, wherein the first length is greater than the second length;
wherein the outlet opening is suspended within the pocket space between the inner pocket layer and the outer pocket layer; and
at least a first tether extending from the first funnel edge in a first direction away from the first pocket entry structure, wherein the first tether comprises a first floating edge coupled with and extending along the first funnel edge; a first anchored edge extending along a portion of the periphery of the pocket space and coupled with one of the inner pocket layer, the outer pocket layer, and a seam joining the inner pocket layer and the outer pocket layer; and a first inwardmost edge aligned with and extending from the outlet opening, the first inwardmost edge defining an arc oriented concavely downward.

10. The pocket structure of claim 9 , wherein the first pocket entry structure comprises:
an inner funnel layer comprising an expanse extending from the inlet opening to the outlet opening, and further extending from the first funnel edge to the second funnel edge; and
an outer funnel layer disposed between the inner funnel layer and the outer pocket layer and comprising an expanse extending from the inlet opening to the outlet opening, and further extending from the first funnel edge to the second funnel edge.

11. The pocket structure of claim 10 , wherein either or both of the inner funnel layer and the outer funnel layer comprises an elastically deformable textile.

12. The pocket structure of claim 9 , further comprising at least a second tether extending from the second funnel edge in a second direction away from the first pocket entry structure, wherein the second direction is different from the first direction.

13. The pocket structure of claim 12 , wherein either or both of the first tether and the second tether comprise an elastically deformable textile.

14. The pocket structure of claim 12 , wherein the second tether comprises an expanse having:
a second floating edge coupled with and extending along the second funnel edge;
a second anchored edge extending along a portion of the periphery of the pocket space and coupled with one of the inner pocket layer, the outer pocket layer, and a seam joining the inner pocket layer and the outer pocket layer; and
a second inwardmost edge aligned with and extending from the outlet opening, wherein the second inwardmost edge defines an arc orientated concavely inward relative to the inlet opening.

15. The pocket structure of claim 14 , wherein the inner and outer pocket layers are coupled to one another around a periphery of the pocket space except at least at the first entry opening and at a second entry opening disposed at a second edge of the pocket structure, the first entry opening being spaced apart from the second entry opening, the pocket structure further comprising a second pocket entry structure disposed between the inner and outer pocket layers and extending from a second inlet opening disposed at the second entry opening to a second outlet opening disposed inwardly within the pocket space relative to the second inlet opening, the second pocket entry structure being spaced apart from the first pocket entry structure, the second pocket entry structure being funnel shaped and having a third funnel edge extending from the second inlet opening to the second outlet opening and having a fourth funnel edge spaced apart from the third funnel edge and extending from the second inlet opening to the second outlet opening, the third funnel edge and the fourth funnel edge converging toward one another in a direction from the second inlet opening toward the second outlet opening;
wherein the second inlet opening has a third length along the second edge of the second entry opening and the second outlet opening has a fourth length between the third funnel edge and the fourth funnel edge,

Assignees

• Nike Inc

Inventors

• Boyd Patrick D
• Tindell Amanda
• Van Weerd Mark A

Classifications

• A41D27/207 Primary

  with drop-proof features · CPC title

• A41D2300/22

  Elastic inserts · CPC title

• A41D27/201

  Pocket closures · CPC title

• A41D2500/30

  Non-woven · CPC title

• A41D2500/20

  Woven · CPC title