Stabilized Pockets For Sports Apparel

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to exercise apparel. In one embodiment, the apparel takes the form of a shirt that includes front and back panels and first and second sleeves. A pocket is formed on the outside surface of each sleeve. Each pocket further includes a zippered opening. Each sleeve includes a spandex band extending around the arm opening and adapted to securely fit over the upper arm of the wearer. Each spandex band is in close proximity to the bottom edge of an associated pocket. The bands function in stabilizing the pocket and preventing excess movement while exercising.

Claims

1. A shirt for use by a wearer while exercising, the shirt comprising in combination: front and back panels and first and second sleeves, the panels and sleeves being constructed primarily from a breathable material consisting of approximately 92% polyester, the front and back panels defining a neck opening, the first and second sleeves each defining an arm opening having a first diameter, each sleeve further including a forward extent, a rearward extent, and a side extent therebetween, each side extent adapted to be positioned over a side of the wearer's shoulder; a first pocket positioned upon the side extent of the first sleeve and a second pocket positioned upon the side extent of the second sleeve, each pocket including an opening, upper and lower surfaces, and four sides edges, a first polyurethane layer sewn to the upper surface of each pocket along all four sides via double stitching, a second polyurethane layer sewn to the lower surface of each pocket along all four sides via double stitching, each pocket further including a zipper for selectively providing access to the opening, whereby the polyurethane layers create a water proof interior for each of the pockets; a pair of stabilizing sleeves, each stabilizing sleeve being secured to the arm opening of an associated sleeve, each stabilizing sleeve having a second diameter that is substantially smaller than the first diameter, each stabilizing sleeve being formed primarily from elastane and functioning to tightly adhere to an upper arm of the wearer and thereby stabilize any objects held in the associated pocket.

2. A garment for use by a wearer while exercising, the garment comprising in combination: front and back panels and a sleeve, the sleeve having an opening of a first diameter, the panels and sleeve being constructed primarily from a breathable material; a pocket positioned upon the sleeve, the pocket including an outer face; the pocket further including four sides edges that are sewn to the associated sleeve and an opening in the outer face of the pocket, the pocket further including a zipper for selectively securing the opening; a stabilizing sleeve being secured to the opening of the sleeve, the stabilizing sleeve having a second diameter that is substantially smaller than the first diameter, the stabilizing sleeve being formed primarily from spandex and functioning to tightly adhere to the wearer and thereby stabilize any objects held in the pocket.

3. The garment as described in claim 2 wherein the garment is a shirt.

4. The garment as described in claim 2 wherein two opposing sleeves are included.

5. The garment as described in claim 2 wherein the pocket includes an outer face that is formed from a mesh material, the mesh material allowing the wearer to see objects placed within the pocket.

6. The garment as described in claim 2 wherein the pocket includes an inner face that is formed from a double-stitched layer of polyurethane laminate, the double-stitched layer making the pocket waterproof.

7. The garment as described in claim 2 wherein the top of the stabilizing sleeve is between 0.4-0.6 of an inch away from the pocket.

8. The garment as described in claim 2 wherein the pocket is 4 inches wide and 7.5 inches long.

9. The garment as described in claim 3 wherein the distance from the top of the pocket to the shoulder seam is between 1.75-3.75 inches.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure and its advantages, reference is now made to the following descriptions, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0014] FIG. 1. is a perspective view of the apparel of the present disclosure.

[0015] FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the apparel of the present disclosure.

[0016] FIG. 3 is a rear elevational view of the apparel of the present disclosure.

[0017] FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the apparel of the present disclosure.

[0018] FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view of the apparel of the present disclosure.

[0019] FIG. 6 is a right side view of the apparel of the present disclosure.

[0020] FIG. 7 is a left side view of the apparel of the present disclosure.

[0021] FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the sleeve of the apparel of the present disclosure.

[0022] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the pocket of the apparel of the present disclosure.

[0023] Similar reference numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

TABLE-US-00001 Parts List   10 Shirt 20 Front Panel of Shirt 22 Back Panel of Shirt 24 First Sleeve 26 Second Sleeve 28 Neck Opening 32 Arm Openings in Sleeves 34 Wiring Guides 36 First Diameter of Arm Opening 38 Forward Portion of Sleeve 42 Rearward Portion of Sleeve 44 Side Portion of Sleeve 46 First Pocket 52 Second Pocket 54 Side Edges of Pocket 60 Inner Face of Pocket 62 Zippered Closure for Opening 64 Outer Face of Pocket 66 Stabilizing Sleeve 68 Second Diameter of Stabilizing Sleeve 70 Polyurethane Layers 72 Double Stitching 74 Interior of Pocket

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] The present disclosure relates to exercise apparel. In one embodiment, the apparel takes the form of a shirt that includes front and back panels and first and second sleeves. A pocket is formed on the outside surface of each sleeve. Each pocket further includes a zippered or Velcro flap for securing an opening of the pocket. The pockets are able to hold electronics, such as cellular phones, and medical devices and medication, for example, inhalers and insulin pumps.

[0025] The pockets can also be used to hold medical devices and medications, for example, inhalers or insulin pumps.

[0026] Each sleeve includes a spandex band extending about the arm opening and adapted to securely fit over the upper arm of the wearer. Each spandex band is in close proximity to the bottom edge of an associated pocket. The bands function in stabilizing the pocket and preventing excess movement of the pocket's contents while exercising. The various details of the apparel are described in greater detail hereinafter.

[0027] A preferred embodiment of the sports apparel of the present disclosure is illustrated in FIG. 1. The particular apparel disclosed is a shirt 10. However, the principles of the present disclosure can be used in connection with other apparel, such as shorts, sweatshirts, or jackets. The depicted shirt 10 includes front and back panels (20, 22) and first and second sleeves (24, 26). The majority of shirt 10, including the panels and sleeves (20, 22, 24, 26), is formed from a breathable, moisture wicking fabric such as blends of nylon or polyester. In a preferred by non-limiting example, shirt 10 is made from a blend consisting of up to 92% polyester. Polyester/nylon blends can also be employed.

[0028] With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the front and back panels (20, 22) define a neck opening 28. First and second sleeves (24, 26) are also included with each defining an arm opening 32. Wiring guides 34 are preferably included adjacent neck opening 28. This wiring guide 34 is a small strip of fabric that is sewn to the underlying panel and that includes a small opening for routing an audio cable. The audio cable is routed from an adjacent pocket to a location adjacent the neck opening 28. Each arm opening 32 defines a first diameter 36 at its opened end. Each sleeve (24, 26) is further defined by forward, rearward, and side extents (38, 42, and 44). Each side extent 44 is positioned over the outside shoulder of the wearer. Namely, with the wearer's arms at their sides, the side extents 44 point to the left and right of the user.

[0029] The pockets are next described. In a preferred but non-limiting embodiment, a first and second pocket (46, 52) are included upon shirt 10. These pockets (46, 52) are preferably directly opposed and opposite to one another, such that the weight of any stored items can be balanced. As illustrated, a first pocket 46 is positioned upon the side extent 44 of the first sleeve 24, and a second pocket 52 is positioned upon the side extent 44 of the second sleeve 26. Each pocket (46, 52) includes four side edges 54 that are sewn to the associated sleeve (24 or 26). Each pocket (46, 52) further includes an opening secured by a zipper 62. Velcro fasteners can be used instead of a zipper. The outer face 64 and inner face 60 of each pocket (46, 52) can be formed from a spandex material. The interior 74 of the pocket is made from a polyurethane layer 70 that is attached to both the outer face 64 and inner face 60 via double stitching 72, thereby making the pocket waterproof to prevent sweat, rain, or any other liquid damage to the stored items.

[0030] In accordance with the invention, each pocket (46, 52) is anchored via an associated stabilizing sleeve 66. Namely, a pair of stabilizing sleeves 66 are included, with each stabilizing sleeve 66 being secured immediately adjacent to the arm opening 32 of an associated sleeve (24, 26). The stabilizing sleeves 66 preferably have a second diameter 68 that is substantially smaller than the first diameter 36. In a preferred embodiment, the stabilizing sleeve 66 is approximately 20% smaller than the arm opening 32 to which it is attached. As such, the stabilizing sleeves 66 have the effect of substantially narrowing each arm opening 32. This narrowing improves the tight fit of the arm opening about the upper arm of the user. Furthermore, each stabilizing sleeve 66 is formed primarily from spandex to further tightly adhere the sleeve to an upper arm of the wearer. Again, this stabilizes any objects held in the associated pocket (46, 52). Although Spandex is disclosed for the stabilizing sleeve 66, other polyether-polyurea copolymers blends can be utilized, such as Lycra or Elastane.

[0031] Although this disclosure has been described in terms of certain embodiments and generally associated methods, alterations and permutations of these embodiments and methods will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the above description of example embodiments does not define or constrain this disclosure. Other changes, substitutions, and alterations are also possible without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure.