HAND WEAR STORAGE POCKET

Abstract

An article of clothing for at least partly covering a human torso, the article including a hand wear storage pocket having a front opening, upper and lower edges, and an rear wall, a rear portion of the hand wear storage pocket being disposed in an underarm area, the front opening and a height between the upper and lower edges being selected to allow insertion of a hand within a hand wear item.

Claims

1. An article of clothing for at least partly covering a human torso, the article including a hand wear storage pocket having a front opening, upper and lower edges, and an rear wall, a rear portion of the hand wear storage pocket being disposed in an underarm area, the front opening and a height between the upper and lower edges being selected to allow insertion of a hand within a hand wear item.

2. The article according to claim 1 wherein the hand wear storage pocket includes a high friction grip material on an inside surface of the rear portion.

3. The article according to claim 2 wherein a remaining portion of the hand wear storage pocket has a low friction material on an inside surface.

4. The article according to claim 1 wherein the hand wear storage pocket has a water resistant inside surface.

5. The article according to claim 4 wherein the hand wear storage pocket includes a removable waterproof liner.

6. The article according to claim 1 wherein the upper and lower edges are oriented rearwardly and downwardly at a selected angle.

7. The article according to claim 1 wherein the hand wear storage pocket includes an auxiliary pocket.

8. The article according to claim 1 wherein at least one of: the upper edge; the lower edge; and a rear edge comprise a fastener.

9. The article according to claim 8 wherein the fastener comprises one of: a zip fastener; and a hook-and-loop fastener.

10. The article according to claim 1 wherein the hand wear storage pocket includes a removable pocket liner.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] In order that the invention may be readily understood, one embodiment of the invention is illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings.

[0010] FIG. 1 is a front-left view of jacket with left and right hand wear storage pockets extending rearwardly from a front opening with a rear shaded portion of the hand wear storage pocket being disposed in an underarm area.

[0011] FIG. 2 is a front view of the jacket of FIG. 1.

[0012] FIG. 3 is a left side view of the jacket of FIG. 1.

[0013] FIG. 4 is a front view of the jacket of FIG. 1.

[0014] Further details of the invention and its advantages will be apparent from the detailed description included below.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] FIG. 1 shows a jacket as an example of an article of clothing which can include a hand wear storage pocket 1, for removing and holding a glove or mitten. It will be understood that any article of clothing that at least partly covers a human torso can be adapted to include the hand wear storage pocket 1, such as a coat, overalls, a shirt, a vest or an underarm holster.

[0016] The hand wear storage pocket 1 shown is rectangular and includes a front opening 2, upper edge 3, lower edge 4, and an rear edge 5. Other shapes of pockets 1 can include an arcuate or crescent shape, or include a rounded rear edge 5.

[0017] A rear portion 6 (best shown cross-hatched in FIG. 3) of the hand wear storage pocket 1 is disposed in an underarm area. The underarm area is adjacent the upper arm and elbow. The front opening 2 and a height “H” between the upper and lower edges 3, 4 are relatively large compared to a traditional pocket and are selected to allow insertion of a gloved or mittened hand.

[0018] The use of the hand wear storage pocket 1 is as follows. To remove and store a glove in the pocket 1, the wearer inserts one hand while wearing a glove into the opening 2. The wearer slides the gloved hand until at least the fingers of the gloved hand are within the rear portion 6 in the underarm area. The wearer then moves the upper arm and elbow towards the torso to squeeze the hand, glove and pocket 1. While the glove is squeezed, the wearer withdraws the hand from the glove and pocket 1. The glove remains within the pocket 1 in the underarm area.

[0019] Advantageously, the wearer can remove the glove without using both hands. The right hand can remain gripped to a tool or ladder for example while the left hand glove is removed.

[0020] The hand wear storage pocket 1 can include a high friction grip material on an inside surface of the underarm rear portion 6 to aid in gripping and removal of the glove. The hand wear storage pocket 1 may have a remaining portion with a low friction material on an inside surface to aid in inserting and removing the glove from the front portion of the pocket 1. Alternatively, the entire interior surface of the hand wear storage pocket can be covered with a high friction grip material or surface layer or coating. For use in wet sporting activities or wet/oily working environments, the hand wear storage pocket 1 can have a water resistant inside surface or a removable waterproof liner.

[0021] The high friction grip material aids in gripping the fingers of the glove as the underarm rear portion 6 of the pocket 1 is squeezed between the underarm and the torso when the hand is removed from the glove and also when the glove is squeezed during re-insertion of the hand. The high friction grip material also assists in retaining the removed glove within the pocket 1. Vigorous movement during sporting, climbing or working activities could dislodge a glove from the pocket 1 if the inside lining and/glove were smooth or slippery. The combination of a high friction grip material on the inside surface of the underarm rear portion 6 of the pocket 1 and a rearward downward orientation of the pocket 1 is preferred to retain the glove in the pocket 1 using friction and gravity.

[0022] As best seen in FIG. 3, the upper and lower edges 3, 4 can be oriented rearwardly and downwardly at a selected angle “a” to enhance retention of the gloves during movement, and for improve ergonomics. The hand wear storage pocket 1 can include one or more auxiliary pockets inside the opening 2 if desired.

[0023] Since the pocket 1 may be easily soiled when used in farming, sporting or mechanic environments the upper edge 3, the lower edge 4, and/or the rear edge 5 can be formed with a zip fastener, a hook-and-loop fastener, or other fastening means to open the pocket 1 and permit easy cleaning. Alternatively a removable or disposable pocket liner can be provided to easily deal with the accumulation of dirt or grease.

[0024] As described above, some benefits of the hand wear storage pocket 1 are as follows:

[0025] the pocket 1 is dedicated to the storage of gloves together with the jacket, coat or other clothing so that gloves are readily available and not misplaced or forgotten;

[0026] the pocket 1 is ergonomically aligned with a natural movement of the hand and arm to and from the underarm area such that a wearer need not look at the pocket but can remain attentive to a task occupying the opposite hand;

[0027] the pocket 1 is unobtrusive and the storage of bulky hand wear under the arm does not interfere substantially with body movements; and the underarm location of the pocket 1 adjacent the torso ensures that the gloves and particularly the finger areas remain warm.

[0028] Although the above description relates to a specific preferred embodiment as presently contemplated by the inventor, it will be understood that the invention in its broad aspect includes mechanical and functional equivalents of the elements described herein.