Garment with removable panel for forming a pocket

Abstract

A garment is provided with a removable pocket formed by a removable panel. The removable panel has at least a portion of its outer perimeter folded about itself, and an upper edge and a lower edge extending from the upper edge. A first coupling mechanism extends continuously along the lower edge for removably coupling the panel to the garment, while a second coupling mechanism is positioned adjacent to the upper edge for removably coupling the panel along the upper edge of the garment. A pocket is formed between an outer surface of the garment and the removable panel. An attachment feature secures the removable panel to the garment independent of the first and second coupling mechanisms. An additional pocket is attached to the garment and at least partially encompassed by the removable pocket.

1 . An article of clothing comprising:
 a pair of pants comprising an outer surface;   a pocket assembly configured to removably couple to said pair of pants, said pocket assembly comprising:   a panel comprising an outer surface and an opposite inner surface, each of said outer and inner surfaces is defined by an outer perimeter, at least a portion of said panel along said outer perimeter is folded such that at least one of a portion of said inner surface is positioned against itself, and a portion of said outer surface is positioned against itself, said outer perimeter defined by at least an upper edge and a lower edge extending from said upper edge;   a first coupling mechanism extending continuously adjacent to said lower edge for use in removably coupling said panel to said pair of pants along said lower edge; and   a second coupling mechanism positioned adjacent to said panel upper edge for use in removably coupling a portion of said panel along said upper edge to said pants, such that a pocket defined between said pants outer surface and an inner surface of said panel is substantially sealed along said panel lower edge; and   an attachment feature coupled to at least one of said pair of pants and said pocket assembly for securing said panel to said pair of pants independently of said first and second coupling mechanisms.   
   
   
       2 . An article of clothing in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of said inner surface is secured against itself via an adhesive. 
   
   
       3 . An article of clothing in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of said inner surface is secured against itself via stitching. 
   
   
       4 . An article of clothing in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said first coupling mechanism comprises a hook and pile fastening assembly. 
   
   
       5 . An article of clothing in accordance with  claim 4 , wherein a first portion of said hook and pile fastening assembly is coupled to said panel inner surface and a second portion of said hook and pile fastening assembly is coupled to said pair of pants. 
   
   
       6 . An article of clothing in accordance with  claim 4 , wherein a hook fastening portion of said hook and pile fastening assembly is coupled to said pair of pants and a pile fastening portion of said hook and pile fastening assembly is coupled to said inner surface of said panel. 
   
   
       7 . An article of clothing in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said attachment feature has a first end coupled to said pair of pants and a second end coupled to at least a portion of said panel. 
   
   
       8 . An article of clothing in accordance with  claim 7 , wherein said attachment feature first end is coupled to said pair of pants via stitching. 
   
   
       9 . An article of clothing in accordance with  claim 7 , wherein said attachment feature second end is coupled to at least a portion of said panel via a toggle mechanism. 
   
   
       10 . An article of clothing in accordance with  claim 7 , wherein said attachment feature second end is coupled to at least a portion of said panel via a snap mechanism. 
   
   
       11 . An article of clothing in accordance with  claim 7 , wherein said attachment feature second end is coupled to at least a portion of said panel via a magnetic closure mechanism. 
   
   
       12 . An article of clothing in accordance with  claim 7 , wherein said attachment feature second end is coupled to at least a portion of said panel via an expanded head and stud assembly, wherein said expanded head is sized for insertion in a slit formed into said panel and said stud is coupled to at least a portion of said pair of pants. 
   
   
       13 . An article of clothing in accordance with  claim 1  further comprising a secondary pocket defined against said pair of pants, said secondary pocket being at least partially encapsulated by said panel. 
   
   
       14 . A garment comprising:
 a first pocket;   a pocket assembly configured to removably couple to said garment, said pocket assembly comprising:   a panel comprising an outer surface and an opposite inner surface, each of said outer and inner surfaces defined by an outer perimeter, at least a portion of said second panel said outer perimeter is folded such that at least one of a portion of said inner surface is positioned against itself, and a portion of said outer surface is positioned against itself, said outer perimeter defined by at least an upper edge and a lower edge extending from said upper edge;   a first coupling mechanism extending continuously adjacent to said lower edge for use in removably coupling said panel to said garment along said lower edge; and   a second coupling mechanism positioned adjacent to said panel upper edge for use in removably coupling a portion of said panel along said upper edge to said garment, such that a pocket defined between an outer surface of said garment and an inner surface of said panel is substantially sealed along said panel lower edge; and   an attachment feature for securing said panel to said garment independently of said first and second coupling mechanisms, said first pocket is at least partially encompassed by said panel.   
   
   
       15 . A garment in accordance with  claim 14 , wherein said garment has an inner surface facing a wearer of the pair of the pants and an opposite outer surface. 
   
   
       16 . A garment in accordance with  claim 15 , wherein said first pocket is disposed on the inner surface of said garment and said garment has an opening formed therein configured for permitting access to said first pocket. 
   
   
       17 . A garment in accordance with  claim 15 , wherein said first pocket is disposed on the outer surface of said garment. 
   
   
       18 . A garment in accordance with  claim 14 , wherein said attachment feature has a first end coupled to said garment and a second end coupled to at least a portion of said panel 
   
   
       19 . A garment in accordance with  claim 18 , wherein said second end of said attachment feature includes a third coupling mechanism and said panel includes a fourth coupling mechanism configured for releasable attachment to the third coupling mechanism. 
   
   
       20 . A garment in accordance with  claim 18 , wherein said panel is configured to receive a fifth coupling mechanism coupled to said second end of said attachment feature.