Pocket systems for garments

Abstract

A pocket system for an athletic garment according to embodiments of the present invention includes a center pocket and first and second pockets each having an outer, inner, top, and bottom edge. The top edges are open, while the inner, outer, and bottom edges are closed. A vertical centerline of the garment substantially aligns with a user's spine, and the first pocket is located on the athletic garment on one side of the vertical centerline, while the second pocket is located on the garment on the other side of the vertical centerline. The first and second pockets are in a substantially symmetrical configuration about the vertical centerline, and the center pocket is substantially centered on the vertical centerline. The first, second, and center pockets are disposed entirely within a larger, outer pocket, according to such embodiments of the present invention.

1 . A system of pockets for an athletic garment, the system comprising:
 a first pocket having a first outer edge, a first inner edge, a first top edge, and a first bottom edge,   wherein the first pocket is closed along the first inner, outer, and bottom edges and open along the first top edge;   a second pocket having a second outer edge, a second inner edge, a second top edge, and a second bottom edge,   wherein the second pocket is closed along the second inner, outer, and bottom edges and open along the first top edge,   wherein a vertical centerline of the athletic garment substantially aligns with a user's spine,   wherein the first pocket is located on the athletic garment on one side of the vertical centerline,   wherein the second pocket is located on the athletic garment on the other side of the vertical centerline, and   wherein the first and second pockets are in a substantially symmetrical configuration about the vertical centerline;   a center pocket having a third outer edge, a fourth outer edge, a third top edge, and a third bottom edge,   wherein the center pocket is closed along the third bottom edge and the third and fourth outer edges and open along the third top edge,   wherein the center pocket is substantially centered on the vertical centerline; and   an outer pocket having a fifth outer edge, a sixth outer edge, a fourth top edge, and a fourth bottom edge,   wherein the first, second, and third pockets are disposed entirely within the outer pocket, and   wherein the outer pocket is closed along the fifth and sixth outer edges and the fourth bottom edge and open along the fourth top edge.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second pockets are adjacent to one another at the vertical centerline. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first top edge forms at least a part of the third top edge, and wherein the second top edge forms at least a part of the third top edge. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the third top edge includes a pocket closure device. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the pocket closure device is a zipper. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the fourth top edge includes a pocket closure device. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the pocket closure device is a zipper. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the third top edge is formed with overlock construction. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first top edge and second top edge are formed with overlock construction. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first top edge and the second top edge include elastic. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the fourth top edge includes elastic. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a gusset formed along at least one of the first bottom edge, the second bottom edge, the third bottom edge, and the fourth bottom edge, the at least one gusset configured to provide increased storage capacity.   
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the third top edge is positioned on the athletic garment above the first and second top edges such that the third top edge is visible even when the first and second pockets are closed, the third top edge comprising a zipper closure device. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the athletic garment, the first and second pockets, the center pocket, and the outer pocket are stretchable. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the athletic garment, the first and second pockets, the center pocket, and the outer pocket are made of a single stretchable material. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the center pocket is situated between the user's back and at least part of the first and second pockets. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the center pocket is wide enough to accept a standard-sized cycling water bottle. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a closure device between the first and second top edges and the athletic garment, the closure device configured to permit access to an inside of the first, second, and third pockets. 
     
     
         19 . A system of pockets for an athletic garment, the system comprising:
 a first pocket having a first outer edge, a first inner edge, a first top edge, and a first bottom edge,   wherein the first pocket is closed along the first inner, outer, and bottom edges and open along the first top edge;   a second pocket having a second outer edge, a second inner edge, a second top edge, and a second bottom edge,   wherein the second pocket is closed along the second inner, outer, and bottom edges and open along the first top edge,   wherein a vertical centerline of the athletic garment substantially aligns with a user's spine,   wherein the first pocket is located on the athletic garment on one side of the vertical centerline,   wherein the second pocket is located on the athletic garment on the other side of the vertical centerline, and   wherein the first and second pockets are in a substantially symmetrical configuration about the vertical centerline;   a center pocket having a third outer edge, a fourth outer edge, a third top edge, and a third bottom edge,   wherein the center pocket is closed along the third bottom edge and the third and fourth outer edges and open along the third top edge,   wherein the center pocket is substantially centered on the vertical centerline,   wherein the first pocket at least partially overlaps the center pocket, and   wherein the second pocket at least partially overlaps the center pocket.   
     
     
         20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein the third top edge includes a pocket closure device. 
     
     
         23 - 39 . (canceled)