Pants with built-in knee pads

Abstract

Pants with built-in knee pads provide hidden pockets with pads which may be removed when the pants are laundered. One hidden pocket is provided in the knee of each pants leg. Clearance is provided for pads in the hidden pockets in the event of fabric shrinkage when the pants are laundered. Each hidden pocket extends 3 inches above the knee, to allow pad clearance of 2 inches above the knee and 1 inch for hook-and-loop fasteners to secure the upper opening of the hidden pocket where the pad is inserted, and descends 12 inches below the knee to allow upward adjustment of the pants when kneeling. The upper opening extends from the inseam to the outer seam of the leg.

I claim: 
     
         1 . Pants with built-in knee pads, comprising: pants having legs; each leg providing an inseam and an outer seam; each leg providing a hidden pocket; said hidden pocket being located around a knee area of the leg and having an opening at an upper end on the interior of the pants; said opening providing a fastener for securing the opening in a closed position; a pad is provided in each hidden pocket. 
     
     
         2 . The pants with built in knee pads of  claim 1 , wherein the pants are provided in a cargo pants style. 
     
     
         3 . The pants with built in knee pads of  claim 1 , wherein the pants are manufactured from jeans, khakis, or some other casual, durable material. 
     
     
         4 . The pants with built in knee pads of  claim 2 , wherein the pants are manufactured from jeans, khakis, or some other casual, durable material. 
     
     
         5 . The pants with built in knee pads of  claim 1 , wherein said pads have smaller dimensions than said hidden pockets such that extra space is provided around the pads within the hidden pockets. 
     
     
         6 . The pants with built in knee pads of  claim 1 , wherein each hidden pocket extends three inches above the knee area such that the hidden pocket has clearance of two inches above the knee area and one inch for fasteners to secure the upper opening of the hidden pocket where the pad is inserted; each hidden pocket descends twelve inches below the knee area to allow upward adjustment of the pants when kneeling. 
     
     
         7 . The pants with built in knee pads of  claim 1 , wherein the upper opening extends from pants inseam to the outer seam of said pants leg. 
     
     
         8 . The pants with built in knee pads of  claim 1 , wherein the pad is preferably no more than half an inch thick such that the pads are not visible from an exterior view of the pants. 
     
     
         9 . The pants with built in knee pads of  claim 1 , wherein the pads flexible and provide a gently curved shape. 
     
     
         10 . The pants with built in knee pads of  claim 1 , wherein each pad is treated with a chemical which retards growth of mildew and other fungi.