Pocket for stretchable leggings

Abstract

A pocketdf for a stretchable garment such as leggings may permit a smart phone to be used while within the pocket. A non-stretchable textile panel may permit a screen to be viewed while within the pocket and may permit touch inputs to be registered on the touchscreen. A stretchable frame may be affixed to the non-stretchable panel, and the stretchable frame may be affixed to a backing layer or directly to the stretchable garment. If provided, a backing layer may be affixed to the underlying stretchable garment.

1 . A pocket affixed to a panel of a stretchable garment, the pocket comprising:
 a non-stretchable fabric panel, the non-stretchable fabric panel having a length and a width extending substantially parallel to the panel of the stretchable garment to which the pocket is affixed;   a stretchable frame affixed to the non-stretchable fabric panel on a side opposing the stretchable backing, the stretchable frame affixed around the perimeter of the non-stretchable fabric panel and revealing a majority of the length and the width of the non-stretchable fabric panel when the stretchable garment is worn; and   a stretchable backing affixed to the stretchable frame while providing at least one opening between the stretchable backing and the stretchable frame, the stretchable backing further affixed to the panel of the stretchable garment to which the pocket is affixed, the stretchable backing positioned between the non-stretchable fabric panel and the panel of the stretchable garment.   
     
     
         2 . The pocket of  claim 1 , wherein the stretchable backing and the stretchable frame comprise a single piece of stretchable fabric folded at a bottom of the pocket to form the stretchable backing and the stretchable frame. 
     
     
         3 . The pocket of  claim 2 , further comprising an opening in the perimeter of the pocket opposite from the stretchable fabric folded at the bottom of the pocket. 
     
     
         4 . The pocket of  claim 3 , further comprising at least one stitch affixing the stretchable frame to the stretchable backing. 
     
     
         5 . The pocket of  claim 4 , wherein the at least one stitch comprises a pair of stitches extending from the bottom of the pocket to the opening on opposing sides of the non-stretchable panel. 
     
     
         6 . The pocket of  claim 5 , further comprising a plurality of stitches affixing the stretchable backing to the panel of the stretchable garment, the plurality of stitches providing at least one opening between the panel of the stretchable garment and the stretchable backing to form a secondary packet between the stretchable backing and the panel of the stretchable garment. 
     
     
         7 . The pocket of  claim 5 , further comprising a reinforced top of the pocket formed in the stretchable frame at the opening. 
     
     
         8 . The pocket of  claim 7 , wherein the reinforced top comprises an elastic material retained within folds of the stretchable frame. 
     
     
         9 . The pocket of  claim 7 , wherein the reinforced top comprises a plurality of folds of the stretchable frame. 
     
     
         10 . A garment comprising:
 a plurality of stretchable panels that conform to the body of an individual wearing the garment when the garment is donned, the garment having an interior facing the skin of the individual wearing the garment when donned and an exterior facing away from the skin of the individual wearing the garment when donned; and   at least one pocket affixed to the exterior of garment, the at least one pocket having four sides, the four sides comprising a bottom side, a top side, and two lateral sides, at least one of the four sides providing an opening to receive a touch-screen device and the at least one pocket further comprising:
 a fabric panel on the exterior of the garment and extending between the two lateral sides of the pocket and between the top side and the bottom side pocket, the fabric panel permitting touches made by a wearer of the garment on the fabric panel to register on a touch-screen device retained within the pocket, and 
 a frame secured to at least two sides of the fabric panel, the frame further secured to at least one of the plurality of stretchable panels at the bottom side and the lateral sides while not being affixed along at least a portion of the top side in order to form an opening to the pocket. 
   
     
     
         11 . The garment of  claim 10 , further comprising a backing panel secured to at least one of the stretchable panels forming the garment, and wherein the backing panel is secured to at least the lateral and bottom sides of the fabric panel, and wherein the backing panel and the frame are formed from a stretchable fabric. 
     
     
         12 . The garment of  claim 11 , wherein the backing panel and the frame are formed from the same type of stretchable fabric as the plurality of stretchable panels forming the garment. 
     
     
         13 . The garment of  claim 12 , wherein the fabric panel comprises a non-stretchable fabric panel. 
     
     
         14 . The garment of  claim 13 , further comprising a cover stitch extending around a perimeter of the non-stretchable fabric panel without the cover stitch being affixed to either of the backing panel and the frame. 
     
     
         15 . The garment of  claim 14 , wherein the backing panel and the frame comprise a single piece of fabric folded at the bottom side of the pocket. 
     
     
         16 . The garment of  claim 15 , wherein the backing panel is secured to at least one of the stretchable panels forming the garment using at least one stitch. 
     
     
         17 . The garment of  claim 16 , wherein the frame is secured to the lateral sides of the fabric panel and the top and bottom sides of the fabric panel using at least one stitch and wherein the frame is secured to the backing panel at the bottom side and the lateral sides using at least one stitch. 
     
     
         18 . The garment of  claim 17 , further comprising an elastic section of the frame formed at the top side by folding the fabric of the frame at least once. 
     
     
         19 . The garment of  claim 17 , further comprising an elastic section of the frame formed at the top side by securing an elastic tape within a seam extending between the lateral sides at the top side. 
     
     
         20 . A method for forming a pocket on a stretchable garment, the method comprising:
 forming a backing panel and a frame from a single piece of stretchable fabric, the backing panel comprising a solid portion of the single piece of stretchable fabric and the frame comprising a portion of the single piece of stretchable fabric having an opening;   forming a fabric panel from a non-stretchable fabric permitting touches made by a wearer of the garment on the fabric panel to register on a touch-screen device retained within the pocket, forming the fabric panel comprising cutting the non-stretchable panel to a desired size corresponding to the anticipated size of the screen of an electronic device;   treating the perimeter of the panel to prevent tearing and fraying;   affixing the fabric panel to the frame such that the fabric panel extends across the entirety of the opening;   affixing the backing panel to a panel of stretchable fabric used to form the stretchable garment;   folding the single piece of stretchable fabric to create a layered configuration wherein the backing panel is adjacent to the panel of stretchable fabric used to form the stretchable garment, the fabric panel is adjacent to the backing panel, and the frame is adjacent to the fabric panel; and   affixing the frame to at least the backing panel along a portion of the frame while leaving an opening where the frame is not affixed to the backing panel.