Gun pocket for a garment with rapid access and flexible closure mechanism

Abstract

A garment pocket for the concealed carrying of a gun includes an inside gun pocket having a front panel and a back panel and having a top opening between the front panel and the back panel. An elastic band is affixed across the width and proximate the top of the front panel. A pair of opposing flexible closure elements are affixed to opposing sides of the opening. A first closure element is affixed parallel to and proximate the elastic band and a second closure element is affixed across the width and proximate the top of the back panel. An outside accessory pocket is attached to a top end of the inside gun pocket, the inside gun pocket includes an opening adapted to receive a gun and the outside accessory pocket is sized to accommodate receiving an item.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A gun pocket system for a garment for holding and concealing a handgun comprising:
 an inside gun pocket having a front panel and a back panel and having a top opening between the front panel and the back panel;   an elastic band affixed across the width and proximate the top of the front panel;   a pair of opposing flexible closure elements affixed to opposing sides of the opening;   wherein a first closure element is affixed parallel to and proximate the elastic band and a second closure element is affixed across the width and proximate the top of the back panel;   an outside accessory pocket attached to a top end of the inside gun pocket;   where the inside gun pocket includes an opening adapted to receive a gun; and   where the outside accessory pocket is sized to accommodate receiving an item.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the inside gun pocket and the accessory pocket are attached in a foldable arrangement so as to be adapted to be sewn to a garment. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2  wherein the inside gun pocket is adapted to be sewn into the interior of the garment and the outside accessory pocket is adapted to be sewn to the outside of the garment. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the accessory pocket is sized to accommodate receiving a smartphone, cell phone, checkbook, wallet or stiff panel. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the inside gun pocket includes stitching that conforms to a predetermined gun profile. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the outside accessory pocket has a cargo pocket design. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the outside accessory pocket is covered in fabric matching a selected clothing item. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the first and second closure elements comprise material selected from the group consisting of plastic, elastic, polycarbonate plastic, nylon, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, acrylic, polycarbonate, acetal (Polyoxymethylene), synthetic polymers, thermoplastic acrylic-polyvinylchloride sheets, spring metal strips and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the opposing flexible closure elements substantially conform to the circumference of a user's thigh. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the flexible closure elements comprise a first strip sewn into the inside of the opening and a shorter strip sewn into the outside edge of the gun pocket opening, inside the elastic strap so as to form a pair of stiffened lips at the pocket opening. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10  wherein the elastic strip substantially covers the top of the outside of the gun pocket from end to end and the shorter strip of plastic is centered, and stitched underneath it, and the portion of the elastic strip going from the ends of the shorter strip to the ends of the first strip are unstitched, to allow the elastic to pull the shorter strip tight against the longer strip, thus holding the pocket closed. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the inside gun pocket and the outside accessory pocket comprise a durable fabric with a measure of stiffness the fabric being selected from the group consisting of ballistic nylon, high strength denim, canvas, and fabrics that contain blends of nylon 6,6 fiber and cotton. 
     
     
         13 . A gun pocket system for a garment for holding and concealing a handgun comprising:
 the garment having an outer layer and an inner layer;   an inside gun pocket having a front panel and a back panel and having a top opening between the front panel and the back panel;   an elastic band affixed across the width and proximate the top of the front panel;   a pair of opposing flexible closure elements affixed to opposing sides of the opening;   wherein a first closure element is affixed parallel to and proximate the elastic band and a second closure element is affixed across the width and proximate the top of the back panel;   an outside accessory pocket attached to a top end of the inside gun pocket;   where the inside gun pocket includes an opening adapted to receive a gun and is affixed to the inner layer; and   where the outside accessory pocket is sized to accommodate receiving an item and is affixed to the outer layer.   
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13  wherein the inside gun pocket and the accessory pocket are attached in a foldable arrangement so as to be adapted to be sewn to a garment. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14  wherein the inside gun pocket is sewn into the interior of the garment and the outside accessory pocket may be sewn to the outside of the garment. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15  wherein accessory pocket is sized to accommodate receiving a smartphone, cell phone, checkbook, wallet or stiff panel. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 13  wherein the inside gun pocket includes stitching that conforms to a predetermined gun profile. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 13  wherein the first and second closure elements comprise material selected from the group consisting of plastic, elastic, polycarbonate plastic, nylon, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, acrylic, polycarbonate, acetal (Polyoxymethylene), synthetic polymers, thermoplastic acrylic-polyvinyl chloride sheets, spring metal strips and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 13  wherein the garment is selected from the group consisting of pants, outerwear, leisure wear, skirts, dresses, and kilts. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 19  wherein the pocket opening is located immediately beneath the waist band of a pair of pants, skirt, dress, or kilt. 
     
     
         21 . A pocket system comprising:
 an inside pocket having a front panel and a back panel and having a top opening between the front panel and the back panel;   an elastic band affixed across the width and proximate the top of the front panel;   a pair of opposing flexible closure elements affixed to opposing sides of the opening;   wherein a first closure element is affixed parallel to and proximate the elastic band and a second closure element is affixed across the width and proximate the top of the back panel; and   where the inside pocket includes an opening adapted to receive an item and the pair of opposing flexible closure elements when closed conceal the item, while allowing rapid access by pushing a hand into the opening.   
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 21  wherein the pair of opposing flexible closure elements are straight or curved and made from materials selected from the group consisting of plastic, elastic, polycarbonate plastic, nylon, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, acrylic, polycarbonate, acetal (Polyoxymethylene), synthetic polymers, thermoplastic acrylic-polyvinyl chloride sheets, spring metal strips and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         23 . A closure mechanism for an item having an opening for a pocket comprising:
 a pair of opposing closure elements affixed to opposing sides of the opening;   wherein one closure element is affixed across the width and proximate the top of one side of the opening and the opposing closure element is affixed across the width of the opposing side of the opening.   
     
     
         24 . The closure mechanism of  claim 23  wherein the pair of opposing closure elements are adapted to accommodate an item selected from the group consisting of a coat, a concealed carry purse, a wearable pouch, and a belt pouch for containing a gun. 
     
     
         25 . The closure mechanism of  claim 23  wherein the pair of opposing closure elements comprise straight or curved elements.