Pocket for a garment

Abstract

The present invention provides a pocket structure for lower body garments that minimizes the risk of the contents accidentally spilling out of a garment's pockets when the wearer of the garment places their body into a position other than a standing position. The pocket structure can be incorporated into a variety of garments designed to be worn on the lower body, including, but not limited to, pants, shorts, skirts, skorts, dresses, jumpsuits, one-piece outfits, snow pants, rain pants, swim trunks, running tights, and others. The pocket structure can be incorporated into garments designed for athletic activities, garments designed for a business casual environment, as well as designed and configured for on-the-move (OTM) usage. The pocket structure is configured to prevent spillage of contents over a wide range of the garment wearer's body positions.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A pocket system for a garment comprising:
 a pocket structure having a pocket opening, the pocket structure being formed by an inner and outer panel that are attached to each other to form a closed bottom and a closed medial side,   wherein the pocket structure has an upper portion adjacent the pocket opening and a lower portion adjacent the closed bottom,   wherein the lower portion comprises an extension portion having a closed top and closed lateral side edge that extends toward a back-side covering portion of the garment, and   wherein the pocket structure is proximate to a front-facing surface of the garment, and the garment is configured to cover the lower portion of a wearer's body.   
     
     
         2 . The pocket system according to  claim 1 , wherein the inner panel and the outer panel are formed by a folded fabric panel. 
     
     
         3 . The pocket system according to  claim 1 , wherein the pocket structure is located on an upper thigh covering portion of the garment. 
     
     
         4 . The pocket system according to  claim 1 , wherein a front facing outer panel of the garment in part forms a portion of a panel of the pocket structure. 
     
     
         5 . The pocket system according to  claim 1 , wherein one or more of the inner panel and outer panel is formed by a combination of more than one fabric panel. 
     
     
         6 . The pocket system according to  claim 1 , wherein the pocket opening is a concealed side opening. 
     
     
         7 . The pocket system according to  claim 1 , wherein the pocket opening is a slash opening. 
     
     
         8 . The pocket system according to  claim 1 , wherein the pocket structure formed is a jetted-style pocket. 
     
     
         9 . The pocket system according to  claim 1 , wherein the extension portion has a shape and dimensions configured to receive a portion of one or more of a wallet, mobile device, or keyring. 
     
     
         10 . The pocket system according to  claim 1 , wherein the pocket structure further comprises a second smaller internal pocket substructure. 
     
     
         11 . The pocket system according to  claim 1 , wherein the extension portion extends from upper portion with an angle approximately between 70-160 degrees. 
     
     
         12 . The pocket system according to  claim 1 , wherein the garment is one or more of a pant, trouser, legging, short, cropped pant, skirt, or skort. 
     
     
         13 . The pocket system according to  claim 1 , further comprising a gripping surface formed on an inner surface of the pocket structure. 
     
     
         14 . The pocket system according to  claim 13 , wherein the gripping surface comprises a silicone material. 
     
     
         15 . The pocket system according to  claim 13 , wherein the gripping surface is formed on an inner surface of the extension portion. 
     
     
         16 . The pocket system according to  claim 1 , further comprising a closure configured to close and open the pocket opening. 
     
     
         17 . The pocket system according to  claim 1 , wherein the garment comprises a side seam that defines the closed lateral side edge of the extension portion. 
     
     
         18 . The pocket system according to  claim 1 , wherein an upper portion of the pocket structure is narrower than a lower portion of the pocket structure. 
     
     
         19 . A lower body covering garment having a pocket structure with a pocket opening, the pocket structure being formed by an inner and outer panel that are attached to each other to form a closed bottom and a closed medial side,
 wherein the pocket structure has an upper portion adjacent the pocket opening and a lower portion adjacent the closed bottom,   wherein the lower portion comprises an extension portion having a closed top and closed lateral side edge that extends toward a back-side covering portion of the garment, and   wherein the pocket structure is proximate to a front-facing surface of the garment, and the garment is configured to cover the lower portion of a wearer's body.   
     
     
         20 . A pocket structure, comprising,
 an inner panel attached to an outer panel to form a closed bottom, closed medial side, and an opening of the pocket structure,   wherein the pocket structure has an upper portion adjacent the pocket opening and a lower portion adjacent the closed bottom,   wherein the lower portion comprises an extension portion having a closed top and closed lateral side edge that extends toward a back-side covering portion of a garment,   wherein the pocket structure is configured to retain pocket contents in the lower portion independent of the activity or body positioning of a wearer of the garment.