Add-On Decorative Pocket Flaps for Jeans and Other Pants

Abstract

An add-on pocket flap assembly is described that can be selectively and removably placed in the rear pocket of a pair of jeans (or other pants) to give the pants a designer look without the expense associated with purchasing designer jeans. As can be appreciated, the illustrated product is typically sold and used in pairs. The flaps are typically embroidered and/or adorned in a manner that is typical on the permanent flaps of designer jeans.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to and incorporates fully by reference U.S. provisional patent application 61/987,076 filed on May 1, 2014 entitled "Add-On Faux Pocket Flaps for Jeans and Other Pants" and having at least one common inventor.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Many designer jeans and other pants typically for women include embroidered and/or adorned rear pocket flaps that give the pants a more stylish and fashionable look. However, designer jeans can very costly compared to more traditional jeans and, as such, many women can afford very few pairs, if any, despite the desire to own more.

[0003] Adorning plain pocket flaps of jeans with rhinestones and other faux jewels is also known, but each particular pair can only be adorned with one particular design on each pocket. If the wearer desires to have differently adorned flaps for different occasions for instance, she must have a different pair of jeans for each. Having as many pairs of jeans having differing deigns may be more costly than a particular person can afford.

A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0004] FIG. 1 is a perspective front view of a faux pocket flap according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0005] FIG. 2 is a perspective rear view of a faux pocket flap according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0006] FIG. 3 is a perspective rear view of a faux pocket flap with the flap portion raised to reveal and show the insertion portion according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0007] FIG. 4 is a perspective side view of a faux pocket flap with the flap portion raised to reveal and show the insertion portion according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0008] FIG. 5 is a perspective end view of a faux pocket flap illustrating the convex/concave shape of the insertion portion according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0009] FIG. 6 is perspective view of a person from behind wearing jeans having an embodiment of faux pocket flaps inserted in the rear pockets of the jeans.

[0010] FIG. 7 is perspective rear view of the fabric flap portion prior to joining to the insertion portion according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0011] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a foam sheet insertion portion prior to forming and prior to joining to the flap portion according to one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0012] Embodiments of the present invention comprise an add-on pocket flap assembly that can be selectively and removably placed in the rear pocket of a pair of jeans (or other pants) to give the pants a designer look without the expense associated with purchasing designer jeans. As can be appreciated, the illustrated product is typically sold and used in pairs. The flaps are typically embroidered and/or adorned in a manner that is typical on the permanent flaps of designer jeans.

Terminology

[0013] The terms and phrases as indicated in quotes (" ") in this section are intended to have the meaning ascribed to them in this Terminology section applied to them throughout this document including the claims unless clearly indicated otherwise in context. Further, as applicable, the stated definitions are to apply, regardless of the word or phrase's case, to the singular and plural variations of the defined word or phrase.

[0014] The term "or" as used in this specification and the appended claims is not meant to be exclusive rather the term is inclusive meaning "either or both".

[0015] References in the specification to "one embodiment", "an embodiment", "a preferred embodiment", "an alternative embodiment" and similar phrases mean that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least an embodiment of the invention. The appearances of the phrase "in one embodiment" in various places in the specification are not necessarily all meant to refer to the same embodiment.

[0016] The term "couple" or "coupled" as used in this specification and the appended claims refers to either an indirect or direct connection between the identified elements, components or objects. Often the manner of the coupling will be related specifically to the manner in which the two coupled elements interact.

[0017] Directional and/or relationary terms such as, but not limited to, left, right, nadir, apex, top, bottom, upper, lower, vertical, horizontal, back, front and lateral are relative to each other and are dependent on the specific orientation of an applicable element or article, and are used accordingly to aid in the description of the various embodiments and are not necessarily intended to be construed as limiting.

An Embodiment of an Add-On Decorative Pocket Flap for Pants

[0018] FIGS. 1-6 illustrate an embodiment of an add-on decorative pocket flap assemblies 10 for use with the back pockets of jeans and other types of pants. The pocket flap assemblies include: (i) a flap portion 12, which covers the top edge and portion of an associated pocket when in use; and an insertion portion 14, which is received into the interior of the pocket to hold the assembly in place.

[0019] The flap portion 12 as best shown in FIGS. 1, 3 and 7 is typically comprised of a similar if not identical material to that of the type of pants in which the assembly is to be inserted. Typically, the flap is made of a denim fabric for use with jeans. The general construction of the flap is similar to permanent flaps found on designer jeans and other pants. A typical flap portion comprises two plies of fabric that have been hemmed around the joining edges to give the flap a finished appearance. A flap portion includes a front surface 16 that is exposed when the assembly is used in an intended manner, a back surface 18 that rests against the outside surface of a pocket when in use, a top edge 20 and a tab portion 22 that extends from the top edge and attaches to the flap portion 12.

[0020] The front surface 16 of the flap portion can be adorned with rhinestones 23 or other attachments, which are adhesively or otherwise permanently affixed to the exterior of the flap portion. In some variations, the flap may include embroidery in place of or in addition to the rhinestone adornment. Simply, the adornment can be similar to adornment found on permanent flaps of designer jeans and pants. Further variations are contemplated wherein the adornment may include logos of sports teams or even a band or musical group. Promotional versions of the inserts can even include advertising.

[0021] The insertion portion 14 is best illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3, 4, 5 & 8. The insertion portion is configured to be inserted into the rear pocket of a pair of pants and to retain the assembly in place with the flap portion extending over the exterior surface of the rear pocket. The insertion portion includes front and back surfaces 24 & 26 respectively, a top edge 28 that is joined to the flap portion's tab portion 22 near the top edge 20 of the flap portion 12. The insertion portion is widest at its top edge and gently tapers to its narrowest dimension proximate the bottom edge 30.

[0022] Also notably, the insertion portion 14 is convex/concave with the concave portion comprising the back surface that is positioned adjacent a wearer's buttock and the front surface, which faces toward the flap portion 12, being convex. The concave/convex nature of the insertion portion accomplishes several things: it helps secure and hold the pocket flap assembly 10 in the wearer's pocket 50; whereas, a flat insertion portion, given the curvature of a typical buttock, is more likely to work its way out of the with time and the movement of the wearer. Additionally a small force is exerted on the flap portion 22 at the intersection of its flat tab portion with the insertion portion pulling the left and right edges of the flat flap portion towards the exterior surface of a pant pocket and thereby helping to keep the flap disposed in a downwardly extending closed configuration without the use of snaps, buttons or magnets.

[0023] The insertion portion 14 is typically comprised of a flexible foam sheet. The sheet is of the type readily available in craft stores and is often referred to as "craft foam sheet". Variations are made of Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA) although foam made from other polymers can be used as well. The foam is characterized by a soft non-abrasive and forgiving face that is also not slick. The lack of slickness or high coefficient of friction of the foam sheet helps retain the insert portion and consequently the pocket flap assembly 10 in the pocket 52 of a pair of jeans 50 when being worn. The soft face of the foam will not scratch or mar the screen or finish of a cell phone that might be placed in the pocket where the pocket flap resides. The foam sheet is most often about 0.0625-0.125'' thick making it semi-rigid and accordingly, facilitating the aforementioned small force exerted on the flap portion. As can be appreciated, the insert can be made of other materials, such as a more rigid yet thinner plastic sheet such as PVC, ABS, polypropylene or polyethylene.

[0024] FIG. 8 illustrates a foam insert portion blank 32 prior to forming and attachment to the flap portion 12. The insert is cut from a flat sheet of foam with sides that taper from a wider top edge to a narrower bottom edge. Proximate the middle of the top edge a v-shaped cutout (or slit) 34 extends vertically downwardly towards the bottom edge but terminates in a point an inch of so therefrom. As best shown in FIG. 3, the edges of the cutout are overlapped slightly and sewn together thereby forming the concave/convex shape. It is appreciated that in other embodiments, the insert portion 14 can be molded into the concave/convex shape forgoing the need for the cutout and the sewing of the cutout edges together.

A Method of Using Add-On Decorative Pocket Flaps with Pants

[0025] Most typically, the pocket flap assemblies 10 are provided and worn in pairs with one of the flap assemblies being inserted into a pant left rear pocket 52 and the other flap assembly being inserted into the pant right rear pocket 52 as shown in FIG. 6. The convex/concave configuration of the insertion portion helps hold the flap assembly in place both as the pants 50 are being worn and upon removal of the pants. Accordingly, the pocket flap assemblies can be inserted either before or after putting on a pair of pants. Most typically the assemblies have flaps 12 made of denim that are adorned and embroidered and are used in concert with jeans.

Other Variations and Embodiments

[0026] The various preferred embodiments and variations thereof illustrated in the accompanying figures and/or described above are merely exemplary and are not meant to limit the scope of the invention. It is to be appreciated that numerous variations to the invention have been contemplated as would be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art with the benefit of this disclosure. All variations of the invention that read upon the appended claims are intended and contemplated to be within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. An add on decorative flap assembly for insertion into the rear pocket of a pair of pants, the flap assembly comprising: a flap portion having a flap top edge and a flap front surface, a flap back surface; and an insertion portion having an insert top edge, an insert front surface and an insert back surface, the insertion portion and the flap portion being joined together proximate the respective flap and insert top edges at an intersection, both the flap portion and the insertion portion extending downwardly from the intersection with the flap back surface facing and being substantially adjacent the insert front surface; wherein the insertion portion is sized and configured to be received in a rear pocket of a pair of pants with the flap portion extending over a top edge of the rear pocket and covering a top portion of an outside surface of the pocket.

2. The flap assembly of claim 1, wherein the flap portion comprises denim.

3. The flap assembly of claim 1, wherein one or more adornments are attached to the flap front surface.

4. The flap assembly of claim 1, wherein the flap portion is comprised of a flexible foam sheet material.

5. The flap assembly of claim 4, wherein the flexible foam sheet material comprises Ethylene Vinyl Acetate.

6. The flap assembly of claim 4, wherein the flexible foam sheet has a high coefficient of friction.

7. The flap assembly of claim 1, wherein the insertion portion is formed into a generally concave/convex shape.

8. The flap assembly of claim 4, wherein the insertion portion is formed into a generally concave/convex shape.

9. The flap assembly of claim 1, wherein the flap portion is sewn to the insertion portion.

10. The flap assembly of claim 8, wherein the flexible foam sheet includes a vertically extending slit that extends generally upwardly from a flap bottom edge, the bottom edge being opposite the flap top edge, the opposing edges of the slit being joined to form the concave/convex shape.

11. The flap assembly of claim 10, wherein the opposing edges of the slit are sewn together.

12. The flap assembly of claim 7, wherein the concave portion of the concave/convex shape faces away from the flap portion.

13. A combination comprising a pair of flap assemblies of claim 1.

14. The combination of claim 13, wherein the flap front surface of each flap assembly are similarly adorned.

15. In combination at least one flap assembly of claim 1 and the pair of pants, the at least one flap assembly being received in the rear pocket of the pants.

16. In combination a pair of flap assemblies of claim 1 and the pair of pants, each flap assembly of the pair of flap assemblies being received in a rear pocket of the pants.

17. The flap assembly of claim 3, wherein the adornment comprises rhinestones.

18. The flap assembly of claim 4, wherein the foam sheet is about 0.0625''-0.125'' thick.

19. A method of wearing a pair of pants with a pair of flap assemblies of claim 1, the method comprising: providing a pair of pants; providing the pair of flap assemblies; inserting the insertion portion of a first flap assembly of the pair of flap assemblies in a left rear pocket with the flap portion overhanging a top edge and top portion of the left rear pocket; inserting the insertion portion of a second flap assembly of the pair of flap assemblies in a right rear pocket with the flap portion overhanging a top edge and top portion of the right rear pocket; and putting on the pants.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the pair of pants comprise a pair of jeans.