US20090313743A1

US20090313743A1 - Pants with saggy pants control system

Info

Publication number: US20090313743A1
Application number: US12/456,630
Authority: US
Inventors: Craig Jason Hofmeyer
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-06-20
Filing date: 2009-06-20
Publication date: 2009-12-24

Abstract

According to an exemplary embodiment, an article of clothing comprising pants having a waistband and at least one front pocket is provided. The article of clothing includes a saggy pants control system having a pocket handle affixed and concealed within a respective one pocket. The pocket handle is configured for grasping discreetly by the wearer to prevent the pants from falling down, pull the pants up or pull the pants down. In another embodiment, the saggy pants control system includes a waistband handle in lieu of a pocket handle. The saggy pants control system may include a combination of one or more pocket handles and one or more waistband handles.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of co-pending U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/074,364 filed on Jun. 20, 2008, and of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

NOTICE OF COPYRIGHT PROTECTION

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document and its figures contain material subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, but otherwise reserves all copyrights whatsoever.

BACKGROUND

I. Field
The invention relates to an article of clothing.
II. Background
Wearing pants capable of being worn with a waistband around the waist, below the waist, and low on the hips is, according to recent trends, fashionable, especially for young men. As part of the fashion statement and to hold the pants up, the wearer places his/her hands in the pockets of the pants.
When the wearer places his/her hands in his/her pants, the hands may be obstructed from grasping the pocket because of other personal effects commonly placed and carried within the pocket. The personal effect may include money, a wallet, cell phone, etc., all of which provide obstructions within the pocket. Nonetheless, the wearer often finds himself constantly using whatever means available or closest to one or both of the wearer's hands to hold up the pant so that the pants do not fall down.
The need to constantly grasp and hold up the pants can be distracting from the appearance of the pants. Instead of admiring the fashion aesthetics of the pants, others simply observe the wearer grasping the pants at any one of a number of areas to keep the pants from falling down.

SUMMARY

The aforementioned problems, and other problems, are reduced, according to exemplary embodiments, by the article of clothing a saggy pants pants control system and methods for controlling the pants by pulling up, pulling down or holding up saggy pants discreetly.
According to an exemplary embodiment, an article of clothing comprising pants having a waistband and at least one front pocket is provided. The pants are configured to be worn by a wearer. The article of clothing includes a saggy pants control system having a pocket handle affixed and concealed within a respective one pocket. The pocket handle is configured for grasping discreetly by the wearer to pull up the pants, pull down the pants or to prevent said pants from falling down.
According to an exemplary embodiment, an article of clothing comprising pants having a waistband and at least one front pocket is provided. The article of clothing includes a saggy pants control system having a waistband handle affixed in parallel and overlapping the waistband. The waistband handle is configured for grasping discreetly by the wearer to prevent said pants from falling down, to pull up the pants or to pull down the pants.
According to an exemplary embodiment, a method of controlling the pants is provided. The method includes positioning pants on a wearer's body, and pulling up, pulling down or holding up the pants using a concealed pocket handle.
Other systems, methods, and/or products according to embodiments will be or become apparent to one with skill in the art upon review of the following drawings and further description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, and/or products be included within this description, be within the scope of the present invention, and be protected by the accompanying claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other exemplary embodiments, objects, uses, advantages, and novel features are more clearly understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying figures wherein:

FIG. 1A illustrates a front view of an article of clothing in accordance with some of the exemplary embodiments;

FIG. 1B illustrates a front view of the article of clothing being worn according to the embodiment of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 2 illustrates a front view of yet another article of clothing in accordance with some of the exemplary embodiments;

FIG. 3 illustrates an open interior view of a pocket in accordance with some of the exemplary embodiments;

FIG. 4A illustrates a view of a left hip pocket in accordance with some of the exemplary embodiments;

FIG. 4B illustrates a view of yet another left hip pocket in accordance with some of the exemplary embodiments;

FIG. 5A illustrate a front view of yet another article of clothing in accordance with some of the exemplary embodiments;

FIG. 5B illustrates a front view of the article of clothing being worn in accordance with the embodiment of FIG. 5A;

FIG. 5C illustrates a front view of yet another article of clothing in accordance with some of the exemplary embodiments;

FIG. 6A illustrates a front view of yet another article of clothing in accordance with some exemplary embodiments;

FIG. 6B illustrates a front view of the article of clothing being worn in accordance with the embodiment of FIG. 6A;

FIG. 7 illustrates a front view of yet another article of clothing in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention; and

FIG. 8 illustrates a front view of yet another article of clothing in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.

The appended drawings illustrate exemplary configurations of the disclosure and, as such, should not be considered as limiting the scope of the disclosure that may admit to other equally effective configurations.

DESCRIPTION

The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any configuration or design described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other configurations or designs.
This invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. These embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those of ordinary skill in the art. Moreover, all statements herein reciting embodiments of the invention, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass both structural and functional equivalents thereof. Additionally, it is intended that such equivalents include both currently known equivalents as well as equivalents developed in the future (i.e., any elements developed that perform the same function, regardless of structure).
Thus, for example, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the diagrams, schematics, illustrations, and the like represent conceptual views or perspective views illustrating some of the articles of clothing and methods embodying this invention. The functions of the various elements shown in the figures may be provided through the use of materials that may vary in shape, attachment, size, and other physical features. Those of ordinary skill in the art further understand that the exemplary article of clothing, and/or methods described herein are for illustrative purposes and, thus, are not intended to be limited to any particular named manufacturer or other relevant physical limitation (e.g., color of the material).
The term “saggy pants” as used herein means pants that are worn and intended to be worn loosely about the body and are otherwise loose-fitting. While pants may stretch or deform to sag about certain parts of the body after being worn, the term saggy is used to describe pants that are loose-fitting when first put on the wearer's body. The present invention provides an article of clothing comprising pants with a saggy pants control system to control the positioning of the wearer about the wearer's body. The saggy pants control system allows the wearer to control and/or adjust the location of the waistband about the body such as by pulling the pants up, pulling the pants down or holding the pants up by grasping one or more handles. In one embodiment, the one or more handles are discreet so that the wearer's control of the pants can be performed discreetly.
The pants include a waistband and at least one front pocket, the pants being configured to be worn by a wearer who can adjust the position of the waistband to a desired location such as below the waist and in proximity to the buttocks of a wearer. The saggy pants control system includes a handle affixed within a respective one pocket, the handle being configured for grasping by the wearer to also prevent said pants from falling down. The handle within the pocket can be used to pull up, pull down or hold up pants as desired or for a different look throughout the day. For example, a wearer may wish to pull the pants down for a casual saggy pants look (locating the waistband about the buttocks) using the handle within the pocket.
In one configuration, the saggy pants control system includes at least one concealed pocket handle. However, the saggy pants control system may include a concealed pocket handle in each front hip pocket.
In another configuration, the saggy pants control system includes at least one waistband handle mounted in front and in parallel and overlapping arrangement with the waistband. However, the saggy pants control system may include two waistband handles. The handle at the waistband can be used to pull up, pull down or hold up pants as desired or for a different look throughout the day. For example, a wearer may wish to pull the pants up such that the waistband is closer to the waist for work. In another configuration, the saggy pants control system includes multiple handles, at least one concealed within a pocket and at least one mounted to the waistband.
In operation, the saggy pants control system allows the wearer to pull pants up from a lowered position to an upper position using waistband handles or concealed pocket handles. For example, the saggy pants control system allows the wearer to pull the pants up from the ground to the waist and anywhere therebetween. The saggy pants control system allows the wearer to pull the pants down from the waist to the ground and anywhere therebetween. For example, the wearer may pull the pants down such that the waistband is lowered to position the waistband around the buttocks. The wearer may pull the pants down from around the buttocks to below the buttocks but above the knees. The wearer may pull the pants up to the waist.
FIG. 1A illustrates a front view of an article of clothing 100. The article of clothing 100 includes pants 110 and a saggy pants control system 140. The pants 110 may be worn as saggy pants. The pants 110 include a waistband 112 with a plurality of belt loops 114 spaced around the waistband 112. The waistband 112 is configured to have a belt (not shown) fed through the belt loops 114 in a conventional manner to strap the waistband 112 and pants 110 to a wearer's body 5 (FIG. 1B). The pants 110 may be worn as intended with the waistband positioned around the waist or as the inseam would permit according to a normal waist positioning. The pants 110 can be positioned on demand using the saggy pants control system 140, when worn, thus the waistband is configured to be a sufficient circumference to be worn around buttocks or low on the hips of the wearer.
The waistband 112 creates a circumferential band around the body 5 (FIG. 1B) of the wearer. Each of the belt loops 114 may perpendicular to the waistband 112. The distal free ends of the belt loops 114 are affixed to the waistband 112 or pant 110 allowing the remaining length of the belt loop 114 to be free from attachment so that a belt may be slipped therethrough.
The pants 110 comprise a front fly 120 concealed under a fold of cloth 122. The fold of cloth 122 is made of the same material as the pants 110. The front fly 120 of the exemplary embodiment is a zipper fly (denoted by the zigzag over the fold of cloth 122) with a button 126 at the waistband 112. The front fly 120 of the pants 110 may alternately have a button fly configuration in lieu of the zipper fly. The front fly may have other fastening or closing mechanisms such as a hook and loop type fastening system (e.g. Velcro™) or a combination of button fly and zipper fly, etc.
The pants 110 further include first and second front pockets 116A and 116B. In the exemplary configuration, the first front pocket 116A is a front left hip pocket. The second front pocket 116B is a front right hip pocket. The shape of pockets 116A and 116B is denoted by a dashed line. However, such line is to denote that the pockets 116A and 116B are hidden under the fabric of pants 110. The pockets 116A and 116B are located just below the waistband 112 or belt on each side near the hip of the wearer.
The pants 110 are made of denim material, blue jean material, natural material, khaki material, synthetic material or man-made materials. The pants 100 are available is a variety of colors.
The pants 110 include pant legs 128A and 128B wherein the leg 128A is a left pant leg and leg 128B is a right pant leg. The length (inseam length) of the pant legs 128A and 128B is available in a variety of lengths from a Bermuda shorts length above the knee, Capri length, a long pants length or other lengths that extend to or below the wearer's knee. The pants 110, when worn about the buttocks, are configured to bunch up at the feet if longer than the wearer's legs. The pants 110 may cover the body from the waist to the knee or waist to the ankle. However, the pants 110 when worn cover the buttocks (or portion) to the knee or buttocks (or portion) to the ankle.
The saggy pant control system 140 includes first and second front mounted pocket handles 140A and 140B affixed or sewn into the first front pocket 116A and the second front pocket 116B of the pants 110. The saggy pant control system 140 allows individuals to wear the pants with a set of pocket handles 140A and 140B sewn into and within the first front pocket 116A and the second front pocket 116B, respectively, allowing pants 110 to be held up by grasping the front mounted pocket handles 140A and 140B in a discreet and concealed manner from the inside of the pockets.
The front mounted pocket handles 140A and 140B are concealed within the pockets 116A and 116B, respectively. Thus, the wearer of pants 110 appears to have his/her hand or hands inside the first front pocket 116A and/or the second front pocket 116B for comfort and not as a function of holding the pants 110 from falling down or to pull the pant down or to pull the pants up.
Each of the first and second front mounted pocket handles 140A and 140B are essentially the same. Thus, only one such pocket handle 140A will be described in detail. Pocket handle 140A includes an elongated strip member 142 which may be constructed of the same type of material as the pants 110, the pockets 116A and 116B or other materials. The elongated strip member 142 has a length of approximately eight inches (8″) to twelve inches (12″), such as for adult sizes. The length may be shorter for smaller or children sizes. The elongated strip member 142 has a width of approximately one inch (1″). Larger or smaller widths may be used.
The pocket handle 140A is configured to be individually sewn inside of the first front pocket 116A at distal ends 144 and 146. The “X” at the distal ends 144 and 146 denote a point of attachment of the distal ends 144 and 146 directly to the fabric of one panel of which the pocket 116A is made, as will be described in detail later. The remaining length of the pocket handle 140A between the distal ends 144 and 146 is within but unattached to the pocket 116A.
The first and second front mounted pocket handles 140A and 140B are configured to be individually sewn into the inside of the first front pocket 116A and the second front pocket 116B, respectively. The inside of the pocket 116A and/or 116B needs to be designed to allow room for a man's hand to be balled into a fist, if the pair of pants 110 is sized for a male. The size of the pocket would vary based on the size of the wearer and the size of his/her fist. During a slow walk or standing, the handle inside the pocket can be grasped with only one, two, three or four fingers, if desired.
FIG. 1B illustrates a front view of the article of clothing 100 being worn according to the embodiment of FIG. 1A. The article of clothing 100 includes pants 110 with the saggy pant control system 140. The waistband 112 is shown positioned about the buttocks of the wearer's body 5 or low on the hips of the wearer's body 5 with a portion of a wearer's undergarment 7 exposed. In one configuration, undergarment 7 is a boxer short or boxer brief. However, other undergarments may be used. The wearer is shown holding first and second front mounted pocket handles 140A and 140B with hands 10A and 10B, respectively. The hands 10A and 10B may form a fist or partial fist when grasping first and second front mounted pocket handles 140A and 140B within the pockets. Therefore, the size of the pocket may be enlarged as compared with pockets of conventional pants without the first and second front mounted pocket handles 140A and 140B.
FIG. 2 illustrates a front view of yet another article of clothing 200. The article of clothing 200 includes pants 210 and a saggy pants control system 240. The pants 210 may be worn as saggy pants on demand. The pants 210 include a waistband 212 with a plurality of belt loops 214 spaced around the waistband 212. The waistband 212 is configured to have a belt (not shown) fed through the belt loops 214 in a conventional manner to strap the waistband 212 and pants 210 to a wearer's body 5 (FIG. 1B).
The pants 210 comprise a front fly 220 concealed under a fold of cloth 222. The front fly 220 may be a zipper fly, a button fly or may have other fastening or closing mechanisms such as a hook and loop type fastening system (e.g. Velcro™) or a combination of button fly and zipper fly.
The pants 210 further include first and second front pockets 216A and 216B. In the exemplary configuration, the first front pocket 216A is a front left hip pocket. The second front pocket 216B is a front right hip pocket. The pants 210 include pant legs 228A and 228B wherein the leg 228A is a left pant leg and leg 228B is a right pant leg.
The saggy pant control system 240 includes first and second front mounted pocket handles 240A and 240B affixed or sewn into the first front pocket 216A and the second front pocket 216B, respectively, of the pants 210. The saggy pant control system 240 allows individuals to wear the pants with a set of pocket handles 240A and 240B sewn into and within the first front pocket 216A and the second front pocket 216B, respectively, allowing pants 210 to be held up, pulled up or pulled down by grasping one or both of the front mounted pocket handles 240A and/or 240B in a discreet (concealed) manner from the inside of the pockets.
The front mounted pocket handles 240A and 240B are concealed within the pockets 216A and 216B, respectively. Thus, the wearer of pants 210 appears to have his/her hand or hands inside the first front pocket 216A and/or the second front pocket 216B for comfort and not as a function of holding the pants 210 from falling down or pulling the pants up or down.
Each of the first and second front mounted pocket handles 240A and 240B are essentially the same. Thus, only one such pocket handle 340 (FIG. 3) will be described in detail in relation to FIGS. 3,4A and 4B. In the embodiment of FIG. 2, the pocket handles 240A and 240B extend from seam-to-seam of the pockets 216A and 216B, respectively.
FIG. 3 illustrates an open interior view of a pocket 300. The pocket 300 is a front left hip pocket design. Nonetheless, the pocket can be reversed for a right hip pocket design. The pocket 300 includes a front side panel 302 and a back side panel 304. The interior sides or surfaces of the front side panel 302 and back side panel 304 are intended to be face-to-face and sewn or affixed together on at least two sides, as will be described in relation to FIGS. 4A and 4B.
In the illustration, phantom line PL denotes a fold or seam. In one configuration of the pocket 300, the front side panel 302 and back side panel 304 are a single piece of cloth cut into a pattern for a particular pocket design. A center line, corresponding to the phantom line PL, is folded over so that the interior surfaces of the front side panel 302 and back side panel 304 are face-to-face and overlapping. The fold creates an edge or folded edge; however such edge does not require stitching.
The front side panel 302 includes a curved or lowered top edge 306 to permit the hand access into the interior of the pocket.
The cloth, fabric or material of pocket 300 may comprise of cotton, natural material or man-made material. The cloth, fabric or material of pocket 300 may be lighter in weight than the fabric or material of pants 210 or may be the same fabric as pants 210.
The pocket handle 340 includes an elongated strip member 342 which may be constructed of the same type of material as the pants 210, pocket 300 or other materials. The elongated strip member 342 has a length of approximately eight inches (8″) to twelve inches (12″), such as for adult sizes. The length may be shorter for smaller or children sizes. The elongated strip member 342 has a width of approximately one inch (1″). Larger or smaller widths may be used. The dashed lines on the elongated strip member 342 denote seams 348 wherein the elongated strip member 342 is a double layer of fabric sewn together via seams 348.
While the exemplary embodiment provides a double or triple layer of fabric to construct strip member 342, the strip member 342 may be made of leather, or other strip of single-ply fabric, bands, straps, etc.
The elongated strip member 342 has an arch shape or other handle shape having distal ends 344 and 346. The distal ends 344 and 346 are configured to be affixed to the pocket such that ends 344 and 346 are affixed or sewn to the front side panel 302, back side panel 304 or a combination of both the front side panel 302 and back side panel 304.
The shape of the elongated strip member 342 is configured to be easily grasped naturally and comfortably by a wearer's hand such that a wearer creates a fist around the grasped strip member 342 or otherwise curls or positions one or more fingers around and under the elongated strip member 342.
FIG. 4A illustrates a view of a left hip pocket 400A. The pocket 400A includes a front side panel 402 and a back side panel 404. The interior sides or surfaces of the front side panel 402 and back side panel 404 are overlapping and face-to-face. The front side panel 402 and back side panel 404 are sewn or affixed together on at least two sides by seams 411 and 412. Phantom line PL denotes a fold and does not require stitching. However, stitching along the fold may be provided for reinforcement of end 444A.
The front side panel 402 includes a curved or lowered top edge 406 to permit hand access into the interior of the pocket 400A.
The pocket handle 440A is shown hidden or concealed within the pocket denoted by the dotted line. The “X” at end 444A denotes a point of attachment via added stitching for reinforcement. The end 446 of handle 440A is affixed or sewn to front side panel 402 and back side panel 404 via seam 411 along an edge opposite the fold. The bottom edge of pocket 400A is closed by seam 412.
In the illustration a top left corner 420 provides access into the pocket 400A. A portion of the top edge of pocket 400A is sewn closed by seam 414. The curve 406 of the top edge of front side panel 402 is sewn with stitching for finishing but is not attached so that the wearer can slip his/her hands into pocket 400A. The top edges of the front side panel 402 and back side panel 404 are generally sewn into the waistband of the pants.
In general, seams 411 and 414 attached or affix the pocket 400A to seams of the pants. For example, seam 411 may affix the pocket 400A at the waistband. Seam 411 is a side seam of the pants 400A.
FIG. 4B illustrates a view of yet another left hip pocket 400B. The pocket 400B is similar to pocket 400A except that pocket 400B has an edge E1 in lieu of a fold. Edge E1 is sewn together by seam 413. The end 444B of pocket handle 440B can be sewn or affixed by seam 413.
FIG. 5A illustrates a front view of yet another article of clothing 500. The article of clothing 500 includes pants 510 and a saggy pants control system 540. The pants 510 are intended to be worn as saggy pants. The pants 510 include a waistband 512 with a plurality of belt loops 514 spaced around the waistband 512. The pants 510 are saggy, when worn, thus the waistband 512 is configured to be of a sufficient circumference to be worn around buttocks or low on the hips of the wearer's body 6 (FIG. 5B).
The article of clothing 500 is similar to the article of clothing 100 except that the saggy pant control system 540 includes one front mounted pocket handle 540A affixed or sewn into the front pocket 516. The pocket handle 540A may be affixed or sewn in a variety of manners depending on the pocket construction. The front pocket handle 540A allows the wearer to hold up the pants when grasped in a discreet manner from the inside of the pocket 516. The pants 500 has two pockets. However, the one front mounted pocket handle 540A is in one of the available pockets. While not wishing to be bound by theory, the front left hip pocket is used most often by wearers to grasp his/her pants.
In one configuration, the size of the pocket 516 may be expanded. With reference to FIGS. 4B and 1B, the seam 413 may correspond to the seam of the fold of cloth 122 of the front fly 120. Thus, the length of the pocket handle would extend from the front fly to the seam along a side of the pant leg (e.g. pant leg 128A).
FIG. 5B illustrates a front view of the article of clothing 500 being worn in accordance with the embodiment of FIG. 5A. The wearer's body 6 has the waistband 512 of the pants 510 in a saggy pants fashion low on the hips or buttocks. The wearer is shown holding pants 510 up using the pocket handle 540A of the saggy pant control system 540 by grasping with his/her hand 10. The pocket handle 540A can also be used to pull the pants up or pull the pants down as desired. For example, the pocket handle 540A can be used to pull the pants down even further from the location shown in FIG. 5B where the waistband is about the buttocks.
In a further configuration, the pocket may be a faux pocket such that a bottom end of the pocket is not closed. Thus, the pants may have the appearance of a pocket but the faux pocket cannot be used to store personal items such as money, a cell phone, etc. The pocket handle is mounted to fabric accessed through a faux pocket opening.
FIG. 5C illustrates a front view of yet another article of clothing 500′. The article of clothing 500′ includes pants 510′ and a saggy pants control system 540′. The pants 510′ include a waistband 512′ with a plurality of belt loops 514′ spaced around the waistband 512′. The pants 510′ may be saggy, when worn, thus the waistband 512′ is configured to be of a sufficient circumference to be worn around buttocks or low on the hips of the wearer's body 6 (FIG. 5B).
The saggy pants control system 540′ includes a front handle 540A′ accessed via pocket 516′. Pocket 516′ may be a faux pocket or the pocket panels (FIG. 4B) extends to the seam of the front fly to the side of the pants 510′. In the embodiment, the distal ends of handle 540A′ are secured by the strong sticking of the seams at the front fly and the side of the pants.
The pants 510′ may include a pants leg length of L1 for both legs, L2 for both legs or a combination of L1 for one leg and L2 for the other leg, wherein length L2 is a long pants length and L1 is shorter than a long pants length. For example, Length L1 may be a Capri length or a shorts length.
FIG. 6A illustrates a front view of yet another article of clothing 600. Pants with pockets are very well known. If the pants were worn about or nearer to the waist, as originally intended, the location of the pockets in relation to the wearer's hands is relatively known within a range. However, because the waistband is no longer worn about the waist and the pants may be tethered about the hips or buttocks of the wearer, the use of the pockets may be prohibited for placement of the hands in a very quick moment.
The article of clothing 600 includes pants 610 and a saggy pants control system 640. The pants 610 may be worn as saggy pants on demand. The pants 610 include a waistband 612 with one or more belt loops 614 spaced around the waistband 612. The on or more of belt loops 614 are optional.
The pants 610 comprise a front fly 620 concealed under a fold of cloth 622. The fold of cloth 622 is made of the same material as the pants 610. The front fly 620 of the exemplary embodiment is a zipper fly with a button 626 at the waistband 612. The front fly 620 of the pants 610 may alternately have a button fly configuration in lieu of the zipper fly. The front fly may have other fastening or closing mechanisms such as a hook and loop type fastening system (e.g. Velcro™) or a combination of button fly and zipper fly, etc.
The pants 610 further include first and second front pockets 616A and 616B. In the exemplary configuration, the first front pocket 616A is a front left hip pocket. The second front pocket 616B is a front right hip pocket. The pants 610 include pant legs 628A and 628B wherein the leg 628A is a left pant leg and leg 628B is a right pant leg.
The saggy pant control system 640 includes first and second front mounted waistband handles 640A and 640B affixed or sewn to the first side L of the waistband 612 and a second side R of the waistband 612. The saggy pant control system 640 allows individuals to wear the saggy pants with a set of waistband handles 640A and 640B sewn to the waistband 612 at convenient locations so that the wearer can quickly and easily grasp one or both of the waistband handles 640A and/or 640B in a manner to hold the pants up or to prevent the pants from falling. The handles 640A and/or 640B can be used to pull the pants up or to pull the pants down. The front mounted waistband handles 640A and 640B are concealed if a belt is worn. The wearer of pants 610 appears to have his/her hand or hands outside the waistband as a function of holding the pants 610 from falling down.
Each of the first and second front mounted waistband handles 640A and 640B are essentially the same. Thus, only one such waistband handle 640A will be described in detail. Waistband handle 640A includes an elongated strip member 642 which may be constructed of the same type of material as the pants 610, or other materials. The elongated strip member 642 has a length of approximately five inches (5″) to eight inches (8″), such as for adult sizes. The length may be shorter for smaller or children sizes. The elongated strip member 642 has a width of approximately one inch (1″). Larger or smaller widths may be used.
The pocket handle 640A is configured to be individually sewn to a portion of the waistband 612 at distal ends 644 and 646. The “X” at the distal ends 644 and 646 denote a point of attachment of the distal ends 644 and 646 directly to the fabric of the waistband. The remaining length of the pocket handle 640A between the distal ends 644 and 646 is unattached to the waistband 612.
The first and second front mounted waistband handles 640A and 640B are configured to be individually sewn to respectively different sides (left L and right R) of the waistband 612 such as on opposite sides of the button 626. The first and second front mounted waistband handles 640A and 640B may be used by the wearer to hold the pants 610 up especially in the absence of a belt or in addition to a belt. The waistband handle 640A or 640B is configured to be parallel and overlapping a portion of the waistband 612. The waistband handle 640A or 640B is configured to be grasped by a fist or a plurality of fingers.
FIG. 6B illustrates a front view of the article of clothing 600 being worn according to the embodiment of FIG. 6A. The article of clothing 600 includes pants 610 with the saggy pant control system 640. The waistband 612 is shown positioned about the buttocks of the wearer's body 15 or low on the hip of the wearer's body with a portion of a wearer's undergarment 8 exposed.
The wearer is shown holding at least one of the first and second front mounted waistband handles 640A and 640B with hands 11A and 11B, respectively. The hands 11A and 11B may form a fist or partial fist when grasping first and second front mounted waistband handles 640A and 640B.
As for the handle on the waistband, the size of the waistband handle is configured to accommodate a fist or grasp of four fingers bent inward without the thumb. Nevertheless, the waistband handle may have other sizes. In lieu of four fingers, two or three fingers could be used. The handles described herein are intended to accommodate more than one finger in a clasped fashion.
FIG. 7 illustrates a front view of yet another article of clothing 700. The article of clothing 700 includes pants 710 with a saggy pants control system 740. The pants 710 are similar in design as pants 600 and 100.
The saggy pants control system 740 includes at least one front mounted pocket handle 740A or 740B, the pocket handle being essentially the same as the front mounted pocket handles 140A and 140B. Thus, no further description is necessary. The pocket handles 740A and 740B may be any pocket handle design described herein.
The saggy pants control system 740 includes at least one front mounted waistband handle 741A or 741B, the waistband handle being essentially the same as the front mounted waistband handles 640A and 640B previously described. Thus, no further description is necessary.
In one configuration, the saggy pants control system 740 may include a pair of pocket handles 740A and 740B with a single waistband handle 741A or 741B. In another configuration, the saggy pants control system 740 may include a single pocket handle 740A or 740B and a pair of waistband handles 741A and 741B.
In one configuration, each handle (waistband handle or pocket handle) have a thickness of two to three times that of the thickness of material of the garment to provide strength.
FIG. 8 illustrates a front view of yet another article of clothing 800. The article of clothing 800 includes pants 810 and saggy pants control system 840. The pants 810 do not have a front fly or a button at the waistband. The pants 810 may be jogging type pants. The waistband may have an elastic band embedded in the waistband. The pants 810 includes at least one front pocket 816A and 816B.
In one embodiment, the pants 810 may have elastic in the bottom seam of each the pant legs.
The saggy pants control system 840 may include at least one front mounted waistband handle 841A or 841B, the waistband handle being essentially the same as the front mounted waistband handles 640A and 640B or other waistband handles previously described. Thus, no further description is necessary.
In one configuration, the saggy pants control system 840 may also include a pair of pocket handles 840A and 840B with a single waistband handle 841A or 841B. In another configuration, the saggy pants control system 840 may include a single pocket handle 840A or 840B and a pair of waistband handles 841A and 841B.
The saggy pants control system 840 may includes one pocket handle or one waistband handle.
The pocket handles of FIGS. 1A, 2, 5A, 7 and 8 are used to hold up, pull up or pull down pants while doing so discreetly because hands grasping the pocket handles are hidden inside the pockets. The waistband handles of FIGS. 6A and 7 are placed on the outside of the pants, near the waistband of the pants between the pocket and zipper. The waistband handles can be used to hold up pants but in a manner that is open to observation and sight of other people.
The saggy pants control system provides a means to grab onto something contoured or configured to a wearer's clasped hands inside a concealed area (the pocket) to provide the means to hold up, pull up or pull down pants without looking too odd/strange (because hand(s) and handle(s) are concealed inside pocket(s)). Thus, the pants can be held up, pulled up, pulled down or prevented from sliding down.
The saggy pants control system provides a means to grab onto a handle on the outside at the waistband for quick access when the pants are sliding down. The waistband handles are especially useful in the absence of a belt.
The saggy pants control system provides multiple handles configured to be clasped discreetly and in the open in a wearer's palm, fist or hand to hold up, pull up or pull down the pants.
The objective of the invention is that the handles in the pockets allow individuals to wear baggy or saggy pants and manually hold up the pants from falling down while doing so in a discreet manner. The handles on the inside of the pockets provide a sturdy piece of material to grasp onto to keep pants at the desired level while standing or walking. From the outside, people cannot see that the wearer is actually holding his/her pants up because his/her hands and the handles or loops are concealed within the pocket.
The waistband handles are placed on the outside above the pockets and between the zipper or button for individuals who want a solid handle to grasp or clasp with a hand or fist but do not desire to be discreet.
The pocket handles, in an embodiment, cannot be seen unless looking down into an open pocket. The exact position of the attachment of the handles in the pockets may vary. Stitching may be visible from the outside of the pants, if the pocket handle is sewn directly to a pant leg. The inside pocket material may be denim rather than the soft white cotton material of most blue jean pants.
When wearing a jacket or sweat shirt with front/side pockets, the wearer can have his/her hands in the pockets of the upper garment and grab the waistband handle(s) on the waistband by making a fist inside the jacket pockets and around the handle(s) located on the waistband. Thus, the wearer can hold up the pants with a clinched fist in a jacket inner pocket material, clinched around a waistband handle on the pants.
The specific way the ends of the handles are sewn to the pants may depend on the thickness of the fabric and strength of the thread.
While the present invention has been described with respect to various features, aspects, and embodiments, those skilled and unskilled in the art will recognize the invention is not so limited. Other variations, modifications, and alternative embodiments may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An article of clothing comprising:

pants having a waistband and at least one front pocket, said pants configured to be worn by a wearer; and

a saggy pants control system having a pocket handle affixed and concealed within a respective one pocket, the pocket handle being configured for grasping by the wearer to pull up the pants, pull down the pants or to prevent said pants from falling down.

2. The article of clothing according to claim 1, wherein the pants are made of denim material, khaki material, blue jean material, natural material or man-made material or combinations thereof.

3. The article of clothing according to claim 1, wherein each pocket of the at least one front pocket comprises:

a front side panel having a plurality of edges and

a back side panel having a plurality of edges wherein at least two edges of the first side panel and the back side panel coincide and are closed together; and wherein distal ends of the pocket handle are affixed to the front side panel, the back side panel or a combination of the front side panel and the back side panel.

4. The article of clothing according to claim 3, wherein the at least one front pocket comprises a right hip pocket and a left hip pocket and wherein the right hip pocket comprises said pocket handle and said left hip pocket comprises a second pocket handle, the second handle being configured for grasping by the wearer to prevent said pants from falling down or for pulling up the pants or pulling down the pants.

5. The article of clothing according to claim 3, wherein the distal ends of the pocket handle are affixed to opposite edges of and between the front side panel, the back side panel using a common seam to affix the front side panel to the back side panel.

6. The article of clothing according to claim 1, wherein the waistband creates a circumferential band around a body of the wearer and further comprising at least one front mounted waistband handle having each end coupled to the waistband, the at least one front mounted waistband handle being parallel to and overlapping the waistband.

7. The article of clothing according to claim 6, further comprising one or more belt loops coupled to the waistband, each belt loop is perpendicular to the waistband and wherein the at least one front mounted waistband handle is positioned between a pair of belt loops and above the at least one front pocket.

8. The article of clothing according to claim 7, wherein the at least one front mounted waistband handle comprises a right front mounted waistband on a front right side of the waistband and a left front mounted waistband on a front left side of the waistband.

9. The article of clothing according to claim 1, wherein the pocket handle is configured to be grasped by a fist or up to four fingers looped around the handle.

10. An article of clothing comprising:

pants having a waistband and at least one front pocket; and a saggy pants control system having a waistband handle affixed in parallel and overlapping a portion of the waistband, the waistband handle being configured for grasping by the wearer to prevent said pants from falling down, to pull up the pants or to pull down the pants.

11. The article of clothing according to claim 10, wherein the pants are made of denim material, khaki material, blue jean material, natural material or man-made material or combinations thereof.

12. The article of clothing according to claim 10, wherein each pocket of the at least one front pocket comprises:

a front side panel having a plurality of edges and

a back side panel having a plurality of edges wherein at least two edges of the first side panel and the back side panel coincide and are closed together; and

further comprising a pocket handle wherein distal ends of the pocket handle are affixed to the front side panel, the back side panel or a combination of the front side panel and the back side panel of a respective one front pocket.

13. The article of clothing according to claim 12, wherein the at least one front pocket comprises a right hip pocket and a left hip pocket and wherein the right hip pocket comprises said pocket handle and said left hip pocket comprises a second pocket handle, the second pocket handle being configured for grasping by the wearer to prevent said pants from falling down.

14. The article of clothing according to claim 12, wherein the distal ends of the pocket handle are affixed to opposite edges of and between the front side panel, the back side panel using a common seam to affix the front side panel to the back side panel.

15. The article of clothing according to claim 10, further comprising a plurality of belt loops coupled to the waistband, each belt loop being perpendicular to the waistband and wherein said waistband handle is a front mounted waistband handle positioned between a pair of belt loops and above the at least one front pocket.

16. The article of clothing according to claim 10, further comprising a second front mounted waistband handle affixed in parallel and overlapping the waistband, the second front mounted waistband handle positioned opposite a button of the waistband.

17. The article of clothing according to claim 10, wherein the waistband handle is configured to be grasped by a fist or up to four fingers looped around the waistband handle.

18. A method of controlling pants comprising:

positioning pants on a wearer's body;

pulling up, pulling down or holding up the pants using a concealed pocket handle.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising pulling up, pulling down or holding up the pants using a second concealed pocket handle.

20. The method of claim 18, further comprising pulling up, pulling down or holding up the pants using at least one waistband mounted handle, the at least one waistband mounted handle having a longitudinal length which is parallel to the waistband.