Pants configured for motor vehicle workers

• US 10,004,281 B2
• Filed: 04/08/2014
• Issued: 06/26/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 04/08/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Workwear Outfitters LLC
• Original Assignee: VF Imagewear Incorporated (V.F. Corporation)
• Inventors: Rowe, Jennifer, Orrick, Kathy, Massey, Nina
• Primary Examiner(s): HADEN, SALLY CLINE
• Application Number:
  US14/247,582
• Publication Number:
  US 20150282535A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,540 Days
• Field of Search: 2411412, 24184, 24163 FC
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 1/067 with reinforcement patches
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 27/20 Pockets; Making or setting-in pockets
• CPC Class Codes: A41F 9/02 Expansible or adjustable belts or girdles ; Adjustable fasteners comprising a track and a slide member A41F1/008, A41F9/002 take precedence

Abstract

The pant of the present invention is specifically inspired and configured for use in the motor vehicle industry. The pant may be scratchless, meaning that the pant does not have any exposed features that are capable of scratching the finish on a motor vehicle. For example, the pant may comprise a concealed waistband closure mechanism. The pant may also comprise a scratchless security pocket, which is predisposed toward a closed position and thus does not require the use of buttons or the like. The pant may also be configured to provide enhanced mobility and comfort, allowing a wearer a range of movements without interference from his or her clothing. For example, the pant may be manufactured from a stretchable material and/or may comprise a waistband that is configured to stretch so as to provide increased mobility and comfort. The pant may also include an articulating, reinforcing knee feature, which provides additional strength to the knee portion of the pant while also providing for a more comfortable bend at the knee. Additionally, the pant may have reinforcement features, such as reinforced pockets or belt loops, which are particularly suitable for use by motor vehicle workers.

Claims

1. A pant comprising:

a. a waistband having a top end, a bottom end, an inner surface, an outer surface, a first end, and a second end,

b. a button at the first end, and

c. a concealed closure at the second end, the concealed closure comprising

an access tunnel formed by an extended portion of the second end being looped toward the inner surface and attached to the inner surface,

the access tunnel defined by the extended portion, a concealing portion of the waistband, a top edge, and a bottom edge,

the access tunnel being open at the top edge and the bottom edge,

the extended portion comprising a button hole having an inlet and an outlet, wherein the outlet of the button hole is behind the concealing portion of the waistband and the outlet of the button hole is accessible by the access tunnel; and

wherein the pant does not have any exposed buttons or snaps.

2. The pant of claim 1, wherein the waistband is configured to stretch.

3. The pant of claim 2, wherein the waistband comprises a band of elastic material.

4. The pant of claim 3, wherein the elastic material is concealed by an outside layer of the waistband.

5. The pant of claim 4, wherein the outside layer of the waistband is made of a stretchable fabric that comprises polyester, cotton, and spandex.

6. The pant of claim 5, wherein the pant comprises first and second legs and wherein the first and second legs are also made of said stretchable fabric.

7. The pant of claim 5, wherein the stretchable fabric comprises between about 1% and about 8% spandex.

8. The pant of claim 7, wherein the stretchable fabric comprises between about 3% and about 6% spandex.

9. The pant of claim 5, wherein the stretchable fabric is configured to withstand industrial laundering.

10. The pant of claim 1, wherein the pant comprises first and second legs and wherein a knee portion of each of the first and second legs is reinforced.

11. The pant of claim 10, wherein the knee portion of each of the first and second legs is configured to provide an enhanced articulation of a leg at a knee.

12. The pant of claim 11, wherein the knee portion of each of the first and second legs comprises at least an inner layer and an outer layer and each of the inner layer and the outer layer comprises one or more darts running substantially laterally across the knee portion.

13. The pant of claim 1, wherein the pant comprises first and second legs, further comprising a security pocket on at least one of the first and second legs, wherein the security pocket has a flap that is predisposed toward a closed position by having a right side of the flap and a left side of the flap attached to the at least one of the first and second legs.

14. The pant of claim 1, wherein the pant comprises first and second legs, further comprising a tool-access pocket on at least one of the first and second legs, the tool-access pocket comprising a first pocket and a second pocket, a depth of the first pocket and a depth of the second pocket differing by between about 1 inch and about 3 inches.

15. The pant of claim 1, wherein the waistband comprises at least an inner layer and an outer layer and wherein at least one belt loop is tucked underneath the outer layer of the waistband.

16. The pant of claim 1, further comprising at least one front pocket, wherein the at least one front pocket is a reinforced pocket having a pocket lining comprising more than one layer of fabric.

17. The pant of claim 1, wherein the pant comprises first and second legs and wherein the first leg comprises two inner seams, the two inner seams of the first leg being separated by a gusset, and the second leg comprises two inner seams, the two inner seams of the second leg being separated by the gusset.

18. The pant of claim 1, wherein the button and the button hole are part of a front closure.