Field of the Invention

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an accessory for carrying items on a garment. The accessory is adapted to be releasably securable to the garment. In particular, the present disclosure relates to an accessory including a pouch for carrying items and a magnetic securing flap releasably securable to the pouch.

Background of Invention

[0002] It is convenient to carry personal items, such as mobile phones, credit cards, and keys, with you when exercising or for other lifestyle activities. Exercise or leisure clothing do not necessarily have pockets which are suited to carry the items. Waist belts or light backpacks can be used to carry the items, but these may be cumbersome.

Summary

[0003] In one exemplary embodiment, the present disclosure is directed to an accessory for carrying items on a garment. The accessory includes a pouch for holding the items. The accessory includes a securing flap. The accessory includes a flexible spine intermediate the pouch and the securing flap, which joins the pouch and the securing flap in a bifolding arrangement. One or more magnets are fixed along at least one of the pouch and the securing flap. The magnets magnetically attach the securing flap to the pouch when the pouch and the securing flap are folded together.

[0004] Both the pouch and the securing flap may include magnets. The magnets may be captured in pockets at lower corners of the pouch and the securing flap, respectively.

[0005] The magnets may be located at any position on or in the pouch and the securing flap, respectively. Preferably the magnets are located along lateral side regions of the pouch and the securing flap.

[0006] The spine may have a width defined between two parallel stitch lines. The spine may be between one and five centimetres wide. The spine may be of a flexible material. The spine may have a further stitch line between the two parallel stitch lines. The further stitch line may be parallel to the two parallel stitch lines. Alternatively, the spine may be defined by a stitch line. [0007] The pouch may include a slide fastener for providing access to a pocket defined by the pouch.

[0008] The pouch, spine and securing flap may be formed from a single panel of fabric which is folded and stitched to define the pouch, spine and securing flap.

[0009] The pouch, spine and securing flap may be formed from two or more layers of material which overlay each other and are stitched together to define the pouch, spine and securing flap.

[0010] In another exemplary embodiment, the present disclosure is directed to an accessory for carrying items, that includes a pouch for holding the items. The pouch includes a slide fastener extending between lateral sides of the pouch for providing access to a pocket defined by the pouch. The accessory includes a securing flap joined to the pouch in a bifolding arrangement. The accessory includes one or more magnets along at least one of the pouch and the securing flap that magnetically attaches the securing flap to the pouch when the pouch and the securing flap are folded together.

[001 1] In another exemplary embodiment, the accessory includes a reflective material on an outside of the pouch. The reflective material may be printed or fixed to the pouch.

[0012] In another exemplary embodiment, the pouch includes a pocket for holding the items. The accessory further includes one or more internal pockets within the pocket of the pouch, the one or more internal pockets being smaller than the pocket of the pouch.

[0013] In another exemplary embodiment, the pouch includes a headphone cord hole in a panel of the pouch for threading a headphone cord through the panel and into the pocket.

[0014] In another exemplary embodiment, the one or more magnets are captured in one or more closed pockets in at least one of the pouch and the securing flap. The accessory includes a thermofusible fabric along a seam of the one or more closed pockets.

[0015] The accessory may be configured to substantially prevent, shield, inhibit or otherwise block a radio wave frequency (RF) signal. The accessory may be configured to include an RF blocking material and more preferably, a radio-frequency identification (RFID blocking material). In exemplary embodiments, the pouch includes one or more layers of a RF blocking material. The one or more layers of the RF blocking material, and preferably RFID blocking material, may be on the exterior and/or interior of the pouch.

[0016] The accessory may be configured to substantially prevent the ingress of water. The accessory may be configured to substantially prevent the ingress of water to the pouch. The accessory may include one or more layers of a hydrophobic material. According to exemplary embodiments, the pouch includes one or more layers of a hydrophobic material. The one or more layers of the hydrophobic material may be on the exterior and/or interior of the pouch.

[0017] The accessory may include patches of material for strengthening the pockets in which the magnets are held.

[0018] The accessory is suitable for carrying items during sport or exercise, but may also be used for other activities that require items to be carried on the person. For example, a security guard may carry a communications radio or torch using the accessory. Tradesman may carry tools in the pouch of the accessory.

[0019] Panels of the accessory may be of any suitable material, including, but not limited to, neoprene, scuba knit, leather, faux leather, nylon, or canvas.

[0020] The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that the prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in Australia or in any other country.

[0021] The claims as filed and attached with this specification are hereby incorporated by reference into the text of the present description.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0022] Fig. 1 is a three-dimensional view of an accessory in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0023] Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the accessory of Fig. 1 folded open.

[0024] Fig. 3 is a bottom plan view of the accessory of Fig. 1 folded open.

[0025] Fig. 4 is another three-dimensional view of the accessory of Fig. 1 folded open. [0026] Fig. 5 is a three-dimensional view of a fabric panel being folded to form the accessory of Fig. 1 .

[0027] Fig. 6 is a three-dimensional view of two overlaying fabric panels to be stitched together to form the accessory of Fig. 1 .

[0028] Figs. 7a - 7c are three-dimensional views of different configurations of internal pockets on a rear layer of the accessory of Fig. 1.

[0029] Fig. 8 is three-dimensional view of the accessory of Fig. 1 secured to a rigid panel.

[0030] Fig. 9 is a three-dimensional view of the accessory of Fig. 1 in a position to be secured to a pair of pants.

[0031] Fig. 10 is a three-dimensional view of the accessory of Fig. 1 secured to the pair of pants of Fig. 9.

[0032] Fig. 1 1 is three-dimensional view of the accessory of Fig. 1 , including a headphone cable outlet hole in the pouch of the accessory.

[0033] Fig. 12 is three-dimensional view of a corner of the accessory of Fig. 1 , showing a fusing fabric inserted between layers of the accessory during manufacture.

Detailed Description of the Drawings

[0034] Alternative embodiments of the disclosure will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art from consideration of the specification. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spirit of the disclosure being indicated by the claims which follow. It will be understood that the term "comprising" is intended to have a broad, open meaning and not limited to a particular embodiment.

[0035] Referring to Figs. 1 to 4, an accessory 10 includes a pouch 20, a securing flap 50, and a spine 70 intermediate pouch 20 and securing flap 50. Accessory 10 is adapted to be releasably secured to a garment, more specifically to be carried on a pair of pants.

[0036] Pouch 20 includes a front panel 22 shown in Fig. 2 and a back panel 24 shown in Fig. 3. In one embodiment, front panel 22 and back panel 24 are a unitary piece of material which is folded to form a free edge 28 at a lower end of pouch 20. In another embodiment, front panel 22 and back panel 24 are two layers of fabric which are stitched together. Front panel 22 and back panel 24 are stitched together along lateral sides 26 of pouch 20 to form a pocket 30.

[0037] Pocket 30 is dimensioned to receive personal items. Specifically, pocket 30 is dimensioned to receive and carry a phone. In one embodiment, pocket 30 may, for example, be between 12cm and 18cm wide, for example 16cm wide. Pocket 30 may, for example, be between 6cm and 10cm deep, for example 8cm deep. Pocket 30 may be sized for carrying particular items, such as a phone or a tool.

[0038] Pouch 20 includes a slide fastener in the form of a zipper 32. Zipper 32 extends across the full width of front panel 22, between lateral sides 26. Zipper 32 provides selective access to pocket 30 of pouch 20.

[0039] Zipper 32 includes a slider 34 and zipper teeth 36. Zipper 32 meshes teeth 36 together or separates teeth 36 depending on the direction of movement of slider 34. Zipper 32 is opened to allow access to pocket 30 for placing items in the pocket or retrieving items from the pocket.

[0040] As shown in Fig. 2, pouch 20 includes strips 38 of reflective material on either side of zipper 32. Pouch 20 may include other pieces of reflective material or coating on front panel 22 of pouch 20, for example heat transfer reflective tape fixed to front panel 22.

[0041] Referring to Figs. 2 and 3, front panel 22 and back panel 24 of pouch 20 are stitched together along stitch line 40. Stitch line 40 extends between lateral sides 26. Stitch line 40 is a top stitch which goes through both front panel 22 and back panel 24. An upper fabric tape extension of zipper 32 is fixed between the front panel 22 and back panel 24 by stitch line 40. A lower fabric tape extension of zipper 32 is stitched to the inside of front panel 22 by a stitch line 41 . Stitch line 41 is a top stitch which goes through front panel 22 only.

[0042] Pouch 20 has two closed pockets 42 at its lower corners for holding or capturing magnets (not shown). Closed pockets 42 are formed between front panel 22 and back panel 24. The pockets 42 are stitched closed. Closed pockets 42 are generally rectangular to accommodate magnets which are block-shaped. It will be appreciated that the magnets of accessory 10 may be any suitable shape such as square, rectangular and circular, although without limitation thereto. Moreover, the magnets may be of any suitable size or thickness.

[0043] Securing flap 50 includes an inner panel 52 shown in Fig. 3, and an outer panel 54 shown in Fig. 2. Inner panel 52 and outer panel 54 overlap. In one embodiment, inner panel 52 and outer panel 54 are of a unitary piece of material which is folded to form a free edge 58. In another embodiment, inner panel 52 and outer panel 54 are two layers of fabric which are stitched together. Inner panel 52 and outer panel 54 are stitched together along lateral sides 56 of securing flap 50.

[0044] Inner panel 52 and outer panel 54 are stitched together along a stitch line 60 which extends between lateral sides 56. Stitch line 60 is a top stitch which goes through outer panel 54 and inner panel 52.

[0045] Securing flap 50 has two closed pockets 62 at its lower corners for holding magnets. The magnets of securing flap 50 are the same as the magnets of pouch 20. In another embodiment, pouch 20 may have ferromagnetic formations, such as blocks of steel, attracted by the magnets of securing flap 50, or vice versa.

[0046] The magnets of accessory 10 each have a strength grade of, for example, N48 or N52. It will be appreciated that any suitable strength grade may be selected depending on factors like the thickness of the fabric or the intended purpose of accessory 10.

[0047] Spine 70 is defined between stitch line 40 and stitch line 60. Stitch lines 40 and 60 are parallel to each other. Spine 70 has a width measured between stitch line 40 and stitch line 60. Spine 70 may be between 1 cm and 5cm wide, for example 2.5cm wide. In other embodiments, spine 70 may be defined by a stitch line which extends between lateral sides 26, for example either stitch line 40 or stitch line 60.

[0048] Spine 70 is of a flexible material. Stitch line 40 forms a crease which encourages or promotes folding of pouch 20 with respect to spine 70. Similarly, stitch line 60 forms a crease which encourages or promotes folding of securing flap 50 with respect to spine 70. Having a separate crease for each of pouch 20 and securing flap 50 to promote folding makes for easy bifolding of accessory 10. Bifolding means that pouch 20 and securing flap 50 are able to fold or hinge relative to each other about spine 20. Spine 70 may maintain a slight gap between pouch 20 and securing flap 50. In those embodiments where spine 70 is defined by a stitch line as descrbied above, there may not be a slight gap between pouch 20 and securing flap 50.

[0049] Spine 70 includes two overlapping layers of material which are stitched together by stitch lines 40 and 60.

[0050] Accessory 10 has a continuous stitch line 76 spaced from the outer edge of accessory 10 to form a hem 78. Stitch line 76 is a top stitch which goes through both layers of fabric of accessory 20. Hem 78 may receive piping or other stiffening formations to stiffen the sides of pouch 20 and securing flap 50.

[0051] According to certain embodiments, accessory 10 may be configured to substantially prevent, inhibit, shield or otherwise block a radio wave frequency (RF) signal and in particular, to prevent a radio-frequency identification (RFID) detector from reading a RFID device located in accessory 10. This may be useful to prevent electronic theft from a device such as a credit card, a driver's license, an identity card, etc. that includes a radio frequency identification chip. Accessory 10 may be configured to include an RF blocking material and more preferably, an RFID blocking material. Such materials may totally, or alternatively partially to the extent that is necessary, prevent, block, inhibit or shield an RF signal. Suitable RF shielding, inhibiting, preventing or blocking materials include a metal (such as copper), aluminium foil, a spray-on metallic paint, or a metallised plastic. Other exemplary materials include a sheet metal, a metal screen, and/or a metal foam. Suitable materials may be a combination of materials such as a copper/nickel/ polyester blend, although without limitation thereto. It will be appreciated that any material that may function as an RF shielding, inhibiting preventing or blocking material is suitable for use in accessory 10. In certain embodiments, accessory 10 includes at least one layer of an RF blocking material that surrounds, encompasses, lines, is incorporated with, or interacts with accessory 10. The RFID blocking material may be arranged on at least a portion of, or extend fully across, an interior surface, and/or an exterior surface of accessory 10. In some embodiments, RF shielding may include one or more layers of a RF blocking material that surrounds at least a portion of the exterior of, and/or lines the interior of pouch 20. According to these embodiments, the RF blocking material may extend continuously, or partially across the interior and/or exterior of pouch 20. In those embodiments which contemplate a plurality of layers of a RF blocking material, two or more layers of the RF blocking material may be separated by a material other than the RF blocking material. [0052] Alternatively or additionally, accessory 10 may be configured to substantially prevent the ingress of water to the interior of accessory 10, and in particular to the interior of pouch 20. According to certain embodiments, accessory 10 may be include one or more layers of a hydrophobic material with suitable properties. The hydrophobic material may be totally hydrophobic or partially hydrophobic. As such, the hydrophobic material may be a waterproof material such as a polyamide, a water-repellent material or a water- resistant material. In certain embodiments, accessory 10 may include one or more layers of a hydrophobic material that surrounds, encompasses, lines, is incorporated with, or interacts with accessory 10. In some embodiments, accessory 10 may include one or more layers of a hydrophobic material that surrounds at least a portion of the exterior of, and/or lines the interior of pouch 20. According to these embodiments, the hydrophobic material may extend continuously, or partially across the interior and/or exterior of pouch 20. In those embodiments which contemplate a plurality of layers of a hydrophobic material, two or more layers of the hydrophobic material may be separated by a material other than the hydrophobic material.

[0053] Figs. 5 and 6 show two methods of constructing accessory 10. It will be appreciated that these methods are exemplary only, many other methods using different panels and stitching may be used to construct accessory 10.

[0054] Referring to Fig. 5, accessory 10 is constructed of a single panel 90 of material which is folded to form pouch 20, securing flap 50 and spine 70. Panel 90 is generally rectangular. A section 92 at one end of panel 90 is folded over to form front panel 22 and back panel 24 of pouch 20. A section 94 at the other end of panel 90 is folded over, in the same direction as section 92, to form inner panel 52 and outer panel 54 of securing flap 50. The folded over sections 92, 94 are then stitched to form pouch 20, securing flap 50 and spine 70 as described above.

[0055] Panel 90 may be of neoprene (polychloroprene) material. Panel 90 may be between 1 .5mm and 3mm thick, for example approximately 2mm thick. The neoprene material conforms to the body shape of the wearer, which makes accessory 10 less prone to jostling when worn during exercise. The neoprene material is breathable, which is an advantage when exercising. Panel 90 may also be of any other suitable material, including leather, faux leather, nylon, or canvas. [0056] In another embodiment shown in Fig. 6, accessory 10 is constructed from two layers of material, a front layer 100 and rear layer 102, which are overlaid and stitched together.

[0057] Front layer 100 is a single panel of material which includes front panel 22, outer panel 54 and one layer of spine 70, as described above. Front layer 100 is a panel of solid stretch scuba knit fabric. Scuba knit fabric is a double knit fabric of finely spun polyester fibres. Front layer 100 may be between 1 .5mm and 3mm thick, for example approximately 2.2mm thick. Front layer 100 may also be of any other suitable material, including leather, faux leather, nylon, or canvas.

[0058] Rear layer 102 is a single panel of material which includes back panel 24, inner panel 52 and the other layer of spine 70, as described above.

[0059] Front layer 100 and rear layer 102 are stitched together along their periphery and additionally stitched with stitch lines as described above. Front layer 100 is then cut to insert zipper 32. The stitch lines may use top stitches, zigzag, flatlock, overlook, chain, or any other suitable stitches.

[0060] Magnets 18 are captured in closed pockets 42 and 62 when stitching front layer 100 and rear layer 102 together.

[0061] Rear layer 102 may include a number of internal pockets 1 10, as shown in Figs. 7a - 7c. Internal pockets 1 10 are located within pocket 30. Internal pockets 1 10 are formed of a panel 112 of material which is stitched to rear layer 102. Internal pockets 1 10 have mouth openings which are generally aligned with zipper 32.

[0062] A person wearing accessory 10 may choose to put an item in one of the internal pockets 1 10 within pocket 30 of pouch 20.

[0063] The internal pockets 1 10 may be of varying size and configuration as shown in Figs. 7a to 7b. All of the internal pockets 110 are smaller than pocket 30 formed when front layer is stitched to rear layer 102.

[0064] Edges of some of internal pockets 1 10 are stitched to rear panel 102 by the stitch lines which stitch front panel 100 and rear panel 102 together. [0065] Fig. 8 shows accessory 10 attached to a rigid panel 8. Magnets 18 are arranged or positioned on pouch 20 and securing flap 50 to be opposite each other when pouch 20 and securing flap 50 are folded together. Magnets 18 are attracted to each other in an arrangement wherein the panel 8 is clamped between the magnets of pouch 20 and the magnets of securing flap 50. Spine 70 bridges across panel 8.

[0066] Figs. 9 and 10 show the attachment of accessory 10 to a pair of pants or shorts 120. Shorts 120 have a waistband 122.

[0067] Pouch 20 and securing flap 50 are folded open about spine 70 by separating magnets 18 in pouch 20 from magnets 18 in flap 50. Securing flap 50 is then inserted on the inside of the shorts 110, between the wearer and the shorts. Pouch 20 hangs outside shorts 120, from spine 70. Spine 70 rests on waistband 122. Waistband 122 is received between pouch 20 and flap 50.

[0068] Pouch 20 is secured to shorts 120 by hanging from spine 70 and the magnets clamping shorts 120 between pouch 20 and securing flap 50.

[0069] Accessory 10 may also be secured to other garments, such as a shirt or jacket.

[0070] Zipper 32 provides convenient and secure access to pocket 30 of pouch 20. The extension of zipper 32 parallel to spine 70 provides easy for easy operation of zipper 32 by the wearer. The wearer pulls slider 34 in a direction across his/her waist, which is a natural direction of movement, especially while walking or running. Other means for closing pouch 20, such as hook-and-loop fasteners (Velcro) or snap fasteners may also be used. Zipper 32 is preferred due to its simple single-handed operation and longevity. Hook-and-loop fasteners are prone to wear out or foul up.

[0071] Accessory 10 may commonly be worn by a person during exercise. It is common for persons exercising to want to listen to their own music using headphones plugged into their phone or music player via a headphone cable. The headphone cable may extend into pocket 30, between separated rows of teeth 36 by drawing zipper 32 slightly open. One drawback of zipper 32 is that teeth 36 may wear or cut the headphone cable. For this reason, the embodiment of accessory 10 as depicted in Fig. 1 1 includes a headphone cable outlet hole 46 in pouch 20. Headphone cable outlet hole 46 extends through front panel 22 into pocket 30. [0072] Headphone cable outlet hole 46 is surrounded by a rip stop reinforcement formation 48. Rip stop reinforcement formation 48 is stitched to panel 22. Rip stop reinforcement formation 48 has a central opening to provide passage to hole 46. Hole 46 may be covered by segmented portions of front panel 22, which part when threading a headphone cable through hole 46.

[0073] Accessory 10 may include fusing fabric 130 along the outer seams, and specifically along the seams adjacent the magnets 18. Fig. 12 shows fusing material around one magnet 18 at a corner of pouch 20. Fuse fabric 130 aids in strengthening the seams and material around the magnets 18. Fuse fabric 130 strengthens pockets 42 in which magnets 18 are received. Pockets 42 require strengthening as separating pouch 20 from securing flap 50 effectively tries to tear magnets 18 out of the pockets.

[0074] Fusing, or interfacing, works by applying heat to the fuse fabric which melts a glue of the fuse fabric, and in turn bonds the fuse fabric to the material panels. The fuse fabric may be in the form of a thermofusible web.

[0075] Alternatively, or in addition, to fusing fabric 130, accessory 10 may include a patches of material to strengthen the areas holding magnets 18. The patches may fold around edges of panel 20 and securing flap 50 to strengthen the seam and fabric around pockets 42 and 62. The patches may be of a suitably strong but thin material.

[0076] Spine 70 provides space to accommodate the waistband 1 12. Without spine 70, pouch 20 and flap 50 would tend to diverge from where they are joined together, due to the waistband intruding in the spaced between the pouch 20 and flap 50. Spine 70 allows the pouch 20 and flap 50 to better conform to the shape of the pants during exercise.

[0077] The design of accessory 10 makes it reversible, so that pouch 20 and flap 50 are folded in the opposite direction as shown in Fig. 1. Zipper 32 will then face flap 50.

[0078] The features described with respect to one embodiment may be applied to other embodiments, or combined with, or interchanged with, the features of other embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0079] Other embodiments of the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the disclosure disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spirit of the disclosure being indicated by the following claims.