WO2012100268A1

WO2012100268A1 - T-shirt pocket for touch screen mobile devices

Info

Publication number: WO2012100268A1
Application number: PCT/US2012/022272
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ben Raviv
Original assignee: Ben Raviv
Priority date: 2011-01-21
Filing date: 2012-01-23
Publication date: 2012-07-26
Also published as: US20120186000A1

Abstract

A garment pocket for a shirt or T-shirt formed of textile fabric. The pocket is configured to house a touchscreen-operated electronic device such as a smartphone or pad computer or PDA when positioned therein through the employment of a front wall formed of transparent material formed of polymeric material adapted to communicate the touch of a user's fingers to the touchscreen through the transparent material. A closure is employed to retain the electronic device in the pocket. A channel formed in the textile shirt fabric provides a conduit for wires engaged to the electronic device in the pocket to communicate to the collar area of the shirt such as for headphones. Stitching in the textile fabric between the pocket engagement area of the shirt to the shoulder area of the shirt communicates and distributes the weight in the pocket to the shoulder area of the shirt.

Description

T-shirt Pocket for Touch Screen Mobile Devices

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This application claims priority to Provisional Application No. 61/435198 filed on January 21 , 2011 , and Provisional Application No. 61/435166 filed on January 21 , 2011 which are both respectively incorporated herein by reference in their respective entirety. The present invention relates to securing electronic devices to clothing. More particularly, it relates to a garment, preferably a T-shirt, with a pocket configured for employment with electronic devices for storage and transport and use by employing a touch screen.

2. Prior Art

With advances in technology, the use of handheld electronic devices such as phones, beepers, music players, tablets, GPS units, and smartphone devices has grown from simply making a phone call or listening to music, to also browsing the web, finding directions, video chatting, and sending emails. As such, the frequency of use, of what has evolved into smartphones, is predominantly growing in our day and age. Conventionally, when not in use, these devices are stored in a pants pocket, purse, belt holder, or the like. Furthermore, conventional pants pockets do not adequately accommodate modern electronic devices in that the pocket can be too big, where the electronic device sloshes about the interior of the garment which can cause chafing and is overall uncomfortable to the user. Further, if the user has loose change, keys, or other abrasive material in the pocket the device can be additionally damage.

Alternatively, pants pockets can be too small, insofar as to restrict the initial housing of an electronic device rendering the pocket itself useless for transport and storage of the electronic device. And if a user is finally able to insert an electronic device into an overly small or tight pocket, retrieving it can be quite difficult and is a nuisance, and further increases the chance of dropping or otherwise damaging the expensive device.

Further, many phone and accessory manufacturers produce accessories to hold the device on a belt or other location for quick retrieval. Users thus are continually retrieving and replacing the device from and to the conventional pants pocket, holder, or purse over the day. This can become a nuisance and risk of dropping and breaking the device becomes more prevalent due to the increased handling of the device. The price of replacing or repairing these devices is very costly especially with the advancement in touch screen technology electronics in combination with smartphones. These matters have driven the need to secure such devices to a user's clothing in a fashion allowing for swift and effortless retrieval and re-storage.

Prior art has addressed this need and can be found in US Pub. Nos. 2005/0246823A1 to Groom, 2007/0245444A1 to Brink. However, such prior art does not provide means to allow the user to easily interface with and employ a touch screen operated device. Further, these and other devices do not provide adequate support for the electronic device nor provide a convenient means for removable engagement of the electronic device to and from the clothing.

As such, there is a continuing unmet need for an improved device which will securely engage handheld electronics to a garment such as a T-shirt. Such a device should secure such electronic devices at a location rendering them easily accessible to the user without being cumbersome or unsightly. Similarly, such a device and method of employment should provide a means for the user to employ the ever-changing pace of handheld technology specifically with that of touch screen interface electronic devices.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The device herein disclosed and described overcomes the shortcomings of prior art and achieves the above-mentioned goals through the provision of an electronic device pocket formed into the lower hem of a garment, particularly a T-shirt. In other modes of the device the pocket may be formed on other locations, while the location on the lower hem is merely one preferred and convenient location. Further, upon reading the disclosure one skilled in the art may realize various other locations for employing the pocket of the disclosed device pursuant to ergonomics, fashion, and other user preferences and are anticipated.

In accordance with all preferred modes of the device there is provided an opening through which a user may insert a handheld touch screen interface electronic device into a pocket into an as-used position therein. The lower hem and pocket architecture of the disclosed device is preferably formed of reinforced webbing, elastic or other means to prevent the device and pocket from shifting position during the sometimes rapid or bumpy movements by the user. Other means for secured engagement are also provided. Channeled pull straps or re-enforced stitching about the perimeter of the pocket as well as throughout the body of the garment can be employed to additionally secure the electronic device to the lower hem area of the garment proximate to the waist of the user. This is a preferred mode of the device as the added structural support will reduce the user-perceived weight of the electronic device by spreading it to the chest and shoulder. This re-distribution of weight serves as a means to reduce fatigue to the user after wearing the device for an extended period of time. As well, the material encapsulating the electronic device may thermally and electronically insulated and thereby provide a means to shield the wearer from potential harmful EMF radiation generated by the device or heat from a discharging battery.

A transparent window membrane provides a means for the user to view the display upon the enclosed electronic device. Further, the membrane is preferably formed of material which is compatible with and therefor allow use of touch screen technology.

The stored electronic device is thus capable of use in a conventional fashion through the employment of icon-based touch screen interfacing in a conventional fashion through the transparent membrane without the need to remove it. The transparent membrane also provides a secondary means for securing the touch screen device to the shirt and a means to prevent moisture from contacting the smart device during use.

Additionally, the structural support provided by the elasticized pocket to the touch screen operated electronic device is of such a significance to allow for the temporary or permanent removal of the transparent membrane, to allow a means for direct finger contact with the touch screen device for shorter or longer durations if needed. This aspect may deem a more favorable operational mode for electronic devices with extremely sensitive touch screens.

In a particularly preferred mode the disclosed device will incorporate a protective flap to overlap the touch screen device and covering the transparent window membrane. This provides a protective means for more security and protection against damage from abrasion, impact, or moisture. The protective flap may be sewn into one side of the pocket, and can be lifted to expose the electronic device. The flap may also be secured to the pocket by hook and loop type fasteners. The fastener type should not be considered limiting while this example was simply given for demonstration purposes, other means for such securement as would occur to those skilled in the art such as a snap fit of fasteners of the like, should be considered within the scope of this invention.

Additionally, the operative and protective pocket described herein may also accommodate connecting the electronic device to earphones or microphones by means of a placket inside the pocket material allowing a connection wire to be fed into the pocket and to the electronic device. Additionally, a sewn or similarly engaged conduit communicating along the body of the garment fabric from the placket to an exit aperture on the shoulder area proximate to the head may house the headphone or microphone wire while neatly securing it to the garment. Furthermore, the exit aperture may lead to a secondary pocket where additional electronic accessories can be stored. Such additional electronics may be ear-bud headphones or accessories related to music playing devices such as an auxiliary controller. Preferably, a zipper or other means of removable closure of the conduit, such as hook and loop fastener, provides the user with a means to place the wire within the conduit without having to 'feed' it through.

In yet another particularly preferred mode the protective pocket itself may be removably engaged to the garment by a removable engagement means employed about the perimeter of the pocket, such as hook and loop fasteners, snap fits, or fasteners of the like. The removable pocket, frame or case may be engaged to the lower hem area either under or over the protective flap if a protective flap is used. As such, the pocket be removably engaged in its entirety allowing for temporary handheld protective means when desired by the user. This would provide the user with omnipotent control of the electronic device as needed due to its complete removal from the garment. Furthermore, the pocket housing may be adaptively engageable with existing custom cases already in the market.

With respect to the above description, before explaining at least one preferred

embodiment of the herein disclosed invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangement of the components in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention herein described is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways which will be obvious to those skilled in the art. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is based may readily be utilized as a basis for designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present disclosed device for operative storage and transport of graphic display based electronic devices. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent construction and methodology insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. It is an object of this invention to provide a means for a secure and accessible engagement of electronic devices to a garment, particularly a T-shirt, through the provision of a pocket proximate to the waist of the user at the lower hem of the garment.

It is another object of the invention to provide a shielded barrier to the wearer from potentially harmful radiation and/or heat produced by electronic devices.

It is yet another object of the invention to incorporate a touch screen compatible transparent window membrane to allow for unabated accessability while in the as-used position and still protect the device against moisture and dust.

A further object of this invention is the composition of material comprised of reinforced webbing, elastic fabric or other means to prevent the electronic device, once inserted, from shifting or dislodging from the pocket during fast movement or impact.

Still yet another object of this invention is the provision of a draw string, re-enforced stitching, or other type of fastening means to supply added support and security to the electronic device.

A yet further object of the device is to provide distribution of weight of the engaged electronic device to the entire body by the provision of previously mentioned means for securing and engaging the electronic.

It is still yet another object of the present invention to provide a means to connect communication wires to the electronic device via a conduit extending from the electronic device to the shoulder area of the garment.

A further object of the invention is to provide a secondary pocket at the exit aperture of the communicating conduit to store accessories or similar auxiliary electronic device commonly employed with touch screen electronic devices.

Still another object of the present invention is to allow for removable engagement of the protective pocket to provide a temporary handheld protective means.

These together with other objects and advantages which become subsequently apparent reside in the details of the construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING FIGURES

Figure 1 depicts a view of a particularly preferred mode of the device with protective flap engaged about the pocket.

Figure 2 depicts a perspective view of a mode of the device showing the protective pocket with protective flap in the open position.

Figure 2a depicts a perspective view of a mode of the device showing the device of figure 2 with a zig zag wire pathway formed to provide means to allow the fabric to stretch without damaging the internally housed wire.

Figure 3 depicts a wideband antenna which may be positioned within the flap and in a communication with the antenna on an electronic device engaged within the device pocket. Figure 3a depicts a view of the protective pocket employing an additional flap having a secondary antenna engaged thereon providing passive or symbiotic communication with the phone and wideband antenna for improved reception/transmission.

Figure 3b shows a view of the protective pocket with the additional flap with secondary antenna in the as used position within the pocket and also a zig-zag antenna wire.

Figure 4 shows yet another particularly preferred mode of the device without the incorporation of a protective flap and showing the material and architecture of the invention providing a distribution of weight.

Figure 5 shows the removable engagement of the pocket of the device providing a handheld protective means.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Now referring to drawings in figures 1-5, wherein similar components are identified by like reference numerals, there is seen in figure 1 a preferred mode of the device 10 depicted as formed upon a garment 50, preferably a T-shirt and preferably located on or near the lower hem 52 in the waist area of a wearer and user. Again the location of the device 10 on the garment 50 may be variable pursuant to ergonomics, fashion, and users preference and is therefor not considered limited by the preferred location shown.

In a preferred mode of the device 10 shown in figures 1,2, and 2a for instance, the pocket 12 is formed as a unitary component with the garment 50 by either forming as part of the garment 50 or by an engagement to the lower hem of the garment through the employment of sewing or other suitable means of engaging or forming the garment as shown which are known in the art.

The device 10 depicted in the various figures should not be considered limiting in any fashion as to pocket 12 location and consequently it may be employed on either side of the lower hem although the device 10 is shown on left portion of the lower hem 52 in depictions in this disclosure. Similarly, the positioning of the pocket 12 on the device 10 along the lower hem 52 of the garment 50 may be different due to user preference or the actual electronic component to be housed in the pocket of the device 10 herein disclose.

The disclosed device 10 as shown in figure 1 is depicted in the closed mode, wherein the protective flap 14 is engaged over the pocket 12. In this closed position, as shown, a pull tab 15 allows the user to manipulate the flap 14 as needed to close or open it. Again, in the closed mode the flap 14 is covering the pocket 12. A more detailed description of the components defining the pocket 12 are set forth shortly.

A communication conduit 20 shown in figures 1, 2, and 2a, is sized for enclosure of a wire 31 or wires therein, for instance earphones or a microphone, is seen extending along the body of the garment 50. An entrance aperture 22 is located near the pocket 12 while the exit aperture 24 is present near the shoulder of the garment 50 proximate to the head. Furthermore, located at the exit aperture 24 is a secondary pocket 26 for housing an auxiliary control component device 27 or other device such as headphones. As shown in figure 2a, the conduit 20 is formed for at least a portion thereof, in a zig-zag fashion. This is particularly preferred because fabric from which the garment is manufactured, inherently stretches especially when the wearer moves. Wire on the other hand does not stretch well and can break if overstretched. The formation of the zig-zag pattern in at least part of the length of the conduit 20 allows a stretching of the fabric while allowing the longer path of the zig-zag conduit 20 to accommodate this stretching without placing any stress on the housed wire inside. Thus it is preferred as a means to prevent wire damage during a stretching of the fabric.

The secondary pocket 26 may employ a transparent membrane 28 for visual access of the housed auxiliary component. Additionally, the secondary pocket 26 is accessed by the exit aperture 24 of the conduit 20. The conduit 20 may be formed by overlapping layers of fabric to surround any wires placed therein, or by sewing two lines of stitching over an overlying layer on an underlying fabric layer. In a particularly preferred mode, removal and installation of a communication wire is accomplished through the provision of a zipper 29 to provide access to the conduit 20 through a surrounding sidewall, or other means of removable closure of the conduit 20. Alternatively, the conduit 20 may not employ a removable closure and a

communication wire must then be fed through from the entrance aperture 22 to the exit aperture 24. If a zipper is employed, and the zig-zag pattern of the conduit 20 employed, the switch back in direction of the conduit 20 must be a gentle curve to allow easy operation of the zipper for its length along the conduit 20.

Particularly preferred however is the zipper 29 which employs conventional engaging halves of the zipper 29 which are sewn or otherwise engaged to opposing sidewall sections. The zipper 29 is preferably engaged to an opposing sidewall of the conduit 20 formed from the shoulder of the garment, along the body of the garment 50 to the pocket 12 of the device 10 on the lower hem 52.

This mode of opening and closure of the formed conduit 20 is particularly preferred because the zipper 29, which has a backing reinforcing fabric, when engaged between the shoulder area of the garment on one end, and to the pocket 12 on the lower hem 52 of the garment 50 on the opposite end, and along the body itself, provides another means to

communicate weight to a larger area of the garment and support the weight of an electronic device 100 engaged within the pocket 12. This additionally prevents the lower hem 52 from stretching as fabric would normally, when the weight of the electronic device 100 is held over time.

Thus the zipper 29 with the engaging teeth and fabric portions, and conventional zipper edge fabric, resists this stretching from the force of the weight of the electronic device 100 placed in the pocket housing 13, and provides a means to maintain garment length and resist stretching.

Additional re-enforced stitching 30 communicating from the pocket 12 to the shoulder area of the garment 50 further provides a means to achieve the above noted goal of maintaining garment length and resisting stretching. This stitch 30 is best done with non elastic thread such as a spunbonded polyester or nylon thread. Although only one such re-enforced line of stitching 30 is shown in the figure, a plurality of such stitching 30 lines may be employed to further enhance the communication of weight of a device in the pocket to a larger area of fabric making up the garment, and is to be within the scope of this application.

Figures 2 and 2a depict a perspective view of the device 10 with protective flap 14 in an open position and unsecured on at least three side edges such that it will rotate away from the forearm of the user. As can be seen the pocket housing 13 of the pocket 12 is exposed. The pocket housing 13 is defined by a front wall shown as the window membrane 32 as depicted in figure 2, and a rear wall 33. The front wall is provided by window membrane 32 which is composed of a material which allows communication of the conductive element required to operate the enclosed touch screen and thereby allows the wearer to access the touch screen capabilities to operate the electronic device 100.

Many touch screen displays employ modes of resistance and/or capacitance as a means for the electronic device 100 to ascertain user input with a touch or dragging of icons projected on the display. The membrane 32 is adapted to allow this electrical communication to occur and concurrently with its substantially transparent structure, allow a viewing of the screen.

Additionally, the membrane 32 continuously provides a means to secure the electronic device 100 within the pocket and onto lower hem 52, while affording protection to the electronic device 100 from contact with moisture such as rain, which can cause serious harm to the electronic device 100, as well as impacts and scratching from abrasion. This gives the user access to employ the electronic device 100 and to view any display thereon through a transparent membrane 32.

When closed as in figure 1, the protective flap 14 is secured about at least one side edge, and preferably the perimeter 16 of the pocket housing 13, by means of one or a combination of hook and loop fastener, snap fasteners, or other fasteners of the like as would occur to those skilled in the art. The protective flap 14 when secured thereover, provides a means to close off the pocket housing 13 and aperture 17 as well as provide protection to the transparent window membrane 32 from abrasion and to protect the delicate screen of the electronic device 100 from impact damage. Padding such as bubble pack or gel, or other means of padding may be included in the flap 14 structure to enhance this protective quality. The electronic device 100 is shown being inserted into the pocket housing 13 via an aperture 17, in an as-used position, on the garments 50 lower hem 52.

Another preferred mode of the device 10 is seen in figure 3. In this mode as shown the electronic device 100 has been fully inserted into the pocket housing 13 in the as-used position, such as through the opening aperture 17. A means to enclose the aperture 17 may be

accomplished through the provision of a zipper 19 or other means such as hook and loop fasteners or snap fits. Again, the protective flap 14 is secured to the lower hem 52 on at least one edge, in a manner to allow it to rotate away from the pocket housing 13 to expose the underlying transparent window membrane 32. At least the opposite edge and preferably all other edges of the flap 14 and the pocket housing 13 allow for removable securement by means of hook and loop type fasteners or other fasteners as would occur to those skilled in the art about the perimeter 16 of the pocket housing 13.

Further depicted is an RF shield 34 shown as the rear wall 33 of the pocket housing 13. The shield 34 may be incorporated into any version or mode of the device 10 herein and is preferred. Material which lends itself to being flexible yet shielding RF include planar fabrics or sheets of mylar, nickel or copper or silver-coated polyester or nylon mesh, and other planar fabrics having conductivity, yet being flexible.

Also depicted in a particularly preferred mode of the device 10 herein wherein a wideband antenna 35 is positioned on or within the flap 14 and configured for an electronic communication with the antenna of the enclosed electronic device 100 such as a cellphone or PDA using wired or wireless communication through an operatively positioned and

communicating wire 36, or in a passive or symbiotic antenna relationship between the antenna 35 and electronic device such as shown in figure 3 a, or a direct connection or passive connection of the wire 36 lead from the antenna 35 with the electronic device.

The antenna 35 is of a wideband transmit and receive construction and adapted for transmission and receipt on the frequencies employed currently by cell phones and computer devices including the 2.4, 3.6 and 5 GHz frequency bands, and Wi-Fi in the 1710-2700 MHZ frequency range. Wide band antennas are conventionally available, such as those from Mwave Company, of Temecula, California, and any that would occur to those skilled in the art are considered within the scope of this application.

The antenna 35 may be hardwired to the electronic device 100 with the appropriate lead wire 36, or in a particularly preferred mode, the antenna 35 will be in a parasitic electronic engagement to the antenna of the electronic device 100 such as the two "T" shaped repeaters in figure 3 a. Such a clothing mounted parasitic engagement can be adapted to communicate with the broadcast and receive antenna of a particular electronic device 100 to enhance both transmission and reception thereof when engaged with the device 10 herein.

This is because the antenna 35 in the flap 14 may be made larger than that of the electronic device 100, and omni directional, as well as frequency-favoring or frequency-specific. Consequently the electronic device 100 performance can be enhanced, particularly when the electronic device 100 has a poor antenna design which is easily blocked or inhibited when held in the hand. Configuring the device 10 with a parasitic antenna engagement can be optimized wherein an antenna lead from the antenna 35, is positioned to be proximate to the antenna of a device inserted into the pocket.

Figure 3a shows a view of yet another particularly preferred mode of the device 10. In this mode the pocket housing 13 employs an additional flap component 54 shown extending from the aperture 17. As can be seen the flap 54 includes an operatively engaged secondary antenna 56.

In the as-used mode shown in figure 3b, the flap 54 is positionable within the housing 13 of the device 10 such as to allow the secondary antenna 56 to be positioned on either side of a housed phone or other device as needed to be close to the phone's antenna to provide for a passive engagement and enhancement of reception. During use, the secondary antenna 56 is preferably configured for such a passive or symbiotic or parasitic communication within the frequencies of the phone 100 or other device needing RF communication engaged within the pocket 13. Further, the secondary antenna 56 can additionally be configured to communicate electronically with the wideband antenna 35 located on the protective flap 14 for improved wideband transmission and reception characteristics with a cell tower or the like. Also shown is a preferred zig-zag communication for the wire 36 in figure 3b. Additionally preferred in a hardwired mode, is the use of individual legs which cross back in direction in a zig-zag pattern of figure 3b, in the pocket, or also on the fabric forming the garment and communicating to the pocket, which, provides two preferred operations. First, the lengths of the legs can be made to be particularly attractive to an RF frequency where gain is desired. Second, the zig-zag of the wire 36 allows the wire to move when the fabric of the garment stretches and not break as it will with a straight or linear wire 36. This is because fabric as used for garments, inherently stretches, however metal wire does not. The zig-zag pattern allows the legs to bend with the stretch but not break since the wire is longer and angled.

Figure 4 shows yet another particularly preferred mode of the device 10. In this mode the protective flap 14 has been removed or rendered temporarily removable by employment of a fastener on the rotational edge such as hook and loop fabric. A means of securement of the electronic device 100 within the pocket housing 13 is provided via drawstrings 40, a window membrane 32, and fabric 42. The fabric 42 employed may be an elastic fabric, reinforced webbing, or fabric of the like as described earlier to provide a means to disperse the perceived weight of the electronic device 100 about a larger area of the garment 50 of the user and is integrated into the material of the lower hem 52. This mode may be preferred if extended use of the touch screen device 100 in the as-used position is desired and where continual use of the protective flap 14 becomes a nuisance.

In this particularly preferred mode of the device 10, a drawstring 40 is channeled about the perimeter 16 of the pocket housing 13. This drawstring 40 when pulled tight by the user, provides a means to further secure the electronic device 100 in the as-used position.

Figure 5 shows still yet another particularly preferred mode of the device 10 with the pocket 12 and pocket housing 13 employing means for removable engagement to the lower hem 52 by a removable engagement means such as hook and loop fabric 44. Other removable engagement means such as snap fit fasteners or fasteners of the like may also be employed yet hook and loop fasteners are shown merely for demonstrative purposes and should not be considered limiting.

Removable engagement of the pocket housing 13 with the garment allows the user to temporarily employ the electronic device 100 along with protective pocket 12, housing 13, and membrane 32 in a handheld manner and easily secure it back to the lower hem 52 of the garment when desired. It must be noted that such removable engagement means may be employed in all modes of the device 10 previously presented. The removable pocket 12 may be engaged to the lower hem 52 either under or over the protective flap 14 if a protective flap is used. In all modes of removable engagement of the pocket 12, the functional control of the electronic device 100 is maintained.

It should be further noted, that it is especially preferred that the present device 10 in all modes employ electromagnetic shielding 45 material between the pocket housing 13 and the user's skin similarly shown as the rear wall 33 of the pocket housing 13. The shielding 45 can be part of, or can provide the rear wall 33. When employed as or in conjunction with the rear wall 33 the shielding 45 provides a means to help protect the wearer's body against exposure to potentially dangerous EMF radiation generated by such electronic device 100 and noted above.

Further, the shielding 45 or an insulating material may be employed as a means to protect the user against the annoyance or potential injury from heat generated by the dissipating battery operating the electronic device 100 in the as-used position. Metallic based shielding 45 will, when positioned as the rear wall or adjacent to the rear wall of the pocket, act as a heat sink for such heat as well as a shield. However bubble pack, gel, or other insulating fabrics may be used in addition to the shielding 45.

While all of the fundamental characteristics and features of the T-Shirt Pocket for Touch Screen Mobile Devices system have been shown and described herein, with reference to particular embodiments thereof, a latitude of modification, various changes and substitutions are intended in the foregoing disclosure and it will be apparent that in some instances, some features of the invention may be employed without a corresponding use of other features without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth. It should also be understood that various substitutions, modifications, and variations may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Consequently, all such modifications and variations and substitutions as would occur to those skilled in the art, are included within the scope of the disclosed system and apparatus herein as defined, but not limited, by the following proposed tentative claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A garment pocket apparatus positioned on a shirt or T-shirt formed of textile fabric and configured for housing a touchscreen-operated electronic device such as a smartphone or pad computer, positioned in the pocket in an as-used position, comprising:

said pocket having an internal cavity defined by a front wall engaged about at least three side edges with a rear wall;

an aperture communicating with said internal cavity, said aperture sized to allow passage of said touchscreen-operated electronic device therethrough;

a portion of said front wall formed of substantially transparent material allowing a viewing of a touchscreen of said touchscreen-operated device;

said substantially transparent material configured to communicate a touch of said user's fingers in an operative communication to operate said touchscreen of said touchscreen-operated electronic device therethrough;

said transparent material providing means to prevent water and dust from contact with said touchscreen; and

said pocket in an engagement on said shirt at a frontal area thereof at a mounting position, wherein said front wall is viewable by a user wearing said shirt and whereby said user wearing said shirt can stand, sit, or walk and operate said touchscreen-operated device in said as-used position within said internal cavity.

2. The garment pocket apparatus of claim 1, additionally comprising:

means to restrain said touchscreen-operated device within said internal cavity during movement of said user wearing said shirt.

3. The garment pocket apparatus of claim 2, wherein said means to restrain said touchscreen- operated device within said internal cavity is a closure of said aperture, said closure employing hook and loop fabric or a zipper.

4. The garment pocket apparatus of claim 2, wherein said means to restrain said touchscreen- operated device within said internal cavity comprises:

a drawstring operatively engaged in a drawstring running in a formed channel engaged with or formed in said textile fabric of said shirt and surrounding said pocket.

5. The garment pocket apparatus of claim 1, additionally comprising:

one or a plurality of rows of stitching engaged in said textile fabric and communicating at a first end with said engaged position of said garment for said pocket and at opposite ends to an area of said shirt adjacent to shoulder portions thereof; and

said stitching providing means to communicate weight from a said touchscreen-operated device within said internal cavity to said shoulder portions of said shirt and thereby provide a means to prevent a stretching of said textile fabric from said weight.

6. The garment pocket apparatus of claim 2, additionally comprising:

7. The garment pocket apparatus of claim 3, additionally comprising:

8. The garment pocket apparatus of claim 4, additionally comprising:

9. The garment pocket apparatus of claim 1, additionally comprising: a channel formed in said textile fabric and extending from a first end in communication with said internal cavity to a an exit aperture at a second end;

said second end located proximate to a collar portion of said shirt; and

said channel providing a conduit for wires communicating from said internal cavity to said exit aperture for devices such as earphones or auxiliary control panels.

10. The garment pocket apparatus of claim 3, additionally comprising:

a channel formed in said textile fabric and extending from a first end in communication with said internal cavity to a an exit aperture at a second end;

said second end located proximate to a collar portion of said shirt; and

11. The garment pocket apparatus of claim 4, additionally comprising:

said second end located proximate to a collar portion of said shirt; and

12. The garment pocket apparatus of claim 7, additionally comprising:

said second end located proximate to a collar portion of said shirt; and

13. The garment pocket apparatus of claim 8, additionally comprising:

said second end located proximate to a collar portion of said shirt; and

14. The garment pocket apparatus of claim 9, additionally comprising:

a least a portion of said channel formed in a zig-zag configuration; and

said zig-zag configuration providing means to prevent a breaking of a wire occupying said channel during a stretching of said textile fabric.

15. The garment pocket apparatus of claim 10, additionally comprising:

a least a portion of said channel formed in a zig-zag configuration; and

16. The garment pocket apparatus of claim 11, additionally comprising:

a least a portion of said channel formed in a zig-zag configuration; and

17. The garment pocket apparatus of claim 12, additionally comprising:

a least a portion of said channel formed in a zig-zag configuration; and

18. The garment pocket apparatus of claim 7, additionally comprising:

a flap engaged with said textile fabric at one edge; and

said flap positionable to cover said transparent material as a means to protect it from abrasion.

19. The garment pocket apparatus of claim 12, additionally comprising:

a flap engaged with said textile fabric at one edge; and

20. The garment pocket apparatus of claim 7, additionally comprising:

a wideband antenna positioned on or within said flap;

said antenna configured for an electronic communication with a device antenna of the touchscreen operated device in said as-used position; and said electronic communication being wired or wireless.