Pants configured for motor vehicle workers

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.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A pant comprising
 first and second legs, each of the first and second legs comprising a knee portion,   wherein the knee portion of each of the first and second legs comprises at least an inner layer and an outer layer, and   wherein each of the inner layer and the outer layer comprises one or more darts running substantially laterally across the knee portion,   the combination of the inner and outer layer providing the pant with both (a) strength in an area of heavy wear and (b) the ability of a wearer to bend at the knee without bunching of fabric or riding of fabric up the leg.   
     
     
         2 . The pant of  claim 1 , wherein each of the inner layer and the outer layer comprises first and second darts that are aligned laterally with one another. 
     
     
         3 . The pant of  claim 2 , wherein each of the first and second darts extends from a side of the leg toward a front of the leg. 
     
     
         4 . The pant of  claim 3 , wherein neither of the first and second darts extends into a laterally central region of the knee portion. 
     
     
         5 . The pant of  claim 4 , wherein the first and second darts are positioned at a point where it is expected that the knee of the wearer is most likely to contact the pant. 
     
     
         6 . The pant of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the inner and outer layers is a panel that spans from an upper edge above a knee of a wearer to a lower edge below the knee of the wearer. 
     
     
         7 . The pant of  claim 6 , wherein the panel spans about 8 to about 16 inches between the upper edge and the lower edge. 
     
     
         8 . The pant of  claim 6 , wherein each of the inner layer and the outer layer comprises first and second darts that are positioned at or near the vertical center point of the panel;
 each of the first and second darts extends from a side of the leg toward a front of the leg; and   neither of the first and second darts extends into a laterally central region of the knee portion.   
     
     
         9 . The pant of  claim 6 , wherein the other of the inner and outer layers is a portion of a panel that makes up a front of the leg. 
     
     
         10 . The pant of  claim 1 , wherein each of the one or more darts extends from the side of the leg toward the front of the leg, but each of the one or more darts is excluded from the laterally central region of the knee portion. 
     
     
         11 . The pant of  claim 1 , each of the one or more darts comprising a pinch of extra fabric;
 a. the pinch of extra fabric on the outer layer being directed inward toward the inner layer, such that it is not visible on the exterior of the knee portion;   b. the pinch of extra fabric on the inner layer being directed outward toward the outer layer, such that it is not visible on the interior of the knee portion; or   c. both a. and b.   
     
     
         12 . The pant of  claim 1 , the pant further comprising an extra panel of fabric located on the inner length of each of the first and second legs and spanning laterally between a pair of inner seams. 
     
     
         13 . The pant of  claim 12 , wherein the extra panel of fabric extends from a bottom of the first leg, up around an underside of a crotch portion of the pant, and down to a bottom of the second leg. 
     
     
         14 . The pant of  claim 1 , further comprising a security pocket on at least one of the first and second legs,
 wherein the security pocket comprises a base and a flap, the flap being predisposed toward a closed position by having a right side of the flap and a left side of the flap attached to the leg.   
     
     
         15 . The pant of  claim 14 , wherein the right side of the flap and the left side of the flat are each attached to the leg by a bar tack. 
     
     
         16 . The pant of  claim 14 , wherein a base of the security pocket comprises an integral fold of material spanning the base vertically, the fold of material being configured to move between
 i. a first position in which the material lays flat against the base, and   ii. a second position in which the material is moved away from the base, thereby expanding an interior space of the pocket.   
     
     
         17 . The pant of  claim 16 , wherein the fold of material is predisposed toward the first position by having a top and a bottom that are each secured to the base by a bar tack. 
     
     
         18 . The pant of  claim 14 , wherein a base of the security pocket comprises an expansion layer that is configured to move between
 i. a first position in which the expansion layer is disposed between the base and the leg of the pant, such that the pocket has the visual appearance of a flat pocket; and   ii. a second position in which the expansion layer extends away from the leg of the pant, thereby forming an expanded bottom surface of the pocket.   
     
     
         19 . The pant of  claim 18 , wherein the expansion layer is predisposed toward the first position by bar tacks at each end. 
     
     
         20 . The pant of  claim 14 , wherein the pocket comprises diagonal corner portions at its bottom edge.