Pocket with elastic retention strap

Abstract

A pocket that includes a pocket layer attached to a base layer of an associated object. A pocket space is defined between the base layer and the pocket layer. The pocket layer is connected to the base layer along a portion of a periphery of the pocket layer to define an opening that permits access to the pocket space. A retention arrangement can include a retention strap located within the pocket space and having a first end secured relative to the pocket layer at a first location and a second end secured to the pocket layer at a second location. The retention strap is elastic such that the retention strap can be stretched to have a length greater than a distance between the first location and the second location.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A pocket, comprising:
 a pocket layer that is attached to a base layer of an associated object;   a pocket space defined between the base layer and the pocket layer, the pocket layer being connected to the base layer along a portion of a periphery of the pocket layer to define an opening that permits access to the pocket space;   a retention arrangement comprising a retention strap located within the pocket space and having a first end secured relative to the pocket layer at a first location and a second end secured to the pocket layer at a second location, wherein the retention strap is elastic such that the retention strap can be stretched to have a length greater than a distance between the first location and the second location.   
     
     
         2 . The pocket of  claim 1 , wherein the second location is closer to the opening than the first location. 
     
     
         3 . The pocket of  claim 2 , wherein the first location is located on a side of the pocket opposite the opening. 
     
     
         4 . The pocket of  claim 3 , wherein the second location is spaced from an edge of the pocket layer that defines the opening. 
     
     
         5 . The pocket of  claim 4 , wherein the pocket is attached to the base layer by a double stitch seam having an outer stitched row and an inner stitched row, wherein the first end of the retention strap is secured by the inner stitched row. 
     
     
         6 . The pocket of  claim 5 , wherein the first end of the retention strap is not secured by the outer stitched row. 
     
     
         7 . The pocket of  claim 6 , wherein the first end of the retention strap is doubled over onto itself at the inner stitched row. 
     
     
         8 . The pocket of  claim 7 , wherein a portion of the periphery of the pocket layer that defines the opening comprises a pair of separate layers, wherein the second end of the retention strap is positioned between the pair of separate layers. 
     
     
         9 . The pocket of  claim 8 , wherein the pair of separate layers and the second end of the retention strap are connected by a stitched connection. 
     
     
         10 . The pocket of  claim 1 , wherein the pocket comprises a closure for the opening. 
     
     
         11 . The pocket of  claim 10 , wherein the closure comprises a button and a cooperating button opening. 
     
     
         12 . The pocket of  claim 1 , wherein the object is a garment and the base layer is a garment layer. 
     
     
         13 . The pocket of  claim 12 , wherein the garment is a shirt. 
     
     
         14 . The pocket of  claim 1 , wherein the retention strap has a width of less than about 10 mm. 
     
     
         15 . The pocket of  claim 1 , further comprising a pleat in the pocket layer.