US007058987B2

(12) United States Patent (10) Patent No.: US 7,058,987 B2

Salazar (45) Date of Patent: Jun. 13, 2006
(54) UTILITY PANTS FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT 2,663,876 A 12/1953 Miller et al.
PERSONNEL 2,762,054 A 9, 1956 Smith
2,778,026 A 1/1957 Rosenthal
(75) Inventor: Joseph Salazar, Antioch, CA (US) 2,810,132 A 10, 1957 Nicholson
2.930,046 A 3/1960 Sagner
(73) Assignee: Bullet 50, Antioch, CA (US) 3,320,620 A * 5/1967 Weidler et al. ................ 2,250
3,538,512 A 11/1970 Dolan
(*) Notice: Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this 3,777,313 A 12/1973 Bergsten et al.
3,968,522 A 7, 1976 Riess
patent is extended or adjusted under 35 D281,636 S 12/1985 Cressy-Renoma
U.S.C. 154(b) by 112 days. 4,860,388 A 8, 1989 Dean ............................. 2.247
4.969,214 A * 1 1/1990 Cohen ............................. 2.94
(21) Appl. No.: 10/672,206 5,054,127 A * 10, 1991 Zevchak ........................ 2.247
5,127.565 A 7/1992 Grant ......................... 224,196
(22) Filed: Sep. 26, 2003 5,136,722 A 8, 1992 Moritzen
5,509,147 A * 4/1996 Busquets ....................... 2,253
(65) Prior Publication Data 5,517,696 A 5/1996 Krugler
5,588,154. A 12, 1996 Blauer et al. .................... 2.69
US 2005/0066424 A1 Mar. 31, 2005 5,884,332 A 3, 1999 Snedeker
5,884.338 A 3/1999 Golde ........................... 2.247
(51) Int. Cl.
A4 ID 27/20 (2006.01) (Continued)
(52) U.S. Cl. ............................................... 2/247; 2/227 FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
(58) Field of Classification Search .................... 2/247, JP 11-O12813 * 1/1999
2/94, 102, 69, 227, 23, 238, 79,228, 248-254;
224/911, 192, 198, 660, 230 Primary Examiner Alissa L. Hoey
See application file for complete search history. (74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm Fulwider Patton LLP: Scott
R. Hansen
(56) References Cited
U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
(57) ABSTRACT
198,287 A 12, 1877 Flood A pair of utility pants for use by law enforcement personnel
346,691 A * 8/1886 Searley .......................... 2,231 includes one or more internal front pockets located within an
738,168 A 9/1903 Delavoye outer front pocket of the wearer, the internal front pockets
1,039,040 A 9, 1912 Elder being Suitably dimensioned for carrying respective ammu
1,083,942 A 1, 1914 Plett nition clips; an internal hip pocket located within an outer
1,212,513 A 1/1917 Langerman ...................... 2.94 hip pocket, the internal hip pocket being Suitably dimen
1,466,330 A * 8, 1923 Cindel ........................ 24/10 A Sioned for carrying a pair of handcuffs; a baton pocket
1,726,951 A 9, 1929 Evanove located along the thigh of the wearer for carrying a collaps
1,780,356 A 11/1930 Liberman
1,827,585 A 10, 1931 Kautz ible law enforcement baton; and a pocket sewn inside the
2,078.461 A * 4, 1937 Siegel ............................. 2/93 waistband for carrying a handgun.
2,285,692 A 6, 1942 Wickman
2,521,410 A 9, 1950 Rosen ........................... 2/227 4 Claims, 4 Drawing Sheets
 US 7,058,987 B2
Page 2

U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS 2003/O115656 A1* 6, 2003 Leblang ........................... 2.69

2003/0205595 A1* 11/2003 Young .. 224, 230
6,088,831 A * 7/2000 Jensen et al. ................... 2.25 2005, OO15844 A1* 1/2005 Parsons ........................... 2.94
6,148,443 A 11/2000 Maastricht 2005/OO 17034 A1* 1/2005 Ausanio ..................... 224,230
6,260,209 B1 7/2001 St. Ange
6,769,139 B1* 8/2004 Goldkind ....................... 2.247 * cited by examiner
U.S. Patent Jun. 13, 2006 Sheet 1 of 4 US 7,058,987 B2
U.S. Patent Jun. 13, 2006 Sheet 2 of 4 US 7,058,987 B2
U.S. Patent Jun. 13, 2006 Sheet 3 of 4 US 7,058,987 B2
U.S. Patent US 7,058,987 B2

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 US 7,058,987 B2
1. 2
UTILITY PANTS FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT slightly below the top of the corresponding hip pocket So
PERSONNEL that the officer can easily reach the handcuffs, yet the
handcuffs remain largely or completely concealed from view
RELATED APPLICATIONS during normal activity. A wallet or similar object may be
placed in the hip pocket next to but disposed outwardly from
None. the handcuffs, thereby concealing the outline of the hand
cuffs that might otherwise be visible to someone viewing the
FIELD OF THE INVENTION undercover officer from behind. The officer could also place
a rolled up newspaper or periodical type magazine or similar
The present invention relates to the field of clothing. More 10 object in his hip pocket, thereby completely concealing the
particularly, the present invention relates to the field of handcuffs or other objects carried within the handcuff
utility pants for law enforcement personnel. pocket.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The pants also have a pair of front pockets similar to the
15
front pockets in a standard pair of jeans. At least one of these
Uniformed police officers must carry a variety of equip front pockets has at least one relatively deep inner pocket
ment for their work. A typical police officer carries a located therein Suitably dimensioned for carrying an ammu
nition clip or magazine. The inner pocket is preferably deep
revolver, handcuffs, extra ammunition, pepper spray, a enough so that the ammunition clip can fit completely within
nightstick, a radio, a flashlight, keys, and other equipment. the inner pocket thus Substantially or completely concealing
Uniformed police officers therefore usually wear utility belts the clip from view as the officer approaches a person or
for carrying this equipment, which typically weigh between situation. At the same time the top of the magazine remains
15 and 20 lbs. These utility belts are made of sturdy material close enough to the top of the inner pocket so that the officer
Such as leather, and conveniently carry the various pieces of can quickly retrieve the ammunition magazine for reloading
equipment required by the police officer where the officer his gun when necessary.
can quickly and easily reach them in an emergency. 25
Undercover police officers also carry equipment depend The pants also have a long and narrow pocket on a rear
ing upon their missions and circumstances. Wearing a heavy side portion of the pants for carrying and concealing a baton
and bulky utility belt such as worn by uniformed police such as a collapsible police baton. The baton within the
officers, however, is undesirable for most undercover police baton pocket is disposed along the wearers thigh Such that
work because wearing a utility belt with a gun and other 30 the baton does not substantially interfere with the wearer's
visible police equipment tends to conspicuously identified ability to run.
the wearer as a police officer. Shoulder holsters and leg The pants further have an inner pocket sewn to the inside
holsters provide partial Solutions to the equipment carrying of the waistband or otherwise affixed thereat. The inner
problems facing undercover police officers. Shoulder hol pocket is suitably dimensioned for carrying a handgun Such
sters allow an officer to carry a handgun concealed under 35 that at least the top portion of the gun handle rises above the
neath a jacket Such as a Suit jacket, a sport coat, a winter waistband so that the officer can retrieve the gun quickly
jacket, or the like. Leg holsters allow officers to carry Small when necessary.
handguns underneath their pant legs. Shoulder and leg A pair of pants can be constructed to have one or more of
holsters, however, do not solve problems associated with the features disclosed herein depending upon the officers
carrying additional equipment. Undercover police officers 40 personal preferences and the environment expected. The
tend to select the equipment they wish to carry on a pants provide a high degree of concealment of the equip
particular outing and place their chosen equipment in their ment carried. For additional concealment the officer can
pockets along with their keys, their wallets, and other wear a shirt out Such as a dress shirt that is not tucked into
personal items. They may carry these items in their pockets his pants, such that none of the items would be visible to the
in conjunction with a gun carried in a shoulder holster or a 45 casual observer.
leg holster, or simply place a gun in their pockets along with The present invention provides a highly effective solution
the other items in those pockets. to the problem of carrying handcuffs, a gun, extra ammu
nition, a baton, and/or other equipment while completely or
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION substantially concealing all of these items from the view of
50 the casual observer. Because the pants are made of a typical
The inventor of the present invention has recognized the street worn fabric such as blue denim the officer easily
need for a more satisfactory solution to the problem of how blends into a typical street scene. The invention therefore
to carry law enforcement items required by personnel Such increases both officer safety and effectiveness.
as undercover police officers. The present invention provides Exemplary embodiments of the invention will be further
an effective solution to the problem of carrying certain law 55
described below with reference to the drawings, in which
enforcement equipment during undercover police work Such like numbers refer to like parts.
that the equipment is readily accessible, while maintaining
a high degree of concealment and accompanying stealth. In BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
the exemplary embodiment a pair of pants is provided which
is made of a strong but standard fabric Such as denim. In the 60
exemplary embodiment the pants are made of blue denim, so FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of an officer wearing an
that the pants defined a pair of blue jeans. exemplary embodiment of the present invention, with a shirt
The jeans have a pair of hip pockets similar to the hip worn out to completely conceal the items carried.
pockets found in a standard pair of jeans. At least partially FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of the officer and pants of
inside one of the hip pockets is an inner pocket or handcuff 65 FIG. 1 with the officer's shirt removed.
pocket Suitably dimensioned for carrying a pair of handcuffs. FIG. 3 is a rear elevation view of the officer and pants of
The top of the handcuff pocket rises to slightly above or FIG. 2 revealing the top of a gun carried by the officer.
 US 7,058,987 B2
3 4
FIG. 4 is a partial cutaway front elevation view of the the bottom of the ammunition pockets to act as shims, so that
pants of FIG. 1 showing in phantom the ammunition maga the tops of the ammunition clips when placed into the
Zines carried in the front inner pockets. pockets on top of the shim objects would rise slightly above
FIG. 5 is a partial cutaway rear elevation view of the pants the tops of the ammunition pockets, thereby allowing the
of FIG. 1 showing in phantom the inner hip pocket, a pair of 5 officer to reach and retrieve the ammunition clips even more
handcuffs contained therein, and a collapsible baton in the quickly in an emergency. Alternatively, the depths of the
baton pocket. pockets could be adjusted at manufacture Such that the
FIG. 6 is a side perspective view of the pants of FIG. 1 ammunition clips would rise a desired amount above or
partially showing the inner waistband gun pockets. below the tops of the ammunition pockets. The inventor has
FIG. 7 is a close-up fragmentary view showing the 10 found that having the ammunition clips rise approximately
ammunition pockets and ammunition magazines contained 2 mm above the tops of the ammunition pockets provides a
therein. satisfactory compromise between concealment and ready
FIG. 8 is a side cutaway view of the front outer pocket, access for certain environments. Although dimensions have
front inner pocket, and an ammunition clip taken along line been given for the exemplary embodiment, those dimen
8 8 in FIG. 7. 15 sions could be varied to fit various different ammunition
FIG. 9 is a close-up fragmentary view showing the hip clips. The dimensions also could vary as a tolerance or
pocket and inner handcuff pocket shown in FIG. 2. preference, for example by plus or minus 10%, 25%, or
FIG. 10 is a side elevation cutaway view of the outer hip possibly as much as 50%. Although the number of ammu
pocket and wallet therein, and inner hip pocket and hand nition pockets in the exemplary embodiment is four with
cuffs therein, taken along line 10–10 in FIG. 9. two ammunition pockets being located on each side, the
number of ammunition pockets is not critical. A given
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY embodiment might have Zero, one, two, three, four, or more
EMBODIMENTS ammunition pockets.
FIG. 5 is a rear view of the exemplary embodiment of the
FIG. 1 is a front view of an officer 16 wearing an 25 pants of FIG. 4. An inner hip pocket 50 is located within
exemplary embodiment of the utility pants 20 of the present outer hip pocket 40, but could be located within either the
invention. The officer is also wearing a shirt 17 the bottom left or right hip pockets. Inner hip pocket 50 is preferably
portion of which is not tucked into the officer's pants. The suitably dimensioned for holding a pair of handcuffs as will
bottom portion of shirt 17 worn out in this matter conceals be described in greater detail below. The pants also prefer
all of the equipment carried by the officer in pants 20. 30 ably include two relatively long and narrow pockets 70 and
FIG. 2 is a front view showing the officer 16 and pants 20 71. At least one of those pockets is suitably dimensioned for
of FIG. 1, but shirt 17 has been removed to better reveal carrying a collapsible law enforcement baton 76. When
pants 20. placed into baton pocket 71, baton 76 rests against the thigh
FIG. 3 is a rear view showing the officer 16 and pants 20 of the officer but does not extend upward to the point at
of FIG. 1. Pants 20 include left hip pocket 40, right hip 35 which the thigh connects with the torso and does not extend
pocket 46, inner hip pocket 50, and an inner waistband downward to the knee. Accordingly, baton pocket 71 holds
pocket for carrying a handgun 18. Pants 20 also include first baton 76 Such that the baton does not substantially interfere
baton pocket 70, second baton pocket 71, and utility or welt with the officer's ability to chase a suspect or otherwise run.
pockets 22. The pants also preferably include at least one utility or welt
FIG. 4 shows the front outer pockets and front inner 40 pocket 22.
pockets or ammunition pockets. Front outer pockets 24 are FIG. 6 is a side perspective view of an illustrative
similar to the front pockets found on most pairs of pants. embodiment of the present invention. Visible features
Front inner pockets 25 through 28 are similar in some include the top end 64 of the left front pocket 24, two
respects to a traditional coin pocket found on a standard pair ammunition pockets 27 and 28, baton pocket 70, utility
of jeans, but are unique. The four front inner pockets are 45 pocket 22, left hip pocket 40, and inner hip pocket or
Suitably dimensioned for carrying respective ammunition handcuff pocket 50.
clips or magazines 30 through 33. In the exemplary embodi Also illustrated are two inner pockets 80 and 86 sewn or
ment the front inner pockets are approximately 3–4 cm long otherwise affixed to the inside of the waistband. Inner
(measured in a circumferential direction along the length of pockets 80 and 86 can hold additional equipment. Preferably
the waistband), 2-3 cm wide (measured perpendicular to the 50 at least one internal pocket is Suitably dimensioned for
waistband) and approximately 12 cm deep. Unlike tradi carrying a handgun. As such, at least one of the pocket
tional coin pockets, ammunition pockets 25–28 are advan bottoms 82 and 86 is located such that a handgun would be
tageously constructed with a uniform cross-section in order securely held within pocket 80 or 86, yet the top of the
to efficiently carry and hold ready for use ammunition clips handle of the handgun would extend above and beyond the
30–33. In one embodiment ammunition pockets 25–28 are 55 waistline as illustrated in FIG. 3 so that the officer could
deep enough so that ammunition clips 30–33 can be com draw his weapon relatively quickly and easily. Of course,
pletely contained and concealed therein, with the tops of the internal pockets 80 and 86 could be used to carry items other
ammunition clips disposed just below the tops of the ammu than a gun, especially items which must be concealed from
nition pockets. In this way a casual observer might see upon view but which the officer need not retrieve in a hurry.
careful observation that the person in front of him is wearing 60 Accordingly, at least one of the internal pockets preferably
a slightly unusual pair of jeans, but would not see the but not necessarily is dimensioned to hold a handgun.
ammunition clips. On the other hand, the ammunition clips FIG. 7 is a close-up of the left front pocket and the two
are more quickly retrieved if at least part of the clips left ammunition pockets 27 and 28 shown in FIG. 4. The two
protrude beyond the tops of the inner pockets. Thus, if an front inner pockets 27 and 28 have substantially uniform
officer were dressing for a situation in which concealment 65 cross-sections and are substantially parallel, extending ver
was not considered to be vital Such as when serving a search tically downward from the general area of the top 64 of the
warrant, the officer could place one or more Small objects at outer front pocket 24. The two inner front pockets preferably
 US 7,058,987 B2
5 6
share a common vertical seam separating them. The two thereby completely concealing handcuffs 60 while allowing
ammunition clips 32 and 33 located within the two front the officer to reach handcuffs 60 quickly and easily when
inner pockets 27 and 28 are shown in phantom. needed.
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 8–8 in It will be appreciated that the term “present invention” as
FIG. 7. In the preferred embodiment shown ammunition clip 5 used herein should not be construed to mean that only a
33 rests completely within inner pocket 28. The top of single invention having a single essential element or group
ammunition clip 33 rises to a level slightly below the top 29 of elements is presented. Various features of the utility pants
of inner pocket 28. Preferably the top 29 of inner pocket 28 described and illustrated herein are believed to be new and
rises slightly above the top 64 of outer front pocket 24. For not suggested by the prior art, either by themselves or in
additional concealment, however, top level 29 of inner 10 combination with various other features shown and
pocket 28 could be located slightly below top 64 of the outer described herein. Accordingly, various features illustrated
front pocket. In the exemplary embodiment the front inner and described herein and combinations thereof represent
pocket has a length 28L of approximately 3–4 cm, a width separate inventions that are not limited to the exemplary
28W of approximately 2–3 cm, and a depth 28W of at least embodiments. Although the present invention has been
6 cm, more preferably at least 8 cm, and most preferably 15 described in detail with regard to the preferred embodiments
approximately 12 cm. and drawings thereof, it should be apparent to those skilled
FIG. 9 is a close-up showing the outer hip pocket 40 and in the art that various adaptations and modifications of the
inner hip pocket or handcuff pocket 50. The inner hip pocket present invention may be accomplished without departing
50 is disposed almost entirely within outer hip pocket 40. from the spirit and the scope of the invention. For example,
Inner hip pocket 50 is suitably dimensioned for carrying and the pants can be made of any fabric that is sufficiently strong.
concealing a pair of handcuffs 60. In the exemplary embodi The exact placement and dimensions of the features
ment the top 52 of inner hip pocket 50 rises to slightly above described and illustrated herein are not strictly necessary to
the top 42 of outer hip pocket 40 allowing the officer to the practice of the invention. Furthermore, although the
easily reach into inner pocket 50 and retrieve handcuffs 60. invention is intended and has been described herein for use
Preferably inner hip pocket 50 is suitably dimensioned such 25 by an undercover police officer, it will be understood that the
that the top edge 62 of handcuffs 60 rise slightly below top invention is not limited by the identity or occupation of the
edge 52 of inner hip pocket 50 so that the handcuffs 60 are wearer or the work which he will conduct while wearing the
Substantially or completely concealed within inner hip pants. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the detailed
pocket 50. Alternatively, for additional concealment top description and the accompanying drawings as set forth
edge 42 of outer hip pocket 40 could rise above top edge 52 30 hereinabove are not intended to limit the breadth of the
of inner hip pocket 50. This configuration would make the present invention, which should be inferred only from the
jeans 20 appear more like a standard pair of jeans to following claims and their appropriately construed legal
someone observing the officer from behind. In the exem equivalents.
plary embodiment handcuff pocket 50 has a length 50L at What is claimed is:
least 6 cm and preferably of approximately 8.5 cm across, 35 1. A pair of jeans having:
and a depth 50D of at least 6 cm and preferably approxi first and second front pockets, each of said front pockets
mately 10 cm. These dimensions could vary by plus or having respective first and second inner pockets at least
minus 10% or as much 25%, provided that the inner pocket partially therein thereby defining four front inner pock
is not made so narrow that handcuffs 60 will not fit therein. ets, the four front inner pockets each being at least 6 cm
Alternatively, inner hip pocket 50 could be designed and 40 deep;
used to carry objects other than handcuffs, and the dimen a hip pocket, the hip pocket having a third inner pocket at
sions of pocket 50 varied accordingly. least partially therein, the third inner pocket being at
FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the inner and outer hip least 6 cm across by 6 cm deep; and
pockets of FIG.9 taken along line 10–10. Handcuffs 60 and a baton pocket disposed along a thigh section of the jeans,
wallet 40 are shown. 45 the baton pocket Suitably dimensioned and positioned
It will be observed that although the hip pocket in a for carrying and concealing a police baton without
standard pair of jeans is large enough to hold a pair of substantially interfering with a wearer’s ability to run.
handcuffs, the outline of the handcuffs so placed would, in 2. The pair of jeans of claim 1 wherein said jeans are
many instances, be visible to an observer standing or walk denim jeans.
ing behind the wearer thus tending to identify the wearer as 50 3. The pair of jeans of claim 1 wherein said inner front
a police officer. The present invention solves this problem by pockets are suitably dimensioned for carrying respective
placing the handcuffs 60 within a second and inner pocket. ammunition magazines while Substantially concealing the
This allows the officer to place a wallet 44 or other object in ammunition magazines from view.
his hip pocket 40, thus Substantially concealing any outline 4. The pair of jeans of claim 1 wherein said third inner
of handcuffs 60 from observers. For additional concealment 55 pocket is Suitably dimensioned for carrying handcuffs while
the officer could place a rolled up periodical type magazine, Substantially concealing the handcuffs from view.
or a rolled up or folded newspaper, a small paperback book,
or any other of a wide variety of objects in his hip pocket 40 k k k k k