# How Levi Strauss Invented the Copper-Riveted Jean Pocket

> This 1873 patent describes the use of metal rivets to reinforce the corners of pockets on work pants, preventing them from ripping under heavy use.

- **Patent:** US 139121
- **Original title:** Improvement in fastening pocket-openings
- **Owner:** Levi Strauss & Co.
- **Granted:** 1873
- **Status:** Active
- **Times cited:** 2
- **Field:** mechanical, consumer_electronics

## What it does

The patent describes a method for fastening pocket openings on clothing using metal rivets. By placing a copper rivet at the stress points where a pocket meets the waistband or side seam, the design prevents the fabric from tearing when the wearer carries heavy tools or items. This simple mechanical reinforcement transformed standard denim trousers into durable workwear.

## What it does NOT cover

- Does not cover the use of thread or stitching for pocket reinforcement.
- Does not cover non-metal fastening methods like buttons or snaps.
- Does not cover the specific chemical composition of the denim fabric itself.

## The clever bit

It applied industrial-grade hardware technology to soft textiles, solving a persistent failure point in clothing through a simple, low-cost mechanical fix.

## Real-world examples

1. Levi's 501 Original Fit Jeans
2. Traditional workwear trousers
3. Denim jackets with reinforced pockets

## Why it matters

This patent is the foundation of the modern blue jean. It turned a simple pair of pants into a tool for laborers during the American West, establishing Levi Strauss & Co. as a global brand.

## Frequently asked questions

### What does How Levi Strauss Invented the Copper-Riveted Jean Pocket cover?

This 1873 patent describes the use of metal rivets to reinforce the corners of pockets on work pants, preventing them from ripping under heavy use.

### Who owns patent US 139121?

Levi Strauss & Co. owns this patent, granted in 1873.

### When does this patent expire?

This patent has expired and is now in the public domain — anyone can use the invention freely.

### What is patent US 139121 cited by?

This patent has been cited by 2 later patents that build on its ideas.

### What problem does this patent solve?

This patent is the foundation of the modern blue jean. It turned a simple pair of pants into a tool for laborers during the American West, establishing Levi Strauss & Co. as a global brand.

### What does this patent NOT cover?

Does not cover the use of thread or stitching for pocket reinforcement.

**Full plain-English explainer:** https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/139121/blue-jeans-riveted-levi-strauss

**Original patent:** https://patents.google.com/patent/US139121

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_Source: PatentBrief — https://patentbrief.org. Patent facts are from public records; the plain-English explanation is PatentBrief's._


## Related patents

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- [How Gideon Sundback Invented the Modern Zipper](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/1219881/zipper-separable-fastener) — The 1917 patent for the separable fastener that perfected the design of the modern zipper using interlocking teeth on two flexible tapes.
- [How Elias Howe Invented the Modern Lockstitch Sewing Machine](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/4750/sewing-machine-howe) — Elias Howe's 1846 patent for the lockstitch sewing machine, which used two separate threads to create a durable stitch that revolutionized garment manufacturing.
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- [How Walter Hunt Invented the Modern Safety Pin](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/6281/safety-pin-hunt) — Walter Hunt's 1849 patent for a simple, coiled wire device that keeps sharp points covered while fastening fabric.
- [How the QWERTY Keyboard Layout Was Originally Designed](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/207559/qwerty-typewriter-sholes) — An 1878 patent by Christopher Latham Sholes that helped standardize the keyboard layout we still use on computers and phones today.