WO1996010345A2

WO1996010345A2 - Sock coupling device

Info

Publication number: WO1996010345A2
Application number: PCT/US1995/013214
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jerold Patrick Lyons
Original assignee: Jerold Patrick Lyons
Priority date: 1994-09-29
Filing date: 1995-09-29
Publication date: 1996-04-11
Also published as: AU3956595A

Abstract

A pair of socks comprising a first sock and a second sock. A first slide fastener half is fixedly attached to the first sock. A second slide fastener half is fixedly attached to the second sock. One of the first slide fastener halves and the second slide fastener halves has a slider slidably mounted thereon to permit the first sock and the second sock to be selectively coupled together.

Description

SOCK COUPLING DEVICE

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to a sock coupling device. More specifically, the present invention relates to a sock coupling device having a first slide fastener half fixedly attached to a first sock and a second slide fastener half fixedly attached to a second sock such that the first sock and the second sock can be selectively coupled together.

Background of the Invention

It is well known that after laundering pairs of socks, it is often quite difficult to sort and match proper left and right mates. This is especially true when a pair of socks is laundered with other pairs of socks which differ only slightly in look, feel and/or color. Additionally, during the laundering process one sock is frequently lost thereby effectively preventing the further use of the remaining sock. Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a device which can selectively secure a pair of socks together to eliminate the step of sorting and matching after laundering.

U.S. Patent No. 2,663,877 to Bohman attempts to solve this problem by providing a snap fastener 13, 14 on mating pairs of socks. Another solution has been proposed by U.S. Patent Nos. 4,058,853 and 4,165,555 both to Boxer et al., which discloses the use of a VELCRO™ patch being secured to each sock to permit the mating socks to be joined together during the laundering and drying process. Other attempted solutions include the use of separate retainers which are used to connect a pair of socks together during the laundering process. For example, U.S. Patent No. 3,346,927 to Tompkins discloses the use of a retainer 10 which grips a portion of a pair of socks within a relatively large aperture 17 and those pair of socks are then moved laterally into smaller apertures 18, 19. Thereafter, retainer 10 is then bent into a U shape until flange 15 of knob 14 is received within aperture 17. U.S. Patent No. 3,688,343 to Klotz et al. discloses the use of a band which is wrapped around the shanks of a mating pair of socks to keep them together during washing.

Although the foregoing devices are known, there are still major problems involved in their use. For example, the snap type connection disclosed by U.S. Patent No. 2,663,877 increases the local stresses in the sock material when the snap connection is pulled apart to separate the pair of socks. This pulling action results in local stretching of the sock material and eventual tearing of the sock fabric. Additionally, the snap type of connection is uncomfortable to the wearer due to the placement of at least a portion of the fastening mechanism along the interior surface of the sock.

The method of attachment of socks disclosed by the Boxer et al. patents (U.S. Patent Nos. 4,058,853 and 4,165,555) have the disadvantage that they use a hook and pile type of means of connecting the socks together. Over periods of time and with repeated launderings, this type of connection will see a reduction in its retaining power. Accordingly, after repeated use, the connected pair of socks will no longer remain coupled together during the washing and/or the drying cycle. This is especially true in the washing cycle where the coupled pair of socks are subject to the aggressive abrasive action of the washing machine.

The devices which use a separate article for holding pairs of socks together suffer from the disadvantage that these devices are typically not convenient when the wearer takes off his/her socks. Additionally, these devices do not permit a complete and thorough cleaning of the pair of socks because at least a portion of the sock is retained by the separate article.

Summary of the Invention It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a sock coupling device which permits a mating pair of socks to be securely coupled together during a laundering process while simultaneously permitting the mating pair of socks to be selectively disengaged without creating any increased local stress on the sock material.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a sock coupling device that requires less parts and, thus, is smaller and easier to manufacture. It is still a further object of the present invention that the sock coupling device be simple and cost effective to manufacture, yet reliable and efficient in use.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment demonstrating further objects, features and advantages of the invention, a sock coupling device includes a first slide fastener half being fixedly attached to a first sock. A second slide fastener half is fixedly attached to a second sock. One of the first slide fastener halves and the second slide fastener halves includes a slider which permits the first sock and the second sock to be selectively coupled together.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The above and still further objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description of a specific embodiment thereof, especially when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals in the various figures are utilized to designate like components, and wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a pair of socks having a slide fastener coupling device according to the present invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged partial view of a pair of socks being coupled together by a slide fastener; Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken along lines 33 of Figure 2 and looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a pair of socks having a slide fastener coupling device according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a pair of socks being coupled together by the slide fastener as illustrated in Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a pair of socks having a slide fastener coupling device according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged partial view of a sock having a flap to secure the slider in the closed position; and

Fig. 8 is a side view of an accessory clip for use with the present invention.

Detailed Description of The Presently Preferred Exemplary Embodiments

Referring to Figure 1, a pair of socks 10 is illustrated. The pair of socks include a first sock 12 and a second sock 14. The first sock 12 has a first slide fastener half 16 fixedly connected thereto and second sock 14 has a second slide fastener half 18 fixedly connected thereto.

Slide fastener half 16 is comprised of a plurality of fastener elements 20 and a stringer tape 22. Similarly, slide fastener half 18 is comprised of a plurality of fastener elements 24 and a stringer tape 25. As illustrated in Figure 1, slide fastener half 16 has a slider 26 slidably mounted thereon. Slider 26 works in a conventional manner to couple the fastening elements 20 of the slide fastener half 16 with fastening elements 24 of slide fastener half 18 to permit first sock 12 and second sock 14 to be selectively coupled together.

Slider 26 includes a lever handle 28 which is preferably spring biassed into a first closed position as illustrated in Figure 2. In this closed position and when the socks are coupled together, slider 26 can not be moved with respect to either first slide fastener 16 or second slide fastener 18. In other words, when lever 20 is in the first closed position, first sock 12 is coupled to second sock 14. To disengage first sock 12 from second sock 14 the wearer must lift or pivot lever 28 with sufficient force to overcome the spring bias to a second open position where relative movement between the slider and the slide fastener half 16 and slide fastener half 18 is permitted. In this manner, the wearer can utilize a conventional slide fastener (i.e., a zipper) to selectively couple first sock 12 to second sock 14. A spring biassed lever pivotally mounted on a slider is known per se in the slide fastening art. However, it is preferred that the spring is designed to have a sufficient force to permit lever 28 to be maintained in the first position even when the coupled socks are subject to the aggressive abrasive action of a washing machine. As illustrated in Figure 2, the stringer tapes 22, 25 may have an eyelet 30, 32 therein to permit accessories or other decorative items such as clips, tags, team logos, etc. to be attached to the sock.

In a preferred embodiment of the present application the slide fastener halves are attached to the respective socks by being sewn in a slit which has been cut in the sock. As illustrated in Figure 1, slits 34, 36 are cut axially in socks 12, 14, respectively. Slide fastener 16 is then fixedly attached to sock 12 by being sewn, as indicated by stitch line 38, to the first sock in slit 34. Likewise, stringer tape 25 is fixedly attached to sock 14 by being sewn in slit 36.

Referring now to Figures 1 and 2, stringer tape 22 has a stop 40 attached to its upper end to prevent slider 26 from being removed from the upper end of stringer tape 22 when sock 12 is disengaged from sock 14. The embodiment illustrated in Figures 1-3 illustrates the currently preferred manner in which children's, casual, or athletic socks are to be selectively coupled together. However, other embodiments are certainly possible. For example, referring now to Figures 4 and 5, a preferred embodiment for selectively coupling professional/formal socks together is illustrated. In this embodiment, like reference numerals will be utilized to designate like components from the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1-3. Sock 112 has a first slide fastener half 116 sewn to sock 112. Slide fastener half 116 is sewn along an outer periphery of sock 112 adjacent to an open end 142 of sock 112. Slide fastener half 118 is sewn to sock 114 along an outer periphery of sock 114 adjacent to its open end 144. Slide fastener half 118 has slider 126 slidably mounted thereon to permit first sock 112 to be selectively coupled to second sock 114, as illustrated in Figure 5.

As discussed above, alternate embodiments for coupling mating pairs of socket together are possible. For example, children's, casual or athletic socks can be coupled together in the manner illustrated in Figs. 4-5. Likewise, professional socks can be coupled together in the manner illustrated in Figs. 1-3. Further, the slide fastener halves can be sewn any where on the outer surface of the sock. In an alternative embodiment illustrated in Figures 6-8, slide fasteners 216, 218 are sewn to the outer periphery of socks 212, 214, respectively. More specifically, stringer tapes 222, 225 are stitched to socks 212, 214, respectively. Additionally, flaps 250, 252 can be sewn to the stringer tape 222, 225, respectively. Flaps 250, 252 are preferably sewn adjacent to the upper end of the respective suringer tape. In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 6 and 7 the inside surface of flap 250 has a hook-type connection means 254 on the inside surface, and flap 252 has a loop-type connection means 256 on its inside surface. Accordingly, when the slide fastener has coupled sock 212 to sock 214, slider 226 is disposed adjacent to the upper edge of stringer tapes 216, 218. Flaps 250, 252 can then be connected together by the joining hook surface 254 with loop surface 256 to aid in securing the slider in its closed position.

As illustrated in Figure 7, flaps 250, 252 can also include an eyelet 232 which can receive accessory clips such as the accessory clip to 260 illustrated in Figure 8. The accessory clips 260 can be utilized in numerous ways to attach various accessories to the socks. One such example, is the use of a hook 262 as illustrated in Figure 7. Having described the presently preferred exemplary embodiment of a new and improved sock coupling device, in accordance with the present invention, it is believed that other modifications, variations and changes will be suggested to those skilled in the art in view of the teachings set forth herein. It is, therefore, to be understood that all such variations, modifications, and changes are believed to fall within the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

What Is Claimed Is: 1. A pair of socks comprising: a first sock, a first slide fastener half being fixedly attached to said first sock; a second sock, a second slide fastener half being fixedly attached to said second sock; one of said first slide fastener half and said second slide fastener half having a slider slidably mounted thereon to permit said first sock and said second sock to be selectively coupled together.

2. A pair of socks according to Claim 1, wherein said slider includes a lever handle that is spring biased into a first closed position where relative movement between said slider and the other of said first slide fastener half and said second slide fastener half is prevented when said first sock and said second sock are selectively coupled together.

3. A pair of socks according to Claim 2, wherein said lever is movable to a second open position where relative movement between said slider and the other of said first slide fastener half and said second slide fastener half is permitted.

4. A pair of socks according to Claim 3, wherein said first slide fastener half comprises a plurality of fastener elements and a stringer tape, said second slide fastener half comprises a plurality of fastener elements and a stringer tape.

5. A pair of socks according to Claim 4, wherein said first slide fastener half stringer tape is sewn to said first sock, said second slide fastener half stringer tape is sewn to said second sock.

6. A pair of socks according to Claim 5, wherein said first sock includes a slit, said first slide fastener half stringer tape is sewn to said first sock in said slit, said second sock includes a slit, said second slide fastener half stringer tape is sewn to said second sock in said slit.

7. A pair of socks according to Claim 5, wherein said first sock and said second sock each have an open end, said first slide fastener half stringer tape being sewn to said first sock adjacent to said first sock open end, said second slide fastener half stringer tape being sewn to said second sock adjacent to said second sock open end.

8. A pair of socks according to Claim 7, wherein said first slide fastener half stringer tape is sewn to said first sock along an outer periphery of said open end.

9. A pair of socks according to Claim 1, wherein said first slide fastener half comprises a plurality of fastener elements and a stringer tape, said second slide fastener half comprises a plurality of fastener elements and a stringer tape.

10. A pair of socks according to Claim 9, wherein said first slide fastener half stringer tape is sewn to said first sock, said second slide fastener half stringer tape is sewn to said second sock.

11. A pair of socks according to Claim 10, wherein said first sock includes a slit, said first slide fastener half stringer tape is sewn to said first sock in said slit, said second sock includes a slit, said second slide fastener half stringer tape is sewn to said second sock in said slit.

12. A pair of socks according to Claim 10, wherein said first sock has an open end, said first slide fastener half stringer tape being sewn to said first sock adjacent to said open end, said second slide fastener half stringer tape being sewn to said second sock adjacent to said open end.

13. A pair of socks according to Claim 12, wherein said first slide fastener half stringer tape is sewn to said first sock along an outer periphery of said open end.

14. A pair of socks according to Claim 9, wherein said first slide fastener half stringer tape has a first flap attached thereto, said second slide fastener half stringer tape has a second flap attached thereto, said flaps having means for being selectively connected together.

15. A pair of socks according to Claim 14, wherein said selective connection means includes a hook and loop type fastener.

16. A pair of socks according to Claim 15, wherein said flaps, when said first sock and said second sock are selectively coupled together, overlap said slides.

17. A pair of socks according to Claim 4, wherein said first slide fastener half stringer tape has an eyelet therethrough.

18. A pair of socks according to Claim 17, wherein said second slide fastener half stringer tape has an eyelet therethrough.

19. A pair of socks according to Claim 14, wherein each of said first and second flaps has an eyelet therethrough.

20. A pair of socks according to claim 14, wherein at least one of said first flap and said second flap has an eyelet therethrough.

21. A pair of socks comprising: a first sock, a first slide fastener half being fixedly attached to said first sock; a second sock, a second slide fastener half being fixedly attached to said second sock; one of said first slide fastener half and said second slide fastener half having a slider slidably mounted thereon to permit said first sock and said second sock to be selectively coupled together; and said first sock includes a slit, said first slide fastener half stringer tape is sewn to said first sock in said slit, said second sock includes a slit, said second slide fastener half stringer tape is sewn to said second sock in said slit.