Wearable Elastic Pairing Device for Socks
A pairing device for attaching socks in a pair to one another during storage and for laundering. The pairing device includes two buckle assemblies, one attached to each sock of the pair, and each having a buckle element that mates with the buckle element of the other buckle assembly. The two buckle assembles each include an elastic band that has ends that are secured to the sock, defining two points of attachment; the buckle element is attached to the elastic band, for example at one of the points of attachment to the sock. When attached to the sock, each elastic band stretches in the same direction as the primary direction in which the sock is stretched when worn.
This application claims priority, under 35 U.S.C. §119(e), of Provisional Application No. 62/185,392, filed Jun. 26, 2015, incorporated herein by this reference.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENTNot applicable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThis invention is in the field of clothing. Embodiments of this invention are directed to a fastener system suitable for coupling pairs of clothing items to one another.
A frequent annoyance to many people is the misplacing or loss of one of the members of a pair of clothing items. A common example of this annoyance is the loss of one sock somewhere along the path from the clothes hamper, to the washer and dryer, and back to the owner's sock drawer.
Devices for attaching socks in a pair to one another for purposes of storage and laundry are known in the art. Many of these conventional devices attach to each sock or garment at a single point of attachment. But such attachment renders the sock vulnerable to tearing as stress is applied, such as during machine washing and drying.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONEmbodiments of the invention provide a pairing device for socks comprised of a pair of fastener assemblies, each comprised of an elastic band and a fastener attached to the band. The fasteners mate with one another, for example as male and female portions of a single center release buckle. Each of the two fastener assemblies is attached to the sock at two points of attachment that extend in a direction in which the sock stretches when worn; typically in a direction parallel to the top hem of the sock.
The one or more embodiments described in this specification are described in connection with a pair of socks, such as athletic or dress socks, as the invention is believed to be particularly beneficial in such applications. However, it is also contemplated that concepts of this invention may be beneficially applied to other types of paired garments, particularly those that stretch when worn and are snug-fitting, for example pajamas, gloves, swimwear, and the like. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the following description is provided by way of example only, and is not intended to limit the true scope of this invention as claimed.
These embodiments are directed to a pairing device for use with paired garment items, such as socks, that are desired to be kept together during laundry, drying, and storage. As mentioned above, one sock out of a pair is often misplaced or lost somewhere along the route from the clothes hamper, to the washer and dryer, and back to the owner's sock drawer. For the case of athletic socks, one of the socks in a pair can also be lost in a gym bag, or inadvertently not even packed, leaving the athlete in an awkward position on arriving at a competition. Also as mentioned above, one type of conventional pairing device attaches to the sock or garment at a single point of attachment; this type of pairing device renders the sock or garment vulnerable to tearing, particularly during the laundry cycle while the socks are attached to one another.
Another limitation of conventional devices for attaching paired garments to one another is discomfort caused by the device while the socks are being worn. Because socks stretch to closely fit the foot and ankle when worn, conventional pairing devices are generally noticeable and annoying, if not uncomfortable, to the wearer when worn. Because of these limitations, pairing devices for socks and similar stretchable and snug-fitting garments are not commonly used.
These embodiments provide pairing devices that are less likely to tear the socks to which they are attached, and that are much less noticeable to the wearer.
As shown in
Elastic bands 4 may be formed of conventional elastic material, for example of a lightweight elastic that narrows when stretched; a typical composition of this elastic is 55% polyester and 45% rubber such as available from Prym Consumer USA. This elastic is machine washable and dryer-safe at temperatures up to 200° F. Elastic bands 4 may be marked with brand logos or decorative elements, as desired.
Referring first to
Alternatively, buckle elements 2M and 2F may be attached to their respective elastic bands 4 between the loops 7. For example, the middle portion elastic band 4, between loops 5, may pass through one or both of the openings 6M of male buckle element 2M. Male buckle element 2M may thus slide or be slid along the length of elastic band 4. Similarly, elastic band 4 may pass through opening 6F of female buckle element 2F; on this case, female buckle element 2F may easily slide along the length of elastic band 4 between its loops 5.
However, it is contemplated that, for most applications, it will typically be preferred to attach buckle elements 2M and 2F at a loop 7 of their respective elastic bands 4 as described above, rather than between loops 7, as such attachment will prevent buckle elements 2M, 2F from moving or swinging during wear. In addition, attachment at loops 7 maximizes the distance between the points at which buckle assemblies 10M, 10F are attached to socks SCK, allowing elastic bands 4 to freely stretch and thus remain comfortable to the wearer. If a logo is imprinted on elastic bands 4, as is contemplated, placement of buckle elements 2M, 2F at ends of elastic bands 4 will also fully expose that logo.
According to these embodiments, the pairing device formed of the buckle assemblies including buckle elements 2M, 2F are secured to clothing items by way of their respective elastic bands 4.
One application of these embodiments of the invention is to maintain socks as pairs.
This orientation of buckle assemblies 10M, 10F so as to stretch in direction BND_STRCH_DIR along with the stretching of socks SCK in direction SCK_STRCH_DIR minimizes the deformation of socks SCK caused by the pairing devices, when socks SCK are worn. More specifically, as socks SCK are stretched around the lower leg of the wearer, elastic bands 4 also stretch and do not constrain the tops of those socks SCK, and thus reduces the sensation of tugging or stiffness that the wearer experiences. This cooperative stretching of elastic bands 4 with socks SCK also allows buckle assemblies 10M, 10F to essentially lie flat along socks SCK, further reducing the extent to which the wearer notices their presence. The attachment of buckle elements 2M, 2F by looping elastic bands 4 through the buckle openings and then stitching them at their ends, as described above relative to
While one or more embodiments have been described in this specification, it is of course contemplated that modifications of, and alternatives to, these embodiments, such modifications and alternatives capable of obtaining one or more the advantages and benefits of this invention, will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having reference to this specification and its drawings. It is contemplated that such modifications and alternatives are within the scope of this invention.
Claims
1. Attachable paired socks, comprising:
- first and second socks, each having an upper portion that stretches in a primary direction when worn;
- a pairing device, comprising: a first fastener assembly comprising: a first stretchable band, attached to the upper portion of the first sock at first and second locations oriented relative to one another substantially in the primary direction of stretch; and a first fastener, attached to the first stretchable band; and a second fastener assembly comprising: a second stretchable band, attached to the upper portion of the second sock at first and second locations oriented relative to one another substantially in the primary direction of stretch; and a second fastener, adapted to mate with the first fastener, and attached to the second stretchable band.
2. The socks of claim 1, wherein the upper portion of each of the first and second socks has a top hem;
- wherein, for each of the first and second socks, the primary direction of stretch is substantially parallel to its top hem;
- wherein the first and second locations at which of the first stretchable band is attached to the first sock is at the upper portion near its top hem, so that the first stretchable band extends substantially parallel to the top hem of the first sock;
- and wherein the first and second locations at which of the second stretchable band is attached to the second sock is at the upper portion near its top hem, so that the second stretchable band extends substantially parallel to the top hem of the second sock.
3. The socks of claim 1, wherein the first fastener is attached to the first stretchable band at one of the first and second locations;
- and wherein the second fastener is attached to the second stretchable band at one of the first and second locations.
4. The socks of claim 1, wherein the first fastener is attached to the first stretchable band between the first and second locations;
- and wherein the second fastener is attached to the second stretchable band between the first and second locations.
5. The socks of claim 1, wherein the first fastener comprises a first mating buckle part;
- and wherein the second fastener comprises a second mating buckle part that mates with the first mating buckle part.
6. The socks of claim 5, wherein the buckle parts of the first and second fasteners are formed of a thermal plastic.
7. The socks of claim 5, wherein a first end of the first stretchable band forms a sewn loop attached at the first location of the first sock
- wherein the first mating buckle part has an opening through which the sewn loop of the first stretchable band passes;
- wherein a first end of the second stretchable band forms a sewn loop attached at the first location of the second sock;
- and wherein the second mating buckle part has an opening through which the sewn loop of the second stretchable band passes.
8. The socks of claim 1, wherein the first and second stretchable bands are each comprised of an elastic fabric material.
9. A pairing device for attaching paired socks to one another, comprising:
- a first fastener assembly comprising: a first stretchable band having an end at which a sewn loop is formed; and a first fastener having an opening through which the sewn loop of the first stretchable band passes; and
- a second fastener assembly comprising: a second stretchable band having an end at which a sewn loop is formed; and a second fastener, adapted to mate with the first fastener, and having an opening through which the sewn loop of the second stretchable band passes.
10. The device of claim 9, wherein the sewn loops are respectively formed at a first end of each of the first and second stretchable bands;
- and wherein each of the first and second stretchable bands has a second end at which a second sewn loop is formed.
11. The device of claim 9, wherein the first fastener comprises a male buckle part:
- and wherein the second fastener comprises a female buckle part.
12. The device of claim 11, wherein the buckle parts of the first and second fasteners are formed of a thermoplastic.
Type: Application
Filed: Jun 24, 2016
Publication Date: Dec 29, 2016
Inventor: Alex J. Ramirez (Fort Worth, TX)
Application Number: 15/191,709