System for Custom Styling a Stocking
A system comprises at least one foot component comprising fabric being configured with a first style as a foot portion of a stocking. The foot component further comprises a toe portion, an ankle portion, and an ankle bonding area on the ankle portion. At least one calf component comprising fabric is configured with a second style as a calf portion of a stocking. The calf component further comprises a bottom portion, a top portion, a bottom bonding area on the bottom portion being configured for joining with the ankle bonding area, and a top bonding area on the top portion. A first joining mechanism is configured for joining the ankle bonding area and the bottom bonding area in which the at least one foot component being joined to the at least one calf component forms a custom stocking.
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REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER LISTING APPENDIXNot applicable.
COPYRIGHT NOTICEA portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or patent disclosure as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office, patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONOne or more embodiments of the invention generally relate to home décor. More particularly, the invention relates to a modular system for home décor stockings.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThe following background information may present examples of specific aspects of the prior art (e.g., without limitation, approaches, facts, or common wisdom) that, while expected to be helpful to further educate the reader as to additional aspects of the prior art, is not to be construed as limiting the present invention, or any embodiments thereof, to anything stated or implied therein or inferred thereupon.
Holiday stockings are typically manufactured in a limited number of traditional shapes and styles. These stockings are usually pre-assembled and have fixed styles with little or no variation or customization options. A user typically cannot mix and match colors, styles, or fabrics. Without sewing knowledge, it is difficult for one to customize holiday stockings. To stock a significant variety, a store needs many stocking designs, and some designs may be unpopular and difficult to sell. Most stocking variation comes in the form of preselected fabric, color or embroidery designs on similarly, traditionally shaped stockings in which those elements cannot be changed without an entire new stocking being purchased.
By way of educational background, an aspect of the prior art generally useful to be aware of is that known solutions for stocking customization include, without limitation, names embroidered on stockings, names written in paint or glitter glue on standard stockings, custom names made with letters on blocks hung from string, etc. In addition to standard stocking shapes, traditional stockings are also available in various different designs such, as, but not limited to, stockings that look like tennis shoes, ice skates, boots and other types of footwear.
In view of the foregoing, it is clear that these traditional techniques are not perfect and leave room for more optimal approaches.
The present invention is illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings and in which like reference numerals refer to similar elements and in which:
Unless otherwise indicated illustrations in the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTSThe present invention is best understood by reference to the detailed figures and description set forth herein.
Embodiments of the invention are discussed below with reference to the Figures. However, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the detailed description given herein with respect to these figures is for explanatory purposes as the invention extends beyond these limited embodiments. For example, it should be appreciated that those skilled in the art will, in light of the teachings of the present invention, recognize a multiplicity of alternate and suitable approaches, depending upon the needs of the particular application, to implement the functionality of any given detail described herein, beyond the particular implementation choices in the following embodiments described and shown. That is, there are numerous modifications and variations of the invention that are too numerous to be listed but that all fit within the scope of the invention. Also, singular words should be read as plural and vice versa and masculine as feminine and vice versa, where appropriate, and alternative embodiments do not necessarily imply that the two are mutually exclusive.
It is to be further understood that the present invention is not limited to the particular methodology, compounds, materials, manufacturing techniques, uses, and applications, described herein, as these may vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is used for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. It must be noted that as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include the plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, a reference to “an element” is a reference to one or more elements and includes equivalents thereof known to those skilled in the art. Similarly, for another example, a reference to “a step” or “a means” is a reference to one or more steps or means and may include sub-steps and subservient means. All conjunctions used are to be understood in the most inclusive sense possible. Thus, the word “or” should be understood as having the definition of a logical “or” rather than that of a logical “exclusive or” unless the context clearly necessitates otherwise. Structures described herein are to be understood also to refer to functional equivalents of such structures. Language that may be construed to express approximation should be so understood unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meanings as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Preferred methods, techniques, devices, and materials are described, although any methods, techniques, devices, or materials similar or equivalent to those described herein may be used in the practice or testing of the present invention. Structures described herein are to be understood also to refer to functional equivalents of such structures. The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to embodiments thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
From reading the present disclosure, other variations and modifications will be apparent to persons skilled in the art. Such variations and modifications may involve equivalent and other features which are already known in the art, and which may be used instead of or in addition to features already described herein.
Although Claims have been formulated in this application to particular combinations of features, it should be understood that the scope of the disclosure of the present invention also includes any novel feature or any novel combination of features disclosed herein either explicitly or implicitly or any generalization thereof, whether or not it relates to the same invention as presently claimed in any Claim and whether or not it mitigates any or all of the same technical problems as does the present invention.
Features which are described in the context of separate embodiments may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable sub-combination. The Applicants hereby give notice that new Claims may be formulated to such features and/or combinations of such features during the prosecution of the present application or of any further application derived there from.
References to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “example embodiment,” “various embodiments,” etc., may indicate that the embodiment(s) of the invention so described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but not every embodiment necessarily includes the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Further, repeated use of the phrase “in one embodiment,” or “in an exemplary embodiment,” do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, although they may.
As is well known to those skilled in the art many careful considerations and compromises typically must be made when designing for the optimal manufacture of a commercial implementation any system, and in particular, the embodiments of the present invention. A commercial implementation in accordance with the spirit and teachings of the present invention may configured according to the needs of the particular application, whereby any aspect(s), feature(s), function(s), result(s), component(s), approach(es), or step(s) of the teachings related to any described embodiment of the present invention may be suitably omitted, included, adapted, mixed and matched, or improved and/or optimized by those skilled in the art, using their average skills and known techniques, to achieve the desired implementation that addresses the needs of the particular application.
It is to be understood that any exact measurements/dimensions or particular construction materials indicated herein are solely provided as examples of suitable configurations and are not intended to be limiting in any way. Depending on the needs of the particular application, those skilled in the art will readily recognize, in light of the following teachings, a multiplicity of suitable alternative implementation details.
An embodiment of the present invention provides a system for creating holiday stockings that can easily be personalized, customized and reconfigured with modular construction and the connection of various stocking design elements and trims. Many practical embodiments enable a user to easily customize a decorative stocking to their desired style. Style variations in some practical embodiments can include but are not limited to a user's choice of stocking style, fabric, color, and trims.
Referring to
In the present embodiment, the assembly of the stocking is simple to enable a layperson, without sophisticated equipment or training, to assemble the various stocking elements easily and accurately. The choice of attachment means may allow for the reassembly of the components to reconfigure the stocking into a different color combination or style or may more permanently attach the components together. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize, in light of and in accordance with the teachings of the present invention, that a multiplicity of suitable methods of attachment may be used in many practical embodiments including, without limitation, hook and loop material, heat-set adhesive, glue, tape or a similar bonding strip, snaps, buttons, ties, zippers, hooks, etc. For example, without limitation, one exemplary method of assembly uses a product such as hook and loop material to allow for the continued changeability of the stocking. Another exemplary method of assembly uses an iron-on or heat-set adhesive to provide a more permanent assembly with ease and relative control, precision and cleanliness.
In typical use of the present embodiment, the modular stocking design enables users to select different modular components of the stocking from a variety of styles, colors, fabrics, and trims. A user can easily assemble the unique selection into a finished stocking that has a personal look and feel with a custom style, colors, fabric and trims. The present embodiment also allows for the manufacture of a limited variety of stocking style elements to produce a huge array of possible combinations for the formation of a finished stocking and allows flexibility in production to accommodate a wide variety wholesale, retail, and website needs. A buyer can select from the pre-assembled elements and make a custom stocking that matches their personal style that meets their decorative needs. The buyer selects a foot section, a calf section, a top cuff and any additional trims or ornaments desired. Once the user selects the components, the user assembles the stocking by attaching the components at their corresponding bonding areas. For example, without limitation, a person may select colors and fabrics that match their home décor. The fabrics and colors are only limited by what colors and fabrics are available at the time of manufacture. Some examples of fabric combinations using a limited number of components include, without limitation, a silky red foot with a green velvet calf and a white fur cuff, a silky red foot with a red velvet calf and a leopard fur cuff, a woven gold foot with a red velvet calf and a white fur cuff, a woven gold foot with a green velvet calf and a leopard fur cuff, etc. A NY Yankee fan might select a silver foot with a blue calf with white trim to make a personal NY Yankee Stocking. Another person may select a purple foot and a yellow calf with a gold cuff and a pin that says “World's Greatest Grandma!” because their grandma loves purple and yellow. The personalization options are virtually endless and they empower the buyer to make decisions that can fulfill their unique style, quirky sense of self or a whimsical nature. Retailers can re-order only the components and colors that are selling and can better tailor their inventory to fit the buying trends. A wide variety of components may also be made available on an online website.
Bonding areas in the same location of a similar component, for example, without limitation, bonding areas 303 and 308 on feet 301 and 305 and bonding areas 304 and 309 on calves 302 and 306, are of similar and suitable corresponding size and shape to facilitate the interchangeability of the various styled components in manufacture or at the point of sale. Furthermore, corresponding bonding areas on different elements, for example bonding area 303 on foot 301 and bonding area 304 on calf 302, are also similar in shape and size to facilitate the assembly of the various components. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize, in light of and in accordance with the teachings of the present invention, that the bonding areas in some alternate embodiments may be implemented in a multiplicity of suitable shapes and sizes. For example, without limitation, the bonding area at the top of the foot may be straight across the ankle in a horizontal or diagonal line or on a larger portion on the side of the ankle. In addition, if the bonding mechanism or adhesive is of sufficient bonding strength, the bonding areas in some alternate embodiments can be reduced to smaller areas of intersection. Depending on the adhesive or bonding mechanism chosen, bonding areas may completely encircle the interfacing areas of the components, as shown by way of example in
Referring to
It can be noted that the bonding areas of the calf components are shaded in these examples. Referring to
Those skilled in the art will readily recognize, in light of and in accordance with the teachings of the present invention, that some alternate embodiments may comprise a multiplicity of suitable additional features such as, but not limited to, pockets, blinking or non-blinking lights, music players, etc. Some alternate embodiments of the present invention may be implemented in non-traditional shapes such as, but not limited to, trees, flowers, gingerbread men, candy canes, etc. Furthermore, stockings may be made for a variety of different occasions such as, but not limited to, Halloween, birthdays, Easter, Tooth Fairy visits, etc. or may be purely decorative for any time of year. Yet other alternate embodiments may be implemented to incorporate a modular assembly system into various different items such as, but not limited to, curtains, flags, wall hangings, etc.
All the features disclosed in this specification, including any accompanying abstract and drawings, may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.
Having fully described at least one embodiment of the present invention, other equivalent or alternative methods of providing modular stockings according to the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The invention has been described above by way of illustration, and the specific embodiments disclosed are not intended to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed. For example, the particular implementation of the stocking may vary depending upon the particular type of modular assembly used. The assemblies described in the foregoing were directed to two or three piece implementations; however, similar techniques are to provide stockings that comprise more than three pieces. Implementations of the present invention with more than three components are contemplated as within the scope of the present invention. The invention is thus to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the following claims.
Claim elements and steps herein may have been numbered and/or lettered solely as an aid in readability and understanding. Any such numbering and lettering in itself is not intended to and should not be taken to indicate the ordering of elements and/or steps in the claims.
Claims
1. A system comprising:
- at least one foot component comprising fabric being configured with a first style as a foot portion of a stocking, said foot component further comprising a toe portion, an ankle portion, and an ankle bonding area on said ankle portion;
- at least one calf component comprising fabric being configured with a second style as a calf portion of a stocking, said calf component further comprising a bottom portion, a top portion, a bottom bonding area on said bottom portion being configured for joining with said ankle bonding area, and a top bonding area on said top portion; and
- a first joining mechanism being configured for joining said ankle bonding area and said bottom bonding area in which said at least one foot component being joined to said at least one calf component forms a custom stocking.
2. The system as recited in claim, further comprising: at least one cuff component comprising fabric being configured with a third style as a cuff portion of a stocking, said cuff component further comprising a cuff top portion, a cuff bottom portion, and a cuff bonding area on said cuff bottom portion, said cuff bonding area being configured for joining with said top bonding area; and a second joining mechanism being configured for joining said top bonding area and said cuff bonding area in which said at least one cuff component being joined to said at least one calf component being joined to said at least one foot component forms a custom stocking.
3. The system as recited in claim 2, in which said cuff component is further configured to fold over said calf component.
4. The system as recited in claim 1, further comprising a string element joined to said toe portion for joining a decorative item to said toe portion.
5. The system as recited in claim 1, further comprising a hang loop being joined to a top of the custom stocking.
6. The system as recited in claim 1, in which said first joining mechanism comprises a hook and loop material for removable joining.
7. The system as recited in claim 2, in which said second joining mechanism comprises a hook and loop material for removable joining.
8. The system as recited in claim 1, further comprising a sheer slipcover component, said sheer slipcover component comprising a semi-transparent fabric being configured for slipping over said at least one foot component.
9. The system as recited in claim 8, further comprising a tie element for joining said sheer slipcover component to said foot component.
10. The system as recited in claim 1, further comprising a plurality of foot components, each of said plurality of foot components being configured with a different style or fabric or color and being configured for interchangeability with said at least one foot component.
11. The system as recited in claim 1, further comprising a plurality of calf components, each of said plurality of calf components being configured with a different style or fabric or color and being configured for interchangeability with said at least one calf component.
12. The system as recited in claim 2, further comprising a plurality of cuff components, each of said plurality of cuff components being configured with a different style or fabric or color and being configured for interchangeability with said at least one cuff component.
13. A system comprising:
- means for styling a foot portion of a stocking;
- means for styling a calf portion of a stocking;
- means for joining a decorative item; and
- means for joining said foot portion and said calf portion for forming a custom stocking.
14. The system as recited in claim 13, further comprising: means for styling a cuff portion of a stocking; and means for joining said cuff portion and said calf portion joined to said foot portion for forming a custom stocking.
15. The system as recited in claim 13, further comprising means for hanging the custom stocking.
16. The system as recited in claim 13, further comprising means for covering said foot portion with a semi-transparent fabric.
17. A system comprising:
- a plurality of foot components each comprising fabric being configured with a different style as a foot portion of a stocking, each of said plurality of foot components further comprising a toe portion, an ankle portion, and an ankle bonding area on said ankle portion;
- a plurality of calf components each comprising fabric being configured with a different style as a calf portion of a stocking, each of said plurality of calf components further comprising a bottom portion, an top portion, a bottom bonding area on said bottom portion being configured for joining with said ankle bonding area, and a top bonding area on said top portion;
- at least one string element being joined to at least one of said toe portions for joining a decorative item; and
- a plurality of first joining mechanisms being configured for joining said ankle bonding areas and said bottom bonding areas in which a one of said plurality of foot components joined to a one of said plurality of calf components forms a custom stocking.
18. The system as recited in claim 17, further comprising: a plurality of cuff components each comprising fabric being configured with a different style as a cuff portion of a stocking, each said plurality of cuff components further comprising a cuff top portion, a cuff bottom portion, and a cuff bonding area on said bottom cuff portion, said cuff bonding area being configured for joining with said top bonding area; and a plurality of second joining mechanisms being configured for joining said top bonding areas and said cuff bonding areas in which a one of said plurality of cuff components joined to one of said plurality of calf component joined to one of said plurality of foot components forms a custom stocking.
19. The system as recited in claim 18, in which said plurality of first joining mechanism and said plurality of second joining mechanisms comprise a hook and loop material for removable joining.
20. The system as recited in claim 18, further comprising a sheer slipcover component, said sheer slipcover component comprising a semi-transparent fabric being configured for slipping over a foot component.
Type: Application
Filed: Oct 15, 2011
Publication Date: Feb 9, 2012
Inventor: Loren Swanson (San Francisco, CA)
Application Number: 13/274,329