SOCK WITH PAIRING DEVICE

Abstract

A sock includes a tube of material having a closed end and an open end, a tunnel formed in the tube of material, a fastener located in the tunnel, and an access opening to access the fastener in the tunnel, wherein when worn, most of the fastener is located in the tunnel.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/495,199, filed on Jun. 9, 2011, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

The invention relates to socks and a pairing device for socks.

BACKGROUND

Dirty socks require washing. When dozens of pairs of socks are washed in the same load of laundry or consecutive loads, pairing the clean socks can be a tedious task. Single socks may be lost in the laundry, while sock sets that are similar in style, color, or shade may be improperly matched. As such, it may be difficult to pair two matching socks. Therefore, after doing the laundry, socks are often left un-paired or mis-paired. While sock pairing devices have previously been disclosed, they are often cumbersome, obtrusive, or uncomfortable.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the disclosure are directed to a pairing device for socks.

In some embodiments, a sock includes a tube of material having a closed end and an open end, a tunnel formed in the tube of material, a fastener located in the tunnel, and an access opening to access the fastener in the tunnel, wherein when worn, most of the fastener is located in the tunnel.

The fastener may include a band, a strip, a button, a snap, or Velcro, and when the sock is worn, the fastener is recessed in the tunnel. In some embodiments, the fastener includes a button, a snap, or Velcro that is coupled to a band or a strip, and when the sock is worn, the fastener is recessed in the tunnel.

In some embodiments, the fastener is a band. The diameter of the band may be the same as the diameter of the tunnel.

The tunnel may be located at the open end of the sock. The access opening may be at an inside of the sock. The tunnel may extend around at least ¼ of the circumference of the sock.

Embodiments of the disclosure are directed to a pair of the above described socks. The fasteners of the socks may be accessible through the tunnel to be attached directly to each other, to be detached from each other, then reattached to each other.

Embodiments of the disclosure are directed to a method of organizing socks that include a tunnel formed in the socks, a fastener located in the tunnel, and an access opening to access the fastener in the tunnel. The method includes accessing the fastener through the access opening in each sock and fixing the fasteners to each other.

The bands may be accessed through the access opening, the top of each sock may be cinched to expose a portion of each band, and the bands may be tied together. When the socks are worn, the fasteners may be recessed in the tunnel.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, features and aspects of some exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a sock with a pairing device;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a pair of socks connected together by the pairing device of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention are shown and described, by way of illustration. As those skilled in the art would recognize, the described exemplary embodiments may be modified in various ways without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the drawings and description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, rather than restrictive.

Embodiments of the invention are directed to a pairing device for socks that makes the task of washing, drying, and folding socks easier.

With regard to FIG. 1, sock 10 includes a foot portion 12, and optionally an ankle portion 14 and a leg portion 16. The sock may be a tube of material. In a preferred embodiment, an open end 18 of the leg portion 16 is formed by folding over a top portion 20 of the sock into the sock opening, and sewing the folded over portion 20 to the inside of the sock to form an annular tunnel 22 (e.g., sewing a hem to form the annular tunnel 22). Before sewing, a band 24 of material is placed inside the folded over portion 20 and is then captured inside the annular tunnel 22. An access opening 26 is formed in the folded over portion 20 to permit access to the band 24. The access opening can also be provided with a seam therearound for strength and to resist tearing. The access opening 26 can be provided on the inside of the sock or on the outside of the sock. In FIG. 1, the band is shown entirely in the tunnel in solid lines, and partially pulled out of the tunnel in dashed lines. When the socks are worn, most of the band is in the tunnel.

To implement the invention, the socks are paired by grasping the band 24 through the access opening 26 in each one of the pair of socks, pulling each band out of the opening as necessary so that the two bands can be tied together into a knot 30 or otherwise fastened or secured to attach the socks together (see FIG. 2). For example, the bands may be tied in a square knot, a slip knot or any other suitable type of knot. The socks can be stored in this way. In some embodiments, when the band is pulled out of the opening, the top portion of the sock may be cinched or gathered at the side opposite the access opening 26. When the band is pulled out of the opening, most of the band may be outside of the tunnel.

Prior to wearing, the bands of the socks are untied. When the socks become dirty, they are paired again by tying and placed together in the washing machine and cleaned. After washing the socks, they can also be placed in the dryer while paired. After washing and drying, the socks are already paired for easy folding and storage. There is no need to go through dozens of single socks to identify the proper pairing.

It will be appreciated that the invention may take several other forms. For example, the invention can be used with any type of sock, such as anklets, wherein the tube of material has only a foot portion and an ankle portion, and the tunnel and band are placed at the top of the ankle portion, or no-shows (e.g., footies), wherein the tube of material has only a foot portion, and the tunnel and band are placed at the top of the foot portion.

In another embodiment, the annular tunnel and the band can be placed at any location along the sock, e.g., the top portion, the ankle portion or the foot portion. In some embodiments, the annular tunnel and the band can be placed at the open end of the sock at the top portion. When the annular tunnel is at the top of the sock, the top may be folded over to form the annular tunnel, as described above. Alternatively, an additional piece of fabric may be added and affixed (i.e., sewn) to the sock to form the tunnel.

The annular tunnel and the band may have either the same diameter or different diameters. For example, the annular tunnel and the band may have the same diameter (e.g., substantially the same diameter). In some embodiments, when the sock is worn, the band may be hidden or substantially hidden or recessed inside the tunnel. That is, when the sock is in the fully opened state without stretching the material, most of the band is located in the tunnel.

In addition, the tunnel portion need not go around the sock, but may extend along a side, a front, or a back of the sock, or any combination. For example, in some embodiments, the tunnel only extends around about ¼ of the circumference of the sock. In other embodiments, the tunnel extends around about ½ or about ¾ of the circumference of the sock. When the pairing device is a band, the band could be tacked or sewn to the sock, i.e., it could be tacked to the inside of the tunnel. The pairing device need not be a band of material, but instead can be a strip of material. The strip of material may then be secured to the inside of the tunnel. For example, when the tunnel portion does not extend all the way around the sock, the strip may be secured inside the tunnel at both ends of the tunnel. In other embodiments, when the tunnel extends all the way around the sock or when the tunnel does not extend all the way around the sock, the strip may be secured inside the tunnel at any two points within the tunnel. For example, the strip of material may have a length and be secured at two points within the tunnel so that when the sock is worn, the strip is hidden or substantially hidden or recessed inside the tunnel.

In another embodiment, the band or strip of material can have a round cross-section, a flat cross-section or other suitable shape. The material can be any suitable fabric and can be elastic or non-elastic as desired. In some embodiments, the band or strap may match the sock. For example, if the sock is white, the band or strap may also be white. Or alternatively, if the sock is black, the band or strap may also be black. By matching the band or strap to the sock, the band or strap is not as noticeable to an observer. The band or strip of material could also include an identifying portion. The identifying portion could be present when the band or strip is pulled out of the tunnel. The identifying portion could have a symbol or pattern or could be a blank space to allow writing so that the socks can be identified. For instance, the label could distinguish the left and right socks, by being labeled right and left, or the label could include initials to identify the wearer of the socks.

In another embodiment, other types of fasteners may be used, e.g. buttons, snaps or Velcro material. Preferably, in each case, the fastener is located inside a tunnel portion of the sock and accessible through an access opening in each sock. The fasteners may be made of any suitable type of material. For example, the material should be able to be washed in hot water and dried in hot air without being damaged. As such, if snaps are used, they may be made of, for example, metal or plastic. The fasteners may also be made to match the sock. For instance, when the sock is white, the buttons, snaps, Velcro material, or other fasteners may be white.

For example, a snap may be affixed to an inside surface of the tunnel portion of the sock. When the sock is worn, the snap may be hidden within the tunnel portion of the sock. The access opening may be moved aside to expose the snap. Two matching socks (one of which has a male snap and the other of which has a female snap) may then be attached by exposing the snap of each sock and mating the snaps. Alternatively, the snaps may be affixed to a band or strip inside the tunnel portion of the sock. The access opening may be designed to accommodate the snap so that when the sock is worn, the band or strip is hidden or substantially hidden (i.e., recessed) inside the tunnel, and the snap is also hidden or substantially hidden (i.e., recessed) inside the tunnel. The socks may then be attached by grasping the band or strip at the access opening in each one of the pair of socks, and pulling each band or strip out of the opening as necessary so that the two snaps may be mated.

Similarly, a button may be affixed to a band or strip inside the tunnel portion of the sock. The access opening may be designed to accommodate the button so that when the sock is worn, the band or strip is hidden or substantially hidden (i.e., recessed) inside the tunnel, and the button is also hidden or substantially hidden (i.e., recessed) inside the tunnel. The matching sock may have a loop (or button hole) affixed to or integral with a band or strip inside the tunnel portion of the sock. The access opening may be designed to accommodate the loop so that when the sock is worn, the band or strip is hidden or substantially hidden (i.e., recessed) inside the tunnel, and the loop is also hidden or substantially hidden (i.e., recessed) inside the tunnel. The socks may then be attached by grasping the band or strip at the access opening in each one of the pair of socks, and pulling each band or strip out of the opening as necessary so that the button may be mated with the loop.

As discussed above, the access opening may be at an inside of the sock or at the outside of the sock. When the access opening is at the outside of the sock, the pairing device is unlikely to irritate the user during normal wear, and because it is hidden or mostly hidden (i.e., recessed) within the tunnel, and any exposed portions may be made to match the sock, the pairing device may be hidden or camouflaged from an observer. When the access opening is at the inside of the sock, the pairing device is completely hidden from an observer, and because it is mostly within the tunnel, the pairing device is less likely to irritate the user during normal wear.

The preceding description has been presented with reference to various embodiments of the invention. Persons skilled in the art and technology to which this invention pertains will appreciate that alterations and changes in the described structures and methods of operation can be practiced without meaningfully departing from the principles, spirit, and scope of this invention.

Claims

1. A sock comprising:

a tube of material having a closed end and an open end;

a tunnel formed in the tube of material;

a fastener located in the tunnel; and

an access opening to access the fastener in the tunnel,

wherein when worn, most of the fastener is located in the tunnel.

2. The sock of claim 1, wherein the fastener comprises a band, a strip, a button, a snap, or Velcro.

3. The sock of claim 1, wherein the fastener comprises a button, a snap, or Velcro that is coupled to a band or a strip.

4. The sock of claim 1, wherein the fastener comprises a band.

5. The sock of claim 4, wherein the diameter of the band is the same as the diameter of the tunnel.

6. The sock of claim 1, wherein the tunnel is located at the open end of the sock.

7. The sock of claim 1, wherein the access opening is at an inside of the sock.

8. The sock of claim 1, wherein the tunnel extends around at least ¼ of the circumference of the sock.

9. A pair of socks, comprising:

a first sock having; a tube of material having a closed end and an open end; a tunnel formed in the tube of material; a fastener located in the tunnel; and an access opening to access the fastener in the tunnel; and

a second sock having; a tube of material having a closed end and an open end; a tunnel formed in the tube of material; a fastener located in the tunnel; and an access opening to access the fastener in the tunnel,

wherein when worn, most of each of the fasteners is inside each tunnel, and wherein the fasteners are accessible through the tunnel to be attached directly to each other, to be detached from each other, then reattached to each other.

10. The pair of socks of claim 9, wherein fasteners comprise bands, strips, a button and button hole, snaps, or Velcro, and when the sock is worn, the fasteners are recessed in the tunnel.

11. The pair of socks of claim 10, wherein the fasteners comprise bands.

12. The pair of socks of claim 11, wherein the diameter of each band is the same as the diameter of each tunnel.

13. The pair of socks of claim 9, wherein each tunnel is located at the open end of each of the first and second socks.

14. The pair of socks of claim 9, wherein both access openings are located at an inside of respective first and second socks.

15. The pair of socks of claim 9, wherein the tunnel extends around at least 1/4 of the circumference of the sock.

16. A method of organizing socks comprising a tunnel formed in the socks, a fastener located in the tunnel, and an access opening to access the fastener in the tunnel, the method comprising:

accessing the fastener through the access opening in each sock; and

fixing the fasteners to each other.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the fasteners comprise bands.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the tunnel is located at an open end of the sock.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the bands are accessed through the access opening, the top of each sock is cinched to expose a portion of each band, and the bands are tied together.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein when the socks are worn, the fasteners are recessed in the tunnel.