Stay Put Garment

Abstract

A nonslip garment is disclosed which prevents the garment from slipping off its wearer. The garment may be fashioned as an infant sock which has at least one nonslip member on the interior top portion of the sock so as to make contact with the top of the wearer's arch bone. The nonslip member is preferably curved and covers the top side interior portions of the sock as well as at least a portion of the heel surface of the sock, however various configurations are disclosed. An infant scratchglove is also disclosed which preferably has at least one nonslip member on the interior portion of the scratchglove adjacent to the opening of the scratchglove.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to the provisional patent application No. 61/718,601, filed Oct. 25, 2012.

BACKGROUND

Infant garments consist generally of shirts, pants, socks, hats, etc. Infant clothing, especially smaller garments frequently fall off the infant. For instance, socks and mittens frequently fall off and are lost. Similarly, infant pants can slip down the diaper surface.

Regarding socks, these are one of the essential clothing items for infants, babies, and young children. Socks provide warmth, comfort, and visual appeal to a baby's outward appearance. One problem with infant socks is that they frequently and inconveniently fall off. Attempts to address the problems of infant socks falling off the infant suffer from the following disadvantages: Attempts to keep the sock in place focus on tightening the sock and/or introducing a separate article to hold the sock in place. This can be uncomfortable for the child and also introduces an inconvenient additional step in dressing a child. Concerning attempts to tighten a sock, tightening is either at the top of the sock, or a tightening on the top of the foot via an article which is attached over the ordinary sock and strapped tight. Another reference seeks to solve the problem by introducing a separate article, an item which resembles an anklet band, to roll over the foot to hold the sock in place near the ankle. The use of a separate article requires an additional step in the dressing of the child and introduces the need for yet another item of baby paraphernalia which is easily lost. The references also suffer from the disadvantage of being uncomfortable for the child.

Despite the overwhelming need for an infant sock which stays in place, none of the previous attempts to solve the problem have resulted in a convenient, comfortable solution. For the foregoing reason, there is a need for a stay-on sock that does not require a separate member, nor that requires any additional step to be taken by the caregiver other than to put on a sock.

Another garment used commonly for infants are mittens known as scratchgloves. These articles prevent the baby from scratching herself on the face, as trimming infant nails can be challenging. Like socks, these garments suffer from the problem of being frequently lost, slipping, and falling off. By the time it is discovered, the baby may have already scratched herself in the face. As with socks, scratchgloves available commercially use only elasticized sections near the wrist to keep the glove in place. They are either too tight, and therefore potentially uncomfortable for the baby, or too loose and therefore ineffective at staying on the infant. There is therefore a need for an infant glove which resists removal.

Other infant garments which suffer from the disadvantage of frequently falling off or slipping are pants, skirts, headbands, tights, and any other garment with an opening. As with socks and scratchgloves, these garments all use tightening at the opening as the method of keeping the garment in place.

Finally, while attempts have been made to fashion garments which prevent slipping on, for instance, the floor, these references suffer from the disadvantage of not solving the problem of the garment itself slipping off the wearer.

SUMMARY

The problem of infant garments frequently falling off is solved with the recognition that, although infant garments look like smaller versions of adult garments, they are not subject to the same forces. Infants have unique movements not made by the majority of adults. Infants crawl, scoot, pull, flail, rub their eyes without regard to whether their gloves stay in place, etc. Infants can also try to remove clothing that their caregivers do not wish removed. Also, infants do not have the same awareness or understanding as adults as to the effect of their movements on their garments. For example, while adults may take unconscious care not to, for example, rub their eyes while their hand is gloved with enough force to remove it, infants may not be aware of or understand the effect of their movement on their glove.

Regarding sock garments, the problem of socks falling off infant feet differs from problems involving ill fitting socks for adults because socks on infants are subject to different forces than simply the contact with a shoe, for example, as encountered by adult socks. For one, a sock can come off a baby's foot due to the forces exerted on the sock while the baby is crawling. While crawling, a baby's leg is extended outward from the body and must be drawn back in toward the baby's body in order to propel the baby's continued crawl. The friction between the sock and the surface on which the baby is crawling causes the sock to eventually come off the foot. The crawling motion also affects infant tights, as forces in the knee during crawling cause the tights to slip off the body, not simply gravity as in the case of adult tights.

Socks can also come off a baby due to the manner in which babies are commonly carried, on the hip. When a baby is carried in this matter, its feet come into contact with the body of the individual carrying the baby. Due to the movements of the person holding the baby, the baby's feet can drag back and forth across the person's body, resulting in forces that gradually remove the socks. Socks can also be removed by the child herself. Babies frequently pull on the toes of their own socks and remove them, even though their guardians might not want the socks removed.

In accordance with this recognition, then, garments described herein are constructed with one or more nonslip members in at least one location, preferably those locations designed to combat forces encountered by the garments due to an infant's movements. The nonslip members are constructed using material with a higher coefficient of friction than the garment body, such as medical grade silicone, polyurethane, or one or a combination of materials so as to produce a coefficient of friction similar to these. The nonslip members form a portion of the garment such that at least a portion of one or more nonslip members appears on at least a portion of the interior of the garment. Variations are possible and described in the Detailed Description, such as the application of nonslip surfaces on both the interior and exterior of the garment,

The garment may be socks. Said socks are preferably constructed using two nonslip members applied to the interior of the sock body in the region of the arch and heel. The sock generally consists of a tubular lower portion with a closed end and an upper portion with an open end (the sock opening). The shape, size, and thickness of the nonslip members may vary so as to have the same nonslip effect. The sock body size can vary so as to accommodate different aged infants. The sock opening can be at the ankle or higher on the leg by elongating the upper tubular portion. The sock can also be constructed for use as a pair of tights, in which instance, the preferred embodiment will contain one or more nonstick members near the knees for which at least a portion of the nonslip members is on the interior of the garment.

The garment may also be a scratchglove designed to resist falling off due to an infant's movements. Such movements may include flailing, continuous rubbing, sucking on the glove, etc. Said scratchgloves are preferably constructed using two nonslip members near the pinky and thumb. As with the above, the nonslip members can be varied in location, shape, and thickness. At least a portion of at least one nonslip member results in a nonslip portion on the interior of the glove garment. Scratchgloves are generally constructed with an enclosed configuration of fabric designed to cover the hands with an opening at one end designed to allow placement of the hands in the glove.

The garment may also be pants, tights, or any other garment with an opening. In any embodiment, the placement of one or more nonslip members is as described herein can be varied as described in the Detailed Description and at least one or a potion of one nonslip member is located in an area which would result in the reduction in the garment's ability to slip or fall off.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment infant sock viewed as worn by a crawling infant.

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of an embodiment infant sock viewed from the top

FIG. 2B is a perspective view of an embodiment infant sock viewed from behind.

FIG. 3A is a perspective view of an embodiment infant sock viewed as worn by a carried infant.

FIG. 3B is a perspective view of an embodiment infant sock being pulled by its wearer.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an embodiment infant scratchglove and its preferred nonslip members.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This disclosure pertains to a garment for use with an infant designed to stay on the infant despite the movements and forces applied to the garments of infants. As used herein, the term “infant” refers collectively to a young child, baby, or toddler. References to children herein generally refer to this class of babies, infants, toddlers and older children as well.

In the preferred embodiment, FIG. 1, the garment is a sock designed to stay on an infant's foot. The “sock” referred to herein refers to an embodiment of the disclosure where the garment is a sock designed to stay on an infant's foot. The sock contains one or more non-slip members on the interior of the sock in locations designed to prevent slippage based on the movements of an infant. The sock generally consists of a tubular lower portion with a closed end 110 and an upper portion with an open end 112. The upper portion 112 may contain flexible, pliable fibers such as elastic to permit the stretching of the sock over the heel of the wearer in order to don the sock.

Continuing with FIG. 1 (the preferred embodiment of the garment fashioned as a sock), in order to prevent slippage of the sock off the infant's foot, the sock incorporates one or more nonslip members, preferably in two locations. The nonslip member(s) used have a greater coefficient of friction than is present in other portions of the sock body 110 and preferably greater than the material used to construct the upper opening (sock opening) 112.

The location of the nonslip member is preferably designed to counteract forces commonly encountered by, specifically, the sock of an infant so as to cause it to fall off. As depicted in FIG. 1, a crawling baby 114 will extend its leg outward, then retract it. This results in a force which runs opposite 102 to the direction of the retracting knee 104. In order to prevent slippage from the forces caused by this movement, the nonslip member is applied to the interior of the sock body so as to make contact with roughly the middle top portion of the infant's foot 106.

FIG. 3A and 3B depict forces exerted on an infant sock in other common situations. A carried baby 304 moves its foot in the directions indicated 302, 306, resulting in drag forces on the side of the baby in contact with the person carrying the baby which cause pulling on the sock so as to remove it. Thus, the preferred embodiment of the garment fashioned as a sock is designed to include a nonslip member near the heel of the sock 308 to combat the forces applied to the side of the sock facing the person carrying the baby. Although not pictured, those skilled in the art will recognize that one or more additional nonslip members, such as on the side of the sock may be used and this disclosure includes these and other variations described herein.

FIG. 3B depicts another situation common to babies. One reason infant socks come off is because the baby tugs at the end of the sock, resulting in the application forces on the sock that pull the sock off 310. Although adults do this for the express purpose of removing their own socks, infant caregivers generally do not want babies removing their socks because it leads to loss of the sock and reduction in the baby's warmth and protection. In the preferred embodiment, therefore, the nonslip member is present at the heel of the sock to combat these forces. As with FIGS. 1-2, FIG. 3 also depicts a preferred embodiment where the nonslip members are on the interior of the sock 308, 312 only, although one or more nonslip members may also transverse the sock resulting in a nonslip surface on the exterior as well as the interior of the sock. Any nonslip member referred to herein may also appear on the exterior of the garment. However, at least a portion of one nonslip member is present on the interior surface of the garment is the preferred embodiment as it results in aided grip of the garment on the infant and resulting nonslip garment.

The location of the nonslip member is not limited to its application or incorporation in the two places on the interior of the sock body as depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2A, B. One or more nonslip members may be placed in one or more locations on the interior or exterior of the garment. The two locations pictured in FIG. 1 are a preferred embodiment which maximizes the nonslip effect while minimizing the cost of nonslip material.

In FIGS. 1-3 the nonslip members are depicted as having a preferred curved shape 204, 208, but those skilled in the art will recognize that different shapes may be used. The nonslip member may be shaped in a rectangle, circle, oval, or other shape so as to have the nonslip effect described herein. The nonslip member may also be designed as a collection of smaller nonslip members generally arranged in the shape of a rectangle, circle, oval, or other suitable shape or spacing so that at least a portion of the nonslip member resides on the interior of the sock. One skilled will also recognize that the nonslip members may be made with varying widths as well as size. One nonslip member may be fabricated to have multiple widths across its surface.

FIGS. 2A and 2B depict the preferred location and shape of the nonslip members such that two nonslip members, one on the heel portion 208 and one on the arch portion of the sock 204 are present. The use of a curved shape on the arch 204 is preferred, as it spreads the nonslip properties laterally and vertically. In particular, a nonslip member itself will be subject to the same forces applied to the exterior of the sock 310, 302, 306, 102. For example, when the infant crawls forward, a force 102 will be applied on the sock opposite the direction of the infant's forward direction 104. In order to further counter the force applied to the nonslip member, in addition to the exterior of the sock, the use of a curved shaped nonslip member results in a nonslip member which has a greater grip on the side of the infant's foot. This will help decrease wear and tear on the sock which may lead to the eventual separation of the nonslip member from the sock body. Variations which have the same effect may be used.

As depicted in FIG. 2A, the preferred location of one nonslip member 204 may be applied on the sock body or incorporated in the sock body. This figure depicts the preferred embodiment where the nonslip member is on the interior of the sock. Nonslip members may be applied on the interior of the sock or transversing the sock so as to be present on both the interior and exterior surface of the sock. The nonslip members may be applied by methods known in the art, such as sewing or by thermal process.

The sock body 202 refers to the tubular portion of the sock covering the foot arch, toes, and bottom surface of the foot. The sock opening 206 refers to the tubular portion of the sock that extends towards the direction of the leg and contains an opening at one end and is connected to the sock body 202 at the other end. The sock body is preferably constructed using a breathable material such as cotton, but may also include synthetic fibers or a combination of both. The fibers may have various weaves. The sock body and sock opening may be constructed using patterns suitable for constructing a tubular sock body and opening which permits a foot to enter. The sock opening may be at ankle level, or be fashioned above a tall tubular sock portion extending from the sock body covering the foot in order to cover the ankles and leg. The sock body may vary in length and or construction so as to accommodate wearers of different ages and sizes. For example, the quantity of fabric used will correspond to the average sizes of infant feet at a variety of ages.

The nonslip members may be made out of material with a high coefficient of friction suitable for the intended purpose. Preferably, the nonslip members will be fashioned out of medical grade silicone such as Engage® sold by Dow. Alternatively, a polyurethane may be used or a combination of both or other material and mixtures with a similar coefficients of friction as these materials. The nonslip member has a greater coefficient of friction than the sock body and sock opening and is designed to provide a greater gripping surface than material used in the sock body and preferably the sock opening. The nonslip member preferably has a greater coefficient of friction than other portions of the sock, those other portions for example being those that provide stretch properties to the sock that enable a better fit, or, for example, an elasticized sock opening typically present in socks known in the art.

The garment may also be modified so as to be used in a nonslip scratchglove (FIG. 4) or nonslip pant (not pictured) or tights (not pictured), or any other garment which has an opening and is subject to forces not common in adults but common in infants. The garments include one or more nonslip members as described herein and contain at least one nonslip member in locations susceptible to forces which cause slippage due to infant movement. In FIG. 4, the preferred construction of the garment fashioned as a scratchglove includes a glove shaped as a mitten 402 with two nonslip members 404, 406. The scratchglove body 402 may be constructed with the same or different materials as with the sock embodiment's sock body and sock opening. The nonslip members are as described herein previously in terms of shape and material. The preferred embodiment is a shape of a long oval with narrowing at the center 404, 406, although other shapes and configurations may be used. Preferably, one or more nonslip member is placed so that the areas below the infant's pinkie finger and thumb are in contact with the nonslip member; these preferred locations are pictured in FIG. 4.

The foregoing has been a detailed description of two preferred embodiments of the nonslip infant garment, however, various modifications and equivalents can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. For example, the sock can be modified so as to additionally include nonstick surface(s) on the outside to prevent slipping while a child is walking. This would accommodate a child who is learning to walk, but still crawling, or a child who is crawling and using aids to walk (such as walkers and furniture edges). The sock may also be modified for use with adults or older children. The garment can be fashioned into articles other than socks and gloves and use various ornamentation, fiber blends, and material suitable for providing a nonslip surface. Therefore, this description is mean to be taken by way of example and not to limit the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A sock comprising

A tubular sock body adapted to cover a foot wherein the sock body is closed at one end for receiving toes and attached on the opposite end to a sock opening where the sock opening is adapted to receive at least an ankle portion of a leg,

and at least one nonslip member positioned on at least a portion of the interior surface of the sock body so as to cover at least a portion of the top of the foot.

2. A sock according to claim 1, wherein at least one nonslip member is positioned on the interior of the sock body so as to cover at least a portion of the heel of the foot.

3. A sock according to claim 1 wherein the nonslip member(s) are comprised of material with a higher coefficient of friction than the material of the sock body.

4. A sock according to claim 1 wherein at least one nonslip member transverses the sock body so that the nonslip member is exposed on both the interior and exterior surfaces of the sock.

5. A sock according to claim 1, wherein at least one nonslip member is further positioned on the exterior of the sock.

6. A sock according to claim 1, wherein at least one nonslip member is a curved shape.

7. A sock according to claim 1, wherein at least one nonslip member is a quadrangular shape.

8. A sock according to claim 1, wherein at least one nonslip member is an oval shape.

9. A sock according to claim 1, wherein at least one nonslip member is a circular shape.

10. A sock according to claim 1 wherein at least one nonslip member further comprises a collection of smaller nonslip members so that at least a portion of the collection of smaller nonslip member(s) resides on the interior of the sock.

11. A sock according to claim 1, wherein the sock is sized to fit an infant foot.

12. A sock according to claim 1, wherein the sock is sized to fit a child's foot.

13. A sock according to claim 1, wherein the sock further comprises a second tubular member connected to the sock opening for covering at least a portion of a leg.

14. An infant scratchglove comprising a mitten body adapted to cover an infant's hand having a closed portion for receiving the hand and an opening for enveloping the infant's wrist, wherein the scratchglove further comprises at least one nonslip member positioned on at least a portion of the interior surface of the mitten body.

15. An infant scratchglove according to claim 14, wherein at least one nonslip member is positioned on the interior surface of the scratchglove adjacent to the opening.