DECORATIVE SOCK STABILIZER
A foot apparel item, for wearing in cooperation with a heel support extending from a rearward end of a shoe worn by the wearer, includes: a sock portion having a heel receiving end and a toe receiving end, the sock portion configured for receiving a wearer's foot and being positioned within the shoe when the wearer is wearing the shoe; and a stabilizer extending from the heel receiving end of the sock portion, the stabilizer defining at least one heel support engagement element. The sock portion is positioned within the shoe, the heel support engagement element is configured to loop at least partially around the heel support to stabilize the sock portion relative to the heel support and prevent migration of the heel receiving end of the sock portion towards a forward end of the shoe when the wearer is wearing the sock portion and shoe.
This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. provisional patent application No. 62/004,638, titled “DECORATIVE SOCK STABILIZER,” filed on May 29, 2014, which is incorporated herein in its entirety by this reference.
TECHNICAL FIELDThe present disclosure relates to devices and methods of stabilizing a sock when worn with a shoe. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to decorative devices and methods for preventing downward migration of a sock when worn and visually accenting the exterior of a shoe.
BACKGROUNDSocks sometimes migrate downward from the ankle and heel area of the human foot, when worn in a shoe, and from the heel toward the toe area. Such migration can result in gathering of the material of the sock and associated discomfort by the wearer. This problem can particularly arise when thin and sheer materials are used in sock construction, such as in foot stockings worn in high-heel shoes. Such socks are made with a low-profile to escape notice in a shoe, which visual benefit actually makes difficult adjusting or correcting by hand a migrating sock. Even if the sock can be reached, the typical wearer of a high heel shoe particularly prefers elegance and style without tugging at clothing items, particularly socks. Indeed, the attractive and graceful wearing of a high-heel shoe is a challenge enough, without a migrating foot stocking within the shoe.
Decorative socks are available in many colors and styles for use in accessorizing a wardrobe, for example to match or accent the fashion of other clothing items and accessories such as purses and hats. Typical decorative socks however do not integrate into the appearance of shoes in any way that helps a shoe coordinate with outfits. In order to coordinate footwear with many colors and styles of other clothing, using available foot accessories one would likely need to buy many pairs of shoes. Such an option requires considerable expense upon purchase and can be challenging to manage in typical residential closets, where space is typically limited. In some cases, someone has one or more shoes that happen to fit upon their feet with particular comfort better than others, but using those shoes exclusively or often means limiting the range of appearance and fashion the user can enjoy and present in public.
Accessories and methods are needed to prevent migration of socks within shoes, and to permit one to decorate a shoe or coordinate a shoe with other personal items.
SUMMARYThis summary is provided to introduce in a simplified form concepts that are further described in the following detailed descriptions. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it to be construed as limiting the scope of the claimed subject matter.
In at least one embodiment, a foot apparel item is provided for wearing on the foot of a wearer in cooperation with a heel support extending from a rearward end of a shoe worn by the wearer. The foot apparel item includes: a sock portion having a heel receiving end and a toe receiving end, the sock portion configured for receiving a wearer's foot and being positioned within the shoe when the wearer is wearing the shoe; and a stabilizer extending from the heel receiving end of the sock portion, the stabilizer defining at least one heel support engagement element. The sock portion is positioned within the shoe, the heel support engagement element is configured to loop at least partially around the heel support to stabilize the sock portion relative to the heel support and prevent migration of the heel receiving end of the sock portion towards a forward end of the shoe when the wearer is wearing the sock portion and shoe.
In at least one example, the stabilizer has a figure-8 configuration.
In at least one example, the stabilizer has a first band portion connected to a left side of the sock portion, and a second band portion connected to a right side of the sock portion.
In at least one example, the stabilizer includes a strap that ends in at least one of a ring, hook, or tab.
In at least one example, the stabilizer includes a broad heel band for coving left and right rearward portions of the shoe.
In at least one example, the broad heel band narrows from the sock portion toward the at least one heel support engagement element.
In at least one example, the broad heel band terminates at the least one heel support engagement element.
In at least one example, the stabilizer includes a strap connecting the broad heel band to the at least one heel support engagement element.
In at least one example, the stabilizer is removably attached to the sock portion and permits replacement of the stabilizer by a user.
In at least one example, the stabilizer includes: a first strap having a first connector, a second strap having a second connector configured to releasably engage the first connector; and a third strap having a first end connected to the first strap and second strap, and a second end connected to the sock portion.
In at least one example, the first connector and second connector are configured to be hidden when engaged such that the first strap and second strap form a loop around the heel support.
In at least one example, the first connector includes a hook and the second connector comprises a loop.
In at least one example, the sock portion is dimensioned as a low-profile foot sock.
In at least one example, the first strap, second strap and third strap are connected together at a Y-junction, and each has a free end opposite the Y-junction.
In at least one example: the first connector is mounted along the first strap between the Y-junction and an opposite free end of the first strap; and the second connector is mounted along the second strap between the Y-junction and an opposite free end of the second strap.
The previous summary and the following detailed descriptions are to be read in view of the drawings, which illustrate particular exemplary embodiments and features as briefly described below. The summary and detailed descriptions, however, are not limited to only those embodiments and features explicitly illustrated.
These descriptions are presented with sufficient details to provide an understanding of one or more particular embodiments of broader inventive subject matters. These descriptions expound upon and exemplify particular features of those particular embodiments without limiting the inventive subject matters to the explicitly described embodiments and features. Considerations in view of these descriptions will likely give rise to additional and similar embodiments and features without departing from the scope of the inventive subject matters. Although the term “step” may be expressly used or implied relating to features of processes or methods, no implication is made of any particular order or sequence among such expressed or implied steps unless an order or sequence is explicitly stated.
Any dimensions expressed or implied in the drawings and these descriptions are provided for exemplary purposes. Thus, not all embodiments within the scope of the drawings and these descriptions are made according to such exemplary dimensions. The drawings are not made necessarily to scale. Thus, not all embodiments within the scope of the drawings and these descriptions are made according to the apparent scale of the drawings with regard to relative dimensions in the drawings. However, for each drawing, at least one embodiment is made according to the apparent relative scale of the drawing.
The stabilizer 110 includes a heel support engagement element 112 that loops at least partially around the heel support 202. When the sock portion 102 is positioned within the shoe 200, the heel support engagement element 112 is configured to loop at least partially around the heel support 202 to stabilize the sock portion 102 relative to the heel support 202 and prevent migration of the heel receiving end 104 of the sock portion towards the forward end 206 of the shoe when the wearer is wearing the sock portion and shoe. The stabilizer 110 maintains the sock portion 102 in a comfortable position at the heel of the wearer, preventing migration toward the wearer's toes during use. Several embodiments of foot apparel items are described in the following. Each has a stabilizer and heel support engagement element within the scope of the above descriptions.
In the embodiment illustrated in
As shown in
The broad heel band 512 in
The broad heel band 412 in
The first strap 952, second strap 954 and third strap 956 are all connected together at a Y-junction, and each has a free end opposite the Y-junction. The first connector 962 is mounted along the first strap 952 between the Y-junction and its opposite free end. The second connector 964 is mounted along the second strap 954 between the Y-junction and its opposite free end. As such, the first connector 962 and second connector 964 are configured to be hidden when engaged such that the first strap and second strap form a loop around the heel support. Thus the stabilizer 950 can have an elegant outer appearance without an easily visible connector.
The third strap 956 is shown connected to a sock portion 958 in
In use of any of the above described embodiments and variations thereof, the stabilizer maintains the heel receiving end of the sock portion at the heel of the wearer and prevents downward migration of the sock portion from the heel and toward the toe.
In use, a method of preventing migration of a sock within a shoe is provided. The method includes providing the one or more accessory disclosed herein that include the sock portion and the stabilizer. The wearer then may put on the sock portion, slip their foot into a shoe, and then extend the stabilizer band around the heel support of the shoe, thus maintaining the sock portion in a taut disposition.
The above-described sock portions can be constructed from textiles and fabrics, for example nylon and spandex clothing materials. The above-described stabilizers can be constructed from the same or different materials, for example sewn or otherwise attached to the sock portions. In one or more embodiments, the stabilizers include hooks or other materials for engaging sock portions, while in one or more additional embodiments, the stabilizers and sock portions are integrally formed as one unit. In some embodiments the stabilizers are constructed of flexible, stretchable and resilient materials. For example, rubber, plastics and polymers may be used. The stabilizers may be constructed of leather or simulated leather so as to simulate and/or accentuate the outer texture and appearance of the shoes. A stabilizer may also be constructed of or may include metal for strength and/or appearance effect. Any preferred colors and sizes can be used, and may be chosen to match the color of a shoe so as to avoid notice, or to accentuate or contrast from the color of a shoe for decorative purposes. By use of foot accessories within the scope of these descriptions, one pair of shoes can be decorated in various ways and with various colored accessories. The sock portion may be manufactured all in one piece of the same material. In other examples they are first separately made and then connected together permanently or releasably.
The above-described sock portions and stabilizers can appear in any color, combination of colors or any pattern desired. Sport teams logos and names and other themed graphics and texts as preferred and enjoyed by a wearer may appear or be applied.
Particular embodiments and features have been described with reference to the drawings. It is to be understood that these descriptions are not limited to any single embodiment or any particular set of features, and that similar embodiments and features may arise or modifications and additions may be made without departing from the scope of these descriptions and the spirit of the appended claims.
Claims
1. A foot apparel item for wearing on the foot of a wearer in cooperation with a heel support extending from a rearward end of a shoe worn by the wearer, the foot apparel item comprising:
- a sock portion having a heel receiving end and a toe receiving end, the sock portion configured for receiving a wearer's foot and being positioned within the shoe when the wearer is wearing the shoe; and
- a stabilizer extending from the heel receiving end of the sock portion, the stabilizer defining at least one heel support engagement element;
- wherein, when the sock portion is positioned within the shoe, the heel support engagement element is configured to loop at least partially around the heel support to stabilize the sock portion relative to the heel support and prevent migration of the heel receiving end of the sock portion towards a forward end of the shoe when the wearer is wearing the sock portion and shoe.
2. A foot apparel item according to claim 1, wherein the stabilizer has a figure-8 configuration.
3. A foot apparel item according to claim 1, wherein the stabilizer has a first band portion connected to a left side of the sock portion, and a second band portion connected to a right side of the sock portion.
4. A foot apparel item according to claim 1, wherein the stabilizer includes a strap that ends in at least one of a ring, hook, or tab.
5. A foot apparel item according to claim 1, wherein the stabilizer includes a broad heel band for coving left and right rearward portions of the shoe.
6. A foot apparel item according to claim 5, wherein the broad heel band narrows from the sock portion toward the at least one heel support engagement element.
7. A foot apparel item according to claim 6, wherein the broad heel band terminates at the least one heel support engagement element.
8. A foot apparel item according to claim 6, wherein the stabilizer includes a strap connecting the broad heel band to the at least one heel support engagement element.
9. A foot apparel item according to claim 1, wherein the stabilizer is removably attached to the sock portion and permits replacement of the stabilizer by a user.
10. A foot apparel item according to claim 1, wherein the stabilizer comprises:
- a first strap having a first connector;
- a second strap having a second connector configured to releasably engage the first connector; and
- a third strap having a first end connected to the first strap and second strap, and a second end connected to the sock portion.
11. A foot apparel item according to claim 10, wherein the first connector and second connector are configured to be hidden when engaged such that the first strap and second strap form a loop around the heel support.
12. A foot apparel item according to claim 10, wherein the first connector comprises a hook and the second connector comprises a loop.
13. A foot apparel item according to claim 1, wherein the sock portion is dimensioned as a low-profile foot sock.
14. A foot apparel item according to claim 10, wherein the first strap, second strap and third strap are connected together at a Y-junction, and each has a free end opposite the Y-junction.
15. A foot apparel item according to claim 14, wherein:
- the first connector is mounted along the first strap between the Y-junction and an opposite free end of the first strap; and
- the second connector is mounted along the second strap between the Y-junction and an opposite free end of the second strap.
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 30, 2015
Publication Date: Dec 3, 2015
Inventors: Zoe S. Meinecke (Charlotte, NC), Keith O. Meinecke (Charlotte, NC)
Application Number: 14/672,623