PAIR OF SOCKS TEMPORARILY HOLDING SYSTEM

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a holding system for one or more pairs of socks wherein each sock in a pair of socks includes two holes formed on opposite sides adjacent and to the top edge of the sock and a cord with a free end and a slide connector attached to the opposite end. The two socks are stacked and aligned so that the holes on the two socks are registered and the free end of the cord or ring may be inserted into the holes to attach the two socks to the cord or ring, respectively. The free end of the cord is then attached to the slide connector to form a closed loop. The ring may include two curved sections pivotally connected together at one end. The free ends of the sections may be pressed and locked together to form a closed ring. The cord is sufficient in length and the diameter of the ring is sufficient to allow multiple pairs of socks to be attached to the cord.

Description

This utility patent application is based in and claims the filing date benefit of U.S. provisional patent application (Application No. 62/138,089) filed on Mar. 25, 2015.

Notice is hereby given that the following patent document contains original material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile or digital download reproduction of all or part of the patent document, but otherwise reserves all copyrights whatsoever.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention pertains to a device and method used by a manufacturer of a pair of socks to temporarily hanging the pair of socks on a sales display rack that can also be used be repeatedly used by the user to couple the pair of socks together.

2. Description of the Related Art

One or more pairs of socks are commonly sold in retail stores on display racks. A peg on a display rack passes through a hook formed on the end of a small hanger, similar to a clothes hanger. Sometimes, the small hanger is replaced by a cardboard hang tag attached to a nylon cord that extends through the socks. The hanger may include a small hook or hole configured to receive the peg. After purchasing the socks, the user breaks the nylon cord, discards it and the small hanger and then stores the socks in a sock drawer or bin. While the user may roll the socks into a compact configuration for storage in the sock drawer or bin, the socks can be easily detached and separated.

After the pair of socks is worn, the socks are individually placed into a laundry basket and washed and dried in a washer and dryer with other garments. The socks are separated and detached so that they may be cleaned and dried. Unfortunately, the socks can be mixed together with other garments and hard to find.

When both socks are found, the socks are connected together by pulling and stretching the elastic band on one sock over the outside surfaces of the two socks. Unfortunately, the socks can be easily disconnected and separated.

Many sports require players to wear special socks. Sometimes players must play several games in one day and must change their socks after each game to prevent blisters. If the players only have one or two pairs of special socks, coaches recommend that players hang their sweaty socks and let them air dry and used them in the next game. Because these socks can be easily separated and lost, experienced coaches carry extra pairs of socks.

What is needed is a holding system that can be used by sock manufacturers to display one or more pairs of socks on a display rack and allows the socks to be easily separated and worn by the end user and later connected together when placed in the washer machine or drier. The holding system may be used to hold one or more pairs of socks together so they aren't separated and lost when transported.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Disclosed herein is a holding system for one or more pairs of socks wherein each sock in a pair of socks includes at least one hole formed adjacent to the top edge of the sock and an enclosing element with one end configured to extend through the holes which is then locked together to retain the socks. In a first embodiment, the enclosing element is a cord with a free end and a slide connector attached to the opposite end. In a second embodiment, the enclosure element is a closable lock ring. The two socks are stacked and aligned so that the holes on the socks are aligned and registered. In the first embodiment, the free end of the cord is then inserted into the holes to attach the two socks. The free end of the cord is then attached to the slide connector to form a closed loop. The cord is sufficient in length to allow multiple pairs of socks to be attached to the cord.

In the second embodiment, the lock ring is used in place of a cord. The lock ring includes a fixed curved section and a moveable curved section pivotally connected together at one end. During use, the sections are rotated to selectively open and expose a free end on one of the curved sections. The free end is then inserted into the holes formed on a stack of socks. The curved sections are then pivoted together so that the two free ends are aligned and then locked together to form a ring that retains a plurality of socks.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top perspective of a plurality of socks attached to a cord and hung from a display peg.

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of a multiple pairs of soiled socks attached to a cord.

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of two socks with holes formed near the top elastic edge joined together with a cord.

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of a second embodiment of the invention showing two pairs of socks with holes attached to a ring that selectively opens and closes.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

Disclosed herein is a holding system 10 for one or more pairs of socks 20 wherein each sock 22 includes at least one hole 30 formed adjacent to the elastic top edge 25 of each sock 22 and a cord 40 with a free end 42 and fixed end 44 attached to a slide connector 46. The slide connector 46 includes a biased push button 48 and a traverse passageway 49 that allows the free end 42 to pass through the slide connector 46 and form a closed loop 60.

In the embodiment shown herein, two holes 30, 32 are formed on the medial and lateral sides of each sock 22, 22′ near or aligned with the sock's transverse axis 26. The holes 30, 32 may be circular, oval, square or rectangular. When the two socks 22, 22′ in a pair 20 are stacked and aligned, the holes 30, 32 on each sock 22 are registered and aligned so that the free end of the cord 40 may be inserted into the holes 30, 32 to attach the two socks 22, 22′ to the cord 40. The cord 40 is sufficient in length to allow multiple pairs of socks to be attached to the cord 40.

FIG. 1 is a top perspective of a plurality of socks 20 attached to a closed cord 40 forming a loop 60 that is hung from a display peg 80 attached to a display 90. Attached to the cord 40 is an optional, removable hang tag 70.

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of a multiple pairs of soiled socks 20′ with the hang tag 70 removed and attached to a cord 40 and ready to be laundered.

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of a single pair of socks 22, 22′ stacked together and showing the holes 30, 32 formed near the top elastic edge 25, 25′ being aligned and registered to allow a cord 40 to pass through them.

In the embodiment shown, the cord is made of moisture resistant material, such as nylon cord, 8 to 16 inches in length and ⅙ to ¼ inches in diameter. The holes 30, 32 measure approximately 3/16 to ½ inches in diameter.

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of a second embodiment of the invention in which the cord 40 is replaced by a ring 100. The ring 100 includes two semi-circular sections 102, 104 pivotally connected at one end to a pin 106. Formed on the opposite ends of the sections 102, 104 is a catch 110 that locks the two sections 102, 104 together to form a closed structure. During use, the ring sections 102, 104 are detached and a free end is inserted into the holes formed on a plurality of socks 20, 20′. The free ends of the ring sections 102, 104 are then locked together via the catch 110. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the ring 100 is made washer and dryer compatible material, such as metal or plastic. The ring 100 is also 1 to 2 inches in diameter and the thickness of the ring sections 102, 104 is approximately ⅛ inch in diameter.

In compliance with the statute, the invention described herein has been described in language more or less specific as to structural features. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the specific features shown, since the means and construction shown is comprised only of the preferred embodiments for putting the invention into effect. The invention is therefore claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the legitimate and valid scope of the amended claims, appropriately interpreted in accordance with the doctrine of equivalents.

Claims

1. A holding system for one or more pairs of socks, comprising;

at least one pair of sock, each sock has a transverse axis, a medial surface, a lateral surface an elastic top edge;

at least one hole formed on either said medial surface or said lateral surface of each said sock; and,

an enclosing element that includes a free end and a fixed end, the free end configured to extend through said holes formed on each sock when stacked together, said enclosing element includes a locking member that enables the free end to be selectively coupled to said fixed end to retain said socks.

2. The holding system as recited in claim 1, wherein said enclosing element is a cord with a free end and a fixed end and a slide connector affixed to said fixed end and configured to selectively attach to said free end.

3. The holding system as recited in claim 1, wherein each said sock has a hole formed on both said medial surface and said lateral surface.

4. The holding system as recited in claim 1, wherein said enclosing element is a closable ring.

5. The holding system as recited in claim 4 wherein said ring includes a fixed curved section and a movable curved section being pivoting connected together at one end, said fixed curved section and said movable curved section being configured to form a closed ring when ends of the fixed curved section and moveable curved section opposite said ends pivotally connected together are adjacent.

6. The holding system as recited in claim 4 wherein said ring is made of washer and drier compatible material.

7. A method for attaching a pair of socks together, comprising:

a. selecting a pair of sock each with an elastic top edge and a one hole formed near said top edge;

b. selecting a cord with a free end and a fixed end, said fixed end attached to a slide connector, said cord being sufficient in diameter to fit inside said holes on said pair of socks stacked and aligned to form a closed loop when said free end is inserted through said holes formed on said socks and attached to said slide connector;

c. inserting said free end of said cord through said holes on said pair of sock; and,

d. connecting the free end to said slide connector to form a closed loop containing said pair of socks.