Apparel – Nether garments – Stockings
Patent
1998-08-19
1999-11-02
Hale, Gloria
Apparel
Nether garments
Stockings
24 901, 24DIG29, A41D 2708, A44B 114
Patent
active
059745908
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
The invention relates to a pair of socks and to connectors for joining socks in a pair.
It is recognised that there is considerable difficulty for wearers of socks in retaining two socks belonging to a pair together throughout the process of washing and storing the socks after use.
In order to overcome this problem and difficulties associated in easily keeping pairs of socks together, it is known to provide a sock connector comprising a plate having two holes through each of which parts of a sock can pass. The rim of the holes comprises a series of resilient webs which allow easy insertion of a sock into the aperture by a user but which grip the sock sufficiently to inhibit removal for example in a washing machine. However, such known devices present the user with a problem of fist locating such a device, some time after removal of a pair of socks, before the socks can be connected. Secondly, the device is rather large requiring significant material for manufacture and also taking up a significant amount of storage space compared to the size of the pair of socks.
Ursino in U.S. Pat. No. 5,038,413 provides a fastening device for a pair of socks, each fastener comprising a first element having axial spikes passing through the sock fabric, a reinforcement material positionable between the first element and the sock, and an outer part attachable to the spikes and comprising, locking means for cooperating with its respective opposite outer part thereby to enable the socks to be fastened together. The fastener device further comprises detachable covers having on one surface a design and on the other surface means for connecting to the outer part of the sock fasteners when the socks are not connected. However, such covers are easily lost and need to be added to the fasteners after washing thereby causing the user inconvenience.
The invention seeks to avoid or at least mitigate the problems of the prior art. According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a pair of socks comprising a first sock operably having a first connector and a second sock operably having a second connector which first and second connectors respectively comprise first and second locking means for releasably and cooperatively locking the connectors together each connector comprising a first and second member attachable to one another on opposite sides of a region or sock fabric wherein the first member of the first and second connectors respectively comprise said first and second locking means and the second members of the first and second connectors comprise a surface for a design and wherein the first member of each connector is positioned on the inside of the sock and the second member of each connector is positioned on the outside of the sock in the socks usual configuration for wear.
Preferably, the surfaces for the designs are integral with the second members. Also, the first and second locking means can comprise a lug and a recess wherein the lug is adapted releasably to lock into the recess. The lug can comprise an annulus having a resilient outer flange. The fist and second members can comprise means for releasably and cooperatively locking together. The member locking means preferably comprises a lug and a recess. The lug can be a tab or pin which can pass through the fabric of a sock without damage thereto. The connectors are preferably made of plastics material.
Another aspect of the invention provides a connector comprising two members each comprising cooperating member locking means thereby to enable the members releasably to attach to a sock. The member locking means preferably comprises a tab or pin which can pass through the fabric of the sock without damage thereto, thereby to enable the members to lock together on opposite sides of the sock fabric.
An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a pair of socks according to the invention;
FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a connec
REFERENCES:
patent: 4058853 (1977-11-01), Boxer et al.
patent: 4165555 (1979-08-01), Boxer et al.
patent: 4682389 (1987-07-01), Callender
patent: 5038413 (1991-08-01), Ursino
patent: 5357660 (1994-10-01), Smith
patent: 5490309 (1996-02-01), Velasquez et al.
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