U.S. patent application number 12/220015 was filed with the patent office on 2010-01-21 for lock socks.
Invention is credited to Susan Allen.
Application Number | 20100011486 12/220015 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41528941 |
Filed Date | 2010-01-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100011486 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Allen; Susan |
January 21, 2010 |
Lock socks
Abstract
An apparatus for keeping a matched pair of socks together
through all of the laundry steps and subsequent sorting for placing
clothes back in drawers. Such apparatus comprises a first sock of a
pair of socks, such first sock having one of a male and a female
pre-selected fastening device disposed on an upper portion thereof.
A second sock member of such pair of socks, such second sock member
having an opposite one of a male and female pre-selected fastening
device disposed on an upper portion of such second sock member. An
embroidered design is disposed one of around and closely adjacent
such fastening device on each of such pair of socks.
Inventors: |
Allen; Susan; (Yreka,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
JAMES RAY & ASSOCIATES
2640 PITCAIRN ROAD
MONROEVILLE
PA
15146
US
|
Family ID: |
41528941 |
Appl. No.: |
12/220015 |
Filed: |
July 21, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
2/239 ;
2/244 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41B 11/002
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
2/239 ;
2/244 |
International
Class: |
A43B 17/00 20060101
A43B017/00; A41D 27/08 20060101 A41D027/08 |
Claims
1. An apparatus for keeping a matched pair of socks together
through all of the laundry steps and subsequent sorting for placing
clothes back in drawers, said apparatus comprising: (a) a first
sock of a pair of socks, said first sock having one of a male and a
female pre-selected fastening device disposed on an upper portion
of said first sock member; (b) a second sock member of said pair of
socks, said second sock member having an opposite one of a male and
female pre-selected fastening device disposed on an upper portion
of said second sock member; and (c) an embroidered design disposed
one of around and closely adjacent said fastening device on each of
said pair of socks.
2. The apparatus, according to claim 1 wherein said embroidered
design is disposed around said fastening device for at least one of
increasing stability of said fastening device and for providing a
decorative design.
3. The apparatus, according to claim 1 wherein said embroidered
design is disposed on a side of said first and said second sock
closely adjacent to said fastening device for providing a
decorative member to said first and said second sock.
4. The apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said pre-selected
fastening device is selected from a group consisting of a snap type
fastening device, a hook and loop fastening device and a button and
button hole fastening device.
5. The apparatus, according to claim 4, wherein said pre-selected
fastening device is snap type.
6. The apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said embroidered
design is compatible with said pair of socks if used by a male.
7. The apparatus, according to claim 6, wherein said embroidered
design includes designs depicting various team sports, golf,
tennis, hunting, boating, fishing, gymnastics and race cars.
8. The apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said embroidered
design is compatible with said pair of socks if used by a
female.
9. The apparatus, according to claim 8, wherein said embroidered
design includes designs depicting flowers, dolls, music, birds,
golf, tennis and gymnastics.
10. The apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said fastening
device is made of one of metal and plastic.
11. The apparatus, according to claim 10, wherein said fastening
device is metal.
12. The apparatus, according to claim 11, wherein said metal is one
of aluminum and stainless steel.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates, in general, to socks, and,
more particularly, the present invention relates to a pair of socks
that have snaps attached thereto so that the socks can be snapped
together to reduce the chances of losing one of the socks.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] In many households keeping a pair of socks together through
the steps of sorting laundry, washing such laundry, drying such
laundry and having the matched set together at the end for placing
into drawer presents a challenge. Invariably, there will be single
socks without a mate. The mate may turn up in next weeks laundry
but this means keeping single socks waiting for their mate. There
is a second problem with matched sets wherein one matched set is
very similar to another matched set and yet there are differences.
These differences may be in the color shade or tone, and even the
age of the socks where one has been in use for a while and the
other is relatively new. It is sometimes very difficult to find the
two matched members.
[0003] Thus, it would be advantageous if there were a simple and
effective means of keeping a matched set together through all of
the aforementioned steps so that sorting them to put back into a
drawer is very simple and sure.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] In a first aspect the present invention an apparatus for
keeping a matched pair of socks together through all of the laundry
steps and subsequent sorting for placing clothes back in drawers.
Such apparatus comprises a first sock of a pair of socks, such
first sock having one of a male and a female pre-selected fastening
device disposed on an upper portion thereof. A second sock member
of such pair of socks, such second sock member having an opposite
one of a male and female pre-selected fastening device disposed on
an upper portion of such second sock member. An embroidered design
is disposed one of around and closely adjacent such fastening
device on each of such pair of socks.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0005] It is, therefore, one of the primary objects of the present
invention to provide an apparatus for keeping a pair of socks
together after use.
[0006] Another object of the present invention is to provide an
apparatus wherein such pair of socks remain together through the
steps of sorting laundry, washing and drying the laundry and
sorting the clean clothes before putting them back in the
drawer.
[0007] Still another object of the present invention is to provide
an apparatus for keeping socks together that is easy to use.
[0008] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an
apparatus that is relatively inexpensive.
[0009] Another object of the present invention is to provide a male
snap on one sock and a matching female snap on a second sock for
keeping the socks together.
[0010] Still another object of the present invention is to provide
an embroidered design on such sock closely adjacent such snap
member.
[0011] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide
such embroidered design for at least one of increasing stability of
said fastening device and for providing a decorative design.
[0012] In addition to the various objects and advantages of the
invention which have been described in some specific detail above
it should be noted that various other objects and advantages of the
present invention will become more readily apparent to those
persons who are skilled in the relevant art from the following more
detailed description, particularly when such description is taken
in conjunction with the appended claim.0s.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1 is a side view of a pair of socks showing snaps for
holding the socks together.
[0014] FIG. 2 is a side view of the invention showing hook and loop
arrangement for coupling the socks.
[0015] FIG. 3 is a side view of the invention showing a button and
buttonhole arrangement for coupling the socks.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED AND VARIOUS
ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0016] Prior to proceeding with the more detailed description of
the present invention it should be noted that, for the sake of
clarity, identical components which have identical functions have
been designated by identical reference numerals throughout the
several views illustrated in the drawings.
[0017] In a first aspect the present invention provides an
apparatus, generally designated 10, for keeping a matched pair of
socks together through all of the laundry steps and subsequent
sorting for placing clothes back in drawers. Such apparatus 10
comprises a first sock 2 of a pair of socks, such first sock 2
having one of a male and a female pre-selected fastening device,
generally designated 20, disposed on an upper portion thereof.
There is a second sock member 4 of such pair of socks, such second
sock member 4 having an opposite one of a male and female
pre-selected fastening device 20 disposed on an upper portion of
such second sock member 4. An embroidered design 6 is disposed one
of around and closely adjacent such fastening device 20 on each of
such pair of socks.
[0018] Such embroidered design 6 is disposed around the fastening
device 20 for at least one of increasing stability of said
fastening device and for providing a decorative design 6. The
embroidered design 6 is disposed on a side of the first 2 and the
second sock member 4 closely adjacent to the fastening device 20
for providing a decorative member 6 to such first 2 and such second
sock 4.
[0019] Such pre-selected fastening device 20 is selected from a
group consisting of a snap type 8 fastening device, a hook and loop
12 fastening device and a button and button hole 14 fastening
device. It is presently preferred that such pre-selected fastening
device 20 is a snap type 8.
[0020] It is also preferred that such embroidered design 6 is
compatible with such pair of socks if the socks are to be used by a
male. Such embroidered design would include designs depicting
various team sports, such as football, baseball, basketball etc.,
golf, tennis, hunting, boating, fishing, gymnastics and race cars.
Such embroidered design 6 would be compatible with such pair of
socks if they were to be used by a female. Such embroidered design
6 would designs depicting flowers, dolls, music, birds, golf,
tennis and gymnastics.
[0021] Such fastening device 20 could be made of one of metal and
plastic. It is presently preferred that such fastening device 20 is
metal and also preferred that such metal is one of aluminum and
stainless steel so as to prevent rusting when such socks are
washed.
[0022] Thus, the present invention (Lock Socks) are uniquely
designed socks that can be secured together. Constructed from
cotton, blends, or other frequently used materials, the socks are
similar to existing socks but feature a small snap system located
near the upper inner portion of the sock. One part of the snap (or
other fastening means) is affixed to the right sock while the
corresponding side is affixed to the left. An embroidered design is
sewn into the sock, surrounding the snap. The embroidery ensures
stability and durability of the snap. Such embroidered design may
be disposed closely adjacent to the fastening means when other
fasteners such as hook and loop or button and button hole are used.
The embroidered design around the snap will make the snap less
obvious and also provides a decorative touch to the socks. The
embroidered design would be compatible with whether the sock were
designed for a male or for a female.
[0023] With these socks the individual can merely snap the socks
together prior to placing them in the wash. The socks will remain
securely attached to each other throughout the laundry process. Not
only does the present invention prevent a single sock from being
lost but it will save time in folding the laundry since the socks
are already matched up and can be placed neatly in a drawer. While
a presently preferred embodiment and alternate embodiments of the
present invention have been described in detail above, it should be
understood that various other adaptations and/or modifications of
the invention can be made by those persons who are particularly
skilled in the art without departing from either the spirit of the
invention or the scope of the appended claims.
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