U.S. patent application number 12/687473 was filed with the patent office on 2011-07-14 for stocking releasably attachable to footwear.
This patent application is currently assigned to MOXEE LLC. Invention is credited to Summer Germann, Mark David Levine, Tam Trinh.
Application Number | 20110167538 12/687473 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44257302 |
Filed Date | 2011-07-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110167538 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Germann; Summer ; et
al. |
July 14, 2011 |
STOCKING RELEASABLY ATTACHABLE TO FOOTWEAR
Abstract
Hosiery, such as stockings, are releasably and removably
attachable to footwear such as flip-flop type sandals, and/or serve
to secure a flip-flop adjacent the foot while the flip-flop is
being worn. An instep covering front flap is provided, covering
portions of the top of the foot while leaving toes exposed. The
stockings include cooperating fastening elements configured to
secure the stocking to the V-strap portion of the flip-flop.
Inventors: |
Germann; Summer; (Santa
Monica, CA) ; Trinh; Tam; (Dallas, TX) ;
Levine; Mark David; (Tavares, FL) |
Assignee: |
MOXEE LLC
Lake Barrington
IL
|
Family ID: |
44257302 |
Appl. No.: |
12/687473 |
Filed: |
January 14, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
2/239 ;
2/243.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43B 3/242 20130101;
A41D 17/005 20130101; A41B 11/08 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
2/239 ;
2/243.1 |
International
Class: |
A43B 17/00 20060101
A43B017/00; A41D 27/00 20060101 A41D027/00 |
Claims
1. A stocking releasably and removably attachable to an article of
footwear, the footwear having a strap having at least one strap
member, the stocking comprising: a leg covering region; a front
flap region; and at least one fastening element; wherein at least
one of at least a portion of the front flap region and the at least
one fastening element is configured to be disposed about the at
least one strap member.
2. The stocking according to claim 1, wherein the at least one
strap member comprises a V-strap having a first strap member and a
second strap member, and the front flap region includes a first
corner region wrappable around the first strap member and a second
corner region wrappable around the second strap member.
3. The stocking according to claim 1, wherein the at least one
fastening element comprises a first fastening element and a second
fastening element, the first and second fastening elements being
attachable to each other.
4. The stocking according to claim 2, wherein the at least one
fastening element comprises a first fastening element proximate the
first corner region and a second fastening element proximate the
second corner region.
5. The stocking according to claim 4, wherein the first fastening
element comprises a button and the second fastening element
comprises a buttonhole.
6. The stocking according to claim 1, wherein the front flap region
is substantially rectangular.
7. The stocking according to claim 1, wherein the at least one
fastening element comprises a loop disposed proximate a distal end
of the front flap region.
8. The stocking according to claim 7, further comprising a second
fastening element comprising a button disposed proximate a distal
end of the front flap region, the first fastening element and the
second fastening element being attachable to each other.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates, in general, to stockings and
hosiery and, more particularly, to a stocking that is releasably
and removably attachable to footwear, such as thong-style sandals,
commonly known as "flip-flops".
[0003] 2. General Background of the Invention
[0004] While they have been in existence for quite some time,
flip-flop sandals have become increasingly popular in recent years.
While flip-flops are traditionally worn during the summer months
and in warmer weather, there are many who, for purposes of comfort,
fashion, or both, prefer to wear summer in cooler weather and,
indeed, year round.
[0005] Accordingly, there are those who may benefit from wearing
flip-flops in combination with stockings and hosiery, both for
warmth, and for fashion. While flip-flops may potentially work with
conventional hosiery, such as socks, there are many who do not find
such a combination aesthetically pleasing.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention comprises hosiery, such as stockings,
that are releasably and removably attachable to footwear such as
flip-flops, and/or which serve to secure footwear such as
flip-flops adjacent the foot while the flip-flop is being worn. The
stockings may be of a length sufficient to completely cover the
calf, extending further over the knee and at least a portion of the
thigh, serving as a leg warmer. Alternatively, the stocking may
extend any desired height above the ankle but terminate below the
knee, serving as a sock.
[0007] In one embodiment of the present invention, the stocking
includes a generally cylindrical leg covering region, and an instep
covering front flap extending a bottom front edge of the leg
covering region. Each distal corner of the front flap includes a
cooperating fastening element. In operation, the stocking is worn
first, with leg covering region, depending upon its length,
surrounding at least the ankle and lower leg of the wearer. Next,
the flip-flop is worn in the conventional manner, with the toes
slid underneath the strap members or arms of the V-strap of the
flop-flop, and with the apex of the V-strap positioned between the
big and second toes of the wearer. Next, the opposing corners of
the instep covering front flap are drawn forward, between the foot
and the arms of the V-strap. Each opposing corner is then wrapped
over the top of its associate V-strap arm, and brought towards the
other corner of the flap. Finally, the cooperating fastening
elements are brought together and affixed to each other. In this
manner, The V-strap and, in turn, the remainder of the flip-flop,
are secured to the stocking and, in turn, are secured in place
adjacent the wearer's foot, while, at the same time, leaving a
significant portion of the toes exposed and in view.
[0008] In this embodiment, the cooperating fastening elements may
comprise, for example, a button and buttonhole. Alternatively, the
cooperating fastening elements may comprise male and female
portions of a snap fastener. Other types of cooperating fastener
element combinations contemplated by the present invention involve
hook-and-loop type fasteners, laces that can be tied together, a
button in combination with a looped string or cord, and a pair of
mating hooked members.
[0009] In another embodiment of the present invention, a
substantially tubular leg covering region is again provided. In
this embodiment, the instep covering front flap takes on the form
of a tapering partial foot covering region, having a loop of
string, cord, or an elastic material at the tapered distal end. In
operation, the stocking is again worn first, with leg covering
region, depending upon its length, surrounding at least the ankle
and lower leg of the wearer. Next, the flip-flop is again worn in
the convention manner, with the toes slid underneath the strap
members or arms of the V-strap of the flip-flop, and with the apex
of the V-strap positioned between the big and second toes of the
wearer. Next, the loop at the distal end of the partial foot
covering region is stretched over the top of the V-strap, and over
and around one of the wearer's toes, such as the second or third
toe, where the loop remains in place. Inasmuch as a portion of the
V-strap is thus sandwiched between the wearer's foot and the
partial foot covering region, this, in turn, serves to secure the
flip-flop in place adjacent the wearer's foot, while, at the same
time, leaving a significant portion of the toes exposed and in
view.
[0010] In a variation of this second embodiment, a cooperating
fastening element, such as a button, is provided proximate the
attachment point of the looped material to the distal end of the
instep covering front flap. In operation, the loop is passed
underneath one of the arms of the V-strap, wrapped around the strap
back towards the leg, and placed around the button, thus securing
the loop to the button. Moreover, it is also contemplated that a
plurality of such loops may be provided, with at least one loop
being passed underneath and back around each of the separate arms
or strap members of the V-strap. Each loop may be secured to its
own button attached to the instep covering front flap.
Alternatively, all of the loops may be secured to the same, central
button. Moreover, as in the first described embodiment, a variety
of cooperating fastening members, other than loops and buttons, may
alternatively be used. Such cooperating fastening members may
comprise, for example, cooperating hook-and-loop tape segments,
male and female snap members, eyelets and hooks, buttons and
buttonholes, etc.
[0011] One potential benefit of this releasable attachment of the
flip-flop adjacent the foot by means of the present invention is
that the requirement to repetitively curl the toes while walking,
in order to maintain the flip-flop in attachment to the foot, is
lessened or eliminated. Flip-flop wearers tend to grip the shoe
with their toes while walking, forcing them to take shorter steps.
This modification in gait may potentially produce muscle imbalances
and improper joint mechanics. It is believed that the additional
support provided by the attachment of the flip-flop to a stocking
may lessen the modifications made to the gait by the wearer, and
thus reduce the risk of associated injuries.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a conventional thong-style
sandal or flip-flop;
[0013] FIG. 2 is an elevated side perspective view of a first
embodiment of a stocking according to the present invention, and
showing, in particular, the stocking attached to a flip-flop while
being worn about the leg and foot;
[0014] FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the front panel of the stocking
of FIG. 2;
[0015] FIG. 4 is a to plan view of the rear panel of the stocking
of FIG. 2;
[0016] FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the back heel panel of the
stocking of FIG. 2;
[0017] FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the bottom heel panel of the
stocking of FIG. 2;
[0018] FIG. 7 is an elevated side perspective view of a second
embodiment of a stocking according to the present invention, and
showing, in particular, the stocking attached to a flip-flop while
being worn about the leg and foot;
[0019] FIG. 8 is an elevated side view of the stocking of FIG.
7;
[0020] FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the bottom strap portion of the
stocking of FIG. 7; and
[0021] FIG. 10 is an elevated front view of the stocking of FIG.
7.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0022] While the present invention is susceptible of embodiment in
many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will
herein be described in detail, several specific embodiments, with
the understanding that the present disclosure is intended as an
exemplification of the principles of the present invention and is
not intended to limit the invention to the embodiments
illustrated.
[0023] As shown in FIG. 1, conventional flip-flop 10 includes
exposed sole 11 having top surface 12, and V-strap 15. V-strap 15
includes first strap member or arm 16, and second strap member or
arm 17. Both strap members 16 and 17 are joined together at apex
18, where V-strap 15 attaches to top surface 12 of sole 11,
typically via a cylindrical stem. Distal ends of strap members 16
and 17 may likewise attach to top surface 12 of sole 11, as shown
in FIG. 1. Alternatively, distal ends of strap members may attach
to sole 11 along opposing side edges of sole 11. In another
embodiment of a conventional sandal, a single, relatively wide
strap is disposed transversely across the upper toe or lower instep
region of the foot.
[0024] A first embodiment of the present stocking, that is
releasably and removably attachable to at least a portion of a
flip-flop, is shown in FIGS. 2-6 as comprising stocking 30 having
front panel 40, rear panel 80, back heel portion 90, and bottom
heel portion 100. Referring to FIG. 3, front panel 40 includes top
edge 41, bottom edge 42, first side edge 43, and second side edge
44. A slightly tapered upper portion of front panel 40 forms a part
of generally cylindrical leg covering region 50. A somewhat more
tapered lower portion of front panel 40 forms instep covering front
flap 60, having first distal corner 61 and second distal corner 62.
Button 70 is sewn or otherwise attached to an inner, reverse side
of front flap 60 proximate second corner 62, and forms a first
fastening element associated with stocking 30. Buttonhole 71 is
disposed through a portion of front flap 60 proximate first corner
61, and thus forms a second fastening element associated with
stocking 30.
[0025] Referring to FIG. 4, rear panel 80 is substantially
rectangular, with slightly tapered side edges, and comprises top
edge 81, bottom edge 82, first side edge 83, and second side edge
84. Rear panel 80 is sewn or otherwise attached to front panel 40,
with top edges 41 and 81 aligned to form substantially circular top
opening 31 of leg covering region 50, with a first longitudinal
seam running proximate first side edge 43 and second side edge 84,
and with a second longitudinal seam running proximate second side
edge 44 and first side edge 83, thus forming a substantially
cylindrical leg covering region 50. Alternatively, substantially
cylindrical leg covering 50 may be formed in a continuous, seamless
manner. Moreover, zero, one, or two seams may be employed proximate
substantially circular top opening 31.
[0026] Referring to FIG. 5, back heel panel 90 is substantially
semicircular in configuration, and includes base edge 91 and
semicircular edge 92. As shown in FIG. 2, back heel panel may
optionally be attached for additional strength and reinforcement
proximate the heel portion of stocking 30, by stitching or
otherwise attaching back heel panel to rear panel 80, with base
edge 91 of back heel panel 90 substantially aligned with bottom
edge 82 of rear panel 80.
[0027] Referring to FIG. 6, bottom heel panel 100 is substantially
semielliptical in configuration, and includes base edge 101 and
semielliptical edge 102. If desired, in order to provide additional
bottom heel coverage and additional securing of a portion stocking
30 in place proximate the heel of the wearer. Heel panel 100 may be
stitched or otherwise attached to rear panel 80, with
semielliptical edge 102 substantially aligned with bottom edge 82
of rear panel 80.
[0028] Referring to FIG. 2, in operation, stocking 30 is first
worn, by drawing top opening 31 over foot 21, beyond instep 24
thereof, past ankle 25 and adjacent leg 20, until leg covering
region 50 surrounds leg 20, and instep covering front flap 60
extends over the top of foot 21, from instep 24 towards the toes,
including big toe 22 and second toe 23. Next, foot 21 is inserted
into flip-flop 10, with the toes slid underneath first strap member
16 and second strap member 17 of V-strap 15, such that toes 22 and
23 are disposed on opposing sides of apex 18 of V-strap 15. Next,
bottom edge 42 of instep covering front flap 60 is drawn towards
the toes and underneath V-strap 15, with second corner 62 drawn
forward adjacent the foot and underneath first strap member 16, and
first corner 61 drawn forward adjacent the foot and underneath
second strap member 17. Next, a generally triangular portion of
front flap 60 proximate first corner 61 is folded back over the top
surface of second strap member 17, exposing first fastening
element, or button 70, proximate instep 24 of foot 21. Similarly,
another generally triangular portion of front flap 60 proximate
second corner 62 is folded back over the top surface of first strap
member 16, such that second fastening element, or buttonhole 71,
engages button 70, with button 70 being inserted through buttonhole
71 to secure second corner 62 to first corner 61. This, in turn,
secures flip-flop 10, generally, to stocking 30, thus securing
flip-flop 10 in position with foot 21 inserted therein. Undoing the
foregoing steps in the reverse order serves to unattach flip-flop
10 from stocking 30. In this manner, stocking 30 is thus releasably
attachable to and detachable from flip-flop 10.
[0029] Another embodiment of the present invention is shown in
FIGS. 7-10 as comprising stocking 200, having generally cylindrical
leg covering region 210, having a top opening at top edge 211
thereof. Partial foot covering region 220 extends forward from a
bottom portion of leg covering region 210, and includes instep
covering front flap 220. When stocking 200 is worn, the underside
of the foot is generally left exposed, with the exception of the
region covered by the transverse attachment, by sewing or other
means of attachment, of elastic bottom strap 240 across opposing
sides of instep covering flap 230. Optional heel cutout 227 is
disposed proximate the junction of leg covering region 210 and
partial foot covering region 220, if an exposed heel is desired.
Alternatively, a heel panel, or a heel extension of either leg
covering region 210 or partial foot covering region 220 may be
provided to cover the heel.
[0030] As best seen in FIG. 10, partial foot covering region 220
includes proximal portion 221, instep covering front flap 230, and
tapered edges 222, terminating at apex 223. A first fastening
element, in the form of loop 250, is sewn or otherwise attached to
front flap 230 proximate apex 223. A second fastening element, in
the form of button 251, is sewn or otherwise attached to front flap
230, again proximate apex 223.
[0031] Referring to FIG. 7, stocking 200 is first worn, by drawing
the top opening at top edge 211 over foot 21, beyond instep 24
thereof, past ankle 25 and adjacent leg 20, until leg covering
region 210 surrounds leg 20, and instep covering front flap 230
extends over the top of foot 21, from instep 24 towards the toes,
including big toe 22 and second toe 23. Next, foot 21 is inserted
into flip-flop 10, with the toes slid underneath first strap member
16 and second strap member 17 of V-strap 15, such that toes 22 and
23 are disposed on opposing sides of apex 18 of V-strap 15. Next,
first fastening element or loop 250 is drawn forward, underneath
either first strap member 16 or second strap member 17 of V-strap
15, proximate apex 18. Next, loop 250 is wrapped around, back over
the top of either first strap member 16 or second strap member 17,
and is secured about second fastening element or button 251. This,
in turn, secures flip-flop 10, generally, to stocking 200, thus
securing flip-flop 10 in position with foot 21 inserted therein.
Undoing the foregoing steps in the reverse order serves to unattach
flip-flop 10 from stocking 200. In this manner, stocking 200 is
thus releasably attachable to and detachable from flip-flop 10.
[0032] Various means of attachment to flip-flop 10, other than an
elastic loop and button, may be employed in variation of this
embodiment of the invention. For example, a length of material,
having a buttonhole proximate a distal end, may instead be attached
to apex 223, wrapped around a portion of V-strap 15, and attached
to button 251. Hook-and-loop type fastening elements may
alternatively be disposed at the distal end of such a strip of
material, and in place of button 251. Male and female portions of a
snap fastener may likewise be disposed at the distal end of such a
strip of material, and in place of button 251. A hook may be
disposed proximate apex 251 in place of a fastener, to engage and
secure loop 250. Moreover, a plurality of any of the foregoing
fastening elements may be employed, with at least one pair of such
fasteners associated with each opposing tapered edge 222 of front
flap 230. In this manner, loops or lengths of material may
alternatively be simultaneously wrapped around both strap member 16
and strap member 17 of V-strap 15, thereby providing more balanced,
enhanced securement, as compared to a single point of
attachment.
[0033] Moreover, a variation of the embodiment of FIGS. 7-10 is
also contemplated, wherein second fastening element or button 251
is omitted. In this embodiment, loop 250 is instead extended over
V-strap 15 and is placed so as to encircle one of the toes, such as
second toe 23. Moreover, a sufficient length of loop 250 may be
provided, or loop 250 may be of a material of sufficient
elasticity, so as to permit loop 250 to be wrapped one or more
times completely around either first strap member 16 or second
strap member 17, prior to attachment to one of the toes. This
attachment of a distal end of instep covering front flap 230 over
V-strap 15 and to one of the toes of the foot likewise serves to
maintain flip-flop 10 in attachment to the foot. As in the
previously discussed embodiments, a plurality of such loops 250 may
be provided, for attachment to multiple toes, and/or for wrapping
about both strap members of V-strap 15, providing enhanced
securement of flip-flop 10 in place while being worn.
[0034] In the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 2-10, the stocking
of the present invention is in the form of a leg warmer, extending
up the leg approximately sixteen to eighteen inches, as measured
from the bottom of the foot. Alternatively, the length of the
stocking may be shortened to mid-calf, or to just above the ankle,
in the configuration of a sock. Moreover, the general circumference
and lengths of the stocking may be varied to accommodate various
sized wearers, such as by matching established sock or shoe
sizes.
[0035] The stockings of the present invention may be woven or knit
from a variety of natural or synthetic materials, such as cotton,
wool, polyester, nylon, Spandex.RTM., or natural/synthetic blends.
It is desirable that at least the portion of the stocking that
partially covers the foot be sufficiently stretchable or elastic in
nature to facilitate attachment of the stocking to the flip-flop
while the stocking is being worn.
[0036] Many modifications and variations of the present invention
are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be
understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the
invention may be practiced other than as specifically described.
Various modifications, changes and variations may be made in the
arrangement, operation and details of construction of the invention
disclosed herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the
invention. The present disclosure is intended to exemplify and not
limit the invention.
* * * * *