Method and a device for securing apparel articles together

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to the field of devices for securing apparel articles together, more particularly to a device and method for fastening socks together, by creating a unique form of holes in them.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Over the years, there have been several problems involving the use, care and handling of socks. One problem is the loss of individual socks due to separation before, during and after the washing and drying of the socks. Another problem is the inconsistent pairing of socks, which have small differences in their tone, age, color or type. As a result a substantial amount of time is spent locating, sorting and pairing socks which have been scrambled together during handling or when not in use.

Various attempts have been made to solve said problems.

For one, devices such as plastic rings have been developed for holding the mating components of a pair of socks together as they are laundered. Such rings generally include appendages that project radially inward towards the center thereof, which retain a portion of a pair of socks that are forced therethrough. However, such appendages may snag and cause runs in nylon or other delicate socks. In addition, the use of such devices interferes with the laundering of socks by holding at least a portion of a pair of socks in very close proximity, so that water and detergent cannot readily contact and pass through the fabric of the socks. Finally, in order for such devices to be useful, they must be available at the time and place where the socks are removed from one's feet, and may preferably need to be removed before machine laundering and replaced thereafter. Wearers of socks may not find this necessity convenient.

Other means have used separate pockets in mesh bags, which can be bodily immersed in a washing machine. Another attempt is illustrated by U.S. Pat. No. 3,688,348 to Klotz, wherein special bands are wrapped around the shanks of sock pairs to keep them together during washing. Such bands have the same disadvantages of lack of availability at the time of removing socks.

Other means for matching the mating components or mates of a pair of socks together include snaps or other fasteners that may be incorporated into each of the socks, by means of which they may be joined together. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,740,558 discloses a device for attaching socks to each other, employing a stitching mechanism. However, such features may be unsuitable for use in connection with sheer or thin stockings. They may also be objectionable because the fasteners may be uncomfortable to the wearer of the socks. In addition, the appearance of such fasteners on socks may be objectionable.

A different known method is marking the socks. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,708,984 discloses a process of marking each pair of socks with a distinctive color indicator, which is printed in a location tat will be covered by the shoe of the wearer. However, while such markings solve some of the disadvantages indicated above—still, the basic necessity remains for spending a significant amount of time burrowing through the laundry, and matching pairs of socks.

It would be desirable therefore, if a sock could be provided that can readily be matched with its mate without requiring the use of rings or other external devices for holding the socks together. It is also preferable that some sort of method enabling attaching the socks to each other will be provided, so the tiresome and time-consuming work of attaching the socks to each other after the laundry will be prevented.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is a principle object of the present invention to provide socks that can readily be attached with its mate without requiring the use of rings or other external devices for holding the socks together.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a method enabling attaching the socks to each other, so the tiresome and time-consuming work of attaching the socks to each other after the laundry will be prevented.

A method of attaching articles of clothing to one another is disclosed wherein each article has a cut/hole located in the area marked No. 13 in FIG. 1, the method comprising a first step of inserting (slipping in) a first side of the first article through the cut/hole of the second article. Subsequent steps include pulling out the first side of the first article through the second side of the second article and pulling out the second side of the second article through the first side of the first article. The articles of clothing may be a matched pair of socks.

In a preferred embodiment the device for attaching socks together comprises a first sock having a cut/hole near the open edge and a second sock having a cut/hole near the open edge. The cuts/holes can be of variable size, having various sizes, such as small holes having circular shape, or just thin cuts having rectangular shapes. The only requirement of such cuts/holes is a minimum size enabling the other sock close edge to go through.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and additional features and advantages of the present invention will become more clearly understood in the light of the ensuing description of a preferred embodiment thereof, given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side view of socks separated from one another according to of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the first step of attaching the socks to one anther according to the present invention; and

FIG. 3 illustrates side view of the second step of attaching the socks to one anther according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of an embodiment of a device for attaching pairs of socks together. The device for attaching socks is particularly well suited for connecting the socks at their edge.

In a preferred embodiment shown on FIG. 1, the device for attaching socks together, comprise a first sock 10 having a cut/hole near the open edge 14 and a second sock 11 having a cut/hole near the open edge 16. Cuts/holes 14 and 16 can be of variable size, having various sizes, such as small holes having circular shape, or just thin cuts having rectangular shapes. The only requirement of such cuts/holes is a minimum size enabling the other sock close edge to go through.

Except as discussed in detail below, the leg portion 13 and closed end or foot portion 12 of each sock are integrally knitted in a well-known fashion by any one of a number of commercially available automatic knitting machines. The details of such knitting operation form no part of the invention, and are therefore not described herein.

Referring now to FIG. 2, which illustrates a side view of a first step of a preferred embodiment of the device for attaching flexible clothing items together 20. It is shown that device 20 includes rectangular shaped cuts/holes 14 and 16, respectively in first sock 10 and second sock 11. First sock 10 is positioned with foot portion 12 opposite leg portion 13 of second sock 11 and visa versa. Cuts/holes 14 and 16 may be placed anywhere on the sock for the purpose of holding a sock pair together, but it has been determined that there is a minimum interference with pant legs and minimum visibility if cuts/holes 14 and 16 are placed at the rear and toward the top of each opposite leg portion 13 as shown. Arrows 25 indicate the preferred procedure for slipping foot portions 12 of each sock 10 and 11 through said opposite leg portion 13.

FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of a second step of a preferred embodiment of the device for attaching flexible clothing items together 20. As illustrated in FIG. 3, foot portion 12 of first sock 10 has been pulled through cut/hole 16 of opposite leg portion 13 of second sock 11 and visa versa.

Thus it can be appreciated that the above-described embodiments are illustrative of just a few of the numerous variations of arrangements of the disclosed elements used to carry out the disclosed invention. Moreover, while the invention has been particularly shown, described and illustrated in detail with reference to preferred embodiments and modifications thereof, it should be understood by that the foregoing and other modifications are exemplary only, and that equivalent changes in form and detail may be made without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention as claimed, except as precluded by the prior art. While the above description contains many specifics, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention, but rather as exemplification of the preferred embodiment Those skilled in the art will envision other possible variations that are within its scope. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined not by the embodiment illustrated, but by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.