US20100011486A1

US20100011486A1 - Lock socks

Info

Publication number: US20100011486A1
Application number: US12/220,015
Authority: US
Inventors: Susan Allen
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-07-21
Filing date: 2008-07-21
Publication date: 2010-01-21

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.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

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

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.
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

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

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.
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.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for keeping socks together that is easy to use.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus that is relatively inexpensive.
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.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide an embroidered design on such sock closely adjacent such snap member.
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.
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

FIG. 1 is a side view of a pair of socks showing snaps for holding the socks together.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the invention showing hook and loop arrangement for coupling the socks.

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

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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.

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.