Abstract:
The present invention provides a hosiery article (such as socks, stockings, hose, leggings, panty hose, etc.) that includes a novel configurable retaining component with a range of various levels of tension and compression forces that are selectable and adjustable by a user. Advantageously, when the inventive hosiery articles are worn, the user (e.g., the wearer) is able to adjust the level of tension and compression force exerted by each article as the circumference of their lower limbs changes throughout the day and/or in response to one or more environmental factors, and/or in response to one or more physical and/or health conditions. As a result, the user is always able to maintain their desired balance between appearance and comfort of the worn novel hosiery articles. Furthermore, because each worn novel hosiery article is independently adjustable, users can configure different levels of compression force and tension for each retaining component of each worn article to maintained desired levels of comfort and an aesthetically pleasing appearance even when the wearer&#39;s limbs each swell to a different size. In an alternate embodiment of the invention, at least a portion of each retaining component may be provided with one or more decorative elements. In yet another embodiment of the invention, the novel hosiery article may include a retaining component at least a portion of which is removable and replaceable by the user.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates generally to hosiery articles, and more particularly to hosiery articles with tension retaining components operable to maintain a worn hosiery article at a predetermined desired height. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Various hosiery articles (such as socks, stockings, panty hose, etc.) have been integral wardrobe elements for centuries. The broad range of hosiery articles comprises a number of categories (socks, stockings, leggings, panty hose, etc.), with corresponding sub-categories (sport socks, dress socks, winter socks, knee-high socks, etc.). In view of the generally conical shape of both lower and upper human legs, all hosiery articles have at least one component in common—a retaining component responsible for maintaining the position of each worn article at an appropriate height on the leg. For many years, the most common retaining components included ribbons, ties, suspenders (garters, sock suspenders, etc.), and equivalents thereof. 
         [0003]    However, with the advent of elastic fabrics in the past several decades, the most common retaining component in the majority of modern hosiery items has been a section of elastic material (e.g., stretchable, incorporating one or more rubber bands, etc.), disposed near the top portion of the article, and sized and configured to compress and grip a portion of the wearer&#39;s leg proximal to the top of the article to generate sufficient tension to retain the article at a desired height on the wearer&#39;s leg. Referring now to a prior art  FIG. 7 , a typical hosiery article  500  (e.g., a sock) is shown. The hosiery article  500  includes a lower section  502  and a retaining component  504  (for example an elastic compression band). The article  500  is worn on a wearer&#39;s leg  520  (a first portion of which,  520   a  is above the top portion of the article  500 , and a second portion of which,  520   b,  is disposed within the retaining component  504 . When the article  500  is worn, the retaining component  504  exerts a predefined level of compression forces  605  on the leg portion  520   b  causing the article  500  to remain in the desired position on the wearers lower leg. While in theory, the compression-based approach seemed to provide a good and versatile solution, in practice, the preconfigured compression-based retaining component suffers from a number of serious and, in some cases, potentially dangerous disadvantages. 
         [0004]    First, it is a well documented fact that people&#39;s lower extremities typically swell up as a day progresses into the afternoon and evening. While such swelling is common in even healthy individuals, a number of environmental factors (e.g., temperature, humidity, barometric pressure), as well as certain physical and health conditions, such as high blood pressure, pregnancy, fluid retention, edema, certain cardiac conditions, previous fractures and other limb trauma, and old age, can cause swelling at any time of day or night, and may also significantly increase the extent to which the lower limbs swell in the evening. 
         [0005]    Unfortunately, because virtually all previously known hosiery articles have retaining components preconfigured with predetermined tension and compression forces in a relatively small region, an increased level of lower limb swelling can lead to a dangerous level of lower vascular system compression for the wearer, which in turn may result in decreased lower limb circulation causing significant discomfort to the wearer, and with potentially dangerous consequences for wearers having circulation-related health conditions (e.g., blood pressure imbalances, diabetes, cardiac conditions, disorders of the lower extremities, etc.). Prolonged disruption of lower limb circulation is especially devastating for neuropathy-prone individuals (diabetics, etc.). 
         [0006]    A number of solutions to the above problems have been attempted with very mixed results. For example, certain hosiery articles are offered with reduced compression force retaining elements that promise to minimize the negative impact on lower limb vascular system. However, this solution results in a significantly reduced effectiveness of the retaining component, causing the hosiery articles to constantly slip and slide down the wearer&#39;s leg (this problem is particularly prevalent with socks) which negatively impacts the wearer&#39;s appearance and personal comfort. Another set of attempted solutions, aimed more particularly at individuals with lower limb circulation problems (diabetics, etc.), took a different approach—rather than utilizing a relatively small retaining component at the top of the article, entire upper sections of such articles served as “distributed” retaining components that spread the compression force throughout a significant portion of the lower limb, to thereby reduce the risk of cutting off lower circulation. However, such approaches are likewise flawed. First, extended retaining components with distributed compression forces also result in the articles being more prone to slippage when worn. Furthermore, even with distributed retaining components, any significant level of lower limb swelling can still cause extreme discomfort to the wearer, even if it does not rise to the level of a health risk. 
         [0007]    Finally, the most significant and previously insurmountable flaw of the commonly known hosiery articles is the fact that all purchased articles come in pairs, and include retaining components configured with equal predefined levels of tension/compression forces in each article of the pair. However, many individuals, especially those suffering from a prior orthopedic lower limb trauma, may have different levels of swelling in each lower limb. In such a case, any work set of hosiery articles will cause either significant discomfort as one of the articles inflicts a greater level of pressure on the limb, or if the wearer chooses to prioritize comfort, one of the hosiery articles will have a higher tendency than the other to slip down the wearer&#39;s leg. 
         [0008]    It would thus be desirable to provide a novel and versatile hosiery article that includes a retaining component having user-adjustable levels of compression force/tension. It would also be desirable to provide a novel and versatile hosiery article with a configurable retaining component that is very easy to utilize by anyone at any time to increase or to decrease, at various increments, the level of compression force exerted thereby on the wearer&#39;s leg to achieve a desired balance between a pleasing appearance and the wearer&#39;s comfort. It would further be desirable to provide a pair of novel and versatile hosiery articles where each article includes the user-configurable retaining component that may configured be independently from one another. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]    In the drawings, wherein like reference characters denote corresponding or similar elements throughout the various figures: 
           [0010]      FIG. 1  is a diagram of a first exemplary embodiment of an inventive hosiery article with a user-adjustable tension component; 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a diagram of a second exemplary embodiment of an inventive hosiery article with a user-adjustable tension component; 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is a diagram of a first exemplary embodiment of the inventive user-adjustable tension component of the hosiery article of  FIGS. 1  or  2 ; 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is a diagram of a second exemplary embodiment of the inventive user-adjustable tension component of the hosiery article of  FIGS. 1  or  2 ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is a diagram of a third exemplary embodiment of the inventive user-adjustable tension component of the hosiery article of  FIGS. 1  or  2 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  is a diagram of a fourth exemplary embodiment of the inventive user-adjustable tension component of the hosiery article of  FIGS. 1  or  2 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  is a diagram of a first exemplary embodiment of a releasable retaining adjustment element of the inventive user-adjustable tension component of  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 8  is a diagram of a first exemplary embodiment of a releasable retaining adjustment element of the inventive user-adjustable tension component of  FIG. 3 ; and 
           [0018]      FIG. 9  is a diagram of a prior art previously known hosiery article with a conventional tension component. 
       
    
    
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0019]    The present invention addresses the flaws and disadvantages of previously known hosiery articles (such as socks, stockings, hose, leggings, panty hose, etc.), by providing a novel hosiery article that includes an inventive configurable retaining component with a range of various levels of tension and compression forces selectable and adjustable by a user. Advantageously, when the inventive hosiery articles are worn, the user (e.g., the wearer) is able to selectively adjust the level of tension and compression force exerted by each article, as the circumference of their lower limbs changes throughout the day, and/or in response to one or more environmental factors, and/or one or more physical and/or health conditions. As a result, the user is always able to maintain a desired predetermined balance between appearance and comfort of the worn novel hosiery articles. 
         [0020]    Furthermore, because each worn novel hosiery article is independently adjustable, users can configure different levels of compression force and tension for each retaining component of each worn article to maintained desired levels of comfort and an aesthetically pleasing appearance even when the wearer&#39;s limbs each swell to a different size. In an alternate embodiment of the invention, at least a portion of each retaining component may be provided with one or more decorative elements. 
         [0021]    The above is accomplished by providing the novel retaining component with at least one user-adjustable tensioning sub-component, at least partially circumferentially disposed around the user&#39;s leg proximal to the top of the inventive hosiery article, that includes at least one releasable selective adjustment element that may be placed by the user within a selected range of desired positions, each position corresponding to a higher or lower magnitude of tension and compression forces exerted by the retaining component on the user&#39;s leg proximal to the position of the component. Each selective adjustment element itself may be fully or partially composed of a flexible material (e.g., nylon webbing or equivalent), and optionally may comprise one or more portions having elastic properties. In various embodiments of the present invention, the selective adjustment element may be at least partially attached to one or more other elements of the corresponding novel configurable retaining component, or alternately, it may be removable and/or replaceable by the user. 
         [0022]    Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood, however, that the drawings are designed solely for purposes of illustration and not as a definition of the limits of the invention, for which reference should be made to the appended claims. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0023]    The present invention addresses the flaws and disadvantages of previously known hosiery articles (such as socks, stockings, hose, leggings, panty hose, etc.), by providing a novel hosiery article that includes an inventive user-configurable retaining component with a range of various levels of tension and compression forces selectable and adjustable by a user. When a pair of inventive hosiery articles are worn, the user is further able to independently select and adjust the tension and compression force levels of each configurable retaining component thereof. 
         [0024]    It should be noted that while the various exemplary embodiments of the inventive hosiery article are shown and described with reference to a sock or to a stocking, the inventive hosiery article may be implemented as any hosiery article, including but not being limited to: leggings, panty hose, knee-highs, specialty sports socks, etc., as a matter of design choice without departing from the spirit of the invention. In addition, in the various drawing figures and accompanying descriptions herein, various hosiery article shapes, elements, components and features that may be provided in accordance with the present invention, are shown by way of example only, and shall not serve as a limitation on what type, size or configuration of shapes, elements, components and features of an hosiery article may be provided. 
         [0025]    Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a first exemplary embodiment of the inventive hosiery article  10  is shown. By way of example only, the article  10  may be a dress or a sport sock, having a sock body  12 , with a lower portion  14 , a middle portion  16  (of a height A), and an upper section  18  of a height B, culminating at the article  10  top  22 . Preferably, a novel configurable and user adjustable retaining component  20 , of a height C is disposed within the article upper section  18  a distance D away from the article top  22 . A wearer&#39;s leg, when the article  10  is worn, is shown in two parts—a leg portion  30   a  above the article top  22 , and a leg portion  30   b,  disposed within the article upper section  18 . As noted above, it should be understood that for a variety of reasons, the diameter of the leg portion  30   b  may change throughout the day between diameters D- 1  and D- 2  at the point of the article top  22  (at which position, the diameter of the article  10  itself is D- 3 ). 
         [0026]    In accordance with the present invention, the user may selectively change, at any desired or convenient time, the diameter of the retaining component  20  within a predefined range of diameters from diameter D- 4  to diameter D- 5 , for example in response to changes in the diameter of the wearer&#39;s leg between D- 1  and D- 2 . Advantageously, decreasing the diameter of the component  20  from D- 5  toward D- 4 , increases the tension and compression forces exerted thereby on the wearer leg portion  30   b,  while increasing the diameter from D- 4  toward D- 5 , reduces the tension and compression forces. Accordingly, the user is able to individually change the tension and compression forces exerted on each of his legs by each corresponding worn novel article, for example to relive the discomfort caused by swelling of one or both of the lower extremities. 
         [0027]    While only a single retaining component  20  is shown, in an alternate embodiment of the present invention, two or more proximal retaining components, of similar configuration to the component  20 , may be utilized in conjunction with one another. 
         [0028]    It should be noted, that the present invention contemplates any configuration and/or construction of the component  20 , that enables a user to change and maintain its diameter, and thus to adjust the resulting tension and compression forces exerted thereby on the wearer&#39;s leg. Therefore, any component, or component set, with such capabilities may be readily utilized as a matter of design choice, without departing from the spirit of the invention. Several advantageous exemplary embodiments of such novel retaining components are shown in  FIGS. 3 to 6 , and described in greater detail below in connection therewith. 
         [0029]    Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a different type of hosiery article, such as a stocking, is shown by way of example as an article  40 . The article  40  may include an elongated body  42 , with a middle and lower portion  48 , and an upper section  44 . Preferably, a novel configurable and user adjustable retaining component  46   a  is disposed within the article upper section  44 . A wearer&#39;s leg, when the article  40  is worn, is shown in two parts—leg portion  50   a  above the article  40  top, and a leg portion  50   b,  disposed within the upper section  44 . Other than the relative sizes of its various portions, in a first exemplary embodiment thereof, the article  40  of  FIG. 2  operates in a manner quite similar to the inventive article  10  of  FIG. 1 . 
         [0030]    In an alternate exemplary embodiment thereof, the article  40  may also comprise a second user adjustable retaining component  46   b,  that may be positioned within the middle and lower potion  48 , close to, but not within the upper section  44 . This additional retaining component  46   b  is particularly useful for embodiments of the article  40 , in which the body  42  is so long, that a user-adjustable retaining feature in addition to the retaining component  46   a  and that is positioned at a significant distance therefrom, is desirable or warranted. It should be noted that the retaining component  46   b  may be of the same, or of a different type, and/or configuration, as the retaining component  46   a,  as a matter of design choice or necessity, without departing from the spirit of the invention. 
         [0031]    Referring now to  FIG. 3 , a first exemplary embodiment of an inventive user-adjustable configurable retaining component  100  (such as may be used as the adjustable retaining component  20  of  FIG. 1 , and/or as the adjustable retaining components  46   a,    46   b  of  FIG. 2 ) is shown as utilized in a hosiery article  120   a  that is worn on a user&#39;s leg  30   b.  The retaining component  100  includes an elongated cylindrical body  102  of a height H 1   a,  which in one embodiment of the invention may be an integral part of the hosiery article  120   a  (such as of the section  18  of the hosiery article  10  of  FIG. 1 ), or it may be applied to the surface of the hosiery article  120   a  (for example by being stitched thereon) and composed of the same, or of a different material, than the article. Preferably, the retaining component  100  is capable of being adjusted, as described in greater detail below, between diameters D 6  (smaller) and D 7  (larger), which by way of example, approximately correspond to diameters D 4  to D 5  shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0032]    The retaining component  100  also comprises an elongated sleeve element  104  of a height H 2   a  that, in combination with the body  102 , forms at least a partially circumferential internal sleeve  102 - 104  of a height H 3   a  in the retaining component  100 . As noted above with respect to the body  102 , the sleeve element  104  may either be an integral part of the hosiery article  120   a,  or alternately it may be applied (e.g., stitched) onto the surface thereof, or mounted on the body  102  directly. The sleeve  102 - 104  comprises a first open slit  104   a  and a second open slit  104   b.  A flat elongated releasable retaining adjustment (hereinafter “RRA”) element  106 , of a height smaller than H 3   a,  and that is preferably at least partially resilient, is positioned within the sleeve  102 - 104 , and includes, at the respective ends thereof, two connecting elements  108   a  and  108   b,  sized and configured to emerge from respective slits  104   a  and  104   b.  For example, the element  108   a  may be of a length L 1   a - 1 , while the element  108   b  may be of a length L 1   a - 2 . 
         [0033]    Each connecting element  108   a,    108  may include an optional corresponding grip element  110   a,    110   b  at its respective edge to assist a user in gripping the ends thereof. The grip elements  110   a,    110   b  may each be an additional strip, or a folded over and stitched portion, of the same material as the RRA element  106 , or they may be made from a different material (e.g., a strip of rubber, etc.). 
         [0034]    Preferably, the retaining component  100  also includes a releasable adjustable attachment sub-component  112 - 116   a - 116   b  easily operable by the user to set a desired diameter of the component  100  that is in the range between diameters D 6  and D 7 , and that achieves a balance between comfort and retaining effectiveness that is desirable to the user. In one embodiment of the invention, the subcomponent  112 - 116   a - 116   b,  comprises a first releasable attachment region  112 , of a length L 2   a,  positioned on the surface of the body  102  facing outward from the user&#39;s leg  30   b,  and a pair of second releasable attachment regions  116   a,    116   b  (each of a length smaller than L 1   a - 1  and L 1   a - 2 , respectively) positioned on the respective inner surfaces of the connecting elements  108   a  and  108   b  that face the first releasable attachment region  112 . Preferably, when the first ( 112 ) and second ( 116   a,    116   b ) releasable regions are placed into contact with one another, they form a releasable connection, that, depending on how far towards one another the elements  108   a  and  108   b  have been pulled by the user prior to their contact with the first releasable attachment region  112 , determine the resulting diameter of the retaining component  100  desired by the user. The specific type of the first and second releasable attachment regions that may be utilized in accordance with the present invention, as well as the relative magnitudes of L 1   a - 1 , L 1   a - 2 , and L 2   a,  may be selected as a matter of design choice without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, the first region  112  may comprise hook material, while the second regions  116   a,    116   b  comprise loop material (or vice versa). Alternately, the first region  112  may comprise a male connector, while the second regions  116   a,    116   b  comprise a plurality of matching female connectors at predefined intervals (or vice versa). In another example, the first region  112  may comprise a button hole, while the second regions  116   a,    116   b  comprise a plurality of matching buttons at predefined intervals (or vice versa). 
         [0035]    The RRA element  106  may be configured to freely slide within the sleeve  102 - 104  (for example to facilitate its removal therefrom for cleaning and/or replacement), or in an alternate embodiment thereof, the RRA element  106  may be at least partially secured from removal from the sleeve  102 - 104  by at least one securing element  114   a  (e.g., such as stitching between a portion of the RRA element  106  and at least a portion of the sleeve  102 - 104 ) positioned a reasonable distance away from each of the slits  104   a,    104   b.  Optionally the RRA element  116  may be secured from removal through the use of one or more additional circumferentially positioned securing elements, such as a second securing element  114   b.    
         [0036]    By way of illustrative example, in practical use of the hosiery article  120   a,  when the user desires to change the diameter of the retaining region thereof (i.e., by changing the diameter of the retaining component  100 ), the user disengages, from the region  112 , and grips at least one of the elements  108   a  and  108   b  (but preferably both), and moves them in a direction corresponding to a desired increase in the hosiery article  120   a  retaining region diameter (i.e., away from one another), or corresponding to a decrease in the retaining region diameter (i.e., toward one another), before securing the second releasable regions  116   a,    116   b  to the first releasable region  112  to maintain the desired adjusted hosiery article  120   a  retaining region diameter. 
         [0037]    Referring now to  FIG. 4 , a second exemplary embodiment of an inventive user-adjustable configurable retaining component  200  (such as may be used as the adjustable retaining component  20  of  FIG. 1 , and/or as adjustable retaining components  46   a,    46   b  of  FIG. 2 ) is shown as utilized in a hosiery article  120   b  that is worn on a user&#39;s leg  30   b.  The retaining component  200  includes an elongated cylindrical body  202  of a height H 1   b,  which in one embodiment of the invention may be an integral part of the hosiery article  120   b  (such as of the section  18  of the hosiery article  10  of  FIG. 1 ), or it may be applied to the surface of the hosiery article  120   b  (for example by being stitched on) and composed of the same, or of a different material, than the article. Preferably, the retaining component  200  is capable of being adjusted, as described in greater detail below, between diameters D 6  (smaller) and D 7  (larger), which by way of example, approximately correspond to diameters D 4  to D 5  shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0038]    The retaining component  200  also comprises an elongated sleeve element  204  of a height H 2   b  that, in combination with the body  202 , forms at least a partially circumferential internal sleeve  202 - 204  of a height H 3   b  in the retaining component  200 . As noted above with respect to the body  202 , the sleeve element  204  may either be an integral part of the hosiery article  120   a,  or alternately it may be applied (e.g., stitched) onto the surface thereof, or mounted on the body  202  directly. The sleeve  202 - 204  comprises an open slit  204   a  in either a right or a left portion of the component  200  (depending on whether the specific hosiery article  120   b  is configured for use by a right-handed, or by a left-handed user). 
         [0039]    A flat elongated releasable retaining adjustment (hereinafter “RRA”) element  206 , of a height smaller than H 3   b,  and that is preferably at least partially resilient, is positioned within the sleeve  202 - 204 , and includes a connecting element  208  of a length L 1   b,  sized and configured to emerge from the slit  204   a.  The connecting element  208  may include an optional grip element  210  at its exposed end, to assist a user in gripping the end thereof, which may be of the same configuration as elements  110   a,    110   b  of  FIG. 3 . 
         [0040]    Preferably, the retaining component  200  also includes a releasable adjustable attachment sub-component  212 - 216  that is easily operable by the user to set a desired diameter of the component  200  within a range between diameters D 6  and D 7 , and that achieves a balance between comfort and retaining effectiveness that is desirable to the user. In one embodiment of the invention, the sub-component  212 - 216 , comprises a first releasable attachment region  212 , of a length L 2   b,  positioned on the surface of the body  202  facing outward from the user&#39;s leg  30   b,  and a second releasable attachment region  216  (of a length smaller than L 1   b ), positioned on the inner surface of the connecting element  208  facing the first releasable attachment region  212 . Preferably, when the first ( 212 ) and second ( 216 ) releasable regions are placed into contact with one another, they form a releasable connection that, depending on how far away from the slit  204   a  the element  208  has been pulled by the user prior to the contact between the respective releasable regions  212 ,  216 , determine the diameter of the retaining component  200  that is desired by the user. The specific type of the first and second releasable attachment regions  212 ,  216  that may be utilized in accordance with the present invention, as well as the relative magnitudes of L 1   b,  and L 2   b,  may be selected as a matter of design choice without departing from the spirit of the invention. Various examples of combinations of possible first and second regions  212 ,  216  are described above in connection with the regions  112 ,  116   a,  and  116   b  of  FIG. 3 . 
         [0041]    The RRA element  206  is preferably secured within said sleeve  202 - 204  at an end opposite of its element  208 , in one embodiment of the invention, at least at a circumferential distance from the slit  204   a  greater than ½ of the circumference of the body  202 , by at least one securing element  214  (e.g., such as stitching between a portion of the RRA element  206  and at least a portion of the sleeve  202 - 204 ). 
         [0042]    By way of illustrative example, in practical use of the hosiery article  120   b,  when the user desires to change the diameter of the retaining region thereof, the user releases, from the region  212 , and grips the element  208 , and moves it in a direction corresponding to a desired increase in the hosiery article  120   b  retaining region diameter (i.e., toward the slit  204   a ), or corresponding to a decrease in the retaining region diameter (i.e., away from the slit  204   a ), before securing the second releasable region  216  to the first releasable region  212  to maintain the desired adjusted hosiery article  120   b  retaining region diameter. 
         [0043]    Referring now to  FIG. 5 , a third exemplary embodiment of an inventive user-adjustable configurable retaining component  250  (such as may be used as the adjustable retaining component  20  of  FIG. 1 , and/or as adjustable retaining components  46   a,    46   b  of  FIG. 2 ) is shown as utilized in a hosiery article  120   c  that is worn on a user&#39;s leg  30   b.  The retaining component  250  is very similar in usage and operation to the retaining component  100  of  FIG. 3 , but differs in construction as described in greater detail below. 
         [0044]    The retaining component  250  includes an elongated cylindrical body  252 , which in one embodiment of the invention may be an integral part of the hosiery article  120   c  (such as of the section  18  of the hosiery article  10  of  FIG. 1 ), or it may be applied to the surface of the hosiery article  120   c  (for example by being stitched on) and composed of the same, or of a different material, than the article. Preferably, the retaining component  250  is capable of being adjusted, as described in greater detail below, between diameters D 6  (smaller) and D 7  (larger), which by way of example, approximately correspond to diameters D 4  to D 5  shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0045]    The main difference in construction between the retaining component  250  and the retaining component  100  of  FIG. 3 , is that instead of including a sleeve  102 - 104 , slits  104   a,    104   b,  or a RRA element  106  with connecting elements  108   a,    108   b  emerging from respective slits  104   a,    104   b,  as is shown in  FIG. 3 , the retaining component  250  only includes a pair of connecting elements  258   a  and  258   b,  that correspond to the connecting elements  108   a  and  108   b  of  FIG. 3 , but that are connected to the body  252  outer surface at circumferential positions  254   a  and  254   b  (for example, at positions corresponding to the slits  104   a  and  104   b  of  FIG. 3 ). Preferably, the connecting elements  258   a,    258   b  are at least partially resilient, and may optionally each be configured with the optional grip elements  110   a  and  110   b.    
         [0046]    Preferably, the retaining component  250  also includes a releasable adjustable attachment sub-component  112 - 116   a - 116   b  easily operable by the user to set a desired diameter of the component  250  that is in the range between diameters D 6  and D 7  and that achieves a balance between comfort and retaining effectiveness that is desirable to the user. Various embodiments of this sub-component  112 - 116   a - 116   b  are described above in connection with  FIG. 1 . 
         [0047]    As with the retaining component  100  of  FIG. 1 , by way of illustrative example, in practical use of the hosiery article  120   c,  when the user desires to change the diameter of the retaining region thereof, the user disengages, from the region  112 , and grips at least one of the elements  258   a  and  258   b  (but preferably both), and moves them in a direction corresponding to a desired increase in the hosiery article  120   c  retaining region diameter (i.e., away from one another), or corresponding to a decrease in the retaining region diameter (i.e., toward one another), before securing the second releasable regions  116   a,    116   b  to the first releasable region  112 , to maintain the desired adjusted hosiery article  120   c  retaining region diameter. 
         [0048]    Referring now to  FIG. 6 , a fourth exemplary embodiment of an inventive user-adjustable configurable retaining component  300  (such as may be used as the adjustable retaining component  20  of  FIG. 1 , and/or as the adjustable retaining components  46   a,    46   b ) is shown as being utilized in a hosiery article  120   d  that is worn on a user&#39;s leg  30   b.  The retaining component  300  is very similar in construction to the retaining component  100  of  FIG. 3 , but is similar to usage and operation of the retaining component  200  of  FIG. 4 , as described in greater detail below. 
         [0049]    The retaining component  300  includes an elongated cylindrical body  302 , which in one embodiment of the invention may be an integral part of the hosiery article  120   d  (such as of the section  18  of the hosiery article  10  of  FIG. 1 ), or it may be applied to the surface of the hosiery article  120   d  (for example by being stitched on) and composed of the same, or of a different material, than the article. Preferably, the retaining component  300  is capable of being adjusted, as described in greater detail below, between diameters D 6  (smaller) and D 7  (larger), which by way of example, approximately correspond to diameters D 4  to D 5  shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0050]    Similarly to the component  100  of  FIG. 1 , the retaining component  300  also comprises an elongated sleeve element  104  that, in combination with the body  302 , forms at least a partially circumferential internal sleeve  302 - 104  of a in the retaining component  300 . As noted above with respect to the body  302 , the sleeve element  104  may either be an integral part of the hosiery article  120   d,  or alternately it may be applied (e.g., stitched) onto the surface thereof, or mounted on the body  302  directly. Again, similarly to the component  100  of  FIG. 3 , the sleeve  302 - 104  comprises a first open slit  104   a  and a second open slit  104   b.  A flat elongated releasable retaining adjustment (hereinafter “RRA”) element  306 , that is preferably at least partially resilient, is positioned within the sleeve  302 - 104 , and includes two connecting elements  308   a  and  308   b,  sized and configured to emerge from respective slits  104   a  and  104   b.    
         [0051]    The main difference in construction between the retaining component  300  and the retaining component  100  of  FIG. 1 , is that instead of including a releasable adjustable attachment sub-component  112 - 116   a - 116   b,  the retaining component  300  includes a releasable adjustable attachment subcomponent  312 - 316 , similarly configured to the releasable adjustable attachment sub-component  212 - 216  of the retaining component  200  of  FIG. 4 . 
         [0052]    The releasable adjustable attachment sub-component  312 - 316  is preferably easily operable by the user to set a desired diameter of the component  300  that is in the range between diameters D 6  and D 7 , and that achieves a balance between comfort and retaining effectiveness that is desirable to the user. In one embodiment of the invention, the sub-component  312 - 316 , comprises a first releasable attachment region  312 , positioned on a surface of the connecting element  308   b  facing outward from the user&#39;s leg  30   b,  and a second releasable attachment region  316 , positioned on the inner surface of the connecting element  308   a  facing the first releasable attachment region  312 . Preferably, when the connecting element  308   a  is pulled over the connecting element  308   b,  the first ( 312 ) and the second ( 316 ) releasable regions are then placed into contact with one another forming a releasable connection that, depending on how far away from the slits  304   a,    304   b  the elements  308   a,    308   b  have been pulled by the user prior to the contact between the respective releasable regions  312 ,  316 , determine the diameter of the retaining component  300  that is desired by the user. The specific type of the first and second releasable attachment regions  312 ,  316  that may be utilized in accordance with the present invention, may be selected as a matter of design choice without departing from the spirit of the invention. Various examples of combinations of possible first and second regions  312 ,  316  are described above in connection with the regions  112 ,  116   a,  and  116   b  of  FIG. 3 . While the relative lengths of the connecting elements  308   a  and  308   b  maybe selected as a matter of design choice, preferably they are such to enable a substantial overlap therebetween. 
         [0053]    Furthermore, while element  308   a  has been described above as having the second releasable attachment region  316  on its underside, and the element  308   b  has been described above as having the first releasable attachment region  312  on its surface, it should be understood that the positions of the regions  312 ,  316  may be readily reversed (i.e., positioning region  312  on the surface of the element  308   a,  while positioning region  316  on the underside of the element  308   b ), as a matter of design choice or convenience, without departing from the spirit of the invention. 
         [0054]    The RRA element  306  may be configured to freely slide within the sleeve  302 - 104  (for example to facilitate its removal therefrom for cleaning and/or replacement), or in an alternate embodiment thereof, the RRA element  306  may be at least partially secured from removal from the sleeve  302 - 104  by the at least one securing element  114   a  configured and positioned as described above in connection with  FIG. 3 . 
         [0055]    By way of illustrative example, in practical use of the hosiery article  120   d,  when the user desires to change the diameter of the retaining region thereof, the user disengages the region  316 , from the region  312 , grips at least one of the elements  308   a  and  308   b  (but preferably both), and moves them in a direction corresponding to a desired increase in the hosiery article  120   d  retaining region diameter (i.e., away from one another), or corresponding to a decrease in the retaining region diameter (i.e., toward one another), before securing the second releasable region  316  to the first releasable region  312  to maintain the desired adjusted hosiery article  120   d  retaining region diameter. 
         [0056]    Referring now to  FIG. 7 , a first exemplary embodiment of a selective releasable retaining adjustment (RRA) element  350  (such as the RRA element  106  of  FIG. 3 , or the RRA element  306  of  FIG. 6 ), is shown. The RRA element  350  includes a body  352  comprising a resilient circumferential section  354  of a length L 1   c - 1 , with a connecting element  356   a  of a length L 1   c - 2  at one end, and a connecting element  356   b  of a length L 1   c - 3  at the other end. Preferably, the connecting elements  356   a,    356   b  are composed of a non-resilient material (for example, such as nylon webbing or equivalent), but optionally may be composed of a resilient material that is the same or different from the material of the section  354 . The elements  356   a,    356   b,  correspond to elements  108   a,    108   b  of  FIG. 3 , and to elements  308   a,    308   b  of  FIG. 6 . Preferably, the RRA element  350  may be adjustable between diameters D 6   a  and D 7   a,  that are at least substantially similar to diameters D 6  and D 7  of  FIGS. 3 and 6 . The relative magnitudes of lengths L 1   c - 1 , L 1   c - 2 , and L 1   c - 3  may be selected as a matter of design choice without departing from the spirit of the invention. 
         [0057]    Referring now to  FIG. 8 , a second exemplary embodiment of a selective releasable retaining adjustment (RRA) element  400  (such as the RRA element  106  of  FIG. 3 , or the RRA element  306  of  FIG. 6 ), is shown. The RRA element  400  includes a body  402  comprising a first circumferential section  404  of a length L 1   d - 1 , with a second circumferential section  406   a  of a length L 1   d - 2 , followed by a connecting element  408   a  of a length L 1   d - 4  at one end, and a third circumferential section  406   b  of a length L 1   d - 3 , followed by a connecting element  408   b  of a length L 1   d - 5  at the other end. The elements  408   a,    408   b,  correspond to elements  108   a,    108   b  of  FIG. 3 , and to elements  308   a,    308   b  of  FIG. 6 . 
         [0058]    In various alternate embodiments of the RRA element  400 , one or more of the sections  404 ,  406   a,    406   b,  and of the elements  408   a,    408   b,  may be composed of one or more resilient materials, while the remaining sections and/or elements may be composed of a non-resilient material. For example, section  404  and elements  408   a  and  408   b  may be composed of a non-resilient material (for example, such as nylon webbing or equivalent), while sections  406   a  and  406   b  are each composed of a resilient material. Preferably, the RRA element  400  may be adjustable between diameters D 6   a  and D 7   a,  that are at least substantially similar to diameters D 6  and D 7  of  FIGS. 3 and 6 . The relative magnitudes of lengths L 1   d - 1 , L 1   d - 2 , L 1   d - 3 , L 1   d - 4 , and L 1   d - 5  may be selected as a matter of design choice without departing from the spirit of the invention. 
         [0059]    It should also be noted, that the various above-described elements and components of each embodiment of the inventive hosiery article in  FIGS. 1-8  may vary in color and material composition, and may include one or more embellishments or other decorative features, as a matter of design choice and without departing from the spirit of the invention, such that the inventive hosiery articles may be readily configured as attractive fashion accessories. 
         [0060]    Thus, while there have been shown and described and pointed out fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood that various omissions and substitutions and changes in the form and details of the devices and methods illustrated, and in their operation, may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, it is expressly intended that all combinations of those elements and/or method steps which perform substantially the same function in substantially the same way to achieve the same results are within the scope of the invention. It is the intention, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the claims appended hereto.