Socks with color indicators to facilitate matching of components of a pair

An improved pair of socks is disclosed for human feet. The improvement comprises providing a distinctive color indicator on each sock of the pair, in a location that will be covered by the shoe of the wearer, to facilitate pairing of the socks which comprise the pair, wherein the color of the indicator is selected so as to be capable of distinguishing the socks of the pair from other socks of similar or like color and of the same size. A process is also disclosed for making pairs of socks of a predetermined size including a color indicator for facilitating pairing of socks.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
This invention is an improvement in socks and other items of hosiery that 
am provided in pairs. More particularly, the invention is an improvement 
in socks or stockings that permits such socks to be easily matched with 
their mates. 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
Articles of clothing that serve as coverings for the human leg and foot 
have been known for many centuries. Such articles now in use include 
socks, stockings, pantyhose and tights. These garments are usually knitted 
from nylon or other synthetic fabrics, cotton or wool, and they may cover 
all or part of the legs of the wearer. The term "socks" is generally used 
to describe coverings for the feet and perhaps a part of the lower legs, 
whereas the terms "stockings", "pantyhose" and "tights" are generally used 
to describe coverings for the feet and all or substantially all of the 
legs. Socks and stockings are generally provided in pairs, one for each 
foot or leg, while pantyhose and tights are single garments in which the 
separate legs are joined at the waist. 
As used hereinafter, however, the term "socks" includes socks, stockings 
and other items of hosiery that are provided in pairs and are designed to 
be worn on the feet, inside shoes or boots. Socks may be provided in a 
variety of colors and shades, and it is not uncommon for a person to own a 
number of pairs that are of similar, but not identical, colors. It is also 
not uncommon for a person to own a number of pairs of socks of the same 
color, but that are of a different texture or that have been worn and 
laundered a different number of times, so that they may exhibit slightly 
different appearances. In such circumstances, the matching or pairing of 
the mating components of a pair of socks can be difficult. 
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 inwardly 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, and wearers of socks may not find this 
necessity convenient. 
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. 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. 
It is also known to provide physical or visual indicators on socks for a 
variety of purposes, although not for the purpose of facilitating matching 
of the individual components of a pair of socks in such way that they may 
be distinguished from other socks of the same size and type, and of the 
same or similar color. Thus, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,324,686 of 
Rosenstein describes a sock having a visual indicating means for 
distinguishing the outside surface of the sock from its inside surface, in 
order to permit the wearer to determine whether the sock is right side out 
or wrong side out. However, nothing in the Rosenstein patent suggests that 
this visual indicating means is in any way capable of distinguishing the 
mating components of a pair of socks from other socks of the same size and 
the same or a similar color. Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 4,104,892 of 
Thorneburg describes a cushioned tube sock having partial courses of terry 
loops on the inner surface of that part of the foot portion adapted to 
underlie the sole of a wearer's foot, while that part of the foot portion 
adapted to overlie the instep of a wearer's foot is devoid of terry loops. 
The sock also includes an indicia on the outer surface of the foot portion 
for indicating the proper manner in which the tube sock should be worn to 
correctly position the terry loops beneath the sole of the wearer's foot. 
Preferably, the indicia are provided in the form of stripes extending from 
one side to the other across the sole portion of the sock. However, 
nothing in the Thorneburg patent suggests that the means described therein 
for indicating the proper orientation for placing the sock on the wearer's 
foot is in any way capable of distinguishing the mating components of a 
pair of socks from other socks of the same size and of the same or a 
similar color. Finally, U.S. Pat. No. 2,621,501 of Jenkins and U.S. Pat. 
No. 4,958,388 of Madden describe socks that are provided with visual 
indicators for the purpose of distinguishing socks of one size from other 
socks of different sizes. The Jenkins patent describes a sock that is 
provided with a circular figure or other common geometric shape that is 
located on the heel, at the toe, or at any other conspicuous position, and 
the Madden patent describes a sock that is provided with a selected number 
of size-indicating stripes. The geometric figures of each Jenkins' sock 
and the size-indicating stripes of each Madden sock are formed by knitting 
differently colored yarns into the body portions of the socks. The color 
of the size-indicating means of each size is unique to that size; however, 
neither the Jenkins patent nor the Madden patent discloses or suggests how 
socks of an individual pair may be matched in a way that distinguishes the 
components of that pair from other socks of the same size and of the same 
or a similar color. In fact, the Jenkins' method and the Madden system for 
distinguishing sock sizes are incapable of distinguishing the components 
of a particular pair of socks from any other socks of the same size. 
When socks are not properly matched with their mates, embarrassment can 
result. In addition, the components of a pair that have not been matched 
and kept together may be worn a different number of times, and 
consequently laundered a different number of times. This may make 
subsequent attempts at matching more difficult, because the components of 
the pair may not appear to be identical. 
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 devices for holding the socks together. It would also be desirable 
if such a sock could be provided that can readily be matched with its mate 
without the necessity for a fastener that is incorporated in the sock and 
that attaches the mating components of the pair together. It would also be 
desirable if a sock could be provided with an improvement that is in a 
location that will be covered by the shoe of the wearer and that will 
facilitate matching of the sock with its mate from among a group of socks 
of similar color. It would also be desirable if a method could be provided 
for distinguishing the identical components in a matching pair of socks 
from socks of the same size and the same or similar color by providing 
distinguishing indicia on the components of the pair. Furthermore, it 
would also be desirable if such distinguishing indicia could be provided 
during the sock-manufacturing process without significantly increasing the 
cost or the complexity of the manufacturing process. 
OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION 
Accordingly, it is an object of the invention claimed herein to provide a 
sock that can readily be matched with its mate from among a group of socks 
of the same or a similar color. It is yet another object of the invention 
to provide a sock that can be matched with its mate, without the need for 
employing any device for mechanically holding the mating components of the 
pair of socks together. It is still another object of this invention to 
provide a sock that can be matched with its mate without requiring the use 
of any fastener that is incorporated in the sock. Another object of this 
invention is the provision of a sock having an improvement that is in a 
location that will be covered by the shoe of the wearer and that will 
facilitate matching of the sock with its mate from among a group of socks 
of the same or a similar color. Still another object of this invention is 
the provision of a method for distinguishing the identical components in a 
matching pair of socks from socks of the same size and the same or similar 
color by providing distinguishing indicia on the components of the pair. 
Finally, it is an object of this invention to provide an improved 
sock-manufacturing process that can produce pairs of socks having 
distinguishing indicia that will permit the individual components of a 
particular pair of socks to be distinguished from socks of the same size 
and the same or similar color without significantly increasing the cost or 
the complexity of the manufacturing process. 
Additional objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent 
from an examination of the drawings and the ensuing description. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
An improved pair of socks for human feet is provided. The improvement 
comprises providing a distinctive color indicator on each component of the 
pair in a location that will be covered by the shoe of the wearer, to 
facilitate pairing of each component of the pair with its mate, and to 
permit such members of the pair to be distinguished from other socks of 
the same size and the same or similar color. 
In order to facilitate an understanding of the invention, the preferred 
embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings, and a 
detailed description thereof follows. It is not intended, however, that 
the invention be limited to the particular embodiments described or to use 
in connection with the types of socks illustrated herein. Various changes 
are contemplated such as would ordinarily occur to one skilled in the art 
to which the invention relates. Various modifications and alternative 
embodiments such as would ordinarily occur to one skilled in the art to 
which the invention relates are also contemplated and included within the 
scope of the invention described herein.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
As shown in FIG. 1, sock 10 is an item of hosiery that is designed to be 
worn on the feet, inside shoes or boots. Sock 10 is one component of a 
matching pair of such items, with the mate thereto being essentially 
identical therewith (although not shown in the drawings). 
Sock 10 may be an athletic sock or a dress sock, as the invention is 
suitable for use with both, as well as with socks and stockings of various 
lengths. Socks are generally knitted from cotton, wool, nylon or other 
synthetic fabrics, or blends of such fabrics, on a circular knitting 
machine that forms essentially straight knitted tubes that are open at 
each end. If synthetic fabrics are employed, the tube may have a general 
shape that conforms to the shape of the human foot, ankle and a portion of 
the leg (depending on the length of the tube). If cotton or wool is 
employed, the sock may be tube-shaped, only acquiring the general shape of 
the foot, ankle and leg upon being worn. In addition, socks may be knitted 
by hand or formed by other processes, and all such socks are suitable for 
improvement by the invention. 
Sock 10 includes leg portion 11, heel portion 12, foot portion 13, with the 
instep indicated at 14 and the sole at 15, and toe portion 16. The toe end 
of a tube-shaped sock is generally closed with a stitched toe seam, such 
as seam 17 of FIG. 1. Such seams are frequently, although not always, 
provided using thread that is the same color as the dominant color of the 
remaining (tube) portion of the sock. 
As mentioned previously, socks are provided in a variety of colors and 
shades, and it is not uncommon for a person to own a number of pairs that 
are of similar, but not identical colors. It is also not uncommon for a 
person to own a number of pairs that are essentially of the same color, 
but which are of a different texture, or which have been worn and 
laundered a different number of times. Such pairs may exhibit slightly 
different shades of the same color. In such circumstances, the matching or 
pairing of the mating components of a pair of socks can be difficult. 
Therefore, the invention provides an improved pair of socks that 
inherently facilitates matching each component of a pair with its mate. 
This is accomplished by providing a distinctive color indicator on each 
sock of the pair, in a location that will be covered by the shoe of the 
wearer. As used herein, "a distinctive color indicator" is anything that 
is capable of being distinguished by its color, as perceived by the human 
eye, from its surroundings. When mating components of a pair of socks are 
each provided with an identical distinctive color indicator, the 
individual socks can readily be matched with their mates from a group of 
socks of the same or similar colors. 
Color, of course, is a matter of the perception of light that is reflected. 
Light from the noontime sun looks white, but if a ray of white light is 
aimed at a prism, a broad rainbow-like band or array of different colors 
appears. This color array is the visible spectrum, and it ranges, in order 
of wavelength, from violet, through blue, green, yellow and orange, to 
red. Each color is associated with a range of wavelengths. Thus, for 
example, a wide segment of the spectrum contains colors that are called 
green. These include blue-green, apple green and chartreuse, as well as 
many others. A particular color can be specified by its wavelength, but 
colors of nearly the same wavelength look exactly alike to the human eye. 
Therefore, color classification systems have been developed to identify 
colors that may be distinguished by the human eye. 
One such system is the Munsell system of color classification, which is 
described in many references, including The New Encyclopedia Britannica, 
15th edition, at volume 8, page 420. The Munsell system arranges colors 
according to three qualities: hue, value and chroma. Hue is what is 
usually meant by the word color. The Munsell system divides all hues into 
ten categories: yellows, green-yellows, greens, blue-greens, blues, 
purple-blues, purples, red-purples, reds and yellow-reds. Value is the 
Munsell term for the lightness or darkness of a color sample. A yellow 
sample may be light, while a blue sample may be dark. A series of grays, 
from black to white, best define value. Chroma defines the amount of hue 
in a sample. A brick and a red apple, for example, may have the same red 
hue and value, but their difference in color is a difference in chroma. 
Socks are not generally made to be truly transparent to all wavelengths of 
light. Therefore, most, if not all, socks exhibit a color that is 
perceived by the human eye as the dominant color, even if they are 
patterned or variegated. 
Although white (which is a mixture of all colors in the spectrum) and black 
(which is the absence of color) are not true colors or hues, they are 
generally considered to be included among the colors that may be applied 
to socks, and hence white and black may be considered to be among the 
dominant colors of socks. Furthermore, the distinctive color indicator of 
the invention may be black or white as well, so long as the color selected 
is capable of being distinguished from the surrounding portion of the 
sock. 
Referring again to FIG. 1, sock 10 includes as its distinctive color 
indicator, according to the invention, the thread that is utilized to form 
toe-seam 17, which thread is provided in a distinctive color, which may be 
black, white, or of any color that can be distinguished from the 
surrounding portion of the sock. Preferably, the thread which serves as 
the distinctive color indicator in this embodiment of the invention has a 
hue that is different, according to the Munsell system of color 
classification, from the dominant color of the sock. In other words, the 
sock exhibits a dominant color that may be characterized as either black, 
white, yellow, green-yellow, green, blue-green, blue, purple-blue, purple, 
red-purple, red or yellow-red, and the thread which serves as the 
distinctive color indicator exhibits a color or hue that is different from 
the color or hue of the dominant color of the sock and which may be 
characterized as either black, white, yellow, green-yellow, green, 
blue-green, blue, purple-blue, purple, red-purple, red or yellow-red. 
By providing the distinctive color indicator of the socks in the form of 
the thread that forms the toe seam, as in a preferred embodiment of the 
invention, changes in the normal sock-manufacturing practice are 
minimized. Thus, in a process for making such pairs of socks wherein each 
sock in the pair exhibits a dominant first color and wherein a toe seam is 
stitched into the toe end of each sock, a second color that may be 
distinguished from the first color is selected for the thread that is 
utilized to form the toe seam, and the toe seam of a predetermined number 
of pairs of socks is stitched using thread of the second color, so that 
the toe seam of each sock of each such pair may serve as an indicator to 
facilitate matching of the components of the pair. Thereafter, according 
to a preferred embodiment of the invention, additional colors are selected 
for the thread that forms the toe seam. Each such additional color must be 
distinguished from the dominant first color and the second color, and from 
each other additional color selected. After each predetermined number of 
pairs of socks exhibiting a particular dominant color are seamed at the 
toe with thread having a particular distinctive color, the thread in the 
seaming machine may be changed so that another group of pairs may be 
seamed at the toe with thread having a different distinctive color. The 
toe seam of each sock of each such pair may then serve as an indicator to 
facilitate matching of the components of the pair, and the components of 
any such pair of socks may be distinguished from components of other pairs 
having toe seams of a different color, even though they all may exhibit 
the same or a similar dominant first color. 
Preferably, each color selected for the toe seam for a number of pairs of 
socks made according to this process is of a different hue, according to 
the Munsell system of color classification, than the dominant first color, 
as well as each other color selected for the toe seams of a different 
group of pairs of socks. Thus for example, if the dominant first color of 
a particular group of pairs of socks is black, a number of toe seam colors 
may be selected, including white, yellow, green-yellow, green, blue-green, 
blue, purple-blue, purple, red-purple, red and yellow-red. Each such color 
may serve to identify the matching components of a pair of black socks, 
and may be used to distinguish a particular pair from other socks of the 
same or similar color. 
A purchaser who wanted several pairs of black socks could buy one pair with 
a white toe seam, one pair with a yellow seam, and one pair with a green 
seam. He could also buy several pairs of socks that exhibited a dominant 
blue color, one pair with a purple seam, one pair with a red seam and one 
pair with a yellow-red seam. He could launder all of these socks in the 
same load of laundry and store them all in the same dresser drawer, and he 
could readily distinguish the components of each pair of socks from the 
others. 
The preferred embodiment of the invention may also provide a means by which 
persons in the same household who wear socks of the same color may each 
distinguish their own socks from the others. Thus, for example, one member 
of the household could buy blue socks with yellow toe seams, while another 
member of the household could buy blue socks with red toe seams. In the 
alternative, each member could buy blue socks with a variety of 
differently colored toe seams according to the invention, and they could 
mark the toe seams with an indelible marker, in black or some other 
further distinguishing color, at a particular location on the seam that is 
unique for each individual. Thus, for example, one member could mark all 
his toe seams with a black mark at the center of the toe seam and another 
could mark all his toe seams with a black mark at each end of the toe 
seam. Still another could wear socks with unmarked toe seams. 
FIG. 2 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the invention in sock 10a, 
which is similar in many respects to sock 10 of FIG. 1. Sock 10a therefore 
includes leg portion 11a, heel portion 12a, foot portion 13a, with the 
instep indicated at 14a and the sole at 15a, and toe portion 16a. The toe 
end of sock 10a is closed with a stitched toe seam 17a. Sock 10a also 
includes as its distinctive color indicator, according to the invention, 
heart-shaped symbol 18a. This symbol is merely illustrative of the many 
symbols that may be utilized according to the invention to distinguish a 
sock from others of similar colors, and to facilitate matching of such 
sock with its mate. Other symbols that may be utilized for this purpose 
include diamond-shapes, club-shapes, spade-shapes, star-shapes and the 
like. Symbol 18a may be embroidered, stamped or otherwise affixed by any 
permanent means to the sock. It may also comprise a flexible patch or the 
like that may be ironed, sewed or glued into place. Symbol 18a is 
provided, according to the invention, in a distinctive color, preferably 
having a hue that is different, according to the Munsell system of color 
classification, from the dominant color of the sock. It will serve as a 
distinctive color indicator, according to the invention, so long as it is 
capable of being distinguished by its color, as perceived by the human 
eye, from the surrounding portion of the sock. When mating components of a 
pair of socks are each provided with an identical distinctive color 
indicator, the individual socks can readily be matched with their mates 
from a group of socks of similar colors. 
Of course, symbol 18a may also be distinguished by its shape or its 
location on the sock from other symbols that may be utilized according to 
the invention, and these differences may also facilitate matching of socks 
bearing such symbols with their mates. 
Another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 3, wherein sock 
10b is similar in many respects to sock 10 of FIG. 1 and sock 10a of FIG. 
2. Sock 10b includes leg portion 11b, heel portion 12b, foot portion 13b, 
with the instep indicated at 14b and the sole at 15b, and toe portion 16b. 
The toe end of sock 10b is closed with a stitched toe seam 17b. Sock 10b 
also includes as its distinctive color indicator, according to the 
invention, numeral 18b . This numeral, which of course may be of any 
value, may be embroidered, stamped or otherwise affixed by any permanent 
means to the sock. It may also comprise a flexible patch or the like that 
may be ironed, sewed or glued into place. Numeral 18b is provided, 
according to the invention, in a distinctive color, preferably having a 
hue that is different, according to the Munsell system of color 
classification, from the dominant color of the sock. It will serve as a 
distinctive color indicator, according to the invention, so long as it is 
capable of being distinguished by its color, as perceived by the human 
eye, from the surrounding portion of the sock. When mating components of a 
pair of socks are each provided with an identical distinctive color 
indicator, the individual socks can readily be matched with their mates 
from a group of socks of similar colors. 
Of course, numeral 18b may also be distinguished by its shape or its 
location on the sock from other numerals or symbols that may be utilized 
according to the invention, and these differences may also facilitate 
matching of socks bearing such numerals or symbols with their mates. 
Although this description contains many specifics, these should not be 
construed as limiting the scope of the invention but as merely providing 
illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments thereof, as 
well as the best mode contemplated by the inventor of carrying out the 
invention. The invention, as described herein, is susceptible to various 
modifications and adaptations, and the same are intended to be 
comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the appended 
claims.