Abstract:
An apparatus and method for matching socks or other substantially identical objects comprises a first sock with a first symbol disposed on it and a second sock with a second symbol disposed on it. The second symbol is non-identical to and associated with the first symbol. The symbols may be associated with each other by comprising a query and response, different representations of the same concept, two parts of a whole, source or origin, and other associations. The apparatus and method assist in matching as well as in teaching desired concepts.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1 Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    This invention relates to matching apparatuses and methods, and more particularly to sock matching apparatuses and methods. 
         [0003]    2 Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    The difficulty of pairing a set of matching socks is a problem that has been around at least as long as socks have been around. Various methods have been proposed for assisting in the pairing of matching socks, including marking an identical sign on each sock (e.g., “Tommy&#39;s black socks”) for matching purposes. Other methods include putting a set of identical decals on the socks or simply matching them the old-fashioned way, by size, shape, texture, pattern, and color. Other prior art apparatuses include marking the socks with their particular color (marking a blue sock with the word “blue,” for example) for teaching color to children or to assist people who are color-blind. 
         [0005]    What prior art apparatuses and methods have failed to recognize is that the problem of matching socks brings with it a teaching opportunity, regarding both how to match socks as well as other types of knowledge, including telling time, languages, geography, reading, mathematics, and just about any other field of knowledge. 
         [0006]    From the foregoing discussion, it should be apparent that a need exists for a matching apparatus and method that overcome the problems of the prior art. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    The present invention has been developed in response to the present state of the art, and in particular, in response to the problems and needs in the art that have not yet been fully solved by currently available matching apparatuses and methods. Accordingly, the present invention has been developed to provide a matching apparatus and method that overcome many or all shortcomings in the art. 
         [0008]    In one aspect of the invention, an apparatus for matching socks includes a first sock with a first symbol disposed on it, and a second sock with a second symbol disposed on it. The second symbol is non-identical to and associated with the first symbol. In one embodiment, the first symbol comprises a query, and the second symbol comprises a response to the query. In another embodiment, the second symbol comprises a representation of the first symbol in different form. In another embodiment, the first symbol comprises part of a whole and the second symbol comprises the other part of the whole. In another embodiment, the second symbol indicates the source of the first symbol. 
         [0009]    In a further aspect of the invention, a sock-matching method includes matching a first sock having a first symbol with a second sock having a second symbol, the second symbol being non-identical to and associated with the first symbol. In one embodiment, matching the first sock with the second sock comprises choosing the second sock from a plurality of third socks. 
         [0010]    In a further aspect of the invention, a matching apparatus comprises a first symbol placed on a first member of a pair of substantially identical objects, and a second symbol placed on a second member of a pair of substantially identical objects. The second symbol is non-identical to and associated with the first symbol. In one embodiment, the first member comprises a first sock and the second member comprises a second sock. In a further embodiment, each symbol is disposed near the toe of its respective sock, with the top of each symbol oriented toward the toe of its respective sock and the bottom of each symbol oriented toward the heel of its respective sock. A connective symbol may be disposed on one or both of the socks. 
         [0011]    Reference throughout this specification to features, advantages, or similar language does not imply that all of the features and advantages that may be realized with the present invention should be or are in any single embodiment of the invention. Rather, language referring to the features and advantages is understood to mean that a specific feature, advantage, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Discussion of the features and advantages, and similar language, throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, refer to the same embodiment. 
         [0012]    The described features, advantages, and characteristics of the invention may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize that the invention may be practiced without one or more of the specific features or advantages of a particular embodiment. In other instances, additional features and advantages may be recognized in certain embodiments that may not be present in all embodiments of the invention. These features and advantages of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of the invention as set forth hereinafter. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]    In order that the advantages of the invention will be readily understood, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments illustrated in the appended drawings, which depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not to be considered limiting of its scope, in which: 
           [0014]      FIG. 1  is a schematic view of an embodiment of a pair of socks on which are disposed associated symbols according to the present invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is a schematic view of another embodiment of a pair of socks on which are disposed associated symbols according to the present invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a top plan view of another embodiment illustrating a pair of socks on which are disposed associated symbols according to the present invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is a top plan view of another embodiment illustrating a pair of socks on which are disposed associated symbols according to the present invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  is a schematic view of a plurality of socks, illustrating an embodiment of a method of choosing matching socks according to the present invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  is a schematic flow chart diagram illustrating the method of claim  5 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0020]    Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment,” “in an embodiment,” and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment. 
         [0021]    The described features, structures, or characteristics of the invention may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In the following description, numerous specific details are provided to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the invention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that the invention may be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, and so forth. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the invention. 
         [0022]    Referring first to  FIG. 1 , a pair of stockings or socks  100  comprises a first sock  102  and a second sock  104 . A symbol  106 , being a graphical representation of the fraction ⅓, is disposed on the toe of the sock  102 . A symbol  108 , being a numeric representation of the fraction ⅓, is disposed on the sock  104 . The symbols  106  and  108  are not the same, but are associated with one another (in this case, comprising two different ways of representing the same mathematical concept) such that a user looking to pair the socks will, by observing the symbols  106  and  108 , and the relationship therebetween, recognize that the socks  102  and  104  are designed to be paired. Additionally, in handling, donning, and wearing the sock pair  100 , depending on the placement and orientation of the symbols, the user will observe the symbols and their relationship with each other, reinforcing the concept in his mind. 
         [0023]    As will be further seen below, one type of relationship between the two symbols according to the invention is an explicit query and answer, such as the first symbol comprising the question “43 rd  U.S. president?” and the second symbol comprising the answer “George W. Bush.” Another relationship is an implicit query and answer, such as the question noted above without the question mark, a mathematical problem, or other implicit query, such as “blue and yellow,” with the answer being “green.” The order of the query and answer as viewed by the user may be reversed, with each symbol comprising an answer to the implicit query of the other. 
         [0024]    Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a pair of socks  200  comprises a first sock  202  and a second sock  204 . A symbol  206 , being a numeric representation of the time 7:05, is disposed near the top of the sock  202 . A symbol  208 , being an analog representation of the time 7:05 as displayed on a standard analog clock, is disposed near the top of the sock  204 . In similar fashion to the sock pair  100 , the symbols  206  and  208  disposed on the sock pair  200  ease pairing of the socks  202  and  204  by the association between the symbols, in this case, being different representations of the time 7:05. As shown, the symbols  206  and  208  are disposed on a location of the socks  202  and  204  different from that shown in  FIG. 1 , in this case, near the top of the sock. Depending on the preference of the user, the symbols may be disposed in any location on the sock—toe, heel, leg, instep, sole, etc.—and associated symbols need not be disposed at the same respective locations, i.e., in the case of sock pair  200 , the symbol  206  might be disposed on the heel of the sock  202  while the symbol  208  might be disposed on the sole of the sock  204 . Different respective locations for associated symbols provide variety, while the same respective locations provide uniformity and predictability. 
         [0025]    Most socks are designed to be substantially identical, i.e., displaying the same basic pattern, color, size, etc. Nevertheless, some of these substantially identical socks are designed such that one should be worn on the user&#39;s right foot while the other should be worn on the left. Examples include child&#39;s socks with bows, ribbons, or other decorations disposed on one side of the sock, the decorations being configured for display on the outside surface of the leg. Other examples include socks cut to fit around individual toes of the foot. 
         [0026]    If the socks  202  and  204  of the pair  200  are each designed for wear on a particular foot, the symbols  206  and  208  may be located on the socks such that they are symmetrical around a center line. For example, if the sock  202  is designed to be worn on the right foot and the sock  204  is designed to be worn on the left foot, the symbol  206  may be located on the sock  202  such that it is located on the right side of the sock, i.e., on the outside of the user&#39;s foot when the socks are placed on the correct feet. Similarly, the symbol  208  may be disposed on the left side of the sock  204 . 
         [0027]    Referring now to  FIG. 3 , a pair of socks  300  comprises a first sock  302  and a second sock  304 . The socks  200  are shown in top plan view, with the heel and leg oriented toward the bottom of the page and the toe oriented toward the top of the page. A symbol or set of symbols  306 , comprising the mathematical problem 2+2, is disposed on or near the toe of the sock  302 . A symbol  307  comprising the connective symbol &lt;, meaning “less than,” is disposed to the right of the symbol  306  on the toe of the sock  302 . A symbol  308 , comprising the number 5, is disposed on or near the toe of the sock  304 . 
         [0028]    The symbols  306  and  308  are oriented with the top of the symbol toward the toe of the sock and the bottom of the symbol toward the heel or top of the sock such that the user can see them in their proper orientation, i.e., right side up, while the sock pair  300  is being worn. 
         [0029]    The association between the symbols  306  and  308  is one of mathematical inequality; the symbol  306  (2+2) is less than the symbol  308  (5), as indicated by the connective symbol  307  (&lt;). The connective symbol  307  or other mathematical connective symbols including =,-, /,&gt;,*,≡,≠,√,≈, and others may be used in conjunction with a set of socks according to the invention that have disposed thereon symbols that have a mathematical relationship. 
         [0030]    Other connective symbols may be used for symbols that are associated with each other, but not necessarily mathematically. These symbols may comprise, for example, -, →,?, or letters and words such as “is the same as,” “is the capitol of,” “is from,” “uses,” “is within,” or other connective language or other symbology, according to the particular embodiment. The connective symbol may be disposed on either sock, or spread between both socks (such as splitting the connective symbol “is within” between the left and right socks such that “is” is on the left sock and “within” is on the right sock). If used, the connective symbol serves as further guidance for the user to associate the symbols, as well as to indicate which sock is configured to be placed on the left foot, and which on the right. 
         [0031]    If a connective symbol is not used, generally it will make no difference which sock is placed on the left foot and which on the right, as symbols placed on them according to the invention will generally associate with each other whatever order they are placed in. 
         [0032]    Referring now to  FIG. 4 , a pair of socks  400  comprises a first sock  402  and a second sock  404 . A symbol (meaning a single symbol or set of symbols)  406 , comprising the letters “ch,” is disposed on or near the toe of the sock  402 . A symbol  407  comprising the connective symbol “-” is disposed on the toe of the sock  304  to the left of a symbol  408 , which symbol  408  comprises the letters “ick.” The sock  402  is designed for wear on the user&#39;s left foot, with the sock  404  designed for wear on the user&#39;s right foot, such that the symbols  406 ,  407 , and  408  show “ch-ick,” or, without the connective symbol  407 , the word “chick.” Such symbols are useful for teaching or reinforcing reading. Note that in the case of the sock pair  400 , the connective symbol  407  is disposed on the sock  404  (the right sock), as opposed to the left sock  402  in the sock pair  400 . 
         [0033]    Table 1, below, illustrates examples of associated symbols that maybe placed on sock pairs according to the present invention. It also illustrates examples of connective symbols that may be used with the associated symbols, if desired. As will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of this disclosure, the connective symbols are optional. If they are used, in certain embodiments they may be placed either on the left sock (at the right of the first symbol) or on the right sock (at the left of the second symbol). As will also be apparent, the first and second symbols may be reversed in order if the connective symbols are not used. If the connective symbols are used, the order of the first and second symbols often may still be reversed, though the nature of some connective symbols makes the order of their associated first and second symbols unchangeable. 
         [0034]    The symbols in Table 1 are only examples of almost innumerable symbols and combinations of symbols possible according to the present invention, as long as they are associated in some way. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 First Symbol 
                 Connective Symbol 
                 Second Symbol 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 blue triangle 
                 ≡ 
                 
                           
                 
               
               
                 25¢ 
                 is the same as 
                 
                           
                 
               
               
                 Three 
                 = 
                 III 
               
               
                 thank you 
                 in Spanish is 
                 gracias 
               
               
                 
                           
                 
                 is a 
                 mountain 
               
               
                 Nose 
                 looks like 
                 
                           
                 
               
               
                 Salt Lake City 
                 is the capitol of 
                 
                           
                 
               
               
                 best 
                 in cursive is 
                 best 
               
               
                 
                           
                 
                 starts with 
                 Z 
               
               
                 “Jesus wept.” 
                 is from 
                 John 11:35 
               
               
                 Mt. Kilimanjaro 
                 is in 
                 Kenya 
               
               
                 yellow and blue 
                 → 
                 green 
               
               
                 Utah 
                 uses 
                 Mountain Standard Time 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0035]    The schematic flow chart and method schematic diagrams that follow are generally set forth as logical flow chart diagrams. As such, the depicted order and labeled steps are indicative of one embodiment of the presented method. Other steps and methods may be conceived that are equivalent in function, logic, or effect to one or more steps, or portions thereof, of the illustrated method. Additionally, the format and symbols employed are provided to explain the logical steps of the method and are understood not to limit the scope of the method. Although various arrow types and line types may be employed in the flow chart diagrams, they are understood not to limit the scope of the corresponding method. Some arrows or other connectors may be used to indicate only the logical flow of the method. For instance, an arrow may indicate a waiting or monitoring period of unspecified duration between enumerated steps of the depicted method. Additionally, the order in which a particular method occurs may or may not strictly adhere to the order of the corresponding steps shown. 
         [0036]    Referring now to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , a method  600  of choosing matching socks  622  and  624  from a plurality of socks is illustrated. The method  600  begins (block  602  in  FIG. 6 ), and a plurality of socks  620  is provided (block  604 ), for instance, a basket of socks after the laundry is done. Each sock contained within the plurality of socks  620  may or may not have a symbol disposed thereon, but at least two socks must each have a symbol disposed thereon according to the present invention. A first sock  622  having disposed thereon a symbol  623  is chosen from the plurality of socks  620  (block  606 ). In the illustrated embodiment, the symbol  623  is an upper-case “A,” though any symbol may be used. A second sock  624  having disposed thereon a symbol  625  which is associated with the symbol  623  is then chosen from the plurality of socks  620  (block  608 ). In the illustrated embodiment, the symbol  625  is a lower-case “a,” though any symbol associated with the symbol  623  may be used. The line  626  ( FIG. 5 ) indicates the association between the socks  622  and  624  due to the symbols  623  and  625 , respectively. The method then ends (block  610 ). 
         [0037]    It can be seen that in the present invention, socks are more readily paired together by providing symbols on the socks, each symbol being associated with a symbol disposed on the matching sock, with or without a connective symbol clarifying the nature of the association. In addition to easing sock matching, the invention provides for education of youngsters and others who may be learning to read, learning arithmetic, other mathematical functions, geography, different languages, textual citations, shapes, or any of a multitude of other principles. 
         [0038]    The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.