Abstract:
Hosiery, such as stockings, are releasably and removably attachable to footwear such as flip-flop type sandals, and/or serve to secure a flip-flop adjacent the foot while the flip-flop is being worn. An instep covering front flap is provided, covering portions of the top of the foot while leaving toes exposed. The stockings include cooperating fastening elements configured to secure the stocking to the V-strap portion of the flip-flop.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates, in general, to stockings and hosiery and, more particularly, to a stocking that is releasably and removably attachable to footwear, such as thong-style sandals, commonly known as “flip-flops”. 
         [0003]    2. General Background of the Invention 
         [0004]    While they have been in existence for quite some time, flip-flop sandals have become increasingly popular in recent years. While flip-flops are traditionally worn during the summer months and in warmer weather, there are many who, for purposes of comfort, fashion, or both, prefer to wear summer in cooler weather and, indeed, year round. 
         [0005]    Accordingly, there are those who may benefit from wearing flip-flops in combination with stockings and hosiery, both for warmth, and for fashion. While flip-flops may potentially work with conventional hosiery, such as socks, there are many who do not find such a combination aesthetically pleasing. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The present invention comprises hosiery, such as stockings, that are releasably and removably attachable to footwear such as flip-flops, and/or which serve to secure footwear such as flip-flops adjacent the foot while the flip-flop is being worn. The stockings may be of a length sufficient to completely cover the calf, extending further over the knee and at least a portion of the thigh, serving as a leg warmer. Alternatively, the stocking may extend any desired height above the ankle but terminate below the knee, serving as a sock. 
         [0007]    In one embodiment of the present invention, the stocking includes a generally cylindrical leg covering region, and an instep covering front flap extending a bottom front edge of the leg covering region. Each distal corner of the front flap includes a cooperating fastening element. In operation, the stocking is worn first, with leg covering region, depending upon its length, surrounding at least the ankle and lower leg of the wearer. Next, the flip-flop is worn in the conventional manner, with the toes slid underneath the strap members or arms of the V-strap of the flop-flop, and with the apex of the V-strap positioned between the big and second toes of the wearer. Next, the opposing corners of the instep covering front flap are drawn forward, between the foot and the arms of the V-strap. Each opposing corner is then wrapped over the top of its associate V-strap arm, and brought towards the other corner of the flap. Finally, the cooperating fastening elements are brought together and affixed to each other. In this manner, The V-strap and, in turn, the remainder of the flip-flop, are secured to the stocking and, in turn, are secured in place adjacent the wearer&#39;s foot, while, at the same time, leaving a significant portion of the toes exposed and in view. 
         [0008]    In this embodiment, the cooperating fastening elements may comprise, for example, a button and buttonhole. Alternatively, the cooperating fastening elements may comprise male and female portions of a snap fastener. Other types of cooperating fastener element combinations contemplated by the present invention involve hook-and-loop type fasteners, laces that can be tied together, a button in combination with a looped string or cord, and a pair of mating hooked members. 
         [0009]    In another embodiment of the present invention, a substantially tubular leg covering region is again provided. In this embodiment, the instep covering front flap takes on the form of a tapering partial foot covering region, having a loop of string, cord, or an elastic material at the tapered distal end. In operation, the stocking is again worn first, with leg covering region, depending upon its length, surrounding at least the ankle and lower leg of the wearer. Next, the flip-flop is again worn in the convention manner, with the toes slid underneath the strap members or arms of the V-strap of the flip-flop, and with the apex of the V-strap positioned between the big and second toes of the wearer. Next, the loop at the distal end of the partial foot covering region is stretched over the top of the V-strap, and over and around one of the wearer&#39;s toes, such as the second or third toe, where the loop remains in place. Inasmuch as a portion of the V-strap is thus sandwiched between the wearer&#39;s foot and the partial foot covering region, this, in turn, serves to secure the flip-flop in place adjacent the wearer&#39;s foot, while, at the same time, leaving a significant portion of the toes exposed and in view. 
         [0010]    In a variation of this second embodiment, a cooperating fastening element, such as a button, is provided proximate the attachment point of the looped material to the distal end of the instep covering front flap. In operation, the loop is passed underneath one of the arms of the V-strap, wrapped around the strap back towards the leg, and placed around the button, thus securing the loop to the button. Moreover, it is also contemplated that a plurality of such loops may be provided, with at least one loop being passed underneath and back around each of the separate arms or strap members of the V-strap. Each loop may be secured to its own button attached to the instep covering front flap. Alternatively, all of the loops may be secured to the same, central button. Moreover, as in the first described embodiment, a variety of cooperating fastening members, other than loops and buttons, may alternatively be used. Such cooperating fastening members may comprise, for example, cooperating hook-and-loop tape segments, male and female snap members, eyelets and hooks, buttons and buttonholes, etc. 
         [0011]    One potential benefit of this releasable attachment of the flip-flop adjacent the foot by means of the present invention is that the requirement to repetitively curl the toes while walking, in order to maintain the flip-flop in attachment to the foot, is lessened or eliminated. Flip-flop wearers tend to grip the shoe with their toes while walking, forcing them to take shorter steps. This modification in gait may potentially produce muscle imbalances and improper joint mechanics. It is believed that the additional support provided by the attachment of the flip-flop to a stocking may lessen the modifications made to the gait by the wearer, and thus reduce the risk of associated injuries. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]      FIG. 1  is a top plan view of a conventional thong-style sandal or flip-flop; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is an elevated side perspective view of a first embodiment of a stocking according to the present invention, and showing, in particular, the stocking attached to a flip-flop while being worn about the leg and foot; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a top plan view of the front panel of the stocking of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a to plan view of the rear panel of the stocking of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is a top plan view of the back heel panel of the stocking of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is a top plan view of the bottom heel panel of the stocking of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  is an elevated side perspective view of a second embodiment of a stocking according to the present invention, and showing, in particular, the stocking attached to a flip-flop while being worn about the leg and foot; 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  is an elevated side view of the stocking of  FIG. 7 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 9  is a top plan view of the bottom strap portion of the stocking of  FIG. 7 ; and 
           [0021]      FIG. 10  is an elevated front view of the stocking of  FIG. 7 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0022]    While the present invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail, several specific embodiments, with the understanding that the present disclosure is intended as an exemplification of the principles of the present invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the embodiments illustrated. 
         [0023]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , conventional flip-flop  10  includes exposed sole  11  having top surface  12 , and V-strap  15 . V-strap  15  includes first strap member or arm  16 , and second strap member or arm  17 . Both strap members  16  and  17  are joined together at apex  18 , where V-strap  15  attaches to top surface  12  of sole  11 , typically via a cylindrical stem. Distal ends of strap members  16  and  17  may likewise attach to top surface  12  of sole  11 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . Alternatively, distal ends of strap members may attach to sole  11  along opposing side edges of sole  11 . In another embodiment of a conventional sandal, a single, relatively wide strap is disposed transversely across the upper toe or lower instep region of the foot. 
         [0024]    A first embodiment of the present stocking, that is releasably and removably attachable to at least a portion of a flip-flop, is shown in  FIGS. 2-6  as comprising stocking  30  having front panel  40 , rear panel  80 , back heel portion  90 , and bottom heel portion  100 . Referring to  FIG. 3 , front panel  40  includes top edge  41 , bottom edge  42 , first side edge  43 , and second side edge  44 . A slightly tapered upper portion of front panel  40  forms a part of generally cylindrical leg covering region  50 . A somewhat more tapered lower portion of front panel  40  forms instep covering front flap  60 , having first distal corner  61  and second distal corner  62 . Button  70  is sewn or otherwise attached to an inner, reverse side of front flap  60  proximate second corner  62 , and forms a first fastening element associated with stocking  30 . Buttonhole  71  is disposed through a portion of front flap  60  proximate first corner  61 , and thus forms a second fastening element associated with stocking  30 . 
         [0025]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , rear panel  80  is substantially rectangular, with slightly tapered side edges, and comprises top edge  81 , bottom edge  82 , first side edge  83 , and second side edge  84 . Rear panel  80  is sewn or otherwise attached to front panel  40 , with top edges  41  and  81  aligned to form substantially circular top opening  31  of leg covering region  50 , with a first longitudinal seam running proximate first side edge  43  and second side edge  84 , and with a second longitudinal seam running proximate second side edge  44  and first side edge  83 , thus forming a substantially cylindrical leg covering region  50 . Alternatively, substantially cylindrical leg covering  50  may be formed in a continuous, seamless manner. Moreover, zero, one, or two seams may be employed proximate substantially circular top opening  31 . 
         [0026]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , back heel panel  90  is substantially semicircular in configuration, and includes base edge  91  and semicircular edge  92 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , back heel panel may optionally be attached for additional strength and reinforcement proximate the heel portion of stocking  30 , by stitching or otherwise attaching back heel panel to rear panel  80 , with base edge  91  of back heel panel  90  substantially aligned with bottom edge  82  of rear panel  80 . 
         [0027]    Referring to  FIG. 6 , bottom heel panel  100  is substantially semielliptical in configuration, and includes base edge  101  and semielliptical edge  102 . If desired, in order to provide additional bottom heel coverage and additional securing of a portion stocking  30  in place proximate the heel of the wearer. Heel panel  100  may be stitched or otherwise attached to rear panel  80 , with semielliptical edge  102  substantially aligned with bottom edge  82  of rear panel  80 . 
         [0028]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , in operation, stocking  30  is first worn, by drawing top opening  31  over foot  21 , beyond instep  24  thereof, past ankle  25  and adjacent leg  20 , until leg covering region  50  surrounds leg  20 , and instep covering front flap  60  extends over the top of foot  21 , from instep  24  towards the toes, including big toe  22  and second toe  23 . Next, foot  21  is inserted into flip-flop  10 , with the toes slid underneath first strap member  16  and second strap member  17  of V-strap  15 , such that toes  22  and  23  are disposed on opposing sides of apex  18  of V-strap  15 . Next, bottom edge  42  of instep covering front flap  60  is drawn towards the toes and underneath V-strap  15 , with second corner  62  drawn forward adjacent the foot and underneath first strap member  16 , and first corner  61  drawn forward adjacent the foot and underneath second strap member  17 . Next, a generally triangular portion of front flap  60  proximate first corner  61  is folded back over the top surface of second strap member  17 , exposing first fastening element, or button  70 , proximate instep  24  of foot  21 . Similarly, another generally triangular portion of front flap  60  proximate second corner  62  is folded back over the top surface of first strap member  16 , such that second fastening element, or buttonhole  71 , engages button  70 , with button  70  being inserted through buttonhole  71  to secure second corner  62  to first corner  61 . This, in turn, secures flip-flop  10 , generally, to stocking  30 , thus securing flip-flop  10  in position with foot  21  inserted therein. Undoing the foregoing steps in the reverse order serves to unattach flip-flop  10  from stocking  30 . In this manner, stocking  30  is thus releasably attachable to and detachable from flip-flop  10 . 
         [0029]    Another embodiment of the present invention is shown in  FIGS. 7-10  as comprising stocking  200 , having generally cylindrical leg covering region  210 , having a top opening at top edge  211  thereof. Partial foot covering region  220  extends forward from a bottom portion of leg covering region  210 , and includes instep covering front flap  220 . When stocking  200  is worn, the underside of the foot is generally left exposed, with the exception of the region covered by the transverse attachment, by sewing or other means of attachment, of elastic bottom strap  240  across opposing sides of instep covering flap  230 . Optional heel cutout  227  is disposed proximate the junction of leg covering region  210  and partial foot covering region  220 , if an exposed heel is desired. Alternatively, a heel panel, or a heel extension of either leg covering region  210  or partial foot covering region  220  may be provided to cover the heel. 
         [0030]    As best seen in  FIG. 10 , partial foot covering region  220  includes proximal portion  221 , instep covering front flap  230 , and tapered edges  222 , terminating at apex  223 . A first fastening element, in the form of loop  250 , is sewn or otherwise attached to front flap  230  proximate apex  223 . A second fastening element, in the form of button  251 , is sewn or otherwise attached to front flap  230 , again proximate apex  223 . 
         [0031]    Referring to  FIG. 7 , stocking  200  is first worn, by drawing the top opening at top edge  211  over foot  21 , beyond instep  24  thereof, past ankle  25  and adjacent leg  20 , until leg covering region  210  surrounds leg  20 , and instep covering front flap  230  extends over the top of foot  21 , from instep  24  towards the toes, including big toe  22  and second toe  23 . Next, foot  21  is inserted into flip-flop  10 , with the toes slid underneath first strap member  16  and second strap member  17  of V-strap  15 , such that toes  22  and  23  are disposed on opposing sides of apex  18  of V-strap  15 . Next, first fastening element or loop  250  is drawn forward, underneath either first strap member  16  or second strap member  17  of V-strap  15 , proximate apex  18 . Next, loop  250  is wrapped around, back over the top of either first strap member  16  or second strap member  17 , and is secured about second fastening element or button  251 . This, in turn, secures flip-flop  10 , generally, to stocking  200 , thus securing flip-flop  10  in position with foot  21  inserted therein. Undoing the foregoing steps in the reverse order serves to unattach flip-flop  10  from stocking  200 . In this manner, stocking  200  is thus releasably attachable to and detachable from flip-flop  10 . 
         [0032]    Various means of attachment to flip-flop  10 , other than an elastic loop and button, may be employed in variation of this embodiment of the invention. For example, a length of material, having a buttonhole proximate a distal end, may instead be attached to apex  223 , wrapped around a portion of V-strap  15 , and attached to button  251 . Hook-and-loop type fastening elements may alternatively be disposed at the distal end of such a strip of material, and in place of button  251 . Male and female portions of a snap fastener may likewise be disposed at the distal end of such a strip of material, and in place of button  251 . A hook may be disposed proximate apex  251  in place of a fastener, to engage and secure loop  250 . Moreover, a plurality of any of the foregoing fastening elements may be employed, with at least one pair of such fasteners associated with each opposing tapered edge  222  of front flap  230 . In this manner, loops or lengths of material may alternatively be simultaneously wrapped around both strap member  16  and strap member  17  of V-strap  15 , thereby providing more balanced, enhanced securement, as compared to a single point of attachment. 
         [0033]    Moreover, a variation of the embodiment of  FIGS. 7-10  is also contemplated, wherein second fastening element or button  251  is omitted. In this embodiment, loop  250  is instead extended over V-strap  15  and is placed so as to encircle one of the toes, such as second toe  23 . Moreover, a sufficient length of loop  250  may be provided, or loop  250  may be of a material of sufficient elasticity, so as to permit loop  250  to be wrapped one or more times completely around either first strap member  16  or second strap member  17 , prior to attachment to one of the toes. This attachment of a distal end of instep covering front flap  230  over V-strap  15  and to one of the toes of the foot likewise serves to maintain flip-flop  10  in attachment to the foot. As in the previously discussed embodiments, a plurality of such loops  250  may be provided, for attachment to multiple toes, and/or for wrapping about both strap members of V-strap  15 , providing enhanced securement of flip-flop  10  in place while being worn. 
         [0034]    In the embodiments illustrated in  FIGS. 2-10 , the stocking of the present invention is in the form of a leg warmer, extending up the leg approximately sixteen to eighteen inches, as measured from the bottom of the foot. Alternatively, the length of the stocking may be shortened to mid-calf, or to just above the ankle, in the configuration of a sock. Moreover, the general circumference and lengths of the stocking may be varied to accommodate various sized wearers, such as by matching established sock or shoe sizes. 
         [0035]    The stockings of the present invention may be woven or knit from a variety of natural or synthetic materials, such as cotton, wool, polyester, nylon, Spandex®, or natural/synthetic blends. It is desirable that at least the portion of the stocking that partially covers the foot be sufficiently stretchable or elastic in nature to facilitate attachment of the stocking to the flip-flop while the stocking is being worn. 
         [0036]    Many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced other than as specifically described. Various modifications, changes and variations may be made in the arrangement, operation and details of construction of the invention disclosed herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The present disclosure is intended to exemplify and not limit the invention.