Abstract:
A laundry holding snare device for holding multiple clothing items, particularly clothing items without full openings, is provided. The snare device can include two cord sections secured together at at least one end by an end stopper. The two cord sections can also be secured together at various locations along the length of the snare by intermediate stoppers in order to create several loading regions. Within the loading regions and attached to the cord sections can be a cordlock fastener that can be used to secure the clothing items between the cord sections at each loading region. The snare device can be configured for use as a stand-alone laundry device and the snare device can be configured for use with a laundry strap holder.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/185,033, filed on Jun. 26, 2015, to Peggy R. Durney et al., entitled “Laundry Sock/Garment Snare,” currently pending, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to a device for holding an individual&#39;s laundry, including sock, caps, gloves and the like, when laundering a single individual&#39;s clothing at home and when several individuals&#39; clothing is laundered together in single loads. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    There are commonly situations where multiple individuals&#39; laundry needs to be laundered together in a single load. In such situations, it is necessary to keep each individual&#39;s laundry separated from the other individuals&#39; laundry. Additionally, often times an individual has several items, such as socks, caps, gloves and the like, without slots or openings that must be laundered. Several different devices have been used to accomplish this goal, each having its own limitations and deficiencies. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,551,128 to Townsend discloses a laundry device with two fixed-dimension laundry devices, one for clothing items and another for socks and the like. However, this sock holding device is difficult to use when a large number of socks are to be washed, or when only one or a few pairs of lightweight socks are to be washed, because the device cannot be adequately adjusted. Additionally, this device requires that a significant area of socks and the like to remain enclosed by the device, minimizing its effectiveness in both washing and drying the enclosed garments. Another laundry device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,038,748 to Peggy R. Durney and Michael J. Durney, the entire disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference. In that invention, the laundry device included a sock snare attached to the main belt that included two cords and a threaded cord lock fastener connecting the two cords. Socks could be inserted between the cords and then cinched together using the cordlock fastener. However, the sock snare is effective only when one or two pairs of socks are placed in the sock snare as the socks fail to get adequately cleaned and/or dried when more than two pairs of socks are cinched together. 
         [0004]    It is also not uncommon for clothing items, such as socks, caps, gloves and the like to become lost or mismatched during the laundering process, even when laundering only a single individual&#39;s clothing at home. Various devices have previously been designed in an effort to prevent this problem. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,389,657 to Darlyn C. Turner and 7,631,753 to Thomas G. Temmel each disclose respective sock laundering devices for holding pairs of socks together using clips. However, similar to the laundering devices described above, each of these designs have been ineffective and inefficient. 
         [0005]    In view of the foregoing, what is needed is a laundry holder for socks and the like which is efficient and easy to use for at-home use, when a single individual&#39;s clothing is laundered, and when multiple individuals&#39; clothing are laundered at once. Further, a laundry holder for socks, cap, gloves or other lightweight clothing items, is needed that can effectively, during the washing and drying thereof, hold and separate several pairs of socks and/or shirts, underwear and the like while keeping an individual&#39;s laundry separate from other individuals&#39; laundry during the washing and drying process. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The present invention is directed generally to a clothing or garment snare. The garment snare can be designed to hold and secure in place one or more items of clothing, and in particular, clothing items without appropriate slots such as socks, caps, gloves, towels and other similar items. The garment snare can be configured for use as a stand-alone device or for attachment to a laundry holder depending on the particular embodiment. 
         [0007]    The snare can be constructed from a single length of cording folded in half so that two cord sections are positioned generally adjacent to one another or from two individual cord sections. Each end of the snare can then be secured together at its ends using any suitable type of stopper or other cord securing means, such as but not limited to a knot, a tab, a clip, snap hook or the like in order to form a continuous loop. According to one embodiment, rather than securing both ends, one end is secured to a laundry holder and the other end is secured together using the cord securing means. Intermittently placed between the ends of the cord can be a plurality of intermediate stoppers. The intermediate stoppers can be formed as any type of knot, clip or clamp or formed through a crimping device or other suitable means. The application or formation of the intermediate stoppers forms the individual loading regions of the snare, where each loading region can be defined as the loop of gap between two intermediate stoppers or between one intermediate stopper and one end stopper. The loading regions can be designed to hold the various clothing or garment items intended to be used in connection with the snare. 
         [0008]    In order to secure the laundry or garment items within the loading regions, each loading region can have a cordlock fastener connected to the two cord sections within the loading region. The cordlock fastener can be permanently attached to the snare or removably attached depending on the particular embodiment of the present invention. According to one embodiment, the cordlock fastener can be a conventional releasable cordlock fastener that is threaded with the first and second cord sections so that it may be slidably moved along the length of cording in the particular loading region. 
         [0009]    In order to use the snare, the clothing item can be placed through the loading region so that it rests between the first and second cord sections. The cordlock fastener can then be used to cinch or otherwise secure the clothing item against one end of the loading region (e.g., intermediate or end stopper). As a result, the clothing item can be snuggly secured between the cordlock fastener and the intermediate or end stopper of the loading region. 
         [0010]    In a second embodiment of the present invention, the snare can be constructed from a single length of cord. Similar to the embodiment described above, the snare can include a first and second ends constructed with a stopper or other cord securing means, such as but not limited to a knot, a tab, a clip, snap hook or the like. One of the ends can also be formed as an enclosed loop from the length of cord. In addition, the snare according to this embodiment can have intermediate stoppers intermediately spaced along the length of the snare. However, in this embodiment, instead of having loading regions formed from two cord sections, the snare can include one or more serrated jaw clamps. These jaw clamps can connected to the cord and can clamp and secure garments in a spaced configuration along the length of the snare. 
         [0011]    Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments and the accompanying drawing figures. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING 
         [0012]    In the accompanying drawing, which forms a part of the specification and is to be read in conjunction therewith in which like reference numerals are used to indicate like or similar parts in the various views: 
           [0013]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a laundry sock/garment snare in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an end of a laundry sock/garment snare illustrating a locking cord tab in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of an end of a laundry sock/garment snare illustrating a loop end in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  is a plan view of the laundry sock/garment snare of  FIG. 1  illustrating a sock loading region; 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the laundry sock/garment snare of  FIG. 1  in a looped configuration; 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a laundry sock/garment snare connected to a laundry device in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a laundry sock/garment snare in a looped configuration connected to a laundry device in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0020]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a laundry sock/garment snare connected to a laundry device in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0021]    The invention will now be described with reference to the drawing figures, in which like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout. For purposes of clarity in illustrating the characteristics of the present invention, proportional relationships of the elements have not necessarily been maintained in the drawing figures. 
         [0022]    The following detailed description of the invention references specific embodiments in which the invention can be practiced. The embodiments are intended to describe aspects of the invention in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. Other embodiments can be utilized and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. The present invention is defined by the appended claims and the description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense and shall not limit the scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. 
         [0023]    The present invention is generally directed to a laundry sock/garment snare  10 , as shown in  FIG. 1 , that can be used separately or in conjunction with a laundry device  12 , as shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 . The sock/garment snare  10  allows a user to effectively launder multiple items, such as socks, caps, gloves, towels and other similar items without slots or openings. Due to the configuration of the sock/garment snare  10 , the multiple items may be spread out and separated along the sock/garment snare  10  so that each item may be effectively washed and dried. The sock/garment snare  10  also allows a user to use the sock/garment snare  10  in either an elongated configuration or a looped configuration, depending on the user&#39;s preference, to minimize any tangling of the sock/garment snare  10  with other garments while laundering. 
         [0024]    The sock/garment snare  10  can be made from a length of cording  14  that may be separated in to a plurality of sock/garment loading regions  16 . The loading regions can be formed from cord sections from the length of cording or from jaw clamps as described in greater detail below. The embodiment shown in  FIG. 1  demonstrates a sock/garment snare  10  with four loading regions. However, the sock/garment snare  10  may include several other quantities of loading regions not displayed in the figures. The cording  14  can be of several different lengths as long as the sock/garment snare  10  is long enough to accommodate the desired number of loading regions  16 . The cording  14  may have two individual cord strands formed by either by looping a single strand of cord in half or securing two individual strands of cord together. The free ends of the two cord strands of the cording  14  may be secured together using a locking cord tab  18 , as best shown in  FIG. 2  to form a first end  20  of the sock/garment snare  10 . In an alternative embodiment, the free ends of the two cord strands of the cording  14  may be secured together using a snap hook (not shown) constructed from plastic, metal or the like. The free ends may also be secured using a knot or other suitable device or method to form first end  20 . An opposing end, or second end  22 , of the sock/garment snare  10  may be a closed loop  24  as best shown in  FIG. 3 . The closed loop  24  may be closed by an end stopper  26 , such as a half-hitch knot or other knot, near the end of the cording  14  as shown in  FIG. 3 . The closed loop  24  should be large enough to receive a strap of a laundry device  12 . 
         [0025]    A plurality of intermediate stoppers  28  may be located between the first end  20  and the second end  22  of the sock/garment snare  10 . The intermediate stoppers  28  may be formed as half-hitch knots or other knot, by a crimping device, or any other method commonly known or hereinafter developed. The stoppers  28  may form the boundaries of the loading regions  16  as best shown in  FIG. 1 . The stoppers  28  (and  26 ) secure the two cord strands together at specific locations along the cording  14 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the stoppers  28  may be generally evenly spaced across the sock/garment snare  10  to folio similar sized loading regions  16 , according to one embodiment. In alternative embodiments, the stoppers  28  may be placed at varying locations across the sock/garment snare  10  to form differentially sized loading regions  16 . 
         [0026]    Between two intermediate stoppers  28  may be a releasable cordlock fastener  30 , or similar device that may be selectively positioned along cording  14  and temporarily locked in position. In one embodiment, the releasable cordlock fastener  30  is a conventional acetal cordlock that is threaded with the two cord strands and has a spring biased plunger. When the plunger is depressed, the cordlock  30  may be slidably moved on the cording  14 , and when the plunger is released, the cordlock  30  is secured in its current position. A releasable cordlock fastener  30  may also be placed between the end stopper  26  and intermediate stopper  28 . As described in greater detail below (and shown in  FIG. 8 ), in an embodiment where a jaw clamp  32  is used for forming loading regions  16 , cordlock fasteners  30  and intermediate stoppers  28  and even end stoppers  26  are not necessary. 
         [0027]    The sock/garment snare  10  may be used independently to hold and launder socks, gloves, caps and similar items without slots or openings, in an elongated configuration, as shown in  FIG. 1 , or in a looped configuration, as shown in  FIG. 4 . When in the looped configuration, the first end  20  may be inserted through the closed loop  24  of the second end  22  and secured. In one embodiment, the first end  20  is secured to the second end  22  by inserting the locking cord tab  18  through the closed loop  24  and tying the cording  14  of the first end  20  to the cording of the second end  22 . In an alternative embodiment, a snap hook or similar device (not shown) is used in place of locking cord tab  18  and can secure first end  20  to second end  22  by connecting the hook to the loop  24  of second end  22 . Several other suitable methods to secure first end  20  to second end  22  may also be used in other embodiments. 
         [0028]    The sock/garment snare  10  may also be used in conjunction with a laundry device  12 , as best shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 . When used in conjunction with a laundry device  12 , a strap of the laundry device may be inserted through the closed loop  24  of the second end  22  before buckling the straps of the laundry device  12  together. The laundry device  12  and sock/garment snare  10  may be laundered with the sock/garment snare  10  in an elongated configuration as shown in  FIG. 6 , or the sock snare may be in a looped configuration as shown in  FIG. 7 . When the sock/garment snare  10  is connected to the laundry device  12  and in the elongated configuration, the strap of the laundry device  12  is inserted through closed loop  24  of the second end  22 . Then the laundry device  12  may be buckled together. In this configuration, the first end  20  of the sock/garment snare  10  is not attached to the laundry device  12  or to the second end  22  of the sock/garment snare  10 . Alternatively, when a snap hook (not shown) is used in place of locking cord tab  18 , the snap hook (not shown) may be connected to the laundry device  12  and the second end  22  can remain unattached to the laundry device  12  to allow the sock/garment snare  10  to be in the elongated configuration. 
         [0029]    When the sock/garment snare  10  is connected to the laundry device  12  and in the looped configuration, the strap of the laundry device  12  is inserted through the closed loop  24  of the second end  22  and the laundry device  12  may be buckled together. The first end  20  may then be secured to the second end  22  of the sock/garment snare  10  as described above. First end may also be secured to the laundry device  12 . Alternatively, when the snap hook (not shown) is used in place of locking cord tab  18 , the snap hook (not shown) can be connected to the second end loop  24  to place the sock/garment snare  10  into the looped configuration. The sock/garment snare  10  may be loaded with items, such as socks and the like, before or after attaching the sock/garment snare  10  to the laundry device  12 . In certain embodiments of the present invention, the laundry sock/garment snare  10  can also be permanently joined or affixed to the laundry device  12 . 
         [0030]    When loading the sock/garment snare  10  according to a first embodiment with cordlock fasteners  30 , a user may position the cordlock fastener  30  against one of the intermediate stoppers  28  or end stopper  18  or  26  of one of the loading regions  16  as best shown in  FIG. 4 . The user may then separate the two individual cord strands of the cording  14  as shown in  FIG. 4  to form an opening  32 . By positioning the cordlock fastener  30  against the stopper  28 ,  26  or  18 , the user is able to form the largest possible opening  32  in the loading region  16 . The user may then insert items such as socks, caps, gloves and the like through the opening  32  and then move the cordlock fastener  30  toward the inserted items until the items are snuggly located between the cordlock fastener  30  and stopper  28 ,  26  or  18 . The user may then load one or more of the additional loading regions  16  of the sock/garment snare  10  in the same manner. 
         [0031]    According to a second embodiment, sock/garment snare  10  can optionally be constructed with length of cording  14  as best shown in  FIG. 8 . As also shown in  FIG. 8 , snare  10  can include cord tab  18  at first end  20  and an enclosed loop  24  formed by cording  14  at second end  22 . As also described above, snare  10  can additionally optionally include end stoppers  26  and intermediate stoppers  28 . However, as best illustrated in  FIG. 8 , loading regions  16  are not formed by the spacing between the two cord sections of cording  14  and instead formed from jaw clamps  32 . As shown in  FIG. 8 , snare  10  can have a plurality of jaw clamps  32  positioned along the length of snare  10  or just a single jaw clamp  32  depending on the particular embodiment. Jaw clamps  32  can be any suitable type of jaw clamp, such as a serrated jaw clamp having one or more notches or teeth and can be constructed from plastic, metal or other suitable material. Jaw clamps  32  can be threaded through cording  14  or otherwise connected to cording  14  in a spaced apart manner. Jaw clamps  32  can be configured to open and close at one end to form loading region  16  so as to allow a user to insert a garment or pair of garments into the opened end of jaw clamp  32  and then secure the jaw clamp  32  shut so that the garment(s) remain attached to the jaw clamp  32 . Similar to as described above, snare  10  configured with jaw clamps  32  can be configured for independent use or to be used in conjunction with a laundry device  12  as shown in  FIG. 8 . 
         [0032]    From the foregoing, it will be seen that this invention is one well adapted to attain all the ends and objects hereinabove set forth together with other advantages which are obvious and which are inherent to the structure. It will be understood that certain features and sub combinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and sub combinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the claims. Since many possible embodiments of the invention may be made without departing from the scope thereof, it is also to be understood that all matters herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings are to be interpreted as illustrative and not limiting. 
         [0033]    The constructions described above and illustrated in the drawings are presented by way of example only and are not intended to limit the concepts and principles of the present invention. Thus, there has been shown and described several embodiments of a novel invention. As is evident from the foregoing description, certain aspects of the present invention are not limited by the particular details of the examples illustrated herein, and it is therefore contemplated that other modifications and applications, or equivalents thereof, will occur to those skilled in the art. The terms “having” and “including” and similar terms as used in the foregoing specification are used in the sense of “optional” or “may include” and not as “required”. Many changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications of the present construction will, however, become apparent to those skilled in the art after considering the specification and the accompanying drawings. All such changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention are deemed to be covered by the invention which is limited only by the claims which follow.