Abstract:
The invention provides a sock for the foot comprising a main body having a bottom portion that covers the bottom of the foot, a toe portion that covers the toes of the foot, and a heel portion that covers the heel of the foot. There is a strap that is sized to pass around the front portion of the ankle that has two opposing ends that attach to the main body.

Description:
COPYRIGHT NOTICE 
       [0001]    A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent files and records, but otherwise reserves all other copyright rights. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    This invention generally relates to footwear for children and, specifically, socks that may be used with or without shoes. 
         [0004]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0005]    Parents of infants and toddlers face significant challenges in providing footwear for their children. Such challenges include the need for footwear that may be easily put on and taken off, but that also stays on given an infant&#39;s and child&#39;s rigorous activities. Another challenge is finding footwear that is appropriate for the temperature, that is, footwear that keeps feet warm in cold temperatures and cool in warm temperatures. Possibly the biggest challenge faced by the parent is the continuously changing size of a child&#39;s feet, causing undue expense if the footwear is not able to accommodate at least some change in foot size. Finally, from a marketing perspective, it is desirable that children&#39;s footwear be of a design that is aesthetically appealing to the parent. 
         [0006]    Conventional shoes, while they may be sized for small children, have significant disadvantages. Conventional shoes are difficult to put on and take off and usually require socks to provide a cushion and proper hygiene to avoid injury to young feet. Shoes do not readily accommodate the constantly changing size of a child&#39;s feet. In addition, the foot protection and durability provided by conventional shoes, while necessary for an adult, is not necessary for a toddler who does not spend a significant amount of time walking outdoors. A better solution for child&#39;s footwear is a one-piece non-shoe item of footwear that may be worn alone or with shoes where they are deemed necessary. 
         [0007]    The relevant literature demonstrates that there have been no non-shoe designs that provide a satisfactory solution to the previously described challenges associated with children&#39;s footwear. For example, United States Design Patent No. Des 213,001 to Clayton, titled “Footlet,” discloses an ornamental design for an article of non-shoe footwear constituting a round portion of fabric edged with elastic that is intended to be placed over the lower portion of the foot. This design does not include any means of securing the footwear in place, such as a strap passing over the top of the foot, and, therefore, is not sufficiently fastened to the foot so as to be suitable for use as child&#39;s footwear. It is also unclear if the disclosure of Clayton is intended to be used without shoes, is merely a sock to be worn with shoes, or is intended for use over shoes. 
         [0008]    U.S. Pat. No. 3,887,946 to Laskin et al., titled “Foot Covering,” discloses an article of non-shoe footwear that covers the lower portion of the foot. The invention of Laskin, however, is directed toward disposable foot coverings and, specifically, foot coverings such as those for customers of shoe stores who wish to try on shoes, but do not have socks. Laskin states that the foot coverings disclosed are made of non-woven materials, so as not to allow perspiration to contaminate the new shoes. Foot coverings of non-woven materials do not breath, are uncomfortable when worn for long periods, cause perspiration, and are difficult to wash and, therefore, not hygienic. For all of these reasons, the disclosure of Laskin is unsuitable for use as children&#39;s footwear. 
         [0009]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,324,698 B1 to Freeman, titled “Split Sock,” discloses a “slipper sock” that covers the entire foot, as well as a portion of the calf and has a slit over the top of the foot that may be drawn back to easily access the foot. The disclosure of Freeman is directed to a situation where there is a foot injury and the putting on and taking off of a sock would aggravate that injury. Other than the ability to access the foot easily, the disclosure is merely a sock and addresses none of the challenges faced by parents seeking footwear for children. 
         [0010]    Finally, United States Publication No. 20050144703 to Holbert, titled “Slip-Resistant Stocking,” discloses a stocking of the type worn by hospital patients for walking on smooth hospital floors that utilizes slip resistant material, such as rubber, on the outside surface. Although this disclosure provides footwear that stays on and may be utilized without shoes, the disclosure provides no structural variations that provide for differences in temperature. Moreover, the design is not aesthetically pleasing as is needed in the competitive children&#39;s clothing market. 
         [0011]    As demonstrated by the foregoing discussion, none of the prior approaches have been able to provide an item of footwear for a child that is simultaneously aesthetically pleasing to adults, stays on, is largely able to adjust in size as the child grows, is easily washed, has sufficient design variations allowing it to be cool in warm weather or warm in cool weather, and may be worn with or without shoes. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0012]    This invention provides a sock for the foot comprising a main body having a bottom portion that covers the bottom of the foot, a toe portion that covers the toes of the foot, and a heel portion that covers the heel of the foot. There is a strap that is sized to pass around the front portion of the ankle that has two opposing ends that attach to the main body. 
         [0013]    In various embodiments, the sock may be of woven material, may be substantially open at the top of the foot or may have two side portions of the main body, each covering a part of each side of the foot. Where there are side portions, the two opposing ends of the strap may attach to those side portions. 
         [0014]    The strap may be elasticized and where so elasticized, it and the main body may form a continuous elasticized strip that encircles the ankle and maintains the heel portion in place over the heel. Likewise, the elasticized strap and main body may form a continuous elasticized strip that maintains the toe portion in place over the toes of the foot and the side portions in place over each side of the foot. The afore-mentioned two configurations may also be combined. 
         [0015]    Different embodiments may have a top portion that covers the top of the foot. In such embodiments, that top portion could be of a different color or a different material from the main body. The main body and strap could also incorporate a continuous decorative edge that encircles the ankle. Other embodiments include those in which the bottom portion of the sock is reinforced for use without shoes or where the bottom portion has a slip resistant material applied to its outside surface. The invention also contemplates an embodiment wherein the sock is sized to fit children younger than nine years old. 
         [0016]    In further alternative embodiments, the sock has a main body comprised of a closed toed end and an open end that surrounds the wearer&#39;s ankle. In addition, the sock has a resilient loop formed over the top of the foot between the closed end and the open end. In alternative further refinements of this embodiment, the open end may be comprised of resilient material, the resilient loop may define an oval, the resilient loop may be formed by stitching, the resilient loop may be formed of resilient material sewn into the main body, the resilient loop may contain fabric, the resilient loop may form an opening in the main body, or the resilient loop may have sufficient elasticity to urge the toe end and the ankle end together. 
         [0017]    These and other features and advantages of this invention are described in, or are apparent from, the following detailed description of various exemplary embodiments of the product according to this invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0018]    A more complete understanding of the present invention and the attendant features and advantages thereof may be had by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein: 
           [0019]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective of the double loop sock, showing how the sock fits on the wearer&#39;s foot. 
           [0020]      FIG. 2  is a side view of a sock of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 3  is a top-down view of the sock of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0022]      FIG. 4  is a front view of the sock of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0023]      FIG. 5  is a rear view of the sock of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0024]      FIG. 6  is a bottom view of the sock of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0025]      FIG. 7  shows a perspective view of a different embodiment of the sock, showing how the sock fits on the wearer&#39;s foot. 
           [0026]      FIG. 8  shows a bottom-up view of another embodiment of the sock. 
           [0027]      FIG. 9  shows a perspective view of a different embodiment of the sock, showing how the sock fits on the wearer&#39;s foot. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0028]    The present invention is an item of child&#39;s footwear that may be worn with or without shoes, that may be easily put on and taken off by the parent, but that may also be securely fastened to the feet, that is somewhat flexible so as to adjust in size as the child grows, that is easily washed and, therefore, hygienic, that is designed it to be cool in warm weather and, in other embodiments, to be warm in cool weather and that is aesthetically pleasing to adults so as to allow success in the competitive children&#39;s clothing market. 
         [0029]    Before the present invention is described in greater detail, it is to be understood that this invention is not limited to particular embodiments described, as such may, of course, vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to be limiting, since the scope of the present invention will be limited only by the appended claims. 
         [0030]    Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although any materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can also be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, the preferred materials are now described. 
         [0031]    All publications and patents cited in this specification are herein incorporated by reference as if each individual publication or patent were specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference and are incorporated herein by reference to disclose and describe the materials in connection with which the publications are cited. The citation of any publication is for its disclosure prior to the filing date and should not be construed as an admission that the present invention is not entitled to antedate such publication by virtue of prior invention. Further, the dates of publication provided may be different from the actual publication dates which may need to be independently confirmed. 
         [0032]    It must be noted that as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an”, and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. It is further noted that the claims may be drafted to exclude any optional element. As such, this statement is intended to serve as antecedent basis for use of such exclusive terminology as “solely,” “only” and the like in connection with the recitation of claim elements, or use of a “negative” limitation. 
         [0033]    As will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reading this disclosure, each of the individual embodiments described and illustrated herein has discrete components and features which may be readily separated from or combined with the features of any of the other several embodiments without departing from the scope or spirit of the present invention. 
         [0034]    In this description, the term “woven material” is intended to be broadly construed and includes material of any composition that is formed by intertwining strands. 
         [0035]    By “elasticized” is meant any material of any composition that may be stretched and, thereafter, tends to resume its original shape. 
         [0036]    By “slip resistant material” is meant material of any composition, the application of which results in increased traction. 
         [0037]    By “reinforced” is meant any structural difference between the reinforced portion and the non-reinforced portion that results in greater structural strength including, but not limited to, increased thickness of material, multiple layers of fabric, increased stitching or use of stronger thread and the like. 
         [0038]    By “resilient” is meant having the capability to recover size and shape after deformation. 
         [0039]    As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the double loop sock is comprised of a main body  110  of woven material. Such woven material, which may be of cotton or other natural fibers, breathes and is easily washed and, therefore, hygienic. The woven material may also be of a composition that has some elasticity, so that it may accommodate the constantly changing size of a child&#39;s foot. Such elasticity also allows the sock to be easily put on and taken off. 
         [0040]      FIGS. 1 and 2  also show that the main body  110  includes a toe portion  114  covering the toes of the foot, side portions  124 ,  126  covering at least a part of each side of the foot, and a heel portion  116  covering the heel of the foot. As will be apparent from these figures, the double loop sock also includes a strap  118  the ends of which  120 ,  122  are attached to each of the side portions of the main body. In various embodiments, this strap  118  may be of various widths and may extend up a portion of the ankle or shin. The strap  118  may also be entirely or partially of elastic. In this embodiment the opposing ends  120 ,  122  of the strap  118  are affixed to the side portions  124 ,  126  of the main body  110 , but in other embodiments the ends  120 ,  122  may be attached at other parts of the main body  110  of the sock. Such variations allow for a design that is aesthetically pleasing to adults so as to allow success in marketing. In combination, the various portions of the main body  110  with the strap  118  secure the footwear to the foot and insure that the footwear stays on, even given a child&#39;s or infant&#39;s rigorous activities. 
         [0041]    As shown in  FIGS. 1-4 , the top edge of the toe portion  114  and side portions  124 ,  126  of the main body as well as the bottom edge of the strap  118  incorporate an elasticized strip. This strip serves to hold the toe portion  114  and side portions  124 ,  126  of the main body  110  in place on the foot and the strap  118  snugly against the top of the foot. In this embodiment, the inside of the first loop created by this elasticized strip is open, allowing the top of the foot to be substantially uncovered and, therefore, making the sock cool in warm weather. 
         [0042]    In  FIGS. 1-5  may be seen the rear portion of the double loop sock, in which the top edge of the heel portion  116  of the main body  110  and the top edge of the strap  118  incorporate an elasticized strip that encircles the ankle. This strip serves to hold the heel portion  116  in place on the foot and the strap  118  snugly against the ankle region. In alternative embodiments, the elasticized strip may not be on the top edge of these structures but incorporated anywhere therein.  FIGS. 1-5  also show that the top edges of the strap  118  and heel portion  116  also incorporate a decorative edge  132 . 
         [0043]    As shown in  FIG. 6 , the main body  110  includes a bottom portion  112  covering the bottom of the foot. In this embodiment the bottom portion  112  is similar in construction to that of the main body  110  but, in alternative embodiments, the bottom portion  112  may be reinforced so as allow the sock to stand up to use without shoes. The invention has the added benefit that even with such reinforcement, the sock is intended to be usable with or without shoes. 
         [0044]    As shown in  FIG. 7 , in a second embodiment, the interior of the loop created by the elasticized strip that holds in place the toe  214  and side portions  224 ,  226  of the main body  210  may include fabric  232 . This fabric  232  covers the top of the foot, thereby making the sock warm in cool weather. In various embodiments, the material  232  within the loop may be similar to that of the main body  210 , but could also be of a color, texture, weave or material that differs from that of the main body  210  and, therefore, allows for aesthetically pleasing design variations.  FIG. 7  also shows a design variation in which the width of the strap  218  is wider than in the first embodiment and it and the heel portion  216  of the main body extend up the leg. 
         [0045]    As shown in  FIG. 8 , in a second embodiment, the bottom portion  212  of the main body includes slip resistant material  234  applied to its outside surface. In this case, the slip resistant material  234  is a rubber appliqué, but other slip resistant materials may be utilized. The slip resistant material  234  allows the sock to have a better grip on smooth surfaces such as hardwood floors and is especially useful for toddlers and young children who may not have yet developed good walking proficiency. Such slip resistant material  234  may be configured in various aesthetically pleasing designs. 
         [0046]      FIG. 9  shows a third embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the sock comprises a main body  310  having a closed end at the toes  312  and an open end that surrounds the wearer&#39;s ankle  314 . The main body  310  includes a resilient loop  316  that is formed over the top of the foot between the closed end  312  and the open end  314 . The loop  316  is in an oval configuration and is formed of resilient material sewn into the main body. In an alternative to this embodiment, the resilient loop  316  may be formed by stitching. In the embodiment shown, the resilient loop  316  contains fabric  318 , but in alternative embodiments it may not and, therefore, may form an opening in the main body. The resilient loop  316  of this embodiment has sufficient elasticity to urge the toe end  312  and the ankle end  314  together. In addition, the open end  314  of the main body is also composed of resilient material  320  causing it to fit snugly about the ankle. 
         [0047]    While this invention has been described in conjunction with the specific embodiments outlined above, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the preferred embodiments of the invention, as set forth above, are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention.