Patent Publication Number: US-6216279-B1

Title: Sock ornamentation apparatus

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     1. The Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to articles of clothing and, more particularly, to novel systems and methods for adorning socks with ornaments. 
     2. The Background Art 
     Socks with ornamental elements are available in the marketplace today. Many of these socks have small bows and/or ribbons sewn to them and are often worn by children, particularly young girls. These ornamental elements are often a color different than the color of the sock. Typically the color of the ornament is chosen to match the clothing of the child. Such matching often improves the overall appearance of a child&#39;s clothing by giving a more coordinated look. 
     Because the aforesaid ornamental elements are sewn to the socks, and are therefore permanently affixed to the socks, these ornamental elements need to be washable. Requiring that the ornaments be washable greatly reduces the possible materials and/or items that could be placed on socks as ornamental elements. In addition, the permanency of typical ornaments on socks limits a pair of socks to the permanently attached ornament. As a result, if one wishes to have many different ornaments to wear with socks, one typically needs to buy many different pairs of socks that have the desired ornaments. 
     After being washed and dried several times, and sometimes even after only one washing and drying, the ornamental elements lose some of their color and ability to maintain the same form or stiffness. Thus, over time the ornaments deteriorate in appearance to the point where they may actually detract, rather than enhance, the appearance of one&#39;s attire. 
     Some users of these socks with ornamental items may attempt to improve the state of the item. For example, a parent may attempt to iron a bow on a particular sock to enhance its appearance. Because these ornamental items are often rather small, it is very difficult to effectively iron them. A great deal of time could be spent trying to improve the appearance of these ornamental items, and because of their form and/or size, very little improvement in appearance may be realized. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide an assembly for removably attaching an ornament to a sock. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide an ornament capable of enhancing the appearance of a sock. 
     It is also an object to increase the number of possible materials and/or substances that can be used in constructing the ornaments. 
     Another object is to enable ornaments to be constructed of materials that are not readily washable. 
     A further object of the present invention is to increase the useful life of an ornament by enabling the item to maintain a new and sharp appearance over a longer period of time. 
     A still further object is to increase the versatility of a particular sock ornament. 
     Consistent with the foregoing objects, and in accordance with the invention as embodied and broadly described herein, an assembly for removably attaching an ornament to a sock is disclosed in one embodiment of the present invention as including first means for attaching, the first attaching means being affixed to the sock, an ornament, and second means for attaching the ornament to the sock. The second attaching means is affixed to the ornament, and the second attaching means is configured so as to cooperate with and removably attach to the first attaching means to removably attach the ornament to the sock. As broadly described herein, the first and second attaching means may include a variety of attaching means including snap fasteners, buttons and corresponding buttonholes, hook and loop fasteners, hook-and-eye fasteners, and the like. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The foregoing and other objects and features of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are, therefore, not to be considered limiting of its scope, the invention will be described with additional specificity and detail through use of the accompanying drawings in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one presently preferred embodiment of an assembly for removably attaching an ornament to a stocking, where the ornament to be attached is a bow, and where the means for attaching the ornament is a snap fastener; 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of an assembly for removably attaching an ornament to a stocking, where the ornament to be attached is a bow, and where the means for attaching the ornament is a button and buttonhole fastener; 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of an assembly for removably attaching an ornament to a stocking, where the ornament to be attached is an ornamental baseball, and where the means for attaching the ornament is a plurality of hook and loop fasteners; 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of an assembly for removably attaching an ornament to a stocking, where the ornament to be attached includes an ornamental baseball and an ornamental basketball, and where the means for attaching the ornament is a clasp; 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of an assembly for removably attaching an ornament to a stocking, where the ornament to be attached is an ornamental soccer ball, and where the means for attaching the ornament is a hook and eye fastener; and 
     FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of an assembly for removably attaching an ornament to a stocking, where the ornament to be attached is an ornamental baseball, and where the means for attaching the ornament is a square snap fastener. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     It will be readily understood that the components of the present invention, as generally described and illustrated in the Figures herein, could be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations. Thus, the following more detailed description of the embodiments of the apparatus and methods of the present invention, as represented in FIGS. 1 through 6, is not intended to limit the scope of the invention, as claimed, but it is merely representative of the presently preferred embodiments of the invention. 
     The presently preferred embodiments of the invention will be best understood by reference to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like numerals throughout. 
     Shown in FIG. 1 is one presently preferred embodiment of an assembly  10  for removably attaching an ornament to a stocking. The stocking includes first means for attaching which is affixed to the stocking. The assembly  10  includes an ornament  12 , and second means for attaching the ornament  12  to the stocking. The first attaching means is affixed to the stocking, and the second attaching means is affixed to the ornament  12 . Depending upon the specific embodiment of the attaching means, different suitable methods may be used to affix the attaching means to the stocking or the ornament  12 . This will be discussed further herein. 
     The present invention may be applied to a wide variety of stockings to facilitate removably attaching an ornament  12  to the stockings. Stockings include many different types of coverings for the feet and or legs such as socks (including socks with lace), hosiery, pantyhose, and the like. The presently preferred embodiments, as shown in the figures, illustrate the invention as disclosed herein as applied to socks  14 . One skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention could be applied to many different types of stockings. 
     The first attaching means and the second attaching means cooperate with one another whereby the attaching means removably attach to one another. As a result, the ornament  12  removably attaches to the sock  14  because the second attaching means, affixed to the ornament  12 , removably attaches to the first attaching means which is affixed to the sock  14 . Examples of possible attaching means that cooperate with one another to removably attach to one another will be further discussed herein. 
     The sock  14  may be divided into a foot portion  16  and an ankle portion  18 . The foot portion  16  of the sock  14  is the part of the sock  14  that substantially surrounds the foot (not shown). The ankle portion  18  of the sock  14  is the part of the sock  14  that substantially surrounds the ankle (not shown) and leg (not shown). In the presently preferred embodiment, the first attaching means is affixed to the ankle portion  18  of the sock  14 . 
     The first attaching means and the second attaching means may be structural attachment members made to cooperate and removably attach to one another. A variety of structural attachment members may be used to accomplish the first and second attaching means. Through the figures and this detailed description, several preferred embodiments will be described that are exemplary of the inventive principles contained herein. 
     It has been found that the first attachment member, affixed to the ankle portion  18  of the sock  14 , tends to create additional stress and wear on the part of the sock  14  adjacent the first attachment member. After a period of time, such stresses often cause the sock  14  material to tear near the first attachment member. The presently preferred embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, has the ankle portion  18  folded down to create a thick portion  20 . This thick portion  20  adds strength to that part of the sock  14  where the first attachment member is secured. In addition, many wearers of these types of socks  14  at times prefer the ankle portion  18  to be folded. 
     It will be appreciated, however, that the ankle portion  18  of the sock  14  does not need to be folded in order to practice the present invention. For example, FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate such embodiments. Other embodiments may be made where the ankle portion  18  of the sock  14  is thicker by virtue of the fabrication of the material of sock  14  and not by the ankle portion  18  being folded over. A sock may be used with the present invention where the entire sock is thicker than a typical sock. Alternatively, a backing material (not shown) may be placed on the inside of the ankle portion  18  to add strength to the ankle portion  18  of the sock  14 . A variety of socks, varying in length, thickness, material, etc., can be used with the present invention. 
     The first attaching means and the second attaching means may be achieved through many different types of fasteners. The types of fasteners used with the present invention provide a removable ornament  12  to the sock  14 . Those skilled in the art will appreciate that many different types of attaching means could be used. The specific means as discussed and illustrated with the figures are only meant to be exemplary of the inventive principles contained herein, and are not meant to limit the means claimed. 
     As shown in FIG. 1, the first attaching means and the second attaching means may comprise one or more snap fastener. Typically snaps include a stud structure  22  (sometimes referred to as a ball structure) and a socket structure  24 , where the stud structure  22  snaps into the socket structure  24 . The stud structure  22  may be affixed to either the sock  14  or the ornament  12 , and the socket structure  24  also may be affixed to either the sock  14  or the ornament  12 . With the snap fastener shown in FIG. 1, the ornament  12  removably attaches to the sock  14  by enabling the ornament  12  to be snapped to the sock  14 . 
     The embodiment shown in FIG. 1 has the socket structure  24  affixed to the ankle portion  18  of the sock  14 . The socket structure  24  may be attached to the ankle portion  18  of the sock  14  in a variety of ways. In the presently preferred embodiment, the socket structure  24  is attached to the ankle portion  18  of the sock  14  through use of pliers (not shown) made for clamping the socket structure  24  onto a surface. 
     The ornament  12  in FIG. 1 is a bow  12 . The stud structure  22  of the snap may be affixed to the bow  12  through use of the clamping pliers as mentioned in relation to the socket structure  24 . In the presently preferred embodiment, the stud structure  22  is affixed to a ribbon  26  which is wrapped around or glued to the bow  12 . 
     Other means may be used to attach the stud and socket structures  22 ,  24  to their positions besides the clamping pliers, as mentioned. For example, in mass production, an automated system may be used where a machine affixes the stud and socket structures  22 ,  24  to their appropriate places. The clamping pliers are simply one method which may be used to affix the stud and socket structures  22 ,  24 . 
     Referring now to FIG. 2, the first attaching means and the second attaching means may be one or more buttons  124  and corresponding buttonholes  122  whereby the ornament  11   2  may be buttoned onto the ankle portion  118  of the sock  114 . The button  124  may be affixed to either the sock  114  or the ornament  112 , and the buttonhole  122  may be formed in either the sock  114  or the ornament  112 . With the button  124  and buttonhole  122  fastener shown in FIG. 2, the ornament  112  removably attaches to the sock  114  by enabling the ornament  112  to be buttoned to the sock  114 . 
     In FIG. 2 the button  124  is sewn to the ankle portion  118  of the sock  114 . The buttonhole  122  has been formed in a piece  126  of material that has been glued to the ornament  112 . 
     The sock  114  of FIG. 2 includes lace  115  around the bottom of the ankle portion  118 . The lace  115  may be attached to the sock  114  in a variety of ways, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. The lace  115  of the embodiment in FIG. 2 is sewn to the bottom of the folded ankle portion  118 , as shown. 
     Next, in FIG. 3, the first attaching means and the second attaching means may be hook and loop fasteners, commonly referred to as VELCRO™ type fasteners. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, a patch  222  of hook fasteners is affixed to the ornament  212  and a patch  224  of loop fasteners is affixed to the ankle portion  218  of the sock  214 . One skilled in the art will appreciate that the differing patches  222 ,  22   4  could be attached to either the sock  214  or the ornament  212  to removably attach the ornament  212  to the sock  214 . 
     The patches  222 ,  224  of hook and loop fasteners may be affixed to the sock  214  and ornament  212  in different ways. In one preferred embodiment, the patches  222 ,  224  may each be glued to the ornament  212  and sock  214 , respectively. Some commercially available hook and loop fasteners even come with adhesive backing already in place such that the patches  222 ,  224  may be readily affixed to their respective surfaces. Another possible means for affixing the patches  222 ,  224  to their surfaces is to sew the patches  222 ,  224  to the surfaces. 
     A variety of ornaments  12  may be attached to the socks  14  to provide different aesthetic effects for appealing to different tastes. The embodiments of FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrated an ornament  12 ,  112  comprising a bow and flowers. As shown through FIGS. 36, different ornaments  12  may be attached to socks  14  through use of the present invention. FIG. 3 shows a baseball type of ornament  212  being removably attached to the sock  214 . 
     The ornament  312  in FIG. 4 includes an ornamental basketball and an ornamental baseball. Each of the balls include a slogan often used in that particular sport. Different kind s of terms and/or phrases may be placed on the ornament  12  including slogans, logos, trademarks, and the like. The ornaments  12  as described herein are illustrative of some of the different approaches that can be taken in designing a sock ornament  12 . Ornaments  12  could be designed and made to capture many different events, items, symbols, places, feelings, etc. 
     As described, the first attaching means and the second attaching means could be achieved through many different types of fasteners. The first attaching means and the second attaching means of FIG. 4 comprise a clasp  321 . The clasp  321  may be made of a variety of materials including plastic. The clasp  321  includes a releasable catch  322  and a catch seat  324 . In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the catch  322  is affixed to the ornament  312  and the catch seat  324  is affixed to the ankle portion  318  of the sock  314 . One skilled in the art will appreciate that the different parts  322 ,  3   24  of the clasp  321  may be attached to either the sock  314  or the ornament  312  to removably attach the ornament  312  to the sock  314 . 
     The parts  322 ,  324  of the clasp  321  may be affixed to the sock  314  and ornament  312  in different ways. In one preferred embodiment, the releasable catch  322  and catch seat  324  are glued to the sock  314  and ornament  312 . 
     The socks  14 ,  114 ,  214  of FIGS. 1-3 included ankle portions  18 ,  118 ,  218  with folds in them. As discussed earlier, these folds create a thick portion  20  which adds strength to the material of the sock  14  adjacent the first attaching means. It is not necessary, however, for socks  14  of the present invention to include a folded portion  20 . As shown in FIG. 4, socks  314  used with the present invention may not have a folded down ankle portion  318 . 
     As shown in FIG. 5, the first attaching means and the second attaching means may be one or more hook and eye fasteners. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, a hook  422  is affixed to the ornament  412  and an eye  424  is affixed to the ankle portion  418  of the sock  414 . One skilled in the art will appreciate that the either the hook  422  or the eye  424  could be attached to either the sock  414  or the ornament  412  to removably attach the ornament  412  to the sock  414 . 
     The hook  422  and the eye  424  may be affixed to the sock  414  and ornament  412  in different ways. In one preferred embodiment, the hook and the eye parts  422 ,  424  are each sewn onto their respective elements. As shown in FIG. 5, the hook  422  is sewn to the cloth backing of the ornament  412 , and the eye  424  is sewn to the sock  414 . The ornament  412  depicted in FIG. 5 is an ornamental soccer ball  412 . 
     Referring now to FIG. 6, the first attaching means and the second attaching means may comprise a square snap fastener. As discussed in relation to FIG. 1, typically snaps include a stud structure  522  and a socket structure  524 , where the stud structure  522  snaps into the socket structure  524 . The stud and socket structures  522 ,  524  are square in nature with the embodiment of FIG. 6, thereby forming a square snap. The stud structure  522  may be affixed to either the sock  514  or the ornament  512 , and the socket structure  524  also may be affixed to either the sock  514  or the ornament  512 . With the snap fastener shown in FIG. 6, the ornament  512  removably attaches to the sock  514  by enabling the ornament  512  to be snapped to the sock  514 . The square snap provides an additional feature of providing the ornament  512  with a means of attaching where the attaching means keeps the ornament  512  in a substantially fixed relationship with the sock  514 . Specifically, the square snap substantially prevents the ornament  512  from rotating. The hook and loop fasteners of FIG. 3 also substantially prevent the ornament  212  from rotating, thus keeping the ornament  212  substantially fixed in relationship to the sock  214 . 
     The embodiment shown in FIG. 6 has the socket structure  524  affixed to the ankle portion  518  of the sock  514 . Ankle portion  518  further includes an optional double fold  520 , like that of thick portion  20  of FIG. 1, with fastener  524  securing to both parts of fold  520 . The socket structure  524  may be attached to the ankle portion  518  of the sock  514  in a variety of ways. In the presently preferred embodiment, the socket structure  524  is attached to the ankle portion  518  of the sock  514  through use of pliers made for clamping the socket structure  524  onto a surface, similar to the pliers mentioned in relation to FIG.  1 . The stud structure  522  of the snap may be affixed to the ornamental baseball  512  through use of the clamping pliers as well. Of course, as discussed earlier, other means may be used to affix the stud and socket structures  522 ,  524  to their respective surfaces. 
     From the above discussion, it will be appreciated that the present invention provides an assembly for removably attaching an ornament to a stocking. The ornaments to be attached to the stocking, or sock, may enhance the appearance of a sock. 
     Because the ornament is removably attachable to the sock, the ornament may be constructed of a variety of materials, including those that are not readily washable. This ability to use non-washable materials in constructing the ornament increases the number of possible materials and/or substances that can be used in constructing the ornaments. 
     Another benefit of the present invention is that the ornament may be removed from the sock before washing the sock. This may increase the useful life of an ornament by enabling the item to maintain a new and sharp appearance over a longer period of time. In addition, the present invention increases the versatility of a particular sock ornament by allowing it to be worn with many different pairs of socks. 
     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.