Abstract:
An article of apparel for the foot comprising five individual toe shafts with distal openings. The article is adapted to leave a foot heel uncovered.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 61/262,921, filed on Nov. 19, 2009, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The present invention is related to socks, and more particularly socks to be worn with sandals. 
       BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
       [0003]    Flip Flop sandals have been a popular fashion trend for years but many wearers suffer from painful blisters due to the rubbing of the flip flop straps where they come in contact with the skin. Split toe socks are available to the public for wear with flip flops but they cover all the toes and the full foot of the wearer. These types of socks are undesirable, particularly during the hot summer months, if the wearer wants to have their feet feel bare and cool. Hence, there is a need in the marketplace for a sock that allows the flip flop wearer protection from blisters while also keeping their feet feeling as bare and cool as possible. Additionally, there is a need for this product to be fashionable so as to enhance the appearance of the foot while wearing flip flops and coordinate with clothing. Currently there is no product on the market that serves this function. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    The present invention relates to an article of apparel for the foot that covers only the forward portion of the foot. The sock ends mid foot leaving the heel, ankle, and leg of the wearer exposed. It is constructed to have five individual toe shafts for each toe, similar to a traditional five toe sock, however each individual toe shaft is left open to expose the wearer&#39;s toes. Embodiments of the present invention provide for a partial toe, half sock, advantageous for wear with flip flop style sandals to provide comfort, and prevent skin blisters caused by rubbing of the flip flop thong and straps. Having the tops of the toes exposed as well as the heel and leg exposed, allows for the foot to stay feeling cool and bare, as is desirable when choosing to wear flip flop sandals during warm weather. Additionally, the sock will be designed in a variety of fashionable colors and prints to be used as a fashion accessory item to coordinate with the wearer&#39;s clothing and flip flop sandals. 
         [0005]    In order to provide a snug fit to the foot, elastic materials will be used around the mid foot opening of the socks. This will aid in a comfortable fit and to hold the sock in place during wear. 
         [0006]    The present invention will also be designed with a decorative rubberized implementation on one side of sock in the form of the product&#39;s logo. The primary function of the rubberized traction material is to provide traction between the sock and the wearers flip flop sandals. Additional benefits of the rubberized implementation is that it will provide traction between the sock and the ground if the wearer uses the socks without shoes, and it offers a different fashionable appearance on one side of the sock. Since the socks are not designed to have a specific top vs. bottom they can be worn with the rubberized logo on the top of the foot for fashion purposes, or it can be worn with the rubberized logo on the bottom of the foot for traction purposes. 
         [0007]    These and other aspects, features and advantages of the invention will be understood with reference to the drawing figures and detailed description herein, and will be realized by means of the various elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following brief description of the drawing and detailed description of the invention are exemplary and explanatory of preferred embodiments of the invention, and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]      FIG. 1  is a view of an article of apparel for the foot in an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is a view of the article of apparel for a foot of  FIG. 1  in an embodiment of the present invention shown on a wearers foot viewed from the top. 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is a view of the article of apparel for a foot of  FIG. 1  in an embodiment of the present invention shown on a wearers foot viewed from the side. 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  is a view of the article of apparel for the foot of  FIG. 1  in an embodiment of the present invention shown as it may be worn on a wearer&#39;s foot wearing flip flop sandals. 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  is a view of the article of apparel for the foot of  FIG. 1  in an embodiment of the present invention shown on the reverse side as shown in  FIG. 1 , that includes the rubberized materials in the form of the product&#39;s logo. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0013]    The present invention may be understood more readily by reference to the following detailed description of the invention taken in connection with the accompanying drawing figures, which form a part of this disclosure. It is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the specific devices, methods, conditions or parameters described and/or shown herein, and that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments by way of example only and is not intended to be limiting of the claimed invention. Any and all patents and other publications identified in this specification are incorporated by reference as though fully set forth herein. 
         [0014]    Also, as used in the specification including the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include the plural, and reference to a particular numerical value includes at least that particular value, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Ranges may be expressed herein as from “about” or “approximately” one particular value and/or to “about” or “approximately” another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment. 
         [0015]    As shown in  FIGS. 1-5 , the foot covering ( 10 ) has five individual toe shafts ( 12 ), ( 14 ), ( 16 ), ( 18 ), and ( 20 ) that are open ended to allow each toe to fit through its own toe shaft. Each toe shaft allows the entire top portion of the wearer&#39;s toes to be exposed and will be approximately ½ cm to 1 cm in length. The edge of each toe shaft ( 22 ) can be sewn in a manner of the knitting process that allows for flexibility of the garment to stretch around the toes but not unravel during normal wear or washing. The bottom portion of the foot covering ( 10 ) can be finished with a ribbed band of elastic materials ( 24 ) blended with the sock fibers to allow for the foot covering ( 10 ) to hold tight to the foot and not slip or bunch up during wear. 
         [0016]    The foot covering ( 10 ) can be constructed of, but not limited to, a blend of materials such as cotton, spandex, acrylic, or polyester in order to achieve the best combination of elasticity, breathability, absorption, and overall comfort for the wearer. The construction of these materials can be a knitted process produced by machines used to construct traditional socks. 
         [0017]    With particularity to  FIGS. 2-4 , the length of the present invention ( 26 ) extends to mid foot of a user. The mid foot location can be in the general area of the foot between the ball of the foot and the heel of the foot, as is indicated in  FIGS. 2 ,  3 , and  4 . The exact point on the foot where the foot covering ( 10 ) can end mid foot, will differ slightly dependant on the size of the wearer&#39;s foot. The length of the foot covering ( 26 ) from the top of the baby toe ( 20 ) to the end of the sock can be approximately 8 cm. 
         [0018]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , the foot covering ( 10 ) is worn as it is intended with flip flop sandals, there are areas of the foot ( 28  &amp;  30 ) that typically experience the highest risk of rubbing and blistering from the thong and straps of the flip flops. The point between the big toe ( 12 ) and the second toe ( 14 ) is an area ( 28 ) where the thong of the flip flop sits. Because of the individual toe shafts ( 12  &amp;  14 ) the rubber thong will not rub against the skin. The skin is protected. Additionally, the areas on either side of the foot where the flip flop straps connect to the sole of the flip flop ( 30 ) are another area of high risk for blistering. Because the length ( 26 ) of the foot covering ( 10 ) extends to mid foot, the skin in the area of point ( 30 ) is protected. 
         [0019]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , on one side of the foot covering ( 10 ) there can be stylized rubber traction materials added in the form of the product logo “Flop Sox” ( 32 ). The foot covering ( 10 ) can be worn with the rubber logo ( 32 ) facing up or worn with the rubber logo ( 32 ) on the bottom of the foot allowing the foot covering ( 10 ) to have the benefit of being reversible. When the rubber logo ( 32 ) is worn on the bottom of the foot it does provide additional traction between the foot and the sole of the flip flop. This is particularly beneficial if the sole of the flip flop has a more slippery finish. Wearing the rubber logo ( 32 ) on the bottom of the foot can also be beneficial to provide traction to a slippery floor if the wearer is using the foot coverings ( 10 ) without any shoes. Situations where the wearer may choose to use the present invention without shoes may be when in a dance or yoga type activity where people often choose to go barefoot during the activity. 
         [0020]    It should be emphasized that the above described embodiments of the present invention, particularly, any “preferred” embodiments, are merely possible examples of implementations, merely set forth for a clear understanding of the principals of the invention. Many variations and modifications may be made to the above described embodiments of the invention without departing substantially from the spirit and principles of the invention. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure and the present invention and protected by the following claims.