Abstract:
The invention is a product that is an improved leg warmer that is easy to wear and remove, including for young children.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/903,718, filed on Nov. 13, 2013, the complete contents of which are herein incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to leg warmers, and more particularly, to leg warmers that may be readily donned and easily removed. 
         [0004]    2. Brief Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    Leg warmers are known in the art. Generally, a leg warmer is constructed from a knit type material that is stretchable. Traditional leg warmers are one piece, usually knitted and generally only cover from the knee down to the ankle. There are leg warmers used by cyclists that are form-fitting and go up to the thigh, which also are one-piece units that sometimes have zippers at the ankle. The leg warmers are worn by placing one&#39;s foot through the opening at one end, and pulling the leg warmer onto the leg, starting by first pulling the leg warmer over the individual&#39;s foot. The leg warmer is then pulled over the foot and ankle and onto the leg of the wearer, up to a desired position on the leg. Leg warmers may be placed directly on the leg (on the skin surface) or may be placed over socks, stockings or tights. 
         [0006]    Leg warmers are designed to be attractive and to provide extra warmth. In many instances school children, particularly girls, use leg warmers in the cold seasons, such as in winter, in order to provide a layer of protection against the cold weather. Many schools require girls to wear uniforms, and the uniforms generally are skirts, which leave the legs exposed. 
         [0007]    One drawback encountered with leg warmers is that they must be sufficiently narrow so as to fit on the user&#39;s leg without falling down. As a result, the leg warmer is tight and usually is stretched to fit on the user. The leg warmers provide protection from the cold and are usually worn when an individual will be outside or exposed to the cold weather. To wear a leg warmer, girls, including young girls in school, must first remove their shoes. This is done to protect the leg warmer from being damaged, as well as because the leg warmer does not usually fit over the shoes of the wearer. Conversely, when the leg warmer is to be removed, again, the user must remove the user&#39;s shoes, take the leg warmer off of the user&#39;s leg, and then put the user&#39;s shoes back on. The effort required to remove and replace shoes, aside from being time consuming and possibly awkward depending where this must be done, makes it difficult for smaller children to do, since many younger children cannot readily re-tie their shoes. In many instances, shoes may be a requirement of a uniform for young girls, and, often a teacher or assistant must therefore re-tie shoes for an entire classroom. 
         [0008]    A need exists for an improved leg warmer product that is easy to put on and remove, and which may provide benefits of warmth and protection from the elements, such as, for example, cold and wind. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    The invention is a product that is an improved leg warmer that is easy to wear and remove, including for young children. 
         [0010]    The improved leg warmer is designed to be put on and removed without having to remove shoes. 
         [0011]    According to a preferred embodiment, the leg warmer is also extended to go halfway up the thigh to cover more leg area. 
         [0012]    According to preferred embodiments, the leg warmer may be made of a lightweight, synthetic fleece material and fastened using hook and loop fasteners along an outside seam. 
         [0013]    Preferred embodiments of the improved leg warmer also may have a securing mechanism at the top and bottom of the leg warmer. For example, some preferred embodiments provide a securing mechanism for securing the leg warmer at the top and bottom which includes elastic banding for flexible sizing and additional hook and loop fasteners using an easy to connect strap. According to some embodiments, in order to better hold the warmer in place at the thigh an anti-slip component is provided. Preferably, the anti-slip component is disposed on the interior of the leg warmer. According to a preferred embodiment, the anti-slip component is provided in the nature of a tape, and preferably may be attached on the inside. The face of the component, according to a preferred embodiment, is provided with a rib or ribs of anti-slip material. The anti-slip component preferably has a rubber material, or other suitable material that exhibits friction with the contact surface on which the leg warmer is placed. One type of anti-slip component is a strip supplied under the brand name Snugtex®. 
         [0014]    The improved leg warmer is designed to be easily donned and removed by anyone of any age and does not require any particular skill to fasten due to the easy connection of the fastening components, which, according to preferred embodiments, may be hook and loop fasteners. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]      FIG. 1  is a left side elevation view of the leg warmer according to my invention, shown donned on a leg of an individual. 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is a perspective partial view of the leg warmer of  FIG. 1 , showing the upper portion broken away from the remainder of the leg warmer, and illustrating the upper or thigh band. 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is a perspective partial view of the leg warmer of  FIG. 1 , showing the upper portion broken away from the remainder of the leg warmer, and illustrating the upper or thigh band and showing the interior holding or gripping band. 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  is a perspective partial view of the leg warmer of  FIG. 1 , showing the lower portion broken away from the remainder of the leg warmer, and illustrating the lower band. 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  is a perspective partial view of the leg warmer of  FIG. 1 , showing the lower portion broken away from the remainder of the leg warmer, and illustrating the lower band. 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  is a left side perspective view of the middle section of the leg warmer of  FIG. 1 , shown with the closable side seam in an open condition. 
           [0021]      FIG. 7  is a plan view of the bottom portion of the leg warmer of  FIG. 1 , laid out on a flat surface, looking at the inside of the leg warmer. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0022]    Referring to the drawing  FIGS. 1-6 , there is illustrated. According to a preferred embodiment, a leg warmer  10  of my invention. The leg warmer  10  is shown in  FIG. 1  donned on the left leg of a wearer and including a panel  11  that wraps around the leg and thigh (in the preferred embodiment shown) and fastens onto itself with a fastening mechanism. According to the preferred embodiment, there is a side seam  12 , spanning from the top of the leg warmer panel  11  to the bottom thereof, an ankle band  13  and thigh band  14 . The fastening mechanism is illustrated, according to a preferred embodiment, comprising a closable seam  12 , an ankle band  13  and an upper or thigh band  14  which provides for the leg warmer  10  to be donned by wrapping the leg warmer  10  around the user&#39;s leg and/or thigh, and securing the ankle band  13  and thigh band  14  and seam  12 . 
         [0023]    The securing of the thigh band  14  preferably is accomplished by connecting surfaces of hooks and loops, (e.g., VELCRO®). As shown in  FIG. 2 , for example, the thigh band  14  includes an outer surface of hooks  20  placed along a preferred location on the outside of the thigh band  14  and preferably horizontal to the side seam  12 . The surface of hooks  20  preferably extends along a length of the band  14  to an extent matingly connectable with the upper band tab  23 . The upper band tab  23  preferably includes a surface of loops  24  which is matingly connectable with the surface of hooks  20 . The mating of the hooks  20  and loops  24  secures the upper band  14  on the leg  100  of the wearer (as shown in  FIG. 1 ). The thigh or upper band  14  preferably also includes a gathered section  25  that preferably is comprised of fabric material (which may be the material from which the panel  11  is formed) and includes an elastic portion preferably comprised of an elastic band  26 . The elastic band  26  may be provided below the gathered section  25 . The thigh band  14  therefore may encircle the user&#39;s thigh, and may connect onto itself to secure the leg warmer  10  at the top. This is illustrated in the example of  FIG. 1 , where the thigh band  14  is shown with the tab  23  folded over the portion of the thigh band and the hooks  20  connecting with the loops  24 . The elastic band  26  may be provided over a portion of the thigh band  14  as shown in  FIG. 2 . Alternately, the elastic portion or band  26  may be provided over all, or substantially all, of the thigh band  14 , with the exception of the tab  23 . 
         [0024]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , the thigh or upper band  14  preferably includes a secondary securing component that is provided on the interior of the band  14 . According to a preferred embodiment, an anti-slip band or grip band, such as, for example, a Snugtex® grip band  33  is provided along the inside of the upper band  14 . The band  33  is shown provided on the inner face  34  of the band  14 , and preferably has a gripping material provided along the inner facing side thereof. The gathered section  25  and elastic band  26  are shown provided on the band  14 . According to some embodiments, the gathered portion  25  and elastic band  26  may be provided together as a component to allow for the band  14  to stretch to accommodate different leg (or thigh) sizes of the wearer. According to a preferred embodiment, the gathered section or portion  25  and/or elastic band  26  is provided at a first location of the band  14  and the grip band  33  is provided at a second location of the band  14 . The leg warmer  10  may be provided in different sizes, including different lengths and widths. The leg warmer  10  may be provided so that one unit may be adjustable to fit a range of sizes, and another unit may be adjustable and fit a different range of sizes. 
         [0025]    The leg warmer  10  includes an ankle band  13  that facilitates securing thereof on the leg  100  of a wearer. As shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , for example, the ankle band  13  includes an outer surface of hooks  32  placed along a preferred location on the outside of the ankle band  13  and preferably horizontal to the side seam  12 . The surface of hooks  32  preferably extends along the band  13  to an extent matingly connectable with the ankle band tab  43 . The lower ankle band  13  may be constructed similar to the upper thigh band  14 , but preferably is smaller. The tab  43  preferably includes a surface of loops  30  which is matingly connectable with the surface of hooks  32 . The mating of the hooks  32  and loops  30  secures the ankle band  13  on the leg  100  of the wearer (as shown in  FIG. 1 , and see  FIG. 4 ). A gathered section  41  is provided on the ankle band  13 . Similar to the thigh band  14  discussed herein, the gathered section  41  may be comprised of a fabric material (which may be the material from which the panel  11  is formed), preferably includes an elastic portion that may be comprised of an elastic band  46  that may be provided beneath the gathered section  41 . 
         [0026]    As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 4 , the ankle band  13  encircles the user&#39;s leg  100  in the area of the ankle. Preferably, the ankle band  13  connects onto itself to secure the leg warmer  10  at the bottom of the user&#39;s leg  100 , the tab  43  being folded over the band portion  47  with the hooks  32  connecting with the loops  30  as shown in  FIG. 5 . According to some embodiments, alternately, the elastic portion or band  46  may be provided over all, or substantially all, of the ankle band  13 . 
         [0027]    According to preferred embodiments, the seam  12  of the leg warmer  10 , as shown in the view of  FIG. 1  is provided along the outside (left leg  100 ). Preferably the leg warmer  10  is designed with the vertical securing mechanism, which is shown comprising hook and loop fasteners (e.g., VELCRO®) and seam  12  running down the outside of each leg only. Disposing the seam  12  on the outside of each leg  100  minimizes or prevents the possibility of the VELCRO® seams catching or snagging when the wearer walks. 
         [0028]    Referring to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the inside view of the bottom portion of the leg warmer  10  is shown. 
         [0029]    The panel  11  has a seam  12  which is vertically disposed. The panel  11  includes a first edge  11   a  and a second edge  11   b.  Fastening means for fastening the panel edges  11   a,   11   b  together is provided, and preferably, the fastening means may be VELCRO®, including hooks  50  provided along the first edge  11   a  of the interior of the panel  11  and a series of loops  51  provided along the exterior panel  11  spaced apart from the panel edge  11   b.  The panel  11  includes a sealing section or flap  60 , which may be provided with the panel  11  or may be separately provided and attached to the panel body. Preferably, the hooks  50  are provided on the flap  60  portion of the panel  11 . The flap  60  is designed to overlap the panel  11 , and preferably, the flap  60  overlaps the panel edge  11   b  so that when the flap  60  is secured to the exterior of the panel  11  (with the hooks  50  securing with the loops  51 ), the panel edge  11   b  is overlapped by the flap  60 . The sealing feature facilitates sealing out wind and cold from entering. The seam  12  preferably may be secured along its edge so as to further facilitate sealing. 
         [0030]    As shown in  FIG. 7 , a label is provided for a wearer to imprint the wearer&#39;s name The label also may include additional information, such as, manufacturer information, care instructions, sizing and other matter. 
         [0031]    The VELCRO® hooks and loops referred to and shown may be provided having dimensions wider or narrower as needed. For example, in order to provide for further adjustment, the hooks  50  or loops  51  may be provided larger to provide a greater area of adjustment. In addition, although the fasteners are described as hooks and loops, the surfaces may be interchanged, so long as the connecting surfaces include one surface of hooks and another connecting surface of loops. Preferred fabrics for the panel construction include natural and synthetic fabrics, as well as blends, including, wool, cotton and the like. The leg warmer  10  may be machine washable. 
         [0032]    According to the preferred embodiment, the leg warmer  10  is shown on a wearer&#39;s left leg  100  and being configured for use on the wearer&#39;s left leg  100 , with the seam  12  and flap  60  overlapping the panel  11  in a rearward direction. According to preferred embodiments, a leg warmer may be configured for the right leg, in a similar manner as the left leg warmer  10 , but with the right leg warmer being a mirror image of the left, so that when the right leg warmer is donned on a wearer&#39;s right leg, the seam and flap also are on the outside (the right side) of the wearer&#39;s right leg, with the flap and seam overlapping the panel in a rearward direction. 
         [0033]    These and other advantages are provided by my invention.