HOCKEY SOCK WITH ADJUSTABLE FITTING MECHANISM

Abstract

A hockey sock with an adjustable mechanism that provides a wearer with a continuous range of sizing options is provided. The adjustable mechanism may be used to adjust the size of the hockey sock, and to secure other protective equipment, such as shin pads, worn underneath the sock. In a preferred embodiment, the adjustable mechanism comprises at least one strap housing affixed to the inner layer of the sock and configured to receive a strap extending circumferentially about the sock and within the strap housing. The strap extends into a strap adjustor, which in conjunction with the strap forms the adjustable mechanism for the sock. The wearer is able to adjust the size of the hockey sock by exerting a tightening force to the strap adjustor to conveniently adjust the sock to the desired fit. A user may access the adjustable mechanism while the sock is being worn for the purpose of changing the inner circumference of the sizing of the sock so as to obtain a better fit.

Claims

1. A sock comprising at least one adjustable strap, said strap extending in a circumferential direction about the sock for securing the sock to a user's leg, said sock further comprising a strap adjustor, wherein the tension of the strap is adjustable for tightening and loosening, respectively, said sock on the user's leg.

2. The sock of claim 1, wherein the adjustable strap is contained within a strap housing incorporated into said sock.

3. The sock with the adjustable strap of claim 1, wherein the sock is dimensioned to encapsulate the user's leg from a heel to a knee of said user.

4. The sock of claim 2 having a plurality of adjustable straps and strap housings.

5. The sock of claim 1, further incorporating a cover fitted over the strap adjustor.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] The present invention will now be better understood with reference to the description and to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0017] FIG. 1 is a front view of a preferred embodiment of the hockey sock with an internal adjusting mechanism;

[0018] FIG. 2 is a back perspective cutaway view of a preferred embodiment of the hockey sock with an internal adjusting mechanism, including an enlarged view of the adjusting mechanism.

[0019] In these figures, preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of examples. It is to be expressly understood that the description and drawings are only for the purpose of illustration and are an aid for understanding. They are not intended to define the limits of the invention. It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale, and in certain instances details may have been omitted that are not necessary for an understanding of embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0020] Turning now to the figures, FIG. 1 shows a preferred embodiment of the hockey sock with the adjustable mechanism. In this embodiment, the hockey sock material forms the body of the hockey sock 100. The sock 100 is open at its top end 102 and at its bottom end 104, forming a tapered tube dimensioned to accommodate and fit to a hockey player's leg, including underlying equipment, such as a shin guard. The sock 100 further comprises an inner layer 106 (as seen in FIG. 2) and an outer layer 108 of the hockey sock.

[0021] The embodiment in FIG. 2 also shows the strap housing 110 is affixed to the inner layer of the sock 106 and contains the strap material 112. The strap material 112 extends circumferentially about the inner layer of the sock 106 and is contained within the strap housing 110.

[0022] The strap material 112 may include or completely be constructed of, for example, a textured polyester fiber, cotton, spun polyester, or a combination thereof, as well as any other appropriate knitted, woven, or non-woven textile material.

[0023] Also shown in FIG. 2, the strap material 112 extends to the outer layer of the sock 108 and connects into the strap adjustors 114. The strap adjustors 114 are located on the outer layer of the socks 108 and are connected to the strap material 112. The wearer is able to adjust the size of the sock 100 and achieve the desired fit by exerting a tightening force on the strap material 112 and the strap adjustor 114. The strap pocket 116 is located on the outer layer of the sock 108 and adjacent to the strap adjustor 114. The strap pocket 116 allows the wearer to fold and tuck away the remaining strap material 112 back into the inner layer of the sock 106.

[0024] In another preferred embodiment, the user can pull the strap material 112 in a direction horizontally away from the strap adjustors 114 in order to decrease the overall diameter of the sock 100. The increases or decreases in overall length of the strap material 100 housed within the strap housing 110 corresponds to respective loosening or tightening of the sock 100.

[0025] FIG. 2 shows an enlarged view of the sock 100 in further detail, including a more detailed view of the strap adjustor 114 and the strap housing 110. As described previously, the strap housing 110 is affixed to the inner layer of the sock 106 and houses the strap material 112 which can be pulled horizontally away from the strap adjustor 114 to tighten in accordance with the wearer's comfort and desired tightness. The lower figure shows the front view of the adjusting mechanism 200 which includes the strap material 112 extending into the strap adjustor 114 and continually extending into the strap pocket 116.

[0026] Stitching is a convenient way to affix the strap housing 110 to the inner layer of sock 106, but other known methods, such as adhesives, may be used. Additionally, while a buckle is shown to be the preferred embodiment of the adjustment mechanism 200, other known methods can be used in conjunction with the strap material 112 to adjust the diameter, size and tightness of the sock 100.

[0027] While the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2 shows a hockey sock having two sets of strap material 112, strap housing 110 and strap adjustors 114, the number and placement of these parts can be varied in other embodiments. For instance, they may be placed closer to the respective bottom end 104 and top end 102. The sock may be configured to have three or more sets of strap material 112, strap housing 110 and strap adjustors 114 dispersed along the length of the hockey sock. The number of sets of strap material 112, strap housing 110 and strap adjustors 114 can be varied, the minimum number being one. A sufficient number is necessary so that the hockey sock will stay secured to the user's leg and securely contain the other equipment such as the shin pads.

[0028] While the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, it will be appreciated that numerous variations, modifications, and embodiments would be evident to a person of skill in the art.