Means for coupling a pair of clothing items to one another

Abstract

A pair of clothing items that can be coupled to each other using a coupling means, wherein each of the clothing items is provided with a respective means wherein either the clothing item or the means, or both the clothing item and the means is at least partially flexible so that the means can be extended from the first and second clothing item, respectively, by the application of a pulling force onto the means, which means in an extended state is arranged to form a first flexible loop and which means in an extended state is arranged to form a second flexible loop, and wherein said first and second means are detachably engageable with each other by bringing the first flexible loop underneath the second flexible loop creating a flexible opening in between the first means and the second means, and thereafter pass the first clothing item through the through hole in question, whereby the first means of a first clothing item in said pair can be detachably attached to the second means of a second clothing item in said pair, wherein the length of the means is approximately ⅓ to ½ times the circumference of the opening for insertion of a body part of the item of clothes.

Claims

1. A pair of clothing items, wherein the pair of clothing items comprises a first clothing item (1;11;21;31;51;61) and a second clothing item (1′;11′;21′;31′;51′;61′) and each clothing item (1,1′;11,11′;21,21′;31,31′;51,51′;61,61′) comprises an opening (2,12,22,32,52,62) for insertion of a human body part, preferably a hand or a foot, and each of the clothing items (1,1′;11,11′;21,21′;31,31′;51,51′;61,61′) is provided with a respective means (3,3′; 13,13′; 23,23′;33,33′; 53,53′;63,63′) for coupling the clothing items to one another, wherein either the clothing item (1,1′;11,11′;21,21′;31,31′;51,51′;61,61′) or the means (3,3′;13,13′;23,23′;33,33′; 53,53′;63,63′), or both the clothing item (1,1′;11,11′;21,21′;31,31′;51,51′;61,61′) and the means (3,3′; 13,13′;23,23′;33,33′;53,53′;63,63′) is at least partially flexible so that the means (3,3′;13,13′;23,23′;33,33′; 53,53′;63,63′) can be extended from the first and second clothing item (1,1′;11,11′;21,21′;31,31′;51,51′;61,61′), respectively, by the application of a pulling force onto the means (3,3′; 13,13′; 23,23′;33,33′; 53,53′;63,63′), which means (3;13; 23;33;53;63), of the first clothing item, in an extended state is arranged to form a first flexible loop and which means (3′;13′,23′;33′;53′;63′), of the second clothing item, in an extended state is arranged to form a second flexible loop, and wherein said first and second means are detachably engageable with each other by bringing the first flexible loop underneath the second flexible loop creating a through hole in between the first means and the second means, and thereafter pass the first clothing item through the through hole in question, whereby the first means of a first clothing item in said pair can be detachably attached to the second means of a second clothing item in said pair, wherein the length of the means is approximately ⅓ to ½ times the circumference of the opening for insertion of a body part of the item of clothes

2. A pair of clothing items according to claim 1, wherein the means is attached to the outside of the clothing items.

3. A pair of clothing items according to claim 1, wherein the means is integrated in the fabric of the clothing item during production.

4. A pair of clothing items according to claim 3, wherein the means is formed during knitting or sewing by creating a second through opening (14;24), which is preferably elongated, in the clothing item, whereby the means (13;23) consists of the part between the second through opening (14;24) and the opening for insertion of a body part (12;22).

5. A pair of clothing items according to claim 3, wherein the means is formed during knitting or sewing by creating a second (14) and a third (15) through opening, which are preferably elongated and substantially parallel, in the clothing item, whereby the means (13) consists of the part between the second opening (14) and the third opening (15).

6. A pair of clothing items according to claim 1, wherein the means is arranged substantially in parallel with a periphery of the said opening for insertion of a body part.

7. A pair of clothing items according to claim 1, wherein the resiliency of the means changes along the length of the means.

8. A pair of clothing items according to claim 1, wherein the means comprises a part (69) that is less resilient than the rest of the means.

9. A pair of clothing items according to claim 8, wherein the less resilient part (69) comprises stitches arranged to make the means (63) locally less resilient.

10. A pair of clothing items according to claim 9, wherein said stitches forms an image and/or text which is visible for a user on the outside of said clothing item.

11. A pair of clothing items according to claim 1, wherein the means is sewn onto the fabric of the clothing item at attachment points in both ends of the means in question, and is arranged to run freely between said attachment points.

12. A pair of clothing items according to claim 1, wherein the means is a strip or a band.

13. A pair of clothing items according to claim 1, wherein the clothing items is a pair of socks or a pair of gloves.

Description

[0013] The invention will now be described in more detail, with reference to the exemplified embodiments of the invention and the enclosed figures, wherein:

[0014] FIG. 1A shows one embodiment of a sock with a means attached to the upper outer part of the sock, where the means is placed in parallel to the upper opening of the sock

[0015] FIG. 1B shows one embodiment of a sock with a means attached to the upper outer part of the sock, where the means is placed perpendicular to the upper opening of the sock

[0016] FIG. 2 shows another embodiment of an upper part of a sock with two openings forming a means in the upper part of the sock

[0017] FIG. 3 shows a further embodiment of an upper part of a sock with one opening forming a means in the upper part of the sock

[0018] FIG. 4A shows a further embodiment of an upper part of a sock with two openings forming a means in the outer upper part of the sock

[0019] FIG. 4B shows a cross section of an upper part of a sock with two openings forming a means in the outer upper part of the sock

[0020] FIG. 4C shows a cross section of an upper part of a sock with two openings forming a means in the inner upper part of the sock

[0021] FIG. 5A-D shows the steps performed for pairing two clothing items together

[0022] FIG. 6A shows a further embodiment of a sock with a means attached to the upper outer part of the sock

[0023] FIG. 6B shows an embodiment of a means with a less resilient part.

[0024] FIG. 6C shows an embodiment of two socks paired together using the means shown in FIG. 6B.

[0025] The pair of clothing is exemplified in the figures and in the following embodiments with a sock/pair of socks but can also be a pair of gloves or other clothing items where two parts are in need of attachment to each other during for example washing, drying and/or storing.

[0026] FIGS. 1A and 1B shows a clothing item 1, which is one part of a pair of clothing in this case exemplified by a regular sock. A pair of clothing comprises two clothing items 1. Each item 1 of the pair of clothing items comprises an opening 2 for insertion of a human body part, preferably a hand or a foot. The opening 2 is commonly, and in most cases, arranged in one end of the item 1, in this application further referred to as the “upper end” or “upper part”. A means 3 have been attached in proximity to the opening 2 in the upper part of the item 1. The upper part of the clothing item 1 is further defined to be the part where for example a ribbing or elastic part is provided on/in the clothing item which helps the clothing item to stay up on the human body part when it is used by a person. In the case where the clothing item is a sock, the upper part of the sock is the part that, when in use, stays up on the leg and in the case where the clothing item is a glove or a mitten, the upper part of the clothing item is the part that, when in use, stays on the arm.

[0027] In the embodiment of the clothing item shown in FIG. 1A, the means 3 is attached in parallel to the upper opening/upper end of the clothing item. The means is in this embodiment attached in each end, 3a,3b of the means 3 to the clothing item 1. It is to be noted, that other ways of attachment can be used, which is described further below in this description.

[0028] In FIG. 1B, the means 3 have been attached to the clothing item 1, in a direction that is perpendicular to the upper opening/upper end of the clothing item. The means is in this embodiment attached in each end, 3a,3b of the means 3 to the clothing item 1.

[0029] As also described more in detail below, the means can be attached either to the outside of the clothing items, to the inside of the clothing items or be integrated in the fabric of the clothing item during production. FIGS. 2 and 3 shows two different embodiments where the means is stitched into the clothing item.

[0030] The means 3 can further be placed in any direction, vertical, horizontal or inclined, but is preferably placed in a horizontal direction as shown in FIG. 1A or in vertical direction as shown in FIG. 1B.

[0031] Since a pair of clothing comprises two parts/two clothing items, it is in this description described a first clothing item and a second clothing item. Each clothing item is provided with a respective means. The second clothing item as well as the second means have, when needed to show which of the first and second that are described, been denoted with a prime (′). In FIGS. 1A and 1B only one part of the pair is shown. However, to be able to attach two clothing items to each other, a first clothing item 1, having a means 1, is complemented with a second clothing item 1′ having a respective second means 3′ (not shown).

[0032] FIG. 2 shows an embodiment where the means 13 have been integrated in the fabric of the clothing 11 during production of the clothing item. In this embodiment the means 13 has been formed during knitting or sewing of the fabric. The means 13 of the clothing item 11 is provided in proximity to the first opening 12 of the clothing item 11. Opening 12 is the opening for insertion of a body part as described above. During production of the item 11 a second through opening 14 and third through opening 15 have been created which two through openings 14,15 forms a means 13 in between the through openings 14,15. The second 14 and third 15 through opening is in this figure shown to be in a horizontal position, but can be in any position, such as a vertical openings or inclined openings. When the means 13 is placed in a horizontal direction, the means can be pulled out so that it extends substantially parallel to the upper end of the respective clothing item. The through openings 14,15 can be placed in any part of the clothing item. The means is in this embodiment stitched into the clothing item so that it is integrated in the fabric of the clothing item, which will give an item without any external parts.

[0033] As described above, the pair of clothing comprises at least two clothing items. In FIG. 2 only one part of the pair is shown. However, to be able to attach two clothing items to each other, a first clothing item 11, having a first means 13, is complemented with a second clothing item 11′ having a respective means 13′ (not shown).

[0034] Either the clothing item or the means, or both the clothing item and the means is at least partially flexible so that the means can be extended from the first and second clothing item, respectively, by the application of a pulling force onto the means, which first means in an extended state is arranged to form a first flexible loop and which second means in an extended state is arranged to form a second flexible loop.

[0035] The first and second means are can be coupled together, i.e. they are detachably engageable with each other by bringing the first flexible loop underneath the second flexible loop creating a through hole in between the first means and the second means, and thereafter pass the first clothing item through the through hole in question, whereby the first means of a first clothing item in said pair can be detachably attached to the second means of a second clothing item in said pair.

[0036] FIG. 3 shows another embodiment of a clothing item 21, where a second through opening 24 have been provided on one end of the clothing item. The second through opening 24 is provided so that the end closest to the first opening 22 of the clothing item 21 forms a means 23 together with the second through opening 24. This embodiment, like the one described in FIG. 2 above, also provides a means that is stitched into (integrated in) the clothing item during production, so that it is integrated in the fabric of the clothing item. The means 23 can be placed in any direction, vertical, horizontal or inclined, but is preferably placed in a horizontal direction as shown in FIG. 3.

[0037] As described above, the pair of clothing comprises at least two clothing items. In FIG. 3 only one part of the pair is shown. However, to be able to attach two clothing items to each other, a first clothing item 21, having a first means 23, is complemented with a second clothing item 21′ having a respective means 23′ (not shown).

[0038] FIG. 4A shows a further embodiment of an upper end a clothing item 31, where the top of the clothing item, closest to the opening 32, is made in two layers of fabric so that a tunnel is formed (se FIG. 4B). In this embodiment two through openings 34, 35 are provided in the outer layer of the tunnel so that a means 33 is created in the outer layer. In contrast with the embodiments shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, there is no hole through the clothing item, since the through openings 34,35 are only provided in the outer layer of the two layers of fabric. The outer layer is defined to be on the outside of the clothing item when used by a person.

[0039] FIG. 4B shows an enlargement of a cross section of the upper part of a sock as shown in FIG. 4A. The two layers of fabric 37, 38 creates a tunnel 36 between the two layers 37,38. The through openings 34 and 35 is provided in the outer layer 37 of the fabric only. The inner layer comprises no openings.

[0040] As described above, the pair of clothing comprises at least two clothing items. In FIG. 4A only one part of the pair is shown. However, to be able to attach two clothing items to each other, a first clothing item 31, having a first means 33, is complemented with a second clothing item 31′ having a respective second means 33′ (not shown).

[0041] FIG. 4C shows an enlargement of a cross section of a further embodiment of a clothing item provided with a means, which is similar to the one described with reference to FIGS. 4A and B above, with the only difference that the through openings 44,45 are provided in the inner layer 48 only of the two layers of fabric, 47, 48 that together forms a tunnel 46. The outer layer 47 comprises no openings in the fabric. The tunnel of fabric continues around the entire upper part of the clothing item surrounding the body part of a user, when in use. The inner layer of fabric is defined to be the layer closest to the body part, when the clothing item is used by a user.

[0042] The means of all the described embodiments are to be used to attach one of a pair of a clothing item to the other part of the pair. This can be done in many ways, of which the steps of one is described below and these steps are also shown in FIG. 5A-D.

[0043] The means is normally in a basic relaxed position when attached to or in the fabric of the clothing item, independently on how the means has been attached. When the means is to be used for pairing two clothing items, the means can be extended into an extended state. This is possible because either the clothing item or the means, or both the clothing item and the means, is at least partly flexible by being elastic or resilient. The term elastic or resilient, as used herein is meant to refer to the ability the means or clothing item to spring back into its original shape. This is necessary to be able to extend either the means or at least a part of the clothing item by the application of a pulling force onto either the means or said part of the clothing item to be able to tie the flexible means of the first item of the pair with the flexible means of the second item of the pair together. When the pair of clothing items are not connected to each other, all parts returns to its original shape.

[0044] In the pair of clothing, there are normally two clothing items, which below are referred to as the first clothing item and the second clothing item.

[0045] FIG. 5A-D shows one example of a method of attaching two clothing items to each other using any of the embodiments described above with reference to FIG. 1-4, by detachably attach the means 53 of the first clothing item 51 to the means 53′ of the second clothing item 51′. The clothing items are paired by grasping the means 53 of the first clothing item 51 and the means 53′ of the second clothing item 51′ and pulling one or both the means out from the clothing items so that the means is in an extended state. In this embodiment, the means is substantially parallel to the upper part of the clothing item. When the means is pulled out to its extended state it is arranged to form a flexible loop, as shown in FIG. 5B, and the means of each clothing item is arranged so that, when the means in question is in said extended state, one of the clothing items in question can be passed through the loop in question and the two means can be tied together into a knot 56. A first means of clothing item in said pair can be detachably attached to the second means of the second clothing item in said pair.

[0046] The present invention provides a method of coupling a pair of clothing items to one another, each item of the pair 51, 51′ of clothing items comprises an opening for insertion of a human body part 52, 52′, preferably a hand or a foot, and each of the clothing items is provided with a respective means 53, 53′ and the clothing items 51, 51′ and/or the means 53, 53′ is at least partially flexible, wherein the method comprises the following steps:

[0047] i. the first means 53 of the first clothing item is extended from the first clothing 51 item by the application of a pulling force onto the means 53, whereby the first means 53 forms a first flexible loop

[0048] ii. the second means 53′ of the second clothing item is extended from the second clothing item 51′ by the application of a pulling force onto the means 53′, whereby the second means 53′ forms a second flexible loop

[0049] iii. the first means 53 is brought underneath the second means 53′, creating a through hole between the first means 53 and the second means 53′

[0050] iv. the first clothing 51 item is passed through the through hole created in step iii, whereby the loop of the first means 53 of the first clothing item in said pair is detachably attached to the loop of a second means 53′ of a second clothing item in said pair.

[0051] FIG. 5A shows a first 51 and a second 51′ clothing item each having an opening 2 and each being provided with an at least partly flexible means 53,53′.

[0052] In FIG. 5B, showing the first clothing item 51 and an upper part of the second clothing item 51′, the at least partly flexible means 53,53′ of each of the two clothing items are shown in an extended state. The extended state is achieved by pulling a force onto the means. The means 53,53′ is arranged to be able to form a respective flexible loop in the extended state so that the first and second clothing item 51,51′ are detachably engageable with each other by first bringing the loop of the first clothing item through the loop of the second clothing item. One way of attaching the clothing items is by bringing the at least partly flexible means of the first clothing item underneath the at least partly flexible means of the second clothing item so that a flexible opening 55 between the two flexible means are formed by the flexible loops. The flexible opening 55 is a through hole.

[0053] It is understood by the person skilled in the art that it is also possible to bring the at least partly flexible means 53′ of the second clothing item underneath the at least partly flexible means 53 of the first clothing item and achieve the same state.

[0054] In FIG. 5C, showing the first clothing item 51 and an upper part of the second clothing item 51′, the first clothing item 51 is brought through the flexible opening 55 that has been created between the two at least partly flexible means 53, 53′. The person skilled in the art understands that it would also be possible to bring the second clothing item through the flexible opening 55 instead of the first clothing item and achieve the same state.

[0055] In FIG. 5D, showing an upper part of first clothing item 51 and an upper part of the second clothing item 51′, the first clothing item 51 have been passed through the flexible opening 55, whereby the first and second means 53,53′ have together formed a knot 56 and the first clothing item in the clothing pair can be detachably attached to the means of the second clothing item in said clothing pair.

[0056] The knot 56 can be untied by merely reversing these steps so that the means 53,53′ and is thereby the first and second clothing item 51,51′ is detached from each other.

[0057] In order to further improve the attachment of the means provided on the respective item of clothing, the resiliency of the means changes along the length of the means. In a preferred embodiment, described more in detail with reference to FIGS. 6A-C below, the means comprises a part that is less resilient than the rest of the means. FIG. 6A shows a further preferred embodiment of a clothing item 61 and an enlargement of an upper part of the clothing item. The clothing item 61 is provided with a means 63. The means 63 is in this shown embodiment attached in its both ends 63a, 63b to the outside of the clothing item 61. The means 63 can also be attached to the inside of the clothing item 61, or be integrated in the clothing item 61, in the same way as has been described for the other embodiments above.

[0058] In all of the described embodiments, the means is preferably at least partly elastic and in this embodiment the means further comprises at least one part 69 that is less resilient than the rest of the means, meaning that the resiliency of the means changes along the length of the means. The less resilient part is more or less non elastic. The means 63 is in this embodiment attached in each end, 63a, 63b, to the upper part of the clothing item 61. The means is provided in the upper end of the clothing item, in near proximity to the opening 62 for insertion of a body part in the clothing item 61. As described above, in relaxtion to other embodiments of the invention, the means 63 can also be placed in or on other parts of the clothing item.

[0059] FIG. 6B shows the means 63 provided with the at least one part 69. The at least one part 69 can for example be a plastic, silicone or metal part, or it can be another type of less elastic fabric as part of the means 63, which makes part 69 less resilient. By providing the means 63 with at least one part 69 that is less resilient, it is easier to tie and un-tie a first means, provided on or in a first clothing item, from a second means, provided on or in a second clothing item, as the means will be less likely to tie up in a tight knot. If two means, elastic or not, are tied together, the knot that is created can be hard to untie. By providing the means 63 with at least one part that is less resilient the means of the first and second clothing item can be tied together without the knot being too hard since the part 69 will not tie up and can more easily be grasped and pulled away to untie the two means from each other. The less resilient part is preferably a less elastic fabric, which can for example be created by stitching the part 69 differently from the rest of the means 63, but the means 63 can also be made of for example plastic, silicone or metal. The method of attach/tie and detach/un-tie the means, and thereby the clothing items, from each other is the same as described above.

[0060] The means 63 can also be provided with more than one part 69 that is less resilient. In cases where there is only one part that is less resilient, the less resilient part is preferably provided in the central part of the means 63. As mentioned above, the less resilient part can further comprise stitches arranged to make the means locally less resilient. The less resilient part can cover only a small part of the means 63, a larger part of the means 63 or the entire means 63.

[0061] FIG. 6C shows a first clothing item 61, provided with a means 63 provided with the at least one part 69, and a second clothing item 61′ provided with a means 63′, where the means 63 have been detachably attached to the means 63′ of the second clothing item 61′. The means 63′ of the second clothing item 63 can either be a means with a less resilient part according to the embodiment described with reference to FIGS. 6A and 6B or can be a means as described in any of the embodiments referred to in FIGS. 1-5.

[0062] The through openings 14;15, 24; 34,35; 44,45 as described above are preferably elongated and substantially parallel to each other and to the opening 2;12;22;32;52,52′;62 for insertion of the body part.

[0063] As the person skilled in the art understands, there are several different ways to attach the means to each other, such as by doing a slip knot, a square knot or any other suitable type of knot. The clothing items can be washed, dried and stored in this way. Prior to wearing, the means of the clothing items are untied, by reversing the steps for tying the knot.

[0064] When the clothing item is a sock or a glove it is often more convenient to have the means in the end of the clothing item closest to an opening where the body part is to be inserted, but it would be possible to have the means in any other part of the clothing item. If the is clothing item is not a sock or a glove, a placement near one end of the clothing item is preferred.

[0065] The means is preferably a strip or a band and can further be made of silicone, or other similar material. If the strip is made of silicone, it can preferably be placed on the inside of the clothing item, closest to the user's skin and will also help the clothing item to be held in place.

[0066] The band can be a string, round band, flat band, a thin strip or any other band or ribbon that is suitable for use in a clothing item. The band can either be a flat band or a round band. A flat band is preferred because it is easier to attach to the clothing item, it is easier to tie and untie a flat band than a rounded band and a flat band have less risk of being felt by the wearer of the clothing item.

[0067] The means preferably has a length of approximately ⅓ to ½ of the circumference of the opening for insertion of a body part of the clothing item. The length of the means 3 can for example be ⅓, ½, 4/9 or ⅖ of the length of the circumference of the opening. The length of the means is preferably between 5 cm and 15 cm, depending on the size of the clothing item and the means is preferably arranged substantially in parallel with a periphery of the opening for insertion of a body part, and also preferably arranged between 0.5 to 5 cm from said opening 2 for insertion of a body part when the clothing item is a sock or a glove or the like. When the clothing item is another item, that might not have an opening for insertion of a body part, the means is preferably placed near any end of the item. As mentioned above, the means can be placed anywhere on the clothing item.

[0068] The length of the means is important to be able to attach the bands to each other. A means that are too long will hang outside the clothing item also when the clothing item is used by a wearer and a band that is to short cannot be used to tie the knot/attach the bands to each other. A band that is too long that is hanging from the clothing item risk getting caught up in other things or being in the way of the user.

[0069] The means can further include an identifying part, showing for example the size of the clothing item, a logotype, it can be a blank space to allow writing by the user or it can be used to brand the clothing item with a logotype. It can also be used to distinguish the left and right clothing item. This identifying part can preferably be provided on a less resilient part of the means, if such a less resilient part is provided on the means.

[0070] The means is provided to hold the items of clothing together but can at the same time be a decorating item. The provided means for coupling the clothing items to each other makes it possible to keep a pair of clothes together during both washing, drying and storage. The means for attaching the items to each other ensures that the garments are held together until the user detach them.

[0071] The clothing item according to the present invention is easier and less expensive to produce than other products on the market. It is an easy and inventive way to solve an everyday problem to people all over the world.