GB2217972A

GB2217972A - Self-supporting stockings

Info

Publication number: GB2217972A
Application number: GB8810694A
Authority: GB
Inventors: William Brian Stanfield
Original assignee: BRIAN STANFIELD CO Ltd
Current assignee: BRIAN STANFIELD CO Ltd
Priority date: 1988-05-06
Filing date: 1988-05-06
Publication date: 1989-11-08
Also published as: GB8810694D0

Abstract

An elastic strip 18 is provided around at least a substantial part of the open end of the stocking 10 with at least one of the ends 20 of the strip free. The ends 20 are arranged to overlap each other and corresponding portions 21, 22 of fleece and hook fastener are provided on the overlapping ends to enable a loop of a variable size to be formed to support the stocking on a person's leg. The stocking is provided with a reinforced upper portion 12. <IMAGE>

Description

Improvements in or relating to Stockings.

This invention relates to Stockings and particularly self supporting stockings.

Women often wish to wear stockings in preference to tights but do not wish to wear suspender belts. Furthermore elderly and invalid people may wish to wear tights or stockings but due to their age or disability cannot wear tights or a suspender belt. Accordingly there is a considerable demand for self-supporting stockings.

Self-supporting stockings have previously been manufactured with a narrow elastic band around their open end. However, such stockings have tended to be uncomfortable due to the band cutting into the leg, and this can also cause medical problems. Further the band also tends to roll down the leg.

According to the present invention there is provided a stocking comprising a body, a strip of an elastic material provided around at least a substantial part of the body of the open end thereof, with at least one of the ends of the strip free of said body, and fastening means located on the strip adjacent each end thereof, the fastening means permitting the ends of the strip to be fastened together in any of a plurality of positions, so as to provide, in use, a loop of a variable size whereby the grip provided by the stocking is adjustable.

The fastening means may be in the form of strips of fleece and hook fasteners such as Velcro (registered Trade Mark). Alternatively press-studs could be used with a plurality of male and/or female components.

Preferably the strip is at least 1cm wide. Desirably a portion of the stocking body adjacent the open end is reinforced, and this may be acheived by providing ribbing.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the single figure of the accompanying drawings which show a side view of a stocking according to the invention.

This stocking comprises a conventionally shaped stocking body 10 made from 80 Denier loop material. An upper portion 12 of the body is reinforced with longitudinal ribbing 14. The ribbing 14 is interrupted at a number of places by rectangular areas 16 of transverse stitching.

A strip 18 substantially 13mum wide and of elastic material is attached around a substantial part of the open end of the portion 12 with the ends 20 of the strip free of the portion 12 and arranged to overlap each other.

Corresponding portions 21,22 of a length of fleece and hook fastener such as Velcro (registered Trade Mark) are provided on the overlapping faces of the ends 20.

In use, with the ends 20 separated, the stocking is pulled over a persons leg to a desired position, the ends 20 are pulled together to provide a required tension in the strip 18, and the portions 21, 22 are then pushed together. The stocking is then held on the leg by the strip 18 with assistance from the reinforced portion 12.

There is thus described a self supporting stocking which will fit a wide range of leg sizes. The use of a strip fastened at a required tension, rather than a narrow band the tension of which is not adjustable, greatly increases the wearer's comfort and substantially reduces the likelihood of medical problems being caused. The width of the strip prevents it rolling down the leg. The reinforced portion also assists in gripping the leg thus providing the necessary clamping force over a larger area.

The reinforcing of this portion reduces the likelihood of laddering which otherwise might occur when the strip is being stretched. The use of 80 denier material also reduces the likelihood of laddering in the rest of the stocking and has the advantage of not catching in the fleece and hook fastener.

Various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. For example different materials could be used, and especially if the stockings are intended for fashion, use a lighter material may be used. The reinforced portion may be differently formed and may in some instances be omitted. The strip could be a different size. Different fastening means could be used to attach together the ends of the strip, such as press-studs, buttons, hook and eye or clip fasteners.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims

1. A stocking comprising a body, a strip of an elastic material provided around at least a substantial part of the body at the open end thereof, with at least one of the ends of the strip free of said body, and fastening means located on the strip adjacent each end thereof, the fastening means permitting the ends of the strip to be fastened together in any of a plurality of positions, so as to provide, in use, a loop of a variable size whereby the grip provided by the stocking is adjustable.

2. A stocking according to claim 1, in which the fastening means is in the form of strips of fleece and hook fasteners.

3. A stocking according to claim 2, in which the fastening means comprises press-studs with a plurality of male r9nd/or female components.

4. A stocking according to any of the preceding claims, in which the strip is at least 1cm wide.

5. A stocking according to any of the preceding claims, in which a portion of the stocking body adjacent the open end is reinforced.

6. A stocking according to claim 5, in which the reinforcement is achieved by providing ribbing.

7. A stocking according to any of the preceding claims in which the body is made from 80 Denier loop material.

8. A stocking substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.

9. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter herein disclosed, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding claims.