GB2506414A

GB2506414A - A sock comprising a pocket with fastener located in a seam

Info

Publication number: GB2506414A
Application number: GB201217401A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Andrew Iwediuno
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2012-09-28
Filing date: 2012-09-28
Publication date: 2014-04-02
Anticipated expiration: 2032-09-28
Also published as: GB201217401D0; WO2014049374A1; GB2506414B

Abstract

A sock 1 for receiving a shin pad, comprises a toe portion 2, a heel portion 3 and a shin portion 4, the shin portion is arranged for receiving a shin pad and comprises a fastener 5, which fastener serves in use to prevent undesired separation of a shin pad from the sock and also to hold up part of the shin portion of the sock to around a knee of a user. Preferably the shin pad is held in an internal pocket 6 with an elasticated opening. The fastener 5 is an elasticated tie or lace that is located in a seam 9 that partly circumvents the sock and forms the open top of the pocket. Apertures 10 are provided in the front region of the sock seam 9 and the pocket seam through which the fastener 5 is passed to across over itself. The sock is preferably a sport sock used for football.

Description

A Sock The present invention relates to a sock for receiving a shin pad, a method for manufacturing a sock for receiving a shin pad and use of a sock with a shin pad. In particular the invention relates to a sports sock, more particularly a football sock.

Socks and, indeed, sports socks and football socks are well known.

One recurring problem faced by sportsmen and sportswomen is that shin pads used beneath their socks have a tendency to work themselves loose and then faIl out. Various ways are known in the art for trying to prevent this and one example is to include an internal pocket in the sock for receipt of the shin pad. Whilst an improvement, including a pocket has not totally solved this problem because after perhaps a slightly longer period of time, the shin pad still works its way loose.

Another problem faced by sportsmen and sportswomen is that their socks have a tendency to fall down. Various ways are known in the art for trying to hold up socks, including elastic within the material of the sock (for example elastane within the weave) or various ties which are tied just below the knee and above the broadest part of the calf muscle. Socks including elastane still fall down eventually and such ties are additional kit to look after and often get lost or separated from the socks.

Further, as the known ways provide just a little more compression than using the sock alone, they improve the situation but do not totally solve the problem.

Additionally, tape is used to hold up socks and or try to keep in shins pads.

Such tape is not reliable and can have an adverse effect upon circulation as it provides a restriction of blood flow past the tape and, in particular, it is not adjustable. Further, tape is easily littered, which has an adverse effect upon the environment.

Whilst both problems have been identified before, solutions have been put forwards which only address one of the identified problems. It is therefore an aim of the present invention to provide a solution which tackles both identified problems whilst minimising the independent disadvantages of the previously proposed solutions.

Accordingly, in an aspect the present invention provides a sock for receiving a shin pad, the sock comprising a toe portion, a heel portion and a shin portion, the shin portion is arranged for receiving a shin pad and comprises a fastener, which

I

fastener serves in use to substantially prevent undesired separation of a shin pad from the sock and serves in use to substantially hold up part of the shin portion of the sock to around a knee of a user.

Preferably, the fastener is arranged to substantially prevent falling out of said shin pad. Further preferably, the fastener is arranged to act upon at least part of said shin pad, preferably directly.

The shin portion may comprise a pocket for receiving said shin pad, preferably an internal pocket of the sock.

Preferably, the fastener is arranged to act upon at least part of the pocket, preferably directly. Further preferably, the fastener is arranged to act upon an upper, open edge of the pocket.

The fastener may be at least partly located in a seam forming an open top of the pocket. The fastener may be at least partly located in a seam which circumvents at least part of the sock.

An aperture may be provided at a front region of the sock through which a partof the fastener may pass in order to gain access to the pocket. An aperture may be provided in a portion of the pocket in register with the sock aperture through which a part of the fastener may pass in order to gain access to the seam of the pocket.

Preferably, within the seam of the pocket, one part of the fastener is arranged to cross another part of the fastener.

Preferably, a single fastener is at least partly located in a seam which circumvents at least part of the sock and a seam forming at least part of the top of the pocket and travels through an aperture in the pocket seam arid through an aperture in the sock, thereby providing two end parts of the fastener which can be fastened on an outside of the sock.

Most preferably, two apertures are provided in the pocket seam and/or the sock seam.

The fastener may be a tie or lace, it may be elasticated and/or it may comprise parts of a hook and loop fastener at respective ends of the fastener.

Preferably, the fastener is located towards an open end of the sock, to correspond to around just under a knee of said user in use. Preferably, the fastener is located short of the open end of the sock, to provide further sock material which can be folded over a part of the fastener for decorative effect.

Preferably, the pocket is integral with the sock. The pocket may be partitioned to receive a plurality of shin pad parts. Optionally, an opening of the pocket is elasticated.

Preferably, the pocket comprises a panel of material secured along its edge but with a portion of the pocket left unsecured for receiving the shin pad. The panel of material may be shaped to receive a specifically shaped shin pad. The panel of material may be sock material. Preferably, the panel of material may be stitched to the sock or made integral with the sock when manufactured.

Preferably, the sock is a sports sock, preferably a football sock.

The invention also resides in a pair of socks having the claimed features and, optionally, comprising a pair of shin pads for receipt in the socks.

According to a further aspect, the present invention provides a method for manufacturing a sock for receiving a shin pad, the method comprising providing a sock comprising a toe portion, a heel portion and a shin portion, the shin portion is arranged for receiving a shin pad and comprises a fastener, which fastener serves in use to substantially prevent undesired separation of a shin pad from the sock and serves in use to substantially hold up part of the shin portion to around a knee of a user.

Preferably comprising providing a pocket, preferably an internal pocket, for receiving said shin pad.

Preferably comprising locating at least part of the fastener in a seam forming an open top of the pocket. Further preferably comprising locating at least part of the fastener in a seam which circumvents at least part of the sock.

Preferably comprising providing an aperture at a front region of the sock through which a part of the fastener is passed in order to gain access to the pocket.

Preferably comprising providing an aperture in a portion of the pocket in register with the sock aperture through which a part of the fastener is passed in order to gain access to the seam of the pocket.

Most preferably comprising crossing one part of the fastener with another part in the pocket seam.

Preferably comprising locating a single fastener in a seam which circumvents at least part of the sock and a seam forming at least part of the top of the pocket and passing the fastener through an aperture in the pocket seam and through an aperture in the sock, thereby providing two end parts of the fastener which can be fastened on an outside of the sock.

Preferably, the fastener is arranged to substantially prevent falling out of said shin pad. Further preferably, the fastener is arranged to act upon at least part of said shin pad, preferably directly. The shin portion may comprise a pocket for receiving said shin pad, preferably an internal pocket of the sock. Preferably, the fastener is arranged to act upon at least part of the pocket, preferably directly.

Further preferably, the fastener is arranged to act upon an upper, open edge of the pocket. The fastener may be at least partly located in a seam forming an open top of the pocket. The fastener may be at least partly located in a seam which circumvents at least part of the sock. An aperture may be provided at a front region of the sock through which a part of the fastener may pass in order to gain access to the pocket.

An aperture may be provided in a portion of the pocket in register with the sock aperture through which a part of the fastener may pass in order to gain access to the seam of the pocket. Preferably, within the seam of the pocket, one part of the fastener is arranged to cross another part of the fastener. Preferably, a single fastener is at least partly located in a seam which circumvents at least part of the sock and a seam forming at least part of the top of the pocket and travels through an aperture in the pocket seam and through an aperture in the sock, thereby providing two end parts of the fastener which can be fastened on an outside of the sock. Most preferably, two apertures are provided in the pocket seam and/or the sock seam.

The fastener may be a tie or lace, it may be elasticated and/or it may comprise parts of a hook and loop fastener at respective ends of the fastener. Preferably, the fastener is located towards an open end of the sock, to correspond to around just under a knee of said user in use. Preferably, the fastener is located short of the open end of the sock, to provide further sock material which can be folded over a part of the fastener for decorative effect. Preferably, the pocket is integral with the sock. The pocket may be partitioned to receive a plurality of shin pad parts.

Optionally, an opening of the pocket is elasticated. Preferably, the pocket comprises a panel of material secured along its edge but with a portion of the pocket left unsecured for receiving the shin pad. The panel of material may be shaped to receive a specifically shaped shin pad. The panel of material may be sock material.

Preferably, the panel of material may be stitched to the sock or made integral with the sock when manufactured. Preferably, the sock is a sports sock, preferably a fbotball sock.

In a further aspect, the present invention provides use of a sock by a user, the sock comprising a toe portion, a heel portion and a shin portion for receipt of respective parts of the user, the shin portion receives a shin pad and comprises a fastener, which fastener serves to substantially prevent undesired separation of the shin pad from the sock and serves to substantially hold up part of the shin portion of the sock to around a knee of the user.

Preferably, the shin pad is received by the shin portion prior to putting on of the sock or after putting on of the sock Preferably, the fastener is arranged to substantially prevent falling out of said shin pad. Further preferably, the fastener is arranged to act upon at least part of said shin pad, preferably directly. The shin portion may comprise a pocket for receiving said shin pad, preferably an internal pocket of the sock. Preferably, the fastener is arranged to act upon at least part of the pocket, preferably directly.

An aperture may be provided in a portion of the pocket in register with the sock aperture through which a part of the fastener may pass in order to gain access to the seam of the pocket. Preferably, within the seam of the pocket, one part of the fastener is arranged to cross another part of the fastener. Preferably, a single fastener is at least partly located in a seam which circumvents at least part of the sock and a seam forming at least part of the top of the pocket and travels through an aperture in the pocket seam and through an aperture in the sock, thereby providing two end parts of the fastener which can be fastened on an outside of the sock. Most preferably1 two apertures are provided in the pocket seam and/or the sock seam.

Preferably, the panel of material may be stitched to the sock or made integral with the sock when manufactured. Preferably, the sock is a sports sock, preferably a football sock.

Advantageously, the present invention has the effects of substantially holding up a sock and of substantially preventing a shin pad from falling out. In particular, when the fastener acts directly on a pocket, a top of the pocket is securely closed preventing undesired falling out of the shin pad. Alternatively, and also in particular, when the fastener does not act directly on the pocket but is placed in close proximity thereto, this arrangement also prevents undesired falling out of the shin pad. Further advantageously, the present invention provides substantially unhindered access for a shin pad to or from the pocket, no matter whether the sock is being worn or not, especially as the lace or fastener may be slid to a side easily. Further, the present invention reduces the likelihood of littering, as sportsmen and women do not lose or throw away the ties used to hold up the socks because the fasteners are part of the socks. Further, the fasteners utilised are adjustable.

The invention will now be disclosed, by way of example only, with reference to the following drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a front elevation of a first embodiment of sock; Figure 2 is a top plan view of the sock of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a front elevation of a second embodiment of sock; and Figure 4 is a side elevation of a third embodiment of sock.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, a sock, identified generally by reference I includes a toe portion 2, a heel portion 3 and a shin portion 4. A lace 5 is provided and this forms a fastener which can be tied to tighten the sock 1 around a leg of a user. The shin portion 4 includes an internal pocket 6, extending from around an ankle region of the sock I to around a knee region of the sock 1. At around the knee region and an upper region of the shin portion 4, a fold down top portion 7 of sock 1 is provided, and this top portion 7 can be folded down over part of the shin portion 4 for decorative effect. As can be seen more clearly in Figure 2, the sock has a seam 8 which extends around a back of the sock 1 up to a mid-region on each side where it intersects with the pocket 6. The pocket is provided with a seam 9 which is in line with and forms a continuous passageway with the sock seam 8, allowing the lace 5 to easily pass through both seams 8; 9. The sock I includes two reinforced apertures 10, providing access for the lace 5 to pass through the sock Ito an inside of the sock I The pocket seam 9 includes two reinforced apertures 11, providing access for the lace 5 to pass through part of the pocket 6 and into the pocket seam 9. The lace 5 is located within the sock seam 8 and the pocket seam 9 to form a loop which, when the sock I is worn, surrounds the leg of a user. As the seams 8; 9 provide a continuous passageway, the lace may move freely within the seams 8; 9.

As exemplified in Figure 2, a part of the lace 5 coming from the right-hand side of the sock 1 and from within the pocket seam 9 passes through the left-hand aperture 11 and vice-versa for the part of the lace 5 coming from the left-hand side of the sock I. In that way, by crossing, an improved fastening arrangement is provided. Having passed through the pocket apertures 11, the lace 5 extends across the top of the pocket 6 and through the sock apertures 10. Two ends of the lace 5 are provided on an outside of the sock 1 for fastening. A shin pad 12 is shown located within the pocket 6 in Figure 2, which Figure is shown partly drawn outwards at edges of the sock 1 so as to enable the internal features to be more clearly visible.

In use, the sock I is worn by a user and, once the shin pad 12 has also been placed within the pocket 6-which can be before or after the sock I is put on -a user may tighten the sock I around their leg by pulling both ends of the lace 5 and tying them together. The process of pulling the ends of the lace 5 causes the loop around the leg to tighten and causes the sock and pocket material in the vicinity of the apertures 10; 11 to be brought together. This has the effect of firstly holding up the sock 1 around the leg of a user to a height of around the knee preferably and, secondly, a top of the pocket 6 is securely closed preventing undesired falling out of the shin pad 12. The shin pad 12 is easily slid past the lace 5 into the pocket 6, for example by holding the lace 5 to a side, before or after putting on the sock I. A sock shown in Figures 1 and 2 may be initially made by any known sock manufacturing process to produce a generic sock, for example the sock will typically be woven, and then further modified in line with the invention. Those further modifications include adding an internal pocket and forming one or more seams and apertures in the sock material. Further, once the seams and apertures are formed, the lace may be passed through to provide both ends on an outside of the sock.

Alternatively, the pocket may be woven with the sock at the same time and therefore integral with the sock, and only the apertures, seams and laces may need to be added afterwards.

Figure 3 shows a second embodiment of sock. Like references are used to identify common features with the first embodiment, and only the differences will be described in detail. The second embodiment of sock, identified generally by reference 20, works in a very similar way to the first embodiment and the differences reside in the lace of the first embodiment being replaced with an elasticated, hook and loop fastener 21. Parts of the fastener 21 travel in the same way through apertures in the sock and pocket, and through the seams as described in relation to Figure 2 in particular. However, as can be seen in Figure 3, the fastener 21 has two ends 22 which are provided with a segment of hooks for fastening with a segment of loops 23 provided on an outside of the sock 20. In an alternative, hook segments 22 on the fastener 21 could be replaced with loop segments and vice-versa for the loop segments 23. A shin pad (not shown) may be placed within the pocket 6.

Therefore, in use, which is again substantially in line with the first embodiment, a user pulls both ends of the fastener 21 and, once taut, secures the hook segment 22 of one side to its respective loop segment 23. Alternatively, the hook segment 22 of one side could be secured to the loop segment 23 of the other side. Again, this has the effect of firstly holding up the sock I around the leg of a user to a height of around the knee preferably and, secondly, a top of the pocket 6 is securely closed preventing undesired falling out of the shin pad (not shown). The shin pad is easily slid past the fastener 21 into the pocket 6, for example by holding the fastener 21 to a side, before or after putting on the sock 1.

Socks of the second embodiment are manufactured the same way as socks of the first embodiment, subject to replacing the lace with an elasticated, hook and loop fastener 21 and addition of loop segments 23 on the sock 20 for engagement with hook segments 22 on the fastener 21.

Figure 4 shows a third embodiment of sock. Like references are used to identify common features with the first embodiment, and only the differences wilt be described in detail. The third embodiment of sock, identified generally by reference 30, includes an elasticated, hook and loop fastener 31, having a hook segment 33 and a loop segment 34 on the ends thereof. A sock seam 32 is provided above the level of the pocket 6-towards an open end of the sock 30-and extends mainly around the back of the sock 30. Part of the fastener 31 is located within the sock seam 32, with the hook segment 33 and loop segment 34 being located on an outside of the sock, where they can be brought into contact to fasten. The pocket includes an open upper seam 35 which is elasticated, to provide some retention to a shin pad (not shown) placed within the pocket 6. Alternatively or in addition, the seam 35 may be openably fastenable to the sock 30 with at least part of a hook and loop fastener.

In use, the sock 30 is*worn by a user and, once a shin pad has been placed within the pocket 6 -which can be before or after the sock 30 is put on -a user may tighten the sock 30 around their leg by pulling both ends of the fastener 31 and, once taut, fastening the hooks and loops together. The process of pulling the ends of the fastener causes tightening of a loop of the fastener 31 around the leg. Owing to the proximity of the fastener alto the pocket seam 35, this has the effect of firstly holding up the sock 30 around the leg of a user to a height of around the knee preferably and, secondly preventing undesired falling out of the shin pad (not shown) from the pocket 6. The shin pad may be easily slid past the fastener 31 into the pocket 6 before or after putting on the sock I and before securing the fastener 31.

Socks of the third embodiment are manufactured the same way as socks of the first and second embodiments, subject to the disclosed modifications of the pocket 6, the sock seam 32 and the pocket seam 35.

Claims

Claims: 1.) A sock for receiving a shin pad, the sock comprising a toe portion, a heel portion and a shin portion, the shin portion is arranged for receiving a shin pad and comprises a fastener, which fastener serves in use to substantially prevent undesired separation of a shin pad from the sock and serves in use to substantially hold up part of the shin portion of the sock to around a knee of a user.
2.) A sock as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fastener is arranged to substantially prevent falling out of said shin pad.
3.) A sock as claimed in claim I or claim 2, wherein the fastener is arranged to act upon at least part of said shin pad, preferably directly.
4.) A sock as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the shin portion comprises a pocket for receiving said shin pad.
5.) A sock as claimed in claim 4, wherein the pocket is an internal pocket of the sock.
6.) A sock as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the fastener is arranged to act upon at least part of the pocket, preferably directly.
7.) A sock as claimed in claim 6, wherein the fastener is arranged to act upon an upper, open edge of the pocket.
8.) A sock as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the fastener is at least partly located in a seam forming an open top of the pocket.
9.) A sock as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the fastener is at least partly located in a seam which circumvents at least part of the sock.

P12022G800
10.) A sock as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 9, wherein an aperture is provided at a front region of the sock through which a part of the fastener may pass in order to gain access to the pocket.
11.) A sock as claimed in claim 10, wherein an aperture is provided in a portion of the pocket in register with the sock aperture through which a part of the fastener may pass in order to gain access to a/the seam of the pocket.
12.) A sock as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 11, wherein within the seam of the pocket, one part of the fastener is arranged to cross another part of the fastener.
13.) A sock as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a single fastener is at least partly located in a seam which circumvents at least part of the sock and a seam forming at least part of the top of the pocket and travels through an aperture in the pocket seam and through an aperture in the sock, thereby providing two end parts of the fastener which can be fastened on an outside of the sock.
14.) A sock as claimed in any one of claims B to 13, wherein two apertures are provided in the pocket seam and/or the sock seam.
15.) A sock as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the fastener is a tie or lace.
16). A sock as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the fastener is elasticated.
17.) A sock as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 14 or claim 16, wherein the fastener comprise parts of a hook and loop fastener at respective ends of the fastener.
18.) A sock as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the fastener is located towards an open end of the sock, to correspond to around just under a knee of said user in use.

P1 20220B00
19.) A sock as claimed in claim 18, wherein the fastener is located short of the open end of the sock, to provide further sock material which can be folded over a part of the fastener for decorative effect.
20.) A sock as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 19, wherein the pocket is integral with the sock.
21.) A sock as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 20, wherein the pocket is partitioned to receive a plurality of shin pad parts.
22.) A sock as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 21, wherein an opening of the pocket is elasticated.
23.) A sock as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 22, wherein the pocket comprises a panel of material secured along its edge but with a portion of the pocket left unsecured for receiving the shin pad.
24.) A sock as claimed in claim 23, wherein the panel of material is shaped to receive a specifically shaped shin pad.
25.) A sock as claimed in claim 23 or claim 24, wherein the panel of material is sock material.
26.) A sock as claimed in any one of claims 23 to 25, wherein the panel of material may be stitched to the sock or made integral with the sock when manufactured.
27.) A sock as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the sock is a sports sock, preferably a football sock.
28.) A sock substantially as herein defined, with reference to or as shown in any one of Figures 1 and 2, Figure 3 or Figure 4 and/or any example described herein.
29.) A pair of socks comprising a sock as claimed in any preceding claim, optionally comprising a pair of shin pads for receipt in the socks.P1 2022GB00
30.) A method for manufacturing a sock for receiving a shin pad, the method comprising providing a sock comprising a toe portion, a heel portion and a shin portion, the shin portion is arranged for receiving a shin pad and comprises a fastener, which fastener serves in use to substantially prevent undesired separation of a shin pad from the sock and serves in use to substantially hold up part of the shin portion to around a knee of a user,
31.) A method as claimed in claim 30, comprising providing a pocket, preferably an internal pocket, for receiving said shin pad.32.) A method as claimed in claim 30 or claim 31, comprising locating at least part of the fastener in a seam forming an open top of the pocket.33.) A method as claimed in any one of claims 30 to 32, comprising locating at least part of the fastener in a seam which circumvents at least part of the sock.34.) A method as claimed in any one of claims 30 to 33, comprising providing an aperture at a front region of the sock through which a part of the fastener is passed in order to gain access to the pocket.35.) A method as claimed in claim 34, comprising providing an aperture in a portion of the pocket in register with the sock aperture through which a part of the fastener is passed in order to gain access to the seam of the pocket.36.) A method as claimed in any one of claims 30 to 35, comprising crossing one part of the fastener with another part in the pocket seam.37.) A method as claimed in any one of claims 30 to 36, comprising locating a single fastener in a seam which circumvents at least part of the sock and a seam forming at least part of the top of the pocket and passing the fastener through an aperture in the pocket seam and through an aperture in the sock, thereby providing two end parts of the fastener which can be fastened on an outside of the sock.P12022G800 38.) A method as claimed in any one of claims 30 to 37, wherein the sock comprises any one or more of the features of any one of claims I to 29.39.) Use of a sock by a user, the sock comprising a toe portion, a heel portion and a shin portion for receipt of respective parts of the user, the shin portion receives a shin pad and comprises a fastener, which fastener serves to substantially prevent undesired separation of the shin pad from the sock and serves to substantially hold up part of the shin portion of the sock to around a knee of the user.40.) Use as claimed in claim 39, wherein the shin pad is received by the shin portion prior to putting on of the sock or after putting on of the sock.41.) Use as claimed in Claim 39 or claim 40, wherein the sock comprises any one or more of the features of any one of claims 1 to 29.42.) A method for manufacture of a sock or use of a sock substantially as herein described, with reference to the accompanying description and/or any example herein described.P12022G800