DEVICE AND SYSTEM FOR PAIRING SOCKS AND OTHER ARTICLES

Abstract

A system is provided for pairing matched articles of clothing. In one embodiment, the system comprises a device comprising a needle, a hook, a body, and a handle; and a first connector and a second connector. The needle of the device is configured to create a first perforation in a first article of clothing and a second perforation in a second article of clothing. The hook of the device is configured to pull the first connector through the first perforation to attach the first connector to the first article, and to pull the second connector through the second perforation to attach the second connector to the second article. The first article is paired with the second article by securing the first connector to the second connector.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/081,942, filed Nov. 19, 2014, titled "Device and System for Pairing Socks and Other Articles," the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Traditionally, handling articles of clothing that come in sets (e.g., pairs of socks) can potentially result in those articles becoming separated and/or lost. For example, matched pairs of socks are frequently lost during laundry, manipulation, storage, or other processes due in part because of the socks' small sizes and tendency to cling to or be entangled with other pieces of clothing. This often means that the remaining piece is unusable. Therefore, there are significant technical challenges to ensuring that clothing sets that include multiple pieces remain paired when manipulated or otherwise handled via a process that can potentially result in their separation and/or lost.

SOME EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

[0003] Therefore, there is a need to prevent the separation of matched articles of clothing to avoid lost and/or to make such articles easier to find or store.

[0004] According to one embodiment, a system comprises a device comprising a needle, a hook, a body, and a handle; and a first connector and a second connector. The needle of the device is configured to create a first perforation in a first article of clothing and a second perforation in a second article of clothing. The hook of the device is configured to pull the first connector through the first perforation to attach the first connector to the first article, and to pull the second connector through the second perforation to attach the second connector to the second article. The first article is paired with the second article by securing the first connector to the second connector.

[0005] According to another embodiment, an apparatus comprises a needle, a hook, a body, and a handle. The needle is configured to create a first perforation in a first article of clothing and a second perforation in the second article of clothing. The hook is configured to pull a first connector through the first perforation to attach the first connector to the first article, and to pull a second connector through the second perforation to attach the second connector to the second article. The first article is paired with the second article by securing the first connector to the second connector.

[0006] According to another embodiment, a method comprises creating, using a device, a first perforation in a first article of clothing and a second perforation in a second article of clothing, wherein the device comprises a needle, a hook, a body, and a handle. The method also comprises pulling, using the device, a first connector a first connector through the first perforation to attach the first connector to the first article. The method further comprises pulling, using the device, a second connector through the second perforation to attach the second connector to the second article. The method further comprises pairing the first article with the second article by securing the first connector to the second connector.

[0007] According to another embodiment, an apparatus comprises means for creating, using a device, a first perforation in a first article of clothing and a second perforation in a second article of clothing, wherein the device comprises a needle, a hook, a body, and a handle. The apparatus also comprises means for pulling, using the device, a first connector a first connector through the first perforation to attach the first connector to the first article. The apparatus further comprises means for pulling, using the device, a second connector through the second perforation to attach the second connector to the second article. The apparatus further comprises means for pairing the first article with the second article by securing the first connector to the second connector.

[0008] Still other aspects, features, and advantages of the invention are readily apparent from the following detailed description, simply by illustrating a number of particular embodiments and implementations, including the best mode contemplated for carrying out the invention. The invention is also capable of other and different embodiments, and its several details can be modified in various obvious respects, all without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] The embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings:

[0010] FIG. 1 is a system capable of pairing articles of clothing, according to one embodiment;

[0011] FIG. 2 illustrates a device and connectors capable of pairing articles of clothing, according to one embodiment;

[0012] FIGS. 3A-3H illustrate an example of using the device and connectors to pair articles of clothing, according to various embodiments; and

[0013] FIG. 4 is flowchart of a process for pairing articles of clothing, according to one embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS

[0014] Examples of a method, system, and a device for securing articles to each other during handling, manipulation, storage, or processes are disclosed. In the following description, for the purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments of the invention. It is apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these specific details or with an equivalent arrangement.

[0015] FIG. 1 is a system capable of pairing articles of clothing, according to one embodiment. As previously noted, keeping matched articles of clothing paired and avoiding loss of those articles can potentially be a significant burden on consumers. Moreover, keeping matched articles easy to find and organized can also be a challenge. For example, those articles (e.g., pairs of socks) can be place in a random pile (e.g., following washing). Sorting through the pile of random or washed pile of clothes for matching items (e.g., pairs of socks) can be time consuming and inconvenient especially, e.g., when one pair of socks may be just slightly different from another. This sorting then could require closer examination of color and/or texture to pair individual socks together.

[0016] It is noted that although various embodiments are discussed with respect to pairs of socks, it is contemplated that the embodiments are applicable to any set of clothing that a consumer wishes to remain paired (e.g., gloves, scarves/hats, multi-piece swimsuits, ties/handkerchiefs, etc.). Moreover, although the embodiments are discussed with respect to keeping pairs (two) of articles together, it is contemplated that any number of articles can be "paired" or other secured together according to the embodiments described herein.

[0017] To address the problems discussed above, a system 100 of FIG. 1 introduces a capability for securing and maintaining articles or pieces of clothing that are associated together (e.g., matching socks, matching swimsuit pieces, matching gloves, undergarments, etc.) by enabling a user to join and keep pairs or matching articles of clothing together during handling (e.g., washing), storage, organization, or any other process that can potentially result in separation or loss of matched articles.

[0018] As shown, the system 100 comprises a device 101 (e.g., a perforation device) and one or more connectors 103a and 103b (also collectively referred to as connectors 103) that can be used to secure or pair matched clothing articles 105a and 105b (also collectively referred to as articles 105, such as a pair of socks as depicted). In one embodiment, the device 101 may be used for perforating the matching articles 105, pulling the connectors 103 through the perforations or openings respectively created in the articles 105, and pairing the articles 105 together by securing the connectors 103 together.

[0019] FIG. 2 illustrates is a device and connectors for pairing articles of clothing, according to one embodiment. In one embodiment, the device 101 (e.g., a perforation device) includes a needle 201, a hook 203, a body 205, and a handle 207. In one embodiment, the device 101 may be of various sizes, widths, thicknesses, and or weights. For example, the device 101 may be light and relatively small to allow for easy manipulation and carrying. In one embodiment, the device may have parts (e.g., needle 201, hook 203, body 205, etc.) that are of minimal thickness to allow a connector 103 to be easily and smoothly pulled through an opening or perforation created by the device 101 on an article 105. By way of example, the minimal thickness can be specified to avoid or minimize damage that may occur while perforating or pulling the connector 103 through perforations in articles 105.

[0020] In one embodiment, the connector 103 may be part of the pairing or securing system and include a loop 209 with a fastening edge 211. In one embodiment, the fastening edge 211 is a ball-shaped edge. For example, the ball-shaped edge enables a user to secure matching articles 105 to each other by, for example, intertwining the ball-shaped edges and loops 209 of two connectors 103. In addition to or instead of the ball-shaped edge, the fastening edge 211 can use any device or fastener with members (e.g., magnetic, hook and loop fasteners, snaps, etc.) capable of being secured to another connector 103. In one embodiment, it is also contemplated that the combination of the sides of the loop 209 is thinner than the needle 201 and/or perforation device 101, so the openings created by the perforation device 101 are larger than the loop 209, the perforation device 101, the needle 201, or a combination thereof. It is contemplated that the loop 209 may be any device capable of being caught and pulled by the hook 203.

[0021] In one embodiment, the connector and/or the loop of the connector may be or include an elastic material for preventing rupture of the matching clothing or articles 105, the connector 103, and/or the loop 203 when manipulating the matching pieces of clothing. For example, in a situation where a user is about to wash a pair of socks, each of the socks of the pair may be secured (e.g., fastened, attached, linked, joined, or otherwise connected) to each other by the connector while the socks are being washed and/or dried. The pair of socks may, however, be pulled apart from each other while washing or drying, which could result in damage to the pieces of clothes or to the connectors. In one embodiment, the connectors can be elastic, such that the elastic properties may prevent the catcher (formed by the two holes in the piece of clothing or the connectors) to be torn apart. It is contemplated, however, that the connector is made of any material, and is of any shape, color, or form.

[0022] In one embodiment, the connectors 103 can be adorned with ornamental elements, such as logos or designs.

[0023] In one embodiment, the needle 201 of the perforation device 101 may be adjustable. For example, the needle 201 may be adjustable over a 180 degrees angle range. The needle may, e.g., be positioned approximately 180 degrees angle in relation to the body 205 of the perforation device 101 to facilitate insertion of the body 205 of the perforation device 101 through the openings or perforations created by the needle 201. In one embodiment, the needle 201 is uniformly thick. In other embodiments, the needle 201 may be thinner at the edge and larger at the shaft.

[0024] In another embodiment, the needle 201 is adjustable and capable of being positioned within a crack, fissure, or other cavity in the body 205 of the perforation device 101. Thus, the needle 201 can be stored within the body 205 of the perforation device by simply pushing the edge of the needle 201 towards the body 205 of the perforation device 101 to allow for a smooth insertion of the body 205 of the perforation device 101 through the openings created by the needle 201.

[0025] In another embodiment, the hook 203 may be a continuation of the body 205 of the perforation device 101. It is contemplated that the hook 205 may be smaller and/or thinner than the body 205 of the perforation device 101, the needle 201, or a combination thereof to allow for easy manipulation and insertion of the hook 203 in the openings created by the needle 201 on the articles 105.

[0026] In another embodiment, the needle 201 may be slightly and/or partially flat for easy accommodation of the needle 201. The body 205 of the perforation device 101 may include the hook 203 in one distal end of the perforation device 101 and a handle at its opposite end. Furthermore, the body 205 may be made, e.g., of aluminum or any other metal or light weight material.

[0027] In yet another embodiment, the handle 207 may be thicker than the body 205 of the perforation device 101 for allowing the user to easily hold and manipulate the perforation device 101. The handle 207 may also be made with an adherent material as to prevent the perforation device 101 from sliding from the hands of the users while the user is manipulating the perforation device 101. The handle 207 may also be made of plastic and include an irregular surface for adherence or grip.

[0028] FIGS. 3A-3H illustrate an example of using the device and connectors to pair articles of clothing, according to various embodiments. As shown in FIG. 3A, a needle 201 of the device 101 may be used to perforate an article 105 of clothing (e.g., the cloth comprising a sock). This results in creating perforations 301a and 301b (also collectively referred to as perforations 301 or openings 301) in the material of the article 105 (e.g., sock). In this example, the cloth of the article 105 has been pinched or folded so that the needle 101 perforates the article through the fold to create the two perforations 301. However, it is also contemplated that multiple folds or no folds at all may be used depending on the type of connector 103 that is to be used. With respect to the embodiments described herein, the perforations 301 created on one article 105 to affix one connector 103 (e.g., perforations 301a and 301b) can be referred to collectively as "a" perforation 301 in the article 105.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 3B, following creation of the perforations 301, the hook 203 of the device 101 may be used engaged with a loop 209 of the connector 103 by moving the needle 201 over its adjustable range to enable access to the hook 203. As shown FIG. 3C, once engaged with the loop 209, the device 101 can be used to pull the connector 103 through the openings or perforations 301 created in the article 105. In one embodiment, the action of pulling the device 101 back through the perforations 301 will result in moving of the needle 201 to a closed position with respect to the hook 203 to further secure the loop 209 in the hook 203. Furthermore, in one embodiment, the thickness of the loop 209 and the hook 203 together may be thinner than the openings 301 created by the perforation device 101 to facilitate pulling the loop 209 through the openings or perforations using the hook in the perforation device 101 and avoiding and/or minimizing damage to the article 105.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 3D, once the loop 209 is pulled through the perforations 301, the device 101 can be used to pull the loop 209 over the fastening edge 211 of the connector 103 to affix the connector 103 to the article 105. The fastening edge 211 can then be further pulled through the loop 209 to tighten connector 103 to the perforations 301 of the article 105 (as shown in FIG. 3E).

[0031] As shown in FIG. 3F, the process described above with respect to FIGS. 3A-3D can be repeated for a second article 311 using a second connector 313. In this example, the second article 311 is a sock that matches the sock of the article 105 of FIGS. 3A-3D.

[0032] FIG. 3G illustrates an example of pairing two articles (e.g., articles 105 and 311) using the fastening edges of the connectors 103 and 313 respectively affixed as described above). For example, the user may secure the connectors 103 and 313 be intertwining the loops 321a and 321b and respective fastening edges 323a and 323b of the connectors 103 and 313. Since the two articles 105 and 311 are secured/coupled to each other, a user may handle, manipulate, or store the coupled articles. For example, a user may wash/dry a coupled pair of socks, store a coupled pair of gloves, pack a coupled pair of slippers, or the like.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 3H, a user may uncouple/disengage the connectors 103 and 313 from each other to uncouple the articles 105 and 311 from each other. For example, a user may uncouple a pair of socks after washing and drying them. In one embodiment, the connectors 103 and 313 can remain affixed to their respective articles 105 and 311. In other embodiments, a user may either remove the connectors 103/313 or leave them connected to the articles 105/311 for future use if, for example, the connectors 103 and 313 would not interfere with a normal use of the articles (e.g., wearing the socks with the connectors attached).

[0034] In one embodiment, multiple articles 105 may be coupled/secured to one another by use of a single connector/fastener 103. For example, a loop 209 of a connector 103 may be inserted into or affixed to two or more articles for forming a coupling with a fastening edge 211 of the connector 103. In one embodiment, a loop 209 of a connector 103 may be made longer or may stretch more for coupling/securing several articles by use of that connector 103 only.

[0035] FIG. 4 is flowchart of a process for pairing articles of clothing, according to one embodiment. In one embodiment, the system 100 performs the process 400 of FIG. 4.

[0036] In step 401, the system 100 creates, using a device (e.g., device 101), a first perforation in a first article of clothing (e.g., article 105) and a second perforation in a second article of clothing, wherein the device 101 comprises a needle 201, a hook 203, a body 205, and a handle 207. By way of example, the components of the device 101 are described above with respect to FIGS. 1, 2, and 3A-3H.

[0037] In step 403, the system 100 pulls, using the device 101, a first connector (e.g., a connector 103) through the first perforation to attach the first connector to the first article. In step 405, the system 100 pulls, using the device 101, a second connector (e.g., a connector 103) through the second perforation to attach the second connector to the second article.

[0038] As previously described, in one embodiment, the first connector and the second connector respectively include a loop with a fastening edge. Additionally, in one embodiment, the hook 203 catches the first connector by the loop to pull the first connector and the second connector through the first perforation and the second perforation.

[0039] In step 407, the system 100 pairs the first article with the second article by securing the first connector to the second connector. In one embodiment, the fastening edge is used to secure the first connector to the second connector. By way of example, the process for securing or paring the articles via the connectors is described in more detail with respect to FIGS. 3A-3H above.

[0040] While the invention has been described in connection with a number of embodiments and implementations, the invention is not so limited but covers various obvious modifications and equivalent arrangements, which fall within the purview of the appended claims. Although features of the invention are expressed in certain combinations among the claims, it is contemplated that these features can be arranged in any combination and order.

Claims

1. A system comprises: a device comprising a needle, a hook, a body, and a handle; and a first connector and a second connector, wherein the needle of the device is configured to create a first perforation in a first article of clothing and a second perforation in a second article of clothing; wherein the hook of the device is configured to pull the first connector through the first perforation to attach the first connector to the first article, and to pull the second connector through the second perforation to attach the second connector to the second article; and wherein the first article is paired with the second article by securing the first connector to the second connector.

2. A system of claim 1, wherein the first connector and the second connector respectively include a loop with a fastening edge.

3. A system of claim 2, wherein the hook of the device catches the first connector by the loop to pull the first connector and the second connector through the first perforation and the second perforation, and wherein the fastening edge is used to secure the first connector to the second connector.

4. A system of claim 2, wherein a thickness of the loop and the hook of the device is thinner than the first perforation and the second perforation.

5. A system of claim 2, wherein the first connector, the second connector, the loop, the fastening edge, or a combination thereof includes an elastic material.

6. A system of claim 1, wherein an angle of the needle in relation to the body of the device is variable over a 180 degree range.

7. A system of claim 1, wherein the body includes a fissure, and wherein the needle is capable of being positioned within the fissure during insertion of the body through the first perforation, the second perforation, the first article, the second article, or a combination thereof.

8. A system of claim 1, wherein the first article and the second article are paired prior to performing a process that can result in separation of the first article and the second article if not paired.

9. An apparatus comprising: a needle, a hook, a body, and a handle, wherein the needle is configured to create a first perforation in a first article of clothing and a second perforation in the second article of clothing; wherein the hook is configured to pull a first connector through the first perforation to attach the first connector to the first article, and to pull a second connector through the second perforation to attach the second connector to the second article; and wherein the first article is paired with the second article by securing the first connector to the second connector.

10. An apparatus of claim 9, wherein the first connector and the second connector respectively include a loop with a fastening edge.

11. An apparatus of claim 10, wherein the hook catches the first connector by the loop to pull the first connector and the second connector through the first perforation and the second perforation, and wherein the fastening edge is used to secure the first connector to the second connector.

12. An apparatus of claim 9, wherein a thickness of the loop and the hook is thinner than the first perforation and the second perforation.

13. An apparatus of claim 9, wherein the first connector, the second connector, the loop, the fastening edge, or a combination thereof includes an elastic material.

14. An apparatus of claim 9, wherein an angle of the needle in relation to the body is variable over a 180 degree range.

15. An apparatus of claim 9, wherein the body includes a fissure, and wherein the needle is capable of being positioned within the fissure during insertion of the body through the first perforation, the second perforation, the first article, the second article, or a combination thereof.

16. An apparatus of claim 9, wherein the first article and the second article are paired prior to performing a process that can result in separation of the first article and the second article if not paired.

17. A method comprising: creating, using a device, a first perforation in a first article of clothing and a second perforation in a second article of clothing, wherein the device comprises a needle, a hook, a body, and a handle; pulling, using the device, a first connector through the first perforation to attach the first connector to the first article; pulling, using the device, a second connector through the second perforation to attach the second connector to the second article; and pairing the first article with the second article by securing the first connector to the second connector.

18. A method of claim 17, wherein the first connector and the second connector respectively include a loop with a fastening edge.

19. A method of claim 18, wherein the hook catches the first connector by the loop to pull the first connector and the second connector through the first perforation and the second perforation, and wherein the fastening edge is used to secure the first connector to the second connector.

20. A method of claim 18, wherein a thickness of the loop and the hook is thinner than the first perforation and the second perforation.