EP0344921A1

EP0344921A1 - Ladies stockings

Info

Publication number: EP0344921A1
Application number: EP89304497A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Reginald P. Wilson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1988-05-31
Filing date: 1989-05-04
Publication date: 1989-12-06
Also published as: KR900017517A; CA1269202A; JPH0226903A

Abstract

The open end (6) of a ladies stocking is in the shape of an inverted V, and an elasticized band (11) is disposed adjacent to the peripheral edge of the open end.

Description

The invention relates to a novel stocking for ladies. More specifically, the invention relates to such a stocking which provides extra comfort by relieving, instead of causing, pressure along an elasticized open end thereof.
It is known in the art to provide stockings having elasticized bands at the open ends thereof. Such stockings are illustrated in, for example, U.S. Patent Nos. 3,625,029, Safrit et al, December 7, 1971, 3,800,331, Taddeo, April 2, 1974, 3,590,390, Howard et al, July 6, 1971, and 3,501,774 Norman, March 24, 1970. The disadvantage of the prior art stockings is, when worn, the elasticized band contracts around the thigh of the wearer causing pressure and discomfort to the wearer.
It is an object of the invention to provide ladies stockings which overcome the disadvantages of the prior art stockings.
More specifically, it is an object of the invention to provide ladies stockings with elasticized bands which relieve, instead of causing, pressure along the elasticized open end thereof.
It is also an object of the invention to provide a garter belt and ladies stockings combination.
In accordance with the invention, the elasticized open end is in the shape of an inverted V.
The invention will be better understood by an examination of the following description, together with the accompanying drawing, in which:

The single Figure illustrates the novel stockings in perspective and also illustrates a garter belt arrangement for supporting the stockings.

Referring to the drawing, the novel stocking in accordance with the invention, illustrated generally at 1, comprises a foot portion 3, having a first, closed, end 5 and a second, open, end 6. The stocking also includes an elongated tubular leg portion 7 having a first end connected to the second end of the elongated foot portion. The second end of the elongated tubular leg portion 9 is an open end and is in the shape of an inverted V. An elastic band 11 is disposed adjacent to the peripheral edge of the second opened leg of the leg portion. The elastic band may either be encased between two layers of the material of the stocking, or it may be adhered to the inner side of the stocking. Affixing the elastic band to the top edge of the stocking may be done by any means well known in the art.
The stocking may also include a garter attachment 13, which, as can be seen, is a continuation of the elastic band, for attachment to garters 15 of garter belt 17. Preferably, 13 is attached to 15 by hook and eye fasteners as shown in the drawing. However, velcro pads, or other means well known in the art, may be used for this purpose.
In operation, when the stocking is worn as illustrated in the Figure, an upward pulling force is applied by the garters 15, through the garter support 13, to the elastic band. This force, because it is being applied to an elastic band, is evenly distributed over the entire band. Thus, a relatively small force will support the stocking from the single point as compared with prior art belts which required support at both the front and rear of the stockings, i.e., at two points. Provision of the elastic band at the peripheral edge ensures that the stocking will not crawl down at any part of the top edge but will remain smartly in place in spite of the single point support. At the same time, it will do so without requiring a strong enough stretch on the elastic band which will dig into the thigh of the wearer causing a blockage of blood circulation as well as other discomforts to the wearer as in the prior art stockings with elasticized bands as described in the above-identified U.S. patents.
In a preferred embodiment, the stretch of the elasticized material forming the band, i.e., the increase in length of the elastic band when stretched while having a total stretch capacitiy of 100%, is less than or equal to 17½% in order to mitigate against excess contraction of the elasticized band when it is released to thereby dig into the thigh of the wearer.
Although a single embodiment has been described, this was for the purpose of illustrating, but not limiting, the invention. Various modifications, which will come readily to the mind of one skilled in the art, are within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A ladies stocking comprising:
an elongated foot portion having a first, closed, end and a second, open, end;
an elongated tubular leg portion having a first end joined to said second end of said foot portion, and a second, open, end;
said second, open, end of said leg portion being in the shape of an inverted V; and
a band of elasticized material attached to said stocking adjacent to the peripheral edge of said open end of said leg portion;
and further including an elasticized garter support means extending from the point of said inverted V, said garter support means comprising a continuation of said band of elasticized material, and being formed integrally therewith.

2. A stocking as defined in claim 1 wherein the point of said inverted V is at the front of said stocking.

3. A stocking as defined in claim 2 wherein the stretch of the elasticized material is less or equal to 17½ %.

4. In combination, a ladies stocking and a garter belt arrangement;
said ladies stocking comprising:
an elongated foot portion having a first, closed, end and a second, open, end;
an elongated tubular leg portion having a first end joined to said second end of said foot portion, and a second, open, end;
said second, open, end of said leg portion being in the shape of an inverted V;
a band of elasticized material attached to said stocking adjacent to the peripheral edge of said open end of said leg portion;
an elasticized garter support means extending from the point of said inverted V, said garter support means comprising a continuation of said band of elasticized material, and being formed integrally therewith;
said garter belt comprising two downwardly extending garters;
said garters being attachable to a separate one of said garter support means of a pair of stockings; and
means for attaching said garter support means to said garters.

5. A combination as defined in claim 4 wherein said means for attaching comprises hook and eye means.

6. A stocking as defined in claim 5 wherein the point of said inverted V is at the front of said stocking.

7. A stocking as defined in claim 6 wherein the stretch of the elasticized material is less or equal to 17½ %.