EP0944754A1

EP0944754A1 - Device for holding socks together in pairs

Info

Publication number: EP0944754A1
Application number: EP96944136A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Lars Petter Fylling
Original assignee: Clip-it Co AS
Current assignee: Clip-it Co AS
Priority date: 1996-11-27
Filing date: 1996-11-27
Publication date: 1999-09-29
Also published as: AU1401297A; WO1998023806A1

Abstract

A device for holding socks/stockings together in pairs during laundering, storage, etc., comprises interacting clasping parts between which a pair of socks/stockings can be introduced. The device is formed of a single piece of elastic, flexible, clasping material with two interactive elastic parts which are formed by the main piece (2) and a lip piece (3) which is cut out in the central section of the main piece (2). The parts (2, 3) are connected together by means of an elastic bridging piece (7) that causes a progressive elastic gripping force between the parts. A cavity (4) is formed in the area of the bridging piece for receiving the material in the socks/stockings.

Description

Device for holding socks together in pairs

The invention concerns a device for holding socks together in pairs both during laundering and storage.

It is a well-known phenomenon that during laundering socks have a tendency to disappear or to get lost, with the result that over time one accrues a large store of individual socks or stockings or different colour or with different patterns. The same problem also occurs when socks/stockings are stored in a drawer and the socks are not systematically attached to one another when put away. Many proposals have been put forward to solve this everyday problem. However, none of these suggestions has resulted in a product that has succeeded in the market.

Accordingly, the object of the present invention is to provide a solution that is both reasonable to produce and simple to use, with a view to making it easier to keep pairs of socks/stockings together.

This aim is achieved by means of a device characterized by the features described in the patent claims.

The invention applies the same principles as used in the paper-clip. In other words, and object is clasped in place between two parts of a clasping device, where one part can be pulled to the side relative to the other part against an elastic retaining force. This force must be sufficient to grip the clasped object. However, to grip a pair of stockings or socks, particularly a pair that is swirling around in a washing machine, it is necessary to ensure that the gripping forces are sufficiently strong for it to be reasonably certain that most of the pairs will remain clasped together. Accordingly, it will be necessary to design the device in such a way that the gripping force increases progressively in the direction of the inner area of the elastic clasp and that there is space for a sufficiently large part of the sock in the area in which the retaining force is greatest. The functioning of the device and the secure holding together of the socks/stockings depends upon the interplay between these two conditions. If there is a clasping force that is intended to hold two socks together and the force decreases evenly outwards from the inner section of the clasping area, the sock can easily slip out of the holder during the movement of the washing despite the effect of the force. However, if the sock is pulled up into the area with the greatest gripping force in such a way that a significant part of the sock can be pulled in to an open space in this area, the slippage of the sock material will be impeded or counteracted by folding, at the same time as this area has the greatest gripping forces. Surprisingly this special design is of major importance and the socks are held together even during heavy treatment in a washing machine.

A further feature of the invention is that there is a hook-shaped bend in the upper part of the device that allows the socks to be hung to dry on a coat hanger, preferably of the wire type obtained from dry-cleaners, while the holder is still in place. In a laundry the socks can also be hung on hangers for transportation through a laundering system. According to the description in the invention the device can also be utilized during storage of the socks so that one can always be certain of finding socks that belong together.

A more detailed description of the invention is provided below with the help of a working example of the design shonw on a drawing featuring:

Fig. 1 An sketch of the device as shown in the invention.

Fig. 2 The device in Figure 1 seen from the side with the parts held apart under tension, and fig. 3 The device shown in a perspective sketch with a pair of socks in place.

According to the invention the device can be produced by means of stamping in a single piece from a sheet of plastic of a type with inherent flexibility. A suitable material is PVC or PE. However, other materials may also be utilized.

In the example, device 1 has an oval shape and a lip-shaped part 3 has been stamped from the central area and this is connected to the remaining part 2 by means of a bridging piece 7 that could be specially treated to give the lip part 3 a progressive elastic force which is at its most powerful at the bridging piece 7. A cavity 4 has been stamped out of the bridging part and is intended to accept the sock material from the socks 8 (fig. 3). A hook 5 is featured in the upper section of device 1 and the inner area 6 of hook 5 will accept the rod on a coat hanger or some other rod, line etc. The lip 3 can be pulled away from the main body 2 by pulling the lower part of the lip off to one side. This is shown in Fig. 2. As will be seen from this figure, in lip part 3 the greatest outward extension is in its lower section and accordingly the greatest gripping force is found in its upper section.

If a pair of socks is hung in the device as schematically illustrated in Fig. 3, the upper part of the socks will be pulled all the way in towards the bridging piece 7, and accordingly as much of the sock material will be pulled into the cavity 4 as possible. As a result of this and the high degree of gripping force in this area, the socks will not fall out even during the heaviest movements in a washing machine.

The sock gripping device is inexpensive to produce since it can quite easily be stamped from a sheet of plastic and accordingly the device can be produced in large numbers, and households can maintain a supply of the device. The device can be hooked onto a wire coat hanger for drying and also for storing socks in a hanging position rather than laying them in a drawer. The example shown here is merely one of many possible designs and a wide range of variations are possible within the framework of the idea encompassed by the invention.

Claims

Patent claims

1. A device for holding socks/stockings together in pairs during laundering, storage etc., comprising interacting clasping parts between which a pair of socks/stockings can be introduced, characterized by the forming of the device in a single piece of elastic, flexible, clasping material where the two interactive elastic parts are formed by the main piece (2) and a lip piece (3) which is cut out in the central section of the main piece (2) and where the parts (2, 3) are connected together by means of an elastic bridging piece (7) that causes a progressive elastic gripping force between the parts, and where a cavity (4) is formed in the area of the bridging piece for receiving the material in the socks/stockings.

2. A device according to claim 1, characterized by the positioning in the upper area of the device, above the bridging piece of a hook-like part with an internal cavity suited to the wire piece of a coat hanger.