GB2196683A - Clips - Google Patents

Abstract

A pair of socks of other items of clothing each have sewed thereto button-fashion, a disc-shaped clip (1) whereby the items may be held together during washing/drying operation. Each clip (1) has diametrically opposed clipping parts (3) defined by a cutaway leaving a receptor slot (4) and re-entrant clipping projections (5) defining a restricted entry (6)-the projections (5) resiliently deform to allow the projections of one clip to enter the slot of the other. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Sock clip This invention is concerned with improvements in socks. The object of the invention is to provide a means for holding together the two socks of a pair during a washing and drying operation. By so doing the time and frustration involved in sorting and matching after washing a large number of socks is avoided.

According to the present invention one sock of a pair carries a clip whilst the other sock carries a clip receptor. During washing the clip and clip receptor are interengaged thus holding the socks together during the washing and drying operation. Moreover, the clips being attached to the socks, are more convenient and quicker to use than separate clips or pins.

The clip and the receptor are preferably identical clips and will hereinafter be described as such. Identical clips in a pair as opposed to different are most advantageous in the context of this invention. It is envisaged that the clips will be attached to the socks by the manufacturer and it will be a disadvantage for him to create left and right socks which would have to be paired for packaging. Each clip forms a permanent attachment to its respective sock and can conveniently be of button-like form and attached to the sock in a similar manner to a button.

The invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: Figure 1 is a plan view on an enlarged and indicated scale, of a clip in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is a section on the line I-I of Figure 1, Figure 3 is a front elevation of the clip, and Figure 4 shows a pair of socks clipped together using the clips of Figures 1 to 3.

Each clip is made up of a generally circular disc of the acetal homopolymer sold under the Trade Mark DELRIN 500. This material is unaffected by boiling water or detergent and is commercially available in a range of colours to match a sock colour. The disc comprises two holes 2 one on either side of the of the centre for receiving a button- type fixing. Diametrically opposed clipping parts 3 are provided each clipping part being defined by a cutaway !weaving a receptor slot 4 and re-entrant clipping projections 5 defining a restricted entry 6. Each clipping projection 5, as can be seen in Figure 2 is of circular cross section. The width of the restricted entry 6 is less than the diameter of the projections 5.

Thus for clipping interengagement of two of the illustrated clips restricted entry portions 6 are placed into juxtaposition and the clipping members (each attached to a sock) pressed together. The projections 5 resiliently deform to allow the projections of one clip to enter the slot 4 of the other to the clipped together position illustrated in Figure 4. The hookshaped profile of the projections 5 prevent accidental disengagement when clips are interengaged.

As can be seen in Figure 4 each clipping member 1 is secured to its respective sock buttonfashion. The securement may be by threads, staples or the like passing through holes 2. The buttons are positioned on the sock upper margins. The similarity of the clipping members to small buttons makes them acceptable to consumers.

The symmetrical design of the clip means that it can be attached either way up and is easily dealt with by automatic machinery. The clip is moreover simple and cheap to produce.

The invention is, in principle, applicable to any items of clothing which are used in pairs.

1. A pair of socks or other items of clothing wherein one item carries a clip whilst the other item carries a clip receptor.

2. A pair according to Claim 1 wherein the clip and the clip receptor are identical clips.

3. A pair according to Claim 2 wherein each clip is of flat button-like form and fixed accordingly to the respective item.

4. A pair according to Claim 3 wherein each clip has oppositely positioned clipping parts.

5. A pair according to Claim 4 wherein each clipping part comprises a slot with re-entrant projections defining a restricted entry to the slot.

6. A pair of socks with clips fastened to them substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as shown in the drawings.

7. A clip substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as shown in Figures and 2 of the accompanying drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (7)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Sock clip This invention is concerned with improvements in socks. The object of the invention is to provide a means for holding together the two socks of a pair during a washing and drying operation. By so doing the time and frustration involved in sorting and matching after washing a large number of socks is avoided. According to the present invention one sock of a pair carries a clip whilst the other sock carries a clip receptor. During washing the clip and clip receptor are interengaged thus holding the socks together during the washing and drying operation. Moreover, the clips being attached to the socks, are more convenient and quicker to use than separate clips or pins. The clip and the receptor are preferably identical clips and will hereinafter be described as such. Identical clips in a pair as opposed to different are most advantageous in the context of this invention. It is envisaged that the clips will be attached to the socks by the manufacturer and it will be a disadvantage for him to create left and right socks which would have to be paired for packaging. Each clip forms a permanent attachment to its respective sock and can conveniently be of button-like form and attached to the sock in a similar manner to a button. The invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: Figure 1 is a plan view on an enlarged and indicated scale, of a clip in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is a section on the line I-I of Figure 1, Figure 3 is a front elevation of the clip, and Figure 4 shows a pair of socks clipped together using the clips of Figures 1 to 3. Each clip is made up of a generally circular disc of the acetal homopolymer sold under the Trade Mark DELRIN 500. This material is unaffected by boiling water or detergent and is commercially available in a range of colours to match a sock colour. The disc comprises two holes 2 one on either side of the of the centre for receiving a button- type fixing. Diametrically opposed clipping parts 3 are provided each clipping part being defined by a cutaway !weaving a receptor slot 4 and re-entrant clipping projections 5 defining a restricted entry 6. Each clipping projection 5, as can be seen in Figure 2 is of circular cross section. The width of the restricted entry 6 is less than the diameter of the projections 5. Thus for clipping interengagement of two of the illustrated clips restricted entry portions 6 are placed into juxtaposition and the clipping members (each attached to a sock) pressed together. The projections 5 resiliently deform to allow the projections of one clip to enter the slot 4 of the other to the clipped together position illustrated in Figure 4. The hookshaped profile of the projections 5 prevent accidental disengagement when clips are interengaged. As can be seen in Figure 4 each clipping member 1 is secured to its respective sock buttonfashion. The securement may be by threads, staples or the like passing through holes 2. The buttons are positioned on the sock upper margins. The similarity of the clipping members to small buttons makes them acceptable to consumers. The symmetrical design of the clip means that it can be attached either way up and is easily dealt with by automatic machinery. The clip is moreover simple and cheap to produce. The invention is, in principle, applicable to any items of clothing which are used in pairs. CLAIMS

1. A pair of socks or other items of clothing wherein one item carries a clip whilst the other item carries a clip receptor.

2. A pair according to Claim 1 wherein the clip and the clip receptor are identical clips.

3. A pair according to Claim 2 wherein each clip is of flat button-like form and fixed accordingly to the respective item.

4. A pair according to Claim 3 wherein each clip has oppositely positioned clipping parts.

5. A pair according to Claim 4 wherein each clipping part comprises a slot with re-entrant projections defining a restricted entry to the slot.

6. A pair of socks with clips fastened to them substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as shown in the drawings.

7. A clip substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as shown in Figures and 2 of the accompanying drawings.