US3688348A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and article for fastening socks together
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1970-12-16
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Granted: 1972-09-05
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Expires: 1990-12-16
Abstract
Abstract A sock fastener includes a band of tape fastener which can be secured in a loop around a pair of socks to hold the matching sock mates together during laundering. The tape includes hooks thereon facing inwardly of the loop and engaging the socks. The tape is secured in the loop by a piece of tape fastener having loops thereon engaging the hooks.
Inventors
- 👤 Theodore Klotz
- 👤 Howard R Messner
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 05:19
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D71/00; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S24/00; Y10S24/29; Y10T; Y10T24/00; Y10T24/14; Y10T24/27; Y10T24/2708
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
127 words
A method of holding socks together during laundering, comprising: arranging a pair of socks in matching sock mates; loosely encircling said pair of socks with a band of tape fastener having hooks substantially covering one face thereof, with said band disposed around said socks with said hooks facing inwardly of said loop and gently engaging said socks around substantially the entire interior circumference of said loop to prevent axial translation thereof out of said loop; and securing said band in a loose closed loop around said pair of socks with a piece of tape fastener having loops substantially covering one face thereof by engaging a portion of said hooks of said band of tape fastener with a portion of said loops of said piece of tape fastener.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
127 words
A method of holding socks together during laundering, comprising: arranging a pair of socks in matching sock mates; loosely encircling said pair of socks with a band of tape fastener having hooks substantially covering one face thereof, with said band disposed around said socks with said hooks facing inwardly of said loop and gently engaging said socks around substantially the entire interior circumference of said loop to prevent axial translation thereof out of said loop; and securing said band in a loose closed loop around said pair of socks with a piece of tape fastener having loops substantially covering one face thereof by engaging a portion of said hooks of said band of tape fastener with a portion of said loops of said piece of tape fastener.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method defined in claim 1, wherein: said piece of tape fastener comprises a short patch of said piece of tape fastener separate from said band and having a lengtH approximately one third the length thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
89 words
The method defined in claim 1, further comprising: laying a second pair of said socks together; loosely wrapping a portion of said band adjacent to said first wrapped pair of socks around said second pair of socks; securing said portion of said band around said socks with a second piece of tape fastener to form a second loose encircling loop around said second pair of socks to hold them together; and repeating said laying, wrapping, and securing steps for as many pairs of socks as said band will hold.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
81 words
The method defined in claim 3, wherein: said wrapping step comprises completely encircling said socks with said band to form a closed loop; and said securing step comprises pressing a piece of tape fastener against the adjacent ends of said closed loop and disposing the end of said piece adjacent and contiguous to the ends of the next adjacent piece, whereby the hooks of said band will be completely covered along the entire length thereof with said socks and said pieces.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
144 words
A method of holding matching sock mates together in pairs during washing and drying, comprising: hanging an elongate band of hook gender tape fastener in an easily accessible location; laying a pair of soiled matching sock mates together; wrapping portions of said band around said soiled sock mates with the hooks of said band facing inwardly toward said socks; securing said portions of said band around said mates with a piece of loop gender tape fastener to form a loose encircling loop around said mates and in continuous contact therewith around the entire inside circumference of said loop; repeating said laying, wrapping and securing steps until said band holds as many pairs of said matching socks as desired; washing said band along with its load of pre-sorted matched socks in a washing machine; and drying said band along with its load of matched socks.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
144 words
A method of holding matching sock mates together in pairs during washing and drying, comprising: hanging an elongate band of hook gender tape fastener in an easily accessible location; laying a pair of soiled matching sock mates together; wrapping portions of said band around said soiled sock mates with the hooks of said band facing inwardly toward said socks; securing said portions of said band around said mates with a piece of loop gender tape fastener to form a loose encircling loop around said mates and in continuous contact therewith around the entire inside circumference of said loop; repeating said laying, wrapping and securing steps until said band holds as many pairs of said matching socks as desired; washing said band along with its load of pre-sorted matched socks in a washing machine; and drying said band along with its load of matched socks.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
121 words
An article for holding socks together in pairs during washing and drying, comprising: fabric means for forming a loop loosely encircling said socks; means for securing the ends of said loop together to form a closed ring around said socks; hook means connected to said fabric means around substantially the entire interior surface of said loop for cooperating with said securing means and for gently holding said socks within said loop against axial translation therefrom, said hook means comprising a multitude of minute hooks projecting from said fabric means inwardly of said loop, and a multitude of minute loops projecting from said securing means for releasably engaging said hooks on said fabric means to effect said securing of said loop ends.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
121 words
An article for holding socks together in pairs during washing and drying, comprising: fabric means for forming a loop loosely encircling said socks; means for securing the ends of said loop together to form a closed ring around said socks; hook means connected to said fabric means around substantially the entire interior surface of said loop for cooperating with said securing means and for gently holding said socks within said loop against axial translation therefrom, said hook means comprising a multitude of minute hooks projecting from said fabric means inwardly of said loop, and a multitude of minute loops projecting from said securing means for releasably engaging said hooks on said fabric means to effect said securing of said loop ends.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
The article defined in claim 6, further comprising: means at one end of said fabric means defining a hook eye whereby said article may be suspended from a hook.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
49 words
The article defined in claim 7, wherein said fabric means comprises a band between one and three feet in length, and said securing means comprises a plurality of separate fastening patches connected at one end thereof to said band of intervals therealong to form a plurality of separate loops.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
The article defined in claim 8, wherein said patches completely cover said band to preclude said hooks from snagging delicate fabrics in the wash load.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-09-05 | 1976-03-06 | 1976-09-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-09-05 | 1980-03-06 | 1980-09-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-09-05 | 1984-03-06 | 1984-09-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |