Sock with an integrally formed pocket

• US 5,133,091 A
• Filed: 03/11/1991
• Issued: 07/28/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 03/11/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Maria E. Del Valle Mas
• Original Assignee: Maria E. Del Valle Mas
• Inventors: del Valle Mas, Maria E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Schroeder, Werner H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): VANATTA, AMY B
• Application Number:
  US07/667,022
• Time in Patent Office: 505 Days
• Field of Search: 2/239, 2/247, 2/61, 2/243 R, 2/242, 2/248, 2/252, 2/DIG. 6, 2/249, 2/250, 2/251
• US Class Current: 2/239
• CPC Class Codes: A41B 11/006 Hosiery with pockets

Abstract

A sock having a cuff portion with an inner and outer layer disposed in overlying relation and including a pocket integrally formed therebetween having an opening near a top edge of the cuff. A seam extending downwardly on opposite sides of the opening and along a bottom of the cuff defines the boundaries of an interior of the pocket. A hook and loop-type fastener attached on opposite, opposing surfaces of the pocket'"'"'s interior, adjacent the opening, serves to releasably secure the opening in a closed, sealed position.

Claims

1. A sock comprising:

a foot portion, an ankle portion, and a cuff portion integrally knitted and formed so as to fit over a foot and at least a lower leg of a wearer in covering relation thereto,

said cuff portion including an outer layer and an inner layer disposed in overlying relation to one another and attached to one another about an upper peripheral rim and a lower edge, adjacent said ankle portion,

a pocket integrally formed within said cuff portion between said outer layer and said inner layer and including a mouth disposed in close, spaced relation to said upper peripheral rim on said inner layer, said mouth being structured and disposed to allow access to an interior of said pocket;

reinforcing means sewn about an interior of said mouth for providing strength thereto and preventing tearing or deforming of said mouth upon said stretching of said cuff portion,

securing means attached to opposite surfaces of said interior of said pocket adjacent said mouth and structured and disposed for releasably securing said mouth in in a closed, substantially sealed position relative to said interior, and,

said reinforcing means including a layer of reinforcing material sewn about said mouth and including a pair of inner flap portions disposed on opposite sides of said mouth within said interior of said pocket, said flap portions normally disposed in confronting, abutting relation when said mouth is in said closed position.

2. A sock according to claim 1 wherein said interior of said pocket includes two opposite sides and a bottom defined by a seam extending downwardly on opposite sides of said mouth and along said lower edge of said cuff portion connecting said outer layer to said inner layer.

3. A sock according to claim 2 wherein said mouth and said interior of said pocket are sized and configured to allow removable receipt of a credit card therein.

4. A sock according to claim 3 wherein said mouth and said interior of said pocket are sized and configured to allow removable receipt and storage of paper currency, coins, keys and jewelry therein.

5. A sock according to claim 4 wherein said securing means is attached to an exposed surface of said flap portions being structured and disposed to releasably secure said mouth in said closed position.

6. A sock according to claim 5 wherein said securing means comprises a hook and loop-type fastener attached to said flap portions structured and disposed thereon so as to releasably fasten and secure said mouth in said closed, substantially sealed position.

7. A method of forming an integrally formed pocket in a sock of the type having a foot portion, an ankle portion, and a cuff and adapted to be worn over the foot, ankle and at least a lower leg of a wearer, said method comprising the steps of:

folding over the cuff such that a top portion of the cuff is disposed in overlying relation to a bottom portion of the cuff with an outer surface of said top portion being readily exposed,

attaching a patch of reinforcing material near a top edge of the folded cuff,

marking the reinforcing material to indicate an opening location by means of a straight line terminating a substantially V-shaped formation at opposite ends,

sewing said reinforcing material to said top portion of the cuff about said opening location,

cutting an opening through said reinforcing material and said top portion in close, spaced relation to said top edge at said marked opening location,

turning the sock inside out,

pulling said reinforcing material through said opening,

sewing said opening on said opposite sides so as to strengthen and reinforce the attachment of said reinforcing material to opposite sides of said opening,

attaching a hook and loop fastener to said reinforcing material on said opposite sides of said opening adjacent opposite edge thereof,

closing said opening by pressing said opposite sides together with said hook and loop fastener disposed in mating, attached engagement,

sewing outer sides of said reinforcing material on said opposite sides so as to add strength to said opening,

folding the cuff down so that said top portion is disposed in overlying relation to said bottom portion,

aligning a distal rim of said top portion with a lower edge of said bottom portion,

sewing seams downwardly on opposite sides of said opening and a bottom seam along said cuff in parallel, spaced relation to said opening, said seams attaching said top portion to said bottom portion,

simultaneously stretching the cuff to a maximum expanded position, and

sewing said distal rim to said lower edge entirely about the cuff while simultaneously stretching the cuff to said maximum expanded position.