Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6701533
-
Patent Number
6,701,533
-
Date Filed
Wednesday, November 21, 200123 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, March 9, 200420 years ago
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Inventors
-
Original Assignees
-
Examiners
Agents
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 002 306
- 002 300
- 002 302
- 002 303
- 002 304
- 002 338
- 002 311
- 002 312
- 002 240
- 002 227
- 002 228
- 002 79
- 002 920
- 002 239
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International Classifications
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Abstract
An attachment device for connecting a hockey sock to a hockey short including a first attachment member fixed to a hockey short, a second attachment member selectively connectable to the first attachment member and a hockey sock connection member which is fixed to the second attachment member and selectively connectable to a hockey sock.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to the field of hockey equipment and more particularly to a device for supporting hockey socks relative to a hockey short or other support member.
2. Summary of the Prior Art
A variety of means have been used by hockey players to keep their hockey socks from falling down during play. Some of these means include tape or Velcro, elastic or other straps wrapped around the sock and shin guard. Other means support the sock along its top edge. These other means have included providing a Velcro patch on the front surface of a hockey short, with the inside top edge of the sock connected directly to the Velcro patch, or providing a garter belt having garter clips permanently attached to the belt which are in turn connectable with the top edge of the sock.
While these prior means are acceptable to varying degrees, there is a need for an improved hockey sock attachment and support device which is readily and economically replaceable, if needed, and which provides secure support of the hockey sock.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a hockey sock attachment device, sometimes also referred to as a garter clip, which is readily and selectively connectable to and disconnectable from both a hockey short or other support member as well as the hockey sock itself. This device is readily and economically replaceable and provides the desirable degree of support for the hockey sock.
More specifically, the invention includes the combination of a first attachment member which is fixedly secured to a hockey short, a garter belt or the like. A second element of the combination includes a second attachment member which has one end which is selectively connectable to the first attachment member and a second end which is selectively connectable to a hockey sock.
A further embodiment of the device of the present invention includes a second attachment member which is provided with an elastic connection link extending between the first and second ends of the second attachment member. A still further embodiment of the invention includes a second attachment member which is provided with a garter clip at the second end of the second attachment member for selective connection to the upper edge of a hockey sock.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved hockey sock attachment and support device.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a hockey sock attachment device which is selectively connectable both to a hockey short, a garter belt or the like as well as to a hockey sock.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a system for selectively connecting a hockey sock to a hockey short or the like.
These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent with reference to the drawings, the description of the preferred embodiment and the appended claims.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1
is a front elevational view of a hockey short embodying attachment members.
FIG. 2
is a front elevational view of a hockey sock attachment device of the present invention.
FIG. 3
is a rear elevational view of a hockey sock attachment device of the present invention.
FIG. 4
is an isometric view of a further embodiment of an attachment member for connection to a hockey short or the like.
FIG. 5
is an end elevational view of the attachment member of FIG.
4
.
FIG. 6
is a front elevational view of a hockey sock connection device selectively connected to the attachment member of
FIGS. 4 and 5
.
FIG. 7
is a front elevational view of a further embodiment of a hockey sock attachment device.
FIG. 8
is a front elevational view of a hockey player showing use of the hockey sock attachment device of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Reference is first made to
FIGS. 1
,
2
,
3
and
8
showing a first embodiment of the hockey sock attachment or support device of the present invention and its association with a hockey short. As shown best in
FIGS. 1
,
2
and
3
, the hockey sock attachment or support device and system generally includes a first attachment member
10
which is fixed to a hockey short
11
, or the like and a second attachment member
12
which is selectively connectable both to the first attachment member
10
and to a hockey sock
13
(
FIG. 8
) via the connection member
14
.
The first attachment member
10
includes a backing portion
15
and a central Velcro or other connection element
16
centrally positioned on the backing member
15
. In the preferred embodiment as shown in
FIG. 1
, an attachment member
10
is fixed to the front surface of a hockey short or the like at a point near the lower edge of each leg
18
. This connection is preferably made by stitching
17
or some other substantially permanent connection means. In the embodiment of
FIG. 1
, the attachment member
10
and the Velcro portion
16
are shown as having a generally rectangular configuration; however, a variety of alternate configurations may be utilized as well without deviating from the spirit of the present invention.
The hockey short
11
shown in
FIGS. 1 and 8
is a conventional hockey short known to those skilled in the art. The invention has particular application to such a hockey short with the first attachment member
10
fixed thereto; however, application of the present invention is not limited to use with a conventional hockey short. Specifically, any other type of garment worn by the hockey player may perform a function similar to that of the hockey short such as a garter belt or the like which includes a portion for supporting the first attachment member
10
. Accordingly, unless otherwise stated herein, use of the term “hockey short” shall also mean a garter belt or some other garment worn by the hockey player which is capable of supporting the first attachment member
10
.
The connection element
16
can comprise any attachment means known in the art by which two elements or members can be readily connected to and disconnected from one another. In the preferred embodiment, the attachment portion
16
is comprised of one half of a hook and loop attachment material such as the material commonly referred to by the trademark Velcro. However, it is contemplated that other similar attachment means are available and can be used as well. Although either half of the Velcro attachment material can be associated with the first attachment member
10
, preferably, the connection element
16
is comprised of the male portion of the Velcro material.
The second attachment member
12
, shown best in
FIGS. 2 and 3
, includes a first attachment end comprising an attachment portion for selective attachment to the connection element
16
of the member
10
and an opposite second attachment end having an attachment portion for selective connection to the upper edge portion of a hockey sock
13
(FIG.
8
).
The attachment portion at the first attachment end of the attachment member
12
includes a backing material
19
and a connection element
20
secured to or formed on the inside surface of the backing material
19
as shown in FIG.
3
. The connection element
20
is centrally positioned within the backing material
19
so that a peripheral edge of the backing material extends around the connection element
20
. Like the connection element
16
, the connection element
20
can comprise any material or attachment means for selectively connecting the second attachment member
12
to the first attachment member
10
. In the preferred embodiment, the connection element
20
is comprised of a hook and loop attachment material such as Velcro, with the connection element
20
being the opposite (male/female) as the connection element
16
. Preferably, with the connection element
16
being the male half of Velcro material, the connection element
20
is constructed of the female half of Velcro material. Although shown as being rectangular, the first attachment end of the attachment member
12
may be any configuration. Preferably, the configuration of the first attachment end connecting portion is similar to that of the first attachment member. Although
FIG. 3
shows the Velcro portion
20
as being smaller than the backing material
19
, the portion
20
can be the same size as the backing member
19
.
The second attachment end of the member
12
may be comprised of any connection element which can be selectively and readily connected to and disconnected from a hockey sock. In the preferred embodiment, this connection element is a conventional garter clip
14
having a preformed wire frame
21
, a plastic or other material strap
22
and a sock attachment button
24
. The strap
22
is supported by the wire frame
21
in a conventional manner so that the strap is freely moveable relative to the frame
21
. The button
24
is adapted for selective engagement with a lower portion of the wire frame
21
to attach the sock to the clip
14
. Although the garter clip
14
is shown as the preferred connection member, any other connection member known in the art which may be readily connected to and disconnected from a hockey sock may be utilized.
The connection element or garter clip
14
may be directly connected to the first attachment end, and specifically the backing material
19
, or can be connected, as shown in
FIGS. 2 and 3
, via an intermediate attachment link
25
. In the embodiment shown in
FIGS. 2 and 3
, the intermediate attachment link
25
includes one end fixed to a portion of the backing material
19
such as by stitching
23
(
FIG. 2
) or the like, and a second, opposite end connected with the sock connection element
14
. Specifically, the link
25
is connected to a portion of the wire frame
21
of the garter clip by extending an end of the link
25
around a portion of the frame and then connecting the link
25
by stitching
27
. The attachment link can be constructed of a variety of materials; however, preferably the material is an elastic material. Thus, in the preferred embodiment, the elastic attachment link
25
is securely connected to, and extends between both the backing material
19
and the frame
21
of the garter clip
14
. A further embodiment
26
of the first attachment member which is fixedly secured to the hockey short or the like is shown in
FIGS. 4 and 5
. This further embodiment
26
includes a hockey short attachment member
28
designed for fixed connection to a hockey short
11
or the like and an attachment member flap or cover member
29
. As shown, the attachment member
28
and the flap or cover
29
are joined to one another along a top edge
30
. Thus, the flap or cover
29
is hingedly connected to the attachment member
28
along the edge
30
. Like the attachment member
10
, the attachment member
28
is fixedly secured to a hockey short by stitching or the like. The outer surface of the member
28
includes one-half of a connection material such as a hook and loop material
31
. The inner side surface of the flap or cover
29
also includes one-half of a connection material such as a hook and loop connection material
32
. Preferably, the materials
31
and
32
are opposite halves of Velcro material with the material
31
preferably being the male half and the material
32
being the female half.
When the hockey sock is not attached to the attachment member
26
, the connection materials
31
and
32
are connected with one another. This prevents such materials from picking up lint or other materials when the hockey shorts are being cleaned or otherwise not in use.
FIG. 6
shows attachment of a second attachment member to the embodiment of
FIGS. 4 and 5
. As shown, the flap
29
is raised, and the second attachment end of the attachment member
12
, and specifically the Velcro material
20
is connected with the Velcro material
31
. Preferably, the size of the backing material
19
is less than the Velcro material
31
so that when the flap or cover
29
is lowered, it is secured to the portion of the Velcro material
31
outside the backing material
19
.
FIG. 7
shows a further embodiment of a second attachment member. The embodiment of
FIG. 7
is similar to that of
FIG. 2
, except that the exterior surface of the backing material
19
is provided with one or more patches of Velcro or other hook and loop connecting material
34
. This embodiment is useful with an attachment member
26
such as that shown in
FIGS. 4 and 5
. When used with such embodiment, the Velcro patches
34
assist in holding the flap
29
against the backing material
19
.
FIG. 8
shows application of the present invention to a pair of hockey shorts
11
to hold up a pair of hockey socks
13
.
Although the description of the preferred embodiment has been quite specific, it is contemplated that various modifications could be made without deviating from the spirit of the present invention. Accordingly, it is intended that the scope of the present invention be dictated by the appended claims rather than by the description of the preferred embodiment.
Claims
- 1. An attachment device for connecting a hockey sock to a hockey short of the type having a first attachment member comprised of one half of a hook and loop connection material, said attachment device comprising:a second attachment member comprised of one half of a hook and loop connection material complementary to the hook and loop material of said first attachment member, said second attachment member selectively connectable to the first attachment member of the hockey short; a hockey sock connection member selectively connectable to and disconnectable from a hockey sock; and an elastic connection link having a first end connected in fixed relationship to said second attachment member and a second end connected in fixed, non-sliding relationship to said hockey sock connection member.
- 2. The attachment device of claim 1 wherein said hockey sock connection member comprises a garter clip.
- 3. A hockey sock attachment system comprising:a hockey short; a first attachment member fixed to said hockey short and a hockey sock attachment device comprising: a second attachment member selectively connectable to said first attachment member; a hockey sock connection member selectively connectable to a hockey sock; and a separate connection link having a first end connected in fixed relationship to said second attachment member and a second end connected in fixed, non-sliding relationship to said hockey sock connection member.
- 4. The hockey sock attachment system of claim 3 wherein said connection link is constructed of an elastic material.
- 5. The hockey sock attachment system of claim 4 wherein the first attachment member has an attachment surface comprised of one half of a hoop and loop connection material and said second attachment member has an attachment surface comprised of the other one half of said hook and loop connection material.
- 6. The hockey sock attachment system of claim 5 wherein said hockey sock connection member comprises a garter clip.
- 7. The hockey sock attachment system of claim 3 wherein the first attachment member has an attachment surface comprised of one half of a hoop and loop connection material and said second attachment member has an attachment surface comprised of the other one half of said hook and loop connection material.
- 8. The hockey sock attachment system of claim 7 including a flap overlaying said first attachment member and fixed to said hockey short along one edge.
- 9. The hockey sock attachment system of claim 8 wherein said flap has a flap attachment surface comprised of said other one half of said hook and loop connection material.
- 10. The hockey sock attachment system of claim 9 wherein the attachment surface of said first attachment member is larger than the attachment surface of said second attachment member.
- 11. The hockey sock attachment system of claim 10 wherein said flap attachment surface has a flap surface area, said flap surface area being larger than the attachment surface of said second attachment member.
- 12. A hockey sock attachment clip comprising:a first attachment member comprising one half of a hook and loop connection material; a second attachment member comprising a garter clip; and an elastic connection link having a first end connected to said first attachment member in fixed relationship and a second end connected to said second attachment member in fixed, non-sliding relationship.
US Referenced Citations (8)