Patent Application
20240108081
This invention relates to leg coverings; and more particularly to a leg covering comprising a plurality of folds.
Leg coverings such as sleeves and socks are commonly worn in a variety of sports including football. Such leg coverings can protect the user from burns and scratches resulting from playing on rough surfaces like artificial turf. Generally, a preferred leg covering has a sufficient amount of tightness while not over constricting blood flow.
More recently, a pattern of wearing a sleeve or sock with a plurality of folds has gained popularity. The plurality of folds can prevent over constriction while also providing breathability to the leg. An aesthetic look of the leg covering with a plurality of folds can be also be highly desirable. Current ways of achieving a leg covering with a plurality of folds is to use a conventional leg covering with an extra-long length and to manually adjust the leg covering until there is a relatively even distribution of folds. This process can be time consuming and the plurality of folds can flatten over time. There is a need for an improved leg covering.
A leg covering is disclosed, the leg covering comprises a tubular body having a proximal end and a distal end opposite the proximal end. At an inner surface of the tubular body comprises a plurality of elastic bands coupled thereto. Each of the plurality of elastic bands is coupled to both an upper half of the tubular body and a lower half of the tubular body. Each of the plurality of elastic bands comprises an unstretched length. A portion of the tubular body coupled to each of the plurality of elastic bands comprises a static length, wherein the static length is greater than the unstretched length of each of the plurality of elastic bands. The plurality of elastic bands causes a plurality of folds to from along an outer surface of the tubular body.
In some embodiments, the leg covering may be a sleeve. In other embodiments, the leg covering may be a sock.
Other features, combinations, and embodiments will be appreciated by one having the ordinary level of skill in the art upon a thorough review of the following details and descriptions, particularly when reviewed in conjunction with the drawings, wherein:
For purposes of explanation and not limitation, details and descriptions of certain preferred embodiments are hereinafter provided such that one having ordinary skill in the art may be enabled to make and use the invention. These details and descriptions are representative only of certain preferred embodiments, however, a myriad of other embodiments which will not be expressly described will be readily understood by one having skill in the art upon a thorough review of the instant disclosure. Accordingly, any reviewer of the instant disclosure should interpret the scope of the invention only by the claims, as such scope is not intended to be limited by the embodiments described and illustrated herein.
For purposes herein, the term “unstretched length” means a resting length of an elastic band while under no elastic deformation.
The term “contracted portion” means the portion of the tubular body coupled to the band where the plurality of folds form.
The term “static length” means a measurement of the contracted portion prior to coupling with the elastic band. The “static length” is the length of the contracted portion while undergoing no contraction or compression from elastic band and prior to the formation of the plurality of folds.
Unless explicitly defined herein, terms are to be construed in accordance with the plain and ordinary meaning as would be appreciated by one having skill in the art.
In one embodiment, a leg covering is disclosed. The leg covering comprises a tubular body having a proximal end and a distal end opposite the proximal end, the proximal end is disposed at an upper half of the tubular body and the distal end disposed at a lower half of the tubular body. The tubular body further comprises an inner surface and an outer surface. The leg covering further includes a plurality of folds disposed on the outer surface, the plurality of folds being formed by a plurality of elastic bands coupled to the inner surface at both the upper half and lower half. The plurality of elastic bands each comprise an unstretched length wherein a portion of the tubular body coupled to each of the plurality of elastic bands comprises a static length greater than the unstretched length of each of the plurality of elastic bands.
In some embodiments, the static length may be less than twice the unstretched length of each of the plurality of elastic bands.
In some embodiments, the leg covering may further comprise a distal opening at the distal end and a proximal opening at the proximal end.
In some embodiments, the leg covering may further comprise a proximal opening at the proximal end and a stock foot portion at the distal end.
In some embodiments, the plurality of elastic bands may be disposed radially even within the inner surface.
In some embodiments, the plurality of elastic bands may further comprise a first elastic band and a second elastic band wherein the first elastic band and the second elastic band are disposed on opposite sides of the tubular body.
In some embodiments, the leg covering may further comprise a proximal cuff disposed at the proximal end.
In another embodiments, a leg covering is disclosed. The leg covering comprises a tubular body having a proximal end and a distal end opposite the proximal end, the proximal end being disposed at an upper half of the tubular body and the distal end disposed at a lower half of the tubular body The tubular body further comprises an inner surface and an outer surface. The leg covering further includes a plurality of folds disposed on the outer surface, the plurality of folds being formed by a plurality of elastic bands coupled to the inner surface of the tubular body. Each of the plurality of elastic bands comprises an unstretched length.
In some embodiments, each of the plurality of elastic bands may be coupled to both the upper half and lower half of the tubular body.
In some embodiments, a portion of the tubular body coupled to each of the plurality of elastic bands may comprise a static length greater than the unstretched length of each of the plurality of elastic bands. In some embodiments, the static length may be less than twice the unstretched length of each of the plurality of elastic bands.
In some embodiments, the leg covering may further comprise a distal opening at the distal end and a proximal opening at the proximal end.
In some embodiments, the leg covering may further comprise a proximal opening at the proximal end and a stock foot portion at the distal end.
In some embodiments, the plurality of elastic bands may be disposed radially even within the inner surface.
In some embodiments, the plurality of elastic bands may further comprise a first elastic band and a second elastic band wherein the first elastic band and the second elastic band are disposed on opposite sides of the tubular body.
In some embodiments, the leg covering may further comprise a proximal cuff disposed at the proximal end.
In some embodiments, the leg covering may further comprise a distal cuff disposed at the distal end.
In one aspect, a method of manufacturing a leg covering is disclosed. The method comprises the steps:
In some aspects, the method may further comprise sliding both the tubular body and the first elastic band along the elongated extension to stitch the first elastic band to the tubular body.
In some aspects, the first elastic band is stitched at the inner surface of the tubular body.
The leg coverings as shown and described herein can be made of materials known to function as socks and/or sleeves and can includes materials conventionally known for leg sleeves and socks. Materials can include, for example and without limitation, cotton, polyester, nylon, wool, and any other material as can be appreciated by one having skill in the art.
Method of manufacturing can be accomplished in various manners as can be appreciated by one having skill in the art. In one exemplary aspect, a method includes folding a tubular inside out such that an inner surface of the tubular body is externally exposed; placing the tubular body onto an elongated extension of a sewing machines, the elongated extension configured to nest within the tubular body; aligning one of a proximal end or a distal end of the tubular body under a presser foot of the sewing machine; placing one end of a first elastic band under the presser foot; stretching both the first elastic band and the tubular body; stitching the first elastic band to the tubular body by sliding both the tubular body and first elastic band along the elongated extension; removing the tubular body and the first elastic band from the elongated extension; rotating the tubular body to a side opposite where the first elastic band is attached; inserting the tubular body onto the elongated extension and under the presser foot; placing one end of a second elastic band under the presser foot; stretching both the second elastic band and the tubular body; and stitching the second elastic band to the tubular body by sliding both the tubular body and the second elastic band along the elongated extension;
As disclosed herein, the first and second unstretched lengths are less than the static length of the contracted portion. In an exemplary embodiment, a ratio of the static length to the first unstretched length is around 1.6. In preferable embodiments, the ratio may comprise a range between and include of 1.2-2.0. Too low of a ratio causes the tubular body to be under compressed thereby creating an insufficient number of folds. Too high of a ratio causes the first elastic band (and subsequently the second elastic band) to become overstretched which can cause too many and too tight of folds and can also interfere with the leg covering adequately covering the user's leg.
Now turning to the drawings,
The first elastic band (120) comprises a first unstretched length (122). The second elastic band (130) comprises a second unstretched length (132). In some embodiments, the first and second unstretched lengths are equal. In other embodiments, the first and second unstretched lengths differ. Each of the first and second elastic bands are coupled to the inner surface (not shown) of the tubular body (110) by a series of stitching running along the tubular body. The contracted portion (140) comprises a static length. The static length is defined as a length of the contracted portion while the contracted portion is undergoing no contraction or compression from the first and second elastic bands. The plurality of folds (160) is formed when the static length is greater than both the first unstretched length and the second unstretched length. In such a configuration, the first and second elastic bands must be stretched prior to coupling to the inner surface of the tubular body. Subsequently, the first and second elastic bands retract back to the first and second unstretched lengths which causes the plurality of folds to form.
In some embodiments, the first and second elastic bands (120; 130) extend completely across the tubular body (110) from the proximal end (111) to the distal end (112). In other embodiments, the first and second elastic bands extend across a portion of the tubular body. The sleeve (101) may comprise a proximal cuff (150) disposed at the proximal end. Additionally, the sleeve may comprise a distal cuff (151) disposed at the distal end.
Generally, the first elastic band (120) is coupled to both the upper half (117) and the lower half (118) of the tubular body (110). Furthermore, the second elastic band (130) is generally coupled to both the upper half and lower half of the tubular body.
As shown, the leg covering (100) preferably comprises two elastic bands, namely the first elastic band (120) and the second elastic band (130). In other embodiments, the leg covering may comprise a plurality of elastic bands greater than two. In each configuration of plurality of elastic bands (for example two elastic bands, three elastic bands, four elastic bands, etc.), the plurality of elastic bands can be disposed at the inner side of the tubular body (110) in such a manner than can be characterized as radially even. For example, a configuration of two elastic bands, as illustrated, may be spaced radially even on the tubular body such that each of the two elastic bands is spaced 180 degrees from one another. This can also be characterized as being disposed on opposite sides of the tubular body. A configuration of three elastic bands may be spaced radially even on the tubular body such that each of the three elastic bands is spaced 120 degrees from one another. A configuration of four elastic bands may be spaced radially even on the tubular body such that each of the four elastic bands is spaced 90 degrees from one another. One having skill in the art will appreciate that configuring the plurality of elastic bands radially even allows for a distributed contraction around a user's leg while the leg covering is being worn.
In some embodiments, each portion of the first elastic band (120) is coupled to the tubular body (110). In other embodiments, the coupling of the first elastic band comprises a plurality of gaps wherein the first elastic band is coupled to the inner surface (115) of the tubular body by a plurality of contact points. In some embodiments, the second elastic band is symmetrical to the first elastic band in form and function. The coupling of the first and second elastic bands can be achieved by a plurality of means as can be appreciated by one having skill in the art. In a preferable embodiment, the first and second elastic bands are stitched to the inner surface, thereby creating a first stitching and a second stitching at an outer surface of the tubular body.
While various details, features, and combinations are described in the illustrated embodiments, one having skill in the art will appreciate a myriad of possible alternative combinations and arrangements of the features disclosed herein. As such, the descriptions are intended to be enabling only, and non-limiting. Instead, the spirit and scope of the invention is set forth in the appended claims.
The first elastic band (220) comprises a first unstretched length (222). The second elastic band (230) comprises a second unstretched length (232). In some embodiments, the first and second unstretched lengths are equal. In other embodiments, the first and second unstretched lengths differ. Each of the first and second elastic bands are coupled to the inner surface of the tubular body (210) by a series of stitching running along the tubular body. The contracted portion (240) comprises a static length. The static length is defined as a length of the contracted portion while the contracted portion is undergoing no contraction or compression from the first and second elastic bands. The plurality of folds (260) is formed when the static length is greater than both the first unstretched length and the second unstretched length. In such a configuration, the first and second elastic bands must be stretched prior to coupling to the inner surface of the tubular body. Subsequently, the first and second elastic bands retract back to the first and second unstretched lengths which causes the plurality of folds to form.
In some embodiments, the first and second elastic bands (220; 230) extend completely across the tubular body (210) from the proximal end (211) to the distal end (212). In other embodiments, the first and second elastic bands extend across a portion of the tubular body. The leg portion may comprise a proximal cuff (250) disposed at the proximal end.
Generally, the first elastic band (220) is coupled to both the upper half (217) and lower half (218) of the tubular body. Furthermore, the second elastic band (230) is generally coupled to both the upper half and lower half of the tubular body.
As shown, the leg covering (200) preferably comprises two elastic bands, namely the first elastic band (220) and the second elastic band (230). In other embodiments, the leg covering may comprise a plurality of elastic bands greater than two. In each configuration of plurality of elastic bands (for example two elastic bands, three elastic bands, four elastic bands, etc.), the plurality of elastic bands can be disposed at the inner side of the tubular body (210) in such a manner than can be characterized as radially even. For example, a configuration of two elastic bands, as illustrated, may be spaced radially even on the tubular body such that each of the two elastic bands is spaced 180 degrees from one another. This can be also interpreted as being disposed on opposite sides of the tubular body. A configuration of three elastic bands may be spaced radially even on the tubular body such that each of the three elastic bands is spaced 120 degrees from one another. A configuration of four elastic bands may be spaced radially even on the tubular body such that each of the four elastic bands is spaced 90 degrees from one another. One having skill in the art will appreciate that configuring the plurality of elastic bands radially even allow for a distributed contraction around a user's leg while wearing the leg covering.
While various details, features, combinations are described in the illustrated embodiments, one having skill in the art will appreciate a myriad of possible alternative combinations and arrangements of the features disclosed herein. As such, the descriptions are intended to be enabling only, and non-limiting. Instead, the spirit and scope of the invention is set forth in the appended claims.
leg covering (100; 200)
sleeve (101)
sock (201)
leg portion (202)
sock foot portion (203)
tubular body (110; 210)
proximal end (111; 211)
distal end (112; 212)
proximal opening (113; 213)
distal opening (114; 214)
inner surface (115; 215)
outer surface (116; 216)
upper half (117; 217)
lower half (118; 218)
first elastic band (120; 220)
first stitching (121; 221)
first unstretched length (122; 222)
second elastic band (130; 230)
second stitching (131; 231)
second unstretched length (132; 232)
contracted portion (140; 240)
static length (141; 241)
proximal cuff (150; 250)
distal cuff (151)
plurality of folds (160; 260)
This application claims benefit of priority with U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 63/412,086, filed Sep. 30, 2022; the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63412086 | Sep 2022 | US |
