Hosiery having a toe notch and bubble for accommodating a sandal strap

Abstract

A hosiery item includes an upper part for covering the foot and at least a portion of the ankle of the wearer, and a lower part for covering the toes of the wearer. A toe notch is formed in the lower part to separate the lower part into a big toe accommodating pocket and a second pocket for accommodating the remaining toes. The toe notch has a depth such that in a relaxed, unstretched condition, the toe notch extends between the big toe and the second toe to a point between the first joint of the big toe and the crotch of the foot located between the big toe and the second toe. A thong-type sandal is received within the notch between the big toe and the second toe, and the inner end of the notch is pulled only slightly by the sandal strap against the crotch of the foot.

1 . An article of clothing for covering a foot and at least a portion of an ankle of a wearer, comprising: 
 a part for covering toes of the wearer; and    a notch separating the part into a first pocket and a second pocket, wherein the notch has a depth such that when relaxed, the notch extends to a point between a first joint of a big toe and a crotch between the big toe and a second toe, and wherein a strap of a footwear received in the notch engages an inner end of the notch and only slightly pulls against the crotch.    
   
   
       2 . The article of clothing of  claim 1 , wherein the first pocket accommodates the big toe, and the second pocket accommodates at least the second toe.  
   
   
       3 . The article of clothing of  claim 1 , wherein the first pocket is shorter than the second pocket when the big toe is not engaged in the first pocket.  
   
   
       4 . The article of clothing of  claim 1 , wherein the article of clothing comprises hosiery having said toe notch in said part formed in each foot portion of said hosiery.  
   
   
       5 . The article of clothing of  claim 4 , wherein the hosiery comprises a nylon stocking.  
   
   
       6 . The article of clothing of  claim 5 , wherein the nylon stocking comprises panty hose.  
   
   
       7 . The article of clothing of  claim 4 , wherein the hosiery comprises at least one of: an ankle sock, a knee-high stocking, a thigh-high stocking, a leotard and tights.  
   
   
       8 . The article of clothing of  claim 1 , wherein the article of clothing is made of a resilient synthetic material.  
   
   
       9 . The article of clothing of  claim 8 , wherein the resilient synthetic material is nylon.  
   
   
       10 . The article of clothing of  claim 1 , wherein the article of clothing is made of a resilient natural material.  
   
   
       11 . The article of clothing of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a reinforcement at one of a distal end of the first pocket and a distal end of the second pocket.    
   
   
       12 . The article of clothing of  claim 11 , wherein the reinforcement includes stitching or extra clothing material formed along the distal edge of the first pocket and the distal edge of the second pocket.  
   
   
       13 . The article of clothing of  claim 1 , wherein the first pocket is more resilient than the second pocket.  
   
   
       14 . The article of clothing of  claim 1 , wherein said first pocket is bubble shaped, and receives and accommodates the big toe.  
   
   
       15 . The article of clothing of  claim 1 , wherein when the article of clothing is engaged with the foot of the wearer (a) said part is pulled over the foot, the big toe expands the first pocket to assume the shape of said big toe, (b) the remaining toes are inserted into second pocket and (c) the notch is not stretched toward crotch.  
   
   
       16 . The article of clothing of  claim 1 , wherein the strap slides easily into the notch and is received in the notch without putting undue pressure or stress against an inner end of the notch.  
   
   
       17 . The article of clothing of  claim 1 , wherein bunching and bagging of at least one of the first pocket and the second pocket is avoided by toes of the foot pulling the pockets outward, and the strap not substantially pulling the notch inward.  
   
   
       18 . The article of clothing of  claim 1 , wherein the footwear comprises at least one of a thong-type sandal, high heel shoe, low heel shoe, and footwear employing a strap inserted between the big toe and the second toe.  
   
   
       19 . The article of clothing of  claim 1 , wherein the strap does not pull a toe end of at least one of the first pocket and the second pocket rearward against tips of the toes.  
   
   
       20 . The article of clothing of  claim 1 , wherein the color of first pocket matches a color of the article of clothing.