Multipurpose open-toed stocking

Abstract

An open toe stocking is provided. The stocking includes a body with a foot engaging portion having a heel area. The body also includes an open toe area disposed in front of the heel area of the foot engaging portion and a bottom area extending from the heel area of the foot engaging portion to the open toe area of the foot engaging portion. A leg engaging portion is integrally formed with, and extends generally perpendicularly upwardly from, the foot engaging portion. The stocking also includes an elastic circumferential band encircling a lip of the open toe area of the foot engaging portion so as to allow the open toe area of the foot engaging portion to engage the foot of the wearer when the toes of the wearer are passed therethrough. A retention strap extends through the open-toed area of the foot engaging portion so as to engage between a pair of adjacent toes of the wearer. The retention end has a first end secured to the bottom area of the foot engaging portion and a second end secured to a top area of the foot engaging portion.

1 . An open toe stocking, comprising:
 a body that includes:   a foot engaging portion having a heel area, an open toe area being disposed in front of said heel area of said foot engaging portion, and a bottom area extending from said heel area of said foot engaging portion to said open toe area of said foot engaging portion;   a leg engaging portion being integrally formed with, and extending generally perpendicularly upwardly from, said foot engaging portion;   an elastic circumferential band encircling a lip of said open toe area of said foot engaging portion so as to allow said open toe area of said foot engaging portion to engage the foot of the wearer when the toes of the wearer are passed therethrough; and   a tapered retention strap extending through the open-toed area of the foot engaging portion so as to engage between a first toe and a second toe of the wearer, said retention strap having a wide first end secured to the bottom area of the foot engaging portion and a narrower second end secured to a top area of the foot engaging portion, said wide first end having a first side with a concave curvature facing a first toe of the wearer and a second side with a concave curvature facing the remaining toes of the wearer to thereby expose a first portion of a bottom of a foot when worn by the wearer between the tapered retention strap and a base of the first toe and a second portion of the bottom of the foot between the tapered retention strap and a base of the remaining toes of the wearer.   
     
     
         2 . The open-toed stocking of  claim 1  further comprising a skid resistant material extending along at least a portion of said bottom area of said foot engaging portion of the body. 
     
     
         3 . The open-toed stocking of  claim 2  wherein at least an interior surface portion of the foot engaging portion includes a gel lining. 
     
     
         4 . The open-toed stocking of  claim 1  further comprising a second elastic circumferential band encircling a lip of the leg engaging portion of the body so as to allow said leg engaging portion to engage the leg of the wearer when the foot of the wearer is passed through the body. 
     
     
         5 . The open-toed stocking of  claim 1  further comprising a cap to selectively fit over the open toe area of the body so that the toes of the wearer are selectively covered. 
     
     
         6 . The open-toed stocking of  claim 5  wherein the cap is a removable cap. 
     
     
         8 . The open-toed stocking of  claim 5  wherein the cap includes an elastic band to enhance securement of the cap over the open toe area. 
     
     
         9 . The open-toed stocking of  claim 6  further comprising a pocket secured to the leg engaging portion of the body for storing the cap when not in use. 
     
     
         10 . The open-toed stocking of  claim 6  further comprising a retaining mechanism for securing the cap when not in use. 
     
     
         11 . The open-toed stocking of  claim 5  wherein the cap is fixedly secured to open toe area of the body so as to be selectively foldable back on an upper portion of the body to thereby expose the toes of the wearer. 
     
     
         12 . The open-toed stocking of  claim 10  further comprising a fastening mechanism located on the upper portion of the body to selectively secure the cap to the upper portion of the body when folded back thereon. 
     
     
         13 . The open-toed stocking of  claim 1  wherein the tapered retention strap is funnel-shaped. 
     
     
         14 . The open-toed stocking of  claim 12  wherein the tapered retention strap has a stem portion and a conical portion, wherein the stem portion is configured to extend between adjacent toes. 
     
     
         15 . The open-toed stocking of  claim 13  wherein the retention strap is asymmetric with the stem portion being offset with respect to the conical portion. 
     
     
         16 . The open-toed stocking of  claim 1  wherein the retention strap is integrally formed with the body. 
     
     
         17 . The open-toed stocking of  claim 1  wherein the elastic circumferential band is configured to remain in place around a ball of a foot of the wearer.