Wearable Elastic Pairing Device for Socks

Abstract

A pairing device for attaching socks in a pair to one another during storage and for laundering. The pairing device includes two buckle assemblies, one attached to each sock of the pair, and each having a buckle element that mates with the buckle element of the other buckle assembly. The two buckle assembles each include an elastic band that has ends that are secured to the sock, defining two points of attachment; the buckle element is attached to the elastic band, for example at one of the points of attachment to the sock. When attached to the sock, each elastic band stretches in the same direction as the primary direction in which the sock is stretched when worn.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . Attachable paired socks, comprising:
 first and second socks, each having an upper portion that stretches in a primary direction when worn;   a pairing device, comprising:
 a first fastener assembly comprising:
 a first stretchable band, attached to the upper portion of the first sock at first and second locations oriented relative to one another substantially in the primary direction of stretch; and 
 a first fastener, attached to the first stretchable band; and 
 
 a second fastener assembly comprising:
 a second stretchable band, attached to the upper portion of the second sock at first and second locations oriented relative to one another substantially in the primary direction of stretch; and 
 a second fastener, adapted to mate with the first fastener, and attached to the second stretchable band. 
 
   
     
     
         2 . The socks of  claim 1 , wherein the upper portion of each of the first and second socks has a top hem;
 wherein, for each of the first and second socks, the primary direction of stretch is substantially parallel to its top hem;   wherein the first and second locations at which of the first stretchable band is attached to the first sock is at the upper portion near its top hem, so that the first stretchable band extends substantially parallel to the top hem of the first sock;   and wherein the first and second locations at which of the second stretchable band is attached to the second sock is at the upper portion near its top hem, so that the second stretchable band extends substantially parallel to the top hem of the second sock.   
     
     
         3 . The socks of  claim 1 , wherein the first fastener is attached to the first stretchable band at one of the first and second locations;
 and wherein the second fastener is attached to the second stretchable band at one of the first and second locations.   
     
     
         4 . The socks of  claim 1 , wherein the first fastener is attached to the first stretchable band between the first and second locations;
 and wherein the second fastener is attached to the second stretchable band between the first and second locations.   
     
     
         5 . The socks of  claim 1 , wherein the first fastener comprises a first mating buckle part;
 and wherein the second fastener comprises a second mating buckle part that mates with the first mating buckle part.   
     
     
         6 . The socks of  claim 5 , wherein the buckle parts of the first and second fasteners are formed of a thermal plastic. 
     
     
         7 . The socks of  claim 5 , wherein a first end of the first stretchable band forms a sewn loop attached at the first location of the first sock
 wherein the first mating buckle part has an opening through which the sewn loop of the first stretchable band passes;   wherein a first end of the second stretchable band forms a sewn loop attached at the first location of the second sock;   and wherein the second mating buckle part has an opening through which the sewn loop of the second stretchable band passes.   
     
     
         8 . The socks of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second stretchable bands are each comprised of an elastic fabric material. 
     
     
         9 . A pairing device for attaching paired socks to one another, comprising:
 a first fastener assembly comprising:
 a first stretchable band having an end at which a sewn loop is formed; and 
 a first fastener having an opening through which the sewn loop of the first stretchable band passes; and 
   a second fastener assembly comprising:
 a second stretchable band having an end at which a sewn loop is formed; and 
 a second fastener, adapted to mate with the first fastener, and having an opening through which the sewn loop of the second stretchable band passes. 
   
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the sewn loops are respectively formed at a first end of each of the first and second stretchable bands;
 and wherein each of the first and second stretchable bands has a second end at which a second sewn loop is formed.   
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the first fastener comprises a male buckle part:
 and wherein the second fastener comprises a female buckle part.   
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the buckle parts of the first and second fasteners are formed of a thermoplastic.