US20070157368A1 - Smarty toes - Google Patents

Abstract

An otherwise conventionally manufactured sock that has, woven into the toe, the name of the color of the sock. This invention enables a person who has difficulty discriminating colors, whether through poor lighting conditions or poor visual acuity, to discern like colors, to match a sock to its mate, and to coordinate the pair of socks with his or her attire.

Description

• Applicant claims the benefit of the earlier Provisional Patent Application, Title: Smarty Toes, application No. 60/753,351, filing date Dec. 23, 2005.
• 1. Smarty Toes is the name of this new product. The product is a conventionally manufactured sock which has, woven into the top of the toe, the word for the color of the sock; for example, BLACK, BROWN, DARK GRAY, NAVY BLUE, KHAKI. The thread to be used to form the word of the colors is the same size and composition as the thread of the rest of the sock, and the color of the thread forming the word of the color will be of a contrasting color so as to be discernable. The purpose or utility of Smarty Toes socks is to provide people a mechanism to match socks of the same color, and to help people match and coordinate matched socks with their clothing. This is especially helpful for those people who have difficulty distinguishing some colors due to color blindness or due to poor lighting conditions. Likewise, Smarty Toes may be manufactured using Braille to spell the color of the sock for the purpose of visually impaired people who are able to read Braille. The words of the color of the sock will be in the primary language of the consumer. For example, if the consumer's primary language is French or Italian, then the word of the color of the sock will be written in French and Italian, respectively.
• 2. The socks will be manufactured in a typical hosiery manufacturing facility using conventional weaving procedures. Socks may be of any style; for example, crew, knee length, low cut, roll down. The Smarty Toes mechanism of matching socks will be useful for either gender. The thread forming the word for the color of the sock will be the same composition as the rest of the sock. For example, if the sock is 100% cotton, then the contrasting thread forming the word of the color of the sock will be 100% cotton. Because the word of the color of the sock is woven with the rest of the sock (not stitched as a separate operation) comfort will not be sacrificed. Since the word of the color will be on top of the toe, the wearer can easily see that the socks are matched when wearing the socks.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• Smarty Toes is a new product related to the hosiery apparel industry, and it addresses the need of a population that may be visually challenged with respect to color discrimination. The inventor of Smarty Toes derived this idea from the difficulty that her Mother had matching her socks. Because her Mother lives hours away, it was expedient to devise a labeling system of matching socks that she could use when a helper was not at hand, thus the label of the color in a convenient location on the sock.
• Included in this non-provisional application are drawings and photographs depicting prototypes of Smarty Toes socks. Also included is a drawing of the Smarty Toes logo and slogan which will be protected by Trademark. The inventor of Smarty Toes knows of no references to specific documents which are related to this product. The inventor knows of no references to specific problems involved in the area of art towards which this invention is drawn.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• This invention is directed at a simple and practical solution to a problem. The problem is the inability to match colors, specifically, colors of socks and the coordination of socks to one's attire. Inability to match colors may stem from several conditions such poor lighting and one's inability to discriminate certain colors. The solution, Smarty Toes socks, solves this problem by weaving into the sock the name of the color of the sock.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE INVENTION
• FIG. 1 A drawing of a sock with comments describing the invention—side view
• FIG. 2 A photograph of a prototype of the sock on a foot mannequin—frontal view
• FIG. 3 A photograph of a prototype of the sock on a foot mannequin—side view
• FIG. 4 A drawing of the Smarty Toes logo and slogan. A Trademark application is in progress with the U.S. P.T.O.

Claims (2)

1. An otherwise conventionally manufactured sock that has the name of the color of the sock woven into the toe of the sock enabling its wearer to match socks by color.

2. A mechanism for those who have difficulty discerning colors to match socks of the same color and to coordinate socks of the same color with one's attire.

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