Dance tights and other garments with integrated, apertured foot coverings

Abstract

Dancing tights and like garments with integrated sock, the sock including selectively placed openings at the heel, ball of foot, and toe area to expose the heel and at least substantial portions of the ball of the foot, and one or more toes, and being configured to maintain secure placement on the foot.

1 . A garment comprising a pair of leg portions and a sock integrated on each leg portions, the sock including selectively placed openings at a heel area, a ball of foot area, and a toe area and configured to expose a substantial portion of the heel and at least substantial portions of the ball of the foot, and one or more toes of an intended user, and at least the sock being configured with elastic materials to maintain secure placement on a foot of the intended user, and wherein each sock includes a midfoot portion that covers a majority of the underside of the midfoot area of each sock. 
     
     
         2 . A garment, comprising, a pair of leg portions each having an integrated sock, the sock having an open toe area configured to allow for exposure and mobility of one or more toes; an open heel area configured to allow for exposure and mobility of a heel of an intended user; an open ball of the foot area configured to allow for exposure and mobility of a ball of the foot of the intended user, and wherein each sock includes a midfoot portion that covers a majority of the underside of the midfoot area of each sock. 
     
     
         3 . The garment of  claim 2  further comprising a body encircling portion integrated with the leg portions. 
     
     
         4 . The garment of  claim 3  wherein the body encircling portion and leg portions are configured as tights with an elastic fit on the intended user. 
     
     
         5 . The garment of  claim 4  wherein the sock is configured as a thong-style construction with a vertically oriented post element that spans a front opening at the toe area to fit between adjacent toes to help secure the sock in place during movement. 
     
     
         6 . The garment of  claim 5  wherein the post element is a flexible strap or band, and wherein the post element is arranged to correspond to an area between the intended user's first and second toes. 
     
     
         7 . The garment of  claim 5  wherein the sock is configured with one or more front openings, each configured for receiving and exposing one or more toes of a user. 
     
     
         8 . The garment of  claim 4  wherein the garment comprises an elastic fabric to provide the elastic fit. 
     
     
         9 . The garment of  claim 8  wherein the garment comprises a fabric of Nylon and/or spandex (elastane). 
     
     
         10 . The garment of  claim 8  wherein reinforced stitching is provided around the open toe, heel, and/or ball of the foot areas. 
     
     
         11 . The garment of  claim 1  wherein the garment is in the form of leggings. 
     
     
         12 . The garment of  claim 1  wherein the sock further comprises a coating or patterning of elastomeric material on a surface of the sock. 
     
     
         13 . The garment of  claim 12  wherein the elastomeric material is thermally fused to the sock. 
     
     
         14 . The garment of  claim 12  wherein the elastomeric material is disposed on an outward facing surface of the sock, the outward-facing surface being configured to a ground surface when worn. 
     
     
         15 . The garment of  claim 12  wherein the elastomeric material is disposed on an inward facing surface of the sock, the inward-facing surface of the sock being configured to face the user when worn. 
     
     
         16 . The garment of  claim 12  wherein the elastomeric material is disposed on an outward-facing top and/or side surface of the sock. 
     
     
         17 . The garment of  claim 3  wherein the elastomeric material is disposed on an inward or outward facing surface of the garment. 
     
     
         18 .- 20 . (canceled)