Have you recently received your No Show Bombas® flyer in the mail? If
you have, then you already know that Bombas® are not only purported the most comfortable socks, they are also socks with a mission.
Buy a pair, and Bombas®
Inc., will donate a pair. This kind of mathematics adds up to 24 million pairs already
donated. None too many, since the flyer
also informs you that socks are the #1 most requested clothing item in homeless
shelters.
Scroll forward. Bombas® sold 1 million pairs of socks in the first 2
years (about 1000 pairs per day). Bombas Inc., currently has a 400% growth rate!
Everyone loves Bombas®! If you are not wearing a pair of Bombas®, you might be wondering,
why?
The short answer is simply: They feel better and look better. The long answer is found in the overlooked niche of sock
engineering, the art of manufacturing more comfortable, softer and more
supportive socks.
Succinctly, the company found no less than seven ways of improving on the materials used for manufacturing super-soft socks, mostly made of Pima cotton and Merino wool fibers, with natural moisture-wicking and anti-microbial properties. Bombas® also found a way of removing the uncomfortable toe seam on all of its socks, hand-stitching them instead. They added cushioning on the footbed without making it too bulky. Calf socks are also engineered with a special tension called “Stay-up” technology. Similarly, the no-show socks have a “Stay-put” technology, using a combination contour seam and tiny silicon heel strips. Ankle socks have a blister tab, providing extra cushioning above the heel to prevent chafing and rubbing. The heel portion of all Bombas® socks are Y-stitched, offering a cup-shape for heels. Finally, Bombas® socks are also manufactured with a special honeycomb design that hugs the arch of your foot, distributing pressure evenly throughout the arch, thus providing added comfort and support.
Succinctly, the company found no less than seven ways of improving on the materials used for manufacturing super-soft socks, mostly made of Pima cotton and Merino wool fibers, with natural moisture-wicking and anti-microbial properties. Bombas® also found a way of removing the uncomfortable toe seam on all of its socks, hand-stitching them instead. They added cushioning on the footbed without making it too bulky. Calf socks are also engineered with a special tension called “Stay-up” technology. Similarly, the no-show socks have a “Stay-put” technology, using a combination contour seam and tiny silicon heel strips. Ankle socks have a blister tab, providing extra cushioning above the heel to prevent chafing and rubbing. The heel portion of all Bombas® socks are Y-stitched, offering a cup-shape for heels. Finally, Bombas® socks are also manufactured with a special honeycomb design that hugs the arch of your foot, distributing pressure evenly throughout the arch, thus providing added comfort and support.
Add fabulous colors and fun patterns to all the smart engineering,
and the rest is history!
The Bombas® honeycomb design is patented in
the US design patent USD723261S,
titled Sock. As a reminder: “a utility patent” protects the way an article is used
and works (35 U.S.C. 101), while a “design patent” protects the way an
article looks (35 U.S.C.
171) [MPEP Chapt. 1502.01; [R-07.2015]].
Included below, the patent Figures 1 and 8, respectively showing the honeycomb design on ankle (Fig. 8) and calf (Fig. 1) socks. Also included below, a corresponding image of marketed calf and ankle Bombas®, displaying the Bombas® sock technology that has changed the destiny of feet!
Included below, the patent Figures 1 and 8, respectively showing the honeycomb design on ankle (Fig. 8) and calf (Fig. 1) socks. Also included below, a corresponding image of marketed calf and ankle Bombas®, displaying the Bombas® sock technology that has changed the destiny of feet!
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*Incidentally, per the company’s website, Bombas® (the company name) is derived from the Latin “bombus” the “buzz” or “humming” sound of “bumblebees” or “busy bees”, not bombas meaning “bombs”. This explains the company logo that displays a queen bee with her crown and the honeycomb design.
Bombas Inc. puts it this way:
Bombas Inc. puts it this way:
“Derived from the Latin word for bumblebee. Bees live in a hive and work together to make their world a better place. They're small, but their combined actions have a big impact on the world. We like that. That's why our mantra is bee better. We put this reminder inside each Bombas clothing item as a reminder that little improvements can add up to make a big difference, and that your purchase went towards directly helping someone in need.”
How popular inventions came to life: Bombas socks
https://ip.com/blog/popular-patents-bombas-socks/
MPEP – Chapt. 1502-01 – Distinction between design and utility patent
https://www.uspto.gov/web/offices/pac/mpep/s1502.html
MPEP – Chapt. 1502-01 – Distinction between design and utility patent
https://www.uspto.gov/web/offices/pac/mpep/s1502.html
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