Therapeutic sock

Abstract

A therapeutic sock is formed from a knit sock body formed in a tubular shape and terminating in a closed toe portion, the toe portion being divided into a first compartment configured accommodating a big toe and at least one additional compartment for other toes. At least one of the compartments has a area of increased compression as compared to a compression in other areas of the sock. The area of increased compression can be disposed on the first compartment and extend longitudinally along a medial edge of the first compartment and/or can be disposed on the at least one additional compartment and extend laterally around a circumference of the at least one additional compartment.

Claims

1. A therapeutic sock comprising; a sock body formed in a tubular shape and terminating in a closed toe portion, the toe portion being divided into a first compartment configured to accommodate a big toe and four additional compartments for other toes, wherein the sock is formed from a knit material, and wherein each of the four additional compartments has an area of increased compression as compared to a compression in other areas of the sock, the area of increased compression having threads formed of a different material than a material of the rest of the sock, wherein the area of increased compression extends laterally around a circumference of each of the additional compartments and extends only around a proximal portion of the additional compartments to such a length that the area of increased compression provides compression pressure on extensor and flexor tendons of the toes, wherein a distal portion of the additional compartments does not have an area of increased compression, wherein the threads formed of different material contain a material selected from the group consisting of copper and ceramic powder, and wherein there is an additional area of increased compression extending longitudinally along a medial edge of the sock, in a region of the first compartment.

2. The therapeutic sock according to claim 1, wherein the area of increased compression is formed by a knitting pattern that differs from a knitting pattern in other areas of the sock.

3. The therapeutic sock according to claim 1, further comprising an area of increased compression in an area remote from the toe portion, for increasing compression on an arch of the foot when the therapeutic sock is worn by an individual.

4. The therapeutic sock according to claim 3, wherein the area of increased compression in the area remote from the toe portion extends around an entire circumference of the sock.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description considered in connection with the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood, however, that the drawings are designed as an illustration only and not as a definition of the limits of the invention.

(2) In the drawings, wherein similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views:

(3) FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of the therapeutic sock according to the invention;

(4) FIG. 2 shows a bottom view of the sock in another variation;

(5) FIG. 3 shows another embodiment of the sock according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(6) Referring now in detail to the drawings and, in particular, FIGS. 1 and 2 show a therapeutic sock 10 according to one embodiment of the invention. Sock 10 is formed of a tubular knit sock body 11 that terminates in a closed toe portion 12. Toe portion 12 is separated into a first compartment 13 for accommodating a big toe, and a second compartment 14, for accommodating the four remaining toes.

(7) An area of increased compression 15 is disposed along the medial aspect of the big toe and foot on the surface of sock 10, in the region of first compartment 13. This area of increased compression 15 can be formed by knitting the sock threads in a different, tighter, pattern to increase the elastic compressive force on the toe, or by incorporating different threads into the area, so that the area 15 exerts a force on the big toe inside of compartment 13 and pulls the toe away from the lesser toes. A second area of increased compression 16 can be disposed laterally around the second compartment 14. This area 16 can also be formed via a tighter knitting pattern or by incorporating additional or different types of threads into the knit fabric. The band of increased compression around the second compartment helps in treating hammer toes, as it forces the toes to straighten by applying pressure on the flexor and extensor tendons of the toes, causing the toes to straighten out and thus limiting the pressure and rubbing of the hammer toes in footwear.

(8) In addition, a band of increased compression 17 can be disposed around the arch portion of the therapeutic sock 10. This band helps to treat flat feet and over-pronation by supporting the arch of the foot. This band 17 could also be formed by a tighter or different knitting pattern or by incorporating threads of different materials or elasticity.

(9) Another embodiment of the sock according to the invention is shown in FIG. 3. Here, sock 100 has a toe section that is formed of five separate compartments: a big toe compartment 110, and four separate toe compartments 120, 130, 140 and 150 for the other four toes. A band of increased compression is disposed around each of the five compartments, as shown by bands 111, 121, 131, 141 and 151. These bands can be formed around the entire circumference of each of the toe compartments. The increased surface area afforded by the individual toe compartments allows for greater compression on each toe, to press the toes into better alignment and avoid the pain and discomfort from hammer toes. A side strip of extra compression can also be provided along the outside of the big toe, as with area 15 in FIGS. 1 and 2, to provide better support and guidance for a bunion as well.

(10) Accordingly, while only a few embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it is obvious that many changes and modifications may be made thereunto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.