SOCK

Abstract

A sock includes a sock body with portions formed from different materials to provide decreased friction in particular regions of the sock. A decreased friction portion (a) is provided to include both a heel portion and a portion directly above the heel portion of the sock, and/or a decreased friction portion (b) is provided on a front portion of the sock, corresponding to a location of a tongue of a boot or shoe when the sock is worn over a user's foot, inserted into such boot or shoe. Portions (a) and (b) can be formed from one or more of a low friction nylon or low friction polyester material having a lower coefficient of friction than a remainder of the sock body, which remainder of the sock body can be formed from wool, cotton, a cotton blend, etc., which material has greater friction, providing other desired properties (e.g., insulation, wicking).

Claims

1. A sock comprising: a sock body including portions formed from different materials to provide decreased friction in particular regions of the sock; wherein a first decreased friction patch portion (a) of the sock body is provided directly above a heel portion of the sock; and wherein a second decreased friction patch portion (b) of the sock body is provided on a front portion of the sock, corresponding to a location of a tongue of a boot or shoe when the sock is worn over a user's foot, inserted into such boot or shoe.

2. The sock as recited in claim 1, wherein the first patch portion has a width of about 2 inches.

3. The sock as recited in claim 1, wherein the second patch portion has a width of about 2 inches.

4. The sock as recited in claim 1, wherein the first patch portion has a length of about 4 inches.

5. The sock as recited in claim 1, wherein the second patch portion has a length of about 3 inches.

6. The sock as recited in claim 1, wherein a remainder of the sock body which consists of the sock body other than portions (a) and (b) is formed from one or more of wool, cotton, a cotton blend, bamboo fibers, rayon, lyocell, modal, viscose, or spandex, such material exhibiting greater coefficient of friction than portions (a) and (b).

7. The sock as recited in claim 1, wherein portions (a) and (b) are formed from one or more of a nylon or polyester material having a lower coefficient of friction than a remainder of the sock body, which remainder of the sock body is formed from one or more of wool, cotton, a cotton blend, bamboo fibers, rayon, lyocell, modal, viscose, or spandex, where such material exhibits greater coefficient of friction than portions (a) and (b).

8. The sock as recited in claim 1, wherein the portions (a) and (b) are woven into a wool material of the sock body, with exposure on both an inside and outside of the sock, so as to contact a user's foot inserted into the sock during use.

9. The sock as recited in claim 1, wherein the sock further includes hygroscopic threads or other hygroscopic material, which provides a heating effect when such threads or other material is moistened or damp.

10. The sock as recited in claim 9, wherein the hygroscopic threads or other hygroscopic material is woven into a material of the sock body, such hygroscopic threads or other hygroscopic material being positioned along a bottom portion of the foot of the sock, to warm a bottom portion of a user's feet during use.

11. The sock as recited in claim 9, wherein the hygroscopic threads or other hygroscopic material is woven into a material of the sock body, such hygroscopic threads or other hygroscopic material being positioned along an upper rear portion of the sock, to warm a rear portion of a user's legs covered by the sock during use.

12. The sock as recited in claim 1: wherein the first decreased friction patch portion (a) of the sock body is provided to include both a heel portion and a portion directly above the heel portion of the sock; and wherein portions (a) and (b) are formed from one or more of a nylon or polyester material having a lower coefficient of friction than a remainder of the sock body, which remainder of the sock body is formed from one or more of wool, cotton, a cotton blend, bamboo fibers, rayon, lyocell, modal, viscose, or spandex, where such material exhibits greater coefficient of friction than portions (a) and (b).

13. A pair of socks comprising: a left sock comprising: a left sock body including portions formed from different materials to provide decreased friction in particular regions of the left sock; wherein a first decreased friction patch portion (a) of the left sock body is provided directly above a heel portion of the left sock; and wherein a second decreased friction patch portion (b) of the left sock body is provided on a front portion of the left sock, corresponding to a location of a tongue of a boot or shoe when the left sock is worn over a user's left foot, inserted into such boot or shoe; a right sock comprising: a right sock body including portions formed from different materials to provide decreased friction in particular regions of the right sock; wherein a first decreased friction patch portion (a) of the right sock body is provided directly above a heel portion of the right sock; and wherein a second decreased friction patch portion (b) of the right sock body is provided on a front portion of the right sock, corresponding to a location of a tongue of a boot or shoe when the right sock is worn over a user's right foot, inserted into such boot or shoe; wherein the left and right socks are not identical to one another, but differ in how portion (a) and portion (b) of the left and right socks are positioned or oriented, relative to a fold line of the left and right socks, wherein: on both the left and right socks, a greater surface area of the portion (a) is positioned or oriented towards an interior of the leg, with a lesser surface area of portion (a) positioned or oriented towards an exterior of the leg; and on both the left and right socks, a greater surface area of the portion (b) is positioned or oriented towards an exterior of the leg, with a lesser surface area of portion (b) positioned or oriented towards an interior of the leg.

14. A method of manufacturing a sock, the method comprising: providing a sock body formed from a given sock material, selected to provide desired characteristics relative to moisture wicking and insulation, said material having a coefficient of friction; providing patch portions over an exterior of the sock body to provide decreased friction to particular exterior regions of the sock, wherein the patch portions are formed from a different material as compared to the underlying sock body; wherein the patch portions include a first decreased friction patch portion (a) attached over a heel portion and extending to a location directly above the heel portion of the sock body; and wherein the patch portions also include a second decreased friction patch portion (b) provided over a front portion of the sock body, corresponding to a location of a tongue of a boot or shoe when the sock is worn over a user's foot, inserted into such boot or shoe.

15. The method as recited in claim 14, wherein the patch portions are stitched to the sock body.

16. The method as recited in claim 14, wherein the patch portions are attached to the sock body with an adhesive.

17. The method as recited in claim 14, wherein the patch portions are attached to the sock body with a hot iron activated adhesive.

18. The method as recited in claim 14, wherein the patch portions are woven into the sock body.

19. The method as recited in claim 14, wherein the patch portions are woven into a wool material of the sock body, so as to be exposed on both an interior and exterior face of the sock body, so as to contact a user's foot inserted into the sock.

20. The method as recited in claim 14, wherein the sock further includes hygroscopic threads or other hygroscopic material, which provides a heating effect when such threads or other material is moistened or damp.

21. The method as recited in claim 20, wherein the hygroscopic threads or other hygroscopic material is woven into a material of the sock body, such hygroscopic threads or other hygroscopic material being positioned along a bottom portion of the foot of the sock, to warm a bottom portion of a user's feet during use.

22. The method as recited in claim 20, wherein the hygroscopic threads or other hygroscopic material is woven into a material of the sock body, such hygroscopic threads or other hygroscopic material being positioned along an upper rear portion of the sock, to warm a rear portion of a user's legs covered by the sock during use.

23. The method as recited in claim 14, wherein the method includes manufacturing a pair of socks including a left and right sock; the left sock comprising: a left sock body including portions formed from different materials to provide decreased friction in particular regions of the left sock; wherein a first decreased friction patch portion (a) of the left sock body is provided directly above a heel portion of the left sock; and wherein a second decreased friction patch portion (b) of the left sock body is provided on a front portion of the left sock, corresponding to a location of a tongue of a boot or shoe when the left sock is worn over a user's left foot, inserted into such boot or shoe; the right sock comprising: a right sock body including portions formed from different materials to provide decreased friction in particular regions of the right sock; wherein a first decreased friction patch portion (a) of the right sock body is provided directly above a heel portion of the right sock; and wherein a second decreased friction patch portion (b) of the right sock body is provided on a front portion of the right sock, corresponding to a location of a tongue of a boot or shoe when the right sock is worn over a user's right foot, inserted into such boot or shoe; wherein the left and right socks are not identical to one another, but differ in how portion (a) and portion (b) of the left and right socks are positioned or oriented, relative to a fold line of the left and right socks, wherein: on both the left and right socks, a greater surface area of the portion (a) is positioned or oriented towards an interior of the leg, with a lesser surface area of portion (a) positioned or oriented towards an exterior of the leg; and on both the left and right socks, a greater surface area of the portion (b) is positioned or oriented towards an exterior of the leg, with a lesser surface area of portion (b) positioned or oriented towards an interior of the leg.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] The appended drawings contain figures of example embodiments to further illustrate and clarify the above and other aspects, advantages and features of the present invention. It will be appreciated that these drawings depict only example embodiments of the invention and are not intended to limit its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings.

[0028] FIGS. 1-3 show an exemplary sock according to the present invention.

[0029] FIGS. 4-5 show the socked foot of a user being inserted into a ski boot, aided by the low friction portions of the sock, as described herein.

[0030] FIG. 6 shows the socked foot of the user, fully inserted into the ski boot of FIGS. 4-5.

[0031] FIGS. 7-12 show additional isometric views of an exemplary sock according to the present invention.

[0032] FIGS. 13-16B show additional views of a pair of exemplary socks according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] The present invention is directed to socks that include specific portions thereof that include or are formed from a material exhibiting increased slickness (i.e., decreased friction, lower coefficient of friction) to aid in putting a socked foot into a ski boot or similar boot that may otherwise be difficult to put on.

[0034] The sock 10 may otherwise be formed of typical fabric materials (e.g., cotton, wool, cotton-polyester blend, etc.). Specific portions of the sock are formed from a different material, that provides for decreased friction (i.e., allowing a socked foot to be more easily pulled or pushed into a ski boot or other boot). In particular, referring to the Figures (e.g., FIGS. 1-12) the region including the heel and just above the heel of the sock (labeled heel patch 12) may be formed from such a low friction fabric or other low friction material. For example, patch 12 may be formed from a fabric material having a lower coefficient of friction than the coefficient of friction for the surrounding portions 14, of sock 10. By forming the heel and adjacent portions of the sock (e.g., heel and above the heel) from such a lower friction fabric material, a user will find it far easier to insert their socked foot into a boot (e.g., a ski boot), high top shoe, or the like.

[0035] Alternatively or in addition, an opposite surface on the front face of the sock (e.g., corresponding to the location of the tongue of a shoe or boot, which portion is labeled 16) is also formed from such a low friction fabric material. By way of example, portions 12, 16 of the sock 10 may be formed from a low friction polyester or low friction nylon material. In an embodiment, such patches 12, 16 may be 100% low friction polyester, 100% low friction nylon, or a blend of low friction polyester and low friction nylon. Based on the present disclosure, other slick, low friction materials that may be suitable for use will be apparent to those of skill in the art, and may also be used. The portion or patch of material having low friction may exhibit a lower coefficient of friction than the other portions of the sock. For example, cotton, or other cellulose containing fabrics may typically exhibit relatively higher coefficients of friction. In an embodiment, the other portions 14 of the sock 10 include greater cellulose (e.g., cotton, or other cellulose containing fabric materials) content than portions 12, 16 (which may contain lower, or even 0% cotton or other cellulose fabrics).

[0036] Both the rear low friction portion 12 above the heel and the front low friction portion 16 corresponding to the tongue location may have a width of e.g., from 1-3 inches (e.g., about 2 inches). Such portions may have a length that is greater than the width (e.g., so as to be elongate). For example, the length of such locations may be from 2-5 inches, or from 3-4 inches. In an embodiment, the low friction portion 12 above the heel may have a length of about 4 inches, and the front low friction portion 16 may have a length of about 3 inches.

[0037] In an embodiment, the sock 10 is not simply formed entirely from such a low friction material (e.g., nylon or polyester), as such materials may not provide other desired characteristics (e.g., ability to wick away moisture, breathability, insulation, etc.). Thus, in an embodiment, only limited portions of the sock (e.g., the two portions 12, 16 noted herein) are formed from the low friction fabric material. The remainder 14 of the sock 10 may be formed from more conventional sock materials (which exhibit greater coefficients of friction), such as one or more of wool, cotton, a cotton blend, bamboo fibers, rayon, lyocell, modal, viscose, spandex, etc.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 1, in an embodiment, such a sock 10 may be formed by providing an entire sock formed of the relatively higher friction materials 14, and then attaching patches 12 and 16, formed from a lower friction material, over the heel portions and tongue portions as shown, respectively. Such patches may simply be overlaid over a standard wool or other sock. Attachment to the underlying sock portions 14 may be by any suitable means, such as stitching, or use of an adhesive (e.g., hot iron adhesive), combinations thereof, or other attachment mechanisms that will be apparent to those of skill in the art. In an embodiment, such portions may simply be woven into the adjacent portions of the sock body.

[0039] The patches 12, 16 may thus be adhered or otherwise attached to the exterior surfaces of the sock, allowing the entire socked portion of the foot of a user to contact the higher friction material 14 (but such material 14 may have better moisture wicking, better insulative characteristics, etc. as compared to the material of patches 12, 16). In another embodiment, wherein the portions 12 and 16 are woven into the wool or other material of the sock body, with exposure on both an inside and outside surface of the sock, so as to contact a user's foot or leg inserted into the sock during use.

[0040] An embodiment such as that shown in FIGS. 13-16 may further include a hygroscopic material, e.g., which makes contact with the user's foot or leg inserted in the sock during use. Such hygroscopic materials may provide a significant heating effect to warm the user's feet and legs, when such materials become moistened or damp, as can occur when skiing, or pursuing other outdoor activities, particularly in a winter climate.

[0041] A method for manufacturing such a sock may include providing a sock body formed from a given sock material (e.g., wool, cotton blend, or the like as noted herein), selected to provide desired characteristics relative to moisture wicking, and insulation, said material having a coefficient of friction. Patch portions (e.g., corresponding to 12 and 16, as shown in FIG. 1) are then attached over an exterior of the sock body to provide decreased friction to particular exterior regions of the sock. As noted, the patch portions are formed from a different material (e.g., low coefficient of friction nylon or polyester, for example) as compared to the underlying sock body. The patch portions 12, 16 include a decreased friction patch portion 12 attached over a heel portion and extending to a location directly above the heel portion of the sock body and a decreased friction patch portion 16 attached over a front portion of the sock body, corresponding to a location of a tongue of a boot or shoe when the sock 10 is worn over a user's foot, inserted into such boot or shoe.

[0042] The patch portions can be stitched to the sock body, woven into the sock body, attached to the sock body with an adhesive, or both. In an embodiment the patch portions are attached to the sock body with a hot iron activated adhesive (e.g., a hot iron is used to attach the patch(es) to the sock. Such hot iron activated adhesives will be familiar to those of skill in the art, as they are often employed in other fields of fabric patching (e.g., when patching a hole).

[0043] In another embodiment, the present sock may be formed where the patch portions are integrated directly into the sock body, e.g., where such portions are not only present on the exposed exterior face of the sock, but are also on the inside of the sock, so as to contact the heel and tongue portions of the user's foot that is inserted into the sock. Nevertheless, in an embodiment, attachment may be as described above, where the patch portions 12, 16 are only exposed on the exterior surface of the sock, so that the full interior surface of the sock does not include such low friction materials (e.g., only other material 14, providing better moisture wicking, insulation, etc.).

[0044] FIGS. 13-16 show additional exemplary socks 10R and 10L, each including a sock body including portions formed from different materials to provide decreased friction in particular regions of the sock. A decreased friction heel portion 12 is provided directly above a heel portion of the sock, while a decreased friction tongue portion 16 is provided on a front portion of the sock, corresponding to the location of a tongue of a boot or shoe when the sock is worn over a user's foot. As shown in FIGS. 15A-16B and other Figures, tongue portion 16 may begin near or just above the inflection point along the front face of the sock, and extend upward therefrom, e.g., a few inches. As is apparent from FIG. 13-16, the socks may not be identical and interchangeable, but have distinct right and left socks 10R and 10L, that differ in the positioning or orientation of patch portions 12 and 16. For example, as shown, the reduced friction patches are not symmetrical relative to the fold line F of the sock, as shown. These differences may be particularly apparent in FIGS. 15A-16B, e.g., by comparing FIG. 15A with FIG. 15B, and comparing FIG. 16A with FIG. 16B. FIGS. 15A and 15B show opposite faces of the left sock, folded along the fold line F. FIGS. 16A-16B show opposite faces of the right sock, folded along the fold line F. In particular, the tongue patch 16 is positioned or oriented so that more of the surface area of patch 16 is oriented towards the outside (i.e., lateral direction) of the user's leg when worn, as compared to the inside (medial direction) of the user's leg. In other words, the patch is not simply centered to the front, relative to the wearer, or relative to the fold line F, but is offset, towards the outside or lateral portion of the user's leg (i.e., to the user's lateral left on the left leg and to the lateral right on the right leg). Stated another way, there is more of the patch 16 total surface positioned on the outside lateral surface of the legand less patch surface area positioned on the inside medial surface of the leg, as is apparent from the folded socks see in FIGS. 15A-16B.

[0045] The heel patch 12 is oppositewith more of the patch 12 positioned or oriented towards the inside medial portion of the leg, with less surface area of the patch 12 positioned towards the outside lateral portion of the leg. The difference in surface area as separated across the fold line F may be such that greater than 50%, at least 55%, at least 60%, or at least 65% of the patch surface area is positioned on the dominant side relative to the fold line F (e.g., the lateral portion dominates on patch 16, while the medial portion dominates on patch 12). Similarly, the difference in surface area as separated across the fold line F may be such that less than 50%, less than 45%, less than 40%, or less than 35% of the patch surface area is positioned on the non-dominant side relative to the fold line F. Exemplary ranges for the dominant side may be from about 55% to about 80%, or from about 60% to about 70%. Exemplary ranges for the non-dominant side may be from about 20% to about 45%, or from about 30% to about 40%.

[0046] Because of these differences, there are left and right socks, which are not simply identical and interchangeable. Such particular positioning of the patches relative to the fold line or the front centerline of the wearer is actually beneficial in use, facilitating easier insertion of the socked foot and leg into a boot, as compared to if the positioning of the patches were centered, and there were no left or right versions of the socks.

[0047] Socks 10 also show the inclusion of a hygroscopic material (e.g., woven into the wool or other sock material). Such patches 18 are shown provided within the bottom of the foot portion of the sock, as well as extending up the back portion of the leg. Such a hygroscopic thread material can simply be woven into the sock material (as can the reduced friction patches 12, 16). The hygroscopic material advantageously provides a warming effect (e.g., of up to 9? C. warmer) to the bottom of the feet and the back of the legs, where positioned, when the material becomes moistened or damp. For example, far infrared emission ceramic particles may be provided in such threads or other fibers, gently raising the body temperature by increasing reflection of body heat, to improve blood circulation during outdoor activities. Such hygroscopic heat is generated by the loss of kinetic energy of water molecules, which are absorbed at the surface of the hygroscopic textile material, where such a warming reaction occurs (e.g., see ISO 18782-2015 TextilesDetermination of Hygroscopic Heat Generation).

[0048] For example, the hygroscopic threads or other hygroscopic material can be woven into a wool or other material of the sock body, such hygroscopic threads or other hygroscopic material being positioned along a bottom portion of the foot of the sock, to warm a bottom portion of a user's feet during use. As shown, the hygroscopic threads or other hygroscopic material can also be positioned along an upper rear portion of the sock, to warm a rear portion of a user's legs covered by the sock during use. Where woven into the sock body material, both the sock body material and the hygroscopic material may be present on both the exterior and interior surfaces of the sock. Such is also true, for the reduced friction patch portions 12, 16, which may similarly be woven into the wool or other material of the sock, so as to be present on both the interior and exterior surfaces of the sock.

[0049] The hygroscopic portions (e.g., particularly those portions shown woven into the back of the leg) could also be positioned so that the surface area of such portion dominates towards either a lateral or medial orientation, similar to as described relative to patch portions 12 and 16. In another embodiment, the hygroscopic portions may simply be centered relative to the fold lineproviding approximately 50% surface area on both sides, relative to the fold line F.

[0050] In addition, unless otherwise indicated, numbers expressing quantities, constituents, distances, or other measurements used in the specification and claims are to be understood as optionally being modified by the term about or its synonyms. When the terms about, approximately, substantially, or the like are used in conjunction with a stated amount, value, or condition, it may be taken to mean an amount, value or condition that deviates by less than 20%, less than 10%, less than 5%, less than 1%, less than 0.1%, or less than 0.01% of the stated amount, value, or condition.

[0051] In reference to various standardized tests (e.g., ISO, ASTM or other tests), it will be understood that reference to any such standard refers to the latest update (if any) of such standard, unless otherwise indicated. Any such referenced standards are incorporated herein by reference, in their entirety.

[0052] All publications, patents and patent applications cited herein, whether supra or infra, are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety to the same extent as if each individual publication, patent or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.

[0053] The term comprising which is synonymous with including, containing, or characterized by, is inclusive or open-ended and does not exclude additional, unrecited elements or method steps.

[0054] The term consisting essentially of limits the scope of a claim to the specified materials or steps and those that do not materially affect the basic and novel characteristic(s) of the claimed invention.

[0055] The term consisting of as used herein, excludes any element, step, or ingredient not specified in the claim.

[0056] It must be noted that, as used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms a, an and the include plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to a surfactant includes one, two or more surfactants.

[0057] Unless otherwise stated, all percentages, ratios, parts, and amounts used and described herein are by weight.

[0058] Some ranges may be disclosed herein. Additional ranges may be defined between any values disclosed herein as being exemplary of a particular parameter. All such ranges are contemplated and within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0059] As used herein, the term between is inclusive of any endpoints noted relative to a described range.

[0060] Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the invention pertains. Although a number of methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice of the present invention, the preferred materials and methods are described herein.

[0061] The present invention can be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. Thus, the described implementations are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.