SOCK WITH INTERNAL GRIPPING SURFACE

Abstract

A sock with internal gripping surface having a unitary sock body of a flexible fabric material, with an upper terminal end defining an enclosed upper opening, with a distal end opposing the upper terminal end, and with an inner surface enclosing and defining a sock cavity spanning from the enclosed upper opening to the distal end and having a plurality of elastic protuberances each extending inwardly from the inner surface and into the sock cavity a length of approximately 0.25-1.25 mm, continually spanning around a circumference of the inner surface, disposed in tightly spaced configuration with one another, and spanning approximately 35-45 mm from a point proximal to the upper terminal end.

Claims

1. A sock with internal gripping surface comprising: a unitary sock body of a flexible fabric material, with an upper terminal end defining an enclosed upper opening, with a distal end opposing the upper terminal end, and with an inner surface enclosing and defining a sock cavity spanning from the enclosed upper opening to the distal end; and a plurality of elastic protuberances each extending inwardly from the inner surface and into the sock cavity a length of approximately 0.25-1.25 mm, continually spanning around a circumference of the inner surface, disposed in tightly spaced configuration with one another, and spanning approximately 35-45 mm from a point proximal to the upper terminal end.

2. The sock with internal gripping surface according to claim 1, wherein: the unitary sock body is of a leather or woven fabric material.

3. The sock with internal gripping surface according to claim 1, wherein: the plurality of elastic protuberances are tightly spaced approximately 3 mm with respect to one another.

4. The sock with internal gripping surface according to claim 3, wherein: the plurality of elastic protuberances are uniformly spaced with respect to one another.

5. The sock with internal gripping surface according to claim 1, wherein: the plurality of elastic protuberances are uniformly spaced with respect to one another and are of a silicone material.

6. The sock with internal gripping surface according to claim 1, further comprising: a polyester strip body adhesively coupled to the unitary sock body and having the plurality of elastic silicone protuberances directly coupled thereto.

7. The sock with internal gripping surface according to claim 1, wherein: the plurality of elastic protuberances are each of a hemi-spherical shape.

8. The sock with internal gripping surface according to claim 7, wherein: each of the plurality of elastic protuberances extending a length of approximately 0.50 mm.

9. The sock with internal gripping surface according to claim 1, wherein: the plurality of elastic protuberances collectively span around the circumference of the inner surface to form an upper protuberance boundary line and a lower protuberance boundary line perpendicular to one another.

10. A sock with internal gripping surface comprising: a unitary sock body of a flexible fabric material, with an upper terminal end defining an enclosed upper opening, with a distal end, and with an inner surface enclosing and defining a sock cavity spanning from the enclosed upper opening to the distal end; and a plurality of elastic protuberances each extending a radially length of approximately 0.50 mm inwardly from the inner surface and into the sock cavity, continually spanning around a circumference of the inner surface, disposed in tightly spaced configuration with one another, and spanning less than 75 mm from a point proximal to the upper terminal end.

11. The sock with internal gripping surface according to claim 10, wherein: the plurality of elastic protuberances collectively span around the circumference of the inner surface to form an upper protuberance boundary line and a lower protuberance boundary line perpendicular to one another.

12. The sock with internal gripping surface according to claim 10, wherein: the plurality of elastic protuberances are tightly spaced approximately 3 mm with respect to one another.

13. The sock with internal gripping surface according to claim 12, wherein: the plurality of elastic protuberances are uniformly spaced with respect to one another.

14. The sock with internal gripping surface according to claim 10, wherein: the plurality of elastic protuberances are uniformly spaced with respect to one another and are of a silicone material.

15. The sock with internal gripping surface according to claim 10, further comprising: a polyester strip body adhesively coupled to the unitary sock body and having the plurality of elastic silicone protuberances directly coupled thereto.

16. The sock with internal gripping surface according to claim 10, wherein: the plurality of elastic protuberances are each of a hemi-spherical shape.

17. The sock with internal gripping surface according to claim 16, wherein: each of the plurality of elastic protuberances extending a length of approximately 0.50 mm.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate views and which together with the detailed description below are incorporated in and form part of the specification, serve to further illustrate various embodiments and explain various principles and advantages all in accordance with the present invention.

[0020] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a sock with internal gripping surface in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] FIG. 2 is a partially transparent and fragmentary view of the sock with internal gripping surface of FIG. 1;

[0022] FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the sock with internal gripping surface of FIG. 1; and

[0023] FIG. 4 is a close-up fragmentary view of section C of FIG. 3 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] While the specification concludes with claims defining the features of the invention that are regarded as novel, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from a consideration of the following description in conjunction with the drawing figures, in which like reference numerals are carried forward. It is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which can be embodied in various forms.

[0025] The present invention provides a novel and efficient sock with internal gripping surface that is operable to be retained on a user's leg in a safe and comfortable manner. Referring now to FIG. 1, one embodiment of the sock with internal gripping surface 100 is shown in a perspective view. FIG. 1 (along with the other figures) shows several advantageous features of the present invention, but, as will be described below, the invention can be provided in several shapes, sizes, combinations of features and components, and varying numbers and functions of the components.

[0026] More specifically, the sock 100 is of a unitary sock body 102 of a flexible fabric material, e.g., a leather or woven fabric material, such as cotton. The sock body 102 may be unitary, in that it is formed a single piece of material or operate as a single unit. Said another way, the sock body 102 may be of a monolithic structure. The material of the sock body 102 is also of an inherently elastic material. The sock body 102 includes an upper terminal end 104 defining an enclosed upper opening 108 that may, like most socks, have a diameter ranging from 50-120 mm. The sock body 102 also includes a distal end 106 that may oppose the upper terminal end 104 (as exemplified in the figures). The sock body 102 also includes an inner surface 110 enclosing and defining a sock cavity 200 spanning from the enclosed upper opening 108 to the distal end 106, wherein the distal end 106 may also be at or near the terminal end of the sock body 102. It should be understood that terms such as, front, rear, side, top, bottom, distal, and the like are indicated from the reference point of a viewer viewing the sock body 102 depicted in the figures. The sock body 102 also includes an outer surface opposing the inner surface 110 of the sock body 102. It is preferred that the length 108 spans less than 75 mm from a point proximal to the upper terminal end 104 to provide a sock that engages with just enough of a user's skin to retain the sock thereon.

[0027] Beneficially, the sock 100 includes a plurality of elastic protuberances 112a-n each extending inwardly from the inner surface 110 and into the sock cavity 200, wherein n represents any number greater than one. As best seen in FIG. 4, a length or diameter 402 of each of the plurality of elastic protuberances 112a-n of approximately 0.25-1.25 mm, wherein 0.5 mm is the preferred diameter or length. In one embodiment, the diameter 402 of each of the plurality of elastic protuberances 112a-n are uniformly the same diameter to provide a level application surface. The plurality of elastic protuberances 112a-n may continually and collectively span around a circumference of the inner surface 110 as exemplified also in FIG. 3. The plurality of elastic protuberances 112a-n may be disposed in tightly spaced configuration with one another, i.e., less than approximately 5 mm of one another. In a preferred embodiment, the plurality of elastic protuberances 112a-n are tightly spaced approximately 3 mm with respect to one another.

[0028] In one embodiment, the plurality of elastic protuberances 112a-n span approximately 35-45 mm from a point proximal to the upper terminal end 104, i.e., at or near (within 5% of the overall length). In another embodiment, the plurality of elastic protuberances 112a-n are uniformly spaced with respect to one another, i.e., the spatial difference between at least one of the elastic protuberances 112a-n is the same between other protuberances 112a-n. In preferred embodiments, the plurality of elastic protuberances 112a-n are of a silicone or other elastomeric material.

[0029] To effectuate a more cost-effective production of the sock 100, a polyester strip body 400 is utilized and includes one side or surface that is adhesively coupled to the unitary sock body 102 and having the plurality of elastic silicone protuberances 112a-n directly coupled thereto, e.g., using adhesive or heat welding. In another embodiment, each of the plurality of elastic protuberances 112a-n are adhesively coupled or heat welded directly to the inner surface 110 of the sock body 102. The polyester strip body 400 may also be of an elastic material.

[0030] In preferred embodiments, the plurality of elastic protuberances 112a-n are each of a hemi-spherical shape. This may include or be described as having a partially curved outer surface and a flat distal surface. Said another way, the plurality of elastic protuberances 112a-n may be combination of a hemi-spherical and a trapezoidal prism shape. The plurality of elastic silicone protuberances 112a-n may also collectively span around the circumference of the inner surface 110 to form an upper protuberance boundary line 202 and a lower protuberance boundary line 204 that are perpendicular to one another. The formation of the plurality of elastic protuberances 112a-n may be a uniform width 108 ranging from approximately 35-45 mm, wherein 38 mm is the preferred width. Each individual elastic protuberances 112a-n may be approximately 10-32 mm in length 404. The formation and configuration of the elastic protuberances 112a-n enables the sock to stay retained on the user's leg in a safe, secure, and comfortable manner not accomplished with the prior art.

[0031] Although a specific order of executing process and utilization steps has been disclosed or depicted, the order of executing the steps may be changed relative to the order shown in certain embodiments. Also, two or more steps shown or described as occurring in succession may be executed concurrently or with partial concurrence in some embodiments. Certain steps may also be omitted for the sake of brevity. In some embodiments, some or all of the process steps described can be combined into a single process.

[0032] Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For example, while the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this disclosure also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the above described features.