SOCKS AND OTHER FOOTWEAR WITH ENHANCED FEATURES

Abstract

A sock and/or outer footwear having one or more portions with reduced frictional characteristics. One or more of the heel portion, the arch portion and the ball portion of the sock and/or interior of the outer footwear is fabricated with one or more fibers having the reduced frictional characteristics. The reduced frictional characteristics are established with the one or more low-friction fibers that are integrated with fibers having additional complementary characteristics of thermal regulation and moisture management. The provision of reduced frictional characteristics in one or more of the heel, arch and ball facilitates insertion of a foot into footwear.

Claims

1. A sock comprising: a leg portion, a heel portion, an instep portion, a foot portion including a top arch portion, a toe portion, and a sole portion including a ball portion, wherein the leg portion, the heel portion, the instep portion, the foot portion, the toe portion and the sole portion are fabricated of one or more fibers having thermal regulation and moisture management characteristics, wherein entanglements of the one or fibers are established to create interstices as tortuous pathways that regulate progression of moisture through the sock, wherein the heel portion, the top arch portion and the ball portion further include fibers having reduced-friction characteristics, wherein the fibers having reduced-friction characteristics are integrated with the one or more fibers having thermal regulation and moisture management characteristics, wherein the one or more fibers are treated with chitosan and wherein the one or more fibers are woven together in a gradient compression weave.

2. The sock of claim 1 wherein the fibers having reduced friction characteristics are fibers that have a lower coefficient of friction than a coefficient of friction of the one or more fibers having thermal regulation and moisture management characteristics.

3. The sock of claim 2 wherein the fibers with the lower coefficient of friction are silicone fibers.

4. The sock of claim 3 wherein the one or more fibers having thermal regulation and moisture management characteristics are fibers made of materials selected from manmade fibers, natural fibers and blends thereof.

5. The sock of claim 4 wherein the fibers having thermal regulation and moisture management characteristics are made of materials selected from: nylon, polyester, polypropylene, cotton, wool, alpaca and blends thereof.

6. The sock of claim 3 wherein the one or more fibers having thermal regulation and moisture management characteristics include hollow fibers.

7. The sock of claim 1 wherein Gold or Silver is bonded to at least one of the one or more fibers having thermal regulation and moisture management characteristics.

8. The sock of claim 1 wherein the anti-microbial reconstruction of elements of Gold and Silver comprises bonded of Gold and Silver elements.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the sock of the present invention.

[0021] FIG. 2 is a side view of the sock of the present invention.

[0022] FIG. 3 is a front view of the sock of the present invention.

[0023] FIG. 4 is a rear view of the sock of the present invention.

[0024] FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the sock of the present invention.

[0025] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the sling of the present invention.

[0026] FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view of the outer footwear of the present invention.

[0027] FIG. 8 is a plan view of the outer footwear of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0028] A sock 10 of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 1-5. As with most socks, the sock 10 includes a leg portion 12, a heel portion 14, an instep portion 16, a foot portion 18, a toe portion 20 and a sole portion 22. The foot portion 18 includes a top arch portion 24 and the sole portion 22 includes a ball portion 26. The heel portion 14 covers the heel of the foot of a person wearing the sock 10. The arch portion 24 covers the longitudinal and transverse arches of the foot of a person wearing the sock 10. The ball portion 26 covers the metatarsals of the foot of a person wearing the sock 10.

[0029] The sock 10 of the present invention includes modifications to one or more of the heel portion 14, the arch portion 24 and the ball portion 26. In particular, one or more of those portions of the sock 10 include a friction reducing feature or configuration that facilitates the passage of a foot covered by the sock 10 into footwear. It is to be understood that the sock 10 shown in FIGS. 1-5 is a representative illustration and is not intended to limit the sock 10 to the relative dimensions shown. For example, the leg portion 12 may be shorter or longer than illustrated without deviating from the relevant features of the invention. The sock 10 is fabricated of materials selected to enhance all features of the sock 10, not limited to reduced friction in the heel portion 14, the arch portion 24 and the ball portion 26. Further, the materials used to make the sock 10 are configured in a way that facilitates such enhancement. The sock 10 may be formed into shape in a conventional manner of the type generally used by those skilled in the art of sock manufacture ordinarily employ, whether manually, such as by sewing, or by machine, such as by knitting, but not limited thereto.

[0030] The sock 10 is fabricated using one or more yarns made of fibers that enhance thermal regulation and moisture management through wicking, drying, thermal insulation and, optionally, anti-microbial characteristics, in addition to its fabrication to reduce friction at least at one or more of the heel portion 14, the arch portion 24 and the ball portion 26. The fibers that aid in thermal regulation and moisture management include manmade and natural fibers, such as polyester, nylon, polypropylene, cotton, wool, alpaca and blends thereof. Specifically, the sock 10 is made with fibers that facilitate wicking, such as hydrophobic fibers, hollow fibers or a combination of the two, particularly at the inner surface of the sock 10 where it contacts the skin. The fibers that facilitate wicking are made of polyethylene, polypropylene, or a combination thereof. The fibers may also be blends and may include natural fibers including, but not limited to, cotton. The fibers may be shaped, textured, or configured with substantial non-round perimeter features, such as a Y-shaped or an X-shaped fiber, for example. Anti-microbial elements, such as reconstruction of Gold and Silver particles that are bound together can be applied to the fibers and, due to the attraction properties of Gold through mechanical and molecular bonding to the fibers, aid in moisture management that minimize contamination of the sock 10. That bonding of the anti-microbial elements to the sock fibers remains in place through a plurality of iterations of washing and drying of the sock 10. The sock 10 also includes fibers that facilitate drying after passage from the inner surface to an interior of the sock, such as hydrophilic fibers, for example. Hollow fibers can be used to transport moisture through the sock 10. Further, the fibers of the sock 10 are either formed or mechanically manipulated to establish interstices between adjacent ones. The yarns made of the fibers can also be mechanically manipulated, such as by weaving, peaching, needling, to establish entanglements of fibers thereof to create interstices as tortuous pathways that regulate progression of moisture through the sock 10 and thereby enhance comfort and minimize liquid contact with the skin of the wearer. In addition, one or more yarns used to make the sock 10 are treated with chitosan, a naturally occurring component of shellfish shells, for the purpose of reducing odor and aiding in moisture management. Further, the yarns are woven together in a gradient compression weave to improve blood flow of the wearer wherein less pressure is applied to the leg near the top of the sock and more pressure is applied near the ankle. These features of the sock 10 are combined with the friction reducing features as described herein in an integrated fashion so that the fibers for all qualities described are interspersed with one another to provide smooth transitions between regions of the sock 10 and ensure that desired characteristics are maintained, including after cleaning of the sock 10. Prior sock configurations that have applied friction-reducing elements attached to the sock primarily, as well as treatments to the sock, such as chemical sprays, wear off after periodic washing and drying. The sock 10 of the present invention maintains desired qualities through many cycles of washing and drying because the desired characteristics are in the fibers themselves as well as the established pathways within sock 10.

[0031] At least one of the heel portion 14, the arch portion 24 and the ball portion 26 is specifically fabricated with one or more low-friction fibers forming all or a portion of those regions of the sock 10. The one or more low-friction fibers may be any manmade or natural fibers having a coefficient of friction less than the coefficient of friction of the remainder of the material used to make the sock 10. The low-friction fibers may be selected from, but are not limited to, silicone, nylon, polyethylene and polypropylene fibers. The low-friction fibers form a low-friction yarn, or at least a portion of a yarn that includes such fibers. As stated above, the low-friction fibers/yarns are integrated, that is, interspersed, with the other fibers or yarns of the material(s) described herein used to establish characteristics of the sock 10 that include the thermal regulation and moisture management associated with wicking, drying and thermal integrity, as well as optional anti-microbial functionality. The different areas may be stitched together or woven together so that they are joined together in a way that minimizes the possibility of separation. Mechanical manipulation of the sock 10 components integrated together before forming the sock shape, such as by needling or peaching, is used to establish tortuous pathways within the sock 10 that enhance one or more of the characteristics described.

[0032] In an embodiment of the sock 10, at least one of the heel portion 14, the arch portion 24 and the ball portion 26 is fabricated to have a material thickness that is less than the thickness of the material of the sock 10 in the remaining portions of the sock 10. The reduced thickness feature may be accomplished by transitioning from the conventional material of the remainder of the sock 10 in a gradual manner to a selectable reduced thickness at one or more of the heel portion 14, the arch portion 24 and the ball portion 26. The material of the reduced thickness portions may be formed of the same or a different material as that of the conventional material. In one example of this embodiment of the sock 10, the leg portion 12, the instep portion 16, the foot portion 18, the toe portion 20 and the sole portion 22 may be fabricated with a thickness of about 1/16-inch while one or more of the heel portion 14, the arch portion 24 and the ball portion 26 may be fabricated with a thickness of about 1/32-inch. The differential of thickness is not limited thereto and may be selected dependent upon the frictional characteristics of the conventional material and the material used to make one or more of the heel portion 14, the arch portion 24 and the ball portion 26. As indicated, the transition of the thickness change may be gradual, but it may alternatively be stepped.

[0033] The present invention may also combine the sock 10 or a conventional sock with a separate component that may be applied to a convention sock to reduce the frictional characteristics of the conventional sock. A sling 50 of the present invention suitable for that purpose is shown in FIG. 6. The sling 50 includes a heel section 52, an arch section 54 and a ball section 56. The sling 50 is arranged for placement on a conventional sock. It may be affixed to the sock or it may be removable from the sock. The heel section 52, the arch section 54 and the ball section 56 are joined together such as by string, threading, elastic material or the like selected to enable the sling 50 to be. placed on a foot or on a sock so that the heel section 52 is aligned with the heel of a person, the arch section 54 is aligned with the upper arch of a person's foot and the ball section 56 is aligned with the ball of the foot when placed on the foot or a sock covering the foot. Tab 58 attached to the heel section 52 enables the user to manipulate the sling 50, such as when it is retained inside footwear. The materials used for the sling 50 sections may be any of those of the friction reducing portions of the sock 10 identified above. When the sling 50 is applied to a sock, it will give an appearance similar to that of the sock 10 of FIGS. 1-5.

[0034] An outer footwear 100 of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. The outer footwear 100 includes an upper 102, an outer heel 104, an interior heel 106, an outsole 108, an insole 110, an outer instep portion 112, an interior instep portion 114, an outer toe portion 116 and an interior toe portion 118. The interior instep portion 114 includes a top arch portion 120 and the insole 110 includes a ball portion 122. The interior heel 106 contacts the heel of the foot of a person wearing the outer footwear 100. The top arch portion 120 contacts the longitudinal and transverse arches of the foot of a person wearing the footwear 100. The ball portion 122 contacts the metatarsals of the foot of a person wearing the footwear 100.

[0035] The footwear 100 of the present invention includes modifications to one or more of the interior heel 106, the top arch portion 120 and the ball portion 122. In particular, one or more of those portions of the footwear 100 include a friction reducing feature or configuration that facilitates the passage of a foot into the footwear 100. It is to be understood that the footwear 100 shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 is a representative illustration and is not intended to limit the footwear 100 to the particular configuration shown. For example, the upper 102 may be shorter or longer than illustrated without deviating from the relevant features of the invention. The footwear 100 may be fabricated of a wide range of materials in a wide range of shapes and sizes with those portions of the footwear 100 other than at least one of the interior heel 106, the top arch portion 120 and the ball portion 122 fabricated of one or more conventional materials and in a conventional manner of the type generally used by those skilled in the art of footwear manufacture ordinarily employ, whether manually or by machine.

[0036] In a first embodiment of the footwear 100, at least one of the interior heel 106, the top arch portion 120 and the ball portion 122 is fabricated with a low-friction material applied to a portion or substantially all of the surface of such one or more portions. The low-friction material may be a viscoelastic material or a non-viscoelastic material having a low coefficient of friction. For example, the material may be silicone. Alternatively, the low-friction material may be a spray-on material adhered to the interior surface of the footwear 100 at one or more of the interior heel 106, the top arch portion 120 and the ball portion 122. The spray-on material may be a Teflon spray material but not limited thereto. The low-friction material may also come in a tape form that may be attached to the interior of the footwear 100 at one or more desired locations. The low-friction material applied to the interior of the footwear 100 at one or more of the indicated portions may also be a metallic or a nonmetallic material selected for a coefficient of friction that is less than the remainder of the material used to make the interior of the footwear 100.

[0037] In a second embodiment of the footwear 100, at least one of the interior heel 106, the top arch portion 120 and the ball portion 122 is fabricated with one or more fibers coated with a low-friction material applied to a portion or substantially all of the outer surface of such fibers. The low-friction material may be a viscoelastic material or a non-viscoelastic material having a low coefficient of friction. For example, the material may be silicone. The fibers that are coated may be any manmade or natural fibers. The fibers may be selected from, but are not limited to, cotton and wool. The fibers may also be silicone fibers. The coated fibers may be integrated, that is, interspersed, with the other materials used to make the interior of the footwear 100 in the areas where the low-friction coated fibers are located.

[0038] In a third embodiment of the footwear 100, at least one of the interior heel 106, the top arch portion 120 and the ball portion 122 is fabricated with one or more low-friction fibers. The one or more low-friction fibers may be any manmade or natural fibers having a coefficient of friction less than the coefficient of friction of the remainder of the material used to make the interior of the footwear 100. The low-friction fibers may be selected from, but are not limited to, silicone, nylon, polyethylene and polypropylene fibers. Other viscoelastic and non-viscoelastic materials may be selected for that purpose. The fibers may; be integrated, that is, interspersed, with the materials used to make the remainder of the interior of the footwear 100.

[0039] In a fourth embodiment of the footwear 100, at least one of the interior heel 106, the top arch portion 120 and the ball portion 122 is fabricated to have a material thickness that is less than the thickness of the material of the adjacent portions of the interior of the footwear 100. The reduced thickness feature may be accomplished by transitioning from the material of the remainder of the interior of the footwear 100 in a gradual manner to a selectable reduced thickness at one or more of the interior heel 106, the top arch portion 120 and the ball portion 122. The material of the reduced thickness portions may be formed of the same or a different material as that of the conventional material. In one example of this embodiment of the footwear 100, the insole 110, the interior instep portion and the interior toe portion 118 may be fabricated with a thickness of about 1/16-inch while one or more of the interior heel 106, the top arch portion 120 and the ball portion 120 may be fabricated with a thickness of about 1/32-inch. The differential of thickness is not limited thereto and may be selected dependent upon the frictional characteristics of the conventional material and the material used to make one or more of the interior heel 106, the top arch portion 120 and the ball portion 122. As indicated, the transition of the thickness change may be gradual, but it may alternatively be stepped.

[0040] It is to be noted that the sock 10 and the footwear 100 may be used separately or in combination. Further, the sling 50 may be used with either or both of the sock 10 and the footwear 100.

[0041] The present invention has been described with respect to various example embodiments. Nevertheless, it is to be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. All equivalents are deemed to fall within the scope of this description of the invention.