Hosiery with foot cushions

Abstract

A hosiery product, such as a sock, footie, trouser sock or panty hose, includes and inner layer of hosiery material, such as nylon or spandex covering the bottom and top surfaces of the wearer's foot, and outer layer of similar hosiery material, and at least one cushion section disposed between the inner and outer layers. The cushion sections include an elevated cushioning material that conforms to the contours of the wearers foot, such as macro-gel activated support discs or memory foam. The ball of foot cushion sections are elevated attached circles, arch and heel cushions. All layers are attached.

Claims

1. A hosiery product comprising: an inner layer of hosiery material adapted to cover bottom and top surfaces of a wearer's foot; an outer layer of reinforced hosiery material adapted to cover bottom and top surfaces of a wearer's foot; an elevated cushion support layer comprising a cushioning material disposed between the inner layer of hosiery material and the outer layer of reinforced hosiery material, wherein the elevated cushion support layer is adapted to cushion a metatarsal ball region, an arch region, and a heel region of the bottom surface of the wearer's foot; the elevated cushion support layer comprises a plurality of elevated circle cushions that increase in size from the lateral to the medial side of a wearer's foot and are connected to one another on at least one side of the plurality of elevated circle cushions; the plurality of elevated cushions comprises at least one material from the group consisting of viscoelastic support gel, macro-gel activated support discs, memory foam, gel memory foam, or latex foam; and, a padding layer located between the elevated cushion support layer and the outer layer of reinforced hosiery material which is adapted to support the bottom surface of a wearer's foot.

2. The hosiery product according to claim 1, wherein the elevated cushion support layer is permanently attached to the inner layer of hosiery material.

3. The hosiery product according to claim 1, wherein the elevated cushion support layer is attached by at least one attachment means selected from the group consisting of sewing, stitching, knitting, weaving and stamping.

4. The hosiery product according to claim 1, wherein the elevated cushion support layer comprises latex foam.

5. The hosiery product according to claim 1, wherein the inner layer of hosiery material and the outer layer of reinforced hosiery material comprise at least one material selected from the group consisting of nylon and spandex.

6. The hosiery product according to claim 1, wherein the padding layer is positioned to support the elevated cushion support layer.

7. The hosiery product according to claim 1, wherein the hosiery product is selected from the group consisting of a sock, a footie, a knee high and a pantyhose.

8. The hosiery product according to claim 7, wherein the sock is selected from the group consisting of a cushion sock and a trouser sock.

9. The hosiery product according to claim 1, wherein the elevated cushion support layer of the hosiery product is adapted to extend to the extremity of a user's toes in order to provide comfort to the entire foot of said user.

10. The hosiery product according to claim 9, wherein the elevated cushion support layer of the hosiery product is adapted to stop at the bend of the toes of the user.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a bottom plan view of a sock material layer according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;

(2) FIG. 2 is a side view;

(3) FIG. 3 is a bottom view of FIG. 1 with the support layer;

(4) FIG. 4 is side view of FIG. 1;

(5) FIG. 5 is a bottom view of a padding layer according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;

(6) FIG. 6 is a side view of a cushion sock according to preferred embodiment of the invention;

(7) FIG. 7 is a bottom view of all layers attached to hosiery;

(8) FIG. 8 is a side perspective view of pantyhose according to the invention;

(9) FIG. 9 is a close up side view of all layers attached of the panty hose of FIG. 7;

(10) FIG. 10 is a bottom view of trouser socks with support layer,

(11) FIG. 11 is a side view of trouser socks with support layer;

(12) FIG. 12 is a bottom view of footies and cushion with support layer;

(13) FIG. 13 is side view of footies with support layer and

(14) FIG. 14 is a side view of cushion socks side view;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION AND BEST MODE

(15) A hosiery product according to a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 1-6 and shown generally at reference numeral 10. The hosiery product 10 can be a sock 10 comprised of an inner layer 412 an outer layer 432, and an elevated cushion layer at the ball of foot 420 positioned intermediate the inner layer 412 and outer layer 432. The cushion layer 420 comprises a plurality of sections 21, 22, 23.

(16) The inner and outer layers 412, 432 are comprised of nylon or other elastic material suitable for hosiery, such as spandex. The cushion sections 21, 22, 23 comprise an elevated cushioning material capable of adapting to body contours. Preferably the cushioning material is comprised of a viscoelastic support gel, such as the macro-gel support discs sold by Serta, Inc. under the mark PODS or the gel sold by Serta, Inc. under the mark MICROSUPPORT. Preferably the cushioning material is substantially non-collapsible so that it does not collapse when supporting the weight of a person for extended periods of time. Alternatively, the cushion sections 21, 22, 23 can be comprised of viscoelastic polyurethane foam, known commonly as memory foam. The cushion material can also be comprised of gel memory foam. Alternatively, the cushioning material can be comprised of latex foam, such as BIOH Gel Latex sold by Cargill, Inc.

(17) The elevated cushions sections 21, 22, 23 are encased by the inner and outer layers 412, 432, and permanently attached to the sock 10. The cushion sections 21, 22, 23 can be sewn to the inner layer 412 or attached by other suitable means such as knitting or weaving. Alternatively, the elevated cushion sections 21, 22, 23 can be attached using a stamping method. Each cushion section 21, 22, 23 can include a fabric pouch containing the elevated support gel, and the fabric pouch can be attached to the inner layer 412.

(18) In an alternative embodiment, the elevated cushion sections 21, 22, 23 can be attached to the outer layer 432. In yet another alternative embodiment, the cushion sections 21, 22, 23 can be attached to both the inner layer 412 and outer layer 432.

(19) The cushion sections 21, 22, 23 are positioned in the sock 10 to support the specific pressure points of the wearer's foot. As shown in FIG. 3, one cushion section 21 is shaped, elevated and positioned to cushion the ball of foot, metatarsals. The second elevated cushion section 22 is shaped, elevated and positioned to cushion the arch of the wearers foot, and the third elevated cushion section 23 is shaped and positioned to cushion the heel. As such, the cushion sections 21, 22, 23 provide elevated support and cushioning at the most critical and common areas of foot pain and pressure. The gel activated support material of the cushion sections 21, 22, 23 adapt to the contours of the wearer's foot.

(20) The thin layer of the support materials adapted to the wearer's foot that extend to the extremity of the toes to provide comfort to the entire foot can be stopped at the bend of the toes.

(21) The cushion sections 21, 22, 23 are completely and securely attached to the sock 10, such as by sewing, knitting or weaving. By so integrally attaching the cushion sections 21, 22, 23 to the sock 10, stray particles are prevented from entering and ruining the fabric of the sock 10, stray particles are prevented from entering and ruining the fabric of the sock 10. As such, the wear and tear on the fabric that is typically caused by removing and interchanging the padding in prior art devices is avoided by the sock 10. The cushioning sections 21, 22, 23 stay securely in place under the wearer's foot and easily adjusts for a wide range of climatic conditions.

(22) The sock 10 can employed for general purpose and/or therapeutic applications. The sock 10 eliminates any need for a cushion/support insert typically positioned within a shoe. The cushioning material in the cushion sections 21, 22, 23 can be antimicrobial and/or hypoallergenic treated. In an alternative embodiment, the cushioning material can be inserted into a waterproof fabric and cut, weaved, stitched, knitted and placed into the sock.

(23) As illustrated in FIGS. 1-14, the design and construction of sock 10 can be incorporated into other hosiery products. For example, FIG. 13 shows a footie 100 according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. The footie 100 has elevated cushion sections 121, 122, 123, and is identical in construction as the above described sock 10. FIG. 14 shows a cushion sock 200 according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

(24) The cushion sock 200 includes elevated cushion sections 221, 222, 223, as shown in FIG. 14 and is identical in construction as the above described sock 10. FIG. 11 shows trouser socks 300, 300 includes elevated cushion sections 321, 322, 323, respectively, and are identical in construction as the above described sock 10.

(25) A hosiery product according to another preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 8-11, and shown generally at reference numeral 400. The hosiery product 400 comprises panty hose 400 comprising an inner material layer 412, a cushion support layer 420, a padding layer 430 and an outer reinforced layer 432. The cushion support layer 420 comprises a plurality of pinpointed elevated sphere or half shaped sphere cushions sections 421, 422, 423.

(26) The inner and outer layers 412, 432, are comprised of a flexible, breathable material and/or an elastic material, such as nylon or spandex. The cushion sections 421, 422, 423 comprise a cushioning material capable of adapting to body contours. Preferably, the cushioning material is comprised of a viscoelastic support gel, such as the macro-gel support discs sold by Serta, Inc. under the mark PODS or the gel sold by Serta, Inc. under the mark MICROSUPPORT. Preferably, the cushioning material is substantially non-collapsible so that it does not collapse when supporting the weight of a person for extended periods of time. Alternatively, the cushion sections 21, 22, 23 can be comprised of visco elastic polyurethane foam, known commonly as memory foam. Alternatively, the cushioning material can be comprised of latex foam, such as BIOH Gel Latex sold by Cargill, Inc.

(27) The reinforcing layer can be comprised of a hosiery material, such as breathable nylon, and provides additional strength to support the elevated cushion sections 421, 422, 423.

(28) The padding layer 430 can be omitted if the outer reinforced layer 432 comprises a sturdy or dense material.

(29) The cushion sections 421, 422, 423 are positioned intermediate the inner material layer 412 and the padding layer 430, and permanently attached to the panty hose 400. The cushions sections 421, 422, 423 can be sewn to the inner layer 412 or attached by other suitable means such as knitting or weaving.

(30) The cushion sections 421, 422, 423, are positioned at the bottom of the feet of the panty hose 400 to support specific pressure points of the wearer's foot. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, one cushion section 420 is elevated, shaped and positioned to cushion the balls of foot metatarsals.

(31) The second cushion section 422 is elevated, shaped and positioned to cushion the arch of the wearer's foot, and the third cushion section 423, is elevated, shaped and positioned to cushion the heel. As such the cushion sections 421, 422, 423 provide targeted elevated support and cushioning at the most critical areas of foot pain and pressure. The gel activated support material of the cushion sections 421, 422, 423 adapt to the contours of the wearer's foot.

(32) The cushions sections 421, 422, 423 can have the following preferred dimensions. The layer of support gel in the cushion section 421 positioned below the ball of the foot preferably has a thickness of about one-fourth to three-eighths inch. The support gel in the cushion section 422 positioned below the arch of the foot preferably has a thickness of about one-fourth to three-eighths inch. The support gel in the cushion section 422 positioned below the arch of the foot preferably has a thickness of about one-fourth to three-eighths inch. The layer of support gel in the cushion section 423 positioned below the heel of the foot preferably has a thickness of about one-eighth to one-fourth inch.

(33) The cushion sections 421, 422, 423 are completely and securely attached to the pantyhose 400, such as by sewing, knitting or weaving. By so integrally attaching the cushion sections 421, 422, 423 to the panty hose 400, stray particles are prevented from entering and ruining the fabric of the pantyhose 400. As such, the wear and tear on the fabric that is typically caused by removing and interchanging padding in prior art devices is avoided by the sock 400. The cushioning sections 421, 422, 423 stay securely in place under the wearer's foot and easily adjusts for a wide range of climatic conditions.

(34) The panty hose 400 can be employed for general purpose and/or therapeutic applications. The panty hose 400 eliminates any need for a cushion/support insert typically positioned within a shoe. The cushioning material in the cushion sections 421, 422, 423 can be antimicrobial and/or hypoallergenic treated. The four layer construction of the panty hose 400 can be incorporated into other hosiery products, such as socks, footies, cushion socks and trouser socks. In an alternative embodiment, the cushioning material can be inserted into a waterproof fabric and cut, weaved, stitched, knitted and placed into the pantyhose.

(35) A hosiery product and method of making same are described above. Various changes can be made to the invention without departing from its scope. The above description of the preferred embodiments and best mode of the invention are provided for the purpose of illustration only and not limitationthe invention being defined by the claims and equivalents thereof.