Abstract
The socks for receiving orthotic insoles are footwear adapted for holding orthotic insoles in environments where the wearer cannot wear shoes, such as in yoga studios, places of worship, and the like. Each sock includes a tubular body having a top side, a bottom side, a closed end and an open end. A pair of straps may be secured to the tubular body, and the pair of straps are sized, positioned and configured for wrapping around the wearer's ankle. At least one layer of frictionally engaging material is secured to the bottom side of the tubular body for frictionally engaging with the floor or a similar support surface. The interior of the tubular body is adapted for receiving an orthotic insole.
Claims
1. A sock for receiving orthotic insoles, comprising: a tubular body having a top side, a bottom side, a closed end and an open end, the top side having a pair of flaps adjacent the open end; a closure for releasably closing the pair of flaps; at least one layer of frictionally engaging material secured to the bottom side of the tubular body, the at least one layer of frictionally engaging material being adapted for frictionally engaging with a floor; a retainer secured within the tubular body, wherein the retainer comprises a pair of straps, each of the straps having a heel end secured to a rim of the open end of the tubular body, wherein an interior of the tubular body is adapted for receiving an orthotic insole, and wherein the retainer is adapted for releasably holding the orthotic insole.
2. The sock for receiving orthotic insoles as recited in claim 1, further comprising an elastic band secured within the tubular body adjacent the open end.
3. The sock for receiving orthotic insoles as recited in claim 1, wherein the closure comprises a zipper.
4. The sock for receiving orthotic insoles as recited in claim 1, wherein each of the straps of the retainer has a wire embedded therein.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
(1) FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a sock for receiving orthotic insoles.
(2) FIG. 1B is a bottom view of the sock for receiving orthotic insoles.
(3) FIG. 2A is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the sock for receiving orthotic insoles.
(4) FIG. 2B is a top view of the sock for receiving orthotic insoles of FIG. 2A.
(5) FIG. 2C is a bottom view of the sock for receiving orthotic insoles of FIG. 2A.
(6) FIG. 3A is a perspective view of another alternative embodiment of the sock for receiving orthotic insoles.
(7) FIG. 3B is a top view of the sock for receiving orthotic insoles of FIG. 3A.
(8) FIG. 3C is a bottom view of the sock for receiving orthotic insoles of FIG. 3A.
(9) Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
(10) The socks for receiving orthotic insoles are footwear adapted for holding orthotic insoles in environments where the wearer cannot wear shoes, such as in yoga studios, places of worship, and the like. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1A and 1B, each sock 10 includes a tubular body 12 having a top side 14, a bottom side 16, a closed end 18 and an open end 20. Although only a single sock 10 is shown, it should be understood that socks are typically provided in pairs and that an identical sock may be provided with the illustrated sock 10. It should be further understood that the overall style, size and relative dimensions of sock 10 is shown for exemplary purposes and may be varied in a manner well-known in the manufacture of socks and other apparel. It should be further understood that the tubular body 12 may be made out of any suitable material, as is well-known in the field of sock manufacture.
(11) A pair of straps 26, 28 are secured to the tubular body 12, and the pair of straps 26, 28 are sized, positioned and configured for wrapping around the wearer's ankle. It should be understood that the overall size, shape and relative dimensions of the pair of straps 26, 28 are shown for exemplary purposes only. As shown in FIG. 1B, at least one layer of frictionally engaging material is secured to the bottom side 16 of the tubular body 12 for frictionally engaging with the floor or a similar support surface. Although a pair of strips 32, 34 are shown, it should be understood that the layer of frictionally engaging material may have any desired size and shape and may be provided in any number of individual strips or other portions of the layer. It should be further understood that any suitable type of gripping material, such as rubber or the like, may be used. Returning to FIG. 1A, the interior of the tubular body 12 is adapted for receiving an orthotic insole 30. The open end 20 of the tubular body 12 may be defined by a fabric rim 22, and the fabric rim 22 may have an elastic band 24 embedded therein for securing the fabric rim 22 about the ankle of the wearer.
(12) In the embodiment of FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C, each sock 100 similarly includes a tubular body 112 having a top side 114, a bottom side 116, a closed end 118 and an open end 120. A pair of straps 126, 128 is secured to the tubular body 112, and the pair of straps 126, 128 are sized, positioned and configured for wrapping around the wearer's ankle. Although straps 126, 128 are shown having different dimensions and different positions than straps 26, 28 of the previous embodiment, it should be understood that the overall size, shape, relative dimensions and positioning of the pair of straps 126, 128 are shown for exemplary purposes only. A closure, such as a hook and loop fastener 102, 104, as a non-limiting example, may be provided for releasably securing the pair of straps 126, 128 to one another. It should be understood that any suitable type of closure or fastener may be used. Additionally, each of the straps 126, 128 may have a wire 106, 108, respectively, embedded therein for holding a desired shape of the straps 126, 128 and/or providing additional support for the wearer's ankle.
(13) As shown in FIG. 2B, a retainer 110 may be secured within the tubular body 112 for releasably holding the orthotic insole 30. Although retainer 110 is shown as a fabric strip with a wire 112 embedded therein, it should be understood that any suitable type of retainer may be used for releasably securing orthotic insole 30 within the sock 100 and preventing its movement when the sock 100 is worn.
(14) As shown in FIG. 2C, at least one layer of frictionally engaging material is secured to the bottom side 116 of the tubular body 112 for frictionally engaging with the floor or a similar support surface. Although the layer 124 is shown as a plurality of dots made from, for example, rubber or the like, it should be understood that the layer of frictionally engaging material may have any desired size and shape and may be provided in any suitable overall configuration. It should be further understood that any suitable type of gripping material, such as rubber or the like, may be used.
(15) In the alternative embodiment of FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C, the sock for receiving orthotic insoles 200 also includes a tubular body 212 having a top side 214, a bottom side 216, a closed end 218 and an open end 220. However, as shown in FIG. 3A, the top side 214 has a pair of flaps 204, 206 adjacent the open end 220. A closure 202, such as a zipper, as a non-limiting example, is provided for releasably closing the pair of flaps 204, 206. It should be understood that any suitable type of releasable fastener may be used. The interior of the tubular body 212 is adapted for receiving an orthotic insole 30. Additionally, an elastic band 208 may be secured within the tubular body 212 adjacent the open end 220 for securing the wearer's ankle.
(16) For purposes of clarity and illustration, FIG. 3B shows the sock 200 without the elastic band 208. As shown, a retainer may be secured within the tubular body 212 for releasably holding the orthotic insole 30. In the non-limiting example of FIG. 3B, the retainer includes two straps 210, 222. Each of the straps may have a wire 224, 226, respectively, embedded therein for maintaining a shape and position of the straps 210, 222 when the sock 200 is worn. It should be understood that the size, shape, relative dimensions and positioning of the straps 210, 222 are shown for exemplary purposes and may be varied. Similarly, although two straps are illustrated, it should be understood that any suitable number of straps, including a single strap, may be used to secure the orthotic insole 30 within the tubular body 212.
(17) As shown in FIG. 3C, similar to the previous embodiments, at least one layer of frictionally engaging material is secured to the bottom side 216 of the tubular body 212 for frictionally engaging with the floor or a similar support surface. Although the layer 225 is shown as a plurality of dots made from, for example, rubber or the like, it should be understood that the layer of frictionally engaging material may have any desired size and shape and may be provided in any suitable overall configuration. It should be further understood that any suitable type of gripping material, such as rubber or the like, may be used.
(18) It is to be understood that the socks for receiving orthotic insoles are not limited to the specific embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the generic language of the following claims enabled by the embodiments described herein, or otherwise shown in the drawings or described above in terms sufficient to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the claimed subject matter.
