AU750588B2

AU750588B2 - Sock

Info

Publication number: AU750588B2
Application number: AU12200/99A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Helen Boag; Paul Palmer
Original assignee: Pacific Brands Clothing Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Pacific Brands Clothing Pty Ltd
Priority date: 1997-11-20
Filing date: 1998-11-20
Publication date: 2002-07-25
Anticipated expiration: 2018-11-20
Also published as: AU1220099A

Description

WO 99/26498 PCT/AU98/00966 1

SOCK

Field of the Invention This invention relates to a sock. In particular, the invention relates to a sock intended to reduce any discomfort to the wearer.

Background to the Invention Recently socks have been specifically designed for sportswear and other leisure activities. In particular, socks for those who frequently walk long distances have been sold. These are especially useful for bushwalking. Socks designed for this purpose are generally thicker than conventional socks so as to cushion the wearer's feet when, for example, they are walking long distances and also to remove moisture from the skin and to allow that moisture to be absorbed by the shoe or boot. Typically the socks are designed in such a manner that the thickness of the sock is uniform throughout the sock. This provides comfort to not only the soles of the feet, but also around the top of the feet and around the ankles. The increased thickness of the sock also provides insulation for the feet in cold climates. Socks such as these have the disadvantage that they do not allow sufficient room for the feet to spread in the sides of the shoe and can cause discomfort to the wearer.

It is therefore an object of the invention to reduce the discomfort caused by the feet spreading against the sides of a shoe or boot, while providing comfort to the tops and soles of the feet.

CD98267008.7 S PCT/AU98/00866 Received 15 September 1999 2 Brief Summary of the Invention The invention accordingly provides a sock including: an ankle portion; and a foot portion having a top, sole, toe section, heel section and two sides; wherein the foot portion includes a portion of reduced thickness compared with the remainder of the foot portion, the portion of reduced thickness extending along the length of the foot portion, from the toe section to the heel section, on at least one side of the foot section..

In a preferred embodiment, the portion of reduced thickness extends along both sides of the foot section.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the transverse width of the portion of reduced thickness comprises between 15% and 25% of the outer circumference of the foot, measured approximately midway between the toe section and heel. Preferably, the transverse width of the reduced thickness portion is in the range of 18 22% of the outer circumference of the foot section.

Advantageously, the portion of reduced thickness forms part of the exterior surface of the sock. That is, the thickness of the sock is reduced on the inner surface of the sock.

Preferably the portion of reduced thickness is formed from the same material as the outer surface of the remainder of the sock, but it may be a different material. In a particularly preferred embodiment the portion of reduced thickness is of a different weave.

The sock may be made from wool, nylon, cotton, or any similar material.

SPreferably the portion of reduced thickness is slightly elastic. Advantageously, it is )7 r PC AMENDED SHEE

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WO 99/26498 PCT/AU98/00966 3 elastic in two directions.

Brief Description of Drawings The invention will now be described by way of non-limitative example, with reference to the accompanying illustrative drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a sock in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the foot section of the sock shown in Figure 1.

Descriptions of Preferred Embodiment The sock 10 illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 has a foot section 11 and a leg section 12. The foot section 11 of the sock 10 includes a top 13, sole 17, toe section 14, heel section 20, and sides 15,16. As shown in Figure 2, the inside of the sock 10 has a thickness 18, except at the sides 15,16 of the sock 10 where region 22 of reduced thickness is provided. The thickness of the sock 10 is otherwise uniform throughout the sock 10 and extends to the top 19 of the leg section 12 as shown in Figure 1. The sole 17 of the sock may be provided with extra thickness to increase cushioning to the sole of the foot.

In use, the thickness throughout the sock 10 provides comfort to the wearers feet, with the region 22 of reduced thickness allowing the parts of the foot section 11 to spread, and the foot of a wearer (not shown) to fit comfortably within the sock 10 even when in a shoe or boot.

The region 22 extends from the inner end of toe section 14 to the inner end of heel section 20, although it may be of lesser length if desired. The region 22 is made of the same material as the exterior surface 23 of the sock 10, as many socks are made in two layers of different material. In this way the material of the inner surface 21 does not extend for the region 22.

WO 99/26498 PCT/AU98/00966 4 Although of the same material as the exterior surface 23, the region 22 is preferably of a different weave to allow greater elasticity for the region 22 in both the longitudinal and lateral directions. The weave of region 22 may be such that when worn it is relatively open, and preferably allows increased air flow to the foot of the wearer, and further allows for increased air circulation. The region 22 may be a single layer or multi-layer. Preferably it has two layers. The region 22 may be integral with exterior surface 22, or may be separately made and inserted.

The region 22 is of sufficient height so that when worn it will be along the sides of the foot of a wearer. It may therefore be 5%-25% of the total circumference of the sock 10 at the mid-point between toe section 14 and heel section 20. Preferably, the region 22 is in the range of 18%-22% of that circumference. In that way, the region 22 is along the side of the foot of a wearer when in a boot or shoe. That allows for the foot to spread over a period of time without of necessity increasing the pressure on the sides of the foot by the shoe or boot. It also allows the sock 10 to have an increased ability to stretch to accommodate feet of differing circumferences, and for the natural swelling of the feet.

Although the sock 10 of the invention is illustrated in one particular form, the principals of the invention can be applied to any type of sock, with the exception of thin single-layer socks.

It will be understood that the invention disclosed and defined herein extends to all alternative combinations of two or more of the individual features mentioned or evident from the text or drawings. All of these different combinations constitute various alternative aspects of the invention.

It will also be understood that where the term "comprises" or its grammatical variants, is employed herein, it is equivalent to the term "includes" and is not to be taken as excluding the presence of other elements or features.

Claims

1. A sock including:

a foot portion;

an ankle portion;

wherein a part of the foot portion along a part of at least one side thereof has a reduced thickness compared with the remainder of the sock.

2. A sock according to claim 1 , wherein the foot portion has a top, sole, toe section, heel section, and two sides.

3. A sock according to claim 2, wherein the portion of reduced thickness extends along the length of the foot portion from the toe section to the heel section on at least one side of the foot section.

4. A sock according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the portion of reduced thickness extends along both sides of the foot section.

5. A sock according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the transverse width of the portion of reduced thickness is between 15% and 25% of the outer circumference of the foot, measured approximately midway between the toe section and heel.

6. A sock according to claim 5, wherein the transverse width of the reduced thickness portion is in the range of 18 - 22% of the outer circumference of the foot section.

7. A sock according to any preceding claim, wherein the portion of reduced thickness forms part of the exterior surface of the sock.

8. A sock according to any preceding claim, wherein the portion of reduced thickness is formed from the same material as the outer surface of the rest of the sock.

9. A sock according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the portion of reduced thickness is formed from a different material to the outer surface of the rest of the sock.

10. A sock according to any preceding claim, wherein the portion of reduced thickness is of a different weave to the remainder of the sock.

11. A sock according to claim 10, wherein the different weave is a more open weave.

12. A sock according to any preceding claim, wherein the sock is made from wool, nylon, cotton, or any similar material.

13. A sock according to any preceding claim, wherein the portion of reduced thickness is slightly elastic.

14. A sock according to any preceding claim, wherein the portion of reduced thickness is elastic in two directions.

15. A sock substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.