Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A41—WEARING APPAREL
  • A41B—SHIRTS; UNDERWEAR; BABY LINEN; HANDKERCHIEFS
  • A41B11/00—Hosiery; Panti-hose
  • A41B11/02—Reinforcements
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A41—WEARING APPAREL
  • A41B—SHIRTS; UNDERWEAR; BABY LINEN; HANDKERCHIEFS
  • A41B2400/00—Functions or special features of shirts, underwear, baby linen or handkerchiefs not provided for in other groups of this subclass
  • A41B2400/20—Air permeability; Ventilation
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A41—WEARING APPAREL
  • A41B—SHIRTS; UNDERWEAR; BABY LINEN; HANDKERCHIEFS
  • A41B2400/00—Functions or special features of shirts, underwear, baby linen or handkerchiefs not provided for in other groups of this subclass
  • A41B2400/34—Functions or special features of shirts, underwear, baby linen or handkerchiefs not provided for in other groups of this subclass antimicrobial or antibacterial

Definitions

• the invention relates to a sock and more particularly to a sock designed to cushion the foot in particular locations around the foot of a wearer.
• socks to protect a wearer's feet from the cold is well known.
• the use of socks for specific purposes such as sports is also well known.
• elastic is often placed in particular parts of the sock to hold the sock up so that it does not fall down and become uncomfortable to the wearer.
• the placing of elastic in key areas of the sock creates benefits such as improved foot support and protection. If a sock locks onto the foot and does not move around during wear, and the base yarn absorbs and wicks moisture to keep your foot dry then this combination will prevent shearing of the foot. This is where the fabric of a sock in combination with perspiration rubs on the foot, causing abrasion that leads to blisters.
• abrasiveness of socks can have serious consequences in people suffering from various illnesses and injuries. It would be useful for such people to be able to use a sock that went some way to reducing the stress and abrasiveness of a sock in particular locations around the foot to thus ease the tension at various points on the foot.
• the invention provides a sock comprising cushioning and plain knit zones strategically located around the sock such that in use the foot of the wearer of the sock is protected from abrasion, friction, compression and reduction of undue pressure forces to the dorsal region of the foot.
• the invention provides a sock that comprises cushioning to the medial and lateral aspects of the dorsal surface of the foot at the tarsal and midtarsal joint regions.
• the sock also includes no cushioning on the most superior aspect of the dorsal tarsus of the foot.
• the sock further including one or more mesh zones.
• the sock further includes one or more positional markers.
• the sock is particularly useful for people with diabetes.
• the invention provides a sock that comprises cushioning on either side of the dorsal region of the foot of a wearer and no cushioning on the superior - most aspect of the dorsal tarsus, in the region of the underlying dorsalis pedis pulse, on top of the foot of the wearer.
• the sock also includes an Elastic Support System (ESS). Elastic is knitted throughout the sock except in the toe or heel pockets of the sock to provide the foot support and comfort needed. There is preferably elastic in the heel area.
• ESS Elastic Support System
• the Elastic Support System High stretch elastic is strategically knitted throughout the sock to provide close fit for support, comfort and protection. There is no bunching or ride down— the sock locks onto a wearer's foot and leg, with minimal compression. In this sock, elastic is knitted totally throughout the sock except for the heel and toe pocket.
• the ESS system locks the sock to the foot so the sock stays in place when the wearer is walking, running or the like, and reduces the chances of shearing (friction blistering). Blister avoidance is particularly important for diabetics.
• the sock includes other areas on top of the foot where cushioning is lacking to reduce bulk and thus make the sock suitable for dress footwear.
• Preferably plain knit or mesh knit ventilation zones are inserted into the sock to aid breathability and to prevent compression.
• Mesh zones can also be used to improve the fit and comfort around the exposed metatarsals in the forefoot.
• ribs are included in the sock to allow temperature control.
• a special high stretch elasticated 1x1 rib top may be placed on the top of the sock to make the sock easy to put on for people with diabetes. This feature also reduces compression at the ankle region which can impact on venous return, compress capillaries to the skin at the ankle region and exacerbate the formation of oedema in the lower limb and foot, when blood flow is restricted.
• the sock can be knitted with pure merino wool in a way that provides all the benefits mat merino wool has to offer with nylon and nylon/lycra used for shape retention, durability and reinforcing.
• the sock can include highlighted contrast colour protection pads on the exposed metatarsals to indicate that these areas of concern have been noted in the development of the sock.
• the sock preferably further includes positional markers that remind the wearer to correctly align the sock on each foot by checking the position of the markers relative to the anatomy of the foot.
• the sock can include anatomical flex shaping through a plain knit panel in that area of the sock.
• the bulk of the sock can be reduced by selectively removing cushioning where it is not required.
• the metatarsals and metatarsophalangeal joints can be further highlighted by the contrast pads being re-positioned distally towards the toe region of the foot. Further aspects of the invention will become apparent having regard to the following description.
• Figure 1 shows many features of the invention.
• the sock includes a double cuff (2) of high stretch elastic for comfort and ease of fit.
• the sock also includes non-terry (4) to reduce bulk and minimize compression.
• the Y heel (6) is designed for ergonomic shaping for an improved fit.
• the lateral (5 th Metatarso-phalangeal joint) and medial (1 st Metatarso-phalangeal joint) metatarsal heads (8) are protected by loop pile cushioning pads.
• the socks are designed for left and right feet (10) as the positioning of the longitudinal plantar arch and dorsalis pedis artery is different between each foot.
• the methods of toe closure used are to provide non irritating seams reducing any discomfort over the toes (12).
• Figure 1 also shows the cushioning positioned to protect the bony prominences of the dorsal tarsus and to deflect pressure away from the dorsalis pedis artery of the foot (14). This shows the area or pad (14) which provides a U-shaped double thickness pad positioned on the upper (dorsal) aspect of the foot.
• This double density cushioning area (14) is an additional advantage to a
• the dorsal U-shaped pad or area (14) is designed to provide a form—fitting feature that deflects (or re-directs or redistributes) compressive and shearing forces away from the natural bony prominences that feature on the top (dorsal or upper aspects) of the foot, particularly over the tarsal and midtarsal regions dorsally.
• this area as being an area frequently injured, with the thin skin that overlies the bony prominences rendered vulnerable and frequently prone to mechanical insult.
• the dorsal U-shaped protective area or pad (14) is preferably highlighted by a contrasting mark (17).
• the highlighted mark (17) is a positional marker and identifies the superficial positioning of the Dorsalis Pedis artery as it lies in the same region and also provides an opportunistic promotion and reminder of the essential requirement to check the underlying pulse in the management and screening of diabetes-related foot pathologies, particularly as they pertain to the circulation to the foot.
• Figure 2 shows the underneath (plantar) view of the sock. This shows the cushioned area (18) of the sock to provide comfort and foot protection and the ribs and mesh (20) that facilitate temperature control and moisture management. Also shown is region (21) which shows the anatomically shaped footbed, it is preferred that this region (21) lacks cushioning.
• Figure 3 shows a front perspective view of the sock of the invention.
• Figure 3 shows the U-shaped cushioning region (14). It also shows the position of ribs and mesh (19) for moisture management and temperature control and the uncushioned anatomical flex panel (22) for ergonomic shaping and a mesh pad region (23) for increased flexibility.
• Nylon is knitted into the sock for durability and stretch and reinforcing with pure Merino wool providing the following benefits:

Landscapes

• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Textile Engineering (AREA)
• Socks And Pantyhose (AREA)
• Professional, Industrial, Or Sporting Protective Garments (AREA)
• Orthopedics, Nursing, And Contraception (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (2)

Family

ID=38123122

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (6)

Families Citing this family (5)

Citations (7)

Family Cites Families (5)

• 2005
  • 2005-12-08 NZ NZ54402005A patent/NZ544020A/en unknown
• 2006
  • 2006-11-01 CA CA2671840A patent/CA2671840C/en active Active
  • 2006-11-01 JP JP2008544285A patent/JP2009518554A/ja active Pending
  • 2006-11-01 EP EP06824371A patent/EP1959779A4/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 2006-11-01 AU AU2006323284A patent/AU2006323284B2/en active Active
  • 2006-11-01 WO PCT/NZ2006/000280 patent/WO2007067076A1/en active Application Filing

Patent Citations (7)

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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