GB2407961A

GB2407961A - Sock with pocket for holding protective, support or treatment device

Info

Publication number: GB2407961A
Application number: GB0410345A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Marcus David Tunmore
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-11-15
Filing date: 2004-05-10
Publication date: 2005-05-18
Also published as: GB0326708D0; GB0410345D0

Abstract

A sock includes at least one pocket 18 into which in use at least one supporting or treatment or protective device can be inserted, for holding the or each such device in place. The or each pocket is external or internal of the sock, and retaining means is provided which in use serves to keep the device in the or each pocket. The or each pocket comprises a sleeve the length of which is selected so that in use it will extend up that part of the sock which extends above the ankle to just below the knee of the wearer. The device may be an impact-absorbing pad. Alternatively it may be means for heating or cooling the leg, e.g. a pre-heated or -cooled material or an electrically heated device or means which react chemically. The pocket may be waterproof where a liquid medium is involved and may have good heat-conducting material adjacent the leg. The device may alternatively provide a support, e.g. of hollow aluminium, for weak or broken bones.

Description

1 240796 1 Title: Improvements in and relating to socks

Field of invention

This invention concerns socks and in particular socks for use by persons engaging in sporting activities where there is a risk of injury to the lower leg such as in hockey, football and rugby or for use in treatment of or as support for the lower leg of the wearer.

Background to the invention

In contact sports especially players will often wear protective clothing such as shin pads or cricket pads to protect the front lower leg against damage. Certain medical or age related conditions of skin, bone or veins in the leg dictate curative treatment which often requires support for the lower leg.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved sock which can be used in such situations to assist in protecting or supporting or even treating injuries or damage to the lower leg or assisting in the treatment of age related conditions of the lower leg.

Summary of the invention

According to one aspect of the present invention a sock includes at least one pocket into which in use at least one supporting or treatment or protective device can be inserted, for holding the or each such device in place.

The or each pocket may be external or internal of the sock.

Retaining means may be is provided which in use serves to keep the device in the or each pocket.

The retaining means may be a closure for the pocket.

The or each pocket may comprise a sleeve the length of which is selected so that in use it will extend up that part of the sock which extends above the ankle to just below the knee of the wearer.

The sleeve may comprise a generally rectangular patch of material which is secured to the sock along its two longer sides and is open at one or both ends defined by its shorter sides.

A closure may be provided at one or both ends of the sleeve.

The pocket may comprise a generally rectangular patch secured along both of its longer sides and one end, defined by one of the shorter sides of the patch, leaving the other end open to facilitate the insertion and/or removal of the device.

A closure may be provided for closing the open end after the device has been inserted.

Typically that end of the sleeve which is uppermost when the sock is worn is the open end thereby to form a pocket, so that the device can be slid in and out of the sleeve from above and will normally be retained in the pocket formed by the three closed sides thereof.

Two or more pockets may be provided around the leg section of the sock.

In one embodiment one pocket is provided up what in use will be the front of the sock and another pocket is provided up what in use will be the rear of the sock.

In another embodiment there are three such pockets one down the front of the sock and two others each embracing in use part of one side and part of the rear of the leg section of the sock.

The pocket may comprise a self contained sleeve of material which is completely separate from the sock and which is attached to the sock as by sewing or by an adhesive or impact joining material such as Velcro The sock pocket may be formed from material which is waterproof According to another aspect of the invention the sock may be formed in part from material having good thermal conductivity to allow heat to transfer between the inside of the pocket and the surface of the wearer's leg and otherwise is formed from material which is a poor thermal conductor so as to reduce transfer of heat between the environment and a device within the pocket.

In one application of the invention the device to be inserted may be heated before insertion so as to heat the leg in use. In this event the device is adapted to generate heat in use.

In another application of the invention the device may be cooled before insertion so as to cool the leg in use. In this event the device is adapted to create a cooling effect in use.

To this end a source of energy may be provided for supplying electrical energy to one or more heating or cooling elements in the device, and typically the source of energy is a battery.

In the alternative the device may include or comprise a chemical reactor which in use will generate or absorb heat to produce a warming or cooling effect.

Where two pockets are provided in the sock, one can receive a heating or cooling element and the other a source of energy for operating the element.

According to another aspect of the invention the sock can in use serve as a protection against impact if the or each pocket is filled with impact absorbing and load spreading material such that any impact on the exterior of the pocket will be spread over a larger area of the wearer's leg than the area of the exterior of the pocket over which the impact is received.

According to another aspect of the invention the pocket may be formed from waterproof material and the device is in liquid form or is inserted as a solid but in use converts into a liquid form. Thus for example the device may comprise one or more blocks of ice.

In use such a pocket may be filled with a liquid (or with material which will become liquid in use) and the pocket may be closed by a waterproof closure, so that liquid will be wholly retained in the pocket, whereby the sock can be removed from the wearer's leg and the pocket opened to allow the liquid to be poured away.

According to another aspect of the invention the inserted device may provide support in the case of a degenerative bone condition or following a fracture.

The device may be rigid or semi-rigid, and may be formed from metal or wood or plastics or a combination thereof.

A preferred material from which the inserted device can be formed is aluminium.

A hollow cross-section device may be employed so as to reduce its weight.

In a preferred embodiment the device is constructed as a shallow box section member which is curved so as generally to conform in use to the curvature of the front or side or rear of a wearer's leg, and to partially wrap around that part of the leg, the curvature of the box section member increasing the rigidity of the device. s

A device may conveniently be retained in the pocket if an open end thereof is Masticated.

The material from which the pocket is formed can be the same as the material from which the sock is made.

The invention also lies in a method of providing support or protection or treatment to the leg below the knee comprising the steps of drawing over the foot and up the leg a sock having at least one pocket in the leg section thereof, inserting into the or each pocket through an open end thereof a device which is to provide the support or protection or therapeutic effect, thereby to retain the device in position In such a method the position of the/or each pocket is selected so that the device is retained in front of the shin, or to the rear of the calf, or to one side or the other of the lower leg, or any combination of those positions depending on the number and position of the/or each pocket.

The method also comprised the step of closing a pocket by means of a closure or retaining means, to keep the device in the pocket.

Where the device is to provide heat to, or absorb heat from, the leg, and requires a source of energy to operate it, the method may further comprise the step of inserting an energy source into the pocket with the device, or into an adjoining pocket in the sock, and making a connection between the source and the device to allow energy to transfer from the source to the device.

The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig 1 is a perspective view of a sock embodying a pocket in accordance with the invention, Fig 2 is a perspective view of a rigid or semi-rigid insert which can be fitted into the pocket to provide in use support and/or protection to the front of the leg below the knee, and Fig 3 is a cross section view showing the pocket and device fitted therein.

In Fig 1 a sock 10 comprises a foot section 12 and a leg surrounding section 14 the upper end of which is adapted to be folded over as shown at 16 and is elasticated in that region (or has fitted around the sock below the downturned upper end an elastic garter or the like) to keep the leg section 14 stretched up the leg of the wearer in use.

In accordance with the invention a rectangular pocket 18 is formed on the inside of the front of the leg region 14.

The pocket is formed by sewing or otherwise securing a single rectangular panel of material to the leg section of the sock. By stitching or bonding the two longer edges 20, 22 and the lower edge 24 of the panel to the sock, a pocket is formed which in use is open at its upper end.

An insert 26 shown in Fig 2 can therefore be put in place by pulling the sock away from the leg to expose the upper end of the pocket, opening same and inserting the lower end of the insert 26 therein and pushing it in a downward direction into the pocket.

By making the length of the insert somewhat less than the length of the pocket, so the insert will be wholly contained within the pocket in use.

A zip fastener or Velcro strip or button or tie (not shown) may be provided for securing closed the upper end of the pocket.

Although not shown a flap may be provided which in use can be folded down over the upper end of the pocket to close the upper open end thereof. Thus the flap may be adapted to be secured to the outside of the panel of material forming the pocket.

Fig 3 shows the insert 26 in position in the pocket formed by the panel of material 18 secured along its edges 20 and 22 to the inside of the leg section of the sock 14.

Although not shown the pocket may be self contained and constructed from waterproof material and bonded or sewn into the sock to occupy the position of the single panel forming the pocket 18 of Figs 1-3.

Claims

1. A sock which includes at least one pocket into which in use at least one supporting or treatment or protective device can be inserted, for holding the or each such device in place.

2. A sock as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the or each pocket is external of the sock.

3. A sock as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the or each pocket is internal of the sock.

4. A sock as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 3 wherein retaining means is provided which in use serves to keep the device in the or each pocket.

5. A sock as claimed in Claim 4 wherein the retaining means is a closure for the pocket.

6. A sock as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 5 wherein the or each pocket comprises a sleeve the length of which is selected so that in use it will extend up that part of the sock which extends above the ankle to just below the knee of the wearer.

7. A sock as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 6 wherein the sleeve is a generally rectangular patch of material which is secured to the sock along its two longer sides and is open at one or both ends defined by its shorter sides.

8. A sock as claimed in claim 7 wherein a closure is provided at one or both ends.

9. A sock as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 6 wherein a generally rectangular patch is secured along both of its longer sides and one end defined by one of the shorter sides, of the patch leaving the other end open to facilitate the insertion and/or removal of the device.

10. A sock as claimed in Claim 9 wherein a closure is provided for closing the open end after the device has been inserted.

11. A sock as claimed in Claim 9 wherein that end of the sleeve which is uppermost when the sock is worn is the open end thereby to form a pocket, so that the device can be slid in and out of the sleeve from above and will normally be retained in the pocket formed by the three closed sides thereof.

12. A sock as claimed in Claim 1 wherein two or more pockets are provided around the leg section of the sock.

13. A sock as claimed in Claim 12 wherein one pocket is provided up what in use will be the front of the sock and another pocket is provided up what in use will be the rear of the sock.

14. A sock as claimed in Claim 12 or 13 wherein there are three such pockets one down the front of the sock and two others each embracing in use part of one side and part of the rear of the sock.

15. A sock as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the pocket is a self contained sleeve of material which is completely separate from the sock and which is attached to the sock as by sewing or by an adhesive or impact joining material.

16. A sock as claimed in Claim 15 wherein the sock pocket is formed from material which is waterproof

17. A sock as claimed in Claim 15 wherein the sock is formed in part from material having good thermal conductivity to allow heat to transfer between the inside of the pocket and the surface of the wearer's leg and otherwise is formed from material which is a poor thermal conductor so as to reduce transfer of heat between the environment and a device within the pocket.

18. A sock as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 17 wherein the device to be inserted is heated before insertion so as to heat the leg in use.

l9.A sock is claimed in any of claims 1 to 17 herein the device is cooled before insertion so as to cool the leg in use.

20. A sock as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 17 wherein the device is adapted to generate heat in use.

21. A sock as claimed in any of claims 1 to 17 wherein the device is adapted to create a cooling effect in use.

22.A sock as claimed in Claim 20 or 21 further comprising a source of energy for supplying electrical energy to one or more heating or cooling elements in the device.

23. A sock as claimed in claim 22 wherein the source of energy is a battery.

24. A sock as claimed in any of Claims I to 17 wherein the device includes or comprises a chemical reactor which in use will generate or absorb heat to produce a warming or cooling effect.

25. A sock as claimed in claim 22 wherein at least two pockets are provided in each sock, one to receive a heating or cooling element and another to receive a source of energy for operating the element.

26. A sock as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 17 wherein the sock is to serve as a protection against impact and the or each pocket is filled with impact absorbing and load spreading material such that any impact on the exterior of the pocket will be spread over a larger area of the wearer's leg than the area of the exterior of the sock over which the impact is received.

27.A sock as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 17 wherein the pocket is formed from waterproof material and the device is in liquid form or is inserted as a solid but in use converts into a liquid form.

28. A sock as claimed in Claim 27 wherein the device is one or more blocks of ice.

29. A sock as claimed in Claim 27 wherein in use the pocket is filled with a liquid (or with material which will become liquid in use) and the pocket is closed by a waterproof closure, so that liquid will be wholly retained in the pocket, whereby the sock can be removed and the pocket opened to allow the liquid to be poured away.

30. A sock as claimed in any of claims 1 to 17 wherein the inserted device provides support in the case of a degenerative bone condition or following a fracture.

31. A sock as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 17 wherein the device is rigid

32. A sock as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 17 wherein the device is semirigid.

33.A device as claimed in either of Claims 30, 31 or 32 wherein the device is formed from metal or wood or plastics or a combination thereof.

34. A sock as claimed in claim 30,31 or 32 wherein the inserted device is formed from metal having a low density such as aluminium.

35. A sock as claimed in any of claims 30 to 34 wherein a hollow crosssection device is employed so as to reduce its weight.

36. A sock as claimed in any of claims 30 to 35 wherein the device is constructed as a shallow box section member which is curved so as generally to conform in use to the curvature of the front or side or rear of a wearer's leg, and to partially wrap around that part of the leg, the curvature of the box section member increasing the rigidity of the device.

37. A sock as claimed in any of claims 1 to 17 wherein the pocket includes an open end which is elasticated, to assist in retaining a device within the pocket.

38. A sock as claimed in any of claims 1 to 14 wherein the material from which the pocket is formed is the same as the material from which the sock is made.

39. A method of providing support or protection or treatment to the leg below the knee comprising the steps of drawing over the foot and up the leg a sock having at least one pocket in the leg section thereof, inserting into the or each pocket through an open end thereof a device which is to provide the support or protection or therapeutic effect, thereby to retain the device in position

40. A method as claimed in Claim 39 wherein the position of the/or each pocket is such that the device is retained in front of the shin or to the rear of the calf or to one side or the other of the lower leg, or any combination of those positions depending on the number and positions of the/or each pocket.

41. A method as claimed in Claim 39 or 40 further comprising the step of closing a pocket by means of the closure or retaining means to keep the device in the pocket.

42. A method as claimed in any of claims 39, 40 or 41 wherein the device is to provide heat to or absorb heat from the leg and requires a source of energy to operate it, and the method further comprises the step of inserting an energy source into the pocket with the device, or into an adjoining pocket in the sock and making a connection between the source and the device to allow energy to transfer from the source to the device.