NZ544020A - Sock - Google Patents

Abstract

A sock and more particularly to a sock designed to cushion the foot in particular locations around the foot of a wearer. The sock has a cushioning zone positioned to protect the bony prominences of the dorsal tarsus and to deflect pressure away from the dorsalis pedis pulse of the foot.

Description

^4 0 20 PATENTS FORM NO. 5 Our ref: JP802945NZ NEW ZEALAND PATENTS ACT 1953 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION SOCK We, The New Zealand Sock Company Limited of 8 Kermode Street, Ashburton, New Zealand hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: intellectual property ofhce of n.z. 21 NOV 2006 _RECEIVFn 100893382_1 .DOC: JPrqwgtn • — SOCK Field of the Invention 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.

Background to the Invention The use of socks to protect a wearer's feet from the cold is well known. The use of 10 socks for specific purposes such as sports is also well known. In socks designed to serve specific purposes, 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 15 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.

The abrasiveness of socks can have serious consequences in people suffering from 20 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.

Object of the Invention It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a sock that, when worn, provides a cushioning effect on the foot or on parts of the foot, or which at least provides the public with a useful choice.

Summary of the Invention 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 intellectual property office ofnz 13 SEP 2007 received from abrasion, friction, compression and reduction of undue pressure forces to the dorsal region of the foot.

In particular the invention provides a sock that comprises cushioning to the medial and 5 lateral aspects of the dorsal surface of the foot at the tarsal and midtarsal joint regions.

Preferably the sock also includes no cushioning on the most superior aspect of the dorsal tarsus of the foot.

Preferably the sock further includes one or more mesh zones.

Preferably the sock further includes one or more positional markers. The sock is particularly useful for people with diabetes.

In particular 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 artery, on top of the foot of the wearer.

Not having cushioning of the sock in the areas of the most raised tarsal on top of the foot and either side of the dorsal region of the foot reduces pressure on this area which is an area vulnerable to injury and undue pressure from footwear, for diabetes suffers.

Preferably 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.

The Elastic Support System (ESS): High stretch elastic is strategically knitted 30 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 intellectual property ofrce of n.z. 13 SEP 2007 .received 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.

Preferably 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 10 breathability and to prevent compression. Mesh zones can also be used to improve the fit and comfort around the exposed metatarsals in the forefoot.

Preferably ribs are included in the sock to allow temperature control.

A special high stretch elasticated lxl 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 may have one or 20 more positioner markers, to show diabetic consumers how to put the sock on properly so that the pad sits in the correct place.

The sock can be knitted with pure merino wool in a way that provides all the benefits that merino wool has to offer with nylon and nylon/lycra used for shajpe retention, 25 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 30 wearer to correctly align the sock on each foot by checking the position of the markers relative to the anatomy of the foot. intellectual property office of n.z. 13 SEP 2007 RECEIVED 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 5 required.

The metatarsals and metatarso-phalangeal 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.

Description of the Preferred Embodiment The invention will now be described, by way of example only mid with reference to 15 the drawings in which Detailed 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 (5th Metatarso-phalangeal joint) and medial (1st Metatarso-phalangeal joint) 25 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). intellectual property office of n.z. 13 SEP 2007 RECEIVED 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.

• The double density cushioning of the U-shaped area (14) provides additional capacity to absorb increased pressure that may derive from the compressive forces acting upon the foot from the shoe mid constrictive lacing • This double density cushioning area (14) is an additional advantage to a diabetic foot vulnerable to increased pressure from the point of view that people with neuropathy often do not realise how tightly their footwear is laced up or if the pressure is too intense or if the skin is rubbing • 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.

• Other socks have largely neglected this area as not being subjected to increased forces and have not attempted to address the injuries that are sustained from footwear in this region. It has been recognized by the inventors that 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.

• Positional markers (16) assist in putting the sock on correctly. 6 intellectual property office of n.z. 13 SEP 2007 RECEIVED Figure 3 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. The metatarsal heads (8) are protected by loop pile cushioning pads Nylon is knitted into the sock for durability and stretch and reinforcing with pure Merino wool providing the following benefits: - moisture management; - anti-bacterial properties; - softness-a fine micron has been used for superior comfort; - natural crimp gives fibre spring or resilience allowing it to bounce back into shape; enhancing foot protection and comfort; - natural insulator whilst still able to breathe; and - temperature control.

It is to be appreciated that where reference has been made to integers having known equivalents, then those equivalents are hereby incorporated as if individually set forth.

Whilst the invention has been described with reference to the specific embodiments, it will be appreciated that numerous modification and improvements may be made to those embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention as set out in this specification. For example, it is possible to knit the sock with pure wool so that the pure wool of the sock is next to the skin of the wearer in use and such that nylon is on the outside.

Claims (16)

Claims

1. A sock including 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 pressure forces to the dorsal region of the foot, and wherein the sock has a U-shaped cushioning zone positioned to protect the bony 10 prominences of the dorsal tarsus to deflect pressure away from the dorsalis pedis artery of the foot.

2. The sock as claimed in claim 1 wherein the U-shaped cushioning zone comprises double density cushioning. 15

3. The sock as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 further including cushioning to the medial and lateral aspects of the dorsal surface of the foot at about the tarsal and midtarsal joint regions. 20

4. The sock as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the sock has no cushioning on the most superior aspect of the dorsal tarsus of the foot proximate the dorsalis pedis artery.

5. The sock as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 further including one or more 25 mesh zones.

6. The sock as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein the sock includes an Elastic Support System wherein elastic is knitted throughout the sock. 30

7. The sock as claimed in claim 6 wherein the elastic is high stretch elastic.

8. The sock as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9 further including one or more positional markers. 8 INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE OF N.Z. 13 SEP 2Q07 IRECEivrn 10

9. A sock that comprises a U-shaped cushioning zone on either side of the dorsal region of the foot of a wearer when in use, and no cushioning on the superior-most aspect of the dorsal tarsus in the region of the underlying dorsalis pedis artery on top of the foot of the wearer, such that in use the bony prominences of the dorsal tarsus are protected whilst pressure is deflected away from the dorsalis pedis artery of the foot.

10. The sock as claimed in claim 9 wherein the U-shaped cushioning zone comprises a double density cushioning.

11. The sock as claimed in any one of claims 9 to 10 further including one or more mesh zones.

12. The sock as claimed in any one of claims 9 to 11 wherein the sock includes an 15 Elastic Support System wherein elastic is knitted throughout the sock.

13. The sock as claimed in claim 12 wherein the elastic is high stretch elastic.

14. The sock as claimed in any one of claims 9 to 13 wherein the sock includes one 20 or more plain knit regions.

15. The sock as claimed in any one of claims 9 to 14 further including one or more positional markers. 25

16. A sock substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 1 to 3. (ew Zealand Sock Company 30 Ql— Of-" oj/\ its Attorneys BALDWINS intellectual PROPERTY OFFICE OF N.Z. 13 SEP 2007 RECEIVED