US2146888A

US2146888A - Elastic sock for footwear

Info

Publication number: US2146888A
Application number: US214136A
Authority: US
Inventors: Fisch Arthur
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1938-03-11
Filing date: 1938-06-16
Publication date: 1939-02-14
Anticipated expiration: 1956-02-14

Description

Feb. 14, 1939. y A SCH 2,146,888

ELASTIC SOCK FOR FOOTWEAR Filed June 16, 1958 ARTH UR FISCH ATTORNE YS- Patented Feb. 14, 1939 PATENT KELASTIC SOCK FOR 'FOQTWEAR Arthur Fisch, Heidelberg, Germany Applicationlune 16, 1938,`J.Seria;l No. 214,136 In Great Britain March 1l, 1938 12 Claims.

The present inventionrelatesto socksof elastic material whichmay .bei-nserted .in all kinds of footwear.

1n accordance .with fthe invention, a .sock for .insertion in shoesor'hoots is characterised by the `face 4of the upper 4layer :for overlaps the upper edge of this layer.

Further, the underlayer of elastic material isv mfeferablyprovided on its lower side with projections. ribs or the like of any desirable shape and arrangement serving for increasing the elasticity resilience of the under layer. In a particuler embodiment in accordance with the present invention, the projections or studs of the elastic under layer have such an irregular form and magnitude that the under layer, and thereby the entire sock to be inserted in the shoe, is adapted to fit the shape of the wearers foot; particularly the foot arch and the toes are conveniently supported. Orthopaedic socks for insertion in shoes can thus be manufactured in a very simple manner such as reduired for persons suffering from malformed or diseased feet.

In accordance with a further feature of the invention. there is formed in the elastic under layer. between the projections or studs, a number of perforations. Bv this means the admission of air to the upper layer of moisture absorbent material is facilitated. Owing to these perforations in the under layer, the air circulation is stili further increased during the act of walking by the fact that on bearing against the lower projections by the wearer. the latter yield and in a subsequent upward movement of the foot the projections will expand; thereby the sock will. alternately approach the sole of the shoe and recede, whereby a pump action is created which drives the air through the mentioned openings in the under layer and through the pores or other interstices of the upper layer. By this means the ventilation of the upper layer and also the airing of the foot is assured, which again contributes to an increase of comfort to the person wearing this sock. `Moreover, by working ci the under layer during the act of walking and also by the movement of air released thereby, a massage action is to a certain measure exerted upon the yfoot .muscles which prevents foot ,fatigue ,In.accordance Withthepresent invention, rub- 4'ber orthe like is chosen as the material .for the underlayer, whilst the .upper part of 'the sock to c5 be inserted may be manufactured of known porous material such as cork, cardboard, felt,lpaper material, orthe like, or also leather. v,If necessary, the upper layer of. Vthe sock (preferably withsmall porosity ofthe working. material) may -1'0 v.beprovided Withjholes, which may be arranged ,either exactlyover ,the interstices of the vunder layer, ormaybedisplacedin regard to the latter. The sock to 4be finserted in .accordance .with

thelpresent invention, combines 4in consequence F15 linitself Ithe fadvantages of all Vknown socks and :.,possesseamoreover stilly further inestimable advantages, at the same time preventing the v,disadvantages oi the known socks 'for 'footwear'. The sock, in accordance with the present invention, possesses thus all the advantages of an elastic sock without the necessity of the foot coming into contact with a rubber sock, and also all the advantages of a moisture absorbent sock without the necessity of the foot renouncing the com- 25 fort of an arch and toe support; moreover, the sock capable of absorption fullls its purpose much more effectively, since the latter, in consequence of a permanent airing during use, remains dry. A further important advantage con- 30 sists inthe interchangeability of the upper layer, thus enabling the cleaning of. the elastic under layer, which, from the hygienic point of View,

is very important.

The invention is illustrated in the accompany- 35 ing drawing, of which:

Figure 1 is an inverted view in plan of a sock, showing the under surface in accordance with one form of the invention;

Figure 2 is a sectional edge view on the lines 40 II-II of Figure 1 on a larger scale;

Figure 3 shows a longitudinal elevation of a modied form of the sock;

Figures 4 and 5 are sectional edge views on the lines IV-IV and V-V respectively of Figure 2; 45

Figures 6 and 7 are diagrams illustrating two various possibilities for the arrangement of the studs or ribs on the lower surface of the sock.

As can be seen from Figure 2, the sock consists of an under layer 2 of elastic material, which 50 is provided with upright edges B, between which is inserted an upper layer of moisture absorbent material 4. In the illustrated example the edges 6 overlap the upper layer 4; they can, however, extend to the same height as the upper layer 4 55 and be flush therewith. Finally, the upper layer can also be reduced in thickness at the upper edge so that an overlapping edge 6 surrounding the upper layer 4 does not project over the surface of. the upper layer 4.

At its lower surface the under layer 2 is provided With stud-like projections I covering the lower surface partly or entirely. These projections I may have a round, triangular or polygonal form, or be of any desirable shape; they may extend over the lower surface of the under layer in the form of parallel or intersected ribs, as can be seen from Figures 6 and 7. The under layer 2 of the sock to be inserted, in accordance with the present invention, is further provided with perforations 3; over these perforations and in alignment with or angularly displaced from the latter, holes can be formed in the upper layer 4. This arrangement of the upper layer can preferably be selected when the latter consists of slightly porous or non-porous material, such as leather or the like. If instead of leather, felt or the like is used as material for the upper layer, the holes in the upper layer 4 may b e omitted, owing to the porosity of such material.

In anv embodiment of the invention particularly suitable for orthopaedic socks to be inserted in shoes, the stud-like projections on the lower surface of the under layer are irregular, that is to say, of 'different heights, so that the sock ts to the shape of the wearers foot, and the arch support and the toes are for example supported in a suitable manner as by the stud-like projections 9 of the sock, in accordance with the present invention, illustrated in Figures 3-5. In this case the upper layer 4 is pressed if necessary in the arched form in such a way that it ts to the form of the under layer and may be easily inserted in the latter.

The under layer 2 made from rubber or the like is advantageously formed with stud-like projections I or 9 respectively and the edge 6 from one piece. The edge 6 can be very constricted, for example have a width of 2-3 mm. and it can extend continually around the entire sock or at intervals. The projections may also be formed in such aV manner that circular or cornered cavities or depressions are provided so that reverse to the form of embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figure 1, the circulars I represent cavities and the surrounding surface elements form the projections. 'I'he perforations 3 come to lay in this case preferably Within the circles I.

What I claim is:-

1. An orthopedic sock for insertion in footwear comprising an under layer of elastic material, integral projections formed on its lower surface, an upstanding flange integrally formed around the edge of said layer, and a porous upper layer removably positioned and gripped by said flange, whereby the upper layer may be quickly removed and replaced with a minimum of time and effort, said flange being of such height as to have a portion overlying said upper layer.

Y 2. An orthopedic sock for insertion in footwear comprising an under layer of elastic material, integral projections formed on its lower surface, intersticesextending through said layer to provide air circulation, an upstanding flange inu tegrally formed around the edge of said layer, and a porous upper layer removably positioned and gripped by said ilange, whereby the upper layer may be quickly removed and Vreplaced with a minimum of time and effort.

ARTHUR FISCH.