Patent Application
20240156178
This invention relates to socks.
Boots, such as ski boots and the like can sometimes be difficult to put on. It would be an advantage in the art to provide a sock that could be used to make putting on such boots easier.
The present invention is directed to socks that include specific portions thereof that include or are formed from a material exhibiting increased slickness (i.e., decreased friction) to aid in putting a socked foot into a ski boot or similar boot that may otherwise be difficult to put on.
The sock may otherwise be formed of typical fabric materials (e.g., cotton, wool, cotton-polyester blend, etc.). Specific portions of the sock are formed from a different material, that provides for decreased friction (i.e., allowing a socked foot to be more easily pulled or pushed into a ski boot or other boot). In particular, a region just above the heel of the sock may be formed from such low friction fabric or other material. Alternatively or in addition, an opposite surface on the front face of the sock (e.g., corresponding to the location of the tongue of a shoe or boot) is also formed from such a low friction fabric or other material. By way of example, this portion or portions of the sock may be formed from a low friction 100% polyester or nylon material. Other slick, low friction materials will be apparent to those of skill in the art, and may also be suitable for use. The portion or patch of material having low friction may exhibit a lower coefficient of friction than the other portions of the sock.
Both the rear low friction portion above the heel and the front low friction portion corresponding to the tongue location may have a width of e.g., from 1-3 inches (e.g., about 2 inches). Such portions may have a length that is greater than the width (e.g., so as to be elongate). For example, the length of such locations may be from 2-5 inches, or from 3-4 inches. In an embodiment, the low friction portion above the heel may have a length of about 4 inches, and the front low friction portion may have a length of about 3 inches.
In an embodiment, the sock is not simply formed entirely from such a low friction material, as such materials may not provide other desired characteristics (e.g., ability to wick away moisture, breathability, insulation, etc.). Thus, in an embodiment, only limited portions of the sock (e.g., the two portions noted herein) are formed from the low friction material. The remainder of the sock body (i.e., consisting of the sock body, other than the two decreased friction patch portions) may be formed from more conventional sock materials, such as wool, a cotton blend, etc.
Attachment of the low friction portion(s) of the sock to the underlying or other sock portions may be by any suitable means, such as stitching, or use of an adhesive (e.g., hot iron adhesive), combinations thereof, or other attachment mechanisms that will be apparent to those of skill in the art. In an embodiment, such portions may simply be woven into the adjacent portions of the sock body.
In an embodiment, the low friction portions of the sock are woven into a wool or other material of the sock body, with exposure on both an inside and outside of the sock, so as to contact a user's foot inserted into the sock during use.
In an embodiment, the sock further includes hygroscopic threads or other hygroscopic material, which provides a heating effect when such threads or other material is moistened or damp. In an embodiment, the hygroscopic threads or other hygroscopic material is woven into a material of the sock body, such hygroscopic threads or other hygroscopic material being positioned along a bottom portion of the foot of the sock, to warm a bottom portion of a user's feet during use. In an embodiment, the hygroscopic threads or other hygroscopic material is woven into a material of the sock body, such hygroscopic threads or other hygroscopic material being positioned along an upper rear portion of the sock, to warm a rear portion of a user's legs covered by the sock during use.
The socks may be provided with distinct left and right socks, which are not identical or interchangeable with one another. For example, a pair of socks may include a left sock including a left sock body including portions formed from different materials to provide decreased friction in particular regions of the left sock. A decreased friction portion (a) of the left sock body is provided directly above a heel portion of the left sock. A decreased friction portion (b) of the left sock body is provided on a front portion of the left sock, corresponding to a location of a tongue of a boot or shoe when the left sock is worn over a user's left foot, inserted into such boot or shoe. A right sock includes a right sock body including portions formed from different materials to provide decreased friction in particular regions of the right sock, where a decreased friction portion (a) of the right sock body is provided directly above a heel portion of the right sock. A decreased friction portion (b) of the right sock body is provided on a front portion of the right sock, corresponding to a location of a tongue of a boot or shoe when the right sock is worn over a user's right foot, inserted into such boot or shoe. The left and right socks are not identical to one another, but differ in how portion (a) and portion (b) of the left and right socks are positioned or oriented, relative to a fold line of the left and right socks. For example, on both the left and right socks, a greater surface area of the heel portion (a) is positioned or oriented towards an interior of the leg, with a lesser surface area of heel portion (a) positioned or oriented towards an exterior of the leg. On both the left and right socks, a greater surface area of the tongue portion (b) is positioned or oriented towards an exterior of the leg, with a lesser surface area of tongue portion (b) positioned or oriented towards an interior of the leg.
In an embodiment, the decreased friction patch portions do not comprise Teflon, or a similar fluorocarbon or perfluorocarbon polymer or other material that includes fluorine.
In an embodiment, the decreased friction patch portions do not comprise Teflon, nylon, or satin (e.g., formed from silk), as used in NL2014372 (herein incorporated by reference in its entirety). For example, by avoiding such materials (Teflon in particular) no particular modifications need to be made to knitting needles, which may be required with materials such as Teflon, which can be difficult, if not impossible as a practical matter to use in stitching, weaving or the like. For example, NL2014372 describes how when using Teflon, it may not be possible to sew or stitch such a material, which may instead have to be heat sealed, or glued. Such materials may be absent from the presently described embodiments (e.g., no adhesives required).
In the presently described embodiments, the material of the decreased friction patch may consist or consist essentially of the decreased friction material (e.g., no wool or high friction material present, in contrast to the configuration shown in FIG. 6 of NL2014372).
In an embodiment, no friction reduction patch is present at the user's ankle, in contrast to as described in NL2014372.
In an embodiment, no friction reduction patch is present at the user's instep (bony structure on top of the foot), in contrast to as described in NL2014372.
In an embodiment, no friction reduction patch is present at the user's sole, in contrast to as described in NL2014372.
In an embodiment, no friction reduction patch is present at the user's side of the foot, in contrast to as described in NL2014372.
In an embodiment, the decreased friction patches consist of the described heel patch and the tongue patch (no patches such as those described in NL2014372 are present).
In an embodiment, the friction reduction patch(es) are not elastic, in contrast to as described in NL2014372.
In an embodiment, the friction reduction patch(es) are not provided or used in conjunction with a two-part boot that includes an inner boot and an outer boot, in contrast to as described in NL2014372. Rather, the patches are provided on a simple sock, as shown and described, which is inserted into a simple single part boot (e.g., a ski boot).
While NL2014372 may describe incorporation of some low friction portions within a sock, importantly, it does not teach or suggest inclusion of the configuration described herein, particularly inclusion of a decreased friction patch (b) on a front portion of the sock, corresponding to a location of a tongue of a boot or shoe when the sock is worn over a user's foot, inserted into such boot or shoe. Testing by Applicant has shown that particularly the installation of a ski boot is far easier, when this is provided, as compared to when it is not present. Test result videos showing such results are available from Applicant, which are evidence of surprising results associated with the presently described socks.
In an embodiment, no areas of padding are provided, in contrast to as described in DE20307702U1.
Any specific features shown in NL2014372, DE20307702U1 (each herein incorporated by reference in its entirety), or any other references noted on the PTO-892 “Notice of References Cited” attached to the Office Action dated Oct. 19, 2023 in the parent application may be absent from the presently described sock, which includes its own specific configuration, with differences that may initially appear superficial, but which are important to providing an improved user experience. Each reference on the above noted PTO-892 is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety, which references include US20060085894, US20080301860, US20060218701, U.S. Pat. No. 5,737,943; US20140053320, US20110131706, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,561,267; 6,708,348; US20110239352, US20090158504, and US20120023641, each of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.
An exemplary sock may be formed from wool (e.g., greater than 50% or greater than 60% by weight, such as 60-70%), nylon (e.g., 10-20% or 10-15%), acrylic (e.g., 5-15%, or 10-15%), viscose (e.g., 5-15%, or 10-15%), spandex (e.g., less than 5%, or less than 3%, such as 1-3%, and polyester (e.g., less than 5%, or less than 3%, such as 1-3%).
Features from any of the disclosed embodiments may be used in combination with one another, without limitation. In addition, other features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art through consideration of the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings.
The appended drawings contain figures of example embodiments to further illustrate and clarify the above and other aspects, advantages and features of the present invention. It will be appreciated that these drawings depict only example embodiments of the invention and are not intended to limit its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings.
The present invention is directed to socks that include specific portions thereof that include or are formed from a material exhibiting increased slickness (i.e., decreased friction, lower coefficient of friction) to aid in putting a socked foot into a ski boot or similar boot that may otherwise be difficult to put on.
The sock 10 may otherwise be formed of typical fabric materials (e.g., cotton, wool, cotton-polyester blend, etc.). Specific portions of the sock are formed from a different material, that provides for decreased friction (i.e., allowing a socked foot to be more easily pulled or pushed into a ski boot or other boot). In particular, referring to the Figures (e.g.,
Alternatively or in addition, an opposite surface on the front face of the sock (e.g., corresponding to the location of the tongue of a shoe or boot, which portion is labeled 16) is also formed from such a low friction fabric material. By way of example, portions 12, 16 of the sock 10 may be formed from a low friction polyester or low friction nylon material. In an embodiment, such patches 12, 16 may be 100% low friction polyester, 100% low friction nylon, or a blend of low friction polyester and low friction nylon. Based on the present disclosure, other slick, low friction materials that may be suitable for use will be apparent to those of skill in the art, and may also be used. The portion or patch of material having low friction may exhibit a lower coefficient of friction than the other portions of the sock. For example, cotton, or other cellulose containing fabrics may typically exhibit relatively higher coefficients of friction. In an embodiment, the other portions 14 of the sock 10 include greater cellulose (e.g., cotton, or other cellulose containing fabric materials) content than portions 12, 16 (which may contain lower, or even 0% cotton or other cellulose fabrics).
Both the rear low friction portion 12 above the heel and the front low friction portion 16 corresponding to the tongue location may have a width of e.g., from 1-3 inches (e.g., about 2 inches). Such portions may have a length that is greater than the width (e.g., so as to be elongate). For example, the length of such locations may be from 2-5 inches, or from 3-4 inches. In an embodiment, the low friction portion 12 above the heel may have a length of about 4 inches, and the front low friction portion 16 may have a length of about 3 inches.
In an embodiment, the sock 10 is not simply formed entirely from such a low friction material (e.g., nylon or polyester), as such materials may not provide other desired characteristics (e.g., ability to wick away moisture, breathability, insulation, etc.). Thus, in an embodiment, only limited portions of the sock (e.g., the two portions 12, 16 noted herein) are formed from the low friction fabric material. The remainder 14 of the sock 10 may be formed from more conventional sock materials (which exhibit greater coefficients of friction), such as one or more of wool, cotton, a cotton blend, bamboo fibers, rayon, lyocell, modal, viscose, spandex, etc.
As shown in
The patches 12, 16 may thus be adhered or otherwise attached to the exterior surfaces of the sock, allowing the entire socked portion of the foot of a user to contact the higher friction material 14 (but such material 14 may have better moisture wicking, better insulative characteristics, etc. as compared to the material of patches 12, 16). In another embodiment, wherein the portions 12 and 16 are woven into the wool or other material of the sock body, with exposure on both an inside and outside surface of the sock, so as to contact a user's foot or leg inserted into the sock during use.
An embodiment such as that shown in
A method for manufacturing such a sock may include providing a sock body formed from a given sock material (e.g., wool, cotton blend, or the like as noted herein), selected to provide desired characteristics relative to moisture wicking, and insulation, said material having a coefficient of friction. Patch portions (e.g., corresponding to 12 and 16, as shown in
The patch portions can be stitched to the sock body, woven into the sock body, attached to the sock body with an adhesive, or both. In an embodiment the patch portions are attached to the sock body with a hot iron activated adhesive (e.g., a hot iron is used to attach the patch(es) to the sock. Such hot iron activated adhesives will be familiar to those of skill in the art, as they are often employed in other fields of fabric patching (e.g., when patching a hole).
In another embodiment, the present sock may be formed where the patch portions are integrated directly into the sock body, e.g., where such portions are not only present on the exposed exterior face of the sock, but are also on the inside of the sock, so as to contact the heel and tongue portions of the user's foot that is inserted into the sock. Nevertheless, in an embodiment, attachment may be as described above, where the patch portions 12, 16 are only exposed on the exterior surface of the sock, so that the full interior surface of the sock does not include such low friction materials (e.g., only other material 14, providing better moisture wicking, insulation, etc.).
The heel patch 12 is opposite—with more of the patch 12 positioned or oriented towards the inside medial portion of the leg, with less surface area of the patch 12 positioned towards the outside lateral portion of the leg. The difference in surface area as separated across the fold line F may be such that greater than 50%, at least 55%, at least 60%, or at least 65% of the patch surface area is positioned on the dominant side relative to the fold line F (e.g., the lateral portion dominates on patch 16, while the medial portion dominates on patch 12). Similarly, the difference in surface area as separated across the fold line F may be such that less than 50%, less than 45%, less than 40%, or less than 35% of the patch surface area is positioned on the non-dominant side relative to the fold line F. Exemplary ranges for the dominant side may be from about 55% to about 80%, or from about 60% to about 70%. Exemplary ranges for the non-dominant side may be from about 20% to about 45%, or from about 30% to about 40%.
Because of these differences, there are “left” and “right” socks, which are not simply identical and interchangeable. Such particular positioning of the patches relative to the fold line or the front centerline of the wearer is actually beneficial in use, facilitating easier insertion of the socked foot and leg into a boot, as compared to if the positioning of the patches were centered, and there were no “left” or “right” versions of the socks.
Socks 10 also show the inclusion of a hygroscopic material (e.g., woven into the wool or other sock material). Such patches 18 are shown provided within the bottom of the foot portion of the sock, as well as extending up the back portion of the leg. Such a hygroscopic thread material can simply be woven into the sock material (as can the reduced friction patches 12, 16). The hygroscopic material advantageously provides a warming effect (e.g., of up to 9° C. warmer) to the bottom of the feet and the back of the legs, where positioned, when the material becomes moistened or damp. For example, far infrared emission ceramic particles may be provided in such threads or other fibers, gently raising the body temperature by increasing reflection of body heat, to improve blood circulation during outdoor activities. Such hygroscopic heat is generated by the loss of kinetic energy of water molecules, which are absorbed at the surface of the hygroscopic textile material, where such a warming reaction occurs (e.g., see ISO 18782-2015 Textiles—Determination of Hygroscopic Heat Generation).
For example, the hygroscopic threads or other hygroscopic material can be woven into a wool or other material of the sock body, such hygroscopic threads or other hygroscopic material being positioned along a bottom portion of the foot of the sock, to warm a bottom portion of a user's feet during use. As shown, the hygroscopic threads or other hygroscopic material can also be positioned along an upper rear portion of the sock, to warm a rear portion of a user's legs covered by the sock during use. Where woven into the sock body material, both the sock body material and the hygroscopic material may be present on both the exterior and interior surfaces of the sock. Such is also true, for the reduced friction patch portions 12, 16, which may similarly be woven into the wool or other material of the sock, so as to be present on both the interior and exterior surfaces of the sock.
The hygroscopic portions (e.g., particularly those portions shown woven into the back of the leg) could also be positioned so that the surface area of such portion dominates towards either a lateral or medial orientation, similar to as described relative to patch portions 12 and 16. In another embodiment, the hygroscopic portions may simply be centered relative to the fold line—providing approximately 50% surface area on both sides, relative to the fold line F.
In addition, unless otherwise indicated, numbers expressing quantities, constituents, distances, or other measurements used in the specification and claims are to be understood as optionally being modified by the term “about” or its synonyms. When the terms “about,” “approximately,” “substantially,” or the like are used in conjunction with a stated amount, value, or condition, it may be taken to mean an amount, value or condition that deviates by less than 20%, less than 10%, less than 5%, less than 1%, less than 0.1%, or less than 0.01% of the stated amount, value, or condition.
In reference to various standardized tests (e.g., ISO, ASTM or other tests), it will be understood that reference to any such standard refers to the latest update (if any) of such standard, unless otherwise indicated. Any such referenced standards are incorporated herein by reference, in their entirety.
All publications, patents and patent applications cited herein, whether supra or infra, are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety to the same extent as if each individual publication, patent or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.
The term “comprising” which is synonymous with “including,” “containing,” or “characterized by,” is inclusive or open-ended and does not exclude additional, unrecited elements or method steps.
The term “consisting essentially of” limits the scope of a claim to the specified materials or steps “and those that do not materially affect the basic and novel characteristic(s)” of the claimed invention.
The term “consisting of” as used herein, excludes any element, step, or ingredient not specified in the claim.
It must be noted that, as used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” include plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to a “surfactant” includes one, two or more surfactants.
Unless otherwise stated, all percentages, ratios, parts, and amounts used and described herein are by weight.
Some ranges may be disclosed herein. Additional ranges may be defined between any values disclosed herein as being exemplary of a particular parameter. All such ranges are contemplated and within the scope of the present disclosure.
As used herein, the term “between” is inclusive of any endpoints noted relative to a described range.
Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the invention pertains. Although a number of methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice of the present invention, the preferred materials and methods are described herein.
The present invention can be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. Thus, the described implementations are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.
The present application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 17/825,462, filed May 26, 2022 and entitled SOCK, which claims the benefit of U.S. Application No. 63/194,385, filed May 28, 2021 entitled SOCK. The present application also claims the benefit of U.S. Application No. 63/593,463, filed Oct. 26, 2023 entitled SOCK, each of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63194385 | May 2021 | US | |
| 63593463 | Oct 2023 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 17825462 | May 2022 | US |
| Child | 18416218 | US |
