WEARABLE ARTICLE WITH CORRESPONDINGLY ALIGNED INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR GRIP MATERIAL

Abstract

A wearable article provides a non-slip connection between the wearer's bare skin and the surface of an adjacently located object. The wearable article includes correspondingly aligned and shaped interior and exterior grip material segments at one or more locations on the wearable article. The interior grip material segments and correspondingly aligned and shaped exterior grip material segments serve to significantly diminish and potentially eliminate all relative movement between the user's skin, the grip material on the inner facing surface of the wearable article, the material defining the wearable article, the grip material on the outer facing surface of the wearable article, and the surface of an adjacently located object. The correspondingly aligned and shaped interior and exterior grip material segments on the wearable article may be arranged in different sizes and patterns to suit the movements typically executed during a particular physical or sporting activity.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to wearable articles and, more particularly, a wearable article that provides a non-slip connection between the wearer's bare skin and the surface of an adjacently located object.

DISCUSSION OF THE RELATED ART

Athletes in a variety of different sports are frequently required to quickly perform a range of movements, including pivoting, jumping, acceleration and deceleration, as well as general lateral and forward/backward movement. In sports that necessitate athletes to wear footwear, a common problem exists where the shoe wearer's foot unavoidably slides within the interior cavity of the shoe when performing an athletic movement. Even when the shoe is tightly tied, the shoe wearer's foot can experience a degree of slippage within the shoe. This slippage can result in loss of performance and, in some cases, injury to the athlete. Moreover, the problem of a user's skin surface moving relative to an adjacently located object (e.g. interior sole of shoe) exists in other instances, particularly in the athletic field, such as athletic gloves moving relative to the user's hands and fingers when catching a ball or swinging a golf club and a tucked ball moving relative to the upper and lower portions of a user's arm.

There have been attempts to solve the above-stated problems. For example, socks have been made that include pads on the exterior bottom surface of the socks for preventing the bottom of the sock from sliding on the floor surface when walking without shoes and/or from sliding on the shoe sole surface when the user is wearing shoes.

While these inventions have been useful for their intended purpose, there exists a need for wearable articles which provide a non-slip connection between the wearer's bare skin and the surface of an adjacently located object.

OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

Considering the foregoing, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a wearable article that prevents a wearer's skin from moving relative to an adjacently located object during active movement.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an athletic sock that includes correspondingly aligned (i.e. mirror image) non-slip grip elements on the inner facing and outer facing surfaces of the wearable article.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a wearable article that includes correspondingly aligned interior and exterior non-slip grip elements between the wearer's bare skin and the surface of an adjacently located object.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a wearable article that significantly diminishes and potentially eliminates all relative movement between the user's skin, the grip material on the inner facing surface of the wearable article, the wearable article, the grip material on the outer facing surface of the wearable article, and the surface of an adjacently located object.

It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide a wearable article that includes correspondingly aligned non-slip connection points at specific locations for benefiting the performance of the wearer in a particular physical activity.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention are more readily apparent with reference to the detailed description and accompanying drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a wearable article that provides a non-slip connection between a wearer's bare skin and the surface of an adjacently located object. In one embodiment, the wearable article is a sock including correspondingly aligned (i.e. mirror image) non-slip connection points between the wearer's bare foot and the interior sole of a shoe. Each embodiment of the present invention includes a wearable article having correspondingly aligned interior and exterior grip material segments at one or more locations on the inner facing and outer facing surfaces of the wearable article in order to prevent a region of the wearer's skin (e.g. toes, ball of foot, heel, etc.) from sliding or otherwise moving relative to the adjacently located object (e.g. shoe) during physical activity. The wearable article serves to significantly diminish and potentially eliminate all relative movement between the user's skin, the grip material on the inner facing surface of the wearable article, the wearable article, the grip material on the outer facing surface of the wearable article, and the surface of an adjacently located object. In one embodiment, the correspondingly aligned interior and exterior grip segments include one or more correspondingly aligned apertures within the perimeter boundaries of the grip material segment for allowing increased breathability (i.e. escape of perspiration) and increased flexibility of the grip material segment. The correspondingly aligned interior and exterior grip material segments on the wearable article may be arranged in patterns, shapes and sizes specifically suited for benefiting the movements typically executed during a particular physical activity (e.g. pivoting movement executed during a golf swing) and permits necessary flexibility in joint regions. Moreover, the correspondingly aligned interior and exterior grip material segments serve to provide support to the particular body part the wearable article is intended for use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a fuller understanding of the nature of the present invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the wearable article with correspondingly aligned interior and exterior grip material of the present invention, wherein a sock includes corresponding grip material segments on the inner facing and outer facing surfaces of the sock;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of a sock with correspondingly aligned interior and exterior grip material segments;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view, shown in cross-section, of a sock with correspondingly aligned interior and exterior grip material segments;

FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of a sock with correspondingly aligned interior and exterior grip material segments;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of a sock with correspondingly aligned interior and exterior grip material segments;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the wearable article of the present invention, wherein a glove includes correspondingly aligned interior and exterior grip material segments;

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view, shown in cross-section, of a glove with correspondingly aligned interior and exterior grip material segments;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the wearable article of the present invention, wherein a compression sleeve includes correspondingly aligned interior and exterior grip material segments;

FIG. 9 is a front elevational view of an alternative embodiment of the wearable article of the present invention, wherein a shirt includes correspondingly aligned interior and exterior grip material segments; and

FIG. 10 is a rear elevational view of an alternative embodiment of the wearable article of the present invention, wherein a shirt includes correspondingly aligned interior and exterior grip material segments.

Like reference numerals refer to like referenced parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the several views of the drawings, the wearable article with correspondingly aligned and correspondingly shaped interior and exterior grip material of the present invention is shown according to several embodiments and is generally indicated as 10. Each embodiment of the wearable article 10 includes an elastic main body 12 having an inner facing surface 14 defining an interior cavity 16, an outer facing surface 18, and correspondingly aligned and shaped (i.e. mirror image) grip material segments 22 and 24 on each of the respective inner and outer facing surfaces 14 and 18 such that the inner facing grip material segments 22 exactly match and align with the corresponding exterior grip material segments 24. The correspondingly aligned and shaped interior and exterior grip material segments 22 and 24 on the wearable article 10 may be arranged in different patterns, shapes and sizes specifically configured for benefiting the movements typically executed during a particular physical activity. The pattern arrangement of the interior grip material segments 22 exactly matches and aligns with the pattern arrangement of the exterior grip material segments 24. In one embodiment, the correspondingly aligned and shaped interior and exterior grip material segments 22 and 24 in the pattern arrangement are spaced apart forming channels between the correspondingly aligned and shaped interior and exterior grip material segments 22 and 24 that promote flexibility of the wearable article 10 and the ability of the wearable article 10 to conform to the anatomy of the user.

Referring to FIGS. 1-5, a first embodiment of the wearable article 10 includes an elastic main body 12 formed in the nature of a sock having an inner facing surface 14 defining an interior cavity 16 configured to snuggly conform to the shape of a user's foot, an outer facing surface 18, and an opening 20 sized for engaged receipt of the user's foot. The elastic main body 12 is comprised of natural or synthetic fibers, or a combination of both. The inner facing surface 14 and outer facing surface 18 include correspondingly aligned and shaped grip material segments 22 and 24 located at particular regions on the opposing surfaces 14 and 18 of the main body 12. Examples of particular locations for the correspondingly aligned grip material segments 22 and 24 include, but are not limited to: the wearer's toes, top of foot, ball of foot, along the perimeter of foot, heel, Achilles region, and lateral, medial and backside regions of the ankle.

In one embodiment, the correspondingly aligned and correspondingly shaped grip material segments 22 and 24 include one or more correspondingly aligned apertures 26 on the individual grip material segments 22 and 24 and extending through the entire thickness of the segments 22 and 24 for allowing increased breathability (i.e. escape of perspiration) of the wearable article 10 and increased flexibility of the grip material segments 22 and 24.

In each embodiment of the wearable article 10, the grip material segments 22 on inner facing surface 14 serve to engage the adjacently located portion of the user's skin for preventing movement of the user's skin relative to the grip material segments 22. The correspondingly aligned and shaped grip material segments 24 on outer facing surface 18 serve to engage a portion of an adjacently located object for preventing movement of the object relative to the correspondingly aligned and shaped grip material segments 24. The combined effect of the grip material segments 22 and correspondingly aligned and shaped grip material segments 24 serves to significantly diminish and potentially eliminate all relative movement between the user's skin, the grip material 22 on the inner facing surface 14 of the wearable article 10, the material defining wearable article 10, the grip material 24 on the outer facing surface 18 of the wearable article 10, and the surface of an adjacently located object. For the embodiment of the wearable article 10 in the form of a sock, as discussed herein, the combined effect of the grip material segments 22 and correspondingly aligned and shaped grip material segments 24 serves to significantly diminish and potentially eliminate all relative movement between the skin of the user's foot, the grip material segments 22 on the inner facing surface 14 of the sock 10, the material defining the structure of the sock 10, the grip material on the outer facing surface 18 of the sock 10, and segments of the interior surface of the user's shoe as the user performs athletic movements (e.g. pivoting, jumping, acceleration and deceleration).

In one embodiment, the correspondingly aligned and shaped grip material segments 22 and 24 are made from a rubber composition. Other suitable materials for gripping a portion of a user's skin and a surface portion of an adjacently located object in response to compression may be used as well. It is preferable that the composition provides an outer surface that effectively grips a portion of a user's skin and a surface portion of an adjacently located object when compressed together and does not necessarily rely on a tacky outer surface to “grip” the portion of a user's skin or surface portion of an adjacently located object. The rubber composition or other suitable material can be attached to the elastic main body 12 by silk screen process or, alternatively, the rubber composition or other suitable material may be attached to the elastic main body 12 by stitching, appliqué, dipping, injection molding, spraying or otherwise adhering during the manufacturing process.

In at least one embodiment of the invention, the grip material segments 22 and correspondingly aligned and shaped grip material segments 24 are odor resistant. For example, an odor resistant composition can be injected into the gel mold during the process of forming the grip material segments 22 and correspondingly aligned grip material segments 24. Other suitable methods of introducing an odor resistant composition to the sock 10 may be used as well.

In at least one embodiment of the invention, the grip material segments 22 and correspondingly aligned and shaped grip material segments 24 are anti-fungal. For example, an anti-fungal composition can be injected into the gel mold during the process of forming the grip material segments 22 and correspondingly aligned grip material segments 24. Other suitable methods of introducing an anti-fungal composition to the sock 10 may be used as well.

A variety of patterns of correspondingly aligned grip material segments 22 and 24 on the elastic main body 12 may be used to provide ideal comfort and ability for the user, which is particularly dependent on the type of athletic movements the user will be making while using the wearable article 10. For example, in a sport that requires a user to repeatedly pivot using his or her foot, it would be advantageous for the user to have correspondingly aligned grip material segments 22 and 24 adjacent to the ball of the foot region of the wearable article 10. The correspondingly aligned apertures 26 and the channels formed between the grip material segments 22 and 24 provide comfort and flexibility when repeatedly performing movements, such as pivoting about one's foot.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, a further embodiment of the wearable article 10 is shown wherein the elastic main body 12 is formed in the nature of a glove having an inner facing surface 14 defining an interior cavity 16 configured to snuggly conform to the shape of a user's hand, an outer facing surface 18, and an opening 20 sized for engaged receipt of the user's hand. The elastic main body 12 is comprised of natural or synthetic fibers, or a combination of both. The inner facing surface 14 and outer facing surface 18 include correspondingly aligned and shaped grip material segments 22 and 24 located at particular regions on the opposing surfaces 14 and 18 of the main body 12. Examples of particular locations for the correspondingly aligned and shaped grip material segments 22 and 24 include, but are not limited to: the wearer's finger tips, along the length of the wearer's fingers, palm of the hand, heel of the hand, and along the perimeter of hand. The combined effect of the grip material segments 22 and correspondingly aligned and shaped grip material segments 24 serves to significantly diminish and potentially eliminate all relative movement between the skin of the user's hand, the grip material 22 on the inner facing surface 14 of the glove 10, the material defining the structure of the glove 10, the grip material on the outer facing surface 18 of the glove 10, and segments of the surface of an object being caught (e.g. football) or held onto (e.g. golf club) by the user.

Referring to FIG. 8, another embodiment of the wearable article 10 is shown wherein the elastic main body 12 is formed in the nature of a compression sleeve having an inner facing surface 14 defining an interior cavity 16 configured to snuggly conform to the shape of a user's arm or leg, an outer facing surface 18, and an opening 20 sized for engaged receipt of the user's arm or leg. The elastic main body 12 is comprised of natural or synthetic fibers, or a combination of both. The inner facing surface 14 and outer facing surface 18 include correspondingly aligned and shaped grip material segments 22 and 24 located at particular regions on the opposing surfaces 14 and 18 of the main body 12. Examples of particular locations for the correspondingly aligned grip material segments 22 and 24 include, but are not limited to: along the wearer's upper arm, lower arm and elbow regions, and along the wearer's upper leg, lower leg and knee regions. The combined effect of the grip material segments 22 and correspondingly aligned grip material segments 24 serves to significantly diminish and potentially eliminate all relative movement between the skin of the user's arm or leg, the grip material 22 on the inner facing surface 14 of the compression sleeve 10, the material defining the structure of the compression sleeve 10, the grip material on the outer facing surface 18 of the compression sleeve 10, and segments of the surface of an adjacently located object (e.g. basketball).

Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, a further embodiment of the wearable article 10 is shown wherein the elastic main body 12 is formed in the nature of a shirt having an inner facing surface 14 defining an interior cavity 16 configured to snuggly conform to the shape of a user's torso and arms and an outer facing surface 18. Examples of particular locations for the correspondingly aligned and shaped grip material segments 22 and 24 include, but are not limited to: the wearer's chest, abdominal muscles, shoulders, along the length of the wearer's arms, and the upper and lower back. The combined effect of the grip material segments 22 and correspondingly aligned and shaped grip material segments 24 serves to significantly diminish and potentially eliminate all relative movement between the skin of the user's torso and arms, the grip material 22 on the inner facing surface 14 of the shirt 10, the material defining the structure of the shirt 10, the grip material on the outer facing surface 18 of the shirt 10, and segments of the surface of an adjacently located object.

Additional embodiments of the wearable article 10 include correspondingly aligned and correspondingly shaped grip material segments 22 and 24 on athletic apparel, such as full body suits, for preventing movement of the apparel relative to the surface for which the apparel is intended to cover and an adjacently located object.

While the present invention has been shown and described in accordance with several preferred and practical embodiments, it is recognized that departures from the instant disclosure are contemplated within the spirit and scope of the present invention which are not to be limited except as defined in the following claims as interpreted under the Doctrine of Equivalents.

Claims

1. A wearable article comprising: an elastic main body sized and configured to conform to the shape of at least a portion of a limb of a user and said elastic main body including an inner facing surface defining an interior cavity, an opposite facing outer facing surface, and at least one opening sized and configured for engaged receipt of the at least a portion of a limb of the user through the opening and into said interior cavity;at least one segment of grip material on the inner facing surface of said elastic main body, and said at least one segment of grip material being structured and disposed for engaging an adjacent surface of the user's skin;at least one opposite facing segment of grip material on said outer facing surface of said elastic main body and said at least one opposite facing segment of grip material being correspondingly aligned and correspondingly shaped with said at least one segment of grip material, and said at least one opposite facing segment of grip material being structured and disposed for engaging an adjacent surface of an object; andone or more correspondingly aligned apertures extending through the thickness of said at least one segment of grip material and said at least one opposite facing segment of grip material, and said one or more correspondingly aligned apertures being structured and disposed for allowing increased breathability of said elastic main body and increased flexibility of said at least one segment of grip material and said at least one opposite facing segment of grip material.

2. The wearable article as recited in claim 1 wherein said at least one segment of grip material and said at least one opposite facing segment of grip material are made from rubber.

3. The wearable article as recited in claim 1 wherein said at least one segment of grip material and said at least one opposite facing segment of grip material include an odor resistant composition.

4. The wearable article as recited in claim 1 wherein said at least one segment of grip material and said at least one opposite facing segment of grip material include an anti-fungal composition.

5. A wearable article comprising: an elastic main body sized and configured to conform to the shape of a user's foot, and said elastic main body including an inner facing surface defining an interior cavity, an opposite facing outer facing surface, and an opening sized and configured for engaged receipt of the user's foot through the opening and into said interior cavity;a plurality of segments of grip material on the inner facing surface of said elastic main body, and said plurality of segments of grip material being structured and disposed for engaging an adjacent skin surface of the user's foot; anda plurality of opposite facing segments of grip material on said outer facing surface of said elastic main body and said plurality of opposite facing segments of grip material being correspondingly aligned and correspondingly shaped with said plurality of segments of grip material, and said plurality of opposite facing segments of grip material being structured and disposed for engaging an adjacent surface of the interior surface of a shoe worn on the foot of the user.

6. The wearable article as recited in claim 5 wherein said plurality of segments of grip material and said plurality of opposite facing segments of grip material are made from rubber.

7. The wearable article as recited in claim 5 wherein said plurality of segments of grip material and said plurality of opposite facing segments of grip material include an odor resistant composition.

8. The wearable article as recited in claim 5 wherein said plurality of segments of grip material and said plurality of opposite facing segments of grip material include an anti-fungal composition.

9. The wearable article as recited in claim 5 wherein said plurality of segments of grip material and said plurality of opposite facing segments of grip material each include one or more correspondingly aligned apertures extending through the thickness of each of said plurality of segments of grip material and each of said plurality of opposite facing segments of grip material, and each of said one or more correspondingly aligned apertures being structured and disposed for allowing increased breathability of said elastic main body and increased flexibility of each of said plurality of segments of grip material and each of said plurality of opposite facing segments of grip material.

10. The wearable article as recited in claim 5 wherein said plurality of segments of grip material and said plurality of opposite facing segments of grip material are located at the bottom of foot region of said elastic main body.

11. The wearable article as recited in claim 5 wherein said plurality of segments of grip material and said plurality of opposite facing segments of grip material are located at the top of foot region of said elastic main body.

12. The wearable article as recited in claim 5 wherein said plurality of segments of grip material and said plurality of opposite facing segments of grip material are located at the ankle region of said elastic main body.

13. A wearable article comprising: an elastic main body sized and configured to conform to the shape of at least a portion of a limb of a user and said elastic main body including an inner facing surface defining an interior cavity, an opposite facing outer facing surface, and at least one opening sized and configured for engaged receipt of the at least a portion of a limb of the user through the opening and into said interior cavity;a plurality of segments of grip material on the inner facing surface of said elastic main body, and said plurality of segments of grip material being structured and disposed for engaging an adjacent surface of the user's skin; anda plurality of opposite facing segments of grip material on said outer facing surface of said elastic main body and said plurality of opposite facing segments of grip material being correspondingly aligned and correspondingly shaped with said plurality of segments of grip material, and said plurality of opposite facing segments of grip material being structured and disposed for engaging an adjacent surface of the surface of an object.

14. The wearable article as recited in claim 13 wherein said plurality of segments of grip material and said plurality of opposite facing segments of grip material are made from rubber.

15. The wearable article as recited in claim 13 wherein said plurality of segments of grip material and said plurality of opposite facing segments of grip material each include one or more correspondingly aligned apertures extending through the thickness of each of said plurality of segments of grip material and each of said plurality of opposite facing segments of grip material, and each of said one or more correspondingly aligned apertures being structured and disposed for allowing increased breathability of said elastic main body and increased flexibility of each of said plurality of segments of grip material and each of said plurality of opposite facing segments of grip material.

16. The wearable article as recited in claim 13 wherein said wearable article is a glove.

17. The wearable article as recited in claim 13 wherein said wearable article is a shirt.

18. The wearable article as recited in claim 13 wherein said wearable article is a compression sleeve sized and configured for engaged receipt of the user's arm.

19. The wearable article as recited in claim 13 wherein said wearable article is a compression sleeve sized and configured for engaged receipt of the user's leg.

20. The wearable article as recited in claim 13 wherein said wearable article is a full body suit.