COMPRESSION SOCK FOR PREVENTION AND TREATMENT OF FOOT AND ANKLE INJURIES

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a compression sock for the prevention and treatment of foot related injuries. More specifically, the compression sock of the present invention has features that address: (1) toe injuries such as turf toe, sprained toes, or broken toes; and (2) ankle sprains, among other injuries.

The design of a sock, especially a sock for athletes or similarly active persons, can have a huge effect on the wearer's comfort and well-being. For example, a wrinkle, seam, rib, or similarly thick area in a sock can create local pressure, friction and/or shear forces against the underlying part of the foot, particularly when worn with shoes. A person may not sense any such thick area until damage to the foot is already done and pain or discomfort results. Continued activity just worsens the damage and increases the pain or discomfort. An athlete or similarly active person participating in a sporting event, particularly one of long duration (e.g., a marathon), will want to avoid the discomfort normally associated with undesirable areas of thicknesses in a sock. It is also possible for an athlete to suffer from the effects of repetitive stress such as friction and skin shear which could result in blisters and reduced performance. Athletes may benefit from a seamless sock that provides higher compression for better soft tissue support and the reduction of muscle fatigue during sporting activities.

Ankle supports, such as ACE® bandages/sleeves or similar products, that provide proprioceptive support against twisting or rolling of ankles are known in the art. However, such bandages are typically separate from a sock or other protective covering that may be work on a foot. In addition, such ankle supports typically include hard seams or openings to receive the ankle joint. Such hard seams or openings can create the problems with pain and discomfort discussed above. An alternative to such bandages is to wrap an ankle either with tape on its own or with a layer of pre-wrap underneath the tape. Without pre-wrap, a wearer tends to have a residue of adhesive or similar material that remains on the skin after removing the tape. The use of pre-wrap can add unwanted time or effort to taping an ankle. In addition, tape and/or pre-wrap generally must be applied by another person to assure proper and comfortable application on the wearer's ankle.

Athletic socks that have individual sleeves for each toe are also known in the art. Such socks with toe sleeves are configured to receive a single toe within each sleeve. The purpose of such toe sleeves is often to work in conjunction with shoes that may have individual compartments for each toe or to provide a wearer some additional separation between the toes when wearing socks. While an athlete may individually wrap injured toes with tape or similar materials, such suffers from the same drawbacks of tape discussed above. In addition, it can be extremely difficult—if not impossible—to use pre-wrap when wrapping toes. Individual sleeves for each toe may allow a wearer to separately wrap toes, but again the tape can leave an adhesive residue on the surface of the sock. This adhesive residue can attract dirt and other particles make the sock particularly difficult to clean.

Accordingly, there is a need for a compressive athletic sock that addresses these drawbacks and disadvantages. The present invention fulfills these needs and provides other related advantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a compression sock, primarily for the treatment and prevention of foot and ankle injuries.

The compression sock comprises a generally elongated body made from a resilient elastic material. The body of the sock is configured to stretch when placed about a foot and ankle joint and exert compressive pressure thereupon. The sock has two or more toe sleeves on a distal end of the body. Each toe sleeve is configured to receive at least one of the wearer's toes. A toe bridge is provided on at least one of the toe sleeves. The toe bridge is oriented generally parallel to the toe sleeve such that it runs along a longitudinal axis thereof. The toe bridge defines a looped opening, similar to a belt loop, oriented generally transverse to the longitudinal axis.

In a preferred embodiment, the compression sock comprises two or more toe bridges, one on each toe sleeve. Each toe sleeve may have more than one toe bridge. A binding strap may be included. The binding strap is configured to pass through the looped opening on at least one toe sleeve and encircle the toe sleeve when it contains at least two adjacent toes. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the sock comprises five toe sleeves, each toe sleeve configured to receive one toe. Having five toe sleeves, the sock would also comprise at least five toe bridges, each toe bridge defining a looped opening, with at least one toe bridge on each toe sleeve. Again, a binding strap may be included, which passes through the looped opening of at least two toe bridges on at least two adjacent toe sleeves and encircle the at least two adjacent toe sleeves when they contain at least two adjacent toes.

The resilient elastic material is preferably a natural latex, a polyurethane-polyurea copolymer, spandex, elastane, nylon, neoprene, lycra, polyester, or a blend of any of the preceding. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the resilient elastic material is a polyester blend, including spandex and nylon or neoprene.

The body of the compression sock preferably includes an ankle portion. The resilient elastic material in the ankle portion is more compressive than the resilient elastic material in any other portion of the body. Preferably the ankle portion exerts at least 15 mmHg compressive pressure on the ankle joint. The ankle portion is preferably configured to cover the ankle joint from a first point where upper ankle ligaments attach to a leg bone, to a second point where lower ankle ligaments attach to foot bones.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention. In such drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective environmental view of the compression sock of the present invention being worn;

FIG. 2 is a side environmental view of the compression sock of the present invention being worn;

FIG. 3 is a close-up side view of an individual toe sleeve of the compression sock of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a close-up side view of an individual toe sleeve of the compression sock of the present invention being worn;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional, close-up side view of the individual toe sleeve of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a perspective environmental view of the toe sleeves of the compression sock of the present invention receiving a length of elastic strap through a toe bridge; and

FIG. 7 is a perspective environmental view of the toe sleeves of the compression sock of the present invention with a length of elastic strap passed through toe bridge on adjacent toes to bind them together.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present invention is directed to a compression sock for the prevention and treatment of foot related injuries. More specifically, the compression sock—generally referred to by reference numeral 10—has features that address toe injuries such as turf toe, sprained toes, or broken toes and ankle injuries such as sprains, among other injuries.

FIGS. 1 and 2 generally illustrate the compression sock 10 of the present invention. The compression sock 10 may be configured generally similar to other socks, having an upper calf portion 12, an ankle portion 14, a heel portion 16, a foot portion 18, and a toe portion 20. In an alternate embodiment, the calf portion 12 may be minimized or even eliminated, i.e., an ankle sock, such that the sock 10 includes the toe portion 20, the foot portion 18, the heel portion 16 and the ankle portion 14. The sock 10 is preferably constructed to be seamless out of washable and breathable materials.

The ankle portion 14 is constructed such that it covers the entire ankle joint, including most of the ligaments from their points of attachment to the leg bones and the foot bones. On the upper end, the ankle portion 14 preferably covers the upper ankle ligaments, i.e., the anterior and posterior ligaments, to the point where they attach to the tibia. On the lower end, the ankle portion 14 preferably covers the lower ankle ligaments, i.e., the internal lateral ligament and all fasciculi of the external lateral ligament, to the point where they attach to the bones of the foot. The ankle portion 14 may extend slightly beyond the points of attachment of the ligaments to the bones.

As used herein, “seamless” means that the construction of the sock 10 does not include any added stitching to join two or more pieces of material together. A hem or border is located at the top of the calf portion 12, which hem or border includes additional material weaved into the fabric but no added stitching. As explained more fully below, the toe portion 20 includes internal weaving of the material in each toe sleeve to close the tube of the sock 10. This internal weaving again becomes part of the fabric and is not added stitching as found in traditional seams. This seamless construction provides for a blister-free sock 10 that generally will not create blisters or sores on the feet of the wearer.

The entire sock 10 is preferably constructed from an elastic or compression material such as natural latex, a polyurethane-polyurea copolymer (i.e., spandex or elastane), nylon, neoprene, lycra, polyester, or a blend of any of the preceding. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the material is a polyester blend, such as spandex and nylon or neoprene. The different portions of the sock 10 preferably have varying densities of compression materials.

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate how the ankle portion 14 is preferably the densest, most compressive portion of the sock 10. This fabric of this ankle portion 14 is preferably constructed with a higher concentration of latex, spandex, or similarly resilient elastic material to provide a greater degree of compression. This is represented by the denser stippling in the figures. Preferably, the ankle portion 14 has a compressive pressure of about 15-20 mmHg when the sock 10 is being worn. It has been determined that such compressive pressure is comfortable for travel, as well as standing or sitting for long periods of time. This compressive pressure can also be used for relief from minor swelling and varicose veins.

This greater degree of compression provides support similar to tape, a bandage, or a sleeve without the drawbacks of adhesive residue, seams or thickened areas that can damage or injure the foot/ankle. The greater degree of compression in the ankle portion 14 is design to provide support to the ankle joint and its related ligaments, as may suffer damage from twisting or rolling injuries. Studies have shown that the compression realized by the ankle portion 14 of the sock 10 provides proprioceptive support for a wearer against twisting or rolling of an ankle. Such support can aid a wearer in recovery from an injury or help prevent future injury. The proprioceptive support realized from the inventive sock 10 is provided without the drawbacks of the prior art devices.

The other portions of the sock 10, preferably have their own compressive qualities, but to a lesser degree than the ankle portion 14. In particular, the calf 12, foot 18 and toe 20 portions want to avoid providing too much compression so as to not cut-off circulation to tissue in these parts of the foot. The proper amount of compressive pressure in these areas can actually promote proper blood flow during physical activity. The calf 12 and foot 18 portions may have very similar compressive qualities. The toe portion 20 may also be similar to the calf 12 and foot 18 portions, or have slightly less compressive qualities. The heel portion 16 may have compressive qualities similar to the ankle portion 14 or the foot portion 18. Preferably, the heel portion 16 has a combination as shown in FIG. 2. These varying compressive qualities are represented by the different densities of stippling in the different portions. Preferably, the portions of the sock 10 other than the ankle portion 14 have a compressive pressure between 8-15 mmHg. The same provides relief from tired aching legs, and may help control minor swelling. Based upon numbers provided above, the compressive pressure of the ankle portion 14 has between 33% and 250% more compressive pressure than any other portion of the sock 10. Most preferably, the ankle portion 14 has between about 87.5% and 250% more compressive pressure than any other portion of the sock 10.

The toe portion 20 is divided into two or more toe sleeves 22, each toe sleeve 22 configured to receive and accept one or more toes of the wearer. For example, the toe portion 20 could have one toe sleeve 22 for the first toe and a second toe sleeve 22 for the second through last toe. As another example, the toe portion 20 could have one toe sleeve 22 for the first and second toes and a second toe sleeve 22 for the third through last toe. A person of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the number of toe sleeves 22 can vary depending upon the particular toe support desired and injured toes to be treated as described below. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the toe portion 20 includes a separate toe sleeve 22 for each toe on the foot of the wearer.

FIGS. 3 through 5 illustrate an individual toe sleeve 22 of the toe portion 20 in close-up. While these figures only illustrate one of the toe sleeves 22, the construction of each of the toe sleeves 22 is generally the same, typically only differing in size for the various toes. FIG. 3 illustrates the toe sleeve 22 as it appears when not being worn. FIG. 4 illustrates the toe sleeve 22 fully expanded when being worn. Each toe sleeve 22 has a base 24 adjacent and attached to the foot portion 18. Each toe sleeve 22 also has a tip 26 adjacent to the nail of a toe when being worn.

The figures illustrate a line 26a in the tip portion 26. This line 26a represents the only closure in the tube structure of the sock 10. The closure 26a is preferably an internal closure so as to be nearly undetectable when the sock 10 is being worn. When turned inside out, the closure 26a is seen to be an additional weave into the fabric of the sock 10 such that the tube of the sock 10 can be closed. Each individual toe sleeve 22 is also formed by weaving the material of the sock 10 together between the toe sleeves 22. These structures are formed in the sock 10 by weaving the fabric together so as to avoid the formation of any seams.

Each toe sleeve 22 preferably includes a toe bridge 28. In the preferred embodiment, the toe bridge 28 spans an upper surface of each toe sleeve 22, extending generally from the tip 26 to the base 24, i.e., generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of the toe sleeve 22. The toe bridge 28 preferably does not reach all of the way to the tip 26 and the base 24, so as to be confined to a middle section of the toe sleeve 22 proximate to the first joint of a toe when the sock 10 is being worn. As with the closure 26a, each toe bridge 28 is preferably constructed by weaving additional fibers into the material of the toe sleeve 22 so not to form any seams or areas of excessive thickness around their construction. The material of the toe sleeve 22 underneath each toe bridge 28 is contiguous and closed such that no opening to the interior of the sock 10 exists. The toe bridge 28 defines a looped opening 28a between the toe bridge 28 and the toe sleeve 22—similar in function to a belt loop. The looped opening 28a is oriented preferably generally transverse to the longitudinal axis of the toe sleeve 22. Each toe sleeve 22 may be constructed with multiple toe bridges 28 similar in construction as described above. The orientations of the toe bridges 28 and the openings 28a may be varied to account for varying toe lengths.

FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate a strap 30, preferably an elastic strap, being fed through the opening 28a between the toe bridge 28 and toe sleeve 22 of the first and second toes 32, 34 of a sock 10. The first and second toes 32, 34 are only used for illustrative purposes. A person or ordinary skill in the art will understand that the strap 30 can be used to bind any two or more toes together for the same or similar effect. This binding will work whether there are individual toe sleeves 22 for each toe or a single toe sleeve 22 is configured to accommodate multiple toes. In the case of multiple toes in a single toe sleeve 22, the sleeve 22 may have one or more toe bridges as described above.

The strap 30 includes mated closure mechanisms 30a, 30b on opposite ends thereof. Once passed through at least one opening 28a on the toe sleeve(s) 22 of two or more adjacent toes, the ends of the strap 30 may be secured together by the closure mechanism 30a, 30b. The strap 30 is preferably used to secure an injured toe to an uninjured toe—similar to how an athlete would tape two or more toes together. The toe bridge 28 helps to hold the strap 30 in place in the toe sleeve(s) 22, especially during vigorous physical activity.

The strap 30 and its closure mechanism 30a, 30b is preferably constructed so as to provide a low profile that does not present any bulges or areas of increased thickness that might create a blister or cause friction on the wearer's foot. The closure mechanism 30a, 30b may comprise a hook-and-loop (i.e., VELCRO®), metal or plastic clasps, snaps, or similar closure mechanism that is commonly used in the art. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the strap 30 is made from an elastic material having a silicone lining to provide anti-slip qualities.

Although the compression sock 10 has been described in detail for purposes of illustration, various modifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The above-described disclosure is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is determined only by the following claims.