U.S. patent application number 10/753154 was filed with the patent office on 2005-07-07 for slip-resistant stocking.
Invention is credited to Hilbert, Vicki L..
Application Number | 20050144703 10/753154 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34711752 |
Filed Date | 2005-07-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050144703 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hilbert, Vicki L. |
July 7, 2005 |
Slip-resistant stocking
Abstract
A slip-resistant stocking of the type that is worn by ambulatory
hospital patients for walking directly on smooth, hard hospital
floors, comprises a stocking, such as a tube sock, having a
slip-resistant material applied to the foot portion of the stocking
around the periphery of an outside surface thereof, such that
slip-resistant material is always positioned under the bottom of
the foot of the patient regardless of the rotational orientation of
the foot portion of the stocking around the axis of the foot. The
slip-resistant material can be on the inside as well as the outside
of the stocking, so the stocking also will be slip-resistant when
worn inside out. The slip-resistant material can be provided as
discreet elements deposited at spaced locations around the
stocking. The elements can be formed of recognizable shapes or
decorative designs, which will be visible on the top of the
stocking.
Inventors: |
Hilbert, Vicki L.; (Hart,
MI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
VARNUM, RIDDERING, SCHMIDT & HOWLETT LLP
333 BRIDGE STREET, NW
P.O. BOX 352
GRAND RAPIDS
MI
49501-0352
US
|
Family ID: |
34711752 |
Appl. No.: |
10/753154 |
Filed: |
January 7, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
2/239 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41B 11/008
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
002/239 |
International
Class: |
A41B 011/00; A43B
017/00 |
Claims
1. A slip-resistant stocking of the type that is worn by ambulatory
hospital patients for walking directly on smooth, hard hospital
floors, comprising: a stocking having a foot portion that
encompasses a top and bottom of the foot; and a slip-resistant
material applied to the foot portion of the stocking around the
periphery of an outside surface thereof, such that a substantially
equivalent proportion of slip-resistant material is always
positioned under the bottom of the foot of the patient regardless
of the rotational orientation of the foot portion of the stocking
around the axis of the foot.
2. A slip-resistant stocking as in claim 1 wherein the stocking is
a tube stocking that is formed in a tube without an integrally
formed heel pocket, the stocking being properly oriented for
location of the slip-resistant material under the foot at any
rotational orientation of the stocking around the axis of the
foot.
3. A slip-resistant stocking as in claim 1 wherein slip-resistant
material is positioned around the periphery of both inside and
outside surfaces of the foot portion of the stocking, such that a
slip-resistant surface is always between the foot portion of the
stocking and the floor for providing slip-resistant contact with
the floor regardless whether the stockings are put on upside down
or inside out.
4. A slip-resistant stocking as in claim 1 wherein the foot portion
of the stocking is formed from a knitted fabric and the
slip-resistant material is a material having a relatively higher
coefficient of friction that is positioned at spaced locations
around the periphery of the body of the stocking, the
slip-resistant material being deposited in a liquid form so it
becomes imbedded in the knitted fabric, the liquid thereafter
solidifying to provide a slip-resistant material on the
stocking.
5. A slip-resistant stocking as in claim 1 wherein the
slip-resistant material is positioned on the foot portion in
discreet, spaced elements, the elements being shaped or oriented so
as to provide a decorative pattern that is visible to the patient
on the top of the foot portion no matter how the stocking is
rotationally oriented.
6. A slip-resistant stocking as in claim 5 wherein the elements
comprise discreet, decorative designs that are recognizable to the
normal user.
7. A slip resistant stocking of the type that is worn on the feet
of ambulatory hospital patients for walking directly on smooth,
hard hospital floors, comprising: a stocking having a foot portion
that covers a top and bottom of the foot of the patient, the foot
portion extending from a heel portion to a toe portion of the foot;
and a slip-resistant material applied to substantially the entire
foot portion of the stocking around the periphery of an outside
surface thereof, such that slip-resistant material is always
positioned under the entire bottom of the foot of the patient, from
the heel portion to the toe portion thereof, regardless of the
rotational orientation of the foot portion of the stocking around
the axis of the foot.
8. A slip-resistant stocking as in claim 7 wherein the stocking is
a tube stocking that is formed in a tube without an integrally
formed heel pocket, the stocking being properly oriented for
location of the slip-resistant material under the foot at any
rotational orientation of the stocking around the axis of the
foot.
9. A slip-resistant stocking as in claim 7 wherein slip-resistant
material is positioned around the periphery of the entire bottom of
both inside and outside surfaces of the foot portion of the
stocking, such that a slip-resistant surface is always between the
foot portion of the stocking and the floor for providing
slip-resistant contact with the floor regardless whether the
stockings are put on upside down or inside out.
10. A slip-resistant stocking as in claim 7 wherein the foot
portion of the stocking is formed from a knitted fabric and the
slip-resistant material is a material having a relatively higher
coefficient of friction that is positioned at spaced locations
around the periphery of the body of the stocking, the
slip-resistant material being deposited in a liquid form so it
becomes imbedded in the knitted fabric, the liquid therafter
solidifying to provide a slip-resistant material on the
stocking.
11. A slip-resistant stocking as in claim 7 wherein the slip
resistant material is positioned on the foot portion in discreet,
spaced elements, the elements being shaped or oriented so as to
provide a decorative pattern that is visible to the patient on the
top of the foot portion no matter how the stocking is rotationally
oriented.
12. A slip-resistant stocking as in claim 11 wherein the elements
comprise discreet, decorative designs that are recognizable to the
normal user.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] In hospitals and other institutional environments, patients
are generally clothed in hospital gowns and spend most of their
time in bed. Ambulatory patients are permitted to walk around the
hospital. Such patients usually are provided with slip-resistant
socks or stockings that are used as slippers for walking around the
slippery, hard surface floors of the institution. Typical hospital
stockings are knit stockings having a slip-resistant material
deposited on a portion of the exterior surface of the stocking that
is designed to be positioned under the bottom of the foot.
Typically such stockings are so called "tube socks" wherein the
socks are formed in an elongated tube without a defined heel pocket
in the sock. Thus the socks can be oriented normally at any
rotational position around the axis of the foot.
[0002] In order to avoid slipping on the hospital floor, it is
necessary to orient the slip-resistant portion of the stocking
between the stocking and the floor. While this is an easy enough
task for most people, hospital patients, particularly those
suffering from Alzheimer's disease or dementia, frequently have
difficulties with some of the simplest tasks. It is, therefore,
sometimes necessary for hospital personnel to assist such persons
in making sure that the stockings are oriented properly on their
feet. Otherwise, the slippery knit material of the stocking can
easily cause a serious slip and fall injury to the patient.
[0003] An object of the present invention is to provide an improved
slip-resistant stocking that overcomes the foregoing
difficulties.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] In accordance with the present invention, a slip-resistant
stocking of the type that is worn by ambulatory hospital patients
comprises a stocking having a foot portion that fits over the foot
of the patient, with a slip-resistant material being applied to the
foot portion of the stocking around the periphery of an outside
surface thereof, such that slip-resistant material is always
positioned under the bottom of the foot regardless of the
rotational orientation of the foot portion of the stocking around
the axis of the foot.
[0005] The slip-resistant material can be any of a number of
different types of slip-resistant material and preferably is of the
type of material that is deposited in liquid form at spaced
locations around the stocking, with the liquid material becoming
embedded in the knitted portion of the stocking and thereafter
solidifying. The solidified material has a coefficient of friction
that is greater than the foot portion of the stocking.
[0006] The slip-resistant material can be deposited in spaced
elements around the periphery of the stocking. The elements can be
designed and oriented in order to provide a pleasing appearance,
which will be visible on top of the stocking to the patient. The
elements can be shaped as discreet recognizable designs that can be
recognized by the patient, such as paw prints, faces, or seasonal
decorations such as Christmas trees, bells, or other appropriate
designs. The decorative designs will appear at the top of the
stockings as well as the bottom and can be functional.
[0007] A number of existing methods are presently available for
making slip-resistant stockings and these are believed to be within
the scope of the present invention. This slip-resistant technology
disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,822,884, 6,209,227, 4,149,274 and
4,651,354 is incorporated herein by reference.
[0008] The application of the slip-resistant material around the
exterior portion of the stocking eliminates the possibility that
the patient would put the stocking on upside down and risk a
dangerous fall on the slippery floors of the hospital. Because the
stocking cannot be put on incorrectly, it is unnecessary for
hospitals personnel to invest a substantial amount of time in
checking each patient's stockings when they put them on before
walking around the hospital.
[0009] While, for the most part, the stocking construction is such
that a patient will be likely to put a stocking on with the
exterior side facing outwardly, in the event that there exists a
possibility that the patient will put a stocking on inside out, the
slip-resistant material can also be placed around the periphery of
the inside surface of the stocking so that the patient will always
have a slip-resistant material on the bottom exterior surface of
the stocking, regardless whether the stocking is put on upside down
or inside out.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a slip-resistant stocking
constructed in accordance with the present invention;
[0011] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the stocking of FIG. 1, with
a portion of the stocking being cut away and folded out to show the
interior surface of the stocking;
[0012] FIG. 3 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 2, showing a
second embodiment of the present invention, wherein a
slip-resistant material is provided on the inside surface of the
stocking as well as the outside surface;
[0013] FIGS. 4a-4c are plan views of stockings constructed in
accordance with FIGS. 1-3 showing the use of slip-resistant
material in different design configurations on the exterior of the
stocking.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0014] Referring to the drawings, a slip-resistant stocking 10
constructed in accordance with the present invention comprises a
foot portion 12 and a leg or ankle portion 14. A toe 16 of the foot
portion is closed, and the upper end 18 of the ankle portion is
open for insertion of the foot. Upper end 18 includes an elastic
welt 20 that extends around the periphery of the upper end of the
stocking. The stocking is formed of conventional material, which is
typically a knitted fabric.
[0015] Stocking 10 is shown mounted on the foot of a user 22, which
typically will be a patient in a hospital or other institutional
environment where slippery hard floors are often employed. The heel
24 of the user forms a heel in the stocking because of natural
elasticity of the knitted fabric. While it is possible to knit a
heel pocket into the fabric, in most hospitals where the stockings
are provided to the patients, so called "tube socks" are generally
employed. In a tube sock, the stockings are formed in tube without
a heel pocket. Thus, there is no heel pocket to determine the
proper rotational orientation of the stocking on the foot of the
user.
[0016] The stockings of the present invention employ a
slip-resistant material 26 on the exterior surface of the foot
portion of the stocking. The application of the slip-resistant
material to the exterior of the sole or bottom of a stocking is
known, and the same slip-resistant materials can be employed in the
present invention. Typically, the slip-resistant material is
applied to the exterior of the foot portion of the stocking as
spaced elements 28. These elements can be of any desired design in
order to increase traction. In this case, the elements also can
provide an attractive ornamental appearance on the top of the
stocking. Typically, the slip-resistant material will be applied to
the stocking in liquid form so that it penetrates and becomes
embedded into the stocking. The material then solidifies either by
curing or by hardening, so that the material forms elements of
increased coefficient of friction across the surface of the
stocking. As shown in the drawings, the elements 28 are positioned
around the entire circumferential periphery of the stocking, so
that the elements are present on both the top and the bottom of the
stocking. Regardless of the rotational orientation of the stocking
around the axis of the foot, the bottom of the foot will be covered
by slip-resistant elements 28. The elements desirably are separated
from each other, so the stocking can retain its elasticity and
stretch to conform with the shape of the foot.
[0017] Several designs of spaced elements are shown in FIGS. 4a,
4b, and 4c. The designs can be abstract, as shown by designs 30 and
34 in FIGS. 4a and 4c, or the designs can be recognizable designs,
such as the footprint design 32 in FIG. 4b.
[0018] Other designs are contemplated. For example, for holiday
seasons, an appropriate design for the season could be employed.
For a person in the hospital during Christmas time, a stocking with
a Christmas tree or Santa Claus or bell design or other design
appropriate to the patient, might be pleasing.
[0019] Another feature of the present invention is shown in FIG. 3.
While the stocking of FIG. 2 has slip resistant elements only on
the outside of the stocking and the inside 36 is plain fabric,
stocking 10' of FIG. 3 is provided with slip-resistant material 38
around the circumferential periphery of the inside of the stocking,
as well as on the outside of the stocking. The slip-resistant
material on the inside of the stocking ensures that the patient
will always have slip-resistant material between the stocking and a
slippery floor, even when the patient puts the stocking on upside
down or inside out. The slip-resistant material on the inside can
be applied the same way the material is applied on the outside, or
it can be in a different pattern, or it can be integrated in the
weave of the fabric, as can the exterior slip-resistant
material.
[0020] In operation, when a patient is given a pair of the
stockings of the present invention, the patient cannot put the
stockings on wrong, so there is no possibility that a stocking
induced slip and fall injury will occur to this patient. This frees
up the time of hospital personnel from the necessity of making sure
that patient's stockings are on right side out and oriented
correctly, which is the case with present hospital stockings. Not
only does this avoid a substantial amount of time and effort and
concern on behalf of the hospital personnel, but it eliminates an
potentially expensive hazard that hospitals have been dealing with
for quite a long time.
[0021] It should be understood that the foregoing is merely
exemplary of the preferred practice of the present invention and
that various changes and modifications in the embodiments disclosed
herein may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of
the present invention.
* * * * *