U.S. patent application number 12/368769 was filed with the patent office on 2009-12-03 for garment including ankle cushion and method of making same.
Invention is credited to Anwar Ricky Hasan.
Application Number | 20090293179 12/368769 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42101497 |
Filed Date | 2009-12-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090293179 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hasan; Anwar Ricky |
December 3, 2009 |
GARMENT INCLUDING ANKLE CUSHION AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME
Abstract
A garment is provided including a main body adapted to enclose
at least the foot of a wearer, the main body including an ankle
portion and a foot portion, and a cushion located at the ankle
portion of the main body, wherein the cushion is configured to
protect an ankle of the wearer from abrasion caused by a heel of a
footwear.
Inventors: |
Hasan; Anwar Ricky; (Troy,
NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SCHMEISER, OLSEN & WATTS
22 CENTURY HILL DRIVE, SUITE 302
LATHAM
NY
12110
US
|
Family ID: |
42101497 |
Appl. No.: |
12/368769 |
Filed: |
February 10, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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61130580 |
Jun 2, 2008 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
2/409 ; 2/239;
2/243.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41D 13/06 20130101;
A41B 11/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
2/409 ; 2/239;
2/243.1 |
International
Class: |
A41B 11/00 20060101
A41B011/00; A43B 17/00 20060101 A43B017/00; A41D 27/00 20060101
A41D027/00 |
Claims
1. A garment comprising: a main body adapted to enclose at least a
foot of a wearer, the main body including an ankle portion and a
foot portion; and a cushion located at the ankle portion of the
main body, wherein the cushion is configured to protect an ankle of
the wearer from abrasion caused by a heel of a footwear.
2. The garment of claim 1, wherein the cushion is made of a
material selected from the group consisting of cotton, foam,
feather, polyester, silk, linen, gel, rubber and plastic.
3. The garment of claim 1, wherein the cushion includes a lateral
body, the lateral body wrapping partially around the ankle portion
from a back side of the ankle portion.
4. The garment of claim 3, wherein the cushion includes a vertical
lip, the vertical lip extending from the lateral body at least
partially to the heel.
5. The garment of claim 1, wherein the cushion is sewn into the
main body of the hosiery garment.
6. The garment of claim 1, wherein the cushion is held in place
between the main body and a fabric layer sewn into the main
body.
7. The garment of claim 1, wherein the cushion is configured to
protect the ankle of the wearer from abrasion caused by the heel of
a footwear selected from the group consisting of dress shoes,
casual shoes, high heeled shoes, boots, sneakers, tennis shoes,
orthopedic shoes, basketball shoes, running shoes, ice skates,
athletic cleats, ski boots, cross trainer shoes, sandals, and
flats.
8. The garment of claim 1, wherein the garment is a garment
selected from the group consisting of dress socks, casual socks,
stockings, legging, toe socks, tights, thigh-high socks, and
athletic socks.
9. A garment adapted to be worn over an ankle of a wearer
comprising: a cushion located above a heel portion of the sock, and
extending at least partially about an ankle portion of the sock,
the cushion configured to provide protection to the wearer from a
heel of a footwear.
10. The garment of claim 9, wherein the cushion further includes a
vertical lip, the vertical lip extending from the lateral body at
least partially to the heel.
11. The garment of claim 10, wherein the vertical lip provides
protection to the wearer from a plurality of footwear having a
plurality of heel heights.
12. The garment of claim 9, wherein the cushion is made of a
material selected from the group consisting of cotton, foam,
feather, polyester, silk, linen, gel, rubber and plastic.
13. The garment of claim 9, wherein the cushion is sewn into the
sock.
14. The garment of claim 9, wherein the cushion is held in place
between the sock and a fabric layer sewn into the sock.
15. The garment of claim 9, wherein the cushion is configured to
protect the ankle of the wearer from abrasion caused by the heel of
a footwear selected from the group consisting of dress shoes,
casual shoes, high heeled shoes, boots, sneakers, tennis shoes,
orthopedic shoes, basketball shoes, running shoes, ice skates,
athletic cleats, ski boots, cross trainer shoes, sandals, and
flats.
16. A method of producing a garment, the method comprising:
attaching a cushion to an ankle portion of the garment, wherein the
cushion is configured to protect an ankle of a wearer of the
garment from abrasion caused by a heel of a footwear.
17. The method of producing a garment of claim 16, wherein the
sewing further comprises introducing the cushion to the ankle
portion of the garment and sewing a fabric layer to the ankle
portion around the cushion.
18. The method of producing a garment of claim 16, wherein the
method further comprises sewing the cushion to the garment.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a non-provisional claiming priority to a
commonly owned U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.
61/130,580, filed Jun. 2, 2008, of Anwar Hasan, entitled `STEP
A.K.A. "ANKLE COMFORT" PADS,` the disclosure of which is herein
incorporated by reference to the extent not inconsistent with the
present disclosure.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The subject matter disclosed herein relates generally to a
garment to cover the ankle and a method of making the same. More
particularly, the subject matter relates to an ankle comfort pad
that is adapted for the protection of the ankle from irritation
caused by the heel of a shoe or the like.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Garments covering the legs and feet take various forms such
as leggings, socks, stockings and tights and other hosiery. These
garments serve several purposes such as keeping the feet warm,
providing comfort to the wearer, keeping the feet clean, and
providing style or fashion. Additionally, these garments often help
to absorb the sweat in the foot and draw it to areas where it can
be evaporated. In cold environments, garments such as socks help to
retain heat while removing moisture, thereby helping to prevent
frostbite. Further-more, hosiery may help to ease chafing and
irritation between the foot and footwear. Particular types of
footwear such as dress shoes, hockey skates, ski boots, athletic
footwear and high heeled shoes often cause irritation to the wearer
where the heel of the footwear digs in and rubs against the ankle,
despite the use of these garments. This is also a major concern
when a wearer uses new footwear that is stiff and yet to be broken
in.
[0004] Thus, a garment that reduces the chafing, irritation or
cutting of the skin caused by the heel of footwear would be well
received in the art.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0005] According to one aspect of the invention, a garment
comprises a main body adapted to enclose at least the foot of a
wearer, the main body including an ankle portion and a foot
portion, and a cushion located at the ankle portion of the main
body, wherein the cushion is configured to protect an ankle of the
wearer from abrasion caused by a heel of a footwear.
[0006] According to another aspect of the invention, a garment
adapted to be worn over the foot of a wearer comprises a cushion
located above a heel portion of the sock, and extending at least
partially about an ankle portion of the sock, the cushion
configured to provide protection to the wearer from a heel of a
footwear.
[0007] According to yet another aspect of the invention, a method
of producing a hosiery garment comprises attaching a cushion to an
ankle portion of the hosiery garment, wherein the cushion is
configured to protect an ankle of a wearer of the hosiery garment
from abrasion caused by a heel of a footwear.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] The subject matter which is regarded as the invention is
particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at
the conclusion of the specification. The foregoing and other
features and advantages of the invention are apparent from the
following detailed description taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings in which:
[0009] FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of a sock being worn by a
wearer and having a cushion in accordance with one embodiment of
the present invention;
[0010] FIG. 2 depicts a perspective view of the sock of FIG. 1
being worn by the wearer, taken from arrow 2, in accordance with
one embodiment of the present invention;
[0011] FIG. 3 depicts an exploded cutaway view the cushion of the
sock of FIG. 1, being worn by the wearer, in accordance with one
embodiment of the present invention;
[0012] FIG. 4 depicts a perspective view of the sock of FIG. 1,
being worn with a dress shoe by the wearer in accordance with one
embodiment of the present invention; and
[0013] FIG. 5 depicts a perspective view of a stocking utilizing
the cushion and being worn with a high heeled shoe on a leg of the
wearer in accordance with another embodiment of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0014] A detailed description of the hereinafter described
embodiments of the disclosed apparatus and method are presented
herein by way of exemplification and not limitation with reference
to the Figures.
[0015] Referring firstly to FIG. 1, there is shown a sock 10 in
accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The sock
10 is adapted to be worn over at least a foot of a wearer 12, as is
generally known in the art. The sock 10 includes a main body 14,
having both an ankle portion 16 and a foot portion 18. A cushion 20
is located at the ankle portion 16 of the main body 14, and extends
partially about the ankle portion 16 of the sock 10. The cushion 20
is configured to protect the ankle or Achilles heel of the wearer
12 from abrasion and discomfort caused by impact with a heel 22 of
a footwear 24, 26 (as is shown in FIGS. 4-5, described below). The
cushion 20 provides additional thickness to the sock 10 at a
location, such as the back of the ankle or at the Achilles heel,
subjected to increased possibility of chafing, while at the same
time allowing the sock 10 to retain an optimum thickness throughout
the rest of the main body 14.
[0016] Turning to FIG. 2, a rear view of the sock 10 is shown being
worn by the wearer 12, taken at arrow 2 of FIG. 1. The cushion 20
is shown having a horizontal body 28 wrapping partially around the
ankle portion 16 from a rear side 30 of the sock 10. The horizontal
body 28 helps to pad an ankle 32 (shown in FIG. 3) of the wearer 12
at the height of the heel 22 of footwear 24, 26. Alternatively, the
cushion may be referred to as a pad, support or insulated portion.
In one embodiment, the horizontal body 28 is between 2 and 5 inches
in length. However, the horizontal body 28 may have any appropriate
length. Further, the cushion is shown having a vertical lip 34
extending from the horizontal body 28 at least partially to a heel
corner 36 of the sock 10. The vertical lip 34 further protects the
ankle 32 of the wearer 12, and provides some leeway for heels 22 of
footwear 24, 26 having different heights. In one embodiment, the
vertical lip is between 1 and 3 inches in length. However, the
vertical lip may have any length that would be appropriate. It
should be understood that the shape of the cushion 20 is not
limited to this "T" shaped embodiment, however. Further, the top of
the "T", the horizontal body 28, may be angled in any manner that
would be appropriate to protect from the intended footwear to be
worn with the sock 10. Cushions having other shapes, such as
ovular, triangular or other polygonal shapes are also
contemplated.
[0017] FIG. 3 depicts an exploded cutaway view the cushion 20 of
the sock 10 of FIG. 1, being worn by the wearer 12. The cushion 20
is held in place between the main body 14 and a fabric layer 38
that is sewn into the main body 14 along a seam 40. In alternate
embodiments, the cushion 20 may be adhered directly into the main
body 14 of the sock 10 by sewing, tacking, riveting or any other
feasible attachment means such as natural adhesives, synthetic
adhesives, hook and loop fastener, drying adhesives, contact
adhesives and hot or reactive adhesives. Furthermore, the cushion
20 may be made of cotton. It should be understood that the cushion
20 is not limited to cotton, however, and analogous materials would
be apparent to those skilled in the art. For example, the cushion
20 may be made of foam, feathers, polyester, silk, air, linen, gel
or other liquid, rubber, synthetic plastic, or water-proof
breathable material such as Gore-tex.RTM. for wicking and removing
moisture, which causes wear on the skin. Also, the cushion 20 may
be a thicker ply of the same material as the sock 10, such as two
or more times the thickness.
[0018] FIG. 4 depicts a perspective view of the sock 10, being worn
with a dress shoe 24 by the wearer 12 in accordance with one
embodiment of the present invention. Additionally, FIG. 5 depicts a
perspective view of a stocking 42 having the cushion 20 and being
worn with a high heeled shoe 26 by the wearer 12 in accordance with
another embodiment of the present invention. In this case, the
horizontal body 28 of the cushion 20 is angled downward along the
body of the typical high heeled shoe to accommodate the fact that
the wearer's foot is propped up by the heel of the shoe 26. As
described hereinabove, any angle or shape of the cushion is
contemplated by this invention. It should also be understood that
the cushion 20 may be configured to protect the wearer 12 from
abrasion caused by the heel 22 of any type of footwear. In addition
to the dress shoe 24 and the high heeled shoe 26, the cushion 20
may be configured to protect from abrasion from a casual shoe,
boot, sneaker, tennis shoe, orthopedic shoe, basketball shoe,
running shoe, ice skate, athletic cleat, ski boots, cross trainer
shoes, sandals and flats. Additionally, it should be understood
that the cushion 20 may be similarly applied to any form of hosiery
in addition to the sock 10 and the stocking 42. For example, the
cushion 20 may be applied to a dress sock, casual sock, legging,
toe sock, tight, thigh-high sock, or athletic sock.
[0019] A further aspect of the present invention includes a method
of producing a garment 10 comprising attaching the cushion 20 to
the ankle portion 16 of the garment 10, wherein the cushion 20 is
configured to protect the ankle 32 of the wearer 12 of the garment
10 from abrasion caused by the heel 22 of footwear 24, 26. The
sewing may further comprise introducing the cushion 20 to the ankle
portion 16 of the garment 10 and sewing, attaching or adhering the
cushion 20 to the ankle portion 16 around the cushion 20.
Alternately, the method may further comprise introducing the
cushion 20 to the ankle portion 16 of the garment 10 and sewing the
fabric layer 38 to the ankle portion 16 around the cushion 20.
[0020] Elements of the embodiments have been introduced with either
the articles "a" or "an." The articles are intended to mean that
there are one or more of the elements. The terms "including" and
"having" and their derivatives are intended to be inclusive such
that there may be additional elements other than the elements
listed. The conjunction "or" when used with a list of at least two
terms is intended to mean any term or combination of terms. The
terms "first" and "second" are used to distinguish elements and are
not used to denote a particular order.
[0021] While the invention has been described in detail in
connection with only a limited number of embodiments, it should be
readily understood that the invention is not limited to such
disclosed embodiments. Rather, the invention can be modified to
incorporate any number of variations, alterations, substitutions or
equivalent arrangements not heretofore described, but which are
commensurate with the spirit and scope of the invention.
Additionally, while various embodiments of the invention have been
described, it is to be understood that aspects of the invention may
include only some of the described embodiments. Accordingly, the
invention is not to be seen as limited by the foregoing
description, but is only limited by the scope of the appended
claims.
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