U.S. patent application number 16/091846 was filed with the patent office on 2019-03-21 for athletic traction sock.
The applicant listed for this patent is STORELLI SPORTS, INC.. Invention is credited to Sarah Blaser, Thomas Vincent Marchesi, Hendrik Mark Francis Schermers, Claudio Storelli.
Application Number | 20190082746 16/091846 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 65721010 |
Filed Date | 2019-03-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20190082746 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Storelli; Claudio ; et
al. |
March 21, 2019 |
ATHLETIC TRACTION SOCK
Abstract
A single-layer sock preferably formed of interconnected pieces
with at least one of the pieces strategically placed for
stabilizing a foot within a shoe and at least one piece comprised
of gripping material.
Inventors: |
Storelli; Claudio; (New
York, NY) ; Marchesi; Thomas Vincent; (New York,
NY) ; Blaser; Sarah; (Brooklyn, NY) ;
Schermers; Hendrik Mark Francis; (Brooklyn, NY) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
STORELLI SPORTS, INC. |
Brooklyn |
NY |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
65721010 |
Appl. No.: |
16/091846 |
Filed: |
April 6, 2017 |
PCT Filed: |
April 6, 2017 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US17/26332 |
371 Date: |
October 5, 2018 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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29591429 |
Jan 19, 2017 |
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16091846 |
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62319109 |
Apr 6, 2016 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41B 11/008 20130101;
A41B 11/003 20130101; A41B 2400/82 20130101; A41B 11/12 20130101;
A41B 2500/30 20130101; A41B 2400/20 20130101; A41B 2400/60
20130101 |
International
Class: |
A41B 11/00 20060101
A41B011/00; A41B 11/12 20060101 A41B011/12 |
Claims
1. A single layer sock, comprising: a plurality of material pieces
with at least one piece being a first material formed of a
non-woven fabric including a high coefficient of friction relative
to skin on a foot and also relative to an athletic insole; and said
plurality of pieces are sewn or seamlessly bonded together so as to
form a sock.
2. The sock of claim 1, wherein at least one piece of a second
material is included in said plurality of material pieces and said
second material comprises a fabric having a lower coefficient of
friction relative to skin on a foot and also relative to an
athletic insole than the high coefficient of friction related to
said first material.
3. The sock of claim 2, wherein said second material has wicking
properties.
4. The sock of claim 2, wherein said second material allow for
venting from a foot.
5. The sock of claim 1, wherein said first material is included in
a heel area of the sock.
6. The sock of claim 1, wherein said first material is included in
a insole area of the sock.
7. The sock of claim 1, wherein said first material in included in
a base of the sock.
8. The sock of claim 1, wherein said first material comprises a
brushed fabric.
9. The sock of claim 8, wherein said first material is
synthetic.
10. A method of forming a sock, comprising: cutting a plurality of
pieces of material, said pieces configured to be joined to one
another to form a sock, with at least one piece comprising a first
material having gripping properties; arranging the pieces of the
materials into a desired pattern with said at least one piece first
arranged to encompass at least a part of a base of the sock; and
sewing or seamlessly bonding the pieces to each other to form the
sock.
11. The method of claim 10, wherein said at least one piece
comprising a first material has a coefficient of friction relative
to the insole of a shoe sufficient to grip the insole.
12. The method of claim 10, wherein said at least one piece
comprising a first material is included in a heel area of the
sock.
13. The method of claim 10, wherein said at least one piece
comprising a first material is included in a insole area of the
sock.
14. The method of claim 10, wherein said at least one piece
comprising a first material in included in a base of the sock.
15. The method of claim 10, wherein said at least one of the
plurality of pieces includes a second material with wicking
properties.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein said second material allows for
venting from a foot.
17. The method of claim 10, wherein said first material comprises a
non-woven brushed fabric.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein said first material is
synthetic.
19. The method of claim 17, wherein said first material is a
non-woven brushed synthetic gripping fabric.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to the field of
athletic socks, and more specifically, to a sock that is
constructed preferably by a "cut and sew" or "cut and bond" method
wherein gripping material, synthetic or otherwise, is used for
portions of the sock, such as but not limited to the sole and heel
portions of the sock, and not as an overlay to an otherwise
complete sock. This novel sock with gripping material provides
benefits including but not limited to stabilizing an individual's
foot via the sock within a shoe (thanks to increased traction),
thus improving the individual's response time in reaction and
explosiveness of movement.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Athletic socks are commonly worn by individuals (e.g.,
athletes) and ordinarily in conjunction with athletic shoes.
However, not all shoes are alike and shoe fitting is not typically
snug throughout. An individual's foot and a sock worn by the
individual commonly do not fill the entirety of the interior of a
shoe, which often leads to slippage of one's foot and the sock
associated within the shoe, particularly during athletic movement.
Slippage is often caused by the lack of any or sufficient friction
between the sock and the shoe, which causes the sock/foot
combination or just the sock, to slip relative to the shoe's
insole. This slippage impacts, for example, stability following the
athlete's response, causing the finality of the response to be
lengthened unnecessarily due to time wasted consequential to foot
slippage. Furthermore, by losing foot traction due to slippage,
athletes lose power in the movement, which can propagate to power
loss in other ways (like in a throw). Finally, this slippage can
also be the cause of injuries due to movement of an individual's
foot within the shoe resulting in twisting of the individual's
ankle and/or knee that can cause ligament or other injuries, along
with blisters.
[0003] Furthermore, socks are commonly constructed via a knitting
process, where a circular knitting machine is generally used to
knit yarns into the shape of a sock. The incorporation of
non-knitted or non-woven materials is unusual because it requires
a) material to be applied onto the sock directly or in layered
material (e.g., glued as an additional layer) which adds bulkiness,
or b) a different construction process other than knitting (e.g.,
cut-and-sew). Both a) and b) are rare, and even more rare (we are
not aware of any instance) when used in combination (i.e., a sock
constructed via a "cut-and-sew" process that also incorporates
non-woven materials). Commercially available non-slip socks
typically consist of synthetic gripping materials (e.g., silicone)
glued on the exterior of a full sock (e.g., children's or yoga
anti-slip socks). These socks are thus composed by two overlapping
layers; a full knitted sock and a gripping material glued on top of
the sock.
[0004] Neither knitted socks nor multi-layered socks serve the
purposes needed for multiple types of athletics. Multi-layered
socks tend to result in irregular surfaces, leading to development
of blisters and sliding of a foot. Similarly, knitted socks, while
comfortable and generally breathable, also result in considerable
slippage.
[0005] Consequently, it would be beneficial to have a single-layer,
no-slip sock, where no slip is in dry and in wet conditions, and
which concurrently allows for breathability and wicking of
moisture. It would also be beneficial for such a sock to be
non-knitted.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention is directed to a single layer athletic
sock that, at least in some areas of the foot where an individual's
foot places significant pressure against a shoe during athletic
activity, is comprised of (not covered with) gripping fabric to
increase friction between the sock and the shoe thereby reducing
possibility of slippage of an individual's foot within the shoe and
in turn thereby reducing delays in complete reactivity (i.e.,
improving reaction such as by mitigating slipping) and risk of
injury.
[0007] The invention includes two key components;
[0008] 1) The sock is preferably constructed by a "cut and sew" or
"cut and bond" method (as opposed to traditional knitting method)
wherein the sock is preferably made from a plurality of different
pieces of fabric that are cut to size and sewn or seamlessly bonded
(not knitted like most athletic socks) together to form the shape
of a sock. The seamless bonding may preferably be formed by, such
as but not limited to, addition of a glue, where the glue is
activated by one or both of heat and pressure. The gripping
material is not overlayed on an otherwise complete sock; the
gripping material is at least a part of the sock such that, where
used, the gripping material is, for example, a portion of the sole
layer of material making up the sock, and is concurrently in
contact with the foot of the athlete (on the interior of the sock)
and the shoe of the athlete (on the exterior of the sock).
[0009] 2) The sock includes fabric or material with a higher than
normal coefficient of friction when rubbed against both skin (on
the interior of the sock) and the inside of the shoe (on the
exterior of the sock), used in specific areas of the sock to
enhance the grip of the sock within a shoe and forms portions of
the sock where beneficial. The fabric includes gripping properties
such that the sock maintains a high-coefficient of friction
relative to other fabrics or materials (e.g., a shoe's insole) or
human skin even when any of the gripping fabric, the other material
or the skin is wet (i.e., the material must grip effectively
against both the skin of the foot and the inside of the shoe both
when dry and when both skin and shoe interior are wet due to sweat
caused by athletic activities). The grip fabric is preferably
arranged ergonomically as part the sock in areas of the sock where
most weight and pressure is placed by an individual during athletic
activity and/or adherence is most beneficial. This includes areas
encompassing any or all of the foot's heel, sole and metatarsal and
as such, the sock includes placement of the synthetic grip fabric
to ensure these regions of an individual's foot are covered by the
synthetic grip fabric. Importantly, flatness of the sock must be
maintained.
[0010] The gripping material is made of nylon, polyester, or a
combination of both (e.g., 50/50). The material is not made via a
weaving process, but rather heat pressed together and then brushed
to create a nap.
[0011] A key to the invention is the combination of a single-layer
sock made via a cut-and-sew/bond process, wherein a grip material
is used as part of the sock (as a single layer, not pasted on top
of the sock).
[0012] Regarding the necessary coefficient of friction ("CoF"), we
have tested the CoF of the grippy material vs. normal sock
material, both when rubbed against skin and insoled shoes (two
different tests, since there is a big difference in texture between
skin and the nylon used to cover insoles, so results differ) and in
both dry and wet conditions.
[0013] When performing the tests mentioned above, "non-grippy"
fabrics scored around 30-40 Newtons in dry conditions, and 40-50 in
wet, both when rubbed against skin and farbic. Our grip fabrics
scored above 50 Newtons in all scenarios (and up to 80). It is
essential that the grip material be grippy against BOTH skin and
fabric, because since the material is used a single layer making up
a big chunk of the sole of the sock, it must grip against skin (on
interior of sock) and against the insole (on exterior of the
sock).
[0014] To sum up, based on our tests, to be effective a grip fabric
should test above 50 Newtons in all the tests below: [0015] Against
SKIN--dry conditions [0016] Against SKIN--wet (simulating "sweaty"
athletic conditions) [0017] Against insole fabric (e.g.,
nylon)--dry [0018] Against insole fabric--wet
[0019] The present invention is directed to a sock formed from a
plurality of connected portions, preferably connections formed by
sewing or bonding, such as heat bonding. To the extent sewing is
used, the result is either seamless or minimally seamed. Each
portion of the sock is directed to covering a different portion of
a foot, where each portion is directed to overcoming one or more
issues related to that portion of the foot. For example, slippage
is a problem at a bottom portion of a foot, and airflow is a
problem solvable at other portions of the foot. In an embodiment,
the core or base of the sole of the sock is covered in one or more
specific portions where more weight and pressure is placed during
athletic activity (i.e., ergonomic placement of the gripping
material). In another embodiment, the entirety of the core or base
is comprised of synthetic gripping fabric to enhance the
coefficient of friction between the insole and an individual's foot
where needed. That is, the gripping fabric has a high-coefficient
of friction to maintain static contact with the shoe's insole and
concurrently directly with human skin even when either/both the
gripping fabric or the other fabric or skin is wet. In an
embodiment, the gripping material is poly micro suede.
[0020] The gripping material of the present invention is directed
to creating a non-slip surface between the sock and the foot as
well as between the sock and the insole of the shoe. To meet these
criteria, the gripping material of the present invention is
preferably formed of a non-woven material. Ordinarily, socks are
formed of knitted material, which has an adverse impact on the
coefficient of friction between the sock and another surface,
thereby contributing to slippage. The material is also preferably
brushed, thereby giving it nap which remains soft to the touch yet
has texture to it, where the texture leads to improved
friction.
[0021] The gripping material of the present invention is of a type
which will adhere to another layer of itself. Preferably the
material is formed of a polyester, nylon, or some combination.
[0022] The gripping fabric of the present invention may have a
structure or application so that, potentially, airflow in that area
is precluded. Consequently, other portions of the sock have
features associated with airflow and/or wicking.
[0023] The gripping material of the present invention is preferably
intended to form a single layer so as to provide comfort to the
wearer. The gripper portions of the sock are just that--portions of
the sock, not sewn-in weaves or threads. Further, in the preferred
embodiment, the sock of the present invention is not directed to
different surfaces on the interior and exterior of the sock. In
other words, there are no portions glued onto or otherwise attached
to a sock, such as on one side, to provide this or similar
capability.
[0024] In an alternative embodiment, an extra layer of grip fabric
is bonded to at least one side of the sock in one or more
designated portions of the sock. This extra layer does not have a
corresponding piece on the opposing side.
[0025] Benefits to the present invention include, but are not
limited to, improvement in slippage of a foot within a shoe,
improved foot control, and reduced contact time of the foot
relative to the shoe. These benefits are key, particularly in
athletics, and together result in improved athletic performance and
responsivity.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0026] FIGS. 1A-1C respectively depict outside, front, and
perspective views of an embodiment of the sock of the present
invention constructed by the "cut and sew" or "cut and bond"
method;
[0027] FIGS. 2A-2E show and an embodiment of a sock of the present
invention constructed from the materials.
[0028] FIG. 3 depicts test results of the sock of the present
invention under dry conditions.
[0029] FIG. 4 depicts test results of the sock of the present
invention under wet conditions.
[0030] FIG. 5 depicts measured improvement in slip of the present
invention over a control sock.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0031] With reference now to the drawings, FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C
depict an embodiment of a sock constructed by a "cut and sew"
method as opposed to knitting. The sock is comprised of a plurality
of pieces of material (see, e.g., FIG. 1C) that are cut into
desired shapes and sewn or otherwise attached together to form a
sock. Sewing is as seamless as possible.
[0032] As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, different pieces of material,
at times formed of different compositions, are attached together.
As shown in an example in FIG. 1A, portion 10 may be an elasticized
section for holding the sock up the leg, portion 20 may be friction
elements so as to avoid slippage and may be formed using, for
example, micro suede gripping material, portions 30 and 35 may have
wicking and/or air flow functionality, and attaching elements 40
and 45 may be bonding attributes between elements.
[0033] FIGS. 2A-2E depict various combinations of materials that
can be used to form the sock. In one embodiment, the materials
include a first material, a second material that preferably
includes a brushed non-woven griping material, and potentially a
third material that is inclusive of elastic composition, such as
for the purpose of a cuff. It should be noted that although three
materials are disclosed herein, the sock can be comprised of any
number and type of desired materials, Element 50 in FIG. 2B depicts
exemplary strategic placement of gripping material on the bottom
portion of the sock. As shown in the embodiment in FIG. 2C, elastic
material extends about an area near the opening of the sock and the
top portion of the sock is substantially comprised of pieces of the
third material. The elastic material is preferably used to allow
the lift portion of the sock to remain stable on a wearer's leg. As
shown in FIGS. 2D and 2E, the sock is comprised of a plurality of
materials arranged at specific locations of the sock and cut to
mate with each other. As shown in FIG. 2D, the sole of the sock
includes a first region of grip material 50 to cover the ball of an
individual's foot and a second region of grip material 50 to extend
from an individual's ball of the foot to their heel. The remainder
of the sole of the sock is comprised substantially of the first
material with the edges glued via a heat press process to the grip
material 50 to form a seamless bond between the grip material and
first material. By arranging the grip material to cover the ball,
heel, and partial or full insole of an individual's foot--the
regions of a foot that are prone to slide in a shoe--the sock
ensures a more secure fit between a shoe and a user's foot and in
turn increases the individual's response time in reacting to an
event and aids in preventing injuries typically caused due to
movement of an individual's foot within a shoe.
[0034] Also evident in FIG. 2E is opening 60. In one embodiment, a
sock may be formed by creating a full sock and then opening a hole
60, such as by laser cutting. Once hole 60 is created, grip
material 50 is inserted and sewn, heat bonded, or otherwise bonded
in.
[0035] The sock of the present invention is formed of a plurality
of materials, preferably sewn or otherwise bonded together in a
manner to avoid overlap and elevated seams. In the present
invention, some portions of the sock may be formed of traditional
athletic sock materials, such as but not limited to materials which
include wicking and/or venting properties. These materials, which
may have lower coefficients of friction than other materials in the
sock, cover areas of the foot where slippage is less of an issue,
such as on the upper portion of the foot.
[0036] By placing the gripping material in limited but
strategically important areas, attributes of an athlete's
performance have been found to improve. The attributes of the sock
were split up into `performance attributes` and `comfort and visual
attributes`. The results were reported as the percentage difference
in the score between the prototype sock and the control sock.
Positive percentage differences indicate an improved score for the
prototype sock.
[0037] Each of eleven testers was given a control sock and the sock
of the present invention and asked to rate improvement in grip,
agility, and speed. Nearly all indicated improvement in each
category, with improvement of up to 60%. Nearly all participants
felt that the prototype sock offered an increased level of grip
within the shoe. This backs up the data observed in friction
testing; increased friction can be attributed to an increased
sensation of grip. Furthermore, 9 out of 11 of the participants
reported an increase in grip of >10%.
[0038] FIGS. 3 and 4 depict test results, testing various socks in
combination with skin and with an insole, under both dry and wet
(sweat) conditions. The test consisted of a control sample (an
off-the-shelf athletic sock), a swatch of the material of the
present invention, and a sock of the present invention. In each
case, numerous tests were conducted (the charts show error bounds),
relative to skin and a common insole, where the common insole is
formed of a nylon/polyester surface. From the test data, it is
self-evident that the sock of the present invention is superior
under dry conditions and is as good if not better than all others
in wet conditions.
[0039] FIG. 5 shows measured test results for a control sock and
the present invention ("Poly--Storelli") regarding slippage.
Whereas slippage was measured at over 100 mm for a control sock,
the measurement was nearly zero for the present invention.
[0040] The control sock is a cotton sport sock of a type available
at any sports outlet. The sock of the present invention in testing
always provides higher friction than commercial and control socks.
Typically, the sock of the present invention provides around 40%
more friction to the foot and shoe than the control (average
performance across wet/dry, interior/exterior tests). The dry
performance of the sock tends to be better than commercial socks,
including in wetted conditions.
[0041] The sock of the present invention is intended to improve
grip between a foot and a shoe. The gripping material of the
present invention stabilizes the foot within the shoe. To that end,
the sock of the present invention may be configured to mate with
another component within the shoe or may have an additional
component which can improve mating with the shoe. For example,
overlayed on the sock, or in separate pieces interspersed among
grippy pieces, a different material, formed potentially of a
knitted fabric such as but not limited to a prime knit, can be used
to mate with material in the shoe. In a further example, the
material in the shoe may have a surface for adhering to one or more
of the materials in the sock. In addition, to aid this process,
because a sock is form-fitting, the mating material can also be
form-fitting.
[0042] The foregoing description and associated images illustrate
several embodiments of the invention and its respective constituent
parts. However, other types of materials and patterns combining
materials are possible. As such, the images are not intended to be
limiting in that regard. Thus, although the description above and
accompanying images contain much specificity, the details provided
should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments,
but merely as providing illustrations of some of embodiments of the
present disclosure. The images and the description are not to be
taken as restrictive on the scope of the embodiments and are
understood as broad and general teachings in accordance with the
present invention. While the present embodiments of the invention
have been described using specific terms, such description is for
present illustrative purposes only, and it is to be understood that
modifications and variations to such embodiments, including but not
limited to the substitutions of equivalent features, materials, or
parts, and the reversal of various features thereof, may be
practiced by those of ordinary skill in the art without departing
from the spirit and scope of the invention.
* * * * *