Patent Publication Number: US-11045681-B2

Title: Weighted sock

Description:
FIELD 
     The present disclosure concerns a sock having pluralities of weight assemblies at a leg of the sock. Each weight assembly measured along a circumferential direction about the leg of the sock, extends for more than 0.25 and less than 0.5 of the circumference of the leg of the sock. Preferably each weight assembly extends 0.33 of the circumference of the sock. Each weight assembly has a plurality of weight carriers and a plurality of weights. Each weight carrier of an assembly carries a weight of the assembly. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Increased neuromuscular feedback, increased proprioception of bilateral lower extremities and increased tactile feedback are phenomenal therapy tools for the client needing sensory integration strategies included in their treatment plan. Adding increased weight to bilateral lower extremities assists the central nervous system in knowing where the individual foot is in space (proprioception) as well as improving the clients tactile input. Increased weight on bilateral lower extremities assists individuals with neuromuscular-skeletal injuries to walk with improved neuromuscular feedback, improved alignment, and improved coordination. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,401,256, Orthopedic Sock System, Lee P. Shreve, discloses an orthopedic sock system including a pair of identical sock structures and a number of weight inserts. Each identical sock structure includes a sock portion having a foot receiving cavity in connection with a tubular leg receiving portion and a number of weight insert receiving pouches formed in connection with the sock structure. A number of weight insert receiving pouches are provided in connection with a foot top cover portion of each sock structure, a number of weight insert receiving pouches are provided in connection with an interior ankle surface covering outer portion of each sock structure, a number of weight insert receiving pouches are provided in connection with an exterior ankle surface covering outer portion of each sock structure, a number of weight insert receiving pouches are provided in connection with an above the interior ankle surface covering outer portion of each sock structure, and a number of weight insert receiving pouches are provided in connection with an above the exterior ankle surface covering outer portion of each sock structure. Each weight receiving pouch is optionally provided with a hook and pile fastener mechanism for securing a respective weight insert within the weight receiving pouch. The weight inserts are positioned within user selected weight receiving pouches to allow a user to have increased resistance at locations on the user&#39;s foot, ankle, and/or lower shin such that the user receives a rehabilitative benefit. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 7,090,624, Exercise System, Marcellus D. Chrishon, discloses an exercise system for allowing a user to increase endurance, power, speed, quickness, and overall body conditioning. The exercise system includes a body member that is adapted to snuggly fit around a portion of a user. A plurality of pockets is coupled to the body member. Each of the pockets has a flap that is secured to a front panel of each the pockets such that the flap is for closing each of the respective pockets. A plurality of weight members each are selectively insertable into each of the pockets such that the weight members are adapted to change the weight resistance against the muscles of the user when the body member is fitted around a portion of a user. The body member has a leg opening and a heel opening and a toe opening. The body member is adapted to receive a foot of a user to position the body member over an ankle. At least one of the pockets is positioned above the ankle of a user. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,027,440, John A. Morris, discloses various weight loss systems and methods and weighted distal limb sleeves for promoting non-exercise activity thermogenesis (NEAT). One embodiment is an anatomically-weighted distal limb sleeve for use in a weight loss program. One such anatomically-weighted distal limb sleeve is adapted and sized to be comfortably worn on a distal portion of a person&#39;s limb relative to a limb joint. The anatomically-weighted distal limb sleeve comprises a predefined amount of exogenous weight arranged on the limb sleeve to simulate the anatomical distribution of endogenous soft tissue of the distal portion of the limb. 
     SUMMARY 
     Some known ankle weights used to address increasing neuromuscular feedback, increasing proprioception of bilateral lower extremities, and increasing tactile feedback add bulk around the ankle joint and this bulk decreases the ability of the weight to work correctly for this population, as it disturbs the normal gait cycle. The result is an abducted gait pattern with increased circumduction during the swing phase of the gait cycle. Some products on the market place weight pouches on client&#39;s shoe laces. This places weight in an unnatural position and interferes in the normal gait cycle. Still other products place weights in pouches on the lateral side of the leg. This provides an unnatural placement of weight, disturbing the gait cycle. 
     The weighted sock of the present disclosure provides for improved sensory integration of legs. The sock&#39;s streamlined design, light total weight, and specific placement of the weights ensures the sock will not disturb the normal gait pattern of a child or adult. It may be worn for multiple hours at a time comfortably by children or adults of any age. The socks are completely machine washable and dryable allowing many years of use. The metal in the socks is non-toxic and rust proof. The socks slip on and off, just like regular socks. 
     The weighted sock is also useful in strengthening the user&#39;s bilateral lower extremity musculature. 
     Accordingly, an example of the invention comprises a weighted sock. The weighted sock has an open end and a closed end. A weight assembly of the weighted sock is at a portion of the sock. The weight assembly has a weight carrier. The weight carrier has a carrier space. A weight is in the carrier space. The weight is configurable to take on a first shape or dimension by a force which also changes the shape or dimension of the weight carrier. The carrier when having the changed shape or dimension provides a force of sufficient magnitude to reconfigure the weight into a second shape or dimension different from the first shape when the force which also changes the shape or dimension of the carrier is removed. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a first sided isometric view of a weight assembly of the present invention; the view is corresponded with an XYZ coordinate template. 
         FIG. 2  is a second sided isometric view of the weight assembly of  FIG. 1 ; the second sided view is opposite the first sided view. 
         FIG. 3  is a second sided facing view of the weight assembly of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 4  is a first sided facing view of the weight assembly of  FIG. 1  wherein portions of the first portions of material of weight carriers is cutaway to reveal weights comprising individual mass units. 
         FIG. 5  is a first sided view of the weight assembly of  FIG. 1  wherein the first end weight carrier and first interior weight carrier and the weights therein are deformed into a first shape curving about an axis extending in the Z direction. 
         FIG. 6  is a partial first sided view of the weight assembly of  FIG. 1  wherein the first end weight carrier and the weight therein are deformed into a first shape twisting about an axis extending in the X direction. 
         FIG. 7  is a first sided view of the weight assembly of  FIG. 1  wherein the first end weight carrier and the weight therein are deformed into a first shape stretching in the Z direction. 
         FIG. 8  is a cut away view of a weighted sock showing the weight assembly of  FIG. 1 , labeled as A, and an additional weight assembly labeled as B, both at the leg portion of the sock. 
         FIG. 9  is a cut away view of the weighted sock of  FIG. 8  showing the weight assembly of  FIG. 1 , labeled as A, and an additional weight assembly labeled as C, both at the leg portion of the sock. 
     
    
    
     Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and arrangement of components set forth in the following description or as illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including,” “comprising” or “having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. Unless specified or limited otherwise, the terms “mounted,” “connected,” “supported,” and “coupled” and variations thereof are used broadly and encompass both direct and indirect mountings, connections, supports, and couplings. Further, “connected” and “coupled” are not restricted to physical or mechanical connections or couplings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The weighted sock  20  has a plurality of weight assemblies  22 ,  222 ,  322 . A weight assembly  22  of the plurality of weight assemblies  22 ,  222 ,  322  has a plurality of permanently closed weight carriers  24 ,  25 ,  26 ,  27 ,  28 ,  29 ,  30 . The phrase “permanently closed” means the structure is designed to remain closed and not opened by an end user during normal use of the sock. A weight carrier  24  of the permanently closed weight carriers of the weight assembly is a first end closed weight carrier  24  and another of the permanently closed weight carriers is a second end closed weight carrier  30 . The first end closed carrier  24  is permanently closed at a first end  24   a . A seam  24   a ′ closes the weight carrier at the first end  24   a . The seam is a place where a first portion of material  24   e  of the weight carrier is permanently joined to a second portion of material  24   f  of the weight carrier by stitches. The weight carrier  24  is permanently closed at a second end  24   b . A seam  24   b ′ closes the weight carrier  24  at the second end  24   b . The seam is a place where the first portion of material  24   e  of the weight carrier is permanently joined to the second portion of material  24   f  of the weight carrier by stitches. The weight carrier  24  is permanently closed at a third end  24   c . A seam  24   c ′ closes the weight carrier at the third end  24   c . The seam is a place where the first portion of material  24   e  is joined to the second portion of material  24   f  by stitches. The weight carrier  24  is permanently closed at a fourth end  24   d . A seam  24   d ′ closes the carrier at the fourth end  24   d . The seam is a place where the first portion of material  24   e  is joined to the second portion of material  24   f  by stitches. 
     The first end closed weight carrier  24  is adjacent and coupled to a first interior closed weight carrier  25 . The first end closed weight carrier  24  is adjacent the first interior closed weight carrier  25  along first end carrier&#39;s second end  24   b  and the first interior carrier&#39;s first end  25   a . The first end closed weight carrier second end  24   b  is common with the first interior weight carrier&#39;s first end  25   a . The stitches and seam  24   b ′ making up the second end  24   b  of the first end closed carrier  24  are the stitches and seam  25   a ′ making up the first end  25   a  of the first interior permanently closed weight carrier  25 . The first end  24   a  of the first end weight carrier  24  is not adjacent a weight carrier. It is the end of the weight carrier closest to an open end  34  of the sock. The first interior permanently closed weight carrier  25  second end  25   b  is common with the first end  26   a  of the second interior permanently closed weight carrier  26 . The first interior closed weight carrier  25  is coupled to the second interior closed weight carrier  26 . The same stitches and seam  25   b ′,  26   a ′ make up the first end  26   a  of the second interior weight carrier  26  and the second end  25   b  of the first interior weight carrier  25 . The first interior closed weight carrier  25  has the same construction, structure, dimension as the first end closed weight carrier  24  excepting the commonality of the carriers&#39; first  24   a ,  25   a  and second  24   b ,  25   b  ends. 
     The second interior permanently closed weight carrier  26  is adjacent the third interior permanently closed weight carrier  27  along the second interior closed weight carrier  26  second end  26   b  and third interior closed weight carrier  27  first end  27   a . The third interior weight carrier first end  27   a  is common with the second interior closed weight carrier second end  26   b . The first end  27   a  of the third interior closed weight carrier  27  and the second end  26   b  of the second interior closed weight carrier  26  have a common seam  26   b ′,  27   a ′ and stiches. The second interior weight carrier  26  is coupled to the third interior closed weight carrier  27 . The second interior closed weight carrier  26  has the same construction, structure, dimension as the first interior closed weight carrier  27  excepting the commonality of the carriers&#39; first  26   a ,  27   a  and second  26   b ,  27   b  ends. 
     The third interior permanently closed weight carrier  27  is adjacent the fourth interior permanently closed weight carrier  28  along the fourth interior weight carrier  28  first end  28   a  and third interior weight carrier  27  second end  27   b . The third interior weight carrier second end  27   b  is common with the first end  28   a  of the fourth interior weight carrier  28 . The second end  27   b  of the third interior weight carrier  27  and the first end  28   a  of the fourth interior closed weight carrier  28  have a common seam  27   b ′,  28   a ′ and stiches. The third interior weight carrier  27  is coupled to the fourth interior weight carrier  28 . The third interior closed weight carrier  27  has the same construction, structure, and dimension as the second interior closed weight carrier  26  excepting the commonality of the carriers&#39; first  27   a ,  28   a  and second  27   b ,  28   b  ends. 
     The fourth interior permanently closed weight carrier  28  is adjacent the fifth interior permanently closed weight carrier  29  along the fourth interior closed weight carrier  28  second end  28   b  and the fifth interior weight carrier  29  first end  29   a . The second end  28   b  of the fourth interior weight carrier  28  is common with the first end  29   a  of the fifth interior permanently closed weight carrier  29 . The first end  29   a  of the fifth interior weight carrier  29  and the second end  28   b  of the fourth interior weight carrier  28  have a common seam  28   b ′,  29   a ′ and stitches. The fourth interior weight carrier  28  is coupled to the fifth interior weight carrier  29 . The fourth interior weight carrier  28  has the same construction, structure, and dimension as the third interior weight carrier  27  excepting the commonality of the carriers&#39; first  27   a ,  28   a  and second  27   b ,  28   b  ends. 
     The fifth interior closed weight carrier  29  is adjacent the second end permanently closed weight carrier  30  along the fifth interior closed weight carrier  29  second end  29   b  and the second end weight carrier  30  first end  30   a . The second end  29   b  of the fifth interior weight carrier  29  is common with the first end  30   a  of the second end closed interior weight carrier  30 . The second end  29   b  of the fifth interior weight carrier  29  and the first end  30   a  of the second end interior weight carrier  30  have a common seam  29   b ′,  30   a ′ and stitching. The fifth interior weight carrier  29  is coupled to the second end closed weight carrier  30 . The fifth interior weight carrier  29  has the same construction, structure, and dimension as the fourth interior weight carrier  28  excepting the commonality of the carriers&#39; first  28   a ,  29   a  and second  28   b ,  29   b  ends. 
     The first end  30   a  of the second end permanently closed weight carrier  30  is common with a second end. Depending on how many carriers are present in a weight assembly, the second end can be the second end  26   b ,  27   b ,  28   b ,  29   b , of an interior closed weight carrier, such as the second  26 , third  27 , fourth  28  or fifth  29  interior weight carrier. It can also be the second end  24   b  of the first end closed weight carrier  24 . In the present example the commonality is with the second end  29   b  of the fifth interior closed weight carrier  29 . The second end  30   b  of the second end permanently closed weight carrier  30  is not adjacent another weight carrier of the weight carrier assembly  22 . The second end  30   b  is the end that is closest to the sock closed end  36  when the sock  20  is in an elongated orientation but in a relaxed, unstretched, state. The second end closed weight carrier  30  has the same type of construction, structure, and dimension as the first end closed weight carrier  24  excepting the commonality of the carriers&#39; first  24   a ,  30   a  and second  24   b ,  30   b  ends. 
     In accordance with the above, each carrier  24 ,  25 ,  26 ,  27 ,  28 ,  29   30  has a first portion of material  24   e ,  25   e ,  26   e ,  27   e ,  28   e ,  29   e ,  30   e  joined to a second portion of material  24   f ,  25   f ,  26   f ,  27   f ,  28   f ,  29   f ,  30   f . Each carrier of the weight assembly has a first end  24   a ,  25   a ,  26   a ,  27   a ,  28   a ,  29   a ,  30   a . The first end is permanently closed. The first end of each carrier has a seam  24   a ′,  25   a ′,  26   a ′,  27   a ′,  28   a ′,  29   a ′,  30   a ′ which comprises stitches joining the first portion of material  24   e ,  25   e ,  26   e ,  27   e ,  28   e ,  29   e ,  30   e  to the second portion of material  24   f ,  25   f ,  26   f ,  27 ,  28   f ,  29   f ,  30   f . Each carrier has a second end  24   b ,  25   b ,  26   b ,  27   b ,  28   b ,  29   b ,  30   b  opposite the first end. The second end is permanently closed. The second end of each carrier has a seam  24   b ′,  25   b ′,  26   b ′,  27   b ′,  28   b ′,  29   b ′,  30   b ′ which comprises stitches joining the first portion of material  24   e ,  25   e ,  26   e ,  27   e ,  28   e ,  29   e ,  30   e  to the second portion of material  24   f ,  25   f ,  26   f ,  27 ,  28   f ,  29   f ,  30   f . Each carrier of the weight assembly  22  has a third end  24   c ,  25   c ,  26   c ,  27   c ,  28   c ,  29   c ,  30   c . The third end is permanently closed. The third end of each carrier has a seam  24   c ′,  25   c ′,  26   c ′,  27   c ′,  28   c ′,  29   c ′,  30   c ′ which comprises stitches joining the first portion of material  24   e ,  25   e ,  26   e ,  27   e ,  28   e ,  29   e ,  30   e  to the second portion of material  24   f ,  25   f ,  26   f ,  27 ,  28   f ,  29   f ,  30   f . Each carrier has a fourth end  24   d ,  25   d ,  26   d ,  27   d ,  28   d ,  29   d ,  30   d  opposite the third end. The fourth end is permanently closed. The fourth end of each carrier has a seam  24   d ′,  25   d ′,  26   d ′,  27   d ′,  28   d ′,  29   d ′,  30   d ′ which comprises stitches joining the first portion of material  24   e ,  25   e ,  26   e ,  27   e ,  28   e ,  29   e ,  30   e  to the second portion of material  24   f ,  25   f ,  26   f ,  27 ,  28   f ,  29   f ,  30   f . The stitches of the weight carriers are called an elastic stitch A line intersecting both the third and fourth end of any carrier is perpendicular to a line intersecting the first and second end of that carrier. Each carrier is in the shape of a rectangle. Each carrier is permanently closed at all four sides of the rectangle moving from the interior of the carrier to the exterior. The carriers are all interconnected and arranged in a columnar orientation. The carriers are the same. 
     The first portion of material  24   e ,  25   e ,  26   e ,  27   e ,  28   e ,  29   e ,  30   e  of each weight carrier is elastomeric. The first portion of material is a fabric. The first portion of material is stretchable to expand in a first direction and a second direction. The second direction can be opposite the first direction. The first direction can be in the Z direction relative to a Z axis. The second direction can be in the −Z direction relative to the Z axis. The first direction can be in the Y direction relative to a Y axis. The second direction can be in the −Y direction relative to the Y axis. The second portion of material  24   f ,  25   f ,  26   f ,  27 ,  28   f ,  29   f ,  30   f  of each weight carrier can also be elastomeric and stretchable just like the first portion of material or in directions different from the first portion of material. 
     Each carrier  24 ,  25 ,  26 ,  27 ,  28 ,  29 ,  30  has an enclosed carrier space  38 . Interior surfaces of the carrier delimit and define the carrier space  38 . The first material portion  24   e ,  25   e ,  26   e ,  27   e ,  28   e ,  29   e ,  30   e  and second  24   f ,  25   f ,  26   f ,  27 ,  28   f ,  29   f ,  30   f  material portion of each carrier have the interior surfaces. These interior surfaces delimit and define the enclosed carrier space  38 . Each carrier space  38  has a weight  40  therein. Each weight  40  in a carrier space  38  comprises a plurality of mass units  42 . The plurality of individual mass units  42  in each weight carrier enclosed space  38  have the same mass, the same weight, the same shape, and the same dimension to each other. The mass units  42  can have similar mass, weight, shape, and dimension. Each category of similarity between the mass units  42  within a weight carrier  24 ,  25 ,  26 ,  27 ,  28 ,  29 ,  30  being within 70%. Each mass unit  42  is made of stainless steel. Each mass unit  42  in each of the weight carriers&#39; enclosed space  38  is snugly held within the space by the first  24   e ,  25   e ,  26   e ,  27   e ,  28   e ,  29   e ,  30   e  and second  24   f ,  25   f ,  26   f ,  27 ,  28   f ,  29   f ,  30   f  portion of material of each respective weight carrier. A portion of material, and preferably both the first and second portions of material of each weight carrier, are in constant contact with each of their respective plurality of mass units  42  in the enclosed space  38  when the sock  20  is at rest and not in use and when the sock is in use by a wearer of the sock. Within each carrier enclosed space  38 , each mass unit  42  in that carrier enclosed space is movable within a fixed range relative to each other mass unit  42  in that carrier enclosed space  38 . 
     The following description of weight, mass units, carrier, and portion(s) of material applies to all the weights, mass units, carriers, and portions of material of the weight assembly. A single weight carrier and its respective weight, mass units, and first and second portions of material are sometimes described for conciseness and ease of description. The weight  40  and mass units  42  associated with each carrier  24 ,  25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30  are the same. The first  24   e ,  25   e ,  26   e ,  27   e ,  28   e ,  29   e ,  30   e  and second  24   f ,  25   f ,  26   f ,  27 ,  28   f ,  29   f ,  30   f  portions of material associated with each carrier are the same. The carrier spaces  38  associated with each carrier  24 ,  25 ,  26 ,  27 ,  28 ,  29 ,  30  are the same. The term same means essentially the same construction, shape and dimension. Each of the plurality of mass units  42 , when their associated carrier  24 ,  25 ,  26 ,  27 ,  28 ,  29 ,  30  or portion(s) of material  24   e ,  25   e ,  26   e ,  27   e ,  28   e ,  29   e ,  30   e ;  24   f ,  25   f ,  26   f ,  27 ,  28   f ,  29   f ,  30   f  are stretched to expand in a direction under a force, is moveable along with the carrier or portion(s) of material stretched. They are moveable from a position and in the direction of expansion. The mass units are moveable relative to the other mass units of the plurality, when the units are in the carrier space. The direction of expansion is, capable of being in at least in the Z and/or −Z direction relative to the Z axis. The direction of expansion can also be in the Y and/or −Y direction relative to the Y axis. When the force stretching the carrier  24 ,  25 ,  26 ,  27 ,  28 ,  29 ,  30  or portion(s) of material  24   e ,  25   e ,  26   e ,  27   e ,  28   e ,  29   e ,  30   e ;  24   f ,  25   f ,  26   f ,  27 ,  28   f ,  29   f ,  30   f  is removed from the carrier or portion(s) of material, an elastomeric force contracts the stretched carrier or portion(s) of the material in a direction opposite the direction of expansion, returning the carrier or portion(s) of material to a more relaxed state; the elastomeric force also moving the moved mass unit  42  in the direction of contraction. 
     Each weight  40 , comprising the individual mass units  42 , is configurable to take on a first shape or dimension under a force of change which also changes the shape or dimension of their respective carrier  24 ,  25 ,  26 ,  27 ,  28 ,  29 ,  30  or portion(s) of material  24   e ,  25   e ,  26   e ,  27   e ,  28   e ,  29   e ,  30   e ;  24   f ,  25   f ,  26   f ,  27 ,  28   f ,  29   f ,  30   f  from their shape or dimension when not under the force. The changed shape or dimension of the carrier or portion(s) of material has a stored force of sufficient magnitude to return the carrier or portion(s) of material towards their first shape or dimension when not under the force of change. The force of sufficient magnitude also reconfigures the weight  40  into a second shape different from the first shape as the carrier  24 ,  25 ,  26 ,  27 ,  28 ,  29 ,  30  or portion(s) of material  24   e ,  25   e ,  26   e ,  27   e ,  28   e ,  29   e ,  30   e ;  24   f ,  25   f ,  26   f ,  27 ,  28   f ,  29   f ,  30   f  return towards their shape when not under the force of change. The second shape being a shape of the weight when not under change or at least more like the shape of the weight when not under the force of change. The stored force of sufficient magnitude in one example is an elastomeric force. The changed shape or dimension of the carrier or portion(s) of material includes an expanded portion caused by a stretching of an elastomeric portion of the carrier or portion(s) of material. Accordingly, the weight  40  can take on a first shape when the carrier  24 ,  25 ,  26 ,  27 ,  28 ,  29 ,  30  or portion(s) of material  24   e ,  25   e ,  26   e ,  27   e ,  28   e ,  29   e ,  30   e ;  24   f ,  25   f ,  26   f ,  27 ,  28   f ,  29   f ,  30   f  are stretched. The stretched carrier or portion(s) of material have an elastomeric force of sufficient magnitude to reconfigure the weight  40 , comprising the individual mass units, from the first shape or dimension into a second shape or dimension when the carrier or portion(s) of material is not under the force stretching the carrier or portion(s) of material. The first shape or dimension can be a curved shape curving at least partially about a line extending in the Z, and/or −Z directions. The second shape or dimension can be a less curved, more flat shape. The second shape is more like the shape of the weight when not under the force stretching. The first shape or dimension can have a twist. The twist can be relative to and at least partially about a line extending in the X and/or −X direction relative the X axis. The second shape or dimension can be less twisted, flatter, than the first shape. 
     Each mass unit  42  of the plurality may be moved within its respective carrier space  38  to displace each other mass unit of the plurality in that carrier space  38 . Thus, mass unit  42   a  may be moved to take the position of mass unit  42   b  and vice versa. Each mass unit  42  has a width measured in the Y or −Y direction of less than 0.5 inches. Each is preferably less than 0.3 inches. The width can be less than 0.2 inches. The width can be less than 0.3 inches. In the present case the width is about 0.125 inches. In the present case each mass unit  42  is cylindrical, and the width is a diameter. Each mass unit  42  has a length in the direction of the Z and/or −Z direction of less 1 inch. It is less than 0.75 inches. The length is more than 0.3 inches. The length is about 0.5 inches. The length is the height of the cylinder. Each mass unit has a weight of about 3.25 grams. It is more than 1 gram, more than 2 grams, and more than 3 grams and less than 5 grams and even less than 4 grams. There are at least two mass units  42  in the mass units&#39; respective carrier space  38 . There are more than three and even preferably more than four. In the present case, there are five mass units  42  in each carrier space  38 . There are of course less than ten units and even less than seven units. The mass units  42  in each carrier  24 ,  25 ,  26 ,  27 ,  28 ,  29 ,  30  are arranged to align along a line extending from the third end  24   c ,  25   c ,  26   c ,  27   c ,  28   c ,  29   c ,  30   c  to the fourth end  24   d ,  25   d ,  26   d ,  27   d ,  28   d ,  29   d ,  30   d  of their respective carrier. The units form a row of units in each carrier space  38 . 
     The thickness of the first portion of material of each carrier is about 1/32 inches. It is more than 1/40 inches and less than 1/15 inches. The thickness of the second portion of material of each carrier is the same as the first portion. 
     The thickness of the carrier and its associated mass in the Y and/or −Y direction is less than 0.5 inches. It is less than 0.4 inches. The thickness is more than 0.1 inch. It is more than 0.3 and less than 0.2 inches. It is about 0.19 inches. Each carrier  24 ,  25 ,  26 ,  27 ,  28 ,  29 ,  30  has a length along a line extending from the first end  24   a ,  25   a ,  26   a ,  27   a ,  28   a ,  29   a ,  30   a  to the second end  24   a ,  25   b ,  26   b ,  27   b ,  28   b ,  29   b ,  30   b  of more than 0.5 inches and less than 0.7 inches. The length is preferably 0.625 inches. The length is along the minor axis of the carrier. The carrier has a length along a line extending from the third end  24   c ,  25   c ,  26   c ,  27   c ,  28   c ,  29   c ,  30   c  to the fourth end  24   d ,  25   d ,  26   d ,  27   d ,  28   d ,  29   d ,  30   d  of more than 1.5 inches and less than 2 inches. The length is preferably 1.7 inches. The length is along the major axis of the carrier. All the first portions of material  24   e ,  25   e ,  26   e ,  27   e ,  28   e ,  29   e ,  30   e  of the carriers may be formed together from a single continuous and seamless piece of material which is a fabric. The fabric has a thickness of less than 1/15 of an inch. It is more than 1/40 of an inch. It is about 1/32 of an inch. All the second portions of material  24   f ,  25   f ,  26   f ,  27   f ,  28   f ,  29   f ,  30   f  of the carriers may be formed together from a single continuous and seamless piece material which is a fabric. The fabric has a thickness of more than 1/40 of an inch. It is less than 1/15 of an inch. It is 1/32 of an inch. Adjacent each carriers&#39; third end is a border  44 . The border  44  is outside the carrier space  38  and comprises a first material overlapping a second material. The first material is coupled to the first portion of material and extends from and is part of its respective first portion of material  24   e ;  25   e ;  26   e ; 27   e ;  28   e ;  29   e ;  30   e . The second material is coupled to the second portion of material and extends from and is part of its respective second portion of material  24   f ;  25   f ;  26   f ;  27   f ;  28   f ;  29   f ;  30   f . Adjacent each carriers&#39; fourth end is a border  46 . The border is outside the carrier space  38  and comprises a first material overlapping a second material. The first material is coupled to the first portion of material and extends from and is part of the first portion of material  24   e ;  25   e ;  26   e ;  27   e ;  28   e ;  29   e ;  30   e . The second material is coupled to the second portion of material and extends from and is part of the second portion of material  24   f ;  25   f ;  26   f ;  27   f ;  28   f ;  29   f ;  30   f . The length of the weight assembly from border  44  to  46  is about 2 inches. Adjacent the first end carriers&#39;  24  first end  24   a  is a border  48  outside the carrier space  38  which comprises a first material overlapping a second material. The first material is coupled to the first portion of material  24   e  and extends from and is part of the first portion of material  24   e . The second material is coupled to the second portion of material  24   f  and extends from and is part of the second portion of material  24   f . Adjacent the second end weight carrier  30  second end  30   b  is a border  50  outside the carrier space  38  which comprises a first material overlapping a second material. The first material is coupled to the first portion of material and extends from and is part of the first portion of material  30   e . The second material is coupled to the second portion of material and extends from and is part of the second portion of material  30   f . The length of the weight assembly from border  48  to border  50  is about 5.5 inches. 
     The weight assembly  22  is disposed between an exterior material  52  of the sock leg  20   a  and an interior material  54  of the sock leg  20   a . The sock leg has the open end  34 . The open end is distal the sock foot  20   b . The weight assembly  22  is coupled to the interior material  54  by stitches going through the border  48  at the first end  24   a  of the first end weight carrier  24  and the border  50  at the second end  30   b  of the second end weight carrier  30 . A second  222  and third  322  weight assembly are disposed between the exterior material  52  and interior material  54  of the sock leg  20   a . The second  222  and third  322  weight assemblies are the same as the first weight assembly  22 . Each weight assembly has the same construction, shape, and dimension. Each weight assembly, measured along a circumferential direction about the leg  20   a  of the sock, extends for more than 0.25 and less than 0.5 of the circumference of the leg  20   a  of the sock. Preferably each weight assembly extends 0.33 of the circumference of the sock leg  20   a  when the sock leg is at rest. Each weight assembly has a border  44  or  46  spaced from, in the circumferential direction, an adjacent border  44  or  46  of an adjacent weight assembly. The spacing between adjacent borders  44 ,  46  of adjacent weight assemblies is the same for all adjacent borders. 
     Having the weight assemblies  22 ,  222 ,  322  between the exterior material  52  and interior material  54  of the sock leg  20   a  helps conceal the weight assemblies; giving the sock an ordinary appearance. Having a sock with a more ordinary appearance helps remove the stigma of having a therapeutic sock. It is also believed having interior material  54  shrouding the weight assemblies  22 ,  222 ,  322  improves comfort. Notably, the spacing between adjacent borders of adjacent weight carriers is equidistant. Of course, to save material, the interior material  54  of the sock  20  could be made up of the second portions of material of the weight assemblies, for example made of second portions  24   f ,  25   f ,  26   f ,  27   f ,  28   f ,  29   f ,  30   f  of weight assembly  22 . The exterior material  52  could still shroud the first portions of material of the weight assemblies, for example portions  24   e ,  25   e ,  26   e ,  27   e ,  28   e ,  29   e ,  30   e  of weight assembly  22 . Alternatively, the exterior material  52  could form the first portions of material of the weight assemblies, for example portions  24   e ,  25   e ,  26   e ,  27   e ,  28   e ,  29   e ,  30   e  of the weight assembly  22 . The interior material  54  could shroud the weight assemblies. As opposed to having a weight assembly  22 ,  222 ,  322  disposed between the exterior  52  and interior materials  54  of the sock leg  20   a , the exterior  52  and interior  54  sock material of the sock leg  20   a  could form the weight carriers of the weight assemblies. In this case stitching would join the exterior material  52  to the interior material  54  to form the seams of the carriers at the carriers&#39; first end, second end, third end, and fourth end. Weight assemblies  222  and  322  follow the same nomenclature as weight assembly  22  except a  222  precedes reference numbers for assembly  222 . Thus, the first end carrier is labeled  22224 . Thus, the first carrier of assembly  322  is labeled  32224 . The sock leg  20   a  or leg of the sock  20   a  refers to the portion of the sock that receives the leg of a user and terminates at the users&#39; ankle. The closed end  36  of the sock is at the toe portion  20   c  of the sock  20 . The toe portion  20   c  of the sock is the portion of the sock that receives the toes. The heel portion  20   d  of the sock is the portion of the sock that receives the heel. The heel portion is closed. The foot portion  20   b  of the sock is the portion of the sock that receives the foot of the sock. The foot  20   b  of the sock has the toe portion  20   c  and heel portion  20   d . Both the heel and toe are closed. 
     A second weighted sock, the same as the first weighted sock, is provided to provide pairs of weighted socks where each sock is the same. 
     As is evident from the foregoing description, certain aspects of the present invention are not limited to the details of the examples illustrated herein. It is therefore contemplated that other modifications and applications using other similar or related features or techniques will occur to those skilled in the art. It is accordingly intended that all such modifications, variations, and other uses and applications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention are deemed to be covered by the present invention. 
     Other aspects, objects, and advantages of the present invention can be obtained from a study of the drawings, the disclosures, and the appended claims.