Patent Publication Number: US-2009218377-A1

Title: Medical Sock

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention concerns that of a new and improved medical sock that is designed to aid in the placement of anti-embolism hosiery or thromboembolism stockings. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention concerns that of a new and improved medical sock that is designed to aid in the placement of anti-embolism hosiery or thromboembolism stockings. The medical sock includes an oval foot covering produced from polyethylene that resembles a slipper or sock. The medical sock also includes slits within its sides to position it atop the foot, heel, and a portion of the lower leg. Once properly positioned, the medical sock provides a smooth surface for ease in positioning over which the tight compression hosiery could be placed. 
     There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of a medical sock that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the medical sock that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. 
     In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the medical lo sock in detail, it is to be understood that the medical sock is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The medical sock is capable of other embodiments and being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of descriptions and should not be regarded as limiting. 
     As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the medical sock. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a medical sock which has all of the advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a medical sock which may be easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a medical sock which is of durable and reliable construction. 
     It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a medical sock which is economically affordable and available for relevant market segment of the purchasing public. 
     Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment when considered with the attached drawings and appended claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of the medical sock prior to it being put in use. 
         FIG. 2  shows a top view of the medical sock prior to it being put in use. 
         FIG. 3  shows a bottom view of the medical sock prior to it being put in use. 
         FIG. 4  shows a front end view of the medical sock prior to it being put in use. 
         FIG. 5  shows a rear end view of the medical sock prior to it being put in use. 
         FIG. 6   a  shows a representational view of the medical sock being placed on an individual&#39;s foot. 
         FIG. 6   b  shows a representational view of an individual&#39;s foot after a therapy sock has been pulled over and beyond the medical sock. 
         FIG. 6   c  shows a representational view of an individual&#39;s foot after a therapy sock has been pulled over and beyond the medical sock and the medical sock is in the process of being removed. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to  FIGS. 1 through 6  thereof, a new medical sock embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention and generally designated by the reference numeral  2  will be described. 
     As best illustrated in  FIGS. 1 through 6 , the medical sock  2  comprises a base  4  that has two surfaces comprising an upper surface  6  and a lower surface  8 . The base  4  preferably has an oval shape and also has two ends comprising a front end  10  and a rear end  12  and two sides comprising a left side  11  and a right side  13 . 
     The medical sock  2  also includes a top covering  14  that has two surfaces comprising an upper surface  16  and a lower surface  18 . The top covering  14  also has an oval shape, and has two ends comprising a front end  20  and a rear end  22  and two sides comprising a left side  21  and a right side  23 . 
     The front end  20  of the top covering  14  is fixedly attached to the front end  10  of the base  4 . Furthermore, a portion of the left side  21  of the top covering  14  is attached to the left side  11  of the base  4  near the front end of both segments. In addition, a portion of the right side  23  of the top covering  14  is attached to the right side  13  of the base  4  near the front end of both segments. 
       FIG. 6   a  shows the medical sock  2  after it has been put on an individual&#39;s foot  30 . Next, an individual would put on a therapy sock  32 , as shown in  FIG. 6   b . The therapy sock  32  would generally completely pass over and on top of the medical sock  2 , as the therapy sock  32  would not have any “toe section” or portion that would actually be placed over an individual&#39;s foot on the same area that the medical sock  2  is actually located. In  FIG. 6   c , once the therapy sock  32  is properly positioned, the medical sock  2  can be removed. 
     Use of the medical sock  2  on a regular basis when putting on a therapy sock  32  can really help an individual because the presence of the medical sock  2  substantially reduces the amount of friction present in between the therapy sock  32  and an individual&#39;s skin. The medical sock  2  will help to save time and energy and will be especially helpful to elderly individuals or individuals who may have problems using their hands, such as individuals with arthritis, rheumatism, or other common ailments. 
     With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the present medical sock to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and the manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
     Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.