Abstract:
A sock which prevents creasing in footwear such as sneakers, dress shoes, and boots. The sock includes an outer layer as well as means for preventing creasing in footwear. The means for preventing creasing provides additional comfortable support to the wearer while providing support to footwear in the toe portion of footwear, thus preventing creasing. The means for preventing creasing can be located in an upper portion; a lower portion, an upper and lower portion; or in a single portion within the sock.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This invention relates generally to socks, and more specifically, to socks with portions in the forefoot which prevent creasing in footwear. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Footwear is a very important part of life. It performs basic functional assistance in every day life and protects the foot of those who wear them. Footwear has also far surpassed pure function and is now a well established part of fashion. Many people look to preserve the life and aesthetic appeal of their footwear for fashion or otherwise and in doing so, prefer to keep their shoes looking like new. In so doing, footwear users use various methods such as shoe trees to protect footwear when not in use. However, it is difficult to protect footwear from creasing during wear. There have been many attempts to solve this problem, including wearable shoe trees, toe box de-creasing devices, or socks which have attempted to reduce footwear instep creasing. Known examples are described in, for example, U.S. Pat. Appln. Nos. 2009/0106879 A1 and 2010/0325817 A1; and by ForceFields by NewRide, a division of Penguin Brands, Inc. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    This invention is an improvement over the known methods described in the aforementioned literature. 
         [0004]    In one aspect, the invention relates to a sock for the prevention of creasing in footwear. The sock includes an outer layer and means for preventing creasing of footwear. The means for preventing creasing of footwear may be attached directly to the outer layer on either the inside and/or the outside of the outer layer. The sock may also include both an outer layer and an inner layer and the means for preventing creasing of footwear may be attached directly to the inner layer. The means for preventing creasing of footwear may also be between the outer and inner layers. 
         [0005]    In another aspect, the invention relates to a sock as described above, plus the sock includes an upper portion. The upper portion may be directly attached to the outer layer on either the inside and/or the outside of the outer layer of the sock and disposed on the instep of the sock. The sock may also include both an outer layer and an inner layer and the upper portion may be attached directly to the inner layer. The means for preventing creasing of footwear may be disposed between the upper portion and the outer layer or inner layer. 
         [0006]    In yet another aspect, the invention relates to a sock as described above, plus the sock includes a lower portion. The lower portion may be directly attached to the outer layer on either the inside and/or the outside of the outer layer of the sock and disposed on the sole of the sock. The sock may also include both an outer layer and an inner layer and the lower portion may be attached directly to the inner layer. The means for preventing creasing of footwear is disposed between the lower portion and the outer layer or inner layer. 
         [0007]    The sock may also include a rear portion. The rear portion may be directly attached to the outer layer on either the inside and/or the outside of the outer layer of the sock and disposed at the heal of the sock. The sock may also include both an outer layer and an inner layer and the rear portion may be attached directly to the inner layer. The means for preventing creasing of footwear may be disposed between the rear portion and the outer layer or inner layer. 
         [0008]    In still another aspect, the invention relates to a sock as described above, except the sock includes a single portion. The single portion may be directly attached to the outer layer on either the inside or the outside of the outer layer of the sock and disposed around the front of the sock. The sock may also include both an outer layer and an inner layer and the rear portion may be attached directly to the inner layer. The means for preventing creasing of footwear is disposed between the single portion and the outer layer or in the inner layer. 
         [0009]    The present invention takes into consideration the fact that people regard footwear as more than function. Many view footwear as fashion. Moreover, average and high quality footwear are relatively expensive and it is therefore important to protect their aesthetic appeal. This is achieved by the present invention when utilized by a wearer. Normal foot movement creates upward and/or outward pressure from the foot and particularly the foot instep to an inside surface of footwear. The present invention provides a means for preventing creasing by providing additional pressure to the footwear, greatly reducing or eliminating creasing of footwear. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0010]      FIG. 1  is a side view of a preferred embodiment of the invention shown pulled over a foot. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a cut away view of the preferred embodiment taken along line  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is a side view of a preferred embodiment of the invention shown pulled over a foot. 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is a side view of a preferred embodiment of the invention shown pulled over a foot. 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is a cut away side view of the preferred embodiment taken along line  5 - 5  of  FIG. 5 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0015]    The following are non-limiting examples of preferred implementations of this invention. 
         [0016]    Referring to  FIGS. 1-5 , there are shown preferred embodiments of the invention, generally indicated by the reference numeral  10 . The sock  10  is shown in  FIGS. 1-5  as pulled over a right foot in a conventional manner. 
         [0017]    As is conventional, the sock  10  has a sole  12 , an instep  14 , and an upper, vertically oriented body portion  16  which extends from just above the ankle of the foot F to the mid-calf region of the leg. 
         [0018]    However, the sock  10  of the present invention may be any of an athletic sock, a casual sock, a sport sock, a dress sock, toe socks, Toesocks™, stockings, pantyhose, hosiery, leggings, tights, footies, hosiery footies, or any other foot covering now known or that may be conceived. As such, the sock  10  of the present invention may be as long as pantyhose or short, without the upper, vertically oriented body portion  16 , or limited to simply covering the toe portion of the foot F, and every length in between. 
         [0019]    The sock  10  of the present invention is not limited by dimensions such as length, width, height, or depth and can be of various thicknesses at any portion. The sock  10  of the present invention is also suitable for men, women, children, and/or animals of all ages, shapes, and sizes. The foregoing allows the sock  10  to be used during numerous circumstances, for all seasons, in varying climates, with any type of footwear, or solely as footwear. 
         [0020]    The sock  10  of the present invention may also serve as footwear by having, for example, grips or ridges on the underside of the sole  12 , to provide additional support against various types of terrain for the wearer. The sock  10  may serve as a form of support for the wearer in all types of terrain and/or climates. 
         [0021]    The sock  10  has an outer layer  20 . The outer layer  20  of the present invention is not limited by material. The material of the outer layer  20  of the present invention may be any material naturally occurring or synthetic now known or that may be conceived that provides great performance, fit, and function. The material composition of the outer layer  20  can be at least one of cotton, organic cotton, silk, nylon, polyester, spandex, viscose, rayon, hemp, linen, wool, merino wool, microfiber acrylics, polypropylene, polytetrafluoroethylene fabric, yarn, or lyocell. Preferably, materials that provide moisture wicking capabilities, temperature regulation, protection against odor, protection against staining and deterioration, and protection against bacteria, fungus and other microorganisms, are helpful in the selection of the material or materials in the outer layer of the present invention. Specific non-limiting examples of such materials include, for example, Aegis Microbe Shield®, CoolMax®, Eco 50/50™, Hollofil®, Ingeo™, PrimaLoft® Yarn, Scentry™, Thermolite®, X-STATIC®-The Silver Fiber™, Fox River&#39;s Wick Dry®, GORETEX®, etc. 
         [0022]    The sock  10  may also have an inner layer  18 . The inner layer  18  may be made from any material naturally occurring or synthetic now known or that may be conceived that provides great performance, fit, and function. The inner layer  18  may be made of any of the materials that may comprise the outer layer  20 . 
         [0023]    A separate piece of fabric material known as the upper portion  19  is attached to either the inner layer  18  or outer layer  20 , depending on the construction of the sock  10 . The upper portion  19  may also be attached to either side of the inner layer  18  or outer layer  20  or disposed between the inner layer  18  and outer layer  20 . The upper portion  19  may be attached by sewing, glue, Velcro®, or any other type of adhesive or attaching means. The upper portion  19  may be totally attached to the inner layer  18  and/or the outer layer  20  or have an opening  22 . The upper portion  19  may be made of any of the materials that may comprise the outer layer  20  or inner layer  18 . 
         [0024]    The opening  22  may be a slit for effecting access into the upper portion  19 . The opening  22  may be closed using a closing means  21 . The closing means  21  may be Velcro®, buttons, a zipper, or any other fastening means for closing the opening  22 . 
         [0025]    The upper portion  19  is used for holding the means for preventing creasing of footwear  30  for at least reducing, as well as potentially eliminating, footwear creasing of footwear when worn in association with the sock  10 . As such, if the means for preventing creasing of footwear  30  is not sealed inside the upper portion  19 , the opening  22  can be used to access the means for preventing creasing of footwear  30  in order to replace or change the means for preventing creasing of footwear  30 . 
         [0026]    The means for preventing creasing of footwear  30  is preferably a single pad, but may be one or more pads, for example, of relatively resilient material, Memory Foam®, other foam such as gel, foam-gel, silicon, saline, or other material. The means for preventing creasing of footwear  30  is of a size, shape and volume to snugly fit within the corresponding shape, size and volume of the opening  22 . The means for preventing creasing of footwear  30 , because of being constructed from resilient material, can be compressed, flattened and otherwise appropriately changed in shape to readily temporarily deform to a shape and size which will fit through the opening  22  when necessary, and after full insertion of the means for preventing creasing of footwear  30  into the upper portion  19 , the means for preventing creasing of footwear  30  inherently rebounds to its “normal” shape and configuration and thereby intimately conforms to the interior shape, size, and volume of the upper portion  19 , as is readily apparent from  FIG. 2  of the drawings. The flexibility of the means for preventing creasing of footwear  30  allows for added support to various types of footwear. The means for preventing creasing of footwear  30  can also be in various sizes, e.g., small, medium, and large thicknesses, for use depending on the footwear being worn. The various sizes of the means for preventing creasing of footwear  30  allows the user to combine at least two means for preventing creasing of footwear  30  so as to add a small and a large to make an extra-large or a small and a medium to make an extra extra-large, etc. 
         [0027]    In use with a person&#39;s foot F, when the foot F flexes, particularly at the metatarsal phalangeal joints, upward pressure-created thereby is transmitted by the means for preventing creasing of footwear  30  and pressure is applied to the footwear (not shown) to substantially reduce, lessen or eliminate transverse creasing of the upper portion of footwear. The softness of the means for preventing creasing of footwear  30  assures comfort to the underlying portion of the foot F. 
         [0028]    The means for preventing creasing of footwear  30  is not limited to preventing creasing. For example, the means for preventing creasing of footwear  30  of the present invention may also be used to prevent blisters, corns, calluses, or other foot issues. The means for preventing creasing of footwear  30 , by virtue of its supportive and comfortable structure, creates a barrier around the foot F of the wearer to repel unwanted external stimuli from footwear or the environment. The means for preventing creasing of footwear  30  may also serve to provide support for wearers who are wearing larger footwear by adding additional cushion to fill in excess space, such as space provided by larger footwear. The means for preventing creasing of footwear  30  may also be used to cushion portions of a particular pair of footwear that do not fit as comfortably as other portions of the footwear. Furthermore, the means for preventing creasing of footwear  30  may also be used for comfort by anyone experiencing any foot problems, medical or otherwise. 
         [0029]    As is apparent from  FIG. 3 , the sock  10  may also include a lower portion  24  at the sole  12  of the sock or a rear portion  26  at the heal of the sock. The lower portion  24  may be attached to either side of the inner layer  18  or outer layer  20  or disposed between the inner layer  18  and outer layer  20 . The lower portion  24  may be attached by sewing, glue, Velcro®, or any other type of adhesive or attaching means. The lower portion  24  may be totally attached to the inner layer  18  and/or the outer layer  20  or have an opening  22 . The lower portion  24  may be made of any of the materials that may comprise the outer layer  20  or inner layer  18 . 
         [0030]    The lower opening  23  may have a slit or opening for effecting access into the lower portion  24 . The lower opening  23  may be closed using a lower closing means  27 . The lower closing means  27  may be made of any of the materials that may comprise the closing means  21  for closing the lower opening  23 . 
         [0031]    Similar to the upper portion  19 , the lower portion  24  is used for holding the means for preventing creasing of footwear  30  for at least reducing, as well as potentially eliminating, footwear creasing of footwear when worn in association with the sock  10 . When used in conjunction with the upper portion  19 , the lower portion  24  provides added support and comfort. The lower portion  24  may also be used alone or in combination with the upper portion  19  and/or rear portion  26  to provide comfort and support. 
         [0032]    The rear portion  26  may be attached to either side of the inner layer  18  or outer layer  20  or disposed between the inner layer  18  and outer layer  20 . The rear portion  26  may be attached by sewing, glue, Velcro®, or any other type of adhesive or attaching means. The rear portion  26  may also be totally attached to the inner layer  18  and/or the outer layer  20  or have an opening  22 . The rear portion  26  may be made of any of the materials that may comprise the outer layer  20  or inner layer  18 . The rear portion  26  may also contain the means for preventing creasing of footwear  30  for at least reducing, as well as potentially eliminating, footwear creasing of footwear and for providing comfort. 
         [0033]    As is apparent from  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the sock  10  may also include a single portion  31  at the front of the sock  10  that covers the sole  12  as well as the instep  14 . The single portion  24  may be attached to either side of the inner layer  18  or outer layer  20  or disposed between the inner layer  18  and outer layer  20 . Similar to the upper portion  19 , the single portion  31  is used for holding the means for preventing creasing of footwear  30  for at least reducing, as well as potentially eliminating, footwear creasing of footwear when worn in association with the sock  10 . The single portion  31  creates support around the front portion of the sock  10  providing added support and comfort. The single portion  31  may also be used to fill in larger footwear that would not otherwise fit. The single portion  31  may also be used in conjunction with the rear portion  26 . 
         [0034]    Although this invention has been described in certain specific exemplary embodiments, many additional modifications and variations would be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of this disclosure. It is, therefore, to be understood that this invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described. Thus, the exemplary embodiments of the invention should be considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive, and the scope of the invention to be determined by any claims supportable by this application and the equivalents thereof, rather than by the foregoing description.