SOCKS WITH POUCH FOR INSOLES

Abstract

The socks with pouch for insoles provide a device for stabilizing insoles and include a pouch for receiving and removably retaining the insole therein. The pouch is fabricated from a soft, moisture-absorbing, washable liner, such as terry cloth or the like. The sock may be manufactured in various colors and lengths (anklet, calf, knee, etc.) to accommodate aesthetic tastes.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to footwear, and particularly to socks with a pouch for insoles in which each sock has a pouch adapted to receive a removable insole to provide support for a user's foot.

2. Description of the Related Art

The feeling of discomfort while walking or standing, due to foot or ankle pain, may be caused by a variety of factors. Most acute arch pain is caused by the inflammation of the plantar fascia, a broad section of fibrous tissue at the bottom of the foot. This can be caused by over-pronation, or flat feet, a condition that has a genetic basis. Another common ailment is called heel spur. This is the result of long-term, untreated inflammation of the plantar fascia and results in calcium deposits in the place where the plantar fascia meets the heel. The calcium deposits form a thorn-like spur. The symptoms are a dull ache throughout the foot and a sharp pain at the center of the heel. Other foot irritations may be caused by the inflammation of the metatarsal muscles across the center of the foot. The pain occurs at the ball of the foot and can spread outward. Indirect causes of foot and ankle pain may be linked to obesity, diabetes or a host of other medical problems.

Fortunately, there are many varieties of insoles that treat these conditions and relieve foot and ankle discomfort. For arch pain caused by flat feet, insoles with arch supports that lift the foot and prevent over-pronation usually solve the problem without further medical treatment. Insoles with silicone gel absorb shock with each step and distribute pressure throughout the foot to relieve and/or prevent plantar fascitis and other ailments. Some insoles have blue silicone packs spread throughout the entire insole or just across the middle to protect the metatarsal muscles. Many insoles are made of a spongy material rather than gel. These insoles provide comfort and shock absorption, but focus on the entire foot rather than on specific areas. They often contain special materials proven to provide relief. Some are made of an ultra-lightweight material.

Unfortunately, most conventional insoles are designed to be located adjacent the inside bottom of the shoe and in direct contact therewith. These insoles are purchased as related to shoe size, and some must be cut to size. This scenario is often unsuitable in that the insole may move relative to the foot, causing an improper and less than comfortable fit. A device that would prevent such movement and enhance wearing comfort would certainly be a welcome addition in the art. Thus, a sock with a pouch for insoles solving the aforementioned problems is desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The socks with pouch for insoles provide a device for stabilizing insoles. The device comprises a sock having a pouch for receiving and retaining the insole therein. The pouch is fabricated from a soft, moisture-absorbing, washable material. Although terry is preferred, other similar materials may be utilized if found suitable. The sock and pouch need not be fabricated from the same material. The sock may be manufactured in various lengths (anklet, calf, knee, etc.) and colors to accommodate aesthetic tastes.

Accordingly, the invention presents a device that enhances comfort when one is wearing an insole. The pouch is designed to accept almost any type of insole. The invention provides for improved elements thereof in an arrangement for the purposes described that are inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing their intended purposes.

These and other features of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one sock from a pair of socks with a pouch for insoles according to the present invention, the other sock being symmetrical.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a sock with a pouch for insoles according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of a sock with a pouch for insoles according to the present invention.

Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, one of a pair of socks with a pouch for insoles is generally indicated at 10, the other sock of the pair being symmetrical. The sock 10 is fabricated from a soft, pliable, washable material (wool, cotton, nylon, etc.) and includes a riser portion 12 having a conventional opening 12a at the top thereof for insertion of a wearer's foot, and includes a foot-enclosing portion 14. As mentioned above, the riser portion 12 may be shortened or extended according to the type of sock to be manufactured. As best seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, a pouch 16 is integrally disposed on the bottom surface of foot-enclosing portion 14. The pouch 16 is substantially coextensive with the foot portion 14, extending from the heel end 14a to the toe end 14b. The pouch 16 has an opening 18 positioned approximately midway the distance between the heel end 14a and the toe end 14b of the foot-enclosing portion 14. An insole 20 is insertable through the opening and positioned in the pouch 16 before the wearer dons the sock 10. The opening 18 is formed as an overlap to enhance stability and comfort.

Preferably, each sock 10 of a pair of socks is equipped with the pouch 16, since many foot problems are bilateral and require the same correction. The insole 20 may be any type of insole 20, and is removable from the pouch 16. The pouch 16 may be made from the same material as the sock 10, or may be formed from a different material than the body of the sock, e.g., leather, and may be formed by sewing the periphery of a layer of fabric or other material over the bottom layer of the sock 10, leaving an opening for insertion of the insole 20. The pouch 16 restrains the insole 20 from sliding around under the foot when the user walks, thereby maintaining the insole 16 in proper position to support the foot so that the insole 20 provides greater comfort to the foot.

It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A sock, comprising:

a foot-enclosing portion having a bottom surface;

a riser portion integrally attached to the foot-enclosing portion and extending therefrom; and

a pouch positioned on the bottom surface of the foot-enclosing portion, the pouch having an opening disposed therein adapted for receiving an insole therein.

2. The sock according to claim 1, wherein said pouch is fabricated from a soft, pliable, washable material.

3. The sock according to claim 1, wherein said pouch is fabricated from terry cloth.

4. The sock according to claim 1, wherein said sock and said pouch are fabricated from different materials.

5. A sock, comprising:

a foot-enclosing portion having an bottom surface and a length;

a riser portion integrally attached to the foot-enclosing portion and extending therefrom; and

a pouch positioned on the bottom surface of the foot-enclosing portion, the pouch being coextensive with the length of the foot-enclosing portion, the pouch having an opening disposed therein adapted for receiving an insole therein.

6. The sock according to claim 5, wherein said pouch is fabricated from a soft, pliable, washable material.

7. The sock according to claim 5, wherein said pouch is fabricated from terry cloth.

8. The sock according to claim 5, wherein said sock and said pouch are fabricated from different materials.

9. A sock, comprising:

a foot-enclosing portion having a bottom surface, a heel portion and a toe portion spaced from the heel portion;

a riser portion integrally attached to the foot-enclosing portion and extending therefrom, the riser portion having an opening therein; and

a pouch fabricated from a soft, pliable, washable material positioned on the bottom surface of the foot-enclosing portion, the pouch extending from the heel portion to the toe portion, the pouch having an overlapping opening disposed therein adapted for receiving an insole therein.

10. The sock according to claim 9 wherein the overlapping opening in said pouch is approximately midway the length between the heel portion and the toe portion.

11. The sock according to claim 9, wherein said pouch is fabricated from terry cloth.

12. The sock according to claim 11, wherein said sock and said pouch are fabricated from different materials.