Cut-Resistant Hockey Sock

Abstract

A hockey sock extends from the ankle to the calf areas and comprises a non-cut-resistant fabric positioned on at least the front portion of the sock and a cut-resistant fabric coupled to the non-cut-resistant fabric. The cut-resistant fabric is positioned on the back of the sock and extends along its vertical axis to inhibit cutting of the back of the user's leg.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a hockey sock and accessory which comprises cut-resistant material.

BACKGROUND

Cut-resistant fabric and garments are well known. In addition, attempts to make cut-resistant socks for skaters including hockey players are well known. Even with continued education by hockey organizations about the benefits of wearing cut-resistant socks, many players still refuse to wear such socks due to lack of comfort or interference with optimal movement on the ice.

Many skaters wear an inner sock, also known as a hockey skate sock, next to the foot. This sock is usually always cleaned after a practice or game since it absorbs foot perspiration and requires laundering. Inner socks with cut-resistant features exist on the market. These inner socks cover the toes, foot and lower leg up to and including the calf. Many players complain that such socks are uncomfortable to wear. In addition, the socks do not always stay in place, that is up to and including the calf, particularly after going through multiple wash cycles which affect the sock's elasticity. During a practice of game, such a sock may slip down past the calf, thereby exposing the muscle to the risk of injury. Some players, including many elite players, refuse to wear inner socks and instead position the bare foot inside the skate.

Overtop the inner sock, the player wears a shin pad and guard. The shin pad portion protects the front lower limb and sides including the shin and the shin guard portion covers the front lower leg and knee. The shin pad and guard do not protect the vulnerable parts on the back lower leg, including the achilles tendon, gastrocnemius muscle or soleus muscle, together the “calf muscle”. As such, in the absence of cut-resistant protection, the back of the player's leg is exposed and at risk to injury from a skate blade.

Some players wear a cut-resistant tube-like covering either between the inner sock and shin pad-guard or overtop the shin pad-guard. One complaint about this form of protection is that it restricts the player's movement and makes the player's leg sweat more due to the additional layer.

Overtop the shin pad and guard, the player wears a hockey sock, also known as an oversock. The hockey sock usually is relatively loose and often comprises a pattern which may match the jersey colours. Hockey socks with cut-resistant inner liners exist on the market. This garment is an improvement over inner socks having cut-resistant features and the tube-like garments as the hockey sock does not impair mobility, and protects the back of the lower leg. One problem with this type of cut-resistant hockey sock is that the inner liner extends the entire length of the hockey sock and therefore, like the tube-like garment, adds an additional layer around the entire circumference of the player's lower leg from the calf to the ankle, thereby increasing discomfort as the leg sweats.

A cut-resistant hockey sock which protects the vulnerable portions of the back of the lower leg is needed. Such a sock cannot impair mobility or add to the player's discomfort.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A hockey sock extends from the ankle, over the achilles tendon to the calf areas of a user. The sock comprises a non-cut-resistant fabric positioned on at least the front portion of the sock and a cut-resistant fabric coupled to the non-cut-resistant fabric. The cut-resistant fabric is positioned on the back of the sock and extends along the sock's vertical axis to inhibit cutting of the back of the user's leg. The sock allows good freedom of movement for the user and is wearable multiple times before requiring laundering.

In one embodiment, the width of the cut-resistant fabric is consistent along the vertical axis of the sock. In another embodiment, the width of the cut-resistant fabric varies along the vertical axis of the sock.

In another embodiment, the cut-resistant fabric only covers the areas of the calf, achilles tendon and ankle. In further embodiments, the cut-resistant fabric extends to cover the sides of the sock. In still further embodiments, at least a part of the cut-resistant fabric extends from below the user's calf to the user's ankle areas.

In some embodiments, at least a part of the cut-resistant portion comprises one or more ventilation holes with a hole size falling within the range of about 1 mm about to 1 cm in diameter. The cut-resistant material may have a thickness of 1 to several mm proximate to the one or more ventilation holes.

In some embodiments, the non-cut-resistant portion extends to the back portion of the sock and the cut-resistant portion is sewn to the non-cut-resistant portion at the edges or at various locations on the cut-resistant portion. In other embodiments, instead of coupling by sewing, the cut-resistant portion is coupled to the non-cut-resistant portion with hook and loop fasteners or hook fasteners only.

The cut-resistant fabric comprises material chosen from known cut-resistant material including one or more of fiberglass yarn, aramid yarn, metallic yarn, rubber and soft bendable plastic.

Also disclosed is an accessory for a user's hockey sock. The hockey sock consists essentially of non-cut-resistant fabric and the accessory comprises a cut-resistant fabric or cut-resistant material for coupling to the back of the hockey sock. The cut-resistant material accessory is sized and shaped to cover one or more of the user's calf, ankle and achilles tendon. In one embodiment, the cut-resistant material is affixed to one or more hook coupling, which is configured to be coupled to the back of the user's hockey sock. In another embodiment, one side of the cut-resistant material accessory is affixed to one or more hook coupling and part of the outer side of the hockey sock is affixed to one or more corresponding loop coupling on the back of the hockey sock. The one or more hook coupling is configured to be coupled to the corresponding one or more loop coupling. In other embodiments, the cut-resistant material accessory is configured to be coupled to the hockey sock with double-sided tape or other adhesive, including an adhesive with a backer, the backer being removed prior to application of the accessory to the hockey sock.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate views and which, with the detailed description below, form part of the specification, further illustrate various embodiments and explain various principles and advantages of the present invention. Other features that are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in the appended claims. As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed; however, the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which can be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one of ordinary skill in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. Further, the terms and phrases used are not intended to be limiting; but rather, to provide an understandable description of the invention.

While the specification concludes with claims defining the features of the invention regarded as novel, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from a consideration of the following description with the drawing figures, in which like reference numerals are carried forward. The figures of the drawings are not drawn to scale.

FIG. 1A illustrates a first embodiment of the present invention showing a front view;

FIG. 1B illustrates the first embodiment of the present invention showing a rear view;

FIG. 2 illustrates a second embodiment of the present invention showing a rear view;

FIG. 3 illustrates a third embodiment of the present invention showing a rear view;

FIG. 4 illustrates a fourth embodiment of the present invention showing a rear view;

FIG. 5 illustrates a fifth embodiment of the present invention showing a rear view;

FIG. 6 illustrates a sixth embodiment of the present invention showing a rear view; and

FIG. 7 illustrates a seventh embodiment of the present invention showing a rear view.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A cut-resistant hockey sock is disclosed which protects the vulnerable portions of the back of the lower leg, without impacting the player's mobility or needlessly adding a layer of fabric around the leg.

FIGS. 1A and B illustrate a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1A shows the front view of a hockey sock 100 bearing a pattern. Other patterns and colours are contemplated. Socks without patterns or which are monochrome are also contemplated. The front of the sock comprises non-cut-resistant fabric 110, that is, fabric that is vulnerable to being cut by a hockey blade, which is the typical fabric of prior art hockey socks. Cut-resistant material is not required on the front of the hockey sock since the player typically wears a shin pad and guard. The typical shin pad and guard cover and protect the front and sides of the lower leg. As such, any cutting force on the front or sides of the lower leg, while potentially damaging to the front or side of the hockey sock of the present invention, will not injure the player.

FIG. 1B shows the rear view of the hockey sock of FIG. 1A. As illustrated in hash marks, cut-resistant material 120 is positioned along the vertical axis of the sock, about in the centre, and extends from the calf area 130 to the top of the ankle area 140, thereby protecting the calf and achilles tendon from cutting. In most cases the top of the ankle area 140 is protected by the back of the skate. The cut-resistant material 120 of this embodiment does not extend to either side 150 of the sock 100. It is strategically placed to cover the exposed area of the leg, which is not otherwise protected by the shin pad and guard.

The width of the cut-resistant portion 120 may vary as illustrated in FIG. 1B. In FIG. 1B, the width of the cut-resistant portion 120 is gradually narrower at the top at the calf area 130, then at about the position where the calf area 130 ends, the width gradually extends outwardly and extends vertically down along the achilles tendon area 160 to the ankle area 140. Other configurations are contemplated so long as the vulnerable areas are protected.

FIG. 2 illustrates the rear view of a second embodiment of the present invention comprising a consistent width of the cut-resistant portion 120 all along the vertical axis of the hockey sock 100, but not the side of the sock 150. The front view of this embodiment comprises non-cut-resistant fabric 110.

FIG. 3 illustrates the rear view of a third embodiment of the present invention comprising a consistent width of the cut-resistant portion 120 all along the vertical axis of the hockey sock 100, and extending to the sides of the sock 150. The front view of this embodiment comprises non-cut-resistant fabric 110. This embodiment can be worn, for example, by a player whose shin guard-pad is not wide enough to cover the sides of the sock 150. The illustrated embodiment does not include a pattern, although patterns are contemplated.

FIG. 4 illustrates the rear view of a fourth embodiment of the present invention comprising a consistent part of the rear leg covered by a cut-resistant portion 120 below the calf area 130. In this embodiment, the cut-resistant portion has an oval shape. Other shapes and patterns are contemplated, so long as it covers one or more vulnerable area. The calf area 130 of this embodiment does not comprise cut-resistant fabric 120 and therefore, by itself, exposes the player to risk in that area. This embodiment is designed to be worn by players who have alternative protection for the calf area 130, independent of the hockey sock 100. As illustrated, the area covered by the cut-resistant fabric 120 does not need to extend to the bottom of the hockey sock 100 (ie: the top of the ankle area 140), if this area is protected by the user's skate. The calf area 130 comprises elastic material all around the circumference of the calf area 130 to ensure a snug fit.

FIG. 5 illustrates the rear view of a fifth embodiment of the present invention comprising part of the rear leg covered by a cut-resistant portion 120 having optional small holes 170 (not drawn to scale). The size of one or more hole 170 may vary so long as the size is not big enough to pose a risk to the player. Contemplated hole sizes vary from about 1 mm in diameter to about 1 cm in diameter. The illustrated hole shape is circular but other shapes are contemplated. Since one risk to the player skating on the ice is a cutting or slicing motion on the back of the lower leg, as opposed to a stabbing motion, the presence of one or more small holes 170 in the cut-resistant portion 120 does not increase the risk of injury to the player, while allowing the player ventilation in that area of the sock 100. The front view of this embodiment comprises non-cut-resistant fabric 110.

In one embodiment, not illustrated, the embodiment of FIG. 5 comprises a thicker cut-resistant portion 120 such that there is sufficient distance between the exterior of the cut-resistant portion 120 and the user's skin so that a blade pressed against one or more holes 170 is incapable of touching the user's skin. The thickness of the cut-resistant portion 120 may vary from one to several millimetres and does not require a consistent cross-section. For example, part of the cut-resistant portion 120 may be thicker proximate the one or more holes 170 and thinner in other locations. This would add an additional layer of air flow between parts of the cut-resistant portion 120 and the remainder of the hockey sock 100.

FIG. 6 illustrates the rear view of a sixth embodiment of the present invention comprising part of the rear leg covered by a cut-resistant portion 120. The cut-resistant portion 120 of this embodiment is coupled on top of a prior art hockey sock 200 consistently essentially of non-cut-resistant fabric 110 such as by sewing at the edge of or at various locations on the cut-resistant portion 120. While this embodiment adds another layer to the sock 200, the layer (ie: the cut-resistant portion 120) is limited to being located at only the otherwise exposed areas of the lower leg 130, 140, 160 and therefore does not contribute to much additional heat generation or sweating for the player. In this illustration, the cut-resistant portion 120 is consistent along the length the vertical axis, although other shapes are contemplated, which have the features of the invention. To an outside observer, this embodiment looks like the previous embodiments.

Alternatively, the embodiment of FIG. 6 may be combined with the embodiment of FIG. 5 such that small holes 170 are presented in the cut-resistant portion 120 to offset any additional heat build-up.

During assembly, the cut-resistant fabric 120 may be coupled to the non-cut-resistant fabric 110 at about the outer edge of each fabric 180 such as by sewing or other fastening means known in the art. A pattern or colours may be disposed on each fabric 110, 120 so that the combined garment looks like a typical hockey sock with consistent visual features. In this embodiment, it may not be readily obvious that the hockey sock comprises cut-resistant fabric 120. Alternatively, the cut-resistant fabric 120 may have a different pattern or colour, or even no pattern, compared to the non-cut-resistant fabric 110 to visually identify the sock as having a cut-resistant feature strategically located on the sock.

Alternative means of coupling the cut-resistant portion 120 to the non-cut-resistant portion 110 are also contemplated. FIG. 7 illustrates the rear view of a seventh embodiment of the present invention comprising part of the rear leg covered by a cut-resistant fabric 120. The cut-resistant portion 120 may have one or more small holes 170. The cut-resistant portion 120 of this embodiment is an accessory that is detachably coupled on top of a prior art hockey sock 200 comprising non-cut-resistant fabric 110 such as with hook and loop fasteners. Other coupling means for detachably coupling two fabrics are contemplated. Depending on the fabric of the non-cut-resistant hockey sock 110, only the hook coupling of a typical hook and loop fastener may be needed, the hook coupling being securely affixed to the rear of the cut-resistant portion 110. In this embodiment, the cut-resistant portion 120 having the hook coupling is detachably positioned against the non-cut-resistant sock portion 110, which acts as the loop fastener for coupling, prior to skating, then it may be removed after skating. If the hockey sock of this embodiment 200 does not comprise non-cut-resistant fabric 110 which can also act as a loop coupling, a loop coupling strip may be affixed to the outside of the hockey sock 200. This embodiment works using one or more hook coupling or one or more hook and loop couplings.

The advantage of this embodiment is that the player can detachably affix the cut-resistant material 120 to a prior art hockey sock 200. In this manner, the player can customize which shape of cut-resistant material 120 is most suitable for that player. The illustrated embodiment of FIG. 7 shows a wavy pattern on either side of the cut-resistant material 120. Other patterns or no pattern are contemplated. The use of a clear or translucent cut-resistant material 120 accessory, if desired, allows the accessory to be used with any style of prior art hockey sock 200 without masking the sock's pattern. In use, after the player puts on the prior art hockey sock 200, the cut-resistant material 120 is detachably fixed to the back of the hockey sock so as to cover one or more areas vulnerable to being cut, including the calf area 130, top of the ankle area 140 and achilles tendon area 160. In one embodiment, the cut-resistant material 120 may be affixed to the hockey sock using 2-sided tape or other adhesive means known in the art, including an adhesive with a backer or liner (not illustrated). The backer or liner would be removed prior to application of the cut-resistant material 120 to the prior art hockey sock 200.

The hockey socks 100, 200 thus disclosed comprise a combination of both cut-resistant fabric 120 located at the rear, optionally on the sides 150, and non-cut-resistant fabric 110 on the front of the user's lower leg area. The cut-resistant fabric portion 120 may optionally include holes 170 for ventilation and may be thicker in one or more locations. The sock as a whole is relatively loose for the wearer, in comparison with prior art inner socks or tube-like garments having cut-resistant features, and therefore does not impede the player's mobility. In addition, the hockey sock comprises one layer, or in some embodiments a very narrow portion of a second layer. The sock does not add to the player's discomfort, in comparison with prior art hockey socks comprising two or more layers around the entire circumference of the leg.

Typical cut-resistant fabrics known in the art include fiberglass yarn, aramid yarn, metallic yarn, under brand names including Nomex™ and Kevlar™. Other cut-resistant materials contemplated which may be used instead of cut-resistant fabrics include rubber and soft bendable plastic or combinations of materials which are able to withstand cutting or slicing motions from a blade. Any type of cut-resistant fabric or suitable cut-resistant material which can be coupled to non-cut-resistant fabric and used by a player is contemplated.

There are several advantages to limiting the amount of cut-resistant fabric in the hockey sock of the present invention to only those areas which are vulnerable to injury. Less cut-resistant fabric is required per sock. The player does not have to wear any more layers than necessary, which provides better freedom of movement and comfort. Players are not required to wear an inner sock next to the skate, yet vulnerable areas of the lower leg are still protected. The hockey sock does not need to be laundered as often as an inner sock, therefore, players do not need to purchase multiple hockey socks, and can play with one pair such as during a multi-game tournament.

The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the invention that others can, by applying knowledge within the skill of the art, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments, without undue experimentation, without departing from the general concept of the present invention. Therefore, such adaptations and modifications are within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments, based on the teaching and guidance presented. The phraseology or terminology is for description and not of limitation, such that the terminology or phraseology of the present specification is interpreted by the skilled artisan in light of the teachings and guidance. The breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only under the following claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A hockey sock, extending from the ankle to the calf areas of a user, the sock comprising:

a non-cut-resistant fabric positioned on at least the front portion of the sock;

a cut-resistant fabric coupled to the non-cut-resistant fabric, the cut-resistant fabric positioned on the back of the sock and extending along its vertical axis to inhibit cutting of the back of the user's leg.

2. The hockey sock of claim 1, wherein the width of the cut-resistant fabric is consistent along the vertical axis of the sock.

3. The hockey sock of claim 1, wherein at least a part of the cut-resistant fabric further extends to cover the sides of the sock.

4. The hockey sock of claim 1, wherein at least a part of the cut-resistant fabric extends from below the user's calf to the user's ankle areas.

5. The hockey sock of claim 1, wherein at least a part of the cut-resistant portion comprises one or more ventilation holes with a hole size within the range of about 1 mm to 1 cm in diameter.

6. The hockey sock of claim 1, wherein the non-cut-resistant portion extends to the back portion of the sock and the cut-resistant portion is sewn to the non-cut-resistant portion.

7. The hockey sock of claim 1, wherein the non-cut-resistant portion extends to the back portion of the sock and the cut-resistant portion is coupled to the non-cut-resistant portion with hook and loop fasteners or hook fasteners only.

8. The hockey sock of claim 1, wherein the cut-resistant fabric is a cut-resistant material and comprises material chosen from the group consisting of fiberglass yarn, aramid yarn, metallic yarn, rubber and soft bendable plastic.

9. An accessory for a user's hockey sock, the hockey sock consisting essentially of non-cut-resistant fabric, the accessory comprising a cut-resistant fabric for coupling to the back of the hockey sock, the cut-resistant fabric being sized and shaped to cover one or more of the user's calf, top of the ankle and achilles tendon.

10. The accessory of claim 9, wherein one side of the cut-resistant fabric is affixed to one or more hook coupling, the one or more hook coupling configured to be detachably coupled to the back of the user's hockey sock.

11. The accessory of claim 9, wherein one side of the cut-resistant fabric is affixed to one or more hook coupling and part of the outer side of the hockey sock is affixed to one or more corresponding loop coupling on the back of the hockey sock, the one or more hook coupling configured to be detachably coupled to the corresponding one or more loop coupling.

12. The accessory of claim 9, wherein the cut-resistant fabric is a cut-resistant material and comprises material chosen from the group consisting of fiberglass yarn, aramid yarn, metallic yarn, rubber and soft bendable plastic.