Sock having Achilles tendon protection

• US 7,681,254 B2
• Filed: 11/11/2003
• Issued: 03/23/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/11/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: X-Technology Swiss GmbH
• Original Assignee: X-Technology Swiss GmbH
• Inventors: Lambertz, Bodo W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hoey; Alissa L
• Application Number:
  US10/534,516
• Publication Number:
  US 20070033710A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,324 Days
• Field of Search: 2 2/2, 2239-242, 602/14, 602/23, 602/27, 602/65
• US Class Current: 2/239
• CPC Class Codes: A41B 11/02 Reinforcements
• CPC Class Codes: A41B 2400/20 Air permeability; Ventilation

Abstract

This invention relates to a sock, in particular to be used of sporting activities, comprising cushioning in the vicinity of the Achilles tendon. Said cushioning is formed by at least two spacer cushion pads (24,25), placed on either side of the Achilles tendon and running alongside the latter.

Claims

1. A sock, particularly for use in sporting activities, which has a cuff portion and a heel portion, a cushion padding in the area of the Achilles tendon, an inner surface facing the wearer'"'"'s foot and an outer surface exposed to the environment, characterized in that, the cushion padding is formed from at least two spacer cushion pads, which are positioned on both sides of and along the Achilles tendon, and a transition piece extending from one spacer cushion pad to the other spacer cushion pad, and the spacer cushion pads are constructed and arranged to stand out distinctly relative to the transition piece, both the spacer cushion pads and the transition piece extending outwardly from the outer surface of the sock, the spacer cushion pads being constructed and arranged in the anatomical shape of the foot in the area of the Achilles tendon and tapering from the area of the heel portion to the cuff portion.

2. A sock in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that, the transition piece is designed in the form of a cushion pad which has a smaller thickness than the spacer cushion pads.

3. A sock in accordance with claim 2, characterized in that, the transition piece is produced from climate-regulating fabric.

4. A sock in accordance with claim 2, characterized in that, the spacer cushion pads are adjusted to the anatomical shape of the foot in the area of the Achilles tendon.

5. A sock in accordance with claim 2, characterized in that, the sock has an air channel.

6. A sock in accordance with claim 2, characterized in that, the sock has additional cushion pads.

7. A sock in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that, the transition piece is produced from climate-regulating fabric.

8. A sock in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that, the spacer cushion pads consist of internally hollow fibers, which are surrounded by wool or cotton.

9. A sock in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that, the sock has additional cushion pads.

10. A sock in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that, the sock has an air channel.

11. A sock in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the spacer cushion pads consist of internally hollow fibers, which are surrounded by wool or cotton.

12. A sock in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that, the sock has additional cushion pads.

13. A sock in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that, the sock has an air channel.

14. A sock, particularly for use in sporting activities, which has a cuff portion and a heel portion, a cushion padding in the area of the Achilles tendon, an inner surface facing the wearer'"'"'s foot and an outer surface exposed to the environment, characterized in that, the cushion padding is formed from at least two spacer cushion pads, which are positioned on both sides of and along the Achilles tendon, and a transition piece extending from one spacer cushion pad to the other spacer cushion pad, and the spacer cushion pads are constructed and arranged to stand out distinctly relative to the transition piece, both the spacer cushion pads and the transition piece extending outwardly from the outer surface of the sock, the spacer cushion pads being constructed and arranged in the anatomical shape of the foot in the area of the Achilles tendon and tapering from the area of the heel portion toward the cuff portion, said transition piece being a cushion pad having a smaller thickness than the spacer cushion pads, and said transition piece being made from climate regulating fabric.