Socks and other footwear with selective friction reducing features

Abstract

A sock and / or outer footwear having one or more portions with reduced frictional characteristics. One or more of the heel portion, the arch portion and the ball portion of the sock and / or interior of the outer footwear is fabricated with one or more fibers having the reduced frictional characteristics. The reduced frictional characteristics are established with the one or more low-friction fibers that are integrated with fibers having additional complementary characteristics of thermal regulation and moisture management. The provision of reduced frictional characteristics in one or more of the heel, arch and ball facilitates insertion of a foot into footwear.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This application is a continuation-in-part, and claims the priority benefit of, pending U.S. nonprovisional patent application Ser. No. 13 / 856,980, filed Apr. 4, 2013, which is a nonprovisional, and claims the priority benefit, of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61 / 620,077 filed Apr. 4, 2012, of the same title and by the same inventor. The content of the prior applications is incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention[0002]The present invention relates to footwear. More particularly, the present invention relates to inner footwear, such as socks and stockings, as well as outer footwear, such as, for example, dress shoes, casual shoes, athletic boots, protective boots, sneakers, orthopedic shoes and the like. Still more particularly, the present invention relates to footwear configured with maximum comfort and convenience of use, including selective friction reducing features to reduce...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention provides a foot covering, in the form of a sock, that is designed to make it easier to put feet into outer footwear like snow boots, golf shoes, or skis. The sock is made of materials that regulate temperature and moisture, and have low friction to prevent blisters and discomfort when walking or running. It has features like reduced thickness in certain areas, low-friction material, or a removable sling to help with insertion. Overall, the invention makes it easier for people to get their feet into various footwear.

Problems solved by technology

For example, it can be difficult to get a boot onto the foot because of resistance or friction that exists at certain locations of the foot-footwear interface.

Some are more pronounced than others and so placement of the foot into outer footwear may be more or less difficult for particular individuals.

Nevertheless, dependent upon the characteristics of the outer footwear, most every person has some difficulty in getting his or her foot into certain types of outer footwear.

That modification reduces the likelihood of a slip but such a sock is not useful in reducing the difficulty of getting a socked foot into the outer footwear.

In fact, the frictional material on the ball of the foot makes that effort even more difficult.

In addition, efforts to reduce slipping, as well as efforts to facilitate passage of a foot into footwear reduce or prevent other desired characteristics of the sock.

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