Apparel – Nether garments – Stockings
Reexamination Certificate
2000-01-04
2001-12-04
Calvert, John J. (Department: 3741)
Apparel
Nether garments
Stockings
Reexamination Certificate
active
06324698
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to socks, slipper socks and the like and especially to such socks which are split on an upper portion between a toe portion and a calf portion.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Socks and slipper socks are well known garments. A person whose foot is wounded or injured knows that conventional socks and slipper socks can aggravate a foot wound or injury when they are pulled onto or off of a foot. In the case where a foot wound is bandaged, the bandage must be changed with regularity and conventional socks and slipper socks, if worn, must be pulled off of and onto the foot, often traumatizing the wound and delaying the healing process. The same problem arises in the case of a foot with a surgical incision which is bandaged.
Wound care has received a lot of attention in recent years. Some wounds are chronic under normal conditions and extreme care is required to effect healing. Feet are susceptible to decubitis ulcers which can be extremely difficult to heal, especially in persons who have poor or restricted circulation such as diabetics. Diabetic ulcers frequently appear on a patient's toes which are especially vulnerable to cold. Foot coverings are essential in such cases to keep the persons feet warm, clean and dry. People with diabetic ulcers on their feet wear what is called an orthowedge shoe which allows a person's weight to rest on the heel of the foot, reducing or eliminating pressure on the toes. The Velcro® top of an orthowedge goes over the foot and must be accommodated by any foot covering. Decubitis ulcers are often treated with a topical medication and dressed to promote healing. Frequent dressing changes, such as twice daily, are often indicated but the action of pulling a sock on and off of a foot to change a dressing can disturb the dressing and the wound, delaying the healing process by exacerbating the wound.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,575,013 (“Kräck”), the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, discloses an “easy on sock” which is split from a toe portion all the way through an upper portion of the sock so that it may be wrapped around, rather than pulled onto, a foot. A plurality of hook and loop closure strips are provided to close the split and secure the sock around a foot. Although this construction addresses the problem of minimizing trauma to a foot during application and removal of the sock, there is a better way.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is based upon the discovery of an improved sock or slipper sock comprising a toe portion for covering the toes of a foot, a continuous calf portion for surrounding a calf, and a slit or slot located between the toe portion and the calf portion. The slit terminates, at one end, adjacent to the toe portion and terminates, at the other end, adjacent to the calf portion. In a preferred embodiment, the slit is buttonhole stitched for durability. When the sock is first put on a foot, the calf portion is held open and gently slid over the toes, the foot and up the calf where it is released and gently grips the calf. The toe portion is then manipulated to cover the toes of the foot. The slit opens, as necessary, to accommodate any dressing that might be on the foot anywhere. When the dressing needs to be changed, the calf portion remains in its position around the calf, or is adjusted downwardly somewhat, and the toe portion of the sock is removed from toes, leaving the sock attached to the person, about his or her calf. The sock is then manipulated to expose the old dressing, through the slot, the dressing is changed and the toe portion is repositioned over the toes. The sock accommodates an orthowedge appliance and makes dressing changes, even on toes, easier. Moreover, the sock provides all important protection to feet from cold and this is so important for diabetics who usually experience a loss of feeling in extremities like feet which are, therefore, extremely susceptible to injury and cold.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a sock which covers a person's toes, most of a person's foot and a portion of a person's calf, and is provided with a slit which terminates at one end adjacent to the toe portion and terminates at the other end adjacent to the calf portion.
It is a further object of the invention to provide such a sock which can be partially removed to facilitate dressing changes or other foot care procedures without causing damage to a wound or injury on the foot.
It is yet a further object of the invention to provide a sock which will accommodate an orthowedge appliance
It is still a further object of this invention to provide a method for protecting a foot with a sock, partially removing the sock to treat the foot and replacing the sock on the foot without aggravating any wound or injury on the foot or toes.
It is a primary object of this invention to provide an improved sock or slipper sock.
These any other objects and advantages of the present invention will no doubt become apparent to those skilled in the art after having read this detailed description of the invention including the following description of the preferred embodiment which is illustrated by the various figures of the drawing.
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Calvert John J.
Hoey Alissa L.
Purdue David C.
Purdue John C.
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