Sock orthotic

Abstract

A sock orthotic includes a sock portion that surrounds and engages at least a portion of a foot, and an orthotic portion that can be situated substantially adjacent to a plantar aspect of the foot. The orthotic portion is integrally affixed to the sock portion to avoid slippage. The sock portion defines a lower opening and an upper opening relative to the plantar aspect, and the orthotic portion is affixed to the sock portion at a perimeter of the lower opening defined by the sock portion.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A sock orthotic, comprising:
 a sock portion configured to surround and engage at least a portion of a foot; and   an orthotic portion configured to be situated substantially adjacent to a plantar aspect of the foot, wherein the orthotic portion is affixed to and is integral to the sock portion so as to inhibit slippage or displacement of the orthotic portion.   
     
     
         2 . The sock orthotic of  claim 1 , wherein the sock portion defines a lower opening and an upper opening relative to the plantar aspect. 
     
     
         3 . The sock orthotic of  claim 2 , wherein the orthotic portion is affixed to the sock portion at a perimeter of the lower opening defined by the sock portion. 
     
     
         4 . The sock orthotic of  claim 1 , wherein the sock portion defines an upper opening relative to the plantar aspect and comprises a lower portion configured to engage the plantar aspect of the foot. 
     
     
         5 . The sock orthotic of  claim 1 , wherein the orthotic portion is affixed to the sock portion at a plane defined by the lower portion of the sock portion and an upper surface of the orthotic portion. 
     
     
         6 . The sock orthotic of  claim 1 , wherein the orthotic portion is affixed to the sock portion via one or more of thread, adhesive, welds or a fastener. 
     
     
         7 . The sock orthotic of  claim 1 , wherein the sock portion comprises all or part of a male sock, female sock, athletic sock, tube sock, ankle sock, low-cut sock, full-calf sock, full-length sock, full-leg sock, a leg of a pant, dress sock, moisture-wicking sock, compression sock or pant, job-specific sock, sport-specific sock or knee-high sock. 
     
     
         8 . The sock orthotic of  claim 1 , wherein the orthotic portion comprises of lengths including half (heel cup), ¾ or full length and comprise functional varieties including arch-support of low, medium or high support, non-custom made that is over-the-counter, custom-made, pre-contoured, soft, semi-rigid, rigid or comfort fit. 
     
     
         9 . The sock orthotic of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more pull-assisting features affixed to the sock portion and/or the orthotic portion configured to assist with pulling the sock orthotic onto place on the foot. 
     
     
         10 . The sock orthotic of  claim 1 , wherein the sock portion further comprises one or more blister pads and/or compression areas. 
     
     
         11 . The sock orthotic of  claim 1 , further comprising an ankle brace or ankle support located intrinsic to or extrinsic to the sock orthotic. 
     
     
         12 . The sock orthotic of  claim 1 , wherein the slippage is less than about 5 mm. 
     
     
         13 . The sock orthotic of  claim 1 , further comprising an odor absorbing material or an antimicrobial material. 
     
     
         14 . The sock orthotic of  claim 13 , wherein the odor absorbing material is at least one selected from the group consisting of activated carbon, silica gel and zeolite. 
     
     
         15 . The sock orthotic of  claim 13 , wherein the antimicrobial material is at least one selected from the group consisting of activated copper, copper alloys, a quaternary ammonium compound, dimethyloctadecyl (3-trimethoxysilyl propyl) ammonium chloride, tributyl tin, phenyl-diazenyl(phenols), N-halamine materials and antimicrobial peptides, or is a nanomaterial selected from the group consisting of titanium dioxide, organosilane, silver, zinc oxide, copper, magnetite, magnesium oxide, gold, gallium and carbon nanotubes. 
     
     
         16 . The sock orthotic of  claim 1 , wherein the orthotic portion is formed from carbon reinforced elastomer. 
     
     
         17 . A method for constructing a sock orthotic, comprising:
 obtaining a sock portion of the sock orthotic configured to surround and engage at least a portion of a foot;   obtaining an orthotic portion configured to be situated substantially adjacent to a planar aspect of the foot; and   affixing the sock portion to the orthotic portion, wherein the orthotic portion is affixed to and is integral to the sock portion so as to inhibit slippage or displacement of the orthotic portion.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the sock portion defines a lower opening and an upper opening relative to the plantar aspect, and the orthotic portion is affixed to the sock portion at a perimeter of the lower opening defined by the sock portion. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the orthotic portion further comprises an odor absorbing material or an antimicrobial material. 
     
     
         20 . A method for treating one or more bodily ailments by having a patient in need thereof wear a sock orthotic,
 the sock orthotic comprising:
 a sock portion configured to surround and engage at least a portion of a foot; and 
 an orthotic portion configured to be situated substantially adjacent to a plantar aspect of the foot, wherein the orthotic portion is affixed to the sock portion, wherein the orthotic portion is affixed to and is integral to the sock portion so as to inhibit slippage or displacement of the orthotic portion.