Socks having integrated gripping systems

Abstract

Socks or stockings including integrated gripping systems include gripping material disposed on external surfaces of a sole of the sock and gripping material disposed on internal surfaces of the sock. In some examples, the integrated gripping systems comprise a first set of gripping dots comprising gripping material applied to external surfaces of the sole of the sock and a second set of gripping dots comprising gripping material applied to internal surfaces of the sole of the sock. In some examples, the integrated gripping systems comprise a knitted fabric including gripping yarn, which includes knitted gripping portions disposed on internal surfaces of the sock and external surfaces of the sock.

1 . A stocking comprising:
 a knit sock;   a first pattern of discrete external gripping surfaces disposed on an exterior surface of the knit sock, wherein the first pattern of discrete external gripping surfaces comprises a plurality of first gripping pods coupled to the exterior surface; and   a second pattern of discrete internal gripping surfaces disposed on an interior surface of the knit sock, wherein the second pattern of discrete internal gripping surfaces comprises a plurality of second gripping pods coupled to the interior surface;   wherein the discrete internal gripping surfaces are out of registration with respect to the discrete external gripping surfaces, such that the first and second patterns are configured to improve traction by producing a shearing vector between foot-to-sock frictional forces and sock-to-underlying surface frictional forces.   
     
     
         2 . The stocking of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of first gripping pods is bonded to the exterior surface. 
     
     
         3 . The stocking of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of second gripping pods is bonded to the interior surface. 
     
     
         4 . The stocking of  claim 1 , wherein the first pattern of discrete external gripping surfaces comprises a silicone exposed on the exterior surface. 
     
     
         5 . The stocking of  claim 4 , wherein the second pattern of discrete internal gripping surfaces comprises the silicone exposed on the interior surface. 
     
     
         6 . The stocking of  claim 1 , wherein the first pattern of the discrete external gripping surfaces comprises two or more different gripping zones, wherein the first gripping pods in a first gripping zone have at least one or more of a size, a shape, a concentration, and a gripping material that is different than at least one or more of a size, a shape, a concentration and a gripping material of the first gripping pods in a second gripping zone. 
     
     
         7 . The stocking of  claim 1 , wherein the second pattern of the discrete internal gripping surfaces comprises two or more different gripping zones, wherein the second gripping pods in a first gripping zone have at least one or more of a size, a shape, a concentration and gripping material that is different than at least one or more of a size, a shape, a concentration, and a gripping material of the second gripping pods in a second gripping zone. 
     
     
         8 . The stocking of  claim 1 , wherein the first pattern of discrete external gripping surfaces is configured such that the discrete external gripping surfaces are concentrated beneath a heel region of the knit sock and a ball-of-foot region of the knit sock. 
     
     
         9 . The stocking of  claim 1 , wherein the discrete external gripping surfaces of the first pattern are arranged in a gradient from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration. 
     
     
         10 . The stocking of  claim 1 , wherein the discrete internal gripping surfaces of the second pattern are arranged in a gradient from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration. 
     
     
         11 . The stocking of  claim 1 , wherein the second pattern of discrete internal gripping surfaces are disposed in a heel region of the knit sock. 
     
     
         12 . The stocking of  claim 1 , wherein the discrete external gripping surfaces comprise a material including natural fibers encapsulated in a polyurethane foam matrix. 
     
     
         13 . The stocking of  claim 1 , wherein the discrete external gripping surfaces have a rounded profile. 
     
     
         14 . The stocking of  claim 1 , wherein the discrete internal gripping surfaces have a flat profile. 
     
     
         15 . The stocking of  claim 1 , wherein the discrete external gripping surfaces are flush with the exterior surface. 
     
     
         16 . The stocking of  claim 1 , wherein the discrete external gripping surfaces are raised with respect to the exterior surface. 
     
     
         17 . The stocking of  claim 1 , wherein the discrete internal gripping surfaces are flush with the interior surface. 
     
     
         18 . The stocking of  claim 1 , wherein the discrete internal gripping surfaces are raised with respect to the interior surface. 
     
     
         19 . The stocking of  claim 1 , wherein the discrete internal gripping surfaces are smaller than the discrete external gripping surfaces. 
     
     
         20 . The stocking of  claim 1 , wherein there is no overlap between the discrete internal gripping surfaces and the discrete external gripping surfaces.