Sock with environmental hazard protection

Abstract

An improved sock with a circumferential flap secured thereto which when worn in combination with footwear, prevents the introduction of foreign particulate such as pebbles into the hiking boots and other footwear. The sock is made from cotton, wool, synthetic material or a combination thereof. The flap is preferably made from a material that is liquid impermeable and is vapor permeable. The flap is secured to the sock by looming, stitching, buttons, or by complimentary materials on both the flap and the sock. In operation, the flap is lowered to a position where it circumferentially covers the top of the shoe or hiking boot thereby preventing environmental hazards from entering therein. In some embodiments, additional means are used to secure the flap to the footwear such as VELCRO, buttons, and a drawstring.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A sock for use with footwear comprising: 
 a top portion having an outer surface; and    a flap circumferentially securable to the outer surface of said top portion, wherein said flap is movable to a position covering the footwear to prevent environmental hazards from entering the footwear.    
     
     
         2 . The sock of  claim 1  wherein said sock is made from nylon.  
     
     
         3 . The sock of  claim 1  wherein said sock is made from cotton.  
     
     
         4 . The sock of  claim 1  wherein said flap is loomed onto said top portion.  
     
     
         5 . The sock of  claim 1  wherein said flap is secured to said flap by stitching.  
     
     
         6 . The sock of  claim 1  wherein said flap is secured to said flap by complimentary materials on said sock and on said flap.  
     
     
         7 . The sock of  claim 1  wherein said flap is made from a water impermeable material.  
     
     
         8 . The sock of  claim 7  wherein said flap is made from a vapor permeable material.  
     
     
         9 . The sock of  claim 1  wherein said flap is secured to the boot by an elastic material.  
     
     
         10 . The sock of  claim 1  wherein said flap coextends with said top portion.  
     
     
         11 . The sock of  claim 1  wherein said flap further comprises a plurality of buttons configured to receive a plurality of buttons mounted to secure said flap to the footwear.  
     
     
         12 . The sock of  claim 1  wherein said flap further comprises an elastic drawstring to secure said flap to the footwear.  
     
     
         13 . The sock of  claim 1  wherein said flap further comprises a module accessible to the user when said flap covers the footwear.  
     
     
         14 . The sock of  claim 12  wherein said module is a zippered pouch configured to provide storage.  
     
     
         15 . The sock of  claim 12  wherein said storage module is a reflector.  
     
     
         16 . The sock of  claim 1  wherein said flap further comprises a logo on said top portion that is exposed when said flap extends downwards to cover the footwear.  
     
     
         17 . The sock of  claim 1  wherein said flap further comprises a logo on said flap that is exposed when said flap covers the footwear.  
     
     
         18 . A system to prevent a user from being subject to environmental hazards comprising: 
 an article of footwear;    a sock; and    sealing means securably affixed to the circumference of said sock and movable to couple with said footwear to prevent environmental hazards from entering said footwear.    
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18  wherein said sealing means comprises a flap circumferentially secured to said sock and including detachable means for detachably securing said flap to said footwear.  
     
     
         20 . A sock to provide environmental hazard protection for the inner portion of an article of footwear comprising: 
 a heel portion configured to envelop the foot of the user and to substantially fit within the footwear;    a top portion coupled to said heel portion and extending outwards from the footwear and configured to circumferentially envelop the shin of the user; and    a flap circumferentially secured to said top portion by looming and configured to downwardly extend over the footwear to prevent particulate from entering the inner portion of the footwear.