Slip-resistant stocking

Abstract

A slip-resistant stocking of the type that is worn by ambulatory hospital patients for walking directly on smooth, hard hospital floors, comprises a stocking, such as a tube sock, having a slip-resistant material applied to the foot portion of the stocking around the periphery of an outside surface thereof, such that slip-resistant material is always positioned under the bottom of the foot of the patient regardless of the rotational orientation of the foot portion of the stocking around the axis of the foot. The slip-resistant material can be on the inside as well as the outside of the stocking, so the stocking also will be slip-resistant when worn inside out. The slip-resistant material can be provided as discreet elements deposited at spaced locations around the stocking. The elements can be formed of recognizable shapes or decorative designs, which will be visible on the top of the stocking.

1 . A slip-resistant stocking of the type that is worn by ambulatory hospital patients for walking directly on smooth, hard hospital floors, comprising: 
 a stocking having a foot portion that encompasses a top and bottom of the foot; and    a slip-resistant material applied to the foot portion of the stocking around the periphery of an outside surface thereof, such that a substantially equivalent proportion of slip-resistant material is always positioned under the bottom of the foot of the patient regardless of the rotational orientation of the foot portion of the stocking around the axis of the foot.    
   
   
       2 . A slip-resistant stocking as in  claim 1  wherein the stocking is a tube stocking that is formed in a tube without an integrally formed heel pocket, the stocking being properly oriented for location of the slip-resistant material under the foot at any rotational orientation of the stocking around the axis of the foot.  
   
   
       3 . A slip-resistant stocking as in  claim 1  wherein slip-resistant material is positioned around the periphery of both inside and outside surfaces of the foot portion of the stocking, such that a slip-resistant surface is always between the foot portion of the stocking and the floor for providing slip-resistant contact with the floor regardless whether the stockings are put on upside down or inside out.  
   
   
       4 . A slip-resistant stocking as in  claim 1  wherein the foot portion of the stocking is formed from a knitted fabric and the slip-resistant material is a material having a relatively higher coefficient of friction that is positioned at spaced locations around the periphery of the body of the stocking, the slip-resistant material being deposited in a liquid form so it becomes imbedded in the knitted fabric, the liquid thereafter solidifying to provide a slip-resistant material on the stocking.  
   
   
       5 . A slip-resistant stocking as in  claim 1  wherein the slip-resistant material is positioned on the foot portion in discreet, spaced elements, the elements being shaped or oriented so as to provide a decorative pattern that is visible to the patient on the top of the foot portion no matter how the stocking is rotationally oriented.  
   
   
       6 . A slip-resistant stocking as in  claim 5  wherein the elements comprise discreet, decorative designs that are recognizable to the normal user.  
   
   
       7 . A slip resistant stocking of the type that is worn on the feet of ambulatory hospital patients for walking directly on smooth, hard hospital floors, comprising: 
 a stocking having a foot portion that covers a top and bottom of the foot of the patient, the foot portion extending from a heel portion to a toe portion of the foot; and    a slip-resistant material applied to substantially the entire foot portion of the stocking around the periphery of an outside surface thereof, such that slip-resistant material is always positioned under the entire bottom of the foot of the patient, from the heel portion to the toe portion thereof, regardless of the rotational orientation of the foot portion of the stocking around the axis of the foot.    
   
   
       8 . A slip-resistant stocking as in  claim 7  wherein the stocking is a tube stocking that is formed in a tube without an integrally formed heel pocket, the stocking being properly oriented for location of the slip-resistant material under the foot at any rotational orientation of the stocking around the axis of the foot.  
   
   
       9 . A slip-resistant stocking as in  claim 7  wherein slip-resistant material is positioned around the periphery of the entire bottom of both inside and outside surfaces of the foot portion of the stocking, such that a slip-resistant surface is always between the foot portion of the stocking and the floor for providing slip-resistant contact with the floor regardless whether the stockings are put on upside down or inside out.  
   
   
       10 . A slip-resistant stocking as in  claim 7  wherein the foot portion of the stocking is formed from a knitted fabric and the slip-resistant material is a material having a relatively higher coefficient of friction that is positioned at spaced locations around the periphery of the body of the stocking, the slip-resistant material being deposited in a liquid form so it becomes imbedded in the knitted fabric, the liquid therafter solidifying to provide a slip-resistant material on the stocking.  
   
   
       11 . A slip-resistant stocking as in  claim 7  wherein the slip resistant material is positioned on the foot portion in discreet, spaced elements, the elements being shaped or oriented so as to provide a decorative pattern that is visible to the patient on the top of the foot portion no matter how the stocking is rotationally oriented.  
   
   
       12 . A slip-resistant stocking as in  claim 11  wherein the elements comprise discreet, decorative designs that are recognizable to the normal user.