Ergonomic bed/slipper-sock

Abstract

An Ergonomic Bed/Slipper-Sock (EBSS) combines a sock component with a sole component that may be shock-absorbing, integrated medium-density, highly flexible and slip-resistant. The sock component can be integrated (pre-vulcanized) with inserts to prevent the twisting or turning of the EBSS when worn on a foot of a user. The sole component may ergonomically conform to the anatomy of the foot and be fabricated from a variety of materials.

1 . A bed slipper/sock article for providing stability and impact dampening for a foot of a patient with a floor, the article comprising: 
 a sole component comprising: 
 a sole exterior defining a mid-section, a frontal section, and a heel section, the mid-section including concave-rib shaped members and convex-rib shaped members, the concave and convex-rib shaped members being operative to increase stability of the foot, the frontal section and the heel section including a grid feature, the grid feature being configured as a plurality of elevated surface for increasing traction of the sole exterior, the grid feature further including a plurality of channels interposed between the plurality of elevated surfaces, the channels being sized and configured to disperse fluids that the sole exterior may come into contact with; and  
 a top surface defining a ball of the foot area, an arch support area, a heel area, and a sole periphery, the heel area including a heel cup, the arch support area being sized and configured to provide support for the foot, the top surface further including a vertical periphery that extends upwardly therefrom to provide support for the foot of the patient; and  
   a sock component including a toe section, a middle section, a heel section, an ankle section, and a sock periphery, the sock component being attached to the sole component about the sole periphery.    
     
     
         2 . The article of  claim 1  wherein the vertical periphery of the sole component extends only about the heel area, the vertical periphery tapering toward the top surface at the arch support area of thereof, the vertical periphery tending to provide support to the foot at the arch support area and the heel area.  
     
     
         3 . The article of  claim 1  wherein the vertical periphery of the sole component extends about the ball of the foot area, the vertical periphery tending to provide support to the foot at the ball of the foot area.  
     
     
         4 . The article of  claim 1  wherein the top surface of the sole component further defines a frontal section, the frontal section including a toe bar being sized and configured to provide customizable shock absorbance and dynamic response to the foot.  
     
     
         5 . The article of  claim 1  wherein the sole component is sized and configured with the sole exterior thereof being planar for ensuring complete contact with the floor, the sole component extending downwardly from the arch support area of the top surface until reaching the planar sole exterior, the sole component being solid and being operative to provide support to a mid-section of the foot in response to planar contact of the planar sole exterior with the floor and contact of the arch support area of the top surface with the foot.  
     
     
         6 . The article of  claim 1  wherein the sole exterior of the sole component includes concave-members being disposed at the heel section of the sole exterior, the concave members being operative to provide friction between the floor and the heel section.  
     
     
         7 . The article of  claim 1  wherein the sole exterior of the sole component includes convex-members being disposed at the heel section of the sole exterior, the convex-members being operative to provide stability and friction between the floor and the heel section.  
     
     
         8 . The article of  claim 1  wherein the heel cup is fabricated from a shock-dampening material for reducing impact of the heel section when striking the floor.  
     
     
         9 . The article of  claim 1  wherein the sole component defines opposing sides, and wherein the vertical periphery is configured to extend about the opposing sides from the heel area of the sole component toward the arch support area, the vertical periphery tapering toward the top surface of the sole component at substantially equal points on the opposing sides.  
     
     
         10 . The article of  claim 10  wherein the top surface of the sole component is oriented substantially parallel to the sole exterior thereof at the ball of the foot area, the sock periphery being attached to the sole periphery about the ball of the foot area.  
     
     
         11 . The article of  claim 1  further comprising inserts being attachable to the sole component, the inserts being fabricated from a gel-cushion-material.  
     
     
         12 . The article of  claim 12  wherein the inserts are disposed in one of the heel area, the ball of the foot area, and the arch support area of the sole component for providing cushion to the foot along the heel area.  
     
     
         13 . The article of  claim 12  wherein the sole component further includes a toe bar, and wherein the inserts are disposed in the toe bar for providing cushion to the foot along the toe bar.  
     
     
         14 . The article of  claim 1  wherein the sock component includes an integral heel component being sized and configured to correspond to the configuration of the heel cup of the sole component, the integral heel component being operative to mitigate torsional displacement of the article from the foot during use.  
     
     
         15 . The article of  claim 1  wherein the sock component includes a ribbed band having an elastic component, the ribbed band being disposed about the ankle section of the sock component.  
     
     
         16 . The article of  claim 1  wherein the sock component includes a ribbed band having an elastic component, the ribbed band being disposed about the middle section of the sock component.  
     
     
         17 . The article of  claim 1  wherein the sock component includes an integrated pull-tab extending from the ankle section thereof, the pull-tab being operative to assist in donning the article.  
     
     
         18 . The article of  claim 1  wherein the sock component defines an interior base, the interior base being including that portion of the sock component being disposed adjacent the sole component, the interior base and the heel section of the sock component being fabricated of terrycloth.  
     
     
         19 . The article of  claim 1  wherein the toe section of the sock component is rounded.  
     
     
         20 . The article of  claim 1  wherein the sock component is permanently affixed to the sole component utilizing an attachment means being selected from heat, glue, and sewing.