Cushioned sock for high heel footwear

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to cushioned socks or stockings particularly adapted for use with high heel footwear. The disclosed socks or stockings include a cushioning pad that is positioned below the metatarsal region of the foot, also known as the ball of the foot, and may extend under all or a part of the toes. Socks or stockings according to the present disclosure may be toe socks designed for dress shoes, ankle high, calf high, or longer. The disclosed cushioning pad stocking adapts and adjusts to different shoes (e.g., different height heels). The disclosed cushioned pad sock also adapts and adjusts to the foot as the wearer walks or otherwise shifts their weight on their feet.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A foot cushion, comprising:
 a sock formed from a stretchable material having a toe portion and a lower sole portion adapted to extend under a toe portion and the lower sole portion of a foot; and   a pad attached to the lower sole portion of the sock such that the pad is positioned substantially under the metatarsal bones and extends under at least a portion of the toes;   wherein the pad comprises:
 a cushioning material capable of adapting to the shape of a shoe and the shape and distribution of weight of a foot; and 
 a relatively thicker portion and at least one relatively thinner portions; 
 wherein the relatively thicker portion of the pad is positioned substantially under the ball of the foot. 
   
     
     
         2 . The foot cushion of  claim 1  wherein the pad further comprises a relatively thicker portion between two relatively thinner portions. 
     
     
         3 . The foot cushion of  claim 1  wherein the pad further comprises two or more cells. 
     
     
         4 . The foot cushion of  claim 1  wherein the cushioning material further comprises a gel pad. 
     
     
         5 . The foot cushion of  claim 4  wherein the gel comprises a viscoelastic gel material. 
     
     
         6 . The foot cushion of  claim 4  wherein the gel comprises polyurethane, silicone, or a thermoplastic rubber. 
     
     
         7 . The foot cushion of  claim 1  wherein the cushioning material further comprises a foam pad. 
     
     
         8 . The foot cushion of  claim 1  wherein the sock comprises a toe cap sock extending over the toe portion of the foot. 
     
     
         9 . The foot cushion of  claim 1  wherein the sock comprises a full sock covering the entire foot at least up to the ankle. 
     
     
         10 . The foot cushion of  claim 1  wherein the thick portion of the pad is approximately double the thickness of the thin portion. 
     
     
         11 . A foot cushioning sock, comprising:
 a toe sock hood having an opening designed for insertion of a wearer's foot wherein the toe sock hood is adapted to fit over and cover the toe region of a foot and to extend under the metatarsal region of the foot;   a cushion pad attached to the toe sock hood such that it is positioned under the metatarsal region of the foot;   wherein the cushion pad comprises:
 a cushioning material capable of adapting to the shape of a shoe and the shape and distribution of weight of a foot; and 
 a relatively thicker portion and at least one relatively thinner portions; 
 wherein the relatively thicker portion of the pad is positioned substantially under the ball of the foot; and 
   an elastic band on the sock circling the opening.   
     
     
         12 . The foot cushioning sock of  claim 11  wherein the cushion pad further comprises a relatively thicker portion between two relatively thinner portions. 
     
     
         13 . The foot cushioning sock of  claim 11  wherein the pad further comprises two or more cells. 
     
     
         14 . The foot cushioning sock of  claim 11  wherein the cushioning material further comprises a gel pad. 
     
     
         15 . The foot cushioning sock of  claim 13  wherein the gel comprises a viscoelastic gel material. 
     
     
         16 . The foot cushioning sock of  claim 13  wherein the gel comprises polyurethane, silicone, or a thermoplastic rubber. 
     
     
         17 . The foot cushioning sock of  claim 11  wherein the cushioning material further comprises a foam pad. 
     
     
         18 . The foot cushioning sock of  claim 11  wherein the thick portion of the pad is approximately double the thickness of the thin portion.