High performance sport socks including multiple fabrics, and methods of making and using same

Abstract

High performance sport socks including multiple fabrics, and methods of making and using the same, are provided. Under one aspect, a sock includes a first fabric defining a stem and a bifurcated region. The stem can be configured and arranged to be disposed on the Achilles tendon of a wearer, and the bifurcated region can be configured and arranged to be disposed on the calf of the wearer. The sock also can include a second fabric coupled to the first fabric inside of the bifurcated region and configured and arranged to be disposed on the calf of the wearer. The sock also can include a third fabric coupled to the first fabric outside of the bifurcated region and configured and arranged to be disposed on the shin of the wearer.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A sock comprising:
 a first fabric defining a stem and a bifurcated region, the stem being configured and arranged to be disposed on the Achilles tendon of a wearer, the bifurcated region being configured and arranged to be disposed on the calf of the wearer;   a second fabric coupled to the first fabric inside of the bifurcated region and configured and arranged to be disposed on the calf of the wearer; and   a third fabric coupled to the first fabric outside of the bifurcated region and configured and arranged to be disposed on the shin of the wearer.   
     
     
         2 . The sock of  claim 1 , wherein the stem and the bifurcated region of the first fabric generally define a Y-shape. 
     
     
         3 . The sock of  claim 1 , wherein the first fabric further defines a lower bifurcated region, the lower bifurcated region being configured and arranged to be disposed on the ankle or heel of the wearer. 
     
     
         4 . The sock of  claim 3 , wherein the stem, the bifurcated region, and the lower bifurcated region generally define a wishbone shape. 
     
     
         5 . The sock of  claim 3 , wherein the stem, the bifurcated region, and the lower bifurcated region generally define an X-shape. 
     
     
         6 . The sock of  claim 1 , further comprising a fourth fabric coupled to the first fabric outside of the stem region and configured and arranged to be disposed on the heel of the wearer. 
     
     
         7 . The sock of  claim 6 , further comprising a slip resistant material disposed on the fourth fabric and configured and arranged to be disposed on the heel of the wearer. 
     
     
         8 . The sock of  claim 6 , wherein the fourth fabric further is configured and arranged to be disposed on the ankle of the wearer. 
     
     
         9 . The sock of  claim 6 , further comprising a fifth fabric coupled to the fourth fabric and configured and arranged to be at least partially disposed around the foot of the wearer. 
     
     
         10 . The sock of  claim 9 , further comprising a sixth fabric coupled to the fifth fabric and configured and arranged to be at least partially disposed around the arch of the wearer. 
     
     
         11 . The sock of  claim 10 , further comprising a seventh fabric coupled to the sixth fabric and configured and arranged to be disposed around the toes of the wearer. 
     
     
         12 . The sock of  claim 11 , further comprising an eighth fabric coupled to the third, fourth, and sixth fabrics and configured and arranged to be disposed on the upper foot of the wearer. 
     
     
         13 . A method of making a sock, the method comprising:
 providing a first fabric defining a stem and a bifurcated region;   coupling a second fabric to the first fabric inside of the bifurcated region; and   coupling a third fabric to the first fabric outside of the bifurcated region, wherein:   the stem is configured and arranged to be disposed on the Achilles tendon of a wearer,   the bifurcated region is configured and arranged to be disposed on the calf of the wearer,   the second fabric is configured and arranged to be disposed on the calf of the wearer, and   the third fabric is configured and arranged to be disposed on the shin of the wearer.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the stem and the bifurcated region of the first fabric generally define a Y-shape. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the first fabric further defines a lower bifurcated region, the lower bifurcated region being configured and arranged to be disposed on the ankle or heel of the wearer. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the stem, the bifurcated region, and the lower bifurcated region generally define a wishbone shape. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the stem, the bifurcated region, and the lower bifurcated region generally define an X-shape. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising coupling a fourth fabric to the first fabric outside of the stem region, wherein the fourth fabric is configured and arranged to be disposed on the heel of the wearer. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising disposing a slip resistant material on the fourth fabric, wherein the slip resistant material is configured and arranged to be disposed on the heel of the wearer. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the fourth fabric further is configured and arranged to be disposed on the ankle of the wearer. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising coupling a fifth fabric to the fourth fabric, wherein the fifth fabric is configured and arranged to be at least partially disposed around the foot of the wearer. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising coupling a sixth fabric to the fifth fabric, wherein the sixth fabric is configured and arranged to be at least partially disposed around the arch of the wearer. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , further comprising coupling a seventh fabric to the sixth fabric, wherein the seventh fabric is configured and arranged to be disposed around the toes of the wearer. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 22 , further comprising coupling an eighth fabric to the third, fourth, and sixth fabrics, wherein the eighth fabric is configured and arranged to be disposed on the upper foot of the wearer.