A protective sock

Abstract

A protective sock that integrates a protective padding to provide a unitary garment is disclosed. As such, a wearer's need to frequently adjust the position of the protective equipment is likely reduced. An integrated and flexible protective padding also limits the amount of equipment required by the wearer. The padding also conforms to the wearer's body, and thus likely increases the athlete's wearer's comfort. A protective sock that integrates a high friction surface to restrict the movement of any secondary equipment is also disclosed. Such a restriction prevents the exposure of a wearer's body to potential injury. Movement of the secondary equipment may also be distracting to the wearer. As such, the integrated high friction surface likely provides the athlete wearer with a performance advantage. The sock may integrate the protective padding and/or the high friction surface.

1 : A protective sock for use on and for protecting a wearer's foot and ankle comprising:
 at least one material for forming the protective sock,   a foot portion enclosing the wearer's foot having a top side and an underside,   a leg portion extending from the foot portion, having a front portion extending upwardly from the top side and a rear portion extending upwardly from the underside, and   at least one protective padding,   wherein the at least one protective padding is integrated into at least an area of the front portion of the leg portion.   
     
     
         2 : The protective sock according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one protective padding is a plurality of protective pads, wherein at least two of the plurality of protective pads overlap one another. 
     
     
         3 : The protective sock according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one protective padding is integrated exteriorly at the front portion. 
     
     
         4 : The protective sock according to  claim 1 , wherein the protective padding comprises a silicone material. 
     
     
         5 : The protective sock according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one material is a machine-washable material. 
     
     
         6 : The protective sock according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one material is a cut-resistant material, wherein at least a portion of the protective sock is made of the cut-resistant material. 
     
     
         7 : The protective sock according to  claim 1 , further including at least one auxiliary protective padding adjacent to a wearer's ankle. 
     
     
         8 : The protective sock according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one protective padding is integrated on the top side of the foot portion. 
     
     
         9 : The protective sock according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one protective padding is integrated on the underside of the foot portion. 
     
     
         10 : The protective sock according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one protective padding includes at least one perforation. 
     
     
         11 : The protective sock according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one material comprises at least one of: polyester, cotton, wool, silk, rayon, nylon, acrylic, glass, steel, elastane, aramids, and high-performance polyethylene. 
     
     
         12 : The protective sock according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one material in the foot portion is a first material, and the at least one material in the leg portion is a second material being different from the first material. 
     
     
         13 : The protective sock according to  claim 12 , further comprising a ribbing at a top of the leg portion, wherein the at least one material in the ribbing is a third fabric. 
     
     
         14 : The protective sock according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one material comprises at least one yarn, wherein the at least one yarn is plaited. 
     
     
         15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 : The protective sock according to  claim 15 , wherein the at least one protective padding includes at least one high friction surface. 
     
     
         17 : The protective sock according to  claim 1 , wherein the protective padding has a design feature. 
     
     
         18 : The protective sock according to  claim 1 , further comprising at least one auxiliary protective padding adjacent to a wearer's heel. 
     
     
         19 : The protective sock according to  claim 1 , further comprising at least one compression zone for minimizing movement of the sock during activity. 
     
     
         20 : The protective sock according to  claim 19 , wherein a location of the at least one compression zone is at least one of: the leg portion, an arch of the foot, above the ankle, near a top of the leg portion. 
     
     
         21 : A protective sock for use on and for protecting a wearer's foot and ankle comprising:
 at least one material for forming the protective sock,   a foot portion enclosing the wearer's foot having a top side and an underside,   a leg portion extending from the foot portion, having a front portion extending upwardly from the top side and a rear portion extending upwardly from the underside, and   at least one high friction surface,   wherein the at least one high friction surface is integrated into at least an area of the leg portion.   
     
     
         22 - 23 . (canceled)