Expansion Sock

Abstract

An expansion sock includes one or more expansion zones formed of a different type of knitted fabric than adjacent zones. The expansion zones permit the sock to be used on a person's bandaged foot because the bandaged portions of the foot can be accommodated without either increased pressure on the bandages while minimizing excess, bunched material adjacent thereto.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An expansion sock for use with a bandaged foot of a patient, the sock comprising:
 a calf portion configured and sized to expand circumferentially around a leg of the patient having the bandaged foot, the calf portion extending from a top edge proximate to the calf of the patient toward the foot of the patient and terminating in a bottom edge located above the malleoli when the sock is worn by the patient;   a foot portion having a top edge extending from the bottom edge of the calf portion;   wherein the foot portion, when worn by the patient, is sized and shaped to circumferentially enclose the foot of the patient;   wherein the foot portion includes a heel-ankle section, a midfoot section, and a forefoot section, the heel-ankle section sized to cover at least the heel and both of the malleoli, the forefoot section having a closed end located and dimensioned to cover the metatarsal heads and the toes, and the midfoot section located and extending between the heel-ankle section and the forefoot section;   wherein the sock consists essentially of knitted fabric enclosing a first volume in the calf portion and a second volume in the foot portion when the sock is in an unworn, relaxed state;   wherein the calf portion consists essentially of a first type of the knitted fabric, the first type of the knitted fabric characterized by a first force at specified elongation (FASE) at 100% selected and configured to generate a first compressive force less than 20 mmHg when the calf portion is expanded to 15% of the first volume of the relaxed state, whereby, when the sock is worn, the calf portion fits the leg;   wherein at least one of the heel-ankle section, the midfoot section, and the forefoot section consists essentially of a second type of knitted fabric to define an expansion zone, the second type of knitted fabric characterized by a second force at specified elongation (FASE) at 100% less than the first FASE, the second type of knitted fabric configured to generate a second compressive force less than 20 mmHg when the expansion zone is expanded beyond 15% of the second volume, whereby, when the sock is worn, the foot portion fits the bandaged foot of the patient.   
     
     
         2 . The sock of  claim 1 , wherein the second type of knitted fabric is selected to generate less than 20 mmHg compressive force when the expansion zone is expanded to any volume in the range of between 50% and 200% of the relaxed state. 
     
     
         3 . The sock of  claim 1 , wherein the foot portion consists essentially of the second type of knitted fabric. 
     
     
         4 . The sock of  claim 3 , wherein both the heel-ankle section and the forefoot section consist essentially of the second type of knitted fabric. 
     
     
         5 . The sock of  claim 3 , wherein the heel-ankle section, the midfoot section, and the forefoot section consist essentially of the second type of knitted fabric. 
     
     
         6 . The sock of  claim 1 , wherein the forefoot section is adapted to extend circumferentially around the forefoot to overlie the top of the foot above the metatarsal heads, and upper and lower surfaces and sides of the toes, when worn by the patient. 
     
     
         7 . The sock of  claim 1 , wherein the calf portion includes an upper calf portion located at the top edge of the calf portion, and wherein the knitted fabric of at least one of the upper calf portion, the heel-ankle portion, and the forefoot portion further comprises padded fabric. 
     
     
         8 . The sock of  claim 1 , wherein the calf portion includes an upper calf portion located at the top edge of the calf portion, wherein the calf portion comprises a forward calf portion comprising padded fabric and extending longitudinally and substantially from the upper calf portion to the bottom edge of the calf portion, and wherein the forward calf portion has a transverse width and is located on the circumference of the calf portion to overlie the antibial crest when worn by the patient. 
     
     
         9 . The sock of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first and second compressive forces generated by the first and second types of fabric, respectively, is 15 mm HG or less. 
     
     
         10 . The sock of  claim 1 , wherein the knitted fabric comprises at least one material selected from the group consisting of (1) antimicrobial material; (2) machine-washable material; (3) multilayer material; (4) low-friction material; (5) heat-retaining material; (6) heat-resisting material; (7) insulating material; and (8) wicking material. 
     
     
         11 . An expansion sock for use with a bandaged foot of a patient, the sock comprising:
 a calf portion configured and sized to expand circumferentially around a leg of the patient having the bandaged foot, the calf portion extending from a top edge proximate to the calf of the patient toward the foot of the patient and terminating in a bottom edge located above the malleoli when the sock is worn by the patient;   a foot portion having a top edge extending from the bottom edge of the calf portion;   wherein the foot portion, when worn by the patient, is sized and shaped to circumferentially enclose the foot of the patient;   wherein the foot portion includes a heel-ankle section, a midfoot section, and a forefoot section, the heel-ankle section sized to cover at least the heel and both of the malleoli, the forefoot section having a closed end located and dimensioned to cover the metatarsal heads and the toes, and the midfoot section located and extending between the heel-ankle section and the forefoot section;   wherein the sock consists essentially of knitted fabric enclosing a first volume in the calf portion and a second volume in the foot portion when the sock is in an unworn, relaxed state;   wherein the calf portion consists essentially of a first type of the knitted fabric, the first type of the knitted fabric characterized by a first force at specified elongation (FASE) at 100% selected and configured to generate a first compressive force less than 20 mmHg when the calf portion is expanded to 15% of the first volume of the relaxed state, whereby, when the sock is worn, the calf portion fits the leg;   wherein at least one of the heel-ankle section, the midfoot section, and the forefoot section consists essentially of a second type of knitted fabric to define an expansion zone, the second type of knitted fabric characterized by a second force at specified elongation (FASE) at 100% less than the first FASE, the second type of knitted fabric configured to generate a second compressive force less than 20 mmHg when the expansion zone is expanded to any volume in the range of between 50% and 200% of the second volume of the relaxed state, whereby, when the sock is worn, the foot portion fits the bandaged foot of the patient;   wherein the forefoot section is adapted to extend circumferentially around the forefoot to overlie the top of the foot above the metatarsal heads, and upper and lower surfaces and sides of the toes, when worn by the patient;   wherein the calf portion includes an upper calf portion located at the top edge of the calf portion, and wherein the knitted fabric of at least one of the upper calf portion, the heel-ankle portion, and the forefoot portion further comprises padded fabric;   wherein the calf portion comprises a forward calf portion comprising padded fabric and extending longitudinally and substantially from the upper calf portion to the bottom edge of the calf portion, and wherein the forward calf portion has a transverse width and is located on the circumference of the calf portion to overlie the antibial crest when worn by the patient; and   wherein the knitted fabric of the foot portion comprises at least one material selected from the group consisting of an anti-microbial material, a low-friction material, an insulating material, and a wicking material.   
     
     
         12 . The sock of  claim 11 , wherein the knitted fabric of the foot portion includes a plantar area sized and located to underlie the plantar surface of the foot and incorporating all of the sock materials. 
     
     
         13 . The sock of  claim 11 , wherein the foot portion consists essentially of the second type of knitted fabric. 
     
     
         14 . The sock of  claim 13 , wherein both the heel-ankle section and the forefoot section consist essentially of the second type of knitted fabric. 
     
     
         15 . The sock of  claim 13 , wherein the heel-ankle section, the midfoot section, and the forefoot section consist essentially of the second type of knitted fabric. 
     
     
         16 . The sock of  claim 11 , wherein at least one of the first and second compressive forces generated by the first and second types of fabric, respectively, is 15 mm HG or less 
     
     
         17 . The sock of  claim 11 , wherein the knitted fabric of the foot portion comprises the at least one anti-microbial material, the material having at least one composition selected from the group consisting of PTFE, silver, phenolic compounds, copper metals, heavy metals, QAC, ammonium compounds, hydrophilic coatings, polymers, biocides, fungicides, antiviral compounds. 
     
     
         18 . The sock of  claim 11 , wherein the knitted fabric of the foot portion comprises the at least one low-friction material, the low-friction material selected from the group consisting of PTFE, nylon, TEFLON, polyesters, LYCRA, SPANDEX, silicone, rayon, wool, and bamboo. 
     
     
         19 . The sock of  claim 11 , wherein the knitted fabric of the foot portion comprises the at least one insulating material, the insulating material selected from the group consisting of polyester, wools, microencapsulated phase change materials (PCMs), polyurethanes, and technical fabric. 
     
     
         20 . The sock of  claim 11 , wherein the knitted fabric of the foot portion comprises the at least one wicking material, the wicking material selected from the group consisting of polyester, wools, microencapsulated phase change materials (PCMs), polyurethanes, and technical fabric.