Socks for improved venous return and method of using the same

Abstract

A sock comprises a sole portion knitted with successive courses of yarn with a thickness defining an outer layer having a first surface, and which further includes a number of spaced ribs extending in a longitudinal direction between the heel and toe each formed by knitting a selected number of additional courses of yarn which extend from the first surface in a direction toward the instep portion of the sock in a position to contact the plantar surface of the foot. Individual ribs are either continuous in the transverse direction, or discontinuous, in which case transverse spaces are formed therealong in between sections of stitched yarn. The longitudinal space between adjacent ribs, and the transverse spaces within individual ribs, are of sufficient strength to increase pressure upon the foot. thereby optimizing venous return of the blood in the foot back to the heart.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A sock, comprising:
 an integrally knitted leg portion and a foot portion, said foot portion including a toe at one end, a heel at the other end connected to said leg portion, a sole portion engageable with the lower half of the foot, and an instep portion engageable with the upper half of the foot, said sole portion and instep portion extending in a longitudinal direction between said heel and toe portions and having opposed sides which are joined together;   said sole portion being knitted with successive courses of yarn having a thickness defining an inner surface and an outer surface, said sole portion further including longitudinally spaced ribs formed by at least one additional knitted course of yarn extending from said inner surface in a direction toward said instep portion and in a position to contact the plantar surface of a foot, each of said spaces between adjacent ribs being sufficiently wide to induce the skin of the plantar surface of the foot to at least partially extend into said spaces so as to enhance the strength of compressions upon the foot, thereby increasing blood flow.   
     
     
         2 . The sock of  claim 1  in which said sole portion is formed with flat stitch throughout said thickness thereof to said inner surface. 
     
     
         3 . The sock of  claim 2  in which said ribs are formed of additional courses of flat stitch. 
     
     
         4 . The sock of  claim 1  in which said ribs are formed of terry loops. 
     
     
         5 . The sock of  claim 1  in which said ribs extend in a longitudinal direction between said toe portion and said heel portion. 
     
     
         6 . The sock of  claim 1  in which said ribs are oriented substantially parallel to one another extending in said longitudinal direction along said sole portion. 
     
     
         7 . The sock of  claim 1  in which each of said ribs is substantially continuous along said sole portion in a transverse direction perpendicular to said longitudinal direction. 
     
     
         8 . The sock of  claim 1  in which at least some of said ribs extending along said sole portion are discontinuous in a transverse direction perpendicular to said longitudinal direction forming transverse spaces between stitched sections where said at least one additional course of yarn is knitted. 
     
     
         9 . The sock of  claim 1  in which said ribs are a different color than the yarn forming the remainder of said sole portion. 
     
     
         10 . The sock of  claim 1  in which each of said ribs, and each of said spaces between adjacent ribs, has a width dimension measured in said longitudinal direction, the ratio of said width dimension of said ribs to said width dimension of said spaces being in the range of about 1:1 to 2:1. 
     
     
         11 . The sock of  claim 6 , wherein the ribs are of varying thicknesses, further oriented to provide pressure to certain parts of the foot during distinct parts of the gait, wherein the pressure is provided to enable increase venous flow of blood within the foot. 
     
     
         12 . A method of using increasing blood flow in a foot, comprising:
 Providing a sock with an integrally knitted leg portion and a foot portion, said foot portion including a toe at one end, a heel at the other end connected to said leg portion, a sole portion engageable with the lower half of the foot, and an instep portion engageable with the upper half of the foot, said sole portion and instep portion extending in a longitudinal direction between said heel and toe portions and having opposed sides which are joined together;   said sole portion being knitted with successive courses of yarn having a thickness defining an inner surface and an outer surface, said sole portion further including longitudinally spaced ribs formed by at least one additional knitted course of yarn extending from said inner surface in a direction toward said instep portion and in a position to contact the plantar surface of a foot, each of said spaces between adjacent ribs being sufficiently wide to induce the skin of the plantar surface of the foot to at least partially extend into said spaces;   Orienting the sock so the sole portion is engaged with the bottom of the foot;   Taking a step with the sock, the wearer would walk in a heel-to-toe motion, making ground contact with a heel first, then bringing an arch and toes down and making contact with the toes last;   Wherein the pressure of the step compresses the ribs against the foot, thereby compressing the venules and veins, increasing blood flow back to the heart.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the ribs are of varying sizes. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the varying sizes and locations of the ribs are designed to compress the venules and veins of the foot at certain points along the step to optimize blood flow. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the sock has at least some of said ribs extending along said sole portion are discontinuous in a transverse direction perpendicular to said longitudinal direction forming transverse spaces between stitched sections where said at least one additional course of yarn is knitted. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the step is forward in relation to the person and the sock is optimized for transverse movement. 
     
     
         17 . A sock comprising:
 an integrally knitted leg portion and a foot portion, said foot portion including a toe at one end, a heel at the other end connected to said leg portion, a sole portion engageable with the lower half of the foot, and an instep portion engageable with the upper half of the foot, said sole portion and instep portion extending in a longitudinal direction between said heel and toe portions and having opposed sides which are joined together;   said whole portion being knitted with successive courses of a combination of yarns having thickness defining an inner surface and an outer surface, said combination of yarns having properties including softness, high bulk, moisture-wicking resistance to abrasion and/or stretching;   said sole portion further including longitudinally spaced ribs formed by at least one additional course of a moisture-wicking yarn extending from said inner surface in a direction toward said instep portion and in a position to contact the plantar surface of a foot, each of said spaces between adjacent ribs being sufficiently wide to create pressure on the foot when the person steps, thereby creating pressure on the venules and veins to optimize blood flow.   
     
     
         18 . The sock of  claim 17  in which said combination of yarns is knitted with a flat stitch in the toe or heel portions of the sock. 
     
     
         19 . The sock of  claim 18  in which the flat stitch toe or heel portions of the sock taper in order to maximize targeted pressure to optimize blood flow. 
     
     
         20 . The sock of  claim 1  wherein the sole portion of the sock comprises an arch section with extended terry loops to have greater pressure upon the arch of the foot.