Sock

Abstract

A sock includes a sock body with portions formed from different materials to provide decreased friction in particular regions of the sock. A decreased friction portion (a) is provided to include both a heel portion and a portion directly above the heel portion of the sock, and/or a decreased friction portion (b) is provided on a front portion of the sock, corresponding to a location of a tongue of a boot or shoe when the sock is worn over a user's foot, inserted into such boot or shoe. Portions (a) and (b) can be formed from one or more of a low friction nylon or low friction polyester material having a lower coefficient of friction than a remainder of the sock body, which remainder of the sock body can be formed from wool, cotton, a cotton blend, etc., which material has greater friction, providing other desired properties (e.g., insulation, wicking).

1 . A sock comprising:
 a sock body including portions formed from different materials to provide decreased friction in particular regions of the sock;   wherein a decreased friction portion (a) of the sock body is provided directly above a heel portion of the sock; and   wherein a decreased friction portion (b) of the sock body is provided on a front portion of the sock, corresponding to a location of a tongue of a boot or shoe when the sock is worn over a user's foot, inserted into such boot or shoe.   
     
     
         2 . The sock as recited in  claim 10 , wherein portion (a) has a width of about 2 inches. 
     
     
         3 . The sock as recited in  claim 10 , wherein portion (b) has a width of about 2 inches. 
     
     
         4 . The sock as recited in  claim 10 , wherein portion (a) has a length of about 4 inches. 
     
     
         5 . The sock as recited in  claim 10 , wherein portion (b) has a length of about 3 inches. 
     
     
         6 . The sock as recited in  claim 10 , wherein a remainder of the sock body is formed from one or more of wool, cotton, a cotton blend, bamboo fibers, rayon, lyocell, modal, viscose, or spandex, such material exhibiting greater coefficient of friction than portions (a) and (b). 
     
     
         7 . The sock as recited in  claim 10 , wherein portions (a) and (b) are formed from one or more of a nylon or polyester material having a lower coefficient of friction than a remainder of the sock body, which remainder of the sock body is formed from one or more of wool, cotton, a cotton blend, bamboo fibers, rayon, lyocell, modal, viscose, or spandex, where such material exhibits greater coefficient of friction than portions (a) and (b). 
     
     
         8 . The sock as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the portions (a) and (b) are exposed only on an exterior face of the sock body, with no exposure or contact with a user's foot inserted into the sock during use. 
     
     
         9 . A sock comprising:
 a sock body including portions formed from different materials to provide decreased friction in particular regions of the sock;   wherein a decreased friction portion (a) of the sock body is provided to include both a heel portion and a portion directly above the heel portion of the sock; and   wherein a decreased friction portion (b) of the sock body is provided on a front portion of the sock, corresponding to a location of a tongue of a boot or shoe when the sock is worn over a user's foot, inserted into such boot or shoe;   wherein portions (a) and (b) are formed from one or more of a nylon or polyester material having a lower coefficient of friction than a remainder of the sock body, which remainder of the sock body is formed from one or more of wool, cotton, a cotton blend, bamboo fibers, rayon, lyocell, modal, viscose, or spandex, where such material exhibits greater coefficient of friction than portions (a) and (b).   
     
     
         10 . A method of manufacturing a sock, the method comprising:
 providing a sock body formed from a given sock material, selected to provide desired characteristics relative to moisture wicking and insulation, said material having a coefficient of friction;   attaching patch portions over an exterior of the sock body to provide decreased friction to particular exterior regions of the sock, wherein the patch portions are formed from a different material as compared to the underlying sock body;   wherein the patch portions include a decreased friction patch portion (a) attached over a heel portion and extending to a location directly above the heel portion of the sock body; and   wherein the patch portions also include a decreased friction patch portion (b) attached over a front portion of the sock body, corresponding to a location of a tongue of a boot or shoe when the sock is worn over a user's foot, inserted into such boot or shoe.   
     
     
         11 . The method as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the patch portions are stitched to the sock body. 
     
     
         12 . The method as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the patch portions are attached to the sock body with an adhesive. 
     
     
         13 . The method as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the patch portions are attached to the sock body with a hot iron activated adhesive. 
     
     
         14 . The method as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the patch portions are woven into the sock body. 
     
     
         15 . The method as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the patch portions are exposed only on the exterior face of the sock body, with no exposure or contact with a user's foot inserted into the sock.