US 20130276331A1 (19) United States (12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2013/0276331 A1 Steel (43) Pub. Date: Oct. 24, 2013

(54) TOE SPACER SOCKAND CORRECTIVE Publication Classification (51) Int. Cl. (71) Applicant: Michael Steel, La Jolla, CA (US) A43B 7/26 (2006.01) (52) U.S. Cl. (72) Inventor: Michael Steel, La Jolla, CA (US) CPC ...... A43B 726 (2013.01) USPC ...... 36/94; 36/95 (21) Appl. No.: 13/845,894 (22) Filed: Mar 18, 2013 (57) ABSTRACT Related U.S. Application Data An article of footwear, Such as a , , or , - - - contains built-in cushions or spacers to correct or protect the (62) Pisis, Epist N.E.M. toes, or to provide the wearer better comfort. The cushions or i ti N 1 1/395.522 s filed on Apr. 3, 2006 p spacers may be retained between the toes in a tube, formed Ry, ; 6.850 ZZ, Illed on Apr. 3, , now integrally with the Sock, which is everted to a position vs. sw x s \ - w between adjacent toes. The footwear may have an integral (60) Provisional application No. 60/667,396, filed on Apr. toe-correcting strap built into provide outward tension on the 1, 2005. big toe.

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TOE SPACER SOCKAND CORRECTIVE and gradually increase the cushion thickness to increase cor FOOTWEAR rective force without discomfort.

0001. This application is a division of copending applica BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS tion Ser. No. 12/723963, filed Mar. 15, 2010, which was a division of application Ser. No. 1 1/395522, filed Apr. 3, 2006, 0011. In the accompanying drawings, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,676,850, which claimed benefit from 0012 FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a toe separator sock, provisional application No. 60/667396, filed Apr. 1, 2005. having individual toes, one toe containing an attached toe separator or a toe spacer to the right side of the great toe. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 0013 FIG. 2 is a top plan view of a modified form of the 0002 This invention relates to orthopedic footwear, and invention, showing the Sock with a spacer inserted into a more particularly to a sock, sandal shoe or boot having receptacle. extended, reversible tubes or fingers formed thereon for 0014 FIG. 3 is a top plan view of a modified form of the retaining toe separators or cushions between the toes. invention, wherein the four smaller toes are contained within 0003. The invention is concerned with proper alignment of a single Sock space. the big toe (Hallux). In some people, there is a tendency of the 0015 FIG. 4 shows another variation, in which the spacer big toe to bend outward (Valgus) toward the smaller toes and receptacle is formed separately between two toes. deform over time into a Hallux Valgus or crooked big toe. The (0016 FIG.5 is like FIG.4, except that the sockencloses all cause may be hereditary, or it can be the extended wearing of the toes within its outer layer. that are too tight or ill fitting. Beyond being unsightly, 0017 FIG. 6 is another modification, wherein all of the a bent great toe can turn so dramatically to the outside of the toes, and the spacer receptacle, are individually formed. foot that the bursa at the base of the big toe becomes inflamed 0018 FIG. 7 illustrates another variation, in which the toes and swells (bunion). In addition, the bigtoe can interfere with, are individually formed, and there are two separator recep irritate and deform the adjacent Smaller toes. The resulting tacles. deformity of the toe bones and joints (Hallus Vagus) can be so 0019 FIG. 8 shows another embodiment, including a strap painful that corrective Surgery is commonly required. It is the and toe cap orhood which is looped over and around the great purpose of this invention to reduce substantially the fre toe, and passes around the heel to an anchor point on the quency of Such Surgeries through the protective and correc outside of the foot. tive forces that this invention will provide to crooked and (0020 FIG. 9 is a top plan view of a sock like that of FIG. healthy toes. 1, with the addition of abunion pad on the left side of the foot. 0004 Prior inventors have developed a number of solu 0021 FIG. 10 is a top plan view of sock having a spacer tions for correcting the toes, by providing splints, separators tube or toe separator tube as manufactured, before the tube is and the like. Many Such devices are needlessly complex and inverted. difficult to apply and wear. It would benefit those suffering 0022 FIG. 11 shows the sock of FIG. 10, after the toe tube from certain foot problems to have a simple Sock construction has been inverted. specially designed to retain toe spacers or cushions. 0023 FIG. 12 is a modification of the sock of FIG. 11, containing an additional element. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 0024 FIG. 13 is a sectional view of the toe portion of the 0005. An object of the invention is to provide a sock that sock shown in FIG. 12. Supports cushions or separators between or around at least (0025 FIG. 14 is similar to FIG. 10, except that the toes two toes of the foot, to protect or correct the toes. have separate compartments which are one half conventional 0006 Another object is to maintain a corrective force on toe length. the big toe, with the aim of straightening the toe, or preventing (0026 FIG. 15 is a plan view of a double toe tube sock, it from becoming more crooked. before inverting the two tubular cushion pockets. 0007. These and other objects are attained by the 0027 FIG.16 is a top plan view thereof, after inverting the shown in the drawings and described below. cushion pockets. 0008. In the following description, the term “toe sock” (0028 FIG. 17 is a plan view of another double toe tube means a sock constructed so that the five toes of the foot Sock, before inverting the two cushion pockets. (designated T1-T5, beginning with the great toe) are individu 0029 FIG. 18 is a top plan view thereof, after inverting the ally Surrounded by Sock fabric, so that each toe can move two cushion pockets. independently. The term “great toe’ means the big toe. The 0030 FIGS. 19 and 20 show a sock, suitable for wearing term “ sock’ means a Sockknitted so that the large or great with thong-type , in which there are separate compart toe is surrounded by fabric, and the four smaller toes are ments for the great toe, and for the remaining toes, and cush contained together in one compartment, analogous to a mitten ions pockets are provided on opposing sides of the compart for the hand Tabi socks are commonly worn with sandals. The mentS. sandal post slips into the space between the two toe compart 0031 FIG.21 illustrates a sock having a U-shaped cushion mentS. permanently sewn into the Sock between the great and second 0009. A primary advantage of the invention is its ease of tOeS. use. The wearer simply puts on a sock the normal course of 0032 FIGS. 22 and 23 show an alternative to the sock of dressing and the cushion already properly positioned. FIG. 19, wherein a cushion retainer tube is provided only on 0010. Another advantage of the invention is that enables the great toe side compartment of the Sock. one to insert cushions of different sizes. A person can then use 0033 FIGS. 24 and 25 show, before an after inversion, a a thinner or thicker cushion, according to their particular foot sleeve of large diameter which contains and cushions the condition. Actually, the person can start with a thin cushion, great toe. US 2013/0276331 A1 Oct. 24, 2013

0034 FIG. 26 shows a shoe, boot, sandal or which, cushion may be removed from the inside and, if desired, like the sock of FIG. 8, contains an adjustable strap for main replaced by a thinner or thicker toe spacer. taining a corrective force on the great toe. 0041. To prevent the toe separator from becoming dis lodged during strenuous exercise Such as running, tennis or DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED gymnastics, the Sock illustrated in FIG. 12 has the toe spacer EMBODIMENTS attached to a slightly larger under base which prevents the toe 0035 FIG. 1 show a toe sock 10 having individual toe spacer from moving up between the toes or dislodging. The compartments 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, with a cushion, spacer or toe toe spacer compartment is more securely held in place by the separator 12 provided on the inside of the great toe compart added wings 44 (FIGS. 12 and 13), which are situated in the ment 15. In FIG. 2, the spacer or cushion 12 is situated in its low pressure concave areas near the base of the toes and at the own compartment 13. toe tips. 0036. The sock shown in FIG. 3 is like that of FIG. 1, 0042. The sock of FIG. 14 is identical to that of FIG. 10, except the lesser toes are situated in a common compartment except that individual toe compartments are formed to be one 16. FIG. 4 shows a variation in which the spacer 12 is con half the normal length of the common toe Sock. This irregular tained in its own compartment 15 between the toe compart one-half toe length construction increases the air circulation ments 14, 16. FIG. 5 shows a variation of FIG. 4, where an around the toes of the foot, thereby reducing or preventing the outer layer of material has been added over the cushion to give incidence of toe fungus or athlete's foot. The top half of the the Sock a conventional appearance. FIG. 6 is a version of toes are covered and separated by fabric, leaving the bottom FIG. 4, with individual toe compartments. FIG. 7 is like FIG. half of the toes separated slightly and open for air circulation. 6, with the addition of another spacer 12, in its own compart 0043. The sock of FIG. 15 is similar to the single finger toe ment 15' between the second and third toes. separator sock of FIG. 10, except it has two separate cushion 0037 FIG. 8 shows a toe sock containing an elastic strap pockets. The pocket sections are everted (FIG. 16) as 30 having a reinforced loop 38 which is placed over and described in the preceding paragraph. Spacers or cushions around the big toe. The strap is intended to prevent a big toe may be inserted into the everted pockets at this point, or from deforming into a crooked bunion toe, or to correct a subsequently, by the end user. FIGS. 17 and 18 show another slightly bent one. The elastic strap 30 travels between inner variation, where spacers are placed between the first two toes and outer layers 26, 28 of the Sock, through passages defined and the last two toes. by stitching 36, along the inside edge of the foot, just below 0044 FIG. 19 illustrates a tabi sandal sock 10, having a the ankle and around the heel, thence along the outside of the groove or space between the great toe compartment and the foot (just slightly on the top side of the foot). Its free end 32 lesser toes compartment. FIG. 20 shows the sock after the attaches to the Sock at an anchor spot 34 just before reaching cushion pockets 15 have been pushed or inverted into the the last two smaller toes. The end may have a hook-type inside of the sock. The tabi sock reduces or eliminates irrita Velcro element for engaging loops in the Sock material. This tion between the great and second toe by the sandal postas the Sock may also be constructed with one single layer in which wearer walks. This enables people having painful bunions to case the strap will be retained in its proper place by fabric wear sandals comfortably. channels or tunnels at 36. 0045 FIG. 21 is a top plan view of a tabi sandal sock 0038. As shown in FIG.9, any of the socks having built-in having a U-shaped cushion 50 permanently sewn into the “V” toe spacers, toe separators or toe straps may also contain a area between the toes. In this embodiment, there is no sepa bunion cushion 40 at the inner side of the ball of the foot to rate cushion compartment. The cushion may have a durable help relieve the pain and irritation of a toe bunion. As shown fabric covering or similar material integrated with a silicon in FIG. 26, any of the Socks having built-in toe spacers, toe gel or foam so that the sewing Stitches do not pull through the separators or toe straps may also contain a foot spacer or a cushion. foot repositioning pad 62 at the inner side of the foot to 0046 FIG. 22 shows a tabi sock having a single cushion reposition the foot toward the outside of the shoe. The cushion pocket 15 extending from the great toe compartment. The or pad repositions the foot away from the inside wall of the pocket has been everted in FIG. 23. shoe, thus reducing pressure on the big toe, which can con 0047 Tabi socks knit without seams are particularly use tribute to deformation of the great toe. The repositioning of ful for application with a shoe, such as that shown in FIG. 26, the foot also allows the toe cushions, toe separators and toe having a strap built in for correcting a crooked big toe. A tabi straps to have greater mechanical leverage and increased Sock is necessary in this application so that the big toe is corrective action on the toes. isolated and can receive a loop orhood that is attached to an 0039 FIG. 10 shows a single-cushion toe sock as it elastic strap which applies effective mechanical correcting emerges from the toe Sock-knitting machine as shown FIG.1. pressure on the big toe. Building a toe separator or cushion The Sock has a non-conventional spacer pocket 15 in the form into the sock helps reduce any discomfort on the inside of the of a knit tube, about the length of a toe, extending forward big toe caused by the correcting force of the toe strap. The from the toe. The pocket is connected to the sock by a neck of fabric Stitching on the inside of the big toe can be manufac reduced diameter. tured by a programmable sock knitting machine in Sucha way 0040 FIG. 11 shows the sock, once the spacer pocket 15 as to have a loose knit area comprising yarn loops which can has been everted by pushing it into the interior of the sock. be used as an anchor for Velcro hook elements provided on the Now a spacer or cushion may be inserted into the pocket. The toe strap. reduced-diameter neck help keeps the pocket everted and 0048 FIGS. 24 and 25 provide a large-diameter evertible inside the Sock, but if desired, the spacer or cushion may be tube 52 extending from the end of the great toe compartment. sewn, glued or otherwise attached to the sock fabric. The When the tube is everted, it surrounds and covers the top and pocket may, optionally, have an open end 15b, so that the toe sides of the great toe, providing comfort and protection. US 2013/0276331 A1 Oct. 24, 2013

0049. The toe strap system shown in FIG. 26 may alterna 0056 Seamless glove or sock knitting machines can be tively be built into a shoe, shoe insert, boot, sandal, or slipper modified and programmed to produce the tubular cushion 54. The toe strap 55 loops over the big toe (protected by a toe pockets required for this invention, which pockets are Sock or tabi Sock) and is attached to an elastic strap, which inverted to contain toe cushions and/or separators. passes through the wall of the shoe at 56. The strap travels 0057. A standard sock machine should not be used to make down the side of the shoe just below the ankle then around the the Socks according to this invention. It is very important heel. It free end 58 is attached by Velcro elements 60 to the there be no seams at the toes, on the sides, or between the toes. outside rear portion of the shoe, just beyond the outside of the Many manufacturers of tabi Socks use techniques that result ankle. The strap tension can be adjusted to alter the correcting in thick seams between and on top of the toes, which of course force on the big toe by repositioning the Velcro elements. is not suitable for this application. A modified hand mitten or 0050 FIG. 26 also shows the shoe as having a cushion 62 glove sewing machine may be used instead, after modifica which repositions the foot approximately 0.25-0.38 inch tion and reprogramming. By using a handmitten machine, toe (0.63-0.96 cm) toward the outside of the shoe. The slight Socks can be produced having no seams between the toes. repositioning of the foot decreases the pressure that is 0.058 Inasmuch as the invention is subject to these and imposed upon the big toe by the inside wall of the shoe and other modifications and variations, it is intended that the also gives the toe strap (if used) greater leverage. invention should be mentioned not by the foregoing descrip 0051 Each individual toe separator sock, or each toe sock tion and the drawings, which are only examples, but rather by with the toe strap built in, should be worn with (or contain) a the claims which follow. foot repositioning pad, or the shoe insert with the foot repo I claim: sitioning pad 62 (FIG. 30) needs to be used together with 1. An article of footwear having integral individual toe these socks. A well-designed shoe, with a lot of space around compartments sufficient for receiving the toes of a wearer, the bigtoe or extra room in the toe box should be worn as well. and at least one additional compartment between said toe 0052. Other modifications and variations are possible. For compartments for receiving and retaining a cushion or toe example, up to four inter-toe spacers could be provided and spacer placed therein. up to five toe tubes could be provided, or combinations of 2. The invention of claim 1, wherein the additional com both toe separators and toe tubes. The toe separators and toe partment is tubular, is longer than the other compartments, tubes may be concealed or evident, as desired. Various mate and is open at its distal end, whereby a cushion or toe spacer rials might be used for the spacers, including rigid, resilient, may be inserted into the compartment at the end of the com and semi-rigid polymeric foam materials or a silicon gel in an partment inverted to retain the cushion or spacer therein. envelope or integrated around a durable fabric or cloth 3. The invention of claim 2, wherein the tubular additional capable of being sewn or glued for attachment purposes. The compartment is connected to the footwear by a neck portion toe spacers and/or toe tubes can be permanently attached to having a diameter Substantially less than that of the tube, so as the sock, or made to be removable. If attached, they may be to retain the tube within the footwear once the tube is everted. secured to the Sock material by sewing, adhesives, or other 4. The invention of claim 1, wherein the article of footwear CaS. is a shoe, a shoe insert, a boot, a sandal, a sock or a slipper. 0053. The sock may be made of various natural or syn 5. An article of footwear comprising a strap anchored to the thetic materials, such as cotton, acrylic or nylon. The nominal footwear, said strap being connected to or forming a loop thicknesses of these socks may vary as well. For instance, the which extends around the big toe to prevent the big toe from fabric material can be thick for an athletic sock, medium for deforming into a crooked bunion toe, or to correct a slightly normal Socks and dress Socks, or the Socks can be ultra thin bent one. nylon for applications. 6. The invention of claim 5, wherein the strap is elastic. 0054 Within a sock, portions may vary from the nominal 7. The invention of claim 6, wherein the elastic strap thickness. For example, at the toes, the Sock thickness could extends from the loop, between inner and outer layers of the be made approximately two-thirds the thickness of the rest of footwear, along an inside edge of the foot, around the heel, the Sock. Thickness variations can be obtained simply a mat thence along the outside of the foot to an anchorage point. ter of programming the Sock knitting machine. 8. The invention of claim 8, wherein the strap is anchored 0055. The socks described above can be customized for an to the footwear by a hook-type Velcro fastener element for athletic version with special toe spacers that stay in place even engaging loops in the footwear material. during strenuous footactivity (see FIGS. 12 and 13). Athletic 9. The invention of claim 5, wherein the article of footwear Socks can also be manufactured with an added thickness of is a shoe, a shoe insert, a boot, a sandal, a sock or a slipper. fabric on the bottom of the foot. k k k k k