Sock Internal Gripping Surface for Retention Without Discomfort
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional socks, especially mid-calf, over-the-calf, and knee socks, tend to fall down during use, causing discomfort and pain due to the use of elastic bands or fabric that provide inadequate retention.
Innovation Solution
A sock with an internal gripping surface featuring a unitary sock body made of flexible fabric, with elastic protuberances extending inwardly from the inner surface, spaced tightly around the circumference, providing a secure and comfortable fit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If elastic bands or elastic fabric are used to retain the sock on the user's leg, then the sock retention is improved, but the user comfort deteriorates causing pain and discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies gripping surfaces only at specific locations where retention is needed (upper terminal end and heel area), rather than using continuous elastic compression around the entire leg. This localized approach provides secure sock retention while avoiding discomfort from excessive or unnecessary compression on other areas of the leg.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the traditional elastic band mechanical compression system with a friction-based gripping surface system. The gripping surfaces create friction and mechanical interlocking with the skin or clothing, substituting the need for continuous elastic tension and eliminating the discomfort associated with tight elastic bands.
2Reliability
If conventional elastic bands are used to prevent the sock from falling down, then the sock retention is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional elastic components
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the gripping surface functionality directly into the sock body fabric itself, rather than adding separate elastic bands as distinct components. The gripping surfaces are integrated as raised patterns, ribs, or textured areas within the sock material, eliminating the need for additional elastic band structures and simplifying the overall device design.
3Reliability
If the elastic fabric is made tighter to improve retention, then the sock retention is improved, but the user comfort deteriorates causing pain
Solution Approach 1:
The gripping surfaces concentrate retention forces at specific strategic locations (upper terminal end and heel) rather than distributing compression uniformly across the entire leg. This localized friction-based gripping provides effective retention while avoiding excessive compression stress on any single area, preventing pain and discomfort.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The sock effectively retains its position on the user's leg without causing discomfort or pain, offering a safe and effective solution to the problem of falling socks.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of elastic protuberances each extending inwardly from the inner surface and into the sock cavity... providing a secure and comfortable fit
Data Source
AI summary
A sock with internal gripping surface having a unitary sock body of a flexible fabric material, with an upper terminal end defining an enclosed upper opening, with a distal end opposing the upper terminal end, and with an inner surface enclosing and defining a sock cavity spanning from the enclosed upper opening to the distal end and having a plurality of elastic protuberances each extending inwardly from the inner surface and into the sock cavity a length of approximately 0.25-1.25 mm, continually spanning around a circumference of the inner surface, disposed in tightly spaced configuration with one another, and spanning approximately 35-45 mm from a point proximal to the upper terminal end.