Weighted Sock with Configurable Weight Carrier for Natural Gait

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ankle weights disrupt the normal gait cycle due to bulkiness and unnatural weight distribution, affecting the efficacy of neuromuscular feedback, proprioception, and tactile feedback in users.

Innovation Solution

A weighted sock design with strategically placed weight assemblies along the leg circumference, using permanently closed weight carriers and non-toxic, rust-proof metal weights, ensuring a streamlined and comfortable fit that maintains the natural gait pattern.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional ankle weights are used to increase neuromuscular feedback and proprioception, then sensory integration is improved, but the bulkiness and unnatural weight distribution disturb the normal gait cycle

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensory integration efficacyVSAvoidgait cycle naturalness

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The weight assemblies are nested within the sock structure itself, with weight carriers integrated into the sock fabric. This nesting eliminates the need for separate ankle weight devices, allowing the weights to be positioned naturally within the sock's contours without disrupting gait while maintaining sensory integration benefits

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

Weights are strategically positioned at specific locations along the leg (calf, shin, ankle areas) rather than uniformly distributed. This local quality approach places weight exactly where therapeutic benefit is needed while maintaining natural gait mechanics by avoiding bulkiness in inappropriate locations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If weights are placed in pouches on shoe laces or lateral side of the leg to achieve weight resistance, then neuromuscular feedback is enhanced, but the unnatural weight placement interferes with the normal gait cycle

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveneuromuscular feedbackVSAvoidgait cycle naturalness

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges the weight resistance function with the sock structure itself. The weight carriers are integrated into the sock fabric, combining the therapeutic weight function with the comfortable, natural-fit sock design. This integration ensures weights move naturally with the leg during gait without the unnatural placement issues of external pouches

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The weight carriers are constructed from flexible, sock-compatible materials that integrate the rigid weight function with the soft, flexible sock structure. This composite approach allows the weights to be embedded within the sock while maintaining the sock's natural drape and movement characteristics

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentUS11045681B2Weighted sock

Publication Date: 2021.06.29 GINERIS LOREN

AI summary

A weighted sock has a weight assembly at a portion of the sock. The weight assembly has a weight carrier. The weight carrier has a carrier space with a weight therein. The weight is configurable to take on a first shape by a force which also changes the shape or dimension of the weight carrier. The weight carrier, when having the changed shape or dimension, has a force of sufficient magnitude to reconfigure the weight into a second shape different from the first shape when the force which also changes the shape or dimension of the carrier is removed.