# US 10,767,289 B2 · Knit sock with targeted compression zones, and method for lifting and stretching the plantar fascia > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,767,289 B2 - Document ID: US10767289B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/804,606 - Filed: 2017-11-06 - Published: 2018-07-26 - Granted: 2020-09-08 - Earliest claimed: 2017-01-20 - Assignees: Flagship Brands, LLC - Applicants: Flagship Brands, LLC - Inventors: Hugh Gaither; John Gaither; James Richard - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10767289B2 ## CPC - A61F 13/064: {for feet (incorporating non-textile reinforcing elements, e.g. springs or stays A61F5/0111; corn-pads, corn-rings A61F13/063)} - D04B 1/26: stockings - A61F 5/0111: {for the feet or ankles} - A61F 13/08: Elastic stockings; for contracting aneurisms - D04B 1/102: {with stitch pattern (D04B1/06, D04B1/08 take precedence)} - D04B 1/265: {Surgical stockings (of unspecified knit construction and reinforced A41B11/02; of unspecified knit construction and elastic A61F13/08)} - D10B 2403/02: Cross-sectional features (for three-dimensional features D10B2403/033) - A61F: FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS (dental prosthetics A61C) - D04B: KNITTING - D10B: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBLASSES OF SECTION D, RELATING TO TEXTILES ## Abstract A knit sock is integrally formed of a body yarn in circumferential courses and axial wales, and includes a foot portion having a heel and a toe, and an ankle portion joined to the foot portion and defining an open leg end of the sock. A first targeted compression zone is formed with the foot portion between the heel and the toe, and includes spaced-apart axial compression ridges extending axially outward from the heel at a first end of the first compression zone to a second end of the first compression zone. A second targeted compression zone is formed with the ankle portion between the heel and the open leg end of the sock, and includes spaced-apart axial compression ridges extending axially outward from the heel at a first end of the second compression zone to a second end of the second compression zone. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A knit sock integrally formed of a body yarn in circumferential courses and axial wales, said sock comprising: a foot portion having a heel and a toe; an ankle portion joined to said foot portion and defining an open leg end of said sock; a first targeted compression zone formed with said foot portion between the heel and the toe, and comprising spaced-apart axial compression ridges extending axially outward from the heel at a first end of said first compression zone to a second end of said first compression zone, and wherein adjacent axial compression ridges have different coursewise termination points at the second end of said first compression zone; a second targeted compression zone formed with said ankle portion between the heel and the open leg end of said sock, and comprising spaced-apart axial compression ridges extending axially outward from the heel at a first end of said second compression zone to a second end of said second compression zone, and wherein adjacent axial compression ridges have different coursewise termination points at the second end of said second compression zone; and whereby a compression force applied by said sock within said first and second targeted compression zones is greater than the compression force in directly adjacent areas of said sock. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The knit sock according to claim 1, wherein said first and second targeted compression zones comprise elastic yarns laid-in the body yarn. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The knit sock according to claim 1, wherein said axial compression ridges comprise individual uncut pattern yarns integrally formed with respective courses of the body yarn within said first and second targeted compression zones. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The knit sock according to claim 1, wherein said first targeted compression zone is centrally pointed at its second end, and is adapted to extend under the foot generally from a lateral malleolus to a medial malleolus of the wearer. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The knit sock according to claim 1, wherein said second targeted compression zone is centrally pointed at its second end, and is adapted to extend around a back of the heel generally from a lateral malleolus to a medial malleolus of the wearer. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The knit sock according to claim 1, wherein the heel of said foot portion comprises a heel pocket defined by upper and lower reciprocation lines, and wherein the first end of said first targeted compression zone is formed at the lower reciprocation line of said heel pocket, and extends axially from said heel pocket towards the toe of said foot portion. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The knit sock according to claim 1, wherein the heel of said foot portion comprises a heel pocket defined by upper and lower reciprocation lines, and wherein the first end of said second targeted compression zone is formed at the upper reciprocation line of said heel pocket, and extends axially from said heel pocket towards the open leg end of said sock. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The knit sock according to claim 1, wherein said first and second targeted compression zones comprise double covered elastic yarns. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The knit sock according to claim 8, wherein said double covered elastic yarns are greater than 250 denier. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The knit sock according to claim 1, wherein said first and second targeted compression zones have an increased density as compared to directly adjacent areas of said sock. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The knit sock according to claim 1, wherein said first and second targeted compression zones have a knit structure distinct from directly adjacent areas of said sock. ### Claim 12 A knit sock integrally formed of a body yarn in circumferential courses and axial wales, said sock comprising: a foot portion having a heel and a toe; an ankle portion joined to the foot portion and defining an open leg end of said sock; a targeted compression zone formed with said ankle portion between the heel and the open leg end of said sock, and comprising spaced-apart axial compression ridges extending axially outward from the heel at a first end of said targeted compression zone to a second end of said targeted compression zone, and wherein adjacent axial compression ridges have different coursewise termination points at the second end of said targeted compression zone; and whereby a compression force applied by said sock within said targeted compression zone is greater than the compression force in directly adjacent areas of said sock. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The knit sock according to claim 12, wherein said targeted compression zone comprises elastic yarns laid-in the body yarn. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The knit sock according to claim 12, wherein said axial compression ridges comprise individual uncut pattern yarns integrally formed with respective courses of the body yarn within said targeted compression zone. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The knit sock according to claim 12, wherein said targeted compression zone is centrally pointed at its second end, and is adapted to extend around a back of the heel generally from a lateral malleolus to a medial malleolus of the wearer. ### Claim 16 (depends on 12) The knit sock according to claim 12, wherein the heel of said foot portion comprises a heel pocket defined by upper and lower reciprocation lines, and wherein the first end of said targeted compression zone is formed at the upper reciprocation line of said heel pocket, and extends axially from the heel pocket towards the open leg end of said sock. ### Claim 17 (depends on 12) The knit sock according to claim 12, wherein said targeted compression zone comprises double covered elastic yarns. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The knit sock according to claim 17, wherein said double covered elastic yarns are greater than 250 denier. ### Claim 19 (depends on 12) The knit sock according to claim 12, wherein said targeted compression zone has an increased density as compared to directly adjacent areas of said sock. ### Claim 20 (depends on 12) The knit sock according to claim 12, wherein said targeted compression zone has a knit structure distinct from directly adjacent areas of said sock.