US 12,270,132 B1
Knit sock with targeted compression zones, and method for lifting and stretching the plantar fascia
Hugh Gaither, Charlotte, NC (US); John Gaither, Charlotte, NC (US); and James Richard, Newton, NC (US)
Assigned to Flagship Brands, LLC, Newton, NC (US)
Filed by Flagship Brands, LLC, Hickory, NC (US)
Filed on Apr. 16, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/636,817.
Application 18/636,817 is a continuation of application No. 18/195,043, filed on May 9, 2023, granted, now 12,054,858.
Application 18/195,043 is a continuation of application No. 17/959,646, filed on Oct. 4, 2022, granted, now 11,643,761.
Application 17/959,646 is a continuation of application No. 17/013,011, filed on Sep. 4, 2020, granted, now 11,459,678, issued on Oct. 4, 2022.
Application 17/013,011 is a continuation of application No. 15/804,606, filed on Nov. 6, 2017, granted, now 10,767,289, issued on Sep. 8, 2020.
Application 15/804,606 is a continuation in part of application No. 15/716,953, filed on Sep. 27, 2017, granted, now 10,011,926, issued on Jul. 3, 2018.
Application 15/716,953 is a continuation of application No. 14/643,677, filed on Mar. 10, 2015, granted, now 9,803,300, issued on Oct. 31, 2017.
Application 14/643,677 is a continuation of application No. 13/885,022, granted, now 8,973,411, issued on Mar. 10, 2015, previously published as PCT/US2011/001898, filed on Nov. 15, 2011.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/448,652, filed on Jan. 20, 2017.
Claims priority of provisional application 61/456,925, filed on Nov. 15, 2010.
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. D04B 1/26 (2006.01); D04B 1/10 (2006.01)
CPC D04B 1/26 (2013.01) [D04B 1/102 (2013.01); D04B 1/265 (2013.01); D10B 2403/02 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
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, and wherein said compression ridges of said first compression zone comprise at least one pattern yarn integrally knit with the body yarn in a manner using tuck and float stitches, such that said compression ridges of said first compression zone create areas of increased density as compared to directly adjacent areas of said foot portion;
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, and wherein said compression ridges of said second compression zone comprise at least one pattern yarn integrally knit with the body yarn in a manner using tuck and float stitches, such that said compression ridges in said second compression zone create areas of increased density as compared to directly adjacent areas of said ankle portion; 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.