CA1131853A

CA1131853A - Athletic socks with integrally knit arch cushion

Info

Publication number: CA1131853A
Application number: CA357,264A
Authority: CA
Inventors: James L. Thorneburg
Original assignee: THORNEBURG HOSIERY CO Inc
Current assignee: THORNEBURG HOSIERY CO Inc
Priority date: 1979-08-16
Filing date: 1980-07-29
Publication date: 1982-09-21
Also published as: AU6148580A; AU528847B2; DE3065057D1; MX5848E; EP0024211A1; JPS5637302A; EP0024211B1; US4255949A; ZA804719B

Abstract

ATHLETIC SOCKS WITH INTEGRALLY KNIT ARCH CUSHION
Abstract of the Disclosure The present athletic socks are particularly suitable for jogging and running and are provided with shock absorber cushion pads (C) in the inner portions (16a, 36a) of the arch areas (16, 36) and being formed by a suffi-ciently greater amount of yarn being knit in the inner arch portions (16a, 36a) than the amount of yarn knit in the outer portions of the arch (16b).
The shock absorber cushion pads (C) protect and cushion the inner portions of the arches of the wearer's feet and reduce the shock normally imparted to the inner portions of the arches of the feet of the wearer so that normal articula-tion of the bones in the feet takes place when the wearer is jogging and running. The shock absorber cushion pads (C) are illustrated as being formed by providing a greater density of terry loops in the inner portions of the arch areas (16a, 36a) of the socks than in the outer portions of the arch (16b) to enhance the cushioning provided in the inner portions of the arch (16a, 36a) of each sock.

Description

ATHLETIC SOCKS WITH INTEGRALLY KNIT ARCH CUSHION
Field of the Invention This invention relates generally to athletic socks particularly suitable for jogging and running and more particularly to the provision of an integrally S knit shock absorber cushion in the inner portion of the arch area of each sock of a pair of such socks so that the socks are "right" and "left" and adapted to fit the corresponding feet of the wearer~ The inner arch portion of each sock is knit with a sufficiently greater amount of yarn than the amount of yarn knit in the outer arch portion for enhancing the support and cushioning provided to the inner portion of each arch of the wearer's feet, Back~round of the_Invention ~t has been the practice for many years to provide athletic type socks with a terry loop "cushion" :- :
sole in which the same type and density o terry loops extend throughout the length of the lower sole portion of the sock to provide the same type of terry loop cushioning, protection and moisture absorbency throuyh-out the entire length of the lower portion of the foot of the wearer. When taking part in athletic activi- :
ties, such as jogging and running, the cartilages joining the bones in the arch of the foot provide elastlcity and the arch ~ends to flatten each time ~'' ''~ .

:
::, the foot impacts on the surface. When the known type of sock with the same type of terry loop cushioning throughout the length of the sole is worn by a person havin~ either a flatter or higher arch than normal and with a shoe provided with a normal arch support, the flattening of the arch results ln the flatter than normal arch receiving a major portion of ~he shock of -the impact, while the higher than normal arch is not properly supported. In either case, the arches of the feet begin to hurt after only a short period of jogging or running.
It is known to provide the same type of terry 1QP
cushioning in certain selected areas of the foot of a sock, for example in the manner illustrated in the Davis United States Patent No. 2,144,563. However, this patent discloses pxoviding -the same type of terry loops throughout the arch and ball areas and does not solve the problems encountered by joggers and runners with flatter or higher than normal arches.
Others have recognized the need for supporting and applying a cushion pad beneath the arch and various types of arGh supports have been incorporated in shoes. Also, it has been suggested that arch support pads be provided in pockets in socks, of the type disclosed in United States Patent No. 2,790,975, United States Patent No. 2,219,235 discloses forming an elastic band extending completely around or beneath the middle of the foot of a sock and making -the lower half of the band of thicker materlal.
This arrangement supports the en~ire lower half of the arch area of the foot so that the support on both the inner and outer portions of the arch is the same and the support on the inner portion is not effective.

This invention relates -to a knit athletic soc]c Eor providing additional cushioning in the inner arch area of a wearerls foot and partlcularly adap~ed for wear w.ith athletic shoes having arch supports which fail to provide sufficient support and cushioning to prevent discomfort to the wearer's arch during participation in vigorous athletic ac~ivities such as ~ogging and running, said sock comprising a lowe~ sole including an arch area in the medial portion of said sole, said arch area including inner and outer arch po:rtions positioned on opposite sides of said sole and extending coursewise from substantially the middle wale of said sole, said inner arch portion having an integrally knit support cushion formed by a sufficiently greater amount of yarn being knit in the inner arch portion than the amount of yarn being knit in said outer arch portion to provide i.ncreased thickness in the inner arch portion which is adapted to underlie the inner arch of the wearer's foot for enhancing the support and cushioning on the inner arch area of the wearer's oot and thereby reducing the shock normally imparted to the inner arch of the wearer's foot so that normal articulation of the bones in the foot takes place during participation in vigorous athletic activities.
Summary of the In~ention With the foregoing in mind, it is an object of the present invention to provide athletic socks 2a , .
c3~'` j . ~ :
" ~'' ' .

;3 particularly suitable for jogging and running with an integrally knit terry loop shock absorber cushion in the inner portions o~ the arch areas o~ each sock for cushioning and supporting the arches of the wearer's S feet and with a les~er amount of cus,hioning or terry loop density in the adjacent outer portions of the arch areas so that the greater amount o.~ terry loop density in the inner arch portion area pro~ides cushioning and support ~or the corresponding inner portions o the arches o~ the wearer's feet~
The cushioning in the inner arch of the socks of the present invention eliminates the need or separate arch pads because the shock a~sorber cushion is knit as an integral part- of the inner portion of the arch area of each sock. The cushioning in the inner arch areas of the present socks provides partic~
ular advantages when worn with athletic shoes having arch supports which fail to provide sufficient support and cushioning to prevent discomfort of the wearer's arch during participation in vigorous athletic acti-vities, such as running and jogging. It is necessary to provide cushioning and support of the bones of the feet in the normal and correct position so that relief is provided from discomfort incident to strains and

2~ pressures on the bones, ligaments, tissues, nerves and the cartilages joining the arch bones~ The ~-present shock absorber cushions in the inner portions of the arch areas of each sock are positioned to absorb, diffuse and reduce the shock and iar normally . 3Q applied by a jogger or runner to the arch bones located in the arch areas of the eet~ By relieving the shock normally applied in the arch areas, the shock, strain and pressure normally transmitted to the remaining bones o~ the ~eet are also reduced so S~

that normal articulation of the bones in the ~eet takes plac~ when jogging or running, In one embodiment of the socks of the present invention, the inner portion of the arch area of each sock is provided w~th terry loops knit o~ two terry yarns to provide a relatively heavy or dense cushion of greater terry loop density in the inner portion of the arch area while a single terry yar~ forms terry loops in the adjacent outer portion of the arch area so that the outer arch portion includes lesser terry loop aensity to provide cushioning and support or the corresponding inner arch areas of the wearer's feet.
In another embodiment of the socks of the present invention, the inner portion of the arch area of each sock is provided with terry loops knit of a single terry yarn and the adjacent outer portion-of the arch area is devoid of terry loops to reduce the weight of the socks and to provide cushioning and support for the corresponding inner arch areas of the wearer's feet.
The jogging and running socks of the present invention may be of the low~cut type, may be of a medium height with a cuff extending to the ankle, or may be provided with a longer leg so that the cuff is positioned below or a~ove the knee, The socks may be manufactured in these different styles for wear in different seasons of the year~ Also, the prospective buyer is provided with several styles from which to choose, depending upon the particular preference of the buyer~
~ The provision of a greater terry loop density in the inner portion of the arch area with a lesser terry loop density in the adjacent outer portion of the arch area insures that the full benefit of the ;L~33~8~;i3 terry loop shock absorber cushion ln the inner portion of the arch area is available to be applied to the arches of the feet of the wearer~ This type of shock ~bsorbing cushlonin~ is more e~fective than that pro-vided in the presently availahle type Q~ ath:Leticsocks in which the entire arch area includes the same type of terry loop cushioning in bvth the inner and outer arch portions. With the same density of terry loops extending throughout the arch area, the cushioned arch area supports and cushions ~oth the inner and outer portions of the arch to the same degree so that the inner portion of the arch does not recei~e the full benefit of the cushioning~ On the o~her hand~
the reduction, or elimination, of the terry loops in the outer portion of the arch area of each sock, in ..... . accordance with the present.invention, pro~ides. ...... .
greater terry loop densi.ty in the inner portion of the arch of each sock so that the support and cushioning in the arch area is enhanced and the full benefit of the shock absorber cushians of greater terry loop density is provided in the inner portion of the arch of the wearer's fee~. ~
Brie Description of the Drawings Other objects and advantages will appear as the description proceeds when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which --Figure 1 is a side elevational view of onesock of one embodiment of the socks of the present invention, the sock being shown in ~lattened condition and being adapted to be worn on the right foot;
: Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1 but illustratiny a sock adapted to be worn on the left foot;
Figure 3 is a schematlc vertical sectional ~iew taken along the line 3-3 in Figure 1 and with the sock in partially opened condition;

Figure ~ is a view similar to Figure 1 but illus~ra~ing the sock in everted condition with the terry loop areas facing outwardly;
Figure 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of the sock on the foot~ showing the bones in the foot and schematically illustrating the areas of additional or more dense terry loop cushioning or padding pro-vided in the inner portion of the arch area of the sock;
19 Figure 6 is a perspective view of the soc}c of Figure 1, positioned on the foot and looking upwardly from beneath the foot;
Figure 7 is a greatly enlarged elevational view o~ a small area of the knit fabric, being taken substantially in the dotted rectangle area 7 in Figure 4, and illustrating the manner in which the first and second terry yarns form first and second sets of terry loops and are incorporated with the body yarn in the inner arch portion;
Figure 8 is a vertical sectional view taken along the line 8-8 in Figure 7 and illustrating the more dense or greater number of terry loops in the inner portion of the arch area;
Figure 9 is a ~iew similar to Figure 7 but being taken in the area of the dotted rectangle 9 in Figure 4 and illustrating the manner in which the single terry yarn forms a single set of terry loops in the ball area and is knit in plated relationship with the body yarn in the upper instep so that the upper instep portion of the sock is devoid of terry - looPs;
Figure lO is a vertical sectional view taken along the line lO~lQ in Figure 9;
Figure ll is a side elevational view of ~he "right" sock of another embodiment of ths socks of the present invention;

Figure 12 is a view similar to Figure 11 but illustrating the sock in everted condition with the terry loops in the cushioned areas on the inner portion of the arch area positioned on the outer ~urface thereo~;
Figure 13 is a greatly enlarged fragmentary elevational view taken substantially in the axea of the dotted rectangle area 13 in Figure 12 and illus-tratin~ the manner in which a single terry yarn forms a single set of terry loops in the inner portion of the arch area, and with an elastic yarn being inlaid in ~he arch and adjacent instep areas; and Figures 14 and 15 are elevational views of respective "right" and "left" socks illustrating the arch cushions of the present invention embodied in low-cut type socks, Description of the Embodiment Illustrated in Fi~ures l-lO
The socks illustrated in Figures l-10 are of the type generally referred to as ankle length socks, The respective "right" and "left" socks of Figures l and 2 are the same ex~ept that the arch cu~hioning pads are integrally kni-t on opposite sides or ~alves of the arch. The sock of Figure 1 will be described and the corresponding parts of the sock of Figure 2 will bear the same reference characters with the prime notation added, Generally, the sock (Figure l) includes a mock rib upper cuff lO which is formed by knitting a body yarn while inlaying an elastic yarn in the usual manner, The foot of the sock includes a reciproca-torily knit heel area or pocket 11 provided with terry loops, formed in a manner to be presently d~scri~ed. The foot of the sock also includes a reciprocatorily knit toe portion or pocket 12, an ~ntegrally knit lowex sole! broadly indicated at 13, which connPcts the heel pocket 11 and the toe pocket 12, and an upper instep 14. The sole 13 encomp~sses sub~tantially one-half the lower circumference of the oot and the instep 14 encompasse~, substantially one-hal~ the circumference of the upper portion of t~e foot ~Figure 3).
The sole 13 includes a ball terry area lS
positioned adjacent to the toe pocket 12 and extend-ing toward the heel pocket 11, The rear of the ball area 15 is integrally knit with the forward end of an arch terry area 16 extending throughout the sole 13 and rom one side to the other of the instep 14.
The arch terry area 16 is divided along the middle wale of the sole 13 to define an inner arch portion 16a and an outer arch portion 16b (Figure 3), The inner and outer arch portions 16a,.16b are positioned on opposite sides o the sole 13 and extend course-wise from substantially the middle wale of the sole 13. The arch area 1~ extends to a position closely adjacent the heel pocket 11~
As best shcwn in Figure 3 r the inner portion 16a of the arch 16 i5 provided with a rela~i~ely greater density of terry loops to form an arch shock absorber cushion pad, indicated at C~ The arch support cushion pad C is adapted to extend ~rom about the middle of the bottom of the foot and up the side of the sole of the sock to cushion and protect the inner portion of the arch of the oot of the wearer (Figure ~), 39 - The sock is knit throughout of one or more suitable body yarns, indicated in Figures 7~10 as a single plain yarn B, A first ~erry yarn, indicated at ~1 and speckled for identification, is knit ~ith the body yarn B and form~ a ~irst set of terry loops throughout the heel 11, toe 12 and ball 15, The successive courses of the knit fabric of Figures 7 .

g and 9 extend in a vertical direc~ion and the needle wales t indicated at W-l, W 2 and W~3/ extend in a horizontal direction with the sinker wales, in which the te.rry loops are ormed, aligned between the need.~e wales, The~first terry yarn T-l is knit ln plated relationship with the body yarn B in the needle wales and forms a fixst fiet of terry loops in the ~inker wales in both the heel 11, toe 12, and ball 15 but is knit in plated relationship with the body yarn B in - the sinker wales in the instep 14. Thus~ the first terry yarn T-l does not form terry loops in the instep 14, as illustrated between the needle wales ~-1 and W-2 of Figure 7 and between the needle wales W 1 and W-2 of Figure 9.
A second terry yarn, indicated at T-2 and striped or identification in Fiyures 7 and 8, is knit with the body yarn B and forms a second set of terry loops in the inner portion 16a of the arch 16, as illustrated below the dash-dot line 17 in Figure 7.
The second terry yarn T-2 is fed to the needles through what is known as a "choppingi' yarn feed finger and is fed to and removed and cut adjacent opposite sides of the inner portion 16a of the arch 16, as illustrat~d in Figure 8, so that the second terry yarn T-~ is not incorporated in the corresponding portion of the instep 14 and in the outer portion 16b of the arch 16.
In the knit fabric shown in Figures 7-lG, the body yarn B, the first terry yarn T-l and the second

3~ terry yarn T-2 are illustrated as being of substan-tially the same size and the sti~ch structure is shown very open, for purposes of clarity, However~ in the actual sock, the knit stitch loops contract and ar~
very small and the terry yarns T-l and T-2 are usually larger and bulkier than th~ body yarn B. The loose loops of the terry loops are free to relax so that the bulk in the yarn i5 developed, during finish.ing, and the terry loops are thicker, more dense and more crowded together than illustrated :in ~igures 7-10, Even when a single set of terry loops is formed o the terry yarn T-l in certai.n areas of the sock, such as .. .~!...
in the heel 11, the outer portion 16b of the arch 16, the ball 15 tFigures 9 and 10), and the toe 12, a ~airly dense compact cushion is formed, When the second set of terry loops is added, such as in the 10 inner portion 16a of the arch 16 (Figures 7 an~ 8~, the terry loops are packed closer together and are more concentrated to form a much denser concentration o~
terry loops in the arch suppart cushion pad Ct The.re are twice the num~er of terry loops formed in a given area of the inner portion 16a of the arch 16 as the number of terry loops formed in the ... -outer portion 16b of the arch 16 so that the terry . loop density in the inner portion 16a o the arch area - 16 is greater than the terry loop density in the outer 20 portion 16b of the arch 16, the heel 11, the ball 15, and the toe 12. When an attempt is made to compress the terry loops in the inner portion 16a of the arch ---- -16, which includes two sets of terry loops, there are -so many terry loops packed into such a small area that they cannot lean over and flatten as easily as those areas where only a single set of terry loops is formed.
Thus, the ~irst and second sets of terry loops in the inner portion 16a of the arch 16 form an arch support cushion pad C of greater terry loop density 3~ -to provide a greater amount of cushioning or padding in the inner por-tian of the arch of the foot of the wearer. The extra set of terry loops in the inner portiGn 16a of the arch 16 thus provides a thicker or more dense cushioned arch support pad or cushion C in the inner portion of the arch of the wearer, as schematically illustrated at 16a in ~igure 5. The other areas of lessex te.rry loop density in the heel 11, ball 15, and toe 1~ are also schematically illustrated in Fi~ure 5.
The more dense terry loops forming the arch 5 support pad C (Figure 53 agains~ the inner portion of ~.
the arch of the foot are thus located where the greatest protection is needed for the arch when jogging and running. As shown in ~igure 5, the heel or calcaneus bone 20 is positioned beneath the talus bone 21 and at the lower end of the tibia 22, The other main bones in the foot include the navicular 23, the cuneiform 24, the metatarsals 25 t the phalanges 26, and the toe bones 27~
As illustrate~ in Fi~ure 5, the more dense terry loops forming the axch support pad C are posi-- tioned against the inner portion of the arch of the -- -foot and b~neath the arch ~ones, adjacent opposite sides of the cuneiform 24~ When the foot impacts against the surface, the cartilages joining the bones in the arch, particularly the talus 21, the navicular ..
23, the cuneifo.rm 24, and the upper ends of the meta-tarsals 25 provide elasticity and the arch tends to ~latten so that the inner portion of the arch of the ~oot receives a major portion of the shock of the impact, when the shoe is provided with the proper type of arch support, and if the same type of terry loop cushioning were provided throughout both the inner and outer portions of the arch of the.foot of the wearer. ~ince the inner portion 16a of the arch area 16 of the sock of the present invention is provided with relatively greater terry loop densi~y and is kni~
with a greater amount of yarn than the amount of yarn in the adjacent outer portion 16b, an arch support pad C is provided against the inner portions of the arches of each foot of the wearer~ The terry yaxns s~ ~

T-l and T-2 and the body yarn B may be of the same or different colors and either or both o the terry yarns may .be plated with ~he body yarn so that they appear on khe outer surface of the sock.
s Description of the Embodirnent .... ..
Illustrated in Figures 1: _ The "right" sock illustrated in Figures 11-13 is of the same general type as the socks of Figures 1-10 and includes a mock rib cuff 30~ The ~oot of the sock inoludes a reciprocatorily knit heel pocket 31 and a reciprocatorily knit toe poc]cet 32. The foot also includes an integrally knit lower sole, broadly indicated at 33~ which connects the heel pocket 31 and the toe pocket 32, and an upper instep 34. The sole 33 encompasses substantially one-half the lower circumference of the foot and'the instep 34 encompasses substantially one~half the circumference of the upper portion of the foot. The sole 33 includes a ball area 35 positioned adjacent to the toe pocket 32 and extending to an integrally knit arch area 36, The arch area 36 extends across the sole 33 and from one side to the other of the instep 34t The arch area 36 is divided along the middle wale of the sole to define an inner arch area 36a, w~ich is pro-vided with an arch support cushion pad C, and an outerarch area, not shown, but on the opposite side of the sock from the inner arch area 36a.
Like the socks illustrated in Figures 1~10, the sock illustratPd in Figures 11-13 is knit through-out of a suitable body yarn B (Figure 13) and aterry yarn T is knit with -the body yarn and forms a set of terry loops extending throughout the inner arch area 36a. The terry yarn T is knit in plated relationship with the body yarn B and does not form terry loops in the instep 34 and the adjacent outer ~3~3 arch area of the arch 3~. Although the body yarn B and the terry yarn T are knit together throughout the arch 3~, terry loops T-l are ormecl only in the inner arch area 36a so that a greater amount of yarn is knit in the inner arch portion 36a than in the outer arch por-tion. The terry yarn ~ is al50 knit in platPd relation-ship with the body yarn B and no terry loops are ~ormed in the heel pocket 31, the toe pocket 32, the instep 34, the ball area 35, and the out~r arch area.
The terry loops in the inner arch area 36a ~hus form the arch support cushion pad C which is positioned agalnst the inner portions o~ the arches of the feet of - the wearer~ It ls preferred that an elastic yarn E
(Figure 13~ be inlaid in the arch 36 and adjacent area o~ the instep 34, The elastic yarn E, str1ped for identification in Figure 13, is inlaid in the usual manner and extends throughout the non-terry instep 34, the non-terry outer arch area, and the terry arch support cushion pad C. The elastic yarn E acts to draw the sock inwardly against the foot in both the instep and arch areas to aid in maintaining the arch support cushion pad C in the proper position against the inner portions of the arches of the wearer's feet.
Description of the Embodiment Tllustrated in Figure~ 14 and 15 The "right" sock of Figure 14 and the "left"
sock of ~igure 15 are of the low-cut type and are knit in accordance with my prior Patent No. 3,274,804 to provide respective upper foot receiving roll top open-ings 40, 40'~ heel pockets 41~ 41' and toe pockets 42, 42', The "right" sock of Figure 14 will be described and the corresponding parts of the "left" sock of Fig-ure 15 will bear the same reference characters with the prime notation added. The sock includes a lower sole, broadly indicated at 43 ! which encompasses substan-tially one-half the lower circumference of the fook, and an upper instep 44 which encompasses substantially ~ ' :

~L3~S3 ~14-one half the ci.rcumference of the upper portion of the oot.
The sole 43 includes a ~all area 4S positioned adjacent to the toe pocket 42 and extending to an integrally knit arch area 46. The arch area 46 extends across th~ sole 43 and ~rom one side to the other of the instep 44. The arch area 46 iS divided alony the middle wale o~ the sole to define an inner arch area 46a~ provided with an arch support cushion Cl and an lQ outer arch area, not shown, but on the oppo~ite side o the sock from ~he inner arch area 46a~
~ he inner surfaces of the feet o-f the socks of ~igures 14 and 15 may be provided with terry loops of the type shown in Figure 4 or of the type shown in Figure 12. In either event, the support cu~hion C
is integrally knit. with a greater amount of yarn in the inner arch portion than the amount of yarn knit in the outer arch portion, ox the support cushion C has a greater terry loop density than the terry loop den-sity of the outer arch portion, While three particular embodiments of sockshave been illustrated and described, it is to be under-stood tha~ these particular illustrated embodiments may be varied, depending upon the particular need. For example, the inner arch area 36a of the sock of Figure 12 may include a second terry yarn to provide addition-al cushioning. Also, elastic yarn may be inlaid in the arch area 16 and ~he instep 14 of the socks of Figures 1-6 to aid in maintaining the arch support cushion pad 3Q in the proper position against the inner portions of the arches of the feet of the wQarer.
The inner arch support cushion of ~he present in~ention is preferably ormed by terry loops, as illustrated and described~ Howeverj it is to ~e understood that the inner arch support cushion can be formed by incorporatin~ additional amounts of .~ 8~3 -15~
yarn by other means, such as by plating, wrapping, tucking or other known kn.itting techniques~ In any event, the integra:Lly knit support cushion in the inner arch portion must include a suficiently greater amount of yarn than ~he amoun~ of yarn kn:it in the outer arch portion in order to provide increased thickness and a sufficient amount of support and cushioning to the inner arch area which is adapted to underlie the inner arch of the wearer' 5 foot. It has been found that the total weight of the yarns i.n the inner arch portion should be at least 15 percent greater than the total weight of the yarns in the outer arch portion.
In the drawings and specification there have been set forth preferred embodiments of the invention, and although specific terms are employed/ they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not or purposes of limitation, the scope o~ the invention being defined in the claimsO

..

Claims

THAT WHICH IS CLAIMED IS:
l. A knit athletic sock for providing addi-tional cushioning in the inner arch area of a wearer's foot and particularly adapted for wear with athletic shoes having arch supports which fail to provide sufficient support and cushioning to prevent discom-fort to the wearer's arch during participation in vigorous athletic activities such as jogging and running, said sock comprising a lower sole including an arch area in the medial portion of said sole, said arch area including inner and outer arch portions positioned on opposite sides of said sole and extend-ing coursewise from substantially the middle wale of said sole, said inner arch portion having an integrally knit support cushion formed by a sufficiently greater amount of yarn being knit in the inner arch portion than the amount of yarn being knit in said outer arch portion to provide increased thickness in the inner arch portion which is adapted to underlie the inner arch of the wearer's foot for enhancing the support and cushioning on the inner arch area of the wearer's foot and thereby reducing the shock normally imparted to the inner arch of the wearer's foot so that normal articulation of the bones in the foot takes place during participation in vigorous athletic activities.
2. A sock according to Claim l wherein the greater amount of yarn in said inner arch portion is in the form of terry loops.
3. A sock according to Claim 2 wherein said outer arch portion is devoid of terry loops.
4. A sock according to Claim 2 wherein said inner arch portion includes first and second sets of terry loops.
5. A knit athletic sock for providing addition-al cushioning in the inner arch area of a wearer's foot and particularly adapted for wear with athletic shoes having arch supports which fail to provide sufficient support and cushioning to prevent discomfort to the wearer's arch during participation in vigorous athletic activities such as jogging and running, said sock comprising a lower sole knit of body yarn and including an arch area in the medial portion of said sole, said arch area including inner and outer arch portions positioned on opposite sides of said sole and extending coursewise from substantially the middle wale of said sole, said arch area being knit of said body yarn and a first terry yarn forming a first set of terry loops in said inner and outer arch portions, said inner arch portion having an integrally knit support cushion adapted to underlie the inner arch of the wearer's foot and being knit with a second terry yarn knit with said body yarn and said first terry yarn to form a second set of terry loops in said inner arch portion, said support cushion includ-ing a greater terry loop density than the terry loop density in said outer arch portion for enhancing the support and cushioning on the inner arch area of the wearer's foot and thereby reducing the shock normally imparted to the inner arch of the wearer's foot so that normal articulation of the bones in the foot takes place during participation in vigorous athletic activities.
6. A sock according to Claim 5 wherein said second terry yarn in said inner arch portion is cut and forms free ends at opposite sides of said inner arch portion.
7. A knit athletic sock for providing addition-al cushioning in the inner arch area of a wearer's foot and particularly adapted for wear with athletic shoes having arch supports which fail to provide sufficient support and cushioning to prevent discomfort to the wearer's arch during participation in vigorous athletic activities such as jogging and running, said sock comprising a lower sole knit of body yarn and including an arch area in the medial portion of said sole, said arch area including inner and outer arch portions positioned on opposite sides of said sole and extending coursewise from substantially the middle wale of said sole, said arch area being knit of said body yarn in said inner and outer arch portions, said inner arch portion having an integrally knit support cushion adapted to underlie the inner arch of the wearer's foot and being knit with terry yarn knit with said body yarn and forming terry loops in said inner arch portion, said terry yarn being knit in plated relationship with said body yarn in said outer arch portion without forming terry loops said support cushion with said terry loops enhancing the support and cushioning on the inner arch area of the wearer's foot and thereby reducing the shock normally imparted to the inner arch of the wearer's foot so that normal articulation of the bones in the foot takes place during participation in vigorous athletic activities.