Knit-rite, Inc.

Jeffrey C Dalbey

Mark W L Smith

Jennifer L Roberts

Frederick B Lanier, Jr

John Pickering

Frank Svoboda

H Darrel Darby

Lawrence Pierce, Jr

Martha M Field

William B Smith

A stretchable seamless underwear is operable to be donned by a wearer and includes a seamless knitted fabric receptacle. The receptacle includes integrally knitted front and back panels that each present opposite side margins, with each side margin of the front panel being seamlessly joined to a corresponding side margin of the back panel so that the panels cooperatively form a passage through the receptacle. The receptacle is knitted with a high-stretch yarn.

Seamless underwear

A gradient compression article with therapeutic and aesthetic properties broadly includes a limb-receiving section extending continuously between a distal end and an open proximal end thereof. The limb-receiving section includes a tubular distal portion and a tubular proximal portion. The limb-receiving section is knitted at least substantially of a core-spun yarn with an elastomeric core and a twisted fiber sheath and includes elastomeric threads integrated into the stretch yarn knitting. The limb-receiving section further presents a gradient region that extends from a distal location adjacent the distal end to a proximal location adjacent the proximal end, with a property of the article changing progressively along the gradient region to provide compression that decreases progressively from the distal location to the proximal location when the article is donned.

Gradient compression article knitted using corespun yarns

Gradient compression hosiery with therapeutic and aesthetic properties broadly includes a stocking section extending continuously between a distal end and an open proximal end thereof. The stocking section includes a tubular foot portion and a tubular leg portion. The stocking section is knitted at least substantially of a core-spun yarn with an elastomeric core and a twisted fiber sheath and includes elastomeric threads integrated into the stretch yarn knitting. The stocking section further presents a gradient region that extends from a distal location adjacent the distal end to a proximal location adjacent the proximal end, with a property of the hosiery changing progressively along the gradient region to provide compression that decreases progressively from the distal location to the proximal location when the hosiery is donned.

Gradient compression hosiery knitted using corespun yarns

An above knee shrinker includes a tubular fabric receptacle that encloses and applies therapeutic compression to the residual limb of a human trans-femoral lower-leg amputee. The shrinker includes a constricting element, and a moveably coupled waist belt. The receptacle is configured to present an overhanging portion that extends below the distal end of the residual limb and is able to be doubled-over at least a portion of the residual limb to apply additional compression thereto. The receptacle is configured to provide an improved U-shaped perineal opening. The receptacle is formed of a latex-free core spun yarn and spandex material that is comfortably stretchable in at least first and second substantially transverse directions. The waist belt presents an adjustable self-fastening mechanism, and the constricting element presents a sliding-ring that receives the overhanging portion and constricts the receptacle adjacent the distal end of the residual limb.

Above knee shrinker

A stretchable fabric sleeve is configured for use as a prosthetic shrinker or as a prosthetic sock and broadly comprises a unitary receptacle broadly including a tubular section and a rounded end section. In particular, the rounded end section includes opposite panels that are knitted in seriatim with a plurality of interlaced short rows that provide a progressive taper from the open margin of the tubular section to the lowermost toe end of the end section. The progressive taper of the knitted panels permits the outermost edge of the rounded end section to assume a rounded shape that comfortably conforms to an amputated limb and is devoid of any sewn seams that would otherwise irritate the sensitive end of the amputated limb.

Seamless three-dimensional toe section for prosthetic socks and prosthetic shrinkers

The highly stretchable, seamless sock conforms to the underlying portion of the body when donned so that there are no undesirable wrinkles or thicknesses in fabric (e.g., ribs, seams, etc) which might cause focal pressure on the foot or leg. The sock comprises a receptacle having an open upper end an opposite, closed toe end. The receptacle includes a toe section that projects from the toe end and is configured to receive the toes of the wearer, a leg section that is adjacent the leg end and is dimensioned to receive at least a portion of the leg of the wearer, a foot section extending between the leg section and toe section of the receptacle, and a heel section extending partly around the circumference of the receptacle between the foot and leg sections. These sections of the receptacle are knitted of a common high-stretch corespun yarn and are configured to cause the yarn to stretch when the sock is donned. Further, the leg section includes an upper portion that is formed of a distinct knitting pattern, such that the compression exerted by the upper portion is different than that exerted by the other sections of the receptacle. The level of compression exerted by the sock may be varied by changing the knitting pattern used to fabricate the sock or by using a different high-stretch corespun yarn.

Seamless, form fitting foot sock

The shrinker comprises a soft, pliable, sock-like receptacle for the stump having a closed toe and an open upper end. Initially flat, opposite sides of the shrinkere are joined along their longitudinal extremities without seams due to the one-piece, knitted construction of the shrinker. By knitting the shrinker on flatbed knitting machines, a tapered configuration without seams can be achieved through the technique of adding more knitting needles to progressively widen the shrinker as the knitting process is carried out after beginning at the toe. The lack of seams at the toe and along the sides increases comfort, and the yarn utilized for the knit fabric is stretchable to such an extent that at 50% stretch of the shrinker, a compression of approximately 10 to 30 millimeters of mercury is achieved, whereby to reduce edema and shape the stump in preparation for receiving a prosthesis.

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Leawood, KS, United States of America

Jeffrey C Dalbey