At a glance
| Patent number | CN212728807U (application CN202020589555) |
| Type | China utility model (实用新型) - protects product shape and structure |
| Original title | Football socks (一种足球袜) |
| Patent owner | Zhejiang Shishishuo Clothing Technology Co., Ltd. |
| Inventors | Huang Shengqiang |
| Filing date | 2020-04-20 |
| Grant date | 2021-03-19 |
| Status (China) | In force - no termination recorded; a China utility model lasts at most 10 years from filing (to 2030-04-20) |
| Patent family | Chinese filings only - no US, European, Japanese, PCT or other filings listed |
| Cited by | 2 later documents |
| Source | Google Patents (search for CN212728807U) |
What the claims cover, in plain language
Claim 1 - soccer socks made of a left sock and a right sock, each with several protective bumps knitted into the front of the sock leg.
Claim 2 - mesh ventilation at the back of both legs; legs wider at the top than at the bottom. Claim 3 - knitted bumps around the ankle of both socks and mesh on both insteps. Claims 4-5 - the left sock has silicone grip patches on the inside and outside of the toe, on the heel and between them, a brushed lining in those areas and a non-slip elastic band reaching the instep mesh. Claims 6 onward - the right sock has knitted bumps on the inner and outer sides between toe and heel, with further detail on grip strips, bubble-shaped bumps and linings.
This is a simplified reading for orientation only. The legal scope is defined by the exact claim wording in the official Chinese document.
What this means for US production
This patent was filed only in China. It is still in force in China, so making or selling this design in China would need the owner’s permission while it lasts (at most until 2030-04-20). It has no US or other foreign counterpart and does not restrict the design outside China.
Two points to settle early:
- Other patents may exist. Performance socks with grip prints, zoned cushioning and left-right construction are patented by several sports sock brands, so a freedom-to-operate (FTO) review of the grip layout and knit zones is advisable before production.
- Grip durability. Silicone prints must survive repeated washing and boot friction; adhesion is proven by wash tests on the chosen yarn.
Customization and manufacturing
What can be customized
| Area | Options |
|---|---|
| Length | Over-the-calf team sock, crew grip sock, ankle grip sock |
| Yarn | Nylon, polyester, cotton blends, merino; spandex content |
| Grip | Silicone dot or bar patterns, print color, coverage on each foot |
| Pads | Bubble pad height and position, terry cushioning zones |
| Colors | Team colors, stripes, logos knitted or printed |
| Packs | Left-right labeled pairs, left-footed versions, team bulk packs |
Things to plan for (US market)
- Textile Fiber Products Identification Act (16 CFR 303) - fiber content, country of origin and manufacturer identity on the label or packaging.
- Care Labeling Rule (16 CFR 423) - permanent care instructions, important for silicone-printed socks.
- California Prop 65 - silicone inks and dyes are screened; warnings if needed.
- CPSIA - youth sizes marketed to children 12 and under need lead-in-surface-coating testing for prints and a Children’s Product Certificate.
How a project runs
- Inquiry - sock length, sizes, colors, grip layout and quantity.
- Design - knit program for left and right socks, pad and mesh zones, print artwork.
- Prototype - sample pairs for fit, grip and wear trials.
- Pilot run - wash and abrasion tests, size set approval.
- Production - knitting, toe closing, silicone printing, pairing and packing.
Quantities & timeline
Production runs on computerized sock knitting machines with a separate program for each foot, followed by silicone screen or dispenser printing with a print screen per size. Knit programming and wash testing take the most time. Send us your sock length, size range, colors, grip layout, quantity and target price and we will reply with options.
Patent drawings
Drawings reproduced from the public patent document for reference.
