Sock with integrally knit support

1. A support sock having a toe area, an ankle area, and an intermediate area for covering a wearer's instep, ball and sole, the sock having an integrally knit support structure comprising:

an arch wrap defining at least a portion of the intermediate area, said arch wrap having a proximal end facing toward the ankle area and a distal end facing toward the toe area;

an upper support band bridging between the proximal end of the arch wrap and the ankle area; and

a lower support band extending from the distal end of the arch wrap,

wherein the arch wrap has a knit construction of a repeating two-wale pattern, a first wale comprising knit and float stitches, and a second wale consisting of knit stitches.

2. The support sock according to claim 1 , wherein the upper support band extends from the proximal end of the arch wrap toward the ankle area, encircles the ankle area, and extends back to the proximal of the arch wrap.

3. The support sock according to claim 2 , wherein the upper support band has an inverted U-shape.

4. The support sock according to claim 2 , wherein the upper support band has a generally loop shape.

5. The support sock according to claim 2 , further comprising a leg area.

6. The support sock according to claim 5 , the leg area has an elasticity of gradual compression.

7. The support sock according to claim 1 , wherein the lower support band is dimensioned to cover at least a portion of the instep of the wearer.

8. The support sock according to claim 1 , wherein the lower support band is dimensioned to cover at least a portion of the ball of the wearer.

9. The support sock according to claim 1 , wherein the lower support band is dimensioned to cover a portion of the instep and a substantial portion of the ball.

10. The support sock according to claim 1 , wherein the arch wrap is configured for stretching in a radial direction.

11. The support sock according to claim 1 , wherein the upper and lower support bands comprise reinforcement yarns.

12. The support sock according to claim 11 , wherein the reinforcement yarns comprise 70 denier nylon.

13. The support sock according to claim 11 , wherein upper and lower support bands have diamond patterns.

14. A support sock having a toe area, an ankle area, and an intermediate area for covering a wearer's instep, ball and sole, the sock having an integrally knit support structure comprising:

an arch wrap defining at least a portion of the intermediate area, said arch wrap having a proximal end facing toward the ankle area and a distal end facing toward the toe area; and

a first support band extending from one of the proximal end and the distal end of the arch wrap;

wherein the arch wrap is configured for supporting the arch of the wearer, and the support band is configured for supporting and lifting the arch wrap,

wherein the arch wrap has a knit construction of a repeating two-wale pattern, a first wale comprising knit and float stitches, and a second wale consisting of knit stitches.

15. The support sock according to claim 14 , wherein the first support band extends from the proximal end of the arch wrap, and the sock further includes a second support band extending downwardly from the distal end of the arch wrap.

16. The support sock according to claim 14 , wherein the first support band extends from the distal end of the arch wrap, and the sock further includes a second support band extending from the proximal end of the arch wrap.

17. The support sock according to claim 14 , wherein the support band comprises reinforcement yarns.

18. The support sock according to claim 17 , wherein the reinforcement yarns comprise 70 denier nylon.