Compression Crew Socks

Abstract

The purpose of this invention is to provide compression crew socks that are easy to put on and take off and that provide a desired compression effect. [Solution] The compression crew socks 1 comprise a heel region R1 corresponding to the heel portion of the human body, an ankle region R2 adjacent to the heel region R1 and corresponding to the ankle portion of the human body, and a lower calf region R3 having a foot insertion opening AP and corresponding to the lower calf portion of the human body, and are designed so that the compression gradually decreases from the ankle region R2 to the lower calf region R3, the ankle region R2 and the lower calf region R3 being knitted using elastic yarn, and one of the two adjacent courses in the longitudinal direction L of the ankle region R2 and the lower calf region R3 being knitted with a floating period of two or more stitches.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to compression crew socks. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, knee-high socks and stockings that change from strong to weak compression pressure from the bottom to the top of the leg have been commercially available for the purpose of reducing swelling and fatigue in the leg. These compression knee-high socks and compression stockings are designed to completely cover the calf, focusing on the muscle pumping action of the calf (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-266105 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] As mentioned above, compression knee socks and stockings that are long enough to completely cover the calves can reduce swelling and fatigue in the lower legs, but their compression design makes them difficult to put on and take off. On the other hand, simply shortening the length of the knee socks or stockings to make them easier to put on and take off reduces the compression effect.

[0005] Therefore, the object of this invention is to provide compression crew socks that are easy to put on and take off and that provide a desired compression effect. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The compression crew socks of the present invention comprise a heel region corresponding to the heel part of the human body, an ankle region adjacent to the heel region and corresponding to the ankle part of the human body, and a lower calf region having a foot insertion opening and corresponding to the lower part of the calf of the human body, and are designed so that the compression gradually decreases from the ankle region to the lower calf region, and the ankle region and the lower calf region are knitted using elastic yarn, and one of the two courses adjacent in the longitudinal direction of the ankle region and the lower calf region is knitted with a floating period of two or more stitches. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] The compression crew socks of the present invention are easy to put on and take off, and provide the desired compression effect. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram showing the compression crew socks of the present invention. [Figure 2A] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram showing the repeat unit of the knitting structure of the compression crew sock of FIG. 1. [Figure 2B] 2 is a schematic front view showing the repeat unit of the knitting structure of the compression crew sock of FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 3] 2 is a graph showing the elongation characteristics of the compression crew socks of FIG. 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, a compression crew sock according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiment shown below is merely an example, and the compression crew sock according to the present invention is not limited to the following embodiment.

[0010] In this specification, the expressions "perpendicular to A" and similar expressions do not refer only to a direction that is completely perpendicular to A, but also refer to a direction that is approximately perpendicular to A. In this specification, the expressions "parallel to B" and similar expressions do not refer only to a direction that is completely parallel to B, but also refer to a direction that is approximately parallel to B. In this specification, the expressions "C-shape" and similar expressions do not refer only to a perfect C-shape, but also refer to a shape that visually resembles a C-shape (approximately a C-shape).

[0011] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a compression crew sock (hereinafter simply referred to as a crew sock) 1 according to this embodiment. The compression crew sock 1 according to this embodiment is a crew sock with a compression function, as will be described later. In this specification, a crew sock is a sock with a length (hereinafter referred to as a crew length) such that the top of the crew sock is positioned below the most prominent part of the calf (shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 1) of the human body (see, for example, point C in FIG. 1). Alternatively, a crew sock is a sock in which the length from the center of the curved part of the heel region R1 (see point H in FIG. 1) to the top of the crew sock (the position of the foot insertion opening AP in FIG. 1) is 80 to 120%, preferably 90 to 110%, of the length from the center of the heel region R1 to the toe region T.

[0012] In this specification, when terms such as "top," "upper," "upper side," "lower," "lower part," "belower," or similar terms are used to describe the position and direction of the crew socks 1 and each part of the crew socks 1, these terms refer to the position and direction in the vertical direction (vertical direction in Figure 1) when the crew socks 1 are in use. In addition, the direction extending from the top end of the crew socks 1, through the heel region R1, to the toe region T is referred to as the longitudinal direction of the crew socks 1.

[0013] 1, the crew socks 1 have a heel region R1 corresponding to the heel of the human body, an ankle region R2 adjacent to the heel region R1 corresponding to the ankle of the human body, a lower calf region R3 having a foot insertion opening AP corresponding to the lower calf of the human body, and a foot region R4 corresponding to the foot of the human body.

[0014] As described above, the foot region R4 is the portion of the crew socks 1 that corresponds to the foot of the human body. The foot region R4 is adjacent to the heel region R1 on the opposite side (toe T side) from the ankle region R2 in the longitudinal direction of the crew socks 1. As described above, the heel region R1 is the portion of the crew socks 1 that corresponds to the heel of the human body.

[0015] The ankle region R2 is a predetermined region around the ankle, which is the narrowest part of the ankle from the calf to the heel. The ankle region R2 can be, for example, the region from the heel region R1 where the foot touches the ground (from the floor) when the crew socks 1 are worn.

[0016] The lower calf region R3 is the part of the crew socks 1 that corresponds to the lower calf of the human body. Here, the lower calf region refers to the part of the calf that is located below the most protruding part (see point C in Figure 1) or the center of the calf in the vertical direction. The lower calf region R3 is the uppermost part of the crew socks 1, including the foot insertion opening AP at the top of the crew socks 1. In other words, the crew socks 1 do not cover the entire calf of the human body; more specifically, they cover only the lower calf part, not the most protruding part of the calf.

[0017] The lower calf region R3 is provided with a cuff rubber R31. The cuff rubber R31 prevents the crew socks 1 from slipping down. The cuff rubber R31 is provided with a predetermined width in the vertical direction from the top end of the crew socks 1. The vertical width of the cuff rubber R31 is not particularly limited, but the length of the cuff rubber R31 in the direction from the foot insertion opening AP toward the ankle region R2 (the distance from the foot insertion opening AP to the bottom end of the cuff rubber R31) can be 2 to 5 cm, preferably 3 to 5 cm. In this case, the wide width of the cuff rubber R31 further prevents the crew socks 1 from slipping down.

[0018] The pressure exerted by the crew socks 1 can be adjusted by appropriately changing or adjusting the knitting method of the crew socks 1, the knitting yarn used (for example, the type and thickness of the elastic yarn used), the stitch density, etc., and there are no particular limitations on the method for adjusting the pressure. The knitting method of the crew socks 1 will be described later.

[0019] The crew socks 1 of this embodiment are designed so that the pressure gradually decreases from the ankle region R2 to the lower calf region R3. The pressures in the ankle region R2 and the lower calf region R3 are not particularly limited, as long as they are designed so that the pressure gradually decreases from the ankle region R2 to the lower calf region R3. For example, the first pressure P1 in the ankle region R2 can be 17 to 33 hPa, and the second pressure P2 in the lower calf region R3 can be 10 to 26 hPa. In this case, unlike knee-high socks or stockings, even crew socks 1 that are not long can achieve a desired compression effect, as described below. Furthermore, the crew socks 1 are short in length and are designed so that the circumference gradually increases from the ankle region R2 to the foot insertion opening AP, making them easy to put on and take off.

[0020] The first pressure P1 in the ankle region R2 (for example, at a position 7 to 15 cm from the ground (from the floor) of the heel region R1 when wearing the crew socks 1) is 17 to 33 hPa, preferably 20 to 30, from the viewpoint of reducing swelling and fatigue and preventing congestion and tightness.

[0021] In addition, the second pressure P2 in the lower calf region R3 (for example, at a position 15 to 25 cm from the ground contact point (from the floor) of the heel region R1 when the crew socks 1 are worn) is 10 to 26 hPa, preferably 13 to 23 hPa, from the viewpoint of reducing swelling and fatigue and preventing congestion and tightness.

[0022] Furthermore, it is preferable that the ratio P2 / P1 between the first pressure P1 in the ankle region R2 and the second pressure P2 in the lower calf region R3 is 0.7 to 0.8, in which case the crew socks 1 can achieve a good muscle pumping effect due to the gradual pressure.

[0023] As shown in Fig. 2A, at least the ankle region R2 and lower calf region R3 of the crew socks 1 (the entire crew socks 1 in this embodiment) are knitted using elastic yarns Y21 and Y22, and as shown in Fig. 2B, one of two courses C21, C22 of adjacent courses in the longitudinal direction L of the ankle region R2 and lower calf region R3 (the longitudinal direction L of the crew socks 1) is knitted with a floating interval of two or more stitches (in the example of Figs. 2A and 2B, one of the courses C21, C22 is knitted with two or more floating stitches). In other words, the stitches (loops) of one course C21, C22 are knitted with the stitches (loops) of the other course C1 floating with a floating interval of two or more stitches. By floating one of the courses C21, C22 at a cycle of two or more stitches, the courses C21, C22 do not become entangled with the other course C1 and are less likely to be constrained by the stitches of the other course C1, making it easier to stretch in the width direction W, and therefore it is easier to obtain a highly elastic knitted fabric K. Note that the example in Figures 2A and 2B shows the repeat unit of the knitting structure of the ankle region R2 and the lower calf region R3 (crew socks 1). That is, in the example in Figures 2A and 2B, the knitting structure of the crew socks 1 is knitted in the width direction W by repeating units (A2, A1, A2, A2, A1, A2, ...) consisting of regions A2, A1, and A2 as one unit. More specifically, if a stitch is represented by "1" and a float by "0," in the example of Figures 2A and 2B, the knitting structure of crew socks 1 is knitted in the width direction W with "1, 1, 0, 0" as one unit, repeating to form "1, 1, 0, 0, 1, 1, 0, 0, ..." (hereinafter referred to as "2:2 float"). However, the knitting structure of crew socks 1 may be knitted so that the stitch cycle of one of the floating courses C21, C22 is two or more stitches, and for example, "1, 0, 0, 0" as one unit may be repeated to form "1, 0, 0, 0, 1, 0, 0, 0, ..." (1:3 float), or "1, 1, 0, 0, 0, 1, 1, 0, 0, 0, ..." (2:3 float).

[0024] In the rib R (the float portion indicated by the region A1), the knitting structure of the other course C1 is not particularly limited as long as one of the courses C21, C22 floats at a cycle of two or more stitches. In the float knitting structure of the rib R, the other course C1 may be knitted with tuck knitting, or may be knitted with a combination of plain knitting and tuck knitting. In this embodiment, the inner surface of the cuff rubber R31 is knitted with plain knitting. In this case, the inner surface of the cuff rubber R31 that comes into contact with the human body is almost flat, so that the pressure of the crew socks 1 does not easily leave marks on the human body, such as the calves, due to the cuff rubber R31. In this embodiment, the cuff rubber R31 has a double structure consisting of a knitting structure on the inner side and a knitting structure on the outer side, with the inner side knitted with plain knitting and the outer side knitted with tuck knitting.

[0025] The behavior of crew socks 1 when putting them on and taking them off will be described with reference to Figure 3. Figure 3 is a graph showing the correlation between the elongation rate and elongation stress in the ankle region R2 and lower calf region R3 of crew socks 1 (hereinafter, the correlation between elongation rate and elongation stress will be referred to as the "elongation characteristic"). As mentioned above, elongation characteristic F1 indicates the elongation characteristic of the ankle region R2 and lower calf region R3 of crew socks 1, which have floating stitches at intervals of two or more stitches (see Figure 1). Elongation characteristic F2 indicates the elongation characteristic of a typical crew sock without floating stitches. Note that the elongation rate is expressed as (L1-L0) / L0 x 100 (%), where L0 is the original length of a certain portion of the ankle region R2 and lower calf region R3 in a given direction (for example, the longitudinal direction L or the width direction (circumferential direction) W (see Figures 2A and 2B)) and L1 is the length after elongation. The elongation stress is the stress required to elongate a certain portion of the ankle region R2 and the lower calf region R3 at that elongation rate in a specific direction. The elongation stress S shown on the vertical axis of the graph indicates the elongation stress required to achieve the required compression value for the crew socks 1. The elongation stress S required to achieve a certain compression value is not necessarily the same for different knitted fabrics due to differences in the knitting method of the knitted fabric or the yarn used, but for the sake of simplicity, it is assumed here that the required compression value is obtained with the same elongation stress S.

[0026] For example, when a graduated compression crew sock requires high compression in the ankle and lower-calf regions, a typical crew sock without floating stitches would have a high stitch density to achieve high compression in the ankle and lower-calf regions, adjusting the knit fabric to have low elasticity overall. Therefore, in such crew socks, as seen in the elongation characteristic F2, the rate of increase in elongation stress relative to an increase in elongation rate is relatively large (hereinafter, this is also referred to as the "high slope" of the elongation characteristic F2). In other words, the knit fabric in the ankle and lower-calf regions is difficult to elastically deform and does not stretch unless a relatively large elongation stress is applied, making the crew sock difficult to conform to the skin of the human body. This poor conformance to the skin of the human body results in a less than satisfactory fit to the skin in the ankle and lower-calf regions. In such crew socks, as shown in Figure 3, the ankle and lower calf regions have a relatively small elongation rate at the elongation stress S required to achieve the required compression value, and the socks are worn on the human leg with the ankle and lower calf regions not significantly elongated (elongation rate E2).

[0027] In contrast, in crew socks 1 (see FIG. 1) in which the knit stitches are floated at intervals of two or more stitches as in this embodiment, the knitted fabric K in the ankle region R2 and lower calf region R3 (see FIGS. 2A and 2B) has high elasticity, so that, as can be seen in the elongation characteristic F1, the rate of increase in elongation stress relative to an increase in elongation rate is relatively small (hereinafter, this will also be referred to as the "slope of the elongation characteristic F1 being small"). In other words, the knitted fabric K in the ankle region R2 and lower calf region R3 is a knitted fabric that elongates with a relatively small elongation stress and is easily elastically deformed, so that the ankle region R2 and lower calf region R3 easily conform to the skin of the human body. This ease of conforming to the skin of the human body results in a good fit to the skin in the ankle region R2 and lower calf region R3. In the crew socks 1 of this embodiment, as shown in Figure 3, the ankle region R2 and lower calf region R3 have a relatively large elongation rate at the elongation stress S required to achieve the required compression value, and the ankle region R2 and lower calf region R3 are worn on the human leg in a considerably elongated state (elongation rate E1).

[0028] Crew socks are put on and taken off by stretching the ankle and lower calf regions more than when worn. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, when crew socks 1 are put on and taken off, if the elongation rate is increased further than when worn (see the elongation rate increment ΔE in FIG. 3), crew socks with typical elongation characteristics F2 require a relatively large elongation stress (see the elongation stress increment ΔS2 in FIG. 3). In other words, crew socks cannot be put on or taken off unless a relatively large elongation stress is applied to the ankle and lower calf regions, making them less easy to put on and take off. In contrast, crew socks 1 with elongation characteristics F1, as in this embodiment, require a relatively small elongation stress (see the elongation stress increment ΔS1 in FIG. 3) when the elongation rate is further increased (see the elongation rate increment ΔE in FIG. 3). In other words, the crew socks 1 can be put on and taken off by applying a relatively small elongation stress to the ankle region R2 and the lower calf region R3, which makes them easy to put on and take off.The inventors checked the elongation properties of the ankle region and the lower calf region, which are knitted with one course floating in one stitch cycle, and found that compared to the ankle region R2 and the lower calf region R3, which are knitted with two courses floating in two stitch cycles, the increase in elongation stress required when further stretching the ankle region and the lower calf region (especially the ankle region) after putting on the crew socks was large, making them less easy to put on and take off.

[0029] When crew socks are worn on the lower legs of a person, the circumference of the legs changes as the muscles of the body expand and contract during walking, etc. In crew socks with a typical elongation characteristic F2, when the ankle region and lower calf region expand and contract in response to changes in leg circumference, the slope of the elongation characteristic F2 is large, resulting in large changes in the elongation stress in the ankle region and lower calf region, and therefore in the pressure applied to the skin, and the stability of the pressure is not very good. In contrast, in crew socks 1 with an elongation characteristic F1 as in this embodiment, when the ankle region R2 and lower calf region R3 expand and contract in response to changes in leg circumference, the slope of the elongation characteristic F1 is small, resulting in small changes in the elongation stress in the ankle region R2 and lower calf region R3, and therefore in the pressure applied to the skin, and the stability of the pressure is good.

[0030] When crew socks 1 are worn on the lower legs of a human body (see Figure 1), it is preferable that the tensile stress of the ankle region R2 and lower calf region R3, especially the ankle region R2, be small in order to make it easy to put on and take off crew socks 1. Furthermore, it is preferable that the tensile stress of the ankle region R2 and lower calf region R3 be large in order to support the legs, but small in order not to cause a tight feeling on the skin. Here, "the tensile stress of the ankle region R2 and lower calf region R3 when crew socks 1 are worn on the lower legs of a human body" refers to the stress required to achieve the elongation rate in the stretched state when crew socks 1 are worn on the lower legs of a human body in a stretched state. As will be described later, the elongation stress in each part of the ankle region R2 and the lower calf region R3 can be adjusted by changing the number of floating stitches in one of the courses C21, C22 in the knitted fabric K of the ankle region R2 and the lower calf region R3 (see Figures 2A and 2B), or by changing the yarn used in the knitted fabric K of the ankle region R2 and the lower calf region R3.

[0031] When the crew socks 1 are worn on the lower leg of a human body (see FIG. 1), the tensile stress in the ankle region R2 and lower calf region R3 of the crew socks 1 in the longitudinal direction L and width direction W is not particularly limited. From the viewpoint of suppressing a tight feeling on the skin when the crew socks 1 are worn on the lower leg of a human body (see FIG. 1), the tensile stress in the ankle region R2 in the longitudinal direction L of the crew socks 1 is preferably 3 N or less, more preferably 2.5 N or less. Furthermore, the tensile stress in the lower calf region R3 in the longitudinal direction L of the crew socks 1 is preferably 2.5 N or less, more preferably 2 N or less. Furthermore, the tensile stress in the ankle region R2 in the width direction W of the crew socks 1 is preferably 5 N or less, more preferably 4 N or less. Furthermore, the tensile stress in the lower calf region R3 in the width direction W of the crew socks 1 is preferably 4.5 N or less, more preferably 3.5 N or less. In order to provide adequate leg support when wearing the crew socks 1, when the crew socks 1 are worn on the lower legs of a human body, the tensile stress of the ankle region R2 in the longitudinal direction L of the crew socks 1 is preferably 0.5 N or more, more preferably 1 N or more. Furthermore, the tensile stress of the lower calf region R3 in the longitudinal direction L of the crew socks 1 is preferably 0.4 N or more, more preferably 1.2 N or more. Furthermore, the tensile stress of the ankle region R2 in the width direction W of the crew socks 1 is preferably 2 N or more, more preferably 3 N or more. Furthermore, the tensile stress of the lower calf region R3 in the width direction W of the crew socks 1 is preferably 2 N or more, more preferably 2.5 N or more.

[0032] When the crew sock 1 is worn on the lower leg of a human body (see FIG. 1), the extensibility of the ankle region R2 of the crew sock 1 in the longitudinal direction L is not particularly limited, but can be, for example, 5-15%, preferably 8-12%. When the crew sock 1 is worn on the lower leg of a human body, the extensibility of the lower calf region R3 of the crew sock 1 in the longitudinal direction L is not particularly limited, but can be, for example, 5-15%, preferably 8-12%. When the crew sock 1 is worn on the lower leg of a human body, the extensibility of the ankle region R2 of the crew sock 1 in the width direction W is not particularly limited, but can be, for example, 50-70%, preferably 55-65%. When the crew sock 1 is worn on the lower leg of a human body, the extensibility of the lower calf region R3 of the crew sock 1 in the width direction W is not particularly limited, but can be, for example, 50-70%, preferably 55-65%.

[0033] The number of floating stitches in one of the courses C21, C22 (see Figures 2A and 2B) is not particularly limited as long as it is at least two stitches. When one of the courses C21, C22 floats at least two stitches in this way, the high elasticity of the knitted fabric K in the ankle region R2 and lower calf region R3 makes it easy to put on and take off. However, from the perspective of making it easier to apply the desired pressure to the legs of the human body when the crew socks 1 are worn on the lower legs of the human body, it is preferable that one of the courses C21, C22 be knitted at a floating interval of six stitches or less in the width direction W of the crew socks 1, and it is more preferable that one of the courses C21, C22 be knitted at a floating interval of four stitches or less.

[0034] As long as at least the ankle region R2 and the lower calf region R3 (crew socks 1) are knitted with elastic yarn, there are no particular limitations. In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the knitted fabric K in the ankle region R2 and the lower calf region R3 is knitted with inelastic yarn Y1 and elastic yarns Y21 and Y22. Examples of the inelastic yarn Y1 include cotton yarn, polyester yarn, and nylon yarn. Examples of the elastic yarns Y21 and Y22 include polyurethane yarn, acrylic yarn, and covered yarn in which polyurethane yarn is covered with nylon yarn. The covered yarn may be a single covered yarn in which polyurethane yarn is wrapped once with nylon yarn, or a double covered yarn in which polyurethane yarn is wrapped twice with nylon yarn.

[0035] The knitting method of the knitted fabric K in the ankle region R2 and the lower calf region R3 is not particularly limited, as long as one of the courses C21, C22 is knitted with a floating period of two or more stitches. In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 2A, the ankle region R2 and the lower calf region R3 (crew socks 1) have an outer fabric Ka and an inner fabric Kb, and are knitted so that multiple ribs R extending along the longitudinal direction L of the crew socks 1 (see Figs. 1A and 1B) are exposed on the outer fabric Ka (although Fig. 2A shows only one rib R, in reality, ribs R are continuously formed to the left and right of the page). Knitting the ribs R extending along the longitudinal direction L of the crew socks 1 so that they are exposed on the outer fabric Ka improves the design of the crew socks 1.

[0036] In this embodiment, as further shown in Fig. 2B, the other course C1 is a non-elastic course (hereinafter also referred to as the non-elastic course C1) made of the non-elastic yarn Y1 that becomes the outer fabric Ka (see Fig. 2A), and the one courses C21 and C22 are elastic courses (hereinafter also referred to as the elastic courses C21 and C22) made of the elastic yarns Y21 and Y22 that become the lining Kb (see Fig. 2A), and the non-elastic course C1 and the elastic courses C21 and C22 are knitted alternately in the longitudinal direction L of the crew socks 1. Then, as described above, the elastic courses C21 and C22 float at a cycle of two or more stitches, so that in the floated portion (see area A1 in Fig. 2B), the non-elastic course C1 becomes the outer fabric Ka (see Fig. 2A) having the rib R, and the elastic courses C21 and C22 become the lining Kb (see Fig. 2A).

[0037] The knitted fabric K of the ankle region R2 and the lower calf region R3 (crew socks 1) may be knitted using other knitting methods such as cross knitting or zigzag knitting so that one of the courses C21, C22 floats at a cycle of two or more stitches.

[0038] The knitted fabric K of the crew socks 1 of this embodiment will be described in more detail with reference to Fig. 2B. In this embodiment, in the portion where the elastic courses C21, C22 do not float (corresponding to the region A2 in Fig. 2B where the rib R is not formed), the stitches of the elastic courses C21, C22 are knitted so as to intertwine with the stitches of the non-elastic course C1 adjacent in the longitudinal direction L. On the other hand, in the portion where the elastic courses C21, C22 float (see the region A1 in Fig. 2B where the rib R is formed), the elastic courses C21, C22 do not form stitches, and the stitches of the non-elastic course C1 are knitted so as to intertwine with the stitches of another non-elastic course C1 that is closest in the longitudinal direction L across the elastic courses C21, C22 adjacent in the longitudinal direction L (see the region A1 in Fig. 2B where the rib R is formed). As the non-elastic course C1 straddles the elastic courses C21 and C22, the non-elastic course C1 straddling the elastic courses C21 and C22 is exposed as an outer layer Ka (see FIG. 2A), and the elastic courses C21 and C22 straddling the non-elastic course C1 are exposed as an inner layer Kb (see FIG. 2A).

[0039] 2A, in this embodiment, in the crew socks 1, the non-elastic course C1 that forms the outer fabric Ka is knitted to form the rib R, and the stitches of the elastic courses C21 and C22 that form the lining fabric Kb are knitted so as to float at intervals of two or more stitches without entangling with the stitches of the non-elastic course C1. As a result, when the crew socks 1 are stretched, the outer fabric Ka of the crew socks 1 stretches in the width direction W so that the deflected rib R reduces its deflection without interfering with the stretch of the elastic yarns Y21 and Y22 of the elastic courses C21 and C22 of the lining fabric Kb. However, because the outer fabric Ka is made of the non-elastic yarn Y1, it stops stretching when the deflection of the rib R is eliminated.

[0040] The behavior of the crew socks 1 when putting them on and taking them off will be further explained with reference to Figure 3. As described above, in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 2A, the outer fabric Ka of the crew socks 1 is made of inelastic yarn Y1, but the rib R of the outer fabric Ka reduces deflection, allowing it to stretch more easily than the lining Kb. Therefore, in Figure 3, in the region of elongation rates that reduces deflection of the rib R (region of elongation rate Et1 or less), the elongation characteristic F1 of the crew socks 1 mainly becomes the elongation characteristic F11 of the lining Kb (elastic courses C21, C22) of the crew socks 1, and the entire knitted fabric K stretches. On the other hand, in the stretch rate range where the rib R of the outer fabric Ka no longer flexes (range exceeding stretch rate Et1), even if the lining Kb tries to stretch, the outer fabric Ka cannot stretch, so the stretch characteristic F1 of the crew sock 1 mainly becomes the stretch characteristic F12 of the outer fabric Ka (inelastic course C1) of the crew sock 1, and the entire knitted fabric K does not stretch. As a result, when the crew sock 1 is worn around a human leg, which generally expands in diameter from the ankle region R2 toward the lower calf region R3 as shown in Figure 1, if the crew sock 1 is worn higher up the leg, moving away from its corresponding position in the vertical direction, the stretch characteristic F12 of the outer fabric Ka becomes apparent, making it difficult to stretch, as shown in Figure 3. When the crew sock 1 becomes less stretchable, it becomes more difficult to position the crew sock 1 further up the leg, preventing each part of the crew sock 1 from being positioned away from its corresponding part of the human leg. In this way, when the crew socks 1 (ankle region R2 and lower calf region R3) are positioned at the corresponding leg parts of the human body, it becomes easier to apply the designed pressure to the leg parts of the human body.

[0041] The elastic yarns Y21 and Y22 used to knit the knitted fabric K shown in Figures 2A and 2B may be one type of yarn, or two or more types of yarns with different properties. When two or more types of elastic yarns Y21 and Y22 are used, the advantageous properties of each of the elastic yarns Y21 and Y22 may be exhibited in the crew socks 1. Examples of different properties include elastic modulus, yarn thickness, abrasion resistance, and moisture resistance.

[0042] 2B, the elastic yarns Y21 and Y22 include a first elastic yarn Y21 and a second elastic yarn Y22, which are yarns with different properties, and in the elastic courses C21 and C22, the first elastic course C21 made of the first elastic yarn Y21 and the second elastic course C22 made of the second elastic yarn Y22 are knitted alternately in the longitudinal direction L of the crew socks 1. When the elastic courses C21 and C22 made of different elastic yarns Y21 and Y22 are knitted alternately, the advantageous properties of the elastic yarns Y21 and Y22 can be easily exhibited. For example, the first elastic yarn Y21 and the second elastic yarn Y22 can be a single-covered yarn made by wrapping a polyurethane yarn once with a nylon yarn and a double-covered yarn made by wrapping a polyurethane yarn twice with a nylon yarn, respectively. When the above-mentioned single-covered yarn is used as the first elastic yarn Y21 and the above-mentioned double-covered yarn is used as the second elastic yarn Y22, the first elastic course C21 exhibits relatively high elasticity due to the first elastic yarn Y21 having a relatively small proportion of nylon yarn, which is an inelastic yarn, and the second elastic course C22 exhibits relatively low elasticity due to the second elastic yarn Y22 having a relatively large proportion of nylon yarn. By using these two types of elastic yarns with different elasticity, the first elastic course C21 can further improve the fit to the skin, and the second elastic course C22 can more easily apply the desired pressure to the human leg.

[0043] Furthermore, when the above-mentioned single-covered yarn is used as the first elastic yarn Y21 and the above-mentioned double-covered yarn is used as the second elastic yarn Y22, the second elastic yarn Y22 is thicker than the first elastic yarn Y21 due to the large number of windings of the nylon yarn. By using two types of elastic yarns of different thicknesses, the relatively thin first elastic yarn Y21 is sandwiched between the relatively thick second elastic yarn Y22, making the stitches of the lining Kb appear finer, thereby preventing the lining Kb from appearing see-through. To further prevent the lining Kb from appearing see-through, it is preferable that the second elastic yarn Y22 be thicker than the first elastic yarn Y21, and that the thicknesses of both the first elastic yarn Y21 and the second elastic yarn Y22 be 40 denier or more and 110 denier or less.

[0044] The inelastic yarn Y1 used to knit the knitted fabric K may also be of one type, or two or more types. In this embodiment, only one type of inelastic yarn is used as the inelastic yarn Y1. Specifically, the inelastic yarn Y1 is a woolly nylon yarn. Here, woolly nylon yarn is a nylon yarn that has been processed to resemble wool. By using woolly nylon yarn as the inelastic yarn Y1, the rib R exposed as the outer fabric Ka can be given an appearance and feel similar to wool fabric. In order to further give the rib R an appearance and feel similar to wool fabric, the thickness of the inelastic yarn Y1 is preferably 50 denier to 200 denier.

[0045] In FIG. 2B , one elastic course C21 (or one elastic course C22) is knitted for one non-elastic course C1, but a plurality of elastic courses C21 (or a plurality of elastic courses C22) may be knitted for one non-elastic course C1. From the viewpoint of further highlighting the high elasticity of the knitted fabric K in the ankle region R2 and the lower calf region R3, it is preferable that two or less elastic courses C21 (or two or less elastic courses C22) are knitted for one non-elastic course C1. Also, a plurality of non-elastic courses C1 may be knitted for one elastic course C21 (or one elastic course C22). From the viewpoint of more easily applying the desired pressure to the legs of the human body, it is preferable that two or less non-elastic courses C1 are knitted for one elastic course C21 (or one elastic course C22). [Example]

[0046] The following examples will explain the excellent effects of the crew socks of the present invention, but the crew socks of the present invention are not limited to the following examples.

[0047] (Example) As a crew sock according to the embodiment, a crew sock 1 was produced in which multiple ribs R are exposed on the outer surface Ka along the longitudinal direction L, as shown below. By selecting the size of the crew sock 1, the crew sock 1 was designed to have a predetermined pressure in the ankle region R2 (specifically, a pressure in the range of 17 hPa to 33 hPa) and a predetermined pressure in the lower calf region R3 lower than the pressure in the ankle region R2 (specifically, a pressure in the range of 10 hPa to 26 hPa). Based on the selected size, the crew sock 1 was produced by knitting into a predetermined shape. In knitting the crew sock 1, a woolly nylon yarn was used as the inelastic yarn Y1, a single-covered yarn in which nylon yarn was wrapped around polyurethane yarn once was used as the first elastic yarn Y21, and a double-covered yarn in which nylon yarn was wrapped around polyurethane yarn twice was used as the second elastic yarn Y22. In the crew socks 1, a non-elastic course C1 made of the non-elastic yarn Y1, a first elastic course C21 made of the first elastic yarn Y21, and a second elastic course C22 made of the second elastic yarn Y22 were knitted alternately in the longitudinal direction L of the crew socks 1 in the order of the non-elastic course C1, the first elastic course C21, the non-elastic course C1, and the second elastic course C22. The knitting was performed so that the first elastic course C21 and the second elastic course C22 floated every two stitches (see Figure 2B). After the crew socks 1 were produced, a pressure measurement device was used to confirm that the designed pressure was achieved.

[0048] (Comparative Example) To compare the ease of donning and doffing in the ankle region, lower limb garments (spats) were prepared using a knitting method similar to that of the crew socks of the Example, except that one of the two longitudinally adjacent courses was not floating. By selecting the size of the ankle region, the ankle region of the lower limb garment of the Comparative Example was designed to provide the same compression as the crew socks of the Example. Based on the selected size, left and right body sections were cut from a circular knit fabric knitted into a predetermined shape, and the left and right body sections were sewn together to produce the lower limb garment of the Comparative Example. The left and right body sections were knitted using the same first elastic yarn and second elastic yarn as the crew socks of the Example, without using inelastic yarn. In the ankle regions of the left and right body sections, a first elastic course using the first elastic yarn and a second elastic course using the second elastic yarn were knitted using plain knitting. After the lower limb garment of the Comparative Example was produced, a compression measurement device was used to confirm that the designed compression was achieved.

[0049] (Measurement of extension stress against elongation rate) Knitted fabric pieces were cut horizontally from the ankle regions of the crew socks of the example and the lower leg garment of the comparative example. The elongation percentage of each cut knitted fabric piece was measured using a method in accordance with JIS standard L1096:2010, and the elongation stress at that elongation percentage was measured. Using a constant-speed extension tensile tester, the knitted fabric piece was stretched in the longitudinal direction at a tension rate of 50 mm / min, with a grip distance of 50 mm. The elongation percentage was calculated from (L1-L0) / L0 x 100 (%), where L0 is the original length of the knitted fabric piece and L1 is the length after stretching. In socks and lower leg garments, the compression is strongest in the ankle region, which is shorter in circumference than the calf region, so in order to compare the ease of donning and doffing of socks and lower leg garments, the elongation rate and elongation stress in the width direction of the ankle region of the crew socks of the example and the lower leg garment of the comparative example were compared. The measurement results are shown in Table 1.

[0050] [Table 1]

[0051] (Measurement results) As can be seen from Table 1, the crew socks according to the Examples stretch to the same elongation rate at a lower elongation stress than the lower leg garments according to the Comparative Examples. These results show that the crew socks according to the Examples stretch more easily than the lower leg garments according to the Comparative Examples, even though the knitted fabric contains inelastic yarn, and have a smaller gradient in the elongation characteristics. Because the crew socks according to the Examples stretch more easily than the lower leg garments according to the Comparative Examples, they are easier to put on and take off, even in the ankle region where pressure is high. Furthermore, because the crew socks according to the Examples stretch more easily than the lower leg garments according to the Comparative Examples, they conform more easily to the skin when worn, and are thought to provide a good fit to the skin in the ankle region (and lower calf region). Furthermore, the crew socks according to the examples have a smaller gradient in the stretch characteristics than the lower leg garments according to the comparative examples, and therefore it is thought that when the ankle region (and lower calf region) expands and contracts in accordance with changes in the circumference of the human leg due to walking, etc., the change in the value of pressure applied to the skin is small and the stability of the pressure applied is good. In this way, the reason why the knitted fabric is easy to stretch even though it is knitted with inelastic yarn is presumably because, as mentioned above, the rib of the outer fabric made of inelastic yarn stretches in a way that reduces bending without interfering with the elastic deformation of the lining made of elastic yarn.

[0052] We also used the crew socks 1 to verify whether crew-length socks could reduce swelling. The method for verifying the swelling reduction effect was as follows. First, six subjects each wore crew socks 1 on one leg and remained barefoot on the other leg while standing for six hours. Six hours after wearing crew socks 1, a 3D scanner was used to measure the volume of each leg from the ankle to below the knee, and the average was calculated. Additionally, the ankle circumference and calf circumference of each leg were manually measured, and the average was calculated. The average volume from the ankle to below the knee of the leg wearing crew socks 1 was compared with the average volume from the ankle to below the knee of the bare foot, and the ankle circumference and calf circumference were also compared between the leg wearing crew socks 1 and the bare foot.

[0053] As a result, the volume of the bare legs increased by an average of 5.6%, while the volume of the legs wearing Crew Socks 1 was limited to a 2.7% increase. Additionally, the ankle circumference of the bare legs increased by an average of 0.3 cm, while the ankle circumference of the legs wearing Crew Socks 1 did not increase. Additionally, the lower calf circumference of the bare legs increased by an average of 0.4 cm, while the lower calf circumference of the legs wearing Crew Socks 1 was limited to an average increase of 0.1 cm. Thus, it was found that by setting the compression of Crew Socks 1 within a specified range, swelling can be reduced even with crew length socks, and sufficient compression effects can be obtained.

[0054] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. Note that the above-described embodiments mainly describe devices having the following configurations.

[0055] (1) A compression crew sock comprising a heel region corresponding to the heel of a human body, an ankle region adjacent to the heel region and corresponding to the ankle of a human body, and a lower calf region having a foot insertion opening and corresponding to the lower calf of a human body, the compression being designed to gradually decrease from the ankle region to the lower calf region, The compression crew socks are knitted in the ankle region and the lower calf region using elastic yarn, and one of two courses adjacent in the longitudinal direction of the ankle region and the lower calf region is knitted with a floating pattern at a cycle of two or more stitches.

[0056] In the case of (1), one course of the crew socks is knitted with a floating interval of two or more stitches. By floating one course with a floating interval of two or more stitches, the one course does not become entangled with the other course and is less likely to be constrained by the stitches of the other course, making it easier to stretch in the width direction, resulting in a knitted fabric of crew socks that is more elastically deformable. As a result, the ankle and lower calf regions are more likely to conform to the skin of the human body, resulting in a good fit to the skin in the ankle and lower calf regions. Furthermore, by applying a relatively small elongation stress to the ankle and lower calf regions, the crew socks can be put on and taken off, making them easy to put on and take off. Furthermore, when the circumference of the human leg changes as the muscles of the human body expand and contract during walking, the change in the pressure value of the crew socks on the skin is small, resulting in good stability of the pressure applied to the skin. Furthermore, crew socks are designed so that the pressure gradually decreases from the ankle area to the lower calf area, so that when the crew socks are worn on the lower limbs of a person, the ankle and lower calf areas compress the muscles and push blood upward, which is expected to have the effect of reducing fatigue and swelling in the lower limbs.

[0057] (2) The compression crew socks according to (1), wherein the ankle region and the lower calf region are knitted with one of the courses being floated at a cycle of 2 or more and 6 or less stitches.

[0058] In the case of (2), the high elasticity of the knitted fabric of the crew socks is more prominent, and the desired pressure on the legs of the human body can be more easily applied.

[0059] (3) The ankle region and the lower calf region have an outer fabric and a lining, and a plurality of ribs along the longitudinal direction of the ankle region and the lower calf region are knitted so as to be exposed to the outer fabric, the other of the two adjacent courses is a non-elastic course made of non-elastic yarn that forms the face fabric, the one course is an elastic course made of elastic yarn that forms the lining, A compression crew sock according to (1) or (2), wherein the non-elastic courses and the elastic courses are knitted alternately in the longitudinal direction of the ankle region and the lower calf region.

[0060] In the case of (3), the outer fabric of the crew socks stretches in the width direction so that the deflected ribs reduce the deflection without interfering with the elongation of the elastic yarn in the elastic course of the lining. However, because the outer fabric is made of inelastic yarn, it stops stretching when the deflection of the ribs is eliminated, preventing each part of the crew socks from being positioned out of place on the corresponding part of the human leg. In this way, when the crew socks are positioned in the corresponding part of the human leg, it becomes easier to apply the designed pressure to that part of the leg.

[0061] (4) The elastic yarn includes a first elastic yarn and a second elastic yarn which are yarns having different properties from each other, A compression crew sock described in any one of (1) to (3), wherein in the elastic courses of the knitted fabric, first elastic courses made of the first elastic yarn and second elastic courses made of the second elastic yarn are knitted alternately in the longitudinal direction of the ankle region and the lower calf region.

[0062] In the case of (4), it becomes easier to bring out the advantageous properties of each elastic yarn.

[0063] (5) The non-elastic yarn is a wooly nylon yarn, The first elastic yarn is a single-covered yarn in which a nylon yarn is wound around a polyurethane yarn in one layer, The compression crew socks according to any one of (1) to (4), wherein the second elastic yarn is a double-covered yarn in which nylon yarn is wound twice around polyurethane yarn.

[0064] In the case of (5), the single-covered yarn, which tends to have a relatively high elasticity, further improves the fit to the skin, while the double-covered yarn, which tends to have a relatively low elasticity, makes it easier to apply the desired pressure to the human leg. Furthermore, the relatively thin single-covered yarn is sandwiched between the relatively thick double-covered yarn, making the lining stitches appear finer, preventing the lining from appearing see-through. Furthermore, by using woolly nylon yarn as the inelastic yarn, the outer fabric can be given the appearance and feel of wool.

[0065] (6) A compression crew sock described in any one of (1) to (5), wherein when the compression crew sock is worn on a human body, the tensile stress of the ankle region is 1N to 3N, the tensile stress of the lower calf region is 1N to 3N in the longitudinal direction of the compression crew sock, and the tensile stress of the ankle region is 2N to 5N, and the tensile stress of the lower calf region is 2N to 5N in the width direction of the compression crew sock.

[0066] In the case of (6), when the crew socks are worn on the lower legs of a human body, they can provide moderate support to the legs without giving a feeling of tightness to the skin. [Explanation of symbols]

[0067] 1 crew socks A1 Area where ribs are formed A2 Area where ribs are not formed AP leg insertion opening C. The most protruding part of the calf C1 The other course (non-elastic course) C21 One course (first elastic course) C22 One course (second elastic course) H Center of the curved part of the heel area K knitted fabric Ka outer fabric Kb lining L Longitudinal direction R Rib R1 heel area R2 ankle area R3 Lower calf area R4 foot area R31 Rubber mouth part T Toe W width direction Y1 Non-elastic yarn Y21 First Elastic Yarn Y22 Second Elastic Yarn

Claims

1. A compression crew sock comprising a heel region corresponding to the heel of a human body, an ankle region adjacent to the heel region and corresponding to the ankle of a human body, and a lower calf region having a foot insertion opening and corresponding to the lower calf of a human body, the compression being designed to gradually decrease from the ankle region to the lower calf region, The compression crew socks are knitted in the ankle region and the lower calf region using elastic yarn, and one of two courses adjacent in the longitudinal direction of the ankle region and the lower calf region is knitted with a floating pattern at a cycle of two or more stitches.

2. The compression crew socks according to claim 1, wherein the ankle region and the lower calf region are knitted in a floating manner with a cycle of two or more and six or less stitches in one of the courses.

3. The ankle region and the lower calf region have an outer fabric and a lining, and a plurality of ribs extending along the longitudinal direction of the ankle region and the lower calf region are knitted so as to be exposed to the outer fabric, the other of the two adjacent courses is a non-elastic course made of non-elastic yarn that forms the face fabric, the one course is an elastic course made of elastic yarn that forms the lining, The non-elastic courses and the elastic courses are knitted alternately in the longitudinal direction of the ankle region and the lower calf region. The compression crew socks according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The elastic yarn includes a first elastic yarn and a second elastic yarn which are yarns having different properties from each other, In the elastic courses of the knitted fabric, first elastic courses made of the first elastic yarn and second elastic courses made of the second elastic yarn are knitted alternately in the longitudinal direction of the ankle region and the lower calf region. The compression crew sock of claim 3.

5. the inelastic yarn is a wooly nylon yarn, the first elastic yarn is a single-covered yarn in which a nylon yarn is wound around a polyurethane yarn in one layer, The second elastic yarn is a double-covered yarn in which a nylon yarn is wound twice around a polyurethane yarn. The compression crew sock of claim 4.

6. When the compression crew socks are worn on a human body, the ankle region has a stretch stress of 1N to 3N in the longitudinal direction of the compression crew socks, the calf region has a stretch stress of 1N to 3N, and the ankle region has a stretch stress of 2N to 5N in the width direction of the compression crew socks, and the calf region has a stretch stress of 2N to 5N.

6. The compression crew sock of claim 5.

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