Legwear

Abstract

Legwear, in particular stockings (100), comprising at least one compression area (142) in which the legwear exerts a compression effect on the leg of the wearer of the legwear when worn, and at least one irritation-inducing structure (156) which, when worn, is arranged on an inner side of the legwear facing the leg of the wearer of the legwear, wherein the stimulus-inducing structure (156) comprises at least one stimulus-inducing functional element (158), characterized by that at least one functional element (158) has a maximum dimension of at most 1.0 cm and that the legwear has at least two stimulus-inducing structures (156) that are separated from each other by an area without a stimulus-inducing structure.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a legwear garment.

[0002] The term legwear includes in particular stockings, socks and any other type of hosiery, including pantyhose.

[0003] DE 199 46 019 C2 discloses a legwear garment according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0004] DE 10 2009 050 031 B3 discloses a stocking made of a material in which several linear elevations are formed on at least one flat side, extending along a basic direction essentially parallel to each other.

[0005] AT 193 541 B discloses a medical varicose vein stocking which is formed by a tuck-in knit in a large area extending from the midfoot area of ​​the stocking over the heel area to the shaft area of ​​the stocking.

[0006] The present invention is based on the objective of creating a legwear garment that is suitable for reducing the risk of injury to the wearer of the legwear garment, particularly during sporting activities, and for compensating for possible functional imbalances of the wearer's musculoskeletal system, as well as for achieving performance optimization in sensory activity.

[0007] This problem is solved by a legwear garment according to claim 1.

[0008] The present invention is based on the concept of exerting a proprioceptive stimulating effect on the wearer of the legwear by means of the stimulus-inducing structure, wherein the proprioceptive stimulating effect of the stimulus-inducing structure is enhanced by the simultaneous compression effect of the legwear on the wearer's leg.

[0009] Physiology has shown that neurophysiological activation of the proprioceptors of the individual (that is, the receptors that enable the perception and control of the current position of the individual's body in space, such as in particular the muscle spindle, the Golgi tendon organ and the joint receptors) can be achieved through stimulation via the skin.

[0010] Through stimulation of the body's own proprioceptors (neurophysiological initiation), improved synchronization and optimization of the recruited muscles of the carrier is achieved, which in turn results in an improvement in body stability, body balance and body statics.

[0011] Thus, by stimulating the proprioceptors, not only can the risk of injury, especially during sporting activities, be reduced, but functional imbalances of the musculoskeletal system can also be balanced.

[0012] An improvement in body stability and / or a reduction in imbalances of the musculoskeletal system results in a balanced, symmetrical posture of the wearer, leading to less strain, a delayed tendency to fatigue and a prolonged feeling of well-being for the wearer.

[0013] Proprioceptive stimulation of the wearer's muscles reduces the risk of injury from incorrect movements and overstretching, and optimizes and synchronizes the wearer's body coordination.

[0014] The legwear according to the invention makes it possible to utilize the positive effect of proprioceptive stimulation, particularly in the area of ​​recreational sports, for prophylactic applications, for example in the business sector, and / or in the wellness or cosmetic sector.

[0015] The legwear according to the invention is a garment worn close to the body, which enables effective proprioceptive stimulation of the wearer's muscles in a simple and easy-to-use manner.

[0016] The legwear according to the invention can in particular be designed as a knee-length stocking.

[0017] The proprioceptive stimulation desired according to the invention is achieved in particular by the targeted placement of at least one stimulus-inducing structure with functional elements that exert a sensory stimulus effect on the muscles of the wearer on the inside of the leg garment facing the body of the wearer.

[0018] The stimulus-inducing structure is preferably arranged at a position of the legwear which, when the legwear is worn, corresponds to an area of ​​the wearer's leg which has the highest possible proprioceptor density.

[0019] Preferred areas for the arrangement of the stimulus-inducing structure are the courses of the myofascial chains, which spiral upwards from the foot through the leg area to the head.

[0020] In a preferred embodiment of the legwear according to the invention, it is provided that the sole area of ​​the legwear remains free of irritation-inducing structures in order to reliably avoid potential adverse stimuli at this point.

[0021] Applying targeted pressure to the wearer's skin along a muscle chain can stimulate the wearer's muscle activity.

[0022] Since the compression effect of the compression area enhances the proprioceptive stimulating effect of the stimulus-inducing structure, it is advantageous if the stimulus-inducing structure is located at least partially, preferably substantially completely, in the at least one compression area of ​​the leg garment.

[0023] Furthermore, for the effectiveness of the proprioceptive stimulating effect of the stimulus-inducing structure, it is advantageous if the stimulus-inducing structure is in direct contact with the skin of the wearer of the legwear when the garment is worn.

[0024] The compression area of ​​the legwear preferably comprises an elastically yielding material.

[0025] In particular, it may be provided that the compression area of ​​the legwear includes a knitted or woven fabric.

[0026] Preferably, the compression area of ​​the legwear garment comprises at least one elastic yarn, for example elastane.

[0027] In principle, the compression area can exhibit an essentially constant course of compression intensity.

[0028] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, however, it is provided that the compression area has a gradual progression of compression strength.

[0029] Particularly when the compression area is located in the shaft area of ​​the legwear, it is advantageous if the compression strength in the compression area decreases upwards, especially towards the waistband area of ​​the legwear.

[0030] The maximum compression strength in the compression area is preferably at least approximately 10 mm Hg.

[0031] Furthermore, it is advantageous if the maximum compression strength in the compression area is at most approximately 32 mm Hg, and in particular at most approximately 25 mm Hg.

[0032] In preferred embodiments of the legwear according to the invention, at least one compression area comprises at least a part of a midfoot area, at least a part of an ankle area and / or at least a part of a shaft area of ​​the legwear.

[0033] The proprioceptive stimulating effect of the stimulus-inducing structure is achieved by the fact that the stimulus-inducing structure includes at least one stimulus-inducing functional element.

[0034] In preferred embodiments of the invention, the stimulus-inducing structure comprises a plurality of such functional elements.

[0035] The various functional elements of the stimulus-inducing structure can be isolated from each other or, especially at the end regions of the functional elements, adjacent to each other.

[0036] Preferably, at least one functional element of a stimulus-inducing structure is designed as a protrusion.

[0037] The functional elements can be formed by attaching or incorporating materials or constructions into a base body, in particular a base knit, of the legwear garment, which lead to a local increase in the textile structure that becomes noticeable as a local pressure point when the legwear garment is worn.

[0038] Preferably, the functional elements are directly and firmly attached to a textile material of the legwear. This allows the stimulation-inducing structure to be optimally positioned on the legwear.

[0039] In principle, all materials and constructions are suitable for the formation of the functional elements that result in a local pressure point on the wearer's skin when the legwear is worn.

[0040] In principle, these can be hard, compact materials, such as wood, plastic of any kind or metal, as well as soft, flexible, plastic materials, such as silicone-based, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)-based or polyurethane (PUR)-based plastics.

[0041] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is provided that at least one functional element contains an elastic, a thermoplastic and / or a thermosetting polymer.

[0042] In particular, it may be provided that at least one functional element contains a silicone, a PVC-based plastisol, a polyurethane-based polymer and / or a polytetrafluoroethylene-based polymer.

[0043] Alternatively or additionally, it may also be provided that at least one functional element is formed by a textile construction, for example by plush, by a spacer knit or by a spacer fabric.

[0044] At least one functional element, preferably a plurality of functional elements, has a teardrop-shaped or knob-shaped form.

[0045] The proprioceptive stimulating effect is particularly beneficial if the functional elements exert a localized pressure load on the wearer's skin.

[0046] It is therefore advantageous that at least one functional element has a maximum dimension (along the main body of the legwear garment) of no more than approximately 1.0 cm. It is particularly advantageous if all functional elements of a stimulus-inducing structure have such a maximum dimension.

[0047] Furthermore, it has proven advantageous if at least one functional element has a maximum dimension (along the base of the legwear garment) of at least approximately 0.2 cm. It is particularly advantageous if all functional elements of a stimulus-inducing structure have such a maximum dimension.

[0048] For example, a functional element of a stimulus-inducing structure may have an essentially circular outer contour.

[0049] However, in principle, each functional element can also have any other outer contour, for example a polygonal outer contour, a triangular outer contour, a square outer contour, a rectangular outer contour or an angled outer contour.

[0050] If functional elements of a stimulus-inducing structure, which are particularly rib-shaped, adjoin each other at their end regions and thus form a continuous stimulus-inducing structure, such a stimulus-inducing structure can be particularly honeycomb-shaped.

[0051] For local, point-specific proprioceptive stimulation of the wearer's muscles, it is essential that between the functional elements of a stimulus-inducing structure, which are particularly point- or line-shaped, there remain areas on the leg garment free of the functional elements, which do not exert any pressure on the wearer's skin when the stocking is worn.

[0052] The height of at least one functional element, that is, its extension perpendicular to the base body of the legwear, by which the functional element projects towards the skin of the wearer, is preferably at least approximately 0.1 cm, in particular at least approximately 0.2 cm.

[0053] Furthermore, it is advantageous if the height of at least one functional element is at most approximately 0.4 cm, in particular at most approximately 0.3 cm.

[0054] Furthermore, it has proven advantageous if the Shore A hardness of the material of at least one functional element is at least approximately 30.

[0055] Preferably, at least one functional element is formed from a material with a Shore A hardness of at most approximately 90.

[0056] The Shore A hardness can be determined according to DIN 53505 or DIN EN ISO 868.

[0057] The placement of stimulation-inducing structures along the muscle / tendon ligaments “Tibialis anterior” and / or the “Peronei” muscles and tendons has proven to be particularly advantageous for effective proprioceptive stimulation.

[0058] It is therefore advantageous if at least one stimulus-inducing structure, when the legwear is worn, overlaps at least partially with the tibialis anterior muscle / tendon band and / or with the peroneal muscles and tendons, for example with the peroneus longus muscle / tendon band, of the wearer of the legwear.

[0059] To achieve selective proprioceptive stimulation and to avoid potential misstimulation, it is advantageous for the legwear to have at least two stimulus-inducing structures that are separated from each other by an area without a stimulus-inducing structure.

[0060] Furthermore, it is advantageous if at least one stimulus-inducing structure is located outside the waistband area of ​​the legwear garment.

[0061] In order to make the location of the stimulus-inducing structures visible from the outside of the legwear, it may be provided that at least one stimulus-inducing structure is arranged in a stimulus-induction zone, which is bordered at least partially by a boundary strip.

[0062] Such a border line can stand out from the base body, in particular by using a color that contrasts with the color of the base body of the legwear.

[0063] To avoid inaccuracies in the positioning of the stimulus-inducing structure when putting on the legwear, the legwear is preferably provided with a marking which, when the legwear is worn, runs essentially along a longitudinal median plane of the legwear, separating an inner side of the legwear from an outer side of the legwear.

[0064] The "inner side" of the legwear is the side of the legwear that faces the opposite leg of the wearer when the legwear is worn.

[0065] The "outer side" of the legwear is accordingly the side of the legwear facing away from the other leg of the wearer when the legwear is worn.

[0066] At least one stimulus-inducing structure of the legwear according to the invention is preferably designed in a substantially strip-like form.

[0067] Furthermore, it may be provided that such a strip-shaped stimulus-inducing structure has a width (i.e., an extent perpendicular to its longitudinal extent) of at most approximately 4 cm, in particular of at most approximately 2 cm.

[0068] The stimulus-inducing structure is preferably firmly connected to a base body, in particular a base knit, of the legwear garment.

[0069] The areal density of the functional elements within a stimulus-inducing structure of the legwear garment is preferably at least approximately 1 per cm². 2 , in particular at least approximately 4 per cm 2 , especially preferred at least approximately 8 per cm 2 .

[0070] Furthermore, the areal density of the functional elements within a stimulus-inducing structure is preferably at most approximately 25 per cm². 2 , in particular at most approximately 16 cm 2 , especially preferred at most approximately 12 cm 2 .

[0071] The aforementioned preferred designs of the functional elements and the stimulus-inducing structure take into account both the efficiency of the stimulation and the wearing comfort for the wearer.

[0072] Further features and advantages of the invention are the subject of the following description and the graphic representation of an exemplary embodiment.

[0073] The drawings show: Fig. 1 A thematic front view of a right stump showing areas of compression and areas of stimulation induction; Fig. 2 a schematic front view of a left stocking with compression areas and stimulation induction zones; Fig. 3 a schematic side view of the left stocking Fig. 2, facing the left outside of the stocking; Fig. 4 a schematic representation of a point- or circular-shaped functional element of a stimulus-inducing structure; Fig. 5 a schematic top view of a triangular functional element of a stimulus-inducing structure; Fig. 6 a schematic top view of a square functional element of a stimulus-inducing structure; Fig. 7 a schematic top view of a rectangular functional element of a stimulus-inducing structure; Fig. 8 a schematic top view of an angled functional element of a stimulus-inducing structure; and Fig. 9 A schematic top view of a section of a honeycomb-shaped stimulus-inducing structure.

[0074] Identical or functionally equivalent elements are designated with the same reference symbols in all figures.

[0075] A in Fig. 1 in a version to be worn on the right leg and in the Fig. 2 and Fig. 3. The stocking, shown in a version to be worn on the left leg and designated as a whole by 100, comprises a waistband area 102 at the upper end of the stocking, a shaft area 104 extending downwards from the waistband area, and a foot area 106 extending downwards and forwards from the shaft area 104, which, when worn, encloses the foot of the wearer.

[0076] The lower half of the foot area 106 of the stocking 100 forms a sole area 108, which includes a lower half 110 of a heel area 112, a lower half 114 of a toe area 116 and an intermediate area 118 located between the heel area 112 and the toe area 116.

[0077] The in Fig. 1. The right stocking shown and the one in the Fig. 2 and Fig. The 3 depicted left stockings are mirror images of each other with respect to a longitudinal median plane 120 of the respective stocking and form a matching pair of stockings.

[0078] In order to distinguish the two stockings 100 of a pair of stockings from each other, the two stockings can be provided with a marking, preferably knitted in, from which it can be seen whether the stocking in question is the left or the right stocking of the pair.

[0079] The side of stocking 100 facing away from the wearer's other leg when worn is referred to in this description as the "outer side" of the respective stocking 100. The outer side of the left stocking is in Fig. 3 shown.

[0080] The side of the stocking 100 that faces the opposite leg of the wearer when wearing the stocking 100 is referred to in this description as the "inner side" of the stocking 100.

[0081] The outer side and the inner side of a stocking 100 are separated from each other by the longitudinal median plane 120 of the stocking 100 in question.

[0082] The side of the stocking 100 facing the wearer's leg when worn ("left side") is referred to in this description as the "inside" of the stocking 100. The side of the stocking 100 facing away from the wearer's leg when worn ("right side") is referred to in this description as the "outside" of the stocking 100.

[0083] The shaft area 104 and the foot area 106 of the stocking 100 are preferably formed continuously from a base knit 122 comprising one or more base yarns. The base yarn(s) can be made of any material, for example, a natural fiber or a synthetic fiber.

[0084] To protect the wearer's leg against pressure or impact and / or to protect against heat loss, the stocking 100 can be provided with one or more pads.

[0085] In particular, the foot area 106 of the sock 100 can be provided with foot padding 124, which extends from the toe area 116 over the intermediate area 118 of the sole area 108 to the heel area 112 and over a toe area 126.

[0086] How best to get from the Fig. 1 and Fig. As can be seen in Figure 2, this foot padding 124 is preferably designed asymmetrically with respect to the longitudinal median plane 120 of the foot area 106 of the stocking 100.

[0087] In particular, on the inner side of the stocking 100, an area of ​​the foot section 106 can be excluded from the foot padding 124, which, when the stocking 100 is worn, is located in the area of ​​the inner arch of the wearer's foot. Since the wearer of the stocking 100 does not bear weight on this area of ​​the inner arch when walking, the outer contour of the foot padding 124 on the underside of the foot section 106 essentially corresponds to the outer contour of the foot contact area of ​​the wearer of the stocking 100.

[0088] On the upper side of the foot area 106, a wedge-shaped area 128 projecting towards the tip of the foot area 106 may be excluded from the foot padding 124.

[0089] This wedge-shaped recessed area 128 is preferably designed asymmetrically with respect to the longitudinal median plane 120 of the foot area 106; in particular, the forward-pointing tip 130 of this wedge-shaped recessed area 128 lies on the inner side of the stocking 100.

[0090] The toe area 116, which is provided with the foot padding 124, can also be designed asymmetrically with respect to the longitudinal median plane 120 of the foot area 106 in order to allow a better adaptation of the stocking 100 to the course of the toes of the wearer of the stocking 100.

[0091] In particular, it may be provided that an inner edge section 132 of the toe area 116 arranged on the side of the big toe of the wearer is inclined at a smaller angle to the longitudinal median plane 120 of the foot area 106 than an outer edge section 134 of the toe area 116 arranged on the side of the little toe of the wearer.

[0092] A method for producing such an asymmetrical toe area 116 is described in EP 1 049 828 B1.

[0093] Furthermore, several channels 136 extending essentially parallel to the longitudinal median plane 120 of the foot area 106 can be provided within the outer contour of the foot padding 124, in the area of ​​which the stocking 100 has a lower degree of reinforcement than in the areas of the foot padding 124 surrounding the channels 136.

[0094] In particular, it may be provided that the stocking 100 in the area of ​​the channels 136 comprises only the basic knit 122, but no additional reinforcing threads.

[0095] The foot padding 124 can include one or more reinforcing threads, which can be made of any material.

[0096] Preferably, the reinforcing thread(s) of the foot padding 124 form plush handles, which are preferably arranged on the "left side of the product", i.e. on the inside of the stocking 100.

[0097] The stocking 100 can further include an Achilles tendon padding 138 which adjoins the foot padding 124 of the heel area 112 along an upper edge and extends upwards from there.

[0098] The Achilles tendon padding 138 can also include one or more reinforcing threads, which can be made of any material.

[0099] Preferably, the degree of reinforcement of the Achilles tendon padding 138 corresponds to the degree of reinforcement of the foot padding 124.

[0100] The stocking 100 also has one or more compression zones 142 in which the stocking 100 exerts a compression effect on the wearer's leg when worn.

[0101] This compression effect can be achieved in particular by incorporating one or more elastic threads into the basic knit 122 of the stocking 100.

[0102] The elastic thread(s) may, in particular, contain elastane.

[0103] In particular, the stocking 100 can have a first compression area 142a extending from the upper edge 144 of the shaft area 104 downwards to a lower edge 146 of the first compression area 142a.

[0104] The lower edge 146 of the first compression area 142a is preferably located above an ankle area 148 of the stocking 100, which, when the stocking 100 is worn, rests against the ankle of the wearer.

[0105] In particular, it can be provided that the lower edge 146 of the first compression area 142a extends at least approximately 1 cm, preferably at least approximately 2 cm, above the ankle area 148.

[0106] Furthermore, the stocking 100 can have a second compression area 142b, which extends from a front edge 150 in the midfoot area to a rear edge 152 in the area of ​​the wearer's ankle (when worn).

[0107] This second compression area 142b serves to stabilize and support both the arch of the foot and the ankle joint of the wearer.

[0108] For comfort reasons, the toe area 116 preferably receives no compression effect.

[0109] In the present embodiment, the lower edge 146 of the first compression area 142a and the rear edge 152 of the second compression area 142b are spaced apart from each other.

[0110] However, it may also be provided that the compression areas 142a, 142b are directly adjacent to each other and form a continuous compression area of ​​the stocking 100.

[0111] The compression strength in the first compression zone 142a and / or in the second compression zone 142b is preferably at least approximately 10 mm Hg and / or at most approximately 32 mm Hg, in particular at most approximately 25 mm Hg.

[0112] The compression strength can be constant in the first compression area 142a and / or in the second compression area 142b across the respective compression area 142a, 142b, or it can exhibit a gradient.

[0113] In particular, the first compression area 142a may exhibit a compression profile in which the compression strength decreases from bottom to top.

[0114] In particular, it may be provided that the compression strength at the upper edge 140 of the first compression area 142a is approximately 60% to approximately 80% of the compression strength at the lower edge 146 of the first compression area 142a.

[0115] Furthermore, the stocking 100 includes one or more stimulus induction zones 154, each of which is provided with a stimulus-inducing structure 156.

[0116] Each stimulus-inducing structure 156 comprises functional elements 158 which, when the stocking 100 is worn, produce a sensory stimulus and proprioceptive stimulation of the wearer's muscles.

[0117] This stimulation leads to increased muscle activity and improves the synchronization of the carrier.

[0118] The functional elements 158 are preferably designed as protrusions that are arranged on the inside of the stocking 100 and act directly on the skin of the wearer.

[0119] Thermoplastic or thermosetting polymers, which may contain additives, are particularly suitable as materials for the surveys.

[0120] Silicones and PVC-based plastisols have proven to be particularly suitable.

[0121] Functional elements 158 made of such materials can be applied to the inside of the basic knit 122 of the stocking 100, for example, by a printing process, in particular by a stencil printing process or a screen printing process.

[0122] Alternatively or additionally, the functional elements 158 can be formed, in particular in the form of elevations, but also by textile materials and / or textile constructions that lead to the formation of an elevation projecting towards the skin of the wearer, such as plush.

[0123] To achieve effective proprioceptive stimulation of the carrier's musculature, it is advantageous if the stimulation is locally limited, especially essentially point-like.

[0124] It is therefore advantageous if the functional elements 158 have a maximum dimension of at most approximately 0.7 cm.

[0125] On the other hand, it has proven advantageous if the largest dimension of the functional elements 158 is at least approximately 0.2 cm each.

[0126] The height of the functional elements 158, that is, their extension perpendicular to the base fabric 122, by which the functional elements 158 project towards the skin of the wearer, is preferably at least approximately 0.1 cm, in particular at least approximately 0.2 cm.

[0127] Furthermore, it has proven advantageous if the height of the functional elements 158 is at most approximately 0.4 cm, in particular at most approximately 0.3 cm.

[0128] Preferably, the functional elements 158 are formed from a material with a Shore A hardness of at least approximately 30.

[0129] Furthermore, it has proven advantageous if the Shore A hardness of the material of the functional elements 158 is at most approximately 90.

[0130] The Shore A hardness can be determined according to DIN 53505 or DIN EN ISO 868.

[0131] Since the stimulation effect of the stimulus induction zones 154 is based on proprioceptive stimulation of the muscle and tendon ligaments, the stimulus-inducing structures 156 are preferably arranged in stimulus induction zones 154 arranged along the muscle pathways.

[0132] For example, the stocking 100 may have an anterior stimulation induction zone 154a, which extends along the muscle / tendon band “Tibialis anterior”, and / or a posterior stimulation induction zone 154, which extends along the muscle / tendon band “Peroneus longus”.

[0133] The stimulus-inducing structure 156 of the anterior stimulus induction zone 154a for stimulating the tibialis anterior muscle / tendon band is located on the outer side of the stocking 100, begins just below the wearer's knee (when worn), and extends above the wearer's lateral malleolus to a maximum of the instep. The width of the anterior stimulus induction zone 154a decreases from top to bottom.

[0134] Preferably, the anterior stimulus induction zone 154a ends at a point 160 on the instep of the wearer's foot.

[0135] The stimulus-inducing structure 156 of the posterior stimulus induction zone 154b for stimulating the peroneus longus muscle / tendon ligament is also located on the outer side of the stocking 100 and is positioned behind and spaced apart from the anterior stimulus induction zone 154a. The posterior stimulus induction zone 154b preferably begins just below the wearer's knee (when worn) and runs along the posterior side of the ankle, where it terminates at a point 162.

[0136] The width of the stimulus induction zones 154, that is, their extension in the circumferential direction of the stocking 100, is preferably dimensioned in such a way that the individual anatomical differences of the various wearers are taken into account.

[0137] The width of the anterior stimulus induction zone 154a and / or the posterior stimulus induction zone 154b is preferably at least approximately 2 cm and / or preferably at most approximately 4 cm at its upper end.

[0138] Since the functional elements 158 of the stimulus induction zones 154 are located on the inside of the stocking 100, they do not need to be visible from the outside of the stocking 100 (as shown in the Fig. 1 to 3 are shown).

[0139] In order to make the location of the stimulus induction zones 154 visible from the outside of the stocking 100 in every case, it can be provided that the stimulus induction zones 154 are bordered at least partially by a boundary strip 164.

[0140] This border strip 164 preferably stands out from the base fabric 122 by means of a color that contrasts with the color of the base fabric 122.

[0141] In particular, it may be provided that the boundary strip 164 is formed by knitting one or more contrasting colored threads into the basic knitting 122.

[0142] In order for the stimulus-inducing structures 156 of the stimulus induction zones 154 to exert the strongest possible stimulation effect on the respective associated muscle and tendon ligaments, the stimulus induction zones 154 should be positioned as precisely as possible on the respective associated muscle and tendon ligaments when worn.

[0143] In order to minimize inaccuracies in the positioning of the stimulus induction zones 154 caused by twisting of the shaft area 104 when putting on the stocking 100, the stocking 100 preferably has a marking strip or marking line 166, which runs essentially centrally from the toe area 116 in a straight line to the waistband area 102 of the stocking 100, along the longitudinal median plane 120 of the stocking 100 and can serve as a positioning aid for the wearer when putting on the stocking 100.

[0144] The marking line 166 preferably stands out from the color of the basic knitting 122 by means of a contrasting color.

[0145] Preferably, the marking line 166 is formed by knitting one or more contrasting colored threads into the basic knitting 122.

[0146] As from the Fig. As can be seen in Figures 1 to 3, the stimulus-inducing structures 156 of the stimulus induction zones 154a, 154b are arranged for the most part, preferably more than 90%, within one of the compression areas 142 of the stocking 100. This ensures that the local pressure exerted on the wearer's skin by the functional elements 158 of the stimulus-inducing structures 156 is intensified by the large-area compression effect of the compression areas 142. The combination of the compression effect of the compression areas 142 on the one hand and the local functional elements 158 of the stimulus-inducing structures 156 on the other hand thus produces a particularly effective proprioceptive stimulation of the wearer's muscles.

[0147] The areal density of the functional elements 158 in the stimulus induction zones 154 is preferably at least approximately 1 per cm². 2 , in particular at least approximately 4 per cm 2 , especially preferred at least approximately 8 per cm2 .

[0148] Furthermore, it has proven advantageous if the area density of the functional elements 158 in the stimulus induction zones 154 is at most approximately 25 per cm. 2 , in particular at most approximately 16 per cm 2 , preferably at most approximately 12 per cm 2 , amounts.

[0149] In the Fig. 1 to 3 are the functional elements 158 of the stimulus-inducing structures 156, schematically represented in an essentially circular fashion.

[0150] A single functional element 158 ​​with a circular border is in Fig. 4 shown.

[0151] The functional elements 158 can, in principle, also have any other outer contours, for example a triangular outer contour (see Fig. 5), a square outer contour (see Fig. 6), a rectangular outer contour (see Fig. 7) or an angled outer contour (see Fig. 8).

[0152] Furthermore, it may be provided that the functional elements 158 of a stimulus-inducing structure 156 are not completely isolated from one another, but rather adjoin each other at their endpoints and thus form a coherent stimulus-inducing structure 156, for example a honeycomb-shaped stimulus-inducing structure 156, as described in Fig. 9 is shown in excerpts.

[0153] However, for a local, point-specific proprioceptive stimulation of the wearer's muscles, it is essential that the functional elements 158 do not cover the entire area of ​​the respective stimulus induction zone 154, but that free surface sections 168 remain between the functional elements 158, which do not exert any pressure on the wearer's skin when the stocking 100 is worn.

Claims

[1] Legwear, in particular stocking (100), comprising at least one compression area (142) in which the legwear exerts a compression effect on the leg of the wearer of the legwear when worn, and at least one irritation-inducing structure (156) which, when worn, is arranged on an inside of the legwear facing the leg of the wearer of the legwear, wherein the stimulus-inducing structure (156) comprises at least one stimulus-inducing functional element (158), characterized by , that at least one functional element (158) has a maximum dimension of at most 1.0 cm and that the legwear has at least two stimulus-inducing structures (156) that are separated from each other by an area without a stimulus-inducing structure. [2] Legwear according to claim 1, characterized by, that the stimulus-inducing structure (156) is located at least partially in the at least one compression area (142) of the leg garment. [3] Legwear according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized by , that the stimulus-inducing structure (156) is in direct contact with the skin of the wearer of the legwear when worn. [4] Legwear according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by , that the compression area (142) of the leg garment comprises a knitted or woven fabric. [5] Legwear according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by , that the compression area (142) of the leg garment includes at least one elastic yarn. [6] Legwear according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by , that the compression area (142) exhibits a gradual progression of compression intensity. [7] Legwear according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by , that the maximum compression strength in the compression area (142) is at least 10 mm Hg. [8] Legwear according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by , that at least one compression area (142) comprises at least part of a midfoot area, at least part of an ankle area and / or at least part of a shaft area (104) of the leg garment. [9] Legwear according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized by , that at least one functional element (158) is designed as a raised section. [10] Legwear according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized by , that at least one functional element (158) contains an elastic, a thermoplastic and / or a thermosetting polymer. [11] Legwear according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized by, that at least one functional element (158) has a maximum dimension of at most 0.7 cm. [12] Legwear according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized by , that the height of at least one functional element (158) is at least 0.1 cm. [13] Legwear according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized by , that at least one functional element (158) has a Shore A hardness of at least 30. [14] Legwear according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized by , that at least one stimulus-inducing structure (156) in the worn state of the legwear is at least partially connected with the tibialis anterior muscle / tendon band and / or with the peroneal muscles and -Tendons of the wearer of the legwear overlap. [15] Legwear according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized by, that the legwear is provided with a marking which, when the legwear is worn, runs substantially along a longitudinal median plane (120) of the legwear, separating an inner side of the legwear from an outer side of the legwear.

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