Clothing item such as stirrup sock or stirrup gaiter

Abstract

The present invention relates to an article of clothing (10) comprising a knitted main tubular portion (20) arranged to receive at least a portion of the leg and a knitted stirrup band (30) arranged to receive a portion of the foot, wherein the knitted stirrup band (30) and the knitted main tubular portion (20) are in knitted connection, and the stirrup band (30) comprises a knitted medial stirrup portion (40) comprising rows of stitches knitted back and forth and a knitted lateral stirrup portion (50) comprising rows of stitches knitted back and forth. Figure for abstract: 1

Description

Title of the invention: Clothing item such as stirrup sock or stirrup gaiter Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of articles of clothing intended to receive at least part of the leg and comprising a stirrup band for the foot.

[0002] The present invention relates to the technical field of methods for manufacturing articles of clothing intended to receive at least part of the leg and comprising a stirrup band for the foot. Prior art

[0003] Stirrup socks or stirrup gaiters generally comprise a textile tubular part receiving all or part of the leg, and a stirrup band whose two ends are secured to an open tubular end of the foot exiting the textile tubular part. The ends of the stirrup bands can be sewn along the open tubular end, which requires an additional manufacturing step. In addition, the seams can be uncomfortable and generate friction with the foot.

[0004] There is therefore a need for an article of clothing comprising a knitted tubular part and a stirrup band, in particular for practicing a sport, which is ergonomic, comfortable, and whose manufacture is facilitated. Statement of the invention

[0005] The present invention relates, according to a first aspect, to an article of clothing comprising a knitted main tubular part arranged to receive at least a part of the leg and a knitted stirrup band arranged to receive a part of the foot.

[0006] Advantageously: - the knitted stirrup band and the knitted main tubular part are in knitted connection, and - the stirrup band comprises a knitted medial stirrup portion comprising rows of stitches knitted back and forth and a knitted lateral stirrup portion comprising rows of stitches knitted back and forth.

[0007] Advantageously, the stirrup band is knitted on the same circular knitting machine as the knitted main tubular part so that no subsequent manufacturing step is necessary to secure the stirrup band to the main tubular part.

[0008] In addition, the stirrup band is knitted with rows of stitches knitted back and forth so that at least part of the columns of stitches of the stirrup band are parallel to at least part of the columns of stitches of the tubular main part, thus improving the ergonomics and comfort of the article of clothing.

[0009] Advantageously, the knitted medial, respectively lateral, stirrup part comprises rows of stitches extending in a direction T1, respectively T2, and the knitted main tubular part comprises rows of stitches extending in a direction T3, T1 or T2 being substantially parallel to T3.

[0010] Advantageously, the knitted main tubular part comprises a longitudinal axis of revolution L, in particular substantially parallel to the direction of the columns of stitches of the knitted main tubular part, and a transverse radial axis T, in particular substantially parallel to the direction of the rows of stitches of the knitted main tubular part, more particularly the transverse radial axis T is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of revolution L.

[0011] Advantageously, the direction of at least a portion of the stitch columns C1 or C2 of the knitted medial or lateral stirrup portion is substantially parallel to the axis L.

[0012] Advantageously, the medial, respectively lateral, stirrup portion extends substantially between a proximal end and a distal end, and the mesh columns C1 or C2 extend longitudinally from the proximal end towards the distal end.

[0013] The height, or length, of the main knitted tubular part depends on the intended application and / or the area(s) of the leg to be covered.

[0014] The height, or length, of the main tubular part is between 0.50 cm and 100 cm, in particular is between 0.50 cm and 80 cm (upper and lower limits included).

[0015] The length / height of the tubular part is advantageously adjusted with the number of rows of circular knitted stitches.

[0016] The main tubular part can thus extend in height / length only in the ankle region, or extend to mid-leg, or below the knee, or above the knee.

[0017] Preferably, the main tubular part comprises a proximal end, in particular for introducing the user's foot into the interior volume of the main tubular part, and a distal end, in particular for exiting the user's foot.

[0018] Preferably, the mesh columns of the tubular portion extend longitudinally from its proximal end to its distal end.

[0019] Preferably, the height, or length, of the main tubular portion is the distance between its proximal and distal ends.

[0020] Preferably, the main tubular part comprises, more preferably consists essentially of, rows of circular knitted stitches.

[0021] The main tubular part may comprise a knitted hem, in particular designated welt in English, comprising two superimposed knitted layers, arranged at its proximal end, and / or another knitted hem comprising two superimposed knitted layers arranged at its distal end.

[0022] The diameter of the main tubular part may vary according to its height, in particular decreasing from its proximal end towards its distal end.

[0023] Preferably, the knitted main tubular part and / or the knitted stirrup band each comprises / comprise at least one main yarn and at least one plating yarn, and optionally a woven elastic yarn.

[0024] Preferably, the main tubular part and / or in the stirrup band each comprises / comprises a number of mesh columns per inch (i.e. for 25.4 mm) of between 2 and 15, more preferably of between 2 and 10, preferably of between 4 and 8 (upper and lower limits included).

[0025] In one embodiment, the main yarn of the main tubular part is a spun fiber or multifilament yarn having a linear density greater than or equal to 5 dtex and less than or equal to 100 dtex, in particular less than or equal to 50 dtex.

[0026] In one embodiment, the vanishing yarn comprises an elastic core yarn, in particular made of elastane or the like, and one or two cover yarns. In this case, the vanishing yarn is considered to be an elastic yarn.

[0027] Preferably, the elastic core yarn has a linear mass greater than or equal to 50 dtex and less than or equal to 300 dtex, in particular greater than or equal to 100 dtex, more particularly less than or equal to 200 dtex.

[0028] Preferably, the covering thread(s) are arranged around the elastic core thread by wrapping or air jet.

[0029] Preferably, a covering yarn has a linear mass greater than or equal to 20 dtex and less than or equal to 150 dtex, more preferably greater than or equal to 50 dtex and less than or equal to 120 dtex.

[0030] For example, the vanishing yarn comprises an elastic core yarn, for example of 154 dtex to + / - 20 dtex, and two cover yarns, in particular made of PET or PBT or PA, for example of 78 dtex each to within + / - 10 dtex, in particular arranged by air jet.

[0031] In one embodiment, the main yarn and / or the plating yarn of the stirrup band each comprises / comprise an elastic core yarn, in particular elastane, and one or two cover yarn(s). In this case, the main yarn and the plating yarn are considered elastic yarns.

[0032] Preferably, the covering thread(s) is / are arranged around the elastic core thread by wrapping or air jet.

[0033] Preferably, a covering yarn has a linear mass greater than or equal to 20 dtex and less than or equal to 150 dtex, more preferably greater than or equal to 50 dtex and less than or equal to 120 dtex.

[0034] Preferably, the core yarn of the main yarn has a linear density greater than or equal to 50 dtex and less than or equal to 300 dtex, in particular greater than or equal to 100 dtex, more particularly less than or equal to 200 dtex.

[0035] For example, the main yarn comprises an elastic core yarn, for example of 154 dtex to + / - 20 dtex, and two cover yarns, in particular made of PET or PBT or PA, for example of 78 dtex each to within + / - 10 dtex.

[0036] Preferably, the core yarn of the vanishing yarn has a linear mass greater than or equal to 5 dtex and less than or equal to 100 dtex, in particular greater than or equal to 10 dtex, more particularly less than or equal to 50 dtex.

[0037] For example, the vanishing yarn comprises an elastic core yarn, for example from 22 dtex to + / - 15 dtex, and two cover yarns, in particular made of PET or PBT or PA, for example each of 78 dtex to within + / - 10 dtex.

[0038] The main yarn of the main tubular part, and / or the cover yarn(s) of the core yarn of the vanishing yarn (regardless of the main tubular part and / or the stirrup band) may be a spun yarn of fibers or a multifilament yarn, in particular made of polyethylene terephthalate or polybutylene terephthalate, polyamide(s), polypropylene or polyethylene, or even a natural or partially natural material, for example cotton, viscose, linen, hemp.

[0039] Preferably, the total linear mass of elastic core yarn in the stirrup band (for example approximately 176 dtex) is greater than or equal to the total linear mass of elastic core yarn in the main tubular part (for example approximately 154 dtex).

[0040] The main tubular part may further comprise, depending on the desired effect, an elastic main wire as described above.

[0041] In an alternative embodiment, the knitted medial or lateral stirrup portion is in knitted connection with the knitted tubular portion via a circular knitted row of stitches of the knitted tubular portion comprising n stitches.

[0042] Advantageously, said row of circular knitted stitches called the row of connecting stitches is arranged at the distal end of the main tubular part.

[0043] Advantageously, the medial and lateral stirrup parts are in knitted connection with said row of circular knitted connecting stitches.

[0044] The width of the stirrup band may vary or be substantially uniform.

[0045] After knitting the so-called connecting row of stitches, part of the stitches of the n stitches of said connecting row of stitches are put on hold, then the part of the The remaining stitches are knitted back and forth. The length of the stirrup band depends on the number of rows of stitches knitted back and forth.

[0046] It is thus possible to decrease the number of stitches progressively by rows of stitches, in particular every two or more rows of stitches, to form a trapezoid corresponding to the shape of a lateral or medial stirrup part, then to increase the number of stitches progressively by rows of stitches until reaching the number of stitches remaining pending in the circular knitted row of stitches, then to knit together the stitches of the last row of stitches of the stirrup band, in particular of the medial or lateral stirrup part, with the stitches remaining pending in the connecting circular knitted row of stitches to form a knitted seam, in particular on a number of stitches less than or equal to n / 2.

[0047] Advantageously, the article of clothing comprises a knitted closing seam, said knitted closing seam comprises stitches of the main tubular part, in particular of a row of circular knitted connecting stitches, and stitches of the stirrup band, in particular of the last row of knitted stitches of the stirrup band (i.e. of the medial or lateral stirrup part).

[0048] In an alternative embodiment, the row of stitches comprising the largest number (pm or pi) of stitches of the knitted medial or lateral stirrup portion comprises at most n / 2 stitches.

[0049] For example, the row of connecting stitches comprises 200 stitches, or n=200, and the number of stitches at most (pm or pl) that the medial or lateral stirrup part comprises is n / 2, or approximately n=100 stitches.

[0050] The number n can vary depending on the diameter targeted for the main tubular part and the gauge of the knitting machine.

[0051] In an alternative embodiment, the knitted medial or lateral stirrup portion has a substantially trapezoidal or rectangular shape.

[0052] As mentioned above, the stirrup band comprises a number of stitches progressively decreasing by rows of stitches in one stirrup part until reaching a minimum, then a number of stitches progressively increasing by rows of stitches in the other stirrup part. Preferably, the zone comprising the minimum number of stitches corresponds to the plantar zone, i.e. the zone arranged under the user's foot.

[0053] It is also possible for the width of the stirrup band to be substantially uniform from one end to the other so as to have a rectangular shape. Thus, the width of the stirrup band corresponds to half the circumference of the distal end of the main tubular part, or to the number n of meshes divided by 2.

[0054] In an alternative embodiment, the medial, or lateral, stirrup portion comprises a proximal stirrup portion and a distal stirrup portion, the main tubular portion knitted comprises a distal end in knitted connection with the proximal stirrup portion of the medial, or lateral, stirrup portion, and the number of stitches (ad) in a row of stitches of the distal stirrup portion is less than the number of stitches (bd) in a row of stitches of the proximal stirrup portion, in particular the number ad is less than or equal to 0.50 * bd.

[0055] Advantageously, the stirrup part has a trapezoidal shape.

[0056] Advantageously, the stirrup part comprises a number of meshes decreasing from its proximal part towards its distal part.

[0057] In an alternative embodiment, the medial, or lateral, stirrup portion comprises a proximal stirrup portion and a distal stirrup portion, the knitted main tubular portion comprises a distal end in knitted connection with the proximal stirrup portion of the medial, or lateral, stirrup portion, and the number of stitches (ad) in a row of stitches of the distal stirrup portion is equal to the number of stitches (bd) in a row of stitches of the proximal stirrup portion to within plus or minus 10%, in particular the number ad is greater than or equal to 0.90 bd and less than or equal to 1.10 bd, more particularly ad is substantially equal to 0.90 bd.

[0058] Advantageously, the stirrup part has a rectangular shape.

[0059] Advantageously, the stirrup part comprises a number of meshes substantially constant to within + / - 10% of its proximal part towards its distal part.

[0060] In an alternative embodiment, the number of stitches (k) of any row of stitches (f) knitted in the knitted medial, or lateral, stirrup portion is greater than or equal to the number of stitches (p) in the row of stitches (f+2) knitted after the row of stitches (f) and in the distal portion of said stirrup portion, the numbers f, p and k being whole numbers and different from 0.

[0061] In an alternative embodiment, the knitted medial stirrup portion and the knitted lateral stirrup portion are symmetrical along a sagittal section plane (Sbe) of the stirrup band, in particular the sagittal section plane Sbe passes through the longitudinal axis of revolution L of the tubular main portion.

[0062] Advantageously, the cutting plane Sbe passes between a distal end of the knitted medial stirrup portion and a distal end of the knitted lateral stirrup portion, in particular the stirrup band comprises a transverse, or anteroposterior, axis of symmetry Tp contained in the plane Sbe.

[0063] In particular, the transverse axis of symmetry Tp is the longitudinal axis of revolution of the tubular stirrup strip.

[0064] Preferably, the sagittal section plane Sbe of the stirrup band is understood to mean a vertical and anteroposterior section plane of the foot separating the foot into two left and right parts, and possibly the leg into two left and right parts.

[0065] Preferably, the sagittal section plane Sbe is parallel to the sagittal section plane median of the body separating the body into two symmetrical left and right parts.

[0066] In an alternative embodiment, the medial stirrup portion is in knitted connection with the lateral stirrup portion in a plantar knitted region.

[0067] In an alternative embodiment, the stirrup band forms a through opening for the passage of the heel and another through opening for the passage of the forefoot.

[0068] In an alternative embodiment, the knitted tubular main part comprises a circular knitted opening for the introduction of the foot, and another circular knitted opening for the exit of the foot from said knitted main part in knitted connection with the knitted stirrup band.

[0069] The present invention also relates to a method for manufacturing an article of clothing according to any one of the variant embodiments with reference to the first aspect of the invention, comprising the following steps carried out on a circular knitting machine: - a step (i) of circular knitting of a knitted main tubular part arranged to receive at least a part of the leg; and - a step (ii) of knitting a stirrup band so that the stirrup band is in knitted connection with the main tubular part, said knitting step (ii) comprises: - a step (iia) of knitting a medial, respectively lateral, stirrup part back and forth, - a step (iib) of knitting a lateral stirrup part, respectively medial, back and forth; and - a step of recovering the clothing item from the knitting machine.

[0070] Advantageously, the medial or lateral stirrup part is knitted with rows of stitches knitted back and forth.

[0071] Advantageously, the main tubular part comprises circularly knitted stitches.

[0072] Preferably, step (ii) is carried out after step (i).

[0073] Preferably, step (iia) comprises knitting the medial stirrup portion, res respectively laterally, from at least a portion of the stitches of a row of circular knitted stitches of the knitted main tubular part, the remaining stitches of said row of circular knitted stitches are put on hold. Step (iia) may be carried out by progressively decreasing the number of stitches knitted per row of stitches or by maintaining a substantially constant number of stitches to within + / - 10%, until the desired height for the stirrup part is reached.

[0074] Step (iib) is performed after step (iia). Step (iib) comprises knitting the other stirrup portion, from the distal end of the stirrup portion knitted during step (iia). Step (iib) comprises knitting the stirrup portion back, and may be carried out by gradually increasing the number of stitches knitted per row of stitches or by maintaining a substantially constant number of stitches within + / -10%, until the desired height for the stirrup portion is reached.

[0075] Preferably, the gauge (i.e. the number of needles per inch of the circular needle bed) of the circular knitting machine is between 2 and 15, more preferably between 2 and 10, preferentially between 4 and 8 (upper and lower limits included).

[0076] In an alternative embodiment, step (iia) comprises knitting the lateral, respectively medial, stirrup part by progressively decreasing the number of stitches knitted per row of stitches, then step (iib) comprises knitting the medial, respectively lateral, stirrup part by progressively increasing the number of stitches knitted per row of stitches.

[0077] Preferably, the degression is carried out by decreasing or increasing the number of stitches per row of stitches every at least two rows of stitches.

[0078] In an alternative embodiment, the method comprises a step (iii) of securing by knitting the lateral stirrup part, respectively the medial part, to the knitted main tubular part.

[0079] Advantageously, the step of securing (iii) by knitting the proximal end of the lateral stirrup part, respectively medial, to the main tubular part comprises the production of a knitted closing seam comprising stitches of said stirrup part and stitches of the main tubular part, in particular said stitches comprise at least a portion of the stitches remaining pending from the row of circular knitted stitches connecting the main tubular part.

[0080] The features and variant embodiments with reference to the first aspect of the invention may be combined with each other independently of each other, and with any of the variant embodiments with reference to the second aspect of the invention. Description of the drawings

[0081] The invention will be better understood on reading the following description of the embodiments of the invention given as non-limiting examples, with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

[0082] [Fig-1] [Fig.l] schematically represents, in perspective and side view, a first example of an article of clothing according to the invention arranged on a stand;

[0083] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] schematically represents the article of clothing according to the [Fig.l] front view;

[0084] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] schematically represents, in perspective and side view, a second example of an article of clothing according to the invention. Description of the embodiments

[0085] The first example of an article of clothing 10 comprises a knitted main tubular portion 20 arranged to receive at least a portion of the leg and a knitted stirrup band 30 arranged to receive a portion of the foot. Advantageously, the knitted stirrup band 30 and the knitted main tubular portion 20 are in knitted connection via a circular knitted row of stitches 21 comprising n stitches of the knitted tubular portion 20. The stirrup band 30 comprises a knitted medial stirrup portion 40 comprising rows of stitches knitted back and forth and a knitted lateral stirrup portion 50 comprising rows of stitches knitted back and forth.The row of stitches comprising the largest number pm of stitches of the medial stirrup portion 40 and the row of stitches comprising the largest number of stitches pi of the lateral stirrup portion 50 each comprise at most n / 2 stitches, so p and pi are less than or equal to n / 2. In this first example, the medial stirrup portion 40 and the lateral stirrup portion 50 each have a substantially rectangular shape.

[0086] In particular, the medial stirrup portion 40 and the lateral stirrup portion 50 each comprise a proximal stirrup portion 42,52 and a distal stirrup portion 44,54. The knitted main tubular portion 20 comprises a proximal end 22 and a distal end 24, which distal end 24 is in knitted connection with the proximal stirrup portions 42,52 of the medial 40 and lateral 50 stirrup portions.

[0087] The number of stitches ad in a row of stitches of each of the distal stirrup portions 44,54 is greater than or equal to 0.90 * bd and less than or equal to 1.10 * bd, bd being the number of stitches in a row of stitches of each of the proximal stirrup portions 42,52.

[0088] The medial stirrup portion 40 and the lateral stirrup portion 50 are symmetrical along a sagittal section plane Sbe of the stirrup band 30. The stirrup band 30 comprises a transverse axis Tp, which is contained in the plane Sbe. The plane Sbe passes between the distal end 44 of the medial stirrup portion 40 and the distal end 54 of the lateral stirrup portion 50. The axis Tp is preferably an anteroposterior axis, i.e. extending from the rear portion of the foot to the front portion of the foot when the article 10 is worn.

[0089] In particular, the transverse axis Tp is the longitudinal axis of revolution of the tubular stirrup strip 30.

[0090] Advantageously, the medial stirrup portion 40 is in knitted connection with the lateral stirrup portion 50 in a plantar knitted region 32.

[0091] Advantageously, the stirrup strip 30 forms a through opening 34 for the passage of the heel and another through opening 36 for the passage of the forefoot.

[0092] Advantageously, the tubular main part 20 comprises a circular knitted opening 26 for the introduction of the foot, and another circular knitted opening 28 for the exit of the foot in knitted connection with the stirrup band 30.

[0093] The knitted main tubular part 20 has a height H corresponding to the distance between its proximal 22 and distal 24 ends.

[0094] For example, the main tubular part 20 is knitted with a main cotton / lurex yarn of approximately 20 dtex, and a vanishing yarn comprising an elastic core yarn, for example of 154 dtex to + / - 20 dtex, and two covering yarns, in particular of polyamide, for example of 78 dtex each to within + / - 10 dtex, in particular arranged by air jet.

[0095] For example, the stirrup strip 30 is knitted with a main yarn comprising an elastic core yarn, for example from 154 dtex to + / - 20 dtex, and two cover yarns, in particular made of polyamide, for example from 78 dtex each to within + / - 10 dtex, in particular arranged by air jet. The stirrup strip 30 is also knitted with a vanishing yarn comprising an elastic core yarn, for example from 22 dtex to + / - 15 dtex, and two cover yarns, in particular made of PET or PBT or PA, for example from 78 dtex each to within + / - 10 dtex.

[0096] The article of clothing 10 may also comprise a first hem 12 disposed near the proximal end 22 and a second hem 14 disposed near the distal end 24. Each of the hems 12 and 14 comprises a fold of the main tubular part 20 on itself. These hems 12, 14 create an extra thickness and thus facilitate the gripping of the insertion opening 26 for the hem 12 and improve the comfort concerning the hem 14 disposed around the ankle.

[0097] Advantageously, the article of clothing is obtained by a knitting process implemented on a single circular knitting machine.

[0098] Preferably, the knitting machine used may be the Lonati machine 3DF knitting machine, in particular comprising 132 needles, in particular comprising a circular needle bed. It should be noted that a flat knitting machine comprising two needle beds may also be used.

[0099] The method of knitting the clothing article 10 firstly comprises a step (i) of circular knitting the main tubular part 20, starting with the hem 22, up to the distal end 24, then knitting (ii) the stirrup band 30. The knitting of the stirrup band 30 comprises the knitting (iia) of a first stirrup part, for example the medial stirrup part 40 from a part, in particular half, of the stitches of the row of circular knitted stitches 28, the remaining stitches of said row of circular knitted stitches are put on hold. The medial stirrup part 40 is knitted with rows of stitches knitted back and forth until the distal end 44 then the second stirrup part, here the medial stirrup part 50, is knitted from its distal end 54 to its proximal end 52 during a step (iib). Advantageously, during knitting (ii) of the stirrup parts 40 and 50, the number of stitches per row of stitches is substantially the same so as to form a stirrup band 30 having a substantially constant width and which is wide to envelop the foot and the plantar region as much as possible.

[0100] The knitting method finally comprises a step (iii) of securing by knitting the medial stirrup part 50 to the main tubular part 20. In particular, step (iii) comprises the production of a closing knitted seam comprising the stitches of said medial stirrup part 50 and the stitches of the main tubular part 20 remaining pending the row of circular knitted connecting stitches 21.

[0101] Advantageously, the article of clothing 10 is produced by knitting on the same circular knitting machine without a subsequent manufacturing step. The construction also makes it possible to obtain a comfortable article of clothing, without external seams, improving proprioception.

[0102] [Fig. 3] represents a variant of the article of clothing 10. The second example of an article of clothing 100 differs from the article of clothing 10 in that the stirrup band 130 comprises stirrup parts 140 and 150 having a trapezoid shape which makes it possible to form a plantar region 132 which is less wide than the plantar region 32 and therefore a stirrup band 130 which envelops the foot less than the stirrup band 30.

[0103] The stirrup portions 140 and 150 are knitted with rows of stitches knitted back and forth but with a progressive decrease in the number of stitches per row of stitches at least every two rows of stitches when the stirrup portion is knitted from its proximal end to its distal end, and a progressive increase in the number of stitches per row of stitches at least every two rows of stitches when the stirrup portion is knitted from its distal end to its proximal end.

[0104] It is thus possible to modulate the shape, length and width of the stirrup band according to the desired effects.

Claims

Claims

1. An article of clothing (10) comprising a knitted main tubular portion (20) arranged to receive at least a portion of the leg and a knitted stirrup band (30) arranged to receive a portion of the foot, characterized in that: - the knitted stirrup band (30) and the knitted main tubular portion (20) are in a knitted connection, and in that - the stirrup band (30) comprises a knitted medial stirrup portion (40) comprising rows of stitches knitted back and forth and a knitted lateral stirrup portion (50) comprising rows of stitches knitted back and forth.

2. Clothing article (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the knitted medial (40) or lateral (50) stirrup portion is in knitted connection with the knitted tubular portion (20) by means of a circular knitted row of stitches comprising n stitches of the knitted tubular portion (20).

3. Clothing article (10) according to claim 2, characterized in that the row of stitches comprising the largest number (pm or pl) of stitches of the knitted medial (40) or lateral (50) stirrup part comprises at most n / 2 stitches.

4. An article of clothing (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the knitted medial (40) or lateral (50) stirrup portion has a substantially trapezoidal or rectangular shape.

5. Clothing article (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the medial stirrup portion (40), or lateral stirrup portion (50), comprises a proximal stirrup portion and a distal stirrup portion (44, 54), in that the knitted main tubular portion (20) comprises a distal end in knitted connection with the proximal stirrup portion (42, 52) of the medial stirrup portion (40), or lateral stirrup portion (50), and in that: - the number of stitches (ad) in a row of stitches of the distal stirrup portion (44, 54) is less than or equal to 0.50 times the number of stitches (bd) in a row of stitches of the proximal stirrup portion (42, 52), or - the number of stitches (ad) in a row of stitches of the distal stirrup portion (44, 54) is greater than or equal to 0.90 * bd and less than or equal to 1.10 * bd, where bd is the number of stitches in a row of stitches in the proximal stirrup portion (42.52).

6. Clothing article (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the number of stitches (k) of any row of stitches (f) knitted in the medial stirrup portion (40), or lateral stirrup portion (50), knitted is greater than or equal to the number of stitches (p) in a row of stitches (f+2) of the distal portion of said stirrup portion (40,50) knitted after the row of stitches (f), the numbers f, p and k being whole numbers and different from 0.

7. Clothing article (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the knitted medial stirrup part (40) and the knitted lateral stirrup part (50) are symmetrical along a sagittal section plane Sbe of the stirrup band (30), in particular passing through a longitudinal axis of revolution L of the tubular main part (20).

8. An article of clothing (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the medial stirrup portion (40) is in knitted connection with the lateral stirrup portion (50) in a plantar knitted region.

9. Clothing item (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the stirrup band (30) forms a through opening (34) for the passage of the heel and another through opening (36) for the passage of the forefoot.

10. Clothing article (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the knitted tubular main part (20) comprises a circular knitted opening (26) for the introduction of the foot, and another circular knitted opening (28) for the exit of the foot in knitted connection with the knitted stirrup band (30).

11. A method of manufacturing an article of clothing (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that it comprises the following steps carried out on a circular knitting machine: - a step (i) of circular knitting of a knitted main tubular part (20) arranged to receive at least a part of the leg; and - a step (ii) of knitting a stirrup band (30) so that the stirrup band (30) is in knitted connection with the main tubular part, in that said knitting step (ii) comprises: - a step (iia) of knitting a medial stirrup part (40), respectively lateral stirrup part (50), back and forth, - a step (iib) of knitting a lateral stirrup part (50), respectively medial stirrup part (40), back and forth; and - a step of recovering the article of clothing (10) at the outlet of the knitting loom.

12. Manufacturing method according to claim 11, characterized in that step (iia) comprises knitting the lateral stirrup part (50), respectively medial (40), by progressively decreasing the number of stitches knitted per row of stitches, then step (iib) comprises knitting the medial stirrup part (40), respectively lateral (50), by progressively increasing the number of stitches knitted per row of stitches.

13. Manufacturing method according to either of claims 11 and 12, characterized in that it comprises a step (iii) of securing by knitting the lateral stirrup part (50), respectively medial (40), to the knitted main tubular part (20).

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