Clothing

Abstract

To provide clothing that can enhance interest. [Solution] The garment comprises a tubular portion. The tubular portion is a part for covering a specific part of the body. The front surface of the tubular portion has a first front region and a second front region that extends from the first front region in the axial direction of the tubular portion. A first pattern is formed on the first front region or the second front region, or spanning from the first front region to the second front region. The back surface of the tubular portion has a first back region and a second back region. The first back region and the second back region overlap the first front region and the second front region, respectively, in the radial direction of the tubular portion. A second pattern is formed on the first back region. The cylindrical portion is configured to be changeable from an extended state in which the first and second front regions face radially outward and the first patterned portion is exposed, to a folded state in which the first front region is folded back so as to contact the second front region, thereby concealing the first patterned portion and exposing the second patterned portion.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to apparel.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a sock having a pattern formed on its front surface.

PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS

PATENT DOCUMENTS

[0003]

PATENT DOCUMENT 1

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

[0004] According to the present inventors, in apparel having a tubular portion that covers a specific part of the body, such as a sock, the aesthetic appeal can be enhanced by forming a pattern on the front surface thereof. As a result, the satisfaction of the wearer can be improved.

[0005] One aspect of the present disclosure provides an apparel that can enhance aesthetic appeal.

MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEM

[0006] One aspect of the present disclosure is a garment comprising at least a tubular portion. The tubular portion is a cylindrical part for covering a specific part of the body. The tubular portion has a front surface and a back surface, which constitute both sides of the tubular portion. The front surface has a first front region and a second front region. The first and second front regions are tubular. The first front region forms an opening in the tubular portion. The second front region extends from the first front region in the axial direction of the tubular portion. A first pattern is formed in the first or second front region, or spanning from the first to the second front region. The back surface has a first back region and a second back region. The first and second back regions overlap the first and second front regions, respectively, in the radial direction of the tubular portion. A second pattern is formed in the first back region. The cylindrical portion is configured to change from an extended state in which the first and second outer regions face radially outward and the first patterned portion is exposed, to a folded state in which the first outer region is folded back so that it contacts the second outer region, concealing the first patterned portion and exposing the second patterned portion. This configuration can enhance the appeal of the clothing. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] Figure 1A is a perspective view showing the wearer wearing the socks of the first embodiment in an extended state. Figure 1B is a perspective view showing the wearer wearing the socks of the first embodiment in a folded state. [Figure 2] Figure 2A is a partial cross-sectional view of a sock in an extended state according to the first embodiment. Figure 2B is a partial cross-sectional view of a sock in a folded state according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3A is a rear view of the stretched sock according to the first embodiment. Figure 3B is a view of the sock according to the first embodiment turned inside out from the stretched state shown in Figure 3A. Figure 3C is a rear view of the folded sock according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 4A is a partial cross-sectional view of the stretched sock according to the second embodiment. Figure 4B is a front view of the folded sock according to the second embodiment. [Figure 5]Figure 5A is a rear view of the stretched sock according to the third embodiment. Figure 5B is a view of the sock according to the third embodiment turned inside out from the stretched state shown in Figure 5A. Figure 5C is a rear view of the folded sock according to the third embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0009] [1. First Embodiment] [1-1. Structure] The sock 1 shown in Figures 1A and 1B is a garment that covers at least the foot and the foot portion of the lower leg of the wearer W. The foot of the wearer W refers to the area from the toes to the heel. The lower leg of the wearer W refers to the area from the ankle to the knee. The sock 1 is tubular in shape and conforms to the foot and lower leg of the wearer W, with its tip closed. As shown in Figures 2A and 2B, the central axis C of the sock 1 is approximately L-shaped. Hereinafter, the direction along the central axis C will be referred to as the axial direction, the direction perpendicular to the central axis C will be referred to as the radial direction, and the direction surrounding the central axis C will be referred to as the circumferential direction.

[0010] The sock 1 comprises a bag-shaped portion 2 and a tubular portion 3. As shown in Figures 1A and 1B, the bag-shaped portion 2 is the part that covers the wearer's foot. The tubular portion 3 is the part that covers at least the foot-side portion of the wearer's lower leg. In this embodiment, the tubular portion 3 covers the wearer's ankle to partway up the calf. However, the tubular portion 3 may, for example, cover only the wearer's ankle, or it may cover the wearer's ankle to the knee. Alternatively, for example, the tubular portion 3 may cover the wearer's thigh in addition to the lower leg. The wearer's thigh refers to the area from the knee to the hip joint.

[0011] As shown in Figures 2A and 2B, the bag-shaped portion 2 is cylindrical with a closed end. In other words, the bag-shaped portion 2 is bag-shaped. The central axis C is straight in the area covering the bag-shaped portion 2 from the toes to just before the heel, and curved in the area covering the heel. The bag-shaped portion 2 has a front surface 20 and a back surface 21. The front surface 20 and the back surface 21 constitute both sides of the bag-shaped portion 2.

[0012] The cylindrical portion 3 extends axially from the base end of the bag-shaped portion 2. The base end of the bag-shaped portion 2 is the end opposite to the closed tip of the bag-shaped portion 2. The cylindrical portion 3 is cylindrical. The central axis C is straight throughout the entire area of ​​the cylindrical portion 3. The diameter of the cylindrical portion 3 increases as it moves away from the bag-shaped portion 2. The cylindrical portion 3 has a front surface 30 and a back surface 31. The front surface 30 and the back surface 31 constitute both surfaces of the cylindrical portion 3.

[0013] As shown in Figure 3A, the front surface 30 has first to third front regions 30A, 30B, and 30C. The first to third front regions 30A, 30B, and 30C are all cylindrical. The first front region 30A forms an opening M. The opening M is located on the opposite side of the bag-shaped portion 2 in the axial direction of the cylindrical portion 3. The opening M constitutes the opening of the sock 1. When a wearer W puts on the sock 1, the wearer W inserts their foot into the inside of the cylindrical portion 3 through the opening M. The second front region 30B is connected axially from the first front region 30A. The second front region 30B is connected from the first front region 30A towards the bag-shaped portion 2. The third front region 30C is connected from the second front region 30B to the opposite side of the first front region 30A, that is, towards the bag-shaped portion 2. The first surface area 30A, the second surface area 30B, and the third surface area 30C are arranged in this order from the opening M side in the axial direction. The third surface area 30C is connected to the bag-shaped portion 2.

[0014] As shown in Figure 3B, the back surface 31 has first to third back regions 31A, 31B, and 31C. The first to third back regions 31A, 31B, and 31C are all cylindrical. The first to third back regions 31A, 31B, and 31C overlap the first to third front regions 30A, 30B, and 30C in the radial direction, respectively. The first back region 31A, together with the first front region 30A, forms an opening M. The second back region 31B is connected axially from the first back region 31A. The second back region 31B is connected from the first back region 31A towards the bag-shaped portion 2. The third back region 31C is connected from the second back region 31B to the opposite side from the first back region 31A, that is, towards the bag-shaped portion 2. The third back region 31C is connected to the bag-shaped portion 2.

[0015] The cylindrical portion 3 is configured to change from the stretched state shown in Figures 2A and 3A to the folded state shown in Figures 2B and 3C. In the stretched state, the first to third front regions 30A, 30B, and 30C face radially outward, and the first to third back regions 31A, 31B, and 31C face radially inward. In other words, the front surface 30 is the surface that faces radially outward in the stretched state. The back surface 31 is the surface that faces radially inward in the stretched state. As shown in Figure 1A, when the wearer W wears the sock 1 in the stretched state, the front surface 30 is visible, and the back surface 31 is not visible. As shown in Figures 2B and 3C, the cylindrical portion 3 is changed from the stretched state to the folded state by folding the first front region 30A so that it contacts the second front region 30B. In the folded state, the second and third front regions 30B, 30C and the first back region 31A face radially outward, while the first front region 30A and the second and third back regions 31B, 31C face radially inward. Although the second front region 30B faces radially outward, the first front region 30A is in contact with it and is covered by the first back region 31A from the radially outward side along with the first front region 30A. Therefore, as shown in Figure 1B, when the wearer W wears the sock 1 in the folded state, the third front region 30C and the first back region 31A are visible, while the first and second front regions 30A, 30B and the second and third back regions 31B, 31C are not visible.

[0016] As shown in Figures 3A and 3C, a first patterned area 300 and a third patterned area 320 are formed on the front surface 30. The first patterned area 300 is formed in the first front region 30A or the second front region 30B, or spanning from the first front region 30A to the second front region 30B. In this embodiment, the first patterned area 300 is formed spanning from the first front region 30A to the second front region 30B. The third patterned area 320 is formed in the third front region 30C. As shown in Figures 3B and 3C, a second patterned area 310 is formed on the back surface 31. The second patterned area 310 is formed in the first back region 31A. The first to third patterned areas 300, 310, and 320 are formed in areas where at least a portion of them overlap each other in the circumferential direction of the front surface 30 and the back surface 31. In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 1A and 1B, the first to third patterned sections 300, 310, and 320 are formed so as to be located on the calf side of the wearer W when the wearer W wears the socks 1.

[0017] The first to third pattern sections 300, 310, and 320 may constitute a single pattern on their own, or they may form a single pattern together with other pattern sections. In this specification, "pattern" includes letters, numbers, figures, pictures, designs, etc. The letters referred to here include not only typical letters but also stylized letters such as monograms. Specific examples of figures include circles, polygons, stars, etc. Specific examples of pictures include images of animals, vehicles, plants, etc. Specific examples of designs include checkerboard patterns, stripes, polka dots, etc.

[0018] The first to third pattern portions 300, 310, and 320 of the present embodiment do not each form a single pattern by themselves, but form a single pattern integrally with another pattern portion. As shown in FIG. 3A, in the stretched state, the first pattern portion 300 and the third pattern portion 320 are exposed. At this time, the third pattern portion 320 is continuous with the first pattern portion 300. For example, the lines drawn on the third pattern portion 320 are continuous with the lines drawn on the first pattern portion 300. As a result, the third pattern portion 320 forms a single pattern integrally with the first pattern portion 300. As shown in FIG. 3C, in the folded state, the first pattern portion 300 is hidden, and the second pattern portion 310 and the third pattern portion 320 are exposed. At this time, the third pattern portion 320 is continuous with the second pattern portion 310. As a result, the third pattern portion 320 forms another single pattern integrally with the second pattern portion 310. In this way, since the third pattern portion 320 forms different patterns integrally with each of the first pattern portion 300 and the second pattern portion 310, the common part of the two patterns to be formed is drawn on the third pattern portion 320.

[0019] As an example, in the third pattern portion 320 of the present embodiment, parts of the thorax and the abdomen of a rhinoceros beetle and a stag beetle are drawn. The remaining part of the thorax and the head of the rhinoceros beetle are drawn on the first pattern portion 300, and the remaining part of the thorax and the head of the stag beetle are drawn on the second pattern portion 310, respectively. As a result, in the stretched state, the third pattern portion 320 integrally forms the pattern of the rhinoceros beetle with the first pattern portion 300. In the folded state, the third pattern portion 320 integrally forms the pattern of the stag beetle with the second pattern portion 310. As shown in FIG. 1A, when the wearer W wears the sock 1 in the stretched state, the pattern of the rhinoceros beetle is visible. As shown in FIG. 1B, when the wearer W wears the sock 1 in the folded state, the pattern of the stag beetle is visible.

[0020] As another specific example, a vehicle tire may be drawn on the third pattern portion, and portions other than the tire of mutually different vehicles may be drawn on the first pattern portion and the second pattern portion. In this case, the third pattern portion, together with the first pattern portion or the second pattern portion, constitutes a vehicle pattern such as that of an ambulance, a fire truck, a truck, or a police car. As yet another specific example, a railway track may be drawn on the third pattern portion, and mutually different railway vehicles may be drawn on the first pattern portion and the second pattern portion.

[0021] As shown in Figure 2A and Figure 2B, the tubular portion 3 has first and second fabric portions 3A and 3B. The first and second fabric portions 3A and 3B overlap each other in the radial direction. For this reason, at least a part of the tubular portion 3 has a two-layer structure. The tubular portion 3 of the present embodiment has a two-layer structure over substantially the entire region. The first fabric portion 3A forms the front surface 30. The second fabric portion 3B forms the back surface 31. When the first and second fabric portions 3A and 3B are constituted by a continuous fabric, the ends on the opening M side of the first and second fabric portions 3A and 3B are continuous with each other. The end of the second fabric portion 3B on the bag-shaped portion 2 side is joined to the first fabric portion 3A. The first and second fabric portions 3A and 3B are joined to each other at a position farther from the opening M than all of the pattern portions 300, 310, and 320. In the present embodiment, the first and second fabric portions 3A and 3B are joined to each other at a position covering the ankle of the wearer W. The first and second fabric portions 3A and 3B are, for example, sewn to each other.

[0022] [1-2. Effects] According to the first embodiment described in detail above, the following effects can be obtained.

[0023] (1a) The sock 1 has a tubular portion 3. The front surface 30 of the tubular portion 3 has first to third front regions 30A, 30B, and 30C. The back surface 31 of the tubular portion 3 has first to third back regions 31A, 31B, and 31C. The first pattern portion 300 is formed on the first front region 30A or the second front region 30B, or across from the first front region 30A to the second front region 30B. The second pattern portion 310 is formed on the first back region 31A. The tubular portion 3 is configured to be changeable to a folded state by being folded back from the stretched state so that the first front region 30A comes into contact with the second front region 30B.

[0024] With this configuration, the first patterned portion 300 is exposed when the sock is stretched, and the first patterned portion 300 is hidden and the second patterned portion 310 is exposed when the sock is folded back. This allows the appearance of the cylindrical portion 3 to be changed between the stretched and folded states. Therefore, it is possible to express different appearances with a single sock 1, thereby improving the appeal of the sock 1.

[0025] (1b) In this embodiment, the first pattern portion 300 is formed spanning from the first surface area 30A to the second surface area 30B. In addition, a third pattern portion 320 is formed in the third surface area 30C. When the sock is stretched, the third pattern portion 320 forms a single pattern together with the first pattern portion 300, and when the sock is folded, it forms a different pattern together with the second pattern portion 310. With this configuration, the appearance of the cylindrical portion 3 can be changed to a different pattern between the stretched and folded states while retaining a common portion. Therefore, the appeal of the sock 1 can be further enhanced.

[0026] (1c) The first to third patterned sections 300, 310, and 320 can be formed, for example, by knitting in a different thread from the threads that make up the tubular section 3, by sewing on patches or the like, or by applying embroidery. If the tubular section has only the first fabric section, end threads and connecting threads may protrude from the back side. As a result, these end threads and connecting threads may come into contact with the wearer's legs W. However, in this embodiment, the tubular section 3 has first and second fabric sections 3A and 3B. The first and second fabric sections 3A and 3B overlap each other in the radial direction. The first and second fabric sections 3A and 3B are joined to each other at a position further from the opening M than all the patterned sections 300, 310, and 320. With this configuration, it is possible to suppress the end threads and connecting threads coming into contact with the wearer W. Therefore, it is possible to improve the appeal of the socks 1 while maintaining the comfort of wearing the socks 1.

[0027] (1d) The diameter of the tubular portion 3 increases as it moves away from the bag-shaped portion 2. If the diameter of the tubular portion 3 were constant, when the wearer W wears the sock 1 folded over, the thickness of the portion where the second outer region 30B and the first outer region 30A of the tubular portion 3 are in contact with each other would be relatively larger than the thickness of the rest of the tubular portion 3, thus increasing the pressure on the wearer W's leg. In contrast, in a configuration where the diameter of the tubular portion 3 increases as it moves away from the bag-shaped portion 2, the diameter of the folded portion is larger than the diameter of the portion located inside it, making it difficult to apply pressure from the folded portion to the portion located inside it, and consequently to the wearer W's leg. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the increase in pressure on the wearer W's leg.

[0028] [2. First Embodiment] [2-1. Structure] The second embodiment has the same basic configuration as the first embodiment; therefore, the differences will be described in detail below. Note that the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment indicate the same components, and refer to the preceding description.

[0029] In the sock 1S of the second embodiment shown in Figures 4A and 4B, the first and second pattern portions 300S and 310S are formed so that when the wearer W wears the sock 1S, they are located on the ankle side of the wearer W, not the calf side. Also, in the second embodiment, unlike the first embodiment, a third pattern portion is not formed in the third surface area 30C. Therefore, the first and second pattern portions 300S and 310S each constitute a single pattern. The first and second pattern portions 300S and 310S may each have patterns that do not have a common part.

[0030] As an example, the first pattern section 300S of this embodiment is decorated with a unicorn design. The second pattern section 310S is decorated with a ribbon design. Therefore, when the wearer W wears the sock 1S in an extended state, the first pattern section 300S is exposed and the unicorn design is visible, as shown in Figure 4A. When the wearer W wears the sock 1S in a folded state, the first pattern section 300S is hidden and the second pattern section 310S is exposed and the ribbon design is visible, as shown in Figure 4B.

[0031] [2-2. Effects] According to the second embodiment described in detail above, the same effects as those of (1a), (1c), and (1d) above can be obtained.

[0032] [3. Third Embodiment] [3-1. Structure] The third embodiment has the same basic configuration as the first embodiment; therefore, the differences will be described in detail below. Note that the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment indicate the same components, and refer to the preceding description.

[0033] In the sock 1T of the third embodiment shown in Figures 5A to 5C, the first to third pattern sections 300T, 310T, and 320T are formed so that when the wearer W wears the sock 1T, they are located on the shin side of the wearer W, not the calf side. Also, the first pattern section 300T of the third embodiment is formed only on the second front area 30B. The first and second pattern sections 300T and 310T do not constitute a single pattern on their own, as in the first embodiment. In contrast, the third pattern section 320T constitutes a single pattern on its own, but it is continuous with the first pattern section 300T and the second pattern section 310T, and together with them forms two separate patterns.

[0034] As an example, the third pattern section 320T of this embodiment is decorated with a picture of plants and trees. The first pattern section 300T is decorated with the upper part of a bear's head, and the second pattern section 310T is decorated with the upper body of a bear and the word "KUMA". As a result, in the extended state, the third pattern section 320T is integrated with the first pattern section 300T, forming a picture of a bear where everything except the upper part of the head is hidden by plants and trees. In the folded state, the third pattern section 320T is integrated with the second pattern section 310T, forming a picture of a bear where the lower body is hidden by plants and trees. Therefore, when the wearer W wears the sock 1T in the extended state, as shown in Figure 5A, the first pattern section 300T and the third pattern section 320T are exposed, and the picture of a bear where everything except the upper part of the head is hidden by plants and trees is visible. When wearer W wears sock 1T folded over, as shown in Figure 5C, the first patterned section 300T is hidden, and the second patterned section 310T and the third patterned section 320T are exposed, making visible the word "KUMA" and a picture of a bear whose lower body is hidden by plants.

[0035] [3-2. Effects] According to the third embodiment described in detail above, the same effects as the first embodiment can be obtained.

[0036] [4. Other Embodiments] While embodiments of this disclosure have been described above, it goes without saying that this disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above and can take various forms.

[0037] (4a) In the third embodiment described above, the third pattern section 320T constitutes one pattern by itself, but together with the first pattern section 300T and the second pattern section 310T, it constitutes two separate patterns. On the other hand, the first and second pattern sections 300T and 310T do not constitute one pattern by themselves. However, all of the first to third pattern sections may constitute one pattern by themselves, but together with other pattern sections, they may constitute a separate pattern. For example, the first pattern section may depict a giraffe, the second pattern section may depict an elephant, and the third pattern section may depict a grassland. In this case, in the extended state, the third pattern section, together with the first pattern section, constitutes a giraffe standing in a grassland. In the folded state, the third pattern section, together with the second pattern section, constitutes an elephant standing in a grassland.

[0038] (4b) In the first to third embodiments described above, the second fabric portion 3B constitutes the back surface 31. That is, the second fabric portion 3B constitutes all of the first to third back regions 31A, 31B, and 31C. The end of the second fabric portion 3B on the bag-shaped portion 2 side is joined to the first fabric portion 3A at a position further from the opening M than all of the patterned portions. However, the first and second fabric portions do not necessarily have to be joined to each other at a position further from the opening M than all of the patterned portions. For example, the first and second fabric portions may be joined to each other at a position further from the opening M than the second patterned portion and closer to the opening M than the third patterned portion. In this case, the second fabric portion may constitute only the first back region 31A, for example, rather than all of the first to third back regions 31A, 31B, and 31C. That is, the cylindrical portion may have a double-layer structure in only a part of it.

[0039] (4c) In the first to third embodiments described above, socks 1, 1S, and 1T were shown as specific examples of clothing having a tubular part for covering a specific part of the body. Socks 1, 1S, and 1T are clothing for covering the legs. Socks 1, 1S, and 1T have a bag-shaped part 2 which is a part for covering the foot of the leg, and a tubular part 3 which is a part for covering the lower leg of the leg. However, clothing for covering the legs, such as leg warmers, does not necessarily have to have a bag-shaped part. Furthermore, clothing having a tubular part for covering a specific part of the body is not limited to clothing for covering the legs. Specific examples of clothing for covering parts other than the legs include arm covers having a tubular part for covering the arms, and belly warmers having a tubular part for covering the abdomen.

[0040] (4d) The functions of one component in the above embodiment may be distributed among multiple components, or the functions of multiple components may be integrated into one component. Also, some of the configurations of the above embodiment may be omitted. Also, at least some of the configurations of the above embodiment may be added to, replaced with, or otherwise adapted to the configurations of other above embodiments. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0041] 1,1S,1T...sock, 2...bag-shaped part, 3...tubular part, 3A,3B...first and second fabric parts, 20,30...front surface, 30A,30B,30C...first to third front areas, 21,31...back surface, 31A,31B,31C...first to third back areas, 300,300S,300T...first patterned area, 310,310S,310T...second patterned area, 320,320T...third patterned area, C...central axis, M...opening, W...wearer.

Claims

1. It comprises at least a cylindrical part that is a tubular portion for covering a specific part of the body, The cylindrical portion has a front surface and a back surface that constitute both sides of the cylindrical portion. The front surface has a cylindrical first front region that forms the opening of the cylindrical portion, and a cylindrical second front region that extends from the first front region in the axial direction of the cylindrical portion, and a first patterned portion is formed in the first front region or the second front region, or spanning from the first front region to the second front region. The back surface has a first back region and a second back region that overlap the first front region and the second front region, respectively, in the radial direction of the cylindrical portion, and a second patterned portion is formed in the first back region. The tubular portion is configured to be changeable from an extended state in which the first front region and the second front region face radially outward from the tubular portion and the first patterned portion is exposed, to a folded state in which the first front region is folded back so as to contact the second front region, thereby concealing the first patterned portion and exposing the second patterned portion.

2. The clothing item according to claim 1, The aforementioned front surface further includes a third front region which extends from the second front region to the side opposite to the first front region and has a third pattern formed thereon. The first patterned portion is formed in at least the second surface region, A garment in which the third patterned portion, in the stretched state, forms a single pattern together with the first patterned portion, and in the folded state, forms another single pattern together with the second patterned portion.

3. The clothing item according to claim 1, The tubular portion comprises a first fabric portion that forms the front surface and a second fabric portion that forms at least the first back region on the back surface, in this garment.

4. The clothing item according to claim 3, The second fabric portion further forms the second back region, A garment in which the first fabric portion and the second fabric portion are joined to each other at a position further from the opening than the second patterned portion.

5. Clothing according to any one of claims 1 to 4, The aforementioned clothing item is a pair of socks.

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