Footwear

Abstract

We provide a foot attachment that, simply by being worn on the feet, helps maintain core flexibility and stability, contributing to core training. [Solution] The foot attachment 1 of the present invention is provided with a projection 6 that protrudes inward in the area from the big toe 10 to the little toe 14 on the toe side of the instep. The projection 6 is knitted in the part that comes into contact with the second joint 10a of the big toe 10, the second toe 11, the third toe 12, the fourth toe 13, and the third joints 11a, 12a, 13a, and 14a of the little toe 14, and protrudes toward the second joint 10a of the big toe 10, the second toe 11, the third toe 12, the fourth toe 13, and the third joints 11a, 12a, 13a, and 14a of the little toe 14.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to foot wear such as socks, stockings, foot covers, hallux valgus supporters, toe supporters, etc.

Background Art

[0002] When a person's foot performs basic movements such as standing up, walking, running, jumping, and various sports movements, it plays an important role in supporting the human body above the foot, absorbing the impact applied to the foot, and maintaining balance.

[0003] Conventionally, foot wear such as socks worn on a person's foot mainly serves to protect the foot, keep it warm, absorb moisture, absorb shock, correct deformities, and for fashion purposes, and there are those provided with functions such as anti-slip, swelling, and pressure application. For example, Patent Document 1 proposes a lower limb covering having a knitted portion that bulges following the shape of a person's foot and leg, and Patent Document 2 proposes a tubular knitted fiber product in which a plurality of protruding portions protruding toward an anti-slip target portion are knitted.

[0004] The inventors of the present invention have intensively studied to explore a new type of foot wear that can maintain the flexibility and stability of the trunk simply by wearing it, in addition to the original roles and functions of such socks.

[0005] In recent years, trunk training that improves the performance of sports such as throwing and kicking by exercising the muscles of the trunk rather than the feet and hands has attracted attention.

[0006] Hirofumi Matsubara, one of the inventors of the present invention, has developed a training method for exercising the trunk by moving the heel up and down while pressing the second joint of the big toe, the second toe, the third toe, the fourth toe, and the third joint of the little toe of the toes, and has obtained a patent for an invention related to a training guidance device, a training guidance method, and a program for executing the same (Patent Documents 3 and 4).

[0007] The inventors focused on the fact that in core training, the core is stabilized by the sensation in the soles of the feet, and that the sensation in the soles of the feet is improved when the three arches of the sole of the foot—the medial longitudinal arch, the lateral longitudinal arch, and the transverse arch—are maintained. They found that by pressing the second joint of the big toe, the second toe, the third toe, the fourth toe, and the third joint of the little toe, which support these arches of the sole of the foot, with a foot support such as a sock, the flexibility and stability of the core can be maintained, and this can contribute to core training. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 7374449 specification [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 7373839 specification [Patent Document 3] Patent No. 6104438 specification [Patent Document 4] Patent No. 6546945 specification [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0009] The present invention aims to provide a foot attachment that can maintain the flexibility and stability of the torso and contribute to core training simply by being worn on the foot. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] As a means to solve the aforementioned problems, the foot fitting of the present invention is provided with a projection that protrudes inward in the area from the big toe to the little toe on the toe side of the instep. When the foot device of the present invention is worn on the foot, the protrusions provided in the area from the big toe to the little toe on the toe side of the instep protrude inward, pressing against the second joint of the big toe, the second toe, the third toe, the fourth toe, and the third joint of the little toe.

[0011] Preferably, the protruding portion is the part that comes into contact with the second joint of the big toe, the second toe, the third toe, the fourth toe, and the third joint of the little toe.

[0012] The aforementioned protrusions extend toward the second joint of the big toe, the second toe, the third toe, the fourth toe, and the third joint of the little toe.

[0013] The aforementioned protruding portion consists of a plurality of small projections, and these multiple small projections are knitted in multiple rows in the wale direction, with one stitch at a time in the course direction. The small protrusions of the aforementioned projection are knitted using a float knitting technique. The small protrusions of the aforementioned projections may be knitted using a tuck stitch. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to the present invention, the protrusions provided in the area from the big toe to the little toe on the toe side of the instep protrude inward, pressing against the second joint of the big toe, the second toe, the third toe, the fourth toe, and the third joint of the little toe. As a result, simply by wearing it on the foot, it has the effect of maintaining flexibility and stability of the trunk, relieving muscle tension, facilitating smooth rehabilitation, and contributing to trunk training. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0015] [Figure 1] A perspective view of a foot device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] A plan view of the foot bones showing the position of the protruding part of the foot attachment area in Figure 1. [Figure 3] Figure 1 is a lateral view of the foot bone showing the position of the protruding part of the foot attachment area. [Figure 4] A cross-sectional view of the foot bone showing the position of the protruding part of the foot attachment area in Figure 1. [Figure 5] Figure 1 shows an exploded view of the foot brace. [Figure 6] A diagram showing the knitting structure of the protruding part using float knitting. [Figure 7] Photograph (a) shows the outer side of the instep, illustrating the protruding part of the actual foot brace, and Photograph (b) shows the inner side of the same instep. [Figure 8]Perspective view showing the arch of the sole. [Figure 9] Diagram showing the knitting structure of the protrusions by tack knitting. [Figure 10] Perspective view of a toe-less sock applying the knitting structure of FIG. 9. [Figure 11] Diagram showing the knitting structure of the protrusions by pile knitting.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0016] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0017] FIG. 1 shows a sock 1 which is an example of a foot-wearing device according to the present invention. This sock 1 is composed of a leg part 2, a heel part 3, a foot part 4, and a toe part 5.

[0018] A protrusion 6 that protrudes inward is knitted in the region from the big toe to the little toe on the toe side of the nail part 4a of the foot part 4.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 2, the position of the protrusion 6 is the part that contacts the second joint (MTP joint) 10a of the big toe 10, the second toe 11, the third toe 12, the fourth toe 13, and the third joint (MTP joint) 11a, 12a, 13a, 14a of the little toe 14 of the toes of the user wearing the foot-wearing device 1 (hereinafter, these are collectively referred to as "MTP joints"), and extends in a band shape in the region from the big toe 10 to the little toe 14.

[0020] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the protrusion 6 is composed of a plurality of small protrusions 6a and protrudes toward the MTP joints 10a, 11a, 12a, 13a, 14a. A plurality of small protrusions 6a are knitted in a plurality in the course direction (row direction) and a plurality in the wale direction (column direction).

[0021] FIG. 5 is a developed view showing the knitting structure of the sock 1. The sock 1 is knitted from the leg part 2 toward the toe part 5 by a circular knitting machine.

[0022] First, the leg portion 2 is knitted into a cylindrical shape using forward knitting. Following the leg portion 2, the heel portion 3 is knitted into a bag shape using forward and reverse knitting. Once the heel portion 3 is finished, the foot portion 4 is knitted into a cylindrical shape using forward knitting. A projection 6 is knitted on the instep portion 4a of the foot portion 4, in the area from the big toe 10 to the little toe 14 on the toe side, projecting inward. The projection 6 is knitted by knitting multiple small protrusions 6a in the course direction, and repeating this in the wale direction to knit multiple rows and multiple columns. Following the foot portion 4, the toe portion 5 is knitted continuously using forward and reverse knitting. The knitting end of the toe portion 5 and the knitting end of the foot portion 4 are joined together to form the sock 1.

[0023] Figure 6 shows the knitting structure of the protruding part 6 made by float knitting, as seen from the reverse side. In Figure 6, in course A, a stitch is made with stitch 1, and the needle is placed in the non-working position with stitch 2. This is repeated alternately to complete one course of the instep. In course a, a stitch is made with stitch 1, and stitch 2 is skipped without creating a stitch. This is repeated alternately to complete one course of the instep. From courses b to g, similar to course a, a stitch is made with stitch 1, and stitch 2 is skipped without creating a stitch. This is repeated alternately to complete seven courses of the instep. Note that by changing the base yarn or adding new yarn in course A, the thickness of the fabric can be increased or the material made more resistant to sagging can be used to further emphasize the protruding parts.

[0024] In course B, the normal knitting section is knitted. Here, in stitches 2, 4, ..., the stitches held on the needle in course a are intertwined to form normal stitches. As a result, in the seven courses from a to g, stitches 2, 4, 6, ... are pulled by the stitches from courses A to B, causing the seven stitches to float up on the back side in the wale direction. Also, by knitting with the backing yarn spandex up to course A and in course B, the fabric shrinks in courses A and B, so the stitches 2, 4, 6, ... in the seven courses from a to g also float up in the course direction. As a result, the rectangular area enclosed by stitches 2, 4, 6, ... and stitches a to g becomes a small protrusion 6a that floats up on the back side, and these small protrusions 6a gather together to knit a protrusion 6 that is larger than the normal knitting section.

[0025] Furthermore, when the protruding part 6 is knitted using the float knitting method described above, excess fabric remains on the same course as the protruding part 6. Therefore, by knitting the remaining fabric in a pique pattern using float knitting or tuck knitting methods in the areas other than the protruding part 6, the excess fabric is eliminated, resulting in a more comfortable fit.

[0026] Figure 7 shows an actual sock with a protrusion 6 knitted on the toe side of the instep portion 4a, where Figure 7(a) shows the front side and Figure 7(b) shows the back side.

[0027] The underside of the protrusion 6 protrudes approximately 2 mm from the underside of the adjacent knitted section in the area from the big toe 10 to the little toe 14 on the toe side of the instep 4a. Multiple small protrusions 6a are knitted in 10 rows aligned in the course direction with a width of approximately 2 mm, and in 40 rows aligned in the wale direction.

[0028] On the front side of the protruding portion 6, the stitches formed by the needle placed in a non-operating position to make the small protrusion 6a stand out on the back side are visible, resulting in a clean appearance and improved functionality and fashionability by expressing the presence of the protruding portion on the back side.

[0029] In modern people, the MTP joint tends to lift off the ground easily during walking and exercise, and the arch of the foot tends to collapse.

[0030] When the sock 1 according to this embodiment is worn, the knitted protrusions 6 in the area from the big toe 10 to the little toe 14 on the toe side of the instep 4a protrude inward, pressing against the MTP joints of the toes, namely the second joint 10a of the big toe 10, the second toe 11, the third toe 12, the fourth toe 13, and the third joints 11a, 12a, 13a, and 14a of the little toe 14. As shown in Figure 8, the MTP joints 10a, 11a, 12a, 13a, and 14a, which are one end of the three arches of the sole of the foot (medial longitudinal arch 21, lateral longitudinal arch 22, and transverse arch 23), are pressed, causing the user to feel an awareness of the arches in the soles of their feet. As a result, the arches of the soles of the feet are maintained without collapsing, and simply by wearing the sock 1 of the present invention on the feet, the flexibility and stability of the trunk are continuously maintained, muscle tension is relieved, rehabilitation progresses smoothly, and it can also contribute to trunk training.

[0031] Furthermore, it has been confirmed that wearing the socks 1 according to this embodiment stabilizes the arches 21, 22, and 23 of the sole of the foot, and causes the toes, especially the big toe 10, to open outwards, thus being effective in correcting bunions.

[0032] In the above embodiment, the protrusion 6 is made to extend in a band-like shape from the big toe 10 to the little toe 14, but it may also be partially knitted to two parts: the second joint 10a of the big toe 10 and the third joint 14a of the little toe 14.

[0033] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, float knitting was used to knit the protruding portion 6 of the sock 1, but it may also be knitted using tuck knitting.

[0034] Figure 9 shows the knitting structure of the protruding section 6 made by tuck knitting, as seen from the reverse side. In Figure 9, at stitch B1 of course A1, the stitch is held on the needle without being made, and nine stitches are knitted starting from the next stitch 1, which is the beginning of knitting the protruding section 6. At stitch B2, which follows the ninth stitch, the stitch is held on the needle without being made, similar to stitch B1, and nine stitches are knitted sequentially, and this is repeated as needed to complete one course.

[0035] This process is repeated for 7 courses from a to g, and in course A2, the stitches are knitted into the normal knitting section. Here, in stitches B1 and B2, the yarn that was held on the needle without creating stitches in courses a to g is combined with the ground yarn 7 of courses A1 and A2 to form the stitches. As a result, stitches 1 to 9 in the 7 courses from a to g are pulled by the tucks of stitches B1 and B2, causing the stitches to float to the front side in the wale direction. Consequently, the area enclosed by stitches 1 to 9 and stitches a to g is knitted as a protruding small section 6a that is larger than the adjacent normal knitting section.

[0036] In the tuck knit shown in Figure 9, the knitted section consisting of multiple small protrusions 6a protrudes to the outside, so it can be applied to open-toe socks (open-toe socks, yoga socks, etc.) and double-knit socks. In open-toe socks, as shown in Figure 10, instead of knitting a toe section 5 at the end of the foot section 4 shown in Figure 5, the protrusions 6 are knitted on the folded-over section 4b that is folded inward, so that they protrude toward the inside. In double-knit socks, the protrusions are knitted on the toe side of the foot section of the inner fabric.

[0037] Regarding the protruding portion 6, the above knitting method is used to further emphasize it, but the protruding portion can also be knitted by partially creating a pile knit by pulling out the stitches of the base yarn or the additional yarn knitted with the base yarn to make them larger.

[0038] Figure 11 shows the knitting structure of the small protrusion 6a made by pile knitting as seen from the reverse side. In this knitting structure, the small protrusion 6a is knitted by pile knitting, in which the ground yarn sinker loop 8a is enlarged compared to the back yarn 8b, and the pile is produced in a ring shape. By knitting multiple of these small protrusions 6a in the course direction and the wale direction, a protruding part can be knitted.

[0039] This invention can be applied not only to socks, but also to stockings, foot covers, bunion supports, toe supports, and other foot accessories. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0040] 1…Socks (foot support) 2...Legs 3... Heel 4…Legs 4a...Instep 4b…Folding part 5…Toe area 6...Protruding part 6a…Small protrusion 7... Ground thread 8a...Main thread sinker loop 8b...back thread 10…Big toe 10a...2nd joint 11…Second toe 11a...Third joint 12...Third toe 12a...Third joint 13…4th toe 13a...Third joint 14…Little toe 14a...Third joint 21…Medial longitudinal arch 22…Outer longitudinal arch 23…Transverse arch

Claims

1. A foot fitting characterized by having protrusions that are knitted in the area from the big toe to the little toe on the toe side of the instep, in the parts that come into contact with the second joint of the big toe, the second toe, the third toe, the fourth toe, and the third joint of the little toe, and that protrude inward more than the adjacent knitted parts in the direction of the foot.

2. The foot device according to claim 1, wherein the protruding portion protrudes toward the second joint of the big toe, the second toe, the third toe, the fourth toe, and the third joint of the little toe.

3. The foot attachment according to claim 1, wherein the protruding portion consists of a plurality of small protrusions, and the plurality of small protrusions are knitted in multiple rows in the wale direction, with one stitch at a time in the course direction.

4. The foot attachment according to claim 3, wherein the small protrusion of the aforementioned projection is knitted using float knitting.

5. The foot attachment according to claim 3, wherein the small protrusion of the aforementioned projection is knitted using a tuck stitch.

Images