Socks and method for manufacturing socks

Abstract

To provide a sock that can be worn to correct specific toes on a daily basis.SOLUTION: The sock is knitted by outer and back yarns, and at least an elastic yarn is used as a back yarn, a toe bag into which a specific toe is inserted being separated from a toe bag into which another toe is inserted at the toe portion. A high-friction yarn having a higher coefficient of friction than that of the outer yarn is further used as the back yarn for the toe bag in which the specific toe is inserted and is kitted so that the toe bag into which the specific toe is inserted is twisted in a specific direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This invention relates to socks and a method for manufacturing socks. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, while health awareness has increased among the general public, many people still suffer from some kind of foot problem.

[0003] Regarding foot health, it has also been suggested that wearing socks can improve foot problems. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a sock for bunion prevention in which a toe support made of elastic yarn is provided in the foot portion of the sock, and a side support made of elastic yarn is provided from this toe support to the big toe portion 1. Patent Document 1 states that when the sock is worn, a force acts toward the heel as the side support tries to return to its shape when not worn, and by utilizing this force, a pulling force toward the heel can be applied to the side of the big toe portion that accommodates the wearer's big toe, and as a result, a force toward the index finger (a force directed toward the side away from the second toe) can be applied to the wearer's big toe.

[0004] Furthermore, Patent Document 2 discloses a sock for preventing or correcting bunions, in which the little toe of the foot bends toward the big toe. The toe portion of the sock is divided into three parts: a little toe portion into which the little toe is inserted, a big toe portion into which the big toe is inserted, and a portion into which the other toes are inserted. The little toe portion is formed independently from the other toe portions, and its tip is formed to protrude to the side of the sock.

[0005] Patent Document 3 discloses a sock in which a thumb pocket for inserting the thumb, a little finger pocket for inserting the little finger, and an intermediate pocket for inserting the index finger, middle finger, and ring finger are formed at the toe, and the section from the base of the thumb pocket to the base end of the intermediate pocket on the index finger side, and the section from the base of the little finger pocket to the base end of the intermediate pocket on the ring finger side are knitted in a tuck stitch. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2012-34718 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2002-266109 [Patent Document 3] Utility Model Registration No. 3210355 Gazette [Non-patent literature]

[0007] [Non-Patent Document 1] Koichi Nakabayashi, et al., "Examination of Changes in Little Toe Supination Angle and the Effect on Balance Function Improvement by Correcting Little Toe Supination," Journal of the Japan Orthopedic Footwear Technology Association, Vol. 6, pp. 33-36, 2021, published December 31, 2021. [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0008] According to a survey conducted by the inventors of this application on 100 people, 48.4% had hallux valgus with a hallux valgus angle of 15° or more, 67% had tailor's bunion with an angle of 12° or more (some had both), and only 23% did not have either (all figures are averages for both left and right feet).

[0009] Furthermore, it has become clear that the angle of supination of the little toe is often increased in conjunction with bunionette, and that floating toes (toes not touching the ground) are also frequently observed. Therefore, the inventors of this invention conducted research with the aim of clarifying that correcting supination of the little toe affects the body's balance function, and obtained the finding that in order to improve the body's balance function, it is desirable for the little toe to move closer to a neutral position between pronation and supination (see Non-Patent Document 1).

[0010] Thus, the proper position and orientation of each toe, including supination of the little toe, can affect overall health and quality of life. However, because supination of the little toe, in particular, is often painless, many people neglect it, and even if symptoms are present, many endure them while they are mild. Therefore, there is a need for a method that allows for daily toe correction, such as improving or slowing the progression of supination and pronation of specific toes, such as the big toe and little toe, without the hassle of taping or other methods.

[0011] The present invention has been made in view of the above, and aims to provide socks that can correct specific toes on a daily basis by wearing them, and a method for manufacturing socks. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] To solve the above problems, one aspect of the present invention is a sock knitted with outer yarn and inner yarn, wherein at least elastic yarn is used as the inner yarn, and in the toe area, a toe pocket into which a specific toe is inserted is provided separately from the toe pockets into which other toes are inserted, and at least in the toe pocket into which the specific toe is inserted, a high-friction yarn having a higher coefficient of friction than the coefficient of friction of the outer yarn is further used as the inner yarn, and the toe pocket into which the specific toe is inserted is knitted so that it twists in a specific direction.

[0013] In the above-mentioned sock, the coefficient of friction of the high-friction yarn may be higher than the coefficient of friction of the lining yarn in the toe pocket into which the other toes are inserted.

[0014] In the above-mentioned sock, the toe pocket into which the specific toe is inserted is knitted using a plain knitting method, and at least one pitch may be shifted for each course knitted.

[0015] In the above-mentioned socks, the toe pockets into which the specific toes are inserted may be moved between one and four pitches for each course configuration.

[0016] In the above sock, the toe pouch into which said specific toe is inserted is a little toe pouch into which the little toe is inserted, and the little toe pouch may be knitted so as to be twisted inward when viewed from the instep side.

[0017] In the above sock, the toe pouch into which said specific toe is inserted is a little toe pouch into which the little toe is inserted, and the little toe pouch may be knitted so as to be twisted outward when viewed from the instep side.

[0018] In the above sock, the toe pouch into which said specific toe is inserted is a big toe pouch into which the big toe is inserted, and the big toe pouch may be knitted so as to be twisted inward when viewed from the instep side.

[0019] In the above sock, the toe pouch into which said specific toe is inserted is a big toe pouch into which the big toe is inserted, and the big toe pouch may be knitted so as to be twisted outward when viewed from the instep side.

[0020] In the above sock, the toe pouches into which said specific toes are inserted are the little toe pouch for the little toe and the big toe pouch for the big toe, and each of the little toe pouch and the big toe pouch may be knitted so as to be twisted outward or inward when viewed from the instep side.

[0021] A method for manufacturing a sock, which is another aspect of the present invention, is a method for manufacturing a sock knitted with a face yarn and a back yarn, wherein at least an elastic yarn is used as the back yarn, a toe pouch into which a specific toe is inserted is provided separately from toe pouches into which other toes are inserted at the toe portion of the sock, and the step of knitting the toe pouch into which the specific toe is inserted comprises: a step of supplying, in addition to the elastic yarn, a yarn having a higher coefficient of friction than that of the face yarn as a back yarn; and a step of performing plain knitting while transferring stitches at least one pitch in one direction every time one course is knitted, wherein the toe pouch into which the specific toe is inserted is knitted so as to be twisted in a specific direction.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

[0022] According to the present invention, in the toe portion of the sock, high-friction yarn is used for the backing thread, and the toe pocket into which a specific toe is inserted is knitted so that it twists in a specific direction. Therefore, a force can be applied to a specific toe of the wearer that rotates that toe in a specific direction. Consequently, it becomes possible to correct a specific toe on a daily basis by wearing the sock. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0023] [Figure 1] This is a schematic plan view showing a sock according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a schematic plan view showing a sock according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a sock viewed from the toe side. [Figure 4] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the method of constructing the little toe pouch. [Figure 5] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the method of constructing the little toe pouch. [Figure 6] This is a schematic diagram showing the state of the stitches on the needles of a knitting machine. [Figure 7] This is a schematic diagram showing a magnified view of the right side of the knitted fabric in the little toe area. [Figure 8] This is a schematic plan view showing a sock according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of a sock viewed from the toe side. [Figure 10] This is a schematic plan view showing a sock according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] This is a schematic plan view showing a sock according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] This is a schematic plan view showing a sock according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0024] The following describes a sock and a method for manufacturing a sock according to an embodiment of the present invention, with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. Furthermore, in each drawing, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. The drawings referenced in the following description merely provide a schematic representation of the shape, size, and positional relationships to the extent that the content of the present invention can be understood. That is, the present invention is not limited to the shapes, sizes, and positional relationships exemplified in each figure.

[0025] (First Embodiment) Figures 1 and 2 are schematic plan views showing a sock according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 shows the instep side of the sock, and Figure 2 shows the sole side of the sock. Figure 3 is a schematic view of the sock shown in Figure 1, viewed from the toe side. In Figures 3(a) and 3(b), the upper side is the instep side and the lower side is the sole side. Figures 1 to 3 show a sock for the right foot, and a sock for the left foot will have a shape symmetrical to the socks shown in Figures 1 to 3.

[0026] The sock 1 according to this embodiment is a knit made by knitting yarn (fibers) such as cotton, wool, silk, nylon, or synthetic fibers such as urethane using a knitting machine or the like. The sock 1 comprises a foot portion 11 that covers the wearer from the ankle to the toes and a leg portion 12 that covers the wearer's leg from the ankle upwards. An opening for inserting the foot is provided at the end of the leg portion 12, and an elastic band portion 13 is provided around this opening. In addition, as shown in Figure 2, a heel portion 14 is provided on the sole side of the foot portion 11.

[0027] In the toe area 15 of the sock 1, a little toe pocket 16 into which the little toe is inserted is provided separately from the toe pockets 17 into which the other toes are inserted. Seams 16a and 17a are formed at the tips of the little toe pocket 16 and the toe pockets 17, respectively. Furthermore, the little toe pocket 16 is knitted so that it twists inward (towards the toe pocket 17) when viewed from the top of the foot. Therefore, as shown in Figure 3(a), the seam 16a of the little toe pocket 16 is also inclined to rotate inward relative to the horizontal.

[0028] Such a sock 1 can be manufactured by starting the knitting process from the side of the elastic band 13, and then separating the little toe pocket 16 and the toe pocket 17 from the base of the toe portion 15 and knitting them separately. The sock 1 can be manufactured continuously and seamlessly, including the seams 16a and 17a at the toes, by using, for example, a WholeGarment® flat knitting machine (a product of Shima Seiki Mfg. Ltd.). Of course, the method of manufacturing the sock 1 is not limited to using a WholeGarment® flat knitting machine, and it can be manufactured using various known knitting machines.

[0029] Furthermore, sock 1 is knitted using a plating knitting method, in which two types of yarn are simultaneously drawn in and knitted separately on the front and back. For the front yarn (main yarn), for example, natural fibers such as cotton, wool, and silk, synthetic fibers such as nylon, or blends thereof can be used. For the back yarn (supplementary yarn), for example, elastic yarns such as natural rubber yarn, synthetic rubber yarn, or yarn made of urethane covered with nylon (nylon-covered urethane yarn) can be used. The materials of the front yarn and back yarn are preferably selected appropriately so that sock 1 fits the wearer's foot with just the right amount of pressure.

[0030] Furthermore, when knitting at least the little toe bag 16 portion, a yarn with a relatively high coefficient of friction (hereinafter also referred to as high-friction yarn) is used as the backing yarn, along with the elastic yarn mentioned above. Here, a relatively high coefficient of friction refers to a static friction coefficient such that the little toe is less likely to slip on the inner surface of the little toe bag 16 where the backing yarn is exposed. The coefficient of friction of the high-friction yarn used as the backing yarn in the little toe portion 16 is at least higher than the coefficient of friction of the outer yarn. The type of high-friction yarn used as the backing yarn is not particularly limited. An example of a high-friction yarn is the ultra-fine polyester fiber (product name: Nanofront®) manufactured by Teijin Frontier Co., Ltd. Because the fiber diameter of this product is very fine, the surface area of ​​the yarn using this product is large. Therefore, by using such a yarn as one of the backing yarns, the coefficient of friction of the inner surface of the little toe bag 16 where the backing yarn is exposed can be increased. As a result, the little toe is less likely to slip inside the little toe pocket 16, and the little toe pocket 16 can grip the wearer's little toe.

[0031] Furthermore, when knitting parts other than the little toe pouch 16, high-friction yarn may be used as the backing yarn along with elastic yarn. For example, by using high-friction yarn in parts of the instep or sole of the sock 1, it is possible to prevent the sock 1 from slipping and improve the fit. On the other hand, if high-friction yarn is used as the backing yarn when knitting the entire sock 1, the skin may not slide smoothly against the inside of the sock, which may make the wearer feel uncomfortable.

[0032] The knitting method for sock 1 is not particularly limited to parts other than the little toe pocket 16. For example, it may be plain knit, rib knit, tuck knit, or other knitting methods. Furthermore, the knitting method may be changed so that the elasticity varies depending on the part, and decorations may be added to parts of the sock.

[0033] On the other hand, the little toe bag 16 is knitted using elastic yarn and high-friction yarn as the backing yarn in a plain knit, and at least one pitch of stitches is transferred in one direction for each course. Here, "stitch transfer" refers to the action of moving a stitch to another needle.

[0034] Figures 4 and 5 are schematic diagrams for explaining the knitting method of the little toe pouch 16, and show a part of needles provided on a pair of needle beds N1 and N2 included in, for example, a Wholegarment (registered trademark) flat knitting machine. Figures 4 and 5 show a state of the sock being knitted viewed from the toe side. In the present embodiment, among the needles arranged on each of the needle beds N1 and N2, the needles Na1 to Na 20 , Nb1 to Nb 20 are to be used for knitting the little toe pouch 16. However, when transferring stitches, needles in the vicinity of needles Na1 to Na 20 , Nb1 to Nb 20 are also used.

[0035] As shown in Figure 4, the front yarn S1 and the back yarn S2 (elastic yarn and high-friction yarn) are respectively supplied from a front yarn feeder 100 and a back yarn feeder 110 to a carriage (not shown). While the carriage is reciprocated between the needle beds N1 and N2, loops are sequentially formed on each needle. In Figure 4, the knitting starts from the needle Nb at the lower end 20 , and the carriage is caused to travel from the right side to the left side of the figure, whereby stitches b20 to b1 are sequentially formed on needles Nb 20 to Nb1. Subsequently, the direction of the carriage is reversed and the carriage is caused to travel from the left side to the right side of the figure, whereby stitches a1 to a20 are sequentially formed on needles Na1 to Na 20 . Figure 4 shows a stage where knitting of one course is completed.

[0036] Figure 6 shows the state of stitches held on needles Na1 to Na 20 and Nb1 to Nb 20 of the knitting machine. Each square in Figure 6 indicates one stitch, and the hatched side in each square indicates the back stitch side. As shown in (a) of Figure 6, at the stage where knitting of one course C1 is completed, in the course C1, front stitches appear on the front side of the knitted fabric, and back stitches appear on the back side of the knitted fabric.

[0037] When transferring stitches by one pitch, once one course is completed (see Figure 4), the stitches on each needle are moved to the adjacent needle in one direction (clockwise in Figure 4). Also, the needle Na at one end of the upper row 20 For stitch a20 which was on the opposite lower needle Nb, 20 The stitches are rotated by moving the stitch b1 that was on needle Nb1 at the other end of the lower row to needle Na1 at the opposite end of the upper row. Figure 6(b) shows the state after one pitch of stitch transfer is complete. When transferring two pitches of stitches, the same process as transferring one pitch is repeated. Figures 5 and 6(c) show the state after a total of two pitches of stitch transfer is complete.

[0038] After that, proceed as usual with the needle Nb at the end. 20 Then, the construction of the next course begins. Figure 6(d) shows the state after the construction of the next course C2 has been completed. In this way, by shifting stitches in the same direction (clockwise in Figures 4 to 6) with each course construction, the vertical stitches are connected diagonally, and the little toe bag 16 becomes twisted (see Figure 3(a)).

[0039] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram showing a magnified view of the right side of the knitted fabric in the little toe section 16, indicating the state after knitting courses C1 to C6 has been completed. In Figure 7, each square represents one stitch, and the squares with diagonal lines represent purl stitches. At the stage when knitting one course is completed (see Figure 6(a)), knit stitches appear on the right side of the fabric in that course. However, as shown in Figures 6(a) and (b), when transferring stitches, the stitches a20 and b1 at the ends are transferred parallel to the opposing needles (without changing direction), so purl stitches appear on the right side of the fabric in those stitches a20 and b1. The same applies when transferring stitches further (see Figures 6(b) and (c)).

[0040] Therefore, by shifting stitches after each course, the purl stitches that appear on the right side of the knitted fabric move in the circumferential direction, so that the purl stitches on the right side of the knitted fabric are connected diagonally (see Figure 7). As a result, a spiral line of purl yarn 18 can be seen on the surface of the little toe area 16 (see Figures 1 and 2).

[0041] Furthermore, if more than two stitch shifts are performed per course, as shown in Figure 5, the stitch a20 formed at the end of one course will be the same as the needle Nb at the start of knitting one course. 20 The needle that is further forward (needle Nb in Figure 5) 19 ) is affected. Therefore, as usual, needle Nb 20 Returning to the previous stitch and beginning the next course, a thread is stretched between the stitch a20 formed at the end of the previous course and the stitch being knitted at the beginning of the next course. In this way, the thread stretched between the stitches also appears on the right side of the fabric, and this stretched thread can sometimes cause a spiral line of reverse thread 18 to be visible on the surface of the little toe portion 16.

[0042] Furthermore, regardless of the cause of line 18, if the colors of the back thread and the front thread are similar, line 18 may be difficult to see.

[0043] Here, when knitting the little toe bag 16, it is preferable to limit the stitch transfer pitch to within a few pitches per course. For example, it is preferable to limit it to within 4 pitches, but it may also be 3 pitches, or even 1 or 2 pitches. Depending on the material of the yarn, if the stitch transfer is 5 pitches or more per course, there is a risk that the little toe bag 16 will twist too much.

[0044] Next, the function of sock 1 will be explained. As shown in Figure 3(a), the little toe bag 16 is knitted so that it twists inward when viewed from the top of the foot. In contrast, Figure 3(b) shows the little toe bag 16 shown in Figure 3(a) rotated outward (counterclockwise in the figure) to the extent that the seam 16a is roughly horizontal.

[0045] When wearing the sock 1, the little toe pocket 16 is rotated outward (in the direction that untwists it) as shown in Figure 3(b). This generates a restoring force F in the little toe pocket 16 that tries to rotate it inward. In addition, because high-friction yarn is used for the backing thread of the little toe pocket 16, the little toe does not easily slip against the inner surface of the little toe pocket 16, and the little toe is gripped by the little toe pocket 16. Therefore, the restoring force F of the little toe pocket 16 acts as a force that rotates (pronates) the wearer's little toe, which is gripped by the little toe pocket 16, inward.

[0046] As explained above, according to this embodiment, the little toe 16 is knitted in such a way that it twists inward, so that a pronation force can be applied to the wearer's little toe. Therefore, by wearing the sock 1, it becomes possible to correct little toe supination on a daily basis.

[0047] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when knitting the little toe pocket 16, a high-friction yarn is used as the backing yarn along with an elastic yarn. This ensures that the sock 1 maintains good comfort in areas other than the little toe pocket 16, while also ensuring that the little toe pocket 16 grips the little toe and that the restorative force F of the little toe pocket 16 is reliably applied to the little toe.

[0048] (Second embodiment) Figure 8 is a schematic plan view showing a sock according to the second embodiment of the present invention, showing the upper side of the sock. Figure 9 is a schematic view of the sock shown in Figure 8, seen from the toe side. The structure of the toe portion 20 of the sock 2 shown in Figure 8 differs from that of the sock 1 in the first embodiment described above.

[0049] As shown in Figure 8, in the toe portion 20 of the sock 2, the little toe pocket 21 into which the little toe is inserted is provided separately from the toe pockets 22 into which the other toes are inserted. Seams 21a and 22a are formed at the tips of the little toe pocket 21 and the toe pockets 22, respectively. In this embodiment as well, in the little toe pocket 21, high friction yarn is used as the backing yarn in addition to elastic yarn. On the other hand, the little toe pocket 21 is knitted so that it twists outward (opposite side of the toe pocket 22) when viewed from the instep side. Therefore, as shown in Figure 9(a), the seam 21a of the little toe pocket 21 is also inclined to rotate outward with respect to the horizontal.

[0050] Such a toe bag 21 can be knitted by plain knitting, similar to the first embodiment, while transferring stitches in one direction at least one pitch per course. However, the direction of stitch transfer is the opposite direction to that of the first embodiment (counterclockwise in Figure 4). In this case, the spiral line of backing yarn 23 that appears on the surface of the toe bag 21 also rotates in the opposite direction to that of the first embodiment (see Figure 1).

[0051] Next, the function of sock 2 will be explained. As shown in Figure 9(a), the little toe bag 21 is knitted so that it twists outward when viewed from the top of the foot. In contrast, Figure 9(b) shows the little toe bag 21 shown in Figure 9(a) rotated inward (clockwise in the figure) to the extent that the seam 21a is roughly horizontal.

[0052] When wearing the sock 2, the little toe pocket 21 is rotated inward (in the direction that untwists it) as shown in Figure 9(b). This generates a restoring force F' in the little toe pocket 21 that tries to rotate it outward. In addition, because high-friction yarn is used for the backing thread of the little toe pocket 21, the little toe does not easily slip against the inner surface of the little toe pocket 21, and the little toe is gripped by the little toe pocket 21. Therefore, the restoring force F' of the little toe pocket 21 acts as a force that rotates (supinates) the wearer's little toe outward, which is gripped by the little toe pocket 21.

[0053] As described above, this embodiment allows a supinating force to be applied to the wearer's little toe. Therefore, by wearing the socks 2, it becomes possible to correct little toe pronation on a daily basis.

[0054] (Third embodiment) Figure 10 is a schematic plan view showing a sock according to the third embodiment of the present invention, and shows the upper side of the sock. The sock 3 shown in Figure 10 differs from the sock 1 in the first embodiment in the structure of the toe portion 30.

[0055] As shown in Figure 10, in the toe portion 30 of the sock 3, the big toe pocket 31 into which the big toe is inserted is provided separately from the toe pockets 32 into which the other toes are inserted. Seams 31a and 32a are formed at the tips of the big toe pocket 31 and the toe pockets 32, respectively. In this embodiment, in at least the portion of the big toe pocket 31, high-friction yarn is used as the backing yarn in addition to elastic yarn. Furthermore, the big toe pocket 31 is knitted so that it twists outward (opposite side of the toe pocket 32) when viewed from the instep side. Therefore, the seam 31a of the big toe pocket 31 is also inclined to rotate outward with respect to the horizontal.

[0056] Such a toe bag 31 can be knitted by plain knitting, similar to the first embodiment, while transferring stitches in one direction at least one pitch per course. The direction of stitch transfer should be clockwise when viewed from the toe side (see Figure 4). By knitting while transferring stitches in this way, a spiral line of reverse yarn 33 appears on the surface of the toe bag 31.

[0057] In sock 3, the big toe pocket 31 is constructed to twist outward when viewed from the top of the foot, so the sock is worn with the big toe pocket 31 rotated inward (in the direction that untwists it). This generates a restorative force in the big toe pocket 31 that tries to rotate it outward. In addition, since high-friction yarn is used for the backing thread of the big toe pocket 31, the big toe does not easily slip against the inner surface of the big toe pocket 31, and the big toe is gripped by the big toe pocket 31. Therefore, the restorative force of the big toe pocket 31 acts as a force that rotates the wearer's big toe, which is gripped by the big toe pocket 31, outward.

[0058] According to this embodiment, a supinating force can be applied to the wearer's big toe. Therefore, by wearing the sock 3, it becomes possible to correct big toe pronation on a daily basis.

[0059] (Fourth embodiment) Figure 11 is a schematic plan view showing a sock according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, and shows the upper side of the sock. The sock 4 shown in Figure 11 differs from the sock 1 in the first embodiment in the structure of the toe portion 40.

[0060] As shown in Figure 11, in the toe portion 40 of the sock 4, the big toe pocket 41 into which the big toe is inserted is provided separately from the toe pockets 42 into which the other toes are inserted. Seams 41a and 42a are formed at the tips of the big toe pocket 41 and the toe pockets 42, respectively. In this embodiment as well, in at least the portion of the big toe pocket 41, high-friction yarn is used as the backing yarn in addition to elastic yarn. Furthermore, the big toe pocket 41 is knitted so that it twists inward (towards the toe pocket 42) when viewed from the top of the foot. Therefore, the seam 41a of the big toe pocket 41 is also inclined to rotate inward relative to the horizontal.

[0061] Such a toe bag 41 can be knitted by plain knitting, similar to the first embodiment, while transferring stitches in one direction at least one pitch per course. The direction of stitch transfer should be counterclockwise when viewed from the toe side (see Figure 4). By knitting while transferring stitches in this way, a spiral line of backing yarn 43 appears on the surface of the toe bag 41. The direction of rotation of this line 43 is opposite to that of line 33 shown in Figure 10.

[0062] In sock 4, the big toe pocket 41 is constructed to twist inward when viewed from the top of the foot, so the sock is worn with the big toe pocket 41 rotated outward (in the direction that untwists it). This generates a restorative force in the big toe pocket 41 that tries to rotate it inward. In addition, high-friction yarn is used for the backing thread of the big toe pocket 41, making it difficult for the big toe to slip against the inner surface of the big toe pocket 41. Therefore, the restorative force of the big toe pocket 41 acts as a force that rotates the wearer's big toe, which is gripped by the big toe pocket 41, inward.

[0063] According to this embodiment, a force that causes the wearer's big toe to pronate can be applied. Therefore, by wearing the sock 4, it becomes possible to correct big toe supination on a daily basis.

[0064] (Fifth embodiment) Figure 12 is a schematic plan view showing a sock according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention, and shows the upper side of the sock. The sock 5 shown in Figure 12 differs from the sock 1 in the first embodiment in the structure of the toe portion 50.

[0065] As shown in Figure 12, in the toe portion 50 of the sock 5, the big toe pocket 51 into which the big toe is inserted and the little toe pocket 52 into which the little toe is inserted are provided separately from the toe pockets 53 into which the other toes are inserted. Seams 51a, 52a, and 53a are formed at the tips of the big toe pocket 51, the little toe pocket 52, and the toe pocket 53, respectively. In this embodiment, in addition to elastic yarn, high friction yarn is used as the backing yarn in at least the big toe pocket 51 and the little toe pocket 52.

[0066] Furthermore, the big toe bag 51 is constructed to twist outward (opposite to the toe bag 53) when viewed from the top of the foot. Therefore, the seam 51a of the big toe bag 51 is also inclined to rotate outward relative to the horizontal. On the other hand, the little toe bag 52 is constructed to twist inward (towards the toe bag 53) when viewed from the top of the foot. Therefore, the seam 52a of the little toe bag 52 is also inclined to rotate inward relative to the horizontal.

[0067] Such a sock 5 can be made by plain knitting, similar to the first embodiment, while transferring stitches in one direction at least one pitch per course when knitting the big toe bag 51 and the little toe bag 52. In this case, for the big toe bag 51, the stitches are transferred clockwise when viewed from the toe side (see Figure 4), and for the little toe bag 52, the stitches are transferred in the same direction. As a result, a spiral line of reverse yarn 54 appears on the surface of the big toe bag 51, and a spiral line of reverse yarn 55 appears on the surface of the little toe bag 52.

[0068] The sock 5 is worn with the big toe bag 51 rotated inward (in the direction that untwists) and the little toe bag 52 rotated outward (in the direction that untwists). As a result, a restorative force is generated in the big toe bag 51 that tries to rotate outward, and a restorative force is generated in the little toe bag 52 that tries to rotate inward. In addition, since high friction yarn is used for the backing threads of the big toe bag 51 and the little toe bag 52, the big toe and little toe do not slip against the inner surfaces of the big toe bag 51 and the little toe bag 52, respectively. Therefore, the restorative force of the big toe bag 51 acts as a force that rotates the big toe gripped by the big toe bag 51 outward, and the restorative force of the little toe bag 52 acts as a force that rotates the little toe gripped by the little toe bag 52 inward.

[0069] According to this embodiment, a force can be applied to the wearer's big toe to cause supination, and a force can be applied to the wearer's little toe to cause pronation. Therefore, by wearing the socks 5, it becomes possible to correct big toe pronation and little toe supination on a daily basis.

[0070] In this embodiment, by changing the direction of stitch transfer when knitting the big toe pocket 51 and little toe pocket 52 of the sock 5, it is possible to manufacture socks that can address various toe problems. Specifically, in addition to the sock 5 for correcting pronation of the big toe and supination of the little toe shown in Figure 12, there are also socks for correcting pronation of the big toe and little toe, socks for correcting supination of the big toe and little toe, and socks for correcting supination of the big toe and little toe.

[0071] The present invention is not limited to the first to fifth embodiments described above, and various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining the multiple components disclosed in the first to fifth embodiments. For example, the invention may be formed by excluding some components from all the components shown in the first to fifth embodiments, or by appropriately combining the components shown in the first to fifth embodiments. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0072] 1-5...sock, 11...foot part, 12...leg part, 13...cuff part, 14...heel part, 15, 20, 30, 40, 50...toe part, 16, 21, 52...little toe pocket, 16a, 17a, 21a, 22a, 31a, 32a, 41a, 42a, 51a, 52a, 53a...stitch, 17, 22, 32, 42, 53...toe pocket, 18, 23, 33, 43, 54, 55...line, 31, 41, 51...big toe pocket, 100...yarn feed opening for face yarn, 110...yarn feed opening for back yarn, a1-a20, b1-b20...stitch, N1, N2...needle bed, Na1-Na 20 ·Nb1~Nb 20 …needle, S1…front thread, S2…back thread

Claims

1. Socks knitted with face yarn and back yarn, At least an elastic thread is used as the backing thread. In the toe area, a toe compartment into which a specific toe is inserted is provided separately from the toe compartments into which other toes are inserted. In at least the toe bag into which the aforementioned specific toe is inserted, a high-friction yarn is further used as the backing yarn, which has a higher coefficient of friction than the front yarn. A sock in which the toe pocket into which the aforementioned specific toe is inserted is constructed to twist in a specific direction.

2. The sock according to claim 1, wherein the coefficient of friction of the high-friction yarn is higher than the coefficient of friction of the lining yarn in the toe pocket into which the other toes are inserted.

3. The toe pocket into which the aforementioned specific toe is inserted is knitted by plain knitting, and at least one pitch is shifted for each course knitted, as per claim 1.

4. The sock according to claim 3, wherein the toe pocket into which the specific toe is inserted is moved by one to four pitches for each course of construction.

5. The toe pocket into which the particular toe is inserted is a little toe pocket into which the little toe is inserted, and the little toe pocket is constructed such that it twists inward when viewed from the top of the foot, according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The sock according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the toe pocket into which the particular toe is inserted is a little toe pocket into which the little toe is inserted, and the little toe pocket is constructed such that it twists outward when viewed from the top of the foot.

7. The sock according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the toe pocket into which the particular toe is inserted is a big toe pocket into which the big toe is inserted, and the big toe pocket is knitted so that it twists inward when viewed from the top of the foot.

8. The sock according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the toe pocket into which the particular toe is inserted is a big toe pocket into which the big toe is inserted, and the big toe pocket is knitted so that it twists outward when viewed from the top of the foot.

9. The toe pockets into which the particular toes are inserted are a little toe pocket into which the little toe is inserted and a big toe pocket into which the big toe is inserted, and each of the little toe pocket and the big toe pocket is knitted so that they are twisted outward or inward when viewed from the top of the foot, as described in any one of claims 1 to 4.

10. A method for manufacturing socks knitted with face yarn and back yarn, At least an elastic thread is used as the backing thread. In the toe portion of the aforementioned sock, a toe pocket into which a specific toe is inserted is provided separately from the toe pockets into which other toes are inserted. In the process of assembling a toe bag into which the aforementioned specific toe is inserted, In addition to the aforementioned elastic yarn, a process is performed to supply a yarn having a higher coefficient of friction than the face yarn as the backing yarn, Each course is constructed by flat knitting while shifting stitches at least one pitch in one direction, and includes the following steps. A method for manufacturing socks, wherein the toe pocket into which the aforementioned specific toe is inserted is knitted in such a way that it twists in a specific direction.

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