Heel construction of a sock

Abstract

The aim is to create an improved fit for a heel portion (2) of a sock, knitted in between an upper (1) and a foot portion (3), comprising a gusset (20) having a first gusset region (2a) and an adjoining second gusset region (2b). This aim is achieved in that the first gusset region (2a) has a number of stitches that increases along the first gusset line (gla) and the second gusset line (gra) at a first gusset angle (β'), and the second gusset region (2b) has a number of stitches that decreases along the third gusset line (glb) and the fourth gusset line (grb) at a second gusset angle (β''), a directly adjoining knitted-in peripheral intermediate bandage region (2e) is knitted to the second gusset region (2b), and the intermediate bandage region (2e) is knitted to transition directly into a second gusset (21) spaced apart from the first gusset (20) in the stitch direction (S), wherein the second gusset (21) comprises a third gusset region (2c) which has two additional gusset lines (glc, grc) enclosing a third gusset angle (β''') and which is fastened to the intermediate bandage region (2e), and a fourth knitted-in gusset region (2d) which has two additional gusset lines (gld, grd) enclosing a fourth gusset angle (β'''') and which is fastened to the foot region (3).

Description

[0001] Heel construction of a sock

[0002] Technical field

[0003] The present invention describes a heel section of a sock, knitted between a leg and a foot section, comprising a gusset with a first gusset area and a subsequent second gusset area, wherein the first and second gusset areas are knitted with different numbers and varying rows of stitches in a row direction, along four gusset lines in one knitting process and form a tubular knitted fabric, wherein gusset angles are formed between the four gusset lines and the row direction.

[0004] State of the art

[0005] In sports, the forces exerted by different foot positions are often underestimated. Figure 1 shows various foot positions, with force arrows indicating the load on the feet in some cases. During athletic activity, the athlete's socks also play a significant role in their performance. The heel area of ​​the foot and the sock's design in this area are particularly important for absorbing impact forces upon landing and for overall stability during the body's transitions with each step.

[0006] Today, conventional socks are manufactured on circular knitting machines as a partially closed tubular fabric, a process that is usually semi-automated and programmable. Circular knitting machines knit in a circular direction because the needles are continuously arranged in a circle along a cylinder. This creates continuous rows of stitches from a leg (1), through a heel section (2) with a transition to a foot section (3) and ending in a toe section (4), forming the essentially tubular, closed knitted fabric.

[0007] The row direction K runs either clockwise or counterclockwise around the circle or cylinder of the knitting needles, depending on the cylinder's direction of rotation. The knitting process combines both efficiency and precision, and almost all commercially available yarns can be used.

[0008] The heel section 2 in known socks is knitted with a gusset 20 comprising a first gusset area 2a, a second gusset area 2b, and a gusset line g, wherein the opening angle between the leg 1 and the foot section 3 through this gusset 20 is approximately 220°. The tubular knitted section is closed in the area of ​​the gusset 20 at adjacent gusset lines, thereby forming the known heel section shape.

[0009] To describe the shaping of the gusset areas 2a, 2b and the gusset line g, Figure 2b shows a machine knitting pattern view projected in two dimensions of the known heel section. The row direction K indicates the knitting directions of the individual rows with arrows of two possible directions, while the gusset line g is multi-part and consists of gla, gib on the left side and gra and grb on the right side in the machine knitting pattern view. In the first gusset area 2a, the number of needles carrying yarn is reduced, along the gusset lines gla on the left and gra on the right.

[0010] In the second gusset area 2b, along gusset lines gib and grb, yarn-carrying needles are added again until, at the beginning of foot section 3, all needles are used again, allowing for continued circular knitting and a transition into foot section 3. To achieve a closed tube, which forms a curve by means of the gusset 20, the knitting is worked along gla and gib as well as gra and grb, as indicated by the double arrows in Fig. 2b. The regular decrease and increase of stitches from the needles firmly integrates the gusset 20 into the knitting, ensuring a good fit and stability.

[0011] The decreasing of stitches, i.e., the gradual cessation of the use of individual needles along the gusset 20, is exemplified in Figure 2c in the dashed section of the gusset line gra. In this process, one row is knitted to the right from gra to gla, then one row to the left again to gra, and then one loop of yarn is decreased from one fewer needle, and the process is repeated. By shaping the gusset line g and decreasing or adding stitches, a gusset angle β of 63° is achieved between the row direction K and the gusset line g. This results in an opening angle α of 220° in the heel section 2 of the finished sock.

[0012] The known gusset 20 in heel section 2 often creates insufficient volume in the sock space in heel section 2, and the degree of angulation of the opening angle α is often too small. Consequently, the pressure that can be built up in the middle of the heel or heel section 2 is not sufficiently achieved with the current state of the art.

[0013] Description of the invention

[0014] The present invention aims to provide a heel construction for a sock that reduces local pressure points, decreases the risk of overuse injuries, and virtually eliminates plantar fasciitis, an inflammation of the plantar fascia, a thick band of tissue that runs from the heel to the toes. The overall fit of the sock is significantly improved by incorporating this heel construction.

[0015] Variations in feature combinations or minor adjustments to the invention can be found in the detailed description, illustrated in the figures, and included in the dependent patent claims.

[0016] The knit fabric is increased in the heel area, enlarging the opening angle from 220° to approximately 300°, which corresponds to the ideal angle between the upper and the foot section that a runner should have. This increased fabric thickness in the heel area provides better heel support and distributes impact forces more effectively.

[0017] Additionally, the heel is divided into two parts by an intermediate bandage area, which helps to ensure that the heel fits snugly with every step taken by the athlete.

[0018] Brief description of the drawings

[0019] A preferred embodiment of the heel construction of a sock is described in detail below in connection with the accompanying drawings.

[0020] Further features, details, and advantages of the invention will also become apparent from the following description of slightly modified embodiments of the invention, some of which will be clear to a person skilled in the art simply from the drawings. These are illustrated in

[0021] Figure 1 shows a diagram of the loads on an athlete's foot during various foot positions, as is already known. Figure 2a shows a schematic 2D view of a sock in the direction of the knit, including the leg opening, the known heel section with gusset, foot area, and toe area according to the prior art.

[0022] Figure 2b shows a machine-knitted pattern view projected in two dimensions of the heel section with gusset and

[0023] Figure 2c shows a detailed view of the machine knitting pattern from Figure 2b, according to the dashed rectangle, where this heel construction with such a gusset is known from the prior art.

[0024] Figure 3a shows a schematic 2d view of a heel construction according to the invention with two separate gussets and a total of four gusset seams.

[0025] Figure 3b shows a machine knitting pattern view projected in two dimensions of the heel section with the two separate gussets and four gusset seams, while

[0026] Figure 3c shows a detailed view of the machine knitting pattern in the

[0027] areas 2b and 2c, as indicated in Figure 3b and

[0028] Figure 3d shows a detailed view of the machine knitting pattern in the

[0029] areas 2a and 2d, as indicated in Figure 3b.

[0030] Description

[0031] Figure 3a shows a sock comprising a shaft 1, a heel section 2 according to the invention with a first gusset 20 and a second gusset 21, a foot section 3 and a toe section 4.

[0032] The two gussets 20, 21, with first gusset line gl and second gusset line g2, which are separated by a gusset bandage section 2e, achieve a larger opening angle α of approximately 300°, which is better adapted to the anatomy of the foot. This larger opening angle α results in a specific shape for the heel section 2 and thus for the sock. The elastic gusset bandage section 2e, which is knitted in during the same process and lies between the first and second gussets 20, 21, reinforces the heel section 2. In total, this heel construction comprises eight gusset lines gl, g2 = gla, gra, gib, grb, glc, grc, gld, grd along the heel section 2, of which only four can be seen in Figure 3a, with the angles of the gusset lines gl, g2 = gla, gra, gib, grb, glc, grc, gld, grd to the horizontal row direction K being chosen differently.

[0033] The knitting process is carried out as shown in Figure 3b, starting with the leg 1, as with classic socks, in the stitch direction S and in the row direction K, circling the cylinder of the circular knitting machine. Here, needles 1 to 200 are arranged in the direction of rotation as an example; these needles can be programmed to pick up yarn row by row and create stitches through vertical movements of the needles and rotation of the knitting cylinder of the knitting machine.

[0034] Following the stitch direction S on the leg 1 as the knitting area, which uses all needles, a first gusset area 2a follows, starting with fewer needles on the left and right. After dropping the needles in increase rounds along the gusset line on the left (gla) and the gusset line on the right (gra), further needles are added along the row direction K, with the knitting direction in row direction K alternating to the right and left. Both gusset lines (gla, gra) are knitted onto the last row of leg 1, as indicated by the curved double arrows.

[0035] In the second gusset area 2b of the first gusset 20, decrease rounds are then carried out, whereby, as shown in figure 3d, progressively fewer needles are used, along the gusset lines on the left gib and on the right grb.

[0036] Directly following the second gusset area 2b of the first gusset 20, the gusset bandage area 2e is knitted and inserted by complete yarn turns along the knitting cylinder of the knitting machine in the same row direction K.

[0037] Directly adjacent to the gusset bandage section 2e, the second gusset 21 is formed with a third gusset section 2c, again starting with fewer needles on the left and right. After being dropped in increase rounds along the gusset line on the left (glc) and the gusset line on the right (grc), this section adds further needles along the row direction K, with the knitting direction in row direction K alternating between right and left. Both gusset lines (glc, grc) are knitted onto the last row of stitches of the intermediate bandage section 2e, as indicated by the curved double arrows.

[0038] In the fourth gusset section 2d of the second gusset 21, decrease rounds are then worked, using progressively fewer needles, along the gusset lines left gld and right grd. Both gusset lines gld, grd, are knitted onto the first row of stitches of the foot section 3, as indicated by the curved double arrows. The gusset angle between gusset line gla, gra and the last row of stitches of the leg 1 in the row direction K in the first gusset section 2a is identical on both sides and is chosen to be β', preferably 45°. The second gusset section 2b, with gusset lines gib, grb, adjoins the first gusset section 2a. These lines form a gusset angle β" of 63°, more precisely 63.4°, in the row direction K. As shown in Figure 3c, the gusset lines gib and grb run at a gusset angle β" to the first row of stitches of the intermediate bandage section 2e in the row direction K.

[0039] An increase in stitches is chosen in the third gusset area 2c along the gusset lines glc, grc, with a gusset angle ß'" of 63°, more precisely 63.4°, enclosing the row direction K. Both gusset angles ß" and ß'" are chosen to be the same here, with one decreasing and the other increasing the number of stitches. The angle is achieved by varying the number of needles used after every two passes. The cylinder of the circular knitting machine is accordingly rotated once to the left from gra to gla, then from gla back to gra in the next step, before the yarn is taken from the first needle. Thus, pairs of steps are knitted with the same number of needles until the minimum number of needles used is reached, before the process is repeated with an increasing number of needles used.

[0040] Figure 3c shows how yarn is taken off one needle after each knitting round and knitted in the opposite direction K from row to row. This is done in the fourth gusset area 2d and in the first gusset area 2a, resulting in an increasing gusset angle β' and a decreasing gusset angle β"", preferably 45°, as shown in detail in Figure 3d.

[0041] Suitable yarns are preferably made of polyolefins, in particular polypropylene, or comprise polypropylene. For some applications, thermoplastic elastomers, preferably thermoplastic polyurethane, may also be used.

[0042] Reference symbol list

[0043] 1 shaft

[0044] 2 Heel section / gusset fastening knit

[0045] 20 gussets (first)

[0046] 2a first wedge area (from the state of the art)

[0047] 2b second gusset area (from the state of the art)

[0048] 21 second gusset

[0049] 2c third gusset area

[0050] 2d fourth gusset area

[0051] (gl2a+gr2a, gl2b+gr2b) + (gl2c+gr2c, gl2d+gr2d)

[0052] 2e Intermediate bandage area g Gusset line (heel wedge seam / goreline) gl : gla left in 2a gra right in 2a gib left in 2b grb right in 2b g2: glc left in 3b grc right in 3b gld left in 3b grd right in 3b a Opening angle (220°) a Opening angle with two gussets and intermediate bandage area (300°) ß, ß', ß", ß'", ß"" Gusset angle (45° / 63.4°)

[0053] 3 foot section

[0054] 4 toe section

[0055] 5 Mesh direction (wale direction)

[0056] K Course direction

Claims

Patent claims 1. Heel section (2) of a sock, knitted between a leg (1) and a foot section (3), comprising a gusset (20) with a first gusset area (2a) and a subsequent second gusset area (2b), wherein the first and second gusset areas (2a, 2b) are knitted with different numbers and varying rows of stitches in a row direction (K), along four gusset lines (gla, gib, gra, grb) in a single knitting operation and form a tubular knitted fabric, wherein gusset angles (β) are formed between the four gusset lines (gla, gib, gra, grb) and the row direction (K), characterized in that the first gusset area (2a) has an increasing number of stitches along the first gusset line (gla) and the second gusset line (gra) with a first gusset angle (β') and the second gusset area (2b) has an increasing number of stitches along the third gusset line (gib) and the fourth gusset line (grb) with a second gusset angle (ß") has a decreasing number of stitches,a directly adjoining circumferential intermediate bandage area (2e) is knitted onto the second gusset area (2b), and the intermediate bandage area (2e) transitions directly into a second gusset (21) spaced apart from the first gusset (20) in the stitch direction (S), wherein the second gusset (21) has a third gusset area (2c) with two additional gusset lines (glc, grc) enclosing a third gusset angle (ß'") and is attached to the intermediate bandage area (2e), and a fourth gusset area (2d) with two additional gusset lines (gld, grd) enclosing a fourth gusset angle (ß"") is knitted and attached to the foot section (3).

2. Heel section (2) according to claim 1, wherein a total of four gusset areas (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) and associated eight gusset lines (gla, gra, gib, grb, glc, grc, gld, grd) are formed along the heel section (2).

3. Heel section (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first and fourth gusset angles (ß', ß"") are each identical to each other and the second and third gusset angles (ß", ß'") are each identical to each other.

4. Heel section (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein within the gusset areas (2b, 2c) an increase or decrease in stitches from or onto the needles is carried out along the associated gusset lines (gib, grb, glc, grc) enclosing a gusset angle (ß", ß'") of 63° with the row direction (K).

5. Heel section (2) according to claim 4, wherein, in the case of increasing and decreasing stitches, one step to the left and one step to the right is knitted before a needle is added or a needle is removed.

6. Heel section (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein within the gusset areas (2a, 2d) an increase or decrease in stitches from or onto the needles is carried out along the associated gusset lines (gla, gra, gld, grd) enclosing a gusset angle (ß', ß"") of 45° with the row direction (K).

7. Heel section (2) according to claim 6, wherein, in the case of the increase and decrease of stitches, a step to the left or a step to the right is knitted and then a needle is added or a needle is removed.

8. Heel section (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the circumferential intermediate bandage area (2e), which separates the first gusset (20) and the second gusset (21) from each other, utilizes all needles of the knitting cylinder of the circular knitting machine.

9. Heel section (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the gusset lines (gla, gra) of the first gusset area (2a) are knitted directly onto the last row of stitches of the leg (1) and the gusset lines (gib, grb) of the second gusset area (2b) are knitted directly onto the first row of stitches of the intermediate bandage area (2e) in the stitch direction (S).

10. Heel section (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the gusset lines (glc, grc) of the third gusset area (2c) are knitted directly onto the last row of stitches of the intermediate bandage area (2e) in the stitch direction (S) and the gusset lines (gld, grd) of the fourth gusset area (2d) are knitted directly onto the first row of stitches of the foot section (3).

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