Sock with improved toe region

Abstract

In a toe region (4) of a sock, said region being knitted as a circular knit directly adjoining a foot region (3) on one side and leading in a stitch direction (S) as far as a sock seam (5), improved adaptation to the anatomy of a foot and unhindered movement of the foot are to be made possible. This is achieved in that the toe region (4) has a first gusset portion (41) and a second gusset portion (41') and, directly adjacent thereto in the stitch direction (S), a third gusset portion (42) and a fourth gusset portion (42') knitted circumferentially in different knitting directions (K), wherein four toe gusset lines (g1, g2, g3, g4), a big toe gusset line (g5) and a toe portion gusset line (g6) are provided, at which the circular knitted fabric is closed, as a result of which a stepped shaping along the first gusset portion (41) to the fourth gusset portion (42') is achieved, wherein the tubular knitted fabric is completely closed by the sock seam (5) after the gusset lines (g1 to g6) have been knitted in.

Description

[0001] Sock with improved toe area

[0002] Technical field

[0003] The present invention describes a toe area of ​​a sock, which is knitted as a circular knit directly adjoining a foot area on one side and leading in a stitch direction up to a sock seam, a sock with a toe area and a knitting method for a toe area of ​​a sock for a circular knitting machine.

[0004] State of the art

[0005] Here we focus on socks for sports, specifically sports socks designed and optimized for the needs of athletes. They are made of knitted fabrics, industrially produced on circular knitting machines, and their properties effectively wick away moisture, keeping feet dry and preventing blisters. Often, in addition to suitable knitting patterns, blends of synthetic fibers such as polyester, nylon, and elastane are used to ensure durability, elasticity, and a good fit. Some models feature knitting patterns that improve moisture wicking, enhance ventilation, or even include additional padding in the heel and toe areas to increase comfort and improve shock absorption.Furthermore, special knitting techniques ensure optimal slip resistance and material durability, so the socks stay securely in place even during intense activity and last a long time. These types of sports socks have been continuously improved in recent years. However, the familiar tubular knits, which are closed by a seam between the toe and foot areas, are not yet satisfactory in terms of fit in the toe area. Some existing sports socks have additional knit fabric in the toe area, which compresses the toes, but this fabric takes up space inside the shoe. Bulgy, protruding sections of the knit fabric form, meaning that these sports socks do not conform particularly well to the anatomy of the foot, at least in the toe area.In a machine-knit pattern view of a known toe area, two toe gusset lines are visible at the boundary between a decrease area (in terms of stitch width or number of stitches) in the first toe area and a subsequent increase area (in terms of stitch width or number of stitches). Due to this decrease and increase in stitches, both toe gusset lines form slight wrinkles, but these wrinkles are insufficient to prevent the knitting from stretching. The result is a bulge of excess knit fabric that protrudes beyond the toes when the sock is worn, taking up space in the shoe. This excess knit fabric presses on the toes, which is disadvantageous.

[0006] Description of the invention

[0007] The present invention aims to create a sock, or a toe section of a sock, that is better adapted to the anatomy of the foot in the toe area, allows for unrestricted movement due to less knitting, and restricts the space around the toes within a shoe less overall. Bulges of knitted fabric are prevented by the knitting pattern, the inclusion of gusset lines, and the elimination of yarn, which are particularly detrimental when worn in a shoe in the toe area of ​​an athlete.

[0008] When used especially in sports, the runner can even maintain better balance and thus absorb shocks better, since the more relaxed toe position distributes forces more evenly and ultimately improves overall running performance.

[0009] 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.

[0010] Brief description of the drawings

[0011] Various examples of optimized toe areas of socks, knitted in using a circular knitting machine in a sock knitting process, are described below in detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0012] 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

[0013] Figure 1a shows a perspective view of a sock with a toe area according to the invention, including six toe gusset lines in a first embodiment, while

[0014] Figure 1b shows a top view of the toe area of ​​the sock according to Figure 1a. Figure 1c shows a machine knitting pattern view or a knitting diagram projected in two dimensions of the toe area with several staggered toe line knitted in.

[0015] Figure ld shows a detailed view in the machine knitting pattern view of the staggered stitches in the first and second toe shape sections, while

[0016] Figure 1 shows a detailed view of the stitches in the toe shaping sections that have just been executed.

[0017] Figure 2a shows a perspective view of a sock with a toe area according to the invention, including seven gusset lines and a separate big toe area, while

[0018] Figure 2b shows a top view of the toe area of ​​the sock according to Figure 2a.

[0019] Figure 2c shows a machine knitting pattern view projected in two dimensions of the toe area with a stepped toe section line and a separate big toe area.

[0020] Figure 2d shows a detailed view in the machine knitting pattern view of the staggered stitches in the first and second toe shape sections, while

[0021] Figure 2e shows a detailed view of the stitches in the big toe shaping sections that have just been completed.

[0022] Description

[0023] A sock, preferably a sports sock, is described, comprising a sock cuff 1, a heel area 2, a foot area 3, and a toe area 4, which is industrially manufactured on a circular knitting machine in a single knitting process. The tubular knitted textile seamlessly transitions from the sock cuff 1, through the heel area 2 and the foot area 3, to the toe area 4, which is referred to as the toe of the sock, and is finally closed by a sock seam 5. The sock seam 5 is closed by other means after the sock is removed from the circular knitting cylinder. The focus here is on the type of knitting within the toe area 4, which always has significantly more than two toe gusset lines known from the prior art, and also several toe gusset sections.

[0024] In a first embodiment, four toe gusset lines gl to g4, one big toe gusset line g5, and one toe section gusset line g6 are provided, as schematically indicated in Figure 1a. This knitting method for the toe area 4 achieves a graduated shape, as can be clearly seen in Figure 1b. This avoids the pointed toe of socks known from the prior art. Defining the individual toe areas is explicitly not desired here, as this would again result in excess knitting around each toe. Instead, the excess knitting that would otherwise be generated in the space between the dashed line and the sock shown is saved, thus preventing the bothersome bulging of the sock in the toe area 4.

[0025] In the machine knitting pattern view of Figure lc, a circular knitting machine cylinder with 200 needles is shown in 2D, unrolled into a plane. Knitting in rounds with different knitting directions K in one direction S, the toe section 4 starts directly adjacent to the foot section 3. In the first toe gusset section 41, stitches are decreased by decreasing stitches from needles to the right of the center of the cylinder projection along the toe gusset lines gl to g5. During this process, the knitting cylinder is rotated alternately clockwise and counterclockwise in the knitting direction K.

[0026] At the same level in the stitch direction S as the first toe gusset section 41, in the area to the left of the center of the cylinder projection there is a second toe gusset section 41', in which stitches are also taken off the needles, along a toe gusset line g6, whereby here too the knitting direction K is necessarily changed from left to right and vice versa.

[0027] Once the first and second toe gusset sections 41, 41' are completed, the number of stitches increases, in the projection on the right in a third toe gusset section 42 along the toe gusset lines g5 to gl in reverse order and in a fourth toe gusset section 42' along the toe gusset line g6.

[0028] After this step, the knitted stitches are closed by the sock seam 5. The dashed double arrows indicate the interconnected toe gusset lines gl to g6, suggesting that the entire knitted piece forms a closed tube.

[0029] Clearly visible are the first gusset angles a, between toe gusset lines gl to g5 and the horizontal knitting direction K, and the second gusset angle ß, between toe section gusset line g6 and the knitting direction K. This is shown again in detail in figures ld and le. Since in the first toe gusset section 41, one needle is decreased after each knit and purl stitch, the first gusset angle a results between the knitting direction K and toe gusset line gl. This first gusset angle a is accordingly 63.4°. The same applies to the third toe gusset section 42, where stitches are added to the needles after a purl turn and a right turn.

[0030] At the same height in the stitch direction S of the first toe gusset section 41, stitches are decreased along the toe gusset line g6 after every two left / right rotations, as shown in detail in Figure 1. This causes the toe gusset line g6 in the toe gusset section 41' to enclose the second gusset angle β of 70° with the knitting direction K.

[0031] The same applies to the fourth toe gusset section 42', where stitches are added to the needles after a left turn and a right turn.

[0032] In a second embodiment, the four toe gusset lines gl to g4, the big toe gusset line g5', the toe section gusset line g6 and an additional big toe section gusset line g7 are again arranged and knitted into a tubular knit, as schematically indicated in Figure 2a.

[0033] This knitting technique for toe area 4 results in a graduated shape in the area of ​​toes two to four and a separate outline for the big toe, as can be clearly seen in Figure 2b.

[0034] Here too, shaping toes two to four is explicitly not desired, as this would again create excess knitting around each toe, making an optimal fit for such single-toe socks extremely difficult. The knitting that would otherwise be required in the space between the dashed line and the sock shown is omitted, thus preventing the bothersome bulging of the sock in toe area 4. Due to the more complex knitting in the area of ​​the big toe, a first big toe gusset section 43 and a second big toe gusset section 44 have been added, along with the additional big toe section gusset line g7, to result in a closed, tubular knit.

[0035] As can be seen in Figure 2c, the first to fourth toe gusset sections 41, 41', 42, 42' with the first to fourth toe gusset lines gl to g4 and toe section gusset line g6 are shaped as shown in Figure 1c, with the second and fourth toe gusset sections 41', 42' being arranged to the right of the first and third toe gusset sections 41, 42. The decreases and increases in stitches and the course of the toe gusset line gl to g4 with first gusset angle a, as shown in detail in Figure 2d, and the toe section gusset line g6 with second gusset angle ß, are executed in the same way as shown in the first embodiment.

[0036] In the direction of stitch S, from the first to fourth toe gusset section 41, 41', 42, 42', the knitting enters a first

[0037] Big toe gusset section 43, 43' and then into a second big toe gusset section 44, 44'.

[0038] On the left side of the machine knitting pattern view, Figure 2c, yarn is picked up in stitches from needles along the big toe gusset line g5' in the first big toe gusset section 43, along the big toe gusset line g5' and also in the first big toe gusset section 43' along the

[0039] Big toe gusset line g7. In the second big toe gusset section 44, which follows in the stitch direction S, stitches are again picked up in ascending order onto further needles, along the big toe gusset line g5' and in the second big toe gusset section 44' accordingly along the big toe gusset line g7. Subsequently, the tubular knitted piece is closed at the sock seam 5, including the toe area 4' with a single big toe section and stepped toe gusset sections, as can be seen in Figure 2b. As already known from the first embodiment, yarn or stitches are taken off from one needle in the stepped first toe gusset section 41 and third toe gusset section 42 after one knitting operation to the right and one knitting operation to the left, thereby enclosing the first gusset angle α of 63.4° between toe gusset line gl to g4 and the knitting direction K.

[0040] Figure 2e shows, analogous to Figure 1, a decrease of stitches from one needle to the left and right after two knitting passes, so that the big toe gusset line g5', the toe section gusset line g6 and the big toe section gusset line g7 each enclose the second gusset angle ß of 70° with the knitting direction K.

[0041] The embodiment according to Figures 2a to 2e improves the stability of the sock when worn, by separating the big toe gusset section and combining it with toe gusset sections 41, 41', 42, 42'. The resulting sock facilitates optimal alignment and support of the toes and, thanks to its new shape which follows the anatomy of the four-toed foot, promotes more efficient gait mechanics and improved feel and control of movements.

[0042] Reference symbol list

[0043] Sock / Sports sock

[0044] 1 sock shaft

[0045] 2 Heel area

[0046] 3 Foot area

[0047] 4 Toe area / tip of the sock

[0048] 41 first toe gusset section

[0049] 41' second toe gusset section

[0050] 42 third toe gusset

[0051] 42' fourth toe gusset section

[0052] 43, 43' first big toe gusset

[0053] 44, 44' second big toe gusset section gl to g4 toe gusset line (41, 42) g5, g5' big toe gusset line (41, 42 or 43', 44') g6 toe section gusset line (41', 42') g7 big toe section gusset line (43, 44) a first gusset angle (63.4°, between gl to g5 and K) ß second gusset angle (70°, between g5', g6, g7 and K,

[0054] 5. Sock seam (on the upper part of the sock)

[0055] S Mesh direction

[0056] K knitting direction

Claims

Patent claims 1. Toe area (4) of a sock, which is knitted as a circular knit directly adjoining a foot area (3) on one side and leading in one stitch direction (S) up to a sock seam (5), characterized in that the toe area (4) has a first gusset section (41) and a second gusset section (41') and, directly adjoining in the stitch direction (S), a third gusset section (42) and a fourth gusset section (42') knitted around the perimeter in different knitting directions (K), wherein four toe gusset lines (gl, g2, g3, g4), a big toe gusset line (g5) and a toe section gusset line (g6) are provided, at which the circular knit is closed, thereby achieving a graduated shape along the first gusset section (41) to the fourth gusset section (42'), wherein the tubular knit after the gusset lines (gl to g6) have been knitted through the sock seam (5) is completely closed.

2. Toe area (4) of a sock according to claim 1, wherein a first gusset angle (a) between knitting direction (K) and the first to fourth toe gusset line (gl to g4) is formed such that one stitch is added or removed from a needle after a left and right rotation along the first to fourth toe gusset line (gl to g4).

3. Toe area (4) of a sock according to claim 2, wherein the first gusset angle (a) between knitting direction (K) and the first to fourth toe gusset line (gl to g4) is 63°.

4. Toe area (4) of a sock according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a second gusset angle (ß) between knitting direction (K) and the toe section gusset line (g6) is formed such that stitches are taken off from one needle or onto the next needle after every two left / right rotations.

5. Toe area (4) of a sock according to claim 4, wherein the second gusset angle (ß) between knitting direction (K) and the toe section gusset line (g6) is 70°.

6. Toe area (4) of a sock according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a first big toe gusset section (43, 43') and a second big toe gusset section (44, 44') are knitted onto the first to fourth toe gusset sections (41, 41', 42, 42') in the direction of the stitch (S), and the big toe gusset line (g5') runs along the left side of the first big toe gusset section (43) and the second big toe gusset section (44), and a big toe section gusset line (g7) runs along the right side from the first big toe gusset section (43') to the second big toe gusset section (44'), wherein a big toe section is knitted in separately from the toe area (4) and the tubular knitted section is completely closed by the sock seam (5) after the gusset lines (gl to g7) have been knitted in.

7. Toe area (4) of a sock according to claim 6, wherein a second gusset angle (β) between knitting direction (K) and the big toe gusset line (g5') or big toe section gusset line (g7) is formed such that Stitches are removed from one needle or picked up onto the next needle after every two left / right rotations.

8. Toe area (4) of a sock according to claim 7, wherein the second gusset angle (ß) between knitting direction (K) and the big toe gusset line (g5') or big toe section gusset line (g7) is 70°.

9. Sock comprising a sock shaft (1), a heel area (2), a foot area (3) and a toe area (4, 4') according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. Knitting method of a toe area (4) of a sock for a circular knitting machine, wherein the following knitting steps are connected to a foot area (3): - Knitting a first toe gusset section (41) along first toe gusset lines (gl, g2, g3, g4) with a big toe gusset line (g5) with a staggered decrease of stitches from the right-hand needles while simultaneously - Knitting a second toe gusset section (41') along a toe gusset line (g6) with a staggered decrease of stitches from needles on the left side - up to a minimum number of needles used, before - a third toe gusset section (42) along first toe gusset lines (gl, g2, g3, g4) with a big toe gusset line (g5) with a staggered increase of stitches from needles on the right side while simultaneously - Knitting of a fourth toe gusset section (42') along a toe gusset line (g6) with a staggered increase of stitches from needles on the left side, and subsequent - Closing the tubular toe area (4, 4') along a sock seam (5).

11. Knitting method according to claim 10, wherein a first gusset angle (a) is formed between the knitting direction (K) and the first to fourth toe gusset line (gl to g4) such that one stitch is added or removed from a needle after a left and right rotation along the first to fourth toe gusset line (gl to g4).

12. Knitting method according to claim 11, wherein the first gusset angle (a) between knitting direction (K) and the first to fourth toe gusset line (gl to g4) is 63°.

13. Knitting method according to one of claims 10 to 12, wherein a second gusset angle (ß) is formed between the knitting direction (K) and the toe section gusset line (g6) such that stitches are taken off from one needle or onto the next needle after every two left / right rotations.

14. Knitting method according to claim 13, wherein the second gusset angle (ß) between knitting direction (K) and the toe section gusset line (g6) is 70°.

15. Knitting method according to one of claims 10 to 14, wherein a first big toe gusset section (43, 43') and a second big toe gusset section (44, 44') are knitted onto the first to fourth toe gusset sections (41, 41', 42, 42') in the stitch direction (S), and the big toe gusset line (g5') runs along the left side of the first big toe gusset section (43) and the second big toe gusset section (44), and simultaneously a big toe gusset line (g7) is knitted in on the right side from the first big toe gusset section (43') to the second big toe gusset section (44'), wherein a big toe section is knitted separately from the toe area (4) and the tubular knitting is completely closed by the sock seam (5) after the gusset lines (gl to g7) have been knitted.

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