AU2008212554B2 - Sock - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a sock consisting of a shaft and a foot part comprising a toe area, a heel area and a tread area that is provided between the toe area and the heel area. The invention is characterised in that said sock comprises, at least in parts, a warm area (3).

Description

SOCK The invention relates to a sock including a shaft and a foot part having a toe area and a heel area with a tread area situated between the toe area and the heel area. In cold weather conditions in particular, the feet of a person are accommodated in secure shoes. To keep feet warm, the stockings and/or socks surrounding the feet are made of a material that should keep the feet warm. The materials used for socks provide a certain insulation. This should ensure that the feet remain warm to impart a feeling of warmth on the whole to the respective user because the feeling of cold feet has a negative influence on a person's overall well-being. In recent times, models which include heating of shoes have become available for shoes that are to be worn exclusively in cold weather conditions, e.g., snow shoes or ski shoes. This electric heating usually consists of thin electric wires arranged in the shoe sole or the upper material in at least some areas. The wires are supplied with electric power from a battery, which results in heating of the wires. This allows heat to be delivered to the feet to thereby prevent cooling of the feet. The mechanism of action of the aforementioned shoe heating systems is hindered by the known socks. Because of the insulation properties of the known socks, the transfer of heat from the shoe heating system to the foot is interrupted because the effect of the heat emitted by the shoe heating system to the foot is worsened because the insulation provided in socks for retaining heat in the foot has a negative effect on the shoe heating. This has a negative influence on the efficacy of such shoe heating systems, which may result in a feeling of cold feet even when the shoe heating system is turned on. The invention seeks to provide a sock which does not interfere with the transfer of heat from a shoe heating system to the foot. A warm zone is provided in at least some areas.

C'JRPoblDCC\KFS4812804 DOC-21/1212012 -2 The present invention creates a sock which does not have a negative influence on such a shoe heating system. The warm zone is designed for the shoe heating system and promotes its effect through a significantly improved transfer of heat. In a further embodiment of the invention, the warm zone is produced from a thermally conductive yarn. Using thermally conductive yarn allows acceleration of the transfer of heat to the foot so the effect of a shoe heating system is additionally improved. In an advantageous further embodiment of the invention, the yarn has metallic components. When using yarn with metallic components, the good thermal conductivity properties of metal are generally utilized, so that support of shoe heating is easily achieved. In another further embodiment of the invention, the yarn is provided with a metal coating. The metal coating also improves the efficiency of shoe heating systems because the metal coating promotes the transfer of heat. Moreover, the coating of the yarn with metal is easy to produce so the yarns used can be manufactured inexpensively. In another further embodiment of the invention there is provided a sock consisting of a shaft and a foot part having a toe area and a heel area and a tread area situated between the toe area and the heel area, wherein a warm zone is provided in at least some areas. Other further embodiments and designs of the invention are characterized in the dependent claims. One exemplary embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in the drawings and described below in detail, in which: Fig. 1 shows a diagram of a sock in a side view, and -3 Fig. 2 shows a view of the sock shown in Fig. 1 from the bottom. The sock selected as the exemplary embodiment including a foot part 1 and a shaft 2. The foot part 1 has a toe area 11, a heel area 12 and a tread area 13 situated between the toe area and the heel area. The areas 11, 12 and 13 may be made of a reinforced material. The use of material combinations such as sheared wool with elastomer fiber materials such as Elastan is also possible. The shaft 2 is provided with a cuff 21 on its end away from the foot part 1. The sock is provided with an x-cross bandage 22 formed from an elastic climate regulating woven fabric. The x-cross bandage 22 supports the ankle in the transitional area between the calf and the foot. In the exemplary embodiment shown here, an air channel 23, which is formed from a climate regulating knit fabric and extends into the tread area 13, leads away from the cuff 21. The air channel 23 contributes toward dissipating moisture upward and out of the tread area. Such an air channel 23 may also be provided in the sock on the inside of the leg or on both sides. In addition, the air channel 23 may continue into the tread area 13 of the sock in the area of the arch of the foot, as shown in Fig. 2. If air channels 23 are provided in the sock on the inside and outside of the sock, then climate regulating channels may also extend between the air channels 23 on the inside and outside of the leg in the tread area 13. The number and dimensions of the air channels are essentially freely selectable. An optimum air circulation in the shoe is achieved with the combination of air channels 23 on the inside and outside of the legs, so that a maximum of moisture can be transported out of the shoe and/or the sock if the feet sweat, e.g., in athletic activities. The foot climate is thereby additionally influenced in a positive sense. A warm zone 3 is provided on the sock in some areas. The warm zone 3 is made of a heat conducting yarn. The yarn that is used has metallic components in the -4 exemplary embodiment. It is provided with a coating of metal. In the exemplary embodiment, the warm zone 3 is arranged in the toe area 11 and extends around the foot into the tread area 13 where the warm zone 3 ends in the area of the ball of the foot. This embodiment of the warm zone 3 is suitable in particular when using shoes having a shoe heating which is provided only in the toe area of the shoe. This is a common arrangement for shoe heating because the toes usually cool the soonest in cold weather. In a modification of the exemplary embodiment, it is possible to extend the warm zone 3 to other areas of the sock. The area of the instep of the foot and the tread are 13 with the heel area 12 are also conceivable here, so the foot is surrounded by a warm zone 3 up to approximately the level of the ankle. This embodiment is especially recommended when the heating system provided in the shoe also surrounds the entire foot. The warm zone 3 may be provided in the area made of a reinforced material as well as in the area where no reinforcement is provided. Use of the warm zone leads to an improvement in the heat transport between the shoe heating system and the foot. At the same time, the possibility is created that a type of heat storage system is created in the area of the warm zone 3. This is achieved through the material properties of the yarns used having metal components, as the metallic components are capable of storing heat. The stored heat is then delivered to the foot over a given period of time so that even if the shoe heating system fails, there is a certain secondary effect. Therefore, the efficacy of the shoe heating system is additionally supported while at the same time the comfort in wearing is increased. When socks are mentioned in the description and claim, the invention is not limited strictly to these but instead this term is also intended to include stockings, pantyhose and the like to which the present invention also refers.

-5 Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" and "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps. The reference in this specification to any prior publication (or information derived from it), or to any matter which is known, is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgment or admission or any form of suggestion that that prior publication (or information derived from it) or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavour to which this specification relates.

Claims (8)

1. A sock consisting of a shaft and a foot part having a toe area and a heel area and a tread area situated between the toe area and the heel area, wherein a warm zone is provided in at least some areas.

2. The sock according to claim 1, wherein the warm zone is made of a thermally conductive yarn.

3. The sock according to claim 2, wherein the yarn has metallic components.

4. The sock according to claims 2 or 3, wherein the yarn is provided with a coating of metal.

5. The sock according to any one of the aforementioned claims, wherein a bandage is provided.

6. The sock according to any one of the aforementioned claims, wherein at least one air channel is provided.

7. The sock according to claim 6, wherein the air channel is made of a climate regulating mesh fabric.

8. A sock, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.