CA2985562C

CA2985562C - Wearing article and footwear

Info

Publication number: CA2985562C
Application number: CA2985562A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Seiji Sato
Original assignee: Medica Sato Ltd
Current assignee: Medica Sato Ltd
Priority date: 2016-07-15
Filing date: 2017-01-17
Publication date: 2019-09-24
Anticipated expiration: 2037-01-17
Also published as: KR102034943B1; TW201803473A; KR20180020960A; SG11201709434WA; JP2018016934A; CA2985562A1; TWI631912B; US20180070660A1; WO2018012010A1

Abstract

A wearing article includes a first band part 102, a second band part 104, and a connecting band part 106, which each have stretching properties so as to come into contact with a certain region respectively when the wearing article is worn on a human foot. The first band part 102 is formed to be in contact with a region extending from the base of a big toe 131 on the sole side through an inner side part 137 of the foot to the vicinity of a malleolus. The second band part 104 is formed to be in contact with a region extending from the base of the big toe 131 on an instep 129 side through the inner side part 137 of the foot, the sole, and an outer side part 138 of the foot to the vicinity of the other malleolus. The connecting band part 106 is formed to be in contact with a region extending from the vicinity of the first band part 102 on its extended line through the rear side of the foot to the vicinity of the second band part 104 on its extended line.

Description

DESCRIPTION
WEARING ARTICLE AND FOOTWEAR
[TECHNICAL FIELD]
[0001] The present invention relates to a wearing article and footwear worn on a human foot.
[BACKGROUND ART]

(0002] In order to protect movable parts, such as muscles, ligaments, and tendons, there have been conventionally known socks having a structure for fixing such parts to limit their movable ranges. Socks of this kind cover and protect an injured part from impact and also substitute for bandages using taping effects. For example, Patent Document 1 describes socks that are entirely knitted and include non-slip parts covering a toe part, pad parts and the vicinity thereof, a heel part, and an instep part, and a hardly-stretchable part continuously formed from an arch part to a leg part.
[PRIOR ART REFERENCE]
[PATENT DOCUMENT]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2011-21290 [DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION]
[PROBLEM(S) TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION]

[0004] Meanwhile, there have been also known, since ancient times, straw sandals that each fix a foot with ropes passed between the big toe and the second toe and laid along the sides of the foot to be tied around the ankle. The inventor has focused attention on the feature of wearing straw sandals enabling long-distance walking and explored the mechanism thereof. As a result, the inventor has obtained the suggestion that tying the ropes from the vicinity of the base of the big toe and the second toe around the ankle can improve stability of walking and reduce the load on muscles of the foot during the walking.
However, wearing conventional straw sandals on feet requires substantial time and effort, and the ropes tied around a foot may injure a contact part if the user is unused to the wearing. These matters have been obstacles to practical applications of the characteristics of straw sandals to footwear.
Accordingly, the inventor has recognized that the problem is how to reproduce the characteristics of straw sandals in footwear folded around feet, such as socks.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and a purpose thereof is to provide a wearing article that can be worn with reduced time and effort.

[MEANS TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM(S)]

[0006] To solve the problem above, a wearing article according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a first band part, a second band part, and a connecting band part, which each have stretching properties so as to come into contact with a certain region respectively when the wearing article is worn on a human foot. The first band part is formed to be in contact with a region extending from the base of the big toe on the sole side through an inner side part of the foot to the vicinity of a malleolus, the second band part is formed to be in contact with a region extending from the base of the big toe on the instep side through the inner side part of the foot, the sole, and an outer side part of the foot to the vicinity of the other malleolus, and the connecting band part is formed to be in contact with a region extending from the vicinity of the first band part on its extended line through the rear side of the foot to the vicinity of the second band part on its extended line.

[0007] According to the embodiment, the wearing article worn on a human foot includes the multiple band parts having stretching properties, by which the foot can be folded.

[0008] Another embodiment of the present invention is footwear. The foot wear is integrally knitted with the wearing article described above.

[0009] Optional combinations of the aforementioned constituting elements, and implementations of the present invention, including the constituting elements and expressions, in the form of methods, apparatuses, or systems may also be practiced as additional modes of the present invention.
[ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS OF INVENTION]

[0010] The present invention provides a wearing article that can be worn with reduced time and effort.
[BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS]

[0011] Embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings which are meant to be exemplary, not limiting, and wherein like elements are numbered alike in several Figures, in which:
Fig. 1 is a diagram that illustrates a wearing article according to an embodiment, worn on a foot and viewed from the top side;
Fig. 2 is a diagram that illustrates the wearing article according to the embodiment, worn on a foot and viewed from the bottom side;
Fig. 3 is a diagram that illustrates the wearing article according to the embodiment, worn on a foot and viewed from the right side;

Fig. 4 is a diagram that illustrates the wearing article according to the embodiment, worn on a foot and viewed from the left side;
Fig. 5 is a diagram that illustrates the wearing article according to the embodiment, worn on a foot and viewed from the rear side; and Fig. 6 is a flowchart that shows a manufacturing process of the wearing article according to the embodiment.
[MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION]

[0012] The inventor examined the characteristics of straw sandals and recognized the following points. By tying ropes passed between the big toe and the second toe and laid along the outer side and the inner side of the foot, around the ankle near the malleoli for fixation, the load on muscles during walking can be reduced, thereby facilitating the walking. It is considered that, since pressure is applied to flexor tendons of a foot, flexor muscles are compressed, thereby producing relaxation of extensor muscles. Since the extensor muscles are relaxed, swelling of the calf or fatigue of the foot may be reduced. Also, it is considered that, if flat band-like bodies are used instead of the ropes, the contact area will be larger compared to the case of the ropes, and the pressure on the contact parts can be reduced.
Further, it is also considered that, if the band-like bodies are formed of a stretch material, a foot can be naturally folded by means of contractile force of the band-like bodies, so that the time and effort required for the wearing can be significantly reduced.
An embodiment is devised based on such recognition, and the specific configuration thereof will be described below.
(Embodiment)

[0013] In the following, the present invention will be described based on a preferred embodiment with reference to each drawing. In the embodiment and modifications, like reference characters designate like or corresponding constituting elements and members in each drawing, and the same description therefor will be appropriately omitted.
Also, the size of a member may be appropriately enlarged or reduced in each drawing in order to facilitate understanding.
Further, in each drawing, part of a member less important in describing embodiments may be omitted.
Also, terms including ordinal numbers, such as "first"
and "second", are used to describe various constituting elements; however, such terms are used in order to distinguish one constituting element from the other constituting elements and do not limit the constituting elements.

[0014] Fig. 1 is a diagram that illustrates a wearing article 100 according to the embodiment, worn on a foot and viewed from the top side. Fig. 2 is a diagram that illustrates the wearing article 100 worn on a foot and viewed from the bottom side. Fig. 3 is a diagram that illustrates the wearing article 100 worn on a foot and viewed from the right side. Fig. 3 mainly shows the inner side of the wearing article 100. Fig. 4 is a diagram that illustrates the wearing article 100 worn on a foot and viewed from the left side. Fig. 4 mainly shows the outer side of the wearing article 100. Fig. 5 is a diagram that illustrates the wearing article 100 viewed from the rear side. Figs. 1-5 each show the wearing article 100 worn on a left foot. In the following, description will be given based on an XYZ Cartesian coordinate system. The X-axis direction corresponds to a horizontal lateral direction, the Y-axis direction corresponds to a horizontal longitudinal direction, and the Z-axis direction corresponds to a vertical direction. Each of the Y-axis direction and the Z-axis direction is perpendicular to the X-axis direction.
The specification may also describe the X-axis direction as the left direction or the right direction, the Y-axis direction as the front direction or the back direction, and the Z-axis direction as the upward direction or the downward direction. When the wearing article 100 is viewed from the top, the observer's right side will be referred to as the "right", and the observer's left side will be referred to as the "left". Also, in the X-axis direction, the direction from a big toe 131 to a little toe 134 will be referred to as "outward" or "the outer side", and the direction from the little toe 134 to the big toe 131 will be referred to as "inward" or "the inner side".

[0015] As shown in Figs. 1-5, the wearing article 100 has the form of a sock that mainly holds a portion from the malleoli to the toe part. The wearing article 100 mainly comprises a stretch part 110, a toe holder 117, a heel holder 114, a body part 120, and an ankle part 122. The stretch part 110 is a part that stretches, when the wearing article 100 is worn on a human foot, along the shape of the foot and applies, to the foot, contractile force in its shrinking direction due to resilience. The stretch part 110 will be described later.

[0016] The body part 120 is a cylindrical part that mainly holds a portion between the malleoli and the toe. To the toe side of the body part 120 is connected the toe holder 117 for holding the toes. To the ankle side of the body part 120 is connected the ankle part 122 of a cylindrical shape for holding at least part of the ankle.
The body part 120 and the ankle part 122 may be integrally formed by knitting a cylindrical shape from yarn, for example.
(Toe Holder)

[0017] The wearing article 100 comprises, on the toe side, the toe holder 117 for holding the toes. As shown in Figs.

1 and 2, the toe holder 117 includes a big toe sheath 112 and a toe sheath 116. The big toe sheath 112 is a bag-shaped part for holding at least part of the big toe 131.
The big toe sheath 112 is a bag-shaped part for holding the big toe 131 independently of the other toes. The toe sheath 116 is a bag-shaped part for holding the four toes from a second toe 132 through the little toe 134. The toe holder 117 may be formed by knitting bag shapes from yarn, for example.

[0018] As shown in Figs. 1-5, the heel holder 114 is formed in a bag shape capable of holding at least part of a heel 135. The heel holder 114 may be formed by knitting a bag shape from yarn, for example. The heel holder 114 is connected to a heel hole 120c provided in a part corresponding to the heel 135 in the body part 120.
(Stretch Part)

[0019] The stretch part 110 includes multiple band parts, which are band-like bodies that each stretch, when the wearing article 100 is worn on a human foot, along the shape of the foot and apply, to the foot, contractile force in its shrinking direction due to resilience. More specifically, the stretch part 110 includes a first band part 102, a second band part 104, a connecting band part 106, and a third band part 108, which each have stretching properties so as to come into contact with a certain region respectively when the wearing article 100 is worn on a human foot. The stretch part 110 of the wearing article 100 applies a load on the big toe flexor muscles, thereby relaxing the extensor muscles and reducing swelling of the calf or fatigue of the foot. The stretch part 110 is formed of a material having greater stretching properties than the body part 120. Particularly, the stretch part 110 is formed of a sheet material having a higher elastic limit and a lower elastic modulus than the body part 120. The stretch part 110 may be formed of a fabric into which a highly elastic material, such as rubber, is woven. Also, the stretch part 110 may be formed of a material thicker than that of the body part 120.
(First Band Part)

[0020] As shown in Figs. 1-5, the first band part 102 is formed to be in contact with a region extending from the base of the big toe 131 on a sole 128 side through an inner side part 137 of the foot to the vicinity of a malleolus 127 on an instep 129 side. Accordingly, the first band part 102 can apply contractile force to the region extending from the base of the big toe 131 on the sole 128 side through the inner side part 137 to the vicinity of the malleolus 127.
Specifically, the end part on the toe side of the first band part 102 is formed to extend from the base of the second toe 132 to the base of the big toe 131. As an example, the width of the first band part 102 may be in the range of 18 mm to 28 mm, and may suitably be in the range from 20 mm to 26 mm inclusive. In the present specification, the vicinity of a malleolus 127 means a range including the area of the malleolus 127 and the area within 30 millimeters around the edge of the malleolus 127.
(Second Band Part)

[0021] The second band part 104 is formed to be in contact with a region extending from the base of the big toe 131 on the instep 129 side through the inner side part 137, the sole 128, and an outer side part 138 to the vicinity of the other malleolus 127. Specifically, the end part on the toe side of the second band part 104 is formed to extend from the base of the second toe 132 to the base of the big toe 131. By providing the second band part 104, contractile force can be applied to the region extending from the base of the big toe 131 on the instep 129 side through the inner side part 137, the sole 128, and the outer side part 138 to the vicinity of the other malleolus 127. As an example, the width of the second band part 104 may be in the range of 11 mm to 19 mm, and may suitably be in the range from 13 mm to 17 mm inclusive. The width of the second band part 104 may be smaller than that of the first band part 102.
(Connecting Band Part)

[0022] The connecting band part 106 will be described mainly with reference to Figs. 3-5. In the embodiment, the connecting band part 106 is formed to be in contact with a region extending from the vicinity of the first band part 102 on an extended line thereof through the rear side of the foot to the vicinity of the second band part 104 on an extended line thereof. Specifically, the connecting band part 106 is directly or indirectly connected to the first band part 102 and the second band part 104. By providing the connecting band part 106, contractile force can be applied to the region in contact with the connecting band part 106, including the rear side of the foot. Also, since the connecting band part 106 integrally connects to the first band part 102 and the second band part 104, contractile force can be continuously applied to the regions in contact with the first band part 102 and the second band part 104. The connecting band part 106 may be in contact with a region extending from the outer side part 138 to the inner side part 137 above the heel 135 and near the malleoli 127, for example. As an example, the width of the connecting band part 106 may be in the range of 11 mm to 19 mm, and may suitably be in the range from 13 mm to 17 mm inclusive. The width of the connecting band part 106 may be smaller than that of the first band part 102.

[0023] If a band part is in contact with a toe crotch 133 between the big toe 131 and the second toe 132 for a long time, the toe crotch 133 may be injured. Therefore, the stretch part 110 of the embodiment is formed so as not to include a part in contact with the toe crotch 133. The end parts of the first band part 102 and the second band part 104 on the big toe 131 side are not connected to each other.
Accordingly, the first band part 102 and the second band part 104 are vertically separated by a part corresponding to the toe crotch 133. Compared to the case where the stretch part 110 includes a part in contact with the toe crotch 133, the possibility of injuring the toe crotch 133 can be reduced.
(Third Band Part)

[0024] If the contractile force is excessively applied to the inner side part 137 of the foot, the user may feel incongruity. Accordingly, the stretch part 110 of the embodiment includes the third band part 108 that is in contact with a region closer to the outer side part 138 of the foot. As shown in Figs. 1 and 4, the third band part 108 is formed to be in contact with a region extending from the base of the big toe 131 on the instep 129 side through the outer side part 138 to the vicinity of the other malleolus 127 and to be connected to the second band part 104 and the connecting band part 106. In the embodiment, the end part on the toe side of the third band part 108 is formed to extend from the base of the second toe 132 to the base of the big toe 131. As an example, the width of the third band part 108 may be in the range of 18 mm to 28 mm, and may suitably be in the range from 20 mm to 26 mm inclusive. The width of the third band part 108 may be substantially identical with that of the first band part 102.

[0025] The third band part 108, the connecting band part 106, and the second band part 104 constitute a ring band body. In terms of reduction of the load on the toe crotch 133, the end parts of the third band part 108 and the second band part 104 on the big toe 131 side are not connected to each other. Accordingly, the third band part 108 and the second band part 104 are vertically separated by a part corresponding to the toe crotch 133.

[0026] If the contractile force of the stretch part 110 is unevenly applied, the user may feel incongruity.
Accordingly, the respective band parts of the embodiment are arranged along different regions of a foot. The first band part 102, the second band part 104, and the third band part 108 may be provided parallel to each other; however, in the embodiment, they are not provided parallel to each other in terms of moderation of uneven application of the contractile force.

[0027] Although the first band part 102, the second band part 104, the connecting band part 106, and the third band part 108 may be separately formed, they are integrally formed in the embodiment. Compared to the case where the band parts are separately formed, the strength of the connecting parts can be ensured, and the time and effort for manufacturing can be reduced.

[0028] As shown in Figs. 1-5, the first band part 102, the second band part 104, the connecting band part 106, and the third band part 108 may form intersection parts in which band parts intersect each other. If the material is doubly provided in the intersection parts, such double-ply parts will be thicker, which may reduce comfort. Accordingly, the intersection parts of the embodiment have a single-ply structure without overlap of the material, although it seems to be a double-ply structure. Therefore, such an intersection part is integrally formed of the material having the same thickness as the first band part 102. The first band part 102 intersects the second band part 104.
The intersection part 103 of the first band part 102 and the second band part 104 may be formed on the inner side part 137 of the foot or on the sole 128, for example. The intersection part 103 may be formed near the arch part of the foot.

[0029] If the first band part 102 is diverted around a thenar 136, the curvature will be greater around the thenar 136, so that the contractile force will be dispersed and the effect may be reduced. Accordingly, the first band part 102 of the embodiment includes a thenar part 124 that is in contact with at least part of the thenar 136, as shown in Fig. 2. Compared to the case where the first band part 102 is diverted around the thenar 136, the curvature of the band part can be made smaller.

[0030] The toe holder 117 includes a notch part 115, which is a notch corresponding to the toe crotch 133 between the big toe 131 and the second toe 132. If the stretch part 110 is arranged excessively closer to the big toe 131 side of the notch part 115, the contractile force may be applied more to the inner side part 137 of the foot, so that the user may feel incongruity. Accordingly, in the embodiment, an end part 102b of the first band part 102 on the big toe 131 side is provided so as to cross an extended line Lc that is extended along the notch edge of the notch part 115.
With such arrangement, uneven application of contractile force can be moderated. Similarly, an end part 108b of the third band part 108 on the big toe 131 side is also provided so as to cross the extended line Lc extended along the notch edge of the notch part 115. The toe holder 117 may be connected to the end part 102b of the first band part 102 on the big toe 131 side or the end part 108b of the third band part 108 on the big toe 131 side.

[0031] There will now be described an exemplary process for manufacturing the wearing article 100 of the embodiment configured as set forth above. Fig. 6 is a flowchart that shows a manufacturing process 140 of the wearing article 100.
(1) By knitting, for example, the first band part 102, the second band part 104, the connecting band part 106, and the third band part 108 of the stretch part 110 are integrally formed (S141).
(2) By knitting, for example, the body part 120 is integrally formed with the stretch part 110 that has been already formed (S142). At the time, the ankle part 122 may be integrally formed with the body part 120.
(3) By knitting, for example, the toe holder 117 including the big toe sheath 112 and the toe sheath 116 is formed (S143).
(4) By knitting, for example, the heel holder 114 is formed (S144).
(5) By sewing, for example, the toe holder 117 is connected to an opening 120b on the front side of the body part 120 (S145).
(6) By sewing, for example, the heel holder 114 is connected to the heel hole 120c of the body part 120 (S146).
Thereafter, through the processes of inspection, packing, and the likes, the wearing article 100 is manufactured. In the manufacturing process 140, the order of the processes may be changed, part of the processes may be omitted, some processes may be merged, a process may be divided into multiple processes, or another process may be added, as needed.

[0032] There will now be described an exemplary method of using the wearing article 100 of the embodiment configured as set forth above.
(1) Cover the big toe 131 with the big toe sheath 112, and set a front end part 110b of the stretch part 110 to the big toe 131 and second toe 132 side.
(2) Cover the heel 135 with the heel holder 114, and set a rear end part 110c of the stretch part 110 to the malleoli 127 side.
(3) Position the first band part 102 so as to be in contact with a region extending from the base of the big toe 131 on the sole 128 side through the inner side part 137 of the foot to the vicinity of the malleolus 127 on the instep 129 side.
(4) Position the second band part 104 so as to be in contact with a region extending from the base of the big toe 131 on the instep 129 side through the inner side part 137, the sole 128, and the outer side part 138 to the vicinity of the other malleolus 127.
(5) Position the connecting band part 106 so as to be in contact with a region extending from the vicinity of the first band part 102 on the extended line thereof through the rear side of the foot to the vicinity of the second band part 104 on the extended line thereof.
(6) Position the third band part 108 so as to be in contact with a region extending from the base of the big toe 131 on the instep 129 side through the outer side part 138 to the vicinity of the other malleolus 127.
By using the wearing article 100 of the embodiment in this way, the big toe flexor muscles are compressed and the extensor muscles are relaxed, thereby reducing swelling of the calf or fatigue of the foot.

[0033] There will now be described the effects of the wearing article 100 of the embodiment configured as set forth above.
The wearing article 100 of the embodiment comprises the first band part 102, the second band part 104, and the connecting band part 106, which each have stretching properties so as to come into contact with a certain region respectively when the wearing article 100 is worn on a human foot. The first band part 102 is formed to be in contact with a region extending from the base of the big toe 131 on the sole 128 side through the inner side part 137 of the foot to the vicinity of a malleolus 127. The second band part 104 is formed to be in contact with a region extending from the base of the big toe 131 on the instep 129 side through the inner side part 137 of the foot, the sole 128, and the outer side part 138 of the foot to the vicinity of the other malleolus 127. The connecting band part 106 is formed to be in contact with a region extending from the vicinity of the first band part 102 on the extended line thereof through the rear side of the foot to the vicinity of the second band part 104 on the extended line thereof. With such a configuration, the characteristics similar to those of straw sandals suitable for walking can be reproduced in a wearing article that can be easily worn. Particularly, contractile force can be applied to a region extending from the base of the big toe 131 to the vicinity of the malleoli 127 and to the rear side of the foot. Accordingly, the big toe flexor muscles are compressed and the extensor muscles are relaxed, thereby reducing swelling of the calf or fatigue of the foot.

[0034] In the wearing article 100 of the embodiment, the first band part 102 intersects the second band part 104.
With such a configuration, the intersection part 103 of the first band part 102 and the second band part 104 can be brought in close contact with the foot.

[0035] The wearing article 100 of the embodiment also comprises the third band part 108 that has stretching properties so as to come into contact with a certain region when the wearing article 100 is worn on a human foot and that is in contact with a region extending from the base of the big toe 131 on the instep 129 side through the outer side part 138 of the foot to the vicinity of the other malleolus 127 and connected to the connecting band part 106.
With such a configuration, since the third band part 108 is in contact with a region over the outer side part 138, excessive application of contractile force of the stretch part 110 to the inner side part 137 can be reduced, compared to the case where the third band part 108 is not provided.
Also, since the third band part 108 is provided across the instep 129 side in an oblique direction, the stretch part 110 can be brought in close contact with the foot.

[0036] In the wearing article 100 of the embodiment, the first band part 102, the second band part 104, the connecting band part 106, and the third band part 108 are integrally formed. With such a configuration, when the wearing article 100 is worn, the positional relationships between the band parts are less likely to be disordered, so that the wearing article 100 can be worn more easily, compared to the case where the band parts are separately formed. Also, the wearing article 100 can be brought in close contact with the foot.

[0037] In the wearing article 100 of the embodiment, the first band part 102 includes a part that is in contact with at least part of the thenar 136. With such a configuration, the first band part 102 applies contractile force to the thenar 136 and can be brought in close contact with the thenar 136.

[0038] The wearing article 100 of the embodiment comprises the toe holder 117 that includes the notch part 115 corresponding to the toe crotch 133 between the big toe 131 and the second toe 132, and the end part 102b of the first band part 102 on the big toe 131 side is provided so as to cross the extended line Lc extended along the notch edge of the notch part 115. With such a configuration, the first band part 102 is shifted outward, so that excessive application of contractile force to the inner side part 137 of the foot can be moderated.

[0039] The present invention has been described with reference to the embodiment. The embodiment is intended to be illustrative only, and it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various modifications and changes could be developed within the scope of claims of the present invention and that such modifications and changes also fall within the scope of claims of the present invention.
Therefore, the description in the present specification and the drawings should be regarded as exemplary rather than limitative.
(Modifications)

[0040] Hereinbelow, modifications will be described. In the modifications, like reference characters designate like or corresponding constituting elements and members in the embodiment. Accordingly, the same description therefor already provided in the embodiment will be appropriately omitted, and configurations different from the corresponding configurations of the embodiment will be intensively described.

[0041] Although the embodiment describes an example in which the wearing article 100 is integrally formed with socks, the application is not limited thereto. The wearing article 100 may also be integrally formed with other wearing articles folded around feet, such as tights, stockings, Japanese socks (tabi), supporters, and insoles. Also, the wearing article 100 may be formed separately from such wearing articles.

[0042] Although the embodiment describes an example in which the toe sheath 116 holds the four toes from the second toe 132 through the little toe 134, the application is not limited thereto. For example, a toe sheath may be independently provided for each toe.

[0043] In the drawings used for the description, hatching is provided on part of the members in order to clarify the relationships between the members; however, such hatching is not provided to limit the materials of the members.
[EXPLANATION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS]

[0044] 100 wearing article 102 first band part 104 second band part 106 connecting band part 108 third band part 110 stretch part 112 big toe sheath 114 heel holder 115 notch part 116 toe sheath 117 toe holder 124 thenar part 128 sole 129 instep 131 big toe 132 second toe 133 toe crotch 135 heel 136 thenar 137 inner side part 138 outer side part 140 manufacturing process [INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY]

[0045] The present invention is applicable to the field of wearing articles and footwear worn on human feet.
z247-70001CA

Claims

25

1. A wearing article, comprising a first band part, a second band part, and a connecting band part, each of which has stretching properties so as to come into contact with a predetermined region respectively when the wearing article is worn on a human foot, wherein:
the first band part is formed to be in contact with a region extending from the base of the big toe on the sole side through an inner side part of the foot to the vicinity of a malleolus;
the second band part is formed to be in contact with a region extending from the base of the big toe on the instep side through the inner side part of the foot, the sole, and an outer side part of the foot to the vicinity of the other malleolus; and the connecting band part is formed to be in contact with a region extending from the vicinity of the first band part on an extended line thereof through the rear side of the foot to the vicinity of the second band part on an extended line thereof.

2. The wearing article of claim 1, wherein the first band part intersects the second band part.

3. The wearing article of claim 1 or 2, further comprising a third band part that has stretching properties so as to come into contact with a predetermined region when the wearing article is worn on a human foot and that is formed to be in contact with a region extending from the base of the big toe on the instep side through the outer side part of the foot to the vicinity of the other malleolus.

4. The wearing article of claim 3, wherein the first band part, the second band part, the connecting band part, and the third band part are integrally formed.

5. The wearing article of any one of claims 1 through 4, wherein the first band part includes a part that is in contact with at least part of the thenar.

6. The wearing article of any one of claims 1 through 5, further comprising a toe holder that includes a notch part corresponding to the toe crotch between the big toe and the second toe, wherein an end part of the first band part on the big toe side is provided so as to cross an extended line extended along the notch edge of the notch part.

7. Footwear integrally knitted with the wearing article of any one of claims 1 through 6.