EP1589837B1 - Sock - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a sock, especially a sock which is used in sports activities. The sole has rounded step area ( 13 ). The rounded step area ( 13 ) is advantageously dome shaped ( 131 ).

Description

The invention relates to a sock, in particular for use in sports activities.

The human feet are often housed in sturdy shoes. This especially if the person moves a lot and fast, for example during sports activities. Particularly in the case of movements which increasingly involve unrolling of the foot, for example during power walking, ie walking over an extended period of time at increased speed, the foot is exposed to high loads which, due to the inwardly arched formation of the sole of the foot, are especially in the area of the ball of the foot and the heel concentrate. The curvature of the sole of the foot is directed in the opposite direction to the rolling movement of the foot when walking or running. As a result, the metatarsal area is less stable due to insufficient or missing support surface Tension, which can increasingly lead to cramping. In addition, due to the uneven load distribution, increased stress on the tendons and ligaments can occur.

DE 200 16 825 U describes a sock according to the preamble of claim 1.

The invention aims to remedy this situation. The invention has for its object to provide a sock that causes a uniform distribution of the loads occurring during sporting activities over the entire surface of the sole of the foot, such as when power walking. According to the invention, the object is achieved in that the sole has a rounded appearance area, that the appearance area is formed in the manner of a curvature and that the curvature is directed outwards.

With the invention, a sock, especially for use in sports activities such as power walking created, which causes a uniform load distribution over the entire surface of the sole of the foot. By providing a rounded outward appearance area, the natural bulge of the metatarsal is compensated and thus causes a continuous support surface. This prevents cramps in the midfoot area and counteracts premature fatigue of the foot. In addition, a shuffle while walking counteracted.

In an embodiment of the invention, a climate channel is provided in the area of occurrence of the sock. As a result, it is possible to promote moisture occurring in the region of the sole of the foot directly from the region of the sole of the foot via the climate channel. The moisture can then escape through ventilation holes in the footwear.

In a development of the invention, the area of occurrence of the sock has a central air-conditioning duct, from which further air-conditioning channels branch off to the outside of the sock. This achieves a uniform climate in the entrance area. In addition, a pressure equalization between the channels is effected, resulting in a uniform dehumidification under load leads. Furthermore, a pleasant appearance is created.

In another embodiment of the invention, the air conditioning duct is bent or wavy. As a result, an increase in the effective channel length is achieved, which on the one hand causes an increase in the transport capacity, on the other hand, the cooling surface is increased in the appearance area.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the channels are designed waisted in the tread area. Due to the partial rejuvenation of the channel path an accelerated air flow is achieved, which in turn accelerates the removal of moisture from the area of occurrence and causes an increase in the cooling capacity in this area.

Preferably, an air duct is optionally provided on the inside and / or outside of the sock, which is connected in the entrance area with the air conditioning duct. This provides an additional way to remove the sweat from the area of the sole of the foot. In the case of air channels on the inside and outside of the leg, the connection of the air ducts causes additional air circulation in the boot.

In another embodiment of the invention, the sock has upholstery. The upholstery can be arranged at different points of the sock. On the one hand, they reduce the abrasion of the skin and, on the other hand, the danger of pressure points forming on the foot.

Advantageously, the sock is equipped with an X-cross bandage. The X-Cross Bandage supports the ankle in the transition area between leg and foot.

Figur 1

die Darstellung einer Socke mit aufgerundetem Auftrittsbereich sowie seitlichem Luftkanal, X-Cross-Bandage und Polsterungen in der Sei- tenansicht;

Figur 2

die Darstellung des Auftrittsbereichs der Socke mit Klimakanal (bo- genförmige Kanalführung);

Figur 3

die Darstellung des Auftrittsbereichs der Socke mit Klimakanal (wellenförmige Kanalführung);

Figur 4

die Darstellung der in Figur 3 abgebildeten Socke in der Seitenan- sicht;

Figur 5

die Darstellung des Auftrittsbereichs der Socke mit Klimakanal (taillierte Kanalführung);

Figur 6

den Schnitt entlang der Linie VI-VI in Figur 5;

Figur 7

die Darstellung des Auftrittsbereichs der Socke mit Klimakanal (Zen- tralkanalführung);

Figur 8

die Darstellung des Auftrittsbereichs der Socke mit Klimakanal und zusätzlichem Luftkanal auf der Beininnenseite;

Figur 9

die Darstellung des Auftrittsbereichs der Socke mit Klimakanal und zusätzlichem Luftkanal auf der Beinaußenseite und

Figur 10

die Darstellung des Auftrittsbereichs der Socke mit Klimakanal und zusätzlichem Luftkanal auf der Beininnen- und -außenseite.

Other developments and refinements of the invention are specified in the remaining subclaims. An embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the drawings and will be described in detail below. Show it:

FIG. 1

the representation of a sock with a rounded appearance area as well as a lateral air duct, X-Cross bandage and padding in the side view;

FIG. 2

the representation of the appearance area of the sock with air conditioning duct (bow-shaped ducting);

FIG. 3

the representation of the appearance of the sock with air conditioning duct (wave-shaped channel guide);

FIG. 4

the representation of in FIG. 3 illustrated sock in side view;

FIG. 5

the representation of the appearance of the sock with air conditioning duct (waisted channel guide);

FIG. 6

the section along the line VI-VI in FIG. 5 ;

FIG. 7

the representation of the appearance area of the sock with air conditioning duct (central channel guidance);

FIG. 8

the representation of the appearance of the sock with air conditioning duct and additional air duct on the inside of the leg;

FIG. 9

the representation of the appearance area of the sock with climate channel and additional air channel on the leg outside and

FIG. 10

the representation of the appearance area of the sock with air conditioning duct and additional air duct on the inside and outside of the leg.

The sock chosen as an embodiment ( FIG. 1 ) consists of a foot part 1 and a shaft 2. The foot part 1 has a toe area 11, a heel area 12 and an access area 13 located between the toe and heel area. The regions 11, 12 and 13 can, as shown in the exemplary embodiment, be made of reinforced material. The use of material combinations such as virgin wool with Elastofaserwerkstoffen, such as elastane, is possible.

The sock has a rounded appearance area 13 ( FIGS. 1 and 4 ). The thus formed curvature 131 of the appearance area 13 is the inwardly directed Curvature of the human sole of the foot opposed; the bulge 131 is directed outwards. The bulge 131 produces a rounded outer contour 132. The contour 132 corresponds to the course of the rolling movement of the foot while walking and running; from putting on the heel, the foot rolls over the arch 131 along the contour 132 to the toes. In the front area of the football and in the rear of the heel, the material is tapered to continue the rounded outer contour.

The bulge 131 can be caused in different ways. It is possible to create them by a padding. Paddings of different thicknesses can be used for this purpose. Here then thicker, thinner at the ends padding are then arranged in the middle region. Depending on the number of paddings of different thickness, a fine to less fine gradation of the thickness can be selected. Yarns of different thicknesses can also be used, the thickest yarns being sewn in the region of the maximum extent of the curvature. Furthermore, the curvature can be created by knitting a larger number of threads, wherein the number of threads increases from the heel to about the middle of the appearance area 13 and from there towards the toes decreases again. Also other way of creating the vault 131 are conceivable.

The shaft 2 is provided at its end facing away from the foot part 1 with a collar 21. In the area of the calves, the shaft 2 is provided with pads 22, in the example shown bar padding being provided; other forms of upholstery are possible. Also in the lower part of the tibia merging into the instep of the foot pad 23 are arranged. The arrangement of cushions in the area of the Achilles tendon is also possible.

The pads are generally made of plastic yarns or compound fabrics or yarn or similar materials. In the embodiment, the upholstery of the sock made of hollow-core fibers, which are wound with wool or cotton. The hollow plastic yarns are particularly strong shock and pressure damping. The appearance area 13 may be made of microfiber knit which helps to reduce the abrasion. Depending on the requirements, the footbed is also made of microfibre in the toe and heel area.

The sock is also equipped with an X-Cross bandage 24, which is formed of an elastic climate-regulating fabric. The X-Cross Bandage 24 supports the ankle in the transition area between leg and foot.

From the collar 21 is in the embodiment, an air duct 25, which extends into the appearance area 13 and is formed from climate-regulating net knitted fabric. The air channel 25 helps to drain moisture up from the tread area. Such an air channel 25 may also be provided on the inside of the leg or on both sides of the sock.

In the embodiment according to FIG. 2 three air conditioning channels 26 are arranged. Through the air conditioning channels 26 of the appearance area 13 is interrupted. The air conditioning channels 26 begin and end at the outer edge of the tread area and are arcuate, thereby increasing the effective channel length. This effect is reflected by the wave-shaped design of the air conditioning duct in the embodiment FIG. 3 still increased. Increasing the effective channel length increases the transport capacity and increases the cooling area in the entrance area. As FIG. 4 it can be seen, the air conditioning ducts 26 can pull through the entire - reinforced - appearance area 13 of the sock, so extend to the side areas that embed the foot. The air conditioning channels 26 are formed of climate-regulating net knitted fabric. They may be designed such that the thickness of the net knit fabric corresponds to the thickness of the area of occurrence, resulting in a continuous surface. As a result, the wearing comfort is positively influenced.

In the embodiment according to FIG. 5 has the sock in the appearance area 13 air ducts 26, which are designed waisted. Due to the partial taper 261 of the air conditioning duct 26, an acceleration of the air duct is achieved (so-called Venturi principle). As a result, on the one hand the removal of moisture from the area of occurrence 13 is accelerated, on the other hand an increase of the cooling capacity in this area is achieved. This advantage can be further enhanced by the fact that the air conditioning ducts 26 have a substantially circular cross section ( FIG. 6 ). In this embodiment, the taper 261 has an approximately circular cross-section. The non-closed portion of the channel 26 is labeled "b". Under load, the distance b decreases in the extreme case to b = 0, whereby a closed circular cross section is caused. The air duct 26 then has the shape of a Laval nozzle, whereby the positive properties are further improved.

In the embodiment according to FIG. 7 the entrance area 13 has a central channel 262 from which arcuate air conditioning ducts 26 branch off on both sides, which end at the outer edge of the access area 13. Due to the central connection of the air conditioning ducts 26 through the central channel 262, a uniform climate is achieved via the access area 13. The connection also causes equal pressure in all the air conditioning ducts 26, thereby achieving uniform dehumidification under load. Furthermore, the even pressure creates a pleasant sensation. In a modification of the embodiment, it is possible to continue the central channel 262 beyond the access area 13 into the toe area 11 and / or heel area 12.

In the embodiment according to FIG. 8 are arranged in the appearance area 13 three air conditioning channels, which open into an air channel 25 on the inside of the leg, which extends into the foot cavity. The air conditioning channels 26 are arranged radially. As a result of this arrangement, wide areas of the access area are achieved by the air conditioning ducts 26, so that it is possible to remove moisture from the entire area of occurrence. The width and the length of the air conditioning channels 26 are usually freely selectable. The number of air conditioning channels 26 is variable. By increasing the lengths or widths of the air conditioning ducts 26 or increasing the number of air conditioning ducts 26, an increase in the conveyable moisture is possible.

In the embodiment according to FIG. 9 are equivalent to FIG. 8 arranged in the appearance of 13 air ducts 26, which open into an air channel 25 which is arranged on the leg outside. The air conditioning channels 26 extend radially into the foot cavity.

In the embodiment according to FIG. 10 an air channel 25 is arranged in each case on the inside of the leg and the outside of the leg of the sock. The appearance area 13 of the sock has air-conditioning ducts 26 which are arranged between the air ducts 25 in the foot cavity. The number and dimensions of the air conditioning ducts are essentially freely selectable here as well. In the connection of the air channels 25 on the inside leg and the outside of the leg optimal air circulation in the shoe is caused, so that a maximum amount of humidity can be removed from the shoe or sock.

In addition to the embodiments shown in the figures, there are other possibilities of distribution and alignment of air conditioning ducts 26 in the performance area 13. As far as in the description and claims of socks is mentioned, the invention is not limited to these alone; rather, under this term also stockings, tights and the like are subsumed, to which the invention also relates.

Claims (13)

1. Sock, particularly for use in sporting activities, having a foot portion, which incorporates a toe area, a heel area and a tread area located between the toe and the heel area, characterised in that the tread area (13) is curved, the curved tread area (13) is formed like a dome (131) and the domed portion (131) faces outwards.
2. Sock in accordance with claim 1, characterised in that one or more air-conditioning channels (26) are provided for in the tread area (13).
3. Sock in accordance with claim 1 or 2, characterised in that air channels (25) are provided for on the inside and/or outside of the sock leg.
4. Sock in accordance with claim 3, characterised in that the air channels (25) in the tread area (13) are joined to at least one air-conditioning channel (26).
5. Sock in accordance with any of claims 2 to 4, characterised in that the air-conditioning channels (26) have a curved course in the tread area (13).
6. Sock in accordance with any of claims 2 to 5, characterised in that the air-conditioning channels (26) are partly tapered (261).
7. Sock in accordance with any one of claims 2 to 6, characterised in that the air-conditioning channels (26) are essentially circular in cross-section.
8. Sock in accordance with any of claims 2 to 7, characterised in that the air-conditioning channels (26) are joined one to the other by a central channel (262).
9. Sock in accordance with any of claims 3 to 8, characterised in that the air channels (25) and the air-conditioning channels (26) are made from the same material.
10. Sock in accordance with any of claims 3 to 9, characterised in that the air channel (25) is made from climate-regulating knitted mesh fabric.
11. Sock in accordance with any of claims 2 to 10, characterised in that the air-conditioning channel (26) is made from climate-regulating knitted mesh fabric.
12. Sock in accordance with any of claims 1 to 11, characterised in that the sock is fitted with an X-cross bandage (24).
13. Sock in accordance with any of claims 1 to 12, characterised in that the sock incorporates pads (22, 23).

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