EP2157220B1

EP2157220B1 - Knitting method for tubular knitted fabric and tubular knitted fabric

Info

Publication number: EP2157220B1
Application number: EP08751619.1A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Isao Yumiba
Original assignee: Shima Seiki Mfg Ltd
Current assignee: Shima Seiki Mfg Ltd
Priority date: 2007-05-01
Filing date: 2008-04-25
Publication date: 2015-04-15
Anticipated expiration: 2028-04-25
Also published as: KR20100015961A; EP2157220A1; EP2157220A4; CN101680139B; JPWO2008136186A1; KR101387957B1; JP5306998B2; WO2008136186A1; CN101680139A

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a knitting method of a tubular knitted fabric, and a tubular knitted fabric. In particular, the present invention relates to a knitting method of a tubular knitted fabric that can be knitted such that a circling direction of an annular elastic knitted fabric portion is oblique with respect to a circling direction of another knitted fabric portion, and the elastic knitted fabric portion effectively contracts in the circling direction.

BACKGROUND ART

A tubular knitted fabric having an annular elastic knitted fabric portion includes socks described in patent document 1. In such socks, the elastic knitted fabric portion is formed in the middle of the tubular knitted fabric in parallel to the circling direction of such knitted fabric.
In addition, patent document 2 discloses a supporter or a stocking in which a band-shaped piece of a spiral form is formed at one part of the tubular knitted fabric, which band-shaped piece has a tightening force greater than other locations.

Patent document 1: Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 11-124702
Patent document 2: Japanese Patent Publication No. 6-51921

Prior art document US 5 103 656 A shows and describes a sock which includes an integral leg and foot knit throughout of at least one body yarn, the leg and foot including a front half having a front leg portion and an instep portion and an instep portion, and a rear half including a rear leg portion, a heel portion and a sole portion. A stabilizing band of elastic yarn is laid into, or knit in a plated relationship with, the body yarn and extends from the top of the wearer's instep around an apex of the heel portion such that in use the stabilizing band prevents the leg of the sock from sliding down the wearer's leg into the ski boot. The sock is manufactured by a circular hosiery knitting machine.
From EP 0 243 147 A2 a fabric reinforcement for use with synthetic plastics material is known to produce a composite article which is shaped to exhibit a tubular portion having a longitudinal axis, which can be curved, and at least one flange extending in the direction of the longitudinal axis.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

However, according to either related art, the annular elastic knitted fabric portion that is oblique with respect to the circling direction of the knitted fabric cannot be formed at one part of the tubular knitted fabric, and a higher stretching force cannot be provided in the circling direction of such elastic knitted fabric portion.
In the socks of patent document 1, the elastic knitted fabric portion is arranged parallel to another knitted fabric portion. Thus, when knitting the tubular knitted fabric, the direction in which stitches are lined in parallel in a knitting width direction (hereinafter, this direction is referred to as a course direction, one stitch row lined in parallel in the knitting width direction is referred to as a course, and the direction in which a plurality of courses is lined in parallel is referred to as a wale direction) is the same for the elastic knitted fabric portion and another knitted fabric portion, and the elastic knitted fabric portion cannot be effectively contracted in the circling direction different from the another knitted fabric portion.
In the supporter or the socks of patent document 2, the oblique band-shaped piece is formed through fashioning. However, mere the circling direction of the band-shaped piece is inclined with respect to the circling direction of other knitted fabric portions in the supporter or the socks, and the course direction of the band-shaped piece and the course direction of another knitted fabric portion are the same. Thus, it is difficult to effectively contract the band-shaped piece in the circling direction thereof.
In view of the above situations, one object of the present invention is to provide a tubular knitted fabric including an oblique annular elastic knitted fabric portion, the tubular knitted fabric capable of being effectively contracted in the circling direction of the elastic knitted fabric portion, and a knitting method of the same.

MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEMS

This and other objects are solved by a knitting method of a tubular knitted fabric, the method having the features and steps as set forth in claim 1. Preferred embodiments of this knitting method are stated in the subclaims 2 and 3.
The objects are also met by a tubular knitted fabric defined in claim 4. A preferred embodiment is described in subclaim 5.
A method of knitting a tubular knitted fabric of the present invention is a method of knitting a tubular knitted fabric including an annular elastic knitted fabric portion, a first base knitted fabric portion joined to a stitch row on one end side in an axial direction of the elastic knitted fabric portion, and a second base knitted fabric portion joined to a stitch row of another end side in the axial direction of the elastic knitted fabric portion using a flat knitting machine having at least a pair of needle beds extending in a transverse direction and disposed opposite to each other in a cross direction. The method is characterized by including the steps of knitting a first narrowing or widening portion by performing a flechage knitting to change a knitting width with advancement of the knitting in a process of knitting the first base knitted fabric portion; knitting the annular elastic knitted fabric portion to an annular shape in continuation to the stitch row lined to an open edge of the first narrowing or widening portion using an elastic yarn; and knitting a second narrowing or widening portion by performing a process of knitting the second base knitted fabric portion lined to the stitch row forming an opened edge of the annular elastic knitted fabric portion, and performing the flechage knitting to change the knitting width with advancement of the knitting in the process.
In the knitting method of the present invention, at least one of the stitch row forming the open edge of the first narrowing or widening portion or the stitch row of the second narrowing or widening portion lined to the elastic knitted fabric portion may include stitches of different courses, or stitches of the same course.
A tubular knitted fabric of the present invention is a tubular knitted fabric knitted using a flat knitting machine having at least a pair of needle beds extending in a transverse direction and disposed opposite to each other in a cross direction. The knitted fabric includes an annular elastic knitted fabric portion formed in a direction inclined with respect to an axial direction of the tubular knitted fabric; a first base knitted fabric portion joined to a stitch row of one end side in an axial direction of the elastic knitted fabric portion; and a second base knitted fabric portion joined to a stitch row of another end side in the axial direction of the elastic knitted fabric portion. The elastic knitted fabric portion includes a course along a circling direction of the elastic knitted fabric portion.

EFFECT OF THE INVENTION

According to the knitting method of the tubular knitted fabric of the present invention, the stitch row of the opened edge of the first inclined narrowing or widening portion can be lined in parallel while being inclined with respect to the axial direction of the tubular knitted fabric by performing the flechage knitting in which the knitting width changes to knit the first inclined portion. Thus, the elastic knitted fabric portion formed in continuation to the opened edge can also be knitted to include a course inclined with respect to the axial direction of the tubular knitted fabric. The stitch row at the joint area with the elastic knitted fabric portion in the second inclined portion can be lined in parallel while being inclined with respect to the axial direction of the tubular knitted fabric by performing the flechage knitting in which the knitting width changes in continuation to the elastic knitted fabric portion to form the second inclined portion. As a result, the elastic knitted fabric portion including a course along the circling direction thereof can be formed while being an annular elastic knitted fabric portion inclined with respect to the axial direction of the tubular knitted fabric, so that the elastic knitted fabric portion can contract along the circling direction thereof.
In the knitting method of the present invention, the flechage knitting is performed such that the stitch row joined to the elastic knitted fabric portion of each inclined portion includes the stitches of different courses, and thus the course of the elastic knitted fabric portion becomes non-parallel to the course of each inclined portion. Thus, a tubular knitted fabric in which the elastic knitted fabric portion can be specifically contracted in the circling direction with respect to the base knitted fabric portion can be knitted. If the flechage knitting is performed such that the stitch row joined to the elastic knitted fabric portion of each inclined portion includes the stitches of the same course, the course of the elastic knitted fabric portion becomes parallel to the course of each inclined portion. In this case as well, the annular elastic knitted fabric portion that can contract along the circling direction can be knitted in the middle of the tubular knitted fabric. In particular, each flechage knitting of the first inclined portion and the second inclined portion is performed such that the stitch row joined to the elastic knitted fabric portion of each base knitted fabric portion includes a portion where the stitches of different courses are lined and a portion where the stitches of the same course are lined, so that a corner of an acute angle is suppressed from being formed in the middle of the elastic knitted fabric portion and a smooth line is formed along the elastic knitted fabric portion. As a result, the silhouette at the joint areas of both base knitted fabric portions and the elastic knitted fabric portion becomes smooth.
According to the tubular knitted fabric of the present invention, the course of the elastic knitted fabric portion and the courses of both base knitted fabric portions can be in different directions, and a tubular knitted fabric including an annular elastic knitted fabric portion of higher stretchability can be obtained. In particular, the elastic knitted fabric portion can be specifically contracted in the circling direction with respect to other regions of the tubular knitted fabric by having at least one of the base knitted fabric portions include a course non-parallel to the circling direction of the elastic knitted fabric portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1(A) is a plan view of a sock according to a first embodiment, and is a view seen from a side corresponding to the position of the ankle when worn, and (B) is a view of a state in which the sock of the present invention is worn.
Fig. 2 is a first view of a knitting process diagram for forming an elastic knitted fabric portion according to the first embodiment.
Fig. 3 is a second view of the knitting process diagram for forming the elastic knitted fabric portion according to the first embodiment.
Fig. 4 (A) is a plan view of a sock according to a second embodiment, and is a view seen from a side corresponding to an ankle when worn, and (B) is a view showing a state in which the sock of the present invention is worn.
Fig. 5 is a knitting process diagram for forming an elastic knitted fabric portion according to the second embodiment.
Fig. 6 is a knitting process diagram for forming an elastic knitted fabric portion according to a third embodiment.
Fig. 7 is a plan view of a sock according to a fourth embodiment, where (A) shows a case in which the courses of the first and second inclined portions and the course of the elastic knitted fabric portion are parallel, (B) shows a case in which the course of the elastic knitted fabric portion is parallel to the course of the first inclined portion and non-parallel to the course of the second knitted fabric portion, and (C) shows a case in which the course of the elastic knitted fabric portion is non-parallel to the course of the first inclined portion and parallel to the course of the second knitted fabric portion.
Fig. 8 shows a knitting process diagram for forming the elastic knitted fabric portion according to the fourth embodiment.

Description of Symbols

1: sock
1A: instep side knitted fabric portion
1B: sole side knitted fabric portion
11: lower knitted fabric portion
12: upper knitted fabric portion
13: intermediate knitted fabric portion
11t: first tubular part
11s: first inclined portion
12t: second tubular part
12s: second inclined portion
20, 21, 22, 23: elastic knitted fabric portion
30: opening
F: foot
N: knee
C: calf
S: shin
T: toe

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below based on the drawings. In each embodiment, a sock including an annular elastic knitted fabric portion is fabricated using a two-bed flat knitting machine having a pair of front and back needle beds extending in a transverse direction and disposed opposite to each other in a cross direction. A sock having various structure patterns such as links and purl stitches can be knitted by using the two-bed flat knitting machine in which the back needle bed can be racked in the transverse direction and the loops can be transferred between the front and back needle beds.

Fig. 1(A) is a plan view of a sock, and is a view seen from a side corresponding to the position of the ankle when worn.
Fig. 1(B) is a schematic view of a state in which the sock is worn seen from the ankle side.

As shown in both figures, a sock 1 includes a lower knitted fabric portion 11 covering from a toe T of a foot F of a wearer to the middle of a calf C and a shin S; an upper knitted fabric portion 12 covering the upper parts of the calf C and the shin S; and an annular elastic knitted fabric portion 20 arranged between the knitted fabric portions 11, 12. The lower knitted fabric portion 11 serves as a first base knitted fabric portion, and the upper knitted fabric portion 12 serves as a second base knitted fabric portion.
As shown in Fig. 1(A), the elastic knitted fabric portion 20 does not extend coaxially with the lower knitted fabric portion 11 and the upper knitted fabric portion 12, but is arranged such that the axial direction is inclined with respect to the axial direction of each knitted fabric portion 11, 12. The course direction of the elastic knitted fabric portion 20 is a direction different from the course direction of each knitted fabric portion 11, 12. Furthermore, the course directions of the upper knitted fabric portion 12 and the lower knitted fabric portion 11 are parallel. Thus, a step is formed in the contour shape of the sock 1 at the seam of the lower knitted fabric portion 11 and the elastic knitted fabric portion 20, and the seam of the upper knitted fabric portion 12 and the elastic knitted fabric portion 20.
When the sock 1 is worn, the elastic knitted fabric portion 20 of the sock 1 extends diagonally upward (direction of knee N) from the calf C towards the shin S, as shown in Fig. 1(B). An opening 30 for inserting the foot F is formed on the side opposite to the elastic knitted fabric portion 20 of the upper knitted fabric portion 12.
In the present embodiment, the lower knitted fabric portion 11 and the upper knitted fabric portion 12 are presented in the form of a plain stitch with no pattern, and the opening 30 is presented in the form of a rib stitch for the sake of convenience of the explanation.
The sock 1 knitted in the first embodiment has half of the tubular knitted fabric on the left side of the plane of drawing in Fig. 1(A), that is, half of the lower knitted fabric portion 11, the elastic knitted fabric portion 20, and the upper knitted fabric portion 12 as an instep side knitted fabric portion 1A, and half of the tubular knitted fabric on the right side of the plane of drawing (half of knitted fabric portions 11, 20, 12) as a sole side knitted fabric portion 1B. The instep side knitted fabric portion 1A is knitted with the back needle bed (BB) of the flat knitting machine, and the sole side knitted fabric portion 1B is knitted with the front needle bed (FB) of the flat knitting machine.
In the present embodiment, the lower knitted fabric portion 11 is knitted with the knitting starting from the toe. The portion of the toe may be formed with tabi or finger-bags for accommodating the toes of the wearer. At the location corresponding to the portion of the heel of the wearer of the sole side knitted fabric portion 1B, the knitting of sequentially reducing the knitting width towards the portion corresponding to the heel, and thereafter, sequentially increasing the knitting width is carried out so as to conform to the shape of the heel of the wearer.
The elastic knitted fabric portion 20 is then knitted so as to continue to the lower knitted fabric portion 11. The elastic knitted fabric portion 20 is the location where contractility is greater than in other knitted fabric portions 11, 12. In the present embodiment, the elastic knitted fabric portion 20 is obtained by weaving an elastic yarn, which excels in stretchability than a base yarn for knitting each knitted fabric portion 11, 12, in the knitted fabric knitted with the base yarn. Specifically, the elastic knitted fabric portion 20 is formed by a so-called tuck knitting in which the elastic yarn is tucked into the stitch row knitted with the base yarn for every few stitches. The elastic knitted fabric portion 20 may be knitted with the base yarn changed to the elastic yarn.
The knitting method of the elastic knitted fabric portion 20 and each knitted fabric portion 11, 12 before and after thereof will be described based on Figs. 2 and 3. The numbers indicated on the left end of the figures show the steps of the knitting process. The left drawing in the figure shows a held state of the loops at the needles of FB and BB, where the black loops show the loops knitted in the relevant knitting process, and the white loops show the loops that are held at the needle bed without being knitted in the relevant knitting process. Furthermore, the right side of the drawing showing a held state of the loops shows a schematic view of a tubular sock knitted in correspondence to the relevant step. In the schematic view, the instep side knitted fabric portion 1A and the sole side knitted fabric portion 1B are shown in an overlapping manner. In addition, the arrow in the figures shows the knitting direction, where the one-sided arrow shows the knitting of a tubular form and the double-sided arrow shows the flechage knitting.
First, the knitted fabric is knitted to a tubular form from the toe towards the elastic knitted fabric portion 20. Step 1 shows the knitting state before the elastic knitted fabric portion 20 is knitted. Specifically, the knitted fabric is knitted such that the instep side knitted fabric portion 1A and the sole side knitted fabric portion 1B are formed into one continuous tube.
In step 2, as the knitting of the course advances, a C-shaped flechage knitting of increasing the needles that do not perform knitting in order from the central side of the FB is performed to form the stitches of both end sides of the sole side knitted fabric portion 1B and the stitches of the instep side knitted fabric portion 1A. In step 2, a state in which the knitting is not performed with the needles of the FB is ultimately achieved. That is, the sole side knitted fabric portion 1B is in a state in which the number of stitches in the wale direction orthogonal to the course direction is few at the intermediate side and the number of stitches in the wale direction is great at both end sides, where the joint area with the elastic knitted fabric portion 20, to be hereinafter described, is in a state depressed to an isosceles triangle shape at the time point the knitting of step 2 is finished. The loops of a different course are held at the needles of the FB.
In step 3, the flechage knitting is performed only on the BB side to knit the instep side knitted fabric portion 1A. In this case, the needles that do not perform the knitting is increased in the needles of the BB, and the number of stitches is decreased in order from both ends of the instep side knitted fabric portion 1A with the advancement of the course. That is, the instep side knitted fabric portion 1A is in a state in which the number of stitches in the wale direction is great on the intermediate side, and the number of stitches in the wale direction is fewer towards both end sides, where the joint area with the elastic knitted fabric portion 20, to be hereinafter described, is in a state projected to an isosceles triangle shape at the time point the knitting of step 3 is finished. A plurality of stitches of different courses form a stitch row of the joint area with the elastic knitted fabric portion 20 in the lower knitted fabric portion 11 by performing step 3 and step 2, described above, where the boundary of the lower knitted fabric portion 11 and the elastic knitted fabric portion 20 is formed in an inclined manner so as to extend diagonally upward from the sole side knitted fabric portion 1B towards the instep side knitted fabric portion 1A, as in the sock 1 shown in Fig. 1. The steps 2, 3 serve as a knitting step of a first inclined portion.
In the next step 4, knitting is performed to an annular shape so as to continue to the lower knitted fabric portion 11 using the base yarn for knitting the lower knitted fabric portion 11 and the elastic yarn thereby forming the elastic knitted fabric portion 20. In the elastic knitted fabric portion 20, the number of stitches in the wale direction is equal, and the width of the knitted fabric portion 20 is formed evenly over the circling direction.
The stitch row of the lower knitted fabric portion 11 at the joint area with the elastic knitted fabric portion 20 is configured by a stitch group of different courses, where the elastic knitted fabric portion 20 is knitted along the parallel direction of such stitches. Thus, the course direction of the elastic knitted fabric portion 20 is inclined with respect to the course direction of the lower knitted fabric portion 11.
After the knitting of the elastic knitted fabric portion 20 is finished in step 4, described above, the insertion of the elastic yarn is stopped, and the knitting of the upper knitted fabric portion 12 is started using the base yarn used to knit the lower knitted fabric portion 11 and the elastic knitted fabric portion 20.
Step 5 shown in Fig. 3 shows a state at the beginning of the knitting of the upper knitted fabric portion 12. Specifically, in step 5, the flechage knitting of increasing the stitches from the middle of the knitted fabric held at the FB is performed to fill the recesses of the sole side knitted fabric portion 1B in which the knitting width is small with respect to the instep side knitted fabric portion 1A.
In step 6, the C-shaped flechage knitting is performed so that the knitting widths of the instep side knitted fabric portion 1A and the sole side knitted fabric portion 1B become the same. By step 6 and step 5 described above, the course direction of the upper knitted fabric portion 12 formed in continuation to the elastic knitted fabric portion 20 is inclined with respect to the course direction of the elastic knitted fabric portion 20. Steps 5 and 6 serve as the knitting step of a second inclined portion. The course direction of the upper knitted fabric portion 12 is parallel to the course direction of the lower knitted fabric portion 11.
Lastly, the upper knitted fabric portion 12 is knitted to a tubular shape up to the opening 30 of the sock 1 (see step 7), to thereby complete the sock 1. In the completed sock 1, the elastic knitted fabric portion 20 effectively contracts in the circling direction different from each of the lower and the upper knitted fabric portions 11, 12.
According to the sock 1 of the present embodiment, the elastic knitted fabric portion 20 can be provided in a direction along the bumps of the calf C such that the calf C can be tightened with substantially an even force from the peripheral direction, and the calf C can be tightened as if being lifted up from the narrow portion on the lower side of the calf C. Thus, the sock 1 is comfortable to wear, and fits to the foot F and is less likely to shift. Furthermore, since the entire calf C is not tightened according to the sock 1, the blood circulation of the foot F is less likely to be inhibited, and the foot F is less likely to swell and less likely to get tired even if the sock is worn for a long time.

As a variant of the first embodiment, a knitting method of a tubular knitted fabric of changing the direction the elastic knitted fabric portion obliquely extends for the instep side knitted fabric portion and the sole side knitted fabric portion will be described.
The knitting method of a sock in which the elastic knitted fabric portion is formed to a hill shape when the sock is seen from the ankle side, that is, a sock in which the elastic knitted fabric portion is formed to a valley shape when the sock is seen from the front will be described. To knit the elastic knitted fabric portion of hill shape, the stitches are reduced from the middle of the knitted fabric at the instep side knitted fabric portion 1A as well, similar to the sole side knitted fabric portion 1B, to form the lower knitted fabric portion 11 in step 2 of Fig. 2. Similar to the first embodiment, the elastic knitted fabric portion 20 in which the number of stitches in each wale direction is equal is formed in continuation to the lower knitted fabric portion 11 including the instep side knitted fabric portion 1A and the sole side knitted fabric portion 1B in which the stitches are reduced at the central part, and the upper knitted fabric portion 12 is further formed in continuation to the elastic knitted fabric portion 20.
The knitting method of a sock in which the elastic knitted fabric portion is formed to a valley shape when the sock is seen from the ankle side, that is, a sock in which the elastic knitted fabric portion is formed to a hill shape when the sock is seen from the front will be described. To knit the elastic knitted fabric portion of valley shape, the stitches are reduced from both ends of the knitted fabric at the sole side knitted fabric portion 1B, similar to the instep side knitted fabric portion 1A knitted in step S3, to form the lower knitted fabric portion 11 without performing step 2 of Fig. 2. Then, similar to the first embodiment, the elastic knitted fabric portion 20 is formed in continuation to the formed lower knitted fabric portion 11, and the upper knitted fabric portion 12 is further formed in continuation to the elastic knitted fabric portion 20.

In the second embodiment, a knitting method of a tubular knitted fabric capable of alleviating the step formed between the lower knitted fabric portion 11 and the elastic knitted fabric portion 20 and between the elastic knitted fabric portion 20 and the upper knitted fabric portion 12 in the sock 1 shown in Fig. 1 will be described.
Fig. 4 is a view showing the sock 1 of the present example. Fig. 4 (A) is a plan view of the sock 1, and Fig. 4(B) is a schematic view showing a state of wearing the sock 2. Same reference numerals are denoted for the configurations same as Fig. 1, and the description thereof will be omitted.
The sock 1 of the present embodiment includes a flat portion 210 at an intermediate part of the instep side knitted fabric portion 1A and an intermediate part of the sole side knitted fabric portion 1B at the position of the elastic knitted fabric portion 21. The flat portion 210 is the portion substantially parallel to the course direction of the lower knitted fabric portion 11. The flat portion 210 suppresses a corner of an acute angle to be formed at the elastic knitted fabric portion 21 and forms a smooth line along the elastic knitted fabric portion 21 when the sock 1 is seen from the front or the back. The knitted fabric portion at the position of the flat portion 210 of the elastic knitted fabric portion 21 pulls the knitted fabric portion at the position other than at the flat portion 210, thereby alleviating the step created at the contour of the lower knitted fabric portion 11 and the upper knitted fabric portion 12 sandwiching the elastic knitted fabric portion 21 of the sock 1.
Fig. 5 shows the knitting method of the elastic knitted fabric portion 21 of the embodiment. The main difference with the first embodiment of the present embodiment lies in the procedure for forming the stitch row at the joint area with the elastic knitted fabric portion of the lower knitted fabric portion and the stitch row at the joint area with the elastic knitted fabric portion of the upper knitted fabric portion.
That is, in step 2, the C-shaped flechage knitting is performed so as not to knit one portion at the intermediate of the sole side knitted fabric portion 1B (intermediate part of the loops held at the FB) to form the stitches on both end sides of the sole side knitted fabric portion 1B and the stitches of the instep side knitted fabric portion 1A. The needles that do not perform knitting are increased in order from the central side of the FB with the advancement of the knitting of the course to ultimately obtain a state in which knitting is not performed with the needles of the FB. A recess of inverted trapezoidal shape is formed at the central part of the sole side knitted fabric portion 1B in step 2.
In step 3, the stitches at the central part of the instep side knitted fabric portion 1A are increased by the flechage knitting at the BB to complete the lower knitted fabric portion 11. In step 3 as well, the needles that do not perform knitting are increased in the needles of the BB from both end sides of the instep side knitted fabric portion 1A with the advancement of the course to obtain a state in which the instep side knitted fabric portion 1A projects out to a trapezoidal shape. In steps 2, 3, the area where the stitches of the same course are lined in parallel at the intermediate part of each knitted fabric portion 1A, 1B becomes the flat portion 210 of the sock 1. Subsequently, in step 4, the elastic knitted fabric portion 21 in which the number of stitches in each wale direction is equal is knitted to a tubular shape in continuation to the lower knitted fabric portion 11.
Thereafter, the flechage knitting of the sole side knitted fabric portion 1B and the flechage knitting of the instep side knitted fabric portion 1A are sequentially performed in steps 5, 6 so that the number of courses of each knitted fabric portion 1B, 1A counting from step 1 becomes the same. Lastly, the upper knitted fabric portion 12 is knitted to a tubular shape (step 7) up to the opening 30 (see Fig. 4) to complete the sock 1.
The flat portion 210 may be formed with the side ends of the knitted fabric held at the FB and the BB. In this case, the stitches are not reduced at both ends in the knitting width direction of the instep side knitted fabric portion 1A and the sole side knitted fabric portion 1B in steps 2 and 3.
The sock 1 of the present embodiment suppresses the corner of an acute angle from being formed at the elastic knitted fabric portion 21 and forms a smooth line along the elastic knitted fabric portion 21 by providing the flat portion 210 between the upper knitted fabric portion 11 and the lower knitted fabric portion 12 in the vicinity of the elastic knitted fabric portion 21. Accompanied therewith, the step created at the contour of the sock near the elastic knitted fabric portion in the first embodiment can be alleviated. Thus, the silhouette of the sock 1 becomes closer to the silhouette of the normal sock than the sock of the first embodiment.
When the sock 1 is worn, the wearing state is no different from the sock of the first embodiment as shown in Fig. 4(B), and the wearing feeling is also barely different from the sock of the first embodiment.

In the third embodiment, the knitting method of the tubular knitted fabric in which two elastic knitted fabric portions are arranged in proximity will be described based on Fig. 6.
First, in step 1, one part of the lower knitted fabric portion 11 is knitted to a tubular shape, similar to the first embodiment described with reference to Fig. 2.
In step 2, the C-shaped flechage knitting is performed at the FB and the BB, so that the instep side knitted fabric portion and the sole side knitted fabric portion 1B project out in a right triangular shape. In step 2, the flat portion in which the stitches are lined in the same course is formed at both end sides of each knitted fabric portion 1A, 1B, so that the step is less likely to be formed in the silhouette of the finished sock.
In step 3, an elastic knitted fabric portion 22 is formed to an annular shape in continuation to the lower knitted fabric portion 11 formed in step 2.
An intermediate knitted fabric portion 13 continuing to the elastic knitted fabric portion 22 is then knitted to a C-shape in steps 4 and 5. The intermediate knitted fabric portion 13 has a rhomboid shape, and has an isosceles triangular shape when seen from the sole side knitted fabric portion 1B as in the figure. One part of an elastic knitted fabric portion 23 to be knitted in the following step 6 and one part of the elastic knitted fabric portion 22 knitted in step 3 are joined by not forming the intermediate knitted fabric portion 13 at one end (right side of the plane of drawing) of the elastic knitted fabric portion 22.
In the following step 6, the elastic knitted fabric portion 23 is knitted to a tubular shape in continuation to the intermediate knitted fabric portion 13 and one end of the elastic knitted fabric portion 22.
Lastly, in step 7, the upper knitted fabric portion 12 continuing to the elastic knitted fabric portion 23 is flechage knitted to a C-shape, where knitting is switched to the knitting of tubular shape when the course on the left side of the plane of drawing of the elastic knitted fabric portion 23 and the course of the upper knitted fabric portion 12 are aligned, and knitting is performed to the opening to complete the sock.
According to the knitting method of the present embodiment, the elastic knitted fabric portion obliquely extends with respect to the axis of the sock when the sock is seen from the instep side, for instance. Such elastic knitted fabric portion can efficiently tighten the plantar arch by being arranged at a position corresponding to the plantar arch when the sock is worn.

In the above-described embodiments, the sock in which the course of the elastic knitted fabric portion is a direction different from the courses of both inclined portions has been described, but a sock in which the course of the elastic knitted fabric portion is parallel to the course of at least one of the first or the second inclined portions will be described in the present embodiment.
Fig. 7 (A) shows a sock 1 in which each course of the first inclined portion, the elastic knitted fabric portion, and the second inclined portion are all parallel. The knitting method of such sock 1 will be described based on Fig. 8. In the following knitting method, a method of the flechage knitting itself for forming each inclined portion is performed similar to the other embodiments described above, and thus the detailed description will be omitted.
In this method, a first tubular part 11t of a first base knitted fabric portion is first knitted in step 1. In step 2, the flechage knitting is performed to sequentially increase the knitting width from one end of the knitting width of the tubular part 11t to knit a first inclined portion 11s. Through such knitting, an oblique line on the left side of the first inclined portion 11s in Fig. 8 is joined to the opened edge of the tubular part 11t. The first inclined portion 11s has the stitches of the same course lined in parallel to its opening. In the present example, the fold-back end on the right side of the figure of the first inclined portion 11s is adjusted to an area projecting further to the right side than the end on the right side in the knitting width direction of the first tubular part 11t to achieve a satisfactory finish of the tubular knitted fabric. The idea of such knitting method is similarly applied on a second inclined portion 12s, to be hereinafter described. In step 3, the elastic knitted fabric portion 20 is knitted to an annular shape. Subsequently, the flechage knitting is performed to sequentially reduce the knitting width with respect to the knitted fabric of the opened edge of the elastic knitted fabric portion 20 to form the second inclined portion 12s. Through such knitting, an oblique line on the right side of the second inclined portion 12s in Fig. 8 is joined to the opened edge of the elastic knitted fabric portion 20. In this case, the stitches of the same course are lined in parallel at the joint area with the elastic knitted fabric portion 20 in the second inclined portion 12s. In step 5, a second tubular part 12t of the second base knitted fabric portion is knitted in continuation to the second inclined portion 12s.
According to such knitting method, both tubular parts 11t, 12t include a course in a direction orthogonal to the respective axial direction, where a tubular knitted fabric including a course in a direction inclined with respect to the axial direction can be formed at each inclined portion 11s, 12s and the elastic knitted fabric portion 20. Thus, the elastic knitted fabric portion 20 can be contracted along the circling direction thereof.
In the present embodiment, the knitting of the first inclined portion 11s includes the step of performing the flechage knitting such that the knitting width either increases or decreases with the advancement of the knitting, and the knitting of the second inclined portion 12s includes the step of performing the flechage knitting such that the knitting width increases or decreases opposite to when the first inclined portion 11s is knitted with the advancement of the knitting, but the knitting of the first inclined portion 11s may include the step of performing the flechage knitting such that the knitting width either increases or decreases with the advancement of the knitting, and the knitting of the second inclined portion 12s may include the step of performing the flechage knitting such that the knitting width increases or decreases same as when the first inclined portion 11s is knitted with the advancement of the knitting.
For instance, in the sock 1 shown in Fig. 7(B), the flechage knitting is performed such that the knitting width sequentially increases when knitting the first inclined portion 11s, and the flechage knitting is also performed such that the knitting width sequentially increases when knitting the second inclined portion 12s.
In the sock 1 shown in Fig. 7(C), the flechage knitting is performed such that the knitting width sequentially decreases when knitting the first inclined portion 11s, and the flechage knitting is also performed such that the knitting width sequentially decreases when knitting the second inclined portion 12s.
The sock 1 in both Figs. 7(B) and (C) can contract the elastic knitted fabric portion 20 along the circling direction thereof.
In each embodiment described above, the sock has been described by way of example, but the tubular knitted fabric of the present invention may be clothes such as gloves, sweater and pants. In addition, a four-bed flat knitting machine may be used for the flat knitting machine used in the method of the present invention.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

According to the tubular knitted fabric of the present invention, the tubular knitted fabric in which the circling directions of the elastic knitted fabric portion and other knitted fabric portions are different, and in which the elastic knitted fabric portion contracts in the circling direction thereof is obtained. Thus, socks and supporters having high fitting feeling or the like can be manufactured. The knitting method of the tubular knitted fabric of the present invention can be suitably used to knit the tubular knitted fabric of the present invention.

Claims

A knitting method of a tubular knitted fabric (1) including an annular elastic knitted fabric portion (20, 21, 22, 23), a first base knitted fabric portion (11) joined to a stitch row on one end side in an axial direction of the annular elastic knitted fabric portion (20, 21, 22, 23), and a second base knitted fabric portion (12) joined to a stitch row of another end side in the axial direction of the annular elastic knitted fabric portion (20, 21, 22, 23) using a flat knitting machine having at least a pair of needle beds extending in a transverse direction and disposed opposite to each other in a cross direction; wherein the method comprises the steps of:
knitting a first narrowing or widening portion (11s) by performing a flechage knitting to change a knitting width with advancement of the knitting in a process of

knitting the first base knitted fabric portion (11);

knitting the annular elastic knitted fabric portion (20, 21, 22, 23) to an annular shape in continuation to a stitch row lined to an open edge of the first narrowing or widening portion (11s) using an elastic yarn which excels a base yarn used for knitting the base knitted fabric portions (11, 12) in stretchability; and

knitting a second narrowing or widening portion (12s) by performing a process of knitting the second base knitted fabric portion (12) lined to a stitch row forming an open edge of the annular elastic knitted fabric portion (20, 21, 22, 23), and performing the flechage knitting to change the knitting width with advancement of the knitting in the process; wherein

a midpoint of the flechage knitting of the first narrowing or widening portion (11s) and a midpoint of the flechage knitting of the second narrowing or widening portion (12s) are substantially opposite to each other within the tubular knitted fabric.
The knitting method of the tubular knitted fabric (1) according to claim 1, wherein at least one of a stitch row forming the open edge of the first narrowing or widening portion (11s) and a stitch row of the second narrowing or widening portion (12s) lined to the open edge of the annular elastic knitted fabric portion (20, 21, 22, 23) includes stitches of different courses.
The knitting method of the tubular knitted fabric (1) according to claim 1, wherein at least one of a stitch row forming the open edge of the first narrowing or widening portion (11s) and a stitch row of the second narrowing or widening portion (12s) lined to the open edge of the annular elastic knitted fabric portion (20, 21, 22, 23) includes stitches of the same course.
A tubular knitted fabric (1) comprising:
an annular elastic knitted fabric portion (20, 21, 22, 23);

a first base knitted fabric portion (11) joined to a stitch row of one end side in an axial direction of the annular elastic knitted fabric portion (20, 21, 22, 23); and

a second base knitted fabric portion (12) joined to a stitch row of another end side in the axial direction of the elastic knitted fabric portion (20, 21, 22, 23);

wherein the annular elastic knitted fabric portion (20, 21, 22, 23) consists of courses parallel to a circling direction of the annular elastic knitted fabric portion (20, 21, 22, 23), which courses are formed in a direction inclined with respect to an axial direction of the base knitted fabric portions (11, 12) with an elastic yarn which excels a base yarn used for knitting the base knitted fabric portions (11, 12) in stretchability,

the first base knitted fabric portion (11) includes a first narrowing or widening portion (11s) formed by a flechage knitting and joined to the elastic knitted fabric portion (20, 21, 22, 23),

the second base knitted fabric portion (12) includes a second narrowing or widening portion (12s) formed by the flechage knitting and joined to the elastic knitted fabric portion (20, 21, 22, 23), wherein

a midpoint of the flechage knitting of the first narrowing or widening portion (11) and a midpoint of the flechage knitting of the second narrowing or widening portion (12) are substantially opposite to each other within the tubular knitted fabric.
The tubular knitted fabric (1) according to claim 4, wherein at least one of the base knitted fabric portions (11, 12) includes a course non-parallel to the circling direction of the elastic knitted fabric portion (20, 21, 22, 23).