EP3367832B1 - Sock comprising stimulation elements - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to the field of footwear, in particular socks.

From the EP 0 849 998 B1 a sock with reinforced areas is known. On the one hand, the sock is reinforced in the heel and toe area, since these areas are particularly stressed when the sock is worn, for example due to friction on the footwear, and thus wear out quickly. In addition to the heel and toe areas, a so-called tread area between the toe and heel areas should also be reinforced. There are no instructions for positioning a corresponding reinforcement. However, it is stated that the tread area reinforcement should be formed in the area of a foot tread surface, so that the sock is reinforced in the wear-relevant areas. In summary, the idea of EP 0 849 998 B1 to consist in strengthening the tread areas of a sock, since these are particularly stressed during use. The publication does not deal with non-appearance areas of the sock. EP 1813159 A1 discloses another sock with reinforced tread areas.

A disadvantage of the known sock is that the reinforcements in the tread areas can destabilize the foot when walking. Reinforcements in the performance areas can also create a "spongy" appearance. This can also occur with socks that are reinforced throughout the sole area. It can also happen that an otherwise suitable shoe no longer offers enough space when wearing the sock due to the reinforcements in the tread areas.

US 2015/0201703 A1 discloses a sock with a reinforced metatarsal cavity area.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a sock with improved wearing comfort and improved stability properties for the foot of a Provide carrier. This object is achieved by the subject matter of patent claim 1. The dependent claims indicate advantageous embodiments of the invention.

The invention relates to a sock. As also shown in the figures, this can be a sock of the widespread type which, in addition to a foot part for covering a wearer's foot, comprises an adjoining shaft part which covers a lower leg area. However, other types of socks are also included, for example so-called socks, which only cover the foot of a wearer and have no shaft part, or stockings, which in particular can have a very long shaft part.

A sock according to the invention comprises a sole which has tread areas in the toe area, in the ball area and in the heel area. The "sole" is the part of the sock that covers the sole of the wearer's foot when worn. The sole comprises an inner side, which faces the sole of the wearer's foot, and an outer side opposite this, which faces away from the sole of the wearer's foot and which can in particular be visible from the outside.

The position and shape of the tread areas is determined by the geometry of the human foot. The tread areas of the sole can at least essentially be areas that cover tread regions of the foot sole when the sock is worn. Occurrence regions of the sole of the foot can be those regions that are typically in contact with a flat surface when the foot in question is barefoot on the flat surface.

According to at least some embodiments, the tread areas of the sole of the sock come into contact with the flat surface when a person standing on a flat surface wears the sock.

According to the invention, the sole has stimulation elements in a toe trench area located between the toe area and the ball area and in a midfoot cavity area located between the ball area and the heel area. The tread areas, on the other hand, are free of stimulation elements.

The toe trench area and the metatarsal cavity area are non-tread areas of the sole. The position and shape of the non-appearance areas is also determined by the geometry of the human foot. The non-tread areas of the sole can at least essentially be areas that cover non-tread regions of the foot sole when the sock is worn. Non-occurrence regions of the sole of the foot can be those regions which are typically spaced apart from a flat surface when the foot in question is barefoot on the flat surface.

According to at least some embodiments, the toe trench area, the metatarsal cavity area and / or a triangle area described below are spaced apart from the flat surface when the sock is worn by a person standing on a flat surface.

Since the toe trench area of the sole is formed between the toe area and the ball area, its position in the tightened state of the sock corresponds to the position and the course of the depression (toe trench) between the toe tips that usually occur when standing and the ball of the foot that also occurs when standing. In other words, when the sock is pulled on, the toe-trench area of the sock is opposite the area of the proximal interphalangeal joints (PIP) of the foot, i.e. the recessed area formed by these joints between the basic limbs (proximal phalanx) and pontics (middle phalanx) 2. -5. Toe (digitus pedis II to V) or between the base limb (proximal phalanx) and end limb (distal phalanx) of the first toe (digitus pedis I).

The midfoot cavity area of the sole is arranged between the ball area and the heel area in particular in such a way that when the sock is worn, it covers the metatarsal cavity, i.e. the concave arch of the foot arranged on the inner side of a foot between the ball area and the heel area.

The stimulation elements are thus arranged in areas of the sole of the sock that do not cover the tread regions of the sole of the foot. In contrast, the tread areas of the sole in the toe area, in the ball area and in the heel area are free of stimulation elements. The arrangement of the stimulation elements of the present invention is thus directly opposite to the arrangement of the amplification areas of the EP 0 849 998 B1 , which should be arranged on the heavily used performance areas in order to reinforce them.

The stimulation elements of the present invention have the effect of mechanically stimulating a wearer's foot and thereby promoting blood circulation. Since the stimulation elements, taking into account the human foot geometry, are only provided in areas of the sole that are not or only slightly relevant for the appearance of the foot, they influence the area of reinforcement in contrast to the EP 0 849 998 B1 the stability of a wearer's foot is not negative. Rather, areas that are not filled between a standing foot and a corresponding surface are at least partially filled by the stimulation elements, so that the foot is stabilized.

A tread area free of stimulation elements is preferably also provided in a web area located between the ball area and the heel area and laterally flanking the metatarsal cavity area.

In particular, this can connect the ball area and the heel area to one another.

In order to further increase the stimulation effect of the sock, the sole can also have stimulation elements in an essentially triangular triangle area. The triangle area can be another non-performance area. The triangle area can lie on the other side of the web area with respect to the midfoot cavity area and can adjoin the heel area. The web area free of stimulation elements thus separates the metatarsal cavity area which has stimulation elements from the triangle area which also has stimulation elements.

The stimulation elements can be located on the outside of the sole, in particular so that they are visible from the outside when worn. Stimulation elements provided on the outside of the sole are particularly advantageous with regard to the stabilizing properties. When stepping onto a flat subsurface, they at least partially fill existing cavities between the flat subsurface and non-tread areas of the sock sole (in particular the toe trench area, the metatarsal cavity area and / or the triangle area). In addition, a foot carrying the sock is mechanically stimulated in the relevant non-performance areas.

The stimulation elements can also be located on the inside of the sole, that is to say they are located inside the sock and are therefore not visible when worn. A particularly good stimulation effect can be achieved with stimulation elements provided on the inside of the sole, since the stimulation elements come into direct contact with the foot when worn. The stimulation elements provided on the inside also contribute to stabilization, since they have a volume between the relevant non-appearance areas fill the sole of the sock (especially the toe trench area, the midfoot cavity area and / or the triangle area) and the foot of a wearer.

Stimulation elements can also be provided both on the inside and on the outside of corresponding areas of the sole. A very good stimulation effect can be achieved by the direct contact of the inner stimulation elements with the sole of the wearer's foot. Due to the fact that the sole of the sock has stimulation elements both inwards and outwards, an optimal adaptation to the shape of the foot of the user and to the corresponding surface, such as a shoe interior, can be ensured, so that the foot is optimally supported.

It is of course also conceivable to provide the stimulation elements in certain areas of the sole on the inside or on the inside and the outside and the stimulation elements in other areas of the sole or in the areas of the sole having other stimulation elements on the outside or both on the inside - and to provide the outside.

In order to be able to fulfill the stimulation effect and the support effect well, the stimulation elements can be raised above the tread areas of the sole. It is conceivable to design the stimulation elements to different heights in different areas.

The stimulation elements can be or comprise bristle-shaped elements, in particular bristle-shaped textile elements. The stimulation elements can be or include hair-like needles, which can impart fur character in particular. The stimulation elements can be designed as pin-like or thread-like stimulus elements or comprise pin-like stimulus elements. To achieve good adaptability to a foot, the Stimulation elements can be flexible, elastic and / or bendable, and in particular they can also have a certain stiffness in order to be able to perform the stimulation function well.

The stimulation elements can include plush. In particular, the sole can have a plush surface in the toe trench region, in the metatarsal cavity region and / or in the triangle region to form the stimulation elements on the inside and / or on the outside.

Since the distribution of the stimulation elements is specially adapted to the human foot geometry, a distinction must be made between a left and a right sock. In particular, the stimulation elements can be arranged asymmetrically with respect to an axis extending centrally in the direction of extension of the sole (from the heel area to the toe area). A wearer immediately notices if he has accidentally put the sock on the wrong foot, since the distribution of the stimulation elements then does not correspond to the foot geometry.

Figur 1

eine schematische Seitenansicht einer erfindungsgemäßen Socke in einem flach gefalteten Zustand gemäß einer Ausführungsform;

Figur 2a

eine schematische Draufsicht auf eine Außenseite der Sohle einer rechten Socke gemäß einer Ausführungsform;

Figur 2b

eine schematische Draufsicht auf eine Innenseite der Sohle einer rechten Socke gemäß einer Ausführungsform;

Figur 3

eine schematische Schnittansicht einer erfindungsgemäßen Socke gemäß einer Ausführungsform; und

Figuren 4a, 4b, 4c

Ausschnittansichten eines schematischen Längsschnitts durch eine erfindungsgemäße Socke, die den Mittelfußaushöhlungsbereich zeigt, gemäß verschiedener Ausführungsformen.

The invention will be explained below using exemplary embodiments with the aid of the accompanying drawings. Show:

Figure 1

is a schematic side view of a sock according to the invention in a flat folded state according to an embodiment;

Figure 2a

is a schematic plan view of an outside of the sole of a right sock according to an embodiment;

Figure 2b

is a schematic plan view of an inside of the sole of a right sock according to an embodiment;

Figure 3

is a schematic sectional view of a sock according to the invention according to an embodiment; and

Figures 4a, 4b, 4c

Detail views of a schematic longitudinal section through a sock according to the invention, showing the metatarsal cavity area, according to various embodiments.

Figure 1 shows a sock 1 according to the invention in a schematic side view. The sock 1 comprises a foot region 2 for covering a foot and a shaft region 3 for covering a lower region of a leg of a wearer.

Figure 2a shows a schematic plan view of an outer side 12 of a sole 10 of the sock 1 according to the invention. In the illustration shown it is a right sock 1. However, both left and right socks 1 are of course to be included in the scope of the invention. A corresponding left sock 1 could in particular be a mirror image of the right sock 1 shown. The sole 10 comprises tread areas in the toe area 22, in the ball area 24, in the heel area 26 and in a web area 28 connecting the ball area 24 and the heel area 26. When the sock 1 is worn, these tread areas cover tread regions of a foot sole F which, due to the foot geometry, come into contact with a flat surface when standing.

In addition, the sole 10 comprises non-tread areas, which cover areas of the foot sole F when the sock 1 is worn, which are spaced from the flat surface when standing due to the foot geometry. One such non-tread area is the toe trench area 32 located between the toe area 22 and the ball area 24. Another non-tread area is the midfoot cavity area 34 located between the ball area 24 and the heel area 26. The metatarsal cavity area 34 is on the in Figure 2 flanked on the left side by the web area 28. Of the heel area 26 and the land area 28 is on the The metatarsal cavity area 34 on the opposite side of the web area 28 delimits another non-tread area, the triangle area 36. This has an essentially triangular shape.

Figure 2b shows the position of the different tread areas and non-tread areas of the right sock 1 in a top view of the inside 14 of the sole 10 of the sock 1. Obviously, the distribution of the tread areas and non-tread areas in a top view of the inside 14 of the sole 10 is a mirror image of the distribution the tread areas and non-tread areas in a top view of the outside 12 of the sole 10.

According to the invention, at least the toe trench region 32 and the metatarsal cavity region 34 have stimulation elements 40. The triangle area 36 can also have stimulation elements 40. The toe trench area 32, the metatarsal cavity area 34 and / or the triangle area 36 can have stimulation elements 40 distributed over their entire surface. It is also conceivable that only partial areas of the toe trench area 24, the metatarsal cavity area 34 and / or the triangle area 36 have stimulation elements 40.

The stimulation elements 40 can be or comprise bristle-shaped elements, in particular bristle-shaped textile elements. The stimulation elements 40 can be or comprise hair-like needles, which can impart fur character in particular. The stimulation elements 40 can be designed as pin-like or thread-like stimulus elements or comprise pin-like stimulus elements. In order to achieve good adaptability to a foot, the stimulation elements can be flexible, elastic and / or bendable, and in particular they can also have a certain stiffness in order to be able to perform the stimulation function well. The stimulation elements 40 preferably comprise plush. The toe trench area 32 and the metatarsal cavity area 34 can be used to form the stimulation elements 40 on the outside 12 and / or the inside 14 may be completely provided with a plush surface. The stimulation elements 40, in particular the plush, are raised above the tread areas of the sole 10.

Figure 3 shows a schematic view of a section through a sock 1 according to the invention along an axis A extending centrally from the heel region 26 to the toe region 22 in the direction of extension of the sole 10 (see Figures 2a and 2b ). In Figure 3 the sock 1 is shown in the worn state, so that the sock 1 rests on the foot of a wearer and assumes a shape corresponding to this, the foot not being shown for reasons of clarity. Out Figure 3 it can be clearly seen that, given the foot geometry, the sole 10 has tread areas (toe area 22, ball area 24 and heel area 26) and non-tread areas (toe trench area 32 and metatarsal cavity area 34).

In the in Figure 3 In the embodiment shown, the stimulation elements 40 are provided in the toe trench region 32 and in the metatarsal cavity region 34 on the outside 12 of the sole 10. The stimulation elements 40 are shown as bristle-shaped textile elements and can comprise plush, for example. In the figures, the bristle-shaped textile elements are made relatively long in order to facilitate the illustration. In practice, the length of the stimulation elements 40 can of course be flexibly adjusted. The stimulation elements 40 can in particular be raised by less than 3 mm, less than 5 mm, less than 1 cm or more than 3 mm, more than 5 mm or more than 1 cm compared to the tread areas of the sole 10.

As with Figure 3 can be seen, the stimulation elements 40 fill on occurrence on a flat surface B (see Figure 4a ) The space between the sole 10 of the sock 1 or the foot of the wearer and the flat area that arises in the area of the non-tread areas, in particular in the toe trench area 32 and in the midfoot cavity area 34 Area B at least partially. As a result, pressure is exerted on the non-treading regions of the foot via the stimulation elements 40 when standing, so that the feet are stimulated, which can, for example, promote blood circulation. The foot is also stabilized.

Figure 4a shows a detail of the view encompassing the metatarsal cavity region 34 Figure 3 , the sole of the foot F of a wearer of the sock 1 and the flat surface B on which the foot stands are shown schematically.

Figure 4b shows a corresponding view of the sock 1 according to an alternative embodiment. In contrast to the embodiment according to the Figures 3 and 4a are according to Figure 4b the stimulation elements 40 in the metatarsal cavity 34 are not provided on the outside 12 of the sole 10, but on the inside 14 thereof. The stimulation elements 40 are thus located between the sole of the foot F of a wearer of the sock 1 and the inside 14 of the sole 10 of the sock 1. The stimulation elements 40 thus come into direct contact with the sole of the foot F, so that it can be stimulated particularly well. The support function by filling the space given by the foot geometry between the flat surface B and the sole of the foot F of the wearer is also present here. Of course, the stimulation elements 40 can also be provided in the toe trench area 32 and in the triangle area 36 on the inside 14 of the sole 10.

Figure 4c shows the metatarsal cavity area 34 of another alternative embodiment. Here, stimulation elements 40 are attached both on the inside 14 and on the outside 12 of the sole 10. This embodiment can also be easily transferred to the toe trench area 32 and / or the triangle area 36. The embodiment according to Figure 4c allows, because of the stimulation elements 40 provided on the inside 14, a direct contact between the sole of the foot F and the stimulation elements 40, so that the sole of the foot F can be stimulated particularly effectively. As a result of that If stimulation elements 40 are provided on both sides of the sole 10, a high overall thickness can easily be achieved in the corresponding non-tread area, so that the foot can be stabilized particularly well.

As in the Figures 4a to 4c As shown, the distance between the flat surface B and the sole of the foot F of the sock wearer over the midfoot cavity region 34 is not constant. It would therefore be conceivable to adjust the height of the stimulation elements 40 accordingly and to vary them over the metatarsal cavity region 34. In the case of relatively low stimulation elements 40 in particular, however, it can also make sense to keep the height of the stimulation elements 40 constant. It can also be advantageous if the stimulation elements 40 are flexible enough to suit the course of the foot.

Claims (13)

1. A sock (1) having a sole (10) which comprises impact zones in the toe region (22), the ball region (24) and the heel region (26),
   characterized in that
   the sole (10) comprises stimulation elements (40) in a toe groove region (32) situated between the toe region (22) and the ball region (24), and in a metatarsal arch region (34) situated between the ball region (24) and the heel region (26), but does not comprise stimulation elements in the impact zones.
2. The sock according to claim 1, characterized in that the sole (10) further comprises an impact zone in a web region (28) situated between the ball region (24) and the heel region (26) and flanking the metatarsal arch region (34), said impact zone preferably connecting the ball region (24) and the heel region (26) to each other.
3. The sock according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sole (10) comprises stimulation elements (40) in a triangle region (36) which is situated on the other side of the web region (28) relative to the metatarsal arch region (34) and is adjoining the heel region (26).
4. The sock according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, when the sock (1) is being worn by a person standing on a plane surface (B), the impact zones get into contact with the plane surface (B).
5. The sock according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, when the sock (1) is being worn by a person standing on a plane surface (B), the toe groove region (32), the metatarsal arch region (34) and/or the triangle region (36) are spaced from the plane surface (B).
6. The sock according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the impact zones of the sole (10) are designed in such a manner that, when the sock (1) is being worn, they cover regions of the sole (F) of the foot which, when a foot is standing barefoot on a plane surface (B), get into contact with said plane surface (B).
7. The sock according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the stimulation elements (40) are arranged on an inner side (14) and/or on an outer side (12) of the sole (10).
8. The sock according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least partial regions of the toe groove region (32), the metatarsal arch region (34) and/or the triangle region (36) comprise stimulation elements (40) on the inner side (14) and on the outer side (12) of the sole (10).
9. The sock according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the stimulation elements (40) are raised above the impact zones.
10. The sock according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the stimulation elements (40) comprise plush.
11. The sock according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, in the toe groove region (32), in the metatarsal arch region (34) and/or in the triangle region (36), the sole (10) comprises a plush surface on the inner side (14) or the outer side (12) for forming the stimulation elements (40).
12. The sock according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the stimulation elements (40) comprise bristle-like textile elements.
13. The sock according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the stimulation elements (40) are arranged asymmetrically relative to an axis (A) running particularly centrally in the extension direction of the sole (10) from the heel region (26) to the toe region (22).

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