EP3998888B1

EP3998888B1 - Sock with anti-slip off structure

Info

Publication number: EP3998888B1
Application number: EP21719844.9A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Ivan Todorov TODOROV
Original assignee: "unremovable Socks" Jsc
Current assignee: "unremovable Socks" Jsc
Priority date: 2020-03-16
Filing date: 2021-03-15
Publication date: 2024-05-15
Anticipated expiration: 2041-03-15
Also published as: EP3998888C0; HRP20240747T1; ES2981392T3; EP3998888A1; PL3998888T3; RS65578B1

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to clothing accessories and in particular to a sock with anti-slip off structure, which will find application in the clothing and fashion industries.

BACKGROUND ART

Socks are one of the accessories of the outfit, which complement the overall look, presentation and self-confidence of the modern person. A common problem and unpleasant moment for the modern people is the socks slipping off down the legs towards the ankle and bunching up around in this area, which causes discomfort while wearing and disturbs the overall aesthetics of the outfit. The reasons for the socks slipping off are various, wherein the main ones are the quality of the socks and the techniques used for their knitting. To prevent the socks from slipping off, it is necessary to choose the exact size of the socks that correspond to our legs. We need to make sure the sock fits perfectly on our legs. The height of the calf portion is one of the main reasons for slipping off.
From practice there are well known standard socks with different heights, which include a sole portion, on the frontside of which a toes portion is formed, and on the backside of the sole portion there is a heel portion. The sole portion is extended into a calf portion at an angle above the heel portion . A top rim of the sock is formed above the calf portion. To eliminate the possibility of the socks slipping off, an elastic band is usually knitted under the top rim. In most cases, the use of elastic band creates too high compression on the legs, which interferes with normal blood circulation, does not prevent the sock from slipping down to the ankle and the prolonged wearing of the sock causes markings. With improper knitting techniques and incorrect machine settings, the elastic band may be too loose, which can cause the calf portion of the sock to slip off while the user is wearing it.
From GB2260343A is known a sock with anti-slip off structure, according to the preamble of claim 1, including a sole portion, on the frontside of which a toes portion is formed, and on the backside of the sole portion there is a heel portion, wherein the sole portion is extended above the heel portion at an angle to a calf portion, and a top rim of the sock is formed above the calf portion, wherein the calf portion includes a first section connected to the sole portion and a second section located between the top rim and the first section, so that first section is in the area of the ankle and the ankle joint and is made as a single-layer knit, and the second section is divided into three zones

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

The object of the invention is to provide an alternative sock with anti-slip off structure which is constructed, so that it can be put on the leg without much effort and without creating excessive compression on the leg muscles and to be kept in place at a certain height above the ankle.
The problem is solved by creating a sock with anti-slip off structure, including a sole portion, on the frontside of which a toes portion is formed, and on the backside of the sole portion there is a heel portion. The sole portion is extended into a calf portion at an angle above the heel portion. A top rim of the sock is formed above the calf portion.
According to the present invention, two sections are formed on the calf portion, respectively an elastic section and a controlled compression section. The elastic section has a higher compression rate than the controlled compression section. The compression rate in the controlled compression section is highest at the bottom and lowest at the top. The elastic section is made as a single-layer single-sided knit, and the controlled compression section is made as a double-layer single-sided knit with an inner and outer layer.
According to the present invention, the elastic section is located below the controlled compression section. The controlled compression section is divided into three zones with different compression rates.
The division of the controlled compression section into three zones allows the development of an alternative embodiment, in which the three zones are arranged consecutively one above the other along the height of the controlled compression section. In this embodiment, the first zone of the controlled compression section is above the elastic section and has the highest compression rate of the three zones, and the third zone of the controlled compression section is below the top rim and has the lowest compression rate of the three zones.
Another alternative embodiment is possible, when the controlled compression section is divided into three zones, wherein the first zone of the controlled compression section is the lower part of the inner layer of the double-layer single-sided knit and the second zone of the controlled compression section is the upper part of the inner layer of double-layer single-sided knit. The third zone of the controlled compression section is the outer layer of the double-layer single-sided knit.
In embodiments of the sock with anti-slip off structure according to the present invention, so that it is possible the elastic section to also have a controlled compression rate and the toes portion to be closed by linking. The controlled compression rate can be constant over the entire height of the elastic section or to be decreasing in the direction of the controlled compression section.
The sock with anti-slip off structure ensures and maximizes the probability of staying fixed on the wearer's leg and limits the possibility of slipping off down the leg. The elastic section in the area above the ankle provides additional compression, which contributes to the retention of the sock. The natural extension of the ankle of the human leg retains the slipping of the sock down due to the presence of compression forces above the ankle, which are large enough not to be overcome by natural movements of the leg, but at the same time have a rate that does not cause discomfort or does not lead to a feeling of pressure, blood circulatory disorders and skin damage. The embodiments of the sock have a structure of the calf portion, which provides a comfortable fit on the leg, excellent appearance and self-support while wearing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The sock with anti-slip off structure, according to the present invention, is disclosed in the accompanying figures, in which:

Figure 1 shows a schematic view of a first embodiment;
Figure 2 shows a schematic view of a second embodiment.

MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The accompanying figures show exemplary embodiments of the sock with anti-slip off structure, according to the present invention, wherein the sock generally includes a sole portion 1, on the frontside of which a toes portion 2 is formed, and on the backside of the sole portion 1 there is a heel portion 3. The sole portion 1 is extended into the calf portion 4 at an angle above the heel portion 3. A top rim 5 of the sock is formed above the calf portion 4.
The calf portion 4 of the sock with anti-slip off structure is made so that there is a decreasing compression rate along the height, which is highest in the lower part of the sock 4 and lowest by the top rim 5. To achieve the decreasing compression rate, according to the present invention, on the calf portion 4 are formed two sections - elastic section 4.1 and controlled compression section 4.2. The elastic section 4.1 has a higher compression rate than the controlled compression section 4.2. The elastic section 4.1 and the controlled compression section 4.2 during wearing prevent the calf portion 4 of the sock from slipping down the calf in the direction of the user's ankle. The elastic section 4.1 is made as a single-layer single-sided knit, which is finer, prevents the sock from slipping off and improves the appearance of the sock. Despite the decreasing compression rate along the height, the controlled compression section 4.2 covers the user's legs reliably, as it is made as a double-layer single-sided knit with inner and outer layer.
Figure 1 shows another embodiment of the sock with anti-slip off structure, according to the present invention, in which the calf portion 4 is divided into elastic section 4.1 and controlled compression section 4.2, which are arranged in such a way that the elastic section 4.1 is below the controlled compression section 4.2. The controlled compression section 4.2 is divided into three zones A, B and C, each of which have different compression rates. The first zone A is above the elastic section 4.1 and has the highest compression rate which is still lower than the compression rate in the elastic section 4.1. Next is the second zone B, which has a lower compression rate, compared to the compression rate in the first zone A. The calf portion 4 ends with the third zone C, which is located below the top rim 5 and has the lowest compression rate. This embodiment allows the compression rate to decrease along the height of the calf portion 4 and yet to be constant in each of the three separate zones A, B and C of the controlled compression section 4.2. The three zones A, B and C of the controlled compression section 4.2 allow usage of different knitting techniques in the inner and outer layer of each of the separate zones.
Figure 2 shows a second embodiment of the sock with anti-slip off structure, according to the present invention. In this embodiment, the calf portion 4 is also divided into elastic section 4.1 and controlled compression section 4.2, so that the elastic section 4.1 is located below the controlled compression section 4.2. The compression rate in the elastic section 4.1, as in the other embodiments, is again higher than that in the controlled compression section 4.2. The controlled compression section 4.2 is divided into three zones A, B and C in such a way, that the first zone A of the controlled compression section 4.2 is the lower part of the inner layer of the double-layer single-sided knit and the second zone B of the controlled compression section 4.2 is the upper part of the inner layer of the double-layer single-sided knitting. The third zone C, in this embodiment, is the outer layer of the double-layer single-sided knit of the controlled compression section 4.2. The three zones A, B and C achieve the desired effect, in which the calf portion 4 of the sock with anti-slip off structure does not slip, and at the same time the sock becomes comfortable, elegant, luxurious and leaves no marks while wearing. The exemplary embodiment, shown on figure 2, also improves the blood circulation, as the compression rate is evenly distributed over the height of the sock and the leg of the wearer, respectively.
In all embodiments according to the present invention, the compression rate in the elastic section 4.1 can be both constant over its entire height or controlled in such a way, that it gradually decreases in the direction of the controlled compression section 4.2. In the different embodiments of the sock, the elastic section 4.1 should cover the area of the ankle and the ankle joint (medial malleolus). The elastic section 4.1 covering this area creates sufficient compression rate on the wearer's leg and fixes the sock above the ankle area.
The toes portion 2 can be closed by any method known in the art, but it is preferable to do this by linking, which is barely visible stitching, that cannot be distinguished from the rest of the knits by touch, does not leave an edge and does not create discomfort during wearing.
Although the present invention has been disclosed in relation to the preferred embodiments, it should be noted that other embodiments are apparent to those skilled in the art that will achieve the desired effects by the features disclosed herein, that are within the scope of the present invention as defined by the claims.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY OF INVENTION

The sock with anti-slip off structure can be produced on modern socks knitting machines for fine knitting with the possibility of electronic control and with controlled compression of the thread. These machines need to have thread-supplying devices, which provides controlled stretching of the elastic thread to obtain a predetermined compression rate, which ensures that the sock is retained under normal use. To produce the sock with anti-slip off structure, it is desirable that the sock knitting machine allows the weaving of single-sided and double-sided knits and can control the compression rate throughout the sock's height and preferably to be able to close the toes by linking. In addition to the control over the knitting densities of the produced socks the machine should enable electronic control over the compression rate of the sock along the leg. It is also necessary the thread-supplying devices of the machine to be able to regulate the compression rate electronically. The knitting of the sock begins with the adjustment of the settings of the sock knitting machine. There are three main embodiments of the sock with anti-slip off structure, shown on the figures, which depend on the shape and the knitting of the calf portion 4.
The knitting of the first embodiment of the sock with anti-slip off structure, shown on figure 1 begins with braiding of the elastic thread in two or more rows, after which the needles are used by every second needle and the sinkers on the rip are pushed out. A polyamide thread is fed, which is applied to the sinkers and entangled by the needles. In this embodiment, the calf portion 4 is divided into the elastic section 4.1 and the controlled compression section 4.2, which are arranged so that the elastic section 4.1 is below the controlled compression section 4.2. The controlled compression section 4.2 is divided along the height into three zones A, B and C, each of which has an inner and outer layer, as well as a different compression rate, decreasing from the first zone A to the third zone C. The compression rates in each of the three zones A, B and C are determined simultaneously by the compression rate of the inner and outer layers of each zone A, B or C. To achieve this, the sock knitting machine begins with the knitting of the inner layer of the first zone A. The size of the stitches is controlled from smaller to larger and the supply of elastic thread is adjusted to reduce compression rate. After the knitting of the inner layer of the first zone A, the rows are moved to the inner layer of the second zone B and then the machine continues with the knitting of the inner layer of the third zone C, while increasing the size of the stitches and reducing the compression rate until it reaches the top rim 5. After going through the top rim 5, the knitting continues with the outer layer of the third zone C. After the knitting of the outer layer of the third zone C, in the specified rows, it continues with the outer layer of the second zone B and then the machine moves to the outer layer of the first zone A, and here, opposite to the inner layers, the size of the stitches decreases, and the compression rate increases. After the knitting of the outer layer of the first zone A is done, the machine pairs by pushing out the sinkers on the rip and the needles from the cylinder catch the polyamide thread from the sinkers. This way the double-layer single-sided knit of the controlled compression section 4.2 is completed, and the sock knitting machine begins the knitting of the elastic section 4.1. The inner and outer layers of each of the three zones A, B and C have the same height for the respective zone, but the zones A, B and C themselves can have equal or different heights relative to each other. After finishing the calf portion 4, the rest of the sock is continued with the heel portion 3, the sole portion 1 and the toes portion 2. The sole portion 1 is knitted in a smooth single-layer single-sided knit, and the toes portion 2 and the heel portion 3 are knitted in a classic heel. The toes portion 2 is subsequently closed in usual way by separate sewing machines for closing the toes portion 2 or automatically by linking with the additional device of the sock knitting machine.
When knitting the second embodiment of the sock with anti-slip off structure, shown on figure 2, the calf portion 4 is formed again by the elastic section 4.1 and the controlled compression section 4.2, which is divided into three zones A, B and C. The first zone A of the controlled compression section 4.2 is the lower part of the inner layer of the double layer single-sided knit, and the second zone B of the controlled compression section 4.2 is the upper part of the inner layer of the double-layer single-sided knit. The third zone C is the outer layer of the double-layer single-sided knit of the controlled compression section 4.2. In the first zone A, the size of the stitches of each row is controlled, starting with smaller and gradually increasing size of the stitches. After knitting the first zone A, the given rows are passed to the second zone B, where along its height both the size of the stitches and the feeding of the elastic thread are controlled in order to achieve the desired lower compression rate. Upon reaching the top rim 5 of the sock, the knitting of the inner layer ends followed by the knitting of the third zone C, which is the outer layer of the controlled compression section 4.2. In the third zone C, the size of the stitches begins to decrease and the compression rate increases by reducing the supply of the elastic thread. At the end of zone C, the sinkers are pushed from the rip and the needles from the cylinder catch the polyamide thread from the sinkers, by which the pairing and zone C are completed and the sock machine continues to knit the elastic section 4.1 from the calf portion 4. The elastic section 4.1 is formed as the third zone C, but the size of the stitches is further reduced and the compression rate is increased. After finishing the calf portion 4, the rest of the sock is continued with the heel portion 3, the sole portion 1 and the toes portion 2, which are knitted as in the previous embodiments. Again, as in the previous sock embodiments, the toes portion 2 is closed in the usual way by separate sewing machines for toes closing or automatically by linking with an additional device attached to the sock knitting machine.
The sock with anti-slip off structure is used in the production of socks with high functional qualities and in a wide variety of models. It is best suited to produce luxury men's socks, designed for demanding modern successful men, who make serious demands on their clothing and keep a flawless business appearance. At the same time, the sock with anti-slip off structure remains as comfortable as possible and allows optimal blood circulation in the wearer's legs while worn.

Claims

Sock with anti-slip off structure, including a sole portion (1), on the frontside of which a toes portion (2) is formed, and on the backside of the sole portion (1) there is a heel portion (3), wherein the sole portion (1) is extended into a calf portion at an angle above the heel portion (3), and a top rim (5) of the sock is formed above the calf portion, wherein on the calf portion are formed two sections, wherein one of the sections is an elastic section (4.1) and the other section is a controlled compression section (4.2), wherein the elastic section (4.1) is located below the controlled compression section (4.2), wherein the elastic section (4.1) has a higher compression rate than the controlled compression section (4.2), in which the compression rate is highest in the lower part and lowest in the upper part, wherein the elastic section (4.1) is made as a single-layer single-sided knit, characterized in that the controlled compression section (4.2) is made as double-layer single-sided knit with inner and outer layer and in that the controlled compression section (4.2) is divided into three zones (A,B and C) which have different compression rates.
Sock with anti-slip off structure, according to claim 1, characterized in that the three zones (A, B and C) are arranged consecutively above each other along the height of the controlled compression section (4.2), wherein the first zone (A) of the controlled compression section (4.2) is located above the elastic section (4.1) and has the highest compression rate, and the third zone (C) of the controlled compression section (4.2) is located below the top rim (5) and has the lowest compression rate.
Sock with anti-slip off structure, according to claim 1, characterized in that the first zone (A) of the controlled compression section (4.2) is the lower part of the inner layer of the double-layer single-sided knit, and the second zone (B) of the controlled compression section (4.2) is the upper part of the inner layer of the double-layer single-sided knit, wherein the third zone (C) of the controlled compression section (4.2) is the outer layer of the double-layer single-sided knit.
Sock with anti-slip off structure, according to claims 1-3, characterized in that the elastic section (4.1) has constant compression rate over its entire height or controlled gradually decreasing compression rate in the direction of the controlled compression section (4.2).
Sock with anti-slip off structure, according to claims 1-4, characterized in that the toes portion (2) is closed by linking.