GB2245005A

GB2245005A - Stockings and socks

Info

Publication number: GB2245005A
Application number: GB9013445A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Neville Peter Thompson Hall
Original assignee: HJ SOCK GROUP Ltd
Current assignee: HJ SOCK GROUP Ltd
Priority date: 1990-06-15
Filing date: 1990-06-15
Publication date: 1991-12-18
Anticipated expiration: 2010-06-15
Also published as: GB9013445D0; GB2245005B

Abstract

A stocking or sock comprises, starting at an upper end or welt, four courses of 1 x 1 rib (10), ten courses of 2 x 2 rib (12), an area (14) of plain knitting, and the rib structure (16) of the lower leg. The sock is knitted of the same yarn throughout without any elastic. The contrast between the different areas of the upper part provides means for keeping the sock up during wear. In other embodiments the 2 x 2 ribbing (12) may be omitted or a plurality of alternating bands of 2 x 2 rib and plain knitting may be provided. Instead of the plain knitting (14) a rib structure (e.g. 11 x 1, 9 x 1, 7 x 1 or 5 x 1) contrasting with the structure in the lower leg area (16) may be used. <IMAGE>

Description

TITLE: Stockings and Socks Description; Technical Field The invention relates to stockings and socks, and to their manufacture by knitting. The invention is particularly concerned with such garments having means at an upper end to keep them up during wear.

Background Art Means for keeping up stockings and socks during wear often comprises elastic yarn worked into the top. This is thought to restrict the circulation of blood, and may be found uncomfortable, so the problem is to produce a stocking or sock which is not elasticated at the top.

The Invention The invention provides a stocking or sock having means at an upper end to keep the stocking or sock up during wear, which means comprises the yarn from which the stocking or sock is knit in alxl rib, followed in sequence by from 4 to 10 courses of either lxi or 2 x 2 rib, and an area of plain knitting or ot special rib knitting significantly different from the rib structure of the lower leg of the sock.

This means provides a mild steady grip, unlike that produced by elastic. The spacing of the 1 x 1 or 2 x 2 rib from the rib structure of the lower leg by the area of plain knitting or of special rib knitting makes a contrast which enables the former to provide the necessary grip.

This grip is therefore different from that of the rib structure of the lower leg, which gives a gentle cling to the area around the ankle, and ensures that the sock is neat and presentable.

The introductory 1 x 1 rib at the welt generally comprises up to 4 courses, and may continue into the next 4 to 10 courses or change to 2 x 2 rib for this area. The special plain or rib knitting of the next area may for example be 11 x 1 or 9 x 1 or 7 x 1 or 5 x 1, and may continue for from 1 to 2 inches (about 25 to 50mm) for example. The rib structure of the lower leg may be 2 x 2, 2 x 1, 3 x 1 or the like.

The yarn from which the stocking or sock is knit may be any of those from which such garments are generally produced, for example a combination of wool and polyamide, cotton and polyamide or acrylic and polyamide, to give comfort and reliability during zar. The yarn counts would generally be equivalent l/27s worsted or 1/22s cotton count (about 300 d.tex), that is from 500 to 180 d.tex. The polyamide yarns could be 4/78, 2/66, 2/78, 2/110, 1/110 or 1/78 d.tex. The yarn could be plated or folded prior to knitting.

A stocking or sock according to the invention may be produced on a single or double cylinder machine, having a diameter of from 3 to 4.25 inches (about 7.5 to 10.5 mm), and 84, 120, 132, 144, 156, 168, 176, 184 or 200 needles for example. The knitting elements are controlled to produce the sequential area of rib and/or plain knitting as desired.

Drawings Figure 1 is a side view of a rib crew sock according to the invention; Figure 2 is a side view of a short sock according to the invention; Figure 3 is a side view of another sock according to the invention; and Figures 4 to 6 are stitch diagrams respectively of 2 x 2 rib, 1 x 1 rib and plain knit fabric used in socks according to the invention.

Best Mode The sock of Figure 1 comprises, starting at an upper end or welt, four courses of 1 x 1 rib (10), ten courses of 2 x 2 rib (12), an area (14) of plain knitting, and the rib structure (16) of the lower leg. The sock is knitted of the same yarn throughout without any elastic. The contrast between the different areas of the upper part provides means for keeping the sock up during wear.

In Figure 2, the same reference numerals have been used to indicate corresponding parts. It will be noted that the 1 x 1 rib (10) runs into the plain knitting (14) without any 2 x 2 ribbing between.

Figure 3 is a further modification on Figure 2: the plain knitting (14) is followed in sequence by an area (22) of 2 x 2 rib, an area (24) of plain knitting, a further area (32) of 2 x 2 rib, and a further area (34) of plain knitting before running into the rib structure (16) of the lower leg. The lengths of the said areas may vary, and improves the appearance of the sock.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A stocking or sock having means at an upper end to keep the stocking or sock up during wear, which means comprises the yarn from which the stocking or sock is knit in a 1 x 1 rib, followed in sequence by from 4 to 10 courses of either 1 x 1 or 2 x 2 rib, and an area of plain knitting or of special rib knitting significantly different from the rib structure of the lower leg of the sock.

2. A stocking or sock according to claim 1 in which the special rib knitting is 11 x 1 or 9 x 1 or 7 x 1 or 5 x 1 and continues for from 25 to 50 mm.

3. A stocking or sock according to claim 1 or claim 2 in which the rib structure of the lower leg is 2 x 2, 2 x 1 or 3 x 1.

4. A sock as herein described with reference to any of Figures 1 to 3 of the drawings.