GB2247395A - Stocking and/or sports sock - Google Patents

Abstract

Sports stockings and socks are made using circular machines which produce them subdivided in sections of different thicknesses, on the basis of preset programmes, with simple or compound stitches or terry, and designed so as to achieve perfect protection of the foot and also made of appropriately selected yarns with regard to their nature, calibre and colour. They are made with two yarns, where the first yarn is never broken and constitutes the bearing structure of the sock and the second yarn is included in the knit formed by the first. The second yarn, during manufacture, is sometimes excluded, re-included and/or changed to complete the sock, forming the various sectors 1T, 2A, 1C, 3V, 1M, 1D, 4D and 2D, for reinforcement and thickening where desired. <IMAGE>

Description

Title: "STOCKING AND/OR SPORTS 80CK" DESCRIPTIOI: The invention concerned is, in practice, the development of what others have been able to do and implement to improve the characteristics and production of socks, whether for sport or not.

Socks and, in particular, those for the various sporting activities or disciplines, gymnastics or athletics and in particular runners and tennis players, have always been, for all producers, a topic of study and development.

With the advent of new circular machines suitable for the production of socks, sock and machine producers have been able to make good quality items, particularly appreciated and prized by the direct users, both for the protection of the limbs which they clothe and the practicality of use that they offer.

Sock manufacturers now have been able to use all these new manufacturing possibilities to produce articles which are truly suited to the wide range and widely differing sporting activities and disciplines with ever better results.

Of these results, it may today be noted with regard to the object of the invention concerned, which is the result of continual and sustained research and constant use of the said circular machines, that, perfected and equipped with electronic pulse programmes, they supplement and simplify the work, thus improving the product they make.

The said solution should meet the needs of all the possible ways of making socks, today manufactured with circular machines capable of processing more yarns together, more yarns of different calibres and different types and to meet specific needs and requirements.

The said solution, the subject of the present invention, has been used to increase the thickness of the sock in certain specified sectors, without adding or inserting in the basic weft knit and during the production cycle, yarns other than that or those with which the machine is loaded.

This is achieved by altering the use of the selected and preset yarn or yarns, depending on specific needs, by replacing yarns for a time by others of a different density without adding any additional ones.

This result was obtained by using yarns of different thicknesses and types epecifically for the parts and sectors to be thickened and provided with terry.

The solution has resulted in the following advantages: - the use of the normal and well-known circular machines employed for sock production; - an easy and reduced preparation of machines for the production of socks; - the possibility of producing socks with more varied characteristics; - the possibility of using only two yarns to produce socks of various thicknesses, with or without terry; - the need to change one or two yarns to make some sectors of socks thicker or to produce sectors of varying thicknesses; - the production of the various thicknesses, where necessary, avoiding the use of other yarns; - the production of various thicknesses, where necessary, made with or without terry, by using only the two yarns supplied by the machine magazine;; - the possibility of making some sock sectors in different thicknesses, by means of execution programmes with simple and rapid movements.

To illustrate the invention concerned more clearly, there now follows a more detailed description of it, taken from a preferred production used purely as an example and which is not exhaustive, in which reference is made to the appended drawings, as follows; FIG.1 - is the design of an athletics or sports stocking showing the various sectors thereof, subdivided on the basis of the functions which each of these has with regard to the anatomical parts of the foot which it covers and protect; FIGS.2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 - are magnified drawings of the knits which can produce the stocking using one or two yarns; FIGS.9 and 10 - are drawings which represent how the various sectors forming the stocking are made, used as an example and so shown inside out;; FIG.11 - is a drawing representing how the join is made between single-yarn stitches and two-yarn stitches, where socks with sectors of a light and fine thickness, made with single-yarn stitching, and with thicker sectors, where the stitches are formed with two yarns of equal size, are made; FIG.12 - is a drawing representing how the join is made with single-yarn stitches and two-yarn stitches, where one of these, notably the second, is of a higher calibre than the first, to make socks with thinner sectors and thicker sectors, and where these are made with thinner single-yarn stitching and two-yarn - and therefore thicker - stitching;; FIG.13 - is a drawing representing how the join is made between sectors of stitching using two equal yarns, with stitching of two yarns of different calibres and where the second illuetrates the production of terry knit and is therefore thicker; FIG.l4 - also illustrates the stocking, to show where yarn cuts and breaks finish and where they appear, where the sock is made differently from those above.

The socks, as stated and as experts can confirm, can and must only be made in view of the manufacturing possibilities which modern electronically controlled machines allow.

Indeed these machines, during the rapid manufacture of a single item many times in turn, are able to do the following: - produce stitching using a single yarn, see FIG.2; - produce stitching using two yarns of the same calibre but of different kinds, see FIG.3; - produce stitching with yarns of different types and calibres, see FIGS.5 and 7; - produce stitching with terry using yarns of the same calibre but of different kinds, see FIG.4; - produce stitching with terry using yarns of different types and calibres, see FIGS.6 and 8; - change yarns where areas or sectors of different thicknesses are required, see FIGS.9, 10 and 14; - produce stitching able to achieve different thicknesses in the various sectors on the basis of the choice of yarns to be used, see FIGS.ll, 12 and 13.

In view of the characteristics of these machines, the possibilities deriving therefrom, and for the manufacture of a single item and the various sectors of which it is composed, it is possible to obtain socks of various compositions and with areas made to different thicknesses, obtained using terry made with yarns of different calibres, in all cases and above all by using just two yarns.

However, by changing only the calibre and the type of the two yarns to be used, all possible variations can be obtained to produce socks with different sectors able to follow the anatomical shape of the foot, protect it, safeguard it or keep it in the best possible condition, and especially where the foot is subject to hard trials or intensive and continuous stresses, and also where it must be protected from sweat and the consequences deriving from this and where it is not possible to suddenly change the socks.

For this reason, the illustrations in the appended pages how how to make socks to fulfil these needs, using two yarns and without the inclusion of others, to provide cushioning of various densities.

The first figure shows a stocking subdivided into a number of sectors, each different from the other, and all defined eo as to cover and protect clearly defined areas of the foot; the drawing shows how the sock is subdivided and at what points the various thicknesses, which differ depending on the area of the foot, are made or can be made.

On the basis of these requirements, with reference in this case to the various sporting disciplines for which the socks are intended, the level of absorption of shocks and stresses to which the foot is subject and the discomfort sweat also causes have been determined.

This is why the sock has been divided into sectors as sock manufacturers have done for some time.

In view, however, of the use of only two yarns and no addition or interposition of others, it is specified that these are: - sector 1T which covers the Achilles tendon and part of the ankle; - sector 2A which covers the heel; - sector 1C which covers the part from the heel to the arch; - sector 3V which covers the arch; - sector 1M which covers the bottom of the toe joints and the toes themselves; - sector 2D which covers the tips of the toes; - sector lD which covers the top of the toes and their joints; - sector 4D which covers the ankle and the top of the foot including the top of the arch.

Having thus defined the various sectors into which the sock is subdivided, their method of manufacture was determined thus: - with a single yarn 1, which can be elasticised polyamide fibre or fibre of another type, or yarn made from natural fibres such as wool, cotton, silk or another material, eee FIG.2; - with two yarns 2 which form the stitching shown in FIG.3; - with a double yarn: one of calibre 2 (small) and one of calibre 3 (large) which form the stitching shown in FIG.5; - with double yarn, i.e. with 2 and 3, see FIG.7; - with two yarns 2, which form the stitching with thickening 4 which produce a dense terry, see FIG.4, and where the thickening 4 is over the two yarns 2; - with one yarn 2 and one yarn 3 which form the stitching with thickening 7 which produces a terry of a different thickness and a slightly greater density, as shown in FIG.6, where loop 7 lies over yarns 2 and 3; - with one yarn 2 and one yarn 3 which form the stitching with thickening 8 producing a much denser terry, as shown in FIG.8, where thickening 8, in yarn of a higher calibre, lies over yarns 2 and 3.

In all these cases, included as examples, and for any other possible cases, the position in which the said stitching is to be carried out is determined to define the necessary thicknesses and to allocate them to the specified sectors.

This selection is required as this results in the type of stitching to be used to obtain different thicknesses which are variously suitable for the different sectors of the sock.

If we now look at FIG.l, which shows the various areas where it is possible to make different thicknesses, one of the types of stitching shown previously needs to be defined for each of them.

This concerns all the parts of the foot, as they are to be protected by the sock from friction - in particular the parts where the greatest movement of the foot occurs, where it is subject to the action of sweat, where it produces the greatest force for the action of support which is carried out particularly by the heel, the bones, the toes and the musculature, with regard to the parts protected by the footwear.

FIG.1 shows these parts and, starting from the Achilles tendon, it can be said that it is covered and protected by sector 1T of the sock which is made with a strong yarn which serves as a support, whereas, on the other hand, the thickness of this sector is to be made using double stitching made with a much higher calibre yarn than the first and with softness characteristics such that it is possible to obtain a terry which is extremely soft and able to absorb both substantial shocks and considerable quantities of sweat.

The stitching which needs to be made to obtain the said sectors of cover is shown in FIGS.4, 6 and 8, where the magnified drawing shows how the stitching is made and the yarns of various calibres required to obtain different combinations and thicknesses.

As can be seen by examining the first example, it can be deduced that it is possible to obtain a terry of a certain density and even a light one, as shown in FIG.4, where to make it yarns of an equal calibre are used, with stitching including thickening 4, and also where yarns 2, in polyamide, are used to form the support weft of the sock and cotton, wool or another soft yarn is used to make the terry.

In a second example, it is possible to obtain a denser terry than the first, as shown in FIG.6, where, to make it, two yarns of a different calibre are used and, to make the terry shown, stitches are used made with thickening over the yarns (two over 3 and two under 2). To make this terry, yarn 2, of cotton or wool but softer than the yarn used to make the whole supporting structure of the sock (as can be seen in the previous case) and which, in practice, thickens the sock and not the terry, is thickened.

In a third example, a much thicker, softer and gentler terry than the first ones can be produced, as shown in FIG.8, where it is made using two yarns of a different calibre and, to obtain the terry shown, stitches are made using a thickening 8 which is made to cover the yarns of the underlying stitching (the larger 3 and the smaller 2), where the yarn 3 used is of cotton or wool but in any case softer than that used to make the supporting structure of the sock, i.e. 2, as seen previously.

After examining these solutions, consideration must, however, be given to what can be made using the stitching shown in FIGS.3, 5, and 7 where only two yarns are used as in the examples considered above, except that, for these, thickenings 4, 7 and 8 should not be considered; their omission means that the aforesaid soft terry is not produced.

FIG.1 also shows sector 2A which protects the heel.

With regard to this part of the foot, it can be said that all the techniques used to cover and protect the part labelled 1T are used, bearing in mind that, to produce the best possible conditions of softness and absorption, the solutions shown in FIGS.4, 6 and 8 need to be adopted.

The comments made with regard to sector iT apply also to sector lC.

For sector 3V, the procedure is as shown in FIG.4, which illustrates yarn 2 which does not form the bearing structure of the whole sock, but that from which the light terry is made and which is used to obtain the thickening over yarns 2, which form the stitching carried out previously.

Sectors lH and lD are produced as stated for sectors iT and lC.

The procedure for the sector labelled 2D is as stated for sector 2A, which must also be particularly soft and absorbent.

For sector 4D, one yarn is designed to be used, that which constitutes the stitching illustrated in FIG.2 or a double yarn which makes the stitching shown in FIG.3 and where one of them is the yarn which constitutes the structure of the whole sock.

In other feasible cases and for all the sectors into which the sock has been subdivided and therefore where varying levels of stresses can be found, the stitching illustrated in FIGS.5 and 7 can be used; this is made using thickened calibre yarns or the terries shown in FIGS.6 and 8.

The yarn to be used to implement these procedures is of a different type from that used for the bearing structure and must be suitable for the functions the sock is to fulfil and, in particular, to fulfil the functions which the individual sectors of the sock are to fulfil and yet must be soft and of the most suitable calibre.

These socks are made as in the other cases, but with yarns which provide support and are always equal and continuous, whereas, to line the yarn making the stitching or where the lining is necessary to thicken and to achieve and form the thickened sections and the terry, yarns of various calibres are used which are cut, broken and subsequently and immediately replaced with yarns of different calibres, types s u and colours, without this resulting in any interruption in the continuity of the formation of the knit and with the production of the knit which creates the basic structure, whatever this is, proceeding.

FIGS.9, 10 and 14 also show the sock produced on the basis of the diagrams detailed previously where, during manufacture, the yarn which constitutes its basic structure is never cut; they show the breaks in the yarns used to make the thicknesses and the terry in the various sectors and how and where the yarn cuts appear, the stitching of which is carried out in the set areas of the pre-determined sectors.

The breaks in the yarns which join the yarns of the basic structure are necessary and indispensable if the sock is to be made using only two yarns. The breaks serve to exclude the yarn which has completed its role in the process and to swap it (or not) for another which can replace it, all on the basis of a set programme.

The breaks and therefore the cut yarns are shown in FIGS.9, 10 and 14, along lines 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 41, 42, 40 and 43.

The aforementioned FIGS.9, 10 and 14 supplement and add to FIGS.l1, 12, and 13 which show examples of cuts, exclusions and additions of various yarns to the stitching of the basic weft.

FIG.11 shows some schematic examples of the knits previously considered, where insertions are made of various yarns and where all the cuts thereof are made at the end of the thickened sections and the terry, which complete the various sectors making up the sock and which they have made.

This illustration also shows the enlarged weft of FIGS.3 and 2, where yarn 31 provides the basic structure of the sock and 32 appears where the stitching needs to be thickened and serves only to thicken sector 1T, see FIG.9, which shows the sock inside out.

As said, while the weft of the knit using a single yarn 31 normally forms sector 4D, the second yarn 32 is automatically inserted in it at set points; in the illustration, this is shown without shading. This yarn 32, which is inserted in position 20, forms and makes the thickening section 1T and is removed, still automatically, in position 3 but by cutting; it is removed here to continue making the knit with yarn 31 alone to produce sector 4D and to complete the weft rings. These two phases and positions of insertion and removal of yarn 32 are, however, illustrated in FIG.9, where the sock is drawn inside out so as to show the yarns 32 cut at points 20 and 3 which project along lines 14, 15, and 16, which demarcate sectors 1T/4D, lC/4D and 1M/4D. Sectors 3V/4D, made only with yarn 31, do not have any insertions or cuts.

The same illustration also clearly shows insertions 20 and 3 of yarn 31 and the production of the thickened stitching of sector 1T.

FIG.12 also shows this schematically and, by way of example, stitching considered previously and in particular that illustrated in FIGS.2 and 7, where in the second, the small yarn 31 which forms the basic weft and yarn 33 of a larger calibre, which provides the thickening, the manufacture of which is to be specified, are illustrated.

This illustration, in fact, gives a similar example on the basis of the example shown in FIG.11 and is intended to show how the thickness of the weft can be subsequently increased, if a larger calibre yarn is added to the basic yarn 31; in this example, the larger calibre yarn is shown as 33 and is not shaded.

Yarn 33, preferably in wool or cotton or of any other material provided it is soft and not synthetic, when combined with yarn 31, requires the same procedures as stated for the previous example. Here, the insertions are labelled 21 and the successive cuts 3.

This produces a different result, a softer weft than that indicated in FIG.11, appropriate and suitable for making the sectors labelled lT and 4D in FIG.l.

FIG.lO shows and completes how the sock is made depending on the production of the knits illustrated in FIG. 12. In these illustrations, it is possible to see insertions 21 of yarn 33, breaks or cuts 3 in yarn 33 (which in FIG. 12 are shown at the same point for reasons of drawing simplicity) for the formation of the thickened knits which produced sectors 4D, 1T and 4D shown in FIG. 12 and, in the same illustration, the cut yarns appear and those which project from the junction lines 17, 18, 19 (shown in FIG.1O) which demarcate sectors 1T/4D, 1C/4D and lM/4D, whereas between 3V/4D there is no cut as stated previously.

If sector 3V of FIG.10 needs to be made in terry, the natural fibre yarn will be made to produce thickened sections without any cuts, if the two yarns used are equal.

FIG.13 shows some schematic examples of the use of some of the stitching considered previously, where, to make it, insertions are made at the start and yarn cuts at the end of the thickened sections to be produced.

This illustration also shows the magnified wefts already seen in FIGS.3 and 8 with stitching still formed by two yarns. In FIG.13, the lower calibre yarn, identified as 31 and shaded, is made of synthetic fibre and forms the basic structure of the sock. The second yarn made of natural fibre, identified by 35 and which runs with the first, produces the thickening of the sectors labelled as 4D which precede and follow the second thickened section 1T.

The third yarn 34, which is soft, of natural fibre and of a higher calibre than the first and which also follows the basic yarn 31, produces the terry thickening of the aforesaid sector 1T.

As can be seen, there are always two yarns moving, the basic and continuous one 31 and the other two, 35 and 34, which to make thickened sections 4D and terry IT, are inserted and removed, in turn, in the weft of the stitching being formed and on the basis of set programmes.

These programmes, specially for making sectors which vary as in the current example and illustrated in FIG.13, always take account of the exclusion of yarn 35, as indicated, which takes place at point 36, followed immediately by the inclusion or insertion of yarn 34, as indicated, which takes place at point 37, its exclusion at point 38 and the re-inclusion of 35 at point 39. In this way, different thicknesses are made in the various sectors.

These manufacturing phases are subsequently detailed in FIG.14 which shows yarns 34 and 35 cut at points 36 and 38 and excluded at points 37 and 39 and where these project along the lines labelled 41, 42, and 43, which demarcate sectors lT/4D, lC/4D and lM/4D. Sectors 3V/4D, in this case both made with different yarns, show on line 40 the removal at points 36 of yarns 35, the insertion at points 37 of yarns 34, the cutting or removal of yarns 34 and the immediate insertion again of yarns 35. Yarn 31 is never broken and 35 and 34 join it.

It can be deduced that, where two different yarns are in movement, cuts and insertions must be made as illustrated in FIG.14 and identified on line 40.

In all the examples illustrated, sectors ID and 2D are always joined on line 30 for sewing to be carried out after the construction of the sock and for finishing the sock.

Claims (1)

1. CLAI#S

   1) - Stocking or sports sock for runners and tennis players in particular; made of different yarns and different knits which define sectors cushioned to varying extents; characterised by the fact that the stitching in the various sectors into which the sock is subdivided is always made with just two yarns.

   2) - Stocking per claim 1; characterised by the composition of the sectors which arise on the basic weft and are always made of two yarns which are combined in different ways.

   3) - Stocking per claims 1 and 2; characterised by the fact that, on the basic weft, one yarn at a time is used in turn to make thickened sections and terry, in order to maintain the formation of it by stitching using just two yarns which can be of different types, calibres and colours.

   4) - Stocking per claims 1, 2, and 3; characterised by the fact that on the basic weft, there is always, in turn, one yarn at a time, which, at the end of the sector, is cut and replaced by another yarn of a different size and calibre, to complete the ring which forms the weft which composes the tube of the sock.

   5) - Stocking per the previous claims; characterised by the fact that the second yarn, which is added at intervals at every individual turn of construction of the tube formed, produces the sock by increasing or decreasing, in various ways, the thickness of the sectors which constitute and form the whole sock.

   6) - Stocking per the previous claims; characterised by the fact that the second yarn, which is added, broken or replaced at intervals at every individual turn of construction of the tube formed which produces the sock, is larger or greater than the yarn which forms the basic structure of the sock.

   7) - Stocking per the previous claims; characterised by the second yarn, which produces the terry which thickens the sectors of the sock to varying degrees.