GB2331448A

GB2331448A - Self-supporting stockings

Info

Publication number: GB2331448A
Application number: GB9724815A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Holt
Original assignee: ABITICON Ltd; BRIAN STANFIELD CO Ltd
Current assignee: ABITICON Ltd; BRIAN STANFIELD CO Ltd
Priority date: 1997-11-25
Filing date: 1997-11-25
Publication date: 1999-05-26
Anticipated expiration: 2017-11-25
Also published as: GB9724815D0; GB2331448B

Abstract

A stocking (10) comprises a welt (12) at or adjacent to the open end, a gripping portion (16) at or adjacent to the welt, and a main portion (18), where the gripping portion is of a heavier weight of material than the main portion. The welt (12) may be made of the same or a heavier weight material than the gripping portion. Either or both the welt and gripping portions may be ribbed. The stocking may be made of a polyamide and may be combined with elastane. A relatively short portion (14) may be provided between the welt and gripping portion, which may be ribbed. The main body of the stocking may taper away from the open end. The toe portion (20) may be made from a heavier weight material then the main portion.

Description

4 1 2331448 1 STOCKINGS This invention concerns improvements in or

relation to stockings, and particularly self-supporting stockings.

Women often wish to wear stockings in preference to tights but do not wish to wear suspender belts. Furthermore, elderly and invalid people may wish to wear tights or stockings but due to their age or disability cannot wear tights or a suspender belt. Accordingly, there is a considerable demand for selfsupporting stockings. A number of such stockings have been produced to date but these have generally not proved wholly satisfactory, and have for instance caused discomfort by cutting into a persons leg at the top of the stocking. Also such stockings have in some instances tended to roll down a person's leg.

According to the present invention there is provided a stocking, the stocking comprising a welt provided at or adjacent the open end thereof, a gripping portion extending from the well or from adjacent thereto, away from the open end for part of the length of the stocking, and a main portion extending from the gripping portion, the gripping portion being of a heavier weight of material than the main portion.

The welt may be made of the same or a heavier weight material than the gripping portion.

The welt preferably extends for a relatively short longitudinal extent, and the gripping portion may extend longitudinally for between five and eight times the distance for which the welt extends. The gripping portion may extend for between 10 and 30% of the total length of the stocking, and desirably substantially 20%. All measurements are taken with the stocking in a relaxed condition.

The welt may be ribbed, and may be double ribbed. The gripping portion may be ribbed. The ribbing is preferably longitudinal.

2 Part or all of the stocking may be made of polyamide, and for part or all of the stocking the polyamide is desirably combined with elastane.

The welt may comprise 78 decitex polyamide which may be knitted every three courses with 230 decitex elastane knitted every fourth course.

The gripping portion may comprise 78 decitex polyamide which may be knitted every three courses with 230 decitex elastane knitted every fourth course.

The main portion may comprise 33 decitex polyamide which may be knitted every three courses with 17 decitex elastane laid in every fourth course.

1 1 -T--z2 Alternatively the polyamide in the main portion can be knitted in all courses, or knitted in all courses with elastane plaited in all courses, or with elastane plaited in some courses. Elastane covered with polyamide could be used in one or more parts of the stocking.

A relatively short portion may be provided between the welt and the gripping portion, and this portion may be single ribbed and may comprise 78 decitex polyamide.

The main body may taper away from the open end. A toe portion may be provided at the closed end of the stocking of heavier weight material than the main body. The toe section may comprise 78 decitex polyamide which may be knitted with every three courses with 17 decitex elastane laid in every fourth course.

The welt and gripping section may be produced so as to provide sufficient stretch and recovery to be comfortable for day long use, whilst providing sufficient grip on a person's thigh to hold up the stocking without further assistance. The main section may be knitted so as to avoid sagging and wrinkling.

3 An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the single figure of the accompanying drawing which shows a diagrammatic front view of a stocking according to the invention.

The drawing shows a stocking 10 which is self-supporting, i.e. can be worn without suspenders. The stocking 10 comprises a welt 12 around its open end. The welt 12 is double ribbed and comprises 78 decitex polyamide knitted every three courses with 230 decitex clastane knitted every fourth course. A short portion 14 extends from the welt 12. The portion 14 is single ribbed and comprises 78 decitex polyamide. A gripping portion 16 extends from the portion 14 for approximately 20% of the length of the stocking 10. The portion 16 is single ribbed and comprises similar material to the welt 12.

A main leg portion 18 extends from the portion 16. The portion 18 tapers away from the portion 16. The portion 18 comprises 33 decitex polyamide knitted every three courses with 17 decitex elastane laid in every fourth course. A strengthened toe portion 20 is provided at the end of the portion 18. The portion 20 comprises 78 decitex polyamide knitted every three courses with 17 decitex elastane laid in every fourth course.

In use, the stocking 10 can be worn without further support, and is comfortably self-supporting for all day use. The welt 12 and gripping portion 16 provide sufficient stretch and recovery for comfort whilst providing sufficient grip on a person's thigh to prevent the stocking 10 slipping down. The construction of the main leg portion 18 is such as to avoid sagging and wrinkling even when worn by a less active person. Whilst the stocking provides these advantageous features it is of relatively conventional construction and can thus be inexpensively manufactured.

Various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the dimensions and relative proportions of the different parts of the stocking can be varied. Different weight materials can be 4 used for the various parts. The construction of the main leg section would be varied by knitting polyamide only, or by knitting polyamide with plaited clastane in at least some of the courses. As an alternative, the elastane could be covered with polyamide. Other natural or man-made textile fibres could be used.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

1

Claims

CLAIMS:-

1. A stocking comprising a welt provided at or adjacent the open end thereof, a gripping portion extending from the welt or from adjacent thereto, away from the open end for part of the length of the stocking, and a main portion extending from the gripping portion, the gripping portion being of a heavier weight of material than the main portion.

2. A stocking according to claim 1, wherein the welt is made of the same or a heavier weight material than the gripping portion.

3. A stocking according to claims 1 or 2, wherein the welt extends fo relatively short longitudinal extent.

r a 4. A stocking according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the gripping portion extends longitudinally for between five and eight times the distance for which the welt extends.

5. A stocking according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the gripping portion extends for between 10 and 30% of the total length of the stocking.

6. A stocking according to claim S), wherein the gripping portion extends for 20% of the total length of the stocking.

7. A stocking according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the welt is ribbed.

8. A stocking according to claim 7, wherein the welt is double ribbed.

9. A stocking according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the gripping portion is ribbed.

6 10. A stocking according to any of claims 7 to 9, wherein the ribbing is longitudinal.

11. A stocking according to any of the preceding claims, wherein part or all of the stocking is made of polyamide.

12. A stocking according to claim 11, wherein for part or all of the stocking the polyamide is combined with elastane.

13. A stocking according to claims 11 or 12, wherein the welt comprises 78 decitex polyamide.

14. A stocking according to claim 13 when dependent on claim 12, wherein the polyarnide is knitted every three courses with 230 decitex elastane knitted every fourth course.

15. A stocking according to any of claims 11 to 14, wherein the gripping portion comprises 78 decitex polyamide.

[6. A stocking according to claim 1.5) when dependent on claim 12, wherein the polyamide is knitted every three courses with 230 decitex elastane knitted every fourth course.

17. A stocking according to any of claims 11 to 10, wherein the main portion comprises 33 decitex polyamide.

18. A stocking according to claim [ 7 when dependent on claim 12, wherein the polyamide is knitted every three courses with 17 decitex elastane laid in every fourth course.

[ 9. A stocking according to any of claims 11 to 16, wherein the polyatnide in the main portion is knitted in all courses.

7 20. A stocking according to claim 19, wherein the polyamide is knitted in all courses with elastane plaited in all courses.

21. A stocking according to claim 19, wherein the polyamide is knitted in all courses with elastane plaited in some courses.

22. A stocking according to any of the preceding claims, wherein elastane covered with polyamide is used in one or more parts of the stocking.

23. A stocking according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a relatively short portion is provided between the welt and the gripping portion.

24. A stocking according to claim 23, wherein the short portion is single ribbed.

25. A stocking according to claims 23 or 24, wherein the short portion comprises 78 decitex polyamide.

26. A stocking according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the main body tapers away from the open end.

27. A stocking according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a toe portion is provided at the closed end of the stocking of heavier weight material than the main body.

28. A stocking according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the toe portion comprises 78 decitex polyamide.

29. A stocking according to claim 28, wherein in the toe portion the polyamide is knitted with every three courses with 17 decitex clastane laid in every fourth course.

30. A stocking according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the welt 8 and gripping section are produced so as to provide sufficient stretch and recovery to be comfortable for day long use, whilst providing sufficient grip on a person's thigh to hold up the stocking without further assistance.

31. A stocking according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the main section is knitted so as to avoid sagging and wrinkling.

32. A stocking substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.

33. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter disclosed herein, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding claims.