US2306246A

US2306246A - Knitted wear

Info

Publication number: US2306246A
Application number: US28463A
Authority: US
Inventors: Davis Robert Evan
Original assignee: W B Davis & Son Inc
Current assignee: W B Davis & Son Inc
Priority date: 1935-06-26
Filing date: 1935-06-26
Publication date: 1942-12-22
Anticipated expiration: 1959-12-22

Description

Search Room KNITTED WEAR Filed June 26, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Q l K INVENTOR. F l M 1 ROBERT E. DAVIS.

3 BY M y 9 ATTORNEYS Search Room Dec. 22, 1942. R. E. DAVIS 2,306,246

KNITTED WEAR Filed June 26, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

ROBERT E. DAVIS.

MYIQL ATTORNEYS Patented Dec. 22, 1942 Search Roz KNITTED WEAR Robert Evan Davis, Fort Payne, Ala., assignor to W. B. Davis & Son, Inc., Fort Payne, Ala., a corporation of Alabama Application June 26, 1935, Serial No. 28,463

23 Claims.

This invention relates to knitted wear, and particularly to knitted articles having self-adjusting means incorporated therein.

In the manufacture of hosiery it has been found that, inasmuch as the calf portions of the legs of different persons vary in diameter to a much greater extent than the portions adjacent to and immediately above the ankle, it is necessary to form the upper portion of the leg of a stocking, for example, a man's sock or half hose, of a much more elastic fabric than is usually desirable for the lower portion of the leg and the foot, in order to secure a snug fit. It has been customary for many years, in knitting half hose, to provide the top or calf portion of rib knitting in order to secure the desired elasticity, and to knit the leg and foot of plain-knit fabric to secure the desirable fineness of texture. This requires the use of two different machines, one a rib knitter provided with a series of vertically reciprocating needles, and also a separate series of horizontally reciprocating needles, and the other a plain knitter, provided only with a single series of vertically reciprocating needles.

In knitting seamless hosiery the needles of both machines are arranged in circular series. The top portion of the stocking is knit on the rib machine and removed therefrom. It is then transferred by placing a course of stitches of the rib top upon the needles of the plain knitter, each stitch in the course being placed over a single needle of the latter. This transferrlng" operation is performed by hand and requires skilled operators, which adds to the cost of manufacture. the lower portion of the leg of the stocking is knit onto the rib top, and the knitting is continued until the foot is completed, in the usual manner.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, a stocking, such as a man's half hose for example, is formed with an elastic top constituted by plain-knit fabric, preferably uniform with the other portions of the leg, and provided with vertically disposed parallel ribs having the appearance of and simulating the customary rib top. This may be accomplished by knitting into a plurality of selected, and preferably separated, circular courses throughout at least the upper section of the leg portion, having a length corresponding at least to that of the usual rib top, an elastic thread which preferably is knit into corresponding spaced stitches in each course, and floated between said stitches, so that the corresponding stitches and corresponding floats in the The plain-knitter is then started and said several spaced or selected courses shall be arranged in vertical lines. The elastic thread preferably is continuous through the said selected spaced courses, and is fed under a predetermined tension, so that when the said upper section of the stocking is completed the separated stitches into which the elastic thread has been knit will be drawn toward each other, producing throughout the section a series of parallel vertical ridges of the plain-knit fabric between the said separated stitches and providing both the function and appearance of the usual rib top.

The present invention permits the production of a stocking, sock or other garment knit entirely of plain-knit fabric, on a single machine, thus dispensing with the original cost and maintenance of the rib-knitting machines, and doing away entirely with the cost of transferring. Moreover, the plain knitting machines can be operated more nearly continuously and more efficiently, and with less personal attention than where a rib top must be transferred before each plain-knitter can be operated.

It will be seen that by this invention any desired degree of elasticity can be imparted to the top by regulating the tension of the elastic thread and the size of the plain-knit stitches, permitting the stocking or sock to be drawn over the foot, and insuring a neat and satisfactory form-fit of the top," regardless of variations in the size of the leg.

It will also be understood that the tension of the elastic thread may be such that, in addition to providing a snug form-fit, the "top formed as described will embrace the leg with sumcient pressure to retain itself in position thereon and prevent the leg of the stocking from slipping or working downward when the sock or stocking is worn.

In carrying out the invention, any preferred form of elastic thread may be employed. For example, a thread of rubber, or a thread composed of rubber and fibrous material such as the wellknown Lastex," or any other kind of elastic thread which will accomplish the result desired, may be used. The float portions of the elastic thread are preferably carried along the inner face of the fabric comprising the elastic "top described, end the frictional contact of the floats with the skin of the wearer assist in holding the elastic top in place, and enables this desirable result to be accomplished with a comparatively slight amount of tension, sufficiently slight under any circumstances to avoid any sense of irritation or compression.

If it is desired to form a mock seam in the hose, the mock seam may be formed in the portion of the fabric adjacent the portions of elastic thread which are carried between the spaced courses of fabric, and the seam may be employed to anchor the adjacent carried portions of elastic thread to prevent displacement of the latter relative to the fabric.

The invention also consists in forming a product having the general characteristics, the new and useful applications, and the several original features of utility hereinafter set forth and claimed.

Although the novel features which are believed to be characteristic of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims appended here to, the invention itself, as to its objects and advantages, and the manner in which it may be carried out, may be better understood by referring to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof, in which Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a half hose fabricated according to the teachings of the invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary view of a portion of the hose shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view of a portion of the fabric illustrating the manner in which the elastic thread is incorporated in the fabric, the fabric and elastic threads being shown in abnormal positions for the purposes of illustration;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view of a portion of the fabric showing the threads in their normal positions;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary view of a cross-section taken along the line 44 of Fig. 2:

Fig. 6 is a similar view of the same portion of the hose showing a mock seam stitched into the hose; and

Fig. 7 is a side elevational view of the portion of the hose shown in Fig. 6.

For the purposes of illustration, the invention is disclosed in connection with its application to a half hose, but it is to be understood that the invention may be applied to other articles of apparel having a tubular portion adapted to surround or engage a portion of the body of the wearer, and to other types of fabrics than the specific type disclosed.

The half hose is formed with the usual foot portion l, leg portion 2 and top portion 3, the latter being fabricated with longitudinally extending rib-like ridges 4 (as will hereinafter be described) in simulation of the usual rib-knitted fabric constituting the tops of the conventional type of hosiery.

The top portion 3 is constituted by a plainknit, inelastic thread, and is knit integral with the leg portion 2 during a single knitting operation.

Secured to the top portion, on the inner surface thereof, is an elastic thread 5 which extends around the top portion 3 in a series of spaced parallel turns or courses. The elastic thread 5 is knitted into the fabric at a plurality of equally spaced wales, for example ID, at each of a plurality of equally spaced courses, for example B, F, J, etc., of the fabric (hereinafter designated as the spaced or elastic-carrying courses).

The portion or segment 6 of the elastic thread 5 is floated on the inside of the fabric between successive of the spaced wales l0, and has a normal length less than that of the adjacent fabric lying between spaced wales l0, and hence the adjacent portion of the fabric is caused to bulge outwardly. If the elastic thread 5 is knitted into the same wales in each of the spaced courses, and if the diameter of the threads, the spacing between wales and the spacing between courses are suitably chosen, the bulges adjacent each floated portion 6 unite to constitute a series of continuous parallel rib-like ridges, as indicated by the reference character 4 in Figs. 1 and 2.

The elastic thread 5 is carried from the wale Illa in each of the spaced courses to the wale Hlb in the succeeding spaced course, whereby the portions 8 of the elastic thread 5 which are carried between courses are disposed in alignment lengthwise of the hose. The normal length of the portions 8, which are carried between successive of said spaced courses, is less than the normal length of the adjacent fabric, whereby the adjacent fabric is bulged out to form a ridge 1.

The hose shown in Fig. 1 may be formed in several different manners, but preferably is formed on a circular knitting machine having a float stitch attachment; for example, a machine of the Banner, Scott 8: Williams, or Standard type may be employed.

The hose is started in the usual manner, several plain-knit courses of inelastic fabric thread being knit. When the first of the spaced or elactic-carrying courses B is reached, the plain knitting of the fabric thread is continued. However, prior to the time the needles reach the knitting point, a suitable cam arrangement is actuated, which throws down all of the needles, except selected needles (for example, every fourth needle), prior to reaching the knitting point.

The selected needles remain in raised position, and the elastic thread is fed thereto without being fed to the lowered needles. When the needles reach the knitting point, the fabric thread is fed to all of them, and all of the needles are carried through the knitting movement, and thus the elastic thread is knitted into spaced wales of the fabric in plating relation with the fabric thread. Since the elastic thread is fed only to the selected needles, and passes back of the needles which have been thrown down, it is not knitted by the latter but floats on the back of the fabric between the wales knitted by the selected needles.

The elastic thread is fed to the selected needles under a predetermined tension, whereby, when the hose is finished, the length of each floated portion is less than the corresponding portion of the fabric, and the latter is bulged out into a ridge adjacent each floated portion.

After the first elastic-carrying course B has been completed, a plurality of plain courses of fabric thread are knit, without including the elastic thread, and then the next elastic-carrying course F is knitted in a manner similar to that above-described. The succeeding series of plain and elastic-carrying courses are knitted, as will be seen, until the entire self-adjusting portion is completed, whereupon the elastic thread is moved out of feeding position, bound and severed, and the remainder of the hose knit in the usual manner and without removing the hose from the machine.

As will be understood, when a plain course preceding an elastic-carrying course has been completed, a number of plain stitches must be taken without including the elastic in order to allow the cam arrangement to move into the position for actuating the needles, to effect the float stitch operation. Thus, the number of stitches, across which the floated portion 8 extend, will depend generally upon the number of needles allowed for the movement of the cam arrangement.

When the hose has been knitted, the top end is provided with a stitched hem 4|, as shown; or, if preferred, the top may be finished on an edger, in a manner which is known to those skilled in the art.

The fabric formed by the float stitch operation is shown in Figs. 3 and 4. In Fig. 3 the threads are shown in the positions which they would assume if the elastic thread were knitted into the fabric, under no tension. It will be seen that the inelastic thread is plain-knit to form the usual wales 9, l and H, and the usual courses A to G. The elastic thread is knitted into the wale ID of the course B, along with the inelastic thread, having been drawn through the loop l3 of the course A, simultaneously with the loop l6 of the course B, in the form of an elastic loop 26; also the inelastic loop IQ of the next course C is drawn simultaneously through both loops l6 and 26 in the form of a loop l9. Thus it will be seen that the elastic thread 5 is knitted into the fabric in plating relation with the inelastic thread at the wales l0, and floats between the spaced wales H] on the back of the fabric.

The elastic thread 5 is knitted into the fabric under sufficient tension so that when the fabric is formed the elastic thread 5 straightens out (see Fig. 4) and draws the loop l6 of the inelastic thread back through the loop l3, to partially unloop the fabric at the wale l8. However, since the elastic thread has been knitted into the fabric, and passes through the adjacent loops l8 and 20, the fabric does not unknit but portions of the adjacent loops I8 and 28 pass around the portion of the inelastic thread. constituting the loop l8, and likewise around the portion of the elastic thread, constituting the loop 26, and also pass through the loop iii of inelastic thread, to lock the elastic thread into the fabric. The straightening of the elastic thread spreads the loops of the inelastic thread adjacent the wale H], as indicated in Fig. 4.

It will be seen that, in the finished fabric, the elastic thread 5 passes around the adjacent fabric substantially without loops, and is exposed throughout its length to contact with the body of the wearer except at the points where the portions of loops l8 and 28 of the inelastic thread pass over the elastic thread.

The elastic thread 5 is knitted into the fabric under controlled tension so that when the fabric is completed and permitted to assume its natural position, the portion 6 of elastic thread 5, which is floated between spaced wales I8, is substantially less than that of the adjacent portion of the fabric which extends between the spaced wales l8. Since the elastic thread 5 is firmly gripped at the spaced wales ID by the adjacent loops i8 and 20, the spaced wales 10 are drawn toward one another and the fabric is caused to bulge outwardly adjacent each floated portion 6, when the elastic thread assumes its normal position. The spacing between the wales l0 and between successive of the spaced courses is such that the bulges in the fabric adjacent each floated portion 6 are in longitudinal alignment, and constitute continuous rib-like ridges l.

The wide ridges 1 constituted by the long portions 8 of the elastic thread 5 are preferably located at the center of the back of the stocking,

Search R001 where they are inconspicuous, as shown in Fig. 2, and may provide means for readily creasing the hose when the same is pressed. Inasmuch as the long portion 8 provides less resilience of the hose at this portion, it provides a natural fold point in the fabric, and permits the same to be folded and pressed in the usual manner without undue tendency to resist folding, and also facilitates the formation of a mock seam.

If desired, the hose may be provided with a mock seam formed by gathering a portion of the hose extending in a longitudinal direction, and stitching the same with a known type of edging stitch such as formed on a Merrow or Wilcox 8: Gibbs machine. to simulate a full-fashioned hose.

The portion I (see Figs. 5 to 7) is gathered in a double reversely-bent fold 3|, and the long carried portion 8 of the elastic thread 5 is gathered into the fold 3 I, and the threads 32 and 33 are stitched into the fabric to secure the double reversely-bent fold 3|, and to lock the carried portion 8 securely within the fold. The threads 32 and 33 are stitched in the form of an edging stitch, in which the

loops

34 and 35 of the thread 32 pass through the fabric and engage the

loops

36 and 31 of the thread 33 on the inner side of the fabric, thus securely locking the fold 3i against opening and binding in the long carried portion 8 of the elastic thread 5.

Preferably, the elastic thread 5 is introduced at the same time as, or just prior to, the knitting of a stitch of the wale Illa, and is withdrawn at the same time as, or just after, the knitting of a stitch of the wale lob, whereby the end portions of the elastic thread 5 constitute the first and last of the carried portions 8. Thus, when the mock seam is formed, as above-described, the end portions are securely tied into the fabric.

By way of illustration, a specific example of an article formed according to the invention is here described. A mans sock, size 10 having a leg length of approximately 15 inches, and a diameter of approximately 3% inches, was made on a circular knitting machine having 220 needles. The sock was formed of No. 50/2 cotton thread, and No. 52 square india rubber thread was knitted into every fourth wale of every fourth course of the fabric throughout approximately courses. The self-supporting portion was approximately 5 inches in length.

The rubber was knitted into the fabric under such tension that when the fabric was removed from the machine the elastic thread drew the fabric up into a series of parallel spaced ridges, so that the diameter of the self-supporting section was reduced to approximately 2% to 3 inches.

Various modifications may be made in the fabrication of an article of apparel according to the present invention.

As previously set forth, the invention is suitable for application to many types of fabrics and articles, among which may be named, by way of example: hosiery. including stockings, half hose. anklets and footless hosiery: handwear, including mittens, gloves and wristlets; bodywear, including sweaters, trousers, drawers, pajamas, swimming suits; and other articles which it is desired to retain in a predetermined position upon the body of a wearer; or other fabrics to which it is desired to impart the properties provided by the invention.

It is within the contemplation of the invention to employ either covered or uncovered elastic thread, either of which provides an effective resistance against displacement on the body. It has been found that direct contact between the skin and either bare rubber or covered rubber thread provides a very surprising resistance to slipping, and an article formed according to the present invention exerts an extremely high degree of resistance to displacement, without the necessity of being under great tension. It has also been found that, where the spacing between courses into which the elastic thread is knitted is of a sufficient extent, whereby the turns of the elastic thread exert independent gripping actions on the leg of the wearer, a greater resistance to displacement is exerted on the self-supporting portion of the article than where the elastic threads are relatively close together. It will be noted that, because of the manner in which the elastic thread is knitted into the fabric, a very high percentage of the area of the elastic thread is exposed to contact with the body of the wearer, and hence maximum utilization of the frictional effect of the elastic thread is obtainable.

Instead of employing uncovered rubber thread, it is possible to employ elastic threads of the type wherein a rubber core is surrounded by a spun, or otherwise applied, sheath of inelastic fibres, such as cotton, silk or the like. One example of such elastic thread is the thread known commercially as Lastex." Such covered thread has certain advantages in that it is easy to operate with such thread, due to the fact that no sticking occurs between the thread and the various portions of the knitting machine. Furthermore, there is no direct contact between the skin of the wearer and the rubber, which fact may be considered advantageous in certain instances.

By knitting the elastic thread into spaced wales in each of a plurality of spaced courses, and suitably selecting the relationship between the diameter of the threads, the spacing between wales, the spacing between courses, the tension on the threads and the length of the stitches, it is possible to form a fabric having the appearance of the usual ribbed fabric by the use-of a machine adapted to do only plain knitting. Thus it is not necessary to use a ribber and transfer arrangement. or other special type of machine.

As previously explained, contraction of the elastic thread to its normal length causes the adjacent portion of the fabric to bulge out. This effect may be employed in producing various relief patterns, for example, continuous parallel ribs (as above described), staggered ridges, spaced nodules and other designs by merely varying, in a suitable manner, one or more of the above-named determining factors.

Inasmuch as the elastic thread is knitted in the fabric at spaced courses as well as at spaced wales, it is possible to obtain an elastic fabric which is not substantially less elastic than the fabric would be without the elastic thread, and also which is not substantially less porous than the plain fabric. Since the fabric is highly elastic and porous, and since a very high frictional effect may be provided by the suitable spacing of the turns of elastic thread, of which nearly all portions are in direct engagement with the body of the wearer, it is possible to provide an article of apparel which will firmly grip the body and support itself without any appreciable discomfort on the part of the wearer.

It is within the scope of the present invention to incorporate the elastic in any desired portion of the article and to space the elasticcarrying courses to a greater or lesser extent. However, preferably, the elastic thread is provided in a substantial portion and at suitably spaced courses so that the self-supporting portion exerts a relatively low pressure on the body, and the porosity and extensibility of the fabric are not greatly decreased. Thus the undesirable features of a garter, or garter section, may be avoided.

A further provision for comfort may be made by variably spacing the elastic-carrying courses throughout the self-supporting portion. The spacing between the elastic-carrying courses is made greater in those portions of the article adapted to fit the portions of the body which are of greater diameter, and lesser in those portions of the garment adapted to fit the smaller portions of the body; hence, the pressures exerted on the various portions of the body may be substantially equalized by suitable spacing of the elastic courses.

The provision of a mock seam in the wide ridge, constituted by the carrying of the elastic thread between successive of the spaced courses, serves both to improve the appearance of the article and also to bind in the elastic thread to prevent any possibility of the same being displaced any substantial amount relative to the fabric, in the event, that any portion of the elastic thread is severed.

It will be understood that the invention is not limited to use with any particular type of fabriciorming thread, but may be practiced with various kinds of thread, for example, cotton, silk, wool and the like, and with various sizes of threads. It is also within the invention to employ several fabric threads of different characteristics, either in succession or simultaneously to provide portions of varying characteristics, or varying patterns and the like.

It is to be noted that where the expression inelastic thread or nomelastic thread" is employed, it is to be read as a distinguishing expression, to distinguish the relative inelasticity of the threads customarily used in fabricating garments from highly elastic threads, such as india rubber threads, Lastex" and the like.

This application is a continuation-in-part of my co-pending application Serial No. 759,831, filed December 31, 1934.

What is claimed is:

1. A knitted article of apparel, comprising a plurality of courses of plain fabric formed from a fabric thread of uniform diameter and an elastic thread knitted into corresponding spaced wales in each of a plurality of equally spaced courses of the fabric, the normal length of the elastic thread floated between each of said spaced wales being less than the normal length of the corresponding portion of the fabric to provide a series of parallel longitudinal rib-like ridges in the fabric.

2. A knitted article of apparel, comprising a tubular portion constituted by a plain-knit fabric of inelastic thread, and an elastic thread knitted, under tension, into spaced wales of each of a plurality of spaced courses of the fabric, and

floated between said spaced wales and carried between its termination in each of said spaced courses and its point of introduction in the succeeding spaced course, there being at least two wales of inelastic thread intervening be-' tween said spaced wales and at least three courses of inelastic thread intervening between said spaced courses.

3. A knitted article of bodywear, comprising a tubular fabric constituted by an inelastic thread i a fabric constituted by a non-elastic body thread and an elastic thread plated with said body thread at spaced wales in each of a plurality of spaced courses and under sufiicient initial tension to partially unloop the plated loop of fabric thread, whereby said elastic thread extends along the fabric without loops.

5. A knitted article of apparel, comprising a plain-knit fabric having a tubular portion, an elastic thread knitted into said fabric at spaced wales of each of a plurality of spaced courses of the fabric, and carried between said spaced courses, the normal length of elastic thread carried between courses being less than the normal length of the adjacent fabric, and a mock seam in the portion of the fabric opposite said carried portions of elastic thread and inclosing said car-- ried portions of elastic thread.

6. A knitted article of apparel, comprising a tubular portion of plain-knit fabric, an elastic thread knitted into spaced wales of each of a plurality of spaced courses of the fabric, and

carried from each of said spaced courses to the next of said spaced courses at corresponding wales, and a mock seam stitched into said fabric adjacent said carried portions of the elastic thread, and binding said elastic thread against :a

displacement in the fabric.

'7. A knitted article of hosiery, comprising a tubular portion formed with a plurality of courses of fabric-forming thread, an elastic thread knitted into wales in each of a plurality of spaced courses of the fabric and carried from each of said spaced courses to the next of said courses at corresponding portions thereof to provide aligned segments of said elastic thread, said segments being shorter than the adjacent fabric to form a ridge therein, and a mock seam stitched into the portion constituting the ridge.

8. A knitted article of hosiery, comprising a tubular portion formed with a plurality of courses of fabric-forming thread and an elastic thread knitted into a plurality of equally spaced wales in each of a plurality of equally spaced courses and being carried from each of said spaced courses to the next of said spaced courses, at corresponding wales, to provide ments of said elastic thread, said aligned segments being shorter than the adjacent fabric and providing a ridge in the adjacent fabric.

9. A knitted article of apparel comprising a tubular fabric constituted by an inelastic thread, an elastic thread knitted into spaced wales of each of a plurality of spaced courses of the fabric and carried from each of said spaced courses at corresponding wales, said elastic thread beginning and ending with a carried portion, and a mock seam stitched into said fabric adjacent said carried portions of the elastic thread, and binding all of said carried portions against displacement relative to the fabric.

10. In an article of hosiery, a leg portion comprising a body having a top, said top being plain knit of inelastic fabric thread and having an elastic thread locked to spaced wales at corresponding points of each of a plurality of spaced courses and floated between said spaced wales,

aligned seg- Search Room the normal length of elastic thread floated between said spaced wales being less than the normal length of the corresponding portion of the fabric to draw in the inelastic fabric both III at and between elastic carrying courses to provide a series of spaced, parallel, continuous riblike ridges extending longitudinally throughout a substantial part of said top.

11. In an article of hosiery, a leg portion comprising a body having a top, said top being plain knit of inelastic fabric thread and having an elastic thread knit into spaced wales of each of a plurality of spaced courses and floated between said spacej wales, the normal length of elastic thread floated between said spaced wales being less than the normal length of the corresponding portion of the fabric to draw in the inelastic fabric both at and between elastic carrying courses to provide a series of spaced local ridges in the fabric, said spaced wales in said spaced courses lying at the same points, the diameter of the threads, the spacing between wales and the spacing between courses being suitably chosen to cause said local ridges to be aligned and thereby to constitute a series of parallel, continuous rib-like ridges extending longitudinally throughout a substantial part of said top.

12. An article of hosiery having a leg portion comprising a plain knit elastic top, knit with an inelastic thread and having an elastic thread locked in the fabric at corresponding separated points in each of a plurality of spaced courses, the length of the portions of said elastic thread between the adjacent points at which it is locked in the fabric being less than the length of the corresponding portion of the course between said points, to draw in fabric between said points in the elastic carrying courses as well as adjacent courses, to provide the top with a series of spaced, parallel, continuous ridges simulating rib knitting, said elastic carrying courses being of such number and spaced to such an extent as to enable the top to support the entire leg portion on the leg of the wearer with minimum tension of the elastic thread, and a main leg portion of plain knitting without said elastic thread, knit as a continuation of the lower portion of said top, and obviating transferring.

13. An article of hosiery having a leg portion comprising an elastic top composed of a plurality of courses of plain knitting with an inelastic thread, and having a continuous elastic thread knit into corresponding spaced, single wales of each of a plurality of spaced courses, and floated for a distance of more than one wale between said wales in which the elastic thread is knit, the said float portions being of less length than the length of the corresponding portions of the fabric, to draw in the fabric between the wales in which the elastic thread is knitted as well as the corresponding portions of adjacent non-elastic-carrying courses, to provide the top with a series of vertical ridges substantially coextensive with the length of the top, simulating rib knitting, said elastic carrying courses being of such number and spaced to such an extent as to enable the top to support the entire leg portion upon the leg of the wearer with a minimum tension of the elastic thread, and a main leg portion of plain knitting formed of inelastic thread only, knit continuously with the said elastic top without transferring.

14. In an article of hosiery, a leg portion comprising a body having a top, said top being plain knit of inelastic fabric and having an elastic thread locked to spaced wales in each of a plurality of spaced courses, the normal length of elastic thread floated between said spaced wales being less than the normal length of the corresponding portion of the fabric to draw in the inelastic fabric both at and between elastic carrying courses.

15. A knitted article of hosiery comprising a self-supporting top composed of fabric plain knit of inelastic thread and elastic thread, said elastic thread being knitted under tension at spaced wales in each of a plurality of spaced courses and floated between said spaced wales, the tension on the elastic thread being such as to cause the stitches thereof to straighten out and spread adjacent stitches of inelastic thread in such manner as to produce a porous fabric.

16. A knitted article of hosiery comprising a self-supporting top composed of fabric plain knitted of inelastic thread and elastic thread, said elastic thread being knitted at corresponding spaced wales in each of a plurality of spaced courses and floated between said spaced wales to provide a plurality of spaced turns of elastic thread exposed on the inner surface of said top, the fabric intermediate said spaced wales constituting a series of longitudinally extending riblike ridges.

17. In an article of hosiery, a leg portion comprising a body having a self-supporting top, said top being formed of plain knit fabric composed of inelastic thread and elastic thread, said elastic thread being incorporated at spaced points in each of a plurality of spaced courses and floated between said spaced points on the inner surface of the top, the length of elastic thread incorporated in each of said spaced courses and the spacing of said spaced points and of said spaced courses being such that spaced turns of elastic thread are individually exposed on the inner surface of the fabric and adapted to be under tension and independently grip the leg of the wearer when said article is in position thereon.

18. In a hosiery article, a leg portion com prising a body having a self-supporting top, said top being plain knit of inelastic thread and elastic thread, said elastic thread being knit at spaced wales in each of a plurality of spaced courses and floated between said spaced Wales on the inner surface of the top, the spacing of said spaced wales and of said spaced courses and the relative length of the elastic thread and of the fabric between said spaced wales being such that spaced turns of elastic thread are individually exposed on the inner surface of the fabric and exert independent gripping actions on the leg of the wearer, said spaced courses being a sufiicient distance apart to avoid any substantial reduction of the normal porosity of the fabric.

19. In a hosiery article, a leg portion comprising a body and a self-supporting top, said top being formed of plain knit fabric composed of inelastic thread and elastic thread, said elastic thread being locked at spaced wales in each of a plurality of spaced courses and floated between said spaced wales to form floats on the inner surface of the top, the spacing of said spaced wales and of said spaced courses and the length of said elastic thread in each of said spaced courses being such that spaced turns of elastic thread are individually exposed on the inner surface of the fabric to permit said spaced turns of elastic thread to independently grip with slight tension the leg of the wearer, said spaced courses being a suiiicient distance apart to avoid any substantial reduction of the normal porosity of the article.

20. In a hosiery article, a leg portion comprising a body having a supporting portion, said supporting portion being plain knit of inelastic thread and elastic thread, said elastic thread being knit at spaced wales in each of a plurality of spaced courses and floated between said spaced wales on the inner surface of the supporting portion, the length of the elastic thread in each of said spaced courses and the spacing of said wales and of said spaced courses being such that elastic thread is individually exposed in spaced turns on the inner surface of the fabric to permit said turns of elastic thread to independently grip with slight tension the leg of the wearer, said supporting portion being sufiiciently long to provide the necessary gripping action to support said hosiery article.

21. A self -supporting sock having on the inside surface of its top portion a self-supporting means comprising a plurality of turns of uncovered rub ber thread attached to said surface at spaced courses under initial tension and divided into a series of exposed segments thereon by a series of spaced stitches of fabric thread carried over said rubber thread, said segments being of such lengths and spacing that they exert individual gripping action on the leg of the wearer, thereby enhancing to a high degree the resistance to slipping.

22. A self-supporting sock having a plain knit top portion and a self-supporting means comprising a plurality of exposed segments of elastic thread incorporated upon the inside surface of said top portion of said sock, said segments falling in a continuous series of spaced turns extending over the entire length of the top portion, and a ridge in the fabric of the top resulting from a longer segment in each convolution of the elastic thread, said longer segments forming a vertical column along the length of the top portion.

23. In a hosiery article, a leg portion comprising a body having a plain knit top portion, said top being knit of inelastic fabric thread and elastic thread, said elastic thread being incorporated at spaced points in each of a plurality of spaced courses and floated between said spaced points on the inner surface of the top, the spacing of said spaced points and of said spaced courses being such that spaced turns of elastic thread are individually exposed on the inner surface of the fabric to permit said turns of elastic thread to exert independent gripping actions on the leg of the wearer.

ROBERT EVAN DAVIS.