U.S. patent application number 10/542557 was filed with the patent office on 2006-07-06 for sock.
Invention is credited to BodoW Lambertz.
Application Number | 20060143801 10/542557 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 7979321 |
Filed Date | 2006-07-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060143801 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lambertz; BodoW |
July 6, 2006 |
Sock
Abstract
The invention relates to a sock, especially for using during
sport, at least one dehumidifying channel (26) being provided in
the sole (13) of the sock. According to the invention, air ducts
(25) can be provided on the inner leg side and/or the outer leg
side of the sock, said air ducts being connected to at least on
dehumidifying channel (26) in the sole (13) of the sock.
Inventors: |
Lambertz; BodoW; (Pfaffikon,
CH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ROGER J.A. COURNOVER;4299 N.W. 16TH STREET #203
LAUDERDALE
FL
333135819
US
|
Family ID: |
7979321 |
Appl. No.: |
10/542557 |
Filed: |
January 13, 2004 |
PCT Filed: |
January 13, 2004 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/DE04/00023 |
371 Date: |
November 28, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
2/239 |
Current CPC
Class: |
D04B 1/26 20130101; A41B
11/00 20130101; A41D 31/12 20190201; A41B 2400/60 20130101; A41B
11/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
002/239 |
International
Class: |
A41B 11/00 20060101
A41B011/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 21, 2003 |
DE |
203 00 973.8 |
Claims
1. A sock, in particular for use in athletic activities,
characterized in that at least one climate channel (26) is provided
in the tread area (13).
2. A sock according to claim 1, characterized in that air channels
(25) are provided on the inside of the leg and/or on the outside of
the leg of the sock and are connected to at least one climate
channel (26) in the tread area (13).
3. A sock according to claim 1, characterized in that the climate
channels (26) have a curved shape in the tread area (13).
4. A sock according to claim 2, characterized in that the climate
channels (26) have a curved shape in the thread area (13).
5. A sock according to claim 1, characterized that the climate
channels (26) are partially tapered (261).
6. A sock according to claim 1, characterized in that the climate
channels (26) have an essentially circular cross section.
7. A sock according to claim 1, characterized in that the climate
channels (26) are connected to one another through a central
channel (262).
8. A sock according to claim 2, characterized in that air channels
(25) and the climate channels (26) are made of the same
material.
9. A sock according to claims 2, characterized in that the air
channel (25) is made of a climate-regulating mesh knit fabric.
10. A sock according to claim 1, characterized in that the climate
channel (26) is made of climate-regulating mesh knit fabric.
11. A sock according to claim 1, characterized in that the sock is
equipped with an X-cross bandage (24).
12. A sock according to of claim 1, characterized in that the sock
has padding (22, 23).
13. A sock according to claim 2, characterized in that the climate
channels (26) are partially tapered (261).
14. A sock according to claim 3, characterized in that the climate
channels (26) are partially tapered (261).
15. A sock according to claim 2, characterized in that the climate
channels (26) have an essentially circular cross section.
16. A sock according to claim 3, characterized in that the climate
channels (26) have an essentially circular cross section.
17. A sock according to claim 5, characterized in that the climate
channels (26) have an essentially circular cross section.
18. A sock according to claim 2, characterized in that the climate
channels (26) are connected to one another through a central
channel (262).
19. A sock according to claim 3, characterized in that the climate
channels (26) are connected to one another through a central
channel (262).
20. A sock according to claim 4, characterized in that the climate
channels (26) are connected to one another through a central
channel (262).
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is based upon patent application PCT/DE
2004/000023 filed Jan. 13, 2004, International Publication No.
WO2004/064551.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The invention relates to a sock, in particular for use in
athletic activities.
[0003] Human feet are often accommodated in tight shoes. This is
the case in particular when the person moves quickly and a lot,
e.g., in athletic activities. The tight shoes themselves result in
increased perspiration on the feet. During athletic activity such a
person will experience above-average perspiration. Since the risk
of the development of blisters on the foot is increased due to the
accumulation of perspiration in the shoe and/or sock, there have
been attempts to facilitate the removable of perspiration from the
shoe and/or sock.
[0004] German Utility Model DE 297 15 762 U1 discloses a
climate-regulating stocking, in particular for use in types of
leisure activities such as jogging, inline skating, skiing or the
like, having at least one integrated air channel made of a
climate-regulating mesh knit fabric extending from the sole of the
foot to the band at the top. The climate channel allows most of the
moisture generated to evaporate by conveying the moisture of
perspiration out of the tread area of the foot and into an area of
the stocking where free evaporation is possible. The known
climate-regulating stocking fulfills all the requirements made of
it.
[0005] The object of the present invention is to further improve
upon the removal of moisture from the shoe. According to this
invention, this object is achieved by providing at least one
climate channel in the tread area.
[0006] This invention creates a sock, in particular for athletic
activities, which further improves upon the removal of perspiration
from the shoe and/or sock. By providing a climate channel in the
tread area, it is possible to promote the conveying of the moisture
that occurs in the area of the sole of the foot directly out of the
area of the sole of the foot via the climate channel. The moisture
can then escape through ventilation holes in the shoe.
[0007] In a further embodiment of this invention, the tread area of
the sock has a central climate channel with additional climate
channels branching off from it to the outer area of the sock. This
achieves a uniform climate in the tread area. Furthermore, an
equalization of pressure between the channels is achieved,
resulting in a uniform removal of moisture under load. In addition,
a pleasant feeling of occurrence is induced with the tread.
[0008] In an embodiment of this invention, the climate channel has
a bent or wavy pattern. This enlarges the effective channel length,
which results in an increase in the transport capacity while also
increasing the surface area available for cooling in the tread
area.
[0009] In another embodiment of this invention, the channels in the
tread area are designed with a constriction. Due to the partial
tapering of the channel path, accelerated air guidance is achieved,
which in turn accelerates the removal of moisture out of the tread
area and causes an increase in the cooling power in this area.
[0010] In another embodiment of this invention, an air channel is
provided optionally on the inside and/or outside of the leg of the
sock and this air channel is connected to the climate channel in
the tread area. This provides an additional path for removing
perspiration from the tread area of the foot. In the case of air
channels on the inside of the leg and the outside of the leg, an
additional air circulation in the shoe is achieved through the
connection of the air channels.
[0011] In another embodiment of this invention, the sock has
cushions. The cushions may be provided at different locations in
the sock. They reduce skin abrasion as well as the risk of pressure
points developing on the foot.
[0012] The sock is advantageously equipped with an X-cross bandage.
The X-cross bandage supports the ankle in the transition area
between the leg and the foot.
[0013] Other embodiments and improvements on this invention are
described below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0014] An exemplary embodiment of this invention is depicted in the
drawing and is described in greater detail below. Like numerals
refer to like elements in the various views.
[0015] FIG. 1 shows a diagram of a sock with a lateral air channel,
X-cross bandage and cushions in a side view.
[0016] FIG. 2 shows a diagram of the tread area of the sock with a
curved conveyance channel;
[0017] FIG. 3 shows a diagram of the tread area of the sock with a
wavy conveyance channel;
[0018] FIG. 4 shows a diagram of the sock illustrated in FIG. 3 as
seen in a side view;
[0019] FIG. 5 shows a diagram of the tread area of the sock with a
narrowed conveyance channel;
[0020] FIG. 6 shows a section along line VI-VI in FIG. 5;
[0021] FIG. 7 shows a diagram of the tread area of the sock with a
central conveyance channel;
[0022] FIG. 8 shows a diagram of the tread area of the sock with an
additional air channel on the inside of the leg;
[0023] FIG. 9 shows a diagram of the tread area of the sock with an
additional air channel on the outside of the leg; and
[0024] FIG. 10 shows a diagram of the tread area of the sock with
an additional air channel on the inside of the leg and on the
outside of the leg.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0025] The sock selected as an exemplary embodiment (FIG. 1)
consists of a foot part 1 and a shaft 2. The foot part 1 has a toe
area 11, a heel area 12 and a tread area 13 situated between the
toe area and the heel area. The areas 11, 12 and 13 may be made of
a reinforced material, as illustrated in the exemplary embodiment.
The use of combinations of materials such as sheared wool with
elastic fiber materials such as Elastan is also possible. It is
also possible to provide additional cushions or padding in the
areas mentioned above.
[0026] The shaft 2 is provided with a band 21 on the end facing
away from the foot part 1. In the area of the calf, the shaft 2 is
provided with padding 22, with bar padding being provided in the
example shown here. Other forms of cushioning are also possible.
Padding 23 is also provided in the lower area of the ankle
developing into the arch of the foot. The arrangement of padding
may also be provided in the area of the Achilles tendon.
[0027] The padding is usually made of synthetic yarns or compound
fabrics or yarn or similar materials. In the exemplary embodiment,
the padding in the socks is made of hollow chamber fibers spun with
wool or cotton on the outside. The hollow chamber synthetic fiber
yarns are especially highly shock absorbing and pressure absorbing.
The tread area 13 may be made of a microfiber knit that helps to
reduce abrasion. Depending on the requirements, the foot bed may
also be made of microfibers in the area of the toes and heel.
[0028] In addition, the sock is equipped with an X-cross bandage 24
which is made of an elastic climate-regulating fabric. The X-cross
bandage 24 supports the ankle in the transition area between the
leg and the foot.
[0029] In the exemplary embodiment, an air channel 25 extends from
the band 21 into the tread area 13 and is made of a
climate-regulating mesh knit fabric. The air channel 25 contributes
toward removal of the moisture from the tread area upward. Such an
air channel 25 may also be provided on the sock on the inside of
the leg or on both sides.
[0030] In tread area 13 of the sock, at least one climate channel
26 is provided. In the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 2,
three climate channels 26 are provided. The tread area 13 is
interrupted by the climate channels 26. The climate channels 26
begin and end on the outside of the tread area and are designed
with a curvature so that the effective channel length is increased.
This effect is further increased by the wavy design of the climate
channel in the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 3. By
enlarging the effective channel length, the transport capacity is
increased and the cooling surface area in the tread area is
increased. As shown in FIG. 4, the climate channels 26 may run
throughout the entire (reinforced) tread area 13 of the sock so
they may also extend into the lateral areas enclosing the foot. The
climate channels 26 are made of a climate-regulating mesh knit
fabric. They may be designed so that the thickness of the mesh knit
fabric corresponds to the thickness of the tread area so as to form
a continuous surface. This has a positive influence on wearing
comfort.
[0031] In the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 5, the climate
channels 26 are designed with a constriction in the tread area 13
of the sock. Due to the partial taper 261 in the climate channel
26, acceleration of the air guidance is achieved (so-called Venturi
principle). This accelerates the removal of moisture out of the
tread area 13 while also increasing the cooling capacity in this
area. This advantage may be further reinforced by the fact that the
climate channels 26 have an essentially circular cross section
(FIG. 6). In this embodiment, the taper 261 also has an
approximately circular cross section. The section of the channel 26
that is not closed is labeled as "b." Under load, the distance b is
reduced in the extreme case to b=0, resulting in a closed circular
cross section. The climate channel 26 is then in the form of a
Laval nozzle, further improving the positive properties.
[0032] In the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 7, a central
channel 262 is arranged on the longitudinal central axis of the
tread area 13 with curved climate channels 26 branching off on both
sides and ending on the outside edge of the tread area 13. Due to
the central connection of the climate channels 26 through the
central channel 262, a uniform climate is achieved over the tread
area 13. In addition, the connection produces a uniform pressure in
all climate channels 26 so that a uniform moisture removal under
load is achieved. In addition the uniform pressure results in a
pleasant tread feeling. In a modification of the exemplary
embodiment, there is the possibility of extending the central
channel 262 beyond the tread area 13 into the toe area 11 and/or
the heel area 12.
[0033] In the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 8, an air
channel 25 is provided on the inside of the leg. The air channel 25
extends into the arch of the foot. At the transition from the arch
of the foot to the tread area 13 of the sock, the climate channels
taper out, arranged in a radiating pattern. Due to this
arrangement, wide areas of the tread area are reached by the
climate channels 26 so that it is possible to remove moisture out
of the entire tread area. The width and length of the climate
channels 26 can usually be selected freely. The number of climate
channels 26 is also variable. By increasing the length and/or width
of the climate channels 26 or increasing the number of climate
channels 26, an increase in the moisture that can be conveyed is
also possible.
[0034] In the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 9, an air
channel 25 is provided as an equivalent on the outside of the leg,
with the three climate channels 26 leading away from it. The
climate channels radiate outward into the area of the arch of the
foot.
[0035] In the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 10, an air
channel 25 is provided on the inside of the leg of the sock and on
the outside of the leg of the sock. The climate channels 26 run
between the air channels on the inside of the leg and those on the
outside of the leg. The number and dimensions of the climate
channels can be selected essentially freely here. With the
connection of the air channels 25 on the inside of the leg and on
the outside of the leg, optimum air circulation is provided in the
shoe, so that a maximum of atmospheric humidity can be transported
out of the shoe and/or the sock.
[0036] In addition to the exemplary embodiments depicted in the
figures, there are also other possibilities for the distribution
and orientation of the climate channels 26. For example with the
exemplary embodiments according to FIGS. 8, 9 and 10, it is
possible for the climate channels to run into the area of the tip
of the foot and/or the heel. When speaking of socks in the
description and claims, this invention is not limited only to socks
but instead this term also includes stockings, pantyhose and the
like to which this invention also refers.
* * * * *