U.S. patent application number 11/661236 was filed with the patent office on 2007-11-08 for sock.
Invention is credited to Bodo W. Lambertz.
Application Number | 20070256215 11/661236 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 33521907 |
Filed Date | 2007-11-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070256215 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lambertz; Bodo W. |
November 8, 2007 |
Sock
Abstract
A sock for use in athletic activities comprises at least one
substantially rod-shaped pad (3) in the area of the ankle region of
the sock. In preferred embodiments, the sock includes at least two
such rod-shaped-pads, which are preferably of different lengths and
arranged essentially parallel to one another. Preferably, air
channels (25) are provided on at least one surface of the sock
(e.g. made from a climate regulating knit mesh fabric). In other
embodiments the sock includes at least one climate channel (26) is
in the tread area (13) of the sock.
Inventors: |
Lambertz; Bodo W.;
(Pfattikon, DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
OLSON & HIERL, LTD.
20 NORTH WACKER DRIVE
36TH FLOOR
CHICAGO
IL
60606
US
|
Family ID: |
33521907 |
Appl. No.: |
11/661236 |
Filed: |
August 17, 2005 |
PCT Filed: |
August 17, 2005 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/DE05/01446 |
371 Date: |
February 26, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
2/239 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41B 11/02 20130101;
A41B 2400/20 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
002/239 |
International
Class: |
A43B 17/00 20060101
A43B017/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 2, 2004 |
DE |
20 2004 013 816.6 |
Claims
1. A sock for use in athletic activities comprising a foot part (1)
and a leg part (2) and at least one substantially rod-shaped pad
(3) situated in a transitional ankle area between the leg part and
the foot part of the sock; wherein the foot part includes a toe
area (11), a heel area (12) and a tread area (13) situated between
the toe area and the heel area.
2. The sock according to claim 1, wherein the at least one
substantially rod-shaped pad (3) comprises at least two pads (3)
arranged in proximity to one another.
3. The sock according to claim 2, wherein the pads (3) are of
different lengths.
4. The sock according to claim 2, wherein the pads (3) are aligned
substantially in parallel to one another.
5. The sock according to claim 2, wherein air channels (25) are
provided on at least one surface of the sock.
6. The sock according to claim 5, wherein the air channels (25)
comprise a climate regulating knit mesh fabric.
7. The sock according to claim 2, wherein at least one climate
channel (26) is provided in the tread area (13) of the sock.
8. The sock according to claim 7, wherein the at least one climate
channel (26) comprises a climate regulating knit mesh fabric.
9. The sock according to claim 2, wherein the sock is equipped with
an X-cross band (24) in the transitional ankle area between the leg
part and the foot part of the sock to support the ankle of the
wearer.
10. The sock according to claim 2, wherein the sock includes pads
(22,23) in the leg part of the sock.
11. The sock according to claim 1, wherein air channels (25) are
provided on at least one surface of the sock.
12. The sock according to claim 11, wherein the air channels (25)
comprise a climate regulating knit mesh fabric.
13. The sock according to claim 1, wherein at least one climate
channel (26) is provided in the tread area (13) of the sock.
14. The sock according to claim 13, wherein the at least one
climate channel (26) comprises a climate regulating knit mesh
fabric.
15. The sock according to claim 1, wherein the sock is equipped
with an X-cross band (24) in the transitional ankle area between
the leg part and the foot part of the sock to support the ankle of
the wearer.
16. The sock according to claim 1, wherein the sock includes pads
(22,23) in the leg part of the sock.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is the National Stage of International
Application Serial No. PCT/DE2005/001446, filed on Aug. 17,
2005.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The invention relates to a sock, in particular for
application in athletic activities.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Human feet are often accommodated in tight shoes. This is
the case in particular when the person moves rapidly and a great
deal, e.g., in athletic activities. However, the tight shoes per se
cause increased perspiration by the feet. In human athletic
activity, this perspiration output is above average. Due to the
accumulation of perspiration in the shoes and/or socks, there is an
increased risk of blisters developing on the foot, so there have
been efforts to facilitate the transport of perspiration out of the
shoe and/or sock.
[0004] DE 297 15 762 U1 discloses a climate regulating stocking, in
particular for use in leisure athletic activities such as jogging,
inline skating, skiing or the like, said stocking having at least
one integrated air channel made of a climate regulating knit mesh
fabric extending from the sole of the foot to the cuff. The climate
channel allows most of the resulting moisture to evaporate by
conveying the moisture of perspiration out of the sole area of the
shoe into an area of the stocking where free evaporation is
possible. The known climate regulating stocking fulfills all the
tasks required of it. However, this requires that an air channel be
provided.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] It is the object of the present invention to simplify the
conveyance of moisture out of the shoe. According to this
invention, this object is achieved by providing at least one pad
designed essentially in a rod shape in the area of the ankle.
[0006] A sock is created with the present invention, in particular
for athletic activities, allowing conveyance of perspiration out of
the shoe and/or sock without requiring an air channel to do so.
Because a rod-shaped pad is provided in the area of the ankle, it
is possible to transport the high levels of moisture that occur in
the shoe out of the area. This is ensured by the fact that a gap is
created between the sock and the shoe on both sides of the pad,
through which aeration and ventilation are possible.
[0007] In another embodiment of the invention, at least two pads
arranged in proximity to one another are provided in the area of
the ankle. Due to the neighboring arrangement of multiple pads, the
gap between the sock and the shoe is increased, thereby
additionally improving ventilation and aeration.
[0008] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the pads are
aligned essentially in parallel to one another. Due to the parallel
alignment, one or more channels are formed between the pads. By
providing multiple pads, the gap formed between the sock and the
shoe is increased, thereby further improving the air exchange.
[0009] In an embodiment of the invention, an air channel is
provided optionally on the inside and/or outside of the sock in
relation to the leg. This further increases the efficiency in
conveying perspiration out of the area of the shoe.
[0010] In another embodiment of the invention, the tread area of
the sock has at least one climate channel extending to the outer
area of the sock. This yields a uniform climate in the tread area
because moisture generated even in the tread area is conveyed away.
This results in a pleasant feeling in the tread area.
[0011] The sock is advantageously equipped with an X-cross band.
The X-cross band supports the ankle in the transitional area
between the leg and the foot.
[0012] Other embodiments and refined embodiments of the present
invention are characterized in the other subclaims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] An exemplary embodiment of the invention is depicted in the
drawing and described in detail below, showing:
[0014] FIG. 1 a diagram of a sock with a pad in a side view;
[0015] FIG. 2 a side view of the sock shown in FIG. 1 with a
shoe;
[0016] FIG. 3 a section along line III-III in FIG. 2;
[0017] FIG. 4 a diagram of a sock having two pads in a side
view;
[0018] FIG. 5 a diagram of a sock having a lateral air channel,
X-cross band, three pads and padding in a side view.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0019] The sock A selected as an exemplary embodiment (FIG. 1)
consists of a foot part 1 and a leg part 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 shown in the exemplary embodiment. Use
of combinations of materials such as sheared wool with elastic
fiber materials, e.g., Elasthane is also possible. The arrangement
of additional pads or padding in the aforementioned areas is also
possible. The leg part 2 is provided with a cuff 21 on its end
facing away from the foot part 1.
[0020] The pad 3, designed essentially in the form of a rod, is
provided on the sock A in the area of the ankle. It has essentially
a vertical alignment. The pad 3 has a length partially protruding
into the shoe in the condition in which it is worn in a shoe B,
while partially protruding out of the shoe. The pad 3 is
consequently arranged in the transition of the shoe leg part and
leads partially out of the shoe leg part (FIG. 2).
[0021] A gap X is formed by the pad 3 between the sock A and the
shoe B in the area of the shoe leg part on both sides of the pad
(FIG. 3), allowing for aeration and ventilation. By placing the
shoe on the floor, the air in the shoe is forced out of it. In the
normal case the air can escape only through the ventilation
openings in the shoe, but their capacity is very limited. With the
help of the pad 3 and the gap X formed by it, an additional
possibility for allowing air to escape is created, so that
ventilation of the shoe is greatly improved. The same thing is also
true conversely in aeration: if the shoe is raised from the floor,
air is drawn into the shoe, which is greatly facilitated by the gap
X between the sock and the shoe.
[0022] To further improve the aeration and ventilation of the shoe,
it is possible to provide additional pads 3. In the exemplary
embodiment according to FIG. 4, two pads 3 are provided. The pads 3
here are aligned almost in parallel so that one or more channels
are formed between them. By providing multiple pads 3, the gap
formed between the sock A and the shoe B is increased, so that the
air exchange is further improved.
[0023] In the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 5, the leg
part 2 of the sock A is provided with pads 22 in the area of the
calf, with rod-shaped padding being provided in the example shown
here. Other shapes of pads are also possible. Pads 23 are also
arranged in the lower area of the shin developing into the arch of
the foot part. The pads may also be arranged in the area of the
Achilles tendon.
[0024] The pads are generally made of synthetic yarns or compound
fabrics or yarn or similar materials. In the exemplary embodiment,
the padding of the socks is made of hollow chamber fibers sheathed
with spun wool or cotton. The hollow chamber of synthetic yarns are
also especially effective in impact and compression damping. The
tread area 13 may be made of microfiber knit, which helps to reduce
abrasion. The foot bed is also made of microfibers in the toe
and/or heel area, depending on requirements.
[0025] The sock A is also equipped with an X-cross band 24 made of
an elastic, climate regulating fabric. The X-cross band 24 supports
the ankle in the transitional area between the leg and the
foot.
[0026] In the exemplary embodiment shown here, an air channel 25
that is made of a climate regulating knit mesh fabric extends from
the cuff 21 into the tread area 13. The air channel 25 contributes
toward diverting moisture upward and out of the tread area. Such an
air channel 25 may also be provided on the sock on the inside of
the leg or on both sides of the leg.
[0027] In the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 5, three pads
3 are provided in the area of the ankle. The two outer pads 3 form
the edge of the air channel 25 in some sections in the area of the
ankle. The middle pad 3 is arranged in the air channel 25. Pads 3
that are parallel to one another are arranged obliquely. The pads 3
thereby complete the transition from the essentially horizontally
aligned foot part 1 to the essentially vertically aligned leg part
2. This transition can be additionally improved by providing a
small curve on the end of the pad 3 facing the foot part 1 such
that the free end of the curve is aligned approximately
horizontally. Similarly, the end of the pad 3 facing away from the
foot part 1 may have a small curve, the free end of which is
aligned approximately vertically.
[0028] The three pads 3 are aligned essentially in parallel. They
have different lengths, with the two outer pads 3 being
approximately the same length in the exemplary embodiment shown
here and with the middle pad 3 having a greater length. They
function as described above so that they support the effects of the
air channel 25. If air channels 25 are provided on the sock A there
is the possibility of widening the pads 3 over the area of the
ankle. This is true in particular for the pads 3 forming the edge
of the air channel 25. If the pads 3 are designed to be curved in
this way and are lengthened in the direction of the leg part 21,
then the pads 3 assume the function of air guidance to ensure that
the human air escaping from the shoe B will be evaporated and/or
guided in the channel 25 provided for this purpose.
[0029] Three climate channels 26 are provided in the tread area 13
of the sock. 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. The climate channels 26 are made of climate
regulating knit mesh fabric. They may be designed so that the
thickness of the knit mesh fabric corresponds to the thickness of
the tread area, thus resulting in a continuous surface. Therefore
this has a positive effect on wearing comfort.
[0030] If air channels 25 are provided on the inside and outside of
the leg of sock A, then the climate channels 26 extend between the
air channels 25 on the inside and outside of the leg. The number
and dimensions of the climate channels 26 are essentially freely
selectable. In the connection of the air channels 26 to the inside
and outside of the legs, optimum air circulation in the shoe is
induced, making it possible for a maximum amount of atmospheric
humidity to be conveyed out of the shoe and/or sock.
[0031] Although socks are mentioned in the description and claims,
the invention is not limited exclusively thereto. Instead this term
is also understood to include stockings, pantyhose and the like, to
which the present invention also refers.
* * * * *