U.S. patent application number 14/816895 was filed with the patent office on 2017-02-09 for sock with selective yarn placement.
The applicant listed for this patent is TBL Licensing LLC. Invention is credited to GREG NEYMAN, JOHN RAMSEY.
Application Number | 20170035120 14/816895 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 58053857 |
Filed Date | 2017-02-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170035120 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
RAMSEY; JOHN ; et
al. |
February 9, 2017 |
SOCK WITH SELECTIVE YARN PLACEMENT
Abstract
Techniques for producing garments, such as socks, may use
selected body yarns for certain portions of the garment, which may
be substituted for different body yarns in different portions of
the garments. A garment may be knit with different selected yarns
for different selected areas in order to obtain desired performance
benefits. Strategic placement of different body yarns may provide
for an economical increase in the performance of the garment, and
may also and provide multiple aesthetic options for the garment.
The different body yarn materials and sizes may be selected to
provide the desired performance characteristics for the different
areas without the need to balance performance characteristics with
a single body yarn that would otherwise be present in such
areas.
Inventors: |
RAMSEY; JOHN; (Signal
Mountain, TN) ; NEYMAN; GREG; (Cleveland,
TN) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
TBL Licensing LLC |
Stratham |
NH |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
58053857 |
Appl. No.: |
14/816895 |
Filed: |
August 3, 2015 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41B 11/00 20130101;
D04B 1/12 20130101; D04B 1/26 20130101; A41B 17/00 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A41B 11/00 20060101
A41B011/00 |
Claims
1. A sock comprising: a calf portion connected to a heel portion,
an arch portion, and a toe portion; wherein a plating yarn is knit
in each stitch of the calf portion, the heel portion, the arch
portion, and the toe portion, a first yarn is knit along with the
plating yarn in each stitch of the calf portion and arch portion,
and both a second yarn and third yarn are knit instead of the first
yarn, and along with the plating yarn, in each stitch of only the
heel portion and the toe portion, and wherein the second yarn and
third yarn are different yarns than the first yarn, and wherein the
plating yarn is a nylon yarn having a lighter weight than each of
the first yarn, second yarn, and third yarn, the first yarn is a
wool yarn having a lighter weight than the second yarn, and the
second yarn is a wool yarn having a heavier weight than the first
yarn.
2.-3. (canceled)
4. The sock of claim 1, wherein the third yarn is a nylon/wool
blend yarn.
5.-6. (canceled)
7. The sock of claim 1, wherein a splice yarn is placed to be
located on an exterior portion of the sock in the heel portion and
toe portion.
8. The sock of claim 1, wherein the first yarn comprises a 90%
merino wool 10% nylon blend yarn.
9. The sock of claim 8, wherein the first yarn is a 27/1 nm
yarn.
10. The sock of claim 9, wherein the second yarn is a 44/2 nm 90%
merino wool 10% nylon blend yarn.
11. The sock of claim 10, wherein the third yarn is a 44/13/2 nylon
yarn.
12. The sock of claim 11, wherein the plating yarn is 2/70/24 nylon
air covered over a 20 denier elastic yarn.
Description
FIELD
[0001] The present invention is related to knitted sock design, and
more specifically to techniques for yarn placement within a
sock.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Knit clothing articles are well known and ubiquitous around
the globe. Such clothing is made from fabric that is manufactured
by knitting yarn according to well known techniques. Various
different types of socks may be used for various different types of
activities. For example, dress socks may be worn for business or
more formal types of activities, while athletic socks may be work
for various different athletic activities. Furthermore, numerous
different types of athletic socks may be used for different
athletic activities. For example, specialized socks are available
for running, biking, skiing, snowboarding, and hiking, to name just
a few examples.
[0003] In many athletic socks, as well as in some dress-type socks,
different yarns may be used in different areas to provide enhanced
comfort or support. For example, in a skiing sock relatively dense
terry may be provided on a front portion of the sock in order to
provide enhanced cushioning between the shin of a user and ski
boots. Such a sock construction may be achieved through using pile
stitches for selected stitches to form a terry material on an
interior portion of the sock.
[0004] In traditional socks, a plating yarn and a body yarn are
continuously knitted throughout the sock, and different terry
yarns, or lay-in yarns, may be provided at specific locations to
provide particular desired features for a sock, such as cushion or
non-cushion regions, regions with terry material, areas of higher
compression, aesthetic designs, and the like.
[0005] In some cases, it may be desirable to provide enhanced
performance for certain types of socks without adding a significant
amount of bulk through the addition of different yarns.
Accordingly, it would be advantageous to provide a sock
construction that may use a reduced number of yarns to achieve
desired performance characteristics for the sock, enhanced
aesthetics or designs for the sock, or combinations thereof.
SUMMARY
[0006] Various aspects of the disclosure provide systems and
methods for producing garments, such as socks, having desired
performance characteristics and using selected body yarns that may
be substituted for different portions of the garments. In some
examples, techniques for sock construction may include knitting a
sock with different selected yarns for different selected sock
areas in order to obtain desired performance benefits for the sock.
In certain examples, strategic placement of different body yarns
may provide for an economical increase in the performance of the
sock, and may also and provide multiple aesthetic options for the
sock. The different body yarn materials and sizes may be selected
to provide the desired performance characteristics, for the
different areas of the sock, without the need to balance
performance characteristics with a single body yarn that would
otherwise be present in such areas.
[0007] In some examples, a plating yarn is used for the entire
sock, and a first body yarn is used in conjunction with the plating
yarn for a first selected portion of the sock. The first body yarn
is dropped and two different yarns, namely a second and third yarn,
introduced in place of the first body yarn for a second selected
portion of the sock. Such a construction may result in a sock with
the second portion knitted using the plating yarn second yarn, and
third yarn, and the first portion of the sock knitted using the
plating yarn and first body yarn. In some examples, the first
portion may include arch and calf portions of the sock, and the
second portion may include heel and toe portions of the sock. The
plating yarn may be, for example, a nylon yarn that is used for the
entire sock, and the first body yarn may be a relatively
lightweight wool yarn. The first body yarn may be dropped and the
second and third yarns, such as a heavier weight wool and a
nylon/wool blend, introduced in place of the first body yarn. This
results in a sock with the heel/toe portions knitted using the
plating yarn, heavier weight wool yarn, and nylon/wool blend yarn,
and the remainder of the sock knitted using the plating yarn and
body yarn.
[0008] The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and
technical advantages of examples according to the disclosure in
order that the detailed description that follows may be better
understood. Additional features and advantages will be described
hereinafter. The conception and specific examples disclosed may be
readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other
structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present
disclosure. Such equivalent constructions do not depart from the
scope of the appended claims. Characteristics of the concepts
disclosed herein, both their organization and method of operation,
together with associated advantages will be better understood from
the following description when considered in connection with the
accompanying figures. Each of the figures is provided for the
purpose of illustration and description, and not as a definition of
the limits of the claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] A further understanding of the nature and advantages of the
present disclosure may be realized by reference to the following
drawings. In the appended figures, similar components or features
may have the same reference label. Further, various components of
the same type may be distinguished by following the reference label
by a dash and a second label that distinguishes among the similar
components. If just the first reference label is used in the
specification, the description is applicable to any one of the
similar components having the same first reference label
irrespective of the second reference label.
[0010] FIG. 1 is an illustration of a sock according to various
aspects of the present disclosure; and
[0011] FIG. 2 illustrates a number of stitches and the different
yarns included in such stitches according to various aspects of the
present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0012] The present disclosure provides garment construction and
techniques that can knit different yarns, having different desired
properties, strategically in areas having desired performance
characteristics. In various examples, a sock may be knit from a
plating yarn, a first body yarn, and a second different body yarn
that in place of the first body yarn in selected areas of the
garment. In examples described herein, the garment is a sock,
although it will be understood that the techniques described herein
may be applied to other garments as well.
[0013] In traditional circular-knit sock construction, a plating
yarn and a body yarn are knit continuously throughout an entire
sock. Additional yarns may be knit in for selected stitches to
provide, for example, enhanced weight or cushioning in particular
areas, or to provide aesthetic features for the sock. In cases
where additional yarns are knit into the sock, such yarns may add
additional weight to the garment, because the plating yarn and body
yarn are still present, and the additional yarn is added into
selected stitches. In order to obtain a desired weight, the yarn
size of the body yarn, and the additional yarn, may be selected to
be relatively small such that a combination of the multiple yarns
does not increase the weight of the sock to an undesirable
weight.
[0014] Various aspects of the present disclosure provide that a
different body yarns may be used for selected portions of a sock.
Strategic placement of different body yarns may provide for an
economical increase in the performance of the sock, and may also
provide multiple aesthetic options not otherwise available when
using single body yarn through an entire sock. The construction and
techniques of various aspects of the disclosure allows the
introduction of different yarns in different sections of the sock
to enhance performance The different yarn materials and sizes may
be selected to provide the desired performance characteristics, for
the different areas of the sock, without the need to balance
performance characteristics with a single body yarn that would
otherwise be present in such areas.
[0015] In some examples, a plating yarn is used for the entire
sock, and a first body yarn is used in conjunction with the plating
yarn for a first selected portion of the sock. The first body yarn
is dropped and two different yarns, namely a second and third yarn,
introduced in place of the first body yarn for a second selected
portion of the sock. Such a construction may result in a sock with
the second portion knitted using the plating yarn second yarn, and
third yarn, and the first portion of the sock knitted using the
plating yarn and first body yarn. In some examples, the first
portion may include arch and calf portions of the sock, and the
second portion may include heel and toe portions of the sock. The
plating yarn may be, for example, a nylon yarn that is used for the
entire sock, and the first body yarn may be a relatively
lightweight wool yarn. The first body yarn may be dropped and the
second and third yarns, such as a heavier weight wool and a
nylon/wool blend, introduced in place of the first body yarn. This
results in a sock with the heel/toe portions knitted using the
plating yarn, heavier weight wool yarn, and nylon/wool blend yarn,
and the remainder of the sock knitted using the plating yarn and
body yarn.
[0016] In some aspects of the disclosure, techniques are described
for the knitting process. In some examples, the tensions and
needles of a circular knitting machine may be adjusted so as to
provide the plating yarn at a consistent location on the inside of
each stitch so as to be at an interior of the sock, and may provide
a body yarn or a splice yarn at a consistent location on the
outside of each stitch so as to be at an exterior of the sock. Such
placement may be achieved through selecting yarn tension and
needles used for the yarns, which are adjusted based on the
particular area of the sock being knitted. Further, in some
examples, the yarns of the heel and toe portions do not extend
around the circumference of the sock, so in the circular knitting
process different yarns and tensions are used for different
stitches in a row of stitches.
[0017] With reference now to FIG. 1, a sock 100 is described in
accordance with various aspects of the disclosure. The sock 100
includes several different areas with the sock construction in
different areas being different based on the particular properties
of the area. In the example of FIG. 1, the sock 100 includes a welt
portion 105, a calf portion 110, a boot portion 115, a high heel
portion 120, a low heel portion 125, an arch portion 130, a ball
portion 135, and a toe portion 140. In various examples, the boot
portion 115, the high heel portion 120, and the low heel portion
125 may be referred to collectively as a heel portion.
[0018] According to various examples, the welt portion 105, calf
portion 110, and arch portion 130 are knit using a first set of
yarns. The boot portion 115, low heel portion 125, and ball portion
135 may be knit using a second set of yarns, and high heel portion
120 and toe portion 140 may be knit using a third set of yarns. In
some examples, sock 100 may be knit on a circular knitting machine,
such as, for example, a 144 needle, 3.74 inch diameter circular
knitting machine.
[0019] In some examples, the first set of yarns may include a first
body yarn, a plating yarn, and a lay-in yarn. The first body yarn,
in some examples, may be a 27/1 nm 90% merino wool 10% nylon blend.
The plating yarn, in some examples, may be a 2/70/24 nylon air
covered over a 20 denier elastic yarn. The lay-in yarn, in some
examples, may be a two-ply 40/13/2 nylon conventionally covered
over 180 denier elastic yarn. Yarns for these areas may be selected
to provide enhanced fit, comfort, and breathability to individuals
that may wear the sock.
[0020] In some examples, the second set of yarns may include a
second body yarn, the plating yarn, a splice yarn, and a lay-in
yarn (which may be the same or different than the lay-in yarn of
the first set of yarns). The second body yarn, in some examples,
may be a 44/2 nm 90% merino wool 10% nylon blend yarn. The splice
yarn, in some examples, may be a 44/13/2 nylon yarn. The plating
yarn is the same yarn as used in the first set of yarns. In some
examples, the third set of yarns may include the second body yarn,
the plating yarn, and a lay-in yarn (which may be the same or
different than one or more of the lay-in yarns of the first or
second set of yarns). As mentioned above, the second body yarn may
be a 44/2 nm 90% merino wool 10% nylon blend yarn. The plating
yarn, again, is the same yarn as used in the first set of
yarns.
[0021] The sock 100 may be knit using a circular knitting machine
that is capable of knitting selected stitches with pile stitches to
form a terry material. The welt 105 and calf 110, in some examples
do not include any terry regions, although selective terry regions
may be included in one or both of the welt 105 or calf 110 portions
in other examples. The boot portion 115, high heel portion 120, and
a low heel portion 125, as well as the arch portion 130, ball
portion 135 and toe portion 140 may be knit using pile stitches to
form areas of high-density terry in the interior side of these
portions. In some examples, a circular knitting machine may be
operated to selectively terry only the heel portion during the
knitting of this portion of the tubular sock 100.
[0022] The arch portion 130, in some examples, may include an upper
portion and a lower portion. The upper portion may be a non-terry
area and the lower portion may be a low-density terry area,
according to various examples. In some examples, the circular
knitting machine may be operated to selectively terry only the
lower portion of the arch portion 130 during the knitting of this
portion of the tubular sock 100. In some examples, the heel, arch
130, and ball 135 are selectively contoured to provide a different
look and feel as compared to adjoining areas.
[0023] Socks which are constructed using such techniques may
include performance socks high in-wool content, and which have
desirable moisture control, reduced bacterial growth, and desirable
thermal regulation. Furthermore, such socks may have more durable
material located at selected high-wear locations. This more durable
material may provide enhanced durability of the sock while also
allowing sufficient air flow and sufficient elasticity to maintain
a comfortable fit, through selection of lighter, less durable
material in areas that experience significantly less wear but that
contact a relatively large surface area of the foot. Furthermore,
such techniques may provide as sock with high durability and that
also provides comfortable fit and elasticity such that the sock
maintains a good fit overall over the lifetime of the garment.
[0024] As will be understood, the various examples of socks
described herein are simply exemplary aspects of garments that may
be constructed according to the present disclosure. Other types of
socks, and other garments are considered to be within the teachings
of the present disclosure. The yarns used to produce such garments
may include superwash merino wool yarns, non-superwash merino wool
yarns, blend yarns of superwash merino and non-superwash merino
wool. The blend of superwash merino and non-superwash merino wool
may have a wide range, depending upon the application and use
expected for the garment, and the size of the area that will
include feltable fibers. As will be readily recognized by one of
skill in the art, other types of wool, natural, or synthetic fiber
yarns may be used in such garments.
[0025] Furthermore, as mentioned, socks are just one example of a
garment in which the concepts described herein may be used, and
other examples use similar constructions in other types of
garments, such as shirts, sweaters, pants, mittens, gloves, and
hats, to name but a few examples. Yarns used to construct the
garments may also include filament nylon, and filament elastic yarn
(e.g., filament spandex yarn), for example. Nylon yarns used as
plating yarns, in some examples, provide a foundation for the wool
to be built on and may add aesthetic value. Elastic yarns, in some
examples, may be included in the garment construction to add
stretch and recovery for enhanced fit.
[0026] As mentioned, the unique construction provided in aspects of
the disclosure is made up of a first body yarn, a second body yarn,
a plating yarn, a splice yarn, and a lay-in yarn. When the first
body yarn is taken out, the second body yarn may be substituted for
the first body yarn and a third yarn spliced 100% on top of the
second body yarn. The third yarn, when we spliced or knit on top of
the second body yarn, may be knit on the second body yarn in every
course and every needle. This may be performed because the first
body yarn is removed and the second body yarn is dropped in place
of the first body yarn.
[0027] With reference now to FIG. 2, a number of stitches for a
fabric 200 are illustrated which include a number of separate
yarns, including a first yarn 205, a second yarn 210, and a third
yarn 215. In this example, each of the first yarn 205, second yarn
210, and third yarn 215 may be knit in each stitch 225 of each
course 220. The fabric 200 of FIG. 2 may be used for the heel and
toe portions of sock 100 of FIG. 1, for example. In some examples,
the first yarn 205 may be a plating yarn, such as a 2/70/24 nylon
air covered over a 20 denier elastic yarn. Second yarn 210 may
correspond to second body yarn described with respect to FIG. 1,
and may be a 44/2 nm 90% merino wool 10% nylon blend yarn. The
third yarn 215 may be a spliceyarn such as a 44/13/2 nylon yarn.
According to various examples, the first yarn 205 may be placed in
the knitting machine with suitable tensions and on suitable needles
to locate the first yarn on an interior surface of the sock. The
second and third yarns 210 and 215 may be placed in the knitting
machine, with suitable tensions and on suitable needles to locate
these yarns on an exterior portion of the sock relative to the
first yarn 205. Using such techniques, durability and comfort of
the sock may be enhanced through the placement of the second body
yarn and splice yarn on the exterior surface. Furthermore, when
transitioning between the first set of yarns and the second set of
yarns in the knitting machine, the needles used and tensions of the
knitting machine may be adjusted to continue to place the plating
yarn on an interior surface of the sock with the body yarn placed
on an exterior surface of the sock.
[0028] Furthermore, as discussed above, socks are just one example
of a garment in which the concepts described herein may be used,
and other examples use similar constructions in other types of
garments, such as shirts, sweaters, pants, mittens, gloves, and
hats, to name but a few examples. For example, a knit sweater may
be constructed using the described techniques to incorporate a
different set of yarns into an elbow area to provide increased
durability, enhanced fit, unique aesthetics, enhanced
breathability, or combinations thereof. Similarly, a pair of gloves
or glove liners may be constructed using the described techniques
to incorporate different sets of yarns into a thumb and index
finger area to provide increased durability, enhanced fit, unique
aesthetics, enhanced breathability, or combinations thereof.
[0029] The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the
principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications
and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is
not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and
operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable
modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within
the scope of the invention.
* * * * *