U.S. patent application number 16/834327 was filed with the patent office on 2020-10-08 for legwear.
The applicant listed for this patent is OKAMOTO Corporation. Invention is credited to Naomi HAMAZAKI, Susumu HARA.
Application Number | 20200315288 16/834327 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000004769060 |
Filed Date | 2020-10-08 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20200315288 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
HARA; Susumu ; et
al. |
October 8, 2020 |
LEGWEAR
Abstract
Legwear in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention includes a stretchable main body part including an
innermost-toe joint side region and an outermost-toe joint side
region and a low-stretching part provided around the innermost-toe
joint side region and the outermost-toe joint side region and
configured to prevent the regions from becoming displaced relative
to a foot in a downward direction or a front-back direction. The
low-stretching part at least either is less stretchable than the
main body part or has larger friction with the foot than the main
body part has with the foot.
Inventors: |
HARA; Susumu;
(Kitakatsuragi-gun, JP) ; HAMAZAKI; Naomi;
(Kitakatsuragi-gun, JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
OKAMOTO Corporation |
Kitakatsuragi-gun |
|
JP |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000004769060 |
Appl. No.: |
16/834327 |
Filed: |
March 30, 2020 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43B 7/18 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A43B 7/18 20060101
A43B007/18 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 2, 2019 |
JP |
2019-070661 |
Claims
1. Legwear, comprising: a main body part configured to cover at
least an area from a toe of a foot to an innermost-toe
metatarsophalangeal joint and an outermost-toe metatarsophalangeal
joint, the main body part including (i) an innermost-toe joint side
region configured to cover the innermost-toe metatarsophalangeal
joint and (ii) an outermost-toe joint side region configured to
cover the outermost-toe metatarsophalangeal joint, the main body
part being stretchable; and at least one low-stretching part
provided around at least one of the innermost-toe joint side region
and the outermost-toe joint side region and configured to prevent
the at least one of the innermost-toe joint side region and the
outermost-toe joint side region from being displaced relative to
the foot in a downward direction or a front-back direction, the
downward direction being part of an up-down direction as a
thickness direction of the foot, the front-back direction being a
longitudinal direction of the foot, the at least one low-stretching
part at least either being less stretchable than the main body part
or having larger friction with the foot than the main body part has
with the foot.
2. The legwear according to claim 1, wherein the at least one
low-stretching part is present in an upward direction and the
front-back direction relative to the at least one of the
innermost-toe joint side region and the outermost-toe joint side
region.
3. The legwear according to claim 1, wherein the at least one
low-stretching part has a first inner surface that comes into
contact with the foot, the main body part has a second inner
surface that comes into contact with the foot, and the first inner
surface has larger friction with the foot than the second inner
surface has with the foot.
4. The legwear according to claim 1, wherein the at least one
low-stretching part is provided both around the innermost-toe joint
side region and around the outermost-toe joint side region.
5. The legwear according to claim 1, wherein the at least one
low-stretching part is in a shape of a strip.
6. The legwear according to claim 5, wherein the at least one
low-stretching part, which is in the shape of the strip, includes
two low-stretching parts, the two low-stretching parts are present
in such a pattern as to sandwich the at least one of the
innermost-toe joint side region and the outermost-toe joint side
region in the front-back direction, and the two low-stretching
parts have respective lower end portions separated from each other
by a distance that is at least not less than a width of the at
least one of the innermost-toe joint side region and the
outermost-toe joint side region.
7. The legwear according to claim 5, wherein the at least one
low-stretching part includes (i) a first strip-shaped part
configured to prevent the at least one of the innermost-toe joint
side region and the outermost-toe joint side region from becoming
stretched in the front-back direction and (ii) second strip-shaped
parts configured to prevent the at least one of the innermost-toe
joint side region and the outermost-toe joint side region from
becoming stretched in the up-down direction.
8. The legwear according to claim 7, wherein the second
strip-shaped parts are present in such a pattern as to sandwich the
at least one of the innermost-toe joint side region and the
outermost-toe joint side region in the front-back direction.
9. The legwear according to claim 8, wherein the at least one
low-stretching part is substantially in a shape of an angled C that
is open toward a side of a sole of the foot.
10. The legwear according to claim 7, wherein the second
strip-shaped parts each have a lower end in the downward direction
which lower end is present below a center of the at least one of
the innermost-toe joint side region and the outermost-toe joint
side region in the up-down direction.
11. The legwear according to claim 8, wherein the first
strip-shaped part has a side facing the at least one of the
innermost-toe joint side region and the outermost-toe joint side
region which side has a length smaller than a width of the at least
one of the innermost-toe joint side region and the outermost-toe
joint side region, and the second strip-shaped parts are each
longer than the first strip-shaped part and are oriented in such a
pattern as to be farther apart from each other toward below.
12. The legwear according to claim 7, wherein the first
strip-shaped part and the second strip-shaped parts are continuous
with each other.
13. The legwear according to claim 1, wherein the main body part is
made of fabric and includes (i) a toe part for covering the toe,
(ii) a sole part for covering a sole of the foot, (iii) side parts
for covering respective opposite sides of the foot, and (iv) a heel
part for covering a heel of the foot.
14. The legwear according to claim 13, wherein the legwear is a
foot cover that exposes an instep and an ankle of the foot.
15. The legwear according to claim 14, wherein the foot cover has a
shallowly worn shape that exposes part of a branching site of toes
of the foot.
16. The legwear according to claim 15, wherein the toe part is
shaped to be gently inclined from an innermost-toe side to an
outermost-toe side along a contour of the toes.
17. The legwear according to claim 13, wherein the heel part has an
inner surface provided with a nonslip portion.
18. The legwear according to claim 1, wherein the at least one
low-stretching part is made of resin applied to an inner surface of
the main body part.
19. The legwear according to claim 1, wherein the main body part
includes a toe part for covering the toe which toe part has a
plurality of toe insertion parts.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This Nonprovisional application claims priority under 35
U.S.C. .sctn. 119 on Patent Application No. 2019-070661 filed in
Japan on Apr. 2, 2019, the entire contents of which are hereby
incorporated by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates to legwear to be worn by a
leg. More specifically, the present invention relates to legwear
which prevents displacement or prevents a foot from being out of
the legwear due to motions such as walking.
BACKGROUND ART
[0003] In a case where a person walks or exercises with legwear on
such as socks, the cloth of the toe part may become displaced in
the width direction or foot-length direction, thereby causing
discomfort. With a foot cover having an instep part made of a short
cloth in particular, the toe part, not to mention the heel part,
may come off, which unfortunately impairs wearing comfort
greatly.
[0004] To solve the above issue, the conventional techniques below,
for example, have been disclosed: Patent Literature 1 discloses a
foot cover including a total-circumference stretching part around
the front of an opening part and a narrow, partial stretching part
at the back to ensure comfort in wearing the foot cover while
preventing the foot cover from coming off. Patent Literature 2
discloses a foot cover including a stretching and adhesive
strip-shaped silicon part at the periphery of an opening part.
CITATION LIST
Patent Literature
[0005] [Patent Literature 1]
[0006] Japanese Registered Utility Model No. 3211514
[0007] [Patent Literature 2]
[0008] Japanese Patent Application Publication, Tokukai, No.
2015-137426
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
Technical Problem
[0009] The technique of Patent Literature 1, which involves
including a stretching part at the front of the opening part, is
unfortunately incapable of effectively preventing the toe part from
being displaced or rotated. Increasing a compressing portion
decreases wearing comfort. Increasing the compression force causes
discomfort. In other words, compressively preventing a foot cover
from coming off is not preferable, as decreasing compression
reduces the effect, whereas increasing compression decreases
wearing comfort.
[0010] Patent Literature 2 discloses a structure in which a silicon
part is provided in the direction of the width of the instep part.
However, since the instep part has a thin skin unlike that of the
heel part, friction with the silicon part unfortunately tends to
cause inflammation in the skin of the instep part. Further, with a
shallowly worn foot cover that exposes part of the toes, a silicon
part is present on the upper surface of the toes. This results in a
small area of contact between the silicon part and the skin,
unfortunately incapable of sufficiently preventing the foot cover
from coming off.
[0011] In view of the above issue, an aspect of the present
invention has an object of providing legwear that causes no stress
such as compression or damage to the skin and that effectively
prevents a toe part from becoming displaced or coming off.
Solution to Problem
[0012] In order to attain the above object, legwear in accordance
with an aspect of the present invention includes: a main body part
configured to cover at least an area from a toe of a foot to an
innermost-toe metatarsophalangeal joint and an outermost-toe
metatarsophalangeal joint, the main body part including (i) an
innermost-toe joint side region configured to cover the
innermost-toe metatarsophalangeal joint and (ii) an outermost-toe
joint side region configured to cover the outermost-toe
metatarsophalangeal joint, the main body part being stretchable;
and at least one low-stretching part provided around at least one
of the innermost-toe joint side region and the outermost-toe joint
side region and configured to prevent the at least one of the
innermost-toe joint side region and the outermost-toe joint side
region from being displaced relative to the foot in a downward
direction or a front-back direction, the downward direction being
part of an up-down direction as a thickness direction of the foot,
the front-back direction being a longitudinal direction of the
foot, the at least one low-stretching part at least either being
less stretchable than the main body part or having larger friction
with the foot than the main body part has with the foot.
Advantageous Effects of Invention
[0013] An aspect of the present invention can in turn provide
legwear that causes no stress such as compression or damage to the
skin and that effectively prevents a toe part from becoming
displaced or coming off.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0014] (a) of FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an outline
configuration of a foot cover for a right foot in accordance with
an embodiment of the present invention. (b) of FIG. 1 is a diagram
illustrating the up-down direction and front-back direction for the
legwear.
[0015] FIG. 2 provides drawings for explaining an innermost-toe
metatarsophalangeal joint and an outermost-toe metatarsophalangeal
joint. (a) of FIG. 2 is a plan view of bones on the side of the
instep of a right foot. (b) of FIG. 2 is a left side view of bones
of a right foot. (c) of FIG. 2 is a right side view of bones of a
right foot.
[0016] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating how a load is shifted on
the sole during walking.
[0017] FIG. 4 provides diagrams for explaining a transverse arch of
a sole. (a) of FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a right foot,
illustrating the transverse arch of the sole. (b) of FIG. 4 is a
plan view of bones of a right foot on the sole side for explaining
the transverse arch. (c) of FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of
bones of a right foot for explaining the transverse arch.
[0018] FIG. 5 provides diagrams each for explaining the thickness
of skin. (a) of FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the thickness of
skin at an innermost-toe metatarsophalangeal joint and an
outermost-toe metatarsophalangeal joint. (b) of FIG. 5 is a diagram
illustrating the thickness of skin above the toes of a foot.
[0019] (a) to (o) of FIG. 6 are each a diagram illustrating a
variation of a low-stretching part in accordance with the present
embodiment.
[0020] FIG. 7 provides diagrams for explaining how a right foot is
bent about an axis extending through an innermost-toe
metatarsophalangeal joint and an outermost-toe metatarsophalangeal
joint as a result of walking or exercising. (a) of FIG. 7 is a
diagram illustrating a foot that has not been bent. (b) of FIG. 7
is a diagram illustrating a foot that has been bent.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0021] The following description will discuss an embodiment of the
present invention with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6.
[0022] [Configuration of Legwear]
[0023] (a) of FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an outline
configuration of legwear 1 for a right foot, in accordance with the
present embodiment. (b) of FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the
up-down direction and front-back direction for the legwear 1. As
illustrated in (a) of FIG. 1, the legwear 1 includes a main body
part 2 to be worn on a foot F and a low-stretching part 10 for
preventing the main body part 2 from becoming displaced or coming
off. The description below regards the thickness direction of a
foot as being an up-down direction (see the y direction in (b) of
FIG. 1) and the longitudinal direction of a foot as being a
front-back direction (see the x direction in (b) of FIG. 1).
[0024] (Main Body Part 2)
[0025] The main body part 2 includes a sole part 21 for covering
the sole of a foot F, a toe part 22 for covering the toes of the
foot F, side parts 23 for covering the respective opposite sides of
the foot F, and a heel part 24 for covering the heel of the foot F.
The main body part 2 further includes, at a position opposite to
the sole part 21 in the up-down direction, an opening part 2a via
which a foot is inserted or pulled out. The heel part 24 desirably
has an inner surface provided with a nonslip portion.
[0026] The opening part 2a has an opening so wide as to expose the
instep and ankle. This allows the entire main body part 2 to, when
a shoe is worn, be hidden in the shoe. The legwear 1 has a
shallowly worn shape that exposes part of the branching site of the
toes of the foot F.
[0027] The main body part 2 is configured to cover at least an area
from the toes of a foot F to the innermost-toe metatarsophalangeal
joint Q1 and the outermost-toe metatarsophalangeal joint Q2. The
main body part 2 is made of a highly stretching cloth. The main
body part 2 includes an innermost-toe joint side region P1 for
covering a side (lateral surface) of the innermost-toe
metatarsophalangeal joint Q1 and an outermost-toe joint side region
P2 for covering a side (lateral surface) of the outermost-toe
metatarsophalangeal joint Q2.
[0028] FIG. 2 provides drawings for explaining the innermost-toe
metatarsophalangeal joint Q1 and the outermost-toe
metatarsophalangeal joint Q2. (a) of FIG. 2 is a plan view of bones
on the side of the instep of a right foot. (b) of FIG. 2 is a left
side view of bones of a right foot. (c) of FIG. 2 is a right side
view of bones of a right foot. A metatarsophalangeal joint is a
joint that joins a finger bone N1 with a metatarsal bone N2 as
illustrated in (a) of FIG. 2. The innermost-toe metatarsophalangeal
joint Q1 is, as illustrated in (a) to (c) of FIG. 2, the
metatarsophalangeal joint of the innermost toe. The outermost-toe
metatarsophalangeal joint Q2 is the metatarsophalangeal joint of
the outermost toe.
[0029] The innermost-toe joint side region P1 is that region of the
main body part 2 which covers a side of the innermost-toe
metatarsophalangeal joint Q1 when the legwear 1 is worn. The
innermost-toe joint side region P1 can simply be a region that,
when the legwear 1 is worn, covers at least that region Q11 of the
innermost-toe metatarsophalangeal joint Q1 which protrudes
most.
[0030] The outermost-toe joint side region P2 is that region of the
main body part 2 which covers a side of the outermost-toe
metatarsophalangeal joint Q2 when the legwear 1 is worn. The
outermost-toe joint side region P2 can simply be a region that,
when the legwear 1 is worn, covers at least that region Q12 of the
outermost-toe metatarsophalangeal joint Q2 which protrudes
most.
[0031] (Cloth of Main Body Part)
[0032] Legwear 1 of an embodiment of the present invention may be
made of a cloth that is stretchable in the width direction. With
this arrangement, when a person walks, and the center of gravity is
shifted, so that an outer-surface part of a metatarsophalangeal
joint pushes and extends the cloth, the outer-surface part of the
metatarsophalangeal joint and the cloth come into close contact
with each other, increasing the effect of preventing displacement.
A later description will deal in detail with how an outer-surface
part of a metatarsophalangeal joint pushes and extends the cloth.
The stretchability (contraction force) depends on the purpose of
use of the legwear 1. However, for daily use, for example, the
legwear 1 simply has a contraction force sufficient to cause the
cloth to fit constantly with the skin, and does not require a
contraction force that even causes a feeling of compression.
[0033] The cloth may be any cloth with a stretchability suitable
for the purpose as described above. The cloth is, however,
desirably fabric because fabric has a contraction force that can be
adjusted as appropriate in accordance with the knitting tissue or
knitting yarn. The legwear 1 may be made of a cloth (called
free-cut cloth) that when cut, will have an end surface that is not
frayed even if the cut surface is not subjected to a process such
as sewing. With this arrangement, a cloth end positioned at the
periphery of the opening part 2a has no roughness, and the
periphery of the opening part 2a is flat. This can reduce
stimulation on the skin of the instep part.
[0034] The legwear 1 may include a sole part 21 made of a pile
fabric for a cushioning characteristic. The legwear 1 may be made
of nylon. The legwear 1 may alternatively be made of a natural
fiber such as cotton or a blended yarn containing a synthetic
fiber. The sole part 21 and the side parts 23 may be made of
respective materials different from each other.
[0035] The main body part 2 of the present embodiment is desirably
made of fabric. The main body part 2 may alternatively be formed by
a method such as sewing pieces of cloth that have been weaved with
use of a weaving machine. The main body part 2 may be shaped to
have a toe part 22 that is gently inclined from the innermost-toe
side to the outermost-toe side along the contour of the toes, or
have a toe part 22 for covering the toes which toe part 22 has a
plurality of toe insertion parts.
[0036] (Low-Stretching Part)
[0037] The low-stretching part 10 is provided around at least one
of the innermost-toe joint side region P1 and the outermost-toe
joint side region P2 to prevent the region from becoming displaced
(moved) relative to the foot F in a downward direction or
front-back direction. The low-stretching part 10 has either of
properties (1) and (2) below. The low-stretching part 10 may have
both of properties (1) and (2) below. (1) Less stretchable than the
main body part 2 (2) Having larger friction with the foot F than
the main body part 2 has with the foot F The term "friction" as
used herein refers to a coefficient of static friction, and can be
calculated by, for example, maximum force of static friction
(N1)/normal reaction (N2). The present embodiment includes a
low-stretching part 10 both around the innermost-toe joint side
region P1 and around the outermost-toe joint side region P2. The
description below deals with a low-stretching part 10 provided
around the innermost-toe joint side region P1. A similar
description applies also a low-stretching part 10 provided around
the outermost-toe joint side region P2.
[0038] The low-stretching part 10 of the present embodiment is in
the shape of a strip as illustrated in (a) of FIG. 1. The shape of
a strip refers primarily to the shape of a continuous surface
having a width and a length. The strip shape may further be any
shape that can, as a whole, substantially achieve a function
equivalent to that of a strip shape. Examples includes a shape made
up of, for example, partial shapes such as a line or a spot that
form a whole substantially in the shape of a strip as
later-described low-stretching parts 10 illustrated in (a) to (o)
of FIG. 6. The low-stretching part 10 does not necessarily have a
fixed width: It may partly have a small width or large width. The
strip shape may be, for example, a straight line or curve. The
low-stretching part 10 includes (i) a first strip-shaped part 11c
configured to prevent the innermost-toe joint side region P1 from
becoming stretched in the front-back direction and (ii) second
strip-shaped parts 11a and 11b each configured to prevent the
innermost-toe joint side region P1 from becoming stretched in the
up-down direction.
[0039] The first strip-shaped part 11c extends in the upward
direction and in the front-back direction relative to the
innermost-toe joint side region P1.
[0040] The second strip-shaped part 11a and the second strip-shaped
part 11b are provided in such a manner as to sandwich the
innermost-toe joint side region P1 in the front-back direction. The
second strip-shaped part 11a and the second strip-shaped part 11b
have respective upper end portions connected with each other by the
first strip-shaped part 11c. The low-stretching part 10 is, in
other words, substantially in the shape of an angled C that is open
toward the side of the sole of the foot F. The second strip-shaped
parts 11a and 11b desirably have respective lower ends that are
lower in position than the center of the innermost-toe joint side
region P1 in the up-down direction. The first strip-shaped part 11c
and the second strip-shaped parts 11a and 11b may alternatively be
continuous with each other. The low-stretching part 10 desirably
has an inner surface that comes into contact with a foot F which
inner surface has larger friction with the foot F than an inner
surface of the main body part 2 which inner surface comes into
contact with the foot F has with the foot F.
[0041] The first strip-shaped part 11c has a length smaller than
the width of the innermost-toe joint side region P1 or
outermost-toe joint side region P2. This allows the second
strip-shaped parts 11a and 11b to be in contact with the
innermost-toe joint side region P1 or outermost-toe joint side
region P2. The second strip-shaped parts 11a and 11b are longer
than the first strip-shaped part 11c. Further, the second
strip-shaped parts 11a and 11b are oriented in such a pattern as to
be farther apart from each other toward below. This allows the
second strip-shaped parts 11a and 11b to naturally become even
farther apart from each other in the shape of a fan in response to
the foot F becoming bent about an axis extending through the
innermost-toe metatarsophalangeal joint Q1 and the outermost-toe
metatarsophalangeal joint Q2 as illustrated in (a) and (b) of FIG.
7 as a result of walking or exercising. This allows the cloth of
the legwear 1 to become stretched naturally without preventing a
metatarsophalangeal joint from moving. This in turn suitably
prevents the innermost-toe joint side region P1 or outermost-toe
joint side region P2 from being displaced and the legwear 1 from
coming off without impairing the wearing comfort. FIG. 7 provides
diagrams for explaining how a right foot F is bent about an axis
extending through the innermost-toe metatarsophalangeal joint Q1
and the outermost-toe metatarsophalangeal joint Q2 as a result of
walking or exercising. (a) of FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a
foot F that has not been bent. (b) of FIG. 7 is a diagram
illustrating a foot F that has been bent.
[0042] The low-stretching part 10 may be formed by, for example,
one of the following methods (1) to (4): (1) Bond tape made of
cloth with a stretchability lower than that of the cloth of the
main body part 2 to the inner surface of the main body part 2 to
form a low-stretching part 10 (2) Make the knitting pattern
(stitching) for a low-stretching part 10 denser than the cloth of
the main body part 2 to form a low-stretching part 10 (3) Form a
low-stretching part 10 by knitting that prevents stretching such as
tuck stitch (4) Apply resin or attach a sheet-shaped resin to the
inner surface of the main body part 2 to form a low-stretching part
10
[0043] For the present embodiment, a sheet-shaped resin has been
attached to the inner surface of the main body part 2 to form a
low-stretching part 10. This can prevent frictional force on the
skin, and also effectively prevent the legwear 1 from being
displaced.
[0044] (Effect of Low-Stretching Part)
[0045] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating how a load is shifted on
the sole during walking. As illustrated in FIG. 3, when a person
walks, the center of gravity becomes present at the heel R1 as the
heel R1 touches the ground. The center of gravity is then shifted
gradually to the toes R4. On the sole of the foot F, near the
digital pad parts (each of which swells at the root of the toes),
the center of gravity is shifted from the outer side (outermost-toe
side digital pad part R2) to the inner side (innermost-toe side
digital pad part R3). Finally, through movement of the
metatarsophalangeal joint, the center of gravity is shifted from
the innermost-toe side digital pad part R3 to the toes R4 as the
foot kicks the surface of the ground.
[0046] If conventional legwear is worn, the center of gravity on
the outer side (outermost-toe side digital pad part R2) may cause
the cloth near the outermost toe to be rotated or displaced. A
shift of the center of gravity to the inner side (innermost-toe
side digital pad part R3) causes the cloth to be displaced further.
If the conventional legwear is, for example, a foot cover with a
short instep part in particular, the cloth comes off from the
outermost toe and finally from the innermost toe as well. The
conventional legwear consequently comes off from the toe part.
[0047] As illustrated in (a) to (c) of FIG. 4, the
metatarsophalangeal joint has a transverse arch S1. FIG. 4 provides
diagrams for explaining the transverse arch S1 of a sole. (a) of
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a right foot, illustrating the
transverse arch Si of the sole. (b) of FIG. 4 is a plan view of
bones of a right foot on the sole side for explaining the
transverse arch S1. (c) of FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken
along F1-F2 shown in (b) of FIG. 4 for explaining the transverse
arch S1. Points F1 and F2 are positioned at opposite ends of the
metatarsophalangeal joint. The metatarsophalangeal joint is shaped
to protrude slightly in the width direction of the foot F when the
center of gravity is shifted from the heel R1 to the toes R4 shown
in FIG. 3 during walking, the transverse arch S1 is extended in the
width direction of the foot F, while the metatarsophalangeal joint
protrudes further in the width direction of the foot F. In other
words, bones that form a curved surface due to the transverse arch
S1 are straightened into a planar shape.
[0048] The low-stretching part 10 serves as a stopper. The
low-stretching part 10 thus prevents the innermost-toe joint side
region P1 and outermost-toe joint side region P2 of the legwear 1
from being moved in a downward direction or front-back direction
relative to the foot F. Thus, even in a case where the user walks,
and the outer-surface part of the metatarsophalangeal joint (that
is, the innermost-toe metatarsophalangeal joint Q1 and the
outermost-toe metatarsophalangeal joint Q2) pushes up the cloth of
the legwear 1, the side of the innermost-toe metatarsophalangeal
joint Q1 is not displaced from the innermost-toe joint side region
P1, and the side of the outermost-toe metatarsophalangeal joint Q2
is not displaced from the outermost-toe joint side region P2.
[0049] As described above, in a state where the outer-surface part
of the metatarsophalangeal joint pushes up the cloth of the legwear
1 during walking, the legwear 1 is not displaced relative to the
foot F. This causes force for pushing the cloth of the legwear 1
against the inside surface of the shoe, thereby causing the
outer-surface part of the metatarsophalangeal joint to come into
close contact with the legwear 1. Further, the low-stretching part
10 is open downward. The metatarsophalangeal joint is thus not
prevented from being moved when the foot kicks the surface of the
ground. This prevents the legwear 1 from coming off from the foot
F.
[0050] The present embodiment is legwear 1 including low-stretching
parts 10 at respective positions corresponding to respective sides
of the innermost-toe metatarsophalangeal joint Q1 and the
outermost-toe metatarsophalangeal joint Q2. Legwear tends to come
off from the outermost-toe side due to a walking mechanism. The
legwear 1 may thus alternatively include a low-stretching part 10
only on the side of the outermost-toe metatarsophalangeal joint
Q2.
[0051] The legwear 1 may alternatively include a low-stretching
part 10 at the heel part 24. This can prevent the heel part 24 from
coming off. If the heel part 24 has come off, the feeling of being
fitted with the foot F is decreased significantly. The heel part 24
coming off directly leads to the toe part coming off. Providing a
low-stretching part 10 at the heel part 24 can eventually prevent
the toe part from coming off.
[0052] (Damage to Skin)
[0053] The description below supplementarily deals in terms of the
thickness of the skin with how the legwear 1, which includes a
low-stretching part 10 made of resin, can reduce, for example,
inflammation of the skin as compared to conventional legwear
including resin at the periphery of the opening part of the instep
part (that is, above the toes of the foot).
[0054] The skin has a horny layer that gradually becomes harder and
thicker as a result of a stimulus such as pressure or friction. The
skin near the innermost-toe metatarsophalangeal joint Q1 and the
outermost-toe metatarsophalangeal joint Q2 tends to touch the shoe
each time the foot is put on a surface and receive stimuli. The
skin above the toes of the foot F, in contrast, tends to receive
less stimuli than the skin near the metatarsophalangeal joints.
Thus, although there is an individual difference, the skin near the
innermost-toe metatarsophalangeal joint Q1 and the outermost-toe
metatarsophalangeal joint Q2 normally has a thickness larger than
that of the skin above the toes of the foot F as illustrated in (a)
and (b) of FIG. 5.
[0055] FIG. 5 provides diagrams each for explaining the thickness
of skin. (a) of FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the thickness of
the skin at the innermost-toe metatarsophalangeal joint Q1 and the
outermost-toe metatarsophalangeal joint Q2. (b) of FIG. 5 is a
diagram illustrating the thickness of the skin above the toes of
the foot F. In (a) of FIG. 5, the thickness T1 represents the
thickness of the entire skin at the innermost-toe
metatarsophalangeal joint Q1 and the outermost-toe
metatarsophalangeal joint Q2, the thickness T11 represents the
thickness of skin at the innermost-toe metatarsophalangeal joint Q1
and the outermost-toe metatarsophalangeal joint Q2 which skin can
suffer from inflammation, and the thickness T12 represents the
thickness of skin at the innermost-toe metatarsophalangeal joint Q1
and the outermost-toe metatarsophalangeal joint Q2 which skin does
not suffer from inflammation. In (b) of FIG. 5, the thickness T2
represents the thickness of the entire skin above the toes of the
foot F, the thickness T21 represents the thickness of skin above
the toes of the foot F which skin can suffer from inflammation, and
the thickness T22 represents the thickness of skin above the toes
of the foot F which skin does not suffer from inflammation.
[0056] As illustrated in (a) and (b) of FIG. 5, the legwear 1 is
arranged such that the thickness of skin surface that can suffer
from, for example, inflammation has a proportion relative to the
thickness of the entire skin which proportion is lower than that
for conventional legwear. The legwear 1 can thus reduce, for
example, inflammation.
[0057] As described above, the outer surface of the
metatarsophalangeal joint is pushed against the shoe during
walking. The legwear 1 includes a low-stretching part 10 at a
position corresponding to the metatarsophalangeal joint, near which
the skin is relatively strong and which has a low risk of suffering
from a skin disorder such as inflammation compared to the instep
part. Thus, even in a case where the low-stretching part 10 has
been formed by applying resin, the skin is damaged less. Examples
of the resin include not only silicon but also urethane rubber and
ethyl vinyl acetate (EVA), which is regarded as being kind to the
skin.
[0058] [Variation 1]
[0059] The description below deals with variations of the
low-stretching part 10 with reference to (a) to (o) of FIG. 6. (a)
to (o) of FIG. 6 are each a diagram illustrating a variation of the
low-stretching part 10 in accordance with the present embodiment.
The variations each deal with a low-stretching part 10 provided
around the innermost-toe joint side region P1. A similar
description applies also to a low-stretching part 10 provided
around the outermost-toe metatarsophalangeal joint Q2. The
innermost-toe joint side region P1 shown in FIG. 6 has a darker
region corresponding to the region Q11, which is a region of the
innermost-toe metatarsophalangeal joint Q1 which region protrudes
most.
[0060] The embodiment described above includes a low-stretching
part 10 substantially in the shape of an angled C that is open
toward the side of the sole of a foot F. The low-stretching part 10
may alternatively be in the shape of the letter U, Y, V, or O. The
low-stretching part 10 may further alternatively be in the shape of
dots arranged to prevent the cloth from being moved in a downward
direction or front-back direction. The description below deals with
specific examples of these.
[0061] The low-stretching part 10 illustrated in (a) of FIG. 6 is,
for example, similar to that illustrated in (a) of FIG. 1, but
differs therefrom in that the first strip-shaped part 11c and the
second strip-shaped parts 11a and 11b are continuous with each
other. The first strip-shaped part 11c has a side facing the
innermost-toe joint side region P1 which side is has a length
smaller than the width of the innermost-toe joint side region P1.
The second strip-shaped parts 11a and 11b have respective lower end
portions lower in position than the center of the innermost-toe
joint side region P1. The second strip-shaped parts 11a and 11b are
oriented in such a pattern as to be farther apart from each other
toward below.
[0062] The low-stretching part 10 illustrated in (b) of FIG. 6 is
similar to that illustrated in (a) of FIG. 1, but differs therefrom
in that the first strip-shaped part 11c, the second strip-shaped
part 11a, and the second strip-shaped part 11b are all separated
from one another. The first strip-shaped part 11c has a length
smaller than the width of the innermost-toe joint side region P1.
The second strip-shaped parts 11a and 11b have respective lower end
portions lower in position than the center of the innermost-toe
joint side region P1. The second strip-shaped parts 11a and 11b are
oriented in such a pattern as to be farther apart from each other
toward below.
[0063] The low-stretching part 10 illustrated in (c) of FIG. 6 is
similar to that illustrated in (b) of FIG. 1, but differs therefrom
in that the second strip-shaped part 11a, which is located forward
of the innermost-toe joint side region P1, has a lower end portion
lower in position than the center of the innermost-toe joint side
region P1. The second strip-shaped part 11b, which is located
backward of the innermost-toe joint side region P1, has a lower end
portion higher in position than the center of the innermost-toe
joint side region P1.
[0064] The low-stretching part 10 illustrated in (d) of FIG. 6 is
similar to that illustrated in (c) of FIG. 6, but differs therefrom
in that the second strip-shaped parts 11a and 11b are not farther
apart from each other toward below and that the second strip-shaped
part 11a, which is located forward of the innermost-toe joint side
region P1, also has a lower end portion higher than the center of
the innermost-toe joint side region P1. The second strip-shaped
parts 11a and 11b are substantially parallel to each other.
[0065] The low-stretching part 10 illustrated in (e) of FIG. 6 is
similar to that illustrated in (d) of FIG. 6, but differs therefrom
in that the second strip-shaped parts 11a and 11b have respective
lower end portions lower in position than the center of the
innermost-toe joint side region P1. The first strip-shaped part 11c
and the second strip-shaped parts 11a and 11b are each made up of
discontinuously arranged third strip-shaped parts 11d that are
substantially parallel to one another in the front-back direction x
and that differ from one another in thickness. In other words, the
first strip-shaped part 11c and the second strip-shaped parts 11a
and 11b in (e) of FIG. 6 are each shaped with a group of third
strip-shaped parts 11d.
[0066] The low-stretching part 10 illustrated in (f) of FIG. 6 is
similar to that illustrated in (e) of FIG. 6, but differs therefrom
in that the first strip-shaped part 11c and the second strip-shaped
parts 11a and 11b are each made up of not third strip-shaped parts
11d but a group of dots 11e substantially in the shape of a
strip.
[0067] The low-stretching part 10 illustrated in (g) of FIG. 6 is
similar to that illustrated in (e) of FIG. 6, but differs therefrom
in that the first strip-shaped part 11c and the second strip-shaped
parts 11a and 11b are each made up of not third strip-shaped parts
11d but a group of line-shaped parts 11f substantially in the shape
of a strip. Specifically, the first strip-shaped part 11c is made
up of a plurality of line-shaped parts 11f that are thinner than
the first strip-shaped part 11c and that are substantially parallel
to one another in the front-back direction x. The second
strip-shaped parts 11a and 11b are each made up of a plurality of
line-shaped parts 11f that are thinner than either of the second
strip-shaped parts 11a and 11b and that are substantially parallel
to one another in the up-down direction y. The first strip-shaped
part 11c has a length larger than the width of the innermost-toe
joint side region P1.
[0068] The low-stretching part 10 illustrated in (h) of FIG. 6 is
arranged such that the first strip-shaped part 11c and the second
strip-shaped parts 11a and 11b are continuous with each other. The
second strip-shaped parts 11a and 11b have respective lower end
portions lower in position than the center of the innermost-toe
joint side region P1. The low-stretching part 10 is substantially
in the shape of an angled C that is open toward the side of the
sole. The first strip-shaped part 11c has a length larger than the
width of the innermost-toe joint side region P1.
[0069] The low-stretching part 10 illustrated in (i) of FIG. 6 is
similar to that illustrated in (g) of FIG. 6, but differs therefrom
in that the first strip-shaped part 11c and the second strip-shaped
parts 11a and 11b are each in the shape of a thin wavy line.
[0070] (j) of FIG. 6 illustrates a low-stretching part 10 including
two oblique strip-shaped parts 12a and 12b each extending in an
oblique direction different from the substantially front-back
direction x and the substantially up-down direction y. The oblique
strip-shaped parts 12a and 12b are provided in such a manner as to
sandwich the innermost-toe joint side region P1. The oblique
strip-shaped parts 12a and 12b are oriented in such a pattern as to
be farther apart from each other toward below.
[0071] (k) of FIG. 6 illustrates a low-stretching part 10 including
circular parts 13a, 13b, and 13c each having a predetermined size.
The circular parts 13a and 13b are provided in such a manner as to
sandwich the innermost-toe joint side region P1 in the front-back
direction. The circular part 13c is provided above the
innermost-toe joint side region P1.
[0072] (l) of FIG. 6 illustrates a low-stretching part 10 including
circular parts 13d and 13e each having a predetermined size. The
circular part 13d is provided forward of and above the
innermost-toe joint side region P1. The circular part 13e is
provided backward of and above the innermost-toe joint side region
P1.
[0073] (m) of FIG. 6 illustrates a low-stretching part 10 including
a plurality of line-shaped parts 14a above a lower end portion of
the innermost-toe joint side region P1 which line-shaped parts 14a
extend radially above from the innermost-toe joint side region
P1.
[0074] (n) of FIG. 6 illustrates a low-stretching part 10 including
a ring-shaped part 15a substantially in the shape of a ring
surrounding the innermost-toe joint side region P1.
[0075] (o) of FIG. 6 illustrates a low-stretching part 10 including
a curved strip-shaped part 16a in the shape of a curve extending
from the side of a lower end portion of the innermost-toe joint
side region P1 along an upper portion of the innermost-toe joint
side region P1. The curved strip-shaped part 16a becomes wider
toward the center of the curved strip-shaped part 16a.
[0076] The shape of the low-stretching part 10 is summarized as
follow: The low-stretching part 10 may have any position, size, or
shape as long as the low-stretching part 10 is arranged to prevent
the movements (1) and (2) below of the cloth. (1) Movement of the
cloth of the innermost-toe joint side region P1 in a downward
direction and front-back direction relative to the innermost-toe
metatarsophalangeal joint Q1 (2) Movement of the cloth of the
outermost-toe joint side region P2 in a downward direction and
front-back direction relative to the outermost-toe
metatarsophalangeal joint Q2 Even in a case where it is impossible,
in a state where the legwear 1 is not worn, to determine the
position of the innermost-toe joint side region P1 relative to the
innermost-toe metatarsophalangeal joint Q1 or the position of the
outermost-toe joint side region P2 relative to the outermost-toe
metatarsophalangeal joint Q2, such a positional relationship can
simply be determined in a state where the legwear 1 is worn. The
movements (1) and (2) above of the cloth can be prevented under the
conditions (A) and (B) below, for example. The variations described
above each satisfy the conditions below.
[0077] The condition (A) is that the low-stretching part 10 must be
present both forward and backward of the innermost-toe joint side
region P1 in the front-back direction. A low-stretching part 10
present on only one side of the innermost-toe joint side region P1
in the front-back direction will cause displacement between the
innermost-toe metatarsophalangeal joint Q1 and the innermost-toe
joint side region P1. On this point as well, even in the case where
it is impossible, in the state where the legwear 1 is not worn, to
determine the position of the low-stretching part 10 on the front
and back sides of the innermost-toe joint side region P1, the
positional relationship between the innermost-toe joint side region
P1 and the low-stretching part 10 can, as described above, simply
be determined in the state where the legwear 1 is worn. The state
where it is impossible, in the state where the legwear 1 is not
worn, to determine the position of the low-stretching part 10 on
the front and back sides of the innermost-toe joint side region P1
refers to, for example, a state where since the cloth of the
legwear 1 has been shrunk, the low-stretching part 10 coincides
clearly with the innermost-toe metatarsophalangeal joint Q1. The
state where the positional relationship between the innermost-toe
joint side region P1 and the low-stretching part 10 can be
determined in the state where the legwear 1 is worn refers to a
state where since the cloth of the legwear 1 has been expanded as a
result of the legwear 1 being worn, the low-stretching part 10 is
present on the front and back sides of the innermost-toe joint side
region P1.
[0078] The condition (B) is that in a case where the low-stretching
part 10 includes parts that are continuous with each other or that
are separated from each other, the parts are apart from each other
by a distance smaller than the innermost-toe joint side region P1.
Referring to (j) of FIG. 6, the oblique strip-shaped parts 12a and
12b have respective upper end portions apart from each other by a
distance W1 that needs to be smaller than the width W2 of the
innermost-toe joint side region P1. The metatarsophalangeal joint
and the low-stretching part 10 are desirably close to each other.
However, since the metatarsophalangeal joint and the low-stretching
part 10 are apart from each other by a distance, the
metatarsophalangeal joint and the low-stretching part 10 may be
displaced relative to each other accordingly. The distance between
the metatarsophalangeal joint and the low-stretching part 10 thus
simply needs to be small enough to at least not let the legwear 1
come off (that is, not let the toes be exposed entirely) even in a
case where the innermost-toe joint side region P1 has been
displaced relative to the innermost-toe metatarsophalangeal joint
Q1 or a case where the outermost-toe joint side region P2 has been
displaced relative to the outermost-toe metatarsophalangeal joint
Q2.
[0079] The low-stretching part 10 may or may not be present below
the lower end portion of the innermost-toe joint side region P1.
The low-stretching part 10 is simply arranged to at least prevent
the innermost-toe joint side region P1 from being displaced in a
downward direction relative to the innermost-toe
metatarsophalangeal joint Q1, as the low-stretching part 10 is
caught by the innermost-toe metatarsophalangeal joint Q1. The
low-stretching part 10 (that is, the oblique strip-shaped parts 12a
and 12b) has a lower end portion extending below beyond the
position H1 of the upper end of the innermost-toe joint side region
P1 as illustrated in (a) of FIG. 6.
[0080] The low-stretching part 10 simply needs to be present by at
least only a small area on each of the front and back sides of the
front-back direction of the innermost-toe joint side region P1. The
low-stretching part 10 may have any width in the front-back
direction or thickness.
[0081] The legwear 1 of an embodiment of the present invention is
described herein on the basis of an example of shallowly worn
legwear 1. The legwear 1 is, however, not limited to that. The
legwear 1 may be any legwear that is configured to cover the
metatarsophalangeal joint. The legwear 1 may be shallowly worn or
deeply worn legwear. The legwear 1 may be not only a foot cover but
also a sock such as a crew sock or knee sock. The legwear 1 may
further be legwear that is configured to cover a lower leg part
such as tights, a toe cover configured to cover only toes, or a
foot cover configured to be caught by the heel part in the shape of
a strip.
[0082] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments, but
can be altered by a skilled person in the art within the scope of
the claims. The present invention also encompasses, in its
technical scope, any embodiment derived by combining technical
means disclosed in differing embodiments.
[0083] Aspects of the present invention can also be expressed as
follows:
[0084] Legwear in accordance with an aspect of the present
invention includes: a main body part configured to cover at least
an area from a toe of a foot to an innermost-toe
metatarsophalangeal joint and an outermost-toe metatarsophalangeal
joint, the main body part including (i) an innermost-toe joint side
region configured to cover the innermost-toe metatarsophalangeal
joint and (ii) an outermost-toe joint side region configured to
cover the outermost-toe metatarsophalangeal joint, the main body
part being stretchable; and at least one low-stretching part
provided around at least one of the innermost-toe joint side region
and the outermost-toe joint side region and configured to prevent
the at least one of the innermost-toe joint side region and the
outermost-toe joint side region from being displaced relative to
the foot in a downward direction or a front-back direction, the
downward direction being part of an up-down direction as a
thickness direction of the foot, the front-back direction being a
longitudinal direction of the foot, the at least one low-stretching
part at least either being less stretchable than the main body part
or having larger friction with the foot than the main body part has
with the foot.
[0085] The above arrangement allows a low-stretching part provided
around the innermost-toe joint side region or outermost-toe joint
side region to prevent the region from being displaced (moved) in
the downward direction or the front-back direction. The above
arrangement can thus prevent the toe part of the legwear from being
displaced or coming off, without compressing the foot. This can in
turn provide legwear that causes no stress such as compression or
damage to the skin and that effectively prevents a toe part from
becoming displaced or coming off.
[0086] The legwear of an aspect of the present invention may be
arranged such that the at least one low-stretching part is present
in an upward direction and the front-back direction relative to the
at least one of the innermost-toe joint side region and the
outermost-toe joint side region.
[0087] The above arrangement makes it possible to effectively
prevent the innermost-toe joint side region or outermost-toe joint
side region from becoming displaced in the downward direction or
the front-back direction.
[0088] The legwear of an aspect of the present invention may be
arranged such that the at least one low-stretching part has a first
inner surface that comes into contact with the foot, the main body
part has a second inner surface that comes into contact with the
foot, and the first inner surface has larger friction with the foot
than the second inner surface has with the foot.
[0089] The above arrangement prevents the low-stretching part from
being moved relative to the foot. This allows the low-stretching
part to more effectively prevent the innermost-toe joint side
region or outermost-toe joint side region from becoming
displaced.
[0090] The legwear of an aspect of the present invention may be
arranged such that the at least one low-stretching part is provided
both around the innermost-toe joint side region and around the
outermost-toe joint side region.
[0091] The above arrangement can prevent the toe part of the
legwear from becoming displaced or coming off on opposite sides in
the width direction of the foot. This can reliably prevent the toe
part from becoming displaced or coming off.
[0092] The legwear of an aspect of the present invention may be
arranged such that the at least one low-stretching part is in a
shape of a strip.
[0093] With the above arrangement, the low-stretching part is in
the shape of a strip. This allows the low-stretching part to serve
as a stopper, and can more effectively prevent the
displacement.
[0094] The legwear of an aspect of the present invention may be
arranged such that the at least one low-stretching part, which is
in the shape of the strip, includes two low-stretching parts, the
two low-stretching parts are present in such a pattern as to
sandwich the at least one of the innermost-toe joint side region
and the outermost-toe joint side region in the front-back
direction, and the two low-stretching parts have respective lower
end portions separated from each other by a distance that is at
least not less than a width of the at least one of the
innermost-toe joint side region and the outermost-toe joint side
region.
[0095] The above arrangement allows the cloth to become stretched
without preventing a metatarsophalangeal joint from moving when the
foot is bent about an axis extending through the innermost-toe
metatarsophalangeal joint and the outermost-toe metatarsophalangeal
joint (that is, from the start of kicking to the end thereof)
during walking. This can suitably prevent the legwear from becoming
displaced or coming off.
[0096] The legwear of an aspect of the present invention may be
arranged such that the at least one low-stretching part includes
(i) a first strip-shaped part configured to prevent the at least
one of the innermost-toe joint side region and the outermost-toe
joint side region from becoming stretched in the front-back
direction and (ii) second strip-shaped parts configured to prevent
the at least one of the innermost-toe joint side region and the
outermost-toe joint side region from becoming stretched in the
up-down direction.
[0097] The above arrangement allows the first strip-shaped part to
prevent the innermost-toe joint side region or outermost-toe joint
side region from becoming stretched in the front-back direction and
the second strip-shaped parts to prevent the innermost-toe joint
side region or outermost-toe joint side region from becoming
stretched in the up-down direction. This makes it possible to
prevent the innermost-toe joint side region or outermost-toe joint
side region from becoming displaced in the downward direction or
the front-back direction.
[0098] The legwear of an aspect of the present invention may be
arranged such that the second strip-shaped parts are present in
such a pattern as to sandwich the at least one of the innermost-toe
joint side region and the outermost-toe joint side region in the
front-back direction.
[0099] The above arrangement allows the second strip-shaped parts
to be present in such a pattern as to sandwich the innermost-toe
joint side region or outermost-toe joint side region in the
front-back direction. This makes it possible to effectively prevent
the innermost-toe joint side region or outermost-toe joint side
region from becoming moved relative to the foot in the front-back
direction.
[0100] The legwear of an aspect of the present invention may be
arranged such that the at least one low-stretching part is
substantially in a shape of an angled C that is open toward a side
of a sole of the foot.
[0101] The above arrangement allows the second strip-shaped parts
to be present in such a pattern as to sandwich the innermost-toe
joint side region or outermost-toe joint side region in the
front-back direction. This makes it possible to effectively prevent
the innermost-toe joint side region or outermost-toe joint side
region from becoming displaced in the downward direction. Further,
orienting the second strip-shaped parts so that the respective
upper end portions are connected with each other by the first
strip-shaped part or are close to the first strip-shaped part makes
it possible to prevent the innermost-toe joint side region or
outermost-toe joint side region from becoming displaced relative to
the foot in the downward direction. This makes it possible to
effectively prevent the innermost-toe joint side region or
outermost-toe joint side region from becoming displaced in any
direction other than the upward direction.
[0102] The legwear of an aspect of the present invention may be
arranged such that the second strip-shaped parts each have a lower
end in the downward direction which lower end is present below a
center of the at least one of the innermost-toe joint side region
and the outermost-toe joint side region in the up-down
direction.
[0103] The above arrangement makes it possible to sufficiently
prevent the innermost-toe joint side region or outermost-toe joint
side region from becoming displaced in the downward direction.
[0104] The legwear of an aspect of the present invention may be
arranged such that the first strip-shaped part has a side facing
the at least one of the innermost-toe joint side region and the
outermost-toe joint side region which side has a length smaller
than a width of the at least one of the innermost-toe joint side
region and the outermost-toe joint side region, and the second
strip-shaped parts are each longer than the first strip-shaped part
and are oriented in such a pattern as to be farther apart from each
other toward below.
[0105] The above arrangement allows the low-stretching parts to
become even farther apart from each other in response to the foot
becoming bent about an axis extending through the innermost-toe
metatarsophalangeal joint and the outermost-toe metatarsophalangeal
joint as a result of walking and exercising, thereby allowing the
cloth to expand without preventing the joint from moving. This can
in turn suitably prevent the legwear from becoming displaced
relative to the innermost-toe joint side region or outermost-toe
joint side region or coming off, without impairing wearing
comfort.
[0106] The legwear of an aspect of the present invention may be
arranged such that the first strip-shaped part and the second
strip-shaped parts are continuous with each other.
[0107] The above arrangement allows the strip-shaped parts to be
continuous with each other, and thereby makes it less likely for
the strip-shaped parts to be partially displaced relative to each
other.
[0108] The legwear of an aspect of the present invention may be
arranged such that the main body part is made of fabric and
includes (i) a toe part for covering the toe, (ii) a sole part for
covering a sole of the foot, (iii) side parts for covering
respective opposite sides of the foot, and (iv) a heel part for
covering a heel of the foot.
[0109] The above arrangement allows the legwear to be fitted well
with the foot, and can thereby provide a sock that effectively
prevents the toe part from becoming displaced or coming off.
[0110] The legwear of an aspect of the present invention may be
arranged such that the legwear is a foot cover that exposes an
instep and an ankle of the foot.
[0111] The present invention is suitably applicable to a foot
cover, and can prevent the toe part from becoming displaced or
coming off.
[0112] The legwear of an aspect of the present invention may be
arranged such that the foot cover has a shallowly worn shape that
exposes part of a branching site of toes of the foot.
[0113] The present invention is particularly suitably applicable to
a foot cover having a shallowly worn shape, and can prevent the toe
part from becoming displaced or coming off.
[0114] The legwear of an aspect of the present invention may be
arranged such that the toe part is shaped to be gently inclined
from an innermost-toe side to an outermost-toe side along a contour
of the toes.
[0115] The above arrangement allows the toe part to be fitted
better with the foot, and can more suitably prevent the toe part
from becoming displaced or coming off.
[0116] The legwear of an aspect of the present invention may be
arranged such that the heel part has an inner surface provided with
a nonslip portion.
[0117] The above arrangement provides a nonslip portion on the
inner surface of the heel part, and can thereby prevent the heel
part of the legwear from becoming displaced or coming off.
[0118] The legwear of an aspect of the present invention may be
arranged such that the at least one low-stretching part is made of
resin applied to an inner surface of the main body part.
[0119] The above arrangement allows a low-stretching part made of
resin to come into close contact with the skin, and can more
suitably prevent the toe part from becoming displaced or coming
off.
[0120] The legwear of an aspect of the present invention may be
arranged such that the main body part includes a toe part for
covering the toe which toe part has a plurality of toe insertion
parts.
[0121] With the above arrangement, the legwear can have, for
example, two or five toe insertion parts. This allows the toes to
be inserted into the toe insertion parts, and thereby prevents the
cloth of the main body part from being moved. This can in turn
effectively prevent the toe part from becoming displaced or coming
off.
REFERENCE SIGNS LIST
[0122] 1 Legwear [0123] 2 Main body part [0124] 10 Low-stretching
part [0125] 21 Sole part [0126] 22 Toe part [0127] 23 Side part
[0128] 24 Heel part [0129] 11a, 11b Second strip-shaped part [0130]
11c First strip-shaped part [0131] F Foot [0132] Q1 Innermost-toe
metatarsophalangeal joint [0133] Q2 Outermost-toe
metatarsophalangeal joint [0134] P1 Innermost-toe joint side region
[0135] P2 Outermost-toe joint side region [0136] x Front-back
direction [0137] y Up-down direction
* * * * *