Heat-regulating sock

[0002] The invention relates to a climate-adjusting sock with padding provided in various areas, particularly for use in types of leisure sport activities such as jogging, in-line skating, skiing or the like, of the type that has become known from the patent documents EP-A 0 606 140, DE 906 201, DE-A 196 18 919, DE-U 87 01 834, or DE-U 90 03 341, for example.

[0003] In all cases in which the human feet are accommodated in comparatively dense footwear, an increased accumulation of sweat is brought about. Beyond normal movements, an accumulation of sweat that is above the average is brought about in types of running movements that strongly stress the feet, such as hiking, football playing, jogging, or the like, as well as during sports cycling. Effort is thus made to make socks that promote the best possible transport of the accumulation of sweat away to the outside available to wearers of shoes.

[0004] This requirement for the drawing of the sweat out of and away from the shoe is a particular goal of the present invention, one which is achieved, in accordance with the invention, by means of at least one integrated air channel of a climate-adjusting net-type knit fabric which extends from the sole of the foot up to the band.

[0005] A climate channel of an adjusting, net-type knit fabric has the advantage that only about 60% of the surface of the skin is covered, so that the greatest portion of the moisture arising can evaporate through the uncovered portion of the skin, while the rest can be absorbed by the fabric. In addition, such a fabric can also serve for the conveying of the sweat moisture from the area of the soles of the shoe into an area of the sock in which a free evaporation is possible.

[0006] It is provided, in this configuration, that an air channel is provided on both outer sides of the sock, that is to say, on the outer side and on the inner side of the leg of the wearer of the sock.

[0007] The invention provides that the sock is provided, at least in the area of the instep, with a padded cushion or padding of climate-adjusting fabric, whereby such a padded cushion can serve for the reduction of the pressure points in the area of the laces of the shoe, since the stresses that arise can be distributed over a large surface, and the climate-adjusting fabric serves for the airing of the skin and the transport of the moisture of the sweat away, whereby these fabrics can have different thicknesses, depending on the purpose of use of the sock.

[0008] It should be noted at this point that ski socks that use different fabrics in the direct area of the foot, on the one hand, and in the lower calf area, on the other, for example, are already known. It is also known to provide padded cushions or reinforcements in the area of the shins, in order to achieve a better padding in the ski boot or in the football shoe, for example.

[0009] Further advantages and specific details of the invention proceed from the other sub-claims, whereby paddings of climate-adjusting fabrics can also be provided in the area of the calf, for example, which can be arranged in rod-shaped, arched, helical, or in other ways, such as a calf-shaped structure or the like.

[0010] One exceptional feature of the sock in accordance with the invention can, in an additional configuration, also consist of the fact that it is equipped, in an integrated X-cross support band, with an elastic fabric band, whereby this elastic fabric band consists of climate-adjusting fabric.

[0011] For the formation of an anatomically-shaped bed of the foot which takes the differing stresses on the sole of the human foot into consideration, the invention provides for padded cushions or paddings in the area of the toes, the ball of the foot, and/or the heel.

[0012] In addition, it can be advantageous to provide a corrugated stretch fabric in the area of the instep, at least in some areas, also with climate-adjusting fabrics of the type of corrugated knit fabric. In this type of knit fabric, the fabric does not lie completely on the skin, as the result of which more air can reach the skin. At the same time, it is brought about, through the type of corrugated knit fabric, that the fabric has a higher elasticity and thereby prevents the formation of folds within the sock, as well as the sliding of the foot within the sock or shoe, which leads to the fact that the formation of blisters comes about less frequently.

[0013] The invention will be illustrated in further detail in the following by means of the diagrams.

[0014] These depict the following:

[0015] FIG. 1: The side view of an example of implementation of a sock in accordance with the invention;

[0016] FIGS. 2 to 7: Alternative examples of implementation of socks for different purposes of use; as well as:

[0017] FIG. 8: A side view, similar to FIG. 1, of an additional example of implementation.

[0018] In reference to FIG. 1⁽¹⁾:

[0019] The sock in accordance with the invention, which is designated as a whole by (1), has an air channel (3) proceeding from the sole of the foot, which channel is indicated by the arrow (2) and extends up to the band (4), and is formed of climate-adjusting net-type knit fabric. Through this air channel (3), moisture is drawn off from the area of the sole of the foot in an upward direction. Such a type of air channel (3) can also be provided on the sock, which is not discussed in further detail here.

[0020] In the interior of the sock, the sock (1) is equipped with a padded instep cushion or padding (5) and, in the area of the shin, it is equipped with a padded shin cushion (6), whereby the corresponding contours are only indicated in dotted form.

[0021] Both the padded instep cushion (5) and the padded shin cushion (6) are of climate-adjusting fabric, whereby different thicknesses of fabric can be provided here.

[0022] The area of the Achilles tendon is also protected by means of a padded cushion (7). In order to prevent grazing and blisters, which can be brought about in this area through the friction from the upper edge of the shoe, this padded cushion (7) also consists of a climate-adjusting fabric.

[0023] As is evident from the figures, the area of the calf is also provided with padded cushions whereby, in the example depicted, rod-type paddings (8) are provided. The invention is not, in any event, restricted to this form of configuration, and other forms, such as an arched shape or the like, can also be provided here.

[0024] As can be seen from the figures, the sock (1) is also provided with an X-cross support band (9) which is formed of an elastic, climate-adjusting fabric, and which supports the locomotor apparatus in the transitional area between the leg and the foot.

[0025] In order to guarantee an anatomically-formed foot bed, the sole of the sock is equipped with additional padded cushions or paddings (10 and 11), particularly in the area of the heel and in the area of the ball of the foot and/or in the area of the toes.

[0026] Variants of examples of implementation of the sock in accordance with the invention are depicted in FIGS. 2 to 7. Thus, FIG. 2 depicts a tennis sock with an X-cross support band; FIG. 3 depicts a sock for everyday use, whereby the ankle joint is supported; FIG. 4 depicts a shoe for cyclists; FIG. 5 depicts the ski sock reproduced on a larger scale than in FIG. 1; FIG. 6 depicts a running sock; and FIG. 7 depicts a sock specially designed for skaters. The padded cushion fabric, the paddings, and the other configurations are slightly modified relative to the example of implementation in accordance with FIG. 1, whereby the X-cross support bandaging of the ankle joint, among others, is also in the foreground here.

[0027] Additional support bands are depicted in FIG. 8; thus, there is a ring-type support band (12) above the ankle and, below that, an additional support bandaging (13), whereby these support bandagings can have different types of extension and elasticities. It is additionally depicted that a diagonal support bandaging (14) supporting the sole of the foot between the ball of the foot and the heel, which leads to an increased comfort during running and wearing in many cases, can be provided.

[0028] It should be additionally noted at this point that the paddings of the sock can consist of hollow-core fibers which are coated with threads of wool or cotton. The hollow-core/plastic threads are particularly effective in damping shocks and pressure.

[0029] The bed of the foot is knit from ensheathed micro-fibers, which are extremely supple and reduce the abrasion/skin abrasion. Depending on the requirements, the bed of the foot is 100% micro-fibers, even in the area of the toes and the heel. The Achilles tendon protective pad, which is made of plastic threads or compound fabric and threads or other materials, serves to protect the Achilles tendon. In order to achieve a high stability, the support bands are also woven, or knit, from non-elastic and elastic threads.

[0030] The net-type fabric/knit fabric within the ‘Air Channel’ consists of climate-adjusting hollow-core plastic threads, which are also ensheathed by other plastic, wool and/or cotton threads. A moisture-absorbing and moisture-transport fabric/knit fabric is brought about by this compound thread. The net-type knit fabric/knit fabric (‘Air Channel’) does not completely cover the skin but, instead, depending on the requirements, leaves portions of the skin uncovered, so that drops of sweat can arise on the skin, which then drip onto the net fabric and are transported away from the same. An increased cold/cooling from evaporation is thereby brought about. Micro-fiber, polyester, and acrylic paddings within the different zones of the foot bring about mechanical, thermal release, or damping and insulation.

[0031] The example of implementation of the invention can, of course, be further modified in various ways without departing from its fundamental concept. Thus, the sock can be formed as a left/right sock, the configuration of the padded cushion can diverge from the one depicted here, and the like.