Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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Sock
The invention relates to a sock that is to be used particularly during sports
activities and
that is outfitted with padding in the treading area.
Human feet are generally accommodated in firm shoes, especially during sports
activities. They are also frequently in socks. The many and rapid motions
occurring
during sports activities mean that the foot is subjected to great loads, which
can bring
about fatigue more rapidly. If there is an unequal distribution of the load in
the treading
area in particular, then this can lead to increased stress in the ligaments
situated around
the ankle joint. This can put exceptional strain on or even damage the
ligaments, for
example, if the individual's stride is incorrect or if he should hit the
ground wrong. Any
destabilizing of the ankle joint by wearing out the ligaments can also
negatively impinge
on the knee and the area around it. From this it is clear that the anatomical
distribution of
the load of the treading area of the foot is of the utmost importance to the
stability of the
entire locomotor system, and all the more so for sports activities.
The plane of the treading area of the foot between the heel and the outer and
inner balls
of the foot forms a three-point support system. 'This three-point support
system makes it
possible to balance the body's entire weight on a single leg. When walking,
the foot's
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natural longitudinal and transverse vault works like a suspension. The force
of the load is
absorbed, for the most part, by the three-point support system. Approximately
40% of the
load is absorbed by the outer and inner balls of the foot, and 33% by the
heel.
Approximately 15% of the load involves the outer instep of the foot, while the
remaining
load is absorbed by the toes (inner zone of the toes about 5%, outside zone
about 7%).
To decrease the dynamic load of the foot and the premature fatigue associated
with it,
some form of dampening has been commonly used (compare DE 87 O1 834 U1 ), for
example, by padding the toe, sole and heel areas of the stock with something
soft. The
treading area of the sole that lies between the heel and the toes can also be
outfitted with
appropriate contours (compare EP 0 849 998 B1). These well known types of sock
do
not, however, take into account the specific load profile of the treading area
of the foot.
This is what the invention remedies. The invention addresses the problem of
creating a
sock, especially for sports activities, that will be very comfortable to wear,
while
simultaneously taking into account the specific load profile of the treading
area of the
foot. The invention solves this problem by placing padding in the areas of the
outer and
inner balls, in the area of the heel as well as in the outer instep of the
foot and, also, by
means of intermediate spaces between the padding.
The invention creates a sock that is especially suited for sports activities
and that takes
into account the specific load profile of the foot. The separate pads in the
various load
areas mean that the foot is effectively supported and simultaneously protected
against
strain. Additionally, the suspension effect of the longitudinal and transverse
vaults is
amplified during walking, which, in turn, helps remove any further load from
the ankle
joint and the ligaments. The sectional padding reduces the weight of the sock,
as
compared with socks that are completely padded throughout the entire treading
area. This
represents a significant advantage, for example, in such extreme types of
sports activities
as triathlons or marathons. The intermediate spaces between the padding also
increase air
circulation.
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As a further development of the invention, the weave of the fabric of the
padding for the
inner and outer balls of the foot is different. This makes a precise
adaptation of this area
of padding to the load distribution between the outer and inner balls of the
foot possible,
which, in turn, further improves the protective and support functions.
The invention is outfitted with sickle-shaped padding in the area of the toes.
This sustains
the absorption of the not inconsiderable share of the load by the toes.
The toe padding is advantageously executed in the form of individual pads, the
fabric of
which preferably has a different weave structure. This takes into
consideration the
heterogeneous load distribution in the area of the toes, and makes a specific
absorption of
the load in this area possible.
Another development of the invention is that the sock is equipped with at
least one lateral
climate conduit that leads into at least one of the intermediate spaces
created by the
separate pads. This benefits the continuous removal of perspiration from the
bottom of
the foot.
Other developments of the invention include the remaining sub-claims listed
below.
Examples of the invention are illustrated in drawings, which are individually
described in
the following and which show:
Figure 1 Side view of the sock;
Figure 2 View of the sock from below and
Figure 3 View of the sock from below but outfitted differently.
The illustrated example (Figure 1 ) shows a sock with a shaft A and a foot
section B. In
the treading area 1 of the foot, the sock is padded in sections 2, 3, 4 and 5.
Pads 2, 3, 4
and 5 are not connected to each other, which emphasizes the padding in the
intermediate
spaces 6. Pads 2, 3, 4 and 5 have an anatomical shape, which means that they
are
optimally adapted to the load profile of the foot.
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There is, in the area of the heel, a circular heel pad 2 that resembles the
area of the point
of the tread. There is an oval pad 3 in the outer instep the long side of
which borders the
outer region, on one side, and the longitudinal and transverse vaults of the
foot on the
other. A foot ball pad 4 is situated on the ball of the foot. Pad 4 also has a
primarily oval
shape and stretches from the outer to the inner ball of the foot. Foot section
1 in the area
of the toes is outfitted with a sickle-shaped toe pad 5. The shape of the pad
is determined
by the varying lengths as well as the arrangement of the toes.
In the illustrated example as seen in Figure 3, the sock is outfitted with a
pad 4 for the
ball of the foot that is made up of two sections and is situated in the
treading area of the
foot 1. Pad 41 that points towards the interior of the foot has a higher
density than the
bordering partial pad 42. In contrast to the illustrated example as per Figure
1, the sickle-
shaped toe pad 5 is made up of five individual pads 51 through 55, with a pad
allocated to
each toe. The fabric structure of pads 51 through 55 is different. The density
of pads 51
through 55 decreases in the illustrated example. Pad 51 is the densest and pad
55 the least
dense.
Pads 2 through 5 can have different thicknesses and densities, and can be made
from only
one material or from unlike materials. The varying thicknesses of pads 2
through 5 can be
achieved by using thicker yarns or more threads. It is also possible to
manufacture pads 2
through 5 in varying degrees of firmness. For example, those pads intended to
absorb less
load, such as is the case with toe pad 5, can be made softer than those pads
that will be
subject to higher loads, as is the case with the pad for the ball of the foot
4. As in the
illustrated example of Figure 3, pads 41 and 42 as well as pads 51 through 55
can, of
course, have diverse degrees of firmness as well depending upon the load that
they must
absorb.
The padding supports the fat pads that are naturally on the foot. A "barefoot
climate" is
achieved for the foot because the load profile of the foot has been taken into
account in
the shaping and positioning of the comfort pads. This "barefoot climate" is
additionally
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caused by the air circulation that is produced by the intermediate spaces 6
between pads 2
through 5. The climate conduit 7 that runs along the side of the sock and that
leads into
the intermediate spaces 6 also makes it possible to improve the elimination of
moisture
from the bottom of the foot.
Though socks have been the topic of description and discussion, the invention
is not
limited to these alone, but also includes stockings, tights and similar
articles of clothing
to which the invention also applies.
