Stocking, particularly of the pantyhose type, with shaping effect for slender and straight legs

Abstract

 A stocking, particularly of the pantyhose type, with a shaping effect, having an outer lateral compression band (2), which runs substantially along the entire thigh and leg region and in the plantar region, a rear calf compression region (3), which is connected to the outer lateral band (2), and an inner lateral traction band (4), which runs substantially along the entire thigh region and is connected to the rear calf compression region (3). The lateral bands (2) and the rear calf compression region (3) correct and change the position of the wearer calf, shaping the leg without perceivable constrictions.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a stocking, particularly of the pantyhose type, with shaping effect.

[0002] In recent years, stockings or knitted underwear capable of having a shaping effect on the wearer have enjoyed increasing success.

[0003] The shaping effect is generally obtained in items of clothing such as underpants or in pantyhose, also known as tights, in the pantie region by providing compression regions with more rigid or in any case less yielding knitting than the remaining part of the item, so as to effectively apply a control or displacement action on the parts of the body that are affected by said regions.

[0004] However, the need to obtain corrective shaping is also felt for other body parts, such as for example the legs.

[0005] In currently commercially available stockings the shaping effect is obtained almost exclusively by means of circular compression regions which constrict the affected body part, often causing discomfort to the user.

[0006] The aim of the present invention is to provide a stocking, particularly of the pantyhose type, which effectively performs a shaping action on the legs, making them thinner, more slender and straight without causing discomfort.

[0007] Within the scope of this aim, an object of the present invention is to provide a stocking which can be manufactured with modern commercially available circular hosiery knitting machines.

[0008] Another object of the present invention is to provide a stocking which can be manufactured at competitive costs.

[0009] This aim, these objects and others which will become apparent hereinafter are achieved by a stocking, particularly of the pantyhose type, characterized in that it comprises: an outer lateral compression band, which runs substantially along the entire thigh and leg region and in the region of the sole of the foot; a rear calf compression region, which is connected to said outer lateral band; and an inner lateral traction band, which runs substantially along the entire thigh region and is connected to said rear compression region.

[0010] Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of a stocking according to the invention, illustrated by way of non-limitative example in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a stocking according to the invention, of the pantyhose type, shown while it is being worn;

Figure 2 is a view of a portion of the stocking according to the invention, taken from the outer side;

Figure 3 is a view of a portion of the stocking according to the invention, taken from the inner side;

Figure 4 is a view of the front region of the pantie of the stocking according to the invention;

Figure 5 is a view of the rear region of the pantie of the stocking according to the invention.

[0011] With reference to the above figures, the stocking according to the invention, generally designated by the reference numeral 1, is preferably constituted by tights or pantyhose.

[0012] According to the invention, the stocking comprises:

• an outer lateral compression band 2, which runs substantially along the entire region of the thigh and of the leg and in the plantar region or of the sole of the foot;
• a rear calf compression region 3, which is connected to the outer lateral band 2;
• an inner lateral traction band 4, which runs substantially along the entire thigh region and is connected to the rear compression region 3.

[0013] Conveniently, on the inner side of the calf there is provided a region 5 with increased yielding, which is meant to receive part of the calf which is shifted toward this region by the combined action of the bands 2 and 4 and of the rear compression region 3.

[0014] The stocking is completed by a form-fitting pantie, generally designated by the reference numeral 6.

[0015] In greater detail, the outer lateral band 2, which has a grip in the sole region, applies an intense pressure which acts on the structure of the leg all the time while the stocking is worn, helping to correct imperfections of the calf.

[0016] The rear compression region 3 changes the position of the calf, shaping the leg, and the inner lateral band 4 acts by applying traction, correcting the position of the calf, without constrictions, while the region 5 accommodates the volume produced by the displacement of the calf performed by the bands 2 and 4 and by the region 3.

[0017] Preferably, the outer lateral band 2, the inner lateral band 4 and the rear region 3 are produced by knitting with a one-to-one tuck stitch, alternated every four rows of knitting, which affects each row.

[0018] More particularly, in the manufacture of the stocking according to the invention with a single-cylinder circular stocking-making machine with four feeds or drops, at each turn of the needle cylinder the outer lateral band 2, the inner lateral band 4 and the rear region 3 are formed by alternating a drop stitch and a tuck stitch for four rows, i.e., for the four feeds of the machine, and by swapping the position of the tuck stitches with the position of the drop stitches in the next four rows of knitting.

[0019] The remaining part of the stocking is produced almost entirely with plain stitches.

[0020] The increased-yielding region 5 is formed with wider plain stitches, i.e., with longer loops of knitting than the remaining part of the item which is knitted with plain stitches.

[0021] The rear region 3 is preferably blended with the upper and lower adjacent knitting regions by means of regions in which compression decreases gradually.

[0022] More particularly, starting from the region 3, there is provided: a first region 7, formed with knitting with a one-to-one tuck stitch which is alternated every four rows of knitting and concerns three consecutive rows of knitting in every four, the fourth row being formed with plain stitches; a second region 8, formed with knitting with a one-to-one tuck stitch which is alternated every four rows of knitting and affects two consecutive rows of knitting in every four rows of knitting, the other two rows being formed with plain stitches; and a third region 9, which is formed with a knitting with a one-to-one tuck stitch which is alternated every four rows of knitting and affects one row of knitting in every four rows of knitting, the other three rows being formed with plain stitches.

[0023] Preferably, the heel region 20 is formed with knitting with a one-to-one tuck stitch which is alternated every four rows and affects two consecutive rows in every four rows of knitting, the other two rows being formed with plain stitches.

[0024] The form-fitting pantie 6 has under-buttock regions 10 with increased compression, preferably formed with knitting with a one-to-one fixed tuck stitch in alternating rows, i.e., affecting one row of knitting in every two, the other row being formed with plain stitches, and the buttock region 11 is formed with plain stitches.

[0025] The lateral rear regions 12 of the pantie are preferably formed with knitting with a one-to-one tuck stitch which is alternated every four rows of knitting, affecting each row so as to perform a support and shaping action.

[0026] The outer lateral band 2 is connected to said region 12.

[0027] The rear upper regions 13 of the pantie are preferably formed with knitting with a one-to-one tuck stitch which is alternated every two rows, affecting one row of knitting in every two, the other row being formed with plain stitches.

[0028] At the belly, the pantie has a region 14 with increased compression, preferably formed with knitting with a one-to-one tuck stitch which is alternated every four rows of knitting, affecting every row of knitting.

[0029] The inner lateral band 4 is connected to said region 14.

[0030] The lateral front regions 15 of the pantie are preferably formed with knitting with a one-to-one fixed tuck stitch in alternating rows, i.e., affecting one row in every two, the other row being formed with plain stitches.

[0031] For the sake of completeness in description, it should be noted that the pantie 6 has, in an upward region, a wide elastic band or belt 16 in order to ensure perfect hold.

[0032] Merely by way of example, it is possible to use a yarn made of single-coated 195 dTex 33/10/1 1050-turn elastomer to form the belt 16, a single-coated 156 dTex 33/10/1 1050-turn elastomer yarn to form the pantie 6, and a single-coated 78 dTex 22/17/1 2200-turn elastomer yarn to form the legs. The tips of the toes, the belt 16 and the pantie 6 can be reinforced with a texturized nylon 33/20/2 yarn.

[0033] In practice it has been observed that the stocking according to the invention fully achieves the intended aim and objects, since by virtue of its particular structure it achieves correction and reshaping of the legs, particularly in the calf region, without significant constrictions for the user.

[0034] The stocking thus conceived is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the inventive concept; all the details may also be replaced with other technically equivalent elements.

[0035] In practice, the materials employed, as well as the dimensions, may be any according to requirements and to the state of the art.

[0036] The disclosures in Italian Patent Application No. MI98A001352 from which this application claims priority are incorporated herein by reference.

[0037] Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, those reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly, such reference signs do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference signs.

Claims

1. A stocking, particularly of the pantyhose type, characterized in that it comprises: an outer lateral compression band (2), which runs substantially along the entire thigh and leg region and in the plantar region; a rear calf compression region (3), which is connected to said outer lateral band (2); and an inner lateral traction band (4), which runs substantially along the entire thigh region and is connected to said rear compression region.

2. The stocking according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a region (5) with increased yielding on the inner side of the calf region.

3. The stocking according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a form-fitting pantie (6) and in that said inner lateral band (4) and said outer lateral band (2) are connected to said pantie (6).

4. The stocking according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said inner lateral band (4) is formed with knitting with a one-to-one tuck stitch which is alternated every four rows of knitting and concerns each row of knitting.

5. The stocking according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said rear calf compression region (3) is formed with knitting with a one-to-one tuck stitch which is alternated every four rows of knitting and concerns each row of knitting.

6. The stocking according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said inner lateral band (4) is formed with knitting with a one-to-one tuck stitch which is alternated every four rows of knitting and concerns each row of knitting.

7. The stocking according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the remaining part of the stocking, apart from said outer lateral band (2), said inner lateral band (4) and said rear calf compression region (3), is formed with plain stitches.

8. The stocking according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said increased-yielding region (5) on the inner side of the calf region is formed with plain-stitch knitting which is wider than the plain-stitch knitting used for the remaining part of the stocking.

9. The stocking according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said rear calf compression region (3) is connected to the upper and lower contiguous regions of the stocking through low compression regions (7,8,9) in which compression decreases gradually.

10. The stocking according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said regions with gradually decreasing compression comprise, starting from said rear calf compression region, a first region (7) formed with knitting with a one-to-one tuck stitch which is alternated every four rows of knitting and concerns three consecutive rows of knitting in every four rows of knitting, the other row being formed with plain-stitch knitting.

11. The stocking according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said regions with gradually decreasing compression comprise, starting from said rear calf compression region (3), adjacent to said first region (7), a second region (8) formed with knitting with a one-to-one tuck stitch which is alternated every four rows of knitting and concerns two consecutive rows of knitting in every four rows of knitting, the other two rows being formed with plain-stitch knitting.

12. The stocking according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said regions with gradually decreasing compression comprise, starting from said rear calf compression region (3), adjacent to said first region (7) and said second region (8), a third region (9) formed with knitting with a one-to-one tuck stitch which is alternated every four rows of knitting and concerns one row of knitting in every four rows of knitting, the other three rows being formed with plain-stitch knitting.

13. The stocking according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the heel region (20) is formed with knitting with a one-to-one tuck stitch which is alternated every four rows of knitting and concerns two consecutive rows of knitting in every four rows of knitting, the other two rows being formed with plain-stitch knitting.

14. The stocking according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said pantie (6) has under-buttock regions (10) providing increased compression.

15. The stocking according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said under-buttock regions (10) with increased compression comprise a rear region formed with knitting with a one-to-one fixed tuck stitch which concerns one row in every two, the other row being formed with plain-stitch knitting, and in that the buttock region (11) is formed with plain-stitch knitting.

16. The stocking according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said pantie has lateral rear regions (12) formed with knitting with a one-to-one tuck stitch which is alternated every four rows of knitting and concerns each row of knitting.

17. The stocking according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said outer lateral band (2) is connected to said lateral rear regions (12) of the pantie (6).

18. The stocking according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the upper rear regions (13) of said pantie (6) are formed with knitting with a one-to-one tuck stitch which is alternated every two rows of knitting and concerns one row in every two rows of knitting, the other row been formed with plain-stitch knitting.

19. The stocking according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said pantie (6) has a region (14) with increased compression at the belly region.

20. The stocking according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said region (14) with increased compression at the belly region is provided through knitting with a one-to-one tuck stitch which is alternated every four rows of knitting and concerns each row of knitting.

21. The stocking according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said inner lateral band (4) is connected to said region (14) with increased compression at the belly region.

22. The stocking according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said pantie (6) has front lateral regions (15) formed with knitting with a one-to-one fixed tuck stitch which concerns one row of knitting in every two, the other row been formed with plain-stitch knitting.

Drawing