HOLDING DEVICE FOR SOCKS

Abstract

A holding device for socks, includes a flexible, particularly elastic, and essentially strip-shaped body, which can be inserted into the heel region of a shoe in such a way that the body rests against the heel of a foot located in the shoe at least in a lateral region of the foot and is supported on an inner sole and/or insole of the shoe, wherein the sock of the shoe wearer can be separably connected or is permanently connected to the body, particularly in an upper edge region of the body, or that the body is integrated into the sock in such a way that slipping of the sock off the heel of the foot within the shoe is restricted, wherein the body is in the worn state arranged entirely within the shoe.

Claims

1. A holding device for socks, comprising a flexible, particularly elastic, and essentially strip-shaped body, which can be inserted into the heel region of a shoe in such a way that the body rests against the heel of a foot located in the shoe at least in a lateral region of the foot and is supported on an inner sole and/or insole of the shoe, wherein the sock of the shoe wearer can be separably connected or is permanently connected to the body, particularly in an upper edge region of the body, or that the body is integrated into the sock in such a way that slipping of the sock off the heel of the foot within the shoe is restricted, wherein the body is in the worn state arranged entirely within the shoe.

2. The holding device according to claim 1, wherein the body can be separably connected to the sock by means of a fastening device.

3. The holding device according to claim 2, wherein the fastening device comprises at least one body-side fastening element that is arranged on the body, and in that the fastening device comprises at least one sock-side fastening element that is arranged on the sock, wherein the at least one body-side fastening element can be fixed on the at least one sock-side fastening element.

4. The holding device according to claim 3, wherein the fastening device comprises a Velcro connection or is realized in the form of a Velcro connection, wherein the at least one body-side fastening element comprises at least one first Velcro element, and wherein the at least one sock-side fastening element comprises a second Velcro element that can be fixed on the first Velcro element.

5. The holding device according to claim 1, wherein the sock can be fixed on the body by folding the upper sock edge over an edge of the body that faces away from the inner sole of the shoe.

6. The holding device according to claim 1, wherein the body has a recess, which is arranged in the center of the body referred to a longitudinal extent (L) of the body.

7. The holding device according to claim 1, wherein the body comprises or consists of a plastic material, particularly a PP or PE or PET material, and/or a biodegradable material, particularly a bamboo, palm leaf, sugar cane, maize or PLA material.

8. The holding device according to claim 1, wherein the body has at least one recess, preferably two recesses, wherein one respective recess is arranged on one of the respective end regions of the body.

9. The holding device according to claim 1, wherein the holding device respectively has a slot on a first and on a second end region, wherein said slot extends perpendicular to the lower edge of the body and is open toward the bottom in the worn state of the holding device.

10. The holding device according to claim 1, wherein the body is realized in such a way that the coefficient of friction of the body in the worn state between body and sock at least corresponds to the coefficient of friction of the pairing sock-shoe and/or skin-shoe, wherein the coefficient of friction of the body in the worn state between body and sock preferably is increased by 30%, particularly by 70%, especially by 100%, in comparison with the coefficient of friction of the pairing sock-shoe and/or skin-shoe.

11. The holding device according to claim 1, wherein part of or the entire surface of the body undergoes a friction-enhancing surface treatment, particularly a roughening process, and/or has a friction-enhancing structure, particularly fine barbs, and/or wherein part of or the entire surface of the body has a friction-enhancing coating, particularly a coat of lacquer or a rubber coating, and/or wherein the body consists partially or entirely of a friction-enhancing material, particularly leather and/or cork and/or textile.

12. The holding device according to claim 1, wherein the body is at least sectionally or entirely made of a material that is permeable to air and/or moisture and/or a moisture-regulating material.

13. The holding device according to claim 1, wherein the holding device has a sole element, which is connected to the body.

14. The holding device according to claim 1, wherein the holding device has a tab, which is connected to the body on the upper edge or in the region of the upper edge of the body.

15. The holding device according to claim 1, wherein the body comprises or consists of a printable material.

16. A sock, wherein the sock is designed for being separably fastened on a holding device according to claim 1, wherein the sock comprises the at least one second fastening element, or in that the sock is permanently connected to a holding device according to one of the preceding claims.

17. The sock according to claim 16, wherein the sock is connected to the holding device by means of a seam or a bonded joint or by means of an integration of the holding device into the sock fabric.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0067] The present invention is described in greater detail below with reference to the figures. In these figures:

[0068] FIG. 1 shows a representation of the body of the holding device,

[0069] FIG. 2 shows a perspective representation of the body of the holding device in the bent state, in which it is adapted to the shape of a foot,

[0070] FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional representation through a shoe in the form of a top view of the shoe, wherein a foot with a sock held by the holding device is arranged in the shoe,

[0071] FIG. 4 shows a lateral cross-sectional representation of the holding device in the worn state,

[0072] FIG. 5 shows a representation of another embodiment of the body of the holding device,

[0073] FIG. 6 shows a representation of the body in the worn state, in which it is arranged in the shoe,

[0074] FIG. 7a shows a representation of another embodiment of the body of the holding device, and

[0075] FIG. 7b shows another representation of the embodiment of the body of the holding device according to FIG. 7a.

[0076] FIG. 1 shows a representation of the body (10) of the holding device (100). The body (10) essentially is realized in a strip-shaped manner and has a longitudinal extent (L), which extends along a length of the strip shape of the body (10). The holding device (100) has a fastening device (17), which is fastened on the body (10) in an upper edge region (16) of the body (10). The body (10) has two end regions (18a, 18c) and a central region (18b), wherein the fastening device (17, 17a) is respectively arranged in the end regions (18a, 18c). The fastening device (17, 17a) comprises two body-side fastening elements (17a), wherein one respective body-side fastening element (17a) is arranged in one of the end regions (18a, 18c) of the body (10). The body-side fastening elements (17a) make it possible to fasten the body (10) on sock-side fastening elements (17a), which are arranged on the sock (15) and not illustrated in the figure.

[0077] The two end regions (18a, 18c) have a width (B1) that is greater than a width (B2) of the central region (18b). Since the width (B2) is smaller than the width (B1), a recess (21) is formed in the central region (18b). The recess (21) is in the worn state of the holding device (100) arranged in the heel region (11) of the foot (13) such that chafing of the upper edge region (16) is advantageously prevented while the holding device is worn.

[0078] At least the corners of the body (10), which are formed in the upper edge region (16) or border on the upper edge region (16), are realized in a rounded manner in order to additionally prevent chafing of the body (10) while the holding device (100) is worn.

[0079] FIG. 2 shows a perspective representation of the body (10) of the holding device (100) in a bent state, in which it is adapted to the shape of the foot (13) or the shape of the heel region (11) of the foot (13), respectively. In this state, the end regions (18a, 18c) of the body (10), as well as the body-side fastening elements (17a), are arranged such that they lie opposite of one another. In the state illustrated in FIG. 2, the body (10) can be fastened on the sock (15) in its heel region (11).

[0080] FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional representation through a shoe (12) in the form of a top view of the shoe (12), wherein a foot (13) with a sock (15) held by the holding device (100) is arranged in the shoe (12) such that slipping down of the sock (15) off the heel of the foot (13) is restricted.

[0081] The body (10) is fastened on the sock (15) by means of the fastening device (17). A body-side fastening element (17a) is respectively arranged in the two end regions (18a, 18c) of the body (10), wherein the two body-side fastening elements (17a) are respectively fastened on a sock-side fastening element (17b). The body-side fastening elements (17a) may be respectively realized, for example, in the form of a first Velcro element such as a hook band, wherein said body-side fastening elements are fastened on the sock-side fastening elements (17b), which are respectively realized in the form of a second Velcro element such as a loop band, by means of a Velcro connection. Alternatively, the first Velcro element may also be realized in the form of a loop band and the second Velcro element may be realized in the form of a hook band.

[0082] The holding device (100) or the body (10) of the holding device (100) respectively has a U-shape in the worn state. Since the body (10) is made of a flexible material, particularly an elastic material, the body (10) advantageously can adapt itself to different foot shapes and the respective flexibility or elasticity of the body (10) prevents chafing of the body (10) on the foot of the wearer.

[0083] The body (10) rests and is supported on the inner sole (14) of the shoe (12) with its lower edge region (19). In this way, the body (10) of the holding device (100) is reliably held in its position on the foot such that the sock (15) fastened on the body (10) is prevented from slipping down off the heel of the foot (13) and into the front region of the shoe (12). In this case, the sock may in fact temporarily slip down on the foot or the heel together with the holding device when the foot slightly moves out of the shoe while running. However, the holding device ensures that the sock once again reaches its original position on the foot once the shoe contacts the ground again.

[0084] According to FIGS. 1 and 2, the lower edge region (19) is realized in such a way that the body (10) rests on the inner sole (14) of the shoe (12) with its entire lower edge. At least three supporting points are required in the lower edge region (19) in order to firmly hold the sock (13) in its position in the shoe (12), wherein one supporting point is respectively arranged in the end regions (18a, 18c) and an additional supporting point is arranged in the central region (18b).

[0085] FIG. 4 shows a lateral cross-sectional representation of the holding device (100) in the worn state in a shoe (12). The holding device (100) is arranged in the heel region (11) of the foot (13) and encloses the heel in its entirety. The width of the holding device (100) or the body (10) is respectively chosen in such a way that the holding device (100) is arranged entirely in the interior of the shoe (12). This particularly means that the holding device (100) does not protrude beyond an upper edge (20) of the shoe (12). In this way, the holding device (100) is advantageously not perceived as visually objectionable.

[0086] The length and the width of the body (10) can be chosen in dependence on the shoe size. For example, the body (10) may have an overall length between 10 cm and 20 cm, preferably between 12 cm and 18 cm, particularly 15 cm, along its longitudinal extent (L).

[0087] For example, the two end regions (18a, 18c) may have a width B1 between 2 cm and 6 cm, preferably between 3 cm and 5 cm, particularly 4 cm, and the central region (18b) may have a width B2 between 0.5 cm and 1.5 cm, preferably between 0.7 cm and 1.3 cm, particularly 1 cm. The width B1 amounts, for example, to between 15% and 40%, preferably between 20% and 26%, particularly 23%, of the overall length of the body (10). The width B2 amounts, for example, to between 14% and 42%, preferably between 20% and 37%, particularly 28%, of the width B1.

[0088] For example, the recess (21) may have a length between 2 cm and 6 cm, preferably between 3 cm and 5 cm, particularly 4 cm, along the longitudinal extent (L) of the body (10). The length of the recess (21) amounts, for example, to between 13% and 40%, preferably between 20% and 33%, particularly 27%, of the overall length of the body (10).

[0089] The body preferably has a maximum thickness between 0.1 mm and, 1 mm, particularly between 0.2 mm and 0.5 mm, especially 0.4 mm. The thickness of the body preferably is constant at any point of the body. The thickness of the body may alternatively be chosen differently at different points in order to reinforce particularly stressed regions without having to increase the thickness of the entire body.

[0090] FIG. 5 shows another embodiment of the holding device (100) comprising the body (10), wherein the body (10) has two end regions (18a, 18c) and a central region (18b). In this case, the width (B2) of the body (10) in the central region (18b) is smaller, particularly about 50% smaller, than the width (B1) of the end regions (18a, 18c). Rectangular recesses in the form of through-openings (22) are provided in the end regions (18a, 18c) of the body (10). The recesses may also have shapes other than the rectangular shape shown, e.g. a circular or oval shape.

[0091] The lower edge region (19) of the body (10) respectively has a sole tab element (23) in the two end regions (18a, 18c). This sole tab element advantageously serves for preventing or at least reducing slipping of the body (10) underneath the sole of the foot. The sole tab element (23) may be a section of the body (10) that is bent over in such a way that it is arranged parallel to the shoe sole in the worn state of the holding device (100). A body-side fastening element (17a), e.g. a hook band for producing a Velcro connection with a sock-side loop band, is respectively arranged in the end regions (18a, 18c) in the region of the upper edge (20) of the body (10).

[0092] FIG. 5 furthermore shows the body (10) in the flat state, i.e. in the unbent state, wherein the sole tab elements (23) are likewise not bent over. The central region (18b) not only has a first recess (21) in the upper edge region (19a), but also a second recess (21a) in the lower edge region (19) of the body (10), wherein the depth of this second recess is reduced in comparison with the first recess (21).

[0093] FIG. 6 shows a side view of the holding device (100) according to FIG. 5 in the worn state in the shoe. The body (10) of the holding device (100) is nestled around the heel of the wearer. The two end regions (18a, 18c) of the body (10) are respectively arranged laterally on the foot of the wearer. In this case, the sock (15) essentially is fastened on the holding device (100) solely by means of the two fastening elements (17b) arranged in the end regions (18a, 18c) of the body (10).

[0094] FIGS. 7a shows another embodiment of the holding device (100), as well as an insole (25), against which the body is nestled. The holding device (100) comprises the body (10), wherein the body (10) has two end regions (18a, 18c) and a central region (18b). In this case, the width (B2) of the body (10) in the central region (18b) is smaller, particularly about 25% smaller, than the width (B1) of the end regions (18a, 18c). Five circular recesses in the form of through-openings (22) are respectively provided in the end regions (18a, 18c) of the body (10). The recesses may also have shapes other than the circular shape shown, e.g. an oval or rectangular shape.

[0095] The lower edge region (19) of the body (10) respectively has a sole tab element (23) and a slot (24a, 24b) in the two end regions (18a, 18c). The slot (24a, 24b) serves for positioning the body (10) partially in front of the insole and partially behind the insole. In this way, the body is reliably supported on the insole (25) and slipping down of the body is respectively prevented or reduced. A body-side fastening element (17a), e.g. a hook band for producing a Velcro connection with a sock-side loop band, is respectively arranged in the end regions (18a, 18c) in the region of the upper edge (20) of the body (10).

[0096] FIG. 7b furthermore shows the body (10) in the flat state, i.e. in the unbent state, wherein the sole tab elements (23) are likewise not bent over. The slots (24a, 24b) are arranged adjacent to the sole tab elements (23). The central region (18b) not only has a first recess (21) in the upper edge region (19a), but also a second recess (21a) in the lower edge region (19) of the body (10), wherein the depth of this second recess is reduced in comparison with the first recess (21).