Abstract: A knit sock is integrally formed of a body yarn in circumferential courses and axial wales, and includes a foot portion having a heel and a toe, and an ankle portion joined to the foot portion and defining an open leg end of the sock. A first targeted compression zone is formed with the foot portion between the heel and the toe, and includes spaced-apart axial compression ridges extending axially outward from the heel at a first end of the first compression zone to a second end of the first compression zone. A second targeted compression zone is formed with the ankle portion between the heel and the open leg end of the sock, and includes spaced-apart axial compression ridges extending axially outward from the heel at a first end of the second compression zone to a second end of the second compression zone.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 6, 2017
Date of Patent:
September 8, 2020
Assignee:
Flagship Brands, LLC
Inventors:
Hugh Gaither, John Gaither, James Richard
Abstract: A frame holding device holds an embroidery frame provided with a first frame and a second frame. The second frame includes a mounting portion. The frame holding device includes a fixing portion, a base portion, an engaging portion, and a regulation portion. The base portion is connected to the fixing portion. The base portion extends in a first direction and includes a placement surface. The engaging portion is configured to engage with an engaged portion provided on the mounting portion. The regulation portion is configured to restrict the second frame from moving in a third direction by coming into contact with the mounting portion in a state in which the engaged portion and the engaging portion are engaged with each other. The third direction is a direction intersecting with the first direction and the placement surface.
Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a knitting needle for a knitting set for producing cross-sectionally round knitted products, having a first leg extending in a variable manner from a bendable shaft portion in a first extension direction to a first free end suitable for holding stitches, and a second leg extending in a variable manner from the bendable shaft portion in a second extension direction to a second free end suitable for holding stitches, wherein the free ends are in the form of rounded tips, and wherein the center of gravity of the knitting needle is arranged within the shaft portion, wherein the first extension direction and the second extension direction are at a variable angle to one another.
Abstract: A sliver-knit insulating fabric is disclosed that has pile extending from both sides of a knitted base material with the insulating fabric having a weight per unit area of less than 200 g/m2. The pile is formed from a plurality of tufts of fibers secured within the knitted base material. The tufts of fibers define a plurality of end portions extending from the knitted base material with a first portion of the end portions extending from a first side of the knitted base material to form a first pile portion and a second portion of the end portions extending from a second side of the knitted base material to form a second pile portion. A method of forming the sliver-knit insulating fabric is also disclosed.
Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate generally to biosensing garments, and in particular, to systems and methods for monitoring respiration in a biosensing garment, whereby an improved integration of the respiration monitoring circuit into the garment is achieved, resulting in improved signal quality and durability. In some embodiments, an apparatus includes an elongate member having a longitudinal axis and configured to be stretchable along its longitudinal axis. The elongate member includes a plurality of elastic members (e.g., a first elastic member, a second elastic member, and a third elastic member) that extend along the longitudinal axis. A conductive member is coupled to the first, second and third members, and forms a “curved” pattern along the longitudinal axis of the elongate member. The conductive member is configured to change from a first configuration to a second configuration as the elongate member stretches along its longitudinal axis.
Abstract: In one aspect, the present disclosure provides an article, which may be an upper for an article of footwear in some embodiments. The article may include a knitted component with a first zone and a second zone adjacent to the first zone. The knitted component may include a tab element extending from the first zone, where the tab element and the first zone include a common yarn. The first zone may include a first elasticity and the second zone may include a second elasticity, where the first elasticity is less than the second elasticity.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 9, 2017
Date of Patent:
August 25, 2020
Assignee:
NIKE, Inc.
Inventors:
Travis Berrian, Bryan N. Farris, Adrian Meir, Noah Murphy-Reinhertz
Abstract: The invention relates to a prosthetic porous knit based on a monofilament of a biocompatible polymer material, the pattern followed for the knitting of said monofilament on a warp knitting machine having two guide bars B1, B2 being the following, according to the ISO 11676 standard: Bar B1: 1.2/4.5/4.3/4.5/4.3/1.0/1.2/1.0// Bar B2: 4.3/1.0/1.2/1.0/1.2/4.5/4.3/4.5// The invention further relates to a method for producing such a knit and to a hernia prosthesis comprising such a knit.
Abstract: Footwear includes an inner knitted fabric (5) and an outer knitted fabric (4) that are connected by a stitch row at a top line (6). In the footwear, wale directions of the inner knitted fabric and the outer knitted fabric are different, and/or, the outer knitted fabric is provided with a portion made of a knitted structure (50) with holes, and the inner knitted fabric arranged on the inner side of that portion is made of a knitted structure (60) whose stretchability is lower than that of another portion of the inner knitted fabric. A difference in stretchability between the vertical and horizontal directions of the footwear provided with a double layer knitted fabric is reduced, or a difference in stretchability depending on the position in the footwear is reduced.
Abstract: A sewn product making apparatus such as a sewing robot can be used to produce a variety of products over a broad range of sizes, shapes or materials. Various examples are provided related to the automation of sewing robots, and the making of sewn products. In one example, among others, a system can generate a product making path using a product construction file, and instruct a sewing device and fabric mover(s) to automatically sew the product based upon the product making path. The product making path can be modified when a deviation is detected, and the sewing adjusted based upon the modified product making path. The product construction file can be generated using information from a computer aided design associated with the product.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 12, 2019
Date of Patent:
August 11, 2020
Assignee:
SoftWear Automation, Inc.
Inventors:
Michael J. Baker, Barrett C. Clark, Eric Guenterberg, Alexander Ren Gurney
Abstract: Presented is a method, apparatus, and computer-readable medium for moving. A method includes sensing a change in a torque on a motor operably connected to a sewing head for at least partially assisting movement of the sewing head relative to a workpiece. The method further includes adjusting an output of the motor to change at least one of a direction and a speed of movement of the sewing head in response to the sensed change in the torque.
Abstract: Knitted components may include a first knit layer including a first yarn, a second knit layer, and a plurality of inlaid courses of a high tenacity yarn having a tenacity of at least six grams-force per denier. The plurality of inlaid courses of the high tenacity yarn may include at least three courses of high tenacity yarn, each of which may be separated from an adjacent course of the first plurality of courses of the high tenacity yarn by no more than five courses of the first yarn.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 20, 2018
Date of Patent:
August 4, 2020
Assignee:
NIKE, Inc.
Inventors:
Lauren E. Cox, Seth M. Wiberg, Roberto Zavala
Abstract: A first fabric of footwear comprising a closed lower end forming a toe and an open upper end and a second fabric that is open on a side opposite the first fabric is knitted on on front and back needle beds of a flat knitting machine. Double stitches formed between stitches at the upper end of the first fabric and between stitches at the upper end of the second fabric are taken from the needle beds. Remaining stitches at the first fabric upper end are held on one needle bed, and remaining stitches at the second fabric upper end are held on the other needle bed. Fabrics that follow the remaining stitches at the first fabric upper end and the remaining stitches at the second fabric upper end are knitted toward the heel of the footwear.
Abstract: A method for preparing a tubular article, such as a sock or the like, for automated pickup at the end of its forming on a double cylinder circular machine with at least one feed or drop, and to a double cylinder circular machine for the execution thereof. The method in question is executed on a machine with at least one feed or drop (100) and with the needle cylinders (4, 5) actuatable with a rotary motion about their own axes (3) with respect to needle actuation cams, to cams (34) for actuating the knockover sinkers (33) and to the feed or drop (100).
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 4, 2016
Date of Patent:
July 21, 2020
Assignee:
Lonati S.P.A.
Inventors:
Ettore Lonati, Fausto Lonati, Francesco Lonati
Abstract: In one aspect of the present disclosure, a knitted component may include a knitted layer at least partially formed with a plurality of first yarns and a retention system formed in the knitted layer. The retention system may include a plurality of floating portions of the first yarns, and may be movable from a first state to a second state. In the first state, the plurality of floating portions of the first yarns may assume a slack state, where a float length of the first yarns may be greater than a dimension of the retention system.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 20, 2017
Date of Patent:
July 21, 2020
Assignee:
NIKE, Inc.
Inventors:
Stephen J. Hipp, Fanny Y. Ho, Bruce J. Kilgore, Thomas J. Rushbrook
Abstract: An article of footwear has an upper that includes a knitted component and a sole structure secured to the upper. The knitted component may define a tube formed of unitary knit construction, and a strand may extend through a length of the tube. As another example, the knitted component may have a pair of at least partially coextensive knitted layers formed of unitary knit construction, and a plurality of floating yarns may extend between the knitted layers. In some configurations, the knit type or yarn type may vary in different regions of the knitted component to impart different properties. Additionally, the knitted component may incorporate a thermoplastic yarn that is fused in different regions of the knitted component to impart different properties. A flat knitting process or a variety of other knitting processes may be utilized to form the knitted component.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
April 28, 2017
Date of Patent:
July 21, 2020
Assignee:
NIKE, Inc.
Inventors:
Bhupesh Dua, Bruce Huffa, Benjamin A. Shaffer
Abstract: A protective textile sleeve and method of construction thereof is provided. The sleeve has a knit, tubular wall extending lengthwise along a central longitudinal axis between opposite ends. The knit wall has a first state with a decreased length, increased cross-sectional area, as viewed in cross-section taken generally transversely to the central longitudinal axis, and a second state with an increased length, decreased cross-sectional area, as viewed in cross-section taken generally transversely to the central longitudinal axis. The wall includes knit, heat-set yarns imparting a bias on the wall, wherein the bias causes the wall to remain substantially in the first and second states absent an externally applied force.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 12, 2017
Date of Patent:
July 14, 2020
Assignee:
Federal-Mogul Powertrain LLC
Inventors:
Michael Knudson, Tianqi Gao, Zhong Huai Zhang, Leigh Krauser
Abstract: An upper for an article of footwear, the upper including a base layer defining a least a portion of the upper and polymer threads stitched to the base layer. The polymer threads may include a core composed of a first material and a coating composed of a second material, where the melting point of the first material is higher than the melting point of the second material. The polymer threads may be bonded to the base layer by the coating of the polymer threads. The polymer threads may include one or more polymer thread sets stitched in pattern(s) on area(s) of an outer surface of the base layer to provide targeted characteristics to area(s) on the upper. In some embodiments, the polymer threads may be bonded to the base layer with heat and/or pressure.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 5, 2018
Date of Patent:
June 30, 2020
Assignee:
adidas AG
Inventors:
Jason Daniel McGinnity, Janette P. Atkins, Elise Marie Hall, Carl Arnese
Abstract: A needle-holding element for circular knitting machines, having a structure as a hollow solid of rotation developing around a central axis and configured for rotating and for supporting a plurality of needles moving so as to produce a knitted fabric; the needle-holding element has at least one working surface shaped as a surface of rotation obtained through the rotation of a portion of generating straight line around the central axis; on the working surface a plurality of needle seats is defined, placed one beside the other and arranged circumferentially or radially around the central axis, wherein each needle seat movably houses at least a portion of at least one respective needle. At least one needle seat has at least a first length has a longitudinal development, on the working surface, inclined with respect to the generating straight line.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 14, 2015
Date of Patent:
June 30, 2020
Assignee:
SANTONI S.P.A.
Inventors:
Ettore Lonati, Fausto Lonati, Andrea Lonati
Abstract: A compression knit fabric consisting of a base knit and an elastic weft yarn inserted therein. The base knit is formed from at least one knitting yarn, and the weft yarn is inserted in weft yarn courses between two consecutive stitch courses of the base knit. The knitting yarn in each stitch course of the base knit is knit in alternation as loop stitch and tuck, so that the knitting yarn forms a tuck stitch between two loops of a stitch course of the base knit. The weft yarn is inserted between adjacent stitch courses of the base knit in alternation as tuck and float so that the weft yarn floats between two tuck stitches of a weft yarn course. The alternating sequence of loop stitch and tuck in consecutive stitch courses of the base knit is offset by a stitch relative to the alternating sequence of tuck and float in consecutive weft yarn courses.
Abstract: The present invention provides a method for knitting three-dimensional shoe blanks, comprising: knitting a heel and lateral portion; continuing knitting a rear sole portion; continuing knitting a front sole portion; continuing knitting a toe cap portion; and continuing knitting a tongue portion. When the knitting comes to the first connecting selvage edges at the two sides of the rear sole portion, the first connecting selvage edges can be knitted together with the lateral live stitches in the heel and lateral portion, so that the heel and lateral portion can be combined with the rear sole portion. Also, when the knitting comes to the second connecting selvage edges at the two sides of the toe cap portion, the second connecting selvage edges can be knitted together with the latitudinal live stitches in the front sole portion, so that the toe cap portion can be combined with the front sole portion.