Abstract: A girdle for tights or pantyhose, in which the regions that constitute the panty and the initial portions of the stretch hose are constituted by a tuck-stitch mesh, formed starting from a plain background mesh so as to obtain, by combining and knitting in three dimensions particular conventional threads and elastic threads which are conveniently woven together, a mesh having alternating undulations which are considerably in relief with respect to the plain mesh, such as to generate an adequate compression and thus a massaging and tonic action in the regions of the body contained in the girdle.

Abstract: A convertible stocking for use by dancers is disclosed. The stocking may be converted from a footed to footless stocking without changing the stocking. The stocking has a main tubular portion, a toe pocket portion, and a foot opening collar. The main tubular portion is knitted in a continuous, circular manner to form a substantially uniform knit tube having a border at one end. The toe pocket portion is knitted in a continuous, reciprocating manner onto about one half of the border of the main tubular portion using successive courses of yarn beginning with about one half the total number of knitting needles of the knitting machine and progressively decreasing the number of knitting needles used to knit each course and then increasing the number of knitting needles to about one half the total number of knitting needles thereby forming a knitted pocket over about one half the border of the main tubular portion. The pocket has a terminating edge.

Abstract: A sock whose leg portion has wicking regions interspersed among fabric folds which are adapted to increase the effective surface area of the leg portion. The foot and leg portions of the sock may be constructed of the same material, such as synthetic, hydrophobic yarns, and formed in a unitary manner, either by weaving or knitting. The wicking regions may be formed using stitching along outer edges of a plurality of diamond shapes. Alternatively, the wicking regions may be formed by a set of first fabric bands, wherein the fabric folds comprise a set of second fabric bands, and the first and second bands alternate horizontally along a length of the tubular leg portion. The first fabric bands are preferably elastic or stretchable to maintain the first fabric bands in intimate contact with a wearer's skin.

Abstract: A sock for therapeutic use in arterial insufficiency, cardiac and circulatory decompensation, venous insufficiency, arthrosis and rheumatism. The sock includes a leg portion (12), a foot portion (15, 16) and an ankle-neck of the foot portion (12', 14) between the foot and the leg, where at least some of the said portions of the sock have an elasticized knit structure with an elasticity graduated from part to part.

Abstract: A hosiery garment including at least a leg portion comprising a fabric defined by a ground knitted structure having a plurality of successive courses knitted from a ground yarn and a bare elastomeric yarn laid-in preferably on every course, or alternatively on alternate courses, of the ground knitted structure so as to cross-over the head of sinker loops between selected wales, the ground and elastomeric yarns being such that the ground knitted structure defines the front and rear faces of the fabric and said elastomeric yarn is located in between and spaced from said front and rear faces so as to be shielded from surface contact with an opposing surface when the front or rear surface of the fabric contacts said opposing surface.

Abstract: A support sock is provided that stabilizes the ankle without the use of bulky bandages or specialized orthotic type shoes. The sock has elastic material around the ankle area extending down to the arch where the arch and instep are securely bound. The binding of these areas with elastic material restricts the foot of the user while not prohibiting movement. The sock can be worn with or without shoe gear.

Abstract: A therapeutic stocking for applying compressive force to the wearer's leg having an integrally knit anti-slip feature on the foot portion. The anti-slip feature being knit of bare and covered elastomeric yarns. The anti-slip feature further having an instep portion and a sole portion having greater frictional characteristics than the instep portion. The sole portion being knit in a repeating pattern having courses of knit and float stitches of a covered elastomeric yarn and jersey courses of a bare elastomeric yarn. The bare elastomeric yarn being substantially on the exterior surface of the sole portion yielding a friction surface which is located to contact the floor beneath the wearer's foot and minimize slippage thereon.

Abstract: A holding apparatus for holding a urine bag on a user's leg, especially the thigh, has a first knitted hose part, a second knitted hose part of the same diameter which is connected to the first hose part via a continuous connecting region. The first hose part is positioned onto a leg. The second hose part is folded upwardly onto the first knitted hose part to secure the urine bag on the leg. Also, a separating region, in the connecting region, enables the passage of an outlet of the urine bag when the knitted hose parts are in a folded condition.

Abstract: A pantyhose or the like garment having a novel waistband construction comprising an anchor portion and an integrally knit wide band portion. The waistband is substantially wider than conventional waistbands, the anchor portion consisting of a narrow turned welt portion and a wide single ply band portion, each incorporating textured nylon and elastomer yarns.

Abstract: A knit pattern for fabrics which will not run when the fabric is torn or snagged. The knit pattern provides non-run pantyhose when use to knit pantyhose for women. The knit pattern consists of four repeating courses. The first course alternates a face loop stitch with a tuck stitch. The second course alternates a face loop stitch with a tuck stitch, with each face loop stitch of the first course being in the same column as each tuck stitch of the third course, and each tuck stitch of the first course being in the same column as each face loop stitch of the third course. The fourth course is knit into continuous face loop stitches.

Abstract: Moisture control characteristics are imparted to the sock of the present invention by body yarn knit in successive courses throughout the leg and foot. A hydrophobic yarn is knit in plated relationship with the body yarn in partial courses extending throughout the sole, and hydrophilic yarn is knit in plated relationship with the body yarn in partial courses extending throughout the instep whereby moisture generated by the foot of the wearer is wicked and transported from the sole and into the instep to be evaporated therefrom. Cut free ends extend from the endmost stitch loops in wales along the juncture of the sole and the instep while cut free ends of the hydrophilic yarn extend from endmost stitch loops in wales along the juncture of the sole and instep so that the endmost stitch loops at opposite ends of the partial courses of the hydrophobic and hydrophilic yarns are formed in adjacent wales and are not knit in plated relationship with each other in the same courses.

Abstract: The present invention provides a full body hosiery garment. The garment contains a panty portion and two tubular leg portions with adjoining foot portions. The panty, leg, and foot portions are formed of spun nylon or other pantyhose material. An upper camisole portion is connected to the panty portion to provide a smooth contour with the panty portion to define a non-binding waist area.

Abstract: A high bulk, heat shrunk fabric of texturized thermoplastic yarns in an open pattern of lock stitch knitted or leno woven yarns, said fabric exhibiting good biaxial stretch and recovery.

Abstract: A knitted sock of a length not extending above the knee of the wearer and of a fabric having less than about 105 stitches per square centimeter, the fabric of the sock having an elastic character that varies progressively from the ankle area to the top marginal area in a manner so that the fabric-to-leg pressure at the mid-calf is less than 60% of the pressure at the area of minimum leg circumference.

Abstract: Elastic yarn is incorporated in different manners in two circumferential sections of the ankle and arch portions of the sock to provide compressive force and support to these areas of the wearer. The elastic yarn is incorporated in spaced-apart wales of each course of the ankle and arch portions and is floated inside of plural wales in the rear half of successive courses in the ankle and lower half of the arch to form mock ribs extending around substantially the rear half of the sock. The elastic yarn is incorporated in every other wale of single alternating courses and in the remaining wales of single intervening courses in the front half of the ankle and upper half of the arch to form a diamond pattern extending around substantially the front half of the sock. By incorporating the elastic yarn in two different manners in every course, the proper amount of compressive force and support is provided on the ankle and arch of the wearer.

Abstract: An improved support stocking exhibits a compression profile customized to the patient's needs and corresponding to a computer program determined profile.

Abstract: A knit construction having a repeating six-course, two wale pattern in which the six courses include four courses comprising alternating knit and tuck stitches and two courses comprising alternating knit and float stitches, and each of the wales includes the knit stitches of two of the courses of alternating knit and tuck stitches and one of the courses of knit and float stitches, the tuck stitches of the other two of the courses of knit and tuck stitches, and the float stitches of the other of the courses of knit and float stitches.

Abstract: Elastomeric yarn is incorporated in regularly repeated certain courses throughout the leg and foot portion of the sock. The certain courses in which the elastomeric yarn is incorporated in the foot portion are closer together than the certain courses in which the elastomeric yarn is incorporated in the leg portion so that the density of elastomeric yarn is greater in the foot portion than the density of the elastomeric yarn in the leg portion. The greater density of elastomeric yarn in the foot portion provides a snug fit, provides greater compressive support in the foot portion than in the leg portion, and aids in the stimulation of blood flow from the foot and up the leg of the wearer.

Abstract: The present invention comprises an athletic undergarment having trunk and leg portions woven from a sheer, resiliently elastic material and foot portions knit from heavy compressible yarn. The leg portions are permanently secured to the interior of the foot portions in a manner which both maximizes the area of contact between the yarn and the wearer's feet and reduces the tendency of the foot portions to unravel following periods of prolonged usage. The resilient elasticity of the sheer trunk and leg portions furnish muscle support and circulatory stimulation for the wearer's legs, while the knit foot portions prevent relative slippage and excessive perspiration build-up between the foot portions, leg portions and the wearer's shoes.

Abstract: This tube sock is of a medium or dress weight so that the sock may be comfortably worn with dress shoes and includes very long and fine terry loops in the heel and sole area to provide the sock with cushion and comfort characteristics of the type normally provided in heavy weight athletic type socks. The sock is knit on a fine gauge machine of the type normally employed in knitting ladies' sheer hosiery and panty hose, usually provided with 400 needles. The sock is knit on every other or alternative needles so that it contains only 200 wales instead of the normal 400 wales usually contained in ladies' sheer hosiery articles. The terry loops formed in the heel and sole area are formed on dial instruments projected outwardly over an idle needle so that unusually long terry loops are formed of a fine cotton yarn which are three to five times as long as the stitch loops formed of the body yarn. spThis a division of application Ser. No. 939,261, filed Sept. 7, 1978 now U.S. Pat. No. 4,172,370.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing support garments for human extremities, and the garments so produced. A support garment form is cut from a sheet of warp-knit power fabric, the fabric having a lengthwise (machine) dimension of greatest stretch and power, and a filling dimension (the cross-machine direction) in which the stretch is incidental (i.e., about 250%/80% or at least 2/1) and the sheet being orientated during cutting so that the lengthwise dimension of the sheet extends circumferentially in the final garment produced. The edges of the garment formed are seamed to produce the final support garment, the seam extending along the dimension of elongation of the extremity on which the support garment fits.

Abstract: Circumferential adjustment is provided in a generally wedge-shaped insert sewn into a slit extending downwardly in the upper thigh engaging portion of the elastic stocking and the insert is divided longitudinally along the medial portion to provide first and second insert panels. A strip of hooked fasteners is sewn to the free edge of one of the insert panels for holding the panels in circumferentially adjusted overlapping relationship. Spaced-apart lines of walewise extending special stitch loops are provided on the insert panels to indicate the amount of overlap of the insert panels.

Abstract: A full-length, anti-embolism stocking extends over a wearer's leg and is adapted to exhibit a controlled, graduated compressive force on the leg. The compressive force is greatest in the ankle area and diminishes over the length of the stocking to a minimum at the top. Three distinct and defined sections make up the stocking, a lower section covering the calf and foot has a one-way stretch in a circumferential direction, an upper section covering the thigh also has a one-way stretch in a circumferential direction, and an intermediate section covering the knee has a two-way stretch. The knee and calf-foot sections comprise a fabric formed with a jersey stitch incorporating an elastomeric yarn. In the knee section the elastomeric yarn is knit-in to provide the two-way stretch and in the calf-foot section it is laid-in to provide only a one-way, circumferential stretch.

Abstract: A method for producing conventionally usable, stable, preshrunk and crimped yarn from greige self-crimping bicomponent or biconstituent yarn. The method employs a knit-de-knit procedure to impart a so-called mechanical crimp in the self-crimping yarn as that yarn is subjected to an initial heat treatment. The knit-de-knit process has been modified in order to knit the knit-de-knit tubular sleeve more loosely and to obtain a crimp rate per thread line inch within a predetermined range. The knit tubular sleeve is collected in the form of a fabric roll, the internal diameter of which is controlled so that during heating the yarn crimp can develop uniformly. The yarn produced thereby can be used to produce "to size" greige fabric or garments which exhibit better snag or pick resistance than such fabrics or garments produced from conventional greige yarn. These fabrics or garments can thereafter be subjected to normal finishing procedures.

Abstract: A garment including a leg (hose) portion, having increased uniformity of compressive force over a wider range of flexing. The hose is knitted conventionally from a bicomponent yarn, one component being an acid-dyeable hard fiber and the other component being a particular type of elastomeric polyurethane resistant to acid dyes.

Abstract: A circular knit therapeutic garment in which bare elastomeric yarn is knit in selected courses and wales with a non-elastomeric yarn in other selected courses and wales in the boot portion of a stocking to provide a retractive or compressive force of graduating degrees as required with a circumferential heel-instep band of lesser retractive or compressive force, and a closed toe area in which stretchable fabric with minimal retractive forces is integrally knit to the foot portion of the garment whereby the bar elastomeric yarns are buried or concealed by the knitted non-elastomeric yarns to provide improved hand and snag resistance and retractive force on the leg of a wearer.

Abstract: A crimpable, nylon bicomponent filament having a sheath of a selected polyamide on an eccentric core of a random copolymer of hexamethylene dodecanedioamide and .epsilon.-caproamide units. The copolymer contains about 25-45% by weight of .epsilon.-caproamide units.

Abstract: An elastic fabric containing producers twist continuous filament yarns, which in spite of their features make it possible to obtain a fabric having high elasticity and power stretch indexes; said synthetic yarns are knit just as issued from spinning, without previously being submitted to any texturing or warping operation, in a large diameter interlock type circular machine, with two sets of needles, on a pique basis and with interlacing interlock and jersey courses. In the interlock courses a first synthetic yarn is incorporated, while in the jersey courses a polyurethane originated elastomeric yarn tensioned under control, having as a companion or carrier yarn a second synthetic yarn, is incorporated.

Abstract: The snag resistant leg portion of this hosiery article is knit of a composite self-crimping yarn including a series of mechanical crimps imparted thereto prior to knitting, and a series of crimps imparted to the composite yarn by development of the latent crimp in the composite yarn after knitting. The hosiery article knit of the composite self-comprising yarn having both types of crimp therein has much greater snag or pick resistance than either a hosiery article knit of the same type of composite yarn but including only the crimps imparted by development of the latent crimp in the yarn, or a hosiery article knit of yarn having mechanical crimp only. The knitting of a mechanically crimped composite yarn also produces a normal size greige hosiery article blank which may be processed in the usual manner to produce the finished hosiery article.

Abstract: A circular knit therapeutic stocking in which bare elastomeric yarn is knit in selected courses and wales with a non-elastomeric yarn in other selected courses and wales in the welt, boot and foot portions of a stocking to provide a retractive or compressive force of graduating degrees as required with a circumferential heel-instep band of lesser retractive or compressive force, and a closed toe area in which stretchable fabric with minimal retractive forces is integrally knit to the foot portion of the stocking whereby the bare elastomeric yarns are buried or concealed by the knitted non-elastomeric yarns and in which a welt panel of flexible and relatively non-stretchable material is secured in the welt portion of the stocking to be positioned on the inner upper thigh of the leg of a wearer.

Abstract: A therapeutic stocking comprising, a circumferentially elastic boot portion having an upper thigh panel for exerting a desired compressive pressure against the upper thigh of a wearer's leg. The upper thigh panel has a limited vertical stretch relative a hip panel for accurate placement of the upper thigh panel on the wearer's upper thigh. The stocking has waist support means, and the hip panel extends between the support means and the upper thigh panel along the side of the wearer's hip. The hip panel is vertically stretchable between the support means and the upper thigh panel to permit placement of the support means on the wearer's waist a variable distance from the upper thigh while the upper thigh panel remains at its proper position on the wearer's upper thigh.

Abstract: A tubular knit seamless stocking having boot, heel, instep and toe portions formed of non-elastomeric yarn, incorporating, substantially throughout except in the toe portion, at least one elastomeric stretchable retractive yarn having the major portion thereof inlaid coursewise of, and locked in, said portions. The toe portion is formed primarily of non-elastomeric yarn and is free from elastomeric stretchable retractive yarn. The non-elastomeric yarn may be stretch or torque yarn preferably of s and z twist in the boot, heel and instep portions. The heel and toe portions each include a shaped pocket knit of non-elastomeric yarn including partial courses preferably varying in length in the toe portion, the cut ends of yarn of each partial course being knit in tuck-float relationship with a stitch loop of an adjacent course to prevent pulling out.

Abstract: This stocking is knit on a circular hosiery knitting machine and the upper end of the leg is provided with an upstanding and integrally knit extension with a narrow elastic band extending around the remaining portion of the upper end of the leg portion. Opposite ends of the elastic band are attached to opposite sides of the extension. The upper section of the leg portion, immediately below the band and the extension, is knit with alternate courses of covered spandex yarn and intervening courses of stretchable textured yarn. The spandex yarn and stretchable yarn are both alternately knit and tucked to provide a circumferentially enlarged area in this upper portion of the leg of the stocking.