Method and device for stretching socks, knee socks and the like on steaming forms

A method for stretching hosiery articles comprising the steps of:

• placing a hosiery article on a steaming form, said steaming form comprising an outer steaming form portion comprising a plurality of holes and an inner steaming form portion comprising a plurality of retractable tangs communicating with said holes;
• stretching a tubular portion of said hosiery article to an extended position;
• engaging said tubular portion by means of a tanged friction surface;
• said tanged friction surface comprising said retractable tangs oriented towards the opening of said tubular portion in a direction that is opposite to that direction which the article is first placed on the form such that said hosiery article is secured upon said steaming form when said retractable tangs of said friction surface are in the engaged position;
• steaming said article;
• and
• disengaging said tanged friction surface to release said article from said form.

A device for stretching a hosiery article upon a steaming form;

• said steaming form comprising:
• a fastening portion;
• a straight portion;
• and,
• an end portion in the shape of a foot;
• wherein said straight portion comprising a friction surface for engaging said hosiery article, said friction surface comprising means for varying said friction surface, said means for varying said friction surface comprising:
• a plurality of elongated and inclined holes;
• a plurality of retractable tangs for communicating with said elongated and inclined holes;
• and,
• means for reciprocating said retractable tangs with respect to said elongated and inclined holes, whereby said tangs engage said hosiery article when said tangs protrude from said elongated and inclined holes and release said article when said tangs are retracted.