DEVICE FOR GETTING SOCKS ON

Abstract

A device for assisting a person in getting a sock onto their foot features a handle connected to two blades. The handle has a middle and two ends, the middle being configured to be held by a person's hand who is getting a sock on their foot. The blades have substantially similar shapes and dimensions. Each blade has a side member and a blade member. Each side member has a top portion connected to a respective end of the handle and also having a front side member surface. Each blade member having a blade profile with a blade slot surface, a top curved/radii profile, a front blade surface and a bottom blade surface. Each front side member surface and each blade slot surface is dimensioned and angled to form a respective blade slot between each side member and each blade member configured to receive a top portion of the sock. Each top curved/radii profile is configured to allow the top portion of the sock to slide onto each blade member and into each blade slot so that each blade engages and holds the top portion of the sock when the person pulls the sock onto their foot and also releases the top portion of the sock once the person gets the sock on their foot and rotates the device upwardly away from the sock.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

You can reach further in front of yourself with one hand than you can with two hands together. Because of this truth, many adults find difficulty in getting their socks on, since their reach is limited when using two hands together.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

A small, simple, one piece, hand-held device that allows a user to quickly and comfortably get a sock on by employing the benefit of the user's enhanced reach when using just one hand.

Most sock aids currently available are primarily intended for use by physically compromised individuals. They are larger, more complicated and work more slowly than the subject device, which is intended for general use. The subject device works very quickly. A regular user can reliably get a sock on a foot in less than five seconds.

The subject device is made up of three components: The blades upon which the sock is mounted, the side members that connect the blades to the handle, and the handle. The design length of the handle spreads the blades to straddle an adult foot while also serving as a convenient crossmember for grasping the device during use.

To use the device, a sock cuff is stretched across the two blades and then pulled onto the foot in one motion.

Specific Embodiments

The present invention provides a device for assisting a person in getting a sock onto their foot, featuring a handle connected to two blades.

The handle has a middle and two ends, the middle being configured to be held by a person's hand who is getting a sock on their foot.

The two blades have substantially similar shapes and dimensions. Each blade has a side member and a blade member. Each side member has a top portion connected to a respective end of the handle and also having a front side member surface. Each blade member having a blade profile with a blade slot surface, a top curved/radii profile, a front blade surface and a bottom blade surface. Each front side member surface and each blade slot surface is dimensioned and angled to form a respective blade slot between each side member and each blade member configured to receive a top portion of the sock. Each top curved/radii profile is configured to allow the top portion of the sock to slide onto each blade member and into each blade slot so that each blade engages and holds the top portion of the sock when the person pulls the sock onto their foot and also releases the top portion of the sock once the person gets the sock on their foot and rotates the device upwardly away from the sock.

The device may also include one or more of the following features:

The device may be an integral one piece unit, as well as the handle and the two blades being separate pieces.

The device may be made from either plastic or metal.

The handle may have a length of about four (4) inches to allow the foot of the person to slide inbetween the blades for pulling the sock on the foot of the person, e.g., which may include a range of about 3.5-4.5 inches.

Each blade slot may be configured with a respective angle of about 15°,

e.g., which may include a range of about 5°-25°.

Each blade slot surface and each front blade surface of each blade member may be configured at an angle of about 45°, e.g., which may include a range of about 35°-55°.

Each front blade surface and each bottom blade surface of each blade member may be configured at an angle of about 45°, e.g., which may include a range of about 35°-55°.

Each blade profile may include a front curved/radii profile coupling the front blade surface and each bottom blade surface.

Each blade slot may include a blade slot bottom surface coupling each blade slot surface and each front side member surface.

Each side member has a top-to-bottom length of about three (3) inches, e.g., which may include a range of about 2.5-3.5 inches.

Each blade may include a front-to-back length length of about three (3) inches, e.g., which may include a range of about 2.5-3.5 inches.

Each side member may include a back side member surface; and each blade member may include a back curved/radii profile coupling each back side member surface and each bottom blade surface.

Each bottom blade surface and each back side member surface may be substantially perpendicular to each other.

The handle and the blades may be arranged substantially perpendicular to each other.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a diagram of one of two symmetric blades connected to a handle shown in phantom of a device for assisting a person in getting a sock onto their foot, according to some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of a front view of the device shown in FIG. 1 for assisting a person in getting a sock onto their foot, according to some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a photograph having a side perspective view of a device for assisting a person in getting a sock onto their foot, according to some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a photograph having a top view of the device shown in FIG. 3 for assisting a person in getting a sock onto their foot, according to some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a photograph having a bottom view of the device shown in FIG. 3 for assisting a person in getting a sock onto their foot, according to some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a photograph having a side perspective view of the device shown in FIG. 3 for assisting a person in getting a sock onto their foot, according to some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 7A is a photograph of a person using the device shown in FIG. 3 for assisting the person in getting a sock onto their foot, according to some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 7B is a photograph of a person using the device shown in FIG. 3 for assisting the person in getting a sock onto their foot, according to some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a photograph of a person using the device shown in FIG. 3 for assisting the person in getting a sock onto their foot, according to some embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention provides a device generally indicated as 10 (FIGS. 1-6) for assisting a person in getting a sock S (FIGS. 7A and 7B) onto their foot F (FIG. 8). The device 10 includes a handle 20 connected to two blades 30.

The handle 20 has a middle 22 and two ends 24a, 24b. The middle 22 is configured to be held by a person's hand H (FIGS. 7A, 7B and 8) who is getting the sock S on their foot F.

The two blades 30 have substantially similar shapes and dimensions, e.g., as shown in FIGS. 3-5. Each blade 30 has two portion, e.g., including a side member 32 and a blade member 34.

Each side member 32 has a respective top portion 32a, each connected to a respective end 24a, 24b of the handle 20. Each side member 32 also has a respective front side member surface 32b.

Each blade member 34 has a respective blade profile 36 (FIG. 1), e.g., having a blade slot surface 36a, a top curved/radii profile 36b, a front blade surface 36c and a bottom blade surface 36d, e.g., as labeled and best shown in FIG. 3. Each front side member surface 32b and each blade slot surface 36a are dimensioned and angled to form a respective blade slot 38 between each side member 32 and each blade member 34, e.g., as shown in FIGS. 3-6. Each blade slot 38 is configured to receive a top portion St of the sock S, e.g., as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B. Each top curved/radii profile 36b is configured to allow the top portion St of the sock S to slide onto each blade member 34 and into each blade slot 38 so that each blade 30 engages and holds the top portion St of the sock S when the person pulls the sock S onto their foot F and also releases the top portion St of the sock S once the person gets the sock S on their foot F and rotates the device 10 upwardly away from the sock S.

Each blade profile 36 may also include a front curved/radii profile 36e coupling the front blade surface 36c and the bottom blade surface 36d. The front curved/radii profile 36e is shown having a curved surface; however, the scope of the invention is not intended to be limited to any particular curvature.

Each blade slot 38 may also include a blade slot bottom surface 38a coupling each blade slot surface 36a and each front side member surface 32b. The blade slot bottom surface 38a is shown having a curved surface; however, the scope of the invention is not intended to be limited to any particular curvature.

Each side member 32 may also include a back side member surface 32c; and each blade member 34 may also include a back curved/radii profile 32d coupling each back side member surface 32c and each bottom blade surface 36d. The back curved/radii profile 32d is shown having a curved surface; however, the scope of the invention is not intended to be limited to any particular curvature.

Each bottom blade surface 36d and each back side member surface 32d may be substantially perpendicular to each other, e.g., as best shown in FIGS. 1, 3 and 5-6.

The handle 20 and the blades 30 may be arranged substantially perpendicular to each other, e.g., as best shown in FIGS. 2-5.

Other Design Details

The device may also include one or more of the following features:

The profile 36e at the front of the blades 30 are sized and radiused to allow easy entry into a sock cuff without snagging or damaging the sock fabric.

The vertical dimension from the bottom of the slots 38 to the bottom of the device 10, combined with the span between the blades 34, create a desired rectangular opening necessary to reliably accommodate adult foot sizes.

The top-to-bottom height of the blades 30, combined with their distance apart, e.g., which is about 4 inches, are intentionally sized to approximately duplicate the stretch that sock fabrics endure when manually pulled around the heel of an adult foot. While the preferred embodiment is disclosed having a distance about 4 inches, the scope of the invention is not intended to be limited to any particular distance per se. For example, embodiments are envisioned, and the scope of the invention is intended to includes distances that are less than about 4 inches, e.g., such as 3.75 inches, 3.50 inches, 3.25 inches and 3.00 inches, as well as distances that are more less than about 4 inches, e.g., such as 4.25 inches, 4.50 inches, 4.75 inches and 5.00 inches.

The front-to-back length of the blades 30, combined with the design stretch of the sock cuff, restrain the mounted sock S (FIGS. 7A, 7B and 8) from prematurely sliding off the bottom front of the blades 34 as the sock S is pulled onto the foot F.

The profile radii 36b on the top of the blades 30 are sized and dimensioned to prevent damage to the sock fabric during the release of the device 10 from the sock 10.

The full radii designed into the outside edges of both blades 30 allows extensive use of the device 10 without damage to the stretched sock fabric.

The design width of the slots 38 are sized and dimensioned to accommodate all current sock styles, including thick woolen socks.

The design length of the slots 38, combined with the design stretch of the mounted sock cuff, hold the sock cuff securely preventing premature release of the sock S from the device 10.

Intentional release of the device 10 from the sock S is accomplished by rotating the handle 20 away from the user which tilts the slots 38 and permits the device 10 to free itself from the sock S.

The device 10 according to the present invention has a sensitive design, which includes both criticality in relation to the various dimensions themselves, as well as corresponding criticality in relation to the various dimensions in combination with one another. In other words, without the cooperative interconnection of all the following design details, the device 10 will not function satisfactorily. For example, if the length of the handle H is too long, then most adult socks will not be able to be stretched far enough to be held onto the device 10. By way of further example, if the length of the handle H is too short, then most adult feet will not be able to fit inbetween the blades 30 to pull the sock S onto a foot F.

Claims

1. A device for assisting a person in getting a sock onto their foot, comprising: a handle having a middle and two ends, the middle being configured to be held by a person's hand who is getting a sock on their foot; andblades having substantially similar shapes and dimensions, each blade having a side member and a blade member, each side member having a top portion connected to a respective end of the handle and also having a front side member surface, each blade member having a blade profile with a blade slot surface, a top curved/radii profile, a front blade surface and a bottom blade surface, each front side member surface and each blade slot surface being dimensioned and angled to form a respective blade slot between each side member and each blade member configured to receive a top portion of the sock, each top curved/radii profile being configured to allow the top portion of the sock to slide onto each blade member and into each blade slot so that each blade engages and holds the top portion of the sock when the person pulls the sock onto their foot and also releases the top portion of the sock once the person gets the sock on their foot and rotates the device upwardly away from the sock.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the device is an integral one piece unit.

3. A device according to claim 1, wherein the device is made from either plastic or metal.

4. A device according to claim 1, wherein the handle has a length of about four (4) inches to allow the foot of the person to slide inbetween the blades for pulling the sock on the foot of the person, including being in a range of about 3.5-4.5 inches.

5. A device according to claim 1, wherein each blade slot is configured with a respective angle of about 15°, including being in a range of about 5°-25°.

6. A device according to claim 1, wherein each blade slot surface and each front blade surface of each blade member are configured at an angle of about 45°, including being in a range of about 35°-55°.

7. A device according to claim 1, wherein each front blade surface and each bottom blasé surface of each blade member are configured at an angle of about 45°, including being in a range of about 35°-55°.

8. A device according to claim 1, wherein each blade profile includes a front curved/radii profile coupling each front blade surface and each bottom blade surface.

9. A device according to claim 1, wherein each blade slot includes a blade slot bottom surface coupling each blade slot surface and each front side member surface.

10. A device according to claim 1, wherein each side member has a top-to-bottom length of about three (3) inches, including being in a range of about 2.5-3.5° inches.

11. A device according to claim 1, wherein each blade has a front-to-back length length of about three (3) inches, including being in a range of about 2.5-3.5° inches.

12. A device according to claim 1, wherein each side member has a back side member surface; andeach blade member has a back curved/radii profile coupling each back side member surface and each bottom blade surface.

13. A device according to claim 1, wherein each side member has a back side member surface; andeach bottom blade surface and each back side member surface are substantially perpendicular to each other.

14. A device according to claim 1, wherein the profile at the front of the blades are sized and radiused to allow easy entry into a sock cuff without snagging or damaging the sock fabric.

15. A device according to claim 1, wherein the vertical dimension from the bottom of the slots to the bottom of the device, combined with the span between the blades, create the desired rectangular opening necessary to reliably accommodate adult foot sizes.

16. A device according to claim 1, wherein the height of the blades, combined with their distance apart, are sized to approximately duplicate the stretch that sock fabrics endure when manually pulled around the heel of an adult foot.

17. A device according to claim 1, wherein the length of the blades, combined with the design stretch of the sock cuff, restrain the mounted sock from prematurely sliding off the bottom front of the blades as the sock is pulled onto the foot.

18. A device according to claim 1, wherein the profile radii on the top of the blades are sized to prevent damage to the sock fabric during the release of the device from the sock.

19. A device according to claim 1, wherein the full radii designed into the outside edges of both blades allows extensive use of the subject device without damage to the stretched sock fabric.

20. A device according to claim 1, wherein the design width of the slots are sized to accommodate all current sock styles, including thick woolen socks.