The present invention relates to a device for clothes dressing accessories, and in particular to a device for putting on socks and for removing them off from the body.
It has been recognized that clothes dressing activities, particularly actions of putting on or taking off socks and shoes which require articulation of back, spine, or other joints may be difficult for some persons. For example, people who are obese or who suffer from spine, back, hip, knee or any other lower body disorder/problem find it difficult to articulate their problem joint(s). This affects their ability to dress themselves with shoes or socks or any other accessory that requires articulation of a body part such as back or knee.
Various types of devices and apparatuses have become available to facilitate dressing of such as socks. However, those devices lack the comfort and easy to use component. Some of them facilitate dressing of socks but do not provide a way for removal of the socks from the body because of which a person may have difficulty during removal or pulling the socks off.
In light of the above, there is a need for a device that is simple and easy to use for pulling on as well pulling off the socks. In addition, the device may facilitate in several other usual tasks.
The invention discloses a device for pulling a sock on or off. The device includes a long rigid arm with a distal end and a proximal end. A length of the arm is defined between the proximal end and the distal end. The device includes a sleeve with its proximal end coupled to the distal end of the arm and a distal end of the sleeve including at least two tongues distant apart by a space therebetween.
In an embodiment, the long rigid arm includes a hook positioned at the proximal end of the long rigid arm. In an embodiment, the sleeve includes a flange located proximally and bent against the sleeve. In an embodiment, the arm is configured as a dressing stick. In an embodiment, the sleeve includes an inner wall defining an inner surface of the sleeve. The inner surface of the sleeve defines a curvature from its proximal end to the distal end and extending along a length of the sleeve longitudinally. In an embodiment, the curvature of the inner surface of the sleeve is in conformation to human anatomy or shape of the foot. In an embodiment, the arm is coupled to the sleeve with the use of permanently coupling technique. In an embodiment, the at least two tongues include a first tongue, a second tongue and a third tongue.
While the invention is amenable to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are described in detail below. The intention, however, is not to limit the invention to the particular embodiments described. On the contrary, the invention is intended to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
Detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure.
The terms “a” or “an,” as used herein, are defined as one or more than one. The term “another,” as used herein, is defined as at least a second or more. The terms “including” and/or “having”, as used herein, are defined as comprising (i.e., open transition).
The terms proximal and distal described in relation to various devices, apparatuses, and components, as discussed in the subsequent text of the present invention, are referred with a point of reference. The point of reference, as used in this description, is a perspective of a user.
The arm 102 includes a proximal end 106 and a distal end 108. The proximal end 106 of the arm 102 can be coupled to a handle 110. The handle 110 can include a reverse hook 112 or any other curved design or shape. The handle 110 can be an integral, formed part of the arm 102 or can be removably attached thereto for holding purposes.
The sleeve 104 can be coupled to the distal end 108 of the arm 102 with the use of fasteners. In an embodiment, the sleeve 104 can be coupled to the arm 102 permanently with the use of permanent fasteners. In another embodiment, the sleeve 104 can be coupled to the arm 102 removably with the use of removable fasteners. The sleeve 104 can include a proximal end 114 and a distal end 116. The sleeve 104 includes at least one tongue 118 located at the distal end 116 of the sleeve 104. In an embodiment, the sleeve 104 can include three tongues 118, as shown in
In an embodiment, the three tongues 118 are separated by valleys 119 that can be uniform in width or vary for each of the tongues 118. A middle tongue 118a, which is the only tongue 118 in an embodiment with one tongue 118, is aligned with the distal end 108 of the arm 102 such that it can be used as a long-armed shoehorn for putting shoes on, or for pushing them off, as illustrated in
In an embodiment, the flange 202 can be configured to be bent away from the inner surface 206 so as to avoid any harm or damage to the leg because of a possibly sharp edge of the flange. A user's leg can be easily inserted into the space of the sleeve 104 without directly contacting the edge of the flange 202.
The sleeve 104, as shown, includes three locations 210 for fastening the sleeve 104 to the arm 102 at three distinct locations. In an embodiment, the sleeve 104 can be configured to be coupled to the arm 102 at one or two or more than three distinct locations. In an embodiment, the sleeve 104 can be configured to be coupled to the arm 102 permanently with the use of techniques such as soldering, welding, or any other similar technique.
As described above, the arm 102 is coupled to the sleeve 104 distally and includes the handle 110 at its proximal end 106. The handle 110 can be configured to serve several purposes. In an embodiment, the handle 110 may be broadly curved in a partly hooked shape as shown, with a convex shape at the proximal end 106 of the arm 102. The handle 110 may be curved to be generally right angled with respect to the arm 102. The handle 110 can be configured to be used for hanging the device 100 on such as a wall peg, a chair back, a table edge, a doorknob, and the like. The right angle configuration of the handle 110 is comfortable to hold, and facilitates holding and controlling use of the device 100 with only one hand, including either pushing or pulling the device 100. The rigidity of the arm 102 facilitates pushing as in removing shoes and socks (
In an embodiment, the handle 110 may be reverse bent at its end to provide a short reverse hook 112 (end hook 112) that provides additional beneficial functionality to the device 100. In particular, combining the long rigid arm 102 with the resultant double bend shape of the handle 110 with short end hook 112 turns the device 110 into a form of dressing stick that can be used to push or pull clothing as desired. More particularly, as shown in
The sleeve curvature allows the foot to enter the socks smoothly. Once the entire foot rests inside the socks as shown in
In accordance with the illustrated embodiments, the device 100 is used for pulling the socks on or pushing them off. However, in some embodiments, the device 100 can be used in the same way for shoes.
The illustrated
In accordance with embodiments, the device 100 provides several advantages. Some of them are presented below.
In an embodiment, the device 100 facilitates putting on or taking off shoes or socks without significant bending or articulating of the user's back, hips or knee. This especially helps people who underwent any surgical treatment (e.g., hip replacement surgery), who have deteriorated or injured legs or joints, or who are obese.
In an embodiment, the handle 110 and long rigid arm 102 of the device 100 facilitate holding and controlled use of the device 100 by one hand.
In an embodiment, the handle 110 at the end 106 of the long rigid arm 102 facilitates picking up socks or shoes from the floor.
In an embodiment, the reverse hook 112 or the tongues 118 facilitate removal of socks and shoes from the body.
In an embodiment, the handle 110 facilitates hanging of the device 100.
While the invention has been disclosed in connection with the preferred embodiments shown and described in detail, various modifications and improvements thereon will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the spirit and scope of the present invention is not to be limited by the foregoing examples, but is to be understood in the broadest sense allowable by law.
This application claims benefit from the following provisional application, which has a common applicant, and all of which is incorporated in its entirety herein by reference: US Provisional patent application entitled GET SOCK ON, Application Ser. No. 61/519,716 filed May 28, 2011 by Joseph M. Cannata.
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Website, Elderstore.com, Rigid Formed Sock Aid with Foam Grips www.elderstore.com/rigid-formed-sock-aid-with-foam-grips.aspx Jun. 13, 2012, 1 page. |
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20120298701 A1 | Nov 2012 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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61519716 | May 2011 | US |