GB2470789A

GB2470789A - Device for applying socks

Info

Publication number: GB2470789A
Application number: GB0913642A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Peter Froud
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-06-04
Filing date: 2009-08-05
Publication date: 2010-12-08
Also published as: GB0913642D0; GB0909598D0

Abstract

There is disclosed a device for assisting in the putting on of socks and similar hosiery garments, which garments have a foot portion and a leg portion. The device comprises a base plate 3 and a sock holder 5. A first end 13 of the sock holder 5 is pivotally mounted to the base plate 3. A second end 9 and 11 of the sock holder 5 defines an elongate support member which extends in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the pivotal mounting. The elongate support member is arranged for carrying the leg portion of the sock inside out, such that the foot portion of the sock extends within the support member and the opening of the foot portion is exposed at an end of the support member. The sock holder 5 may comprise a plastic-coated bent wire structure having a pair of laterally spaced apart arms 9 which define the elongate support member. The sock holder 5 may be pivotally mounted to the base plate by flexible bands 7 formed of a plastics material.

Description

Device for Applying Socks

Field of the Tnvention

This invention relates to a device for assisting in the putting on of socks and similar hosiery garments. Such a device is particularly suitable for use by persons, such as the elderly or disabled, who find it difficult to bend down to reach their feet and/or manipulate socks with their hands.

Background of the Invention

With an aging population in many countries, there is an increasing need for devices which enable the elderly to maintain their independence. Typically, restricted movement is a problem for such persons and a number of devices have been developed over the years for facilitating day-to-day activities.

Restricted movement is also a problem for persons suffering from a variety of medical conditions, including back injuries, arthritis and obesity. The onset of such conditions can exacerbate the problem of restricted movement due to old age.

Many of the elderly or disabled who suffer from restricted movement find it difficult to dress themselves, or they experience discomfort in doing so. The putting on of socks and similar hosiery garments is often found to be particularly difficult or uncomfortable because it involves bending down and manipulation of the garments by hand. The personal nature of this activity and the frequency with which it needs to be performed has led to the problem receiving much attention.

Devices for applying socks are known. For example, UK patent application publication GB-2439400-A discloses a handheld device of this type. The device comprises a pair of pivotally mounted arms which serve as long handles. The arms can be used to clamp the open end of a sock. Use of the device may reduce the amount of bending and hand manipulation required for putting on socks. However, there is a need for an improved device for assisting in the putting on of socks and similar hosiery garments.

Summary of the invention

According to the invention, there is provided a device for assisting in the putting on of socks and similar hosiery garments, which garments have a foot portion and a leg portion, the device comprising: a base plate; and a sock holder, a first end of the sock holder being pivotally mounted to the base plate, a second end of the sock holder defining an elongate support member which extends in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the pivotal mounting, wherein the elongate support member is arranged for carrying the leg portion of the sock inside out, such that the foot portion of the sock extends within the support member and the opening of the foot portion is exposed at an end of the support member.

The invention thus provides an improved device for assisting in the putting on of socks and similar hosiery garments. In use of the device, the need for bending and/or manipulation by hand may be reduced.

In use of the device, in an initial operation, the leg portion of the sock is fed, inside out, over the elongate support member so that the foot portion of the sock extends within the support member and the opening of the foot portion is exposed at the end of the support member. This initial operation can be carried out at a convenient working height without any need for the user to bend down, and without the need for large forces to be applied by hand. Tn a subsequent step, the base plate is placed on the floor and the user's foot is inserted into the opening of the foot portion of the sock. The pivotal mounting of the sock holder enables the user's foot to be inserted using a forward thrust, following which the sock holder can be pivoted and the leg portion of the sock applied with a downwards thrust of the user's foot. During the subsequent step, the other foot of the user can be pressed against the base plate to stop it moving.

In a preferred embodiment, the sock holder comprises a pair of laterally spaced apart arms, the arms together defining the elongate support member. In this case, the leg portion of the sock is carried by both of the arms, with the foot portion of the sock arranged between the arms.

Each of the arms may include a first elongate portion adjacent to the pivotal mounting and a second elongate portion forming a part of the elongate support member, the first and second elongate portions being separated by a bend. It is then the second elongate portions which are arranged for carrying the leg portion of the sock. The bend generally defines an angle in the range 60 to 120 degrees, more preferably in the range 75 to 105 degrees. The second elongate portions of the arms are generally parallel.

The ends of the arms furthest away from the pivotal mounting are preferably joined together by a first connecting element, which connecting element may be integrally formed with the arms. The first connecting element may extend in a direction perpendicular to the elongate support member (i.e. a downwards direction) for spacing the ends of the arms from the base plate. The first connecting element may be curved for surrounding and stretching open the opening of the foot portion of the sock. In this way, it may be easier for a user's foot to be inserted, since there is a greater area for the user to aim for.

The ends of the arms closest to the pivotal mounting may be joined together by a second connecting element, and this connecting element may also be integrally formed with the arms. The pivotal mounting may then be provided by a plurality of bands, for example two, each passing through an aperture in the base plate and surrounding the second connecting element. The axis of the pivotal mounting is then effectively defined by the second connecting element. The bands may be flexible bands formed of a plastics material, such as cable ties or various types of straps.

The arms may be arranged such that they can be pushed towards each other against a spring force. In this way, socks having different sizes can be accommodated.

Resiliency may, for example, be inherent in the material or shape of the sock holder.

n a particularly preferred embodiment, the first connecting element is formed of a strip of resilient material shaped to include a hairpin bends, or a tongue, which extends in a direction parallel to the arms.

The sock holder is preferably a bent wire structure. Such structures can be produced accurately and economically, are typically inherently resilient, and have no sharp corners. The bent wire structure may be coated with a plastics material to reduce friction when the sock is in sliding contact.

The base plate may be provided with a wipe-clean upper surface. Alternatively, an upper surface of the base plate may be provided with a plurality of peel-off top layers which are disposable, for example for use in hospitals. The base plate may be provided with a non-slip lower surface.

Further features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following

detailed description of the invention.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figures 1 is a perspective view of a device according to the invention; Figures 2a and 2b are schematic side views of the device shown in Figure 1 for explaining how the device is used to apply a sock to a user; and Figures 3 is a perspective view of another device according to the invention.

Detailed Description

The invention provides a device for assisting in the putting on of socks and similar hosiery garments, which garments have a foot portion and a leg portion. The device comprises a base plate and a sock holder. A first end of the sock holder is pivotally mounted to the base plate and second end of the sock holder defines an elongate support member which extends in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the pivotal mounting. According to the invention, the elongate support member is arranged for carrying the leg portion of the sock inside out, such that the foot portion of the sock extends within the support member and the opening of the foot portion is exposed at an end of the support member.

Figure 1 shows an exemplary device 1 according to the invention. The device 1 comprises a base plate 3 and a sock holder 5. A first end of the sock holder 5 is pivotally mounted to the base plate 3 by a pair of straps 7. A second end of the sock holder 5 defines an elongate support member for carrying a sock.

The base plate 3 is a rigid sheet of material formed into a substantially rectangular shape. A lower surface of the base plate 3 is provided with a non-slip material such as felt or cork. An upper surface of the base plate 3 is suitable for wiping clean for hygiene reasons, for example where the device 1 is shared by a number of users in a hospital. Alternatively, the upper surface of the base plate 3 may be provided with a plurality of disposable peel-off top layers. The upper surface of the base plate 3 may also be provided with printed instructions for using the device 1, including photographs or pictograms.

The sock holder 5 is a bent wire structure. The gauge of the wire is selected to avoid permanent deformation of the sock holder 5 during normal use of the device 1 while at the same time providing the sock holder 5 with some natural resiliency. The wire is coated with a plastics material to reduce friction and cover any sharp edges.

The bent wire structure comprises a pair of laterally spaced apart arms 9. The ends of the arms 9 furthest from the pivotal mounting are connected together by a first connecting element 11. The ends of the arms 9 closest to the pivotal mounting are connected by a second connecting element 13. The arms 9 and the first and second connecting elements 11, 13 are formed from a single piece of wire bent into a closed loop and joined at its ends.

Each of the arms 9 comprises a first straight portion of wire adjacent to the pivotal mounting and a second straight portion of wire separated from the first straight portion by an bend 15 of approximately 80 degrees. The second straight portions, which define the elongate support member for carrying the sock, are arranged to be parallel. The first straight portions, which each extend between the pivotal mounting and the bend, are splayed slightly so that they are closer together at the bend 15.

The first connecting element 11, which joins the ends of the arms 9 furthest away from the pivotal mounting, comprises a curved portion of wire that extends downwardly in a direction perpendicular to the second straight portions of the arms 9. The second straight portions of the arms 9 and the first connecting element 11 together define the elongate support member for carrying the sock. The curved first connecting element 11 not only serves to space the ends of the arms 9 from the base plate, as illustrated in the Figure, but also serves to hold open the opening of the foot portion of the sock, as described in more detail hereinbelow.

The second connecting element 13, which joins the ends of the arms 9 closest to the pivotal mounting, comprises a straight portion of wire. The pivotal mounting is provided by the straps 7 which pass through respective holes formed in the edge of the base plate 3 and surround the second connecting element 13 at spaced apart locations. The straps 7 are formed of a flexible plastics material. It will be seen that the second connecting element 13 therefore defines the pivotal axis, which axis is substantially perpendicular to the arms 9.

Use of the device 1 will now be described with reference to Figures 2a and 2b.

In a first step, the user puts the sock 17 onto the sock holder 5. More specifically, the leg portion of the sock 17 is fed, inside out, onto the elongate support member, so that the foot portion of the sock 17 extends between the arms 9 and the opening of the foot portion is exposed and held open by the first connecting element 11. This initial operation can be carried out at a convenient working height without any need for the user to bend down, and without the need for large forces to be applied by hand.

In a second step, the base plate 3 is placed on the floor with the sock holder 5 pivoted around so that the first connecting element 11 spaces the arms 9 from the base plate 3. In this configuration the elongate support member, and thus the foot portion of the sock 17, extend in a substantially horizontal direction. The user's foot 19 is then inserted into the foot portion of the sock 17 with a forward thrust until the user's toes reach the end of the sock 17. This step is illustrated in Figure 2a.

In a third step, the user uses his foot 19 to pivot the sock holder 5 relative to the base plate 3 until the bends 15 abut the floor, as illustrated in Figure 2a. In this configuration the elongate support member extends in a substantially vertical direction. The user then pushes his foot 19 with a downwards thrust so that the leg portion of the sock 17 is fed from around the elongate support member and is progressively applied to the user's leg.

During the second and third steps, the other foot of the user can be pressed against the base plate 3 to stop it moving.

In use of the device 1, the pivotal mounting of the sock holder S enables the user's foot 19 to be inserted into the foot portion of the sock 17 using a forward thrust.

Accordingly, bending of the ankle, which may be difficult or uncomfortable, is not necessary. Following this, the leg portion of the sock 17 can be applied with a downwards thrust of the user's foot 19. Thus, again, bending of the ankle is not necessary. Neither of these steps require any bending down or manipulation by hand.

Figure 3 shows another device 21 according to the invention. The device 21 is similar to the device 1 shown in Figure 1 and like reference numerals have been used to indicate elements which are the same. A detailed description of these elements will be omitted, since sufficient information is provided hereinabove.

The device 21 shown in Figure 3 differs from the device 1 shown in Figure 1 in the shape of the first connecting element 11. As well as extending downwards to space the arms 9 from the base plate 3, the first connection element 11 is formed into a tongue 23 which extends towards the bends 15 in a direction parallel to the arms 9.

The tongue 23 serves as a spring element so that the arms 9 can be pushed towards each other against a relatively low spring force. In this way, the device 21 can be used with a variety of different sized socks. Furthermore, the spring force may, in use of the device 21, stretch the sock so that the exposed opening of the foot portion is enlarged.

Although the invention herein has been described with reference to particular embodiments, it is to be understood that these embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and applications of the present invention. Tt is therefore to be understood that numerous modifications may be made to the illustrative embodiments and that other arrangements may be devised without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

For example, the sock holders described above are bent wire structure. However, it will be appreciated that this is not essential. Alternative sock holders could comprise sleeve or channel-like structures.

Claims

Claims 1. A device for assisting in the putting on of socks and similar hosiery garments, which garments have a foot portion and a leg portion, the device comprising: a base plate; and a sock holder, a first end of the sock holder being pivotally mounted to the base plate, a second end of the sock holder defining an elongate support member which extends in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the pivotal mounting, wherein the elongate support member is arranged for carrying the leg portion of the sock inside out, such that the foot portion of the sock extends within the support member and the opening of the foot portion is exposed at an end of the support member.
2. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sock holder comprises a pair of laterally spaced apart arms, the arms together defining the elongate support member.
3. A device as claimed in claim 2, wherein each of the arms includes a first elongate portion adjacent to the pivotal mounting and a second elongate portion forming a part of the elongate support member, the first and second elongate portions being separated by a bend.
4. A device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the bend defines an angle in the range 60 to 120 degrees.
5. A device as claimed in claim 3 or 4, wherein the second elongate portions of the arms are parallel.
6. A device as claimed in any of claims 2 to 5, wherein ends of the arms furthest away from the pivotal mounting are joined together by a first connecting element.
7. A device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the first connecting element extends in a direction perpendicular to the elongate support member for spacing the ends of the arms from the base plate.
8. A device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the first connecting element is curved for surrounding the opening of the foot portion of the sock.
9. A device as claimed in any of claims 2 to 8, wherein ends of the arms closest to the pivotal mounting are joined together by a second connecting element.
10. A device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the pivotal mounting is provided by a plurality of bands, each of the bands passing through an aperture in the base plate and surrounding the second connecting element.
11. A device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the bands are flexible bands formed of a plastics material.
12. A device as claimed in any of claims 2 to 11, wherein the arms are arranged such that they can be pushed towards each other against a spring force for accommodating socks having different sizes.
13. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the sock holder comprises a bent wire structure.
14. A device as claimed in claim 13, wherein the bent wire structure is coated with a plastics material.
15. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the base plate is provided with a wipe-clean upper surface.
16. A device as claimed in any of claims ito 14, wherein an upper surface of the base plate is provided with a plurality of peel-off top layers which are disposable.
17. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the base plate is provided with a non-slip lower surface.
18. A device substantially as hereinbefore described and/or as illustrated in the drawings.