Device for helping on putting on stockings, comprising means (1,101) for the support of the stocking and for the formation of an opening to introduce the foot into the stocking, means (111, 121 to collect and to restrain the stocking open end and means (2) to contro the positioning of the stocking on the foot.
The present invention relates to a device for helping to put on stockings or socks.
The increase in average lifetime has evidenced the problems connected to specific requirements of the more advanced age. The functional pathology of the hip and of the lower limbs articulations are typical in most of the aged population. These pathologies cause considerable inconveniences also in the most common workings, as the simple gesture of putting on stockings or socks, especially when they are elastic stockings.
Object of the present invention is to provide a device that can make more easy such operation.
Object of the present invention is therefore a device for helping to put on stockings, characterised in that comprises means for the support of the stocking and for the forming of an opening to insert the foot inside the stocking, means for the collection and the restraint of the stocking open end and control means of the positioning of the stocking onto the foot.
Advantageously, said means for the support of the stocking and for the forming of an opening comprises a channel shaped element provided with a plantar part substantially plane from which two support elements branch off sideways, arranged on an inclined plane with respect to the plane of said plantar element, said plantar element being provided with a handle element, at one of its end, and said support elements being provided with restraint means of the stocking open end, each one on the end opposite to the one joint to said plantar element.
In a preferred embodiment, said plantar element and said support elements are made up in one piece, said plantar element comprising a shovel with a substantially longitudinal concavity, the two side flaps of which present edges which project towards outside, said shovel being provided with an handle element at one end, recessed portions provided with tooth shaped ridges being obtained on the edges of said flaps directed towards said handle element.
Further advantages and features will be evident from the following description of one embodiment of the present invention, in which:
In Figure 1 there is shown in perspective the device according the invention; with reference numeral 1 is indicated the plantar element of said device. Such element is formed substantially like a shovel with the concavity longitudinally oriented, the side flaps 101 of which present the trailing edges projecting towards outside. The plantar element 1 presents at one end the handle 2. The side flaps 101, at their end turned to said handle 2, are provided with respectively a recess 111 that forms a tooth-shaped ridge 121.
In Figure 2 the device is shown in a side elevation view; to the same parts correspond the same numerals. In the figure can be noticed the groove 201 formed on the bottom of the planar element 1 the scope thereof will be described below. Further, such plantar element is formed such that presents also a certain transverse concavity.
In Figure 3 there is shown the device according to the invention in operation. On the plantar element 1 and on its side flaps 101 there is inserted a stocking 10 which is collected at the end turned toward the handle 2 as shown the pleats 11. In the cavity formed by the plantar 1, bythe lateral flaps 101 of said plantar and by the stocking 10 is introduced the foot 20. The stocking pleats 11 are, on the upper part, curled in the groove 111 formed on the flaps 101 and restrained by the tooth-shaped ridge 121.
In Figure 4 there is shown the next working step of the device according the invention; to the same parts correspond the same numerals.
The operation of the device according the invention will be evident from the following. As shown in Figure 3 of the annexed drawings, the stocking 10 is placed on the plantar 1 and on its side flaps 101 so as to form a mouth for the insertion of the foot inside the same stocking. Said stocking is collected for all his lenght, that exceeds that which is placed on plantar 1 and on the flaps 101, in pleats 11. Such pleats, on their upper part, are located into the recesses 111 formed on flaps 101, and in these restrained by the tooth shaped edges 121.
With the foot inserted in the so formed cavity, the simple operation shown in Figure 4 is performed, i.e. gripping the handle and making a movement partly in traslation behind the heel, and partly in rotation with respect to the axis that is perpendicular to the same heel, the device is brought to the position showed in Figure. As it is possible to see, the stocking is at this point, placed fora great part on foot 20. After taking out the device from the same stocking 10, it remains raising the stocking part collected into pleats 11.
As described above, the plantar element, besides the longitudinal concavity, which constitutes a foot lodging and a stocking support, presents a transversal concavity which favours the rotation around the heel and so a general good working of the device. Further, the grooves 201 which are in the bottom of said plantar element 1, consent a better sliding of the stocking on the surface of the same, due to the pulling of the stocking by the fingers of the user's hand.