Device for taking off a stocking

Abstract

 A device (1) for the removal of a stocking, comprising a rotatable winding element (2) that is provided with a coupling means (3) for attachment to the stocking, as well as drive means connected with the winding element (2) for its rotation. The invention is characterised in that the coupling means (3) is formed by a slot (3) provided in the winding element (2) for receiving a portion of the stocking to be removed. According to the preferred embodiment the slot (3) extends through the entire thickness of the winding element (2). This provides a very firm and simple attachment of a stocking to the winding element (2) of the device (1) according to the invention.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for the removal of a stocking. More particularly, the invention relates to a device for the removal of a stocking, comprising a rotatable winding element that is provided with a coupling means for attachment to the stocking, as well as drive means connected with the winding element for its rotation.

[0002] Such a device is known from the Dutch patent NL 1014263. That device is suitable for the removal of a stocking, in particular a so-called support stocking. However, in practice the known device is awkward to operate seeing that the same comprises an extensive clamping mechanism to which one end of the stocking needs to be attached, and that has to be operated manually. Also, the clamp has to be secured by means of tightening screws. In practice this is an awkward operation.

[0003] It is the object of the present invention to provide an improved device. It is in particular an object of the invention to provide a simpler device.

[0004] It is also an object of the invention to provide a device in which the stocking can be attached very simply to the winding element.

[0005] In order to attain at least one of the above-mentioned objectives, the invention provides a device as mentioned in the preamble, and which is characterised in that the coupling means is formed by a slot provided in the winding element for receiving a portion of the stocking to be removed.

[0006] With the embodiment according to the invention the stocking can be fastened to a winding element very simply so as to provide a secure attachment. One portion of the stocking, preferably an end, can be tucked into the slot very easily. By subsequently allowing the winding element to rotate, the slot with the end of the stocking tucked therein turns to be positioned under the winding, so that the end of the stocking cannot become detached. According to the invention it is therefore possible to remove a stocking from a leg, without attaching the stocking to the winding element by using separate clamping means. This is in opposition to the prior art teaching, which was always based on a stocking having to be non-removably attached to a winding element using special attachment means. The invention thus unexpectedly provides a very simple device for effectively removing a stocking.

[0007] The size of the slot is preferably such that the stocking can be tucked into the slot with a slight clamping action. According to a further preference, the winding element is rotatable about a longitudinal axis and the slot is provided parallel to the longitudinal axis in the winding element. To make it possible to attach the end of a stocking evenly to the winding element it is particularly useful for the length of the slot to measure substantially at least the same as half the circumference of the end of the stocking.

[0008] According to a further preference, the slot extends through the entire thickness of the winding element. This allows the end of the stocking to be inserted right through the entire slot, so that it protrudes outward from the other side of the slot. This provides an excellent retaining action for the support stocking, especially in combination with the above-mentioned embodiment wherein the width of the slot is slightly less than the thickness of the support stocking when not compressed. Due to the protruding end of the support stocking returning to its original thickness, the clamping action is enhanced.

[0009] According to still a further embodiment, the winding element has a substantially circular cross section. In this way an even action of removal of the stocking is obtained. According to a further preferred embodiment, the circumference of the winding element may be partly reduced, allowing the portion of the support stocking protruding from the slot to be received in the recess so that during winding, the circumference of the winding element is substantially circular.

[0010] An other preferred embodiment of the invention provides for the winding element to be coupled with an electric drive means. In this way the removal of the stocking does not require any manual strength, which is of particular importance to the elderly. Such an embodiment is in particular also suitable for removing so-called corrective support stockings which generally fit very tightly and as a consequence are difficult to remove.

[0011] A further embodiment provides for the drive means to be operated by remote control. Especially in combination with the above-mentioned electrical drive means, the user of the device is able to assume any desired position while still being able to operate the device without any problems.

[0012] Still a further preferred embodiment provides for the device to comprise a support means for a stocking-clad limb. For example, the foot may be supported, but another option is to support the heel of the limb or the calf or possibly the thigh. It is also possible to provide a combination of such support means.

[0013] Still a further preferred embodiment provides for the winding element to be interactively connected with at least one removing means attached to a stocking end that is furthest away from the foot portion. In this way it is possible for such removing means to be connected on the one hand with the winding element and on the other hand with the end of a stocking to be removed. In contrast with the embodiment mentioned earlier, it is not necessary to manually remove the first portion, that is to say the leg portion of a stocking and subsequently to attach the removed end with the winding element. This simplifies the entire method for removing a stocking while also facilitating its use by semi-invalids.

[0014] Particular preference is given to an embodiment wherein the at least one removing means is connected with a portion of the winding element near the slot or with the slot itself. Especially if two such removing means are provided, each of these may be connected with or near to an end of the slot in the winding element, and on the other side be attached to two facing positions at the circumference of the end of the support stocking.

[0015] Finally, the invention provides for such a preferred embodiment wherein at least one of the removing means is connected with the slot in the winding element. The removing means may then be attached to the winding element in the same manner as when the stocking is directly attached thereto.

[0016] Of course, the invention is not limited to the preferred embodiments presented above. A person skilled in the art is quite capable of making changes to the device without departing from the inventive idea.

[0017] Hereafter the invention will be further elucidated with reference to a number of drawings.

[0018] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a device according to the invention.

[0019] Figure 2 shows a top view of an other embodiment of the device according to the invention.

[0020] Figure 3 shows a top view of the winding element to be used in the device according to the invention.

[0021] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the device 1 for the removal of stockings. The device 1 comprises a winding element 2 that is provided with a slot 3. The slot 3 is suitable for receiving the end of a support stocking (not shown). The winding element 2 is rotatably mounted 4, 5 in side plates 6, 7 of the device. Also provided in the illustrated embodiment is a support means 8.

[0022] In use, a stocking may be partly removed from a leg by pulling the stocking end that is furthest away from the foot portion downward over the leg. The respective leg portion of the stocking is generally relatively easy to remove from a leg. The end may then be inserted into the slot 3 of the winding element 2 of the device 1. The end is preferably inserted in the slot 3 so as to be clamped. Subsequent rotation of the winding element 2 will after one revolution cause the end of the stocking that is inserted into the slot to end up under the winding. This will make it practically impossible for the end of the stocking to be extracted from the slot 3 when the rotational movement is continued.

[0023] The wearer of the stocking may use the support means 8 for placing the foot, for example the heel, upon. The surface of the support means 8 needs to be sufficiently smooth so that when the stocking slides over it while the foot rests on the support means 8, the stocking can be removed without problems. The support means 8 may be manufactured from, for example, stainless steel, special steel, plastic, or natural materials, such as wood. Optionally the surfaces of these materials may have undergone some treatment, such as varnishing or painting.

[0024] Reference is moreover made to the Dutch patent NL 1014263, wherein the removal of a stocking from the leg is described in detail. In this respect the contents of that patent specification are herewith deemed to be included by reference.

[0025] The winding element 2 may be rotated in various ways. For example, a manual control may be provided, wherein a rotational mechanism and a transmission enable a user to operate the winding element 2 by remote control. Optionally it is possible for a person other than the wearer of the support stocking to rotate the winding element 2.

[0026] A preferred embodiment is formed by the winding element 2 being operated electrically, for example, by means of an electromotor. This makes the operation very simple and easy.

[0027] Figure 2 shows a top view of another embodiment of the device according to the invention. Compared with the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the support means 8 has been slightly moved outside the surface area of the device. The winding element 2 and the slot 3 provided therein, can be clearly seen. In the situation shown in Figure 2, the winding element 2 is at its end 9 to be connected with an electromotor (not shown). This connection may be effected in any manner used in practice and known to the person skilled in the art and is not further explained.

[0028] The device 1 according to the invention as shown in Figure 2, is mounted on a mounting face by means of four fixing holes. These fixing holes 10, 10' and 11, 11' are provided at both sides of the device and insure a firm attachment to any mounting face. The side plates 6, 7 are coupled to each other by means of the rear plate 8. This provides a very firm retaining action for the winding element 2.

[0029] Figure 3 shows only the winding element 2 according to the invention. The form and size of the slot 3 are such that the end of the stocking can be inserted therein. As the slot 3 extends through the entire thickness of the winding element, the stocking can be inserted therethrough and protrude slightly at the rear side. The width of the slot is preferably such that in order to insert it therethrough, the support stocking has to be slightly compressed and when the support stocking protrudes at the rear side, will return to its original thickness. Due to clamping action, the support stocking is thus very firmly attached in the winding element 2.

[0030] Individual removing means are not shown. A first end of these may, for example, be attached to the winding element 2, for example, at the positions 12, 13 as shown in figure 3.

[0031] The other end of this removing means (not shown) may be attached to the portion of a stocking furthest away from the foot side. By firmly fastening the removing means 12, 13 to the winding element 2, the rotation of the winding element 2 provides an even removal of the stocking.

[0032] In accordance with another embodiment, the ends of the removing means that have to be attached to the winding element, are fixed in the slot 3. This is preferably effected by clamping action. This also provides a very firm and even removal action of a stocking.

[0033] In the above described embodiment, reference is repeatedly made to a device for the removal of a single stocking from a leg. However, it is also possible to embody the device such that two stockings can be removed simultaneously.

[0034] After perusal of the foregoing description and study of the drawings, further embodiments of the invention will be clear to a person skilled in the art. All such embodiments fall within the scope of the invention. The invention is limited by the appended claims only.

Claims

1. A device for the removal of a stocking, comprising a rotatable winding element that is provided with a coupling means for attachment to the stocking, as well as drive means connected with the winding element for its rotation, characterised in that the coupling means is comprised of a slot provided in the winding element for receiving a portion of the stocking to be removed.

2. A device according to claim 1, characterised in that the winding element is rotatable about a longitudinal axis and the slot is provided parallel to the longitudinal axis in the winding element.

3. A device according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the slot extends through the entire thickness of the winding element.

4. A device according to claim 1 to 3, characterised in that the winding element has a substantially circular cross section.

5. A device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that preferably near one of its ends, the winding element is coupled with electric drive means.

6. A device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the drive means are operated by remote control.

7. A device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it comprises a support means for a stocking-clad limb.

8. A device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the winding element is interactively connected with at least one removing means attached to a stocking end that is furthest away from the foot portion.

9. A device according to claim 8, characterised in that the at least one removing means is connected with a portion of the winding element near the slot.

10. A device according to claim 8, characterised in that the at least one removing means is connected with the slot of the winding element.

Drawing