Self-help device for handling socks, compression stockings and stockings in general

Abstract

 Self-help device for handling socks, compression stockings and stockings in general, especially for people with difficult or impaired mobility, comprising first and second tubular pieces (1, 2) having respective longitudinal openings and which can be attached to one another by introducing one in the other. The upper part of the garment (18) to be put on is fixed on the first piece (1) by passing it there through and then bending its open end over the first piece. The second piece (2) is hingedly attached to pull-rods (11) to simultaneously displace both pieces carrying the garment to progressively putting it on the user's foot, whose toes are from the beginning in contact with the toecap (21) of the garment as this is totally housed inside the tubular pieces previously attached to one another. The device also comprises an accessory (22) with which the user may comfortably remove the garment from his/her foot.

Description

Field of the invention

[0001] The present invention, as stated in the title of this specification, relates to a self-help device for handling socks, compression stockings and stockings in general, specially designed for people with difficult or impaired mobility in the joints of their legs, hips and/or back. More specifically, this device has the purpose of resolving the problems that those people must face when putting on or taking off their socks or stockings due to suffering, for example, degenerative joint diseases such as arthrosis, among others. In this regard, this device is also extremely appropriate for helping people who, having undergone surgical interventions or having suffered traumatic accidents, have one or both legs or their waist totally or partially immobilized which, obviously, hinders or prevents them from putting on and taking off stockings and socks by themselves. It should be highlighted that their usefulness and practicality makes it indicated for any person who, even though they are not suffering from any of said diseases nor have undergone any surgical interventions, normally or occasionally uses compression stockings (e.g. in the case of varicose veins, circulatory problems, among other affections) and also indicated for persons with reduced mobility due to obesity, pregnancy, advanced age, etc.

[0002] In this regard, we should mention that arthrosis is one of the most frequent rheumatic diseases and it is known, for example, in Spain that 16% of people over the age of 20 suffer from it, three quarters of which are women. Arthrosis is a disease produced by the wear of cartilage, a tissue that acts as shock absorber between the ends of the bones, protecting them and favouring the movement of the joint between them. As the cartilage wears, it loses its strength and elasticity, until causing a malfunctioning of the joint. In said conditions, the person begins to suffer increasing pain and difficulties in moving the parts of their body whose joints are affected by the disease. The areas most frequently affected by arthrosis are the back, which comprises the neck, and the lumbar area, hips and knees. Arthrosis in the hands and feet usually starts after the age of 50.

[0003] Knee arthrosis and back arthrosis are, precisely, the affections which, among others, generate very serious daily difficulties and discomfort in people when they have to dress, since this involves performing important movements which cause strong pain in the joints. Furthermore, when the pain is relatively intense, or even worse, very strong, the complications increase due to the fact that those affected by this disease depend on the help of another person to be able to dress and, in particular, to be able to put on stockings or socks, for which the legs must be articulated or bent and the back arched.

[0004] Difficulties of similar importance to the aforementioned, although for different reasons and even when the person does not suffer joint pain, may arise for those who, for example, have one or both legs immobilized, temporarily or permanently, as a consequence of surgical interventions, traumatic or kinesiologic treatments, accidents, etc. Indeed, also in those situations, people usually need the assistance of others to dress and put on or take off stockings or socks. Nevertheless, again and as has already been mentioned, the usefulness and practicality of this device makes it indicated for any healthy person who, not having suffered from any of said physical disorders, normally or occasionally uses compression stockings.

Background to the invention

[0005] Within the prior art numerous apparatus are known which are designed so that people with impaired mobility can easily put on stockings and socks without depending on the help of other people. Among said apparatus we should first mention those that consist of a type of plastic insole, from the end thereof two cords or veins exit which serve for pulling. One of the drawbacks of these apparatus lies in the instability of the insole, due to the little consistency of the material in which it is produced and the use of cords for the pulling thereof, which leads to complications for introducing the foot into the corresponding sock or stocking. Another drawback is that the insole must rest on the floor to offer a consistent platform whereby the foot can be introduced, so that the sock comes into direct contact with the floor, which should be avoided for reasons of hygiene. In contrast, the device claimed offers the consistency and the stability necessary to avoid it having to rest on any place, it being possible to introduce the foot without it being necessary for the apparatus, and therefore, the sock, to touch the floor.

[0006] There are also other apparatus which consist of a cylinder cut in half, wherefrom a rod protrudes. Although said apparatus resolve the problem of instability of those devices previously mentioned they however have other drawbacks which should be resolved. These drawbacks are due to the fact that they have a single bar to pull, which makes these apparatus less efficient. The rod is secured via a flange directly anchored to the cylinder, which makes said cylinder inflexible. The lack of flexibility of the cylinder means that tight or especially narrow socks cannot be put inside it, therefore not being suitable, for example, for sports socks, or for compression stockings.

[0007] Another example of prior art arises from document ES1023223U, granted in the name of Miguel Jiménez Rosell, which discloses a device to put on socks and/or stockings constituted by an arm on one of whose ends a handle is incorporated, whilst on the other end said arm is equipped with a laterally oriented semi-annular piece, and includes an accessory piece which can be attached as a dismountable clamp on said semi-annular piece. On said semi-annular piece is disposed the sock to be put on from its open end, the sock being held by means of a clamp, disposed with the entrance open and hanging from that end of the device. In these conditions, by gripping a handle at its free end the user can access the open end of the sock with his foot practically without bending the body and, by pulling upwards against the push of the foot downwards, to achieve the introduction of the foot in the sock. Then, by removing the clamp, now in a more accessible position, he can leave the sock in its on position.

[0008] Although the device disclosed in document ES1023223U, mentioned in the previous paragraph may apparently have certain similarities with the one which is now claimed, in essence they are undoubtedly different with regard to the form of disposing the sock and putting the foot therein, i.e. in its system, as is clearly revealed on describing the device proposed making reference to the figures that illustrate it. To advance some of the differences, we can mention that in the device object of the present invention the sock is totally introduced inside a tubular piece, whereas in the previous device only the open end of the sock is caught up, the rest remaining free, which has several adverse consequences. A first consequence is that the foot is gradually introduced within the sock by force of pulling it, which hinders the introduction of the foot and, therefore, that apparatus is not suitable for socks which are difficult to put on, for example those that are especially narrow, for example those for sports use, and for those which a lot of effort is required, such as the case of compression stockings. Another negative consequence linked to the previous one is that as the sock is introduced through the open end thereof and far from its toecap, at the same time as hindering its introduction it may not leave the sock well positioned, but with creases, folds, etc. Furthermore, during the use of the device of said document, the sock may touch and trail on the floor since it hangs from said device, which should be avoided.

[0009] The proposed device resolves the drawbacks of the type disclosed in document ES1023223U as it enables introducing the sock, the toes being from the start in contact with the toecap of the sock, which is the only way it can remain totally well-positioned on the foot's shape, without creases, folds, etc. Furthermore, since it gathers up the entire sock within a tubular piece, it avoids having to make a special effort or pressure upwards to introduce thicker or sports socks, also enabling the putting on and taking off of common stockings as well as compression stockings, its use also being more hygienic as it enables putting on and taking off socks and stockings without them touching, for example, the surface of the floor or ground. As it has two rods for its handling, it means that the introduction of the foot in the sock is much easier with a light and simple pull, keeping the control of said operation and avoiding the sock from twisting or deforming during the pulling up. Furthermore, since the device of the present invention includes two tubular pieces, one piece attached to the pull-rods and a complementary independent piece, unlike what happens with the device of document ES1023223U, it enables its parts to be handled independently in the sense that the sock is going to be introduced within the complementary tubular piece, and thus avoid having to handle the other tubular piece for this operation. In this way, the independent handling of this complementary tubular piece adds very important advantages of practicality which should be indicated: it allows the sock to be put on without having to move the piece that incorporates the rods, something which would be more annoying, and another advantage is that due to its little volume and weight the sock can be placed within it in any place and any type of surface, including the user's lap, without this taking away stability. For the use of this device it is also envisaged that the complementary piece may be longer than the piece connected to the rods, which is extremely convenient for putting on long socks, stockings and compression stockings which have a considerable length. The invention also provides an additional rod, especially designed so that the user can take off the socks or the stockings with the same ease as putting these garments on.

[0010] Other documents that disclose the state of the art are documents ES1028926U, from José Sáez Serbán, and ES1054677U, from Ramón Martin López de Lerma. The first of them, document ES1028926U, discloses a sock and stocking aid for disabled persons which is characterized in that it comprises a rod in the form of a fork joined to a mould by means of rotating fasteners, wherein said mould has the form of a foot, having some protuberances so that therein, once the sock is introduced in the mould, it is fastened and the putting on operation can be performed. On the other hand, document ES1054677U also claims a sock aid for disabled persons which comprises a cup-shaped cylindrical housing wherein the sock is introduced open and fixed by folding its elastic outside thereof. The cup-shaped cylindrical housing has two parallel sticks laterally fixed to the inner part thereof by clamps, said two parallel sticks being provided at their ends with rearwards-aimed handles by means thereof the tool is gripped once the sock is mounted hanging within the cup-shaped cylindrical housing. This way, when the cup-shaped cylindrical housing is passed over the foot the sock slides on it and once it is put on, by pulling upwards, the sock is released being stretched over the leg. The housing is open along a generatrix towards the front, this opening providing a certain flexibility and adaptation to the size of the user's leg.

[0011] With respect to these documents ES1028926U and ES1054677U the device object of the present invention has notable differences and advantages which are worth mentioning. Indeed, this device is differentiated from those disclosed in said documents in matters not only of form but of content, specifically by the form in which it enables putting on the sock, which in fact is the most important element. Firstly, it should be taken into account that although in all cases the purpose is to put socks on, it is not the same that the sock is simply put on the foot, to then slide in over the leg, as the sock being correctly positioned on the foot, which is not ensured with the sock and stocking aids of the aforementioned documents. Instead, the device now proposed enables the sock to be entirely gathered up without it hanging, which does occur if the other sock and stocking aids are used, wherein the garment remains open and hanging. That means that the sock must be pulled upwards and, consequently, it is not perfectly positioned, it is much more difficult to accommodate them and furthermore, those sock and stocking aids cannot be used with compression stockings and narrow socks, due to the fact that the user should exert a great force pulling the compression stockings and tight or narrow socks. Therefore, the function of said sock and stocking aids is to pull the stockings and socks, which is a serious drawback. However, with the device that is now claimed the sock does not remain hanging nor is it pulled, instead the sock is completely introduced within a complementary piece especially developed so that the device effectively performs its purpose in benefit of the users for whom this device has been especially conceived and developed.

Summary of the invention

[0012] With the purpose of resolving the drawbacks and deficiencies of the sock and stocking aids known up to present, the device object of the present invention has been developed, which, as will clearly be seen on describing it with reference to the figures which illustrate it, offers outstanding advantages whereby people with impaired mobility, such as those who suffer from degenerative joint diseases or for other reasons have reduced capacity of movement of his/her joints, can put on and take off by themselves the socks and stockings in general, even compression stockings, with no difficulties and with such ease that this device is suitable for users of any age and strength; from a young person to an elderly person.

[0013] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a self-help device for handling socks, compression stockings and stockings in general, especially designed for people with difficult or impaired movement such as those who suffer from degenerative joint diseases or who have suffered accidents whereby they have one or both legs totally or partially immobilized which hinders or prevents them from both putting on and taking off stockings and socks. It is also indicated for any person who, although not suffering any of said diseases, nor having undergone a surgical intervention, normally or occasionally uses compression stockings (for example in the case of varicose veins and circulatory problems) or also indicated for persons with reduced mobility due to obesity, pregnancy, etc., this apparatus being of the type formed by a pair of pull-rods at whose end are defined handles wherefrom the user holds the device during the putting on of the socks or stockings, and whose lower end is hingedly attached to a piece operationally linked to the garment to put it on the user's foot and slide it on the leg thereof. This device is particularly defined by the combination of a first and a second pieces of essentially tubular geometry, which are independent, complementary and can be axially attached to one another by the complete introduction of one into the other, wherein the upper part of the garment, whether a sock or a stocking, is disposed in a surrounding manner outside the first piece, while the lower part of the garment is totally housed inside the second piece as it is already inserted in the first one, the second piece being hingedly attached to the pull-rods to displace as a whole said first and second pieces progressively covering the user's foot, whose toes are from the start in contact with the toecap of the sock or stocking, and then the user's leg. The invention also provides an accessory to help take off the stockings or socks, which is defined by a rod, similar to the previous one, at whose lower end is disposed a catching piece for catching the open end of the garment and thus permit pushing it downwards to remove it from the foot.

Brief description of the drawings

[0014] 

Figure 1 is a perspective and partial exploded view of the self-help device object of the present invention.

Figures 2 to 4 are views showing a sequence of preparing the device with a sock to proceed with putting it on.

Figures 5 to 7 are views showing a sequence of putting the sock on one of the user's feet.

Figure 8 is a view showing the way in which the user can take off the sock using for that purpose a rod which is also object of the present invention.

Figure 9 is a perspective view of the rod illustrated in Figure 8.

Detailed description of the invention

[0015] As shown in Figure 1, this self-help device for putting on socks, compression stockings and stockings in general, comprises a first piece or support piece 1 for supporting the garment to put on, whether a sock or a stocking, and a second piece or push piece 2 for displacing the support piece 1 together with said garment, both support and push pieces 1 and 2 being of essentially complementary tubular geometry, they can be axially attached to one another, and they have a slightly conical longitudinal development of decreasing section from its respective lower ends 3 and 5 towards its respective upper ends 4 and 6. Furthermore, these support and push pieces 1 and 2 have longitudinal cuts which define corresponding openings 7 and 8 throughout the extension thereof, said openings 7 and 8 being considerably large, as illustrated in this example of embodiment, to provide support and push pieces 1 and 2 with the necessary flexibility to be able to easily adapt to the different anatomic builds of the users and to attach one to the other. The lower end 3 of the support piece 1 has a perimeter rim or reinforcing flange 9, while the lower end 5 of push piece 2 has a perimeter rim or push flange 10 whereon, as will be explained below, the support piece 1 will rest on the reinforcing flange 9 for the displacement of both pieces and the unfolding of the sock or stocking on the foot and the leg of the user by means of the pull-rods 11. As is illustrated, the pull-rods 11 have a lower end 12 hingedly attached, by means of tags 13, to respective pins 16 which form part of the flange 10 of push piece 2, and an upper end with respective handles 15, wherefrom the user holds the device to put on the socks or stockings.

[0016] When this apparatus is put into practice in accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the support piece 1 may have 119 millimetres outer diameter and 115 millimetres inner diameter, 85 millimetres length, and the flange 9 may have 140 millimetres diameter and 3 millimetres wide. This flange may have, as shown in figure 1, a cut 17 in the centre of its longitudinal extension of 40 millimetres length, to provide it with greater flexibility. On the other hand, the push piece 2 may have, for example, 115 millimetres outer diameter, 111 millimetres inner diameter, 85 millimetres length, and the reinforcing flange 10 12 millimetres width, whereas the pins 16 which are projected from opposite points of the flange 10 may be 10 millimetres with a metric thread 6, whereon rods 11 having a diameter of 10 millimetres and a length of 600 millimetres are threaded. We should mention that in the case of using this device to put on very long socks or stockings, the support piece 1 may have a length longer than that indicated, and in general both piece 1 and piece 2 may be manufactured in lengths adapted to the different lengths of socks and stockings as is more appropriate for the comfort of the user. Preferably the material used to construct this device is Nylon.

[0017] Figure 2 shows the form in which a sock 18 begins to be placed manually by the user on the support piece 1. As can clearly be seen, the sock 18 advances on the interior of support piece 1 so that its upper part 19 is disposed in a surrounding manner outside support piece 1 as the user pulls from the open end 20 of the sock 18. Then, the user completes the introduction of the sock 18 in the support piece 1 until the toecap 21 thereof is in sight within the support piece 1 in the position shown in Figure 3. Next, as shown in Figure 4, the user axially and completely couples support and push pieces 1 and 2 until flange 9 rests against flange 10. In these conditions, the user directs his/her foot towards the interior of the assembly formed by the support and push pieces 1 and 2 until his/her toes come into contact with the toecap 21 of the sock 18 as shown in Figure 5 and, from there, begin to put on the sock 18 by pulling from the handles 15 of the respective pull-rods 11, as shown in Figure 6, until the sock 18 is perfectly positioned on the foot as observed in Figure 7, after which the support and push pieces 1 and 2 are easily removed from the user's leg.

[0018] As shown in Figures 8 and 9, so that the user can comfortably take off the sock an accessory 22 is provided, which is defined by a rod 23, whose lower end has a catching piece 24 for catching the open end 20 of the garment 18 with the aim of displacing it downwards in the direction of the tip of the foot until totally removing it. The catching piece 24 comprises a rear transversal portion 25, where the lower end of the rod 23 is fixed, and a front portion 26, essentially perpendicular to said rear transversal portion 25, which has a lateral cavity 27 for the gripping of the open end of the garment and, in these conditions, push it downwards until removing it from the foot. The upper end of the rod 23 has a handle 28 wherefrom the user comfortably holds for handling it and removing the worn sock or stocking.

[0019] It is placed on record that, having described and illustrated a preferred embodiment of the self-help device object of the present invention, when this device is put into practice it may have some structural modifications with the simple purpose of adapting it to the needs and/or requirements of the users, without departing from the expressly claimed features.

Claims

1. Self-help device for handling socks, compression stockings and stockings in general, especially designed for people with difficult or impaired mobility such as those who suffer from degenerative joint diseases, who have suffered accidents whereby they have one or both legs partially or totally immobilized, or obese people, pregnant women, among others, the device being of the type comprising a pair of pull-rods (11) in whose upper end are defined handles (15) wherefrom the user holds the device during the putting on of the socks or the stockings, and whose lower end (12) is hingedly attached to a piece operationally linked to the garment (18) to put it on the user's foot and slide it on the leg thereof, the device being characterized in that it comprises the combination of a first and a second pieces (1, 2) of essentially tubular geometry, which are complementary and which can be axially attached to one another by introducing one in the other, where the upper part of the garment (18), whether a sock or a stocking, is disposed in surrounding manner outside the first piece (1), while the rest of the garment (18) is totally housed inside the second piece (2) as this is already inserted in the first piece (1), the second piece (2) being hingedly attached to the pull-rods (11) to displace together said first and second pieces (1, 2) with the garment (18) progressively covering the user's foot, whose toes are from the start in contact with the toecap (21) of the garment (18), and then the user's leg.

2. Self-help device in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that said first and second tubular pieces (1, 2) have a slightly conical longitudinal development of decreasing section from the lower end towards the upper end thereof.

3. Self-help device in accordance with claims 1 or 2, characterized in that said first piece (1) has a longitudinal cut which defines a large opening (7) throughout its length.

4. Self-help device in accordance with claims 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that said second piece (2) has a longitudinal cut which defines a large opening (8) throughout its length.

5. Self-help device in accordance with any of the preceding claims, characterized in that a lower (3) end of said first piece (1) has a perimeter rim or reinforcing flange (9).

6. Self-help device in accordance with claim 5, characterized in that said reinforcing flange (9) has a cut in the centre of its longitudinal extension which favours the flexibility thereof.

7. Self-help device in accordance with any of the preceding claims, characterized in that a lower end (5) of said second piece (2) has a perimeter rim or pushing flange (10) for pushing the first piece (1) and unfolding the garment (18) on the user's foot and leg.

8. Self-help device in accordance with any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it includes an accessory (22) to take off the garment (18) placed on the user's foot and leg, said accessory (22) being defined by a rod (23) whose lower end has a catching piece (24) for catching the open end (20) of the garment (18) to displace it downwards and thus remove it from the foot and leg.

9. Self-help device in accordance with claim 8, characterized in that said catching piece (24) comprises a rear transversal portion (25), where the lower end of the rod (23) is fixed, and a front portion (26), essentially perpendicular to said rear transversal portion (25), which has a lateral cavity (27) for catching the open end (20) of the garment (18) and pushing it to remove it from the user's foot and leg.

Drawing