EP0878157B1 - Device for assisting in putting on socks and similar clothing articles - Google Patents

Abstract

The device is constituted by a clamp comprising two oblong arms (1,2) able to pivot relative to each other about a pivoting point (3). One end of each arm one side of the pivoting point constitutes a handle whereas the each arm end on the other side constitutes a jaw (11,21). The first jaw (11) enables the upper open end (90) of the sock to be slipped on as far as the foot point. The second jaw (21) fits around the first jaw when the arms are brought together in order to clamp a sock between the external face (111) of the first jaw and the internal face of the second jaw.

Description

The present invention relates generally to devices orthopedic. In particular, the present invention relates to a device for make it easier to put on socks and similar items of clothing such as socks or stockings for example.

Many elderly and disabled people in particular have difficulty bending down and lifting their legs. These persons often have great difficulty putting on shoes alone and even more so putting on their socks or similar items, and therefore often have to rely on the help of a third party.

Many devices have therefore been developed for allow these people to put on their socks or stockings. Some of these devices, such as those described in FR2 712 162, DE4438319, GB2296421 or in US3853252 for example, consist of a kind of single handle similar to a shoehorn. These devices do not maintain socks whose open upper end is very wide or very elastic, and easily distort tighter socks. Others, like the one described in US4072255, do not have a handle long enough to facilitate actually putting it on.

Patent document US5,513,783 describes a device to facilitate threading socks with two jaws that are inserted at the end upper sock open and tongue protruding to increase the opening of this sock. This device is relatively expensive to manufacture because it has three large hinged parts mutually.

Other devices are described for example in FR2'425'827 and in DE2940038.

Also, the document Thomas Hall US 3,991,920 relates to a device which, intended for facilitate the donning of stockings or socks, comprises, on the one hand, two jaws in the form of iron on horseback and, on the other hand, two operating levers which are pivotally mounted for allow the relative displacement of the two jaws.

• les mors sont chacun porté par l'une des extrémités d'un groupe d'extrémités et,
• les deux leviers montés à pivotement coopèrent chacun avec l'une des deux autres extrémités des pièces coulissantes de manière telle que l'actionnement de ces leviers engendre le déplacement relatif desdites pièces et donc celui des mors qu'elles portent.

Specifically, the device of document US Pat. No. 3,991,920 comprises two elongated parts which, slidingly mounted one inside the other, have two opposing groups of two ends substantially and,

• the jaws are each carried by one of the ends of a group of ends and,
• the two levers pivotally mounted each cooperate with one of the other two ends of the sliding parts so that the actuation of these levers causes the relative displacement of said parts and therefore that of the jaws they carry.

This type of device is designed to ensure the maintenance of a clothing item whose wall tubular must be previously rolled on itself, in particular to give it a certain outfit.

In view of the fact that the article of clothing is wound on itself, the use of this device is limited to the engagement of a clothing item on one foot and does not allow the actual threading of this article on said complete foot then on the calf.

Indeed, the method of maintaining the item of clothing between the jaws obliges the user to release the clothing item of the device so as to be able to unroll it, then to bend way to unfold the said article.

This type of device can therefore only be used by people who can bend over.

In addition, this device can only be used to put on clothing articles, the wall of which tubular can be rolled on itself without significantly affecting the size of the opening intended for the engagement of a foot, which is the case of the stockings, but not of the socks.

A result which the invention aims to obtain is a device which overcomes these drawbacks by allowing the maintenance of a clothing article without having to roll up its tubular wall on itself and by ensuring an effective maintenance of the article when a traction is exerted on the device to completely thread the article.

Another result which the invention aims to obtain is a device whose operation is reliable and easy to understand.

The object of the present invention is to provide a device for facilitate the donning of socks improved compared to these devices of the art prior.

This object is achieved according to the invention by means of a device presenting the elements of the characterizing part of claim 1, preferential variants being further indicated in the claims dependent.

The invention will be better understood using the description given to as an example and illustrated by the appended figures which show:

Figure 1 a side view of a device according to the invention with a sock slipped on and the two arms of the device separated.

Figure 2 a side view of the device of Figure 1 with a sock slipped on and both arms close together to maintain sock.

Figure 3 a front section of the lower portion of the device of figure 1.

Figure 4 a perspective view of a device according to a second variant of the invention.

In order to simplify the rest of the description and the claims, will then simply use the term sock to denote all shapes of socks, socks, stockings or pieces of clothing analogues.

As seen more particularly in FIG. 1, the device of the invention comprises two oblong arms 1, 2 articulated like a pincer. The arms can be made of metal, for example steel, aluminum, or in any other suitable and possibly anoxic metal, or in material molded or injected plastic. We will preferably take care to limit the weight of the entire device so that it can be manipulated even by severely disabled people. The length of the arms 1, 2 is sufficient to extend the user's arms to the ground without bending, or while bending falling only slightly. Both arms are articulated around a point pivot 3 constituted for example by an axis, a pin or a rivet, a Teflon washer (registered trademark) which can be used to limit wear of moving parts at the joint. In this example, the central part of the first arm 1 is widened and has a recess 100 crossed by the second arm 2 at the joint. In a variant, the two arms could simply consist of two oblong elements 1, 2 assembled one against the other by the articulation point 3. The part upper of each arm 1, 2 further comprises a handle 10, 20 of preferably covered with synthetic or natural material, such as rubber or leather. In the example illustrated, the handle is straight; a handful curved or a loop can however also be used.

The lower end of the first arm 1 is provided with a first jaw 11 constituted in this example horseshoe fixed approximately at an angle straight relative to arm 1. The size of the horseshoe 11 corresponds approximately at the maximum opening that the open upper end can support 90 an ordinary size sock 9. The jaw 11 also preferably includes a stop portion 110 (particularly visible in FIG. 3) intended to retain the end upper of the sock 9 and thus prevent the bit 11 from pass completely inside the sock. The abutment portion 110 is in the example illustrated arranged over the entire periphery of the jaw 11; it would be however, it is also possible to use a smaller stop, for example a stop consisting of one or more discontinuous elements on the periphery of the jaws 11 or by an extra thickness of any suitable shape. In addition, to prevent slipping of the sock 9, it is possible to provide the external face 111 of the first jaw 11 of a non-slip coating, by example of a rubberized coating or a relief structure in the bit material.

The lower end of the other arm 2 is provided with a second jaw 21 whose shape corresponds approximately to the first bit 11. The internal dimension of the second jaw 21 corresponds substantially to the external dimension of the first jaw 11. At least the internal face 211 of the second jaw 21 may optionally be covered with rubber or a other non-slip coating. By bringing the two arms 1, 2 at most, in the direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. 1, the two jaws 11, 21 fit together, the internal face 211 of the second jaw 21 bearing against the external face 111 of the first jaw 11, so as to pinch between these surfaces and to maintain a sock 9 which has been threaded around the first jaw 11. As can be seen more particularly in FIG. 3, the external face 111 of the first jaw in this preferred variant has an annular projection 112 coming to be housed in the closed position in a corresponding groove 212 of the second jaw 21, so as to better retain the sock. In a variant, this arrangement could be reversed: the projection would then be provided on the face internal 211 of the second jaw 21 to come and engage in a groove provided on the external face 111 of the first jaw 11.

A peripheral projecting edge 113 on the outer edge of the first jaw 11 keeps the two jaws firmly assembled. The edge 113 may be disposed over the entire periphery of the first jaw 11, or preferably as shown only near the two free ends of the bit. Preferably, the shape of the edge 113 makes it possible to close the two jaws with an audible click.

The two jaws 11 and 21 are preferably made of material synthetic molded or injected, and assembled on arms 1 and 2 by gluing, tightening or riveting for example. Metal jaws 11 and 21 can however also be made in the context of this invention. The manufacture of separate jaws of the arms has the advantage compared to a construction monobloc to limit the size of the necessary injection molds.

The first jaw 11 has the function of removing the opening 90 from the sock 9 while the second jaw 21 only serves to hold the sock against the first bit. The second jaw 21 could therefore in a variant be made of a horseshoe with two shorter strands than those of the first jaw 11, but nevertheless able to fit around the first jaw.

It will also be noted in particular in FIG. 2 that the second arm 2 preferably comprises a foot 22 allowing the whole of the device vertically on the ground with both arms close together without it rocking. The device is in contact with the ground on the foot 22 and on the first and / or second jaw 11/21. This feature allows you to store the device vertically and therefore easily accessible without having to bend down.

The second jaw also preferably includes a lug 23 on its lower surface, allowing you to remove your socks.

The user wishing to put on a sock 9 puts it on first. its open upper end 90 on the first jaw 11, preferably with the front of the sock pointing in the same direction as the side bit 11 open. The sock is thus sufficiently open to allow the foot to pass thereafter. The two arms 1, 2 are then close together, so that the upper end of the sock is pinched between the external face 111 of the first jaw 11 and the internal face 211 of the second jaws 21. The two jaws preferably have sufficient elasticity to guarantee an effective hold of the sock. The stop 110 prevents this as soon as the sock goes up along the arm 1. The user can then easily pass the tip of the foot then the heel by the upper end 90 wide open of sock 9, then reassemble the sock along the calves by pulling the device up along the leg. When the sock is sufficiently raised, the two arms 1, 2 are then separated from so as to release the sock. The second sock can then be put on in the same way.

Socks 9 can be removed later by inserting the lug 23 between the calf and the sock to push the latter up to the heel.

None of these operations forces the user to bend, he thus making it possible to wear socks effortlessly and without the aid of a third party.

Figure 4 illustrates a device for putting on the socks according to a second variant of the invention, particularly suitable for manufacturing economical in very large series. In this variant, the jaws 11, 21 and the arms 1, 2 are each made in a single molded or injected part. The use of arms also made of synthetic material makes it possible to adopt a more ergonomic and aesthetic than metal, while reducing weight of the device. This variant can naturally also be provided with a lug 23 for removing socks and a throat-protector assembly 112-212 to improve the maintenance of socks. The other features are identical to those of the first variant described.

The device of the invention can be produced in several lengths suitable for people of different sizes. Likewise, devices with different jaw openings, corresponding to different foot size ranges can be offered. It is also possible, in the part of the present invention, to provide removable sets of jaws of different sizes.

Claims (10)

1. Device, to facilitate slipping on socks (9) and similar articles of clothing, comprising two gripping jaws (11, 21) of horseshoe shape which, through action on two oblong arms (1, 2) able to pivot with respect to one another about a pivot point (3), can be brought together with a view to gripping the article of clothing

   the arms (1, 2) are made up of tongs, one end (10, 20) of each arm on one side of the pivot point constituting a handle whereas the end of each arm on the other side of the pivot point bears a gripping jaw (11, 21),

   each gripping jaw (11, 21) is fixed approximately perpendicular to the end of the arm which bears it,

      this device being characterised in that

   the shape of the first gripping jaw (11) allows it to be inserted in the open end (90) of the sock (9) in such a way as to hold the sock sufficiently open for passing through at least the tip of the foot,

   the inner diameter of the second gripping jaw is approximately equal to the outer diameter of the first gripping jaw in such a way that, through pivoting, said second gripping jaw (21) fits around the first gripping jaw (11), when the arms (1, 2) are brought together so as to grip a sock (9) etween the outer face (111) of the first gripping jaw and the inner face (211) of the second gripping jaw.
2. Device according to the preceding claim, characterised in that said first gripping jaw (11) includes a stop edge (110) intended to come into contact with the open, upper end of the inserted sock in such a way that said first gripping jaw is prevented from being able to pass to the bottom of the sock.
3. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that one of the two gripping jaws (11) has a projection (112) able to become engaged in a groove (212) provided on the corresponding face of the other gripping jaw (21).
4. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that one of the two gripping jaws (11) comprises a peripheral, projecting stop (113) allowing the two gripping jaws to be closed again with an audible snap and to be kept closed.
5. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it further comprises a catch element (23) enabling socks to be removed.
6. The device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said arms (1, 2) are made of metal.
7. Device according to the preceding claim, characterised in that at least one of said gripping jaws (11, 21) is made of plastic.
8. The device according to claim 6, characterised in that at least one of said arms (1, 2) is covered with plastic.
9. Device according to one of the claims 1 to 5, characterised in that said arms (1, 2) are each made of a single piece of moulded or injected synthetic material.
10. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it can be placed vertically on the floor without toppling over.

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