GB2408442A

GB2408442A - Sock aid

Info

Publication number: GB2408442A
Application number: GB0327375A
Authority: GB
Inventors: R H Cornelius; R E J Cornelius
Original assignee: CORVETTE DOMESTIC APPLIANCES L; CORVETTE PRODUCTS Ltd
Current assignee: CORVETTE DOMESTIC APPLIANCES L; CORVETTE PRODUCTS Ltd
Priority date: 2003-11-25
Filing date: 2003-11-25
Publication date: 2005-06-01
Anticipated expiration: 2023-11-25
Also published as: WO2005051144A1; GB2408442B; GB0327375D0

Abstract

An aid for use by a person in putting on a sock comprises an elongate member of sheet material, having a head portion (20) and a gripping portion (10), the head portion being arranged to receive a sock pulled over it and to retain the top of the sock as the aid is used to pull the sock onto the user's foot. Studs (28, 29) help to retain the top of the sock.

Description

1 2408442 Sock Aid The present invention relates to an aid for use,

particularly by the elderly or infirm, in putting on socks.

Often the elderly or infirm have difficulty bending down to put on their socks. A number of aids have been proposed hitherto for alleviating this problem, but these aids are, variously, limited in their effectiveness or ease of use, or complicated in construction.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an aid for use by a person in putting on a sock, the aid comprising an elongate member of sheet material, said member having a head portion and a gripping portion which extends from the head portion, said head portion being arranged to receive a sock pulled over it and to retain the top of the sock as the aid is used to pull the sock onto the user's foot.

In use, the sock is pulled over the head portion of the elongate member of the aid and its top is retained by the head portion. Then the user grips the aid by means of the gripping portion of the elongate member, with the head portion resting on the floor. Then the user places his or her foot on the upper side of the head portion and inserts his or her toes into the top of the sock. Then the user pulls the aid towards himself or herself, to pull the sock onto his or her foot.

Finally, the user detaches the top of the sock from the aid and pulls the aid clear.

Preferably the gripping portion is formed with at least one aperture, and preferably a series of such apertures spaced apart along its length. The user may insert his or her fingers through this aperture, or any desired aperture of the series, for gripping the aid.

Preferably the head portion of the elongate member is formed with a rounded front edge.

Preferably at least one projection is provided on the underside of the head portion of the elongate member, over which the top of the sock, at its rear, can be hooked, for retaining the sock on the aid. Preferably this projection has an enlarged head. Preferably a pair of such projections are provided, spaced apart across the width of the aid: preferably the head portion is formed with an aperture, disposed between this pair of projections, to facilitate insertion of the user's finger to unhook the top of the sock from the projections once he or she has pulled the sock into position on his or her foot.

In addition to or instead of the above-mentioned projection or projections, the head portion of the elongate member may be formed with a pair of transversely-aligned recesses, disposed in its opposite side edges, for retaining the top of the sock. Preferably the opposite side edges of the head portion diverge outwardly from the forward end of the gripping portion, then curve forwardly and inwardly to merge with the front end edge of the head portion. Preferably the recesses are positioned where the head portion is at its widest. Preferably these recesses are disposed forwardly of the projection or projections, when provided, on the underside of the elongate member.

Preferably the head portion of the elongate member is generally dished in cross-section. In particular, preferably lateral portions of the head portion are formed to an upwardly inclined disposition.

The elongate member is preferably formed in one-piece from sheet material, for example the plastics material (particularly thermoplastics material).

Preferably the elongate member may be folded in half for storage. Preferably the forward end of the head portion may be inserted into an aperture (preferably one of the gripping apertures) adjacent the rear end of the gripping portion, to retain the member in its folded condition.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIGURE 1 is a plan view of a sock aid in accordance with the invention; and FIGURE 2 is a cross-sectional view of the sock aid, taken on the line II-II in Figure 1.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown a sock aid which comprises a one-piece elongate member of sheet plastics material, having an elongate, parallel-sided gripping portion and a head portion 20 extending from one end of the gripping portion. The elongate member is of generally shaperetaining form but preferably exhibits a degree of flexibility. The head portion 20 of the elongate member is rounded, in convex manner, along its forward end edge 21, and its opposite side edges 22, 23 diverge outwardly from the forward end of the gripping portion 10, then curve forwardly and inwardly to merge with the rounded front end edge 21. Intermediate its front and rear ends, the head portion 20 is formed, in its opposite edges, with an aligned pair of cut-outs or recesses 24, 25, the edges of which curve round to merge with the main edges 22, 23 of the head portion. The head portion 20 of the aid is generally dished in cross-section, as shown in Figure 2, with lateral portions, outwardly of notional lines indicated by dots 26,27 in Figure 1, formed to an upwardly-inclined disposition.

The head portion 20 has a pair of studs 28, 29 fixed to it, projecting from its underside and formed with enlarged heads. These studs are spaced equally either side of a notional longitudinal centre line of the aid, and on a notional transverse line spaced rearwardly from the cut-outs 22, 23.

An aperture 30 is formed through the head portion 20, at a central position between the two studs 28, 29.

The elongate gripping portion 10 of the aid is formed with three apertures 11, 12, 13 spaced apart along its length, and provided for gripping purposes. Each of these gripping apertures is generally elongate in form, extending across the width of the gripping portion 10, in particular (in the example shown) of D-shape with a straight rear edge and a curved front edge. The aperture 13, which is adjacent the rear end of the aid, is formed with circular extensions 14, 15 at the ends of its rear edge: the gripping portion 10 may be folded forwardly to overlie the head portion 20, then the forward end of the head portion 20 inserted into the aperture 13, its front edge 21 engaging into the extensions 14, 15 of the aperture 13 to retain the aid in this folded condition. The aid then takes up reduced space in this folded condition. Preferably the gripping portion 20 is formed to an upwardly-inclined disposition, rearwardly of a notional transverse line indicated at 18 in Figure 1, which is intermediate the head portion 20 and the first of the gripping apertures 11, and generally mid- way along the length of the aid.

In use of the sock aid, a sock is pulled over the front end of the head portion 20 of the aid, until the top of the sock engages into the cutouts 24, 25 either side of the head portion. Then the top of the sock, at its rear, is hooked over the studs 28, 29 on its underside. The user then holds the aid by insertion of his or her fingers through one of the gripping apertures, most commonly the top gripping aperture 13, with the head portion 20 resting on the floor and directed forwardly and away from the user. The user then places his or her foot on the head portion 20 and slides it forwardly so that his or her toes enter the top of the sock. Then the user pulls the aid towards himself or herself, to pull the sock over his or her foot and up his or her leg to the usual position: finally, the user unhooks the top of the sock from the studs 28, 29, by hooking his or her finger over the top of the sock at its rear (the aperture 30 facilitating insertion of the user's finger for this purpose), and pulls the aid out of the sock.

It will be appreciated that, as the user pulls the aid towards him to pull the sock onto his or her foot, he or she may, if desired, may if he wish change his or her grip from one gripping aperture to another, starting off perhaps with the gripping aperture 13, then changing to gripping aperture 12 and so on.

Claims

Claims 1) An aid for use by a person in putting on a sock, the aid

comprising an elongate member of sheet material, said member having a head portion and a gripping portion which extends from the head portion, said head portion being arranged to receive a sock pulled over it and to retain the top of the sock as the aid is used to pull the sock onto the user's foot.
2) An aid as claimed in claim 1, in which said gripping portion is formed with at least one aperture for the user to insert his or her fingers in order to grip the aid.
3) An aid as claimed in claim 2, in which said gripping portion is formed with a series of said apertures spaced apart along its length.
4) An aid as claimed in any preceding claim, in which said head portion is formed with a rounded front edge.
5) An aid as claimed in any preceding claim, in which said head portion is provided on its underside with at least one projection over which the top of the sock, at its rear, can be hooked.
6) An aid as claimed in claim 5, in which the or each said projection has an enlarged head.
7) An aid as claimed in claim 5 or 6, in which said head is provided with a pair of said projections, spaced apart across the width of the aid.
8) An aid as claimed in claim 7, in which said head portion is formed with an aperture, disposed between said pair of projections, for the user to insert his or her finger to unhook the top of the sock from said projections.
9) An aid as claimed in any preceding claim, in which said head portion is formed with a pair of transversely-aligned recesses, disposed in its opposite side edges, for retaining the top of the sock.
10) An aid as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the opposite side edges of the head portion diverge outwardly from the forward end of the gripping portion, then curve forwardly and inwardly to merge with the front end edge of the head portion.
11) An aid as claimed in claim 10 appended to claim 9, in which said recesses are positioned where the head portion is at its widest.
12) An aid as claimed in any of claims 9 to 11 appended to any of claims 6 to 8, in which said recesses are disposed forwardly of said projection or projections provided on the underside of said elongate member.
13) An aid as claimed in any preceding claim, in which said head portion is generally dished in cross-section.
14) An aid as claimed in claim 13, in which lateral portions of said head portion are formed to an upwardly- inclined disposition.
15) An aid as claimed in any preceding claim, in which said elongate member is arranged to be folded in half for storage.
16) An aid as claimed in claim 15, arranged for the forward end of the head portion to be inserted into an aperture adjacent the rear end of the gripping portion, to retain said elongate member in its folded condition.
17) An aid substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.