WO2011156859A1 - Apparatus and method for assisting a person to put footwear articles on their feet - Google Patents
Apparatus and method for assisting a person to put footwear articles on their feet Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2011156859A1 WO2011156859A1 PCT/AU2011/000724 AU2011000724W WO2011156859A1 WO 2011156859 A1 WO2011156859 A1 WO 2011156859A1 AU 2011000724 W AU2011000724 W AU 2011000724W WO 2011156859 A1 WO2011156859 A1 WO 2011156859A1
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- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- band
- identifying
- article
- person
- footwear
- Prior art date
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Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
- G09B—EDUCATIONAL OR DEMONSTRATION APPLIANCES; APPLIANCES FOR TEACHING, OR COMMUNICATING WITH, THE BLIND, DEAF OR MUTE; MODELS; PLANETARIA; GLOBES; MAPS; DIAGRAMS
- G09B19/00—Teaching not covered by other main groups of this subclass
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A43—FOOTWEAR
- A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
- A43B11/00—Footwear with arrangements to facilitate putting-on or removing, e.g. with straps
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A43—FOOTWEAR
- A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
- A43B3/00—Footwear characterised by the shape or the use
- A43B3/0036—Footwear characterised by the shape or the use characterised by a special shape or design
- A43B3/0094—Footwear characterised by the shape or the use characterised by a special shape or design with means to differentiate between right and left shoe
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- Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Entrepreneurship & Innovation (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Educational Administration (AREA)
- Educational Technology (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
- Footwear And Its Accessory, Manufacturing Method And Apparatuses (AREA)
Abstract
An apparatus (150) for assisting a person (170) to put a pair of left and right footwear articles (173, 174) on their correct feet (175, 176) includes a left side identifying band (151) for securing to a left limb (171) of the person (170), a right side identifying band (152) for securing to a right limb (172) of the person (170), a left article identifying band (153) for securing to the left footwear article (173), and a right article identifying band (154) for securing to the right footwear article (174). The left side identifying band (151) and the left article identifying band (153) each include a first identifying mark (159), and the right side identifying band (152) and the right article identifying band (154) each include a second identifying mark (163) which is different to the first identifying mark (159).
Description
APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR ASSISTING A PERSON TO PUT FOOTWEAR ARTICLES ON THEIR FEET
Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to an apparatus and method for assisting a person to put footwear articles on their feet and, in particular, to an apparatus and method for assisting a person to put footwear articles on their correct feet. Background Art
Sometimes children, people with certain disabilities (e.g. blind people), and some elderly people (e.g. elderly people with Alzheimer's disease) have difficulty putting their shoes or other footwear articles on their correct feet. In particular, they have difficulty in putting their left footwear article on their left foot, and putting their right footwear article on their right foot.
It would therefore be desirable to assist such people to be able to put their shoes or other footwear articles on their correct feet.
Some examples of known systems and methods for assisting a person to put their footwear on their correct feet are disclosed by Australian Innovation Patent 2010100413 A4 (Barron) and United States Patent 5,244,233 (McCraney). Barron discloses a system for assisting a user to place left or right items of footwear on their correct feet. The system includes a left footwear marker that is mounted on a left shoe, and a right footwear marker that is mounted on a right shoe. The system also includes a left user's marker that is mounted on a left foot, and a right user's marker that is mounted on the right foot. The left and right footwear markers are recognisably different from each other, as are the left and right user's markers. The left foot user's marker has a very similar visual appearance to the left shoe footwear marker, whereby to enable a user to associate their left foot with the left shoe. Correspondingly, the right foot user's marker has the same or a very similar visual appearance as the right shoe footwear marker for the user to match their right foot with their right shoe
In the system disclosed by Barron, the left user's marker may be in the form of an ankie strap or ankle band having a colour which corresponds to that of the left footwear marker, and the right user's marker may be in the form of an
ankle strap or ankle band having a different colour which corresponds to that of the right footwear marker. The footwear markers are disclosed as comprising: different coloured tags on the laces of the left and right shoes; tabs of different colours on the outside of the heel portion of the left and right shoes; or a label inside the shoe of a particular colour, picture, or shape that relates to the user markings on the corresponding foot- of the user.
McCraney discloses a system and method for enabling a small child to easily and reliably place his or her shoes on their correct feet. At least one of the toenails from the child's right foot is painted with a first colour from a first bottle of paint, and at least one of the toenails from the child's left foot is painted with a second, contrasting colour from a second bottle of paint. A stick-on label having said first colour is removed from a first paper strip and applied to the inside of the child's right shoe above the heel thereof, and a stick-on label having said second colour is removed from a second paper strip and applied to the inside of the child's left shoe above the heel. The child then matches his right shoe to his right foot, each being marked with the first colour and his left shoe to his left foot, each being marked with the second colour.
It is against this background that the present invention has been developed.
Summary of the Invention
It is an object of the present invention to overcome, or at least ameliorate, one or more of the deficiencies of the prior art mentioned above, or to provide the consumer with a useful or commercial choice.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein, by way of illustration and example, a preferred embodiment of the present invention is disclosed.
According to a first broad aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for assisting a person to put a pair of left and right footwear articles on their correct feet, the apparatus including a left side identifying band for securing to a left limb of the person, a right side identifying band for securing to a right iimb of the person, a left article identifying band for securing to the (eft footwear article, and a right article identifying band for
securing to the right footwear article, the left side identifying band and the left article identifying band each including a first identifying mark, and the right side identifying band and the right article identifying band each including a second identifying mark which is different to the first identifying mark.
The apparatus may be used by a person such as a child or disabled person, for example, to assist them to put left and right footwear articles on their correct feet. In particular, the apparatus may b© used by a person to assist them to put their left footwear article on their left foot, and to put their right footwear article on their right foot.
The apparatus may be used by a person such as a child or disabled person to put .various types of footwear articles on their correct feet. For example, the apparatus may be used by a child or disabled person to assist them to put shoes, boots, sandals, slippers, thongs (i.e. flip flops), or other 'sided' footwear articles on their correct feet.
Preferably, the left side identifying band and the right side identifying band are both bracelets. It Is preferred that the size of left side Identifying band and the size of the right side identifying band are adjustable so that they can be worn on different sized limbs. For example, in the case where the left side identifying band and the right side identifying band are both bracelets, the diameter of the bracelets may be adjusted so that they may be worn on different sized arms.
Preferably, the left article identifying band and the right article identifying , band are both tags.
Preferably, the left and right side identifying bands and the left and right article identifying bands are silicone bands.
Preferably, the first identifying mark includes a first colour, and the second Identifying mark includes a second colour which is different from the first colour. Some examples of possible first colour and second colour combinations include; blue and pink; blue and red, and purple and pink.
Preferably, the first identifying mark includes a first symbol, and the second identifying mark includes a second symbol which is different from the first symbol.
Preferably, the first symbol includes a first object symbol, and the second symbol includes a second object symbol which is different from the first object
symbol. Some examples of possible first object symbol and second object symbol combinations include: a bike and a truck; a pony and a cat; a soccer ball and a truck; and a pony and a love heart.
Preferably, the first symbol includes a first at least one character, and the second symbol includes a second at [east one character which is different from the first at least one character. Preferably, the first at least one character and the second at least one character both include one or more alphabetic characters. For example, the first at least one character and the second at least one character may respectively include the alphabetic character 'L' and the alphabetic character 'R'. it is preferred that the first at least one character and the second at least one character are both tactile. In a particular preferred form, the first at least one character and the second at least one character each include at least one Braille character to assist a blind person to put their footwear articles on their correct feet.
Preferably, the first at least one character is applied to the first object symbol, and the second at least one character Is applied to the second object symbol. For example, the first at least one character and the second at least one character may respectively be stamped on the first object symbol and the second object symbol.
It is preferred that the first identifying mark of the left side identifying band is at least substantially identical to the first identifying mark of the (eft article identifying band, and that the second identifying mark of the right side identifying band is at least substantially identical to the right article identifying band.
Preferably, the apparatus also includes a left fastening band for securing the left article identifying band to the left footwear article, and a right fastening band for securing the right article identifying band to the right footwear article, It is preferred that the left fastening band and the right fastening band each include a hook and loop fastener for detachably securing opposite ends of the left fastening band and the right fastening band relative to each other so that the left fastening band and the right fastening band are each able to be configured as a closed loop.
According to a second broad aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for assisting a person to put a pair of left and right footwear
articles on their correct feet using the apparatus according to the first broad aspect of the present invention, the method including the steps of:
securing the left side identifying band and the right side identifying band of the apparatus respectively to one of the left limbs and one of the right limbs of the person; and
securing the left article identifying band and the right article identifying band of the apparatus respectively to the left footwear article and the right footwear article.
Preferably, the left side identifying band and the right side identifying band are secured such that the person wears the left side identifying band on their left arm, and such that the person wears the right side identifying band on their right arm. It is particularly preferred that the person wears the left side identifying band on their left wrist, and that the person wears the right side identifying band on their right wrist.
Preferably, the left article identifying band and the right article identifying band are secured to the left and right footwear articles such that an end of the left article identifying band is passed through ah opening in the left footwear article and is secured to an opposite end of the left article identifying band, and such that an end of the right article identifying band is passed through an opening in the right footwear article and is secured to an opposite end of the right article identifying band.
Alternatively, the left article identifying band and the right article identifying band are secured to the left and right footwear articles by securing the left fastening band of the apparatus to the left article identifying band and to the left footwear article, and by securing the right fastening band of the apparatus to the right article identifying band and to the right footwear article.
Brief Description of the Drawings
In order that the invention may be more fully understood and put into practice, a preferred embodiment thereof will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 depicts a first preferred embodiment of an apparatus for assisting a person to put a pair of left and right footwear articles on their correct feet;
Figure 2 depicts the bracelets of the apparatus illustrated in figure 1 being worn on a child's wrists; and
Figure 3 depicts a second preferred embodiment of an apparatus for assisting a person to put a pair of left and right footwear articles on their correct feet;
Figure 4 depicts a third preferred embodiment of an apparatus for assisting a person to put a pair of left and right footwear articles on their correct feet;
Figure 5 depicts a fourth preferred embodiment of an apparatus for assisting a person to put a pair of left and right footwear articles on their correct ieet; and
Figure 6 depicts the larger bands of the apparatus Illustrated in figure 5 being worn on a child's wrists as bracelets, and the smaller bands of the apparatus being secured as tags to the footwear worn by the child.
Best Mode(s) for Carrying out the Invention
In the figures, like features have been referenced with like reference numbers.
Referring to figure 1 , there is depicted an apparatus 20 for assisting a person to put a pair of left and right footwear articles on their correct feet such that the left footwear article is put on the person's left foot and such that the right footwear article is put on the person's right foot.
Apparatus 20 includes a left side identifying device/band In the form of a bracelet 21, a right side identifying device/band in the form of a bracelet 22, a left footwear article identifying device/band in the form of a tag 23, and a right footwear article identifying device/band in the form of a tag 24.
Each bracelet 21, 22 includes a 5½ inch long strap 30 on which is strung a translucent oval-shaped bead 31, and six matching opaque cylindrical-shaped beads 32. Strap 30 may be an elastic strap. Beads 31 and 32 are strung on the strap 30 so that three beads 32 are located on each side of the bead 31, To prevent the beads 31, 32 from sliding off the strap 30, and to confine the beads 31, 32 to a middle section of the strap 30, a pair of knots 33 is tied in the strap 30 at locations which are adjacent to each end of the series of beads 31, 32.
A respective crimp connector 34 is secured to each end of the strap 30.
A respective half/portion 35 of a magnetic clasp 36 is secured to each crimp connector 34 by a respective ring 37 which links an eyelet 38 of the clasp half 35 to an eyelet 39 of the crimp connector 34.
Each tag 23, 24 includes a 3 inch long strap 50 on which is strung a translucent oval-shaped bead 51, and a pair of matching opaque cylindrical- shaped beads 52. Strap 50 may be an elastic strap. Bead 51 and beads 52 of the left tag 23 are respectively identical to the bead 31 and beads 32 of the left bracelet 21. Bead 51 and beads 52 of the right tag 24 are respectively identical to the bead 31 and beads 32 of the right bracelet 22. Beads 51, 52 are strung on the strap 50 of each tag 23, 24 so that one bead 52 is located on each side of the bead 51 , To prevent the beads 51 , 52 from sliding off the strap 50, and to confine the beads 51 , 52 to a middle section of the strap 50, a pair of knots 53 is tied in the strap 50 at locations which are adjacent to each end of the series of beads 51, 52.
A respective crimp connector 54 is secured to each end of the strap 50.
A respective half/portion 55 of a magnetic clasp 56 is secured to each crimp connector 54 by a respective ring 57 which links an eyelet 58 of the clasp half 55 to an eyelet 59 of the crimp connector 54,
The bracelet 21 and tag 23 can be visually distinguished from the bracelet 22 and tag 24 by the colour of their straps 30, 50 and beads 31, 32, 51, 52. The straps 30 and 50, beads 31 and 51, and beads 32 and 52 of the bracelet 21 and tag 23 are pink in colour, whereas the straps 30 and 50, beads 31 and 51 r and beads 32 and 52 of the bracelet 22 arid tag 24 are blue in colour.
The bracelet 21 and tag 23 can also be visually distinguished from the bracelet 22 and tag 24 by alphabetic characters 70 located on substantially flat upper surfaces 71 of the beads 31, 51. Bead 31 of the bracelet 21, and bead 51 of the tag 23 have the alphabetic character 'L' on their upper surfaces 71, while bead 31 of bracelet 22, and bead 51 of the tag 24 have the alphabetic character 'R' on their upper surfaces 71. The 'U alphabetic character stands for the word 'Left' and the 'R' alphabetic character stands for the word 'Right'.
Each of the alphabetic characters 70 is formed by a series of raised dots 72 so that the characters 70 are tactile. This enables the bracelet 21 and tag 23 to also be distinguished from the bracelet 22 and tag 24 by the feet of the alphabetic character 'L' of the bracelet 21 and tag 23 which of course is different
to the feel of the alphabetic character 'R' of the bracelet 22 and tag 24.
The appearance and feel of the 'L' alphabetic character and the pink colour of the bracelet 21 and tag 23 collectively serve as a first identifying mark 73, and the appearance and feel of the 'R' alphabetic character and the blue colour of the bracelet 22 and tag 24 serve as a second identifying mark 74 which is different to the first identifying mark 73.
In use, bracelet 21 is worn on a person's left wrist, tag 23 is secured to the person's left footwear article (not depicted), bracelet 22 is worn on the person's right wrist, and tag 24 is secured to the person's right footwear article (not depicted).
Bracelet 21 can be put on the person's left wrist by pulling the two halves 35 of that bracelet's magnetic clasp 36 apart from each other, draping the bracelet 21 around the person's left wrist, and then bringing the two clasp halves 35 together so that they are again secured to each other by their respective magnetic fields. Likewise, bracelet 22 can be put on the person's right wrist by pulling the two halves 35 of that bracelet's magnetic clasp 36 apart from each other, draping the bracelet 22 around the person's right wrist, and then bringing the two clasp halves 35 together so that they are again secured to each other by their respective magnetic fields.
Figure 2 depicts the left bracelet 21 being worn on a child's left wrist 75, and the right bracelet 22 being worn on the child's right wrist 76.
Tag 23 can be secured to the person's left footwear article (not depicted) by pulling the two halves 55 of that tag's magnetic clasp 56 apart from each other, placing the tag 23 around a suitable part of the left footwear article, and then bringing the two clasp halves 55 together so that they are again secured to each other by their respective magnetic fields. Likewise, tag 24 can be secured to the person's right footwear article (not depicted) by pulling the two halves 55 of that tag's magnetic clasp 56 apart from each other, placing the tag 24 around a suitable part of the right footwear article, and then bringing the two clasp halves 55 together so that they are again secured to each other by their respective magnetic fields.
If, for example, the person's left and right footwear articles are lace-up shoes/boots (not depicted), the left tag 23 may be secured to the left shoe/boot by inserting one end of that tag's strap 50 through a lace eyelet of that shoe/boot
after separating the two clasp halves 55 of that tag apart from each other, and then bringing the two clasp halves 55 together. Similarly, the right tag 24 may be secured to the right shoe/boot by inserting one end of that tag's strap 50 through a lace eyelet of that shoe/boot after separating the two clasp halves 55 of that tag apart from each other, and then bringing the two clasp halves 55 together.
Alternatively, if for example the person's left and right footwear articles are sandals (not depicted) which generally do not include lace eyelets, the left tag 23 may be secured to the left sandal by placing the tag 23 around a strap of that sandal after separating the two clasp halves 55 of that tag apart from each other, and then bringing the two clasp halves 55 together, Similarly > the right tag 24 may be secured to the right sandal by placing the tag 24 around a strap of that sandal after separating the two clasp halves 55 of that tag apart from each other, and then bringing the two clasp halves 55 together.
The bracelets 21, 22 and tags 23, 24 are normally attached/secured with the assistance of another person who can distinguish left from right. This ensures that the bracelets 21 , 22 and tags 23, 24 are secured to the correct wrists and footwear articles of the other person.
After the bracelets 21, 22 are put on by/secured to the person, and after the tags 23, 24 are secured to the footwear articles which the person wishes to put on their feet, the person is then able to determine by the first and second identifying marks 73, 74 of the bracelets 21, 22 and tags 23, 24 which one of the footwear articles is the appropriate footwear article to put on their left foot, and which one of the footwear articles Is the appropriate footwear article to put on their right foot. In particular, because the first identifying mark 73 on the left tag 23 is the same as the first identifying mark 73 on the left bracelet 21, and because the left bracelet 21 is being worn on the person's left wrist, this prompts the person to put the left footwear article to which the left tag 23 is attached on to their left foot. Likewise, because the second identifying mark 74 on the right tag 24 is the same as the second identifying mark 74 on the right bracelet 22, and because the right bracelet 22 is being worn on the person's right wrist, this prompts the person to put the right footwear article to which the right tag 24 is attached on to their right foot.
The bracelets 21 , 22 may be removed from the person's wrists once the footwear articles have been put on their feet correctly, or after the footwear
articles have been removed from their feet. Likewise, the tags 23, 24 may be removed from the footwear articles after the footwear articles have been put on the person's feet correctly, or after the footwear articles have been removed from their feet. Alternatively, the bracelets 21, 22 may be left on the person's wrists indefinitely, and/or the tags 23, 24 may be left secured to the footwear articles indefinitely.
Bracelets 21, 22 may be removed from the person's wrists by separating the clasp halves 35 of each bracelet 21, 22 before removing the bracelets 21, 22 from their wrists. Similarly, the tags 23, 24 may be removed from the footwear articles by separating the clasp halves 55 of each tag 23, 24 before removing the tags 23, 24.
Referring to figure 3, there Is depicted an apparatus 80. Similarly to the apparatus 20, apparatus 80 is also for assisting a person to put a pair.of left and right footwear articles on their correct feet such that the left footwear article is put on the person's left foot and such that the right footwear article is put on the person's right foot.
. Apparatus 80 includes a left side identifying device/band in the form of a bracelet 81 , a right side identifying device/band in the form of a bracelet 82, a left footwear article identifying device/band in the form of a tag 83, and a right footwear article identifying device/band in the form of a tag 84.
Each bracelet 81, 82 includes a 5½ inch long leather strap/thong 90 on which is strung an opaque cube-shaped bead 91, and four matching opaque cyiindrJcal-shaped beads 92. Beads 91 , 92 are strung on the strap 90 so that two beads 92 are located on each side of the bead 91. To prevent the beads 91, 92 from sliding off the strap 90, and to confine the beads 91, 92 to a middle section of the strap 90, a pair of knots 93 is tied in the strap 90 at locations which are adjacent to each end of the series of beads 91, 92.
A respective crimp connector 94 is secured to each end of the strap 90. A parrot clasp 95 is secured to one of the crimp connectors 94 by a jump ring 96 which links an eyelet 97 of the parrot clasp 95 to an eyelet 98 of that crimp connector 94. A clasp tag/end 99 is secured to the other crimp connector 94 by an extension chain 100, a jump ring 101 which links an eyelet 102 of the tag/end 99 to an end link 103 of the chain 100, and by a jump ring _ 104 which links an eyelet 105 of that crimp connector 94 to an end link 106 of the extension chain
100.
Each tag 83, 84 includes a 3 inch long leather strap/thong 110 on which is strung an opaque cube-shaped bead 111 , and a pair of matching opaque cylindrical-shaped beads 112. Bead 111 and beads 112 of the left tag 83 are respectively identical to the bead 91 and beads 92 of the left bracelet 81. Bead 111 and beads 112 of the right tag 84 are respectively identical to the bead 91 and beads 92 of the right bracelet 82. Beads 111, 11.2 are strung on the strap 110 of each tag 83, 84 so that one bead 112 is located on each side of the bead 111. To prevent the beads 111, 112 from sliding off the strap on 110, and to confine the beads 111, 112 to a middle section of the strap 110, a pair of knots 113 is tied in the strap 110 at locations which are adjacent to each end of the series of beads 111, 112.
A respective crimp connector 114 is secured to each end of the strap 110. A parrot clasp 115 is secured to one of the crimp connectors 114 by a jump ring 116 which links an eyelet 117 of the parrot clasp 115 to an eyelet 118 of the crimp connector 114. The other crimp connector 114 includes an eyelet 119 for engaging with the parrot clasp 115.
The bracelet 81 and tag 83 can be visually distinguished from the bracelet 82 and tag 84 by the color of their straps 90, 110 and beads 91, 111. The straps 90 and 110, and beads 91 and 111 of the bracelet 81 and tag 83 are blue in color, whereas the straps 90 and 110, and beads 91 and 111 of the bracelet 82 and tag 84 are pink in color.
The bracelet 81 and tag 83 can also be visually distinguished from the bracelet 82 and tag 84 by alphabetic characters 120 located on each of the fiat surfaces 121 of the beads 91 , 111 except the two flat surfaces of those beads 91 , 111 through which the straps 90, 110 extend. Bead 91 of the bracelet 81, and bead 111 of the tag 83 have the alphabetic character 1' on their surfaces 121, while bead 91 of bracelet 82, and bead 91 of tag 84 have the alphabetic character 'R' on their surfaces 121. The *L' alphabetic character stands for the word 'Left' and the 'R' alphabetic character stands for the word 'Right'. Each of the alphabetic characters 120 Is printed or otherwise applied to the surfaces 121 so that the characters 120 are flush with those surfaces 121 and are therefore not tactile.
The appearance of the 'L' alphabetic character and/or the blue colour of
the bracelet 81 and tag 83 serve as a first identifying mark 122, and the appearance of the 'R' alphabetic character and/or pink colour of the bracelet 82 and tag 84 serve as a second identifying mark 123 which is different to the first identifying mark 122.
In use, bracelet 81 is worn on a person's left wrist, tag 83 is secured to the person's left footwear article (not depicted), bracelet 82 is worn on the person's right wrist, and tag 84 is secured to the person's right footwear article (not depicted).
Bracelet 81 can be put on the person's (eft wrist by opening that bracelet's parrot clasp 95, draping the bracelet 81 around the person's left wrist, and then closing the parrot clasp Θ5 so that it is secured to the clasp tag/end 99 of thai bracelet. Likewise, bracelet 82 can be put on the person's right wrist by opening that bracelet's parrot clasp 95, draping the bracelet 82 around the person's right wrist, and then closing the parrot clasp 95 so that it is secured to the cJasp tag/end 99 of that bracelet.
Tag 83 can be secured to the person's left footwear article (not depicted) by opening that tag's parrot clasp 115, placing the tag 83 around a suitable part of the left footwear article, and then closing the parrot clasp 115 so that it engages with the crimp connector eyelet 119 of tag 83 and is thereby secured to the crimp connector 114 which includes that eyelet 119. Likewise, tag 84 can be secured to the person's right footwear article (not depicted) by opening that tag's parrot clasp 116, placing the tag 84 around a suitable part of the right footwear article, and then closing the parrot clasp 115 so that it engages with the crimp connector eyelet 119 of tag 84 and is thereby secured to the crimp connector 114 which includes that eyelet 119.
The bracelets 81 , 82 and tags 83, 84 are normally attached/secured with the assistance of another person who can distinguish left from right. This ensures that the bracelets 81 , 82 and tags 83, 84 are secured to the correct wrists and footwear articles of the other person.
After the bracelets 81 , 82 are put on by the person, and after the tags 83,
84 are secured to the footwear articles which the person wishes to put on their feet, the person is then able to determine by the first and second identifying marks of the bracelets 81 , 82 and tags 83, 84 which one of the footwear articles is the appropriate footwear article to put on their left foot, and which one of the
footwear articles is the appropriate footwear article to put on their right foot.
The bracelets 81, 82 may be removed from the person's wrists once the footwear articles have been put on their feet correctly, or after the footwear articles have been removed from their feet. Likewise, the tags 83, 84 may be removed from the footwear articles after the footwear articles have been put on the person's feet correctly, or after the footwear articles have been removed from their feet. Alternatively, the bracelets 81, 82 may be left on the person's wrists indefinitely, and/or the tags 83, 84 may be left secured to the footwear articles indefinitely.
Bracelets 81. 82 may be removed from the person's wrists by opening the parrot clasps 95 and disengaging the parrot clasps 95 from the clasp tag/ends 99 before removing the bracelets 81, 82 from their wrists. Similarly, the tags 83, 84 may be removed from the footwear articles by opening the parrot clasps 115 and disengaging the parrot clasps from the crimp connector eyelets 119 before removing the tags 83, 84.
It will be appreciated that the characters 70, 120 on the bracelets 21, 22, 81, 82 and tags 23, 24, 83, 84 may be other than alphabetic characters or different alphabetic characters to the 'L' and 'R' characters.
It will also be appreciated that the tags 23, 24, 83, 84 can be secured to many other types of footwear articles in a similar manner to those mentioned above. For example, the tags 23, 24, 83, 84 may be secured to non-lace-up shoes/boots, slippers, or thongs.
It will further be appreciated that, rather than being worn on a person's wrists, the bracelets 21, 22, 81, 82 may be worn elsewhere on the person's arms, or even on the person's legs. For example, the bracelets 21, 22, 81, 82 may be worn on the person's upper arms, or around their ankles.
Also, it will be appreciated that the left bracelet 21, 81 may be worn on a different part of the left side of the person's body to the part on the right side of the person'3 body on which the right bracelet 22, 82 is worn. For example, the left bracelet 21, 81 may be worn around the person's left wrist, while the right bracelet 22, 82 may be worn around the person's right ankle.
Moreover, the bracelets 21, 22, 81, 82 need not be worn directly on the person's body, but instead they could be secured to appropriate parts of clothing which is worn by the person. For example, the left bracelet 21, 81 could be
secured to the left sleeve of a shirt which the person is wearing, and the right bracelet 22, 82 could be secured to the right sleeve of the shirt.
The bracelets 21 , 22, 81, 82 may be made in different sizes for different age groups.
The bracelets 21, 22, 81, 82 may be adjustable to suit the size of the limb on which they are to be worn.
It will be appreciated that the bracelets 21, 22, 81, 82 and tags 23, 24, 83, 84 are not limited to being made from the materials/components mentioned above, and that a variety of other materials/components to those mentioned above may be Used. For example, different clasps, beads and base material (i.e. strap, thong) to those mentioned above can be used. Examples of base materials that may be used Include elastic string, memory wire, leather thonging, tiger, stretch wire slap bands and silicone wrist bands.
The beads of the bracelets 21 , 22, 81, 82 and tags 23, 24, 83, 84 can include plain coloured, embossed, debossed, lettered, or shaped/patterned beads. They can be made from different types of material including metal, glass, plastic or wood.
The beads may have different shapes and colours, or combinations of different shapes and colours, and may also include lettering that is debossed or embossed, or Braille writing.
Examples of different clasps that the bracelets 21, 22, 81, 82 and tags 23, 24, 83, 84 may have include magnetic clasps, parrot clasps, barrel clasps, clip crimps and extension chains,
Figure 4 depicts an apparatus 130 which is for assisting a person to put a pair of left and right footwear articles on their correct feet, and which includes a left side identifying device/band in the form of a bracelet 131, a right side identifying device/band in the form of a bracelet 132, a left footwear article identifying device/band in the form of a tag 133, and a right footwear article identifying device/band in the form of a tag 134. The bracelets 131, 132 and tags 133, 134 are all silicone bands 135.
Bracelet 131 and tag 133 are both red in colour. A soccer ball symbol/image 136 is printed or otherwise applied to an outer surface 137 of the bracelet 131 and an outer surface 138 of the tag 133. In addition, the word "LEFT" is printed or otherwise applied to the outer surface 137 of the bracelet
131. The red colour of the bracelet 131 and the tag 133, as well as the soccer ball images 136 on the bracelet 131 and the tag 133 are able to individually or collectively serve as a first identifying mark 139.
Bracelet 132 and tag 134 are both blue in colour, A truck symbol/image 140 is printed or otherwise applied to an outer surface 141 of the bracelet 132 and an outer surface 142 of the tag 134. In addition, the word "RIGHT" is printed or otherwise applied to the outer surface 141 of the bracelet 132. The blue colour of the bracelet 132 and the tag 134, as well as the truck images 140 on the bracelet 132 and the tag 134 are able to individually or collectively serve as a second identifying mark 143.
The apparatus 130 is intended for use by boys owing to the particular colours of the bracelets 131, 132 and tags 133, 134, and also due to the nature of the images 139, 140 on the bracelets 131, 132 and tags 133, 134.
Figure 5 depicts an apparatus 150 which is for assisting a person to put a pair of left and right footwear articles on their correct feet, and which includes a left side Identifying device/band In the form of a bracelet 151 , a right side Identifying device/band in the form of a bracelet 152, a left footwear article identifying device/band in the form of a tag 153, and a right footwear article identifying device/band in the form of a tag 154. The bracelets 151, 152 and tags 153, 154 are all silicone bands 155.
Bracelet 151 and tag 153 are both purple in colour. A love heart symbol/image 156 is printed or otherwise applied to an outer surface 157 of the bracelet 151 and an outer surface 158 of the tag 153. In addition, the word "LEFT" is printed or otherwise applied to the outer surface 157 of the bracelet 151. The purple colour of the bracelet 151 and the fag 153, as well as the love heart images 156 on the bracelet 151 and the tag 153 are able to individually or collectively serve as a first identifying mark 159.
Bracelet 152 and tag 154 are both pink in colour. A pony symbol/image 160 ts printed or otherwise applied to an outer surface 161 of the bracelet 152 and an outer surface 162 of the tag 154. In addition, the word "RIGHT" is printed or otherwise applied to the outer surface 161 of the bracelet 152. The pink colour of the bracelet 152 and the tag 154, as well as the pony images 160 on the bracelet 152 and the tag 154 are able to individually or collectively serve as a second identifying mark 163.
The apparatus 150 is intended for use by girls owing to the particular colours of the bracelets 151, 152 and tags 153, 154, and also due to the nature of the images 156, 160 on the bracelets 151 , 152 and tags 153, 154.
Figure 6 shows a girl 170 wearing the bracelets 151, 152 respectively on her left wrist 171 and on her right wrist 172. The tags 153, 154 are shown secured to her left sandal 173 and her right sandal 174, respectively. The girl 170 is wearing her left sandal 173 on her left foot 175, and is wearing her right sandal 174 on her right foot 176. Tag 153 is secured to the left sandal 173 by a left fastening band 177, and tag 154 is secured to the right sandal 174 by a right fastening band 178. The left fastening band 177 includes a hook and loop/Veicro™ fastener 179 for detachably securing opposite ends of the (eft fastening band 177 to each other so that the left fastening band 177 is abie to be configured as a closed loop. Similarly, the right fastening band 178 includes a hook and loopNeicro™ fastener 180 for detachably securing opposite ends of the right fastening band 178 to each other so that the right fastening band 178 is able to be configured as a closed loop.
The tag 153 is secured to the left sandal 175 by undoing the hook and loop fastener 180 and passing the left fastening band 177 through the tag 153 and around a strap 181 of the sandal 173. The ends of the left fastening band 177 are then secured together by the hook and loop fastener 180 so that the left fastening band 177 is secured to the tag 153 and to the sandal 173.
The tag 154 is secured to the right sandal 174 by undoing the hook and loop fastener 179 and passing the right fastening band 178 through the tag 154 and around a strap 182 of the sandal 174. The ends of the right fastening band 178 are then secured together by the hook and loop fastener 17Θ so that the right fastening band 178 Is secured to the tag 154 and to the sandal 174.
The bracelets 151, 152 and tags 153, 154 are somewhat elastic owing to their being constructed from silicone. This elasticity enables the bracelets 151 , 152 to be stretched so that they can then be put on or taken off.
The apparatus 130 and 150 function in a similar manner to the earlier described apparatus 20 and 80 in the way that they are able to assist a person to put their footwear on their correct feet.
It will be appreciated that the colours and sizes of the bracelets 131 , 132, 151, 152 and tags 133, 134, 153, 154 are not restricted to the coiours and sizes
which are described above or depicted in the drawings, and that they may be of other colours or sizes. For example, the bracelets 131, 132, 151, 152 and/or tags 133, 134, 153, 154 may be larger in size so that they can be worn by an adult who requires assistance with putting their footwear on their correct feet. Also, the bracelets 131, 132, 151, 152 and/or tags 133, 134, 153, 154 can be decorated to show various affiliations of the wearer such as a sporting team which the wearer is affiliated with/supports.
Also, although not depicted in the drawings, one or more tactile Braille characters may be applied to the bracelets 131, 132, 151, 152 and tags 133, 134, 153, 154. The Braille characters could, for example, be located on adhesive stickers which are applied to the bracelets 131, 132, 151 , 152 and tags 133, 134, 153, 154. The Braille characters applied to the bracelets 131, 151 and tags 133, 153 would be different to the Braille characters applied to the bracelets 132, 152 and tags 134, 154. The Braille character or characters on the bracelets 131, 151 and tags 133, 153 would be able to serve as a first identifying mark, and the Braille character or characters on the bracelets 132, 152 and tags 134, 154 would be able to serve as a second identifying mark which is different from the first identifying mark. The application of the Braille characters to the bracelets 131, 132, 151, 152 and tags 133, 134, 153, 154 would allow a visually impaired person TO use the bracelets 131, 132, 151, 152 and tags 133, 134, 153, 154 to assist them to put their footwear on their correct feet.
It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that variations and modifications to the invention described herein will be apparent without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. The variations and modifications as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of the invention as herein set forth.
Throughout the specification and claims, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.
Throughout the specification and claims, unless the context requires otherwise, the term "substantially" or "about" will be understood to not be limited to the value for the range qualified by the terms.
It will be clearly understood that, if a prior art publication is referred to
herein, that reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms part of the common general knowledge in the art in Australia or in any other country.
Claims
1. An apparatus for assisting a person to put a pair of left and right footwear articles on their correct feet, the apparatus including a left side identifying band for securing to a left limb of the person, a right side identifying band for securing to a right limb of the person, a left article identifying band for securing to the left footwear article, and a right article identifying band for securing to the right footwear article, the left side identifying band and the left article identifying band each including a first identifying mark, and the right side Identifying band and the right article identifying band each including a second identifying mark which is different to the first identifying mark.
2. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the left side identifying band and the right side identifying band are both bracelets.
3. The apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the size of the left side identifying band and the size of the right side identifying band are adjustable.
4. The apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the left article identifying band and the right article identifying band are both tags.
5. The apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the left and right side identifying bands and the left and right article identifying bands are silicone bands.
6. The apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first identifying mark includes a first colour, and the second identifying mark Includes a second colour which is different from the first colour
7. The apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first identifying mark includes a first symbol, and the second identifying mark includes a second symbol which is different from the first symbol.
8. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the first symbol includes a first object symbol, and the second symbol includes a second object symbol which is different from the first object symbol.
9. The apparatus according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the first symbol includes a first at least one character, and the second symbol includes a second at least one character which is different from the first at least one character.
10. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the first at (east one character and the second at least one character both include one or more alphabetic characters.
11. The apparatus according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the first at least one character and the second at least one character are both tactile.
12. The apparatus according to daim 11, wherein the first at least one character and the second at least one character each include at least one Braille character.
13. The apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first identifying mark of the left side identifying band is at least substantially identical to the first identifying mark of the left article identifying band, and the second identifying mark of the right side identifying band Is at least substantially identical to the right article identifying band.
14. The apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the apparatus also includes a left fastening band for securing the left article identifying band to the left footwear article, and a right fastening band for securing the right article identifying band to the right footwear article.
15. The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the left fastening band and the right fastening band each include a hook and loop fastener for detachably securing opposite ends of the left fastening band and the right fastening band relative to each other so that the left fastening band and the right fastening band are each able to be configured as a closed loop.
16. A method for assisting a person to put a pair of left and right footwear articles on their correct feet using the apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, the method including the steps of:
securing the left side identifying band and the right side identifying band of the apparatus respectively to one of the left limbs and one of the right limbs of the person; and
securing the left article identifying band and the right article identifying band of the apparatus respectively to the left footwear article and the right footwear article.
17. The method according to claim 16, wherein the left side identifying band and the right side identifying band are secured such that the person wears the left side identifying band on their left arm, and such that the person wears the right side identifying band on their right arm.
18. The method according to claim 17, wherein the person wears the left side identifying band on their left wrist, and wears the right side identifying band on their right wrist.
19. The method according to any one of claims 16 to 18, wherein the left article identifying band and the right article identifying band are secured to the left and right footwear articles such that an end of the left article identifying band is passed through an opening in the left footwear article and is secured to an opposite end of the left article identifying band, and such that an end of the right article identifying band is passed through an opening in the right footwear article and is secured to an opposite end of the right article identifying band.
20. The method according to any one of claims 16 to 18, wherein the left article identifying band and the right article identifying band are secured to the (eft and right footwear articles by securing the (eft fastening band of the apparatus to the left article Identifying band and to the left footwear article, and by securing the right fastening band of the apparatus to the right article identifying band and to the right footwear article.
21. An apparatus for assisting a person to put a pair of left and right footwear articles on their correct feet, the apparatus being substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to: figures 1 and 2; figure 3; figure 4; or figures 5 and 6.
22. A method for assisting a person to put a pair of left and right footwear articles on their correct feet, the method being substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to: figures 1 and 2; figure 3; figure 4; or figures 5 and 6.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| AU2010902599 | 2010-06-15 | ||
| AU2010902599A AU2010902599A0 (en) | 2010-06-15 | Apparatus and Method for Assisting a Person to put Footwear Articles on Their Feet |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| WO2011156859A1 true WO2011156859A1 (en) | 2011-12-22 |
Family
ID=45347583
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/AU2011/000724 WO2011156859A1 (en) | 2010-06-15 | 2011-06-15 | Apparatus and method for assisting a person to put footwear articles on their feet |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| WO (1) | WO2011156859A1 (en) |
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BE1021332B1 (en) * | 2014-09-16 | 2015-10-30 | Winch comv | KIT AND METHOD FOR LEARNING THE LEFT-RIGHT CONCEPT OF CHILDREN |
| DE102013109330B4 (en) * | 2012-12-08 | 2016-12-01 | Kai Christian Schaller | Fabric element with haptic areas |
Citations (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5244233A (en) * | 1991-11-25 | 1993-09-14 | Mccraney Mary M | System and method to enable children to place their shoes on the correct feet |
| AU2010100413A4 (en) * | 2009-05-01 | 2010-06-10 | Barron, Aoife Mrs | A system for assisting a person to place left or right items of footwear on their correct feet |
-
2011
- 2011-06-15 WO PCT/AU2011/000724 patent/WO2011156859A1/en active Application Filing
Patent Citations (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5244233A (en) * | 1991-11-25 | 1993-09-14 | Mccraney Mary M | System and method to enable children to place their shoes on the correct feet |
| AU2010100413A4 (en) * | 2009-05-01 | 2010-06-10 | Barron, Aoife Mrs | A system for assisting a person to place left or right items of footwear on their correct feet |
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE102013109330B4 (en) * | 2012-12-08 | 2016-12-01 | Kai Christian Schaller | Fabric element with haptic areas |
| BE1021332B1 (en) * | 2014-09-16 | 2015-10-30 | Winch comv | KIT AND METHOD FOR LEARNING THE LEFT-RIGHT CONCEPT OF CHILDREN |
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