Sock donning device

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/996,315, filed Nov. 9, 2007.

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to garment applicators, and particularly to a sock donning device that allows an individual to put a sock or stocking on his or her foot without the necessity of bending over.

2. Description of the Related Art

Many persons suffer from disabilities that prevent them from bending over without either pain or the risk of injury. Persons suffering from arthritis, rheumatism and other joint ailments, inner ear and other equilibrium problems, or simply individuals suffering from various infirmities of old age can find that the contortions required to put on a stocking or sock are beyond their physical abilities. Women who are in the later stages of pregnancy often cannot bend without extreme discomfort or are physically unable to bend at all. Individuals so afflicted must either have assistance from caregivers or other persons when putting on stockings, socks or other coverings for the foot, or do without.

Considering that it is often medically necessary for individuals with circulatory or vascular problems to have appropriate socks or other foot coverings, an inability to put on these items without assistance can have an adverse effect on an individual\'s health, independence and emotional well being. There is a need for a device that allows a person to put on a pair of stockings or socks. Thus, a sock donning device solving the aforementioned problems is desired.

The sock donning device is an apparatus that allows an individual who may have limited movement because of injury, infirmity or other disability to put on a sock or stocking without bending over. The device has a pair of laterally spaced rods that are surmounted by an oval hoop assembly, with rollers around the circumference of the hoop assembly.

The rods may be telescopic to accommodate various lengths of stockings, and can be attached at their lower ends to a hinge that can swivel 45° from the vertical. Two non-slip surfaces on either side of the sock donning device provide a secure footrest and prevent the device from sliding while in use. A sock or stocking is placed over the oval hoop assembly, and when the foot is inserted into the sock, the surrounding beads roll the sock up and over the foot.

The sock donning device described herein provides a painless way for a person who has limited movement to put on a sock or stocking without assistance, and can accommodate both varying stocking lengths and varying degrees of motion.

These and other features of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a sock donning device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an environmental prospective view of the sock donning device according to the present invention, showing a sock placed on the device.

FIG. 3 is an environmental perspective view of the sock donning device according to the present invention similar to FIG. 2, showing a foot being inserted into the sock

FIG. 4 is an environmental perspective view of the sock donning device of the present invention similar to FIG. 3, showing the sock in the process of rolling up and over the foot as the foot is pushed into the device.

Continue reading about Sock donning device...
Full patent description for Sock donning device

Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims

Click on the above for other options relating to this Sock donning device patent application.
###


How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents
1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored.
3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords.  
Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Sock donning device or other areas of interest.
###


Previous Patent Application:
Adjustable clothes hanger
Next Patent Application:
Pivotal spare tire carrier
Industry Class:
Apparel apparatus

###

Design/code © 2009 FreshContext LLC/Freshpatents.com. Website Terms and Conditions - Also read: About this Page
Patent data source: patents published by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)
Information published here is for research/educational purposes only (and in conjunction with our Keyword Monitor) and is not meant to be used in place of the full USPTO patent document/images or a comprehensive patent archive search. Complete official applications are on file at the USPTO and often contain additional data/images (Freshpatents is currently text-only). FreshPatents.com is not affiliated with or endorsed by the USPTO or firms/individuals or products/designs/ideas related to listed patents.

FreshPatents.com Support
Thank you for viewing the Sock donning device patent info.
IP-related news and info


Results in 1.97497 seconds


Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories:
Accenture , Agouron Pharmaceuticals , Amgen , AT&T , Bausch & Lomb , Callaway Golf paws