Abstract:
A sock donning apparatus operable to assist an individual with restricted mobility to apply a sock to their foot. The sock donning apparatus further includes a body having a central panel that is generally tapered in shape. The central panel has integrally formed therewith a first side panel and a second side panel. The first side panel and second side panel are integrally formed on opposing sides of the central panel. The body is manufactured from a pliable material that facilitates the movable connection between the central panel and the first side panel and second side panel. A cavity is formed to accommodate a human foot therein with the moving of the first side panel and the second side panel into their second positions. A retention mechanism is secured to the first side panel and is operable to releasably secure a portion of a sock. A pulling member is secure to the body providing a user interface to grasp the sock donning apparatus and utilize to apply a sock.

Description:
PRIORITY UNDER 35 U.S.C SECTION 119(e) &amp; 37 C.F.R. SECTION 1.78 
     This nonprovisional application claims priority based upon the following prior U.S. Provisional Patent Application entitled: Easy-On Sock and Stocking Pulller, Application No. 61/506,919 filed Jul. 12, 2011, in the name of Glenn Earl Higa, which is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a sock donning assistance apparatus, more specifically but not by way of limitation, an apparatus operable to assist those with reduced mobility in the process of donning socks wherein the apparatus includes a plurality of integrally formed panels operable to receive an opening of a sock on one end while further providing a location to integrate a human foot with the apparatus so as to facilitate the donning of the sock. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Millions of individuals engage in the donning of socks as part of a daily dressing routine. Socks are routinely worn by individuals with a variety of shoes. In donning such articles of clothing, the individual must perform tasks such as but not limited to bending of the knee and flexing downward at the waist in order to don the socks. While this type of maneuver is not a challenge for a typical individual, those individuals with decreased mobility due to circumstances such as pregnancy, arthritis or obesity can be significantly challenged by such maneuvers. 
     For those who are either temporarily or permanently incapacitated, the maneuvers required to don socks can often require assistance from another individual. Many individuals however, do not have home healthcare assistance or live by themselves and assistance with such tasks is unavailable and the individual must perform the task of donning socks by themselves. While there is existing technology that provides assistance with the task of donning socks, current devices fail to provide good results in several areas. 
     One problem with existing technology is the stress placed on the opening of the sock. Devices often stretch the opening of the sock such that the elasticity of the sock is substantially diminished which results in disposal of the sock as the sock will not maintain its desired position on the calf of the user due to the lost elasticity. Another issue with current devices is that they are generally inflexible. The inflexibility of the devices often leads to discomfort to the user while trying to manipulate a rigid device around an approximately ninety degree turn of their heel. Additionally, current devices are not shaped appropriately so as to receive a foot and place the foot proximate the opening of the sock. Many existing devices are semicircular and do not accommodate feet of different widths and possess a shape that facilitates an easier transition of the foot into the sock opening. 
     Accordingly, there is a need for a sock donning apparatus that facilitates the application of a sock to an individual&#39;s foot wherein the individual suffers from reduced mobility that does not diminish the elasticity of the sock and further promotes an improved application process of the sock onto the foot. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is the object of the present invention to provide a sock donning assistance apparatus that facilitates an improved application of a sock to a user&#39;s foot that suffers from reduced mobility. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a sock donning assistance apparatus that includes a plurality of integrally formed flexible panels. 
     Still another object of the present invention is to provide a sock donning assistance apparatus that is flexible so as to facilitate the application of a sock around the heel area of the foot. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a sock donning assistance apparatus that includes a grasping member that provides an interface for a user to grasp the apparatus during use. 
     A further object of the present invention is to provide a sock donning assistance apparatus that includes stabilization member so as to orient the apparatus in an accessible manner when the apparatus is superposed a floor. 
     An additional object of the present invention is to provide a sock donning apparatus that includes a sock retention mechanism to releasably secure the sock to the apparatus during the sock application process. 
     Still a further object of the present invention is to provide a sock donning apparatus that includes two opposing lateral panels that function to overlap during the sock application process. 
     To the accomplishment of the above and related objects the present invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Attention is called to the fact that the drawings are illustrative only. Variations are contemplated as being a part of the present invention, limited only by the scope of the claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A more complete understanding of the present invention may be had by reference to the following Detailed Description and appended claims when taken in conjunction with the accompanying Drawings wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a bottom view of the present invention in a planar configuration; and 
         FIG. 2  is a top view of the present invention in its folded configuration; and 
         FIG. 3  is a rear end view of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 4  is a top view of the present invention partially engaged with an exemplary sock; and 
         FIG. 5  is a side view of the present invention during the application process of a sock. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring now to the drawings submitted herewith, wherein various elements depicted therein are not necessarily drawn to scale and wherein through the views and figures like elements are referenced with identical reference numerals, there is illustrated a sock donning apparatus  100  constructed according to the principles of the present invention. 
     The sock donning apparatus  100  further includes a body  10  that is manufactured from a suitable durable pliable material such as but not limited to plastic. The body  10  further includes a central portion  12  having a longitudinal seam  14  located proximate the middle. The central portion  12  further includes a first end  15  and a second end  17  wherein the width of the central portion proximate the first end  15  is greater than the width of the central portion  12  proximate the second end  17 . This difference in width creates a generally tapered shape that facilitate easier penetration of the first end  14  into an opening of a sock or stocking. The first end  15  is generally square in shape with the second end  17  being a modified-tapered shape having a rounded perimeter edge  18 . The modified tapered shape of the second end  17  facilitates easier penetration of the opening of a conventional sock or stocking and further enhances the ability for the second end  17  to journal through the open passage of a convention sock or stocking while substantially reducing the risk of snagging the material resulting in damage thereto. The body  10  is folded in an angular manner along the longitudinal seam  14 . The fold along the longitudinal seam  14  assists in forming the body into a shape that creates a cavity  19  operable to receive a human foot therein as shown in particular in  FIG. 3 . While the central portion  12  is illustrated herein as being generally tapered in shape, it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the central portion  12  could be formed in numerous different shapes and achieve the objectives as described herein. 
     The central portion  12  has integrally formed therewith a first side panel  20  and a second side panel  25 . The first side panel  20  and second side panel  25  are on opposing sides of the central portion  12  and are operable to be angularly position with respect to the central portion  12 . The first panel  20  is angularly positioned with respect to the central portion  12  along seam  21 . The second panel  25  is angularly positioned with respect to the central portion along seam  26 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the first panel  20  and second panel  25  are placed in their first position wherein the first panel  20 , second panel  25  and central portion  12  are generally in a planar configuration. In their second position, the first panel  20  and the second panel  25  are folded inwards toward the longitudinal seam  14  and are generally angularly oriented with the central portion  12  so as to create cavity  19 . In their second position, the first panel  20  and second panel  25  are positioned such that the longitudinal edges  29 ,  31  are overlapping as shown in particular in  FIG. 4 . The overlapped position of the longitudinal edges  29 ,  31  are facilitated by the angular fold along the longitudinal seam  14  so as to accomplish the insertion of the body  10  into the opening of a sock or stocking and reduce any stretching thereof. 
     The first panel  20  further includes a first end  22  that is rounded in shape having a perimeter edge  23  that is generally arcuate in manner. The second panel  25  further includes a first end  27  that is rounded in shape also having a perimeter edge  28  that is arcuate. The arcuate shaped perimeter edges  23 ,  28  function to allow the sock donning apparatus  100  to penetrate into a sock or stocking while substantially reducing the probability of snagging the material so as to facilitate easier insertion of the body  10  into the sock or stocking. While the first panel  20  and second panel  25  are illustrated herein as having a rounded ends, it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the first panel  20  and second panel  25  could be formed in numerous different shapes in order to achieve the objectives as described herein. 
     A clip  40  is secured to the first panel  20  utilizing suitable durable techniques such as but not limited to mechanical fasteners or chemical adhesion. The clip  40  is a conventional spring clip having a first jaw  41  and a second jaw  42  biased together with spring or other similar device. The spring clip  40  has a first position and a second position. In the first position the spring clip  40  is positioned such that the first jaw  41  and second jaw  42  are moved away from each other so as to receive a portion of a conventional sock or stocking. In its second position the spring clip  40  is such that the first jaw  41  and second jaw  42  are biased against one another so as to releasably secure a portion of a conventional sock or stocking. The spring clip  40  functions to maintain the upper edge of the sock  2  in a fixed position relative to the body  10  during the process of donning the sock  2 . As the donning process is near completion and the sock  2  has been successfully donned by the user, the spring clip  40  is designed to have a bias force that will allow the tension from the donning of the sock  2  release the portion of the sock  2  that is being secured by the spring clip  40 . While a spring clip  40  has been illustrated and discussed herein functioning to assist in the positioning of the sock  2  relative to the body  10  during the sock donning process, it is further contemplated within the scope of the present invention that numerous suitable fasteners could be used in place of and/or in conjunction with the spring clip  40 . Furthermore, while one spring clip  40  has been illustrated herein, it is additionally contemplated within the scope of the present invention that more than one spring clip  40  could be utilized. 
     A pulling member  50  is secured to the body  10  proximate the first end  15 . The pulling member  50  is secured to the body  10  utilizing suitable durable techniques such as mechanical fasteners. The pulling member  50  functions to provide an interface for the user to grasp and transition the sock donning apparatus  100  from its first initial position to a final position wherein the sock donning apparatus  100  has facilitated the application of a sock to a user. The pulling member  50  includes a first end  51  and a second end  52  and is generally elongated so as to increase the ability for a user to grasp with minimal movement of their body. While numerous materials could be utilized to form the pulling member  50 , good results have been achieved utilizing a string or cord. 
     Integrally formed with the bottom  9  of the body  10  intermediate the first end  51  and second end  52  of the pulling member  50  is the stabilization member  60 . The stabilization member  60  is manufactured from a durable suitable material such as but not limited to plastic and is secured to the body  10  utilizing suitable durable techniques such as but not limited to chemical adhesion. The stabilization member  60  functions to position the body  10  in a generally lateral position when the body  10  is place on the floor and the body  10  has been placed in its second position wherein the central portion  12  is folded angularly along the longitudinal seam and the first panel  20  and second panel  25  have been angularly position. The stabilization member  60  positions the body  10  wherein the upper surface  7  is in a generally horizontal position so as to facilitate an increased ease of engaging the sock donning apparatus  100  with a foot. The stabilization member  60  is generally rounded in shape having an arcuate perimeter edge  61 . While the stabilization member  60  is illustrated herein as being generally half-rounded in shape, it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the stabilization member  60  could be manufactured in numerous different shapes and accomplish the objectives as described herein. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2 ,  4  and  5  a description of the operation is as follows. In use, the central portion  12  is generally angular in manner and the first side panel  20  and second side panel  25  are positioned such that the longitudinal edge  31  is overlapping longitudinal edge  29  so as to create the cavity  19 . The cavity  19  is of suitable size to accommodate a human foot therein. The longitudinal edges  31 ,  29  are angular with respect to each other so as to facilitate the journaling of the user&#39;s foot substantially into the cavity  19  allowing the toes of the user&#39;s foot to be proximate the end  1  of the sock  2  when the sock  2  is placed in a bunched position such that the material of the sock  2  is gathered proximate the second end  17  of the body  10 . The user engages the sock  2  with the body  10  and gathers the sock  2  such that it is substantially gathered proximate the second end  17 . Ensuing the gathering of the sock  2 , the user places a portion of the sock  2  into the spring clip  40  so as to releasably secure the sock  2  in position. Subsequent placing a portion of the sock into the spring clip  40  the user will grasp the pulling member  50  and begin pulling the sock donning apparatus  100  in a generally upwards direction towards the user&#39;s leg. As the sock donning apparatus  100  is moved from its initial position the first side panel  20  and second side panel  25  begin to unfold as shown in particular in  FIG. 5 . This unfolding of the first side panel  20  and second side panel  25  allows the foot of the user to substantially penetrate into the sock  2  so as to facilitate the traversing of the toes of the user such that they are proximate the end  1  of the sock  2 . This unfolding action of the first side panel  20  and second side panel  25  further places a slight outward force on the sock  2  thereby substantially inhibiting the gathering or bunching up of the sock  2  during the donning process. As the sock donning apparatus  100  is transitioned from its first position, the pliable nature of the body  10  further enhances the proper application of the sock  2  as the sock donning apparatus  100  is transitioned around the heel of the foot of the user. This ensures an enhanced application of the sock while avoiding the stretching thereof. As the user continues to apply force to the pulling member  50  and the sock  2  is substantially applied to the foot, the spring clip  40  releases the portion of the sock  2  that was releasably secured therein once the force from the pulling of the sock  2  against the foot exceeds that of the bias force of the spring clip  40 . At this point the sock  2  has been completely applied to the user&#39;s foot. The body  10  is manufactured of a pliable and resilient material such the central portion  12  will transition back to a folded configuration along longitudinal seam  14  and the first side panel  20  and second side panel  25  will remain in an angular manner with respect to the central portion  12 . 
     In the preceding detailed description, reference has been made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments, and certain variants thereof, have been described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. It is to be understood that other suitable embodiments may be utilized and that logical changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. The description may omit certain information known to those skilled in the art. The preceding detailed description is, therefore, not intended to be limited to the specific forms set forth herein, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, as can be reasonably included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.