Device for applying or removing support stockings

A device for debilitated or geriatric patients to apply or remove anti-embolism support stockings comprising an overlapping circular band of a polymer impregnated fabric having its upper edge covered with moleskin to protect the patients' skin and stockings from injury and assist in the retention of the latter on the band and two bands of the polymer impregnated fabric connected to the band to serve as handles.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
It has been a long standing problem for debilitated or geriatric patients 
in hospitals or at home to put on or take off anti-embolism support 
stockings. The average healthy person would find it difficult to 
manipulate these strongly elastic stockings but it is more so for those 
with hip or knee joint ailments to bend over and apply them without 
assistance. 
There have been numerous attempts to provide mechanical stocking pullers 
such as U.S. Pat. No. 2,903,170 with reciprocatable clamp members and U.S. 
Pat. No. 3,727,812 with pivotable arm members. These devices are generally 
bulky, require much manipulation and are relatively expensive to 
manufacture. 
Accordingly, it is the primary object of this invention to provide a 
stocking applying or removing device of a simplified, relatively light 
weight construction yet sufficiently sturdy for the requisite pulling or 
pushing actions. 
Another object of this invention is to provide a stocking applying or 
removing device which is adjustable for different circumferences in the 
top of the stocking. 
A further object of this invention is to provide a stocking applying or 
removing device which is durable and yet relatively economical to 
manufacture.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
The device illustrated in FIG. 7 comprises a band 1 of a polymer 
impregnated fabric shown in cross section in FIG. 9. The material may be 
"Orthoplast," manufactured by Johnson and Johnson. It is normally used as 
a splint for bone fractures since it is sturdy, may be flexed and is 
relatively light. The following dimensions to be given are merely a 
preferred form of the invention. Thus, band 1 as shown in FIG. 1 may be 21 
inches long and 2 inches wide and is formed in an overlapping 
circular-like band as shown in FIG. 7. Handle strips 2 made of the same 
material as the band, shown in FIG. 2 are 27 inches long and 2 inches 
wide. They are cemented to the band as shown in FIG. 7. To prevent the 
edges of the band from chafing the skin or damaging the stockings during 
use, 1 inch strips of adhesive moleskin are folded over the edges of the 
band. A moleskin strip 3 shown in FIG. 3 is 22 inches long and is folded 
and secured over the lower edge of band 1. Two strips 4, 2 inches long as 
shown in FIG. 4 are folded over the ends of the band. Along the upper edge 
of the band, two strips of moleskin 5, 6 inches long, shown in FIG. 5 are 
attached as shown in FIG. 7. Between the handles, a 7-inch strip of 
moleskin 6 shown in FIG. 6 is attached to the upper edge of the band. The 
flannel material of the moleskin serves the additional function of 
frictionally retaining the stocking on the band during operation of the 
device. 
The use of the device is self-evident. Depending on the size of the 
wearer's foot and leg, the circular-like band's opening may be adjusted by 
moving the free ends of the band relative to each other. The open end of a 
stocking is introduced through the band's opening, expanded and draped 
over the protected upper edges of the band. The stiffness of the material 
maintains the band's circular-like shape against the tension of the 
expanded stocking. A foot on an extended leg is then introduced in the 
open stocking and by grasping the handles with both hands the stocking is 
pulled up along the leg. Where a patient may have only the effective use 
of one arm, both handles may be gathered in one hand since the material is 
flexible. The material is also sufficiently firm so that the reverse 
operation of removing the stocking may be accomplished. While the device 
was primarily intended for anti-embolism support stockings, it may 
obviously be used for all other types of stockings. 
The advantages of the invention over the prior art are apparent from the 
foregoing description of its simplified construction and operation. There 
are no costly metal or plastic mechanical parts requiring machining 
operations. While various changes may be made in the details of 
construction, it is understood that such changes will be within the spirit 
and scope of the present invention.