DEVICE TO FACILITATE THE DOWNING OF SOCKS OR SIMILAR FOR USE BY DISABLED PERSONS

Abstract: The device according to the present invention consists of a means (1) having wings that may be outwardly projected and that may be inserted into a sock or similar, overcoming its resistance and keeping it wide enough to allow to insert a foot so that, following to the manual traction or of an electric motor (9), performed by means of a small rod (7) linked with said means (1), the unable person obtains the complete wearing of the cloth without folding his limbs nor himself.

Description: DEVICE TO FACILITATE THE DOWNING OF SOCKS OR SIMILAR FOR USE BY DISABLED PERSONS The present invention concerns an automatic device that may be managed independently by unable persons, like tho s e handicapped in their lower limbs or even obese persons, for whom it is impossible to independently weir stockings, socks or similar. The device according to the present invention, furthermore, may be used also by a part of persons handicapped in their upper limbs who are able to grasp the device and push an operating switch. It is well known that above mentioned unable persons, beyond other limitations, can not be independent for what concerns die simple and private act of weiring stockings or socks, for which they need the help of other persons who are not always available. At present an instrument is known in the prior art for above mentioned function, consisting of a continuous structure having an approximately hemicircular band on the edge of which the turning up of the top of an elastic sock may be manually performed and then, by pulling a handle, the weiring of the same. Said device is not very practical and it may be used only by unable persons who have a good manuality and with socks having a wide upper opening for inserting the foot, as said hemicircular structure can not easily be housed - due to its relevant dimensions - inside the narrow bands of modern products. It is the aim of the present invention to make unable persons independent in above mentioned function. The aim set forth is reached by means of the device according to the present invention, consisting of a means with wings that may be automaticlaly outwardly projected, that can be inserted into any kind of sock or similar, elastic or not, overcoming its resistance and keeping it wide enough to allow to insert a foot inside so that, following to the traction - manual or performed by a small electric motor - effected with the help of a small rod linked to said means, the unable person obtains the complete wearing of the clothes without bending his limb nor herself. Said means may be preferrably realized with the structure of a wheel belt consisting of elements provided with rests, so that following to the traction performed by an electric motor housed in the top of said small rod and by means of the sliding of a harmonic steel thread or similar, said elements open projecting end wings and widen the sock according to the aim set forth in the present invention. Furthermore, said means having the structure of a wheel belt is folded, in its start position, to a minimum encumbrance so as to be put away or to be easily inserted into the sock. The present invention will be described more in detail hereinbelow relating to the enclosed drawings in which some embodiments are shown. Figure 1 shows an axonometric scheme of an automatic device, self-managed by seriously unable persons for weiring stockings, socks and similar. Figure 2 shows a simplified variant of the device according to the present invention for persons unable only in their lower limbs and provided with a nearly normal manuality. Figures 3 and 4 show the operative stages of the insertion of the device according to the present invention into a sock and the successive widening of the same for weiring it. The enclosed figures show an automatic device, self-managed by unable persons, for weiring stockings, socks and similar, consisting of: - a widening means 1, that may be inserted into the socks C for allowing to insert the foot, comprising a plurality of elements 2 having the structure of a wheel belt and the approximate shape of a half-circle due to the presence of rest hinges 3 when said elements 2 are pushed outwards under the traction action of the harmonic steel thread 5 or similar; - a harmonic steel thread 5 or similar sliding due to traction so as to push said elements 2 outwards until the rests so as to determine the widening of the end wings of said means 1; - a means for pulling said thread 5 comprising the transversal small rod 6 linked to the ends of said thread 5, the ends whereof are forced to slide along the small rod 7 through parallel guides 8; - a transmission means for the motion with an operating switch 11, comprising an electric motor 9 linked to the top of said small rod 7 that puts into rotation the endless screw 10 that causes the lifting, along said small rod 7, of said transversal rest 6 and therefore the traction of the thread 5 and the consequent widening of the means 1, according to the aim set forth. All above mentioned elements may be realized with appropriate metal or plastic, light and functional materials. In the variant according to figure 2, the widening means 4 is preferably realized with a continuous structure and with an elastic blade with a half-circle shape, that may be closed again due to a manual striction until the hooking with end means 12 and 13 is reached, so as to form a complete circle, inserted into the sock that will be widened following to the unhoking and worn due to the manual traction of the small rod 7. It shall be underlined that said wheel blade means 1 and said elastic means 4 form, when they are folded, a compact structure 14 and take a minimum space and may be easily inserted into a sock, even with a very narrow opening, as shown in transparency in figure 3; while the automatic opening of said means 1 or the release opening of said means 4 determine a wide and automatic opening of said sock, thus facilitating the whole wearing operation.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. An automatic device self-managed by unable persons for wearing socks and similar, characterized in: - a widening means ( 1) that may be inserted into socks (C) for allowing to insert the foot, comprising a plurality of elements (2) that form a wheel blade and having the approximate shape of a half-circle due to the presence of rest hinges (3), when said elements are outwardly projected under the traction action of a harmonic steel thread (5) or similar; - a harmonic steel thread (5) or similar, sliding due to traction so as to make project said elements (2) until the rests, so as to determine the widening of the end wings of said means (1); - a means for pulling said thread (5) comprising a transversal rest (6) linked with the ends of said thread (5), the ends whereof in turn are forced to slide along a small rod (7) through parallel guides (8); - a means for transmitting the motion with an operating switch (11), comprising an electric motor (9) linked with the top of said small rod (7), and that puts into rotation the endless screw ( 10), that determines the lifting, along said small rod (7), of said transversal rest (6), and therefore the traction of the thread (5) and the widening of the means (1). 2. A device according to claim 1, of the kind with manual traction, characterized in a widening means (4) having a continuous structure with an elastic blade with half-circle shape that may be closed again by a manual striction until the hooking with the end means (12) and (13), so as to form a complete circle to be inserted into the sock, that will be enlarged following to the unhooking and worn due to the manual traction of said small rod (7). 3. A device according to claim 1, characterized in that said means (1) when folded to its minimum encumbrance may be inserted into socks with a very narrow opening, as said elements (2) are linked in a compact structure (14).

Inventors: MOSCATO GIUSEPPE, MOSCATO, GIUSEPPE
Applicants: MOSCATO GIUSEPPE, MOSCATO, GIUSEPPE
Application year: 1993
Main classification: A47G25
IPC codes: A47G25