DEVICE AND METHOD FOR TAKING OFF A THERAPEUTIC ELASTIC SOCK

Abstract: A device (1) for taking off a therapeutic elastic sock has a strip (3) and a handle (5) which is connected to the strip. The strip (3) is put between the leg (13) of a person wearing the sock and the sock (7) and then pushed downwards pushing the sock (7) off. In order to make it easier to push the sock off, the strip (3) is made of a flexible material. Because of this the strip (3) bends round the heel (11) of the person wearing the sock and the force (17) on the sock (7) is exerted more in the direction the sock is taken off (19) than in the direction of the leg.

Description: Device and method for taking off a therapeutic elastic sock. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION: Field of the invention The invention relates to a device for taking off a therapeutic elastic sock, comprising a strip, with a front and a back side, which can be put between a sock and a leg of a person wearing the sock for pushing a sock off, as well as a handle which is connected to one end of the strip, the width of the strip being smaller than the width of the heel of the person wearing the sock. Therapeutic elastic socks are worn for the most part by people who have a physical defect. Taking off therapeutic elastic socks is a well-known problem. The person wearing a therapeutic elastic sock often needs the help of another person to do this. The invention lies in the field of devices for taking off therapeutic elastic socks. Prior art Such a device is known from GB 2.338.172 A . The strip of this known device is narrow and is provided with a proj ecting lip which can be hooked behind a sock and with which the sock can be pushed off. With this device the sock can be pushed downwards to the heel. However, it is difficult to push the sock over the heel with this device. Furthermore, the known device is intended for taking off normal socks. With therapeutic elastic socks in particular, it will be difficult if not impossible to get the sock over the heel using this known device. Summary of the invention An objective of the invention is to provide a device for taking off a therapeutic elastic sock of the type described in the preamble, in which taking off a therapeutic elastic sock is done more easily than when using the known device. For this purpose, the device according to the invention is characterized in that the strip is at least partially flexible in at least the strip's longitudinal direction. The strip of the device according to the invention is slid downwards at the back of the leg between the leg and the sock until the strip's end comes into the sock's heel. In order to make this possible, the device's strip should be narrow. The device is then pushed forcefully further downwards. By doing this, the sock is taken with it by the strip's free end, as will be elucidated later by means of the figures. Because the strip is flexible in the longitudinal direction, it bends round the heel of the person wearing the sock while pushing the sock off. Because of this, the force on the sock is exerted more in the direction the sock is being taken off (this is towards the foot) than in the direction of the leg, as a result of which taking off the sock is easily done. Preferably, the strip's front and back side are practically smooth and the device according to the invention is not provided with a proj ecting lip which takes the sock with it, as the case is with the known device. It is noted from US-A-4.858.795 that a device is known for therapeutic elastic socks. However, this device is only suitable for putting on therapeutic elastic socks and not for taking them off. This known device comprises a part which is U-shaped in its cross-section over which a therapeutic elastic sock is placed. A foot is then slid between the upright walls of the U-shaped part into the sock. The width of this known device should therefore be greater than the width of a foot of the person wearing the sock and is not narrower than the heel of the person wearing the sock as it is with the device according to the invention. Furthermore, there is another device for therapeutic elastic socks known from US-A-4.651.909. The known device is also solely suitable for putting on therapeutic elastic socks and not for taking them off. This known device comprises a flexible part over which a therapeutic elastic sock is placed. The flexible part bends due to the tension in the stretched sock as a result of which a cavity is created between the device and the sock. A foot is then pushed through the bent device into the sock. The width of this other known device should therefore also be greater than the width of a foot of the person wearing the sock and is not narrower than his heel as it is with the device according to the invention. Further, there is aflexible shoehorn known from DE-A- 1.954.514 for putting on a shoe. This shoehorn serves to guide the heel of a user's foot and is wider than the user's heel. This shoehorn is not suitable for taking off a therapeutic elastic sock and is not narrower than the heel of the person wearing the sock as it is with the device according to the invention. From US-A-2.939.618 a device is known which can be used for putting on a shoe or a sock. Two such devices are needed to do this. This known device is also not suitable for taking off a therapeutic elastic sock. In addition, this known device is not flexible like the device according to the invention. An embodiment of the device according to the invention is characterized in that the maximum width of the strip is 6 cm, a maximum of 4 cm is preferable, and a maximum of 3 cm is even more preferable. The strip should therefore be narrower than the heel of a person wearing the sock but preferably wider than his Achilles tendon. In order to make pushing off a therapeutic elastic sock easier, a further embodiment of the device according to the invention is characterized in that the strip's free end is provided with a means of grabbing in order to take a sock along with it. The means of grabbing comprises preferably at least one projection which extends in the strip's plane, and even more preferable is when the means of grabbing comprises two projections which extend from the strip's free end in the longitudinal direction. Still a further embodiment of the device according to the invention is characterized in that the strip has a curved form in its cross-section. Because of this curved form the strip is guided better round the heel of the person wearing the sock as a result of which taking off the sock is done more easily. In order to guide the strip better and to make it easier to take off a sock, a further embodiment is characterized in that the device also comprises a guide profile which has a curved form and is connected to the strip for guiding the device, especially the strip, along a leg. In order to guide the device even better and the strip in particular, still a further embodiment is characterized in that the device comprises an additional guide profile which is situated at a distance opposite the strip for guiding it along the upper side of a leg of the person wearing the sock, which guide profile is curved in its cross-section and is connected to the strip by means of a U-shaped support. Still a further embodiment is characterized in that the device comprises a means of adjustment in order to be able to change the distance between the additional guide profile and the strip. Because of this, the position of the additional guide profile can be adjusted to the thickness of the leg of the person wearing the sock as a result of which the device and especially the strip can be guided better. In order to improve the ease of handling of the device, especially for people who have difficulty bending over, still a further embodiment is characterized in that the device comprises a detachable extension piece which is connected to the handle and/or the strip or is fitted between the handle and the strip. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for taking off a therapeutic elastic sock with the help of a device provided with a strip according to the invention, comprising the placing of the free end of the strip between a leg of a person wearing the sock and a sock and then pushing the strip forcefully in the direction of the foot, the strip taking the sock along with it. With respect to the method the invention is characterized in that the strip is slid first into the sock's heel before pushing forcefully in the direction of the foot. An embodiment of the method according to the invention is characterized in that the person wearing the sock places the foremost part of his foot upon a support on the floor where his heel is free from the floor. In this way, taking off a sock is done considerably more easily than without such a support. A further embodiment of the method according to the invention is characterized in that before using the device, a bag is first placed over at least a part of the device's strip and after using the device the bag is removed. This is advantageous from a hygienic point of view and especially for devices which are used by various persons wearing the sock, for example in hospitals. After using the device, the bag is thrown away or cleaned. In this way, no bacteria or fungi can be transmitted. Finally, the invention also relates to a support and a bag for use in the method according to the invention. This support comprises a base for placing the support on a floor as well as a support part for supporting the foremost part of a foot. This bag is executed in such a way that it fits tightly after being placed over the device's strip and the properties of the bag's exterior are conducive to sliding. Brief description of the drawings The invention will be elucidated more fully below on the basis of drawings in which an embodiment of the device according to the invention is shown. In these drawings: Figure 1 shows a side-view of the first embodiment of the device according to the invention; Figure 2 shows a cross-section of the device shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 shows placing the device when taking off a sock; Figure 4 shows pushing off the sock with the help of the device; Figure 5 shows a side-view of a second embodiment of the device; Figure 6 shows a cross-section of the embodiment shown in Figure 5; Figure 7 shows a side-view of a third embodiment of the device; Figure 8 shows a cross-section of the embodiment shown in Figure 7; Figure 9 shows a side-view of a fourth embodiment of the device; Figure 10 shows a fifth simplified embodiment of the device; and Figure 11 shows a sixth embodiment of the device for use by a helper. Detailed description of the drawings In Figures 1 and 2 a first embodiment of the device according to the invention is shown in a side-view and a cross-section respectively. The device 1 has a strip 3 for pushing off a sock and two handles 5 which are connected by means of tubes to the strip 3. The strip 3 is of a flexible material, for example plastic or metal, and has a curved form in its cross-section. The strip 3 is flexible particularly in a longitudinal direction and to a lesser degree in a transverse direction. In Figures 3 and 4 taking off a therapeutic elastic sock 7 with the help of the device 1 is shown in various stages. First, the person wearing the sock places the front of his foot on a support 8. This support 8 has a base 8a for placing the support on the floor, as well as a support part 8b for supporting the foremost part of a foot. Before the device is placed, the end 9 of the sock 7 is first pulled downwards by hand to over the heel 11 of the person wearing the sock. Then the device 1 is slid between the sock 7 and the leg 13 until it reaches the inside of the heel 15 of the sock 7, see Figure 3. The device 1 is then pushed forcefully downwards taking the sock 7 off and the strip 3 bends round the heel 11 of the person wearing the sock, see Figure 4. Here, the force 17 which the strip 3 exerts on the sock 7 is practically in the direction the sock is being taken off 19. It is not necessary to pull the end of the sock over the heel first. The device will also work if this is not done first. However, more force is necessary and the therapeutic elastic sock will be strained more. In Figures 5 and 6 a second embodiment of the device according to the invention is shown in a side-view and a cross-section respectively. All parts of this and the following embodiments of the device which are the same as the embodiment described above are indicated by the same reference numbers. In this embodiment, the device 21 is provided with a guide profile 23 which has a curved form and is connected to the strip 3. The guide profile 23 guides the device 21, and in particular the strip 3, along the leg 13 of the person wearing the sock, which is shown by a broken line. The handles 5 have a different shape in this and the following embodiments. Figures 7 and 8 also show a side-view and a cross-section respectively of a third embodiment of the device according to the invention. In this embodiment, the device 25 is provided with an additional guide profile 27. This additional guide profile 27 is situated at a distance opposite the strip 3 for guiding the device along the upper side of a leg 13 of the person wearing the sock. The additional guide profile 27 is also curved in its cross-section and is connected to the strip 3 by means of a U-shaped support 29. Here as well, the leg 13 of the person wearing the sock is indicated by a broken line for the sake of clarity. The device 25, furthermore, has a means of adjustment 31, formed by a manually adjustable spindle 33, in order to be able to change the distance between the additional guide profile 27 and the strip 3. In Figure 9, a fourth embodiment of the device is shown in a side-view. In this embodiment, the device 35 is provided with an extension piece 37 which is connected to the handle 5 and is provided with an additional handle 39. In Figure 10 a fifth simplified embodiment of the device is shown. In this embodiment, the device 41 only has one handle 43 which is connected to a strip 47 directly or by means of one or more extension pieces 45. The strip 47 as well as the extension piece 45 are preferably flexible in this embodiment. The end of the strip 47 is provided with a means of grabbing, which is executed here as two projections 49 for increasing its grip on the sock. The projections 49 extend in the plane of the strip and in its longitudinal direction. The width W of the strip 47 is 3 cm and its length L is at least 20 cm, but approximately 25 to 30 cm is preferable. An elastic bag 48 has been placed over the strip 47 and a part of the extension piece 45, as a result of which the device 41 will not become soiled during use. The bag 48 is stretched tightly over the strip 47 and the extension piece 45 and its exterior is smooth possessing properties conducive to sliding. A sixth embodiment of the device is shown in Figure 11. This device 51 is meant for use by a helper and is therefore short. The helper stands or sits in front of the person wearing the sock and places the device's strip 53 between the sock and that person's leg. The helper then pulls the device 51 towards himself in the direction of the arrow 55. For this reason, the handle 57 has a shape different from that of the devices used to push the sock off instead of pulling it off. Although in the above the invention is explained on the basis of the drawings, it should be noted that the invention is in no way limited to the embodiment shown in the drawings. The invention also extends to all embodiments deviating from the embodiment shown in the drawings within the context defined by the claims. Thus, the device may also consist of one flexible part in which the device only has one handle which forms a unit together with the strip.

Claims: CLAIMS: 1. Device for taking off a therapeutic elastic sock, comprising a strip, with a front and a back side, which can be put between a sock and a leg of a person wearing the sock for pushing a sock off, as well as a handle which is connected to one end of the strip, the width of the strip being smaller than the width of the heel of the person wearing the sock, characterized in that the strip is at least partially flexible in at least its longitudinal direction. 2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the front and back side of the strip are practically smooth. 3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the maximum width of the strip is 6 cm, a maximum of 4 cm is preferable, and a maximum of 3 cm is even more preferable. 4. Device according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the strip's free end is provided with a means of grabbing in order to take a sock along with it. 5. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the means of grabbing comprises at least one projection which extends in the strip's plane. 6. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that the means of grabbing comprises two projections which extend from the strip's free end in the longitudinal direction. 7. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that that the strip has a curved form in its cross-section. 8. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device further comprises a guide profile which has a curved form and is connected to the strip for guiding the device, in particular the strip, along a leg. 9. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device comprises an additional guide profile which is situated at a distance opposite the strip for guiding it along the upper side of a leg of a person wearing the sock, which guide profile has a curved form in its cross-section and is connected to the strip by means of a U-shaped support. 10. Device according to claim 9, characterized in that device comprises a means of adjustment in order to be able to change the distance between the additional guide profile and the strip. 11. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device further comprises a detachable extension piece which is connected to the handle and/or the strip or is placed between the handle and the strip. 12. Method for taking off a therapeutic elastic sock with the help of a device provided with a strip according to one of the preceding claims, comprising the placing of the free end of the strip between a leg of a person wearing the sock and the sock and then pushing the strip forcefully in the direction of the foot, the strip taking the sock along with it, characterized in that the strip is first slid into the sock's heel before being pushed forcefully in the direction of the foot. 13. Method according to claim 12, characterized in that the person wearing the sock places the foremost part of his foot upon a support on the floor where his heel is free from the floor. 14. Method according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that before using the device a bag is first placed over at least a part of the device's strip and after using the device the bag is removed. 15. Support for use in the method according to claim 13 , comprising a base for placing the support on the floor as well as a support part for supporting the foremost part of a foot. 16. Bag for use in the method according to claim 14, which bag is executed in such a way that after placing it over the device's strip, it fits tightly on the strip and at least the exterior of which possesses properties conducive to sliding.

Inventors: VAN LOEF MARKO JOHANNES GERARD, VAN LOEF, MARKO, JOHANNES, GERARDUS
Applicants: VAN LOEF MARKO JOHANNES GERARD, VAN LOEF, MARKO, JOHANNES, GERARDUS
Application year: 2001
Main classification: A47G25
IPC codes: A47G25