Abstract:
A sock holding dressing aid  10  has a frame  32  with side members  28  and a spacing member  30  provided at the back of the frame. The spacing member  30  provides a gap between the side members  28  for a foot of a user so the foot can be inserted into a sock fitted around the outside of the frame  32.  This enables the user to quickly put on a pair of socks without having to excessively bend over, thus saving them time, difficulty and discomfort.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Field 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a sock holding dressing aid having a frame shaped to hold a sock open and designed for the purpose of aiding a user when putting on the sock. 
         [0002]    A user with a limited degree of flexibility or range of movement can have difficulties when getting dressed, and particularly when putting on their socks, or when otherwise dressing their lower extremities, especially when that act of getting dressed requires them to bend down. 
         [0003]    The objective of the present invention is to enable the user to quickly put on a pair of socks without having to excessively bend over, thus saving them time, difficulty, and discomfort, and thereby overcome the above disadvantages. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    The present invention provides a sock holding dressing aid comprising
       a) a frame having at least two side members and a spacing member provided at a base or back thereof; and   b) a handle member;       
 
         [0007]    wherein the spacing member provides a gap between the two side members sized to receive a foot of a user such that a foot can be inserted into a sock fitted around the outside of the side members of the frame. 
         [0008]    Preferably the spacing member is provided at the back of the frame, it thus being a back member. 
         [0009]    Preferably the back member is coupled to the at least two side members, and the handle member is coupled to one of the plurality of side members. 
         [0010]    There may be only two side members. These side members may be made of bent wire, bars or plates. 
         [0011]    The frame of the sock holder can be formed of rigid rods. 
         [0012]    The back member can be configured to be of an adjustable in size, e.g. through sliding mechanisms. 
         [0013]    The side members can comprise a frame, such as by having a back section, a base section, and a top (or rising) section. 
         [0014]    Each side member may form a wedge shape, or a part of a wedge shape, such that the thick end of said wedge is at a back region of the frame and the thin end is towards the front region of the frame. 
         [0015]    The side members may comprise a wedge shaped plate, but preferably they comprise a tapering top and bottom with a gap therebetween to allow the foot to be inserted into the sock stretched thereover more comfortably—i.e. without engaging a hard sidewall. 
         [0016]    Preferably the side members also have a front section joining the base section, and top (or rising) section. The front section is preferably devoid of sharp edges, and may be a bend between the base section, and the top (or rising) section. 
         [0017]    The side members can be configured to be adjustable in size, e.g. by having sliding or telescoping members. 
         [0018]    The handle member preferably comprises a first end attached to the frame and a second end for holding by the user. Where elongated, it can facilitate an easy reach for a user, e.g. when sitting, between his hand and his foot with the frame. It may alternatively be for holding the frame relative to the floor. 
         [0019]    The handle is preferably at least 30 cm long to best facilitate use by a sitting person. More preferably it is between 40 and 70 cm long. Most preferably it is about 50 cm long. It can be substantively straight. By being longer than 30 cm, it may be more easily used by a person who is standing. 
         [0020]    The handle member can be ergonomically shaped for a user, for example by having a hand grip at the second end. The handle member can thus further include a gripping member, which can be attached to the second end of the handle member. 
         [0021]    The handle member may be configured to be adjustable in length, e.g. through a telescopic motion. 
         [0022]    The first end of the handle member is preferably attached to one of the side members. For example it may be part of, or it may be attached to, the back section of one of the side members through a fixing means. 
         [0023]    The fixing means can be attached to the back section of one of the side members. 
         [0024]    An alternative arrangement may have the fixing means attached to the back member of the frame, or the base. It would preferably be located to a side area thereof to allow foot entry still to be unobstructed. 
         [0025]    The fixing means can comprise a fixing plate with first and second holes, wherein the first hole receives the first end of the handle member and the second hole provides for a bolt which is fixed to the handle member, or which can fix between the handle member and the fixing means. 
         [0026]    A user can use the sock holding dressing aid by stretching a sock across the front of the side members (when they are wedges, this is typically over the thin end of the wedges). Then the frame (with the sock) can be manipulated towards and over the toes of a foot, e.g. by holding or manipulating the handle, and thus the frame can hold open the sock while the foot is inserted into the void within the sock. 
         [0027]    Typically the user will hold the frame such that the side members are approximately level with the foot. They user can then position the foot such that the toes are located between the side members and directly in front of the aperture of the stretched sock. The orientation of the user&#39;s foot can then be such that it is parallel with the base section of the side members of the frame. The user can then insert their toes into the aperture of the stretched sock and move their foot towards the front end of the frame, and thus the closed end of the sock, causing eventually the user&#39;s toes to contact the closed end of the sock. 
         [0028]    Further movement of the foot or heel towards the front of the frame can then cause the sock to slide over the heel and potentially off the side members, leaving the on the foot of the user, preferably over the heel of the foot, and potentially up and over the ankle, depending upon the length of the foot, the length of the frame and the retention duration of the sock&#39;s open end on the frame during the said further movement. 
         [0029]    A user may use the gripping member or handle to steady the frame during movement of the user&#39;s foot into the aperture or opening of, or void within, the sock. 
         [0030]    A user may further use the sock holding dressing aid, or sock holder, by first adjusting the dimensions of one or all of the back member, the handle member, or the size of the side members of the frame of the sock holder so that it is correct for them, or their socks. 
         [0031]    The described frame comprises a series of members and sections, but it can be formed in many variants, and in a variety of shapes and forms. Nevertheless, it should be shaped such that a user can stretch a sock across it to create a void within the stretched (or opened) sock. It needs two or more separated member for creating that void, with an aperture or opening at the open end of the sock for receiving the toes of the user. It also needs to hold the sock so that a foot can still enter through that opening, so the spacing member needs not to obstruct that entrance. It is thus on the base or back of the frame, allowing the frame to be somewhat like a shoe or slipper once the sock is stretched over its front, and perhaps over its base too. 
         [0032]    It is preferred that the sock will tend to be retained on the frame until the whole foot has been inserted into the sock. A grip for the open edge of the sock might thus beneficially be added to the frame. The back member might provide that function if the sock is stretched over it. 
         [0033]    The frame may be made entirely from metal or hard plastic, or even wood, or alternatively it may utilise several materials or composites, e.g. for greater durability or user satisfaction. 
         [0034]    The frame may comprise a series of rigid rods which are bent to form the necessary sections, members, and handle, and the parts may be attached to each other by bolted joints or welding. Alternatively, the frame may comprise a combination of rigid rods and plates, or molded plastic components, which define the structural shape around which the sock is stretched to define its internal void. 
         [0035]    The frame typically comprises a back member, which should usually be longer than the width of a user&#39;s foot so that the opening of the sock is wide enough for the foot to be inserted without pushing the sock of the holder/frame. A range of products with different widths may be beneficial so that the right product can be provided for the right user, for example a larger “man” version, a smaller “woman&#39;s” version and a smaller still “child&#39;s” version. 
         [0036]    The above mentioned U-shape provides a simple and effective shape that can provide a suitable width for a typical user, and such a U shape can readily be provided by bending a rod or wire so that the back member may be a wire or rod. However, the back member may instead be a plate. 
         [0037]    Instead of, or in addition to, a back member, there may be a base member as the spacing member between the side members. 
         [0038]    The dimensions of the spacing member, i.e. the frame&#39;s inside width defining member, may be configured to be adjustable by a user, allowing the sock holding product to be adaptable as necessary, e.g. for larger or smaller feet. 
         [0039]    The spacing member, as previously defined, has attached at either end at least two side members, each of which extends in a direction running generally between a front and back of the frame, i.e. typically perpendicular to the back member, when the frame is provided with such. 
         [0040]    The side members are typically substantially straight and thus they can each define a plane for the sides of the product. They might be curved, however, as a foot is not straight sided. 
         [0041]    The side members typically extend from the back end to the front end of the frame. 
         [0042]    Each side member may be substantively identical in shape to the other, thus making the product readily interchangeable between both a left and a right foot. 
         [0043]    Each of the side members may be constructed from a single rigid beam, wire or rod, folded or formed to be a loop or ring, complete or partial. Alternatively, it can be fabricated from a series of rigid beams, wires or rods. Bending a wire or rod is a simple approach for manufacturing the product, thus offering a low production cost. 
         [0044]    The side members may instead be constructed from a single rigid plate, or a series of rigid plates, or combinations of plates and rods. 
         [0045]    The side members may be configured to be adjustable in size by a user, allowing them to be adapted as necessary. For example they may have variable lengths, such as by having sliding members. This can then allow a wider range of users, or a wider range of sock sizes, to have an appropriately sized device provided therefor. 
         [0046]    The side members may be substantively wedge shaped, such as in the illustrated embodiment, with the wedge being shorter (less high) at the front end of the frame than at the back end of the frame. 
         [0047]    The side members may be oriented such that they extend upwards in a substantively perpendicular direction with respect to the back member (or a base) of the frame. 
         [0048]    The side members can comprise a back section at the thick end of the wedge which is substantively perpendicular to the back member (or base) of the frame. 
         [0049]    The side members can comprise a base section which runs from the back section towards the front end of the frame in a direction which is substantively perpendicular to both the back section of the side member and the back member of the frame. 
         [0050]    Each of the side members are shown to attach to the back member at the bottom region of the thicker end of the wedge, in this instance at the bottom ends of the base sections of the side members. This attachment may be achieved through the use of a weld or a bolt or any other fixing method. 
         [0051]    In alternative embodiments, the side members and the back member (or base) may take the form of a single or continuous molded (or formed) component. The handle may be integral or separately attached thereto. 
         [0052]    The side members are usually oriented substantively parallel to each other. 
         [0053]    The thin end of the wedge for each of the side members may be formed by a curve of the material—rod or wire or beam, as used for forming it, so as to form an approximate “U” shape from a side elevation perspective, the top of the U pointing sideways, such that it is open towards the thicker or wider end of that wedged side member, i.e. the two arms of the U point towards the back section of that side member, with the upper arm of the U attached to an upper or rising section (which rises from the front of the side member at the front end of the frame towards the back of the side member at the back end of the frame) and the other arm being attached to a level section of the side member—the section defining the above-mentioned base section of the side member. The resulting taper thus provides the wedge shape for the side member. 
         [0054]    The end of the rising section of each side member at the back end of the frame may attach to the top end of the back section of that side member, or it may be integral therewith. 
         [0055]    One of the side members can include a fixing means attached to the back section of that side member. That fixing means may instead be attached to the back member of the frame. The fixing means can be for attaching a handle. 
         [0056]    It is possible for both side members to have a fixing means, allowing the handle to be attached to either side. 
         [0057]    The or each fixing means might be for the handle, and/or it might serve to prevent a sock from rising too far up the frame—thus maintaining a suitable opening in the sock for easy insertion of a foot therethrough. 
         [0058]    The fixing means may comprise a fixing plate. 
         [0059]    The fixing plate may comprise first and second fixing holes at either end of the fixing plate, the first fixing hole being located at the end of the back section which is closer to the base section, and the second fixing hole being located at the end of the back section which is closer to the end of the rising section of the side member at the back of the frame. 
         [0060]    The end of the fixing plate in which the first fixing hole is located may be bent or angled such that it is in a plane which is parallel to the back member of the frame and the base sections of the side members. 
         [0061]    The end of the fixing plate in which the second fixing hole is located may be in a plane which is parallel to the back member of the frame and the back sections of the side members. 
         [0062]    The sock holder or sock holding dressing aid additionally includes a handle member. Said handle member may comprise a long rod with first and second ends. 
         [0063]    The handle member may be substantively straight. 
         [0064]    The handle member may be ergonomically shaped for greater ease of use by the user. 
         [0065]    The appropriate length of the handle member may be determined by the height of the user, whereby a variety of lengths on different products within a product range may be provided. Alternatively the product may have a user-configurable length, i.e. it might be adjustable by the user, such as by providing it with a telescopic arrangement. 
         [0066]    The handle member typically extends in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the base of the frame, the frame thus being a base component and the handle member being an upper component. This arrangement may provide a substantially vertically extending handle member when the base component is sitting with its base on the floor. 
         [0067]    The handle member typically extends in a direction extending away from the back member and parallel to the back section of the side member, to which it is typically attached. 
         [0068]    The fixing plate can be arranged to accommodate the first end of the handle member in a hole thereof. It is preferred that the first end of said handle member passes through and extends a short distance beyond a first fixing hole of the fixing plate. The handle member then further attaches to the fixing plate via a second fixing hole. This attachment may be accomplished through the use of a bolt which passes through the second fixing hole and attaches to the handle member. 
         [0069]    The invention may employ an alternative method of fixing the handle member to the frame or base component. They may even be integrally molded or formed together. Due to the materials chosen for the preferred embodiment, however, it is preferred that the handle member is a separate member and that the joint is through a bolt and a welded fixing plate. 
         [0070]    The joint need not be to the back member of the side member. For example, the handle member may form a continuous piece with the back section of a side member or with the base member, with that handle instead being joined to the remainder of the side member. 
         [0071]    The handle member can have a simple folded end for grasping by a user. In a variation the handle member may additionally include a gripping member at its second end. 
         [0072]    The folded end or gripping member may be oriented to a plane which is substantively parallel to the base sections of the side members, or perpendicular to the back member (or back sections of the side members). 
         [0073]    The gripping member may include a surface which is ergonomically shaped for the purpose of being easily gripped by a user. 
         [0074]    A preferred method of operation of the product is as follows. 
         [0075]    A user stretches the open end of a sock such that it can fit over the thin end of the wedges of the side members of the frame. The sock can then be slid up from the thin end of the wedges of the plurality of side members towards the thick end of the wedges of the plurality of side members. 
         [0076]    The user can then grip the gripping member of the frame and hold the frame in a position such that the side members align parallel and either side of the sides of their foot, so that their toes point into the now-held-open aperture of the sock. 
         [0077]    The user can then insert their foot into the open aperture of the sock and push their foot towards the front end of the frame. Continuous movement of the user&#39;s foot into the aperture of the sock towards the front end of the frame then causes the user&#39;s toes to contact the closed end of the sock. The sock is then largely over the foot. 
         [0078]    In an embodiment for an adult, the frame may be around 8 or 9 inches long, or around 20, 21, 22 or 23 cm long. 
         [0079]    The user may need to further slide their foot along the side members, depending upon the respective length of their foot compared to the sides of the frame, and with continuing movement the sock may then detach from the side members of the frame such that it is left on the foot of the user, hopefully over (or close to) the heel of the user, and potentially up and over the ankle. 
         [0080]    The user may then need to do a final pull-up of the sock higher up or over the ankle to complete the process of putting on the sock before repeating this procedure with another sock on their other foot. 
         [0081]    As the user does not need to reach their toes for putting on the sock, and perhaps not even their heel or ankle, this device can be very useful for an infirm, elderly or otherwise less flexible person. 
         [0082]    By having the connection between the side members at the back of the frame, or towards the back of the frame, a user can more easily apply a sock over their heel or ankle as the spacing member will less likely interfere with the toes or sole of the foot. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0083]    The present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0084]      FIG. 1  provides a perspective view of a base component and partial handle member of a first sock holding dressing aid, or sock holder, in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0085]      FIG. 2  provides an alternative perspective view of the sock holder of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0086]      FIG. 3  provides a rear perspective view of the sock holder of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0087]      FIG. 4  provides a detailed review of the connection between a handle member and the base component or frame of the sock holder; 
           [0088]      FIG. 5  provides a view of a handle for the sock holder; 
           [0089]      FIG. 6  provides a perspective view of a base component of an alternative sock holder embodiment; 
           [0090]      FIG. 7  shows a handle member for attaching to the base component or frame of  FIG. 6 ; 
           [0091]      FIG. 8  shows an isometric perspective of the frame of the sock holder of  FIG. 6 ; 
           [0092]      FIG. 9  shows a detailed view of the bottom of the handle member of  FIG. 7 ; and 
           [0093]      FIG. 10  shows the top of the handle member. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0094]    Referring first of all to  FIG. 1  there is shown a first sock holder or sock holding dressing aid  10  of the present invention. The sock holder  10  of this embodiment is made using a metal frame, in this case a stainless steel rod or wire. 
         [0095]    Further, in this instance the rod wire has approximately a quarter inch diameter (about 6 mm). Metal, plastic, wooden or composite frames could equally be used. 
         [0096]    The surface of the material chosen is preferably smooth. Further, it functions best by being substantially rigid. 
         [0097]    The sock holder  10  is formed in this embodiment by bending a rod firstly into a U-shape preferably with a gait, or spacing between the legs thereof, of between 10 and 13 cm or about 4½ inches in the illustration. Then, each end of the rod is bent backwards in a generally perpendicular plane to the initial U-shape. This bend can have a rounded front  12  as shown, or a more angular shape. Similarly the U-shape can have a rounded shape or a more angular shape as shown (here with a half inch or 12 mm radius  14 ). 
         [0098]    The bends at the front ends  12  provide a wedge like shape for the side members of the frame relative when seen in side elevation, with the gap towards the front of the sock holder  10  (where the rod straightens again) being about 1 inch high, i.e. about 25 mm high. The higher end of the wedge is then formed at the rear region of the frame by bending the free ends of the rods downwardly at the back for attachment at or near the initial U-shaped area of the rod. That bend is made to leave a wider gap in the wedge at the back thereof of about 2½ inches, or about 5 cm. The maximum gap height might be between 4 and 6 cm, although different socks and different feet may demand different sizes. 
         [0099]    There, the free ends of the bent-down portions are then cut flush (where needed) and welded  16  to the U-shape. As shown in  FIG. 1 , this is at the bend  14  of that U-shape in this embodiment, i.e. preferably slightly forward from the rear part of the u-bend. In this embodiment it may be about half an inch or about seven eighths of an inch, or about 12 mm, 15 mm, 20 mm, 22 mm or even about 25 mm therefrom. Other distances are possible, depending upon the length of the desired wedge and the length of the desired product  10 . 
         [0100]    In this embodiment, a handle member  18  is also formed from a similar type of rod or wire, and thus as shown it is a quarter inch stainless steel rod. It is attached to the frame of the sock holding dressing aid  10  with a bolt and nut  20 . In this embodiment it stands about 20 inches high, or about 50 cm high with a right angle bend  22  at the top (see  FIG. 5 ) that creates a handle  24  that is about 2½ inches or about 6 cm long. 
         [0101]    An approximately quarter inch bolt—potentially an M6 bolt or similar—is welded approximately one and three-quarter inches or about 4 cm from the bottom of that rod (see  FIG. 7 ) to face in the same direction as the handle  24  or top bend  22  of the rod and is for attaching this handle member  18  to the frame. 
         [0102]    For this purpose, in this embodiment a bracket or flange  26  is attached to the frame so that the bolt can be fastened thereto with a nut. In this embodiment, that bracket is formed using an eighth of an inch by half an inch stainless steel flat bar (approximately 3 mm×12 mm), which bar is cut to a length of about 2½ inches, i.e. about 6 cm long, and then bent approximately half an inch (about 12 mm) from its end at a right angle, with about a quarter inch (or about 6 mm) hole drilled in each end. It is then welded to the frame, such as to the side of the frame or to the rear upright of the side member—i.e. the finally folded free end or rear member of the sidewall. In this instance it is welded to the right-hand side of the frame when viewed from a rear elevation thereof, similar to the view of  FIG. 3 . 
         [0103]    The length of the side members are around 8 or 9 inches long, or around 20, 21, 22 or 23 cm long, in this embodiment, although different lengths for different socks or shoe sizes will be able to be provided, just as different heights and different widths for the frame may be desired. 
         [0104]    The sock holder  10  thus described provides a rigid structure or frame to address the above objective of allowing a user to put a sock on their foot without having to excessively bend. 
         [0105]    The described frame comprises a series of members and sections, but it can be formed in many ways, and in a variety of shapes and forms. Nevertheless, it should be shaped such that a user can stretch a sock over a frame with a rear opening so as to define an open void within the sock into which the toes of the foot can be fitted. The frame, for this purpose, will have two or more separated side members that create the void and hold open the open end of the sock so that the user can insert the toes of their foot, and preferably the whole of their foot into the sock before the sock pulls off the front end of the frame. 
         [0106]    The frame can be described as having a back end and front end. 
         [0107]    The frame may be made entirely from metal or hard plastic, or alternatively may utilise several such materials, woods or composites. 
         [0108]    Although this frame comprises a bent rigid rod, bent to form the necessary sections and members, and a second rod for forming the handle member  18 , attached to each other by bolted joints and welding, alternative arrangements can have the base component or frame  32  formed or fabricated from a combination of rigid plates, sheets, wires, rods and bars. It can likewise be a molded plastic or composite product or a laminated wood product. Nevertheless, the parts thereof will define a rear enterable void area for a foot and a structural shape there around for supporting a sock in a stretched open, but generally ruffled—i.e. not longitudinally stretched—configuration, but which shape can also be extracted to the rear of the foot after the sock has been put onto the foot, whereby its frame does not have a blocking top or toe member. 
         [0109]    The frame  32  illustrated also comprises a back member  30 , which is longer than the width of a user&#39;s foot, and which may be of numerous lengths in different embodiments. For example, the illustrated version is about 12 cm wide, and it is a larger “man” version. A smaller “woman&#39;s” one may be about 10 cm wide, whereas a smaller still “child&#39;s” one, for example, may be between 6 and 8 cm wide. 
         [0110]    The above mentioned initial U-shape provides the width for this embodiment so here this back member  30  is a rod with bent ends  14 . However, it might instead be a plate. It can alternatively be a base member extending across the bottom of the frame  32  for spacing apart the two side members  28 , or it could be a combination of both. These collectively might be referred to as a spacing, or width defining, member. 
         [0111]    The dimensions of the spacing or width defining member may be configured to be adjustable by a user, allowing the product  10  to be adapted as necessary. 
         [0112]    The side members  28  are shown to be substantially straight when viewed from above and thus they each define a plane for the sides of the product  10 . They might be curved, however, as a foot is not straight sided. 
         [0113]    The side members  28  extend from the back end to the front end  12  of the frame  32 . They might have gaps between the ends, however, as a continuous extent is not essential. 
         [0114]    Each side member  28 , as shown can be substantially identical or symmetrical in shape to the other, thus making the product  10  readily interchangeable between left and right feet. 
         [0115]    Each of the side members  28 , as illustrated, can be constructed from the same single bent rigid rod, or they may be formed from separate components joined together to form the frame  32 . 
         [0116]    The side members  28 , like the back member  30 , or a possible base member (not shown), may be configured to be adjustable in size by a user, allowing the sock holding dressing aid  10  to be adapted as necessary for different users. For example they may have variable lengths, such as by having sliding members. This can then allow a wider range of users, or a wider range of sock sizes, to be accommodated. 
         [0117]    The side members  28 , as shown, are substantially wedge shaped when viewed in side elevation—see  FIG. 1 , with the wedge being shorter (less high) at the front end  12  of the frame  32  than at the back end of the frame  32 . 
         [0118]    The side members  28  may be oriented such that they extend upwards in a substantively perpendicular direction with respect to the back member  30  (or a base) of the frame or base component  32 . 
         [0119]    The side members  28  illustrated comprise a back section  34  at the thick end of the wedge which is substantively perpendicular to the back member  30  (or base) of the base component  32 . 
         [0120]    The side members  28  comprise a base section  36  which runs from the back section  34  towards the front end  12  of the frame  32  in a direction which is substantively perpendicular to both the back section  34  of the side member  28  and the back member  30  of the frame  32 . 
         [0121]    Each of the side members  28  are shown to attach to the back member  30  at the bottom region of the thicker end of the wedge, in this instance at the bottom ends of the base sections  34  of the side members  28 . This attachment may be achieved through the use of a bolt or any other fixing method, but in the illustrated embodiment it is achieved by a weld  16 . 
         [0122]    In alternative embodiments, the side members and the back member (or base) may take the form of a continuous molded (or formed) piece with a back or base member and side members. 
         [0123]    The side members are usually oriented substantively parallel to each other. 
         [0124]    The thin end of the wedge for each of the side members of the illustrated embodiment is formed by a curve of material forming an approximate “U” shape, the top of which points towards the thick end of that side member  28 , i.e. the back section  34  of the side member  28 , with the upper end of the U attached on one arm  38  to a rising section  40  (which rises from the front  12  of the side member  28  at the front end of the frame  32  to the back of the side member  28  at the back end of the frame  32 ) and the other arm  42  being attached to a level section  36 —the section defining the above-mentioned base section  36 , the resulting taper therebetween thus providing the wedge shape. 
         [0125]    The end of the rising section  40  of each side member  28  at the back end of the frame ends with the down bent end that provides the back section  34 . 
         [0126]    In the illustrated embodiment, one of the side members includes a fixing means—the bracket or flange  26  attached to the back section  34  of that side member  28 . That fixing means is attached to the back member  30  of the frame by welding. 
         [0127]    The fixing means may comprise a fixing plate. 
         [0128]    The fixing plate may comprise first and second fixing holes  44 ,  45 —see  FIG. 6 —at either end of the fixing plate, the first fixing hole being located at the end of the back section  34  which is closer to the base section  36 , and the second fixing hole being located at the end of the back section  34  which is closer to the end of the rising section  40  of the side member  28  at the back of the frame  32 . 
         [0129]    The end of the fixing plate in which the first fixing hole is located is bent or angled such that it is in a plane which is parallel to the back member of the frame and the base sections of the side members. 
         [0130]    The end of the fixing plate in which the second fixing hole is located is in a plane which is parallel to the back member of the frame and the back sections of the side members. 
         [0131]    The frame, as disclosed, additionally includes a handle member  18 . Said handle member comprises a long rod with first and second ends. 
         [0132]    The handle member  18  is substantively straight. 
         [0133]    The handle member may be ergonomically shaped for greater ease of use by the user, but the simpler embodiment shown is just a bent rod. 
         [0134]    The appropriate length of the handle member  18  may be determined by the height of the user, or may be configured to be adjustable by the user. A telescopic arrangement (not shown) can be helpful in this regard, but in this embodiment it is about 20 inches or about 50 cm long 
         [0135]    The handle member  18  extends in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the base of the frame  32  (or base component), i.e. substantially vertically relative thereto—a direction extending away from the back member and parallel to the back section of the side member to which it is attached. 
         [0136]    The fixing plate  26  is arranged to accommodate the first end of the handle member in one of the holes  45  by it passing through it (the hole will be larger than the diameter of the rod at that point) and the rod then extends a short distance beyond the first fixing hole  45  of the fixing plate  26 . The handle member then further attaches to the fixing plate via the second fixing hole. This attachment is accomplished through the use of the bolt  20  which passes through the second fixing hole  44  and attaches with a nut. 
         [0137]    The invention may employ an alternative method of fixing the handle member to the frame or base component, or they may be integrally formed. Due to the materials chosen for this illustrated embodiment, however, it is preferred that the joint is through a welded, drilled and bolted joint. 
         [0138]    The join need not be to the back member of the side member. For example, the handle member may form a continuous piece with the back section of a side member or with the base member, with that handle instead being joined to the remainder of the side member. 
         [0139]    It is to be appreciated that although the illustrated handle member has a simple folded end for grasping by a user, in a variation the handle member may additionally include a gripping member at its second end. 
         [0140]    The folded end or gripping member can be oriented to a plane which is substantively parallel to the base sections of the plurality of side members, and perpendicular to the back sections of the plurality of side members, as shown, or it may be otherwise arranged. 
         [0141]    The gripping member may include a surface which is ergonomically shaped for the purpose of being easily gripped by a user. 
         [0142]    A preferred method of operation of the product is as follows. 
         [0143]    A user stretches the aperture of a sock such that it can fit over the thin end of the wedges of the side members  28  of the frame  32 . The sock can then be slid up from the thin end of the wedges of the side members  28  towards the thick end of the wedges of the side members. 
         [0144]    The user can then grip the gripping member of the frame and hold the frame in a position such that the side members align parallel and either side of the sides of their foot, so that their toes point into the now-held-open aperture of the sock. 
         [0145]    The user can then insert their foot into the aperture of the sock and push their foot towards the front end of the frame. Continuous movement of the user&#39;s foot into the aperture of the sock towards the front end of the frame then causes the user&#39;s toes to contact the closed end of the sock. The sock is then largely over the foot. The user may need to further slide the foot along the side members  28 , depending upon the respective length of their foot compared to the sides of the frame, and with continuing movement the sock may then detach from the side members of the frame such that it is left on the foot of the user, hopefully over (or close to) the heel of the user, and potentially up and over the ankle. 
         [0146]    The user may then need to do a final pull-up of the sock higher up or over the ankle to complete the process of putting on the sock before repeating this procedure with another sock on their other foot. 
         [0147]    As the user does not need to reach their toes for putting on the sock, and perhaps may not even need to reach their heel or ankle, this device can be very useful for the infirm, the elderly or otherwise less flexible persons. 
         [0148]    By having the connection between the sides at the back of the frame, or the back of the base component, rather than in the base thereof, a user can more easily apply a sock over their heel or ankle as there is no obstruction relative to the insertion of the foot into the opening of the sock. 
         [0149]    The present invention, and various preferred features thereof, have been described above purely by way of example. Modifications in detail may be made to the invention within the scope of the claims appended hereto.