Abstract:
A dressing device to aid individuals with the removal and installation of clothing tops, such as sport bras, comprising an elongate shaft including an upper end integral hook, and the shaft including a lower end including an integral hook.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    Not Applicable 
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not Applicable 
       REFERENCES TO SEQUENCING LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISK APPENDIX 
       [0003]    Not Applicable 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    The number of women participating in sports and exercise has increased dramatically in the United States. This may be attributable to societal trends and attitudes toward women&#39;s health and exercise, and in part, to the federal legislation passed under Title IX, Education Amendments of 1972 (Title 20 U.S.C. Sections 1681-1688), granting, among other things, equality in funding for both female and male sports programs. High school and collegiate athletic programs today offer a full compliment of sports programs for women that were non-existent only decades ago. Women&#39;s participation and the popularity of health clubs, running/walking events, yoga, golf, swimming, bicycling, tennis and other activities have continued to expand since the mid-1970s. 
         [0005]    The clothing apparel industry has naturally followed this trend. Clothing has become customized providing vivid colors, synthetic and lightweight fabrics, along with body contoured shapes. This has been made possible with the introduction of revolutionary man-made elastic fabrics such as, spandex, also known as lycra, invented in 1959. These inventions and subsequent elastic fabric blends converged with market demands for sports and athletic clothing in the 1970&#39;s, enabling the garment industry to manufacture fashionable sport and exercise garments that were comfortable and would fit tight against the body. The industry has been so successful that these fabrics and designs are in demand by both athletes and non-athletes. 
         [0006]    Clothing tops, such as sport bras, are manufactured with man-made elastic fabrics some of which, are designed as one-piece, non-latching units with only openings for the head, shoulders/arms, and the torso. They include an array of tops with diverse nomenclature, such as athletic tops, running tops, running bras, sport tops, sport bras, exercise tops, exercise bras, sleeveless bra tops, sleeveless tops, tank tops, tee shirts, tees, crop tops, and shimmels. These tops remain firmly in place during exercise without the chaffing effects caused by zippers, belts, strings, clips, latches or loose clothing. 
         [0007]    These clothing tops are designed to provide support for the female anatomy utilizing compressive forces exerted by elastic fabrics encircling the body. Clothing tops, such as sport bras, are ideally removed by the individual by reaching over their head and shoulders, grabbing the lower rim and base of the top with the hand(s) on the dorsal side and then pulling the garment over the head, effectively lifting and peeling the garment away from the skin. These actions require a significant amount of effort, strength, and flexibility which many individuals lack. 
         [0008]    As evidenced by direct observation, clothing tops, such as sport bras, will roll and twist against the body and skin as they are pulled on and off the body. This is caused, in part, because of limited access and subsequent improper hand positioning on the dorsal side while grabbing and positioning the top during the process of dressing and undressing. Twisting or rolling of the elastic fabric shortens or reduces the circumferential length of the garment around the torso causing the elastic fabric to increase its compressive force. A length of a rope, for example, will shorten as it is twisted longitudinally. Likewise, a rubber band&#39;s compressive force will increase if it is wrapped twice or more around an object. More compression from the clothing top requires more effort and force to remove and install and causes skin discomfort during dressing and undressing. Perspiration and moisture increase adhesion between the elastic clothing top and the individual&#39;s skin further exacerbating the difficulty of removal. Further, stretching of the fabric caused by twisting, rolling and pulling during the process of dressing and undressing stresses the elasticity of the top and affects its useful life. 
         [0009]    Likewise, it is difficult for many individuals with physical limitations such as arthritis, joint pain, muscular ailments and other disabilities to access their dorsal side and shoulder areas, secure clothing in the appropriate location with the hand(s) and pull the garment over the head, shoulders and torso. Individuals may be precluded from utilizing these clothing top choices and/or must seek assistance in dressing and undressing. 
         [0010]    The demand and use of clothing tops, such as sport bras, has increase significantly with the recent inventions of elastic man-made fabrics, however, because of the design and nature of the fabrics and disadvantages described herein, a large number of people endure discomfort and difficulties while dressing and undressing. Subsequently, there exists a need for a dressing device to aid individuals with the process of dressing and undressing of clothing tops, such as sport bras. 
         [0011]    The need for a dressing device to aid in the process dressing and undressing clothing tops, such as sport bras, was limited or did not exist before the utilization of man-made elastic materials for sports attire and the proliferation of health related sports and activities. The present invention is a dressing device aid that reduces and may eliminate the difficulties and disadvantages described herein. The inventor is unaware of the prior art addressing these issues. 
         [0012]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,328,048, to Rivera, describes a multi-use patient aid that converts to function as a cane, shoe horn and a clothing retrieval hook. U.S. Pat. No. 5,139,185, to Medaugh, provides a mechanical gripping device to pull garments on, such as underwear and slacks, and the like. Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 916,508, to Victor, claimed a device to take off trousers. 
         [0013]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,855,401, to Papernik, is a personal dressing device/valet, for a user, such as a woman or arthritic-handicapped individual, to assist in activities, such as, zippering up and down a garment, threading a button through a button hole, and in fastening a bracelet around one&#39;s wrist. 
         [0014]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,966,316, to George et al, describes a shoe horn and cane to enable securement of shoes relative to individuals with impaired physical abilities. Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 4.709,839, to Tucker, claimed a shoe butler for putting on and taking off shoes. 
         [0015]    U.S. Pat. No. 3,937,512, to Baughman, claims a grab-stick for picking up litter. Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 1,745,292, to Buser is a bottle and can lifter. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0016]    The present invention is a dressing device aid that reduces and may eliminate the difficulties and disadvantages described herein. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a personal dressing device to aid in the process of dressing and undressing of clothing tops that are designed as one-piece, non-latching units, such as sport bras. A further object permits the user to hold one end of the dressing device in the hand or hands and during the process of dressing or undressing uses the opposite end of the dressing device to hook and secure the clothing top along it&#39;s lower rim and base on the dorsal side of the users body and upon action of the users hand(s) and arm(s) enables the user to: 1.) pull, peel and lift the clothing top off and raise the clothing top to a position that permits the use of the hand(s) to complete the removal process; 2.) position the clothing top and remove rolls, twists and gathers. The device comprises an elongated shaft including an upper end integral hook and the shaft including a lower end integral hook. 
         [0017]    The more important features of the invention have been outlined rather broadly in order that the detailed description may be better understood and the present contribution to the art may be appreciated. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that this disclosure may readily be utilized as the basis for the design of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes and objects of the present invention. It is important that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent construction insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
         [0018]    Accordingly, several objects of the present invention are: 
         [0019]    to provide a personal dressing device to aid with the partial and complete dressing and undressing process of clothing tops, such as one piece, non-latching sport bras, and 
         [0020]    to provide a personal dressing device to aid with positioning clothing tops and remove rolls, twists and gathers during the process of dressing and undressing, and 
         [0021]    to provide a personal dressing device to aid in hooking and securing clothing tops along their lower rim and base on the dorsal side of the user, and 
         [0022]    to provide a personal dressing device to reduce stress and over-stretching to elastic fabrics in clothing tops, caused by fabric twisting, rolling and pulling during the process of dressing and undressing, and 
         [0023]    to provide a personal dressing device that will not puncture and tear clothing tops during the process of dressing and undressing, and 
         [0024]    to provide a personal dressing device that reduces skin discomfort during the process of dressing and undressing of clothing tops, and 
         [0025]    to provide a personal dressing device that reduce the amount of effort, strength, and flexibility required during the process of dressing and undressing of clothing tops, and 
         [0026]    to provide a personal dressing device to aid individuals with physical limitations such as, arthritis, joint pain, muscular ailments and other disabilities during the process of dressing and undressing, and 
         [0027]    to provide a personal dressing device to provide a method of dressing and undressing by individuals who might otherwise be precluded from utilizing clothing top, and 
         [0028]    to provide a personal dressing device which reduces or eliminates the need for individuals to seek assistance during the process of dressing and undressing of clothing tops and 
         [0029]    to provide a personal dressing device which may be easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed, and 
         [0030]    to provide a personal dressing device which is of durable and reliable construction, and 
         [0031]    to provide a personal dressing device which has low labor and material costs of manufacture, and which will be economically available to the buying public. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING 
         [0032]      FIG. 1  plan view of the device with the preferred embodiment of the invention. 
           [0033]      FIG. 2  is a profile view of the device with the preferred embodiment of the invention. 
           [0034]      FIG. 3  is a cross-section of the elongate shaft of the device with the preferred embodiment of the invention. 
           [0035]      FIG. 4  is a cross-section of the lower end integral hook with the preferred embodiment of the invention. 
           [0036]      FIG. 5  is a cross-section of the upper end integral hook with the preferred embodiment of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0037]    With regard to the drawings and in particular to  FIGS. 1 to 5 , there is depicted the preferred embodiments of the dressing aid device designated by the reference number  10  in accordance with the present invention.  FIG. 1  is illustrative of the elongate shaft  12 .  FIG. 3  is illustrative of the preferred embodiment round cross-section, Section  1 - 1 ′, of the elongate shaft. 
         [0038]      FIG. 1  is illustrative of the preferred lower end integral hook comprising the bent section  13 , bend  17 , and the shaft  12 , forming a preferred acute angle  19  between the bent section  13  and the longitudinal shaft  12 .  FIG. 1  is illustrative of the preferred rounded and smooth tip  14  of bent section  13 .  FIG. 4  is illustrative of the preferred round cross-section, Section  2 - 2 ′, of the bent section  13 . 
         [0039]      FIG. 1  is also illustrative of the preferred upper end integral hook comprising the bent section  15 , bend  18 , and the shaft  12 , forming a preferred acute angle  20  between the bent section  13  and the longitudinal shaft  12 .  FIG. 1  is illustrative of the preferred rounded and smooth tip  16  of bent section  15 .  FIG. 5  is illustrative of the preferred round cross-section, Section  3 - 3 ′, of the bent section  15 . 
         [0040]    Under the preferred embodiment, the upper and lower integral end hooks are located on opposing sides of the elongate shaft  12 . 
         [0041]    As to the preferred manner of usage and operation of the invention, either integral hook end may be utilized by the user to hold the dressing device. Under a preferred embodiment, the bent section  15  of the upper end integral hook, is shorter in length than the bent section  13  of the upper end integral hook, providing device manipulation options for the user. 
         [0042]    For the preferred process of undressing or removal, the device  10  is held in the hand with the palm grasping the longitudinal shaft  12  inside the acute angle area formed by the smaller bent or hooked section  15  and the longitudinal shaft  12  such that the outside of the hand, on the little finger side, rests against the bend  18 . In other words, the hand is cradled and wedged between the longitudinal shaft  12 , the bend  18  and the bent section  15  providing support for the hand to help grasp the longitudinal shaft  12  and apply force as the device  10  is manipulated. The device  10 , in hand, with the arm raised over the head or shoulders, is positioned dorsally, and the tip  14  and bent section  13  are inserted between the skin and the lower rim and base of the clothing top on the dorsal side or back of the individual. As the device  10  is manipulated and pulled upward toward the individual&#39;s head, a portion of the clothing garment is captured and gathered between the bent section  13  and the longitudinal shaft  12  enabling the individual to pull the top completely off or raise the garment to a position that comfortably permits the use of the hand(s) to complete the removal process. 
         [0043]    For the preferred process of dressing or installation, the clothing top is initially and partially installed by the user in the normal fashion using one&#39;s hands and arms by pulling the clothing top over the head and/or shoulders and arms. The device  10  is held in the hand with the palm grasping the longitudinal shaft  12  inside the acute angle area formed by the larger bent section  13  and the longitudinal shaft  12  such that the outside of the hand, on the little finger side, rests against the bend  17 . In other words, the hand is cradled or wedged between the longitudinal shaft  12 , the bend  17  and the bent section  13  providing support for the hand to help grasp the device and apply force as the device  10  is manipulated. The device  10  is held in the hand with the arm and hand positioned generally to the dorsal side or back of the body. The device&#39;s tip  16  and bent section  15  are inserted between the skin and the lower rim and base of the partially installed clothing top. As the device is manipulated and/or pulled downward and/or laterally or away from the head, a portion of the clothing top including twists, rolls and gathers are captured between the bent section  15  and the longitudinal shaft  12  enabling the individual to correctly fit or position the garment and to remove rolls, twists or gathers in the garment. 
         [0044]    The preferred method of manufacturing the invention is to mold the device from plastic material of sufficient shear and tensile strength. Other methods of manufacturing and choices of materials would be obvious and apparent to one skilled in the art. 
         [0045]    Although the invention has been described above, it is to be realized that the optimal dimensional details for the invention, to include variations in size, shape, form, materials, manufacture, assembly, function, manner of operation and use, will be obvious and apparent by those of ordinary skill in the art. 
         [0046]    Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention, Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope and spirit of the present invention.