Field of the Invention

The invention is directed to compression socks (or stockings), a device for donning/removing the sock, and a method for donning/removing the sock.

Background of the Invention

Compression socks (or stockings) are a medical device used to treat or to prevent certain disorders, such as venous disorders. Some patients, who use or wear such socks, may be elderly and/or may have challenged mobility (e.g., flexibility, strength, and/or dexterity). Such patients may find it difficult to don (or put on) and/or to remove the sock without assistance of another. This may diminish the patient's self- esteem.

Accordingly, there is a need for a new compression sock (or stocking) that may be donned and/or removed by the patient without assistance of another, a device for donning/removing such sock, and a method for donning/removing such sock.

Summary of the Invention

A method for donning/removing a compression sock or stocking on a patient's leg and foot comprises the steps of:

providing a compression sock or stocking, the compression sock or stocking comprises: a tubular compression stocking covers at least an ankle and has a first lateral side, a second lateral side, a front side, and a rear side, and a pair of tubular tunnels, each tunnel has a length, a diameter, and a longitudinal axis, the length is greater than the diameter, one tunnel of the pair affixed to the first lateral side and the other tunnel of the pair affixed to the second lateral side, the longitudinal axis of each tunnel in a pair is generally horizontal and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the other tunnel;

providing a device for donning/removing a compression sock or stocking comprises: a pair of vertical braces, and a pair of horizontally projecting prongs disposed between the pair of braces;

inserting the prongs of the device in to the tunnels of the sock or stocking;

inserting the foot into the sock or stocking; and

donning or removing the sock or stocking by moving the braces as required.

Description of the Drawings

For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings a form that is presently preferred; it being understood, however, that this invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.

Figure 1 is an environmental view of an embodiment of the instant invention.

Figures 2A and 2B are views (lateral and rear) of an embodiment of the stocking portion of the instant invention.

Figure 3 is a view of an embodiment of the device for donning/removing the stocking. Figure 4 is a view of another embodiment of the device for donning/removing the stocking.

Figure 5 is a view of yet another embodiment of the device for donning/removing the stocking.

Figure 6 is a view of an embodiment of the base of the device for

donning/removing the stocking.

Figure 7 is a view of an embodiment of a brace of the device for

donning/removing the stocking.

Figure 8 is a view of an embodiment of a prongs of the device for

donning/removing the stocking.

Description of the Invention

Referring to the drawings, wherein like numerals indicate like elements, there is shown, in Figure 1 , a patient 10 wearing stockings 14 with a pair of tunnels 16 using device 12 for donning/removing those stockings. In general, device 12 includes a pair of vertical braces 20 with a pair of horizontally projecting prongs 22 disposed between the braces 20. In general, each stocking 14 (or socks, these terms are used

interchangeably) is a tubular stocking with at least one pair of tunnels 16 affixed thereto. Both the stocking 14 and the device 12 will be discussed in greater detail below.

Stocking 14, see Figures 2A and 2B, may be any type of compression stocking. The stocking may cover an ankle A or the ankle and a knee B, or the ankle A, the knee B, and a thigh C. The stocking 14 includes at least one pair of tunnels 16. Each tunnel 16 has a length (open end to open end), a diameter, and a longitudinal axis. The length of the tunnel is greater than the diameter. In some embodiments, the length may be at least 2 times greater that the diameter. In other embodiments, the length may be 5 times greater than the diameter. In yet another embodiment, the length may be in a range of 2-10 times the diameter. As shown, the tunnels 16 are disposed on the lateral sides of the stocking 14. The tunnels 16 are disposed generally horizontally and the longitudinal axis of each tunnel in a pair are generally parallel. As shown in Figures 2A and 2B, a first pair of tunnels 16 is disposed adjacent ankle A, a second pair of tunnels 16' is disposed adjacent knee B, and a third pair of tunnels 16" is disposed adjacent thigh C. The tunnels 16 may be affixed to the stocking 14 in any conventional manner. The stocking and tunnels may be made of any conventional material.

The device 12 may be configured into several embodiments, for example, see Figures 1 and 3 (open configuration 12), Figure 4 (closed configuration with base 12') and Figure 5 (closed configuration without base 12"). Other configurations may be possible, so the device is not limited to the configurations shown. In each configuration, the device includes: a pair of vertically spaced apart braces 20 with a pair of prongs 22 disposed therebetween. These configurations will be discussed in greater detail below.

In the open configuration 12 of the device, see Figures 1 and 3, the device includes a pair of vertically spaced apart braces 20 with a pair of prongs 22 disposed therebetween. The braces 20 may be adjustable in height, discussed in greater detail below. Each braces may have a generally horizontal handle 30 disposed at one end of the brace. The braces 20 may be removably affixed to a base 26. The base may be provided with a plurality of holes 21 for reciept of a brace, so that the braces 20 may be adjusted front to back on the base, as desired. A beam 28 may be positioned (or attached) on the base 26 between the braces 20. The prongs 22 may be removably affixed in the beam 28, so that the tines 24 are generally horizontal, parallel to the base 26, and generally perpendicular to the plane formed by the pair of braces 20.

Open configuration 12 may be used as follows: the tunnels 16 of the stocking 14 are slipped over prongs 22, the patient 10 from either a sitting position (chair not shown) or a standing position (see Figure 1) slips their foot (toe first) into the stocking on the prongs, then may pull the stocking up onto their leg (in Figure 1 , the stocking is over the ankle, knee, and thigh - but is not so limited), and thereafter the patient simply slides their leg out of the device (removing the prongs from the tunnels). To remove the stocking, the procedure is reversed.

In the closed configuration with base 12', see Figure 4, the device includes a pair of vertically spaced apart braces 20 with a pair of prongs 22 disposed therebetween. The braces 20 may be adjustable in height, discussed in greater detail below. Each braces may have a generally horizontal handle 30 disposed at one end of the brace. The braces 20 may be removably affixed to a base 26. The base may be provided with a plurality of holes 21 (not shown) for reciept of a brace, so that the braces 20 may be adjusted front to back on the base, as desired. A two part beam 28 and 28' may be positioned (or attached) on the base 26 between the braces 20. The first pair of prongs 22 may be removably affixed in the beam 28 and a second pair of prongs 22' may be removably affixed to beam 28". The tines 24 of each set of prongs 22 are generally horizontal, parallel to the base 26, and generally perpendicular to the plane formed by the pair of braces 20. Cross members 32 may be used to removably interconnect the beam 28 (and/or 28') between the braces 20. Closed configuration with base 12' may be used as follows: the tunnels 16 (and/or 16') of the stocking 14 are slipped over prongs 22 (and/or 22') with the toe of the stocking pointed into the beam 28, the patient 10 from either a sitting position (chair not shown) or a standing position (not shown) slips their foot (toe first) into the stocking on the prongs (alternatively, the device 12 may be tipped to facilitate insertion of the foot into the stocking), then the patient may, if necessary, pull the stocking up onto their leg, and thereafter the patient simply slides their leg out of the device (removing the prongs from the tunnels). To remove the stocking, the procedure is reversed.

The closed configuration without base 12", see Figure 5, is the same as the closed configuration with base 12' except the base 26 is removed.

Closed configuration without base 12" may be used as follows: the tunnels 16 (and/or 16') of the stocking 14 are slipped over prongs 22 (and/or 22') with the toe of the stocking pointed into the beam 28, the patient 10 from a supine position (not shown, for example, laying in a bed) slips their foot (toe first) into the stocking on the prongs, then the patient may, if necessary, pull the stocking up onto their leg by pull on the braces, and thereafter the patient simply slides their leg out of the device (removing the prongs from the tunnels). To remove the stocking, the procedure is reversed.

Figure 6 shows an embodiment of the base 26. Base 26 is a generally planar device and may include: feet 40 (provided, in one embodiment, to prevent skidding), and/or brace receptacles 42, and /or a beam receptacle 44.

Figure 7 shows an embodiment of a brace 20. Brace 20 may be adjustable, in any conventional manner. As shown in Figure 7, the brace may have two telescoping parts, 20a and 20b. A detent 46 may be used fix the parts 20a and 20b at the desired height.

Figure 8 shows prongs 22. In the embodiment shown, prongs 22 include a pair of tines 24 for reciept in the tunnels 16 of the stocking 14 and a post 25 (or pair of posts) for receipt in the beam 28. The prongs may be made of any material. Prongs 22 and tines 24 may be made of a flexible material, so that the prongs/tines may flex to aid in the removal of the stocking from the tines. As shown, the tines may angled toward one another to facilitate gripping of the stocking when the tines are inserted into the tunnels.

The present invention may be embodied in other forms without departing from the spirit and the essential attributes thereof, and, accordingly, reference should be made to the appended claims, rather than to the foregoing specification, as indicating the scope of the invention.