Device and method for taking off a therapeutic elastic sock

Abstract

Device and method for taking off a therapeutic elastic sock. 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.

What is claimed is:  
     
         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 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.