Sock donning assist device

Abstract

An apparatus for aiding in the donning of a foot covering is provided. One embodiment of the apparatus includes a base supported by the floor with a surface oriented at an angle to the floor so that it is not parallel to the floor. The surface has an area sufficient for contact with at least a portion of the bottom of a foot of a user. A foot covering retaining member is provided and is carried by the base. The foot covering retaining member is configured for receiving a foot covering and holding open an opening of the foot covering.

1 .- 20 . (canceled) 
   
   
       21 . An apparatus for aiding in the donning of a foot covering, comprising:
 a base supported by a floor; and   a foot covering carried by the base, wherein the foot covering defines an opening, wherein the opening is oriented at an angle to the floor such that the opening is not parallel to the floor.   
   
   
       22 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 21 , wherein the opening of the foot covering is oriented at an angle from 10° to 45° to the floor. 
   
   
       23 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 21 , further comprising a foot covering retaining member that is attached to the base and extends from the base, wherein the foot covering is received onto the foot covering retaining member so as to be carried by the base. 
   
   
       24 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 23 , wherein the foot covering retaining member is three posts that are cylindrical in shape and have axes that are oriented at an angle from 45° to 80° to the floor. 
   
   
       25 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 24 , further comprising a cap tethered to the base, wherein the cap is received onto the top of one of the posts such that a portion of the foot covering is located between the cap and the top of the post that receives the cap. 
   
   
       26 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 23 , further comprising:
 a second foot covering carried by the base; and   a second foot covering retaining member that is attached to the base and that extends from the base, wherein the second foot covering is received onto the second foot covering retaining member so as to be carried by the base.   
   
   
       27 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 21 , wherein the base defines a foot receiving opening that extends through the base, and wherein the foot receiving opening is not completely surrounded by the base, and wherein insertion of a foot of the user through the opening of the foot covering and into the foot covering causes the foot of the user to be located in the foot receiving opening. 
   
   
       28 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 21 , wherein the foot covering is a sock. 
   
   
       29 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 21 , wherein the base has a surface that is parallel to the opening of the foot covering, wherein the surface of the base has a foot gripping area that includes frictional members that provide traction to the foot of the user when engaging the foot gripping area. 
   
   
       30 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 21 , further comprising a foot receiving member having a surface sufficient for being contacted by substantially all of the bottom of a foot of the user, wherein the surface of the foot receiving member is parallel to the opening of the foot covering. 
   
   
       31 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 30 , wherein the surface of the foot receiving member is planar. 
   
   
       32 . An apparatus for aiding in the donning of a foot covering, comprising:
 a base supported by a floor, wherein the base defines a foot receiving opening that extends through the base at an edge of the base such that the foot receiving opening is not completely surrounded by the base, wherein the base is configured for carrying a foot covering.   
   
   
       33 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 32 , further comprising a foot covering retaining member that is attached to the base and extends from the base, wherein the foot covering retaining member is configured for engaging the foot covering and having the foot covering retained thereon such that the foot covering is carried by the base. 
   
   
       34 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 33 , wherein the foot covering retaining member has a post that is cylindrical in shape and extends from the base, and further comprising a cap that is capable of being received onto the post of the foot covering retaining member in order to help hold the foot covering onto the foot covering retaining member. 
   
   
       35 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 32 , wherein the foot covering defines an opening, wherein the opening is oriented at an angle to the floor such that the opening is not parallel to the floor. 
   
   
       36 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 32 , wherein the base has an upper surface from which the foot receiving opening extends, wherein the upper surface of the base is oriented at an angle from 10° to 45° to the floor. 
   
   
       37 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 36 , wherein the base is adjustable such that the angle of the upper surface of the base to the floor is capable of being modified. 
   
   
       38 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 32 , wherein the base has an area sufficient for being contacted by at least a portion of the bottom of a foot of the user. 
   
   
       39 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 32 , wherein the base defines a second foot receiving opening that extends through the base at the edge of the base such that the second foot receiving opening is not completely surrounded by the base, wherein the base is configured for carrying a second foot covering, wherein the first and second foot coverings each have an opening, and wherein insertion of a foot of the user through the opening of the foot covering and into the foot covering causes the foot of the user to be located in the foot receiving opening, and wherein insertion of a second foot of the user through the opening of the second foot covering and into the second foot covering causes the second foot of the user to be located in the second foot receiving opening. 
   
   
       40 . An apparatus for aiding in the donning of a foot covering, comprising:
 a base supported by a floor, wherein an edge of the base defines a foot receiving opening;   a foot covering retaining member carried by the base; and   a foot covering retained by the foot covering retaining member, wherein the foot covering defines an opening, wherein the opening is oriented at an angle to the floor such that the opening is not parallel to the floor.