Compression sock, device for donning/removing the sock, and method for donning/removing the sock

Abstract

A method for donning/removing a compression stocking includes: providing a compression stocking, the compression stocking includes: a tubular compression stocking covers at least an ankle and has lateral sides, 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 each lateral side, the longitudinal axis of each tunnel is generally horizontal and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the other tunnel; providing a device for donning/removing a compression stocking comprises: a pair of vertical braces, and a pair of horizontally projecting prongs disposed between the pair of braces; inserting the prongs into the tunnels; inserting the foot into the stocking; and donning or removing the stocking by moving the braces as required.

I claim: 
     
         1 . 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.   
     
     
         2 . The method for donning/removing the compression sock or stocking compression sock or stocking of  claim 1  wherein the tubular compression stocking covers an ankle and a knee and has two pairs of tubular tunnels, one pair adjacent the ankle and the other pair of tunnels adjacent the knee. 
     
     
         3 . The method for donning/removing the compression sock or stocking of  claim 1  wherein the tubular compression stocking covers an ankle, a knee, and a thigh and has three pairs of tubular tunnels, the first pair of tunnels adjacent the ankle, the second pair of tunnels adjacent the knee, and the third pair of tunnels adjacent the thigh. 
     
     
         4 . The method for donning/removing the compression sock or stocking of  claim 1  wherein the device further comprises a removable base upon which the pair of braces is removably attached and the pair of prongs are disposed above the base. 
     
     
         5 . The method for donning/removing the compression sock or stocking of  claim 1  wherein the device further comprises a vertical beam disposed between the braces and upon which the pair of prongs is affixed. 
     
     
         6 . The method for donning/removing the compression sock or stocking of  claim 1  wherein the device further comprises a beam carries more than one pair of prongs and the beam is disposed between the braces. 
     
     
         7 . The method for donning/removing the compression sock or stocking of  claim 1  wherein the device further comprises a generally horizontally projecting handle associated with each brace. 
     
     
         8 . The method for donning/removing the compression sock or stocking of  claim 1  wherein each brace is adjustable for height. 
     
     
         9 . A 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.   
     
     
         10 . The compression sock or stocking of  claim 9  wherein the tubular compression stocking covers an ankle and a knee and has two pairs of tubular tunnels, one pair adjacent the ankle and the other pair of tunnels adjacent the knee. 
     
     
         11 . The compression sock or stocking of  claim 9  wherein the tubular compression stocking covers an ankle, a knee, and a thigh and has three pairs of tubular tunnels, the first pair of tunnels adjacent the ankle, the second pair of tunnels adjacent the knee, and the third pair of tunnels adjacent the thigh. 
     
     
         12 . A device for donning/removing a compression sock or stocking with a pair of tunnels disposed on lateral sides of the sock or stocking comprises:
 a pair of vertical braces, and   a pair of horizontally projecting prongs disposed between the pair of braces, each prong is adapted to fit into one tunnel of the pair.   
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 12  further comprises a removable base upon which the pair of braces may be removably attached and the pair of prongs are disposed above the base. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 12  further comprises a vertical beam disposed between the braces and upon which the pair of prongs is affixed. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 12  further comprises a beam carries more than one pair of prongs and the beam is disposed between the braces. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 12  further comprises a generally horizontally projecting handle associated with each brace. 
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 12  wherein each brace is adjustable for height.