Dressing Assistance Device

Abstract

A dressing assistance device. The dressing assistance device includes a base having a pair of opposing ends, a pair of vertical supports extending from the opposing ends of the base, a horizontal support disposed between an upper end of each of the vertical supports, a pair of lifting arms disposed on the pair of vertical supports in sliding engagement therewith, and a fastener disposed each lifting arm for securing a portion of a garment to the lifting arm. A motor in operative communication with each of the pair of lifting arms controls the movement of the pair of lifting arms between a first position at a lower end of the pair of vertical supports and a second position at an upper end of the pair of vertical supports. The dressing assistance device assists users when putting on a pull-up diaper or other waist-supported garment.

I claim: 
     
         1 ) A dressing assistance device, comprising:
 a base having a pair of opposing ends;   a pair of vertical supports each extending from the opposing ends of the base;   a horizontal support disposed between an upper end of each of the vertical supports;   the base, the pair of vertical supports, and the horizontal support defining a central opening therebetween;   a pair of lifting arms disposed on the pair of vertical supports;   wherein each of the pair of arms is continuously oriented perpendicular to each of the pair of vertical supports;   a fastener disposed on a free end of each lifting arm, the fastener configured to secure a portion of a garment to the lifting arm, wherein the fastener is a hand shaped fastener;   wherein each of the pair of lifting arms is movable within along a track on each of the pair of vertical supports, wherein the track does not intersect a top surface single plane of the horizontal support that defines a first horizontal plane at any position of within the track, the first horizontal plane parallel to the base a ground surface;   a motor in operative communication with each of the pair of lifting arms; and   a control in operative communication with the motor, the control configured to raise and lower the pair of lifting arms, wherein the pair of lifting arms are movable between a first position at a lower end of the pair of vertical supports and a second position at an upper end of the pair of vertical supports.   
     
     
         2 ) The dressing assistance device of  claim 1 , wherein the hand shaped fastener is comprised of an interior material and an exterior material. 
     
     
         3 ) The dressing assistance device of  claim 2 , wherein the interior material is a spring steel; the spring steel is configured to open and close the fastener. 
     
     
         4 ) The dressing assistance device of  claim 2 , wherein the exterior material is a high friction material. 
     
     
         5 ) The dressing assistance device of  claim 1 , wherein the control is disposed on the horizontal support. 
     
     
         6 ) The dressing assistance device of  claim 1 , further comprising a power supply operatively connected to the motor. 
     
     
         7 ) The dressing assistance device of  claim 9 , wherein the power supply is a rechargeable battery. 
     
     
         8 ) The dressing assistance device of  claim 1 , wherein the base comprises a tapered center portion, wherein a width of the opposing ends of the base is greater than a width of the tapered center portion. 
     
     
         9 ) The dressing assistance device of  claim 1 , wherein the hand-shaped fastener includes a plurality of fingers. 
     
     
         10 ) The dressing assistance device of  claim 1 , wherein each of the hand-shaped fastener includes an open palm side facing the opposing hand-shaped member.