Aid Device for Elastic Support Stockings

Abstract

An aid device suitable for assisting a person to put on tight elastic support stockings is made of flexible low-friction sheet material, and includes a central body portion including a distal edge and a proximal edge; a first side edge and a second side edge; a first engagement area arranged along the first side edge; and a second engagement area arranged along the second side edge. An elongate pulling handle for removing the device from the user's foot by exerting a pulling force is attached to an engagement area and/or to a side edge of the central body portion, and has a longitudinal extent that makes an angle in the range between 60° and 90° with the side edge.

1 . An aid device made of flexible low-friction sheet material having an upper surface and a lower surface comprising:
 a central body portion adapted to be wrapped around a user's foot and lower leg, with the upper surface directed outwards and the lower surface directed inwards to the user's foot and lower leg, wherein the central body portion comprises:
 a distal edge; 
 a proximal edge generally opposite the distal edge; 
 a first side edge extending between the distal edge and the proximal edge; 
 a second side edge extending between the distal edge and the proximal edge, generally opposite the first side edge; 
 a first engagement area arranged along the first side edge; and 
 a second engagement area arranged along the second side edge; 
 wherein the first engagement area is provided with one or more first engagement members; 
 wherein the second engagement area is provided with one or more second engagement members; and 
 wherein the first and second engagement members are adapted to engage each other for keeping the central body portion in a wrapped condition; and 
   a first elongate pulling handle for removing the device from the user's foot by exerting a pulling force at an engagement part of the first elongate pulling handle;   wherein the first elongate pulling handle is attached to the central body portion and has a longitudinal extent that makes a first angle in the range between 60° and 90° with the first side edge.   
     
     
         2 . The aid device according to  claim 1 , wherein the first angle is substantially equal to 90°. 
     
     
         3 . The aid device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a second elongate pulling handle for removing the device from the user's foot by exerting a pulling force at an engagement part of the second elongate pulling handle, the second elongate pulling handle attached to the central body portion and having a longitudinal extent that makes a second angle in the range between 60° and 90° with the second side edge. 
     
     
         4 . The aid device according to  claim 3 , wherein the second angle is substantially equal to 90°. 
     
     
         5 . The aid device according to  claim 1 , wherein the first engagement area is arranged in between the first elongate pulling handle and the central body portion. 
     
     
         6 . The aid device according to  claim 1 , wherein the first engagement area is arranged in between the first elongate pulling handle and the central body portion; and
 wherein the second engagement area is arranged in between the second elongate pulling handle and the central body portion.   
     
     
         7 . The aid device according to  claim 3 , wherein the first and second elongate pulling handles are made from the same or similar low friction sheet material as the central body portion. 
     
     
         8 . The aid device according to  claim 1 , wherein the first side edge and the second side edge are substantially parallel in the planar condition of the device. 
     
     
         9 . The aid device according to  claim 1 , wherein the distal edge is shorter than the proximal edge. 
     
     
         10 . The aid device according to  claim 1 , wherein the first elongate pulling handle tapers from a relatively broad end at the side of the central body portion to a relatively narrow engagement part. 
     
     
         11 . The aid device according to  claim 1 , wherein the first elongate pulling handle at its engagement part is provided with means for keeping that engagement part located at the user's knee. 
     
     
         12 . The aid device according to  claim 3 , wherein the engagement parts are free ends provided with coupling means for being releasably coupled together. 
     
     
         13 . The aid device according to  claim 3 , wherein the engagement parts are free ends connected together by an elastic band. 
     
     
         14 . The aid device according to  claim 3 , wherein the engagement parts are fixed together. 
     
     
         15 . The aid device according to  claim 1  further comprising a toe portion extending in distal direction from the distal edge. 
     
     
         16 . The aid device according to  claim 1  further comprising an insert piece;
 wherein the central body portion has a recess cut away from the proximal edge; 
 wherein the insert piece is attached in the recess; and 
 wherein the insert piece has a proximal edge wider than the width of the recess. 
 
     
     
         17 . The aid device according to  claim 1 , wherein the engagement members are implemented as buckles. 
     
     
         18 . The aid device according to  claim 17 , wherein each buckle comprises a thin plastic web sewn to the sheet material. 
     
     
         19 . An aid device suitable for assisting a person to put on tight elastic support stockings, made of flexible low-friction sheet material and comprising:
 a central body portion comprising:
 a distal edge and a proximal edge; 
 a first side edge and a second side edge; 
 a first engagement area arranged along the first side edge; and 
 a second engagement area arranged along the second side edge; and 
   at least one elongate pulling handle for removing the device from the user's foot by exerting a pulling force at an engagement part of the at least one elongate pulling handle;   wherein the at least one elongate pulling handle is attached to the central body portion, and has a longitudinal extent that makes an angle in the range between 60° and 90° with the side edge of the central body to which the at least one elongate pulling handle is attached.   
     
     
         20 . The aid device according to  claim 3 , wherein the first elongate pulling handle and the second elongate pulling handle are integrally made as a one-piece product.