Curved Sock Removal Blade for Low-Force Leg Support Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for removing socks and tightly fitting leg supports from the lower extremities are often cumbersome, require excessive force, or cause discomfort, especially for individuals with physical impairments such as arthritis, paralysis, or obesity, as they typically rely on bending, friction, or torque, which can be painful and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A lightweight, single-piece apparatus with a convex-concave blade and a hook member designed to fit the curvature of the leg, allowing easy insertion between the leg and the sock, with a handle for one-handed operation, enabling the device to catch the top of the sock and push it off without relying on friction or torque, thus facilitating the removal of closely fitting articles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional sock removal methods are used (bending, friction, torque), then socks can be removed, but it causes pain and discomfort for individuals with physical impairments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a removal device as an intermediary tool between the user and the sock. The device includes a blade that slides between the sock and leg, and a hook that catches the sock top, allowing removal without direct manual manipulation that causes pain to arthritic joints and muscles.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical system of bending, friction, and torque with a new mechanical system involving a sliding blade and hooking action. This substitution eliminates the need for painful bending motions and excessive gripping forces that aggravate physical impairments.
2Reliability
If closely fitting leg supports are worn for medical protection, then ankle and lower leg protection is improved, but removal difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The removal device acts as an intermediary that can interface with both the tightly fitted sock and the user's leg. The blade slides into the space between the sock and leg, while the hook engages the sock top, providing a mechanical advantage for removing protective garments that would otherwise be impossible to take off independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The device incorporates curved and contoured surfaces that match the anatomy of the leg and sock. The blade has a curved leading edge that follows the leg contour, and the hook is positioned to engage the sock top effectively, allowing the device to work with closely fitting garments without causing discomfort.
3Ease of operation
If assistance from another person is sought for sock removal, then removal can be achieved, but availability of assistance is not guaranteed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables self-service sock and support garment removal through a device that can be operated independently. The user inserts the blade between the garment and leg, hooks the top of the garment, and pulls to remove it without requiring another person's assistance, ensuring reliable removal capability regardless of others' availability.
4Reliability
If heavy support socks are worn for edema and DVT prevention, then water accumulation protection is improved, but removal difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The removal device serves as a mechanical intermediary that reduces the force required for removal. The blade slides between the heavy support sock and the leg, while the hook engages the sock top, allowing the user to pull the sock off with minimal force that would not strain weakened muscles or joints.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the direct pulling and gripping mechanics with a sliding blade and hooking mechanism. This substitution dramatically reduces the force required to remove heavy support socks, making them removable even for users with severely limited strength.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is an apparatus to aid in the removal of closely fitting articles on a leg and foot. It includes a helical blade made of a lightweight, rigid, firm substance, having a shoulder area at a proximal end, a bottom area at a distal end which terminates in a bottom edge, a leading edge, and a trailing edge, the blade being arcuate along the plane from the leading edge to the trailing edge so that the blade has a face that is convex and a back that is concave. The apparatus includes a means such as a hook to engage the top of the article to be removed located on the convex face at a location on the bottom area at a given distance from the bottom edge and having a curvation that is facing the bottom edge. The device also includes an integral handle member.