Extended shoehorn device
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Individuals with medical impairments, injuries, or physical limitations face difficulties in bending over or reaching to put on their shoes, necessitating a solution that allows for easy shoe insertion without forward bending.
Innovation Solution
A shoehorn device with a long offset handle that can be mounted on either side, enabling users to insert their shoes in a standing or sitting position with improved visualization and reduced body movement, featuring a wide saddle and back tab for easy maneuvering.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional shoehorn is used, then the shoe insertion function is achieved, but the user must bend forward which is difficult for people with physical limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The shoehorn is extended into a third dimension with a long vertical handle extending upward from the horizontal body, transforming the traditional horizontal-only tool into a three-dimensional structure. This allows the user to position the shoe insertion point at various heights, including at waist level or higher, eliminating the need to bend forward while maintaining the shoe insertion function
2Ease of operation
If the handle is mounted centrally on the shoehorn, then the structure is simple, but the user cannot visualize the shoe insertion point well and must move their body
Solution Approach 1:
The handle is asymmetrically positioned with an offset from the center of the shoehorn body, creating an L-shaped or T-shaped configuration. This asymmetric placement shifts the shoe insertion point to the end of the long handle, providing superior visualization and ergonomic positioning that reduces the need for body movement while maintaining structural simplicity
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a shoehorn device, made for right handed or left handed users, having a long offset handle allowing the user to use the shoehorn in front of the user with good visualization. The shoehorn straddles the back of the shoe allowing the user to slip into their shoes while in front of the user. The offset handle is either mounted on the right side or the left side depending on the user. The device is useful for anyone who may desire to put on their shoes with a shoehorn in a standing position or a sitting position without having to bend forward. The device may be particularly useful for people with physical conditions, impairments, or disabilities that make bending over or otherwise reaching for their shoes difficult. The invention helps those who have difficulties inserting their feet into their shoes. The shoehorn has an attached offset long vertical handle.