Sock aid
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sock aids for individuals with limited mobility, particularly those with musculoskeletal limitations, are complex, bulky, expensive, and require bending forward or significant coordination to don compression socks, and often need manual adjustment for different foot sizes.
Innovation Solution
A sock aid with a U-shaped body profile, adjustable in width and angle, featuring a support pad with a non-slip surface and a profile that secures the sock, allowing easy donning without bending, and accommodating various foot sizes through interchangeable profiles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional sock aid design is used, then the device structure is simple, but it requires bending forward and manual handling which reduces ease of operation
Solution Approach 1:
A non-slip support pad is introduced as an intermediary element between the sock aid body and the user's foot. The support pad with non-slip surface provides stable support during the donning process, eliminating the need for manual handling and bending forward, thus improving ease of operation without significantly increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The sock aid is divided into distinct functional segments: a U-shaped body profile for structural support, a separate support pad with non-slip surface for stability, and a profiled sock retention mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently, improving overall ease of operation
2Strength
If the sock aid body is made with limited strength material, then the device is lightweight and simple, but it cannot provide sufficient force for donning compression socks
Solution Approach 1:
The sock aid body is constructed using composite material structure combining a U-shaped profile with an integrated width-defining profile. This composite structure provides enhanced strength and rigidity to handle compression socks while maintaining a compact, lightweight design suitable for portable use
3Adaptability or versatility
If the sock aid body width is fixed, then the manufacturing is simple, but it cannot accommodate different foot sizes requiring adaptability
Solution Approach 1:
The sock aid incorporates a width-defining profile that can be adjusted to different positions along the U-shaped body profile. This dynamic adjustment mechanism allows the effective width of the sock aid to be changed to accommodate different foot sizes, providing adaptability while maintaining relatively simple manufacturing processes
Solution Approach 2:
The sock aid design with adjustable width-defining profile creates a universal device that can serve multiple foot sizes and types. The same basic structure can be configured for different applications, eliminating the need for multiple specialized devices and simplifying manufacturing through standardized components
4Adaptability or versatility
If manual adjustment of the U-profile width is required, then the device structure is simple, but the adjustment process is labor-intensive and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The width-defining profile is pre-configured with multiple predetermined width positions along the U-shaped body profile. Users can quickly select and attach the appropriate width configuration without manual heating or reshaping, significantly reducing adjustment time while maintaining adaptability for different foot sizes
Data Source
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Figure 4A~5D
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AI summary
The invention relates to a sock aid as a compensatory tool for individuals with limited mobility to facilitate putting on socks or stockings, particularly compression stockings. It consists of a U-shaped body (1) connected to a support pad (3) via a base (2), where the body (1)of the sock aid is surrounded by at least one closed or open profile (6) narrowing or expanding the width of the sock aid body, thereby defining a new width of the sock aid body. This profile is equipped with symmetrically designed stops in which the longitudinal edges of the sock aid body are seated.