Sock Donning Ring With Sandpaper Grip for Independent Use
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Solution Overview
Problem
Individuals with mobility issues, such as arthritis, sciatica, or obesity, face challenges in donning socks independently due to the need for bending, which existing devices fail to address effectively, often resulting in slippage and damage to garments.
Innovation Solution
A ring-like apparatus with a sandpaper strip around its circumference to grip the sock and an angled handle for easy insertion and removal, allowing users to don socks without bending, featuring interchangeable ring sizes for adaptability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a smooth clamp surface is used to hold the garment, then the device is easier to manufacture and less likely to damage the garment, but the garment cannot be held firmly and may slip out
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp surface features localized abrasive regions (sandpaper strips) positioned at specific contact points with the garment, while other areas remain smooth. This creates different surface qualities in different locations - the abrasive zones provide strong grip where needed, while smooth areas prevent damage and allow garment passage through the device.
2Reliability
If clamps with a gripping profile are used to hold the garment firmly, then the garment can be held securely, but the clamps may leave marks or holes on the garment
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of making the entire clamp surface aggressive for gripping, only localized abrasive strips are applied at specific high-stress contact points. The majority of the clamp surface remains smooth, providing gentle contact that prevents garment damage while the localized abrasive zones concentrate the gripping force where most needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The abrasive material, which could potentially damage the garment through its roughness, is instead used beneficially to create strong friction-based gripping zones. The harmful property of abrasiveness is converted into a useful gripping mechanism by carefully controlling its location and application.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a rigid hoop structure is used to support the sock, then the structure provides stability, but it cannot accommodate varying foot sizes and user preferences
Solution Approach 1:
The hoop structure is divided into multiple detachable ring segments that can be independently adjusted or removed. This segmentation allows the effective diameter of the hoop to be modified to accommodate different foot sizes while maintaining the structural stability of each individual ring segment.
Solution Approach 2:
The hoop structure transitions from a fixed rigid form to a dynamically adjustable configuration. Rings can be moved, added, or removed to change the hoop's effective dimensions, allowing the same basic structure to adapt to various user needs and foot sizes while maintaining structural integrity during use.
4Device complexity
If the device requires bending to reach the foot, then the device structure can be simple, but individuals with mobility issues cannot use it independently
Solution Approach 1:
The device extends the interaction dimension from horizontal (requiring forward bending to reach the foot) to vertical (reaching down to the foot). By positioning the adjustable hoop above the foot and allowing the user to lower themselves or the device vertically, the need for forward bending is eliminated while maintaining structural simplicity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables users to autonomously don socks without assistance, reducing strain and preventing garment damage, while accommodating varying foot sizes and user preferences.
Implementation Method 1
a strip of sandpaper disposed around the outer circumference of the ring like member, which is configured to grip the sock engaged on the ring like member in position
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for aiding in donning a sock is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a ring like member having an outer circumference, a strip of sandpaper and an angled handle member. The ring like member comprises sufficient diameter to permit a user's foot to fit loosely therein. The strip of sandpaper is disposed around the outer circumference of the ring like member. The angled handle member is detachably attached to the ring like member. The ring like member is configured to engage to an open end of the sock. The sandpaper is configured to grip and hold the sock in position while user donning the sock via the ring like member.