Device for sock placement over and removal from a foot of a user
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Solution Overview
Problem
Individuals, particularly geriatrics and disabled persons, face difficulties in placing socks over their feet and removing them due to mobility issues, leading to a need for improved sock placement and removal solutions.
Innovation Solution
A multi-functional device with a device body and a hook, featuring ridges and grooves that provide frictional force for sock placement and a grip for removal, allowing for controlled sock distribution and retention over the foot, facilitating both sock placement and removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If a conventional sock placement device is used, then the device structure is simple, but it cannot provide sufficient frictional force to facilitate sock placement over the foot
Solution Approach 1:
The device incorporates ridges with rough surfaces at specific locations (first and second sides of the device body) to provide localized frictional force for sock retention, while maintaining smooth surfaces in other areas for ease of operation. This selective surface treatment increases friction only where needed without requiring complete redesign of the entire device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The device body is divided into multiple surfaces with different friction characteristics - rough surfaces on the first and second sides for sock retention, and smooth surfaces on other sides for ease of movement. This segmentation allows the device to provide sufficient frictional force where needed while maintaining overall structural simplicity.
2Reliability
If a device provides strong frictional force for sock placement, then sock retention is improved, but the device becomes harder to operate for users with mobility issues
Solution Approach 1:
Rough surfaces are applied only to specific regions (first and second sides) where sock retention is needed, while other regions maintain smooth surfaces that are easy to grip and move. This localized approach ensures reliable sock retention without making the entire device difficult to operate.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of making the entire device surface rough for sock retention, the invention inverts the approach by making specific regions smooth for ease of operation and only roughening the areas that contact the sock. This reversal maintains ease of operation while achieving reliable retention.
3Adaptability or versatility
If separate devices are used for sock placement and removal, then each device can be optimized for its specific function, but the overall system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device is designed with dual functionality: rough surfaces on the first and second sides enable sock placement, while the hook on the third side enables sock removal. This single device performs both placement and removal functions, eliminating the need for separate devices and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention combines sock placement and removal functions into a single integrated device. The device body with ridges handles placement, while the attached hook handles removal, merging two separate functions into one unified tool that reduces the number of devices users must manage.
4Manufacturing precision
If the device provides controlled sock distribution, then sock placement precision is improved, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
Ridges are positioned at specific locations (first and second sides) to control sock distribution in targeted areas, providing precision where needed without requiring complex mechanisms throughout the entire device. This localized ridge structure achieves controlled distribution with minimal added complexity.
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
The device enables easy and controlled sock placement and removal, addressing the challenges of conventional devices by providing sufficient friction and grip, ensuring a desirable sock distribution and height on the user's foot, and eliminating the need for separate devices for placement and removal.
Implementation Method 1
provide frictional force between at least a portion of the sock and the device body to facilitate placement of the sock over a foot of a user
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-functional device comprises a device body defined by a first wall that includes a first inner face and a first outer face, a second wall that includes a second inner face and a second outer face, and a third wall that includes a third inner face and a third outer face. The second wall is connected to and extends from the first wall at a first interface on a first lateral side of the first wall. The third wall is connected to and extends from the first wall at a second interface on a second lateral side of the first wall. The multi-functional device comprises a hook arranged on the device body configured to facilitate removal of a sock from a foot of a user, and a plurality of ridges arranged on the device body configured to facilitate placement of a sock over a foot of a user.