Elastic Stocking Donning Aid With Grasping Ring Extraction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Elastic stockings with high retention properties are difficult to put on, especially for elderly patients with reduced mobility, as existing auxiliary devices often have movable bands that get stuck inside the stocking, making it hard to grasp and remove the device after application.

Innovation Solution

An auxiliary device with a funnel-shaped pocket and guide slots, featuring a band with fixed ends that forms a grasping ring, and removable coupling means to prevent the band from slipping under the stocking, allowing easy extraction after application.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the band is made movable to facilitate application, then the stocking can be easily put on, but the band skips along the tissue pieces making it hard to grasp

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveapplication speedVSAvoidgrasping ability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Different portions of the band have different functional qualities: the portion within the guide slots allows movement for application, while the portion extending beyond the slots maintains a fixed position for grasping. The coupling means create a localized constraint that preserves grasping capability while allowing application movement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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

Facilitates easier application and removal of elastic stockings by maintaining the band in a graspable position, reducing the complexity for users with limited mobility and preventing the band from getting stuck inside the stocking.

Implementation Method 1

said device being comprised of slippery material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

said coupling means can comprise a snapping coupling system, such as a snapping button and/or a Velcro

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical Fastening: Mechanical Fastener

Data Source

PatentEP2346458B1Improved auxiliary device for wearing a therapeutic elastic stocking
Publication Date: 2013.11.20 VARIMED
  • EP2346458B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP2346458B1 patent drawingFigure 4
  • EP2346458B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The invention relates to an auxiliary device (1) for wearing an elastic stocking (11) comprising a first piece of tissue (2), comprised of slippery material; and a second piece of tissue (3), comprised of slippery material, coupled along a first portion (3') of its edge with a corresponding first portion (2') of the edge of said first piece of tissue (2), so as to realise an funnel shaped pocket (9), closed on its bottom; said first (2) and second (3) pieces of tissue respectively comprising a first (4) and a second (5) guide slot, placed in correspondence of said pocket (9) bottom; a band (6) having a first end (7) fixed in correspondence of the free portion (2") of said edge of said first piece of tissue (2) and a second end (8) fixed in correspondence of the free portion (3") of said edge of the second piece of tissue (3), said band (6) passing through said first and second guide slots (4, 5) and having such a length to realise a ring (6') in correspondence of said slots (4, 5), said ring (6') being usable for grasping when said device (1) and said elastic stocking (11) are put on, for pulling, folding and sliding each other said first (2) and second (3) pieces of tissue, thus easing extraction of the same device (1) on said stocking (11) and means (10) for coupling two points of the same band (6), suitable to prevent that the portion of the band (6) realising said ring (6') does not enter under the elastic stocking (11) while it is put on said device (1).