Abstract: The device to allow physically limited persons to put on or remove socks includes an elongate U-shaped sock caddy and two rigid elongate pivotal handles. The sock caddy has a rounded base with a projecting heel portion and rounded sidewalls with vertical steps in each along its upper edge. The steps in the sidewalls and heel are located such that a sock is held open to be put on and maintained on the caddy while the sock is positioned on the foot. Each handle is pivotally attached and rotates in relation to the caddy with an adjustable resistance. Each handle has a contoured grip with a deep V-shaped notch in the extreme end that leads to a slot so that either handle may be used as a utensil to remove and retrieve socks and as a shoehorn.

Abstract: An improved pinch grip pant and skirt hanger of reduced depth and elongated grip is formed for gripping garments below the waistband. The pinch grip has an offset between the hanger bar and the mounting of the pinch grip to align the center axis of the hanger bar with the center of the pinch grip, to thereby reduce the depth of the hanger and pinch grip and provide greater density of garments during shipment. Two separate guards are provided to prevent inadvertent opening of the pinch grip by an adjacent hanger, including a moveable guard, formed by arches on the fixed and moveable jaws. Since the arches are formed to contact below the pivot axis of the pinch grip, any contact between hangers will serve to enhance grip, rather than inadvertently opening the pinch grip. The hanger is particularly adapted for magazine feed and the automated loading of garments.

Abstract: A peak cap (1) having a crown (2) with an inner elastically stretchable band (13) positioned to extend at least partway along a lower encircling edge (10) and a liner of stretchable fabric (12) secured to be on an inner side of the elastic material of the band (13). Also described is a band with the liner in the form of a sleeve (23) through which an elastic member (24) extends and where the liner but not the elastic material is secured to the lower edge of the crown (2).

Abstract: A shirt-shaped inflatable body for pressing shirts and on which the shirt is stretched flat includes lateral cavities, which are inflated by an increased pressure, in the sides of the trunk section of the inflatable body. The cavities are supported by a frame located inside the inflatable body and press the trunk section outwards, forming a flat shape. The pressure in the lateral chambers located inside the casing of the inflatable body is increased by the fact that both the casing of the lateral chambers and the casing of the inflatable body are permeable to air and that the lateral chambers are directly supplied with air by a fan, whereas the remaining areas of the inflatable body are only inflated with the air that flows through the casing of the lateral chambers against a flow resistance.

Abstract: A combination shoehorn, shoe counter clip and sock applier is disclosed which comprises a generally U-shaped funnel portion having a pair of elongated handles secured thereto and extending upwardly and outwardly from opposite sides thereof. The counter clip is secured to the outer rearward surface of the funnel portion with the upper end thereof extending above the upper rearward end of the funnel portion to define a sock support. The counter clip is secured to the funnel portion in such a way so as to create a space therebetween at the lower end of the counter clip and the funnel portion. When the device is used to assist in placement of a shoe on the person's foot, the counter of the shoe is positioned within the space between the counter clip and the funnel portion so that the individual is able to maneuver the shoe as required since the shoe is securely held in the space between the counter clip and the funnel portion. The device may also be used to assist a person in donning his or her socks.

Abstract: A device for supporting and stabilizing a clothing hanger so that a user employing only one extremity can position a hanger thereon for hanging or removing an article of clothing without other assistance, comprising a base and a hanger receptacle that is configured and adapted to receive and stabilize a clothing hanger.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing a glove from a hand and retaining it in position includes a housing and a pair of self-facing arcuate members disposed on the inside thereof of opposite side walls of the housing. A plurality of downward facing bristles are attached to a lower portion of each of the arcuate members that are disposed in close proximity to each other. When a gloved hand is inserted into the device in a downward directions the arcuate members flex in toward the side walls to accommodate the gloved hand and the bristles allow for easy downward passage. When the hand is then withdrawn in an upward direction, the arcuate members force the bristles to bear into the glove preventing the glove from being extracted in an upward direction. Accordingly, the glove is retained in the device as the hand is pulled upward out from the device. Foam spacers provide additional force to urge the arcuate members toward the glove.

Abstract: A prosthesis dressing aid for allowing a user to easily slip an article of clothing about the artificial limb. The prosthesis dressing aid includes a prosthesis being adapted to be attached to a user's limb; and also includes a sleeve being removably disposed about the prosthesis to facilitating dressing of the prosthesis with an article of clothing.

Abstract: A lace-up device for tightening an article of footwear, providing for the tieing of the lacing without causing discomfort to the user's hands, as well as to the article of footwear equipped with such device. The lace-up device includes a gripping mechanism arranged on the linkage in the area of a loop formed by the lacing outside the tightening zone. The gripping device includes a rigid frame, making it possible to distribute the tension of the lacing over the hand of the user.

Abstract: This invention relates to a garment hanger 10 having an elongate hanger bar 20 and a centrally positioned hook member 12. Garment holding means are located at opposed ends 14, 16 of the hanger bar 20. Each garment holding means includes a first jaw 30 and a second jaw 40, the second jaw 40 being moveable relative to the first jaw 30. Each garment holding means also including locking means 50 for selectively holding the second jaw 40 in a position adjacent the first jaw 30. The ability of the garment hanger 10 to selectively clamp the second jaw 40 in a position so as to hold a garment between the first and second jaws 30, 40 is a particular advantage.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention there is provided a surgical fastening instrument. The instrument includes a handle and a shaft extending from the handle. The shaft contains a plurality of surgical fasteners therein. The instrument also has a mechanism for first distally deploying a penetrating member from the distal end of the shaft and thereafter feeding at least one of the surgical fasteners distally from the penetrating member. The instrument further includes a lockout mechanism for preventing the penetrating member from deploying from the shaft upon feeding all of the plurality of surgical fasteners from the shaft.

Abstract: A hat is temporarily or permanently formed from fabric that matches or complements the appearance of one's ensemble by wrapping and tucking peripheral portions of the fabric about a relatively stiff yet pliable annular brim core member after a central portion of the fabric has been shaped to define a crown of the hat. The inner periphery of the annular brim core member may be provided with formations that enhance brim flexibility and fit, and/or that assist in holding the fabric covered hat in place on the wearer's head. Unless the fabric is permanently affixed to the brim core member, the brim core member may be reused with other pieces of fabric that match or complement other ensembles. The brim core member can be configured, shaped and styled to give a variety of attractive appearances to hats that are formed in this manner.

Abstract: An extendable shoehorn device for permitting a user to put a shoe on a foot without having to bend over. The extendable shoehorn device includes a handle assembly. An offset shoehorn member is mounted to an end of the handle assembly for permitting a user to more easily put a shoe on their foot.

Abstract: A bow wrapping device having a base, a ribbon spool carriage removably coupled to the base and adapted to carry a plurality of ribbon spools, a guide retainer removably coupled to the base and adapted to retain ribbon fed from the ribbon spools, a rotating peg arm removably coupled to said base, at least one wrapping peg removably coupled to the peg arm, least one wrapping peg handle removably coupled to the peg arm, wherein said peg arm is adapted to rotate relative to the base and wrap a plurality of ribbons received from the guide retainer in a concentric looped pattern around the wrapping peg and wrapping peg handle.

Abstract: A wire connecting link in an endoscopic treatment instrument has a mechanism connector formed at one end for establishing connection to a mechanism member, and a wire holder formed at the other end into which a manipulating wire is to be inserted and fixed. The wire connecting link is made from a single tubular workpiece which is flattened at one end to form the mechanism connector, and the remaining tubular part forms the wire holder.

Abstract: A vacuum control barrier and buck cover system for positioning on the press buck of a garment press for reducing the force of the vacuum applied to a portion of a garment by the press buck. The vacuum control barrier includes a barrier sheet dimensioned to cover at least a substantial portion of the air pervious surface of the rear portion of the press buck through which a vacuum is applied to a garment such that the barrier sheet reduces or eliminates the force of the vacuum applied to the garment through the air pervious surface of the rear portion of the press buck relative to the vacuum force applied to the garment through the air pervious surface of the front portion of the press buck. The buck cover system includes a front cover portion for covering at least a substantial portion of the air pervious surface of the front portion of the press buck, and a rear cover portion for covering at least a substantial portion of the air pervious surface of the rear portion of the press buck.

Abstract: An adjustable clothing hanger includes extension arms extending from the shoulders of a clothing hanger. The extension arms engage locks that secure the extension arms in a desired position. In one embodiment, the extension arms include receivers that mount to the ends of the shoulders. The extension arms are locked by an adjuster strip connected that engages the hook of the clothing hanger. In an alternate embodiment, the extension arms are supported and guided by a mount that is attached to the clothing hanger. An optional embodiment includes ridges engaging a detent to lock the extension arms in place.

Abstract: A method for placing a splint assembly transverse a heart chamber includes providing an elongate member having a first end and a second end and a deployable heart-engaging assembly connected to at least the first end. The method includes advancing the elongate member through vasculature structure and into the heart chamber such that the first end of the elongate member extends through a first location of a wall surrounding the heart chamber and the second end extends through a second location of the heart chamber wall substantially opposite the first location. A deployable heart-engaging assembly is deployed such that it engages with a first exterior surface portion of the heart chamber wall adjacent the first location. The elongate member is secured with respect to the heart with a second heart-engaging assembly connected to the second end. The second heart-engaging assembly engages with a second exterior surface portion of the heart chamber wall adjacent the second location.

Abstract: A support hose applicator and method for applying and removing elastic tubular material from a limb of a patient comprises a resiliently expandable support ring having rotatable sidewalls, and a mandrel with elongated sidewalls on which the support ring fits. The hose or tubular material is applied to a patient by first pulling an open end of the hose over the mandrel. The support ring is then placed over the hose and mandrel. The hose is then rolled onto the support ring as the support ring is rolled along the mandrel. The hose is applied to a patient by rolling the support ring along the limb of the patient while holding a free end of the hose in place. The support ring comprises a plurality of ring segments rotatably mounted on a resiliently expandable band that is expandable to make the ring larger.

Abstract: A wrench includes a drive head having an opening and a number of notches each having an inclined surface. The inclined surfaces each has one end located closer to the center of the head and the other end distal to the center of the head. A barrel is rotatably received in the head and has a bore for receiving a fastener and has a number of channels for receiving a drive insert each. The sliding engagement of the drive inserts with the inclined surfaces of the head may adjust the drive inserts into and out of the bore of the barrel to engage with fasteners of different sizes.