Apparatus for assisting a person to dress

Abstract

An Apparatus for Assisting Oneself in Dressing comprises a Cord, a First Engaging Apparatus and a Second Engaging Apparatus. The First Engaging Apparatus and the Second Engaging Apparatus are used to temporarily grasp, affix, hold, or otherwise engage with the article of clothing of which one person desires to get dressed. In some preferred embodiments, the First Engaging Apparatus and the Second Engaging Apparatus may further include an Upper Interfacing Member and a Lower Interfacing Member.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is in the area of accessories for the infirm, and more specifically pertains to an apparatus for the purpose of enabling the infirm to get dressed without assistance.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

One of the major obstacles and challenges confronting injured people, the infirm, pregnant women, post-operative patients and the elderly is the necessity of getting dressed. The act of putting on undergarments, a pair of pants, or a skirt requires the capacity to lift one's leg while maintaining balance (in a standing position), and the ability to bend or stoop forward which may prove impossible or painful for those with physical debilitation, injury, or weakness. These people require help to fulfill a basic necessity (need) we take for granted and face loss of independence and helplessness when there is no assistance available.

Therefore, what is clearly needed in the art is an apparatus which enables people with diminished physical capacity to get dressed on their own. Such an apparatus should be easy to use, portable, and enable one to dress and undress without bending, stooping or physical exertion, which may create stress or further injury.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus to be used by people with diminished physical capacity to enable them to dress and undress without assistance and maintain their independence. The apparatus is comprised of adjustable mechanism on the two distal ends of the cord for grasping the clothes, and an adjustable length cord held in each hand for lowering and raising the clothes into position.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a non-slip locking mechanism for grasping the clothes and a release, which are easy to use, even by people with minimal strength or dexterity in their hands and fingers. The heads of the interfacing surfaces are widely adjustable in tension to accommodate the varying thickness and weights of the different textiles and seams and are designed to provide both frictional resistance to assure non-slippage and a non-abrasive surface to protect delicate fabrics from damage.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus which is adjustable in length by means of a cord sizing member in order to accommodate the changes in height and girth of the user and to provide a manageable length to accommodate changes in standing and sitting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a frontal view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a unique apparatus is provided to enable one to dress themselves without the assistance of others. The present invention is described in enabling detail below.

FIG. 1 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the present invention. An Apparatus for Assisting Oneself in Dressing 100 comprises a Cord 101, a First Engaging Apparatus 102 and a Second Engaging Apparatus 103. The First Engaging Apparatus 102 and the Second Engaging Apparatus 103 are used to temporarily grasp, affix, hold, or otherwise engage with the article of clothing 125 to which one person desires to get dressed. In some preferred embodiments, the First Engaging Apparatus 102 and the Second Engaging Apparatus 103 may further include an Upper Interfacing Member 110 and a Lower Interfacing Member 111.

The Cord 100 is comprised of a First Distal End 104 and a Second Distal End 105. Both the First Engaging Apparatus 102 and the Second Engaging Apparatus 103 are affixed to the First Distal End 104 and the Second Distal End 105 of the Cord 101.

The Cord 101 is used to lower the clothes to the floor in order to enable the user to step into the clothes such as pants, shorts, sweats, skirts, etc. Once the user has placed his or her feet and legs through the clothing, the user can simply pull the Cord 101 in an upwardly direction until the clothing is in a position to be buttoned, zipped, etc. In some preferred embodiments, the Cord 101 is a tubular, fabric member resembling a shoelace. In this preferred embodiment, the Cord 101 is imparted with a light-weight and durable quality.

The Cord 101 may further include, in some preferred embodiments, a Cord Sizing Member 106 for the purpose of lengthening or shortening the length of the Cord 101. The Cord Sizing Member 106 is disposed between the First Distal End 104 and the Second Distal End 105 of the Cord 101. In some preferred embodiments, the Cord Sizing Member 106 may incorporate a biasing mechanism for the purpose of securing the Cord 101 thereby maintaining a desired length of the Cord 101.

In some preferred embodiments, the First Engaging Apparatus 102 and the Second Engaging Apparatus 103 may include a ratchet-locking assembly 107 for engaging with clothing. The ratchet-locking assembly 107 is used to dispose the Upper Interfacing Member 110 and the Lower Interfacing Member 111 in various pre-determined positions, which space the Upper Interfacing Member 110 and the Lower Interfacing Member 111 from each other. This spacing approximates the thickness of the clothing material to which it will be engaged. The ratchet-locking assembly 107 is useful in that a user can engage the clothing with the ratchet-locking assembly 107 without unnecessary pressure, which may be problematic for fragile or lightweight fabric. The ratchet-locking assembly 107 is also enabled by a release mechanism 135.

In some preferred embodiments, the Upper Interfacing Member 110 and the Lower Interfacing Member 111 include an Engaging Surface 112 as illustrated in FIG. 6. In some preferred embodiments, the Engaging Surfaces 112 will be comprised of grooves 176, ridges 177, or other surface protrusions 175 for the purpose of increasing frictional engagement between the Apparatus for Assisting Oneself in Dressing 100 and the clothing.

It will be apparent to the skilled artisan that there are numerous changes that may be made in embodiments described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. As such, the invention taught herein by specific examples is limited only by the scope of the claims that follow.

Claims

1. An Apparatus for Assisting Oneself in Dressing comprising:

a Cord, a First Engaging Apparatus and a Second Engaging Apparatus;

the Cord is comprised of a First Distal End and a Second Distal End;

both the First Engaging Apparatus and the Second Engaging Apparatus are affixed to the First Distal End and the Second Distal End of the Cord.

2. The Apparatus for Assisting Oneself in Dressing of claim 1 wherein the Cord further comprises a Cord Sizing Member for the purpose of lengthening or shortening the length of the Cord; the Cord Sizing Member is disposed between the First Distal End and the Second Distal End of the Cord.

3. The Apparatus for Assisting Oneself in Dressing of claim 1 wherein the First Engaging Apparatus and the Second Engaging Apparatus further comprises a ratchet-locking assembly for engaging with clothing.

4. The Apparatus for Assisting Oneself in Dressing of claim 1 wherein the First Engaging Apparatus and the Second Engaging Apparatus further comprises an Upper Engaging Surface and a Lower Engaging Surface; both the Upper Engaging Surface and the Lower Engaging Surface comprise grooves, ridges, or other surface protrusions for the purpose of increasing frictional engagement between the Apparatus for Assisting Oneself in Dressing and the clothing.

5. The Apparatus for Assisting Oneself in Dressing of claim 1 wherein the Cord 101 is a tubular member comprised of fabric.