DRESSING AID

Abstract

There is disclosed herein a dressing aid for use on the hand of a user. The dressing aid includes a first segment, a second segment contiguous with the first segment and therewith defining a cavity and an opening thereto, and a collar segment about the opening.

Description

FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to dressing aids and more particularly to an improved dressing aid.

BACKGROUND

Getting dressed without discomfort, pain or difficulty is something most people take for granted. Some people, however, are not so fortunate. As a result of injuries, physical (e.g., reduced range of motion) and/or cognitive and/or behavioural maladies or afflictions, many people cannot dress themselves or, at least, cannot do so with the usual quickness and/or ease (even with assistance). Devices exist to help with zippers, buttons and other clothing-related fasteners; however, there exists no suitable device to facilitate putting arms into and through sleeves or other openings in clothing that may readily be used by persons in need of such aid.

Facilitating dressing is important to allow persons to do so without wasted time, added frustration and the accompanying indignity. Even speeding up the dressing process is of value as various persons are more susceptible to escalations of their conditions (e.g., further physical impairment due to additional injuries; anxiety; frustration and manifestations such as tantrums or the like for others with different issues).

Given the conditions and needs of many affected users, complex devices are of little use in solving the issues discussed above. Further, it is advantageous not just for the use of a device to be easy for the user; but, also, positioning of the device for use should. As such, there exists a need for an improved dressing aid to alleviate or eliminate at least some of the problems noted above.

DRAWINGS

Embodiments are illustrated by way of example in the accompanying figures, in which:

FIG. 1 is a top view of a dressing aid;

FIG. 2 is a left side view of the dressing aid of FIG. 1; and,

FIG. 3 is a top view of another embodiment of a dressing aid, positioned in use.

BRIEF SUMMARY

There is disclosed herein a dressing aid for use on the hand of a user. The dressing aid includes a first segment, a second segment substantially contiguous with the first segment and therewith collectively defining a cavity, an opening to the cavity, and a collar segment about the opening.

In some embodiments, the collar segment is flexibly elastic.

In some embodiments, the first segment has an edge and the second segment has an edge, the edges meet at a first end of a border and defining an angle θ₁ therebetween.

In some embodiments, θ₁ has a magnitude between 110 and 135 degrees.

In some embodiments, the first segment has a second edge and the second segment has a second edge, and the second edges meet at a second end of the border, and define an angle θ₂ therebetween.

In some embodiments, θ₂ has a magnitude between 110 and 135 degrees.

In some embodiments, the first segment has a first length and the second segment has a second length and wherein the magnitude of the first length is fifty percent greater than the magnitude of the second length.

In some embodiments, a restraint is formed with the second segment.

In some embodiments, the first and second segment comprise the same material.

DESCRIPTION

There is disclosed herein a dressing aid 100 for use on the hand 140 of a user 142 (see FIG. 3). The dressing aid 100 includes a first segment 104, a second segment 106 that is substantially contiguous with the first segment 104 (for portions other than the cavity 110), collectively therewith defines the cavity 110 and an opening 112 thereto. A collar segment 108 is provided about the opening 112.

The collar segment 108 may be flexibly elastic and, in some embodiments, formed with the second segment 106. The collar segment 108 may be a different material than the second segment 106, or a similar material. For example, an 80/20 nylon/spandex blend may be used for the segments 104, 106 and elastic nylon for the collar segment 108.

In some embodiments, the first segment 104 has an edge 104a and the second segment 106 has an edge 106a, the edges 104a, 106a, meet at a first end A₁ of a border A and define an angle θ₁ between the edges 104a, 106a. In some embodiments, θ₁ has a magnitude between 110 and 135 degrees.

The first segment 104 also has a second edge 104b and the second segment 106 has a second edge 106b, the second edges 104b, 106b meet at a second end of the border, and define an angle θ2 therebetween. In some embodiments, θ₂ has a magnitude between 110 and 135 degrees. The first 104 and second 106 segments may be each of substantially the same or different surface areas, depending on needs of the particular embodiment.

In some embodiments, the first segment 104 has a first length L1 and the second segment 106 has a second length L2. The magnitude of the first length L may, in some embodiments, be about fifty percent greater than the magnitude of the second length L2. The relationship between the first L1 and second lengths L2 may vary depending on the appendage for which the particular embodiment is designed (e.g., hand or foot) and the condition, size and orientation of such appendage.

In some embodiments, the first 104 and second 106 segments comprise the same material.

The disclosed subject matter comprises generally a protective hand cover 100 allowing for safe dressing of a person 142. This is applicable in respect of persons dressing themselves or being assisted by others. The aid 100 is aimed at assisting persons with varying and in some cases severe impairment of range of motion or motion control.

This facilitates quicker dressing which is preferred for various reasons including lowered risk of aggravating or incurring injuries, and to avoid agitating or rendering anxious persons prone to the same in frustrating situations (e.g., persons with autism or other disorders).

The aid 100 also keeps fingers away from possible injuries such as jamming, deflecting or spraining as a result of imprecise movements and placements of the hand during dressing. These are advantages for the person being dressed and in some cases those assisting such persons.

In use, the aid 100 allows the hand 140 of a user 142 to pass through any type of sleeve or opening more quickly and safely than would his/her unaided hand. This cuts down on dressing time (e.g., in half or less) and reduces stresses associated with such actions.

The collective body of the aid 100 formed by the segments 104, 106 may generally be tube shaped (see FIG. 2) and can be, for example and without limitation, 4, 6 or 8 inches in length from the collar segment 108 to the tip 102 of the first segment 104. Factors affecting this sizing may include at least the size of hand or appendage being covered.

The segments 104, 106 and 108 may be sewn together, with the collar segment 108 sized and otherwise adapted to draw tight at the wrist of a user to create a smooth compact surface to allow the hand of the user to pass through the sleeve/opening without any substantial hindrance. In some embodiments, the segments may be formed from a single piece of material. In non-unitary embodiments, it is preferable to minimize interactions of seams with sleeves or user appendages.

In use, the aid 100 would be placed on the hand by the user and/or a person helping him/her, and removed after the sleeve/opening has been passed through.

Methods of using the aid 100 include stretching the collar segment to enlarge the opening; inserting the hand of a user through the opening 112 and into the cavity 110 until the end of the hand distal to the opening substantially abuts the first end of the first segment; releasing tension on the collar segment to provide for slight compression upon the hand 140 or wrist of the user 142. This may be performed by the user 142, on their behalf or with help.

While various embodiments in accordance with the principles disclosed herein have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and are not limiting. Thus, the breadth and scope of the invention(s) should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the claims and their equivalents issuing from this disclosure. Furthermore, the above advantages and features are provided in described embodiments, but shall not limit the application of such issued claims to processes and structures accomplishing any or all of the above advantages.

It will be understood that the principal features of this disclosure can be employed in various embodiments without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, numerous equivalents to the specific procedures described herein. Such equivalents are considered to be within the scope of this disclosure and are covered by the claims.

Additionally, the section headings herein are provided as organizational cues. These headings shall not limit or characterize the invention(s) set out in any claims that may issue from this disclosure. Specifically and by way of example, although the headings refer to a “Field” such claims should not be limited by the language under this heading to describe the so-called technical field. Further, a description of technology in the “Background” section is not to be construed as an admission that technology is prior art to any invention(s) in this disclosure. Neither is the “Summary” to be considered a characterization of the invention(s) set forth in issued claims. Furthermore, any reference in this disclosure to “invention” in the singular should not be used to argue that there is only a single point of novelty in this disclosure. Multiple inventions may be set forth according to the limitations of the multiple claims issuing from this disclosure, and such claims accordingly define the invention(s), and their equivalents, that are protected thereby. In all instances, the scope of such claims shall be considered on their own merits in light of this disclosure, but should not be constrained by the headings set forth herein.

The use of the word “a” or “an” when used in conjunction with the term “comprising” in the claims and/or the specification may mean “one,” but it is also consistent with the meaning of “one or more,” “at least one,” and “one or more than one.” The use of the term “or” in the claims is used to mean “and/or” unless explicitly indicated to refer to alternatives only or the alternatives are mutually exclusive, although the disclosure supports a definition that refers to only alternatives and “and/or.” Throughout this application, the term “about” is used to indicate that a value includes the inherent variation of error for the device, the method being employed to determine the value, or the variation that exists among the study subjects.

As used in this specification and claim(s), the words “comprising” (and any form of comprising, such as “comprise” and “comprises”), “having” (and any form of having, such as “have” and “has”), “including” (and any form of including, such as “includes” and “include”) or “containing” (and any form of containing, such as “contains” and “contain”) are inclusive or open-ended and do not exclude additional, un-recited elements or method steps.

All of the devices, systems and/or methods disclosed and claimed herein can be made and executed without undue experimentation in light of the present disclosure. While the compositions and methods of this disclosure have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, it will be apparent to those of skill in the art that variations may be applied to the compositions and/or methods and in the steps or in the sequence of steps of the method described herein without departing from the concept, spirit and scope of the disclosure. All such similar substitutes and modifications apparent to those skilled in the art are deemed to be within the spirit, scope and concept of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims

Claims

1. A dressing aid for use on the hand of a user, the dressing aid comprising:

a. a first segment;

b. a second segment substantially contiguous with at least a portion of the first segment and collectively therewith defining a cavity and an opening thereto; and,

c. a collar segment about the opening.

2. A dressing aid according to claim 1, wherein the collar segment is flexibly elastic.

3. A dressing aid according to claim 1, wherein the first second has an edge and the second segment has an edge, the edges meet at a first end of a border and defining an angle θ1 therebetween.

4. A dressing aid according to claim 3, wherein θ1 has a magnitude between 110 and 135 degrees.

5. A dressing aid according to claim 3, wherein the first segment has a second edge and the second segment has a second edge, the second edges meet at a second end of the border, and define an angle θ2 therebetween.

6. A dressing aid according to claim 5, wherein θ2 has a magnitude between 110 and 135 degrees.

7. A dressing aid according to claim 1, wherein the first segment has a first length and the second segment has a second length and wherein the magnitude of the first length is fifty percent greater than the magnitude of the second length

8. A dressing aid according to claim 1, wherein the collar segment is formed with the second segment.

9. A dressing aid according to claim 1, wherein the first and second segment comprise the same material.

10. A dressing aid according to claim 1, wherein one or more of the first segment and the second segment each comprise at least two sub-segments.

11. A method of using a dressing aid comprising the steps of:

a. stretching a collar segment of the aid to enlarge an opening defined thereby;

b. inserting the hand of a user through the opening and into the cavity within the aid until an end of the hand distal to the opening substantially abuts a first end of the first segment distal to the collar segment;

c. releasing tension on the collar segment to provide for slight compression upon the hand or wrist of the user.

12. A method according to claim 11, wherein the method is performed on behalf of the user.