Gripping Patents (Class 223/119)
  • Patent number: 10455964
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a shoehorn device, made for right handed or left handed users, having a long offset handle allowing the user to use the shoehorn in front of the user with good visualization. The shoehorn straddles the back of the shoe allowing the user to slip into their shoes while in front of the user. The offset handle is either mounted on the right side or the left side depending on the user. The device is useful for anyone who may desire to put on their shoes with a shoehorn in a standing position or a sitting position without having to bend forward. The device may be particularly useful for people with physical conditions, impairments, or disabilities that make bending over or otherwise reaching for their shoes difficult. The invention helps those who have difficulties inserting their feet into their shoes. The shoehorn has an attached offset long vertical handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Inventor: Len LaRue
  • Patent number: 10064511
    Abstract: A shoehorn apparatus includes an elastic body forming a rectangular shape; an opening extending through a thickness of the elastic body from a top surface to a bottom surface; and a handle cutout. The handle cutout includes a linear edge integrally attached to the body; and an elliptical edge extending form a first end of the linear edge to a second end of the linear edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Inventor: John Cho
  • Patent number: 10028556
    Abstract: A multipurpose walking device is disclosed comprising a shaft (4) and a handle (6), the handle (6) being moveable in relation to the shaft between a first securable position and a second securable position, in which movement of the handle (6) between the first securable position and the second securable position causes a shoehorn (20) to move from a first retained position to a second deployed position. The incorporation of the shoehorn (20) into the multipurpose walking device allows a user to assist themselves when putting on footwear, while substantially reducing bending, and then to walk away. Such a restoration of mobility to a user is highly advantageous.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Inventor: Jeremy Laurence Monk
  • Patent number: 9326630
    Abstract: A shoe horn apparatus comprising: a handle at one end, a shoe horn at the other end and a shaft mounted between the handle and the shoe horn, wherein the shaft is attached at its upper end to the handle and at its lower end to the shoe horn; a spring loaded actuating member mounted near the handle, such that it can be actuated by a user with the same hand the user holds the handle with; a spring loaded grip member mounted near the shoe horn such that it can grip the back of a shoe between the back of the shoe horn and the grip member upon actuation or release of the actuating member by a user; and, a transmission mechanism mounted between the actuating member and the grip member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Inventor: Edward Showalter
  • Patent number: 9282840
    Abstract: A device for putting on tights and garments of similar kind, includes: a pair of shoehorns (1?, 1?) onto which it is possible to slip on and maintain in position of stable opening tights (CL) or garments of similar kind; engagement elements (4) for strengthening the grip of the shoehorns (1?, 1?) onto the garment slipped on and kept into opening position thereon; handles (5) for gripping and handling, arranged for allowing the use of the device; and a coupling joint (9) arranged for allowing the reversible connection of the shoehorns (1?, 1?) to each other and the reciprocal movement thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Inventor: Giuseppe Moscato
  • Patent number: 9161646
    Abstract: A hosiery donning device, in particular for compression hosiery, has a support, a front end portion of which is inserted into the hosiery to be donned; the support defines a downwardly-facing cavity so that a foot can be inserted into the sock or stocking by making the support slide over the upper surface and instep of the foot; a handle is joined to the rear of the support, it is fixed and faces upwards in relation to the support; the cavity is defined by a saddle-shaped portion, on which at least a portion of the hosiery is gathered; the saddle-shaped portion accompanies a portion of the hosiery over the heel of the foot, when the handle is tilted forwards while the saddle-shaped portion remains in contact with the instep of the foot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Inventor: Silvia Bertinotti
  • Patent number: 9149140
    Abstract: A method of removing a foot from a boot having an upper binding, the method employing a boot removal tool. The boot removal tool includes a heel gripping element carried by an operational end of an elongated shaft and a handle at an opposite, gripping end thereof. A calf boot shaft hook includes a boot shaft hook cantilevered elongated element, wherein the shaft hook is carried by a central region of the elongated shaft. In use, the cantilevered elongated element is inserted into a boot shaft between an interior rear surface and a wearer's calf. The heel gripping element is positioned contacting a heel section of the boot. The user draws the grip rearward, pivoting the tool against the heel, opening a boot shaft pivotal calf segment of the boot shaft. The tool introduces a downward retention force. The combination aids in removal of the wearer's foot from the boot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Inventor: John Weakley
  • Patent number: 7287675
    Abstract: A reacher has a near end with a handle and a trigger. A reacher has a far end. An intermediate extent is provided between the near end and the far end. A sock aide is removably coupled to the reacher adjacent to the far end. A shoe horn is slidably supported on the reacher adjacent to the far end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Inventors: Michael T. Sullivan, Wayne J. Gullick
  • Patent number: 6951224
    Abstract: A walking stick or cane comprises a support having a foot at one end thereof and a handle at the other. A gripper device adjacent the foot includes a shoehorn assembly pivoted to the support for movement toward and away from the foot for grasping objects between the end of the foot and the shoehorn assembly. The gripper device is operated by a trigger mounted adjacent the handle and a rod generally parallel to the support. In one embodiment, the shoehorn assembly includes a shoehorn which acts to grasp an object. In another embodiment, the shoehorn assembly includes a shoehorn which does not act to grasp an object. A permanent magnet on the handle allows the user to invert the cane and pick up iron objects. Because the magnet is adjacent the handle, it does not collect floor debris during normal use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2005
    Inventor: Melvin C. Garrett
  • Patent number: 6474518
    Abstract: The present invention provides a children's shoehorn that essentially comprises a lower heel-engaging portion and an upper portion. The shoehorn may be sized for an infant's or child's heel. The upper portion may be in a shape suitable for children. The shoehorn may comprise a circuit having a switch, a battery, a speaker, and microprocessor comprising a memory that enables a song or other distinctive sound to be emitted from a speaker to play a song or other distinctive sound to be emitted from a speaker when a button is pressed. The shoehorn may comprise lightable lights in the form of eyes. The children's shoehorn comes in different sizes to accommodate different sizes of children's shoes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Inventors: Jesus Diaz-Acosta, Diana Berenice Robles-Vidal
  • Patent number: 6426132
    Abstract: A laminated shoehorn which is characterized by an elongated, flexible shoehorn body having a substantially rough backing layer and a substantially smooth foot contact layer laminated to the backing layer. The shoehorn body is typically shaped with an elongated center portion having a circular grip at one end and a widened, arcuate heel guide at the other end of the center portion for supporting the user's heel. A hanging opening may be provided in the grip to facilitate hanging the shoehorn from a nail, hook or the like. The smooth foot contact layer facilitates slipping of the user's foot into a shoe, and the rough backing layer of the shoehorn body contacts the shoe and prevents the shoehorn from sliding into the shoe beneath the user's foot. In a preferred embodiment the backing layer is thin cheesecloth, polyester or foam rubber and the foot contact layer is vinyl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2002
    Inventor: Carl Stewart
  • Publication number: 20020008124
    Abstract: The “Shoe donning device—shoe chute” is comprised of a semi-rigid material which fits over the back of the shoe and forms an internal “chute” which guides the foot into the shoe. The device is placed into the shoe, and then is lowered or dropped to the floor. This device allows users to easily don their shoes without the need to handle the device during placement of the foot into the shoe, bend forward to don their shoes, use excessive twisting when inserting the foot into the shoe, and the shoe may be entered over the rear of the shoe. Preferably this device has a tether attachment and or finger hold(s) to accommodate a users needs when removing the device from the shoe. The device is portable and easily used by individuals who may be experiencing physical, cognitive or proprioceptive challenges while attempting to don their shoes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2001
    Publication date: January 24, 2002
    Inventor: Kathy L. Runge
  • Patent number: 5961012
    Abstract: A shoehorn for use with a walking cane, comprising a conventionally shaped shoehorn for helping a user in slipping into a shoe, and a combination of resilient clips and a hose clamp fastened to the outside surface of the shoehorn, so that the shoehorn can be releasably secured to the walking cane anywhere along its length. Each of the resilient clips includes a base section and a pair of arms integrally extending therefrom, wherein the pair of arms flex outwardly for introduction of the elongated body of the walking cane and snap fits onto the exterior surfaces of the walking cane as the clip is firmly pushed thereinto. The shoehorn is also employs a hose clamp for providing additional clamping support to maintain the shoehorn in fixed relationship with respect to the walking cane during use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Inventor: Vernie Bucher
  • Patent number: 5927573
    Abstract: A shoe horn apparatus for helping a user insert a foot into a shoe. The shoe horn apparatus has a heel element matched to the heel of the user's foot and in addition the apparatus has a tongue part to hold the tongue of the shoe forward while the user inserts his foot. Portions of the shoe horn part and the tongue part are positioned to fit inside the shoe with the shoe horn being adjacent to the back edge of the shoe and the tongue part being adjacent to the lace part of the shoe, providing a space in between the shoe horn part and the tongue part for the user's foot to slip into the shoe guided by said shoe horn part and said tongue part. A support tab at the bottom of the handle in conjunction with the shoe horn and the tongue parts hold the shoe steady while it is being put on. The device permits the user to pretie his shoes. In a preferred embodiment a spring member permits a shoe to be held in spring compression between the support tab and the shoe horn and tongue parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Inventors: Anthony Votino, Louis Votino
  • Patent number: 5924610
    Abstract: Device to facilitate putting on socks, bobby socks, stockings and similar articles of clothing. The device comprises two oblong arms connected together as tongs. The lower end of each arm includes a gripping jaw in the shape of a horseshoe. The two gripping jaws fit one into the other when the two arms are brought together. The sock can be slipped around the first gripping jaw, where it is held owing to a stop. The first gripping jaw keeps the sock open wide enough so that the tip of the foot can be slipped in and then the heel. By bringing the two arms together, the sock is pinched between the two gripping jaws. It is then possible to put on the sock and to pull it up along the calf of the leg without the user having to bend over. One of the gripping jaws has in addition a catch element enabling socks to be removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1999
    Inventor: Ignace Willemin
  • Patent number: 5741569
    Abstract: A sock and shoe donning device to facilitate a user inserting his foot in a sock and a shoe simultaneously. A C-shaped structure preferably is about as tall as the distance between the bottom of the heel of a typical sock and the top edge of the sock. It is comprised of an approximately rectangular shaped sheet of thin semirigid flexible material molded into a shape with approximately vertical sides and a C-shaped horizontal cross section. A lower portion comprises: two lower support parts preferably separated from each other by about 6 inches which when compressed toward each other to fit inside the shoe react by applying force against the inside of the shoe to hold the structure firmly in place and two tongue parts separated from each other by about 51/2 inches which when compressed toward each other to fit inside the shoe react by forcing the tongue (and laces if any) of the shoe forward out the way while the user inserts his foot in the shoe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1998
    Inventors: Anthony Votino, Louis Votino
  • Patent number: 5655693
    Abstract: A clip-on shoehorn making it possible for an individual to slip his foot into a shoe despite a physical disability which impairs his ability to do so with the assistance of a conventional shoehorn. The clip-on shoehorn is provided with a U-curved blade of flexible material whose opposing flanks engage and spread out the sides of the shoe when the blade is inserted therein whereby the blade enlarges the entry to the shoe and serves as a chute for the entering foot. Extending upwardly from the blade is an elongated handle, permitting the individual who grasps the handle to insert the blade into the shoe without having to bend down. Joined to the rear of the blade adjacent its upper end is a clip formed by a pair of superposed flexible strips which when the blade is inserted in the shoe then clamp onto the counter of the shoe to hold the blade in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 12, 1997
    Assignee: Biometrics, Inc.
    Inventors: Ian K. Engelman, Roger Hernandez
  • Patent number: 4966316
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a handle orthogonally mounted to a longitudinally aligned shaft threadedly receiving a shoe horn or cane tip to a lower terminal end thereof. A first link with a second link integrally mounted at an acute angle thereto is pivotally mounted to a third link. The third link is pivotally mounted at its lowermost end to a generally "V" shaped fifth link maintained exteriorly of the longitudinal body by a fourth link, wherein the fifth link is pivotally mounted at its apex to the fourth link. A free terminal end of the fifth link includes a resilient shoe secured thereto to effect a clamping action between the associated shoe horn and the shoe. The apparatus further includes a hollow handle including a cap threadedly securable thereto defining a cavity therewithin to selectively receive and store the cane tip or shoe horn attachment therewithin prior to use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 30, 1990
    Inventors: Curtis L. George, Sandra L. George
  • Patent number: 4709839
    Abstract: A shoe butler, for putting on and taking off one's shoes, having an elongated shaft with an upper handle and a lower shoe horn, a rubber chock held apart from behind the shoe horn by a spring attached to the shaft and band means, operable through a finger-actuable trigger adjacent the handle, to draw the chock in an upwardly arcuate path into sliding contact with the rear of the shoe horn to clasp the rear wall of the shoe therebetween. A tongue extends from a lower end of the shaft to engage the band means as the chock is drawn into contact with the shoe horn to lock the chock tightly against the shoe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1986
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1987
    Assignee: Arcoa Industries
    Inventor: Dalton R. Tucker
  • Patent number: 4606483
    Abstract: A bootgripper is disclosed which is formed of articulated T-shaped members. A handle portion is formed of such a T-shaped member which is grippable by the fingers to urge a pair of opposing jaw members against the rear surface of a boot and to fixedly be held in that position under positive pressure between the head of the T-shaped handle and one portion of one of the jaws of the gripping device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1985
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1986
    Inventor: Salvatore Scarlata
  • Patent number: 4113159
    Abstract: A portable base member having oppositely positioned shoe carrying platforms with heel and toe retaining members on each platform. A shoe horn-type device is removably mounted on each heel retaining member in a manner so that it can be removed therefrom and used as a conventional shoe horn. In its installed position a handle portion of each shoe horn device extends outwardly over the heel of a shoe being retained, so that the shoe horn-type device serves an auxiliary retaining function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1977
    Date of Patent: September 12, 1978
    Inventor: Ivor J. Allsop