US2443115A - Device for drawing on stockings - Google Patents

Description

June 8, 1948. D. PARK I DEVICE FOR DRAWING ON STOCKINGS Filed March 14, 1946 WM E Patented June 8, 1948 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE I 2,443,115v e s DEVICE FOR DRAWING N STOCKINGS Lucille D. Park, Westfield, N. J.

Application March 14, 1946, Serial No. 654,267

s claims. 1

This invention relates to a device adapted to be clamped on the top of a stocking to facilitate the drawing on of the stocking by a person who is prevented from reaching his or her foot by a disability of some kind.

It is an object of the inventionto provide adevice which is simple in structure, effective in operation and which ypreferably can be collapsed or disassembled so as to be carried in airelatively small and compact form.

For a more complete understanding of the invention, reference may be had to the following description of an embodiment thereof, and to the drawing, of which:

Figure 1 is a perspective View of the device with the exception of the inner ring;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the inner ring;

Figure 3 is a section on a transverse plane of the clamping rings;

Figures 4, 5, and 6 illustrate, on a smaller scale, successive stages of operation of the device.

As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the device embodying the invention comprises essentially a pair of nested rings for clamping or gripping the top of a stocking and means for holding the clamping rings at a distance from the hands of the operator. The rings may be of any suitable shape or material, one or both of the rings being preferably springy so that a stocking topcan be resiliently clamped between them.

In the specific embodiment shown, the outer ring IIJ is in the shape of a short cylinder which is split as at I2 so as to provide resiliency. The natural springy character of the ring I0 may be augmented by a spring tension member I4 Vwhich spans the split I2 and is attached to the ends of the ring on either side of the split. As shown in Figure 1, the spring III may be a leaf spring, but a coil spring or elastic band may be employed if preferred.

The inner ring 2D which rests within the ring I 0 is a short cylinder having a radial flange 22 at its upper end extending out over the ring Ill. As indicated in Figure 3, the rings I0 and 20 are so related as to size and shape that they can conveniently clamp a stocking top between them. In order to arrange a stocking top 24 to be clamped between these rings, the top is drawn through the ring I0 from below whereupon the inner ring is inserted within the stocking top and is pressed into nested relation with the ring ID until its progress is stopped by the flange 22. The upper margin 26 of the stocking top is then turned into the inner ring as indicated in Figure 3.

Secured to one or the other ofthe rings is a device for supporting the rings at a suitable distance from the hands of the operator. As shown in Figure 1, a pair of rods 30 and 32 are secured to the outer ring either by suitable joints 34 which permit ready detachment of the rods from the ring or otherwise. The rods are normally held at right angles to the plane of the ring II! but can be rocked about the joints 34 against suitable frictional resistance until they lie substantially in the plane of the ring. This is convenient when it is desired to store the device in a flat container such as a suitcase or shallow box.

The upper ends of the rods 30 and 32 are joined by a cross-bar 36 which acts as a handle member by which the device can readily be manipulated. This bar may be detachably secured as by set screws 38 or otherwise. The rods 30 may also be made collapsible. For this purpose they are shown as made in sections which may be taken apart or which may be made to telescope as shown in Figure 1. The upper portion III of each rod is tubular so as to receive the lower section in sliding engagement which may be frictional if desired. In order to limit the relative sliding movement between the sections of each rod, the upper section 40 may be provided with a slot 42 which terminates short of the ends of the section. In this slot rides a pin 44 which is mounted in the lower section and thus limits the telescoping movement between the sections.

Thus the entire device may readily be diassembled for packing in a small space.

As shown in Figures 4, 5, and 6, a stocking top may be clamped between the rings as hereinbefore described. The operator then holds the rings beyond the toes of the foot by grasping the handle bar 36. The rings may then be drawn u-p the lower portion of the leg as the foot enters the stocking. When the rings come within reach of the hands of the operator, for example, to the position indicated in Figure 6, the inner ring 2o is pulled up to release the outer ring I 0, the latter being lowered to clear the lower portion of the stocking. The stocking top is then drawn through the inner ring which is thereupon allowed to drop down clear of the foot of the operator and clear of the lower vportion of the stocking which has not yet been drawn on the foot. The stocking top is then grasped by the hands of the operator and the remainder of the stocking is drawn on in the usual manner.

I claim:

1. A device for drawing on stockings, comprising two cencentric rings adapted to clamp between them a stocking top, a pair of rods extend-

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