Garment Removing Tool

Abstract

The invention relates to a tool for assisting in the removal of clothing. In particular, the invention relates to a tool which can be used to help remove socks, stockings, leggings, compression stockings, wetsuits, dry suits and the like, which can be difficult to remove from the lower leg and foot.

Claims

1. A garment removal tool for facilitating removal of an article of clothing from the lower limbs, ankle and feet of a wearer's body, the tool comprising an elongate body having a longitudinal length and a transverse length, the elongate body having a first end adapted for gripping by a hand, and a second end adapted for insertion between the skin of the wearer and the garment worn by the wearer, wherein the tool surface which abuts the skin of the wearer when the tool is in use, is textured.

2. The garment removal tool of claim 1 wherein the textured surface of the tool may have a surface finish with a roughness average of between 12 and 230 Ra micrometres.

3. The garment removal tool of claim 1 wherein the textured surface is produced by bead blast moulding, the use of a tumbler or by use of textured paint.

4. The garment removal tool of claim 1 wherein the insertion end of the tool which abuts the limb and foot of the wearer in use, is formed in the shape of a tongue which broadens at its free end into a paddle shape.

5. The garment removal tool of claim 4 wherein the tongue is flexible.

6. The garment removal tool of claim 4 wherein the paddle shape is convex on the side that abuts the skin, and concave on the underside that would abut the garment in use.

7. A garment removal tool as claimed in claim 6 wherein the convex side of the tool is provided with strengthening ribs to increase the bending strength of the tool.

8. The garment removal tool of claim 4 wherein the edge of the paddle shape is filleted or rounded to reduce dragging of the garment as it is being removed.

9. The garment removal tool of claim 4 wherein the paddle is angled below the plane of the tongue.

10. The garment removal tool of claim 9 wherein the angle of the paddle is between about 4 to about 10 degrees.

11. The garment removal tool of claim 10 wherein the angle of the paddle is about 6.5 degrees.

12. The garment removal tool of claim 1 wherein the underside of the elongate body is provided with a means for maintaining separation of the garment from the limb which projects downwardly from the underside of the elongate body.

13. The garment removal tool of claim 12 wherein the means for maintaining separation may comprise at least one projection extending downwards from the underside of the tool.

14. The garment removal tool of claim 1 wherein the end adapted for gripping comprises finger grooves, indentations or positioning areas for gripping by a hand for ensuring a firm and secure grip.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of an embodiment thereof, given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0025] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the remover tool of the invention with a single fin.

[0026] FIG. 2 is a side view of the first embodiment of the remover tool of the invention with fins, showing the strengthening ribs.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] As shown in FIG. 1, the tool (1) comprises a hand gripping portion (2) at one end, the hand gripping portion or handle (2) being connected to an elongate tongue member (3) which terminates at the other end in a paddle like structure (4). The tool (1) has a longitudinal dimension and a transverse dimension. The handle (2) is formed with a plurality of ridges and indentations (5) to make gripping the handle easier.

[0028] The elongate tongue member (3) and the paddle shaped portion (4) are formed with a convex upper side (8) and a concave lower side (9). The lower surface of the elongate tongue (3) is provided with a fin (10) the free end of which, projects from the lower surface and curves towards the paddle shaped portion (4). The concave side of the tongue member and the paddle shaped portion is formed with a textured surface. The convex side is formed with a series of strengthening ribs (6).

[0029] Suitably, the removal tool of the invention may be made entirely from a material selected from any hard, strong, durable material, for example, plastics, hard woods, engineered wood ply, nylon, stainless steel and combinations thereof. The material should be flexible. The material is preferably rust-resistant. Stainless steel is a particularly preferred material of construction. Also other metals, coated in stainless steel may be used. Various components of the tool can be made from any of these materials alone or in combination. Suitably the tongue and hand-gripping portion are made of a plastics material and the rods of stainless steel.

[0030] During removal of the garment from the leg, the tool (1) is inserted between the leg and the garment at the back of the knee. As the user pushes down with the tool (1), it glides along the leg contours and the tongue (3) and the paddle (4) slide down the leg. Because the paddle (4) end of the tongue (3) is flexible and curved it doesn't catch on the heel of the user and allows the garment to easily be pulled around the heel. As the tool (1) is moved down the leg, the garment is gathered up by the fin (10) and as the tool (1) moves downward, the fabric gathered and restrained by the fin (10) is pushed down the leg.

[0031] The removal tool of the invention provides for more than just levering the garment away from the skin. It allows three functions in one action. At one end, the tool has a fin assembly (10) projecting downwards from its (concave) underside which serves to gather the garment as it is pushed down the leg. As the fins (10) push the garment down the wearer's leg, the tool maintains separation of the garment from the skin and it glides over the heel, removing the garment with ease.

[0032] The length of the tool is not critical, however a longer length helps the user not to have to bend down so much, and so the longer length is particularly suitable for an elderly or infirm user.

[0033] The words “comprises/comprising” and the words “having/including” when used herein with reference to the present invention are used to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof.

[0034] It is appreciated that certain features of the invention, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable sub-combination.