GB2488162A

GB2488162A - Device for assisting dressing

Info

Publication number: GB2488162A
Application number: GB1102853.7A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Paul Day
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2011-02-18
Filing date: 2011-02-18
Publication date: 2012-08-22
Also published as: GB201102853D0

Abstract

A device is provided for aiding people with hand or arm injuries to put on a sleeved garment / item of clothing. The device comprises a resiliently-deformable tube having a tapered portion 2 at one end 1 and a longitudinal opening 3 along the length of the tube whereby the diameter of the device may be resiliently expanded by insertion of a person's hand into the tube. The tube may taper along its whole length whilst one end may have a portion of greater taper.

Description

DEVICE FOR ASSISTING DRESSING

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a device for assisting dressing, and in particular for assisting people with hand or arm injuries to put on a sleeved garment.

Background to the Invention

Certain injuries or physiological disorders can reduce a person's ability to control a hand, or the fingers on that hand, making insertion of the hand through a garment sleeve difficult and/or uncomfortable. It is known to provide protec- tive fabric covers to slip over the hand, and if required the forearm as well, be-fore insertion of the arm into the sleeve, but while these might be sufficient to hold the fingers together, they can themselves be difficult to put on, and they do not provide support for the forearm during dressing.

Summary of the Invention

The present invention provides a device for assisting dressing, compris-ing a resiliently-deformable tube having a tapered portion at least at one end and a longitudinal opening along the length of the tube whereby the diameter of the device may be resiliently expanded by insertion of a person's hand into the tube.

The tube preferably tapers along its whole length, and more preferably has a portion of greater taper at one end thereof.

The tube is suitably formed from a plastics material such as polyethylene or polypropylene. It may be made by injection moulding or by thermoforming tubular or sheet form.

Brief Description of the Drawings

In the drawings, which illustrate an exemplary embodiment of the inven-tion: Figure 1 is a perspective view from one side; Figure 2 is an alternative perspective view; and Figure 3 is a view from the front of the device.

Detailed Description of the Illustrated Embodiment

Referring to the drawings, the device comprises a tapering polypropylene tube having at one end 1 a portion 2 of increased taper. The tube is formed with a slit or gap 3 along its length, permitting the tube to be resiliently expand-ed outwards when a hand is pushed into it from the wider end 4. The ends of the slit or gap 3 are rounded off to avoid presenting any sharp points which might snag in a garment sleeve or harm the user's skin. The wall thickness of the tube is relatively small (2-3mm) so as to permit it to expand to accommo-date different sizes of hand without exerting excessive pressure on the user, while at the same time being sufficient to permit the device to remain stable in use.

The user inserts the hand into the wider end 4 of the device, if this is possible, or the device can be widened manually by a helper and then guided over the user's hand. The narrower or tapered end 1 is then inserted into the garment sleeve, starting at the shoulder in the usual fashion, the device making it easy for the sleeve to be pulled over it until it emerges from the cuff end of the sleeve. It can then be removed from the user's hand, and if necessary used on the other hand to guide it through its respective sleeve.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A device for assisting dressing, comprising a resiliently-deformable tube having a tapered portion at least at one end and a longitudinal opening along the length of the tube whereby the diameter of the device may be resiliently expanded by insertion of a person's hand into the tube.
2. A device according to Claim 1, wherein the tube tapers along the whole length thereof.
3. A device according to Claim 2, which has a portion of greater ta-per at one end thereof.
4. A device according to Claim 1, 2 or 3, formed from polyethylene or polypropylene.
5. A device according to any preceding claim, having a wall thick-ness of 1-2 mm.
6. A device for assisting dressing, substantially as described with reference to, and/or as shown in, the drawings.