IP Library › Granted Patent US 12677971

Granted Patent B1

US 12677971 · App. 19/335,553 · Granted Jul 14, 2026

Donning assistance apparatus

Inventor: Lisa Thompson-Goertz (Ocala, FL)

A47G25/90

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Quick Facts

Patent No.: US 12677971
App. No.: 19/335,553
Granted: Jul 14, 2026
Kind: B1

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Abstract

An assistive dressing device for donning lower-body garments from a standing or seated position by individuals with limited mobility or impaired upper limb function comprises a length-adjustable elongate curved frame comprising a first elongate curved frame member and a second elongate curved frame member; the first frame member and the second frame member being slidably engaged in partially overlapping fashion to form an overlapping portion of the frame; a first clip attached to the first frame member, and a second clip attached to the second frame member, each for securing a garment to the frame; and at least one tether mounted to the frame; whereby the length-adjustable frame may be adjusted to the approximate diameter of the opening of a lower-body garment, inserted into the opening, and selectively attached to garment edge defining the opening via the first and second clips to prepare for donning of the garment.

Claims (42)

1 . An assistive dressing device, comprising:

b) a first clip attached to the first frame member, and a second clip attached to the second frame member; and

c) at least one tether mounted to the frame, wherein a first end of the at least one tether is attached to the first frame member and a second end of the at least one tether attached to the second frame member;

whereby the length-adjustable frame may be adjusted to a length that permits engagement with opposite sides of the inside wall of the garment's waistband, inserted into the opening defined by the waistband, and selectively attached to the garment via the first and second clips to prepare for donning of the garment.

2 . An assistive dressing device, comprising:

a) a length-adjustable elongate arcuate frame comprising a first elongate curved frame member having a first pair of parallel longitudinal slots, and a second elongate curved frame member having a second pair of parallel longitudinal slots; the first frame member and the second frame member being slidably engaged in partially overlapping fashion to form an overlapping portion of the frame; the first pair of parallel longitudinal slots being in communication with the second pair of parallel longitudinal slots;

b) a fastener disposed through the pair of slots for preventing separation of the first frame member and the second frame member and permitting length adjustability of the overlapping portion of the frame;

c) a first clip attached to the first frame member, and a second clip attached to the second frame member; and

d) at least one tether mounted to the frame;

3 . The assistive dressing device of claim 1 , wherein the clips are spring-tensioned clips.

4 . The assistive dressing device of claim 2 , wherein the clips are spring-tensioned clips.

5 . The assistive dressing device of claim 1 , wherein the at least one tether is a single tether attached to the frame as a loop to facilitate one-handed use of the device.

6 . The assistive dressing device of claim 2 , wherein the at least one tether is a single tether attached to the frame as a loop to facilitate one-handed use of the device.

7 . The assistive dressing device of claim 5 , further including a slide adjuster operably mounted to the single tether for adjusting the size of the loop.

8 . The assistive dressing device of claim 6 , further including a slide adjuster operably mounted to the single tether for adjusting the size of the loop.

9 . The assistive dressing device of claim 1 , wherein the first frame member and second frame member each include a distal edge and a leg extending distally from the distal edge.

10 . The assistive dressing device of claim 2 , wherein the first frame member and second frame member each include a distal edge and a leg extending distally from the distal edge.

11 . The assistive dressing device of claim 1 , wherein the frame is constructed from materials selected from the group consisting of high density polyethylene, polypropylene and fiberglass.

12 . The assistive dressing device of claim 2 , wherein the frame is constructed from materials selected from the group consisting of high density polyethylene, polypropylene and fiberglass.

13 . The assistive dressing device of claim 1 , wherein the at least one tether is a cord, string, rope, cable, chain, strap, or ribbon.

14 . The assistive dressing device of claim 2 , wherein the at least one tether is a cord, string, rope, cable, chain, strap, or ribbon.

15 . The assistive dressing device of claim 1 , wherein the at least one tether is constructed from materials selected from the group consisting of polyester, nylon, polypropylene, high-density polyethylene, waxed cotton and bamboo.

16 . The assistive dressing device of claim 2 , wherein the at least one tether is constructed from materials selected from the group consisting of polyester, nylon, polypropylene, high-density polyethylene, waxed cotton and bamboo.

17 . The assistive dressing device of claim 1 , wherein each of the first frame member and the second frame member comprise:

a proximal edge;

a distal edge;

a lateral edge; and

a leg extending distally from the distal edge to extend a length of the lateral edge such that each of the first frame member and the second frame member form an overall L-shape and such that upon slidable engagement of the first and second frame member the frame forms an overall U-shape.

18 . The assistive dressing device of claim 17 , wherein the first end of the at least one tether is secured to the first frame member adjacent to an intersection of the proximal edge and the lateral edge of the first frame member and wherein the second end of the at least one tether is secured to the second frame member adjacent to an intersection of the proximal edge and the lateral edge of the second frame member.

19 . The assistive dressing device of claim 1 , wherein:

the at least one tether is a single tether and wherein the single tether forms a loop extending from the first frame member to the second frame member;

the length-adjustable elongate arcuate frame has a curvature configured to conform to a waist of a user;

the frame has an adjustable length based on the slidable engagement between the first frame member and the second frame member to accommodate a range of hip widths of a user;

wherein the first clip and the second clip are configured to retain the garment waistband in an open position to facilitate foot and leg insertion through the open position; and

wherein the device is free of sharp external angles, sharp corners and sharp edges.

20 . An assistive dressing device, comprising:

a) a length-adjustable elongate arcuate frame comprising a first elongate curved frame member, and a second elongate curved frame member; the first frame member and the second frame member being slidably engaged in partially overlapping fashion to form an overlapping portion of the frame, wherein the first frame member and the second frame member each form an overall L-shape such that the frame forms an overall U-shape when the first frame member and the second frame member are slidably engaged;

b) a first clip attached to the first frame member, and a second clip attached to the second frame member; and

c) at least one tether mounted to the frame such that the at least one tether forms a loop that extends from the first frame member to the second frame member;