This invention relates to an apparatus and method for an individual to feed himself or herself without the use of hands.
Feeding oneself without the use of hands is a difficult, nearly impossible task. In general, a person who cannot use their hands to pick up and hold utensils is limited to using straws or the like to consume liquids or liquefied food items. Alternatively, the person must rely on a caregiver to manipulate utensils.
Accordingly, what is needed is an apparatus that allows a person to eat normal food items without the use of hands.
In various exemplary embodiments, the present invention comprises an apparatus allowing an individual to feed himself or herself without the use of their hands and without requiring assistance. In one embodiment the invention comprises an eating utensil that is held by a utensil holder mounted on the top of a rotating shaft. The rotating shaft is fixedly attached to a rotary disk, which is fixed to a waveform block with a sinusoidal or waveform face, thereby forming the upper portion of the assembly. The upper portion of the assembly is rotatably connected to the lower portion of the assembly, which comprises a roller block fixedly mounted to a base. The base is weighted so as to provide a stable and secure platform for the apparatus. The roller may be unitary with the base, or be attached with a screw, bolt or other similar means.
In use, the utensil holder, rotating shaft, waveform block, and rotary disk all rotate in unison, while the lower portion of the assembly remains fixed. The user can cause the rotation of the upper elements of the apparatus through a variety of means, including, but not limited to, using their chin, cheek, or other body part to push one end of the utensil to either side when the utensil is in the holder. The utensil is held in place by one or more prongs extending upward from the top of the holder, although other means of securing the utensil can be used, such as a slot or indentation in the top of the holder.
The utensil can be any utensil usable for eating, including, but not limited to, some form of a spoon, fork, or combinations thereof. As shown in the figures, the utensil may comprise a type of spoon, with one end comprising the bowl, and the handle end counterweighted to balance the bowl when loaded with a normal portion of food. The handle end is sized appropriately to allow the user to pick up the utensil with their mouth, and manipulate the utensil while thus held. The shaft of the utensil is appropriately dimensioned to fit securely within the top of the holder, but also allow the user to easily place or remove the utensil on the holder through manipulation of the handle end when held in the mouth. In one embodiment, the shaft of the utensil comprises a hole or indentation that passes partway or wholly through the shaft, and is positioned to engage a tab or post extending from the top of the rotary shaft. This helps the user position the utensil in a balanced position, and secures the utensil until the user lifts the utensil off of the holder.
The utensil may be made of any suitable material, including, but not limited to, metal, plastic, wood, or combinations thereof In one embodiment, the handle end is made of a plastic that allows the user to securely engage and hold the utensil with their teeth.
The rotary disk generally resists rotation unless the user causes rotation of the upper elements of the apparatus as described above. Resistance can be provided through the position of the sinusoidal/waveform face as the waveform block rests on rollers in the roller block. As the upper portion of the device rotates, the high points and the low points of the sinusoidal/waveform face come into sequential contact with the rollers, so that the apparatus has at least two positions where the relative position of the upper and lower portions of the apparatus are stable (i.e., the upper portion will not rotate from that position without the user applying a force in either direction, as described above). Gravity keeps the upper portion of the apparatus in this position. Movement from these positions require moving the upper portion upwards against gravity as he upper portion rotates.
In several embodiments, the rotary disk is weighted so as to assist in rotation of the upper portion of the assembly. The rotary disk may vary in thickness, so that the weight is distributed more along the perimeter. As the user initiates movement, the sinusoidal or wave form of the upper assembly moves relative to the other, until it reaches a point where the forces cause the upper assembly to the next stable position. In the embodiment shown, the upper portion thus rotates from stable position at 0 degrees, through the maximum unstable position at 90 degrees, to another stable position at 180 degrees. This enables the user to place the utensil on the utensil mount, and rotate it 180 degrees so that he or she can engage the bowl end and consume food items thereon.
In various exemplary embodiments, the present invention comprises an apparatus allowing an individual to feed himself or herself without the use of their hands and without requiring assistance. As seen in
In use, the utensil holder 4, rotating shaft 8, rotary disk 10, and waveform block 50, all rotate in unison, while the roller block 16 and base 14 remain fixed. The sinusoidal/waveform face 52 rotates on the rollers 40. The user can cause the rotation of the upper elements of the apparatus through a variety of means, including, but not limited to, using their chin, cheek, or other body part to push one end of the utensil 4 to either side when the utensil is in the holder 6. The utensil is held in place by one or more prongs 26 extending upward from the top of the holder 6, although other means of securing the utensil can be used, such as a slot or indentation in the top of the holder.
The utensil can be any utensil usable for eating, including, but not limited to, some form of a spoon, fork, or combinations thereof. As shown in the figures, the utensil may comprise a type of spoon, with one end comprising the bowl 32, and the handle end 34 counterweighted to balance the bowl when loaded with a normal portion of food. The handle end 34 is sized appropriately to allow the user to pick up the utensil with their mouth, and manipulate the utensil while thus held. The shaft of the utensil 36 is appropriately dimensioned to fit securely within the top of the holder 6, but also allow the user to easily place or remove the utensil on the holder through manipulation of the handle end when held in the mouth. In one embodiment, the shaft of the utensil comprises a hole or indentation 38 that passes partway or wholly through the shaft, and is positioned to engage a tab or post extending from the top of the rotary shaft. This helps the user position the utensil in a balanced position, and secures the utensil until the user lifts the utensil off of the holder.
The utensil may be made of any suitable material, including, but not limited to, metal, plastic, wood, or combinations thereof. In one embodiment, the handle end 34 is made of a plastic that allows the user to securely engage and hold the utensil with their teeth.
In one particular embodiment, a utensil weight attachment 84, as seen in
The rotary disk 10 generally resists rotation unless the user causes rotation of the upper elements of the apparatus as described above. Resistance can be provided through the position of the sinusoidal/waveform face 52 as the waveform block rests on the rollers 40. As the upper portion of the device rotates, the high points and the low points of the sinusoidal/waveform face 52 come into sequential contact with the rollers, so that the apparatus has at least two positions where the relative position of the upper and lower portions of the apparatus are stable (i.e., the upper portion will not rotate from that position without the user applying a force in either direction, as described above). In the embodiment shown in
As seen in
It should be noted that the positions of the waveform block and roller block can be exchanged, so that the roller block is associated with the upper portion of the apparatus, while the waveform face is associated with the base or lower portion. Further, it should be noted that the point of rotation can be located at several points along the shafts (e.g., a single shaft can extend from the top to the base, with the shaft rotating on the fixed base). In addition, stability can be further enhanced by a non-rotating center reinforcement rod or shaft that extends through a central channel or hole in the middle of the rotating shaft, waveform block, and rotary disk and is embedded in or extends through the center of the roller block, fixed shaft, or base, or combinations thereof.
In several embodiments, as seen in
The roller block may comprise a central bore with an upper portion 66 and a lower portion 68. The lower portion may be used to fasten the roller block to the base by means of a screw or bolt or similar fastening means. The upper portion 66 may be used to insert the bolt or screw into the lower portion 68, and also may be used to receive or hold the lower end of a central shaft or rod 92, as seen in
The apparatus can be made of a variety of suitable material, including, but not limited to, metal, plastic, wood, or combinations thereof. The materials should be such so as to be washable or otherwise sanitizable.
A method of using the present invention comprises the following:
(a) The user grasps the handle end of the utensil in his or her mouth, and lifts it off the utensil mount.
(b) The user manipulates the utensil to use the bowl end to obtain a portion of food (e.g., removes food from a plate or bowl using the bowl end of the utensil).
(c) The user mounts the utensil on the utensil mount.
(d) The user pushes the handle end in either direction with his or her chin, causing the utensil and the upper portion of the apparatus to rotate 180 degrees (i.e., so the bowl end faces the user).
(e) The user consumes the food from the bowl end.
(f) The user pushes the bowl end in either direction to cause the utensil to rotate 180 degrees to its starting position.
Thus, it should be understood that the embodiments and examples described herein have been chosen and described in order to best illustrate the principles of the invention and its practical applications to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to best utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited for particular uses contemplated. Even though specific embodiments of this invention have been described, they are not to be taken as exhaustive. There are several variations that will be apparent to those skilled in the art.
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/926,025, filed Oct. 29, 2015, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by specific reference for all purposes, and is entitled to the benefit of that filing date.
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 14926025 | Oct 2015 | US |
Child | 15818819 | US |