Patent US3734306A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3734306A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Self-feeding device for handicapped persons
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1972-02-16
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Granted: 1973-05-22
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Expires: 1992-02-16
Abstract
Abstract A self-feeding device is operated by an electric motor that is energized through a switch adapted to be activated by a wand attached to a handicapped operator who need only be able to control the motion of his head and neck. The device comprises a spoon clamped to a first shaft that is mounted for rotation adjacent one end of a tubular arm. The electric motor is coupled to a second shaft, fixed adjacent to the other end of the tubular arm, to reciprocate the arm over a 90 degree angle, between horizontal and vertical positions. Cams are provided so that each time the switch is actuated the arm rotates 90*. A link, disposed within the tubular arm, has one end coupled to the first shaft through a crank and the other end pivoted so that the spoon can be disposed within a dish at an angle of less than 180* to the horizontal, whereby food may be pushed, via the wand, from the dish onto the spoon when the arm is in a horizontal position. The spoon is automatically rotated to a substantially horizontal position when the arm is moved to a vertical position.
Inventors
- 👤 W Morewood
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 17:37
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47G; A47G21/00; A47G21/08; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S414/00; Y10S414/13
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
155 words
A self-feeding device comprising: a tubular arm, a main drive shaft, means fixing said main drive shaft adjacent one end of said arm, means to reciprocate said main drive shaft about its axis over an angle of substantially 90*, whereby to reciprocate said arm between a substantially horizontal position to a substantially vertical position, a link disposed within said arm, a first fixed pivot, means connecting one end of said link to said first pivot for movement thereabout, a second shaft, means disposing said second shaft for rotation about its axis, adjacent the other end of said arm, and substantially parallel to said main drive shaft, a crank fixed adjacent one end of said second shaft, means pivotally connecting the other end of said link to said crank to rotate said second shaft when said tubular arm is reciprocated, a feeding implement, and means attaching said implement adjacent the other end of said second shaft.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
155 words
A self-feeding device comprising: a tubular arm, a main drive shaft, means fixing said main drive shaft adjacent one end of said arm, means to reciprocate said main drive shaft about its axis over an angle of substantially 90*, whereby to reciprocate said arm between a substantially horizontal position to a substantially vertical position, a link disposed within said arm, a first fixed pivot, means connecting one end of said link to said first pivot for movement thereabout, a second shaft, means disposing said second shaft for rotation about its axis, adjacent the other end of said arm, and substantially parallel to said main drive shaft, a crank fixed adjacent one end of said second shaft, means pivotally connecting the other end of said link to said crank to rotate said second shaft when said tubular arm is reciprocated, a feeding implement, and means attaching said implement adjacent the other end of said second shaft.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
A self-feeding device as described in claim 1, wherein the distance between said first fixed pivot and said main drive shaft is greater than the radial length of said crank.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
75 words
A self-feeding device as described in claim 2, wherein said main drive shaft is perpendicular to said tubular arm, and said means to reciprocate said main drive shaft comprises a motor, a cam member coupled to said motor, and two switches connected in parallel with each other and each in series with said motor, one of said switches being normally closed and comprising means to be opened with every 180* rotation of said cam member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
198 words
A self-feeding device adapted to be operated by an electric motor that is energized through a first switch, which is actuated by a wand attached to the body of an operator, said device comprising: a baseboard for holding a dish, means mounting said first switch on said baseboard for actuation by said wand, a tubular arm, a feeding implement, means mounting said implement, adjacent one end of said arm, for rotation about a first axis perpendicular to said arm, means, coupled to said motor, for reciprocating said arm over an angle of 90* between a substantially horizontal position and a substantially vertical position, about a second axis adjacent the other end of said arm and substantially parallel to said first axis; said arm moving through about 90* each time said first switch is actuated, and means, including a first link within said tubular arm, to dispose said implement in contact with said dish and at an angle of less than 180* with the horizontal when said arm is in a horizontal position and to rotate said implement to dispose it at an angle closer to 180* with the horizontal when said arm is moved to its vertical position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
198 words
A self-feeding device adapted to be operated by an electric motor that is energized through a first switch, which is actuated by a wand attached to the body of an operator, said device comprising: a baseboard for holding a dish, means mounting said first switch on said baseboard for actuation by said wand, a tubular arm, a feeding implement, means mounting said implement, adjacent one end of said arm, for rotation about a first axis perpendicular to said arm, means, coupled to said motor, for reciprocating said arm over an angle of 90* between a substantially horizontal position and a substantially vertical position, about a second axis adjacent the other end of said arm and substantially parallel to said first axis; said arm moving through about 90* each time said first switch is actuated, and means, including a first link within said tubular arm, to dispose said implement in contact with said dish and at an angle of less than 180* with the horizontal when said arm is in a horizontal position and to rotate said implement to dispose it at an angle closer to 180* with the horizontal when said arm is moved to its vertical position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
90 words
A self-feeding device as described in claim 4, wherein said means mounting said implement for rotation about said first axis comprises a first shaft disposed for rotation about said first axis substantially perpendicular to said arm, an adjustable Sleeve coupled to one end of said first shaft and having means for adjustably engaging said implement, said means to dispose said implement in contact with said dish comprising a first crank coupled to the other end of said first shaft, and means pivotally attaching said first crank to said first link.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
135 words
A self-feeding device as described in claim 5, wherein said means for reciprocating said arm over an angle of 90* comprises a main drive shaft disposed perpendicularly to said arm and adapted to rotate about said second axis, a counter weight fixed to said other end of said arm, one end of said main drive shaft fixed to said counter weight, a second crank fixed to the other end of said main drive shaft, a cam member coupled to said motor and having two raised portions disposed 180* from each other, a second link pivotally linking said cam member with said second crank, a second switch having cam follower means in contact with said cam member, and said first and second switches being connected in series with said motor and in parallel with each other.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-05-21 | 1976-11-20 | 1977-05-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-05-21 | 1980-11-20 | 1981-05-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-05-21 | 1984-11-20 | 1985-05-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |