US3885681A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Feeding device
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1974-06-28
•
Granted: 1975-05-27
•
Expires: 1994-06-28
Abstract
Abstract A feeding device for use by persons with limited or no use of their arms, wherein a spoon is mounted on supporting and counterbalancing levers and is associated with a mouth-piece in such a manner that the user can manipulate the spoon to lift food from a dish, can then place the spoon on a fixed support and then adjust the spoon to a position for convenient eating of the food. The spoon mounting includes an adjustable support for a counterbalancing spring. All the parts are mounted on a flat base which is adapted also to support the food dish.
Inventors
- 👤 Pasquale M Mancino
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 02:20
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47G; A47G21/00; A47G21/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
71 words
A feeding device for no-hand operation comprising, a spoon having a bowl and a handle, a mouthpiece assembly connected to said handle and projecting laterally therefrom, counterbalancing means connected to said spoon and mouthpiece assembly to support at least a portion of the weight thereof, and a cradle mounted adjacent said counterbalancing means and adapted to support the balance of said weight when the spoon and mouthpiece assembly are rested thereon.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
71 words
A feeding device for no-hand operation comprising, a spoon having a bowl and a handle, a mouthpiece assembly connected to said handle and projecting laterally therefrom, counterbalancing means connected to said spoon and mouthpiece assembly to support at least a portion of the weight thereof, and a cradle mounted adjacent said counterbalancing means and adapted to support the balance of said weight when the spoon and mouthpiece assembly are rested thereon.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
A feeding device according to claim 1 wherein the counterbalancing means includes resilient means biasing the spoon bowl toward its level position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
A feeding device according to claim 1 wherein the counterbalancing means includes means for adjusting the position and direction of its supporting force.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
A feeding device according to claim 1 which includes means for adjusting the angle of the spoon relative to the mouthpiece.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
58 words
A feeding device according to claim 1 in which the connection between the mouthpiece and handle includes a T-shaped connector, and in which the spoon handle is attached to one end of the connector, the counterbalancing means is attached to the opposite end of the connector and the mouthpiece assembly is attached to the laterally projecting portion thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
A feeding device according to claim 5 wherein the mouthpiece is attached to the connector by means of a metal tube.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
A feeding device according to claim 1 wherein the cradle is provided with at least two upwardly facing horizontally spaced recesses, one of said recesses being adapted to receive alternatively the mouthpiece assembly and the connector.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3228536A
Cited
US3653775A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-05-26 | 1978-11-25 | 1979-05-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-05-26 | 1982-11-25 | 1983-05-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-05-26 | 1986-11-25 | 1987-05-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |