EP0521931A1 - Ustensile de table pour handicapes manuels et d'usage general. - Google Patents

Ustensile de table pour handicapes manuels et d'usage general.

Info

Publication number
EP0521931A1
EP0521931A1 EP91906339A EP91906339A EP0521931A1 EP 0521931 A1 EP0521931 A1 EP 0521931A1 EP 91906339 A EP91906339 A EP 91906339A EP 91906339 A EP91906339 A EP 91906339A EP 0521931 A1 EP0521931 A1 EP 0521931A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
handle part
utensil
main handle
eating utensil
rear end
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP91906339A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP0521931B1 (fr
Inventor
Mark P Wilson
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Publication of EP0521931A1 publication Critical patent/EP0521931A1/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0521931B1 publication Critical patent/EP0521931B1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47G—HOUSEHOLD OR TABLE EQUIPMENT
    • A47G21/00—Table-ware
    • A47G21/02—Forks; Forks with ejectors; Combined forks and spoons; Salad servers
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B25—HAND TOOLS; PORTABLE POWER-DRIVEN TOOLS; MANIPULATORS
    • B25G—HANDLES FOR HAND IMPLEMENTS
    • B25G1/00—Handle constructions
    • B25G1/10—Handle constructions characterised by material or shape
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B25—HAND TOOLS; PORTABLE POWER-DRIVEN TOOLS; MANIPULATORS
    • B25G—HANDLES FOR HAND IMPLEMENTS
    • B25G1/00—Handle constructions
    • B25G1/10—Handle constructions characterised by material or shape
    • B25G1/102—Handle constructions characterised by material or shape the shape being specially adapted to facilitate handling or improve grip

Definitions

  • This invention relates to eating utensils for the arthritic, neuromuscular impaired, individuals with loss of fingers as well as the general public.
  • the present invention allows for the use of the eating utensil with a minimal clasping motion.
  • the location of the tip of the index finger to the forward most part of the handle of the eating utensil, such as a knife or fork, provides the user with complete control.
  • the utensil may be grasped by individuals possessing any one of the five fingers.
  • the configuration of the 25 handle which may or may not be flared and grooved, provides for maximum contact between the eating utensil, the index finger and the middle of the palm beggining at the metacarpal bone of the index finger and ending at the rear of the palm nearest the wrist. This contact between the utensil and index finger and palm allows for maximum arm weight to be applied to the utensil.
  • the utensil can be constructed of lightweight material in as much as it does not depend on the weight of the utensil to apply maximum pressure to the forward most part of the utensil to facilitate the cutting of forking motion.
  • the present invention contemplates an eating utensil to be used by the manually impaired and non-manually impaired person to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art.
  • the present invention is a great improvement over prior art as it facilitates eating for both the manually impaired and non-manually impaired while maintaining the aesthetic qualities associated with finer flatware. It is an object of the invention to provide an eating utensil which when setting a table for numerous persons in a dining situation will be easy to use by all individuals, whether arthritic, neuromuscular impaired, lacking fingers or unimpaired.
  • the present invention requires no special place setting considerations for the manually impaired. It is another object of the present invention to provide a utensil which is inexpensive to manufacture and will enable a homogeneous construction to be used by people afflicted with various disabilities.
  • the utensil includes a fork or knife forward most part which is connected to a handle or curvilenear form.
  • the width of the handle is sufficient to allow the tip of the index finger to rest comfortably.
  • the handle then flares out to guide and cradle the index finger along its entire length.
  • This portion of the handle may or may not be flared and grooved as illustrated, but it is understood to represent the preferred embodiment as here described.
  • the handle then passes through the palm of the hand beginning at the metacarpal of the index finger and passing diagonally through the middle of the palm and ending at the base of the palm near the wrist.
  • the upwardly curved bottom portion of the handle allows any or all of the remaining fingers to apply the minimum amount of pressure necessary thereto clasp the utensil.
  • fig. 1 is a perspective view of the curved eating utensil in use;
  • fig. 2 is a side elevation view of the utensil shown in fig. 1;
  • fig. 3 is a top plan view of the utensil shown in fig. l;
  • fig. 4 is a bottom plan of the utensil.
  • Fig. 1 shows the utensil in use. Held in the proper manner, the arm and wrist remain generally parallel with the horizon.
  • the index finger 20 rests on the forward end 13 of the handle 12 where the fork, knife or spoon are joined thereto.
  • the forward end portion 13 of handle 12 is sufficiently wide, as illustrated in FIG. 3, to comfortably support the tip of the index finger.
  • the index finger 20 is cradled by the flared portions 14 and 17 which guide and support it.
  • the grooved area 15 flanked by the flared portions 14 and 17 which cradle the index finger is best shown by the dotted line 15 in FIG. 2 and the elongated eliptical area 15 denoted in FIG.3.
  • the downwardly curved rear portion 16 of handle 12 passes through the center of the palm being squeezed by the two parts of the hand located at the base of the thumb and rearend side of the hand, hereafter referred to as the base of the palm
  • Downwardly curved rear portion 16 of handle 12 extends beyond the base of the palm 18 a distance which varies in relation to the hand size and best illustrated in FIG. 1.
  • the upwardly curved, bottom portion 19 of handle 12 allows fingers 21, 22, 23, and 24, to apply pressure thereto.
  • the clasping of the utensil and consequently its use can be achieved with the index finger and any combination of fingers 21, 22, 23, and 24, individually or toghether.
  • the utensil can be used equally as well with the middle finger 21 replacing the function of the index finger 20.
  • a person lacking all but one finger may grasp the utensil by applying presssure to the downwardly curved rear portion 16 with the palm of the hand while applying pressure to the upwardly curved bottom portion 19 of handle 12 with the remaining finger.
  • FIG. 2 shows the side elevation view of the utensil. Since the utensil is symetrical about the long axis, the opposite side elevation is identical to FIG. 2.
  • Handle 12 has attached to the forward end therof a food supporting portion 25 in the form of a fork, spoon bowl or knife, which is adapted to hold, support or cut food.
  • FIG. 4 shows the bottom plan view, illustrating the flared portions 14 and 17, which are sufficiently rounded to accomodate the side of any finger making contact therewith.
  • the upwardly curved portion 19 is sufficiently rounded on the bottom side to accomodate the clasping motion thereupon, as best indicated in FIGS. 1 and 4.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Table Equipment (AREA)
  • Knives (AREA)
  • Catching Or Destruction (AREA)
  • Table Devices Or Equipment (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention se rapporte à un ustensile de table à usage général et plus particulièrement pour les arthritiques, les handicapés neuromusculaires et les personnes amputées de divers doigts. Un tel ustensile peut facilement être saisi à l'aide d'un mouvement de serrage minimum par des mains de diverses tailles et par des personnes ne possèdant qu'un doigt. Cet ustensile comprend un manche (12) qui permet à l'index (20) et à la paume de la main de l'utilisateur d'être soutenus entièrement sur toute la surface supérieure de l'ustensile. La surface supérieure de l'ustensile peut être évasée ou non (14 et 17) et rainurée ou non (15), ce qui permet l'application d'un maximum de poids sur l'extrémité avant (13) de l'ustensile, que celui-ci soit en forme de fourchette ou de couteau.
EP91906339A 1990-03-19 1991-03-19 Ustensile de table pour handicapes manuels et d'usage general Expired - Lifetime EP0521931B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US49537490A 1990-03-19 1990-03-19
PCT/IT1991/000022 WO1991014542A1 (fr) 1990-03-19 1991-03-19 Ustensile de table pour handicapes manuels et d'usage general
US495374 2000-02-01

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0521931A1 true EP0521931A1 (fr) 1993-01-13
EP0521931B1 EP0521931B1 (fr) 1996-01-17

Family

ID=23968395

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP91906339A Expired - Lifetime EP0521931B1 (fr) 1990-03-19 1991-03-19 Ustensile de table pour handicapes manuels et d'usage general

Country Status (11)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0521931B1 (fr)
JP (1) JPH05507855A (fr)
KR (1) KR0175644B1 (fr)
AT (1) ATE133101T1 (fr)
DE (1) DE69116554T2 (fr)
DK (1) DK0521931T3 (fr)
ES (1) ES2089203T3 (fr)
GR (1) GR3019662T3 (fr)
HU (1) HUT67157A (fr)
PL (1) PL166778B1 (fr)
WO (1) WO1991014542A1 (fr)

Families Citing this family (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE4415974A1 (de) * 1994-05-06 1995-11-09 Dickhaus & Partner Gmbh Vorrichtung zum Ausführen von Handarbeiten
JPH114716A (ja) 1997-06-17 1999-01-12 Mitsubishi Heavy Ind Ltd グリップ部材ならびにこれを利用した歯ブラシおよび洋食器
RU172662U1 (ru) * 2017-01-24 2017-07-18 Сергей Вильямович Иоффе Вилка
KR20190051359A (ko) 2017-11-06 2019-05-15 최원석 핸드용 유니버셜 커프
KR102407025B1 (ko) 2020-06-18 2022-06-13 성결대학교 산학협력단 다기능 손 보조기구

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2725631A (en) * 1953-03-16 1955-12-06 Renke Gus Double pronged fork
US3224093A (en) * 1965-06-01 1965-12-21 Joel C Huck Training utensil
US4035865A (en) * 1976-01-19 1977-07-19 Mcrae Lucy Theresa Implements usable by persons afflicted with arthritis
GB2058648B (en) * 1979-09-17 1983-01-19 Little People Ltd Cutlery

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See references of WO9114542A1 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JPH05507855A (ja) 1993-11-11
EP0521931B1 (fr) 1996-01-17
GR3019662T3 (en) 1996-07-31
KR0175644B1 (en) 1999-02-18
ATE133101T1 (de) 1996-02-15
DK0521931T3 (da) 1996-06-10
ES2089203T3 (es) 1996-10-01
KR930700260A (ko) 1993-03-13
DE69116554D1 (de) 1996-02-29
WO1991014542A1 (fr) 1991-10-03
DE69116554T2 (de) 1996-09-19
HUT67157A (en) 1995-02-28
PL166778B1 (pl) 1995-06-30

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