ES1219940U - ADAPTED KNIVES HANDLE (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding) - Google Patents

Abstract

Adapted knife handle, characterized in that it is constituted from a one-piece body (1), based on a flexible and non-slip material, resistant to water, suitable for the high temperatures of the dishwasher and resistant to cuts, such as polypropylene flexible, in which a central core (2) is defined, elongated, with an extreme blind hole (3) in which the blade (4) of the knife is fixed, central body (2) from which a pair of wings emerge superiorly flexible laterals (5) emerging from the upper zone of said central core, lateral wings (5) having a rectangular configuration, capable of flexing inwards in the gripping maneuvers of the handle. (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding)

Description

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ADAPTED KNIFE HANDLE

D E S C R I P C I Ó N

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an adapted knife handle, that is, specially designed for people with mobility problems in the hands, motor disability, etc.

The object of the invention is to provide a knife handle that allows the independence of people affected by some type of disability, whether caused by physical injury or illness.

The invention thus falls within the scope of orthopedic devices.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Eating is an activity that we have so integrated into our daily life, that we are not aware of how complicated it is for certain people with some type of physical disability.

This type of disability may be due to illness, brain injury or physical injury to the extremities. Whatever the reason, it causes a disability in the hands that generate in the affected a dependency when performing their daily tasks. Either dress, wash or as in the present case, feed.

The dependence of other people causes negative feelings to develop in those affected. These are restricted their freedom and autonomy because they are unable to perform simple tasks that previously performed.

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According to WHO medical studies among the demographics of the European Union there are 16.2% of people suffering from some type of disability. In Spain in particular, the figure reaches 8.7% of those affected.

This disability module aims to focus on the restriction of activities, rather than the limitation of functions. It is about understanding disabilities as a problem of interaction between the individual and the environment, rather than as something individual. In this way, we are facing a dynamic concept that is in line with the concept of disability of WHO.

These limitations can be caused by physical injuries or degenerative diseases. In such a way that they restrict the freedom of movement of those affected and limitations and obstacles arise in daily activities.

Trying to avoid this problem, several solutions are known, none of which is fully effective.

In this regard, we can mention cutlery such as knife-forks, used in people with very reduced mobility in one hand, which materialize in a cutlery that combines pressure cutting to cut with one hand, with a fork to dispense of the constant change of covered. However, these types of devices are useless for cutting foods that require a friction movement (meats).

In parallel, flexible cutlery is known, whose gripping area has a more flexible section, which allows the cover to be folded. They are ideal for those with less mobility in the wrist, who have difficulty directing the cutlery to the mouth. However, these types of mechanisms are not applicable to utensils that require forces in their use.

In the same way they are known covered with thickened handles, which although they are suitable for those people who are not able to grip firmly covered with a normalized thickness, have an immovable ergonomics, that is, that does not adapt to the specific needs of each case .

Mangoes with metacarpophalangeal grip are also known, indicated for those people, who have no palmar grip; but they do have shoulder level mobility and

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elbow; being able to bring the plate covered to the mouth. The problem with these types of handles is that they require a pre-use placement and possibly external help.

Finally, tilting knives are known, in which the blade is arched and tilted when cutting the food. This type of knives are indicated for people with difficulty in the grip, allowing to make a grip on the knife. In addition, the cut is made by sliding and balancing, being achievable with one hand. However, they lose the property of using the knife as a punch.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The adapted knife handle that is recommended solves in a fully satisfactory way the problem previously exposed in each and every one of the aspects mentioned, based on a simple but very effective solution.

For this, the handle of the invention is constituted from a single piece body based on a non-slip material, such as flexible polypropylene (FPP) or any other water resistant material, which is suitable for the high temperatures of the dishwasher and which have some resistance to cuts that other kitchen utensils can cause.

Said body is manufactured by extrusion in two-sided molds, so that the knife blade in this case would be placed directly inside the mold to fix it to the body by melting the synthetic material.

More specifically, the handle has an elongated central core, with an end blind hole, into which the knife blade is inserted, and two flexible side wings that emerge from the upper area of said central core, preferably tangentially , wings of essentially rectangular configuration, of strongly rounded vertices, destined to flex inwards in the maneuvering of the handle, defining an adjustable perimeter grip, depending on the limitations of each user.

The knife blade would be formed of stainless steel to convey the feeling that it is a professional kitchen tool and that children or adults do not underestimate the dangers that this entails.

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Finally, the last details would be added as a round piece of steel on the top of the handle to enable its use in magnetized kitchen fasteners. In addition, the side holes in the lower body of the handle would be made to add the stainless steel rivets. These provide a greater sense of security and resistance to the product.

The device thus described, feels comfortable to grasp, flex and squeeze the wings is almost instinctive. Being positioned on the table keeps the tip of the knife upright due to the weight of the handle, but without becoming dangerous. This positioning facilitates its grip with one hand. In addition, when the sheet has traces of food, it keeps it off the table to avoid stains.

By not having a clear position for the fingers, each person adapts the grip to their needs.

As for the interactions with the other elements of the kitchen, the knife can be washed by hand and is compatible with the dishwasher because it is made of stainless steel and a plastic material resistant to the high temperatures of the dishwasher. It has a common drying process, the water slides on its surface and has no holes to retain it. It does not fit perfectly in a drawer adapted to traditional cutlery, since the holes designed in this type of drawers are narrow and elongated, but it integrates perfectly in a source of kitchen utensils, next to scissors, wooden spoons and the rods

Adding a piece of steel to the upper part of the body could be adapted for placement in a magnetic kitchenware holder.

It is a product of simple forms and visually attractive. Destined to the orthopedics market mainly. It is designed to help people affected by injuries or illnesses that have incapacitated their hands to firmly hold a knife and be able to make proper use of it. So it can be classified as Social Design.

The variety and flexibility of the knife grip makes it adaptable to almost any type of affected hand. The materials of which it is composed cause that its manufacture is not expensive and can reach the market with an affordable price for any social class.

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It is a product that due to its useful and social characteristics could be for sale in Orthopedics stores, Pharmacies or any commercial establishment that has kitchen utensils.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To complement the description that will then be made and in order to help a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, according to a preferred example of practical implementation thereof, a set of drawings is attached as an integral part of said description. where, for illustrative and non-limiting purposes, the following has been represented:

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an adapted knife handle made in accordance with the object of the present invention.

Figure 2.- Shows a front elevation view of the device of the previous figure.

Figure 3.- Shows a plan view of the device.

Figure 4.- Shows a side elevation view of the device of the previous figure.

Figure 5.- Shows a perspective view of the device with the corresponding cutting blade associated with it.

Figure 6.- It shows, finally, a perspective view of the knife in use situation.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

In view of the figures outlined, it can be seen how the handle of the invention is constituted from a single piece body (1), based on a non-slip material, such as flexible polypropylene, in which a central core is defined ( 2), elongated, with

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an end blind hole (3) in which the knife blade (4), central body (2) from which a pair of flexible lateral wings (5) emerging from the upper area of said central core, preferably tangentially, with rounded lower junction zones (6), lateral wings (5) that have an essentially rectangular configuration, of strongly rounded vertices (7-8), and which, as can be seen in Figure 6 , are intended to flex inwards in the handle grip operations, defining a handle whose section has an adjustable perimeter, depending on the limitations of each user.

As stated above, the blade (4) of the knife would be obtained in stainless steel, being fixed to the central core (2) preferably by rivets (9).

The handle is topped by its rear end in a round piece of steel (10) at the top of the handle to enable its use in magnetized kitchen fasteners.

According to Figure 5, in the final product some adjustments will be made to its physical appearance in order to improve the visual understanding of the object, that is, that the user has a better understanding of its use in the first contact with the object.

For this, the handle has been separated into two zones (11) and (12) delimited by two colors or textures. These areas indicate the recommended position that the fingers should occupy in the grip of the handle. However, this delimitation is not very specific because each user can adapt the grip to their needs.

The combination of striking colors may be attractive to the public, but it is in danger of being perceived as a toy. A more sober color scheme integrates the utensil among the rest of the kitchen tools and makes it easier to identify its true character. Since being a new product you have to keep in mind the first reactions of people to it and try to indicate with its physical appearance its operation and its condition as a work tool.

Claims (1)

5 10 fifteen twenty 25 R E I V I N D I C A C I O N E S 1a.- Adapted knife handle, characterized in that it is constituted from a single piece body (1), based on a flexible and non-slip material, waterproof, suitable for high temperatures of the dishwasher and cut resistant, such as flexible polypropylene, in which an elongated central core (2) is defined, with an end blind hole (3) in which the knife blade (4) is fixed, central body (2) from which a pair of upper flexible side wings (5) emerging from the upper area of said central core, side wings (5) having a rectangular configuration, capable of bending inwards in the handle gripping maneuvers. 2nd.- Adapted knife handle, according to claim 1, characterized in that the blade (4) of the knife is made of stainless steel, being fixed to the central core (2) by rivets or any other type of fixing (9). 3a.- Adapted knife handle, according to claim 1, characterized in that the handle is finished off by its rear end in a round piece of steel (10) as a fixing element in magnetized kitchen fasteners. 4a.- Adapted knife handle, according to claim 1, characterized in that on the surface of the handle two zones (11) and (12) defined by two colors and textures indicating the recommended position to be occupied by the fingers in the grip are defined of mango 5a.- Adapted knife handle, according to claim 1, characterized in that the flexible lateral wings (5) emerge from the upper part of said central core tangentially, with rounded lower joining areas (6).