GB2288453A - Apparatus to aid people with muscle weakness, eg a feeding aid - Google Patents

Apparatus to aid people with muscle weakness, eg a feeding aid Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2288453A
GB2288453A GB9407051A GB9407051A GB2288453A GB 2288453 A GB2288453 A GB 2288453A GB 9407051 A GB9407051 A GB 9407051A GB 9407051 A GB9407051 A GB 9407051A GB 2288453 A GB2288453 A GB 2288453A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
arm
handle
movement
tool holder
user
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.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB9407051A
Other versions
GB9407051D0 (en
Inventor
Jonathan Martin Michaelis
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
Priority to GB9407051A priority Critical patent/GB2288453A/en
Publication of GB9407051D0 publication Critical patent/GB9407051D0/en
Publication of GB2288453A publication Critical patent/GB2288453A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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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
    • A47G21/08—Serving devices for one-handed persons
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
    • A61F4/00—Methods or devices enabling patients or disabled persons to operate an apparatus or a device not forming part of the body 

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  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Biomedical Technology (AREA)
  • Heart & Thoracic Surgery (AREA)
  • Vascular Medicine (AREA)
  • Human Computer Interaction (AREA)
  • Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
  • Accommodation For Nursing Or Treatment Tables (AREA)
  • Table Equipment (AREA)

Abstract

The apparatus has a handle 10 and a tool holder 15 within the range of use of the user and a linkage mechanism 11 to translate movement of the handle into movement of the tool holder through an arm 14. A cable 17 within the arm keeps the tool holder level. The apparatus is proportioned and positioned so as to allow free movement within the useable range. The apparatus is adjustable. The linkage mechanism can move the arm by a different angle from the handle. Other means can be provided to control or assist the movement, eg. dampers, weights and springs. <IMAGE>

Description

APPARATUS TO AID PEOPLE This invention relates to an apparatus to aid people.
Many people cannot perform certain functions because of physical or mental impairments. Aids do exist that enable some disabled people to perform some tasks such as eating.
Most aids are, however, ineffective for many disabled people, such as people with severe muscle weakness or damaged joints, as they cannot be operated by the range and strength of movement available from the person.
According to the present invention there is provided an apparatus comprising a handle within the range of movement of the user, a tool holder within the range of use of the user and a linkage mechanism to translate movement of the handle into movement of the tool holder through an arm.
A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: Figure 1 shows in perspective, an embodiment of the apparatus of the invention.
Referring to the drawing the apparatus comprises a handle 10 attached to a linkage mechanism 11 which translates movement of the handle around horizontal 12 and vertical 13 axes into movement of the arm 14 on which there is a tool holder 15. The linkage mechanism is attached to a fixed base 16.
Tools, for example, a spoon, can be attached to the tool holder.
The proportions, angles and positions of the apparatus are within the usable range of the user.
A further embodiment of the invention incorporates a levelling mechanism to keep the tool holder level as the arm is moved.
A still further embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: Figure 2 illustrates the levelling mechanism inside the arm.
Referring to the drawing the cable 17 is held at the bottom end 18 to stop rotation about its axis. When the arm 14 is raised or lowered 19 the cable rotates relative to the arm keeping the tool holder 15 level.
A still further embodiment of the invention allows adjustment of the sizes and angles of the handle and arm.
A still further embodiment of the invention has a flexible arm that can be bent into different positions.
A still further embodiment of the invention has a flexible handle that can be bent into different positions.
A still further embodiment of the invention has a base that allows free movement of the mechanism of the apparatus.
A still further embodiment of the invention has a base that holds the apparatus away in front of the surface on which it is mounted and allows the handle to move freely below the level of the base. This allows, for example, the handle to be manoeuvred below the level of a table top onto which the apparatus is fixed.
A still further embodiment of the invention has a linkage mechanism that moves the arm by a different angle from the handle by means, for example, of a toothed belt, cam mechanism, link arms or similar means (not shown).
A still further embodiment of the invention has the handle attached directly to the arm (not shown).
A still further embodiment of the invention has the handle as part of the arm itself (not shown).
A still further embodiment of the invention controls the movement of the arm and the user by means, for example, of dampers, springs, stops, weights or similar means within or outside the linkage mechanism (not shown).
A still further embodiment of the invention uses means, for example, springs, weights or similar means to counter balance the weight of the arm of the apparatus and the user's arm or to lift the arm (not shown).
A still further embodiment of the invention uses means, for example, friction or viscous damping or similar means to slow the movement of the arm or to absorb the user's tremor (not shown).
Still further embodiments of the invention can enable functions such as eating, shaving and operating other equipment to be performed.

Claims (14)

1 An apparatus comprising a handle within the range of movement of the user, a tool holder within the range of use of the user and a linkage mechanism to translate movement of the handle into movement of the tool holder through an arm.
2 An apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, wherein a mechanism is provided to keep the tool holder level.
3 An apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the levelling mechanism is provided by means of a cable that is fixed at one end so that it turns within the arm keeping the tool holder level at the other end as the arm is raised or lowered.
4 An apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, wherein means are provided for adjustment of the sizes and angles of the handle and arm.
5 An apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 4, wherein the arm is flexible and can be bent into different positions.
6 An apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 4, wherein the handle is flexible and can be bent into different positions.
7 An apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the apparatus is mounted on a base that allows free movement of the mechanism of the apparatus.
8 An apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 7, wherein the handle can be moved freely below the level of the base.
9 An apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the linkage mechanism moves the arm by a different angle from the handle.
10 An apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the handle is attached directly to the arm or is the arm.
11 An apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, wherein means are provided within the linkage mechanism to control the movement of the arm and the user.
12 An apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 11, wherein means are provided to counter balance or lift the arm of the apparatus and the user's arm.
13 An apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 11, wherein means are provided to damp the movement of the arm of the apparatus and the user's arm.
14 An apparatus substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 1-2 of the accompanying drawing.
GB9407051A 1994-04-07 1994-04-07 Apparatus to aid people with muscle weakness, eg a feeding aid Withdrawn GB2288453A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9407051A GB2288453A (en) 1994-04-07 1994-04-07 Apparatus to aid people with muscle weakness, eg a feeding aid

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9407051A GB2288453A (en) 1994-04-07 1994-04-07 Apparatus to aid people with muscle weakness, eg a feeding aid

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB9407051D0 GB9407051D0 (en) 1994-06-01
GB2288453A true GB2288453A (en) 1995-10-18

Family

ID=10753281

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB9407051A Withdrawn GB2288453A (en) 1994-04-07 1994-04-07 Apparatus to aid people with muscle weakness, eg a feeding aid

Country Status (1)

Country Link
GB (1) GB2288453A (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2418615A (en) * 2004-09-30 2006-04-05 Henry Albert Nichols Arm restraint

Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3884365A (en) * 1974-03-19 1975-05-20 Thomson Ind Inc Workpiece manipulator
US3885681A (en) * 1974-06-28 1975-05-27 Pasquale M Mancino Feeding device
US3923166A (en) * 1973-10-11 1975-12-02 Nasa Remote manipulator system
US4231603A (en) * 1979-02-15 1980-11-04 Zelm Willem D Van Gripping device for handicapped persons
US4374600A (en) * 1980-09-02 1983-02-22 Zelm Willem D Van Lock-type gripping device for handicapped persons
US4624613A (en) * 1984-07-28 1986-11-25 Kyoko Taniguchi Self-service apparatus for serving foods or drinks
US5037261A (en) * 1989-12-08 1991-08-06 Winsford Products, Inc. Spoon support mechanism in a self-feeding device for handicapped persons
WO1993007788A1 (en) * 1991-10-17 1993-04-29 Association For Retarded Citizens Of The U.S. Assistive dining device, system and method

Patent Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3923166A (en) * 1973-10-11 1975-12-02 Nasa Remote manipulator system
US3884365A (en) * 1974-03-19 1975-05-20 Thomson Ind Inc Workpiece manipulator
US3885681A (en) * 1974-06-28 1975-05-27 Pasquale M Mancino Feeding device
US4231603A (en) * 1979-02-15 1980-11-04 Zelm Willem D Van Gripping device for handicapped persons
US4374600A (en) * 1980-09-02 1983-02-22 Zelm Willem D Van Lock-type gripping device for handicapped persons
US4624613A (en) * 1984-07-28 1986-11-25 Kyoko Taniguchi Self-service apparatus for serving foods or drinks
US5037261A (en) * 1989-12-08 1991-08-06 Winsford Products, Inc. Spoon support mechanism in a self-feeding device for handicapped persons
WO1993007788A1 (en) * 1991-10-17 1993-04-29 Association For Retarded Citizens Of The U.S. Assistive dining device, system and method

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2418615A (en) * 2004-09-30 2006-04-05 Henry Albert Nichols Arm restraint

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB9407051D0 (en) 1994-06-01

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
WAP Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1)