GB2553624A

GB2553624A - Scooping mechanism

Info

Publication number: GB2553624A
Application number: GB1709528.2A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michaelis Jonathan
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2016-06-20
Filing date: 2017-06-15
Publication date: 2018-03-14
Anticipated expiration: 2037-06-15
Also published as: GB201610690D0; GB201709528D0; NL1042429B1; GB2553624B; GB2551506A

Abstract

A feeding device comprises a main bracket 1 capable of rotation about a vertical axis (2, fig 3), outer 4 and inner arms mounted concentrically to the main bracket and capable of rotation about a longitudinal axis 14 whereby the inner arm can rotate relative to the outer arm and a holder 7 for an item of cutlery mounted on the inner arm. The arms together are capable of rotating relative to the main bracket about a horizontal axis (5, fig 3). The main bracket has a cam or guide 12 mounted in a vertical plane. Attached to the proximal end of the inner arm is a tilting follower 11 that engages with the cam so that as the arms are raised and lowered in a vertical direction, the inner arm is caused to rotate about a longitudinal axis 14, causing the item of cutlery to exhibit a scooping motion relative to a bowl or plate situated on the distal end of base part 3. A toothed belt (18, fig 3) may be fitted over a non-rotating part (19, fig 3) attached at the proximal end to the main bracket, and at the distal end to a part (20, fig 3) attached to the cutlery holder to ensure the cutlery remains stable laterally.

Description

(54) Title of the Invention: Scooping mechanism

Abstract Title: Manually operated feeding device with scooping action (57) A feeding device comprises a main bracket 1 capable of rotation about a vertical axis (2, fig 3), outer 4 and inner arms mounted concentrically to the main bracket and capable of rotation about a longitudinal axis 14 whereby the inner arm can rotate relative to the outer arm and a holder 7 for an item of cutlery mounted on the inner arm. The arms together are capable of rotating relative to the main bracket about a horizontal axis (5, fig 3). The main bracket has a cam or guide 12 mounted in a vertical plane. Attached to the proximal end of the inner arm is a tilting follower 11 that engages with the cam so that as the arms are raised and lowered in a vertical direction, the inner arm is caused to rotate about a longitudinal axis 14, causing the item of cutlery to exhibit a scooping motion relative to a bowl or plate situated on the distal end of base part 3. A toothed belt (18, fig 3) may be fitted over a nonrotating part (19, fig 3) attached at the proximal end to the main bracket, and at the distal end to a part (20, fig 3) attached to the cutlery holder to ensure the cutlery remains stable laterally.

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SCOOPING MECHANISM

The present invention relates to a scooping mechanism for an eating aid.

People with movement impairments and people with other disabilities often cannot feed themselves. Some people use feeding aids to assist with eating.

Typically, a feeding aid will hold a spoon level as it is moved around with the spoon neither tipping forward nor back. If the angle of the spoon is optimized for scooping by being tilted slightly forward, then food may slide off it as it is brought to the user’s mouth. Conversely, if the spoon is tilted back to hold food on as it is moved around, it cannot scoop food from the plate effectively.

It is an aim of the invention to provide an eating aid that offers an improved scooping action.

The invention described herein provides a means for automatically tilting down cutlery held on the arm of a feeding aid as it is lowered and for tilting it back up as it is raised thus creating a scooping action.

Aspects of the invention are directed to a tilting mechanism that automatically creates a scooping action as an arm arranged to hold an item of cutlery is lowered into and raised out of a plate.

According to an aspect of the invention there is provided an eating aid comprising: a base; a main bracket swivellably mounted on a first axis to the base; a first arm swivellably mounted on a second axis to the main bracket, wherein the second axis is offset from the first axis; a second arm extending from a proximal end at the main bracket to a distal end, the second arm being coupled with the first arm for swivelling motion therewith on the second axis and moveably mounted relative to the first arm in a further degree of freedom; a holder for cutlery, the holder coupled to the second arm; wherein the eating aid comprises a mechanism for driving a concurrent motion of the second arm in said further degree of freedom in response to a swivelling motion of the first arm and/or main bracket.

The second arm may impart a tilting, pivoting or scooping motion to the cutlery holder, e.g. concurrently with the motion of the first arm.

The mechanism may drive the concurrent motion of the second arm in response to a relative swivelling motion between the first arm and main bracket. Swivelling of the first arm about the second axis (e.g. raising and lowering a distal end of the first arm) may drive the concurrent motion of the second arm.

The further degree of freedom may comprise a rotary degree of freedom. The second arm may be rotatably mounted relative to the first arm, e.g. for rotation about a longitudinal axis of the second arm.

The second arm may be mounted for movement along (e.g. linearly) or about (e.g. rotatably) an axis that is parallel with a longitudinal axis of the first arm. The axis of motion of the second arm may be the longitudinal axis of the first arm.

The second arm may comprise a tilting follower at, or towards, the proximal end for moving/rotating the second arm relative to the first arm upon movement of the main bracket.

The eating aid may comprise a guide, e.g. on or fixed to the main bracket. The guide may comprise a profiled guide surface. The guide may be arranged to engage the tilting follower of the second arm.

The mechanism may comprise the guide and/or guide follower. Relative movement between the main bracket/guide and tilting follower may impart rotation on the second arm.

The first and second axes may be substantially perpendicular. The first axis may be a vertical axis (e.g. when oriented for use). The second axis may be a horizontal axis (e.g. when oriented for use).

The first and second arms may be parallel.

The second arm may extend with or within the first arm. The first arm may be hollow in form, e.g. along its length. The second arm may extend through the entire length of the first arm.

The cutlery holder may pivot about a longitudinal axis of the first and/or second arm.

The first arm may be an outer arm and the second arm may be an inner arm.

The first arm may comprise a grip formation for actuation of the first arm in use. Actuation of the first arm may comprise movement of the first arm relative to the main bracket, which may in turn cause a reactive motion of the second arm. Thus actuation of the first arm in one or more sense may cause a concurrent motion of the second arm in a further sense. This mechanism can thus provide a beneficial scooping action in use. The motion of the second arm may be conveyed to the cutlery holder.

The cutlery holder may be attached and/or mounted to the second arm, e.g. so as to move in unison with the concurrent motion of the second arm. The cutlery holder may be mechanically coupled to both of the first and second arm. The cutlery holder may be mounted to either or both of the first and second arms and mechanically coupled to the second arm.

The cutlery holder may be mounted in a casing.

The tilting follower may be rigidly fixed to the proximal end of the second arm, e.g. for movement/rotation in therewith.

A toothed belt mechanism may be used to keep the cutlery holder level.

Practicable embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:

Figure 1 - General rear left hand side view of an eating aid with a scooping mechanism according to an example of the invention with the arm configured for left-handed use. Figure 2 - General view of an eating aid with a scooping mechanism according to an example of the invention with cover, spoon, plate and clamps removed.

Figure 3 - Exploded view showing components of an eating aid with a scooping mechanism according to an example of the invention.

Figure 4 - Exploded view with most components removed showing a tilting follower assembly and a circular guide according to an example of the invention.

Figure 5 - Right hand end view of an eating aid with a scooping mechanism according to an example of the invention with cover, plate and clamps removed with the arm lowered and the spoon tilted down to an effective angle for scooping.

Figure 6 - Close up view from right hand end of a tilting follower assembly and a circular guide positioned according to an example of the invention as they would be with the arm lowered with other components removed.

Figure 7 - Right hand end view with the arm partially lifted and the spoon tilted partially up.

Figure 8 - Close up view from right hand end of a tilting follower assembly and a circular guide according to an example of the invention positioned as they would be with the arm lifted partially up.

Figure 9 - Right hand end view with the arm fully lifted and the spoon tilted back to an effective angle for keeping food on the spoon.

Figure 10 - Close up view from right hand end of a tilting follower assembly and a circular guide according to an example of the invention positioned as they would be with the arm fully lifted up.

Figure 11 - General rear right hand side view of an eating aid with a scooping mechanism according to an example of the invention with a plate edge stop assembly fitted with the arm configured for left-handed use.

Figure 12 - Exploded view showing subassemblies of an eating aid according to an example of the invention with a plate edge stop assembly.

Figure 13 - Right hand end view of an eating aid with a scooping mechanism according to an example of the invention with a plate edge stop assembly fitted with clamps removed and the plate and baseboard sectioned with the spoon lowered into the plate and brought forward as far as the plate edge stop assembly allows.

Figure 14 - Right hand end view with the spoon partially lifted, the plate edge stop assembly keeping the spoon from touching the plate edge.

Figure 15 - Right hand end view with the spoon fully lifted, the plate edge stop assembly no longer preventing forward movement of the spoon.

Figure 1 shows a scooping mechanism assembly. A main bracket assembly 1 is swivellably mounted on a substantially vertical axis 2 to a base 3. An outer arm assembly 4 is swivellably mounted on a substantially horizontal axis 5 to the main bracket assembly. A spoon 6 is held by a cutlery holder 7 rotatably mounted in a head casing 8. A plate 9 is swivellably mounted on the base 3 which can be held by clamps 3a to a table. A cover 10 is covering the mechanism. The outer arm assembly 4 is in an intermediate position with the cutlery 6 above the level of the plate 9 but below the level of the user’s mouth.

Figure 2 shows a scooping mechanism assembly with the cover, spoon, crockery and clamps removed with the outer arm assembly 4 in the intermediate position. A tilting follower assembly 11 is in contact with a circular guide 12. The head casing 8 is connected by an inner arm 16 not showing in this figure to the follower assembly 11; this connected subassembly being rotatably mounted around a moving axis 14 in the outer arm assembly 4.

Figure 3 shows an exploded view of a scooping mechanism. When assembled, a toothed belt 18 is positioned inside an inner arm 16 which is rotatably mounted inside the outer arm assembly 4. The bottom end of the toothed belt 18 is fitted over a bottom pulley 19 which does not rotate and is fixed to the front wall 1a of the main bracket assembly 1. The top end of the toothed belt 18 is fitted over a top pulley 20 fixed to the cutlery holder 7 which is rotatably mounted in the head casing 8 which is fixed to the inner arm 16. This is a levelling mechanism. When the outer arm assembly 4 is lifted swivelling around the substantially horizontal axis 5, because the bottom pulley 19 is fixed, the toothed belt 18 makes the cutlery holder 7 rotate within the head casing 8 keeping it at a substantially fixed angle around its own axis relative to the base 3 thus a spoon fitted to the cutlery holder 7 remains substantially level as the arm is lifted up and down stopping food falling off its sides. The tilting follower assembly 11 is fixed to the inner arm 16 it is in contact with the circular guide 12 which is fixed to the front wall 1a of the main bracket assembly 1.

Figure 4 shows a tilting follower assembly 11 separated from a circular guide 12 which it contacts when assembled into a scooping mechanism assembly. Rollers 13a and 13b are rotatably mounted to a tilting carrier 15. When assembled the rollers 13a and 13b roll over the thinner step 12a or the thicker step 12b of the circular guide 12. When the tilting follower assembly 11 is swivelled around the horizontal axis 5 the roller 13a moves from contacting thinner step 12a to the thicker step 12b whilst roller 13b moves from contacting the thicker step 12b to the thinner step 12a thus making the follower assembly 11 rotate around the moving axis 14. This mechanism tilts the spoon up and down around the moving axis 14 as the arm is lifted up and down. The toothed belt 18 will be twisted slightly as the mechanism tilts.

Figure 5 shows a scooping mechanism assembly with the arm lowered and the spoon 6 tilted down to an effective angle for scooping.

Figure 6 shows the positions of the tilting follower assembly 11 with the arm in the lowered position. The upper roller 13a is in contact with the thinner step of the circular guide 12.

The lower roller 13b is in contact with the thicker step of the circular guide 12.

Figure 7 shows a scooping mechanism assembly with the arm in an intermediate position and the spoon 6 tilted slightly back.

Figure 8 shows the positions of the tilting follower assembly 11 with the arm in the intermediate position. Both the upper roller 13a and the lower roller 13b are in contact with the circular guide 12 on the transition surface between the thinner and thicker steps

Figure 9 shows a scooping mechanism assembly with the arm raised and the spoon 6 tilted up to an effective angle for keeping food on the spoon as it is brought to the user’s mouth.

Figure 10 shows the positions of the tilting follower assembly 11 with the arm in the raised position. The upper roller 13a is in contact with the thicker step of the circular guide 12. The lower roller 13b is in contact with the thinner step of the circular guide 12.

Figure 11 shows an embodiment of the invention with a plate edge stop assembly fitted. A shaped guide 21 is fixed to the outer arm assembly 4. A barrier assembly 22 is fitted between the main bracket assembly 1 and the base 3. A first barrier 23 is part of the barrier assembly 22 and a second barrier 24 is slidably mounted on the first barrier 23. Movement of the arm is restricted when the shaped guide 21 makes contact with the barrier 23 thus preventing the spoon 6 being lifted straight up and flicking food when it is against the curled over lip of the plate 9.

Figure 12 shows an exploded view of an eating aid with a plate edge stop assembly. The shaped guide 21 is shown removed from the arm 4. The second barrier 24 is in the disengaged position away from the end of the first barrier 23 of the barrier assembly 22.

Figure 13 shows an end view of an eating aid with a plate edge stop assembly fitted with the arm lowered and brought forward so that the spoon 6 is in the plate 9 at the plate edge. The plate 9 is shown sectioned to show the position of the spoon 6 and the plate spigot 9a which is attached to the plate enabling it to be swiveled around as it is held in a hole in the base 3. The shaped guide 21 is in sliding contact with the first barrier 23 preventing it being lifted directly straight up or being moved further forward with the arm down in this position.

Figure 14 shows how the sliding contact between the shaped guide 21 and the first barrier 23 has made the arm and spoon 6 move backwards as it is lifted thus preventing the spoon 6 being lifted directly straight up and flicking food when it is against the curled over lip of the plate 9.

Figure 15 shows the arm lifted high enough for the shaped guide 21 not to touch the first barrier 23 in any backwards to forwards position thus allowing the spoon 6 to be brought forwards to the user’s mouth.

The invention causes the spoon to make a scooping action as it is moved with the spoon tilting down for effective scooping of food as the arm is lowered and tilting up to help keep food on the spoon as it is lifted.

In the embodiment shown, rollers on the tilting follower assembly 11 fixed to the bottom of the inner arm 16 follow a fixed shaped guide 12 fixed to the main bracket assembly 1..

The invention applies equally to the opposite arrangement with a shaped surface fixed to the bottom of the inner arm 16 acted upon by rollers on axles fixed to the main bracket assembly 1. The invention applies equally to arrangements using low friction slides rather than rollers.

In a specific embodiment of the invention, the rollers include soft tyres. This reduces noise from the mechanism, allows wider component machining tolerances and enables constant contact between the rollers and guide. The invention applies equally to other arrangements.

The invention applies equally when used with items of cutlery other than a spoon and when used with things other than cutlery. The invention applies equally when the cutlery or other item is fitted directly rather than through a cutlery holder.

In the embodiment of the invention shown, the axis of the cutlery holder is substantially horizontal when the spoon is in the lowest position suitable for scooping. The invention applies equally to other arrangements.

In a specific embodiment of the invention the circular guide 12 is fitted at about 180 degrees to the embodiment shown in the figures so that the cutlery tilts down as the arm is lowered and tilts up as it is lifted. A fork fitted to the cutlery holder would thus make a stabbing action as it is lowered to the plate.

In a specific embodiment of the invention the position of the guide is easily moved to create different scooping actions in different positions. The invention applies equally where the guide is fixed.

In the embodiment of the invention shown, levelling of the spoon is performed using a toothed belt mechanism. The invention applies equally where alternative levelling mechanisms are employed or no levelling mechanism.

In a specific embodiment of the invention a toothed belt mechanism is employed with the belt twisted half a turn. As the arm swivels around the substantially horizontal axis the cutlery holder turns at twice the angle of swivel. A fork fitted to the cutlery holder would thus make a stabbing action as it is lowered to the plate.

In the embodiment of the invention shown viscous dampers are used to damp out tremor in the up and down movement of the arm swivelling around the substantially horizontal axis 5 and of the backwards and forwards movement of the arm swivelling around the substantially vertical axis 2. The invention applies equally to embodiments using damping means other than viscous damping or when no damping is used.

The invention applies equally to embodiments with spring loaded movement of the arm around either or both of the substantially horizontal or vertical axes and to embodiments with means to limit the range of movement. The invention applies equally to embodiments without these means.

In the embodiment of the invention shown, the user moves the arm themselves by holding a handgrip on the outer arm assembly 4. The invention applies equally to embodiments where other means of moving the arm is provided such as an electrically powered system.

An embodiment of the invention shown has a plate edge stop assembly fitted preventing the spoon from flicking against the edge of the plate as it is lifted. The invention applies equally to embodiments without a plate edge stop assembly fitted.

An embodiment of the invention shown has a second barrier 24 slidably mounted on the first barrier 23. This enables the invention to be used effectively and easily with different size plates and spoons as the second barrier is slid into place to make sliding contact with the shaped guide 21. The invention applies equally to embodiments with the second barrier mounted in a different way and to embodiments without a second barrier.

Whilst the above description is provided in relation to a rotating motion ofthe second arm, it will be appreciated that the second arm could otherwise move in an axial direction, e.g. along or parallel to axis 14. The axial motion ofthe second arm could be used to impart a scooping/rocking motion ofthe cutlery holder, e.g. by a pivoting/rocking see-saw arrangement or similar at the distal end of the second arm. Other degrees of freedom of the second arm relative to the first arm could be considered, e.g. if the space available within the interior of the first arm is increased. The second arm could potentially pivot or be translated relative to the first arm to impart a scooping motion to the cutlery holder by a suitable coupling.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. An eating aid comprising: a base;

a main bracket swivellably mounted on a first axis to the base; a first arm swivellably mounted on a second axis to the main bracket, wherein the second axis is offset from the first axis;

a second arm extending from a proximal end at the main bracket to a distal end, the second arm being coupled with the first arm for swivelling motion therewith on the second axis and moveably mounted relative to the first arm in a further degree of freedom;

a holder for cutlery coupled to the second arm; and, a mechanism for driving a concurrent motion of the second arm in said further degree of freedom in response to a swivelling motion of the first arm and/or main bracket.

2. An eating aid as claimed in claim 1 wherein the mechanism is configured to cause a scooping action of a piece of cutlery fitted to the holder as a free end of the first arm is lowered and/or raised.

3. An eating aid as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the mechanism causes the concurrent motion of the second arm in response to a relative swivelling motion between the first arm and main bracket.

4. An eating aid as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the further degree of freedom is a rotary degree of freedom and the second arm is rotatably mounted relative to the first arm.

5. An eating aid as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the second arm is mounted for rotation about a further axis that is parallel with a longitudinal axis of the first arm.

6. An eating aid as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the mechanism comprises a tilting follower mounted in a force path between the second arm and main bracket for moving the second arm relative to the first arm upon movement of the main bracket.

7. An eating aid as claimed in a claim 6, wherein the mechanism comprises a guide on the main bracket, the guide and tilting follower having opposing engaging surfaces, wherein at least one of said surfaces is profiled to impart said concurrent motion to the second arm.

8. An eating aid as claimed in claim 6 or 7, wherein the tilting follower is rigidly fixed to the proximal end of the second arm.

9. An eating aid as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the tilting follower has slides that run over the guide and the guide is shaped in order to rotate the tilting follower around a longitudinal axis of the second arm as the second arm is swivelled around the second axis with the first arm.

10. An eating aid as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein the tilting follower has differently shaped surface portions so that it rotates around a longitudinal axis of the second arm as the second arm is swivelled around the second axis and different surface portions of the tilting follower run over the guide.

11. An eating aid as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein the tilting follower and/or guide comprise rollers.

12. An eating aid as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein first and second axes are substantially perpendicular.

13. An eating aid as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the first and second arms are mounted in a parallel arrangement.

14. An eating aid as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the second arm is mounted within a hollow interior of the first arm.

15. An eating aid as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising a levelling mechanism for the holder.

16. An eating aid as claimed in claim 15, wherein the levelling mechanism comprises a belt and pulley system arranged to rotate the holder in a different sense to the concurrent movement imparted by the second arm.

17. An eating aid as claimed in claim 16, wherein the levelling mechanism comprises a belt extending from the main bracket around a pulley coupled to the holder for cutlery, wherein the movement of the pulley rotates the cutlery holder in said different sense to the concurrent movement imparted by the second arm.

18. An eating aid as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the second arm causes pivoting of the holder about a longitudinal axis of the first and/or second arm.

19. An eating aid as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the holder is mounted to the first arm and mechanically coupled to the second arm.

20. A scooping mechanism as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein a shaped guide makes contact with a barrier to limit movement of the first and/or second arm.

21. A scooping mechanism as claimed in claim 20 wherein the shaped guide making contact with the barrier prevents cutlery held by the cutlery holder being lifted straight up at a plate edge.

22. A scooping mechanism as claimed in claims 20 or 21 wherein a second barrier can be mounted to change the limits of the range of movement of the first and/or second arm.

Intellectual

Property

Office

GB1709528.2

1-22