Handicapped Self Feeder
A feeder device for feeding a user may include a supporting arm, a food tube to cooperate with the support arm and to hold food for the user, a rotating bearing to rotate the supply arm and a slider device to extrude the food out of the food tube so that the user can be fed without holding the food. The food tube may be flexible, and the feeder device may include a motor to rotate the rotating bearing. The motor may move the slider device along the supporting arm, and the motor may move between a first position and a second position. The motor may pivot between the first position and the second position, and the feeder device may include a control arm to control the rotation of the rotating bearing. The control arm may include a pin to position the rotating bearing, and the motor may be deactivated when the pin engages the rotating bearing. The slider device may include a movable nut member, and the motor may rotate a threaded shaft to move the slider device. The threaded shaft may cooperate with the movable nut member to move the slider device, and the movable nut device may be operable between a first position and a second position.
The present invention relates to a device to allow an impaired user to select and obtain food, automomously, the choice and delivery being triggered by hand, or by any area of the user's body, arm, leg, foot, etc. that can activate an electrical switch with minimal movement or effort.
BACKGROUNDIndividuals with debilitating conditions from accidents, age, or disease often have difficulty feeding themselves or have food reach their mouth without considerable spillage. The ability for them to do this effectively and autonomously without help and without the cost of an assistant has considerable appeal. The fact that the feed tubes can be filled and frozen to shorten the time for future meal preparation may be also desirable. The cost of a food tube, near that of a soda straw, makes it disposable after a single use.
While food feeders for babies, invalids and the like are known in the art, they have been in the form of utensils filled from other packages and most often require an assistant. This personnel cost in nursing homes tends to be considerable. A system that can reduce meal preparation time and cost, the cost of assisted feeding, and reduce dishwashing, sterilization and cleanup time is obviously desirable to all caretakers. While food feeders for babies, invalids and the like are known in the art, they have usually been in the form of utensils filled from other packages thus presenting a sanitation problem as well as being too expensive for single disposable use.
SUMMARYA feeder device for feeding a user may include a supporting arm, a food tube to cooperate with the support arm and to hold food for the user, a rotating bearing to rotate the supply arm and a slider device to extrude the food out of the food tube so that the user can be fed without holding the food.
The food tube may be flexible, and the feeder device may include a motor to rotate the rotating bearing.
The motor may move the slider device along the supporting arm, and the motor may move between a first position and a second position.
The motor may pivot between the first position and the second position, and the feeder device may include a control arm to control the rotation of the rotating bearing.
The control arm may include a pin to position the rotating bearing, and the motor may be deactivated when the pin engages the rotating bearing.
The slider device moves along guardrails.
The slider device may include a movable nut member, and the motor may rotate a threaded shaft to move the slider device.
The threaded shaft may cooperate with the movable nut member to move the slider device, and the movable nut device may be operable between a first position and a second position.
The slider device may return to a start position.
The invention may be understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which, like reference numerals identify like elements, and in which:
The feeding device may have several supporting arms radiating up and out from a rotating hub, each supporting an attachable, flexible food tube. A small electric motor in a down or default position may be used to rotate the tubes to select a given food, using a friction drive. A selected food tube may be first locked in a delivery position, and the electric motor is deactivated when the stop pin engages the rotating hub.
This electric motor may be rotated upward manually or by the activation of an electromagnet to engage the gear on the end of the threaded rod that extends under and up each support arm. Both the rotation of the motor and the switch that controls the motor may be operated by hand or electrically with the switch requiring minimum movement and may be operated by the users arm, leg, and or body part.
The two half nut pressing against the side of the threaded rod may be used to provide the force to propel a slider up and out along the support arm, pressing food out of the upper end of the food tube and into the mouth of the user who may need to lean forward a few inches.
Forcing the two half nuts apart may release them from the threaded rod and allows the slider to be repositioned at the bottom of the support arm in the start position.
The food tube flexibility may allow kernels of corn, beans, and the like To be extruded.
Multiple tubes can be filled quickly with a simple pastry bag or by an automatic machine and in either case, frozen for later use.
While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the description herein of specific embodiments is not intended to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed.
Claims
1) A feeder device for feeding a user, comprising:
- a supporting arm
- a food tube to cooperate with the support arm and to hold food for the user;
- a rotating bearing to rotate the supply arm;
- a slider device to extrude the food out of the food tube so that the user can be fed without holding the food.
2) A feeder device for feeding a user as in claim 1, wherein the food tube is flexible.
3) A feeder device for feeding a user as in claim 1, wherein the feeder device includes a motor to rotate the rotating bearing.
4) A feeder device for feeding a user as in claim 3, wherein the motor moves the slider device along the supporting arm.
5) A feeder device for feeding a user as in claim 4, wherein the motor moves between a first position and a second position.
6) A feeder device for feeding a user as in claim 5, wherein the motor pivots between the first position and the second position.
7) A feeder device for feeding a user as in claim 1, wherein the feeder device includes a control arm to control the rotation of the rotating bearing.
8) A feeder device for feeding a user as in claim 7, wherein the control arm includes a pin to position the rotating bearing.
9) A feeder device for feeding a user as in claim 8, wherein the motor is deactivated when the pin engages the rotating bearing.
10) A feeder device for feeding a user as in claim 1, wherein the slider device moves along guardrails.
11) A feeder device for feeding a user as in claim 10, wherein the slider device includes a movable nut member.
12) A feeder device for feeding a user as in claim 11, wherein the motor rotates a threaded shaft to move the slider device.
13) A feeder device for feeding a user as in claim 12, wherein the threaded shaft cooperate with the movable nut member to move the slider device.
14) A feeder device for feeding a user as in claim 13, wherein the movable nut device is operable between a first position and a second position.
15) A feeder device for feeding a user as in claim 14, wherein the movable nut device disengages the threaded shaft in order for the slider device to return to a start position.
Type: Application
Filed: May 29, 2010
Publication Date: Dec 1, 2011
Inventor: Brashier Temple Barnard (Dallas, TX)
Application Number: 12/790,810
International Classification: A47G 21/08 (20060101);