Patent ID: 6705815
Filing Date: 2004-03-16
Classification: A47G

Abstract:
A self-feeder for the handicapped, comprising:a base; an upright support on said base; a cross arm supported on the upright support for rotation about a vertical axis thereby to swing said cross arm horizontally, and further supported for pivotal movement in a vertical plane thereby to raise and lower a free end of said cross arm; a spoon holder supported near said free end for pivotal movement in said vertical plane relative to said cross arm and a control handle attached to said spoon holder for use in pivoting said spoon holder by a user; a linkage mechanism operative for maintaining said spoon holder in a constant attitude relative to the base during said pivotal movement of said cross arm in said vertical plane; and a spring contained in said upright support and urging said cross arm to a maximally elevated position and a one way damper for controlling the rate of upward movement of said cross arm under said urging; whereby a spoon held on said spoon holder may be lowered by pushing down on said cross arm or said control handle against the force of said spring for scooping food from a food bowl on said base and the cross arm may then be released to an elevated position under said spring urging to raise said spoon to the mouth of a user while keeping the spoon level to avoid spilling the food from the spoon.