Abstract:
A manual implement that facilitates a person&#39;s ability to perform and participate in everyday life activities and may include a first arm and a second arm pivotally connected to the first arm. The first arm may be biased away from the second arm. The first arm may also include a longitudinal axis, a finger guide, and a plurality of connection locations with the finger guide selectively connected to the first arm at one of the connection locations and selectively disposed at an angle to the axis. The second arm may include a thumb guide and a longitudinal axis so that the thumb guide may be selectively disposed at an angle to the axis of the second arm. The manual implement may also include a weight attached proximate the connection between the first arm and the second arm.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/776,086, filed Feb. 23, 2006. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates generally to assistive manual implements or utensils for use primarily by persons who have difficulty using ordinary implements in the conduct of their everyday life activities. For example, persons may have difficulty eating, performing personal care and grooming, writing, engaging in hobbies or craftwork, etc. because of physical limitations and challenges in using traditional manual utensils, tools, and implements. 
         [0003]    Maintaining a person&#39;s independent life skills is important for physical and psychological well-being. Remaining independent and self-reliant in performing ordinary life skills promotes a person&#39;s health, self-esteem, feeling of self-worth, and optimism. This independence and self-reliance capability is one of the deciding factors for maintaining a healthy, optimistic view on life; loss of this capability often contributes to the development of debilitating depression. This can be especially true where a person has lost the ability to feed and care for oneself with the ordinary manual utensils and implements currently available. 
         [0004]    A person&#39;s difficulty in holding, gripping, and using ordinary implements may develop with age, or be caused by physical injuries or infirmities, reliance on prosthetics, learning disabilities, or the loss of mental capacity. For example, a person may be mentally or otherwise learning disabled and may have great difficulty using ordinary manual implements. A person may develop arthritis, such as rheumatoid or osteoarthritis, that may reduce hand strength and movement, or result in deformation of the hands, such as ulnar drift. A person may develop blindness, Parkinson&#39;s disease, or other neurologic or neuromuscular degenerative conditions that may make the use of ordinary manual utensils and implements difficult or impossible. 
         [0005]    Maintaining a person&#39;s independent life skills for as long as possible is important and desirable due to financial considerations. The costs to provide care and assistance to persons who have difficulty using ordinary manual utensils just to feed themselves continue to escalate. A caregiver may be required to help feed persons unable to use conventional implements. The caregiver may be a family member, an independent contractor, or a health care facility employee; in any case, an enormous amount of time, energy, and financial resources are consumed in order to meet this basic need. It would be an improvement in the art to provide assistive manual implements which enable persons to feed themselves and perform common personal care and grooming without the need for caregivers to do so. 
         [0006]    This challenge is growing rapidly due to the significant worldwide aging population increase, particularly of persons over the age of 65. It is estimated that  15 % of the United States&#39; elderly population will have serious illnesses or be otherwise be disabled to the point that they must be cared for by family members or institutions. Accordingly, the need exists for assistive manual implements to promote the independent life skills of people of all ages and ability who may have difficulty holding, gripping, or using ordinary utensils and implements. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    The apparatus of the present invention has been developed in response to the present state of the art, and in particular, in response to the problems and needs in the art that have not been fully solved by currently available assistive manual implements. Thus, the present invention provides an assistive manual implement which facilitates a person&#39;s ability to perform and participate in everyday life activities. The invention is ergonomically designed to provide an adjustable, multi-use manual implement that enhances ambidexterity, especially for persons with physical limitations and challenges in using traditional manual utensils, tools, and implements. 
         [0008]    The manual implement includes a first arm pivotally connected to a second arm. In some configurations of the manual implement the first and second arms may be brought together to grip food and other objects permitting the user to maintain a relatively independent life style. 
         [0009]    The connection between the first arm and the second arm may be a hinged pivot. Alternatively, the first arm may be integrally formed with the second arm as a unitary body so that the connection is compliant material extending between the first arm and the second arm. 
         [0010]    The connection may also include a biasing mechanism that biases the first arm away from the second arm. More specifically, the biasing mechanism may be a spring or the elastic deformation of the integrally formed connection. Of course, the biasing mechanism may also bias the first arm toward the second arm. 
         [0011]    The first arm includes a longitudinal axis and a finger guide. The finger guide may be connected to the first arm so that it may be selectively disposable at an angle to the axis. To provide a connection between the finger guide and the first arm that permits the finger guide to be selectively disposable at an angle to the axis, the finger guide may be pivotally coupled to the first arm by a rivet or a pin. 
         [0012]    In some configurations, the finger guide may be selectively disposed at a limited number of angles to the first arm ranging from about 0 degrees to about 180 degrees. In other configurations, the finger guide may be disposed at a limited number of angles to the first arm ranging from about 85 degrees to about 135 degrees. 
         [0013]    A frictional member may be disposed between the finger guide and the first arm to resist movement between the first arm and the finger guide. The frictional material may be an elastomeric material, such as rubber or neoprene. Alternatively, the frictional material may be a surface finish on the first arm and the finger guide. 
         [0014]    Alternatively, the connection between the first arm and the finger guide may include a plurality of radial grooves disposed about the pivotal connection between the finger guide and the first arm. In this configuration, the finger guide includes a ridge that engages one of the plurality of grooves to selectively dispose and retain the finger guide at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the first arm. The finger guide may be biased against the first arm by a spring in order to retain the ridge within the groove, which resists movement of the finger guide relative to the first arm. 
         [0015]    Where the finger guide may only be disposed at a limited number of angles, radial grooves are only provided at those limited angles. By limiting the number of angles, rotation between the finger guide and first arm may be further controlled. 
         [0016]    The first arm may also include a plurality of connection locations, wherein the finger guide may be selectively connected to the first arm at one of the connection locations. 
         [0017]    The second arm may include a thumb guide and a longitudinal axis. Similarly to the finger guide, the thumb guide may be selectively disposable at an angle to the axis of the second arm and may be disposable at a plurality of connection locations in order to better fit the hand of a user. 
         [0018]    The finger guide and the thumb guide may be made of metal or plastic. In some configurations, the finger guide and the thumb guide may have a metal core covered with an elastomeric material, such as rubber, polyurethane, and other elastomeric materials known in the art. 
         [0019]    The manual implement may include one or more weights attached proximate the connection between the first arm and the second arm. The weights may help steady a user&#39;s hand and improve the user&#39;s control and use of the manual implement. 
         [0020]    At the distal ends of the first and second arms, which are opposite the connection between the first arm and the second arm, a variety of tools may be attached. In some configurations, the distal ends of the first and second arms may each be shaped as a spoon. 
         [0021]    In other configurations, the first and second arms may each comprise an attachment mechanism configured to removably attach tools to each respective arm. The tools may include eating utensils such as forks, spoons, knives, chopsticks, tongs; writing instruments, such as pencils, pens, and styli; personal care and grooming implements such as toothbrushes, combs, brushes, and tweezers; tools and hobby implements such as pliers, scissors, knives, screwdrivers, knitting needles, paint brushes, spatulas, and other implements known in the art. The invention may also include a gripping device configured to hold an ordinary utensil. 
         [0022]    In yet further embodiments, the implement will only have a first arm and will lack a second arm or a hinge. Rather, in this embodiment, the implement will include a thumb grip that is positioned on the bottom side of the first arm which may be gripped by the user&#39;s thumb. The thumb grip provides a convenient and efficient surface that may be gripped by the user&#39;s thumb. 
         [0023]    The implement allows persons of all ages, young and old alike, who have hand ailments or other anatomical or physiological problems to feed themselves or perform other tasks with dignity, self-respect, poise, and pride gained through renewed independence and self-reliance, regardless of skill level. 
         [0024]    These and other features and advantages of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of the invention as set forth hereinafter. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0025]    In order that the manner in which the above-recited and other features and advantages of the invention are obtained will be readily understood, a more particular description of the invention briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0026]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a manual implement according to the invention; 
           [0027]      FIG. 2A  is a cross sectional view along lines  2 A- 2 A of the connection between the first arm and the finger guide of the manual implement of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0028]      FIG. 2B  is a side elevation view of an alternative connection between the first arm and the finger guide of the manual implement of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0029]      FIG. 3  is a top view of the grooves of the positioning member; 
           [0030]      FIG. 4  is a top view of a first arm and a finger guide of a manual implement; 
           [0031]      FIG. 4A  is a side elevation view of the connection between the first arm and the finger guide of  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0032]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of another configuration of a manual implement; 
           [0033]      FIG. 6  is a cross sectional view along line  6 - 6  of the manual implement of  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0034]      FIG. 7  is a cross sectional view along line  7 - 7  of the manual implement of  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0035]      FIGS. 8A-8D  are perspective views illustrating some tools that may be removably attached to the manual implement of  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0036]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a gripping device configured to hold an ordinary utensil that may be removably attached to the manual implement of  FIG. 5 ; and 
           [0037]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a further configuration of a manual implement that is similar to the embodiment of  FIG. 5 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0038]    The presently preferred embodiments of the present invention will be best understood by reference to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like numerals throughout. It will be readily understood that the components of the present invention, as generally described and illustrated in the figures herein, could be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations. Thus, the following more detailed description of the embodiments of the manual implement of the present invention, as represented in  FIGS. 1 through 9 , is not intended to limit the scope of the invention, as claimed, but is merely representative of presently preferred embodiments of the invention. 
         [0039]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , a perspective view illustrates a manual implement  100  having a first arm  102  pivotally connected and integrally formed with a second arm  104 . The connection  106  between the first arm  102  and the second arm  104  is compliant and acts to permit the first arm  102  to be pivoted toward and away from the second arm  104 . The connection  106  also acts as a biasing mechanism  108  to bias the first arm  102  toward or away from the second arm  104  when the first arm  102  is moved from the neutral position, as shown. 
         [0040]    Opposite the connection  106  are the distal ends  110  of the first and second arms  102 ,  104 . The distal ends  110  may each include a tool  112  resembling a spoon. The tools  112  may be used by a user to grasp and hold food, liquids, and objects. 
         [0041]    Additionally, the first arm  102  may be pivotally connected to a finger guide  114  by a pin  116 . Similarly, a thumb guide  118  may be pivotally connected to the second arm  104  by a pin (not shown). The pin  116  may be a rivet, screw, bolt, or other mechanical fastener known in the art. More specifically and as shown in  FIG. 2A , a cross sectional view along lines  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1  illustrates the pin  116  connecting the first arm  102  with the finger guide  114 . 
         [0042]    As shown in  FIG. 2A , a frictional member  130  may be disposed between the finger guide  114  and the first arm  102  to resist movement between the first arm  102  and the finger guide  114 . The frictional material  130  may be an elastomeric material, such as rubber or neoprene. When assembled, the pin  116  may compress the frictional material  130  between the finger guide  114  and the first arm  102 . The compression of the frictional member  130  provides a frictional force between the finger guide  114  and the first arm  102  that must be overcome in order to pivot the finger guide  114  relative to the first arm  102 . 
         [0043]    Additionally, the frictional member  130  may deform to provide temporary movement between finger guide  114  and the first arm  102 . This temporary movement provides a more comfortable guide during use as the finger guide  114  conforms to the position and motion of the user&#39;s hand while grasping the manual implement  100 . 
         [0044]    Referring to  FIG. 2B , a side elevation view illustrates an alternative pivotal connection  140  between the first arm  102  and the finger guide  114  of the manual implement  100 . As shown, the first arm  102  may include positioning member  141  having a plurality of radial grooves  142  disposed about a pin  144 . The pin  144  pivotally connects and extends between the first arm  102  and the finger guide  114 . The finger guide  114  may include a reciprocal positioning member  145  having a ridge  146  that engages one of the plurality of grooves  142 . A spring  148  biases the ridge  146  and the groove  142  into engagement and helps to resist movement of the finger guide  114  relative to the first arm  102 . 
         [0045]    When a change is desired in the position of the finger guide  114  relative to the first arm  102 , the ridge  146  of the finger guide  114  may be moved out of engagement with the grooves  142  of the first arm  102  to compress the spring  148  and the finger guide  114  positioned relative to the first arm  102 . 
         [0046]      FIG. 3  further illustrates a configuration of the positioning member  141 . As shown, the positioning member  141  may include grooves  142 . It is intended that grooves  142  of the positioning member  141  engage corresponding ridges  146  of the reciprocal positioning member  145 . It will be appreciated that when a positioning member  131  is mated with a reciprocal positioning member  145 , such as illustrated in  FIG. 2B , the grooves  142  and ridges  146  surround the pivotal connection  140 . The grooves  142  and ridges  146  provide multiple points of contact and a secure connection between the first arm  102  and the finger guide  114 . 
         [0047]      FIG. 4  is a top view of an alternative first arm  160  and finger guide  162  of the manual implement  100 . As shown, the first arm  160  includes a plurality of connection points  164  and connecting slot  165  extending between them. The plurality of connection points  164  and the connecting slot  165  permit the finger guide  162  to be selectively positioned and pivotally connected to any one of the plurality of connection points  164  permitting the manual implement  100  to be fitted to the user for increased comfort. 
         [0048]    Additionally, the first arm  160  may include a longitudinal axis  166 . The finger guide  162  may be disposed at an angle  170  to the longitudinal axis  166  of the first arm  160  ranging from about 0 degrees to about 180 degrees. Alternatively, the finger guide  162  may be disposed at an angle  170  to the first  160  arm ranging from about 85 degrees to about 135 degrees. 
         [0049]    The first arm  160  may also be limited in the range of angles  170  in which it may be disposed. To limit the range of angles  170  at which the finger guide  162  may be disposed relative to the first arm  160 , the finger guide  162  may include limiting extensions  172  that prevent further rotation relative to the first arm  160  beyond the desired range of angles  170 . The limiting extensions  172  extend downward to engage the first arm  160  at the maximum angles  170  of the desired range of angles  170 . 
         [0050]    Referring to  FIG. 4A , a side elevation view illustrates the plurality of connection points  164  of the first arm  160  and the pivotal connection  174  of the finger guide  162  to one of the connection points  164 . As shown, the finger guide  162  may be connected to the first arm  160  by a pin  176 . 
         [0051]    The pin  176  may include a narrow neck  178  that permits the pin  176  to slide in the connecting slot  165  between the connecting points  164 . A wide shaft  180  of the pin  176  permits engagement and retention of the pin  176  in one of the connecting points  164  which has a similarly wide retention impression  182 . The pin  176  may be retained in one of the connection points  164  by the spring  184 . 
         [0052]    To change the position of finger guide  162  relative to the first arm  160 , the finger guide is raised to disengage the wide shaft  180  from the retention impression  182  and to compress the spring  184 . The pin  176  is slide along the connecting slot  165  to the desired connecting point  164  where the wide shaft  180  is permitted to engage the retention impression  182  of the desired connecting point  164 . 
         [0053]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , a perspective view illustrates another configuration of the manual implement  200 . As shown, the manual implement  200  may include a first arm  202  pivotally connected to a second arm  204  by a hinge  206 . A finger guide  208  may be connected to the first arm  202  and a thumb guide  210  may be connected to the second arm  204 . 
         [0054]    The finger guide  208  and the thumb guide  210  may be covered by an elastomeric or plastic coating (not shown) for increased comfort. The finger guide  208  and the thumb guide  210  may also be ergonomically shaped to better conform to the shape of the fingers and thumb of a user&#39;s hand. 
         [0055]    Opposite the hinge  206 , at the distal ends  216  of the first arm  202  and the second arm  204 , are attachment mechanisms  220  configured to removably attach one of the tools  222 , which will be discussed below in relation to  FIG. 6 . The attachment mechanism  220  includes a control surface  223  that may be easily engaged by a user to actuate the attachment mechanism  220  to release an attached tool  222 . As shown, the tool  222  may be a spoon  224 . 
         [0056]    Additionally, the manual implement  200  may include a weight coupling feature  226  that permits a weight (shown in  FIG. 7 ) to be attached to the manual implement and disposed near the pivotal connection of the hinge  206 . This positions the weight near the palm of a user&#39;s hand when the manual implement  200  is being used. Consequently, the weight may help steady the hands of user&#39;s afflicted by neurological damage. 
         [0057]      FIG. 6  is a cross sectional view taken along line  6 - 6  of  FIG. 5  which illustrates the attachment mechanism  220  of the manual implement  200 . As shown, one of the tools  222  is connected to the attachment mechanism  220  and disposed within the distal end  216  of the one of the first or second arms  202 ,  204 . The walls  228  of the first or second arms  202 ,  204  help to support and orient the tool  222 . 
         [0058]    The tool  222  includes an engagement feature  230  that may be brought into positive engagement with the retention feature  232  of the attachment mechanism  220 . 
         [0059]    The retention feature  232  is part of a cap  234  that is attached to button  236  opposite the control surface  223 . The retention feature  232  may include an angled surface that permits a tool  222  to abut and slide over the retention feature  232  until retention feature  232  is brought into engagement with the engagement feature  230  of the tool  222 . The button  236  may be biased by a spring  238  to maintain the retention feature  232  in engagement with the engagement feature  230 . It will be appreciated that other releasable retention features, such as releasable snap-fit engagement mechanisms, may be used to secure the tool  222  to the first or second arms. 
         [0060]    Referring to  FIG. 7 , a cross sectional view along line  7 - 7  of  FIG. 5  illustrates the weight coupling feature  226  of the manual implement  200  being disposed near the hinge  206 . The weight coupling feature  226  may include holder  240  and a lid  242  for concealing one or more weights  244  within the manual implement  200 . The weights  244  may have different densities and sizes in order to better customize the manual implement to a user&#39;s needs. 
         [0061]    Also shown, the manual implement  200  may include a biasing mechanism  250 , such as a spring  252 , for biasing the first arm  202  away from the second arm  204 . 
         [0062]    Referring to  FIGS. 8A-8D , perspective views illustrating some possible tools  222  that may be removably attached to the manual implement  200  of  FIG. 5 . As shown, the tools  222  may include a fork  260 , a knife  262 , a tooth brush  264 , and a comb  266 . Each of the tools includes an attachment end  268  for coupling the tool  222  to the attachment mechanisms  220  of the manual implement  200  shown in  FIG. 5 . It will be appreciated that the invention may be used with a variety of other tools and implements not shown in  FIGS. 8A-8D , including but not limited to eating utensils, writing instruments, personal care and grooming implements, tools and hobby implements, and other useful implements known in the art. 
         [0063]      FIG. 9  illustrates another tool  222  that includes a gripping device  270  configured to hold ordinary utensils (not shown). The gripping device  270  includes a first lever arm  272  and a second lever arm  274  that each provides a large control surfaces  276  and gripping end  278 . 
         [0064]    A pivot  280  connects the first and the second lever arms  272 ,  274 . The pivot  280  is disposed to provide a mechanical advantage when the control surfaces  276  are engaged to move the gripping ends of the first and the second lever arms  272 ,  274  away from each other. Consequently, the hand strength of a user required to operate the gripping device  270  is minimized. The gripping ends  278  may optionally be coated with a coating that enhances the gripping ability of the gripping device  270 . Such coating may include an elastomeric or rubber-like coating. The coating may include a roughened surface to enhance frictional engagement between the gripping ends and the ordinary utensil. 
         [0065]    Referring to  FIG. 10 , a perspective view illustrates another configuration of the manual implement  300 . The manual implement  300  is similar to the manual implement  200  that is described above in conjunction with  FIGS. 5-9 . Accordingly, much of the above-recited description of the features/characteristics of the manual implement  200  of  FIG. 5  may likewise apply to the manual implement  300  of  FIG. 10 . However, for purposes of brevity, much of the above-recited description will not be repeated. 
         [0066]    As shown, the manual implement  300  may include a first arm  302 . However, unlike some of the previous embodiments, the manual implement  300  does not include a second arm, thumb guide, or a hinge. The manual implement  300  may also include a finger guide  308  that is connected to the first arm  302 . The finger guide  308  may be covered by an elastomeric or plastic coating (not shown) for increased comfort. The finger guide  308  may also be ergonomically shaped to better conform to the shape of the fingers and thumb of a user&#39;s hand. 
         [0067]    An attachment mechanism  320  may be positioned at the distal end  316  of the first arm  302 . A variety of different attachment mechanisms  320  may also be used. The attachment mechanism  320  is configured to removably attach one or more of the tools  322  to the manual implement  300 . As shown in  FIG. 10 , the tool  322  is a spoon  324 . Of course, tools other than a spoon may also be used. For example, any of the devices shown in  FIGS. 8A-8D  may be used as the tool  322 . Still further embodiments may be constructed in which the tool  322  comprises, for example, eating utensils, writing instruments, personal care and grooming implements, tools and hobby implements, and other useful implements known in the art. The manual implement  300  is particularly configured for use with single tools  322  instead of paired tools. 
         [0068]    In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 10 , the attachment mechanism  320  includes a control surface  323  that may be easily engaged by a user to actuate the attachment mechanism  320  to release an attached tool  322 . In other words, if the user actuates the control surface  323 , the tool  322  will be released from the attachment mechanism  320 . 
         [0069]    As noted above, the manual implement  300  does not include the thumb guide found in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 5 . Rather, the manual implement  300  includes a thump grip  330  that is positioned on the bottom side of the first arm  302 . As shown in  FIG. 10 , the thumb grip  330  is added to the first arm  302  such that it is positioned below the finger guide  308 . The thumb grip  330  provides a surface to which the user&#39;s thumb may grip so that the user can manipulate the manual implement  300 . The thumb grip  330  shown in  FIG. 10  is in the form of a cylinder. It will be appreciated by persons having ordinary skill in the art that the thumb grip  330  may be configured in a variety of different shapes and sizes, including ergonomically designed shapes that provide a comfortable and efficient gripping surface. In some embodiments, the thumb grip  330  will be attached such that it may pivot separately from the first arm  302  and/or the finger guide  308 . However, in other embodiments, the thumb grip  330  will not be able to pivot or move separately from the first arm  302 /finger guide  308 . 
         [0070]    In conclusion, a manual implement has been provided that may be made by stamping, bending, and other machining processes known in the art. The manual implement includes arms which may be integrally formed together and be connected to selectively positionable finger and thumb guides which permit the manual implement to be specifically fitted to a user for maximum comfort and use. The thumb guides of the manual implement may be attached similarly to the finger guides discussed above. 
         [0071]    Additionally, the manual implement may be operated by gross motor skills and does not require a user to use fine motor skills or to move individual fingers which may aggravate swollen or damaged joints in the hands. Instead, control over the arms of the manual implement are provided by flexing the larger muscles of the user&#39;s hands and arms, while avoiding the smaller muscles of the hands often required for the use of ordinary tools, utensils and implements. 
         [0072]    The manual implement may also include weights which may be tailored to a user&#39;s specific needs and positioned near the palm of the user&#39;s hand. These weights may be helpful is steadying and minimizing the jerking associated with diseases of the nervous system, such as Parkinson&#39;s disease. 
         [0073]    The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its structures, methods, or other essential characteristics as broadly described herein and claimed hereinafter. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative, and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims, rather than by the foregoing description. All changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.