Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02729354 2012-04-18
Adjustable, Rotational, Spoon and Fork Utensil
SPECIFICATION
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
Not Applicable
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR
DEVELOPMENT
Not Applicable
REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM
LISTING COMPACT DISK APPENDIX
Not Applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is in the technical field of eating utensils. More
particularly, the
present invention is in the technical field of baby/toddler/infirm or elderly
persons eating
utensils.
Everyday conventional spoons and forks are inadequate for babies, toddlers,
the elderly
or the infirmed who limited movement in their wrists. The present invention
can adjust
spoon and fork attachments into different angular options in order to
compensate for the
individual user's unique physical requirements regarding bringing a utensil to
the mouth
at the most convenient angle.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is an eating utensil that can rotate the spoon or fork
detail to 7
different repeatable fixed angles positions relative to the handle. The
invention is
designed for babies, toddlers, elderly and infirm individuals, whether right-
or-left-handed
that have limited or changing wrist movement.
In the case of children, the invention is designed to be used as a teaching
device
by slowly change the utensil from the maximum angular setting into a
conventional
spoon or fork in stages that corresponds with the child's developing
coordination and
dexterity. Also the invention can aid the child before they become proficient
with small
tabs on the tines on the fork to increase the food retention to the invention,
Once the
conventional setting reached the child can continue to use the utensil
indefinitely.
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In the case of the elderly or infirmed, the present invention is designed to
aid in
their eating requirement by allowing different angular setting of the
invention to suit the
unique current requirements of the individual. The invention can also adapt to
a user's
changing requirements as their condition improves or deteriorates.
The movable spoon and fork attachment can also be attached or removed from the
handle without the use of any special tools or skills for ease of cleaning and
cost
effectiveness. The spoon or fork attachment can only be attached or removed at
90
degrees to the handle. Once the spoon or fork attachment is rotated passed the
90 degree
position it becomes locked into the handle but can still move freely to the
seven different
positions. The attachments can only be removed once returned into the 90
degree
position.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
Fig. 1 is a top view of the spoon attachment #15 attached to the handle of the
present
invention.
Fig. 2 is a side view of the spoon assembly showing the spoon attachment #15,
the handle
#16, #17, and the screw retention positions #18, #19, and #20, of the present
invention.
Fig. 3 is a top view of the spoon attachment #15 showing the rotational
retention features
#21, the key slot #23, and the key locking channel #22, of the present
invention.
Fig. 4 is a side view of the spoon attachment #15 showing the flange
rotational guides
#24 of the present invention.
Fig. 5 is a top view of the fork attachment #25 showing the rotational
retention features
#26, the key slot #27, and the key guide slot #28, of the present invention.
Fig. 6 is a side view of the fork attachment #25 showing the rotational
support flange
guides # 29 of the present invention.
Fig 7 is a top view of the underside of the top section of the handle portion
# 16 showing
the gearing retention details #30, the locking Key #31, the key guide #32, and
the
engaging and disengaging flat #33, of the present invention.
Fig 8 is a side view of the top section of the handle portion #16 showing the
screw
attachment positions #34, #35, and #36, of the present invention.
Fig 9 is a top view of the bottom section of the handle portion #17 showing
the locater
detail #37 of the present invention.
Fig 10 is a side view of the bottom section of the handle portion #17 showing
the locating
detail #3 7, and the screw attachment positions # 18, # 19, and # 19, of the
present
invention.
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Fig 11 is a top view of the assembled handle #16 and #17 with the spoon
attachment #15
in the engaging and disengaging position of the present invention.
Fig 12 is a perspective view with the spoon attachment #15 and handle in one
of the right
handed user's position of the present invention.
Fig 13 is a perspective drawing with the fork attachment #25 and handle in one
of the left
handed user's position of the present invention.
Fig 14 is a perspective drawing of the assembly of the handle portion #16 and
#17 and its
components, showing the spoon attachment #15 and the attachment screws #38,
#39, and
#40, of the present invention.
Fig 15 is a top view of the fork attachment #25 showing the tine hook details
#41
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring now to the invention in more detail; FIG.1 shows the spoon
attachment #15 and
its rotational movement.
The construction details of the invention as shown in FIG.I is that the spoon
attachment
# 15 may be made of high strength plastic or of any other sufficiently rigid
and strong
material such as wood, metal, carbon fiber and the like.
Referring now to the invention in more detail; FIG. 2 shows a side view of the
full
assembly of the utensil. The top handle portion # 16 is attached to the bottom
portion of
the handle #17 with 3 screws #38, #39, and #40 shown in fig.14 in the
corresponding
position #18, #19, and #20, shown in. FIG. 2
Referring now to the invention in more detail, FIG.3 shows the top view of the
spoon
attachment # 15 with the rotational retention features #21 which engages into
the handle
retention gear #30 shown in FIG.7. The rotational retention feature #21 allows
the spoon
attachment to snap with 2 engagement points into 7 repeatable fixed positions
found on
the handle retention gear #30 in FIG.7.
In further detail, still referring to the top view in FIG.3, the key slot #23
allows the key
detail #31 in FIG.7 to enter the locking channel #22 shown in FIG.3. The key
detail #31
can only enter the key channel at the 90 degree position shown in FIG. 11.
In further detail, still referring to the invention; once the key detail # 31
in FIG.7 is
engaged thought the key slot #23 in FIG.3 and is rotated, then the key #31
then enters
into the key locking channel #22 and thus locks the attachment #15 or #25 into
the
handle. The attachment #15 or #25 can still rotate into the 7 positions but it
just can not
be removed form the handle. The attachment #15 or #25 can only be removed form
the
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handle in the 90 degree position shown in FIG. 11. Once the attachment #15 or
#25 is in
the 90 degree position the key is able to pass through the key slot #23 on the
attachment
and can thus be removed or reattached.
Referring now to the invention in more detail; FIG.4 shows the side view of
the spoon
attachment #15 and the rotational support flange detail #24. The support #24
guides the
rotation of the spoon attachment #15 or the fork attachment #25, and adds
support against
the handle #16 and #17 which is essential to produce the strength required for
the
everyday uses of the utensil.
The construction details of the invention as shown in FIG.4 and FIG.3 may be
made of
high strength plastic or of any other sufficiently rigid and strong material
such as wood,
carbon fiber, and the like.
Referring now to the invention in more detail; FIGS shows the top view of fork
attachment #25. The fork attachment #25 has the same attachment features found
on the
spoon attachment #15. Feature #26,#27, and #28 found in FIGS and FIG.6
corresponds
to the same details and performs the same functions as details #21 #23 #22
found on the
spoon attachment shown on FIG 3.
In further detail, still referring to the invention; FIG 6 shows the side view
of the fork
attachment #25 and the rotational support flange detail #29. The fork
attachment #25 has
the same attachment features found on the spoon attachment #15. Feature #29 in
fig 6
corresponds to the same detail #24 found on the spoon attachment #15 in FIG. 4
and
performs the same function.
In further detail, still referring to the invention; the fork attachment #25
shown in FIG. 5
and FIG.6 functions in the same manner as the spoon attachment #15. Any
function
described using the spoon attachment #15 can also apply to the fork attachment
#25
unless other wise specified.
The construction details of the invention as shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 is
that the fork
attachment #25 may be made of high strength plastic or of any other
sufficiently rigid and
strong material such as wood, carbon fiber, and the like.
Referring now to the invention in more detail; FIG.7 shows a top view of the
underside of
the handle detail #16 which shows the gear engagement detail #30, the locking
key detail
#31, the key guide detail #32, and the engaging and disengaging flat detail
#33.
In further detail, still referring to the invention; the gearing retention
detail #30 shown in
FIG. 7 Interlocks to the retention detail #21 for the spoon attachment # 15 in
FIG. 3 or the
retention feature #26 for the fork attachment #25 shown on FIG. 5. In relation
to the
handle #16 and #17 feature #30 allows for 7 different repeatable positional
settings of the
spoon attachment #15 or fork attachment #25.
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In further detail, still referring to the invention; the locking key #31 shown
in FIG.7 locks
the spoon attachments #15, or the fork attachment #25 into the handle. Once
the spoon
attachment #15 or fork Attachment #25 are engaged at 90 degree position the
locking key
#31 can pass thought the key slot #23 on the spoon attachment # 15 or #27 on
the fork
attachment. Moving the spoon attachment #15 or the fork attachment #25 passed
the 90
degree position allows the locking key to move into the locking guide channel
#22 on the
spoon attachment #15, or the locking guide channel #28 on the fork attachment
#25, thus
locking the attachment to the handle. The spoon attachment #15 or the fork
attachment
#25 can still be rotated to the seven different positions while locked to the
handle. The
spoon attachment #15 or the fork attachment #25 can only be removed or
inserted into
the handle once it has returned to the 90 degree position shown in FIG. 11.
In further detail, still referring to the invention; the key guide #32 shown
in FIG.7
provides an additional locking detail and rotational guide that interfaces in
the key guide
slot #22 on the spoon attachment #15 or in the key guide slot #28 on the fork
attachment
#25. When the spoon attachment #15 or the fork attachment #25 engages into the
handle
at the 90 degree position the key guide enters at the end of the locking
channel #22 on the
spoon attachment or locking channel #28 on the fork attachment. Once the
attachment is
rotated the key guide adds additional locking as well as helps guide the
attachment as it
moves to different positions.
In further detail, still referring to the invention; the engaging and
disengaging flat #33
shown in FIG.7 allows for the ease in the removal or engagement of the spoon
attachment
# 15 or fork attachment #25 into or out of the handle. The engaging and
disengaging flat
#33 allows the retention detail #21 on the spoon attachment or retention
detail #26 on the
fork attachment to easily slide into the proper first engagement position.
Referring now to the invention in more detail, FIG.8 shows the side view of
the handle
#16 and the locations of the attachment screws #34, #36, and, #36
In further detail, still referring to the invention; the handle of the utensil
is made up of
two separate parts, the upper handle portion # 16 and bottom handle portion #
17 which
are held together with 3 screws. The positions of these screw attachment
points are
shown in detail #34, #35. And #36 as shown in FIG.8
In further detail, still referring to the invention; FIG. 9 shows the top view
of the bottom
potion of the handle #17 with the locating feature #37. The locating feature
#37 locates
the top portion of the handle #16 to the bottom portion of the handle #17
which ensures
the correct alignment of both haves.
In further detail, still referring to the invention; FIG. 10 shows the side
view of the bottom
portion of the handle #17 and the screw locations #18, #19, and #20. Detail
#18, #19, and
#20 shows the location of the head portion and clearance for the three screws
needed to
attach the bottom portion of the handle # 17 to the top portion of the handle
# 16.
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Referring now to the invention in more detail, FIG. 11 shows the proper 90
degree
position to engage or remove spoon attachment # 15 or the fork attachment #25
from the
handle.
Referring now to the invention in more detail FIG.12 shows perspective view of
the
spoon attachment #15 and the handle in one of the right handed users position.
Referring now to the invention in more detail; FIG.13 shows perspective view
of the fork
attachment #25 and the handle in one of the left handed user's position.
Referring now to the invention in more detail; FIG.14 shows a perspective view
of the
assembly of the handle and the stainless steel screws #38, #39, and #40. These
screws are
needed to hold the top portion of the handle #16 to the bottom portion of the
handle #17.
Referring now to the invention in more detail; FIG 15 shows a top view of the
fork
attachment #25 and the tine hook detail #41. These hook detail protrusions #41
are
designed to increase the retention of the food to the tines of the fork
attachment #25.
The construction details of the invention as shown in FIG.7, FIG.8, FIG. 9,and
FIG.10, is
that the assembly may be made of high strength plastic or of any other
sufficiently rigid
and strong material such as wood, metal, carbon fiber, and the like.
ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION
The advantages of the present invention include, without limitation, is that
it is easy to
use by both right and left-handed individuals ranging in age from babies and
toddlers to
the elderly and infirmed whom may have limited or changing wrist mobility. The
rotation
of the spoon and fork attachment to various repeatable angles allows the
invention to
compensate for the changing in the dexterity of the individual user. It can be
used as a
teaching tool for babies and toddler as it can adjust in stages from a
positive or negative
67.5 degree angle into non angular conventional style utensil. Once the
angular option is
no longer require this combination utensil can still be used indefinitely as a
conventional
spoon and fork forging the need to repurchase new utensils. The locking of the
attachment into the handle allows for the inability of a baby or toddler from
disconnecting the attachment form the handle either intentionally or by
accident.
In the case of the elderly or infirmed the utensil can adjust to the
individuals
improving or deteriorating dexterity by moving towards or away form the
conventional
non angular position. The detachable feature of the spoon and fork attachments
allow for
easy cleaning and cost effectiveness of the utensil.
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BROAD EMBODIMENT
In broad embodiment, the present invention is an eating utensil that can
rotate or move
the spoon or fork attachment to seven different repeatable angular positions
relative to the
handle. The spoon or fork attachments can snap attach or snap detach without
the uses of
any special tools or skill for ease in cleaning and cost effectiveness.
While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one of
ordinary skill to
make and use what is considered presently to be the best mode thereof, those
of ordinary
skill will understand and appreciate the existence of variations,
combinations, and
equivalents of the specific embodiment, method, and examples herein.
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