Self feeding device having a user prompt feature

• US 9,101,238 B2
• Filed: 05/16/2014
• Issued: 08/11/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 10/10/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Design LLC
• Original Assignee: Design LLC
• Inventors: Dekar, Jonathan P.
• Primary Examiner(s): CUMBESS, YOLANDA RENEE
• Application Number:
  US14/280,094
• Publication Number:
  US 20150003940A1
• Time in Patent Office: 452 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 21/00 Table-ware crumb trays A47L13/52; table knives B26B
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 21/08 Serving devices for one-handed persons
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 23/10 Devices for counting or marking the number of consumptions on beverage-dispensing apparatus B65D, B67D; counting in general G06M
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 23/12 Consumption counters combined with table-ware or table-service
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 11/008 Manipulators for service tasks
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 13/08 by means of sensing devices, e.g. viewing or touching devices
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 19/0092 Nutrition

Abstract

A feeding device including a feed arm assembly operative to transfer food from a food compartment to a feed position located adjacent an individual. The feeding device including a timer that times the period the feed arm assembly remains stationary. An indicator connected to the timing circuit becomes active when a predetermined time period is exceeded reminding or prompting a user or other third party to use or cycle the feeding device.

Claims

1. A feeding device comprising:

a feed arm assembly operative to transfer food from a food compartment to an individual;

a timer, said timer including a timing circuit that initiates upon transfer of food from said food compartment to said individual;

said timing circuit further timing the period during which the feed arm is stationary;

a signal circuit, said signal circuit operative to generate a signal when said timing circuit indicates the period the feed arm is stationary exceeds a predetermined time period; and

an indicator, said indicator connected to said signal circuit activated by said signal to indicate that predetermined time period is exceeded.

2. A feeding device as set forth in claim 1 wherein indicator is on the feeding device.

3. A feeding device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said indicator is separate from said feeding device.

4. A feeding device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said timing circuit times the time between said transfers.

5. A feeding device as set forth in claim 4 including a controller, said controller controlling the length of predetermined time period.

6. A feeding device as set forth in claim 5 wherein said controller is connected to said feeding device and located at a separate location spaced from said feeding device.

7. A feeding device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said indicator includes a sound emitter.

8. A feeding device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said indicator includes a light emitter.

9. A feeding device as set forth in claim 8 wherein said light emitter includes a flashing light.

10. A feeding device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said indicator includes a motion generator, said motion generator connected to and moving said feed arm.

11. A feeding device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said indicator includes a vibration emitter.

12. A method of transferring food to an individual comprising:

providing a feed arm assembly, positioning said feed arm assembly in an initial position adjacent a food compartment attached to a base assembly;

generating an initiation signal, using said initiation signal to initiate operation of said feed arm assembly;

moving said feed arm assembly from said initial position to transfer food from the food compartment to a feed position;

returning said feed arm assembly to said initial position and maintaining said feed arm assembly in said initial position until said feed arm assembly receives said initiation signal;

monitoring the time the feed arm assembly remains in the initial position; and

activating an indicator when the time the feed arm assembly remains in the initial position exceeds a predetermined time period.

13. The method as set forth in claim 12 including the step of the individual determining the length of the predetermined time period.

14. The method as set forth in claim 12 including the step automatically determining when the food has been removed from said the arm assembly and thereafter returning said feed arm assembly to said initial position.

15. The method as set forth in claim 12 including the step of maintaining said feed arm assembly at said feed position;

generating a return signal, using said return signal to initiate operation of said feed arm assembly whereby said feed arm assembly returns from said feed position to said initial position;

monitoring the time the feed arm assembly remains stationary at said feed position; and

activating an indicator when time the feed arm assembly remains stationary at said feed position exceeds a predetermined time period.

16. The method as set forth in claim 15 wherein said feed position includes a position adjacent an individual'"'"'s mouth.

17. The method as set forth in claim 12 wherein the step of returning said feed arm assembly to said initial position includes using a user input device to generate a return signal;

and

using said return signal to initiate operation of said feed arm assembly whereby said feed arm assembly returns from said feed position to said initial position.

18. A feeding device comprising:

a feed arm assembly operative to transfer food from a food compartment to a feed position;

a timer, said timer including a timing circuit that initiates when said feed arm remains stationary; and

an indicator, said indicator connected to said timing circuit, said indicator active when a predetermined time period is exceeded.

19. A feeding device as set forth in claim 18 wherein said indicator includes a timing circuit that initiates upon said feed arm assembly reaching said feed position.

20. A feeding device as set forth in claim 18 including a user input device.