Automatic feeding system

Abstract

The present invention provides a feeding system suitable for mounting to a wheelchair and usable for individuals who have limited or no use of their hands. The system includes a housing that stores food product, and delivers the food product to a transfer mechanism. The transfer mechanism delivers the food product to a serving assembly that is positioned at a location proximal the user's mouth for consumption.

1 . A feeding system for individuals seated in a wheelchair, the system comprising: 
 a housing having an open end for dispensing food product;    a transfer mechanism operable to drive the food product towards the open end;    a serving assembly disposed proximal the open end receiving food product from the housing; and    a mounting assembly supporting the housing, the transfer mechanism, and the serving assembly in a predetermined position relative to the wheelchair.    
   
   
       2 . The feeding system as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a switch in electrical communication with the transfer mechanism, wherein the switch is operable to selectively operate the transfer mechanism.  
   
   
       3 . The feeding system as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the switch is configured to be mounted onto the wheelchair and depressible by a human head.  
   
   
       4 . The feeding system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the housing comprises: 
 a hopper having an inlet end for receiving food product; and    a conduit in communication with the hopper having an inlet end for receiving the food product from the hopper.    
   
   
       5 . The feeding system as recited in  claim 4 , wherein the transfer mechanism is operable to drive the food product from the inlet end of the conduit towards the open end.  
   
   
       6 . The feeding system as recited in  claim 4 , wherein the transfer mechanism comprises a rotating auger disposed in the conduit.  
   
   
       7 . The feeding system as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a linkage that is pivotally connected to the housing and movably connects the serving assembly to the housing.  
   
   
       8 . The feeding system as recited in  claim 7 , wherein the serving assembly further comprises a receptacle rotatably mounted to the linkage.  
   
   
       9 . The feeding system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the mounting assembly comprises a first linkage extending generally upwards from the wheelchair and a second linkage extending generally forward from the first linkage.  
   
   
       10 . The feeding system as recited in  claim 9 , wherein the first and second linkages are connected to each other by a bracket that is mountable on the first linkage at variable positions to determine a height of the serving assembly.  
   
   
       11 . The feeding system as recited in  claim 9 , wherein the first and second linkages are connected to each other by a bracket that is mountable on the second linkage at variable positions to determine a forward location of the serving assembly.  
   
   
       12 . A method for fabricating a feeding system operable to deliver food to an individual seated in a wheelchair, the steps comprising: 
 (A) providing a housing having an open end for dispensing food product;    (B) providing a transfer mechanism for delivering food product towards the open end;    (C) providing a serving assembly proximal the open end for receiving food product from the housing; and    (D) supporting the housing, the transfer mechanism, and the serving assembly in a predetermined position relative to a wheelchair with a mounting assembly.    
   
   
       13 . The method as recited in  claim 12 , further comprising (E) providing a switch for selectively operating the transfer mechanism.  
   
   
       14 . The method as recited in  claim 13 , further comprising the step of mounting the switch onto the wheelchair so as to be depressible by a human head.  
   
   
       15 . The method as recited in  claim 12 , wherein step (A) further comprises: 
 providing a hopper having an inlet end for receiving food product and an outlet end for dispensing the food product; and    providing a conduit in communication with the hopper and having an inlet end for receiving the food product from the hopper, wherein the conduit defines the open end for dispensing the food product from the housing;    
   
   
       16 . The method as recited in  claim 12 , wherein step (C) further comprises pivotally mounting the serving assembly to the conduit.  
   
   
       17 . The method as recited in  claim 12 , wherein step (D) further comprises connecting the conduit to the mounting assembly so that the housing is translatable in forward and backward directions.  
   
   
       18 . The method as recited in  claim 12 , wherein step (D) further comprises supporting the serving assembly with a linkage having an adjustable height to adjust the height of the serving assembly.  
   
   
       19 . A method for delivering food to an individual seated in a wheelchair using a feeding system of the type including 1) a housing having a open end for dispensing food product, 2) a transfer mechanism operable to drive the food product towards the open end, and 3) a serving assembly disposed proximal the open end and receiving food product from the housing, the steps comprising: 
 (A) delivering food product into the housing;    (B) positioning the serving assembly to a location accessible to the individual; and    (C) activating the transfer mechanism to deliver the food product to the serving assembly.    
   
   
       20 . The method as recited in  claim 19 , wherein the housing further comprises 1) a hopper having an inlet end for receiving food product and an outlet end for dispensing the food product; 2) a conduit in communication with the housing having an inlet end for receiving the food product from the hopper, wherein the conduit defines the open end for dispensing the food product from the housing, 
 wherein step (A) further comprises delivering the food product into the inlet end of the hopper.    
   
   
       21 . The method as recited in  claim 19 , wherein step (B) further comprises pivoting the serving assembly relative to the housing.  
   
   
       22 . The method as recited in  claim 19 , wherein step (C) further comprises actuating a switch to activate the transfer assembly.