UNIVERSAL CUP

Abstract

The present disclosure is directed to a universal cup or mug that is configured for use by both able-bodied individuals and upper limb amputees. The universal cup of the present disclosure includes a handle designed to enable an upper limb amputee to insert a portion of their arm (e.g., their forearm) through the handle to operate (e.g., pick up, drink from, and put down) the cup such that single arm operation of the cup is easy, efficient, and effective. The handle is configured to keep the cup stable and secure while in use (e.g., when the cup is filled with liquid, lifted off a surface, and titled to enable the user to drink) for easy operation by the user. Furthermore, the handle is also configured to enable easy use for able-bodied users. Thus, the handle of the present disclosure enables the cup to be universal in use.

Claims

1. A cup comprising: a cylindrical portion including a closed end and an open end to receive a liquid; and a handle coupled to an outer wall of the cylindrical portion, the handle including a first portion, a section portion and a third portion, the first portion having a first end coupled to the outer wall and a second end coupled to a first end of the second portion at a first predetermined angle, a second end of the second portion coupled to a first end of the third portion at a second predetermined angle and the second end of the third portion coupled to the outer wall, wherein the first predetermined angle is greater than the second predetermined angle.

2. The cup of claim 1, wherein the second portion is configured at a third predetermined angle relative to the outer wall of the cylindrical portion.

3. The cup of claim 2, wherein the third predetermined angle is in the range of about 30 degrees to about 45 degrees.

4. The cup of claim 3, wherein the open end of the cylindrical portion has a diameter d and a width w of the handle is defined by the formula w=d/2.5.

5. The cup of claim 1, wherein the open end of the cylindrical portion has a diameter d and a width w of the handle is defined by the formula w=d/2.5.

6. The cup of claim 4, wherein each of the first portion, second portion and third portion of the handle have a respective thickness and the thickness of the third portion being greater than the thickness of the first portion and the thickness of the second portion to lower a center of gravity of the cup.

7. The cup of claim 1, wherein each of the first portion, second portion and third portion of the handle have a respective thickness and the thickness of the third portion being greater than the thickness of the first portion and the thickness of the second portion to lower a center of gravity of the cup.

8. The cup of claim 1, further comprising a gripping means coupled to the closed end of the cylindrical portion.

9. The cup of claim 8, wherein the gripping means is at least one of circular member and/or an annular member.

10. The cup of claim 1, wherein the first portion of the handle includes an aperture configured to receive a thumb of a user while the handle is being gripped.

11. The cup of claim 1, wherein a cross section of the first portion, second portion and third portion of the handle is at least one of an oval shape and/or a rectangular shape.

12. The cup of claim 4, wherein each of the first portion, second portion and third portion of the handle have a respective thickness and the thickness is of the width w.

13. The cup of claim 1, wherein the cylindrical portion is foldable upon a cease formed thereon.

14. The cup of claim 13, wherein the handle comprises first and second handles, each of the first and second handles including the first portion, the section portion and the third portion.

15. The cup of claim 14, wherein the first and second handles are spaced apart by a predetermined width w.

16. The cup of claim 15, wherein the open end of the cylindrical portion has a diameter d and the predetermined width w is defined by the formula w=d/2.5.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent in light of the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

[0018] FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a universal cup in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0019] FIG. 1B is a side view of the universal cup in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0020] FIG. 1C is another side view of the universal cup in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0021] FIG. 1D is another perspective view of the universal cup in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0022] FIG. 1E is a bottom view of the universal cup in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0023] FIG. 1F is a top view of the universal cup in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0024] FIG. 1G is a front view of the universal cup in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0025] FIG. 1H is a rear view of the universal cup in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0026] FIG. 1I illustrates a perspective view of a universal cup in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0027] FIGS. 1J and 1K illustrates exemplary cross sections of a handle of the universal cup of the present disclosure;

[0028] FIG. 2 includes an in phantom, anterior view of a right forearm in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[0029] FIGS. 3A-3D include various views of a foldable universal cup in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0030] It should be understood that the drawing(s) are for purposes of illustrating the concepts of the disclosure and is not necessarily the only possible configuration for illustrating the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described herein below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, well-known functions or constructions are not described in detail to avoid obscuring the present disclosure in unnecessary detail. The word exemplary is used herein to mean serving as an example, instance, or illustration. Any configuration or design described herein as exemplary is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other configurations or designs. Herein, the phrase coupled is defined to mean directly connected to or indirectly connected with through one or more intermediate components.

[0032] The present disclosure is directed to a universal cup or mug that is configured for use by both able-bodied individuals and upper limb amputees. The universal cup of the present disclosure includes a handle designed to enable an upper limb amputee to insert a portion of their arm (e.g., their forearm) through the handle to operate (e.g., pick up, drink from, and put down) the cup such that single arm operation is easy, efficient, and effective. The handle, which will be described in greater detail below, is configured to keep the cup stable and secure while in use (e.g., when the cup is filled with liquid, lifted off a surface, and titled to enable the user to drink) for easy operation by the user. Furthermore, the handle of the universal cup is also configured to enable easy use for able-bodied users. Thus, the handle of the present disclosure enables the cup to be universal in use.

[0033] Referring to FIGS. 1A-1H, a universal cup or mug 100 is shown in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Cup 100 includes a liquid carrying portion 102, e.g., configured in a cylindrical shape (although other geometric configurations suitable for a cup are considered within the scope of the present disclosure). Portion 102 includes a top 108 and bottom 110. Portion 102 further includes an outer surface 112 and a rim or aperture 103 disposed at the top 108, where rim 103 reveals an interior 104 for receiving a liquid. Bottom 110 of portion 102 is closed to retain a liquid or the like within the interior 104. Cup 100 further includes a universal handle 106. Handle 106 includes portions 114, 116, 118 and defines an aperture 115. Handle further includes an inner concave surface 120, which, as will be described below has varying degrees of concavity throughout different portions or locations of surface 120.

[0034] When cup 100 is used by an upper limb amputee user, the amputee user inserts the distal most portion of their arm (e.g., the distal end of their forearm) through aperture 115 until the outer circumference of their forearm is lodged or wedged between inner surface 120 of handle 106 and outer surface 112 of main portion 102. For this use case, handle 106 includes several features that enable the cup to be lifted and operated (whether filled with liquid or not) with the amputee's arm (e.g., a portion of their forearm) disposed through aperture 115 while maintain the cup in a stable and secure position. Each of the features of handle 106 will be described below.

[0035] First portion 114 and second portion 116 are disposed at a first, predetermined angle relative to each other such that at portion 122 of inner surface 120, i.e., where portions 114 and 116 meet at the first, predetermined angle, inner surface 120 has a greater degree of concavity than the portion of inner surface 120 between the ends of portion 116. Second portion 116 and third portion 118 are disposed at a second, predetermined angle relative to each other such that at portion 124 of inner surface 120, i.e., where portions 116 and 118 meet at the second, predetermined angle, inner surface 120 has a greater degree of concavity than the portion of inner surface 120 between the ends of portion 116. The respective lengths of portions 114, 116, 118 are selected such that portions 122, 124 are each disposed at distinct predetermined distances from outer surface 112, where portion 122 is disposed more proximately to surface 112 than portion 124. Also, as shown in FIG. 1B, portion 116 extends at a predetermined angle a relative to surface 112.

[0036] To understand the features of handle 106, it is first useful to understand the anatomy of the forearm. Referring to FIG. 2, an in phantom, anterior view of a right forearm 200 is shown in accordance with the present disclosure. Forearm 200 includes the radius bone 202 and ulna bone 204. Forearm 200 also includes a group of extensor muscles 206 and a group of flexor muscles 208. As is apparent from FIG. 2, the flexor muscles 208 are more massive than the extensor muscles 206 and thus extend a greater distance away from the ulna bone 204 than the extensor muscles 206 extend away from the radius bone 202. Also, forearm 200 increases in diameter when moving from the distal end 210 to the proximal end 212 of forearm 200.

[0037] Referring again to FIG. 1B, the upper limb amputee user inserts their forearm 200 through aperture 115 until the outer circumference of the user's forearm is constricted between surface 120 of handle 106 and surface 112 or portion 102. Concave portion 122 of surface 120 is configured and shaped to receive a portion of forearm 200 that is proximate to the radius bone 202 and concave portion 124 of surface 120 is configured and shaped to receive a portion of forearm 200 that is proximate to the ulna bone 204. Since the distance from surface 112 to concave portion 124 is greater than the distance from surface 112 to portion 122, the protruding flexor muscles 208 have enough space to extend into the space defined by portion 118 and surface 112 and the anterior surface of forearm 200 is disposed adjacent to surface 112. While the user's forearm 200 is disposed through aperture 115 in the manner described above, the inner contours of surface 120 grip the user's forearm 200 to hold the cup 100 in a balanced position such that the cup 100 cannot rotate and is controlled by the user's control of their forearm 200.

[0038] Angle a (shown in FIG. 1B) is selected to be at a third, predetermined angle (e.g., approximately between about 30 degrees and about 45 degrees) relative to surface 112, such that user's forearm 200, while disposed through aperture 115, is pronated in a neutral position that enables the user to hold the cup 100 with axis 150 perpendicular to a level floor with minimum effort. Furthermore, the angle a is selected such that, as gravity acts on the cup 100 and the cup 100 is urged to rotate counterclockwise as viewed in FIG. 1B and indicated by the letter b, the radius bone 202 disposed in concave portion 122 and the anterior surface of forearm 200 disposed against surface 112 enable a user to prevent the rotation of the cup 100 by simply preventing their forearm 200 from being rotated.

[0039] Also, as shown in FIGS. 1E, 1F, handle 106 is configured with a predetermined width w. Predetermined width w is selected such that when an amputee's forearm is disposed through aperture 115 of handle 106, cup 100 does not wobble or otherwise move in an instable way with respect to longitudinal axis 150. In one embodiment, width w is selected to be within a predetermined ratio of the diameter d of rim 103 (e.g., at least 2.5 (diameter of rim 103):1 (width w)) selected to ensure the stability of the cup 100. In other words, in one embodiment, the width of the handle 106 may be defined by the following formula: w=d/2.5, where d is the diameter of rim 103; however, other ratios and widths are contemplated to be within the scope of the present disclosure. It is to be appreciated that width of the handle is so configured to provide greater grip control for an average hand while providing sufficient surface area on the inner surface of the handle to ensure stability when contacting a portion of a limb of an amputee.

[0040] It is to be appreciated that, when used by an able-bodied user (i.e., having a full anatomical arm), the angle a with which portion 116 of handle 106 extends enables the rotational force (illustrated by arrow b) experienced by the cup 100 due to gravity to be applied exclusively to the user's palm and easily counteracted by holding the user's wrist steady (i.e., preventing rotation) to hold the cup in a stable position. This is in contrast to conventional designs, which would require the user to place one or more fingers below end 110 of cup 100 (or at the very least beneath portion 118 of handle 106) to maintain cup 100 in a stable position. It is also to be appreciated that, when used by elder user's or user's having a disability (e.g., Parkinson's, etc.) other than an amputation of one or both of their arms, the features of handle 106 enable easier use than conventional designs of cups. It is further to be appreciated that the wide handle will prevent rotating or slipping in all three directions.

[0041] In one embodiment, a change in profile section of handle 106 may be provided to lower the center of mass of the cup for better balance. For example, in one embodiment, lower portion 118 may have a larger thickness t, as compared to the thickness of portions 114 and 116, making the bottom portion of the cup heavier and thus more stable by lowering the center of gravity of the cup. In another embodiment, portion 118 may have the same thicknesses as portions 114 and 116 but is weighted to lower the center of gravity.

[0042] It is to be appreciated that cup 100 is configured to be used for both left handed and right handed operation. Furthermore, the ends of handle 106 are shown terminating proximately to top 108 and bottom 110 of portion 102, respectively, in other embodiments, top 108 may extend past portion 114 of handle 106 and bottom 110 may extend past portion 118 of handle 106.

[0043] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, a gripping means (e.g., a rubber gasket, an O-ring, a rubber disk, a suction cup, or any other appropriate gripping material or object) may be coupled to bottom 110. The gripping means may provide appropriate grip or friction relative to a surface (e.g., a table top) that cup 100 is placed on, such that, when an amputee attempts to insert their forearm through aperture 115 of handle 106, cup 100 does not rotate or otherwise move relative to the surface that cup 100 is placed on. It is to be appreciated that the gripping means may be a flat circular member having substantially the same diameter as the bottom 110 of the cup 100, a flat circular member having a smaller or larger diameter as the bottom 110 of the cup 100 or an annular member. It is to be appreciated that gripping means of other shapes and diameters are contemplated to be within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0044] In another embodiment, the upper portion 114 of handle 106 may include an aperture 130, as shown in FIG. 1I. The aperture 130 is configured to receive at least a portion of a thumb of a user when the user is gripping the handle 106. In this manner, the aperture 130 enables the user to have a more stable grip on the cup.

[0045] It is further to be appreciated that the handle 106 may be configured in various shapes and thicknesses. Referring to FIG. 1J, a cross section, taken along line C-C, of handle 106 shown in FIG. 1I is illustrated. In this embodiment, the cross section of handle 106 is oval-shaped. The oval-shaped thickness of handle 106 facilitates gripping by smaller hands. Additionally, the oval-shaped thickness facilitates mold release in production of the cup. However, other configurations are contemplated to be within the scope of the present disclosure, for example, FIG. 1K illustrates a rectangular shaped cross section of handle 106.

[0046] In certain embodiments, the thickness t of handle 106 may be proportional to the width w of the handle. For example, in one embodiment, thickness t is of the width w of handle 106. Other thicknesses and ratios of the handle are contemplated to be within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0047] In one embodiment, universal cup may be configured to be foldable. For example, referring to FIG. 3A, a cup 300 is shown including two universal handles 306A, 306B. It is to be appreciated that handles 306A, 306B include the same features as handle 106 (e.g., same proportions, ratios, and shapes) described above, except, handles 306 are configured to be substantially planar when viewed from the top (as shown in FIGS. 3B-3D). Cup 300 may be made of a pliable material, such as, recyclable paper, to enable cup 300 to fold. Referring to FIG. 3B, while in an unfolded position, handles 306A, 306B are disposed the predetermined width w apart to provide the same stability described above with respect to handle 106. Main portion 302 of cup 300 is foldable about a crease 350, such that, as shown in the progression from FIGS. 3B-3D, cup 300 may be folded in half to a substantially planar or flat shape in the folded position. In this way, cup 300 may be more portable while in the folded position, while still providing the benefits described above with respect to cup 100 for able-bodied and upper limb amputees alike.

[0048] It is to be appreciated that the various features shown and described are interchangeable, that is a feature shown in one embodiment may be incorporated into another embodiment.

[0049] While the disclosure has been shown and described with reference to certain preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims.

[0050] Furthermore, although the foregoing text sets forth a detailed description of numerous embodiments, it should be understood that the legal scope of the invention is defined by the words of the claims set forth at the end of this patent. The detailed description is to be construed as exemplary only and does not describe every possible embodiment, as describing every possible embodiment would be impractical, if not impossible. One could implement numerous alternate embodiments, using either current technology or technology developed after the filing date of this patent, which would still fall within the scope of the claims.

[0051] It should also be understood that, unless a term is expressly defined in this patent using the sentence As used herein, the term ______ is hereby defined to mean . . . or a similar sentence, there is no intent to limit the meaning of that term, either expressly or by implication, beyond its plain or ordinary meaning, and such term should not be interpreted to be limited in scope based on any statement made in any section of this patent (other than the language of the claims). To the extent that any term recited in the claims at the end of this patent is referred to in this patent in a manner consistent with a single meaning, that is done for sake of clarity only so as to not confuse the reader, and it is not intended that such claim term be limited, by implication or otherwise, to that single meaning. Finally, unless a claim element is defined by reciting the word means and a function without the recital of any structure, it is not intended that the scope of any claim element be interpreted based on the application of 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph.