Positioning
the User and the Mealtime Partner for Eating
After a few meals, the user will identify the most preferred positioning for the Mealtime Partner but a little experimentation is needed at first. This section is intended to provide a few guidelines for quickly finding that preferred position.
The first time the Partner is set up for a user, position the user at the table in the position that they wish to be located during the meal. The position should be decided based on the users preference and where other people will sit at the table. There are three different adjustments that need to be made to position the Partner. The height of the Partner relative to the user; the distance of the Partner from the right of the user; and, the distance of the Partner in front of the user. To decide the correct position, put empty bowls on the Partner before positioning, this gives a guideline for deciding the correct height of the device.
The Partner Support Arm enables the device to be positioned
to the right of the user anywhere within an 18 inch area (vertically or
horizontally), including below the table height. This range of positioning
permits the device to be located appropriately to meet a wide variety of users
needs.
The clamp should be positioned about 20 inches to the right of the user.
Attach
the mounting clamp to the table top making sure that the table top is pushed as
far back into the opening in the clamp as possible before tightening. Place the
shaft of the Partner Support Arm into the socket in the mounting clamp (do not fully
tighten at this time so it can be rotated). Place the Partner on the Support Arm
making sure that the device is completely seated on the Support Arm shaft. Tighten
the Arm Lock Knob on the rear of the Partner lower case by turning it clockwise
until it resists turning. This locks the Partner on the Support Arm and controls the
friction for Partner rotation on the shaft. Turn the knob slightly back (i.e.,
counterclockwise) to allow it to freely rotate on the Rotation Shaft. The Partner
is
now ready to be positioned.
Loosen the large
handle on the center section of the Support Arm about one-quarter of a
revolution. This reduces the friction and allows the Support Arm upper and lower
sections to move. With one hand under the Partner, position the top rim of the bowl
to be approximately level with the users lips. The handle on the Support Arm should be firmly tightened once the desired
height is achieved. For a very tall user, or someone who is sitting in a large
chair, the Support Arm might need to be extended upward almost fully. In this
case move the clamp nearer to the user. In the opposite case, for a small user,
or child, the Support Arm may need to be almost fully extended in a lateral
direction in which case the clamp should be moved farther away from the user.
Next, adjust the
Partner to be approximately 6 inches in front of the users right shoulder and
tighten the screw on the back of the clamp to hold this position. Finally, the Partner swivels
on the Support Arm rotation shaft which allows the Partner to be angled towards the
user. This angle is important as it
permits the spoon to present food at a right angle to the user.
(If the Partner is not angled, the user will not be able to comfortably move
forward and take a bite off the spoon.) Once the correct angle is achieved the
Arm Lock Knob on the back of the Partner can be tightened to hold the angle, if
desired. The first few times that the Partner is used, the device positioning should
be adjusted during the meal to accommodate the users preferences. The Support
Arm keeps the Partner level regardless of positioning (that is, if it is attached to
a level surface). It is recommended that the Partner is positioned for use prior to
placing a bowl with food in it to avoid any spillage.
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This page last updated on 1-16-07.