Sliding handle reacher

Abstract

A reaching apparatus is provided for allowing a user to utilize gross motor skills to actuate the reaching apparatus. The reaching apparatus includes a fixed and a sliding handle on a shaft. An internal pulley system is connected between the first and second handles such that sliding of the second handle activates the pulley system to move the claw of the reaching apparatus between an open and closed configuration. The claw may be locked in an open and/or closed configuration by rotation of the handle on the shaft. The pulley system can be set to specific resistance to activate the claw upon different gross motor levels.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A reaching apparatus, comprising:
 a shaft having first and second ends;   a fixed handled positioned on the shaft adjacent the first end of the shaft;   a second handle positioned on the shaft and movable in relation thereto;   a claw positioned at the second end of the shaft and having an open configuration and a closed configuration; and   a pulley system generally within the shaft connected to the fixed handle, second handle, and claw;   wherein sliding the second handle on the shaft away from the fixed handle causes the claw to move from the open configuration to the closed configuration.   
     
     
         2 . The reaching apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a locking mechanism operatively attached to the second handle and pulley system. 
     
     
         3 . The reaching apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the locking mechanism is configured to lock the claw in a closed configuration when the second handle is rotated. 
     
     
         4 . The reaching apparatus of  claim 3  wherein the locking mechanism comprises first and second comb members configured to selectively interlock with one another to hold the claw in the closed position. 
     
     
         5 . The reaching apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the claw comprises two fingers movable relative to one another. 
     
     
         6 . The reaching apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the pulley system comprises:
 a fixed block; and 
 a shuttle operatively connected to the fixed block and the claw such that movement of the second handle towards the claw moves the shuttle towards the fixed block, which closes the claw. 
 
     
     
         7 . The reaching apparatus of  claim 6  further comprising a first rope operatively connected to the fixed block and the shuttle via a movable block and a second rope operatively connected between the shuttle and the claw to move the claw between an open and a closed configuration. 
     
     
         8 . The reaching apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the claw is articulable. 
     
     
         9 . The reaching apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the shaft comprises telescoping members. 
     
     
         10 . The reaching apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising an attachment member positioned on the claw to aid in grasping items in the claw. 
     
     
         11 . The reaching apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a haptic, auditory, or visual device operatively connected to the claw to provide feedback to indicate the status of the claw. 
     
     
         12 . The reaching apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising one or more lights operatively connected to the shaft to aid in viewing the area to use the claw of the reaching apparatus. 
     
     
         13 . A reaching apparatus for providing distant grasping of an object using gross motor skills, comprising:
 a first handle;   a second handle connected to the first handle via a pulley system and movable relative to the first handle; and   a claw operatively connected to the pulley system and comprising two or more grasping members movable relative to one another;   wherein moving the second handle away from the first handle operates one or more ropes of the pulley system to open and close the grasping members of the claw.   
     
     
         14 . The reaching apparatus of  claim 13  further comprising a locking mechanism operatively attached to the second handle and pulley system. 
     
     
         15 . The reaching apparatus of  claim 14  wherein the locking mechanism is configured to lock the claw in a closed configuration when the second handle is rotated. 
     
     
         16 . The reaching apparatus of  claim 13  wherein the pulley system comprises:
 a fixed block; and 
 a shuttle operatively connected to the fixed block and the claw such that movement of the second handle towards the claw moves the shuttle towards the fixed block, which closes the claw. 
 
     
     
         17 . The reaching apparatus of  claim 13  further comprising one or more attachment members positioned on at least one of the grasping members of the claw. 
     
     
         18 . A reaching apparatus, comprising:
 an extendable shaft having a first end and opposite second end;   a fixed first handle positioned at the first end of the shaft;   a movable second handle positioned adjacent the first handle on the shaft and connected to the first handle via a pulley system; and   a claw operatively connected to the first and second handles via the pulley system and comprising two or more grasping members movable relative to one another;   wherein the pulley system is housed within the handle and comprises a fixed block and a shuttle operatively connected to the fixed block and the claw such that movement of the second handle towards the claw moves the shuttle towards the fixed block, which closes the claw.   
     
     
         19 . The reaching apparatus of  claim 18  further comprising a locking mechanism operatively attached to the second handle and pulley system and configured to lock the claw in a closed configuration when the second handle is rotated. 
     
     
         20 . The reaching apparatus of  claim 19  further comprising a haptic, auditory, or visual device operatively connected to the claw to provide feedback to indicate the status of the grasping members of the claw.