Patent Application
20250120526
The present invention generally relates to the field of eating utensils and aids for individuals with limited dexterity. More specifically, the present invention relates to a pair of hinged chopsticks designed to make the use of chopsticks more accessible and easier for individuals who struggle with traditional chopstick techniques. The invention comprises a pair of chopsticks connected by a pin that acts as a hinge, allowing them to pivot between a folded flat position and an open V-shaped position. Additionally, the chopsticks include a tension connection point that provides resistance and control when squeezing the chopsticks together, enabling users to pick up and release food items with minimal effort. Accordingly, this disclosure makes specific reference thereto the present invention. Nonetheless, it is to be appreciated that aspects of the present invention are also equally applicable to other like applications, devices, and methods of manufacture.
By way of background, many people enjoy eating with chopsticks. Especially, chopsticks are traditional utensils majorly used in East Asian countries such as China, Japan, Korea, and more. These chopsticks are generally made up of wood, bamboo, plastic, ceramics, or metal and are used for picking up and eating food. However, learning to use chopsticks can be challenging, especially for people who are new to them. Properly handling chopsticks requires a certain level of dexterity and finger strength, as the technique involves precise coordination of the fingers to grasp and maneuver food effectively. Using traditional chopsticks can be particularly difficult for individuals with limited hand strength, reduced dexterity, or conditions that affect fine motor skills, such as arthritis, injuries, or neurological disorders. Such individuals may still struggle to use chopsticks comfortably and effectively even after knowing the techniques of using the chopsticks. This difficulty can lead to frustration and may prevent them from traditionally enjoying their meals. People desire an improved chopstick design that is easy to use, even for those with physical limitations, providing a more accessible and enjoyable eating experience.
Therefore, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a uniquely designed chopsticks that people can easily learn to use. There is also a long-felt need in the art for novel chopsticks that can be easily used by people with limited dexterity and strength in their hands. Additionally, there is a long-felt need in the art for chopsticks that can be mastered by all the individuals, especially people with physical ailments and a lack of hand coordination. Moreover, there is a long-felt need in the art for chopsticks that can be conveniently used for eating, manipulating, cooking, or serving food. Further, there is a long-felt need in the art for chopsticks that are designed to provide comfort to the users and enhance their self-confidence while using them. Furthermore, there is a long-felt need in the art for chopsticks that ensures that people properly use these utensils while cooking food and do not get embarrassed in public places. Finally, there is a long-felt need in the art for chopsticks that are easy to use and enhance the self-esteem of people with limited hand dexterity.
The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a pair of hinged chopsticks designed to facilitate the use of chopsticks for individuals with limited hand strength or dexterity. The chopsticks feature a first chopstick and a second chopstick, each having a main stick with a tapered end for picking up food. The thicker ends of the chopsticks are joined by a pin, functioning as a hinge, which allows the chopsticks to pivot between a flat, folded position and an open, V-shaped position. A tension connection point is provided that offers resistance when the chopsticks are squeezed together, making it easier to control the movement of the chopsticks without requiring precise finger movements. The design of the pair offers a user-friendly eating tool that is both functional and easy to store.
In this manner, the hinged chopsticks of the present invention accomplishes all of the foregoing objectives and provides a novel eating utensil for those who find traditional chopsticks difficult to use. The hinged chopsticks incorporates a hinge mechanism and a tension connection point which eliminate the need for complex finger coordination, allowing users to pick up food with a simple squeezing motion. The chopsticks automatically spring back to their open position when the user releases the pressure, simplifying the process of eating and reducing the strain on the user's hands. Additionally, the ability to fold the chopsticks flat for storage adds to their convenience and portability. The innovative design of the device ensures that people of all ages and abilities can enjoy using chopsticks without frustration, enhancing the overall dining experience.
The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosed innovation. This summary is not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its sole purpose is to present some general concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.
The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a pair of hinged chopsticks. The pair comprises a first chopstick having a tapered end and an opposite thicker end, a second chopstick having a tapered end and an opposite thicker end, the thicker ends are fastened using a pin, and the pin enables the first chopstick and the second chopstick to pivot around the pin, allowing the chopsticks to transition from a folded flat position to an unfolded V-shaped position, wherein in the unfolded position the tapered ends of the chopsticks are apart from each other and in the folded flat position, the tapered ends remain close to each other.
In another embodiment, a hinged chopstick device is disclosed. The hinged chopstick device comprises a pair of chopsticks including a first chopstick and a second chopstick, a pin acting as a hinge, the pin passes through aligned apertures in the thicker ends of the chopsticks, the pin allows the pair of chopsticks to pivot between a folded position wherein the chopsticks lie flat against each other, and an unfolded position wherein the chopsticks are in a V-shape, a tension connection point is configured to provide a biasing force that maintains the chopsticks in the unfolded position and allows the user to squeeze the chopsticks to pick up items using the tapered ends.
In another embodiment, a method of using a pair of hinged chopsticks is disclosed. The method includes the steps of rotating a first chopstick and a second chopstick around a hinge formed by a pin, the pin passes through aligned apertures in thicker ends of the first chopstick and the second chopstick, to transition the chopsticks from a folded flat position to an unfolded V-shaped position, holding the chopsticks in one hand such that one chopstick is supported by the thumb and the other chopstick is supported by one or more fingers, squeezing the chopsticks together, compressing a tension connection point connecting the bottom ends of the chopsticks, to bring tapered ends of the chopsticks toward each other to pick up a food item, and releasing the pressure on the chopsticks to relax the tension connection point, causing the chopsticks to return to the unfolded position.
In still another embodiment, a pair of hinged chopsticks is disclosed. The pair comprises a first chopstick including a main stick having a tapered end and an opposite thicker end, and a secondary stick extends outward from an opening of the main stick, a second chopstick includes a corresponding main stick having a tapered end, a secondary stick extends outward from an opening of the main stick of the second chopstick. A pin passes through aligned apertures in the thicker end of the main stick of the first chopstick and the thicker end of the secondary stick of the second chopstick, wherein the pin enables the first chopstick and the second chopstick to pivot around the hinge, allowing the chopsticks to rotate between a folded flat position and an unfolded V-shaped position. A tension connection point engages between the bottom end of the secondary stick of the first chopstick and a bottom end of the main stick of the second chopstick, wherein the tension connection point biases the chopsticks into the unfolded position, and wherein the chopsticks are configured to be squeezed together by a user to bring the tapered ends into proximity to pick up a food item.
Numerous benefits and advantages of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains upon reading and understanding of the following detailed specification.
To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects of the disclosed innovation are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles disclosed herein can be employed and are intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.
The description refers to provided drawings in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the different views, and in which:
The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof. Various embodiments are discussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are described only to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment need not have all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in other embodiments, any of the features described herein from different embodiments may be combined.
As noted above, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a uniquely designed chopsticks that people can easily learn to use. There is also a long-felt need in the art for novel chopsticks that can be easily used by people with limited dexterity and strength in their hands. Additionally, there is a long-felt need in the art for chopsticks that can be mastered by all individuals, especially people with physical ailments and a lack of hand coordination. Moreover, there is a long-felt need in the art for chopsticks that can be conveniently used for eating, manipulating, cooking, or serving food. Further, there is a long-felt need in the art for chopsticks that are designed to provide comfort to the users and enhance their self-confidence while using them. Furthermore, there is a long-felt need in the art for chopsticks that ensures that people properly use these utensils while cooking food and do not get embarrassed in public places. Finally, there is a long-felt need in the art for chopsticks that are easy to use and enhance the self-esteem of people with limited hand dexterity.
The present invention, in one exemplary embodiment, is a hinged chopstick device. The hinged chopstick device comprises a pair of chopsticks including a first chopstick and a second chopstick, a pin acting as a hinge, the pin passes through aligned apertures in the thicker ends of the chopsticks, the pin allows the pair of chopsticks to pivot between a folded position wherein the chopsticks lie flat against each other, and an unfolded position wherein the chopsticks are in a V-shape, a tension connection point is configured to provide a biasing force that maintains the chopsticks in the unfolded position and allows the user to squeeze the chopsticks to pick up items using the tapered ends.
Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numerals are used in the drawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts.
Referring initially to the drawings,
The second chopstick 104 includes a corresponding main stick 116 and a corresponding secondary stick 118. The main stick 116 of the second chopstick 104 has a tapered end 120 and the secondary stick 118 extends from an opening 122 of the main stick 116. The secondary stick 118 of the second chopstick 104 has a thicker end 124. The openings 114,122 may be in the form of a channel, a groove, a slotted opening, etc.
As best seen in
The tapered ends 110,120 are used for picking up food items during use. The thicker ends 112,124 are joined and hold the chopsticks 102,104 together. The hinged chopsticks 100 can be made from lightweight and durable material like a wood, a metal, or a toxin-free plastic. In the preferred embodiment, the hinged chopsticks 100 are made from myrtle wood.
Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular features or components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different persons may refer to the same feature or component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components or features that differ in name but not structure or function. As used herein “foldable spring-loaded chopsticks”, “hinged chopsticks”, “pair of hinged chopsticks”, and “easy-use hinged chopsticks” are interchangeable and refer to the foldable and hinged chopsticks 100 of the present invention.
Notwithstanding the forgoing, the foldable and hinged chopsticks 100 of the present invention can be of any suitable size and configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that it accomplishes the above stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the foldable and hinged chopsticks 100 as shown in the FIGS. are for illustrative purposes only, and that many other sizes and shapes of the foldable and hinged chopsticks 100 are well within the scope of the present disclosure. Although the dimensions of the foldable and hinged chopsticks 100 are important design parameters for user convenience, the foldable and hinged chopsticks 100 may be of any size that ensures optimal performance during use and/or that suits the user's needs and/or preferences.
Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. While the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof.
What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.
The present application claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/590,518, which was filed on Oct. 16, 2023, and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63590518 | Oct 2023 | US |
