JP3246485U - Chopstick connector - Google Patents

Abstract

[Problem] To provide a chopstick connector that allows people who have difficulty using chopsticks, as well as able-bodied people, to use chopsticks as if they were tongs to pick up and move food. [Solution] The chopstick connector S has a pair of opposing holder members 1a, 1b, each of which has a single chopstick holder 2a, 2b on its outer side, and the pair of holder members are pivotally connected at approximately the center of the opposing faces, and the pivot part 3 is equipped with a spring material 4 that biases the tips of the chopsticks in the direction of spreading them apart. [Selected drawing] Figure 2

Description

This invention relates to a chopstick connector that connects chopsticks, which are usually separate pairs of sticks, together and gives them a springy feel, allowing them to hold food just like tongs.

Conventionally, chopsticks consist of a pair of sticks, but for people with disabilities in their fingertips, people who are no longer able to use chopsticks well due to old age, and children and foreigners who are not accustomed to using chopsticks, using chopsticks to pick up and move food is a difficult task.

Also, when transferring food from a large platter to an individual's plate, chopsticks are sometimes provided, but the tips of these chopsticks that hold the food can become dirty depending on the food or how it is placed, which can be unpleasant.

Furthermore, the above problems can become more pronounced when dining at a buffet.

The applicant has investigated prior technical literature regarding the present invention, but has not found any literature that appears to be particularly related or similar to the present invention.

The problem that this invention aims to solve is that there was no existing chopstick connector that allowed people who have difficulty using chopsticks, as well as able-bodied people, to use chopsticks like tongs to pick up and move food.

To solve the problems mentioned above, the chopstick connector of this invention has a pair of opposing holder members, each with a portion on the outside that holds a single chopstick, and the pair of holder members are pivotally connected at approximately the center of the opposing faces, and the pivotal portion is equipped with a spring material that biases the tips of the chopsticks in the direction of spreading them apart.

The chopstick connector according to the present invention is also characterized in that the chopstick holder is a pipe structure that is integrally formed on the outer part of each holder member below the pivot part.

Furthermore, the chopstick connector according to the present invention is characterized in that the spring material is a U-shaped or V-shaped leaf spring.

The chopstick connector according to this invention is characterized in that the pivot part is configured by overlapping two roughly circular protrusions formed on the opposing surfaces of the holder member.

The chopstick connector of this invention is also characterized in that the upper opposing surfaces of the pair of holder members serve as stoppers to prevent the chopsticks from spreading apart too far.

Furthermore, the chopstick connector according to the present invention is characterized in that the tops of the chopsticks are fitted with caps that are integral in shape with the holder member.

The chopstick connector according to this invention is characterized in that the cap has an engagement portion formed to tightly engage with the holder member.

The chopstick connector according to the present invention is constructed as described above. Therefore, a pair of chopsticks that are in a separate state are integrally connected, and the tips are biased in the spreading direction by the effect of the spring material, so that by placing the holder member in the palm of the hand and pushing the chopsticks with the thumb, index finger, middle finger, etc., it can be operated just like tongs, making it possible to pick up and move food. In addition, by setting the chopsticks on a special stand when not in use, the tips of the chopsticks will always be in the air, eliminating the risk of them becoming dirty.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the mechanism of the chopstick connector according to the present invention. FIG. FIG. FIG. 13 shows the chopsticks in use with the tips of the chopsticks spread apart. FIG. 13 shows the same state in which the tips of chopsticks are brought close together. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the stand when not in use, illustrating a stationary type. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a type of clip that clips onto the edge of a table.

This was achieved by configuring it as shown in the drawings and described in the examples.

Next, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawing, 1a and 1b indicate a pair of opposing holder members, which are molded from a relatively lightweight yet strong plastic. Each of the holder members 1a and 1b has integrally formed on its outer surface holding portions 2a and 2b for the intended individual chopsticks S and S.

The chopsticks S, S used in this embodiment have a rectangular cross section, and the holding parts 2a, 2b are constructed in the shape of a pipe with a rectangular cross section to prevent the chopsticks S, S from rotating. In addition, the holding parts 2a, 2b can be provided with slits along the axial direction, which can give the holding parts 2a, 2b elasticity and absorb size differences due to differences in thickness and material of the chopsticks S, S, allowing for tighter holding.

In addition, roughly circular projections 3a, 3b that overlap each other are formed on the opposing sides of the holder members 1a, 1b, and the projections 3a, 3b are fitted together and overlap each other to form a pivot part 3 that can pivot.

A roughly U-shaped spring material, a leaf spring 4, is fitted to the outer periphery of the pivot part 3, surrounding the pivot part 3, and the fitting of this leaf spring 4 fixes the pivot part 3 as a unit. The tip of this leaf spring 4 is bent outward, and its curved outer surface abuts against the inner surface of the chopsticks S, S, and urges the tips of the chopsticks S, S in a direction that spreads them apart. In other words, the tips of the chopsticks S, S attached to the holding parts 2a, 2b are normally spread apart, and are in a standby state in which they are ready to pick up food.

The leaf spring 4 can also be a linear spring made by bending a single wire into a U-shape or V-shape, if necessary. Furthermore, a wire material can be added to the tip of the leaf spring 4 as an auxiliary.

In addition, 5, 5 in the figure indicate caps that are placed on the tops of the attached chopsticks S, S. These caps 5, 5 are naturally inserted into the holding parts 2a, 2b from the thin tip, so there is a risk that they may slip off from the top surface, which becomes thick and thin. To prevent this, each cap 5, 5 is formed with an engagement part 5a, 5a that engages with the upper surface part of the holder members 1a, 1b, and when put on, it is integrated with the holder members 1a, 1b and in a locked state, and the integration also improves the aesthetics.

On the other hand, the inner surface of the upper end of the holder members 1a, 1b serves as a stopper 6 that restricts the degree of opening of the attached chopsticks S, S and prevents them from opening too wide, and they can be kept open at a constant level by abutting against the biasing force of the leaf spring 4. The aforementioned engaging portion 5a of the cap 5 also serves as an auxiliary stopper 6.

When not in use, chopsticks S, S integrated with a connector can be kept clean by setting them on a stand rather than placing them on a table or plate, and by keeping the tips of the chopsticks in the air and avoiding contact with other objects.

Figure 6 shows a stand that can be placed on a desk. This stand has a bent support pole 7, and the upper end of the support pole 7 has a receiving part 8 for chopsticks S, S. A roughly rectangular or diamond-shaped receiving hole is formed in this receiving part 8, and the inner wall surface 8a of the receiving hole is tapered, and the connection part between the inner wall surface 8a and the support pole 7 forms a support part 8b for chopsticks S. This receiving part 8 can also have a notch on either the left or right side, and the chopsticks S, S can be inserted and removed laterally through the notch, preventing the chopsticks S, S from sliding against the inner wall surface 8a when they are inserted and removed, and preventing any dripping or the like on the chopsticks S, S from adhering to the inner wall surface 8a. In this case, the base 9 has an anchor part 9a that receives the weight of the support part 8b to prevent it from falling over. The base end of the support pole 7 is wrapped in a fitting member, which is tightly fitted into a receiving hole 9b formed in the base 9.

Figure 7 shows a clip-type base 10 that clamps and clips onto the edge of the table to secure it in place. In this case, the support pole 7 and receiving part 8 can be the same as those described above, and the receiving holes formed in the base 10 are also the same, so it can be attached in the same manner. The base 10 has a lower and upper plate pivoted on a support shaft, and the clamping part can be opened and closed by the force of a coil spring wound around the support shaft. An anti-slip material is attached to the clamping part. The upper plate of this base 10, where the receiving holes are formed, is flat, ensuring continuous integration with the table surface.

The chopstick connector of this embodiment is constructed as described above. In this embodiment, the chopsticks S used are rectangular in cross section, but this is not limiting, and chopsticks made of any material, including round chopsticks, painted chopsticks, wood, bamboo, plastic, metal, etc., can be used.

1a, 1b Holder member 2a, 2b Holding portion 3 Pivot portion 3a, 3b Projection piece 4 Leaf spring 5 Cap 5a Engagement portion 6 Stopper 7 Support pole 8 Receiving portion 8a Inner wall surface 8b Support portion 9 Base 9a Anchor 10 Clip-type base S Chopstick

Claims (7)

A chopstick connector that has a pair of opposing holder members, each with a portion on the outside that holds a single chopstick, and that is pivotally connected at approximately the center of the opposing faces, and that is equipped with a spring material that biases the tips of the chopsticks in the direction of spreading them apart. The chopstick connector according to claim 1, characterized in that the chopstick holding portion is a pipe structure integrally formed on the outer portion of each holder member below the pivot portion. The chopstick connector according to claim 1, characterized in that the spring material is a U-shaped or V-shaped leaf spring. The chopstick connector according to claim 1, characterized in that the pivot part is configured by overlapping two approximately circular protrusions formed on the opposing surfaces of the holder member. The chopstick connector according to claim 1, characterized in that the upper opposing surfaces of the pair of holder members serve as stoppers to prevent the chopsticks from spreading too wide. The chopstick connector according to claim 1, characterized in that the tops of the chopsticks are capped with caps that are integral with the holder member in shape. The chopstick connector according to claim 6, characterized in that the cap is formed with an engagement portion for tightly engaging with the holder member.

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