JP6594730B2 - Practice chopsticks - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a practice chopstick used for practicing correct chopstick usage.

A chopstick is composed of a chopstick near the wrist and a chopstick far from the wrist. The chopstick is fixed with the thumb and ring finger, while the chopstick is clamped while holding the belly of the holding thumb. The correct usage is to extend and bend the index and middle fingers and move them like a lever. And how to use and use these chopsticks correctly can not only make you feel a beautiful chopsticks when you eat, but also effectively pick up food.
However, the correct usage of chopsticks is very difficult for premature infants and those with physical disabilities, such as finger separation and proper application of force, and even some healthy adults cannot use chopsticks correctly. .

For this reason, there is a practice chopstick for allowing an infant or the like to learn how to hold a chopstick (see Patent Document 1).
That is, a person who cannot use chopsticks correctly cannot place each finger properly. Therefore, in the practice chopsticks of Patent Document 1, a ring is provided at an appropriate position where the thumb, forefinger, and middle finger should be placed. Trying to insert a finger to learn how to hold it correctly.

Japanese Patent No. 3766831

By the way, although the ring of the practice chopsticks of the said patent document 1 can be said that it is preferable at the point which teaches proper arrangement | positioning of a finger, the finger | toe is inserted in a ring and the movement of a finger is forcedly suppressed.
Therefore, it is difficult to move a finger dexterously just because the finger is correctly placed with a ring, for infants and the like whose finger nerves are not yet sufficiently developed and can move the finger dexterously. It still takes a considerable amount of time to get used to the correct finger movement. Then, some people throw out practice of how to move the correct chopsticks, and eventually some people cannot operate the correct chopsticks.
The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a practice chopstick that can quickly get used to correct chopstick movement.

  According to the present invention, according to the present invention, one of the two rod-shaped main bodies is a chopstick that is disposed farther than the wrist, and the other is a chopstick that is disposed closer to the wrist than the distal chopstick. A connecting portion that connects the distal chopstick and the near chopstick in a region where a user's thumb is disposed, and the distal chopstick is connected to the connecting portion with respect to the proximal chopstick. A practice chopstick that is rotatable so that a chopstick tip and a chopstick head are alternately approached and separated from each other, wherein the distal chopstick is closer to the chopstick head than the connecting portion. In the middle of the user's use, there is an enlarged portion for a chopstick that is enlarged so that a finger pad of an adult's hand different from the user can be contacted, and the chopstick is more than the connecting portion. On the chopstick head side, there is an enlarged portion for near chopsticks that is enlarged so that a finger pad different from the finger pad can be contacted during the use, Serial The enlarged portion for near chopsticks, is solved by the practice chopsticks being slidable in a direction the approaching or away while overlapping each other.

According to the configuration of the present invention, since the connecting portion that connects the chopsticks and the chopsticks is provided, unnecessary separation of the chopsticks and the chopsticks can be prevented during use. In addition, the chopsticks can be pivoted so that the chopstick tip and chopstick head alternately approach and separate from the chopsticks, with the connecting part with the connecting part as a fulcrum. It is provided in the area. Therefore, it is possible to practice turning the chopsticks with the thumb as a fulcrum.
Here, the chopsticks are enlarged on the chopstick head side so that an adult finger pad (for example, thumb finger pad) different from the user can be brought into contact with the chopstick head side during use by the user. A close-up chopstick is also provided on the chopstick head side so that the adult's finger pad (for example, the finger pad of the index finger) can be brought into contact with the finger pad during use. The chopstick magnifying portion has a chopstick magnifying portion, and the chopstick magnifying portion and the chopstick magnifying portion overlap each other and are slidable in the approaching and separating directions.
For this reason, the overlapped magnifying unit for the chopsticks and the magnifying unit for the chopsticks are combined with two fingers of one adult's hand different from the user (for example, the magnifying unit for the chopsticks is used as the index finger, Can be picked with a thumb), and the movement of rubbing the picked finger, and sliding the distal chopstick enlargement part and the chopstick enlargement part in the direction of approaching and separating, Along with the sliding, the distal chopsticks rotate so as to approach and separate from the near chopsticks with the connection portion with the coupling portion as a fulcrum.
Therefore, if a user, for example, an infant, holds a chopstick and a chopstick, and an adult, for example, a parent picks and slides the chopstick enlargement portion and the chopstick enlargement portion, the slide The movement assists the infant to move the finger correctly, and is an instruction for the infant to move the chopsticks. In addition, depending on the number of sliding times, the nerve of the finger to use the chopsticks is stimulated. Develop a sense of moving chopsticks properly.

Preferably, the distal chopsticks and / or the near chopsticks have a protruding portion protruding in the approaching / separating direction between the chopstick tip and a portion where the user's finger comes into contact. Features.
Therefore, it is possible to prevent the noodles in the meal from slipping toward the finger, which is particularly effective when the infant is a user who often eats soft noodles.
In addition, toddlers who had eaten baby food practiced with the surface in the direction perpendicular to the direction in which the chopsticks and chopsticks approached and separated from each other as if they were carrying a spoon into the mouth. It was found that the noodles slipped on the chopsticks and sticked to the fingers when carrying the chopsticks to the mouth. Therefore, the distal chopsticks and / or the near chopsticks are formed with protrusions protruding in the direction of approaching and separating from each other, thereby locking the protrusions and the noodle so as to prevent the noodles from slipping to the finger side. I made it.

Preferably, the chopsticks have a pressed part that is pressed near the base of the thumb, and the pressed part has a width dimension along the length direction of the thumb, and the length of the chopsticks is long. It is characterized by being formed larger than the width dimension along the vertical direction.
Therefore, the user can easily press the chopsticks at the base of the thumb, and can develop a sense of pressing and fixing the chopsticks with the thumb.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a practice chopstick that can quickly get used to correct chopstick movement.

FIG. 1 (a) is a diagram for explaining the movement of fingers necessary to use a correct chopstick, and FIG. 1 (b) shows the ratio of infants who move the chopsticks and the chopsticks when opening the chopsticks. Figure. The front view of the practice chopsticks which concerns on embodiment of this invention (The figure which looked at the front holding the practice chopsticks appropriately). The rear view of the practice chopsticks of FIG. FIG. 3 is a close-up chopstick with the chopsticks removed from the practice chopsticks of FIG. FIG. 3 is a plan view of the chopsticks from which the chopsticks are removed from the practice chopsticks of FIG. The figure which visually recognized the chopsticks of FIG. 4 from the Y1 direction of FIG. FIGS. 7A and 7B are diagrams showing a usage state in which the practice chopsticks of FIG. 2 are opened and closed, FIG. 7A is a state diagram in which the chopstick tip portion is opened, and FIG. 7B is a state diagram in which the chopstick tip portion is closed. The alternate long and short dash line represents the user's finger, and the alternate long and two short dashes line represents the finger of a person other than the user. In addition, the diagram surrounded by a three-dot chain line is a perspective view of the enlarging portion for the distal chopsticks and the enlarging portion for the near chopsticks in FIG. FIG. 8A is a state diagram of use of opening and closing the practice chopsticks of FIG. 2, and FIG. 8A is a state diagram of the close-up chopstick and enlarged chopsticks when the chopstick tip is closed, FIG. B) is a state diagram of the close-up chopstick enlargement portion and the close-up chopstick enlargement portion when the chopstick tip portion is opened. FIG. 9 is a modification of the chopstick enlargement portion and the close chopstick enlargement portion of FIG. 8. The perspective view which shows the chopstick tip part periphery in the use state of the practice chopsticks of FIG. AA sectional drawing of FIG. The front view which concerns on the modification of the practice chopsticks concerning embodiment of this invention. The front view which deform | transformed the practice chopsticks of FIG.

[Finger movements necessary for correct chopsticks use]
Before explaining the chopsticks for practice according to the embodiment of the present invention, as a contributor to understanding, movements of fingers necessary for correct chopsticks use and problems of infants who cannot perform the movements will be described.
As shown in FIG. 2, the chopsticks are fixed using the base of the thumb TB, the ring finger RF and the fingertip of the little finger LF while fixing the chopsticks 14 farther from the wrist with the fingertip of the thumb TB. While pressing, move the index finger FF / middle finger MF in between.
Therefore, in order to use chopsticks correctly, as shown in FIG. 1, it is necessary to develop a nerve that can move two fingers (ringing finger / little finger) and three fingers (thumb, index finger, middle finger) separately. That is, it is necessary that both the radial nerve of the index finger, middle finger and thumb and the ulnar nerve of the ring finger and pinky are well developed.

However, in the case of infants, the development time of the cephalic nerve and the ulnar nerve is different. FIG. 1 (b) shows this, and when observed with the chopsticks open, about 25% of the three-year-olds move only chopsticks, about 25% move only chopsticks, and chopsticks and chopsticks. About 42% of people moved both.
Next, among the four-year-old children, about 39% of people moved only chopsticks, about 30% moved only chopsticks, and about 30% moved both chopsticks and chopsticks. In other words, 4 years old children are better at moving chopsticks than 3 years old children. From this, it can be seen that infants first developed the shaku side nerve (nerve of the ring finger / pinky finger) to move chopsticks. .
Next, among the five-year-old children, about 17% moved only chopsticks, about 66% moved only chopsticks, and about 17% moved both chopsticks and chopsticks. In other words, five-year-olds are better at moving the distal chopsticks than four-year-olds, and this is why infants move the chopsticks next to the ulnar nerve and move the distal chopsticks (thumb, index finger, middle finger nerve). It can be seen that has developed.

And because the development time of the cephalic nerve and the ulnar nerve is different in this way, it takes time for both nerves to develop well in a balanced manner. Finger) and ring finger and pinky finger (referred to as “scale finger”) at the same time (separately), it is difficult to move well, and it looks like holding all fingers, You will not be able to use chopsticks well because of the crossing of the chopsticks.
Therefore, no matter how much a finger can be placed in an appropriate position, it is still difficult for an infant who has not developed nerves to properly move the chopsticks. Therefore, in the practice chopsticks according to the embodiment of the present invention, It stimulates the nerves described above so that it can cultivate the sense of moving chopsticks properly.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
The embodiment described below is a preferred specific example of the present invention, and thus various technically preferable limitations are given. However, the scope of the present invention is particularly limited in the following description. Unless otherwise stated, the present invention is not limited to these forms.
2 to 7 show a chopstick 10 for practice according to an embodiment of the present invention, where an infant is an intended user, and is particularly suitable for a time when an infant who has only eaten with a spoon or fork moves to chopsticks. Can be used for In addition, the location which attached | subjected the same code | symbol in FIGS. 2-7 has the same structure.
The practice chopsticks 10 are provided on the two chopsticks 12 and the chopsticks 14, the “main body 11” composed of the chopsticks 12, and the chopsticks 14. The “thumb placement unit 40” and the “index finger placement unit 30” and the “middle finger placement unit 31” provided on the distal chopstick 14 are provided.

[About the main body 11]
Each of the chopsticks 12 and the distal chopsticks 14 constituting the main body 11 has an elongated bar shape as a whole, and in the case of this embodiment, a cross section in which the surface on which the thumb TB and the ring finger RF are placed is substantially flat. Have.
When used, the near chopsticks 12 are arranged closer to the wrist (on the base side of the thumb) than the far chopsticks 14 and are also called fixed chopsticks or static chopsticks.
The distal chopsticks 14 are arranged on the side farther from the wrist than the near chopsticks 12 (the fingertip side of the thumb) when used, and are also called movable chopsticks or moving chopsticks.

Each of the chopsticks 12 and the distal chopsticks 14 has a plurality of continuous fine irregularities on the chopstick tips 12a and 14a in order to prevent the food to be gripped from slipping. Non-slip portions 48 and 49 are formed. The anti-slip portions 48 and 49 according to the present embodiment are not formed with a convex portion in the main body 11 but are formed with a concave portion 39 so as to be generally uneven.
Further, the tip portions 12b and 14b of the chopstick tip portions 12a and 14a are rounded as shown in the drawing of the chopsticks 12 and the distal chopsticks 14 in FIG. It is widened, thereby preventing damage in the oral cavity and making it easier to grip food.
The chopstick tip portions 12a and 14a will be further described later.

[About connecting part 16]
The connecting portion 16 is for preventing unintentional separation between the chopsticks 12 and the chopsticks 14 and for rotating the chopsticks 14 like a lever.
Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, one end portion 16 a of the connecting portion 16 is fixed to a thumb placement portion 40, which will be described later, provided on the chopstick 12, and the other end portion 16 b is attached to the chopstick 14. It is connected so that it can be rotated.
In the case of the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, in the area of the distal chopstick 14 to which the connecting portion 16 is connected, a through hole 22 that penetrates in the generally longitudinal direction Y1 of the infant's thumb TB arranged. A cylindrical shaft portion 24 is provided in the through hole 22 in the direction Z perpendicular to the direction Y1.
On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a circular or semi-circular cutout 45 corresponding to the outer diameter of the shaft portion 24 is formed at the other end portion 16b of the connecting portion 16 so as to have a substantially wrench shape. The shaft portion 24 is press-fitted into the notch 45 and the shaft portion 24 is locked to the inner surface of the notch 45.

In this way, as shown in FIG. 7, which is in use, the chopstick tips 12a and 14a of the chopsticks 14 and the chopsticks 12 and the chopstick heads 10a are alternately approached and separated so that the chopsticks 14 can rotate with respect to the chopsticks 12. That is, the chopstick head portions 10a move in the direction of separating as the chopstick tip portions 12a and 14a approach each other, and conversely, the chopstick head portions 10a move in the direction of approaching according to the separation of the chopstick tip portions 12a and 14a. Thus, the distal chopsticks 14 are rotatable about the connecting portion (the shaft portion 24 in this embodiment) with the connecting portion 16 as a fulcrum.
The connecting portion 16 is provided in a region where the infant's thumb TB is to be correctly placed when in use, whereby the infant has the other end 16b corresponding to the position of the fingertip of the thumb TB (see FIG. 2). ) To cultivate the sense of turning the chopsticks 14 around the fulcrum.

Note that the width dimension W4 of the through hole 22 shown in FIG. 5 is only slightly larger than the thickness of the other end portion 16b of the connecting portion 16, so that when the distal chopstick 14 is rotated, The movement other than the moving direction is suppressed.
Furthermore, a stepped portion 23 generally extending in the direction Y1 is formed on the inner wall of the through hole 22 of the present embodiment. On the other hand, the distal chopstick 14 of FIG. A locking portion 37 is formed so as to lock with the stepped portion 23 when it moves too much. As a result, the step portion 23 and the locking portion 37 work together as a stopper to prevent the distal chopstick 14 from rotating too much, and the positions of the chopstick enlargement portion 60 and the distal chopstick enlargement portion 50 described later are positioned. To control. Further, since the stopper is arranged inside the hole, there is no fear of pinching a finger.

[About the thumb placement unit 40]
As shown in FIG. 2, the thumb placement portion 40 provided on the chopsticks 12 is in a portion where the base of the infant's thumb TB is placed, the thumb ring portion 44 through which the thumb TB is passed, and the thumb It consists of a pressed part 42 that is pressed near the base of TB.
As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, the thumb ring portion 44 has a ring shape having a hole in the longitudinal direction Y1 of the infant's thumb to be placed, and the infant's thumb TB is passed through as shown in FIG. Thus, the vicinity of the base of the thumb TB is positioned with respect to the chopsticks 12.
The thumb ring portion 44 is formed of a hard member (for example, polypropylene) similar to the main body 11 and is fixed to the pressed portion 42.

Similarly to the thumb ring portion 44, the pressed portion 42 is also formed of a hard member (eg, polypropylene). As shown in FIG. 4, the pressed portion 42 has a width dimension W2 along the length direction Y1 of the thumb to be arranged, as compared with a width dimension W1 along the length direction Y1 of the chopsticks 12. Largely formed. Therefore, it becomes easy to press the chopsticks 12 near the base of the thumb, and a feeling of pressing and fixing the chopsticks 12 with the thumb can be cultivated.
In this way, the pressed portion 42 has a large area, but as shown in FIG. 7, the distal chopstick 14 does not become an obstacle when moving like a lever with the connecting portion (shaft portion) 24 as a fulcrum. When viewed from the front, the edge on the side of the distal chopstick 14 has an arc shape that protrudes toward the side of the distal chopstick 14, and in the case of the figure, the edge is generally oval or oval.

As shown in FIG. 6, the pressed portion 42 is formed such that the surface 42 a on the side where the thumb is disposed is recessed toward the center in the direction X <b> 1 orthogonal to the length direction Y <b> 1 of the thumb. Thus, the pressed portion 42 has a shape corresponding to the vicinity of the base of the thumb, and is more easily pressed by the thumb.
The pressed portion 42 is detachable from the chopsticks 12. In the case of the present embodiment, the pressed portion 42 is provided with a pin 28, and the pin 28 is fitted into a hole provided in the chopsticks 12. The degree of fitting (the strength of connection between the pressed portion 42 and the chopstick 12) pushes the thumb inserted into the thumb ring portion 44 in the Z1 direction (direction orthogonal to both the X1 direction and the Y1 direction). The thumb is prevented from being broken by being removed.

[About the index finger placement unit 30 and the middle finger placement unit 31]
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the index finger placement unit 30 is provided at a position where the index finger FF should be correctly placed with respect to the distal chopsticks 14. Specifically, the index finger placement unit 30 is formed by protruding a ring into which the fingertip of the index finger FF can be inserted from the upper end surface (the surface farthest from the chopstick 12) 14d of the distal chopstick 14 upward.
On the other hand, the middle finger placement unit 31 is provided at a position where the middle finger MF should be placed correctly with respect to the chopsticks 14. Specifically, a ring that can insert the fingertip of the middle finger MF protrudes from the back surface 14c of the distal chopstick 14 to form the middle finger placement portion 31.
The index finger placement unit 30 and the middle finger placement unit 31 are adjacent to each other, and can be shaped as if the distal chopstick 14 is sandwiched between the fingertip of the index finger FF inserted into them and the fingertip of the middle finger MF. Then, by extending and bending the index finger FF and the middle finger MF inserted into these, the distal chopstick 14 is connected to the connecting portion 16 (shaft portion) 24 and the chopstick tip portion 14a approaches the chopstick 12・ Possible to turn away from each other.

The index finger placement unit 30 and the middle finger placement unit 31 of the present embodiment are fixed to the distal chopsticks 14, but are formed of a soft material (for example, silicone) that can be easily deformed only with the fingertip force of the index finger FF or the middle finger MF. Thus, it is possible to flexibly cope with individual differences regarding finger length and holding method.
Although not provided in the present embodiment, the ring-shaped portion for restricting the movement of the ring finger RF and the little finger LF is disposed in the correct position by arranging the ring finger RF and the little finger LF for supporting the chopstick 12 at the correct positions. May be provided.
In addition, for the index finger placement part 30, the middle finger placement part 31, and / or the thumb ring part 44, a slit is formed so as to cut the width of the ring, thereby making it easier to remove the finger when it falls down. You may make it plan.
The practice chopsticks 10 of the present embodiment have the above characteristics, and further have the following characteristics.

[About the chopstick enlargement unit 50 and the close chopstick enlargement unit 60]
First, the chopstick enlargement unit 50 and the close chopstick enlargement unit 60 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 7, the practice chopstick 10 has a chopstick magnifying unit 50 and a chopsticks magnifying unit 60 on the chopstick head 10a side (opposite the chopstick tip parts 12a, 14a) from the connecting unit 16. Have.
The chopstick enlargement unit 50 and the close chopstick enlargement unit 60 have a function as a guide for how to move the chopsticks with respect to an infant and a function for improving the sense of using chopsticks.

That is, the chopsticks enlargement unit 50 is an enlarged part so that the chopstick head 10a side of the chopsticks 14 can contact the finger pad of an adult hand even when an infant is in use. The chopstick head 10a side of the chopsticks 12 is an enlarged portion so that a finger pad different from the finger pad touching the distal chopstick expanding part 50 can be contacted even when an infant is in use.
In the case of the drawing, the chopstick enlargement unit 50 and the close chopstick enlargement unit 60 (hereinafter collectively referred to as “both enlargement units 50 and 60”) are the chopstick heads 10 a of the chopsticks 12 and 14. In the direction Y2 in which the chopstick head approaches / separates, the area is enlarged by making the size of the chopstick head 10a larger than that of the other main body 11 (in other words, the direction in which the chopstick head 10a approaches / separates). Y2 is expanded in the direction having the component of Y2).
And both the enlarged parts 50 and 60 are thin plate shape as shown in FIGS. 5-7, and it mutually overlaps in the thickness direction. As for the overlap, not only the practice chopsticks 10 are overlapped in the state shown in FIG. 7A, but also the enlargement unit 50 is used in the state shown in FIG. 7B where the practice chopsticks 10 are closed most. , 60 partially overlap each other in the thickness direction.
As a result, another person (for example, a parent, hereinafter referred to as “parent”) other than the infant who is the user can grip both the enlarged portions 50 and 60 with one hand. That is, while the infant is using the practice chopsticks 10, for example, the parent turns behind the infant and, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, the thumb PF <b> 2 and the index finger PF <b> 1, It can be picked so as to sandwich the main surfaces 50b, 60b opposite to the surfaces 50a, 60a facing each other.
The exercise chopstick 10 shown in the figure is for the right hand, and the belly of the right thumb PF2 is brought into contact with the distal chopstick enlargement unit 50, and the index finger PF1 of the right hand is brought into contact with the chopstick enlargement unit 60. When the parent is in front of the infant, the left index finger's belly may be brought into contact with the distal chopstick enlargement portion 50 and the left thumb's thumb belly may be brought into contact with the near chopstick enlargement portion 60 (that is, both enlarged portions in the figure). The main surfaces 50b and 60b of the 50 and 60 are both sized so that the thumb of an adult's hand can easily come into contact with the stomach.

Then, the parent thumb PF2 and the index finger PF1 holding the main surfaces 50b and 60b are moved so that the state of FIG. 7A and the state of FIG. 50 and the enlargement portion 60 for chopsticks are slid in the approaching / separating direction Y2, the chopstick 14 is accompanied by the sliding portion 14 using the connection portion 24 with the connecting portion 16 as a fulcrum. 14a is rotated so as to approach and separate from the chopstick tip 12a of the chopsticks 12.
Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7, after placing the infant's fingers TB, FF, MF, RF, and LF at the correct positions, the parent picks up the chopstick enlargement unit 50 and the close chopstick enlargement unit 60 and approaches them. -If the chopsticks are slid in the separating direction Y2, the chopsticks move properly, so that the infant can understand how to move the chopsticks through actual experience, and can also develop a sense of moving the chopsticks according to the number of sliding times.

Specifically, the distal chopstick magnifying unit 50 is formed by enlarging the width of the chopsticks 14 (width in the short direction when viewed from the front) W5. The enlargement on the approach side is larger than the enlargement on the side away from the chopstick enlargement portion 60 (in the front view of FIG. 7, the lower side is larger than the upper side).
The chopsticks enlargement unit 60 is also formed by increasing the width (width in the short direction when viewed from the front) W1 of the chopsticks 12; The chopstick enlargement portion 50 and the chopstick enlargement portion 60 are enlarged substantially uniformly on the approach and separation sides (in the front view, the widening downward and the widening upward are the same). .
The reason why only the chopstick magnifying unit 60 is enlarged substantially uniformly is that the chopstick magnifying unit 60 may be in contact with the vicinity of the base of the infant's index finger FF as described later. This is so as not to disturb the movement of the FF.

The distal chopstick magnifying unit 50 of the present embodiment is in front of the chopsticks magnifying unit 60 (the side from which the thumb ring 44 protrudes) in the state of FIG. ) So as to overlap the chopstick enlargement unit 60. In other words, in the state where the practice chopsticks 10 are properly held, the chopstick enlargement unit 60 and the vicinity of the base of the infant's index finger FF may come into contact with each other, whereas the rotary chopstick enlargement unit 50 that rotates. Preferably does not touch the infant's finger.
As a result, when the distal chopstick enlargement unit 50 is slid with respect to the close chopstick enlargement unit 60, smooth sliding is possible without touching the infant's finger.
7B, it is better for the chopsticks 12 to be in contact with the vicinity of the base of the forefinger's index finger FF, as shown in FIG. 7B. A portion 60c protruding to the side is necessary, and the fingertip of the parent index finger PF1 is brought into contact with this portion 60c.

As shown in FIG. 5, the thickness D2 of the chopstick enlargement portion 50 and the thickness D3 of the chopstick enlargement portion 60 are the same (about 3 mm in the figure). A shape in which opposite sides are scraped so that the size when the distal chopstick enlargement 50 and the close chopstick enlargement 60 are overlapped is the same as the thickness D1 of the near chopsticks 12 and 14 Has been. Accordingly, the chopstick tip portions 12a and 14a can be aligned as shown in FIG. 7B while allowing the two enlarged portions 50 and 60 to overlap in the thickness direction.
As shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, the sizes of the two enlarged portions 50 and 60 have a size that can be easily picked up by the parents' fingers PF1 and PF2 when the infant properly arranges the fingers. Further, it is preferable that the size of the practice chopsticks 10 is taken into account in consideration of the weight balance in the longitudinal direction. Specifically, in the practice chopsticks 10 having a total length of 14 to 16 cm, both enlarged portions 50 and 60 have a diameter of 2. A circular shape having a diameter of about 2.5 to 3.0 cm is preferable.
The shapes of the two enlarged portions 50 and 60 are not particularly limited, such as a circular shape, a square shape, or a triangular shape when viewed from the front (this embodiment has a substantially perfect circular shape), but as shown in FIG. It is preferred that the distal chopstick enlargement portion 50 and the close chopstick enlargement portion 60 have substantially the same area and shape so that the distal chopstick enlargement portion 60 and the close chopstick enlargement portion 60 are almost completely overlapped.

  In this embodiment, as described above, the stopper (for preventing the distal chopstick 14 from rotating too much) is provided so that the distal chopstick enlargement 50 and the close chopstick enlargement 60 are almost completely overlapped. 5 has a step portion 23 in the through hole of FIG. 5 and a locking portion 37 of the connecting portion 16 of FIG. Further, in the present embodiment, when the distal chopstick enlargement unit 50 rotates too much, the thumb placement unit 40 (specifically, the pressed portion 42) and the distal chopstick enlargement unit 50 collide, and the overlap is performed. The degree is kept.

  It should be noted that the main surfaces 50b and 60b with which the parent fingers PF1 and PF2 of both the enlarged portions 50 and 60 come into contact are formed as irregular surfaces having fine irregularities, or protrusions that are engaged with the fingers PF1 and PF2 are formed. Then, the fingers PF1 and PF2 may be prevented from slipping. On the other hand, the surfaces 50a and 60a (see also FIG. 5) of the two enlarged portions 50 and 60 facing each other are preferably smoother than the main surfaces 50b and 60b. The magnifying part 50 and the chopsticks magnifying part 60 can be easily slid with one hand.

It is preferable that a pattern, a character or the like (hereinafter simply referred to as “pattern”) is displayed on both the enlarged portions 50 and 60, and this point will be described below with reference to FIG.
8A is a front view of the enlarged portions 50 and 60 when the chopstick tip portions 12a and 14a of FIG. 7B are closed, and FIG. 8B is a chopstick tip portion 12a and FIG. It is a front view of both the enlarged parts 50 and 60 at the time of opening 14a.
As shown in FIG. 8, the two enlarged portions 50, 60 have the main surfaces 50b, 60a on the side viewed from the front with the practice chopsticks 10 properly (in the case shown, the two enlarged portions 50, 60 are overlapped with each other). In the state, the main surface 60a of the chopsticks magnifying unit 60 facing the chopsticks magnifying unit 50 and the main surface 50b opposite to the surface of the chopsticks magnifying unit 50 facing the chopsticks magnifying unit 60) The patterns P1 and P2 are displayed.

The patterns P1 and P2 are moved closer to and away from the chopsticks enlargement unit 60 and the chopsticks enlargement unit 50, and the main surface 60a of the chopsticks enlargement unit 60 is covered and exposed by the distal chopsticks enlargement unit 50. The story is developed.
It is sufficient for the story here to have some semantic or design relevance between the pattern P1 of the chopsticks enlargement unit 60 and the pattern P2 of the chopsticks enlargement unit 50. For example, in the case of FIG. 8, the pattern P1 of the chopsticks enlargement unit 60 is a butterfly, and the pattern P2 of the chopsticks enlargement unit 50 is a flower. By doing so, the butterfly moves toward and away from the flower and has a semantic relevance.
In addition, when a close-up chopstick enlargement unit 60 and a close-up chopstick enlargement unit 50 are separated from each other, a design that is completed for the first time (not shown) has a design relevance.
Alternatively, for example, as shown in FIG. 9 which is a modified example of FIG. 8, a story can be developed even if there is no pattern in the chopstick enlargement unit 50. For example, in the case of FIG. When it is gripped by the part, an effect that the pattern P3 comes out can be performed as shown in FIG. Therefore, it is sufficient that the pattern is displayed on at least the main surface 60a of the chopstick enlargement portion 60 facing the enlargement portion 50 for the chopsticks.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the pattern P3 is displayed on the main surface 60a of the chopstick enlargement portion 60 facing the enlargement portion 50 for the chopsticks, or the main portions of both enlargement portions 50, 60 are shown in FIG. Patterns P1 and P2 are displayed on the faces 50b and 60a, and by providing these patterns P1, P2 and P3 with narrative (semantic or design relevance), infants can enjoy and enlarge for chopsticks By moving the portion 60 and the chopstick enlargement portion 50 in the approaching and separating direction Y2, it is possible to give the infant a sense of using chopsticks.

[Protrusions 70]
Next, a protrusion 70 which is a further feature of the practice chopsticks 10 will be described mainly with reference to FIG.
FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the periphery of the chopstick tip portions 12a and 14a when the practice chopstick 10 is in use. In addition, in FIG. 10, the figure which cut | disconnected the front-end | tip of the chopstick tip parts 12a and 14a is shown.
The distal chopsticks 14 and the near chopsticks 12 are between the chopstick tip portions 12a, 14a that grip the food and the portions that contact the infant's finger (the portion 12c that contacts the ring finger RF and the portion 14e that contacts the middle finger MF in FIG. 2). Further, the projection 70 protrudes in the direction Y2 in which the distal chopstick 14 and the proximal chopstick 12 approach and separate.
The protrusions 70 are for preventing the noodles on the chopstick tips 12a and 14a from slipping to the finger side.

As shown in FIG. 10, the protrusion 70 is provided on both the distal chopstick 14 and the proximal chopstick 12, and is formed so as to protrude from the surfaces 72 and 74 where the proximal chopstick 12 and the distal chopstick 14 face each other so as to face each other. It is preferable. Thereby, when the chopstick tip portions 12a and 14a are inserted into the mouth, it is possible to prevent a situation in which the protruding portion 70 hits the oral cavity or around the mouth.
The protrusion 70 is preferably disposed adjacent to the anti-slip parts 48 and 49 formed on the chopstick tip parts 12a and 14a, whereby the protrusion (projection width) H1 of the protrusion 70 protrudes. Even if is small, the movement of the noodle ND to the finger side can be effectively prevented. However, the present invention is not limited to such a preferred embodiment. For example, the protrusion 70 is separated from the anti-slip portions 48 and 49, and is provided only on either the chopstick 14 or the chopstick 12. Also good.

The height H1 of the protrusion 70 is such that the width W6 between the two protrusions 70 and 70 facing each other is the boiled udon in the state where the chopstick tips 12a and 14a shown in FIG. It is formed to have a dimension equal to or smaller than the thickness of the noodle. Thereby, even if it is the noodle of the udon which an infant eats well, it can prevent moving to the finger-tip side rather than the projection parts 70 and 70 during a meal.
The height H1 of the protrusion 70 shown in FIG. 10 gradually protrudes toward the central portion CP of the protrusion 70 in the longitudinal direction X of the main body 11, and thereby the surfaces 70a facing each other. Has a smooth arc shape. Therefore, even if the infant plays and grabs the chopstick tip portions 12a and 14a and touches the protrusion 70, the injury can be prevented.

  As described above, by forming the protrusions 70, it is possible to prevent the noodle ND during the meal from slipping toward the finger, which is effective for an infant who often eats soft noodles and the like. Is big. In particular, even if the infant carries the upper side of FIG. 10 generally upward (with the thumb up) to the mouth like a spoon and the noodle ND is slippery on the main body 11, it is far from the chopsticks 12. The protrusion 70 protruding from the surfaces 72 and 74 facing the chopsticks 14 and the noodle ND sandwiched between the chopsticks 12 and the chopsticks 14 can be locked. Can be effectively prevented.

In this respect, in the present embodiment, in order to more effectively prevent the noodle ND from sliding to the finger side, the shape of the anti-slip portions 48 and 49 is also devised.
That is, as shown in FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 which is the AA cross section thereof, the non-slip portions 48 and 49 are shown not only in the surfaces 72 and 74 where the chopsticks 12 and the chopsticks 14 face each other, but also in FIG. It is also formed on the upper surfaces 76 and 78 (see FIGS. 10 and 11) when the chopstick 10 for practice is held like a spoon with the thumb ring portion 44 on the upper side. 10 and 11 have depths D4 and D5 at which the noodles of boiled udon can be caught.
In the present invention, the anti-slip portions 48 and 49 may be formed on the outer surface other than the surfaces 72, 74, 76, and 78, but preferably the opposing surfaces 72 and 74 and the upper surface (see FIG. 7 front face) 76, 78. Thereby, when the chopstick tip portions 12a and 14a are put in the mouth, damage in the oral cavity can be prevented.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment.
For example, as a preferable aspect in the present embodiment, the end portion 16a of the connecting portion 16 is fixed to the thumb placement portion 40. However, when the thumb placement portion 40 does not exist, the end portion 16a may be fixed to the chopsticks 12.
Further, the distal chopstick enlargement unit 50 and the close chopstick enlargement unit 60 of the present embodiment have the same shape, but the present invention is not limited to this, and different shapes (for example, displayed patterns) In accordance with the narrative characteristics, as shown in FIG. 12, the distal chopstick enlargement portion 50 may be a dog face shape, and the near chopstick enlargement portion 60 may be a circular shape on which a bone pattern is printed.

Moreover, you may make it show in FIG. 12 which is a front view which concerns on the modification of the practice chopsticks concerning embodiment mentioned above of this invention.
The practice chopsticks 80 of FIG. 12 does not have the ring-shaped thumb ring portion 44, the index finger placement portion 30, and the middle finger placement portion 31 shown in FIG. 2, but instead has a protruding shape as shown in FIG. "Thumb placement portion 82", "index finger middle finger placement portion 86" in which depressions 84 and 85 are formed at positions where the index finger FF and middle finger MF contact each other, the ring finger RF and the little finger LF are arranged, and the first joint of the ring finger RF It has a rod-shaped “ring finger little finger placement portion 88” that bends and shallowly grips.
Since these “thumb placement portion 82”, “index finger middle finger placement portion 86”, and “ring finger little finger placement portion 88” are not ring-shaped, there is no problem of using the ring instead of chopsticks. The practice chopsticks 80 shown in FIG. 12 needs to hold the chopsticks more firmly. For example, an infant who has been using the chopsticks for a while, preferably a stage nerve (a ring finger or little finger nerve) has developed. The practice chopsticks 10 shown in FIG. 2 and the practice chopsticks 80 shown in FIG. 12 may be properly used in consideration of the growth stage and individuality of the infant.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 13 in which the practice chopsticks 10 of FIG. 2 are modified, the distal chopstick enlargement portion 50 and the close chopstick enlargement portion 60 each have a through hole 90 into which the parent thumb and index finger can be inserted. , 91 may be formed. In this case, if a parent finger is inserted into the through holes 90 and 91, the risk of the parent finger hitting the hand of the infant becomes higher than that in the above-described embodiment. The distance L to the rear ends of 50 and 60 has to be increased, which makes it difficult to adjust the weight balance in the longitudinal direction of the practice chopsticks. However, by moving the thumb inserted into the through holes 90 and 91 and the index finger in FIG. 13 closer to and away from each other, the distal chopstick enlargement portion 50 and the close chopstick enlargement portion 60 are brought closer to and away from each other like a heel pattern. Thus, it is possible to give instructions to the infant about how to move the chopsticks, and further, by stimulating the nerves of the fingers for using the chopsticks, the infant can develop a sense of moving the chopsticks appropriately. Note that the distal chopstick enlargement unit 50 and the close chopstick enlargement unit 60 of FIG. 13 do not need to overlap each other as shown in FIG.

  10, 80 ... Practice chopsticks, 10a ... Chopstick head, 11 ... Main body, 12 ... Chopsticks, 12a, 14a ... Chopstick tip, 14 ... Chopsticks, 16. ..Connecting portion, 24... Connecting portion (shaft portion), 30. ..Ring portion for thumb, 50... Enlargement portion for chopsticks, 60... Enlargement portion for chopsticks, 70... Projection portion, Y2.

Claims (3)

One of the two rod-shaped main bodies is a chopstick placed farther than the wrist, and the other is a chopstick placed closer to the wrist than the chopstick, and the user's thumb is placed In the region, there is a connecting portion connecting the distal chopstick and the near chopstick, and the distal chopstick is alternately connected to the connecting portion, and the chopstick tip portion and the chopstick head are alternately arranged with respect to the near chopstick. A chopstick for practice that can be rotated so as to approach and separate from
The distal chopstick is enlarged so that the finger pad of an adult's hand different from the user can be brought into contact with the chopstick head side of the linking chopstick in the middle of the user's use. Has an enlarged part for chopsticks,
The chopsticks have an enlarged portion for chopsticks enlarged so that a finger pad different from the finger pad can be brought into contact with the chopstick head side of the chopsticks closer to the chopstick head side than the connecting portion. ,
The practice chopsticks characterized in that the distal chopstick enlargement portion and the near chopstick enlargement portion are slidable in the approaching / separating direction while overlapping each other.   The chopsticks and / or the chopsticks have a protruding portion protruding in the approaching / separating direction between the chopstick tip and a portion where the user's finger abuts. Practice chopsticks according to 1. The chopsticks have a pressed part that is pressed near the base of the thumb,
The width of the pressed part along the length direction of the thumb is formed larger than the width of the near chopsticks along the length direction. Practice chopsticks as described in.

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