US20200069093A1

US20200069093A1 - Eating utensil

Info

Publication number: US20200069093A1
Application number: US16/398,714
Authority: US
Inventors: Angela Knight; Jubei Knight
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2018-09-05
Filing date: 2019-04-30
Publication date: 2020-03-05

Abstract

An eating utensil includes a first arm and a second arm joined together by a U-shaped bend. The first arm includes a proximal end, a distal end, an inner surface, and an outer surface. A first finger indent is defined on the outer surface of the first arm. The second arm includes a proximal end, a distal end, an inner surface, and an outer surface. A second finger indent is defined on the outer surface of the second arm. The U-shaped bend joins the proximal ends of the first arm and the second arm together.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. provisional application No. 62/727,129, filed Sep. 5, 2018, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to chopsticks and, more particularly, to improved chopsticks that are easily held and manipulated.
Chopsticks are an eating utensil that are shaped pairs of equal-length sticks that have been used in virtually all of East Asia for over two millennia. First invented and used by the Chinese during the Zhou Dynasty, chopsticks later spread to other countries across East, South, and Southeast Asia. Current chopsticks are relatively long, difficult to hold, and hard to use for many individuals.
As can be seen, there is a need for improved chopsticks that are easily held and manipulated.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, an eating utensil comprises: a first arm comprising a proximal end, a distal end, an inner surface, and an outer surface, wherein a first finger indent is defined on the outer surface; a second arm comprising a proximal end, a distal end, an inner surface, and an outer surface, wherein a second finger indent is defined on the outer surface; a U-shaped bend joining the proximal ends of the first arm and the second arm together, wherein the eating utensil is made of a bendable and resilient material.
These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front view of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a side view of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention, shown in use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.
Referring to FIGS. 1 through 5, the present invention includes an eating utensil 10. The eating utensil 10 includes a first arm 12 and a second arm 14 joined together by a U-shaped bend 16. The first arm 12 includes a proximal end, a distal end 18 a, an inner surface, and an outer surface. A first finger indent 11 a is defined on the outer surface of the first arm 12. The second arm 14 includes a proximal end, a distal end 18 b, an inner surface, and an outer surface. A second finger indent 11 b is defined on the outer surface of the second arm 14. The U-shaped bend 16 joins the proximal ends of the first arm 12 and the second arm 14 together.
The eating utensil 10 is made of a bendable and resilient material. For example, the eating utensil 10 may be made of wood, plastic, thin metal, or the like. A user may place their index finger within the first indent 11 a, their thumb within the second indent 11 b, and manipulate the eating utensil 10 to pick up food. By pressing against the first arm 12 and the second arm 14, a gap between the distal ends 18 a, 18 b of the first arm 12 and second arm 14 close together.
In certain embodiments, the distal ends 18 a, 18 b of the first arm and the second arm each taper from the outer surface to the inner surface. The distal ends 18 a, 18 b may also include ridges to form teeth-like grips. The taper and ridges improve upon the ability for the eating utensil 10 to grasp food. In certain embodiments, a plurality of ridges are formed within the first finger indent 11 a and the second finger indent 11 b. The ridges improve the grip of the eating utensil 10. The eating utensil 10 of the present invention may include smaller dimensions when comparted to typical chopsticks. The smaller dimensions allow user to easily manipulate the eating utensil 10. For example, the first arm 12 and the second 14 are each about 3 inches up to about 5 inches in length, such as about 4 inches in length. A distance between the proximal end 18 a of the first arm 12 and the proximal end 18 b of the second arm is about 2.5 inches.
It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. An eating utensil comprising:

a first arm comprising a proximal end, a distal end, an inner surface, and an outer surface, wherein a first finger indent is defined on the outer surface;

a second arm comprising a proximal end, a distal end, an inner surface, and an outer surface, wherein a second finger indent is defined on the outer surface;

a U-shaped bend joining the proximal ends of the first arm and the second arm together, wherein

the distal ends of the first arm and the second arm each taper from the outer surface to the inner surface defining angled surfaces, wherein the angled surfaces are facing one another, and

the eating utensil is made of a bendable and resilient material.

2. (canceled)

3. The eating utensil of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of ridges disposed within the first finger indent and the second finger indent.

4. The eating utensil of claim 1, wherein the first arm and the second are each about 3 inches up to about 5 inches in length.

5. The eating utensil of claim 4, wherein the first arm and the second arm are each 4 inches in length.

6. The eating utensil of claim 1, wherein a distance between the proximal end of the first arm and the proximal end of the second arm is about 2.5 inches.

7. The eating utensil of claim 1, wherein each of the angled surfaces comprise a plurality of ridges.