FORK
A fork is disclosed. The fork includes one or more tines. The tines may extend in multiple directions that cross each other or that follow a curved path.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional application 61/490,188 filed on Feb. 14, 2014, which application is incorporated by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. The Field of the Invention
Embodiments of the present invention relate to a utensil. More specifically, embodiments of the invention relate to a fork that includes one or more tines that are extend and are arranged in one or more directions.
2. The Relevant Technology
A conventional fork often includes tines. However, the tines are typically similarly shaped and usually all extend in the same direction and that the same curve. Such a fork often has difficulty is picking certain types of food, such as spaghetti.
In order to describe the manner in which the advantages and features of the invention can be obtained, a more particular description of embodiments of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, embodiments of the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings, in which:
Embodiments of the invention relate to utensils. More particularly, embodiments of the invention relate to utensils such as forks. A conventional fork includes one or more tines. However, the tines are usually very similar in form and are arranged in the same shape. Embodiments of the invention relate to forks that include tines that are may of different shapes and that may extend in different directions.
Embodiments of the invention relate to a fork that is configured to facilitate eating foods such as, by way of example, spaghetti. In contrast to a conventional fork, embodiments of the invention can suppress spaghetti or noodles from slipping off of the tines and that are configured to more easily engage a food such as noodles. The end members (the tine arrangements) of the forks disclosed herein allow the forks to better grab and hold foods such as noodles or other materials. Embodiments of the invention can also be sized. A fork intended for use by a child, for example, may be a smaller version of an adult fork. The figures discussed herein may or may not be to scale. Larger forks may be formed for use in food preparation rather than food consumption.
A middle portion transitions the handle of the forks to the end members. The handles and middle portions can have various shapes and configurations. The middle portion and end portion may have a curved shape similar to a conventional fork.
In this example, the portions 110 extend in a first direction and the portions 108 are arranged in a second direction that is transverse or orthogonal to the first direction. However, the portions 110 and the portions 108 may intersect non-orthogonally. The arrangement of the tine 112 is essentially square shaped or rectangular. However other arrangements including triangular, oval, or the like are contemplated. In addition, sides of the tine 112 may be jagged, have small bumps, or the like, to facilitate holding the food. The tine 112 may have a constant cross section or have a cross section that tapers gradually from the middle portion 106 to the tip 114. The members 108 may have different lengths in the second direction.
The corners 116 of the tine may be sharp or rounded. The body of the fork 100 in the first direction may have a non-linear shape (e.g., shaped like a conventional fork) as illustrated by the side view 118. The overall length direction of a fork, such as illustrated in
In one example, the nodules 410 and the tines 418 have a thickness that is different from the thickness of the tines 408, 412, 414, and 416 as illustrated in the side view 420. The tines 418 are arranged orthogonally or transversely to the tines 414 and 16. In one example, the tines 408 and 414 and the tines 416 and 408 could be connected by tines 418 and no nodules 410 would be present. In this example, the tines 418 could be at different locations and form a step arrangement in a direction towards the handle 402. By having a fork, whose tines have different thicknesses (the tines 418 and/or the nodules 410 may be thicker than the tines 408, 412, 414, and 416), food can be acquired and held on the end portion 406 with more efficiency.
Embodiments of the forks shown in
In one example,
The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.
Claims
1. A fork comprising:
- a body that includes: a handle a middle portion; and an end portion, wherein the end portion includes a first tine arranged in a first direction and a second tine arranged in a second direction that crosses the first direction.
2. The fork of claim 1, where the first tine extends in a lengthwise direction of the body and wherein the second tine includes portions that extend from a body of the first tine.
3. The fork of claim 1, wherein the second tine comprises a plurality of second tines that extend from a body of the first tine, wherein the plurality of second tines are each separated by a space in the first direction.
4. The fork of claim 3, wherein the space is sized to accommodate a noodle.
5. The fork of claim 1, wherein the second tine comprises a nodule formed on the first tine and wherein the first tine comprises a plurality of similarly arranged tines that extend in the first direction.
6. A fork comprising:
- a body that includes: a handle a middle portion; and an end portion, wherein the end portion includes a first tine arranged in a serpentine shape.
7. The fork of claim 6, wherein an end portion of the first tine extends in a second direction that is transverse to a lengthwise direction of the body.
8. The fork of claim 6, wherein the end portion of the first tine is blunted.
9. The fork of claim 6, wherein the first tine includes multiple turns such that the tine includes one or more portions extending in a first direction and one or more portions extending in a second direction.
Type: Application
Filed: Feb 17, 2015
Publication Date: Aug 20, 2015
Inventor: Elsie Irene Brady (Salt Lake City, UT)
Application Number: 14/624,314