Training Chopsticks

Abstract

Training chopsticks including a lower chopstick having a longitudinal end, an oppositely longitudinal end, an upper side, a lower side, a lateral side, and an oppositely lateral side; an upper chopstick having an upper side, a lower side, a longitudinal end, an oppositely longitudinal end, a lateral side, and an oppositely lateral side; at least a first arm having proximal and distal ends, the at least first arm's proximal end being fixedly attached to or formed wholly with the lower chopstick; a longitudinally extending slide track fixedly attached to or formed wholly with the upper chopstick; and a pin fixedly attached to or formed wholly with the at least first arm's distal end, the pin operatively engaging the longitudinally extending slide track.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Where a pair of chopsticks is properly manually held for food handling use, the upper chopstick or the chopstick furthest from the user's body is typically grasped by the thumb, index finger, and middle finger of the user's hand. Such fingers' manipulation of the upper chopstick angularly moves the upper chopstick with respect to the lower chopstick in the manner of the jaws of food grasping pincers or tongs. Such finger actuated motion alternately increases and decreases an acute angle formed between the upper chopstick and the lower chopstick. During normal and proper chopsticks usage, other motions of the upper chopstick with respect to the lower chopstick are preferably limited and closely controlled.

During proper chopstick usage, upper and downward motions of the upper chopstick with respect to the lower chopstick are preferably closely limited. Also, during proper chopstick handling and use, rolling motions of the upper chopstick about the upper chopstick's longitudinal axis are preferably limited. Also, during such usage, longitudinal and oppositely longitudinal motions of the upper chopstick along or parallel with the longitudinal axes of the upper and lower chopsticks are preferably limited. Coordination of such limited motions of the upper chopstick with respect to the lower chopstick while executing angular motions for food grasping is often difficultly learned by a novice chopstick user.

The instant inventive training chopsticks assist and accelerate a novice chopstick user's ability to properly manually hold chopsticks by providing, among other modifications, specialized components at an arm end juncture which interconnects the chopsticks.

OBJECT AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

First structural components of the instant inventive training chopsticks comprise a lower and an upper chopstick, each such chopstick having a longitudinal end, an oppositely longitudinal, an upper side, a lower side, a lateral side, and an oppositely lateral side. For convenience of reference, the longitudinal ends of the inventive chopsticks are considered to be the chopsticks' relatively narrow food contacting and grasping ends.

A further structural component of the instant inventive training chopsticks comprises at least a first arm having proximal and distal ends. In a preferred embodiment, the proximal end of the at least first arm is fixedly attached to or formed wholly with the lower chopstick, the at least first arm generally extending upwardly therefrom. In such embodiment, the chopsticks and the at least first arm are composed of plastic.

In a preferred embodiment, the instant inventive chopsticks comprise at least a first slide track. Where the inventive chopsticks incorporate a slide track component, the slide track is preferably fixedly attached to or formed wholly with the upper chopstick. The slide track is suitably configured as a longitudinally elongated channel which extends into and opens at the upper chopstick. The opening of the least first slide track is preferably oriented to face in a direction selected from the group consisting of downwardly, upwardly, laterally, and oppositely laterally, the opening being positioned at a corresponding chopstick side. The channel suitably comprises a through channel having oppositely facing openings at opposite sides of the upper chopstick.

In a suitable alternative embodiment, the longitudinally extending slide track component may comprise at least a first slide ridge, and, upon the selection of a ridge configuration, preferably comprises an oppositely extending pair of slide ridges. Where the slide ridge configuration of the slide track is adopted, the ridges among the pair of oppositely protruding ridges preferably extend longitudinally along opposite sides of the upper chopstick.

Further structural components of the instant inventive chopsticks comprise mounting means which are fixedly attached to or formed wholly with the at least first arm's distal end. In a suitable embodiment, the mounting means comprise at least a first pin or arm extension whose distal end extends into the channel configured slide track. Where a slide track component is incorporated, such pin may be slidably moveable there along in the longitudinal and oppositely longitudinal directions. Alternatively, where the slide track component is configured to include a longitudinally extending ridge, the mounting means component may comprise a “C” bracket formed at the distal end of the at least first arm, such bracket slidably receiving the upper chopstick's slide ridge. Where the slide track comprises the pair of oppositely protruding ridges, the mounting means may comprise a pair of “C” brackets which open toward each other for sliding receipts of such ridges.

Where the inventive chopsticks incorporate a slide track component comprising a pair of oppositely opening channels, and where such channels' inner ends do not communicate with each other, the mounting means may suitably comprise a pair of pins which oppositely extend toward each other, such pin extensions being nestingly received by the slide channels. Alternatively, where such pair of channels communicate with each other to form a through channel, the mounting means may comprise a single pin or arm extension having a length sufficient to extend through both of such communicating channels and to oppositely emerge at the opposite ends of such channel.

In a preferred embodiment, a provided slide track component comprises a channel which extends longitudinally along the upper chopstick and opens downwardly at such chopstick's lower side, such channel presenting lateral and oppositely lateral interior walls. Where the slide track component includes such interior walls, a preferred pin configuration of the mounting means may advantageously present oppositely lateral and lateral walls which correspondingly face and may engage such channel walls. Angled faces or facets of such pin's oppositely lateral and lateral walls may advantageously facilitate and limit rotary motions or yawing motions of the upper chopstick with respect to the lower chopstick. A configuration of the pin's horizontal cross-sectional shape to include a relatively wide middle section and relatively narrow longitudinal and oppositely longitudinal ends my advantageously allow such pin ends to function within the channel as rotation stops.

Similarly with the above-described horizontal cross sectional shape of the pin, the lateral cross sectional shape of the pin receiving channel may be configured to present rotation facilitating and limiting faces or facets. Where a channel configured slide track is provided, and where such track constitutes a through channel having both upper and lower openings, and where a pin configured mounting means extends through such channel, such channel may be advantageously configured to include relatively laterally wide upper and lower openings and a relatively laterally narrow middle portion. In such lateral cross section, an hourglass shape of the walls of the channel is advantageously provided. The hourglass configuration of such channel may advantageously allow limited rolling motions of the upper chopstick about its longitudinal axis.

In use of the instant inventive chopsticks, slide stopping surfaces presented at longitudinal and oppositely longitudinal ends of the preferably provided slide track or slide tracks advantageously limit longitudinal and oppositely longitudinal sliding motions of the upper chopstick with respect to the lower chopstick. Accordingly, such slide tracks and their associated slide stops may assist a novice chopstick user in proper holding and manipulation of the upper chopstick by facilitating a natural range of longitudinal and oppositely longitudinal upper chopstick motions.

Upward and downward motions and rolling motions of the upper chopstick with respect to lower chopstick may be similarly advantageously controlled at the engagement of the first arm's mounting means with the upper chopstick's channel or channel configured slide track. For example, to facilitate and limit relative upward and downward movements of the upper chopstick, lugs having slide stopping channel edge engaging surfaces may extend from the at least first pin at positions respectively overlying and underlying the upper chopstick. A small vertical displacement of such lugs, i.e. a small displacement in excess of the vertical dimension of the upper chopstick, may advantageously facilitate variability of the vertical position of the upper chopstick over the lower chopstick.

To facilitate and limit natural rolling and counter rolling motions of the upper chopstick about its longitudinal axis, the inner side walls of the upper chopstick's channel or channel configured slide track may be angled to include flared upper and lower openings.

To limit and control rotating and counter rotating motions of the upper chopstick with respect to the lower chopstick, second and third arms or a pair of rotation stopping arms may be fixedly attached to and may extend upwardly from the oppositely longitudinal end of the lower chopstick. Such arms suitably present laterally facing and oppositely laterally facing rotation stopping surfaces or lands which engage the oppositely longitudinal end of the upper chopstick. The engagements of such arms with the upper chopstick's oppositely lateral end may advantageously resist rotation of the upper chopstick and may assist with maintenance of proper chopstick alignment. Such arms may suitably alternatively extend from the upper chopstick for rotation stopping engagements with the lower chopstick.

Accordingly, objects of the instant invention include the provision of training chopsticks which incorporate structures as described above, and which arrange those structures in relation to each other in manors described above for the achievement of beneficial functions as described above.

Other and further objects, benefits, and advantages of the instant invention will become known to those skilled in the art upon review of the detailed description which follows and upon review of the appended drawings.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to food handling chopsticks. More particularly, this invention relates to such chopsticks which incorporate specialized chopstick motion modifying structures adapted for training novice chopstick users in the proper handling and use of conventional chopsticks.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the instant inventive training chopsticks.

FIG. 2 is an oppositely lateral view of the training chopsticks.

FIG. 3 is a partial sectional view of the chopsticks of FIG. 1, as indicated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an alternative sectional view of the chopsticks of FIG. 1, as indicated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a magnified view of a portion of the structure of FIG. 4, as indicated in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 presents an alternate configuration of the structure of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 presents a further alternative configuration of the structure of FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 presents a further alternative configuration of the structure of FIG. 5.

FIG. 9 presents a further alternative configuration of the structure of FIG. 5.

FIG. 10 presents a further alternative configuration of the structure of FIG. 5.

FIG. 11 presents a further alternative configuration of the structure of FIG. 5.

FIG. 12 presents a further alternative configuration of the structure of FIG. 5.

FIG. 13 presents in perspective view and alternate configuration of the oppositely longitudinal end of the structure of FIG. 1.

FIG. 14 presents a further alternative configuration of the structure of FIG. 1.

FIG. 15 presents further alternative configuration showing in perspective view chopsticks including features of the chopsticks of FIGS. 13 and 14.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings, and in particular simultaneously to FIGS. 1 and 2, a preferred embodiment of the instant inventive training chopsticks is referred to generally by reference arrow 1. The training chopsticks 1 comprise an upper chopstick 2 and a lower chopstick 4, such chopsticks suitably being composed of durable plastic. The upper chopstick 2 has a longitudinal or forward end 6 and an oppositely longitudinal or rearward end 8. Correspondingly, the lower chopstick 4 has a longitudinal end 10 and an oppositely longitudinal end 12. The upper chopstick 2 has lateral and oppositely lateral sides 22 and 24 and upper and lower sides 14 and 16. The lower chopstick similarly has lateral and oppositely lateral sides 26 and 28 and upper and lower sides 18 and 20.

At least a first arm 30 is fixedly attached to or formed wholly with the lower chopstick 4, such arm 30 generally extending upwardly from the lower chopstick 4 toward the upper chopstick 2. Referring further to FIG. 4, to avoid contact between the arm 30 and a user's thumb while grasping the chopsticks 1, the middle portion of the arm 30 is preferably bowed oppositely laterally. The first arm 30 has a lower or proximal end 32 and a distal end 34, the proximal end 32 suitably connecting with the lower chopstick 4 at a wholly formed joint.

A specialized component of the upper chopstick 2 suitably comprises a longitudinally extending channel configured slide track which is referred to generally by reference arrow 36. Referring simultaneously to FIGS. 1-5, such component 36 may suitably comprise a longitudinally extending or longitudinally elongated channel 38d which has a lower opening 40 at the upper chopstick's lower side 16. Such channel 38d suitably extends upwardly into the interior matrix of the upper chopstick 2 to form a slide pin passage space. Where the channel 38d is longitudinally elongated for service as a slide track, such channel constitutes a longitudinal travel facilitating space.

The channel configured slide track 36 of FIGS. 1-5 suitably further comprises a second channel 38u which has an upper opening 42 at the upper chopstick's upper side 14. As indicated in FIGS. 4 and 5, the upper and lower channel components 38u and 38d of the upper chopstick's slide track 36 respectively have lower and upper ends which communicate with each other, such channels 38u and 38d thereby forming a substantially upwardly and downwardly opening extending through channel 38.

A further structural component of the instant inventive training chopsticks comprises mounting means which are fixedly attached to or formed wholly with the at least first arm's distal end 34. The chopsticks' mounting means component necessarily operatively engages the upper chopstick 2, and where a longitudinally extending slide track such as slide track 36 is incorporated, such engagement is preferably at or in engagement with such slide track. As indicated in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-5, the chopsticks' mounting means component may suitably comprise a multiply faceted or multiple faced at least first pin 56, such pin suitably constituting an extension of and a distal portion of arm 30. A proximal end or downward end of pin 56 is suitably fixedly attached to or formed wholly with the distal end 34 of the arm 30, such attachment thereby incorporating such pin as a component of the arm.

The at least first pin 56 is suitably to extend vertically and laterally, the pin having a length sufficient for such extension to pass completely through the channel 38 or 38u, 38d. As indicated in FIG. 4, pin 56 is preferably canted or angled laterally from its proximal end attachment at the distal end 34 of the arm 30. Where reference line 5 extends through the lower and upper chopsticks 4 and 2, an acute angle “a” identifies such pin angle. Such angular cant “a” of the pin 56 functions in cooperation with the oppositely lateral bow of the arm 30 to prevent contact and interference between a user's thumb and the distal end of arm 30. In the preferred embodiment such acute angle “a” is approximately 15 degrees.

Relatively forward or longitudinal motion of the upper chopstick 2 with respect to the lower chopstick 4 is preferably restricted or limited by contact of the oppositely longitudinal end or edge 57 of the pin 56 with the longitudinally facing oppositely longitudinal wall 44 of the channel 38. Upon such contact, such wall face constitutes and functions as a longitudinal motion stop. Relative longitudinal motions of pin 56 within channel 38u, 38d are stopped upon contact of the longitudinal end 55 of the pin 56 with the oppositely longitudinally facing surface of the channel's longitudinal end wall 46. Accordingly, the channel end wall 46 functions as an oppositely longitudinal motion stop. In a preferred embodiment, a longitudinal elongated configuration of the channel 38, as depicted, longitudinally separates such motion stops 44 and 46, and facilitates a natural range of longitudinal motions of the upper chopstick 2 while preventing excess longitudinal motions. In a suitable, though less desired, configuration, the longitudinal dimension of channel 38 may only slightly exceed the longitudinal dimension of the pin 56, such sizing of channel 38 negating its slide track characteristic, while facilitating chopstick pivoting and rotating motions.

To limit upward and downward motions of the upper chopstick 2 with respect to the lower chopstick, downwardly and upwardly facing slide stopping surfaces 59 and 61 are suitably provided. Such stops suitably comprise faces of laterally and oppositely laterally extending lugs or protuberances 58 and 60 which are fixedly attached to or formed wholly with the pin 56. Protuberance 58 is positioned so that, upon extension of pin 56 through channel 38, the protuberance 58 overlies the upper chopstick 2 and functions as a pin extraction stop. Correspondingly, protuberance 60 is positioned so that, upon such pin extension, the protuberance underlies the upper chopstick 2 and functions as a pin insertion stop. The slide stopping surfaces 59 and 61 of protuberances 58 and 60 respectively engage the peripheral edges of lips of channel openings 42 and 40. Such channel edge engaging surfaces are preferably displaced away from each other along the length of the pin 56 a distance sufficient to provide a small travel gap 63. Such gap 63 advantageously allows a short range of natural upward and downward movements of the upper chopstick 2 away from and toward the lower chopstick 4, while facilitating natural food grasping pivoting motion of the upper chopstick. During such pivoting motions, the edges of channel openings 42 and 40 in combination with their contacts with protuberance surfaces 59 and 61 function as a rotary bearing. Accordingly, rotary bearing 40, 42, 59, 61 pivotally connects the upper chopstick 2 to the distal end of arm 30.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, it may be seen that the oppositely lateral side 24 of the upper chopstick 2 includes an oppositely laterally extending protrusion or protuberance 7, such protuberance being aligned with the slide track 36 and its connection with the distal end 34 of arm 30. Protuberance 7 forms and provides an expanded surface area land 9 which overlies the lower lug 60. The provision of protuberance 7 and land 9 advantageously allows the proximal phalange of a user's index finger to rest against the land 9 without contacting the lug 60.

To allow limited and natural rolling motions of the upper chopstick 2 about its longitudinal axis, the lateral and oppositely walls 48 and 51 of the through channel 38 or communicating channels 38u, 38d, are canted to protrude inwardly and to form an hourglass cross-sectional shape. The walls of the communicating channels 38d and 38u thereby advantageously form roll facilitating pivot edges or apexes 50 and 52. Such apexes 50 and 52 allow limited chopstick rolling motions while closely limiting lateral and oppositely lateral movements of the upper chopstick 2 with respect to pin 56. Angles “b” designated in FIG. 5 are bounded by the lateral and oppositely lateral walls 48 and 51 of the channel 38 and the lateral and oppositely sides of the pin 56. In the preferred embodiment, such angles “b” are 29 degrees, facilitating 29 degrees of rolling motion of the upper chopstick 2. Such angles “b” may suitably be as great as 45 degrees.

Referring simultaneously to FIGS. 1-3, the horizontal cross-sectional shape of the slide pin 56 may advantageously configured to include a relative large or greatest lateral width at the pin's middle or between apex points 63 and 65, and to include relatively small or least later widths at the pins lateral and oppositely lateral ends 55 and 57. Such configuration of the cross-sectional shape of the pin 56 may create lateral and oppositely lateral slide pin faces 62 and 64, and 64 and 68, which facilitate limited vertical axis rotating and counter rotating motions of the upper chopstick 2 with respect to the pin 56 and the lower chopstick 4.

In use of the inventive chopsticks 1, and assuming a configuration as indicated in FIGS. 1-5, the lower chopstick 4 may be firmly grasped at the cleft of the thumb and index finger of a novice chopstick user's hand, with the lateral aspect of the user's ring finger supporting the lower chopstick's lower side 20. The upper chopstick 2 is conventionally simultaneously grasped and manipulated via contacts with the thumb, index finger, and middle finger of the same hand. During proper chopstick use and handling, slight longitudinal and oppositely longitudinal motions of the upper chopstick 2 with respect to the lower chopstick 4 are normally experienced. Where channel 38 of the instant inventive chopsticks is configured as a longitudinally elongated slide track, the operative interconnection of the pin configured mounting means and the channel may advantageously facilitate and limit such motion.

Also, during the use of the chopsticks, excess longitudinal motion of the upper chopstick is stopped via contact between the channel's longitudinally facing end wall 44 and the pin's oppositely longitudinal edge 57. Correspondingly, excess oppositely longitudinal motion of the upper chopstick 2 with respect to the lower chopstick 4 is stopped by contact between the channel's oppositely longitudinally facing end wall 46 with the pin's longitudinal edge 55.

Also, during the use of the chopsticks, a natural amount of rolling motion of the upper chopstick about its longitudinal axis 2 is facilitated by the approximate 29-degree angles “b” of the faceted sections of the side walls of the slide channels 38u, 38d, such angles being defined above and below the channel's inwardly extending wall apexes 50 and 52.

Also, during use of the chopsticks, rotary or yaw motions of the upper chopstick 2 about a vertical axis and with respect to the lower chopstick 4 is similarly facilitated and limited by the pin's angled faces or surfaces 62, 64, 66, and 68.

Angular pitching and counter pitching food grasping and releasing motions of the longitudinal end 6 of the upper chopstick 2 are facilitated by the clearance gap 63 which is formed by a precisely sized vertical displacement of vertical motion stopping faces 59 and 61 of lugs 58 and 60. Such gap 63 allows relatively unrestricted rotary motion of the upper chopstick 2 about a lateral axis to facilitate grasping of food at the chopsticks' ends 6 and 10 in the manner of pincers or tongs.

Referring simultaneously to FIGS. 5 and 6, all structures depicted in FIG. 6 which are identified by a reference numeral having a suffix “A” are configured similarly with similarly numbered structures identified in FIG. 5. In the alternative embodiment of FIG. 6, the chopsticks include, as is preferred, a slide track component, the slide track comprising a longitudinally extending channel 76 which has a downward opening 77 at the lower side 16A of the upper chopstick 2A. Lateral and oppositely lateral protrusions 78 and 80 of the alternative pin configured mounting means 74 are captured within lateral and oppositely lateral channel extensions 82 and 84, such protrusions stopping downward extractions of the pin 74 from the channel 76. Channel 76 may extend commensurately with channel 38 of FIG. 3, the longitudinal and oppositely longitudinal ends of the channel 76 similarly functioning as slide stops.

In the alternative configuration of FIG. 7 structures identified by reference numerals having the suffix “B” are configured similarly with similarly numbered structures appearing in FIG. 5. In FIG. 7's alternative configuration, a longitudinally extending channel configured slide track 88, has a lateral side opening 90, such channel receiving a pin configured mounting means 84. An enlarged distal or oppositely lateral end 86 of the pin 84 is captured within an enlarged channel section 92, such channel section functioning as a slide stop which resists lateral extractions of the pin 84 from channel 88.

The alternate configuration of FIG. 8 has common components identified by suffixes “C”. The FIG. 8 configuration mirrors the configuration of FIG. 7, including a slide track configured channel 98 which has an oppositely lateral opening 92. The laterally extending pin 94 of FIG. 8's alternative configuration has a distal end enlargement which is captured within an enlarged channel and 100.

In the alternate configuration of FIG. 9, all structures identified by reference numerals having the suffix “D” are configured similarly with similarly numbered structures appearing in FIG. 5. In FIG. 9's structural alternative, a channel configured slide track 106 forms a through channel having a lateral opening 108 and an oppositely lateral opening 110. Such channel 106 comprises a laterally opening channel 106l and an oppositely laterally opening channel 106ol, such channels communicating with each other to form the through channel 106. A pin configured mounting means 102, extends substantially laterally and completely through channel 106, such pin being captured by the slide stopping face 111 of an enlarged pin head 104. The alternate configuration of FIG. 9 is intended as being representative of a mirroring configuration (not depicted) wherein the pin component oppositely enters channel 106 at the oppositely lateral opening 110.

In the further alternative configuration of FIG. 10, all structures identified by a reference numeral having the suffix “E” are configured similarly with similarly numbered structures appearing in FIG. 5. Like the through channel configured slide track of FIG. 9, the channel configured slide track 114 of the FIG. 10 alternative has both a lateral opening 116 and an oppositely lateral opening 118. A pin configured mounting means 112 extends substantially laterally and completely therethrough. The lateral and oppositely lateral ends of pin 112 are supported by forked arms 113 and 114 which are formed at the distal end of arm 34E.

FIG. 11 discloses a variant of FIG. 10's alternative structural configuration wherein laterally opening and oppositely laterally opening channels 122 and 128 are separated by the interior matrix of the upper chopstick 2F, rather than communicating at their inner ends to form a through channel. In the FIG. 11 structural alternative, the mounting means comprise oppositely laterally and laterally extending pins 120 and 126 which are supported at the distal ends of forked arms 125 and 119. Such pin configured mounting means 120 and 126 extend oppositely laterally and laterally into the lateral and oppositely lateral openings 124 and 130 of channel configured slide tracks 122 and 128.

In the further structural alternative of FIG. 12, all structures identified by reference numerals having the suffix “G” are configured similarly with similarly numbered structures appearing in FIG. 5. In the FIG. 5 structural alternative, the slide track component of the upper chopstick 2G comprises at least a first slide ridge 132, and preferably a pair of or lateral and oppositely lateral slide ridges 132 and 138. Such ridges extend longitudinally along the upper chopstick 2G, and “C” brackets 134 and 140 formed at the distal ends of forked arms 136 and 142 capture and slidably receive such ridges.

Referring to FIG. 13, all structures identified by a reference numeral having the suffix “H” are configured similarly with similarly numbered structures appearing in FIGS. 1-3. In the structural alternative of FIG. 13, rotation stops are provided at the longitudinal ends 8H and 12H of the upper and lower chopsticks 2H and 4H. Such rotation stops resist excess relative rotary motions about a vertical axis of the chopsticks with respect to each other. Accordingly, such rotation stops help to assure proper food grasping alignments of the longitudinal ends 6 and 10 of the upper and lower chopstick. In the FIG. 13 embodiment, such rotation stops comprise oppositely laterally and oppositely laterally facing surfaces or faces 150 and 156 which are suitably respectively formed and supported at the distal ends 148 and 154 of second and third arms 144 and 140. Such arms' proximal ends 146 and 152 are suitably fixedly attached to or formed wholly with the oppositely longitudinal end 12H of the lower chopstick 4H.

In FIG. 13's alternate embodiment, the second and third arms 144 and 140 are advantageously slightly bowed laterally and oppositely laterally to cause the oppositely longitudinal end 8H of the upper chopstick 2H to be urged into proper alignment as the upper chopstick 2H rotates in the clockwise direction (according to the view of FIG. 13) in the manner of tongs for food item grasping.

While the depicted configuration of the rotation stopping arms 140 and 144 of FIG. 13's structural alternative represent a preferred embodiment, such arms may be suitably alternatively mounted with their proximal ends 146 and 152 formed wholly with the upper chopstick 2H. In such alternative configuration, such arms extend downwardly for rotation stopping contacts of faces 150 and 156 with the lateral and oppositely lateral sides of the lower chopstick 4H. Face 150 is preferably fixedly attached to or formed wholly with the distal end 148 of lateral arm 144. Face 156 is oriented oppositely with respect to Face 150, such face being fixedly attached to or formed wholly with the distal end 154 of the oppositely lateral arm 140. The lateral displacement of faces 150 and 156 is preferably closely fitted to the lateral width of the upper chopstick 2H so that, upon upward rotation of the oppositely longitudinal end 8H of the upper chopstick, faces 150 and 156 may bear against such chopstick's lateral and oppositely lateral sides. Accordingly, faces 150 and 156 perform functions of establishing proper chopstick alignments upon such oppositely longitudinal end rotation.

In the alternative embodiment of FIG. 14, all structures identified by a reference numeral having the suffix “I” are configured similarly with similarly numbered structures appearing in FIG. 1-3. In FIG. 14's structural alternative, elastic band receiving channels 160, 164, and 168 are respectively formed within wall protuberances 158, 162, and 166. The protuberance and channel combinations, 158, 160, and 162, 164, and 166, 168 respectively receive and secure elastic loops or bands 170, 172, and 174. Upon mounting of such bands within their band receiving channels, a novice chopstick user may insert their index or first finger through band 172, may insert their middle finger through band 170, and may insert their ring finger through band 174. Thereafter, such bands 170, 172, and 174 may advantageously provide the novice chopsticks user additional mechanical support which assists in training proper chopstick holding.

Referring to FIG. 15, all structures identified by a reference numeral having a suffix “J” are configured similarly with similarly numbered structures appearing in FIGS. 1-14. In FIG. 15's structural alternative, a substantially vertical channel 204 may be advantageously formed and presented upon the lateral side wall of pin 56J. During use of chopsticks adopting the alternative configuration of FIG. 15, channel 204 may serve as alignment indicia, or visual cue, which assists a novice chopsticks user in properly holding the chopsticks. The alignment channel 204 is preferably positioned at an approximate longitudinal midpoint between the longitudinal and oppositely longitudinal ends of pin 56J.

In use the chopsticks of FIG. 15, the user may advantageously hold the chopsticks so that a substantially vertical extension of a line along the alignment channel 204 would extend across or intersect the proximal interphalangeal joint of the index or forefinger of the user's hand.

Referring simultaneously to FIGS. 1 and 14, the protuberance and channel combinations 158, 160, 162, 164, and 166, 168 of the FIG. 14 chopsticks are positioned so that properly position contacts of a user's thumb, index, middle, and ring fingers upon the chopsticks will not contact or meet interference against any of such combinations. Accordingly, the FIG. 14 chopsticks may be used identically with the FIG. 1 chopsticks, with none of the elastic bands 170, 172, and 174 provided and utilized. In FIG. 14's structural alternative any one of such bands within any of channels 160, 164, and 168 may be utilized. Alternatively, any pair of bands among such triple of bands may be utilized within any pair of such channels.

While the principles of the invention have been made clear in the above illustrative embodiment, those skilled in the art may make modifications to the structure, arrangement, portions, and components of the invention without departing from those principles. Accordingly, it is intended that the description and drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in the limiting sense, and that the invention be given a scope commensurate with the appended claims.

Claims

1. Training chopsticks comprising;

(a) A lower chopstick having a longitudinal end, an oppositely longitudinal end, an upper side, a lower side, a lateral side, and an oppositely lateral side;

(b) An upper chopstick having an upper side, a lower side, a longitudinal end, an oppositely longitudinal end, a lateral side, and an oppositely lateral side;

(c) At least a first arm having proximal and distal ends, said arm's proximal end being fixedly attached to or formed wholly with the lower chopstick;

(d) A longitudinally extending slide track fixedly attached to or formed wholly with the upper chopstick; and

(e) Mounting means fixedly attached to or formed wholly with the at least first arm's distal end, said means operatively engaging the longitudinally extending slide track.

2. The training chopsticks of claim 1 wherein the at least a first arm has a middle portion spanning between its proximal and distal ends, said middle portion being oppositely laterally bowed.

3. The training chopsticks of claim 1 wherein the longitudinally extending slide track comprises an at least first channel opening at a chopstick side selected from the group consisting of the upper chopstick's lower side, the upper chopstick's upper side, the upper chopstick's lateral side, and the upper chopstick's oppositely lateral side.

4. The training chopsticks of claim 3 wherein the mounting means comprise at least a first pin having proximal and distal ends, the proximal end of the at least first pin being fixedly attached to or formed wholly with the at least first arm's distal end, the distal end of the at least first pin extending into the at least first channel.

5. The training chopsticks of claim 4 wherein the mounting first pin is canted laterally at an acute angle from a line extending from the lower chopstick to the upper chop stick.

6. The trainining chopsticks of claim 5 wherein the acute angle is approximately 15 degrees.

7. The training chopsticks of claim 4 wherein the at least first pin has a longitudinal end having a lateral width, wherein said pin has an oppositely longitudinal end having a lateral width, wherein said pin has a middle portion having a lateral width, and wherein the lateral widths of the lateral and oppositely lateral ends are less than that of the middle portion.

8. The training chopsticks of claim 7 further comprising an alignment channel extending into and opening at the at least first pin, the alignment channel being position between at least first pin's longitudinal and oppositely longitudinal ends.

9. The training chopsticks of claim 3 further comprising a longitudinally facing stop fixedly attached to or formed wholly with the upper chopstick, the longitudinally facing stop being adapted for limiting longitudinal motion of the upper chopstick with respect to the lower chopstick.

10. The training chopsticks of claim 9 further comprising an oppositely longitudinally facing stop fixedly attached to or formed wholly with the upper chopstick, the oppositely longitudinally facing stop being adapted for limiting oppositely longitudinal motion of the upper chopstick with respect to the lower chopstick.

11. The training chopsticks of claim 10 further comprising an upwardly facing stop fixedly attached to or formed wholly with the at least first pin, the upwardly facing stop being adapted for limiting upward motion of the upper chopstick with respect to the lower chopstick.

12. The training chopsticks of claim 11 further comprising a downwardly facing stop fixedly attached to or formed wholly with the at least first pin, the downwardly facing stop being adapted for limiting downward motion of the upper chopstick with respect to the lower chopstick.

13. The training chopsticks of claim 12 wherein the at least first channel has oppositely longitudinal and longitudinal walls, the longitudinally facing stop and the oppositely longitudinally facing stop respectively comprising said walls.

14. The training chopsticks of claim 3 wherein the at least first channel has a lateral wall and an oppositely lateral wall, such walls respectively forming an oppositely laterally extending apex and a laterally extending apex.

15. The training chopsticks of claim 3 further comprising a second channel extending into the upper chopstick, the second channel opening oppositely from the at least first channel's opening.

16. The training chopsticks of claim 15 wherein the at least first and second channels communicate with each other.

17. The training chopsticks of claim 16 wherein the at least first pin further extends through the second channel.

18. The training chopsticks of claim 17 wherein the at least first and second channels present a plurality of rotation stopping faces, said faces engaging the at least first pin upon rotations and counter rotations of the at least first pin about its longitudinal axis.

19. The training chopsticks of claim 18 further comprising a pair of lugs fixedly attached to or formed wholly with the at least first pin, the downwardly facing stop comprising a lower side of one of said lugs and the upwardly facing stop comprising an upper side of the other of said lugs.

20. The training chopsticks of claim 1 further comprising a rotation stop fixedly attached to or formed wholly with a chopstick end selected from the group consisting of the lower chopstick's oppositely longitudinal end and the upper chopstick's oppositely longitudinal end, the rotation stop being adapted for resisting rotary motions of the upper chopstick with respect to the lower chopstick.

21. The training chopsticks of claim 20 further comprising a counter rotation stop fixedly attached to or formed wholly with the selected chopstick end, the counter rotation stop being adapted for resisting counter rotating motions of the upper chopstick with respect to the lower chopstick.

22. The training chopsticks of claim 21 further comprising a pair of arms, each arm among the pair of arms having a proximal end and a distal end, each stop among the rotation stop and the counter rotation stop being fixedly attached to or formed wholly with one of said arms' distal ends.

23. The training chopsticks of claim 1 wherein the longitudinally extending slide track comprises at least a first ridge fixedly attached to or formed wholly with the upper chopstick.

24. The training chopsticks of claim 23 wherein the longitudinally extending slide track comprises a second ridge fixedly attached to or formed wholly with the upper chopstick, the second ridge extending oppositely from the at least first ridge.

25. The training chopsticks of claim 24 wherein the mounting means comprise a pair of “C” brackets, each bracket among the pair of “C” brackets receiving one of the ridges among the at least first ridge and the second ridge.

26. The training chopsticks of claim 1 further comprising an oppositely laterally extending protuberance fixedly attached to or formed wholly with the upper chopstick, the oppositely laterally extending protuberance presenting an upwardly and oppositely laterally facing finger contact land.

27. The training chopsticks of claim 26 further comprising a plurality of protuberance and channel combinations fixedly attached to or formed wholly with the upper and lower chopsticks, and further comprising a plurality of elastic bands, said bands being received within said combinations' channels.

28. Training chopsticks comprising;

(a) A lower chopstick having a longitudinal end, an oppositely longitudinal end, an upper side, a lower side, a lateral side, and an oppositely lateral side;

(b) An upper chopstick having an upper side, a lower side, a longitudinal end, an oppositely longitudinal end, a lateral side, and an oppositely lateral side;

(c) At least a first arm having proximal and distal ends, said arm's proximal end being fixedly attached to or formed wholly with the lower chopstick;

(d) A channel extending through the upper chopstick, wherein the distal end of the arm extends through the channel;

(e) An extraction stop fixedly attached to or wholly formed with the at least first arm's distal end, said stop overlying the upper chopstick's upper side; and

(f) An insertion stop fixedly attached to or wholly formed with the at least first arm's distal end, said stop underlying the upper chopstick's lower side.

29. The training chopsticks of claim 28 wherein the at least a first arm has a middle portion spanning between its proximal and distal ends, said middle portion being oppositely laterally bowed.

30. The training chopsticks of claim 29 wherein the distal end of the at least first arm is canted laterally at an acute angle from a line extending from the lower chopstick to the upper chop stick.

31. The training chopsticks of claim 30 wherein the acute angle is approximately 15 degrees.

32. The training chopsticks of claim 31 wherein the distal end of the at least first arm has a longitudinal end having a lateral width, wherein said arm end has an oppositely longitudinal end having a lateral width, wherein said arm end has a middle portion having a lateral width, and wherein the lateral widths of said lateral and oppositely lateral ends are less than that of said middle portion.

33. The training chopsticks of claim 32 wherein the channel has a lateral wall and an oppositely lateral wall, such walls respectively forming an oppositely laterally extending apex and a laterally extending apex.