Assisted chopsticks

Abstract

To solve the problem in which: in Japanese culture, proper usage of chopsticks is evaluated not only for convenience but also for the aesthetic beauty of their handling; as people age and lose dexterity in their fingers, it becomes increasingly difficult and inconvenient to use chopsticks in a beautiful manner; although numerous products such as chopsticks with tweezers and similar products exist on the market, these tools merely pursue the single function of pinching; according to explanations on the website of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, proper chopstick use is also valued for its appearance; thus, there has been a demand for an assisting tool that enables elderly people with reduced finger strength to use chopsticks in a manner consistent with aesthetically proper usage.SOLUTION: By adding an auxiliary rod to one of the chopsticks positioned on the lower side, the palm can be engaged in holding the chopsticks, thereby solving the problem.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an auxiliary tool for chopsticks, which is used to assist people with weakened finger strength in using chopsticks. [Background technology]

[0002] As people get older, the strength and sensation in their fingers decrease, and an increasing number of people are no longer able to use chopsticks as they used to. The present invention has been devised to solve this problem.

[0003] Previous inventions included a combination of tweezers and chopsticks, and similar aids that were invented and sold commercially. However, as described in Special Feature 2: The Story of Chopsticks (2) on the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries website (as of September 2023), there is also an element of the need for aesthetic appearance when using chopsticks, but no inventions that satisfied this requirement had been found.

[0004] The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries website explains that the correct way to use chopsticks is to hold the bottom chopsticks still and move only the top chopstick, and to use the index and middle fingers, which also looks nice.

[0005] Conventional self-help chopsticks have been of the type that require a claw grip or are used like tweezers, but until now there have been no inventions to help elderly people use chopsticks correctly. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Application No. 9-2528 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 10-108775 [Patent Document 3] JP 2002-17545 A [Patent Document 4] JP 2015-97656 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] The problem to be solved is to assist people who have difficulty moving their hands to use chopsticks in the same way as before, and in a way that looks the same. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The main feature of this device is that by providing an auxiliary bar (1) on the underside (A) of the chopsticks, the palm can also participate in holding down the lower chopstick, making it possible to easily hold the lower chopstick in the correct position as before. Effect of the Invention

[0009] This invention makes it possible for elderly people who have lost strength in their fingers to use chopsticks correctly and beautifully as they have done up until now. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of one chopstick (A) to which an auxiliary rod (1) is joined according to claim 1. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of an embodiment in which the auxiliary rod (1) is combined with the chopstick holder (2) according to claim 2. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of an embodiment according to claim 3 in which a pair of chopstick holders (2, 2') are combined via tongs (3). [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of an embodiment according to claim 4 in which a pair of chopstick holders (2, 2') are combined via a hinge (4). [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of an embodiment of a combination of a hinge (4) and a motion restricting device (5), (5') according to claim 5. [Figure 6]FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of an embodiment according to claim 6, in which a finger hook (6) is combined with one end (B) of chopsticks. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of an embodiment in which the auxiliary rod (1) of claim 7 is combined with a palm holder (7). [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of an embodiment in which the auxiliary rod (1) of claim 8 is combined with a grip (8). DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] When holding chopsticks correctly, a stick with a circular or polygonal cross section is attached to the bottom chopstick (i) near the base of the thumb so that it rests in the palm of your hand. EXAMPLES

[0012] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of one embodiment of self-help chopsticks according to claim 1 of the present invention. The cross-sectional shape of the auxiliary rod (1) may be circular or angular, with a hollow pipe being preferable in terms of weight and adhesive strength. The thickness should be selected to match the size of the user's hand, close to the thickness of the chopsticks to be used. Also, accessories of different thicknesses, lengths, and cross-sectional shapes can be prepared and easily selected and added according to the user's preferences. In this embodiment, the auxiliary rod is an example of combining with pre-made chopsticks using adhesive, but if the chopsticks themselves are made of plastic, it is also possible to mold them as a single piece. EXAMPLES

[0013] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of one embodiment of the self-help chopsticks according to claim 2 of the present invention. The auxiliary stick (1) is attached to the chopsticks (A) through the chopstick holder (2). The chopstick holder (2) is also effective in adding auxiliary functions such as changing the attachment position of the chopsticks (A) or adjusting the angle. EXAMPLES

[0014] FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of one embodiment of the self-help chopsticks according to claim 3 of the present invention. This is an embodiment of claim 3, characterized in that the chopstick holder is configured as a pair of chopstick holders, one for chopsticks (A) (2) and one for chopsticks (B) (2'), and is combined with tongs (3). Tongs are an effective option for reducing costs, as their structure is simple.

[0015] The chopstick holder (2) and chopstick holder (2') in this embodiment have a U-shaped tapered groove in cross section, and are an example that allows disposable chopsticks that have been split and are ready for use to be fitted into and held in a removable manner. It is possible to make a one-to-one design to fit the thickness and cross-sectional shape of chopsticks specified by an individual, and it is natural that known technology can be applied to the method of holding chopsticks in the chopstick holder. It is also possible to freely choose whether to make it removable or to fix it with adhesive. The chopstick holder in this claim includes chopstick holders of various shapes and methods. EXAMPLES

[0016] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of one embodiment of the self-help chopsticks according to claim 4 of the present invention. This is an embodiment of claim 4, characterized in that a hinge (4) is combined instead of the tongue (3) of the third embodiment. Hinges have a more complicated structure and are more expensive than tongs, but are effective in achieving miniaturization and high functionality. Since hinges generally have a built-in spring, the spring is not shown in the explanatory diagram. EXAMPLES

[0017] FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of one embodiment of the self-help chopsticks according to claim 5 of the present invention. The planar motion control device (5) and the planar motion control device (5') work together to prevent the chopsticks from twisting, and are either molded integrally with the chopstick holder (2) and the chopstick holder (2') respectively, or joined as parts.

[0018] The action of grasping an object with tweezers is fundamentally different from the action of grasping an object with chopsticks. The functions of chopsticks include not only grasping, but also twisting, spreading, pushing, stabbing, etc. There have been many prior applications for tweezers-style chopsticks, but none have addressed the problem of twisting the tips, a drawback of tweezers.

[0019] In this embodiment, the planar motion restricting device (5) and the planar motion restricting device (5') are a pair, and are an example that utilizes a combination of concave and convex. By grinding the flat surfaces together, it is possible to prevent twisting of the chopstick tips. EXAMPLES

[0020] FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of one embodiment of the self-help chopsticks according to claim 6 of the present invention. The finger hook (6) is a device that provides a protrusion on the upper chopstick (B) to make it easier to use with the fingers. There are many possible shapes for the protrusion, and the shape and material can be selected according to the degree of the user's disability. In the embodiment, the shape of the handle is simply for the index finger to rest on, but for users who have difficulty using their index finger, the handle needs to be positioned and shaped so that the middle finger can rest on it. The present invention includes finger rests that can accommodate all of these variations. EXAMPLES

[0021] FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of one embodiment of the self-help chopsticks according to claim 7 of the present invention. The palm-holding device is a particularly effective assistive device when thumb function has weakened; by holding the chopsticks in the palm between the thumb and index finger, it becomes possible to operate chopsticks with just one finger. It is desirable for palm holders to be individually manufactured to fit the size and shape of the user's hand; it is possible to create a 3D model of an individual's hand from the measurements and a photograph of the user's palm, and then use a 3D printer to create a palm holder with a shape that matches the model with greater precision; however, a palm holder is usually selected from several pre-prepared sizes to fit different hand sizes. EXAMPLES

[0022] FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of one embodiment of the self-help chopsticks according to claim 8 of the present invention. The handle (8) allows the user to hold the whole chopsticks with the little finger and ring finger. As with the previous embodiment (7), the handle will of course change depending on the degree and type of disability, and can be adjusted to suit each individual, with the material, hardness, and shape freely selectable. The handle can be made of plastic that softens at the temperature of hot water, and the shape can be adjusted to suit the individual user, and other known techniques and methods can be freely added.

[0023] The palm holder (7) and grip (8) parts of claims 7 and 8 can be applied to well-known technologies such as 3D scanners and 3D printers. The creation of a model of the user's individual hand can be achieved by utilizing dental impression technology, which is a common point. [Industrial Applicability]

[0024] The device has become possible for elderly people with weakened hand muscles to use chopsticks in the traditional way while still looking beautiful. It has also proven effective as a training tool for foreign tourists who are using chopsticks for the first time. [Explanation of symbols]

[0025] 1 Auxiliary rod 1´ Adhesive part 2 chopstick holder 2´ Chopstick holder 3 Tongs 4 Hinge 5 Planar movement restrictor 5´ Planar movement restrictor 6 Finger hook 7 Palm Clamp 8 handfuls B. The underside of chopsticks B. Top of chopsticks

Claims

1. Self-help chopsticks characterized by having an auxiliary stick (1) on one end (A) of the chopsticks.

2. 2. The self-help chopsticks of claim 1, characterized in that the auxiliary stick (1) is combined via a chopstick holder (2).

3. The self-help chopsticks according to claim 2, characterized in that the chopsticks are held in a pair of chopstick holders (2), the chopsticks are combined with tongs (3) in the chopstick holder (2').

4. The self-help chopsticks according to claim 2, characterized in that a pair of chopstick holders (2), chopsticks are held in the chopstick holders (2'), and a hinge (4) is combined.

5. Chopsticks according to claims 3 and 4, characterized in that one chopstick (a) and the other chopstick (b) are combined with planar motion restricting devices (5, 5') so that they slide on the same plane.

6. Chopsticks according to claims 1 to 5, characterized in that a finger hook (6) is combined with one end (B) of the chopsticks.

7. Chopsticks according to claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the auxiliary bar (1) is combined with a palm holder (7).

8. Chopsticks according to claims 1 to 6, characterized in that a handle (8) is combined with an auxiliary bar (1).

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