Practice chopsticks

Abstract

Chopsticks for practice, comprising: a lower chopstick having a longitudinal end, an inverse longitudinal end, an upper surface, a lower surface, a lateral surface, and an inverse lateral surface; an upper chopstick having an upper surface, a lower surface, a longitudinal end, an inverse longitudinal end, a lateral surface, and an inverse lateral surface; at least a first arm having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end being fixed to the lower chopstick or the entire arm being integrally formed with the lower chopstick; a longitudinally extending slide track being fixed to the upper chopstick or the entire arm being integrally formed with the upper chopstick; and a pin being fixed to the distal end of at least the first arm or the entire arm being integrally formed with the distal end, which operably engages with the longitudinally extending slide track.

Description

Background Art

[0001] When correctly holding a pair of chopsticks by hand to handle food, the upper chopstick, that is, the chopstick farther from the user's body, is usually grasped by the user's thumb, index finger, and middle finger of the hand. By manipulating the upper chopstick with the fingers like this, the upper chopstick can be moved at an angle with respect to the lower chopstick, like the jaws of a pair of tweezers or tongs for picking up food. Due to such finger movement, the acute angle formed between the upper chopstick and the lower chopstick increases or decreases. When using chopsticks correctly normally, other movements of the upper chopstick with respect to the lower chopstick are preferably restricted and strictly controlled.

[0002] When using chopsticks correctly, the vertical movement of the upper chopstick with respect to the lower chopstick is preferably strictly restricted. Also, when handling and using chopsticks correctly, the rolling movement around the longitudinal axis of the upper chopstick is preferably restricted. Also, when using them like this, the movement of the upper chopstick in the longitudinal direction and the reverse longitudinal direction along or parallel to the longitudinal axes of the upper and lower chopsticks is preferably restricted. Adjusting such restricted movements while moving the upper chopstick at an angle with respect to the lower chopstick to pick up food is often difficult for beginners in using chopsticks to learn.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0003] Among various improvement points, the practice chopsticks of the present invention assist beginners in using chopsticks to quickly be able to correctly hold chopsticks by hand by providing special components at the arm end connection part that interconnects the chopsticks.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0004] The first component of the training chopsticks of the present invention includes an upper chopstick and a lower chopstick, each chopstick having a longitudinal end, an inverse longitudinal end, a top surface, a bottom surface, a lateral surface, and an inverse lateral surface. For ease of reference, the longitudinal end of the chopsticks of the present invention refers to the relatively thinner end of the chopstick that comes into contact with and grasps food.

[0005] Further components of the training chopsticks of the present invention include at least a first arm having a proximal end and a distal end. In a preferred embodiment, the proximal end of this at least first arm is fixed to the lower chopstick, or the entire arm is integrally formed with the lower chopstick, and the at least first arm extends upward from there as a whole. In this embodiment, the chopsticks and at least the first arm are made of plastic.

[0006] In a preferred embodiment, the chopsticks of the present invention comprises at least a first sliding track. If the chopsticks of the present invention incorporate a sliding track element, the sliding track is preferably fixed to the upper chopstick or is integrally formed with the upper chopstick. The sliding track is appropriately configured as a longitudinally elongated groove extending into and opening to the upper chopstick. The opening of at least the first sliding track is preferably oriented in a direction selected from the group consisting of downward, upward, lateral, and reverse lateral directions and is located on the corresponding surface of the chopstick. The groove appropriately includes through grooves having opposing openings provided on the opposing surface of the upper chopstick.

[0007] In a suitable alternative embodiment, the longitudinally extending slide track element may include at least a first slide projection, and in selecting the form of the projection, preferably a pair of opposing slide projections. When the form of the slide projections of the slide track is adopted, the pair of projections projecting in opposite directions preferably extend longitudinally along the opposing surfaces of the upper chopsticks.

[0008] Further components of the chopsticks of the present invention include mounting means fixed to or integrally formed with at least a first arm's distal end. In a suitable embodiment, this mounting means includes at least a first pin or arm extension, the distal end of which extends into a grooved sliding track. Incorporating this sliding track element allows the pin to slide therein in the longitudinal and reverse longitudinal directions. Alternatively, if the sliding track element is configured to include a longitudinally extending projection, the mounting means element may include a C-shaped bracket formed at least at the distal end of the first arm, which slides into the sliding projection of the upper chopstick. If the sliding track includes a pair of opposing projecting projections, the mounting means may include a pair of C-shaped brackets facing each other and opening to slide into the projections.

[0009] If the chopsticks of the present invention incorporate a sliding raceway element having a pair of grooves that open in opposite directions, and the inner ends of such grooves do not communicate with each other, the mounting means may appropriately include a pair of pins that extend opposite to each other, the extensions of which are nested into the sliding grooves. Alternatively, if such a pair of grooves communicate with each other to form a through groove, the mounting means may include a single pin or arm extension of sufficient length to penetrate both communicating grooves and emerge from opposite ends of the grooves.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment, the provided slide track element includes a groove that extends longitudinally along the upper chopstick and opens downward on the lower surface of the chopstick, the groove having lateral and reverse lateral inner walls. When the slide track element includes such inner walls, the preferred pin shape of the mounting means may have opposing reverse lateral and lateral walls that engage with the groove walls. The angled faces of the reverse lateral and lateral walls of the pin can advantageously promote and restrict rotation, or sway, of the upper chopstick relative to the lower chopstick. By configuring the horizontal cross-sectional shape of the pin to have a relatively thick middle section and relatively thin longitudinal and reverse longitudinal ends, the pin ends can advantageously function as rotation-preventing portions within the groove.

[0011] Similar to the horizontal cross-sectional shape of the pin described above, the lateral cross-sectional shape of the pin receiving groove can also be configured to exhibit a surface, i.e., a small plane, that promotes and restricts rotation. When a groove-shaped sliding track is provided, and this track forms a through groove with upper and lower openings, and a pin-shaped mounting means extends through this groove, such a groove can be advantageously configured to include upper and lower openings that are relatively wider laterally, and an intermediate section that is relatively narrower laterally. In such a lateral cross-section, the groove walls are advantageously hourglass-shaped. By making the groove hourglass-shaped, restricted rolling around the longitudinal axis of the upper chopstick can be advantageously achieved.

[0012] When using the chopsticks of the present invention, the preferably provided sliding trajectory, that is, the sliding prevention surfaces at the longitudinal and inverse longitudinal ends of the sliding trajectory, advantageously restricts the longitudinal and inverse longitudinal sliding of the upper chopstick relative to the lower chopstick. Thus, this sliding trajectory and the associated sliding prevention parts help beginners in using chopsticks to correctly hold and manipulate the upper chopstick by encouraging the upper chopstick to move within a natural range in the longitudinal and inverse longitudinal directions.

[0013] The vertical and horizontal movement of the upper chopstick relative to the lower chopstick can also be advantageously controlled by the engagement of the mounting means of the first arm with the groove, i.e., the groove-shaped sliding track, of the upper chopstick. For example, in order to facilitate and limit the relative vertical movement of the upper chopstick, a knob having a surface that engages with the edge of the groove to prevent sliding may extend from at least the first pin at positions where it overlaps the upper chopstick and where it overlaps the lower chopstick. A slight vertical movement of such a knob, i.e., a slight movement beyond the vertical dimension of the upper chopstick, is advantageously facilitated to change the vertical position of the upper chopstick above the lower chopstick.

[0014] To promote and restrict natural rolling and reversing motion around the longitudinal axis of the upper chopstick, the inner wall of the groove of the upper chopstick, i.e., the groove-shaped sliding trajectory, may be angled to include flared upper and lower openings.

[0015] To limit and control the rotation and reverse rotation of the upper chopstick relative to the lower chopstick, second and third arms, i.e., a pair of rotation-blocking arms, may be fixed to the reverse longitudinal end of the lower chopstick or extend upward from that end. Such arms appropriately exhibit lateral and reverse lateral rotation-blocking surfaces, or lands, that engage with the reverse longitudinal end of the upper chopstick. When such arms engage with the reverse lateral end of the upper chopstick, they help to favorably resist the rotation of the upper chopstick and maintain the correct chopstick alignment. In a suitable alternative embodiment, such arms may extend from the upper chopstick to engage with the lower chopstick for rotation blocking.

[0016] Accordingly, the object of the present invention is to provide training chopsticks that incorporate the above-described structure, arrange the structure in relation to each other as described above, and achieve the above-described beneficial functions.

[0017] Other and further challenges, benefits, and advantages of the present invention will be made known to those skilled in the art by examining the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings. [Technical Field]

[0018] The present invention relates to chopsticks for handling food. More specifically, the present invention relates to chopsticks incorporating a special structure for correcting the movement of chopsticks for use in practice so that beginners in using chopsticks can handle and use ordinary chopsticks correctly.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0019] [Figure 1] It is a perspective view of the practice chopsticks of the present invention. [Figure 2] It is a view of the practice chopsticks in the reverse horizontal direction. [Figure 3] It is a partial cross-sectional view of the chopsticks shown in FIG. 1 of FIG. 1. [Figure 4] It is another cross-sectional view of the chopsticks shown in FIG. 1 of FIG. 1. [Figure 5] It is an enlarged view of a part shown in FIG. 4 of the structure of FIG. 4. <able> [Figure 6] It shows another form of the structure of FIG. [Figure 7] It shows yet another form of the structure of FIG. 5. [Figure 8] \ It shows yet another form of the structure of FIG. 5. [Figure 9] It shows yet another form of the structure of FIG. 5. [Figure 10] It shows yet another form of the structure of FIG. 5. [Figure 11] [[ID=3*]]It shows yet another form of the structure of FIG. 5. <able> [Figure 12] It shows yet another form of the structure of FIG. 5. [Figure 13] It shows in perspective view another form of the reverse longitudinal end of the structure of FIG. 1. [Figure 14] It shows yet another form of the structure of FIG. 1. [Figure 15] It shows yet another form in perspective view of chopsticks including the features of the chopsticks of FIGS. 13 and 14.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0020] Referring to the drawings, particularly Figures 1 and 2, the entirety of a preferred embodiment of the practice chopsticks of the present invention is indicated by the referenced arrow 1. The practice chopsticks 1 include an upper chopstick 2 and a lower chopstick 4, which are appropriately made of durable plastic. The upper chopstick 2 has a longitudinal end, i.e., a front end 6, and an inverse longitudinal end, i.e., a rear end 8. Correspondingly, the lower chopstick 4 has a longitudinal end 10 and an inverse longitudinal end 12. The upper chopstick 2 has a transverse surface 22 and an inverse transverse surface 24, and an upper surface 14 and a lower surface 16. The lower chopstick similarly has a transverse surface 26 and an inverse transverse surface 28, and an upper surface 18 and a lower surface 20.

[0021] At least the first arm 30 is fixed to the lower chopstick 4, or the entire arm is integrally formed with the lower chopstick 4, and the arm 30 as a whole extends upward from the lower chopstick 4 toward the upper chopstick 2. Furthermore, referring to Figure 4, the middle portion of the arm 30 is preferably bent in the opposite direction to the side so that the arm 30 does not come into contact with the user's thumb when the chopsticks 1 are being held. The first arm 30 has a lower end, i.e., a proximal end 32, and a distal end 34, and the proximal end 32 is appropriately connected to the lower chopstick 4 at an integrally formed joint.

[0022] A special component of the upper chopstick 2 is appropriately provided with a longitudinally extending groove-shaped sliding track, indicated by a labeled arrow 36. Referring simultaneously to Figures 1 to 5, this component 36 may also appropriately provide a longitudinally extending or longitudinally elongated groove 38d, which has a lower opening 40 on the lower surface 16 of the upper chopstick. This groove 38d appropriately extends upward into the internal matrix of the upper chopstick 2, forming a space through which the slide pin passes. If the groove 38d is longitudinally elongated to serve as a sliding track, it forms a space that facilitates longitudinal movement.

[0023] The grooved slide track 36 in Figures 1 to 5 is further appropriately provided with a second groove 38u, which has an upper opening 42 on the upper surface 14 of the upper chopstick. As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the upper groove element 38u and the lower groove element 38d of the slide track 36 of the upper chopstick each have a lower end and an upper end, and these two ends are in communication. Thus, the grooves 38u and 38d form a single opening that is substantially vertically open and penetrates the groove 38.

[0024] Further components of the training chopsticks of the present invention include mounting means fixed to the distal end 34 of at least the first arm, or formed integrally with the distal end 34 as a whole. This chopstick mounting means element necessarily engages operably with the upper chopstick 2, and if a longitudinally extending sliding track such as a sliding track 36 is incorporated, this engagement is preferably performed on or by engagement with this sliding track. As shown in the embodiments of Figures 1 to 5, the chopstick mounting means element may appropriately provide at least a multifaceted, i.e., multifaceted, first pin 56, which appropriately constitutes the extension and distal end portion of the arm 30. The proximal end, i.e., lower end, of the pin 56 is appropriately fixed to the distal end 34 of the arm 30, or formed integrally with the distal end 34 as a whole, and by being fixed in this manner, the pin forms part of the arm.

[0025] At least the first pin 56 extends appropriately in the vertical and lateral directions, and is of sufficient length to extend in such a way that it completely penetrates the groove 38, i.e., grooves 38u, 38. As shown in Figure 4, the pin 56 is preferably inclined, i.e., angled laterally, from the proximal end attached to the distal end 34 of the arm 30. If the reference line 5 extends through the lower chopstick 4 and the upper chopstick 2, the acute angle a is the angle of this pin. This angled inclination a of the pin 56 works in conjunction with the reverse lateral curvature of the arm 30 to prevent the user's thumb from coming into contact with or interfering with the distal end of the arm 30. In a preferred embodiment, such an acute angle a is approximately 15 degrees.

[0026] The relative forward, or longitudinal, movement of the upper chopstick 2 relative to the lower chopstick 4 is preferably restricted or limited by the contact of the reverse longitudinal end, or edge 57, of the pin 56 with the reverse longitudinal wall 44 of the groove 38 that is opposite to the groove in the longitudinal direction. When this contact occurs, this wall surface constitutes and functions as a longitudinal movement blocking section. The relative longitudinal movement of the pin 56 within the grooves 38u and 38d is blocked when the longitudinal end 55 of the pin 56 contacts the reverse longitudinal opposite surface of the longitudinal end wall 46 of the groove. Thus, the groove end wall 46 functions as a reverse longitudinal movement blocking section. In a preferred embodiment, the longitudinally elongated shape of the groove 38, as shown in the figure, separates the movement blocking sections 44 and 46 in the longitudinal direction, promoting the natural longitudinal movement of the upper chopstick 2 while preventing excessive longitudinal movement. In a suitable but less desirable configuration, the longitudinal dimension of the groove 38 may be only slightly longer than the longitudinal dimension of the pin 56. By setting the groove 38 to such dimensions, its characteristics as a sliding track can be eliminated, facilitating the swinging and rotating of the chopsticks.

[0027] To restrict the vertical movement of the upper chopstick 2 relative to the lower chopstick, a downward sliding stopper surface 59 and an upward sliding stopper surface 61 are appropriately provided. These stopper surfaces appropriately include the surfaces of knobs, i.e., protrusions 58 and 60, which extend in the lateral and reverse lateral directions, and these protrusions 58 and 60 are fixed to the pin 56, or are integrally formed with the pin 56. When the pin 56 is inserted into the groove 38, the protrusion 58 is positioned to overlap the upper chopstick 2 and function as a pin removal stopper. Correspondingly, when the pin is inserted in this manner, the protrusion 60 is positioned to overlap the upper chopstick and function as a pin insertion stopper. The sliding stopper surfaces 59 and 61 of the protrusions 58 and 60 engage with the outer peripheral edges of the groove openings 42 and 40, respectively. The surfaces that engage with the edges of the grooves are preferably offset from each other by a distance along the length of the pin 56 that creates a small movement gap 63. This gap 63 facilitates a natural pivoting motion for grasping food with the upper chopsticks, and also allows for a narrow range of natural vertical movement of the upper chopsticks 2 toward and away from the lower chopsticks 4. During such pivoting, the edges of the groove openings 42 and 40, in combination with their contact with the protruding surfaces 59 and 61, function as rotary bearings. Thus, the rotary bearings 40, 42, 59, and 61 pivotably connect the upper chopsticks 2 to the distal end of the arm 30.

[0028] Referring to Figures 2 and 3, it can be seen that the reverse lateral surface 24 of the upper chopstick 2 includes a projection, or protrusion 7, extending in the reverse lateral direction, and this projection is aligned with the sliding track 36 and the connection between the distal end 34 of the arm 30 and the sliding track. The projection 7 forms and provides an expanded surface area land 9 that overlaps the lower grip 60. By providing the projection 7 and the land 9, the user can advantageously rest the proximal phalanx of their index finger on the land 9 without touching the grip 60.

[0029] To allow the upper chopstick to roll naturally within a limited range around its longitudinal axis, the lateral walls 48 and inverse lateral walls 51 of the through groove 38, or communication grooves 38u and 38d, are inclined and project inward, creating an hourglass-shaped cross-section. Thus, the walls of the communication grooves 38d and 38u favorably form pivot edges, or vertices 50 and 52, that facilitate rolling. These vertices 50 and 52 enable the chopstick's limited rolling motion and strictly restrict the lateral and inverse lateral movement of the upper chopstick 2 relative to the pin 56. The angle b shown in Figure 5 is enclosed by the lateral walls 48 and inverse lateral walls 51 of the groove 38 and the lateral and inverse lateral surfaces of the pin 56. In a preferred embodiment, this angle b is 29 degrees, promoting 29-degree rolling of the upper chopstick 2. This angle b may be appropriately set to about 45 degrees.

[0030] Referring simultaneously to Figures 1 to 3, the horizontal cross-sectional shape of the slide pin 56 may be advantageously configured such that the lateral width is relatively wide in the middle of the pin, i.e., widest, between the vertices 63 and 65, and relatively narrower at the lateral end 55 and the reverse lateral end 57 of the pin, i.e., narrowest. Configuring the cross-sectional shape of the pin 56 in this way creates lateral and reverse lateral slide pin surfaces 62 and 64, and 64 and 68, which promotes limited rotation and reverse rotation of the upper chopstick 2 about the vertical axis of the pin 56 and the lower chopstick 4.

[0031] To use the chopsticks 1 of the present invention, in the configuration shown in Figures 1 to 5, a beginner using chopsticks can firmly grip the lower chopstick 4 in the cavity between the thumb and index finger of the hand, and support the lower surface 20 of the lower chopstick with the outer surface of the ring finger. The upper chopstick 2 is also gripped simultaneously as in the conventional method and operated by contact with the thumb, index finger, and middle finger of the same hand. When using and handling chopsticks correctly, the upper chopstick 2 usually moves slightly in the longitudinal and reverse longitudinal directions relative to the lower chopstick 4. Since the groove 38 of the chopsticks of the present invention is configured as an elongated sliding track in the longitudinal direction, such movement can be advantageously promoted and restricted by the operational interconnection between the pin-shaped mounting means and the groove.

[0032] Furthermore, during use, excessive longitudinal movement of the upper chopstick is prevented by contact between the longitudinal end wall 44 of the groove, which faces the longitudinal direction, and the reverse longitudinal edge 57 of the pin. Correspondingly, excessive reverse longitudinal movement of the upper chopstick relative to the lower chopstick is prevented by contact between the reverse longitudinal end wall 46 of the groove, which faces the reverse longitudinal direction, and the longitudinal edge 55 of the pin.

[0033] Furthermore, during use, the upper chopstick naturally rolls around its longitudinal axis 2, which is facilitated by the approximately 29-degree angle b of the flattened cross-section of the side walls of the slide grooves 38u and 38d, and this angle is defined above and below the wall vertices 50 and 52 that extend inward into the grooves, respectively.

[0034] Furthermore, during use, the rotational, or wobbly, motion of the upper chopstick 2 relative to the lower chopstick 4 around a vertical axis is similarly facilitated and controlled by the angled surfaces of the pin, i.e., surfaces 62, 64, 66, and 68.

[0035] The action of grasping and releasing food by angled pitching (vertical swinging) and reverse pitching of the longitudinal end 6 of the upper chopstick 2 is facilitated by a gap 63 formed by precisely dimensioning and shifting the vertical movement-restricting surfaces 59 and 61 of the gripping surfaces 58 and 60 in the vertical direction. This gap 63 allows the upper chopstick 2 to rotate relatively freely around the horizontal axis, making it easy to grasp food with the tips 6 and 10 of the chopsticks like scissors or tongs.

[0036] Referring simultaneously to Figures 5 and 6, all structures shown in Figure 6 with the suffix A are configured similarly to those shown in Figure 5 with the same reference numerals. In another embodiment shown in Figure 6, the chopsticks, as preferred, include a sliding track element, which has a longitudinally extending groove 76 with a lower opening 77 on the lower surface 16A of the upper chopstick 2A. Lateral projections 78 and inverse lateral projections 80 of the pin-shaped mounting means 74 in another embodiment are fitted into lateral groove extensions 82 and inverse lateral groove extensions 84, respectively, which prevent the pin 74 from falling out of the groove 76. The groove 76 may extend in accordance with the groove 38 in Figure 3, and the longitudinal and inverse longitudinal ends of this groove 76 also function as slide stoppers.

[0037] In another embodiment shown in Figure 7, the structures indicated by the suffix B are configured similarly to the structures indicated by the same reference numerals in Figure 5. In the other embodiment shown in Figure 7, the longitudinally extending groove-shaped slide track 88 has a lateral surface opening 90, which receives a pin-shaped mounting means 84. The expanded distal end, or reverse lateral end 86, of the pin 84 is fitted into an expanded groove portion 92, which functions as a slide stopper to prevent the pin 84 from falling laterally out of the groove 88.

[0038] Another embodiment shown in Figure 8 has similar components with the suffix C. The configuration in Figure 8 is a mirror image of the configuration in Figure 7 and includes a sliding raceway groove 98 having an inverted lateral opening 92. The laterally extending pin 94 in the other embodiment shown in Figure 8 has a distal end expansion, which fits into an expansion groove 100.

[0039] In the alternative embodiment shown in Figure 9, all structures indicated by the suffix D are configured similarly to the structures indicated by the same reference numerals in Figure 5. In the alternative structural embodiment shown in Figure 9, the grooved slide track 106 forms a through groove having a lateral opening 108 and an inverse lateral opening 110. This groove 106 includes a lateral opening groove 106l and an inverse lateral opening groove 106ol, which are in communication and form a through groove 106. The pin-shaped mounting means 102 extends substantially laterally and completely penetrates the groove 106, and is captured by the slide-stopping surface 111 of the expanded pin head 104. The alternative embodiment shown in Figure 9 is intended to represent a mirror image embodiment (not shown) in which the pin element enters the groove 106 from the inverse lateral opening 110.

[0040] In yet another embodiment shown in Figure 10, all structures indicated by the suffix E are configured similarly to the structures indicated by the same reference numerals in Figure 5. Similar to the through-groove slide track in Figure 9, the groove slide track 114 in the other embodiment shown in Figure 10 has both a lateral opening 116 and a reverse lateral opening 118. The pin-shaped mounting means 112 extends substantially laterally and is fully through. The lateral and reverse lateral ends of the pin 112 are supported by fork-shaped arms 113, 114 formed at the distal end of the arm 34E.

[0041] Figure 11 discloses an example of a structurally different embodiment shown in Figure 10, in which the lateral opening groove 122 and the inverse lateral opening groove 128 are separated by the internal matrix of the upper chopstick 2F, rather than their inner ends communicating to form a through groove. In the structurally different embodiment shown in Figure 11, the mounting means includes a pin 120 extending in the inverse lateral direction and a pin 126 extending in the lateral direction, supported at the distal ends of the fork-shaped arms 125 and 119. These pin-shaped mounting means 120 and 126 extend in the inverse lateral direction and lateral direction into the lateral opening 124 and inverse lateral opening 130 of the groove-shaped slide tracks 122 and 128.

[0042] In a further structural variant shown in Figure 12, all structures indicated by the suffix G are configured similarly to those indicated by the same reference numerals in Figure 5. In a structural variant shown in Figure 5, the sliding trajectory element of the upper chopstick 2G includes at least a first sliding projection 132, preferably a pair of projections, namely a lateral sliding projection 132 and an inverse lateral sliding projection 138. This projection extends along the longitudinal direction of the upper chopstick 2G, and C-shaped brackets 134, 140 formed at the distal ends of the fork-shaped arms 136, 142 capture and slidably receive such projections.

[0043] Referring to Figure 13, all structures indicated by the suffix H are configured in the same way as the structures indicated by the same reference numerals in Figures 1 to 3. In the structurally different embodiment shown in Figure 13, rotation-preventing parts are provided at the longitudinal ends 8H and 12H of the upper chopstick 2H and the lower chopstick 4H. These rotation-preventing parts resist excessive relative rotation between the chopsticks around the vertical axis of the chopsticks. Thus, these rotation-preventing parts ensure that the longitudinal ends 6 and 10 of the upper and lower chopsticks are properly aligned so that they can correctly grasp food. In the embodiment shown in Figure 13, these rotation-preventing parts include opposing lateral and reverse lateral surfaces, i.e., surfaces 150 and 156. These surfaces 150 and 156 are appropriately formed and supported at the distal ends 148 and 154 of the second arm 144 and the third arm 140, respectively. The proximal ends 146 and 152 of these arms are appropriately fixed to the inverse longitudinal end 12H of the lower chopstick 4H, or the entire arm is integrally formed with it.

[0044] In another embodiment shown in Figure 13, the second arm 144 and the third arm 140 are advantageously slightly curved laterally and in the reverse lateral direction, so that as the upper chopstick 2H rotates clockwise (as shown in Figure 13) like tongs for grasping food, the reverse longitudinal end 8H of the upper chopstick 2H is guided to the correct alignment position.

[0045] The form of the rotation-preventing arms 140 and 144 in a structurally different embodiment shown in Figure 13 is representative of a preferred embodiment, but in an alternative embodiment, such arms can also be appropriately attached by forming the entire proximal ends 146 and 152 integrally with the upper chopstick 2H. In such an alternative embodiment, such arms extend downward, and surfaces 150 and 156 contact the lateral and reverse lateral surfaces of the lower chopstick 4H to prevent rotation. Surface 150 is preferably fixed to the distal end 148 of the lateral arm 144, or the entire surface is integrally formed with the distal end 148. Surface 156 is oriented in the opposite direction to surface 150, and this surface 156 is fixed to the distal end 154 of the reverse lateral arm 140, or the entire surface is integrally formed with the distal end 154. The lateral offset of surfaces 150 and 156 is preferably precisely matched to the width of the upper chopstick 2H. Therefore, when the inverted longitudinal end 8H of the upper chopstick rotates upward, surfaces 150 and 156 support the lateral and inverted lateral surfaces of that chopstick. Thus, surfaces 150 and 156 perform the function of correctly aligning the chopsticks when the inverted longitudinal end rotates in this manner.

[0046] In another embodiment shown in Figure 14, all structures indicated by the suffix I are configured similarly to the structures indicated by the same symbols in Figures 1 to 3. In the structurally different embodiment shown in Figure 14, rubber (elastic) band receiving grooves 160, 164, and 168 are formed in the wall protrusions 158, 162, and 166, respectively. The combinations of protrusions and grooves 158 and 160, 162 and 164, and 166 and 168 receive and secure elastic rings, i.e., rubber bands 170, 172, and 174, respectively. Once such bands are attached to the corresponding band receiving grooves, a beginner using chopsticks can pass their index finger through band 172, their middle finger through band 170, and their ring finger through band 174. These bands 170, 172, and 174 are advantageous because they can provide the beginner with additional mechanical support to help them practice holding chopsticks correctly.

[0047] Referring to Figure 15, all structures indicated by the suffix J are configured similarly to the structures indicated by the same reference numerals in Figures 1 to 14. In the alternative structural embodiment shown in Figure 15, a substantially perpendicular groove 204 may be advantageously formed and shown on the lateral face wall of the pin 56J. When using chopsticks employing the alternative embodiment of Figure 15, the groove 204 may serve as an alignment mark, or visual cue, to help beginners in using chopsticks correctly. The alignment groove 204 is preferably located approximately midway along the longitudinal direction between the longitudinal end and the inverse longitudinal end of the pin 56J.

[0048] When using the chopsticks shown in Figure 15, the user can advantageously hold the chopsticks such that a substantially vertical extension of the line along the alignment groove 204 crosses the proximal interphalangeal joint of the user's index finger.

[0049] Referring simultaneously to Figures 1 to 14, the combinations of protrusions and grooves 158 and 160, 162 and 164, and 166 and 168 of the chopsticks shown in Figure 14 are positioned so that when the user's thumb, index finger, middle finger, and ring finger are in the correct position to contact the chopsticks, none of the combinations come into contact with each other, i.e., they do not interfere with each other. Therefore, the chopsticks shown in Figure 14 can be used in the same way as the chopsticks in Figure 1, which do not have any rubber bands 170, 172, or 174. In the structurally different embodiment shown in Figure 14, one of the bands provided in any of the grooves 160, 164, or 168 may be used. Alternatively, any two of these three bands may be used in any two grooves.

[0050] Although the principle of the present invention has been clarified in the explanatory embodiments described above, those skilled in the art can modify the structure, arrangement, parts, and components of the invention without departing from this principle. Accordingly, the specification and drawings are illustrative and not restrictive, and the invention is intended to be given a scope according to the claims.

Claims

1. These are chopsticks for practice, (a) A lower chopstick having a longitudinal end, an inverse longitudinal end, an upper surface, a lower surface, a transverse surface, and an inverse transverse surface, (b) An upper chopstick having an upper surface, a lower surface, a longitudinal end, an inverse longitudinal end, a transverse surface, and an inverse transverse surface, (c) At least a first arm having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end being fixed to the lower chopstick, or the entire arm being integrally formed with the lower chopstick, (d) A longitudinally extending slide track which is fixed to the upper chopstick or is formed integrally with the upper chopstick, (e) Mounting means fixed to the distal end of at least the first arm, or formed integrally with the distal end, and operably engaged with the longitudinally extending slide track Practice chopsticks equipped with these features.

2. The first arm has an intermediate portion that extends between its proximal and distal ends, and the intermediate portion is curved in the opposite lateral direction. The training chopsticks described in claim 1.

3. The longitudinally extending slide track includes at least a first groove that opens to a chopstick surface selected from the lower surface of the upper chopstick, the upper surface of the upper chopstick, the lateral surface of the upper chopstick, and the opposite lateral surface of the upper chopstick. The training chopsticks described in claim 1.

4. The mounting means includes at least a first pin having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end of the at least first pin is fixed to the distal end of the at least first arm, or the entire pin is integrally formed with the distal end, and the distal end of the at least first pin extends into the at least first groove. The training chopsticks described in claim 3.

5. The first pin is inclined laterally at an acute angle from the line extending from the lower chopstick to the upper chopstick. The training chopsticks described in claim 4.

6. The aforementioned acute angle is approximately 15 degrees. The training chopsticks described in claim 5.

7. The first pin has a longitudinal end having a lateral width, the pin has an inverse longitudinal end having a lateral width, and the pin has an intermediate portion having a lateral width, and the lateral width of the lateral end and the lateral width of the inverse lateral end are smaller than the lateral width of the intermediate portion. The training chopsticks described in claim 4.

8. The device further comprises an alignment groove extending into and opening into the first pin, the alignment groove being positioned between the longitudinal end and the inverse longitudinal end of the first pin. The training chopsticks described in claim 7.

9. The chopsticks further include a longitudinal blocking portion, which is fixed to the upper chopstick or is integrally formed with the upper chopstick, and the longitudinal blocking portion is configured to restrict the longitudinal movement of the upper chopstick relative to the lower chopstick. The training chopsticks described in claim 3.

10. The device further comprises a reverse longitudinal direction blocking portion, which is fixed to the upper chopstick or is integrally formed with the upper chopstick, and the reverse longitudinal direction blocking portion is configured to restrict the movement of the upper chopstick in the reverse longitudinal direction relative to the lower chopstick. The training chopsticks described in claim 9.

11. The system further comprises an upward-blocking portion fixed to at least the first pin, or formed integrally with the pin, wherein the upward-blocking portion is configured to restrict the upward movement of the upper chopstick relative to the lower chopstick. Practice chopsticks according to claim 10.

12. The system further comprises a downward-facing blocking portion fixed to at least the first pin, or formed integrally with the pin, wherein the downward-facing blocking portion is configured to restrict the downward movement of the upper chopstick relative to the lower chopstick. The training chopsticks according to claim 11.

13. The at least first groove has an inverted longitudinal wall and a longitudinal wall, and the longitudinal blocking portion and the inverted longitudinal blocking portion each include the wall. The training chopsticks according to claim 12.

14. The at least first groove has a lateral wall and an inverse lateral wall, and the lateral wall and the inverse lateral wall each form a vertex extending in the inverse lateral direction and a vertex extending in the lateral direction, respectively. The training chopsticks described in claim 3.

15. The chopstick further comprises a second groove extending into the upper chopstick, the second groove opening on the side opposite to the opening of at least the first groove. The training chopsticks described in claim 3.

16. At least the first groove and the second groove are in communication, The training chopsticks according to claim 15.

17. The at least first pin further extends through the second groove, The training chopsticks according to claim 16.

18. The at least first groove and the second groove exhibit a plurality of rotation-preventing surfaces, and when the at least first pin rotates about its longitudinal axis and rotates in the opposite direction, the plurality of surfaces engage with the at least first pin. The training chopsticks described in claim 17.

19. The device further comprises a pair of projections fixed to at least the first pin, or formed integrally with the pin, wherein the downward blocking portion includes the lower surface of one of the projections, and the upward blocking portion includes the upper surface of the other projection. The training chopsticks according to claim 18.

20. The device further comprises a rotation-preventing portion, which is fixed to a chopstick end selected from the group consisting of the inverse longitudinal end of the lower chopstick and the inverse longitudinal end of the upper chopstick, or which is integrally formed with the chopstick end, and the rotation-preventing portion is configured to resist the rotation of the upper chopstick relative to the lower chopstick. The training chopsticks described in claim 1.

21. The system further comprises a reverse rotation prevention portion fixed to the selected chopstick end, or whose entirety is integrally formed with the selected chopstick end, wherein the reverse rotation prevention portion is configured to resist the reverse rotation of the upper chopstick relative to the lower chopstick. Practice chopsticks as described in claim 20.

22. The device further comprises a pair of arms, each having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the rotation-blocking portion and the rotation-blocking portion in the opposite direction are fixed to the distal end of one of the arms, or the entire arm is integrally formed with the distal end. The training chopsticks according to claim 21.

23. The longitudinally extending slide track includes at least a first projection which is fixed to the upper chopstick or is formed integrally with the upper chopstick as a whole. The training chopsticks described in claim 1.

24. The longitudinally extending slide track includes a second projection which is fixed to the upper chopstick or is integrally formed with the upper chopstick, and the second projection extends in the opposite direction to at least the first projection. The training chopsticks according to claim 23.

25. The mounting means includes a pair of C-shaped brackets, each of which receives at least one of the first projection and the second projection. Practice chopsticks as described in claim 24.

26. The device further comprises a projection extending in the reverse lateral direction, which is fixed to the upper chopstick or is integrally formed with the upper chopstick, and the projection extending in the reverse lateral direction provides an upward and reverse lateral oriented finger contact land. The training chopsticks described in claim 1.

27. The device further comprises a plurality of combinations of protrusions and grooves, which are fixed to the upper chopstick and the lower chopstick, or are integrally formed with the upper chopstick and the lower chopstick, and a plurality of rubber bands, the bands being received within the grooves of the combinations. Practice chopsticks as described in claim 26.

28. These are chopsticks for practice, (a) A lower chopstick having a longitudinal end, an inverse longitudinal end, an upper surface, a lower surface, a transverse surface, and an inverse transverse surface, (b) An upper chopstick having an upper surface, a lower surface, a longitudinal end, an inverse longitudinal end, a transverse surface, and an inverse transverse surface, (c) At least a first arm having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end being fixed to the lower chopstick, or the entire arm being integrally formed with the lower chopstick, (d) A groove through which the upper chopstick passes, and through which the distal end of the arm passes; (e) A retaining portion fixed to the distal end of at least the first arm, or formed integrally with the distal end and overlapping the upper surface of the upper chopstick, (f) An insertion blocking portion fixed to the distal end of at least the first arm, or formed integrally with the distal end and overlapping the lower surface of the upper chopstick, Practice chopsticks equipped with these features.

29. The first arm has an intermediate portion that extends between its proximal and distal ends, and the intermediate portion is curved in the opposite lateral direction. Practice chopsticks according to claim 28.

30. The distal end of at least one of the arms is inclined laterally at an acute angle from the line extending from the lower chopstick to the upper chopstick. Practice chopsticks as described in claim 29.

31. The aforementioned acute angle is approximately 15 degrees. Practice chopsticks as described in claim 30.

32. The distal end of at least the first arm has a longitudinal end having a lateral width, the arm end has an inverse longitudinal end having a lateral width, the arm end has an intermediate portion having a lateral width, and the lateral width of the lateral end and the lateral width of the inverse lateral end are smaller than the lateral width of the intermediate portion. The training chopsticks described in claim 31.

33. The groove has a lateral wall and an inverse lateral wall, and the lateral wall and the inverse lateral wall each form a vertex extending in the inverse lateral direction and a vertex extending in the lateral direction, respectively. The training chopsticks according to claim 32.

Images