Patent ID: 6454328
Filing Date: 2002-09-24
Classification: A47G

Abstract:
A utensil for a compact chopstick system comprising:(a) a first elongate member having a proximal end and a distal food engagement end, said member further having an outer lateral surface and an inner lateral surface comprising: (i) engagement means at said distal end (ii) at said proximal end, a male journal surface including a transverse pivot channel, and a transverse rotation limit surface; and (iii) a U-shaped channel within a distal side of said male journal surface; (b) a second elongate member having a proximal end and a distal food engagement end, said second member further having an outer lateral surface and an inner lateral surface comprising: (i) engagement means at said distal end; (ii) at said proximal end a female journal surface, complemetal to said male journal surface of said first elongate member, including a transverse pivot channel, co-linear with said pivot channel of said male journal surface, and having a transverse rotation limit surface therein complemental to said rotation limit surface of said male journal surface; and (iii) a U-shaped channel within a distal side of said female journal surface; (c) an axle secured within said pivot channels to thereby pivotally join said first and second members; and (d) outward biasing means spanning and secured within both of said u-shaped channels to thereby stabilize said elongate members relative to each other and to also provide a normally outward bias relative to each other to thereby provide an ergonomic response when the members are engaged by the human hand as said members pivot about said axle.