Abstract:
A chopstick retaining device includes a casing and a resilient member disposed in the casing. Two sides of the resilient member relative to the casing form a first passage and a second passage to receive two chopsticks. Through the resilient member, one chopstick is pivoted to approach or to leave the other chopstick. The chopstick retaining device further includes a counterweight block to hold and suspend the chopsticks. The present invention can help the beginner to use the chopsticks with ease.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to a chopstick retaining device, and more particularly to an auxiliary device to use chopsticks. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Prior Art 
         [0004]    In Chinese culture, chopsticks are an essential eating utensil. More and more foreign people like Chinese food. Foreign people are used to knives and forks. It is difficult for foreign people to learn using chopsticks in a short time. Besides, children and elders may have difficulty in using chopsticks. Accordingly, the inventor of the present invention has devoted himself based on his many years of practical experiences to solve this problem. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The primary object of the present invention is to provide an auxiliary device for insertion of two chopsticks, assisting the beginner in using the chopsticks with ease. 
         [0006]    A further object of the present invention is to provide an auxiliary device, which not only assists in holding the chopsticks but also assures the hygiene of the chopsticks which are suspended, not in contact with the table. 
         [0007]    In order to achieve the aforesaid objects, there is provided a chopstick retaining device to assist in holding chopsticks. The device comprises a casing and a resilient member disposed in the casing. Two sides of the resilient member relative to the casing form a first passage and a second passage to receive two chopsticks. Through the resilient member, one chopstick is pivoted to approach or to leave the other chopstick. 
         [0008]    Preferably, the casing is composed of a first casing and a second casing. The first casing comprises a plurality of locking members on a lower end surface thereof. The second casing comprises a plurality of engaging members corresponding to the locking members. The locking members are engaged with the engaging members to connect the first casing with the second casing. 
         [0009]    Preferably, the inner side of the second casing is provided with at least one pillar. The resilient member has a through hole for connection of the pillar. 
         [0010]    Preferably, the resilient member is in an X-like shape and comprises two symmetrical first extension portions which are disposed at one side thereof, a second extension portion and a third extension portion which are disposed at an opposing side thereof. The second extension portion has a length shorter than that of the third extension portion. The third extension portion is curved and has elasticity. 
         [0011]    Preferably, the second housing has an inner side provided with a first connection portion and a second connection portion. 
         [0012]    Preferably, the inside of the first casing and the second casing relative to the two sides of the resilient member forms two passages to receive two chopsticks. 
         [0013]    Preferably, the inner side of the second casing has a slide slot in a Z-like shape, and the slide slot is provided with a slide block. By the movement of the slide block to change the width of one passage, the position of the chopstick in the passage is limited. 
         [0014]    Preferably, the slide block is used to control the resilient member in a curved state or in a restoring state. 
         [0015]    Preferably, the chopstick retaining device further comprises a counterweight block on a rear edge of one end surface thereof. When the chopstick retaining device with the chopstick is placed on a table, the counterweight block has a certain weight to assure that the two ends of the chopstick are suspended, not in contact with the table, providing a hygienic effect. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]      FIG. 1  is an exploded view of the present invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the present invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  is an exploded view to show movement of the slide block of the present invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  is another exploded view to show movement of the slide block of the present invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view to show that the present invention is connected with chopsticks; 
           [0021]      FIG. 6  is a schematic view to show that the present invention is connected with chopsticks and the slide block is moved; 
           [0022]      FIG. 7  is a schematic view of the present invention when in use; and 
           [0023]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view to show that the present invention is provided with a counterweight block. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0024]    Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
         [0025]    As shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , a chopstick retaining device  1  according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a casing  2  and a resilient member  3  disposed in the casing  2 . 
         [0026]    The casing  2  is composed of a first casing  21  and a second casing  22 . The first casing  21  comprises a plurality of locking members  211 ,  212 ,  213  on a lower end surface thereof. The second casing  22  comprises a plurality of engaging members  221 ,  222 ,  223  corresponding to the locking members  211 ,  212 ,  213 . By the locking members  211 ,  212 ,  213  to engage with the engaging members  221 ,  222 ,  223 , the first casing  21  and the second casing  22  are connected together. The second housing  22  has an inner side provided with a first connection portion  224  and a second connection portion  225 . The first connection portion  224  is located between the two second engaging members  221  and  222 . The second connection portion  225  is located between the two engaging members  222  and  223 . The inner side of the second casing  22  is provided with at least one pillar  226 . 
         [0027]    The resilient member  3  is made of a resilient material, which can restore its original shape. The resilient member  3  has a through hole  31  for connection of the pillar  226 . The resilient member  3  is in an X-like shape. The resilient member  3  comprises two symmetrical first extension portions  32  which are disposed at one side thereof, a second extension portion  33  and a third extension portion  34  which are disposed at an opposing side thereof. The second extension portion  33  has a length shorter than that of the third extension portion  34 . The third extension portion  34  is curved and has elasticity, providing a better restoring function. 
         [0028]    The space among the two first extension portions  32 , the engaging portion  222  and the first connection portion  224  is defined as a first passage  51 . The space among the second extension portion  33 , the third extension portion  34 , the engaging portion  223  and the second connection portion  225  is defined as a second passage  52 . The width of the second passage  52  is larger than that of the first passage  51 . 
         [0029]    The inner side of the second casing  22  has a slide slot  227  in a Z-like shape. The slide slot  227  is provided with a slide block  4 . The slide block  4  can be slid within the slide slot  227 , as shown in  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4 . 
         [0030]    Two chopsticks  61 ,  62  are inserted through the first passage  51  and the second passage  52 . Referring to  FIG. 6 , the chopstick  61  located in the first passage  51  is confined by the two first extension portions  32 , the engaging portion  222  and the first connection portion  224 . The chopstick  61  is positioned in the first passage  51 . The chopstick  62  located in the second passage  52  is confined by the second extension portion  33 , the third extension portion  34 , the engaging portion  223  and the second connection portion  225 . The chopstick  62  is positioned in the second passage  52 . Particularly, the third extension portion  34  has a curved design and the width of the second passage  52  is larger. When the third extension portion  34  is in contact with the chopstick  62 , the third extension portion  34  provides an elastic force to push the chopstick  62  outward. 
         [0031]    The two chopsticks  61 ,  62  are connected in the chopstick retaining device  1 , so they can be held with ease. The user just applies a force with his/her fingers to slightly push the front end of the chopstick  62  inward, the front end of the chopstick  62  will be pivoted toward the other chopstick  61  for clipping food. After the food is placed in the bowl or in the mouth, the user releases the chopstick  62  which is biased by the third extension portion  34  to its original position. It is very convenient to use the chopsticks. 
         [0032]    The chopstick retaining device  1  of the present invention has a function to hold the chopsticks. The slide block  4  in the slide slot  227  is moved to the position close to the third extension portion  34 , as shown in  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 6 , such that the chopstick  62  is held inward. By protrusions  214 ,  228  of the first casing  21  and the second casing  22 , the present invention can be used as a chopstick holder. 
         [0033]    As shown in  FIG. 8 , the chopstick retaining device  1  of the present invention further comprises a counterweight block  7 . The counterweight block  7  can be disposed on an outer edge of the casing  2  or inside the casing  2 . The counterweight block  7  can be integrally formed with the casing  2  or connected to the casing  2 . When the chopstick retaining device  1  with the chopstick  62  is placed on a table, the counterweight block  7  has a certain weight to assure that the two ends of the chopstick are suspended, not in contact with the table, providing a hygienic effect. 
         [0034]    Although particular embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail for purposes of illustration, various modifications and enhancements may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the present invention is not to be limited except as by the appended claims.