Apparatus for holding a utensil

Abstract

In one embodiment an apparatus for holding an elongate utensil is disclosed having a frame. The frame defines a base member having a top surface and bottom surface. The bottom surface is configured to rest upon a support surface. The base member generally defines a plane. The frame further defines a holding member that is connected to the base member, and that is for holding a potion of an elongate utensil. The holding member has at least a deployed configuration wherein the holding member extends above the base member plane. In another embodiment, the holding member further has a stored configuration wherein the holding member substantially resides within the base member plane.

1 . An apparatus for holding an elongate utensil, said apparatus comprising:
 a frame defining
 i. a base member having a top surface and bottom surface, said bottom surface for resting upon a support surface, said base member generally defining a plane; and 
 ii. a holding member connected to said base member for holding a portion of an elongate utensil, said holding member having at least a deployed configuration wherein said holding member extends above said base member plane. 
   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said holding member further has a stored configuration wherein said holding member substantially resides within said base member plane. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said holding member is rotatably connected to said base member. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said holding member unitarily formed with said base member. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said holding member forms an interior angle with said base member between about 50 degrees and 70 degrees in said deployed configuration. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising:
 an abutment member located on said base member for abutting a portion of a utensil when said holding member is in said deployed configuration. 
 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said base member defines an internal aperture located beneath said support member when said holding member is in said deployed configuration. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said base member has a front portion and a distal, rear portion, said front portion defining at least one aperture for permitting a fluent material to drain from said base member. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said base member has a front portion and a distal rear portion, said holding member is connected to said base member at a location proximal to said front portion, and said base member has a center of mass located rearward of said location. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said holding member has at least one concave region for receiving a portion of a utensil. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein said, holding member has the form of two spaced apart arms connected by span, said span having a plurality of concave regions. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein said arms are formed from a rigid material, and said span is formed from a flexible material relative to said arms. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said base,member and said holding member are formed from an antimicrobial material. 
     
     
         14 . An apparatus for holding an elongate utensil, said apparatus comprising:
 a frame defining
 i. a base member having a top surface and bottom surface, said bottom surface for resting upon a support surface, said base member generally defining a plane, said base member having a pair of spaced apart side portions defining an internal aperture therebetween, said base member having a front portion formed from a plurality of spaced apart ribs for permitting a fluent material to drain from said base member; and 
 ii. a holding member connected to said base member proximal said front portion for holding a portion of an elongate utensil, said holding member having two spaced apart arms connected by span having a plurality of concave regions, said holding member having at least a deployed configuration wherein said holding member extends above said base member plane. 
   
     
     
         15 . A method of using the apparatus of  claim 14 , said method comprising the steps of:
 a. acquiring the apparatus of  claim 14 ;   b. locating said base member of said apparatus on a support surface;   c. locating said base member front portion over a basin;   d. placing said apparatus in said deployed configuration;   e. locating a first portion of a utensil against one of said concave regions; and   f. locating a second portion of said utensil against said base member front portion.