Eating utensil

Abstract

Eating utensils disclosed herein provide desirable aspects of forks and chopsticks and also provide improved dexterity that enables functionality not possible with either forks or chopsticks alone. The eating utensils may allow a user to grasp, shovel, and pierce food as well as scoop under food from one side or both sides and to cut food with a side edge, all with a single utensil operated with only one hand. Because of the unique way the eating utensils are held and operated, they feel comfortable to users of traditional forks and chopsticks.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An eating utensil comprising:
 a lower elongated member having a lower tine end;   an upper elongated member comprising a stationary portion, a movable portion with an upper tine end, and a hinge between the stationary portion and the movable portion; and   a cross member connecting the lower elongated member to the stationary portion of the upper elongated member.   
     
     
         2 . The eating utensil of  claim 1 , wherein the hinge comprises a curved beam extending from the stationary portion of the upper elongated member to the movable portion of the upper elongated member. 
     
     
         3 . The eating utensil of  claim 2 , wherein the curved beam has a width of 0.25-0.75 inch, a thickness of 0.03125-0.1875 inch, and a radius of 0.125-0.75 inch. 
     
     
         4 . The eating utensil of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a first structural rib extending from an outer surface of the stationary portion of the upper elongated member to an outer portion of the hinge; and   a second structural rib extending from an outer surface of the movable portion of the upper elongated member to the outer portion of the hinge.   
     
     
         5 . The eating utensil of  claim 1 , wherein a centerline of the movable portion of the upper elongated member and a centerline of the stationary portion of the upper elongated member remain in the same plane when the eating utensil is transitioned between an open position and a closed position. 
     
     
         6 . The eating utensil of  claim 1 , wherein the movable portion of the upper elongated member has a centerline, wherein movement of the centerline defines a plane when the eating utensil is transitioned between an open position and a closed position, and wherein a centerline of the lower elongated member is located in the same plane. 
     
     
         7 . The eating utensil of  claim 1 , wherein a centerline of the movable portion of the upper elongated member is collinear with a centerline of the stationary portion of the upper elongated member when the eating utensil is in a closed position. 
     
     
         8 . The eating utensil of  claim 1 , wherein an intersection of a centerline of the movable portion of the upper elongated member and a centerline of the lower elongated member defines an angle (A 1 ) of 5-25 degrees when the eating utensil is in a closed position. 
     
     
         9 . The eating utensil of  claim 1 , wherein an intersection of a centerline of the movable portion of the upper elongated member and a centerline of the stationary portion of the upper elongated member defines an angle (B 1 ) of 5-45 degrees when the eating utensil is in an open position. 
     
     
         10 . The eating utensil of  claim 1 , wherein a distance (d 2 ) between a pivot point of the hinge and a stationary end of the upper elongated member is 1.25-3.25 inches. 
     
     
         11 . The eating utensil of  claim 1 , wherein a distance (d 3 ) between a pivot point of the hinge and a centerline of the lower elongated member is 0.5-1.5 inches. 
     
     
         12 . An eating utensil, comprising:
 a lower elongated member configured to be held in a trough between a thumb and index finger and extend beyond and be supported by a ring finger; and   an upper elongated member comprising a stationary portion, a movable portion, and a hinge between the stationary and movable portions, wherein the movable portion is configured to be held between a thumb, index finger, and middle finger, and wherein the stationary portion of the upper elongated member is connected to the lower elongated member.   
     
     
         13 . The eating utensil of  claim 12 , wherein the hinge has a pivot point that is located proximate a proximal inter-phalangeal joint of the index finger when transitioning the eating utensil between an open position and a closed position. 
     
     
         14 . The eating utensil of  claim 12 , wherein the hinge has a pivot point that is located proximate a distal inter-phalangeal joint of the index finger when transitioning the eating utensil between an open position and a closed position. 
     
     
         15 . The eating utensil of  claim 12 , wherein a centerline of the movable portion of the upper elongated member and a centerline of the stationary portion of the upper elongated member remain in the same plane when transitioning the eating utensil between an open position and a closed position. 
     
     
         16 . The eating utensil of  claim 12 , wherein movement of a centerline of the movable portion of the upper elongated member defines a plane when transitioning the eating utensil between an open position and a closed position, and wherein a centerline of the stationary portion of the upper elongated member and a centerline of the lower elongated member are contained in the plane. 
     
     
         17 . The eating utensil of  claim 12 , further comprising a finger rest extending from the lower elongated member and configured to receive the ring finger. 
     
     
         18 . The eating utensil of  claim 12 , wherein an intersection of a centerline of the movable portion of the upper elongated member and a centerline of the lower elongated member defines an angle (A 1 ) of 5-25 degrees when the eating utensil is in a closed position. 
     
     
         19 . The eating utensil of  claim 12 , wherein an intersection of a centerline of the movable portion of the upper elongated member and a centerline of the stationary portion of the upper elongated member defines an angle (B 1 ) of 5-45 degrees when the eating utensil is in an open position. 
     
     
         20 . An eating utensil, comprising:
 a first elongated member comprising a first tine end and one or more tines extending from the first tine end;   a second elongated member comprising a stationary portion, a movable portion with a second tine end, and a hinge connecting the stationary portion to the movable portion, the second tine end having one or more tines extending therefrom; and   a cross member connecting the first elongated member to the stationary portion of the second elongated member.