Utensil holding devices

Abstract

An eating utensil ( 1 ) having a holding device ( 5, 7, 8, 10 ) integrally or removably attachable to a distal end ( 2 ) of the utensil in a form of a loop ( 5 ), ring ( 7 ) or U-shape ( 8 ) are disclosed to provide a finger aperture ( 6 ) or insert ( 9 ) for a user to help prevent dropping of a utensil and assisting an elderly user or a user who may have arthritis or gripping impairment in holding and manipulating a utensil during use.

Having thus described my invention, I claim: 
     
         1 . A device for holding an eating utensil having a distal food securing end and a proximal end, said device comprising:
 a finger hold on the proximal end of the utensil for placement of a user's finger.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the finger hold is generally circular and integrated into the proximal end of the utensil. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the finger hold is horseshoe-shaped and integrated to a bottom of the proximal end of the utensil. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the finger hold is U-shaped and integrated into a tip of the proximal end of the utensil. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the finger hold is removably attachable to the proximal end of the utensil. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 2  wherein the finger hold is removably attachable to the proximal end of the utensil. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 3  wherein the finger hold is removably attachable to the proximal end of the utensil. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 4  wherein the finger hold is removably attachable to the proximal end of the utensil. 
     
     
         9 . A method for stabilizing a utensil while eating comprising:
 (a) selecting a utensil;   (b) attaching a removeably attachable slip-on holder to the utensil;   (c) inserting a user's finger into an aperture of the removeably attachable slip-on holder; and   (d) using the utensil to eat.