Writing Implement Holder

Abstract

Finger writing implement holder comprising a split resilient finger band having a short stem with a shallow head and an implement-holding split resilient sleeve, having a keyhole-shaped slot extending inwardly from a side edge, the circular aperture of which embraces the stem.

Description

This invention relates to a holder for writing implements adapted for application to a finger.

In U.S. Pat. No. 3,402,984 there is disclosed a writing implement holder that is adapted to be applied to a finger of the hand for holding a writing instrument such as a pencil or pen in position for writing, and out of the way during the checking of bills, papers, book entries, or the operation of adding machines, telephones and the like, the writing instrument being held in readiness for writing, without actual finger gripping thereof, thus leaving the fingers free to perform other operations, while holding the instrument in readiness for the necessary usual finger grip for writing.

The present invention is an improvement over the structure shown in the aforesaid patent, in that the device has been simplified, cost reduced, and provision for frictionally holding the implement in any particular angular relation provided.

The above and other novel features of the invention will appear more fully hereinafter from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It is expressly understood that the drawings are employed for purposes of illustration only and are not designed as a definition of the limits of the invention, reference being had for this purpose to the appended claims.

In the drawings, wherein like reference characters indicate like parts:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the holder applied to the first finger;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the holder;

FIG. 3 is an end elevational view of the holder;

FIG. 4 is an end elevational view of the holder with a writing implement in position;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the implement holding element, and

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the finger piece.

Referring to the drawings, in FIG. 1, there is shown a split resilient plastic sleeve or finger band 20 disposed on the first finger. In practice, the sleeve may also be applied to the second finger, leaving the first finger and thumb free to grip the implement or to perform other operations, while the implement is resiliently and frictionally held in the implement sleeve 22. As shown, the finger sleeve is split as at 24, has an internal generally cylindrical surface 26, and external slightly tapered surfaces 28 and 30 which provide a central thicker region 31 of greater strength. Projecting from the central thicker area opposite the split 24 is a headed shank having a stem 32, and rounded head 34 to which is secured the implement band 22.

The implement band 22 may be of bright finish, resilient steel, stainless steel, or plastic. The sleeve or band 22 is split as at 36 to permit the internal diameter of the sleeve to expand as desired so as to accept instruments of varying cross-sectional size and shapes such as circular, polygonal, hexagonal, or the like. The implement holder, on its opposite side from the split is provided with a keyhole-shaped slot extending inwardly from one side, and having straight sides 40 and 42 spaced slightly less than the diameter of the stem 32, with the circular opening 44 of a diameter to accommodate the stem 32. The thickness of the implement holder may be of metal about 0.015 inch thick, about three-eighths of an inch long and with an internal diameter when unstressed of about five-sixteenths of an inch, which can be resiliently stretched to accept implements of varying cross section.

The keyhole-shaped slot may be about 0.109 inches wide and the circular opening of a diameter of one-eighth inch, while the diameter of the stem 32 is not greater than one-eighth inch and may be somewhat oval with its major axis one-eighth inch its minor axis not less than 0.110 inches. With such a construction the implement holder is assembled upon the finger band by the slight spreading of the parallel edges 40 and 42 of the keyhole-shaped slot and sliding the sleeve over the stem until the circular opening is rendered coaxial with the stem 32.

The length of the stem may be 0.062 inches, and the diameter of the head, about 0.203 inches. It will be seen that when an instrument is frictionally slid into the implement holder, the internal surfaces adjacent the circular portion of the keyhole slot are brought to frictionally bear against the under annular face 50 of the head, and the instrument 52 bears against the spherical end surface 54 whereby a degree of friction is presented sufficient to frictionally hold the writing instrument in any angular relation to the axis of the finger band element, so that the instrument can not freely swivel.

By reason of the keyhole slot, and selection of proper dimensions, the instrument sleeve is readily assembled upon the stem of the finger band and resiliently held in assembled relation. As soon as the writing implement is inserted in the instrument band, resiliently expanding the same, friction between the stem head 34, and the instrument band is effected, and the instrument held frictionally in any position.

While the finger band is shown on the first finger in FIG. 1, the band is equally applicable to the second finger, and may be located between the first and second joint. When so located the implement is held in the normal position between the thumb and first finger tips, and the second finger may be out of contact with the instrument by reason of the holder, thus relieving or eliminating the pressure on the second finger callous prevalent among writers. At the same time, the implement is kept available for instant use, while leaving the hand free to perform intermediate operations.

While a single modification of the invention has been illustrated and described, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited thereto. As various changes in the construction and arrangement may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art, reference will be had to the appended claims for a definition of the limits of the invention.

Claims

What I claim is: The writing implement holder for application to the finger of a writer consisting of a split resilient substantially cylindrical finger band adapted to be applied to one of the fingers of a writer, said band having an integral short stem with a shallow circular head projecting radially from the band, said head presenting an annular shoulder on the underside thereof, and an implement-holding split resilient sleeve, having a keyhole-shaped slot extending inwardly from a side edge of the sleeve approximately midway between the split including a narrow portion leading into a circular aperture portion, the narrow portion of the slot being of less width than said stem, and the aperture portion being at least as large in diameter as the stem and normally disposed concentrically around the stem, and of less diameter than the head, said sleeve adapted to be sprung open upon the insertion of a writing implement through the sleeve, whereby the writing instrument will bear frictionally against the head, and resiliently urge the band adjacent said aperture frictionally against the annular underside of said head said sleeve being confined axially on the short stem solely by the head and band.