Abstract:
A combined writing instrument holder and hand support assists those who have difficulties gripping and controlling a writing instrument. The device releasably receives a writing instrument in a position where it may be brought into contact with paper. The device provides a comfortable hand support that prevents the user&#39;s hand from engaging the paper while the device is being used.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/407,393 filed Apr. 18, 2006, which claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/676,216 filed Apr. 29, 2005; the disclosures of both are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Technical Field 
         [0003]    The present invention generally relates to devices used to assist those who have difficulties gripping and controlling a writing instrument. In particular, the invention relates to a combined writing instrument holder and hand support configured to hold at least one writing instrument in a usable manner while allowing the user to control the writing instrument by moving the device while also resting the hand on the support. 
         [0004]    2. Background Information 
         [0005]    A wide variety of reasons affect the ability of individuals from controlling a writing instrument as well as they wish. When a person has difficulty finely controlling a writing instrument on a piece of paper, the written words can become illegible or the process of writing is extended and the process can become frustrating. Different devices are known in the art for holding a writing instrument and supporting the hand of the writer. Some of these devices are difficult to use while others are difficult to manufacture. Despite the numerous prior art examples, room for improvement remains in the art. The device of the present invention provides structural configurations and advantage not realized by known devices. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The invention provides a holder for a writing instrument that simultaneously supports the hand of the user while the user manipulates the writing instrument with the holder. 
         [0007]    In one configuration, the holder includes a first holder and a second holder wherein the first and second holders are configured to hold different types of writing instruments. 
         [0008]    The holder of the invention also provides a configuration wherein the writing instrument holders are disposed at the end of a resilient neck that can bend to allow the writing instrument to engage the paper and then flex back to remove the writing instrument from the paper to allow the holder to move to another location without marking the paper. 
         [0009]    In one configuration, the invention provides a writing holder having a broad, generally flat base that spreads the weight of the user&#39;s hand over the paper to avoid pressure points that could tear the paper or cause the holder to snag. 
         [0010]    In another configuration, the invention provides a writing instrument holder that includes at least one sharpened envelope opener. In another configuration, the invention provides a writing instrument holder having a base that incorporates a magnifying glass. 
         [0011]    In another configuration, the base of the device includes arms that are disposed on either side of a neck. The arms stabilize the device and can support the finger tips of the user. 
         [0012]    These configurations may be used alone or in combination. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the writing instrument and hand support device made in accordance with the concepts of the present invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a user&#39;s hand manipulating the device of the invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the invention wherein the device is fabricated from a substantially transparent material. 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  is a plan view of the front portion of the device showing the two holders for the writing instruments. 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  is a section view taken along line  5 - 5  of  FIG. 4 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  is a top plan view of the device. 
       
    
    
       [0019]    Similar numbers refer to similar parts throughout the specification. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0020]    The writing holder and hand support device of the present invention is indicated generally by the numeral  10  in the accompanying drawings. Device  10  generally includes a base  12  and a neck  14  wherein neck  14  includes at least one holder  16  adapted to securely hold a writing instrument  18  so that it may be manipulated by a user to write on a piece of paper  20 . 
         [0021]    Neck  14  is connected to base  12  at a joint  30 . Neck  14  is angled forwardly and upwardly from base  12 . Joint  30  may be a resilient joint that allows neck  14  to be pushed down toward the reference plane where base  12  is located so that writing instrument  18  may be pushed down toward paper  20  and then moved back up where instrument  18  is disengages paper  20 . Joint  30  allows the user to load instrument  20  into holder  16  in a position wherein the resting position of neck  14  maintains writing instrument  20  slightly above the surface of paper  20 . Joint  30  is configured to allow the user to push down on neck  14  to cause instrument  18  to engage paper  20  to allow the user to mark paper  20 . The user may then release neck  14  causing instrument  18  to move back up away from paper  20 . The user may also load writing instrument  18  in a manner wherein instrument  18  is in direct contact with paper  20  when device  10  is resting if the user does not wish to push down on neck  14  during use. Joint  30  alternatively may be configured to be a rigid joint to prevent neck  14  from pivoting with respect to base  12 . In the exemplary embodiment, joint  30  is an elongated living hinge having a length that is over half the width of base  12 . 
         [0022]    Neck  14  is substantially rigid along its length so that writing instrument  18  may be precisely controlled by device  10 . Neck  14  is also configured to support a portion of the user&#39;s hand. Neck may include a pair of spaced rails  32  that form an elongated grip for the user. The space between rails  32  may receive a portion of the user&#39;s finger or hand to assist the user in moving device  10  laterally with respect to paper  20 . A transverse rib  34  ( FIG. 4 ) extends between rails  32 . An outer transverse rib  36  may also be provided to form a secure connection with base  12  and to provide a support for a portion of the user&#39;s hand as shown in  FIG. 2 . Outer transverse rib  36  may be connected to base  12  at joint  30 . 
         [0023]    Neck  14  supports at least one holder  16  adapted to frictionally or resiliently clamp writing instrument  18 . Each holder  16  is substantially shorter than a typical writing instrument  18 . In one configuration of the invention, first and second holders  16  are provided at the outer end of neck  14 . In this exemplary embodiment, inner holder  16  has a continuous outer wall  40  with a plurality of holding ribs  42  extending inwardly from outer wall  40 . Ribs  42  may be tapered or have a curved or angled lead-in surface as shown in  FIG. 5 . Outer holder  16  may have a non-continuous outer wall  44  that allows outer holder  16  to expand radially outwardly to accommodate a writing instrument  18  having a larger outer diameter than could be disposed in inner holder  16 . In one configuration, inner holder  16  may be configured to hold a No. 2 pencil while outer holder  16  is configured to hold a pen having a larger diameter than a No. 2 pencil. Although each outer wall  40  and  44  may be cylindrical, each wall may be bowed inwardly along its length to form a tighter gripping configuration for instruments  18 . Each holder  16  may be loaded from either end of holder  16  depending on the configuration of writing instrument  18 . Ribs  42  may be tapered at both ends to help the loading of the instruments. 
         [0024]    Base  12  has a flat lower surface that is adapted to glide smoothly along a smooth writing surface such as a piece of paper or along the surface that supports the piece of paper. The body of base  12  disposed behind joint  30  is configured to be slightly larger than an average adult male fist so that the base of the palm may be supported on the body of base  12  as shown in  FIG. 2 . The body of base  12  is a broad, generally flat surface defined by the upper surface of a thin, generally flat body wall. A portion of the body of base  12  may be formed into a magnifying glass  48  as shown in  FIG. 3 . In the context of this specification, the gently curve of the magnifying glass is considered to be generally flat as the term is used above. In the configuration shown in  FIG. 3 , base  12  is fabricated from a transparent material (such as polycarbonate) that allows the user to see the material on paper  20  while using device  10 . 
         [0025]    Base  12  also includes a pair of arms  50  that extend forwardly on either side of neck  14  such that neck  14  may pivot down between arms  50 . Arms  50  are disposed in the same reference plane as the body of base  12  and help to prevent base  12  from pivoting on paper  20  while neck is being push down toward paper  20 . Arms  50  also may support the finger tips of the user. 
         [0026]    The inner edge  52  of each arm  50  may be sharpened to allow device  10  to function as a letter opener. Arms  50  extend forward to a location wherein the forward tips  54  of arms  50  are disposed intermediate holders  16  and joint  30 . 
         [0027]    In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clearness, and understanding. No unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirement of the prior art because such terms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadly construed. 
         [0028]    Moreover, the description and illustration of the invention is an example and the invention is not limited to the exact details shown or described.