Abstract:
A device for teaching proper penmanship by assisting the user in holding the writing implement in the correct orientation. A first component is attached to the user&#39;s middle finger while a second component encircles the implement. A section of the second component is releasably attached to the first component, holding the fingers in proper position for writing.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention is directed in general to penmanship techniques, and, in particular, to a device which facilitates the proper gripping of a writing instrument. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   In today&#39;s society, it is important to learn at an early age the proper gripping of a pencil or pen when writing, as legible hand writing is desirable for efficient written communication. Often, children do not learn the proper method for grasping a writing instrument, holding the instrument too tightly and/or pressing too hard; the incorrect positioning of the fingers and/or maintaining an improper angle of the pen or pencil make it difficult to learn correct penmanship techniques. 
   There have been many attempts as far back as the late 1800s to provide a device to assist in improving penmanship. U.S. Pat. No. 244,172, which issued Jul. 12, 1881, discloses a device consisting of a nickel plated wire frame having two loops and a projecting rest, the loops being connected by a brace that lies beneath the third and fourth fingers. The rest does not obstruct the free use of the hand, but if the hand is turned too much to the right, the rest strikes the paper or table, attracting the attention of the user, reminding him that an improper position has been assumed. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 705,920, which issued Jul. 29, 1902, discloses a device which slides over the user&#39;s index finger to keep it in the proper orientation when writing, such that a strain is produced over the finger joint when the finger is bent so that the user feels a certain amount of discomfort and is compelled to bring the finger back to its proper position. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 751,542, which issued Feb. 9, 1904, describes a device which consists of a large ring adapted to be placed around the middle joint of the forefinger, a smaller ring attached to the large ring adapted to be placed around a pen holder, and a strip provided with a curved end attached to the large ring. The device keeps the middle joint close to the writing instrument, preventing the forefinger from being moved too near the point. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 1,212,034, which issued Jan. 9, 1917, teaches a device having a spring clasp for holding writing implements of various sizes and arms which embrace the hand, which serve to restrain improper finger movement and keeping the correct position, with the index and second fingers outstretched along the implement. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 1,402,319 which issued Jan. 3, 1922, teaches a device having two endwise adjustable leaf springs forming a strap for application around the fingers at their base with the palm to provide correct positioning of the fingers while occupied in writing. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 1,607,775, which issued Nov. 23, 1926, is directed to an aid to teaching writing. The device uses a clip adapted to fit over the first joint of the thumb and hold that joint in the proper positioning for correct penmanship. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 1,776,094, which issued Jul. 9, 1928, teaches a stem having wings extending therefrom which engage the face of the thumb, preventing a bending of the first joint of the thumb and requiring the user to move the hand, preventing the flexing and unflexing of the fingers and cramping of the hand. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 1,702,660, which issued Mar. 29, 1928, teaches a device having a sleeve designed to be pushed over the index finger and serving as a carrier for an S shaped clamp which supports the fingers and thumb to positively guide the writing implement. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 1,783,657, which issued Apr. 19, 1930, teaches a device for retaining the fingers in the proper position of the used in writing and in teaching the method of penmanship known as the “Palmer” method. The device includes an elongated substantially tubular body which is flat on the top and a strap member for receiving the thumb and index finger at one end and the third and fourth fingers at the other end. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 3,947,977, which issued on Apr. 6, 1976, teaches a pencil holder device having a three dimensional body molded to position the palm, index finger and thumb of the user for teaching proper penmanship. 
   U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,526,547; 4,689,020; and 4,832,604, which were all invented by a single person, disclose a device having a central bore for receiving a writing instrument and an exterior. The exterior includes a first gripping surface positioned for receiving the user&#39;s first finger, a second gripping surface positioned for receiving the user&#39;s second finger, and a third gripping surface for receiving the third finger. The surfaces each have an indicia associated with a finger such that the user places the proper one of his fingers on the surface which bears the indicia. Another embodiment describes a device upon which each gripping surface includes a mating material and the user wears a glove having a complementary mating material on three of the fingers such that the user&#39;s fingers can be properly placed on the gripping surfaces. This group of patents issued in 1985, 1987, and 1989 respectively. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 4,846,710, which issued Jul. 11, 1989, teaches an attachment to a writing implement which includes a sleeve dimensioned and configured for engaging the forefinger and an apparatus for securing the sleeve to the associated implement to assist the user in learning the proper position of the fingers for correct penmanship. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,143,463, which issued Sep. 1, 1992, is directed to a device having a small pear shaped body with a cylindrical center hole which has depressions for accepting the thumb, index finger, and the middle finger of the user. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,310,345, which issued May 10, 1994, describes a writing aid for both left and right handed persons, having a central section with a first side and a second opposite side and means which receives and holds an elongated writing instrument between the first and second sides. A first sleeve is attached to the first side defining a finger receiving first pocket and a second sleeve attached to the second side defining a finger receiving second pocket. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,662,423, which issued Sep. 2, 1997, teaches a writing aid which is slidably positioned along the barrel of a writing instrument having a finger retaining strap upon its lower surface. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,980,257, which issued Nov. 9, 1999, describes a device for assisting handwriting training which is comprised of a wristband having an attached string with a charm and pencil loop attached to the wristband. The charm is held within the palm, while the pencil loop serves to place a force of the rear portion of the writing instrument and seat it correctly. 
   While there is a plethora of devices which address the problem of teaching proper penmanship techniques, each of the devices has one of several shortcomings. For example, some of the devices are designed for right handed users, and cannot be adapted to the left handed student. Also, many of the devices are designed to fit a particular size of writing implement. In addition, a number of the devices are constructed such that the index finger and the middle finger cannot be separated to achieve optimum balance and comfort for the user. Finally, some of the designs need special accessories, such as a glove, in order to use them. 
   SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
   Consequently, a need exists for a device for teaching proper penmanship techniques which overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art in a single device. 
   It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a teaching device for penmanship which is adaptable to either a left handed or right handed user. 
   It is a further object of the present invention to provide a device which is simple and inexpensive to manufacture. 
   It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a teaching device which is adjustable for different sizes of writing instruments and users&#39; fingers. 
   These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent from the description that follows. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the device of the present invention in normal use; 
       FIG. 2  is a plan view of one component of the device of the present invention; 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the component shown in  FIG. 2  in place on the middle finger of a user; 
       FIG. 4  is a plan view of a second component of the device of the present invention; 
       FIG. 4A  is a cross-sectional view of  FIG. 4  taken along lines  4 A- 4 A; and 
       FIG. 5  is a plan view of the component shown in  FIG. 3  in place on a writing implement. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Referring now to  FIG. 1 , there is shown a teaching device, designated generally at  10 , according to the present invention held in the right hand  12  of a person. Teaching device  10  comprises a first component  14  which attaches to the middle finger  16  of the user, and a second component  18  which encircles a writing implement  20  having a writing tip  22 . 
     FIG. 2  shows first component  14  in its unattached state. Component  14  consists of a short section  30  of material which is affixed to a long section  32  of material. Short section  30  contains a mating surface  34  on its underside  36 . Mating surface  34  is preferably constructed from tape commonly known as VELCRO® hook and loop fastening material, but can be manufactured from any fastening material which can be releasably attached. In addition, a pressure sensitive material which uses a repositionable type adhesive could be used. Section  32  contains a complimentary mating surface  38  along its upper surface  40 , and is attached to section  30  such that mating surfaces  34  and  38  are located on opposite sides of component  14 . 
   Component  14  is attached to middle finger  16  of a user as shown in  FIG. 3 . Component  14  is wrapped around finger  16  such that mating surfaces  34  and  38  may be releasably attached to each other. Note that component  14  can be adjusted to fit any size finger, from a young preschool child to a person with unusually thick fingers. Component  14  is preferably located between the first joint  40  and the second joint  42  of middle finger  16 . 
   Component  18  is shown in its unattached state in  FIG. 4 . A section  50  of material is fastened to an outer side  52  of a flexible cushion  54  in the central area thereof. Outer surface  56  of material section  50  may contain a mating surface  58  which is comprised of a fastening material which can be releasably attached. Cushion  54  is preferably constructed from a soft resilient material like rubber, such as a standard pencil cushion which is split open and uncurled. A typical pen and pencil cushion is sold under the ENABLERS name, and is designed in shape and density to alleviate stress while providing a comfortable, secure grip. The inner surface of cushion  54  is preferably textured such that it will grip the outer surface of writing implement  20  for ease of use. 
   Attached to material section  50  is a narrow material strip  60  which extends outwardly from cushion  54  as shown in  FIG. 4  Strip  60  contains a distal end  60   a . The underside  61  of strip  60  contains a mating surface  62 . Component  18  is shown mounted on writing implement  20  in  FIG. 5 . Component  18  is preferably fastened such that there is no slippage between the component and the writing implement. 
   The use of device  10  can be best seen in  FIG. 1 . Component  14  is installed in position on middle finger  40  (as seen in  FIG. 3 ). Component  18  is then installed in its working position on implement  20 . Cushion  52  has been wrapped lightly around implement  20 , and the action between mating surface  62  of strip  60  on component  18  and mating surface  38  of section  32  of component  14  hold component  18  in its proper place. When implement  20  is grasped by the user, this adhesive force holds middle finger  16  in its proper position with respect to implement  20 . In addition, the adhesive action between mating surface  56  of material  50  mounted on component  18  and mating surface  38  of component  14  when middle finger  16  is placed in position against cushion  54  of component  18  acts to enhance the grip on implement  20 . As thumb  70  and index finger  72  of hand  12  holding implement  20  are placed on cushion  54 , implement  20  is now held in the proper position to promote good penmanship. The continued use of device  10  when writing will cause the user to develop a habit of holding a pen or pencil in the correct position for good penmanship. 
   While the present invention has been shown and described in terms of preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood that this invention is not limited to any particular embodiment, and that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.