Abstract:
A compressible holder for positioning any combination of a plurality of writing utensils in differing orientations. The writing utensils present multi-color, multi-implement usage.

Description:
[0001]    This application is a complete application claiming the benefit of provisional application Ser. No. 60/833,357, filed Jul. 27, 2006. 
     
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]    This invention relates to a multiple writing utensil holder in many shapes and sizes. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]    There are many uses for writing utensils in every field. Across a wide range of fields from different professions to novelty toys, using writing implements such as pens, pencils, dry erase markers, chalk, crayon sticks, etc. is required. 
         [0004]    Some patents describing the use of writing utensils are: 
         [0005]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,953,296 
         [0006]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,685,373 
         [0007]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,554,517 
         [0008]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,155,733 
         [0009]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,813,787 
         [0010]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,971,643 
         [0011]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,388,924 
         [0012]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,368,404 
         [0013]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,306,092 
         [0014]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,203,638 
         [0015]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,116,153 
         [0016]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,580,918 
         [0017]    U.S. Pat. No. 3,887,287 
         [0018]    U.S. Pat. No. 3,765,780 
         [0019]    U.S. Pat. No. 3,750,292 
         [0020]    U.S. Pat. No. 3,442,595 
         [0021]    U.S. Pat. No. 3,164,906 
         [0022]    U.S. Des. Pat. No. D476,362 
         [0023]    U.S. Provisional Pat. Appln. 60/560,153 
         [0024]    U.S. Patent Publication No. 2003/0016987 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0025]    All writing utensils can be used with the present invention. The design of the present invention also incorporates many additional features to aid in the multiple functions of the present design. A magnet may be used to hold the holder on a magnetic board, a hook may be used to hang the holder, a suction cup may also be used to adhere the holder to a surface, and possibly VELCRO hook and loop fasteners may be used to fasten the holder to a surface. These attachments may be removably mounted in the place where a marker is held. 
         [0026]    The holder of the present invention presents an interchangeable unit to use different color or style writing utensils in any desired combination, as well as for holding a hanging attachment. 
         [0027]    The holder of the present invention may be of a compressible form such that it is easily gripped by individuals that have arthritis. The compressible material may be of a rubber or rubber-like composition, such as is encountered with a pink, solid composition, spongy ball. It is envisioned that the compressible material may include a dense rubber. 
         [0028]    In addition, the compressible material of the holder facilities a firm grip and a deformation of the holder to the shape of the fingers grasping the holder. Thereby, a firm grip is achieved with enhanced ergonomic features. 
         [0029]    The shape of the holder may accomplish different functions such as being gripped by only or at least a thumb and a single finger. Corresponding indentations may be formed in the holder to accommodate the use of only two fingers. 
         [0030]    It is possible that the writing utensils could be permanently or removably secured in the holder. In the removably secured embodiment, different arrangements of colors are possible. 
         [0031]    In an embodiment including multiple writing utensils, it is possible, by the angling of the orientation of the holder with respect to a writing surface, to increase the number of markers being applied to the writing surface. Two, and possibly three, writing utensils may simultaneously provide a multi-color, multi-line effect on a writing surface. 
         [0032]    In an alternate embodiment, a single utensil may be held at one end of a spherically shaped holder. At an opposite side of the holder, the sphere may be flat for maintaining an upright positioning of the utensil in the holder on a flat desk top. 
         [0033]    A primary object is to create a perpendicular axis from more than one intersecting plane passing through a holder of writing utensils. The planes are formed by the writing utensils, but it is not necessary that the planes be perpendicular. The additional utensils can be simply attached to the same holder having at least one set of perpendicular planes passing through the holder. 
         [0034]    Another object is to create a writing utensil tool for proficiency of task and in other embodiments a fun source of multi-color and multi-implement use. 
         [0035]    An additional object is to create a system for effective use of an efficient product that can incorporate other tools additional to writing utensils such as erasers, magnets to hold the holder to a magnetic board, a hook for hanging the holder, a suction cup for hanging the holder and VELCRO hook and loop fasteners to fasten the holder to an object. 
         [0036]    These and other objects of the invention, as well as many of the intended advantages thereof, will become more readily apparent when reference is made to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0037]    The following drawings illustrate examples of various components of the invention disclosed herein, and are for illustrative purposes only. Other embodiments that are substantially similar can use other components that have a different appearance. 
           [0038]      FIG. 1  is a side view of a first embodiment of the present invention being held by a user. 
           [0039]      FIG. 2  is a front view of the use of the first embodiment of the present invention by application to a writing surface. 
           [0040]      FIG. 3  is a top plan view of the first embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0041]      FIG. 4  is a sectional view taken along line  4 - 4  as shown in  FIG. 3 . 
           [0042]      FIG. 5  is a side view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention illustrating a spherical holder having a flat surface for positioning the holder on a flat support surface. 
           [0043]      FIG. 6  is a sectional view taken along line  6 - 6  of  FIG. 5 . 
           [0044]      FIG. 7  is a top plan view of another alternate embodiment of the present invention illustrating a three writing utensil holder. 
           [0045]      FIG. 8  is a sectional view taken along line  8 - 8  as shown in  FIG. 7 . 
           [0046]      FIG. 9  is a top plan view of another alternate embodiment of the present invention illustrating a six writing utensil holder. 
           [0047]      FIG. 10  is a sectional view taken along line  10 - 10  as shown in  FIG. 9 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0048]    In describing a preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology will be resorted to for the sake of clarity. However, the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific terms so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific term includes all technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose. 
         [0049]    With reference to the drawings, in general, and to  FIGS. 1-4 , in particular, a multi-marker system for interchangeable exchange of implements and writing utensils is generally designated as  20 . With reference to its orientation in  FIG. 1 , the multi-marker system includes a holder  22  formed of a spherical spongy composition. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the multi-marker system is held in the hand  24  of the user with at least the thumb  26  and index finger  28  grabbing the holder  22  in a comfortable, ergonomic manner. 
         [0050]    In the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-4 , six dry erase markers  30  having caps  32  are held in recesses  34  for removably mounting the markers  30  in the holder  22 . The diameter of the holder is approximately 2½ inches. The compressibility of the holder  22  allows the insertion and removal of the markers in the holder. Alternatively, the markers could be permanently secured in the holder. However, the changing of the colors of the markers  30  and replacement of a color when the liquid material of the marker is depleted, form important parts of the present invention. 
         [0051]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , when caps are removed from the markers  30   a  and  30   b , the felt tips  36  are exposed for writing on a writing surface  38 . In the position held, shown in  FIG. 2 , it is possible to draw two lines  40  on the writing material, simultaneously, as the holder is moved across the writing surface. It is also possible, with the arrangement of six markers in the embodiments of  FIGS. 1-4 , to have a third marker  30   d , blocked from view by the hand  24  of the user, to similarly contact the writing surface  38  and draw a third line on the writing surface simultaneously with markers  30   a  and  30   b.    
         [0052]    As shown in  FIG. 3 , markers  30   a ,  30   b ,  30   e  and  30   f  lie in a single plane extending from the holder  22 , having an angle of separation of 90° between each two adjacent markers. Markers  30   a  and  30   e  are diametrically opposed from each other, as are markers  30   b  and  30   f . Similarly, markers  30   c  and  30   d , shown in dotted lines in  FIG. 4 , project 90° with respect to markers  30   a, b, e  and  f , and markers  30   c  and  30   d  extend diametrically opposed to each other. Therefore, in  FIG. 2 , markers  30   a ,  30   b  and  30   c  can simultaneously draw three parallel lines on the writing surface  38 . Similarly, by angling of the holder  22 , only two lines or only a single line may be drawn on the writing surface  38 . 
         [0053]    With respect to the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the holder  50  is in the form of a disk having a diameter of approximately 1½ inches and a height of approximately one inch. The holder is formed of compressible spongy material and, in this embodiment, holds three markers,  52   a ,  52   b  and  52   c . As shown in  FIG. 8 , the marker  52   c  is releasably held in a recess  54  in a side wall  56  of the holder. In this embodiment, two markers may simultaneously contact a writing surface, whereas it is possible that a single marker contact the writing surface. 
         [0054]    Similarly, in  FIGS. 9 and 10 , a holder  60  in the form of a disk having a diameter of approximately 1½ inches and a height of approximately ¾ inch holds six markers,  62   a ,  62   b ,  2   c ,  62   d ,  62   e  and  62   f.    
         [0055]    As shown in  FIG. 10 , the markers are releasably held in a recess  64  formed in the side wall  66  of the holder. In this embodiment, two markers may simultaneously mark a writing surface. 
         [0056]    Turning now to the embodiment of  FIGS. 5 and 6 , a compressible spongy holder  80  is formed in a spherical configuration. A single marker  82  projects from portion  84  and is removably held in a recess  86  of the holder  80 . In a diametrically opposite surface area  86 , a flat surface  88  is formed. By placement of the flat surface  88  on a support surface, the marker  82  is positioned perpendicular to the support surface. There is also envisioned as being within the scope of the present invention that the marker  82  be positioned at an angle with respect to the position shown in  FIG. 5 , such that the holder holds the marker in a position projecting towards the user. The holder  80  can be compressibly held by the hand of a user to mark a writing surface. 
         [0057]    The foregoing description should be considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and, accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention. 
         [0058]    I claim: