Pen and instrument holder for physically impaired hands

Devices are disclosed which can make writing and other tasks easier for people with physically impaired hands, such as people suffering from severe rheumatoid arthritis. These devices include a glove with a mounting attachment, for holding the base of a pen, pencil, or other device, affixed to the glove in the vicinity of the palm region. The mounting attachment on the glove is designed to securely hold the base of a device such as a pen or pencil, toothbrush, key holder, kitchen utensil, etc. The base of each insertable device is provided with a fitting designed for insertion and removal by someone with impaired hands, preferably without requiring assistance by another person. Several accommodating devices can be provided with the glove, as part of a complete set. Some of these devices will contain fixed, non-rotating bases, for use with devices such as pencils or pens; others will use bases that can rotate freely about a point or a single axle, or with various other types of constraints. Devices having two interacting components (such as scissors, pliers, and tongs) are also disclosed for use with these gloves.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
This invention is in the field of mechanical devices to assist people whose 
hands are physically impaired, due to severe arthritis, injury, or other 
physiological problems. 
A substantial number of people suffer from deformations, chronic pain, and 
other impairments of the hands, due to injuries or various diseases such 
as rheumatoid or other severe forms of arthritis. Such impairments often 
render it difficult or impossible for the affected people to hold and 
write effectively with a pen, pencil, or other writing instrument, and to 
operate small devices such as scissors, toothbrushes, kitchen utensils 
(such as knives, forks, stirrers, spatulas, etc.), and the like. 
Several types of grasping devices have been created and patented in efforts 
to provide assistance to people with impaired hands. For example, U.S. 
Pat. No. 5,383,737 (Urion 1995) involves a device with a shape comparable 
to a paperweight with a rounded top; it has a low-friction gliding support 
on the bottom near the rear, and a pen or pencil tip (a stylus) on the 
bottom near the front. The user wraps his hand around it and moves the 
entire device, including the stylus. 
U.S. Pat. No. 4,917,517 (Ertz 1990) discloses a molded device which holds a 
pen or pencil, and which is designed so that a hand can be rested on top 
of it. To write with it, the user glides the device, including the pen or 
pencil, across a paper surface. 
U.S. Pat. No. 3,787,898; (Walker 1974) discloses a glove-type device with a 
low-friction pad that contacts and rests upon the paper that is being 
written upon. This low-friction pad is intended to glide across paper 
smoothly, so that writing takes less effort. 
U.S. Pat. No. 4,957,442 (Prater 1990) discloses another glove-type device, 
which rests on top of a small platform that is supported by a rolling-ball 
device, comparable to the ball from a roll-on deodorant. A pen or pencil 
holder is affixed to the movable platform. 
All of these devices have been patented; however, to the best of the 
applicant's knowledge and belief after a diligent search, none of these 
devices are actually available for sale to the people who need them. The 
applicant suffers from a serious impairment of her hands, and she made a 
diligent, sustained effort to locate and obtain any type of device that 
was available to help her write. She wasn't able to obtain or even locate 
any such device, so she created her own, and she continued to test and 
improve it until it worked in the way she wanted and needed. The device 
that arose out of her efforts became the basis of this invention. 
Accordingly, one object of this invention is to provide a device which can 
help or enable people with physically impaired hands to write, and to 
write more easily and legibly, using stylus-type instruments such as pens 
or pencils. 
Another object of this invention is to provide a multi-purpose device which 
can assist or enable people with physically impaired hands to hold and use 
various hand-held tools and devices (such as toothbrushes, keys, scissors, 
tongs, and kitchen utensils) with greater ease, comfort, and dexterity. 
Another object of this invention is to provide a multi-purpose device which 
can assist or enable people with physically impaired hands to hold and use 
hand-held tools (such as tongs or pliers) that can close upon and grip 
various objects to be manipulated. 
These and other objects of the invention will become clear through the 
following summary, drawings, and description. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
This invention relates to devices that can make writing and other tasks 
easier for people with physically impaired hands, such as people suffering 
from severe rheumatoid arthritis. These devices include a glove with a 
mounting attachment, for holding the base of a pen, pencil, or other 
device, affixed to the glove in the vicinity of the palm region. The 
mounting attachment on the glove is designed to securely hold the base of 
a device such as a pen or pencil, toothbrush, key holder, kitchen utensil, 
etc. The base of each insertable device is provided with a fitting 
designed for unassisted insertion and removal by someone with impaired 
hands. Several accommodating devices will be provided with the glove, as 
part of a complete set. Some of these devices will contain fixed, 
non-rotating bases, for use with devices such as pencils or pens; others 
will use bases that can rotate in a single direction, and still others can 
use bases that allow free rotation in any direction. Two-component devices 
such as scissors, pliers, and tongs are also disclosed, for use with these 
gloves.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
Referring to the drawings by reference numbers, FIG. 1 shows a hand 12 
wearing a glove assembly 20 which has a glove component 22 and various 
other components described below, and having a writing pen 100 temporarily 
secured to the glove assembly 20 by means of a mounting attachment 40 and 
attachment straps 50. 
The glove component 22 encloses hand 12, which is physically impaired. 
Without requiring any active involvement or support from fingers 14 or 
thumb 16, hand 12 is using pen 100 to write on the top sheet of a paper 
pad 18 that is supported by a desk or table surface 19. The pen 100 
provides either full or partial support for the weight of the hand 12, 
depending on the condition (shape, strength, etc.) of the hand and 
fingers. 
The finger portions 24 of a glove 20 (shown in FIG. 3) can be either 
partial or complete (enclosed) finger sleeves, depending on the user's 
preferences, which may depend on factors such as the condition of the 
user's fingers, and the ambient temperature where the glove will normally 
be used. For example, a cool and lightweight glove with only partial 
fingers (or finger straps, which encircle only the base of a finger) may 
be preferred in warm environments and seasons, while a heavier, warmer 
glove may be preferred during the winter and in chilly locations. It is 
anticipated that a typical user will want to own a set of gloves having 
various different characteristics; some will have fully-enclosed finger 
sleeves, for use in winter, while others will have only partial finger 
sleeves, for use in summer. All of these gloves preferably should be 
adapted to interchangeably accommodate any of the actuator devices 
described herein. If desired, gloves can be manufactured in small, medium, 
and large sizes, to maximize proper fit and comfort for different users. 
Some users also may prefer gloves with specialized fingertips, to protect 
the fingertips of the hand from abrasion while writing. Such glove 
fingertips can be made of smooth-surface molded shallow plastic cups, 
comparable to shallow thimbles, which can be glued to fabric fingertips; 
alternately, gliding fingertips can be made of a material that glides 
easily over smooth surfaces, such as "Gore-Tex" (.TM.; this trademark is 
used to describe a fabric that contains polytetrafluoroethylene coated 
onto a durable woven fabric such as nylon). 
The term "glove" is used broadly herein, to include standard gloves (with 
either full or partial finger and thumb enclosures), mitten-type devices, 
and harness-type hand-covering devices, so long as such hand coverings are 
designed to fit around a hand in a snug and secure manner during use, 
while allowing a degree of conformance and comfort (and, where desired, 
freedom of movement) for the thumb and fingers. Most gloves designed for 
use herein will cover at least the palm area, and will also comprise 
either a fabric component to cover the back of the hand, or a network of 
straps or cords that cross the back of the hand. In addition, most gloves 
for use as described herein will comprise either finger sleeves for all 
four fingers (and for the thumb, if desired), or sleeves or ring-type 
structures for securing a harness-type glove to at least two fingers (as 
used herein, the term "finger" includes the thumb). For example, a 
harness-type glove device that is secured to the wrist by a wrist-band, 
and to the first and fourth fingers by sleeves or rings can be adequate 
for use as described herein, provided that the mounting attachment is 
adequately secured to the hand-harness and that the entire subassembly can 
be fitted onto a physically impaired hand with minimal discomfort and with 
adequate snugness and stability to allow a desired use as described 
herein. In general, to provide a snug and secure fit upon a hand, a glove 
component as described herein must have at least a palm portion, a portion 
which wraps around the wrist (which may include the heel portion of the 
hand immediately adjacent to the wrist), and sleeve portions which wrap 
around at least two fingers. 
For convenience, some of the illustrative descriptions below will refer to 
a pen. It should be understood that any such references apply equally to 
pencils and other comparable writing instruments. As used herein, "writing 
instrument" is limited to pens, pencils, felt-tipped or porous-nibbed 
devices, paint or ink brushes, and other stylus-type or comparable devices 
that are normally held in a single hand while being used to make marks 
directly onto paper or other surfaces; this term excludes typewriters, 
printers, or other more complex devices that might be regarded as "writing 
instruments" under broader definitions. 
In the claims, the term "actuator component" is used to describe a writing 
device, toothbrush holder, key holder, or any other device that is 
temporarily secured in the mounting attachment 40 of a glove 20 so that it 
can be manipulated by the user. For example, in FIG. 1, pen 100 serves as 
the actuator component. A complete glove-and-actuator assembly which is 
ready for use comprises two subassemblies: a glove assembly 20, and an 
actuator subassembly 100. These are temporarily coupled to each other, to 
form a complete assembly which functions in the desired manner. 
An elastic or adjustable wristband 26, as shown in FIG. 3, can be provided 
as part of a glove 20 if desired, but a preferable design, which provides 
a snug, secure fit without using a narrow wristband that might need to be 
wrapped tightly around the wrist, can be designed in a manner comparable 
to a golf or batting glove. This design provides an oversized flap 
covering a large portion of the back of the hand, rather than a narrow 
wristband. The oversized flap can be covered, on one side, with hook or 
loop fabric commonly referred to as VELCRO. This flap can be pressed and 
secured against a pad of accommodating loop or hook material which is 
permanently affixed to the glove material on the back of the hand. 
As shown in FIG. 2, pen device 100 (or any other actuator device) is 
provided with an attachment coupling 110 on the side that will be placed 
against the palm of the hand. Pen device 100. also comprises a stylus 
portion 102, and an ink barrel 104 which in the example shown has a 
relatively flattened, squat, elliptical configuration, to allow it to 
contain a substantial quantity of ink while minimizing its length, and 
maximizing ease and comfort of use. Attachment coupling 110 is designed to 
be inserted into and secured within the mounting attachment 40 in glove 
assembly 20. 
Pen 100 is designed to be relatively short, such as about 4 to 6 cm long 
(about 1.5 to 2.5 inches). This allows the hand to ride comfortably on top 
of it as the stylus 102 presses against and writes upon a sheet of paper 
18, as shown in FIG. 1. In general, ball-point pens are preferable to 
fountain pens for such use, since several pounds of weight may be resting 
upon the tip of stylus 102 as it writes. 
Mounting attachment 40 is securely affixed to the palm region of glove 20, 
by means such as glue, or by stitches, rivets, or screws which pass 
through the material on the palm of glove 20. The mounting attachment 40 
can take any of several configurations, so long as it is designed to allow 
unassisted insertion and removal of pens, pencils, and other devices by an 
owner/operator whose hands are seriously impaired but not totally 
immobile. This will maximize the utility of these devices for most people 
who need them, and it will also allow them to be of great utility to those 
who need help from others when emplacing or removing either a glove or an 
actuator. The overriding goal of this invention is to facilitate various 
types of chores, such as writing and the use of devices such as 
toothbrushes and kitchen utensils, for people with a wide range of 
impairments in their hands. 
Accordingly, the mounting attachment 40 shown in FIG. 3 interacts with at 
least one strap which helps secure the actuator device in place. In a 
preferred embodiment, the mounting attachment 40 interacts with two straps 
42 and 44, which are positioned so that they will secure two opposed sides 
of the base of the actuator device, thereby "flanking" the actuator device 
and securing both of its sides while it is in use. 
Preferably, the two straps 42 ad 44 should have securing components 46 and 
48 positioned near the ends of straps 42 and 44. Preferably, as shown in 
FIG. 3, securing components 46 and 48 should not be positioned at the very 
ends of straps 42 and 44; this will allow short segments 62 and 64 of 
free-hanging material to remain at the ends of the straps; this will make 
the straps 42 and 44 easier to work with while being secured or detached. 
Securing components 46 and 48 can be made of either the hook portion or 
the loop portion of "hook-and-loop" fabric (commonly known by the 
trademark "VELCRO"). 
The straps 42 and 44 can create or be attached to the ends of a U-shaped 
flap 50. The base of flap 50 is permanently secured to the palm of glove 
20 by a line of stitching 52. In a preferred orientation, the flap 
stitching 52 is positioned near the heel of the hand, on the palm side on 
the glove 20, and the straps 42 and 44 extend toward (and preferably 
through) the gaps between the finger sleeves 24. In one embodiment, the 
straps 42 and 44 can comprise relatively narrow cords, made of nylon or 
other suitably strong stranded or narrow material which can pass 
comfortably between adjacent fingers. 
This design will allow the VELCRO attachment areas 46 and 48 near the ends 
of straps 42 and 44 to be secured to either one large or two small 
accommodating loop or hook pads 60, mounted on the back side of glove 20 
as shown in FIG. 1. This configuration also allows a short segment (such 
as about 2.gtoreq.3 cm, or 1 inch) of excess material 62 and 64, at the 
end of each strap 42 and 44, to extend beyond the VELCRO attachment pad(s) 
60 on the back of glove 20. Alternately, this configuration can allow a 
molded or curled plastic gripping device to extend in an upward direction, 
away from the back of the hand. Either configuration (or both, used 
together) can make it easier for users with impaired hands to secure and 
detach the straps when a pen or other device needs to be inserted into or 
removed from the mounting attachment 40, while also preventing the loose 
ends from getting in the way of the pen or other device while it is in 
use, below the palm of the hand. 
For additional comfort, the back side of mounting attachment 40 preferably 
should be rounded, as indicated by edges 54 and 56. This will avoid or 
minimize and hard and potentially abrasive square edges. If desired, 
mounting attachments can be made in different sizes, or they can be molded 
to fit individual hands. 
FIG. 3 also depicts a receptacle 70 which secures an accommodating base of 
an actuator device. Receptacle 70 includes a first open end 72, an opposed 
closed end 74, and two guide rails 76. 
Pen 100 or any other actuator device can be secured in glove 20 by a 
straightforward series of steps, comprising (1) detaching the VELCRO 
securing portions 46 and 48 of straps 42 and 44 from the attachment pad(s) 
60 on the glove; (2) unwrapping the straps 42 and 44 from between the 
fingers and pulling the straps away from the palm of the glove 20; (3) 
sliding attachment coupling 110, on the base of device 100, into mounting 
attachment 40 on glove 20; (4) securing flap 50 and straps 42 and 44 over 
the device 100, either by placing them next to and flanking the attachment 
coupling 110 (as shown in FIG. 1) or by placing them across ink barrel 
104, depending on its size and shape. The straps are placed between 
adjacent fingers, and the securing components 46 and 48 are pressed 
against attachment pad(s) 60 on the back of the glove. 
When device 100 is no longer needed, it can be detached and removed from 
glove 20 by detaching the straps 42 and 44 from the attachment pad(s) 60 
on the back of glove 20, pulling the straps out from between the fingers 
and away from the palm of glove 20, and removing device 100 from the palm 
of the glove 20 by sliding attachment coupling 110 on device 100 out of 
the mounting attachment 40. 
In an alternate preferred embodiment, glove 20 does not need to be provided 
with a molded plastic mounting attachment 40, if the devices which are 
designed for use with the glove have bases which are designed to be 
secured adequately merely by placement of the straps 42 and 44. A molded 
plastic mounting attachment 40 can provide a high level of security and 
immovability, and can prevent any rotation of a device 100 which is 
secured in it; however, this level of control is not necessary for all 
uses or for all users, and a simpler, less expensive system may be 
adequate for many users, which eliminates both the mounting attachment 40 
in glove 20 and the need for a special attachment coupling 110 on device 
100. 
Some users who have a degree of residual functioning in their fingers will 
be able to use devices, such as pen or pencil holders which can 
accommodate conventional pens or pencils and which will position a pen or 
pencil between two fingers, or between the thumb and first finger. These 
types of devices, positioned between the fingers, can be provided by 
either of two designs. In one design, a glove as shown in FIG. 3, with a 
mounting attachment 40 centered in the palm, can be used with an 
accommodating device that extends up toward the finger portion of the 
glove. In a second design, the mounting attachment 40 can be moved to a 
different position, up closer to the finger region of the glove. 
Preferably, both of these sets of devices should be made available, and 
users who want both types can obtain them. 
FIG. 4 depicts a device 130 with a base 132 that provides a rotatable hinge 
or axle 134. This allows rotation of an instrument or other device (such 
as toothbrush 140, shown in FIG. 4) about an axle which remains close to 
the palm of the user. One end 142 of the handle of toothbrush 140 is 
pressed into a gripping device 136. The toothbrush is securely gripped in 
the gripping device 136 by suitable means, such as convoluted rubber inner 
surfaces (not shown) or by a clamping mechanism, such as a threaded screw 
138 which passes through one side of the gripping device 136, as shown. 
If desired, an instrument-holding device comparable to device 130 can also 
be provided any other type of useful mechanism. One example is a rotatable 
device that allows an instrument such as a toothbrush to be rotated in 
secure 90.degree. increments. This will make it easier for a user to turn 
an instrument such as a toothbrush in any desired direction, while it 
holding the toothbrush securely in the desired direction until the user 
wants to rotate it another 90.degree.. 
Mechanisms which allow constrained rotation (or nearly any other type of 
controllable movement) can be provided in any of numerous ways known to 
those skilled in the art. One example of a constrained rotation device 
200, shown in a cutaway view in FIG. 5, shows a rotatable axle 202 with 
squared facets 204. The square-faced axle 202 can rotate within a sleeve 
206, but only if a constraining device 210 (which can be spring-mounted, 
slidably engaged in a slot, etc.) is temporarily pulled away from the axle 
202 so that it does not press against one of the facets 204. Alternately, 
various other devices (including double-cylinder devices, comparable to 
the rotating internal cylinder mechanism used in most retractable 
ball-point pens) can also be adapted for use as described herein. 
Another device that can provide constrained rotation, shown in FIG. 6, uses 
a "detente" device 230, in which a ball 232 or comparable finger-type 
device fits into an indentation 234 in a rotating axle 236. The ball 232 
is pressed into the indentation 234 by the force of a compressed spring 
238, which is held in place by an enclosure device 240. If the twisting 
force being imposed on axle 236 exceeds a certain threshold level, the 
spring 238 will be further compressed, the ball 232 will be forced out of 
the indentation 234, and the axle 236 will rotate until the next 
indentation reaches the detente position, where it will engage the ball 
232. This engagement will prevent further rotation until the twisting 
force on axle 236 again exceeds the threshold level. 
In another alternate preferred embodiment, FIG. 7 shows a device 300 which 
allows free rotation of a holding device 302 in any direction relative to 
base 310. This can be provided by a ball-type device 320 (comparable to 
the ball in a roll-on deodorant applicator; also see U.S. Pat. No. 
4,957,442, by Prater), by a dual-hinge device (not shown) with two axles 
that are angled with respect to each other, in a manner comparable to a 
gimbal mounting. 
In another alternate preferred embodiment, a device or instrument having 
two movable interacting components (such as the two blades in a pair of 
scissors, or the two components in a pair of tongs or pliers) can be 
provided, as shown in FIG. 8. In this embodiment, which shows a pair of 
scissors 400 for use by someone with impaired hands, the handle end 402 of 
first blade 404 is coupled directly to an accommodating glove, via a 
rotatable axle 410 which is coupled to glove attachment coupling 412. The 
tip 406 of the cutting portion 408 of blade 404 will rest and ride upon 
the surface 409 of a table, desk, or other supporting structure while the 
scissors 400 are in use. The tip 406 of blade 404 can have a conventional 
sharp tip if desired; alternately, it can be provided with a flattened tip 
with a rounded or chisel-surfaced leading edge, to ensure that it will 
ride smoothly across a table surface while minimizing undesired poking, 
jabbing, or tearing. 
The second blade 420 is coupled to the first blade via a pivot or axle 422; 
as in conventional scissors, the blades can rotate relative to each other, 
using pivot 422. The handle end 424 of second blade 420 will ride upon the 
surface 409 of the table or desk, and can be provided with extra weight to 
ensure that it continues to ride or rest on surface 409. 
Each time the glove is lowered by the person using the scissors 400, the 
scissor blades 404 and 420 will close together, cutting through any paper, 
cloth, or other suitable material that has been placed between then. Each 
time the glove is raised, the blades will open again. By alternating these 
lifting and lowering motions, and coupling them with a forward motion when 
necessary, the scissor blades will alternately open and close, allowing 
the user to cut through any paper, cloth, or other material that he or she 
desires to cut. 
In another alternate preferred embodiment, a grabbing or gripping device 
500 which functions as a pair of tongs or pliers is shown in FIG. 9. In 
this device, first component 510 (which can be called a handle, blade, 
prong, or any other suitable name) is coupled directly to a glove 
attachment coupling 512. To maximize solid gripping and firm control of an 
object gripped by this device, this attachment point preferably should be 
fixed rather than rotating. The gripping end 514 (also called the jaw end) 
of component 510, which rides on desk or table surface 501, can be 
provided with a ridged, gnarled, or other irregular surface 516 for better 
gripping traction. In some gripping devices, this surface should be 
metallic, for strength and durability, while in other gripping devices, it 
can be coated with rubber, for non-abrasive handling of objects that might 
be scratched by a metal surface. 
The second component 520 is coupled to component 510 via a pivot or axle 
522. It comprises a gripping (jaw) end 524 with a ridged or gnarled 
surface 526, and a handle end 528 which rests on surface 501. 
If desired, device 500 can also be provided with a latching device, such as 
prongs 534 and 536, which have ratcheting sawtooth surfaces on their 
contacting sides. The extension of prong 536 will assist in disengaging it 
from prong 534. For times when latching activity is not desired, a 
mechanism can be provided for moving either prong out of engaging 
alignment with the other prong; alternately, a similar gripping device 
with no latching prongs can be provided, as part of a complete set of 
tools for someone with impaired hands. 
Depending on the condition and motility of a user's hands, he or she is 
likely to have different preferences for different types of devices 
disclosed herein. For example, when using a device such as a key or knife, 
some users may prefer to have a keyholder affixed to an immovable base 
that cannot rotate in any direction, while other users might prefer to 
have a keyholder or knifeholder that can rotate about a single axle, as 
provided by the type of device shown in FIG. 4. 
In addition, various other mechanical devices can be incorporated into the 
bases described herein, such as spring-mounted devices, and cushioned 
devices (using rubber or dry foam, encapsulated gels, sealed air bladders, 
or any other suitable cushioning device or material). 
It is anticipated that a variety of gloves and holding devices can be sold 
both individually, and in a complete set, comparable to a set of socket 
wrenches with multiple sockets that can be used interchangeably with two 
or more socket handles. 
In summary, this invention comprises a device for assisting a person with a 
physically impaired hand, comprising a glove component and at least one 
actuator component. A plurality of different, detachable actuator devices 
preferably should be provided, for interchangeable use with one or more 
gloves. The glove component (which can be a conventional glove with full 
fingers, a glove with truncated finger sleeves, or any other suitable hand 
harness) provides a snug, secure, relatively immovable fit upon the hand, 
when in use. The phrase "relatively immovable", as used herein, refers to 
a degree of snugness and security which will allow a user to write in 
clear and legible handwriting if the hand is moved properly, without 
requiring any movement by any individual fingers or the thumb. 
The glove component is provided with a mounting attachment for temporarily 
coupling an actuator component to the glove in a secure manner during use. 
To provide maximum stability and control, the actuator component is 
provided with a base that has a molded attachment coupling which slides 
into and a mounting attachment affixed to the glove. When coupled together 
and in proper use, movement of a user's hand will cause a desired movement 
of the glove and, through it, the actuator component. This will allow the 
person to write (if the actuator device is a pen or pencil), or to carry 
out other useful functions, with other types of devices and instruments, 
such as toothbrushes, keys, kitchen utensils, scissors, tongs, etc. 
Thus, there has been shown and described a new and useful device for 
assisting people with physically impaired hands. Although this invention 
has been exemplified for purposes of illustration and description by 
reference to certain specific embodiments, it will be apparent to those 
skilled in the art that various modifications, alterations, and 
equivalents of the illustrated examples are possible. Any such changes 
which derive directly from the teachings herein, and which do not depart 
from the spirit and scope of the invention, are deemed to be covered by 
this invention.