Abstract:
Hand-held instruments comprising a grip section which is held in the fingers, and a working section which holds a tool that contacts a workpiece, in which the longitudinal axis of the grip section varies from the longitudinal axis of the working section.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    This invention most directly concerns writing instruments such as pens and similarly held instruments. More broadly, the invention relates to any instrument which is held in a fashion similar to that of a pen or other writing instrument, such as a stylus, electronic pen, pencil, engraving tool, scalpel or dentist&#39;s drill.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    Writers hold a pen or similar instrument in a number of varied positions for comfort. Many other instruments are held similarly: electronic pointers or pens, engraving tools, dentist&#39;s drills and pencils are all examples. Writers, for example, can change the position of the pen or pencil within their grip during writing. Some writers who hold the pen above or below the line they are writing on are described as “overwriters” or “underwriters” respectively.  
           [0003]    Broadly speaking, instruments such as a pen or pencil can be regarded as comprising a grip section (where the user&#39;s fingers grip the instrument) and a working section (that is, the portion of the instrument that actually holds the tool, be it a pen mechanism or cartridge, a drill bit, or any other tool) that contacts the workpiece to which the instrument is to be applied. The orientation of the grip section used can determine the position of the working section relative to the hand. The position of the wrist or hand may need to be further altered to write effectively, or, in the case of another instrument, to perform the function of that instrument effectively. This positional change can sometimes cause discomfort or negatively affect the function of the pen or instrument.  
           [0004]    A number of different designs for pens, accessory grips and other writing instruments have been suggested. In the simplest sort of design—a common straight pencil—the longitudinal axis of the grip section and the longitudinal axis of the working section are coincidental. Other designs may have been impractical or difficult to manufacture. No prior designs, however, were intended to alter the angle between the longitudinal axis of the grip section of the instrument and the longitudinal axis of the working section of the instrument.  
           [0005]    Definition of Terms  
           [0006]    The following terms are used in the description of my invention, and are intended to have their broadest equivalent meaning consistent with the requirements of law.  
           [0007]    An “instrument” includes any implement that is ordinarily held in the hand similarly to the way in which one ordinarily holds a pen or pencil.  
           [0008]    The “grip section” means that portion of an instrument that is held in the user&#39;s fingers during use of the instrument.  
           [0009]    The “working section” means that portion of an instrument that actually holds or comprises the tool (be it a pen mechanism or cartridge, a drill bit, or any other tool) that contacts the piece of paper or other workpiece to which the instrument is to be applied.  
           [0010]    The “write angle” of an instrument refers to the minor angle between the longitudinal axis of the grip section of an instrument and the longitudinal axis of the working section of an instrument.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0011]    I have found that in the case of a pen or pencil or similarly-held instrument, changing the write angle permits the user to adopt a new hand or wrist position which can lead to increased comfort, especially for those who may need to write for long periods of time, while maintaining good function and position of the pen relative to the writing surface. Using an altered, nonzero write angle allows for a more natural radial deviation of the wrist while writing or using the instrument and an improved grip of the instrument. Because the writer&#39;s grip is improved, it allows the grip effort necessary to hold the instrument to be reduced by the writer, the overall result being increased comfort.  
           [0012]    In addition to providing comfort, such a more-ergonomic positioning and holding of the instrument is expected to result in a reduced incidence of carpal tunnel syndrome and other afflictions of the upper extremity resulting from repetitive stress disorder. As these concerns become more and more prevalent, the usefulness and utility of the present invention is clear.  
           [0013]    The preferred embodiment of the invention is described below in terms of a pen. It can readily be seen, however, that the invention applies to any instrument which is held in a similar manner, including a pencil, stylus, electronic pen, engraving tool, scalpel or dentist&#39;s drill, as examples. In addition, the invention applies to an accessory grip which may be used to convert a pre-existing pen (for example) to one incorporating the invention. The invention is therefore not limited to pens, but covers any instrument held like a pen and having a grip section in which the longitudinal axis of the grip section of the instrument varies from the longitudinal axis of the working section. This can be accomplished by fabricating a grip section integrally with the working section, or by adding an accessory grip section having a longitudinal axis which varies from the longitudinal axis of the working section.  
           [0014]    The basic design of a pen incorporating the invention is that of a grip section and a working section. The working section preferably passes through or is situated adjacent to or distally from the grip section, and the grip section and the working section are preferably attached to each other.  
           [0015]    The grip section can be of any type or shape. The grip section may be radially symmetric or asymmetric about its longitudinal axis. The grip section may be regularly or irregularly shaped along its length. The grip section may be made of a material to allow for tactile comfort (such as a cushioned material). The grip section may be contoured for ease in gripping, or for identification of the thumb location in the preferred grip. Further, although the grip section described in the preferred embodiment is integral, the grip section may also be temporarily or permanently attached, or be physically combined with the working section depending on the actual design of the instrument. The grip section may also allow for rotation or axial movement between the grip section and the working section. Further, the grip and working sections may allow for full movement between the grip section and the working section, such as the case where in addition the write angle itself is adjustable. It is anticipated that the grip section normally should be at least temporarily fastened to the working section while using the instrument.  
           [0016]    The working section itself need not be of any special type. The working section of a pen such as a ball-point, felt-tip or roller-ball pen is typically straight. To some extent this is dictated by the cartridge inside, and mandated by maintaining good ink flow to a roller ball or other ink pen. Likewise, pencils are typically straight. If the cartridge is straight and not flexible, the working section will generally be straight also. A straight cartridge typically will provide good ink flow, and may be preferable for that reason. However, a bent, curved, angled or shaped working section is also within the contemplation of this invention if the grip section is designed to allow for a change in the write angle.  
           [0017]    In the simplest version of the invention, the longitudinal axis of the grip section is determined by examining the outer surface of the grip section, and the longitudinal axis of the working section is determined by examining the outer surface of the working section and determining the central axis of rotation of each surface. If the sections are not straight or symmetric the write angle can still be determined from the overall or intended axes of use for both the working section and the grip section. The write angle used in the preferred embodiment is approximately four degrees, but any nonzero angle may be used and is contemplated by the invention. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0018]    [0018]FIG. 1 shows the positions of the human hand.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 2 shows a write angle pen.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIGS. 3 and 4 show varying degrees of the write angle for a write angle pen.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIGS. 5, 6 and  7  show write angle pens incorporating exemplary alternative designs for the grip section of a write angle pen.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIGS. 8, 9 and  10  show write angle pens incorporating alternative designs for the working section of a write angle pen.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 11 shows an accessory grip which may be used in practicing the invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0024]    Although the preferred embodiment is directed to pens, the invention may be readily applied to an instrument of any manufacture or type, so long as the gripping method used for the instrument is similar to that used to hold a pen or pencil. The invention, is not, therefore, limited to pens. For ease of understanding the invention, however, the preferred embodiment is described with respect to a pen. It may readily be seen that the invention is equally applicable to other instruments. Such instruments include dentist&#39;s drills, engraving tools, pencils, scalpels and any similarly manipulated instrument or tool.  
         [0025]    In addition, while pens are typically of relatively straight design and manufacture, due to the constraints of the cartridge as discussed above, such is not always the case. A bent, curved, angled or shaped working section or grip section may be used if the instrument is designed to allow for a change in the write angle.  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 1 shows the human hand in various positions, demonstrating radial and ulnar deviation (FIGS. 1 a  and  1   b ), as well as pronation and supination (FIGS. 1 c  and  1   d ). Many types of deviations may be accomplished or reduced using the invention to increase the comfort and efficiency of the hand grip.  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 2 shows a write angle pen with an integral, permanently attached grip section. The grip section  101  is affixed to the working section  103  such that the longitudinal axis  104  of the working section  103  and the longitudinal axis  105  of the grip section  101  form a write angle  106  of approximately 4 degrees. In this embodiment, the working section is substantially straight, similar to any number of popular ball-point or roller-ball pens. Although approximately four degrees is considered optimal in this preferred embodiment, the invention may be practiced with any angular displacement which suitably produces the intended results of the invention. For instance, the write angle may be any deviation up to about 45 degrees.  
         [0028]    In one use of the write angle pen, the grip section is held so the thumb of the writer is near or adjacent to thumb point  100  on the grip section. In a commercial embodiment of the pen, this location may have a mark or a slight detent or indentation to indicate where the thumb may be placed. The opposite end of the working section, therefore, generally points further toward the radial side of the hand and the writing end of the working section therefore points further towards the ulnar side of the hand. This may be different if the working section is bent or curved or angled in some fashion, or the user holds the pen in an unanticipated position.  
         [0029]    As a result of introducing a write angle between the grip section and the working section, the wrist assumes a position of more supination and comfort in writing. Because the wrist is more supinated the ulnar side of the hand is permitted to rest against the writing surface and so assume a more comfortable supinated and radial oriented position to increase the grip comfort. By grasping the grip section some writers change the position of their hand in space while keeping the working section&#39;s orientation similar to what it might be if the write angle were zero degrees. Other writers may also use the write angle to reposition the working section itself for improved function of the instrument. Both of these effects may be combined by the user of the pen while writing.  
         [0030]    It should be recognized that there are a great number of positions that an individual could use for writing with the invention, and that the invention is not limited to a specific or preferred hand grip.  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 3 shows such a write angle pen with an integral, permanently attached grip section wherein the grip section  107  is affixed to the working section  109  such that the longitudinal axis  110  of the working section  109  and the longitudinal axis  111  of the grip section  107  form a write angle  112  of approximately ten degrees, permitting a greater deviation in the hand position with respect to the position of the working section  109  of the write angle pen.  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 4 shows another such write angle pen with an integral, permanently attached grip section wherein the grip section  113  is affixed to the working section  115  such that the longitudinal axis  116  of the working section  115  and the longitudinal axis  117  of the grip section  113  form a write angle  118  of approximately forty-five degrees, permitting still greater deviation in the hand position with respect to the position of the working section  115  of the write angle pen.  
         [0033]    An alternate embodiment would include a write angle pen which is adjustable over a given range of angular displacements, for example, one to 15 degrees.  
         [0034]    Further alternative embodiments can include variations on the shape of the grip section, as described below.  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 5 shows a write angle pen with a triangular shaped grip section  119  with longitudinal axis  120  permanently attached to the working section  122  with longitudinal axis  123 , and write angle  124 .  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 6 shows a write angle pen with an elliptically curved grip section  125  with longitudinal axis  126  permanently attached to the working section  128  with longitudinal axis  129  and write angle  130 .  
         [0037]    [0037]FIG. 7 shows a write angle pen with a custom-shape grip section  131  with longitudinal axis  132  permanently attached to the working section  134  with longitudinal axis  135  and write angle  136 .  
         [0038]    It may readily be seen that a great variety of shapes or substances may be used in forming the grip section of the pen, including both those shown and others, so long as the angle between the longitudinal axis of grip section and the longitudinal axis of the working section is greater than zero.  
         [0039]    In addition to variations in the grip sections themselves, the invention may be used with variations from the substantially straight working section of the previous figures.  
         [0040]    [0040]FIG. 8 shows a write angle pen with a bent working section  137  and a permanently attached grip section  138 .  
         [0041]    [0041]FIG. 9 shows a write angle pen with a curved working section  139  and a permanently attached grip section  140 .  
         [0042]    [0042]FIG. 10 shows a write angle pen with a shaped working section  141  and a permanently attached grip section  142 .  
         [0043]    [0043]FIG. 11 shows a write angle pen using an accessory grip  143 , in which the accessory grip comprises a sleeve that surrounds the working section  144  of an instrument. The interior longitudinal axis  145  of the accessory grip deviates from the exterior longitudinal axis  146  of the accessory grip, so that when the grip is affixed to the working section  144  of the instrument, an nonzero write angle  147  is formed between the exterior longitudinal axis  146  of the accessory grip  143  and the longitudinal axis  148  of the working section of the instrument. While there are a number of possible methods to permit use of the accessory grip with an instrument, FIG. 11 shows an accessory grip with a slot  149  which permits the accessory grip to snap onto the working section  144  of the instrument.  
         [0044]    It is readily apparent that any combination of alternate working section, or grip section is possible, and such combinations are contemplated by the invention so long as the write angle is greater than zero:  
         [0045]    It also should be recognized that variants on the preferred hand position may be used. A great variety of different positions may be used with the write angle grip in order to allow the user to attain whatever position is most comfortable, functional and ergonomic for that particular user. By grasping the grip section differently, some users may choose to change the position of their hand in space while maintaining the working section&#39;s original orientation. Alternatively, the grip section may be used to reposition the working section itself for improved function.  
         [0046]    It will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many changes and modifications could be made while remaining within the scope of my invention, including the aforementioned use of the invention with a variety of instruments. I intend to cover all such equivalent processing methods, and to limit my invention only as specifically delineated in the following claims.