Patent Publication Number: US-10328743-B2

Title: Writing instrument attachment

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional No. 62/552,879, filed Aug. 31, 2017, the contents of which are hereby incorporated in their entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure is directed to attachments for writing instruments and, more particularly, to interlocking tubular bodies adapted to interconnect with one another and to fit on the body of a writing instrument. 
     BACKGROUND 
     One person&#39;s writing instruments, such as pens, mechanical pencils, markers, and wooden pencils, are often indistinguishable from another&#39;s. This may be particularly true for students, who may each use pencils from the same package. There is a need for one to be able to distinguish their writing instrument from another&#39;s. 
     SUMMARY 
     The disclosed apparatuses allow a user to mark or design their writing instrument by selecting one or more interlocking tubular bodies and sliding these tubular bodies onto the body of the writing instrument. The interlocking tubular bodies may optionally be comprised of a gripping or cushioning material, such as rubber, plastic, or other resilient material, so that the interlocking tubular bodies may also function as a pencil grip. 
     According to one aspect, a writing instrument attachment may have a body designed to fit over the body of a pencil to form a decoration or identifier on that pencil. Optionally, that body may also serve as a pencil grip. The body may be substantially tubular, like a bead or sleeve. Optionally, the body may have one or more decorative aspects, including a three-dimensional shape, such as a letter or a symbol. The body may be designed to interlock with the body of another writing instrument attachment, so that two writing instrument attachments can cooperate to decorate the same writing attachment. To accomplish this, each writing instrument attachment may have two complementary ends, so that the “male” component of one writing instrument attachment may interlock with the “female” component of another writing instrument attachment. For example, a first end of the writing attachment may be slightly smaller in radius than the second end. The first end may include one or more tabs that are arranged and sized to slide into complementary grooves on the second end, as the first end is inserted into and held in place by the second end of the other writing attachment. 
     In an aspect, this disclosure is directed to a writing instrument. The writing instrument may include a cylindrical body having a longitudinal axis. The writing instrument may include a removable attachment having a longitudinal passageway that receives and surrounds a portion of the cylindrical body. The removable attachment may include a first band portion and a second band portion. The first band portion may include a first inner surface defining the longitudinal passageway along the longitudinal axis and a first outer surface that encompasses the first inner surface. The first outer surface may have a first outer radius. The second band portion may be integrally affixed to a first end of the first band portion. The second band portion may include a second inner surface defining a chamber along the longitudinal axis. The chamber may have an inner radius that is greater than or equal to the first outer radius. The removable attachment may include a coupling mechanism to couple the removable attachment to a second removable attachment. The coupling mechanism may include at least one groove located at a first position on the second inner surface and at least one tab located at a second position on the outer surface. 
     In an aspect, this disclosure is related to a pencil grip comprising a first tubular body and a second tubular body. The first tubular body may include a first top band and a first bottom band. The first top band may include a first top band inner surface defining a passageway along a longitudinal axis. The first top band may also include a first top band outer surface that encompasses to the first top band inner surface, the first top band outer surface having a first top band outer radius. The first top band may also include a first tab located on the first top band outer surface. The first bottom band may be distal from and integrally affixed to the first top band. The first bottom band may include a first bottom band inner surface defining a first chamber along the longitudinal axis. The first chamber may having a chamber radius that is greater than the first top band outer radius. The first bottom band may include a first groove located on the first bottom band inner surface. The second tubular body may be removably engaged with the first chamber of the first tubular body. The second tubular body may include a second top band and a second bottom band. The second top band may include a second top band inner surface defining a chamber along the longitudinal axis. The second top band outer surface may encompass the second top band inner surface. The second top band outer surface may have a second top band outer radius that is greater than or equal to the first top band outer radius. The second top band may include a second tab located on the second top band outer surface. The second bottom band may be distal from and integrally affixed to the second top band. The second bottom band may include a second bottom band inner surface defining a second chamber aligned with the longitudinal axis. The second bottom band may include a second groove located on the first bottom band inner surface. The second groove may be removably engaged with the first tab and cooperating with the first tab to prevent relative rotation of the first tubular body and the second tubular body with respect to the longitudinal axis. 
     In another aspect, this disclosure is directed to an apparatus. The apparatus may include a first band portion and a second band portion. The first band portion may include a first inner surface defining a passageway along a longitudinal axis and a first outer surface that encompasses the first inner surface. The first outer surface may have a first outer radius. The second band portion may be integrally affixed to a first end of the first band portion. The second band portion may include a second inner surface defining a chamber along the longitudinal axis. The chamber may have an inner radius that is greater than the first outer radius. The apparatus may include a coupling mechanism. The coupling mechanism may include at least one groove located at a first position on the second inner surface and at least one tab located at a second position on the outer surface. The first position and the second position may be collinear. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an illustration of a pencil grip including three tubular bodies. 
         FIG. 2  is an illustration of an exemplary tubular body which may form all or part of a pencil grip. 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary tubular body. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates the relationship between coupling mechanisms of tubular bodies. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  illustrates an exemplary pencil grip  100 . Pencil grip  100  may be made of one or more pieces that interconnect along a longitudinal axis of a writing instrument  101 . Writing instrument  101  may be a traditional writing instrument, such as a pen, pencil, crayon, marker, brush, or the like. Optionally, writing instrument  101  may be an electronic writing instrument, such as a device that interacts with an electronic device to form lines on an electronic document, like a stylus. Unlike traditional pencil grips, exemplary pencil grip  100  may be formed of multiple pieces so that a design, purpose, or identification can be customized by using different combinations of the pieces. For example, a color, shape, material, or design, such as a letter, emoji, or other symbol may vary among the pieces, so that different combinations may be used to customize pencil grip  100 , and, by extension, writing instrument  101 , based on user preference. 
     Each piece of pencil grip  100  may be a tubular body  102 . Pencil grip  100  may be comprised of one or more tubular bodies  102 . For example,  FIG. 1  illustrates pencil grip  100  comprised of a first tubular body  102   a , second tubular body  102   b , and third tubular body  102   c . First tubular body  102   a  and second tubular body  102   b  may interconnect via complementary, interlocking components of a coupler that are located on each of first tubular body  102   a  and second tubular body  102   b . Similarly, second tubular body  102   b  and third tubular body  102   c  may interconnect via complementary, interlocking components of a coupler that are located on each of second tubular body  102   b  and third tubular body  102   c . This interconnection and the interlocking components of the coupler are discussed in more detail below. 
     Each tubular body  102  may be a single integrated component. For example, each tubular body  102  may be manufactured as single piece such as, for example, via injection molding, additive manufacturing, 3D printing, or the like. The method of manufacturing tubular bodies  102  is not limiting. 
     The material composition of each tubular body  102  may vary. For example, tubular body  102  may be comprised of polymer or rubber. Some tubular bodies  102  may be made of material that elastic or gripping to enable the tubular bodies  102  to hug or surround the body of writing instrument  101 . 
       FIG. 2  illustrates an exemplary tubular body  102 . The shape of tubular body  102  may be understood as generally tubular or cylindrical, but tubular body  102  may have design variations may cause tubular body  102  to not be perfectly cylindrical. For example, tubular body  102  may have a hollow, tubular passageway, but this passageway may have a polygonal cross-section, such as a hexagonal cross-section, rather than a circular cross-section. Similarly, the cross-section of the outer surface of tubular body  102  is not limited to a circle. For example, the outer surface of tubular body  102  may include a raised character or pattern. This will become more apparent in light of the following description. 
     Tubular body  102  may be comprised of multiple bands. While these bands may be integrally connected to one another, for discussion purposes they are each described in turn, as one or more physical dimensions may vary among the bands. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a cross-section of tubular body  102 . Tubular body  102  may include a top band  103 . Top band  103  may have a first end  106   a  distal from a second end  106   b . Top band  103  may have a top band inner surface  104  having a first opening  105   a  at first end  106   a  of top band  103  and a second opening  105   b  at second end  106   b  of top band  103 . Top band inner surface  104  may define a passageway  107  along a longitudinal axis  108 . Passageway  107  may be designed to receive a writing instrument  101 , such that the longitudinal axis  108  is shared by both passageway  107  and writing instrument  101 . As discussed above, top band inner surface  104  may be cylindrical or tubular, though the cross-section of top band inner surface  104  is not limited to a circle. A top band inner radius  109  of top band inner surface  104  may be based on the size of a pencil, pen, marker, crayon, brush, or other writing instrument  101 . More specifically, top band inner radius  109  may be approximately the same as, or slightly larger than, the radius of the cross-section of writing instrument  101 , such that passageway  107  is large enough to accommodate and receive a body  110  of writing instrument  101 , but small enough so that body  110  of writing instrument  101  cannot move freely through passageway  107  without contacting top band inner surface  104 . Top band inner radius  109  may preferably be small enough that tubular body  102  stays substantially stationary relative to body  110  of writing instrument  101  while writing instrument  101  is being used. 
     Top band  103  may also include a top band outer surface  111  that surrounds top band inner surface  104 . Top band outer surface  111  and top band inner surface  104  may share longitudinal axis  108 . For example, top band outer surface  111  may be concentric to top band inner surface  104 . Like the cross-section of top band inner surface  104 , a cross-section of top band outer surface  111  is not necessarily limited to a circle. Further, a shape of the cross-section of top band outer surface  111  is not necessarily the same as the shape of the cross-section of top band inner surface  104 . 
     Tubular body  102  may include a bottom band  113  distal from and integrally affixed to top band  103 . (While “top” and “bottom” designations are used for clarity, it is not necessary that tubular body  102  be oriented such that top band  103  is above bottom band  113 ; for example, tubular body  102  may be used so that bottom band  113  is above top band  103 .) Bottom band  113  may be directly or indirectly affixed to top band  103 . For example, a first end  114   a  of bottom band  113  may be integrally affixed to second end  106   b  of top band  103 . Optionally top band  10  may be affixed to bottom band  113  via one or more intermediary bands. 
     Bottom band  113  may have a bottom band inner surface  116  having a first end  114   a  distal from a second end  114   b . Bottom band  113  may include a first opening  117   a  at first end  114   a  of bottom band  113  and a second opening  117   b  at second end  114   b  of top band  103 . Bottom band inner surface  116  may define a chamber  118  between first opening  117   a  of bottom band  113  and second opening  117   b  of bottom band  113 , where first opening  117   a  is in communication with passageway  107 , such that an aperture exists from first opening  105   a  of top band  103  through second opening  105   b  of top band  103 , through first opening  117   a  of bottom band  113 , and through second opening  117   b  of bottom band  113 . Chamber  118  may have a different width than passageway  107 . For example, chamber  118  and passageway  107  may be both be large enough to insert writing instrument  101 , but chamber  118  may be wider than passageway  107 . 
     Bottom band  113  may include a bottom band outer surface  120  that surrounds bottom band inner surface  116 . Bottom band outer surface  120  and bottom band inner surface  116  may share longitudinal axis  108 . For example, bottom band outer surface  120  and bottom band inner surface  116  may be concentric. Like the cross-section of bottom band inner surface  116 , a cross-section of bottom band outer surface  120  is not necessarily limited to a circle. Further, a shape of the cross-section of bottom band outer surface  120  is not necessarily the same as the shape of the cross-section of bottom band inner surface  116 . 
     Tubular body  102  may include a coupling mechanism  122  that allows for interconnection with another tubular body  102 . For example, tubular bodies  102  may interconnect in an end-to-end fashion, such that top band  103  of first tubular body  102   a  engages and connects with bottom band  113  of second tubular body  102   b , as shown in  FIG. 4 . In this manner, top band  103  of first tubular body  102   a  may be inserted into chamber  118  of second tubular body  102   b , such that both first tubular body  102   a  and second tubular body  102   b  share a common longitudinal axis  108 . Complementary parts of coupling mechanism  122  may interconnect to provide resistance to and/or prevent rotation of first tubular body  102   a  around longitudinal axis  108  relative to and second tubular body  102   b.    
     In general, coupling mechanism  122  may be comprised of two complementary parts: a first coupling component  123  and a complementary second coupling component  125 . A first part of coupling mechanism  122  may be an integrated part of top band  103 , and a second part of coupling mechanism  122  may be an integrated part of bottom band  113 . Thus, complementary parts of coupling mechanism  122  integrated into different tubular bodies  102  may cooperate to connect those tubular bodies  102 . Complementary components of a coupling mechanism  122  may be located on either end of tubular body  102 , such that tubular bodies  102  may be stacked and interlocked with one another. For example, top band  103  may include first coupling component  123  that is designed to engage with and interconnect with second coupling component  125  that is located on bottom band  113 . Additionally or alternatively, top band  103  may include second coupling component  125  and bottom band  113  may include first coupling component  123 . In this manner, first coupling component  123  of second tubular body  102   b  may connect with second coupling component  125  of first tubular body  102   a.    
     First coupling component  123  may include at least a portion of top band outer surface  111  having a top band outer radius  112 . Further, first coupling component  123  may include one or more tabs  124  formed on the portion of top band outer surface  111 . Tab  124  may be considered the “male” component of a complementary male-and-female coupler. Tab  124  may be characterized as a raised, elongated member formed on top band outer surface  111 . For example, as shown in the figures, tab  124  may be a rectangular flange. For example, the figures show tabs  124  a raised surface forming a rectangular surface parallel to a portion of top band outer surface  111 . In this example, the longitudinal axis of tab  124  may be parallel to longitudinal axis  108 . However, the shape of tab  124  is not necessarily limited to a rectangular one. Further, tab  124  may be aligned in a different direction than as shown in the figures. 
     Second coupling component  125  may include at least a portion of bottom band inner surface  116  that makes up chamber  118 . Chamber  118  may have a bottom band inner radius  119  (e.g., a chamber radius). Bottom band inner radius  119  may be equal to or larger than top band outer radius  112 . Chamber  118  may be shaped to receive first coupling component  123 . Thus, the shape of at least a portion of bottom band inner surface  116  of chamber  118  may be complementary to the shape of at least a portion of top band outer surface  111  of first coupling component  123 . 
     For example, first coupling component  123  may include one or more complementary grooves  126  located on bottom band inner surface  116 . Additionally or alternatively, one or more tabs  124  may be located on bottom band inner surface  116  and one or more complementary grooves  126  may be located on top band outer surface  111 . Tabs  124  and grooves  126  located on first tubular body  102   a  may be collinear, or they may be offset. 
     Groove  126  may have a complementary shape to tab  124 , so that tab  124  fits within groove  126  in a snug relationship, such as a tongue-and-groove relationship. For example, tab  124  may be shaped to engagably slide into groove  126  as first tubular body  102   a  is slid on second tubular body  102   b  along longitudinal axis  108 , where groove  126  is part of one tubular body  102  and tab  124  is part of the other tubular body  102 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     While the figures illustrate tabs  124  as only being part of first coupling component  123  and grooves  126  as only being part of second coupling component  125 , either coupling mechanism may include tabs  124  and grooves  126 . That is, first coupling component  123  may include one or more tabs  124  and/or grooves  126 , and second coupling component  125  may include one or more tabs  124  and/or grooves  126 . 
     For example, writing instrument  101  may be inserted into a series of tubular bodies  102 , such as by successively sliding tubular bodies  102  onto body  110  of writing instrument  101  and engaging coupling mechanisms  122  of tubular bodies  102  after such tubular bodies  102  are slid onto writing instrument  101 , engaging coupling mechanisms  122  of tubular bodies  102  to form a pencil grip  100  then sliding pencil grip  100  over writing instrument  101  to surround the circumferential surface of body  110 , or some combination thereof. In this manner tubular bodies  102  may be removably engaged, and coupling mechanism  122  may operate to provide resistance against rotation of tubular bodies  102  relative to one another along longitudinal axis  108 . 
     Tubular body  102  may have one or more characters  127  integrally affixed to one or more outer surfaces, such as top band outer surface  111  or bottom band outer surface  120 . For example, character  127  may include one or more letters, numerals, symbols, designs, patterns, or the like. For example, characters  127  on tubular bodies  102  of pencil grip  100  include the letter “A” and a smiley face. Characters  127  may be raised, as shown in the figures, or engraved, or a combination thereof. Additionally or alternatively, tubular bodies  102  and/or their characters  127  may vary in color, texture, material, or other design, such that multiple tubular bodies  102  may be used to decorate or identify writing instrument  101 . 
     As examples only, the technology disclosed herein can include one or more of the following implementations, or “aspects”: 
     1. A pencil grip comprising: a first tubular body comprising: a first top band comprising: a first top band inner surface defining a passageway along a longitudinal axis; a first top band outer surface that encompasses the first top band inner surface, the first top band outer surface having a first top band outer radius; and a first tab located on the first top band outer surface; and a first bottom band distal from and integrally affixed to the first top band, the first bottom band comprising: a first bottom band inner surface defining a first chamber along the longitudinal axis, the first chamber having a chamber radius that is greater than the first top band outer radius; and a first groove located on the first bottom band inner surface; and a second tubular body removably engaged with the first chamber of the first tubular body, the second tubular body comprising: a second top band comprising: a second top band inner surface defining a chamber along the longitudinal axis; a second top band outer surface that encompasses the second top band inner surface, the second top band outer surface having a second top band outer radius that is greater than or equal to the first top band outer radius; a second tab located on the second top band outer surface; and a second bottom band distal from and integrally affixed to the second top band, the second bottom band comprising: a second bottom band inner surface defining a second chamber aligned with the longitudinal axis; and a second groove located on the first bottom band inner surface, the second groove removably engaged with the first tab and cooperating with the first tab to prevent relative rotation of the first tubular body and the second tubular body with respect to the longitudinal axis. 
     2. A pencil grip comprising: a first tubular body comprising: a first top band comprising: a first top band inner surface defining a passageway along a longitudinal axis; a first top band outer surface that encompasses a portion of the first top band inner surface, the first top band outer surface having a first top band outer radius; and a first tab located on the first top band outer surface; and a first bottom band distal from and integrally affixed to the first top band, the first bottom band comprising: a first bottom band inner surface defining a first chamber along the longitudinal axis, the first chamber having a chamber radius that is greater than the first top band outer radius; and a first groove located on the first bottom band inner surface; and a second tubular body removably engaged with the first chamber of the first tubular body, the second tubular body comprising: a second top band comprising: a second top band inner surface defining a chamber along the longitudinal axis; a second top band outer surface that encompasses a portion of the second top band inner surface, the second top band outer surface having a second top band outer radius that is greater than or equal to the first top band outer radius; a second tab located on the second top band outer surface; and a second bottom band distal from and integrally affixed to the second top band, the second bottom band comprising: a second bottom band inner surface defining a second chamber aligned with the longitudinal axis; and a second groove located on the first bottom band inner surface, the second groove removably engaged with the first tab and cooperating with the first tab to prevent relative rotation of the first tubular body and the second tubular body with respect to the longitudinal axis. 
     3. A pencil grip comprising: a first tubular body comprising: a first top band comprising: a first top band inner surface defining a passageway along a longitudinal axis; a first top band outer surface integrally with the first top band inner surface, the first top band outer surface having a first top band outer radius; and a first tab located on the first top band outer surface; and a first bottom band distal from and integral with the first top band, the first bottom band comprising: a first bottom band inner surface defining a first chamber along the longitudinal axis, the first chamber having a chamber radius that is greater than the first top band outer radius; and a first groove located on the first bottom band inner surface; and a second tubular body removably engaged with the first chamber of the first tubular body, the second tubular body comprising: a second top band comprising: a second top band inner surface defining a chamber along the longitudinal axis; a second top band outer surface integral with the second top band inner surface, the second top band outer surface having a second top band outer radius that is greater than or equal to the first top band outer radius; a second tab located on the second top band outer surface; and a second bottom band distal from and integrally affixed to the second top band, the second bottom band comprising: a second bottom band inner surface defining a second chamber aligned with the longitudinal axis; and a second groove located on the first bottom band inner surface, the second groove removably engaged with the first tab and cooperating with the first tab to prevent relative rotation of the first tubular body and the second tubular body with respect to the longitudinal axis. 
     4. A pencil grip comprising: a first tubular body comprising: a first top band having a first top band inner surface and a first top band outer surface, wherein the first top band inner surface defines a passageway along a longitudinal axis and the first top band outer surface first top band outer surface has a first top band outer radius; and a first tab located on the first top band outer surface; and a first bottom band distal from and integrally affixed to the first top band, the first bottom band comprising: a first bottom band inner surface defining a first chamber along the longitudinal axis, the first chamber having a chamber radius that is greater than the first top band outer radius; and a first groove located on the first bottom band inner surface; and a second tubular body removably engaged with the first chamber of the first tubular body, the second tubular body comprising: a second top band having a second top band inner surface and a second top band outer surface, wherein the second top band inner surface defines a chamber along the longitudinal axis and the second top band outer surface has a second top band outer radius that is greater than or equal to the first top band outer radius; a second tab located on the second top band outer surface; and a second bottom band distal from and integrally affixed to the second top band, the second bottom band comprising: a second bottom band inner surface defining a second chamber aligned with the longitudinal axis; and a second groove located on the first bottom band inner surface, the second groove removably engaged with the first tab and cooperating with the first tab to prevent relative rotation of the first tubular body and the second tubular body with respect to the longitudinal axis. 
     5. A pencil grip comprising: a first tubular body comprising: a first top band comprising: a first top band inner surface defining a passageway along a longitudinal axis; a first top band outer surface facing away from the first top band inner surface, the first top band outer surface having a first top band outer radius; and a first tab located on the first top band outer surface; and a first bottom band distal from and integrally affixed to the first top band, the first bottom band comprising: a first bottom band inner surface defining a first chamber along the longitudinal axis, the first chamber having a chamber radius that is greater than the first top band outer radius; and a first groove located on the first bottom band inner surface; and a second tubular body removably engaged with the first chamber of the first tubular body, the second tubular body comprising: a second top band comprising: a second top band inner surface defining a chamber along the longitudinal axis; a second top band outer surface facing away from the second top band inner surface, the second top band outer surface having a second top band outer radius that is greater than or equal to the first top band outer radius; a second tab located on the second top band outer surface; and a second bottom band distal from and integrally affixed to the second top band, the second bottom band comprising: a second bottom band inner surface defining a second chamber aligned with the longitudinal axis; and a second groove located on the first bottom band inner surface, the second groove removably engaged with the first tab and cooperating with the first tab to prevent relative rotation of the first tubular body and the second tubular body with respect to the longitudinal axis. 
     6. A pencil grip comprising: a first tubular body comprising: a first top band comprising: a first top band inner surface defining a passageway along a longitudinal axis; a first top band outer surface that encompasses the first top band inner surface, the first top band outer surface having a first top band outer radius; and a first tab located on the first top band outer surface; and a first bottom band distal from and integrally formed with the first top band, the first bottom band comprising: a first bottom band inner surface defining a first chamber along the longitudinal axis, the first chamber having a chamber radius that is greater than the first top band outer radius; and a first groove disposed on the first bottom band inner surface; and a second tubular body removably engaged with the first chamber of the first tubular body, the second tubular body comprising: a second top band comprising: a second top band inner surface defining a chamber along the longitudinal axis; a second top band outer surface that encompasses the second top band inner surface, the second top band outer surface having a second top band outer radius that is greater than or equal to the first top band outer radius; a second tab disposed on the second top band outer surface; and a second bottom band distal from and integrally formed with the second top band, the second bottom band comprising: a second bottom band inner surface defining a second chamber aligned with the longitudinal axis; and a second groove disposed on the first bottom band inner surface, the second groove removably engaged with the first tab and cooperating with the first tab to prevent relative rotation of the first tubular body and the second tubular body with respect to the longitudinal axis. 
     7. A pencil grip comprising: a first tubular body comprising: a first top band comprising: a first top band inner surface defining a passageway along a longitudinal axis; a first top band outer surface that encompasses the first top band inner surface, the first top band outer surface having a first top band outer radius; and a first tab located on the first top band outer surface; and a first bottom band distal from and integrally connected to the first top band, the first bottom band comprising: a first bottom band inner surface defining a first chamber along the longitudinal axis, the first chamber having a chamber radius that is greater than the first top band outer radius; and a first groove located on the first bottom band inner surface; and a second tubular body removably engaged with the first chamber of the first tubular body, the second tubular body comprising: a second top band comprising: a second top band inner surface defining a chamber along the longitudinal axis; a second top band outer surface that encompasses the second top band inner surface, the second top band outer surface having a second top band outer radius that is greater than or equal to the first top band outer radius; a second tab located on the second top band outer surface; and a second bottom band distal from and integrally connected to the second top band, the second bottom band comprising: a second bottom band inner surface defining a second chamber aligned with the longitudinal axis; and a second groove located on the first bottom band inner surface, the second groove removably engaged with the first tab and cooperating with the first tab to prevent relative rotation of the first tubular body and the second tubular body with respect to the longitudinal axis. 
     8. The pencil grip of aspect 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7, wherein the first tab comprises a plurality of tabs. 
     9. The pencil grip of aspect 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8, wherein the passageway is adapted to receive a writing instrument. 
     10. The pencil grip of aspect 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9 wherein the first bottom band further comprises: a first bottom band outer surface that encompasses to the first bottom band inner surface; and a first character integrally affixed to the first bottom band outer surface. 
     11. The pencil grip of aspect 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10, wherein the second bottom band further comprises: a second bottom band outer surface that encompasses to the second bottom band inner surface; and a second character integrally affixed to the second bottom band outer surface, wherein the first character is aligned with the second character. 
     12. The pencil grip of aspect 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or 11, wherein the first character comprises a raised symbol. 
     13. The pencil grip of aspect 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, or 12, wherein the second top band outer surface is concentric with the second top band inner surface. 
     14. The pencil grip of aspect 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, or 13, wherein the passageway and the chamber are aligned to create a continuous aperture adapted to receive a writing instrument body. 
     15. The pencil grip of aspect 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, or 14, wherein the first tubular body further comprises a middle band axially disposed between the first top band portion and the first bottom top band portion, the middle band portion having a middle band outer radius that is greater than the top band outer radius, the middle band portion having a middle band inner surface defining a middle passageway, wherein a middle band inner radius is approximately equal to a first passageway radius of the passageway. 
     16. An apparatus comprising: a first band portion of a first band portion length, the first band portion comprising: a first inner surface defining a passageway along a longitudinal axis; and a first outer surface that encompasses the first inner surface, the first outer surface having a first outer radius; a second band portion integrally affixed to a first end of the first band portion, the second band portion comprising a second inner surface defining a chamber along the longitudinal axis, the chamber having an inner radius that is greater than the first outer radius; and a coupling mechanism comprising: at least one groove located at a first position on the second inner surface; and at least one tab located at a second position on the first outer surface, wherein the first position and the second position are collinear. 
     17. The apparatus of aspect 16, wherein the at least one groove is adapted to receive a second tab of a second apparatus. 
     18. The apparatus of aspect 16, wherein the at least one tab is adapted engage with a second groove of a second apparatus. 
     19. The apparatus of aspect 16, wherein the coupling mechanism is adapted to prevent relative rotation of the apparatus and a second apparatus coupled to the apparatus via the coupling mechanism. 
     20. The apparatus of aspect 16, wherein the passageway is adapted to receive a writing instrument. 
     21. The apparatus of aspect 16, further comprising a character integrally affixed to the outer surface. 
     22. The apparatus of aspect 16, wherein the at least one groove comprises a plurality of grooves and the at least one tab comprises a plurality of tabs. 
     23. The apparatus of aspect 22, wherein a number of the plurality of grooves is three and a number of the plurality of tabs is three. 
     24. A writing instrument comprising: a cylindrical body having a first end and a second end aligned along a longitudinal axis; a writing tip at a second end of the cylindrical body; and a removable attachment having a longitudinal passageway that receives and surrounds a portion of the cylindrical body, the removable attachment comprising: a first band portion comprising: a first inner surface defining the longitudinal passageway along the longitudinal axis; and a first outer surface that encompasses the first inner surface, the first outer surface having a first outer radius; a second band portion integrally affixed to a first end of the first band portion, the second band portion comprising a second inner surface defining a chamber along the longitudinal axis, the chamber having an inner radius that is greater than or equal to the first outer radius; and a coupling mechanism comprising: at least one groove located at a first position on the second inner surface; and at least one tab located at a second position on the first outer surface. 
     25. The writing instrument of aspect 24, wherein the first position and the second position are collinear. 
     26. The writing instrument of aspect 18, further comprising: a character integrally affixed to the outer surface. 
     While writing instrument attachments have been described in connection with the various embodiments of the various figures, it is to be understood that other similar embodiments can be used or modifications and additions can be made to the described embodiments for implementing writing instrument attachments without deviating therefrom. For example, one skilled in the art will recognize that writing instrument attachments as described in the present application may be designed with differing dimensions, and with differing characters  127 . Therefore, writing instrument attachments should not be limited to any single embodiment, but rather should be construed in breadth and scope in accordance with the this description and the appended claims.