Patent Publication Number: US-6905271-B1

Title: Finger-mounted marking device

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 10/304,942, filed Nov. 26, 2002 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,669,388. 

   TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to marking instruments and, in particular, to a marking instrument adjustably mounted in a holder and operative to allow hands-free usage. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Various types of finger-mounted marking devices are in use today. Some of them are worn on an index, thumb, or other finger. These require the use of other fingers to hold the device while writing. Other marking devices are worn on a finger tip. In such cases, the marking device gets in the way when it is not in use. Many of the current finger-mounted marking devices require special sizes or designs of pens or pencils that are not widely available. Others have writing instruments permanently mounted that cannot be adjusted or replaced. 
   There is thus a need for a finger-mounted marking device that allows for hands-free use without other fingers, yet that will remain out of the way when not in use. Furthermore, a need exists for a device allowing adjustment of the marking instrument to different positions and for easy replacement with marking instruments that are commonly available. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   One object of the present invention is to provide a finger-mounted marking device that allows hands-free use without gripping the device with other fingers. 
   Another object is to provide a finger-mounted marking device that allows a pen or pencil to be held in position with respect to the device to be adjusted and held in place. 
   In one embodiment, the invention comprises a finger-mounted device for a marking instrument such as a pen or pencil to be worn on a finger, such as an index finger. The device comprises a cylinder with two rings coupled to the cylinder. The two rings are designed to accept a finger. The cylinder contains an opening for accepting a set screw and the set screw, when inserted and tightened, secures the marking instrument in place. 
   In one embodiment of the present invention, a finger-mounted marking device is disclosed comprising: a plurality of rings; a cylinder coupled to the plurality of rings; the plurality of rings being operative to receive a finger; the cylinder being operative to receive a marking instrument; a grooved hole in the cylinder; a set screw for securing the marking instrument in the cylinder through the grooved hole. 
   In another embodiment of the present invention, a hands-free method of using a finger-mounted marking device is disclosed, the method comprising: having a marking device on top of a finger; and using the marking device to mark without engaging other fingers. 
   In yet another embodiment of the present invention, a finger-mounted marking device is disclosed comprising: a cylinder; a strap receiving holder coupled to the cylinder, said receiving holder having a curved shape and a plurality of openings; a strap coupled to the receiving holder through the plurality of openings; wherein the strap is operative to receive a single finger; wherein the cylinder is configured to receive a marking instrument; a hole in the cylinder; and a latch for securing the marking instrument in the cylinder by applying pressure to the marking instrument through the hole. 
   In another embodiment of the present invention, a finger-mounted marking device is disclosed comprising: a cylinder; a strap receiving holder coupled to the cylinder, said receiving holder having a curved shape and a plurality of openings; an adjustable strap, said strap being fixably attached to the strap receiving holder at one of the plurality of openings, and said strap being operative to loop through a second one of the plurality of openings to fasten the strap in place; wherein the strap is operative to receive a single finger and is to be worn at a part of said single finger to allow the marking device to remain thereon and out of the way when not in use so as not to impede the action of said single finger; wherein the cylinder is operative to receive a marking instrument; a hole in the cylinder; a latch for securing the marking instrument in the cylinder by applying pressure to the marking instrument through the hole; and wherein the marking device is operative to mark without engaging the marking device with any fingers other than said single finger. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a side elevational view of a finger-mounted marking device of a first embodiment in use with a marking instrument and portions of an operator&#39;s finger. 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a marking device of a first embodiment without the marking instrument. 
       FIG. 3  is a partial perspective view showing the grooves of a first embodiment of the cylinder where the set screw is inserted. 
       FIG. 4  shows an example of a first embodiment set screw that can be inserted into the cylinder to secure the marking instrument. 
       FIG. 5  shows a side elevational view of a finger-mounted marking device of a second embodiment in use with a marking instrument and portions of an operator&#39;s finger. 
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a marking device of a second embodiment without a marking instrument. 
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a marking device of a second embodiment illustrating how a strap and latch can be adjusted. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, and alterations and modifications in the illustrated device, and further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein are herein contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates. 
   The present invention provides a method and apparatus for a finger-mounted marking device allowing for hands-free use and adjustable/replaceable marking instruments. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 1–4 , a finger-mounted marking device  1  is shown. Two rings  10  are coupled to a cylinder  16 . The rings and cylinder can be made of a variety of materials, such as metal or plastic, as a few examples. The cylinder can be one of a variety of sizes for fitting various types of marking instruments. The rings can optionally be adjustable in size to fit varying finger sizes, such as being made of nylon straps with Velcro® fasteners, as one non-limiting example. In an alternate embodiment, there may be just a single ring with a wider band, such as a single ring spanning the distance between the two rings  10  on  FIG. 1 . 
   In a first embodiment, the rings  10  receive a finger  12  of the operator. The finger  12  is preferably, but not necessarily, an index finger. A marking instrument  18  is inserted into the cylinder  16  and secured with a set mechanism, such as set screw  14 . The marking instrument can be a pen, a pencil, or a piece of chalk, to name a few examples. 
   The rings  10  along with the set screw  14  of the cylinder  16  securely hold the marking instrument  18  in place against the operator&#39;s finger so that he can use the device without gripping the device with other fingers. This hands-free use of the marking device without having to engage other fingers enables the operator to continue using the other fingers for a different purpose while writing with the marking device. For example, an operator who is holding a tape measure can make a mark without letting go of the tape measure. 
   As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the cylinder  16  preferably contains grooves  22  for accepting a set screw to secure a marking instrument  18  that was inserted into the inner cavity  20  of the cylinder  16 . 
   A set screw, such as the one shown in  FIG. 4 , when inserted into the grooves  22  of the cylinder  16  will securely hold a marking instrument in place. This set screw can be made of many different materials, such as metal or plastic. Furthermore, in a preferred embodiment, the set screw is of the type that is adjusted with a hex key. In another embodiment, the set screw can be a thumb screw that is adjusted by the operator&#39;s fingers. Other types of set screws as familiar to those skilled in the art can also be used. 
   Returning to  FIG. 1 , the set screw  14  allows a marking instrument  18  to be adjusted to varying positions based on the desires of the operator. Furthermore, the set screw allows for easy removal of the marking instrument so that it can be replaced as desired. Marking instruments of varying types and lengths can be used and thus replacements are commonly available. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 5–7 , in a second preferred embodiment finger-mounted marking device  30  is shown. A strap  32  is coupled to a cylinder  34 . The strap and cylinder can be made of a variety of materials, such as metal, plastic, or nylon, as a few non-limiting examples. The cylinder can be one of a variety of sizes for fitting various types of marking instruments. In one embodiment, the strap can be adjusted in size to fit varying finger sizes, such as being made of nylon straps with Velcro® fasteners, as one non-limiting example. 
   The strap  32  receives a finger  36  of the operator. The finger  36  is preferably, but not necessarily, an index finger. A marking instrument  38  is inserted into the cylinder  34  and secured with a latch  40 . The marking instrument can be a pen, a pencil, or a piece of chalk, to name a few examples. 
   The strap  32  along with the latch  40  of the cylinder  34  securely hold the marking instrument  38  in place against the operator&#39;s finger so that the can use the device without gripping the device with other fingers. This hands-free use of the marking device without having to engage other fingers enables the operator to continue using the other fingers for a different purpose while writing with the marking device. As described in the first embodiment, one example is an operator who is holding a tape measure can make a mark without letting go of the tape measure. 
   As shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the cylinder  34  preferably contains a hole  44  or other opening for allowing pressure to be applied from latch  40  directly to a marking instrument  38  that was inserted into the inner cavity  42  of the cylinder  34 , thereby securing the marking instrument  38  in place. For example, latch  40  can have a nub that goes through hole  44  that contacts and puts pressure on marking instrument  38 . Latch  40  can be made of many different materials, such as metal or plastic. Latch  40  can be secured to cylinder  34  in a variety of ways, such as using a pin or a rod, to name a few examples. Other types of latches as familiar to those skilled in the art can also be used. 
   As shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , strap  32  is coupled to cylinder  34  through strap receiving holder  46 , which has a plurality of openings  48 . Strap receiving holder  46  is preferably curved so as to fit partially around an operator&#39;s finger comfortably and/or securely. Preferably, strap  32  is an adjustable strap, such as nylon or another material, and can be looped or threaded through openings  48  to adjust the strap diameter to best fit the operator&#39;s finger  36 . Adjustable strap of strap  32  is preferably securely fixed to one of the openings  48  and can be looped over and around a second opening  48  so as to fasten the strap in place with a fastener such as one made of Velcro® fasteners. Other variations for providing an adjustible strap are possible, as would occur to one of ordinary skill in the art. 
   Returning to  FIG. 5 , latch  40  allows a marking instrument  38  to be adjusted to varying positions based on the desires of the operator. Furthermore, the latch allows for easy removal of the marking instrument so that it can be replaced as desired. Marking instruments of varying types and lengths can be used and thus replacements are commonly available. 
   While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only the preferred embodiment has been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the invention are desired to be protected.