Patent Publication Number: US-6705788-B2

Title: Hand support and writing instrument holder

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This invention relates to writing support apparatus and more particularly to a support apparatus that removably holds a writing instrument so as to facilitate writing for persons that either have handicap with respect to use of hand/fingers/thumb or to obviate writing fatigue or cramps. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     While there are sundry devices shown in the prior art directed to apparatus for supporting writing instruments (pen or pencil) these devices typically require the use of a pinch or pressure which is a constraint for persons afflicted with certain ailments. Even under normal writing situations, when the amount of pressure at the tip of the thumb of the writer is minimal this force is amplified at location further away from the tip which could result in writing fatigue. As for example, a one (1) # (pound) force at the tip of the thumb will exert a 13# force at the carpal metacarpal joint and slightly less at joints therebetween. Obviously, the pain inflicted is acerbated as the writing continues in time. 
     This invention is directed to persons that are afflicted with a hand disability or dysfunction that is caused by any of the well known ailments or diseases including, but not limited to, age, carpal tunnel, DeQuervain&#39;s lateral epicondylitis, arthritis, multiple sclerosis, stroke, trauma, metacarpophalangeal problems, quadriplegia or any disease where there is an imbalance (increase or decrease) in muscle tone. Notwithstanding the fact that this invention is particularly efficacious for the handicapped, it nonetheless has utility for those who are not afflicted with any particular ailment. For example, one who is writing on the blackboard with chalk may find this invention easy to use and less painful. Or one who tends to get writer cramps may also find this instrument useful. Moreover, this invention has utility when other types of instruments, such as crayons, paint brushes and the like are used. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An object of this invention is to provide an instrument for aiding in writing that is characterized as removing the pressure from the fingers of the user. 
     A feature of this invention is a cylindrical base for vertically supporting the writing instrument and a lateral extension from the base for extending and supporting the thumb whereby the cylindrical base is located between the fore finger and index finger and is raised above the writing surface. Axial extending sleeves relative to the base that are either independent or integral with the base surround the writing instrument and are made from a soft material, such as Styrofoam that is intended to afford comfort to the user. 
     Another feature of this invention is that the holder is adaptable for all types of hand-writing instruments, and other instruments such as chalk, crayon, paint brushes and the like and is characterized as simple to make, easy to use and is economical in comparison to heretofore known instruments. 
    
    
     The foregoing and other features of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description and accompanying drawings. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating this invention when assembled to a writing instrument; 
     FIG. 2 is a view in perspective illustrating this invention when being used; and 
     FIG. 3 is a view in perspective illustrating the invention when made for a left-handed person. 
    
    
     These figures merely serve to further clarify and illustrate the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope thereof 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     As mentioned above, while this invention is described herein as being utilized by an individual for writing or printing with a writing instrument such as a pen or pencil, it should be understood that this invention has utility for other types of devices, such a crayons, chalk, paint brushes and the like. Also, this description of the preferred embodiment discloses the invention for use by one using the right hand, it will be appreciated by one skilled in this art that the invention can be adapted for use by a person in the left hand, as well. 
     The invention is best seen by referring to the two Figs. which show the holding apparatus generally illustrated by reference numeral  10  that includes a generally cylindrically shaped base portion  12  and a thumb supporting portion  14 . While the thumb supporting portion  14  is in the same horizontal plane relative to the remaining fingers of the writing hand, it will be appreciated that it can be either higher or lower than the plane and the unit can be customized for the user or made universal to fit many or all users. The side surface  16  of the thumb support portion is indented and contoured in a concave manner to comfortably support the thumb of the writing hand. While the unit is made from a unitary piece where the base portion is wrapped into a generally cylindrical portion, the unit, if molded would perhaps, be cylindrical and would include a central bore extending there through so as to receive a writing instrument. As shown in this embodiment, the straight through bore or passage  18  serves to hold the pen  20  with sufficient friction so that it remains in place when pressure in writing is exerted on the tip of the pen. Obviously, in this embodiment, since the holding apparatus  10  is rigid, the dimension of the central bore  18  is sized so that it accommodates the diameter of the writing instrument. In the event that it is made for universal use to accommodate different sized writing instruments or instruments, the diameter would be larger and a set screw or other type of tightening device or soft insert would be employed to accommodate different diameters. The writing tip bears against the surface of the writing material, such as paper, and holds the hand spatially away therefrom. Hence, the hand is raised above the surface of the writing material. 
     Adjacent to the surface  16  of the thumb support portion  14 , another indent also contoured in a concave manner  22  is formed at the top therein to the interior of the 1 st  digit finger (index finger) of the writing hand. It will be appreciated from FIG. 1, that the thumb support portion includes a fore portion  25   a  and an aft portion  25   b  which is angularly disposer relative to each other and at the juncture where the fore portion  25   a  and aft portion  25   b  meet, the indent  22  at the upper edge  24  of and partially extending on the forward surface  16  of the thumb support portion  14  is located. As mentioned above, the instrument  10  can be made to accommodate a left handed person and alternatively, the right handed instrument can also be made to accommodate the left-handed person. To make the instrument universal, i.e. to accommodate the left hand as well as the right hand the instrument merely has to be inverted so that the top becomes the bottom and vice versa and the thumb support portion extends from the left index finger. 
     The indent  30 , identical to the indent  22  is located on the bottom edge  32  of the thumb support portion  16  and likewise partially extends on the forward surface  16  and serves the same purpose. FIG. 3 is another embodiment exemplifying the invention when made for a left-handed person. All the reference numerals for the same elements are identical. It will be noted that the bottom of the support member  14  can be configured to accommodate the interior of the index finger so that the inversion of the left-handed unit can be used by a right-handed person. It will be appreciated, that it is an option to make the unit to fit a particular individual or to make the unit to be a universal model that can fit most hands, being either left or right. 
     A pair of sleeves  24 , made from a soft material such as, plastic polymer, Styrofoam, styrene, textile fabric, rubber or the like fits over the outer surface of the writing instrument or pen  20  and is disposed adjacent the main body  12  so as to sandwich the main body  12 . These sleeves serve to provide comfort to the user. Obviously, these sleeves can be made integral with the base portion  12 . 
     FIG. 2 illustrates the holding apparatus  10  when being used by a right handed person. It will be appreciated from the foregoing that the base portion is fitted between the 2 nd  and 3 rd  (middle finger) digit of the writing hand and the interior of the thumb and 2 nd  digit of the writing hand rests in the indents or grooves  16  and  22 , respectively. The pen extends below the base  12  and extends a sufficient distance to raise the hand of the user so that the arm will be comfortable as the arm moves to provide the writing motion. It will also be appreciated from the foregoing that since the thumb extends or is spread from the fingers, there are no pressures exerted by the thumb and fingers of the hand. All the motion is provided by the movement of the arm and the holding by the hand of the pen  20  is by virtue of the base portion  12  spreading or extending the distance between the 2 nd  and third digits. 
     The invention has been made and tested and has proven to be efficacious for users that have been handicapped because of some affliction. 
     And what has been described is an invention that is particularly useful for the handicap and none handicap alike, while easy and comfortable to use, light in weight and economical to make. 
     Although this invention has been shown and described with respect to detailed embodiments thereof, it will be appreciated and understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail thereof may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the claimed invention.