AU2014100495A4 - Weighting means for a writing implement - Google Patents

Abstract

There is provided a weighting device for a writing implement (15, 23). The device comprises a body portion (10) adapted to be removably fitted to a top end region of the 5 writing implement remote from the lower end of the implement providing the writing facility. The device has a predetermined weight for weighting the writing implement to provide resistance to use of the implement and so apply physical exertion on the hand and wrist of the user during use of the implement.

Description

1. AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 (Cth) COMPLETE SPECIFICATION APPLICANT EROLSTRIKE PTY LIMITED TITLE WEIGHTING MEANS FOR A WRITING IMPLEMENT The Invention is described in the following statement including the best method known to us: -2 WEIGHTING MEANS FOR A WRITING IMPLEMENT FIELD OF THE INVENTION 5 The present invention relates to means for weighting a writing implement or the like, in order to improve writing performance, and relates in particular to improving performance, ease of use and comfort when a writer is required to write over extended periods of time. Although the following description refers generally to the use of a weighting 10 device in relation to a writing implement, especially a pen, no limitation is meant thereby and any analogous arrangement in which the principles of the invention may also be utilised, in relation to any writing, drawing or similar implement, by suitable adaptation as necessary, is also contemplated. 15 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Writing implements are well known, the most common examples these days being pens, pencils and other drawing and colouring implements including felt tipped markers, and so on. 20 However, these days, especially amongst the younger generation, the use of writing and other drawings implements is generally declining in favour of computer means of generating text or pictures or other graphics. Generally, the most common input devices for computers and the like are a keyboard and a mouse although other graphical interfaces are well known. Whilst some input devices for these graphical 25 interfaces do require a similar device to a writing implement, such as a stylus for example, it is not generally necessary that these be used in continuous fashion, tending to be used as pointers although they may also function as a writing or drawing implement when text or drawing are created on a screen. Nevertheless, it may be fairly said that the use of writing and drawing implements is generally on the decline as other 30 electronic means for producing text and pictures etc find favour.

-3 Contrary to this trend, students are still generally required to write essays and other answers long hand, especially under examination conditions. Exam conditions may require a student for example to write for upwards of three hours, which the student may otherwise not be generally used to doing. Given that there is also less emphasis 5 placed upon practicing writing in current curriculums, this places an increased stress on the student especially under exam conditions, leading to tiredness and fatigue in the hand and wrist when the writer or student is required to perform writing for extended periods. As indicated, this trend has been exacerbated by a decline in the routine use of normal pens and pencils in favour of using keyboards and other electronic means of text 10 creation etc, together with a decline in teaching the skills of conventional long hand writing, which used to be coupled with continual practice. All in all, this places students under increased stress during examinations and is likely to be to their detriment, especially if they have not used pens and other writing implements as frequently as perhaps they otherwise should have. 15 It should however be stressed that whilst this situation has been highlighted by the need for students to write long hand in exam conditions, no limitation is meant thereby and the invention, again by adaptation where required, will find application in any situation where a writing implement such as a pen or the like is to be used for longer periods of time by any person whether student or not. Thus any person who needs to 20 write for extended periods may find benefit from the application of the invention. The above description of the prior art nor any other discussion of prior art herein is not intended to be, nor should it be interpreted as, an indication of part or all of the common general knowledge pertaining to the invention in Australia or elsewhere, but rather is simply provided to assist the person skilled in the art in understanding the 25 background considerations which have lead to the invention. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an aim of one or more embodiments of the present invention to provide a 30 weighting device for removable attachment to the end region of a pen or other hand held writing implement, that is to say, the "top" end region of the e.g., pen remote from the -4 end which actually performs the writing or drawing function in use. The purpose of this weight is to assist in the reduction of fatigue, by providing resistance. In other words, through continued use of the pen with the weight attached the hand and wrist muscles will be strengthened. Furthermore, the weight may also provide improved balance, ease 5 of use and comfort, whilst at the same time because of the resistance, improve the strength of the hand/wrist combination during extended periods of writing. At the very least the invention may provide a means for utilising a writing implement by assisting in its use when writing, especially when writing for longer periods than normal. In particular, in an aspect of the invention there is provided a weighting device 10 for a writing implement, the device comprising a body portion adapted to be removably fitted to a top end region of the writing implement remote from the lower end of the implement providing the writing facility, the device having a predetermined weight for weighting the writing implement to provide resistance to use of the implement and so apply physical exertion on the hand and wrist of the user during use of the implement. 15 In one or more embodiments, the body portion typically includes a longitudinally extending passage for receiving the writing implement. Typically, the passageway is tapered for engagement of the writing implement with the device to substantially retain the device in position on the implement. The passageway can be a blind passsageway. 20 Typically, the body portion of the device comprises at least one metal weight providing ballast constituting at least predominantly the entire weight of the device. Typically also, the body portion has an outer coating of a plastics material. In at least some embodiments the body portion of the weighting device is cylindrical. 25 In one or more further embodiments of the invention, the body portion carries one or more weights for weighting the writing implement to provide the resistance resistance to use of the implement. Typically, the weight carrried by the device is located so as to be distributed about a longitudinal axis of the writing implement when the device is fitted to the 30 implement. Most typically, the weighting device carries a plurality of discrete said -5 weights and in particularly preferred embodiments, the weights are distributed substantially evenly around the device. Typically, in accordance with this aspect of the invention, the body of the device comprises a sleeve for reception of the top end region of the writing implement, wherein 5 the implement is gripped by the sleeve when the implement is received in the sleeve. In some such embodiments the sleeve can be in the form of a wrap for being wrapped and fastened in position about the writing implement. The weighting device can further comprise fastening means for fastening the sleeve in position about the writing implement. 10 Typically, the sleeve is fabricated from stretchable or elastomeric fabric which grips the top end region of the writing implement to retain the device in position on the implement. Typically, the sleeve comprises at least one pockets in which the weight(s) are carried. The pocket can be open for removing weight or adding further weight to the 15 weighting device. Alternatively, the pocket may be closed against removal of weight from the sleeve. Most typically, the weighting device has a plurality of pockets, and a respective said weight is carried in each of the pockets. Moreover, one or more additional pockets may be provided for receiving additional weight to further weight the device. 20 In yet another aspect there is provided a weighting device in accordance with the invention in combination with the writing implement, the weighting device being fitted to the top end region of the writing implement. In still another aspect of the invention there is provide a method for weighting a writing implement to provide resistance to use of the implement and so apply physical 25 exertion to the on the hand and wrist of the user during use of the implement, comprising the steps of: providing a weighting device in accordance with the invention; fitting the weighting device to the top end region of the implement. Although the following description generally refers to a pen of conventional 30 size, no such limitation is intended thereby, and reference to a pen in general is meant to -6 encompass any pen, writing or drawing implement or the like, where, by suitable adaptation, the invention may also be usefully applied. Accordingly, the term "writing implement" as used herein is to be taken broadly to encompass pens such as ball-point pens, fountain pens, felt tipped pens and markers, 5 pencils (e.g., graphite pencils, mechanical pencils, grease pencils etc), styluses, and drawing and sketching implements (e.g., colouring pencils), and whether or not the implement is used primarily for writing, drawing or sketching. Typically, the writing implement is selected from pens and pencils. In particular, and as discusssed above, the present invention relates to a 10 detachable weighting means for removable fitment about the top end region of a hand held writing implement remote from the end of the implement which provides the writing facility, the purpose of which is to help reduce fatigue by providing a resistance for improving the strength in the hand and wrist of the writer using the writing implement and otherwise improving balance, comfort and ease of use when using the 15 writing implement with the detachable weighting means thus fitted, especially during and for periods of extended writing. It should be appreciated that whilst the weighting device thus envisaged may assist in general by providing improved balance, it will be understood that such improvements of themselves are generally short term, ie pertinent to the immediate use 20 of the device. On the other hand, what is envisaged by the invention is that through continued use of the device, not only under written examination conditions, the use of the weighting device attached to a writing implement as described may greatly assist in improving the strength of the hand/wrist combination, thereby reducing the tendency of fatigue in the writer. This may be accomplished by having sufficient weight in the 25 device that it improves the strength of the hand and wrist by providing a resistance as mentioned above. It will also be appreciated that whilst such a weighting device may also be permanently fixed to a writing implement, for example during manufacture, this adds unnecessarily to the cost of each writing implement. Furthermore, it will be understood 30 that writers may prefer different amounts of additional weight, or even different arrangements as to how it is attached. Consequently, a removable device will therefore -7 allow for greater flexibility by catering to different needs. For example, whilst a student may prefer higher resistance whilst practicing for an exam, he or she may prefer a lesser resistance (i.e., reduced weight) during actual exam conditions. As the device is more likely to find favour with younger persons, especially 5 students, the removable device of the invention also allows for a certain amount of design criteria to be brought into play, giving the student a sense of greater choice, thereby appealing to such a younger market's need for all things "designer" oriented. Throughout this specification the word "comprise", or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated 10 element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers, integers or steps. Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or the like that has been included in this specification is solely for the purpose of providing a context for the invention. It is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form part 15 of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the invention as it existed in Australia or elsewhere before the priority date of this application. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWING(S) 20 The features and advantages of the invention will be better understood from the following non-limiting description of embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawing(s) in which: Figure 1 is a diagramatic perspective view of a writing implement in the form of 25 a pen to which a weighting device embodied by the invention is fitted thereto; Figure 2 is a diagramatic perspective view of another embodiment of a weighting device embodied by the invention. 30 -8 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION Various embodiments of a weighting device in accordance with the invention 5 can be provided for weighting a writing implement as described herein. The weighting device may, for example, contain, hold, or attach to the weight to allow for removeable fitment/attachment of the weight to the implement. Although the means to attach the weight to the implement may be integrally provided with the weight itself, a suitable fabric or other material independent of the weight or weights can be employed. 10 To this end, the use of fabrics including stretch material such as lycra or in the alternative, rubbers, neoprene or other elastomeric materials is particularly advantageous. Such materials may be formed in the general arrangement of a sleeve or cap for fitment over the top of the pen. Where required such fabrics or materials may be formed into a sleeve and the like by, for example, rolling the fabric into a tube and 15 joining the fabric or material along adjacent edges by conventional means for the fabric or material in question. This may include sewing, gluing or otherwise bonding e.g., by heat treatment or weldimg, depending on the material or fabric. Alternatively to the foregoing, which relies on fitment of the weight by generally stretch or elastic means, fastening means in the form of a Velcro T m hook and loop tape 20 fastening system may be employed to attach the weight to the pen. For example, the weighting device can be in the form or a wrap fabricated from selected elastomeric or other material containingor carrying the weight, or into which the weight can be inserted. In this instance, the device can be wrapped about or near the top of the writing implement and fastened in position by the Velcrow', although other fastening systems 25 may be used such as one or more press studs. In still yet other forms of a weighting device as described herein, the device may be configured for being slid or clipped onto, or otherwise mounted on, the writing implement. The weight(s) employed in embodiments of the invention to weight the 30 weighting device may, of course, be any suitable material but again metals (e.g., mild steel, lead) or metal alloys (e.g., brass or bronze) are particularly suitable. However, -9 other materials may be contemplated (e.g., high density rubber or plastics materials). It will also be appreciated that the weight(s) may be permanently attached to, or contained within, the weighting device. However, the weight(s) may be removable therefrom, thereby allowing a number of different sized weights to be fitted, or indeed the number 5 and arrangement of weights to be attached to the top top region of the writing implement to be altered to suit the individual. It will also be appreciated that whilst the weight or weights need to be sufficiently robust, they need not be static in shape and more malleable materials can also find application by allowing individual users to manipulate the weight so as to provide the exact amount of weighting and its location 10 that they require. Thus, it will be appreciated that different combinations of weight(s) and the nature of the how the weight(s) are carried by the weighting device are possible. Referring now to Fig. 1 there is a shown a writing implement in the form of a pen 11 of generally known construction having a generally longitudinal barrel 12 and a 15 writing means/facility at an opposite end thereof, in this case a ball point tip 13 which communicates with writing fluid in the form of ink (not shown) contained in the barrel 12 (generally within an inner sleeve not illustrated). When the tip 13 of the pen is brought in contact with writing paper or other surface, the ball 14 contained in the tip 13 of the pen 11 causes the writing fluid or ink to be transferred to the paper etc as is well 20 known. The weighting device according to the invention is generally referenced 15 and is located about the top end of the pen 16. In this particular embodiment, the weighting device comprises a body portion 10 carrying one or more discrete weights 17 contained within pockets defined by inner and outer sleeve 18, 19 of the body portion, each of the 25 sleeves being fabricated from a suitable stretch material. The material of the inner sleeve in this case is a thicker neoprene type material which allows for snug fitment of the weighting means 15 about the top 16 of the pen 11. The outer sleeve 19 is formed from a lighter weight material with greater stretch to accommodate the one or more weights 17 enclosed between the respective sleeves 18 and 19. In each case the sleeves 30 are formed together by sewing along line 20 thus forming each sleeve and joining them together at the same time. Additional lines of sewing 21 are also provided to form -10 pockets 22 which may optionally have weights inserted. It will be appreciated that the pockets 22 thus formed may either totally encapsulate one or more weights (i.e, be "closed", preventing removal of the weight(s) from the pocket) or may as illustrated actually be an open pocket 22 to allow the weight 17 to be inserted or removed. 5 In use, the weighting device 15 with weights included 17 as required, is simply stretched over the top 16 of the pen 11 and slid onto the pen whereby the device is retained on the pen in position by the grip applied to the barrel 12 of the pen by the elastomeric material from which the inner sleeve 18 is fabricated, and writing is undertaken in the usual manner. Alternatively, the weights may be inserted in the 10 pockets 22 after fitment of the weighting means to the end 16 of the pen 11. In either case, during use, weights may be added to, or removed from, the pockets 22 as required according to the user's requirements. Desirably, the weight carried by the weighting device is distributed substantially evenly about the longitudinal axis of the writing implement. 15 Another embodiment of a weighting device in accordance with the invention is illustrated in Fig. 2. In this instance, the device 23 comprises a body portion which is cylindrical in form and has a metal weight core 24 acting as ballast with a blind, longitudinally extending tapered passageway 25, and which has an outer coating with a plastics material 26. In the embodiment shown, the metal core is brass but any other 20 suitable metal or metal alloy can be used. The coating 26 applied to the metal core can be any plastics material deemed suitable such as polyurethane, silicone rubbers (ie., polysiloxanes and polyddimethylsiloxanes), and other synthetic rubbers and elastomers (e.g., polyther block amides, ethylene-vinyl acetate, and so on). Plastics materials which are generally "non-slip" and have at least some compressibilty under the conditions of 25 use for gripping the pen or other writing implement when the top end of the implement is inserted into the tapered passageway 25 are particularly preferred. More particularly, the weighting device 23 is slid onto the top end of the pen until the top end region of the pen is received in the passage way 25 in a friction fit. As the pasageway is tapered, the device is adapted for receiving pens and other writing 30 implements having barrels 12 of different widths. Thus, the tapering of the passageway 25 allows the device of a universal, single size to be provided for fitment to the top of a -11 range of different writing implements, the pasties coating 26 applied to the metal core facilitating the gripping of the implement by the device when the device is on position on the pen. However, whilst preferred, embodiments may be provided in which the passageway 25 is not tapered. In this instance, the weighting device may be slid on and 5 retained in position on the relevant writing implement by virtue of friction fit of the implement in the longitudinal passageway of the device. In still other embodiments, the longitudinal passageway may be wider than the width of the end region of the writing implment. However, the device may still be placed on the end of the implement in the manner described above in which case the 10 device simply sits on the implement by virtue of the blind end of the passagway being seated on the top end of the implement, and all such embodiments are expressly encompassed by the invention. Although the weighting device shown in Fig. 2 has a blind passageway, other emodiments may provided in which the passageway 25 is a through passageway 15 extending from one end of the body portion of the device and opening at the opposite end thereof. This type of embodiment may find use with pencils of the type with a rubber/eraser mounted to the top end of the pencil, thereby allowing use of the eraser without needing to first remove the weighting device from the pencil. Whilst embodiments of a weighting device 15, 23 in accordance with the 20 invention having different overall weights may be provided (e.g., lower weighted devices for use by younger children), the device will typically have a weight of about 77 grams as this has been found to be a good all-round weight for the intended purpose. Normally, the device will have an overall weight of at least 40g and more usually, at least 45g, 50g, 55g, 60g or 65g. 25 The length of a weighting device 15, 23 as described herein can also vary but commonly, the device has a length of about 4-5 cm as this typically allows the device to be fitted to a pen or pencil of conventional length generally without contacting of the device with the hand of the user. Typically, the device will have a length of at least 2 cm and more usually, a length of at least about 2.5cm, 3cm or 3.5 cm. Most commonly, 30 the device will have a length of at least about 4 cm as indicated above.

-12 From the above, it will be appreciated that many modifications and variations may be made to the embodiments described herein by those skilled in the art without departing from the invention. 5 INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY It will be also immediately apparent to persons skilled in the art that the provision of a weighting device for a writing implement as hereinbefore described has application to improving strength in the hand and wrist of a person writing (or drawing), 10 and may provide for generally improved balance, ease of use and comfort, especially during extended periods of writing.

Claims (23)

1. A weighting device for a writing implement, the device comprising a body portion adapted to be removably fitted to a top end region of the writing implement 5 remote from the lower end of the implement providing the writing facility, the device having a predetermined weight for weighting the writing implement to provide resistance to use of the implement and so apply physical exertion on the hand and wrist of the user during use of the implement.

2. A weighting device according to claim 1, wherein the body portion includes a 10 longitudinally extending passage for receiving the writing implement.

3. A weighting device according to claim 2, wherein the passageway is tapered for engagement of the writing implement with the device to substantially retain the device in position on the implement.

4. A weighting device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the passageway is a blind 15 passageway.

5. A weighting device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the body portion of the device comprises at least one metal weight providing ballast constituting at least predominantly the entire weight of the device.

6. A weighting device according to claim 5, wherein the longitudinally extending 20 passageway is formed through the metal weight.

7. A weighting device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the body portion has an outer coating of a plastics material.

8. A weighting device according to any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein the body portion is cylindrical. 25

9. A weighting device according to claim 1 wherein the body portion carries one or more weights for weighting the writing implement to provide the resistance resistance to use of the implement.

10. A weighting device according to claim 9, wherein the weight carrried by the device is located so as to be distributed about a longitudinal axis of the writing 30 implement when the device is fitted to the implement. -14

11. A weighting device according to claim 9 or 10, carrying a plurality of discrete said weights.

12. A weighting device according to claim 11, wherein the weights are distributed substantially evenly around the device. 5

13. A weighting device according to any one of claims 1 or 8 to 12, wherein the body of the device comprises a sleeve for reception of the top end region of the writing implement, the sleeve gripping of the implement when the implement is received in the sleeve.

14. A weighting device according to claim13, wherein the sleeve is in the form of a 10 wrap for being wrapped and fastened in position about the writing implement.

15. A weighting device according to claim 13 or 14 comprising fastening means for fastening the sleeve in position about the writing implement.

16. A weighting device according to any one of claims 13 to 15, wherein the sleeve is fabricated from stretchable or elastomeric fabric which grips the top end region of the 15 writing implement to retain the device in position on the implement.

17. A weighting device according to any one of claims 13 to 16, wherein the sleeve comprises one or more pockets in which the weight(s) are carried.

18. A weighting device according to claim 17, wherein the pocket is open for removing the weight or adding further weight to the weighting device. 20

19. A weighting device according to claim 17, wherein the pocket is closed against removal of the weight from the sleeve.

20. A weighting device according to any one of claims 17 to 19 having a plurality of said pockets, and a respective said weight is carried in each of the pockets.

21. A weighting device according to any one of claims 17 to 20, comprising one or 25 more empty pockets for receiving additional weight to further weight the device.

22. A weighting device as defined in any one of claims I to 21 in combination with the writing implement, the weighting device being fitted to the top end region of the writing implement.

23. A method for weighting a writing implement to provide resistance to use of the 30 implement and so apply physical exertion to the on the hand and wrist of the user during use of the implement, comprising the steps of providing a weighting device in -15 accordance with any one of claims 1 to 21, and fitting the weighting device to the top end region of the implement.