GB2366249A

GB2366249A - Writing instrument grip aid

Info

Publication number: GB2366249A
Application number: GB0023398A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Graham Harvey
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-09-01
Filing date: 2000-09-25
Publication date: 2002-03-06
Also published as: GB0023398D0; GB0021377D0

Abstract

An aid for gripping a pen, pencil, marker or paint brush, comprises a space or void G offset from the axis or barrel of the writing instrument for receiving the thumb of the user. The aid may be a strap J (Fig 3) of elastic material attachable to the writing instrument by means of slits (H, Fig 4) and Velcro (RTM) pads (K,L, Fig 4). Alternative strap attachments (Fig 5) include an aperture H2 and a loop H3 on the barrel. The aid may be integral with the writing instrument (Figs 7 and 9).

Description

<Desc/Clms Page number 1> Writing Instrument Grip Aid The invention relates to a Writing Instrument Grip Aid Pens, Pencils, Propelling Pencils, Markers, and paintbrushes are some examples of common writing instruments. To be utilised properly the user is usually required to hold the writing instrument with the hand, typically, but not necessarily, using the tripod grip. The tripod grip requires that the thumb and forefinger apply a constant pressure to the barrel of the writing instrument. These forces are shown by arrows A, B, C, and D in drawing 1 and 2, both of which illustrate the tripod grip. Other grips not named here similarly require that one or more of the digits apply a constant pressure to the barrel of the writing instrument. There are two major problems associated with this requirement.

1. The fact that most writing instruments are narrow means that the holding digits need to be in close proximity. It is this proximity which puts excess strain on the tendons and muscles in the arm and hand. Writer's cramp is the acute symptom of this tendon strain; R.S.t. is the chronic and sometimes permanent result.

2. If the user has difficulty applying pressure as required, they are unable to use the writing instrument. Typically in these situations the user will find it too painful to hold the writing instrument or will simply have insufficient strength to do so. In severe cases the loss of digits makes the use of writing instruments extremely difficult.

These situations occur for a number of reasons including arthritis, sporting injury, Parkinson's disease, stroke or mental illness.

The Writing Instrument Grip Aid provides a means by which the writing instrument can be temporarily secured to one of the digits, in this case the thumb (see drawing 3 which shows one specific embodiment of the Writing Instniment Grip Aid). The user is no longer required to apply such a high magnitude of force to the barrel of the writing instrument in order to utilise it property since the Writing lnstnrment Grip Aid will supply a supplementary holding force similar to that shown by the arrow X in drawing 3.

This has two advantages, which relate to the two problems highlighted above.

1. Since using the writing instrument with the Writing instrument Grip Aid decreases the demands put on the muscles associated with writing, the long-term writing instrument user is less likely to suffer with writers cramp.

2 The user that. has reduced capability to grip a writing instrument is once again given the opportunity to use a writing instrument. The Writing instrument Grip Aid will provide the holding force that is lacking due to the users impairment.

A Writing Instrument Grip Aid provides a void suitably offset from and adjacent to the barrel of the writing instrument, the void suitable to securely accommodate a digit of the user such that the writing instrument is held securely against the digit that has been placed within the void.

One specific Embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to drawings 3 and 4.

Drawing 3 shows in perspective the Writing Instrument Grip Aid being used to secure the writing instrument to the thumb prior to the user forming the tripod grip.The tripod grip is shown in drawing 1 and 2.

Drawing 4 four shows a plan of the Writing Instrument Grip Aid prior to fitting to the writing instrument.

The Writing Instrument Grip Aid could be manufactured using any flexible, elastic material. Manufactured as a separate item as illustrated in drawings 3 and 4, the Writing Instrument Grip Aid can be used to modify any writing instrument. For example, the user may wish to modify a pen that they are particularly fond of but finds difficult to use, H shows two cuts that will penetrate through the material of the Writing Instrument Grip Aid. These cuts allow the Writing Instrument Grip Aid to be "threaded" onto the barrel of the writing .instrument. This end of the Writing Instrument Grip Aid will then sit in a position E along the barrel of the writing instrument.

The body or neck of the Writing Instrument Grip Aid, J will then wrap over the digit, in this case the thumb. The body or neck of the Writing Instrument Grip Aid, J, is necessary because it's length provides room for the digit in position G. The void or region G is offset from and adjacent to the barrel of the writing instrument. The elastic nature of the material used to manufacture the Writing Instrument Grip Aid will ensure that the digit is held securely against the barrel of the writing instrument i.e. the Writing Instrument Grip Aid provides the supplementary holding force X as shown in drawing 3.

The other end or tail of the Writing # str1rment Grip Aid is secured to the barrel of the writing instrument by utilising the two Velcr pads, K and L. The end or tail of the Writing Instrument Grip Aid is wrapped around the barre of the writing instrument so that it sits in position F. The Velcro pad L will be in a position such that it can be secured to the Velcro pad K. The end or tail of the Writing Instrument Grip Aid is therefore effectively secured onto itself. This ensures that it grips the barrel of the writing instrument securely.

A second specific Embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to drawings 5 and 6.

Drawing 5 shows in perspective the Writing Instrument Grip Aid being used to secure the writing instrument to the thumb prior to the user forming the tripod grip. The tripod grip is shown in drawing 1 and 2.

Drawing 6 shows a plan of the Writing Instrument Grip Aid prior to fitting to the writing instrument.

In this case the Writing Instrument Grip Aid is a semi-permanent modification. The Writing Instrument Grip Aid could be manufactured using any flexible, elastic material.

H2 shows a hole that will penetrate through the material of the Writing Instrument Grip Aid. This hole allows the Writing Instrument Grip Aid to be "threaded" onto the barrel of the writing instrument. This end of the Writing Instrument Grip Aid will then sit in a position E along the barrel of the writing instrument.

The other end or tail of the Writing Instrument Grip Aid is secured to the barrel of the writing instrument via a suitable belt hoop-like fixing H3 which is a permanent modification to the barrel of the writing instrument. The end or tail of the Writing Instrument Grip Aid is threaded through H2 so that it sits in position F as shown. This ensures that it grips the barrel of the writing instrument securely.

A third specific Embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to drawing . 7.

Drawing 7 shows in perspective the Writing Instrument Grip Aid.

Here the same principle is achieved as in the previous two specific embodiments, but the Writing Instrument Grip Aid is now an integral part of the Writing Instrument. In this case the Writing Instrument is a pen. The Writing Instrument Grip Aid is no longer a transferable modification.

The part K is suitably formed of a flexible and elastic material. The material in this specific example would need to be capable of being processed in a suitable manner in order to manufacture the required article during manufacture of the writing instrument.

The part K provides a region, G, in a similar manner to the previous specific embodiment. Again the void or region G is offset and adjacent to the barrel of the writing instrument. The void again will provide room for the digit to be placed such that the Writing Instrument Grip Aid can provide the desired effect. The elastic nature of the material used to manufacture the Writing Instrument Grip Aid will ensure that the digit is held securely against the barrel of the writing instrument i.e. the Writing Instrument Grip Aid provides the supplementary holding force X as shown in drawing 3.

A fourth specific Embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to drawings 8 and 9.

Drawing 8 shows in perspective the Writing Instrument Grip Aid.

Drawing 9 shows in perspective the Writing Instrument Grip Aid being used to secure the writing instrument to the thumb prior to the user forming the tripod grip. The tripod grip is shown in drawing 1 and 2.

Here the same principle is achieved as in the previous three specific embodiments. The Writing Instrument Grip Aid could be either an integral part or temporary modification of the Writing Instrument. In this case the Writing Instrument is a pen.

The part L is formed of a flexible and elastic material. The material in this specific example would need to be capable of being processed in a suitable manner in order to manufacture the required article.

The part L provides a region, G, in a similar manner to the previous spec embodiment. Again the void or region G is offset and adjacent to the barrel of the writing instrument. The void again will provide room for the digit to be placed such that the Writing Instrument Grip Aid can provide the desired effect. The elastic nature of the material used to manufacture the Writing Instrument Grip Aid will ensure that the digit is held securely against the barrel of the writing instrument i.e. the Writing Instrument Grip Aid provides the supplementary holding force X as shown in drawing 3.

The elastic property of the material used to manufacture the part L will also ensure that the Writing Instrument Grip Aid slides tightly onto the barrel of the Writing instrument.

A fifth specific Embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to drawing 10.

Drawing 10 shows in perspective the Writing Instrument Grip Aid in use.

Here the same principle is achieved as in the previous four speck embodiments but the Writing Instrument Grip Aid is now a separate moulded part which is slid over the barrel of the Writing Instrument. In this case the Writing Instrument is a brush. The Writing Instrument Grip Aid is a transferable modification.

The part M is formed of a flexible and elastic material. The material in this specific example would need to be capable of being processed in a suitable manner in order to manufacture the required article.

The part M provides a region, G, in a similar manner to the previous specific embodiment. Again the void or region G is offset and adjacent to the barrel of the writing instrument. The void again will provide room for the digit to be placed such that the Writing Instrument Grip Aid can provide the desired effect. The elastic nature of the material used to manufacture the Writing Instrument Grip Aid will ensure that the digit is held securely against the barrel of the writing instrument i.e. the Writing Instrument Grip Aid provides the supplementary holding force X as shown in drawing 3.

The elastic property of the material used to manufacture the part M will also ensure that the Writing Instrument Grip Aid slides tightly onto the barrel of the Writing instrument.

Claims

Claims 1. A Writing Instrument Grip Aid provides a void suitably offset from and adjacent to the barrel of the writing instrument, the void suitable to securely accommodate a digit of the user such that the writing instrument is held securely against the digit that has been placed within the void.