US502218A - Penman s rest - Google Patents

Description

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES H. ALLARD, OF QUINCY, ILLINOIS.

PEN MANS REST.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 502,218, dated July 25, 1893.

Application filed December 17, 1892. Serial No. 455,457. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES H. ALLARD, a citizen of the United States, residing at Quincy, in the county of Adams and State of Illinois, have invented new and useful Improvements in Penmens Rests, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to a class of devices usually known as hand-supports for use in learning and practicing penmanship.

It is the purpose of my said invention to provide a simple and inexpensive device, of extremely light weight, but possessing strength, durability and adjustability and capable of being attached and removed instantaneously and without appreciable effort, and of being retained in place, when the pen is temporarily laid aside, without materially interfering with ordinary manual functions.

It is a further purpose of my invention to provide a penmans hand-support, or restring, and finger-guard, both combined in a single device, the parts of which are formed from one and the same piece of metal.

It is my purpose finally, to provide a handsupport or ring-rest, having substantially circular form, its exterior being grooved, or concaved circumferentially, to receive and retain one of the fingers of the hand by which the pen is held, and to maintain the same in a properly distended position to support the pen-holder at such an angle to the face of the paper as to insure ease and rapidity in continuous, prolonged and rapid writing; the circular support being provided with an integral loop, or clasp, to receive the finger-end and cover the phalangeal joint, which would, otherwise, rest and slide upon the paper, the circular support being capable of a limited elastic compression, under pressure.

My invent-ion consists, to these ends, in the novel construction and in the new arrangement and combination of parts hereinafter fully set forth and then particularly pointed out and defined in the claims which follow this specification.

To enable others skilled in the art to make, construct and use my said invention, I will now proceed to describe the same in detail, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1, is a view in perspective, showing a device constructed in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2, is a view of the same in a different position, to show more fully the con- 5 5 struction and relative position of the parts. Fig. 3, is a view showing the manner of using the invention.

In the said drawings the reference numeral 1 indicates the circular, or substantially cir- 6o cular bod y-portion of the hand-support, which is preferably formed of a light plate, or strip of metal, of such width that, when provided with a shallow, concave, exterior face, the fourth, or, if preferred, the third finger of the hand may rest easily therein. The diameter of this portion is such that, when clasped by the finger, the latter will be maintained in an extended, partially flexed position, separated from the ball of the hand by such an inter 7o val that the writer will naturally hold the latter upright, with the pen-holder pointing over the right shoulder or nearly so.

I prefer to construct the body-portion l of metal having a suitable degree of elasticity, and to provide for a limited elastic or flexible compression, or yield, thereof, by forming a transverse out 2, at a suitable point, whereby the ends thus formed may over-lap, or pass each other, slightly, under the compression of the finger and hand, thereby rendering the device adjustable in size, or diameter, to accommodate hands of different size.

Upon one of the ends formed by the transverse division of the circular body-portion, I form a laterally extending piece, which is curved, or partly arched, over the said end of the circular portion 1, its free end being preferably rounded upon the edge and the lateral extension being so curved that said free 0 end over-hangs the edge opposite to that from which it springs. The inner face of this part is concaved, and the said part forms a clasp or loop 3, which will readily receive and retain the finger, which is usually inserted as far as the first joint, though it may, in exceptional cases, be caused to embrace and cover the second joint. In either position, it possesses sufficient elasticity to moderately compress the finger and thus be retainedin place. When the finger is flexed far enough to bring the circular support 1 closely against the ball of the hand, the exterior, convex surface of the clasp, or loop 3, which covers the joint,

will rest naturally and easily upon the paper,

and as it is capable of a high degree of polish,

which is maintained and constantly increased by use, the slidingmovement of the hand will 5 be very materially facilitated.

My invention provides a simple, cheap and convenient support for the hand, by which the natural and easy position thereof is maintained without fatigue, and by the use of a IO single finger, only. Moreover, the device is of such light weight thatthe writer who uses it is hardly conscious of its presence. Its manual engagement is maintained in all positions of the hand and fingers, with the use [5 of which it does not sensibly interfere, when the pen is temporarily laid aside, only a single finger being engaged by said device, under any circumstances.

The clasp, or loop 3, not only forms an effi 2o cient means of attachment, but it covers the joint of the finger, which would, otherwise, rest upon the paper, thereby protecting the said joint, avoiding the fatigue which is almost always felt after more or less of the weight of the hand has been long sustained by the fourth finger joint, or, by the ends of the third and fourth fingers. The sliding move ment of the hand, which is usually made with one, or more, of the parts referred to as a rest,

0 is performed by the aid of my invention with great ease, and celerity, and with increased certainty and accuracy, since the point of sliding contact is of such form and so highly polished by use, that variations in the press 5 ure exerted upon the surface of the paper will not so materially vary the ease of movement as when said movement is made by manual contact, only.

By constructing the device in a single, or

0 integral piece, the expense of manufacture is reduced, and the durability of the parts is increased, as there are no joints to work loose and become separated, nor is it necessary to solder, rivet, or otherwise attach the clasp, or

loop.

A very material advantage secured by my invention as compared with the spherical and other devices, heretofore in use, resides in the construction by which the rest-ring may be clasped by the little finger, only, of the hand holding the pen, thereby enabling the remaining fingers of said hand to be used, without meeting with the slightest interference. For example, in making loop-letters, a free and easy movement of the fingers holding the pen is essential and this movement is unavoidably obstructed and impaired when any object is held which requires the use of more than the little finger for its retention.

What I claim is- 1. A hand-support, or rest-ring for the use of a penman consisting of a substantially circular body-portion formed of a sheet, or strip, of metal, having a concave exterior face and provided with a lateral extension which is curved over and across the body-portion to form a clasp, or loop, for the finger, substantially as described.

2. Apenmans rest-ring, consisting of a substantially circular body-portion having a circu mferentially concave outer face and divided by a transverse cut, one of the ends being provided with a lateral extension which is curved over and across the same to form a clasp, or loop, for the finger, one end thereof being free or unattached, substantially as described.

3. Apenmans rest ring, consisting of a substantially circular strip of metal one end thereof being provided with an integral lateral extension bent to over-hang the end from which it springs to form a loop, or clasp, for the finger, substantially as described.

4. A penmans rest ring, consisting of a substantially circular plate, or strip of metal of suitable elasticity, the ends thereof being capable of passing each other under compres sion, the exterior face being concave and one end of said circular plate being provided with a lateral, integral, extension, bent to overhang the said end and provided with a concave and convex inner and outer surface, respectively, to form an elastic clasp for the finger, to cover and protect the joint thereof and to form, by its outer, or convex face, a sliding support for the same upon the paper, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

CHARLES H. ALLARD.

Witnesses:

CHAS. F. OLAPP, W. E. WHITE.

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