WO2005056307A2

WO2005056307A2 - Universal mini penholder

Info

Publication number: WO2005056307A2
Application number: PCT/US2004/040100
Authority: WO
Inventors: Harish Samarasinghe; Sara Samarasinghe; Samantha Samarasinghe; Chintha Samarasinghe
Original assignee: Harish Samarasinghe; Sara Samarasinghe; Samantha Samarasinghe; Chintha Samarasinghe
Priority date: 2003-12-03
Filing date: 2004-12-01
Publication date: 2005-06-23
Also published as: WO2005056307A3

Abstract

A universal standalone mini penholder (diminutive compared to the writing instrument), comprising a cavity adapted to receiving a writing instrument and securely holding the instrument. The three penholder designs are characterized by universal application in that the mounting mechanism allows the penholder to be attached to any surface. The present invention offers three designs for securing the writing instrument: a semi cylindrical cavity in Fig. 1, running the length of the apparatus, a cone shaped cavity in Fig. 2, running the length of the apparatus and progressively narrowing from top to bottom and a cylindrical cavity in Fig. 3, running from the to to near the bottom of the apparatus. The mini penholder can be mounted to an automobile dashboard, computer monitor, telephone, or other object. The mounting mechanism can provide appropriate strength to support a variety writing instruments.

Description

TITLE: UNIVERSAL MINI PENHOLDER

CROSS-REFERNCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS: Not Applicable.

FEDERALLY SPONSERED RESEARCH: Not Applicable.

SEQUENCE LISTING: Not Applicable.

FIELD OF INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates generally to a penholder, more specifically to such penholders that can be mounted practically anywhere.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] There are many times when a person in his daily activities requires immediate and easy access to a pen or pencil. For example, when a passenger in the car wants to make note of something, it is inconvenient to sort and hunt through the car's glove box, a briefcase, or pocket book. A device to hold a pen that can be attached to the car's dashboard or other convenient location would facilitate passengers' in the car note taking. Other examples of the need for immediate and easy access to a pen would be at the home or office while working on the computer or talking on the telephone. In either instance, where the person requiring a writing apparatus is located next to a device such as a computer or telephone, the usefulness becomes apparent for a device that provides immediate and easy access to a pen. [0003] The prior art for pens, or other writing instruments, does not incorporate a means for attaching the pen to any convenient surface. Existing pens generally only have a clip, either incorporated as part of the pen's cap or as part of the body of the pen. While this clip is suitable for attaching the pen to a shirt pocket, a pad of paper, or clipboard, this technology is limited in application. The design does not allow the pen to be attached next to a computer, telephone, or even a dashboard. Existing pencils, other than some mechanical pencils, also do not have any means for attaching the pencil in a convenient location; pencils require use of some holder, which often turns out to be a cup or empty can.-

DISTINGUISHED PRIOR ART

[0004] Various patents have proposed different methods of securing a writing instrument. But, the prior art of penholders also reveals limitations. U.S. Pat. No D451,962 discloses a penholder designed for freestanding desktop placement. U.S. Pat. No.D446,548 discloses a penholder specifically for use on a cellular phone. U.S. Pat No. 442,638 discloses a penholder mountable using hook and loop fasteners; and No. 441, 021 discloses a similar design, mountable using magnetic materials. U.S. Pat. No. 5,484,066 discloses a mountable object holder attached by adhesive to an automobile dashboard with a unitary single plastic molded structure having a forwardly-extending spaced-apart clip structure. U.S. Pat. No. D 419,192 discloses a magnetic memo clip and penholder, which attaches to a ferrous surface. Other examples of penholders mountable on a dashboard, clothing, and wrist are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. D354,988, 5,140,723, and D267,555, respectively. Thus, much of the prior art has focussed on methods of placing and securing a penholder for specific uses, activities, or environments.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0005] In its most generic sense, this invention as described below embodies a plurality of critical elements and parameters. The support is adaptable for use with any one of pens and/or pencils, and the like. A principal intended place of use of the present invention being mounting onto the face of a car or truck dashboard, computer monitor, telephone, TV, refrigerator, or any practical clean surface.

[0006] The disadvantages of the prior art are overcome by the present invention. The present invention allows any writing instrument to be secured in a penholder that may be fastened in any convenient, and readily accessed, location. The design of the present invention allows for nearly universal application - holding pens on dashboards, computer monitors or work areas, telephone areas, or television areas to name a few.

[0007] The present invention is a universal, self-adhesive, mini penholder that can be mounted on almost any object to secure a pen or other writing instrument in a convenient location. The invention can be described as universal because its self-adhesive backing allows for it to be mounted in numerous locations and on numerous surfaces. In addition, the invention's mechanism for holding or securing the writing instrument permits a wide range of pen diameters to be held by means of a flexible plastic material.

[0008] The invention is described as self-adhesive because the sides of the invention are coated with adhesive material that allows the penholder to be mounted on numerous surfaces such as plastic, metal, wood, or glass.

[0009] The invention is described as mini because the overall dimensions of the penholder are significantly smaller than the pen or pencil itself, or other penholders described in the prior art.

[0010] The universal, self-adhesive, mini penholder allows a person to secure a pen practically any place that is convenient and easily accessed to write the information when desired. The universal, self-adhesive, mini penholder makes placing a pen almost anywhere a breeze, and finding the pen a snap whenever one is needed. It's a simple way to secure a pen. The universal, self-adhesive, mini penholders work with any reasonable-weight pen.

[0011] The invention can be manufactured in various sizes in order to support different sized writing instruments. Similarly, the invention can be manufactured in various colors or embossed with various logos to meet and satisfy the needs of different users. There are three types of universal, self-adhesive, mini penholders disclosed in this invention. The three types of penholders are Type- A, Type-B, and Type-C.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING [0012] The invention and the various features thereof can be more fully understood from the detailed description when read together with the accompanying drawings in which: FIG. 1 is an exemplary high-level schematic diagram of Type-A: Universal mini penholder according to the present invention; FIG. 2 is an exemplary high-level schematic diagram of Type-B: Universal mini penholder according to the present invention; and FIG. 3 is an exemplary high-level schematic diagram of Type-C: Universal mini penholder according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0013] lc in Fig. 1-c shows one embodiment, Type-A, of the present invention, a standalone and independent, diminutively sized penholder with respect to the writing instrument, 5a in Fig. 1-c. The present invention as embodied in Type A is capable of holding a single writing instrument and is comprised of a single layer with a semi-cylindrical cavity, 2 in Fig. 1-a, running the length of the penholder, la in Fig. 1-a shows the magnified size of the Type-A penholder, lb in Fig. 1-b shows the near actual size of the Type-A penholder. The penholder is independent of the writing instrument and may hold, by means of flexible plastic, a variety of writing instruments made by a variety of manufacturers.

[0014] The constant-sized cavity of Type-A penholder secures a writing instrument by applying pressure from the walls 3a and 3b in Fig. 1-a on the barrel of a writing instrument. This allows the penholder to secure a writing instrument at any position on the writing instrument - near the writing point of a writing instrument, toward the opposite end the writing point, or in a location between these two points as illustrated in 6 in Fig. 1-c and 7 in Fig. 1-d. This mechanism allows the Type-A penholder to be mounted at any angle on a surface horizontally, vertically, or somewhere in between. In addition, this mechanism allows the Type-A penholder to be mounted on the topside of a surface or on the underside of a surface. The adhesive strip is applied on the back 1 in Fig. 1-a of the Type-A penholder to mount the penholder.

[0015] lc in Fig. 2-c shows one embodiment, Type-B, of the present invention, a standalone and independent, diminutively sized penholder with respect to the writing instrument, 5 in Fig. 2-c. la in Fig. 2-a shows the magnified size of the Type-B penholder. lb in Fig.2-b shows the near actual size of the Type-B penholder. The penholder is independent of the writing instrument and may hold a variety of writing instruments made by a variety of manufacturers.

[0016] The present invention is comprised of a single layer cone-shaped cavity, 3 in Fig. 2-a, with a larger opening on the top of the holder, 2 in Fig. 2-a, and gradually narrowing to the bottom of the holder, 4a in Fig. 2-a. The Type-B penholder is capable of holding a single writing instrument made by any manufacturer. Type-B penholder secures the writing instrument by compression. The cone-shaped cavity narrows to a diameter smaller at the bottom, 4b in Fig. 2-c, than the barrel of any writing instrument, 5 in Fig. 2-c, holding the writing instrument in place. An adhesive strip can be applied on any side of the Type-B penholder to mount the penholder.

[0017] la in Fig. 3-a shows one embodiment, Type-C, of the present invention, a standalone and independent, diminutively sized penholder with respect to the writing instrument, 6 in Fig. 3-c. la in Fig. 3-a shows the magnified size of the Type-C penholder. lb in Fig.3-b shows the near actual size of the Type-C penholder. The penholder is independent of the writing instrument and may hold a variety of writing instruments made by a variety of manufacturers.

[0018] The present invention holds a single writing instrument and is comprised of a single layer cylindrical shaped cavity, 3 in Fig. 3-a, with a opening on top of the holder, 2 in Fig. 3-a, that extends nearly the length of the penholder, but without going all the way through to the opposite end. In other words, the cavity runs from the top, 2 in Fig. 3-a, all the way to 1/8* from the bottom of the penholder, 4 in Fig.3-a. The cavity in the Type-C penholder provides a solid bottom, 5 in Fig. 3-a, for a writing instrument to rest on and thereby hold a writing instrument in place. An adhesive strip can be applied on any side of the Type-C penholder to mount the penholder.

[0019] Any of these types mini penholders can be made without the self-adhesive back, and instead attached with double-sided adhesive tape, which can even be packaged with the penholder.

[0020] Any of these types of universal, self-adhesive, mini penholders may be mounted on any suitable surface. For example, the user may mount a universal, self- adhesive, mini penholder to a car dashboard, the side of a computer monitor (flat panel LCD or CRT), a telephone, a refrigerator, a television, or numerous other locations where a writing instrument needs to be conveniently located. A universal, self-adhesive, mini penholder works with nearly any size or type of writing instrument. However, any one of these three penholder types may be customized to support uniquely sized writing instruments (e.g. very small or very large).

[0021] Having thus described three-different illustrative embodiments of the invention, various alterations, modifications and improvements will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Such alterations, modifications and improvements are intended to be within the scope and spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the foregoing description is by way of example only and is not intended as limiting. The invention's limit is defined only in the following claims and the equivalents thereto.

Claims

What the invention claimed is:

1. A standalone, diminutive penholder, such that the overall size of the penholder is very small relative to a writing instrument, comprised of a cavity adapted to receive and securely hold a writing instrument and is mountable on a wide variety of surfaces.

2. The penholder of claim 1 where the cavity is semi-cylindrical and runs the length of the penholder, and the walls of the cavity apply pressure to secure a writing instrument.

3. The penholder of claim 1 where the cavity is cone shaped and runs the length of the penholder and progressively narrows from top to bottom in order to secure a writing instrument in place.

4. The penholder of claim 1 where the cavity runs from the top all the way to l/8^th from the bottom of the penholder, and thereby, provides a solid bottom for a writing instrument to rest and hold in place.

5. The penholder of claim 1 where the penholder is mounted with the use of double-sided adhesive tape.

6. The penholder of claim 1 where the penholder is capable of accepting and securing different sized writing instruments.

7. The penholder of claim 2 where the penholder can be mounted at any angle on a surface horizontally, vertically, or any angle in between.

8. The penholder of claim 2 where the penholder can be mounted on the topside of a surface or on the underside of a surface.

9. The penholder of claim 1 can be manufactured in various colors and/or embossed with various logos.