US20010001630A1 - Writing implement - Google Patents

Writing implement Download PDF

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Publication number
US20010001630A1
US20010001630A1 US09/428,081 US42808199A US2001001630A1 US 20010001630 A1 US20010001630 A1 US 20010001630A1 US 42808199 A US42808199 A US 42808199A US 2001001630 A1 US2001001630 A1 US 2001001630A1
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
grip
writing implement
finger
fit
fingers
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
US09/428,081
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US6315476B2 (en
Inventor
Satoshi Nakagawa
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Morito Co Ltd
Tripod Design Co Ltd
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Assigned to VDP ASSOCIATES, INC., MORITO CO., LTD. reassignment VDP ASSOCIATES, INC. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: NAKAGAWA, SATOSHI
Assigned to TRIPOD DESIGN CO., LTD reassignment TRIPOD DESIGN CO., LTD ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: VDP ASSOCIATCS, INC
Publication of US20010001630A1 publication Critical patent/US20010001630A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US6315476B2 publication Critical patent/US6315476B2/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B43—WRITING OR DRAWING IMPLEMENTS; BUREAU ACCESSORIES
    • B43K—IMPLEMENTS FOR WRITING OR DRAWING
    • B43K23/00—Holders or connectors for writing implements; Means for protecting the writing-points
    • B43K23/004—Holders specially adapted for assisting handicapped or disabled persons to write
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B43—WRITING OR DRAWING IMPLEMENTS; BUREAU ACCESSORIES
    • B43K—IMPLEMENTS FOR WRITING OR DRAWING
    • B43K21/00—Propelling pencils
    • B43K21/006—Pencil-barrels
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B43—WRITING OR DRAWING IMPLEMENTS; BUREAU ACCESSORIES
    • B43K—IMPLEMENTS FOR WRITING OR DRAWING
    • B43K5/00—Pens with ink reservoirs in holders, e.g. fountain-pens
    • B43K5/005—Pen barrels
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B43—WRITING OR DRAWING IMPLEMENTS; BUREAU ACCESSORIES
    • B43K—IMPLEMENTS FOR WRITING OR DRAWING
    • B43K7/00—Ball-point pens
    • B43K7/005—Pen barrels

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a writing implement such as a ballpoint pen, a mechanical pencil, and a fountain pen. More particularly, the present invention relates to a writing implement that is suitable to be used by those with handicap in their hand and/or finger(s).
  • Writing implements that are generally used are rodlike. These conventional writing implements are to be held by three fingers, or the thumb, the index finger, and the middle finger, when used. However, the conventional writing implement will move above through the root between the thumb and the index finger when the pen point is pushed to the paper surface when the implement is used by a user with a weak grip. Therefore, the conventional writing implement is extremely difficult to use for those with handicap in their hand and/or finger(s).
  • a writing implement which has a grip having a terminal end having a curved surface adapted to contact with the palm of a user, the grip being formed such that the grip is held with the fingers and the palm in such a way that the grip is wrapped by the hand, and a pen point extending from a front end of the grip with a given angle.
  • the grip can optionally have one or more concave contours adapted to fit the finger(s) of the user, wherein each concave contour can fit one or more fingers.
  • FIG. 1A shows a right side view of a writing implement of an embodiment of the present invention
  • FIG. 1B shows a left side view of the writing implement of FIG. 1A
  • FIG. 1C shows a front view of the writing implement of FIG. 1A
  • FIG. 1D shows a bottom view of the writing implement of FIG. 1A
  • FIG. 1E shows a plan view of the writing implement of FIG. 1A
  • FIG. 2 shows the writing implement of FIG. 1A as held in a hand
  • FIG. 3A shows a right side view of a writing implement of another embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 3B shows a left side view of the writing implement of FIG. 3A
  • FIG. 3C shows a front view of the writing implement of FIG. 3A
  • FIG. 3D shows a rear elevation of the writing implement of FIG. 3A
  • FIG. 3E shows a bottom view of the writing implement of FIG. 3A.
  • FIG. 3F shows a plan view of the writing implement of FIG. 3A.
  • the writing implement of this embodiment has a grip 11 having a curved surface formed such that the grip 11 is held with the fingers and the palm in such a way that the grip 11 is wrapped by the hand.
  • the grip 11 shows a pear-like shape in the plan view in FIG. 1E and the bottom view in FIG. 1D.
  • the grip 11 shows a comb-like shape in the side views in FIGS. 1A and 1B.
  • the grip 11 has an oval shape that extends in the direction from the front end 11 a to the terminal end 11 b wherein the grip 11 is formed such that the front end 11 a is narrower than the terminal end 11 b.
  • the terminal end 11 b of the grip 11 has a curved bulbous surface adapted to contact with the palm.
  • a pen point 12 extends out from a front end 11 a of the grip with a given angle.
  • the pen point 12 can be a pen point of, for example, a ballpoint pen, a mechanical pencil, and a fountain pen.
  • the grip 11 houses a member 13 to store, for example, ink (in the case of a ballpoint pen or a fountain pen) or leads (in the case of mechanical pencil) as indicated by a dashed line in FIG. 1A.
  • the implement When the writing implement described above is used, the implement is hold in such a way that the terminal end 11 b contacts with the palm, that the thumb and the index fingers pinches the front end 11 a or an area near it, and that the middle finger, the ring finger, and the little finger wraps the bottom side, as shown in FIG. 2.
  • the implement is supported by not only fingers but also the palm when used. Therefore, in order to make the implement handy for those with handicap in their hand and/or finger(s), the pen point 12 should form a certain angle with the grip 11 .
  • the writing implement described above is particularly suitable to be used by those with handicap in their hand and/or finger(s).
  • the term “handicap” refers to any kind of problem that spoils dexterity at conventional writing implement. Therefore, the handicap can be congenital or acquired and the acquired handicap can be temporal or permanent. For example, those who has an injury to their fingers or those who has a congenital defect in their fingers can be called “those with handicap in their hand and/or finger(s)”.
  • this implement can be used by those without one or more fingers because the implement is supported by not only fingers but also the palm. It will also be appreciated by those skilled in the art that this implement can be used by those children who do not yet have a strong grip enough to hold the conventional writing implement.
  • the grip 11 can optionally have one or more concave contours 14 adapted to fit the finger(s) of the user, wherein each concave contour can fit one or more fingers. This will allow the user to hold the implement even more firmly and stably.
  • FIGS. 1 A- 1 E show the grip 11 which has 4 concave contours, one adapted to fit the thumb. Another adapted to fit the index finger, a third adapted to fit the middle finger, and the other adapted to fit both of the ring finger and the little finger. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that depending upon the particular application, the numbers of concave contours and the numbers of fingers each concave contour is to fit can be decided.
  • the grip can have only two concave contours adapted to fit the thumb and the index finger, respectively, or the grip can have five concave contours adapted to fit all the five fingers, respectively.
  • the grip can be colored in different colors such that those who also have bad eyesight can hold the grip with ease. For example, as shown in FIGS. 3 A- 3 F, by coloring in one color a surface of the grip on which the finger will touch the grip when the implement is used and by coloring in a different color the rest of the surface, those with a weak grip as well as bad eyesight can hold the grip with ease.
  • the present Invention will accomplish the object to provide a writing implement that is suitable to be used by those with handicap in their hand and/or finger(s).

Abstract

A writing implement suitable to be used by those with handicap in their hands and/or finger(s) comprising a grip having a terminal end having a curved surface adapted to contact with the palm of a user, the grip being formed such that the grip is held with the fingers and the palm in such a way that the grip is wrapped by the hand; and a pen point extending from a front end of the grip with a given angle. The grip can optionally have one or more concave contours adapted to fit the finger(s) of the user, wherein each concave contour can fit one or more fingers.

Description

  • This application is based on Utility Model Application No. 10-008,548 (1998) filed Oct. 29, 1998 in Japan, the content of which is incorporated hereinto by reference. [0001]
    • BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
  • 1. Field of the Invention [0002]
  • The present invention relates to a writing implement such as a ballpoint pen, a mechanical pencil, and a fountain pen. More particularly, the present invention relates to a writing implement that is suitable to be used by those with handicap in their hand and/or finger(s). [0003]
  • 2. Description of the Related Art [0004]
  • Writing implements that are generally used are rodlike. These conventional writing implements are to be held by three fingers, or the thumb, the index finger, and the middle finger, when used. However, the conventional writing implement will move above through the root between the thumb and the index finger when the pen point is pushed to the paper surface when the implement is used by a user with a weak grip. Therefore, the conventional writing implement is extremely difficult to use for those with handicap in their hand and/or finger(s). [0005]
    • SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
  • It is an object of the present invention to provide a writing implement that is suitable to be used by those with handicap in their hand and/or finger(s). [0006]
  • The above object and others are accomplished by providing a writing implement which has a grip having a terminal end having a curved surface adapted to contact with the palm of a user, the grip being formed such that the grip is held with the fingers and the palm in such a way that the grip is wrapped by the hand, and a pen point extending from a front end of the grip with a given angle. The grip can optionally have one or more concave contours adapted to fit the finger(s) of the user, wherein each concave contour can fit one or more fingers. [0007]
    • BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
  • Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [0008]
  • FIG. 1A shows a right side view of a writing implement of an embodiment of the present invention; [0009]
  • FIG. 1B shows a left side view of the writing implement of FIG. 1A; [0010]
  • FIG. 1C shows a front view of the writing implement of FIG. 1A; [0011]
  • FIG. 1D shows a bottom view of the writing implement of FIG. 1A; [0012]
  • FIG. 1E shows a plan view of the writing implement of FIG. 1A; [0013]
  • FIG. 2 shows the writing implement of FIG. 1A as held in a hand; [0014]
  • FIG. 3A shows a right side view of a writing implement of another embodiment of the present invention; [0015]
  • FIG. 3B shows a left side view of the writing implement of FIG. 3A; [0016]
  • FIG. 3C shows a front view of the writing implement of FIG. 3A; [0017]
  • FIG. 3D shows a rear elevation of the writing implement of FIG. 3A; [0018]
  • FIG. 3E shows a bottom view of the writing implement of FIG. 3A; and [0019]
  • FIG. 3F shows a plan view of the writing implement of FIG. 3A. [0020]
    • DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
  • Referring now to FIGS. [0021] 1A-1E, the writing implement of this embodiment has a grip 11 having a curved surface formed such that the grip 11 is held with the fingers and the palm in such a way that the grip 11 is wrapped by the hand. The grip 11 shows a pear-like shape in the plan view in FIG. 1E and the bottom view in FIG. 1D. The grip 11 shows a comb-like shape in the side views in FIGS. 1A and 1B. The grip 11 has an oval shape that extends in the direction from the front end 11 a to the terminal end 11 b wherein the grip 11 is formed such that the front end 11 a is narrower than the terminal end 11 b.
  • The [0022] terminal end 11 b of the grip 11 has a curved bulbous surface adapted to contact with the palm. A pen point 12 extends out from a front end 11 a of the grip with a given angle. The pen point 12 can be a pen point of, for example, a ballpoint pen, a mechanical pencil, and a fountain pen. The grip 11 houses a member 13 to store, for example, ink (in the case of a ballpoint pen or a fountain pen) or leads (in the case of mechanical pencil) as indicated by a dashed line in FIG. 1A.
  • When the writing implement described above is used, the implement is hold in such a way that the [0023] terminal end 11 b contacts with the palm, that the thumb and the index fingers pinches the front end 11 a or an area near it, and that the middle finger, the ring finger, and the little finger wraps the bottom side, as shown in FIG. 2. The implement is supported by not only fingers but also the palm when used. Therefore, in order to make the implement handy for those with handicap in their hand and/or finger(s), the pen point 12 should form a certain angle with the grip 11.
  • The writing implement described above is particularly suitable to be used by those with handicap in their hand and/or finger(s). The term “handicap” refers to any kind of problem that spoils dexterity at conventional writing implement. Therefore, the handicap can be congenital or acquired and the acquired handicap can be temporal or permanent. For example, those who has an injury to their fingers or those who has a congenital defect in their fingers can be called “those with handicap in their hand and/or finger(s)”. [0024]
  • It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that this implement can be used by those without one or more fingers because the implement is supported by not only fingers but also the palm. It will also be appreciated by those skilled in the art that this implement can be used by those children who do not yet have a strong grip enough to hold the conventional writing implement. [0025]
  • The [0026] grip 11 can optionally have one or more concave contours 14 adapted to fit the finger(s) of the user, wherein each concave contour can fit one or more fingers. This will allow the user to hold the implement even more firmly and stably. FIGS. 1A-1E show the grip 11 which has 4 concave contours, one adapted to fit the thumb. another adapted to fit the index finger, a third adapted to fit the middle finger, and the other adapted to fit both of the ring finger and the little finger. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that depending upon the particular application, the numbers of concave contours and the numbers of fingers each concave contour is to fit can be decided. For example, the grip can have only two concave contours adapted to fit the thumb and the index finger, respectively, or the grip can have five concave contours adapted to fit all the five fingers, respectively.
  • The grip can be colored in different colors such that those who also have bad eyesight can hold the grip with ease. For example, as shown in FIGS. [0027] 3A-3F, by coloring in one color a surface of the grip on which the finger will touch the grip when the implement is used and by coloring in a different color the rest of the surface, those with a weak grip as well as bad eyesight can hold the grip with ease.
  • Thus, the present Invention will accomplish the object to provide a writing implement that is suitable to be used by those with handicap in their hand and/or finger(s). [0028]
  • The terms and expressions which have been employed are used as terms and expressions of description and not of limitation, and there is no intention in the use of such terms and expressions of excluding any equivalent of the features shown and described, but it is recognized that various modifications are possible within the scope of the appended claims. [0029]

Claims (6)

What is claimed is:
1. A writing implement, comprising:
(a) a grip having a terminal end having a curved surface adapted to contact with the palm of a user, the grip being formed such that the grip is held with the fingers and the palm of the user in such a way that the grip is wrapped by the hand; and
(b) a pen point extending out from a front end of the grip with a given angle.
2. The writing implement as claimed in
claim 1
, wherein the grip comprises one or more concave contours adapted to fit one or more fingers of the user, each concave contour being capable of fitting one or more fingers.
3. The writing implement as claimed in
claim 1
, wherein the grip comprises five concave contours adapted to fit the five fingers, respectively.
4. The writing implement as claimed in
claim 1
, wherein the grip comprises three concave contours adapted to fit the middle finger, the ring finger, and the little finger, respectively.
5. The writing implement as claimed in
claim 1
, wherein the grip comprises a concave contour adapted to fit the middle finger and a concave contour adapted to fit both of the ring finger and the little finger.
6. The writing implement as claimed in
claim 1
, wherein the grip comprises at least one concave contour adapted to fit at least one of the middle finger, the ring finger and the little finger.
US09/428,081 1998-10-29 1999-10-27 Writing implement Expired - Fee Related US6315476B2 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP1998008548U JP3058776U (en) 1998-10-29 1998-10-29 Writing implement
JP10-008548 1998-10-29

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20010001630A1 true US20010001630A1 (en) 2001-05-24
US6315476B2 US6315476B2 (en) 2001-11-13

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US09/428,081 Expired - Fee Related US6315476B2 (en) 1998-10-29 1999-10-27 Writing implement

Country Status (2)

Country Link
US (1) US6315476B2 (en)
JP (1) JP3058776U (en)

Cited By (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20030074766A1 (en) * 2001-10-24 2003-04-24 Tillim Stephen L. Handle/grip and method for designing the like
US20040078935A1 (en) * 2001-10-24 2004-04-29 Tillim Stephen L. Handle and forceps/tweezers and method and apparatus for designing the like
US20040088827A1 (en) * 2001-10-24 2004-05-13 Tillim Stephen L. Parallel handle system and method for designing a parallel handle system
US20040199205A1 (en) * 2002-10-24 2004-10-07 Tillim Stephen L. Handle for forceps/tweezers and method and apparatus for designing the like
US20060137144A1 (en) * 2001-10-24 2006-06-29 Tillim Stephen L Handle/grip and method for designing the like
US20080295255A1 (en) * 2007-05-30 2008-12-04 Whitehead Edward O Tool holder
USD667054S1 (en) 2011-05-18 2012-09-11 Dyer Edward P Ergonomic writing instrument
USD890845S1 (en) * 2019-02-27 2020-07-21 Tao Chen Training grip
US11331784B2 (en) 2020-05-08 2022-05-17 Edward P. Dyer Ergonomic hand-held instrument
USD1020882S1 (en) 2020-05-08 2024-04-02 Edward P. Dyer Ergonomic hand-held utility instrument with base system

Families Citing this family (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
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US6761725B1 (en) * 1999-09-08 2004-07-13 Jeffrey Grayzel Percutaneous entry system and method
US7484903B2 (en) * 2004-08-17 2009-02-03 Komorowski Ronald A Stylus holder
US7862338B2 (en) * 2005-11-30 2011-01-04 Barbara Lee Da Boll Tripod grip training device
US8745825B2 (en) * 2008-07-10 2014-06-10 Scalpal Llc Gripping sleeve device for precision instruments
IL192739A (en) * 2008-07-10 2015-07-30 Scalpal Llc Handle for surgical and dental tools
GB201201687D0 (en) * 2012-02-01 2012-03-14 Pierce Jai D Gripping device and method of use thereof
US9073200B2 (en) 2012-02-29 2015-07-07 Tech Stape and Nail, Inc. Pliant removeable airbrush grip
USD768240S1 (en) * 2015-04-01 2016-10-04 Jae Kim Grip for a writing implement
USD767718S1 (en) 2015-06-17 2016-09-27 George Robert Lampman Airbrush grip

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US3338217A (en) 1965-09-27 1967-08-29 Bede J Harrison Hand writing implement
GB1340389A (en) 1972-05-19 1973-12-12 Fairbairn G Handle
DE3009179A1 (en) 1980-03-11 1981-09-24 Brown, Boveri & Cie Ag, 6800 Mannheim METHOD AND DEVICE FOR GENERATING THE REPLY SIGNAL OF A DEVICE FOR AUTOMATICALLY IDENTIFYING OBJECTS AND / OR LIVING BEINGS
JPH0422289A (en) 1990-05-17 1992-01-27 Anritsu Corp Radio controlling device
US5626430A (en) 1991-02-07 1997-05-06 Bistrack; Carl Adaptable pressuring writing instrument holder
WO1994000305A1 (en) 1992-06-30 1994-01-06 Rubin Burton S Ergonomic hand-held implement
US5785443A (en) 1993-04-20 1998-07-28 Evo Pen Inc. Ergonomic snap-fit cartridge pen
USD359508S (en) * 1994-02-02 1995-06-20 Debbas Charles G Ergonomic pen

Cited By (14)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20100011541A1 (en) * 2001-10-24 2010-01-21 Tillim Stephen L Handle and forceps/tweezers and method and apparatus for designing the like
US20060123651A1 (en) * 2001-10-24 2006-06-15 Tillim Stephen L Parallel handle system and method for designing a parallel handle system
US20040088827A1 (en) * 2001-10-24 2004-05-13 Tillim Stephen L. Parallel handle system and method for designing a parallel handle system
US20030074766A1 (en) * 2001-10-24 2003-04-24 Tillim Stephen L. Handle/grip and method for designing the like
US20050267519A1 (en) * 2001-10-24 2005-12-01 Tillim Stephen L Handle for forceps/tweezers and method and apparatus for designing the like
US20050278897A1 (en) * 2001-10-24 2005-12-22 Tillim Stephen L Handle/grip and method for designing the like
US20040078935A1 (en) * 2001-10-24 2004-04-29 Tillim Stephen L. Handle and forceps/tweezers and method and apparatus for designing the like
US20060137144A1 (en) * 2001-10-24 2006-06-29 Tillim Stephen L Handle/grip and method for designing the like
US20040199205A1 (en) * 2002-10-24 2004-10-07 Tillim Stephen L. Handle for forceps/tweezers and method and apparatus for designing the like
US20080295255A1 (en) * 2007-05-30 2008-12-04 Whitehead Edward O Tool holder
USD667054S1 (en) 2011-05-18 2012-09-11 Dyer Edward P Ergonomic writing instrument
USD890845S1 (en) * 2019-02-27 2020-07-21 Tao Chen Training grip
US11331784B2 (en) 2020-05-08 2022-05-17 Edward P. Dyer Ergonomic hand-held instrument
USD1020882S1 (en) 2020-05-08 2024-04-02 Edward P. Dyer Ergonomic hand-held utility instrument with base system

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JP3058776U (en) 1999-06-22
US6315476B2 (en) 2001-11-13

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