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Application for Patent


September 14, 2002

PenGrip Device

Abstract
A device that grips the pen formed of vinyl coated steel wire with a stretchable nylon strap which easily contours to the shape of the hand. The PenGrip has a four intersecting ninety-degree bends for which the thumb goes. The wire bends terminate at the other end through which a small pencil size loop is present, which can be adjusted to fit any writing pen or pencil. The stretchable nylon fabric band is secured at the top and bottom of the square loop with staples. A strap sized double bar metal buckle adjusts the fabric band to a comfortable, sung fit around the hand. This secures the pen on the hand, even in the harshest and most unusual conditions. It will remain secure in an environment free of gravity, parachuting, or in an office environment, thus leaving the hand free to grip objects or perform other needed activities. The PenGrip is portable, lightweight, comfortable and durable. It takes very little space, making it an excellent traveling companion.

Inventors:
Rauvers, Scott (710 S. Broadway Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90014. # 520)

Claims:

I claim:

1. A Pen Gripping device formed of vinyl clad coated steel wire that is flexible enough to allow easy writing movement and allows easy adjustment of the height of the pen, comprising of a square shaped bend in the southern extremity for placing the thumb into and a pen sized loop at the southern tip for inserting a pen.
a stretchable nylon fabric which is joined at the top and bottom portions of the square bend, thus comprising a strap/band that wraps securely around the hand. This band loops through a double bar metal buckle and is secured at both ends by staples.
a double bar metal buckle which sits on the top of the square wire bend used for adjusting the strap to the required thickness of the hand. .
said square loop of sizable dimensions to enable thumb to fit through thus supporting the PenGrip.

whereby the PenGrip lets the pen move more freely when in place, and

whereby the PenGrip steel coated wire sits vertically serving as a holder for the pen, and

whereby the PenGrip gives the fingers freedom of movement, while secured to the hand, and

whereby the PenGrip reduces or eliminates writer's cramp, soreness or fatigue, resulting from excessive writing with a pen., and

whereby reduced fatigue and soreness results in greater productivity and quality of life and,

whereby easy access to a pen in trying or life threatening situations results in greater safety and control of any given task.

2. The PenGrip as defined in claim 1 where the flexible elongated material is comprised of vinyl coated steel wire.

3. The PenGrip defined in claim 1 where the flexible elongated outer material is comprised of plastic.

4. The PenGrip defined in claim 1 where the strap is comprised of stretchable nylon.

5. The PenGrip defined in claim 1 where the double bar buckle is comprised of metal and the double metallic bars allow freedom of movement.
Description

BACKGROUND--FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention is a device capable of holding the pen for you without needing any support from the fingers at any time.

BACKGROUND--DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART

Various pen gripping instruments have been invented for reducing wrist fatigue or holding a pen in the hand. Many of these devices fail to meet the need of keeping the pen secured without support from the fingers. They are hard to hold, not sizable to the hand and are very costly to produce.

Devices for securing a pen to the hand can be applied in a number of special situations. Writing for long periods holding a pen in the hand results in soreness, cramps and writers fatigue. Individuals talking for long periods on the telephone or in a dangerous or high activity situation would always have to use their fingers to support the pen. This can result in lost time, injury and generate other numerous difficulties.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A PenGrip formed of bent wire or other flexible elongated material that rebounds readily to its formed shape and resists breaking; having a square shaped bend intersecting at 90 degree angles and a U shaped loop at the next bend and terminating with a smaller loop for adjustment of the pen.

The PenGrip holds the pen in the hand without any support needed by the fingers. Due to it's flexible strap, the pen can be placed outside of the hand or left inside the hand which gives makes it possible to have a pen in the hand while driving, drinking, skydiving, in a zero gravity environment, or any other ongoing activity. It can be used for packaging situations where the pen and hand are used at the same time. It is small enough to fit in a pocket or the glove box of a car, making transport of this device simple and easy.
The PenGrip takes the pressure off the wrist when writing, thus reducing or eliminating writer's cramp or wrist soreness from writing.
The true strength in the PenGrip lies in its ability to support the pen for you. Thus leaving your hand totally free to accomplish tasks and carry out procedures.
This invention carries similar attributes of other great inventions, such as the safety pen, coat hanger and paper clip. These items cost very little to produce, however their impact on society was measurable in terms of saving time and improving the quality of life for millions.
My innovative invention is therefore an asset to the human race, and will be readily accepted due to its simplicity and need.


OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES

My PenGrip has the advantages of:

(a) supporting a pen without the use of fingers;

(b) being capable of instant retrieval in intensive physical situations;

(c) being capable of being slipped easily on and off of the hand;

(d) allowing the elimination or reduction of the condition known as writer's cramp;

(e) being of small enough design, allowing it to be carried in a pocket;

(f) rugged and comprised of no moving parts, thus capable of remaining trouble free for many years;

(g) capable of being universally adaptable to fit any size hand;

(h) fitting all finger sizes;

(I) fitting male and female hand sizes;

(j) being capable of production in different colors;

(l) having a long-lasting construction of wire or other material that is not easily broken;

(m) being light weight;

(n) being easy to use;

(o) being used while standing or sitting as when riding mass transit;

(p) and of freeing the user from holding the pen in the hand, thus reducing strain on the wrist, which is especially good for people writing for extended periods of time or people suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome, repetitive stress disorders or arthritis.

(q) Further objects and advantages of my invention will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description.

DRAWING FIGURES (BLACK AND WHITE PHOTOS)

FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 show the PenGrip from the side, top and at a forty-five degree angle.

FIG. 4 shows the PenGrip nylon strap fastening method.

FIG. 5 shows the PenGrip buckle with the strap enclosed.

FIG. 6 shows the PenGrip being used to write down text.

FIG. 7 shows the PenGrip on the outside of the hand holding an object.

FIG. 8 shows a pen in the PenGrip with no fingers supporting it.

FIG. 9 shows the PenGrip being supported without fingers

FIG. 10 shows a close-up of the buckle and strap.

FIG. 11 shows the pen adjustment loop.



REFERENCE NUMERALS IN DRAWINGS

1 ninety-degree intersecting bends

2 beginning wire bend

3 strap secured

4 forty-five degree bend

5 pen size adjustment loop

6 one-hundred-and-eighty degree loop

7 beginning of strap securement

8 strap loop through steel wire core

9 PenGrip steel wire

10 strap stapled over steel wire to complete loop

11 double bar metal buckle

12 metal buckle bar

13 metal buckle bar

14 strap stapled here to complete loop

15 stretchable nylon strap

16 double bar metal buckle large view

17 flexible metal bar that allows movement back and forth

18 nylon strap

19 nylon strap running through metal buckle

DESCRIPTION--FIGS. 1-5

A typical embodiment of the PenGrip, which is made from one piece of wire, a nylon strap and a metal buckle and staples, is illustrated in FIGS. 1 (side view) and 2 (top view) and 3 (angled view). The wire bends at ninety-degree angles beginning at 2 and heading up out terminating in a loop at 5. The PenGrip is comprised of rounding bends intersecting at various angles 4, 5 & 6. The strap is secured by staples on each end 3, 10 & 14. The strap is held in place by a metal buckle which is at the top of the square bend 12 and a staple at the other end 10. The strap comprises of a loop of nylon arching over the top and through the metal buckle terminating at the base of the square bend 15. The metal buckle is held firmly in place by the nylon band as it arches through the metal buckle 19. Pen adjustment is performed by pushing or pulling on loop 5.

DESCRIPTION--FIG. 6

The PenGrip is shown in use.

DESCRIPTION--FIG. 7

The PenGrip is shown placed outside of the hand holding an object.

DESCRIPTION--FIG. 8

The PenGrip is shown without fingers supporting it.

DESCRIPTION--FIG. 9

The PenGrip is shown aligned with the fingers ready to grip

DESCRIPTION--FIG. 10

The PenGrip is shown with its nylon adjustment buckle being adjusted for comfort

DESCRIPTION--FIG. 11

The PenGrip adjustment mechanism is shown

Measurements

The device would measure about 2 ½" from each ninety-degree intersecting bend for the thumb insertion.

The device would measure about 5" from the last ninety-degree intersection to the one-hundred-and-eighty-degree loop.

It would measure about 2 ½" wide.

The device would measure about 2" comprising of the larger and smaller loops combined.

The nylon strap, without arches and bends, would measure approximately 10".

The nylon strap laid out in its entirety, with arches and bends, would measure approximately 8 ½".

The steel coated wire laid out in its entirety without bends would measure approximately 1'.

The metal buckle would measure approximately 2" by 2".

The staples would measure approximately ½" width by 1/4" depth.

The outside vertical distance between the top and bottom PenGrip would be about 2 ½".

The PenGrip could be made smaller or larger, maintaining roughly proportional measurements in relationship to the various parts, though some proportions may vary slightly.

OPERATION

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the PenGrip allows the hand and fingers to move freely. As shown in Figure 11 the loop can be bent to allow for different size pens.

Wearing the PenGrip allows freedom of the hand and fingers, meaning performance of dangerous and/or repetitive tasks can be performed safely and quickly. It also makes writing for long excessive periods of time more comfortable for the hand, wrist and fingers.

The PenGrip may also be more easily held while standing or sitting without any place to set the pen down, because it can be held with one hand while taking pressure off of the fingers of the hand, which would otherwise be needed to hold or operate various objects or machinery.

As the person moves their hand from place to place, the PenGrip always allows instant access to the pen. Much of the time, the PenGrip is not removed from the hand, as it takes time to put it on and take it off. As the person performs their tasks , the PenGrip would allow the person to take a coffee break or sip some water without having to leave the pen behind or put it down, only to search for it at a later date.

The PenGrip holds one normal standard ball point pen or pencil. It is adjustable for all hand sizes and types. In order to get the most use out of the PenGrip, it should be securely fastened using the metal buckle provided to adjust as necessary. This allows for great flexibility, and reduces the chances of the strap from falling off the wrist. The PenGrip is easy to use, requiring little if any instruction.

When the PenGrip is not in use or is being transported, it can be kept in a glove box, desk draw, pocket or any place a pen would normally be kept for future retrieval. This keeps the PenGrip apparatus safely stored away from moisture, heat and unnecessary conditions. As the manufactured PenGrip will be made of simple and smooth materials, the PenGrip worn on the hand is comfortable, intelligent looking and an interesting conversation piece.

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