Gripping device for hand held implement

Abstract

A gripping device for hand held implements, such as a pencil, has a body with front and rear ends. The body also has a dorsal side and a ventral side. An axial bore extends through the body for receiving the implement. The dorsal side has indents, which cradle the ends of the user's index finger and thumb. The indents equally accommodate right-handed and left-handed users, and the ventral side is shaped for receiving the user's right or left middle finger, whichever the case may be.

Description

BACKGROUND

[0001] The present invention pertains to gripping devices and more particularly pertains to a gripping device for a hand held implement that accommodates both right-handed and left-handed users.

[0002] Numerous gripping devices have heretofore been proposed for improving a user's grip on hand held implements such as pencils, pens, utensils and so forth. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,832,604 and 4,689,020 disclose writing aids, or pencil grips, invented by the present inventor. Those writing aids include a body with a central bore for receiving a writing instrument. Gripping surfaces for receiving the user's fingers are formed in the exterior of the body. There is a first gripping surface for receiving the user's first finger, a second gripping surface positioned for receiving the user's second finger and a third gripping surface for receiving the user's third finger. At least one of the gripping surfaces has surface indicia for instructing the user on how to grasp the device. An outwardly extending arcuate segment is formed on the inside wall of the bore, which helps grip the writing instrument.

[0003] The patented devices, however, are distinctly right- or left-handed, not both. The gripping surfaces of one model are formed for receiving only the user's first, second and third right-hand fingers. While the gripping surfaces of the other model are formed for receiving the user's first, second and third left fingers. The two devices are very similar in appearance. Their overall shapes are in the form of a disfigured sphere. There is no readily discernable front or rear end. Consequently, customers confuse the right-handed gripping devices with left-handed ones and make costly ordering, shipping and handling mistakes as a result.

[0004] Moreover, according to the teachings of U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,832,604 and 4,689,020, direction indicating means and other indicia, e.g., patterns in the shape of stars and arrows, are formed on the exterior of the devices to help distinguish right-handed models from left-handed, thumb from index finger, and so on. The markings also function to educate users on the proper way to orient the device on a pencil. Despite the instructional markings and patterns, users are still confused.

[0005] Additionally, two distinctly different models require two molds, which adds to overall manufacturing cost.

[0006] Therefore, it is highly desirable to provide a new gripping device for a hand held implement that accommodates both right-handed and left-handed users.

[0007] It is also highly desirable to provide a new gripping device for a hand held implement that accommodates both right-handed and left-handed users and that has a distinct shape so that the customer is not confused and can properly orient the device onto the writing instrument.

[0008] It is also highly desirable to provide a new gripping device for a hand held implement that accommodates both right-handed and left-handed users that does not require the use of markings, patterns, or other surface indicia.

[0009] It is also highly desirable to provide a new gripping device for a hand held implement that accommodates both right-handed and left-handed users capable of being manufactured using a single mold.

[0010] Finally, it is highly desirable to provide a new gripping device for a hand held implement that accommodates both right-handed and left-handed users that meets all of the above desired features.

SUMMARY

[0011] Therefore, it is an object of the invention to provide a new gripping device for a hand held implement that accommodates both right-handed and left-handed users.

[0012] It is also an object of the invention to provide a new gripping device for a hand held implement that accommodates both right-handed and left-handed users and that has a distinct shape so that the customer is not confused and can properly orient the device onto the writing instrument.

[0013] It is also an object of the invention to provide a new gripping device for a hand held implement that accommodates both right-handed and left-handed users that do not require the use of markings, patterns, or other surface indicia.

[0014] It is also an object of the invention to provide a new gripping device for a hand held implement that accommodates both right-handed and left-handed users capable of being manufactured using a single mold.

[0015] Finally, it is an object of the invention to provide a new gripping device for a hand held implement that accommodates both right-handed and left-handed users that meets all of the above desired features.

[0016] The applicant has invented a new gripping device that accommodates both right-handed and left-handed users. Applicant's new gripping device is shaped to define a front end and a rear end, which eliminates customer confusion with respect to properly orienting the device onto the implement. Applicant's novel gripping device does not require two distinct molds and has no markings or patterns formed on it. Thus, applicant's gripping device is inexpensive to manufacture and can be sold for a price less than the cost of two (right and left) prior art devices.

[0017] In the broader aspects of the invention there is provided a gripping device for a hand held implement that accommodates both right-handed and left-handed users that has a body with a dorsal side and a ventral side. The body is parabolically-shaped to define a front end and a rear end. An axial bore extends through the body for receiving the shaft of the hand held implement. The dorsal side of the body has indents. Each indent is shaped for receiving a corresponding finger of the user. The ventral side is shaped for receiving the user's right or left middle finger such that the user's right or left middle finger extends substantially transverse of the axis when the user grasps the body, respectively, with his right or left hand.

DRAWINGS

[0018] The above-mentioned and other features and objects of the invention and the manner of attaining them will become more apparent and the invention itself will be better understood by reference to the following description of an embodiment of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

[0019] FIG. 1 is an elevational perspective view of the gripping device.

[0020] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the front end of the gripping device.

[0021] FIG. 3 is another perspective view showing the dorsal side of the gripping device.

[0022] FIG. 4 is also a perspective view showing the ventral side of the gripping device.

[0023] FIG. 5 is another perspective view showing the first left gripping surface, the second right gripping surface and the third gripping surface.

[0024] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the rear end of the gripping device.

[0025] FIG. 7 is yet another perspective view showing the first right gripping surface, the second left gripping surface and the third gripping surface.

[0026] FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the gripping device mounted on a pencil grasped by the user's right hand.

[0027] FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the gripping device mounted on a pencil grasped by the user's left hand.

DESCRIPTION

[0028] As shown in the Figures, a gripping device 10 for a hand held implement 500 is provided. Hand held implement 500 has elongated substantially cylindrical shaft 505 and may be a pen, pencil or other hand held implement that requires dexterity and control to use. A pencil 500 is shown in the Figures as an example.

[0029] Body 20 is generally in the shape of a parabola and has a front end 32, rear end 34, ventral side 60, dorsal side 40 and bore 30. Bore 30 is formed along axis 80, and the diameter of bore 30 is sized so as to snugly receive shaft 505 of hand held implement 500. First right gripping surface 44 is positioned on dorsal side 40 for receiving the user's right index finger 45. Second right gripping surface 42 is also positioned on dorsal side 40 for receiving the user's right thumb 47. First left gripping surface 54 for receiving the user's left index finger 55 and second left gripping surface 52 for receiving the user's left thumb 57 are also positioned on dorsal side 40. The first right, first left, second right, and second left gripping surfaces 44, 54, 42, and 52 are referred to collectively throughout the description as indents. Indents are substantially concave for cradling the user's fingers.

[0030] Body 20 is high pressure molded from a thermoplastic elastomer. Plastic pellets are loaded into a two-part mold and heated to between about 300° F.-400° F. The resulting body 20 is slightly pliable so that it resists sliding on shaft 505 and is comfortable to the touch.

[0031] The two-part mold has convex protuberances formed on its inside walls to make the indents. The convex protuberances that correspond to the first gripping surfaces 44, 54 each have a first volume; and the convex protuberances formed in the mold corresponding to the second gripping surfaces 42, 52 each have a second volume. The first volume and the second volume have a volumetric relationship of between about 0.2 to 0.8.

[0032] Additionally, first right gripping surface 44 and second left gripping surface 52 are arranged on body 20 in linear fashion substantially parallel to axis 80. Similarly, first left gripping surface 54 and second right gripping surface 42 are also arranged on body 20 in a linear fashion parallel to axis 80.

[0033] Ventral side 50 is shaped to define third gripping surface 60 for receiving the user's right middle finger 49 or left middle finger 59.

[0034] The right- and left-handed use of gripping device 10 is described below. When used with the right hand, as shown in FIG. 8, the user's right index finger 45 is positioned on first right gripping surface 44, and the user's right thumb 47 is positioned on second right gripping surface 42. In the right-handed application, the user's right middle finger 49 is positioned on third gripping surface 60 so that it extends substantially transverse of axis 80.

[0035] When used with the left hand, the user's left index finger 55 is positioned on first left gripping surface 54, and the user's left thumb 57 is positioned on second left gripping surface 52, as shown in FIG. 9. Of course, in the left-handed application, the user's left middle finger 59 is positioned on third gripping surface 60 so that it extends substantially transverse of axis 80.

[0036] The unique combination of gripping surfaces 44, 54, 42, 52 and 60 equally accommodates right-handed and left-handed users. Additionally, the distinct parabolic shape of body 20 defines a front end and a rear end 32, 34 of gripping device 10 so that customers are not confused and can properly orient device 10 onto shaft 505 of implement 500. Markings, patterns, or other surface indicia on body 20 are unnecessary as a result.

[0037] Moreover, since one model of gripping device 10 serves all users regardless of whether they are right- or left-handed, only one mold, (without markings, patterns, or indicia), is needed. Manufacturing time and cost are, therefore, substantially reduced. While a specific embodiment of the invention has been shown and described herein for purposes of illustration, the protection afforded by any patent which may issue upon this application is not strictly limited to the disclosed embodiment, but extends to all structures and arrangements which fall fairly within the scope of the claims which are appended hereto.

Claims

1. A gripping device for a hand held implement that equally accommodates right-handed and left-handed users, wherein the hand held implement has an elongated substantially cylindrical shaft, said device comprising:

a body having an exterior, and a bore extending along an axis through said body for receiving said shaft of said implement;

a first right gripping surface positioned on said exterior of said body for receiving the user's right index finger;

a second right gripping surface positioned on said exterior of said body for receiving the user's right thumb;

a first left gripping surface positioned on said exterior of said body for receiving the user's left index finger;

a second left gripping surface positioned on said exterior of said body for receiving the user's left thumb; and,

a third gripping surface positioned on said exterior of said body for receiving said user's right or left middle finger.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein said gripping surfaces are indents formed in said exterior of said body.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein said first right gripping surface and said second left gripping surface are arranged on said body in linear fashion substantially parallel to said axis.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein said first left gripping surface and said second right gripping surface are arranged on said body in linear fashion substantially parallel to said axis.

5. The device of claim 3 wherein said first left gripping surface and said second right gripping surface are arranged on said body in linear fashion substantially parallel to said axis.

6. The device of claim 5 wherein said first right, second right, first left and second left gripping surfaces are indents formed in said exterior of said body.

7. A gripping device for a hand held implement that equally accommodates right-handed and left-handed users, wherein the hand held implement has an elongated substantially cylindrical shaft, said device comprising:

a body having an exterior, and a bore extending along an axis through said body for receiving said shaft of said implement;

a first right gripping surface positioned on said exterior of said body for receiving the user's right index finger;

a second right gripping surface positioned on said exterior of said body for receiving the user's right thumb;

a first left gripping surface positioned on said exterior of said body for receiving the user's left index finger; and,

a second left gripping surface positioned on said exterior of said body for receiving the user's left thumb.

8. The device of claim 7 wherein a third gripping surface is positioned on said exterior of said body for receiving either said user's right middle finger when said user's right index finger is positioned on said first right gripping surface and said user's right thumb is positioned on said second right gripping surface, or said user's left middle finger when said user's left index finger is positioned on said first left gripping surface and said user's left thumb is positioned on said second left gripping surface.

9. The device of claim 7 wherein said first right, second right, first left and second left gripping surfaces are indents formed in said exterior of said body.

10. The device of claim 7 wherein said first right gripping surface and said second left gripping surface are arranged on said body in linear fashion substantially parallel to said axis.

11. The device of claim 7 wherein said first left gripping surface and said second right gripping surface are arranged on said body in linear fashion substantially parallel to said axis.

12. The device of claim 8 wherein said first right, second right, first left and second left gripping surfaces are indents formed in said exterior of said body.

13. The device of claim 10 wherein said first left gripping surface and said second right gripping surface are arranged on said body in linear fashion substantially parallel to said axis.

14. A gripping device for a hand held implement that equally accommodates right-handed and left-handed users, wherein the hand held implement has an elongated substantially cylindrical shaft, said device comprising:

a body with a dorsal side, a ventral side, and an axial bore extending through said body for receiving said shaft;

said dorsal side of said body having indents, each of said indents is shaped for receiving a corresponding finger of said user.

15. The device of claim 14 wherein said ventral side is shaped for laterally receiving a right or a left middle finger of said user, wherein said right or left middle finger extends substantially transverse of said axis when said user grasps said body.

16. The device of claim 15 wherein said indents are substantially concave.

17. The device of claim 15 wherein said body is formed from plastic.

18. The device of claim 16 wherein said body is formed from plastic.

19. The device of claim 17 wherein said body is parabolically-shaped.

20. The device of claim 18 wherein said body is parabolically-shaped.