Implement holder

Abstract

The invention provides an implement holder in the form of an open top container partially filled with relatively small, relatively dense, particles, for example spherical metallic pellets. The balls occupy the inside of the container to a depth less than the height of a sidewall of the container. Inserting an implement, for example a pen, into the mass of particles causes the particles to separate and provide a nest for support of the implement. Retraction of the implement allows the particles to reposition and fill the nest.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of apparatus for the support of implements in a substantially vertical orientation and more particularly to writing implement holders.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] It has been known to keep a supply of implements, such as pens, pencils, scissors, drafting instruments, small tools, and the like, in a vertical orientation on a working surface for ease of selection and accessibility. A first existing form of implement holder comprises a snugly fitting implement scabbard that is mounted to a heavy base. The scabbard is typically configured to be similar in size and shape to the implement it is intended to support. The user is able to retrieve the implement, for example a pen, from the scabbard for use, and replace it for storage. A drawback of this type of implement holder is that it only permits one implement to be stored and supported. An additional drawback is that replacing an instrument in its scabbard requires more attention and aim than is required by the present invention. A further drawback of scabbard implement holders is that the shape of the scabbard has to match the implement being supported, thus substitution of different implements is not practical.

[0003] A second existing form of implement holder is a substantially cylindrical, open-top container that is able to hold a plurality of implements. A drawback of this type of implement holder is that multiple implements tend to aggregate at the rim of the container instead of remaining separated, making retrieval more difficult.

[0004] Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide an implement holder that is able to support a variable number of implements in a substantially vertical orientation in a manner to enable ease of retrieval and replacement.

[0005] It is a further object of the present invention to provide an implement holder that will support implements of different cross sectional shapes.

[0006] It is an additional object of the present invention to provide an implement holder that is ornamental.

[0007] These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent through the disclosure of the invention to follow.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The implement holder disclosed herein comprises a container having a closed bottom and sides and an open top. A plurality of substantially spherical particles, for example spherical metallic pellets, are placed in the container to a height of not more than approximately eighty-five percent of the height of the container. When an implement, for example a pen, is placed into the container, the implement separates the particles to form a closely fitting nest, and the nest supports the implement in the orientation at which it was inserted. When the implement is removed from the nest, the spherical particles fill in the nest. A preferred spherical particle is coated with a low friction material to improve the facility of insertion and removal without substantially altering the degree of support afforded the implement.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] In order for the invention to become more clearly understood it will be disclosed in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0010] FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of the implement holder of the invention.

[0011] FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of the implement holder taken in the direction of line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0012] The implement holder 10 as portrayed in the accompanying FIGS. 1 and 2 comprises a container 12 that has a solid bottom 14, an open top 16, and one or more solid sidewalls 18. Whereas container 12 is portrayed as being rectangular in shape, a variety of cross sectional shapes, including round, are deemed to be within the scope of the invention. That is, a round or elliptical cylinder has one sidewall, while a hexagonal cylinder has six sidewalls. While container 12 may be opaque or translucent, a preferred container 12 is formed of a material that permits the transmission of light, preferably a transparent material, more preferably a glass material.

[0013] A plurality of substantially uniform sized particles 20 are placed into container 12. Particles 20 are preferably substantially spherical, although other shapes, such as a polyhedron, would also be acceptable, especially if greater structural grip were desirable to increase the support capability. Spherical particles 20 are placed into container 12 up to a level below the upper rim of sidewall 18 by a selected height H, thus providing a depth D of particles 20. Height H is sufficient so that when a number of implements 30, 32 are placed into implement holder 10, thus increasing the total volume within implement holder 10, particles 20 do not overflow the top of sidewall 18. Depth D is chosen to derive sufficient support for exemplary implements 30, 32 in substantially vertical orientation and to minimize the chance of particles 20 spilling over the upper lip of sidewall 18. Typically, depth D is in the range of three to eight times height H. By forming container 12 of a transparent material, particles 20 are visible from all sides, adding to the ornamentality of implant holder 10.

[0014] Implements 30, 32 are depicted as, for example, a pen (30) and a ruler (32), but could be different implements typically used at a desk or other workstation. Inserting implements 30, 32 into the mass of particles 20 causes particles 20 to separate, forming a void or nest that will snugly surround and support the implements. While the invention is described in relation to implements 30, 32 being held in substantially vertical orientation, implements 30, 32 may be inserted and held at an orientation that is at an angle to vertical.

[0015] As will be readily understood, the density of spherical particles 20 directly and proportionally affects the required depth D and the degree of support provided to implements 30, 32 in vertical or angular orientation. In other words, a lesser depth D of particles 20 that are formed of relatively dense material will support implements 30, 32 in vertical orientation than is possible with particles 20 formed of a less dense material. It is preferred to form particles 20 from a dense material, for example, steel, having a typical density of 7.7 g/cc (480 lbs./cu. ft.). If ferrous material (other than stainless steel) is chosen, its implement-supporting ability could be enhanced by the addition of a source of magnet flux to cause individual particles 20 to releasably attach to each other. Another preferred material for particles 20 is lead, having a typical density of 11.3 g/cc (710 lbs./cu. ft.).

[0016] According to the preferred embodiment, spherical particles 20 are formed of a diameter in the range of 1.5-4.5 mm (0.060-0.180 inches) in diameter. A spherical particle 20 that has been found to perform satisfactorily according to the present invention is formed of lead and has a diameter of approximately 2.0 mm (0.080 inches). It is preferred that all particles 20 are substantially uniform in size. Retraction of implements 30, 32 out of the mass of particles 20 allows the particles to reposition and fill in the nest.

[0017] It has been determined through experimentation that a variation of the mechanical properties of lead or steel particles 20 can be achieved though the application of a coating. Coating changes the mechanical properties of particles 20 by providing a surface with a controllable coefficient of friction. Preferred coating materials according to the present invention include copper, nickel and polytetrafluorethylene polymer (Teflon®). Where copper is the selected coating, the surface friction is higher, producing a grating feel and a slight noise when an implement is inserted or removed from particles 20. Furthermore, increased surface friction improves the grip of particles 20 on implements 30 and 32. Thus, a lesser depth of relatively high friction particles 20 will support implements 30 and 32 than the required depth of a relatively low friction material. A single coating may be applied, or two coatings with the Teflon® being the final coating.

[0018] The above detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the invention sets forth the best mode contemplated by the inventor for carrying out the invention at the time of filing this application and is provided by way of example and not as a limitation. Accordingly, various modifications and variations obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art to which it pertains are deemed to lie within the scope and spirit of the invention as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. An implement holder for releasably holding implements comprising:

a) a container having an open top;

b) a plurality of dense particles located within the container;

c) wherein the particles are not physically attached to one another.

2. The implement holder according to claim 1, wherein the particles are substantially spherical.

3. The implement holder according to claim 1, wherein the particles are substantially uniform in size.

4. The implement holder according to claim 2, wherein the particles are substantially uniform in size.

5. The implement holder according to claim 1, wherein the particles fill the container to a maximum height less than the height of a sidewall of the container.

6. The implement holder according to claim 1, wherein the particles are formed of a material having a density between 7.7 g/cc and 11.3 g/cc.

7. The implement holder according to claim 6, wherein the particles are formed of a material having a density of about 11.3 g/cc.

8. The implement holder according to claim 1, wherein the particles are formed of metal.

9. The implement holder according to claim 8, wherein the particles are formed of lead.

10. The implement holder according to claim 8, wherein the particles are substantially uniform in size and coated with a coating material.

11. The implement holder according to claim 9, wherein the coating material has a substantially low coefficient of friction.

12. The implement holder according to claim 9, wherein the coating material has a substantially high coefficient of friction.

13. The implement holder according to claim 1, wherein the container is transparent.

14. The implement holder according to claim 2, wherein the particles are configured with a diameter between 1.5-4.5 mm.

15. The implement holder according to claim 2, wherein the particles are configured with a diameter of about 2.0 mm.

16. The implement holder according to claim 1, wherein the container is opaque.

17. The implement holder according to claim 1, wherein the container is translucent.