Ergonomic tool holder or writing tool with means to be molded to fit the user's hand

• US 6,328,494 B1
• Filed: 08/18/2000
• Issued: 12/11/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 08/19/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Pengineering, LLC
• Original Assignee: Pengineering, LLC
• Inventors: Moxon, William A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Huson, Gregory L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Prunner, Kathleen J.
• Application Number:
  US09/640,766
• Time in Patent Office: 480 Days
• Field of Search: 401/6-8, 154/38--40, 154/43, D19/41, 164/30, 169/00, 16D/IG.12, 16D/IG.19, 206/232, 206/234, 206/224, 206/371, 206/372, 206/374, 206/375
• US Class Current: 401/8
• CPC Class Codes: B43K 21/006 Pencil-barrels
• CPC Class Codes: B43K 23/004 Holders specially adapted for assisting handicapped or disabled persons to write B43L15/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B43K 23/008 Holders comprising finger grips B43K23/004, B43K23/012 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B43K 5/005 Pen barrels
• CPC Class Codes: B43K 7/005 Pen barrels
• CPC Class Codes: B43K 8/003 Pen barrels

Abstract

A tool holder or writing instrument is provided which includes a formable modeling compound material positioned around a flexible rod or tube which in a preferred embodiment is capable of holding an ink or other writing substance. The material is capable of conforming to the fingers and grip orientation of a user of the writing instrument to provide a comfortable, ergonomically correct writing instrument. Additionally, a portion of this writing instrument (e.g., the flexible tube) may be wrapped around at least one digit of the user'"'"'s writing hand, e.g. the index finger, to provide additional support and comfort. One end of the tube can include means for removably attaching various hand tools such as scribes, knives, electrical contacts or the like.

Claims

1. A custom-fitted hand tool holder, comprising:

a substantially longitudinal bendable rod material having a first end and a second end;

means for attaching a tool, interconnected to said first end of said rod material;

a piece of formable modeling compound disposed around and positioned between said first end and said second end of said rod material and adapted for conforming to the shape and size of a specific user'"'"'s fingers and grip orientation.

2. The hand tool holder of claim 1 wherein said second end of said rod material has a loop shape adapted for wrapping around at least one digit of the hand of the user of said tool holder.

3. The hand tool holder of claim 2 wherein said digit is the index finger.

4. The hand tool holder of claim 1, further comprising a tool selected from the group consisting of writing sources, scribes, styluses, knives, dental and surgical instruments, felt-tip markers, paint applicators, glue applicators, electrical contacts and thermal devices, said tool being removably attached to said means for attaching a tool.

5. The hand tool holder of claim 4 which comprises a pen.

6. The hand tool holder of claim 4 which comprises a pencil.

7. The tool holder of claim 1 wherein said moldable modeling compound is hardened into a permanent fitted configuration.

8. The tool holder of claim 1 wherein said moldable modeling compound is a thermoplastic material which is heated and molded when soft into a permanent fitted configuration.

9. The tool holder of claim 1 wherein said tool attachment means comprise devices selected from the group consisting of blade mounting swivel heads, frictional sleeves, grooves combined with elastic bands and threaded couplings.

10. The tool holder of claim 1 wherein said tool attachment means comprise a tool collet assembly.

11. The too holder of claim 1 wherein said tool attachment means comprises two tubular components of different diameters fastened together longitudinally, the smaller tube being attached to said first end of said rod material and the larger tube accomodating the handle of a hand tool, wherein both tubes are tightened by compressive mechanical means.

12. A method for creating a custom fitted writing instrument, comprising the steps of:

providing a flexible tubing material capable of holding a marking medium;

shaping a piece of formable modeling compound around said tubing material in a manner which custom fits said formable modeling compound to the fingers and grip orientation of a user of said writing instrument while in a position of writing; and

hardening said formable modeling compound to a degree which prevents said formable modeling compound from permanently deforming during use of the writing instrument.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein said formable modeling compound comprises a clay material.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein said hardening step comprises boiling the writing instrument and formed modeling compound in water for a period of time effective to harden said modelling compound.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein said hardening step comprises heating said formable modeling compound to a temperature of between about 200°

F. and 400°

F. for a time effective to harden it permanently.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein said hardening step comprises drying said formable modeling compound at an ambient temperature for a time effective to harden said compound.

17. The method of claim 12, wherein said hardening step comprises adding a chemical catalyst to said formable material.

18. The method of claim 12, wherein said formable modeling compound is a thermoplastic material which is heated to softness before molding, then hardened by cooling.

19. The method of claim 12, further comprising the step of shaping said tubing material into a finger support housing around at least one digit of the user'"'"'s writing hand.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein said digit includes the user'"'"'s index finger.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein said finger support housing comprises a bendable rod or tubing material capable of forming a loop.

22. The method of claim 21 wherein said bendable rod or tubing material of said finger support housing is slidably connected to the end of said tubing material opposite said marking medium to permit adjustments in length.

23. The method of claim 12, wherein said flexible tubing material comprises aluminum or plastic.

24. A custom fitted writing instrument produced by the method of claim 12.

25. A custom fitted writing instrument, comprising;

a substantially longitudinal flexible tubing material having a first end and a second end;

a writing source positioned inside said flexible tubing material and interconnected to a writing tip which extends beyond said first end of said flexible tubing material for contact with a writing surface; and

a piece of formable modeling compound disposed around and positioned between said first end and said second end of said flexible tubing material which is adapted for conforming to the shape, size and grip orientation of a user'"'"'s fingers and then hardened.

26. The custom fitted writing instrument of claim 25, wherein said second end of said flexible tubing comprises a loop shape adapted for wrapping around at least one digit of the writing hand of a user of said writing instrument.

27. The custom fitted writing instrument of claim 26 wherein said tubing comprising said loop is a separate component slidably attached to the portion of said tubing comprising the writing tip to facilitate length adjustments.

28. The custom fitted writing instrument of claim 25, wherein said second end of said flexible tubing is substantially linear and adapted for interconnecting to various decorative materials.

29. A kit for assembling and fitting a custom-fitted writing instrument, comprising:

a substantially longitudinal flexible tubing material having a first end and a second end;

a writing medium positioned inside said flexible tubing material and interconnected to a writing tip which extends beyond said first end of said flexible tubing material for contact with a writing surface when assembled;

a piece of formable modeling compound sufficient for disposing around and positioning between said first end and said second end of said flexible tubing material and molding to the shape and size of a user'"'"'s fingers and grip orientation before hardening;

containment means for said modeling compound;

packaging means adapted for shipment, display and sale of said kit; and

instructions for assembling said writing instrument and molding to the shape of a user'"'"'s fingers and grip orientation.

30. The kit of claim 29 wherein said packaging means provide a carrying case for the completed custom fitted writing instrument.

31. The kit of claim 29 wherein said tubing material is provided as two components which can be slidably connected to allow for length adjustments by the user.

32. The kit of claim 29 wherein said formable modeling compound is a thermosetting material.

33. The kit of claim 29 wherein said formable modeling compound is a catalytically curable plastic and said kit further comprises a catalytic curing agent.

34. The kit of claim 29 wherein said moldable modelling compound is a thermoplastic material.

35. A kit for assembling and fitting a custom-fitted tool holder, comprising:

a substantially longitudinal bendable rod material having a first end and a second end;

at least one tool attachment means adapted for attachment to the first end of said rod material;

a plurality of tools adapted for mounting in said tool attachment means and selected from the group consisting of knives, surgical and dental instruments, scribes, styluses, paint applicators, thermal tips and electrical contacts;

a piece of formable modeling compound sufficient for disposing around and positioning between said first and and said second end of said bendable rod material and molding to the shape, size and grip orientation of the user'"'"'s fingers;

containment means for said modeling compound;

packaging means for shipment, display and sale of said kit; and

instructions for assembling said tool holder, molding to the shape of a user'"'"'s fingers and grip orientation and for the use of said tools.

36. A writing instrument comprising a grip formed of modeling compound and a loop of bendable material adjustably attached near the grip in a position to accomodate at least one digit of the user'"'"'s writing hand to provide support during use.