Patent Application
20210060997
The present invention relates to marking implements, such as pens, pencils, paint brushes, and the like and, more particularly, to apparatus for securing the same to the fingers of a user.
While other devices exist for mounting a marking implement to a user's digit, they tend to be made of a rigid construction that is not readily adaptable to the user's digits, or to different digits of the user's hand.
Likewise, other devices exist that secure the marking implement to the user's digit with a strap, however, the user must still grasp the marking implement when applying a marking media to a substrate. In those embodiments where the user does not need to grasp the marking implement, the receiver for the marking implement is of a fixed size and therefore, is not adaptable to a variety of marking implements.
As can be seen, there is a need for an improved apparatus for securing a marking implement to a user's finger.
In one aspect of the present invention, an apparatus to secure a marking implement to a digit of a user is disclosed. The apparatus includes a mounting body having a first arcuate channel extends along a longitudinal length of the mounting body. The first arcuate channel is dimensioned to receive the digit of the user. A second arcuate channel extends along the longitudinal length of the mounting body. The second arcuate channel is dimensioned to receive a shaft of the marking implement. A first strap is configured to secure the digit within the first arcuate channel of the mounting body. A second strap is configured to secure the marking implement in the second arcuate channel of the mounting body.
In some embodiments, a stop is defined at a fixed end of each of the first strap and the second strap.
In some embodiments, a hook and a pile material are applied on at least a first surface of each of the first strap and the second strap. One of the hook and the pile material extends from the fixed end to a median portion of the first strap and the second strap. A free end of the respective strap has the other of the hook and the pile material.
In some embodiments, the first strap is threadingly received through a first strap slot extending through opposed arms of the first arcuate channel. Likewise, the second strap is threadingly received through a second strap slot extending through opposed arms of the second arcuate channel.
Preferably, a finger loop is formed within the first arcuate channel by threading of the first strap through the first strap slot. Similarly, an implement loop is formed within the second arcuate channel by the threading of the second strap through the second strap slot.
In other embodiments, the free end of the first strap is secured to the finger loop by cooperative engagement of the hook and the pile material. Likewise, the free end of the second strap is secured to the implement loop by cooperative engagement of the hook and the pile material.
In other aspects of the invention, a method of securing a marking implement to a user's digit is disclosed. The method includes providing a mounting body having a first arcuate channel extending along a longitudinal length of the mounting body. A first strap slot extends through opposed arms of the first arcuate channel. The first arcuate channel is dimensioned to receive the digit of the user. A second arcuate channel extending along the longitudinal length of the mounting body. A second strap slot extending through opposed arms of the second arcuate channel. The second arcuate channel is dimensioned to receive a shaft of the marking implement.
In other embodiments, the method also includes threading a free end of a first strap through the first strap slot and forming a finger loop within the first arcuate channel. The method may also include, threading a free end of a second strap through the second strap slot and forming an implement loop within the second arcuate channel.
In other embodiments, the user's digit is received within the finger loop, the first strap is cinched about the user's digit, and the free end of the first strap is secured to the finger loop.
In yet other embodiments of the method, the marking implement is received within the implement loop, the second strap is cinched about the marking implement, and the free end of the second strap is secured to the implement loop.
These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.
The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.
Broadly, embodiments of the present invention provide an improved apparatus and method for securing a marking implement, such as a pen, a pencil, a paint brush, a marker, and the like, to a desired fingers or digit of a user's hand, or foot. The present invention allows for the secure attachment of writing or drawing implements to each finger allowing for unlimited artistic creation. Through the use of a specially designed body and Velcro attachment straps the system allows for multi adjustable attachment to a variety of finger sizes and marking implements.
As seen in reference to the drawings of
The first arcuate channel 32 is dimensioned to receive a digit 24 of the user. A second arcuate channel 34 extends along the longitudinal length of the mounting body 14. The second arcuate channel 34 is dimensioned to receive a shaft of the marking implement 12. Preferably, the first arcuate channel 32 and the second arcuate channel 34 are defined with a concavity extending into the body 14.
A first strap 16 is provided to secure the body 15 to the user's digit. The first strap 16 is threadingly received through a first strap slot 20 extending through opposed arms of the first arcuate channel 32. The first strap 16 has a stop 30 at a fixed end of the first strap 16, where the stop 30 in held in abutment with the mounting body 14. A free end of the first strap 16 is threaded through the first strap slot 20 to define a finger loop 36 within the first arcuate channel 32. The first strap 16 is wrapped over the finger loop 36 so that it may be retained by a cooperating hook 28 and pile 26 material disposed on at least a first surface of the first strap 16.
A second strap 18 is provided to secure the marking implement 12 to the mounting body 14. The second strap 18 is threadingly received through a second strap slot 22 extending transversely through opposed arms of the second arcuate channel 34. The second strap 18 has a stop 30 at a fixed end of the second strap 18 that is held in abutment with the mounting body to secure the fixed end of the second strap to the mounting body 14. A free end of the second strap 18 is threaded through the second strap slot 22 to define an implement loop 38 within the second arcuate channel 34. The second strap 18 is wrapped over the implement loop 38 so that the free end of the second strap may be retained by a cooperating hook 28 and pile 26 material disposed on at least a first surface of the second strap 18.
In the non-limiting embodiment shown in reference to
In use, each of the first strap 16 and the second strap 18 are threaded through their respective first slot 20 and second slot 22. The free end of the strap is inserted through the corresponding slot to an interior of the channel 32, 34 until the stop 30 is in abutment with an outer sidewall of the body 14. The free end is then inserted through the opposite slot 20, 22 forming the finger loop 36 and implement loop 38. With the digit 24 or implement 12 received within the channel 32, 34, the free end of the strap 16, 18 is drawn to constrict the finger loop 36 or the implement loop 38 about the implement 12 or digit 24 carried within the loop 36, 38. The free end of the strap 16, 18 is then applied to the loop 36, 38 to secure the implement 12 and the digit 24 within the loop 36, 38 by the cooperative engagement of the hook 28 and pile 26 material.
As seen in reference to
It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.
