WRITING AID DEVICE AND METHOD

Abstract

A writing aid device (1) that promotes proper hand positioning and writing utensil (5) holding having a spacer (2) located between first and second finger-grasping holders (3) and (4). The spacer (2) is preferably round in cross-section, but may also be of varying shapes. An alternate embodiment of the writing aid device includes a writing utensil holding element (13) located on the spacer (2). To use the present invention, a person first positions the first holder (3) against an index finger proximal phalange (8) so as to cup the index finger proximal phalange (8). Then, the person positions the second holder (4) against a thumb proximal phalange (9) so as to cup the thumb finger proximal phalange (9). The person then pinches a portion of a writing utensil (5) between an index finger distal phalange (11) and a thumb distal phalange (12) and rests a portion of the writing utensil (5) on the spacer (2). The person then places a writing utensil tip (10) on a writing surface (16) and begins writing or drawing. Optional flanges (21) on tips of the finger holders (3) and (4) provide easier insertion and a more snug fit for a user's fingers.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to writing aid devices, more particularly, a writing aid device having a finger-grasping holder located on either side of a spacer so as to promote proper hand positioning and holding of a writing utensil.

Learning how to hold and use a writing utensil, such as a pencil, pen, crayon, marker, etc., is a lesson taught to individuals at an early age. The hand must be positioned on the writing utensil at an ideal location and the hand must form a proper grip to hold the writing utensil. The key to achieving proper manipulation of a writing utensil lies in achieving a proper grip on the writing utensil so as to promote proper movement of the writing utensil via the fingers, rather than via the wrist. Once a writing utensil holding grip is taught and established in a person, it is very difficult to change the grip. Thus, it is important to learn how to properly grip and hold a writing utensil from a very early age.

Oftentimes, however, individuals use improper utensil holding grips, despite a parent or teacher's best efforts to teach proper writing utensil holding. With the advent and ever-increasing popularity of video games, a large factor in a person's inability to properly hold a writing utensil is lack of hand strength as the person will play video games for an extended amount of time as the palm is positioned in an upward position, also referred to as supination, which is an inherently unnatural position for one's hand, thereby thwarting the development of the hand muscles, especially the adductor pollicis, flexor pollicis brevis and abductor pollicis brevis muscles, which results in an inability for a person to hold a writing utensil in a proper position.

In addition, disabled individuals may also have difficulty with properly holding a writing utensil due to various reasons, one of which may include lack of hand muscle development.

Thus, a need exists for a writing aid device and method that promotes proper hand positioning and holding of a writing utensil.

The relevant prior art includes the following references:

U.S. Pat. No.
(U.S. unless stated otherwise)	Inventor	Issue/Publication Date
5,310,345	Gershon	May 10, 1994
1,776,094	Abramson	Sep. 16, 1930
1,702,660	Mockel	Feb. 19, 1929
60,896	Hutson	Jan. 01, 1867
1,783,657	Kuntzleman	Dec. 02, 1930
1,416,564	Lowe	May 16, 1922
41,495	Eastman	Feb. 09, 1864
1,184,155	Williams	May 23, 1916

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a writing aid device that promotes proper hand positioning and holding of a writing utensil.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a writing aid device that is comfortable to use.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a writing aid device that is easy to use.

The present invention fulfills the above and other objects by providing a writing aid device having a spacer located between a first and second finger-grasping holder, preferably a substantially C-shaped holder. The spacer is preferably round in cross-section, but may also be of varying shapes. An alternate embodiment of the writing aid device includes a writing utensil holding element located on the spacer.

To use the present invention, a person first positions the first holder against an index finger proximal phalange so as to cup the index finger proximal phalange. Then, the person positions the second holder against a thumb proximal phalange so as to cup the thumb finger proximal phalange. The person then holds or pinches a portion of a writing utensil between an index finger distal phalange and a thumb distal phalange and rests a portion of the writing utensil on the spacer. The person then places a tip of the writing utensil on a writing surface and begins writing or drawing.

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention should become even more readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the following detailed description in conjunction with the drawings wherein there is shown and described illustrative embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the following detailed description, reference will be made to the attached drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a writing aid device of the present invention in use;

FIG. 2 is a side view of a first embodiment of a writing aid device of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a top view of a second embodiment of a writing aid device of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a top view of third embodiment of a writing aid device of the present invention having a writing utensil holder;

FIG. 5 is a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view along line 6-6 of the embodiment of FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view along line 7-7 of the embodiment of FIG. 3;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view along line 8-8 of the embodiment of FIG. 5;

FIG. 9 is a side view of a fourth embodiment of a writing aid device of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 9 in use;

FIG. 11 is a side view of a fifth embodiment of a writing aid device of the present invention; and

FIG. 12 is a side view of a sixth embodiment of a writing aid device of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

For purposes of describing the preferred embodiment, the terminology used in reference to the numbered components in the drawings is as follows:

1.  writing aid device, generally
2.  spacer
3.  first finger-grasping holder
4.  second finger-grasping
    holder
5.  writing utensil
6.  index finger
7.  thumb
8.  index finger proximal
    phalange
9.  thumb proximal phalange
10. writing utensil tip
11. index finger distal phalange
12. thumb distal phalange
13. writing utensil holding
    element
14. first end
15. second end
16. writing surface
17. straps
18. inner spacer
19. outer spacer
20. indentation
21. flange

With reference to FIG. 1, a perspective view of a writing aid device of the present invention in use is shown. The writing aid device, generally 1, includes a spacer 2 of a predetermined distance having a first end 14 and a second end 15 with a first finger-grasping holder 3 secured to the first end 14 and a second finger-grasping holder 4 secured to the second end 15. The spacer 2 has a predetermined cross-sectional shape, which may be circular, square, triangular or any other shape. The holders 3 and 4 are preferably C-shaped so as to cup around an index finger 6 and thumb 7, respectively, but may be of various other shapes as well. More specifically, the writing aid device 1 is placed between the index finger 6 and thumb 7 such that the first holder 3 is cupped around an index finger proximal phalange 8 and the second holder 4 is cupped around a thumb proximal phalange 9. A writing utensil 5 is held between an index finger distal phalange 11 and thumb distal phalange 12 and a portion of the writing utensil 5 rests upon the spacer 2. The writing utensil tip 10 is then placed on a writing surface 16 and a person moves the writing tip 10 along the writing surface 16 so as to write or draw.

Because the spacer 2 positions the index finger 6 and thumb 7 a predetermined distance away from one another and forces the person to grip the writing utensil 5 with his/her index finger distal phalange 11 and thumb distal phalange 12, the person is forced to maintain proper writing utensil hand positioning and writing utensil holding.

In FIG. 2, a side view of a first embodiment of a writing aid device of the present invention is shown. The first embodiment of the writing aid device 1 includes a spacer 2 of a predetermined distance having a first end 14 and a second end 15 wherein a first finger-grasping holder 3 is secured to the first end 14 and a second finger-grasping holder 4 is secured to the second end 15. The holders 3 and 4 are preferably C-shaped so as to cup around the index finger 6 and thumb 7; however, the holders 3 and 4 may be of various other shapes so as to cup or wrap around the index finger 6 and thumb 7.

FIG. 3 shows a top view of a second embodiment of a writing aid device of the present invention. The second embodiment of the writing aid device 1 also includes a spacer 2 having a first finger-grasping holder 3 and a second finger-grasping holder 4 located on opposing ends of the spacer 2. However, the spacer 2 of the second embodiment has a different cross-section shape as shown in FIG. 7.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show varying views of third embodiment of a writing aid device of the present invention. Similar to the first and second embodiments, the third embodiment of the writing aid device 1 includes a spacer 2 and two holders 3 and 4. However, a writing utensil holding element 13 is located on the spacer 2 so as to further assist in proper positioning of the writing utensil 5 and the spacer 2 is of a different cross-section shape as shown in FIG. 8. The writing utensil holding element 13 may be substantially U-shaped, but other shapes may also be used.

FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional view along line 6-6 of the embodiment of FIG. 2. A cross-section of the spacer 2 of the first embodiment of the writing aid device 1 of the present invention is circular. Thus, the entire spacer 2 is cylindrical. The spacer 2 is preferably hollow so as to be lightweight; however, the spacer 2 may also be solid.

In FIG. 7, a cross-sectional view along line 7-7 of the embodiment of FIG. 3 is shown. A cross-section of the spacer 2 in this embodiment is square, thus creating a rectangular spacer 2.

Next, FIG. 8 shows a cross-sectional view along line 8-8 of the embodiment of FIG. 5. A cross-section of the spacer 2 in the third embodiment is triangular in shape.

FIG. 9 shows a side view of a fourth embodiment of a writing aid device of the present invention. The writing aid device 1 of the fourth embodiment also includes a spacer 2 located between a first finger-grasping holder 3 and a second finger-grasping holder 4. However, the writing utensil holding element 13 is preferably a pair of straps 17, such as a strings, wires, hook and loop type fastening material or other similar flexible material so as to permit a user to wrap the writing utensil holding element 13 around a writing utensil 5. However, one strap 17 may also be used as well.

Next, FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 9 in use. The writing aid device 1 as shown in FIG. 9 includes the writing utensil holding element 13 being straps 17. The straps 17 are wrapped around the writing utensil 5 so as to maintain the writing utensil 5 in a predetermined position adjacent to the spacer 2.

With respect to FIG. 11, a side view of a fifth embodiment of a writing aid device 1 is shown. In this embodiment, the holders 3 and 4 are preferably expandable and made of a semi-rigid material so as to snugly wrap around a user's fingers. Flanges 21 may also be located on the holders 3 and 4 so as to permit a user to push a user's fingers against the flange 21 and easily expand the holders 3 and 4 for insertion of his/her fingers. This embodiment will allow the holders 3 and 4 to be retained better around one's fingers. In addition, the spacer 2 may be adjustable wherein an inner spacer 18 is extendable within an outer spacer 19 in a telescoping manner.

Finally, FIG. 12 shows a side view of a sixth embodiment of a writing aid device 1 of the present invention. The writing aid device 1 of the sixth embodiment includes the holders 3 and 4 and spacer 2 similar to all the embodiments of the writing aid device 1. However, an indentation 20 of a predetermined size and shape may be located on the spacer 2 for placement of the writing utensil 5 during use. The indentation 20 is preferably U-shaped, but may be of any other shape so as to retain the writing utensil 5 on the spacer 2.

The use of the present invention promotes proper hand positioning and holding of a writing utensil.

It is to be understood that while a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated, it is not to be limited to the specific form or arrangement of parts herein described and shown. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention and the invention is not be considered limited to what is shown and described in the specification and drawings.

Claims

1. A writing aid device comprising: a spacer having a cross-section of a predetermined shape;said spacer having a first end and a second end;a first finger-grasping holder secured to said spacer first end; anda second finger-grasping holder secured to said spacer second end.

2. The writing aid device of claim 1 wherein: said first finger-grasping holder is substantially C-shaped; andsaid second finger-grasping holder is substantially C-shaped.

3. The writing aid device of claim 1 wherein: said spacer cross-section predetermined shape is substantially circular.

4. The writing aid device of claim 1 wherein: said spacer cross-section predetermined shape is substantially square.

5. The writing aid device of claim 1 wherein: said spacer cross-section predetermined shape is substantially triangular.

6. The writing aid device of claim 1 further comprising: at least one writing utensil holding element secured on said spacer between said spacer first and said spacer second end.

7. The writing aid device of claim 2 further comprising: at least one writing utensil holding element secured on said spacer between said spacer first and said spacer second end.

8. The writing aid device of claim 3 further comprising: at least one writing utensil holding element secured on said spacer between said spacer first and said spacer second end.

8. The writing aid device of claim 4 further comprising: at least one writing utensil holding element secured on said spacer between said spacer first and said spacer second end.

9. The writing aid device of claim 5 further comprising: at least one writing utensil holding element secured on said spacer between said spacer first and said spacer second end.

10. The writing aid device of claim 6 wherein: said at least writing one utensil holding element is substantially U-shaped.

11. The writing aid device of claim 7 wherein: said at least one writing utensil holding element is substantially U-shaped.

12. The writing aid device of claim 8 wherein: said at least one writing utensil holding element is substantially U-shaped.

13. The writing aid device of claim 9 wherein: said at least one writing utensil holding element is substantially U-shaped.

14. The writing aid device of claim 6 wherein: said at least one writing utensil holding element is at least one strap.

15. The writing aid device of claim 7 wherein: said at least one writing utensil holding element is at least one strap.

16. The writing aid device of claim 8 wherein: said at least one writing utensil holding element is at least one strap.

17. The writing aid device of claim 9 wherein: said at least one writing utensil holding element is at least one strap.

18. A writing aid device comprising: a spacer having a cross-section of a predetermined shape;said spacer having a first end and a second end wherein said spacer cross-section predetermined shape is substantially circular;a first finger-grasping holder secured to said spacer first end; anda second finger-grasping holder secured to said spacer second end.

19. The writing aid device of claim 18 further comprising: at least one writing utensil holding element secured on said spacer between said spacer first and said spacer second end.

20. The writing aid device of claim 1 wherein: at least one indentation is located on said spacer.

21. The writing aid device of claim 1 wherein: said spacer has an inner spacer and an outer spacer wherein said outer spacer is slidably extendable over said inner spacer.

22. The writing aid device of claim 1 further comprising: at least one flange located on said first finger-grasping holder; andat least one flange located on said second finger-grasping holder.

23. A method for teaching proper writing utensil holding using a writing aid device comprising a spacer having a cross-section of a predetermined shape; said spacer having a first end and a second end; a first finger-grasping holder secured to said spacer first end; and a second finger-grasping holder secured to said spacer second end, said method comprising the steps of: a. positioning said first finger-grasping holder against an index finger proximal phalange so as to cup the index finger proximal phalange;b. positioning said second finger-grasping holder against a thumb proximal phalange so as to cup the thumb finger proximal phalange;c. pinching a portion of a writing utensil between an index finger distal phalange and a thumb distal phalange;d. resting a portion of said writing utensil on said spacer;e. placing a tip of said writing utensil on a writing surface; andf. moving said writing utensil tip on said writing surface.