Patent Application
20110180681
The present application generally relates to devices and methods for holding writing utensils. More specifically, the present application relates to a writing utensil holder having flexible jaws that grip a writing utensil.
Holders for writing utensils such as pencils and pens, hereinafter referred to collectively as pen holders, are well known in the art. Some pen holders are containers that may contain a plurality of writing utensils. Another type of common pen holder comprises an indentation in another article, such as a writing tablet, that cradles one or more writing utensil. Still another type of pen holder comprises a loop of fabric, such as leather or elastic, through which a writing utensil may be inserted.
Some institutions, such as banks, utilize pen holders comprising a string or wire having a first end attached to a pen and a second end attached to another article, such as a desk or table.
Prior art pen holders are typically designed to fit one size pen or pens having diameters within a small range. A need therefore exists for a pen holder which can accommodate writing utensils within a wide range of diameters. Additionally, a need exists for a device that allows for easy insertion of the pen into the holder regardless of its diameter. Further, a need exists for a holder which is compact, allowing it to be mounted nearly anywhere a pen is needed. Yet another need exists for a pen holder which can be attached to a ribbon, lace or lanyard.
According to a first aspect of the present application, a first example holder is disclosed. The first example holder comprises a base and a grip. The grip is generally axially aligned with and connected to the base. The base and the grip form an indentation along an axial line of surface intersection. The grip comprises an interior wall defining a generally axial sleeve. The grip further comprises a first jaw and a second jaw. Each jaw comprises a tapered end, and the tapered ends define an axial slot. The jaws flex to receive and grip a generally cylindrical utensil inserted through the tapered axial slot into the axial sleeve.
According to a second aspect of the present application, a second example holder is disclosed. The second example holder comprises a base and a grip. The base defines a plurality of apertures and is connected to the grip. The grip is generally axially aligned with the base, and the grip comprises a semi-circular interior wall defining a generally axial sleeve. The grip further comprises a first jaw and a second jaw. Each jaw comprises a tapered end, and the tapered ends define an axial slot. The jaws flex to receive and grip a generally cylindrical utensil inserted through the tapered axial slot into the axial sleeve.
According to a third aspect of the present application, a third example holder is disclosed. The third example holder comprises a base and a grip. The base defines a plurality of apertures. A lanyard is threaded through the plurality of apertures. The grip is generally axially aligned with and connected to the base. The base and the grip form an indentation along an axial line of surface intersection, and the grip comprises a semi-circular interior wall defining a generally axial sleeve. The grip further comprises a first jaw and a second jaw. Each jaw comprises a tapered end, and the tapered ends define an axial slot. The jaws flex to receive and grip a generally cylindrical utensil inserted through the tapered axial slot into the axial sleeve.
The accompanying figures, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate various example apparatuses, systems, methods, and so on, and are used merely to illustrate various example embodiments. It should be noted that various components depicted in the figures may not be drawn to scale, and that the various assemblies and designs depicted in the figures are presented for purposes of illustration only, and should not be considered in any way as limiting.
The following reference characters identify the associated elements depicted in the drawings describing the present invention:
As shown, holder 100 comprises a base 110 and a grip 120. In the illustrated embodiment, the base 110 comprises apertures 310 and 320. Apertures 310 and 320 enable a flexible string, rope or other such material to be threaded through the apertures, thereby attaching the holder to the flexible material. Such an arrangement may be particularly useful for attaching the holder to a lanyard.
In another embodiment, the base 110 may not define apertures 310 and 320, but may include double-sided tape, glue, a magnet or any other known attachment mechanism for adhering the holder to a surface on an object near which a writing utensil may be desired. For example, the base may be attached to a desk, boat or car dashboard, calendar, clipboard, cash register, treadmill, night stand, board game, or notebook. Of course, it is envisioned that in at least one embodiment base 110 may comprise such an attachment mechanism and define apertures 310 and 320.
The grip 120 is attached to the base 110 such that they form an indentation 130 along a generally axial line of intersection. Indentation 130 is clearly illustrated in
Grip 120 comprises an interior wall 140 which forms an axial sleeve 330 which is clearly illustrated in
The grip 120 comprises a first jaw 150 and a second jaw 160. Each jaw 150 and 160 comprises a tapered end 155 and 165, respectively, which define an inner thickness which is greater than the peripheral thickness. Being so configured, the tapered ends 155 and 165 of the jaws 150 and 160, respectively, create a type of funnel which provides a wide target for placing a pen into the holder 100; urges the pen downward toward the axial sleeve 330; and provides a relatively smaller exit path for an inserted pen which helps to keep the inserted pen in place within the holder 100.
The tapered ends of jaws 150 and 160 define an axial slot 170. The jaws 150 and 160 may comprise one or more tapered shoulders, such as tapered shoulder 175. In addition to being longitudinally tapered, the tapered shoulder 175 may also be downwardly tapered to facilitate insertion of a pen through the axial slot 170 into the axial sleeve 330. The jaws 150 and 160 are constructed from a flexible material which enables the jaws 150 and 160 to flex, receive and grip a generally cylindrical utensil inserted through the tapered axial slot 170 into the axial sleeve 330
Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forth the broad scope of the invention are approximations, the numerical values set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely as possible. Any numerical value, however, inherently contains certain errors necessarily resulting from the standard deviation found in their respective testing measurements.
Furthermore, while the devices, systems, methods, and so on have been illustrated by describing examples, and while the examples have been described in considerable detail, it is not the intention of the applicant to restrict, or in any way, limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the devices, systems, methods, and so on provided herein. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention, in its broader aspects, is not limited to the specific details and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the spirit or scope of the applicant's general inventive concept. Thus, this application is intended to embrace alterations, modifications, and variations that fall within the scope of the appended claims. The preceding description is not meant to limit the scope of the invention. Rather, the scope of the invention is to be determined by the appended claims and their equivalents.
Finally, to the extent that the term “includes” or “including” is employed in the detailed description or the claims, it is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising,” as that term is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “or” is employed in the claims (e.g., A or B) it is intended to mean “A or B or both.” When the applicants intend to indicate “only A or B, but not both,” then the term “only A or B but not both” will be employed. Similarly, when the applicants intend to indicate “one and only one” of A, B, or C, the applicants will employ the phrase “one and only one.” Thus, use of the term “or” herein is the inclusive, and not the exclusive use. See Bryan A. Garner, A Dictionary of Modern Legal Usage 624 (2d. Ed. 1995).
