Writing instrument holder and hand support

Abstract

A combined writing instrument holder and hand support assists those who have difficulties gripping and controlling a writing instrument. The device releasably receives a writing instrument in a position where it may be brought into contact with paper. The device provides a comfortable hand support that prevents the user's hand from engaging the paper while the device is being used.

1 . A device for holding a writing instrument and supporting a hand; the device comprising: 
 a base having at least a first portion disposed in a reference plane adapted to be disposed parallel to the surface on which the device is resting;    a neck connected to the base at a joint; the neck resiliently pivoting with respect to the base about the joint between a resting position and a depressed position;    the neck being movable to the depressed position from the resting position without moving the first portion of the base from the reference plane when the device is in use; and    a first holder supported by the neck; the holder adapted to securely hold a writing instrument such that pivoting the neck toward the depressed position moves the writing instrument toward a writing surface when the base is disposed on a writing surface.    
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a second holder supported by the neck; the second holder adapted to securely hold a writing instrument such that pivoting the neck toward the depressed position moves the writing instrument toward a writing surface when the base is disposed on a writing surface.  
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein each of the holders includes an outer wall; one of the outer walls being non-continuous so that its size may be adjusted to hold different writing instruments.  
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one rib disposed in the first holder; the rib adapted to frictionally engage the writing instrument.  
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein the at least one rib is at least partially tapered.  
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the base integrally includes a magnifying glass.  
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the base integrally includes a letter opener.  
   
   
       8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the base includes a pair of arms; the neck of the device being disposed intermediate the arms.  
   
   
       9 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein each of the arms include an outer end disposed intermediate the outer end of the neck and the joint that connects the neck to the base.  
   
   
       10 . The device of clam  8 , wherein each of the arms has a sharpened inner edge facing the neck.  
   
   
       11 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the base defines a generally flat body disposed behind the joint such that the joint is disposed intermediate the neck and the body of the base; the generally flat body of the base adapted to receive a portion of the user's hand.  
   
   
       12 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the base has a width; the joint being an elongated, resilient living hinge disposed within the reference plane of the base.  
   
   
       13 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein the elongated living hinge has a length that is over half of the width of the base.  
   
   
       14 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the neck is rigid.  
   
   
       15 . A device for holding a writing instrument and supporting a hand; the device comprising: 
 a generally flat base having a body portion; the body portion adapted to support the hand of the user when the device is in use; the base disposed in a reference plane;    a neck connected to the base at a joint; the neck resiliently pivoting with respect to the base about the joint between a resting position an a depressed position; the joint being located in the reference plane of the base;    the body portion of the base being disposed behind the joint wherein the joint is disposed intermediate the neck and the body portion of the base;    the neck being movable to the depressed position from the resting position without moving the first portion of the base from the reference plane when the device is in use; and    a first holder supported by the neck; the holder adapted to securely hold a writing instrument.    
   
   
       16 . The device of  claim 15 , wherein the base includes a pair of arms; the neck of the device being disposed intermediate the arms.  
   
   
       17 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein each of the arms include an outer end disposed intermediate the outer end of the neck and the joint that connects the neck to the base.  
   
   
       18 . A device for holding a writing instrument and supporting a hand; the device comprising: 
 a base having at least a first portion disposed in a reference plane;    first and second holders carried by the base; each of the holders adapted to securely hold a writing instrument.    
   
   
       19 . The device of  claim 18 , wherein the first holder has a continuous outer wall and the second holder has a non-continuous outer wall.