Slidable spring-biased grip for a handheld writing implement

Abstract

A slidable spring-biased grip assembly connectible to a handheld writing implement for reducing pressing force applied to an external surface during writing for protection thereof. The grip assembly includes an elongated assembly body, a tip connected to an end thereof, a gripping member configured to be axially slidable thereon, and a tension member resiliently and mechanically communicating between the tip and the gripping member, configured to resiliently bias, and slidably urge, the gripping member in a direction away from the tip. The assembly may further comprise a cushioned grip removably sleeved over gripping member and advertising material may be imprinted on an outer surface of the handheld implement.

1 . A handheld writing implement comprising:
 an elongated barrel having opposing first and second barrel ends;   an elongated grip assembly body having opposing first and second assembly body ends, the second assembly body end being connected to the first barrel end;   a tip connected to the first assembly body end;   a gripping member slidably engaged upon said grip assembly body for gripping by a user's fingers, said gripping member being configured to be slidably movable along a grip-sliding section of said grip assembly body between the assembly body ends; and   a tension member disposed in mechanical communication with said tip and said gripping member and configured to counteract external force applied on said gripping member in a direction toward the first assembly body end and slidably urge said gripping member toward the second assembly body end for providing strain relief to the user's fingers.   
   
   
       2 . The handheld writing implement as in  claim 1 , wherein said grip-sliding section is substantially cylindrical in shape. 
   
   
       3 . The handheld writing implement as in  claim 2 , wherein said gripping member is an elongated generally tubular shell slidably engaged to said grip-sliding section. 
   
   
       4 . The handheld writing implement as in  claim 3 , wherein said grip assembly body further comprises a substantially cylindrical barrel-connection section adjacent the second assembly body end for connection to said barrel, said barrel-connection section having a larger diameter than said grip-sliding section to form a stopper at a junction therebetween for retaining said tubular shell upon said grip-sliding section. 
   
   
       5 . The handheld writing implement as in  claim 4 , wherein said tubular shell has first and second outwardly extending flanges formed at two opposing ends thereof adjacent to the first and second assembly body ends respectively, said second flange being configured to engage the stopper when said tubular shell is slidingly urged in a direction toward the second assembly body end by said tension member. 
   
   
       6 . The handheld writing implement as in  claim 3 , wherein said grip-sliding section has a guide detent formed on an outer surface thereof and said tubular shell has a guide recess formed on a portion thereof, said guide detent and recess being configured to mateably engage each other and prevent rotation of said tubular shell about a longitudinal axis of said grip assembly body. 
   
   
       7 . The handheld writing implement as in  claim 3 , further comprising a cushioned grip removably engaged to said tubular shell. 
   
   
       8 . The handheld writing implement as in  claim 5 , wherein said tension member is a coiled spring wrapped around said grip assembly body. 
   
   
       9 . The handheld writing implement as in  claim 8 , wherein said coiled spring is interposed between said tip and said gripping member. 
   
   
       10 . The handheld writing implement as in  claim 9 , wherein said coiled spring is interposed between said first flange of said tubular shell and said tip. 
   
   
       11 . The handheld writing implement as in  claim 8 , wherein said generally tubular shell is tapered toward said first flange. 
   
   
       12 . The handheld writing implement as in  claim 11 , wherein said tubular shell further comprises a ring-like flange formed on an inner surface thereof, and said coiled spring is interposed between said ring-like flange of said tubular shell and said tip. 
   
   
       13 . The handheld writing implement as in  claim 12 , wherein said tubular shell conceals said coiled spring thereunder. 
   
   
       14 . The handheld writing implement as in  claim 1 , wherein said tip is generally cylindrically tapered in shape. 
   
   
       15 . The handheld writing implement as in  claim 14 , wherein said tip is threadably connected to the first assembly body end. 
   
   
       16 . The handheld writing implement as in  claim 1 , wherein the second assembly body end is threadably connected to the first barrel end. 
   
   
       17 . The handheld writing implement as in  claim 1 , wherein said barrel and said grip assembly body are integrally formed. 
   
   
       18 . The handheld writing implement as in  claim 1 , wherein said grip assembly body and said gripping member are fabricated of plastic material. 
   
   
       19 . The handheld writing implement as in  claim 1 , wherein advertising material is imprinted on an outer surface of said writing implement for advertisement. 
   
   
       20 . A spring-grip assembly for connection to a handheld writing implement comprising:
 an elongated assembly body having opposing first and second assembly body ends;   a tip connected to the first assembly body end;   a gripping member slidably engaged upon said grip assembly body for gripping by a user's fingers, said gripping member being configured to be slidably movable along a grip-sliding section of said grip assembly body between the assembly body ends; and   a tension member disposed in mechanical communication with said tip and said gripping member and configured to counteract external force applied on said gripping member in a direction toward the first assembly body end and slidably urge said gripping member toward the second assembly body end for providing strain relief to the user's fingers.   
   
   
       21 . The spring-grip assembly body as in  claim 20 , wherein said grip-sliding section is substantially cylindrical in shape. 
   
   
       22 . The spring-grip assembly body as in  claim 21 , wherein said gripping member is an elongated generally tubular shell slidably engaged to said grip-sliding section. 
   
   
       23 . The spring-grip assembly body as in  claim 22 , wherein said grip assembly body further comprises a substantially cylindrical implement-connection section adjacent the second assembly body end for connection to the writing implement, said implement-connection section having a larger diameter than said grip-sliding section to form a stopper at a junction therebetween for retaining said tubular shell upon said grip-sliding section. 
   
   
       24 . The spring-grip assembly body as in  claim 23 , wherein said tubular shell has first and second outwardly extending flanges formed at two opposing ends thereof adjacent to the first and second assembly body ends respectively, said second flange being configured to engage the stopper when said tubular shell is slidingly urged in a direction toward the second assembly body end by said tension member. 
   
   
       25 . The spring-grip assembly body as in  claim 22 , wherein said grip-sliding section has a guide detent formed on an outer surface thereof and said tubular shell has a guide recess formed on a portion thereof, said guide detent and recess being configured to mateably engage each other and prevent rotation of said tubular shell about a longitudinal axis of said grip assembly body. 
   
   
       26 . The spring-grip assembly body as in  claim 22 , further comprising a cushioned grip removably engaged to said tubular shell. 
   
   
       27 . The spring-grip assembly body as in  claim 24 , wherein said tension member is a coiled spring wrapped around said assembly body. 
   
   
       28 . The spring-grip assembly body as in  claim 27 , wherein said coiled spring is interposed between said tip and said gripping member. 
   
   
       29 . The spring-grip assembly body as in  claim 28 , wherein said coiled spring is interposed between said first flange of said tubular shell and said tip. 
   
   
       30 . The spring-grip assembly body as in  claim 27 , wherein said generally tubular shell is tapered toward the first flange. 
   
   
       31 . The spring-grip assembly body as in  claim 30 , wherein said tubular shell further comprises a ring-like flange formed on an inner surface thereof, and said coiled spring is interposed between said ring-like flange of said tubular shell and said tip. 
   
   
       32 . The spring-grip assembly body as in  claim 29 , wherein said tubular shell conceals said coiled spring thereunder. 
   
   
       33 . The spring-grip assembly body as in  claim 20 , wherein said tip is generally cylindrically tapered in shape. 
   
   
       34 . The spring-grip assembly body as in  claim 33 , wherein said tip is threadably connected to the first assembly body end. 
   
   
       35 . The spring-grip assembly body as in  claim 20 , wherein said grip assembly body and said gripping member are fabricated of plastic material. 
   
   
       36 . The spring-grip assembly body as in  claim 23 , wherein said implement-connection section comprises threads formed thereon for threadable engagement to the writing implement. 
   
   
       37 . A method of advertising comprising the steps of:
 a) providing a handheld writing implement comprising:
 1) an elongated barrel having opposing first and second barrel ends, 
 2) an elongated grip assembly body having opposing first and second assembly body ends, the second assembly body end being serially connected to the first barrel end, 
 3) a tip connected to the first assembly body end, 
 4) a gripping member slidably engaged upon the grip assembly body for gripping by a user's fingers, the gripping member being configured to be slidably movable along a grip-sliding section of said grip assembly body between the assembly body ends, and 
 5) a tension member disposed in mechanical communication with the tip and the gripping member and configured to counteract external force applied on the gripping member in a direction toward the first assembly body end and slidably urge the gripping member toward the second assembly body end for providing strain relief to the user's fingers; and 
   b) imprinting advertising material on an outer surface of the handheld writing implement.   
   
   
       38 . The method of advertising as in  claim 37 , wherein the step of providing a handheld writing implement further comprises removably connecting a retractable cap to the second barrel end. 
   
   
       39 . The method of advertising as in  claim 38 , wherein the step of imprinting advertising material comprises imprinting advertising material on an outer surface of the retractable cap.