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 a pair of arms and a hand support disposed in a reference plane adapted to be disposed parallel to the surface on which the device is resting;   the pair of arms being spaced apart by a gap;   a neck connected to the hand support of 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 joint being an elongated, resilient living hinge disposed within the reference plane of the base;   the entire hand support being disposed behind the joint such that the joint is disposed intermediate the neck and the hand support of the base; the hand support of the base being adapted to receive a portion of the user's hand;   the neck being disposed intermediate the arms above the gap;   the neck being movable to the depressed position from the resting position without moving the hand support 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 . (canceled) 
   
   
       9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the neck is rigid. 
   
   
       10 - 14 . (canceled) 
   
   
       15 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein each of the arms includes a forward tip disposed intermediate the first holder and the joint. 
   
   
       16 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the neck includes a pair of spaced rails that form an elongated grip adapted to receive the user's finger between the spaced rails. 
   
   
       17 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein the neck further includes an inner transverse rib disposed between the rails. 
   
   
       18 . The device of  claim 17 , wherein the neck further includes an outer transverse rib projecting outwardly from the rails. 
   
   
       19 . The device of  claim 18 , wherein the joint connects the outer transverse rib to the base.