Holder for long slender implements

A holder for long slender writing implements, comprising:

• a support member having a top edge, a bottom edge and opposed side surfaces, the support member including at least one opening which communicates with each of the opposed side surfaces, the at least one opening having a fixed diameter sized to slidably accommodate a largest of the slender writing implements to be held by the holder;
• a plurality of resilient gripping fingers attached in groups to the respective opposed side surfaces around a perimeter of each of the at least one opening, each group of the gripping fingers extending away from the respective opposed side surfaces in a converging relationship so that the resilient gripping fingers associated with each of the at least one opening define a hollow barrel with resilient segmented sides which exert a gripping pressure on the periphery of a long slender writing implement inserted therethrough;
• a display area affixed to the top edge of the support member;
• and
• means affixed to a bottom edge of the support member for retaining the support member in an orientation suitable for accepting and holding the long slender writing implements.

A holder for writing implements which provides a display surface for graphic and textual information, the holder comprising, integrally formed and in combination:

• a support member having a top edge, a bottom edge and opposed side surfaces, the support member including at least one opening which communicates with each of the opposed side surfaces, the at least one opening having a fixed diameter sized to slidably accommodate, while permitting quick and smooth removal of a diameter of a largest of the writing implements to be held by the holder;
• a hollow resilient frusto-conical shaped gripping member attached to the respective opposed side surfaces around a perimeter of each of the at least one opening, the gripping member extending away from the respective opposed side surfaces and including a plurality of gripping finger segments which are deflected outwardly when a writing instrument is inserted therebetween, each segment exerting a pressure on the periphery of the writing implement to hold the writing implement in a supported condition;
• a display area affixed to the top edge of the support member, the display area providing a surface for supporting a graphic information display;
• and
• means associated with a bottom edge of the support member for retaining the support member in an orientation suitable for accepting and holding the writing implements.