Adaptable pressure writing instrument holder

In combination, an instrument and an integral gripping device for aiding in the gripping of the instrument, said instrument having a barrel portion and an operating portion extending from an end of the instrument opposite said barrel portion for performing an operation, said gripping device being an integral part of said instrument positioned between said barrel portion and said operating portion, and comprising:

• first and second ends of said gripping device respectively adjacent said barrel portion and said operating portion;
• a body of said gripping device between said first and second ends having a generally annular shape and tapering radially inwardly in moving from said first end toward said second end to a portion of said gripping device intermediate said first and second ends and gradually curving outwardly from said intermediate portion toward said second end;
• said gripping device having a finger engaging surface extending between said intermediate portion and said second end, said finger engaging surface being initially aligned generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of said instrument and gradually curving outwardly and terminating in a curved edge which joins a curved convex surface which forms said second end and extends radially inwardly toward an opening in said second end through which said operating portion extends;
• said outwardly curved portion of said finger engaging surface having a curved convex shape defining a force applying shelf diagonally aligned with the longitudinal axis, said finger engaging surface having a contour confirming to a finger of a gripping hand for resting said finger thereon, said force applying shelf provided to urge said operating portion toward engagement with a surface by application of a force to said force applying shelf by any one of a tip, lateral surface, dorsal surface or knuckle of the finger applied thereto;
• said intermediate portion of said body forming a D-shaped perimeter with the portion of the finger engaging surface parallel to the longitudinal axis and being of a size and contour sufficient to be engaged by at least another finger of the gripping hand which, by engaging said intermediate portion is capable of supporting the instrument with only a minimal force exerted upon said instrument in a direction perpendicular to said longitudinal axis whereas the force acting on said force applying shelf and applied in a direction generally parallel to said longitudinal axis is significantly greater than the force supporting said device.

In combination, an instrument and an integral gripping device for aiding in the gripping of said instrument, said instrument having a barrel portion and an operating portion extending from an end of the instrument opposite said barrel portion for performing an operation, said gripping device being an integral part of said instrument positioned between said barrel portion and said operating portion, and comprising:

• first and second ends of said gripping device respectively adjacent said barrel portion and said operating portion;
• a body of said gripping device between said first and second ends having a truncated annular-shaped periphery defining a cross-section having a substantially D-shaped perimeter at said first end, a flat surface portion of the truncated periphery defining a linear portion of said D-shaped perimeter;
• said body having an annular periphery at said second end;
• said flat surface portion defining a gripping surface which is substantially flat over a portion of its length between said first end and said second end and which curves gradually over the remainder of its length to provide a curved convex surface portion;
• the annular-shaped periphery of said body gradually tapering inwardly from said first end toward an intermediate portion and thereafter tapering outwards toward said second end to define a substantially hour glass shape.

In combination, an instrument and an integral gripping device for aiding in the gripping of said instrument, said instrument having a barrel portion and an operating portion at an end of the instrument opposite said barrel portion for performing an operation, said gripping device comprising:

• first and second ends of said gripping device respectively adjacent to said barrel portion and said operating portion;
• a body of said gripping device between said first and second ends having a generally hour-glass shape on two opposing side surfaces, one of said two opposing side surfaces extending radially outwardly at said second end by an amount greater than the remaining one of said two opposing sides to form a support shelf for supporting a portion of a single finger;
• two remaining sides of said gripping device between said two opposing sides having generally linear surfaces extending in a longitudinal direction and having a convex surface when viewed in cross-section;
• and
• said two remaining sides and a remaining one of the opposing sides having a generally hour-glass shape serving as single or plural finger support surface.

In combination, an instrument and an integral gripping device for aiding in the gripping of said instrument, said instrument having a barrel portion and an operating portion at an end of the instrument opposite said barrel portion for performing an operation, said gripping device comprising:

• first and second ends of said gripping device respectively adjacent to said barrel portion and said operating portion;
• a body of said gripping device between said first and second ends having a generally hour-glass shape on two opposing side surfaces, one of said two opposing side surfaces extending radially outwardly at said second end by an amount greater than the remaining one of said two opposing sides to form a support shelf for supporting a portion of a single finger;
• two remaining sides of said gripping device between said two opposing sides having generally linear surfaces extending in a longitudinal direction and having a convex surface when viewed in cross-section;
• said two remaining sides and a remaining one of the opposing sides having a generally hour-glass shape serving as single or plural finger support surface;
• said instrument being a writing instrument having an elongated tubular-shaped supply member arranged in said instrument and aligned at one end with said operating portion, which comprises a writing point, said tubular member being aligned so that its longitudinal axis is displaced from a central longitudinal axis of said barrel portion;
• and
• said writing point being displaced from said support shelf so as to be positioned so that the longitudinal central axis of the instrument lies between said shelf and the longitudinal central axis of the tubular-shaped supply member.

In combination, an instrument and an integral gripping device for aiding in the gripping of said instrument, said instrument having a barrel portion and an operating portion at an end of the instrument opposite said barrel portion for performing an operation, said gripping device comprising:

• first and second ends of said gripping device respectively adjacent to said barrel portion and said operating portion;
• a body of said gripping device between said first and second ends having a generally hour-glass shape on two opposing side surfaces, one of said two opposing side surfaces extending radially outwardly at said second end by an amount greater than the remaining one of said two opposing sides to form a support shelf for supporting a portion of a single finger;
• two remaining sides of said gripping device between said two opposing sides having generally linear surfaces extending in a longitudinal direction and having a convex surface when viewed in cross-section;
• said two remaining sides and a remaining one of the opposing sides having a generally hour-glass shape serving as single or plural finger support surface;
• and
• a closing cap for sealing an open end of said barrel portion, said cap having an internal annular recess for receiving and properly positioning an end of said tubular member regardless of an angular orientation of said cap relative to said barrel portion.