# US 9,751,357 B2 · Grip positioning device > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,751,357 B2 - Document ID: US9751357B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/961,740 - Filed: 2015-12-07 - Published: 2016-03-31 - Granted: 2017-09-05 - Earliest claimed: 2013-04-29 - Assignees: Young Occupational Therapy Assessment and Intervention Products, L.L.C. - Applicants: Young Occupational Therapy Assessment and Intervention Products, L.L.C. - Inventors: Mary Rose Young - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9751357B2 ## CPC - B43K 23/012: Holders for attachment to finger tips (B43K23/004 takes precedence) - B43K 23/004: Holders specially adapted for assisting handicapped or disabled persons to write (B43L15/00 takes precedence) - B43K 23/008: Holders comprising finger grips (B43K23/004, B43K23/012 take precedence) - B43K: IMPLEMENTS FOR WRITING OR DRAWING (containers, casings or accessories for cosmetic substances, e.g. shaving soap, lipstick, make-up A45D34/00, A45D40/00) ## Abstract The present disclosure relates to a grip positioning device that includes a tool receptacle that forms a loop, the loop delineating a tool opening through which a tool may be extended, and a plurality of digit receiving elements each forming a loop, the loops each delineating a finger opening through which a digit of a user may be extended, the digit receiving elements coupled to and positioned about the tool receptacle. The tool receptacle and the digit receiving elements may be constructed from a unitary piece of material and the grip positioning device may further include separators that partition the digit receiving elements from the tool receptacle. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A grip positioning device, comprising: a tool receptacle comprising a first resiliently flexible band, the first resiliently flexible band comprising sidewalls that define a tool opening through which a tool may be extended, the tool opening extending in a first direction between first and second opposing open ends, wherein the sidewalls of the first resiliently flexible band have a first full length in the first direction; and a plurality of digit receiving elements each comprising a second resiliently flexible band, each second resiliently flexible band comprising sidewalls that define a finger opening through which one or more digits of a user may be extended, each finger opening extending in a second direction between third and fourth opposing open ends, wherein the sidewalls of the second resiliently flexible band each has a second full length in the second direction, wherein the first direction is parallel to the second direction, and wherein the first full length is equal to or greater than the second full length; wherein the digit receiving elements are coupled to and positioned about the tool receptacle, the tool receptacle being centrally located between the digit receiving elements; and wherein an entirety of the sidewalls, along the second full length of the sidewalls, of the second resiliently flexible band of each digit receiving element is directly coupled to the sidewalls of the first resiliently flexible band of the tool receptacle. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The grip positioning device of claim 1, wherein each digit receiving element defines a single finger opening through which a single digit may be inserted. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The grip positioning device of claim 1, wherein each digit receiving element defines a single finger opening through which multiple digits may be inserted. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The grip positioning device of claim 1, wherein each digit receiving element defines multiple finger openings through which, respectively, multiple digits may be inserted. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The grip positioning device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of digit receiving elements comprises at least three digit receiving elements. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The grip positioning device of claim 1, wherein the tool receptacle and the digit receiving elements are constructed from a unitary piece of material. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The grip positioning device of claim 1, wherein the first full length is greater than the second full length. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The grip positioning device of claim 1, wherein the device is constructed from multiple pieces of material that are fastened together. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The grip positioning device of claim 8, wherein the multiple pieces of material are interwoven to form the tool receptacle and the digit receiving elements. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The grip positioning device of claim 8, wherein the multiple pieces of material are constructed from different types of material. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The grip positioning device of claim 1, wherein the device is constructed from any combination of plastic, polymer, silicone, rubber, cloth, fabric, or other resiliently pliable material. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The grip positioning device of claim 1, wherein each digit receiving element is independently pliable relative to the others. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The grip positioning device of claim 1, further comprising a gripping material on the sidewalls of the tool receptacle. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The grip positioning device of claim 1, further comprising a gripping material on the sidewalls of the digit receiving elements. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The grip positioning device of claim 1, wherein the cross-sectional areas of the tool opening and the finger openings are expandable and collapsible. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The grip positioning device of claim 1, wherein the tool opening and the finger openings are substantially coplanar. ### Claim 17 A grip positioning device, comprising: a tool receptacle comprising a first resiliently flexible band, the first resiliently flexible band comprising sidewalls that define a tool opening through which a tool may be extended, the tool opening extending in a first direction between first and second opposing open ends, wherein the sidewalls of the first resiliently flexible band have a first full length in the first direction; and three digit receiving elements made from the same piece of material as the tool receptacle but extending out from the tool receptacle, wherein each digit receiving element comprises a second resiliently flexible band, each second resiliently flexible band comprising sidewalls that define a finger opening through which one or more digits of a user may be extended, each finger opening extending in a second direction between third and fourth opposing open ends, wherein the sidewalls of the second resiliently flexible band each has a second full length in the second direction, wherein the first direction is parallel to the second direction, and wherein the first full length is equal to or greater than the second full length; wherein an entirety of the sidewalls, along the second full length of the sidewalls, of the second resiliently flexible band of each digit receiving element is directly coupled to the sidewalls of the first resiliently flexible band of the tool receptacle. ### Claim 18 A method of using a grip positioning device, comprising: inserting a tool into a tool opening of a tool receptacle, the tool opening defined by sidewalls of a first resiliently flexible band, the tool opening extending in a first direction between first and second opposing open ends, wherein the tool opening has a first full length in the first direction; inserting a first digit of a user into a finger opening of a first digit receiving element; inserting a second digit of a user into a finger opening of a second digit receiving element; and inserting a third digit of a user into a finger opening of a third digit receiving element; wherein each of the first, second, and third digit receiving elements extend out from the tool receptacle, wherein each of the first, second, and third digit receiving elements comprises a second resiliently flexible band comprising sidewalls that define a finger opening through which one or more digits of a user may be extended, each finger opening extending in a second direction between third and fourth opposing open ends, wherein the sidewalls of the second resiliently flexible band have a second full length in the second direction, wherein the first direction is parallel to the second direction, wherein the first full length is equal to or greater than the second full length; and wherein an entirety of the sidewalls, along the second full length of the sidewalls, of the second resiliently flexible band of each digit receiving element is directly coupled to the sidewalls of the first resiliently flexible band of the tool receptacle.