Cushioning grip

Abstract

The present invention is a cushioning grip for objects that are designed to be held or manipulated by the fingers and / or the hand and a method for using the invention. The grip is made of a length of bendable material surrounded with a cushioning material. The present invention is attachable to an article so as to provide a comfortable grip for both users with disabilities, pain, or weakness in the hands or fingers and users not so afflicted, even with prolonged use.

Description

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 742,025, filed Dec. 1, 2005.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] This invention relates generally to a cushioning device and method for using that device which provides a comfortable grip to an article, or portion of an article, to which said cushioning device is attached. More specifically, this invention relates to a detachable or permanently affixable attachment having cushioning such that the cushion provides a comfortable grip to the hand and fingers of the person using said attachment. The cushioning device can be affixed to any object or portion thereof designed to be held or manipulated by the fingers and / or hand where a softer, thicker area for grasping or gripping is desired. The present invention further relates, as in one preferred embodiment, to cushioned attachable grips for writing instruments. [0003] Finger and / or hand held and / or manipulated articles—such as writing implements, eating ut...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0013] To provide a cushioned grip which is comfortable to hold for an extended period of time;

[0022] This much-needed cushioned grip can be used without damage to the item upon which it is attached, can be attached to items of different sizes and purposes, and is easily removable, transferable, reusable, or permanently attachable to an object.

Problems solved by technology

Finger and / or hand held and / or manipulated articles—such as writing implements, eating utensils, small tools, handles—used in daily living and frequently held in the hand or fingers for an extended time, may cause pain, fatigue, and discomfort both to users with disabilities and with pain or weakness in the hands or fingers and to users not afflicted with said disabilities, pain, or weakness.

These grips are of limited effectiveness, as they do not conform to differing anatomies and techniques of use of different individuals.

Articles with built-in grips are not comfortable to hold for an extended period of time.

The user must hold the article tightly to control the object, leading to strain and cramping with prolonged use.

These grips are not removable, transferable, or reusable, and therefore cannot be affixed to various objects.

The grips are not sufficiently soft, thick, and formable to prevent discomfort for the user and so do not provide a grip that is comfortable to hold for an extended period of time.

These grips have insufficient cushioning to prevent the user from feeling the surface of the object to be held in the fingers or hand.

Some separate attachable grips are filled with liquids and may leak.

These grips must be forced onto the object to be cushioned, and are therefore not easily installed or removed, especially by an individual with a disability, pain, or weakness in the hands and fingers.

The design of all of these separate attachable cushioning grips does not lend itself to use with various objects, or portions thereof, of differing sizes.

The additional steps involved in heating and forming the grip diminish its ease of use, and heating the grip while it is attached to an object risks damage to that object.

These wrapping grips are for use with larger hand-held articles and are not suitable for finger held and manipulated objects.

While they may be removeable, they are generally not transferable or reuseable.

While comprising a creative approach to the problem, these designs require the user to relearn the method of using the article and can compromise dexterity acquired by years of practice on the part of the user.

These articles are specifically designed for one purpose and cannot provide cushioning to different objects.

These also are not inexpensive to manufacture, and therefore not inexpensive to purchase.

Images