Implement holder

Abstract

The invention provides an implement holder in the form of an open top container partially filled with relatively small, relatively dense, particles, for example spherical metallic pellets. The balls occupy the inside of the container to a depth less than the height of a sidewall of the container. Inserting an implement, for example a pen, into the mass of particles causes the particles to separate and provide a nest for support of the implement. Retraction of the implement allows the particles to reposition and fill the nest.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An implement holder for releasably holding implements comprising: 
 a) a container having an open top;    b) a plurality of dense particles located within the container;    c) wherein the particles are not physically attached to one another.    
     
     
         2 . The implement holder according to  claim 1 , wherein the particles are substantially spherical.  
     
     
         3 . The implement holder according to  claim 1 , wherein the particles are substantially uniform in size.  
     
     
         4 . The implement holder according to  claim 2 , wherein the particles are substantially uniform in size.  
     
     
         5 . The implement holder according to  claim 1 , wherein the particles fill the container to a maximum height less than the height of a sidewall of the container.  
     
     
         6 . The implement holder according to  claim 1 , wherein the particles are formed of a material having a density between 7.7 g/cc and 11.3 g/cc.  
     
     
         7 . The implement holder according to  claim 6 , wherein the particles are formed of a material having a density of about 11.3 g/cc.  
     
     
         8 . The implement holder according to  claim 1 , wherein the particles are formed of metal.  
     
     
         9 . The implement holder according to  claim 8 , wherein the particles are formed of lead.  
     
     
         10 . The implement holder according to  claim 8 , wherein the particles are substantially uniform in size and coated with a coating material.  
     
     
         11 . The implement holder according to  claim 9 , wherein the coating material has a substantially low coefficient of friction.  
     
     
         12 . The implement holder according to  claim 9 , wherein the coating material has a substantially high coefficient of friction.  
     
     
         13 . The implement holder according to  claim 1 , wherein the container is transparent.  
     
     
         14 . The implement holder according to  claim 2 , wherein the particles are configured with a diameter between 1.5-4.5 mm.  
     
     
         15 . The implement holder according to  claim 2 , wherein the particles are configured with a diameter of about 2.0 mm.  
     
     
         16 . The implement holder according to  claim 1 , wherein the container is opaque.  
     
     
         17 . The implement holder according to  claim 1 , wherein the container is translucent.