Clipboard pencil holder

Abstract

The clipboard pencil holder is a device that can be easily attached to the clip of a conventional clipboard for the purpose of providing easy and convenient storage and retrieval of a pencil or other similarly-sized writing instrument. The holder holds the pencil horizontally against, and parallel to the clipboard clip while substantially avoiding interference with the clipboard clip's ability to grip a paper pad which, for example, is positioned between the clip and the board of the clipboard.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A holder for securing a writing instrument to a clipboard having a clip, comprising: 
 a bottom section having a pair of legs, said legs being separably flexible for engaging the clip of the clipboard to grip the clip in frictional engagement;    an upper section integrally connected to a first one of said legs of said bottom section and providing an instrument retention cavity proximate to the clip when said bottom section engages the clip; and    a first contact member integrally connected to said upper section and extending outwardly, said first contact member being movable for opening said instrument retention cavity for receiving the pencil.    
     
     
         2 . A holder according to  claim 1  and further including a second upper section integrally connected to a second one of said legs of said bottom section and providing a second instrument retention cavity proximate to the clip when said bottom section engages the clip.  
     
     
         3 . A holder according to  claim 1  wherein said legs are flexibly movable apart to provide a bias return force for frictionally engaging the legs to the clip.  
     
     
         4 . A holder according to  claim 1  wherein the clip has a first linear edge; and wherein the bottom section provides a second linear edge.  
     
     
         5 . A holder according to claim  34  wherein said second linear edge is approximately the length of the first linear edge.  
     
     
         6 . A holder according to  claim 1  wherein said upper section has a surface for forming a portion of said cavity.  
     
     
         7 . A holder according to  claim 6  wherein said surface holds a writing instrument against the clip.  
     
     
         8 . A holder according to  claim 7  wherein said upper section is flexibly movable relative to said bottom section, said upper section being movable away from the clip, when said bottom section engages the clip, for providing a biasing force against a writing instrument when the instrument is located within said cavity.  
     
     
         9 . A holder according to  claim 8  wherein said biasing force holds the writing instrument against the clip.  
     
     
         10 . A holder according to  claim 9  wherein said upper section has a substantially shorter longitudinal length than the longitudinal length of said bottom section.  
     
     
         11 . A holder according to  claim 1  wherein said first contact member has a first camming surface for engaging the outer surface of a writing instrument.  
     
     
         12 . A holder according to  claim 2  wherein said second upper section has an outwardly curved surface forming at least a portion of said second instrument retention cavity.  
     
     
         13 . A holder for securing a writing instrument to a clipboard having a clip, comprising: 
 a first member having a structure for frictional attachment to the clip of the clipboard;    a second member connected to said first member and being located proximate to the clip when said structure is frictionally attached to the clip, said second member being of a shape for providing an instrument retention cavity.    
     
     
         14 . A holder according to  claim 13  wherein the clip has a first linear edge; and wherein said structure includes a second linear edge.  
     
     
         15 . A holder according to  claim 14  wherein said second linear edge is approximately the length of the first linear edge.  
     
     
         16 . A holder according to  claim 13  wherein said second member is flexibly movable relative to said first member for opening said instrument retention cavity.  
     
     
         17 . A holder according to  claim 13  wherein said second member is movable relative to said first member for enlarging said instrument retention cavity.  
     
     
         18 . A holder according to  claim 13  wherein said second member is flexibly connected to said first member along a first longitudinal length.  
     
     
         19 . A holder according to  claim 13  wherein said first member has a second longitudinal length, said first longitudinal length being substantially shorter than said second longitudinal length.  
     
     
         20 . A holder according to  claim 2  and further including a second contact member integrally connected to said second upper section, said second contact member being movable for opening said second instrument retention cavity.  
     
     
         21 . A holder according to  claim 2  wherein said second upper section contacts the clip for providing a holding force for retaining said holder to the clip.