US2988055A

US2988055A - Clip actuated latch mechanism for retractable writing instruments

Info

Publication number: US2988055A
Application number: US756955A
Authority: US
Inventors: Lewis F Platt
Original assignee: Scripto Inc
Current assignee: Scripto Inc
Priority date: 1958-08-25
Filing date: 1958-08-25
Publication date: 1961-06-13
Anticipated expiration: 1978-06-13

Description

June 13, 1961 L. F. PLATT 2,988,055

CLIP ACTUATED LATCH NECHANISM FOR RETRACTABLE WRITING INSTRUMENTS Filed Aug. 25, 1958 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 L. F. PLATT June 13, 1961 CLIP ACTUATED LATCH MECHANISM FOR RETRACTABLE WRITING INSTRUMENTS Filed Aug. 25, 1958 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

ATTO/MEMS L. F. PLATT June 13, 1961 CLIP ACTUATED LATCH MECHANISM FOR RETRACTABLE WRITING INSTRUMENTS 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 m w W e M3 a s a 5. WIM

/1 Trae/vans United States Patent() Filed Aug. Z5, 1958, Ser. No. 756,955 6 Claims. (Cl. 1Z0-42.03)

This invention relates to writing instruments, and more particularly to an improved latch mechanism for such writing instruments in which a writing unit is arranged for projection and retraction alternately upon successive manipulations of an actuating means that is operably accessible at the side of the writing instrument and whereinthe actuating means may include a pocket clip element which is in usual clipping relation when the writing unit it retracted and which is displaced inwardly to an inoperative position when the writing unit is projected.

Briefly described, the latch mechanism of the present invention is characterized by a laterally shiftable actuating member disposed within the barrel of a writing instrument rearwardly of a writing unit retractably housed therein, with a portion of the actuating member operably accessible at the side of the writing instrument, and with the actuating member otherwise arranged within the writing instrument barrel in relation to cam means for causing the writing unit to -be projected from the barrel and releasably latched at projected position and for subsequent retraction within the barrel upon successive manipulations of the actuating member. Preferably, this actuating means includes a pocket clip element which is displaced inwardly to an inoperative position when the writing unit is projected and which is in usual ,clip-fA ping relation when the writing unit is retracted.

'I'he actuating member or means is assembled with a guide means that is fixed within the barrel. The guide means may be formed to include a guide slot for slidably receiving the actuating means, an inwardly facing longitudinal latch shoulder for releasably latching the writing unit at projected position, and a forwardly facing latch release cam portion for selectively canting the actuating means free from engagement with the latch shoulder. I

When the actuating means is formed at its outer portion to provide a pocket clip arranged to rendera substantially continuous outer barrel surface at its inoperative position, the balance and feel of the writing instrument when held in the users hand is greatly increased.V Also, the provision of a pocket clip arranged in this manner further insures that the writing instrument cannot be secured within a users pocket while the point of the writing instrument is projected.

The above described arrangement of the latchrmechanism further offers a wide latitude of design in structures embodying the present invention. Also, this latch mechanism minimizes highly critical tolerances for the parts that are employed therein and consequently avoids ditliculty with tedious assembly operations. As a result, the latch mechanism of the present invention makes it possible to provide an exceptionally effective mechanism that is capable of projecting and retracting a writing unit by successive manipulations of an actuating means located at the side of the writing instrument barrel, and having consistent and serviceable operating characteristics while possessing features that make it particularly easy to assemble.

These and other features of the present invention are described in further detail below in connection with th accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a central longitudinal section of a writing instrument embodying the present invention, with the writing unit illustrated therein in retracted position;

Patented June 13, 1961 FIG. 3 is a partial longitudinal section corresponding' .generally to FIGS. 1 and 2 and illustrating the manner in which the writing unit is released for return from projected to retracted position;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the components forming the latch mechanism shown in FIGS. l, 2 and 3;

FIG. 5 is a central longitudinal section of a writing instrument incorporating a modified embodiment of the' present invention, the writing unit being illustrated at retracted position;

FIG. v6 is a longitudinal section corresponding to FIG. 5 with the writing unit shifted to projected position;

FIG. 7 is a partial longitudinal section corresponding generally to FIGS. 5 and 6 and illustrating the manner in which the writing unit is released for return from projected to retracted position in the embodiment illustrated therein;

FIG. 8v is an exploded perspective view of the components forming the modified latch mechanism shown in FIGS. 5, 6 and 7;

Fig. 9 is a central longitudinal section of a writing instrument incorporating a further modified embodiment of the present invention, the writing unit being illustrated therein at retracted position; n

FIG. 10 is a longitudinal section corresponding generally to FIG. 9 but showing the writing unit therein shifted to projected position;

FIG.V 11 is a partial longitudinal section corresponding generally to -FIGS. 9 and 10 and illustrating the manner in which'the writing unit is' released for return from` projected to retracted position in the modified embodiment illustrated therein; and

FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of the components forming the modied latch mechanism shown in FIGS. 9, 10 and 11.

'I'he embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4 of the drawings comprises a writing instrument, as indicated generally by the reference numeral 100, in which a two-part barrel housing is formed by a forward barrel portion 101 and a rear barrel portion 102 for containing a writing or ball point and reservoir unit 103 slidably arranged therein to shift longitudinally between rearwardly retracted and forwardly projected positions, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 respectively; the writing unit 103 being continuously biased rearwardly toward retracted position by a coil spring 104 bottomed in the forward barrel portion 101 and bearing rearwardly there-Y from on the writing unit 103.

The forward and

rear barrel portions

101 and 102 are arranged for assembly in any convenient manner inter-mediate the length of the writing instrument 100,

shoulders 107 and forwardly facing latch release cam` face portions 108. The latch shoulders 107, as illustrated in FIGS. l to 4, are preferably angled somewhat for. positive latch engagement, but these shoulders 107 are nevertheless longitudinal in general disposition for en' gaging a latch that is shifted laterally within the barrel,v

rathcrthanbeing laterally arranged in the usual manner for engaging a latch that is shifted longitudinally within a barrel.

'I'he above described latch shoulders 107 arepp'rovided to. engage latch lugs 109 formed on an actuating. member 110 that is disposed within the rear barrelwpprtion 102 inA assembled relation at the guide means, 106 for lateral shifting therein. As thus assembled4 with the guide means 106, the actuatingv member 110 is arranged` in relation to a lateral opening 1,11- through which it is accessible for inward depression, and the actuating member 110 preferably incorporates a pocket clip` element 112 projecting through the lateral barrel opening 1 11 to anoperative clipping position, when, the writing unit 103 is retracted, as seen in FIG. l, while being displaced inwardly at the lateral barrel opening 111 to an inoperative position when the writing unit 103 is projected, as

seen in FIG. 2.

In order to provide for the above noted assembly of the laterally` shiftable actuating member 110, the guide means 106 is formed with a longitudinal recess 113 aligned with the lateral barrel opening 111 and proportioned for slidably receiving the actuatingY member 110 in guided relation, with longitudinally spaced2 transverse guide slots 114 opening off the longitudinal recess 113 to receive the. actuating member latch lug portions 109 in relation to the latch shoulders 107 and cam face portions 8 which are formed therein. Between the above mentioned transverse guide slots 114, theV guide means 106 is further formedY with aV transverse recess 115 for positioning a bias spring 116 to bear outwardly on the actuating member 110 s o as to maintain it biased outwardly towardn the position at which the pocket clip element 112 projects operativelyl through the l'ateralbarrel opening 111.

AtV its forward end portion, the guide means 106 is arranged to receive slidably the rear end ofthe writing unit 103 in relation to a cam member 117 pivoted thereon to bear at the rear end of writing unit 103. this purpose, the guidemeans106 has` a forwardly opening bore central portion 118` proportionedto receive the rear end of writing unit 103 slidably in, guided relation, with opposed longitudinal slots 119 formed at this bore portion 118 to providenclearance for pivoting movement of the cam member 117` about pivot studs 120 formed:

thereon for dispositionin bearing slots 121` formed therefor in the guide means 106 adjacent the rear end of the central bore portion 118g. As thus disposed` for pivoted bearing at the rear end ofthe writing unit 103, the cam member 117 is also arranged to engage a forward end portion 122 of the actuating member 110;so that inward depression of the actuating member 110 results, through its forward end portion 122, in pivoting the cam member 117 forwardly to project the writing `unit 103, as illustrated in FIG. 2. Upon such action of the cam member 117 in ltranslating lateral shifting of the actuating member 110 into longitudinal projecting movement of the writing unit 103, the rearward bias on the Writing unit 103 'from its bias spring 104 acts in turn to apply a rearward bias` on the actuating member 110 so that as.r

soon as its inwardV depression proceeds to the point of shifting the latch lugs 109 thereon past the guide means latch shoulders 107, the rearward bias will causeshifting of the latch lugs 109 into engagement with the latchv shoulders 107 and thereby latch the forwardly projected Writing unit 103 at projected position. a succeeding further inward depression of the actuating member 110 the latch lugs 109 will be moved into contact with the forwardly facing cam face portions 108 adjacent the guide means latch shoulders 107, and these cam face portions will cause a forward displacement ofthe actuating member latch lugs 109 from engagement with latch shoulders 107 and free the actuating member 110" for shifting laterally outward, as illustrated in FIG. 3,

and therebyallowing retractionY ofthe writing-unit-103` under the force of the rearward bias thereon from spring Forr However, upon` 104. Accordingly, successive inward depressions of the single side actuating member at the lateral barrel opening 111 acts alternately in one instance through the forward actuating member end portion 122 and cam member 117 to project the writing unit 103 whereuponv the latch lugs 109` engage the latch shoulders 107 for latching the writing unit 103 at projected position, and in the other instance through contact with the cam face portions 108 to disengage the latch lugsl 109` from the latch shoulders 107 and permit retraction of the writing unit 103.

The latch release cam portions 108 may be omitted from` this general type of mechanism when the structure isy such that a sufficient portion of the actuator 110 and/ o r clip 112 is manually accessible exteriorly of the barrel when the writing unit is at projected position to enable the-user to manually shift the actuator forward and freeit from engagement with the latch shoulder.

FIGS. 5, 6, 7 and 8 illustrate a modified embodimentv vided with a differently arranged form of latch mechanism, as indicated generally by the reference numeral 205 for retracted and projected positioning of the writing unit 203 in the manner described above. The latch mechanism 205 comprises in this embodiment a guide meansv 206 xed within the rear barrel portion 202 and formed intermediate its length with a latch shoulder 207 facing, inwardly with respect to a lateral barrel opening 208 at which an actuating member 209 is arranged from apivot mounting adjacentthe rear end of the guide means 206 for lateral pivoting movement in relation to the latch shoulder 207. Theactuating means "209 preferably carries a pocket clip element 210 thereon for projection through the lateral barrel opening 208, as in the previously described embodiment, and is formed with a latch lug portion 211 for engaging the latch shoulder 207. The pivoted mounting of the actuating means 209 is effected through a pivot pi n 212 formed on theA actuating member 209 and elongated journal slots 213 formed therefor in the guide means 206 on an axis inclined forwardly away from the lateral barrel opening'208. In order to provide for assembly of the actuating member 209 readily at the journal slots 213, the guide means 206 is preferably formed compositely of two longitudinal parts with one longitudinal component 206 having a major portion ofthe journal slots 213 formed therein to provide for-assembly on the actuating member pivot pin 212 (see FIG. 8). Y Forwardly, the guide means 206 is formed with a central bore portion 214 for slidably receiving the rearuend of the writing unit 203, and at which opposed longitudinal clearanceslots 215 are provided for a pivoted carn member 216 carried at pivot studs 217 thereon in bearing slots 218` arranged in the guide means 206 for carrying the pivoted cam member 216 to bear at the rear endA ofr the writing unit'203- and engage a forward end portion 219 of the actuating member 209 so as to translate lateral pivot movement of the actuating member 209 into longitudinal shiftingmovement'of the writing-unit 2.03` for projecting-the writing unit as shown in FIG. 6 from its retractedl position illustrated in FIG. 5. Inward depression ofthe actuating member 209 for effecting such projectingmovement kof the writing unit 203 has the effect of shifting the latch lug portion211Y of actuating member 209 inwardly to a position at which it will be forced into engagement withtheflatch shoulder 207 under the force of the bias spring 204- acting rearwardlylon the'- writing unit`203r and Athrough the pivotedcambmemb er, 216, the rearwardi movement of the actuating mem-i slots 213 at which the actuating member pivoted pin 212 is carried. Such latching engagement of the actuating member 209 results in holding the writing unit 203 at its projected forward position, and it should be notedthat upon such projected position latching, the pocket clip element 210 of the actuating member 209 has the forward end thereof displaced inwardly to an inoperative position, while the rear end portion thereof is shifted to a more pronounced projecting relation at the lateral barrel opening 208. Accordingly, it is this rear portion of the pocket clip element 210 at which subsequent inward displacement pressure is applied on the actuating member 209 and the result of such pressure is to cause forward movement of the actuating member pivot pin 212 in the inclined journal slots 213 therefor so as to displace the actuating member 209 forwardly and cause disengagement of the latch lug portions 211 thereof from the latch shoulder 207 and thereby release the actuating member 209, as seen in FIG. 7 to permit retraction of the writing unit 203 and return of the actuating member 209 to the FIG. 5 position.

FIGS. 9, 10, ll and l2 illustrate a still further moditied embodiment in which a writing instrument 300 having forward and

rear barrel portions

301 and 302 assembled to form a housing for a writing unit 303 biased rearwardly by a coil spring at 304 is provided with a further modified latch mechanism 305 for projected and retracted positioning of the writing unit 303 in the same general manner as has been explained above in connection with the previously described embodiments.

The latch mechanism 305 provided for the present embodiment incorporates a guide means 306 and an actuating member 307 pivoted thereon in relation to a lateral barrel opening 308 through which a pocket clip element 309 of the actuating member projects as in the last described embodiment. pivoted cam member 310 at bearing slots 311 to bear against the rear end of the writing unit 303 and to engage a forward end portion 312 of the actuating member 307 for translating lateral pivoting movement of the actuating member 307 into longitudinal shifting movement of the writing unit 303 incident to retracted and projected positioning thereof as illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10. The actuating member 307 in the present embodiment is formed with a latch lug portion at 3113 intermediate its length and has elongated pivot slots 314 formed adjacent its rear end with an inclination extending forwardly away from the lateral barrel opening 308. The guide means 306 is in turn arranged for assembly insertion therein of a pivot pin 315 and a shoulder bar 316, these elements being inserted laterally through apertures therefor in the guide means 306 so as to simplify substantially the structure of the guide means 306 and further facilitating advantageously the assembly of the pivoted actuating member 307 for operation therewith in substantially the same manner as the latch mechanism 205 provided in the last described embodiment above.

The general external coniigurations of the pens shown for purposes of illustrating this type of mechanism are not intended as a dedication or disclosure of any aesthetic features of writing instruments of this type whose designs are the subject matter of any copending design applications.

The present invention has been described in detail above for purposes of illustration only and is not intended to be limited by this description or otherwise except as delined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A retractable writing instrument comprising a barrel having a lateral opening lat the rear end thereof, a writing unit slidably housed within said b-arrel for shifting between forwardly projected and rearwardly retracted positions with respect to the forward barrel end, means within said barrel biasing said writing unit toward retracted position, stationary guide means positioned with- The guide means 306 carries ar in `said barrel incorporating a latch shoulder facing in-v wardly with respectrto said lateral barrel opening and a release cam portion arranged for exerting a displacement force -in disengaging relation with respect to said latch shoulder, actuating means assembled with said guide means for guided lateral shifting thereat and being manually accessible at said lateral barrel opening, said' actuating means being formed with a latch lug for engagement lwith said latch shoulder and with a forwardly extending end portion, and cam means pivoted in said barrel at the rear of said writing unit and engagingfthe forward end portion of said actuating means for translating lateral shifting movement of said actuating means into longitudinal shifting movement 0f said writing unit,

whereby successive depressions of said actuating meansat said lateral barrel opening acts alternately iirst through inward movement of said forward end portion in engagement with said pivoted cam means to project said writing unit and to engage said latch lug with said latch shoulder for latching said wri-ting unit at projected position, and then upon second manipulation of said actuating means in contact with said guide means release cam portion to disengage said latch lug from said latch shoulder and permit retraction of said writing unit under the force of said biasing means.

2. A retractable writing instrument as defined in claim l and further characterized in that said actuating means incorporates a pocket clip element at said lateral barrel opening positioned operative for clipping when said actuating means is disposed for retracted positioning of said writing unit, said pocket clip element being displaced inwardly at said barrel opening to a position inoperative for clipping when said actuating means is disposed for projected positioning of said writing unit.

3. A retractable writing instrument comprising a barbel having a lateral opening adjacent the rear end thereof, a writing unit sli-dably housed within said barrel forY shifting longitudinally between forwardly projected and rearwardly retracted positions, biasing means arranged within said barrel urging said writing unit toward retracted position, stationary guide means positioned within said barrel including an inwardly facing longitudinal latch shoulder and a forwardly inclined latch release cam face, laterally shiftable actuating means disposed in said guide means and accessible at said barrel opening for inward depression thereat, said actuating means having a latch lug thereon for releasably engaging said latch shoulder and a forwardly extending end portion, and 'cam means pivoted in said barrel at the rear of said writing unit and engaging the forward end portion of said actuating means for translating lateral shifting movement of said actuating means into longitudinal shifting movement of said writing unit, whereby successive depressions of said actuating means at said lateral barrel opening acts alternately first through inward movement of said forward end portion in engagement with said cam means vto project said writing unit and to engage said latch lug with said latch shoulder for latching said writing unit at projected position, and then upon a second manipulation of said actuating means in contact with said forwardly inclined latch release cam face to disengage said latch lug from said latch shoulder and permit retraction of said writing unit under the force of said biasing means.

4. A retractable writing instrument comprising a barrel having a lateral opening adjacent the rear end thereof, a writing unit slidably housed within said barrel for shifting between forwardly projected and rearwardly retracted positions with respect to the forward barrel end, means within said barrel biasing said writing unit toward retracted position, stationary guide means positioned within said barrel rearwardly with respect to said writing unit and formed intermediate its length with a latch shoulder facing inwardly with respect to said lateral barrel opening, actuating means rotatably pivoted and laterally and longitudinally movable on said guide means adjacent the rear end thereof for movement in relation to said latch shoulder, said actuating means being manually accessible at said lateral barrel opening and being formed with a latch lug engageable with said latch shoulder upon inward pivoting of said actuating, means, the pivoted mounting of said actuating means on said guide means being formed by a pivot pin and an elongated journal slot therefor, thereby providing inward pivoting and lateral movement along a plane inclined fonwardly and away from said lateral barrel opening, said actuating means being further formed with a kforwardly extending end portion, and cam means pivoted in said barrel `at the rear end of said writing unit and engaging the forward end portion of said actuating means for translating lateral pivoting movement of said actuating means into longitudinal shifting movement of said writing unit, whereby inward pivoting of said forward end portion in engagement with said cam means projects said writing unit and engages said latch lug with said latch shoulder for latching said writing unit at projected position, and upon subsequent inward depression of said actuating means the release cam pin is laterally and longitudinally displaced in said journal slot to disengage said latch lug from said latch shoulder and permit retraction of said writing unit under the force of said biasing means.

S. A retractable writing instrument comprising a barrel having a lateral opening in the rear portion thereof, a writing unit slidably housed within said barrel for shifting between forwardly projected and rearwardly retracted positions with respect to the forward barrel end, means within said barrel biasing said writing unit towards retracted position, laterally shiftable actuating means including a clip element manually accessibile at said lateral barrel opening, said clip element being in usual clipping relation exteriorly of said barrel when the writing unit is retracted, stationary means positioned within said barrel for releasably latching said actuating means for securing the writing unit at projected position, means for translating lateral shifting movement of said actuating means into longitudinal movement of said writing unit whereby lateral inward movement o-f said clip element to an inoperative clipping position shifts said writing unit to projected position and releasably engages said actuating means with said latch means, said engagement being maintained by the force exerted by said biasing means, and a further successive inward manipulation of said actuating means overcomes the force of said biasing means to release said actuating means from said latching means l 8 a to allow retraction of said writing unit and return of said clip element to operative clipping relation exteriorly of said barrel. Y

6. A retractable Vwriting instrument comprising a barrel having a lateral opening in the rear portion thereof, a writing unit slidably housed within said barrel for shifting between Aforwardly projected and rearwardly retracted positions with respect to the forward barrel end, means 'within said barrel biasing said writing unit towards retracted position, laterally shiftable actuating means including a clip element manually accessible at said lateral barrel opening, said clip element being in usual clipping relation exteriorly of said barrel when the writing unit is retracted and being movable laterally'inward to an inoperative clipping position, stationary means positioned within said barrel having a portion for releasably latching said actuating means in said inoperative clipping position of said clip element and having a release cam portion, cam means pivoted in said barred for translating inward lateral' shifting movement of said actuating means into forward longitudinal movement of said writing unit to shift said writing unit to projected position and releasably to engage said actuating means with said latch means, said engagement being assumed and maintained by the force exerted by the biasing means, said clip element moving laterally inward to inoperative clipping position, said laterally shiftable actuating means having another release cam portion cooperating with said stationary means release cam portion for exerting a displacement force in disengaging relation with respect to said latch shoulder portion whereby a succeeding inward manipulation of said actuating means to overcome the force of said biasing means releases said actuating means from said latch means whereupon said biasing means retracts said writing unit and returns said clip element to operative clipping relation externally of the barrel.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 249,230 Doyle Nov. 8, 1881 1,518,822 Saadi Dec. 9, 1924 2,427,069 Randolph Sept. 9, 1947 2,881,736 Zeppelovitch Apr. 14, 1959 FOREIGN PATENTS 245,096 Switzerland June 16, 1947 1,086,929 4France Aug. 18, 1954