US3652172A

US3652172A - Sliding clip actuated pen

Info

Publication number: US3652172A
Application number: US16352A
Authority: US
Inventors: Nathan A Zepell
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1970-03-04
Filing date: 1970-03-04
Publication date: 1972-03-28
Anticipated expiration: 1989-03-28

Abstract

A writing instrument has a hollow barrel with a reciprocable writing cartridge that is normally retracted by a spring and that is extended to writing position by sliding the clip. The clip mechanically engages the cartridge to extend it, and the ball of the clip fits in a recess in the barrel surface to hold the cartridge extended. Opening the clip to clip the pen in a pocket releases this hold on the cartridge, and the spring retracts the cartridge sliding the clip with it. The clip is so attached that manual pressure on the clip end away from the ball rotates the clip to open it.

Description

United States Patent Zepell 1151 3,652,172 [451 Mar. 28, 1972 [54] SLIDING CLIP ACTUATED PEN [72] Inventor: Nathan A. Zepell, 1359 Santa Teresita Drive, Santa Barbara, Calif. 93105 [22] Filed: Mar. 4, 1970 [2]] Appl. No.: 16,352

Related US. Application Data [63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No. 808,743, Mar. 20,

1969, abandoned.

[52] U.S.Cl. ..40l/l06,40l/l07,40l/l99 [5i] ..B43k 5/16, 843k 24/02 [58] Field oiSearch ..401/104-107 [56} References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 738,695 10/1955 GreatBritain 40 1 /1 04 Gimonet ..401/ 107 X 1,094,542 12/1954 France ..401/106 1,153,723 10/1957 France.... ..401/105 130,503 10/1947 Sweden ..401/104 Primary ExaminerLawrence Charles Attorney-Harris, Kiech, Russell & Kern I [57] ABSTRACT A writing instrument has a hollow barrel with a reciprocable writing cartridge that is normally retracted by a-spring and that is extended to writing position by sliding the clip. The clip mechanically engages the cartridge to extend it, and the ball of the clip tits in a recess in the barrel surface to hold the cartridge extended. Opening the clip to clip the pen in a pocket releases this hold on the cartridge, and the spring retracts the cartridge sliding the clip with it. The clip is so attached that manual pressure on the clip end away from the ball rotates the clip to open it.

- 28 Claims, 26 Drawing Figures PATENTED MAR 2 8 m2 SHEET 2 OF 3 I ll IIIIIL FIG.2O

INVENTOR. NATHAN 4. ZEPELL ATTORNEY SLIDING CLIP ACTUATED PEN This application is a continuation-in-part of my co-pending application Ser. No. 808,743, filed Mar. 20, 1969 now abandoned.

My invention relates to writing instruments wherein a cartridge is reciprocated within a hollow barrel to extend a writing tip for writing and to retract the writing tip when not in use. More particularly I employ the clip to actuate this cartridge and also to hold it in the tip extended position.

Sliding clips have been used for various purposes on different types of writing instruments. However, I employ a clip on a retractable cartridge type of writing instrument to serve several functions. In addition to the normal use of clipping over the edge of a pocket to retain the instrument in a pocket, the clip engages the cartridge so that sliding the clip in the direction of extending the writing tip places the instrument in condition for writing. Additionally, the instrument is constructed so that the ball of the clip is recessed in the barrel of the instrument to hold the writing tip in its writing position.

It is therefore a general object of the invention to provide an improved writing instrument having a sliding clip with the foregoing characteristics.

An important object of the invention is to provide a molded plastic pocket clip reinforced with metal, or other suitable material.

Other objects, advantages and features of the invention will be apparent in the following description and claims considered together with the accompanying drawings forming an integral part of the application, in which:

FIG. I is an elevation view in full section showing an embodiment of the invention when it is in the position for clipping in a pocket with the writing tip upward and with the writing tip retracted inside of the barrel;

FIG. 2 is an elevation view in full section of the pen of FIG. 1, showing it in a position for writing with the writing tip extended and with the pen rotated 180 so that it will be in a position for writing;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view along the line of III-III of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view along the line IVIV of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is an elevation in full section of a modified form of the invention wherein the clip is at the end of the pen remote from the writing tip;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view along the line VI-VI of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is an elevation view in full section except for a central portion of the pen, showing a structure somewhat generally similar to FIG. 5 except that the clip is secured to the pen barrel with a different construction and engages the reciprocal cartridge in a different manner and shows the cartridge extended for writing;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view along the line VIII-VIII of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a three dimensional fragmentary view of a pair of closure fingers which close over the retracted writing tip as shown at the bottom of FIG. 5 and which closure fingers are also shown in FIGS. I and 7;

FIG. 10 is an elevation view in full section of still another modified form of the invention wherein the inter engagement of the clip and the cartridge is by means of a projection on the cartridge;

FIG. I l is a partial view in full section of the pen of FIG. 10, showing the relationship of the parts when the writing tip is retracted;

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary elevation view of the projection on the cartridge being engaged by the spring during the process of assembly;

FIG. 13 is a sectional view along the line 13-13 ofFIG. 10;

FIG. 14 is an elevation view on an enlarged scale of the inner side of the clip of FIGS. 10 and 11, showing the method of securing to it the finger which has a cross slot for engaging the cartridge projection;

FIG. 15 is a three dimensional view of the slotted sleeve of FIGS. 10 and 11 which receives the cartridge projection and showing the long slot in which the projection normally reciprocates;

FIG. 16 is an elevation view of a user's hand holding the pen of FIGS. 10 and II and showing the writing tip extended and the user's index finger holding the ball of the clip in its recess to hold the tip extended;

FIG. 17 is an elevation view in full section of a modified form of the invention wherein the clip is at the end opposite the writing tip (not shown) and showing the cartridge in a tip retracted position;

FIG. 18 is an elevation view in full section of the upper part of FIG. 17, but showing the clip in a position wherein the writing tip (not shown) is extended;

FIG. 19 is an elevation view of the upper end of the writing instrument of FIG. 18 but rotated on its longitudinal axis to show the clip in outline;

FIG. 20 is a fragmentary view of a portion of FIG. 19 showing the aperture in the sidewall for receiving the ball of the clip but with the clip removed;

FIG. 21 is a cross sectional view taken on FIG. 18 along the line 21--21 showing the method of bending ears on the inner end of the clip plates to hold the cartridge engager in position;

FIG. 22 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view illustrating still another and presently preferred embodiment of the writing implement of the invention;

FIG. 23 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view similar to FIG. 22, but showing a writing cartridge of the instrument in its extended position, the cartridge being retracted in FIG. 22;

FIG. 24 is'a fragmentary elevational view of the implement, as viewed from the right in FIG. 23; and

FIGS. 25 and 26 are transverse sectional views respectively taken as indicated by the arrowed lines 25-25 and 26-26 of FIGS. 22 and 23 of the drawings.

Figs. 1 through 4 Referring to FIGS. 1 through 4, there is illustrated a modified form of writing instrument wherein the writing tip is projectable and retractable at the end where the clip is located. A writing instrument has a barrel portion 101 on one end and a barrel portion 102 at the clip end, both jointed together by a friction fit over an inner tubular body 103. The barrel 102 has an end opening 104 through which may project a writing tip 106 on a cartridge 107 which is mounted for reciprocation inside the barrel 101-102. The tubular body member 103 has at its upper end (as viewed in FIG. I) and inwardly projecting flange 108 which guides a reduced section of the cartridge 107 and against which bears a compression spring 109, the other end of which rests on a shoulder 111 of the cartridge 107. The compression spring 109 therefore acts to force the cartridge into the interior of the barrel, as illus trated in FIG. 1.

Referring now particularly to the barrel end 102 at the clip end of the instrument 100, there is formed a mounting for the clip which includes a pair of parallel slots 112 formed in barrel 102 through which project ear plates 113 formed on one end of a resilient clip 114. The other end of the clip may have a ball comprising one or more plates 1 16 which are rounded to have a ball shape. Preferably two such ball plates 116 are utilized as best illustrated in FIG. 4. The clip 114 has a sliding mount on the barrel portion 102, and this is accomplished by making the slots I12 considerably longer than the inwardly projecting plates 113. The inner ends of these inwardly projecting clip plates 113 have ears 115 formed thereon, and these are bent toward each other to mechanically grip a retainer leaf spring 117 which bears on the inside surface of the barrel portion 102. Connected to the leaf spring retainer 1 17 is a yoke 1 l8, and this is preferably formed integrally with the leaf spring 117. The yoke 118 passes on each side of a reduced section 107b of the cartridge 107, and the cross section toward the writing tip 106 may be enlarged, as at 119, best shown in FIG. 3. In other words, the profile of the upper end of the cartridge 107 as viewed in FIG. 1 is uniform, but viewed at 90 to FIG. I, it has a much wider profile except for the reduced section 107b at which is formed a pair of shoulders which engage the yoke. This permits the entire cartridge to be rotated 90 from the position shown in FIG. 3 to pass the entire enlarged portion 119 between the yoke members 118.

This permits the removal of a cartridge and the insertion of a fresh-cartridge. The spring action retains the widened shape 119 in position because the yoke plates 118 have a shallow notch 120 to receive these shoulders of widened portion 119 of cartridge 107.

Provided particularly in accordance with the invention is a sidewall opening in the barrel member 102 adjacent to the clip 114 in the form of a pair of sidewall slots 121. It will be noted in FIG. 2 that the ball plates 116 of the clip are passed through the slots 121, and the ends of these plates 116 engaging the ends of the slots 121 keep the writing tip 106 projected against the compression of spring 109. In other words, the user merely has to place a thumb or finger on the clip 114 and slide it toward the end opening 104 to project the writing tip 106 outwardly. The clip 114 is at the portion of the pen 100 that is normally gripped by the fingers of the user. Accordingly, one or more fingers of the user may hold the ball plates 116 in the slots 121 to keep the writing tip 106 projected. The mounting of the clip to the barrel accordingly permits rotation of the clip as well as sliding on the barrel.

When it is desired to retract the writing tip 106 the user merely presses on the lower end of the clip 114 as viewed in FIG. 2, and this causes a clock wise rotation of the clip as viewed in that figure, to lift the ball plates 116 out of the slots 121, whereupon the compression spring 109 retracts the writing tip. in this retracted position a pair of fingers 122 shown in the top part of FIG. 1 protect the tip 106, and these fingers 122 will be described in more detail in connection with FIG. 9. These fingers 122 prevent any lint, or other small debris that might enter the hole 104 from contacting the writing tip 106, to thereby suck out ink to the damage of the user.

Modiciation ofFigs. s and 6 Referring now to FIG. there is illustrated a modification of the invention wherein the clip is located at the end of the pen opposite from the writing tip. This construction enables the clip to act directly on the end of the cartridge to project it, eliminating the necessity for any unusual cartridge configuration. Referring now to both FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, a barrel member 130 having an opening 131 through which a writing tip 132 may be projected, has a threaded section on its upper end to which a threaded member 133 is screwed. An upper barrel member 134 is frictionally engaged by this threaded section 133, and this upper barrel member can also be referred to as a cap. Such threaded members are generally referred to as connectors." This barrel 134 has a pair of slots 136 formed in the sidewall near the upper end and on the end towards the connector 133 has another pair of slots 137 formed therein. A clip 138 is mounted to-the barrel 134 by means of a pair of clip plates 139 passing through the parallel slots 136. During manufacture the lower end of these plates 139 are bent inwardly or outwardly at 141. The plates 139 are then inserted in the slots 136, and these bent ears 141 are misaligned with the slots to retain the clip on the barrel 134 with a sliding action as best shown in FIG. 6.

The ball of the clip is formed by a pair of plates 142 which are of a size and spacing to fit into the sidewall slots 137, as the clip is moved downwardly. The slip ears 141 engage the upper end of a cartridge 143. At the lower end of the pen a compression spring 144 acts against a shoulder 145 on the cartridge 143, and the other end bears against a fixed flange 146 to thereby urge the cartridge to the retracted position illustrated in FIG. 5.

It will be noted from an inspection of FIG. 5 that the compression spring 144 urges the cartridge 143 upwardly against the bent out ears 141 on the clip 138. This causes a counter clockwise torque on the clip 138 as the clip is forced to the upper ends of the vertical slots 136. When the clip is pulled downwardly so that the ball plates 142 fit in the sidewall slots 137, this same torque acts on the clip to help keep the balls 142 in the slots 137 and thereby tends to lock the writing tip in its extended position. Further it will be noted that the ball plates 142 are a full semi-circle, or better, in outline, and thereby they present a fairly flat surface to the upper edge of the slots 137 to further act as a lock to keep the point projected. When it is desired to retract the tip, manual pressure is put on the uppermost part of the clip 138, causing it to pivot outwardly, so that the plates 142 are released from the sidewall openings 137. The compression spring 144 then urges the cartridge 143 upwardly, sliding the clip with it to the position illustrated in FIG. 5.

FIG. 9

Referring now particularly to the lower part of FIG. 5 and referring also to FIG. 9, it will be noted that a cylindrical body member 150 supports a pair of resilient, fingers 148 which have inwardly bent portions 147. These resilient fingers 148 normally close together, as viewed in FIGS. 5 and 9. When the cartridge 143 is moved downwardly by the clip 138 of FIG. 5, a frusto-conical portion 143a of the cartridge 143 engages these inwardly bent portions 147.and cause the fingers 148 to diverge, as more clearly illustrated in FIG. 7. At no'time,

therefore, does the writing .tip 132 contact thefingers 148. When the body member 150 is in a part of the pen near the clip, as in FIG. 1, part of the cylindrical body can be cutaway as shown in FIG. 9, to allow the clip to move freely.

These closed fingers 148 prevent threads, lint, or other filamentary type of materials from contacting the writing tip 132 in its retracted position illustrated in FIG. 5. Such threads are commonly found in the bottoms of pockets into which a pen is placed or found in purses, and frequently in purses there is also found cellulose tissue and other filamentary materials that would suck out ink to the damage of the user, if these fingers 148 are not provided.

Modification of FIGS. 7 and 8 The modification of FIGS. 7 and 8 is similar in most respects to that of FIG. 5 except that the clip is fastened to the barrel with a built-in leaf spring so that the ball plates are held in the sidewall opening to maintain the writing tip in its projected position against the compression of a spring. A lower body member 151 has suitably connected to it an upper body member or cap 152 and a cartridge 153 reciprocates within this two part barrel. A compression spring 144a presses against a shoulder 153a on the cartridge to urge the cartridge upwardly. The lower part of the barrel 151 may retain a closure member identical to that described in FIG. 5 and also shown in FIG. 9.

Referring now to the upper part of FIG. 7 and to FIG. 8, a pair of slots 156 are formed in the upper end of barrel member 152, and a clip 154 has a pair of ears 160 that are bent over on their inner ends against an elongated leaf spring 158 to mechanically grip the leaf spring 158. This keeps the clip and blade assembly in a slidable position in relation to the upper barrel 152. The leaf spring 158 has a pair of inwardly projecting fingers 159 which bear against the upper end of the cartridge 153. This leaf spring 158 presses against the inside of the upper barrel 152 to cause the clip 154 to rotate in a counter clockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. 7, and this keeps a pair of ball plates 155 held within slots 156 and the lower part of the barrel member 152. The spring 158 thus acts to hold the writing tip at an extended position against the compression of spring 144a.

The clip plates or ball plates 155 are removed from their slots 156 by pressing on the upper end of the clip 154, and this causes it to rotate in a clockwise direction, and when the plates are lifted out of the slot the entire clip is manually moved upwardly by the compression spring 144a.

Modification of FIGS. through 16 The modification of FIGS. 10 through 16 employs a projection on the cartridge to engage the clip so that the clip can slide longitudinally of the pen to extend the point against the compression of the retracting spring. A pen 160 has an upper barrel 161 and a lower barrel 162 both frictionally engaging each other by means of an internal tubular connector 163 and an ornamental ring 164 may separate these two barrel portions. Reciprocating within the tube barrel portions is a cartridge 166 having a shoulder 167 against which a compression spring 168 bears to normally retract the writing tip 169. The upper end of the compression spring 168 bears against a slotted sleeve 1 71 frictionally held within the barrel 161 to maintain a stationary position. The cartridge 166 has a reduced diameter portion 166a which has projecting therefrom a radial lug 172 provided particularly in accordance with the invention.

Referring particularly to FIG. the sleeve 171 has bayonet slots formed therein, including a vertical slot 173 open from the bottom, a parallel vertical slot 174 open from the top, and a cross slot 176. When the cartridge 166 is inserted in the pen, the cap 162 is removed, and the projection 172 is pushed against the compression of spring 168 up the slot 173, and then is rotated to the right as viewed in FIG. 15 until the projection enters the vertical slot 174. The projection 172 on the cartridge normally reciprocates up and down in slot 174 as the cartridge is moved from a projected position illustrated in FIG. 10 to a tip retracted position shown in FIG. 11.

The pen is provided with the clip 177 having lower ball plates 178 that project through slots 179 formed in the barrel section 161. As shown best in FIG. 11, the lower end of the clip is formed at an inclined angle as at 175. The upper end of barrel 161 has an end hole 181 through which the writing tip 169 projects. The upper end of the barrel also has a pair of parallel slots 182 through which top plates 183 on the clip project. Secured to the inner end of these plates 183 is a vertical finger 184 which has a slot 186 into which the cartridge projection 172 is rotated. This finger 184 reciprocates in the vertical slot 174 in the sleeve 171. The clip plates 183 have a lower slit section 183a bent inwardly especially as shown in FIG. 14 to overlie portions of the finger I84 and thereby retain it in position on these plates. This retaining action is assisted by having a reduced section 184a at the region between the clip plates 183 best shown in FIG. 14.

The pen of FIGS. 10 through 16 may, if desired, have closure members on the inside adjacent the tip hole 181, and these may be constructed generally similar to that of FIG. 9 and have a tubular base 187 from which project a pair of closure fingers 188.

The method of assembly of the pen of FIGS. 10 through 16 is as follows. The tubular sleeve 171 is pushed into the lower barrel portion 162 and held there by friction. Thereafter the cartridge 166 has a spring fitted over it, as shown in FIG. 12. Generally these springs are manufactured in place on the cartridge, but if they are separately manufactured they may be rotated to thread themselves over the cartridge projection 172. The compression spring will try to expand and will be held therefore between the projection 172, as shown in FIG. 12, and the cartridge shoulder 167 shown in FIG. 10. The assembly of spring and cartridge is then moved upwardly through the sleeve 171 and the projection 172 is fitted into the vertical slot 173. When the projection 172 reaches the end of this slot the cartridge is rotated about 90, which disposes the projection in the vertical slot 174 (FIG. 15). At the time of this rotation the clip 177 is held in its upward position, as shown in FIG. 10, which disposes the slot 186 (FIG. 14) in the inner finger 184 opposite this transverse slot 176. The cartridge projection 172 then fits in this slot 186, as shown in FIG. 13. The compression of the spring 168 urges the projection 172 downwardly, as viewed in FIG. 10, and accordingly this downward urging combined with the slanted lower surface of the slot 186 (FIG. 14) insures that the projection will stay in the sleeve slot 174 and will not attempt to move into the trasverse slot 176.

In operating the pen of FIGS. 10 through 16 the writing tip 169 is normally retracted, as shown in FIG. 11, and the user grasps the pen in the normal writing position and then slides the clip toward the writing tip with his index finger, as shown in FIG. 16. When the writing tip 169 is projected, the user continues the pressure of his index finger against the clip I77, causing the ball plates 178 to pass through the slots 179. The downward force of compression spring 168 drives the inclined end 175 against the bottom ends of slots 179 to lock the writing tip in the extended position shown in FIG. 10, thereby holding the clip 177 against the sliding motion. When the user is finished he presses his index finger against the upper end of clip 177 to rotate the ball plates 178 out and the compression spring thereupon takes over, retracting the writing tip 179 to its retracted position, shown in FIG. 11.

Modification of FIGS. 17 through 20 Referring to FIGS 17 through 20 there is illustrated a modified form of clip and cartridge actuator connected to the clip. A lower pen barrell90 is threaded to an upper pen barrel section 191, having a pair of upper clip slots 192 and a single rectangular ball opening 193, shown best in FIG. 20. Mounted within the barrelsections 190 and 191 is a reciprocating cartridge 194 which has an enlarged section 196 substantially filling the upper barrel 191. If desired a guide sleeve 197 may be secured to the interior of barrel member 191 to guide the upper end of the cartridge 194.

Referring now to the clip, a clip body 198 has a pair of inwardly projecting plates 199 which project through the slots 192 at a place considerably spaced from the upper end of the clip body 198. From these inwardly projecting plates 199 to the upper tip of the clip 198, there are generally inclined ribs 201 which cause the upper end of the clip to move outwardly as shown in FIG. 17. The ribs 201 have a flat portion 200 which acts as a fulcrum point for rotating the clip 198 when it is in the position shown in FIG. 17. The bottom edges of plates 199 are angled at 205 to move the clip 198 inwardly to the position shown in FIG. 18 when the clip is bodily moved downwardly. Secured to the inner ends of these clip plates 199 is a cartridge engager 202 which has a T" shaped upper end 203 which fits in slots in those plates. The lower inner tip of the plates 199 are slit and are bent inwardly to secure this cartridge engager 202 as shown in FIG. 21. The clip 198 also has inwardly projecting ball plates 204, and it will be noted that the edge of these plates toward the top of the clip is flatted as at 206 to form a lock when this flat is pushed against the upper edge of the opening 193.

The cartridge is shown in its retracted position in FIG. 17, even though the front of the pen which is the tip is omitted, and when it is desired to extend the writing tip the clip 198 is manually moved downwardly until the ball plates 204 enter the sidewall opening 193. A compression spring (not shown) forces the cartridge 194 upwardly, and this pulls the ball flat 206 against the upper edge of the opening 193 to lock the cartridge in its extended position. When it is desired to retract the writing tip, the upper end of the clip body is pressed inwardly, and this causes the ball plates 204 to leave the aperture 193, and the compression spring moves the clip and cartridge upwardly. In this retracted position the enlargement 196 on the cartridge will cover the opening 193, thus avoiding an unsightly appearance. In this retracted position the cartridge engager 202 acts as a spring pressing against the inner side of the upper body member 191 so as to give a good grip on a pocket edge for a clip.

While the invention has been described with reference to plates fitting through side wall slots or openings, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the same general type of locking action can be obtained by having the ball plates or ball of the clip fit within a complementary recess in a thick wall of a pen. Accordingly, the use of the word opening" in a sidewall is not limited to thfough openings, but includes similar functional structures. Various other modifications will occur to those skilled in the art, and accordingly the present invention is not limited to the precise structures illustrated. The invention is not necessarily limited to a writing tip that excludes a pigment.

Figs. 22 to 26 These figures of the drawings illustrate a writing implement or instrument 30 which is generally similar to those illustrated in FIG. 5, FIG. 7 and FIGS. 17 to 19. Consequently, the implement 30 is shown only fragmentarily in FIGS. 22 to 26, and only the differences over the embodiments referred to will be described in detail.

The writing implement 30 includes a barrel 32 having a cap 34 threadedly connected thereto and forming an extension thereof. A writing cartridge 36, which may be of any type whatsoever, is disposed in the barrel 32 and extends into the cap 34, terminating within the cap in an inner end 38 which is preferably flat and perpendicular to the axis of the writing implement. The writing cartridge 36 terminates at its other end in a writing tip, not shown, of any desired type. Preferably, the writing cartridge 36 is biased toward the cap end of the barrel 32 by a spring in much the same manner as the spring 144a biases the writing cartridge 153 of FIG. 7, for example.

The cap 34 is provided adjacent its junction with the barrel 32 with an opening 40. Longitudinally aligned with the opening 40 is a longitudinal slot 42 in the cap 34 adjacent to the end 44 thereof. Within the cap 34 adjacent the end 44 thereof is a groove 46 having side walls 48 interconnected by a wall 50 inclined relative to the axis of the writing implement 30.

The writing implement 30 also includes a pocket clip 52 which is slidable longitudinally on the barrel 32, or, more specifically, the cap 34, and which has means 54 so connecting it to the cartridge 36 as to extend and permit retraction of the cartridge in response to longitudinal sliding movement of the clip toward and away from the writing tip.

More particularly, the connecting means 54 extends into the cap 34 through the slot 42 and terminates within the cap in an actuator 56 slidable in the groove 46 between the positions shown in FIGS. 22 and 23, the former corresponding to the retracted position of the cartridge 36 and the latter corresponding to the extended position thereof. The actuator 56 has a flat surface 58 seated against the flat inner end 38 of the cartridge 36. The actuator 56 is also provided with an inclined surface 60 which is complementary to the inclined wall 50 of the groove 46 and which is slidable therealong to displace the actuator laterally outwardly relative to the barrel 32 as shown in FIG. 22, as the actuator moves longitudinally in the direction of retraction movement of the cartridge 36. As the actuator 56 reaches its position corresponding to the retracted position of the cartridge 36, a notch 62 in the portion of the connecting means 54 which is disposed in the slot 42 receives therein a portion 64 of the cap 34 adjacent the corresponding end of the slot 42. This locks the clip 52 and the actuator 56 against laterally inward movement when the cartridge 36 is in its retracted position. The end portion 66 of the clip 52 which is located adjacent the connecting means 54 is slightly narrower than the slot 42, as will be clear from FIG. 24, so that it can be pushed into the slot slightly for a reason which will become apparent.

The actuator 56 is provided on opposite sides thereof with resilient tabs 70 which diverge laterally toward the slot 42, as best shown in FIG. 25. When the actuator 56 is initially inserted into the cap 34 through the slot 42 during assembly, the tabs 70 flex toward each other until they have passed through the slot, and then spring away from each other, as shown in FIG. 25, to prevent withdrawal of the actuator. Thus, during assembly, it is merely necessary to snap the actuator 56 into place and it will automatically remain in assembled relation with the other components, which is an important feature.

The pocket clip 52 terminates at its free end in a ball portion 72 which is insertable into the hole 40 when the cartridge 36 is extended, as shown in FIG. 23. The ball portion 72 is provided with a shoulder 74, preferably substantially perpendicular to the axis of the writing implement 30, which is engageable with a complementary shoulder 76 at the corresponding end of the opening 40 to hold the cartridge 36 in its extended position. In order to release the cartridge 36 so that the previously mentioned spring can return it to its retracted position, it is merely necessary to press laterally inwardly on the end portion 66 of the clip 52. This causes the clip 52 to pivot about the point 78, whereupon the ball portion 72 is withdrawn from the opening 40 to disengage the shoulder 74 from the shoulder 76. When this occurs, of course, the retracting spring moves the cartridge 36 to its retracted position as shown in FIG. 22. At the same time, the actuator 56 is displaced longitudinally and laterally outwardly into its locked position, as shown in FIG. 22, wherein the cap portion 64 is within the notch 62.

Turning now to another and very important feature of the writing implement 30, the pocket clip 52, the actuator 56 and the tabs 70 are all integral and are molded in one piece from a suitable plastic. This has the important advantage of achieving substantial economy in manufacture. 1

In order to permit making the clip 52, the actuator 56 and the tabs 70 of a suitable plastic without having to thicken and/or widen the clip 52 excessively, an important feature of the present invention is to provide the clip with a I'CII'IfOI'CC ment 82 of a different material, preferably metallic. In the particular construction illustrated, the reinforcement 82 in simply a longitudinally extending wire disposed in a longitudinally extending groove 84 in the outer surface of the clip 52, the ends 86 of the wire extending laterally inwardly into complementary openings in the plastic of the clip, as shown in FIG. 22. The wire 82 may be molded into place during the molding operation by which the one-piece structure comprising the clip 52, actuator 56 and tabs 70 is made, or, preferably, it may be installed after the molding operation.

The foregoing construction for the clip 52 and the components formed integrally therewith results in a very inexpensive structure which requires no finishing and which has the necessary strength, flexibility and resilience for the clip 52 without making the clip excessivelythick or wide. If desired, the reinforcing wire 82 may be plated, or otherwise finished, prior to combining it with the clip 52 and the components integral therewith.

It is thought that the operation of the writing implement 30 will be clear from FIGS. 22 and 23. Briefly, to extend the cartridge 36, it is merely necessary to press longitudinally on the end portion 66 of the clip 52 until the cartridge 36 is extended and the ball portion 72 drops into the opening 40 to cause the

shoulders

74 and 76 to enter into interlocked engagement. Entry of the ball portion 72 into the opening 40 is caused by the inherent resilience of the clip 52 provided primarily by the reinforcing wire 82. In this connection, it should be pointed out that the actuator 56 is provided with another inclined surface 88 which engages the corresponding end surface of the slot 42 at 90 to cam the actuator laterally inwardly to insure that the ball portion 72 of the clip enters the opening 40. To release the cartridge unit 36 for return movement to its retracted position, it is merely necessary to press laterally inwardly on the end portion 66 of the clip 52 as hereinbefore treme of reciprocation and retracted within the barrel at the other extreme;

c. a clip slidingly mounted on the barrel between the barrel ends for longitudinal movement, and having a portion that fits within the side wall opening at one extreme of sliding motion and out of contact with the side wall opening at the other extreme of sliding motion; and

d. means interconnecting the clip and the cartridge to project the cartridge tip out of the end opening when the clip is slid to the position that said portion can fit into the side wall opening, and the clip permitting the cartridge to be retracted when the clip is at the other extreme of its sliding motion.

2. A writing instrument as defined in claim 1 wherein the clip is mounted at the end of the barrel from which the writing tip projects and is located at the part of the barrel that the users fingers will keep the ball clip in the side wall opening to keep the writing tip projected.

3. A writing instrument as defined in claim 1 wherein the clip is mounted at the end of the barrel opposite from the end from which the writing tip projects, and a separate spring holds the clip ball in the sidewall opening to hold the tip projected during writing.

4. A writing instrument as defined in claim 1 wherein a cartridge spring urges the cartridge to a tip retracted position, and the contact of the clip ball with the side wall opening holds the cartridge in its tip projected position against the spring bias.

5. A writing instrument as defined in claim 1 wherein a spring urges the cartridge to a tip retracted position, and the same spring acts on the clip to urge it toward the extreme of its sliding motion where the clip ball is out of contact with the side wall opening.

6. A writing instrument as defined in claim wherein the means interconnecting the clip and the cartridge is an inner extension of part of the clip, and the spring acts through the cartridge to apply a torque to the clip to hold the clip ball in the sidewall opening to lock the cartridge in its tip projected position.

7. A writing instrument as defined in claim 3 wherein the means interconnecting the clip and the cartridge also contains a clip spring for holding the clip ball in the side wall opening.

8. A writing instrument as defined in claim 1 wherein one part of the cartridge has a reduced section profile in one transverse dimension and a thin section uniform profile in the other transverse dimension and yoke fingers engage the reduced section to act as the means for interconnecting the cartridge and clip, said uniform profile of the cartridge being able to pass between the yoke fingers and the yoke fingers engaging the reduced section when the cartridge is rotated 90.

9. A writing instrument as defined in claim 1 wherein the means for interconnecting the clip and cartridge includes a projection on the cartridge, an elongated transversely slotted longitudinal member disposed inside the barrel and connected to the clip for longitudinal movement, and a bayonet slot formed in a stationary member inside the barrel, so that the projection may be inserted in the transverse slot through the bayonet slots and held therein by the elongated member being positioned for reciprocation in part of the bayonet slot.

10. A writing instrument as defined in claim 1 wherein the reciprocating cartridge is of a length to extend past the side wall opening when retracted, and has a diameter to substantially fill the interior of the barrel at the region of the sidewall opening when retracted, and has a portion of reduced diameter opposite the side wall opening when extended, to provide room for the clip ball to project through the side wall opening.

11. A writing instrument as defined in claim 4 wherein the clip is also hinged to the barrel for rotation of the clip to move the clip ball into and out of the side wall opening and the clip ball has a flat on the side of the ball away from the writing tip, said flat having an acute angle up to perpendicular with the adjacent barrel portion, said flat and side wall opening acting as a lock to hold the tip projected against the bias of the cartridge spring.

12. A writing instrument as set forth in claim 1 wherein the clip has an inwardly projecting portion cut on a taper engaging the barrel so that sliding of the clip moves it radially outwardly when the writing tip is retracted and a resilient stop limits outward movement, so that the clip ball will move outwardly to grip a pocket edge in the tip retracted condition of the writing equipment when the upper end of the clip is manually pressed.

13. A writing instrument as set forth in claim 5 wherein the ball has an inclined surface on the side away from the writing tip that is non-perpendicular and at an angle that forces the ball into the opening under the urging of the cartridge spring, to thereby hold the writing tip in an extended position.

14. A writing instrument as set forth in claim 1 characterized by the clip being hinged to the barrel in addition to being slidingly mounted and the ball riding on the exterior surface of the barrel when the tip is not projected so that the transverse blows and forces on the clip will not extend the writing tip.

15. A writing instrument as set forth in claim 1 wherein the clip is also hinged to the pen barrel for rotation from a position where the clip ball is inserted in the barrel opening to a position where the ball is out of the barrel opening.

16. A writing instrument comprising:

a. a barrel having two ends, an opening at one end and a side wall opening;

b. a cartridge reciprocable within. the barrel and having a writing tip projected through the end opening atone extreme of reciprocation and retracted within the barrel at the other extreme;

c. a clip disposed on the barrel between the barrel ends for relative movement, and having a ball portion that fits within the side wall opening;

d. a mounting securing the clip to the barrel permitting longitudinal sliding of the clip to dispose the clip ball over the side wall opening at one extreme of sliding motion and away from the side wall opening at the other extreme, and permitting a rotation of the clip to move the clip ball into and out of the side wall opening; and

e. means interconnecting the clip and the cartridge to project the cartridge tip out of the end opening when the clip is slid to the position that the ball can fit into the side wall opening, and the clip permitting the cartridge to be retracted when the clip is at the other extreme of its sliding motion.

17. A writing instrument as set forth in claim 16 wherein the mounting hinges the clip intermediate its ends so that manual pressure on the end opposite the ball will lift the ball out of the side wall opening so that the clip can move in a direction to allow retraction of the writing tip.

18. A writing instrument as set forth in claim 1 wherein said clip is formed of plastic and includes means of a different material for reinforcing the plastic thereof.

19. A writing instrument according to claim 18 wherein said reinforcing means is metallic.

20. A writing instrument as defined in claim 19 wherein said metallic reinforcing means comprises at least one wire extending longitudinally of said clip and secured to the plastic thereof.

21. A writing instrument according to claim 1 wherein said barrel has a longitudinal slot aligned with said opening and in which said interconnecting means is longitudinally slidable.

22. A writing instrument as defined in claim 21 including resilient tabs on said interconnecting means which flex toward each other in response to inward movement through said slot and which then spring away from each other to prevent withdrawal of said interconnecting means outwardly through said slot.

23. A writing instrument as set forth in claim 22 wherein said clip, said interconnecting means and said tabs are all integral and formed of plastic, and wherein said clip includes means of a different material for reinforcing the plastic thereof.

24. A writing instrument according to claim 1 including interengageable means in said barrel and said interconnecting reinforcing the plastic thereof.

27. An instrument according to claim 26 wherein said reinforcing means is metallic.

28. An instrument as defined in claim 27 wherein said metallic reinforcing means comprises at least one wire extending longitudinally of said clip and secured to the plastic thereof.

Claims

1. A writing instrument comprising: a. a barrel having a fixed length with two ends, an opening at one end and a side wall opening; b. a cartridge reciprocable within the barrel and having a writing tip projected through the end opening at one extreme of reciprocation and retracted within the barrel at the other extreme; c. a clip slidingly mounted on the barrel between the barrel ends for longitudinal movement, and having a portion that fits within the side wall opening at one extreme of sliding motion and out of contact with the side wall opening at the other extreme of sliding motion; and d. means interconnecting the clip and the cartridge to project the cartridge tip out of the end opening when the clip is slid to the position that said portion can fit into the side wall opening, and the clip permitting the cartridge to be retracted when the clip is at the other extreme of its sliding motion.

2. A writing instrument as defined in claim 1 wherein the clip is mounted at the end of the barrel from which the writing tip projects and is located at the part of the barrel that the user''s fingers will keep the ball clip in the side wall opening to keep the writing tip projected.

6. A writing instrument as defined in claim 5 wherein the means interconnecting the clip and the cartridge is an inner extension of part of the clip, and the spring acts through the cartridge to apply a torque to the clip to hold the clip ball in the sidewall opening to lock the cartridge in its tip projected position.

8. A writing instrument as defined in claim 1 wherein one part of the cartridge has a reduced section profile in one transverse dimension and a thin section uniform profile in the other transverse dimension and yoke fingers engage the reduced section to act as the means for interconnecting the cartridge and clip, said uniform profile of the cartridge being able to pass between the yoke fingers and the yoke fingers engaging the reduced section when the cartridge is rotated 90*.

16. A writing instrument comprising: a. a barrel having two ends, an opening at one end anD a side wall opening; b. a cartridge reciprocable within the barrel and having a writing tip projected through the end opening at one extreme of reciprocation and retracted within the barrel at the other extreme; c. a clip disposed on the barrel between the barrel ends for relative movement, and having a ball portion that fits within the side wall opening; d. a mounting securing the clip to the barrel permitting longitudinal sliding of the clip to dispose the clip ball over the side wall opening at one extreme of sliding motion and away from the side wall opening at the other extreme, and permitting a rotation of the clip to move the clip ball into and out of the side wall opening; and e. means interconnecting the clip and the cartridge to project the cartridge tip out of the end opening when the clip is slid to the position that the ball can fit into the side wall opening, and the clip permitting the cartridge to be retracted when the clip is at the other extreme of its sliding motion.

24. A writing instrument according to claim 1 including interengageable means in said barrel and said interconnecting means for locking said clip against laterally inward movement when it is in its position corresponding to the retracted position of said cartridge.

25. A writing instrument as defined in claim 1 including means for moving said clip laterally inwardly and outwardly in response to extension and retraction of said cartridge.

26. An instrument having a pocket clip which is formed of plastic and which includes means of a different material for reinforcing the plastic thereof.