AU621057B2 - Writing implement - Google Patents

Description

AUSTRArIA Patents Act 6521057 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION 49 0R S q# 9 ~S 4 *1 9 ft 1 9 ft 9,9, #9 4 9, p 99 ft ,t #1 ft It 'I It ft C C ~Cft

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Applicanit: QUANSTAR PTY LIMITED Addres 19A Prazer Street Collaroy NSW 2097 Address for Service: Chrysiliou Moore Chrysiliou P.O. Box 373 Collaroy Beach NSW 2097 complete Specification for an invention entitled: "1WRITING IMPLEMENT" The following statement is a full descripti~h of th~.s invention, including the best method of performing it knc'wn to me: -2- 1 SThe present invention concerns writing instruments, especially writing instruments adapted to be mounted on a finger.

Traditionally, writing instruments such as pens and pencils are designed so as to be held by three fingers with the upper part of the writing instrument resting on the user's hand in a position between the thumb and the adjacent finger. This method of utilising a writing instrument is difficult for people learning to write and for disabled people with restricted use of their fingers or hands. This method is also ihconvenient for people who have other hand functions to perform and who o. 'therefore have to put the writing instrument down and then pick it up again when resuming the writing function.

:*4 e It is an object of the present invention to overcome or substantially alleviate the above disadvantages. It is a further object of this invention to provide a writing implement which may be used on almost any digit, such as thumbs and toes, as well as fingers.

44 socket or chant el to receive the end portion of a Is digit S 20 ahd either adapted to frictionally engage digit, or adapted to combine with additional means o pport, so that the i plement s retained on t git, and a writing point a ssociated with th cket or channel so that the user may write with implement by movement of the digit.

Iiii ii 1 -3- The invention provides a writing implement adapted to be mounted on a user's digit, comprising: a channel, socket or sleeve to receive the end portion of the digit and adapted to frictionally engage the digit so that the implement is retained on the digit, a carrier mounted on or attached to the channel, socket or sleeve, said carrier incorporating a writing point, and means to enable the carrier to assume at least two positions, the first being an extended position wherein the writing point extends to the end of or beyond the user's digit so that the user may write with the implement and the second being a semi-retracted position wherein the writing point does not extend beyond the end of the user's digit.

The sleeve, socket or channel may contain a reservoir of a 15 writing fluid or other writing matter for feeding to the writing point. In addition, the sleeve, socket or channel may incorporate an aperture, either to ventilate the interior of the sleeve, socket or channel, or to permit a user's nail to protrude. The writing point may be a low 20 ;fribtion pencil lead, ball point or felt tip.

If desired, the writing point on the implement may be covered by a cap when not in use, Preferably, the sleeve, socket or channel will fit a wide range of digit sizes and the implement has a secure but u^L L -4comfortable grip on the digit, to facilitate accurate translation of the digit action.

As indicated, the writing point is semi-retractable. This is particularly useful when the implement is intended for use on finger digits by typists and keyboard operators, or by persons using calculators, especially when the implement permits the user's finger to protrude beyond the sleeve or channel, to permit direct contact between the user's fingertip and the keys while the implement is retained on the finger.

The described embodiment is also useful when the user has |k c other functions to perform. For example, the user may be a t E cstudent making notes in a textbook or notebook,; the student can have the writing implement of the present invention e 15 mounted on the index finger of his favoured hand (usually the right hand) and can alternate between writing notes t C(with the writing point in the extended position) and turning pages with the tip of his index finger (with the Swriting point retracted). To facilitate page turning, the implement may incorporate rubberised strips.

Preferably, the implement in this embodiment incorporates means for enabling the carrier to also assume a third position being a fully-retracted position, wherein the J writing point does not extend beyond the sleeve, socket or chainel. Thus the writing tip may be fully protected by the BI boy of the implement, so that the implement may be stored or transported without the risk of accidental staining by b K1 any writing fluid or writing means.

Most conveniently, the carrier is mounted on the channel, socket or sleeve so that the writing point is above the user's digit-nail and extends beyond the nail when in the extended position. Preferably, the carrier moves between the first, second and third positions in a path parallel to the longitudinal axis of the digit.

It is especially preferred that the digit on which the implement is adapted to be mounted is adjacent a second digit, and the means which enable the carrier to assume the first, second and third positions include at least one lever protruding from the carrier adjacent to the second digit, so I E that the second digit may manipulate the lever to cause the carrier to assume the first, second or third positions without changing locality of the implement on the first digit.

Thus, the implement of the invention may be used by persons who cannot use their fingers and who can mount the implement of the invention on one of their toes. For example, if the 1 20 implement of the invention is mounted on a user's second toe, that user may operate the retraction of the writing poin l t by flicking the lever with his big toe. Thus the user Scan protect the writing point from accidental contact with stainable mateZials or furniture.

This form of the invention is particularly useful for Qrhandicapped persons who have no use of their hands or arms.

-6- Examples of the invention in the various preferred forms referred to herein are described below with reference to the attached drawings, in which: implement; Figure II repre sectional view of a second form of the Figures III, IV and V illustrate a 41 t4id om of the implement fand represent side elevations of the implement in extended, 1, 0 semi-retracted and fully retracted positions, respectively, Figure VI represents a side elevation of the sleeve of the a implement in Figure III, *4 Figure VII is a front elevation as indicated by the arrow in Figure VI, Figure VIII is a plan view of the sleeve shown in Figure VI, Figure IX is a sectional view along the line A A of Figure

VIII,

4 Figure X is a side elevation of the carriier of the implement in "Figure III, Figure XI is a front elevation as indicated by the arrov in i Figure X, Figure XII is a plan view of the carrier in Figure X, and j 1 1 1 i.

Figure XIII is a sectional view along the line B -B of Figure

XII.

Reforinrg to Figr-r thc witing inplemenf l:,.fs conical body 2 constructed of plastic or similar material. Most of the interior of the conical body 2 is lined with a silient material 3 to assist frictional engagement of the us r's finger 4. Sandwiched between conical body 2 and the lini of resilient material 3 is an ink reservoir 5 whic has a conical chamber 5a located near the point of the imp ment and a further annular chamber 5b communicating wth the conical chamber 5a. The ink reservoir 5 deliver ink to the writing I point 6, which may comprise ball, f t ip or nib.

In an alternate embodiment of the nvention, writing point 6 consists of a lead point, so th t the writing implement functions as a pencil. In th' embodiment, reservoir 5 does not contain ink but can be use to store spare leads, as well as incorporating a propelli g mechanism.

.9 Referring now to Fig e II, in this embodiment the writing implement 11 has generally conical body 12 with one or more apertures 13 le into the body 12. When the user's finger (not shown) is ins rted into body 12, aperture 13 either provides ventilatio into the interior 14 of the body 12 ur permits protrusi n of the user's fingernail. Thus the writing implement of th invention can be used by persons having long fin ernails. Moreover, in this embodiment, the shape of

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(23

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r -8resilient layer as in the embodiment illustrated rigure 1.

While the above specific embodim have been described in terms of a writing im ent which is conical in shape, it is to be under od that the invention is not so limited and that ih rlont of thc invention may hav othcr h-aio. The writing implement 20 in Figures III to V has a sleeve body 22 on which is mounted a carrier 23, which houses a writing point 21 and a writing fluid reservoir (not shown). Both sleeve body 22 and carrier 23 are moulded from a suitable semi-rigid *i "plastic material. The embodiment of the invention will be described in greater detail with reference to Figures III to V after detailed refence to Figures VI to XIII, below.

Sleeve bo,' 22 is detailed in Figures VI to IX. The body incorporates slits 24 to permit expansion of the body to accommodate differently sized digits (in this case, fingers).

When a finger is inserted in the body entry 25, if the circumference of the entry is insufficient, movement of the finger through the entry and into the interior 26 of sleeve body 22 will cause slot 24 to widen and allow insertion of the finger. It is intended that the fingertip should protrude S, through exit 27 of sleeve body 22. The interior 26 is generally ovoid in cross-section, as illustrated in Figure VII, since this shape best approximates the 'most common finger shape.

The sleeve body 22 has moulded along the length of its interiot q rl '-I .f -9- 26 ribs 28 which act both as a frictional means for retaining the finger in sleeve body 22 and also as a means of providing ventilation to the interior 26 when the finger is inserted.

Also incorporated in sleeve body 22 is a runner slot 29 which has a wide part 29a, a narrow part 29b and a ledge 29c between the said wide and narrow parts, and a hinge pivot socket Carrier 23 is detailed, in Figures X to XII and comprises a writing fluid chamber 31 to accommodate ink, an ink cartridge, inked fibres, or the like (not shown), communicating with a writing point to be inserted in aperture 32. (The writing point 21 is not shown in Figures X to XIII.) Carrier 23 includes levers 33 protruding laterally from both sides of carrier 23 so that the implement can be operated on the right or left hands.

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Carrier 23 also incorporates a live hinge 34 and a hinge pivot 35, as well as runners 36 and retaining means 37.

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When carrier 23 is mounted on sleeve body 22, hinge pivot 35 is retained by the hi ye pivot sockets 30; runner 36 is slidably engaged in the wide part 29a of runner slot 29 and retaining 20 meais 37 may be engaged in narrow part 29b of runner slot 29.

RetUrning now to Figures III to V, when the implement is in the writing position, the writing point 21 is in the extended position, with retaining means 37 resting in the wide part 29a of runner slot 29 and held in that position by means of ledge ji 29c of runner slot 29. This position is illustrated in Figure

III.

When it is desired to have the implement so that writing point 21 is in the semi-retracted position, assuming that the implement is mounted on the user's index finger, the user's thumb can flip up carrier 23 with a simple upward motion and retaining means 37 lifts clear of ledge 29c, while runner 36 moves backwards in slot 29, away from exit 27 and towards ledge 29c. Live hinge 31 helps to maintain the carrier 23 in the semi-retracted position. This position is illustrated in Figure o^r IV. When writing point 21 is in this position, the user's fingertip is free to type on a keyboard, or to punch keys on a S. calculator, or to carry out other functions, such as turning of pages.

6 To fully retract writing point 21, once again the uair's thumb engages the lever 33, this time in a downwards motion, to seat 1 4 Or retaining means 37 in narrow part 29b of runner slot 29, with e runner 36 adjacent ledge 29c. In Figure V, it will be noted that in this position, writing point 21 is shielded by extensions 38 around runner slot 29 and consequently there will be negligible risk of staining, since it is practically 0 impossible for writing point 21 to come into contact with any stainable matter, such as the user's shirt.

It may be desirable to have striations on lever 33 to aid frictional engagement of the thumb when moving the writing iji point 21 between the various positions. It may also be L -11desirable to incorporate magnetic strips along the base of sleeve body 22 so that the implement may be affixed to metal surfaces. If desired, the magnetic strips may be rubberised so that the base of the sleeve body 22 may be utilised for page turning.

Top surface 39 of carrier 23 (refer Figure XI) is eminently suitable for carrying advertising matter, company logos, etc.

Slit 24 of sleeve body 22 may be adapted to form a Fpcket or belt clip, so that the implement of the invention can be conveniently clipped to pocket o: belt. In addition, sleeve body 22 may be shaped so that the implement can sit on a horizontal surface (such as a desk or table), resting in ends 40 and 41 (refer Figure VI).

Although the embodiment has been described in relation to use *t of the implement on the index finger (right or left) of a user, it is to be understood that the implement of the present invention may be mounted on any digit (finger or toe), depending on the preference and dexterity of the user. As already mentioned, the implement of the invention is suitable for use by persons who have less than the normal number of fingers, or who have physilcal impairment.

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Claims (12)

1. A writing implement adapted to be mounted on a user's digit, comprising: a channel, socket or sleeve to receive the end portion of the digit and adapted to frictionally engage the digit so that the implement is retained on the digit, a carrier mounted on or attached to the channel, socket or sleeve, said carrier incorporating a writing point, and means to enable the carrier to assume at least two positions, the first being an extended position wherein the S 10 writing point extends to the end of or beyond the user's digit so that the user may write with the implement and the second being a semi-retracted position wherein the writing point does not extend beyond the end of the user's digit.

2. A writing implement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the said means enables the carrier to also assume a third position being a fully-retracted position, wherein the .MJ writing point does not extend beyond the channel, sockeo or sleeve.

3. A writing implement as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the writing point is a low friction pencil lead, a ball point or a felt tip.

4. A writing implement as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein a I ti -13- reservoir of writing fluid or other writing matter is contained within the carrier for feeding to the writing point.

A writing implement as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the carrier is mounted on the channel, socket or sleeve so that the writing point is above the user's digit-nail and extends beyond the nail when in the exteded position.

6. A writing implement as claimed in claim any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the carrier moves between the first, second and third positions in a path parallel to the longitudinal Saxis of the digit.

7. A writing implement as claied in any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the digit on which the implement is adapted to be mounted is adjacent a second digit, and the means which enable the carrier to assume the first, second and third poitions include at least one lever protruding frm the carrier adjacent to the second digit, so that the second digit may manipulate the lever to cause the carrier to 20 assume the first, second or third positions without changing n locality of the implement on the first digit.

8. A writing implement as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the channel, socket or sleeve incorporates an aperture for ventilatiort or to permit a nail on the digit to protrude. -14-

9. A writing implement as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein rubberised strips are mounted externally on the channel, socket or sleeve.

A writing implsment as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the channel, socket or sleeve incorporates means for enabling expansion of the channel, socket or sleeve.

11. A writing implement as claimed in claim 10, wherein the expansion meanos comprise slits formed in the channel, socket or sleeve.

12. A writing implement substantially as herein described, I, with reference to Figures III to XIII of the accompanying Drawings. 9 Dated this eighteenth day o2 December, 1991 oo. QUANSTAR PTY LIMITED By its Patent Attorney Q KERRY MOORE CHRYSILIOU of Chrysiliou Moore Chrysiliou o C4 ABSTRACT The invention relates to a writing implement, such as a pen or pencil, which is intended to be worn on a finger or other digit. The implement has a socket or channel to receive the end of a finger, which may be enclosed in the socket, or which may be capable of protruding from the channel. In one form, the implement, has a carrier incorporating a writing point mountef on the sleeve. The carrier can assume three different positions: one where the writing point extends beyond the user's finger for use in writing, S. 10 the second being a semi-retracted position and the third being a fully-retracted position wlhere the writing point does not extend beyond the body of the implement. 0. 0 0