EP1974952A2 - Verschiebbarer Griff mit Federvorspannung für ein Schreibinstrument - Google Patents

Verschiebbarer Griff mit Federvorspannung für ein Schreibinstrument Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP1974952A2
EP1974952A2 EP07252458A EP07252458A EP1974952A2 EP 1974952 A2 EP1974952 A2 EP 1974952A2 EP 07252458 A EP07252458 A EP 07252458A EP 07252458 A EP07252458 A EP 07252458A EP 1974952 A2 EP1974952 A2 EP 1974952A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
assembly body
grip
spring
writing implement
gripping member
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP07252458A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Inventor
Carl Cetera
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Cotapaxi Custom Design and Manufacturing LLC
Original Assignee
Cotapaxi Custom Design and Manufacturing LLC
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Cotapaxi Custom Design and Manufacturing LLC filed Critical Cotapaxi Custom Design and Manufacturing LLC
Publication of EP1974952A2 publication Critical patent/EP1974952A2/de
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B43—WRITING OR DRAWING IMPLEMENTS; BUREAU ACCESSORIES
    • B43K—IMPLEMENTS FOR WRITING OR DRAWING
    • B43K23/00—Holders or connectors for writing implements; Means for protecting the writing-points
    • B43K23/008—Holders comprising finger grips
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B43—WRITING OR DRAWING IMPLEMENTS; BUREAU ACCESSORIES
    • B43K—IMPLEMENTS FOR WRITING OR DRAWING
    • B43K29/00—Combinations of writing implements with other articles
    • B43K29/007—Combinations of writing implements with other articles with advertising means

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to field of a slidable spring-biased grip assembly connectible to a handheld writing implement, wherein the spring-biased grip is configured to reduce the pressing force applied to an external surface by the writing implement by absorbing part of the force via a tension member.
  • U.S. Patent No. 6,710,267 uses a spring to absorb excessive pressing force for protecting a touch panel by spring-loading the tip only for reducing deformation thereof which does not appear to provide strain relief upon the user.
  • U.S. Patent No. 6,257,787 discloses a ball point pen where a coiled spring is interposed between the cap and a plunger connected to an ink cartridge for adjusting the firmness of writing, but nothing appears to provide strain relief for the grip.
  • U.S. Patent No. 6,428,232 discloses a ball point pen where a spring, while enclosed in a cap, is interposed between a control member and an ink cartridge for adjusting biasing force.
  • 6,695,512 appears to disclose use of a spring in a writing instrument interposed between the pen body and a slidable sleeve surrounding the pen tip so as to bias the sleeve over the pen tip to protect the same. Such a design does not appear to provide strain relief during use.
  • the present invention provides a handheld writing implement that has a slidable spring-biased grip attached on a gripping portion of the handheld writing implement, wherein the spring-biased grip is configured to reduce the pressing force applied to an external surface by the writing implement, by absorbing part of it to a spring.
  • the configuration of the unique slidable spring-biased grip assembly provides for direct support and strain relief upon the user's fingers so that the implement remains substantially stationary while the grip portion slides along the body of the implement.
  • Such a design is an improvement over the prior art designs in that the implement tip may write more smoothly without retracting into the implement body since it is the grip that moves, not the tip.
  • This design also provides for instant user-feedback where the spring is visible, and is more visually pleasing.
  • the spring-biased grip assembly made in accordance with the present invention includes an elongated assembly body, a tip connected to an end thereof, a gripping member to be gripped by user's fingers, which has a shape of, preferably, a tubular shell wrapped around the assembly body to be slidable axially thereon, and a tension member, preferably a coiled spring, disposed between the tip and gripping member to resiliently bias, and slidably urge, the gripping member away from the tip while preferably maintaining the assembly body stationary.
  • the gripping member may further include a cushioned grip removably sleeved over it.
  • the spring-grip assembly body can be detachably or integrally connected to a body of a typical handheld writing implement, and may have a cylindrical compartment axially defined therein and extended through the tip for accommodating therein a typical ink cartridge.
  • One of the advantages of the present invention is to provide, through the spring-biased slidable grip described above, an easy and effective means for reducing the occasional but unavoidable excessive pressing force applied by a user to an external surface the writing implement is pressed on, and thereby, an effective protection of the external surface.
  • Another advantage is to provide for a user of the handheld writing implement a resilient and comfortable feeling in writing while holding the spring biased slidable grip.
  • Still another advantage of the present invention is to provide a visually fresh and appealing appearance through the slidable spring-biased grip. In that respect, the handheld writing implement having such a grip would be used as an effective means for advertisement where advertising materials are imprinted on an external surface of the implement body.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a handheld writing instrument with a spring-grip assembly in the first preferred embodiment of the present invention
  • FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of a handheld writing instrument with a spring-grip in the first preferred embodiment of the present invention
  • FIG. 3 is a top plan view of a handheld writing instrument with a spring-grip assembly in the first preferred embodiment of the present invention
  • FIG. 4 is an exploded view of a spring-grip assembly in the first preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of a spring-grip assembly in the first preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 6 is a side cross-sectional view of a spring-grip assembly in the first preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 7 is an exploded view of a spring-grip assembly in the second preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of a spring-grip assembly in the second preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 9 is a side cross-sectional view of a spring-grip assembly in the second preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a handheld writing instrument in the first preferred embodiment, being used in the manner contemplated by the present invention.
  • the present invention generally relates to a handheld writing implement having a slidable grip biased by a spring, which is configured to reduce the pressing force, by absorbing part of it, applied to an external surface by the writing implement.
  • such means are intended to at least encompass conventional fasteners such as machine screws, machine threads, snap rings, hose clamps such as screw clamps and the like, rivets, nuts and bolts, toggles, pins and the like.
  • Components may also be connected by friction fitting, snap fitting, adhesives, or by welding or deformation, if appropriate.
  • materials for making components of the present invention are selected from appropriate materials such as metal, metallic alloys, natural or synthetic fibers, plastics and the like, and appropriate manufacturing or production methods including casting, extruding, injection molding and machining may be used.
  • FIGS. 1-3 show, respectively, a perspective view, a side elevational view, and a top plan view of a handheld writing implement made according to the present invention.
  • the handheld writing instrument in the preferred embodiment is a typical ball point pen 1 .
  • such handheld instruments may also include, but are not limited to, for example, a PDA stylus or an input pen.
  • the pen 1 comprises largely an elongated, substantially cylindrical barrel 20, and serially connected thereto, a spring-grip assembly 10 made in the first preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • the spring-grip assembly 10 forms in itself a lower part of the pen 1 near the pen tip 14.
  • the pen 1 may further comprise a pen cap 21 at an end of the barrel 20 and a typical clip 22 connected thereto.
  • FIGS. 4-6 show, respectively, an exploded view, a side-elevational view, and a side cross-sectional view of the spring-grip assembly 10 in the first preferred embodiment, and FIGS. 7-9 in the second preferred embodiment.
  • the spring-grip assembly 10 comprises a generally elongated assembly body 11 having a first assembly body end 11a and a second assembly body end 11b, a tip 14 connected to the first assembly body end 11a, a gripping member 14, a cushioned and textured grip 16, and a tension member 17.
  • the elongated assembly body 11 comprises a tip-connection section 13a formed adjacent the first assembly body end 11a to which the tip 14 is connected, a barrel-connection section 13b formed adjacent the first assembly body end 11b to which the barrel 20 of a pen 1 is connected, and a grip-sliding section 12 on which a slidable spring biased gripping member 15 and a tension member 17 are engaged.
  • those connections are achieved via threads respectively formed on two sections 13a, 13b as shown in FIGS. 4 and 7, and matching threads formed in inner surfaces of the tip 14 and the barrel 20 of the pen 1.
  • any other detachable connection method such as friction fitting or snap fitting, is also contemplated by the present invention.
  • the assembly body 11 may be integrally formed with the barrel 20 of the pen 1, or the tip 14.
  • the elongated barrel 20 and the three sections of the elongated assembly body 11 have an overall cylindrical configuration with circular cross sections, but in other embodiments, their cross sections may have other geometric shapes, such as a square, rectangle, ellipse, or even a triangle.
  • the grip-sliding section 12 has a smaller circumferential diameter than the barrel connection section 13b, thereby forming a stopper 12a in a shape of a circular rim at the junction of the two sections 12 and 13b for stopping the gripping member 15 from further sliding.
  • the difference in diameter between the two sections 12 and 13b is set such that when the gripping member 15 and the textured grip 16 are fitted over the grip-sliding section 12, the surface of the grip 16 may be substantially evenly aligned with the surface of the barrel 20.
  • the barrel-connection section 13b has, again, a slightly smaller diameter than the barrel 20 so that the grip assembly body 11 may be threadably fitted in the barrel 20.
  • the tip 14, threadably connected to the tip-connection section 13a has a generally tapered cylindrical, or conical shape, but may have any other shapes as well in other embodiments.
  • the serially connected barrel 20, the assembly body 10, and the tip 14 may have an elongated compartment 18 axially defined therethrough for removably retaining therein a typical ink cartridge.
  • the tip 14 may further define an opening connected to the compartment 18 at an end thereof, from which a ball pen tip of the ink cartridge may retractably protrude.
  • the internal mechanisms of a typical ball point pen related with the ink cartridge and the retractable pen tip is well known in the art and will not be described further herein.
  • the gripping member 15 is a thin, generally tubular shell having an inner cylindrical orifice of a slightly bigger diameter than the sliding section 12 so as to slidingly sleeve over it.
  • it has a length of approximately the first knuckle of an adult finger so as to be comfortably gripped thereby.
  • the gripping member 15 While the gripping member 15 is slidable on the grip-sliding section 12 , it is biased by a tension member, preferably, a typical coiled spring 17, which is wound around the grip-sliding section 12 to mechanically, and resiliently communicate between the gripping member 15 and the tip 14.
  • the coiled spring 17 is configured such that in the absence of external force acting on the gripping member 15, the coiled spring 17 is slightly compressed, exerting spring force on the gripping member 15 to slidingly urge it toward the second assembly body end 11b so that it remains engaged with the stopper 12b.
  • the spring 17 When external force is applied on the gripping member 15 toward the first assembly body end 11a, the spring 17 is compressed as the gripping member 15 slides down on the grip-sliding section 12, and thereby reducing the pressure transferred to the tip 14 and providing strain relief to the user's fingers.
  • the gripping member 15 is shaped as a straight tubular shell having two identically sized circular flanges 15a formed at its two opposing ends.
  • the coiled spring 17 is exposed to view, where one of its ends is directly pressed against one of the circular flanges 15a while the other end against the tip 14.
  • the other flange of the gripping member 15 is pressed against the stopper 12b as the gripping member 15 is slidingly urged toward it by the spring 17 in the absence of counteracting external force.
  • the gripping member 15 slidingly engaged upon the grip-sliding section 12 is shaped as a tubular shell, but slightly tapered toward the first assembly body end 11a. Similarly, it has two circular flanges 15a formed at its two opposing ends, but of different diameters. As in the first preferred embodiment, one of the flanges 15a of the gripping member 15, the one with a bigger diameter, is engaged with the stopper 12b in the absence of external force directed to the first assembly body end 11a. But the other flange of a smaller diameter is configured to slide over a portion of the tip 14 as the gripping member 15 slides toward the first assembly end 11 a under the external force.
  • the coiled spring 17 is still wound around the assembly body 11, but hidden from view, being completely covered by the tapered gripping member 15. Like the first preferred embodiment, one end of the coiled spring 17 is pressed against the tip 14. But in the second preferred embodiment, the other end is pressed, not against one of the two circular flanges 15a, but against a ring-like flange 15c formed on the inner surface of the gripping member 15, thereby establishing the necessary mechanical communication between the tip 14 and the gripping member 15.
  • the grip-sliding section 12 may further have a guide detent 12b formed on outer surfaces thereof and the gripping member 15 may define a matching guide recess 15b thereon, where the detent 12b and the recess 15b are formed in the axial direction such that the cylindrical gripping member 15 is prevented from rotating, while permitted to axially slide, on the grip-sliding section 12.
  • a grip 16 made of a cushioned, textured material may be engaged over the gripping member 15 to provide for a user's fingers a comfortable and interesting gripping feeling.
  • the grip 16 is preferably detachably and frictionally fitted over it, but may be fixedly incorporated on it by means of adhesives or other permanent attachment means known in the art.
  • the barrel 20 ofthe pen 1, the grip assembly body 11, the tip 14, and the gripping member 15 are manufactured from plastic. But any other suitable rigid materials recognized by one skilled in the art, such as metal, wood, or ceramic materials, may be used.
  • FIGS. 10 and 11 show how the pen having the spring-biased slidable grip made in the first preferred embodiment according to the present invention is used.
  • FIG. 10 shows a user holding the pen without applying pressing force so that the pen refill 100 is not contacting any surface, while merely gripping with fingers the gripping member 15 and the textured grip 16 retained thereon.
  • the downward pressure is applied to the gripping member 15 while the pen refill 100 is contacting a surface.
  • the gripping member 15 slides down on the grip-sliding section 12 while compressing the coiled spring 17, and thereby reducing the downward pressure that would otherwise be fully transferred to, and likely to damage, a soft external surface or a piece of paper.
  • FIG. 10 shows a user holding the pen without applying pressing force so that the pen refill 100 is not contacting any surface, while merely gripping with fingers the gripping member 15 and the textured grip 16 retained thereon.
  • the downward pressure is applied to the gripping member 15 while the pen refill 100 is contacting a surface.
  • the gripping member 15
  • the gripping member 15 in the second embodiment extends low and conceals the spring 17 and partly covers the tip 14, and thus, better suits a user who has a habit of gripping a pen closer to the tip thereof.
  • the pen refill 100 is contacting a surface.
  • the present invention also contemplates such a method for advertising as well, wherein advertising materials 30 may be imprinted on any external surface of the writing implement, for instance, on the barrel 20 of the pen 1 as shown in FIGS. 1-3, on the pen cap 21, or even on the clip 22.
  • the advertising material may include, but not be limited to, marks, letters, symbols, pictures, or indicia. It can also be a photo, design, or other pictorial representation. Furthermore, such indicia may be raised or textured to provide even more tactile sensory input to a user. If the advertising material is imprinted on the cap 21 or the clip 22, it may be covered by a transparent cover for protection thereof.

Landscapes

  • Mechanical Pencils And Projecting And Retracting Systems Therefor, And Multi-System Writing Instruments (AREA)
  • Pens And Brushes (AREA)
EP07252458A 2006-11-09 2007-06-15 Verschiebbarer Griff mit Federvorspannung für ein Schreibinstrument Withdrawn EP1974952A2 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US11/558,375 US20080112748A1 (en) 2006-11-09 2006-11-09 Slidable spring-biased grip for a handheld writing implement

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1974952A2 true EP1974952A2 (de) 2008-10-01

Family

ID=39149156

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP07252458A Withdrawn EP1974952A2 (de) 2006-11-09 2007-06-15 Verschiebbarer Griff mit Federvorspannung für ein Schreibinstrument

Country Status (3)

Country Link
US (1) US20080112748A1 (de)
EP (1) EP1974952A2 (de)
CN (1) CN101177091A (de)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN103640365A (zh) * 2013-12-18 2014-03-19 廖振基 儿童安全笔
RU191984U1 (ru) * 2018-04-26 2019-08-29 Общество с ограниченной ответственностью "Часовой завод "НИКА" Пишущий инструмент

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP6277887B2 (ja) * 2013-12-20 2018-02-14 カシオ計算機株式会社 描画装置
CN112295200B (zh) * 2020-11-04 2022-08-23 汨罗市屈子龙舟发展有限公司 一种划龙舟用护具
JP2023042360A (ja) * 2021-09-14 2023-03-27 セーラー万年筆株式会社 筆記具及びペン先部品

Family Cites Families (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US248163A (en) * 1881-10-11 Mechanism in machines fob eollina soeew threads
US246312A (en) * 1881-08-30 Max herrmann
US249550A (en) * 1881-11-15 John l
US249051A (en) * 1881-11-01 And thomas h
US2488179A (en) * 1946-05-28 1949-11-15 Jr John A Engel Cushioned pencil point
US4035089A (en) * 1973-03-14 1977-07-12 Schwartz Allan E Mechanism for varying the finger grip area of a writing implement
US6146038A (en) * 1999-04-22 2000-11-14 A.T.X. International, Inc. Variable contour grip
US6261015B1 (en) * 2000-01-28 2001-07-17 Bic Corporation Roller ball pen with adjustable spring tension
JP2001290601A (ja) * 2000-04-05 2001-10-19 Internatl Business Mach Corp <Ibm> タッチパネル用入力ペン、入力ペン
US6257787B1 (en) * 2000-06-28 2001-07-10 Norbert Kirk Ball point pen smooth touch
US6695512B1 (en) * 2003-05-06 2004-02-24 Chad C. Sutherland Writing implement with movable sleeve
CA2429153C (en) * 2003-05-17 2005-08-16 Go Simon Sunatori Auto-retractable pen mechanism with a cushion effect

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN103640365A (zh) * 2013-12-18 2014-03-19 廖振基 儿童安全笔
RU191984U1 (ru) * 2018-04-26 2019-08-29 Общество с ограниченной ответственностью "Часовой завод "НИКА" Пишущий инструмент

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CN101177091A (zh) 2008-05-14
US20080112748A1 (en) 2008-05-15

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US6488426B1 (en) Writing instrument with finger gripping device
US20120194484A1 (en) Stylus
EP1974952A2 (de) Verschiebbarer Griff mit Federvorspannung für ein Schreibinstrument
US20060239761A1 (en) Pen
US7156570B2 (en) Implement grip
US20130266360A1 (en) Self-retaining writing instrument
US7014379B2 (en) Adjustable dual sleeve pen holding auxiliary device
JP3987711B2 (ja) 筆記用具
US10391810B2 (en) Page turning device
US20090266626A1 (en) Flexible Stylus Tip With Flat Contact Surface
US4991985A (en) Multifunctional handle for writing implement
US5549405A (en) Heel-shaped ergonomic writing instrument
JPH0648086A (ja) 筆記具の把持部可変装置
JP3237280U (ja) 筆記具
KR200331400Y1 (ko) 피로예방용 필기구 손잡이
EP1894742A1 (de) Schaftrohr für schreibgerät mit zusätzlicher haltevorrichtung
WO2005100045A1 (en) Front-knock type ballpen
CA2538325C (en) Writing instrument with finger gripping device
JP2011000752A (ja) 筆記具用保持具及びその部品
JP4055624B2 (ja) 筆記具又は塗布具
KR200391795Y1 (ko) 슬라이딩 펜
AU2005100718B4 (en) Dispenser pen
KR200244633Y1 (ko) 필기구
JP3077016U (ja) 筆記具
JP4861231B2 (ja) 筆記具

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A2

Designated state(s): AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MT NL PL PT RO SE SI SK TR

AX Request for extension of the european patent

Extension state: AL BA HR MK RS

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION HAS BEEN WITHDRAWN

18W Application withdrawn

Effective date: 20081028