GB2040826A - A data device for a writing implement - Google Patents

Abstract

A data device for a tubular barrelled writing implement. The device includes a ribbon 6, on which data may be pre-printed or recorded, which is wound onto two spools 5. Manual means comprising a knob 101 are provided which when turned cause gear elements 8 and 9 to engage and to transmit the rotary motion of the knob 101 to a shaft 7 an end of which is fixedly inserted in one of the spool 5. Thus, a spool 5 may be rotated causing the ribbon to be moved on and allowing, in use, a further portion of the pre-printed data, or a portion of blank ribbon, to be viewed through a window provided in the tubular barrel 1 of the writing implement. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION A data device for a writing implement The present invention relates to a device for a writing implement, on which device notes forfrequent reference may be recorded or data of various kinds, for example, calendars, lists and addresses may be pre-printed.

The evolution of writing instruments in general has accompanied the evolution of human civilization and to a certain extent may also have influenced and symbolized it.

Writing implements manufactured today mirror a creative endeavour which on occasion transcends their specific function as a result of commercial conditioning of the most variegated kind. The evolution of the pen has not occurred simply to serve the requirements of their function, but also ancillary aspects, for example decorative aspects, advertising aspects, and other appropriate aspects. Inasmuch as it is an object of frequent use and a personal instrument, the pen has to be considered a vehicle for messages as well as a means permitting the formation of messages. For example, many types of pen exist which are morphologically adapted to suit advertising requirements and which are distributed for publicity purposes.

Such adaptations tend above all to require as much space as possible on the object for the reproduction of the graphic message, whether for advertising purposes or not. This has been achieved to a certain extent in some cases by providing movable surfaces in the body of the writing implement, for example, rotatable or telescopically movable cylinders on which data could be printed and read through special windows provided in the barrel of the writing implement.

However, the space available in such cylinders for recording or printing data is limited.

Accordingly the present invention provides a writing implement having a tubular barrel provided with a data device, said device comprising: a ribbon wound on holding means, a portion of the ribbon being visible, in use, through a window provided in the tubular barrel; and transmission means connecting the holding means to allow rotational motion to be transmitted to the holding means.

Preferably, the data device is detachable from the writing implement, allowing data to be recorded on a blank ribbon by means of the said writing implement.

It is desirable for the holding means to comprise two cylindrical spools, each of which may be connected via the transmission means to the rotatable member.

Preferably, the transmission means includes a transmission shaft and a gearing mechanism which may, for example, include a first gear element comprising a cylinder with butt gearing, and a second gear element having a butt geared end and including a pinion gear.

In the preferred embodiment, the rotatable member has a helically threaded inner surface which engages the pinion gear, and both spools are connected via respective transmission means to respective gearing mechanisms.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a writing implement incorporating the present invention and including a cover cap placed over the writing point; Figure 2 is a similar view to Figure 1, showing the writing implement of Figure 1 with the cover cap removed to enable the writing implement to be used; Figure 3 is a longitudinal median cross-section through the writing implement of Figure 2; Figure 4 is a longitudinal median section through the data displaying and recording device only; Figure 5is a cross-section through the data displaying and recording device taken along the lines A-A of Figure 4; Figures 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 are cross-sections through the data displaying and recording device of Figure 4, taken along the lines B-B; C-C; D-D;E-E; F-F; and G-G respectively of Figure 4; and Figure 12 is a perspective view of a pair of the transmission gears as shown in Figures 3 and 4.

Referring now to the drawings, Figure 1 shows a writing implement comprising a writing element 2, which is protected by a cover cap 11 when not in use, and a tubular barrel 1.

The writing element 2 is provided with a writing member 3 which may be, for example, a stylographic pen element, a felt or fibre-tip element, a propelling pencil lead or some similar writing member. The writing member 3 shown in Figure 2 is a ballpoint refill.

Incorporated in the tubular barrel 1 is a window 12 through which a portion 1, of the ribbon of the data displaying and recording device may be viewed.

As shown in Figure4, the data device has a substantially cylindrical outer casing 4 formed from two substantially hemicylindrical symmetrical shells 41 and 42 adapted to be fitted into the tubular band of the writing implement as shown in Figure 3.

Cavities are provided within the casing 4 in which a transmission mechanism and ribbon carrying spools are housed.

The spools 5 consist of small cylinders on which the ribbon 6 is wound. Each spool 5 has a longitudinal bore of polygonal cross-section, for example, of square cross-section as illustrated in Figures 6 to 11.

A flexible shaft 7 of square cross-section is fixedly inserted in each bore and each shaft connects the respective spool to a respective pair of gearing elements 8 and 9. A part of one of the gearing elements 8 engages a cup 10 associated with a knurled knob 101 which provides a manual winding means.

A total of four gear elements are provided forming two twinned pairs. Each pair of gear elements 8,9 is keyed into the respective shaft 7.

The gear elements 9 each consist of a butt geared simple small cylinder having a square cross-section through hold in which an end of the respective shaft 7 is fixedly received. The remaining gear elements 8 each comprise four integrally formed or fixedly joined parts of differing cylindrical cross-section and have a circular cross-section bore, allowing the gear element 8 to move with respect to the associated shaft 7. More particularly, the gear elements 8 comprise: a smooth surface segment 81; a first helically toothed pinion gear 82; a groove 83; and a second pinion gear 84 which is butt geared to enable a butt coupling to be formed with the respective gear elements 9.

The gear elements are fitted into their respective shafts 7 to form two twinned anti-parallel pairs of gear elements 8 and 9. That is, one pair of gear elements 8 and 9 is in an opposed relationship to the other pair 8 and 9.

When in opposed relationship the respective helically tooth pinion gears 82 of the respective gear elements 8 have similarly handed heiixes.

When fitted onto the respective shafts 7, the pinion gears 82 of each gear element 8 extend through two diametrically opposed slots provided in the casing 4 (shown in Figures 4 and 10) and engage helical toothing provided on an inner surface of the cylindrical cap 10.

The entire data device is firmly retained within the tubular barrel of the writing implement which may be a stylographic pen, a felt or fibre tip pen, a propelling pencil, or some similarwriting implement provided with a tubular barrel.

The knurled knob 10, is operated manually, either by rotating the knob directly or by rotating the cover cap 11 which may be placed over the knob 10.

Rotating the knob in one direction, for example, in the clockwise direction (with respect to the top of the knob 10), causes both the toothed pinion gears, which were previously idle, to rotate.

The effect of the helical gearing is to cause both pinion gears 82, and hence the gear elements 8, to be forced along their respective shafts, in the case of the clockwise rotation mentioned above towards the ribbon spool 5. Thus the butt geared pinion gear 84 of one gear element 8 engages the respective gear element 9, whilst the other butt geared pinion gear 84 of the second gear element 9 disengages its respective gear element 9 as shown in Figures 3 and 4.

Upon engagement of the particular gear element 9, the rotary motion is transmitted to the respective shaft 7 causing the corresponding spool 5 to rotate in a similar manner. In the case of the clockwise motion described above rotation of the correspond ing spool causes a portion of the ribbon to be wound into the rotating spool 5, moving the ribbon on.

To reverse the motion of the ribbon, it is necessary to reverse the direction of rotation of the knob 10, for example, corresponding to the above example, to the anti-clockwise direction with respect to the top of the knob 10.

The pinion gears 83 will then be forced towards the knurled knob, causing the engaged pinion gear 84 and gear element 9 to disengage and allowing the other pair of gear elements to engage. Thus, the rotary motion is transmitted to the other shaft 7 causing the other corresponding spool 5 to rotate and the directions of motion of the ribbon to reverse.

The data storage capacity of the ribbon spools will depend on the thickness of the material from which the ribbon is made. Clearly, the thinnerthe material, the greater will be the number of windings that can be made on a spool of constant diameter and thus more data may be stored on the ribbon.

Certain synthetic materials marketed today as very low thickness films are suitable forthis purpose as they can be printed on and are highly resistant to wear and tear.

Claims (14)

1. A writing implement having a tubular barrel provided with a data device, said device comprising: a ribbon wound on holding means, a portion of the ribbon being visible, in use, through a window provided in the tubular barrel; and transmission means connecting the holding means to allow a rotational member to allow rotational motion to be transmitted to the holding means.

2. Awriting implement according to claim 1, wherein the holding means comprise two cylindrical spools.

3. A writing implement according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the transmission means include a gearing mechanism keyed to a transmission shaft.

4. A writing implement according to claim 3, wherein the gearing mechanism includes a first gear element which is rigidly connected to the shaft, and a second gear element which is movable with respect to the shaft.

5. A writing implement according to claim 4, wherein the first gear element is a butt geared cylinder and the second gear element has a butt geared end.

6. A writing implement according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the second gear element includes a toothed pinion gear.

7. A writing implement according to claim 6, wherein the rotatable member has a threaded inner surface which engages the toothed pinion gear.

8. A writing implement according to claim 2, wherein the transmission means includes two gearing mechanisms each of which is keyed to a respective transmission shaft which connects with a corresponding spool.

9. A writing implement according to claim 8, wherein each gearing mechanism includes: a first gear element comprising a butt geared cylinder fixedly connected to the respective shaft; and a second gear element having a butt geared end and including a toothed pinion gear, the second gear element being movable with respect to the respective shaft.

10. A writing implement according to claim 9, wherein the rotatable member has a threaded inner surface which engages both the threaded pinion gears.

11. A writing implement according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the two gearing mechanisms have an opposed relationship in which movement of both second gear elements in one direction causes engagement of one second gear element and disengagement of the other second gear element with respect to the first gear element.

12. A writing implement according to any one claims 3 to 11, wherein the transmission shaft is flexible.

13. Awriting implement substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as illustrated in, the accompanying drawings.

14. Any novel feature or combination of features described herein.