GB2106043A

GB2106043A - Combined writing instrument and watch

Info

Publication number: GB2106043A
Application number: GB08124656A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Wai Kin Wong
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1981-08-12
Filing date: 1981-08-12
Publication date: 1983-04-07
Also published as: GB2106043B

Abstract

A writing instrument comprises a chronometer e.g. an L.C.D. watch unit 5, provided in a removable, preferably snap-fit, part 4 (not being the whole of the cap or body), so that the chronometer can be more readily replaced or repaired. The instrument may be a ball or felt pen or pencil. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Writing instruments The present invention relates to improvements in or relating to writing instruments with chronometers therein, especially, but not exclusively, ball pens with L.C.D. watch units therein. Three function L.C.D.

watch units are commonly fitted into writing instruments and the present invention is directed thereto, as well as to other L.C.D. watch units, for example those with four or six functions.

In the majority of writing instruments provided with an L.C.D. watch unit, the watch unit is built into the body of the writing instrument, sometimes with one part of the writing instrument forming a type of cover for the control of the watch unit (for example as described in U.K. Patent Specification No.1,582,100) or with the watch unit built in one part of the writing instrument, the other part of the writing instrument merely fitting to the one part to form a whole. Also, it is known to build the watch unit into the writing instrument so that the writing instrument has to be dismantled to a considerable extent if one wishes to gain access to the watch unit.

Unfortunately, L.C.D. watch units are prone to shock damage. Frequent shocks (or even one severe shock) will often render the watch unit unservicable.

It is, therefore, desirable to have ready access to the watch unit, to either repair or replace the same.

According to the present invention, there is provided a writing instrument with chronometer, the chronometer being provided in a removable, preferably snap-fit, part (not being the whole of the cap or body), so that the chronometer can be more readily replaced (for example by fitting a new part containing a new chronometer) or repaird (for example access to the parts of the chronometer being easier than heretofore).

A writing instrument according to the present invention may be, for example, a ball pen, a pencil or a felt pen. The chronometer is preferably an L.C.D.

watch time piece and is preferably fitted into a cap for the writing means. Thus, a writing instrument according to the invention preferably comprises a part containing a ball pen unit and a detachable cap therefor, the cap containing an L.C.D. watch unit. The L.C.D. watch unit is advantageously mounted in a plastics material insert that is push-fitted into a suitable housing formed in the cap. In fact, the whole of the structural components of a writing instrument according to the present invention can be formed of plastics material. However, this is of course not essential; the cap could be made of metal, as could a clip for the cover and the body of the pen containing the writing instrument. The insert containing the watch unit could also have a metal outside part, fastened to a plastics material inner part.

In addition to facilitating replacement or repair of the chronometer, having the same mounted in a plastics material insert may assist the same to resist shocks.

For a better understanding of the present invention and to show how the same may be put into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a writing instrument in accordance with the present invention, Figure 2 shows a view from the top and front of the writing instrument of Figure 1, Figure 3 shows a side view of the body member of the writing instrument of Figure 1.

Figure4shows a partially sectioned side view of the body member of Figure 3, Figure 5 shows an end view of the body member of Figure 3, Figure 6 shows a cross-sectioned view on A-A of Figure 4, Figure 7 shows a side view of the cap body of the writing instrument of Figure 1, Figure 8 shows a longitudinal sectional view of the cap body of Figure 7, Figure 9 shows an end view of the cap body of Figure 7, Figure 10 shows a sectional view on A'-A' of Figure 7, Figure 11 shows a sectional view on B-B of Figure 8, Figure 12 shows a sectional view and an end view of a unit for closing the end of the body member, Figure 13 shows, on a reduced scale, a side view and end view of the clip for the writing instrument of Figure 1, Figure 14 shows, on a much larger scale, a top view of the removable part of the writing instrument of Figure 1 for containing the L.C.D. watch unit, Figure 15 shows a longitudinal sectional view of the removable part of Figure 14, Figure 16 shows an underside view of the removable part of Figure 14, Figure 17 shows an end view of the removable part of Figure 14, and Figure 18 shows a sectional view on A"-A" of Figure 16.

Referring now to the drawings, there is shown generally in Figures 1 and 2 a writing instrument comprising a body member 1 with an end closing unit 2, a cap body 3, a removable part 4 containing an L.C.D. watch unit 5 with control function buttons 6, and a clip 7. In the body member 1 is contained a ball pen unit. Optionally, of course, the body member 1 could contain a felt pen or a propelling pencil or the like. The removable part 4, in which the L.C.D.

watch unit 5 is contained (or to which the L.C.D.

watch unit is fastened), is a snap fit into the cap body 3, so that the part 4 can be removed for service or replacement of the L.C.D. watch unit 5.

Figures 3 to 18 of the accompanying drawings show details for the manufacture of the body members of a writing instrument in accordance with the present invention and as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2. The drawings will naturally be selfexplanatory to a person in the art. The parts would normally be made from plastics material by any suitable means. However, the present invention is not limited to the construction shown - it is merely given to ensure that an expert in the art could readily manufacture a writing instrument in accordance with the present invention.

The L.C.D. watch unit 5 would be fitted, in the usual way, into or to the removable part 4. People are skilled in fitting L.C.D. watch units to or into various parts and no detailed description thereof is necessary or desirable herein.

Claims

1. A writing instrument comprising a chronometer, the chronometer being mounted on or into a part which is removably attached to the main body of the writing instrument or the cap of the writing instrument, in such a way that repair or replacement of the chronometer is facilitated.

2. A writing instrument according to Claim 1, wherein the chronometer is mounted on a part that is removable from the side of the main body or the side of the cap.

3. A writing instrument according to claim 2, wherein the removable part is made of plastics material and is snap-fitted or force-fitted into the side of the main body or the side of the cap.

4. A writing instrument according to claim 1,2 or 3, wherein the chronometer is an L.C.D. watch unit.

5. A writing instrument which comprises a body member, a cap body and a removable part of the cap body containing an L.C.D. watch unit, a clip also being attached to or forming part of the cap body, the body member containing a ball pen unit.

6. A writing instrument according to claim 5, wherein the body member, cap body and removable part are made of plastics material and the removable part is snap-fitted orforce-fitted into the cap body.

7. A writing instrument substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in, the accompanying drawings.

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