GB2273268A

GB2273268A - Retractable illuminating pen.

Info

Publication number: GB2273268A
Application number: GB9225735A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Chuang Yi Chen
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1992-12-09
Filing date: 1992-12-09
Publication date: 1994-06-15
Also published as: GB9225735D0; FR2699118B3; FR2699118A3

Abstract

A retractable pen comprising a barrel 4 made of conductive material, a reservoir 6, also made from conductive material, having a retracted position and an extended writing position, and LED 12 electrically connected with the barrel and an electrode 30 electrically contacting the reservoir 6, a battery power supply 40 electrically linked to the reservoir 6 by means of conductive strip 36 when the reservoir is in the extended position, and a rotatable cover 44 for electrically linking the power supply 40 to the barrel 4 and for isolating the power supply from the barrel. The LED 12 includes a tapered tubular lens 14 and is electrically connected to an annular PCB 18 and a resistor 28. In the retracted position of the reservoir 6 the strip contacts insulating collar (32, Fig. 2) to remove the power supply. In the extended position the power supply can be removed by rotation of cover 44. <IMAGE>

Description

RETRACTABLE PEN WITH ILLUMINAtING DEVICE Field of Invention The present invention relates to a retractable pen with a device for illuminating a writing surface in the dark.

Related Prior Art Conventional writing implements usually do not possess a device for illuminating a writing surface in the dark, or possess an illuminating device but provide uneven illumination and are bulky.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a retractable pen with a device for illuminating a writing surface in the dark.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a retractable pen comprising (a) a barrel made of conductive material, (b) a reservoir, made from conductive material, having a first position and a second position in the conductive barrel, (c) a light emitting diode having a first electrode electrically connecting with the barrel and a second electrode electrically contacting the reservoir, (d) a power supply electrically contacting the barrel and further electrically contacting the reservoir only when the reservoir is in the second position.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a retractable pen comprising (a) a barrel made of conductive material, (b) a reservoir, made from conductive material, having a first position and a second position in the conductive barrel, (c) a light emitting diode having a first electrode electrically connecting with the barrel and a second electrode electrically contacting the reservoir, (d) a power supply sited nonelectrically in the barrel but electrically linked to the reservoir when the reservoir is in the second position and (e) a cover for electrically linking the power supply to the barrel and for isolating the power supply from the barrel.

For a better understanding of the present invention and objects thereof, a study of the detailed description of the embodiments described hereinafter should be made in relation to the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a retractable pen with a device for illuminating a writing surface in the dark in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of a retractable pen with a device for illuminating a writing surface in the dark in accordance with the present invention, showing a reservoir in its upper position; Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of a retractable pen with a device for illuminating a writing surface in the dark in accordance with the present invention, showing a reservoir in its lower position; Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of a retractable pen with a device for illuminating a writing surface in the dark in accordance with the present invention, showing a reservoir in its lower position and a cover in its lift-up position; and Figure 5 is a perspective view of an light emitting diode (LED) unit employed in the retractable pen in accordance with present invention.

Referring to the drawings and, initially, to Figure 1, a retractable pen 2 with a device for illuminating a writing surface in the dark in accordance with the present invention is shown in a perspective view.

Referring to Figure 2, the retractable pen 2 is shown in a cross-sectional view. Similar to any conventional retractable pen, the retractable pen 2 has a barrel 4 consisting of an upper section 4a and a lower section 4b, a reservoir 6 and a device 8 for moving the reservoir upward and downward within the barrel 4. The device 8 is mounted within the barrel 4 and the reservoir 6 is secured within the device 8. When the upper section 4a is rotated in a direction relative to the lower section 4b, the reservoir 6 is moved downward by means of the device 8, so that the writing tip of the reservoir 6 protrudes from the barrel 4, for writing. When the upper section 4a is rotated in an opposite direction with respect to the lower section 4b, the reservoir is moved upward by means of the device 8, so that the writing tip of the reservoir 6 is retracted into the barrel 4, for storage.The device 8 is well known and, therefore, detailed description thereof is not necessary.

Referring to Figure 5, a tapered tubular element 10 made of conductive materials is threadably attached below the lower section 4b. A light emitting diode (LED) 12 consists of a tapered tubular lens 14 made of resin and a number of, e.g., two, dice 16 each having two leads 16a and 16b extending therefrom. The tapered tubular lens 14 is shaped corresponding to the tapered tubular element 10 so that it fits therein. The dice 16 are evenly sited in the tapered tubular lens 14 for providing even illumination and the leads 16a and 16b penetrate the tapered tubular lens 14.

An annular printed circuit board 18 (PCB) is mounted on the tapered tubular element 10. Three metal strips 20, 22 and 24 are formed in the PCB 18. A solder point 26 is used to serially electrically connect the strip 20 with the tapered tubular element 10. A resistor 28 serially connects the strip 20 with the strip 22. The leads 16a are attached to the strip 22 by soldering and the leads 16b are attached to the strip 24 by soldering. The strip 24 is also linked to a tab 30 made of conductive materials. The tab 30 contacts the reservoir 6. Thus, the chips 16 are connected with each other in a parallel relation.

The barrel 4 and the reservoir 6 must be made from conductive materials. The reservoir 6 is enclosed by means of a collar 32 made of insulating materials below its upper end. A plug 34 made of insulating materials fits in the upper section 4a, above the upper end of the reservoir 6. A strip 36 made of conductive materials is mounted on the plug 12, with an extension thereof penetrating the plug 34. The tip of the extension of the conducting strip 36 contacts reservoir 6.

A tubular element 38 made of insulating materials is configured so that it fits in the upper section 4a. A number of, e.g., two, batteries 40 are sited within the tubular element 38. A spring 42 made from conductive materials is sited within the tubular element 38, on the batteries 40. A cover 44 made from conductive materials is threadably attached to the tubular element 38.

Referring to Figure 2, the reservoir 6 is in its upper position, so that the tip of the strip 36 contacts the collar 32 made of insulating materials. Thus, current is restrained from flowing through the LED 12.

Referring to Figure 3, the reservoir 6 is in its lower position, so that the tip of the strip 36 contacts the upper end of the barrel 6. Thus, current is induced from the batteries 40 through the strip 34, the barrel 6, the tab 30, the strip 24, the LED 12, the strip 22, the resistor 28, the strip 20, the solder point 26, the barrel 4, the cover 44 and the spring 42 back to the batteries 40.

Referring to Figure 4, it is sometimes desired not to activate the LED 12 when writing. In such cases, the cover 44 is rotated relative to the tubular element 38 so that it disengages from the barrel 4. Thus, current is restrained from flowing through the LED 12 even if the barrel 6 is in its lower position.

While the present invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that variations thereof will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading this specification. Therefore, the present invention is intended to cover all such variations.

as shall fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A retractable pen comprising: a barrel; a reservoir sited within said barrel; a device sited between said barrel and said reservoir for moving said reservoir between a writing position and a retracted position; and a device for illuminating a writing area when said barrel is said writing position.

2. A retractable pen in accordance with claim 1, wherein said barrel is made of conductive materials.

3. A retractable pen in accordance with claim 1, wherein said illuminating device comprises: at least one light emitting diode (LED) being sited below the barrel and having leads serially connecting said reservoir to said barrel; a cover serially connecting said barrel with a power supply; and a strip contacting said power supply and contacting an insulating collar enclosing said reservoir and contacting said reservoir.

4. A retractable pen in accordance with claim 3, wherein said barrel comprises an upper end comprising a threading extending therewithin.

5. A retractable pen in accordance with claim 4, wherein said cover comprises a threading extending thereon for engaging with said threading formed within said upper end of said barrel.

6. A retractable pen in accordance with claim 3, wherein said barrel comprises an upper end wherein an insulating tubular element fits.

7. A retractable pen in accordance with claim 5, wherein said cover consists of a disk co-axially connecting with a protrusion extending within said insulating tubular element for communicating with said power supply, said protrusion having a first position within said insulating tubular element so that said disk contacts said barrel and a second position within said insulating tubular element so that said disk disengages from said barrel.