GB2395930A

GB2395930A - Retracting pen control system

Info

Publication number: GB2395930A
Application number: GB0223953A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jonathan William Stollery; Kim Marie Jones
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-10-15
Filing date: 2002-10-15
Publication date: 2004-06-09
Anticipated expiration: 2022-10-15
Also published as: GB2395930B8; GB2395930B; GB0223953D0

Abstract

A pen holder 1 retains a pen 2 through a tether secured to a gravity weight 4. The weight is held within a guide channel such that there is progressive variation in presented retractive force. Magnetic attraction between the weight and other parts 6 of the holder are utilised in order to facilitate lifting and docking of the pen 2 with the holder 1. The magnetic attraction is utilised in order to give extra traction force as required just prior to lift and dock of the pen 2.

Description

RETRACTING PEN CONTROL SYSTEM

This invention relates to a retracting pen control device which enables the pen to be controlled in a compact unit Pen Control systems are known devices whereby the pen is retracted to dock with the base unit by means of a tether attached to gravity weight which operates on a varied slope. The disadvantage of such systems is the angle of the varied slope necessary for proper pen control dictates a large unit.

An object of this invention is to provide a method by which the pen may be properly controlled by a compact unit.

According to the present invention there is a pen control system in which a magnet is utilised to assist the movement of the pen in the "lifting and docking" phases of the retraction. A preferred embodiment of a compact pen control system, constructed in accordance with the present invention will now be described, by way of reference only, with reference to the accompanying illustrative drawing in which: Fig 1 Is a cross section of the assembled system A pen holder I Fig I supports a pen 2 with traction applied via a tether 3 from a gravity weight 4. The traction required to lift the pen 2 from the counter, worktop or desk 7 is determined by the weight of the pen 2 plus the friction of the tether 3 as it passes over the head guide X. In order to provide the extra traction required to lip and dock the pen 2 without applying that same traction to the pen 2 when it is further extended and in the writing'' phase, a magnet 6 is fixed to the lower end of the holder 1 which attracts the gravity weight 4 when this gravity weight 4 reaches the magnetic field of the magnet 6. This magnetic effect is adjusted to coincide with the

point where extra traction is required via the tether 3 to lift and dock the pen 2.

The magnet 6 can be a permanent magnet with the gravity weight 4 made from a material attracted by a magnet such as steel. Alternatively the distance the magnet 6 starts to attract the gravity weight 4 can be increased by utilising a magnet attached to, or forming the gravity weight 4 orientated in a fashion to attract the other magnet 6. The magnetic influence can also be applied utilising an electro magnet.

Claims

1. A pen assembly comprising a retraction mechanism which reduces traction force applied to a pen in use as it is moved from the support to a writing position.

2. An assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the retraction mechanism is associated with a variable slope support.

3. An assembly as claimed in claim 2 wherein the variable slope support has an internal sliding gravity weight as the retraction mechanism.

4. An assembly as claimed in claim 2 or claim 3 wherein a lower section of the variable slope support in association with the retraction mechanism exerts efficient retraction force on a pen to lift and dock this pen in use onto the support.

5. An assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the retraction mechanism is associated with a constant slope support.

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6. An assembly as claimed in claim 5 wherein the constant slope support is : vertical.

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7. An assembly as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the pen is connected À.e by a tether by means of a swivel preventing tether twist.

8. An assembly as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the pen has a fommed head shaped to reciprocally seat or dock the pen on the formed head and prevent the pen from jamming as it is returned to the support by the retraction mechanism.

9. An assembly as claimed in any preceding claim in which the pen is connected by a single tether connected to the retraction mechanism in a single pull arrangement.

10. An assembly as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the assembly includes a pen and that pen is a ballpoint pen.

11. An assembly as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the support is mounted to a side of a counter, desk or worktop.

12. An assembly as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the retraction mechanism is a wheel, or a roller of a wheeled element associated with the support.

13. A pen assembly comprising a guide support and weighted retraction mechanism, the guide support comprising variable retraction means and the weighted retraction mechanism in use acting in association with the guide support to present variable forced retraction by movement along the guide support for a pen secured to the retraction mechanism.

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14. A pen assembly comprising variable retraction means associated in use with a pen holder, the variable retraction means fomming a guide support for a retraction À mechanism whereby retraction force reduces with greater displacement of the pen : holder from the assembly.

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15. An assembly as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the retraction mechanism includes magnetic means to provide a localised further retraction force when the pen is nearly retracted to facilitate docking of the pen within the assembly.

16. An assembly as claimed in claim 15 wherein the magnetic means comprises opposed elements in the retraction mechanism and the opposed elements are attracted to each other. I

17. An assembly as claimed in claim 16 wherein the opposed elements are all magnetic.

18. An assembly as claimed in any of claims 15 to 17 wherein the magnetic means is shaped and/or orientated to maximize the localised further retraction force.

19. An assembly as claimed in any of claims 15 to 18 wherein the magnetic means includes at least one electro magnetic arrangement in order to allow the further retraction force to be altered in use.

20. An assembly as claimed in claim 19 wherein the magnetic means may be used to effectively lock the pen in a retractor position within the assembly.

21. A pen assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.

22. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter ee e. :. disclosed herein, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention À.. as any of the preceding claims.

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