GB748897A - Improvements in or relating to writing instruments having a retractable writing point - Google Patents

Abstract

748,897. Reservoir pens. MENTMORE MANUFACTURING CO., Ltd. May 6, 1954 [May 6, 1953], No. 12664/53. Class 146(3) A writing instrument having a retractable e writing point comprises a tubular casing c o ntaining 'a cartridge having a writing point at one end, a spring urging the cartridge into a retracted position, an axially displaceable and rotatable member engaging the cartridge, and a stop within the casing which can support the member in axially spaced - apart positions corresponding to the retracted and projected positions of the cartridge, the stop means comprising an annular member and an operating member which extends with the annular member and is movable axially relative thereto to cause partial rotation of the cartridge-engaging member relative to the stop. As shown, a ball-point pen cartridge 1 is retractable from the writing position, shown, into a casing 8 by means of a spring 6. The rear end of the cartridge has a cap 18 engaged by a spider 15 having radial projections 17 and a body slidable within a base 21 of an operating member 22, the spider 15 being pressed outwardly by a spring 25. The operating member 22 is slidable within an annular member 26 which fits tightly in a casing 10 secured to the casing 8 by a screwed plug 13. The inner ends of the members 22 and 26 have ratchet teeth 35 and 29 respectively displaced relatively through half a tooth pitch. The operating member 22 has one or more ribs 33 each engaging a groove 32 in the member 26. When a stud 23 carried by the member 22 is depressed the projections 17 slide down the grooves 32 to engage the inclined faces 36 of the teeth 35. The projections 17 tend to slide down the faces 36 due to the spring 6, thus rotating the spider 15 until the projections 17 engage faces 37 of the teeth 35. Upon releasing the stud 23, the member 22 is retracted, such that the spider 15 and thus the cartridge 1 are maintained in an advanced position by reason of the projections 17 engaging the faces 31 of the teeth 29. Further depression of the stud 23 causes the teeth 35 to engage the projections 17 and disengage them from the faces 31 of the teeth 29, such that the projections 17 slide down the inclined faces 36, thus rotating the projections 17 into a position opposite the grooves 32. Release of the stud 23 causes the projections 17 to be retracted along the grooves 32, such that the cart-' ridge 1 is retracted into the casing 8.