JP2002200886A - Combination of writing instrument and toy - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a combination (1, 30) of a writing instrument and a toy which functions in one case as a writing instrument and in a second case as a toy. SOLUTION: A conventional ball point pen cartridge (2, 32) is mounted in a base and projects therefrom at which the cartridge is grasped by a writer. A plurality of colored disks (14) or beads (40) are stacked one above the other in surrounding engagement with the free end of the ball point pen cartridge (2, 32). When the combination is not used in the capacity of a writing instrument, the disks (14) and beads (40) may be removed from the ball point pen cartridge (2, 32) and used as a play thing to occupy the time of the user. When the disks (14) and beads (40) are returned to the ball point pen cartridge, they may be arranged to form a variety of different patterns depending upon the order in which the disks and beads are stacked, thereby proving a puzzle-like quality.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a writing instrument (e.g., a ballpoint pen cartridge) and a plurality of removable disks and / or
Or with respect to a combination with a toy having beads, the disc and / or beads can be removed from the writing implement and used as a toy as well as children and adults when the combination is not used as a writing implement.

[0002]

BACKGROUND ART Ballpoint pens have long been used as cheap and convenient writing instruments. However, the outer casing of a ballpoint pen is generally made of hard plastic. In this regard, conventional ballpoint pens may have a poor grip when used to keep writing long. In some cases, you may not be able to use the pen well when preparing detailed drawings or manuscripts.

[0003] Above all, conventional ballpoint pens have only been used as writing utensils. If the writer is bored or needs to spend some time in silence while not working, conventional ballpoint pens do nothing. At times, a small, easy-to-use toy that can be easily handled to satisfy the user's thinking may be desirable. Users may also want a simple, easy-to-use toy to attract children's attention. However, conventional ballpoint pens have not been used as toys so far.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, a combination is described which in some cases functions as a conventional writing instrument (eg, a ballpoint pen). The combination of the present invention further functions as a toy, and adults and children alike can kill time by using the combination as a hand-held toy rather than as a writing implement.

[0005] More specifically, in one embodiment of the present invention, a conventional ballpoint pen cartridge is mounted within and projects from a base. The base is formed with a flat arcuate thumb or finger pad to support the writer's thumb or index finger when using the pen as a writing implement. The distal end of the ballpoint pen cartridge is surrounded by a plurality of disks. In an assembled relationship where the disc is around a ballpoint pen cartridge, the ballpoint pen is provided with a flat, soft and continuous handle.

Each disk includes a base from which a small head projects outwardly. The heads of adjacent disks are sized to receive each other, providing a handle for a ballpoint pen. Each disc may be opaque, transparent, or different colors, letters, marks and / or symbols to enhance the aesthetic appearance of the pen. This depends on how multiple disks are positioned relative to each other around the ballpoint pen cartridge.

[0007] The distal tip of the ballpoint pen cartridge is threaded to receive a corresponding threaded end cap. When the end cap is removed from the threaded tip of the cartridge, the disk around the ballpoint pen cartridge can also be removed. At this point, the ballpoint pen functions as a toy, and the user can play with or with the disc, or if the disc is rearranged and returned to engagement surrounding the distal end of the ballpoint pen cartridge. Try to form various favorite patterns. The combination of the present invention allows an adult or child to remove the disc if a small toy is needed to kill time while functioning as a conventional ballpoint pen.

In accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention, in a combination of a ballpoint pen and a toy, a conventional ballpoint pen cartridge protrudes from the grip and a series of beads engage around the distal end of the cartridge and stack with each other. Can be Beads can be rectangular, oval, round or square,
It can have different colors and clarity. The outer surface of the beads may be formed with a flat or grooved pattern.
The beads can be removed from the distal end of the pen cartridge and subsequently stacked back up for an adult or child to play or to kill time. However, to change the shape of the combination and retain its puzzle-like quality, the beads can be rearranged on the cartridge to yield any of a number of different designs depending on their size, shape and color.

[0009]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a combination 1 of a writing instrument and a toy according to a first embodiment of the present invention is shown. As best shown in FIG. 1, the writing implement is a conventional ballpoint pen cartridge 2, in which an ink fountain is housed. At the proximal end of the cartridge 2 is a thin tip 4 for supporting a rolling ball 6. The distal tip of the cartridge 2 has a series of threads 8 which are formed for the purposes described below.

The proximal end of the ballpoint pen cartridge 2 extends longitudinally and mates with a relatively wide grip 10. The grip 10 is preferably made of a plastic material. However, other non-plastic materials may be used. A flat, arc-shaped thumb or finger pad 12 is provided adjacent the proximal tip 4 of the
It is molded into. In use, pad 12 is sized and shaped to support the writer's thumb or index finger. This allows the writer to better control and handle combination 1 when the combination is used as a writing implement. That is, when it is necessary to write a fine line, a detailed diagram, or the like, the writer can more accurately control the brush stroke. Furthermore, the relatively soft and wide configuration of the grip 10 allows the writer to hold the pen with less grip, thereby minimizing fatigue on the writer's hand when used as a writing implement for extended periods of time. Limit.

The distal end of the ballpoint pen cartridge 2 is surrounded by a series of disks 14. It is understood that the exact number, size and shape of the disks 14 are not limiting of the invention and may vary from writing implement to writing implement. However, the number of disks 14 must be sufficient to completely surround the exposed distal end of the ballpoint pen cartridge 2, except for the thread 8 at the distal tip.

Each disk 14 is preferably manufactured from a plastic material. Furthermore, in order to improve the aesthetic appearance of the combination 1 of the ballpoint pen and the toy,
In order to provide a puzzle-like quality to the discs, the discs 14 may be opaque, transparent or of different colors, letters, marks and / or symbols to distinguish the discs from each other.

As best shown in FIG. 3, each disk 14 includes a base 16 having a hollow interior. A hollow head 18 protrudes outwardly from the base 16 of the disk 14 and has a metal insert therein. In the assembled configuration of the combination of ballpoint pen and toy shown in FIG.
The discs 14 are stacked on one another in engagement surrounding the distal end of the ballpoint pen cartridge 2 projecting outward from the grip 10. Thus, the base 16 of the front disk 14 rests flat with the base 16 of the rear disk, and the head 18 of the front disk 14 is removably received within the hollow interior of the base 16 of the rear disk.

The disk 14 is a ball-point pen cartridge 2
Stacked together around the distal end of the cartridge 2, the threaded end cap 22 is mated with the thread 8 of the cartridge 2. The end cap 22 includes a suitable long clip arm 24 so that it can perform its normal function when the pen is pinched in the writer's pocket.

Suppose that the writer has a little free time, and there is a case where nothing can be done to destroy the free time. Such free time may occur while on an airplane or train, during a writing task, or during a resting process. Alternatively, one may want the child to do something for a short time in the absence of other toys or play equipment that is easily available to attract the child's attention. In such a case, the combination 1 of the ballpoint pen and the toy can play the role of a toy.

More specifically, a user can unscrew the threaded end cap 22 at the distal tip of the ballpoint pen cartridge 2 from the thread 8. End cap 2
Upon removal, the user can remove the stacked disks 14 around the distal end of the cartridge 2. Adults or children can play with the individual discs 14 removed from the combination 1. At the end of the idle period, the disks 14 are returned to the stacked configuration as shown in FIG. Because the disc 14 has a different appearance, it can be returned to the ballpoint pen cartridge 2 to provide a number of different patterns, which can be different from the original stacked disc 14 before removal from the cartridge 2. In this regard, the disk 14 can be removed from the ballpoint pen cartridge 2 any number of times and rearranged to show a different pattern and returned to the cartridge 2. Its appearance is determined by the color, size, and shape of successive disks 14 stacked on one another. This puzzle-like feature makes it interesting for children and adults to spend their free time when meeting people, waiting for something, or when there is nothing to kill time.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, a second combination 30 of a writing instrument and a toy, which constitutes another embodiment of the present invention, is shown.
Is shown. Like the combination 1 already described with reference to FIGS. 1-3, the combination 30 of this embodiment preferably includes a ballpoint pen cartridge 32. The distal tip of pen cartridge 32 is threaded for releasable engagement with a corresponding threaded end cap 34. The grip 36 of the combination 30 is around the proximal end of the pen cartridge 32. In this case, a series of flat, precision thumb pads 38 are molded into the grip 36. Thumb pad 3
Numerals 8 are arranged around the grip 36 at equal intervals.

According to this embodiment, a series of beads 40 are provided around the distal end of the ballpoint pen cartridge 32. As with the combination 1 shown in FIGS. 1-3, the exact number, size and shape of the beads 40 are not limiting of the invention and may vary from writing implement to writing implement. By way of example, beads 40 may be rectangular, oval, circular or square. The color and clarity of each bead 40 may be the same or vary from bead to bead. The outer surface of the beads 40 may be smooth or have a groove pattern. In practice, the combination 30 is the bead 40 shown in FIGS.
As well as the arrangement of disks 14 shown in FIGS. In any case, the beads 40 alone,
Or, in combination with the disc 14, it enhances the appearance of the ballpoint pen and toy combination and provides puzzle-like features that can be used like children and adults.

Each of the beads 40 shown in FIGS.
6 are manufactured to be stacked together in engagement surrounding the distal end of a ballpoint pen cartridge 32 projecting outwardly from 6. The manner in which each bead 40 is manufactured may be the same as the manufacture of the disk 14 described with reference to FIG. Alternatively, the beads may have elongated through holes sized to receive the cartridge 42. Following the series of beads 40, an end cap 34 is positioned and attached to the threaded distal tip of the cartridge 42 to properly hold the beads 40. The end cap includes a conventional clip 42 and can take any form of beads 40.

The use of the combination 30 of FIGS. 4 and 5 as a toy is the same as the use of the combination 1 of FIGS. That is, the user can remove the end cap 42 from the pen cartridge 32 and move the beads 40. An adult or child can remove beads 40 for play and return them to an array stacked together around the distal end of cartridge 32, as best shown in FIG. Beads 40 are cartridge 32
Rearranged above results in one of a number of different designs depending on the color, size and shape of the beads, which can alter the appearance of the combination 30 to enhance its puzzle-like quality.

Unlike conventional writing instruments, ballpoint pen and toy combinations 1 and 30 perform multiple functions. The first function performed by the combination is that of a conventional writing instrument. This same combination 1 and 30 spends adult and child time performing the function of a small, easy-to-use toy or puzzle in hand. In this case, all the elements that allow the combination to function as a toy or puzzle are in ballpoint pen cartridges 2 and 32 and work together to enhance the aesthetic appearance of the pen. Further, combinations 1 and 30 of the present invention are not limited to ballpoint pen cartridges, but may include other writing implements such as pencils, markers, and the like.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a combination of a ballpoint pen and a toy according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the combination of the ballpoint pen and the toy of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of one disk shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a combination of a ball-point pen and a toy according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the combination of the ballpoint pen and the toy of FIG. 4;

Continued on the front page F term (reference) 2C150 BA64 CA18 DC17 DC20 EH09 FB22 FB43 2C350 GA03 KC05 KF05 NC01 NC20

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A combination of a writing instrument and a toy, comprising: a ballpoint pen cartridge (2, 32) having a proximal end and a distal end; and a ballpoint pen cartridge (2, 32) near which the cartridge is gripped. Grips (10, 3)
2) wherein the distal end of the ballpoint pen cartridge projects out of the grip, the distal end being formed with a series of threads (8) therearound and further stacked together, A plurality of toy elements (14,40) adapted to engage and surround the distal end of (2,32) and to be detached from said distal end for use as a toy to kill a user's time. ) And an end cap (22, 3
4) wherein the plurality of toy elements are detached from a series of threads (8) formed around the distal end of the ballpoint pen cartridge (2, 32) so that the toy elements do not come off the distal end. A combination adapted to be connected as possible. 2. The end having said complementary series of threads and removably connected to a series of threads formed around a distal end of said ballpoint pen cartridge (2, 32). The combination according to claim 1, wherein the section cap (22, 34) is one of the plurality of toy elements in engagement surrounding the distal end. 3. The combination of claim 2, further comprising a ballpoint pen clip (24, 42) connected to said end cap (22, 34) to extend from one of said plurality of toy elements. 4. The combination according to claim 1, wherein the grips (10, 32) surrounding the proximal end of the ballpoint pen cartridge are made of a plastic material. 5. The ball-point pen cartridge (2, 3)
Said grips (10, 32) surrounding the proximal end of 2)
The combination according to claim 1, wherein the combination has an inwardly curved surface (12, 38) that supports a user's thumb or finger. 6. The toy element of claim 1, wherein a portion of said plurality of toy elements have different colors to provide different patterns of colored toy elements according to the order in which said plurality of toy elements are stacked on one another. The combination described. 7. The toy element of claim 1, wherein a portion of the plurality of toy elements have different shapes, resulting in different configurations of toy elements according to the order in which the plurality of toy elements are stacked on one another. Combinations. 8. The plurality of toy elements (14),
The combination according to claim 1, comprising a plurality of discs stacked together and in engagement surrounding a distal end of the ballpoint pen cartridge (2). 9. Each disk (1) of the plurality of disks
4) includes a hollow base (16) and a head (18) protruding from the hollow base, wherein the hollow base of the rear disk of the plurality of disks is supported by the hollow base of the front disk. 9. The combination of claim 8, wherein the plurality of disks are stacked together such that a head of a previous disk is removably received within a hollow base of a subsequent disk of the plurality of disks. 10. The combination of claim 1, wherein said plurality of toy elements include a plurality of beads (40) stacked together and in engagement surrounding a distal end of said ballpoint pen cartridge (32). .