MX2008000804A - Quick release mechanism for access to ink reservoir of writing instrument - Google Patents

Abstract

A writing instrument having a selective engagement mechanism includes a first barrel portion (16) with a writing tip (18) and a second barrel portion (22). A docking collar (26) with male projections (24) extending laterally therefrom is associated with one of the first and second barrel portions (16, 22), and for each male projection (24), at least one complementary track (30) is provided in a track-carrying member (44) associated with the other of the first and second barrel portions (16, 22). A biasing element (52), such as a gasket, facilitates securement of the first and second barrel portions (16, 22) when engaged with one another.

Description

RAPID RELEASE MECHANISM FOR ACCESS TO THE WRITING INSTRUMENT'S INTAKE DEPOSIT Field of the Invention This description generally relates to writing instruments and, more particularly, to an alternative mechanism for the selective clutch of the barrel portions of a writing instrument to gain access to the interior of the writing instrument to obtain access, by example, to an ink tank stored in it.

Background The standard mechanism for the selective clutch of the barrel portions of the writing instruments consists of a male threaded end of one of the barrel portion and a female threaded end complementary to the other barrel portion. A user can impart at least one revolution of 360 °, and, more typically, several revolutions, from one barrel portion relative to the other to separate the two barrel portions for the purpose of gaining access to a reservoir that retains ink. stored therein, as for replacement purposes of a low ink cartridge. In order to securely re-engage the two barrel portions, the user must again impart at least one revolution of 360 °, and, more typically, several revolutions, of one barrel portion relative to the other.

Brief Description of the Invention A writing instrument including a first barrel portion having a writing tip projecting from a first end is described herein. The writing instrument further includes a second barrel portion adapted to selectively engage the first barrel portion through a selective clutch mechanism. It is easy for a user to disengage the selective clutch mechanism, by providing easy access to the interior of the writing instrument, allowing a user, for example, to change an ink reservoir stored therein. The selective clutch mechanism may include a coupling collar extending from a second end, i.e., a clutch end, of the first barrel portion, opposite the first end. The coupling collar includes one or more projections extending laterally outward from the coupling collar. For each male projection extending from the coupling collar, the second barrel portion of the writing instrument is provided with a complementary path that limits the movement of the respective male projection, with an entrance to the exposed path at a clutch end of the second portion of barrel. The first barrel portion includes a clutch surface of the first barrel portion at the second end, and the second barrel portion includes a second clutch surface of the barrel. second barrel portion on its clutch end. The distance between the clutch surface of the first barrel portion and each male projection on the coupling collar is fixed. At least one of the complementary tracks is formed so that when a male projection reaches a terminus of the track, the male projection is securely secured in the track, thus securing the first, and second, barrel portions together. The selective clutch mechanism is provided with at least one biasing element to facilitate releasable securing of the barrel, first and second portions. In one embodiment, the deflection member includes a recoverable, deformable shape gasket provided at the clutch end of the second barrel portion. A member carrying the track, on which complementary tracks are provided, is also received at the clutch end of the second barrel portion, with the seal positioned between the clutch surface of the second barrel portion and the member that Take the road. The member carrying the track has limited axial movement within the second barrel portion, and deviates away from the clutch surface of the second barrel portion through the joint. Each male projection of the coupling collar associated with the first barrel portion moves within a respective complementary path in the relative movement of the barrel portions, first and second, until the clutch surface of the first barrel portion contacts the barrel portion. clutch surface of the second portion of barrel. In continuous relative movement of the barrel portions, first and second, due to the fixed distance between the clutch surface of the first barrel portion and each of the male projections, as well as the shape of the complementary ways, the member which carries the axially movable track is drawn axially towards the clutch surface of the second barrel portion, ie, against the deviation force of the joint, thus compressing the joint, until the male projection reaches a terminus of the track. The term of the track is extended in a direction of the entrance of the track, that is, towards the clutch surface of the second barrel portion. Upon reaching this extended term, the member carrying the track is pushed axially by the joint away from the clutch surface of the second barrel portion, so that the male projection jumps to a secured position releasable in the extended term.

Brief Description of the Various Views of the Drawing Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a writing instrument; Fig. 2 is a sectional view, partially exploded, showing the clutch mechanism of the first and second barrel portions of the writing instrument of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is an enlarged perspective view, partly broken for clarity, of a clutch mechanism of the first and second barrel portions of the writing instrument of Fig. 1, just before the insertion of each of the two male projections extending laterally of a coupling collar extending from a clutch end of one of the barrel portions towards a complementary track entrance (shown in phantom lines) provided at one end of clutch of the other portion of barrel; Fig. 4 is an enlarged perspective view, partly broken for clarity, of the clutch mechanism of the first and second barrel portions of the writing instrument shown in Fig. 3, in which each of the two male projections extending laterally of a coupling collar extending from a clutch end of one of the barrel portions reaches an intersection within the complementary path (shown substantially in phantom lines and partly in solid lines) provided at the clutch end of the other portion on tap; Fig. 5 is an enlarged perspective view, partly broken for clarity, of the clutch mechanism of the first and second barrel portions, shown in Figs. 3 and 4, in which each of the male projections extending laterally of a coupling collar extending from the clutch end of one of the barrel portions reaches a position just before entering an extended term of the complementary path (substantially shown). in ghost lines and partly in solid lines) of the clutch end of the other barrel portion; Fig. 6 is an elongated cross-sectional view, taken along lines 6-6 of Fig. 5, showing one of the male projections extending laterally of a coupling collar extending from the clutch end of one of the barrel portions just before entering an extended term of the complementary path of the clutch end of the other barrel portion; Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view similar to Fig. 6, showing the male projection received in the extended term of the complementary path. Fig. 8 is an exploded view of the components of a clutch mechanism of a writing instrument shown in Figs. 3-7; and Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing the barrel portions, first and second, of the writing instrument of Fig. 1 clutched together, using the clutch mechanism shown in Figs. 3-7 and the components shown in Fig. 8.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Modes With reference to the figures of the drawing, a writing instrument 10 includes a main body 12 and a lid 14. The main body 12 includes a first barrel portion 16 having a writing tip 18 projecting from a first end 20. The main body 12 further includes a second barrel portion 22. The first barrel portion 16 and the second barrel portion 22 are They provide with a clutch mechanism that is easily released, compared to the conventionally used threaded clutch mechanisms used in writing instruments. The clutch mechanism includes at least one male projection 24 extending laterally outwardly of a cylindrical coupling collar 26 extending from a second end 28 of the first barrel portion 16, with the cylindrical coupling collar 26 extending coaxially with the first portion of barrel 16. In the embodiment shown in the drawing figures, two male projections 24 are provided on the coupling collar 26, positioned opposite each other, on the other surface of the cylindrical coupling collar 26. For each male projection 24, at least a complementary track 30 is provided in a clutch end 32 of the second barrel portion 22. Each track 30 includes an inlet 34 for receiving one of the male projections 24. Each track 30 extends in a first direction, such as axially, along the length of the writing instrument 10, until the track 30 reaches an intersection 34. At the intersection 36, the 30 extends in at least one direction different from the first direction, until the line 30 reaches a term 38 thereof. In the term 38, the track 30 can be extended, for example, in a direction toward the inlet 34. It is recognized that the cylindrical coupling collar 26 having the male projection (s) 24 need not be associated with the second end 28, or clutch end, of the first barrel portion 16 having the writing tip 18. For example, the cylindrical coupling collar and male projection (s) 24 may instead be associated with the clutch end 32 of the second barrel portion 22, and the complementary track (s) 30 may be associated with the second end 28 of the first barrel portion 16. Alternatively, the male projection (s) 24 do not need provided on the coupling collar 26, but may project laterally inwardly from an interior of one of the first and second barrel portions, 16, 22, with at least one complementary path for each such male projection extending inwardly being provided in a collar provided in the other of the barrel portions, first and second, 16, 22. The operation of the clutch mechanism is shown in sequence in Figs. 3-7. In Fig. 3, the first barrel portion 16 and the second barrel portion 22 are installed so that each of the male projections 24 is aligned with a one-way inlet 34. In the embodiment shown in the figures of Figs. drawing, the two male projections 24 are of the same size, and the two tracks 30 are of the same dimensions, so that there are two initial relative positions of the first and second barrel portions, 16, 22 in which each of the male projections 24 is properly aligned with an inlet 34 of a track 30. If it is desired to limit the user to an initial, possible relative position of the barrel portions, first and second, 16, 22, several each other until the barrel, first and second portions, 16, 22 are separated, thus exposing an interior of the writing instrument 10 to provide access to, for example, an ink reservoir stored therein. Various components may be employed in a writing instrument to achieve the selective clutch mechanism described herein. In Figs. 8 and 9, an exemplary set of components is shown. The coupling collar 26 having a pair of male projections 24 extending laterally outwardly thereof is shown in the exploded view of Figure 8. A leading portion of the coupling collar 26 is received in a retaining member of the first portion of the coupling collar. barrel 54, which serves to retain the coupling collar 26 at the second end 28 of the first barrel portion 16. The clutch surface 42 of the first barrel portion 16 is preferably provided in the retaining member of the first portion on barrel 54. The member carrying track 44 and board 52 are received in a retention member of the second barrel portion 50., which serves to retain the member bearing track 44 and seal 52 near the clutch end 32 of the second barrel portion 22. The clutch surface 40 of the second barrel portion 22 is preferably provided in the retaining member of the barrel. the second portion of barrel 50. To prevent rotation of the member carrying track 44 relative to the second barrel portion 22, the member carrying the track can be provided with a channel limiting rotation 56, as shown in Fig. 8. A projection preventing rotation (not shown) that is set relative to the The interior of the second barrel portion 22 is received in the channel limiting the rotation. It is recognized that writing instruments of various transverse outer shapes would benefit from the quick release selective clutch mechanism of the present disclosure. The writing instrument 10 shown in the drawing figures has a generally rectangular transverse outer shape. The selective clutch mechanism described herein is particularly well suited for maintaining axial alignment of the first and second barrel portions 16, 22 having such generally rectangular transverse outer shapes. As shown in Fig. 8, to prevent rotation of the member carrying track 44, the projection preventing rotation (not shown) can be provided in a rectangular insert 46, or in a cylindrical to rectangular adapter member 58. The coupling collar 26 and the member bearing track 44 are preferably made of a precision machined metal, with the male projections 24 preferably being integral extensions of the coupling collar 26. The retaining member of the first barrel portion 54 and member The retention of the second barrel portion 50 is also preferably made of precision machined metal.

Although certain embodiments are specifically described herein, the present disclosure is not intended to be limited thereto, and it is recognized that variations may be made that fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (20)

1. CLAIMS 1. A writing instrument comprising: a first barrel portion having a writing tip projecting from a first end thereof; a second barrel portion engageable selectively with the first barrel portion; an assurance mechanism including at least one male projection associated with a clutch end of one of the first and second barrel portions, and at least one complementary path associated with one clutch end of the other of the barrel portions, first and second. The writing instrument of claim 1, wherein the at least one male projection extends laterally of a coupling collar associated with the clutch end of one of the first and second barrel portions. The writing instrument of claim 2, wherein the coupling collar subsequently extends from a clutch surface provided at the clutch end of one of the first and second barrel portions. The writing instrument of claim 1, wherein the at least one complementary track is provided in a member carrying the track positioned at a clutch end of one of the first and second barrel portions. The writing instrument of claim 4, wherein the member carrying the track is axially movable within the clutch end of the barrel portion in which the member carrying the track is placed. The writing instrument of claim 5, wherein the member carrying the track is deflected by a biasing element to facilitate securing the barrel portions, first and second. The writing instrument of claim 6, wherein the clutch end of the barrel portion in which the track-carrying member is positioned includes a clutch surface, and the biasing element includes a joint placed between the member that carries the track and the clutch surface. 8. The writing instrument of claim 7, wherein the at least one complementary track includes an open entry in a direction toward the clutch surface of the barrel portion in which the member carrying the track is placed and a a term extending in a direction toward the inlet, and wherein the joint deflects the member carrying the track in an axial direction away from the clutch surface of the barrel portion in which the member carrying the track is placed. A writing instrument comprising: a first barrel portion having a writing tip projecting from one end thereof and a second barrel portion selectively engagable with the first barrel portion, wherein the selective clutch of the barrel portions , first and second, is made by rotating one of the barrel portions, first and second, less than 360 degrees relative to the other of the barrel, first and second portions. The writing instrument of claim 9, wherein, when engaging the barrel, first and second portions, by rotating one of the first and second barrel portions, minus 360 degrees relative to the other portions of the barrel portions. barrel, first and second, a releasable fixing mechanism secures the barrel portions, first and second, together. The writing instrument of claim 10, wherein the releasable fixing mechanism includes at least one male projection extending laterally from one of the first and second barrel portions, and a complementary one way term in the other the barrel portions, first and second, said way being dimensioned to receive the male projection and forming to limit the movement of the male projection along said path. The writing instrument of claim 1, wherein the track extends in a first direction of an entry of the track to an intersection, and the track further extends in a second direction of the intersection at the end. The writing instrument of claim 12, wherein the track is extended in the term in a direction toward the entrance of the track. The writing instrument of claim 10, wherein the releasable fixing mechanism includes a collar of coupling extending from one end of the first barrel portion opposite the end of which the writing tip projects, said coupling collar including at least one male projection extending laterally therefrom, and a member carrying the track associated with the second portion in barrel, said member carrying the track including at least one track dimensioned to receive the male projection and formed to limit the movement of the male projection along said path. The writing instrument of claim 14, further comprising a biasing member associated with the member carrying the track, the biasing member biasing the rail-carrying member away from an anterior end of the second barrel portion. 16. The writing instrument of claim 1, wherein the biasing element is a deformably recoverable joint. The writing instrument of claim 1, wherein the member carrying the track is axially movable within its respective barrel portion. The writing instrument of claim 1 7, wherein, while selectively engaging the barrel, first and second portions, the member carrying the track is forced in a direction opposite to the diverting element upon rotation of the first barrel portion relative to the second barrel portion. 19. A method for selectively clutching a first barrel portion having a writing tip on a first end thereof and a second barrel portion of a writing instrument, comprising: aligning at least one male side projection of a coupling collar providing at one clutch end of one of the barrel portions, first and second, with at least one complementary channel provided in one member carrying the track at the clutch end of the other of the first and second barrel portions; advancing the first barrel portion relative to the second barrel portion so that each of the at least side male projections enters one of the at least complementary paths; and rotating the first barrel portion relative to the second barrel portion until one of the at least male projections reaches a term of one of the at least complementary paths. The method of claim 19, wherein rotating the first barrel portion relative to the second barrel portion until one of the at least male projections reaches a terminus of one of the at least complementary paths, imparting a force to the member which carries the track in a direction opposite to the biasing force to push the limb leading the track in a first axial direction until the at least one male projection reaches the end, in which the biasing force pushes the carrying member the track in an axial direction opposite the first axial direction to facilitate the securing of the barrel portions, first and second.