MXPA00009405A - Writing instrument with finger gripping device - Google Patents

Abstract

A writing instrument (10) includes a cartridge (12) carrying a writing medium and a writing tip (14) exposed at one end. The cartridge (12) includes a reduced cross section which forms an annular recessed and tapered cavity (15). A gripping member (16) is received in the cavity (15), is tubular in shape and is tapered to follow the tapered contour of the cartridge (12). The gripping member (16) includes a smooth surface (18) having a slightly elevated pattern (20). The elevated pattern (20) comprises a plurality of interconnected parts disposed to form a continuous lattice (20). The pattern (20) is continuous over the entire smooth surface (18). The elevated pattern (20) is resiliently compressible with respect to the smooth surface (18) so that a user's fingers may deform the elevated pattern (20) to provide additional traction during use. The writing instrument (10) also includes a vented cap (24).

Description

WRITING INSTRUMENT WITH FINGER DEVICE FOR FINGERS TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates generally to writing instruments such as ink pens, pencils, felt tip markers and the like. More specifically, this invention relates to a writing instrument having a gripping device there. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Handwriting remains a useful skill and the tools for handwriting are still important tools. Most of the writing instruments include an elongated tube containing a writing medium such as, for example, ink or pencil lead, or a highlighting means such as, for example, yellow, green and pink enhancers or the like , and have an end in which the writing or embossing means is exposed for contact with the writing surface, such as paper. The elongated tube section of the writing instrument, which is grasped and stopped by the user when writing, is typically characterized by a smooth outer surface. The smooth surface can be attractive and pleasant to the touch, but can become slippery during use which results in discomfort for the person who is writing and affects the readability of the produced manuscript text. In the prior art devices are known which assist a user in manually grasping a writing instrument.

• U.S. Patent Nos. 4,601,598 to Schwartz et al., 5,468,083 to Chesar, 4,167,347 to Hoyle, and 4,932,800 to Lin et al. They illustrate fixation devices on a pen or pencil that can be fixed on the writing instrument in an attempt to reduce the discomfort, cramps and fatigue of the person who is writing. These auxiliary writing are typically structures designed to fit on the outside of a writing device. These independent structures that slide on the outside of the instrument tend to be large and thick, and create a non-uniform surface which forces the user to stop the writing instrument in a fixed position. Other structures have a gripping surface with contours that constitute complex molded surfaces whose purpose is to approximate the anatomical contours of the structures. tips of the fingers of a person who is writing while grasping the writing instrument. However, the gripping surfaces can not be adapted to the different anatomical forms and to the grip techniques of the pen of different people. The North American patent No. 5,221,152 to Chuang discloses a writing instrument having a grip segment in a section of the pen, which is screwed into a part of a main body of the writing instrument. The grip segment comprises numerous grooves that prevent annular slip placed axially on its outer peripheral surface to help retain the instrument on the material or surface on which it is placed. Do not worry about offering comfort and ease to the user of the instrument when writing. U.S. Patent No. 5,000,599 to McCall et al. discloses a writing instrument having a deformable grip portion that deforms in response to manual pressure during manual grip of the instrument to allow the gripping portion to be reformed from an initial shape to a shape that conforms to the As you usually conform the ends of the fingers of the person who is writing. The grasping portion retains the fit-to-fit shape for a short period of time after release and substantially returns to its initial shape. During the operation, the grip portion requires application of pressure at the beginning so that the grip portion is adapted to the shape desired by the user. Thus, there remains a need to provide a grip surface for a writing instrument that is consistent and uniform with the surface of the writing instrument, is comfortable and easy to use, provides a firm grip and does not require excessive pressure to • adapt to the form desired by the user. 5 COMPENDIUM OF THE INVENTION These objects and advantages as well as other objects and advantages are achieved in a writing instrument that includes an elongated cylindrical body preferably in the form of a cartridge element carrying a writing or embossing means there and j "* 10 having a writing tip exposed at one end.The cartridge member may be inserted into a cylinder member and may be permanently attached to the cylinder or removably affixed in such a manner that a replacement cartridge may be inserted into the member. cylinder when the writing or embossing medium placed there is finished. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the cartridge element includes a reduced cross-section forming a tapered recess in annular recess. A grip member is received in the cavity. The grip member is preferably tubular in shape and tapered to follow the tapered contour of the cartridge member. A gripping member can be permanently fixed on the annular recessed cavity through coextrusion, molding by injection in two components, or through chemical or mechanical bonding. The grip member has a smooth surface that may include a slightly raised pattern. Preferably, the • Elevated pattern can be constructed in a hexagon shape that 5 have contiguous sides with neighboring hexagonal sections and interconnected in order to form a continuous grid or a continuous hexagon pattern on the smooth surface. The pattern is preferably contiguous over the entire smooth surface. In addition, the pattern can be formed a ^ k 10 from unconnected shapes but placed on the entire smooth surface. The raised pattern formed on the smooth surface provides friction between the grip section and the fingers of a user and can be resiliently compressed by the action 15 of the user's fingers to obtain an improved grip. When in use, the writing instrument is grasped by a user in the grip section. The grip section offers a smooth, textured and compressible surface that is comfortable to the touch and has no tendency to slip between the user's thumb and fingers. Since the gripping surface is permanently fixed on the body of the jib, the possibility of the gripping member becoming loose during use is significantly reduced. In another aspect of the invention, it can be adjusted on the gripping member and the writing tip to cover it. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Disclosed in the accompanying drawings are features of the present invention where similar reference numbers refer to similar elements in all views, and where: Figure 1 is a front view of the writing instrument of the present invention. invention showing the grip section; Figure 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of the • drawing instrument illustrated in figure 1, showing the characteristics of the grip section; Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the writing instrument of Figure 1 shown with a cap member 15 there; Figure 4 is a front view of the writing instrument illustrated in Figure 1 with the cap member; Figure 5 is a cross-sectional member of the cap member; Figure 6 is a top view of the cap member. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Turning to Figs. 1 to 3, there is shown an embodiment of a writing instrument 10 constructed in accordance with the present invention with the understanding that people with formal knowledge in the art will recognize many modifications and substitutions that can be made. elaborate to several elements. A writing instrument 10 generally includes a body * Cylindrical elongated F 12 preferably in the form of an element of cartridge having a writing or embossing means there and having a writing tip exposed at one end of the cartridge element. A cartridge element 12 may be inserted into cylinder member 13 and may be permanently attached thereto or may be releasably secured in such a manner that a replacement may be inserted in the cylinder member 13 when the enhancer means writing has already run out. Fixation methods include, but are not limited to, pressure setting, chemical fixation, ultrasonic fixation. In addition, it is preferred that the cartridge member 12 comprises threads 21, as shown in Figure 2, configured and sized to be received by corresponding internal threads 22 defined in the internal part of the cylinder 13, as shown in Figure 3. , in such a way that the cylinder 13 and the cartridge element 12 can be releasably held between them. A writing instrument 10 may also include a writing or embossing means that can be retracted relative to the cartridge element 12, such that the writing or embossing means can be selectively placed outside the cartridge 12 when it is desired to write and can be retracted into the cartridge 12 for storage and transportation. In a preferred embodiment of the invention and as described • in Figure 2, the cartridge element 12 includes a reduced cross section forming an annular recessed tapered cavity 15. A grip member 16 is received in the cavity 15 and flush with a stepped member 17 in the body 12. As shown, the stepped member 17 has a diameter that is slightly smaller than the diameter of the 4"k 10 section 19 of the body 12 such that the section 19 can facilitate the insertion of the cap member as discussed below.Preferably, the grip member 16 has suitable dimensions and has a suitable shape to fit smoothly within the recess 15 of the element of cartridge 12. A grip member 16 also preferably has a tubular shape and is tapered to follow the tapered contour of the cartridge element 12. Preferably, Ek the grip member 16 is made of a thermoplastic elastomer that includes, but is not limited to, polypropylene, rubber, polyurethane, polyisobutylene, polybutadiene. In addition, in order to provide comfort and ease during the operation of the writing instrument, it is important that the grip member 16 has an adequate smoothness. Preferably, the hardness of the member material of grip 16 is within a range of Shore A hardness of 3 to 40 durometers, more preferably within a range of 3 to 25 durometers, and especially within a range of 3 to 15 durometers. However, the grip member • may also have a hardness of less than 3 durometers. A grip member 16 is adhered on a cartridge element 12 by kinetic, ultrasonic or laser welding. Alternative methods for adhering a grip member 16 onto a cartridge element include, but are not limited to, solvent bonding and co-injection molding. He grip member and cartridge element can also • be manufactured from a two-component injection molding process, which produces a chemical bond between these two members. A grip member 16 has a smooth surface 18 which may include a slightly elevated homeland there. Preferably, the pattern comprises several raised sections 20. As shown in Figure 1, raised sections 20 are in the form of hexagons having sides that are contiguous with the neighboring hexagonal sections and interconnected with the The object is to form a contiguous hexagon pattern on a smooth surface 18. The pattern is preferably contiguous over the entire smooth surface 18. The raised pattern 20, preferably having a surface area less than the smooth surface 18, it can deform so Resilient through the fingers of the wearer such that additional traction between the grip member and the fingers of the user is provided in addition to the friction between the grip member and the fingers of the user. In addition, the • pattern can be formed in shapes that are not connected 5 but are placed continuously on the entire smooth surface 18. When employed, the writing instrument is grasped by a user in the grip section. The grip section offers a textured, soft surface that can be deformed in a resilient manner and therefore does not present a tendency • to slide between the user's thumb and fingers. Since the gripping surface is permanently fixed on the body of the jib, the possibility of the gripping member being released during use is reduced important way. The thickness of the grip member 16 is preferably within a range of 0.50 to 2.0 mm as measured from the smooth surface 18 to the raised sections 20. The raised pattern 20 is preferably within a range of 0.1. to 0.5 mm according to measured from the smooth surface 18. As shown in Figure 3, another aspect of the present invention includes a cap 24 provided in the cartridge member 12 having a suitable dimension for fitting onto at least a portion of the cap member. grip 16 and point of writing 14 to cover it. Preferably, the lid 24 cooperates with the raised section 19 to ensure a tight connection between the lid 24 and the cartridge 12. A grasping member 16 has a sufficient size, a suitable shape and a • thickness adapted to offer a flexible, comfortable surface 5 that have anti-slip properties. It is not bulky to grasp and can be tightly adjusted in the cartridge 12 and can easily be covered by the lid 22. With reference to Figures 4-6, a writing instrument 10 is shown with a lid member 24. The lid 24 se configures and is dimensioned in such a way that it can be fixed • removable way on the cartridge element 12. The lid 24 protects the writing tip 14 when the writing instrument 10 is not in use, and there is also the ink of the writing tip 14 to avoid contamination of the writing tips. surrounding areas. The lid 24 comprises a hollow body 26 defining an open end, a pin member 28, a ventilated plug 30 and a well 32. When it is not found in After use, the writing tip 14 is inserted into the well 32 which is preferably fixed on the ventilated plug 30 by pressure adjustment, thread, chemical bond or ultrasonic link. The well 32 can also be formed integrally with a ventilated plug 30. The plug 30 defines a plurality of openings 34 therein in such a way that an air communication is established between the internal part of the plug. the lid 24 and the external environment through the plug 30.

The writing instrument of the present invention can be manufactured by the supply of a cartridge element having a writing or embossing means there or a • writing tip. A tubular shaped grip member is provided and adhered on the cartridge member through a two step injection molding process to chemically bond the grip member on the cartridge member. Alternatively, the grip member may be mechanically attached on the cartridge element to through laser welding or either ultrasonic welding or solvent bonding of the member on the cartridge element. While several descriptions of the present invention are described above, it will be understood that the various characteristics can be used individually or in any combination. Accordingly, the invention is not limited to only the preferred embodiments illustrated herein. In addition, it will be understood that variations and, modifications within of the spirit and scope of the present invention may occur to those skilled in the art to which said invention relates. Therefore, all modifications easily obtainable by a person skilled in the art from The disclosure presented herein is within the scope and spirit of the present invention and should be included as additional embodiments of the present invention. The scope of the present invention is therefore defined • in the following appended claims. 5 • fifteen • twenty

Claims (30)

1. CLAIMS 1. A writing instrument comprising: an elongated writing instrument body; • a grip section that is along a portion of said writing instrument body normally employed to be grasped by a user; a tubular grip member adhered on said grip section; wherein: said grip member has a smooth external surface positioned to be grasped by a user; said gripping member is formed of a resiliently deformable, soft, non-slip material. The writing instrument according to claim 1, wherein said grip member has several raised sections comprising interconnected polygons. 3. The writing instrument according to claim 1, wherein said grip member has 20 several raised sections forming a continuous lattice in an entire peripheral portion of the smooth outer surface of said grip member. 4. The writing instrument according to claim 1, further comprising a cover, wherein 25 said grip member is configured and sized to be received by said lid. The writing instrument according to claim 1, wherein said grip member has several raised sections that rise within a range of 0.1 to 0.5 mm above the smooth surface of said grip member. The writing instrument according to claim 1, wherein said grip member is made of a material that is softer than the material of said cylindrical body. The writing instrument according to claim 6, wherein said grip member is made of an elastomeric material. 8. The writing instrument in accordance with the. Claim 7, wherein said grip member is made of a thermoplastic elastomer. The writing instrument according to claim 6, wherein said grip member preferably has a Shore A hardness less than 40 in durometer. The writing instrument according to claim 9, wherein said grip member more preferably has a Shore A hardness of 3 to 25 in durometer. The writing instrument according to claim 10, wherein said grip member has especially a Shore A hardness of 3 to 15 in durometer. 12. The writing instrument in accordance with • claim 1, wherein said writing instrument 5 further comprises a vented cap member. The writing instrument according to claim 1, wherein said grip member has a plurality of raised sections formed so that they can be resiliently deformed with the purpose of ? k 10 provide additional traction between said grip member and the fingers of a user. The writing instrument according to claim 1, wherein: said writing instrument has a writing tip; said grip section further comprises a recessed cavity having a first end wall abc adjacent to said writing tip and a second axially spaced wall therefrom; and said grip member further comprises a first end and a second end positioned between said first end wall and said second end wall of said recessed cavity. The writing instrument according to claim 14, wherein: said grip section further comprises a stepped member in said first end wall of said recessed cavity and a raised section in said second end wall of said recessed cavity; said gripping member is positioned between said stepped member and said raised section; said gripping member is flush with said stepped member; and said raised section is raised above said grip member. The writing instrument according to claim 1, wherein said grip member is formed in such a manner that said grip member is adhered to said grip section as a result of the formation of said grip member. The writing instrument according to claim 1, wherein said grip member is formed by co-injection molding or injection molding of two components such that said grip member becomes adhered to said grip section as result of said molding process. The writing instrument according to claim 4, wherein said grip member is completely covered by said lid when said grip section is inserted in said lid. 19. A writing instrument comprising: an elongated writing instrument body; a grip section that is along a portion of said writing instrument body that is normally used to be grasped by a user, said grip section having a recessed section; and a resiliently deformable tubular grip member made from a smooth, slip-resistant material having a Shore A hardness less than 40 in durometer, said grip member being placed in said recessed cavity of said grip section. 20. The writing instrument according to claim 19, wherein said writing member is adhered on said grip section. The writing instrument according to claim 19, wherein said grip member further comprises a plurality of resiliently deformable raised sections. 22. The writing instrument according to claim 19, wherein said grip member has a thickness of less than 2 mm. 23. The writing instrument according to claim 22, wherein said grip member is adhered on said grip section. 24. The writing instrument according to claim 19, further comprising a lid, wherein: said recessed cavity has a first end adjacent a writing end of said writing instrument, a second end spaced rearwardly of said first end, a stepped section adjacent said first end, and a raised section adjacent said second end; and said grip member has a first end and a second end positioned between said stepped section and said raised section; and said gripping member, said stepped section, and said raised section are shaped and configured to fit within said lid when said gripping section is inserted in said lid. 25. The writing instrument according to claim 19, wherein said grip member has a shape adapted to follow the contour of at least said recessed cavity. 26. A cartridge element comprising: a first end having a writing tip; a second end having a cartridge body configured for insertion into a cylinder member of a writing instrument: a grip section between said first end and said second end and positioned to be grasped by a user once said cartridge element is connected on the cylinder member of a writing instrument; and a grip member formed on said grip section and made from a slip-resistant, resiliently deformable material that is softer than the material of said grip section. 27. The cartridge element according to claim 26, wherein: a recess is formed in said grip section; and said grip member is placed in said recessed cavity. 28. The cartridge element according to claim 26, wherein said grip member has a smooth surface with a high pattern there. 29. The cartridge element according to claim 26, wherein said grip member has a Shore A hardness less than 40 in durometer. 30. The cartridge element according to claim 26, wherein said grip member is adhered on said grip section.