US2863421A - Writing instrument - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 9, R J. RIZZO WRITING INSTRUMENT Filed Feb. 2s. 1955 ROSARIO J. RIZZO ATTORNEY United States Patent WRITING INSTRUMENT Application February 28, 1955, Serial No. 490,739

Claims. (Cl. 1Z0-42.03)

This invention relates to writing instruments and more particularly to those wherein the writing point is extended and retracted from its writing position by the op eration of a push button.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a writing instrument having a writing cartridge and point which may be positively propelled from the instrument and retracted thereinto by the operation of a novel push button device. A

Another object of the invention is to provide a writing instrument wherein the writing cartridge is movable to a iirst position in which the same is positively held extended from said instrument for writing and to a second position in which it is positively held withdrawn into the instrument. i

A further object of the invention is to provide a push button mechanism including novel means for positively positioning and writing cartridge in either the first or second positions. To this extent a feature of the invention resides in the unique operation of the novel cartridge positioning means.

Other and further objects of my invention reside in the structures and arrangements hereinaftermore fully described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. l is a sectional elevational View of the writing instrument co-nstructed in accordance with the principles of the invention and with the cartridge and writing point withdrawn into the instrument.

Fig. 2 is a View similar to Fig. 1 with the cartridge and writing point being positioned in their extended position by the operation of the push button.

Fig. 3 is a partial view similar to Fig. 2 wherein the cartridge and writing point are held extended and the push button is in its normal inoperative position.

Fig. 4 is a partial side elevation of Fig. 1 taken along lines 4 4.

Fig. 5 is a sectional View of Fig. l taken along lines 5 5.

Fig. 6 is a sectional view of Fig. 1 taken along lines 6--6, and Fig. 7 is a view of a modified push button.

Referring now to the drawings, the writing instrument 10 comprises a lower sleeve 12 and an axially contiguous upper sleeve 14. The sleeves 12 and 14 are threadedly secured together at 16 and a cover 18 extends about the upper sleeve 14 and is secured to the lower sleeve 12 at its lower Vend in an undercut 20 (see Figs. l and 2).

The upper sleeve'14 has a bifurcated upper end portion defining the bifurcations 22 and 24. The space or slot (not numbered) defined between the bifurcations 22 and 24 has a definite function which will become obvious as the description proceeds. Dened axially in and centrally of the sleeve 14 and at the upper ends of the bifurcations 22 and 24 is a substantially oval-shaped opening 26. Axially below the ovalshaped opening 26 the sleeve 14 has an enlarged hollow interior 28 also sub-V sftantially oval-shaped and better `seen in Fig. 6. Included ice in the interior 28 is a laterally offset circular guide opening 29 (Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 6) having at its top the first of 4 two abutments or shoulders 30 and 32.

The shoulders 30 Vand 32 are each laterally offset on opposite sides of the center of the sleeve 14 and axially spaced from eac'h other within the interior 28. The shoulder 39 is positioned at the top of the offset guide opening 29 and axially higher than the shoulder 32 which has a hook edge 33 (Figs. l, 3 and 6). Each of the shoulders 30 and 32 cooperates with an axially extendable and retractable cartridge `34 having a writing point 36. In Fig. l the cartridge 34 is shown retracted within the writing instrument 10 and with the writing point 36 thereof withdrawn into the body of the lower sleeve 12. In Fig. 2 the same cartridge 34 is shown in its propelled or extended position with the point 36 thereof axially beyond the end of the lower sleeve 12. When the cartridge 34 is moved to either one of the two aforementioned positions by a structure to be described it is positively retained in such positions by the cooperation of a iiared edge 38 at the upper portion of the cartridge which forms a catch adapted to engage the shoulder 30 or 32 respectively.

The writing cartridge 34 is moved to and from its writing position by a novel push-button struc-ture at the topV of the instrument 10, generally identified by the numeral 40. The structure 40 comprises a linger-operatedv button 42 which extends beyond the top of the instrument 1t) through an opening (not numbered) in the cover 18. The button 42, bifurcated at its lower portion, has a substantially oval-shaped outer periphery slightly smaller than the oval opening 26 in the sleeve 14 to guidingly admit the button 42 therein. The cooperating oval opening 26 and the oval shape of the button 42 allow axial relative movements between the button and sleeve 14, but at the saine time eliminate any tendency of relative rotation therebetween.

In a slot 44 defined between the bifurcations of the button 42 there is positioned a laterally pivotable tongue 46 having a shoulder 48 thereon. When the tongue 46 is positioned between the bifurcations of the button 42, the laterally spaced shoulders 48 thereof are axially aligned in height with a peripheral shoulder 50 (see Figs. 2 and 4) of the button 42. The tongue shown in the embodiment in Figs. l to 6 has cast integral therewith, and ou opposite sides thereof, trunnions 52 at the same level with shoulders'St). Said trunnions 52 ride in opposed, but facing axial grooves 54 in the inner faces of the bifurcations of the button 42. The grooves 54 are best seen in Fig. 4. Although the trunnions 52 are freely and axially slidable in the grooves 54, the tongue 46 is retained centrally in position in the slot 44 of the button 42 by alight spring 56 which is seated on a peripheral upper shoulder S8 of the sleeve 14 at its one end and against the shoulders 48 and 50 of the tongue and button respectively. Hence, the light spring 56 constantly retains the tongue within the slot 44 of the button 42 and urges the button 42 into its extended position as is shown in Figs. l and 4.

From the drawings it will be noted that the pivot, namely the trunnions 52, of the tongue 46 is positioned centrally of the button 42, and at the same time is permitted lateral movement relative to the button 42 by way of the slot 44 and also the slot in the sleeve 14. The manner and purpose of the lateral pivotal movement of the tongue will become obvious as the description proceeds. However, along the lower surface of the tongue there is pro' vided a cartridge-engaging means in the form of shoulderdening notches 60 and 62, each of which is laterally oit-- set on opposite sides of the center of the button 42. the lower portion of the cartridge 34 there is provided a detent means 64 which serves as a shoulder for one end of a spring 66, while the other end of the spring bears against a shoulder 68 at the lower portion of the sleeve 12. The spring 66 is substantially stronger than the upper spring 56 to apply a constant urging but yielding force on the cartridge 34 to urge the cartridge into engagement with either one of the two shoulders 3ft vand 32.

Under normal conditions and when Vthe instrument is not in use the cartridge 34 will be retracted into the body of the instrument and the point 36 withdrawn within the confines of the sleeve 12. The flared part 38 of the cartridge 34 will be positioned in the opening 29 and in abutment with the axially upper and laterally offset shoulder 3Q and yieldingly retained thereagainst oy the relatively strong spring 6o acting upon the lower end thereof. rl`he push-button actuating structure 40 will be yieldingly extended beyond the upper end of the instrument by the spring 56 acting thereupon.

To propel the writing point 36 beyond the lower end ofthe sleeve 12, the button 42 is manually depressed against the pressure of the spring 56. The bifurcated oval portion of the button will slide axially in and be guided by the mating oval opening 26 in the sleeve 14 with the tongue 46 depending downwardly and yieldingly held centrally of the button by the spring 56. Continued manual depression of the button brings the offset cartridge-engaging notch 60 into alignment with the flared edge 3S and subsequently into cooperating engagement therewith. Further downward pressure exerted on the button 42 overcomes the relatively stronger lower spring 66 to move the cartridge 34 down along the walls of the offset, slightly larger guiding opening 29 until the flare 33 passes axially below the walls of the opening and the hook edge 33 of shoulder 32.

Because the point of engagement between the cartridge flare 33 and the notch 66 of the tongue 46 are offset to the right of the center of the button 42 and the pivot 52, forces exerted on the tongue by the cartridge are directed laterally to cause the tongue to pivot laterally in the enlarged opening 2S until the cartridge is moved against the opposite wall of the opening and positioned directly under the shoulder 32. Continued downward depression of the button 42 is halted by the touching of a shoulder 51 (Figs. l, 2 and 3) on the button 42 with the top of the sleeve 14. When the button is released the cartridge 34 is urged into secure engagement with the shoulder 32 by the combination of the spring 66 and the hook edge 33 (see Fig. 3).

To remove the cartridge 34 from its extended writing position it is necessary to disengage the flared portion 33 thereof from the axially lower shoulder 32 and place the same in engagement with the upper shoulder 3th. Quite obviously the button 42 will be in its extended position beyond vthe head of instrument l@ while the tongue 46 is yieldingly retained in its depending position centrally of the button. Depressing the button 42 brings the notch 62 of the tongue 46 in alignment with the free portion of the ilare 33, viz., the portion which is free from engagement with the shoulder 32. Continued dof'nward movement of the button 42 engages the notch 62 with the flare 33 to move the cartridge 34 axially and still further beyond the end of the sleeve 12. The axial movement of the button structure 4l) and the cartridge is halted by the touching of the shoulder 51 with the sleeve 14.

In the meanwhile, as soon as the flared portion 33 is moved axially below the hook 33 the tongue is caused to pivot in the slot 44 of the button 42 and in the coextensive slot in the sleeve 14 by lateral forces exerted shoulder 39 by the spring 66 and the actuating structure 40 is returned to its normal extended position by the spring 56 which simultaneously restores the tongue 46 to a central position.

Fig. 7 shows a modified embodiment of the actuating push-button structure disclosed in Figs. l to 6 and'is identified by the numeral 140. The actuating push-button structure is almost exactly thesame as that previously described except, however, that the pivot pin 152 replaces the ball-shaped trunnions 52 on the tongue 46 and the cooperating grooves 54 on the button 42. 1t will be noted that the pin 152 extends between the bifurcations of the button 142 and the tongue 146 is freely pivotable in the slot 144. It will be clear that the instant modified structure 140 operates in exactly the same manner as the previously described button structure 4).

While there have been shown and described and pointed out the fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to several preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood that various omissions and substitutions and changes in the form and details of the devices illustrated and in their operations may he made by those skilled in the art, Without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is the intention, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the claims appended hereto.

Although the part 38 has been described as flared such construction is not controlling since it is within the contemplation of the invention that the shoulder-engaging catch portion 38 of the cartridge 34 need not be ared at all.

What I claim is:

l. In a writing instrument, in combination, a bifurcated button having a substantially oval-shaped periphery, a bifurcated sleeve having a substantially ovalshaped opening axially thereof and slidably receiving the furcations of said button longitudinally thereof, said sleeve having an enlarged hollow interior having defined therein two axially spaced shoulders each laterally offset from and on either side of the center thereof, a cartridge movable axially and laterally in said enlarged interior and engageable alternately with said respective shoulders, and a tongue pivoted to said button between the furcations thereof and swingable between the furcations of said sleeve, said tongue being formed with two shoulders each laterally offset from and on either side of the pivotal axis of said tongue to alternately engage with said cartridgeV upon sliding movement of said button to effect lateral shifting of said cartridge into engagement with respective shoulders.

2. The combination according to claim l, wherein said button has facing grooves in facing surfaces of the furcapivot includes a pin in said button, extending between the furcations thereof, on which said tongue is mounted.

4. in a writing instrument, in combination, an elongatedsleeve provided at opposite ends with a first and a second opening communicating with its interior, a cartridge axially movable in said interior between an extended and a retracted position, said cartridge having a writing point projecting from said first opening in said extended position, resilient means urging said cartridge into said retracted position, a button non-rotatably held in said second opening for axial displacement relative to said sleeve, and a tongue pivoted to said button, said sleeve being provided in its interior with two axially spaced shoulders on opposite sides of said tongue, said cartridge terminating opposite said writing point in a catch laterally displaceable for engagement with either of said shoulders whereby said cartridge occupies either said extended or said retracted position, said tongue having formations laterally offset from its pivot on either side thereof and alternately engageable with said catch, upon inward dis` 2,863,421 5 6 placement of said button against the action of said resilient References Cited' in the le of this patent means, whereby engagement of a formation on one side of the pivot to exert a force on said catch for movement UNITED STATES PATENTS away from said pivot effecting dislodgement of said catch 2,557,054 MalSheIl 511116 12, 1951 from the shoulder engaged thereby, said tongue and said 5 2,584,569 Frerlzel Feb. 5, 1952 resilient means being jointly effective to move said catch 2,693,170 Sears Nov. 2, 1954 sideways toward the other shoulder for engagement there- 2,734,484 OSullivan Feb. 14, 1956 With upon subsequent release of said button.

5. The combination according to claim 4, wherein said FOREIGN PATENTS button is bifurcated, said tongue being pivoted to said 10 1,000,555 France Oct. 17, 1951 button between the furcations thereof. 302,574 Switzerland Jan. 3, 1955

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