US3071112A - Clip actuated latch mechanism for retractable writing instruments - Google Patents

Clip actuated latch mechanism for retractable writing instruments Download PDF

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Publication number
US3071112A
US3071112A US43790A US4379060A US3071112A US 3071112 A US3071112 A US 3071112A US 43790 A US43790 A US 43790A US 4379060 A US4379060 A US 4379060A US 3071112 A US3071112 A US 3071112A
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
actuator
writing unit
barrel
slidable member
writing
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US43790A
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Charles K Lovejoy
John C Lockwood
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Scripto Inc
Original Assignee
Scripto Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority to NL267206D priority Critical patent/NL267206A/xx
Application filed by Scripto Inc filed Critical Scripto Inc
Priority to US43790A priority patent/US3071112A/en
Priority to GB22830/61A priority patent/GB987857A/en
Priority to DES74688A priority patent/DE1253108B/de
Priority to FR868090A priority patent/FR1295194A/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3071112A publication Critical patent/US3071112A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B43—WRITING OR DRAWING IMPLEMENTS; BUREAU ACCESSORIES
    • B43K—IMPLEMENTS FOR WRITING OR DRAWING
    • B43K24/00—Mechanisms for selecting, projecting, retracting or locking writing units
    • B43K24/02—Mechanisms for selecting, projecting, retracting or locking writing units for locking a single writing unit in only fully projected or retracted positions
    • B43K24/08—Mechanisms for selecting, projecting, retracting or locking writing units for locking a single writing unit in only fully projected or retracted positions operated by push-buttons
    • B43K24/082—Mechanisms for selecting, projecting, retracting or locking writing units for locking a single writing unit in only fully projected or retracted positions operated by push-buttons placed on the side

Definitions

  • This invention relates to Writing instruments, and more particularly to an improved latch mechanism for such writing instruments in which a writing unit is slidably arranged for alternate projection and retraction from within the barrel of said writing instrument upon successive manipulations of an actuating means that is operably accessible at the side of the instrument and wherein the actuating means may include a pocket clip element which is in usual clipping relation when the writing unit is retracted and which is displaced inwardly to an inoperative position when the writing unit is projected.
  • the latch mechanism of the present invention is characterized by two simple cooperating members: (l) a laterally shiftable and rockable actuating member disposed within the barrel of a writing instrument rearwardly of a writing unit retractably housed therein, with a portion of said actuating member being operably accessible at the side of the writing instrument, and (2) a longitudinally slidable means disposed within said barrel at the rear of the writing unit and adjacent said actuating member for cooperation with said actuating member to cause the writing unit to be alternately projected from the barrel and releasably latched at projected position and then retracted within the barrel upon successive manipulations of the laterally shiftable and rockable actuating member.
  • the actuating member and the longitudinally shiftable member include cooperating cam means for translating the transverse movement of the actuator member into longitudinal movement of the longitudinally movable member as well as cooperating means for maintaining releasable engagement between the actuator and the longitudinally shiftable means for defining projected position.
  • the longitudinally movable member includes: (a) a fulcrum for allowing rocking of the actuator about said fulcrum to disengage the actuator from longitudinally shiftable means when said writing unit is at projected position, and (b) a supporting block disposed at the rear portion of the longitudinally shiftable means to provide a lateral support to the upper end of the actuator member for preventing inward movement of said upper clip end with respect to the barrel when the writing unit is retracted and the clip member is in its usual clipping relation exteriorly of the barrel.
  • the improved mechanism of the present invention requires only two parts: (a) the laterally shiftable and rockable actuator which includes a clipping element, and (I1) the longitudinally shiftable member that includes: (l) cam means for translating transverse motion into longitudinal motion, (2) latch means for releasably engaging said member with said actuator, (3) a fulcrum point for allowing rocking of said actuator to retract the writing unit, and (4) means for laterally supporting the upper end or rear of the clip when the writing unit is retracted and the clip is in usual clipping relation.
  • FlG. l is a side elevation of a writing instrument of the present invention with a portion of the forward barrel portion broken away;
  • FIG. 2 is a longitudinal cross section of the upper portion of a writing instrument showing the mechanism of the present invention as positioned when the writing unit is at retracted position and the clip is in its usual clipping relation exteriorly of the barrel;
  • FIG. 3 is a longitudinal cross section of the upper portion of the writing instrument showing the mechanism of the present invention as positioned when the writing unit is at projected position;
  • FIG. 4 is a transverse cross section taken along line 4-4 in FIG. 2;
  • FG. 5 is a partial, longitudinal cross section taken along line 5-5 in FIG. 2;
  • FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the actuator member with the clip element removed
  • FIG. 7 is a front elevation of the actuator with the clip element removed
  • FIG. 8 is an end view of the actuator shown in FIG. 7;
  • FIG. 9 is an end elevation of the longitudinally shiftable means
  • FlG, l0 is a front elevation of the longitudinally shiftable means
  • FG, ll is a side elevational view of the longitudinally shiftable means shown in FIGS. 9 and l0.
  • the particular embodiment chosen for illustration of the present invention comprises a forward barrel portion l?. having the usual opening ld throughvwhich a writing unit 16 projects when in writing position.
  • a rear barrel portion i8 which is provided with a lateral opening 20.
  • Writing unit 16 is slidably urged toward its rearmost portion within central bore 2l of rear bari-el portion 1S by biasing spring 22 which is seated between shoulders formed within forward barrel portion ll?, and on the writing unit le, respectively.
  • the operating mechanism 23 comprises an actuator 24 which has mounted thereon clip 25.
  • the actuator Z4 is a substantially channel-shaped member having a flat clip platform 25 to which is attached clip 25.
  • the clip platform 26 is shouldered along its length at Z7 and 27 to limit the outward travel of actuator 214 through lateral opening 2u in rear barrel portion t8.
  • the side walls 28 and 23 of actuator 24 extend inwardly within central bore 21 of rear barrel portion l and are formed perpendieularly to the clip platform 26.
  • the forward end and inner portions of actuator 24 are provided with a pair of forwardly facing, inclined cam members 29 and 2g.
  • the forwardmost tip of the actuator Ztl terminates in a transverse tlat to provide a latching tip 3u while the rearward portion of the cam members 29 and 29 are ared outwardly to provide ears 3l and 3l which ride in slots 32 of liner 3?: ⁇ (FIG. 5) to prevent relative longitudinal movement of the .actuator 24 with respect to the rear barrel portion 17S.
  • the rearward end of actuator 2.4 has arms 34 which are extensions of side walls 28 and Ztll and are adapted to act in cooperation with slidable member 35' as rear lateral support for the actuator 24 when the clip is in normal clipping position.
  • the liner 33 is internally formed at its rearward end with a rectangular cross section cavity 36 to receive'support arms 34 when they move transversely to the position shown in FlG. 3 when the writing unit is projected.
  • the longitudinally slidable member 35 is disposed within rear barrel portion 18 adjacent the actuator 24 and is longitudinally movable thereoy.
  • the longitudinally slidable member 35 is generally of a semi-cylindrical shape and is provided on its forward end with rearwardly facing, inclined cam surfaces 37' and 37 which are in sliding engagement with cams 29 and 29' of the actuator 24- Immediately behind the cam surfaces 37 and 317 is a pair of grooves 31S and 387 which are adapted to receive the cams 29 and 29' of actuator 24.
  • the forward walls of the grooves 3rd and 38 are formed to act as latching shoulders 39 for engaging latching tip 3ft of actuator 24 as will be seen in FIG. 3.
  • the rearward end of slidable member 35 is formed to provide a support bar di) on which the supporting arms 34 rest when the mechanism is positioned with the writing unit 16 retracted (FIG. 2).
  • the sliding member 35 at its forward portion is provided with a longitudinal recess 41 that receives the rear portion of writin g unit 16.
  • the recess 41 terminates at its rear end in a cylindrical fulcrum knoll 42 which acts as :both a rearward bearing stop for the writing unit i6 and a fulcrum point for the rocking of the actuator 2d.
  • the present invention provides a simple, positive mechanism which is very easy to operate.
  • the cam surfaces provide sufficient mechanical advantage to allow a very small force to project the writing unit.
  • the fulcrum is moved to give increased mechanical advantage to the lever used to disengage the latching tip from the latching shoulders.
  • the two principal operating parts are so arranged that no fixed, pivoted coupling is required which obviates the necessity of numerous small parts which cause trouble in operation and articulate assembly operations which increase its manufacturing cost.
  • a writing instrument having a barrel provided with a main central bore terminating in a forward aperture and with a lateral opening formed in its rearward portion, a writing unit slidably arranged within said barrel, biasing means normally urging said writing unit toward retracted position, and means for selectively projecting and retracting said writing unit with respect to said barrel, the improvement of said projection and retraction means comprising an actuator housed within said barrel for lateral shifting and rocking therein and manually operable at said lateral barrel opening, said actuator being disposed at said lateral opening when said writing unit is retracted and being laterally displaced inwardly thereof .along a linear path when said writing unit is projected, a slidable member disposed Within said barrel rearwardly of said writing unit and adjacent said actuator for longitudinal movement therein, said slidable member including cam and latch means adjacent one end thereof for translating transverse movement of said actuator into longitudinal movement of said slidaole member to project said writing unit and reieasably latch said actuator with said
  • said actuator includes a clip element located at its outer face that is normally disposed in usual clipping relation eXteriorly of said barrel when said writing unit is retracted and inoperably disposed within said lateral barrel opening when said writing unit is projected.

Landscapes

  • Mechanical Pencils And Projecting And Retracting Systems Therefor, And Multi-System Writing Instruments (AREA)
  • Clips For Writing Implements (AREA)
US43790A 1960-07-19 1960-07-19 Clip actuated latch mechanism for retractable writing instruments Expired - Lifetime US3071112A (en)

Priority Applications (5)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
NL267206D NL267206A (it) 1960-07-19
US43790A US3071112A (en) 1960-07-19 1960-07-19 Clip actuated latch mechanism for retractable writing instruments
GB22830/61A GB987857A (en) 1960-07-19 1961-06-23 Improvements in retractable writing instruments
DES74688A DE1253108B (de) 1960-07-19 1961-07-06 Druckkugelschreiber
FR868090A FR1295194A (fr) 1960-07-19 1961-07-17 Perfectionnements aux instruments à écrire à pointe rentrante

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US43790A US3071112A (en) 1960-07-19 1960-07-19 Clip actuated latch mechanism for retractable writing instruments

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3071112A true US3071112A (en) 1963-01-01

Family

ID=21928907

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US43790A Expired - Lifetime US3071112A (en) 1960-07-19 1960-07-19 Clip actuated latch mechanism for retractable writing instruments

Country Status (4)

Country Link
US (1) US3071112A (it)
DE (1) DE1253108B (it)
GB (1) GB987857A (it)
NL (1) NL267206A (it)

Cited By (14)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3203402A (en) * 1961-11-14 1965-08-31 Scripto Inc Mechanism for retractable writing instruments
US3344484A (en) * 1964-09-24 1967-10-03 Nathan A Zepell Writing instrument
DE1284878B (de) * 1964-08-07 1968-12-05 Wagner Guenter Druckmechanik mit einem verschwenkbaren Klipp fuer Kugelschreiber
US3796501A (en) * 1972-04-05 1974-03-12 N Zepell Writing instrument with transversely movable clip
US3819283A (en) * 1972-06-05 1974-06-25 Pen Co Inc Writing instrument with projecting and retracting mechanism
US3920337A (en) * 1974-05-09 1975-11-18 K C Pen Co Inc Retractable ball point pen
US3955893A (en) * 1972-06-05 1976-05-11 K. C. Pen Co., Inc. Writing instrument with projecting and retracting mechanism
DE2934084A1 (de) * 1979-08-23 1981-03-26 Merz & Krell, 64401 Groß-Bieberau Schreibgeraet mit einer schreibmine
US4790678A (en) * 1986-06-25 1988-12-13 Pilot Ink Co., Ltd. Mechanism for extruding and retracting a writing member of a writing instrument
EP0337447A1 (en) * 1988-04-13 1989-10-18 KOTOBUKI & CO., LTD. Mechanism for put in and out the head of writing shaft in a writing tool
FR2869833A1 (fr) * 2004-05-04 2005-11-11 Bic Sa Soc Instrument d'ecriture a pointe retractable
US20070231048A1 (en) * 2003-10-22 2007-10-04 Franck Rolion Writing Instrument With a Lateral Button
USD628635S1 (en) 2010-01-20 2010-12-07 Beifa Group Co., Ltd. Pen
USD753769S1 (en) * 2014-06-03 2016-04-12 Stilolinea S.R.L. Pen

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR1086929A (fr) * 1953-08-24 1955-02-17 Etablissements Christian Soc D Clip escamotable
US2809610A (en) * 1953-10-05 1957-10-15 Flo Ball Pen Corp Retractable writing instrument
US2881736A (en) * 1958-05-01 1959-04-14 Columbia Pen & Pencil Co Inc Writing instrument construction

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR1086929A (fr) * 1953-08-24 1955-02-17 Etablissements Christian Soc D Clip escamotable
US2809610A (en) * 1953-10-05 1957-10-15 Flo Ball Pen Corp Retractable writing instrument
US2881736A (en) * 1958-05-01 1959-04-14 Columbia Pen & Pencil Co Inc Writing instrument construction

Cited By (21)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3203402A (en) * 1961-11-14 1965-08-31 Scripto Inc Mechanism for retractable writing instruments
DE1284878B (de) * 1964-08-07 1968-12-05 Wagner Guenter Druckmechanik mit einem verschwenkbaren Klipp fuer Kugelschreiber
US3344484A (en) * 1964-09-24 1967-10-03 Nathan A Zepell Writing instrument
US3796501A (en) * 1972-04-05 1974-03-12 N Zepell Writing instrument with transversely movable clip
US3819283A (en) * 1972-06-05 1974-06-25 Pen Co Inc Writing instrument with projecting and retracting mechanism
US3955893A (en) * 1972-06-05 1976-05-11 K. C. Pen Co., Inc. Writing instrument with projecting and retracting mechanism
US3920337A (en) * 1974-05-09 1975-11-18 K C Pen Co Inc Retractable ball point pen
DE2934084A1 (de) * 1979-08-23 1981-03-26 Merz & Krell, 64401 Groß-Bieberau Schreibgeraet mit einer schreibmine
US4790678A (en) * 1986-06-25 1988-12-13 Pilot Ink Co., Ltd. Mechanism for extruding and retracting a writing member of a writing instrument
US4973179A (en) * 1988-04-13 1990-11-27 Kotobuki & Co., Ltd. Clip actuated latch mechanism for retractable writing instruments
EP0337447A1 (en) * 1988-04-13 1989-10-18 KOTOBUKI & CO., LTD. Mechanism for put in and out the head of writing shaft in a writing tool
US5074694A (en) * 1988-04-13 1991-12-24 Kotobuki & Co., Ltd. Latch mechanism for retractable writing instruments
US20070231048A1 (en) * 2003-10-22 2007-10-04 Franck Rolion Writing Instrument With a Lateral Button
US7452147B2 (en) * 2003-10-22 2008-11-18 Societe Bic Writing instrument with a lateral button
FR2869833A1 (fr) * 2004-05-04 2005-11-11 Bic Sa Soc Instrument d'ecriture a pointe retractable
WO2005120861A1 (fr) * 2004-05-04 2005-12-22 Societe Bic Instrument d'ecriture a pointe retractable
US20070223986A1 (en) * 2004-05-04 2007-09-27 Franck Rolion Writing Instrument with Retractable Tip
CN100532129C (zh) * 2004-05-04 2009-08-26 法国比克公司 尖端可缩回的书写器
US8096722B2 (en) 2004-05-04 2012-01-17 Societe Bic Writing instrument with retractable tip
USD628635S1 (en) 2010-01-20 2010-12-07 Beifa Group Co., Ltd. Pen
USD753769S1 (en) * 2014-06-03 2016-04-12 Stilolinea S.R.L. Pen

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB987857A (en) 1965-03-31
NL267206A (it)
DE1253108B (de) 1967-10-26

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