US3143101A

US3143101A - Multi-cartridge pen

Info

Publication number: US3143101A
Application number: US130851A
Authority: US
Inventors: Hechtle Emil
Original assignee: RADIANT PEN CORP
Current assignee: RADIANT PEN CORP
Priority date: 1961-08-11
Filing date: 1961-08-11
Publication date: 1964-08-04
Anticipated expiration: 1981-08-04

Description

Aug. 4, 1964 E. HECHTLE MULTI-CARTRIDGE PEN Filed Aug. 1l, 1961 FlG.6

INVENTOR. [777/7 /1'eC/7 /e A TTOR/VEY United safes Patent' 0 3,143,101 MULTI-CARTRIDGE PEN Emil Hechtle, ratlell, NJ., assigner to Radiant Pen Corp., Kenilworth, NJ. Filed Aug. 11, 1961, Ser. No. 130,851 1 Claim. (Cl. 1Z0-42.13)

My invention relates to a multi-cartridge pen wherein a selected cartridge may be individually propelled and retracted. Such cartridges may be vari-colored.

The objects of my invention are to provide a multicartridge pen with a simple cartridge propel-retract mechanism that is easy to assemble; employing a minimum number of parts in a minimum of space, and having a one-piece barrel into which the propel-retract mechanisms can be inserted to complete the assembly.

I accomplish these and other objects and obtain my new results as will be apparent from the device described in the following specication, particularly pointed out in the claim, and illustrated in the accompanying drawing in which:

FIGURE 1 is a top view of my pen,

FIGURE 2 is a longitudinally sectional view taken in the plane 2 2 of FIGURE l,

FIGURE 3 is a similar fragmentary view taken in the plane 3-3 o FIGURE 1,

FIGURE 4 is a view similar to FIGURE 2 but with a cartridge propelled into writing position,

FIGURE 5 is a similar view with the cartridge partially propelled,

FIGURE 6 is a transverse sectional view taken in the plane 6 6 of FIGURE 3,

FIGURE 7 is a perspective View of a plunger and associated latch,

FIGURE 8 is a transverse sectional view taken in the plane 8-8 of FIGURE 7.

Referring more in detail to the drawing, reference numeral 10 designates a one-piece barrel having an opening 12 into which a multi-cartridge unit assembly 16 is inserted. The barrel is provided with a ball point opening 16, and a seat 18 for positioning the assembly.

The cartridge assembly unit comprises a longitudinally extending separator 20, terminating in a transversely extending spacer 22. The separator divides the upper barrel compartment 23 into the number of units corresponding to the number of cartridges employed. In the embodiment illustrated, a two cartridge unit is utilized by way of example, containing

cartridges

24 and 26. The separator constitutes a thin-diametric wall extending from the spacer to the outside of the opening 12 where it separates the

plungers

28 and 30, used for adjusting the cartridges. The separator may fit into longitudinal slots 23 extending in the wall of the barrel. This would prevent accidental rotation and help orient the plungers.

The plungers are partially slotted as at 32 and 33 to form

rigid legs

35 and 37, and an intermediate springy leg 34 having a latch 36 extending from the end thereof.

The barrel of the embodiment is formed with two

catch openvings

38 and 40 representing the propel and retract positions of the cartridges. The latch 36 springily engages the wall of the openings to snaplock the cartridge into the opening, when in each of the two positions. Springs 42 and 44 encircle the cartridges for biasing the cartridge into each of the positions. Ears 46 extend laterally from the cartridge to engage the spring which rests on the spacer 22. This forces the cartridges against their respective plungers. Pressure is thus exerted between the ,latch 36 and the spacer upon which spring rests. Openings 4S and 50 are provided in the spacer 22 through which the cartridges extend. The openings are spaced suciently apart to enable the springs to be ice independently operable, without interference. The springs rest on anges 49-51 formed at the bottom of openings 48 and 50.

The propel-retract mechanism 14 comprising the separator with spacers, cartridges, springs, and plungers, may be inserted as a unit into the barrel, until the spacer reaches the seat 18. The plungers are individually depressed until the respective latches are located in the catch openings 40 constituting the retract position. In this position the springs are under suflicient pressure to hold the entire assembly secured in position in the barrel.

Upon selecting the cartridge to be propelled, the corresponding plunger is depressed, causing the respective latch to be cammed out of catch opening 40 until it reaches catch opening 38 where the latch will engage the wall thereof, against the action of the spring.

When it is desired to retract the cartridge, the latch is depressed in opening 38 until the latch is free of the Wall of the barrel. The cartridge encircling spring will drive the plunger away from opening 38 until the latch reaches opening 40. At this point the latch will project itself through the opening engaging the wall thereof.

The latch 36 is provided with a camming surface 39 to allow the catch to be inwardly sprung to free it from its respective opening when either the plunger is depressed, or the latch is depressed by the linger.

'I'he inner barrel taper 52 adjacent the ball point opening 16 will cam the cartridge slightly off its longitudinal position to enter the opening. The cartridge may be made flexible, or the openings 48 and 50 in the spacer 18 may be slightly elongated to permit the ball point to tilt slightly when entering the central opening.

The plunger may be rnade of springy plastic with the latch outwardly biased in position, to provide the necessary snap action when the latch reaches the catch opening. The hollowed portion 41 is formed in the plunger to permit the latch to be accommodated without interference between

legs

35 and 37, when the latch is depressed from its position in the catch.

The barrel opening 38 corresponding to the propelled position of the cartridge, may be externally grooved, as shown, to permit the nail of the linger to be guided against the latch, to facilitate depressing and unlatching the plunger. This convenience is not necessary in upper catch opening 40 from which position the latch is normally disengaged by direct axial pressure on the plunger. The selected propel-retract mechanism requires minimum space in the barrel. Other mechanisms may also be employed where the overall diameter of the pen barrel is not controlling.

The multi-cartridge pen is exceptionally easy to assemble and operate. Any cartridge may be replaced by simply depressing the corresponding latch from upper catch opening 40, which frees the plunger, cartridge, and associated spring.

The clip 56 may be molded to the one-piece barrel when forming the same.

I have thus described my invention, but I desire it understood that it is not confined to the particular forms or uses shown and described, the same being merely illustrative, and that the invention may be carried out in other ways without departing from the spirit of my invention, and therefore I claim the right to employ all equivalent instrumentalities coming within the scope of the appended claim, and by means of which objects of my invention are obtained and new results accomplished.

I claim:

A multi-cartridge ball point pen comprising a one piece pen body forming a combined cap and barrel having an opening at one end for allowing a single cartridge to project therethrough, and a mouth at the other end; said pen body having a transverse body seat intermediate said mouth and opening, a transversely extending spacer positioned Within the body and on said transverse body seat, and having a separator extending longitudinally from the spacer, said spacer provided with transverse seats, a cartridge and surrounding spring associated with each spacer seat, with the spring reacting against the spacer seat and its associated cartridge to tend to drive the cartridge in a direction out of the mouth of the body, and locking means including a plunger engaging each cartridge and cooperating means on the body for holding the cartridge in either a project or retract position, said locking means additionally holding the spacer against the transverse body seat, said body mouth being Wide enough to enable the insertion therethrough of the spacer, car- 4 tridges, springs and plunger, said separator extending between said plungers when the plungers are in the project position, and when the plungers are in the retract position.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,790,422 Grurnbach Apr. 30, 1957 FOREIGN PATENTS 69,155 France May 27, 1958 (1st addition to No. 1,109,615) y 217,896 Austria Sept. 9, 1960 1,2l6,48l France Nov. 30, 1959 1,229,397 France Mar. 2l, 1960