US3203402A - Mechanism for retractable writing instruments - Google Patents

Mechanism for retractable writing instruments Download PDF

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Publication number
US3203402A
US3203402A US152215A US15221561A US3203402A US 3203402 A US3203402 A US 3203402A US 152215 A US152215 A US 152215A US 15221561 A US15221561 A US 15221561A US 3203402 A US3203402 A US 3203402A
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
actuator
barrel
writing unit
opening
forwardly
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
US152215A
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English (en)
Inventor
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 NL280816D priority Critical patent/NL280816A/xx
Priority to NL121490D priority patent/NL121490C/xx
Application filed by Scripto Inc filed Critical Scripto Inc
Priority to US152215A priority patent/US3203402A/en
Priority to GB17145/62A priority patent/GB998321A/en
Priority to FR902964A priority patent/FR1327658A/fr
Priority to DES80518A priority patent/DE1253109B/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3203402A publication Critical patent/US3203402A/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 mechanism for alternately shifting a writing unit to and maintaining it at projected position and then returning it to retracted position upon successive manipulations of an actuator that is operably accessible at an opening located in the side of the barrel and wherein the actuator may include a pocket clip element which is in usual clipping position exteriorly of the barrel when the writing unit is retracted and which is displaced inwardly to an inoperative clipping position when the writing unit is projected.
  • the present invention is characterized by a single piece actuator, that may include a clip element, operably accessible at a lateral opening formed in the barrel of the writing instrument; and a camway disposed within the barrel that is responsive to a manual force applied to the actuator for shifting said actuator forward and inward an amount suflicient to project said writing unit and house said actuator within the barrel opening, for releasably latching said actuator to maintain said writing unit at its projected position, and for fulcruming said actuator when in latched engagement whereby inward movement of the unlatched end of said actuator disengages said actuator to allow retraction of the writing unit and return of the actuator to its previous position at the lateral barrel opening.
  • the writing instrument disclosed in the present invention has a minimum number of parts which reflect in economy of manufacture and satisfactory performance.
  • FIG. 1 is a side elevation, with portions in section, of a writing instrument incorporating the mechanism of the present invention and showing the writing unit at its retracted position and the clip element positioned exteriorly of the barrel;
  • FIG. 2 is a partial longitudinal section showing the mechanism in latched engagement for maintaining the writing unit at its projected position and the clip element housed within the barrel, and further illustrating the manner in which the actuator may be released to allow return of the writing unit from projected to retracted position;
  • FIG. 3 is a partial front elevation, with portions in section, of the barrel of the writing instrument showing the camway disposed therein;
  • FIG. 4 is an enlarged side elevation of the actuator of the present invention that in this embodiment includes a clip element and is shown removed from within the barrel of the writing instrument;
  • FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view of the actuator shown in FIG. 4.
  • FIGS. 1 through 5 of the drawings The embodiment of the writing instrument of the present invention, illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 5 of the drawings, has a barrel indicated generally by the reference numeral 10.
  • the barrel may be made of plastic and have a forward barrel portion 11 and a rear barrel portion 12.
  • FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 where the writing unit 13 is shown it has been broken away to better illustrate the components of the mechanism of the present invention.
  • the writing unit 13 is continuously biased rearwardly toward retracted position by a means, such as a coil spring 14, bottomed in the forward barrel portion 11 on shoulder 15, and bearing rearwardly therefrom against a shoulder 16 formed on the writing unit 13.
  • the forward and rear barrel portions 11 and 12 as shown here are arranged for assembly in a convenient manner such as by releasable threaded engagement at 1'7, intermediate the length of the writing instrument.
  • the rear barrel portion 12 is provided with a lateral barrel opening 18.
  • a continuous camway or ramp 20 having a forwardly inclined rear ramp portion 21 and intermediate ramp portion 22 that is formed parallel to the longitudinal axis of the writing instrument which provides a release fulcrum surface 23.
  • the camway or ramp 20 is further provided at its forward end with a forwardly inclined ramp portion 24 terminating in a rearwardly inclined barrel latch shoulder 25.
  • a forwardly inclined writing unit guide surface 28 Disposed between the center bore 26 and the terminal interior 37 of the barrel It is a forwardly inclined writing unit guide surface 28 formed adjacent camway 20.
  • the actuator may be made of plastic and formed with a longitudinally disposed main platform portion 31, which may incorporate a clip element 32.
  • the actuator 30 is further formed with a retaining tail 33 disposed at the rear thereof and a transverse writing unit stop 34 disposed intermediate the length of the main platform portion 31.
  • the forward portion of the actuator 39 is provided with a fin 35 that is laterally disposed on the main platform 31 for cooperation with camway 20 formed within the barrel 1.6.
  • the rear of the fin 35 terminates in a rearwardly inclined actuator latch shoulder 36, the innermost extremity of which is the forward follower 40 that cooperates with forward ramp portion 24.
  • the forward portion of fin 35 is formed with an inwardly inclined writing unit guide 37, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, for leading the writing unit into engagement with stop 34.
  • the rear follower R formed at the rear of actuator 30 cooperates with rear ramp portion 21.
  • Follower R is also the rocker point for releasing the actuator 30 from latched engagement by virtue of its rocking on the fulcrum surface 23.
  • a strengthening rib 38 Positioned between follower R and stop 34 of actuator 39 is a strengthening rib 38, and the forward portion of the main platform 31 has a longitudinal retaining shoulder 39 formed thereon.
  • the actuator 3% may be inserted for operation within the rear barrel portion 12 by slipping its forward end within lateral barrel opening 18 and allowing the retaining tail 33 to move under the rear extremity of the lateral barrel opening 18.
  • the writing unit is placed within forward barrel portion 11 and then the forward barrel portion 11 is joined to rear barrel portion 12.
  • the actuator 30 is held within the barrel by retaining tail 33 and retaining shoulder 39 abutting the inner surface of the barrel 10 and the most rearward position being determined when the rear of the main platform 31 of actuator 30 abuts the rear of lateral barrel opening 18.
  • the front of the actuator 30 carrying clip element 32 is stabilized against transverse inward movement by follower 40 resting on forward ramp portion 24.
  • a manual force is applied to the side of actuator 3t).
  • the camway 20 is responsive to that manual force by guiding rear follower R of the actuator 30 down the rear ramp portion 21 and the forward follower 40 down the forward ramp portion 24. While the rear follower R is still riding the rear ramp portion 21 the forward follower 40 has run oft the forward ramp portion 24 bringing the actuator latch shoulder 36 beneath the barrel latch shoulder 25 and upon release of the manual force the rearward force of biasing means 14 moves the actuator rearwardly until the actuator latch shoulder 36 engages the barrel latch shoulder 25 formed at the forward portion of the camway 20. The latched engagement is maintained by the rearwardly directed force of the biasing means 14.
  • the actuator 30 is shifted forwardly a distance sufiicient to project the Writing unit 13 and inwardly a distance sufiicient to house the actuator 30 within the lateral barrel opening so that the clip element 32 is in an inoperative clipping position.
  • a retractable writing instrument comprising a barrel having a lateral opening in the rear portion thereof, a writing unit slidably housed within said barrel for shifting between forwardly projected and rearwardly, retracted positions with respect to the forward end of said barrel, biasing means within said barrel urging said writing unit toward retracted position, an actuator disposed within said barrel at said barrel opening with its rearward end being manually operable thereat and having formed on the inner face thereof a rearwardly facing latch shoulder spaced forwardly from said manually operable end with a rocker edge positioned intermediate of said latch shoulder and said manually operable end of said actuator, said actuator including a clip element positioned on the outer face thereof, a stationary camway disposed within said barrel that responds to a manual force applied to said actuator for guiding said actuator thereon inwardly and forwardly an amount sufficient to project said writing unit and house said actuator within said lateral barrel opening so that said clip element is in an inoperative clipping position, stationary latch means positioned within said barrel for engaging said actuator latch shoulder and releasably latching said
  • a retractable writing instrument comprising a barrel having a lateral opening in the rear portion thereof, a writing unit slidably housed within said barrel for shifting between forwardly projected and rearwardly retracted positions with respect to the forward end of said barrel, biasing means within said barrel urging said writing unit toward retracted position, an actuator disposed within said barrel at said barrel opening with its rearward end being manually operable thereat and having formed on the inner face thereof a rcarwardly facing latch shoulder spaced forwardly from said manually operable end with a rocker edge positioned intermediate of said latch shoulder and said manually operable end of said actuator, said actuator including a clip element positioned on' the outer face thereof, stationary latch means positioned within said barrel for engaging said actuator latch shoulder and releasably latching said actuator to maintatin said writing unit at projected position, stationary means dis posed within said barrel that responds to a manual force applied to said actuator for guiding said actuator thereon inwardly and forwardly an amount sufficient to project said writing unit and house said actuator within said lateral barrel opening so that
  • a retractable writing instrument comprising a barrel having a lateral opening therein, a writing unit slidably housed within said barrel for shifting between forwardly projected and rearwardly retracted positions with respect to the forward end of said barrel, biasing means within said barrel urging said writing unit toward retracted position, an actuator disposed within said barrel at said barrel opening with its rearward end being manually operable thereat and having formed on the inner face thereof a rearwardly facing latch shoulder spaced forwardly from said manually operable end with a rocker edge positioned intermediate of said latch shoulder and said manually operable end of said actuator, said actuator including a clip element positioned on the outer face thereof, stationary latch means positioned within said barrel for engaging said actuator latch shoulder and releasably latching said actuator to maintain said writing unit at projected position, and stationary means disposed within said barrel that is responsive to a manual force applied to said actuator for guiding said actuator thereon inwardly and forwardly an amount sufficient to project said writing unit and house said actuator within said lateral barrel opening and for supporting said actuator rocker edge when said
  • a retractable writing instrument comprising a barrel having a lateral opening therein, a writing unit slid ably housed within said barrel for shifting between forwardly projected and rearwardly retracted positions with respect to the forward end of said barrel, biasing means' within said barrel urging said writing unit toward retracted position, an actuator disposed within said barrel at said barrel opening with its rearward end being manually operable thereat and having formed on the inner face thereof a rearwardly facing latch shoulder spaced forwardly from said manually operable end with a rocker edge positioned intermediate of said latch shoulder and said manually operable end of said actuator, and stationary means disposed within said barrel that is responsive to a manual force applied to said actuator for guiding said actuator thereon inwardly and forwardly an amount sufiicient to project said writing unit and house said actuator within said lateral barrel opening; for engaging said actuator latch shoulder and releasably latching said actuator to maintain said writing unit at projected position, and for supporting said actuator rocker edge when said actuator is in latched engagement whereby inward movement of said manually oper

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  • Mechanical Pencils And Projecting And Retracting Systems Therefor, And Multi-System Writing Instruments (AREA)
US152215A 1961-11-14 1961-11-14 Mechanism for retractable writing instruments Expired - Lifetime US3203402A (en)

Priority Applications (6)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
NL280816D NL280816A (es) 1961-11-14
NL121490D NL121490C (es) 1961-11-14
US152215A US3203402A (en) 1961-11-14 1961-11-14 Mechanism for retractable writing instruments
GB17145/62A GB998321A (en) 1961-11-14 1962-05-04 Improvements in and relating to writing instruments
FR902964A FR1327658A (fr) 1961-11-14 1962-07-04 Perfectionnements aux instruments pour écrire
DES80518A DE1253109B (de) 1961-11-14 1962-07-20 Schreibgeraet, insbesondere Kugelschreiber

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US152215A US3203402A (en) 1961-11-14 1961-11-14 Mechanism for retractable writing instruments

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3203402A true US3203402A (en) 1965-08-31

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ID=22541974

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US152215A Expired - Lifetime US3203402A (en) 1961-11-14 1961-11-14 Mechanism for retractable writing instruments

Country Status (4)

Country Link
US (1) US3203402A (es)
DE (1) DE1253109B (es)
GB (1) GB998321A (es)
NL (2) NL121490C (es)

Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3288114A (en) * 1963-04-27 1966-11-29 Jacob Ritter Kom Ges Fa Writing impelement
US3819283A (en) * 1972-06-05 1974-06-25 Pen Co Inc Writing instrument with projecting and retracting mechanism
US3825976A (en) * 1971-09-02 1974-07-30 L Moore Writing instrument
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
US4717275A (en) * 1986-06-20 1988-01-05 Burkhardt Jr Dietmar Writing instrument with a retractable clip
US4790678A (en) * 1986-06-25 1988-12-13 Pilot Ink Co., Ltd. Mechanism for extruding and retracting a writing member of a writing instrument
US20150336420A1 (en) * 2010-02-03 2015-11-26 The Pilot Ink Co., Ltd. Writing instrument
US11420316B2 (en) * 2018-06-08 2022-08-23 Nite Ize, Inc. Systems and methods for a multi-tool money clip

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2881736A (en) * 1958-05-01 1959-04-14 Columbia Pen & Pencil Co Inc Writing instrument construction
FR1226397A (fr) * 1958-06-11 1960-07-11 Faber Castell A W Porte-plume à bille à mine effaçable
FR1229397A (fr) * 1959-02-24 1960-09-06 Stylographe double avec pointes à bille à usage alternatif
US2988055A (en) * 1958-08-25 1961-06-13 Scripto Inc Clip actuated latch mechanism for retractable writing instruments
US3071112A (en) * 1960-07-19 1963-01-01 Scripto Inc Clip actuated latch mechanism for retractable writing instruments

Family Cites Families (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE1828338U (de) * 1960-08-04 1961-03-16 Jacob Ritter K G Schreibstift, insbesondere kugelschreiber.

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2881736A (en) * 1958-05-01 1959-04-14 Columbia Pen & Pencil Co Inc Writing instrument construction
FR1226397A (fr) * 1958-06-11 1960-07-11 Faber Castell A W Porte-plume à bille à mine effaçable
US3051131A (en) * 1958-06-11 1962-08-28 Faber Castell A W Retractable ball-point pen
US2988055A (en) * 1958-08-25 1961-06-13 Scripto Inc Clip actuated latch mechanism for retractable writing instruments
FR1229397A (fr) * 1959-02-24 1960-09-06 Stylographe double avec pointes à bille à usage alternatif
US3071112A (en) * 1960-07-19 1963-01-01 Scripto Inc Clip actuated latch mechanism for retractable writing instruments

Cited By (13)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3288114A (en) * 1963-04-27 1966-11-29 Jacob Ritter Kom Ges Fa Writing impelement
US3825976A (en) * 1971-09-02 1974-07-30 L Moore Writing instrument
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
US4717275A (en) * 1986-06-20 1988-01-05 Burkhardt Jr Dietmar Writing instrument with a retractable clip
US4790678A (en) * 1986-06-25 1988-12-13 Pilot Ink Co., Ltd. Mechanism for extruding and retracting a writing member of a writing instrument
US20150336420A1 (en) * 2010-02-03 2015-11-26 The Pilot Ink Co., Ltd. Writing instrument
US9844973B2 (en) * 2010-02-03 2017-12-19 Kabushiki Kaisha Pilot Corporation Writing instrument
US10493791B2 (en) 2010-02-03 2019-12-03 The Pilot Ink Co., Ltd. Writing instrument
US11179963B2 (en) 2010-02-03 2021-11-23 The Pilot Ink Co., Ltd. Writing instrument
US11738589B2 (en) 2010-02-03 2023-08-29 The Pilot Ink Co., Ltd. Writing instrument
US11420316B2 (en) * 2018-06-08 2022-08-23 Nite Ize, Inc. Systems and methods for a multi-tool money clip

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE1253109B (de) 1967-10-26
NL280816A (es)
GB998321A (en) 1965-07-14
NL121490C (es)

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