US3583820A - Writing instruments - Google Patents

Writing instruments Download PDF

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Publication number
US3583820A
US3583820A US837582A US3583820DA US3583820A US 3583820 A US3583820 A US 3583820A US 837582 A US837582 A US 837582A US 3583820D A US3583820D A US 3583820DA US 3583820 A US3583820 A US 3583820A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
barrel
fingers
hood
cartridge
writing instrument
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
US837582A
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English (en)
Inventor
Harold E Koeln
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.)
PENN CORP
Original Assignee
PENN CORP
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
Application filed by PENN CORP filed Critical PENN CORP
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3583820A publication Critical patent/US3583820A/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
    • B43K7/00—Ball-point pens
    • B43K7/12—Ball-point pens with retractable ball points

Definitions

  • ABSTRACT A writing instrument having a barrel and an ink cartridge shiftably mounted in the barrel and provided at one end with a writing tip. At its end, the barrel has longitudinally extending fingers which close upon themselves and completely shield the writing tip when the cartridge is in its retracted position. A camming surface on he cartridge engages inwardly projecting shoulders on the fingers and spreads the fingers as the cartridge moves to its extended position. An elastomeric band assists in urging the fingers together.
  • a hood is mounted on the barrel and surrounds the fingers. The hood includes an opening to permit the extension of the writing tip.
  • This invention relates in general to writing instruments and, more particularly, to writing instruments having retractable marking tips.
  • Ballpoint pens having retractable writing points are commonplace and have been in use almost since the inception of the ballpoint pen itself. Since the rotatable ball in the point of a ballpoint pen is generally very small, the point itself requires little breadth to support it and consequently the hole or aperture in the end of the pen barrel through which the point projects need not be much larger than the point. Therefore, when the point is retracted into the pen barrel, the chance of the point contacting and staining nearby objects is remote. Nevertheless, after repeated use, ink and stray paper fibers tend to accumulate on the point and this accumulation is transferred to the surrounding margins of the barrel aperture as the writing tip is withdrawn. In time a relatively large deposit of ink and paper fiber accumulates on the pen barrel, thereby subjecting shirt and coat pockets, the interior of purses and other places where such pens are normally kept to permanent ink stains.
  • fiber tips being relatively flexible, would have an even greater tendency to deposit ink on the margins of the barrel apertures than is the case with conventional ballpoint pens. Also, the fiber tips of these pens function like a wick and, unless covered, the ink evaporates at an accelerated rate. Consequently, fiber tip markers of current manufacture do not employ retractable tips, but are, on the contrary, supplied .with removable protective covers similar to those used on fountain pens.
  • the present invention is a writing instrument having a barrel provided with an ink cartridge and writing point mounted on the end of the cartridge.
  • the barrel has at its end longitudinally extending fingers which close upon one another and substantially completely cover and protect the writing point when that point is retracted.
  • a hood is mounted on the barrel and surrounds the fingers so that the pen may be held without touching the fingers.
  • the hood has an opening positioned axially in front of the writing tip. When the point is extended, a portion of the cartridge engages the fingers and urges them apart, thereby allowing the point to project beyond the end of the barrel and through the opening in the hood for marking purposes.
  • the provision of a writing instrument in which the writing point retracts into and is completely shielded by the barrel the provision of the writing instrument in which the writing point is relatively broad, yet retracts into a slim tapered barrel; the provision of a writing instrument which does not leave a deposit of ink and paper fibers on the pen barrel after the point has been retracted numerous times; the provision of a writing instrument having spreadable fingers for protecting the writing tip, but also having a hood covering the fingers so that the instrument may be held without touching the fingers;
  • FIG. 1 is an elevational view of the writing instrument of the present invention
  • FIG. 2 is an end elevational view with the writing tip retracted
  • FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the writing instrument
  • FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 2;
  • FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to FIG. 4 but showing the writing tip extended beyond the end of the barrel.
  • 2 designates a writing instrument including a barrel 4, an end cap 6, and an ink cartridge 8 mounted for shiftable movement in barrel 4.
  • Barrel 4 is preferably molded from a somewhat flexible plastic and has a gently tapered tubular body portion 10 having a diametrally reduced threaded end portion 12 projecting axially from its upper end, reference being made to the position in which instrument 2 is normally held when writing on a horizontal surface.
  • body portion 10 is provided with three upwardly extending longitudinal slits 14 defining three longitudinally extending fingers 18 which taper inwardly to form a rounded nose portion 20 on barrel 4.
  • body portion 10 is undercut in the formation of a shallow circumferential recess 22.
  • an elastomeric band 24 which biases fingers 18 toward one another so that the edges forming slits 14 abut unless otherwise restricted.
  • an upwardly presented annular shoulder 25 Spaced slightly downwardly from threaded portion 12 is an upwardly presented annular shoulder 25.
  • the portion of barrel 4 running from shoulder 25 down to nose portion 20 is tapered radially inwardly.
  • Barrel 4 is provided with an internal axially extending bore 26 which extends through threaded end portion 12 and body portion 10. At its lower end, bore 26 tapers inwardly with the taper of body portion 10 and terminates at shoulder 28 located on the inwardly presented surfaces of fingers 18 substantially midway between their ends. Beyond shoulders 28,,
  • fingers 18 are relieved in the formation of an axially extending well 30 in body portion which opens upwardly into bore 26.
  • a tubelike hood 31 is constructed of metal and includes an aperture 32 at its lower end and an annular rim 33 at its upper end. Adjacent rim 33 are a plurality of longitudinally extending slots 34 which are positioned in a circular array around the circumference of hood 31. Hood 31 tapers smoothly radially inwardly from rim 33 to aperture 32. The diameter of the inner surface of rim 33 is approximately the same as the diameter of the outer surface of barrel 4 immediately above shoulder 25.
  • Hood 31 is secured to barrel 4 by sliding rim 33 upwardly over shoulder 25.
  • the diameter of shoulder 25 is slightly greater than the diameter of the inner surface of rim 33 so that rim 33 must be forced over shoulder 25.
  • Shoulder 25 is compressed slightly when rim 33 is forced over it.
  • shoulder 25 presses radially outwardly against the portion of hood 31 containing slots 34. This pressure causes shoulder 25 to distort in shape so that portions of it protrude within slots 34 and abut against the upper ends of slots 34, thereby rigidly attaching hood 31 to barrel 4 and holding hood 31 against both longitudinal and rotational movement with respect to barrel 4.
  • barrel 4 be constructed of a somewhat elastic material.
  • Soft plastic materials such as polyethylene, polypropylene, and butyrate have been found to have the requisite elasticity.
  • An example of such a material is the high density polyethylene, Ser. No. 3060, sold by Eastman Chemical Co.
  • hood 31 When hood 31 is attached to barrel 6 it surrounds and encloses fingers 18 with aperture 32 positioned axially in front of nose portion 20.
  • the tapering of hood 31 is less pronounced than the tapering of fingers l3 and nose portion 20 so that a space 35 is provided between the outer surfaces of fingers 18 and the inner surface of hood 31. Space 35 is sufficiently large to permit radial spreading of fingers 18 within hood 31.
  • ink cartridge 8 Mounted in bore 26 for limited axial shifting movement between extended and retracted positions is ink cartridge 8, including a tubular reservoir 36 having a tapered camming surface 37 at its lower end which merges into an axially extending diametrally reduced end portion 38 having a fiber marker 39 retained therein by mains of crimps. Fiber marker 39 projects axially beyond end portion 38 in the provision of a writing tip 40 which is disposed within well 30 of barrel 4 when cartridge 8 is in its retracted position.
  • Camming surface 37 is located adjacent shoulders 28 when cartridge 8 is in its retracted position (FIG. 1).
  • camming surface 37 with respect to writing tip 40 of marker 39 is such that when cartridge 8 is moved axially forward in barrel 4, camming surface 37 will engage shoulders 28 before tip 40 reaches the base or closed end of well 30. Moreover, the taper of camming surface 37 is such that continued advancement of cartridge 8 will cause camming surface 37 to spread fingers l8 sufficiently to allow writing tip 40 to project beyond the spread nose portion 20 on barrel 4 without being in contact or having ever contracted the internal surfaces of fingers 18 (FIG. When cartridge 3 is in its fully extended position, tip 40 extends outwardly through aperture 32 in hood 31.
  • Hood 31 protects fingers 18 to prevent dust or other foreign particles from preventing the full closure of fingers 18 when cartridge 8 moves to its retracted position.
  • Hood 3] also provides a smooth outer surface for the writing instruments so that it can be held comfortably during use. Hood 31 protects fingers 18 from being caught on objects or being pried open during use.
  • a plastic end plug 44 having a diametrally reduced operating stem 66 projecting axially therefrom.
  • Embracing reservoir 36 immediately downwardly from plug 44 is a restraining collar 48 and bearing against collar 48 is a coil spring 50 which also encircles reservoir 36.
  • coil spring 50 At its opposite end coil spring 50 bears against a ring 52 which rests on the upper rim of end portion 12 on barrel 6. Accordingly, spring 50 continually biases cartridge 8 to its retracted position.
  • Reservoir 36 is filled with a suitable ink composition which saturates fiber marker 39.
  • End cap 6 (FIG. 3) includes a body portion 60 having a downwardly opening lower bore 562 which receives the upper end of cartridge 8.
  • the walls defining the lower end of bore 62 are threaded for reception of threaded end portion 12 of barrel' t.
  • Shiftably mounted in the opposite end of end cap 6 is an actuating button 80, and interposed between stem 46 and button 80 is an actuating mechanism 90. Since actuating mechanism 90 is conventional, it is designated by dotted lines in FIG. 3. When button 80 is depressed, mechanism 90 will act upon stem 16 and shift cartridge 8 axially within bore 26 to its extended position.
  • mechanism 90 When cartridge 8 reaches its fully extended position, wherein writing tip 40 projects beyond nose portion and hood 31, mechanism 90 will engage cap 6 and maintain cartridge 8 in that position until button 80 is again depressed or mechanism 90 is otherwise disturbed. When this occurs, mechanism 90 will disengage itself from cap 6, and allow spring '50 to shift cartridge 8 back to its retracted position.
  • camming surface 37 will engage shoulders 28 and spread fingers 18 before writing tip 40 reaches the base of well 30 (FIG. 4).
  • camming surface 37 Immediately above camming surface 37 is a cylindrical surface 91.
  • shoulders 28 will ride up onto cylindrical surface 91, thereby maintaining fingers 18 in a spread condition (FIG. 5). Since fingers 18 are spread, tip 40 of marker 39 is free to shift outwardly between spread fingers 18 and projects beyond the extreme end or nose portion 20 on barrel 4 and through aperture 32 of hood 31.
  • button 60 is again pushed so that spring 50 will retract cartridge 8, the reverse sequence of operation occurs with elastomeric band 24 assisting the natural resiliency of the plastic in brining fingers 18 into snug closure.
  • This closure is sufficiently tight to prevent any appreciable evaporation of the ink from writing tip 40, thereby preventing fiber marker 39 from drying out through exposure. Furthermore, marker 39 is completely shielded so that objects coming in contact with the end of barrel 4 will not be stained with ink. Also, when cartridge 8 is moved into and retracted from its extended position, fingers 18 are maintained in spaced relation from writing tip 40 so that ink and paper fibers do not accumulate on them.
  • a writing instrument comprising a barrel having a bore extending longitudinally therethrough; a plurality of slits extending longitudinally inwardly from one end of said barrel, said slits defining a plurality of fingers which taper inwardly to form a nose portion at said one end of said barrel; said fingers having shoulders which protrude radially into said bore at a point between said one end of said barrel and the inner ends of said slits; said barrel, said fingers and said shoulders being of unitary construction; a cartridge shiftably mounted within said bore and including a writing tip and a camming surface; and a hood rigidly mounted on said barrel and surrounding said fingers, said hood having an opening in front of said nose portion; said cartridge being movable from a retracted position wherein its writing tip is within said barrel to an extended position wherein said writing tip protrudes axially beyond said fingers; said camming surface being positioned on said cartridge so that it engages said shoulders during movement of said cartridge to its extended position and spreads said fingers prior to the exit
  • a bias means is mounted on the outside of said barrel and engages the outer surfaces of said fingers to yieldably urge them radially inwardly.
  • hood is secured to said barrel at a point axially inwardly from said fingers and forms a smooth continuation of the outer surface of said barrel, said nose portion of said barrel being of reduced diameter with respect to the remainder of said barrel so that a space is formed between said nose portion and the inner surface of said hood.
  • Patent No. ,820 Dated June 8 lq7l Inventor(s) Harold L Koe l n It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

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  • Mechanical Pencils And Projecting And Retracting Systems Therefor, And Multi-System Writing Instruments (AREA)
  • Pens And Brushes (AREA)
US837582A 1969-06-30 1969-06-30 Writing instruments Expired - Lifetime US3583820A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US83758269A 1969-06-30 1969-06-30

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3583820A true US3583820A (en) 1971-06-08

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US837582A Expired - Lifetime US3583820A (en) 1969-06-30 1969-06-30 Writing instruments

Country Status (5)

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US (1) US3583820A (xx)
JP (1) JPS4946860B1 (xx)
DE (1) DE2012726A1 (xx)
FR (1) FR2039096A5 (xx)
GB (1) GB1238155A (xx)

Cited By (19)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4218154A (en) * 1978-06-26 1980-08-19 David Erfer Writing instrument with self-closure
US4544297A (en) * 1982-12-30 1985-10-01 S. T. Dupont Ball point pen venting
US4759650A (en) * 1987-02-09 1988-07-26 Dennison Manufacturing Company Retractable marking pen with tip protection mechanism
WO1989000925A1 (en) * 1987-07-27 1989-02-09 Rhoades Clark J Enclosure means for liquid applicators
US4911570A (en) * 1987-07-27 1990-03-27 Rhoades Clark J Enclosure means for liquid applicators
US5022773A (en) * 1990-03-30 1991-06-11 Richard Waldinger Retractable pen with self sealing writing tip opening
WO1999011471A2 (en) * 1997-09-03 1999-03-11 George Coon Retractable felt-tipped pen
US6033141A (en) * 1996-09-27 2000-03-07 Nottingham-Spirk Design Associates, Inc. Capless retractable sealed marking instruments
US20040042838A1 (en) * 2002-04-17 2004-03-04 Lewis Charles Richard Self-sealing retractable writing instrument
US7488130B2 (en) 2007-02-01 2009-02-10 Sanford, L.P. Seal assembly for retractable instrument
US20090136284A1 (en) * 2006-04-28 2009-05-28 Morris Corporation Slide Type Writing Tools Having Device for Prevent Dryness
US7850382B2 (en) 2007-01-18 2010-12-14 Sanford, L.P. Valve made from two materials and writing utensil with retractable tip incorporating same
US8221012B2 (en) 2008-11-07 2012-07-17 Sanford, L.P. Retractable instruments comprising a one-piece valve door actuating assembly
US8226312B2 (en) 2008-03-28 2012-07-24 Sanford, L.P. Valve door having a force directing component and retractable instruments comprising same
US8393814B2 (en) 2009-01-30 2013-03-12 Sanford, L.P. Retractable instrument having a two stage protraction/retraction sequence
CN113677539A (zh) * 2019-04-09 2021-11-19 三菱铅笔株式会社 书写工具用墨收容构件和书写工具
USD952041S1 (en) * 2019-10-30 2022-05-17 Shanghai Lees Manufacturing Co., Ltd. Pen
US20240042791A1 (en) * 2022-08-03 2024-02-08 SteadyScrib, LLC Writing system having magnetic writing tool and magnetic support surface therefor
US12122180B2 (en) * 2023-08-01 2024-10-22 SteadyScrib, LLC Writing system having magnetic writing tool and magnetic support surface therefor

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0121113B1 (en) * 1983-03-08 1990-10-10 Ancos Co., Ltd. Writing instrument

Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1063134A (en) * 1912-02-02 1913-05-27 Mordan And Company Ltd S Pencil-case and kindred instrument.
GB243110A (en) * 1924-09-11 1925-11-26 Leslie Roy Wade Improvements in or relating to pen covers
US1714965A (en) * 1926-07-26 1929-05-28 Walter V Ullner Fountain pen
US1839817A (en) * 1926-07-23 1932-01-05 Theodore D Walker Fountain pen
FR788722A (fr) * 1935-04-13 1935-10-15 Capuchon à tirage pour porte-plume à réservoir
US2111767A (en) * 1933-04-27 1938-03-22 Maurice Gimonet Cosmetic container
FR1424491A (fr) * 1964-12-01 1966-01-14 Dispositif à coquilles destiné à remplacer le capuchon des instruments à écrire

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1063134A (en) * 1912-02-02 1913-05-27 Mordan And Company Ltd S Pencil-case and kindred instrument.
GB243110A (en) * 1924-09-11 1925-11-26 Leslie Roy Wade Improvements in or relating to pen covers
US1839817A (en) * 1926-07-23 1932-01-05 Theodore D Walker Fountain pen
US1714965A (en) * 1926-07-26 1929-05-28 Walter V Ullner Fountain pen
US2111767A (en) * 1933-04-27 1938-03-22 Maurice Gimonet Cosmetic container
FR788722A (fr) * 1935-04-13 1935-10-15 Capuchon à tirage pour porte-plume à réservoir
FR1424491A (fr) * 1964-12-01 1966-01-14 Dispositif à coquilles destiné à remplacer le capuchon des instruments à écrire

Cited By (29)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4218154A (en) * 1978-06-26 1980-08-19 David Erfer Writing instrument with self-closure
US4544297A (en) * 1982-12-30 1985-10-01 S. T. Dupont Ball point pen venting
US4759650A (en) * 1987-02-09 1988-07-26 Dennison Manufacturing Company Retractable marking pen with tip protection mechanism
WO1989000925A1 (en) * 1987-07-27 1989-02-09 Rhoades Clark J Enclosure means for liquid applicators
US4911570A (en) * 1987-07-27 1990-03-27 Rhoades Clark J Enclosure means for liquid applicators
US5022773A (en) * 1990-03-30 1991-06-11 Richard Waldinger Retractable pen with self sealing writing tip opening
US6033141A (en) * 1996-09-27 2000-03-07 Nottingham-Spirk Design Associates, Inc. Capless retractable sealed marking instruments
WO1999011471A3 (en) * 1997-09-03 1999-10-28 George Coon Retractable felt-tipped pen
US6213661B1 (en) 1997-09-03 2001-04-10 George Coon Retractable felt-tipped pen
WO1999011471A2 (en) * 1997-09-03 1999-03-11 George Coon Retractable felt-tipped pen
US20040042838A1 (en) * 2002-04-17 2004-03-04 Lewis Charles Richard Self-sealing retractable writing instrument
US7059796B2 (en) 2002-04-17 2006-06-13 Avery Dennison Corporation Self-sealing retractable writing instrument
US8177447B2 (en) * 2006-04-28 2012-05-15 Morris Corporation Slide type writing tools having device for prevent dryness
US20090136284A1 (en) * 2006-04-28 2009-05-28 Morris Corporation Slide Type Writing Tools Having Device for Prevent Dryness
US8246265B2 (en) 2007-01-18 2012-08-21 Sanford, L.P. Valve made from two materials and writing utensil with retractable tip incorporating same
US7850382B2 (en) 2007-01-18 2010-12-14 Sanford, L.P. Valve made from two materials and writing utensil with retractable tip incorporating same
US7775734B2 (en) 2007-02-01 2010-08-17 Sanford L.P. Seal assembly for retractable instrument
US7488130B2 (en) 2007-02-01 2009-02-10 Sanford, L.P. Seal assembly for retractable instrument
US8226312B2 (en) 2008-03-28 2012-07-24 Sanford, L.P. Valve door having a force directing component and retractable instruments comprising same
US8221012B2 (en) 2008-11-07 2012-07-17 Sanford, L.P. Retractable instruments comprising a one-piece valve door actuating assembly
US8393814B2 (en) 2009-01-30 2013-03-12 Sanford, L.P. Retractable instrument having a two stage protraction/retraction sequence
US8568047B2 (en) 2009-01-30 2013-10-29 Sanford, L.P. Retractable instrument having a two stage protraction/retraction sequence
CN113677539A (zh) * 2019-04-09 2021-11-19 三菱铅笔株式会社 书写工具用墨收容构件和书写工具
US20220176728A1 (en) * 2019-04-09 2022-06-09 Mitsubishi Pencil Company, Limited Ink reservoir unit for writing instruments and writing instruments
US11679618B2 (en) * 2019-04-09 2023-06-20 Mitsubishi Pencil Company, Limited Ink reservoir unit for writing instruments and writing instruments
CN113677539B (zh) * 2019-04-09 2023-08-11 三菱铅笔株式会社 书写工具用墨收容构件和书写工具
USD952041S1 (en) * 2019-10-30 2022-05-17 Shanghai Lees Manufacturing Co., Ltd. Pen
US20240042791A1 (en) * 2022-08-03 2024-02-08 SteadyScrib, LLC Writing system having magnetic writing tool and magnetic support surface therefor
US12122180B2 (en) * 2023-08-01 2024-10-22 SteadyScrib, LLC Writing system having magnetic writing tool and magnetic support surface therefor

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB1238155A (xx) 1971-07-07
DE2012726A1 (de) 1971-02-04
JPS4946860B1 (xx) 1974-12-12
FR2039096A5 (xx) 1971-01-08

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