WO1997001451A1

WO1997001451A1 - Combined pocket rule and writing instrument

Info

Publication number: WO1997001451A1
Application number: PCT/US1996/010913
Authority: WO
Inventors: David Jon Morrison
Original assignee: David Jon Morrison
Priority date: 1995-06-28
Filing date: 1996-06-26
Publication date: 1997-01-16

Abstract

This invention is a pocket or purse size device combining the features and uses of a writing instrument (12), a triangular rules scale and a straightedge (22), and having flat surfaces upon which a logo, advertising or similar material may be affixed. The device has a triangular outer sleeve, which may be integral with the writing instrument (12), or the sleeve may be removable from the writing instrument (12). The writing instrument (12) may be a ball point pen, pencil, mechanical pencil or similar writing tool. The triangular sleeve has features similar to an architect's or engineer's ruler. The sleeve may be used in place or removable from the writing instrument (12) for use as a ruler or straightedge (22). A logo or other material may be affixed to a surface of the triangular sleeve or to a surface of a cap (25) for the device.

Description

COMBINED POCKET RULE AND WRITING INSTRUMENT

Inventor: David Jon Morrison

The present application claims the benefit of prior filed Provisional Application, serial number 60/000,862, filed 28 June 1995 by David Jon Morrison to which the present application is a regular U.S. national application.

Field ofthe Invention The present invention is in the field of personal writing instruments, ruled scales and straight edges and advertising devices. More specifically, the present invention is in the field of pocket devices having the combined utility of a writing instrument, ruled scale, straight edge and pocket advertising device. Background

There are a wide variety of personal writing instruments and pocket rulers available on the market today. Such large variety is indicative ofthe great demand for alternative devices in the nature of writing instruments and pocket rulers. Given the multiplicity of choices available to the consumer, it is difficult to predict what combination of utility, style and personal preference drive the public need for such devices.

Personal writing instruments are available in a vast variety of choices. There are even personal writing instruments available that have a combination of utilities, such as a ball point pen combined with a telescoping pointer and even a ball point pen combined with an air pump for inflating air cushion shoes. And certainly the combination of pencils, pens and mechanical pencils that carry an advertising logo or similar label are extremely plentiful. Generally however, utility as an overt advertising platform is not a motivating design consideration in the initial crafting of a writing instrument, and such labeling is a post-production add-on or adaptation.

Pocket rulers are also currently available in a number of configurations varying from flat stick rulers to metal calibers. These can be found with or with out pocket clips and bearing a variety of different length scale. However, the availability of pocket rulers having a combination of utilities is apparently limited. Even the combination of pocket rulers with overt advertising utility appears to under exploited.

There does not appear to be a device or a sufficient selection of devices available that are designed to combine the different utilities of a personal writing instrument, a triangular pocket ruler, a straight-edge and an advertising platform in a single device. Summary

An object of this invention is a pocket device which may be conveniently carried in a shirt pocket, in a purse or in a similar manner. The present invention has the elements and combined utility of two or more separate pocket devices in a single device, and comprises a writing instrument component such as a pencil, a pen, or a mechanical pencil, and a hollow triangular sleeve for containing and handling the writing instrument when using it as a writing tool, and for use a ruler, a straight edge and a surface for affixing a label for advertising. Features embodied in this object ofthe invention include the writing instrument having a body with the features of a writing tool such as a reservoir or similar feature for containing a supply of ink or pencil lead and a mechanism of some kind (if required) for delivering the ink or lead to the writing head ofthe instrument, and the writing head itself. The writing head includes those features of a writing instrument by which the content the reservoir are presented for application to a writing surface. Such features include the ball & socket of a ball point pen, the nib of an ink or wet pen, and the lead holder of a pencil.

An object ofthe present invention is a triangular sleeve having a hollow core with at least one open end. The outer surface ofthe triangular sleeve has one or more linear scales affixed adjacent to its edges, allowing the sleeve to be used as a ruler as well as a straight edge. Into an open end ofthe triangular sleeve, the body of a writing instrument is inserted and retained within the hollow core ofthe sleeve, with the writing head protruding from the end ofthe sleeve. It is a feature of this object that the writing instrument and triangular sleeve together form a substantially integral combination. Such an integral combination may be accomplished by joining the separate elements by molding them together, or by such means as a friction fit, a detente, screw threads, use of an adhesive and a number of other means discernable to one of ordinary skill in the art. It is also a feature of this object that the writing instrument and the triangular sleeve are combinable to form a combination device ofthe present invention by sliding the body of a writing instrument into the hollow ofthe triangular sleeve and the combination being retained in place. And further that the sleeve and writing instrument are detachable and independently usable on their own as a separate writing instrument and a separate ruled scale/straight edge. Aspects of this feature include retaining means such as a friction fit, a detente, screw threads, and a number of other means discernable to one of ordinary skill in the art. The triangular cross-section facilitates holding and using the device as a writing instrument. Further, the triangular cross- section increases the utility ofthe device as a ruler/scale by providing three surfaces upon which scales, rules or other information may be presented, such as is accomplished with an architect's or engineer's ruler.

Another object ofthe present invention to provide an interest catching and personally useful advertising platform. A feature of this object is a pocket rule having three sides and three straight edges with linear scales affixed adjacent to its edges, and the ability to affix a logo, advertising, name or other information to a side ofthe triangular sleeve. An additional feature of this object is a cap which includes a flat surface on which a logo, name or similar advertising label may be affixed. Preferably, the surface is relatively large for ease of reading, which may be accomplished by having a large pocket tab on the cap which would facilitate reading ofthe label by others even when the device was capped and stored in one's shirt pocket. Such information may be affixed integrally to the cap or sleeve, i.e., printed or embossed, or it may be affixed by means of adhering a separate label.

A further object ofthe present invention is a separate triangular sleeve having all ofthe feature described above for a triangular sleeve. An advantage of this triangular sleeve is that it may be installed on an existing separate writing instrument, and accomplish all ofthe objects and advantages in such combination as is described above for the present invention. This may be accomplished by sliding the triangular tube sleeve over the body of a separate writing instrument such as a pen, pencil or mechanical pencil.

A specific object ofthe present invention is a combination of a straight-edge pocket rule with a writing instrument. A feature ofthe combination is a pocket rule that is triangular in cross-section, having three straight edges each with multiple scales integral thereto. A further aspect ofthe pocket rule feature is a surface to wliich an advertising label can be affixed. Another feature ofthe combination is a writing instrument, which can be a ball point pen, mechanical pencil, wet pen or similar instrument. Further aspects ofthe writing instrument are that it can be replaceable when expended, retractable when not in use, and can be very flexible.

The combination of present invention has advantages over separate pocket writing instruments and rulers of having less bulk, saving space and being more convenient to carry, and providing an alternative device to those who would seek it. Other and further objects, advantages and features will be apparent to the skilled artisan from the following description ofthe presently preferred embodiments ofthe invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description ofthe Drawings

Fig.1 : View showing a preferred embodiment ofthe present invention as a combination triangular ruler/scale and ball pen pocket device.

Fig. 2: View showing the first of three sides of a preferred embodiment ofthe present invention, and a variety of scaling on a six-inch rule. Fig. 3: View showing the second of three sides of a preferred embodiment ofthe present invention

Fig. 4: View showing the third of three sides of a preferred embodiment ofthe present invention

Fig. 5: View through the longitudinal axis ofthe embodiment from the writing head.

Fig. 6: View through the longitudinal axis ofthe embodiment from the end opposite the writing head.

Fig.7: Schematic showing the physical relationship ofthe sleeve, writing head and cap ofthe device.

Fig. 8: View of an embodiment showing the device having a flat side for presentation of a logo, drawing or other information, and a label for affixing such information as an altemative to printing it directly on the device.

Fig. 9: View of an embodiment ofthe device showing a triangular cap with a large flat side for affixing and presenting a logo, drawing, advertising label or other information.

Fig. 10: View of an altemative preferred embodiment showing the present invention as comprising a sleeve that is removably installable over the barrel of a separate writing instrument. This permits the rule and straight-edge elements ofthe invention to be used independently from the writing instrument, and to be recombined for storage or personal transport.

Drawings are not necessarily to scale. Some features may be exaggerated, distorted or omitted from a particular drawing for the purpose of clarity. Detailed Description of the Invention

The present invention is described herein for the purposes of illustration only.

It is understood that various substitutions and modifications may be made to the invention without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe invention. In view ofthe drawings and instant disclosure, it will be apparent that one skilled in the art will conceive of other embodiments that are within the scope and object ofthe present invention.

Preferred Embodiments

Figures 1 to 7 show a preferred embodiment ofthe device. The present invention has a sleeve 11 which is triangular in cross-section and of sufficient length to accommodate the desired scale or mle and to fit the hand for use as a writing tool. The sleeve 11 has a hollow core 15 along its length, which core opens to one or both ends of sleeve 11. The writing instmment 12 comprises a writing head 20 and a reservoir 21. Reservoir 21 is accommodated within the space created by the hollow core 15 of sleeve 11. The writing instmment 12 may be held in place in the hollow core 15 by friction, by an adhesive, by a detente, by threading the writing instmment

12 into the hollow core 15 of sleeve 11 or by other means known to the skilled artisan. The writing head 20 protmdes from an opening in one end of sleeve 11 sufficiently to use the device as a writing tool. The writing head 20 is coverable by cap

13 to protect the writing head 20 when it is not in use. Cap 13 is removable and is held in place by friction, a detente, screw threads or another means known to the skilled artisan.

Figure 1 shows a preferred embodiment ofthe present invention as a combination ruler/scale and ball pen pocket device configured to have a triangular cross section and multiple mled surfaces. Figures 2, 3 & 4 show three sides of a preferred embodiment ofthe present invention, and a variety of scaling on a six-inch mle, however, any appropriate length and any system of scaling can be used. Other scaling systems include the metric system for example. Figure 5 shows a view through the longitudinal axis ofthe embodiment from the writing head 20. Figure 6 shows a view through the longitudinal axis ofthe embodiment from the end opposite the writing head.

Figure 7 is a schematic showing the physical relationship ofthe sleeve 11, writing head 20 and cap 13 ofthe device. As shown in Figure 7, triangular sleeve 11 has an opening at one end which is continuous with its hollow core 15. Reservoir 21 ofthe ball pen writing instrument 12 is received into the space ofthe hollow core 15 through the opening at one end of sleeve 11 as indicated in the figure. Writing instmment 12 is inserted into the hollow core space of sleeve 11 until writing head 20 contacts the end of sleeve 11. Writing instmment 12 is held in this position relative to sleeve 11 by a means such as an adhesive, fiiction fit, a detente, screw threads or the like. Cap 13 then removably attaches to the combination of sleeve 11 and writing instmment 12 to cover writing head 20 when the writing instmment feature ofthe invention is not in use. Means for removably attaching cap 13 are described elsewhere herein and are known to one skilled in the art.

Figure 8 shows an altemative embodiment ofthe device as having at least one flat side for presentation of a logo, drawing or other information, and a label 14 for affixing such information as an altemative to printing it directly on the device. Label 14 can be produced separately from sleeve 11 and subsequently affixed to sleeve 11. An example ofthe utility of this feature ofthe present invention is that a user or purchaser ofthe device can inexpensively display their own message/logo on the device, without the cost of customizing the production of sleeve 11. A similar utility may be accomplished using label surface 29 of label cap 25 (see Figure 9). An alternative ofthe preferred embodiment is shown in Figure 9, which includes a hollow tubular sleeve 22 having a triangular outer cross-section and open at at least one end; a retainer barrel 23 which has a through bore for accepting a ball point pen reservoir, a stepped outer circumference and a sleeve stop 26; and a ball point pen writing instmment 12 having a writing head 20 and a reservoir 21. The components may be assembled into a complete device by inserting the smaller circumference ofthe retainer barrel 23 into the open end ofthe tubular sleeve 22 until the end of sleeve 22 rests against the sleeve stop 26 ofthe barrel 23. The barrel 23 is held in place in sleeve 22 in this embodiment by a friction fit. However, any ofthe holding means described herein or as known to one of ordinary skill in the art as suitable for this purpose may be employed. The ballpoint pen writing instmment 12 is inserted, reservoir 21 end first, through the bore of retainer barrel 23 and into the hollow of tubular sleeve 22 until the retainer barrel 23 engages the stop 19 on writing head 20. Finally, label cap 25 may be inserted over the writing head end ofthe assembled device to cover writing head 20 when not in use. Further, when label cap 25 is in place on the assembled device, the device may be secured in a shirt pocket by means of pocket clip 24. When secured in this manner, the label surface 29 of label cap 25 is viewable from the front of a shirt pocket.

In another prefeπed embodiment ofthe present invention shown in Figure 10, a writing instmment 31, here a mechanical pencil, and a triangular tube sleeve 32 are combinable into a single unit and are separable for independent use. Triangular tube sleeve 32 is analogous to other sleeves described herein regarding its mler, straight¬ edge and label features. However, in this embodiment, triangular tube sleeve 32 has a hollow core 15 having an interior cross-section sufficient to receive writing instmment 31 and retain it by a friction fit. Further, triangular tube sleeve 32 has a notch 34 at one end in one of it sides for receiving pocket clip 33 of mechanical pencil 31.

To configure these components as a combination device, the writing head 20 of writing instmment 31 is inserted into the notch 34 end of triangular tube sleeve 32. The tongue of pocket clip 33 of writing instmment 31 is aligned with notch 34 in the triangular tube sleeve 32, and the writing instmment 31 is inserted into triangular tube sleeve 32 until pocket clip 33 is fully engaged in notch 34. The writing instmment 31 is held in place within the triangular tube sleeve 32 by friction sufficient for the combination's use as a writing tool. In this configuration, the device may be used as a combination tool, and pencil lead may be fed to the writing head 20 by pushing the feed mechanism button 35.

Triangular tube sleeve 32 and writing instmment 31 may be separated by reversing the process and pulling writing instmment 31 from sleeve 32. When separated, the triangular tube sleeve 32 may be used as a mler/straight-edge for writing instrument 31 to draw against.

A further alternative embodiment is an articulating ruler/scale in combination with a ball pen. For an articulating ruler/scale, the sleeve is capable of being flexed to provide a variable curved mle in combination with a writing instmment. The sleeve comprises a helix or coil made of a resilient and/or malleable material having or not having memory. Spring steel and latex plastic are suitable materials. The helix encloses a writing instmment having a flexible reservoir.

In a preferred embodiment, the shape ofthe helix is triangular. The outer surface of the helix coil is flat. This may be accomplished by having the coil material ofthe helix rectangular in cross-section. This gives the triangular shaped helix the advantage of flat surfaces with ruled straightedges for making measurements against. Additionally, the advantage of a triangular grip cross-section is maintained for the writing instmment feature ofthe invention. A feature of this embodiment is that the thickness ofthe coil material as a part ofthe flat surface ofthe mler sleeve can be chosen to match the divisions on the desired scale. Thus, the scale markings can be represented by a whole number of individual coils.

The scaling is presented on the outer exposed surface ofthe rums ofthe helix. The device is curved by the user to conform with the line or surface to be measured, and the scaling is read from the inside radius ofthe device. A helix made of spring steel must be held in place to be read, as it has memory and will retum to its original configuration. A helix made of a malleable material may not have memory and will retain the shape established in the measurement process and does not have to be held in place to be read.

One skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the present invention is well adapted to carry out the objects and obtain the advantages mentioned, as well as those inherent therein. The examples and altematives described herein are presently representative of preferred embodiments, but are exemplary only, and are not intended as limitations on the scope ofthe invention. Changes therein and other uses will occur to those skilled in the art, which are encompassed within the spirit ofthe invention or defined by the scope of this disclosure.

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

Claims

1. A device comprising: a writing instmment component; and a triangular sleeve component for containing and handling the writing instmment.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the writing instmment component is selected from the group consisting of a pencil, a pen, and a mechanical pencil.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein the triangular sleeve component is a hollow tube having at least one open end.

4. The writing instmment component of claim 1 comprising : a body having the features of a writing instmment which includes a reservoir for containing a supply of writing material and any mechanism for delivering the writing material to a writing head; and a writing head for presenting the content the reservoir for application to a writing surface.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein the triangular sleeve is hollow having at least one open end, into which open end the writing instmment is inserted so that the body ofthe writing instmment is substantially retained within the hollow ofthe sleeve with the writing head protmding from the end ofthe sleeve; and the writing instmment and triangular sleeve forming a substantially integral combination.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein the writing instmment and the triangular sleeve are separate components combinable to form a combination device by sliding the the writing instrument into the hollow ofthe triangular sleeve and the combination being retained in place by a retaining means.

7. The device of claim 7 further comprising a means of removably retaining the writing instmment inside ofthe triangular sleeve.

8. The device of claim 7 wherein the retaining means is selected from the group consisting of friction, a detente, and screw threads.

9. The device of claim 1 further comprising a cap.

10. The device of claim 9 wherein the cap includes a flat surface on which a label may be affixed.

11. The device of claim 9 wherein the cap includes a pocket clip having a flat surface on which a label may be affixed.

12. The triangular sleeve of claim 3 comprising a pocket mle having three sides and three straight edges with linear scales affixed adjacent to an edge.

13. The triangular sleeve of claim 3 wherein a separate label is attachable to a side.

14. A device comprising the triangular sleeve of claim 1.

15. A device comprising the triangular sleeve of claim 3.