Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B43—WRITING OR DRAWING IMPLEMENTS; BUREAU ACCESSORIES
  • B43K—IMPLEMENTS FOR WRITING OR DRAWING
  • B43K7/00—Ball-point pens

Definitions

• the present invention relates to an instrument having a working point which is applied to a surface, and more particularly to a manually manipulated instrument wherein there is a preferred orientation of the working point during the instrument's use.
• Various instruments having a point which is applied to a surface are available on the market. These instruments include, but are not limited to, writing systems, such as fountain pens, ballpoint pens, as well as correction fluid applicators and the like.
• the writing instruments as a general rule, comprise a writing tip or point which extends from the barrel containing the ink supply, the instrument being held in the hand of the user during the writing process.
• the writing tips are known to function more effectively if retained in a perpendicular position relative to the surface being written on.
• the writing instrument is not applied vertically during the writing process, but is inclined to the writing surface by the user at an angle which is generally in the vicinity of 60° to the writing surface.
• the point or ball- carrying portion of the ballpoint pen be oriented such that it extends at an angle to the axis of the writing instrument barrel to compensate for the tilting of the barrel during the writing process.
• a pen which is typical of this type of instrument is shown and described in U.S. Patent No. 5,012,663, issued to Robert L. Brown and assigned to the assignee of the present invention.
• an object of the present invention to provide a writing instrument wherein the point extends at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the barrel wherein proper orientation of the point to the writing surface is ensured.
• Another object of the invention is to provide a writing instrument of the type set forth above which provides proper orientation of the point to the writing surface prior to the start of the writing process.
• a further object of the invention is to provide a writing instrument of the type set forth above, wherein the proper orientation of the point to a writing surface is retained during the writing process.
• Another object of the invention is to provide a writing instrument of thee above type, wherein the point is rotatable relative to the barrel but remains fixed relative to the barrel during the writing process.
• Yet another object of the invention is to provide a writing instrument of the type set forth above which is simple in construction and easily manufactured.
• a manually manipulated instrument comprising an elongated tubular barrel member having a longitudinal axis.
• a working point for application to a surface is at the forward end of the barrel, and the point is mounted for rotation and axial movement relative to the barrel longitudinal axis.
• a gripping structure is disposed between the working point and the tubular barrel, along the longitudinal axis, for impeding rotation of the working point with the working point in its rearwardmost position.
• the instrument may be a writing instrument having an elongated tubular barrel member with a longitudinal axis and a writing point mounted on one end of the barrel.
• the point may be disposed at an angle with respect to the barrel longitudinal axis and mounted for rotation about the longitudinal axis.
• the writing instrument may be in the form of a ballpoint pen, in which instance the point comprises a writing ball.
• the longitudinal axis is generally disposed at the centerline of the elongated tubular barrel and the instrument may further include an elongated member mounted for rotation in the elongated tubular barrel, in which case the point is fixed to the elongated member for rotation with the member.
• Both the tubular barrel and the elongated member are preferably cylindrical in shape, and the elongated member may comprise an ink cartridge when the writing instrument is a pen.
• the elongated member comprises a weight portion disposed on the elongated member on the opposite side of the longitudinal axis from that of the point.
• a writing instrument has an elongated barrel member, a writing point mounted at the forward end of the barrel, the point being disposed at an angle with respect to the barrel longitudinal axis and is mounted for free rotation about and axial movement along the barrel longitudinal axis, relative to the barrel.
• a gripping structure is disposed between the barrel and the writing point along the longitudinal axis for impeding rotation of the writing point when the writing point is in its rearwardmost position along the longitudinal axis.
• the gripping structure generally comprises a rearwardly facing shoulder on the elongated member on which the point is fixed, and a forwardly facing surface on the elongated barrel, the surfaces being in space relation one with the other when the writing point is disposed at a forward location along the longi- tudinal axis, and in contact one with the other when the writing point is disposed at a rearward position along the longitudinal axis.
• At least one of the surfaces is of a frictional material and may be located either adjacent the forward end of the writing instrument, or adjacent the rearward end of the writing instrument.
• the frictional material is generally disposed on the elongated barrel and m ⁇ y be in the form of an O-ring of resilient frictional material.
• Figure 1 is a side elevational view, partially in section, showing a ballpoint pen constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention
• Figure 2 is a side elevational view, similar to Figure 1 , showing an alternate embodiment of the structure of Figure 1
• Figure 3 is a diagrammatic view showing the ballpoint pen of Figures 1 or 2 during the writing process
• Figures 4 and 5 are schematic representations of the ballpoint pen of Figure 3, as viewed from the point end of the pen.
• Figure 6 is a side elevational view, partially in section, showing an alternate embodiment of the ballpoint pen of Figure 2, providing for locking of the writing point during the writing process;
• Figure 7 is a view taken within the dash lines at the forward portion of the structure of Figure 6, showing details of the structure of Figure 6 shown on an enlarged scale for clarity;
• Figure 8 is a view taken within the dash lines near the rear portion of the structure of Figure 6 shown on an enlarged scale for clarity;
• Figure 9 is a side elevational view, partially in section, showing an alternate embodiment of the ballpoint pen of Figure 6, showing other structure for locking the writing point during the writing process;
• Figure 10 is a view taken within the dash lines at the forward portion of the structure of Figure 9, showing details of the structure of Figure 9 shown on an enlarged scale for clarity;
• Figure 11 is a view taken within the dash lines near the center portion of the structure of Figure 9, further showing details of the structure of Figure 9 shown on an enlarged scale for clarity.
• a writing instrument in the form of a ballpoint pen 10 comprising an outer member or barrel 12 which is cylindrical in form, having a longitudinal axis BC.
• the barrel 12 is open at the forward end and has a cap 14 provided at the rearwardmost end to enclose that end of the cylindrical body.
• a cylindrical bearing member 16 having a conical bearing surface 18 is mounted on the inner surface of the cap 14 and extends along the longitudinal axis BC, on which the tip of the conical surface 18 is located.
• a cylindrical bearing 20 having an inner bearing surface 21 is fixed to the inner portion of the barrel 12 adjacent the forward end of the barrel.
• An elongated cylindrical member 22 is mounted for rotation within the barrel 12 providing a sliding fit within the bearing surface 21 and having a conical recess 24 formed in the rearward surface thereof for mating engagement with the bearing surface 18 adjacent the rear of the barrel 12.
• a writing tip 26 At the forward end of the elongated cylindrical member 22 there is mounted a writing tip 26 the tip being fixed to the outer surface of the cylindrical member, but in spaced relation to the inner surface of the barrel 12 such that the tip is free to rotate with the cylindrical member 22, within the barrel 12.
• a writing element in the form of a cone- shaped point 28 is mounted at the forward end of the writing tip 26, the cone- shaped writing element having a centerline NC disposed at an angle to the longitudinal axis BC of the barrel 12.
• a ball 30 which may be of any type well known in the art is provided at the forward end of the point 28, the ball being disposed on the centerline NC and spaced a distance D from the longitudinal axis BC.
• An ink supply for the ball 30 is provided by an ink cartridge 32 which may be a replaceable element received in the elongated cylindrical member, or in the instance of a disposable pen, may be integral with the cylindrical member 22.
• the distance D between the ball 30 and the longitudinal axis BC is between 0.01 inch and 0.10 inch, while the angle between the centerline NC of the point 28 is generally in the area of 30°, but may be between 20° and 40°.
• the ballpoint pen 10 of Figure 1 is depicted in positions assumed during the writing process.
• the ballpoint pen 10 is positioned by the user relative to a writing surface S at an angle X from the perpendicular, as the ball 30 contacts the writing surface.
• the elongated cylindrical member 22 may be at a position wherein the point 28 is not in its neutral position (that is, the position wherein the centerline NC of the conical point is at right angles to the surface S), but is offset at an angle Y.
• the restoring torque T is equal to D which is the distance of the ball 30 from the longitudinal axis BC of the barrel 12, times the perpendicular force F times the sine of angle X times the sine of angle Y; or
• FIG 2 an alternate embodiment of the invention is shown wherein all elements as described above are indicated by like reference numerals to those of the embodiment shown in Figure 1.
• a plurality of weights 34, 35 and 36 are affixed to the outer surface of the cylindrical member 22.
• the weights 34, 25 and 36 are disposed on the surface of the cylindrical member 22 and positioned 180° from the ball 30 about the longitudinal axis BC.
• the weights 34, 35 and 36 retain the ball 30 above the longitudinal axis BC when the longitudinal axis is horizontally disposed, or at an acute angle to the writing surface.
• a variety of torque forces may be present on a particular writing instrument. These torques may include, but are not limited to, wobble torque (impact by change of direction during writing), dampening torque (impact by bearing friction), and, as in the structure of Figure 2, torque imparted by weights.
• a pen 100 comprises a barrel 112 having an end cap 114 and a bearing 116 having a conical bearing surface 118, disposed at the rear thereof.
• a cylindrical bearing 120 having a bearing surface 121, which serve to support a cylindrical member 122 in the radial direction.
• the elongated cylindrical member 122 has a conical recess 124 at its rearward end, the conical recess 124 being formed in spaced relation with a magnet 125, affixed to the cylindrical member 122.
• the pen 100 is similar to previous embodiments in that it comprises, at the forward end, a writing tip 126 having a cone-shaped point 128 supporting a rotatable ball 130, and an ink cartridge 132.
• a weight 134 is provided at one side of the cylindrical member 122, which weight serves to function in a similar manner as previously described with regard to weights 34, 35 and 36 on the embodiment of Figure 2.
• a rearwardly facing surface 140 is disposed on the portion of the writing tip which is affixed to the cylindrical member 122.
• a forwardly facing shoulder 142 having an O-ring 144 mounted thereon, is formed on the barrel 112 at the forward end of the pen 100, in facing relation with the shoulder 140.
• the O-ring 144 is of a resilient material such as rubber and has a friction surface for contacting the surface 140.
• the bearing 116 is provided with a block 117 of magnetic material, and is mounted in a cylindrical stop member 146.
• the stop member 146 is in contact with a pad 148 which is formed of a slow-recovery foam, generally an open-cell type which after compression by the stop member 146 will slowly return to its at-rest state.
• the entire structure connected to the cylindrical member 122 moves rearwardly with a result that the rearwardly facing surface 140 is forced toward the forwardly facing surface 142, and the gripping member in the form of the O-ring 144 prevents further rotation of the cylindrical member 122 and its attached, related structure.
• the cylindrical stop member 146 which is slidably disposed in the barrel 112, moves rearwardly, compressing the pad 148.
• the pad 148 When the pen 100 is removed from the writing surface, the pad 148 recovers to its at-rest shape and is effective to move the cylindrical stop member 146 forward producing the gap G at the forward end of the barrel 112, and again allowing rotation of the cylindrical member 122 and the point 128.
• the contact of the O-ring 144 with the surface 140 is thus effective to eliminate rotation of the writing tip 126 during the writing process.
• FIG. 9 a further alternate embodiment of the invention is shown in a pen 200, wherein like members have been given the same reference numerals as those found in the structure of Figure 6.
• the gripping structure is not located in the forward half of a barrel 112' but rather in the rearward half of the barrel.
• a cylindrical stop block 204 which is affixed to the inner surface of the barrel 112' has a cylindrical bore 206 running through it at the centerline of the barrel 112.
• a cylindrical member 122 has an end block 208 with a rearwardly facing surface 210 in facing relationship with a forwardly facing surface 212 formed on the stop block 204.
• the rearwardly facing surface 210 contains the frictional material in the form of an O-ring 214 for contacting the forwardly facing surface 212.
• the cylindrical member 122 is free to move forwardly and rearwardly along the centerline of the barrel 112, but is restricted from forward movement by an attach pin 216 having a round ball 218 at one end thereof.
• a shaft 220 extends through the cylindrical bore 206 of the stop block 204 and is threadedly attached into the end block 208 of the cylindrical member 122.
• the shaft 220 is designed to maintain a running fit in the cylindrical bore 206, and the ball 218 provides a minimum contact between the attach pin 216 and the stop block 204 to ensure a minimum resistance to both rotation and axial movement of the cylindrical member 122.
• the gap G between the surfaces 210 and 212 will be produced by the user in pre-writing orientation of the pen 200, with the writing tip 126 in a conventional downward position.
• the surfaces 210 and 212 generally are being maintained separated over the gap G due to gravity, to an extent providing free rotation and axial movement of the cylindrical member 122.
• the cylindrical member 122 is caused to move rearwardly creating frictional contact between the O-ring 214 and the forwardly facing surface 212 to inhibit rotation of the cone-shaped point 128 and writing tip 126 during the writing operation.
• O-rings 144 and 214 have been shown as elements producing a gripping structure in the described embodiments, it should be understood that frictional, mechanical or other means may be employed for gripping purposes within the scope of the invention.
• instrument described herein is a pen of the ballpoint type
• present invention is equally applicable to other instruments having a working point applied to a surface, such as metal roller pens, gel ink pens, fountain pens, applicators for correction fluid, or the like.

Landscapes

• Pens And Brushes (AREA)
• Mechanical Pencils And Projecting And Retracting Systems Therefor, And Multi-System Writing Instruments (AREA)
• Facsimile Heads (AREA)
• Holo Graphy (AREA)
• Noodles (AREA)

Priority Applications (8)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=26851373

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (13)

Cited By (1)

Families Citing this family (3)

Citations (5)

Family Cites Families (30)

• 1998
  • 1998-09-22 EP EP98948392A patent/EP1023186B1/de not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 1998-09-22 JP JP2000512692A patent/JP2003525764A/ja active Pending
  • 1998-09-22 WO PCT/US1998/019679 patent/WO1999015342A1/en active IP Right Grant
  • 1998-09-22 AT AT98948392T patent/ATE218448T1/de not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 1998-09-22 DE DE69805830T patent/DE69805830T2/de not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 1998-09-22 PL PL98339135A patent/PL339135A1/xx unknown
  • 1998-09-22 CN CN03123537.9A patent/CN1259201C/zh not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 1998-09-22 AU AU94975/98A patent/AU745680B2/en not_active Ceased
  • 1998-09-22 BR BR9812510-9A patent/BR9812510A/pt not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 1998-09-22 CN CN98809477.0A patent/CN1113759C/zh not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 1998-09-22 CA CA002301710A patent/CA2301710C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 1998-09-22 TR TR2000/00751T patent/TR200000751T2/xx unknown
• 2002
  • 2002-05-16 US US10/147,595 patent/USRE38440E1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
• 2004
  • 2004-11-10 HK HK04108856A patent/HK1065984A1/xx not_active IP Right Cessation

Patent Citations (5)

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