WO2003055693A2

WO2003055693A2 - Knock-type ball-point pen

Info

Publication number: WO2003055693A2
Application number: PCT/KR2002/002404
Authority: WO
Inventors: Taek-Soo Jang
Original assignee: Taek-Soo Jang
Priority date: 2001-12-21
Filing date: 2002-12-20
Publication date: 2003-07-10
Also published as: WO2003055693A3; AU2002359972A1; KR200272240Y1; KR20040066168A

Abstract

A knock-type ball-point pen includes a knock member ascending and descending by depressing force and elastic force, a rotational cam member ascending, descending and rotating by the knock member, and an ink cartridge disposed in a tube, the ink cartridge being provided with a ball tip that goes in and out of the tube in accordance with the ascending, descending and rotating motions of the rotational cam member. The rotational cam member includes a correcting liquid cartridge storing correcting liquid and a tip connected to the correcting liquid cartridge by a conduit. The knock member includes a cap coupled to the conduit.

Description

KNOCK-TYPE BALL-POINT PEN

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(a) Field of the invention The present invention relates to a knock-type ball-point pen and, more particularly, to a ball-point pen having a variety of functions such as erasing, correcting, and underlining as well as writing, thereby making it easy to use and carry.

(b) Description of the invention Generally, a knock-type ball-point pen comprises, as shown in FIG. 1 , an upper half tube 1 , a lower half tube 3, an elastic member 5, an ink cartridge 9 with a ball tip 7, a rotational cam member 11 , and a knock member 13.

The upper and lower half tubes 1 and 3 are screw-coupled to each other to define upper and lower portions of the knock-type ball-point pen in which the ink cartridge 9 is disposed.

The ink cartridge 9 is elastically supported by the elastic member 5 provided in the vicinity of a front-end opening 15 of the lower half tube 3. The front-end opening 15 is designed to prevent the ink cartridge 9 from advancing out of the lower half tube 3 but to allow the ball tip 7 to go in and out. The rotational cam member 11 is disposed between the ink cartridge 9 and the knock member 13 in the upper half tube 1 . Therefore, the rotational cam member 11 transmits depressing force of the knock member 13 to the ink cartridge 9 or transmits elastic force of the elastic member 5 to the ink cartridge 9.

The rotational cam member 11 , the knock member 13, and the upper half tube 1 are associated with each other such that the ball tip 7 can be located out of or in the lower half tube 3 in accordance with the depressing operation of the knock member 13.

That is, the upper half tube 1 is provided at its inner circumference with elevation grooves 17 and elevation projections 19 in its height direction. The knock member 13 is provided at its outer circumference with a projection 21 that is coupled to the elevation groove 17. Accordingly, the knock member 13 is to go in and out of in the longitudinal direction of the knock-type ball-point pen by the depressing force.

In addition, the knock member 13 is provided at its lower end with a saw tooth portion and the rotational cam member 1 is provided at its upper end with a cam portion 25 corresponding to the saw teeth portion 23.

Accordingly, the saw teeth portion 23 transmits the depressing force to the cam portion 25 of the rotational cam member 1 1 to descend the ink cartridge 9. When the depressing force is released, the descended cam portion 25 of the rotational cam member 11 ascends by the elastic force of the elastic member 5 and stops at stopper portions (not shown) of the elevation projections 19. At this point, the ascending of the ink cartridge 9 is stopped and the ball tip 7 is projected out of the front-end opening 15. The stopper portions are provided at the elevation grooves 17 that are located between the elevation projections 19. That is, the stopper portions and the elevation grooves 17 are alternately formed between the elevation projections 19.

When the knock member 13 is depressed in a state where the ball tip 7 is projected, the saw tooth portion 23 transmits the depressing force to the cam portion 25 of the rotational cam member 1 1. At this point, the rotational cam member 11 gets to rotate by the inclined surface of the cam portion 25. In addition, the cam portion 25 ascends along the elevation groove 17 by the elastic force of the elastic member 5 and the ink cartridge 9 also ascends to allow the ball tip 7 to go in the front-end opening 15. Such a knock-type ball-point pen is a portable instrument allowing the writing by making the ball tip 7 provided on the ink cartridge 9 to go in and out of the front-end opening 15 in accordance with the rotation of the cam member 1 1 by the depressing manipulation of the knock member 13.

However, since the knock-type ball-point pen has only the function of writing, additional pens for erasing, correcting and underlining are required, resulting in some problems of use and portability for users.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been made in an effort to solve the above problems. It is an objective of the present invention to provide a knock-type ballpoint pen having a variety of functions such as erasing, correcting, and underlining as well as writing, thereby making it easy to use and carry.

According to one aspect of the present invention, a knock-type ball-point pen comprises a knock member ascending and descending by depressing force and elastic force; a rotational cam member ascending, descending and rotating by the knock member; and an ink cartridge disposed in a tube, the ink cartridge being provided with a ball tip that goes in and out of the tube in accordance with the ascending, descending and rotating motions of the rotational cam member, wherein the rotational cam member comprises a correcting liquid cartridge storing correcting liquid and a tip connected to the correcting liquid cartridge by a conduit; and the knock member comprises a cap coupled to the conduit, the cap being separated from a saw tooth portion provided with projections. The correcting liquid cartridge is formed of elastic material, and the tube is provided with depressing member for depressing the correcting liquid cartridge, thereby improving the spouting effect of the correcting liquid.

The depressing member defines a seal structure together with an outer projection formed on an outer circumference of a cylinder and inserted into the tube. Alternatively, the depressing member may define a seal structure together with an inner projection formed on an inner circumference of a cylinder and designed covering an outer portion of the tube.

Alternatively, the depressing member may define a seal structure together with a closure inserted into the tube in a radial direction. According to another aspect of the present invention, a knock-type ball-point pen comprises a knock member ascending and descending by depressing force and elastic force; a rotational cam member ascending, descending and rotating by the knock member; and an ink cartridge disposed in a tube, the ink cartridge being provided with a ball tip that goes in and out of the tube in accordance with the ascending, descending and rotating motions of the rotational cam member, wherein the rotational cam member comprises a fluorescent liquid cartridge storing fluorescent liquid and a tip connected to the fluorescent liquid cartridge by a conduit; and the knock member comprises a cap coupled to the conduit, the cap being separated from a saw tooth portion provided with projections. The fluorescent liquid cartridge is formed of elastic material, and the tube is provided with depressing member for depressing the fluorescent liquid cartridge, thereby improving the spouting effect of the fluorescent liquid.

The depressing member defines a seal structure together with an outer projection formed on an outer circumference of a cylinder and inserted into the tube. Alternatively, the depressing member may define a seal structure together with an inner projection formed on an inner circumference of a cylinder designed covering an outer portion of the tube. Alternatively, the depressing member may define a seal structure together with a closure inserted into the tube in a radial direction.

Since the nock-type ball-point pen has a correcting pen function realized by a rotation cam member of a tube and a correcting liquid cartridge and a conduit that are formed in the vicinity of the nock member side or a fluorescent pen function realized by a fluorescent cartridge and a tip, it is possible for a user to correct an error in writing and underline the important portion. That is, since there is no need for a special correcting pen or an underlining pen, it is more convenient for the user to use and carry it.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an exploded sectional perspective view of a conventional knock- type ball-point pen;

FIG. 2 is an exploded sectional perspective view of a knock-type ball-point pen according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an exploded sectional perspective view of a knock-type ball-point pen according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an exploded sectional perspective view of a knock-type ball-point pen according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is an exploded sectional perspective view of a knock-type ball-point pen according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 6 is a partial sectional view of a knock-type ball-point pen according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is an exploded sectional perspective view of a knock-type ball-point pen according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is an exploded sectional perspective view of a knock-type ball-point pen according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is an exploded sectional perspective view of a knock-type ball-point pen according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is an exploded sectional perspective view of a knock-type ball-point pen according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 11 is a partial sectional view of a knock-type ball-point pen according to a tenth embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Merits and advantages of the present invention will be more cleared by the description of preferred embodiments hereinbelow in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 2 shows an exploded sectional perspective view of a knock-type ball- point pen according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The inventive ball-point pen comprises an upper half tube 31 , a lower half tube 33, an elastic member 35, a ball tip 37, an ink cartridge 39, a rotational cam member 41 , and a knock member 43. That is, an outer appearance of the knock-type ball-point pen of this invention is almost identical to that of the conventional art. In addition, the knock member 43 is designed to ascend and descend by depressing force and elastic force of the elastic member 35, by which the rotational cam member 41 ascends, descends and rotates. Accordingly, the ink cartridge 39 and the ball tip 37 goes in and out of a front-end opening 44 of the lower half tube 33. Since this operation is identical to that of the prior art, the detailed description thereof will be omitted herein.

The knock-type ball-point pen is designed having erasing and correcting functions in addition to the basic writing function.

To realize the correcting function, the cam member 41 comprises a cam portion 45, a correcting liquid cartridge 47 and a tip 49. As in the prior art, the cam portion 45 is designed to be depressed by a saw tooth portion 51 of the knock member 43 and suppresses the ascending of the rotational cam member 41 by being stopped by a stopper portion (not shown) of elevation projections 53 formed on an inner circumference of the upper half tube 31.

The correcting liquid cartridge 47 is a container for storing the correcting liquid. Like the well-known correcting pen, the correcting liquid cartridge 47 is deigned to direct the correcting liquid to the tip 49 and preferably formed of an elastic material so as to smoothly spout the correcting liquid by depressing force. The correcting liquid cartridge 47 is received in a line with the ink cartridge 39 within a limited space defined by the upper and lower half tubes 31 and 33. Therefore, the ink cartridge 39 is designed having a length less than that of the conventional ink cartridge. The correcting liquid cartridge 47 may be integrally or independently formed with or of the ink cartridge 39. When the correcting liquid cartridge 47 is formed independently of the ink cartridge 39, this prevents the useless waste when replacing the cartridges 47 and 39.

The correcting liquid cartridge 47 is connected to the tip 49 by a conduit 55. Since the correcting liquid cartridge 47 is designed ascending, descending and rotating, it is preferable to install in the knock member 43 so as not to obstruct the ascending and descending of the knock member 43.

The knock member 43 is provided with projections 57 and cap 59 together with the saw tooth portion 51. As in the prior art, the saw tooth portion 51 cooperates with the cam portion 45 so as to ascend, descend and rotate the cam member 41. The projections 57 are guided by elevation- grooves 61 formed on the upper half tube 31 to ascend and descend the knock member 43.

The cap 59 is separated from the saw tooth member 51 provided with the projections 57. Accordingly, the cap 59 is designed not to disturb the ascending and descending functions of the knock member 43 and allows the tip 49 disposed in the knock member 43 to be projected outside to guide the correcting liquid. That is, in a state where the ball tip 37 and the ink cartridge 39 are ascended, when the cap is opened, the tip 49 connected to the conduit 55 maintains its position where it is projected out of the upper half tube 31.

The cap 59 is coupled to the conduit 55. The cap 59 is provided at its inner circumference with an inner coupling projection 63 and the conduit 55 is provided at its outer circumference with an outer coupling projection 65 corresponding to the inner coupling projection 63. The cap 59 and the conduit 55 are smoothly coupled and released to and from each other by the inner and outer coupling projections 63 and 65, while allowing the rotation of the conduit 55. For the smooth coupling and releasing, the sections of the inner and outer coupling projections 63 and 65 are designed having a curved structure. In addition, when the coupling of the cap 59 and the conduit 55 are realized by forced-fitting, the cap 59 rotates together with the conduit 55 while ascending and descending. When the coupling of the cap 59 and the conduit 55 are realized by loose-fitting, the cap 59 ascends and descends independent from the rotation of the conduit 55.

The knock-type ball-point pen constituted as described above has a writing function realized by projecting the ball tip 37 out of the front-end opening 44 of the lower half tube 33 by depressing the knock member 43. Furthermore, the knock- type ball-point pen has an erasing/correcting function realized by projecting the tip

49 connected to the correcting liquid cartridge out of the top of the upper half tube 31 by opening the cap 59 of the knock member 43.

FIG. 3 shows an exploded sectional perspective view of a knock-type ballpoint pen according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The constitution and effect of this second embodiment are similar to those of the first embodiment except for a couple of aspects.

That is, while the upper half tube 31 of the first embodiment is formed in a seal structure, that of the second embodiment is formed in an opened structure having depressing members 67. Therefore, since the correcting liquid cartridge 47 can be depressed by a finger, the direction of the correcting liquid to the tip 49 can be more smoothly realized. The depressing members 67 are formed, as shown in FIG. 3, on at least one of both sides of the upper half tube 31.

FIG. 4 shows an exploded sectional perspective view of a knock-type ballpoint pen according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The constitution and effect of this third embodiment are similar to those of the second embodiment except for a couple of aspects.

That is,, while the depressing members 67 of the second embodiment are formed in an opened structure, those of the third embodiment are formed in a seal structure by outer projections 71 formed on an outer circumference of a cylinder 69. The number of outer projections 71 is identical to that of the depressing members 67.

In FIG. 4, there is shown the outer projections 71 and the depressing members 67 each formed of two. The cylinder 69 is inserted into the upper half tube 31. It is preferable that the cylinder 69 and the outer projections 71 are formed of rubber material so as to improve the sense of touch. FIG. 5 shows an exploded sectional perspective view of a knock-type ballpoint pen according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. The constitution and effect of this fourth embodiment are similar to those of the third embodiment except for a couple of aspects. That is, while the cylinder 69 of the third embodiment is inserted in the upper half tube 31 , that of the fourth embodiment is disposed covering the outer portion of the upper half tube 31. Therefore, while the cylinder 69 of the third embodiment defines the seal structure of the depressing members 67 by the outer projections 71 formed on the outer circumference of the cylinder 69, the cylinder 69 of the fourth embodiment defines the seal structure of the depressing members 67 by inner projections 73 formed on the inner circumference of the cylinder 69.

FIG. 6 shows a partial sectional view of a knock-type ball-point pen according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. The constitution and effect of this fifth embodiment are similar to those of the second embodiment except for a couple of aspects.

That is, the depressing members 67 of the second embodiment are maintained in the opened state, those of this fifth embodiment are maintained in a seal state by a closure 77. The closure 77 is inserted into the upper half tube 31 in a radial direction to define a step structure together with the depressing member 67.

Preferably, the closure 77 is formed of rubber material so as to improve the sense of touch.

The first to fifth embodiments described in conjunction with FIGS. 2 to 6 disclose a knock-type ball-point pen with a correcting pen function in addition to the writing function. The sixth to tenth embodiments that will be described hereinbelow in conjunction with FIGS. 7 to 11 are directed to a knock-type ball-point pen with a fluorescent pen function.

The knock-type ball-point pen with the fluorescent pen function is similar or identical to that with the correcting pen function in their constitution and effect. Therefore, the description on the function and operation of the knock-type ball-point pen will omitted herein, and the comparison between the correcting pen function and the fluorescent pen function will be described hereinbelow.

FIG. 7 shows an exploded sectional perspective view of a knock-type ballpoint pen according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention. That is, while, to realize the correcting pen function, the rotational cam member 41 is comprised of the correcting liquid cartridge 47, the conduit 55 and the tip 49, to realize the fluorescent pen function, the rotational cam member 41 is comprised of a fluorescent liquid cartridge 79, a conduit 81 and a tip 83. The fluorescent liquid cartridge 79 is designed, as in a conventional fluorescent pen, to direct fluorescent liquid to the tip 49. The fluorescent liquid cartridge 79 is container storing the fluorescent liquid. It is preferable that the fluorescent cartridge 79 is made of elastic material so as to smoothly spout the fluorescent liquid by depressing force.

The knock member 43 is identically designed to that of the knock-type ballpoint pen with the correcting pen function. However, while the cap 43 of the knock member 43 of the knock-type ball-point pen with the correcting pen function is coupled to the conduit 55 connected to the correcting liquid cartridge 47, the cap 59 of the knock member 43 of the knock-type ball-point pen with the fluorescent pen function is coupled to a conduit 81 connected to the fluorescent liquid cartridge 79. When the fluorescent liquid is formed of volatility material, the cap 59 is forcedly fitted in the conduit 81. At this point, the cap 59 ascends, descends and rotates together with the conduit 81. For the smooth rotation of the conduit 81 , a rotational plate (not shown) that can independently rotate from the cap 59 may be further provided on a top of the cap 59. When the fluorescent liquid is formed of nonvolatile material, the cap 59 can be loosely fitted in the conduit 81. At this point, the cap 59 ascends and descends independent from the rotation of the conduit 81. FIG. 8 shows a partial sectional view of a knock-type ball-point pen according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention. The constitution and effect of this seventh embodiment are similar to those of the sixth embodiment except for a couple of aspects.

That is, while the upper half tube 31 of the sixth embodiment is formed in a seal structure, that of the seventh embodiment is designed in an opened structure with depressing members 85. Therefore, since the fluorescent liquid cartridge 79 can be depressed by a finger, the direction of the fluorescent liquid to the tip 83 can be more smoothly realized. The depressing members 85, as shown in FIG. 8, may be formed at least one of both sides of the upper half tube 31.

FIG. 9 shows an exploded sectional perspective view of a knock-type ball- point pen according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention. The constitution and effect of this eighth embodiment are similar to those of the seventh embodiment except for a couple of aspects.

That is, while the depressing members 85 of the seventh embodiment are formed in an opened structure, those of the eighth embodiment are formed in a seal structure by outer projections 89 formed on an outer circumference of a cylinder 87. The number of outer projections 89 is identical to that of the depressing members 85. In FIG. 9, there is shown the outer projections 89 and the depressing members 85 each formed of two. The cylinder 87 is inserted into the upper half tube 31. It is preferable that the cylinder 87 and the outer projections 89 are formed of rubber material so as to improve the sense of touch.

FIG. 10 shows an exploded sectional perspective view of a knock-type ballpoint pen according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention. The constitution and effect of this ninth embodiment are similar to those of the eighth embodiment except for a couple of aspects.

That is, while the cylinder 87 of the eighth embodiment is inserted in the upper half tube 31 , that of the ninth embodiment is disposed covering the outer portion of the upper half tube 31. Therefore, while the cylinder 87 of the eighth embodiment defines the seal structure of the depressing members 85 by the outer projections 89 formed on the outer circumference of the cylinder 87, the cylinder 87 of the ninth embodiment defines the seal structure of the depressing members 85 by inner projections 91 formed on the inner circumference of the cylinder 87.

FIG. 11 shows a partial sectional view of a knock-type ball-point pen according to a tenth embodiment of the present invention. The constitution and effect of this tenth embodiment are similar to those of the seventh embodiment except for a couple of aspects.

That is, the depressing members 85 of the seventh embodiment are maintained in the opened state, those of this tenth embodiment are maintained in a seal state by a closure 93. The closure 93 is inserted into the upper half tube 31 in a radial direction to define a step structure together with the depressing member 85. Preferably, the closure 93 is formed of rubber material so as to improve the sense of touch.

As described above, since the nock-type ball-point pen has a correcting pen function realized by a rotation cam member of a tube and a correcting liquid cartridge and a conduit that are formed in the vicinity of the nock member side or a fluorescent pen function realized by a fluorescent cartridge and a tip, it is possible for a user to correct an error in writing and underline the important portion. That is, since there is no need for a special correcting pen or an underlining pen, it is more convenient for the user to use and carry it.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A knock-type ball-point pen comprising: a knock member ascending and descending by depressing force and elastic force; a rotational cam member ascending, descending and rotating by the knock member; and an ink cartridge disposed in a tube, the ink cartridge being provided with a ball tip that goes in and out of the tube in accordance with the ascending, descending and rotating motions of the rotational cam member, wherein the rotational cam member comprises a correcting liquid cartridge storing correcting liquid and a tip connected to the correcting liquid cartridge by a conduit; and the knock member comprises a cap coupled to the conduit.

2. A knock-type ball-point pen of claim 1 wherein the correcting liquid cartridge is formed of elastic material, and the tube is provided with depressing member for depressing the correcting liquid cartridge.

3. A knock-type ball-point pen of claim 2 wherein the depressing member defines a seal structure together with an outer projection formed on an outer circumference of a cylinder and inserted into the tube.

4. A knock-type ball-point pen of claim 2 wherein the depressing member defines a seal structure together with an inner projection formed on an inner circumference of a cylinder designed covering an outer portion of the tube.

5. A knock-type ball-point pen of claim 2 wherein the depressing member defines a seal structure together with a closure inserted into the tube in a radial direction.

6. A knock-type ball-point pen comprising: a knock member ascending and descending by depressing force and elastic force; a rotational cam member ascending, descending and rotating by the knock member; and an ink cartridge disposed in a tube, the ink cartridge being provided with a ball tip that goes in and out of the tube in accordance with the ascending, descending and rotating motions of the rotational cam member, wherein the rotational cam member comprises a fluorescent liquid cartridge storing fluorescent liquid and a tip connected to the fluorescent liquid cartridge by a conduit; and the knock member comprises a cap coupled to the conduit.

7. A knock-type ball-point pen of claim 6 wherein the fluorescent liquid cartridge is formed of elastic material, and the tube is provided with depressing member for depressing the fluorescent liquid cartridge.

8. A knock-type ball-point pen of claim 7 wherein the depressing member defines a seal structure together with an outer projection formed on an outer circumference of a cylinder inserted in the tube.

9. A knock-type ball-point pen of claim 7 wherein the depressing member defines a seal structure together with an inner projection formed on an inner circumference of a cylinder designed covering an outer portion of the tube.

10. A knock-type ball-point pen of claim 7 wherein the depressing member defines a seal structure together with a closure inserted into the tube in a radial direction.