WO2004014176A1

WO2004014176A1 - Pen pocket

Info

Publication number: WO2004014176A1
Application number: PCT/US2002/025051
Authority: WO
Inventors: Fred N. Moses
Original assignee: Moses Fred N
Priority date: 2002-08-07
Filing date: 2002-08-07
Publication date: 2004-02-19
Also published as: AU2002332478A1

Abstract

A flexible writing utensil enclosure (100) consists of a pocket device formed by two opposite facing attached wall members (102, 104) and a foldable flap.

Description

APPLICATION FOR UNITED STATES LETTERS PATENT

FOR PEN POCKET

By: Fred N. Moses

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a flexible container for writing instruments that

provides for transporting and storing pens and pencils in a stylish enclosure which is easily

inserted into and carried in a person's clothing pockets, briefcase or purse. 2. Description of Related Art

Many attempts have been made over the years to provide useful and unique devices

for holding small objects during periods of non-use or while being transported, such as

writing implements, in a position ready for manual retrieval and immediate use. Nevertheless,

in various environments where people are moving from different locations on an almost

constant basis, such as equipment control rooms or door to door sales where writing

implements are necessary to record data vital to business operations, people are still

frequently frustrated at the unavailability of fully adequate writing instrument cases.

Consequently, a continuing demand exists for a simple and inexpensive device to secure writing instruments, such as ink pens or pencils, in a case for easy storage, transport, retrieval and use. In general, it has been found that currently available writing implement containers

have limited capabilities, in that they are not sized for different types and lengths of writing

instruments, and the orientation of the objects being held is not ideal. For example, most

operating vehicles, such as cars or aircraft, do not have easily accessible or even functional

pen and pencil holders. Therefore, the operators of vehicles or aircraft must carry writing

utensils in a clothing pocket or briefcase where they can be easily misplaced. Likewise,

writing instruments which are carried unsecured or unenclosed on one's person tend to leave

pencil or pen marks on one's clothing from repeatedly being drawn and inserted into a

clothing pocket or briefcase which leaves much to be desired in the art. Some writing utensil

holders require an exterior pocket large enough to hold the writmg instruments and container,

such as a "pocket protector," but do not allow for the writing implements to be contained so

as to protect against loss of the implement or the discharge of ink onto the user's clothing.

Due to the restricted space available on personal clothing, and the unique and different

pockets available within modem clothing, purse, and briefcase styles with which to

adequately store and carry writing instruments, there remains an ongoing need for a device

which will readily accommodate writing instruments of various lengths and provide a safe

and secure enclosure which will protect the instruments on one's person. Moreover, there

remains a need for a reliable means of transporting writing instruments on one's person while

they are not in use which will protect not only the instruments, but the clothing and

surrounding environment of the user from inlc discharges or pencil marks. The above as well

as additional features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the

following written detailed description. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To avoid the limitations and problems with present methods of storing and

transporting writing instruments in shirt and pant pockets, it is an object of the subject

invention to completely contain writing instruments, including the pointed ends of inks pens

and mechanical or wooden pencils, within an enclosure that will protect the writing

instruments from adverse environments while not in use. The enclosure will be dimensioned

appropriately to secure and contain writing instruments of various lengths and include a

plurality of opposite facing wall members, one of which is foldable, that may fold over the

opposite wall member to form an enclosure. A fastener will be positioned below the opening

to the enclosure which will provide for controlled opening and closing of the flap in order to

insert or retrieve writing instruments from the enclosure, as well as change the enclosure

dimensions to adjust for writing instruments of various sizes.

Likewise, another object of the invention is to provide a stylish and appropriately

dimensioned enclosure which will additionally protect the user's clothing from unwanted inlc

stains or pencil marks. The invention may be carried on one's person in a clothing pocket, a

purse or briefcase as appropriate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features believed characteristic of the invention are set forth in the

appended claims. The invention itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further

objectives and advantages thereof, will be best understood by reference to the following

detailed description of illustrative embodiments when read in conjunction with the

accompanying drawings wherein: Figure 1 is a top view of the pen pocket device, in the flap open position, in which a

preferred embodiment of the present invention may be implemented;

Figure 2 is a top side-view of the pen pocket in the flap closed position with several writing instruments of various lengths contained within the enclosure in which a preferred embodiment of the present invention may be implemented;

Figure 3 A is a side view of the pen pocket device in the open flap position in which a preferred embodiment of the present invention may be implemented;

Figure 3B is a side view of the pen pocket device in the closed flap position in which a preferred embodiment of the present invention may be implemented; Figure 4 is a top view of another embodiment of the pen pocket device in which a snap fastening mechanism is used to fasten a foldable portion of the pen pocket device;

Figure 5 is a top view of another embodiment of the pen pocket device in which a button and button hole are used to fasten a foldable portion of the pen pocket device; and

Figure 6 is a top view of another embodiment of the pen pocket device in which at

least one magnet is used to fasten a foldable portion of the pen pocket device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Figure 1 is a top view of the pen pocket device in which a preferred embodiment of

the present invention may be implemented. The pen pocket device 100 is made up of a

plurality of opposite facing wall members 102 and 104, one of which includes a foldable flap.

The foldable flap maybe opened or closed by Nelcro means 106 to form a covered enclosure

capable of receiving and containing writing instruments of various lengths.

Figure 2 is a top view of the pen pocket device 100 shown in the closed position.

Writing instruments 204 are confined within the enclosure formed by wall members 102 and

104 which are coupled together by means known generally in the art, including but not

limited to, stitching or adhesives. Nelcro fastening means 106 are coupled to the interior side of wall member 104 and to the exterior side of wall member 102 in the general locations

shown in the attached figures. Figure 2 also displays the ability of the pen pocket device 100

to contain writing instruments 204 of various lengths as the foldable portion of wall member

104 is foldable at various points as a function of the different lengths of writing instruments

204.

Figures 3A and 3B are side views of the pen pocket device 100 shown in both the

open and closed positions, respectively. While in the open position, a user may insert a

plurality of writmg instruments 204 into the enclosure formed by wall members 102 and 104,

then secure the foldable portion of wall member 104 in the closed position by Nelcro means

106.

Figure 4 is a top view of another embodiment of the pen pocket device in which a

snap fastening mechanism is used to fasten a foldable portion of the pen pocket device. As

shown in Figure 4, the primary difference between this embodiment and the one shown in

Figures 1-3B is that the fastening mechanism is a snap in which a first portion 410 on a first

wall member 402 engages a second portion 420 on a second wall member 404 such that the

two portions 410 and 420 snap together to fasten the folding portion of wall member 404 to

the wall member 402.

Figure 5 is a top view of another embodiment of the pen pocket device in which a

button and button hole are used to fasten a foldable portion of the pen pocket device. As

shown in Figure 5, the primary difference between this embodiment and the ones shown in

Figures 1-4 is that the fastening mechanism is a button mechanism in which a button 510 on

a first wall member 502 passes through and engages the sides of a button hole 520 on a

second wall member 504 such that the folding portion of wall member 504 is fastened to the wall member 502.

Figure 6 is a top view of another embodiment of the pen pocket device in which at least one magnet is used to fasten a foldable portion of the pen pocket device. As shown in

Figure 6, the primary difference between this embodiment and the ones shown in Figure 1-5

is that the fastening mechanism is a magnetic mechanism in which a first portion 610 on a

first wall member 602 engages a second portion 620 on a second wall member 604 such that

at least one of the two portions 610 and 620 magnetically attracts the other portion to thereby

fasten the folding portion of wall member 604 to the wall member 602.

While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to a

preferred embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in

form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, the dimensions of the wall members may be changed to increase or

decrease the overall size of the device and accommodate writing instruments of different

lengths and thicknesses. Likewise, the foldable flap may be secured to the other wall member

by a snap, magnets or a button. Finally, the enclosure may be lined with felt to prevent

scratching and abrasions to the writing instruments when they are inserted or removed from

the device.

Claims

Claims:What is claimed is:

1. A writmg instrument holder for holding writing instruments, said holder comprising: a flexible material having at least two opposed wall members for forming at least one enclosure, wherein at least one of the opposed wall members includes a foldable flap, and wherein said foldable flap adjustably folds to accommodate writing instruments of differing length.

2. The writing instrument holder of claim 1 further comprising fastening means for securing the foldable flap of one opposed wall member to the opposite wall member.

3. The writing instrument holder of claim 2 wherein said fastening means comprises interlocking hooks and loops.

4. The writing instrument holder of claim 2 wherein said fastening means comprises a snap assembly.

5. The writing instrument holder of claim 2 wherein said fastening means comprises a button and buttonhole.

6. The writing instrument holder of claim 2 wherein said fastening means comprises at least one magnet.

7. The writmg instrument holder of claim 1, wherein the at least one enclosure accommodates a plurality of writing instruments having different lengths with respect to one another, and wherein the folding flap is adjustable based on the different lengths of the plurality of writing instruments present in the at least one enclosure.

8. The writing instrument of claim 1, wherein the folding flap is adjustable to accommodate a writing instrument having a largest length present in the at least one enclosure.

9. A container for holding a plurality of writing instruments of differing lengths with respect to one another, comprising: a housing having a flap;

a first fastener portion coupled to the flap; and

a second fastener portion coupled to a wall of the housing, wherein the flap is foldable at various points based on the different lengths of the writing instruments.

10. The container of claim 9, wherein the flap is adjustable to accommodate a writing instrument having a largest length present in the housing.

11. The container of claim 9, wherein the first fastener portion includes at least one of a portion of a snap assembly, a button, a buttonhole, and a magnet.

12. A method of making a container for holding a plurality of writing instruments of differing lengths with respect to one another, comprising:

providing a housing having a flap;

providing a first fastener portion coupled to the flap; and providing a second fastener portion coupled to a wall of the housing, wherein the flap is foldable at various points based on the different lengths of the writing instruments.