WO2021105963A1

WO2021105963A1 - Prism-nib calligraphic marker

Info

Publication number: WO2021105963A1
Application number: PCT/IB2020/061253
Authority: WO
Inventors: Bahram ASHRAFZADEH
Original assignee: Ashrafzadeh Bahram
Priority date: 2019-11-28
Filing date: 2020-11-30
Publication date: 2021-06-03

Abstract

The prism-nib calligraphic marker, is a simple, cheap, and rather durable calligraphy pen designed to improve the quality of handwriting. The pen comprises a nib in which the shank is shaped like a prism with any type of polygon cross section, and the writing tip is shaped like part of a polyhedron, making edges with desired widths and angles. As the nib is made of porous or capillary materials, all the edges, including base and lateral edges, may act as a calligraphy writing tip. A variety of prism-nib pens are achievable, including prism-type pens having a prism-shaped shank and a flat writing tip, and pyramid-type pens having prism or cylindrical shank and a pyramid-shaped writing tip. A rotatable head mechanism provides calibration capability in hand. Also a non-round outer surface of the head makes more friction, hence more power to rotate and calibrate the writing head.

Description

Prism-Nib Calligraphic Marker

The present invention relates to implements for writing or drawing. It relates more specifically to marker pens comprising broad felt-type writing tips.

By the term “calligraphy pen” we mean a pen which comprises a broad-edged writing tip which draws thin lines in one direction (e.g. vertical) and thick lines in another direction (e.g. horizontal). In contrast, by the term “writing pen” we mean a pen comprising a pointed writing tip which draws the same thickness in all directions. As writing pens generally produce bad handwritings for some sort of scripts like those in Persian/Arabic style, calligraphy pens are sometimes more preferable. Calligraphy pens could mainly be classified in two categories: metal-type and felt-type. Metal-type pens such as broad-tip fountain pens are so expensive and rather hard to use. On the other hand, felt-type pens such as broad-edged markers have poor durability. There had been many improvements in both types over decades, none of them made modification in the blade or chisel shape of the writing tip.

Writing pens are not suitable for some sort of scripts as they may result in bad handwritings. There is a need for such simple calligraphy pens as writing pens. But calligraphy pens in the market are generally expensive, not durable, or hard to use.

The prism-nib calligraphic marker, is a simple, cheap, and more durable calligraphy pen designed to improve the quality of handwriting. The pen comprises a nib in which the shank is shaped like a prism with any type of polygon cross section (base of the right prism), and the writing tip is shaped like part of a polyhedron, making edges with desired widths and angles. As the nib is made of porous or capillary materials, all the edges, including base and lateral edges, may act as a calligraphy writing tip.

A variety of prism-nib pens are achievable, including prism-type pens having a prism-shaped shank and a flat writing tip, and pyramid-type pens having prism or cylindrical shank and a pyramid-shaped tip. The most practical types are prisms/pyramids having three or four faces.

A rotatable head mechanism provides calibration capability in hand. Also a non-round (e.g. a nut shaped) outer surface of the head makes more friction, hence more power to rotate and calibrate the writing head.

The prism-nib calligraphic marker is basically made for writing, but it naturally turns the writing into calligraphy. Having multiple writing edges essentially means longer life for the pen. However, it also means multiple width or angle of the writing edges which could be useful for different writing sizes or different scripts.

The pen is basically made for writing, but it could also be used for drawing and painting (e.g. covering corners using triangular faces).

The pen has been called “calligraphic” as it naturally turns writing into calligraphy, as the width of written line changes by direction of movement. It may replace some sort of calligraphy done by means of writing pens (e.g. ball pens).

Prism-type pens could be made with straight, right-oblique, and left-oblique edges, which is suitable for all users. Pyramid-type pens, however, are well suited for left-handed people who need a left-oblique pen as this is widely used in western and Persian/Arabic styles.

Compared to blade or chisel forms, pyramid form of the tip makes it more stable and durable. Furthermore, the pen is basically made for general writing, hence a small abrasion will be tolerable (like pencils).

Fig.1

shows the main parts of a prism-nib marker pen in accordance with the present invention in an isometric view.

Fig.2

shows the head of the same pen as in in a larger view with calibration parts added.

Fig.3

show different types of prism-shaped marker nibs using triangular prism in an isometric view.

Fig.4

show different types of prism-shaped marker nibs using square prism in an isometric view.

Fig.5

show different types of pyramid-shaped marker nibs using triangular pyramid in an isometric view.

Fig.6

show different types of pyramid-shaped marker nibs using square pyramid in an isometric view.

A marker nib essentially has three parts: a writing end 101, a shank 102, and a feeding end 103. The invention is mainly about the shank 102 (nib body) which is formed like a prism, including cylinder as a special case of prism, and also the writing end 101, also called a writing tip 101 even if it is not pointed, which is formed like it is cut at desired points and angles. The writing tip 101 could be considered as those parts of the nib which could be seen in a top view, when writing heads of the pen and the nibs are positioned vertically pointing the top, like figures of this invention.

By the term “marker” we mean a pen comprising a felt-type nib which is made of porous or capillary materials through which the writing liquid reaches from reservoir 104 to the writing surface. Because of that said porous or capillary materials, any edge on the nib could act as a writing edge, suitable for calligraphy. The prism-nib calligraphic marker has a multiple-edged nib comprising straight, left-oblique, or right-oblique edges at desired widths and angles. A writing edge could be a side of the prism and/or pyramid face at the writing tip 101 of the nib as described in the following example embodiments.

The invention is about new type of markers having felt-type nibs in which the shank 102 is prism-shaped and/or the writing tip 101 is polyhedron-shaped, providing a number of writing edges with desired widths and angles. The definition above covers many implementations and embodiments. The cross-section of the said shank 102 could be any regular or irregular polygon (including circle as a special case of polygon). But only three and four-sided regular polygons which are considered the most practical, simple, and easy-to-manufacture ones, are described here as selected example embodiments. Also the said writing tip 101 could be any polyhedron partly merged into said prism shank 102. But only right regular triangular and square pyramids as well as flat-cut shapes, for the same reason as mentioned above, are described here as selected example embodiments.

Prism Types

Prism types here are those marker pens comprising a nib in which the shank 102 is formed like a prism and the writing end 101 is formed like a polyhedron or a flat-cut as a special case. As a result, any face of said prism has a side at said writing end 101 which could act as a writing edge. In prism types we make writing edges with desired width and oblique angle (relative to the plane perpendicular to the direction of pen body 105) to the same number as lateral faces of said prism. The prism of the nib has a minimum of three lateral faces and no maximum in theory, but we focus on regular three and four lateral faces which are most practical.

Throughout this document we use the term “width” instead of “length” when referring to the length of an edge of prism or pyramid which may act as a writing edge.

Triangular Prism

Three lateral faces of a prism means three potential writing edges. Each writing edge could have its own width and oblique angle. For preferred embodiments presented here we consider an angle of 25 degrees where possible, which is known to be the best angle for Nastaliq script in Persian calligraphy, but any angle between 0 to 45 degrees (whether right or left oblique) could also be considered.

A triangular prism could be formed at the writing end 101 in three different shapes to make writing edges for calligraphy with desired oblique angle, as shown in . Suppose that we have an intact nib prism, to make edges with desired oblique angle, the prism might be shaped like it is truncated by a supposed flat plane at certain points on the lateral edges of the prism. Three possible forms are shown in beside the intact prism with cutting points indicated.

Plane A ₁B ₂C ₂ provides one right-oblique edge, one left-oblique edge, and one straight edge connecting lower end of two other edges. Plane A ₁B ₁C ₂ provides one right-oblique edge, one left-oblique edge, and one straight edge connecting upper ends of two other edges. And plane A ₁B ₂C ₃ provides two right-oblique edges and one left-oblique over-angled edge. We could also consider plane A ₁B ₃C ₂ to have two left-oblique edges. The points with

indices

1, 2, and 3, are placed on supposed planes having certain vertical distance from other planes having consequent index numbers including the top face of the prism.

An important fact about triangular prisms is that they have simple shapes like being truncated by a flat plane at certain points and angle, which makes the nib easy to manufacture.

Rectangular Prism

Four lateral faces of a prism means four potential writing edges. For embodiments presented here again we consider an oblique angle of 25 degrees, but any angle between 0 to 45 degrees (whether right or left oblique) could also be considered.

A square prism could be formed at the writing end in four different shapes to make writing edges for calligraphy with desired oblique angle, as shown in . Suppose that we have an intact nib prism, to make edges with desired oblique angle, the prism might be shaped like it is truncated by a supposed flat plane at certain points on the lateral edges of the prism. Four possible forms are shown in beside the intact prism with cutting points indicated.

Plane A ₁B ₂C ₂D ₁ provides one right-oblique edge, one left-oblique edge, one straight edge connecting upper ends of two oblique edges, and one straight edge connecting lower ends of two oblique edges. Plane A ₁B ₂C ₃D ₂ provides two right-oblique edges, and two left-oblique edges. And planes A ₁B ₂C ₃ and A ₁C ₃D ₄ provide three right-oblique edges and one left-oblique over-angled edge. We could also consider A ₁B ₄C ₃ and A ₁C ₃D ₂ to have three left-oblique edges. The points with

indices

1, 2, 3, and 4, are placed on supposed planes having certain vertical distance from other planes having consequent index numbers including the top face of the prism.

It should be noted that if the writer holds the pen in hand with a 45-degree angle, the lowest oblique edge will not be usable, unless the oblique angle is less than 18 degrees.

Similar to triangular prisms, square prisms have simple shapes which makes the nib easy to manufacture.

Finding Cutting Points

Those said truncated prisms are formed like they are cut or truncated from certain points on the prism walls or side faces. We call them cutting points (even if there is no cutting act needed).

For regular triangular and square prisms mentioned above, to have writing edges with desired width and oblique angle suitable for calligraphy, we can determine the length of each side of prism cross-section (simply prism side) and vertical distance between cutting points having consequent indices (simply vertical distance).

We have:
H=W*Cos(α)
Y=W*Sin(α)
where
W= edge width (=A ₁B ₂=B ₂C ₃=C ₃D ₂=…)
α = oblique angle
H= prism side (=A ₁B ₁=B ₁C ₁=B ₂C ₂=…)
Y= vertical distance (=B ₁B ₂=C ₁C ₂=C ₂C ₃=…)

This means we can calculate prism side and cutting points in terms of width of the writing edge and its oblique angle. For example, to have 2-mm edge width and 25-degree oblique angle, prism side and vertical distance will be about 1.8 and 0.8 mm respectively.

Pyramid Types

Pyramid types here are those marker pens comprising a nib in which the shank 102 is formed like a prism or cylinder, and the writing end 101 is formed like a right pyramid with its vertex on the writing side and its supposed base on the feeding side of the nib. As a result, any lateral edge of the pyramid could act as a writing edge. In pyramid types we make writing edges with desired width and oblique angle (relative to the plane perpendicular to the direction of pen body 105) to the same number as lateral faces of said pyramid. The pyramid of the tip has a minimum of three lateral faces and no maximum in theory, but we focus on regular three and four lateral faces which are most practical.

Suppose that in calligraphy a writing edge touches the writing surface with an angle of 60 degrees relative to horizontal page lines, one should hold the pen in hand like turned 30 degrees clockwise from forward direction (because writing edge in a pyramid type pen is parallel to the pen body 105). This action could be done easily if one writes with his/her left hand.

Generally we can form the writing edges of a pyramid-type nib in different widths and oblique angles. However, as the oblique angle which is equal to the angle in which pen is held in hand, depends on the calligraphers habit, we consider an angle of 45 degrees in embodiments presented here. So these example embodiments are different only in the number and width of the writing edges.

In pyramid types, the writing end 101 of the nib is formed like the intersection of a pyramid and the prism (or cylinder) of the nib. For a regular pyramid the vertex is on the central axis of the regular prism. To make different widths of writing edges, we need to change the position of said vertex. By doing so, we lose the regular form of the prism which results in less durability of the nib. We can keep the regular form of the prism and consider a non-regular pyramid. This way even we can have both prism and pyramid edges on the same nib. But here as another possible solution, we consider cylinder-shaped nib shanks 102 to cope with the problem.

Triangular Pyramid

Three lateral faces of a pyramid means three lateral edges which in turn means three writing edges suitable for calligraphy. We can have three different writing widths, or up to three same size writing widths. For a triangular pyramid we introduce here three different shapes which could be considered as the intersection of the nib shank 102 (leftmost shape in ) and a right regular pyramid with its vertex pointed to the writing end 101 of the nib. In the first shape all three lateral edges have the same width. In this case the vertex of the pyramid lies on the central axis of the nib cylinder. In the second shape there are two lateral edges with the same width and one edge with larger width (could also be made smaller). In the third shape all three lateral edges are of different sizes. In the second and the third cases the vertex of the pyramid do not lie on the central axis of the nib cylinder and its position varies by different widths of the edges. These three shapes are shown in with vertex points indicated with

indices

1, 2, and 3 respectively.

Square Pyramid

Four lateral faces of a pyramid means four lateral edges which in turn means four writing edges suitable for calligraphy. We can have four different writing edges, or up to four same size writing edges. For a square pyramid we introduce here four different shapes which could be considered as the intersection of the nib shank 102 (leftmost shape in ) and a right regular pyramid with its vertex pointed to the writing end 101 of the nib. In the first shape all three lateral edges have the same width. In this case the vertex of the pyramid lies on the central axis of the nib cylinder. In the second shape there are two lateral edges with the same width and two lateral edges with the same width but smaller (or bigger) in size than other two edges. In the third shape there are two lateral edges with the same width and two lateral edges one with smaller and one with bigger size than other two edges. In the fourth shape all four lateral edges are of different sizes. In the second, third, and the fourth cases the vertex of the pyramid do not lie on the central axis of the nib cylinder and its position varies by different widths of the edges. These four shapes are shown in with vertex points indicated with

indices

1, 2, 3, and 4 respectively.

Finding Cylinder Radius

In the simplest and most practical case, the vertex of the pyramid lies on the central axis of the nib cylinder, which forces the lateral edges to be of the same width. Consequently, having three or four lateral faces means having three or four similar writing edges respectively. In such a case, we can calculate the radius of the nib cylinder in terms of width of writing edge and oblique angle.

We have:
R=W*Cos(α)
where
R= cylinder (nib) radius
W= lateral edge width
α = oblique angle

For example, to have a writing edge with a 2 mm width for an oblique angle of 45 degrees, we should use a nib with a radius of 2.8 mm.

Writing Edge Calibration

While using a prism-nib calligraphic marker, user can keep the writing edge in touch with writing surface adequately, simply by rotating the pen in hand. But if the pen body 105 has a non-round shape, like those in ergonomic shapes, turning the pen is not possible. Example solution here is adding a mechanism like that used in a pen cap letting the cap join the pen body 105 but remain rotatable. Adding simply a groove 108 on the inner surface of the pen body 105, and a bulge 107 on the outer surface of the pen head 106, or vice versa, could make this happen. Choosing the right size of the groove 108 and the bulge 107 ensures keeping both parts firmly connected yet rotatable.

It should be noticed that lower part of the nib 100 as well as the feeding end 103 should be round enough to rotate well inside the reservoir 104, while calibration is done.

To be able to rotate the head 106 (or the body 105) more comfortably, we can turn the round shape of the head into another shape which makes more friction, hence more power to rotate. One example is replacing the conical shape of the head with a shape like pyramid or prism to act like a nut 109, as shown in .

The prism-nib calligraphic marker is substantially similar to other types of markers, except the writing nib in which the shank is formed like a prism (or cylinder) and the writing tip is formed like a pyramid or any other type of polyhedron or flat cuts of said shank. As a result, any type of broad-tip marker in the market could easily be upgraded to prism-nib version.

Claims

A marker pen comprising a felt-type nib characterized in that the nib body is shaped like a prism, and its writing tip is shaped like said prism is cut at certain points and angles, making certain number of edges with desired widths and angles, providing multiple broad-edged calligraphy writing tips.
A marker pen according to claim 1, wherein said prism is a regular triangular prism and the writing end is shaped like a flat cut of said prism, supposed cutting plane includes three points lying on lateral edges of said prism, making three broad-edged tips lying on lateral faces of said prism at said writing end.
The marker pen according to claim 2, including one right-oblique edge, one left-oblique edge, and one straight edge connecting lower ends of the two other edges.
The marker pen according to claim 2, including one right-oblique edge, one left-oblique edge, and one straight edge connecting upper ends of the two other edges.
The marker pen according to claim 2, including two right-oblique edges, and one left-oblique edge, or vice versa.
A marker pen according to claim 1, wherein said prism is a square prism and the writing end is shaped like a flat cut of said prism, supposed cutting plane includes four points lying on lateral edges of said prism, making four broad-edged tips lying on lateral faces of said prism at said writing end.
The marker pen according to claim 6, including one right-oblique edge, one left-oblique edge, one straight edge connecting lower ends of the two other edges, and one straight edge connecting upper ends of the two other edges.
The marker pen according to claim 6, including two right-oblique edges, and two left-oblique edges.
A marker pen according to claim 1, wherein said prism is a square prism and the writing end is shaped like said prism is cut twice, each supposed cutting plane includes three points lying on lateral edges of said prism, making three right-oblique and one left-oblique broad-edged tips, or vice versa, lying on lateral faces of said prism at said writing end.
A marker pen according to claim 1, wherein said prism is a regular prism, and its writing end is shaped like said prism is cut like a regular right pyramid with its vertex on the writing side and its supposed base on the feeding side of the nib, providing the lateral edges of said pyramid as broad-edged writing tips.
The marker pen according to claim 10, wherein said pyramid has three lateral faces and its vertex lies on central axis of said prism, making three writing tips of the same width.
The marker pen according to claim 10, wherein said pyramid has three lateral faces and its vertex do not lie on central axis of said prism, making three writing tips, two of them of the same width.
The marker pen according to claim 10, wherein said pyramid has three lateral faces and its vertex do not lie on central axis of said prism, making three writing tips of three different widths.
The marker pen according to claim 10, wherein said pyramid has four lateral faces and its vertex lies on central axis of said prism, making four writing tips of the same width.
The marker pen according to claim 10, wherein said pyramid has four lateral faces and its vertex do not lie on central axis of said prism, making four writing tips, two of them smaller of the same width, and two others larger of the same width.
The marker pen according to claim 10, wherein said pyramid has four lateral faces and its vertex do not lie on central axis of said prism, making four writing tips, two of them of the same width, one of a smaller width, and one of a larger width.
The marker pen according to claim 10, wherein said pyramid has four lateral faces and its vertex do not lie on central axis of said prism, making four writing tips, of four different widths.
A marker pen according to claim 1, further comprising a mechanism letting the writing head of the pen rotate relative to the pen body around its central axis, as a nib calibration mechanism.
The marker pen according to claim 18, wherein said calibration mechanism comprises a groove on the inner surface of the pen body and a bulge on the outer surface of the pen head, or vice versa.
The marker pen according to claim 18, wherein said calibration mechanism comprises a non-round-shaped part in the outer surface of the pen head.