WO2022155689A1

WO2022155689A1 - Safety pen

Info

Publication number: WO2022155689A1
Application number: PCT/ZA2022/050002
Authority: WO
Inventors: Mark VOSLOO
Original assignee: Vosloo Mark
Priority date: 2021-01-18
Filing date: 2022-01-17
Publication date: 2022-07-21

Abstract

Safety pen is intended to reduce the risk of becoming infected with viruses and/or bacteria when using pushbuttons or touch screens etc. comprising a combination of the following components: a chamber, an engager and a positioning mechanism. The safety pen may be configured so that a positioning mechanism may be used to position an engager so that the engager protrudes out of a chamber thereby enabling the engager to be used to interact with contaminated objects, and the positioning mechanism may be used to retract the engager back into the chamber so that the part of the engager that touched contaminated objects is shielded by the chamber from human touch, thereby preventing the spread of pathogens or other harmful substances from contaminated objects to humans.

Description

TITLE

1 . Safety Pen

TECHNICAL FIELD

2. The present invention relates generally to anti disease spreading devices and, more specifically, to devices used to prevent the spread of pathogens or other harmful substances from contaminated objects to humans.

BACKGROUND ART

3. The health concerns related to the touching of objects and surfaces that are dirty or possibly contaminated with pathogens or other harmful substances have always been of concern to humans. Take for example the common ATM used by people who may deposit pathogens onto the keypad - this is a hazardous situation for people who use the ATM after the pathogens have been deposited. People use hand sanitizers to prevent the spread of pathogens and harmful substances from objects onto themselves. Although hand sanitizers are effective, if the alcohol content is below a certain level, they may not be 100% effective. Sanitizers may furthermore cause skin irritations in people with sensitive skin, or a sanitizer dispenser may simply run out sanitizer. People also often do not use any protection when touching potentially contaminated objects. The present invention will enable humans to indirectly touch and engage with objects they would normally need to touch directly (like the keypad of an ATM), thereby preventing the spread of pathogens or harmful substances from these objects onto themselves. When not in use the part of the device that comes into direct contact with potentially contaminated objects during use may be shielded from human touch by a Chamber.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

4. The present invention advantageously provides a means of reducing the issues related to the prior art, by providing a device used to indirectly touch objects that are dirty or potentially contaminated with pathogens or harmful substances, where the device consists of an Engager, a Chamber and a Positioning Mechanism, and where the Engager may be positioned completely within the Chamber or positioned to partially protrude out of the Chamber, and where the Positioning Mechanism may be attached directly or indirectly to the Engager or the Chamber so that the Positioning Mechanism may be used to move the Engager to, and hold the Engager in, either position.

5. In certain embodiments of the present invention (but not all) the Positioning Mechanism may not be required, where the Chamber may be manually placed over, or removed from, the Engager.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

6. FIGURES 1 and 2 are diagrams depicting the device comprising a cylindrical Chamber housing an Engager according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIGURES 3 and 4 are diagrams depicting the device comprising a rodshaped Engager and cap-shaped Chamber according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIGURES 5, 6 and 7 are diagrams depicting the device comprising a rodshaped Engager and a Sleeve-shaped Chamber according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIGURES 8, 9 and 10 are diagrams depicting the device comprising an elongated Handle housing an OTF Mechanism and a rod-shaped Engager according to an embodiment of the present invention. The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are intended to be read in conjunction with both the summary, the detailed description and any preferred and/or particular embodiments specifically discussed or otherwise disclosed. The present invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms or combinations of the embodiments set forth herein and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Instead, these embodiments are provided by way of illustration only and so that this disclosure will be thorough, complete and will fully convey the full scope of the present invention to those skilled in the art. 1 . The present invention is directed to a device that is used to prevent the spreading of pathogens or other harmful substances from objects to humans. 2. With reference to FIGURES 1 and 2, a cross section of cylindrical Chamber 12 is shown so that the inside components can be seen. Device

10 has Engager 11 and Chamber 12. Chamber 12 has Hole 16 in Chamber 12 wall, and Clip 18 used to secure or store device 10. Chamber 12 also houses Spring 17. Engager 11 has rounded End 13 on one end and Plunger 15 on the other end. Engager 11 also has Hook 14. 3. FIGURE 1 shows Spring 17 in an unloaded state and holding Engager

1 1 in position where End 13 in contained within Chamber 12 where Chamber 12 screens End 13 from human touch. Device 10 may be stored in this state. 4. FIGURE 2 shows Plunger 15 depressed into Chamber 12 thereby loading Spring 17 and causing Engager 1 1 to slide inside Chamber 12 in the direction indicated by arrow A. In this position End 13 protrudes out of Chamber 12 and Hook 14 clicks into Hole 16 in Chamber 12 wall thereby holding Engager 1 1 in this position. In this state End 13 of device 10 may be used to engage with objects that may be contaminated with pathogens or other harmful substances thereby preventing the spread of these pathogens or other harmful substances from objects to humans. By pressing Hook 14 back through Hole 16 and into Chamber 12, Hook 14 will unhook, and Spring 17 will be allowed to unload and force Engager 11 to slide back in the opposite direction indicated by arrow A so that End 13 is once again housed completely within Chamber 12 so that Chamber 12 screens End 13 from human touch. With reference to FIGURES 3 and 4, Device 30 has Engager 31 and Cap 33. Engager 31 has rounded End 32. FIGURE 3 shows Cap 33 removed from Engager 31 . In this state End 32 is exposed and may be used to engage with objects that may be contaminated with pathogens or other harmful substances thereby preventing the spread of these pathogens or other harmful substances from objects to humans. By replacing Cap 33, End 32 is once again housed completely within Cap 33 so that Cap 33 screens End 32 from human touch. FIGURE 4 shows Cap 33 pushed onto Engager 31 so that Cap 33 shields End 32 of Engager 31 from human touch. Device 30 may be stored in this state. With reference to FIGURES 5, 6 and 7, Device 50 has Engager 51 and Sleeve 52. Engager 51 has Grooves 53 and 54 and has rounded End 55. Sleeve 52 has Catch 56. FIGURE 5 shows disassembled Device 50. FIGURE 6 shows Sleeve 52 fitted onto one end of Engager 51 and positioned so that Catch 56 protrudes into Groove 54 so that Sleeve 52 is held in position and shields End 55 from human touch. Device 50 may be stored in this state. FIGURE 7 shows Sleeve 52 slid back over Engager 51 in the direction indicated by arrow B and Catch 56 now protrudes into Groove 53 so that Sleeve 52 is held in position and End 55 is exposed and may be used to engage with objects that may be contaminated with pathogens or other harmful substances. By sliding Sleeve 52 forward again, in the opposite direction indicated by arrow B, Catch 56 will again protrude into Groove 54 and Sleeve 52 will shield End 55 from human touch. With reference to FIGURES 8, 9 and 10, Device 100 has Engager 120 housed within Cavity 1 11 of Handle 110. Cavity 1 11 has opening 112 at one end of Handle 110. Magnet 1 13 forms part of Handle 110 and may be used to secure Device 100 onto metal surfaces. Engager 120 has rounded End 121 and Hook 122. Sliding Button 130 is used to operate an OTF Mechanism (not shown) provided within Handle 1 10. FIGURE 10 shows how Device 100 is operated. When Button 130 is slid in the direction indicated by arrow A an OTF Mechanism pushes Engager 120 in the direction indicated by arrow B, out of Handle 110 via opening 112 so that Engager 120 is positioned partially out of Handle 110. In this position of Engager 120, End 121 and Hook 122 can be used to engage with objects that may be dirty or contaminated with pathogens or other harmful substances, thereby eliminating the need for the user to directly touch such objects. When Button 130 is slid in the direction indicated by arrow C, the OTF Mechanism pulls Engager 120 in the direction indicated by arrow D, into Handle 110 via Opening 1 12 so that Engager 120 is positioned fully inside Handle 1 10. In this position of Engager 120, Engager 120 including End 121 and Hook 122 are shielded by Handle 120 from human touch thereby preventing the spread of any pathogens or other harmful substances, which may reside on End 121 , Hook 122, or any other part of Engager 120, to the user.

24. While the present invention has been described above in terms of specific embodiments, it is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to these disclosed embodiments. Many modifications and other embodiments of the present invention will come to mind of those skilled in the art to which this present invention pertains, and which are intended to be and are covered by this disclosure and the attached drawings. It is indeed intended that the scope of the present invention should be determined by proper interpretation and construction as understood by those of skill in the art relying upon the disclosure in this specification and the attached drawings.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

25. The present invention is a hand-held device manually operated by a person who wants to engage with, but not directly touch, objects that may be contaminated with pathogens or harmful substances to humans.

Claims

8 CLAIMS

1. In certain embodiments of the present invention (but not all) the Chamber may be in the form of a tube in which an elongated Engager may be housed in such a way that the Engager may be either positioned to be completely shielded from human touch by the Chamber or positioned to protrude partially out from one end of the Chamber, and where the Positioning Mechanism is used to slide the Engager to either of the positions, and where Positioning Mechanism is used to hold the Engager in either of the positions. In this embodiment, the part of the Engager that protrudes out from one end of the Chamber may be used to engage with possibly contaminated objects, and when not in use the end of the Engager that has been used to engage with possibly contaminated objects may be retracted completely into the Chamber to prevent humans from touching the possibly contaminated retracted end of the Engager.

2. In certain embodiments of the present invention (but not all) the Chamber may be in the form of a Sleeve into which the Engager may slide so that when the Sleeve is pulled back part of the Engager protrudes out of the Sleeve and may be used to engage with possibly contaminated objects, and when the Sleeve is push forward the Sleeve covers the part of the Engager that touched possibly contaminated object. A Positioning Mechanism may allow the Sleeve to click into holding positions, either when the Sleeve is fully pulled back or when the Sleeve is fully pushed forward. 9 In certain embodiments of the present invention (but not all) the Chamber may have a Door to close the end of the Chamber through which the Engager may protrude. In certain embodiments of the present invention (but not all) the Door, which when not interfered with by the Engager, is closed. The Door may be positioned inside the Chamber near the opening through which the Engager may protrude and may be in the form of a flattened cantilever made from a material with spring-back properties. When the Engager moves to the partially protruding position, the Engager pushes against the inside of the Door and pushes the Door open as the Engager slides out. When the Engager is retracted completely back into the Chamber the Door is allowed to spring back to a closed position thereby closing the end of the Handle through which the Engager may partially protrude. In certain embodiments of the present invention (but not all) the Engager may have an elongated shaped and the Chamber may be in the shape of a Cap to fit over and cover one End of the Engager. In this embodiment, the part of the Engager that is covered by the Cap may be, when uncapped, used to engage with possibly contaminated objects, and when not in use the End of the Engager that has been used to engage with possibly contaminated objects may be capped by the Cap in order to prevent humans from touching the possibly contaminated capped End of the Engager. 10 In certain embodiments of the present invention (but not all) the Engager may slide backwards and forwards within and out of the Chamber. In certain embodiments of the present invention (but not all) the Engager may swivel, twist or pivot into and out of the Chamber. In certain embodiments of the present invention (but not all) the Engager may screw into and out of the Chamber. In certain embodiments of the present invention (but not all) the Engager may have an elongated shaped, where the profile of the Engager may be circular, oval, square, rectangular or any other shape, or any combination of shapes. In certain embodiments of the present invention (but not all) the Engager may include telescoping tubes thereby providing a means of elongating the engager. In certain embodiments of the present invention (but not all) the one End of the Engager may be used to engage with objects that are dirty or potentially contaminated with pathogens or other harmful substances. In certain embodiments of the present invention (but not all) the End of the Engager may be made from, or covered by, rubber or other material to improve the grip of the End on contaminated objects. 11 . In certain embodiments of the present invention (but not all) the End of the Engager used to engage with contaminated objects may be made from, or covered by, an anti-septic or anti-pathogen substance to help destroy any pathogens or harmful substances that may have spread onto the End during engagement with contaminated objects. . In certain embodiments of the present invention (but not all) the End may have a rounded, pointed, flattened, pronged, serrated, hooked, looped or spooned shape, or any other shape, or any combination of shapes, that will enable the user to engage more effectively with objects with which the user needs to engage. . In certain embodiments of the present invention (but not all) the Chamber and Engager may be shaped so that, when the Engager slides out of, or into, the Chamber, the aperture at the end of the Chamber through which the Engager slides widens and narrows so that the Chamber does not come into contact with the End of the Engager that is used to engage with possibly contaminated objects. . In certain embodiments of the present invention (but not all) the Chamber may be a handle used to hold the invention. . In certain embodiments of the present invention (but not all) the End of the Chamber through which the Engager may protrude may be closed while the Engager is housed completely within the Chamber, and that End 12 may open to allow the Engager to slide partially out of the Chamber, and close again when the Engager is slid back into the Chamber. In certain embodiments of the present invention (but not all) the Positioning Mechanism may be in the form of a Spring-loaded mechanism configured so that when the Positioning Mechanism is used to move the Engager to protrude out of the Chamber a Spring is loaded and the Engager is locked in the protruding position, and when the Positioning Mechanism is unlocked the loaded Spring will unload and force the Engager to retract back into the Chamber. In certain embodiments of the present invention (but not all) the Positioning Mechanism may have Spring and Hook parts configured so that when the Engager is in the position where the Engager protrudes out of the Chamber a Spring is loaded and a Hook clicks into a Hole in the chamber and protrudes outwardly through the Chamber thereby holding the Engager in the protruding position, and when the Hook is pressed back into the Chamber from the outside the loaded Spring will unload and forces the Engager back into the Chamber. In certain embodiments of the present invention (but not all) the Positioning Mechanism may have a Plunger part connected longitudinally to one end of the Engager, where the Plunger sticks out of the Chamber on the opposite end of the Chamber from which the Engager may protrude, so that when the Plunger is depressed into the Plunger end of the Chamber the Engager loads a Spring part and protrudes out of the 13 other end of the Chamber and the Positioning Mechanism holds the Engager firmly in place, and when the Plunger is depressed again the Positioning Mechanism releases the Engager and allows the Spring to unload and force the Engager back into the Chamber. . In certain embodiments of the present invention (but not all) the Positioning Mechanism may be connected indirectly to one end of the Engager, where the Positioning Mechanism protrudes out of the Chamber on the opposite end of the Chamber from which the Engager may protrude, so that when the Positioning Mechanism is twisted clockwise and anti-clockwise the Engager protrudes out of and retracts back into the Chamber. . In certain embodiments of the present invention (but not all) the Positioning Mechanism may be connected transversely to the Engager, where the Positioning Mechanism protrudes outwardly through an elongated Groove along the side of the Chamber, so that when the Positioning Mechanism is slid back and forth along the Groove the Engager changes position, either protruding out of one end of the Chamber or contained completely within the Chamber. . In certain embodiments of the present invention (but not all) the Positioning Mechanism may be incorporated into the Chamber so that when the Chamber is twisted the Engager changes position, either protruding out of one end of the Chamber or contained completely within the Chamber. 14 . In certain embodiments of the present invention (but not all) the Positioning Mechanism may an out-the-front (OTF) mechanism. . In certain embodiments of the present invention (but not all) the Positioning Mechanism may include a Cam system (similar to that found in some ballpoint pens) used to position and hold the Engager. . In certain embodiments of the present invention (but not all) the Engager or Chamber may have a Securing part used to store the device when not in use. . In certain embodiments of the present invention (but not all) the Securing part may be in the shape of a Clip, Clasp, Hook, Eyelet, or other tethering mechanism, or in the form of a magnate used to attach and store the invention on metal objects. . In certain embodiments of the present invention (but not all) the Engager, or any other part of the invention, may include a Chamber used to store sanitizing. . In certain embodiments of the present invention (but not all) the Chamber may include a dispensing mechanism used to dispense the sanitizing liquid onto the End of the Engager or onto any other surface. 15 In certain embodiments of the present invention (but not all) the present invention may be attached to, or form part of, other devices such as containers used to hold and dispense sanitizing liquid.