U.S. patent number 3,792,931 [Application Number 05/225,573] was granted by the patent office on 1974-02-19 for writing instrument.
This patent grant is currently assigned to K. C. Pen Co., Inc.. Invention is credited to Walter C. Ganz.
United States Patent |
3,792,931 |
Ganz |
February 19, 1974 |
WRITING INSTRUMENT
Abstract
A retractable writing implement includes relatively rotatable
upper and lower barrel sections and a writing element advancing
mechanism including a first tubular member fixed in the upper
barrel section and having an inclined bottom cam edge extending
partially around the tubular member. A second tubular member
includes an upper portion telescoping the first tubular member and
having a pair of opposite vertical slots and a pair of top shoulder
elements engaging a peripheral shoulder on the first tubular member
inside face and a lower portion of greater diameter than the top
portion and with a top peripheral shoulder abutting the first
tubular member bottom face. A chuck engaging a spring retracted
writing element has one follower engaging one of the slots and the
cam and another follower engaging the other slot.
Inventors: |
Ganz; Walter C. (New York,
NY) |
Assignee: |
K. C. Pen Co., Inc. (Brooklyn,
NY)
|
Family
ID: |
22845407 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/225,573 |
Filed: |
February 11, 1972 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
401/109; D19/170;
401/116 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B43K
24/06 (20130101); B63C 2009/044 (20130101); B63C
2009/042 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B43K
24/00 (20060101); B43K 24/06 (20060101); B43k
024/06 () |
Field of
Search: |
;401/78,116,110,111,109 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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|
|
|
|
|
|
934,160 |
|
Aug 1963 |
|
GB |
|
849,460 |
|
Sep 1960 |
|
GB |
|
Primary Examiner: Charles; Lawrence
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Miskin; Howard C.
Claims
What I claim is:
1. A retractable writing implement comprising a barrel member
including relatively rotatable upper and lower coaxial sections, a
writing element disposed in said barrel member and longitudinally
movable between a retracted position and an advanced position
projecting through the bottom of said barrel member, a spring
engaging said writing element and urging it toward a retracted
position, and a writing element advancing mechanism including a
pair of relatively rotatable telescoping first and second tubular
members respectively rotatable with said upper and lower barrel
sections, said first tubular member having an inclined cam defining
peripheral edge and said second tubular member having a
longitudinally extending slot, and a chuck longitudinally slidably
disposed in said tubular members and engaging said writing element
and urged thereby toward a retracted position and having a follower
element slidably engaging said slot and said cam, said first and
second tubular members having a length greater than said chuck.
2. The writing implement of claim 1 wherein said slot is vertical
and said second tubular member has a second slot formed therein
parallel to and diametrically opposite said first slot, said chuck
having a second follower disposed thereon slidably engaging said
second slot and terminating at a point short of the inner face of
said first tubular member, said cam edge being downwardly
directed.
3. The writing implement of claim 2 wherein said first follower is
longer than said second follower.
4. The writing implement of claim 1 including a sleeve member
having an upper portion engaging the lower inside face of said
second tubular member and a lower portion of enlarged outside
diameter engaging the inside face of said lower barrel section.
5. The writing implement of claim 1 wherein said cam edge is
positioned above the bottom-most edge of said first tubular member
and has a recess formed therein proximate its lower end.
6. The writing implement of claim 5 wherein said depending stop
defining shoulders are movable into alternative abutment with said
follower element.
7. A retractable writing implement comprising a barrel member
including relatively rotatable upper and lower coaxial sections, a
writing element disposed in said barrel member and longitudinally
movable between a retracted position and an advanced position,
spring means urging said writing element to a retracted position,
and a writing element advancing mechanism including a pair of
relatively rotatable telescoping first and second tubular members,
said first tubular member being rotatable with said barrel upper
section and having an inclined peripheral edge defining a
downwardly directed cam, said second tubular member being rotatable
with said lower barrel section and having a longitudinally
extending slot and including an upper portion disposed in said
first tubular member and a lower portion disposed below and of
greater outside diameter than said upper portion and delineated
from said upper portion by a peripheral shoulder, a portion of the
bottom edge of said first tubular member being horizontal and
slidably engaging said shoulder, and a chuck slidably disposed in
said tubular members and engaging said writing element and having a
follower element slidably engaging said slot and said cam.
8. The writing implement of claim 7 wherein said first tubular
member has an upwardly directed peripheral shoulder formed in the
inner face thereof and said second tubular member has an outwardly
directed downwardly facing shoulder proximate its upper edge
slidably engaging said upwardly directed shoulder of said first
tubular member.
9. The writing implement of claim 7 wherein said slot extends from
said shoulder to the upper edge of said second tubular member.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to improvements in writing
instrucments and it relates particularly to a replaceable full size
cartridge writing implement, in which the writing element is
advanced and retracted by the relative turning of different
sections of the implement.
Many different types of mechanisms have been employed and proposed
to selectively advance and retract a writing element, such as a
ballpoint cartridge or the like, out of and into the writing
implement barrel. These retracting mechanisms are actuated in many
manners. Moreover, the conventional propel-repel mechanism is
complex, unreliable and of high cost. Further, such mechanism
requires a distinctive button or actuating member which detracts
from the appearance of the instrument. Various attempts to disguise
this button have been made, but it inherently has to be
visible.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is a principal object of the present invention to provide an
improved writing implement.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved
writing implement having a quick retractable writing element.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide an
improved writing implement which is advanced and retracted quickly
with the turning of a section of the implement less than
360.degree. which is usable with standard writing cartridges and
which is of conventional or thin dimensions.
Still a further object of the present invention is to provide a
writing instrument of the above nature, characterized by its
inexpensiveness, ruggedness, compactness, ability to accommodate
thick cartridges, reliability, and ease and convenience of use and
operation.
The above and other objects of the present invention will become
apparent from a reading of the following description taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate a
preferred embodiment thereof.
In a sense the present invention contemplates the provision of a
retractable writing implement comprising a barrel member including
relatively rotatable upper and lower coaxial sections, a writing
element disposed in the barrel member and longitudinally movable
between a retracted position and an advanced position projecting
through the bottom of the barrel member, spring means urging the
writing element to a retracted position and a writing element
advancing mechanisms including a pair of rotatable telescoping
first and second tubular members relatively rotatable with the
rotation of the upper and lower barrel sections, the first tubular
member having an inclined cam defining peripheral edge and the
second member having a longitudinally extending slot, and a chuck
longitudinally slidably disposed in the tubular members and
engaging the writing element and having a follower element slidably
engaging the slot and the cam.
In the preferred form of the improved writing implement the first
tubular member is fixed in the upper barrel member and its bottom
edge is inclined for about half its periphery to define the cam, a
recess being formed proximate the lower end of the cam. A
peripheral upwardly facing shoulder is formed in the upper inner
face of the first tubular member. The second tubular member is
rotatable with the lower barrel section and includes an upper
portion having diametrically opposed vertical slots and an enlarged
lower portion delineated from the upper portion by a peripheral
shoulder which slidably engages the horizontal bottom edge of the
first tubular member. Assembly locking elements are formed along
the top edge of the second tubular member and slidably engage the
peripheral shoulder on the inside face of the first tubular member.
The chuck is in the form of a cap having diametrically opposed
radially projecting followers, one of which slidably engages the
cam and one of the slots and the other follower engages only the
other slot.
The improved cartridge advancing and retracting mechanism is
simple, reliable, rugged, compact and of low cost, quick acting
with only a partial rotation of the cap, and it permits the use, in
a pen which is relatively thin or of standard dimensions, of
standard size pen cartridges .
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a longitudinal medial sectional of retractable ballpoint
pen embodying the present invention, the pen being illustrated in a
retracted position;
FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line 2--2 in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 3--3 in FIG.
2;
FIG. 4 is a rear elevational view, partially in section, showing
the pen in an advanced position; and
FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the pen.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring now to the drawings which illustrate a preferred
embodiment of the present invention as applied to a replaceable
cartridge retractable ballpoint pen, the reference numeral 10
generally designates the improved pen which includes a barrel 11, a
writing element 12 in the form of a ballpoint cartridge and a
writing element advancing and retracting mechanism 13. The barrel
11 includes relatively rotatable coaxial top and bottom end to end
sections 14 and 16 respectively, the top or cap section 14 having
affixed to the upper part thereof a depending clip member 17 of
conventional construction. The bottom barrel section 16 terminates
in a tapered bottom portion 18 having a central opening 19 at the
tip thereof.
Replaceably housed in the barrel 11 is the cartridge 12 which
coaxially extends from proximate the tip opening 19 into engagement
with the advancing mechanism 13, as will be hereinafter described,
which is located in the upper barrel section 14. Ears 20 are formed
on the lower part of cartridge 12 and the cartridge terminates at
its bottom in a ballpoint member 21 of reduced cross section which
is axially aligned with opening 19. A helical spring 22 engages the
cartridge 12 and is entrapped between the ears 20 and a washer 23
disposed in tapered portion 18 above opening 19 to normally urge
the cartridge 12 to its raised retracted position, as shown in FIG.
1, with writing member 21 being fully drawn into the barrel tapered
portion 18.
The propel-repel mechanism 13, according to the present invention,
includes a pair of telescoping relatively rotatable upper and lower
first and second tubular members 24 and 26 respectively and a chuck
or cartridge carrier 27. The first tubular member 24 nests in the
upper barrel section 14 and tightly engages the inside face thereof
so as to rotate with and be fixed in the barrel section 14,
extending from proximate the bottom edge of barrel section 14 to
the base of the tapered upper portion thereof. The upper portion of
tubular member 24 is of greater inside diameter than the lower
portion 28 thereof and is delineated therefrom by a peripheral,
upwardly facing, inside shoulder 29. The bottom edge of tubular
member 24 for about half its circumference is peripherally inclined
or helically shaped to define a cam 30, which terminates at
opposite ends in vertical shoulders 32 extending from the ends of
cam 30 to the horizontal bottom edge 33 occupying the remaining
half of the full bottom edge of tubular member 24. Formed in the
cam edge 30 at its lower end proximate vertical shoulder 33 is a
shallow recess 34 and a flat is formed at the upper end of cam
30.
The second tubular member 26 includes an upper section 36 having an
outside diameter slightly less than the inside diameter of tubular
member 24 and a lower section 37 of somewhat greater inside and
outside diameters than upper section 36 and delineated therefrom by
an interconnecting peripheral flange 38. Formed in tube section 36
are a pair of diametrically opposite vertical guide slots 39 and 40
which extend from flange 38 to the top edge of section 36 to
delineate a pair of opposite resilient arms. A pair of locking
elements 41 are integrally formed with and project above section 36
intermediate the slots 39 and 40, each of the elements 41 including
a radially outwardly directed flat underface 42 and an inwardly
upwardly inclined outer face 43.
The chuck 27 includes a cylindrical cap shaped body member 48 of an
outside diameter slightly less than the inside diameter of tube
upper section 36 and which is closed at its top and has an axial
cylindrical bore. Projecting radially outwardly from the lower face
of body member 48 are a pair of diametrically opposite follower
defining legs 50 and 51. The follower 50 is longer than the
follower 51 and each of the followers is of a width slightly less
than those of slots 39 and 40 and the top face of follower 50 is
tapered to a follower edge.
In the assembled condition of the mechanism 13 tubular member upper
section 36 of second tubular member 26 rotatably telescopes first
tubular member 24 whose horizontal bottom edge 33 slidably engages
flange 38, the tubular members being restricted against
longitudinal movement by locking elements 41 whose underfaces 42
slidably engage the shoulder 29. The chuck 27 is slidably disposed
in tubular section 36 with the follower 51 slidably engaging slot
40 and not projecting beyond the outside face of section 36 and
with the follower 50 projecting through slot 39 and slidably
engaging slot 39 and cam 30. The assembly of the mechanism 13 is
simply effected by first positioning chuck 27 in section 36 and
then telescoping section 36 into section 24, the opposite legs of
section 36 being resiliently contracted by the action of the
section 24 on the inclined faces 43 of elements 41 until the
elements 43 pass shoulder 29 of first tubular member 24.
The mechanism 13 is separably coupled to barrel section 16 to
permit the relative rotation of members 24 and 26 by a stepped
sleeve 52. The sleeve 52 includes an upper section 53 of small
diameter which engages the inside face of tube section 37 of member
26 and whose upper edge abuts flange 38, and a lower section 54 of
large diameter which engages the upper inside face of barrel
section 16. The sleeve sections 53 and 54 are joined by an upwardly
inwardly inclined peripheral wall 56.
In the operative position of the pen 10 the upper end of the
cartridge 12 engages the bore of the chuck 27 and under the
influence of compression spring 22 urges the chuck 27 to bring
follower 50 into operative engagement with cam 30. In the retracted
position of cartridge 12, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the follower
50 engages the upper flat of cam 30 proximate a shoulder 32. In
order to advance the cartridge 12 against the influence of spring
22, the barrel sections 14 and 16 are turned relative to each other
to correspondingly turn tubular members 24 and 26. The follower 50
thus traverses the cam 30 to lower the chuck 27 and cartridge 12
until the follower reaches the lower end of cam 30 and engages the
retaining recess 34, in which condition the cartridge 12 is fixed
in the position shown in FIG. 4 with writing tip 21 projecting
through opening 19. The cartridge 12 is retracted merely by turning
the barrel sections 14 and 16 in an opposite direction less than
270.degree. to to that which advances the cartridge.
While there has been described and illustrated a preferred
embodiment of the present invention it is apparent that numerous
alterations, omissions and additions may be made without departing
from the spirit thereof.
* * * * *