The invention relates generally to carabiner-type attachment devices adapted to use on writing instruments such as pens and caps therefor.
Carabiners have long been in use for providing a means for attaching articles to each other. Such devices have numerous applications, such as for example enabling multiple articles to be secured to a backpack, purse, handbag, key chain or the like. U.S. Pat. No. 5,005,266 discloses a typical carabiner-type attachment device.
Writing instruments are ubiquitous and in most occupations are indispensable. As such it is useful to be able to attach a writing instrument to a garment, clipboard or the like so as not to misplace the instrument. Heretofore writing instruments have been equipped with resilient clips for attachment purposes. These clips are not suitable for all applications, however. For instance, such clips are not well suited for attaching a writing instrument to a strap, belt loop or the like.
U.S. Design Pat. No. 449,857 discloses an ornamental design for a combination pen and carabiner in which the carabiner is attached by a ring to said pen wherein the pen, when in an attached mode depending from said carabiner, can move freely in relation to the carabiner. Such a design is disadvantageous since the depending pen can swing wildly from the carabiner causing possible injury. Likewise, Fiskars has recently marketed a highlighting pen having a carabiner-like attachment co-molded to the top end of a pen or top end of a pen cap. This device has the similar disadvantage of being subject to swinging freely from an attached position. Moreover, in the embodiment wherein the carabiner is co-molded to the pen cap, the likelihood of the pen unintentionally separating and detaching from the pen cap, when the pen cap is attached by the co-molded carabiner to a strap or the like, is increased when unintended force is applied, i.e., when the depending pen swings from its point of attachment centrifugal force is applied in the precise direction employed to remove said cap for purposes of intended use.
Therefore it would be a considerable advantage to be able to attach the writing instrument to other articles such as but not limited to luggage, belt loops, towel racks, wall hooks, utility belts, backpacks and the like in a manner that is safe and is less likely to result in separation of the writing instrument from the cap employed therewith.
The present invention provides a carabiner-type attachment for writing instruments in which the carabiner-type attachment device is attached to the side of said writing instrument or the cap therefor. The attachment device is preferably in the form of a carabiner in which at least a portion of the carabiner body is integral with a pen or pen cap.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a carabiner-type attachment for a writing instrument.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a carabiner-type attachment for a cap for a writing instrument.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a carabiner-type attachment for a writing instrument wherein the carabiner-type attachment device is integral with the writing instrument.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a carabiner-type attachment for a writing instrument wherein the carabiner-type attachment device is detachably connected to the writing instrument.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a carabiner-type attachment for a writing instrument wherein the carabiner-type attachment device is integral with a cap for the writing instrument.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a carabiner-type attachment for a writing instrument wherein the carabiner-type attachment device is detachably connected to a cap for the writing instrument.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a carabiner-type attachment for a writing instrument wherein the carabiner-type attachment permits safe and secure attachment of the writing instrument to luggage, belt loops, towel racks, wall hooks, utility belts, backpacks and the like.
In the following description, for purposes of explanation, specific numbers, materials and configurations are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. It will be apparent, however, to one having ordinary skill in the art that the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well-known features may be omitted or simplified so as not to obscure the present invention. Furthermore, reference in the specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the invention. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.
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Writing instrument 10 may comprise any suitable writing instrument with or without a cap 12 including but not limited to a pen, pencil, marker or the like as are well known in the art.
Attachment device 30 comprises at least one body member 32 and one openable gate member 38. Now referring to
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While the preferred embodiments have been described and illustrated it will be understood that changes in details and obvious undisclosed variations might be made without departing from the spirit and principle of the invention and therefore the scope of the invention is not to be construed as limited to the preferred embodiment.
This application is a continuation of 10/459,317, filed Jun. 11, 2003 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,979,143, which is a continuation-in-part of and incorporates by reference the entirety of each of the following U.S. Design Pat. applications: (1) 29/179,764 filed Apr. 15, 2003, now U.S. Design Pat. No. D504,149; (2) 29/179,838 filed Apr. 15, 2003, now U.S. Design Pat. No. D503,739; (3) 29/179,766 filed Apr. 15, 2003, now U.S. Design Pat. No. D503,427; (4) 29/179,839 filed Apr. 15, 2003, now U.S. Design Pat. No. D502,505; (5) 29/179,765 filed Apr. 15, 2003, now U.S. Design Pat. No. D502,504; and (6) 29/180,486 filed Apr. 24, 2003, now U.S. Design Pat. No. D501,878.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20060045606 A1 | Mar 2006 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 10459317 | Jun 2003 | US |
Child | 11253937 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 29180486 | Apr 2003 | US |
Child | 10459317 | US | |
Parent | 29179764 | Apr 2003 | US |
Child | 29180486 | US | |
Parent | 29179838 | Apr 2003 | US |
Child | 29179764 | US | |
Parent | 29179766 | Apr 2003 | US |
Child | 29179838 | US | |
Parent | 29179839 | Apr 2003 | US |
Child | 29179766 | US | |
Parent | 29179765 | Apr 2003 | US |
Child | 29179839 | US |