The present invention relates generally to the field of writing instruments and, more particularly, to a writing instrument that is convertible from a compact capped configuration, in which a shortened writing barrel is fully enclosed by one of multiple interchangeable elongated caps, to an extended writing configuration, in which the elongated cap is reattached to the back end of the writing barrel.
Conventional writing instruments, such as ball-point pens, have several limitations that limit their utility. When capped for storage and/or transport, they are 5″-6″ long—too long to fit into a shirt pocket without protruding, and too long to be comfortably stowed in a pants pocket. Since the longer writing barrel, as compared to the shorter cap, dominates the appearance of the instrument, the ability to use interchangeable components to change the appearance and/or functions of a conventional writing instrument is very limited. Because the potentially fungible cap is structurally and dimensionally subordinate to the non-fungible writing barrel, the opportunity to employ a variety of interchangeable caps with different visual, attachment and/or other functional features is foreclosed.
Moreover, the conventional writing instrument configuration, with its dominant writing barrel, often requires that the entire instrument be discarded when its ink supply is depleted. In a cap-dominant configuration, on the other hand, the shortened writing barrel itself becomes a secondary, disposable component, which is readily and inexpensively replaceable.
Finally, the dual coupling means, required for switching the elongated cap from frontal to rear connection on the writing barrel, enables various additional functional components to be attached to the back end of the writing instrument in its compact capped configuration, thereby expanding the versatile utility of the instrument.
The writing instrument of the present invention comprises a pen member and multiple interchangeable cap members. As used herein, the term “pen” is not limiting, but refers to any type of writing instrument or marker which utilizes a pigment-based or dye-based ink as a medium for writing, printing, marking, drawing, and/or coloring. As used herein, the term “proximal” refers to the direction toward the writing tip of the pen member or toward the open end of the cap member. The term “distal” refers to the direction away from the writing tip of the pen member or toward the closed end of the cap member.
The pen member has a front (proximal) end, containing a substantially conical writing tip, and a back (distal) end, adjoining a dual coupling means. Between the front/proximal and rear/distal ends of the pen member extends a substantially tubular or tapered tubular pen barrel, containing within it an axially-disposed, substantially tubular ink reservoir, which fluidly communicates with the writing tip. The ink reservoir and the writing tip can be provided as integral components of a replaceable ink cartridge inserted into the hollow interior of the pen barrel.
The dual coupling means comprise a first coupling means, nearer to the front/proximal end of the pen member, and a second coupling means, nearer to the back/distal end of the pen member. The dual coupling means divide the pen member into a longer forward stem, extending from the writing tip to the first coupling means, and a shorter rear stem, extending from the second coupling means to the back/distal end.
Multiple interchangeable cap members each comprise a substantially tubular or tapered tubular cap body with an open proximal end and a closed distal end. Each of the cap members is dimensioned and configured to enclose the entire forward stem of the pen member, so that only the shorter rear stem of the pen member protrudes from the open proximal end of the cap member when the writing instrument is in the compact capped configuration.
Each of the cap members has within its open proximal end a third coupling means, which cooperates and conjugately mates alternately with either the first coupling means or the second coupling means of the pen member. When attached to the first coupling means, the cap member puts the writing instrument into its compact capped configuration, as described above. When attached to the second coupling means, the cap member encloses only the shorter rear stem of the pen member, with the longer forward stem protruding from the open proximal end of the cap member, and the writing instrument is in an extended writing configuration of sufficient length to comfortably fit the hand for writing purposes.
Advantageously, the interchangeable cap members can incorporate a variety of materials, textures, colors, indicia and/or graphic designs, thereby allowing the writing instrument to be customized for various uses, events, occasions, enterprises, entities and/or organizations that are identified with such materials, textures, colors, indicia and/or graphic designs. For example, an advertising agency could have a supply of caps with the corporate colors and logos of its various clients, while a banquet hall could have caps with materials, textures, colors and graphics corresponding to various occasions, such as weddings or holidays.
The interchangeable cap members can also incorporate a variety of cap attachment means, whereby the writing instrument can be removably attached or secured to one or more external objects for purposes of storage and/or transport. Examples of such cap attachments means are clips, holes, hooks, magnets, suction cups, and hook-and-loop fasteners. Moreover, the interchangeable cap members can incorporate a variety of functional elements, not related to attachment, which are operable to perform various non-writing tasks. Examples of such non-attachment functional elements include a stylus (for activating touch-screen devices), a flashdrive (for digital files), a flashlight, a laser pointer, and an eraser.
The first and second coupling means near the distal end of the pen member are configured to cooperate conjugately with the third coupling means at the open proximal end of the cap members. These coupling means can comprise such systems as threading, friction fit, snap fit, or bayonet mounts. Preferably, the first and second coupling means comprise protruding O-rings, which fit into a conjugate recessed detent (the third coupling means) near the open proximal end of the cap members.
When the writing instrument is in the compact capped configuration (i.e., with one of the cap members attached to the first coupling means), the second coupling means is available for conjugate connection to one of multiple interchangeable rear modules, which incorporate a variety of functional elements operable to perform various non-writing tasks. For example, the rear modules can include any of the attachment means and/or non-attachment functional elements enumerated above, thereby enhancing the convenience and versatility of the writing instrument in its compact capped configuration.
The foregoing summarizes the general design features of the present invention. In the following sections, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in some detail. These specific embodiments are intended to demonstrate the feasibility of implementing the present invention in accordance with the general design features discussed above. Therefore, the detailed descriptions of these embodiments are offered for illustrative and exemplary purposes only, and they are not intended to limit the scope either of the foregoing summary description or of the claims which follow.
One of multiple interchangeable cap members 18 is shown conjugately connected, by means of a detent 19 near its open end, to the first O-ring coupler 16. The cap member 18 has a clip attachment 20 near its closed end. The overall length of the exemplary writing instrument in its compact capped configuration 10 will typically range from 3 to 4 inches. Referring to
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Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that many additions, modifications and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention as defined by the accompanying claims.
This application claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. provisional patent application No. 62/049,474, filed Sep. 12, 2014, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
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2318171 | Lipic, Jr. | May 1943 | A |
2896576 | Baer | Jul 1959 | A |
4833902 | Mori | May 1989 | A |
4974982 | Nielson | Dec 1990 | A |
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20160075169 A1 | Mar 2016 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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62049474 | Sep 2014 | US |