Patent Application
20230127350
The present invention relates to mechanical clicker mechanisms for writing tools and, more particularly, to a double-locking clicker mechanism (for use with, for example, a writing tool) to prevent accidental deployment of a writing tip thereof.
Traditional clicker style pens, pencils, and the like, only require one input to deploy the writing tip (e.g., a writing portion end of an ink cartridge, a graphite lead, etc.). When this occurs, ink, graphite, or other writing mediums from the writing tool can get on unwanted items and surfaces. Further, often these tips can be relatively sharp, also posing a safety hazard when they are deployed without the intention of being used.
As can be seen, there is a need for an improved writing tool with a double-locking mechanism that prevents accidental deployments of the writing tool’s tip.
In one aspect of the present invention, a clicker mechanism comprises: a housing defining: a first groove on an outer portion thereof, the first groove further defining a retraction locking shoulder, an extension locking shoulder, and a neck portion therebetween; and an axially extending housing opening through a center portion of the housing; a plunger longitudinally extending at least partially within the housing opening, defining a transverse plunger opening and being actuatable between a retracted mode and an extended mode; and a lock button slidably engaged with the plunger and transversely extending at least partially within the plunger opening, wherein the lock button selectively engages the retraction locking shoulder, in the retracted mode, and the extension locking shoulder, in the extended mode, such that movement of the plunger is prevented when the lock button engages the retraction locking shoulder and the extension locking shoulder.
In another aspect of the present invention, a writing tool comprises: a writing tool body; an ink cartridge; and a clicker mechanism comprising: a housing coupled with the writing tool body and defining: a first groove on an outer portion thereof, the first groove further defining a retraction locking shoulder, an extension locking shoulder, and a neck portion therebetween; and an axially extending housing opening through a center portion of the housing; a plunger longitudinally extending at least partially within the housing opening, defining a transverse plunger opening, being coupled with the ink cartridge, and being actuatable between a retracted mode and an extended mode to respectively retract an end of the ink cartridge and extend the end of the ink cartridge; and a lock button slidably engaged with the plunger and transversely extending at least partially within the plunger opening, wherein the lock button selectively engages the retraction locking shoulder, in the retracted mode, and the extension locking shoulder, in the extended mode, such that movement of the plunger is prevented when the lock button engages the retraction locking shoulder and the extension locking shoulder.
These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description, and claims.
The following figures are included to illustrate certain aspects of the present disclosure and should not be viewed as exclusive embodiments. The subject matter disclosed is capable of considerable modifications, alterations, combinations, and equivalents in form and function, without departing from the scope of this disclosure.
The subject disclosure is described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure such that one skilled in the art will be enabled to make and use the present invention. It may be evident, however, that the present disclosure may be practiced without some of these specific details.
Broadly, one embodiment of the present invention is an improved double-locking clicker mechanism. The present invention utilizes a clicker-style mechanism that has a lock incorporated therewith. The clicker mechanism advantageously locks in both positions (the writing mode and non-writing mode). No other clicker-style pen or other writing utensil/tool has a lock for both positions and will stop accidental ink cartridge deployment.
Referring to
Referring, for example, to
As shown in
As shown in
Once the plunger 10 is pushed to its travel limit, as shown in
To retract the ink cartridge 26, the reverse steps may be employed. The lock button 20 is depressed by the user until the shoulder 22 is clear of the extension locking shoulder 15. At this point, the cartridge spring 28 retracts the ink cartridge 26 back fully into the pen body 30 and urges the plunger 10 outwardly (since the plunger 10 and ink cartridge 26 move in unison). Once the plunger reaches its outwards travel limit, the shoulder 22 aligns with the retraction locking shoulder 14 and the lock button 20 is again biased upwardly such that the shoulder 22 engages the retraction locking shoulder 14. Thus, the double-locking mechanism described herein permits the writing tool to be selectively locked in two positions, with the act of extending the ink cartridge 26 requiring two actions from the user (pressing the lock button 20 and also the plunger 10). As is readily apparent, the requirement of two actions better prevents accidental deployments of the ink cartridge 26.
The clicker mechanism described herein may be used the same manner as a standard clicker style mechanism, but the present invention has the additional benefit of safety due to the lock button 20. By having to do two actions to extend the ink cartridge 26, it makes this mechanism a safer mechanism to use. Further, those with skill in the art will appreciate that this clicker mechanism may be usable with various applications such as: ink pens (as described), pencils, pen knives, markers, and laser pointers.
Various appropriate methods may be used to form embodiments of the present invention. Four components of this clicker mechanism may be machined on computer numeric control (CNC) machining and CNC Turning Centers: the bushing 12, plunger 10, lock button 20, and screw 24. They could also be made on manual milling machines and manual turning lathes. These parts could also be casted and or molded from various materials. The spring 18 inside the mechanism to made for us on a spring making machine. Other components of the writing tool may be formed using known techniques for writing tool manufacturing.
While one or more preferred embodiments are disclosed, many other implementations will occur to one of ordinary skill in the art and are all within the scope of the invention. Each of the various embodiments described above may be combined with other described embodiments in order to provide multiple features. Furthermore, while the foregoing describes a number of separate embodiments of the apparatus and method of the present invention, what has been described herein is merely illustrative of the application of the principles of the present invention. Other arrangements, methods, modifications, and substitutions by one of ordinary skill in the art are therefore also considered to be within the scope of the present invention, which is not to be limited except by the claims that follow.
While apparatuses and methods are described in terms of “comprising,” “containing,” or “including” various components or steps, the apparatuses and methods can also “consist essentially of” or “consist of” the various components and steps. All numbers and ranges disclosed above may vary by some amount.
Also, the terms in the claims have their plain, ordinary meaning unless otherwise explicitly and clearly defined by the patentee. Moreover, the indefinite articles “a” or “an,” as used in the claims, are defined herein to mean one or more than one of the elements that it introduces. If there is any conflict in the usages of a word or term in this specification and one or more patent or other documents that may be incorporated herein by reference, the definitions that are consistent with this specification should be adopted. Moreover, the use of directional terms such as above, below, upper, lower, upward, downward, left, right, and the like are used in relation to the illustrative embodiments as they are depicted in the figures, the upward or upper direction being toward the top of the corresponding figure and the downward or lower direction being toward the bottom of the corresponding figure.
If used herein, the phrase “at least one of” preceding a series of items, with the terms “and” or “or” to separate any of the items, modifies the list as a whole, rather than each member of the list (i.e., each item). The phrase “at least one of” allows a meaning that includes at least one of any one of the items, and/or at least one of any combination of the items, and/or at least one of each of the items. By way of example, the phrases “at least one of A, B, and C” or “at least one of A, B, or C” each refer to only A, only B, or only C; any combination of A, B, and C; and/or at least one of each of A, B, and C.
