The present invention relates to a combination article that includes a pen and an illuminated fan.
Previous attempts to combine an operable fan and a pen have met with limited success owing to the tendency of the fan to topple over in operation. The necessity of multiple battery power sources to power a motor and a light source contribute to this high center of gravity. The broadening of the fan base for stabilized fan operation comes at the cost of the expense of making the article cumbersome and less amenable to carrying. Thus, there exists a need for a fan pen that functions well as both a writing instrument and a portable personal fan.
A light emitting diode fan pen is provided that includes a rotatable fan leaf that is coupled to an electric motor. A circuit board is also rotatably coupled to the fan leaf and electric motor. At least one light emitting diode in electrical communication with the circuit board is visible on the fan leaf. A battery producing a voltage sufficient to energize the motor and a switch for selectively forming an electrical circuit between the battery, the motor and the circuit board are also provided. A housing at least partially encompassing the motor and the switch has an apical end at which the motor is located. The housing terminates in a basal end that has an aperture therein. An ink reservoir within the housing is projectable from the aperture in the basal end. A voltage step-up circuit is provided on the circuit board to receive a voltage output from the battery step-up voltage produced by the step-up subcircuit to power the at least one light emitting diode. A multimode switch is provided to provide a user with various fan operational modes. A cap is also provided with a flared base and an opening, the opening selectively engaging the basal end of the housing so as to support the housing in a vertical orientation.
The present invention has utility as a combination pen and portable personal fan emissive of light and able to operate in a fan mode without toppling. An entertainment effect is also produced through the inclusion of at least one light emitting diode within the fan leaf. Referring now to
An electrical circuit is formed between the electric motor power source 22 and the electric motor 6 through the depression of button 19 against electrical contact 18. Upon completion of a circuit between the motor power source 22 and electric motor 6 by completion of a circuit between button 19 and contact 18, the electric motor 6 rotates so as to drive the hub 3 in a circular fashion inducing air motion. Likewise, the depression of button 8 induces formation of an electrical circuit between LED battery power supply 21 and the LED array 4 by way of the electric brush 9, electrically conductive axle pin covering 15, and circuit board 14. In this way, the operation of the fan and LED array can be locked with depression of button 19 followed by depression of locking pin 8.
A pen core clip 11 inserts in a basal opening between housing portions 5 and 7. A ring 12 secures against the base of the housing portions 5 and 7 and secures the pen core clip 11 in place. Rotation of a lower portion 13 of a pen core relative to the pen core clip 11 causes extension of the pen core. Housing portion 24 is adapted to seat against the ring 12 and press fit against the lower portion 13 of the pen core. As a result of rotating the housing portion 24, a pen tip selectively extends and retracts relative to a pen tip aperture in the housing portion 24.
The housing portion 24 is adapted to seat within a cap 25. The cap 25 has a base 26 with the cap 25 and base 26 being joined together with mechanical fasteners 23. The base 26 is weighted and stabilizes the LED fan pen 50 such that operation of the fan does not cause the pen 50 to topple from a vertical position. A lanyard 27 is optionally provided to facilitate the suspension and carrying of the pen 50.
A inventive LED fan pen is shown in general at 100 in
A pen core clip 104 inserts in a basal opening between housing portions 5 and 112. A ring 12 secures against the base of the housing portions 5 and 112 and secures the pen core clip 11 in place. Rotation of a lower portion 13 of a pen core relative to the pen core clip 11 causes extension of the pen core. Housing portion 24 is adapted to seat against the ring 12 and press fit against the lower portion 13 of the pen core. As a result of rotating the housing portion 24, a pen tip selectively extends and retracts relative to a pen tip aperture in the housing portion 24.
The housing portion 24 is adapted to seat within a cap 25. The cap 25 has a base 26 with the cap 25 and base 26 being joined together with mechanical fasteners 23. The base 26 stabilizes the LED fan pen 100 such that operation of the fan does not cause the pen 100 to topple. A lanyard is optionally provided to facilitate the suspension and carrying of the pen 100.
Patent documents and publications mentioned in the specification are indicative of the levels of those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains. These documents and publications are incorporated herein by reference to the same extent as if each individual document or publication was specifically and individually incorporated herein by reference.
The foregoing description is illustrative of particular embodiments of the invention, but is not meant to be a limitation upon the practice thereof. The following claims, including all equivalents thereof, are intended to define the scope of the invention.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20070195529 A1 | Aug 2007 | US |