The present invention relates generally to the field of writing devices and more specifically to a writing device with a replaceable nib.
A traditional marker consists of a marker body that holds a reservoir of ink and a nib that extends out of the top of the marker body and through which the ink in the marker is distributed in a controlled manner. When the marker runs out of ink, it is possible to refill the reservoir with more ink. Traditional markers include a plug at the bottom of the marker's body that can be removed to allow addition of more ink. The nib at the top of a traditional marker however, is not replaceable. After many uses, the nib of a traditional marker becomes deformed, or clogged, and the nib is no longer able to operate in its intended manner. When the nib is no longer able to secrete ink from the marker body, the entire marker is thrown away, even though the marker body may still contain a good supply of ink. When this happens, it is wasteful, results in more markers filling landfills than is necessary, and therefore is not environmentally friendly.
What is needed in the field is a marker that not only includes a refillable ink reservoir but also includes a replaceable nib. The ideal marker would include multiple nib cartridges with different shaped nibs so that fine, broad and consistent marking can be provided. The ideal marker would also include an easy to use locking mechanism that allows each nib cartridge to be temporarily locked in place within the marker body.
A replaceable nib that is adapted for insertion into, and removal from, a marker body, so that when an old nib wears out, the old nib can be removed and replaced with a new nib. The marker body includes an opening in the front of the body that is able to accept the replaceable nib. The replaceable nib comprises an ink conductor and a case. The ink conductor has a tip at one end for transferring ink from the nib to a writing surface, and a connecting end at the opposite end that makes contact with the ink supply in the marker body, when the nib is fully inserted in the marker body. The nib's case surrounds the middle portion of the ink conductor, aids in supporting the ends of the ink conductor, and provides for easy handling of the replaceable nib.
The replaceable nib preferably includes part of a locking mechanism that aids in temporarily locking the replaceable nib in place when the nib is fully inserted into the opening in the marker body. In the preferred embodiment, the locking mechanism on the nib includes a spring loaded latch that is biased in the protruding position. The nib case also preferably has a cylindrical shape and the tip of the ink conductor has a chisel shape. However, the tip of the nib can also take other shapes in other embodiments.
In an alternative embodiment, a long lasting, refillable writing device is provided with a replaceable writing tip. The refillable writing device comprises a replaceable nib and a device body. The replaceable nib comprises an ink conductor and a case. The ink conductor has a tip at one end for transferring ink from the nib to a writing surface, and a connecting end at the opposite end. The case surrounds the middle of the ink conductor, and provides for easy handling of the replaceable nib. The device body comprises a housing, a nib opening and a refillable ink supply. The body housing substantially defines the shape of the writing device and the shape of the device allows for easy grasping by the user. The nib opening is in the front of the housing and allows for insertion, and removal, of the replaceable nib. The refillable ink supply is stored in the interior of the device body. The connecting end of the ink conductor makes contact with the ink supply when the nib is fully inserted in the device body.
The replaceable nib preferably includes the male portion of a locking mechanism that allows the nib to be temporarily locked in place within the housing. The housing of the device body preferably includes the female portion of the locking mechanism. The male portion of the locking mechanism is preferably a spring loaded latch that is biased in the open, or protruding, position. The female portion of the locking mechanism is preferably an opening in the marker housing that allows protrusion therethrough of the biased latch on the nib.
In another alternative embodiment, the bottom of the nib opening in the housing includes spring that is compressed when the nib is inserted in the opening, and upon release of the locking mechanism, decompression of the spring assists in removal of the nib.
It is an object of the present invention to extend the life of a traditional writing device by providing a nib that can be used to replace an old and worn out nib.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a long lasting writing device that is adapted for insertion, and removal, of a replaceable nib.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a replaceable nib that can be temporarily locked in place within a marker body and that can refill the marker body with ink.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a writing device with a spring loaded replaceable nib that assists in removal of an old nib.
The invention of the present application will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, given only by way of example, in which:
a) shows the preferred embodiment of the present replaceable nib;
b) shows an alternative embodiment of the present replaceable nib;
b) shows an alternative embodiment of a replaceable nib 125 with a bullet shaped tip 130. The bullet shaped tip 130 of this nib 125 allows the user to draw with a consistent line thickness, no matter how the marker is held. The other parts of the alternative nib 125 are the same as those on the preferred nib 100. A case 110 is used to house the tip 130. A moveable latch 115 can be provided to secure the nib 125 within a marker body. And, the bottom of the nib 125 includes a connecting end 120 that allows ink to flow to the tip 130 of the nib.
The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept. For example, a replaceable nib could be provided without a latch that is simply held in place by friction. Therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology of terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.