Field of the Invention
This disclosure relates to a device configured to be coupled with or to be integrated into a marker pen or other writing implement, such that the marker pen or writing implement is adapted for mounting on a glassboard, whiteboard or the like to conveniently locate the marker pen thereon.
Description of the Related Art
Blackboards and whiteboards have been in use for a long time. These devices provide a convenient space for instructors or attendees at meetings to record their thoughts for a group using chalk and pens. Whiteboard, and more recently glassboards, have gained popularity as more convenient and cleaner to use than blackboards. One common problem with whiteboards is a lack of systematic way to keep track of markers pens used with them. A common technique for keeping markers pens with the board includes using a tray formed in or mounted to the frame of the whiteboard.
Glassboards, which are gaining in popularity form part of, or are mounted to a wall surface. A layer of glass is the structure upon which the user writes. These devices improve on whiteboards in being more durable, and being more aesthetically pleasing with a sleek, modern look. While glassboards can be equipped with a tray for marker pens and other accessories, such components are utilitarian and take away from the aesthetics of the installation.
Pens and markers have been combined with attachment devices to help secure them to structures. Most pens have a clip for securing the pen to paper or a shirt pocket. Lanyards can be attached to pen body or caps to make the pen wearable. Magnets have been used in place of clips or to secure ends of a pen to an object. While these techniques have been used even in connection with whiteboards, the magnet arrangements have been insufficient or inconvenient for use with glassboards, whiteboards, and the like.
In one embodiment, an adaptor is provided for securing a writing implement to a glassboard, a whiteboard, or the like. The adaptor includes a magnet housing, a magnet, and a coupler. The magnet housing has a magnet compartment disposed adjacent to a side periphery thereof. The magnet is disposed in the magnet compartment. The magnet provides a magnetic field away from the side periphery of the magnet housing. The coupler is configured for attaching an end of the magnet housing to an end of a writing implement. When the coupler is attached to a writing implement, the magnetic field enables the adaptor to magnetically support the writing implement from a side position.
In another embodiment, an apparatus is provided for connecting a writing implement to a glassboard, whiteboard or the like. The apparatus has a magnet housing adapted to be connected to a writing implement. The magnet housing has a side surface with an opening formed therein and a recess extending from the opening into the housing. The magnet is disposed in the recess and provides a magnetic field in a direction away from the side surface of the magnet housing. For example, one or more poles can be provided at one or more openings from which the recess extends. The magnet enables a side periphery of a writing implement coupled with the apparatus to magnetically couple with the glassboard, whiteboard or the like in a predetermined orientation regardless of the initial orientation of approach of the writing implement.
In another embodiment, a writing implement is provided that includes a distal end, a proximal end, a housing and a magnet coupled with the housing. The housing has an elongate hollow structure that has a side surface surrounding a cavity. A writing medium is coupled with the housing, e.g., is disposed within the cavity, and exposed at the distal end. The magnetic coupled with the housing and having a pole located along the side surface of the housing.
These and other features, aspects and advantages are described below with reference to the drawings, which are intended to illustrate but not to limit the inventions. In the drawings, like reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout similar embodiments. The following is a brief description of each of the drawings.
While the present description sets forth specific details of various embodiments, it will be appreciated that the description is illustrative only and should not be construed in any way as limiting. Furthermore, various applications of such embodiments and modifications thereto, which may occur to those who are skilled in the art, are also encompassed by the general concepts described herein. Each and every feature described herein, and each and every combination of two or more of such features, is included within the scope of the present invention provided that the features included in such a combination are not mutually inconsistent.
The writing implement assembly 100 includes a dry erase marker 104 but can include any writing implement that might be of use on or with a board. The marker 104 can include a cylindrical housing extending between a proximal and distal end of the writing implement and an ink cartridge or similar structure partly disposed in the housing and partly exposed at the distal end of the writing implement. The ink structure leaves visible marks upon contact with a writing surface of the board. The marker can include a cap, as illustrated, for covering the exposed portion of the writing tip.
The sleeve 144 can take any suitable form, but preferably is sized to be disposed over the magnet housing 148. The sleeve 144 can have a cylindrical structure with a distal or top shoulder 160 and a proximal or bottom shoulder 164 (see
The bottom shoulder 164 has an annular structure that extends oriented inward form the cylindrical surface 168 to an inner periphery 176. The shoulder 164 has a width that is the distance from the outer cylindrical surface 168 to the inner periphery 176. The width of the shoulder 168 is selected to provide access to the recess 130 if provided.
In one embodiment, the intermediate portion of the magnet housing 148 also includes a plurality of walls 230 disposed on opposite sides of a central zone of the recess 226. The walls 230 connect the distal and proximal portions of the magnet housing 148 to each other. The magnet housing 148 can have one or more channels 234 disposed between the walls 230 and the nearest outer wall of the cylindrical structure 190. The channels 234 can have an annular shape and can be disposed about the walls 230 in one embodiment. The channels 234 preferably are connected to the openings 198 disposed on the distally facing shoulder 194.
In certain embodiments the magnet 152 is configured such that a sufficiently strong magnetic field is provided between the poles 250, 254 to support the adaptor 108 and an assembly 100 on a board. In certain cases, the magnet 152 can have a BHmax between 25 MGOe and 60 MGOe. In certain cases, the magnet 152 can have an externally measurable magnetic field between about 500 Gauss and about 1500 Gauss or between about 500 Gauss and about 3000 Gauss or between about 500 Gauss and about 10000 Gauss. In certain cases, the magnet 152 can have an externally measurable magnetic field between about 3000 Gauss and about 10000 Gauss. In certain embodiments, the magnet 152 can have a BHmax between about 2 MGOe and about 15 MGOe or between about 2 and about 25 MGOe. In certain embodiments, the magnet 152 can have a BHmax between about 25 MGOe and about 60 MGOe and an externally measurable magnetic field between about 3000 Gauss and about 10000 Gauss.
The magnet 152 can be secured in the magnet housing 148 in any suitable technique.
The width of the distal shoulder 160 of the sleeve 144 preferably is large enough to cover the openings 198 such that after the adhesive has been dispensed into the channels 234 the openings 198 can be covered. In other embodiments, the sleeve 144 is omitted and the openings 198 maybe filled such that the adhesive is flush with the distal facing shoulder 194 of the magnet housing 148.
In one application the assembly 100 can be coupled with a whiteboard, which can have a ferrous metal, e.g., steel, with a thickness between about 0.003 inch and about 0.25 inch. The ferrous metal may be coated but otherwise direct contact can be provided between the assembly 100 and the ferrous metal. Any type of magnetic material having between about 5 MGOe and about 25 MGOe and measurable surface gauss between about 1 and about 3000 can be used for the magnet 152. In another application, the assembly 100 can be coupled with a glassboard having a non-ferrous material with thickness between ⅛ inch to ½ inch with ferrous backing with a thickness of about 0.003 inch to about 0.25 inch. In the glassboard applications, a magnetic material between about 25 MGOe and about 60 MGOe or higher, and measurable surface gauss between about 3000 and about 10000 Gauss or higher can be used.
The adaptor 108 enables a side periphery of the marker pen 104 or other writing implement coupled therewith to couple with the board 300 in a low profile manner, e.g., with the longitudinal axis of assembly 100 or marker pen 104 to be aligned with, e.g., parallel to the plane of the exposed surface 304. This arrangement advantageously minimizes the distance that the marker pen 104 extends out from the surface 304 in the space in which the board 300 is located. By minimizing this distance the pen 104 and assembly 100 are out of the way when not in use.
The adaptor 108 advantageously enables the assembly 100 to magnetically couple with the board 300 in a predetermined orientation regardless of the initial orientation of approach of the writing implement. For example,
Another advantage of arrangements with a plurality of, e.g., two, three, four, five, or six or more, exposed poles is the amount of rotation required according to the arrow 334 is reduced. In the two pole arrangement of
Although the description of the assembly 100 includes the advantageous separability of the adaptor 108 from the marker 104, it is possible to integrate the adaptor into the marker 104 in another assembly. In the integrated form, the magnet 152 can be disposed in the same housing or cylinder in which the ink of the marker 104 is disposed. Such arrangement has the advantage of not requiring end-user assembly. Also, there is no possibility of the adaptor 108 being lost because it is already part of the marker 104. When configured as separable, the adaptor 108 can be reused when the ink in the marker 104 is consumed.
The side surface 328 can include an annular recess 332 disposed therein. The annular recess 332 provides a stepped side profile in the housing 316. The annular recess 332 can be disposed between a first ledge 336 and a second ledge 340. The first ledge 336 can be located adjacent to an end projection 338 of the adapter 308. The second ledge 340 can be located between the first projection 336 and an end of the adaptor 308 opposite the projection 338. In one embodiment, the passage for the magnet 320 extends between openings on opposites sides of the annular recess 332. The magnet 320 can be configured to be flush with the surface of the annular recess 332 so that it is disposed radially inwardly of a cylinder defined by the radial extent of the ledges.
The adaptor 308 is thus configured to receive a sleeve 352 that is at least partially recessed in the magnet housing 316 of the core assembly 312. The sleeve 352 can take any suitable form, but preferably is flexible and has a first edge 356, a second edge 360 and a cylindrical portion 364 extending therebetween. The cylindrical portion 364 comprises an inside surface 368 and an outside surface 372. The adaptor 308 is configured such that the sleeve 352 can be placed over the magnet housing 316 such that the inside surface 368 is disposed on the side surface 328.
Although the ledges 336, 340 can completely surround the side surface 328, in some embodiments, the ledges 336 and/or 340 can be configured as projections with a circumferential length that is less than the circumference of the side surface 328. It is also possible to provide that one of the ledges 336, 340 extends entirely around the magnet housing 316 and that one of the ledges 336, 340 comprises one or more short projections disposed only partly around the housing 316. The ledge(s) 336 and/or 340 provide the advantage of retaining the band 352 on the housing 316. That is an axial load on the band 352 will be resisted by the ledges 336, 340 such that the band does not inadvertently separate from the housing 316. This is important in assuring that the magnet 320 is retained in the housing 316.
The adaptor 308 is advantageous in providing for ease of assembly. In particular, the sleeve 352 can be easily applied to the magnet housing 316. For example, the sleeve 352 has a cylindrical form so that there are no radially inwardly projecting ends to be stretched over the ends of the magnet housing 316. The sleeve 352 is also easier to remove and replace as needed. For example, if the sleeve 352 became discolored or damaged it could easily and quickly be replaced. In some cases, the sleeve 352 may be in good condition, but it may be desirable to change the color. For example, the color of the sleeve 352 can be changed to match the color of the ink in the writing implement with which the adaptor 308 may be coupled. Also, removing the sleeve 352 provides access to the magnet 320 such that the magnet can be replaced. For example, in some applications a weaker magnet may be replaced for a stronger magnet. In other applications a stronger magnet may be replaced for a weaker magnet. Also, the sleeve 352 can optionally be configured with an information portion 370. The information portion 370 can include a promotional message, a company log, inspirational message, advertisement, or other markings. The informational portion 370 can be configured as an imprint or can include printing. Because the sleeve 352 is configured for ease of coupling with the magnet housing 316, theses markings can be easily exchanged for different uses or customers.
Also, even though it is very flexible and adaptable, the cylindrical sleeve 352 has the advantage of being very low cost both because it is low cost to produce and because it is low cost to assemble with the magnet housing 316. Although the embodiments herein have wide application it is anticipated that the price per-unit should be kept as low as possible to increase the marketability of the apparatuses.
The annular recess 332 also enables the sleeve 352 to be flush-mounted or only minimally radially protruding from the side surface 328 of the housing 316. This provides improved aesthetics because a continuous or smooth side profiler results.
Although certain embodiments are described herein as adaptors, a variety of integrated assemblies can also be provided within the scope of this application. That is, the structures of the adaptors can be integrated into a portion of a writing implement in certain applications.
As used herein, the relative terms “proximal” and “distal” shall be defined from the perspective of the tip of the writing implement. Thus, distal refers the direction of the tip of the writing implement, while proximal refers to the direction of the end of the writing implement opposite to the tip.
Conditional language, such as “can,” “could,” “might,” or “may,” unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain embodiments include, while other embodiments do not include, certain features, elements, and/or steps. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements, and/or steps are in any way required for one or more embodiments or that one or more embodiments necessarily include logic for deciding, with or without user input or prompting, whether these features, elements, and/or steps are included or are to be performed in any particular embodiment.
The terms “approximately,” “about,” and “substantially” as used herein represent an amount close to the stated amount that still performs a desired function or achieves a desired result. For example, the terms “approximately”, “about”, and “substantially” may refer to an amount that is within less than 10% of, within less than 5% of, within less than 1% of, within less than 0.1% of, and within less than 0.01% of the stated amount. As another example, in certain embodiments, the terms “generally parallel” and “substantially parallel” refer to a value, amount, or characteristic that departs from exactly parallel by less than or equal to 15 degrees, 10 degrees, 5 degrees, 3 degrees, 1 degree, 0.1 degree, or otherwise.
Some embodiments have been described in connection with the accompanying drawings. However, it should be understood that the figures are not drawn to scale. Distances, angles, etc. are merely illustrative and do not necessarily bear an exact relationship to actual dimensions and layout of the devices illustrated. Components can be added, removed, and/or rearranged. Further, the disclosure herein of any particular feature, aspect, method, property, characteristic, quality, attribute, element, or the like in connection with various embodiments can be used in all other embodiments set forth herein. Additionally, it will be recognized that any methods described herein may be practiced using any device suitable for performing the recited steps.
For purposes of this disclosure, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features are described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any particular embodiment. Thus, for example, those skilled in the art will recognize that the disclosure may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves one advantage or a group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein.
Although these inventions have been disclosed in the context of certain preferred embodiments and examples, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present inventions extend beyond the specifically disclosed embodiments to other alternative embodiments and/or uses of the inventions and obvious modifications and equivalents thereof. In addition, while several variations of the inventions have been shown and described in detail, other modifications, which are within the scope of these inventions, will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art based upon this disclosure. It is also contemplated that various combination or sub-combinations of the specific features and aspects of the embodiments may be made and still fall within the scope of the inventions. It should be understood that various features and aspects of the disclosed embodiments can be combined with or substituted for one another in order to form varying modes of the disclosed inventions. Further, the actions of the disclosed processes and methods may be modified in any manner, including by reordering actions and/or inserting additional actions and/or deleting actions. Thus, it is intended that the scope of at least some of the present inventions herein disclosed should not be limited by the particular disclosed embodiments described above. The limitations in the claims are to be interpreted broadly based on the language employed in the claims and not limited to the examples described in the present specification or during the prosecution of the application, which examples are to be construed as non-exclusive.
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Entry |
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“The StikkiWorks Co.—Magnetic Marker Rings”, http://www.stikkiworks.com/prodring, printed from the internet Dec. 11, 2015. |
Number | Date | Country | |
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61934655 | Jan 2014 | US |