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THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT
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FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to the field of dry erase markers and more particularly to a novel dry erase marker that contains a plurality of dry erase pens that can be quickly changed while writing.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
One of the first adaptations to including multiple colors in a writing instrument was adapted for use in ball point pens. U.S. Pat. No. 3,288,116 entitled “Multi-Color Adapted Ball Point Pen” was issued to inventor Nathan Poritz in 1966. That invention was widely used in the ball point pen industry but has not until now been considered for use in dry erase markers. Today's dry erase markers come in a large variety of colors but yet there exist no dry erase markers sold today that have been adapted for multiple color pens. The present invention will now describe a novel adaptation of multiple colors for use in dry erase markers.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is a first object of the present invention to provide a dry erase marker that allows for use of at least four separate colors.
It is a second object of the present invention to provide a dry erase marker that has improved ergonomic design features that allow one to write in a natural position.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the novel dry erase multi-pen marker of the present invention shown with one pen extended and with the end cap removed.
FIG. 2 is a front view of the marker
FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the marker taken along line A-A of FIG. 2.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the grovel dry erase multi-pen marker of the present invention shown with all pens retracted and with the end cap on.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring first to FIGS. 1 and 2, a dry erase multi-color marker 100 is shown with a dry erase marker 10 extended beyond the front of housing 20. In the preferred embodiment, there are four dry erase markers 10, each marker having a different color ink. When a pen is needed, a push button extension mechanism 30 is depressed. The mechanism is not shown in detail here as it is already widely used in prior art click pens to extend or retract the pen using a spring-loaded plunger. In the present embodiment, the push button mechanism 30 is only used as a pen extension means in the present invention. A pair of assembly rings 40 are used during manufacturing to connect the front housing 20 to the rear housing 50. An end cap 60 is then assembled to the rear housing 50.
Referring next to FIGS. 2 and 3, the internal workings of the multi-color dry erase marker 100 are next explained. The push button mechanism 30 is shown in two different states. In the retracted state (30a), the plunger 30c has been moved outward such that it rests of the interior wall of housing 20. This allows a rear mounted spring 80 to push the marker pen forward until it locks into place by contact between the front face of marker collar 10a against the interior wall 20b of housing 20. The remaining three pens shown are in storage state and are kept in place by contact between the front face of marker collar 10a against the plunger 30c of extended push button mechanisms 30b. To retract the pen, the tip of marker 10 is pushed against a hard surface and the push button mechanism for that pen is depressed causing the plunger to lock the pen in place as previously explained. In the preferred embodiment there is a dry felt or sponge eraser 62 rigidly attached to rear face of the end cap 60. This is needed because the individual marker pens have no means to erase ink from the writing surface.
Referring now to only FIG. 2, the remaining specifications are finally explained. A locating ring 70 is inserted between the front and rear housings and has 4 apertures concentrically spaced at 90 degrees apart for the preferred embodiment of a tour-color marker. The apertures are tolerance such that they keep the marker housings from twisting inside the marker so as to prevent jamming of the markers. Each marker also has a blind hole 10b which allows the spring 80 to be centered for purposes of maintaining proper location of the markers. There is also a center guide rod 60b attached to end cap 60 which prevents the markers from tilting inwards. The springs also are kept in place using pockets 60a located on the interior wall of end cap 60.
Referring finally to FIG. 4, the multi-color dry erase marker 100 is shown with all markers retracted. When the marker is to be stored, a storage cap 90 is placed over the front housing 20 as shown. Using a storage cap is important to prevent drying out of the marker ink wetted fibers 10c. Although not shown, alternative end cap 60 embodiments may include a tapered groove so that the cap 60 can be mounted on the rear of marker 100 when in use as is common with single dry erase marker pens.