Patent Application
20110179655
A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. 37 CFR 1.71(d).
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to the field of pencil sharpeners and more specifically relates to a slip-on pencil-sharpening device that removably attaches to a non-mechanical pencil.
2. Description of the Related Art
A pencil is a writing implement or art medium usually constructed of a narrow, solid pigment core inside a protective casing. The case prevents the core from breaking, and also from marking the user's hand during use. Typically, pencils create marks via physical abrasion, leaving behind a trail of solid core material (normally graphite) that adheres to a sheet of paper or other surface. They are noticeably distinct from pens, which dispense liquid or gel ink that stain the light color of the paper.
Most pencil cores are traditionally made of graphite mixed with a clay binder, leaving grey or black marks that can be easily erased. Graphite pencils are used for both writing and drawing, and the result is durable: although writing can usually be removed with an eraser, it is resistant to moisture, most chemicals, ultraviolet radiation and natural aging. When using traditional pencils, it is necessary to have a sharpener that is readily accessible for use when the pencil tip becomes dull. A pencil sharpener is a device for sharpening a pencil's writing point by shaving away its worn surface and its protective casing. Pencil sharpeners may be operated manually or by an electric motor.
Traditionally, a sharp blade is mounted in a recess on the largest side such that its sharp edge just enters the cone. The body of the sharpener is often ridged or grooved to make it easier to grip firmly. It has no moving parts—the tip of the pencil is inserted into the hole of the sharpener and twisted, while the sharpener is held motionless. The blade inside the sharpener shaves the wood of the pencil, thus sharpening the tip, while the shavings emerge through a slot along the blade edge. An important feature is a larger clearance hole at the end of the cone allowing sections of the pencil lead which break away to be removed with only minor inconvenience. Such sharpeners can be bare or enclosed in a container to collect the shavings. Enclosed sharpeners can be harder to clear in the event of a blockage. The base of such a sharpener is often made of aluminum, magnesium or hard plastic. Skill is needed to avoid breaking the tip of the pencil being sharpened. Prism sharpeners may also be used and are typically hand-cranked.
As known in the art, wooden pencils are required to be sharpened after repeated use due to the tip becomes dull which may prove to be an uncomfortable and time-consuming task. Additionally, the wood pencil may not be transported in a shirt or pants pocket without the chance of leaving a graphite residue behind. Even when a pencil clip is used to removably couple a pencil to the pocket of the user, graphite residue may still occur unless the pencil clip is used with a shirt pocket protector
Tradesworkers such as carpenters may wear gloves while working thereby making it difficult task for them to grasp a small sharpener and insert the pencil therein for sharpening purposes. Pencil sharpeners are typically stored separately from a pencil so when a non-mechanical pencil requires sharpening, locating a pencil sharpener is not always successful creating frustration and time loss. A more efficient method is needed.
Various attempts have been made to solve the above-mentioned problems such as those found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,980,114, 2,287,703, 5,599,123, 4,406,315, 5,367,777, and 6,574,875. This prior art is representative of pencil sharpeners. None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the invention as claimed.
Ideally, a pencil-sharpening device should operate reliably, be user-friendly and be manufactured at a modest expense. Thus, a need exists for a reliable slip-on pencil sharpening system to be used in conjunction with a pencil and to avoid the above-mentioned problems.
In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known pencil sharpening device art, the present invention provides a novel slip-on pencil sharpening system. The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail is to provide consumers with an efficient apparatus and method for sharpening a pencil. This device preferably clips directly onto a pencil for easy access of both devices. The apparatus effectively eliminates the need to search for a sharpener and further provides a convenient way to removably attach the pencil to a belt or pocket. Clipping the pencil to an individual will also substantially prevent the pencil or the sharpener from becoming lost. The device may be optionally outfitted with various logos and designs and is ideal for use as an advertising means. Carpenters, artists, and others will enjoy the functionality and simplicity this system provides.
The present pencil sharpener is removably couplable to an existing non-mechanical pencil device as disclosed herein and preferably comprises the following components: a body; at least one steel blade cutter; at least one biasing clip attacher; at least one light, and a friction fit cylindrical stabilizer. The body comprises an external volume having a conically-shaped inner volume. Further, the body may include an indicia surface (planar or non-planar). Further, the body has an outer face side comprising a hand-conforming contour providing comfort, ease of use and efficiency for its users (especially for the users that may have difficulty in manipulation because they are wearing gloves). This feature additionally provides an increased-efficiency shave-removing surface within the body to permit insertion of a distal end of the non-mechanical pencil.
Preferably the steel blade cutter is removable and replaceable. Further, the steel blade cutter is received in a recessed portion within an outer face side of the body, thereby providing stability and durability for in-use periods.
The biasing clip attacher is integral with the body and permits removable attachment of the pencil sharpener onto at least one object including a clothing pocket, belt, or permits the device to work as a bookmark. Additionally, the at least one light (LED or other) provides illumination for poor lighting conditions. The friction-fit cylindrical stabilizer comprises a biasing slit and a closed end for receiving a proximate end of the non-mechanical pencil. The pencil is rotatable inside the conically-shaped inner volume to create a sharpening of the distal end of the non-mechanical pencil for use.
A kit is embodied herein for the slip-on pencil sharpener device system comprising: a pencil sharpener; at least one logo; at least one replaceable steel blade cutter; at least one light, (LED of one or more colors); and a set of user instructions. The slip-on pencil sharpener device system may further comprise a match-mated pencil in certain embodiments.
In accordance with the embodiments of the present invention a preferred method of use is disclosed herein comprising: step one inserting a non-mechanical pencil(s) into a slip-on pencil sharpener; step two sharpening the non-mechanical pencil(s) using the slip-on pencil sharpener; and step three clipping the slip-on pencil sharpening system onto at least one object for ease of locating and transport.
The present invention holds significant improvements and serves as a slip-on pencil sharpener system. For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the invention have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any one particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. The features of the invention which are believed to be novel are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings and detailed description.
The figures which accompany the written portion of this specification illustrate embodiments and method(s) of use for the present invention, slip-on pencil sharpener device constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present invention.
The various embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements.
As discussed above, embodiments of the present invention relate to a pencil-sharpening device and more particularly to slip-on pencil-sharpening device that removably attaches to a non-mechanical pencil.
Referring now to
Body 110 comprises external volume 112 and conically-shaped inner volume 114. Conically-shaped inner volume 114 is located within proximate end 116 of body 110. Conically-shaped inner volume 114 comprises a hollow region for the removable insertion of non-mechanical pencil(s) 180.
External volume 112 comprises steel blade cutter 120. Steel blade cutter 120 comprises a sharpening blade to shave the wood off of non-mechanical pencil(s) 180 and may comprise alloys or other materials sufficient to provide a durable cutting means. Steel blade cutter 120 is received in recessed portion 124 within outer face side 126 of body 110. When non-mechanical pencil(s) 180 is inserted and rotated inside conically-shaped inner volume 114, steel blade cutter 120 preferably sharpens distal end 184 of non-mechanical pencil(s) 180. When non-mechanical pencil(s) 180 is being sharpened, the shavings preferably emerge through a slit along a blade edge. It should be noted that the term non-mechanical pencil 180 refers to pencils requiring sharpening to maintain a fine writing point.
Steel blade cutter 120 is preferably removable and replaceable within certain embodiments of the present invention. This feature provides that when the edges on steel blade cutter 120 become dull, user 170 may remove and replace steel blade cutter 120 with a new one, thereby allowing greater longevity of the device.
Outer face side 126 of body 110 within the embodiment shown in this figure preferably comprises hand-conforming contour 134. Hand-conforming contour 134 provides an increased-efficiency shave-removing surface due to a convex curvature of body 110. Slip-on pencil sharpener 102 may be comfortably grasped in a hand of user 170 due to hand-conforming contour 134 thereby requiring less rotation of slip-on pencil sharpener 102 when user 170 is sharpening non-mechanical pencil(s) 180. Additionally, the user-sharpener may push down on hand-conforming contour 134 (when placed on a planar surface) using gloves or other and still maintain a suitable gripping means whereby slip-on pencil sharpener 102 may be manipulated for use.
Inner-face side 128 of body 110 may comprise at least one indicia surface (preferably planar). Indicia surface may further comprise at least one logo(s) 130 for advertising means. Logo(s) 130 may include a graphic mark or emblem commonly used by commercial enterprises, organizations and/or individuals to promote public recognition. Logo(s) 130 may be either purely graphic (symbols/icons) such as a sports team or may also comprise the name of the entity. Slip-on pencil sharpener 102 may be manufactured in a variety of colors to accommodate preferences of user 170. Slip-on pencil sharpener 102 may also comprise rounded edges to effectively prevent snagging on clothing.
Non-mechanical pencil(s) 180 may be removably couplable to slip on pencil sharpener 102 via friction-fit cylindrical stabilizer 140. Friction-fit cylindrical stabilizer 140 may comprise biasing slit 144. Biasing slit 144 within this particular embodiment includes a long, straight, narrow cut or opening through the center of friction-fit cylindrical stabilizer 140 to permit slight flexibility when inserting non-mechanical pencil(s) 180 onto slip-on pencil-sharpener 102. In this way friction-fit cylindrical stabilizer 140 frictionally and securely receives proximate end of 186 non-mechanical pencil(s) 180 for efficient temporary storage and transport.
Friction-fit cylindrical stabilizer 140 may comprise a closed end (or substantially closed end) within certain embodiments of the present invention. When friction-fit cylindrical stabilizer 140 comprises a closed end, proximate end 186 of non-mechanical pencil(s) 180 is relative to the closed end while tip 182 (that may be sharpened) is projecting outward away from user 170 to prevent possible injury due to contact with the sharpened tip 182.
Further, friction-fit cylindrical stabilizer 140 may comprise a through-opening. When friction-fit cylindrical stabilizer 140 comprises the through-opening, non-mechanical pencil(s) 180 may be grasped and temporarily stored and transported on a user-chosen location on a shaft of non-mechanical pencil(s) 180. In this embodiment the device may be substantially secured to virtually any similarly sized tubular member such as a pen, mechanical pencil or other such object.
Referring now to
The at least one object that body 110 removably attaches to may comprise clothing pocket 210 on user 170 as shown in
Further, objects may comprise book 310 allowing slip-on pencil sharpener 102 to operate in a bookmarking capacity as shown in
Referring now to
Slip-on pencil sharpener system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention of
Referring now to
It should be noted that the steps described in the method of use can be carried out in many different orders according to user preference. Upon reading this specification, it should be appreciated that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other methods of use arrangements such as, for example, different orders within above-mentioned list, elimination or addition of certain steps, including or excluding certain maintenance steps, etc., may be sufficient.
The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application.
The present application is related to and claims priority from prior provisional application Ser. No. 61/298,108, filed Jan. 25, 2010 which application is incorporated herein by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61298108 | Jan 2010 | US |
