Stylized writing instrument

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a writing instrument and in particular to a writing instrument shaped like a familiar and/or proprietary object.

2. Description of the Related Art

Business entities and organizations have long used pens and other writing instruments to promote their name, products and services. By mass distribution of pens having a name, slogan, symbol or other indicia of ownership printed on the pen casing, the entity or organization is able to keep their corporate image in the minds of consumers as the pens pass through commerce.

However, there is nothing distinct about the shape of the pen itself which would serve to engender a particular corporate image, and unless the promotional information printed on a pen is read or studied, the information is useless as a promotional tool. Moreover, even when closely examined, words and images printed on pens are less effective at promoting a product or business than the actual products and symbols of that particular business.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an advantage of the present invention to provide a writing instrument having greater promotional and advertising value than a conventional writing instrument.

It is a further advantage of the present invention to provide a writing instrument shaped like a proprietary object which conjures a corporate image without having to read or study information printed on a side of the instrument.

It is another advantage of the present invention to provide a novelty writing instrument shaped like a familiar, easily recognizable object.

It is another advantage of the present invention that it remains in the shape of a proprietary and/or familiar object at all times, even during use.

It is another advantage of the present invention to provide a writing instrument in the shape of a proprietary and/or familiar object in which a pen tip may be easily extended and retracted.

These and other advantages are provided by the present invention which in general relates to a stylized writing instrument shaped like a proprietary and/or familiar object. In general, embodiments of the invention include a housing shaped like the proprietary and/or familiar object, a writing implement, and internal mechanisms provided within the housing for moving the writing implement between its extended and retracted positions. The internal mechanisms may comprise a wide variety of actuation systems for extending and retracting the writing implement, including, for example a cam actuation assembly, an edge slide actuation assembly, a gravity actuation assembly, a pressure actuation assembly and a push button actuation assembly.

In embodiments of the present invention including the cam actuation assembly, the outer housing may include first and second covers rotatably affixed to each other. The covers define an interior space in which a pen guide having a pen cartridge attached thereto is seated. One of the covers includes a cam on an inner surface, which mates with a cam follower on a juxtaposed surface of the pen guide. Upon rotation of the covers with respect to each other, the cam on the cover and cam follower on the pen guide cause the pen cartridge to move between its extended and retracted positions.

In embodiments of the present invention including the edge slide assembly, the outer housing is formed by a pair of fixedly attached covers which enclose a pen cartridge and an edge slide having a finger-actuated portion extending out beyond the housing. The edge slide includes a sloped surface capable of acting on the pen cartridge so that, by sliding the edge slide between a first and second position, the cartridge may be moved between its extended and retracted positions.

In embodiments of the present invention including a gravity activation assembly, the outer housing is again formed by a pair of fixedly attached covers which enclose a pen cartridge seated within a channel. The channel further includes a detent along its length, and a locking ball seated atop the pen cartridge. When the writing instrument is tilted downward, gravity causes the pen cartridge to extend from the housing, at which point the locking ball seats partially within the detent, thereby locking the pen in the extended position. In order to retract the pen cartridge, the instrument is tilted upward, so that the ball falls out of the detent and gravity retracts the cartridge. This embodiment may include a cover along an edge of the writing instrument to prevent the pen tip from extending when the instrument is not in use.

In embodiments of the present invention including a pressure activation assembly, the outer housing is formed by a pair of covers having a degree of flexibility and elasticity. The covers enclose a cartridge extension mechanism capable of extending the pen cartridge from the housing upon application of a pressure to the respective covers, and retracting the pen cartridge into the housing upon removal of the pressure from the covers. It is also contemplated in this embodiment that the pen cartridge may be extended as a result of a pressure applied to the edges of the housing.

In embodiments of the present invention including a push button activation assembly, the housing is formed by a pair of fixedly attached covers which enclose a pen cartridge. The pen cartridge may be moved between its extended and retracted positions by a conventional push button assembly which is well known in the pen industry for extending and retracting a pen out of an elongated pen casing.

A writing instrument including any of the above actuation systems may be formed with the shape, appearance, texture and/or color of a wide variety of familiar and/or proprietary objects.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings in which:

FIG. 1

is a perspective view of the writing instrument;

FIG. 2

is a perspective view of the writing instrument with the pen cartridge in an extended position;

FIG. 3

is a top view of the writing instrument;

FIG. 4

is an exploded bottom perspective view including a perspective view of the inner surface of the first cover, a perspective view of the bottom of the pen guide, and a perspective view of the outer surface of the second cover;

FIG. 5

is an exploded top perspective view including a perspective view of the outer surface of the first cover, a perspective view of the top of the pen guide, and a perspective view of the inner surface of the second cover;

FIG. 6

is a top view of the pen in a retracted position with hidden members shown in phantom;

FIG. 7

is a cross-sectional side view through line A—A in

FIG. 6

;

FIG. 8

is a cross-sectional top view showing the pen cartridge partially extended;

FIG. 9

is a cross-sectional top view showing the pen cartridge fully extended;

FIG. 10

is a perspective view of the inner surface of the first cover according to an alternative embodiment;

FIG. 11

is a perspective view of the inner surface of the second cover according to an alternative embodiment;

FIG. 12

is a perspective view of a pen guide and pen cartridge according to the embodiments of

FIGS. 10 and 11

;

FIG. 13

is a top view according to alternative embodiments shown in

FIGS. 10-12

with the various internal components shown in phantom;

FIG. 14

is a perspective view of the inner surface of the first cover according to an alternative embodiment;

FIG. 15

is a perspective view of the inner surface of the second cover according to an alternative embodiment;

FIG. 16

is a perspective view of a pen guide and pen cartridge according to the embodiments of

FIGS. 14 and 15

;

FIG. 17

is a top view according to alternative embodiments shown in

FIGS. 14-16

with the various internal components shown in phantom;

FIG. 18

is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment shown in

FIG. 17

with the pen cartridge partially extended;

FIG. 19

is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment shown in

FIG. 17

with the pen cartridge fully extended;

FIG. 20

is a top view with the cover removed according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention with the pen cartridge in a retracted position;

FIG. 21

is a top view with the cover removed according to the alternative embodiment shown in

FIG. 20

with the pen cartridge in an extended position;

FIG. 22

is a top view with the cover removed according to a further alternative embodiment of the present invention with the pen cartridge in a retracted position;

FIG. 23

is the square-shaped pen embodiment;

FIG. 24

is a top view of a square-shaped pen embodiment of

FIG. 23

with the internal components shown in phantom;

FIG. 25

is a top view with the cover removed showing the edge slide embodiment with the pen in the retracted position;

FIG. 25A

is a perspective view of the pen shown in

FIG. 25

;

FIG. 26

is a top view with the cover removed showing the edge slide embodiment with the pen in the extended position;

FIG. 26A

is a perspective view of the pen shown in

FIG. 26

;

FIG. 27

is a top view with the cover removed of the gravity actuated embodiment showing the pen in a retracted position and the locking ball seated within a detent;

FIG. 28

is a top view with the cover removed as in

FIG. 27

but further including a cover for covering a hole through which the pen tip extends on the edge of the pen;

FIG. 28A

is a top view with the cover removed of the gravity fed embodiment of

FIG. 28

showing the pen cartridge locked in the extended position;

FIG. 29

is a top view with the cover removed of an alternative gravity actuated embodiment showing the pen in a retracted position and the locking ball seated atop a back end of the pen cartridge;

FIG. 29A

is a top view with the cover removed of the gravity fed embodiment of

FIG. 29

showing the pen cartridge locked in the extended position;

FIG. 30A

is a cross-sectional top view through section line A—A of

FIG. 28

showing the detents into which the locking ball locks;

FIG. 30B

is a cross-sectional top view showing a single detent;

FIG. 30C

is a cross-sectional top view showing greater than two detents;

FIG. 31

is an exploded perspective view of the writing instrument including the ratchet-type push button activation protruding from a side of the pen opposite where the pen tip protrudes;

FIG. 32

is a cross-sectional side view of the embodiment of

FIG. 31

with the pen in an extended position;

FIG. 33

is a cross-sectional side view of the embodiment of

FIG. 31

with the pen in a partially extended position;

FIG. 34

is a cross-sectional side view of the embodiment of

FIG. 31

with the pen in a retracted position;

FIG. 35

is a perspective view showing the inner surface of the first cover according to a further alternative embodiment including sliding covers;

FIG. 36

is a perspective view showing the pen cartridge according to the alternative embodiment including sliding covers;

FIG. 37

is a perspective view showing the inner surface of the second cover according to the alternative embodiment including sliding covers;

FIG. 38

is a side view according to the alternative embodiment including sliding covers showing the pen tip in a retracted position;

FIG. 39

is a side view according to the alternative embodiment including sliding covers showing the covers sliding with respect to each other to extend the pen tip;

FIG. 40

is a side view according to the alternative embodiment including sliding covers showing the pen tip extended;

FIG. 41

is a perspective view showing the housing shaped like two bottlecaps joined together;

FIG. 41A

is a perspective view of bottle cap;

FIG. 42

is a perspective view of the present invention shaped like an Oreo® cookie;

FIG. 43

is a perspective view of the present invention shaped like a hamburger;

FIG. 44

is a perspective view of the present invention shaped like a compact disc;

FIG. 45

is a perspective view of the present invention shaped like a gambling chip;

FIG. 46

is a perspective view of the present invention shaped like an M&M® chocolate candy piece;

FIGS. 47 and 47A

are perspective views of the present invention shaped like a M&M® chocolate covered peanut candy piece;

FIG. 48

is a perspective view of the present invention shaped like a LifeSavers® candy piece;

FIGS. 49 and 49A

are perspective views of the present invention shaped like a computer chip;

FIG. 50

is a perspective view of the present invention shaped like a floppy disk;

FIG. 51

is a perspective view of the present invention shaped like a watch including minute and second hands;

FIG. 52

is a perspective view of the present invention shaped like a watch including a digital readout;

FIGS. 53 and 53A

are perspective views of the present invention shaped like an ice cream container cover;

FIG. 54

is a perspective view of the present invention shaped like a coaster;

FIG. 55

is a perspective view of the present invention shaped like a pill;

FIGS. 56 and 56A

are perspective views of the present invention shaped like a capsule;

FIG. 57

is a perspective view of the present invention shaped like a plate;

FIG. 58

is a perspective view of the present invention shaped like a make-up compact;

FIG. 59

is a perspective view of the present invention shaped like a rivet;

FIGS. 60 and 60A

are perspective views of the present invention shaped like a coin;

FIG. 61

is a perspective view of the present invention shaped like a Ritz® cracker;

FIG. 62

is a perspective view of the present invention shaped like a rotary phone dial;

FIG. 63

is a perspective view of the present invention shaped like a tire;

FIG. 64

is a perspective view showing a screwdriver extending from the housing instead of a writing instrument;

FIG. 65

is a perspective view of the instrument showing a cutting blade extending from the housing instead of a writing instrument;

FIG. 66

is a perspective view of the instrument showing a flashlight extending from the housing instead of a writing instrument.

FIGS. 67-71

illustrate perspective and top views of an embodiment of the present invention including a hole in the center of the writing instrument; and

FIGS. 72-74

illustrate perspective and top views of the gravity activated embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention will now be described with reference to

FIGS. 1-66

, which in general relate to a writing instrument which may be shaped as a familiar and/or proprietary object. While the writing instrument according to preferred embodiments is a pen, it is understood that the writing instrument may alternatively be a marker, pencil, chalk, crayon or any of various other known writing instruments. Moreover, as set forth in greater detail below, the instrument according to the present invention may alternatively contain a tool such as a screwdriver, cutting blade or light source.

Writing Instrument Including Cam Assembly

A first embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to

FIGS. 1-24

. As shown therein, a writing instrument

100

includes a housing

102

formed of a first circular cover

104

and a second circular cover

106

. As depicted in

FIGS. 1-9

, the writing instrument

100

is formed to look like a bottle cap which may have a proprietary logo thereon (not shown in

FIGS. 1-9

) such as that of Coke® or Pepsi®. However, the outward appearance of the writing instrument

100

shown in

FIGS. 1-9

is but one of a wide variety of shapes and appearances of the instrument, and is provided by way of example only. As set forth in greater detail below, the outward size, appearance and texture of the writing instrument may be that of various other proprietary objects or symbols, such as for example an auto manufacturer's emblem, including that of Cadillac, Lincoln or Mercedes. The outward size, appearance and texture of the writing instrument may alternatively be that of a familiar object, such as a coin or a food item, for example a cracker. Furthermore, the outward size, appearance and texture of the writing instrument may be formed to have an artistic design or picture. As described in greater detail below, various other outward sizes, appearances and textures for writing instrument

100

are contemplated.

Referring now to

FIGS. 1-5

, the first cover

104

includes an outer surface

108

formed in the general size, appearance and/or texture of a familiar and/or proprietary object. The cover

104

further includes an inner, generally planar surface

110

including a generally circular shaped outer wall

112

extending away from the inner surface, at an outer circumference of the cover

104

. The outer wall

112

extends around substantially the entire circumference of cover

104

, but has a hole

114

defining an opening through which a pen cartridge tip can extend and retract as explained hereinafter. The second cover

106

similarly includes an outer surface

116

formed in the size, appearance and/or texture of a familiar and/or proprietary object. Inner surface

118

includes a generally circular shaped wall

120

extending away from the inner surface, near an outer circumference of the cover

106

. The inner wall

120

extends around a substantial portion of the cover

106

, but has a break which defines a gap

122

.

The first and second covers may fit concentrically over each other so that the wall

112

lies circumjacent around the inner wall

120

, and in close engagement thereto, with an inner surface of the wall

112

lying in contact with an outer surface of the wall

120

. As is known in the art, a small lip may be formed around a top portion of wall

112

, which mates within a small annular detent at the base of wall

120

. The mating of the lip within the detent holds the first and second covers together when assembled while allowing relative rotation of the covers. As would be understood by those of skill in the art, the first and second covers may be rotationally affixed to each other by other fastening schemes.

The walls

112

and

120

also serve to space the first and second covers from each other when attached so as to define an internal space within the housing

102

for the internal components of the writing instrument which are discussed hereinafter. The outer surface of wall

112

which is visible on the outside of the writing instrument

100

is also formed to look and/or feel like corresponding portions of the object emulated by the writing instrument.

The size of the writing instrument may vary to generally match that of the object being emulated. The covers

104

and

106

are preferably formed of a rigid and durable polymer having smooth inner surfaces, such as any of various plastics, and may be formed by injection molding. It is understood however that the covers

104

and

106

may be formed of various other materials and by various other processes in alternative embodiments. For example, the covers may alternatively be formed of various metals, such as gold, silver and aluminum, various magnetic materials such as for example cobalt or nickel, various woods, such as pine and oak, or various combinations of the above. Moreover, the covers may alternatively be formed by processes such as stamping or machining. The covers

104

and

106

may also be painted, coated and/or textured to take on the appearance and/or feel of the desired object.

Referring now to

FIGS. 4-9

, in a preferred embodiment, the inner surface

118

of second cover

106

includes walls which define an arcuate track

124

. The inner surface

110

of the first cover

104

includes a pair of spaced apart walls which form a pair of linear guides

126

. The track

124

may alternatively be located in the inner surface of cover

104

, and the linear guides

126

may alternatively be located in the inner surface of cover

106

in different embodiments.

The writing instrument

100

according to the present embodiment further includes a pen guide

128

seated within the housing

102

in the space between the respective covers

104

and

106

in their assembled position. The pen guide

128

has a first surface

130

including a protruding, circular track following section

132

, and a second surface

134

opposite the first including a spaced apart pair of indented guide following sections

136

. The pen guide further includes a writing implement, such as a pen cartridge

138

with a writing tip, pressed into a hole formed in a circumferential edge of the pen guide

128

. It is understood that the writing tip may include a relatively blunt tip to minimize the risk of injury if the pen tip impacts against the skin or eyes of a user of the pen. As previously indicated, writing implements other than pen cartridges may be used. The cartridge

138

stores and supplies ink to the tip of the pen. In alternative embodiments, an interior portion of the pen guide may be hollow to define an additional ink reservoir for storing and supplying ink to the tip of the pen.

The pen guide

128

preferably includes smooth, low friction surfaces, and may be formed of a rigid and durable polymer, such as any of various plastics, by injection molding. It is understood however that the pen guide

128

may be formed of various other materials and by various other processes in alternative embodiments. The footprint shape of the pen guide

128

may vary in alternative embodiments with the provision that the pen guide not be inhibited from pivoting within the housing

102

as explained below. The pen guide may also include an air channel

139

communicated through to the hole in which the pen cartridge is seated. The air channel allows equalization of the pressure within the pen cartridge to that of the surrounding atmosphere.

The operation of the writing instrument

100

shown in

FIGS. 4 and 5

to extend and retract the pen cartridge upon rotation of the covers

104

and

106

will now be explained with reference to

FIGS. 4-9

. When the writing instrument

100

is assembled, the pen guide

128

lies between the respective covers

104

and

106

with the track following section

132

of the pen guide lying within the track

124

on the inner surface

118

of the second cover

106

. The guide following sections

136

on the opposite side of the pen guide from the track following section ride over the respective linear guides

126

on the inner surface

110

of the first cover

104

. (

FIG. 6

illustrates the components within the respective covers in phantom lines, and

FIGS. 8 and 9

show the pen in cross section, for clarity.)

Rotation of the second cover clockwise from the view of

FIGS. 6

,

8

and

9

with respect to the first cover causes rotation of the track

124

as shown. Rotation of the track

124

in turn causes translation of the track following section

132

, which is constrained to translate vertically from the views of

FIGS. 6

,

8

and

9

as a result of the guide following sections

136

riding along the linear guides

126

. Thus, rotation of the second cover from the position shown in

FIG. 6

, through the position shown in

FIG. 8

, to the position shown in

FIG. 9

results in the writing end of the cartridge

138

moving from its retracted position to its extended position. In a preferred embodiment, cover

104

preferably further includes a pair of stops

137

extending up from the inner surface

110

. As seen in

FIG. 9

, when in the fully extended position, the pen guide

128

abuts up against the stops

137

to prevent further respective rotation of the covers

104

and

106

and to define a maximum extension of the pen tip from the housing.

In a preferred embodiment, as shown in

FIG. 6

, when in the retracted position, the wall

120

covers the hole

114

through which the pen tip extends. However, upon rotation of the cover

106

, the gap

122

in the wall

120

aligns with the hole

114

to allow the pen tip to extend through the hole

114

and out of the housing. It is understood that in alternative embodiments, the wall

120

need not extend as far around the periphery of the cover

106

as shown, so that the wall does not cover the hole

114

when the pen tip is in the retracted position.

In order to retract the pen cartridge

138

from its extended position, the first and/or second covers are rotated in the opposite direction than to extend the pen cartridge. This rotation results in the pen guide

128

and the pen cartridge

138

moving from the position shown in

FIG. 9

to the position shown in FIG.

6

. The arcuate track

124

is configured so that a 90° rotation of the covers with respect to each other results in an approximate ¼ inch translation of the pen cartridge, which is sufficient to move the pen cartridge between its extended and retracted positions. The configuration of the track

124

may be varied so that various other angles of rotation of the covers result in the same translation of the pen cartridge in alternative embodiments. Such various other angles may range between 30° and 180° in one alternative embodiment. It is further contemplated that the relative positions of the track

124

in cover

106

and the track following section

132

in pen guide

128

may be reversed in alternative embodiments. It is similarly contemplated that the positions of the linear guides in cover

104

and the guide following sections

136

in the pen guide

128

may be reversed in alternative embodiments.

It is understood that other cam assemblies and configurations may be utilized according to the first embodiment of the present invention to extend and retract the pen cartridge upon rotation of the covers

104

and

106

. One such alternative embodiment is shown in

FIGS. 10-13

. As shown, the cover

106

may include an arcuate track

124

substantially as described above. The cover

104

may similarly include guides

140

between which the pen guide

128

translates. In the current embodiment, the pen guide

128

is slightly modified in shape as shown in

FIG. 12

relative to that described above so as to fit between the guides

140

. However, as described above, the pen guide

128

still includes the track following section

132

which fits within the track

124

when the respective covers

104

,

106

are assembled as shown in FIG.

13

. (

FIG. 13

illustrates the components within the respective covers in phantom lines for clarity.) As described above, rotation of the first cover with respect to the second cover causes rotation of the track

124

, which in turn causes translation of the track following section

132

. The track following section

132

is constrained to translate left and right from the view of

FIG. 13

as a result of the guides

140

. The guides

140

may each include a shoulder

142

which define stops against which portions of the pen guide

128

abut when the pen is in the fully extended position.

A further alternative embodiment employing a cam arrangement is shown in

FIGS. 14-19

. According to this embodiment, the inner surface

110

of first cover

104

includes a raised section defining an oblong-shaped cam

144

having one end at the center of the cover

104

and having a second end extending radially outward therefrom toward the outer circumference of the cover. The inner surface

118

of the second cover

106

includes a depression defining a track

145

extending diagonally across the inner surface

118

, through the center of the cover

106

. The cam

144

may alternatively be located in the inner surface of cover

106

, and the track

145

may alternatively be located in the inner surface of cover

104

in different embodiments.

The writing instrument

100

according to the embodiment of

FIGS. 14-19

further includes a pen guide

128

seated within the housing

102

in the space between the respective covers

104

and

106

in their assembled position. The pen guide

128

according to this embodiment has a first surface

130

including an indented cam following section

146

. The second surface

134

of the pen guide includes a track following section (not shown) which rides within track

145

.

When the writing instrument

100

is assembled, the pen guide

128

lies between the respective covers

104

and

106

with the cam following section

146

of the pen guide residing over the cam

144

on the inner surface

110

of the first cover

104

. (

FIG. 17

illustrates the components within the respective covers in phantom lines, and

FIGS. 18 and 19

show the pen in cross section, for clarity.) Rotation of the first cover with respect to the second cover causes the cam

144

to engage against and ride along a first portion

148

of the cam following section

146

. This engagement causes translation of the pen guide and pen cartridge from their retracted position shown in

FIG. 17

, through their position shown in

FIG. 18

, to their extended position shown in FIG.

19

. This embodiment may optionally further include a pair of guideposts

149

for further guiding the pen cartridge as it translates between its extended and retracted positions. Although not shown, the track

145

in the second cover

106

rides within the track following section on the pen guide

128

to ensure pure translation of the pen guide and pen cartridge.

In order to retract the pen cartridge

138

from its extended position, the first and second covers are rotated in the opposite direction than to extend the pen cartridge. Such rotation causes the cam

144

to engage against and ride along a second portion

150

of the cam following section

146

. This engagement results in the pen guide

128

and the pen cartridge

138

moving from the position shown in

FIG. 19

to the position shown in FIG.

17

. The cam and cam following section are configured so that a 90° rotation of the covers with respect to each other results in an approximate ¼ inch translation of the pen cartridge, which is sufficient to move the pen cartridge between its extended and retracted positions. The configuration of the cam and cam following section may be varied so that various other angles of rotation of the covers result in the same translation of the pen cartridge in alternative embodiments. Such various other angles may range between 30° and 180° in one alternative embodiment. It is further contemplated that the positions of the cam in cover

104

and the cam following member in pen guide

128

may be reversed in alternative embodiments. It is similarly contemplated that the positions of the track in cover

106

and the track following section in the pen guide

128

may be reversed in alternative embodiments.

A further alternative cam embodiment is shown in

FIGS. 20 and 21

. In this embodiment, a pen guide

152

comprises a span

154

, preferably formed of a durable, elastic polymer such as any of various plastics, and having a modulus of elasticity allowing the span to repeatably flex between the positions shown in

FIGS. 20 and 21

. The first cover

104

according to this embodiment preferably includes a pair of braces

156

mounted to the inner cover

110

for supporting the ends

158

of the pen guide

152

. The second cover

106

according to this embodiment preferably includes an oval-shaped cam

160

mounted to inner surface

118

(not shown in FIGS.

20

and

21

). It is understood that the positions of the braces

156

and cam

160

on the respective covers may be switched in alternative embodiments.

When the second cover

106

is rotated with respect to the first cover

104

, the cam

160

rotates from the position shown in

FIG. 20

to the position shown in FIG.

21

. During such movement, the cam

160

bears against a central portion

162

of the pen guide

152

to force the pen guide downward and to extend the pen cartridge from the housing

102

. The elasticity of the pen guide according to this embodiment biases the pen guide to its unflexed position shown in

FIG. 20

, so that upon rotation of the second cover from the position shown in

FIG. 21

to the position shown in

FIG. 20

, the pen cartridge retracts back into the housing.

As shown in

FIG. 22

, those of skill in the art would appreciate that the ends of pen guide

152

used to bias the pen cartridge back to its retracted position may be omitted, and replaced by some other biasing force such as a spring

164

. Other cam assemblies and configurations are also contemplated.

Up to this point, the covers

104

and

106

have been described as being circular. It is understood that the covers may have different shapes in alternative embodiments. For example, as shown in

FIGS. 23 and 24

, the housing

102

may be square. As shown in

FIG. 24

, the pen cartridge

138

may be moved between its extended and retracted positions with internal components such as those described above with respect to

FIGS. 4-9

. It is understood that the internal components according to other embodiments may be used with the square covers as well. It is further contemplated that one of the covers be square, and that the other cover be circular and rotationally mounted within the square cover. One of skill in the art would appreciate for example how to modify cover

106

as described above with respect to

FIGS. 1-9

to have a square footprint.

The covers

104

and

106

may alternatively be other shapes, such as pentagonal, hexagonal, heptagonal, octagonal, oval, oblong and irregular. Regardless of the shape, it is preferable that the angle through which the covers rotate to extend and retract the pen cartridge tip is provided so that the edges of the two covers align when the pen cartridge is both in the fully extended and retracted positions. It is however contemplated that the edges of the respective covers

104

and

106

not align with each other when the pen cartridge is in its fully extended and/or retracted positions in alternative embodiments.

The internal mechanisms according to the above-described cam embodiments allow the respective covers to be easily rotated with a single hand to move the pen cartridge between its extended and retracted positions. Moreover, the present embodiment does not have any elements protruding from the housing (beside the pen cartridge tip itself). As many of the familiar and/or proprietary objects to which the pen is shaped do not have protruding elements, the present embodiment allows an accurate replication of these objects.

Writing Instrument Including Edge Slide Assembly

A further embodiment of the present invention will now be described with respect to

FIGS. 25-26A

. The embodiments of

FIGS. 25-26A

include covers

104

and

106

having outer surfaces and outer edge surfaces substantially as described above. In this embodiment, the covers are fixedly attached to each other with a conventional adhesive or fastener so as not to rotate with respect to each other. It is understood that the housing may alternatively be formed by attaching component parts other than covers

104

and

106

. For example, two semicircular halves may be attached together to form housing

102

. Regardless of how the covers are affixed to each other, the covers define an interior space in which the internal components of the pen are mounted.

In particular, an edge slide

166

is mounted within the interior space defined by the covers, which slide

166

is capable of arcuate translation around a portion of the interior space. The edge slide

166

includes an arcuate, wedge-shaped section

168

having a relatively wide rear section

170

which narrows to substantially a point at a front section

172

. The edge slide

166

further includes an arcuate extension

174

extending from rear section

170

. The edge slide

166

additionally has a finger grip

176

attached at the rear section

170

and extending outside of the footprint of the covers

104

and

106

. A portion of the outer circumferential walls formed in covers

104

and

106

may be omitted to allow translation of the edge slide

166

outside of the housing as described below. A pair of guides

171

are additionally mounted to the surface of either cover

104

or

106

between which the pen cartridge

138

is seated.

In its retracted position shown in

FIGS. 25 and 25A

, the rear of pen cartridge

138

(i.e., the top as shown in

FIG. 25

) lies engaged with the front section

172

of edge slide

166

. It is also contemplated that the rear pen cartridge

138

not contact any portion of the edge slide

166

when the cartridge is in its retracted position. To extend the pen cartridge to the position shown in

FIGS. 26 and 26A

, the finger grip

176

is manually actuated in the counterclockwise direction from the perspective of

FIGS. 25 and 26

. Upon such actuation, a ramp surface

178

of the wedge-shaped section

168

forces the pen cartridge downward with respect to

FIG. 25

, thus moving the pen cartridge to its extended position shown in

FIGS. 26 and 26A

. The arcuate extension

174

serves both to facilitate smooth arcuate translation of the edge slide

166

, and also to cover the hole

114

in the housing when the edge slide

166

is in the position shown in

FIGS. 25 and 25A

.

In a preferred embodiment, a spring

180

may be provided around cartridge

138

, which spring biases the cartridge upward from the perspective of

FIGS. 25 and 26

to its retracted position. Thus, when the edge slide is moved clockwise, spring

180

biases the pen cartridge

138

back into its retracted position as ramp

178

recedes. It is understood that biasing mechanisms other than springs may be used to bias the pen cartridge back to its retracted position.

The edge slide is configured so that a 45° arcuate translation of the edge slide will result in an approximate ¼ inch translation of the pen cartridge which is sufficient to move the pen cartridge between its extended and retracted positions. The configuration of edge slide

166

, and in particular the slope of ramp surface

178

, may be varied in alternative embodiments to vary the translation of pen cartridge

138

for a given arcuate translation of edge slide

166

. In one alternative embodiment, the edge slide may translate over an arc ranging between 30° and 180°.

As will be appreciated from this embodiment, the finger grip

176

may be easily manipulated by one hand to move the tip of the writing cartridge between its extended and retracted positions.

Writing Instrument Including Gravity-Activated Assembly

A further embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to

FIGS. 27-30C

and

72

-

74

. The embodiments of

FIGS. 27-30C

and

72

-

74

include covers

104

and

106

having outer surfaces and outer edge surfaces substantially as described above. In this embodiment, the covers

104

and

106

are fixedly attached to each other with a conventional adhesive or fastener so as not to rotate with respect to each other. A pair of guides

182

are formed on the inner surface

110

of cover

104

, or alternatively on the inner surface

118

of cover

106

, between which guides the pen cartridge

138

is seated. One or more detents

186

are formed in the guides

182

. The detents are provided at a position along the length of the guides

182

for receiving a locking member such as locking ball

188

to maintain the pen in its extended position.

In particular, in its retracted position shown in

FIGS. 27 and 28

, the locking ball

188

is seated within a detent

186

. The cartridge

138

remains in its retracted position as shown in

FIG. 27

due to the forces of gravity. Alternatively, as shown in

FIG. 28

, a gravity-actuated slide cover

190

may seal the hole

114

to maintain the pen cartridge in its retracted position when not in use. In the embodiment of

FIG. 28

, before the pen cartridge may be extended, the pen must be tilted on its side so that gravity moves the cover

190

away from the hole

114

. One of the guides

182

may include a foot portion

191

which, together with the wall of the cover, restricts the movement of the cover to slide between a first position where the hole

114

is covered and a second position where the hole

114

is uncovered. A stop

193

may further be provided to limit the motion of the cover when in the second position. After the pen has been tilted to move the cover

190

to the second position, the pen may be pointed downward so that gravity moves the pen cartridge to the extended position shown in FIG.

28

A. The tilting of the pen to move the cover away from the hole

114

and pointing of the pen downward to extend the pen cartridge may be accomplished in a single hand motion.

As shown in

FIG. 28A

, when the cartridge

138

moves to its extended position, the locking ball

188

moves out of the detent and seats on top of the back end of the pen cartridge. The position of the detents

186

are determined by the length of pen cartridge

138

so that locking ball

188

is able to move out of the detent

186

when the tip of the pen cartridge is fully extended. The spacing between the guides

182

is smaller than the diameter of the locking ball so that, seated on top of the pen cartridge, the locking ball wedges against corners

195

and

197

of the guides so to lock the pen cartridge in its extended position. As long as the locking ball

188

remains in position on the back end of the pen cartridge, the pen cartridge will remain in its extended position. In order to retract the pen, the pen is lifted off of the writing surface and tilted, at which point the locking ball

188

falls back into a detent

186

. Thereafter, tilting the pen upward retracts the pen cartridge rearward into the housing

102

.

In an alternative embodiment shown in

FIGS. 29 and 29A

, when the pen is in the retracted position, the locking ball

188

may be seated between the guides

182

at the back end of the pen cartridge

138

. The cartridge

138

may remain in its retracted position due to the forces of gravity as shown in FIG.

29

. When the writing instrument

100

is oriented so that the tip of the pen cartridge faces generally downward as shown in

FIG. 29A

, the forces of gravity will bias the pen cartridge to its extended position (in embodiments including a slide cover

190

, the slide cover must first be opened for the pen cartridge to move to its extended position). As shown in

FIG. 29A

, when the cartridge

138

moves to its extended position, the locking ball

188

will seat partially within detent

186

. Seated partially within the detent, the locking ball locks the pen cartridge in its extended position by preventing the cartridge

138

from retracting. As long as the instrument remains tilted in the writing position, locking ball

188

will remain in detent

186

, and the pen cartridge will remain in its extended position. In order to retract the pen, the pen is tilted upward, at which point the locking ball

188

falls out of detent

186

and the forces of gravity retract the pen cartridge rearward into the space between guides

182

.

FIG. 30A

shows a cross-section of the detents

186

shown in FIG.

29

A. Instead of having two detents

186

, the guides

182

may be formed with a single discrete detent

186

as shown in

FIG. 30B

, or more than two discrete detents

186

as shown in

FIG. 30C

for receiving locking ball

188

.

The gravity activated embodiment of the present invention is further shown in

FIGS. 72-74

. The writing instrument

100

shown therein operates in the same manner as the writing instrument

100

shown in

FIGS. 27-28A

. It includes a locking member comprising a locking pin

188

, and first and second detents

186

a

and

186

b

. When the writing instrument is tilted upwards, the locking pin

188

resides in first detent

186

a

as shown in FIG.

73

. In this position, the pen cartridge

138

is free to retract due to the forces of gravity. When the writing instrument is tilted downwards, the locking pin

188

slides partially out of detent

186

a

, across the channel defined by guides

182

, and seats partially within detent

186

b

as shown in FIG.

74

. In this position, the pen is prevented from retracting and is held in a position for writing. (While the writing instrument shown in

FIGS. 72-74

has a square shape, it is understood that the writing instrument shown in

FIGS. 27-29A

and

72

-

74

may be circular, square or other shapes as described above.)

According to the embodiments of

FIGS. 27-30C

and

72

-

74

, the pen cartridge may be easily moved between its extended and retracted positions by a simple flick of the wrist or tilting of the writing instrument

100

. In embodiments including a hand-actuated slide cover, the pen may be maintained in its retracted position when not in use, and easily moved to its extended position with a single hand by sliding the slide cover to an open position and then tilting the pen as described above.

Writing Instrument with Push Button-Activation Assembly

A further embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to

FIGS. 31-34

. The embodiments of

FIGS. 31-34

include covers

104

and

106

having outer surfaces substantially as described above. Each cover according to this embodiment preferably further includes a wall

208

extending around the outer circumference of each cover. The walls

208

of the respective covers are preferably of the same diameter and are fixedly attached to each other at their upper edges as by an adhesive or fastener. The walls

208

preferably include aligned openings

210

through which the pen cartridge

138

may extend and retract.

According to this embodiment, the pen cartridge

138

may be moved between its extended and retracted positions by a conventional push button assembly

212

which is well known in the pen industry for extending and retracting a pen out of an elongated pen casing. In general, push button assembly

212

includes a plunger

214

having a push button

216

at its top end extending out of the housing

102

, and a plurality of track followers

218

at its bottom end. Push button assembly

212

further includes formations

221

on the inner surfaces

110

and

118

of the covers

104

and

106

(only the formation

221

on the cover

104

is shown). When the covers are assembled together, the formations

221

together define an enclosure having a plurality of tracks

222

in which track followers

218

move up and down upon hand activation of the push button

216

of plunger

214

. The assembly

212

further includes an actuator

228

fitting substantially within the plunger and against which the pen cartridge

138

abuts. A spring

230

is provided around a lower portion of the pen cartridge to bias the pen cartridge upward against the actuator

228

. The actuator includes a number of teeth

232

, which reside in alternating tracks

222

(e.g., there may be four teeth

232

on the actuator

228

and eight tracks

222

defined by the formations

221

).

As shown in

FIGS. 32-34

, and as is known in the art, upon each manual actuation of the plunger

214

, the actuator will rotate the pitch of one track

222

as a result of teeth

232

within the tracks having slanted edges (not shown). When the teeth of the actuator reside in one set of alternating tracks, the teeth catch on stops (not shown) in the tracks so that the actuator is prevented from fully retracting. In this instance, the pen cartridge abutting against the actuator is held in the extended position as shown in FIG.

32

. Upon the next depression of plunger

214

, the teeth move to the next adjacent set of tracks, where they do not catch (

FIG. 33

) so that the spring

230

biases the pen cartridge, actuator and plunger downward (

FIG. 34

) to a retracted position.

As would be appreciated by those of skill in the art, other known push button assemblies may be employed wherein the tip of the pen cartridge

138

is alternately extended and retracted upon finger activation of a mechanism extending from the housing

102

.

An alternative embodiment of the present invention is shown in

FIGS. 35-40

. This embodiment includes an assembly which operates similarly to the push-button assembly

212

disclosed above with respect to

FIGS. 31-34

, except that the push button

216

is omitted. According to this embodiment, the two covers

104

,

106

are slidably mounted to each other. One of the covers, for example cover

104

, includes posts

234

, each of which includes a lip

236

. The other of the covers, for example cover

106

, includes a corresponding number of slots

238

formed partially through the wall on the interior of the cover. The lip

236

of each post

234

mates within a slot

238

. As the slots are wider than the posts and lips, the lip is capable of sliding in the slot to allow the respective covers to slide back and forth with respect to each other.

In accordance with this embodiment, the plunger

214

(without the push button

216

) abuts against an interior wall

240

of either cover

104

or

106

. In an embodiment where the plunger

214

abuts against wall

240

on cover

106

, when it is desired to move the pen cartridge between its extended and retracted positions, the cover

106

is advanced (downward as shown in

FIG. 39

) relative to cover

104

. This movement in turn moves the plunger downward and the actuator

228

will rotate between alternating ratchet positions as described above. In a first rachet position (shown in FIG.

38

), the teeth

232

of the actuator do not catch on the tracks

222

, and the pen remains in the retracted position. In a second rachet position (shown in FIG.

40

), the teeth

232

of the actuator do catch on the tracks

222

, and the pen is held in an extended position. A spring

230

as described above biases the pen into a retracted position and also biases the covers into a coextensive position.

Writing Instrument Including Pressure-Activated Assembly

Although not shown in the drawings, a further embodiment of the present invention may comprise a writing instrument where the pen cartridge is actuated between its extended and retracted positions as a result of applying inwardly directed pressure on the outer surfaces of covers

104

and

106

. According to this embodiment, covers

104

and

106

are preferably formed of an elastic polymer such as any of various plastics, and having a modulus of elasticity that allow the covers to elastically deform upon a pressure applied to the outer surface of the covers.

As would be appreciated by those of skill in the art, various mechanisms may be employed in accordance with this embodiment to extend and retract the pen cartridge. For example, the mechanism could be made up of a series of tiny, interconnected four-bar linkages so that a pressure exerted on the mechanism in one direction (i.e., along the upper and lower edge of the mechanism) results in a change in the length of the mechanism. The mechanism would be located within the housing

102

in a plane perpendicular to the inner surfaces of covers

104

and

106

, and colinear with pen cartridge

138

. Each joint in the mechanism could be affixed together by a small pin holding the respective members together while allowing rotation of the joined members with respect to each other. The back end of the pen cartridge would be affixed to or abutting against the end of the mechanism, so that upon extension of the mechanism as a result of pressure on the covers, the mechanism and the cartridge would extend. A rachet and spring assembly as described above could be used to hold the pen extended upon a first application of pressure to the covers, and to allow the pen to retract upon a second application of pressure.

As an alternative to covers formed of a polymer, the covers may be formed of a thin gauge metal with an inherent bias into a position where the covers bow slightly outward. In this embodiment, upon application of a threshold pressure to the respective covers, the covers may invert so that the covers bow inward to actuate the cartridge extension mechanism as described above. Due to the inherent bias of the covers to remain in their natural position, the covers will snap quickly inward upon application of the threshold pressure, and will snap quickly back to their natural position upon removal of the pressure. The covers may also be made to make an audible snapping noise when moving between their natural and inwardly bowed positions.

Each component used in making the writing instrument

100

according to the various above-described embodiments can be manufactured and assembled at a low cost, thus allowing the finished writing instrument to be economically manufactured. However, it is further understood that high-end writing instruments according to the above-described embodiments may also be provided. In such writing instruments, the focus is not in providing an economical finished product, but in providing a precision, durable and/or elegant finished product. As will be appreciated by those of skill in the art, other components may be substituted for those described above for providing such a high-end writing instrument.

As described above, in addition to the bottle cap shown, the appearance of the outer housing

102

may be that of any of several familiar and/or proprietary objects. A partial listing of such objects is set forth below:

a double sided and single sided bottle cap as shown in

FIGS. 41 and 41A

;

food items, such as a cookie and a hamburger as shown in

FIGS. 42-43

;

a compact disk as shown in

FIG. 44

;

a gambling chip as shown in

FIG. 45

;

candy such as M&Ms® or Lifesavers® as shown in

FIGS. 46-48

;

a computer chip such as shown in

FIGS. 49 and 49A

;

a floppy disk such as shown in

FIG. 50

;

rotary and digital watches such as shown in

FIGS. 51 and 52

(this embodiment may comprise an actual working watch affixed to a cover, or a nonworking replica of a watch face);

a cover of a container, such as an ice cream container, as shown in

FIGS. 53 and 53A

;

a coaster as shown in

FIG. 54

;

a pill and capsule such as shown in FIGS.

55

,

56

and

56

A;

a plate as shown in

FIG. 57

;

a makeup compact as shown in

FIG. 58

;

a rivet such as shown in

FIG. 59

;

a coin as shown in

FIGS. 60 and 60A

;

a cracker such as shown in

FIG. 61

;

a rotary phone dial as shown in

FIG. 62

; and

a tire as shown in FIG.

63

.

It is understood that the above list is exemplary and it is understood that the outward appearance of the writing instrument

100

may have many other additional shapes and appearances in alternative embodiments. For example, the writing instrument may comprise a generic object, or slug, having blank covers and edges. Still further examples include a writing instrument

100

having a transparent cover affixed to the outer surface of cover

104

andor

106

, into which transparent cover a photo or other picture may be placed. The outer surface of cover

104

and/or

106

may alternatively be coated with a material capable of accepting a fingerprint. In a still further example, the outer surface of cover

104

and/or

106

may include a material that changes color with a change in pressure or temperature. Such materials are known and used for example in so-called “mood rings”. In another embodiment, one or both covers may be coated with a fragrance in accordance with so-called “scratch and sniff” technology. It is understood that a writing instrument shaped or appearing as any of the above-described objects can operate in accordance with each of the above-described embodiments for extending and retracting the pen cartridge.

For example, the lifesaver embodiment of

FIG. 48

, including a hole in the middle of the writing instrument, can operate with the cam assembly of

FIGS. 4-9

. This particular configuration is shown in

FIGS. 67-71

where writing instrument

100

includes a central hole

250

. As described above with respect to

FIGS. 4-9

, when the writing instrument

100

in

FIGS. 67-71

is assembled, the pen guide

128

lies between the respective covers

104

and

106

. Rotation of the second cover clockwise from the view of

FIGS. 69-71

with respect to the first cover causes rotation of the track

124

as shown. Rotation of the track

124

in turn causes translation of the track following section

132

, which is constrained to translate horizontally from the views of

FIGS. 67-71

as a result of the guide following sections

136

(not shown in

FIGS. 67-71

) riding along the linear guides

126

. Thus, rotation of the second cover from the position shown in

FIG. 69

, through the position shown in

FIG. 70

, to the position shown in

FIG. 71

results in the writing end of the cartridge

138

moving from its retracted position to its extended position.

As stated above, each of the embodiments shown in

FIGS. 41-63

can operate in accordance with any of the above-described embodiments for extending and retracting the pen cartridge. Therefore, the seam shown in

FIGS. 41-63

can be between two rotationally engaged sections of the housing, or between two fixedly engaged sections of the housing.

Up to this point, the writing instrument has been described as a generally flat device, having a first generally planar cover spaced slightly from a second generally planar cover. However, it is understood that the outward shape of the writing instrument may take on other three dimensional shapes in alternative embodiments. For example, the instrument

100

may be spherically shaped, such as for example in the shape of a can or a bottle, or may be irregularly shaped, such as for example in the shape of a person, character or automobile. For such embodiments, the internal components according to the various embodiments described above for extending and retracting the pen cartridge may be housed within an internal compartment within the outer housing. (It may not be practical to use rotating components to extend and retract the pen cartridge in some of these alternative shape embodiments.)

In embodiments where the housing

102

is shaped for example like a bottle, a viscous liquid may be provided in a sealed area within the housing

102

, isolated from the internal compartment in which the extending and retracting components are located. In such embodiments, the liquid may create the impression of the liquid being poured from the bottle as the writing instrument is tilted downward to the writing position. Moreover, in for example the gravity-activated embodiment described above, a conventional damper may be employed to slow the movement of the pen cartridge as the pen cartridge extends from and retracts into the housing, thus creating the impression that the pen tip is being poured out of the housing

102

.

As set forth briefly above, while a preferred embodiment of the present invention relates to a writing instrument, it is understood that other tools may be mounted within housing

102

. Such tools can have an outer appearance of a familiar and/or proprietary object as described above, and can be extended and retracted in accordance with the various embodiments described above. For example, as shown in

FIGS. 64 and 65

, respectively, a screwdriver or cutting blade may be provided within housing

102

. Moreover, as shown in

FIG. 66

, a light source may be provided within housing

102

. In such an embodiment, in addition to extending and retracting the light source, the internal mechanisms can activate the light source when it is extended, and can deactivate the light source when it is retracted. It is further understood that the mechanisms for activating and deactivating the light source may be separate from those extending and retracting the light source. Further still, it is contemplated that the internal mechanisms merely activate and deactivate the light source, without extending or retracting it.

In further alternative embodiments, it is contemplated that writing instrument

100

include a wide variety of battery or solar powered electronics. In such instances the electronics can be activated upon extension or retraction of the pen cartridge. In addition to the light source describe above, the electronics may include a sound chip for emitting audible sounds, words and/or melodies.

It is an advantage of the present invention that it provides a much more effective promotional and marketing vehicle than that presented by conventional printing on the side of a writing instrument. This is so because the pen does not have the word “Oreo”® printed on its side, it is an Oreo®; it does not have a picture of an auto manufacturer's emblem on its side, it is the emblem; it does not have a picture of a Coca-Cola® bottle on its side, it is a Coca-Cola® bottle, or at least close replicas thereof. The present invention conjures a corporate image without having to read or study information printed on a side of a pen, and thus provides a more effective at-a-glance marketing tool than words or information about the object could ever be. Moreover, a writing instrument according to the present invention will have much greater value as a novelty item than conventional pens.

Although the invention has been described in detail herein, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments herein disclosed. Various changes, substitutions and modifications may be made thereto by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as described and defined by the appended claims.

Number	Name	Date	Kind
2031839	Limbach	Feb 1936	A
2631317	De Kolb	Mar 1953	A
3168072	Nitta	Feb 1965	A
3431918	Neumann et al.	Mar 1969	A
3912401	Zepell	Oct 1975	A
3994605	McKnight	Nov 1976	A
4035865	McRae et al.	Jul 1977	A
4162754	Fleming	Jul 1979	A
4227823	Kitzerow	Oct 1980	A
4377349	Kunii	Mar 1983	A
4459058	Bennett	Jul 1984	A
D292297	Bingham	Oct 1987	S
4728212	Spector	Mar 1988	A
D302985	Vinck	Aug 1989	S
4986685	Kiyokane	Jan 1991	A
D319467	Clowes	Aug 1991	S
D344759	Monzyk	Mar 1994	S
D344977	Monzyk	Mar 1994	S
D344978	Monzyk	Mar 1994	S
D345176	Monzyk	Mar 1994	S
D345375	Monzyk	Mar 1994	S
D365849	Greer, Jr.	Jan 1996	S
5564849	Greer, Jr.	Oct 1996	A
5688062	Shih	Nov 1997	A
5826997	Coleman et al.	Oct 1998	A
6033141	Blaustein et al.	Mar 2000	A
6039492	Chen	Mar 2000	A

Number	Date	Country
3342982	Jun 1985	DE
3908960	Sep 1990	DE
3909133	Sep 1990	DE
2718081	Oct 1995	FR

Stylized writing instrument

Information

Patent Number

Date Filed

Date Issued

Inventors

Examiners

Agents

CPC

US Classifications

Field of Search

US

International Classifications

Abstract

Description

Claims

US Referenced Citations (27)

Foreign Referenced Citations (4)