Patent Application
20100322698
The present invention relates generally to writing instruments that are attachable to ferrous surfaces, and more particularly, relating to novel writing instrument having an improved construction including a permanent magnet agitator.
Writing instruments including numerous permanent magnetic arrangements for mounting a writing instrument to a ferrous surface or suspending a writing instrument above a surface exist in the prior art.
While existing writing instruments meet their intended purposes, a need still remains for a writing instrument mountable to a ferrous surface having an improved construction.
In general, in one aspect, a writing instrument mountable to a ferrous surface of a novel and improved construction is provided. The writing instrument includes an ink barrel of a non-ferrous material and first and second ends, an interior ink receiving space defined by an interior surface thereof, and a longitudinally extending axis. An agitator is positioned within the interior ink receiving space and is freely slidable therein for reciprocation along the longitudinally extending axis. The agitator includes a continuously open passage extending therethrough and generally in a direction from the first end towards the second end of the ink barrel. The agitator is a permanent magnet, whereby the writing instrument is detachably mountable to a surface of a ferrous material by a magnetic attraction between the surface of a ferrous material and the agitator when the ink barrel is positioned against the surface of a ferrous material.
In general, in another aspect, a writing instrument mountable to a ferrous surface of a novel and improved construction is provided. The writing instrument includes an ink barrel of a non-ferrous material and first and second ends, an interior ink receiving space defined by an interior surface thereof, and a longitudinally extending axis. An agitator is positioned within the interior ink receiving space and is freely slidable therein for reciprocation along the longitudinally extending axis. The agitator includes a continuously open passage extending therethrough and generally in a direction from the first end towards the second end. The agitator is constrained against rotation that would result in the continuously open passage extending in a direction that is not generally from the first end towards the second end of the ink barrel. The agitator has a transverse cross-section that substantially fills a transverse cross-section of the ink receiving space without making sealing contact with the interior surface. The agitator is a permanent magnet, whereby the writing instrument is detachably mountable to a surface of a ferrous material by a magnetic attraction between the surface of a ferrous material and the agitator when the ink barrel is positioned against the surface of a ferrous material.
There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated.
Numerous objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon a reading of the following detailed description of presently preferred, but nonetheless illustrative, embodiments of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of descriptions and should not be regarded as limiting.
As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.
The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention, in which:
Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
An agitator 24 is positioned within the ink receiving space 20 and is freely slidable therein for reciprocation along a longitudinal axis 26 of the ink barrel 12. A continuously open passage 30 extends through the agitator in a direction from end 14 towards end 16 of the ink barrel 12. Reciprocation of the agitator 24 in the ink barrel 12 causes the ink 28 to be mixed or stirred. Passage 30 allows ink 28 to freely flow through the agitator 24 and prevent development of a pressure differential in the ink across the agitator during mixing of the ink, that otherwise could prevent the agitator from being freely slidable or cause ink to leak from the ink barrel 12. One or more agitators 24 can be positioned within the ink receiving space 20.
A number of embodiments of the present invention have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims.
