The present invention relates generally to writing instruments. More particularly, the invention relates to a writing instrument with rotatable handles for selectively storing and/or using the writing instrument.
Writing instruments have been known in the art for a long time, in various styles and configurations, including pencils and pens for use by an individual on a surface such as paper. As writing instruments have developed, they have taken on a variety of different designs, profiles and shapes to accommodate different writing styles, and some designs allow a writing instrument to be collapsed or stored in at least one position so that the writing instrument is protected from damage when it is not in use. Along these lines, several prior art writing instruments are known which allow a writing utensil to be rotatably or pivotably attached to a casing or handle, which then allow the writing utensil to be positioned either away from the handle in a position of use, or enclosed within a handle in a position of storage.
However, prior art writing instruments of this type provide a writing utensil fixed to a single handle, and do not allow the writing utensil to be used in multiple positions respective to the handle. Furthermore, the casing or handle of these prior art devices are typically obtrusive to a user when attempting to use the writing instrument for writing. Therefore, according to the present invention, a device which comprises a writing utensil rotatably attached to a pair of handles which allow the writing utensil to be selectively positioned either away from the handles in a position of use, or enclosed by the handles in a position of storage, wherein both positions allow the writing instrument to be easily grasped by a user is disclosed. Furthermore, it is also desirable to allow the writing utensil to be used when the writing utensil is positioned in either a position of storage or use relative to the handles. Further, it is also desirable to provide a writing instrument that has a secondary purpose of providing entertainment to the user, and wherein a variety of tricks and movements can be performed by rotating a plurality of handles in a variety of different positions similar to a “butterfly” knife as shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,195,898, which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.
These and other problems are solved by the present invention, which comprises a writing instrument including a writing component rotatably connected to two handles at a common point of rotation as described in greater detail herein.
It is thus an object of the present invention to provide a writing instrument comprising a writing utensil and associated handles interconnected to each other to allow a user to selectively position the writing utensil in either an extended position of use or a closed position of storage. It is a further object of the present invention that the writing utensil and associated handles be designed to use a minimum number of components, thus making the writing instrument inexpensive to manufacture, simplistic in design, and encompassing a variety of different embodiments.
Thus, in one aspect of the present invention, a writing instrument is provided which comprises a writing utensil rotatably connected to two handles, each of the handles rotatable about a fixed point proximate the non-writing end of the writing utensil and allowing the handles to be positioned in various ways relative to the writing utensil. In one position, the handles may be positioned adjacent one another with the writing utensil extended longitudinally away from the adjacent handles in a position of use. In another position, the handles may be positioned adjacent to the longitudinal length of the writing utensil, with the writing utensil at least partially enclosed between the handles in a position of storage. In this embodiment, the writing instrument may be used to write when the writing utensil is in either a position of use or a position of storage. In this embodiment, the writing utensil is partially exposed at the end of the writing utensil opposite the end comprising the attachment of the handles, thereby allowing the writing utensil to contact a writing utensil forward end despite the body of the writing utensil being stored between the handles of the writing instrument. The writing instrument according to this embodiment may be held by a user in one of two different positions, thereby accommodating individual preferences for grasping the writing instrument, In another aspect of the invention, the writing instrument may be used to write only when the writing utensil is in the extended position of use, and not used when the handles completely surround the writing utensil and protect the writing utensil when it is in a position of storage.
In another aspect of the invention, the writing instrument may be used to provide a source of enjoyment and entertainment to the user, wherein the rotation of the handles about the writing instrument may be used to perform a variety of manipulations, movements and tricks by quickly rotating the handles in a variety of different positions, similar to a “butterfly” knife.
Thus, in one particular aspect or embodiment of the present invention, a folding instrument is provided which generally comprises:
a writing utensil;
at least two handles rotatably interconnected to a first distal end of the writing utensil, the at least two handles further comprising recesses along a longitudinal length of the at least two handles for enclosing at least a portion of the writing utensil between the at least two handles in a first position;
wherein the at least two handles are independently rotatable about the first distal end of the writing utensil to allow the at least two handles to become positioned adjacent to each other in a second position with the writing utensil extended from the at least two handles in a position of use, and wherein each of the at least two handles can independently rotate around the point of interconnection at the distal end of the writing utensil.
According to another embodiment of the present invention, a folding tool is provided which generally comprises:
a first instrument;
at least two handles rotatably interconnected to a first distal end of the first instrument, the at least two handles further comprising recesses along a longitudinal length of the at least two handles for enclosing at least a portion of the first instrument between the at least two handles in a first position;
wherein either of the at least two handles further comprise a second instrument;
wherein the at least two handles are independently rotatable about the first distal end of the first instrument to allow the at least two handles to become positioned adjacent to each other in a second position with the first instrument extended from the at least two handles in a position of use, and wherein each of the at least two handles can independently rotate around the point of interconnection at the distal end of the first instrument.
The foldable instrument or tool according to various embodiments may further comprise a lead pencil, graphite pencil, mechanical pencil, mechanical eraser, pen, magic marker, eraser, mini digital caliper, map measuring wheel, ruler, LED, laser pointer, flashlight, nail, pivot, pick, compass, divider, trammel point, scribe, magnifier, telescope, glow sticks, reference devices, math tables, language tables, lists, a cellular device, a paging device, a remote control, a tape recorder, radio, brush, comb, file or a container.
The foldable instrument or tool according to various embodiments comprise at least two handles nearly frictionlessly rotatably interconnected to a distal end of a writing utensil. Further, in various embodiments, the handles have substantially the same size and shape. Moreover, in various embodiments, the handles rotate within the same plane.
The foldable instrument or tool according to various embodiments may be formed of a material comprising at least one of a plastic material, a synthetic material, a wood material, a bone material, a horn material, a stag material, a steel material, a stainless steel material, a brass material, an aluminum material, an aluminum alloy material, a composite material and a metallic material. Further, in various embodiments, the folding instrument or tool comprises a writing utensil comprised of a different material than the handles.
The drawings are not necessarily to scale.
As described in detail below, various embodiments of the present invention include a novel, collapsible writing instrument, comprising two handles rotatably connected to a utensil for writing, such as a pen or pencil. Referring now to the drawings,
Referring now to
One advantage of the ability to rotate the handles about the writing utensil is the enjoyment and entertainment a user may experience while holding the writing instrument and quickly positioning the handles in various positions and performing unique moves or tricks. This advantage is created by providing a connection between the handles and the writing utensil similar to a “butterfly knife,” which has near frictionless connections between the blade and handles of the knife, and utilizes “balisong” style openings to allow the knife to be quickly and effortlessly positioned in a variety of different ways. A user may open and close the writing instrument in a variety of ways and in some instances employing a fair amount of dexterity depending on the skill of the user and their knowledge of the application of the balisong openings. Very skilled users may find enjoyment in very rapid manipulation of the handles, and may also be able to experiment with opening and deploying the writing utensil while only holding one of the handles and the other hanging free, for example.
Referring now to
The writing utensil 4 may be one of a variety of different styles, including but not limited to a pencil, a pen, such as a ballpoint or retractable ink pen, chalk, highlighter, felt tip or any other style of writing utensil which may be fit between two handles as described above. Furthermore, the writing utensil may be integrated with the contoured housing shown in
Referring still to
Additionally, the handles 20 may further comprise latching means for fixing the handles 20 together when the writing instrument 2 is in an open or closed position. Latching means could include, by way of example but not limitation, magnetic strips located proximate to spacer element 46, with opposing polarities, thereby attracting one another when the spacer elements 46 of each handle 20 are in close proximity to one another and providing the necessary holding force to prevent the handles 20 from moving inadvertently during use of the writing instrument 2. Alternatively, the latching means could include a latch and corresponding hook, positioned on different handles 20 proximate to and one of the spacer elements 42, 44, 46. Once the latch engages the hook the handles 20 are prevented from rotating apart from one another, thereby fixing the handles in either an open or closed position. This may be accomplished when the handles are adjacent one another in either an open position or a closed position, as in either position the handles are positioned adjacent to one another, regardless of the latching means employed.
Referring now to
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Referring now to
Referring now to
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Referring now to
Referring now to
This positioning described above in reference to
For example, a writing instrument 2 according to one embodiment may be used by a individual who works in a harsh environment, thereby exposing the writing instrument 2 to several hazards which could potentially damage the writing instrument 2 when it is not in use. Therefore, by way of example but not limitation, the writing instrument 2 according to one embodiment may be stored in a closed position, such as in a toolbox or other container, where it may come into contact with other tools or equipment, and thereby be protected from damage when the handles 20 are positioned about the writing utensil 4 and partially enclosing the writing utensil 4. In this embodiment, the handles 20 may be comprised of a more durable or anti-corrosive material than the writing utensil 4, including but not limited to steel, stainless steel, aluminum, aluminum alloy, or other type of metal. In alternate embodiments, the handles 20 may be comprised of a lighter material such as a plastic-type material, which may further be advantageous in environments where the presence of metal objects on a person poses a hazard, such as an environment where there exists the potential for an electrical field to exist.
A writing instrument 2 according to one alternate embodiment is shown in
According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the writing instrument 2 may incorporate additional instruments, tools and/or devices without deviating from the novel aspects described herein. For example, the writing utensil 4 may be replaced or substituted with other instruments, such as a lead pencil, graphite pencil, mechanical pencil, mechanical eraser, pen, magic marker or eraser. Alternatively, nonwriting-style instruments may be substituted, including but not limited to a mini digital caliper, measuring wheel, ruler, including metric or standard, level, LED, laser pointer, flashlight, nail/pivot, pick, compass, divider/trammel point, scribe, or magnifier, telescope and/or a glow stick. Tables or references may further be provided in place of or in addition to the writing utensil 4, such as math tables (multiplication etc.), language tables, lists, including phone or emergency listings, cellular devices such as a cellular phone, a clock, a remote control, a tape recorder, mp3 player and/or a radio. Devices for personal use such as brushes, combs, files, including nail files, and/or other grooming tools may be incorporated. Other uses not described herein are contemplated for use as well. For example, containers such as a pill box, with partitions for varying size pills or to separate dosages may be provided.
According to yet another alternative embodiment, any one of the tools, instruments and/or devices described above may be substituted in place of either one of the handles at varying locations along the handles. By way of example, but not limitation, a nail or pivot may replace then generally curved handle end depicted in
To provide further clarity to the detailed description provided herein in the associated drawings, the following list of components and associated numbering are provided as follows:
The foregoing description of the present invention has been presented for illustration and description purposes. However, the description is not intended to limit the invention to only the forms disclosed herein. In the foregoing Detailed Description for example, various features of the invention are grouped together in one or more embodiments for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed invention requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into this Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate preferred embodiment of the invention.
As used herein, “at least one,” “one or more,” and “and/or” are open-ended expressions that are both conjunctive and disjunctive in operation.
Consequently, variations and modifications commensurate with the above teachings and skill and knowledge of the relevant art are within the scope of the present invention. The embodiments described herein above are further intended to explain best modes of practicing the invention and to enable others skilled in the art to utilize the invention in such a manner, or include other embodiments with various modifications as required by the particular application(s) or use(s) of the present invention. Thus, it is intended that the appended claims be construed to include alternative embodiments to the extent permitted by the prior art.
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