GB2362355A - Writing instrument having a captive slidable cap lockable in extended and retracted positions - Google Patents

Abstract

A writing instrument 3 eg a ballpoint pen, has a non-removable cap 4 slidable between extended (Fig 1) and retracted (Fig 2) lockable positions. The cap includes indents 4a which engage in forward and rear recesses 3d,3e. Movement between the two positions is achieved by manually squeezing the cap at diametrically opposed positions p.

Description

1 2362355 c- PC 1 /1 r 1 ú:...J Protective Sleeve for Ball Pens, and the

like.

In our days, everyone uses ball pens,felt pens,.liquid ink pens and the like. The inexpensive type is sold with a protective end piece put over the pen nib. In order to write, however, that end piece has to be taken off and is meant to be placed back into position. If this is not done, the writing tip picks up dust particles or fiber material from clothes, it gets clogged, becomes increasingly inefficient and finally becomes useless. On hot days, when kept in pockets, the dry or liquid ink material tends to spill, ruining shirts andjackets. It is probable that there is a daily wastage of millions of ball pens while there remains plenty of ink in them thus leading to pollution and waste of resources. In short, many may wonder whether there did not exist an alternative way for pen nib protection. The description that follows arises from such a question and is illustrated by two sketches wherein

Figure 1 shows the protective sleeve 4 in its position when the pen is not used, and And remains in a first locked position.

Figure 2 shows the said sleeve in its "removed", equally locked, position.

In these representations, Part I is here figures as a ball pen nib, but could equally be a liquid ink nib or a felt tip, etc Part 2 is here shown as a hollow channel into which the ink-holding tubular part (usually integrated with the writing nib) can be placed. Part 3 is the external pen shaft which in a certain area has flattened sides, as Fig. III shows in cross section near one of the indents 4a, 3d and 3e. which are the interlocking indents. The round sleeve 4 has an externally visible dot or strip 'p' which is opposite the flattened main shaft as shown in FigUTe. 111. Sleeve 4 is thin enough to be squeezed when pressure is applied in the direction of the arrows, (Fig. III) That means also that the indents 4a will spread outwards, sufficiently to unlock the mutually engaging indents 4a-3e, or respectively indents 4a-3d.

2

Claims (2)

1. A protective Sleeve for pen nibs of ball pens, felt pens, ink pens, and so forth, which can be installed on the pen shaft in such a manner that its complete removal from the pen shaft can be avoided, and retention on the pen shaft is made possible and secured against loss in two locked positions, namely (a) where the said sleeve overlaps the pen nib (b) where the said sleeve completely frees the pen nib.
2. 2. A protective Sleeve for a pen nib, etc. as in Claim 1, wherein the said locked positions can be released by applying manual pressure to an externally marked point.