GB2576871A

GB2576871A - Novelty writing implement

Info

Publication number: GB2576871A
Application number: GB1811495.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Browning Stuart; Holden Gavin
Original assignee: Blue Sky Designs Ltd
Current assignee: Blue Sky Designs Ltd
Priority date: 2018-07-13
Filing date: 2018-07-13
Publication date: 2020-03-11
Also published as: GB201811495D0

Abstract

A novelty writing implement 110 comprises a shaft portion (130, figure 2), a nib portion (140, figure 2) and a novelty article 120 comprising a resiliently deformable body defining a passage (200, figure 3). An additional embodiment has at least one stop member on the shaft portion which may extend radially outward from the shaft. A further embodiment has two stop members axially spaced on the shaft. The novelty article might be rotatably mounted to the shaft portion. The novelty article can be removeable. The body of the article might be arranged to grip the shaft. The implement might have a connector portion (clip, catch, hook, keyring, loop) which preferably has a gate portion.

Description

(54) Title of the Invention: Novelty writing implement

Abstract Title: Novelty writing implement and article (57) A novelty writing implement 110 comprises a shaft portion (130, figure 2), a nib portion (140, figure 2) and a novelty article 120 comprising a resiliently deformable body defining a passage (200, figure 3). An additional embodiment has at least one stop member on the shaft portion which may extend radially outward from the shaft. A further embodiment has two stop members axially spaced on the shaft. The novelty article might be rotatably mounted to the shaft portion. The novelty article can be removeable. The body of the article might be arranged to grip the shaft. The implement might have a connector portion (clip, catch, hook, keyring, loop) which preferably has a gate portion.

The claims were filed later than the filing date but within the period prescribed by Rule 22(1) of the Patents Rules 2007.

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Novelty Writing Implement

The present invention relates to a novelty writing implement, and is concerned particularly, although not exclusively, with a novelty pen.

The present invention is defined in the attached independent claims, to which reference should now be made. Further, preferred features may be found in the sub-claims appended thereto.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a novelty writing implement comprising a shaft portion, a nib portion for writing and a novelty article comprising a resiliently deformable body defining a passage for receiving the shaft portion to mount the novelty article on the shaft portion.

The novelty article is preferably mountable on the shaft portion against at least one stop member on the shaft portion. The stop member preferably extends radially outwards from the shaft portion to form an abutment limiting axial movement of the novelty article on the shaft portion.

In a preferred arrangement there are two stop members, axially spaced on the shaft portion.

The novelty article is preferably mountable on the shaft portion so that it may enjoy some degree of rotation about the shaft portion, and preferably has only limited axial movement on the shaft portion, if any.

In a preferred arrangement the novelty article is removably mountable on the shaft portion. The body is preferably deformable so as to allow mounting and de-mounting of the novelty article on the shaft.

The resiliently deformable body may be arranged to grip the shaft in use.

The writing implement may include a connector portion for connecting the implement to another article. The connector 15 portion is preferably axially spaced from the nib portion and may comprise a loop, more preferably an openable loop.

In a preferred arrangement the connector portion comprises a gate portion that is moveable between substantially open 20 and substantially closed configurations. The gate portion may be resiliently biased in a closed position and may be openable to engage with another article.

The writing implement may comprise a pen. The shaft may be 25 hollow and the pen may include an ink reservoir which is preferably located within the shaft.

The nib portion may be retractable within the shaft. An actuator may be provided to cause the nib portion to retract 30 from and/or project from the shaft.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of mounting a novelty article on a writing implement, the method comprising inserting a shaft portion of the writing implement into a passage defined by a resiliently deformable body of a novelty article.

Preferably the method includes locating the novelty article body against at least one stop member on the shaft portion to limit the axial movement of the novelty article body on the shaft portion.

In a preferred arrangement the method includes locating the novelty article body between two axially spaced stop members on the shaft portion.

The method may include deforming the novelty article body to locate the body on the shaft portion.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a kit of parts comprising a writing implement body and one or more novelty articles for mounting on the writing implement body, wherein the writing implement body comprises a shaft portion and a nib portion for writing, the or each novelty article comprises a resiliently deformable article body defining a passage for receiving the shaft portion to mount the novelty article on the shaft portion.

The invention may include any combination of the features or limitations referred to herein, except such a combination of features as are mutually exclusive, or mutually inconsistent.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a novelty writing implement in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 shows a part of the writing implement of Figure 2; and

Figure 3 shows another part of the writing implement in side and front views.

Turning to Figure 1, this shows generally at 100 a novelty writing implement in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In this example the writing implement is a ballpoint pen. The pen comprises a pen portion 110 and a novelty article 120 mounted thereon. In this example, the novelty article comprises an animal figure and is of a resiliently deformable foam material.

Turning to Figure 2, this shows the pen portion 110 which comprises a shaft 130, a nib portion 140 and a connector portion 150. The nib is retractable within the shaft by the action of an actuator 160, which in this case is a twistable actuator. When the actuator is twisted in one direction with respect to the shaft the nib retracts within the shaft, and when the actuator is twisted in an opposed direction the nib extends to the position shown in the drawing.

On the shaft 130 are axially spaced stop members 170a and 170b which extend radially from the shaft and the purpose of which is to limit axial movement of the novelty article on the shaft in use, as will be described below.

The connector portion 150 comprises an openable loop having a spring-loaded gate 155. In the drawing the gate is shown in the closed position, in which it is held under the force of a spring (not shown) to close the loop. The gate may be pivoted against the force of the spring to temporarily open the loop, to allow the loop to engage another article, for example a bag or an item of clothing (not shown) . The connector portion is attached to the shaft, at the opposed end to the nib portion, by a swivelling linkage 190.

Figure 3 includes on the left a side view of the novelty article separate from the shaft, and on the right a front view. The novelty article comprises a substantially solid body 120 of resiliently deformable foam material having a hollow passage 200 (shown in broken lines) extending axially through the body, substantially centrally thereof. The passage 200 includes countersunk recessed portions 210a and 210b for accommodating the stop members 170a and 17b respectively when the article 120 is mounted on the shaft

130.

In order to mount the article 120 on the shaft the nib portion 140 is first inserted into the passage 200 at the upper end, i.e. at the end with recess 210a. The rest of the shaft may then be inserted into the passage until the lower stop member 170b emerges from the passage and locates in recess 210b. At this point the upper stop member locates in recess 210a, effectively restricting further axial movement of the article 120 on the shaft 130. By squeezing the article 120 it can be worked free and removed from the shaft without much manipulation.

There can be provided a plurality of different novelty articles 120 for use interchangeably with the pen portion

110. The pen portion 110 and such a plurality of articles 120 can be supplied together in a kit.

The above-described arrangements for mounting the novelty article on the shaft are preferred, not least because they allow for removal and replacement of the article, other arrangements are possible. For example, the novelty article could be mounted on the shaft using adhesive, which might obviate the need for stop members.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance, it should be understood that the applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features referred to herein, and/or shown in the drawings, whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims

5 CLAIMS .1.. A novelty writing implement comprising a shaft portion, a nib portion for writing and a noveltv article comprising a resdlientlp defcrmabi® body defining a 11 passage for redaivitig ths shaft portion. to mount th® novelty article on the shaft portion.
2. An implement according to Claim 1, wherein the novelty article irn mountafele ©a the shaft, portion against at 15 least one.· stop member on- the shaft portion.

5 07 19
3. An implement according to Claim 2, wherein the stop member extends radially onfewards from· the shaft portion to form an abutment limiting axial movement of the 20 novelty article on the shaft portion.

<< Aq implement according to Claim 2 ©r 3:, wherein there are 'two: stop: «feers, axially spaced on the shaft portion .
5. An implement according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the novelty article is mountable rotatably on the shaft portion.

30 6. An implement according to any of the preceding claims, vpem rht no, dp vt’ch m i.'wwnij ηιαηοΐΆ mi the shaft portion.

3. An implement according to any of the preceding claims,

35 wherein the i esrlienrJ y dofc?msble hod',· ±$ arr-mg<e t<^ grip the shaft in use.

A . An *rt.p 1 enieni u<_ .orbing to «η: cf the y..dine claims, including a. connector portion for connecting the implement to: another· article .

16 1·: A method gf mounting a novelty aiticl-. on _:a writing implement, the method comprising inserting a shaft portion tfih®: writing- implement Inta a, passage defined: By^: a tesl.ilient'ly hefdtmahl®: body of· a: novelty article,

15 10:- Λ metho i ir’roinq to ΙΙ^ιπ c, vheieir the <\t>cl includes locating the novelty article body against at least one stop member on the shaft portion to limit the axial movement of the novelty article body on the shaft portion .

11. A, method according tg dlaim | or 10, wherein the udlt d includes deforming the novelty article body to ¹vCrtte the body on the shaft portion.

25' 12, A kit of parts comprising a writing implement body and one or more novelty articles for mounting or, ths writing implement body, wherein the writing implement body comprises a shaft portion and a nib portion for writing, the or each novelty article comprises a 30 resiliently deformab'e article body defining a passage for receiving the shaft portico ’.o mount the novelty article on the shaft poytipn·.:.

Intellectual

Property 9

Office

Application No: GB1811495.9

Examiner: Adam Ramsay