US3112734A - Writing implement - Google Patents

Description

Dec.

1953 A. ZEPEQLL 3,112,734

WRITING IMPLEMENT Filed July 28, 1961 ego X 8 64 I 7 42 I 54 56 62 t .-46 56 4a H I .68 I I m L 72 'l INVENTOR.

. NATHAN ALTER ZEPELL nrramvsr Uited St This invention relates to writing implements and has special reference to a clip actuated mechanism for use on a pocket carried instrument in which a writing unit assembly, or the like, is movable between exposed and concealed positions.

More particularly, this invention relates to an actuating mechanism for a writing instrument of the type having a writing unit assembly movable longitudinally betwee concealed and exposed positions, with a resilient element urging the assembly toward the concealed position, the mechanism comprisin a barrel having upper and lower aligned apertures in a side wall thereof, a stop member Within the barrel to limit the rearward movement of the assembly when in the concealed position, clip means including a substantially rigid arm disposed externally of the barrel, there being an integral mounting section formed adjacent the upper end of the arm and mo-vably disposed in the upper aperture to permit displacement of the lower end of the arm substantially transversely of the barrel between an inward position, a clipping position and a distended position. An inwardly directed contact member is formed adjacent the lower end of the arm, the contact member having an inclined surface operatively engaging the unit assembly through the lower aperture to reciprocate the assembly between the concealed and exposed positions in response to movement of the lower end between the clipping and the inward positions, and an inwardly extending projection having a resilient leg diverging therefrom and releasably engaging the interior of the side Wall of the barrel to yielda ly urge the lower end of the arm toward the clipping position from the distended position, the leg being flexed toward the mounting section to permit movement thereof through said upper aperture during assembly and disassembly of the barrel and the clip means.

in the usual writing implement, a pocket clip is provided for the purpose of releasably attaching the instrument to a coat or shirt pocket, or the like, for carryin Such clips ordinarily include a resilient arm having mounting means on one end thereof and an inwardly directed contact member, generally of a semi-spherical configuration, on the ot er end. The mounting means may consist of a pair of deformable ears, an annular ring, or the like, rigidly secured to the instrument in such a manner that the contact member at the free end of the arm normally is urged toward and positioned against the body of the instrument. The resilient arm, however, permits limited transverse movement of the Contact member in a direction away from the body to slidably receive therebetween the top edge of a coat or shirt pocket, While maintaining pressure on the pocket material during normal periods of carrying.

it has been observed that after being used for a period of time, the arm of the usual clip is subject to fracture or distortion. Such breakage or distortion, or" course, is of definite inconvenience to the user because of the extra care necessitated in order to prevent subsequent loss of the instrument.

in order to overcome the above described problem, it has been proposed to utilize a substantially rigid clip arm in combination with an internally mounted steel spring element adapted to permit movement of the arm for clipping purposes. And while certain of these arrangements es atnt have proven commercially practicable, the assembly of the separate clip and spring parts not only increases manufacturing 'costs but the retail price to the ultimate user.

Further, in the usual writing implement, the free end portion of the pocket clip projects a substantial distance from its outer surface, which characteristic is objectionable to many individuals as the clip may irritate the hand after long periods of use. Such clips also may interfere with free rotatable movement of the implement during writing. Such movement is desirable when using certain types of writing implements, particularly pencils or ball point pens, so as to insure even wearing of the writing medium or tip.

In addition, the usual clip has only one function or purpose, that being to hold the implement within a coat or shirt pocket. if the implement includes an extensible writing unit, or the like, such as that in the present retractable ball point pen, separate means must be provided in order to accomplish the desired reciprocal movement of the unit. Such additional mechanism not only complicates the construction of the implement but further increases the cost of manufacture.

Accordingly, one object of this invention in the provision of a writing instrument having a clip operated mechanism for efiecting movement of a writing unit assembly between concealed and Writing positions.

Another object of this invention is to provide a writing instrument including unitary clip means having an integral resilient section which serves to retain the mechanism in an assembled relationship while providing the resiliency necessary for clipping of the instrument within a coat or shirt pocket, or the like.

A further object of this invention is the provision of a writing instrument of the retractable type, wherein the operating mechanism includes an unitary pocket clip, the arm portion thereof being movable to a substantially recessed position with respect to the surface of the implement on which it is mounted upon conditioning the implement for use.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a pen having a reciprocal Writing unit and an operating mechanism comprising a pocket clip and a barrel, the clip including a leg portion which is flexible to permit assembly with the barrel and subsequent movement of the clip arm for clipping purposes.

A still further object of this invention is the provision of a writing instrument having a clip operated mechanism which is simple and inexpensive in construction and assembly, and dependable and convenient in operation without necessitating undue care or attention on the part of the user.

Further and additional objects of this invention will be apparent from the following description, when taken with the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is a broken longitudinal sectional view of a writing implement constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the rearward portion of the embodiment of FIG. 1, showing a change in position of the clip and Writing unit assembly; and

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional View of the rearward portion of the embodiment of FIG. 1, showio the manner in which the clip and barrel are assembled and disassembled.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawing, there is illustrated a writing implement of the ball point type in which the barrel or holder it consists of a lower barrel portion 12 and an upper cap portion 14. These portions may be made of any one of a number of well known plastic or metal materials having the rigidity,

strength and surface wearing characteristics desired in a writing instrument holder. Extending rearwardly of the lower barrel portion 12 is a collar 16 which is threadedly engaged with the lower end of the cap portion 14 in order to releasably secure the barrel portions in axial a ignment.

Mounted within the barrel 1% is a writing point assembly 18. The assembly 18 includes a generally cyli' drical reservoir 2d which is reduced in diameter adjacent its forward end to provide an intermediate shoulder 22. The forward reduced end of the reservoir 13 terminates in a writing point 26 of the ball point type. it will be understood, however, that other types of wring points or marking tips may be utilized in this invention.

The writing unit assembly is is longitudinally movable within the central bore '23 of the barrel 1% between a concealed position disposed entirely within the barrel and an exposed position in which the writing point 2 extends through the forward end 3% of the barrel l in writing position.

A resilient element 32, such as a coil spring, is disposed between the shoulder 22 of the point assembly 13 and the shoul er 34 formed by the junction of the central bore and open forward end 38. As will be well understood by those in the art, the spring 32 is provided for the purpose of urging the writing point assembly iii in a rearward direction relative to the open forward end Extending rearwardly of the central bore 2.3 is a reduced bore 3-6 of a diameter somewhat less than that of the generally cylindrical reservoir 29. The intersection of the bores 2.3 and 35 thus provide a shoulder 3-3 against which the rearward end or upper end 46 of the writing assembly 18 abuts during such time as the point assembly 13 is in the above described concealed position. Such abutment limits the rearward movement of the point assembly 18 for a purpose to be described in more detail hereinafter.

The cap portion 14- of the barrel it? is provided with an upper aperture 42 and a lower aperture 44 which are axially aligned in the side wall of the cap 14. As will be noted, the upper aperture 42 preferably is formed adjacent the upper closed end of the barrel to, with the lower aperture 44 being disposed forwardly thereof in the region of the stop member or shoulder 38. The aperture 44 extends longitudinally in both directions from the shoulder 31? and, thus, the upper transverse end 4% of the reservoir 29 is positioned slightly below the upper edge of the aperture 44 when in the concealed position.

Clip means as, mounted on the cap 14, serves not only for clipping the writing implement to a coat or shirt pocket, but to effect extension or movement of the writing point assembly 18 between the concealed and exposed positions. Included as a part of the clip means is a substantially rigid arm 43 disposed externally of the barrel 1%. The arm preferably may be stamped from a sheet of flat metal, such as steel or spring brass, and formed inthe usual manner with a center portion 553 and co-extensive ide flanges 52. Adjacent the upper end of the arm 4-8, the side flanges 52 are formed as an integral mounting section defining generally paralle wall portions 54 sized to be movably received within upper aperture 42. The forward edge of the wall portions are formed with generally longitudinally extending surfaces or offsets 55 which abut the outer surface of the cap 14 immediately below the lower edge of the aperture 42.

The offsets 55 thus limit inward movement of the mounting section of the clip means 46 relative to the aperture 42.

As pointed out hereinabove, the usual carrying clip is provided with a pair of deformable ears, a ring-like section, or the like, which not only are time consuming and expensive in construction and assembly, but severely complicate subsequent servicing of the clip should it break or otherwise become unsatisfactory. Such assembly and in more detail herebelow.

subsequent servicing robiems and expenses are corpletely eliminated by the present invention, wherein the clip means 46 is maintained in an assembled relationship with the cap 14 by an inexpensive and simple extension of the center portion 5b of the arm 48.

As can be determined readily from the drawing, the center portion 5% is formed to provide a transverse section 5'8 at the upper end of the wall portions 54, and a longitudinal portion 69 extending to a position spaced a short distance from the lower edge of the aperture 42. From longitudinal portion 69, a projection 62 extends inwardly substantially transverse of the cap 14. The projection 62 is of a substantially V shape, having flexible legs 64 and 6%. The leg 66 diverges forwardly from the mounting section of the clip means as and releasably engages the interior wall of the cap 14 forwardly of the upper aperture 42, as best seen in FIG. 1. it will be understood by those in the art that the legs 64 and 66, and particularly leg as, will flex upon distension of the forward end of the ar 1 43 in a direction away from the cap 1 to permit iuser of the edge of a coat or shirt pocket between the clip arm and the cap for carrying purposes. Such flexure, of course, will yieldably urge the lower end of the clip arm toward the cap 14 from what might be considered a distended position, preparatory to clipping the implement to a pocket, to the actual clipping position.

is can best be seen in FIG. 3, the leg 66 is flexed toward the mounting section during assembly of the barrel and clip means do by virtue of sliding engagement with the lower edge of the upper aperture 42. The leg 65 is proportioned so as to clear the lower edge of the aperture 42 simultaneously with engagement between the offsets S5 and the outer surface of the cap 1 when the clip arm is pushed to an inward position to be described Thus, the resilient leg 66 is permitted to assume its divergent position as shown best in H6. 1 to hold the clip means assembled with the barrel.

Should it subsequently be necessary to remove the clip means 46 from the barrel 16, for any purpose, such removal can be eifected very readily by moving the cli arm 48 to the inward position and inserting an elongate rod or tool within the cap 14 to flex the leg 66 upwardly into a position substantially in juxtaposition with leg 64. The clip means may then be removed from the implement merely by manually pulling outwardly on its upper end.

FIG. 3 of the drawing illustrates the positioning of the various parts during assembly and disassembly of the barrel it and clip means 46.

Disposed adjacent the lower end of the clip arm 48 is a contact member as which is included as an integral part of the arm e8 by suitably forming an extension of the center portion 59 and flanges 52 to provide a surface 70 inclined toward the forward end of the implement.

It is understood that, throughout this specification and the appended claims, the forward end designates the end which is disposed toward the writing surface when the implement is held in a normal writing position.

As will be obvious from FIGS. 1 and 2, the contact member 68 is disposed for movement through the lower aperture 44 to provide engagement between the inclined surface and a transverse surface provided on the reservoir 2%, such as the upper edge 49 during movement of the arm 48 between the clipping and inward positions. The lower end of the inclined surface 7 0 terminates in a contiguous locking oflset 72 which is engageable with the rearward end 49, or some other equivalent surface provided on the reservoir 2% The arm 4% is movable relative to the barrel it between the positions illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, and the distended position described heretofore. In FIG. 1, the arm is disposed in an outward clipping position, with a majority of the contact member 68 being exposed. When in this position, the forward end of the arm may be displaced transversely toward the axis of the barrel 19, which movement causes the contact member 68 to move through aperture 44, resulting in sliding engagement between the inclined surface 76 and the rearward end 40 to force the writing unit assembly 18 forwardly against the pressure or" the spring element 32. Terminal inward movement of the lower end of the arm results in abutting engagement between the locking ofifset 72 and the rearward end of the writing assembly 13 whereby the assembly is maintained in the forward position for use during writing.

When the user wishes to return the unit to the retracted or concealed position, it is necessary merely to press manually on the arm 48 above the offsets 56 adjacent its upper end. Such pressure moves the lower end outwardly a distance suficient to cause disengagement of the locking offset 72 and the rearward end ll of the writing assembly 1-3. e spring 32 will then cause the unit to retract to the concealed position abutting the shoulder 38 and conjoint movement of the lower end of the clip arm 43 outwardly to the above described clipping position.

The stop member or shoulder 38 positions the rearward edge 48 of the writing assembly 18 slightly forwardly of the upper terminal edge of the inclined surface 70.

It is desirable to provide an elongated flattened area or recess 74 on the outer wall of the cap 14 co-extensive with the clip arm 43. By providing a flattened area of this type, it is possible to position the outer surface of the clip arm 48 flush with the adjacent outer surface of the cap 14 when in the inward writing position. And, in addition, when the clip arm 48 is in the outer position, convenient insertion into a pocket is provided since the contact member 63 is exposed to a maximum extent.

As will be apparent from the foregoing description, the present invention provides a mechanism which may be manufactured readily and inexpensively, but which is quite rugged and dependable in operation. Further, it will be evident that the mechanism may be utilized with various types of implements such as the illustrated ball point assembly, a retractable fountain pen, a scribing tool or other types or" marking instruments in which it is desirable to reciprocate the point between a writing position and a concealed storage position. It will be understood, therefore, that the invention is not to be limited to the embodiment described above, and it is contemplated by the appended claims to cover any such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of this invention.

I claim:

1. An actuating mechanism for a writing instrument comprising a barrel having an open forward end, a reduced stop member formed internally of said barrel in a spaced relation with said open end, a writing unit assembly having a forwardly projecting writing tip and a rearwardiy facing surface defining a contact edge, said writing unit assembly being arranged for longitudinal reciprocal movement within said barrel between a forward tip exposed position and a tip concealed position wherein said contact edge abuts said stop member, said barrel including upper and lower aligned apertures formed in a side wall thereof, said lower aperture being disposed inthe region of said stop member to expose said contact edge, clip means including a substantially rigid arm disposed externally of said barrel, a mounting section formed adjacent the upper end of said arm, said section being movably disposed in said up er aperture to permit displacement of the lower end of said arm substantially transersely of said barrel between an inward position, a clipping position, vand a distended position, an inwardly directed contact member formed integral with and adjacent said lower end, said contact member defining a surface inclined toward said fordward end and provided with a contiguous locking otl'set at its lower end, said inclined surface and said locking oil-set successively engaging said exposed contact edge through said lower aperture to move said assembly to and releasably hold said assembly in said tip exposed position in response to movement of said lower end from said clipping to said inward position, and a projection extending inwardly of said barrel from said mounting portion, said projection including a resilient leg portion normally engageable with the interior or" said side wall intermediate said apertures to maintain said clip means and said barrel in an assembled relationship and to urge said lower end yieldably toward said clipping position from said distended position, said leg being flexible for movement into transverse alignment with said mounting section upon positioning said lower end in said inward position thereby permitting passage of said section and said projection through said upper aperture during assembly and disassembly of said barrel and said clip means.

2. An actuating mechanism for a writing instrument comprising a barrel having an open forward end, a reduced stop member formed internally of said barrel in a spaced relation with said open end, a writing unit assembly having a forwardly projecting writing tip and a generally cylindrical reservoir section terminating in a rearwardly facing end surface defining a circular contact edge, said writing unit assembly being arranged for iongitudinal reciprocal movement within said barrel between a forward tip exposed position and a rearward tip concealed position wherein said contact edge abuts said stop member, said barrel including upper and lower aligned apertures formed in a side wall thereof, said lower aperture being disposed in the region of and forming a discontinuity in said stop member to expose said contact edge, clip means including a substantially rigid arm disposed externally of said barrel, said arm extending longitudinally of said barrel and overlying said apertures, a mounting section formed integral with and adjacent the upper end of said arm, said section being releasably and movably retained in said upper aperture to permit displacement of the lower end of said arm substantially transversely of said barrel between an inward position, a clipping position, and a distended position spaced from said barrel, an inwardly directed contact member formed integral with and adjacent said lower end, said contact member defining a cam surface inclined toward said forward end and provided with a contiguous locking offset at its lower end, said inclined surface and said locking oiiset successively engaging said exposed contact edge through said lower aperture to move said assembly to and releasably hold said assembly in said tip exposed position in response to movement of said lower end from said clipping to said inward position, and a projection extending inwardly of said barrel from said mounting portion, said projection including a divergent resilient leg portion having a free end normally engageable with the interior of said side wall intermediate said apertures to maintain said clip means and said barrel in an assembled relationship and to urge said lower end yieldably toward said clipping position from said distended position, said leg being flexible for movement of said free end into transverse alignment with said mounting section upon positioning said lower end in said inward position thereby permitting passage of said section and said projection through said upper aperture during assembly and disassembly of said barrel and said clip means.

3. An actuating mechanism for a writing instrument comprising a barrel having an open forward end, said barrel including a removable cap portion, a reduced stop member formed internally or" said cap in a spaced relation with said open end, a writing unit assembly having a forwardly projecting writing tip and a generally cylindrical reservoir section terminating in a rearwardly facing end surface defining a circular contact edge, said writing unit assembly being arranged for longitudinal reciprocal movement within said barrel between a forward tip exposed position and a tip concealed position wherein said contact edge abuts said stop member, said cap including upper and lower aligned apertures formed in a side wall thereof, said lower aperture being disposed in the region of and forming a discontinuity in said stop member to expose said contact edge, clip means including a substantially rigid arm disposed externally of said cap, said arm including a center portion extending longitudinally or" said cap and overlying said apertures, a mounting section formed adjacent the upper end of said arm and including an upper extension of said center portion, asid section being releasably and movably retained in said upper aperture to permit displacement of the lower end of said arm substantially transversely of said cap between an inward position, a clipping position, and a distended position, an inwardly directed contact member formed adjacent said lower end by a lower extension of said center position, said contact member defining a cam surface inclined toward said forward end and provided with a contiguous locking offset at its lower end, said inclined surface and said locking offset successively engaging said exposed contact edge through said lower aperture to move said assembly to and releasably hold said assembly in said tip exposed position in response to movement of said lower end from said clipping to said inward position, and a substantially V shaped projection formed within said cap by said upper extension, said projection in- 8 ciuding a first leg disposed transversely of said mounting section and a second leg diverging from said first leg, said second leg having a free end normally engageable with the interior of said side wall intermediate said apertures to maintain said clip means and said barrel in an assembled relationship and to urge said lower end yieldably toward said clipping position from said distended position, said second leg being flexible for movement into juxtaposition with said first leg upon positioning said lower end in said inward position thereby permitting passage of said section and said projection through said upper aperture during assembly and disassembly of said barrel and said clip means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 249,230 Doyle Nov. 8, 1881 2,813,511 Kersten Nov. 19, 1957 20 2,881,736 Zepelovitch Apr. 14, 1959 2,988,055 Flatt June 13, 1961 FOREIGN PATENTS 883,103 France Mar. 15, 1943 25 1,041,399 France May 27, 1953 1,086,929 France Aug. 18, 1954

Claims (1)

1. AN ACTUATING MECHANISM FOR A WRITING INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A BARREL HAVING AN OPEN FORWARD END, A REDUCED STOP MEMBER FORMED INTERNALLY OF SAID BARREL IN A SPACED RELATION WITH SAID OPEN END, A WRITING UNIT ASSEMBLY HAVING A FORWARDLY PROJECTING WRITING TIP AND A REARWARDLY FACING SURFACE DEFINING A CONTACT EDGE, SAID WRITING UNIT ASSEMBLY BEING ARRANGED FOR LONGITUDINAL RECIPROCAL MOVEMENT WITHIN SAID BARREL BETWEEN A FORWARD TIP EXPOSED POSITION AND A TIP CONCEALED POSITION WHEREIN SAID CONTACT EDGE ABUTS SAID STOP MEMBER, SAID BARREL INCLUDING UPPER AND LOWER ALIGNED APERTURES FORMED IN A SIDE WALL THEREOF, SAID LOWER APERTURE BEING DISPOSED IN THE REGION OF SAID STOP MEMBER TO EXPOSE SAID CONTACT EDGE, CLIP MEANS INCLUDING A SUBSTANTIALLY RIGID ARM DISPOSED EXTERNALLY OF SAID BARREL, A MOUNTING SECTION FORMED ADJACENT THE UPPER END OF SAID ARM, SAID SECTION BEING MOVABLY DISPOSED IN SAID UPPER APERTURE TO PERMIT DISPLACEMENT OF THE LOWER END OF SAID ARM SUBSTANTIALLY TRANSVERSELY OF SAID BARREL BETWEEN AN INWARD POSITION, A CLIPPING POSITION, AND A DISTENDED POSITION, AN INWARDLY DIRECTED CONTACT MEMBER FORMED INTEGRAL WITH AND ADJACENT SAID LOWER END, SAID CONTACT MEMBER DEFINING A SUR-

Images