US3326189A

US3326189A - Writing instrument

Info

Publication number: US3326189A
Application number: US481211A
Authority: US
Inventors: John S Baer
Original assignee: Precision Specialties Inc
Current assignee: Precision Specialties Inc
Priority date: 1965-08-20
Filing date: 1965-08-20
Publication date: 1967-06-20
Anticipated expiration: 1984-06-20

Description

June 20, 1967 J. s BAER 3,326,189

WRITING INSTRUMENT Filed Aug. .20, 1965 mvznron: JOHN S. B AER ATTYS.

United States Patent O souri Filed Aug. 20, 1965, Ser. No. 481,211 8 Claims. (Cl. 120--42.03)

The present invention relates to a writing instrument, and, more specifically, relates to improvements in the catch mechanism for releasably holding the writing cartridge in extended position for writing.

The present invention belongs to that class of writing instrument which prevents accidental insertion of the writing instrument which prevents accidental insertion of the writing instrument in a pocket with the writing cartridge in extended position for writing. In such instruments of this class a pen barrel has a writing cartridge longitudinally disposed therein with extended and retracted positions of a writing -point of the writing cartridge such that the writing point is alternatively exposed from the barrel for use or not exposed. A helical spring surrounds a portion of the writing cartridge to urge a cartridge toward its retracted position. A pocket spring clip is employed mounted to the barrel and having a free end for clipping the instrument to a sidewall of the users pocket. When the instrument in writing condition is inserted in the pocket with the free end of the clip and barrel on opposite sides of the sidewall of the pocket, the releasable catch mechanism automatically allows the writing cartridge to be released to its retracted position.

The present invention provides an improved releasable catch mechanism over the prior art mechanisms adapted for releasably holding the writing cartridge in extended position. The present invention employs a new construction and arrangement of catch mechanism parts for trouble-free operation and provides a catch mechanism which can be inexpensively manufactured and assembled in the writing instrument.

In accordance with one form of the present invention, a plunger is provided engaging the writing cartridge in the barrel and is movable with the cartridge between the extended and retracted positions thereof. The barrel has a slot through a sidewall thereof adjacent the free end of the pocket clip and a catch member is supported by the free end of the clip, which biases the catch member into the slot. A latch member is supported by the plunger and is biased into the slot for being releasably held by the catch member when the cartridge is moved to its extended position by pushbutton preferably provided by the plunger. In this arrangement with the writing cartridge held in its extended position, when the instrument is inserted in a pocket, the sidewall passing between the free end of the clip and the barrel will release the latch member from the catch member thereby automatically retracting the cartridge to its retracted position.

For a better understanding of these and other features and advantages of the present invention, reference is made to the following detailed description and accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. l is a side elevational view, partially in section, showing a portion of the internal construction of the writing instrument and showing the writing cartridge in its extended position for writing;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary view partially in section showing the interlocking engagement between the portions of the barrel;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the catch mechanism of the present invention showing the pocket clip in alternative positions for holding and releasing of the catch mechanism taken along the line 3 3 of FIG. 2;

f. IC

FIG. 4 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 3 but showing the writing cartridge in its retracted position and the catch mechanism in its released position;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along the line 5 5 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the members comprising the catch mechanism of the present invention; and

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view of another embodiment of the free end of the pocket clip providing the catch member of the present invention.

As can be seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, the writing instrument comprises generally a barrel generally designated 10, a writingcartridge 12, a pushbutton actuator 14 for moving the writing cartridge to its extended position for writing, a pocket spring clip 16, and a catch mechanism generally designated 18 for releasably holding the writing cartridge in its extended position.

More specifically, the barrel is made of a two-piece construction comprising a rst portion designated 10a, hereinafter referred to as the front portion where writing point 12a of writing cartridge 12 is located, as seen in FIG. l, and a second portion 10b, hereinafter referred to as the rear portion where the mechanism for propelling the writing cartridge to extended position for writing is located. The rear portion 10b of the barrel comprises a sleeve 19 preferably of rigid resinous material and an outer shell 20 of metal press fitted over the sleeve. The front portion 10a may be made of a similar resinous material. As can be seen in FIG. 2, the two-piece barrel construction of front and

rear portions

10a and 10b is secured together in threaded engagement through externally threaded end 21 of front portion 10a and internally threaded end 22 of rear portion 10b, the internally threaded end 22 being formed in sleeve 19.

As can be seen in FIG. l, the front portion 10a of the barrel has its end opposite the threaded end terminated in a hollow conical barrel tip insert 28 of metal which is snugly engaged within the bore of the front portion of the barrel, the barrel tip insert 28 providing a suitable guide for the writing point of the writing cartridge. The writing cartridge 12 is urged toward the retracted position of its writing point 12a by helical compression spring 30 closely surrounding the front portion of the writing cartridge, the spring being seated at one end against a shoulder 32 at one end of the barrel tip insert 28 and at the other end against shoulders provided by lateral extensions formed by flattening an area 34 on the writing cartridge 12.

As can be seen most clearly in the sectional views of FIGS. 3 and 4, the pocket spring clip 16 of metal is mounted on the end wall of rear portion 10b to surround the protruding end of pushbutton actuator 14. In the present instance, sleeve 19 and outer shell 20 have aligned

axial openings

44 and 46, respectively, through the end wall of rear portion 10b. The pocket spring clip has a portion 48 bent generally perpendicular to the active longitudinally extending portion of the clip and has an opening therethrough. Portion 48 is clamped into position against the end wall of the rear portion 10b by a tubular rivet 50 extending through the respective aligned openings of the same diameter in the sleeve, outer shell and spring clip portion 48. The spring clip has a laterally moveable free end generally designated 52 biased against the rear portion 10b of the barrel to facilitate holding of the writing instrument to the sidewall of a pocket which may be moved between the free end of the pocket spring clip and the barrel. The free end of the spring clip has an outwardly flared tip 54 from the barrel serving as a guide when inserting the sidewall of a pocket between the free end of the clip and the barrel.

An axially moveable plunger 69 of preferably the same resinous material as the sleeve is located in the rear portion 1Gb of the barrel and engages the end of the writing cartridge located in the rear portion, the cartridge being inserted into a cylindrical bore 62 in one end of the plunger. The cartridge-plunger assembly is made of a twopiece construction in the embodiment shown, cartridge 12 and plunger 60; however, in other embodiments the cartridge-plunger assembly may be made of a one-piece construction of a molded resinous material. The other end of the plunger in the embodiment shown has a reduced diameter portion 64 extending through tubular rivet t) and protruding from the rear end of rear portion 10b to provide the manually operable pushbutton actuator 14 for projecting the writing cartridge to its extended position for writing. The reduced diameter portion 64 of the plunger has a cap 66 of metal thereover extending the axial length of the reduced diameter portion, the tubular cap having a radially extending end within the rear portion b of the barrel for abutting against the rivet to limit the protrusion of the end cap and reduced diameter portion of the plunger from the rear portion of the barrel.

As can be seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, the plunger is provided with a plurality of axial splines 70 positioned around the periphery of the plunger adjacent the end engaging the writing cartridge, and mating grooves 72 are provided along the bore of sleeve 19 of rear portion 10b. The splines prevent relative rotation between the plunger 60 and the sleeve but permit relative axial movement therebetween, thereby serving as guides in positioning the catch mechanism 18 associated with the plunger, as will be eX- plained more fully hereafter.

The releasable catch mechanism of the present invention comprises interlocking means provided on the free end of the pocket spring clip and the plunger, respectively. More specifically, the moveable free end 52 of the spring clip is biased inwardly toward the barrel. As shown in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6, the free end 52 has an integral tab 76 bent inwardly toward the barrel serving as a catch of the catch mechanism, the tab being hereinafter referred to as a catch member. The catch member 76 is arranged with respect to the barrel to project through a slot 78 in a sidewall of the rear portion of the barrel, which is sleeve 19 and outer shell 20. The slot 73 in the sidewall of the rear portion of the barrel provides communication between the catch member on the spring clip with the bore of the barrel. As indicated by the alternative positions of the free end of the spring clip in FIG. 3, the bias of the clip urges the catch member into the slot. The free end of the clip with this catch member is withdrawn from the slot against the bias force urging it inwardly. The free end of the clip is provided with inwardly projecting arcuate

shaped ears

82 and 84 on opposite sides of the clip to form a cam-like channel-shaped portion within which the entire catch member is located. The channel-shaped portion extends into the slot a distance further than the catch member and serves as a cam to allow easy insertion of the sidewall of a pocket between the free end of the spring clip and the barrel and to prevent sidewall from snagging on the catch member.

The cooperating portion of the catch mechanism, cooperating with the catch member to hold the writing cartridge in extended position for writing is provided on the plunger 60. As can be seen in FIGS. 4 and 6, the end of the plunger having the axial bore into which the cartridge is fitted is provided with axially extending slots 86 and 38 to form a resilient cantilever arm 9) therebetween having a moveable free end 99a. Resilient arm 90 is biased outwardly at its free end and the arm is provided with added resilience by undercutting the inner surface to reduce the thickness of the arms. The free end of the resilient arm is biased into the slot and moves therein between the extended and retracted positions of the writing cartridge.

A radially outwardly extending latch member 92 is formed integrally with the arm at the free end of the resilient arm 90. The latch member has a beveled front cam surface 92a to urge the latch member 92 and arm 90 inward as the beveled surface moves against catch member 76 so that it may pass catch member 76 in one direction With-out latching. The latch member 92 also has a rear radially extending shoulder 92b to be engaged by the catch member for holding the writing cartridge in extended position for writing. The plunger moves within the rear portion 10b of the barrel and is actuated by the pushbutton actuator 14 to move the writing cartridge to its extended position, and the latch member 92 on the resilient arm is urged by its bias into slot 78. A recess 94 is provided in the rear portion 10b aligned with the rear of slot 78 and of suicient depth radially outward to acomrnodate the latch member in the retracted position of the plunger. The catch member and latch member are respectively biased into the slot from opposite sides thereof in overlapping relation suc-h that the latch member must ride over the catch when the plunger is moved by the pushbutton to actuate the writing cartridge to its extended position. Shoulder 92b of the latch member provides an abutment engageable by the catch member however; and upon release of the pushbutton after the writing cartridge is in extended position, as the plunger and writing cartridge under the urging of spring 30 move to return toward their retracted positions interlocking of the catch member and latch member occurs, thereby holding the writing cartridge in extended position.

In order to release the catch mechanism, it is only necessary for the free end of the pocket clip to be moved outwardly away from the barrel, as shown in the alternative position of the clip in FIGURE 3, thereby moving the catch member 76 free of shoulder 92h of the latch member whereby the cartridge and plunger will be automatically urged to the retracted position by spring 30. By this arrangement, if the writing point is in its extended position and the writing instrument is inadvertently inserted in the pocket of the user, movement of the sidewall of the pocket between the spring clip and the barrel will urge the spring clip outwardly so that the catch and latch members are disengaged; thereby under the urging of spring 30, the plunger and cartridge retract the writing point. As previously stated, the cam-shaped channel portion of the clip serves to keep the catch member from engaging sidewall of the pocket as the writing instrument is inserted into the pocket.

In a modified form of the free end of the pocket clip illustrated in FIG. 7, wherein Imodified parts similar to those of the structure of FIGS. 4-6 are identified by the same number designators wit-h the addition of primes thereto, the catch member 76 is Aformed by bending the outwardly flared tip 54' back on its side and between the cam-shaped channel portion formed by ears 82 and 84' and having the tip end of the clip bent inwardly toward the barrel between the channel portion such that a projection forming the catch member is provided.

It will be observed that the catch mechanism of the present invention employing the catch member mounted on the pocket spring clip and t-he latch member mounted on the plunger provide advantages over the prior art. The catch mechanism may be simply and inexpensively manufactured through fabricating the clip by a stamping and fabricating the plunger by casting. The catch mechanism is easily assembled in that the spring clip is simply attached to the barrel by a rivet and the plunger is simply slid into the rear portion of the barrel. The present writing instrument is capable of trouble-free operation over a long life of the instrument. Moreover, the present invention provides the desirable feature of an automatically retractable writing cartridge upon insertion of lan intervening medium between the free end of the pocket clip and the barrel of the writing instrument.

While the present invention has been described with particular reference to a specific embodiment thereof, it will be understood that it may be embodied in a large variety of forms diiierent from the one specilically shown and described without departing from the scope and spirit ofthe present invention as delined by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a writing instrument comprising a barrel having a writing cartridge-plunger assembly longitudinally disposed therein, said cartridge-plunger assembly being moveable between retracted and extended positions of said writing cartridge-plunger assembly, said barrel having a slot through a sidewall thereof, a pocket spring clip having one end mounted to said barrel and having a moveable free end biased toward engagement with said barrel at said slot, the combination therewith of: a catch member supported by said free end of said clip and projecting into said slot when said free end of said clip is adjacent said barrel, cam means supported by said free end of said clip and depending near said catch member and providing a surface over which an intervening medium will pass as an intervening medium is inserted between said free end of said clip and said barrel without catching said catch member, and a latch member supported by said cartridgeplunger assembly and biased into said slot for being releasably held by said catch member when said cartridgeplunger assembly is moved to said extended position, whereby insertion of an intervening medium between said free end of said clip and said barrel will disengage said catch member and said latch member thereby permitting retraction of said writing cartridge-plunger assembly to said retracted position.

2. The writing instrument of claim 1 in which the cam means is provided by the free end of the clip having inwardly projecting sides into said slot forming a channel between said sides, said catch member projecting into said sl-ot between said sides.

3. The writing instrument of claim 1 in which the plunger is provided with a resilient arm supported therefrom, said latch member being supported at a free end of said resilient arm and biased into said slot for being releasably held by said catch member.

4. The writing instrument of claim 1 in which the barrel has an intern-al axial flat along a sidewall thereof and the plunger has at least one axial at adapted to cooperate with said axial flat of said barrel for preventing relative rotation between the barrel and plunger.

5. A writing instrument having a writing cartridge comprising: a barrel adapted to have said writing cartridge longitudinally disposed therein with retracted and extended positions of said cartridge, said barrel having a slot through a sidewall thereof, a pocket spring clip having one end mounted to said barrel and having a moveable free end biased toward said ba-rrel, a catch member supported by said free end of said clip and projecting into said slot, cam means supported by said free end of said clip 'and depending near said catch member and providing a surface over which an intervening medium will pass as an intervening medium is inserted between said free end of said clip and said barrel without catching said catch member, a plunger slidably engaged within said barrel and adapted to engage said cartridge and being moveable axially with said cartridge between said retracted and extended positions, and a latch member supported by said plunger and biased into said slot for being lreleasably held by said catch member when said cartridge is moved to said extended position, whereby insertion of intervening medium between said free end of said clip and said bar'rel will disengage said catch member and said latch member thereby permitting retraction of said writing cartridge to said retracted position.

6. The writing instrument of claim 5 in which said cam means is provided by said free end of said clip having inwardly projecting sides into said slot forming a channel between said sides, said catch member extending into said slot between said sides.

7. The writing instrument of claim 5 in which the plunger is provided with a resilient arm supported therefrom, said latch member being supported at a free end of said resilient arm and biased into said slot for being releasably held by said catch member.

8. The writing instrument of claim 5 in which the barrel has an internal axial at along a sidewall thereof and the plunger has at least one laxial `iiat adapted to cooperate with said axial flat of said barrel for preventing relative rotation between said barrel and plunger.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,585,843 5/1926 Fitch 1Z0- 42.03 2,715,888 8/1955 Liguori 1Z0-42.03 3,125,993 3/ 1964 Zeppel 1Z0-42.03

FOREIGN PATENTS 962,297 12/ 1949 France. 1,125,062 7/ 1956 France. 1,351,513 12/1963 France.

984,437 2/ 1965 Great Britain.

LAWRENCE CHARLES, Primary Examiner.

Claims

1. IN A WRITING INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A BARREL HAVING A WRITING CARTRIDGE-PLUNGER ASSEMBLY LONGITUDINALLY DISPOSED THEREIN, SAID CARTRIDGE-PLUNGER ASSEMBLY BEING MOVEABLE BETWEEN RETRACTED AND EXTENDED POSITIONS OF SAID WRITING CARTRIDGE-PLUNGER ASSEMBLY, SAID BARREL HAVING A SLOT THROUGH A SIDEWALL THEREOF, A POCKET SPRING CLIP HAVING ONE END MOUNTED TO SAID BARREL AND HAVING A MOVEABLE FREE END BIASED TOWARD ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID BARREL AT SAID SLOT, THE COMBINATION THEREWITH OF: A CATCH MEMBER SUPPORTED BY SAID FREE END OF SAID CLIP AND PROJECTED INTO SAID SLOT WHEN SAID FREE END OF SAID CLIP AND ADJACENT SAID BARREL, CAM MEANS SUPPORTED BY SAID FREE END OF SAID CLIP AND DEPENDING NEAR SAID CATCH MEMBER AND PROVIDING A SURFACE OVER WHICH AN INTERVENING MEDIUM WILL PASS AS AN INTERVENING MEDIUM IS INSERTED BETWEEN SAID FREE END OF SAID CLIP AND SAID BARRELL WITHOUT CATCHING SAID CATCH MEMBER, AND A LATCH MEMBER SUPPORTED BY SAID CARTRIDGEPLUNGER ASSEMBLY AND BIASED INTO SAID SLOT FOR BEING RELEASABLY HELD BY SAID CATCH MEMBER WHEN SAID CARTRIDGEPLUNGER ASSEMBLY IS MOVED TO SAID EXTENDING POSITION, WHEREBY INSERTION OF AN INTERVENING MEDIUM BETWEEN SAID FREE END OF SAID CLIP AND SAID BARRELL WILL DISENGAGE SAID CATCH MEMBER AND SAID LATCH MEMBER THEREBY PERMITTING RETRACTION OF SAID WRITING CARTRIDGE-PLUNGER ASSEMBLY TO SAID RETRACTED POSITION.