US3604816A

US3604816A - Ballpoint pen containing a number of different colored cartridges

Info

Publication number: US3604816A
Application number: US21316A
Authority: US
Inventors: Francis Levoin
Original assignee: CADO Ets
Current assignee: CADO Ets; CADO ETABLISSMENT
Priority date: 1969-03-25
Filing date: 1970-03-20
Publication date: 1971-09-14
Anticipated expiration: 1988-09-14
Also published as: CH504978A; BR7017632D0

Abstract

A writing instrument, particularly a ballpoint pen containing a number of different colored writing cartridges, each of which is equipped with a pushbutton for advancing the associated cartridge while compressing its return spring. Each pushbutton extends out of the housing sleeve member of the ballpoint pen and both in its writing position as well as in its inoperable position bears against a mechanism which is locked by means of at least one projection in the ballpoint pen housing sleeve member, this projection being situated in an opening, the axis of which extends substantially perpendicular to the lengthwise axis of the ballpoint pen. According to important aspects of the invention, the lock mechanism is equipped at its lower end with an apertured plate member through which pass the writing cartridges and which serves as a support means for each return spring member provided for each writing cartridge. Furthermore, the above-mentioned mechanism includes web members which extend vertically from the apertured plate member and which are connected with one another at their upper end, one such web member carrying the aforementioned projection. Additionally, these web members possess groove means for locking a pushbutton both in its writing position as well as in its inoperable position, the lower end of such groove means having two respective oppositely situated inclined surfaces. Each pushbutton is provided at its inner side with two projections which cooperate with the projections provided at the other pushbutton during actuation of the lastmentioned pushbutton in order to entrain the first-mentioned pushbutton. Additionally, each pushbutton is equipped at its lower end with a tail portion capable of being connected with the associated writing cartridge and at its upper end with two nose members, the upper and lower ends of which are inclined in order to lock such pushbutton when the nose members are located in the groove means and for unlocking such pushbutton when such nose members slide past the inclined surfaces.

Description

United States Patent [54] BALLPOINT PEN CONTAINING A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT COLORED CARTRIDGES 3 Claims, 8 Drawing Figs.

[52] U.S.Cl 401/31 [51] Int. Cl B43k 27/00 [50] Field of Search 401/31 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3, l 70,440 2/1965 Levoin 401/31 3,170,441 2/1965 Levoin 401/31 Primary Examinerl-larland S. Skogquist Attomey-Werner W. Kleeman ABSTRACT: A writing instrument, particularly a ballpoint pen containing a number of different colored writing cartridges, each of which is equipped with a pushbutton for advancing the associated cartridge while compressing its return spring. Each pushbutton extends out of the housing sleeve member of the ballpoint pen and both in its writing position as well as in its inoperable position bears against a mechanism which is locked by means of at least one projection in the ballpoint pen housing sleeve member, this projection being situated in an opening, the axis of which extends substantially perpendicular to the lengthwise axis of the ballpoint pen. According to important aspects of the invention, the lock mechanism is equipped at its lower end with an apertured plate member through which pass the writing cartridges and which serves as a support means for each return spring member provided for each writing cartridge. Furthermore, the above-mentioned mechanism includes web members which extend vertically from the apertured plate member and which are connected with one another at their upper end, one such web member carrying the aforementioned projection. Additionally, these web members possess groove means for locking a pushbutton both in its writing position as well as in its inoperable position, the lower end of such groove means having two respective oppositely situated inclined surfaces. Each pushbutton is provided at its inner side' with two projections which cooperate with the projections provided at the other pushbutton during actuation of the last-mentioned pushbutton in order to entrain the first-mentioned pushbutton. Additionally, each pushbutton is equipped at its lower end with a tail portion capable of being connected with the associated writing cartridge and at its upper end with two nose members, the upper and lower ends of which are inclined in order to lock such pushbutton when the nose members are located in the groove means and for unlocking such pushbutton when such nose members slide past the inclined surfaces.

PATENTEDSEPMIBI; 3,604,816

SHEET 2 BF 2 INV ENT OR Fun/cm lira/ v ATTORNEY BALLPOINT PEN CONTAINING A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT COLORED CARTRIDGES BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates broadly to writing instruments and, more specifically, deals with a new and improved ballpoint pen containing a number of different colored writing cartridges.

It is a primary object of the present invention to provide an improved writing instrument which is relatively simple in construction, easy to operate, and insures for selective positioning in reliable fashion of one of a number of different colored writing cartridges.

Another specific object of the present invention relates to an improved ballpoint writing instrument which is relatively inexpensive to manufacture, extremely reliable in operation, not readily subject to breakdown, and positively affords the locking and unlocking of one of a number of writing cartridges in selected writing or inoperable position, as desired.

Now, in order to implement these and still further objects of the invention, which will become more readily apparent as the description proceeds, the inventive writing instrument, especially a ballpoint pen, will be seen to comprise a housing sleeve member containing a number of different colored writing cartridges displaceably mounted therein. Return spring means are provided for each writing cartridge to retract same into its inoperable position. A respective pushbutton serves to advance each writing cartridge into its writing position while compressing the return spring means. A mechanism including at least one projection for lockingly engaging with the housing sleeve member is provided, this housing sleeve member having an opening for receiving such projection, with the axis of such opening extending substantially perpendicular to the lengthwise axis of the ballpoint pen. Each pushbutton extends out of the housing sleeve member and both in its writing position as well as its inoperable position is supported by the aforementioned mechanism. Such mechanism further incorporates as apertured plate member at its lower end for throughpassage of the writing cartridges, this apertured plate member providing support means for the return spring means. Furthermore, the aforesaid mechanism additionally includes substantially vertically extending web members which are interconnected with one another at their upper ends, one of the vertically extending members being equipped with aforementioned projection. Such vertically extending members further have groove means for locking the pushbuttons both in their writing position as well as their inoperable position, and the lower end of such groove means possess two respective oppositely situated inclined surfaces. Each pushbutton possesses an inner surface equipped with two projection means which cooperate with the projection means of the other pushbutton during actuation of the latter in order to entrain the first pushbutton, with each pushbutton further possessing at its lower end a tail portion capable of being connected with the associated writing cartridge and at its upper end with two nose members, the upper and lower ends of which are inclined in order to lock such pushbutton when said nose members are located in the groove means and to unlock such pushbutton when said nose members slide past the inclined surfaces.

An embodiment of inventive ballpoint pen containing two colored writing cartridges is illustrated in the drawings, wherein this embodiment possesses a minimum of components and is equipped with a locking projection which renders superfluous a threading and makes manufacture of the writing instrument cheaper.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above, will become apparent, when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:

FIG. I is a longitudinal sectional view through the preferred embodiment of inventive ballpoint pen with the one pushbutton in its writing position and which is arranged behind the component forming the locked mechanism;

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the ballpoint pen shown in FIG. 1 and depicting the two pushbuttons, and taken substantially along the line A-B thereof;

FIG. 3 is a front view of the locking component or portion;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the locking component depicted in FIG. 3, taken substantially along the line C-D thereof;

FIG. 5 is a front view of the inside surface of a pushbutton used in the inventive writing instrument;

FIG. 6 is a side view of the pushbutton;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the pushbutton of FIG. 6, taken substantially along the line E-F thereof; and

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary detail of a portion of the ballpoint pen device shown in FIG. 2 for unlocking a pushbutton.

Describing now the drawing, the exemplary embodiment of inventive writing instrument, especially ballpoint pen, depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2 will be seen to contain two writing cartridges l6 and 22 which pass through an apertured plate member 13, each

writing cartridge

16 and 22 being surrounded by a

return spring

17 and 21, respectively, which acts upon the

associated pushbutton

15 and 5, respectively. Since both

pushbuttons

5 and 15 are essentially similar in construction, reference will be made to the description of the pushbutton 5 hereinafter. It will be seen that

projections

8 and 9 provided at such pushbutton 5 travel in an opening 32 formed by vertically extending

web members

11, 12, 4 and 28. One nose member of such pushbutton 5 is located in a recessed portion in the web 4 and bears against same. The section through the other nose member 35 clearly shows the recessed portion 26 as well as the inclined

lower surfaces

6 and 27 of such recesses.

The

web members

11 and 12 which extend from the apertured plate member 13 are connected at their upper ends by means of the crossbar or yoke 30 which provides a hearing or support surface 29 for the projections of both

pushbuttons

5 and 15. The

web members

4 and 28, upon which slide the projection members of the

pushbuttons

5 and 15 up to their recessed portions, are located in a cap member 2 forming part of the housing of the ballpoint pen. In fact it should be observed that the housing sleeve member for the ballpoint pen consists of two

components

1 and 2, and that the mechanism incorporating the

web members

11, 12, 4 and 28 is introduced into the upper housing portion 2 which forms such cap member, the latter of which is threaded to the lower sleeve portion 1.

Continuing, it will be observed that the vertically extending web member 11 is provided with a projection 7 which engages in an opening 10 provided at the housing sleeve member I, this opening 10 having an axis extending substantially perpendicular to the lengthwise extending axis of the writing instrument. Furthermore, opening 10 anchors the

locking mechanism

11, 12, 4 and 28 to the sleeve member 1.

FIG. 2 shows the right-hand pushbutton 15 in its inoperable position, with the projection member 14 thereof bearing against the contact or bearing surface 29 of the yoke or crossbar 30. In order to reinforce this crossbar or yoke 30 such is provided with the flanges 31. This pushbutton 15 is disposed above its associated writing cartridge 16 which is equipped with the return spring member 17 and passes through the opening 18 of the apertured plate member 13.

The writing cartridge 22 which appears at the left-hand side of FIG. 2 illustration, in its writing position, will be seen to pass through the opening 19 provided at the apertured plate member 13 and is connected with the associated pushbutton 5 via the tail portion 20 situated at the lower end of such pushbutton.

The sectional view taken along the line A-B of FIG. 1, and depicted in FIG. 2, shows the region of the web member 4 against which the nose member 23 of the pushbutton 5 bears in its writing position as well as also the upper, inclined end 3 of the web member 11 having the

inclined surfaces

6 and 25, these

surfaces

6, 25 being located beneath the inclined underside or face 24 of the nose member 23 belonging to the pushbutton 5.

Furthermore, it will be observed that the

projections

14 and 18 of the

pushbuttons

15 and 5, respectively, are arranged above one another in order to facilitate entrainment of the pushbutton during the downward movement of the pushbutton 15. also by FIG. 3 shows details of the mechanism serving to lock the pushbuttons, and which is fixedly mounted in the

housing

1, 2 of the ballpoint pen by means of the associated projection 7. The previously mentioned opening is bounded by the

web members

11 and 12 depending from the apertured plate member 13 and also by the upper situated yoke or crossbar 30. The support surface 29 of the crossbar or yoke 30 interconnects the

webs

4 and 28 in which there are located the

recesses

33 and 26 with their

inclined surfaces

6 and 27.

By referring to FIG. 4 it will be observed that the vertically extending web member 12 possesses a conical upper end with

inclined surfaces

27 and 34. The recessed portion 26 for receiving the nose means of the associated pushbutton is located above the web member 28 serving as a sliding track for the pushbutton.

As best observed by referring to FIG. 6, the interior of the pushbutton has a tail portion 20 at its lower end which provides the connection with the associated writing cartridge. At the upper end of the pushbutton there is located the previously mentioned nose member 23 as well as the oppositely situatednose member 35. Both nose members 23'and 35 have the inclined portions or

surfaces

24 and 36, respectively.

The principle of unlocking a pushbutton, for instance the pushbutton 5, during the downward movement of the other pushbutton 15 can best be recognized by referring to FIG. 8. The riose member 23 bears against the inclined surface of the upper end 3 of the web member 11 and slides upon same. The movement is triggered by the projection member 14 of the other pushbutton 15 which bears against the projection member 8.

In order to place a writing cartridge in its writing position, it is sufficient to downwardly press with the thumb the desired pushbutton. The lateral nose members slide over the slide tracks of the component forming the locking mechanism, until they are located in front of the recesses. Under the pressure of the finger the pushbutton moves in the direction of the lengthwise axis of the writing instrument and, thus, places this projection member under that of the nonused pushbutton. Under the action of the spring means the lateral nose members bear against the upper side of the recesses, and the pushbutton is thus locked. in order to return the pushbutton into its starting position, it is sufficient to displace the other pushbutton for a certain distance. The projection members of the pushbutton which is moving likewise place the locked pushbutton into motion in that they bear against these projections. The lateral nose members slide upon the lower and inclined ends of the recesses, whereby the pushbutton is returned into its starting axis. Under the action of the spring member, it thereafter returns into its starting position. In order to change the color, the other pushbutton is now downwardly pressed over its entire path until the nose members are located opposite the recesses.

While there is shown and described present preferred embodiments of the invention, it is to be distinctly understood that the invention is not limited thereto but may be otherwise variously embodied and practiced within the scope of the following claims. Accordingly,

What I claim is:

l. A ballpoint pen comprising a housing sleeve member, a plurality of different colored writing cartridges displaceably mounted in said housing sleeve member, return spring means for each writing cartridge to retract same into its inoperable position, a respective pushbutton for advancing each cartridge into its writing position while compressing said return spring means, mechanism including at least one projection for lockingly engaging with said housing sleeve member, said housing sleeve member having an opening for receiving said projection, with the axis of said opening extending substantially perpendicular to the lengthwise axis of the ballpoint pen, I

each pushbutton extending out of said housing sleeve member and both in its writing position as well as its inoperable position being supported by said mechanism, said mechanism incorporating an apertured plate member at its lower end for throughpassagc of said writing cartridges, said apertured plate member providing support means for said return spring means, said mechanism further including substantially vertically extending web members interconnected with one another at their upper end, one of said vertically extending web members being equipped with said projection, said vertically extending web members having groove means for locking said pushbuttons both in their writing position as well as their inoperable position, the lower end of said groove means possessing two respective oppositely situated inclined surfaces, each such pushbutton having an inner surface provided with two projection means which cooperate with the projection means of the other pushbutton during actuation of the latter in order to entrain the first pushbutton, each pushbutton further possessing at its lower end a tail portion capable of being connected with its associated cartridge and at its upper end with two nose members, the upper and lower ends of which are inclined in order to lock such pushbutton when said nose members are located in said groove means and to unlock such pushbutton when said nose members slide past said inclined surfaces.

2. A ballpoint pen as defined in claim 1, wherein said mechanism is equipped with a plurality of projections.

3. A ballpoint pen as defined in claim 1, wherein said housing sleeve member is formed of two components defining an upper part and a lower part, said mechanism being introduced into said upper part which forms a cap member and which is threaded with said lower part.

Claims

1. A ballpoint pen comprising a housing sleeve member, a plurality of different colored writing cartridges displaceably mounted in said housing sleeve member, return spring means for each writing cartridge to retract same into its inoperable position, a respective pushbutton for advancing each cartridge into its writing position while compressing said return spring means, mechanism including at least one projection for lockingly engaging with said housing sleeve member, said housing sleeve member having an opening for receiving said projection, with the axis of said opening extending substantially perpendicular to the lengthwise axis of the ballpoint pen, each pushbutton extending out of said housing sleeve member and both in its writing position as well as its inoperable position being supported by said mechanism, said mechanism incorporating an apertured plate member at its lower end for throughpassage of said writing cartridges, said apertured plate member providing support means for said return spring means, said mechanism further including substantially vertically extending web members interconnected with one another at their upper end, one of said vertically extending web members being equipped with said projection, said vertically extending web members having groove means for locking said pushbuttons both in their writing position as well as their inoperable position, the lower end of said groove means possessing two respective oppositely situated inclined surfaces, each such pushbutton having an inner surface provided with two projection means which cooperate with the projection means of the other pushbutton during actuation of the latter in order to entrain the first pushbutton, each pushbuTton further possessing at its lower end a tail portion capable of being connected with its associated cartridge and at its upper end with two nose members, the upper and lower ends of which are inclined in order to lock such pushbutton when said nose members are located in said groove means and to unlock such pushbutton when said nose members slide past said inclined surfaces.