GB2176152A - Writing implement - Google Patents

Abstract

A writing implement has an operating tip portion (6) which includes two balls (8) rotatably received in a seating (12). A bridging portion (14) spans the seating between the balls. In use, lines of different widths can be formed by moving the implement in the direction of arrows A or B. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Liquid applying means The invention is concerned with liquid applying means, more particularly but not exclusively means for applying ink or the like to a substrate such as paper.

In the use of a writing implement of the type known as a ball-point pen, a flowable ink medium is caused to be transferred from a reservoir within the pen body to a writing surface by flowing around a ball captive within a seating so as to provide a substantially annular passage therearound. Writing formed with such an implement comprises strokes of substantially uniform thickness irrespective of whether these are down-strokes or link or up-strokes.

It is an object ofthe present invention to provide a liquid applying device such as a writing implement which is capable of forming strokes or lines of different widths.

The invention provides a liquid applying device comprising an operating tip portion adapted in use to contact a substrate and to apply a linear deposit of liquid thereon as a result of movement relative to the substrate, said tip portion including at least two spherical liquid applying members rotatably received within a seating to which said liquid is supplied said tip portion including at least one bridging portion integrally formed with or secured to the seating so as to span the latter and arranged so as in use to confront the substrate.

Advantageously the bridging portion may be in a plane passing between adjacent spherical members transversely of a line joining centre points of the members.

There will now be described an example of a writing implement in accordance with the invention.

It will be understood that the description which is to be read with reference to the drawings, is given by way of example only and not by way of limitation .

In the drawings; Figures 1 to 3 are fragmentary front side and end views respectively of an example of the invention.

Figure 4shows an alternative form of bridging means; and Figure 5 is a fragmentary view, partly in cross-section, of a writing implement according to the example shown in Figures 1-3.

Awriting implement arranged to permitthe userto form strokes of differing thicknesses in the manner of so-called italic handwriting, comprises a main body portion 2 containing a tubular reservoir4 of ink. Atip portion 6 of the implement is secured to the reservoir 4 and is provided with an internal passage for ink to flow to a pair of balls 8 received in seating 12 ofthetip portion 6.

Use of the writing implement to form a stroke upon paper in the direction ofarrowAin Figure3will produce a line which is approximately equal to the width of one ball 8, whereas a line produced in the direction B of Figure 3 will produce a line having a width approximately equal to the width of two balls 8.

To avoid any tendency forthe line in the direction of arrow B to be of uneven intensity across its width, a bridging portion 14 (or 14') is provided which assists in the even spread of ink. This portion may be of a shape for example suited to the viscosity of the ink and to the size of the balls and may be rounded or flattened. It is not required that the portion 14 is in contact with the paper as the purpose is partially to fill the generally triangular space ABC. between the paper and the balls 8. Many inks will not have a viscosity suitable to maintain a constant presence of ink in such a large triangular space (ABC). However the position of the bridging portion 14 reduces this space so thatthere only remain two, smaller, generallytriangularspaces DBF and EFC in which the inkwill readily accumulate in a continuous manner.

1. A liquid applying device comprising an operating tip portion adapted in use to contact a substrate and to apply a linear deposit of liquid thereon as a result of movement relative to the substrate, said tip portion including at least two spherical liquid applying members rotatably received within a seating to which said liquid is supplied said tip portion including at least one bridging portion integrally formed with or secured to the seating so as to span the latterand arranged so as in useto confront the substrate.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the bridging portion lies in a plane passing between adjacent spherical members transversely of a line joining centre points of the members.

3. A device as claimed in either one of claims 1 and 2 wherein the bridging portion is provided with a substrate confronting surface which is convex.

4. A device as claimed in either one of claims 1 and 2 wherein the bridging portion is provided with a substrate confronting surface which is planar.

5. A liquid applying device for use as a writing implement constructed and arranged substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (5)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Liquid applying means The invention is concerned with liquid applying means, more particularly but not exclusively means for applying ink or the like to a substrate such as paper. In the use of a writing implement of the type known as a ball-point pen, a flowable ink medium is caused to be transferred from a reservoir within the pen body to a writing surface by flowing around a ball captive within a seating so as to provide a substantially annular passage therearound. Writing formed with such an implement comprises strokes of substantially uniform thickness irrespective of whether these are down-strokes or link or up-strokes. It is an object ofthe present invention to provide a liquid applying device such as a writing implement which is capable of forming strokes or lines of different widths. The invention provides a liquid applying device comprising an operating tip portion adapted in use to contact a substrate and to apply a linear deposit of liquid thereon as a result of movement relative to the substrate, said tip portion including at least two spherical liquid applying members rotatably received within a seating to which said liquid is supplied said tip portion including at least one bridging portion integrally formed with or secured to the seating so as to span the latter and arranged so as in use to confront the substrate. Advantageously the bridging portion may be in a plane passing between adjacent spherical members transversely of a line joining centre points of the members. There will now be described an example of a writing implement in accordance with the invention. It will be understood that the description which is to be read with reference to the drawings, is given by way of example only and not by way of limitation . In the drawings; Figures 1 to 3 are fragmentary front side and end views respectively of an example of the invention. Figure 4shows an alternative form of bridging means; and Figure 5 is a fragmentary view, partly in cross-section, of a writing implement according to the example shown in Figures 1-3. Awriting implement arranged to permitthe userto form strokes of differing thicknesses in the manner of so-called italic handwriting, comprises a main body portion 2 containing a tubular reservoir4 of ink. Atip portion 6 of the implement is secured to the reservoir 4 and is provided with an internal passage for ink to flow to a pair of balls 8 received in seating 12 ofthetip portion 6. Use of the writing implement to form a stroke upon paper in the direction ofarrowAin Figure3will produce a line which is approximately equal to the width of one ball 8, whereas a line produced in the direction B of Figure 3 will produce a line having a width approximately equal to the width of two balls 8. To avoid any tendency forthe line in the direction of arrow B to be of uneven intensity across its width, a bridging portion 14 (or 14') is provided which assists in the even spread of ink. This portion may be of a shape for example suited to the viscosity of the ink and to the size of the balls and may be rounded or flattened. It is not required that the portion 14 is in contact with the paper as the purpose is partially to fill the generally triangular space ABC. between the paper and the balls 8. Many inks will not have a viscosity suitable to maintain a constant presence of ink in such a large triangular space (ABC). However the position of the bridging portion 14 reduces this space so thatthere only remain two, smaller, generallytriangularspaces DBF and EFC in which the inkwill readily accumulate in a continuous manner. CLAIMS

1. A liquid applying device comprising an operating tip portion adapted in use to contact a substrate and to apply a linear deposit of liquid thereon as a result of movement relative to the substrate, said tip portion including at least two spherical liquid applying members rotatably received within a seating to which said liquid is supplied said tip portion including at least one bridging portion integrally formed with or secured to the seating so as to span the latterand arranged so as in useto confront the substrate.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the bridging portion lies in a plane passing between adjacent spherical members transversely of a line joining centre points of the members.

3. A device as claimed in either one of claims 1 and 2 wherein the bridging portion is provided with a substrate confronting surface which is convex.

4. A device as claimed in either one of claims 1 and 2 wherein the bridging portion is provided with a substrate confronting surface which is planar.

5. A liquid applying device for use as a writing implement constructed and arranged substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the drawings.