GB2198993A

GB2198993A - Writing instrument, notably a ballpoint pen

Info

Publication number: GB2198993A
Application number: GB08726990A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Josef Krampe
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1986-11-20
Filing date: 1987-11-18
Publication date: 1988-06-29
Anticipated expiration: 2007-11-18
Also published as: SE8704432D0; IT1211927B; FR2607074B1; NL8702636A; FR2607074A1; IT8748630A0; BE1003220A3; DE3732139A1; GB8726990D0; DE3639592C2; CH674177A5; SE8704432L; ES2008335A6; DE3732139C2; AT391660B; ATA297887A; DE3639592A1; GB2198993B

Abstract

A writing instrument has a hollow body within which a reservoir (4) is axially movable and urged towards a retracted position by a spring (6), the body (3) is shaped, in cross section, like an isosceles triangle and each wall so formed is provided with a slide (9) at a normal gripping position. Each slide (9) can engage the reservoir (4) as at a ring (5) and urge the reservoir (4) towards a deployed condition. Means (12) is provided for holding the slide (9) and have the reservoir (4) in the deployed condition under the influence of a slight inward force due to normal holding of the instrument (1) during writing. <IMAGE>

Description

f--, 1 1 1 1 1 Writing Instrument, notably a Ballpoint Pen 2 19 8 9 93'

The Invention relates to a writing instrument, notably a ballpoint pen with pencil-shaped body and a mechanism operated by hand for displacing the ink carrier (reservoir) 5 into the writing position and releasing It to retract it Into the Initial position. The operating mechanism comprises at least one pressure sliding member In the support area for the fingers of the user in a wall recess of the pencil-shaped body. The inward movement of the pressure sliding member produces an axial advancing movement directed to the ink carrier towards the writing head thereof. This operating mechanism Is relatively costly and complicated, and apart from that it is troublesome for the user of the writing instrument since it needs to be in a certain position In the hand and, moreover, for writing necessitates a-constant pressure o f the hand on the writing instrument. Where auxiliary means are provided for temporary locking in the writing position, they necessitate even more outlay for the operating mechanism.

It is therefore the object of the Invention to provide an operating mechanisin_for a writing instrument that works without special exertion and, In particular, without altering the position of the writing instrument In the hand.

To achieve this object a writing Instru nt In accordance with the preamble of Claim 1 Is proposed which according to the Invention exhibits the features specified in the characterising part of the claim.

Advantageous refinements of the invention are specified in the subsidiary claims.

The writing instrument according to the Invention Is characterised by the fact that it can be operated Immediately from any position In the hand and operation Involves no effort or exertion whatever for the user's hand.

Working examples of the invention are represented in the drawing and explained In more detail In the description which follows. In the drawing:

Fig. 1 shows a view of the writing instrument of the invention Fig. 2 shows a partial view In section, with the writing instrument in the initial position Fig. 3 likewise is a partial view, this time showing the writing Instrument in the writing position Fig. 4 Is a section through the writing Instrument is along line A-A of Fig. 3 Figs. 5 & 6 show a side view and plan view of the slide of the writing Instrument Fig. 7 shows a partial section through the ballpoint pen in the region of the writing head Fig. 8 shows the writing head of Fig. 7 in the writing position Fig. 9 Is a plan view of a slide Fig. 10 Is a partial section through a writing head in a slide of a different design C h 1 Fig. 11 shows the writing head of Fig. 10 In the writing position The writing instrument comprises the pencil-shaped body 1, which Is screwed together from parts 2 and 3. Inside the body 1 Is the Ink carrier or reservoir 4, which on the side nearest the writing head exhibits a ring 5. Below the latter the reservoir 4 Is surrounded by a spiral spring 6, which acts as a return spring for the reservoir 4 from the writing position to the initial position.

In accordance with the Invention the body 1 has a triangular crosssection, being in the form of an isosceles triangle. It is thus subdivided Into three equal external walls; see Fig. 4. In the support area for the fingers each wall has a wall recess 7, inside which is provided a slot 8 opening into the body 1. To operate the Ink carrier 4 each wall is provided with a slide 9, the shape of which essentially matches the shape of the wall recesses 7; see Figs. 5 and 6. The slide 9 is equipped on the side nearest the body with a catch 10 which lodges in the slot 8 and being shorter in length than the slot 8 Is axially displaceable therein. On the longitudinal edges of the catch 10 are guide splines 11 which lodge on and behind the internal wall of the body and thereby hold and guide the catch 10. Moreover the catch 10 acts as a coupling element with respect to the coupling element on the reservoir 4 In the form of the ring 5. Under the force of the spiral spring 6 the coupling elements 5 and are interconnected, so that movement of the slide 9 is Inevitably also followed by movement of the reservoir 4 Into he writing and Initial positions, in accordance with the scope for displacement of the slide 9 in the slot 8 and recess 7 In the wall of the body. Opposite the coupling side of the catch 10, a heel 12 Is provided on the insideface of the slide 9 below its end face. When the slide 9 is 1 11 'L In the writing position, that Is to say when the reservoir 4 has been extended, said heel 12 lodges in front of the top edge of the slot 8 and thereby locks the slide 9 during writing. The slide 9 is released from this position again 5 by pushing It upwards with the finger.

The fact that three slides 9 are distributed on the circumference of the body 1 ensures that when the writing instrument Is gripped It Is always ready for writing without the need to alter Its position In the hand (using one of the slides g). Because whichever of the slides 9 happens to be In the writing position is temporarily locked there is no need for any exertion whatever for as long as the pen is In the writing position.

In one modified embodiment of the invention shown in Figs.

7, 8 and 9, slides 13 and 14 are constructed so as to be locked in the writing position for as long as writing continues. In the first place this Is brought about by a tongue 15 located in the slide 13 in the finger support region (see Fig. g). The bearing pressure of the finger causes said tongue to spring out of the slide 13 on the inside face. Once the slide 13 reaches its limit position in the slot 16, the tongue 15 lodges before the end edge of the slot 16 opposite the writing head (see Fig. 8) and holds this position until the finger has relaxed its pressure on the tongue 15 and slide 13, allowing the tongue 15 to spring back and releasing the slide 13 to retract.

In accordance with Figs. 10 and 11, a further modification of the invention concept of temporarily locking the slide 14 consists in providing a hemispherical groove 18 on the side nearest the writing head (see Fig. 10). On the wall of the body 1 Is a mating lug 19, which engages In the groove 18 when the reservoir 4 is in the writing position (see Fig. 11). If the slide 14 is guided back out of this position, 0 I.e. out of the writing position, the lug 19 disengages Itself again from the groove 18 without special exertion. Since this cancels the locking action, the slide 17 then passes back into Its initial position (see Fig. 10).

tl Each of Figs. 7, 8, 10 and 11 shows a simplified repre sentation of one slide only, 13 or 14. It will, however, be self-evident that the body 1 having the cross-section of an isosceles triangle is provided with a slide, 13 or 14, for each of its three grip surfaces, as Fig. 4 shows In respect of the slide 9.

1

Claims

C 1 a i m s

Writing instrument, notably a ballpoint pen with pencilshaped body and a mechanism operated by hand for advancing the Ink carrier (reservoir) into the writing position and releasing It to retract It Into the Initial position, the operating mechanism exhibiting at least in the support area for the fingers of the user in a wall recess of the pencil-shaped body a pressure sliding member, the radial inward movement of the latter executing an axial advancing movement directed to the Ink carrier towards the writing head thereof, characterised in that the pencil-shaped body has the cross-section of an Isosceles triangle and the operating mechanism comprises three slides which are connected through corresponding recesses In the wall of the body to the ink carrier via a com n coupling element and each of which by axial movement Independently moves the ink carrier against the action of a return spring into the writing position or back into the initial position.
2. The writing Instrument according to Claim 1, characterised In that the slides (9) are intercalated in the wall recesses (7) and on the side facing the body are equipped with a catch (10), with which they slide axially in corresponding slots (8) in the body (1) and act as a coupling element for a corresponding coupling element on the ink carrier (4) under the force of the return spring (6).
3.

The writing Instrument according to Claims 1 and 2, characterised In that on their longitudinal edges the catches (10) are equipped with guide splines (11) which lodge behind the Inside wall of the body and hold the catches (10) and guide them In sliding.
idl -t 1.1 6 The writing Instrument according to Claims 1 to 39 characterised In that the catches (10) project so far Into the Interior of the body that they are connected by their bottom edge facing the writing head on the one hand as a coupling element for the ring (5) disposed on the other hand as a coupling element on the ink carrier (4).
5. The writing Instrument according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterised in that on their front edge remote from the writing head the slides (9) exhibit a heel (12), with which in the writing position they lodge before the edges of the top end of the slots (8).
6. The writing instrument according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterised in that when the ink carrier (4) is in the writing position the slides (13,14) are automatically locked relative to the body (1) (see Figs. 7 to 11).
7. The writing Instrum nt according to Claim 6, characterised in that-the slide (13) is equipped with a tongue (15), which when the reservoir (4) is in the writing position lodges and is supported in a slot (16) in the body (1) and is.released back into the displacement position by pressure (see Figs. 7, 8 and g).
8. The writing instrument according to Claim 6, characterised in thatIon the writing side the slide (14) is equipped with a preferably hemispherical groove (18), in which a mating lug (19) In the wall of the body engages when the reservoir (4) Is In the writing position (see Figs. 10 and 11).

t--k 1.1
9. A writing instrument substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

^0 Published 1988 at The Patent Office. State House. 6671 High Holborn, London WC1R 4TP Further copies may be obtained from The Patent Mce.

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