JP7847830B2 - Color-switching writing instrument with grip - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a writing instrument with a color-switching grip, such as a mechanical pencil or ballpoint pen, in which the color display can be switched by rotating a grip cylinder provided on the grip portion.

In writing instruments with grips, such as ballpoint pens, many designs use the same color for the ink color of the refill stored inside the barrel, with some or all of the barrel, grip, and knock mechanism being colored to allow for easy identification. However, if a user wants a black body but a red grip, or wants to customize the color combination, they would need to purchase two ballpoint pens of the same model but different colors, disassemble them, change the color combination, and reassemble them. In such cases, the remaining pen goes to waste, resulting in an economic loss. Writing instruments have been proposed that use multiple annular components with different patterns or designs, allowing users to change the color scheme to their liking, and attach these annular components to the barrel by changing their combination (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). However, creating multiple annular components and configuring them to be combined as needed increases the number of parts and complexity of the structure, making it economically unfeasible. Furthermore, changing the combination is cumbersome, not easily done, and there is a risk of the combined state fluctuating.

A writing instrument has been proposed in which the grip on the barrel has a double-layered structure consisting of an outer grip and an inner grip, allowing the surface color of the grip to be seen through a through-hole formed in the side of the inner grip by rotating it (see, for example, Patent Document 3). However, with this writing instrument, the outer grip must be removed and disassembled in order to rotate the inner grip, making it cumbersome to handle. Furthermore, if the position of the surface color and the position of the through-hole in the inner grip do not precisely coincide, visibility becomes impossible. There is also a risk that vibrations and shocks during use may cause the inner grip to rotate, misaligning the through-hole and the surface color.

Utility Model Registration No. 3008909 (paragraphs 0006, 0008, 0011, 0014, drawings) Utility Model Registration No. 3100918 (Claim 1, paragraphs 0009, 0011, 0015, Figures 1 to 3) Japanese Patent Publication No. 2008-230180 (Claim 1, Claim 3, paragraphs 0007, 0010, Figures 2 to 4)

The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a writing instrument with a color-switching grip that allows the user to easily switch and customize the colors displayed in the window of the grip barrel according to their preference, and that does not change even when subjected to vibration or shock after the switch has been made.

According to the present invention, a writing instrument with a color-switching grip is provided, which has multiple identification marks of different colors, patterns, characters, or other distinguishing features arranged in parallel in the circumferential direction of the tip of the barrel that holds the grip tube, the grip tube is rotatably fitted onto the barrel to cover the identification marks, a window is provided in the grip tube so that a part of the identification marks is visible, and a locking mechanism is provided between the grip tube and the barrel to lock the grip tube and the barrel so that they can be moved toward and away from each other, thereby solving the above problem.

The above-described locking mechanism comprises a locking claw and a locking groove into which the locking claw engages. The locking claw is provided on either the barrel side or the grip side, the locking groove is provided on either the grip side or the barrel side, and the locking claw and/or locking groove are provided to be movable in the longitudinal direction of the barrel. This provides a writing instrument with a color-switching grip.

The present invention is configured as described above, with multiple identification marks of different colors, patterns, characters, and other distinguishing features arranged in parallel around the circumferential direction of the tip of the barrel that holds the grip cylinder. The grip cylinder is rotatably fitted onto the barrel to cover the identification marks, and a window is provided in the grip cylinder so that a part of the identification marks is visible. A locking mechanism is provided between the grip cylinder and the barrel cylinder to lock the grip cylinder and the barrel cylinder so that they can move toward and away from each other. Therefore, when the lock between the grip cylinder and the barrel cylinder is released, the grip cylinder can be rotated, and the identification of colors, etc., that appears in the window can be changed to a preferred identification. When the grip cylinder is stopped in the rotated position, the grip cylinder is locked, so the grip cylinder will not rotate even if vibration or shock is applied to the writing instrument. Therefore, the position of the window on the grip cylinder and the position of the identification of colors, etc. do not change, and the customized state can be maintained. Furthermore, if the locking mechanism consists of a locking claw and a locking groove that engages with the claw, and the locking claw is provided on either the shaft side or the grip side, and the locking groove is provided on either the grip side or the shaft side, and the locking claw and/or locking groove are made movable in the longitudinal direction of the shaft, then the lock can be easily released and the grip cylinder rotated by moving the locking claw or locking groove in the longitudinal direction of the shaft, and then easily locked again by returning it to the opposite direction in the longitudinal direction.

A front view showing one embodiment of the writing instrument of the present invention. Enlarged cross-sectional view. The shaft is shown, with (A) being a plan view, (B) a front view, (C) a cross-sectional view, and (D) a side view. The grip cylinder is shown, with (A) being a plan view, (B) a front view, and (C) a cross-sectional view. The locking piece of the locking mechanism is shown, with (A) being a plan view, (B) a front view, (C) a cross-sectional view, and (D) a side view. Figure 5 shows an embodiment using the locking piece, where (A) is a plan view, (B) is an explanatory diagram of the grip cylinder in a rotating state, and (C) is an explanatory diagram of the grip cylinder rotated 90 degrees. Another embodiment of the locking mechanism is shown, where (A) is a plan view, (B) is an explanatory diagram showing the state in which the tapered member is loosened and the grip cylinder is rotated, and (C) is an explanatory diagram after the grip cylinder has been rotated 90 degrees. The diagrams show the relationship between the grip cylinder, identification mark, lock groove, and lock claw. (A) is an exploded view of the grip cylinder, (B) is an exploded view of the identification mark, (C) is an exploded view of the grip when the grip cylinder is in its normal position, and (D) is an exploded view of the grip when the grip cylinder is rotated 90 degrees from its normal position. Other embodiments of the grip tube are shown, with (A) to (D) being partial explanatory diagrams. The colored pieces are shown, (A) is a plan view, (B) is a cross-sectional view, and (C) is a side view. The shaft is shown, with (A) being a plan view and (B) being a half-section view. The grip tube is shown, with (A) being a plan view, (B) a half-section view, (C) a right side view, and (D) a left side view. Enlarged cross-sectional view. Front view. The lock pieces are shown, with (A) being a plan view, (B) a front view, (C) a cross-sectional view, and (D) a side view. The shaft is shown, with (A) being a plan view and (B) being a half-section view. The grip tube is shown, with (A) being a plan view, (B) a cross-sectional view, (C) a right side view, and (D) a left side view. Enlarged cross-sectional view. Front view.

Figures 1 and 2 show one embodiment of the present invention, in which a ballpoint pen with a ballpoint pen refill 2 housed in a barrel 1 is shown as a writing instrument. However, a mechanical pencil, marker pen, or other writing instrument with a writing instrument housed in a barrel, or any suitable cosmetic tool may also be used. A grip barrel 4 is rotatably fitted to the front end 3 of the barrel , forming a grip . As shown in Figure 3, the grip barrel 4 is inserted from the front end of the barrel 1 until its rear end abuts against a stepped portion 5 formed in the barrel 1. A tapered member 6 is then screwed to the front end, and the grip barrel 4 is held in a state where it is sandwiched between the stepped portion 5 and the tapered member 6. In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, the ballpoint pen refill 2 is biased toward the rear of the barrel 1 by a knock spring 7, and a known rotary feeding mechanism such as a knock cap 8, knock cam 9, and rotor 10 protruding from the rear end of the barrel pushes the knock cap 8, causing the tip to protrude from the tip opening 11 of the tapered member 6, allowing writing.

As shown in Figure 3, the shaft 1 has a small diameter at its front end 3, into which the grip cylinder 4 fits. A stepped portion 5 is formed at the rear end of the small diameter portion so that the rear end of the grip cylinder 4 abuts against it. A threaded portion 12 for screwing the tapered member 6 is provided on the front end. Furthermore, a through hole 13 opening in the longitudinal direction of the shaft 1 is formed in the side wall of the stepped portion 5, and a guide groove 14 extending in the longitudinal direction is formed on the inner surface of the shaft 1.

On the surface of the tip 3 between the stepped portion 5 and the threaded portion 12, multiple identification marks 15, each differing in color, pattern, lettering, or other distinguishing features, are arranged in parallel in the circumferential direction. The identification marks 15 are formed by appropriate means such as printing, sealing, or tape, and extend along the entire longitudinal direction of the tip 3 of the shaft 1, but can be configured as appropriate. For example, identification marks of different lengths in the longitudinal direction may be combined, provided intermittently, or inclined diagonally. The identification marks 15 are often arranged in sections with different colors, etc., in the circumferential direction. In the embodiment shown in Figure 3, as shown in the unfolded view in Figure 8(B), color A and color B appear alternately every 30 degrees. Other arrangement configurations include, for example, dividing the entire circumference into multiple sections and displaying different colors, etc., in all sections, or dividing it into several sections and displaying repeated identification colors, etc., or freely configuring a variety of appropriate color schemes.

As shown in Figure 4, the grip cylinder 4 has a plurality of windows 16 arranged longitudinally at positions corresponding to the identification marks 15. In this embodiment, the windows 16 are also arranged in parallel in the circumferential direction, and in the circumferential arrangement shown in the figure, as shown in the unfolded view of Figure 8(A), the centerlines 19 of the longitudinal rows of windows 16 are positioned at 60-degree intervals. The windows 16 can be made of a plastic material to create transparent, closed windows, or they can be made of a metal material to create openings cut out of the wall of the grip cylinder, as shown in the embodiment in Figure 4. In the embodiments shown in Figure 1, etc., the windows 16 are formed in a rectangular shape, but they can be made in any shape as desired. For example, they can be made circular as shown in Figure 9(A), triangular as shown in Figure 9(B), rectangular in the longitudinal direction as shown in Figure 9(C), or in any other appropriate shape. As shown in Figure (D), instead of arranging them in parallel in the circumferential direction, a single rectangular or other shaped window 16 can be formed in the longitudinal direction, and the outer circumference of the grip cylinder 4, excluding the window, can be closed. With this configuration, by providing multiple identification marks with different colors in all sections around the shaft cylinder 1, all the colors can be displayed one by one in the window each time the grip rotates to a position corresponding to a section.

Between the grip cylinder 4 and the shaft cylinder 1, a locking mechanism is provided to lock the movement of the grip cylinder 4 when it is rotated. The locking mechanism can be configured as appropriate, preferably including a locking claw 17 and a locking groove 18 that engages with the locking claw 17, but other locking mechanisms may also be provided. In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2, multiple locking grooves 18 are provided on the grip cylinder 4 side, and a locking claw 17 is provided on the shaft cylinder 1 side. The locking grooves 18 open in a roughly V-shape towards the rear at the rear end of the grip cylinder 4, and the spacing of the locking grooves 18 is determined according to the rotational position where the grip cylinder is to be locked. In the embodiment shown in the figures, to allow the grip cylinder 4 to be locked every 90 degrees, as shown in the exploded view of Figure 8(A), the inner tip of the locking groove 18 is positioned on the center line 19 of the longitudinal row of the window portion 16, and when the grip cylinder rotates 90 degrees from that position, the inner tip of the locking groove 18 is positioned on the middle line 20 of the longitudinal row of the window portion.

As shown in Figure 5, the locking claw 17 is formed in a mountain shape at the front end of the locking piece 21. The locking piece 21 has an alignment projection 22 on its circumferential surface, and is housed so as to move longitudinally with the projection 22 slidably engaged with the guide groove 14 provided inside the shaft cylinder 1. As shown in Figure 2, a locking spring 24 is provided between the rear of the locking piece 21 and the receiving portion 23 provided inside the shaft cylinder 1. This spring biases the locking piece 21 so that its tip protrudes forward from the through hole 13 provided in the stepped portion 5 of the shaft cylinder 1, thereby causing the locking claw 17 to elastically contact the rear end of the grip cylinder 4.

Referring to Figure 6, as shown in Figure (A), when the grip cylinder 4 is in a fixed position, the locking claw 17 is engaged with the locking groove 18. However, when the grip cylinder 4 is rotated forcefully, as shown in Figure (B), the side surface of the roughly V-shaped locking groove 18 presses against the side surface of the roughly mountain-shaped locking claw 17, causing the locking piece 21 forming the locking claw 17 to be pushed back against the locking spring 24. As a result, the locking claw 17 disengages from the locking groove 18, allowing the grip cylinder 4 with the locking groove 18 to rotate. When the grip cylinder 4 rotates to a position where the next adjacent locking groove 18 corresponds to the locking claw 17, as shown in Figure (C), the locking claw 17 protrudes due to the locking spring 24 and engages with the locking groove 18, holding the grip cylinder 4 in that position. In this embodiment, the locking groove 18 is provided on the grip cylinder 4 side and the locking claw 17 is provided on the shaft cylinder side (locking piece 21). However, the locking claw may be provided on the grip cylinder side and the locking groove on the shaft cylinder side (locking piece). Furthermore, when rotating the locking claw, it is advisable to form an appropriate guide surface or the like on the outer surface of the component constituting the locking groove to guide the locking claw into the locking groove (not shown).

Figure 7 shows another embodiment of the locking mechanism. In this embodiment, a substantially circular locking claw 25 is provided projecting toward the grip cylinder 4 from the side wall of the stepped portion 5 of the shaft cylinder 1, and a substantially arc-shaped locking groove 26 is provided at the rear end of the grip cylinder 4 so as to engage with the locking claw 25. The tapered member 6 is preferably provided to be removable from the shaft cylinder 1. In this embodiment, instead of providing a movable member such as the locking piece 21 on the shaft cylinder side, the grip cylinder 4 itself is provided to be movable in the longitudinal direction. According to this embodiment, as shown in Figure (A), the grip cylinder 4 can be held in a fixed position by engaging the locking groove 26 of the grip cylinder 4 with the locking claw 25 of the shaft cylinder 1. As shown in Figure (B), if the tapered member 6 is loosened and the grip cylinder 4 is moved forward in the longitudinal direction to the extent that the locking claw 25 on the shaft cylinder side comes out of the locking groove 26, the arc-shaped outer surface of the locking claw slides out of the arc-shaped inner surface of the locking groove 26, and the grip cylinder 4 can be rotated. Once the desired identification mark 15 appears through the window 16, the grip cylinder 4 can be returned to its rearward position, as shown in Figure (C), to engage the locking groove 26 and the locking claw 25, thereby locking the grip cylinder 4. For illustrative purposes, Figure 7(B) shows the tapered member removed from the shaft cylinder; however, if the grip cylinder can rotate, the tapered member does not need to be removed. Furthermore, the locking claw can be provided on the grip cylinder side, and the locking groove on the shaft cylinder side; or, a series of saw-tooth-like, continuously bending protrusions can be provided as the locking means, serving as both the locking claw and the locking groove.

As described above, the longitudinal rows of the window portions 16 of the grip cylinder 4 are arranged such that the centerlines 19 of the longitudinal rows are positioned at 60-degree intervals, as shown in the unfolded view of Figure 8(A). The identification marks 15 are displayed with colors A and B repeated every 30 degrees, as shown in the unfolded view of Figure 8(B). Lock grooves 18 are provided on the rear end surface of the grip cylinder at 90-degree intervals. As shown in Figure 8(C), if we consider the position where the locking claw 17 is aligned with the centerline 19 of the longitudinal rows of the central window portion 16 as the fixed position, then in this state, color A is visible from the window portion 16 of the grip cylinder 4. This state is shown in Figures 6(A) and 7(A). When the grip cylinder is rotated 90 degrees from this state, it reaches the rotation position shown in the unfolded view of Figure 8(D), and the locking claw 17 engages with the lock groove 18 located on the intermediate line 20 between the longitudinal sections of the window portion 16, locking the rotation of the grip cylinder 4. At this time, color B can be seen through the window 16 of the grip cylinder 4, as shown in Figures 6(C) and 7(C). In this way, by rotating the grip cylinder 4 by 90 degrees, the color displayed in the window 16 can be changed, and by appropriately setting the positions of the identification mark 15 and the window 16 of the grip cylinder 4, the color can be changed and customized one after another. When the selected color is displayed, the grip cylinder 4 is locked by the locking mechanism, so it will not change even if vibration or shock is applied. In the above embodiment, the grip cylinder is configured to lock every 90 degrees of rotation, but this rotation angle can be appropriately set to, for example, 45 degrees, 60 degrees, etc., and the arrangement of the identification mark, the window of the grip cylinder , the lock groove, the lock claw, etc. can be selected according to the rotation angle. In addition, the identification mark can display the lead hardness or lead diameter of the mechanical pencil, or personal name, initials, or other names can be engraved and made visible through the window of the grip cylinder.

In the above embodiment, identification marks are directly applied to the surface of the tip of the barrel by printing, stickers, tape, etc. However, a separate component with identification marks on its outer surface may be formed and incorporated into the barrel. For example, as shown in Figure 10, a cylindrical component with an inner and outer diameter that can be fitted between the grip and the tip of the barrel can be prepared. Identification marks arranged in a circumferential direction on the outer surface of this component can be applied by printing, stickers, masking tape, etc., to form a colored component 27. By forming a separate colored component 27 and applying the identification marks 15 to it, productivity is improved compared to directly applying the identification marks 15 to the barrel 1. Furthermore, it allows the buyer of the writing instrument to easily apply their preferred masking tape, resulting in a more customized writing instrument.

The color piece 27 can be incorporated in various configurations. Figures 11 to 14 show one such embodiment. A through-hole 13 is formed in the stepped portion 5 leading to the small-diameter tip portion 3 of the shaft 1, similar to the above embodiment, through which the locking claw 17 of the lock piece 21, which is housed within the shaft 1 so as to be movable in the longitudinal direction, passes. A guide groove 14 is provided on the inner surface behind the stepped portion 5, into which an alignment projection 22 fits to prevent the lock piece 21 from rotating. A rotation-preventing groove 28 is provided on the outer surface of the tip portion 3, with its tip opening forward. A rib 29 (see Figure 10) on the inner surface of the color piece 27 engages with this rotation-preventing groove 28, preventing the color piece 27 from rotating. As shown in Figure 12, the grip cylinder 4, similar to the above embodiment, has multiple windows 16 arranged in the longitudinal direction. Shoulder portions 30 are provided to sandwich the front and rear ends of the color piece 27 located inside between the tapered member 6, and multiple locking grooves 18 are provided at the rear end.

Referring to Figure 13, the tip of the lock spring 24 abuts against the rear end of the lock piece 21, similar to the above embodiment. The rear end of the lock spring 24 abuts against the tip of the clip inner cylinder 31 inserted into the shaft cylinder. Therefore, the lock piece 21 is biased forward, and the lock claw 17 elastically contacts the rear end of the grip cylinder 4. Consequently, similar to the above embodiment, when the grip cylinder 4, which is clamped between the tapered member 6 and the stepped portion 5, is rotated, the color piece 27 does not rotate, but the lock groove 18 rotates while pushing the lock piece 21, which forms the lock claw 17, backward against the lock spring 24. When the next lock groove 18 faces the lock claw 17, the lock spring 24 moves the lock piece 21 forward, engaging the next lock groove 18 with the lock claw 17. The grip cylinder 4 can then be locked at the position where the identification mark 15, such as the color of the color piece 27 visible through the window 16, changes.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 13 and other figures, a separate locking piece 21 is provided, but it is also possible to use a locking color piece 32 that has the function of a locking piece without providing a separate locking piece. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 15, the locking color piece 32 is provided with a locking claw 17 at its front end and a rib 29 formed on its inner surface. The rib 29 is fitted so as to be movable in the longitudinal direction into a rotation-preventing groove 28 formed in the front part 3 of the shaft cylinder 1, and a locking spring 24 (see Figure 18) is attached between the stepped part 5 of the shaft cylinder 1 and the rear end of the locking color piece 32 to bias the locking color piece 32 forward.

The grip cylinder 4 is formed with an inner diameter that can accommodate the lock color piece 32. As shown in Figure 17, an inward projection 33 is provided at its front, so as to contact the front end of the lock color piece 32. Multiple lock grooves 18 are formed in this inward projection 33 to engage with the lock claw 17. Therefore, similar to the above embodiment, when the grip cylinder 4, which is sandwiched between the tapered member 6 and the stepped portion 5, is rotated, the lock color piece 32 does not rotate. However, the lock grooves 18 rotate while pushing the lock color piece 32, which has the lock claw 17 formed on it, backward against the lock spring 24. When the next lock groove 18 corresponds to the lock claw 17, the lock spring 24 causes the lock color piece 32 to advance and engage. As a result, the position of the lock grooves 18 changes, and the grip cylinder 4 can be locked at a position where the identification mark 15, such as the color of the lock color piece 32 visible through the window portion 16, has changed.

1. Shaft cylinder 4. Grip cylinder 5. Stepped section 6. Tapered member 13. Through hole 15. Identification mark 16. Window section 17. Locking claw 18. Locking groove 21. Locking piece 24. Locking spring 25. Locking claw 26. Locking groove 27. Color piece 32. Locking color piece.

Claims (3)

Multiple identification marks, differing in color, pattern, letters, or other distinguishing features, are arranged in parallel along the circumferential direction of the tip portion formed on the small diameter of the shaft that holds the grip barrel.
The grip cylinder , held between the stepped portion at the position where the small-diameter tip portion is formed in the above-mentioned shaft cylinder and the tapered member positioned on the tip side of the above-mentioned shaft cylinder, is fitted to the above -mentioned shaft cylinder so as to be circumferentially rotatable, covering the identification mark, and a window portion is provided in the grip cylinder so that a part of the identification mark is visible,
A locking mechanism is provided between the grip cylinder and the shaft cylinder to lock the rotation of the grip cylinder in the circumferential direction .
The above-mentioned locking mechanism consists of a locking claw and a locking groove into which the locking claw engages.
The locking claw is provided on the barrel side or the grip barrel side, and the locking groove is provided on the grip barrel side or the barrel side.
The locking claw or locking groove provided on the shaft side is provided on the front end of a locking piece that is arranged inside the shaft so as to be movable in the axial direction of the shaft.
The above-mentioned locking piece is always biased toward the tip by a locking spring.
A writing instrument with a grip and switchable color display. A color-switching grip writing instrument according to claim 1 , wherein a cylindrical color piece is fitted between the grip tube and the tip of the barrel tube, and the identification mark is provided around the color piece . In a barrel having a small-diameter tip, the grip barrel is held by the tip so as to be rotatable in the circumferential direction of the barrel between a stepped portion at the position where the small-diameter tip is formed and a tapered member disposed on the tip side of the barrel.
A locking color piece, which is cylindrical and has multiple identification marks of different colors, patterns, letters, or other distinguishing features arranged in a circumferential direction around its circumference, is mounted between the grip cylinder and the tip of the cylinder so as to be movable in the axial direction of the cylinder but not in the circumferential direction of the cylinder.
The grip cylinder described above covers the identification mark and has a window portion that allows a part of the identification mark to be visible.
A locking mechanism is provided between the grip cylinder and the locking color piece to lock the rotation of the grip cylinder in the circumferential direction.
The above-mentioned locking mechanism consists of a locking claw and a locking groove into which the locking claw engages.
The locking claw is provided at the front end of the locking color piece.
The front part of the grip cylinder has an inward projection radially inward against which the front end of the lock color piece abuts, and multiple lock grooves are formed in the circumferential direction on this inward projection.
The above-mentioned locking color piece is a color-switching grip writing instrument that is always biased toward the tip by a locking color piece spring .