JP2003525764A - Writing utensils - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a hand-operated tool which has a writing tip in contact with a surface, and which gives the writing tip a preferable direction when the tool is used. A writing instrument comprising an elongated tube (12) having an outer portion and an inner portion (22) rotatable relative to each other. The point or nib (30) is secured to the inner portion (22) of the disposed barrel that is angled to and offset from the centerline of the outer portion of the barrel. The inner part of the tube may be squeezed by the pressing force applied to the writing utensil during the writing operation, or by a weight (34, 35, 36) attached to the inner part of the tube bringing the point to the desired position. It can rotate or move axially relative to the part. As further pressure is applied to the point or nib, the inner portion of the barrel moves to the most rearward position, where rotation of the point or nib is prevented by the grip assembly (144, 214).

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a tool having a working tip that abuts a surface, and more particularly to a manually operated tool that gives a preferred orientation to the working tip when the tool is in use.

[0002]

[Prior art]

Various devices having a point abutting surface are available on the market. Such tools include, but are not necessarily limited to, fountain pens, ballpoint pens, and writing systems such as correction fluid applicators and their equipotents. Typically, writing implements include a nib or tip extending from a cylinder having an ink tank, and the implement is gripped by a user's hand during writing. It is known that most such writing instruments, especially ballpoint pens, function more effectively if the nib is held in a vertical position relative to the surface to be written. However, in many cases, the writing instrument is not held vertically during the writing operation, but is tilted by the user at an angle of approximately 60 ° to the writing surface.

In the case of a ball-point pen, it is normally abutted on the writing surface at an angle of about 60 °, and the rim surrounding the ball comes into contact with the writing surface, hindering the smooth movement of the ball. Further, if the contact is made at an angle of 60 °, the ball may be damaged to such an extent that the ball becomes loose.

In view of the above, it is proposed that the tip or ball bearing portion of the ballpoint pen be oriented at an angle to the axis of the writing instrument barrel to compensate for tilting of the barrel during writing. It was A typical pen for such type of device is described in US Pat. No. 5,012,66 of Robert L. Brown assigned to the assignee of the present invention.
No. 3 disclosed and described.

However, when using a pen of the type described above in which the tip is angled with respect to the longitudinal axis of the barrel, it is often difficult to orient the tip and the quality of the resulting writing is poor. I found out. If the tip is not oriented to lie at right angles to the writing surface, the user must reorient the writing instrument, or the writing task must proceed over the rim of the tip.

[0006]

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention]

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a writing instrument in which the tip extends at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the barrel to ensure proper orientation of the tip with respect to the writing surface.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a writing instrument of the type described above which properly orients the tip on the writing surface prior to the start of writing work.

Still another object of the present invention is that the tip is rotatable with respect to the tube,
The object is to provide a writing instrument of the type described above which is fixed to the tube.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a writing instrument of the type described above which is simple in construction and easy to manufacture.

[0010]

[Means for Solving the Problems]

The foregoing and other objects are achieved by providing a manually operated tool that includes an elongated tubular barrel having a longitudinal axis as described below. The working tip, which is in contact with the surface, is at the front end of the tube, and the tip is mounted for rotation and axial movement with respect to the longitudinal axis of the tube. A gripping structure is provided along the longitudinal axis between the work tip and the tubular barrel to prevent rotation of the work tip when the work tip is at its rearmost position.

More specifically, the instrument is a writing instrument that includes an elongated tubular barrel having a longitudinal axis and a writing tip attached to one end of the barrel. The tip is positioned at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the barrel and is mounted for rotation about the longitudinal axis. The writing instrument is in the form of a ballpoint pen, where the tip consists of a writing ball.

The longitudinal axis is generally located at the centerline of the elongate tubular barrel and the tool further comprises an elongate member rotatably mounted within the elongate tubular barrel, wherein the pointed tip is rotatable with the elongate member. It is fixed to the member.

Both the tubular barrel and the elongated member are preferably cylindrical in shape, the elongated member comprising a cartridge when the writing instrument is a pen.

In one embodiment of the writing instrument, the elongate member has a weight portion located on the elongate member opposite the longitudinal axis from the point side.

In another embodiment, a writing instrument comprises an elongated tube and a writing tip attached to the front end of the tube, the writing tip being arranged at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the tube. Moreover, with respect to the tube, it is configured to be freely rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the tube and axially movable along the longitudinal axis of the tube. A gripping structure is provided along the longitudinal axis between the working tip and the tubular barrel to prevent rotation of the working tip when the working tip is in the most rearward position along the longitudinal axis.

The grip structure comprises a rearward facing shoulder on the elongate member to which the tip is secured and a forward facing surface on the elongated barrel, the surface having a writing tip at a forward position along the longitudinal axis. Are spaced apart from each other when placed in a position, and the writing tips contact each other when placed in a posterior position along the longitudinal axis. At least one of the surfaces comprises a friction material and is located either adjacent the front end of the writing tip or adjacent the rear end of the writing tip. The friction material is arranged in an elongated cylinder and comprises an O-ring elastic friction material.

These novel features and advantages according to the invention will become apparent in the embodiments of the invention described in connection with the accompanying drawings.

[0018]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown a writing instrument in the form of a ballpoint pen 10 having a cylindrical outer member or barrel 12 having a longitudinal axis BC.
The front end of the cylinder 12 is open, and the rearmost end has a cap 14 provided to surround the end of the cylinder. A cylindrical bearing body 16 having a conical bearing surface 18 is attached to the inner surface of the cap 14 and extends along the longitudinal axis BC, the point of the conical surface 18 being disposed on the longitudinal axis BC. A bearing 20 having an internal bearing surface 21 is secured inside the barrel 12 adjacent the front end of the barrel.

The elongated cylindrical body 22 is slidably fitted in the bearing surface 21, is rotatably mounted in the barrel 12, and is fitted to the bearing face 18 adjacent to the rear of the barrel 12. It has a conical recess 24 formed in its rear surface. A pen tip 26 is attached to the front end of the elongated cylindrical body 22. The pen tip is fixed to the outer surface of the cylinder and is separated from the inner surface of the cylinder 12, so the pen tip is the cylinder 12. It is rotatable inside with the cylindrical body 22. In a writing instrument configured such that the conical tip 28 is attached to the forward end of the nib 26, the conical writing instrument has a centerline NC arranged at an angle to the longitudinal axis BC of the barrel 12. is doing. In the present embodiment, which is a ball-point pen, the ball 3 may be of any type known to those skilled in the art.
0 is provided at the front end of the tip 28 so that the ball lies on the center line NC and the longitudinal axis BC.
And is spaced apart by a distance D from.

The ink supply to the ball 30 is performed by an ink cartridge 32, which is a replaceable element received in an elongated cylindrical body, and is integrally formed with the cylindrical body 22 in the case of a disposable pen.

In the structure shown in FIG. 1, the distance D between the ball 30 and the longitudinal axis BC is preferably between 0.25 mm and 2.54 mm and the angle between the centerline NC of the tip 28 is approximately. It is between 30 °, preferably between 20 ° and 40 °.

Referring to FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, it is shown that the ball-point pen 10 of FIG. 1 is placed at a position which is assumed to be during writing operation. As shown in FIG. 3, it is shown that the ball 30 contacts the writing surface and is positioned by the user at an angle X ° from the vertical axis with respect to the writing surface S. At or just before the moment of contacting the writing surface, the elongated cylinder 22 is offset by an angle Y ° rather than the tip 28 being in the central position (ie the centerline NC of the conical tip is at a right angle to the plane S). It is in the position. When the vertical writing force F is applied to the barrel 12 of the ballpoint pen 10, the restoring torque T is applied at the tip 28 in the direction opposite to the rotation direction of the angle Y of the elongated cylindrical body 22, and the centerline NC of the tip 28 is written. The surface S is oriented at an appropriate angle.

The restoring torque T is equal to the product of D, which is the distance from the longitudinal axis BC of the cylinder 12 to the ball 30, the vertical force F, the sine of the angle X, and the sine of the angle Y, as shown in the following equation. .

T = D · F · SINE X · SINE Y In FIGS. 4 and 5, if the tip 28 contacts the surface S as shown in FIG. 5, a pressing force F is applied to the cylinder 12 during writing, An elongated cylinder defines the tip 28 and the ball 30 in FIG.
Rotate to move to the "center position" shown in.

FIG. 2 shows another embodiment of the present invention. In all the elements described above, the same parts are designated by the same reference numerals as the embodiment of FIG. However, in the embodiment of FIG. 2, a plurality of weights 34, 35, 36 are attached to the outer surface of the cylindrical body 22. The weights 34, 35, 36 are arranged on the surface of the cylindrical body 22, and the balls 3 are arranged around the longitudinal axis BC.
They are spaced apart from 0 to 180 °. In the structure of FIG. 2, weights 34, 35,
36 holds the ball 30 on the longitudinal axis BC when the longitudinal axis is arranged horizontally, ie at an acute angle to the writing surface.

As can be seen from the structure shown in FIG. 2, the preparation for properly positioning the ball 30 on the surface S is substantially done by using the weights 34, 35 and 36. Thus, in the structure shown in FIG. 2, force F can help rotate tip 28 and ball 30 to the proper position for optimal writing. By making the weights 34, 35, 36 function as the rotating means, it is understood that it is not necessary to generate the restoring torque obtained by the distance D of the structure in FIG. 1, as described above. Therefore the ball 3
The 0 can also be located on the central longitudinal axis BC or at any other desired position.

Although the aforementioned “restoring torque” is a major factor in properly orienting the tip 28 on the writing surface in the structure of FIG. 1, it is understood that various torque forces exist in a particular writing instrument. You can do it. These torques include, but are not limited to, swaying torque (impact due to change in direction during writing work), damping torque (impact due to bearing friction), and torque distributed by weights as shown in the structure of FIG. including.

6 to 8 showing another embodiment of the present invention, a pen 100 includes a cylinder 112 having an end cap 114 and a conical bearing surface 1 arranged at the rear of the cylinder 112.
A bearing 116 having 18 is provided. At the front end of the pen 100, a cylindrical bearing 12 having a bearing surface 121 for supporting the cylindrical body 122 in the radial direction.
0 is set. The elongated cylindrical body 122 includes a conical recess 124 at its rear end, the conical recess 124 being formed to be spaced apart from a magnet 125 mounted to the cylindrical body 122.

The pen 100 has a rotatable ball 130 at its front end, as in the above-described embodiment.
A nib 126 having a conical tip 128 for supporting the ink, and an ink cartridge 13
Equipped with 2.

The structure is similar to that shown in FIG. 2, and a weight 134 is provided on one side of the cylindrical body 122, which weight is similar to that described above for the weights 34, 35, 36 of the embodiment of FIG. Perform various functions.

In the present embodiment, the surface of the pen tip attached to the cylindrical body 122 is provided with a surface 140 facing rearward. Further, a frontward-facing shoulder 142 to which an O-ring 144 is attached is formed on the tube 112 at the front end of the pen 100 so as to face the shoulder 140. The O-ring 144 is made of an elastic material such as rubber and has a friction surface that contacts the surface 140.

At the rear end of the pen 100, the bearing 116 is a block 117 of magnetic material.
And attached to a cylindrical stop member 146. The stop member 146 is
This results in contact with a pad 148 of a generally open cell slow recovery foam that slowly returns to its rest position after being compressed.

In the rest position before writing work, the rearward facing surface 140 and the O-ring 144 are
The O-ring 144 is not in contact with the surface 140 because there is a gap G formed on the front end of the pen tube 112 between the surface 140 and the surface. The entire assembly attached to the cylinder 122 is put in place by the magnetic attraction between the magnet 117 and the magnet 125, as shown in FIG. The lowest frictional contact held at 124 allows it to rotate freely due to the presence of the gap G at the front end of the barrel 112. The gap G is almost 0 when the shoulder 140 is at the frontmost position.
． It is 127 to 0.254 mm.

When writing pressure is applied to the nib 126 via the tip 128, the cylindrical body 122
The entire structure attached to the
Is pressed toward the front-facing surface 142, and a gripping member in the form of an O-ring 144 prevents further rotation of the cylinder 122 and associated structure attached thereto. At the same time, the cylindrical stop member 146 slidably inserted in the tube 112 moves backward and compresses the pad 148.

When the pen 100 is removed from the writing surface, the pad 148 returns to its rest position, effectively moving the cylindrical stop member 146 forward to create the gap G at the front end of the barrel 112, thereby Once again, rotation of the cylinder 122 and the tip 128 can be enabled.

The contact between the O-ring 144 and the surface 140 can effectively remove the rotation of the pen tip 126 during writing work.

Next, a pen 200 according to still another embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 9, 10, and 11 will be described, but similar members are denoted by the same reference numerals as those described in the structure of FIG.

In the structure of the pen 200 that is clearly shown in FIG. 9, the grip member is provided not in the front half of the cylinder 112 ′ but in the rear half of the cylinder 112 ′. The cylindrical stop member 204 attached to the inner surface of the cylinder 112 'has a cylindrical hole 2 penetrating at the center line of the cylinder 112'.
Has 06. Cylindrical body 122 ′ comprises an end block 208 having a rearward facing surface 210 in a facing relationship with a forward facing surface 212 formed on stop block 204. In the present embodiment, the rearward facing surface 210 comprises a friction material in the form of an O-ring 214 for contacting the frontward facing surface 212. As in the previous embodiment, the cylinder 122 'is free to move back and forth along the centerline of the tube 112',
Forward movement is limited by a mounting pin 216 having a round ball 218 at one end. The shaft 220 passes through the cylindrical hole 206 of the stop block 204 and is screwed to the end block 208 of the cylindrical body 122 '. The shaft 220 has a cylindrical hole 206.
The ball 218 is designed to maintain a motion fit on the mounting pin 216.
Minimal contact can be provided between the stop block 204 and the stop block 204 to provide minimal resistance to both rotation as well as axial movement of the cylinder 122 '.

In operation, the gap G between surfaces 210 and 212 is created by the user placing the nib 126 in the normal lower position when attempting to start writing the pen 200. The faces 210 and 212 are generally separated by a gravity force across the gap G to the extent that the cylindrical body 122 'is free to rotate and move axially. However, when pressure is applied to the tip 128, the cylinder 122 'will
Moving backwards, frictional contact occurs between the O-ring 214 and the forward facing surface 212, preventing rotation of the conical tip 128 and the nib 126 during writing.

Although O-rings 144 and 214 have been shown in each embodiment as elements that provide a grip structure, frictional, mechanical or other means for grip purposes are within the scope of the present invention. Can be adopted.

By adopting the structure of the embodiment shown in FIG. 6 or shown in FIGS. 7 to 9,
It will be appreciated that the writing instrument illustrated and described in FIGS. 1-5 may provide additional features of the gripping structure that are effective to prevent rotation of the nib after being properly oriented by the user. Let's do it.

Further, in the present specification, a ball-point pen type pen has been described as a writing tool, but in the present invention, for example, a metal roller pen, a gel ink pen, a perpetual quality, a correction fluid applicator, or an equivalent thereof. Thus, it will be appreciated that it is equally applicable to other devices where the working tip contacts the surface.

[0043]

【The invention's effect】

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a writing instrument in which the tip extends at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the tube and ensures proper orientation of the tip with respect to the writing surface.

The present invention further provides a writing instrument of the type described above, in which the tip is properly oriented on the writing surface before the writing operation is started.

Furthermore, it is possible to provide a writing instrument of the above-mentioned type in which the tip is rotatable with respect to the cylinder, but is fixed to the cylinder during the writing operation.

[Brief description of drawings]

[Figure 1]   It is a side view which shows a ball-point pen comprised by teaching of the present invention in a partial section.

[Fig. 2]   FIG. 6 is a side view similar to FIG. 1 showing another embodiment of the structure of FIG. 1.

[Figure 3]   FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a writing operation of the ball-point pen of FIG. 1 or FIG. 2.

[Figure 4]   FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the ball-point pen of FIG. 3 viewed from the tip of the pen.

[Figure 5]   FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the ball-point pen of FIG. 3 viewed from the tip of the pen.

FIG. 6 is a side view, partly in section, showing another embodiment of the ballpoint pen of FIG. 2, in which the writing tip is locked during the writing operation.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged view showing the details of the structure of FIG. 6 in order to clarify the inside of a dotted line portion near the front part of the structure of FIG. 6;

[Figure 8]   FIG. 7 is an enlarged view for clearly showing the inside of a dotted line near the rear portion of the structure of FIG. 6.

FIG. 9 is a side view showing another embodiment of the ball-point pen of FIG. 6 and showing another structure for locking the pen tip during a writing operation in a partial cross section.

10 is an enlarged view showing the details of the structure of FIG. 9 in order to clarify the inside of a dotted line portion near the front part of the structure of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged view showing the details of the structure of FIG. 9 in order to clarify the inside of a dotted line portion near the central portion of the structure of FIG. 9;

[Explanation of symbols]

10 Writing instruments 12 cylinders 14 caps 16 bearing body 18 Bearing surface 20 bearings 22 cylindrical body 24 Conical recess 26 Nib 28 point 30 balls 34 weight 35 weights 36 weights 144 grip structure 214 grip structure

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (81) Designated countries EP (AT, BE, CH, CY, DE, DK, ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, IE, I T, LU, MC, NL, PT, SE), OA (BF, BJ , CF, CG, CI, CM, GA, GN, GW, ML, MR, NE, SN, TD, TG), AP (GH, GM, K E, LS, MW, SD, SZ, UG, ZW), EA (AM , AZ, BY, KG, KZ, MD, RU, TJ, TM) , AL, AM, AT, AU, AZ, BA, BB, BG, BR, BY, CA, CH, CN, CU, CZ, DE, D K, EE, ES, FI, GB, GD, GE, GH, GM , HR, HU, ID, IL, IS, JP, KE, KG, KP, KR, KZ, LC, LK, LR, LS, LT, L U, LV, MD, MG, MK, MN, MW, MX, NO , NZ, PL, PT, RO, RU, SD, SE, SG, SI, SK, SL, TJ, TM, TR, TT, UA, U G, UZ, VN, YU, ZW (72) Inventor Nicole, Roy             Berkshire, England, Workingham,             Winnersh, Reynolds, Close, 52 F-term (reference) 2C350 GA03 HA08 HC01 HC03 HC09                       KC05 KF01 NA00

Claims (18)

[Claims] 1. An elongate barrel having a longitudinal axis, a writing tip attached to a front end of the barrel, and a writing tip when the writing tip is in a most rearward position along the longitudinal axis. A gripping structure disposed between the barrel and the tip along the longitudinal axis to prevent rotation of the barrel, the tip being angularly disposed with respect to the longitudinal axis of the barrel, and A writing instrument, which is arranged so as to be rotatable about a longitudinal axis of the cylinder and to be movable in an axial direction with respect to the cylinder. 2. The writing instrument according to claim 1, wherein the writing instrument is a ballpoint pen, and the tip is a pen tip. 3. The writing instrument of claim 1, wherein the longitudinal axis is located at the centerline of the elongated tube. 4. The elongated tube is tubular and further comprises an elongated member rotatably mounted within the elongated tubular tube, the tip being secured to the elongated member for rotation with the elongated member. The writing instrument according to claim 1. 5. The grip structure comprises a rearwardly facing surface on the elongated member and a forwardly facing surface on the elongated cylinder, both surfaces being in a forward position along the longitudinal axis. The writing instrument according to claim 4, wherein the writing instrument is in a spaced relationship with the arranged writing tip, and is in contact with the writing tip disposed at a rear position along the longitudinal axis. 6.   The writing instrument according to claim 5, wherein at least one of the surfaces is a friction material. 7.   7. The writing instrument according to claim 6, wherein the friction material is arranged in the elongated tube. 8. The writing instrument according to claim 5, wherein the surface is disposed adjacent to a front end of the writing instrument. 9. The writing instrument according to claim 5, wherein the surface is disposed near a rear end of the writing instrument. 10. The writing instrument according to claim 6, wherein the one surface is provided with an O-ring made of an elastic friction material. 11.   The writing instrument according to claim 4, wherein the tubular cylinder and the elongated member have a cylindrical shape. 12. The method according to claim 12,   The writing instrument according to claim 4, wherein the elongated member includes an ink cartridge. 13. The writing instrument according to claim 4, further comprising a device for rotating the elongated member within the tubular cylinder. 14. The writing instrument of claim 7, wherein the device for rotating the elongate member within the tubular barrel has a weighted portion of the elongate member located opposite the side of the writing tip. 15. The writing instrument of claim 2, wherein the nib is offset from the longitudinal axis. 16. The writing instrument of claim 2, wherein the longitudinal axis is located at the centerline of the elongated tube. 17. An elongated tube having a longitudinal axis, a working tip contacting a surface located at a front end of the tube, and a working tip in a most rearward position along the longitudinal axis, A gripping structure disposed along the longitudinal axis to prevent rotation of the working tip, the tip being free to rotate about the longitudinal axis of the barrel, and
A manual operation tool, which is attached to the cylinder so as to be movable in the axial direction. 18.   18. The tool according to claim 17, wherein the working tip is a pen tip.