Pen

(54) WRIST PIN (57) A pen comprises an elongate, one-piece sleeve (10) having a substantially rigid tip end and top end portions (12 and 14) joined together by an integral, flexible intermediate portion (16) Sleeve on the flexible part came to be bent, and a writing tip (19) at the front end of the tip end portion (12). A substantially rigid tubular cap member (46) is telescopically received over the tip end portion (12) of the sleeve (10), that he moves the sleeve along between a retracted position, in which it overlies part of the tip end part and essentially the entire flexible part, wherein the writing tip is exposed for use and the writing pen is substantially rigid, and an advanced position, in which he covers the writing tip and leaves the flexible part free, whereby the writing tip is protected and the pen becomes flexible, can be moved. Mutually engaging retaining means on the cap (46) and tip end portion (12) of the sleeve (10) hold the cap member respectively in the retracted or releasably fixed in the advanced position.

<img file="AT392033B_D0001.tif" />

WR 0079013

AT392 033B

Pens, such as pens, come in different types, shapes, and sizes, and their cost ranges from just a few cents to hundreds of dollars. The present invention relates to a cheap pen, with an oblong, integral sleeve having a substantially rigid tip end and upper end portion, a writing tip attached to the front end of the tip end part and a substantially rigid, tubular cap part, which is telescopically received by the sleeve and between an advanced position, in which the cap part covers the writing tip, and a withdrawn position, in which the writing tip is exposed, is movable.

Relatively cheap pens exist both of the retractable type in which the writing tip protrudes from and retracts a sleeve, for example by pushing a push button at the upper end of the sleeve or by rotating a portion of the sleeve relative to another portion, and of the immovable type, some of which have removable caps in which the writing tip is permanently fixed to the sleeve. In general, the retractable species are somewhat more expensive to produce and therefore more expensive than the fixed types. The retractable types are generally preferable from the point of view of their portability in a bag or purse, in that the nib can be retracted and therefore does not disfigure the bag, purse, or items therein. Removable caps of fixed-type pens tend to get lost. In addition, the sleeve of a removable cap ballpoint pen can easily descend from the cap when the ballpoint pen is carried in a pocket or purse, in which case a shirt may be ruined or items in a purse or bag may be damaged.

Pens - and in this respect all writing instruments - are not very practical to wear, but most people still like to carry a writing utensil. If a writing instrument is clipped to a shirt or coat pocket, it may from time to time push or push against the wearer. Some pockets are not deep enough to fully absorb the writing utensil. Often there is not enough space in small compartments of handbags or in small wallets to accommodate the conventional ballpoint pen.

From DE-OS 2,160,618 a pen of the type mentioned with a slidably received by a rigid holder tubular hood is known, wherein the hood is guided along a groove on the holder. Due to the rigidity occur in this known pen also the above space problems when wearing in shirt or coat pockets. Furthermore, in this known pen, the hood due to the end region facing the tip end of a continuously extending groove having its shape from its advanced position can be removed very easily by unintentional rotation of this position. This is a significant drawback since the writing tip can be unintentionally exposed, for example in a bag, and contaminate the bag.

The invention aims to avoid the aforementioned disadvantages and difficulties and has as its object to provide a pen that can be worn comfortably and without pressure in a pocket and in which unintentional exposure of the writing tip is prevented.

This object is achieved according to the invention in that the sleeve comprises an integral flexible part between the tip end part and the upper end part, whereby the sleeve can be bent on the flexible part, in that the cap part in its retracted position lies above a part of the tip end part and essentially the entire flexible part, whereby the writing tip remains exposed and the pen is substantially rigid, that the cap member in its advanced position covers the nib and leaves the flexible part exposed, whereby the writing tip is protected and the pen is flexible, and that the cap member and the tip end portion of the sleeve comprise retaining means for releasably fixing the cap member in each of the retracted and advanced positions.

The main advantages of the pen of the present invention are its flexibility, which facilitates carrying the pen on the person or in small handbags, and the ability to cover the writing tip in transporting the pen through a cap member that does not move from its advanced position by accidental rotation can be. Furthermore, the cap part of the sleeve is not removable and therefore can not be lost. In one embodiment with integral pocket clips, the pocket clip may be opened like a dog, limiting the wear of a shirt or jacket pocket that occurs in conventional pocket clips

Preferably, the cap member has a length such that it covers a majority of the tip end portion of the sleeve in the retracted position, whereby the pen can be held in use by grasping the cap member with the thumb and fingertips of the user.

In a preferred embodiment, an outer peripheral surface of the tip end portion of the sleeve adjacent the nib engages a mating inner surface of the cap member in the retracted position of the cap member, whereby the tip end portion is firmly supported within the cap member when the pen is used.

A preferred embodiment is characterized in that the holding means comprise at least one groove either in the outer surface of the tip end part of the sleeve or in the inner surface of the cap part and a protrusion on the other end of the cap part and the sleeve, which is included in the groove, include, the groove being of the same extent as the distance between the advanced and retracted positions of the cap member and locking members at each end, in the circumferential direction of adjacent

-2AT 392 033 B

End portions of the groove are discontinued, whereby the cap member is locked in the respective locking member, when no rotation with respect to the sleeve, advantageously, a majority of the groove between the locking members extends substantially in the longitudinal direction of the pen, whereby the cap member substantially in Longitudinal direction of the sleeve over a large part of the distance between the advanced and the retracted position is movable.

The end parts of the groove next to the locking parts may preferably be directed obliquely to the longitudinal part, whereby the end portions of the groove adjacent to the locking members are obliquely directed to the longitudinal part, whereby the direction of rotation of the cap member is fixed with respect to the sleeve in the corresponding locking part, before the respective advanced or retracted position is reached after rotation of the cap member from one position to the other.

In another preferred embodiment, the retaining means comprise longitudinally spaced outer circumferential grooves in the tip end portion of the sleeve and an inner circumferential rib on the cap member receivable in the respective grooves; Advantageously, the groove closer to the writing tip in the sleeve is delimited by a holding shoulder at its side closer to the writing tip. which engages in the rib on the cap part, whereby removal of the cap member from the sleeve is prevented.

Suitably, a substantial portion of the outer surface of the tip end portion of the sleeve between the grooves with the rib on the cap member in a sliding or clearance fit, whereby the cap member slides easily between the advanced and the retracted position.

Preferably, the end of the cap member closer to the upper end portion of the sleeve telescopically receives a portion of the upper end portion in the retracted position, thereby restricting the bending of the upper end portion with respect to the flexible portion.

A particularly simple to produce preferred embodiment is characterized in that that the flexible part of the sleeve comprises at least one flexible strip, which extends in the longitudinal direction between the tip end and the upper end portion and is connected thereto, and a plurality of longitudinally spaced ribs, extending transversely away from the strip at least in each bending direction of the strip, wherein adjacent pairs of ribs are engageable upon bending of the strip and limit the amount of bending of each segment of the strip between adjacent ribs, wherein advantageously two flexible strips are provided opposite to each other on the sleeve and the ribs are formed as the two strips in the transverse direction connecting ring segments.

The upper end portion of the sleeve may comprise a pocket clip. For example, the pocket clip is integrally formed with the sleeve and connected to the upper end portion by an integral flexible hinge strip spaced from both ends of the clip, whereby the hinge strip constitutes a fulcrum. The front end of the upper end of the sleeve receives a resilient insert having a portion engaging the pocket clips and resiliently urging the clip to pivot about the pivot point, the insert being compliant to allow the clip to pivot about the pivot point pivots into an open position.

For a better understanding of the invention, reference may be made to the following description of the embodiments taken in conjunction with the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which 1 a front view of the sleeve component of a first embodiment, Fig. 2 a side view of the sleeve component of FIG. 1 shows, wherein a part is broken away in section; FIG. 3 Figure 3 is an axial section through the cap portion of the first embodiment, with a portion shown in elevation; the Fig. 4A and 4B show a side view and a plan view of an insert, which closes the upper end of the sleeve of the first embodiment; FIG. 5 is an axial section of the first embodiment in the assembled state and shows the cap member in the retracted position and the pocket clips open; FIG. 6 Figure 3 is a side view of the first embodiment in an assembled condition with the cap member shown in section and in the advanced position and illustrating how the sleeve flexes; FIG. 7 is a front view of the sleeve component of a second embodiment; FIG. 8th is a side view of the sleeve component of FIG. 7, wherein a part is broken away on average; FIG. 9 Fig. 10 is an axial sectional view of the cap member of a second embodiment, with portions shown in elevation; FIG. 10 is a plan view of the second embodiment; FIG. 11 is a sectional view of the second embodiment along the line (11-11) of FIG. 8th; FIG. 12 Fig. 12 is a front view of the second embodiment in an assembled state showing the cap member in the retracted position; and FIG. 13 Figure 3 is a front view of the second embodiment in an assembled condition with the cap member shown in section and in the advanced position illustrating how the sleeve flexes.

The sleeve (10) of the first embodiment (see. FIG. 1 and 2) is an elongate, one-piece member made of a suitable plastic, such as substantially rigid nylon, by injection molding. It comprises three major sections, a rigid tip end portion (12), a rigid upper end portion (14) and an integral integral bendable portion (16) connecting the tip end portion and the upper end portion. The tip end portion (12) is rotationally symmetric about its longitudinal axis and includes at its forward end a tapered outer surface (18) generally conforming to the taper of a writing tip (19) of a ballpoint pen cartridge mounted in the sleeve. An inner hole (20) extends (Fig , 5) coaxial with the axis of the sleeve over the entire length of the tip end portion (12), the hole at the front end being an expanded one

-3AT 392 033 B

Section has, which forms a shoulder (22) against which the cone of the writing tip (19) presses. The hole (20) receives the tubular ink reservoir (19a) of the ballpoint pen cartridge, which may be of any suitable construction, but preferably has a flexible plastic housing extending almost the entire length of the sleeve. A short, rigid ink reservoir which does not extend into the flexible portion (14) of the sleeve is also suitable

The tip end portion (12) has a pair of longitudinally spaced, circumferentially extending grooves (24 and 26). A shoulder (24a) forming the wall of the groove (24) closer to the front end of the tip end portion (12) is slightly higher than the other wall for a reason described below. Over a major portion of the space between the grooves (24 and 26), the outer surface of the tip end portion (12) has a diameter slightly less than the diameter at the respective junctions with the grooves

The flexible portion (16) includes a plurality of circular ribs (28), each of which has a central hole (30) of the same diameter as the hole (20) and therefore can accommodate the pliable ink reservoir of the writing tip cartridge. The adjacent ribs are interconnected and the outermost ribs are connected to the respective sections (12 and 12, respectively). 14) are connected by diametrically opposed connecting parts (32), wherein the connecting parts are aligned in the longitudinal direction in two rows and arranged next to the circumference. The connecting parts (32) form relatively thin longitudinal strips or bands which connect the tip end part and the upper end part. These thin ribbons may extend in a direction transverse to the two rows, i. H. in the plane of the paper with reference to FIG. 2 and perpendicular to the plane of the paper with respect to FIG. 1, turn back and forth. Except that the ribs (28) serve an aesthetic purpose inasmuch as they form a visible mass, where otherwise only a thin ribbon or ribbons connecting the two end portions would be present, they limit and control the bending of the flexible portion by virtue of attack each other in extreme bending; each pair of ribs limits the amount of flexure that can occur in the connecting part between them. The rings also connect the two strips in a quiescent direction and stiffen them so that they do not bend in the direction of their connection.

The upper end portion (14) is tubular (to minimize material consumption) and has a circular, cylindrical outer surface. A pocket clip (34) is integrally formed with the body and connected to the body by a hinge strip (36) which forms a fulcrum about which the clip (34) can pivot. The hollow, rear end (38) of the upper end portion (14) receives a resiliently deformable insert (40) (see. FIG. 4A and 4B) received by and occupying a portion (42) within the upper end of the pocket clip. A series of shallow grooves (44) in the upper end of the pocket clip (34) facilitates the gripping of the upper end so that the user places the clip in an open position (cf. FIG. 5) to open the tip end so that the pen can be inserted into a pocket and clipped on. The resilient insert pushes the pocket clip in the closed position (see. FIG. 6).

The cap part (46) (cf. FIG. 3) is rotationally symmetric about a central longitudinal axis. It is tubular and receives the tip end portion (12) and the bendable portion (16) in each of two positions, each of which positions against a selected amount of axial force by receiving an inner rib (48) in one or the other of the grooves (FIG. 24 and 26) is made and taken at the tip end portion of the sleeve. When the rib is in the groove (24), the cap member (46) is advanced and covers and protects the nib of the nib (cf. FIG. 6). When the rib (48) is received in the groove (26), the cap member is located over the body of the tip end portion (12) and over the entire resilient portion (16) of the sleeve. In this withdrawn position (cf. FIG. 5), the writing tip of the ballpoint pen is exposed, an inner surface (50) at the tip end of the cap member is engaged with a part of the tapered surface (18) of the tip end portion of the sleeve to thereby firmly support the cap portion on the sleeve, and the upper end portion of the cap member receives a portion (52) on the upper end portion (14) of the sleeve telescopically. In the retracted position, therefore, the cap member is engaged with the portion (52), a portion of the sleeve adjacent the groove (26), and a portion of the tapered forward end (18) of the sleeve, thereby rendering the pen substantially rigid (see FIG. FIG. 5).

During movement between the advanced and retracted positions, the cap member moves free during most of the movement due to a sliding or clearance fit between the rib (48) on the cap member and the portion of the tip end portion of the reduced diameter sleeve. In the advanced position of the cap part (see. FIG. 6) presses the rib (48) against the shoulder (24a), due to its larger outer diameter (see. FIG. 1 and 2) prevents the cap member from being completely removed from the sleeve. In addition, the cap member in the extended position no longer covers the flexible member (16) so that the ballpoint pen can flex along the flexible member in the manner described above and illustrated in FIG. The pen can be much more than in Fig. 6 be bent; it can even be bent twice, so that the cap part touches the upper end part (14) of the sleeve

The second embodiment shown in Figs. 7 to 13 is largely identical to the first embodiment (Figs. 1 to 6), and the above description is largely readable to the second embodiment. The corresponding components of the second embodiment have exactly 100 higher reference numerals than those of the first embodiment. (For example, the tip end portion of the sleeve of the second embodiment (112),

Therefore, the components of the second embodiment which correspond to those of the first embodiment do not need to be described. The differences between the embodiments are as follows:

The elements that lock the cap member in the respective advanced or retracted position include a pair of narrow, shallow grooves (160) in the tip end portion (112) of the sleeve, the two grooves being of identical shape and located diametrically opposite sides of the sleeve. A large part (160a) of each groove extends longitudinally (e.g. B. parallel to the axis) of the sleeve. At each end of such a longitudinal part (160a) is an oblique end part (160b), and at the end of each groove (160) a lock is steep (160c, 160d).

The cap member (146) has a pair of inner projections (170) received in the respective grooves (160) at the tip end portion of the sleeve. When the projections (170) are positioned in the locking members (160c), the cap member is in the advanced position and covers and protects the writing tip of the ballpoint pen (see FIG. FIG. 13). When the projections (170) are received in the locking portions (160d) of the grooves, the cap portion overlies most of the tip end portion (112) and over the entire flexible portion (116) of the sleeve. In this withdrawn position (cf. FIG. 12), the writing tip of the ballpoint pen is exposed, an inner surface (146a) at the tip end of the cap member is closely spaced at the forward portion (118a) of the tapered surface (118) of the tip end portion of the barrel and an inner surface (146b) of the cap Close play on the surface (112a) on the sleeve. The upper end portion (146c) of the cap member telescopically receives a reduced diameter portion (152) on the upper end portion (114) of the sleeve. In the retracted position, therefore, the cap surfaces (146a, 146b and 146c) support the tip end portion (112) and the bendable portion (116) of the sleeve (110) with respect to the upper end portion (114) and render the ballpoint pen substantially rigid. The user grips the pen in the usual manner, with the thumb and fingers grasping the cap portion. The locked position of the cap part withstands the writing pressure applied by the user.

For movement of the cap member between the advanced and retracted positions, the user rotates only the cap member in one direction to remove the protrusions on the cap member (146) from the locking members (160c or 160d). The locking portions of the grooves are in interference fit with the projections (170), so that a small amount of rotational force is needed to move the projections out of the locking parts. The remaining portions of the grooves are in clearance fit with the projections so that the cap member can easily rotate first and at the same time move a small distance in the longitudinal direction while the projections move through the oblique end portions (160b) of each groove and then slide along while the projections move along the parts (160a). As the projections (170) reach the inclined portions at the other end of the grooves, further longitudinal movement of the cap member also initiates rotation of the cap member relative to the sleeve, providing the user with the direction of rotation necessary to lock the cap member in the new position is, indicates. A user can quickly learn how to operate the cap part and will then habitually use the pen properly. The change from one locked position to the other can easily be done with one hand.

Relatively little force is needed to maintain the locked position against rotation, however, the projections and the grooves may be such as to provide a relatively strong force to resist longitudinal movement out of the respective locked positions of the cap member.

A pocket clip (162), bent out of a thin metal band, is attached to the upper end portion by means of a cup-shaped end portion (164) received at the end of the upper portion (114) and in the end of the upper portion (114), for example with an adhesive is fixed, and held by receiving an L-shaped retaining flange (166) in a slot (168) in the upper part of the sleeve. Instead of the metal pocket clip (162), the pocket clip (34) of the first embodiment may be used in the second embodiment.

The embodiments of the invention described above are intended to be exemplary only and numerous variations and modifications will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. For example, the means by which the cap portion in the advanced or withdrawn position is modified, z. B. by providing projections or ribs on the sleeve and grooves on the inner surface of the cap member. The length of the cap member may be such that it is only sufficiently longer than the flexible part of the sleeve to provide a substantially rigid coupling with the tip end portion and the upper end portion, so that the pen is substantially rigid when the cap portion is for use is in the retracted position. The writing tip is not necessarily limited to pen cartridges, although the pen tip type used in the pen, with due regard to the shelf life of a particular type of packaging (hermetically sealed packages can make storage largely unimportant) and the life of the writing tip because the cap portion of the pen does not complete the writing tip wrapped, should be chosen. Under these circumstances, ballpoint pen cartridges called felt-tip cartridges, which dry out when exposed, are preferred.

Thus, according to the invention, a pen is provided which is inexpensive to manufacture and practical to carry and use. The cap part is held on the sleeve and is not removed when the

-5AT 392 033 Β

Pen is used, and therefore it can not be lost. The cap portion covers the tip when the pen is picked up or transported, and the pen is flexible and therefore can be bent to more easily fit into pockets or small handbags.