Abstract:
A chewable writing apparatus comprising a body having a hollow cylindrical shaft, at least one cap selectively connectable to a distal end of the body, and a mechanism for connecting the cap to the body. Upon connection of the cap to the distal end of the body, the cap may be inserted into a mouth of a user for chewing.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates generally to attachments for writing instruments and, more specifically, to chewable attachments for writing instruments that are selectively replaceable. The attachments either frictionally fit one or more of the distal ends of a writing instrument or have post means for inserting the chewable attachments into the barrel of the writing instruments. The chewable attachments can be flavored or comprised of whitening elements for the user&#39;s teeth. In addition, the chewable attachment may have a protective cover to prevent the chewable attachment from contamination from dirt and bacteria during non-use. 
   2. Description of the Prior Art 
   There are other chewable devices designed for writing instruments. Typical of these are U.S. Pat. Nos. 166,934, 364,916, 2,312,069, 2,502,328, 3,615,596, 5,174,672, 5,433,642, 5,876,136, 5,951,184, 6,045,281, and 6,200,046. While these inventions may be suitable for the purposes for which they were designed, they would not be as suitable for the purposes of the present invention, as hereinafter described. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 166,934 
   Inventor: George W. McGill 
   Issued: Aug. 24, 1875 
   The invention pertains to an erasive head or tip for pencils, having longitudinal projections or grooves formed in its base, to adapt it to be inserted and retained in a metal holder having a corresponding conformation. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 364,916 
   Inventor: Byron B. Goldsmith 
   Issued: Jun. 14, 1887 
   Shown is the combination of a pencil stick constructed and arranged to be removed as the lead wears away, having a longitudinal lead containing recess therein, a spring controlled lead-holding device arranged to slide longitudinally in the pencil-stick and locking mechanism coacting with the sliding lead-holding device, whereby the lead may be locked in its projected position against the stress of the spring, substantially as set forth. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 2,312,069 
   Inventor: John G. Baumgartner 
   Issued: Feb. 23, 1943 
   The invention discloses a protector cap for a pencil device, said cap comprising a cylindrical portion and a conical portion joined at their adjacent ends, with an axially extending wedge-shaped portion projecting inwardly of said cap at the junction of said cylindrical and conical portions, said wedge-shaped portion adapted to frictionally engage a pencil device to retain said cap thereon. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 2,502,328 
   Inventor: Paul R. Kuhn 
   Issued: Mar. 28, 1950 
   An ornamental device mounted and supported on a pencil having an opaque barrel, comprising a transparent capsule having a shank portion telescoping within the end of said barrel, and an exposed portion extending above the top of the barrel adapted to magnify an object contained therein, the capsule having a central tubular chamber therein, and an unsupported object partially filling said chamber, whereby in one position the object is visible in magnified proportions through the exposed portion of the capsule, while in another position it is within the said shank portion and hidden from view by said opaque barrel. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 3,615,596 
   Inventor: Albert F. Petti 
   Issued: Oct. 26, 1971 
   A writing accessory comprising an elongated holder member having a hard candy comestible affixed to one end. The other end of the holder member has a socket formation for reception of the free end of a writing implement. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,174,672 
   Inventor: Marvin S. Towsend 
   Issued: Dec. 29, 1992 
   A ball point pen and removable cap combination includes a ball point pen assembly and a removable cap that has a clip/writing-stabilizer portion extending away from the closed end and the open end of the cap. The ball point pen assembly includes a point portion and a barrel portion. The removable cap is capable of sliding longitudinally and fitting by a friction fit onto the barrel portion, on the barrel end opposite the point, when the ball point pen assembly is used for writing, forming a pen-cap combination. In this way, the removable cap can rest upon the skin of the hand between the uppermost joint of the index finger and the uppermost joint of the thumb when the ball point pen assembly is used for writing. Also, when the pen assembly is used for writing, the clip/writing-stabilizer portion extends towards the pen point and is in the vicinity of the pen point, whereby the index finger and the thumb of the user are in contact with the clip/writing-stabilizer portion when the user is writing with the pen-cap combination. The removable cap has a first length from a closed end to an open end. The barrel portion has a second length from one end of the barrel to the other. The first length is at least 50% of the second length, providing a short pen having a relatively long cap, giving the appearance of a baby or midget pen. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,433,642 
   Inventor: Francis Chia 
   Issued: Jul. 18, 1995 
   An improvement in a toy marking device of the type in which a writing tip is carried by a housing, and an oscillating mechanism in the housing is selectively actuated to impart oscillatory motion to the writing tip, the improvement including a visible display coupled with the oscillating mechanism for oscillation in response to actuation of the oscillating mechanism, the visible display including at least one visible element coupled with the visible display such that the visible element is excited by the oscillation of the visible display into movement providing a viewable changing effect during actuation of the oscillating mechanism. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,876,136 
   Inventor: Toshio Tsutsumi et al. 
   Issued: Mar. 2, 1999 
   A writing instrument such as a mechanical pencil is provided with a brush for eliminating static electricity. The instrument is composed of a barrel and a barrel cap attached to the barrel. A base portion of the brush is fixedly received in a cylindrical protector arranged within the barrel cap. A writing element operating mechanism is arranged to operably hold a writing element such as a lead so that the writing element can be selectively extended from and retracted into the barrel. A brush operating mechanism is also arranged to hold the protector movably along a central axis of the barrel cap so that the brush can be selectively extended from and retracted into the barrel cap. A cylindrical member may preferably be fixedly secured in a rear end of the barrel cap to guide the brush. One of the operating mechanisms can be actuated by causing one of the barrel and the barrel cap to move relative to the other in an axial direction, and the other operating mechanism can be actuated by causing one of the barrel and the barrel cap to turn relative to the other. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,951,184 
   Inventor: Omar A. Sanchez 
   Issued: Sep. 14, 1999 
   A new candy attachment for a writing instrument for allowing a user to removably mount candy to an end of a writing instrument. The inventive device includes an edible candy member having a cylindrical lower end which is frictionally inserted into the cylindrical upper hollow interior of a connector sleeve. The lower section hollow interior is shaped to frictionally hold an end of a writing instrument therein. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 6,045,281 
   Inventor: Renae B. Bunn 
   Issued: Apr. 4, 2000 
   An anti-theft attachment for a writing implement, such as a pencil or pen. The preferred anti-theft attachment comprises an adhesively attached, premanufactured front and back surface disposed on the tip or side of the writing implement. Alternative embodiments comprise flexible and rigid loops. Indicia may be provided to all embodiments. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 6,200,046 
   Inventor: Kurt M. Bylander 
   Issued: Mar. 13, 2001 
   A chewable writing instrument. A chewable sheath attachable to a writing instrument. A chewable sheath containing writing means having a writing end and a non-writing, chewable end. The chewable sheath or combination is suitable for placement into the human oral cavity and adapted for the chewing action of the teeth, lips, gum, and tongue. A chewable sheath protects the mouth, teach, tongue, and tissue of the chewer. A chewable sheath protects the chewer. A chewable sheath protects the chewer&#39;s clothing. A chewable sheath or combination with dental hygiene conformations provides a supplement to daily dental hygiene care. A chewable sheath or combination flavored with flavoring aromatic and tasteful to the chewer enhances chewing pleasure. A chewable sheath or combination flavored with flavoring bitter and unattractively flavored to the chewer aids in breaking bad chewing habits. A chewable sheath or combination flavored with flavoring nicotine or nicotine tasting substances provides oral satisfaction and aids in breaking the smoking and tobacco chewing habits. 
   SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
   The present invention relates generally to attachments for writing instruments and, more specifically, to chewable attachments for writing instruments that are selectively replaceable. The attachments either frictionally fit one or more of the distal ends of a writing instrument or have post means for inserting the chewable attachments into the barrel of the writing instruments. The chewable attachments can be flavored or comprised of whitening elements for the user&#39;s teeth. In addition, the chewable attachment may have a protective cover to prevent the chewable attachment from contamination from dirt and bacteria during non-use. 
   A primary object of the present invention is to provide a chewable writing instrument that overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art. 
   Another, secondary object of the present invention is to provide a chewable writing instrument that is disposable. 
   Another object of the present invention is to provide a chewable writing instrument that has flavoring added to the chewable element. 
   Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a chewable writing instrument having a whitening agent contained therein. 
   Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a chewable writing instrument having a cover to protect the chewable element from contamination. 
   A further object of the present invention is to provide a chewable writing instrument that may be selectively discarded and replaced. 
   Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide chewable writing instrument that will protect said writing instruments. 
   Additional objects of the present invention will appear as the description proceeds. 
   Statistics show that half the world population chews on pens, markers and pencils. The act of chewing pens or pencils is usually linked to stress and/or anxiety. The habit can cause problems to the teeth and mouth, not to mention the introduction of germs and bacteria that are harmful to the chewer. The present invention overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art by providing a safe new way to reduce the risks involved when chewing pencils or pens by providing a chewable element that is removably attachable to a pen or pencil and having an additional protective end cap for sanitary protection. The attachments either frictionally fit one or more of the distal ends of a writing instrument or have post means for inserting the chewable attachments into the barrel of the writing instruments. The chewable attachments can be flavored or comprised of whitening elements for the user&#39;s teeth. Additionally, the chewable attachment may have a protective cover to prevent the chewable attachment from contamination from dirt and bacteria during non-use. 
   The foregoing and other objects and advantages will appear from the description to follow. In the description reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which forms a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments will be described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. In the accompanying drawings, like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views. 
   The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is best defined by the appended claims. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES 
     In order that the invention may be more fully understood, it will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: 
       FIG. 1  is an illustrative view of prior art; 
       FIG. 2  is an illustrative view of the chewable writing instrument of the present invention in use; 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the chewable writing instrument of the present invention; 
       FIG. 4  is an exploded view of the chewable writing instrument of the present invention; 
       FIG. 5  is a sectional view of the chewable writing instrument of the present invention; 
       FIG. 6  is an exploded view of a second variation of the chewable writing instrument of the present invention; 
       FIG. 7  is a sectional view of a second variation of the chewable writing instrument of the present invention; 
       FIG. 8  is an exploded view of variations the chewable writing instrument of the present invention; 
       FIG. 9  is an orthographic view of several variations the chewable end caps of the present invention; and 
       FIG. 10  is a detailed view of a chewable end cap of the present invention. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE REFERENCED NUMERALS 
   Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views, the Figures illustrate the chewable writing instrument of the present invention. With regard to the reference numerals used, the following numbering is used throughout the various drawing Figures.
       2  chewable writing instrument of the present invention     2  writing instrument body     6  protective tip cap     8  protective end cap     10  chewable tip cap     12  chewable end cap     14  friction fit insert     16  pin insert     18  slip-on insert   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   The following discussion describes in detail one embodiment of the invention and several variations of that embodiment. This discussion should not be construed, however, as limiting the invention to those particular embodiments. Practitioners skilled in the art will recognize numerous other embodiments as well. For a definition of the complete scope of the invention, the reader is directed to the appended claims. 
   Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views.  FIGS. 1 through 10  illustrate the chewable writing instrument of the present invention indicated generally by the numeral  2 . 
     FIG. 1  is an illustrative view of prior art. Shown is a man chewing on a pen or pencil while working. The act of chewing pens or pencils is usually linked to stress and/or anxiety. The habit can cause problems to the teeth and mouth, not to mention the introduction of germs and bacteria that are harmful to the chewer. 
     FIG. 2  is an illustrative view of the present invention. The user may chew either end of the chewable writing instrument  2 . The chewable writing instrument  2  includes a writing instrument body  4 , which is equivalent to the body of a conventional pen or pencil. The writing instrument body  4  is preferably cylindrical in shape and has a circular opening at each end thereof. A writing element is positioned within a first circular opening and an end cap is positioned at the end opposite the writing element. The chewable writing instrument  2  also includes a chewable tip cap  10  and chewable end cap  12 . Preferably, the chewable tip cap  10  and the chewable end cap  12  are protected by a protective tip cap  6  and protective end cap  8 , respectively. The protective tip cap  6  is slideably positioned over the chewable tip cap  10  and the chewable tip cap  10  is slideably positioned over the writing element of the writing instrument body  4 . The protective end cap  8  is slideably positioned over the chewable end cap  12  and the chewable end cap  12  is connected to the end opposite the writing element of the writing instrument body  4 . The chewable end cap  12  may be attached by a number of attachment means, as described hereinafter with specific reference to  FIGS. 4–9 . 
     FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the present invention. The chewable writing instrument  2  includes a writing instrument body  4 , which is equivalent to the body of a conventional pen or pencil. The writing instrument body  4  is preferably cylindrical in shape and has a circular opening at each end thereof. A writing element is positioned within a first circular opening and an end cap is positioned at the end opposite the writing element. The chewable writing instrument  2  also includes a chewable tip cap  10  and chewable end cap  12 . Preferably, the chewable tip cap  10  and the chewable end cap  12  are protected by a protective tip cap  6  and protective end cap  8 , respectively. The protective tip cap  6  is slideably positioned over the chewable tip cap  10  and the chewable tip cap  10  is slideably positioned over the writing element of the writing instrument body  4 . The protective end cap  8  is slideably positioned over the chewable end cap  12  and the chewable end cap  12  is connected to the end opposite the writing element of the writing instrument body  4 . The chewable end cap  12  may be attached by a number of attachment means, as described hereinafter with specific reference to  FIGS. 4–9 .  FIG. 3  shows the chewable writing instrument of the present invention in fully assembled form. 
     FIG. 4  is an exploded view of the present invention. The chewable writing instrument  2  includes a writing instrument body  4 , which is equivalent to the body of a conventional pen or pencil. The writing instrument body  4  is preferably cylindrical in shape and has a circular opening at each end thereof. A writing element is positioned within a first circular opening and an end cap is positioned at the end opposite the writing element. The chewable writing instrument  2  also includes a chewable tip cap  10  and chewable end cap  12 . Preferably, the chewable tip cap  10  and the chewable end cap  12  are protected by a protective tip cap  6  and protective end cap  8 , respectively. The protective tip cap  6  is slideably positioned over the chewable tip cap  10  and the chewable tip cap  10  is slideably positioned over the writing element of the writing instrument body  4 . The protective end cap  8  is slideably positioned over the chewable end cap  12  and the chewable end cap  12  is connected to the end opposite the writing element of the writing instrument body  4 . The chewable end cap  12  is connected to the end of the writing instrument body  4  by means of a friction fit insert  14  positioned within the circular opening opposite the writing element. The chewable end cap  12  is retained by the friction generated between the exterior of the friction fit insert  14  and the interior of the writing instrument body  4 . The protective end cap  8  is slideably positioned over the chewable end cap  12  when the chewable end cap  12  is not in use. 
     FIG. 5  is a sectional view of the chewable end cap of the present invention. The chewable end cap  12  is connected to the end of the writing instrument body  4  by means of a friction fit insert  14  positioned within the circular opening opposite the writing element. The chewable end cap  12  is retained by the friction generated between the exterior of the friction fit insert  14  and the interior of the writing instrument body  4 . The protective end cap  8  is slideably positioned over the chewable end cap  12  when the chewable end cap  12  is not in use. As shown in  FIG. 5 , the protective end cap  8  fits snugly over the chewable end cap  12  to ensure that the chewable end cap  12  is protected from germs and unsanitary conditions. 
     FIG. 6  is an exploded view of a second variation of the present invention. The chewable writing instrument  2  includes a writing instrument body  4 , which is equivalent to the body of a conventional pen or pencil. The writing instrument body  4  is preferably cylindrical in shape and has a circular opening at each end thereof. A writing element is positioned within a first circular opening and an end cap is positioned at the end opposite the writing element. The chewable writing instrument  2  also includes a chewable tip cap  10  and chewable end cap  12 . Preferably, the chewable tip cap  10  and the chewable end cap  12  are protected by a protective tip cap  6  and protective end cap  8 , respectively. The protective tip cap  6  is slideably positioned over the chewable tip cap  10  and the chewable tip cap  10  is slideably positioned over the writing element of the writing instrument body  4 . The protective end cap  8  is slideably positioned over the chewable end cap  12  and the chewable end cap  12  is connected to the end opposite the writing element of the writing instrument body  4 . The chewable end cap  12  is attached to the end of the writing instrument body  4  by means of a pin insert  16 . The chewable end cap  12  is retained by the pin insert  16  piercing the solid end cap of the writing instrument body  4 . The protective end cap  8  is slideably positioned over the chewable end cap  12  when the chewable end cap  12  is not in use. 
     FIG. 7  is a sectional view of a second variation of the chewable end cap of the present invention. The chewable end cap  12  is attached to the end of the writing instrument body  4  by means of a pin insert  16 . The chewable end cap  12  is retained by the pin insert  16  piercing the solid end cap of the writing instrument body  4 . The protective end cap  8  is slideably positioned over the chewable end cap  12  when the chewable end cap  12  is not in use. As shown in  FIG. 7 , the protective end cap  8  fits snugly over the chewable end cap  12  to ensure that the chewable end cap  12  is protected from germs and unsanitary conditions. 
     FIG. 8  is an exploded view of several variations the present invention. The chewable writing instrument  2  includes a writing instrument body  4 , which is equivalent to the body of a conventional pen or pencil. The writing instrument body  4  is preferably cylindrical in shape and has a circular opening at each end thereof. A writing element is positioned within a first circular opening and an end cap is positioned at the end opposite the writing element. The chewable writing instrument  2  also includes a chewable tip cap  10  and chewable end cap  12 . Preferably, the chewable tip cap  10  and the chewable end cap  12  are protected by a protective tip cap  6  and protective end cap  8 , respectively. The protective tip cap  6  is slideably positioned over the chewable tip cap  10  and the chewable tip cap  10  is slideably positioned over the writing element of the writing instrument body  4 . The protective end cap  8  is slideably positioned over the chewable end cap  12  and the chewable end cap  12  is connected to the end opposite the writing element of the writing instrument body  4 . The chewable end cap  12  is connected to the end of the writing instrument body  4  by means of at least one of a friction fit insert  14 , pin insert  16 , and a slip-on element  18 . The chewable end cap  12  is retained by the friction of the exterior of the friction fit insert  14  against the interior of the hollow end of the writing instrument body  4 . The chewable end cap  12  is alternately retained by the pin insert  14  piercing the solid end cap of the writing instrument body  4 . Furthermore, the chewable end cap  12  is slideably positioned over the end cap of the writing instrument body  4  by means of a slip-on element  18 . The slip-on element  18  may be selectively attached or connected to the chewable end cap  12 . The protective end cap  8  is slideably positioned over the chewable end cap  12  when the chewable end cap  12  is not in use. 
     FIG. 9  is an orthographic view of several variations of the chewable end cap of the present invention. The chewable end cap  12  is attached to the end of the writing instrument body  4  by means of a friction fit insert  14 , pin insert  16 , or a slip-on element  18 . The shape of the chewable end cap  12  may vary, including, but not limited to, flat, rectangular, heart-shaped, cylindrical, conical, star-shaped, or with random conical projections. The chewable end cap may also include a variety of colors, flavored elements, textures, and ingredients. Such flavors include peppermint, spearmint, cinnamon, bubble gum, and fruit flavors. Such ingredients include teeth whitening/cleaning elements, fluoride, peroxide, and breath-freshener. 
     FIG. 10  is a detailed view of the chewable tip cap of the present invention. The protective tip cap  6  is slideably positioned over the chewable tip cap  10  and the chewable tip cap  10  is slideably positioned over the tip, or writing element, of the writing instrument body  4 . The writing instrument body  4  may include a pen or a pencil. As shown in  FIG. 10 , the protective tip cap  6  fits snugly over the chewable tip cap  10  to ensure that the chewable tip cap  10  is protected from germs and unsanitary conditions.