Abstract:
A hand held implement and a clip intended for use on a hand held implement with said clip including multiple lenticular images of graphical or imprinted material which may be alternatively viewed by tilting, rotating or otherwise moving the implement. The clip further includes a base plate upon which the lenticular imagery is affixed in the typical construction to create a unitized clip assembly. The combination of the lenticular image(s) and base plate may thereby contain and concurrently display two or more images or may be used to generate other special visual effects such as moving or three dimensional images.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention is directed to the field of hand held implements, and more specifically, to the use of such implements as a vehicle for advertising, promotion or other message conveyance. Examples of such implements would be writing implements, laser pointers, cutting implements and other small elongated hand implements.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     In the past, hand held implements have long been used as vehicles for the conveyance of a written or graphical message. Typically this message was for the purpose of advertising or promotion, but in other instances, the message may have contained information which was important to the user or other frequently used information. Once imprinted on the implement, however, a single message is typically imprinted on the surface of the implement. The provider of the implement to the consumers or the target audience was thereafter limited to just a single message, primarily due to space limitations.  
         [0003]     Hand held implements with graphical or advertising material imprinted on the barrel or body are well known to any consumer, as perhaps the most common business promotional hand out item. Others have attempted to distinguish their inventions from the conventional imprinted products, by essentially changing the location of format of imprinting. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,086,577 to Abernathy discloses a secondary flag which sits atop the writing implement on a sleeve that extends upward from the cap. While that invention introduces a secondary element for locating the graphical content to provide additional space for same, its placement on an extension sleeve is highly susceptible to breakage and is clearly less desirable, as the flag is distracting, if not a hindrance to normal use of the implement.  
         [0004]     Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 6,299,372 to Wang discloses a writing implement which includes a visual display within its barrel. While this invention may permit the user to potentially add a second display to that imprinted outside the barrel, such a change is only accomplished through a set of two distinct images, both of which may not be concurrently visible, as the imprinted barrel may interfere with the viewing of the illuminated image.  
         [0005]     Finally, U.S. Pat. No. 6,332,247, to Hsieh discloses a two piece pen clip wherein the user selects or options the invention with a specific design on one part of the clip. This invention, however, does not suit the need for a dual image graphics clip, as the inserts must be of a specific style and shape, and can only be constructed of a configuration to slide onto the first “U” shaped clip wires. As a result, the amount of material which may be located on the graphics portion is very small and there can be no immediate change of such information, as the particular piece must be fabricated so as to fit onto the clip.  
         [0006]     What is needed in this field is a hand held implement which facilitates multiple imagery of available graphical information which the provider of the promotional product may wish to include on the implement. It would be quite advantageous if the invention could be mass produced with multiple imagery of appropriate graphical or promotional materials at the whim of manufacturer or user. Such an invention might also include the capability to continually and immediately update the graphical material, for example, to provide a monthly calendar or similar information.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     An object of the present invention is to provide a hand held implement which incorporates a means by which multiple image advertising or graphical material may be included on identical surface of the implement, particularly without the need for imprinting the material directly upon a barrel surface of the implement.  
         [0008]     Another object of the invention is to introduce a hand held implement on multiple image graphical or promotional material without the requisite dual surface printing or complicated multi layer illumination procedures presently known.  
         [0009]     The present invention accomplishes these and other objectives by providing a hand held implement that includes clip with the capability to concurrently incorporate multiple images of graphical or promotional material on the same surface of the clip or implement. The clip has a base mounting component, on which the graphical material resides. The graphical message or material is constructed in the format of a lenticular display, which may be imprinted directly upon the clip base, but in most cases, the display graphical material would be imprinted on a secondary component, such as a small piece of paper or plastic, which is then adhered to the clip base. A transparent cover may then be fitted upon the base, however, a cover is non-essential.  
         [0010]     The present invention thereby introduces a hand held implement which has the concurrent ability to display advertising or graphical material comprising multiple or changing images on the identical surface. Examples of such implements contemplated within the scope of the present invention include writing implements such a pens and pencils, laser pointers, conventional pointers, cutting implements such as knives, awls and scribes, and other hand-held implements such as brushes, cosmetics applicators, soldering devices and computer styluses. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0011]     These and other aspects of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:  
         [0012]      FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the hand held implement in the configuration of a pen, showing the base plate and display image message material in a first orientation wherein the lenticular feature displays a first image.  
         [0013]      FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the hand held implement in the configuration of a pen, showing the base plate and display image message material in a first orientation wherein the lenticular feature displays a second image. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0014]     The purpose of the present invention is to provide the user with a display of advertising or promotional material which is capable of simultaneously displaying multiple images on a singular identical surface. While the preferred embodiment is that of a pen, this invention is well suited to and applicable for any hand held implement. Examples of such implements contemplated within the scope of the present invention include writing implements such a pens and pencils, laser pointers, conventional pointers, cutting implements such as knives, awls and scribes, and other hand-held implements such as brushes, cosmetics applicators, soldering devices and computer styluses.  
         [0015]     The preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a clip which has the capability to display a lenticular imagery. “Lenticular” as the term is typically used means “pertaining to lenses,” and “lenticules” are the plastic lenses that create the illusion of dimension in depth imaging. Placing special lenses, or “lenticules,” over a two dimensional print allows the eye to simultaneously view alternating sections of multiple imagery. Holographic and volumetric images grab the viewer&#39;s attention while also providing entertaining effrects. Moreover, lenticular images do not require special equipment to view the images and are adaptable to many uses.  
         [0016]     Large format 3D graphics easily combine up to five images or more into a single graphic to convey depth, motion, or both. Common effects are created with lenticular graphics, which may include depth (or zooming) images, flip Images, animation, 3 dimensional, “morphing” or hologram images. As used in the present invention, lenticular graphics are made up of two components: a lenticular screen (or lens), and a flat printed image. The lens includes a grooved transparent surface. The grooves and ridges of the lens are the lenticules to focus the viewer&#39;s eye on different parts of the underlying image.  
         [0017]     The printed lenticular imagery is comprised of multiple images printed in alternating lines. A narrow band of each image is printed sequentially with narrow bands of each additional image. Fr example, to capture three images, the composite will include a narrow band of image A, followed by a narrow band of image B, followed by that of image C. That printed pattern (A,B,C,A,B,C,A,B,C) then continues for the entire underlying surface. If one were to look at the image as printed, it would be unclear and indistinct. If seen through the lenticular lens device, however, a different view of each image is seen from different angles. This creates the special effect whereby each different image becomes clear only when viewed through the lens from a particular angular orientation. The lens pattern is described in terms of lines per inch and the composite is printed to match the lens pattern, or “pitch.” 
         [0018]     The preferred embodiment may include any of these basic types of lenticular imagery. Flip images are the most basic and include two images printed on the same page. Once the graphic is properly aligned and laminated to the lens, the viewing angle determines which of the images is seen at any given time. Different images could be seen when the implement is tilted or seen from different angles.  
         [0019]     Animated images are glorified flip images, however, there may be ten or more different images interlaced together. Most of the visible image will be a template used in all frames. The background image might remain constant, but the objects which appear to be moving will be printed at different positions. The multiple images are combined/interlaced in the same way described for flips. As the angle of viewing the print through the lens changes, different frames of the animation are seen. This effect is great for product demonstration or video action sequences.  
         [0020]     Three dimensional depth images or hologram images are a little more complicated. Parallax is the bio-physical phenomenon that allows us to perceive the world in three dimensions. Normally, parallax is produced by the separate viewing angles of our eyes. Our brain compares the different views, from right and left eyes, processes the data, and creates what we see as a three-dimensional world. A hologram is a three-dimensional image reproduced from a pattern of interference produced by a split coherent beam of light or radiation. Typically, the eye cannot perceive a three dimensional field of depth with a normal image on a flat viewing monitor, however, the effect can be recreated on a flat screen using anaglyph technology, as would be incorporated in the present invention for 3D image.  
         [0021]     Similarly, “morphing” is accomplished in the present invention when two radically different frames change from one to another seamlessly, e.g. a man to a tiger like what you could see in a scientific movie.  
         [0022]     Lenticular printing has long been used in promotion items, and as packaging materials to increase a product&#39;s value with special lenticular effects of animation, morphing and 3 dimensional images.  
         [0023]     Referring to  FIG. 1 , the present invention includes a multi-piece clip  1 , which is typically attached to the main body  2 , of a hand held implement. The clip comprises a base plate  3 , onto which a message  4  is placed. The message  4  is printed with a lenticular format, such that in a first position  5 , the first image is visible. As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , in the preferred embodiment, by tilting the hand held implement and clip  1 , to a second angular position  6 , the effect of the lenticular is that a second image on the message  4 , is visible, instead of and in place of the first image. This second image may result from any type of lenticular function, including but not limited to the four categories described above.  
         [0024]     The message  4 , including its lenticular format, may be imprinted directly upon the clip base plate  3 , or it may be imprinted on a separate piece, which is then affixed to the base plate  3  by means of an adhesive. Moreover, the message  4  may be constructed of a transparent substance, such that a portion of any additional imprinted material or colors on the base plate  3  might remain partially visible through the message  4 . The lenticular format is well known in the industry and comprises essentially parallel raised ridges or structures which impart the multiple image capability. Although the preferred embodiment depicts the invention configured to view the multiple images upon an axial tilting of the implement, the lenticular could be oriented in virtually any direction such that corresponding tilt would be accomplished in a plane perpendicular to the orientation of the lenticular. Moreover, multiple lenticules or multiple orientations may be included in the invention, to facilitate the use of additional images.  
         [0025]     The message  4  may be constructed from a variety of materials, including, but not limited to, plastic, metal or paper. In fact, if an optional cover is used and is properly sealed to the base plate, a liquid could be inserted between the cover and base plate  3 . This would impart additional characteristics to the invention such as coloration, fluorescence, glow or other desirable visual effects.