Pen press and methods

A pen assembling press includes a base, a press unit, a carriage, and a positioning arrangement. Actuation of a lever moves an engagement head relative to the base along an actuation axis. A second engagement head is coaxial with the first engagement head. The carriage is movably mounted to the base. The positioning arrangement includes a slot, a plurality of recesses and a pin. The slot extends through the first leg in a direction perpendicular to the actuation axis. The slot has a constant height section having a height. The pin has a shaft and a head. The head is receivable in the recesses. The shaft has a thickness being substantially equal to the height of the constant height section of the slot. The pin is movable relative to the carriage along a pin axis that is perpendicular to the actuation axis to selectively engage and disengage the recesses.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention generally relates to pen assembling presses.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Hobbyists such as woodworkers will often make their own pens. To do this, the hobbyist will buy a component that provides the ink portion of the pen. The hobbyist will then either form a decorative outer component or buy a decorative outer component in which the ink portion will be inserted. Typically, the components will have a press fit engagement that maintains the two components connected to one another. Pen assembling presses have been used to assist in pressing the two components together. The present invention provides improvements over the current state of the art relating to these pen assembling presses.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention provide a new and improved pen assembling press and methods of use.

In one embodiment, the pen assembling press includes a base, a press unit, a carriage, and a positioning arrangement. The base has spaced apart first and second legs and an intermediate section extending between and maintaining the spacing between the first and second legs. The first and second legs and intermediate section form a base channel therebetween. The press unit includes a first engagement head and a lever. The lever is connected to the engagement head such that actuation of the lever moves the engagement head relative to the base along an actuation axis. The carriage carries a second engagement head. The second engagement head is coaxial with the first engagement head along the actuation axis such that actuation of the lever moves the first engagement head toward or away from the second engagement head along the actuation axis. The carriage is movably mounted to the base. The carriage including spaced apart first and second carriage legs defining a carriage channel therebetween. The carriage straddles the base with the base positioned at least in part within the carriage channel with the first and second legs and intermediate section positioned, at least in part, between the first and second carriage legs. The positioning arrangement is between the carriage and the base to selectively fix the position of the carriage relative to the base along the actuation axis. The positioning arrangement includes a slot, a plurality of recesses and a pin. The slot extends through the first leg in a direction perpendicular to the actuation axis. The slot extends lengthwise parallel to the actuation axis. The slot has a constant height section having a height. The plurality of recesses are offset along the actuation axis from one another and are adjacent the constant height section. The pin has a shaft and a head. The pin is carried by the carriage. The head is sized to be received in the recesses. The shaft has a thickness being substantially equal to the height of the constant height section of the slot. The pin is movable relative to the carriage within the slot along a pin axis that is perpendicular to the actuation axis to selectively engage and disengage the recesses. When the head is removed from the recesses, the carriage is movable along the actuation axis relative to the base. When the head is inserted into one of the recesses, the carriage is fixed along the actuation axis relative to the base.

In one embodiment, the pin is biased towards having the head engaged with one of the recesses.

In one embodiment, the pin extends through the first carriage leg. The pin includes an actuation button engageable by a user. The actuation button extends laterally outward beyond the first carriage leg in a relaxed state along the pin axis.

In one embodiment, a low-friction material is positioned between the carriage and the intermediate section providing reduced friction between the carriage and intermediate section.

In one embodiment, the low-friction material is acetal polyoxymethylene resin.

In one embodiment, the intermediate section is free of any exposed openings extending therethrough into the base channel from a top side facing the carriage and the press unit.

In one embodiment, a first foot is attached to the first leg. The first leg extends between the first foot and the intermediate section. A second foot is attached to the second leg. The second leg extends between the second foot and the intermediate section. A non-slip material is attached to the first and second feet to inhibit slipping of the first and second feet when located on a working surface.

In one embodiment, the second engagement head is slidably carried on the carriage along the actuation axis.

In one embodiment, a biasing member operably acts on the engagement head to bias the second engagement head towards the first engagement head along the actuation axis.

In one embodiment, the plurality of recesses are immediately adjacent to and intersect with the slot. The plurality of recesses are positioned laterally offset from the constant height section along the pin axis such the shaft of the pin cannot move into the recesses along an axis being perpendicular to the pin axis and perpendicular to the actuation axis.

In one embodiment, the positioning arrangement includes a pair of pins that are substantially identical and oriented opposite one another. The pins are pressed toward one another to disengage the recesses and allow the carriage to move. The pins are released and biased away from one another to engage corresponding recesses to prevent the carriage from moving along the actuation axis.

In an embodiment, a method of assembling a pen formed from, at least, a first component that is axially inserted into a second component. The method includes providing a pen assembling press as outlined above. The method includes actuating the pin of the pen assembling press along the pin axis to disengage the head from the plurality of recesses. The method includes sliding the carriage along the actuation axis with the shaft of the pin sliding within the constant height section generally parallel to the actuation axis. The method includes releasing the pin to engage the head with one of the plurality of recesses to fix the position of the carriage along the actuation axis.

In one method, the method includes positioning the first and second components between the first and second engagement heads. The method also includes actuating the lever to drive the first engagement head toward the second engagement head to press the first component into the second component.

One method includes biasing the second engagement head along the actuation axis by a biasing member after positioning the first and second components between the first and second engagement heads.

In one method, the step of actuating the pin includes overcoming a biasing force acting on the pin that biases the pin towards having the head engaged with one of the recesses.

In one method, the pin extends through the first carriage leg. The pin includes an actuation button engageable by a user. The step of actuating the pin includes pressing the actuation button laterally inward.

In one method, the intermediate section is free of any exposed openings extending therethrough from a top side facing the carriage and press unit into the base channel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1illustrates a pen assembling press100(also referred to as “pen press100”). The pen press100is used to assemble multiple components of a pen102(illustrated in exploded form inFIG. 1). For instance, an end cap102A and end cap bushing102C may be pressed into a upper body member102D to secure a pocket clip102C to the assembly. Additionally, the center ring102E may be press fit onto upper body member102D. Further, the pen assembling press100may be used to press the pen tip102H into the lower body member102G. An ink cartridge102F is stored within the outer shell formed from the various other components, when fully assembled. The pen press100allows for applying axial pressure along an actuation axis108to the various components so as to press the press fit components together. It is noted that these are just examples of when the pen press100may be used while assembling a pen. Further, additional components may be press fit together. Additionally, all of the identified components are typically not simultaneously pressed together but pressed together in separate steps. While the pen press100is illustrated assembling a pen102, the pen press100can be used to assemble components of other objects that need to be axially pressed together in a similar manner.

The pen press100includes a base120that includes first and second spaced apart legs122,124that are connected to one another by an intermediate section126extending laterally therebetween. The intermediate section126being substantially perpendicular to the first and second legs122,124, e.g. preferably plus or minus ten degrees. The intermediate section126maintains the spacing between the first and second legs122,124. In the illustrated embodiment, the legs122,124and intermediate section126are formed from a continuous piece of material, such as a stamped or bent from a single continuous piece of metal. The first and second legs122,124and intermediate section126form a base channel128.

A press unit130is attached to the base120. In this embodiment, the press unit130is attached to a top or outer surface of the intermediate section126, e.g. a side opposite base channel128. The press unit130includes a lever132operably connected to a first engagement head134. Pivotal action of the lever132is converted into linear motion of the first engagement head134along the actuation axis108. A linkage136operably connects the lever132to a push rod138that carries the first engagement head134to convert the pivoting motion of the lever132into the linear motion of the first engagement head134. The free end140of the first engagement head134may be dished, such as in a conical shape, to help stabilize a component engaged therewith during the assembly process. In the illustrated embodiment, the first engagement head134is threadedly attached to the push rod138to allow for axial adjustment of the first engagement head134along the actuation axis108for fine tuning operation of the pen press100. However, the push rod138and first engagement head134could be formed as a single component. Further, other levers could be provided.

In this embodiment, the press unit130is attached to the base120in a fixed location along the actuation axis108. However, in other embodiments, the press unit130could be axially adjustable along the actuation axis108.

A carriage150is movably mounted to the base120. The carriage150operably carries a second engagement head152. The first and second engagement heads134,152being substantially coaxial with and axially offset along the actuation axis108. As such, actuation of lever132moves the first engagement head134toward or away from the second engagement head152along the actuation axis108depending on the direction of actuation of the lever132.

The free end154of the second engagement head152may be dished, such as in a conical shape, to help stabilize a component engaged therewith during the assembly process.

In this embodiment, the second engagement head152is carried on a slide rod156that is slidably carried by the carriage150. The slide rod156extends through a slot formed in the carriage150. A biasing member158, attached to the slide rod156at an end of the slide rod156opposite the second engagement head152, biases the slide rod156and consequently second engagement head152axially towards the first engagement head134along the actuation axis108. The second engagement head152may be formed as a single piece with the slide rod156or, preferably, may be threaded onto the slide rod156to, again, provide for additional fin adjustment of the pen press100.

With additional reference toFIG. 2, the carriage150includes spaced apart first and second carriage legs160,162defining a carriage channel164therebetween. When assembled, the carriage150, and particularly first and second carriage legs160,162, straddles the base120with the base120positioned at least in part within the carriage channel164with the first and second legs122,124and intermediate section126positioned, at least in part, between the first and second carriage legs160,162.

A positioning arrangement is provided between the carriage150and the base120to selectively fix the position of the carriage150relative to the base120along the actuation axis108. The positioning arrangement includes slots170,172extending through the first and second legs122,124. This embodiment, the slots170,172are formed by inserts174,176that are attached to the first and second legs122,124and are positioned adjacent openings178,180formed in the legs122,124. In this embodiment, the inserts174,176include alignment projections182sized to insert into and mate with openings178,180to properly align the slots170,172relative to base120.

The slots170,172and openings178,180extend through the first and second legs122,124in a direction that is perpendicular actuation axis108. The slots170,172and openings178,180extend lengthwise parallel to the actuation axis. Further, the slots170,172have a constant height section that has a height H that is constant along the entire length (e.g. parallel to the actuation axis108) of the constant height section. In this embodiment, the constant height section of the slots170,172extends lengthwise substantially the entire length L of the slots170,172.

The positioning arrangement includes a plurality of recesses186positioned adjacent the constant height sections of the slots170,172. It is noted that, in this embodiment, the recesses186are semicircular recesses that transition into slots170,172. However, the recesses186are positioned laterally inward from and vertically offset from the constant height sections such that the constant height sections do not have any notches or grooves formed therein. Again, the constant height sections have a constant height along their lengths parallel to the actuation axis108. In this embodiment, recesses186are only vertically below the constant height sections. However, recesses could be provided above or both above and below the constant height sections. Further, the recesses186need not merge into slots170,172but could be entirely vertically offset from slots170,172.

It should be noted that the constant height sections are such that the pins190,192and particularly the shafts194,196thereof cannot move vertically when positioned therein.

With additional reference to the cross-sectional illustration ofFIG. 3, the positioning arrangement further includes a pair of pins190,192that selectively cooperate with recesses186to fix the axial location of the carriage150along the actuation axis108. The pins190,192are operably carried by the carriage150. In this embodiment, the pins190,192extend laterally through openings formed in the first and second carriage legs160,162. The pins190,192are movable, e.g. slidable and illustrated by double headed arrows, relative to the carriage150along pin axes193that are perpendicular to the actuation axis108and first and second legs122,124to operably engage and disengage recesses186.

The pins190,192include shafts194,196are sized and configured to slide both laterally inward and outward, e.g. perpendicular to actuation axis108as well as lengthwise within slots170,172. The thickness T of the shafts194,196is substantially equal to the height H (seeFIG. 2) of the slots170,172to allow such motion as well as to prevent substantial vertical play between the pints190,192and the slots170,172/inserts174,176.

The pins190,192also include heads200,202sized and configured to be received in recesses186. When the heads200,202engage recesses186, the pins190,192axially fix the position of the carriage150relative to the base120along the actuation axis108. The heads200,202are selectively engaged and disengaged from recesses186by actuating the pins190,192along pin axes193in a direction perpendicular to the actuation axis108. When the heads200,202are disengaged from, e.g. removed, recesses186, the carriage150is movable along the actuation axis108relative to base120. When the heads200,202are engaged with, e.g. inserted into, recesses186, the carriage150is prevented from moving along the actuation axis108relative to base120.

The pins190,192include actuation buttons204,206that are engageable by the user to easily actuate the pins190,192axially inward, e.g. towards one another for selectively disengaging the pins190,192from recesses186. Biasing members in the form of coil springs210,212act between the actuation buttons204,206and first and second carriage legs160,162, to bias the pins190,192laterally outward, e.g. away from one another, to bias the pins190,192toward a locked/engaged state wherein the pins190,192engage recesses186. The user must overcome this force to allow for actuation of the carriage150along actuation axis108.

FIG. 3illustrates pin190in a released or disengaged state where head200is free from recess186of insert174. Pin192is illustrated in an engaged state where head202is received in or engaged with recess186of insert176. Both pins190,192would need to be in the disengaged state to allow carriage150to move along actuation axis108.

The use of inserts174,176makes it easier to manufacture the recesses186while providing the constant height sections. For instance, the inserts174,176could be formed from cast or molded material such as cast metal or molded plastic while the base120can be formed from simple stamped or bent sheet metal. However, the recesses186and slots170,172could be formed into the material used to form the rest of legs122,124and intermediate section126.

With reference toFIGS. 2 and 3, in some embodiments, a piece strip of low friction material220is positioned between the carriage150and the base120. In the illustrated embodiment, the low friction material220is attached to an underside of the carriage150and is positioned adjacent the intermediate section126of base120. The low friction material220allows for a tight fit between the carriage140and base120to prevent rocking of the carriage150relative to the base120during use, e.g. rocking about an axis that is parallel to pin axes193. In other embodiments, the low friction material220could be attached to the outer surface of the intermediate section126. In one embodiment, the low friction material is acetal polyoxymethylene resin.

With reference toFIGS. 2 and 3, in a preferred embodiment, when the pen press100is assembled, the intermediate section126is entirely free of any exposed openings extending through the intermediate section126into the base channel128. This prevents any components of pens or other objects being formed using the pen press100from falling into the base channel128. This is particularly useful when the pen press100is attached to a workbench or other support.

The base120includes first and second feet230,232that extend laterally from corresponding first and second legs122,124. In the illustrated embodiment, the feet230,232extend laterally outward from the corresponding first or second leg122and laterally away from one another. The first and second legs122,124extend vertically between the corresponding foot230,232and the intermediate section126. Preferably, one or more strips of non-slip material234,236is attached to the bottom surfaces of feet230,232to prevent slippage of the pen press100relative to any work surface of a workbench. However, the pen press100can be directly affixed to the work bench using holes240formed through feet230,232.

In use, the user will adjust the position of the carriage150and consequently second engagement head152by actuating pins190,192by pressing actuation buttons204,206to disengage the pins190,192from recesses186. The user can then adjust the position of carriage150along the actuation axis108. Thereafter, the user will put the pen components104,106between the first and second engagement heads134,152. The biasing effect of biasing member158acting on slide rod156allows a limited amount of pressure to be sustained to keep the two components104,106axially aligned and compressed between the first and second engagement heads134,152. Then, the user will actuate the lever132to provide increased force and drive the first engagement head134towards the second engagement head152along the actuation axis108. The second actuation head152may slide within carriage150until it contacts the carriage150at which time the two components will begin to be pressed together.