Spinning writing instruments

Disclosed herein embodiments for a writing instrument operable to spin around its lateral axis while held on opposite sites. An embodiment includes a barrel, a first bearing coupled to an interior side of the barrel and a second bearing coupled to an interior opposite side of the barrel. A first stub protrudes from a side of the barrel, the stub being in contact with the bearing so as to allow the stub to spin around a lateral axis of the barrel, the lateral axis comprising an axis perpendicular to a length of the barrel. A second stub protrudes from an opposite side of the barrel, the second stub being in contact with the second bearing so as to allow the second stub to spin around the lateral axis of the barrel.

BACKGROUND

Technical Field

Embodiments generally relate to the design of writing instruments.

Background

Fidgeting is the human habit of moving about restlessly, commonly as a result of nervousness, agitation, or boredom. Examples of fidgeting include playing with one's hair, clothing, a pen, or bouncing one's leg repeatedly. Numerous devices exist that can be described as devices for fidgeting: yo-yos, stress balls, fidget cubes, fidget spinners, etc. These devices may be used to perform a repetitive activity that users may find soothing and relaxing. While fidgeting devices remain popular, most of them may be too conspicuous or unacceptable for use in some social or professional environments.

SUMMARY

Disclosed herein are embodiments for a writing instrument operable to spin around its lateral axis while held on opposite sites. An embodiment includes a barrel, a first bearing coupled to an interior side of the barrel and a second bearing coupled to an interior opposite side of the barrel. A first stub protrudes from a side of the barrel, the stub being in contact with the bearing so as to allow the stub to spin around a lateral axis of the barrel, the lateral axis comprising an axis perpendicular to a length of the barrel. A second stub protrudes from an opposite side of the barrel, the second stub being in contact with the second bearing so as to allow the second stub to spin around the lateral axis of the barrel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In particular embodiments, a writing instrument may be operable to around its lateral axis while held on opposite sites.FIG. 1illustrates two perspective views of a writing instrument100, according to particular embodiments. Writing instrument100may be any instrument operable to be handheld and used to interact with a surface such as, by way of example, a pen, pencil, mechanical pencil, stylus, highlighter, brush, etc.

Writing instrument100may be comprised of a barrel110and two stubs (120,122) protruding from opposite sides of the barrel. Barrel110may be a generally cylindrically-shaped member of any material suitable for writing instruments such as, by way of example, plastic, wood, metal, etc. The writing instrument is operable to spin, when held at the stubs, around a lateral axis320perpendicular to the longitudinal axis310of the barrel110, as illustrated inFIG. 3. While stubs120and122are shown having a cylindrical shape, it should be understood and stubs120and122may have any suitable shape such as, for example, rounded top, square top, a carving of an image, etc.

FIG. 2shows a cross-section view illustrating an inner portion of writing instrument100, according to particular embodiments. Housed within barrel110may be a bearing220on one side of barrel110and a second bearing222on an opposite side of barrel110. Bearings220and222are coupled to the inner sides of stubs120and122, respectively. Bearings220and222may be any bearings suitable for allowing spinning motion of the stubs with respect to barrel110. For example, bearings220and222may be ball bearings, roller bearings, plain bearings, magnetic bearings, etc. In particular embodiments, bearings220and222are ball bearings. For example, bearings220and222may be commercially available radial deep groove ball bearings, such as R144 miniature ball bearings.

In particular embodiments, stub120is coupled to the inner ring of bearings220and stub122is coupled to the inner ring of bearing222. In the example ofFIG. 2, stubs120and122have a “T” shape, shown sideways in the figure. The bottom of the “T” shape is disposed into and coupled to the center of the bearing (i.e., the inner ring), thus allowing the stub to rotate. The reference numerals220and222indicate the upper and lower portions of the cross-section rings, with an open space corresponding to the center of the ring where the lower stub portions of stubs120and122are disposed into. The outer rings of bearings220and222are coupled to their respective sides of barrel110, thus allowing the stubs to spin with respect to a stationary pen, and conversely, allow the pen to spin with respect to stationary stubs. Thus, when a user pinches writing instrument100at stubs120and122, the user is able to apply force to writing instrument100to spin it around its lateral axis while maintaining the pinching, as shown inFIG. 3. As an example, a user may pinch the writing instrument with the user's thumb on one stub and the middle finger on the other stub, and may flick the pen with the pinkie finger to make it spin.

In particular embodiments, writing instrument100may be a pen, as shown in the examples ofFIGS. 1 and 2. Writing instrument may include an ink cartridge230disposed inside barrel110between bearings220and222. Ink cartridge230may have an ink tip232facing the front of the writing instrument100, the ink tip operable to dispense ink for writing on paper or other appropriate surfaces. In this manner, the tip232may be operable to extend out of and retract into the inside of barrel110through an opening212at the front of barrel100.

In particular embodiments, writing instrument100may include a mechanism for moving ink cartridge230so as to extend the ink tip232of the ink cartridge outside of barrel110through opening212.FIG. 2shows an example tubular member240disposed inside the barrel operable to receive ink cartridge230. Tubular member240may be operable to receive force from the back of writing instrument100and thus move to push ink cartridge230through opening212. In particular embodiments, tubular member240may be coupled to a button242that a user pushes to provide force and thus extend the ink tip232for writing.

In particular embodiments, tubular member240may be held in an extended position by a locking mechanism.FIG. 1and show an example locking mechanism comprising a knob150and a u-shaped notch152. The locking mechanism may be unlocked my moving knob150towards the bottom of the “U” of notch152, thus allowing the knob to slide from one end to the other to either extend or retract tubular member240. Moving the knob towards one of the top ends of the “U” of notch152locks the knob in a stable position, and thus maintains the ink cartridge in either an extended or retracted position. In particular embodiments, ink cartridge230may be surrounded by a spring244that provides upward force to tubular member240, thus aiding the user in retracting the ink cartridge upon unlocking the locking mechanism.

While a particular mechanism for extending and retracting an ink cartridge of writing instrument100has been described, this disclosure contemplates any suitable locking mechanism for extending and retracting an ink cartridge. For example, standard pen clicker mechanisms using cam locks can be applied in a similar manner.

In particular embodiments, writing pen100may include a single bearing instead of two bearings as described above. As an example, two stubs120and122may be coupled to the inner ring of a single ball bearing. In particular embodiments, a writing instrument with a single bearing would further include an ink reservoir such as, for example, an ink reservoir for usage in a fountain pen. For example, the ink reservoir may comprise a hollowed portion to make space for the single bearing and stubs. In this manner, a single bearing can make contact with both stubs.