Adapter for writing instruments

An adapter for pen, pencil, or any other types of writing instruments where the adaptor is sized and dimensioned to receive a regular sized writing instrument, and the adapter is designed for safety to use such writing instrument as a refill. The design has an inner holder designed to securely hold the writing instrument. In one embodiment, the adapter is short enough to expose a proximal end of the writing instrument, so that the exposed part of the writing instrument becomes a push button. In another embodiment, the adapter has a push button, and the regular sized writing instrument is entirely contained with the adapter. Other embodiments use different retracting mechanism such as twist-and-retract mechanism, and slider mechanism.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(1) Field of the Invention

The field of the invention is a writing instrument, more specifically, an adapter to hold a writing instrument so that the writing instrument is retractably retained either partially or entirely within the adapter.

Typical pens are sold with caps so that the writing tip may be protected when the pen is not in use for writing. Despite the relative effectiveness in protecting a writing tip, the typical pens with cap have several disadvantages. First, when a user loses the cap of the pen, it becomes difficult for the user to carry the pen in his/her pocket without staining his/her garment. Second, capping and uncapping a typical pen requires a user to use both hands. This is particularly difficult if the user needs to use one hand to hold another object, such as, a clip board. Third, when a cap is lost a user may injure oneself and/or another due to the tip being exposed.

Generally known methods of protecting the writing tip of a pen without using a cap includes using a tractable mechanism so that the ballpoint and the ink filling can be retracted into the body of the pen. For example, clicker pens are commonly used when a push of a button retracts the writing tip. Also, twist-and-retract type of mechanism is also known to move the ink filling and the ballpoint in a longitudinal direction within the outer body of the pen. These types of pens allow a user to retract/extend the ballpoint of the pen using only one hand, while freeing the other hand to perform other tasks. Despite numerous desirable properties, however, retractable pens of these types are typically more expensive than regular pens with caps. Therefore, when businesses make purchasing decisions regarding office supplies, they are likely to purchase regular pens with caps, instead of clicker pens.

There is a continuing need for new ways to protect writing tips of writing instruments in a cost-effective way, to help employees prevent staining of their garment when using regular pens, and more importantly to serve as a safety mechanism from injury.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Improved embodiments of an adapter for a writing instrument are hereby disclosed. The general concept is to provide an adapter that is sized and dimensioned so that the adapter can enclose a regular pen or pencil and turn the regular pen or pencil into a clicker pen/pencil, or a twist-and-retract type of pen/pencil. The adapter is also suitable for other types of writing instruments. Such adapter is particularly useful at places of employment where, for economic and safety reasons, business owners prefer to purchase only regular pens and pencils for its employees, yet the employees would rather prefer using pens and pencils that can be easily retracted using only one hand. Using the hereby disclosed inventive subject matter, employees of such businesses can simply throw away the cap on the regular ball-point pen, and then insert the regular pen into the adapter for use. Once properly install into the adapter, the adapter having a regular pen enclosed basically turns into a clicker or twist-to-retract pen. This adapter may be reused over and over again. A user can now easily retract and extend the writing tip of the regular pen or pencil using only one hand.

In some embodiments, the adapter is short enough that the writing instrument is partially exposed outside of the adapter. When the end of the pen opposite of the writing tip is exposed, a user may retain the cap and place the cap over such end so they may continue to use the cap as a clip for his front shirt pocket.

Other embodiments of the adapter are available to hold different pens having different diameters. In another contemplated embodiment, the adapter has a universal design such that it can hold at least two different brands/diameters of ball-point pens.

While the adapter can use a clicker pen type of mechanism to retract/extend the writing instrument, other types of mechanism is also contemplated. For example, the adapter can use a twister pen type of mechanism (or sometimes called rotator type). Known twister pens are pens where a user twists a portion of the pen body to retract/extend the tip of the ball-point refill.

One of ordinary skilled in the art will immediately see that many other known mechanisms for retracting/extending ballpoint tip can be used here for the purpose of holding, and retracting/extending the writing tip from the adapter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention and its various embodiments can now be better understood by turning to the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, which are presented as illustrated examples of the invention defined in the claims. It is expressly understood that the invention as defined by the claims may be broader than the illustrated embodiments described below. It should also be noted that the drawings are in simplified form and are not to precise scale. In reference to the disclosure herein, for purposes of convenience and clarity only, directional terms, such as, top, bottom, left, right, up, down, over, above, below, beneath, rear, front, distal, and proximal are used with respect to the accompanying drawings. In the absence of specific definition, such directional terms should not be construed to limit the scope of the invention in any manner.

Many alterations and modifications may be made by those having ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, it must be understood that the illustrated embodiment has been set forth only for the purposes of example and that it should not be taken as limiting the invention as defined by the following claims. For example, notwithstanding the fact that the elements of a claim are set forth below in a certain combination, it must be expressly understood that the invention includes other combinations of fewer, more or different elements, which are disclosed herein even when not initially claimed in such combinations.

As used herein, the term “filler” in conjunction with a regular pen refers to a typical tubular reservoir that holds ink. The filler is typically coupled to a writing tip, such as a ballpoint. Other terms that may be used in this application to describe “filler” are “refill,” “re-fill,” and “cartridge.” The filler is typically enclosed within a plastic outer tube. For example,FIG. 3shows a Paper Mate® pen2commonly available in retail stores within the United States. What is shown inFIG. 3is just the plastic outer tube. What is not shown is the transparent filler that is enclosed within the plastic outer tube.

As used herein, the term “off-the-shelf writing instrument” refers to a writing instrument that is commonly commercialized and sold in retail stores. Such writing instruments are ready for use by the consumer upon purchase, without further installation or assembly. Therefore, an “off-the-shelf writing instrument” does not refer to a pen re-fill, or a pen filler. For example, an “off-the-shelf writing instrument” includes a Paper Mate® pen2as shown inFIG. 3, and a BIC® pen, and a wooden pencil with lead.

FIG. 1generally depicts a preferred embodiment of the adapter1. InFIG. 1, the adapter1is shown with a regular Paper Mate® pen2inserted in a lumen of the adapter. The left adapter1has a writing tip3of a pen2extended through a distal opening52. The right adapter1has the same pen2assembled within the lumen of adapter1, and the writing tip3of the pen2is retracted in the adapter1.

FIG. 2shows a regular pen2along side the adapter1. The preferred embodiment of adapter1can accommodate different types of pen. For example, the same adapter1inFIG. 2can accommodate a Paper Mate® pen, and the Paper Mate® pen2may be replaced with a BIC® pen, or a wooden pencil.

FIG. 3illustrates the assembly of adapter1and pen2. Here, a shorter embodiment of the invention is shown. This shorter embodiment of a retractable adaptor1is for holding an off-the-shelf writing instrument2having a writing tip3. The adapter1has an adapter body110with a distal end, a proximal end, and a lumen111within the adapter body110to partially enclose the writing instrument2.

There is an opening152at the distal end of the adapter body110allowing a writing tip of the writing instrument to pass through. There is also an opening153at the proximal end of the adapter body110allowing a proximal end of the writing instrument to pass through. Preferably, the distal region of the adapter body110having opening152can be detached. InFIG. 3, this distal region is a detachable cone tip150. The cone tip150can be reattached to the main body113of the adapter body110via screw blades112disposed on the distal end of the main body113. Detaching the cone tip150from the main body113requires a simple twist of the cone tip150.

Once assembled, the inside of the cone tip150makes abutting contact with a compression coil spring140.

The lumen111of the adapter body110contains a holder120. The purpose of a holder120is to make secure contact with the writing instrument2. Holder120can securely grip the writing instrument2so that longitudinal movement of the holder120causes the writing tip3to extend or retract from the distal opening152of the adapter body110.

To effectively make engaging contact with the writing instrument2, the inner side136of the holder120needs necessary structure, texture, and/or material to facilitate a secure contact. Preferably, the secure contact is not permanent, and the writing instrument2may be readily removed from holder120when the user wishes to replace the writing instrument2with a new writing instrument2. In the most preferred embodiment, the diameter of the inner side136of holder120narrows towards one end. Even more preferably, the diameter narrows towards the proximal end to help securely couple to the writing instrument2.

Contemplated adapter1preferably has a holder120to securely hold writing instruments having an outer tubular body of an outer diameter of at least 6 mm; or more preferably, 7 mm or greater. There are various retractable pens in the prior art, and they are designed to retract a pen filler. Furthermore, pen fillers are known to have rather small diameters. Typical pen fillers have an outer diameter of about 3.5 mm. It is of common knowledge in the art that 3.5 mm is a good size to retain sufficient capillary action to keep ink from flowing out of the pen filler from an open end opposite to the writing tip3. While the retractable pen in the prior art may have various diameter sizes, and some may even have an interior space sufficiently large to contain a regular sized pen. Such large retractable pens, however, does not have the necessary parts to securely retain a regular sized pen and allowing proper retraction and extension of its writing tip. No matter how large the diameter of the prior art retractable pen is, such retractable pens always has the same size of filler. It is rather undesirable and unexpected to have a retractable pen that is capable of holding a filler with a diameter of more than 5 mm. Further, prior art retractable pens teach that large fillers are undesirable because it does not have sufficient capillary force to hold the ink. As such, no prior art retractable pen is capable of holding such large filler. Moreover, one skilled in the art also does not see the need to have a retractable pen that can hold another regular sized pen. One of ordinary skill in the art considers such idea to be redundant, costly, and undesirably increases the number of component parts in a pen.

In one embodiment, the holder120has a contact surface136on the inside wall of the holder120to frictionally engage with the outer tubular body of the pen2. To facilitate frictional engagement, this contact surface can have a resilient material. For example, the resilient material may be foam, rubber, and plastic. In the alternative or in addition to the resilient material, the contact surface136can have a certain texture or structure to help increase friction. For example, there may be indentations, raised bumps, raised striations, or any other known ways to help the holder120in making a secure gripping of the writing instrument2. Another contemplated design is for the holder120to have a tapered inside surface (e.g., narrowing diameter) so as to facilitate secure engagement of the writing instrument2to the holder120.

In order to retract the writing instrument2disposed within lumen111, the adapter1has a retractable mechanism to selectively move the holder120within a defined longitudinal distance within the adapter body110such that movement of the holder120towards the distal end of the adapter1causes the writing tip3to extend through the opening152and be exposed from the adapter body110for writing. Likewise, movement of the holder120towards the proximal end causes the writing tip3to retract through the opening152and be hidden and protected within the adapter body110. And in the case as shown inFIG. 3, the writing tip3would retract and be hidden within cone tip150, which is part of the adapter body110assembly.

A wide variety of retractable mechanism may be used. One preferred embodiment utilizes a retractable mechanism using principles of known bounce device as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,280,110, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

InFIG. 3, the retractable mechanism has a compression coil spring140disposed between an outside wall of the holder and the inner wall of the adapter body.FIG. 3shows spring140when the adapter1is disassembled. InFIG. 3, the spring140has a diameter large enough to wrap around the tubular body of the holder120. Once assembled, the spring140goes over the holder120, and its proximal end abuts against a cylinder part128. Cylinder part128is disposed around the outside wall of the holder120and between the stopper124and the spring140. When the spring140does not abut against the cylinder part128, the cylinder part128has a free range of rotary motion around the holder and a free range of longitudinal motion along a length of the holder. Stopper124, on the other hand, is fixed to and disposed on the outside wall of the holder120. Stopper124has a first set of matching teeth125on its distal end, and is adjacent to tubular body122.

The purpose of spring140is to bias the writing instrument2towards a proximal end. The spring does this by pressing against the cylinder part128, which in turn presses against the stopper124. Because stopper124is fixed (or an integral part of) on the holder120, and holder120securely holds the writing instrument2, the spring140in effect biases the writing instrument2towards the proximal end.

Another purpose of the spring140is to bias the bottom130of the cylinder part128to engage with stopper124and groove-and-rib assembly114. Cylinder part128has lock keys129to make engaging contact with the groove-and-rib assembly114. One of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize the purpose of this engagement as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,280,110 for a bounce device.

InFIGS. 3 and 4, the cylinder part128has a second set of matching teeth131to make mating contact with the first set of matching teeth from the stopper124. The purposes of these parts are commonly known in the art for bounce device as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,280,110.

Referring now toFIG. 3, the retractable adaptor1for holding an off-the-shelf writing instrument has a groove-and-rib assembly114disposed on an inside wall of the adapter body, wherein the groove-and-rib assembly has a rib115, a key groove116, and a slant post117. The purposes and construction of these parts are commonly known in the art for bounce device as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,280,110.

Referring now toFIG. 4, the stopper124has a set of projections126disposed on the stopper124to make engaging contact with the groove-and-rib assembly114. Again, the purposes and operation of these parts are commonly known in the art for bounce device as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,280,110.

In a preferred embodiment, the adapter body110is equal to or shorter than 13.0 cm, so that when the lumen encloses the writing instrument2, a proximal end of the writing instrument opposite the writing tip3is exposed and not enclosed within the lumen111. This way, pressing of the proximal end of the writing instrument2, when it is held by the holder120, towards a distal direction, causes the writing tip3of the pen to either extend or retract from the opening152of the adapter body110. Referring back toFIG. 1, the adapter1can have a total length that is shorter than the writing instrument2, so that the proximal end of the writing instrument2acts as the push button. Also, a user may place the original cap of the writing instrument2on its proximal end so that the user may continue to use the cap to clip the adapter in his shirt pocket.

Referring now toFIGS. 5 and 6, another embodiment of the adapter1is shown. This embodiment is similar to the concept shown inFIGS. 1-4, except that the adapter body210is sufficiently long so that the entire writing instrument2is enclosed within the adapter1. Because the entire writing instrument is enclosed, the only part that is exposed is the writing tip3. This embodiment uses bounce device as commonly known, and a push cap227is provided and coupled to a top end of stopper224. Also, as one skilled in the art will immediately recognize, cylinder part228has a top end that inserts into the hollow interior of the stopper224through a bottom opening of the stopper224.FIG. 6also shows a ring cap231to cap off the top of the adapter1by screw blades. The bounce device also includes a groove-and-rib assembly214dispose on the inside wall of the adapter body210.

InFIGS. 1-6, the groove-and-rib assembly214is located on the inside wall of the adapter body210to cooperate with cylinder part228and stopper224that are coupled to the writing instrument2. These parts can be arranged in reverse ways to achieve the same result. For example, the groove-and-rib assembly214can couple to the writing instrument2, while the cylinder part228and stopper224are disposed on the inner wall of the adapter body210.

FIG. 7illustrates a prior art retractable pen re-fill5, the main body6is a metal tube ink reservoir that tapers and has a ballpoint tip8. The proximal end of the re-fill is a blue plastic groove-and-rib end7. This plastic groove-and-rib end7is not readily detachable from the main body6, and is sized and dimensioned to be an integral part of the re-fill. It is undesirable for this plastic groove-and-rib end7to be detachable from the main body6.

FIG. 8shows holder320to be used in yet another preferred embodiment of the inventive subject matter. Holder320is disposed inside the adapter body and has a bottom end370to make abutting contact with the proximal end of the writing instrument2. Similar to the assembly as shown inFIG. 6, a regular pen2is biased by spring240towards the proximal end, and instead of using the arrangement of cylinder part228, stopper224as shown inFIG. 6, holder320is arranged to contact the proximal tip of the writing instrument2in ways similar to the prior art re-fill5ofFIG. 7. Here, holder320is readily detachable so that a user may freely replace the regular pen2with a new regular pen2. Bottom end370of holder320has a contact surface. This contact surface can have a resilient material. For example, the resilient material may be foam, rubber, and plastic. In the alternative or in addition to the resilient material, the contact surface136can have a certain texture or structure to help securely steadily centering the writing instrument2. For example, there may be indentations, raised bumps, raised striations, or any other known ways. As shown inFIG. 8, bottom end370has two circular indentations resembling a ladder structure. The first circular indentation371has a diameter substantially the same as the proximal end diameter of a BIC® pen. The smaller and deeper circular indentation372has a diameter substantially the same as the proximal end diameter of a Paper Mate® pen. Such design provides a universal holder320that can readily fit over two different types of pens that are commonly used in work places.

Referring now toFIGS. 9-14; another embodiment of the adapter1is shown. This embodiment is similar to the concept shown inFIGS. 1-8, except the retractable mechanism is different. Here, adapter body410includes a detachable cone tip450, and cone tip450has a narrowed opening452for writing tip3of a writing instrument2to pass through.FIG. 5shows the adapter1with a Paper Mate® brand pen assembled within. Dotted lines show a holder420inside the adapter body410, securely holding the pen2.

FIG. 10shows that the pen2is first inserted through the lumen436of the holder420, and is securely coupled to the holder420by methods discussed in this application. The holder is then inserted into the adapter body410. The holder has a slider422to cooperate with a track as defined by430,432,434, and436. A user may slide the holder420by using the slider422, thereby extending and retracting the writing tip3of the pen2through the distal opening452.

FIGS. 11-14illustrate how the slider422enables sliding and locking of positions with respect to the track. Here, slider422is coupled to a stem424, and the stem is coupled to a block424. The stem424is relatively flexible and preferably made of plastic such that when a user presses the slider422in a downward direction as shown in the figures, the stem424will bend and thus move block424out of plane, and out of contact with the tract so that the slider422may now slide to the next position. Similar structures are known in the art for retractable erasers. Other known slider assembly can also be used, such as those taught in U.S. Pat. No. 6,773,185 issued to Hsieh; British Patent No. 755,879; U.S. Pat. No. 4,167,350 issued to Harris; U.S. Design Pat. No. 386,526 issued to Ito; U.S. Design Pat. No. 303,992 issued to Grotsch; U.S. Pat. No. 5,048,989 issued to Stageman; all of which are incorporated by reference in their entireties.

While the embodiment inFIGS. 9 and 10shows an adapter1that is shorter than the writing instrument2, another embodiment is contemplated to have an adapter body410sufficiently long to completely enclose the entire writing instrument2. Such embodiment provides a top adapter body similar to the top adapter body518shown inFIG. 16.

Referring now toFIGS. 15 and 16; twister-type embodiments are shown with a regular off-the-shelf writing instrument installed. InFIG. 15, holder520is a hollow cylinder structure with two open ends. Holder520securely holds a middle portion of pen2. Similar to other holders previously discussed in this application, holder520has an interior contact surface of desired structure and/or material that sufficiently secure the pen2so the pen does not freely slide out of the holder520.

Once secured by holder520, the pen2and the holder520is inserts into the hollow lumen of adapter body510. Holder561has screw blade561disposed on its outside wall, to cooperate with the screw blade562disposed on the inside wall of the adapter body510. In operation, the adapter body510is similarly sized as discussed in embodiments ofFIG. 3, thus the proximal end of the pen is disposed from the adapter body510. To extend or retract the writing tip3, a user simply twists the proximal end of the pen2relative to the adapter body510.

FIG. 16illustrates an improvement of the embodiment as shown inFIG. 15, except that the adapter is designed to enclose the entire writing instrument2. Here, an adapter top body618is used to cap over the proximal end of the pen2. Also the holder620is sufficiently long to extend to outside of the adapter body610. The exposed portion of the620is to contact an interior surface of the adapter top body618. Top body618securely engages contact with holder661so that when a user twists the top body518, it in turn twists the holder661to move the holder661in a longitudinal direction. Thus, once installed, the top body618freely rotates in relation to the adapter body610.

All of the embodiments disclosed herein may contain suitable natural or synthetic material. It is further contemplated that suitable ergonomic design and/or material such as rubber and/or gel-grip may be used as the exterior of the adapter body to provide comfort and to prevent slippage from user's fingers.

Thus, specific embodiments and applications of Adapter for Writing Instrument have been disclosed. It should be apparent, however, to those skilled in the art that many more modifications besides those already described are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive subject matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spirit of the appended claims. Moreover, in interpreting both the specification and the claims, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the context. In particular, the terms “comprises” and “comprising” should be interpreted as referring to elements, components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced elements, components, or steps may be present, or utilized, or combined with other elements, components, or steps that are not expressly referenced. Insubstantial changes from the claimed subject matter as viewed by a person with ordinary skill in the art, now known or later devised, are expressly contemplated as being equivalent within the scope of the claims. Therefore, obvious substitutions now or later known to one with ordinary skill in the art are defined to be within the scope of the defined elements. The claims are thus to be understood to include what is specifically illustrated and described above, what is conceptually equivalent, what can be obviously substituted and also what essentially incorporates the essential idea of the invention. In addition, where the specification and claims refer to at least one of something selected from the group consisting of A, B, C . . . and N, the text should be interpreted as requiring only one element from the group, not A plus N, or B plus N, etc.