Letter opening stylus and writing instrument with pocket clip

An improvement to a writing instrument with stylus, a pocket clip and an integrated letter-opening blade. The improvement consists of locating the letter-opening blade in the pocket clip of the pen. The blade is prevented from cutting the pocket of the user due to a blade protector that is mechanically linked to the mechanism that extends and retracts with the marking or writing tip. In an alternate embodiment, the blade is located on the opposite side of the pocket clip. The extending and retracting mechanism can be a variety of types including twists press, sliding. The stylus provides input to a PDA, touch screen or other tactile input device. Another embodiment includes a letter opener with a stylus.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a writing instrument with a letter opener integrated into the pocket clip and a stylus integrated into the writing instrument. More specifically the writing instrument can be a pen pencil or other type-marking instrument with a clip for holding the writing instrument onto a pocket and a stylus for use with a PDA touch screen or other tactile input device. The clip includes a protected cutting blade that can be used to open a letter of cut paper or other material. The mechanism that extends the marking tip moves the blade or protective cover, so the blade does not cut the pocket when the writing instrument is not in the marking position. The stylus may be spring loaded to absorb some of the downward pressure a user may apply to the stylus.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

People use many different types and styles of writing instruments today. Many people will receive mail or letters and will open the mail or letters using a variety of methods including tearing, or cutting open a letter using a stiletto, knife, scissors or a letter opener. In addition people may use a stylus pencil or pen with their PDA to enter or select data or information. This requires the use of two or three tools i.e. the writing instrument the opener and the stylus. Several inventions have been patented or sold that combine the some of these instruments into one.

U.S. Pat. No. 844,770 issued to C. G. Bauer discloses an envelope-opener where the letter opener can be connected onto a writing instrument. A letter is placed within a guide to position the envelope for opening. As the envelope is slid into the guide, the folded portion of the letter is cut open with an “L” shaped blade. While this design can be carried inside a pocket without damage to the pocket, the invention is not designed to be clipped onto a pocket. In addition, the blade remains exposed, and there is no link from the writing tip extending mechanism to the blade protector nor is stylus present in the device.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,065,169 issued to Cheldin discloses a combination letter opener and writing instrument. The letter opener is a similar configuration to other concealed blade letter openers that are available. This patent is disclosed as both an opener that can be attached to an existing pen, and as an opener that in integrated into the writing instrument housing. In some disclosures of this invention, the point of the pen has a retractable point. While this invention provides both a writing instrument and a letter opener, the invention fails to provide a clip for maintaining the invention on a pocket. The blade has no protection mechanism that shields the blade, and there is no link from the writing tip extending mechanism to the blade protector. Further this device does not provide a stylus.

WEB site www.creativeconceptsgolf.com discloses a Swiss pen that includes a writing instrument with multi-functional tools such as scissors, knife, tweezers and flashlight. While these tools can be used to open a letter, they do not provide a blade protection mechanism, and once the blade is opened, the blade is exposed without protection. This device also does not provide a stylus.

WEB site www.glbproducts.com and other site disclose a pen where the back cap of the pen covers a stiletto blade for opening a letter. This pen provides a writing instrument with a letter-opening tool, and in some cases, the product may include a pocket clip, but the blade is fully exposed when the rear cap is removed, and the blade is not integrated into the pocket clip. In addition, there is no link from the writing tip extending mechanism to the blade protector. This device does not provide a stylus.

Design U.S. Pat. D483,065, D458,635, D431,598, D390,872, and D362,649 show writing instruments with a stylus integrated within the writing instrument. But none of these design patents also provide a letter opening mechanism. They further do not provide that the stylus be spring loaded to absorb some of the downward pressure from the stylus.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,749,354 issued to Kageyama et al discloses a composite writing implement that combines a pen, pencil and a stylus tip. While this patent includes a stylus in a pen, it does not include a letter opener nor does it disclose a letter opener and stylus combination.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,450,721 issued to D'Amico et al. discloses a pen stylus combination where the pen is on one end and the stylus is on the other end. While this patent includes a stylus in a pen, it does not include a letter opener nor does it disclose a letter opener and stylus combination.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,227,743 issued to Robb discloses a pen cap for use as a stylus on touch screens. While this patent includes a pen cap that is a stylus, it does not include a letter opener nor does it disclose a letter opener and stylus combination.

Other issued patents disclose letter openers, but none of the letter openers disclose a stylus integrated within the letter opener. None of the patents disclose that the stylus is spring loaded, and none of them disclose that the pen includes a letter opener with a stylus.

What is needed is a writing instrument with a pocket clip where a letter opener is integrated into the pocket clip. The ideal invention would not damage a pocket, by either being located on the opposite side of the pocket clip or being protected when the writing point is retracted, and the blade would be exposed when the writing point is extended. This ideal product would also include a stylus for use with a PDA, touch screen or other device that requires tactile input.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

it is an objective of the present invention to provide a writing instrument that combines a writing instrument with a letter opener and a stylus. The writing instrument includes a clip for attaching the writing instrument to a pocket with a stylus. The pocket clip includes a blade for opening a letter. The blade is prevented from causing damage to a pocket with a blade protector that is operated with mechanism that extends and retracts the writing tip. The stylus provides writing, pointing and or selecting mechanism for use with a PDA, touch screen or other tactile input device.

The writing instrument can take the form of many different types of instruments including pencil, pen, marker or highlighter. All these writing instruments are generally formed from an elongated cylindrical shape. The cylindrical shape is tapered on one or both ends to allow easier gripping of the writing instrument. The cylinder is generally hollow, and inside the hollow portion of the pen ink, carbon, or marking material is stored or dispensed.

The writing tip has generally two positions, one where the tip is concealed within the cylindrical housing, and the second position where the tip is extended outside the cylindrical housing. Numerous methods can used to extend or retract the writing tip. These methods include depressing a button on the end of the pen, twisting the pen or sliding a tab located on the side of the pen.

The writing instrument includes a clip that allows the writing instrument to be attached to a pocket. The clip can be molded from the material the housing is made from, or can be formed from a spring type material such as metal and be attached to the cylindrical housing. Within the clip, a letter-opening blade, which may be made from metal, is located. A blade protection mechanism is located on one or two sides of the blade to prevent damage to a pocket when the pen is clipped to a pocket. The blade protection mechanism is linked to the marking tip moving mechanism such that when the tip is extended the blade is exposed, and when the tip is retracted, the blade is at least partially covered to prevent damage to a pocket.

In order to open a letter, the tip of the pen is exposed. This also retracts the blade protection mechanism. If the blade is located in the back of the pocket clip, the pen is simply turned around. The fold of the letter is slid into the pocket clip, and the letter is drawn through the pocket clip and past the blade to open the letter. The letter is brought completely through the pocket clip, to open the entire folded edge of the letter. After opening the letter, the tip of the pen is retracted, and the blade is again protected so the pen can be clipped to a pocket.

The stylus can be located at either end of the writing instrument. The stylus can be the end of the pen a user might depress to extend the writing tip or the blade, or the stylus act like a writing tip and extend from the tip of the writing instrument.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring first toFIG. 1throughFIG. 5, that shows the invention in a variety of elongated pen configurations. The basic shape of the pen consists of cylindrical bodies, items20and30that are pressed, connected, screwed or telescope into each other at item29. The writing instrument can be made from a variety of materials including, metal, plastic, wood, glass or mineral such as marble, granite or rock. In the preferred embodiment the writing instrument is tapered, item22, at the end where the marking or writing tip extends, item24. The taper allows easier grasp of the writing instrument. The tapered end may also include a cushion or gripping device that makes the writing instrument easier to hold. At the end opposite the writing tip, the end may be tapered, rounded) or squared depending upon design preferences. This end may also include a writing tip actuation mechanism. The cylindrical shaft of the pen may be smooth, rough, or include a variety details item32, for appearance, or to improve comfort to the user. The writing instrument includes a pocket clip or retaining device, item50that allows the pen to be held in position on a pocket, shirt, or other thin surface. The pocket clip includes at least one pinch point, item52that provides a pinch point to hold the pen onto a thin surface. The pocket clip attaches to the body of the pen at item54. At the area where the pocket clip attaches to the pen body, a thin blade, item60is located. The blade may be exposed, protected, or movable based upon the construction of the pen.

FIG. 1, item1is a pen where the writing tip, item24, is extended when the stylus, item40located on the back of the pen is pressed into the pen. Once the stylus is depressed, the writing tip extends out the tapered end of the pen, item22, and locks in an extended position. As the writing tip is extended the letter-opening blade, item60is exposed to allow the pen to open letters. The decorative details, item32on the side of the pen are depressions or raised areas located on the pocket clip end of the writing instrument. The letter opening blade, item60is located under the pocket clip. The stylus may include a spring to reduce the downward force when the stylus is used on a PDA, touch screen or other tactile input device. In some embodiments, the spring may be an integral part of the pen retraction and extension mechanism.

FIG. 2, item110is an alternate embodiment of the invention with a twist activated writing tip extender. This figure also shows the letter-opening blade, item60located within the pocket clip. The end of the pen opposite the writing tip is shown as a rounded end.

FIG. 3, item210is an alternate embodiment of the invention with a slide activating, writing tip extender, item44. In this embodiment, pressing button, item42, retracts the writing tip. The decorative details, item32on the side of the pen in this figure are scribed marks in the side of the surface of the writing instrument.

FIG. 4, item310is an alternate embodiment of the invention with a removable cap. The removable cap has a serrated edge, item56on the pocket clip, item50. The serrations on the side of the pocket clip allow the pocket clip to cut or saw the letter open without causing damage to a pocket.

FIG. 5, item410is an alternate embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the letter-opening blade, item60is located on the pocket clip on the side opposite where the clip is attached to a pocket. This embodiment shows the pen with a rear activating writing tip extender40, that is also a stylus, but the method of exposing the writing tip can be any variety including the removable cap type. At the end where the letter-opening blade is located, the housing is tapered or shaped, item36, to allow easier insertion of the letter.

FIG. 6shows a letter in position where the letter is about to be opened using the invention. The letter, item70is brought near the pocket clip, item52. The flap, item72of the letter is opened slightly with the pocket clip. The letter is then slid down the pocket clip, item50until the letter makes contact with the blade, item60. As the letter slides across the blade60the flap72of the letter70is slit open.

FIG. 7is an exploded view of the preferred embodiment of the pen showing the components with a stylus tip80on the end of the pen opposite the writing tip. This pen is a twist pen where the twist barrel21exists within the lower cylindrical body20and the upper cylindrical body30. The pen has an ink cartridge45that is placed into an ink cartridge retainer47that is threaded48and retained in one end of a twist barrel21. As the ink cartridge retainer47is rotated within the twist barrel21the marking tip24and ink cartridge45are translated in or out of the twist barrel21. The twist barrel21has a high pitch thread that causes approximately a 270 degree rotation of the ink cartridge within the twist barrel21to create a translation of 0.17 of an inch when the opposing ends of the pen are gripped and twisted25,26in opposite directions.

A tapered tip22guides and supports the marking tip24. The letter opening blade60is fabricated with a blade arm61. The blade arm61fits into the end of the ink cartridge retainer47that moves the blade with the marking tip24. The blade60is protected within the pocket clip50that is formed in a “U” shape. A pocket clip pinch point52allows the pocket clip to be retained on a pocket. A hole exists on one end of the pocket clip where an end cap51is placed through the hole and screwed, or pressed into the end of the upper cylindrical body30. A stylus80extends through the top of the end cap51. The stylus80can be fixed or spring loaded. Cross sectional views of this preferred embodiment of the pen are shown retracted and extended inFIGS. 8,9and described herein.

FIG. 8is a cross sectional view of the preferred embodiment of the pen shown with the writing tip and the blade retracted.FIG. 9is a cross sectional view of the preferred embodiment of the pen shown with the writing tip and the blade extended. Twist barrel21is manufactured from a variety of companies. The operation of the twist barrel21translates all items (24,45,47,60, and61) that are secured to the twist barrel21when the inner and outer cylindrical bodies are turned on opposite directions. The lower cylindrical body20is secured to the outer portion of the twist barrel21. The upper cylindrical body30fits over the ink cartridge retainer47, blade60and the blade arm61extends to blade60that is allowed to translate within slot31. In operation, rotation of the upper cylindrical body30on the lower cylindrical body20causes the blade60to turn slightly when after pocket clip50contacts the blade. Additional rotation will cause rotation of the twist barrel21that will move the blade60and the marking tip24in unison. When the blade is exposed and the two halves of the pen (20,30) are rotated, in a direction opposite of the extending direction, the blade60will again rotate slightly when it makes contact with one of the walls of the pocket clip. Further rotation will cause the blade to translate within the pocket clip to protect the blade at the same time the marking tip is being retracted within the tapered tip22. The blade arm61is fixedly but removably secured into the ink cartridge retainer47to allow the blade to be changed or replaced. In the preferred embodiment the blade arm61is frictionally held in the ink cartridge retainer.

The tapered tip22both prevents marking of the marking tip24when the tip is retracted and provides a guide for the marking tip24out the end of the tapered tip22to support side forces on the marking tip24. The end cap51has a spring loaded stylus80. The spring81pushes the stylus to an outward position. Force on the stylus80will move the stylus into the end cap to reduce harm to a PDA, touch screen or other tactile input device. While a spring is shown and described in this embodiment it is also contemplated that the stylus is not spring loaded.

When the blade60is exposed from under the pocket clip50the blade can be used to open a letter as shown and described inFIG. 6. In the blade retracted position the pocket clip50covers both sides of the blade and prevents accidental cutting of a pocket. A user would normally retract the marking tip24when a pen is placed on or in pocket and the movement of the blade provides protection of the blade60when the marking tip24is retracted. The end of the pocket clip50has a pinch point52to help retain the pen on a pocket.

In a simplified embodiment a letter opener is combined with a stylus. In this simplified embodiment, the letter opening blade60and stylus80exists in an elongated housing with a stylus80on one end of the elongated body and a letter opening blade60located on the same or the opposite end of the stylus80. It is also contemplated that the elongated body has a stylus80on both sides and or the letter opener be located on both ends. It is further contemplated in this embodiment, that the writing instrument be located in the elongated body. Additionally this embodiment may have a pocket clip50where the blade60is integrated in the pocket clip50, and a blade protector may be used to cover the blade60when inserted into a pocket.

Thus, specific embodiments and applications for a writing instrument with an integrated letter-opening blade have been disclosed. It should be apparent, however, to those skilled in the art that many more modifications besides those 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.