VENT SYSTEM FOR WRITING INSTRUMENT

Abstract: A writing instrument (10) having a removable cap (12) with an eraser (14) at one end, the eraser being received and retained within the cap. An air passage (F) is provided through the cap to allow for emergency respiration should the cap be accidently swallowed. The eraser may alternatively be disposed in the writing instrument barrel with an air passage provided through the barrel and exhausting through the barrel wall.

Description: VENT SYSTEM FOR WRITING INSTRUMENT The present invention relates to writing instruments and more particularly to a writing instrument or cap therefor having an air passage provided through the cap or instrument to allow for emergency respiration should the item be accidentally lodged in a person's breathing passage. There are many types of writing instruments having an eraser provided in the cap, or on the barrel of the instrument, the writing instruments and their caps being obtainable in many sizes, from the very small to large. The writing instrument may be either a pen of the ballpoint or other type, or a lead pencil. In each case the item generally has a means for removing the particular marking which is provided in the form of an eraser extending beyond the top of the cap, or the top of the barrel of the instrument. In many instances, when the cap or barrel itself containing the eraser is relatively small, the item may provide an attractive article for a small child, or even a small animal. In the event that a tubular device forming the cap of the writing instrument or the instrument itself should be swallowed, it has been suggested that means be provided (if needed) to aid in the victim's breathing until the article could be dislodged by emergency procedures. It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a cap having an eraser extending from one end thereof for use with a writing instrument or the like, wherein an air passage is provided through the cap to allow for emergency respiration should the cap be accidently swallowed. A further object of the present invention is to provide a cap having an eraser provided thereon for use with a writing instrument or the like, in which a breathing passage is provided between the eraser and the body of the cap. Yet another object of the invention is to provide a cap of the type described which is simple to manufacture and requires no special modification to the writing instrument. A further object of the invention is to provide a writing instrument having a barrel with an eraser provided at one end thereof wherein an air passage is provided through the barrel for emergency respiration should the instrument itself be swallowed. The above objects, and other objectives which will become apparent as the description proceeds, are accomplished by providing a cap for use with a writing instrument or the like which comprises an elongated tubular hollow body member having an eraser formed of substantially solid material received in one end of the hollow body and extending therefrom. An air passage means is disposed between the eraser and the inner surface of the body member for allowing passage of air from the one end of the body member, and through the body member. The eraser is generally of elongated cylindrical form and the air passage means may be formed by means disposed on the inner surface of the body member for contacting the eraser and maintaining the eraser in spaced relation with the body member inner surface. The means disposed on the inner surface of the body member may comprise a plurality of barbs disposed radially inwardly of the body member inner surface and extending longitudinally in the body member, the barbs generally being at least three in number. The cap further may be provided with shelf means disposed within the body member for contact with the opposite end of the eraser from that end extending from the body member, and guide means may be disposed on the inner surface of the body member for centering the eraser between the plurality of barbs during insertion of the eraser into the body member. The guide means may comprise a plurality of elongated arcuate ridge members extending longitudinally in the body member. As an alternate form, the eraser may comprise an elongated cylindrical member having a plurality of radially outwardly extending protrusions disposed about the outer surface thereof for contacting the inner surface of the body member and maintaining the eraser in spaced relation with the body member inner surface. As another alternative form, both the eraser and the body member may have co-operating radially outwardly and radially inwardly protrusions for contacting the inner surface of the body member and maintaining the eraser in spaced relation with the body member inner surface. A writing instrument embodying the invention comprises an elongated tubular hollow barrel having writing means disposed at one end and an eraser formed of a substantially solid material received in the opposite end of the barrel. Air passage means is provided between the eraser and the inner surface of the barrel, and an opening is formed in the barrel between the eraser and the writing means for exhaust of air from the barrel. The foregoing and other features of the invention will be more particularly described in connection with the preferred embodiments, and with reference to the accompanying drawing, wherein: Figure 1 is an elevational view showing a writing instrument having a cap provided with an eraser; and constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention; Figure 2 is an elevational view showing the cap of the writing instrument of Figure 1 taken on an enlarged scale for clarity; Figure 3 is an elevational sectional view taken along the line III-III of Figure 2 showing details of the structure of Figure 2; Figure 4 is an elevational view of the structure of Figures 2 and 3 showing that end of the cap having the eraser mounted therein; Figure 5 is an elevational view of the structure of Figures 2 through 4, showing that end of the cap opposite that of Figure 4; Figure 6 is an elevational sectional view similar to Figure 3 showing a cap constructed with an alternate embodiment of the invention; Figure 7 is an elevational view of the structure of Figure 6 showing that end of the cap having the eraser mounted therein; Figure 8 is a perspective view showing the eraser employed in the cap of Figures 6 and 7; Figure 9 is an elevational sectional view similar to Figures 3 and 6 showing a cap constructed with another alternate embodiment of the invention; Figure 10 is an elevational view of the structure of Figure 9 showing that end of the cap having the eraser mounted therein; and Figure 11 is an elevational view, partially in section, showing a writing instrument constructed as an alternate embodiment employing the teachings of the present invention. Referring now to the drawing and in particular to Figures 1 and 2 there is shown a writing instrument 10 having a writing means (not shown) which when not in use is covered by a cap 12. The cap 12 is provided with a clip 13 which will not be described in detail, but may be of any type well known in the art, and an eraser 14. The eraser 14 extends longitudinally beyond the cap and is placed on the opposite end of the writing instrument 10 from that shown in Figure 1 , with the writing tip of the instrument uncovered for use. The eraser 14 is of elongate cylindrical form and may be formed of any suitable material for removing a particular writing substance, be it ink or pencil lead, and for quality of performance is best comprised of a substantially solid material. Referring now to Figures 3, 4 and 5, the cap 12 is shown to comprise an elongate tubular hollow body member 16, which is generally of molded plastic material and may have the clip 13 integrally molded onto the body member as shown in Figure 3. Within the opening which is to receive the eraser 14 there are provided three barbs 18, 19 and 20, equally spaced about the inner surface of the body member 16, and disposed radially inwardly of the body member and extending longitudinally of the inner surface. A plurality of guide members 22, 23 and 24 in the form of elongated arcuate ridges, three in number, are disposed about the inner surface of the cap 22 to ensure that the eraser 14 is substantially centered within the opening and contacting each of the barbs 18, 19 and 20, such that approximately equal impalement of each barb occurs. Shelf means in the form of a plurality of shelf portions 26, 27 and 28 are disposed within the body member 16 adjacent the opening in which the eraser 14 is inserted, and located across the bore of the cap to contact the opposite end of the eraser from the end extending from the body member. As best shown in Figure 3, each of the shelf portions 26, 27 and 28 is provided with respective stop ribs 30, 31 and 32 which extends longitudinally within the opening in the body member 16 and stop insertion of the writing instrument within the cap at a desired location. The remainder of the configuration within that portion of the body member 16 opposite the eraser 14 will not be described in detail in that it may take any form which is essential to retain the cap 22 onto either end of the writing instrument 10, depending on whether the instrument is, or is not, in use. As is evident from Figure 3, should the cap 12 become accidently lodged in the throat, breathing passages are provided around the eraser 14 and through the bore of the body member 16, the flow traveling around the barbs 18, 19 and 20 as shown by the flow line F in Figure 3. Referring now to Figures 6, 7 and 8, an alternate embodiment of the invention is shown wherein a cap 12a having a clip 13a and eraser 14a is provided, the cap 12a and clip 13a having similar outer dimensions to that of the cap 12 and 13. However, the cap 12a is provided with a smooth cylindrical bore producing a cylindrical surface 34 into which the eraser 14a is received. The eraser 14a, as shown in Figure 8, comprises a cylindrical body 36 similar to the eraser 14 with a plurality, three in number, of radially outwardly projecting protrusions 38, 39 and 40. The radially outwardly projection of the protrusions 38, 39 and 40 is such as to provide an interference fit with the inner surface 34 when the eraser 14a is inserted into the cap 12a. As demonstrated in Figure 6, with the eraser 14a in place the air flow through the cap 12a takes place between the cylindrical body 36 of the eraser 14a and the inner surface 34 of the cap 12a. Thus, the objective of the invention is achieved while the integrity of the eraser 14a is not compromised in that the solid cylindrical body 36 remains effective for the erasing process. Reference should now be made to Figures 9 and 10 wherein a simplified construction is shown which is similar to that structure described with reference to Figures 3, 4 and 5. As shown in Figure 9, a cap 12b having a clip 13b is designed to be employed with the eraser 14 as described above. In the cap 12b, however, there are merely provided three barbs 18b, 19b and 20b. The barbs 18b, 19b and 20b when placed about the inner cylindrical surface of the cap 12b are of an inwardly projection which is sufficient to retain the eraser 14 in spaced relation with the inner surface of the cap 12b, thereby providing a flow of air as shown in Figure 9, and achieving the objective of the present invention. Referring now to Figure 11 , a pen of the ballpoint type is shown having a barrel 42 which is substantially divided into a stylus portion 44 and an eraser portion 46. The stylus portion 44 of the barrel 42 is a tubular cylinder having a writing implement 45 disposed therein, the writing implement being of any ballpoint type well known in the art. With reference to the erasing portion 46 of the barrel 42, the internal construction of the erasing portion is of a construction identical to that described with reference to Figures 3, 4 and 5 (or that of Figures 6-8, or Figures 9-10) and will, therefore, not be described again in detail. As with the structure shown in Figures 3, 4 and 5, should the barrel 42 of the pen become lodged in a breathing passage, airflow would take place in the space between the eraser 14 and the inner wall of the erasing portion 46, and through the stylus portion 44 to an opening 48 in the barrel 42 located remotely from the end of the barrel containing the eraser 14. While the opening 48 is shown formed in the barrel 42, it should be well recognized that the opening 48 may be formed where the writing implement 45 projects from the writing end of the barrel 42. From the foregoing description of the preferred embodiments of the invention it should be appreciated that in each of the structures show the eraser has been maintained in a structural configuration which does not inhibit its usefulness during the life of the writing instrument. Also, in each instance, an air passage is provided through the device to allow for emergency respiration should the device be accidentally swallowed, thus achieving the primary objectives of the invention.

Claims: C L A I M S 1. A cap for use with a writing instrument, or the like, said cap comprising: an elongate tubular hollow body member; an eraser formed of substantially solid material received in one end of said hollow body and having a portion thereof extending therefrom; and air passage means disposed between said eraser and the inner surface of said body member for allowing passage of air from said one end of said body member and through said body member. 2. A cap as set forth in claim 1, wherein said eraser is of elongated cylindrical form. 3. A cap as set forth in claim 1, wherein said air passage means is formed by means disposed on said body member inner surface for contacting said eraser and maintaining said eraser in spaced relation with said body member inner surface. 4. A cap as set forth in claim 3, wherein said means disposed on said body member inner surface comprises a plurality of barbs each disposed radially inwardly of said body member inner surface and extending longitudinally in said body member. 5. A cap as set forth in claim 4, wherein said plurality of radially inwardly disposed barbs are at least three in number. 6. A cap as set forth in claim 4, which further includes guide means disposed on said body member inner surface for centering said eraser between said plurality of barbs during insertion of said eraser into said body member. 7. A cap as set forth in claim 6, wherein said guide means comprises a plurality of elongated arcuate ridge members extending longitudinally in said body member. 8. A cap as set forth in claim 1, which further includes shelf means disposed within said body member for contact with the opposite end of said eraser from said portion extending from said body member. 9. A cap as set forth in claim 1, wherein said eraser is of elongated cylindrical form having a plurality of radially outwardly extending protrusions disposed about the outer surface thereof for contacting said inner surface of said body member and maintaining said eraser in spaced relation with said body member inner surface. 10. A cap as set forth in claim 2, wherein said air passage means is formed by means disposed on said body member inner surface for contacting said eraser and maintaining said eraser in spaced relation with said body member inner surface. 11. A cap as set forth in claim 10, wherein said means disposed on the inner surface of said body member comprises a plurality of barbs each disposed radially inwardly of said body member inner surface and extending longitudinally in said body member. 12. A cap as set forth in claim 11, wherein said plurality of radially inwardly disposed barbs are at least three in number. 13. A cap as set forth in claim 12, which further includes guide means disposed on said body member inner surface for centering said eraser between said plurality of barbs during insertion of said eraser into said body member. 14. A cap as set forth in claim 13, wherein said guide means comprises a plurality of elongated arcuate ridge members extending longitudinally in said body member. 15. A cap as set forth in claim 1, which further includes shelf means disposed within said body member for contact with the opposite end of said eraser from said portion extending from said body member. 16. A writing instrument comprising: an elongate tubular hollow barrel having writing means disposed at one end thereof; an eraser formed of substantially solid material received in the end of said barrel opposite said writing means; air passage means disposed between said eraser and the inner surface of said barrel; and an opening formed in said barrel between said eraser and said writing means for exhaust of air from said barrel. 17. A writing instrument as set forth in claim 16, wherein said eraser is of elongated cylindrical form. 18. A writing instrument as set forth in claim 16, wherein said air passage means is formed by means disposed on said barrel inner surface for contacting said eraser and maintaining said eraser in spaced relation with said barrel inner surface. 19. A writing instrument as set forth in claim 18, wherein said means disposed on the said barrel inner surface comprises a plurality of barbs each disposed radially inwardly of said barrel inner surface and extending longitudinally in said barrel. 20. A writing instrument as set forth in claim 19, wherein said plurality of radially inwardly extending barbs are at least three in number.

Inventors: ROBERT BETH, ROBERT, BETH
Applicants: GILLETTE CO, ROBERT BETH, ROBERT, BETH, THE GILLETTE COMPANY
Application year: 1997
Main classification: B43K23
IPC codes: B43K23, B43K29