WRITING INSTRUMENT WITH FINGER GRIPPING DEVICE

Abstract: A writing instrument (10) includes a cartridge (12) carrying a writing medium and a writing tip (14) exposed at one end. The cartridge (12) includes a reduced cross section which forms an annular recessed and tapered cavity (15). A gripping member (16) is received in the cavity (15), is tubular in shape and is tapered to follow the tapered contour of the cartridge (12). The gripping member (16) includes a smooth surface (18) having a slightly elevated pattern (20). The elevated pattern (20) comprises a plurality of interconnected parts disposed to form a continuous lattice (20). The pattern (20) is continuous over the entire smooth surface (18). The elevated pattern (20) is resiliently compressible with respect to the smooth surface (18) so that a user's fingers may deform the elevated pattern (20) to provide additional traction during use. The writing instrument (10) also includes a vented cap (24).

Description: WRITING INSTRUMENT WITH FINGER GRIPPING DEVICE Technical Field The present invention relates generally to writing instruments such as ink pens, 5 pencils, felt tip markers and the like. More specifically, this invention relates to a writing instrument having a gripping device thereon. Background of the Invention Handwriting remains an important and useful skill and manual writing instruments m remain important tools. Most writing instruments include an elongated tube containing a writing medium, such as ink or pencil lead, or highlighting medium, such as yellow, green and pink highlighters or the likes, and having an end at which the writing or highlighting medium is exposed for contact with the writing surface, such as paper. The elongated tube section of the writing instrument, which is grasped and held by the user when writing, is characterized typically by a smooth, exterior surface. The smooth surface may be attractive and pleasant to the touch, but it can be become slippery during use resulting in writer discomfort and impaired legibility of the handwritten text produced. Devices are known in the prior art to assist a user in manually gripping a writing instrument. U.S. patent Nos. 4,601,598 to Schwartz et al., 5,468,083 to Chesar, 4,167,347 20 to Hoyle, and 4,932,800 to Lin et al. illustrate pen or pencil attachment devices which may be attached to the writing instrument in an attempt to reduce writer discomfort, cramp and fatigue. These writing aids are typically structures designed to fit over the exterior of a writing instrument. These independent structures which are slid onto the exterior of the instrument tend to be bulky and thick, and create a non-uniform surface constraining the 25 user to hold the writing instrument in a fixed position. Other structures have contoured grip surfaces constituting complex molded surfaces aimed at approximating the anatomical contours of a writer's fingertips during grasping of the writing instrument. However, the grip surfaces are not able to match the differing anatomical shapes and pen grasping techniques of different individuals. U.S. Patent No. 30 . . 5,221,152 to Chuang discloses a writing instrument having a gπpping segment on a section of the pen, which screws onto a portion of a main body of the writing instrument. The gripping segment comprises a number of annular slip-preventing grooves axially disposed on its outer peripheral surface to help retain the instrument to the material or surface it is clipped to. It is not concerned with providing comfort and ease to the user of the instrument when writing. U.S. Patent No. 5,000,599 to McCall et al. discloses a writing instrument having a deformable gripping portion, which deforms in response to manual pressure during manual grasping of the instrument to permit reshaping of the gripping portion from an initial shape to a custom fit shape generally conforming to the writer's fingertips. The gripping portion retains the custom fit shape for a short period after release and returns substantially to its initial shape. During operation, the gripping portion requires pressure to be applied at the onset to conform the gripping portion to the shape desired by the user. Thus, there remains a need to provide a gripping surface for a writing instrument which is consistent and uniform with the surface of the writing instrument, is comfortable and easy to use, provides a firm grip and does not require excessive pressure to conform the shape desired by the user. Summary of the Invention These objects and advantages as well as other objects and advantages are accomplished in a writing instrument including an elongated cylindrical body preferably in the form of a cartridge element carrying a writing or highlighting medium therein and having a writing tip exposed at one end. The cartπdge element is insertable into a barrel member and may be permanently bonded to the barrel or releasably attached so that a replacement cartridge may be inserted into the barrel member when the writing or highlighting medium therein is depleted. In a preferred embodiment of the invention the cartridge element includes a reduced cross-section thereon which forms an annular recessed tapered cavity. A gπpping member is received by the cavity. The gripping member is preferably tubular in shape and is tapered to follow the tapered contour of the cartridge element. Gripping member may be permanently attached to the annular recessed cavity by means of co-extrusion, two-component injection molding, or by chemical or mechanical bonding. The gripping member has a smooth surface which may include a slightly elevated or raised pattern thereon. Preferably, the elevated pattern may be constructed in the form of hexagons having sides which are contiguous with neighboring hexagonal sections and are - 2 - interconnected so as to form a continuous lattice or pattern of hexagons on the smooth surface. The pattern is preferably continuous over the entire smooth surface. Moreover, the pattern may be formed from shapes which are not connected, but which are disposed throughout the smooth surface. The elevated pattern formed on the smooth surface provides friction between the gripping section and a user's fingers, and is resiliently compressible by the user's fingers for an improved grip. When in use, the writing instrument is grasped by a user at the gripping section. The gripping section provides a soft, textured and compressible surface which is comfortable to the touch and is not prone to slippage between the user's thumb and fingers. Since the gripping surface is permanently attached to the body of the pen, the possibility of having the gripping member becoming loose during use is greatly reduced. In another aspect of the invention, a cap may be provided on the cartridge element and fitted over the gripping member and the writing tip to cover same. Brief Description of the Drawings Features of the present invention are disclosed in the accompanying drawings, wherein similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views, and wherein: Fig. 1 is a front view of the writing instrument of the present invention showing the gπpping section thereon; Fig. 2 is a partial sectional view of the writing instrument shown in Fig. 1 illustrating the features of the gripping section; Fig. 3 is a sectional view of the writing instrument of Fig. 1 shown with a cap member thereon; Fig. 4 is a front view of the writing instrument shown in Fig. 1 with the cap member; Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the cap member; and Fig. 6 is a top view of the cap member. Detailed Descnption of the Invention Turning to Figs. 1 through 3, an embodiment of a writing instrument 10 constructed in accordance with the present invention is shown with the understanding that those of - 3 - ordinary skill in the art will recognize many modifications and substitutions which may be made to various elements. Writing instrument 10 generally includes an elongated cylindrical body 12 preferably in the form of a cartridge element carrying a writing or highlighting medium 5 therein and having a writing tip 14 exposed at one end of the cartridge element. Cartridge element 12 is insertable into a barrel member 13 and may be permanently bonded thereto or releasably attached so that a replacement may be inserted into barrel member 13 when the writing highlighting medium therein is depleted. Methods of attachment include but not limited to press fitting, snap fitting, chemical bonding and ultrasonic bonding. m Additionally, it is preferred that cartridge element 12 comprises threads 21, as shown in Fig. 2, configured and dimensioned to be received by corresponding internal threads 22 defined on the inside of barrel 13, as shown in Fig. 3, so that barrel 13 and cartridge element 12 can be releasably attached to each other. Writing instrument 10 may also include a writing or highlighting medium that is retractable with respect to cartridge element 12, so that the writing or highlighting medium may be selectively positioned outside cartridge 12 when writing is desired and be retracted into cartridge 12 for storage and transport. In a prefeπed embodiment of the invention and as depicted in Fig.2, cartridge element 12 includes a reduced cross-section, which forms an annular recessed tapered cavity 15. Gripping member 16 is received in cavity 15 and flush with a stepped member 20 17 on body 12. As shown stepped member 17 has a diameter that is slightly less than the diameter of section 19 of body 12, such that section 19 can facilitate the insertion of a cap member, as discussed below. Preferably, gripping member 16 is suitably dimensioned and shaped to fit smoothly within recess 15 of cartridge element 12. Gripping member 16 is also preferably tubular in shape and is tapered to follow the tapered contour of cartridge 25 element 12. Preferably, gripping member 16 is fabricated of a thermoplastic elastomer, including but not limited to polypropylene, rubber, polyurethane, polyisobutylene, polybutadiene. Moreover, in order to provide comfort and ease during operation of the writing instrument, it is important that gripping member 16 be of a suitable softness. Preferably, the hardness of the material of gripping member 16 is in the range of Shore A 30 hardness of 3 to 40 durometer, and more preferably in the range of 3 to 25 durometer, and most preferably in the range of 3 to 15 durometers. However, the gripping member may also have a hardness of less than 3 durometer. - 4 - Gripping member 16 is adhered to cartridge element 12 by kinetic, ultrasonic or laser welding. Alternative methods of adhering gripping member 16 to cartridge element 12 include but are not limited to solvent bonding and co-injection molding. The gripping member and the cartridge element may also be manufactured by a two-component injection molding process, which produces a chemical bond between these two members. Gripping member 16 has a smooth surface 18 which may include a slightly elevated or raised pattern thereon. Preferably, the pattern comprises a plurality of slightly elevated sections 20. As shown in Fig. 1, elevated sections 20 are in the form of hexagons having sides which are contiguous with neighboring hexagonal sections and interconnected so as to form a continuous lattice or pattern of hexagons on smooth surface 18. The pattern is preferably continuous over the entire smooth surface 18. The elevated pattern 20, which preferably has less surface area than the smooth surface 18, is resiliently deformable by the user's fingers, so that additional traction between the gripping member and the user's fingers is provided in addition to the friction between the gripping member and the user's fingers. Moreover, the pattern may be formed of shapes which are not connected, but which are disposed continuously throughout smooth surface 18. When in use, the writing instrument is grasped by a user at the gripping section. The gripping section provides a soft, textured surface which is resiliently deformable and is therefore not prone to slippage between the user's thumb and fingers. Since the gripping surface is permanently attached to the body of the pen the possibility of having the gripping member becoming loose during use is greatly reduced. The thickness of gripping member 16 is preferably in the range of 0.50 to 2.0 mm as measured from smooth surface 18 to elevated sections 20. The elevated pattern 20 is preferably the range of 0J to 0.5 mm as measured from smooth surface 18. As shown in Fig. 3, another aspect of the invention includes a cap 24 provided on cartridge element 12, which is dimensioned to fit over at least a portion of gripping member 16 and writing tip 14 to cover same. Preferably, cap 24 cooperates with raised section 19 to ensure a tight connection between cap 24 and cartridge 12. Gripping member 16 is of sufficient size, shape and thickness to provide a comfortable, flexible surface having anti- slip properties. It is not bulky to grip, is able to fit neatly on cartridge 12 and can be easily covered by cap 22. Referring to Figs. 4-6, writing instrument 10 is shown with cap member 24. Cap 24 is configured and dimensioned to be releasably attached to cartridge element 12. Cap 24 protects writing tip 14 when the writing instrument 10 is not in use, and it also isolates the ink from writing tip 14 from contaminating the surrounding areas. Cap 24 comprises a hollow body 26 defining an open end, clip member 28, vented plug 30 and well 32. When not in used writing tip 14 is inserted into well 32, which is preferably attached to vented plug 30 by snap fitting, threading, chemical bonding or ultrasonic bonding. Well 32 can also be formed integrally with vented plug 30. Plug 30 defines a plurality of apertures 34 therein such that air communication is established the interior of cap 24 and the outside environment through plug 30. The writing instrument of the present invention may be manufactured by providing a cartridge element having a writing or highlighting medium therein and a writing tip thereon. A tubular shaped gripping member is provided and is adhered to the cartridge element by a two-step injection molding process to chemically bond the gripping member to the cartridge element. Alternatively, the gripping member may be mechanically bonded to the cartridge element by laser or ultrasonically welding or solvent bonding the member to the cartridge element. While various descriptions of the present invention are described above, it should be understood that the various features can be used singly or in any combination thereof. Therefore, this invention is not to be limited to only the specifically prefeπed embodiments depicted herein. Further, it should be understood that variations and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention may occur to those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains. Accordingly, all expedient modifications readily attainable by one versed in the art from the disclosure set forth herein that are within the scope and spirit of the present invention are to be included as further embodiments of the present invention. The scope of the present invention is accordingly defined as set forth in the appended claims.

Claims: CLAIMS What is claimed is: 1. A writing instrument comprising: an elongated cylindrical body; a gripping section arranged on a surface portion of the cylindrical body normally used for gripping by a user, the gripping section comprising a substantially cylindrical body comprising a smooth outer surface having a plurality of elevated sections thereon to form a lattice, wherein the gripping section is fixedly adhered to the cylindrical body. 2. The writing instrument of claim 1 wherein the elevated sections comprise interconnected polygons. 3. The writing instrument of claim 1 wherein the lattice is continuous over an entire peripheral portion of the smooth outer surface. 4. The writing instrument of claim 1 further comprising a cap wherein said gripping member is configured and dimensioned to receive the cap. 5. The writing instrument of claim 1 wherein the raised sections are raised in the range of 0J to 0.5 mm above the smooth surface. 6. The writing instrument of claim 1 wherein the gripping member is fabricated of a material which is softer than the cartridge element. 7. The writing instrument of claim 6 wherein the gripping member is fabricated of an elastomeric material. 8. The writing instrument of claim 7 wherein the gripping member is fabricated of a thermoplastic elastomer. - 7 9. The writing instrument of claim 6 wherein the gripping member preferably has a Shore A hardness of 3 to 40 durometer. 10. The writing instrument of claim 9 wherein the gripping member more preferably has a Shore A hardness of 3 to 25 durometer. 11. The writing instrument of claim 10 wherein the gripping member most preferably has a Shore A hardness of 3 to 15 durometer. 12. The writing instrument of claim 1 , wherein the writing instrument further comprises a vented cap member. AMENDED CLAIMS [received by the International Bureau on 3 August 1999 (03.08.99); original claims 1-12 amended; new claims 13-30 added (5 pages)] 1. A writing instrument comprising: an elongated writing instrument body; a gripping section arranged along a portion of said writing instrument body normally used for gripping by a user; and a tubular gripping member adhered over said gripping section; wherein: said gripping member has a smooth outer surface positioned to be gripped by a user; and said gripping member is formed from a soft, resiliently deformable, anti-slip material. 2. The writing instrument of claim 1, wherein said gripping member has a plurality of elevated sections comprising interconnected polygons. 3. The writing instrument of claim 1 , wherein said gripping member has a plurality of elevated sections forming a continuous lattice over an entire peripheral portion of the smooth outer surface of said gripping member. 4. The writing instrument of claim 1, further comprising a cap, wherein said gripping member is configured and dimensioned to be received by said cap. 5. The writing instrument of claim 1 , wherein said gripping member has a plurality of elevated sections raised in the range of 0J to 0.5 mm above the smooth surface of said gripping member. 6. The writing instrument of claim 1 , wherein said gripping member is fabricated of a material which is softer than the material of said cylindrical body. 7. The writing mstrument of claim 6, wherein said gripping member is fabricated of an elastomeric material. AMENDED SHEET (RULE 19) 8. The writing instrument of claim 7, wherein said gripping member is fabricated of a thermoplastic elastomer. 9. The writing instrument of claim 6, wherein said gripping member preferably has a Shore A hardness of less than 40 durometer. 10. The writing instrument of claim 9, wherein said gripping member more preferably has a Shore A hardness of 3 to 25 durometer. 11. The writing instrument of claim 10, wherein said gripping member most preferably has a Shore A hardness of 3 to 15 durometer. 12. The writing instrument of claim 1 , wherein said writing instrument further comprises a vented cap member. 13. The writing instrument of claim 1, wherein said gripping member has a plurality of elevated sections formed to be resiliently deformable to provide additional traction between said gripping member and a user's fingers. 14. The writing instrument of claim 1, wherein: said writing instrument has a writing tip; said gripping section further comprises a recessed cavity having a first end wall adjacent said writing tip and a second end wall axially spaced therefrom; and said gripping member further comprises a first end and a second end positioned between said first and second end walls of said recessed cavity. 15. The writing instrument of claim 14, wherein: said gripping section further comprises a stepped member at said first end wall of said recessed cavity and a raised section at said second end wall of said recessed cavity; said gripping member is positioned between said stepped member and said raised section; - 10 - AMENDED SHEET (RULE 19) said gripping member is flush with said stepped member; and said raised section is elevated above said gripping member. 16. The writing instrument of claim 1 , wherein said gripping member is formed such that said gripping member is adhered to said gripping section as a result of the formation of said gripping member. 17. The writing instrument of claim 1 , wherein said gripping member is formed by a co-injection or two-component injection molding such that said gripping member becomes adhered to said gripping section as a result of said molding process. 18. The writing instrument of claim 4, wherein said gripping member is completely covered by said cap upon insertion of said gripping section into said cap. 19. A writing instrument comprising: an elongated writing instrument body; a gripping section arranged along a portion of said writing instrument body normally used for gripping by a user, said gripping section having a recessed cavity; and a resiliently deformable tubular gripping member made from a soft, anti-slip material having a Shore A hardness of less than 40 durometer, said gripping member being situated in said recessed cavity of said gripping section. 20. The writing instrument of claim 19, wherein said gripping member is adhered to said gripping section. 21. The writing instrument of claim 19, wherein said gripping member further comprises a plurality of resiliently deformable elevated sections. 22. The writing instrument of claim 19, wherein said gripping member has a thickness of less than 2 mm. - 11 - AMENDED SHEET (RULE 19) 23. The writing instrument of claim 22, wherein said gripping member is adhered to said gripping section. 24. The writing instrument of claim 19, further comprising a cap, wherein: said recessed cavity has a first end adjacent a writing end of said writing instrument, a second end spaced rearwardly of said first end, a stepped section adjacent said first end, and a raised section adjacent said second end; and said gripping member has first and second ends positioned between said stepped section and said raised section; and said gripping member, said stepped section, and said raised section are shaped and configured to fit within said cap upon insertion of said gripping section into said cap. 25. The writing instrument of claim 19, wherein said gripping member is shaped to follow the contour of at least said recessed cavity. 26. A cartridge element comprising: a first end having a writing tip; a second end having a cartridge body configured for insertion into a barrel member of a writing instrument; a gπpping section between said first and second ends and arranged for gripping by a user once said cartridge element is coupled to the barrel member of a writing instrument; and a gripping member formed over said gripping section and made from a resiliently deformable, anti-slip material softer than the material of said gripping section. 27. The cartridge element of claim 26, wherein: a recessed cavity is formed in said gripping section; and said gripping member is positioned in said recessed cavity. - 12 - AMENDED SHEET (RULE 19) 28. The cartridge element of claim 26, wherein said gripping member has a smooth surface with an elevated pattern thereon. 29. The cartridge element of claim 26, wherein said gripping member has a Shore A hardness of less than 40 durometer. 30. The cartridge element of claim 26, wherein said gripping member is adhered to said gripping section. - 13 - AMENDED SHEET (RULE 19)

Inventors: LOVEJOY MARC W, PERRY GORDON, STEVENS CRAIG M, LOVEJOY, MARC, W., PERRY, GORDON, STEVENS, CRAIG, M.
Applicants: BIC CORP, BIC CORPORATION
Application year: 1999
Main classification: B43K8
IPC codes: B29C45, B43K3, B43K23