Abstract:
A digital storage device mounted in a pen shaped housing has a barrel, a reservoir tube assembly and a memory device with a USB plug. The memory device is held in the barrel and the USB plug can be extended from the barrel to insert into a USB socket of a computer to access digital data from the computer. In addition, the memory device uses a flash memory IC for storing data so that the memory device does not use a battery. Therefore, the digital storage device can be used to store data and to perform other functions such as writing.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to a data storage device, and more specifically to a digital data device that interfaces with electronic devices and is mounted in a pen shaped housing. 
   2. Description of Related Art 
   Pens have been very convenient tools for writing for a very long time and are easily carried. Because pens are small enough to easily carry, other functions such as laser pointers have been incorporated into pens and pen-shaped housings. Recently, portable products have been developed to process or store digital data for electronic devices such as notebook computers, PDAs, digital videos, digital cameras, etc. Therefore, a digital data processing or storage device has been adapted to be mounted in a pen shaped housing with a pen or other device to improve the utility of both the device and the portable digital data storage device mounted in the pen shaped housing. 
   The present invention provides a digital storage capability mounted in a relatively small pen shaped housing. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   An objective of the present invention is to provide a digital data device in a pen shaped housing to interface with electronic devices. That is, the pen shaped housing can connect to a computer or other electronic device to access and store digital data from the device such as a computer. 
   Another objective of the present invention is to provide a digital data device in a pen shaped housing that does not require its own DC power source to maintain the memory capability. 
   Other objectives, advantages and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a digital data storage device in a pen shaped housing in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a cross sectional side plan view of the device in  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3  is a side plan view in partial section of a second embodiment of a digital data storage device in a pen shaped housing in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIGS. 4A and 4B  are operational side plan views of the device in  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIGS. 5A and 5B  are operational cross sectional side plan views of a third embodiment of a digital data storage device in a pen shaped housing in accordance with the present invention; and 
       FIG. 6  is perspective view of the device in  FIGS. 1 ,  3  or  4  attached to a computer. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   With reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a first embodiment of a digital data storage device in a pen shaped housing in accordance with the present invention comprises a barrel (not numbered), a reservoir tube assembly (not numbered) and a memory device ( 20 ). 
   The barrel includes an upper casing ( 10 ) and a bottom casing ( 11 ). The reservoir tube assembly includes a retaining bolt ( 14 ) and a reservoir tube ( 12 ). The retaining bolt ( 14 ) has a bottom end (not numbered). The memory device ( 20 ) includes a housing ( 21 ), a memory unit (not shown) and a USB plug ( 23 ). 
   The upper casing ( 10 ) has an inner face (not numbered), a rectangular chamber (not numbered), a top opening ( 100 ) and a bottom opening ( 103 ). The top opening ( 100 ) is rectangular. An inner thread (not numbered) is formed in the inner face close to the bottom opening ( 103 ). The rectangular chamber is constructed of two opposite supports ( 102 ) that laterally protrude from the inner face. A long slot ( 101 ) is defined longitudinally through the upper casing ( 10 ) and communicates with the rectangular chamber. 
   The bottom casing ( 11 ) has a top ring ( 111 ) with an outer thread (not numbered) and a point opening ( 112 ). The bottom opening ( 103 ) of the upper casing ( 10 ) is screwed onto the top ring ( 111 ) of the bottom casing ( 11 ). The retaining bolt ( 14 ) is held in the upper casing ( 10 ) close to the bottom opening ( 103 ) of the upper casing ( 10 ). An axial recess ( 141 ) is defined in the bottom end of the retaining bolt ( 14 ). The reservoir tube ( 12 ) has a lower end (not numbered) and an upper end ( 122 ). A nib ( 121 ) is formed on the lower end, and the upper end ( 122 ) is mounted in the axial recess ( 141 ) in the retaining bolt ( 14 ). The nib ( 121 ) of the reservoir tube ( 12 ) protrudes through the point opening ( 112 ) in the bottom casing ( 11 ). 
   The small memory device ( 20 ) has a rectangular housing ( 21 ), a USB plug ( 23 ) and a rail ( 22 ). A flash memory IC (not shown) is used in the memory device ( 20 ) so that the memory device ( 20 ) does not need power. The housing ( 21 ) has a top edge (not numbered) from which the USB plug ( 23 ) protrudes. The USB plug ( 23 ) is rectangular and is smaller than the top opening ( 100 ) in the upper casing ( 10 ). The memory device ( 20 ) is held in the rectangular chamber, and the USB plug ( 23 ) faces the top opening ( 100 ) in the upper casing ( 10 ). The rail ( 22 ) corresponds to the long slot ( 101 ) in the upper casing ( 10 ) and is formed on the housing ( 21 ). 
   With further reference to  FIGS. 4A ,  4 B, and  6 , the memory device ( 20 ) is mounted in the upper casing ( 10 ). When the digital data storage device is used, the rail ( 22 ) is pushed toward the top opening ( 100 ) so the USB plug ( 23 ) will protrude from the top opening ( 100 ) and can be inserted into a USB socket (not shown) in a computer ( 30 ) to access digital data. 
   With reference to  FIG. 3 , a second preferred embodiment of the digital data storage device in a pen shaped housing in accordance with the present invention includes an upper casing ( 10 ), a bottom casing ( 11 ), retaining bolt ( 14 ), a memory device ( 20 ) and a laser pointer assembly ( 13 ). The laser pointer ( 13 ) replaces the reservoir tube assembly (not shown) in the previous embodiment. The laser pointer assembly ( 13 ) retained in the bottom casing ( 11 ) comprises a laser pointer ( 131 ), a battery (not shown), wherein the laser pointer ( 131 ) protrudes from the point opening ( 112 ) in the bottom casing ( 11 ) and the battery is connected to the laser pointer ( 131 ) and against to the retaining blot ( 14 ) in the bottom casing ( 11 ). 
   With reference to  FIGS. 5A and 5B , a third preferred embodiment of the digital data storage device in a pen shaped housing in accordance with the present invention includes an upper casing ( 10   a ), a bottom casing ( 11   a ), a retaining bolt ( 14 ), a reservoir tube ( 12 ) and a memory device ( 20 ). The upper casing ( 10   a ) has a bottom opening ( 103   a ), and the bottom casing ( 11   a ) has a point opening (not numbered) and a top ring ( 111   a ) that is smaller than the bottom opening ( 103   a ) of the upper casing ( 10   a ). The retaining bolt ( 14 ) and the reservoir tube ( 12 ) are held in the bottom casing ( 11   a ). The memory device ( 20 ) with the USB plug is securely mounted in the upper casing ( 10   a ). The USB plug ( 23 ) faces and protrudes from the bottom opening ( 103   a ). The upper casing ( 10   a ) and the bottom casing ( 11   a ) are joined together by inserting the top ring ( 111   a ) into the bottom opening ( 103   a ) of the upper casing ( 10   a ). When the upper casing ( 10   a ) is separated from the bottom casing ( 11   a ), the USB plug ( 23 ) is exposed and can be inserted into a USB socket (not shown) in the computer (not shown). 
   The digital memory device for a computer or other electronic devices with USB socket is in a pen like housing. The pen like housing can be carried conveniently and also hold a portable writing instrument or pointing tool. 
   Even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the invention, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.