Abstract:
A writing instrument includes a barrel having a hollow channel, an open end and a closed end. A cartridge is slidably movable in the hollow channel and the cartridge has a nib in fluid communication with a reservoir. An arm is pivotably mounted to the barrel and a cap is attached to the arm, the cap is adapted to close the open end of the barrel when the arm is in a closed position. As the arm pivots, moving the cap from the closed position to an open position, the cartridge extends toward the open end of the barrel and exposes the nib. When the arm is rotated approximately 180 degrees, the nib is fully extended and ready for use.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The invention generally relates to a writing instrument with a retractable nib and specifically relates to a fountain pen having an attached cap and a retractable nib. 
         [0003]    2. Related Technology 
         [0004]    Conventional writing instruments have a separate cap that protects the nib and prevents the writing instrument from drying out. Additionally, most conventional writing instrument caps have a clip that can be used to secure the writing instrument to another object when the writing instrument is not in use. For example, the clip may be used to secure the writing instrument in a shirt pocket. When the cap is removed in order to use the writing instrument, the cap is unattached and thus the cap is easily misplaced or lost, and the writing instrument becomes susceptible to drying out and cannot be attached to an object. 
       GENERAL DESCRIPTION 
       [0005]    A writing instrument constructed in accordance with the teachings of the disclosure includes a barrel having a hollow channel, an open end and a closed end. A cartridge is slidably movable in the hollow channel and the cartridge has a nib in fluid communication with a reservoir. An arm is pivotably mounted to the barrel and a cap is attached to the arm, the cap is adapted to close the open end of the barrel when the arm is in a closed position. As the arm pivots, moving the cap from the closed position to an open position, the cartridge extends toward the open end of the barrel and exposes the nib. When the arm is rotated approximately 180 degrees, the nib is fully extended and ready for use. 
         [0006]    The writing instrument described herein advantageously provides a cap which is not separable from the writing instrument. Thus, the cap is not easily misplaced or lost. Additionally, the cartridge may be easily and quickly replaced as a unit thus reducing the chance of spilling ink during refill. Further, the arms rotate away from the front end of the barrel where a user will generally hold the writing instrument. Thus, a gripping area on the front of the barrel may be kept free and unobstructed during use. Additionally, the pivoting action of the arms coupled with the sliding action of the cartridge provide a well balanced writing instrument. The change in the center of gravity due to the rearward pivoting of the arms may be offset by a similar change in the center of gravity due to the forward sliding of the cartridge. In this way, the overall center of gravity of the instrument may be maintained throughout the range of motion of the arms. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]    Further features and advantages of the invention can be gathered from the claims, the following description, and the attached diagrammatic drawings, wherein: 
           [0008]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a writing instrument constructed in accordance with the disclosure, the writing instrument being in a closed condition; 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the writing instrument of  FIG. 1  in a partially open condition; 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the writing instrument of  FIG. 1  in a fully open position; 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  is perspective partially cutaway and exploded view of the writing instrument of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  is a longitudinal cut away view of the barrel, arms and cap of the writing instrument of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0013]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a bottom portion of the barrel of the writing instrument of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a top portion of the barrel of the writing instrument of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 8  is a bottom perspective view of a coupler assembly that connects the top and bottom portions of the barrel of the writing instrument of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 9  is a top perspective view of the coupler assembly of  FIG. 8 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the arms of the writing instrument of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of one of the arms of  FIG. 10 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 12  is another perspective view of the arm of  FIG. 11 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view of the cap of the writing instrument of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 14  is a perspective view of a gear that connects an arm to the ink cartridge of the writing instrument of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0022]      FIGS. 15A and 15B  are perspective views of an alternate embodiment of a writing instrument constructed in accordance with the teachings of the disclosure; 
           [0023]      FIG. 16  is a cut-away perspective view of the writing instrument of  FIGS. 15A and 15B ; 
           [0024]      FIGS. 17A-17D  are perspective cut-away views of the front barrel of the writing instrument of  FIGS. 15A and 15B  during changing of the ink reservoir; 
           [0025]      FIGS. 18A and 18B  are close up partially cut-away views of a portion of the rear barrel of the writing instrument of  FIGS. 15A and 15B  showing a slot and an internal stop; and 
           [0026]      FIG. 19  is an exploded perspective view of the arms, clip and cap of the writing instrument of  FIGS. 15A and 15B . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0027]    A fountain pen  10  is exemplified in the drawings, however, other writing instruments including, but not limited to markers, highlighters, ball pens, felt tip pens, and other fluid application devices including, but not limited to, correction fluid applicators and paint applicators could also be made in accordance with the teachings of the disclosure by selection of appropriate components. Similarly, other types of tools such as utility blades, screw drivers, punches, flashlights, etc., may be constructed in accordance with the teachings of the disclosure by substituting a tool for a nib. The fountain pen  10  comprises an outer hollow barrel  12  having an opening  14  at one end thereof through which a nib  16  extends and retracts. First and second arms  18  are rotatably attached to the outer barrel  12 . A cap  20  is attached to the first and second arms  18 . The nib  16  extends and retracts through the opening  14  as a result of a pivoting movement of the first and second arms  18 . A clip  22  may be attached to one of the first and second arms  18  to attach the fountain pen  10  to an object, such as a shirt pocket, when the fountain pen  10  is not in use. 
         [0028]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the fountain pen  10  with the cap  20  and first and second arms  18  in a closed, capped position. In the closed, capped position, the nib  16  (not shown in  FIG. 1 ) retracts within the outer barrel  12  and the cap  20  covers and seals the opening  14 . Thus, in the closed, capped position the cap  20  prevents evaporation of ink from the fountain pen  10  (i.e., “drying-out” of the fountain pen). The cap  20  also protects the nib  16  from environmental damage in the closed, capped position. 
         [0029]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the fountain pen  10  with the cap  20  and first and second arms  18  in an intermediate position. As the cap  20  and first and second arms  18  pivot away from the closed, capped position of  FIG. 1  towards an open, writing position (shown in  FIG. 3 ), the nib  16  begins to extend through the opening  14 . The nib  16  extends at a rate proportional to the rotation of the first and second arms  18 . 
         [0030]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the fountain pen  10  with the cap  20  and first and second arms  18  in the open, writing position. In the open, writing position, the nib  16  is fully extended through the opening  14  and the arms are approximately 180 degrees rotated from the closed, capped position of  FIG. 1 . The open, writing position shown in  FIG. 3  is a position where the nib  16  is accessible for writing. In this embodiment, the nib  16  comprises a fountain pen nib having an angular flexible section that terminates in a ball-like tip. The fountain pen nib may be made from precious metals such as gold, platinum, and the like as is known in the art. However, the nib  16  is not limited to a fountain pen nib and may include writing instrument nibs of any sort. For example, a ball point or maker nib could be employed. Additionally, a brush applicator or a foam applicator could be used in combination with a correction fluid or paint applicator, of course, marker type applicators could be used with such correction fluid and paint applicators. 
         [0031]      FIG. 4  shows an exploded perspective view of the fountain pen  10 . In this view, only one half of the outer barrel  12  is shown. The non shown half of the outer barrel  12  is a mirror image of the half shown. The nib  16  is attached to an ink cartridge  24  that includes a reservoir (not shown). The reservoir may hold ink, correction fluid, paint, etc. depending on the type of writing instrument and/or marking device employed. Additionally, the reservoir may be any type of liquid reservoir. For example, the reservoir may be a free ink reservoir (for fountain pens, markers, felt tip pens, etc.), a fibrous reservoir (for markers, etc.), a tube reservoir with a follower (for ball pens), a cartridge reservoir, or any other known liquid reservoir. 
         [0032]    In the embodiment of  FIG. 4 , ink from an ink reservoir is fluidly connected to the nib  16 . The ink cartridge  24  includes a sleeve  26  that is disposed around an outer surface of the ink cartridge  24 . In this embodiment, the sleeve  26  completely surrounds a portion of the ink cartridge  24 . However, the sleeve  26  may comprise one or more partial sleeves  26  that may or may not completely surround the ink cartridge  24 . The sleeve  26  may also be integral with the ink cartridge  24  if desired. The sleeve  26  includes a plurality of teeth  28  that mesh with teeth on one or more gears  30  disposed inside the outer barrel  12 . In the embodiment of  FIG. 4 , the sleeve has two sets of sleeve teeth  28  (one is hidden on the far side of the sleeve in  FIG. 4 ). However, the sleeve may include only one set of sleeve teeth  28 . The one or more gears  30  are connected to both of the first and second arms  18  respectively and rotate as the first and second arms  18  pivot. As the one or more gears  30  rotate, gear teeth  32  mesh with the sleeve teeth  28  thereby causing the sleeve  26  (and the ink cartridge  24 ) to slide longitudinally within the outer barrel  12 . In another embodiment (not shown), the fountain pen  10  includes a gear or gears  30  that are attached to only one arm. 
         [0033]    An annular shoulder  34  extends from an inner surface of the barrel  12 . The shoulder  34  forms a stop which limits forward travel of the ink cartridge  24 . The first and second arms  18  and gears  30  are arranged such that when the first and second arms  18  reach the open, writing position of  FIG. 3 , the ink cartridge  24  reaches a fully forward travel location in which a front edge of the sleeve  26  abuts the shoulder  34  thereby stabilizing the ink cartridge  24  within the barrel  12 . Furthermore, one or more shelves  36  extend from the inner surface of the barrel  12 . The shelves  36  support and guide the ink cartridge  24  during extension and retraction. 
         [0034]      FIG. 5  shows a longitudinal cross section of the fountain pen  10 . The first and second arms  18  are rotatably attached to the barrel  12  at respective hubs  40  that extend through the barrel  12 . The hubs  40  may be connected to the gears  30  ( FIG. 4 ) by any known method such as press-fit, adhesives and/or fasteners. The clip  22  may be attached to one arm  18 , or the clip  22  may be integrally formed with one arm  18 . 
         [0035]    In one embodiment, the outer barrel  12  may be formed in sections.  FIG. 6  shows a rear barrel section  50 . The rear barrel section  50  is a hollow tube that is closed at one end and open at another end. The rear barrel section  50  may include one or more ribs  52  and/or rings  54  to strengthen the rear barrel section  50  while reducing material required for the rear barrel section  50 . 
         [0036]      FIG. 7  shows a front barrel section  60 . The front barrel section  60  is a hollow tube, like the rear barrel section  50 . However, the front barrel section  60  is open at both tube ends. The front barrel section  60  provides a gripping area  61  that may be covered by a comfortable gripping material if desired. The front barrel section  60  may taper from one end towards another end forming a gentle cone shape. Additionally, one end of the front barrel section  60  may include an alignment shoulder  62 . The alignment shoulder  62  cooperates with an alignment notch (discussed further hereinafter) on the cap  20  to properly align and seat the cap  20  on the front barrel section  60  when the cap  20  and first and second arms  18  are in the closed, capped position shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0037]    The rear barrel section  50  and the front barrel section  60  may be connected to one another by a coupling section  70 , which is shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 . The coupling section  70  may include a center portion  72  and two end portions  74 , the end portions  74  having a smaller outer diameter than the center portion  72 . The end portions  74  may include one or more tabs  76 . Alternately, the one or more tabs  76  may be joined to form a single annular flange (not shown). The one or more tabs  76  (or annular flanges) are inserted into the front barrel section  60  and the rear barrel section  50  respectively thereby joining both the front barrel section  60  and the rear barrel section  50  to the coupling section  70 . The rear barrel section  50 , front barrel section  60  and the coupling section  70  form the outer barrel  12 . 
         [0038]    The coupling section may include one or more openings  76  that accommodate the hub  40  for the first and second arms  18 . The openings  76  may be surrounded by a flange  78  and pedestal  80  if desired. The flange  78  and pedestal  80  cooperate with the first and second arms  18  to form a smooth appealing connection between the first and second arms  18  and the outer barrel  12  while allowing the first and second arms  18  to pivot with respect to the outer barrel  12 . The flange  78  receives an axle (See  FIGS. 10-12 ) thereby aligning and stabilizing the arm about a pivot axis. The pedestal provides a locating surface to prevent the arms  18  from being pushed too far into the opening  76 . Inner surfaces  82  of the one or more tabs  76  form generally planar guiding surfaces that corral the sleeve  26  and thus guide and support the ink cartridge  24  during longitudinal translation of the ink cartridge  24  within the barrel  12 . 
         [0039]      FIGS. 10-12  show the first and second arms  18  of the fountain pen  10 . The first and second arms  18  are joined to one another at the cap  20 . While the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 10-20  includes two arms  18 , other embodiments may only include a single arm  18 . At ends opposite the cap  20  each arm includes the hub  40 . The hub  40  includes an annular shoulder surface  90  and an axle  92 . Each axle  92  is inserted through one opening  76  in the coupling portion  70  and each axle  92  is connected to one gear  30  ( FIG. 4 ). The annular shoulder surface  90  abuts the pedestal  80  on the coupling section  70  to stabilize the first and second arms  18  in respective openings  76  and to prevent the arms  18  from being pushed too far into the openings  76 . At an end opposite the hub  40 , each arm includes a foot  94  that fits into a recess  96  ( FIG. 13 ) on the cap  20 . The foot  94  may be secured to the cap  20  via any known means, such as, adhesives, fasteners, press-fit, etc. Alternatively, the cap may be integrally molded with one or both of the arms. 
         [0040]      FIG. 13  shows the cap  20 . The cap  20  is generally conical in shape and includes two recesses  96  opposite one another. As discussed earlier, the recesses  96  receive the feet  94  of the first and second arms  18  thereby securing the first and second arms  18  to the cap  20 . Additionally, the cap  20  may include a seal  98 . The seal  98  may be disposed on an inner surface of the cap  20  or along the end of the cap  20 . The seal  98  provides a substantially air-tight fit between the cap  20  and the outer barrel  12  when the first and second arms  18  and cap  20  are in the closed, capped position shown in  FIG. 1 , thus preventing ink in the fountain pen  10  from drying out when the fountain pen  10  is not in use. Additionally, the cap includes an alignment notch that cooperates with the alignment shoulder  62  on the front barrel section  60 . As the cap  20  is moved into the closed position of  FIG. 1 , the alignment notch engages the alignment shoulder  62  to ensure proper alignment of the cap  20  on the front barrel section  60 . 
         [0041]      FIG. 14  shows an example of the gear  30  that connects the first and second arms  18  to the sleeve  26 . In this example, the gear  30  includes an outer plurality of teeth  32  and an inner plurality of teeth  32   a . The inner plurality of teeth  32   a  are disposed about a circumference that is generally smaller than the circumference of the outer plurality of teeth  32 . With this configuration, the ratio between the inner plurality of teeth  32   a  and the outer plurality of teeth  32  may be varied. For example, in one embodiment, the ratio may be approximately 1:2 between the inner plurality of teeth  32   a  and the outer plurality of teeth  32 . Different ratios may provide faster or slower extension and retraction of the ink cartridge  24 . Additionally, a second gear may be added (not shown), which reverses the extension/retraction of the ink cartridge  24  relative to the direction of arm  18  movement. Likewise, the outer plurality of teeth  32  and the inner plurality of teeth  32   a  may be disposed on separate gears  30 . 
         [0042]      FIGS. 15A and 15B  show an example of a second embodiment of a writing instrument  110  constructed in accordance with the teachings of the disclosure, wherein like elements are labeled exactly 100 greater than corresponding elements of the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-14 . The writing instrument  110  comprises an outer hollow barrel  112  having an opening  114  at one end thereof through which a nib  116  extends and retracts. The outer hollow barrel  112  comprises a rear barrel section  150  and a front barrel section  160 . 
         [0043]    Occasionally, the writing instrument  110  will be depleted of ink. An ink reservoir within the writing instrument  110  may be replaced when needed. To change the ink reservoir, the front barrel section  160  is rotated (as shown by the arrow in  FIG. 15A ) to unlock the front barrel section  160  from the rear barrel section in order to facilitate changing of an ink reservoir. The front barrel section  160  is preferably rotated between approximately 90 degrees and approximately five full turns to unlock the front barrel section  160  from the rear barrel section  150 . However, any number of turns, or fractions thereof, may be required to unlock the front and rear barrel sections  160 ,  150 . Once the front barrel section  160  is unlocked and detached from the rear barrel section  150 , the front barrel section  160  is moved away from the rear barrel section  150  as shown in  FIG. 15B  exposing the ink reservoir  125 . 
         [0044]    As seen in  FIG. 16 , the ink reservoir  125  is detachably connected to the nib  116 . The nib  116  is in fluid communication with ink stored in the ink reservoir  125  and the ink stored in the ink reservoir  125  flows to the nib  116  for depositing on a substrate. Once the front barrel  160  is removed from the rear barrel  150 , the nib  116  is moved rearward, away from the opening  114  until the nib  116  contacts a rear edge of the front barrel section  160  ( FIG. 17B ), thereby forcing the ink reservoir  125  out of the back of the front barrel  160 . The depleted ink reservoir  125  is removed from the nib  116  as shown in  FIG. 17B . 
         [0045]    A fresh ink reservoir  125  is positioned within the front barrel  160  as shown in  FIG. 17C . The fresh ink reservoir  125  pushes the nib  116  forward, towards the opening  114 , until the nib  116  contacts a forward edge of the front barrel section  160  as shown in  FIG. 17D . When the nib  116  is in the forward position shown in  FIG. 17D , the fresh ink reservoir  125  is pushed towards the nib  116  to positively seat the fresh ink reservoir  125  on the nib  116 , once again providing ink to the nib  116 . A channel  163 , shown in partially cut-away  FIGS. 18A ,  18 B is disposed on an interior of the rear barrel section  150  and provides stops for the nib  116  during normal operation of the writing instrument  110  The stops prevent over-extension of the nib  116  and thus over-rotation of the arms  118 . A post  117  disposed on the nib slidably engages within the channel  163  to limit forward and rearward movement of the nib  116 . 
         [0046]      FIG. 19  shows an exploded view of the arms  118 , clip  122  and cap  120   a ,  120   b  of the writing instrument  110  of  FIGS. 15A and 15B . In this embodiment, the arms  118  are joined by a connecting portion  115  having an opening  119 . However, other embodiments may include a one piece arm  118  or a two piece arm  118 . The clip  122 , likewise includes an opening  123 . The cap  120  in this embodiment includes a first cap portion  120   a  and a second cap portion  120   b . The first and second cap portions  120   a ,  120   b  also have openings. The second cap portion  120   b  includes a seal part  129  that cooperates with the opening  114  of the front barrel  160  to seal the nib  116  when the writing instrument is in the closed position. To assemble the arms  118 , clip  122  and cap  120   a ,  120   b , openings in the first cap portion  120   a , clip  122 , arms  118 , and second cap portion  120   b  are aligned and a rivet  127  is inserted into the openings thereby securing the cap  120 , clip  122  and arms  118  to one another. 
         [0047]    The disclosure is not limited to a fountain pen. The disclosure could be applied to virtually any writing instrument or tool, such as utility blades, flashlights, screw drivers, or other similar instruments. The features of the invention disclosed in the description, drawings and claims can be individually or in various combinations for the implementation of the different embodiments of the invention.