Abstract:
A combination pen, pencil and circular marking implement that can be utilized as a pen or pencil writing tool and for circular ink marking on printed surfaces for word game and puzzle solution includes a central passageway for accommodating ink cartridges or lead pencil cartridges encompassed by an ink reservoir that communicates with a cylindrical marking die for circling numbers and letters, and the marking die capable of advancement or retraction by rotation of a tool gripping collar attached to the body of the combination writing and marking implement whereupon rotation of the tool gripping collar engages internal cams for actuating the advancement and retraction of the marking die so that either the pen/pencil writing function or the circular ink marking function can be selected for use.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention pertains to multi-function writing implements, and more particularly pertains to a multi-function writing tool that includes pen and pencil writing capabilities and a circular ink marking capability for assisting an individual engaged in alphanumeric puzzle and word game solving. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The field of writing tools and implements has grown to the extent that there now are writing and marking tools and implements for numerous individual and stylized uses. Thus, ballpoint pens with replaceable tips and cartridges, and in a variety of ink colors, are common in homes and offices. The replaceable tips also provide the user with various style of line width from fine point to broad point. The writing tips can be retractable or non-retractable and either ballpoint or roller ball. 
   Felt tip pens intended for artwork and marker and highlighting are also common, and now come in colors that range across the spectrum; the writing tips are generally larger and wider than the ink pen tips in order to make the distinctive and easily discernible color highlighting or marking lines on, for example, books, posters, signs and artwork. The ink for the marking pens can be permanent, dry erase or wet erase. In addition, marker pens now come in liquid ink in a range of fluorescent colors. 
   Another type of specialized writing implement is the mechanical pencil used by draftsmen, architects, illustrators, surveyors, etc., that employs a simple twisting or pushing action on the body, or a portion of the pencil body, to advance and retract the lead. Many types of mechanical pencils include refillable cartridges that are stacked and stored within the pencil body. Moreover, the bodies of the above-described writing tools can include rubber grips for enhancing the writing comfort of the user. 
   One of the most common uses for writing tools and implements is in assisting the individual in solving alphanumeric puzzles that can include crossword puzzles, anagrams, rebuses, word scrambles and word searches wherein the writing tool is used to cross off or encircle the letters and words of the particular puzzle as they are disclosed or uncovered. However, depending on the type of writing tool used, crossing out the letters or words can completely obscure them causing the individual to lose track of which letters and words have been used or discovered. In addition, crossing off or blotting out the letters and words tends to clutter up the puzzle making it more difficult to discern correct letter and word combinations. 
   Thus, the prior art discloses a variety of writing tools and implements that incorporate pen, pencil or felt tip marker nibs for both fine and broad line writing, marking and highlighting, and also specially designed ends for marking and scoring certain types of printed surfaces. 
   For example, the Carlson patent (PCT patent WO 91/00810) discloses a dual tip marking and writing implement that includes a fine line-marking nib coaxially disposed within the nib aperture of a marking nib. The fine line-writing nib is retractable within the nib aperture so that the implement can be used as a conventional highlighting marker, and when the fine line-marking nib is projected past the nib aperture, the implement functions as a traditional protract-retract ink pen. 
   The Panopoulos patent (U.S. Pat. No. 5,067,837) discloses a variable point writing instrument wherein the writing tip is selectively expandable between a smallest diametric dimension and a largest diametric dimension. 
   The Coon patent (U.S. Pat. No. 6,213,661 B1) discloses a retractable felt-tipped pen and includes a flexible membrane disposed between movable cylindrical members one of which has a pen nib connected thereto. The flexible membrane is rotatable for sealing and exposing the pen nib as desired by the user. 
   The Holbrook et al. patent (U.S. Pat. No. 6,155,733) discloses an adjustable multi-tip marker for producing distinctive outlining or highlighting effects, and includes at least a pair of slidable, retractable tips disposed beside a fixed tip with all the tips being encased within the hollow body of the writing implement. 
   The Lychwick patent (U.S. Pat. No. 6,481,908 B2) discloses a multi-function marking pencil that has the ability to fill in score spaces on standardized tests, such as scholastic aptitude tests, and to remove the cover layer from cards, such as lottery cards. 
   Nonetheless, despite the ingenuity of the above devices, there remains the need for a writing implement that can provide both pen and pencil writing functions in combination with a circular marking function for marking printed surfaces representing various types of alphanumeric puzzles and word games as part of their solution. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention comprehends a combination pen or pencil and circular marking tool or implement that includes both standard pen or pencil writing capabilities and a circular ink marking function. The combination writing and circular marking implement includes an elongated implement body having an eraser and cap mounted at a first end and an opposite second writing and circular marking end. A tool-gripping collar extends in axial alignment from the implement body and is rotatable by the user for selecting either the pen/pencil writing function or the circular ink marking function. A cylindrical collar tip closure cone is attached to the tool-gripping collar adjacent the second writing and marking end. A cylindrical marking die cartridge nests within the tool-gripping collar for axial advancement and retraction concomitant with the rotation of the tool-gripping collar whereupon a circular ink marking die mounted to the marking die cartridge is extended for use or retracted for employing the pen/pencil function. The marking die communicates with an ink reservoir so that ink is wicked from the reservoir to the marking die for making circular ink marks around the letters and numbers of word games and puzzles arranged on the printed surface. A passageway extends from the first end of the implement body through the ink reservoir and within which pencil leads or ink cartridges can be disposed for employing the combination implement as a pen or pencil writing tool. A pair of cylindrical cams, one of which is mounted to the tool gripping collar and the other being attached to the marking die cartridge, facilitate the advancement or retraction of the circular marking die tip by their rotational engagement or disengagement to and from each other concomitant with the rotation of the tool gripping collar. Thus, the primary action the user has to take to utilize the various writing and marking tips is the rotation of the tool-gripping collar. Alternative embodiments showing other ways to facilitate the advancement or retraction of the circular marking die, or the selection between the pen/pencil and circular marking functions are shown. 
   It is an objective of the present invention to provide a combination pen or pencil and circular marking implement that is of particular use to individuals solving crossword puzzles, anagrams, word scrambles, word searches and like alphanumeric puzzles found, for example, in newspapers, magazines and puzzle books. 
   It is another objective of the present invention to provide a combination pen or pencil and circular marking implement that has the capability to function as both a ball point ink pen or a mechanical lead pencil with consumable and replaceable marking leads and a circular marking implement. 
   It is a further objective of the present invention to provide a combination pen or pencil and circular marking implement that includes a circular marking die capable of making ink circles around letters, numbers and other indicia arranged on a printed paper or cardboard surface. 
   It is still yet another objective of the present invention to provide a combination pen or pencil and circular marking implement that includes the capability to selectively and coincidently advance and withdraw the circular marking die and the pen/pencil tip so that when the circular die is being used the pen/pencil tip is retracted and then the obverse. 
   Still yet another objective of the present invention is to provide a combination pen or pencil and circular marking implement that facilitates the swift, distinct and unambiguous circling of numbers and letters of an alphanumeric puzzle by the individual engaged in puzzle solution. 
   A still yet further objective of the present invention is to provide a combination pen or pencil and circular marking implement that is simple in construction and easy to operate and use. 
   These and other objects, features and advantages will become apparent to one skilled in the art upon a perusal of the following detailed description read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing figures. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the combination pen or pencil and circular marking implement of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a side elevational view shown in partial section of the combination pen or pencil and circular marking implement of the present invention illustrating the retraction of the circular die marking tip so that the pen or pencil tip can be utilized; 
       FIG. 3  is a side elevational view shown in partial section of the combination pen or pencil and circular marking implement illustrating the advancement of the circular marking die for making circular marks on a printed surface; 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the combination pen or pencil and circular marking implement of the present invention illustrating the marking die making circles around letters in an alphanumeric puzzle as part of the process of solving the puzzle; 
       FIG. 5  is a side elevational view of the combination pen or pencil and circular marking implement of the present invention illustrating an ink cartridge for disposition within the passageway of the writing implement; 
       FIG. 6  is a side elevational view of the combination pen or pencil and circular marking implement of the present invention illustrating a pencil cartridge for disposition within the passageway of the writing implement; 
       FIG. 7  is a sectioned elevational view of an alternative embodiment of the combination pen or pencil and circular marking implement illustrating a spring-loaded mechanism for changing between the circular marking die and the pen or pencil tip; 
       FIG. 8  is an elevational view of an alternative embodiment of the marking implement illustrating the circular marking die located at one end of the implement and a pen/pencil tip located at the opposite end; and 
       FIG. 9  is an elevational view of the alternative embodiment first shown in  FIG. 8  illustrating the removal of the marking die body for the pen/pencil body thereby exposing a replaceable eraser. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   Illustrated in  FIGS. 1–6  is a combination pen or pencil and circular marking implement  10  for writing in pen or pencil and also for making ink (or pencil) circles  12  around indicia  14  and symbols such as numbers and letters arranged on a printed surface  16  and which form any of a variety of alphanumeric puzzles  18  such as crossword puzzles, anagrams, rebuses, word scrambles and word searches that are commonly found in newspapers, magazines and puzzle books. A representative puzzle  18  in the form of a word scramble is shown in  FIG. 4  wherein letters are distributed and arranged on the printed surface  16  in such a way as to form words that are hidden by the ostensible random arrangement of the letters. As each successive letter for a given word is picked out, that letter is circled in ink with the implement  10  of the present invention until all the letters for that word are circled. The individual will then proceed to pick out other words until the entire arrangement of letters are circled indicating that the word scramble has been solved. By encircling the letters and numbers in this manner progress in the solution of the puzzle can be monitored so that the individual knows which numbers and letters have been used and which remain to form words. 
   As shown in  FIGS. 1–6 , the writing implement  10  includes a cylindrical elongated implement body  20  and a cylindrical tool gripping collar  22  that is attached to the body  20  and is in axial alignment therewith. The tool gripping collar  22  is selectively manually rotatable relative to the implement body  20  for allowing the user to select the desired function, i.e., writing in pen or pencil or making circular ink marks  12  as shall be hereinafter further described. A first end  24  and an opposite second writing and marking end  26  further define the writing implement  10 . Extending through both the body  20  and the tool gripping collar  22  is an inner barrel or tube  28  that defines a passageway  30  concentric with the body  20  and the tool gripping collar  22 . The passageway  30  terminates at a tip aperture  32  adjacent the second end  26  of the writing implement  10 . 
   As shown in  FIGS. 1–4 , the writing implement  10  includes an eraser  34  removably attachable to the body  20  at the first end  24  thereof. A cap or lid  36  is used to cover and uncover the eraser  34 . In one embodiment the eraser  34  can be depressed to advance ink or lead pencil cartridges, such as replaceable and consumable mechanical lead pencil cartridges, through the passageway  30  and the tip aperture  32  so that the writing implement  10  can be used to write in pen or pencil. A representative ink pen cartridge  38  is shown in  FIG. 5  and a representative lead pencil cartridge  40  is shown in  FIG. 6  either of which can be selectively disposed within the passageway  30  of the writing implement  10 . For illustrative purposes the ink pen cartridge  38  is shown disposed in the passageway  30  of the writing implement  10  in  FIG. 1 . 
   Illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 3  is an ink reservoir  42  disposed circumjacent the inner barrel  28  and the passageway  30  and concentric with the inner barrel  28  and the passageway  30 . Encircling the ink reservoir  42  adjacent the second writing and marking end  26  is a cylindrical marking die cartridge  44 . The marking die cartridge  44  is also nested within the tool gripping collar  22  and is interconnected therewith so that the selective rotation of the tool gripping collar  22  actuates the slidable linear movement of the marking die cartridge  44  as will be hereinafter further described. Mounted to the marking die cartridge  44  at the second end  26  of the implement body  20  is a circular marking die  46 . The circular marking die  46  is mounted inboard of the marking die cartridge  44  and encircles the tip aperture  32  of the passageway  30 . The marking die  46  is porous and is in flow communication with the ink reservoir  42  so that the marking die  46  can wick ink held within the ink reservoir  42 , similar to the wicking action common in felt tip markers, to the face  48  of the marking die  46  for making ink circles  12  around indicia  14 , such as the letters and numbers of the word puzzle  18  of  FIG. 4 . 
   Located at the second end  26  of the implement body  10 , and attached to the tool gripping collar  22 , as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , is a cylindrical collar tip closure cone  50 . The collar tip closure cone  50  can be attached by a press or snap fit to the tool gripping collar  22 . The closure cone  50  rotates coincident with the rotation of the tool gripping collar  22  and encircles the marking die  46  and the tip aperture  32  of the passageway  30 . The closure cone  50  includes an inner annular ledge  52  and protects the marking die  46  when the marking die  46  is withdrawn and is not being used. As shown in  FIGS. 2  and  3 , a clearance space  54  is defined between the marking die cartridge  44  and the tool gripping collar  22 , and disposed within the clearance space  54  is an extension and retraction coil spring  56 . Specifically, one end of the coil spring  56  rests upon the inner annular ledge  52  of the collar tip closure cone  50  and the opposite end abuts an outer annular ledge  58  of the marking die cartridge  44 . When the marking die  46  is not being used, the marking die  46  is enclosed within and protected by the collar tip closure cone  50 , as shown in  FIG. 2 ; when the marking die  46  is disposed in the operative position, as shown in  FIG. 3 , the marking die  46  extends or projects past the collar tip closure cone  50  for making ink circles  12  around letters—and numbers—of word puzzles as shown on the puzzle  18  of  FIG. 4 . 
   Illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 3  is a means for selectively extending or advancing the marking die cartridge  44  and the marking die  46  for using the marking die  46 , and for retracting or withdrawing the marking die  46  so that the writing implement  10  has the capability to function as a pen or pencil writing tool. Specifically, the advancing and retracting means includes a pair of cylindrical cams  60  mounted inboard of the tool gripping collar  22  and adjacent the ink reservoir  42  and the marking die cartridge  44 . The cams  60  engage and disengage upon rotation of the tool gripping collar  22  for transmitting linear motion to the marking die cartridge  44  so that the marking die  46  can be extended to the operative position. For further explanatory purposes one cam  60  can be denoted the upper, or finger cam, and that cam  60  includes a cam lobe  62 , and the other cam  60  can be denoted the lower, or detent cam, and this cam  60  includes a slot  64  on its body to receive the cam lobe  62  of the upper cam  60 . The upper cam  60  is connected to the tool gripping collar  22  and rotates coincident with the rotation of the tool gripping collar  22 , and the cam  60  denoted the lower cam is connected to the marking die cartridge  44 . 
     FIG. 2  illustrates the writing implement  10  with the marking die  46  in the retracted or withdrawn position so that the ink writing or lead pencil writing function of the writing implement  10  can be employed. (For clarity the ink  38  or pencil cartridges  40  are not shown disposed within the passageway  30  in  FIGS. 2 and 3 .) The cams  60  are disposed in abutting relationship with each other and the cam lobe  62  of the upper cam  60  is seated within the slot  64  of the lower cam  60  and the marking die  46  is enclosed within and protected by the collar tip closure cone  50 . The lower end of the marking die cartridge  44  is also positioned inside the collar tip closure cone  50 . When the individual desires to use the marking die  46  to make circular marks around letters, numbers and other symbols, such as encircling indicia  14  of the word puzzle  18  of  FIG. 4  as part of the process of solving the word puzzle  18 , the individual manually rotates the tool gripping collar  22  thereby causing the coincident rotation of the upper cam  60 . The rotation of the upper cam  60  forces the lower cam  60  to separate and advance toward the collar tip closure cone  50 . This action causes the marking die cartridge  44  to slide toward the closure cone  50  coincident with the axial advancement of the lower cam  60  with respect to the upper cam  60 . This movement of the marking die cartridge  44  causes the marking die  46  to extend past the closure cone  50 , as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , so that the face  48  of the marking die  44  is exposed for use. The marking die cartridge  44  is held in this position under compression by the coil spring  56 . Should the individual desire to use the ink pen or lead pencil writing capability of the implement  10 , the tool gripping collar  22  can be rotated in the opposite direction thereby causing the cams  60  to be drawn together whereupon the cam lobe  62  seats within the slot  64 . Coincident with the retraction of the marking die cartridge  44  is the return of the marking die  46  to the non-use position as shown in  FIG. 2 . The coil spring  56  extends within the clearance space  54  concomitant with the rotation of the tool gripping collar  22  thereby controlling the retraction of the marking die cartridge  44 . Thus, the present invention combines several different writing functions each of which is easy and quick to engage and disengage primarily through the manual rotation feature of the writing implement  10 . 
   Illustrated in  FIGS. 7–9  are several alternative embodiments that incorporate many of the above-described features, but also include other features that enhance the flexibility of use of the writing implement  10 . 
   Thus, shown in  FIG. 7  is a spring-loaded, press down writing implement  66  that includes a cylindrical body portion  68  having external annular threads  70  that mate with inner annular threads  72  of a cylindrical attachment collar  74 . The attachment collar  74  has a stepped shape, and the inside diameter of the attachment collar  74  includes a pair of splines  75  integrally molded to the inside diameter and located 180 degrees from each other on the inside diameter of the collar  74 . Disposed inboard of the attachment collar  74  is a cylindrical spring retainer  76 . The spring retainer  76  encompasses the passageway  78  of the writing implement  66  and is threaded onto a cylindrical marking die assembly member  80  hereinafter further described. 
   The spring retainer  76  includes a number of features that facilitate the changeover between the circular marking die  46  and the pen or pencil writing tip  82  (a pen tip and ink holding tube  84  are shown disposed within the passageway  78  in hidden line). The spring retainer  76  includes a plurality of nibs  86  (perhaps two or three) spaced about the inner diameter of the spring retainer  76  for driving and seating the spring retainer  76  to the base of the marking die  46 . The spring retainer  76  also includes half-spherical detents  88  molded on to the upper face of the spring retainer  76 . The bottom end of the body portion  68  includes an annular detent track and detent pockets  90  spaced 90 degrees from each other and integral with the detent track. The detents  88  travel within the track and set within the pockets  90  to fix the position of the rotatable cylindrical marking die gripping collar  92 . The spring retainer  76  also includes a pair of notches  94  that mate with the corresponding splines  75  integrally molded to the interior diameter of the attachment collar  74 . The notches  94  mate with the splines  75  when the gripping collar  92  is rotated 90 degrees to an enabling position for extending or retracting the marking die  46 . In addition, the spring retainer  76  is keyed to the splines  75  of the attachment collar  74  for allowing the full range of axial extension and retraction when the gripping collar  92  is rotated to the enabling position. Annularly disposed between the spring retainer  76  and the inside diameter of the attachment collar  74  is a marking die retraction spring  96  to control and assist in the retraction and extension of the marking die  46 . The passageway  78  defines a clearance extending through the rotatable marking die collar  92  to allow for the axial extension or retraction of the pencil/pen tip  82 . The pencil/pen tip  82  is locked to the body portion  68  when either one or the other is extended for use. The marking die assembly  80  includes the gripping collar  92 , the ink reservoir  42  and the marking die  46 ; and these elements extend or retract as one unit when the gripping collar  92  is rotated to the enable position, and the collar  92  is pushed downward to make the circular die mark on the workpiece. When the gripping collar  92  is rotated 90 degrees the splines  75  disengage from the notches  94  and the gripping collar  92  is locked in the retract position, epoxing the pen/pencil tip and disabling the push-down motion of the marking die  46 . 
   The range of extension of the marking die  46  and the gripping collar  92  are shown in hidden line in  FIG. 7 , and when the marking die  46  is fully extended, the marking die  46  slightly protrudes past the pencil/pen tip  82 . The circular marking die  46  is attached to the lower end of the gripping collar  92 , and the gripping collar  92  encloses the ink reservoir  42  that is in fluid communication with the marking die  46 . 
   Illustrated in  FIGS. 8 and 9  is another alternative embodiment for the writing implement  10  first shown in  FIGS. 1–6 .  FIGS. 8 and 9  illustrate a combination writing implement  98  that includes a cylindrical pen/pencil body  100  to which is secured a cylindrical gripping body  102 . The bodies  100  and  102  enclose a passageway (not shown) for receiving an ink tube or pencil cartridges, and the gripping body  102  terminates with a writing end  104  through which a pencil/pen tip  106  can extend for writing or can be withdrawn and retracted therefrom when not in use. The writing implement  98  also includes at its inner end a replaceable pencil/pen eraser  108 . 
   As shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , removably attachable to the inner end of the pen/pencil body  100  is a removable snap fit, or rotatable marking die body  110 . The marking die body  110  fits onto the outer end of the pen/pencil body  100  and covers the eraser  108 ; and the eraser  108  is exposed when the marking die body  110  is lifted off or turned off of the pen/pencil body  100 . The marking die body  110  includes at its outer end a circular marking die  114  that is protected by a removable cap  116  that is placed over the marking die  114  to prevent ink dry-out when the marking die  114  is not being used. The marking die body  110  can be selectively rotated or twisted when attached to the pen/pencil body  100 , and because the marking die body  110  is interconnected to the gripping body  102 , the rotation allows the individual to select the pencil/pin tip  106  for manual writing or marking. 
   While a particular embodiment has been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that numerous modifications, alterations, and variations are possible and practicable without departing from the spirit of the invention and remaining within the scope of the appended claims.