Abstract:
A writing instrument with a safety cap is disclosed which comprises a tubular body with a grip body having one end securing a writing tip or nib, and disposed within the tubular body, an ink cartridge for supplying ink to the writing tip or nib. The tubular body comprises a barrel detachably secured to a grip body with a writing tip or nib holder. The barrel may include a retention feature to which the user may safely detachably secure the safety cap while using the instrument. The barrel may include one or more tabs protruding from the barrel body which act to prevent the writing instrument from uncontrolled rolling when the instrument is set down on a surface. A safety cap with one or more vents formed inside the periphery of the cap provide for the bi-directional flow of air or other fluids axially through the cap in the event a user ingests the cap. The nib cover formed in the cap prevents air flow through the vent from contacting the nib or marker tip stored and protected by the safety cap thereby preventing the marker nib or tip from prematurely drying out or from being damaged by exposure to the environment.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. provisional patent application, Ser. No. 61/885,598, filed on Oct. 2, 2013, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Technical Field 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to a writing instrument casing and cap, and more particularly to a marker casing and twist safety cap assembly. 
         [0004]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0005]    There are many writing instruments, such as ballpoint pens and erasable markers, which have bodies and separable caps. In typical fashion, the cap is removed by the user for utilization of the writing instrument and replaced when such use is finished. However, most prior pen and cap assemblies typically do not provide the requisite fit and/or seal required to keep the cap securely retained to the writing instrument thereby resulting in the writing tip (e.g. felt tip marker, ball point, marker tip, nib) drying out and ceasing to function. In similar manner, the cap is easily dislodged and separated from the writing instrument body that normally results in the user discarding the writing instrument that generates additional waste. Another concern arises when a user, adult or child, places the cap in their mouth and accidentally ingests the cap that may lodge in the user&#39;s throat or airway, which clearly presents a choking hazard. 
         [0006]    Therefore, a need exists for a writing instrument which includes an effective, detachably securable instrument cap assembly which provides a simple, secure mechanism by which the cap may be easily removed and reattached to the writing instrument body, which is not easily dislodged when being carried or placed in a state of nonuse, and which if ingested by the user includes a safety mechanism allowing the passage of air through the cap by which the user may still effectively breathe until the cap is safely removed from the user&#39;s airway and/or esophagus. A need exists in the art for a safety cap which has a secondary vent passageway through which the user may continue to breathe should the safety cap&#39;s primary vent passageway become blocked or congested thereby substantially prohibiting the bi-directional flow of air or other fluid through the cap vent passageway. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    The inventive embodiments disclosed herein include a writing instrument with a safety cap. This summary is not intended to identify key features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
         [0008]    A writing instrument with a twist cam-locking cap is disclosed. In one embodiment, a writing instrument comprises a tubular body with a grip body having one end securing a writing tip or nib, and disposed within the tubular body an ink cartridge for supplying ink to the writing tip or nib. In one embodiment, the tubular body comprises a barrel detachably secured to a grip body with a writing tip or nib holder. The barrel is detachably secured to the grip body by an adhesive or other permanent connection means as known in the art. On one end, the barrel may include a retention feature to which the user may safely detachably secure the cap while using the instrument. The writing barrel may also include one or more tabs protruding from the barrel body which act to prevent the writing instrument from uncontrolled rolling along a table, writing board instrument holder or other surfaces when the instrument is set down by the user. 
         [0009]    In another embodiment, the cap of the writing instrument disclosed herein comprises one or more openings formed in the cap body running distally from a first end of the cap body to a second end of the cap body providing one or multiple airways by which air will flow bi-directionally if the cap becomes lodged in the mouth, esophagus or airway of a user therefore allowing the user to breathe until the cap is removed. The airway openings are formed in the peripheral circumference of the cap and do not allow air to contact the nib or writing instrument tip protected within the cap, so acting to prevent premature drying of the nib or writing tip. 
         [0010]    In another embodiment of the invention disclosed herein, the cap is detachably secured to the writing instrument body with a twist cam-lock mechanism. The cap is guided into the proper mated position with the instrument body grip or grip body by opposing protrusions in the cap interior that slide in a twisting motion along arcuate receiving grooves formed in the nib holder secured to the instrument body. As the user pushes and twists the cap and nib holder into the closed position, the cap releasably locks into the closed mated position with the grip body whereby the tabs formed in the cap assembly become friction locked with tab receiving grooves formed in the grip body and nib holder sufficient to retain the cap and instrument body in a connected position while the writing instrument is being stored or is in a period of nonuse. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0011]    The foregoing aspects and many of the features and advantages of the invention will become readily appreciated, as they become better understood by reference to the following detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0012]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the safety cap and writing instrument with the cap detachably secured to the writing instrument of the disclosed invention; 
           [0013]      FIGS. 2A-2D  are perspective, plan and cutaway depictions of the safety cap of the disclosed invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the barrel of the writing instrument body of the disclosed invention; 
           [0015]      FIGS. 4A-4B  depict front and rear views of the nib holder of the disclosed invention; and, 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  depicts a perspective view of the writing instrument body. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0017]    Various embodiments are described below with reference to the accompanying figures, which form a part hereof and show, by way of illustration, specific exemplary embodiments. These embodiments are disclosed in sufficient detail to enable those of ordinary skill in the art to practice the invention. However, embodiments may be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. The following detailed description is therefore not to be taken in a limiting sense. 
         [0018]    An embodiment of the writing instrument  10  is shown in  FIG. 1 . Writing instrument  10  includes a barrel  12 , a grip body  14 , and a cap  16 . Cap  16  serves to cover and protect a writing tip or nib (not shown) and which is in communication with an ink cartridge or ink well (not shown) enclosed within barrel  12 . Writing tip or nib may be provided in various forms, such as a felt tip, rollerball, ball point, or other known writing tips and nibs. A writing ink or medium will be stored within barrel  12  and in communication with the writing tip or nib so as to provide an ink or writing medium source and supply to the writing tip or nib. Grip body  14  serves to retain the writing tip (hereinafter “nib”) and to provide a grip area sufficient for a user to comfortably grip the writing instrument  10  and position the nib in the location desired for writing or drawing by the user. Grip body  14  is secured to barrel  12  by coupling means such as adhesives, mating threads, mating snaps, mating tabs, mating cam twist-locks or other known connection structures as is known in the art. 
         [0019]    Turning to  FIGS. 2A-2D , various views of cap  16  are shown in detail. Cap  16  includes one or more vents  18 , a grip cover  20 , a nib cover  22 , and a cap alignment indicator  23  formed as shown. As shown in  FIGS. 2A ,  2 B and  2 C, one or more vents  18  are formed in the interior periphery of cap  16  and provide an unobstructed axial passage way from a first end of cap  16  to a second end of cap  16 . Referring to  FIGS. 2B and 2D , grip cover  20  is a conically shaped structure within the cap  16  and is dimensioned to receive and cover the corresponding portion of grip body  14  as further described herein. Nib cover  22  is a cylindrically shaped structure formed within cap  16  and is dimensioned to receive and cover the corresponding nib (not shown) as further described herein. As shown in the sectional view presented in  FIG. 2D , vent or multiple vents  18  provide a pathway for air or other fluids to freely move bi-directionally in and through the vent  18  passageway, yet vents  18  do not allow air or other fluids to contact or otherwise flow into the grip cover  20  and/or the nib cover  22 . As such, the cap  16  still functions to keep the nib from drying out during periods of non-use, yet still provides the ability for air other fluids to flow bi-directionally should a person accidentally swallow cap  16  into their airway thereby allowing the person to continue breathing until cap  16  can be safely removed from the person&#39;s airway. Embodiments which include at least two vents  18  provide an extended capability for air or other fluids to move through at least one vent  18  should a second vent  18  become inoperable due to the orientation of the cap in a person&#39;s airway or blockage by debris becoming lodged in a vent  18  after accidental ingestion. Referring to  FIG. 2B , cap alignment indicator  23  is shown formed into cap  16  as a raised arrow point providing the user with a visible and tactile reference point for users by which to orient the cap  16  in an appropriate manner to receive and releasably mate with corresponding grip body  14  during periods of nonuse. 
         [0020]      FIG. 3  shows barrel  12  in a perspective view. Barrel end  24  is a formed end of barrel  12  with raised ribs  26  formed around the circumference of barrel end  24 . Ribs  26  act as securably releasable friction locks which releasably mate with cap  16  so as to provide a cap retention mechanism while the writing instrument  10  is being utilized for writing or drawing by the user. One or more barrel tabs  28  are formed as a raised tab portion on barrel  12  and provide an “anti-roll” capability to prevent the writing instrument  10  from rolling along, and possibly off, a surface upon which the user has laid the writing instrument  10 . Barrel tab  28  also serves to assist the user in aligning the cap  16  and grip body  14  into appropriate position to receive and releasably mate together when the writing instrument  10  is not in use. 
         [0021]      FIG. 4A  is a rear perspective view of an embodiment of the grip body  14  of the writing instrument  10  shown in greater detail. Grip body  14  includes a lower grip end  30 , a lower grip  32 , a mid grip  34 , an upper grip  36 , and a nib holder  38 . A grip end flare  40  comprises one or more raised, circumferential rings formed on the surface of grip body  14  as shown and which act has friction locks when mated with corresponding barrel end flare rings formed in the interior of barrel  12  (not shown) which act to secure the grip body  14  to the barrel  12 . Grip ring  41  is a formed, circumferential raised ring that acts as a stop and seal when barrel  12  and grip body  14  are mated together. The lower grip end  30  is inserted into the open end of barrel  12  and the two are pushed together until the grip ring  30  is in contact with the barrel  12 . Once mated together, barrel  12  and grip body  14  are secured together and sufficiently sealed to prevent leakage of ink or other writing medium stored or contained within the barrel  12 . Grip alignment indicator  42  is shown formed as a raised arrow point on the surface of lower grip  32  providing the user with a visible and tactile reference point to align the cap alignment indicator  23  with the grip alignment indicator  42  and thereby orient the cap  16  in an appropriate manner to receive and releasably mate with corresponding grip body  14  during periods of nonuse or storage. 
         [0022]      FIG. 4B  is a front perspective view of an embodiment of the grip body  14  shown in greater detail. Proceeding forward of the grip ring  41 , lower grip  32 , mid grip  34 , upper grip  36  and nib holder  38  are shown. It should be noted in the depicted embodiment that the grip body  14  comprises a monolithic assembly which may be formed and manufactured by known plastic and metal fabrication methods such as injection molding, blow molding and cast manufacturing as known in the plastic and metal arts. Lower grip  32 , mid grip  34 , upper grip  36  and nib holder  38  are generally formed as a series of cylindrical or conical shapes with decreasing diameters from the lower grip  32  to the nib holder  38 . Lower grip  32  provides sufficient surface area for the user to hold the writing instrument  10  comfortably during use. Lower grip  32  also includes raised, formed grip alignment indicator  42 . As previously described, the user utilizes cap alignment indicator  23  to align the cap  16  with the grip alignment indicator  42  so as to provide a visual and tactile tool with which the user may appropriately align grip body  14  with cap  16  when placing the cap  16  on the writing instrument  10  for storage or during periods of nonuse. 
         [0023]    Nib holder  38  is dimensioned to accept commonly known standard nibs. One or more nib retention slots  39  are formed within the interior surface of nib holder  38  and provide a guide pathway for the edges of the nib  50  (shown in  FIG. 5 ) inserted into the nib holder  38 . Nib retention slots  39  also act to prevent rotation and movement of the nib  50  within the nib holder  38  during use of the writing instrument  10 . The nib retention slots  39  also act to prevent axial movement of the nib  50  in the nib holder  38  during use of the writing instrument  10 . 
         [0024]    Turning to  FIG. 5 , a perspective view of the writing instrument is shown with nib  50  inserted into nib holder  38 . Proceeding forward of the lower grip  32 , mid grip  34  is shown which includes an arcuate surface edge  44  that is formed as part of the mid grip  34 . Mid grip slots  46  are formed about  180  degrees opposite of each other for receiving corresponding cap locking detents (not shown) which are formed in the corresponding locations within the peripheral interior of cap  16  such that when cap  16  is properly aligned with grip body  14  utilizing cap alignment indicator  23  and grip alignment indicator  42 , the locking detents in the cap  16  are releasably secured by mid grip slots  46  providing sufficient retention force to keep cap  16  secured to grip body  14  during storage and non-use. 
         [0025]    The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is established by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. While various alterations and permutations of the invention are possible, the invention is to be limited only by the following claims and equivalents. 
         [0026]    Various embodiments of the invention described herein may also include as follows: In an embodiment, there is disclosed a writing instrument comprising a barrel  12 ; a grip body  14 , with a nib holder  38  wherein the grip body  14  is inserted into and secured to the barrel  12 ; and, a cap  16  releasably securable to the grip body  14  wherein the cap  16  includes a nib cover  22  and at least one vent  18  extending along the interior length of the cap  16 , wherein air or other fluids may pass bi-directionally through the at least one vent  18  without contacting a nib  50  secured by the nib holder  38  and enclosed by the nib cover  22 . In an embodiment, there is disclosed a writing instrument comprising a barrel  12 ; a grip body  14 , with a nib holder  38  wherein the grip body  14  is inserted into and secured to the barrel  12 ; and, a cap  16  releasably securable to the grip body  14  wherein the cap  16  includes a nib cover  22  and at least one vent  18  extending along the interior length of the cap  16 , wherein air or other fluids may pass bi-directionally through the at least one vent  18  without contacting a nib  50  secured by the nib holder  38  and enclosed by the nib cover  22 ; and, a cap alignment indicator  23  located on a surface of the cap  16 . In an embodiment, there is disclosed a writing instrument comprising a barrel  12 ; a grip body  14 , with a nib holder  38  wherein the grip body  14  is inserted into and secured to the barrel  12 ; and, a cap  16  releasably securable to the grip body  14  wherein the cap  16  includes a nib cover  22  and at least one vent  18  extending along the interior length of the cap  16 , wherein air or other fluids may pass bi-directionally through the at least one vent  18  without contacting a nib  50  secured by the nib holder  38  and enclosed by the nib cover  22 ; and, a grip alignment indicator  42  located on a surface of the grip body  14 . In an embodiment, there is disclosed a writing instrument comprising a barrel  12 ; a grip body  14 , with a nib holder  38  wherein the grip body  14  is inserted into and secured to the barrel  12 ; and, a cap  16  releasably securable to the grip body  14  wherein the cap  16  includes a nib cover  22  and at least one vent  18  extending along the interior length of the cap  16 , wherein air or other fluids may pass bi-directionally through the at least one vent  18  without contacting a nib  50  secured by the nib holder  38  and enclosed by the nib cover  22 ; and, a barrel tab  28  formed on the exterior surface of the barrel  12 . In an embodiment, there is disclosed a writing instrument comprising a barrel  12 ; a grip body  14 , with a nib holder  38  wherein the grip body  14  is inserted into and secured to the barrel  12 ; and, a cap  16  releasably securable to the grip body  14  wherein the cap  16  includes a nib cover  22  and at least one vent  18  extending along the interior length of the cap  16 , wherein air or other fluids may pass bi-directionally through the at least one vent  18  without contacting a nib  50  secured by the nib holder  38  and enclosed by the nib cover  22 ; and, wherein the grip body  14  includes a lower grip end  30 , a lower grip  32 , a mid grip  34 , and an upper grip  36 . In an embodiment, there is disclosed a writing instrument comprising a barrel  12 ; a grip body  14 , with a nib holder  38  wherein the grip body  14  is inserted into and secured to the barrel  12 ; and, a cap  16  releasably securable to the grip body  14  wherein the cap  16  includes a nib cover  22  and at least one vent  18  extending along the interior length of the cap  16 , wherein air or other fluids may pass bi-directionally through the at least one vent  18  without contacting a nib  50  secured by the nib holder  38  and enclosed by the nib cover  22 ; and, a second vent  18  extending along the interior length of the cap  16 . In an embodiment, there is disclosed a writing instrument comprising a barrel  12 ; a grip body  14 , with a nib holder  38  wherein the grip body  14  is inserted into and secured to the barrel  12 ; and, a cap  16  releasably securable to the grip body  14  wherein the cap  16  includes a nib cover  22  and at least one vent  18  extending along the interior length of the cap  16 , wherein air or other fluids may pass bi-directionally through the at least one vent  18  without contacting a nib  50  secured by the nib holder  38  and enclosed by the nib cover  22 ; and, at least one rib  26  formed on the outer periphery of the barrel  12  and opposite the grip body  14 . In an embodiment, there is disclosed a writing instrument comprising a barrel  12 ; a grip body  14 , with a nib holder  38  wherein the grip body  14  is inserted into and secured to the barrel  12 ; and, a cap  16  releasably securable to the grip body  14  wherein the cap  16  includes a nib cover  22  and at least one vent  18  extending along the interior length of the cap  16 , wherein air or other fluids may pass bi-directionally through the at least one vent  18  without contacting a nib  50  secured by the nib holder  38  and enclosed by the nib cover  22 ; and, a nib retainer slot  39  formed along the interior surface of the nib holder  38 . In an embodiment, there is disclosed a writing instrument comprising a barrel  12 ; a grip body  14 , with a nib holder  38  wherein the grip body  14  is inserted into and secured to the barrel  12 ; and, a cap  16  releasably securable to the grip body  14  wherein the cap  16  includes a nib cover  22  and at least one vent  18  extending along the interior length of the cap  16 , wherein air or other fluids may pass bi-directionally through the at least one vent  18  without contacting a nib  50  secured by the nib holder  38  and enclosed by the nib cover  22 , wherein the grip body  14  includes a lower grip end  30 , a lower grip  32 , a mid grip  34 , and an upper grip  36 ; and, a grip ring  41  formed on the exterior surface of the grip body  14  between the lower grip end  30  and the lower grip  32 . In an embodiment, there is disclosed a writing instrument comprising a barrel  12 ; a grip body  14 , with a nib holder  38  wherein the grip body  14  is inserted into and secured to the barrel  12 ; and, a cap  16  releasably securable to the grip body  14  wherein the cap  16  includes a nib cover  22  and at least one vent  18  extending along the interior length of the cap  16 , wherein air or other fluids may pass bi-directionally through the at least one vent  18  without contacting a nib  50  secured by the nib holder  38  and enclosed by the nib cover  22 , wherein the grip body  14  includes a lower grip end  30 , a lower grip  32 , a mid grip  34 , and an upper grip  36 ; and, a mid grip slot  46 . In an embodiment, there is disclosed a writing instrument comprising a barrel  12 ; a grip body  14 , with a nib holder  38  wherein the grip body  14  is inserted into and secured to the barrel  12 ; and, a cap  16  releasably securable to the grip body  14  wherein the cap  16  includes a nib cover  22  and at least one vent  18  extending along the interior length of the cap  16 , wherein air or other fluids may pass bi-directionally through the at least one vent  18  without contacting a nib  50  secured by the nib holder  38  and enclosed by the nib cover  22 , wherein the grip body  14  includes a lower grip end  30 , a lower grip  32 , a mid grip  34 , and an upper grip  36 ; and, a grip ring  41  formed on the exterior surface of the grip body  14  between the lower grip end  30  and the lower grip  32 ; and, a grip end flare  40  positioned adjacent to the grip ring  41 . In an embodiment, there is disclosed a writing instrument comprising a barrel  12 ; a grip body  14 , with a nib holder  38  wherein the grip body  14  is inserted into and secured to the barrel  12 ; and, a cap  16  releasably securable to the grip body  14  wherein the cap  16  includes a nib cover  22  and at least one vent  18  extending along the interior length of the cap  16 , wherein air or other fluids may pass bi-directionally through the at least one vent  18  without contacting a nib  50  secured by the nib holder  38  and enclosed by the nib cover  22 ; and, a cap locking detent formed in the peripheral interior of the cap  16 .