Patent Publication Number: US-5829903-A

Title: Writing implement and cap therefor having an integral bookmark

Description:
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The instant invention relates to writing implements, and more specifically to a writing implement having a cap which includes an integral bookmark. 
     Bookmarks which incorporate means for holding a writing implement have heretofore been known in the art. In this regard, the U.S. Patents to McNair No. 155,196; Grodsky et al No. 2,300,216; Larson et al No. 5,016,559; and Knight No. 5,095,846 represent the closest prior art to the subject invention of which the applicant is aware. The patents to McNair, Grodsky et al and Larson et al each describe a bookmark made out of a flat sheet material and having resilient clip means at one end thereof for removably receiving a writing implement, such as a pen or pencil. The writing implement is removable from the bookmark to take notes or to underline relevant portions of the book text. The patent to Knight discloses a bookmark adapted to be positioned over the top edge of a book spine with an inner leg thereof extending downwardly between the pages of the book, and an outer leg extending downwardly along the outside of the spine. The outer leg includes a resilient clip for holding a writing implement. 
     The instant invention provides a writing implement having a pen and a corresponding cap at one end, and a highlight marker and a corresponding cap at the other end. The highlight marker cap includes an integral blade portion which function as a bookmark. The writing implement and highlight marker cap are adapted to be slidably received over the spine of a book wherein the blade portion of the marker cap extends downwardly between the pages of the book, and the body of the writing implement extends downwardly along the outside of the book spine. 
     Accordingly, it is an object of the instant invention to provide a writing implement having a pen at one end and a highlight marker at the other end. 
     It is another object to provide a writing implement having a cap which includes an integral blade portion that is receivable over the top edge of the spine of a book to mark a position therein. 
     It is still another object to provide a cap for a writing implement having an integral blade portion that is receivable over the top edge of the spine of a book to mark a position therein. 
     Other objects, features and advantages of the invention shall become apparent as the description thereof proceeds when considered in connection with the accompanying illustrative drawings. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     In the drawings which illustrate the best mode presently contemplated for carrying out the present invention: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the instant writing implement with the blade portion of the marker cap received over the spine of a book; 
     FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view thereof; 
     FIG. 3 is a top view thereof; 
     FIG. 4 is a bottom view thereof; and 
     FIG. 5 is a side view thereof. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring now to the drawings, the writing implement of the instant invention is illustrated and generally indicated at 10 in FIGS. 1-5. As will hereinafter be more fully described, the instant writing implement 10 includes a cap having an integral blade portion which is received between the pages 11 of a book generally indicated at 12 for marking a position therein. 
     The writing implement 10 comprises a body 14 having a highlight-type marker 16 and a corresponding cap generally indicated at 18 at a first end, and a ball point pen 20 and corresponding cap 22 at the second end thereof. While the two writing instruments embodied in the instant invention have been specifically described as a highlight marker 16 and a ball point pen 20, it is to be understood that all types of writing instruments are contemplated within the scope of the invention. For example, the ball point pen 20 could be interchanged with a roller ball pen. The body 14 is generally cylindrical in shape and its construction, including the combination highlight marker 16 and ball point pen 20, is conventional in the art. The cap 22 for the ball point pen 20 is conventional in construction and it is removably received over the ball point pen 20 when the pen 20 is not in use. The highlight marker cap 18 includes a body portion 23 which is removably received over the highlight marker 16 when the marker 16 is not in use. In this connection, the body portion 23 includes a longitudinal contoured recess 24 which is operative for frictionally receiving and holding the tip of the marker 16. The highlight marker cap 18 further includes a radial arm portion 25 extending outwardly therefrom and a blade portion 26 extending downwardly from the arm portion 25 so as to be positioned in closely spaced, generally parallel relation to the body 14 when the marker cap 18 is assembled with the body 14. The blade portion 26 extends radially in a plane 27 which includes an axial line 27A passing longitudinally through the center of said body portion 23 of the cap 18. It is pointed out that the arm portion 25 is somewhat thicker adjacent to the cap 18 and tapered toward the blade portion 26 to provide a strong support for the blade portion 26. The arm portion 25 further includes reinforcements 28 to provide additional support and strength to the arm/cap interface. The blade portion 26 has a thickness which is appropriate for receipt between the pages 11 of the book 12 for marking a position therein. 
     In use, the pen cap 22 and marker cap 18 are normally assembled with the body 14 to cover the pen 20 and marker 16. (See FIG. 5). For use in marking a position in a book 12, the assembled writing implement 10 is slidably received over the top edge of the spine 30 of the book 12 wherein the blade portion 26 of the marker cap 18 extends downwardly between the pages 11 of the book 12, and the body 14 extends downwardly along the outside of the book spine 30. (See FIG. 1). The highlight marker 16 and pen 20 are operable for either highlighting or underlining relevant portions of text in the book 12, or the pen 20 is useful for taking notes. 
     In a second embodiment, (not shown) the writing implement comprises a body with only one writing instrument, such as a highlight marker, and a corresponding cap including an integral bookmark blade. 
     It can therefore be seen that the instant invention provides a unique writing implement 10 and cap 18 therefor which also functions as a bookmark when the writing instrument is not in use. The pen 20 is operative for writing notes, or underlining text, while the highlight marker 16 is operative for highlighting desired portions of the text of a book 12. The blade portion 26 of the highlight marker cap 18 easily slides over the top edge of the spine 30 of the book 12 and between the book pages 11 to mark a position therein. For these reasons, the instant invention is believed to represent a significant advancement in the art which has substantial commercial merit. 
     While there is shown and described herein certain specific structure embodying the invention, it will be manifest to those skilled in the art that various modifications and rearrangements of the parts may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the underlying inventive concept and that the same is not limited to the particular forms herein shown and described except insofar as indicated by the scope of the appended claims.