Patent Publication Number: US-11653748-B2

Title: Apparatus for securing a writing implement

Description:
This nonprovisional application is a continuation of and claims priority to Non-Provisional application Ser. No. 16/533,434, entitled “MAGNETIC PENCIL HOLDER FOR WRITING IMPLEMENT,” filed Aug. 6, 2019 by the same inventor, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 10,624,441, entitled “MAGNETIC PENCIL HOLDER FOR WRITING IMPLEMENT,” which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates, generally, to apparatuses for writing implements. More specifically, it relates to magnetic apparatuses for securing pencils and pens. 
     2. Brief Description of the Prior Art 
     Carpenter pencils are widely used by carpenters, construction workers, and amateur laborers/builders who need to mark-up or write on rougher surfaces, particularly surfaces on which a typical soft leaded pencil cannot easily make marks. A carpenter pencil&#39;s unique shape is derived from need and functionality. The carpenter pencil includes a body that has a rectangular or elliptical cross-section to prevent the pencil from rolling away on the job site. However, carpenter pencils are routinely misplaced while working on the job site, and many builders resort to sticking them behind their ears, on tool belts, or in toolboxes to prevent them from being lost in the commotion of a busy job site. While a carpenter pencil may be temporarily stored behind the ear, only a small amount of force is required to displace the pencil and knock it free, resulting in a lost pencil somewhere on the site. However, placing the pencil in a tool belt or toolbox is no better, because the heavyweight of tools stored in such containers, such as sold metal wrenches or heavy power tools, can cause the stored pencils to break. 
     Prior art U.S. Pat. No. 8,235,262 B1, issued Aug. 7, 2012, to Sakdol illustrates a holder for securing a writing implement to a work article. The holder includes a clamp portion having two ends adapted to engage the two slots of the upper surface of the base, an elastomeric band securing the clamp portion to the slots of the upper surface of the base that retains the writing implement. However, the holder taught by the Sakdol reference has significant drawbacks. For example, the base and the clamp portion are two separate pieces that come together to form the holder and must be secured together via an elastic band. Providing separate pieces increases the chance that one or more pieces of the holder will be misplaced or lost, rendering the holder ineffective. Additionally, to secure the writing implement within the housing, the user must go through a complicated assembly process. 
     A magnetic holder for pencils is discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,159,372 (&#39;372 patent), issued Jan. 5, 1961 to McIntosh illustrates a magnetic pencil holder having outwardly flaring wings which have inwardly turned upper ends, with an opening between the wings, such that the wings are discontinuous with each other. The flaring wing design has significant drawbacks as the pencil residing within the wings is inherently less secure than the present invention. The pencil in the &#39;372 patent is more prone to being knocked out of the outwardly flaring wings and subsequently lost, since a portion of the pencil of the &#39;372 patent is left exposed and unsecured within the holder. This issue is solved within the present invention because the writing implement is secured and surrounded on all sides by the pencil holder. The writing implement may only be removed from the pencil if pushed or pulled with force greater than the frictional force securing it within the pencil holder. 
     Accordingly, what is needed is a magnetic pencil apparatus that can attach to any magnetic surface or utilize a complementary magnet that allows a user to quickly, safely, and easily keep track of and store carpenter pencils when not in use. However, in view of the art considered as a whole at the time the present invention was made, it was not obvious to those of ordinary skill in the field of this invention how the shortcomings of the prior art could be overcome. 
     All referenced publications are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Furthermore, where a definition or use of a term in a reference, which is incorporated by reference herein, is inconsistent or contrary to the definition of that term provided herein, the definition of that term provided herein applies and the definition of that term in the reference does not apply. 
     While certain aspects of conventional technologies have been discussed to facilitate disclosure of the invention, Applicants in no way disclaim these technical aspects, and it is contemplated that the claimed invention may encompass one or more of the conventional technical aspects discussed herein. 
     The present invention may address one or more of the problems and deficiencies of the prior art discussed above. However, it is contemplated that the invention may prove useful in addressing other problems and deficiencies in a number of technical areas. Therefore, the claimed invention should not necessarily be construed as limited to addressing any of the particular problems or deficiencies discussed herein. 
     In this specification, where a document, act or item of knowledge is referred to or discussed, this reference or discussion is not an admission that the document, act or item of knowledge or any combination thereof was at the priority date, publicly available, known to the public, part of common general knowledge, or otherwise constitutes prior art under the applicable statutory provisions; or is known to be relevant to an attempt to solve any problem with which this specification is concerned. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The long-standing but heretofore unfulfilled need for an apparatus for securing a writing implement having a body with protrusions used to secure a carpenter pencil within a housing that allows for quick, safe, and easy access is now met by a new, useful, and nonobvious invention. 
     The novel structure of the magnetic pencil apparatus comprises a housing at least partially formed of a ferromagnetic material, the housing having a body that includes a plurality of lateral interior surfaces. The body extends between a first end and a second end, with each end defining an opening. A channel extends between a plurality of lateral interior surfaces from the first end to the second end. A protrusion is disposed within the housing and extends from one of the lateral interior surfaces toward the channel. In an embodiment, the protrusion extends along the entire length of one of the lateral interior surfaces. In yet another embodiment, there are two protrusions that extend along one of the lateral interior surfaces. When the writing implement is received within the housing the protrusions contacts the writing implement, which secures the writing implement in place through friction fitting. 
     In an embodiment, the lateral interior surfaces have a top opposite a bottom and a first side that is opposite a second side. A slot is formed between the first side and the bottom and received the magnet. In an embodiment, the slot is formed adjacent to one of the of lateral interior surfaces and sized to receive and secure a magnet of various geometries. In an embodiment, the lateral interior surfaces further include a first side that is opposite a second side. The first and second sides each have an extension that extends inwardly toward the channel and contacts the writing implement when received within the housing. 
     In an embodiment, the magnetic pencil holder has a complementary magnet that is attracted to the ferromagnetic material of the pencil holder. This allows a user to wear the magnetic pencil holder on an article of clothing for quick and easy access. In an embodiment, the magnet is disposed around the outer surface of the body. 
     In an embodiment, the magnetic pencil holder comprises a housing having a body that includes a plurality of lateral interior surfaces. The body extends between a first end and a second end, with each end defining an opening. A channel extends between a plurality of lateral interior surfaces from the first end to the second end. In an embodiment, the magnet is placed within a first and a second slot. The first slot is formed adjacent to one of the lateral interior surfaces, the slot being sized to receive and secure the magnet. The magnet abuts the stopper preventing movement of the magnet within the housing. 
     In an embodiment, the magnetic pencil holder comprises a housing having a body that includes a plurality of lateral interior surfaces. The body extends between a first end and a second end, with each end defining an opening. A channel extends between a plurality of lateral interior surfaces from the first end to the second end. A stopper is disposed at the proximate end of the second end of the body partially extending from one of the lateral interior surfaces of the body toward a central longitudinal axis of the second opening. A magnet is positioned within the housing and rests against one of the lateral interior surfaces and the stopper. The stopper prevents a longitudinal movement of the magnet through the second end of the body. In an embodiment, the magnet is placed within a first and a second slot. The first slot is formed adjacent to one of the lateral interior surfaces, the slot being sized to receive and secure the magnet. The magnet abuts the stopper preventing movement of the magnet within the housing. 
     These and other important objects, advantages, and features of the invention will become clear as this disclosure proceeds. 
     The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction, combination of elements, and arrangement of parts that will be exemplified in the disclosure set forth hereinafter and the scope of the invention will be indicated in the claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For a fuller understanding of the invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG.  1 A  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the pencil holder showing the second end. 
         FIG.  1 B  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the pencil holder showing the first end. 
         FIG.  1 C  is a frontal view of an embodiment of the pencil holder. 
         FIG.  2    is a view of an embodiment showing the pencil holder secured with a complementary magnet to an article of clothing. 
         FIG.  3 A  is an in-use view of an embodiment of the invention having a writing implement disposed within the pencil holder. 
         FIG.  3 B  is an in-use view of an embodiment of the invention having a writing implement disposed within the pencil holder. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     In the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part thereof, and within which specific embodiments are shown by way of illustration by which the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood the other embodiments may be utilized, and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. 
       FIGS.  1 A-C  depict a magnetic pencil holder  10 . Pencil holder  10  includes housing  12  with body  14  extending between first end  16  and second end  18 , each end defining an opening  19   a  and  19   b . Body  14  includes two sets of lateral interior surfaces  28  in an orthogonal relationship with one another. The first set includes first side  28   a  opposite second side  28   b  and the second set includes third side  28   c  opposite fourth side  28   d . In an embodiment, body  14  has a length of about 10 mm to 25 mm, a height of about 10 to 15 mm, and a width of about 10 mm to 25 mm. Each of the lateral interior surfaces may have a width of about 1 mm to 2 mm. Channel  22  extends between each lateral interior surface  28  from first end  16  to second end  18 , enabling writing implement  5  to be disposed through channel  22 . Lateral interior surfaces  28  can be arranged in any configuration, shape, and/or size to accommodate the geometry of writing implement  5 . In an embodiment, writing implement  5  is a carpenter pencil. Carpenter pencils typically have a body with a rectangular or elliptical cross-section to prevent the pencils from rolling away. For example, a carpenter pencil may have a width of about 13.76 mm and a height of 7.56 mm. 
     Body  12  further includes outer surface  13  that is configured to receive a measuring indicium which displays imperial and/or metric measuring units. In an embodiment, other reference and measuring devices may be integrated with pencil holder  10 , such as a laser, a level, a protractor, or other measuring and reference tools that one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate. Stopper  24  is disposed at the of second end  18  of body  14  and partially extends from one of the lateral interior surfaces  28  toward a central longitudinal axis of second opening  18 . In an embodiment, stopper  24  may be disposed at the proximate end of the first end  16  of body  14 . Stopper  24  may be continuous with one or more lateral interior surfaces  28 . In an embodiment, stopper  24  may be a separate or removable component from that of housing  14 . In an embodiment, pencil holder  10  may be constructed of acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), metal, a magnetic compound, ceramic, rubber, an elastomeric material, or any other material that one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate providing structure and support to pencil holder  10 . 
     As shown in  FIGS.  1 A-C , in an embodiment of the pencil holder  10 , protrusions  34  have a length equal to the length of lateral interior surface  28   d . Protrusions  34  may be disposed within housing  14  and may extend from lateral interior surface  28   d  toward channel  22 . For example, protrusions  34  extend from lateral interior surface  28   d  to channel  22  about 0.5 mm to 1.5 mm. Housing  12  is configured to receive writing implement  5 , such that protrusions  34  contact writing implement  5  when received within housing  12 . In an embodiment, protrusions  34  exert a securing-type force on writing implement  5  securing the implement within pencil holder  10 , preventing the lateral and/or horizontal movement of writing implement  5  within channel  22 . In an embodiment, a single protrusion  34  may be implemented while other embodiments have a plurality of protrusions  34 . In certain embodiments, protrusions  34  may extend the entire length of lateral interior surface  28  or a portion thereof. Moreover, protrusions  34  may be placed randomly or in an ordered configuration. While protrusions  34  are shown in  FIGS.  1 A- 1 C  as extending toward channel  22  from lateral interior surface  28   d , it is appreciated that protrusions  34  may extend toward channel  22  from one or more lateral interior surfaces  28 . 
     Further referring to  FIGS.  1 A-C , slot  30  is formed adjacent to one of the lateral interior surfaces  28  and is configured to receive and secure magnet  26 . First side  28   a  and second side  28   b  have extensions  32   a  and  32   b  respectively, extending inwardly toward channel  22  and contacting writing implement  5  when writing implement  5  is received within housing  12 . Extensions  32   a  and  32   b  may extend in parallel relation to first side  28   a  and second side  28   b  and in an orthogonal relationship with third side  28   c  and fourth side  28   d . Extensions  32   a  and  32   b  may extend toward and abut fourth side  28   d . Extensions  32   a  and  32   b  may extend toward third side  28   c  such that the distance that extensions  32   a  and  32   b  extend toward third side  28   c  dictates the height of magnet  26 . As such, slot  30  may be formed between a least a portion of each extensions  32   a  and  32   b  and third side  28   c , with magnet  26  being insertable within slot  30 . 
     Magnet  26  is positioned within housing  12  and rests against at least a portion of each first side  28   a , second side  28   b , and third side  28   c  of lateral interior surfaces  28  and stopper  24 . In an embodiment, magnet  26  may be disposed on outer surface  13  of body  12 . Body  12  may be at least partially formed of a magnetic material, such that body  12  and magnet  26  are the same component. In an embodiment, magnet  26  may be formed of neodymium iron boron, samarium cobalt, alnico, ferrite, or any other object known in the art to produce a magnetic field. In an embodiment, magnet  26  may be any mineral, element, or material that is at least partially formed from at least one ferromagnetic material and has magnetic properties. In an embodiment, magnet  26  has a gauss value between 50 and 1500 gauss, such that magnet  26  is not easily knocked off the surface it is magnetically secured to while not being magnet  26  so strong that a human would be unable to decouple magnet  26  from the surface it is magnetically coupled with. In an embodiment, magnet is about 17 mm by 17 mm by 1.6 mm. 
     Stopper  24  prevents the longitudinal movement of magnet  26  through second end  18  of body  14 . In an embodiment, extensions  32   a  and  32   b  extend inwardly toward channel  22  about 0.5 mm to 1.5 mm in width. In an embodiment, extensions  32   a  and  32   b  have a height of about 1 mm to about 8 mm. Extensions  32   a  and  32   b  prevent the lateral movement of magnet  26  within channel  22 . In an embodiment, slot  30  is substantially the same shape and size as magnet  26 . It is undesirable for slot  30  to be large enough to where magnet  26  is unable to be secured within slot  30 , such that when pencil holder  10  is used, magnet  26  falls out. In an embodiment, slot  30  may be smaller than magnet  26 , forming a press-fit, securing magnet  26  within slot  30 . In an embodiment, slot  30  is about 1.0 mm to 2 mm in height. In an embodiment, body  12  of pencil holder  10  is flexible to allow magnet  26  with fit within slot  30  and form a press fit. 
       FIG.  2    depicts an in-use view of pencil holder  10  having writing implement  5  disposed within housing  12  and interference fitted by protrusions  34 . Writing implement  5  is at least partially disposed within housing  5  by pushing or pulling writing implement  5  within channel  22  of housing  12 . When writing implement  5  is disposed within housing  12  at leak one protrusion  34  contacts a surface of the writing implement,  5  thereby securing it within housing  12 . In an embodiment, each of the lateral interior surfaces  28  at least partially contacts a surface of writing implement  5 . When writing implement  5  is secured within housing  12 , a user can use writing implement  5  without substantial interference from housing  12 , whereby substantial interference causes the user to remove pencil holder  10  from writing implement  5  before use. 
       FIG.  3 A  depicts an in-use view of pencil holder  10  secured to an article of clothing. Complementary magnet  36  and magnet  26  are magnetically attracted to one another. A user can place an article of clothing between complementary magnet  36  and magnet  26 , such that the two magnets are in magnetic communication with one another, preventing pencil holder  10  from detaching from complimentary magnet  36  or otherwise being misplaced. When it is time for the user to use pencil holder  10  or writing implement  5  disposed within housing  12 , the user can simply pull pencil holder  10  away from complimentary magnet  36  so that the two magnets are no longer in magnetic communication with one another. To re-secure pencil holder  10 , the user brings magnet  26  that is disposed within housing  12  in close proximity to complementary magnet  36  such that they are in magnetic communication with one another again, securing the pencil holder to an article of clothing. In an embodiment, housing  12  may include a fastening means, such as a clip for clipping the pencil holder to an article of clothing. In an embodiment, the fastening means is a safety pin, hook and loop, adhesive, pin, one or more magnets, or any other means that one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate to removably couple pencil holder  10  to an article of clothing. 
       FIG.  3 B , depicts an embodiment of an in-use view of magnetic pencil holder  10  secured to an article of clothing. First complementary magnet  36   a  is disposed of on an outside surface of an article of clothing and is magnetically attracted to second complementary magnet  36   b  disposed on an opposite side of an article of clothing. Magnet  26  of pencil holder  10  is magnetically attracted to first complementary magnet  36   a  preventing pencil holder  10  from detaching from first complementary magnet  36   a  or otherwise being misplaced. Similar to the embodiment shown in  FIG.  3 A  and described above, when it is time for the user to use pencil holder  10  or writing implement  5  disposed within housing  12 , the user can simply pull pencil holder  10  away from first complimentary magnet  36   a  so that the two are no longer in magnetic communication with one another. However, first complementary magnet  36   a  remains magnetically coupled to second complementary magnet  36   b  while pencil holder  10  is disconnected from first complementary magnet  36   a.    
     The advantages set forth above, and those made apparent from the foregoing description, are efficiently attained. Since certain changes may be made in the above construction without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matters contained in the foregoing description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. 
     It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described, and all statements of the scope of the invention that, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.