Patent Publication Number: US-5839712-A

Title: Pen holder for vertical and horizontal hold

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a pen holder for holding a pen of variable diameter in a vertical or horizontal position, where the insertion part is rotatable against the base for convenient use. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Conventional pen holders come in many variations, basically, there are two types: holders where a pen is inserted vertically and holders where a pen is held fast horizontally. The first type includes note or card holders with an additional insertion hole for a pen as well as elongated casings for a pen with a ball-shaped lower end, sitting on a base and adjustable in its direction. The second type includes grooves of an elastic material with a suction cup. However, there are no pen holders capable of holding a pen both vertically and horizontally as well as being rotatable in all directions. Furthermore, conventional pen holders cannot accommodate pens of higher diameter, like marker pens, crayons or pens for flip charts. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The main object of the present invention is to provide a pen holder for holding a pen of variable diameter in a vertical or horizontal position, where the insertion part is rotatable against the base. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a pen holder, where rotating the insertion part produces a clear clicking noise, indicating the positioning of the pen. 
     A further object of the present invention is to provide a pen holder, which accommodates a pen with any of various diameters, like a pencil, a crayon or a marker pen. 
     A further object of the present invention is to provide a pen holder, to which a chain is attachable to connect to the pen and secure it against being lost. 
     A further object of the present invention is to provide a pen holder, which is by adhesive tape or magnet attachable to a base plate, like a table, a counter or the inner wall of a car. 
     A further object of the present invention is to provide a pen holder, which allows to print a company name or logo on the surface on its base for advertising purposes. 
     The present invention can be more fully understood by reference to the following description and accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG.1 is a perspective view of the pen holder of the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the pen holder of the present invention. 
     FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the present invention, taken along the line A--A of FIG. 1. 
     FIG. 4 is a planar view of the present invention, taken from below. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the pen holder of the present invention mainly comprises a base 1 and an insertion part 2, which is mounted on the base 1 and rotatable around a vertical axis. 
     The base 1 is shaped like a torus. It has an upper part 1a and a lower part 1b, of which each resembles a pan, the upper part 1a resembling a pan turned upside down with a concentric hole 11. The lower part 1b has a periphery 15. Along the periphery 15, a connecting rim 12 extends upwards, where the upper part 1a is attached to form a whole. From the bottom of the lower part 1b, a hollow cylindrical shaft 14 extends upwards, which is concentric with the lower part 1b, with an inner hole 13 for centering the insertion part 2. Concentrically around the shaft 14, inside the periphery 15, a support rim 16 extends upwards from the bottom of the lower part 1b. A plurality of radial ribs 17 connect the support rim 16 to the periphery 15. The bottom of the lower part 1b is attachable to a base plate by adhesive tape or a magnet. 
     The insertion part 2 comprises two equal halves 2a, 2b. Each half 2a, 2b in turn is made of a half plate 21 and a half ball 22. The half plate 21 has an upper side, which is shaped like a half circle, with a longitudinal axis along the straight line of the half circle and a horizontal transversal axis perpendicular thereto. From the upper side of the half plate 21, a peripheral edge 23 extends downwards. On the upper side of the half plate 21, the half ball 22 is attached. The half ball 22 has a polar axis parallel to the longitudinal axis and a roughly concave surface perpendicular thereto. Into the concave surface two grooves 24a, 24b are cut. Groove 24a is parallel to the vertical, groove 24b is parallel to the transversal axis. The straight section of the peripheral edge 23 of the half plate 21 along the longitudinal axis has on one end a rail 25 and on the other end a guiding groove 26, both parallel to the longitudinal axis. The rail 25 of each half plate 21 fits into the guiding groove 26 of the other half plate 21. In each half plate 21, the rail 25 faces the convex side of the half ball 22, and the guiding groove 26 faces the concave side of the half ball 22. A vertical connecting plate 27a connects the guiding groove 26 to a projecting part 27 besides the groove 24a on the concave side of the half ball 22. The half ball 22 below the groove 24b, besides the half plate 21 has a lower extension 28. The halves 2a and 2b of the insertion part 2 contact each other, such that the upper sides of the two half plates 21 form a full circle, with the concave sides of the two half balls 22 facing each other. The thus assembled insertion part 2 is rotatably inserted into the bottom part 1b. 
     In each half plate 21, the rail 25 has a downward extending elastic protrusion 29. Inside the peripheral edge 23, a spring 3, shaped like the numeral 3, is inserted. Furthermore, the upper side of the half plate close to the periphery has a fixing hole 23a. The peripheral edge 23 has a holding part 23b on its inner side and a opening 23c close to the rail 25. The spring 3 is laid horizontally along the inner side of the peripheral edge 23, held by the holding part 23b, then passes through the opening 23c and continues in an outward curved arc, surrounding the guiding groove 26. The other end of the spring 3 passes through the fixing hole 23a. There is an elongated hole 20 close to the lower side of the half sphere 22, so as to pass through a cord or a chain to connect to the pen. 
     The assembly of the parts of the present invention is as follows. First, one end of the spring 3 is laid into the fixing hole 23a. Then the middle part of the spring is laid along the inner side of the peripheral edge 23 and fixed to the holding part 23b. The other end of the spring passes through the opening 23c. The springs 3 of the two halves 2a, 2b of the insertion part 2 are mounted in the same way. After that, the two halves 2a, 2b are put together. This is done in a way that the rail 25 of each half 2a, 2b is inserted into the guiding groove 26 of the other half 2b, 2a and that the concave sides of both half balls 22 touch each other. Then the grooves 24a of both halves 2a, 2b and the grooves 24b of both halves 2a, 2b form vertical and horizontal channels 24, respectively. The thus assembled insertion part 2 is put over the shaft 14 of the bottom part 1b. Then the guiding grooves 26 rest on the support rim 16. The lower extensions 28 and the peripheral edges 23 sit on the ring-like area between the shaft 14 and the support rim 16. The elastic protrusions 29 extend into the space between pairs of the radial ribs 17. The springs 3 press against the inner side of the periphery 15, such that both halves 2a, 2b are radially pressed inwards and lean against each other. So the channels 24, in which the pen is to be held, stay narrow. Finally, the upper part 1a is attached to or screwed on the lower part 1b at the connecting rim 12. 
     To use the pen holder of this invention, the bottom side of the lower part is attached to a base plate by adhesive tape or a magnet. A pen is inserted in the horizontal or vertical channel 24. The springs 3 ensure that even a thin pen is held fast. On the other hand, since the two halves 2a, 2b of the insertion part 2 are outward movable, the channels also accommodate thick pens. When the pen holder is attached to a vertical wall, like the side wall of a freezer, the pen is inserted in the horizontal channel and will not occupy valuable space. In the horizontal channel, the pen can be turned in any angular position. When turning the insertion part 2, the blocking protrusions 29 glide over the radial ribs 17 with a well noticeable noise and resistance, adding to the sensual perception of using the present invention. Moreover, in order not to get lost, the pen is connectable to the pen holder of the present invention by a cord or chain, which passes through the elongated hole 20. On the base 1, images, logos or other information are printable, giving the present invention an interesting and informative appearance. 
     Of the present invention, one embodiment has been described. Further variations are possible, like a base of rectangular, polygonal or star-like shape, or an insertion part of another geometrical shape. Such varations are within the scope of the present invention, as defined in the claims below.