Patent Publication Number: US-2018029405-A1

Title: Noble glass globe writing implement

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to writing implements and, more particularly, to a writing implement with an entertainment article attached thereto. 
     Noble gas globes have long provided a fascinating and intriguing form of entertainment that has sparked the imagination of many users. Writing can often lead to periods of time where the author is in need of a creative spark. Often they are left twirling or chewing on the end of their writing implement in search of an inspirational thought or idea. 
     As can be seen, there is a need for a writing implement that can provide an author with an entertaining outlet to spark an inspirational or imaginative thought or idea. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one aspect of the present invention, a writing implement is provided which includes: a lower body containing a retractable writing tip extensible from a first end of the lower body; an upper body having a bottom end attached to a second end of the lower body, the upper body containing a high voltage circuit; and a noble gas globe containing at least one noble gas, operatively connected to a top end of the upper body, the noble gas globe is configured to produce a plasma discharge responsive to a user&#39;s touching of the noble gas globe. The writing implement may also include a low voltage power source operatively connected to the high voltage circuit. The high voltage circuit is configured to convert an output of the low voltage power source to a high voltage output. A switch may extend through an outer sidewall of the upper body and is operable to selectably connect the low voltage power source to the high voltage circuit. 
     In some embodiments, the writing tip is in communication with an ink cartridge carrying a volume of ink. In other embodiments, the noble gas globe contains a plurality of noble gasses. In other aspects of the invention, the high voltage circuit includes: an oscillator operatively connected to a flyback transformer. 
     These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the writing implement, shown in use. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the writing implement. 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded view of the writing implement. 
         FIG. 4  is a section view of the writing implement, taken along line  4 - 4  in  FIG. 2 , with components simplified for clarity. 
         FIG. 5  is an electronic schematic of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims. 
     Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides a battery powered mini high voltage circuit that drives a globe containing various noble gases in a vacuum which ionizes the atoms and produces plasma responsive to a user&#39;s touching of the globe. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the writing implement of the present invention includes an evacuated gas globe  10  containing a volume of a noble gas  40  under pressure. The globe  10  contains a filament  12  for applying an excitation voltage to the noble gas  40  contained within the globe  10 . The globe  10  is attached to an upper body  18  of the writing implement at a top end thereof. The upper body  18  is operatively coupled to a lower body  38 . When placed in an operative state via a switch  28 , the noble gas globe  10  produces a plasma arc between the filament and an interior surface of the globe  10  responsive to the touch of a user&#39;s finger  42  on an exterior surface of the globe  10 . A globe seat  16  carried in the top end of the upper body  18  provides a mating surface for the outer surface of the globe  10  and the upper body  18 . 
     As seen in reference to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the upper body  18  has a cavity defined therein to carry a circuit assembly  30  and a low voltage power source  36 , such as a battery. The circuit assembly  30  is carried on a cartridge that is received within a top end of the cavity. A first conductor  32  is connected between an output of the circuit assembly  30  and a contactor  14  at a base of the globe  10 . A second conductor  34  attaches a first battery contact  24  with the switch  28 . A battery spring  26  may be attached to the cartridge of the circuit assembly  30  to provide a second battery contact. As will be appreciated, the configuration of the first battery contact  24  and the battery spring  26  may also be reversed so that reception of the battery  36  between the contact  24  and spring  26  to power the circuit assembly. 
     In further reference to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the switch may be extended to an exterior surface of the upper body  18 , for example via a slot  20  formed at an intermediate portion of the upper body  18 . A lower portion of the upper body  18  is provided with a removable battery cover to permit replacement of the battery  36  once it has been depleted. 
     As seen in reference to  FIG. 5 , the circuit assembly  30  utilizes a battery  36  driven micro timer A 1  that creates pulsed DC voltage that toggles an EMOSFET gate. The micro timer should not draw excessive current which can drain the battery  36  and should also be selected operate at a resonant frequency of the flyback transformer T 1  to produce a maximum amplitude. When pulsed the drain and source conduct drawing current that passes through a primary coil of a flyback transformer T 1 . One lead  8  of the high voltage secondary coil is connected to the lead  32  that connects to the contactor  14  that enters the globe  10  to charge filament  12 . The other lead  6  on the secondary coil gets connected to a ground. The globe  10  contains at least one noble gas  40  at an evacuated pressure which when excited by the high voltage circuit  30  creates plasma in the form of visible light arc that responds to human touch. The circuit can be altered to operate at different voltages, frequencies and draw different amounts of current. 
     The globe  10  may be formed by attaching a single tube that connects to at least one of various pressurized noble gas tank. The sealed globe  10  with a lead  14  penetrating the seal wall, a vacuum gauge, and vacuum pump. The globe  10  should be evacuated so substantially no atmosphere exists inside the globe. Then a noble gas  40  is introduced into the globe  10 . The globe should be evacuated again and refilled to ensure a substantially pure noble gas  40  environment exists within the globe  10  and the fill tubing. 
     The high voltage circuit  30  inside the upper body  18  is electronically connected to the globe lead  32  and turned on. Place the globe  10  and writing implement in hand. A valve is used to slowly open the connection between the globe  10  and the vacuum pump. When arcs of electrons are visibly seen interacting with the user&#39;s hand the globe  10  can be pinched off to seal the globe  10  and removed from the charging system. The vacuum gauge in the system is used to record what the pressure is at the desired result. Any noble gas can be used or mixed and each has a different reaction at different pressures. 
     The custom pen body may be created using a 3D printer and 3D software to create the lower body  38 , the battery compartment  22 , high voltage circuit  30  and a globe seat  16  on top of the upper body  18  for attachment of the globe  10 . 
     After a battery is inserted. The writing utensil has a simple switch that needs to be actuated to activate the circuit and globe. The user can then interact with the plasma in the form of electron arcs inside the globe by touching the outer glass. When finished turn switch off. 
     The lower body  38  contains a writing media and a media extension mechanism. The writing media may include an ink cartridge, a pencil lead, a marker, or the like. 
     It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.