Abstract:
A tethered pen and base assembly is disclosed The assembly includes a first tether that is secured to the base at one end thereof and secured to a locking mechanism at an opposite end of the tether. A second tether is secured to the pen at one end thereof and to the locking mechanism at an opposite end of the second tether The locking mechanism releases an end of the tether when unlocked.

Description:
[0001]    This application claims priority on U.S. Application Ser. No. 60/937,619 filed Jun. 28, 2007, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates to pen-type devices which are securely tethered to a moveable or fixed base, and more particularly security devices permitting quick, tool-free un-tethering and replacement of a pen assembly or ink refill cartridge. 
       BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
       [0003]    The United States Post Office, Banks, and many other places of business provide pens for its clientele to address letters and packages, fill out forms and applications, and endorse documents. The ready availability of a writing instrument facilitates quicker transactions, thus permitting greater business efficiency, and yet also provides a more organized, convenient, and customer-friendly business environment. 
         [0004]    A high volume business location experiences higher costs due to theft or inadvertent retention of the pens. To reduce costs and inconvenience through misappropriation, a myriad of unique methods have evolved for tethering a writing instrument, such as a lead pencil or ink pen. Some inventions date back well over century. Many such inventions have been tailored to accommodate particular aspects of a business&#39;s operation or location. For instance, a retractably, tethered pen is well suited for a drive thru bank location. 
         [0005]    A further consideration that has not heretofore been adequately addressed concerns increased costs from high rates of business activity with corresponding high usage of the pens. One pen could be completely used within a few days at a busy post office branch or bank location. It is not uncommon to find such pens out of ink and unattended because of the succession of steps that must be taken to accomplish replacement. Generally, replacement means use of a tool to free the pen, disposal of the entire pen, and finally attachment of a replacement pen, or in another possible arrangement, a tool could be required to simply replace the ink cartridge. In other cases, replacement might entail disposal of the entire pen-tether-stand assembly which may be bonded or fastened to the writing surface. 
         [0006]    These methods are neither convenient nor cost effective. The owner of a Mont Blanc pen would no doubt seek to replace the ink refill rather than dispose of an entire gold-plated executive instrument. The situation is analogous where a business concern maintains a line of service counters with pens that must be changed every few days. Furthermore, many such businesses seek to provide a plush business environment—from the wall art displayed, to comfortable furniture in waiting areas, to the pens awaiting use at a counter. A cheap disposable pen is not compatible with such a plush atmosphere. Also, while some nicer pen arrangements may permit the two halves to unscrew for replacement of the ink refill, such an arrangement often falls prey to pranks and playful children who may unscrew and retain the parts as a toy, while waiting for the adult&#39;s business transaction to conclude. This similarly results in the need for complete replacement, but of the entire, more expensive pen assembly. 
         [0007]    The solution for both scenarios lies in quick, tool-free replacement of a modest quality pen, or in replacement of inexpensive ink refill cartridges for a higher quality writing instrument. 
       DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART 
       [0008]    One series of patents disclose various retractably tethered arrangements which are uniquely designed for attachment to a fixture. A simple, retractably tethered pencil holder is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 264,593, which features a chord and spring-loaded reel for extension and retraction of the pencil holder. The tail end of the pencil is press-fit into a retaining cap which has an eyelet on the opposite end. The eyelet permits the pencil/cap combination to hook to an open-ended eyelet that is secured to the retraction chord. The pencil holder and reel arrangement was adapted for mobile use by providing a pin on the reel, permitting the entire pencil holder to be fastened to apparel. A similar retractable reel arrangement is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 2,961,257. But this 1957 invention is without the eyelets, having a more streamlined scheme for attaching the pen to a chain. It was further adapted so that the pen itself could be secured to its housing once retracted, in order to permit convenient use at a bank ATM where the depositor remains in his vehicle while completing a transaction. U.S. Pat. No. 6,065,892 discloses another retractable pen assembly, but one that is more generically suited for mounting to any wall location. 
         [0009]    A second series of patents disclose retractable tether arrangements, but are uniquely designed for countertop use. U.S. Pat. No. 5,358,348 describes a simple retractably tethered pen where the cable automatically retracts into a desk-top stand, leaving the pen lying sideways or horizontally across the stand, elevated above the desk and ready for another user. U.S. Pat. No. 6,575,649 covers a desk-top configuration where the pen is positioned vertically in a stand and is tethered by cable to a reel. However, when the pen is in use and the cable has been extended, there is no tension on the cable. The cable remains slack until the pen is replaced in the holder, which then triggers a release that permits the spring-loaded reel to retract and coil the cable. U.S. Pat. No. 7,150,575 reveals a multifunction office stand including a business card holder, a post-it dispenser, paper tray, and a free swinging retractable pen that hangs from a vertical wall of the stand. 
         [0010]    Another series of patents disclose a tether arrangement without a coiled retraction means, but instead utilize a spring method. U.S. Pat. No. 1,511,167 offers a pencil holder arrangement where a long slender spring protrudes vertically from a weighted circular base. A chord is attached to the top of the spring, and the other end is secured to a tabbed cylinder through which a pencil is press-fit. The pencil thus dangles near the base, and with the elasticity of the spring it would stretch to accommodate a patron&#39;s use. U.S. Pat. No. 2,027,857 provides a similar but improved arrangement whereby metal balls within the spring relieve some spring-back tendency while angled downward when the pencil is being used. Also, the tail end of the pencil is secured into a ring by means of a set screw rather than being press-fit into a cylinder. 
         [0011]    The invention disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,570,284 fulfills many of the goals discussed in the Background of the Invention section of this application. A pen is simply attached via a wire to a compact base which permits the pen to stand upright. The wire protrudes from the end of the pen and is retained within the pen housing by a spherical ball that is crimped to the wire. The shaft of the pen is composed of a one-piece housing into which is inserted a head or nose piece which retains the ink cartridge. However, the drawback of this invention is that the ink cartridge may only be accessed and replaced through use of a special tool which permits separation of the nose from the housing. 
         [0012]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,368,406 unveils a pen which is not tethered whatsoever, but incorporates a combination lock into its housing which merely inhibits extension of the ink cartridge. The lock would not permit the ink cartridge to contact the writing surface without first keying the combination, and thus provides security against inadvertent extension of the cartridge while the pen is perhaps contained within ones pocket, and additionally provides protection against unauthorized use. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0013]    The present invention is directed to providing apparatus in the form of a penholder or stand for countertop use or use on another surface, and means of tethering a pen to the holder. In a preferred embodiment, the pen and stand have a tether arrangement having a lock to permit quick release of the pen for replacement. The lock is preferably a combination lock. In another embodiment the combination lock is incorporated into the housing of the pen thus providing a unique means of tethering the pen and of securing the ink cartridge, but with easy access for both its un-tethering and/or for replacement of the ink cartridge. A significant limitation of prior art was an arrangement that secured the ink cartridge from tampering or theft, but in so doing required a tool to permit ink cartridge removal. The novelty of this embodiment creates secure yet tool-free access to the cartridge, or a replaceable pen assembly. 
         [0014]    Devising a means of security without the need for a tool increases serviceability of a business&#39;s array of pens located at a busy counter. A tool need not be stored in a precise location allowing access by all persons who would be obligated to provide maintenance. Furthermore, service would no longer be impeded due to the tool being misplaced by a worker, or worse still, being accidentally thrown away or completely lost. 
         [0015]    This invention alleviates such concerns by devising a means of locking the pen housing with a combination lock. Access to the ink cartridge merely requires toggling a plurality of rollers just like an ordinary combination bicycle lock. In a preferred embodiment, the lock has three rollers. More rollers are usually not necessary since the added security provided by additional rollers is not always necessary since many uses for this invention are in public places where an unauthorized working the lock to remove the pen would be spotted. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]      FIG. 1A  shows top view of the preferred embodiment of the locked pen holder arrangement. 
           [0017]      FIG. 1B  shows a side view of the preferred embodiment of the locked pen holder arrangement. 
           [0018]      FIG. 1C  shows a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the locked pen holder arrangement. 
           [0019]      FIG. 2  shows the assembled penholder base and base plate cabled to the lock. 
           [0020]      FIG. 2A  contains a view illustrating the travel limit of the push rod, once it is secured in the housing, at which point the push rod is positioned to accept the ball and cable of the pen assembly. 
           [0021]      FIG. 2B  is a view showing the pen assembly or replacement pen assembly. 
           [0022]      FIG. 3  is an exploded view of the parts that comprise the preferred embodiment of the tethered penholder arrangement. 
           [0023]      FIG. 4A  shows a perspective view of the housing. 
           [0024]      FIG. 4B  shows an end view of the housing. 
           [0025]      FIG. 4C  shows a perspective view of the push rod. 
           [0026]      FIG. 4D  shows an end view of the push rod. 
           [0027]      FIG. 4E  shows a side view of the push rod. 
           [0028]      FIG. 4F  shows a side view of the push rod rotated 180° from the view of  FIG. 4E . 
           [0029]      FIG. 4G  shows a side view of the push rod rotated 90° from  FIGS. 4E and 4F . 
           [0030]      FIG. 4H  is a side view of the housing of  FIG. 4A . 
           [0031]      FIG. 4I  is a top view of the housing of  FIG. 4A . 
           [0032]      FIG. 5A  is a side view of the base. 
           [0033]      FIG. 5B  is a cut away view of the base taken along A-A. 
           [0034]      FIG. 5C  is a perspective view of a roller. 
           [0035]      FIG. 5D  is an end view of the roller of  FIG. 5C . 
           [0036]      FIG. 5E  is a cut away view of the roller of  FIG. 5C . 
           [0037]      FIG. 5F  is a perspective view of the pin. 
           [0038]      FIG. 5G  is an end view of the pin. 
           [0039]      FIG. 5H  is a top view of the pin. 
           [0040]      FIG. 5I  is a side view of the pin. 
           [0041]      FIG. 6  is a representation of the first alternative embodiment showing the assembled invention which incorporates the lock into the pen housing. 
           [0042]      FIG. 7  is a representation of the second alternative embodiment showing the assembled invention which incorporates the lock into the penholder base. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0043]    Per the exploded view in  FIG. 3 , the invention includes a penholder base  11  shown with a conical shape, but could optionally be any desired shape including but not limited to square-shaped, pyramid-shaped, rectangular, an up-right cylindrical shape, a horizontal cylindrical shape, a spherical shape, or even a freeform shape. The penholder base  11  is preferably hollowed out except for an inner wall  41 , shown in  FIG. 5 , which may be parallel to the cone&#39;s slope to form an internal cylindrical shape. There is an opening  42  at the top of the cone at the end of the cylinder, which serves as the receptacle for the writing instrument. There is also an opening  43  in the cone towards the lower end of the cylinder to prevent a tight fit with the pen from creating an airlock that could make it difficult to remove the pen. This opening  43  is optional and could be eliminated by growing the cylindrical inner wall to be proportionately larger than the pen, thus permitting a looser fit that would not inhibit air flow once the pen is inserted. 
         [0044]    The conical penholder base  11  may sit atop the base plate  10 . Base plate  10  has an angled outer edge to match or conform to the inner wall of the conical pen holder base  11 . This would provide a means to glue or connect the base plate to the base. Alternatively the plate could be screwed into the base. Base plate  10  is shown with three integral, raised areas or lands  31  which may be utilized to bond the pen holder assembly to a countertop, or may alternatively have cushioning pads of cloth, rubber, or other non-abrasive material attached to them for simply resting the assembly upon a countertop. Also, base plate  10  could be a flat without the lands  31 , and additionally could contain holes used for fixing or mounting the penholder assembly to a wall or counter top. The penholder base plate  10  has a small notch  30  ( FIG. 3 ) which must be aligned on assembly with the notch  40  ( FIG. 5 ) in penholder base  11  to allow the end of the tethering cable  17  to thread between the two, and be trapped by a ball  19  that is crimped on the end of the cable. The tethering cable could be secured to any suitable opening in the base or plate if desired. The cable  17  need not terminate with crimped ball  19  and could alternatively terminate with a crimped on cylinder or have the cable knotted at each end or other similar stop means to prevent the cable from being removed from the base. The tethering cable  17  may be made of string, wire, plastic, lamp style pull chain, or some combination thereof. The ball  19  on the other end of tethering cable  17  may be inserted into the slotted bore  62  ( FIG. 4 ) in push rod  12 , with the cable protruding out the end of the push rod through slotted bore  64 . 
         [0045]    Push Rod  12  is shown as a cylinder for its entire axial length with a rectangular groove  61  running parallel to its axis for the entire length of the push rod. The shape of the push rod however can vary as desired. The circular portion of slotted bore  64  is concentric with the axis of push rod  12 , while the width of slotted bore  64  is sufficient to run completely into rectangular groove  61 , and is also of sufficient depth to reach the slotted bore  62 . Slotted bore  62  is oriented transverse to the push rod axis. This arrangement permits the cable  17  with crimped ball  19  to nest within and be retained by the push rod  12  as shown in  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 2A . The opposite end of push rod  12  has a transverse slotted bore  67  equivalent to slotted bore  62 , and also a slotted bore  68  concentric to the push rod  12  axis just like slotted bore  64 . Immediately adjacent to slotted bore  67  in push rod  12  is a rectangular shaped recess  63  which is transverse to the cylinder axis and is clocked about 180 degrees opposite to channel grove  61 . This feature, which will be discussed hereinafter, permits retention of the three rollers after assembly by limiting travel of the push rod within the housing. 
         [0046]    Although shown as a cylindrical shape, push rod  12  need only be cylindrical for roughly half of its length, starting from the end with slotted bore  64  up to the start of recess  63 . Beginning at recess  63  and to the end, other cross-sectional shapes could be used without affecting functionality of the lock mechanism, provided the cross section of that shape falls within the cylindrical envelope  60  of push rod  12  and were capable of retaining the cable  17  with crimped ball  19 . 
         [0047]    Push Rod  12  preferably also has three channel grooves  65  which run transverse to the push rod axis and 360 degrees radially about the periphery of the rod to produce three reduced diameter cylindrical cross-sections. The three grooves  65  are preferably of equal width and equally spaced on the push rod  12  axis such that the middle groove is offset slightly from the midpoint of the push rod  12  axis in the direction of slotted bore  64 . Within these channel grooves  65  on each side wall thereof are shallow rectangular notches  66 . There are three rectangular notches  66  per side wall and they are clocked 90 degrees apart radially about the push rod  12  periphery, with the middle notch located directly opposite the rectangular groove  61 . There all 18 such notches  66 . 
         [0048]    Push rod  12  is so configured to be inserted into housing  13 . Housing  13  is illustrated with a trapezoidal cross-section having generously rounded outside corners  57  ( FIG. 4 ), but the cross-section could as well be square, rectangular, circular, or a free-form shape. One of those outside corners may be machined to have a flat face  56  which will later permit the housing to rest flush against a countertop. Housing  13  is bored out with an inner diameter  50  to match the outer diameter  60  of cylindrically-shaped Push Rod  12 . But within that bore of housing  13  is a key  51  that must be aligned with rectangular groove  61  that runs the axial length of push rod  12 , when the push rod is to be inserted into the housing. 
         [0049]    Housing  13  has a small rectangular shaped opening  53  that is oriented transverse to the length of the housing, on the side opposite key  51 . Opening  53  has internally radiused corners and is of sufficient depth to reach bore diameter  50 . Opening  53  is located close to one end of housing  13 . On that same end of housing  13 , a round hole  52  is bored in the end face  55  with a depth sufficient to reach opening  53  and run past opening  53  an amount greater than or equal to the diameter of the bore. Hole  52  and opening  53  in housing  13  will accommodate pin  21  as discussed hereinafter. Housing  13  has a larger crosswise rectangular cutout  54  that runs transverse to the length of housing  13 . The length and width of cutout  54  are sized for the side-by-side setting of rollers  14 . There are preferably three rollers. 
         [0050]    The rollers  14  are shown in  FIG. 5  with an outer diameter upon which six flats are equally spaced around the periphery (hexagonal shape) to accommodate six stenciled numerals. The rollers  14  could also be shaped to accommodate fewer or additional flats, again being equally spaced (e.g., a pentagon shape, or heptagon, octagon . . . ), which would decrease or increase the possible numeric combinations visible on the housing face, only one of which would open the lock. The rollers  14  must be clocked to the proper orientation, or correct numeric combination, in order for the housing/roller arrangement to completely accept entry of push rod  12 . This is so because the rollers  14  also have a bore  70  and key  71  ( FIG. 5 ) which are equivalent to bore  50  and key  51  of housing  13 . With the correct combination displayed, the key feature  51  of housing  13  is aligned with the respective key features  71  of each of the three rollers  14 . The end of push rod  12  with slotted bore  68  may now be inserted into housing  13  fully, so that both ends of push rod  12  are coincident with the end faces of housing  13 , and cable  17  is protruding from the tail end of push rod  12 . 
         [0051]    At this state of assembly, shown in  FIG. 2 , pin  21  may be inserted into opening  53  of housing  13 . Pin  21  ( FIG. 5 ) has a radiused rectangular cross-section  83  to match the dimensions of opening  53  in housing  13 . Face  80  of pin  21  is rounded to match radius  57  of housing  13 , allowing the pin, once inserted, to sit flush with the housing. Pin  21  may optionally have a rectangular cutout  82 . Pin  21  contains two spring-loaded detents  81  which must initially be depressed to fully insert pin  21  into housing  13 . The two detents  81 , upon reaching bored hole  52  of housing  13 , spring back and positively retain pin  21  with housing  13 . Note that opening  53  in housing  13  and recess  63  in push rod  12  are positioned along their respective axes, as shown in  FIG. 4 , such that when pin  21  is inserted into opening  53  of housing  13 , it limits travel of the push rod  12  in both directions. The travel limit is shown in  FIG. 2A . 
         [0052]    The cabled end of push rod  12  may at this point, and also at any time in the future as replacements pen are needed, be pushed to the travel limit within the housing  13  so as to expose slotted bore  67  of push rod  12 . As shown in  FIG. 2A , the pen assembly or replacement pen assembly may now be attached by inserting ball  19  that is crimped onto cable  16  into slotted bore  67 , with the cable extending out the end of push rod  12  through slotted bore  68 . This pen assembly or replacement pen assembly, shown in  FIG. 2B , consists of cable  16 , cap  20  with the cable threaded through the hole in the cap&#39;s end, and two balls  19  crimped onto the ends of cable  16 . The cap  20  slides over crimped ball  19  and is shaped and sized to positively retain the end of pen  18 . 
         [0053]    The rollers can now be spun to a random setting to lock the tethered pen arrangement. The channel grooves  65  of push rod  12  accommodate the key  71  of the roller  14  as the roller&#39;s inner diameter  70  rotates about the Push Rod  12  outer diameter  60 . Once in the locked condition, the shallow notches  66  of push rod  12 , upon slow spinning of the rollers, provides a feel similar to when the roller&#39;s key  71  falls into the rectangular groove  61  on push rod  12 . This feature prevents tampering, by an unauthorized person, through spinning the rollers to attempt to discover the combination by tactile sense. 
         [0054]    An alternative embodiment is shown fully assembled in  FIG. 6 . The penholder base  11  and base plate  10  are again used. The push rod  100  is lengthened and has a tapered end to accept and support an ink cartridge  101 . The housing  102  is scaled down, and a single chord  103  has one end with a crimped ball  19  restrained within the push rod  100  by the housing. The other end of the cable  103  is threaded between the notch between penholder base  11  and base plate  10  and trapped there by the ball  19  crimped to the end of the cable. Three rollers  14  are set in housing  102  as with the first embodiment. Aligning the rollers to the proper combination permits separation of the housing and Push Rod and providing for removal and replacement of the ink cartridge or separation of the chord  103  from the housing  102 . 
         [0055]    A second alternative embodiment is shown fully assembled in  FIG. 7 . Base plate  10  is again used. The penholder base  110  is similar to penholder base  10  but without the holes and inner wall. Penholder base  110  has a small flat for attachment of housing  201  which accepts the three rollers  14 . Pushrod  202  provides the cylindrical shape to serve as a receptacle for the pen. Aligning the rollers to the proper combination permits separation of the pushrod from the housing and frees the chord  103 . Cable  103  connects the cap  20  of pen  18  to the housing  201  via crimped balls  19  on each end. 
         [0056]    As various changes could be made in the above constructions without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above descriptions shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. In the views shown it can be seen that several objects of the invention are achieved with differing advantageous results attained.