Abstract:
A combination clip and letter opener for a writing instrument, and a writing instrument including the same. The letter opener may include an integrally formed cutting edge or, alternatively, may include a razor-style cutting edge.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
   1. Technical Field 
   The present invention relates to a combined writing instrument clip and letter opener and, in particular, to a writing instrument that includes such a combined writing instrument clip and letter opener. 
   2. Related Art 
   Writing instruments are often manufactured and sold in combination with other implements that frequently may be convenient to have and use when an individual is writing. Examples of such implements include erasers, caps, clips, letter openers, staple removers, and the like. The patent literature includes numerous examples of combination writing instrument and letter openers. 
   Some combination writing instrument and letter openers include retractable or folding mechanisms. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 1,598,427 to Easton and U.S. Pat. No. 1,447,841 to Fisher disclose writing instruments with a retractable blade. The effectiveness of such folding or retractable-type letter openers may be short-lived because the retracting mechanism often does not possess sufficient strength to effectually open the mail and/or the mechanism may easily break. 
   Other combination writing instruments and letter openers include blade-type letter openers. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 1,538,641 to Liljeqvist discloses a clip for a pencil that includes a folding or pivoting blade. In general, blade-type letter openers have a tendency to puncture or spear the user&#39;s skin or clothing when in use or when stored in, for example, a pocket. 
   There are also examples of writing instruments that include letter openers in which the cutting edge, is recessed or positioned underneath part of the writing instrument. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 471,238 to Volk et al. discloses a writing instrument clip that includes a cutter positioned underneath a clip. U.S. Pat. No. 1,374,882 to Curtis discloses a letter opener with the cutting edge directed upwardly toward the cap of a pen or pencil. U.S. Pat. No. 6,065,169 to Cheldin discloses a letter opener in which the blade of the letter opener is directed downwardly toward the writing end of the instrument. U.S. Pat. No. 6,163,910 to Cheldin discloses a letter opener in which the cutting blade is directed upwardly opposite the writing tip of the writing instrument. Even though the cutting edge is recessed, the tip of the letter opener may tear fabric or puncture a user&#39;s skin, making them undesirable to use. 
   Thus, there remains a need in the art for an improved combination letter opener and writing instrument. 
   SUMMARY 
   The present invention overcomes the foregoing problems by providing a combined writing implement clip and letter opener in which the clip portion includes a letter opener, which may include a blade. The letter opener portion of the clip member is defined by a channel that has an open end on one side of the clip and a closed end adjacent the base of the clip. In some embodiments, a cutting blade may be mounted in the closed end of the channel. 
   In one embodiment, the disclosure is directed to a writing instrument including a clip member and a letter opener. The writing instrument includes a body having a longitudinal axis and a clip member spaced apart from and supported on the body. The clip member includes front and rear surfaces and an outer edge, and a channel having a first end opening at the outer edge and a second, closed end. The writing instrument also includes a cutting member having a cutting edge positioned at the closed end of the channel. The cutting edge is spaced apart from the front and rear surfaces of the clip member and is positioned in angled relation to the longitudinal axis of the body. 
   In another embodiment, the writing instrument includes a body having a longitudinal axis and a clip member having an outer edge. The clip member is spaced apart from and supported on the body and includes a channel having a first end opening at the outer edge and a second, closed end. A blade member is positioned at the closed end of the channel, which blade member includes a cutting edge positioned in angled relation to the longitudinal axis of the body. 
   In yet another embodiment, the writing instrument includes a body having a longitudinal axis and a writing end. The writing instrument includes a clip member spaced apart from and supported on the body. The clip member includes front and rear surfaces and an outer edge, and a channel having a first end opening at the outer edge and a second, closed end. The channel extends angularly from the outer edge to define a convergent tip facing away from the writing end. A cutting member includes a cutting edge positioned at the closed end of the channel and facing away from the writing end and forming an obtuse angle with the angle of the channel. The cutting edge is spaced apart from the front and rear surfaces of the clip member and is positioned in angled relation to the longitudinal axis of the body. 
   The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the disclosure will be apparent from the following more particular description of preferred embodiments of the disclosure, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters refer to the same parts throughout the different views. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the disclosure. The principles and features of this disclosure may be employed in varied and numerous embodiments without departing from the scope of the disclosure. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     It should be understood that the drawings are provided for the purpose of illustration only and are not intended to define the limits of the disclosure. In the drawings: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an exemplary writing instrument that includes a combination clip and letter opener according to the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is an enlarged fragmentary elevational view of the clip portion of the writing instrument shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of the clip portion of the writing instrument taken on line  3 — 3  in  FIG. 2 ; 
       FIG. 4  illustrates the method of using the combination clip and letter opener of the present disclosure to open a letter; 
       FIG. 5  illustrates the writing instrument stored into a pocket; 
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a modified form of my invention; 
       FIG. 7  is an enlarged fragmentary elevational view of the clip portion of the writing instrument shown in  FIG. 6 ; 
       FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view of the clip portion of the writing instrument taken on line  8 — 8  in  FIG. 7 ; and 
       FIG. 9  is a perspective view of another embodiment of an exemplary writing instrument in which the combination clip and letter opener is positioned on a cap for the writing instrument. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   The present invention is directed to a clip member that includes a letter opener and that may be an integral part of a writing instrument, or may be included in a cap for a writing instrument. The clip member may be separate from and attached to, or integrally formed with the writing instrument. The clip member includes a channel having a closed end in which a cutting edge is positioned. When a writing instrument with the present clip member is positioned in, for example, a pocket, the cutting edge is spaced from the fabric so that it does not tear or penetrate the fabric. 
   One embodiment of the present writing instrument is shown in  FIGS. 1-3  when taken together. As shown, writing instrument  10  includes a generally longitudinal body  12  having a first, writing end  14  and a second end  16  opposite writing end  14 . In preferred embodiments, the body may be cylindrical. A clip member indicated generally at  18  may be supported on or attached to writing instrument  10  by any conventional means. Clip member  18  has upper and lower ends  19   a  and  19   b  respectively, and an outer edge  20 , and in the present embodiment is mounted to instrument  10  at second end  16 . Alternatively, clip member  18  may be mounted on a cap  15  (as shown in  FIG. 9 ) for a writing instrument. Clip member  18  includes front and rear surfaces  18   a  and  18   b  respectively, having a peripheral outer edge  20 . In the present embodiment, opposing surfaces  18   a,b  are substantially planar and substantially parallel to one another. Also in the present embodiment, opposing surfaces  18   a,b  are substantially perpendicular to a plane intersecting axis “A” of writing instrument  10 . 
   Clip member  18  includes a letter opener portion indicated generally at  22 , and which is defined by a channel  24  that extends from a closed end  26  at an inner region  29  of clip member  18  to an open end  28  at the outer edge  20  of clip member  18 . Channel  24  is preferably positioned at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis “A” of the writing instrument  10 , as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
   Letter opener  22  includes a convergent tip portion  30  proximate open end  28  of channel  24 , and a relatively wide portion  32  proximate closed end  26  of channel  24 . Preferably, the tip of the letter opener faces away from the writing end of the instrument. Preferably, outer edge  20  is rounded at tip portion  30  and at lower end  19   b , which prevents catching or tearing of fabric on which instrument  10  may be mounted. 
   Closed end  26  of channel  24  includes a cutting edge  34 , which is located intermediate the surfaces  18   a,b  of clip member  18 . The orientation of cutting edge  34  ensures that it will not inadvertently catch or tear paper or fabric when in storage or use. Cutting edge  34  also is preferably positioned at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis “A” of the writing instrument  10  and also defines an obtuse angle with the edge  35  of channel  24  so that the cutting edge faces away from a writing end of the writing instrument in the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-5 , cutting edge  34  is integrally formed with clip member  18 , but it may be a separate element, as discussed below. 
   The clip member may be formed from any suitable material including, but not limited to, metal, plastic, and the like. Similarly, when combined with a writing instrument or a cap for a writing instrument, the cap and the writing instrument may be formed from any of the foregoing materials. The clip member may be combined with any type of writing instrument such as a pen, pencil, marker, etc. 
   In use, as shown in  FIG. 4 , a user may grasp writing instrument  10  to insert tip portion  30  of letter opener  22  into an end of the sealed flap of an envelope while maintaining the longitudinal axis of the writing instrument in substantially parallel relation to the flap edge of the envelope. The user then may slide the writing instrument in the direction of arrow “D” until cutting edge  34  engages the flap of the envelope. Once cutting edge  34  engages the flap of the envelope, the user simply slides the writing instrument in the direction of arrow “D” with sufficient force to slit the flap of the envelope at the fold of the envelope from one end to the other. The particular angulation of cutting edge  34  relative to the angulation of channel  24  facilitates effective cutting or slitting of the envelope along the fold line of the envelope flap. 
   When mounted in the pocket of a garment, for example, as shown in  FIG. 5 , cutting edge  34  is oriented to remain substantially parallel to the fabric of the garment and spaced therefrom so that cutting edge  34  will not engage and possibly tear the fabric of the user&#39;s garment. In addition, the rounded edges of the tip portion  30  and lower edge  19   b  of clip member  18  ensure that the writing instrument may be removed and inserted into a garment for storage without injury to the user or damage to the fabric of a garment. 
   Another exemplary writing instrument is shown in  FIGS. 6-8  when taken together. As shown, writing instrument  110  has generally the same construction as in the previous embodiment, wherein like elements are preceded by the number “1.” Thus, writing instrument  110  includes a generally longitudinal body  112  and a clip member indicated generally at  118  having upper and lower ends  119   a,b , outer edge  120 , and opposing surfaces  118   a,b  bounded by outer edge  120 . 
   As in the previous embodiment, opposing surfaces  118   a,b  are substantially planar and substantially parallel to one another and substantially perpendicular to a plane intersecting axis “A” of writing instrument  110 . 
   Clip member  118  includes a letter opener portion indicated generally at  122 , and which is defined by a channel  124  that extends from a closed end  126  at an inner region  129  of clip member  118  to an open end  128  at the outer edge  120  of clip member  118 . Channel  124  is preferably positioned at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis “A” of the writing instrument  110 , as in the previous embodiment. 
   Letter opener  122  includes a convergent tip portion  130  proximate open end  128  of channel  124  and a relatively wide portion  132  proximate closed end  126  of channel  124 . Preferably, outer edge  120  is rounded at tip portion  130  and at lower end  119   b , which prevents catching or tearing of fabric on which the instrument may be mounted. 
   Closed end  126  of channel  124  includes a cutting blade  137  having a cutting edge  134 . Cutting blade  137  is received in a recess (not illustrated) so that it is spaced intermediate the surfaces  118   a,b  of clip member  118 . Cutting blade  137  may be friction fitted into the recess or fixed in place by, for example, glue, rivets, screws, and the like or it may even be molded in position during molding of clip member  118 . Preferably, cutting blade  137  and thus, cutting edge  134 , are positioned substantially parallel to opposing surfaces  118   a,b  and substantially perpendicular to a plane intersecting axis A so that they will not inadvertently catch or tear paper or fabric when in storage or use. As in the previous embodiment, cutting edge  134  also may be positioned at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis “A” of the writing instrument  10 , and specifically forms an obtuse angle with edge  135  of channel  124 . 
   The material from which the clip member, writing instrument, and cap may be formed is the same as in the previous embodiment. The present clip member may be combined with any type of writing instrument such as a pen, pencil, marker, etc: 
   While this disclosure has been particularly shown and described with references to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims.