Patent Document

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates generally to a writing instrument with a letter opener integrated into the pocket clip. More specifically the writing instrument can be a pen pencil or other type-marking instrument with a clip for holding the writing instrument onto a pocket. The clip includes a protected cutting blade that can be used to open a letter of cut paper or other material. The mechanism that extends the marking tip moves the blade or protective cover, so the blade does not cut the pocket when the writing instrument is not in the marking position. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Many different types and styles of writing instruments are used by people today. Many people will receive mail or letters and will open the mail or letters using a variety of methods including tearing, or cutting open a letter using a stiletto, knife, scissors or a letter opener. This requires the use of two tools i.e. the writing instrument and the opener. Several inventions have been patented or sold that combine the two instruments into one. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 844,770 issued to C. G. Bauer discloses an envelope-opener where the letter opener can be connected onto a writing instrument. A letter is placed within a guide to position the envelope for opening. As the envelope is slid into the guide, the folded portion of the letter is cut open with an “L” shaped blade. While this design can be carried inside a pocket without damage to the pocket, the invention is not designed to be clipped onto a pocket. In addition, the blade remains exposed, and there is no link from the writing tip extending mechanism to the blade protector. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 6,065,169 issued to Cheldin discloses a combination letter opener and writing instrument. The letter opener is a similar configuration to other concealed blade letter openers that are available. This patent is disclosed as both an opener that can be attached to an existing pen, and as an opener that in integrated into the writing instrument housing. In some disclosures of this invention, the point of the pen has a retractable point. While this invention provides both a writing instrument and a letter opener, the invention fails to provide a clip for maintaining the invention on a pocket. The blade has no protection mechanism that shields the blade, and there is no link from the writing tip extending mechanism to the blade protector. 
   WEB site www.creativeconceptsgolf.com discloses a Swiss pen that includes a writing instrument with multi-functional tools such as scissors, knife, tweezers and flashlight. While these tools can be used to open a letter, they do not provide a blade protection mechanism, and once the blade is opened, the blade is exposed without protection. 
   WEB site www.glbproducts.com and other site disclose a pen where the back cap of the pen covers a stiletto blade for opening a letter. This pen provides a writing instrument with a letter-opening tool, and in some cases, the product may include a pocket clip, but the blade is fully exposed when the rear cap is removed, and the blade is not integrated into the pocket clip. In addition, there is no link from the writing tip extending mechanism to the blade protector. 
   What is needed is a writing instrument with a pocket clip where a letter opener is integrated into the pocket clip. The ideal invention would not damage a pocket, by either being located on the opposite side of the pocket clip or being protected when the writing point is retracted, and the blade would be exposed when the writing point is extended. 
   BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   It is an objective of the present invention to provide a writing instrument that combines a writing instrument with a letter opener. The writing instrument includes a clip for attaching the writing instrument to a pocket. The pocket clip includes a blade for opening a letter. The blade is prevented from causing damage to a pocket with a blade protector that is operated with mechanism that extends and retracts the writing tip. 
   The writing instrument can take the form of many different types of instruments including pencil, pen, marker or highlighter. All these writing instruments are generally formed from an elongated cylindrical shape. The cylindrical shape is tapered on one or both ends to allow easier gripping of the writing instrument. The cylinder is generally hollow, and inside the hollow portion of the pen ink, carbon, or marking material is stored or dispensed. 
   The writing tip has generally two positions, one where the tip is concealed within the cylindrical housing, and the second position where the tip is extended outside the cylindrical housing. Numerous methods can used to extend or retract the writing tip. These methods include depressing a button on the end of the pen, twisting the pen or sliding a tab located on the side of the pen. 
   The writing instrument includes a clip that allows the writing instrument to be attached to a pocket. The clip can be molded from the material the housing is made from, or can be formed from a spring type material such as metal and be attached to the cylindrical housing. Within the clip, a letter-opening blade is located. A blade protection mechanism is located on one or two sides of the blade to prevent damage to a pocket when the pen is clipped to a pocket. The blade protection mechanism is linked to the marking tip moving mechanism such that when the tip is extended the blade is exposed, and when the tip is retracted, the blade is at least partially covered to prevent damage to a pocket. 
   In order to open a letter, the tip of the pen is exposed. This also retracts the blade protection mechanism. If the blade is located in the back of the pocket clip, the pen is simply turned around. The fold of the letter is slid into the pocket clip, and the letter is drawn through the pocket clip and past the blade to open the letter. The letter is brought completely through the pocket clip, to open the entire folded edge of the letter. After opening the letter, the tip of the pen is retracted, and the blade is again protected so the pen can be clipped to a pocket. 
   Various objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention, along with the accompanying drawings in which like numerals represent like components. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a view of an embodiment of the invention with a push activated writing point extender. 
       FIG. 2  is an alternate embodiment of the invention with a twist activated writing point extender. 
       FIG. 3  is an alternate embodiment of the invention with a side activated writing point extender. 
       FIG. 4  is an alternate embodiment of the invention with a removable cap having a serrated edge on the pocket clip. 
       FIG. 5  is an alternate embodiment where the blade is located in the back of the pocket clip. 
       FIG. 6  is a cross sectional view of the blade protection mechanism, and the link with the writing point extending mechanism. 
       FIG. 7  shows a letter in position where the letter is being opened using the invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   Referring first to  FIGS. 1 through 5 , that show the invention in a variety of elongated pen configurations. The basic shape of the pen consists of cylindrical bodies, items  20  and  30  that are pressed, connected, screwed or telescope into each other at item  29 . The writing instrument can be made from a variety of materials including, metal, plastic, wood or mineral such as marble, granite or rock. In the preferred embodiment the writing instrument is tapered, item  22 , at the end where the marking or writing tip extends, item  24 . The taper allows easier grasp of the writing instrument. The tapered end may also include a cushion or gripping device that makes the writing instrument easier to hold. At the end opposite the writing tip, the end may be tapered, rounded, or squared depending upon design preferences. This end may also include a writing tip actuation mechanism. The cylindrical shaft of the pen may be smooth, rough, or include a variety details item  32 , for appearance, or to improve comfort to the user. The writing instrument includes a pocket clip or retaining device, item  50  that allows the pen to be held in position on a pocket, shirt, or other thin surface. The pocket clip includes at least one pinch point, item  52  that provides a pinch point to hold the pen onto a thin surface. The pocket clip attaches to the body of the pen at item  54 . At the area where the pocket clip attaches to the pen body, a thin blade, item  60  is located. The blade may be exposed, protected, or movable based upon the construction of the pen. 
     FIG. 1 , item  10  is a pen where the writing tip, item  24 , is extends when the cylindrical button, item  40  located on the back of the pen is pressed into the pen. Once the cylindrical button is depressed, the writing tip extends out the tapered end of the pen, item  22 , and lock in an extended position. As the writing tip is extended the letter-opening blade, item  60  is exposed to allow the pen to open letters. The decorative details, item  32  on the side of the pen are depressions or raised areas located on the pocket clip end of the writing instrument. The letter opening blade, item  60  is locate under the pocket clip. 
     FIG. 2 , item  110  is an alternate embodiment of the invention with a twist activated writing tip extender. This figure also shows the letter-opening blade, item  60  located within the pocket clip. The end of the pen opposite the writing tip is shown as a rounded end. 
     FIG. 3 , item  210  is an alternate embodiment of the invention with a slide activating, writing tip extender, item  44 . In this embodiment, the writing tip is retracted by pressing button, item  42 . The decorative details, item  32  on the side of the pen in this figure are scribed marks in the side of the surface of the writing instrument. 
     FIG. 4 , item  310  is an alternate embodiment of the invention with a removable cap. The removable cap has a serrated edge, item  56  on the pocket clip, item  50 . The serrations on the side of the pocket clip allow the pocket clip to cut or saw the letter open without causing damage to a pocket. 
     FIG. 5 , item  410  is an alternate embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the letter-opening blade, item  60  is located on the pocket clip on the side opposite where the clip is attached to a pocket. This embodiment shows the pen with a rear activating writing tip extender, item  40 , but the method of exposing the writing tip can be any variety including the removable cap type. At the end where the letter-opening blade is located, the housing is tapered or shaped, item  36 , to allow easier insertion of the letter. 
     FIG. 6  is a cross sectional view of the blade extending/exposing mechanism, and the link with the pen point extending mechanism. This embodiment shows an end activating writing tip extender, item  40  but the writing tip can be extended by twisting the pen, or sliding an activator. In this figure, portions of the two halves of the pen are shown, items  20  and  30 . This embodiment is a pen where item  44 , is the body of the pen. The body of the pen necks down to create a shoulder for a spring, item  46 . The letter-opening blade is formed from a piece of flat metal. The formed letter-opening blade contains a ring hole, item  62  that locates between the shoulder of the pen and the spring. The formed metal then includes a slender strip, item  64  that runs along the inside of the pen body. The end of the formed metal is bent and sharpened to form the blade, item  60 . The blade is protected within a cavity, item  56  located within the pocket clip. To assemble the pen, the blade slides within a slot, item  58  located along the side of the pen. The two halves are then threaded, screwed, pressed or otherwise joined together. In this embodiment the cap of the pen, item  40  includes an opening that allows as second pen extension locking piece, item  42 . When the end of the pen is depressed, the second pen extension-locking piece rotates, and holds the writing tip in an extended position. When the end is depressed a second time, the second pen extension-locking piece rotates again and the writing tip is retracted. The formed metal blade moves with the body of the pen, and when the writing tip is extended, the blade is moved out of the cavity, item  56 . When the writing tip is retracted, the blade is returned cavity under the pocket clip. 
     FIG. 6  shows a letter in position where the letter is about to be opened using the invention. The letter, item  70  is brought near the pocket clip, item  52 . The flap, item  72  of the letter is opened slightly with the pocket clip. The pen is then slid down the pocket clip, item  50  until the letter makes contact with the blade, item  60 . As the letter slides across the blade, the flap of the letter is slit open. 
   Thus, specific embodiments and applications for a writing instrument with an integrated letter-opening blade have been disclosed. It should be apparent, however, to those skilled in the art that many more modifications besides those described are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive subject matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spirit of the appended claims.

Technology Category: 3