WO1992022433A1 - Refill unit for a writing instrument - Google Patents
Refill unit for a writing instrument Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO1992022433A1 WO1992022433A1 PCT/EP1992/001230 EP9201230W WO9222433A1 WO 1992022433 A1 WO1992022433 A1 WO 1992022433A1 EP 9201230 W EP9201230 W EP 9201230W WO 9222433 A1 WO9222433 A1 WO 9222433A1
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- refill unit
- writing
- unit
- writing instrument
- tip
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Ceased
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B43—WRITING OR DRAWING IMPLEMENTS; BUREAU ACCESSORIES
- B43K—IMPLEMENTS FOR WRITING OR DRAWING
- B43K24/00—Mechanisms for selecting, projecting, retracting or locking writing units
- B43K24/02—Mechanisms for selecting, projecting, retracting or locking writing units for locking a single writing unit in only fully projected or retracted positions
- B43K24/08—Mechanisms for selecting, projecting, retracting or locking writing units for locking a single writing unit in only fully projected or retracted positions operated by push-buttons
- B43K24/084—Mechanisms for selecting, projecting, retracting or locking writing units for locking a single writing unit in only fully projected or retracted positions operated by push-buttons with saw-like or analogous cams
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a refill unit for a writing instrument.
- Writing instruments, and ball point pens in particular, often incorporate a refill unit.
- a refill unit has a writing tip at one end and paired major and minor ratchet recesses at the opposite end.
- a pair of fingers provided internally of the writing instrument alternately engage the major and minor recesses of the ratchet on depression of a button on the writing instrument to cause the tip of the refill unit to retract into and extend from the casing of the writing instrument in turn, the action additionally being controlled by a coiled compression spring.
- Such a ratchet mechanism is shown and. described in EP-A-0252694. Each depression, and release, of the button causes the refill unit to rotate by 90° within the casing of the writing instrument.
- a refill unit for a writing instrument having a writing tip at one end and a ratchet mechanism at the other end by means of which the unit can be turned and selectively extended from and retracted into the writing instrument, the ratchet mechanism being rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the unit with respect to the writing tip.
- the tip rotates by a substantially random amount which ensures a more even distribution of wear on the writing tip. It should be noted that the refill unit cannot rotate whilst writing since the unit is held, as conventionally, by a coiled compression spring.
- the invention produces a "click" of lower pitch than that produced by conventional refill units when the refill unit is extended or retracted, the overall sound being less “tinny” and therefore more appealing to the majority of users.
- the rotating portion is constituted by a sleeve which carries recessed cam surfaces of the ratchet mechanism and which is retained for rotation on a post upstanding from the end of the refill unit remote from the writing tip.
- Fig. 1 is a partially sectioned elevation of a refill unit
- Fig. 2 is a partially sectioned view of a ratchet
- Fig. 3 is a view from one end of the ratchet
- Fig. 4 is a view from the other end of the ratchet
- Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the ratchet.
- FIG. 1 there is shown a refill unit 1 for a ball point pen, which has a casing 2 divided generally into a body portion 3 and a shank portion 4 of reduced diameter.
- the shank 4 carries a conventional writing tip 5 in which is mounted a ball 6.
- a ratchet head 7 is fixed in the other end of the body portion 3.
- the ratchet head 7 is a two part assembly and consists generally of a sleeve 10 and a mount 11.
- the mount 11 comprises a plug portion 12 which is held within the open end of the body 3 of the refill unit and spigot 13 of reduced diameter which extends away from the plug 12 in a direction opposite the writing tip 5.
- the spigot 13 has a flare 14 at its outermost end and the sleeve 10 is held for rotation about the spigot 13 between the plug 12 and the flare 14, after having been inserted on the spigot.
- the sleeve 10 is provided with conventional major and minor ratchet recesses 20,21.
- the plug portion 12 has a pair of indentations 22 which provide for air ventilation to the body portion 3.
- the sleeve 10 When the refill unit is installed in a ball point pen, with a coil spring disposed around its shank at the tip of the pen, and the button on the pen is operated, the sleeve 10 is rotated by 90° which, by virtue of the fingers riding over the sloped cam surfaces of the major or minor recesses 20,21, causes the writing tip 5 to be extended or retracted as the case may be against the bias of the spring. As the sleeve 10 rotates, it presses down onto the plug portion 12 and, by virtue of the friction generated between the sleeve 10 and the plug 12 by the spring, carries the whole unit 1.
- Having a separate sleeve 10 and mount 11 means that colour coding can be achieved in a manner which allows the user to identify quickly and easily the colour of the ink within the refill unit, whilst at the same time allowing a uniformity of appearance across the range of colours provided.
- the sleeve 10 can be a standard colour, perhaps matching the colour of the casing 2, whilst the mount 11 may be of the same colour as the ink.
- the shank 4 of the refill unit has a constant diameter throughout its length. Conventionally, a step has been formed in this shank. However, it has been found that using a constant diameter shank 4 prevents hang-up of the refill unit 1 on the spring provided within ball point pens. This in itself is an distinct improvement over conventional refill units.
Landscapes
- Mechanical Pencils And Projecting And Retracting Systems Therefor, And Multi-System Writing Instruments (AREA)
- Pens And Brushes (AREA)
- Recording Measured Values (AREA)
- Coating Apparatus (AREA)
Abstract
A refill unit (1) for a writing instrument has a writing tip (5) at one end and a ratchet mechanism (7) at the other end by means of which the unit (1) can be turned and selectively extended from and retracted into the writing instrument. The ratchet mechanism (7) is rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the unit with respect to the writing tip (5). By this means, each time the refill unit (1) is extended from or retracted into the writing instrument, the tip (5) rotates by a substantially random amount which ensures a more even distribution of wear on the writing tip (5).
Description
REFILL UNIT FOR A WRITING INSTRUMENT
The present invention relates to a refill unit for a writing instrument. Writing instruments, and ball point pens in particular, often incorporate a refill unit. Such a refill unit has a writing tip at one end and paired major and minor ratchet recesses at the opposite end. A pair of fingers provided internally of the writing instrument alternately engage the major and minor recesses of the ratchet on depression of a button on the writing instrument to cause the tip of the refill unit to retract into and extend from the casing of the writing instrument in turn, the action additionally being controlled by a coiled compression spring. Such a ratchet mechanism is shown and. described in EP-A-0252694. Each depression, and release, of the button causes the refill unit to rotate by 90° within the casing of the writing instrument. Thus, as users tend always to hold the writing instrument in the same orientation when writing, only two opposite sides of the writing tip of the refill unit are used to write with. This leads to uneven wear of the writing tip which, especially towards the end of the life of the refill, can result in uneven transfer of ink to the paper. According to the present invention, there is provided a refill unit for a writing instrument, the unit having a writing tip at one end and a ratchet mechanism at the other end by means of which the unit can be turned and selectively extended from and retracted into the writing instrument, the ratchet mechanism being rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the unit with respect to the writing tip.
By this means, each time the refill unit is extended from or retracted into the writing instrument, the tip rotates by a substantially random amount which ensures a more even distribution of wear on the writing tip. It should be noted that the refill unit cannot rotate whilst
writing since the unit is held, as conventionally, by a coiled compression spring.
Additionally, it has been found that the invention produces a "click" of lower pitch than that produced by conventional refill units when the refill unit is extended or retracted, the overall sound being less "tinny" and therefore more appealing to the majority of users.
Preferably, the rotating portion is constituted by a sleeve which carries recessed cam surfaces of the ratchet mechanism and which is retained for rotation on a post upstanding from the end of the refill unit remote from the writing tip.
An example of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:-
Fig. 1 is a partially sectioned elevation of a refill unit;
Fig. 2 is a partially sectioned view of a ratchet; Fig. 3 is a view from one end of the ratchet; Fig. 4 is a view from the other end of the ratchet; and.
Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the ratchet.
In Figure 1 there is shown a refill unit 1 for a ball point pen, which has a casing 2 divided generally into a body portion 3 and a shank portion 4 of reduced diameter.
The shank 4 carries a conventional writing tip 5 in which is mounted a ball 6.
A ratchet head 7 is fixed in the other end of the body portion 3. The ratchet head 7 is a two part assembly and consists generally of a sleeve 10 and a mount 11. The mount 11 comprises a plug portion 12 which is held within the open end of the body 3 of the refill unit and spigot 13 of reduced diameter which extends away from the plug 12 in a direction opposite the writing tip 5. The spigot 13 has a flare 14 at its outermost end and the sleeve 10 is held for rotation about the spigot 13 between the plug 12 and the flare 14, after having been inserted on the spigot.
The sleeve 10 is provided with conventional major and minor ratchet recesses 20,21. The operation of this aspect of the ratchet, whereby the writing tip is extended when the fingers provided internally of the casing of the writing instrument project into the minor recesses 21 and the writing tip is retracted when the fingers project into the major recesses 20, is completely conventional and well understood by persons skilled in the art and is described in EP-A-0252694. It will not therefore be further described.
The plug portion 12 has a pair of indentations 22 which provide for air ventilation to the body portion 3.
When the refill unit is installed in a ball point pen, with a coil spring disposed around its shank at the tip of the pen, and the button on the pen is operated, the sleeve 10 is rotated by 90° which, by virtue of the fingers riding over the sloped cam surfaces of the major or minor recesses 20,21, causes the writing tip 5 to be extended or retracted as the case may be against the bias of the spring. As the sleeve 10 rotates, it presses down onto the plug portion 12 and, by virtue of the friction generated between the sleeve 10 and the plug 12 by the spring, carries the whole unit 1. As the button is released, this friction is reduced as the refill moves away from the tip of the pen and the plug 12, and therefore the body 2 of the refill unit 1, can rotate with respect to the pen casing; in fact, there is a tendency for the body 2 to "hop", at least partly due to spring pressure and the final resting position of the body 2 with respect to the pen casing is randomly determined. Empirically, it has been found that on average ten operations of the button are required to turn the writing tip through 360°. However, the angular displacement of the writing tip 5 about the longitudinal axis of the refill unit 1 on each operation is a random distribution. Thus, a different part of the writing tip 5 is presented to the paper each time the user extends the writing tip, leading to a more even distribution of wear, thus retaining uniform
writing characteristics throughout the lifetime of the refill.
Having a separate sleeve 10 and mount 11 means that colour coding can be achieved in a manner which allows the user to identify quickly and easily the colour of the ink within the refill unit, whilst at the same time allowing a uniformity of appearance across the range of colours provided. For example, the sleeve 10 can be a standard colour, perhaps matching the colour of the casing 2, whilst the mount 11 may be of the same colour as the ink.
As can be seen from Figure 1, the shank 4 of the refill unit has a constant diameter throughout its length. Conventionally, a step has been formed in this shank. However, it has been found that using a constant diameter shank 4 prevents hang-up of the refill unit 1 on the spring provided within ball point pens. This in itself is an distinct improvement over conventional refill units.
Claims
1. A refill unit (1) for a writing instrument, the unit having a writing tip (5) at one end and a ratchet mechanism (7) at the other end by means of which the unit (1) can be turned and selectively extended from and retracted into the writing instrument, the ratchet mechanism (7) being rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the unit with respect to the writing tip (5) .
2. A refill unit according to claim 1, comprising a sleeve (10) which carries recessed cam surfaces (20,21) of the ratchet mechanism and which is retained for rotation on a post (13) upstanding from the end of the refill unit (1) remote from the writing tip (5) .
3. A refill unit according to claim 2, wherein the post is formed on a plug portion (12) of the ratchet mechanism (7) , the plug portion (12) being fitted in a casing (2) of the refill unit (1) .
4. A refill unit according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the refill unit (1) has a shank portion (4) carrying the writing tip (5) , the shank portion having a constant diameter throughout its length.
Priority Applications (7)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| BR9206125A BR9206125A (en) | 1991-06-14 | 1992-06-03 | Refill unit for a writing instrument |
| EP92911440A EP0623074A1 (en) | 1991-06-14 | 1992-06-03 | Refill unit for a writing instrument |
| KR1019930703867A KR970005842B1 (en) | 1991-06-14 | 1992-06-03 | Refill unit for a writing instrument |
| AU19164/92A AU656780B2 (en) | 1991-06-14 | 1992-06-03 | Refill unit for a writing instrument |
| RU9393058566A RU2098283C1 (en) | 1991-06-14 | 1992-06-03 | Pulling-in assembly for writing instrument |
| US08/157,009 US5417504A (en) | 1991-06-14 | 1992-06-03 | Refill unit for a writing instrument |
| TW085200127U TW296692U (en) | 1991-06-14 | 1992-06-11 | Refill unit for a writing instrument |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB9113220.9 | 1991-06-14 | ||
| GB919113220A GB9113220D0 (en) | 1991-06-14 | 1991-06-14 | Refill unit for a writing instrument |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| WO1992022433A1 true WO1992022433A1 (en) | 1992-12-23 |
Family
ID=10696938
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/EP1992/001230 Ceased WO1992022433A1 (en) | 1991-06-14 | 1992-06-03 | Refill unit for a writing instrument |
Country Status (21)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US5417504A (en) |
| EP (2) | EP0623074A1 (en) |
| JP (1) | JP2665397B2 (en) |
| KR (1) | KR970005842B1 (en) |
| CN (1) | CN1035605C (en) |
| AT (1) | ATE126133T1 (en) |
| AU (1) | AU656780B2 (en) |
| BR (1) | BR9206125A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2103243C (en) |
| DE (1) | DE69203971T2 (en) |
| DK (1) | DK0518198T3 (en) |
| ES (1) | ES2076613T3 (en) |
| GB (1) | GB9113220D0 (en) |
| GR (1) | GR3017495T3 (en) |
| HK (1) | HK208196A (en) |
| IE (1) | IE73262B1 (en) |
| MX (1) | MX9202854A (en) |
| RU (1) | RU2098283C1 (en) |
| TW (1) | TW296692U (en) |
| WO (1) | WO1992022433A1 (en) |
| ZA (1) | ZA924020B (en) |
Families Citing this family (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP3888930A4 (en) * | 2018-11-29 | 2022-11-02 | Kabushiki Kaisha Pilot Corporation (also trading as Pilot Corporation) | RETRACTABLE TYPE WRITING INSTRUMENT |
| CN111753818A (en) * | 2020-06-11 | 2020-10-09 | 北京万维智能技术有限公司 | A dot-matrix intelligent watercolor pen color automatic recognition system |
Citations (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FR1167442A (en) * | 1953-05-06 | 1958-11-25 | Mentmore Mfg Company Ltd | Refinement of writing instruments with re-entrant point |
| EP0252694A1 (en) * | 1986-07-07 | 1988-01-13 | Parker Pen (Benelux) B.V. | Writing instrument |
Family Cites Families (9)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AT199539B (en) * | 1955-07-18 | 1958-09-10 | I A R S A Ind Articoli Resine | Push button mechanism for ballpoint pens |
| NL278392A (en) * | 1961-05-16 | |||
| DE1411948B1 (en) * | 1962-03-30 | 1970-09-24 | Faber Castell A W | Ballpoint pen with push mechanism |
| DE1248508B (en) * | 1962-08-16 | 1967-08-24 | Helmut Bross Dipl Ing | Switching mechanism for ballpoint pen |
| GB1284294A (en) * | 1969-09-08 | 1972-08-02 | Dashen Wang | Retractable ball-point pens |
| US4724428A (en) * | 1986-07-07 | 1988-02-09 | Emhart Industries, Inc. | Thermocouple jacket monitor |
| US4991988A (en) * | 1989-04-18 | 1991-02-12 | Bic Corporation | Component writing instrument having retractable cartridge |
| US6336103B1 (en) * | 1989-08-02 | 2002-01-01 | Nardin L. Baker | Rapid method of analysis for correlation of asset return to future financial liabilities |
| US5184908A (en) * | 1990-11-17 | 1993-02-09 | Kotobuki & Co., Ltd. | Writing implement with side actuator |
-
1991
- 1991-06-14 GB GB919113220A patent/GB9113220D0/en active Pending
-
1992
- 1992-06-02 ZA ZA924020A patent/ZA924020B/en unknown
- 1992-06-03 US US08/157,009 patent/US5417504A/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1992-06-03 ES ES92109373T patent/ES2076613T3/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1992-06-03 BR BR9206125A patent/BR9206125A/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1992-06-03 EP EP92911440A patent/EP0623074A1/en active Pending
- 1992-06-03 KR KR1019930703867A patent/KR970005842B1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1992-06-03 CA CA002103243A patent/CA2103243C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1992-06-03 JP JP4511227A patent/JP2665397B2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1992-06-03 AT AT92109373T patent/ATE126133T1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1992-06-03 WO PCT/EP1992/001230 patent/WO1992022433A1/en not_active Ceased
- 1992-06-03 AU AU19164/92A patent/AU656780B2/en not_active Ceased
- 1992-06-03 DK DK92109373.8T patent/DK0518198T3/en active
- 1992-06-03 DE DE69203971T patent/DE69203971T2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1992-06-03 EP EP92109373A patent/EP0518198B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1992-06-03 RU RU9393058566A patent/RU2098283C1/en active
- 1992-06-11 TW TW085200127U patent/TW296692U/en unknown
- 1992-06-12 MX MX9202854A patent/MX9202854A/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1992-06-13 CN CN92104597A patent/CN1035605C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1992-07-01 IE IE921908A patent/IE73262B1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
-
1995
- 1995-09-21 GR GR950402612T patent/GR3017495T3/en unknown
-
1996
- 1996-11-21 HK HK208196A patent/HK208196A/en not_active IP Right Cessation
Patent Citations (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FR1167442A (en) * | 1953-05-06 | 1958-11-25 | Mentmore Mfg Company Ltd | Refinement of writing instruments with re-entrant point |
| EP0252694A1 (en) * | 1986-07-07 | 1988-01-13 | Parker Pen (Benelux) B.V. | Writing instrument |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| DK0518198T3 (en) | 1995-11-27 |
| US5417504A (en) | 1995-05-23 |
| EP0518198A1 (en) | 1992-12-16 |
| CA2103243C (en) | 1997-05-20 |
| HK208196A (en) | 1996-11-29 |
| EP0623074A1 (en) | 1994-11-09 |
| AU1916492A (en) | 1993-01-12 |
| JP2665397B2 (en) | 1997-10-22 |
| KR970005842B1 (en) | 1997-04-21 |
| ATE126133T1 (en) | 1995-08-15 |
| CN1035605C (en) | 1997-08-13 |
| DE69203971D1 (en) | 1995-09-14 |
| EP0518198B1 (en) | 1995-08-09 |
| MX9202854A (en) | 1993-01-01 |
| ZA924020B (en) | 1993-02-24 |
| BR9206125A (en) | 1994-11-20 |
| RU2098283C1 (en) | 1997-12-10 |
| CA2103243A1 (en) | 1992-12-15 |
| JPH06508306A (en) | 1994-09-22 |
| IE921908A1 (en) | 1992-12-16 |
| DE69203971T2 (en) | 1995-11-30 |
| TW296692U (en) | 1997-01-21 |
| GR3017495T3 (en) | 1995-12-31 |
| AU656780B2 (en) | 1995-02-16 |
| CN1070144A (en) | 1993-03-24 |
| GB9113220D0 (en) | 1991-08-07 |
| IE73262B1 (en) | 1997-05-21 |
| ES2076613T3 (en) | 1995-11-01 |
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