WO1998019871A1 - Automatic pen - Google Patents

Abstract

The only pen of its kind: it is automatic, with a shutter system that requires only one finger to operate. The nib can be retracted at the push of button which operates a shutter system (fig. 1;d) and is therefore protected from contact with the atomosphere and consequent evaporation of ink. The mechanism consists of: a flexible, malleable shutter which can be made of plastic or rubber (fig. 6;b) which slides in a groove on the inside of the upper part of the pen (fig. 6;h), an external sliding button (fig. 7), an inner plastic or metal strip, with its own groove (fig. 8;g,e) attached to the ink-pad on the inside by a hook which guides the ink-pad down on retraction of the nib. In this way there is no further need for a protective cap: the nib lasts longer as it is always retracted after use. The security is at the most: never there is the danger, for children and adults, to ingest the cap.

Description

A U T O M A T I C P E N

D E S C R I P T I O N

This is an automatic pen and to be used on paper or plastic or overhead projector as a marker and felt-tip pen too. It contains an ink-soaked pad. The ink can be water or alcohol based or other substance, all non-toxic (see fig. 1,2,3). Nowadays all felt-tip pens and markers have a cap because the tip and pad dry up in contact with air and become unusable in a short space of time. The cap also requires the use of two hands to remove it and to replace it. This leads to several problems. The ink evaporates with the possibility to toxis fumes. The user's hands may be soiled, and the cap may get lost.

The invention consists of a new type of automatic pen which can have various dimensions of tip and pen (round, square, rectangular, triangular, etc.). The novelty is in the closure, The pen snaps shut using one hand. The shutter (fig. 2 ; b ) is made of plastic, rubber, metal or industrial resin, so that it slides easily along a groove (fig. 6;h - fig. 2, 3,4,5). It requires only one finger for the slide-snap up procedure. If the finger pushes the slide-snap up (fig. 2, 3) the shutter goes up and closes the tip in airtight fashi^¬ on, retracting the tip at the same time.

If the finger pushes the slide-snap down (fig. 1,4,5) the shutter retracts, exposing the tip (fig. 6;a,b). The ink- pad and tip (fig. 8;c) are connected by thin piece of metal to the sliding apparatus.

Result: the simple one finger action permits the opening and the closing of the automatic pen, for example a marker or a felt-tip pen. The principle is machamcal and in the future all felt-tip pens and markers could be produced using this reproducible method.

Claims

C L A I M S ( S A F E G U A R D )

1

The claim is required for the following idea: a pen with an automatic one-handed opening and closing mechanism (fig. 1;d) The pressure is transmitted externally by one-finger slide which pushes up a shutter that protects the tip from contact with the air so that it doesn't dry up (fig. 2 - 3;b.d). The use is propitius for markers and felt-tip pens.

The novelty of the invention: a protective shutter for markers and felt-tip pens (fig. 2 - 3;b,d). The mechanism consists of: a slide-snap (fig. l;d), a groove for the shutter (fig. 6;h,d), a sliding metal or plastic connection between the base of the ink-pad and the slide-snap (external button) which slides along its own groove (fig. 8;e,g). The connection is made by a special hook which remains in the ink-pad.

This is the only invention of its kind for a pen with an airtight shutter. On the inside of the structure is a mechanism which can have va ious uses, f.e. to protect knife blades, writing, for sources of illumination, emitting disinfectant, shooting bullets, explosive mechanisms etc. The mechanism consists of: a pen that opens and shuts using only one hand, the shutter can be made of plastic, metal, rubber or industrial resin so that it slides easily along a groove. It requires only one finger for the slide-snap procedure (fig. 2,3,6). Besides, excluded is the danger to ingest the cap, forever.