Convertible writing assemblies and components thereof
AssigneeSanford, L.P.
InventorsKyle Frank Cauwels, Melanie Nicole Kregg
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Convertible writing instrument assemblies are provided, including an outer barrel having a tapered nosecone with an aperture for a writing instrument tip and a grip portion, and an aperture for receiving an eraser or a push button therethrough, wherein the writing instrument assembly provides selective access to a volume defined by the outer barrel, and wherein the outer barrel and the volume are collectively configured to operably and interchangeably receive a mechanical pencil insert having the eraser and a retractable pen insert having the push button. Mechanical pencils and pens utilizing the convertible writing instrument assemblies are also provided, along with kits for providing such mechanical pencils and pens.
Claims20
A convertible writing instrument assembly, comprising:
- an outer barrel comprising a tapered nosecone having an aperture for a writing instrument tip and a grip portion;
- and
- an aperture for receiving an eraser or a push button therethrough,
- wherein the writing instrument assembly provides selective access to a volume defined by the outer barrel via a clip assembly configured to be removably coupled to a distal end of the outer barrel opposite the nosecone,
- wherein the outer barrel and the volume are collectively configured to operably and interchangeably receive a mechanical pencil insert having the eraser and a retractable pen insert having the push button,
- wherein the outer barrel comprises an inner surface having a threaded portion at its distal end, and
- wherein the clip assembly comprises a threaded portion for threaded engagement with the threaded portion of the outer barrel.
A mechanical pencil, comprising:
- a convertible writing instrument assembly comprising:
- an outer barrel comprising a tapered nosecone having an aperture and a grip portion;
- and
- an aperture for receiving an eraser or a push button therethrough;
- and
- a mechanical pencil insert comprising:
- a retractable writing tip positioned at a proximal end of the insert, the retractable writing tip being configured to secure a pencil lead for writing therein, such that the pencil lead is extendable through the aperture of the tapered nosecone;
- a body configured such that the retractable writing tip is retractable therein;
- a lead tube for containing a plurality of pencil lead, the lead tube positioned at least partially within the body and coupled to the retractable writing tip;
- and
- an eraser holder secured at a proximal end within the body,
- wherein an eraser is secured within a distal end of the eraser holder at a distal end of the insert,
- wherein the writing instrument assembly provides selective access to a volume defined by the outer barrel, and
- wherein the outer barrel and the volume are collectively configured to operably and interchangeably receive the mechanical pencil insert and a retractable pen insert having the push button.
A pen, comprising:
- a convertible writing instrument assembly comprising:
- an outer barrel comprising a tapered nosecone having an aperture and a grip portion;
- and
- an aperture for receiving an eraser or a push button therethrough;
- and
- a retractable pen insert comprising:
- an ink tube for containing an ink formulation;
- a writing tip in communication with the ink tube and configured to discharge the ink formulation therefrom;
- a push button for retractably advancing the writing tip through the aperture of the tapered nosecone;
- and
- a compression spring positioned at the nosecone and configured to receive a proximal end of the ink tube therethrough, to bias the writing tip in a retracted position,
- wherein the writing instrument assembly provides selective access to a volume defined by the outer barrel, and
- wherein the outer barrel and the volume are collectively configured to operably and interchangeably receive a mechanical pencil insert having the eraser and the retractable pen insert having the push button.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.