Multicolor pen

#The present invention relates in general to selectible multi-element devices, in particular to a novel writing instrument wherein any one of a plurality of writing elements may be individually selected.

#Writing instruments which carry a plurality of writing points, e.g. of different colors, are well known. In some of these instruments, the respective writing elements, i.e. the refill cartridge and the associated writing point, are positioned side by side in individual channels. Each element has an appropriate tab or handle extending to the outside of the writing instrument and a selection is made by pushing the handle which corresponds to the desired writing element, in a downward direction toward the writing end of the instrument.

#In many of these writing instruments, e.g. in pens, the exit opening through which the writing point is selectively extended outside the pen has a diameter slightly larger than that of the writing point itself. The hollow body of the pen normally tapers down at the writing end from its full diameter substantially to the diameter of the exit opening. The internal taper, whether planar or curved, provides a guide surface which is contacted by the writing point as it moves toward the exit opening. In the process, the writing element is deflected from its normal position parallel to the axis of the writing instrument so that the writing point emerges at an angle to the axis.

#These and other objects of the present invention, together with the features and advantages thereof, will become apparent from the following detailed specification when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals refer to identical parts.

#FIG. 1 illustrates in partial cross-section a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

#FIG. 1A is a detail view of a portion of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

#With reference now to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the invention in the form of a substantially cylindrical multi-element pen. The writing end of the pen, generally designated by the reference numeral 11, is encased by a removable pen cap 10. The pen cap, which is further illustrated in FIG. 5, comprises a hollow substantially cylindrical body 12 which has a pen cap top 14 secured therein closing off one end of the cap body. Cap top 14 includes a shoulder 17 which preferably has an outside diameter equal to that of cap body 12 to provide a continuous outside pen cap surface. The lower edge 18 of cap top 14 includes a notch 15 which is shown in greater detail in FIG. 1A. A cap clip 16 is secured to parts 12 and 14 and allows the pen to be clipped onto a garment or the like for carrying purposes.

#When pen cap 10 is disposed on the writing end of the pen as shown, pen cap body 12 frictionally engages the outside of main pen shank 100. Further, lower edge 18 of cap top 14 abuts an external shoulder 52 of lower pen shank 50 in a plane normal to the pen axis. As shown particularly in FIG. 3, shank 100 preferably consists of a hollow cylindrical body coaxial with the axis of the pen and includes a lower edge which abuts another external shoulder 54 of lower pen shank 50. Parts 50 and 100 are adhesively secured together and jointly present a substantially continuous outside surface of the pen.

#Lower pen shank 50 includes an external waist 56 of reduced outside diameter for ease of gripping. Pen shank 50 further comprises a sloped internal shoulder 57 which facilitates the assembly of the respective pen components. Shoulder 57 narrows down to a throat section or exit template 59 of reduced diameter, as further shown in FIG. 2E. The junction between throat section 59 and shoulder 57 is designated by the reference numeral 61, as shown in FIG. 1. An internal thread 58 of lower shank 50 engages an external thread 55 of a point shroud 60. Shroud 60 tapers down to an exit opening 62 which permits the writing point of a writing element within to extend outside. A cap seal 20 is secured within cap top 14 and engages shroud 60 when pen cap 10 is in place on the writing end of the pen. The sealing action provided by the pen cap inhibits drying out, by way of exit opening 62, of the writing fluid carried by the writing point 132 and its associated cartridge 110, particularly where a porous point nib, such as a felt tip, is used. Further sealing is provided by a shroud seal 64 in the form of a gasket which is disposed between shroud 60 and lower pen shank 50 to inhibit leakage of air between the latter.