[BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION]
1. Field of the Invention
[0001] The present invention relates to a retractable type writing instrument, and more
particularly, to a retractable type writing instrument such as a ballpoint pen, highlighter,
roller pen, board marker pen, oil-based marker pen, magic pen, plastic pen, or marking
pen, in which a retractable type nib protrudes from a front opening of the writing
instrument only when using the writing instrument, and the nib is positioned in the
writing instrument when not in use.
2. Description of the Related Art
[0002] Typically, a writing instrument is used to record information on a surface using
a recording medium, and has various forms and methods such as a ballpoint pen, highlighter,
roller pen, board marker pen, oil-based marker pen, magic pen, plastic pen, or marking
pen. Most of these types of writing instruments are generally retractable type writing
instruments which are provided with a cylindrical body, a nib housed in the body,
and a pushing member provided in the body so as to press the nib.
[0003] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a conventional retractable type writing
instrument.
[0004] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the conventional retractable type writing instrument includes
a body case 10 having a front opening 12 formed in one end thereof, a knock part 20
coupled to the body case 10 so as to allow a nib 50 to protrude from or be retracted
into the front opening 12, a clip part 30 attached to the body case 10, and a cartridge
40 slidably installed in the body shaft 10 together with a spring (not illustrated).
The nib 50 is provided on an end side of the cartridge 40.
[0005] In addition, the cartridge 40 has an air passage 42 formed on the end side thereof
protruding together with the nib 50 from the front opening 12.
[0006] However, as illustrated in FIG. 1, when the nib 50 protrudes from the front opening
12, the air passage 42 also protrudes to an outside, thereby deteriorating an aesthetic
appearance of the air passage 42. In particular, if foreign matters are trapped in
the protruded air passage 42, a vacuum may occur due to an unstable supply of air,
thereby causing a problem of defective writing due to ink contained in the cartridge
40 not being properly supplied to the nib 50.
[0007] As a prior art related to the present invention, there is an air hole structure of
a ball-point pen disclosed in Korean Utility Model Registration No.
20-0438707 (Published on March 29, 2008).
[SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION]
[0008] In consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, it is an object of the present
invention to provide a retractable type writing instrument, in which a nib is fixed
to a cartridge by means of a nib fixing means, and the nib fixing means has an air
circulation passage formed in a coupling part thereof, such that it is possible to
prevent the air circulation passage from being exposed, thus to enhance an aesthetic
appearance when using the writing instrument, and prevent an occurrence of defective
writing by always stably supplying air due to prevention of foreign matters from inflowing
into the cartridge.
[0009] Another object of the present invention is to provide a retractable type writing
instrument capable of using various forms and types of nibs by employing a nib fixing
means which can be used for general purpose in a body case and a cartridge, such that
manufacturing costs may be reduced.
[0010] In order to accomplish the above objects, according to the present invention, there
is provided a retractable type writing instrument, including: a body case including
a knock part installed therein to be operated by pushing, and a cartridge inserted
into a hollow inside thereof; and a nib fixing means coupled to an end of the cartridge
so as to connect a nib housed therein with the cartridge.
[0011] Preferably, the nib fixing means includes a coupling part integrally formed therewith,
which is formed in a hollow cylindrical shape and has a reduced diameter toward the
cartridge so as to be inserted therein, and the coupling part has an air circulation
passage formed therein by cutting in an axial direction to be communicated with an
outside.
[0012] In addition, at least one of the air circulation passages may be formed in the coupling
part.
[0013] Further, the coupling part may further include a stepped groove formed therein with
a reduced diameter, and the stepped groove may be positioned in a stepped portion
formed inside of the end of the cartridge so as to prevent a separation therebetween,
and the coupling part may be formed so as to have an outer diameter slightly larger
than an inner diameter of the stepped portion.
[0014] In accordance with the retractable type writing instrument according to the present
invention, the nib is coupled to the cartridge through the nib fixing means containing
the nib, and the air circulation passage is formed in the coupling part of the nib
fixing means, such that it is possible to prevent the air circulation passage from
being exposed, thus to enhance an aesthetic appearance when using the writing instrument,
and prevent an occurrence of defective writing by always stably supplying air due
to prevention of foreign matters from inflowing into the cartridge.
[0015] Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to use various forms
and types of nibs by employing the nib fixing means which can be used for general
purpose in the body case and the cartridge, such that manufacturing costs may be reduced.
[BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS]
[0016] The above and other objects, features and other advantages of the present invention
will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction
with the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a conventional retractable type writing
instrument;
FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective illustrating a retractable type writing instrument
according to the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a cartridge and a nib fixing means of
the writing instrument according to the present invention; and
FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a state of use of the retractable type writing
instrument according to the present invention.
[DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION]
[0017] Hereinafter, a retractable type writing instrument according to the present invention
will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings in terms of
configuration and operation thereof.
[0018] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective illustrating a retractable type writing instrument
according to the present invention, FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating
a cartridge and a nib fixing means of the writing instrument according to the present
invention, and FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a state of use of the retractable
type writing instrument according to the present invention.
[0019] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the retractable type writing instrument according to the
present invention generally includes: a body case 100, a cartridge 130 slidably inserted
into the body case 100, and a nib fixing means 150 installed in the cartridge 130
while containing the nib 160.
[0020] First, the body case 100 may be made of a synthetic resin material or a metallic
material using an injection molding or a mold forming method, and may have a hollow
pipe or tube shape.
[0021] The body case 100 may be formed of one or two cases, and in the illustrated example,
two cases are coupled with each other by fastening with a screw or tight fitting.
One cone-shaped case may have a front opening 102 formed in one end thereof.
[0022] In addition, a clip part 110 may be installed on a circumferential surface of the
body case on a side opposite to the front opening 102, which is coupled thereto for
allowing an organic clipping or releasing operation thereof as a clip means therein.
[0023] Further, the knock part 120, which is installed in the body case 100 so as to make
the nib 160 protrude from or be retracted into the front opening 102 by a pushing
operation, may be installed adjacent to the clip part 110.
[0024] The knock part 120 may be installed in the body case so as to transfer a force to
the cartridge 130 by the pushing operation of a user, and has a tube shape having
a small diameter circumferential surface and a large diameter circumferential surface
formed in a layer. Herein, one end of the small diameter circumferential surface is
opened and the other end of the large diameter circumferential surface is closed.
[0025] Meanwhile, the cartridge 130, which is inserted into the body case 100 together with
the spring 140, corresponds to an ink storage portion, and may have an internal volume
of a predetermined capacity.
[0026] Such a cartridge 130 has a tank part 132 having a largest diameter, a connection
part 133 having a relatively smaller diameter than the tank part 132, and a nib extension
shaft part 134 having a relatively smaller diameter than the connection part 133,
which are integrally formed therewith in such a manner that the diameters thereof
are sequentially decreased toward the nib while forming layers.
[0027] Further, the nib 160 is coupled to an end of the nib extension shaft part 134 through
a nib fixing means 150, so that any content (for example, ink) etc. stored in the
tank part 132 may be supplied thereto by a common ink supply method (for example,
a capillary phenomenon, pressure difference, suction, etc.) from the tank part 132
according to a common supply method corresponding to types of the writing instrument.
[0028] In addition, a stepped portion 136 having a predetermined length may be formed by
protruding from inner wall of the end of the cartridge 130 coupled with the nib fixing
means 150.
[0029] The spring 140, which is inserted into the body case 100 together with the cartridge
130, may be placed on a steeped face of the connection part 133 near the tank part
132 so as to be supported thereby.
[0030] Thereafter, the spring 137 plays a role of pressing the cartridge 130 in an axial
direction within a stroke distance of the cartridge 130 during the operation.
[0031] For example, when the cartridge 130 and the knock part 120 move in a forward direction
by a predetermined stroke distance, the spring 137 is compressed while elastic energy
is restored therein, which will act as an elastic restoring force when the spring
returns from the compressed to an extended state. Herein, the predetermined stroke
distance of the cartridge 130 is equal to the stroke distance of knock part 120 or
to a distance between an original position and a position where the nib 160 protrudes
therefrom. In addition, when the cartridge 130 and the knock part 120 are in the released
state in which they can return in a backward direction, the spring 137 plays a role
of returning the components coupled to the cartridge 130 including the knock part
120 to the original position by the elastic restoring force thereof.
[0032] The nib fixing means 150, in which the nib 160 is passed through and housed, may
be made of a synthetic resin material or a metallic material using an injection molding
or a mold forming method, and may be formed in a hollow cylinder shape.
[0033] The nib fixing means 150 includes a coupling part 152 integrally formed with one
side thereof having a predetermined length with reduced diameter toward the cartridge
130 so as to be inserted therein. The coupling part 152 has an air circulation passage
153 cut in an axial direction to be communicated with an outside.
[0034] In addition, at least one of the air circulation passages 153 may be formed in the
coupling part 152, but it is preferable that a pair of air circulation passages 153
are formed to face each other, and the length thereof is the same as an entire length
of the coupling part 152.
[0035] Further, the coupling part 152 may have a stepped groove 154 formed therein with
a reduced diameter. The stepped groove 154 may be fitted with the stepped portion
136 of the cartridge 130 so as to prevent a separation therebetween.
[0036] Furthermore, the coupling part 152 may be formed so as to have an outer diameter
slightly larger than an inner diameter of the stepped portion. The reason is that,
the diameter of the coupling part 152 can be resiliently temporarily reduced during
being inserted into the cartridge 130 due to the cut air circulation passage 153.
[0037] Hereinafter, nib protruding and retracting operations of the retractable type writing
instrument according to the present invention having the above-described configuration
will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4.
[0038] When assembling the writing instrument, the cartridge 130 and the spring 140 are
positioned inside the body case 100, and the knock part 120 is fastened to one end
of the cartridge 130 in a coupling method such as tight fitting or fastening with
a screw.
[0039] Then, the nib fixing means 150, in which the nib 160 is passed through and housed,
is coupled to the one end of the cartridge 130.
[0040] At this time, when inserting the nib fixing means 150 by tight fitting, the insertion
thereof into the cartridge 130 is performed while the diameter of the coupling part
152 is resiliently reduced due to the cut air circulation passage 153. After the insertion,
the stepped groove 154 of the coupling part 152 may be fitted with the stepped portion
136 of the cartridge 130 so as to prevent the separation therebetween.
[0041] At the same time, the coupling part 152 having the reduced diameter to some extent
may more firmly fix the nib 160 to prevent it from being separated.
[0042] In addition, as illustrated by an arrow in FIG. 3, air circulation may be naturally
performed through the air circulation passage 153 of the coupling part 152 coupled
to the cartridge 130, and even when using the writing instrument as illustrated in
FIG. 4, since the air circulation passage 153 is not exposed to the outside, it is
possible to provide a beautiful appearance, and always maintain smooth circulation
of air by blocking foreign matters from being introduced.
[0043] Further, in the present invention, the nib is coupled to the cartridge 130 through
the nib fixing means 150, rather than the method of directly inserting the nib into
the cartridge 130, such that, the nib 160 may be assembled to the same one body case
100 using the nib fixing means 150 in any nib type such as a felt nib, roller tip,
brush pen nib, plastic nib, or needle tip, regardless of shapes or types thereof.
[0044] While the present invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments
and modified examples, the present invention is not limited to the above-described
specific embodiments and the modified examples, and it will be understood by those
skilled in the related art that various modifications and variations may be made therein
without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended
claims, as well as these modifications and variations should not be understood separately
from the technical spirit and prospect of the present invention.
[Description of Reference Numerals]
[0045]
- 100:
- body case, 102: front opening
- 110:
- clip part, 120: knock part
- 130:
- cartridge, 132: tank part
- 133:
- connection portion, 134: nib extension shaft part
- 136:
- stepped portion, 140: spring
- 150:
- nib fixing means, 152: coupling part
- 153:
- air circulation passage, 154: stepped groove
- 160:
- nib
Amended claims in accordance with Rule 137(2) EPC.
1. A retractable type writing instrument, comprising:
a body case (100) including a knock part (120)
installed therein to be operated by pushing, and a cartridge (130) inserted into a
hollow inside thereof; and
a nib fixing means (150) coupled to an end of the
cartridge (130) so as to connect a nib (160) housed therein with the cartridge (130),
wherein the nib fixing means (150) includes a
coupling part (152) integrally formed therewith, which is formed in a hollow cylindrical
shape and has a reduced diameter toward the cartridge (130) so as to be inserted therein,
and
the coupling part (152) has at least one air
circulation passage (153) formed therein in an axial direction to be communicated
with an outside,
characterized in that said air circulation passage
(153) is formed in the coupling part (152) by an axial cutting.
2. The retractable type writing instrument according
to claim 1, wherein said at least one air circulation passage (153) is formed in the
coupling part (152) as a pair of air circulation passages facing each other.
3. The retractable type writing instrument according
to claim 1 or 2, wherein the coupling part (152) further includes a stepped groove
(154) formed therein with a reduced diameter, and the stepped groove (154) is positioned
in a stepped portion (136) formed inside of the end of the cartridge (130) so as to
prevent a separation therebetween, and
the coupling part (152) is formed so as to have an
outer diameter slightly larger than an inner diameter of the stepped portion (136).
4. The retractable type writing instrument according
to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the diameter of the coupling part (152) can be
resiliently temporarily reduced during being inserted into the cartridge (130) due
to the at least one air circulation passage (153).
5. The retractable type writing instrument according
to claim 4, wherein the nib fixing means (150) is inserted in the cartridge (130)
by tight fitting.
6. The retractable type writing instrument according
to claim 5, wherein the coupling part (152) firmly fixes the nib (160) to prevent
it from being separated.