BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
[0001] The present invention relates to a press-action device; more particularly, the present
invention relates to an elongated press-action device, such as a writing instrument,
a toy, or an ornament/accessory attached to a key-chain, a necklace, a cell phone,
etc.
2. Description of the Related Art
[0002] A window pen is one type of press pen which has been developed for a very long time.
Generally, when a user pushes a button of the window pen, a pattern (such as a text
pattern or a graphical pattern) displayed on the window of a holding barrel is changed
accordingly. The principle of the window pen is that once the button of the pen is
pressed, the cartridge of the window pen rotates slightly. Therefore, a rotation barrel
printed with a plurality of patterns (such as text patterns or graphical patterns)
is mounted on the cartridge such that when the pen cap is pressed, the rotation barrel
is driven to rotate and thus causes the plurality of patterns printed on the rotation
barrel to be displayed in turn in a window. Please refer to
U.S. Patent No. 2,896,348,
U.S. Patent No. 2,971,283,
U.S. Patent No. 3,343,293,
U.S. Patent No. 6,386,780 and
U.S. Patent No. 6,742,953 for more details of the structure of the window pen.
[0003] However, in known prior arts, the plurality of patterns are always displayed in turn.
After a user is familiar with the sequence of the patterns, the user can easily predict
the content of the next pattern to be displayed. As a result, the traditional window
pen becomes boring very soon. Therefore, if the plurality of patterns can be randomly
displayed in the window, the user will feel much more interested and amused.
[0004] Further, a conventional window pen only has one rotation barrel; therefore, the window
can display only one certain pattern of the rotation barrel at one time. If the window
pen has a plurality of rotation barrels, such as three rotation barrels, then when
the pen cap is pressed, these rotation barrels can independently rotate so as to randomly
display different patterns, thus increasing the entertainment value. The most common
three-barrel rotation mechanism is a slot machine. Please refer to
U.S. Patent No. 3,565,441,
U.S. Patent No. 4,002,335,
U.S. Patent No. 4,037,845,
U.S. Patent No. 4,097,048,
U.S. Patent No. 4,261,571,
U.S. Patent No. 4,492,379,
U.S. Patent No. 4,666,159, and
U.S. Patent No. 5,054,782 for more details of the structure of a slot machine. However, in the abovementioned
prior art patents, the driving mechanism for the rotation barrel is basically installed
in one side of a rotation barrel. It is very difficult to implement the existing mechanism
of the slot machine in a window pen, since the interior space of the window pen is
very narrow. Further, in order to contain the driving mechanism, the diameter of the
rotation barrel has to be half of that of the holding barrel, but such a design would
allow only a very small pattern to be printed on the rotation barrel. In the technical
field of a conventional window pen, the concept of a plurality of freely-rotating
rotation barrels has never been disclosed. Even if someone were to come up with the
idea of combining a plurality of rotation barrels with a window pen, he/she still
would still need to solve the problem of the very small interior space of the holding
barrel.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] It is an object of the present invention to provide a press-action device, such as
a writing instrument, which can randomly display patterns in a window of the press-action
device.
[0006] It is another object of the present invention to provide a press-action device, such
as a writing instrument, which has at least one rotation barrel capable of performing
free rotation.
[0007] To achieve the aforementioned objects, it is necessary to invent a press-action device
such as a writing instrument which comprises a holding barrel, a push button, a writing
element, a pressing module, a rotation module, and a writing element spring. The holding
barrel comprises a first end, a second end, and a window. The push button is flexibly
disposed to the first end of the holding barrel. The push button allows a user to
propel/repel so as to perform a linear motion. The writing element is installed in
the holding barrel, and the writing element has a writing end. When the push button
is propelled/repelled, the pressing module drives the writing end of the writing element
to protrude from or retract into the second end of the holding barrel.
[0008] The rotation module is connected with the push button, and the rotation module comprises
a driving part and at least one rotation barrel. The driving part is connected with
the push button so as to drive the rotation barrel to rotate.
[0009] By means of the aforementioned structure, when the user pushes the push button, the
push button firstly performs a first stage, and then performs a second stage. When
the push button is performing the first stage, the driving part drives a following
part, so as to drive the rotation barrel to rotate, and therefore the writing end
can gradually protrude from the second end of the holding barrel. When the push button
is performing the second stage, the driving part departs from the following part,
so as to make the rotation barrel freely rotate according to the inertia of a force
generated when the user pushes the push button during the first stage, and therefore
the writing end is protruded from the second end of the holding barrel.
[0010] According to one of the preferred embodiments of the present invention, there can
be a plurality of rotation barrels. The plurality of rotation barrels can respectively
rotate such that when each of the rotation barrels stops, the window can randomly
display different patterns.
[0011] According to one of the preferred embodiments of the present invention, the driving
part comprises a rotation shaft receiver and a rotation shaft. The rotation shaft
receiver is fixed to the first end of the holding barrel, and has a guiding part.
The rotation shaft is connected with the push button, and is flexibly installed in
the rotation shaft receiver. The rotation shaft has an external thread, which is associated
with the guiding part.
[0012] According to one of the preferred embodiments of the present invention, the driving
part comprises a curved surface and a slice body. The curved surface is slidingly
contacted with the push button. The slice body is connected with the curved surface,
and is limited to be positioned in the holding barrel. The slice body can move along
a vertical direction of the holding barrel.
[0013] It should be noted that the press-action device does not have to be a writing instrument.
The most novel portion of the present invention is the rotation module, which can
be installed in a narrow and elongated barrel. Therefore, the press-action device
can be a toy, an ornament/accessory attached to a key-chain, a necklace, a cell phone,
etc.
[0014] Other objects, advantages, and novel features of the invention will become more apparent
from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015]
FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic drawing of a press-action writing instrument according
to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the press-action writing instrument according to the
first embodiment of the present invention.
FIGs. 2A to 2D illustrate schematic drawings respectively showing relations among
a guiding protrusion of a rotation shaft and guiding blocks of a rotation barrel at
different stages according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 and FIG. 3A illustrate cross-sectional views of the press-action writing instrument
when a push button is not yet triggered, according to the first embodiment of the
present invention.
FIG. 3B illustrates a cross-sectional view of a guiding part of a rotation shaft receiver
according to the present invention.
FIG. 4 and FIG. 4A illustrate cross-sectional views of the press-action writing instrument
when the push button is performing a first stage, according to the first embodiment
of the present invention.
FIG. 5 and FIG. 5A illustrate cross-sectional views of the press-action writing instrument
when the push button is performing a second stage, according to the first embodiment
of the present invention.
FIG. 6 and FIG. 6A illustrate cross-sectional views of the press-action writing instrument
when the push button is performing a third stage, according to the first embodiment
of the present invention.
FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of the press-action writing instrument according
to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is an exploded view of the press-action writing instrument according to the
second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9A illustrates a perspective view of the press-action writing instrument when
the push button is not yet triggered, according to the second embodiment of the present
invention.
FIG. 9B illustrates a perspective view of the press-action writing instrument when
the push button has been triggered, according to the second embodiment of the present
invention.
FIG. 10A illustrates a cross-sectional view of the press-action writing instrument
when the push button is not yet triggered, according to the second embodiment of the
present invention.
FIG. 10B illustrates a cross-sectional view of the press-action writing instrument
when the push button is performing the first stage, according to the second embodiment
of the present invention.
FIG. 10C illustrates a cross-sectional view of the press-action writing instrument
when the push button is performing the second stage, according to the second embodiment
of the present invention.
FIG. 11 illustrates a schematic drawing of the press-action writing instrument according
to a third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 12 is an exploded view of the press-action writing instrument according to the
third embodiment of the present invention.
FIGs. 12A to 12D illustrate schematic drawings respectively showing relations among
each guiding protrusion of the rotation shaft and guiding blocks of each rotation
barrel at different stages according to the third embodiment of the present invention.
FIGs 13A to 13D illustrate perspective views, associated with FIGs. 12A to 12D, respectively
showing relations between each rotation barrel and the rotation shaft at different
stages.
FIG. 14A and FIG. 14B illustrate schematic drawings showing that three rotation barrels
can randomly display different patterns in a window according to the third embodiment
of the present invention.
FIG. 15 illustrates a perspective view of a press-action device according to a fourth
embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 15A illustrates an exploded view of a press-action device according to a fourth
embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 16 illustrates a perspective view of a press-action device according to a fifth
embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 16A illustrates an exploded view of a press-action device according to a fifth
embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0016] Please refer to FIGs. 1 to 3. A press-action device such as a press-action writing
instrument 1 of the present invention mainly comprises a holding barrel 10, a push
button 20, a writing element 30, a pressing module 40, a rotation module 50, a writing
element spring 35, and an auxiliary spring 80.
[0017] The holding barrel 10 comprises a first end 12, a second end 14, and a window 16.
The first end 12 and the second end 14 are located at two extreme ends of the holding
barrel 10. In this embodiment, the window 16 is a rectangular opening. The holding
barrel 10 further comprises a transparent element 17 located corresponding to the
window 16 for covering the window 16.
[0018] The push button 20 is disposed at the first end 12 of the holding barrel 10, and
the writing element 30 is installed in the holding barrel 10. The writing element
30 has a writing end 32. The writing element spring 35 is disposed around the writing
element 30. When the push button 20 is propelled/repelled, the pressing module 40
can drive the writing end 32 of the writing element 30 to protrude from or retract
into the second end 14 by means of associating with the writing element spring 35.
Because the pressing module 40 of a press pen is a known prior art which can be implemented
by various kinds of mechanisms, and the structure of the pressing module 40 is not
the improved portion of the present invention, there is no need to describe its structure
in detail.
[0019] The rotation module 50 comprises a driving part 60 and a rotation barrel 70. The
object of the driving part 60 is used for driving the rotation barrel 70 to rotate.
[0020] The driving part 60 is a driving mechanism having a rotation shaft receiver 62 and
a rotation shaft 64. The rotation shaft receiver 62 and a clip 11 are fastened to
the first end 12 of the holding barrel 10. The rotation shaft receiver 62 has a through
hole 621 and a guiding part 622.
[0021] The rotation shaft 64 is installed in the rotation shaft receiver 62 and the rotation
barrel 70. The rotation shaft 64 mainly comprises an external thread 642 and a pair
of guiding protrusions 644. Furthermore, in order to connecting the rotation shaft
64 with the push button 20, one end of the rotation shaft 64 has a positioning protrusion
646, and the inside of the push button 20 has a positioning indentation 22, wherein
the sizes and locations of the positioning protrusion 646 and the positioning indentation
22 match with each other, such that the positioning protrusion 646 can be connected
with the positioning indentation 22.
[0022] One end of another auxiliary spring 80 (such as a spring) is disposed around the
rotation shaft receiver 62, while the other end of the auxiliary spring 80 is placed
against the push button 20.
[0023] The rotation barrel 70 is installed in the holding barrel 10 and is located corresponding
to the window 16. The exterior of the rotation barrel 70 can be printed with or attached
with different patterns 74 (such as text patterns or graphical patterns). Furthermore,
the rotation barrel 70 has a following part 72. In this embodiment, the following
part 72 comprises six equidistantly-arranged guiding blocks 76. Please refer to FIG.
2A; each guiding block 76 is roughly trapezoidal in shape, and has a long wall 761,
an oblique wall 762 and a short wall 763. A guiding groove 764 is formed between every
two adjacent guiding blocks 76.
[0024] Please refer to FIGs. 2 to 6 for more details of the four stages of the press-action
writing instrument 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention:
(1) Initial stage:
[0025] Please refer to FIG. 2, FIG. 2A, FIG. 3 and FIG. 3A. During the initial stage, the
writing end 32 of the writing element 30 is not yet protruding from the holding barrel
10. At this time, both the push button 20 and the rotation shaft 64 are located at
the top, and the guiding protrusion 644 is located at the upper edge of the guiding
groove 764.
(2) First stage (Driving stage):
[0026] Please refer to FIG. 2B, FIG. 4, and FIG. 4A regarding a process of driving the rotation
barrel 70 to rotate during the first stage. Please refer to FIG. 3B as well. In this
embodiment, the guiding part 622 includes two projections located in the central of
the through hole 621. Therefore, when a user pushes the push button 20, the rotation
shaft 64 would move downwards to pass through the through hole 621, such that the
guiding part 622 can drive the rotation shaft 64 to rotate by means of moving along
the external thread 642 (in this embodiment, the rotation shaft 64 performs a clockwise
rotation). At this time, the guiding protrusion 644 also moves and rotates downwards,
such that the guiding protrusion 644 pushes the long wall 761 of the guiding block
76 so as drive the rotation barrel 70 to rotate accordingly. With regard to the guiding
protrusion 644, during the first stage, the guiding protrusion 644 moves from the
upper edge of the guiding groove 764 (as shown in FIG. 2A) to the lower edge of the
guiding groove 764 (as shown in FIG. 2C). Please note that the present invention comprises
at least one guiding protrusion 644, or as many guiding protrusions 644 as the guiding
grooves 764 (in this embodiment, there are six guiding grooves 764).
(3) Second stage (Free rotation stage):
[0027] Please refer to FIG. 2C, FIG. 5, and FIG. 5A. The second stage is performed right
after the first stage. During the second stage, the rotation shaft 64 keeps moving
downwards such that the driving part 60 departs from the following part 72, which
means that the guiding protrusion 644 departs from the guiding groove 764; therefore,
the guiding protrusion 644 can no longer push the long wall 761 of the guiding block
76, and the guiding protrusion 644 can no longer hold the guiding block 76. As a result,
the guiding protrusion 644 is completely departed from the following part 72 such
that the rotation barrel 70 can freely rotate.
[0028] During the first stage and the second stage, the writing end 32 of the writing element
30 protrudes from the holding barrel 10 (as shown in FIG. 5) because it is pushed
downwards by the rotation shaft 64.
(4) Third stage (Positioning stage):
[0029] Please refer to FIG. 2D, FIG. 6 and FIG. 6A. During the third stage, the user releases
the push button 20, such that the rotation shaft 64 can move upwards due to the rebound
from the writing element spring 35 and the auxiliary spring 80. Therefore, the guiding
protrusion 644 re-enters the guiding groove 764. Please note that because the lower
edge of the guiding groove 764 is wide in comparison to the shape of the guiding block
76, the guiding protrusion 644 can easily slide into the guiding groove 764 even when
the rotation barrel 70 is still rotating. Finally, the guiding protrusion 644 is returned
to the position as shown in FIG. 2A. Similarly, when the rotation shaft 64 moves upwards,
the guiding part 622 will drive the rotation shaft 64 to rotate due to the external
thread 642 (in this embodiment, the rotation shaft 64 performs a counterclockwise
rotation). Because the guiding protrusion 644 would finally hold the guiding block
76, the rotation barrel 70 would stop rotating accordingly.
[0030] In this embodiment, there are six guiding blocks 76, thereby forming six guiding
grooves 764. Therefore, the exterior of the rotation barrel 70 can be printed with
or attached with six different patterns 74. According to the aforementioned mechanism,
those six different patterns 74 would be randomly displayed on the window 16. Please
note further that there are two guiding protrusions 644 in this embodiment. However,
the present invention can have as few as one guiding protrusion 644, or have as many
as three to six guiding protrusions 644, because there are six guiding grooves 764
in this embodiment. In order to take the thrust and balance into consideration, please
note that there should be a plurality of guiding protrusions 644, wherein each of
the included angles between every two guiding protrusions 644 is the same. Furthermore,
if there is a plurality of rotation barrels (please refer to a third embodiment of
the present invention described later), there would be a plurality of pairs of guiding
protrusions. Moreover, the number of the guiding blocks 76 can be less or more, but
preferably at least three.
[0031] The aforementioned first, second and third stages respectively describe statuses
of the writing end 32 of the writing element 30 from "non-protruded" to "protruded"
from the holding barrel 10. When the user pushes the push button 20 again to change
the status of the writing end 32 from "protruded" to "non protruded" from the holding
barrel 10, the process would be the same as what happens during the first, second
and third stages. Because the auxiliary spring 80 is capable of returning the push
button 20 back to its original position (as shown in FIG. 6), it follows that when
the user pushes the push button 20 again, the actions between the rotation shaft 64
and the rotation barrel 70 would be the same as the actions from the first stage to
the third stage.
[0032] Please refer to FIGs. 7 to 10A regarding a press-action device such as a press-action
writing instrument 1a according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The
press-action writing instrument 1a mainly comprises a holding barrel 10a, a push button
20a, a writing element 30a, a pressing module 40a, a rotation module 50a, and a writing
element spring 35a. The major difference between the first embodiment and the second
embodiment is the structure of the driving part 60 and the following part 72a. Further,
although the pressing module 40a in the second embodiment is different from the pressing
module 40 in the first embodiment, there is no need to describe the structure of the
pressing module 40a in detail because the pressing module is a known prior art (i.e.
the function of the pressing module in the present invention is to cause the writing
end of the writing element to protrude from or retract into the holding barrel).
[0033] In this embodiment, the driving part 60a comprises a curved surface 66 and a slice
body 67. The curved surface 66 is slidingly contacted with the push button 20a. The
slice body 67 is connected with the curved surface 66. The slice body 67 is limited
to being positioned in the holding barrel 10a, and the slice body 67 can move along
a vertical direction of the holding barrel 10a.
[0034] The slice body 67 comprises an opening 671 and a protrusion 672. The following part
72a is located in the opening 671, and the protrusion 672 can be connected with the
following part 72a. In this embodiment, the following part 72a is a gear with six
teeth. Please note that the number of teeth is not limited to the above description.
[0035] The slice body 67 further comprises at least one force-receiving part 673. The interior
of the holding barrel 10a further has a slice body containing groove 18a and at least
one first auxiliary spring positioning part 19a, wherein the slice body containing
groove 18a is used for containing part of the slice body 67.
[0036] In this embodiment, the press-action writing instrument 1a further comprises at least
one first auxiliary spring 82a and a second auxiliary spring 84a. Two ends of each
first auxiliary spring 82a are respectively placed against each force-receiving part
673 and each first auxiliary spring positioning part 19a. The first auxiliary spring
82a can help the slice body 67 to return to its original position.
[0037] The press-action writing instrument 1a further comprises a driving shaft body 90.
Two ends of the driving shaft body 90 are respectively connected with the push button
20a and the writing element 30a. From bottom to top, the driving shaft body 90 sequentially
passes through the second auxiliary spring 84a, the rotation barrel 70a, the following
part 72a and the driving part 60a (as shown in FIG. 8).
[0038] Please refer to FIGs. 7 to 10 for more details of the implementation, which is also
divided into four stages, of the press-action writing instrument 1a according to the
second embodiment of the present invention.
(1) Initial stage:
[0039] Please refer to FIG. 8, FIG. 9A and FIG. 10A. FIG. 9A illustrates a perspective view
of the press-action writing instrument 1a when the push button 20a is not yet triggered,
according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
[0040] Because the push button 20a has not yet been pushed, the push button 20a has not
driven the curved surface 66 of the driving part 60a to move.
(2) First stage (Driving stage):
[0041] Please refer to FIG. 8, FIG. 9B and FIG. 10B. During the first stage, when the push
button 20a moves downwards (i.e. moves along the direction of the downward arrow as
shown in FIG. 9B), the push button 20a drives the curved surface 66 to move along
a vertical direction of the holding barrel 10a (i.e. move along the direction of the
left arrow as shown in FIG. 9B). Meanwhile, the protrusion 672 of the slice body 67
moves left (i.e. moves along the direction of the left arrow as shown in FIG. 10B)
to hit one of the teeth of the following part 72a, so as to drive the rotation barrel
70a to rotate.
(3) Second stage (Free rotation stage):
[0042] Please refer to FIG. 8 and FIG. 10C. During the second stage, the slice body 67 keeps
moving left (i.e. moving along the direction of the left arrow as shown in FIG. 10C),
such that the following part 72a departs from the limitation of the protrusion 672,
and therefore the following part 72a can freely rotate according to inertia of a force
generated when the user pushes the push button 20a, so as to drive the rotation barrel
70a to freely rotate.
(4) Third stage (Positioning stage):
[0043] Please refer to FIG. 8, FIG. 9A and FIG. 10A. During the third stage, the user releases
the push button 20a to eliminate the force, and therefore the driving part 60a receives
a rebound from the first auxiliary spring 82a, such that the slice body 67 can be
returned from the position as shown in FIG. 10C to the position as shown in FIG. 10A,
and the slice body 67 can position the following part 72a via the positioning part
674.
[0044] Because the number of the teeth of the following part 72a completely matches with
the number of the patterns 74, one of the patterns 74 of the rotation barrel 70a would
face toward the window 16a.
[0045] Please refer to FIG. 11, FIG. 12, FIGs. 12A to 12D, and FIGs. 13A to 13D regarding
a press-action device such as a press-action writing instrument 1b according to a
third embodiment of the present invention. The press-action writing instrument 1b
of the third embodiment is quite similar to the press-action writing instrument 1
of the first embodiment. The press-action writing instrument 1b mainly comprises a
holding barrel 10, a push button 20b, a writing element 30, a pressing module 40,
a rotation module 50b, a writing element spring 35, and an auxiliary spring 80b. The
major difference between the press-action writing instrument 1b of the third embodiment
and the press-action writing instrument 1 of the first embodiment is the structure
of the rotation module 50b.
[0046] The rotation module 50b comprises three tandem-arranged rotation barrels 70b. Each
rotation barrel 70b has a following part 72b, and each following part 72b has six
guiding blocks 76b. In fact, the structure of the rotation barrel 70b of this embodiment
is quite similar to that of the rotation barrel 70 of the first embodiment, but the
rotation barrel 70b of this embodiment is shorter in length.
[0047] The rotation module 50b also comprises a driving part 60b. The driving part 60b also
has a rotation shaft receiver 62b and a rotation shaft 64b. The rotation shaft receiver
62b is combined with a clip 11b. Similarly, the rotation shaft receiver 62b also has
a through hole 621b and a guiding part 622b similar to that of the first embodiment
(please refer to FIG. 3B of the first embodiment), such that the rotation shaft 64b
can rotate downwards and upwards. The rotation shaft 64b has three pairs of guiding
protrusions 644b respectively correspondingly to the following part 72b of each of
the rotation barrels 70b.
[0048] In the third embodiment, the auxiliary spring 80b is placed under the rotation shaft
64b. When the push button 20b is not pushed, the auxiliary spring 80b can push the
rotation shaft 64b upwards, such that the push button 20b can be returned to its top
position.
[0049] Please refer to FIG. 11, FIG. 12, FIGs. 12A to 12D, and FIGs. 13A to 13D for more
details of the implementation, which is also divided into four stages, of the press-action
writing instrument 1b according to the third embodiment of the present invention.
(1) Initial stage:
[0050] Please refer to FIG. 12, FIG. 12A and FIG. 13A. At this time, both the push button
20b and the rotation shaft 64b are located at the top, and each guiding protrusion
644b is located at the upper edge of each guiding groove 764b.
(2) First stage (Driving stage):
[0051] Please refer to FIG. 12, FIG. 12B and FIG. 13B. When the user pushes the push button
20b, the rotation shaft 64b moves and rotates downwards (in this embodiment, the rotation
shaft 64b performs a clockwise rotation), such that the guiding protrusion 644b pushes
the guiding block 76b, so as to drive each rotation barrel 70b to rotate accordingly.
Please refer to the description of the first embodiment for more details of the interaction
among each component.
(3) Second stage (Free rotation stage):
[0052] Please refer to FIG. 12, FIG. 12C and FIG. 13C. When each guiding protrusion 644b
departs from each guiding groove 764b, each rotation barrel 70b can freely rotate.
Please refer to the description of the first embodiment for more details of the interaction
among each component.
(4) Third stage (Positioning stage):
[0053] Please refer to FIG. 12, FIG. 12D and FIG. 13D. When the user releases the push button
20b, the rotation shaft 64b would move upwards according to the rebound from the writing
element spring 35 and the auxiliary spring 80b. Therefore, each guiding protrusion
644b re-enters the each guiding groove 764b. Please refer to the description of the
first embodiment for more details of the interaction among each component.
[0054] The major difference between the third embodiment and the first embodiment is thus:
in the third embodiment, three rotation barrels 70b can respectively rotate every
time when the push button 20b has been pushed, such that the window 16 can randomly
display different patterns 74b when these three rotation barrels 70b stop, as shown
in FIG. 14A and FIG. 14B. Further, because the rotation shaft receiver 62b is combined
with the clip 11b, one component of the press-action writing instrument 1b can be
eliminated and the total number of parts thus reduced.
[0055] Please note that the number of the rotation barrels 70b can be varied. For example,
if there are two rotation barrels 70b, then the rotation shaft 64b has two pairs of
guiding protrusions 644b accordingly; if there is only one rotation barrel 70b, then
the rotation shaft 64b only needs to have one pair of guiding protrusions 644b, which
is the same as the implementation of the first embodiment. Furthermore, in order to
increase the entertainment value, the press-action writing instrument can be installed
with electronic components capable of generating sounds or light so as to provide
more amusement when the push button has been pushed.
[0056] The most novel portion of the present invention is the rotation module 50, which
can be installed in a narrow and elongated barrel. Therefore, the rotation module
50 can be installed not only in a writing instrument but also in any elongated object.
Please refer to FIG. 15 and FIG. 15A for a press-action device 1c according to the
fourth embodiment. The press-action device 1c comprises a holding barrel 10c with
the window 16c, a push button 20c, a rotation module 50c, and an auxiliary spring
80c. The rotation module 50c also comprises a driving part 60c and the rotation barrel
70c. Please refer the first and the third embodiments for the function of the rotation
module 50c. Please note that the auxiliary spring 80c connected with the rotation
module 50c is a necessary component for returning the push button 20 back to its original
position (the third stage mentioned in the above embodiments) since there is no the
writing element spring 35 like those the first and the third embodiments. The press-action
device 1c can be a toy, an ornament/accessory attached to a key-chain, a necklace,
a cell phone, etc.
[0057] Please refer to FIG. 16 and FIG. 16A for a press-action device 1d according to the
fifth embodiment. The major difference between the press-action device 1c and press-action
device 1d is that the rotation module 50d comprises three tandem-arranged rotation
barrels 70d similar to those in the third embodiment, the press-action writing instrument
1b. Similarly, the press-action device 1d also comprises a holding barrel 10d with
a window 16d, a push button 20d, the rotation module 50d, and an auxiliary spring
80d connected with the rotation module 50d. The rotation module 50d also comprises
a driving part 60d and three tandem-arranged rotation barrels 70d.
[0058] The press-action device 1c, 1d also has an initial stage, a first stage, a second
stage and a third stage. For details of the components of the rotation module 50c,
50d, such as the rotation shaft receiver, the rotation shaft, the guiding protrusions,
the following part, and the guiding block, please refer to the first and the third
embodiments. Since the function of the push button 20c, 20d and the rotation module
50c, 50d has been described in the first and the third embodiments, there is no need
to describe the structure in detail.
[0059] Although the present invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiments,
it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be
made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.
For example, if the press-action writing instrument 1, 1b of the present invention
does not have the auxiliary spring 80, 80b, then when the writing end 32 of the writing
element 30 protrudes from the holding barrel 10, the push button 20, 20b would move
only slightly upwards (but not completely return to the top as shown in FIG. 6 and
FIG. 13D). Therefore, when the user pushes the push button 20, 20b again, the rotation
barrel 70, 70b can still rotate, but with a slightly worse performance. Furthermore,
in the aforementioned embodiments, the window 16, 16a occupies only a small part of
the holding barrel 10, but the size of the window can be enlarged as well. For example,
the window can completely cover a certain section of the holding barrel; alternatively,
the holding barrel can be made of transparent or translucent materials to turn the
whole holding barrel into the window. Please note that there should be at least one
transparent or translucent part of the holding barrel so that the patterns printed
on the rotation barrel can be seen through the window.
1. A press-action device (1, 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d), comprising:
a holding barrel (10, 10a, 10c, 10d), comprising a first end (12, 12a), a second end
(14, 14a) and a window (16, 16a, 16c, 16d);
a push button (20, 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d), disposed at the first end (12, 12a) of the
holding barrel (10, 10a, 10c, 10d), wherein the push button (20, 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d)
allows a user to propel/repel so as to perform a linear motion;
a rotation module (50, 50a, 50b, 50c, 50d), connected with the push button (20, 20a,
20b, 20c, 20d), the rotating module (50, 50a, 50b, 50c, 50d) comprising:
a driving part (60, 60a, 60b, 60c, 60d), connected with the push button (20, 20a,
20b, 20c, 20d); and
at least one rotation barrel (70, 70a, 70b, 70c, 70d), installed in the holding barrel
(10, 10a, 10c, 10d) and located corresponding to the window (16, 16a, 16c, 16d), wherein
the rotation barrel (70, 70a, 70b, 70c, 70d) has a following part (72, 72a, 72b) which
can be driven by the driving part (60, 60a, 60b, 60c, 60d);
and
an auxiliary spring (80, 80b, 80c, 80d, 82a, 84a), connected with the rotation module
(50, 50a, 50b, 50c, 50d);
whereby, when the user pushes the push button (20, 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d), the push button
(20, 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d) firstly performs a first stage, and then performs a second
stage, wherein:
when the push button (20, 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d) is performing the first stage, the driving
part (60, 60a, 60b, 60c, 60d) drives the following part (72, 72a, 72b), so as to drive
the at least one rotation barrel (70, 70a, 70b, 70c, 70d) to rotate; and
when the push button (20, 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d) is performing the second stage, the
driving part (60, 60a, 60b, 60c, 60d) departs from the following part (72, 72a, 72b),
so as to make the at least one rotation barrel (70, 70a, 70b, 70c, 70d) freely rotate.
2. The press-action device (1, 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d) as claimed in claim 1, wherein when the
user releases the push button (20, 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d), the push button (20, 20a,
20b, 20c, 20d) then performs a third stage after the second stage, wherein:
when the push button (20, 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d) is performing the third stage, the driving
part (60, 60a, 60b, 60c, 60d) holds the following part (72, 72a, 72b), so as to make
the at least one rotation barrel (70, 70a, 70b, 70c, 70d) stop rotating.
3. The press-action device (1, 1b, 1c, 1d) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the driving
part (60, 60b, 60c, 60d) further comprises:
a rotation shaft receiver (62, 62b), connected with the first end (12, 12a) of the
holding barrel (10, 10b, 10c, 10d), wherein the rotation shaft receiver (62, 62b)
has a guiding part (622, 622b); and
a rotation shaft (64, 64b), installed in the rotation shaft receiver (62, 62b) and
the at least one rotation barrel (70, 70b, 70c, 70d), where the rotation shaft (64,
64b) has an external thread (642), and the external thread (642) is associated with
the guiding part (622, 622b), such that when the rotation shaft (64, 64b) is moving
upwards/downwards, the rotation shaft (64, 64b) can rotate accordingly.
4. The press-action device (1, 1b, 1c, 1d) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the rotation
shaft (64, 64b) further comprises a guiding protrusion (644, 644b), and the following
part (72, 72b) of the at least one rotation barrel (70, 70b, 70c, 70d) further comprises
a plurality of guiding blocks (76, 76b), such that when the push button (20, 20a,
20b, 20c, 20d) is performing the first stage, the guiding protrusion (644, 644b) pushes
one of the guiding blocks (76, 76b) so that the driving part (60, 60a, 60b, 60c, 60d)
drives the following part (72, 72b).
5. The press-action device (1, 1b, 1c, 1d) as claimed in claim 4, wherein a guiding groove
(764, 764b) is formed between each two adjacent guiding blocks (76, 76b), such that
when the push button (20, 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d) is performing the first stage, the guiding
protrusion (644, 644b) is located in one of the guiding grooves (764, 764b).
6. The press-action device (1, 1b, 1c, 1d) as claimed in claim 5, wherein when the push
button (20, 20b, 20c, 20d) is performing the second stage, the guiding protrusion
(644, 644b) departs from the one of the guiding grooves (764, 764b).
7. The press-action device (1, 1b, 1c, 1d) as claimed in claim 6, wherein each of the
guiding blocks (76, 76b) is roughly trapezoidal in shape, such that each guiding block
has a long wall (761), an oblique wall (762) and a short wall (763), such that each
of the guiding grooves (764, 764b) has a wider lower edge.
8. The press-action device (1, 1b, 1c, 1d) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the rotation
shaft receiver (62, 62b) further comprises a through hole (621, 621b).
9. The press-action device (1b, 1d) as claimed in claim 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8 comprising
a plurality of rotation barrels (70b, 70d), and the rotation shaft (64b) comprising
a plurality of guiding protrusions (644b) respectively corresponding to each of the
rotation barrels (70b, 70d).
10. The press-action device (1, 1a, 1b) as claimed in claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8,
the press-action device (1, 1a, 1b) is a press-action writing instrument (1, 1a, 1b),
and the press-action device (1, 1a, 1b) further comprises:
a writing element (30, 30a), installed in the holding barrel (10, 10a), wherein the
writing element (30, 30a) has a writing end (32);
a pressing module (40, 40a), wherein when the push button (20, 20a, 20b) is propelled/repelled,
the pressing module (40, 40a) drives the writing end (32) to protrude from or retract
into the second end (14, 14a) of the holding barrel (10, 10a); and
a writing element spring (35, 35a), disposed around the writing element (30, 30a).
11. The press-action device (1, 1b, 1d) as claimed in claim 2 comprising a plurality of
rotation barrels (70, 70b, 70d).
12. The press-action device (1, 1b, 1d) as claimed in claim 11, wherein the driving part
(60, 60b, 60d) further comprises:
a rotation shaft receiver (62, 62b), connected with the first end (12) of the holding
barrel (10, 10c), where the rotation shaft receiver (62, 62b) has a guiding part (622,
622b); and
a rotation shaft (64, 64b), installed in the rotation shaft receiver (62, 62b) and
the plurality of rotation barrels (70, 70b, 70d), wherein the rotation shaft (64,
64b) has an external thread (642), and the external thread (642) is associated with
the guiding part (622, 622b), such that when the rotation shaft (64, 64b) is moving
upwards/downwards, the rotation shaft (64, 64b) can rotate accordingly.
13. The press-action device (1, 1b, 1d) as claimed in claim 12, wherein the rotation shaft
(64, 64b) further comprises a plurality of guiding protrusions (644, 644b) respectively
corresponding to each of the rotation barrels (70, 70b, 70d), and the following part
(72, 72b) of the each rotation barrel (70, 70b, 70d) further comprises a plurality
of guiding blocks (76, 76b), such that when the push button (20, 20b, 20d) is performing
the first stage, the plurality of guiding protrusions (644, 644b) push corresponding
guiding blocks (76, 76b) so that the driving part (60, 60b, 60d) drives the following
part (72, 72b).
14. The press-action device (1, 1b, 1d) as claimed in claim 13, wherein the rotation shaft
receiver (62, 62b) further comprises a through hole (621, 621b).
15. The press-action device (1, 1b) as claimed in claim 11, 12, 13 or 14, the press-action
device (1, 1b) being a press-action writing instrument (1, 1b), and the press-action
device (1, 1b) further comprising:
a writing element (30), installed in the holding barrel (10), wherein the writing
element (30) has a writing end (32);
a pressing module (40), wherein when the push button (20, 20b) is propelled/repelled,
the pressing module (40) drives the writing end (32) to protrude from or retract into
the second end (14) of the holding barrel (10); and
a writing element spring (35), disposed around the writing element (30).