Patent US2756209A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US3652173A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3652173A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Retractable ballpoint pen with variable enclosure
Assignee: Joseph Lipic Pen Co
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Filing: 1970-06-11
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Granted: 1972-03-28
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Expires: 1990-06-11
Abstract
Abstract A retractable ballpoint pen has a standard size, replaceable ink cartridge. The retracting mechanism is designed to pass over the ink cartridge along the entire length of the mechanism, allowing the use of a pen enclosure whose only length limitation is the length of ink cartridge utilized.
Inventors
- 👤 Louis W Miller
- 👤 Leonard G Lipic
- 👤 Louise E Kestler
- 👤 William M Martz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 21:51
CPC Classifications
B; B43; B43K; B43K24/00; B43K24/02; B43K24/08; B43K24/084
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
222 words
In a combination for a retractable ballpoint pen having a bottom casing assembly with open upper and lower ends and means for intermounting near said upper end, a top cap assembly having open upper and lower ends and means for intermounting near said lower end whereby said cap and casing assembly are intermounted to form a tubular instrument open at both ends, said instrument having a longitudinal opening therethrough; replaceable writing means slidably mounted in said instrument having a writing point at its forward end adapted to be projected and retracted through said lower end of said tubular assembly, spring means biased so as to urge said writing means towards a retracted position wherein said writing point is concealed within said assembly, means in said tubular instrument for defining annular sequential deep and shallow grooves, said deep grooves corresponding to said retracted position and shallow grooves corresponding to said projected position of said writing means, and actuator means extending outwardly from said top cap assembly, the improvement comprising a freely movably retracting mechanism operatively arranged to allow passage of said ink cartridge along the entire length of said retracting mechanism and a spacer for aligning said retracting mechanism with said means for defining annular grooves, said spacer acting to transmit motion from said actuator and said retracting mechanIsm to said ink cartridge.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
222 words
In a combination for a retractable ballpoint pen having a bottom casing assembly with open upper and lower ends and means for intermounting near said upper end, a top cap assembly having open upper and lower ends and means for intermounting near said lower end whereby said cap and casing assembly are intermounted to form a tubular instrument open at both ends, said instrument having a longitudinal opening therethrough; replaceable writing means slidably mounted in said instrument having a writing point at its forward end adapted to be projected and retracted through said lower end of said tubular assembly, spring means biased so as to urge said writing means towards a retracted position wherein said writing point is concealed within said assembly, means in said tubular instrument for defining annular sequential deep and shallow grooves, said deep grooves corresponding to said retracted position and shallow grooves corresponding to said projected position of said writing means, and actuator means extending outwardly from said top cap assembly, the improvement comprising a freely movably retracting mechanism operatively arranged to allow passage of said ink cartridge along the entire length of said retracting mechanism and a spacer for aligning said retracting mechanism with said means for defining annular grooves, said spacer acting to transmit motion from said actuator and said retracting mechanIsm to said ink cartridge.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The retractable ballpoint pen of claim 1 wherein said spacer means comprises an open ended cylindrical tube adapted to be placed over said writing means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The retractable ballpoint pen of claim 2 wherein said writing means is a standard size ink cartridge.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The retractable ballpoint pen of claim 1 wherein said spacer means comprises a crimp in said writing means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
The retractable ballpoint pen of claim 1 wherein said retracting mechanism comprises a ratchet and a plunger, said ratchet being operatively arranged with said ink cartridge for independent movement between said ink cartridge and said ratchet.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
205 words
A retractable ballpoint pen comprising: a bottom casing assembly; a top casing assembly intermounted with said bottom casing assembly to form an instrument with a first and a second open end having a longitudinal opening therethrough; replaceable writing means slidably mounted in said instrument having a writing point at its forward end, adapted to be projected and retracted through one of said first and second open ends of said instrument; spring means bias so as to urge said writing means toward a retracted position wherein said writing means is concealed within said assembly; actuator means extending from the other of said first and second open ends of said instrument; means for defining annular sequential deep and shallow grooves, said deep grooves corresponding to one of said retracted and projected positions of said writing means and said shallow grooves corresponding to the other of said retracted and projected positions of said writing means; a retracting mechanism operatively arranged to allow passage of said ink cartridge along the entire length of said retracting mechanism; and spacer means for aligning said retracting mechanism with said means for defining annular grooves, said spacer means acting to transmit motion from said actuator and said retracting mechanism to said ink cartridge.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
205 words
A retractable ballpoint pen comprising: a bottom casing assembly; a top casing assembly intermounted with said bottom casing assembly to form an instrument with a first and a second open end having a longitudinal opening therethrough; replaceable writing means slidably mounted in said instrument having a writing point at its forward end, adapted to be projected and retracted through one of said first and second open ends of said instrument; spring means bias so as to urge said writing means toward a retracted position wherein said writing means is concealed within said assembly; actuator means extending from the other of said first and second open ends of said instrument; means for defining annular sequential deep and shallow grooves, said deep grooves corresponding to one of said retracted and projected positions of said writing means and said shallow grooves corresponding to the other of said retracted and projected positions of said writing means; a retracting mechanism operatively arranged to allow passage of said ink cartridge along the entire length of said retracting mechanism; and spacer means for aligning said retracting mechanism with said means for defining annular grooves, said spacer means acting to transmit motion from said actuator and said retracting mechanism to said ink cartridge.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
The retractable ballpoint pen of claim 6 wherein said spacer means comprises an open ended cylindrical tube adapted to be placed over said writing means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
38 words
The retractable ballpoint pen of claim 6 wherein said spacer means comprises a crimp in said writing means, said retracting mechanism being adapted to permit passage of said ink cartridge along the entire length of said writing means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
The retractable ballpoint pen of claim 6 wherein said writing means has at least one crimp in it and said retracting mechanism permits passage of said crimp.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
36 words
The retractable ballpoint pen of claim 6 wherein said retracting mechanism comprises a ratchet and a plunger, said ratchet being operatively arranged with said ink cartridge for independent movement between said ink cartridge and said ratchet.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
160 words
A retractable ballpoint pen including a replaceable ink cartridge, which comprises: an enclosure having at least one open end, adapted to mount said ink cartridge so as to permit said ink cartridge to be projected and retracted through said open end; spring means bias so as to urge said ink cartridge toward one of said projected and retracted positions; actuator means mounted to said enclosure adapted to command projection and retraction of said ink cartridge; means for defining annular sequential deep and shallow grooves, said deep grooves corresponding to one of said retracted and projected positions and said shallow grooves corresponding to the other of said retracted and projected positions; a retracting-projecting mechanism operatively arranged to permit passage of said cartridge along the entire length of said retracting-projecting mechanism; and a spacer for aligning said retracting mechanism with said means for defining annular grooves, said spacer acting to transmit motion from said actuator and said retracting mechanism to said cartridge.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
160 words
A retractable ballpoint pen including a replaceable ink cartridge, which comprises: an enclosure having at least one open end, adapted to mount said ink cartridge so as to permit said ink cartridge to be projected and retracted through said open end; spring means bias so as to urge said ink cartridge toward one of said projected and retracted positions; actuator means mounted to said enclosure adapted to command projection and retraction of said ink cartridge; means for defining annular sequential deep and shallow grooves, said deep grooves corresponding to one of said retracted and projected positions and said shallow grooves corresponding to the other of said retracted and projected positions; a retracting-projecting mechanism operatively arranged to permit passage of said cartridge along the entire length of said retracting-projecting mechanism; and a spacer for aligning said retracting mechanism with said means for defining annular grooves, said spacer acting to transmit motion from said actuator and said retracting mechanism to said cartridge.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
70 words
The retractable ballpoint pen of claim 11 wherein said retracting-projecting mechanism comprIses a ratchet and a plunger, said ratchet having an axial opening through it whereby said ratchet is mountable over said ink cartridge and is free to move independent of said ink cartridge, and said plunger has an axial opening in it running between a first open end of said plunger and a closed second end of said plunger.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
15 words
The retractable ballpoint pen of claim 12 wherein said plunger has an open second end.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-03-28 | 1975-09-27 | 1976-03-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-03-28 | 1979-09-27 | 1980-03-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-03-28 | 1983-09-27 | 1984-03-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |