§
Luxuse
Patent Intelligence
Sign In
← Back to Patent Explorer
US3718261A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Self-locking writing implement holder

Assignee: Vernon Co
•
Filing: 1971-06-24
•
Granted: 1973-02-27
•
Expires: 1991-06-24
📄 Original PDF 🌐 Google Patents 🔄 Sync Now

Abstract

Abstract A plastic, integrally formed writing implement holder comprising a triangular base plate and three trapezoidal side panels joined together along hinge lines. Aligning tabs are formed on opposite sides of the base plate adjacent to its apex, and locking tabs are formed along the free vertical edge of one of the side panels. The aligning tabs are inserted into horizontally extending slots adjacent the lower edge of two of the side panels and then the locking tabs are inserted into vertically extending slots adjacent to the free edge of one of the side panels. Camming surfaces on the locking tabs momentarily deform at least one of the side panels when the implement holder is snapped together. The inherent resiliency of the holder causes it to return to its unstressed condition and enhances the locking action. The erected support is triangular in shape, when viewed in horizontal cross section, and the interior face of the base plate has shallow compartments formed therein to assist in retaining writing implements in an upright position. When viewed in front, rear or side elevation, the holder assumes the shape of a foreshortened pyramid.

Inventors

  • 👤 C Woofter

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-05 01:56
CPC Classifications
B; B43; B43M; B43M99/00; B43M99/008; A; A47; A47F; A47F7/00

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim 171 words
A plastic, self-locking holder for writing implements or the like comprising: a. a planar base plate of triangular configuration, b. a plurality of panels integrally formed with said base plate, said plate and said panels resting in the same plane prior to erection of the holder, c. integrally formed hinge means joining said base plate to said panels and said panels to one another so that said base plate and said panels can be pivoted relative to one another, d. aligning tabs formed on said base plate and corresponding slots defined in said panels, e. integrally formed locking means defined between the free ends of said panels, f. camming surfaces formed on said locking means, g. said camming surfaces momentarily flexing at least one of said panels as said panels are snapped together and retained in erected condition by said locking means, and h. said panels and said base plate defining an upwardly opening, substantially triangular erected holder when viewed in horizontal cross-section and a foreshortened pyramid when viewed in elevation.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 171 words
A plastic, self-locking holder for writing implements or the like comprising: a. a planar base plate of triangular configuration, b. a plurality of panels integrally formed with said base plate, said plate and said panels resting in the same plane prior to erection of the holder, c. integrally formed hinge means joining said base plate to said panels and said panels to one another so that said base plate and said panels can be pivoted relative to one another, d. aligning tabs formed on said base plate and corresponding slots defined in said panels, e. integrally formed locking means defined between the free ends of said panels, f. camming surfaces formed on said locking means, g. said camming surfaces momentarily flexing at least one of said panels as said panels are snapped together and retained in erected condition by said locking means, and h. said panels and said base plate defining an upwardly opening, substantially triangular erected holder when viewed in horizontal cross-section and a foreshortened pyramid when viewed in elevation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 38 words
A plastic holder as defined in claim 1 wherein said locking means comprises tabs formed on the free end of one of said panels and slots formed adjacent to the free end of another one of said panels.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 36 words
A plastic holder as defined in claim 1 wherein a first and second series of ribs are formed on one face of said base plate, said series of ribs intersecting each other to define shallow compartments.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 45 words
A plastic holder as defined in claim 1 wherein said plurality of panels comprises three panels, each of said panels being trapezoidal when viewed in front elevation, and each of said panels slanting inwardly as it extends upwardly above said base plate in erected condition.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 30 words
A plastic holder as defined in claim 4 wherein two of the three panels are identical in size and the third panel is slightly larger than the other two panels.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US2899078A Cited
US1090142A Cited
US1246385A Cited
FR603337A Cited
US1705116A Cited
US1831712A Cited
US2315164A Cited
US2443645A Cited
US2848979A Cited
US2935206A Cited
US2965238A Cited
US3534738A Cited
US3327688A Cited
US3471032A Cited
US3468048A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1976-02-27 1976-08-28 1977-02-27 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1980-02-27 1980-08-28 1981-02-27 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1984-02-27 1984-08-28 1985-02-27 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

Assigned Categories & Tags

No categories assigned to this patent yet.

Assign Category Tag