US3792932A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ink feed for ball point pens
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1972-05-16
•
Granted: 1974-02-19
•
Expires: 1992-05-16
Abstract
Abstract The writing tip of a ball point pen is mounted to an ink reservoir by a resiliently deformable member defining part of an ink passageway from the reservoir to the writing tip and supporting the tip for axial movement of the tip relative to the reservoir. A check valve prevents flow of ink from the passageway to the reservoir and writing pressure on the tip distorts the resilient member in a manner to apply pressure to the ink trapped in the passageway. In some forms an air bubble or equivalent pressure accumulator is incorporated in the device and in some forms the check valve is normally open and is closed by initial movement of the writing tip upon applying writing pressure thereto.
Inventors
- 👤 E Henriksen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 00:07
CPC Classifications
B; B43; B43K; B43K5/00; B43K5/18; B43K5/1818; B43K5/189; B05; B05B; B05B11/00; B05B11/0005; B05B11/0035; B43K7/00; B43K7/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
175 words
In a ball point pen having a writing tip and an ink reservoir: flexible resilient connecting means sealingly fixed to and connecting said writing tip and said reservoir for limited relative axial movement therebetween by flexure of said connecting means, said connecting means defining at least a portion of a passageway for conducting ink from said reservoir to said writing tip and being deformable by writing pressure applied to said writing tip to decrease the volume of said portion of said passageway; and check valve means, between said portion of said passageway and said reservoir, which valve closes upon initial relative axial movement by said writing pressure for preventing flow of ink from said passageway to said reservoir whereby writing pressure on said writing tip causes sufficient pressure to be applied to ink in said passageway to maintain a supply of ink at said writing tip irrespective of the attitude of said pen and which check valve means permits free flow of ink from said reservoir to said passageway in the absence of such pressure.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
175 words
In a ball point pen having a writing tip and an ink reservoir: flexible resilient connecting means sealingly fixed to and connecting said writing tip and said reservoir for limited relative axial movement therebetween by flexure of said connecting means, said connecting means defining at least a portion of a passageway for conducting ink from said reservoir to said writing tip and being deformable by writing pressure applied to said writing tip to decrease the volume of said portion of said passageway; and check valve means, between said portion of said passageway and said reservoir, which valve closes upon initial relative axial movement by said writing pressure for preventing flow of ink from said passageway to said reservoir whereby writing pressure on said writing tip causes sufficient pressure to be applied to ink in said passageway to maintain a supply of ink at said writing tip irrespective of the attitude of said pen and which check valve means permits free flow of ink from said reservoir to said passageway in the absence of such pressure.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
46 words
A ball point pen as defined in claim 1 including means defining a small air-containing chamber communicating with said passageway and serving as a pressure accumulator to maintain pressure on ink in said passageway during brief period of reduction of writing pressure on said writing tip.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
A ball point pen as described in claim 1 wherein said resilient connecting means comprises a resiliently flexible wall means extending transverse to the length of said pen.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
A ball point pen as defined in claim 3 wherein said resiliently flexible wall means is in the form of an annular bellows.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
A ball point pen as defined in claim 1 wherein said connecting means comprises an annular body of elastomeric material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
41 words
A ball point pen as defined in claim 5 wherein said writing tip and ink reservoir are provided with generally cylindrical, concentric radially spaced portions defining an annular space therebetween; said annular body of elastomeric material radially spanning said annular space.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
58 words
A ball point pen as defined in claim 1 wherein said valve means comprises a valve member movable with said writing tip and having a transverse surface, and a valve seat fixed relative to said reservoir and engageable by said surface of said valve member, one of valve member and valve seat comprising a body of elastomeric material.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
43 words
A ball point pen as defined in claim 7 wherein said valve member is of said elastomeric material and is provided with at least one projection engageable with said valve seat prior to valve-closing engagement of said transverse surface with said valve seat.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
A ball point pen as defined in claim 1 including means restraining said writing tip against substantial lateral tilting relative to said reservoir.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
47 words
A ball point pen as defined in claim 1 wherein said valve means comprises a portion of said flexible resilient means, movable with said writing tip, and cooperating means fixed relative to said reservoir, said valve means being closed by initial rearward movement of said writing tip.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
52 words
A ball point pen as defined in claim 1 wherein said valve means is responsive to rearward movement of said writing tip to be closed thereby, said resilient means providing for relative movement between said writing tip and reservoir of at least .01mm in response to writing pressurE of about 30 grams.
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) | 1977-02-18 | 1977-08-20 | 1978-02-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-02-18 | 1981-08-20 | 1982-02-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-02-18 | 1985-08-20 | 1986-02-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |