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US3992115A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Self-contained closure for writing instruments and the like

Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1975-11-10
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Granted: 1976-11-16
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Expires: 1995-11-10
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Abstract

Abstract A pen, scribe or similar instrument fits into and projects out one end of a central axial aperture in a barrel. The barrel has a longitudinal groove in its surface and angularly displaced depressions in its outer surface at the end from which the pen projects. A cap assembly has an elongated shaft axially movable and oscillatable in the longitudinal groove and held in place by an upper and lower spring around the barrel. A helical spring biases the shaft toward retracted position with an end of the shaft projecting out the end of the barrel opposite the pen. The upper end of the shaft carries a fitting having a pocket clip and a pen cap. In retracted position, the clip and cap fit into their respective depressions. By depressing the shaft end against the force of the spring the clip and cap are raised and the spiral groove and upper spring cause them to pivot with the shaft until the cap is above the tip of the pen and the clip projecting outward of the barrel. The spring then partially projects the shaft end and the cap covers the pen tip. The closure is manually returned to original position. A modified construction is described.

Inventors

  • 👤 Craig F. Culver

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-23 22:12
CPC Classifications
B; B43; B43K; B43K23/00; B43K23/08; B43K23/12; B43K23/122

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim 124 words
An instrument of the character described comprising a barrel, a point mounted in said barrel and projecting from a first end of said barrel, a cap shaped to fit over said point, an arm attached to said cap, a shaft attached to said arm, said barrel formed with a longitudinally extending opening to receive said shaft, means mounting said shaft in said opening for longitudinal and also oscillatory movement relative to said barrel between a first position with said cap angularly displaced relative to said point, a second position aligned with said point but displaced outwardly of said point and a third position covering said point, and manually operable means to move said shaft longitudinally outwardly relative to said first end of said barrel.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 124 words
An instrument of the character described comprising a barrel, a point mounted in said barrel and projecting from a first end of said barrel, a cap shaped to fit over said point, an arm attached to said cap, a shaft attached to said arm, said barrel formed with a longitudinally extending opening to receive said shaft, means mounting said shaft in said opening for longitudinal and also oscillatory movement relative to said barrel between a first position with said cap angularly displaced relative to said point, a second position aligned with said point but displaced outwardly of said point and a third position covering said point, and manually operable means to move said shaft longitudinally outwardly relative to said first end of said barrel.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 22 words
An instrument according to claim 1 which further comprises resilient means biasing said shaft for longitudinal movement inwardly relative to said barrel.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 28 words
An instrument according to claim 1 in which said barrel is formed with a recess at said first end shaped to receive said cap when in first position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 29 words
An instrument according to claim 1 which further comprises a pocket clip, said arm extending from said shaft in a direction opposite said cap for attachment of said clip.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 31 words
An instrument according to claim 4 in which said barrel is formed with a recess at said first end shaped to receive said clip when said cap is in first position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 31 words
An instrument according to claim 1 in which said shaft and said barrel are formed with cooperating resilient means biasing said shaft to oscillate said cap from first to second position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 46 words
An instrument according to claim 6 in which said barrel and said shaft are provided with cooperating means to restrain movement of said cap from first to second position until said shaft has been moved longitudinally outward so that said cap is outward beyond said point.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 30 words
An instrument according to claim 5 which further comprises means on the outside of said barrel retaining said clip in said recess against radially outward movement relative to said barrel.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 25 words
An instrument according to claim 1 in which said manually operable means comprises an extension of said shaft outside said barrel opposite said first end.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 26 words
An instrument according to claim 1 in which said shaft is resilient an is initially curved to bias said shaft toward lateral movement in one direction.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US2416112A Cited
US2559555A Cited
CH286888A Cited
DE2209265A1 Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1979-11-16 1980-05-17 1980-11-16 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1983-11-16 1984-05-17 1984-11-16 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1987-11-16 1988-05-17 1988-11-16 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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