Writing implement

• US 20040190973A1
• Filed: 02/03/2004
• Published: 09/30/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/05/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Geltec COL Limited, Mitsubishi Pencil Kabushikikaisha
• Original Assignee: Geltec COL Limited, Mitsubishi Pencil Kabushikikaisha
• Inventors: Nakayama, Kyo, Makita, Yoshiaki
• Granted Patent: US 7,153,052 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 401/6
• CPC Class Codes: B43K 21/006 Pencil-barrels
• CPC Class Codes: B43K 23/008 Holders comprising finger grips B43K23/004, B43K23/012 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B43K 5/005 Pen barrels
• CPC Class Codes: B43K 7/00 Ball-point pens B43M11/085 takes precedence; multiple-point writing implements B43K27/00
• CPC Class Codes: B43L 19/0018 with fluids
• CPC Class Codes: B43L 19/0075 of the pencil type
• CPC Class Codes: B43M 11/06 Hand-held devices

Abstract

A grip 2a using a gel substance 4 capable of preserving its own shape is provided in a grip portion 2 of a barrel 1 of a writing implement 50. An outer coat 3 for covering the grip portion 2 of the barrel 1 is provided. The gel substance 4 is located between the outer coat 3 and the barrel 1, and comes in direct contact with the barrel 1. A centering member 40 for positioning the outer coat 3 coaxially with the barrel 1 is provided between the outer coat 3 and the barrel 1. The centering member 40 is provided with an opening 41 for allowing a space between the outer coat 3 and the barrel 1 to communicate with the outside of the space. The gel substance 4 is formed by injecting a sol substance, which is a raw material, through the opening 41 and by crosslinking the sol substance under a predetermined condition. Thereby, effects of improving the grip feeling in the grip portion of the writing implement and decreasing fatigue caused by long use are provided to the user.

Claims

1. A writing implement having a grip structure in which a grip is provided in a grip portion of a barrel,

wherein the grip of the grip structure is made of a gel substance capable of preserving its own shape.

2. A writing implement having a grip structure in which a grip using a gel substance capable of preserving its own shape is provided in a grip portion of a barrel.

3. The writing implement according to claim 2, comprising an outer coat covering the grip portion of the barrel, wherein the gel substance is located between the outer coat and the barrel and comes in direct contact with the barrel.

4. The writing implement according to claim 3, comprising a centering member for positioning the outer coat coaxially with the barrel between the outer coat and the barrel

5. The writing implement according to claim 4, wherein the centering member is provided with an opening which allows a space between the outer coat and the barrel to communicate with the outside of the space.

6. The writing implement according to claim 3, wherein the outer coat is provided with an opening which allows a space between the outer coat and the barrel to communicate with the outside of the space.

7. The writing implement according to claim 5, wherein the gel substance be formed by injecting a sol substance, which is a raw material, through the opening and by crosslinking the sol substance under a predetermined condition.

8. The writing implement according to claim 6, wherein the gel substance be formed by injecting a sol substance, which is a raw material, through the opening and by crosslinking the sol substance under a predetermined condition.

9. The writing implement according to claim 3, wherein an end of the outer coat is in contact with the whole circumference of the barrel, and another end of the outer coat is in contact with the barrel at three points.

10. The writing implement according to claim 9, wherein the gel substance be formed by injecting a sol substance, which is a raw material, through a gap between the outer coat and the barrel at an end where the outer coat is in contact with the barrel at three points and by crosslinking the sol substance under a predetermined condition.

11. The writing implement according to claim 3, wherein

a collar portion annularly projecting towards outside is provided near the front end of the grip portion of the barrel;

an annular convex portion annularly projecting towards inside is provided on the internal surface near the front end of the outer coat; and

the annular convex portion is in close contact with the collar portion.

12. The writing implement according to claim 4, wherein the centering member is so provided as to project outward near the rear end of the grip portion of the barrel, and the rear end of the outer coat is in close contact with the centering member.

13. The writing implement according to claim 4, wherein

a collar portion annularly projecting towards outside is provided near the front end of the grip portion of the barrel;

the centering member is so provided as to project outward near the rear end of the grip portion of the barrel;

an annular convex portion annularly projecting towards inside is provided on the internal surface near the front end of the outer coat;

the annular convex portion is in close contact with the collar portion; and

the rear end of the outer coat is in close contact with the centering member.

14. The writing implement according to claim 3, wherein the barrel, the outer coat, and the gel substance are transparent.

15. The writing implement according to claim 3, wherein

a writing point and a ferrule are provided at the front end of the barrel;

the front end portion of the outer coat is in contact with the ferrule; and

the outside diameter of the outer coat in the contact portion is smaller than the outside diameter of the ferrule in the contact portion.

16. The writing implement according to claim 12, wherein

a writing point is provided at the front end of the barrel;

the barrel is formed by a front barrel and a rear barrel;

the centering member is so provided as to project outward near the rear end of the grip portion of the front barrel;

the rear end of the outer coat is in close contact with the centering member; and

a contact portion between the outer coat and the centering member is covered by the rear barrel when the front barrel is engaged with the rear barrel.

17. The writing implement according to claim 13, wherein

a writing point is provided at the front end of the barrel;

the barrel is formed by a front barrel and a rear barrel;

the centering member is so provided as to project outward near the rear end of the grip portion of the front barrel;

the rear end of the outer coat is in close contact with the centering member; and

a contact portion between the outer coat and the centering member is covered by the rear barrel when the front barrel is engaged with the rear barrel.

18. The writing implement according to claim 15, wherein the barrel, the outer coat, and the gel substance are transparent.

19. The writing implement according to claim 16, wherein the barrel, the outer coat, and the gel substance are transparent.

20. The writing implement according to claim 17, wherein the barrel, the outer coat, and the gel substance are transparent.