Flat folding writing instrument

• US 5,988,918 A
• Filed: 04/22/1999
• Issued: 11/23/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 04/24/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Profound Products, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Gary D. Johnson
• Inventors: Johnson, Gary D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Walczak, David J.
• Application Number:
  US09/298,266
• Time in Patent Office: 215 Days
• Field of Search: 401/88, 401/89, 401/91, 401/95, 401/96, 401/97
• US Class Current: 401/88
• CPC Class Codes: B43K 21/006 Pencil-barrels
• CPC Class Codes: B43K 29/00 Combinations of writing implements with other articles
• CPC Class Codes: B43K 29/007 with advertising means
• CPC Class Codes: B43K 5/005 Pen barrels
• CPC Class Codes: B43K 7/005 Pen barrels
• CPC Class Codes: B43K 8/003 Pen barrels

Abstract

A flat folding writing instrument includes a generally planar elongated support, the support including a lengthwise direction, and at least two spaced apart living hinges extending in a generally lengthwise direction of the support, so as to divide the support into at least three lengthwise extending sections. A further hinge extends in a generally widthwise direction of the support so as to divide the support into two widthwise extending sections. The support also has two opposite lengthwise edges and a bottom edge. A writing member is secured to one of the lengthwise extending sections in one of the widthwise extending sections, and has a writing point thereof extending below the bottom edge of the support. A locking assembly is provided for securing the two lengthwise extending edges together when the support is folded along the hinges. The support can be folded along the lengthwise extending hinges such that the two opposite lengthwise edges are adjacent to each other and locked in position relative to each other by the locking assembly, so that the writing instrument can be used for writing. A pen cover is provided on the other widthwise extending section for engaging or covering the writing point of the writing member when the support is folded along the further widthwise extending hinge.

Claims

1. A flat folding writing instrument comprising:

a generally planar elongated support, said support including;

a lengthwise direction,

at least two spaced apart hinges extending in a generally lengthwise direction of said support, so as to divide said support into at least three lengthwise extending sections, and

two opposite lengthwise edges and a bottom edge;

a writing member secured to one of said sections and having a writing end thereof extending below said bottom edge;

wherein said support is foldable along said hinges such that when said support is folded, said two opposite lengthwise edges are adjacent to each other so that said writing instrument can be used for writing.

2. A flat folding writing instrument according to claim 1, wherein said support includes a further hinge extending in a generally widthwise direction thereof so as to divide said support into two widthwise extending sections, and said writing member is secured to only one of said widthwise extending sections.

3. A flat folding writing instrument according to claim 2, wherein said writing member is a pen refill.

4. A flat folding writing instrument according to claim 3, further including a pen cover secured to the other widthwise extending section for engaging an end of said pen refill when said support is folded along said further hinge.

5. A flat folding writing instrument according to claim 1, wherein said writing member is a pen refill.

6. A flat folding writing instrument according to claim 5, wherein said pen refill has an elongated hollow portion which is partially flattened to have a generally oval cross-sectional shape.

7. A flat folding writing instrument according to claim 1, further including securing members on said support for securing said writing member to said support.

8. A flat folding writing instrument according to claim 7, wherein said securing members include securing arches on said support.

9. A flat folding writing instrument according to claim 1, wherein each said hinge is a living hinge.

10. A flat folding writing instrument according to claim 1, further including at least one compartment or receptacle in at least one of said lengthwise extending sections.

11. A flat folding writing instrument according to claim 10, further including a flap associated with each compartment, each said flap being hingedly secured to said support for openably covering a respective compartment.

12. A flat folding writing instrument comprising:

a generally planar elongated support, said support including;

a lengthwise direction,

at least two spaced apart hinges extending in a generally lengthwise direction of said support, so as to divide said support into at least three lengthwise extending sections, and

two opposite lengthwise edges and a bottom edge;

a writing member secured to one of said sections and having a writing point thereof extending below said bottom edge;

a locking assembly for securing said two edges together when said support is folded along said hinges; and

wherein said support is foldable along said hinges such that when said support is folded, said two opposite lengthwise edges are adjacent to each other and are locked in position relative to each other by said locking assembly, so that said writing instrument can be used for writing.

13. A flat folding writing instrument according to claim 12, wherein said support includes a further hinge extending in a generally widthwise direction thereof so as to divide said support into two widthwise extending sections, and said writing member is secured to only one of said widthwise extending sections.

14. A flat folding writing instrument according to claim 13, further including a cover secured to the other widthwise extending section for engaging a writing end of said writing member when said support is folded along said further hinge.

15. A flat folding writing instrument according to claim 12, further including securing members on said support for securing said writing member to said planar support.

16. A flat folding writing instrument according to claim 15, wherein said securing members include securing arches on said support.

17. A flat folding writing instrument according to claim 12, wherein each said hinge is a living hinge.

18. A flat folding writing instrument according to claim 12, further including at least one compartment or receptacle in at least one of said lengthwise extending sections.

19. A flat folding writing instrument according to claim 18, further including a flap associated with each compartment, each said flap being hingedly secured to said support for openably covering a respective compartment.

20. A flat folding writing instrument according to claim 12, wherein said locking assembly includes a projection on a free edge portion of one of said lengthwise extending sections, and an opening in a free edge portion of another of said lengthwise extending sections, said projection being lockingly engageable in said opening to lock said writing instrument in a writing position.