Writing device

• US 6,086,445 A
• Filed: 01/29/1999
• Issued: 07/11/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 02/06/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Richard E. Zawitz
• Original Assignee: Tangle Incorporated
• Inventors: Zawitz, Richard E.
• Primary Examiner(s): MUIR, DAVID N
• Application Number:
  US09/240,153
• Time in Patent Office: 529 Days
• Field of Search: 446/146, 446/487, 446/486, 446/383, 446/102, 446/104, 446/99, 446/97, 446/71, 401/195, 401/6, 401/7, 401/8, 401/48, 401/208, 401/209, 242/160.1, 242/588, 242/588.1, 242/588.3
• US Class Current: 446/146
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 33/08 provided with complementary holes, grooves, or protuberances, e.g. dovetails
• CPC Class Codes: B43K 29/00 Combinations of writing implements with other articles
• 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

The invention provides exemplary writing devices and methods for their use. The writing devices comprise a plurality of segments which are removably coupled to each other. At least some of the segments include a writing mechanism. In this way, the segments may be coupled together in a wide variety of arrangements, with at least one of the writing mechanisms being available for use.

Claims

1. An assembly of modular toy pieces comprising:

a plurality of modular toy pieces, at least one of which is curved, wherein each toy piece is joined by a rotatable joint to an adjacent toy piece, and wherein at least one of the toy pieces includes a writing instrument;

a holding device comprising a housing having an open top end and defining an enclosure which is adapted to receive a roll of paper when deposited into the enclosure through the open top end as a roll, and a connector coupled to the housing, wherein the connector is coupled to one of the modular toy pieces; and

a lid movably coupled to the housing to permit access into the enclosure through the top end when the lid is moved to an open position and to prevent access into the enclosure through the top end when the lid is moved to a closed position.

2. An assembly as in claim 1, further comprising a clip coupled to the lid.

3. An assembly as in claim 1, wherein the enclosure has a generally circular periphery and is adapted to receive a roll of paper.

4. An assembly as in claim 1, wherein the connector comprises a ball connector which is adapted to be inserted into a socket of another modular toy piece.

5. A toy system comprising:

a plurality of segments, at least one of which is curved, wherein each segment is joined by a rotatable joint to an adjacent segment, and wherein at least one of the segments includes a writing instrument

a holding device comprising a housing defining an enclosure and an opening to provide access into the enclosure, the holding device further including a connector coupled to the housing, and wherein the connector is coupled to one of the segments;

a roll of paper disposed within the housing such that at least some of the paper is dispensable through the opening, and wherein the opening is sized such that the roll of paper is insertable through the opening as a roll;

a lid movably coupled to a top end of the housing so as to cover the opening when in a closed position and to permit access into the enclosure when the cover is moved to an open position such that the roll of paper is insertable through the open as a roll when the cover is in the open position; and

a writing mechanism disposed within and extending from at least one of the segments.

6. A system as in claim 5, wherein the section of paper is formed into a roll.

7. A system as in claim 5, wherein at least some of the segments have a ball at one end and a socket within another end.

8. A toy system comprising:

a holding device comprising a housing defining an enclosure and an opening to provide access into the enclosure, the holding device further including a connector coupled to the housing and a cover to cover the opening;

a plurality of segments which are removably coupled together such that each segment is rotatable relative to an adjacent segment, and wherein the holding device is coupled to a top end of one of the segments such that the holding device is positioned above the segment; and

a writing mechanism disposed within and extending from at least one of the segments so that a writing assembly may be constructed with a plurality of segments and the holding device.

9. A system as in claim 8, wherein at least some of the segments are curved in geometry.