Retractable pencil/pen/stylus holder

• US 6,854,681 B2
• Filed: 07/31/2003
• Issued: 02/15/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 08/09/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Louis A. Kish
• Original Assignee: Louis A. Kish
• Inventors: Kish, Louis A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Jillions, John M.
• Application Number:
  US10/632,429
• Publication Number:
  US 20040026556A1
• Time in Patent Office: 565 Days
• Field of Search: 242/380, 242/402, 401/131, 224/162, 224/251
• US Class Current: 242/380
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 5/004 with an automatic spring reel
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 57/00 Golfing accessories
• CPC Class Codes: B43K 23/001 Supporting means bracelets with means for attaching a writing instrument or a memo pad A44C5/0046
• CPC Class Codes: B43K 25/00 Attaching writing implements to wearing apparel or objects involving constructional changes of the implements protecting means, e.g. caps B43K23/08; garment-holding devices A44B99/00; fastening articles to wearing apparel A45F5/02

Abstract

Exemplary embodiments are directed to a retractable instrument holder. More specifically, the instrument holder is composed of an adapter coupled to a retractable reel. The adapter includes a main cavity that has an inner bore of varying diameters. Accordingly, the adapter is capable of retaining instruments of varying sizes as well as those instruments having a variety of shapes.

Claims

1. A retractable device for retaining a writing instrument, comprising:

a retractor comprising a retractor body that houses a cable, the cable having a first end positioned within the retractor body and a second end positioned outside the retractor body, the cable having a protuberance coupled to the second end, and wherein the cable is selectively extendable from the retractor body and retractable into the retractor body; and

an adapter coupled to the protuberance, the adapter comprising a main body having a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion and the second portion are separated by a partition;

the first portion defining a first bore having a substantially constant diameter, and the second portion defining a second bore having a tapered inner bore.

2. The retractable device of claim 1 wherein the adaptor is coupled to the protuberance by an adhesive.

3. The retractable device of claim 1 wherein the adaptor is coupled to the protuberance by a friction fit.

4. The retractable device of claim 1 wherein the protuberance includes one or more annular ridges extending from an outer surface of the protuberance.

5. The retractable device of claim 1 wherein the protuberance is provided with threads that mate with walls of the first bore.

6. The protuberance of claim 1 wherein the protuberance is sized to engage the walls of the first bore.

7. The retractable device of claim 6 wherein the first bore is provided with at least one ridge projecting away from the walls of the first bore.

8. The retractable device of claim 1 wherein the second bore is provided with at least one ridge projecting away from the walls of the second bore.

9. The retractable device of claim 1 wherein the tapered inner bore of the second portion of the adapter is funnel-shaped.

10. The retractable device of claim 1 wherein the tapered inner bore of the second portion of the adapter is bottleneck-shaped.

11. The retractable device of claim 1 further comprising an elongated rod that is coupled to the retractor body, the elongate rod sized to engage a bore or a press-in clip bracket.

12. A retractable device for retaining a writing instrument, comprising:

a retractor comprising a retractor body that houses a cable that is selectively extendable from and retractable into the retractor body, and a protuberance provided at a first end of the cable; and

an adapter comprising a main body having a first portion and a second portion, wherein the, first portion and the second portion are separated by an inner wall;

the first portion defining a first bore having a substantially constant diameter wherein the first bore engages the protuberance, and the second portion defining a second bore having a funnel-shaped inner bore that is capable of engaging an outer wall of the writing instrument.

13. The retractable device of claim 12 further comprising a fastening means coupled to the retractor.

14. The retractable device of claim 13 wherein the fastening means is an elongated rod sized to engage a bore or a press-in clip bracket.

15. The retractable device of claim 12 wherein the protuberance includes one or more annular ridges extending from an outer surface of the protuberance.

16. The retractable device of claim 12 wherein the protuberance is provided with threads that mate with corresponding threads on walls of the first bore.

17. A retractable device for retaining a writing instrument, comprising:

a retractor comprising a retractor body coupled to a fastening means and the retractor body housing a cable, the cable having a first end positioned within the retractor body and a second end positioned outside the retractor body, the cable having a protuberance having annular ridges extending from an outer surface of the protuberance, wherein the protuberance is coupled to the second end, and wherein the cable is selectively extendable from the retractor body and retractable into the retractor body; and

a flexible adapter comprising a main body having a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion and the second portion are separated by an inner wall;

the first portion defining a first bore having a substantially constant diameter wherein the first bore engages the protuberance by a friction fit, and the second portion defining a second bore having a funnel-shaped inner bore that is capable of engaging and retaining the writing instrument.

18. The retractable device of claim 17 wherein the fastening means is a belt clip or a bulldog clip.

19. The retractable device of claim 17 wherein the fastening means is an elongated rod sized to engage a bore or a press-in clip bracket.