Liquid applicator with screw lock

• US 5,445,466 A
• Filed: 10/22/1992
• Issued: 08/29/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 10/30/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Sakurakurepasu
• Original Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Sakurakurepasu
• Inventors: Mukunoki, Tadashi
• Primary Examiner(s): Bratlie, Steven A.
• Application Number:
  US07/964,866
• Time in Patent Office: 1,041 Days
• Field of Search: 401/251, 401/258, 401/199, 411/120, 411/121, 411/184, 411/185, 411/186, 411/959, 411/961, 411/962, 215/330, 215/331
• US Class Current: 401/199
• CPC Class Codes: B43K 5/005 Pen barrels

Abstract

First and second engaging projected portions are formed on opposing circumferential surfaces of a tubular casing and a hollow lead portion which are rotated relative to each other so as to be coupled with, thereby spirally engaging external and internal threads formed on the respective opposing circumferential surfaces. A forward side face of the first engaging projected portion with respect to a spiral rotating direction is formed into a slanting face so as to allow the second engaging projected portion to move over the first engaging projected portion when the casing and the lead portion are completely coupled with each other. Further, backward side faces of the first and second engaging projected portions are formed into upright faces, such that the second engaging projected portion cannot move over the first engaging projected portion in an opposite direction once moving over the same. This arrangement reliably prevents the spiral engagement of the casing and the lead portion from loosening.

Claims

1. A liquid applicator comprising:

a tubular casing having an external thread formed on an outer circumferential surface thereof;

a hollow lead portion having an internal thread formed on an inner circumferential surface thereof, the lead portion being mountable on the casing by spirally engaging the external and internal threads;

an engaging projected portion formed in a specified position on each of the outer circumferential surface of the casing and the inner circumferential surface of the lead portion, the specified positions corresponding to each other in a state where the external and internal threads are completely spirally engaged with each other, these engaging projected portions being formed such that one engaging projected portion is allowed to move over the other in a spiral rotating direction, but is not allowed to move over the other in a direction opposite to the spiral rotating direction; and

a restricting projected portion formed adjacent to the other of said engaging projected portions so as to form, in combination with the other engaging projected portion, a groove for holding the one engaging projected portion from moving in both said spiral rotating direction and a rotating direction opposite said spiral rotating direction,

wherein a space is defined between the outer circumferential surface of said casing and the inner circumferential surface of said lead portion,

wherein the height of each of said engaging projected portions and said restricting projected portion is less than or equal to the distance between the outer circumferential surface of said casing and the inner circumferential surface of said lead portion, and

wherein a seal member is provided between the casing and the lead portion in a state where the external and internal threads are completely spirally engaged with each other.

3. A liquid applicator as defined in claim 1 or 2 wherein a forward side face of at least one engaging projected portion with respect to the spiral rotating direction is formed into a slanting face such that the one engaging projected portion is allowed to move over the other, and a backward side face of each engaging projected portion with respect to the spiral rotating direction is formed into an upright face.

4. A liquid applicator as defined in claim 1 or 2 wherein a forward side face of at least one engaging projected portion with respect to the spiral rotating direction is formed into a first slanting face such that the one engaging projected portion is allowed to move over the other, and a backward side face of each engaging projected portion with respect to the spiral rotating direction is formed into a slanting face which extends in the same direction with the first slanting face.

5. A liquid applicator as defined in claim 1 or 2 wherein a first stepped portion having stages whose heights differ from each other is formed on a face of one engaging projected portion, and a second stepped portion fittable with the first stepped portion is formed on a face of a member mating with the one engaging projected portion.

6. A liquid applicator as defined in claim 1 or 2 wherein a first rib portion is formed on a face of one engaging projected portion, and a second rib portion fittable with the first rib portion is formed on a face of a member mating with the one engaging projected portion.

7. A liquid applicator as defined in claim 1 or 2 wherein one engaging projected portion is formed into a hooked shape curved backward with respect to the spiral rotating direction, and the other engaging projected portion is formed into a hooked shape which is engageable with the one engaging projected portion.

2. A liquid applicator comprising:

a tubular casing having an internal thread formed on an inner circumferential surface thereof;

a hollow lead portion having an external thread formed on an outer circumferential surface thereof, the lead portion being mountable on the casing by spirally engaging the external and internal threads;

an engaging projected portion formed in a specified position on each of the inner circumferential surface of the casing and the outer circumferential surface of the lead portion, the specified positions corresponding to each other in a state where the external and internal threads are completely spirally engaged with each other, these engaging projected portions being formed such that one engaging projected portion is allowed to move over the other in a spiral rotating direction, but is not allowed to move over the other in a direction opposite to the spiral rotating direction; and

a restricting projected portion formed adjacent to the other of said engaging projected portions so as to form, in combination with the other engaging projected portion, a groove for holding the one engaging projected portion from moving in both said spiral rotating direction and a rotating direction opposite said spiral rotating direction,

wherein a space is defined between the inner circumferential surface of said casing and the outer circumferential surface of said lead portion,

wherein the height of each of said engaging projected portions and said restricting projected portion is less than or equal to the distance between the inner circumferential surface of said casing and the outer circumferential surface of said lead portion, and

wherein a seal member is provided between the casing and the lead portion in a state where the external and internal threads are completely spirally engaged with each other.