Curved writing instrument

• US 5,564,849 A
• Filed: 12/29/1995
• Issued: 10/15/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 01/17/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Joseph M. Greer Jr
• Original Assignee: Joseph M. Greer Jr
• Inventors: Greer, Joseph M. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bratlie, Steven A.
• Application Number:
  US08/581,363
• Time in Patent Office: 291 Days
• Field of Search: 401/30, 401/34, 401/88, 401/195, 401/209, 40/334
• US Class Current: 401/30
• CPC Class Codes: B43K 23/004 Holders specially adapted for assisting handicapped or disabled persons to write B43L15/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B43K 24/10 for selecting, projecting and locking several writing units
• CPC Class Codes: B43K 24/12 operating by means sliding in longitudinally-slotted casings
• CPC Class Codes: B43K 29/12 with memorandum appliances with book covers B42D
• CPC Class Codes: B43K 5/005 Pen barrels

Abstract

A curved ergonomic pen which facilitates writing on vertical surfaces comprises a housing having a barrel portion and a web portion. The barrel has curved inner and outer edges and substantially flat sides. The web is substantially flat and extends along the curved inner edge of the barrel. A curved channel is formed in the barrel in communication with openings in opposite ends of the barrel. A pair of ink cartridges each comprising an ink tube and a tip secured to one end thereof are retractably secured within the channel such that the respective tips generally extend toward opposite ends of the barrel. The pen tips are selectively extendable and retractable through the associated openings in the opposite ends of the barrel. In one embodiment, a note pocket for receiving relatively small sheets of paper is removably securable within a slot extending into an outer edge of the web. A cover is provided which is removably securable to the housing to cover both ends of the housing and any tips extending therefrom.

Claims

1. A writing instrument comprising:

a. a housing including;

i. a barrel having a first end, a second end, a curved outer edge and a curved inner edge; and

ii. a web having a first side and a second side and extending along at least a portion of said curved inner edge of said barrel;

said first and second sides of said web are substantially flat;

b. a first reservoir of ink secured within said barrel; and

c. a first ink applicator having a tip and secured to said housing such that said tip extends through a first tip opening in said first end of said barrel.

2. The writing instrument as in claim 1 wherein:

a. a first and a second side of said barrel are substantially flat.

3. The writing instrument as in claim 1 further comprising:

a. retraction means for retracting said first tip into said barrel.

4. The writing instrument as in claim 1 wherein a note slot is formed in said web along an outer edge thereof and said writing instrument further comprises:

a. a note pocket for holding relatively small sheets of paper;

at least a portion of said note pocket is removably securable within said note slot.

5. The writing instrument as in claim 1 wherein a second tip opening is formed in a second end of said barrel and said writing instrument further comprising:

a. a second reservoir of ink secured within said barrel; and

b. a second ink applicator having a tip and secured to said housing such that said tip of said second ink applicator extends through said second tip opening in said second end of said barrel.

6. The writing instrument as in claim 5 further comprising:

a. a cover removably securable to said writing instrument in covering relationship with said first and second ends of said barrel.

7. The writing instrument as in claim 5 further comprising:

a. retraction means for selectively advancing and releasably securing said first and second tips between a retracted position wherein said first and second tips are positioned within said barrel, a first extended position wherein said first tip extends through said first tip opening and said second tip is positioned within said barrel, and a second extended position wherein said second tip extends through said second tip opening and said first tip is positioned within said barrel.

8. A pen comprising:

a. a housing including;

i. a barrel having a curved outer edge and a curved inner edge;

a curved channel is formed within said barrel;

said curved channel communicating with a first tip opening formed in a first end of said barrel; and

ii. a web having a first side and a second side and extending along at least a portion of said curved inner edge of said barrel;

said first and second sides of said web are substantially flat; and

b. a first ink cartridge comprising a first ink tube and a first tip connected to one end of said first ink tube;

said first ink cartridge secured within said barrel such that said first ink tube is positioned in said curved channel and said first tip extends through said first tip opening.

9. The pen as in claim 8 wherein:

a. a first and a second side of said barrel are substantially flat.

10. The pen as in claim 8 further comprising:

a. retraction means for retracting said first tip into said barrel.

11. The pen as in claim 8 wherein a note slot is formed in said web along an outer edge thereof and said pen further comprises:

a. a note pocket for holding relatively small sheets of paper;

at least a portion of said note pocket is removably securable within said note slot edge.

12. The pen as in claim 8 wherein a second tip opening is formed in a second end of said barrel and further comprising:

a. a second ink cartridge comprising a second ink tube and a second tip connected to one end of said second ink tube;

said second ink cartridge secured within said barrel such that said second ink tube is positioned in said curved channel and said second tip extends through said second tip opening.

13. The pen as in claim 12 further comprising:

a. a cover removably securable to said housing in covering relationship with said first and second ends of said barrel.

14. The pen as in claim 12 wherein said first and second ink cartridges are connected together and selectively advanceable between a retracted position wherein said first and second tips are positioned within said barrel, a first extended position wherein said first tip extends through said first tip opening and said second tip is positioned within said barrel, and a second extended position wherein said second tip extends through said second tip opening and said first tip is positioned within said barrel.

15. A pen comprising:

a. a housing including;

i. a barrel having a first end, a second end, a curved outer edge and a curved inner edge;

a curved channel is formed within said barrel;

said curved channel communicating with a first tip opening formed in said first end of said barrel and a second tip opening formed in said second end of said barrel; and

ii. a web having a first side and a second side and extending along at least a portion of said curved inner edge of said barrel;

said first and second sides of said web are substantially flat;

b. a first ink cartridge comprising a first ink tube and a first tip connected to one end of said first ink tube;

said first ink cartridge secured within said barrel such that said first ink tube is positioned in said curved channel and said first tip is extendable through said first tip opening; and

c. a second ink cartridge comprising a second ink tube and a second tip connected to one end of said second ink tube;

said second ink cartridge secured within said barrel such that said second ink tube is positioned in said curved channel and said second tip is extendable through said second tip opening.

16. The pen as in claim 15 wherein:

a. a first and a second side of said barrel are substantially flat.

17. The pen as in claim 15 wherein a note slot is formed in said web along an outer edge thereof and said pen further comprises:

a. a note pocket for holding relatively small sheets of paper;

at least a portion of said note pocket is removably securable within said note slot edge.

18. The pen as in claim 17 further comprising:

a. a cover removably securable to said housing in covering relationship with said first and second ends of said barrel.

19. The pen as in claim 17 wherein said first and second ink cartridges are connected together and said pen further comprises:

a. retraction means for selectively advancing and releasably securing said first and second ink cartridges between a retracted position wherein said first and second tips are positioned within said barrel, a first extended position wherein said first tip extends through said first tip opening and said second tip is positioned within said barrel, and a second extended position wherein said second tip extends through said second tip opening and said first tip is positioned within said barrel.

20. A writing instrument comprising:

a. a housing including;

i. a barrel having a first end, a second end, a curved outer edge and a curved inner edge; and

ii. a web having a first side and a second side and extending along at least a portion of said curved inner edge of said barrel;

said first and second sides of said web are substantially flat; and

b. marking means securable to said barrel relative to said first end for marking items.