Coating implements with material supply – Combined
Patent
1993-02-01
1994-11-29
Bratlie, Steven A.
Coating implements with material supply
Combined
70 58, 70 61, 401 99, 401109, B43K 2900
Patent
active
053684060
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
This invention relates to what will be referred to in this description as pen-type devices. A pen-type device here means a device suitable to be used in the hand, and having an elongate hollow body and actuating means whereby some kind of element, contained in the body, can be moved to a released position in which it at least protrudes from an aperture in the body.
The above definition includes devices in which the contained element is a part of the device itself, optionally a replaceable part, which is retractable into and out of the body between a working position and a retracted position.
In this form, the device is in general an instrument or tool. Thus, the element which is movable in the body may for example be a knife blade. More commonly, however, it is a writing instrument, the movable element being a writing element. Such a writing instrument may for example be a ball point pen or a pencil, the writing element then being a ball pen refill or a lead holder, respectively.
The above definition does however also include devices in the form of dispensing containers, where the contained elements consist of products stored in the container and intended to be dispensed one at a time. A typical example of this latter application is a pen-shaped pill dispenser for dispensing medicinal pills, sweetener tablets etc. Such pen-type dispensers are known for the use of travellers, for carrying in the pocket like a pen, or in a handbag.
The contents of a pill dispenser may be dangerous if they fall into the wrong hands. Pens and pencils tend to be borrowed and not returned. Accordingly, one object of the invention is to provide a pen-type device, as defined above, which incorporates a security device which can make it inconvenient or difficult or impossible for the device to be used by anyone other than the rightful user.
A retractable instrument or tool such as a pen or knife, when carried in the user's pocket or handbag, for example, can be dangerous or can cause damage if the retractable element, e.g. pen tip or blade, inadvertently becomes released from its retracted position. This problem is addressed in the patent document U.S. Pat. No. 3,679,317 (Larson), which describes an ordinary retractable ball-point pen with a lock to prevent its inadvertent release. The lock works on a rotary basis, in that its operation depends on rotation of the finger button to release the latter. The lock has only two positions, locked and unlocked, and has no feature that guards against unauthorised use.
Another object of the invention is to give security against inadvertent release together with protection against unauthorised use.
There is a large market for what are called premium gifts, presented by business people, as a form of advertising, to potential customers or others. In this field a well-known type of gift is a ball-point pen bearing advertising matter. It is a matter of opinion whether this form of advertising, being somewhat passive from the recipient's point of view, is truly effective. An attractive and useful gift that draws the user's attention to the advertiser in a more positive way may be more likely to attract the user's custom. Accordingly a further object of the invention is to provide a device that can fulfil this function.
According to the invention, a device having a hollow elongate body and actuating means whereby an element contained within the body can be moved to a released position in which the said element at least protrudes from an aperture in the body, is characterised by a combination-type lock. The lock includes a retaining member, movable with the actuating means, and ring means comprising at least one coded finger ring mounted for rotation around the body, the retaining member and ring means having cooperating first and second locking means respectively for locking the retaining member in a retracted position. The locking means is movable to a pre-coded released position when the ring means are set to a predetermined rotational configuration thereby releasing the elements.
The device may b
REFERENCES:
patent: 3354675 (1967-11-01), Quigg
patent: 3679317 (1972-07-01), Larson
patent: 3684117 (1972-08-01), Leopoldi et al.
patent: 4267715 (1981-05-01), Aylesworth
patent: 4970883 (1990-11-01), Johnson
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