GB2153307A - A mechanical pencil and ball- point pen combined writing instrument - Google Patents

Abstract

A mechanical pencil and ball- point pen combined writing instrument, comprising a lead rod- propelling member (2) mounted at one end of a housing (12) provided for storing lead rods; an outer tube member (14) interconnected with the housing (12); an inner tube member (15) received in the outer tube member (14) and being restricted for movement towards the pencil end by an annular protrusion (142) provided around the inner wall of the outer tube member (14); and a T-ball jotter (17) inserted within the inner tube member (15). all the above-mentioned members being mounted in a holder (1), through the two open ends of which the lead rod and the T-ball otter (17) can be projected for use. When the ball-point pen is required, the ball-point pen end is placed downwards and the T-ball jotter (17) will extend outwardly of the holder causing the T-ball jotter (17) to tilt and abut against the annular protrusion (142) to restrict backward movement. A continuous push on the outer tube member (14) causes the lead rod to project for use and the ball-point pen to fall back into the holder (1) to its rest position. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION A mechanical pencil and ball-point pen combined writing instrument This invention relates to a doubie-function writing instrument and particularly to a mechanical pencil and ball-point pen combined writing instrument, which can be used either to function as a pencil or a ball-point pen.

Though a variety of pens are available with many improvements having been made thereon, there are still some inconveniences in their use left unresolved. One of these inconveniences is that most of the known pens are single-functioned. However, some different kinds of writing instruments, especially the pencil and ball-point pen, are occasionally both required for the same task requiring the user to carry several kinds of writing instruments with him for interchanging while working. The inventor has contrived a novel writing instrument which combines the structure of a mechanical pencil and a ball-point pen.

It is a general object of this invention to provide a novel writing means which can be used either as a pencil or as a ball-point pen.

In detail, the invention comprises a holder having a first end and a second end; a mechanical pencil propelling member secured relative to the first end of the holder member; a tubular housing member connected with the propelling member and adapted to receive the lead rod therein; an outer tube member having a closed end axially connected with the tubular housing member and an open end located corresponding to the second end of the holder, and having an annular protrusion disposed around the internal surface thereof; an inner tube member adapted to receive a ball jotter therein, which has a diameter suitable for being received in the outer tube member and is restricted to movement in one direction by the annular protrusion; and a cap member which partly acts as a push button for the mechanical pencil propelling member being attached on the open end of the outer tube member, and having an aperture adapted to permit the T-ball jotter to extend through when the second end is held downwardly, when the T-ball jotter will tilt with respect to the outer tube member so that the rear end thereof abuts against the annular protrusion and becomes fixed in an inclined position while writing.

The presently preferred exemplary embodiment will be described in detail with respect to the following drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the double-functioned pen according to this invention; Figure 2 is an exploded view of the same embodiment; Figure 3 is a longitudinal section view showing the same embodiment in a unused position; Figure 4 is a longitudinal section view of the same embodiment shown in the preceding drawings.

Referring now to Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, a pencil-ball-point pen includes a lead rod guide 11 which is screwed into a holder 1; a spring loaded lead rod propelling member generally designated by numeral 2; a tubular housing 1 2 associated with the propelling member 2, forming a chamber for storing one or more lead rods or pieces, where continuous push force exerted on the tubular housing 1 2 will cause a lead rod to project through the guide 11 for writing; an outer tube member 1 4 having one end engaged in the bore of the tubular housing 12; an inner tube member 1 5 received in the outer tube member 1 4 and being restricted in rearward movement by an annular protrusion 1 42 formed in the internal surface of the outer tube member 14; a T-ball jotter 1 7 inserted in the inner tube member 15; and a cap 18 which forms a push button attached at the other end.

The mechanism of the mechanical pencil is known art in the field so that the details of it are not contained in any part of the description hereinafter.

The first tube member 1 4 includes a plug element 141 formed with an outward projection 145. The projection 145 is inserted into the bore of the tubular housing 12, so that the pencil part and the ball-point pen part can be interconnected.

In the internal surface an annular protrusion 1 42 is integrally formed near the rear end thereof. The inner tube member 1 5 can be placed in axial alignment with the annular protrusion so that the T-ball jotter 1 7 can be smoothly inserted into the outer tube member 14 until it abuts against the plug 141; in such a position, the T-ball jotter end is wholly received within the holder 1.

A cap member 1 8 is removably mounted on the open end of the outer tube member 14, which has one end extended outwardly of the holder 1; an aperture 181 is provided on the front end of the cap 1 8. When the ballpoint pen is required, the holder 1 should be held inversely from the position shown in Fig.

1, and the T-ball jotter 1 7 falls, due to its weight, so as to project through the aperture 181 for use.

As is illustrated in Fig. 4, when being held in an inclined position, the T-ball jotter 1 7 will be tilted with respect to the inner tube member 15, so that the rear end of the T-ball jotter 1 7 rests against the annular protrusion 1 42 without retracting.

After use, the T-ball jotter 1 7 can be retracted by inverting the holder 1, at which time the movable inner tube 1 5 and the T-ball jotter~17 will slide down and the latter being stopped by the annular protrusion 142, the Tball jotter 1 7 further slides down through the inner tube 1 5 until it abuts against the tubular housing 12, and the T-ball jotter 1 7 will fall into its stored position.

Claims (2)

1. A mechanical pencil and ball-point pen combined writing instrument, comprising: a holder having a first end and a second end; a mechanical pencil propelling member secured relative to the first end of said holder: a tubular housing member connected with said propelling member, and adapted to receive the lead rod; an outer tube member having a closed end axially connected with said tubular housing member and an open end located adjacent to the second end of said holder, and having an annular protrusion disposed around the internal surface thereof; an inner tube member located within said outer tube member, adapted to receive a Tball jotter therein, and having a diameter suitable for being received in said outer tube member and restricted for movement in one direction by said annular protrusion; and a cap member in part acting as a rush button of said mechanical pencil propelling member, fixed on the open end of said outer tube member, and having an aperture adapted to permit the T-ball jotter to extend through when said second end is held downwardly, the T-ball jotter being tilted with respect to said outer tube member so that the rear end thereof abuts against said annular protrusion and becomes fixed in an inclined position when writing.

2. A mechanical pencil and ball-point pen combined writing instrument substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the drawings.