GB778539A - Improvements relating to writing instruments - Google Patents

Abstract

778,539. Multiple writing instruments. WALDMANN, A., [trading as WALDMANN, A. [Firm of]. Jan. 25, 1956, No. 2416/56. Class 146(3). A multiple writing instrument comprises a slotted outer casing 5, a sleeve 2 secured within the casing holding resiliently-loaded rods 17 carrying writing appliances, e.g. ball-point pens 14a, 14b, thrust pins 15a, 15b on the rods 17 guided in slots parallel to the longitudinal axis of the instrument, and a cam-carrying sleeve 6 rotatable by an end cap 9 to move the pens 14a, 14b into and out of writing position and longitudinally displaceable to advance the pen in writing position beyond writing position whilst the retracted pen remains stationary, the cam 16 on the sleeve 6 extending gradually forward from a recess 21 to a notch 20 in which a thrust pin engages when a pen is advanced to writing position, then receding first abruptly and then progressively to the recess, whereby a thrust pin may be released from the notch 20 by rotation of the end cap in either direction. The pens 14a, 14b are pressed rearwardly by springs 18, while the cap 9 is pressed rearwardly by a spring 8. The pen 14a may be disengaged from writing position, as determined by the pin 15a engaging the notch 20, by clockwise or counterclockwise rotation of the cap 9 ; in the former case the same pen may subsequently return to writing position without projecting the pen 14b first, while rotation in the counterclockwise direction causes the pen 14b to be projected next, since the slope 22 of the cam prevents clockwise rotation. Depression of the cap 9, against the spring 8, permits a sufficient advance of the projected pen to permit its removal and replacement. When the appliances are pencils, refill leads may be stored in a spring housing 7.