WO2008057078A2

WO2008057078A2 - Wristwatch and telescoping pen

Info

Publication number: WO2008057078A2
Application number: PCT/US2006/043358
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gregory A. Evans
Original assignee: Evans Gregory A
Priority date: 2006-11-07
Filing date: 2006-11-07
Publication date: 2008-05-15
Also published as: WO2008057078A3

Abstract

A combination wristwatch (10) includes a pen holder (14) and telescoping pen (12). The combination is secured to the wrist of the user by straps or bands of the type commonly found on wristwatches. The pen holder or housing (14) has a centrally located pen chamber (16) that is dimensioned and configured to receive the telescoping pen (12). The pen (12) is collapsed to its minimum length before being placed in the pen chamber (16). The pen (12) is secured in the chamber (16) by various arrangements that include tapered walls, mating screw threads or elastomeric sleeves. A stopper (13) located at one end of the pen (12) prevents over-insertion of the pen (12) into the pen chamber. Once removed from the holder (14), the pen (12) can be extended to its full length and used as a writing implement.

Description

WRISTWATCH AND TELESCOPING PEN

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to wristwatches and writing implements. More specifically, the invention relates to a telescoping pen, a wrist-mounted storage attachment for the pen, both of which are attached to a wristwatch.

BACKGROUND ART

It can be both frustrating and annoying to need a pen and not be able to find one. For example, situations arise wherein an important number must be written down, but there is no pen handy with which to record the number. This predicament commonly happens when one is using the telephone.

Modern clothes, particularly informal and leisure clothing, lack convenient locations or places to store a pen. Thus, there is a need to provide a pen and storage holder that can be carried conveniently on one's person.

Since the situations in which a pen will be needed are unpredictable, any pen holder must be carried by the user at all times without becoming cumbersome to the user. A combination wristwatch and telescoping pen adapted to fit within a pen holder attached to the watch would allow a user to discretely carry his or her pen to all important meetings or engagements. There is, therefore, a need for a combination wristwatch having a holder wherein the holder is dimensioned and configured to securely hold or contain a pen. The present invention provides such a device.

The related art is rife with apparatus for attaching writing implements to a user. Examples of pertinent related art are cited and identified in the accompanying IDS. However, none of the cited and identified related art, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to disclose a combination wristwatch, holder and pen structure as will subsequently be described and claimed in the instant invention. DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The disclosure is directed to a combination wristwatch. The combination wristwatch includes a pen housing and pen. A watch band is attached to the pen housing. An opening is formed in the first end of the pen housing. A chamber is disposed within the pen housing. The chamber has a wall which defines a storage chamber. The opening opens into the chamber. The pen is disposed and secured in the chamber. The combination wristwatch also includes a means for securing the pen in the chamber.

The disclosure is also directed to combination wristwatch that includes a pen housing and a pen with a stopper. A watch band is attached to the pen housing. An opening is formed in the first end of the pen housing. A chamber is disposed within the pen housing that has a wall that defines a storage chamber. The opening opens into the chamber. The pen is disposed and secured in the chamber. A stopper is disposed on the distal end of the pen. The combination wristwatch also includes a means for securing the pen in the chamber.

The disclosure is further directed to a combination wristwatch with a pen housing and a pen with a stopper as well as a watch band with a pivoted clasp. The pivoted clasp has a first segment and a second segment. The first segment is attached to the second end of the watch band and the second segment is attached to the first end of the pen housing. The first end of the watch band is attached to a second end of the pen housing. An opening is formed in the first end of the pen housing. A chamber is disposed within the pen housing. The chamber has a wall that defines a storage chamber. The opening opens into the chamber. A pen is disposed in the chamber. The pen has a stopper on the distal end. The combination wristwatch also includes a means for securing the pen in the chamber.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 is an exploded, perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the invention. Fig. 2 is a front plan view of the telescoping pen shown in an extended mode. Fig. 3 is a side elevation, partly exploded view of the telescoping pen in its extended mode. Fig. 4 is a partial view showing a second embodiment comprising tapered walls for securing the pen. Fig. 5 is a partial view showing a third embodiment comprising elastomeric sleeves for securing the pen.

Fig. 6 is an exploded, perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the invention. Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings.

BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The invention relates to an assembly including a wristwatch having a penholder attached thereto. The penholder is adapted to receive a telescoping writing implement. The penholder attaches to straps commonly used for wristwatches, the straps being adjustable for adaptation to variously sized human wrists. The penholder comprises a body having a pen chamber dimensioned so that the writing implement, preferably a ballpoint pen, fits securely inside the pen chamber through the mouth of the chamber. The pen includes a body comprising a plurality of telescoping sections, terminating in a writing end and a butt end. In its compressed state, the pen length approximates the length of the penholder, which approximates the width of a user's wrist. The butt end of the pen includes a stopper that has a diameter larger than the diameter of the mouth of the pen chamber. The stopper prevents over-insertion of the pen into the penholder. In addition, the stopper is fashioned with a knurled surface adapted for use as a finger-grip to extract the pen from the pen chamber.

With the pen extracted, the user can lengthen the pen by pulling on its opposite ends thus extending the telescoping the sections. When the pen is in its fully expanded form, it functions as, and resembles, a normal writing implement. The writing end of the pen includes a removable cap, through which the pen point penetrates and which, when removed, allows access to the ink cartridge. The ink cartridge is cut on a bias or angle such that air can enter the cartridge to facilitate ink flow therefrom. One way of securing the pen to the penholder is by providing the pen chamber with tapered walls so that the pen friction fits snugly inside the chamber. Other means for securing include co-acting screw threads or co- acting friction sleeves. Accordingly, the invention presents a convenient device that incorporates a watch and a writing implement. The invention provides for improved elements and arrangements thereof in an apparatus for the purposes described which is inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing its intended purposes.

Turning now to Fig. 1 of the drawings, the assembly 10 comprising the combination wristwatch, pen-holder and telescoping pen is shown. Pen-holder housing 14 has an open end 16 which opens into a pen chamber 16 centrally located within pen housing 14. The chamber 16 is dimensioned and configured to receive pen 12. Pen 12 (shown in its collapsed mode) fits within pen chamber 16. A stopper 13 having a knurled surface is disposed on the distal end of the pen and abuts front face 42 of housing 14 when the pen is inserted in the housing. The contact between front face 42, which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of pen chamber 16, and stopper 13 prevents the over-insertion of pen 12 into chamber 16.

Furthermore, the knurled surface of stopper 13 functions as a gripping surface or finger-grip enhancing the user's ability to pull or extract pen 12 from chamber 16.

Pen housing 14 secures to the first end 18 of the wrist-band via a common wristwatch band telescoping attachment pin 22. Housing 14 is diametrically opposite watch W. Pin 22 is disposed within a first loop of the wristband and is received in opposed receptacles 28, 28 located on opposing side walls of pen housing 14 at the closed end. Second end 20 is similarly secured to pen housing 14 via another pin 22 which runs through a second loop 24 and is received in opposed receptacles 26, 26 located on opposing side walls of pen housing 14 adjacent to the open end of the pen housing. Additional receptacles 28a, 28a and 26a, 26a are provided for enhanced adjustment of the band. Although illustrated as an expandable band, it is obvious that other conventional watch-bands (leather, fabric, etc.) may be employed if desired. Mating screw threads 44, 46 are respectively disposed in chamber 16 and on pen 12 for securing the pen in the chamber.

Attention is now directed to Figs. 2 and 3 of the drawings wherein pen 12 is shown in extended or telescoping mode. To transform the pen from its collapsed mode (as seen in Fig.

1 of the drawings) to an extended mode, the user simply holds stopper 13 with one hand and cap 19 with the other. The user then pulls in an outward direction until the telescoping fourth, third, second, and first segments, 15d, 15c, 15b, 15a, respectively, are exposed. The fourth segment 15d at a first end has a cap base having threads 23 that mate with internal threads (not shown) of cap 19, to permit replacement of the ink refill insert. A modified ballpoint ink refill insert is contained within the fourth segment. The modified refill includes an ink cartridge 25 and a ballpoint tip 21, which extends through a central hole in cap 19. The ink stored within ink cartridge 25 is discharged through tip 21. To facilitate the smooth flow of ink through tip 21, the ink cartridge is cut on a bias or at an angle (at an end opposite tip 21). If the cartridge were diametrically cut, the resultant flat end might be blocked by the end wall of the fourth section. The angled cut facilitates the exposure of ambient atmospheric pressure to the ink.

As best illustrated in Fig. 4 in the embodiment of 10a, the walls 50 of opening 16 are tapered to engage wall 12a of pen 12 ensuring a frictional fit to secure the pen within housing 14. As shown in Fig. 5 in the embodiment of 10b, the frictional fit is accomplished by providing respective elastomeric sleeves 52 and 54 in the chamber and on the pen.

Fig. 6 is illustrative of an embodiment that includes a pivoting clasp generally indicated at 30. Clasp 30 comprises segments 32 and 34. Segment 32 has one end attached to loop 24 of the watchband. A second end of segment 32 is pivotally attached to an end of segment 34. The second end of segment 34 is attached to housing 14 via pin 22. A male latching member 36 extends from the undersurface of segment 32. When fastened, member

36 extends through opening 38 in segment 34 and is retained in port 27 formed in housing 14.

A spring latching mechanism (not shown) is disposed within housing 14 to releasably retain member 36 in port 27. A release latch 29 is positioned on the side of the housing to effect release of the spring latch.

It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A combination wristwatch, pen housing and pen comprising: a wristwatch; a pen housing, said pen housing having a first end and a second end; an opening formed in said first end of said pen housing; a watch band, said watch band attached to said wristwatch and to said pen housing; a chamber disposed within said pen housing, said chamber having a wall defining a storage chamber, wherein said opening opens into said chamber; a pen, said pen being disposed and secured in said chamber; and means for securing said pen in said chamber.

2. The combination wristwatch, pen housing and pen according to claim 1, wherein said pen further comprises a plurality of telescoping segments.

3. The combination wristwatch, pen housing and pen according to claim 1, wherein said pen has a proximate end and a distal end and wherein a stopper defines said distal end for preventing over insertion of said pen into said chamber.

4. The combination wristwatch, pen housing and pen according to claim 1, wherein said means for securing said pen in said chamber comprises respective mating screw threads on the wall of said chamber and on said pen.

5. The combination wristwatch, pen housing and pen according to claim 1, wherein said means for securing said pen in said chamber comprises a taper formed by said chamber wall.

6. The combination wristwatch, pen housing and pen according to claim 1, wherein said means for securing said pen in said chamber comprises respective elastomeric sleeves positioned in said chamber and on said pen.

7. A combination wristwatch, pen housing and pen comprising: a wristwatch; a pen housing, said pen housing having a first end and a second end; an opening formed in said first end of said pen housing; a watch band, said watch band attached to said wristwatch and to said pen housing; a chamber disposed within said pen housing, said chamber having a wall defining a storage chamber, wherein said opening opens into said chamber; a pen, said pen having a distal end and being disposed and secured in said chamber; a stopper disposed on said distal end; and means for securing said pen in said chamber.

8. The combination wristwatch, pen housing and pen according to claim 7, wherein said pen housing has opposed side walls and wherein at least four receptacle openings are positioned on each of said opposed side walls.

9. The combination wristwatch, pen housing and pen according to claim 8, wherein said means for securing said pen in said chamber comprises respective mating screw threads on the wall of said chamber and on said pen.

10. The combination wristwatch, pen housing and pen according to claim 8, wherein said means for securing said pen in said chamber comprises a taper formed by said chamber wall.

11. The combination wristwatch, pen housing and pen according to claim 8, wherein said means for securing said pen in said chamber comprises respective elastomeric sleeves positioned in said chamber and on said pen.

12. A combination wristwatch, pen housing and pen comprising: a wristwatch; a pen housing, said pen housing having a first end and a second end; an opening formed in said first end of said pen housing; a watch band attached to said wristwatch said watch band having a first end and a second end, wherein said first end of said watch band is attached to said second end of said pen housing; a pivoted clasp, said pivoted clasp having a first segment and a second segment, wherein said first segment is attached to said second end of said watch band and wherein said second segment is attached to said first end of said pen housing a chamber disposed within said pen housing, said chamber having a wall defining a storage chamber, wherein said opening opens into said chamber; a pen, said pen having a distal end and being disposed and secured in said chamber; a stopper disposed on said distal end; and means for securing said pen in said chamber.

13. The combination wristwatch, pen housing and pen according to claim 12, wherein said pen housing has opposed side walls and wherein at least four receptacle openings are positioned on each of said opposed side walls.

14. The combination wristwatch, pen housing and pen according to claim 13, wherein said means for securing said pen in said chamber comprises respective mating screw threads on the wall of said chamber and on said pen.

15. The combination wristwatch, pen housing and pen according to claim 13, wherein said means for securing said pen in said chamber comprises a taper formed by said chamber wall.

16. The combination wristwatch, pen housing and pen according to claim 13, wherein said means for securing said pen in said chamber comprises respective elastomeric sleeves positioned in said chamber and on said pen.