A thermochromic writing instrument with a movable friction part at the tip

Abstract

To provide a thermochromic writing implement capable of instantly switching between a pen tip and a friction part by a push button operation without changing the pen when erasing handwriting with the thermochromic writing implement, capable of being installed in a pen requiring space inside a barrel such as a three-color pen or a composite pen, having a friction part that is strong and stable and can be easily rubbed, and not impairing the ease of gripping when writing. [Solution] There is a push button on the side near the barrel that the writer holds, and by pressing this push button, the friction part at the tip of the pen can be pushed forward beyond the tip of the pen, the tip support part and the friction part slide together so that the tip support part also supports the friction part, and the friction part can be stored by pulling it with the expansion and contraction of a spring at the rear, and the mechanism engages even if the cross section of the slider is circular thanks to a movable cam, and these devices make efficient use of the space inside the barrel, allowing it to be installed in a three-color pen or combination pen, and the shape of the barrel is less likely to become thicker, making it a thermochromic writing instrument.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a thermochromic writing instrument, which is provided with a movable friction part at the pen tip. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventional thermochromic writing instruments include those that have a friction part (hereinafter referred to as the friction part) at the rear of the pen that is made of a low-wear elastic material and that can rub a mark made of thermochromic ink and thermally discolor the mark with the frictional heat generated at the time, as shown in Figure 12 of Patent Document 1. This type of pen is cumbersome because it requires you to hold the front and back of the pen and change the direction of the pen in order to erase the handwriting.

[0003] Similarly, as shown in FIG. 1 of Patent Document 1, there is a pen equipped with a friction portion at the tip. With this pen too, in order to use the friction part of the tip, the pen needs to be stored and the operating part at the back of the pen needs to be pressed, which requires you to change the pen position, which is inconvenient.

[0004] To solve the above problem, there is a pen called a side knock, as shown in FIG. 9 of Patent Document 1, which has an operating part at the hand of the writer. With this type, there is no need to change the way you grip the pen, but it requires a series of cumbersome actions: you extend the pen, remove your finger from the writing position, use that finger to press the operating part, then release it to retract the pen, then move your finger from the operating part to the barrel to erase the handwriting, press the operating part again when you're done erasing, and once the pen is out you then move your finger from the operating part back to the barrel to begin the writing process.

[0005] In addition, when selecting a pen, multi-color pens such as three-color pens have some play in the stroke inside the barrel from the operating part at the rear to the hole where the pen comes out of the pen tip, so multiple pens slide out from the same hole at the tip. This mechanism makes it difficult to use side knock at the front. Even if it is possible to use side knock, the writing experience will be poor if the operating parts for the number of colors protrude from the hand of the writer. Also, when the pen is stored once to erase the handwriting, it may be necessary to check the color the next time it is used.

[0006] The thermochromic writing implement disclosed in Patent Document 2 is most similar to the present invention. This pen, like the present invention, pushes the friction part forward from the pen tip by using a push button on the side called a pressing body, but since it is a thin rod-shaped device, it has the problem of low strength, and although the document says that the protruding friction part is supported by a barrel, it may slip out of place, making the rubbing action difficult. Also, there is a problem that the friction part can only rub the handwriting at a fixed angle where the friction part protrudes.

[0007] In addition, a spring is provided in the space at the front of the barrel to return the pen to its original position when the push button is released, which also makes it difficult to use in conjunction with a three-color pen or combination pen.

[0008] In addition, the cross section of the slider is linear, and the cam that pushes out the slider is also shaped in such a way that it can only move in a linear manner, which results in the barrel becoming thick and the cross section of the barrel becoming polygonal, creating angularity in the writer's hand when writing.

[0009] In addition, there is a thermochromic writing instrument that has a sliding friction part that surrounds the pen tip, as in Patent Document 3. However, since there is no sliding device, it must be slid by hand, which makes it difficult to operate with one hand, and there is also no automatic return function with a spring or the like, making it difficult to use.

[0010] In addition, there are other pens such as those in Patent Document 4, which rotate the operating part to push the friction part forward beyond the pen tip, but rotating the operating part while fixing the barrel is a difficult operation with one hand. Also, the retractable mechanism requires a large space inside the rear barrel, making it difficult to install in conjunction with a three-color pen or a combination pen. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0011] [Patent Document 1] Re-tabled publication No. 2008 / 105227 [Patent Document 2] JP 2019-116061 A [Patent Document 3] JP 2011-230439 A [Patent Document 4] JP 2009-184279 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0012] In this invention, a "knock" is distinguished from a "push button" which changes its state each time it is pressed and released, and which changes its state when pressed and returns to its original state when released. The push button of this invention is operated differently from a knock. Additionally, "forward" refers to the direction toward the pen tip, and "rearward" refers to the opposite direction from the pen tip.

[0013] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and provides a thermochromic writing instrument that does not require changing the direction of the pen when erasing handwriting with the thermochromic writing instrument, does not require the troublesome operation of knocking it several times, can be installed on a three-color pen or a combination pen, is strong and stable without shifting, has a friction part that allows for easy rubbing, and is neither angular nor thick at the writer's hand, making it easy to hold when writing. [Means for solving the problem]

[0014] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the thermochromic writing instrument of the present invention is provided with a friction part at the pen tip in the form of a hollow structure surrounding the pen tip, and has a push button on the side near the barrel held by the writer, and by pressing the push button, a slider inside the barrel slides, causing the friction part at the pen tip to protrude forward beyond the tip of the pen, and the pen tip support part and the friction part slide together, so that the thermochromic writing instrument has the characteristic that it also supports the friction part. Effect of the Invention

[0015] Due to the above feature, the friction part protruding from the tip of the pen can rub off handwriting.

[0016] In addition, a spring constantly pulls this friction part back behind the tip of the pen, so when you have finished erasing your writing, you can simply release the push button and the friction part will automatically retract, returning the pen tip to the forward position.

[0017] The spring and slider are also hollow, ensuring sufficient space inside the barrel, so they can also be installed with three-color pens or combination pens.

[0018] In addition, the cam mechanism with some play and the slider with a circular cross section allow the cross section of the barrel to be a not-too-thick circle rather than a polygon. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the barrel of the pen tip of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a barrel in a state where the pen tip of the present invention is switched to a friction portion. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the barrel, friction portion, support portion, and slider of the pen tip of the present invention. [Figure 4] 1 is a schematic diagram of a push button, a cam, and a slider of the present invention. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the cams and pins inside the push button of the present invention. [Figure 6]FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of the placement of fingers when using the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0020] This thermochromic writing implement has a barrel (1) that houses a pen (4,5) with thermochromic ink inside, and a push button (6) on the side of the barrel (1) that is closest to the writer when writing, with the upper side of the push button (6) attached to the barrel (1) by elastic rubber or the like, and the lower side being capable of being pushed into the barrel. The pen may be either a fixed type or a movable type with a knock-type insertion / removal device or the like at the rear, as long as the rear of the pen ink portion is directly or indirectly supported by the rear of the barrel. Also, instead of a pen, a marker or the like may be used.

[0021] When the push button is pressed, a cam (7) attached to the inside of the push button inside the barrel pushes the slider (3) with a hollow structure cut at an angle inside the barrel, as well as the pen tip support part (10) and friction part (2) integrated with it, forward from the pen tip (5). This causes the friction part (2) to protrude beyond the pen tip (5) (Figure 2), allowing the friction part to rub away and erase handwriting.

[0022] It is preferable that the inside of the push button (6c) is hollowed out in the center so as not to interfere with the ink portion (4) of the pen.

[0023] The cam (7) that pushes the slider is attached to the tip of a flexible pin (12) that can close and open, and the pin (12) is fixed to the inside (6c) of the push button by a pin fixing device (11).

[0024] This pin (12) allows the cam (7) at the tip of the pin, which has play in the direction in which the pin bends, to engage with the slider (3) even if the cross section of the slider (3) is circular. Also, when the slider (3) is pushed back by the spring (8) (the action of pressing and releasing the push button), the pin (12) comes into contact with the inside of the push button (6c) and forces can be transmitted without play. Also, by making the cross section of the pin rectangular like a hairpin, it is possible to create a direction in which it is easy to bend and a direction in which it is difficult to bend. In the case of a three-color pen or a composite pen, it is good to give the pin a curved shape so that when the push button is pressed, the pin avoids the pen and surrounds it. Also, even if it is not a pin, it can be substituted as long as the cam can move to fit the slider with a circular cross section, engage with it, and do not collide with the pen.

[0025] The slider (3) is preferably provided with a groove (3d) for restricting the track to prevent the cam (7) from coming off.

[0026] The cam (7) comes into contact with and rubs not only the slider (3) but also the inside of the shaft cylinder (1c), so it is preferable that the cam (7) has a rounded, easy-to-slide shape.

[0027] The slider (3) is connected to a fixed part (9) that is fixed to the inside (1c) of the barrel by a spring (8), so that the slider (3) is always pulled backward, and the friction part (2) that is integrated with the slider (3) is pulled back behind the pen tip (5) unless the push button (6) is pressed.

[0028] The pen support part (10) slides integrally with the slider (3) and friction part (2), but the pen support part (10) is further supported by the barrel (1) so that it can support both the pen tip (5) and the friction part (2). The hollow cylindrical part (10c) of the pen support part (10) that does not support the pen is designed to a length that takes into account the range of motion of the slide, and is always supported by the barrel (1).

[0029] The slider (3) and the pen support part (10) have spaces on the inside (3c, 10c), and the spring (8) has a wide inner diameter and is fitted to the barrel, making the structure compatible with three-color pens and combination pens.

[0030] Also, by providing an inclination to each vertical cross section, it is possible to easily guide the pen tip to the tip when changing the ink in the pen, for example. EXAMPLES

[0031] As shown in FIG. 6, by pressing the push button (6) with the thumb, sufficient pushing force can be obtained to push out the friction part (2), and the force can be transmitted when rubbing the handwriting while keeping the hand in that position. EXAMPLES

[0032] The structure of the present invention can be used in combination with a writing and erasing device, such as a mechanical pencil and a low-waste eraser, or a whiteboard marker and an eraser. [Industrial Applicability]

[0033] The thermochromic writing instrument of the present invention is manufactured and provided. [Explanation of symbols]

[0034] 1 shaft cylinder 1b Shaft cylinder cross section 1c Inside of shaft cylinder 2 Friction part 2b Cross section of friction part 3. Slider 3b Slider cross section 3c Inside of slider 3d Slider cam restraint groove 4 Pen ink section 5. Pen Tip 6 Push Button 6c Push button inside 7. Cam 8. Spring 9 Fixing part that fixes the spring and the barrel 9b Cross section of the fixing part that fixes the spring and the barrel 9c Inside of the fixing part that fixes the spring and the shaft tube 10 Pen support 11 Fixture for attaching pin to button 12-pin 100 Writing state 101 Rubbing with friction part Continue to A Pen Tip B Continue to rear of pen

Claims

1. A thermochromic writing instrument having a push button on the side of the barrel that is closest to the writer when writing, and a device that allows a cam inside the barrel to push a slider toward the pen tip by pressing the push button, causing the pen support part and friction part, which move integrally with the slider, to move beyond the pen tip, wherein the slider, pen support part and friction part are all hollow in shape and surround the pen tip and pen ink part, and the pen support part is supported by the barrel in either case, whether the pen tip is in a protruding state due to the sliding or the friction part is in a protruding state, and further characterized in that the inside of the pen support part has an inclined surface whose inner diameter becomes smaller toward the front.

2. A thermochromic writing instrument as described in claim 1, characterized in that a spring with a wide inner diameter capable of surrounding the pen ink portion is provided behind the slider so as to fit against the inside of the barrel, and a fixed portion with a hollow structure is provided behind the spring which is fixed to the barrel, and the spring connects the fixed portion to the slider, so that the slider is always pulled backward by the contracting force of the spring, and the friction portion is always retracted and stored.

3. A thermochromic writing instrument as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the cross-sectional shapes of the slider and barrel are circular, the cam that presses the slider is attached to the tip of a pin installed on the inside of the push button, and the cam and slider engage as the pin bends and opens and closes, even though the cross-sectional shape of the slider is circular, and the slider has a groove for restricting the trajectory of the cam at the end of the pin, making the cam less likely to come off.

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