Thin writing implements and sets

Abstract

To provide a thin writing instrument in which a plurality of thin writing instruments can be stacked and set, and a thin writing instrument set using the same.SOLUTION: A thin writing instrument 1 has a thin writing instrument body 3 formed to be thinner in a thickness direction than a width direction, and a joint 6 forming an insertion space for accommodating a tip of the thin writing instrument body. A first plane portion 13 of the joint 6 is provided with a rotation stopper rib 14, and a second plane portion 15 is provided with a recess 17 capable of receiving the rotation stopper rib and having a locking edge 16 at its end edge. When the first plane portion 13 and the second plane portion 15 are combined and one joint is rotated, an adjacent joint is stopped until the locking edge 16 of the recess 17 of one adjacent joint contacts the rotation stopper rib 14 of the other joint 6, but once they contact, the adjacent joint follows and rotates.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 13

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] To provide a thin writing implement and a set thereof which allows several kinds of thin writing implements to be set without coming apart and which can be easily selected and used. [Background technology]

[0002] Thin writing instruments that are thin in width are used, and a thin writing instrument case that stores multiple thin writing instruments is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). However, it is cumbersome to remove the writing instruments from the case. A writing instrument set in which multiple standard writing instruments with cylindrical barrels are connected together with rings or the like is known (see, for example, Patent Document 2). The writing instrument set described in Patent Document 2 is structured so that multiple writing instruments are grouped together by providing through-holes in the caps of the writing instruments and inserting rings into the through-holes. However, since the writing instruments are separate, the set is bulky and inconvenient to carry. Even if a user collects writing instruments of different colors, it is difficult to select the desired writing instrument. Also known is a holder that allows the insertion of nibs and caps of multiple writing instruments (see, for example, Patent Document 3). However, since the multiple writing instruments are not related to each other, the grouped set lacks a sense of unity, making it difficult to remove the desired writing instrument from among the multiple instruments. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Utility Model Registration No. 5-34957 (Claim 1, Drawings) [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 5756089 (paragraph 0048, Figure 1) [Patent Document 3] Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 57-118886 (Utility Model Registration Claim 1, Figures 1, 2, and 5) Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] To provide a thin writing implement and a set thereof which can be set with a plurality of thin writing implements and which allows a desired writing implement to be easily taken out and used when in use. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] According to the present invention, there is provided a thin writing instrument having a thin writing instrument body that is thinner in thickness than in width and that houses a refill inside, and a joint that is thinner in thickness than in width and that forms an insertion space for housing the tip of the thin writing instrument body, wherein both side surfaces of the joint are formed as flat portions, a first flat portion on one side is provided with an anti-rotation rib, and a second flat portion on the other side is provided with a recess that can receive the anti-rotation rib and has an engaging edge on its edge, and when multiple joints are adjacently combined with the first flat portion and the second flat portion, the thin writing instrument can rotate relatively within a range where the engaging edge of the recess of one adjacent joint abuts against the anti-rotation rib of the other adjacent joint, thereby solving the above-mentioned problem.

[0006] Further, according to the present invention, there is provided a thin writing instrument set comprising: a thin writing instrument body that is thinner in thickness than in width and that houses a refill therein; and a joint that is thinner in thickness than in width and that forms an insertion space for housing the tip of the thin writing instrument body, wherein both side surfaces of the joint are formed as flat portions, a first flat portion on one side is provided with an anti-rotation rib, and a second flat portion on the other side is provided with a recess that can receive the anti-rotation rib and has an engaging edge at its edge, and when a plurality of joints are adjacently combined with the first flat portion and the second flat portion, the thin writing instruments are rotatable relative to one another within a range in which the engaging edge of the recess of one adjacent joint comes into contact with the anti-rotation rib of the other adjacent joint, and the thin writing instruments are connected with the joints overlapping each other, and when one adjacent thin writing instrument is rotated, the anti-rotation rib comes into contact with the engaging edge of the recess, causing the other adjacent thin writing instrument to rotate in tandem, thereby solving the above-mentioned problem. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] The present invention is configured as described above, and the thin writing instrument has a thin writing instrument body that is thinner in thickness than in width and that houses a refill therein, and a joint that is thinner in thickness than in width and that has an insertion space for housing the tip of the thin writing instrument body. Both side surfaces of the joint are formed as flat portions, with a first flat portion on one side having an anti-rotation rib and a second flat portion on the other side having a recess with an engaging edge at its edge that can receive the anti-rotation rib. When the joints of the plurality of thin writing instruments are adjacently stacked and set with the first flat portion and the second flat portion combined, and connected, the thin writing instrument whose tip is housed in the adjacent joint can rotate relatively within the range where the engaging edge of the recess of one adjacent joint abuts against the anti-rotation rib. Therefore, when one adjacent thin writing instrument is rotated, the adjacent thin writing instrument is stopped until the anti-rotation rib abuts against the engaging edge of the recess, but once they abut, the other adjacent thin writing instrument rotates following suit. Therefore, a plurality of thin writing implements can be set in a state where they do not come apart, and when one thin writing implement is rotated in use, the adjacent thin writing implements rotate following it when it is rotated within a predetermined range, so that the plurality of thin writing implements are spread out in a fan shape, and it is easy to take out the desired writing implement. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1A and 1B show an embodiment of a thin writing implement of the present invention, in which FIG. 1A is a front view and FIG. 1B is a rear view. [Figure 2] Cross section. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing another embodiment of a thin writing implement. [Figure 4] 1A and 1B show an example of a joint, in which (A) is a plan view, (B) is a front view, (C) is a side view, (D) is an enlarged cross-sectional view, and (E) is a rear view. [Figure 5] The perspective views of the joint are shown, (A) is a perspective view from the top, and (B) is a perspective view from the back. [Figure 6] 10A and 10B show another embodiment of the joint, in which (A) is a plan view, (B) is a front view, (C) is a side view, (D) is an enlarged cross-sectional view, and (E) is a rear view. [Figure 7]1A and 1B show the relationship between the recess of the joint and the anti-rotation rib, where (A) is an explanatory diagram showing the movable range of the recess, (B) is an explanatory diagram showing the rotation range of the anti-rotation rib, and (C) is an explanatory diagram showing the movable limit position. [Figure 8] 1A to 1E show an embodiment of a lock pin, in which (A) is a plan view, (B) is a front view, (C) is a side view, (D) is a cross-sectional view, and (E) is a perspective view. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a front view of a plurality of thin writing implements set adjacent to each other. [Figure 10] 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the connecting portion of the joint in the state shown in FIG. 9. [Figure 11] 7 is a cross-sectional view of a connecting portion of the joint when the joint shown in FIG. 6 is used. [Figure 12] 1A and 1B show an embodiment of a stand, in which (A) is a perspective view from the front, (B) is a perspective view from the back, (C) is a front view, and (D) is a side view. [Figure 13] Showing the state of use, (A) is an explanatory diagram of the state when one thin writing instrument is pulled up and a second thin writing instrument begins to follow, (B) is an explanatory diagram of the state when the second adjacent thin writing instrument rotates significantly, (C) is an explanatory diagram of the state when a third thin writing instrument rotates following the second thin writing instrument, and (D) is an explanatory diagram of the state when the writing instrument body is removed from the joint. [Figure 14] 10A and 10B show another mode of use, in which (A) is a perspective view showing the writing instrument body unfolded into a fan shape, and (B) is a side view. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] 1 to 3, a thin writing instrument 1 of the present invention has a thin writing instrument body 3 that is thinner in thickness than in width and that houses a refill 2 therein, and a joint 6 that is thinner in thickness than in width and that forms an insertion space 5 for housing a tip end 4 of the thin writing instrument body 3. As shown in FIG. 1, a tail plug 7 is detachably attached to the rear end of the thin writing instrument body 3, and the rear end of the refill is fitted into the tail plug 7 so that the tip of the refill can protrude from the tip end 4 of the thin writing instrument body 3 and be used for writing. It is also possible to provide an appropriate knock-type feeding mechanism so that the tip of the refill can be extended and retracted by a knock operation (not shown).

[0010] The tip portion 4 of the thin writing instrument body 3 is solid, with a portion thereof emerging from a notch formed in the joint 6, and an outer wall portion 8 continuing behind it. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the inside of the outer wall portion 8 is hollow, and the refill 2 is inserted therethrough. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the inner body 9, which has a central hole through which the refill 2 is inserted, is made of a transparent plastic material, and the inner body 9 is covered with the outer wall portion 8. A window 10 is provided along the longitudinal direction of the outer wall portion 8 through which the refill 2 can be seen, allowing the color of the refill to be seen from the outside. An engagement recess 12 is formed on the outer surface of the tip portion 4, which detachably engages with an engagement protrusion 11 formed inside the joint 6 when the tip portion 4 is inserted into the insertion space 5 of the joint 6.

[0011] 4 and 5, both side surfaces of the joint 6 are formed as flat surfaces, with a first flat surface 13 on one side provided with an anti-rotation rib 14, and a second flat surface 15 on the other side provided with a recess 17 capable of receiving the anti-rotation rib 15 and having an upstanding locking edge 16 at its end edge. Also, a connecting hole 18 is formed that communicates with the first flat surface 13 and the second flat surface 15 so that multiple joints 6 can be connected by connecting means, and a receiving hole 19 is provided inside to receive the writing tip of the refill 2.

[0012] A combining rim 20 protrudes from the periphery of the connecting hole 18 toward the first flat surface 13 so that the joints 6 can be aligned and assembled, and an enlarged hole 21 into which the combining rim 20 fits is formed on the periphery of the second flat surface 15. In the joints shown in Figures 4 and 5, when multiple joints are assembled, the combining rim 20 simply fits into the enlarged hole 21 and makes contact with the inside of the enlarged hole 21. However, the combining rim 20 can also be elastically engaged with the enlarged hole 21. Figure 6 shows such an embodiment, in which an engaging projection 22 is formed around the periphery of the combining rim 20 and a slit 23 is formed in the combining rim 20 so that the combining rim 20 can elastically flex inward. A receiving groove 24 is formed on the inner surface of the enlarged hole 21 corresponding to the combining rim 20, into which the engaging projection 22 engages when the combining rim 20 is inserted into the enlarged hole 21. With this configuration, when the thin writing implement 1 is set with the first flat surface 13 and the second flat surface 15 combined, multiple units can be connected in series at each joint 6. According to this embodiment, the connecting means is constituted by the engaging projection 22 and the receiving groove 24, but other appropriate connecting means can be used.

[0013] Explaining the relationship between the recesses 17 and the anti-rotation ribs 14 of the joint 6, as shown in FIG. 7(A), the recesses 17 are preferably formed in a fan shape, with both ends of the recesses 17 being raised to provide locking edges 16, and the distance between the locking edges 16 that abut against the anti-rotation ribs 14 is the movable range of the joint 6 as viewed from the recesses 17. Also, as shown in FIG. 7(B), the movable range of the anti-rotation ribs 14 is the distance over which the anti-rotation ribs 14 abut against the locking edges 16 when rotated, which is the movable range of the joint as viewed from the anti-rotation ribs 14. With this configuration, when multiple joints 6 are adjacently assembled to the first flat portion 13 and the second flat portion 15, the anti-rotation rib 14 of one adjacent joint 6 can rotate relatively within the range over which the locking edges 16 of the recesses 17 of the other adjacent joint 6 abut against the anti-rotation rib 14 of the other adjacent joint 6. Therefore, when one adjacent joint 6 is rotated, the rotation of the other adjacent joint 6 is stopped until the locking edge 16 and the rotation prevention rib 14 come into contact, but once the rotation prevention rib 14 and the locking edge 16 come into contact, the adjacent joint will rotate in conjunction with and follow.

[0014] As described above, the joints can be connected by a connecting means, and Fig. 8 shows a lock pin 25, which is one example of a connecting means. The lock pin 25 is formed in a cylindrical shape with an outer diameter that fits into the connecting hole 18, and has a flange 26 at one end that abuts against the opening edge at one end of the connecting hole 18, and a locking claw 27 at the other end that engages with the periphery at the other end of the connecting hole 18, with a slit 28 on the side facing the locking claw 27 so that it can bend inward. With this configuration, when multiple thin writing instruments 1 are stacked adjacent to each other as shown in Fig. 9 and the lock pin 25 is inserted through the connecting hole 18, the multiple thin writing instruments 1 can be connected at the joints 6 and set in a rotatable combined state as shown in Fig. 10.

[0015] As shown in Fig. 6, when elastically engaging engagement protrusions 22 and receiving grooves 24 are provided as the connecting means, multiple thin writing implements 1 can be connected at the joint 6 portion by the engagement of the engagement protrusions 22 and receiving grooves 24 without using a lock pin, as shown in Fig. 11. Furthermore, although not shown in the figures, the connecting means can be, for example, a magnet fixed to the connection hole 18 portion, and the joint 6 can be rotatably connected by magnetic force, or other suitable configurations can be used for connection.

[0016] 12 shows another embodiment of the connecting means formed by the lock pin 25, in which a stand 29 is also provided. The stand 29 has an upright plate 30 to which the lock pin 25 is fixed, and a base plate 31 positioned below the upright plate 30. When the base plate 31 is placed on a desk, table, etc. (not shown), the stand 29 is stable and looks good.

[0017] FIG. 9 shows a set of multiple thin writing instruments stacked together in use. To use the set, first, one thin writing instrument 1 is rotated and pulled up, as shown in FIG. 13(A). The second adjacent thin writing instrument 1 remains stationary until the anti-rotation rib 14 and the locking edge 16 of the recess 17 come into contact. Once they do, the second thin writing instrument 1 begins to rotate. With further rotation, the second thin writing instrument 1 rotates upwards and rotates widely, as shown in FIG. 13(B). Similarly, the third thin writing instrument 1 also rotates upwards, as shown in FIG. 13(C). When the desired color writing instrument appears, the thin writing instrument body 3 can be removed from the joint 6 and used, as shown in FIG. 13(D).

[0018] FIG. 14 is a perspective view illustrating the state of use. When the stand is used, the device is stable and can be used in a neat and tidy manner. [Explanation of symbols]

[0019] 1. Thin writing implements 2 Refill 3. Thin writing instrument body 6 joints 13 First plane part 14 Anti-rotation rib 15 Second plane part 16 Locking edge 17 Recess 18 Connection hole 25 Lock pin 29 Stand

Claims

1. A thin writing instrument having a thin writing instrument body that is thinner in thickness than in width and that houses a refill inside, and a joint that is thinner in thickness than in width and that forms an insertion space for housing the tip of the thin writing instrument body, wherein both side surfaces of the joint are formed as flat surfaces, a first flat surface on one side is provided with an anti-rotation rib, and a second flat surface on the other side is provided with a recess that can receive the anti-rotation rib and has an engaging edge on its edge, and when multiple joints are adjacently combined with the first flat surface and the second flat surface, the thin writing instrument can rotate relatively within a range where the engaging edge of the recess of one adjacent joint abuts against the anti-rotation rib of the other adjacent joint.

2. a thin writing instrument set comprising: a thin writing instrument body that is thinner in thickness than in width and that houses a refill therein; and a joint that is thinner in thickness than in width and that forms an insertion space for housing the tip of the thin writing instrument body, both side surfaces of the joint being formed as flat sections, with an anti-rotation rib provided on a first flat section on one side and a recess that can receive the anti-rotation rib and has an engaging edge on its edge on a second flat section on the other side, and when a plurality of joints are adjacently combined with the first flat section and the second flat section, the thin writing instruments are relatively rotatable within a range where the engaging edge of the recess of one adjacent joint abuts against the anti-rotation rib of the other adjacent joint, and the thin writing instruments are connected with the joints overlapping each other, and when one adjacent thin writing instrument is rotated, the anti-rotation rib abuts against the engaging edge of the recess, causing the other adjacent thin writing instrument to rotate accordingly.

3. 3. The thin writing implement set according to claim 2, wherein the joints each have a connecting hole, and a plurality of joints are connected together by inserting a lock pin through the connecting hole.

4. 4. The thin writing implement set according to claim 3, wherein a stand is formed having a base plate and an upright plate rising from the base plate, and the lock pin is fixed to the upright plate of the stand.

5. A thin writing instrument set as described in claim 2, wherein the joint has an engaging protrusion on the outer periphery of a combination rim provided on the first flat surface side, and a receiving groove on the second flat surface side into which the engaging protrusion elastically engages, and multiple joints are connected by engaging the engaging protrusion with the receiving groove.

6. 3. The thin writing implement set according to claim 2, wherein a magnet is provided in each of the joints, and the plurality of joints are connected by the magnet.

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