Crafting pen

Abstract

Disclosed herein, according to various embodiments, is a crafting pen. The crafting pen includes a barrel defining a central longitudinal cavity. The barrel includes a plurality of spokes extending radially inward from inner walls of the barrel. The crafting pen further includes a nib disposed at least partially within the central longitudinal cavity. The plurality of spokes are configured to support the nib. The crafting pen may provide improved support and retention of the nib within the barrel, which may facilitate use of the crafting pen with electronic crafting machines. The spoke configuration may enable efficient force transfer from the barrel to the nib during writing or drawing operations. The plurality of spokes may be circumferentially distributed around the inner walls of the barrel. The circumferential distribution of the spokes may provide balanced support for the nib, which may improve stability during use with an electronic crafting machine.

Description

CRAFTING PENCROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of and priority to United States Provisional Patent Application Number 63 / 776,959 entitled “Crafting Pen” and filed on March 24. 2025 for Zhou Qin Ping, which is incorporated herein by reference.FIELD

[0002] This invention relates to crafting tools and more particularly relates to writing instruments, such as pens, for electronic crafting machines.BACKGROUND

[0003] Conventional pens and other writing instruments are generally configured to be manually grasped by a user during use. While conventional pens may be mounted or otherwise attached to an XY plotter (e.g., an electronic crafting machine), these conventional pens are not well-suited to be used in conjunction with crafting machines. For example, the structure, design, ergonomics, and / or other physical properties of conventional pens may- inhibit their use with electronic crafting machines.SUMMARY

[0004] The subject matter of the present disclosure has been developed in response to the present state of the art, and in particular, in response to the problems and needs in the art that have not yet been fully solved by currently available writing instruments. Accordingly, the present disclosure has been developed to provide crafting tools(e.g., crafting pens) that overcome many or all of the above-discussed shortcomings in the art, in accordance with various embodiments.

[0005] Disclosed herein, according to various embodiments, is a crafting pen. The crafting pen includes a barrel defining a central longitudinal cavity, according to various embodiments. The barrel may include a plurality of spokes extending radially inward from inner walls of the barrel. The crafting pen further may include a nib disposed at least partially within the central longitudinal cavity. The plurality of spokes are configured to support the nib, according to various embodiments.

[0006] The crafting pen may provide improved support and retention of the nib within the barrel, which may facilitate use of the crafting pen with electronic crafting machines. The spoke configuration may enable efficient force transfer from the barrel to the nib during writing or drawing operations. According to embodiments, the plurality of spokes may be circumferentially distributed around the inner walls of the barrel. In various embodiments, the circumferential distribution of the spokes may provide balanced support for the nib, which may improve stability7during use with an electronic crafting machine.

[0007] In various embodiments, the plurality7of spokes may be integral with the barrel. The integral spokes may reduce manufacturing complexity' and may provide a more robust connection between the spokes and the barrel. In various embodiments, the plurality7of spokes are unitary7extensions of the barrel. The unitary7extensions may provide seamless force transfer between the barrel and the spokes, which may improve durability and performance.

[0008] In various embodiments, the barrel may define a distal opening that is open to the central longitudinal cavity, and the plurality of spokes may be disposed near the distal opening. The position of the spokes near the distal opening may provide support for the nib at a location proximate to where writing forces are applied, which may improve writing precision. In various embodiments, the plurality of spokes may be visible with the nib disposed within the central longitudinal cavity7. The visible spokes may' allow a user tovisually inspect the engagement between the spokes and the nib, which may facilitate proper installation of the nib.

[0009] According to various aspects of the present disclosure, the plurality of spokes may be configured to directly engage the nib. Direct engagement between the spokes and the nib may eliminate the need for intermediate components, which may simplify the construction of the crafting pen. In various embodiments, at least one spoke of the plurality of spokes may have a distal-facing edge that is tapered relative to a longitudinal axis of the barrel. For example, a tapered distal-facing edge may facilitate insertion of the nib into the barrel and may provide a guiding surface for proper nib alignment. According to various embodiments, at least one spoke of the plurality of spokes may have a proximal-facing edge that is orthogonal to a longitudinal axis of the barrel. The orthogonal proximal-facing edge may provide a defined stop surface for the nib, which may ensure consistent nib positioning.

[0010] In various embodiments, the plurality of spokes may include a first set of spokes having a first shape and a second set of spokes having a second shape different from the first shape. Multiple sets of spokes with different shapes may provide different functions, such as retention and reinforcement, which may improve overall nib support. In various embodiments, a first set of spokes and a second set of spokes may be circumferentially alternating around the inner walls of the barrel. The circumferentially alternating spoke sets may provide balanced support and may distribute forces evenly around the nib.

[0011] In various embodiments, an outer surface of the barrel may include a lip that is a circumferentially extending protrusion. The lip may facilitate securement of the crafting pen to a clamp or other mechanism of an electronic crafting machine, which may improve compatibility with such machines. In various embodiments, the lip may be disposed at a same location along a length of the barrel as the plurality of spokes. Co-locating the lip and the spokes along the length of the barrel may provide structural reinforcement at a location where forces are concentrated during use. In various embodiments, the crafting pen further includes a cap configured to cover the nib. The cap may protect the nib when the crafting pen is not in use, which may extend the useful life of the nib.

[0012] Disclosed herein, according to various embodiments, is a crafting pen that includes a barrel. The barrel may define a central longitudinal cavity and a distal opening that is open to the central longitudinal cavity. The barrel may includes a plurality of spokes extending radially inward from inner walls of the barrel. The plurality of spokes may be circumferentially distributed around the inner walls of the barrel and are disposed near thedistal opening. An outer surface of the barrel may include a lip that is a circumferentially extending protrusion. The lip may be disposed at a same location along a length of the barrel as the plurality of spokes. The crafting pen may further include a nib disposed at least partially within the central longitudinal cavity. The plurality of spokes may be configured to support the nib.

[0013] The forgoing features and elements may be combined in various combinations without exclusivity, unless expressly indicated herein otherwise. These features and elements as well as the operation of the disclosed embodiments will become more apparent in light of the following description and accompanying drawings.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] In order that the advantages of the disclosure will be readily understood, a more particular description of the disclosure briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments that are illustrated in the appended drawings. Thus, although the subject matter of the present disclosure is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification, a more complete understanding of the present disclosure, may best be obtained by referring to the detailed description and claims when considered in connection with the drawing figures. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the disclosure and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the subject matter of the present application will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0015] FIG. 1 is atop, right, front isometric view of an electronic crafting machine, in accordance with various embodiments;

[0016] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a distal end portion of a barrel of a crafting pen showing a first configuration of spokes, in accordance with various embodiments;

[0017] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a distal end portion of a barrel of a crafting pen showing a second configuration of spokes, in accordance with various embodiments;

[0018] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a distal end portion of a barrel of a crafting pen showing a third configuration of spokes, in accordance with various embodiments;

[0019] FIG. 5 A is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a distal end portion of a crafting pen, in accordance with various embodiments;

[0020] FIG. 5B is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a distal end portion of a crafting pen, in accordance with various embodiments;

[0021] FIG. 5C is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a distal end portion of a crafting pen, in accordance with various embodiments.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] The detailed description of exemplary embodiments herein refers to the accompanying drawings, which show exemplary embodiments by way of illustration. While these exemplary embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the disclosure, other embodiments may be realized and logical changes and adaptations in design and construction may be made in accordance with this disclosure without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Thus, the detailed description herein is presented for purposes of illustration only and not of limitation.

[0023] Disclosed herein, according to various embodiments, are crafting tools. The crafting tools may be crafting pens or other w riting instruments that are configured for use in the crafting / creating industry. While numerous details are included herein pertaining to specific crafting use-cases for the crafting pens, the disclosure is not necessarily so limited. Thus aspects of the disclosed embodiments may be adapted for utility- and / or operation in a variety of other non-crafting industries. As such, numerous applications of the present disclosure may be realized. Further, the term “crafting pen” used herein is not intended to necessarily limit the scope of the disclosure to pens, but instead the present disclosure relates generally to writing implements that are configured for use with an electronic crafting machine, and thus markers and other such instruments are contemplated herein. Further, while the crafting pens disclosed herein may be specifically configured for use in conjunction with electronic crafting machines, the present disclosure is not necessarily limited to crafting pens used with electronic crafting machines.

[0024] The crafting pens disclosed herein provide various benefits over conventional pens and writing implements. Although many exemplary benefits are explicitly highlighted and identified herein, other benefits and / or technical effects may not be explicitly called out but are nevertheless contemplated by the present disclosure. Even if such a benefit or technical effect had not been positively identified herein, such a benefit and / or technical effect would be readily apparent to the reader of this disclosure, and thus such a benefit and / or technical effect w ould have fallen within the scope of the disclosure.

[0025] In various embodiments, and with reference to FIG. 1 , an exemplary- electronic crafting machine is provided 100. The electronic crafting machine 100 may be an electronic cutting machine and may generally be configured to conduct "work" upon a workpiece. For example, the electronic crafting machine 100 shown in FIG. 1 may be configured to perform work on different ty pes of workpieces. A workpiece may be at least partially disposed withinthe electronic crafting machine, such as on working surface 101, in order to permit the electronic crafting machine 100 to conduct work on the workpiece. The term "work" that is conducted upon the workpiece may include, but is not limited to, any number of tasks / functions performed by one or more of a printing device and a cutting device secured to a tool carriage 102 that is movably-disposed upon a member such as a rod, bar, or shaft. The movement of the tool carriage 102 along the rod may be controlled by a motor that receives actuation signals from a controller and / or a central processing unit, as described in greater detail below. The CPU may be a component of the electronic crafting machine and / or may be associated with a computing device of a user, such as laptop computer or a smart phone, that is communicatively-coupled to the electronic cutting machine.

[0026] In various embodiments, and with continued reference to FIG. 1, the "work" may include a "cutting operation" and / or a writing / drawing operation that functionally includes contact of a tool with the w orkpiece supported on the working surface 101. For example, a crafting pen, as disclosed in greater detail below, may be detachably retained to the camage 102 using a clamp assembly 103. The work conducted by the machines arises from movement of the tool in a vertical direction. The movement of the tool may be controlled by one or more motors that receive actuation signals from the central processing unit CPU. In some implementations, the tool, such as the crafting pen attached to the carriage 102, can be manipulated across and along a surface of a w orkpiece to draw or otherw ise apply ink or other markings thereon. That is, A workpiece may be placed into engagement with the working surface 101 of the machine and the machine may be configured to articulate the w orkpiece forward-and-backward (e.g., into and out of the machine using one or more drive rollers), the tool carriage may be driven laterally (side-to-side) along a rail or rod, and the tool(s) of the tool carriage may be driven vertically to impinge on the workpiece to perform work thereon.

[0027] In various embodiments, workpieces that can be worked upon by the electronic crafting machine may include various shapes, sizes, geometries or material compositions. The shape / geometry may include, for example, a square or rectangular shape. Alternatively, the shape may include non-square or non-rectangular shapes, such as circular shapes, triangular shapes or the like. In some instances, the workpiece includes, or is detachably mounted to, a workpiece mat that provides support to the w orkpiece during the work. The workpiece mat may have predetermined dimensions. In various embodiments, the workpiece is a roll of material, and thus use of the electronic crafting machine may includereeling a desired amount of workpiece material from the roll of workpiece material. The material composition of the workpiece may include paper-based (e.g., paperboard or cardboard) and / or non-paper-based products (e.g., vinyl, foam, rigid foam, cushioning foam, plywood, veneer, balsawood or the like).

[0028] In some implementations, the electronic crafting machine may be utilized in a variety of environments when conducting work on the workpiece. For example, the electronic crafting machine may be located within one's home and may be connected to an external computer system (e.g., a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a dedicated / non-integral / dockable [standalone] controller device which is not a general purpose computer or the like) such that a user may utilize software that may be run by the external computer system in order for the electronic crafting machine to conduct work on the workpiece. In another example, the electronic crafting machine may be referred to as a "stand alone system," in some implementations, that integrally includes one or more of an on-board monitor, an on-board keyboard, an on-board CPU including a processor, memory and the like. In such an implementation, the electronic crafting machine may operate independently of any external computer systems in order to permit the electronic crafting machine to conduct work on the workpiece.

[0029] In various embodiments, and with reference to FIGS. 2, 3, 4, 5A, 5B, and 5C, a crafting pen is disclosed. The crafting pen may include a barrel 110. The barrel 110 of the crafting pen may generally form the main shaft or body of the crafting pen. and the barrel 110 may define a central longitudinal cavity 115 within which various inner components of the pen may be housed. In some embodiments, the barrel 110 may be formed from various materials, such as polymers, plastics, metals, or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the barrel 110 may be cylindrical in shape, although other cross-sectional shapes are contemplated, such as polygonal, oval, or irregular shapes. The barrel 110 may be monolithic (i.e., formed as a single piece) or may include multiple sections that are joined together. In some embodiments, the barrel 110 may include an ink reservoir or may generally define a chamber within which an ink reservoir or ink cartridge may be housed within the central longitudinal cavity 115.

[0030] In various embodiments, the distal end portion of the barrel 110 (e.g., a tip-end portion or the writing-end) may define a distal opening 116 that is open to the central longitudinal cavity 115. Various inner components, such as a nib, may be disposed within and extend beyond the distal opening 116. The distal opening 116 may have a diameter orcross-sectional dimension that is smaller than the central longitudinal cavity 115. thereby forming a narrowed throat or nozzle at the distal end portion of the barrel 110.

[0031] The crafting pen may also include a nib 120, which is the portion of the crafting pen that may be configured to contact a surface or medium for delivering ink or other fluid to the surface or medium for transferring a design thereto. In various embodiments, the nib 120 may be of various types, such as a felt tip, fiber tip, ball point, roller ball, gel tip. or other suitable nib type. The mb 120 may be formed from various materials, such as felt, fiber, metal, plastic, ceramic, or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the nib 120 may be in fluid communication with an ink reservoir disposed within the central longitudinal cavity 115 of the barrel 110. The nib 120 may extend bey ond the distal opening 116 of the barrel 110 such that the nib 120 may contact a surface or medium during writing or drawing operations.

[0032] In various embodiments, and with continued reference to FIGS. 2, 3, 4, 5A, 5B, and 5C, the distal end portion of the barrel 110 of the crafting pen includes a plurality of spokes 112 configured to support the nib 120 within the central longitudinal cavity 115 of the barrel 110. As used herein, the element number 112 is used to generally refer to the spokes, while the similar numbers 212, 312, and 412 refer to specific configurations of the spokes, as described in greater detail below. The distal portion of the barrel 110 may include a narrowed throat, and the spokes 112 may be located in the narrowed throat / nozzle, according to various embodiments. The plurality of spokes 112 may extend radially inward from inner walls of the barrel 110. The radially inward extension of the spokes 112 may provide a support structure for the nib 120 without completely obstructing the central longitudinal cavity 115. In various embodiments, the plurality of spokes 112 may be configured to provide structural support to the nib while also reducing the weight of the pen, and more specifically the weight of the pen in the vicinity of the tip of the pen.

[0033] The plurality of spokes 112 may be circumferentially distributed around the inner walls of the barrel 110. In various embodiments, the spokes 112 may be evenly spaced around the circumference of the inner walls, although uneven spacing is also contemplated. The number of spokes 112 may vary depending on the implementation, and in some embodiments, the crafting pen may include two, three, four, five, six, or more spokes 112. The circumferential distribution of the spokes 112 may provide balanced support for the nib 120 from multiple directions.

[0034] In various embodiments, the plurality of spokes 112 may be integral with the barrel 110. In various embodiments, the plurality of spokes 112 may be unitary extensions ofthe barrel 110. Said differently, the plurality of spokes 112 may be formed / shaped when the barrel 110 is manufactured. For example, the barrel 110 and spokes 112 may be formed together via injection molding, extrusion, or other suitable manufacturing processes, resulting in a single-piece construction. The integral / unitary construction of the spokes 112 may provide a robust connection between the spokes 112 and the barrel 110, which may improve durability and force transfer. In various embodiments, the plurality of spokes 112 may alternatively be attached or otherwise coupled to the inner walls of the barrel 110 as separate components.

[0035] The spokes 112 may be disposed near the distal opening 116 of the barrel 110. For example, the spokes 112 may be disposed just within the rim / lip that defines the distal opening 116. and the spokes 112 may be visible to the user, even with the nib 120 installed within the central longitudinal cavity 115 of the barrel 110. The visibility of the spokes 112 may allow a user or a manufacturer of the pen to visually inspect the engagement between the spokes 112 and the nib 120, which may facilitate proper installation of the nib 120.

[0036] In various embodiments, the spokes 112 may be generally configured to securely support and retain the nib 120 in place during use. In various embodiments, forces exerted on the barrel 110 of the crafting pen may be primarily transferred to the nib 120 via the spokes 112. In various embodiments, the spokes 112 may be configured to directly engage the nib 120, and thus no intermediate hub or other such component may be warranted between the nib 120 and the barrel 110. The direct engagement between the spokes 112 and the nib 120 may provide efficient force transfer and may simplify the construction of the crafting pen by reducing the number of components.

[0037] While in various embodiments the spokes may have the same shape, in various other embodiments the spokes 212 may have different shapes (e.g.. FIG. 2). For example, some of the spokes 212 may have a linear cross-sectional shape while others may have a triangular cross-sectional shape. In various embodiments, the differently shaped spokes 212 may alternate circumferentially around the inner wall of the barrel 110.Accordingly, the barrel 110 of the crafting pen may have multiple sets of spokes 212, and the multiple sets may be interposed between each other in a circumferentially alternating pattern.

[0038] In various embodiments, the shape and profde of the spokes 212 may be as depicted in FIG. 2. That is, the plurality of spokes 212 may include a first set of spokes and a second set of spokes. The first set of spokes 212 may have a distal-facing edge that is tapered or angled relative to a longitudinal axis of the pen. The tapered distal-facing edge mayfacilitate insertion of the nib 120 into the barrel 110 by providing a guiding surface that directs the nib 120 toward the center of the central longitudinal cavity 115. In various embodiments, a second set of spokes 212 may have a proximal-facing edge (or inner edge) that is orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the pen. The orthogonal proximal-facing edge may provide a defined stop surface for the nib 120, which may ensure consistent nib positioning within the barrel 110.

[0039] In various embodiments, a first set of spokes may be primarily responsible for retention of the nib 120, while a second set of spokes may be responsible for reinforcement of the nib 120 in response to a dragging / writing force exerted on the pen (e.g., via a clamp or other mechanism on an electronic crafting machine to which the crafting pen is mounted). The retention spokes may be configured to grip or hold the nib 120 in position, while the reinforcement spokes may be configured to resist lateral forces applied to the nib 120 during writing or drawing operations. In various embodiments, the spokes 212 may be generally configured to provide various benefits, such as weight-reduction, balance, and force transfer. Said differently, the spokes 212 may be specifically configured to provide support to the nib 120 in response to the forces and other use dynamics of implementing the crafting pen with an electronic cutting machine.

[0040] In various embodiments, and with reference to FIG. 3, the plurality of spokes 312 may have a rectangular rib formation. In various embodiments, and with reference to FIG. 4. the plurality of spokes 412 may have a distal-facing edge that is tapered or angled relative to a longitudinal axis of the pen, as mentioned above.

[0041] In various embodiments, the outer surface of the barrel 110 may include a lip 114 (e.g., a circumferentially extending protrusion), and this lip 114 may facilitate securement of the crafting pen to a clamp or other such mechanism of an electronic crafting machine. The hp 114 may extend continuously around the entire circumference of the barrel 110 or may extend around only a portion of the circumference. In various embodiments, the lip 114 may be configured to engage with a corresponding groove, recess, or clamping mechanism of an electronic crafting machine to secure the crafting pen in a desired position and orientation during use.

[0042] In various embodiments, the lip 114 is a radially outwardly extending feature and the spokes 112 are radially inwardly extending features. In various embodiments, the hp 114 and spokes 112 may be generally disposed at the same location along the length of the barrel 110. That is. a cross-section of the barrel 110 extending perpendicular to thelongitudinal axis of the barrel 110 may extend through the lip 114 and the spokes 112, according to various embodiments. In various embodiments, and with specific reference to FIG. 5C, the plurality of spokes 112 are positioned at the location along the longitudinal axis of the barrel 110 where the lip 114 is the widest (i.e., at the location where a diameter of the ring-shaped lip 114 is the largest). In various embodiments, this location is aligned with the distal-most portion of the spokes. In various embodiments, the taper of the spokes is specifically aligned with the location where the diameter of the ring-shaped lip 114 is the largest). The co-location of the lip 114 and the spokes 112 may provide structural reinforcement at a location where forces are concentrated during use, as the clamping force from the electronic crafting machine and the writing forces transferred through the spokes 112 may both act at this location.

[0043] In various embodiments, the crafting pen may include a cap 130 configured to cover the nib 120. The cap 130 may be positioned over the distal end portion of the crafting pen, covering and protecting the nib 120 when the crafting pen is not in use. The cap 130 may¬ engage with the barrel 110 via friction fit, snap fit, threading, or other suitable engagement mechanisms. In some embodiments, the cap 130 may form a seal with the barrel 110 to prevent the nib 120 from drying out when the crafting pen is not in use. The cap 130 may be formed from various materials, such as polymers, plastics, metals, or combinations thereof, and may be opaque, translucent, or transparent.

[0044] Benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have been described herein with regard to specific embodiments. However, the benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any elements that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as critical, required, or essential features or elements of the disclosure.

[0045] Reference throughout this specification to features, advantages, or similar language does not imply that all the features and advantages that may be realized with the present disclosure should be or are in any single embodiment of the invention. Rather, language referring to the features and advantages is understood to mean that a specific feature, advantage, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the subject matter disclosed herein. Thus, discussion of the features and advantages, and similar language, throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, refer to the same embodiment.

[0046] Furthermore, the described features, advantages, and characteristics of the disclosure may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize that the subject matter of the present application may be practiced without one or more of the specific features or advantages of a particular embodiment. In other instances, additional features and advantages may be recognized in certain embodiments that may not be present in all embodiments of the disclosure. Further, in some instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the subject matter of the present disclosure. No claim element is intended to invoke 35 U.S.C. 112(f) unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase ‘‘means for.”

[0047] As used herein, the terms “including,” “comprising,” “having.” and variations thereof mean “including but not limited to” unless expressly specified otherw ise.Accordingly, the terms “including,” “comprising,” “having,” and variations thereof are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An enumerated listing of items does not imply that any or all of the items are mutually exclusive and / or mutually inclusive, unless expressly specified otherwise.

[0048] Further, in the detailed description herein, references to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “some embodiments.” “various embodiments,” “one example,” “an example,” “some examples,” “various examples,” “one implementation,” “an implementation,” “some implementations,” “various implementations,” “one aspect,” “an aspect,” “some aspects,” “various aspects,” etc., indicate that the embodiment, example, implementation, and / or aspect described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment, example, implementation, and / or aspect may not necessarily include the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment, example, implementation, or aspect. Thus, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, example, implementation, and / or aspect, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to affect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments, examples, implementations, and / or aspects, whether or not explicitly described. Absent an express correlation to indicate otherwise, features, structure, components, characteristics, and / or functionality may be associated with one ormore embodiments, examples, implementations, and / or aspects of the present disclosure. After reading the description, it will be apparent to one skilled in the relevant art how to implement the disclosure in alternative configurations.

[0049] The scope of the disclosure is to be limited by nothing other than the appended claims, in which reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless explicitly so stated, but rather “one or more.” It is to be understood that unless specifically stated otherwise, references to “a,” “an,” and / or “the” may include one or more than one and that reference to an item in the singular may also include the item in the plural. Further, the term “plurality ” can be defined as “at least two.” As used herein, the phrase “at least one of’, when used with a list of items, means different combinations of one or more of the listed items may be used and only one of the items in the list may be needed. The item may be a particular object, thing, or category. Moreover, where a phrase similar to “at least one of A, B, and C” is used in the claims, it is intended that the phrase be interpreted to mean that A alone may be present in an embodiment, B alone may be present in an embodiment, C alone may be present in an embodiment, or that any combination of the elements A, B and C may be present in a single embodiment; for example, A and B, A and C, B and C, or A, B, and C. In some cases, “at least one of item A, item B, and item C” may mean, for example, without limitation, two of item A, one of item B, and ten of item C; four of item B and seven of item C; or some other suitable combination.

[0050] Unless otherwise indicated, the terms "first," "second." etc. are used herein merely as labels, and are not intended to impose ordinal, positional, or hierarchical requirements on the items to which these terms refer. Moreover, reference to, e.g., a “second” item does not require or preclude the existence of, e.g., a “first” or lower-numbered item, and / or, e.g., a “third” or higher-numbered item.

[0051] All ranges and ratio limits disclosed herein may be combined. Numbers, percentages, ratios, or other values stated herein are intended to include that value, and also other values that are “about” or “approximately” the stated value, as would be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art encompassed by embodiments of the present disclosure, unless otherwise defined herein. A stated value should therefore be interpreted broadly enough to encompass values that are at least close enough to the stated value to perform a desired function or achieve a desired result. The stated values include at least the variation to be expected in a suitable manufacturing or production process, and may include values that are within 5%. within 1%. within 0.1%, or within 0.01% of a stated value.

[0052] Different cross-hatching may be used throughout the figures to denote different parts but not necessarily to denote the same or different materials. Surface shading lines may be used throughout the figures to denote different parts or areas but not necessarily to denote the same or different materials. In some cases, reference coordinates may be specific to each figure. Furthermore, the connecting lines shown in the various figures contained herein are intended to represent exemplary functional relationships and / or physical couplings between the various elements. It should be noted that many alternative or additional functional relationships or physical connections may be present in a practical system.

[0053] Any reference to attached, fixed, connected or the like may include permanent, removable, temporary, partial, full and / or any other possible attachment option. Additionally, any reference to without contact (or similar phrases) may also include reduced contact or minimal contact. In the above description, certain terms may be used such as "up," "down." "upper," "lower," "horizontal," "vertical," "left," "right," and the like. These terms are used, where applicable, to provide some clarity of description when dealing with relative relationships. But, these terms are not intended to imply absolute relationships, positions, and / or orientations. For example, with respect to an object, an "upper" surface can become a "lower" surface simply by turning the object over. Nevertheless, it is still the same object.

[0054] Additionally, instances in this specification where one element is ‘‘coupled'’ to another element can include direct and indirect coupling. Direct coupling can be defined as one element coupled to and in some contact with another element. Indirect coupling can be defined as coupling between tw o elements not in direct contact with each other, but having one or more additional elements between the coupled elements. Further, one element being “coupled” to another may refer to two separate components that are connected or joined together, or may refer to different sections, segments, or portions of an integrated / monolithic structure that extend relative to each other or that have some other contrasting features, shapes, properties, or the like. Also, as used herein, securing one element to another element can include direct securing and indirect securing. Additionally, as used herein, “adjacent” does not necessarily denote contact. For example, one element can be adjacent another element without being in contact with that element.

[0055] The schematic flow' chart diagrams included herein are generally set forth as logical flow' chart diagrams. As such, the depicted order and labeled steps are indicative of one or more embodiments of the presented method. The steps recited in any of the method orprocess descriptions may be executed in any order and are not necessarily limited to the order presented. Furthermore, any reference to singular includes plural embodiments, and any reference to more than one component or step may include a singular embodiment or step. Elements and steps in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been rendered according to any particular sequence. Other steps and methods may be conceived that are equivalent in function, logic, or effect to one or more steps, or portions thereof, of the illustrated method.

[0056] Additionally, the format and symbols employed are provided to explain the logical steps of the method and are understood not to limit the scope of the method. Although various arrow types and line types may be employ ed in the flow chart diagrams, they are understood not to limit the scope of the corresponding method. Indeed, some arrows or other connectors may be used to indicate only the logical flow of the method. For instance, an arrow may indicate a waiting or monitoring period of unspecified duration between enumerated steps of the depicted method. Additionally, the order in which a particular method occurs may or may not strictly adhere to the order of the corresponding steps shown. Furthermore, no element, component, or method step in the present disclosure is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether the element, component, or method step is explicitly recited in the claims.

[0057] Further, the schematic flow chart diagram(s) presented in the figures may show exemplary methods for using, making, repairing, and / or otherwise interacting with the various apparatuses, devices, systems, features, and components (the '‘structural details”) described herein. The methods depicted in the schematic flow" chart diagram(s) are not exhaustive lists of the methods and steps that may be performed in association with the structural details disclosed herein, but instead the depicted methods merely represent exemplary steps. Indeed, the depicted methods may include additional and / or alternative steps than those explicitly shown in the schematic flow chart diagrams, and these additional and / or alternative steps may be gleaned from various sections of the present disclosure, even sections that are primarily focused on the structural details.

[0058] Also, the terms utilized herein to describe the methods may be similar to or the same as terms utilized above in conjunction with the structural details. As appropriate, these structural details may be inferred in the methods to provide clarity to the methods. However, the methods and steps disclosed herein are not necessarily limited to the structural details mentioned above, as the utility and novelty of the method steps may stand independent of thestructural details. Said differently, the methods / steps may be implemented in association with structures that are not explicitly disclosed herein, and such methods / steps fall within the scope of this disclosure.

[0059] The subject matter of the present disclosure may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the disclosure is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. A crafting pen comprising:a barrel defining a central longitudinal cavity, wherein the barrel comprises a plurality of spokes extending radially inward from inner walls of the barrel; anda nib disposed at least partially within the central longitudinal cavity, wherein the plurality of spokes are configured to support the nib.

2. The crafting pen of claim 1, wherein the plurality of spokes are circumferentially distributed around the inner walls of the barrel.

3. The crafting pen of claim 2, wherein the plurality of spokes are integral with the barrel.

4. The crafting pen of claim 2, wherein the plurality7of spokes are unitary extensions of the barrel.

5. The crafting pen of claim 1, wherein the barrel defines a distal opening that is open to the central longitudinal cavity, and wherein the plurality of spokes are disposed near the distal opening.

6. The crafting pen of claim 5, wherein the plurality of spokes are visible with the nib disposed within the central longitudinal cavity7.

7. The crafting pen of claim 6, wherein the plurality of spokes are configured to directly engage the nib.

8. The crafting pen of claim 7, wherein at least one spoke of the plurality of spokes has a distal-facing edge that is tapered relative to a longitudinal axis of the barrel.

9. The crafting pen of claim 8, wherein at least one spoke of the plurality of spokes has a proximal -facing edge that is orthogonal to a longitudinal axis of the barrel.

10. The crafting pen of claim 9, wherein the plurality of spokes comprise a first set of spokes having a first shape and a second set of spokes having a second shape different from the first shape.

11. The crafting pen of claim 10, wherein the first set of spokes and the second set of spokes are circumferentially alternating around the inner walls of the barrel.

12. The crafting pen of claim 11, wherein an outer surface of the barrel comprises a lip that is a circumferentially extending protrusion.

13. The crafting pen of claim 12, wherein the lip is disposed at a same location along a length of the barrel as the plurality of spokes.

14. The crafting pen of claim 13, further comprising a cap configured to cover the nib.

15. A crafting pen comprising :a barrel defining a central longitudinal cavity and a distal opening that is open to the central longitudinal cavity, wherein the barrel comprises a plurality of spokes extending radially inward from inner walls of the barrel, wherein the plurality of spokes are circumferentially distributed around the inner w alls of the barrel and are disposed near the distal opening, and w herein an outer surface of the barrel comprises a lip that is a circumferentially extending protrusion, the lip being disposed at a same location along a length of the barrel as the plurality of spokes; anda nib disposed at least partially within the central longitudinal cavity, wherein the plurality of spokes are configured to support the nib.

16. The crafting pen of claim 15, wherein the plurality of spokes are integral with the barrel.

17. The crafting pen of claim 16, wherein the plurality of spokes are configured to directly engage the nib.

18. The crafting pen of claim 17, wherein at least one spoke of the plurality of spokes has a distal-facing edge that is tapered relative to a longitudinal axis of the barrel and a proximal-facing edge that is orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the barrel.

19. The crafting pen of claim 18, further comprising a cap configured to cover the nib.

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