Retractable unloseable multicolored pen assembly

[0002] There are many types of multiple pointed pens to deliver different colors. One such pen has either three or four cartridges in order to selectively write with any of the cartridges. Unfortunately, such pens are bulky, and are not subject to a comfortable grip. Furthermore, one color of the group of cartridges always seems to be stuck and will not write. One profession that uses such pens is the nursing profession.

[0003] Anyone who has been in a bank has seen a pen which is joined to a base with a flexible, generally unbreakable connector. Such pens are commonly only in one color, and I have seen the tethers broken and the pens missing. Generally, the tethers are made of only bendable materials so that they may be moved to any position. They are not susceptible to easily writing in any position.

[0004] I have not seen any pens with a plurality of cartridges that can be moved selectively into position, and which the pens are anchored to the person using them. They never seem to be where they are wanted.

[0005] I propose a multi-colored pen, which is clipped to the person using it. A nurse, for instance, may pin the anchor for the pen to a part of her clothing, such as the neckline of a dress. In one form of my invention, there is a mechanical connection for locking successive anchors together so that there can be four or six or any number of writing colors available. As a result, a nurse, for example, may carry a large number of colors for writing, all of which are linked to a position near her person.

[0006] It is a general object of the present invention to provide a pen capable of writing in a plurality of colors, which can be duplicated, which is connected by a flexible tether to the user. The tether is preferably retractable, so that it does not get in the way, yet it is available for use at a plurality of stations.

[0007] It is further an object of the present invention to provide a yolk-shaped pen holder which holds a pen which quickly and readily can be pivoted to either of two writing positions, and is secured to a base locked to the wearer's clothing by means of an integral pin.

[0008] In achieving the foregoing and other objects of the invention, the pen consists of two pens having different colors or different types of writing ink. The pen or pens are secured to a pivotable central joint in a yolk which is attached by a flexible tether to a fixed position on the wearer's clothing. The fixed position is provided with dovetails at opposite ends, and further dovetails can be latched to one another so that the wearer has as many different color inks as he wants. The base or anchor piece is each provided with a safety pin or the like for securement to the clothing, and therefore, cannot be lost or stolen away. Furthermore, the forty inch nylon cord which serves as a flexible connector is attached to a reel assembly in the locking base so that it can be extended from almost nothing to forty inches for handy writing. Furthermore, the base can be of steel so that a name of the person wearing the pen may be attached for his identification.

[0009] The drawings, when taken in connection with the following specification, will make the invention clearer. The drawing consists of

[0010] FIG. 1 which comprises a layout of my invention,

[0011] FIG. 2 is a detailed showing of the pen holder of the present invention.

[0012] FIG. 3 is a view of a plurality of the pen holders as stacked together to form a multiple holder.

[0013] The figure in the center of the drawings comprises FIG. 1, which is the principle drawing. It shows two identical anchors or bases 10aand 10b. The left side of 10ais provided with a male dovetail connector 12a, and a similar dovetail, 12ais provided on the left of the base 10b. The female locking sets or fasteners, 14aand 14b, are provided on the right hand of the bases 10aand 10b. Intermediately the bases 10aand 10b, and rotated 90 degrees to show the parts, are a locking member 12aand 12bhaving locking sets 14aand 14bthe right end thereof. It will now be apparent that the locking members 10aand 10bare of the same height. On the back of each of the bases 10aand 10b, there are pins 18aand 18badapted to penetrate the clothing. The purpose of all of this is to be sure that the bases 10aand 10b, and the intermediate member 16 may be locked on the clothing of the user.

[0014] Each of the bases 10aand 10b, has on the bottom edge a central aperture 20aand 20b. The bases are hollow, and house a spring device that rolls up the nylon cord 22aand 22binside of the base, so that the nylon cord 22aand 22bextending therefrom are each automatically retracted so that the pens (noted hereinafter) may be snugged up closely to the bases.

[0015] The opposite ends of the two nylon cords, which are, for example, 40 inches in length, may automatically control the snugging of the respective cord. The opposite end of the cord is secured in a hollow threaded member which is received in a threaded hole 26. As an alternative, the member 24ais not threaded but simply is soldered into the hole 26, the entire structure being covered with plated gold.

[0016] The threaded hole 26aneed not necessarily be threaded, and is placed at the apex of a twin or dual armed assembly, having lower ends 31a. The ends 31aterminate at inwardly directed holes 33ain which the inwardly directed ends 33aare directed at right angles, and fit within the hole 33aso that the block 32ais free to swivel between the arms 31a. The arms 31aare aligned, and hence the block 34ais free to swivel between them.

[0017] A normally directed exteriorly threaded post 34aextends up from the swivelling block 32a, and a normally threaded post extends downwardly from the swivelling block 34aand 36a. The remainder of the two-arm post 32ais completed by a pair of inwardly directed tabs 38. The purpose of these is not yet shown, but it is to engage a pen to keep it extending downwardly from the block.

[0018] A pen 40 extends upwardly from the threaded block 34a36aon which it is mounted. The pen is loaded or filled with a yellow pigment, and at the upper end there is a hinged lid 42. A downwardly extending pen 44 holds lead which is capable of being extended at 46 from the tip of the previously identified pen 44. The pen 44 has a twist grip and may be turned in either direction to advance or retract the lead to or from writing position.

[0019] The purpose of the protrusions 38 extending inwardly toward one another will now be apparent. The protrusions extend far enough that they will not permit the pen 40 or the pen 44 from passing beyond them. Thus, the pen 40 may extend straight up or straight down, and so may the pen 44. The choice is the user's.

[0020] The pen also is automatically stopped at a 180 degree correction extending from the segmented grip or the pens may be flipped so that the member 40 extends down from the segmented grip. Either position is stopped automatically with the appropriate pen extending from the ends or pivot arms 31aof the mounting structure 28a. A slight digression is made in behalf of the grip 28a. A red ink ball point pen 48 is contained between the two halves of the grip 28b, and a black ink ball point pen is restrained at 50 pointing in the other direction. Like the pens 42 and 46, the pens 48 and 50 are mounted so as to flip between the two restricted positions provided by the protuberances 38 engaging the body of the pens.

[0021] A modification of the bases 10aand 10bis shown in FIG. 3. The fasteners 12band 14bare shown in the assembled position in FIG. 3, and the bases are made of steel, whereas in the first case in FIG. 2, they were made of coated brass. This way a magnetic name tag 52 can be secured to the base la, and a magnetic tag having the person's position may be displayed on a tag 54 attached magnetically to the base 10b. In either case, the fasteners have a slight angle to the fitting faces of the bases so that they will wedge together precisely in alignment with one another. Also, in the case of steel elements in the present invention, the bases 10aand 10bmay be reversibly magnetized so that they cling together even better than by means of a precise fit.

[0022] A complete description of my invention has now been made. Certain things will be obvious to anyone reading the description, such as the fact that one or two are not minimum but there can be any number of pen links gathered together. There is no limit to the number, except that imposed by weigh and area. Likewise, the colors and number of colors are arbitrary as set forth hereinafter. Any number of colors can be had by simply changing the cartridges or manifolds. The limitation to colors is illustrative only as will be apparent, and a free implementation of writing implements is considered to be an obvious substitution. The block 32a, etc., may be square for cosmetic reasons as well as round. The “pen” is shown generically and need not be a conventional writing implement. It can be, f.i., a laser writer. Other changes and substitutions will be made by those skilled in the art, and they will be left to those skilled in the art, and they are left to those who have the device in production.

[0023] The number of changes is up to those skilled in the art who may develop new uses as time goes by. The invention is applicable to all of those devices similar to those suggested herein, and a number of those which may develop therefrom are limited only to the imagination of those who operate under the patent.