Split body housing for writing instruments
United States Patent 11 1 [111 3,876,315 Hain [451 Apr. 8, 1975 [54] SPLIT BODY HOUSING FOR WRITING 3.394.480 7/1968 Russel 40/334 X INSTRUMENTS {76] Inventor: Robert W. Hain, 258 Highwood Rd, Mountainside, NJ. 07092 [22] Filed: Feb. 13, 1974 [21] Appl. No.: 442,120  
 [52] US. Cl 401/292; 401/209 [51] Int. C1 843k 7/00 1581 Field of Search 401/195 292, 88, 221,  
 [56] References Cited UN1TED STATES PATENTS 2,264,452 12/1941 Poulantonio 30/164 1268.058 12/1941 Poalantonio 1 1 1 30/164 3.250.033 5/1966 Siegel 401/195 X Primary- E.raminerLawrence Charles Atturnev, Agent, or Firm-Ra1ph R. Roberts [5 71 ABSTRACT This invention pertains to a split body housing for mechanical pencils, ball point, marker and cartridge pens and like instruments. This housing includes a unit frame having front and rear mounting rings which are rigidly retained in position by fixedly secured longitudinal struts. Outer she11 members are snapped in place or by other means are secured to the frame to close the open sides of the frame. These outer shell members either have a decorative desired motif or are adapted to receive and retain an inlay having the desired motif.  
 10 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures SPLIT BODY HOUSING FOR WRITING INSTRUMENTS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention With reference to the classification of art as established in the United States Patent Office the present invention pertains to the general Class entitled, Coating Implements with Material Supply&#34; (Class 401) and the subclass therein entitled, solid material for rubbing contact or support therefor including holder&#34; (subclass 88). Other pertinent subclasses include the subclass identified as expendable sheath&#34; (subclass 96) or the subclass identified as including ball, roller or endless belt tool ball&#34; (subclass 209). Nib-type pens which may be used with the frame are found in the subclass entitled, bifurcated pointed nib tool&#34; (subclass 221).  
 DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART Although writing instruments are made on a mass production scale and are sold yearly in the many millions of units, there have been only minor modifications to the original basic housing units provided for said instruments. The mechanical pencil, the fountain pen, ball point pen and porous tipped pens and markers are all well known and have been for many years. However, each instrument is usually distinctive as to its housing structure and characteristic. The present invention pertains to a body structure which may be typically provided for housing any of several types of writing devices.  
  All prior art devices. insofar as is known, have had an outer tubular housing which is distinctive of and for only that unit, Matched pen and pencil sets although decoratively similar usually are constructed each with its own frame as to size, tubular constructions, etc. The present invention pertains to a common frame on which decorative trim is mounted in the form of shells. Front and rear mounting rings are provided on each frame and permit the selective mounting of functional units ofa mechanical pencil mechanism or the components of one of the several pen systems in which an ink reservoir is used.  
  Prior attempts to provide decorative overlays are shown in many U.S. Patents among which is US Pat. No. 708,964 to HOLZWORTH as issued on Sept. 9, 1902 and U.S. Pat. No. 394,146 to TYRRELL as issued on Dec. 4, I888. The gluing together of two outer shells to encase a common core is seen in many lead pencil making patents as exemplified in U.S. Pat. No. 2,1 l6,l 87 to CHESLER as issued on May 3, I938 and U.S. Pat. No. 551,288 as issued to KAISER on Dec. 10, I895. Screw on or telescoping barrel members are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,328,l43 to HANLE as issued on Aug. 31, 1943 and U.S. Pat. No. 1,827,6l9 to SCHROEDER etal as issued on Oct. 13, l93l. Replaceable writing ends are shown in U.S. Pat. No. 2,979,030 to HARRINGTON as issued on Aug. 11, I96].  
  Although issued patents show continued improvements in the concept of the writing mechanism or new methods of fluid flow in the writing instrument, improvements in the housing itself have been practically nonexistant for at least the last half century except for the substitution of materials and methods of forming such materials. The present invention provides an improvement in the housing and decorative options for use on and with this housing. In this invention a frame is provided to which and on which shell members are mounted. This frame has front and rear mounting rings into which the several writing systems may be selectively mounted. Insofar as is known, a housing system using the split body, to be hereinafter more fully de scribed, is new and novel and, insofar as is known, provides many advantages including economies, wide latitude in selective design and ready replacement of mechanical components or ink supplies.  
 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention may be summarized at least in part with reference to its objects.  
  It is an object of this invention to provide, and it does provide, a split body housing for writing instruments such as pens, mechanical pencils and the like. This housing provides means for selective and interchangeable mounting of writing components and, at the same time, attachable outer cover members enabling a selection to be made in the appearance of the product.  
  It is a further object of this invention to provide, and it does provide, a split body housing having a base frame which includes a pair of longitudinal outer ribs or struts which are rigidly attached to front and rear end rings. Shell-like outer members are secured to this body housing either by snap-in arrangements, adhesive or the like and when in place, with the ribs provide the outer cover. The writing component mechanism and/or members are preferably removably mounted in the frame.  
  The split body housing of this invention includes a main frame which has front and rear ring-like mounting members. These rings are connected to each other by parallel side rails or struts on which are mounted over members of selected configurations and designs. The writing mechanism is mounted and retained in the ring like end mounting members. The frame and cover portions used with the frame may be of a cast or molded metal or alternatively of a plastic. The cover components are preferably of sheet metal, plastic, combinations thereof, or various laminates on metal and plastic such as vinyl, wood, fired enamel, gold, silver, etc.  
  In addition to the above summary the following disclosure in detailed to insure adequacy and aid in understanding of the invention. This disclosure, however, is not intended to prejudice that purpose of a patent which is to cover each new inventive concept therein no matter how it may later be disguised by variations in form or additions of further improvements. For this reason there has been chosen a specific embodiment of the split body housing for writing instruments as adopted for use with pens and mechanical pencils and showing four means of securing cover shells to a common frame. These embodiments have been chosen for the purpose of illustration and description as shown in the accompanying drawings wherein:  
 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 represents a partially exploded isometric and diagrammatic view of a split body housing frame, a pair of covering members as used with the frame and portions of writing mechanism components which are usually mounted in the frame.  
  FIG. 2 represents a side view of the body frame of FIG. I;  
  FIG. 3 represents a plan view of the body frame of FIG. 2, this view taken on the line 33 of FIG. 2 and looking in the direction of the arrows;  
  FIG. 4 represents an end view of the body frame of FIG. 2, this view taken on the line 4-4 of FIG. 2 and looking in the direction of the arrows;  
  FIG. 5 represents a sectional side view, partly diagrammatic and in a slightly enlarged scale and showing a general representation of the components of a ball point pen mounted within the frame of FIG. 2;  
  FIG. 6 represents a transverse sectional view in a yet further enlarged scale and showing the longitudinal struts of the housing of FIGS. 2 or 5 and one method of securing the cover members to the housing frame;  
  FIG. 7 represents a fragmentary exploded isometric end view depicting the cover components of FIG. 6 before assembly and mounting in a frame;  
  FIG. 8 represents a fragmentary exploded isometric end view of an alternate frame and the cover members having attaching tabs for securing to the contoured struts of the frame;  
  FIG. 9 represents in a greatly enlarged scale the frame strut of FIG. 8 and portions of the attached cover members as mounted thereto, and  
  FIG. 10 represents a fragmentary exploded isometric end view of a frame with yet another set of cover members depicting an alternate method of mounting the cover members to the frame.  
  In the following description and in the claims various details are identified by specific names for convenience; these names, however, are intended to be generic in their application. Corresponding reference characters refer to like members throughout the several figures of the drawings.  
  The drawings accompanying, and forming part of, this specification disclose details of construction for the purpose of explanation but it should be understood that these structural details may be modified and that the invention may incorporate structural forms other than those shown.  
 SPLIT BODY HOUSING AND COVER OF FIGS. 1-4  
  Referring now in particular to the drawings, there is depicted in the FIGS. l4, a preferred split body housing frame generally identified as 20. This main frame includes a front mounting ring 22 and a rear mounting ring 24 which are connected by and maintained in a fixed relationship to each other by struts 26 and 28. These struts and the front and rear mounting rings are preferably made as a one-piece die casting of an inexpensive metal. Such a casting provides the rigidity and also the reduced cost desirable to provide a frame wherein quality control and close tolerances may be established and easily maintained. It is also, of course, to be noted that certain plastics may be used for frame 20. These plastics usually are high density, high structural strength material such as Lexan&#34; (Trademark of General Electric) or similar compositions having the de sired strength and rigidity qualities.  
  As seen in FIG. 4, the end rings 22 and 24 which are of like configurations are depicted as oval in shape. To provide mounting of components of the writing mechanisms in this frame there is provided in both front and rear end rings 22 and 24 a shouldered recess 30 which preferably is made with a like configuration and size so that end-to-end orientation of the frame is not required. As depicted in FIG. I, the front end member 32 which may be used with either a pen or pencil appara tus is a press fit in the end ring 22 and the formed recess 30. Also depicted is a rear end member 34 which may be one of the components of a ball point pen such as is more fully described and seen in connection with FIG. 5. It is to be noted, however, that both the front and rear members 32 and 34 have a shoulder formed thereon so that the members when mounted into a ring 22 or 24 are slidable into the aperture in the rings until the outer larger diameter engages the ring. These components conventionally mate and provide a smooth fit with the frame and appearance-wise mate with the end rings 22 and 24. This matching, configuration, etc. is, of course, a matter of design and selection.  
  For the convenience of identification cover members 38 and 40 are snap-on covers which may be attached to the ribs 26 and 28 by means of a snap-on fit, by an adhesive or by any other attaching means. Preferred attaching means are disclosed and described in detail in relation to FIGS. 6-10 to be hereinafter more fully described.  
 EMBODIMENT OF FIG. 5  
  Referring now in particular to FIG. 5 and the details shown therein, it is to be noted that frame 20 with its front and rear rings 22 and 24 carries between the struts 26 and 28 the components ofa ball point pen. As seen, the from member 32 is a tubular member having a flange portion 44 which is preferably elliptical in shape and is a snug fit in the recess groove 30 in the forward member 22. This particular front member is recessed and adapted to receive a spring 46 and the forward tubular portion 48 of a ball point pen. The ink supply portion of the ball point pen is identified as S0 and is adapted for mounting between the struts 26 and 28. At the rear end of this fluid compartment is a conventional rachet apparatus 52 and the extending rear plunger button 54 conventionally found in a ball point pen. In recess groove 30 in end ring 24 may be mounted a plastic or metal sleeve bearing which also provides a closure guide and probably a decorative accent.  
  Or course, other apparatus may be utilized in this housing, for example, a felt or fiber-type pen may be provided and mounted in ring 22. A mechanical pencil apparatus or any of the other components of a writing instrument may be adapted for fitting within the confines of the split body housing. In general, it is anticipated that a distance of about five inches will be provided between the front and rear rings 22 and 24 which provides ample room for the mounting therein of an ink supply 50, the push button and any and all mechanical components that are required within the body housing. Between the front and rear rings 22 and 24 is mounted the decorative cover portion of the split body housing. Typical cover mounting arrangements are depicted in FIGS. 6-10 in which three embodiments are illustrated.  
 SHELL ASSEMBLY AS SEEN IN FIGS. 6 AND 7 As seen in FIGS. 6 and 7 a shell assembly for mounting on and between the side struts 26 and 28 utilizes an elliptical tubular portion 60 which has a pair of like Ion gitudinal grooves 61 formed in opposed portions of its sides. This thin elliptical tube 60 is made of a material (ie., metal or plastic) which is sufficiently resilient to allow the side portions to be displaced slightly inwardly to allow the tubular portion to be passed about halfway into the space between the struts and then released to snap onto the longitudinal struts 26 and 28 of the frame 20. In position the longitudinal grooves 61 engage and seat on struts 26 and 28. In this embodiment it is anticipated that the outer shells 62 will be of like configuration and constructed of plastic or decorative metal and adapted to snugly engage the shell 60 in its mounted condition. These shell members 62 in this particular embodiment are attached to the tubular portion 60 by means of an adhesive.  
  In this arrangement it is anticipated that the frame 20, prior to the mounting therein of the interior compo nents of the writing mechanism, will have the tubular portion 60 mounted to the struts. The half shells 62 may be attached to member 60 prior to its mounting in the frame when both shells and the tubular portion 60 are slightly resilient enabling the decorated member 60 to be pushed into position. The assembled combination of member 60 and shells 62 are deflected slightly inwardly to permit this assembly to be snaped into position on the struts 26 and 28. Adhesive may be applied ifdesired but it is anticipated that this will not normally be done in order to permit the ready replacement or repair of the cover if and when desired. This frame and base shell or tube 60 is particularly adapted to receive half shells 62 which may carry advertising or personalized identification. This identification may be applied at the point of sale. One or both ofthe half shells 62 to be applied at the point of sale have means for the shell to be snapped onto the longitudinal struts 26 and 28 for concealment by such said struts.  
 BODY HOUSING AND SHELL ASSEMBLY OF FIGS. 8 AND 9 In FIGS. 8 and 9 is shown an alternate method of forming the frame and the half shell covers for attachment thereto. In this particular embodiment longitudinal struts I26 and 128 are molded or otherwise formed with a series of notches 66. The half shells to be mounted on this frame are preferably of metal or plastic. Upper half shell 68 is formed with a shelf 70 and an interior depending skirt 72. In shelf 70 is formed cutouts 74 adapted to receive cooperatively formed and positioned tab portions of a lower half shell 78. Upwardly extending angle tabs 80 are attached to this lower shell 78. These tabs are bent inwardly at 82 and upwardly at 84. They are then bent again at 86 to form a retaining lip. After being pushed through the openings 74 provided in shelf 70 of the upper shell 68 the lip members 86 retain the offset portions of the upper and lower shells in a snug engagement around the strut 126. If desired, the bending of the tab 80 of lower shell 78 and assembly to shell 68 is made so the assembled shells may be snapped into position. When fully assembled between struts 126 and 128 the lower shell 78 is positioned with the tabs aligned with the notches 66. As shell 78 is moved downwardly the tabs 80 move in slots 74 until inwardly turned portion 82 passes the bottom edge of strut 126 after which the tabs spring into retaining position.  
  An alternate method of assembly allows shell 78 to be mounted in position on the strut. Shell 68 with the shelf 70 pushed inwardly sufficiently to allow tabs 86 to pass through apertures 74 is then advanced so as to seat on strut 126 after which it is allowed to spring outwardly. The method of assembly is merely a matter of selection as the open end of the end rings 22, after the shells are brought into alignment, permit turning and- /or bending tools to be passed through these openings to secure the tabs and the shell members in mounted condition on the struts.  
 SHELL ASSEMBLY OF FIG. I0  
  Referring next and finally to FIG. 10, it is to be noted that in this embodiment is provided a modification of the shells 68 and 78 of FIG. 8. As depicted, upper shell 90 has U-shaped tabs 92 provided on both longitudinal edges of the shell and adapted for snapping onto the inner surface of strut members 26 and 28. In a like manner, but in an offset condition from the upper shell. lower shell 94 is also provided with engaging tab members 96 which are positioned so as to engage the longitudinal struts 26 and 28 at portions other than where tab members 92 engage the struts.  
 USE AND OPERATION In the several embodiments above-described there has been emphasized the basic concept of a slip body housing having a main body frame which is common for all writing implements. Although the end members of this body frame are depicted as elliptical and other desired configuration may be provided. for example, round or hexagonal or combination configurations thereof. There is no limit as to the configurations and the eventual outside design is whatever is desired. Each forward end ring is formed with a receiving portion into which is pressed the forward end of the writing implement. This may be a tubular member providing a sliding guide for a ball point pen or may be the forward portion ofa felt or porous tipped pen. It is also contemplated that the nib portion of a fountain pen may be retained by the forward end ring of the frame and as a fountain pen a slide-on cap, not shown. is supplied.  
  The forward portion ofa mechanical pencil which is a mate to the pen of a matched set is also mounted in the forward ring of the frame with the propelling mech anism having a portion which extends slightly beyond the rear end ring member of the main frame. If the frame is to carry a ball point pen the push button por tion as in FIG. 5 extends beyond the rear end ring. The novelty of this invention lies in providing a frame which may be mass produced while providing individuality. The internal components are selected to provide a ball point pen, a felt or porous tipped pen or a fountain pen as well as a mechanical pencil. The decorative trim is then selected in accordance with the product to be sold. This inlay or the outer cover half shells may be made of plastic, metal or combinations of both. They may be mounted at the factory through mass production techniques or the half shells may be sent to the dealer for selected installation at the point of sale. The half shells are conventionally formed, stamped or bent from sheet metal or plastic. This is in contrast to the drawing and shaping of tubing as in the case of many presently known writing instruments. The high cost of tubing and the applying of an outer decorative cover thereto is, of course, greatly reduced in the present invention where the cover shells are snapped into place and retained in place by glue, by bias tension or by notched fittings of parts. The bias tension provided with the half shells adds a great versatility and utility dimension to this present invention.  
  Terms such as left&#34;, right, up+, down&#34;, bottom&#34;, top, front&#34;, back, in. out&#34; and the like are applicable to the embodiments shown and described in conjunction with the drawings. These terms are merely for the purposes of description and do not necessarily apply to the position in which the split body housing and cover members to be used therewith may be constructed or used.  
  While a particular embodiment of the frame of the housing and several embodiments of the shell members as used therewith have been shown and described it is to be understood that modifications may be made within the scope of the accompanying claims and protection is sought to the broadest extent the prior art allows.  
 What is claimed is:  
  l. A split body housing for writing instruments such as mechanical pencils, ball point. marker and cartridge pens, the body housing including: (a) a unit frame having from and rear mounting rings rigidly retained in position by longitudinal struts extending from one ring to the other; (b) a through aperture formed in at least the front mounting ring. said aperture configured so as to provide means for mounting therein a front extending member of the writing instrument mechanism to be mounted in the frame, and (c) at least one shell member adapted for mounting on the frame, said shell mem her having means for retaining engagement with the struts. said means engaging the strut so as to secure the shell member to and on the struts to provide a tubular closure of the open sides of the frame and when in mounted condition said securing means is substantially concealed.  
  2. A split body housing for writing instruments as in claim 1 in which the rear mounting ring also has a through aperture.  
  3. A split body housing for writing instruments as in claim 2 in which the through apertures are of like size and there is formed in each mounting ring an outwardly facing annual recess sized to provide a receiving and retaining means for complementarily shaped components of the writing mechanism to be mounted therein.  
  4. A split body housing for writing instruments as in claim I in which the struts are a like pair and are diametrically opposed on the frame and the shell member comprises a pair of like shells each of which is formed so as to be snapped into place on the longitudinal extents of the struts and disposed to extend between the front and rear mounting rings.  
  5. A split body housing for writing instruments as in claim 1 in which the struts are a like pair and are diametrically opposed on longitudinal sides of the frame and the shell member includes a thin tube having a pair of longitudinal grooves formed in opposed portions of its sides, said thin tubular shell member made of a material sufficiently stiff to provide a spring bias and to allow the side portions to be disposed inwardly so that the shell member is passed sufficiently inwardly and between the struts to allow alignment of the grooves with the struts and then the thin tubular shell member is released with the groove portions moving into seated en gagement with the struts.  
  6. A split body housing for writing instruments as in claim 5 in which additional shell members having the desired decorative motif are mounted to the struts and to the tubular shell member.  
  7. A split body housing for writing instruments as in claim 1 in which the struts are a like pair and are diametrically opposed on the frame and in which the struts are formed with notches and in which two half shells provide the shell member, the half shells having tab portions which are shaped and sized so as to engage and seat in the notches in the strut when the shells are brought into a mounted condition.  
  8. A split body housing for writing instruments as in claim 7 in which the half shells are additionally formed with mating tabs and cutouts permitting alignment and engagement of the half shells to each other in addition to the engagement with the struts.  
  9. A split body housing for writing instruments as in claim 1 in which the struts are a like pair and are diametrically opposed on the frame and in which two half shells provide the shell member. each half shell having U-shaped tab members each adapted to engage one of the struts at portions of its inner surface, the half shells being made of a material which has a stiffness such as to provide a spring bias and permit snapping the tab members of the shell halves into mounted and biased engagement on the inner surfaces of the struts.  
  10. A split body housing for writing instruments as in claim 9 in which some of the tabs are formed with apertures adapted to receive and retain tab portions formed on the other of the half shell member.