Writing instrument

{
  "publication_number": "US5813786A",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "A",
  "title": "Writing instrument",
  "abstract": "A writing instrument that may be secured or attached to an article, such as a credit card. The inventive writing instrument is configured in the form of a cylindrical casing having at least two opposingly biased resilient jaws or projections extending therefrom, a writing element disposed within said casing and a cap for covering the writing point of the writing element. A credit card or similar article can be easily and conveniently inserted between the resilient jaws or projections and will be securely retained therein.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A writing instrument having means for detachably securing a card thereto comprising: an essentially cylindrical casing having a cavity or bore longitudinally disposed therein; an essentially cylindrical writing element housed within said cavity or bore; a pair of essentially planar extensions integrally formed with said essentially cylindrical casing and being resiliently opposed toward each other to define a groove therebetween, said pair of essentially planar extensions having a matingly wavy contour undulating along a longitudinal axis; at least one ridge directed along a longitudinal axis of at least one of said essentially planar extensions and directed into said groove, whereby a card inserted into said groove or cavity is intermittently engaged by said ridge to secure the card within said groove.",
    "2. A writing instrument having means for detachably securing a card thereto comprising: an essentially cylindrical casing having a cavity or bore longitudinally disposed therein, a writing element housed within said cavity or bore; a pair of essentially planar extensions being tangentially attached to said essentially cylindrical casing and being resiliently opposed toward each other to define a groove therebetween, said pair of essentially planar extensions having a matingly wavy contour undulating along a longitudinal axis; each of said essentially planar extensions having at least one ridge directed along a longitudinal axis of said essentially planar extensions and directed into said groove, whereby a card inserted into said groove or cavity is intermittently engaged by said ridges to secure the card within said groove.",
    "3. A writing instrument having in accordance with claim 2, wherein said ridges alternately engage opposite sides of a card inserted into said groove."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "The present invention relates to hand-held writing instruments, for example, pens pencils and the like, having means to secure or attach an article, such as a credit card, thereto. More specifically, the present invention provides a writing instrument in the form of a cylindrical casing having at least two opposingly biased resilient jaws or projections extending therefrom, a writing element disposed within said cylindrical casing and, optionally, a cap for covering the writing point of the writing element. A credit card or similarly thin article can be inserted between said opposingly biased resilient jaws and secured to said writing instrument.\n\nToday's consumer often requires easy access to a writing element, such as a ball-point pen. However, carrying a writing implement is not always practical, particularly when the consumer does not carry a pocketbook, briefcase or bag. Further, storing a writing instrument in one's billfold or wallet is not as simple as carrying a card, such as a credit card. Consumers often use a writing implement and put it down while they are less apt to leave a credit card behind. As a result, they constantly are losing their pens. With the ever-increasing popularity of credit cards, calling cards, ATM cards and the like, many people currently carry at least one card on their person or in their wallet or billfold, Thus, the union of such a card with a writing instrument will provide a writing element immediately available to the user.\n\nThe prior art is replete with writing implements having a clip, such as in the form of a cap having a protruding resilient member.",
  "cpc": [
    "B43K 23/001",
    "Y10T 24/1321",
    "Y10T 24/1347",
    "Y10T 24/44915"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "B43K 23/02",
    "B43K 29/00"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Amir Fraenkel"
  ],
  "filing_date": "1996-02-28",
  "publication_date": "1998-09-29",
  "grant_date": "1998-09-29",
  "priority_date": "1995-03-01",
  "application_number": "US-61376996-A",
  "family_id": "11067151",
  "cited_by_count": 27,
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}