Foldable writing implement

Abstract

A ball point pen has a elongate shank 10 that supports a ball point element inside. A handle 11 can pivot and fold over and be held closed against the shank 10 . This allows the pen to be maintained in a folded-up configuration and easily carried in a breast pocket or purse. The pen is biassed towards a writing configuration with the shank and handle connected end-to-end.

1. A writing implement having a writing head supported by an elongate shank, the shank having a shank remote end opposite a shank connector end, and an elongate handle, the handle having a handle connector end opposite a handle remote end, said handle connector and shank connector ends fit end-to-end in a writing configuration for normal use, wherein the handle is pivotably connected to the shank and folds over the shank and is held against the shank when the implement is in a folded configuration and said handle has a cooperative engaging locking means at the handle remote end for releasable engagement and locking retention of the handle to the shank at the shank remote end when the handle is folded over the shank wherein actuation of said engaging locking means releases said shank to automatically pivot from said folded configuration to said writing configuration. 
     
     
       2. A writing implement according to  claim 1 , in which the handle is pivotably connected to the shank by a pivotable connection which is spring biased to restrain the shank and handle towards the writing configuration. 
     
     
       3. A writing implement according to  claim 1 , in which the handle extends over an end of the shank and the writing head in the folded configuration. 
     
     
       4. A writing implement according to  claim 1 , including a pocket clip mounted to and extending along a side of the handle. 
     
     
       5. A writing implement comprising:
   a writing element having an elongate shank, the writing element having a writing head at a remote end opposite a connector end, and an elongate handle, the handle having a handle connector end opposite a handle remote end, said handle connector and writing element connector ends fit end - to - end in a writing configuration for normal use,        wherein the handle is pivotably connected to the writing element and folds over the writing element and is held adjacent to the writing element when the implement is in a folded configuration, and        said handle has a cooperative engaging locking means at the handle remote end for releasable engagement and locking retention of the handle to the remote end of said writing element when the handle is folded over the writing element, and wherein actuation of said engaging locking means releases said shank to automatically pivot from said folded configuration to said writing configuration.     
     
     
       6. A writing implement according to  claim 5 , in which the handle is pivotably connected to the writing element by a pivotable connection which is spring biased to urge the writing element and handle towards the writing configuration. 
     
     
       7. A writing implement according to  claim 5 , in which the handle extends over the writing head in the folded configuration. 
     
     
       8. A writing implement according to  claim 5 , including a pocket clip mounted to and extending along a side of the handle. 
     
     
       9. A writing implement comprising:
   a writing portion comprising a connector end and a remote end opposite said connector end;        a handle comprising a handle connector end and a handle remote end opposite said handle connector end;        said handle pivotally connected to said writing portion proximate said handle connector end and said writing portion connector end;        means for biasing said writing portion from a folded position, wherein said writing portion is at least partially disposed within a portion of said handle, to an extended writing position; and        means for releaseably engaging said writing portion proximate said remote end of said writing portion for locking said writing portion in said folded position wherein actuation of said engaging means releases said writing portion to automatically pivot from said folded position to said extended writing position.     
     
     
       10. A writing implement according to  claim 9  wherein said writing portion comprises a ball point pen. 
     
     
       11. A writing implement according to  claim 9  wherein said writing portion comprises a replaceable ball point element. 
     
     
       12. A writing implement according to  claim 9  wherein said handle has a hole passing through said handle proximate said handle remote end. 
     
     
       13. A writing implement according to  claim 9  wherein said engaging means is positioned proximate said handle remote portion. 
     
     
       14. A writing implement according to  claim 13  wherein said engaging means comprises a button. 
     
     
       15. A writing implement according to  claim 13  wherein said writing portion pivots through an opening on a rear side of said handle and said engaging means comprises a button positioned on a side of said handle. 
     
     
       16. A writing implement according to  claim 9  wherein said engaging means comprises a button. 
     
     
       17. A writing implement according to  claim 16  wherein said writing portion pivots through an opening on a rear side of said handle and said engaging means comprises a button positioned on a side of said handle. 
     
     
       18. A writing implement according to  claim 9  further comprising a pocket clip. 
     
     
       19. A writing implement according to  claim 18  wherein said clip is positioned on a front side of said handle, opposite a rear side through which said writing portion pivots. 
     
     
       20. A writing implement according to  claim 18  wherein said handle comprises a hole passing through said handle proximate said handle remote end, said engaging means comprises a button, and wherein said pocket clip is connected to said handle intermediate said hole and said button. 
     
     
       21. A writing implement according to  claim 18  wherein said clip and said handle collectively surround a majority of the circumference of said writing portion. 
     
     
       22. A writing implement according to  claim 9  wherein said engaging means is manually releasable. 
     
     
       23. A writing implement according to  claim 9  wherein said handle comprises a hole passing through said handle remote portion and positioned further from said handle connector end than said engaging means. 
     
     
       24. A writing implement according to  claim 9  wherein said biasing means comprises a spring.