Richard M O'Brien

US Patent:

7070351, Jul 4, 2006

Filed:

Mar 14, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/391179

Inventors:

Kenneth R Cooper - Orange CT, US
Donald A DeLuca - Guilford CT, US
Michael Kent - Cheshire CT, US
Richard O'Brien - Oxford CT, US

Assignee:

BIC Corporation - Milford CT

International Classification:

A46B 5/02

US Classification:

401 6, 16430

Abstract:

A gripping element, particularly to writing instruments having a gripping element, which more specifically relates to a marker having a gripping element over a central region thereof. Such positioning of the gripping element facilitates use of the writing instrument in other than standard writing grasps. For example, the positioning of a gripping element over the central region of a writing instrument facilitates gripping of the writing instrument when writing on vertical or inverse horizontal (i. e. upside down) planes. The gripping element has a plurality of elevated sections in the form of intercalated crosses and hexagons or sliced hexagons. The elevated sections may be smooth or textured to enhance gripping and to reduce slippage of the writing instrument during use.

US Patent:

7137751, Nov 21, 2006

Filed:

Mar 11, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/800402

Inventors:

Andrew Candelora - East Haven CT, US
Richard O'Brien - Oxford CT, US

Assignee:

Societe BIC S.A. - Clichy

International Classification:

B43K 5/16
B43K 21/02

US Classification:

401103, 401 54, 401251

Abstract:

A writing instrument having a writing tip that responds to pressure applied during writing through the use of a cushioning element integrally formed with another part of the writing instrument. In a preferred embodiment, a writing instrument comprises a barrel, a cartridge with a writing tip, and an end plug with a cushioning element formed integrally with the end plug. The cartridge may be held in the barrel via the cushioning element, which is attached to the proximal end of the barrel. The end plug may be formed by an injection molding process. A stop element may be provided to inhibit or to prevent compression of the cushioning element after a predetermined degree of compression of cushioning element. The cushioning element may have a variable spring rate.

US Patent:

8550735, Oct 8, 2013

Filed:

Jul 7, 2006

Appl. No.:

12/307822

Inventors:

Franck Rolion - Asnieres sur Oise, FR
Richard C. O'Brien - Oxford CT, US
Bertrand Baudouin - Paris, FR

Assignee:

Societe Bic - Clichy

International Classification:

B43K 7/12

US Classification:

401103, 401 54, 401 99, 401109, 401110

Abstract:

A retractable writing instrument that includes a barrel, a writing tip, an actuating mechanism that includes a plurality of parts for extending and retracting the writing tip upon actuation of the actuation member, and a cushioning device enabling a retraction of the writing tip when an excessive pressure is exerted by a user. The cushioning device includes a spring member elastically deformable, which is integrally formed with a movable part of the actuating mechanism, the part being movable relative to the barrel. The spring member has a free end abutting the barrel toward its rear end and has a through hole. A stem extends within the spring member's hole and connects the actuating member to the actuating mechanism.

US Patent:

20030005549, Jan 9, 2003

Filed:

Jul 9, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/900915

Inventors:

Donald DeLuca - Guilford CT, US
Michael Kent - Cheshire CT, US
Richard O'Brien - Oxford CT, US
Daniel Ferrara - Morris CT, US

International Classification:

E05B001/00

US Classification:

016/430000

Abstract:

The present invention relates generally to a cushioning device that is adapted to retain a flowable medium to provide a cushioning effect. The cushioning device has a cushioning member having a deformable bladder member defining a medium chamber and a flowable medium, such as a fluid, retained in the chamber. The cushioning member is adapted to be mounted onto an article to thereby provide a cushioning effect for a user. The cushioning device can optionally have a support element to provide an additional cushioning effect. The present invention also relates to a cushioned article that has a finger-held or finger-manipulated article on which the cushioning device is mounted to provide a comfortable finger grip for a user. The cushioned article is so formed that it can fit within the user's finger grip and that the inflated bladder member can be deformed by the user's fingers or fingertips.

US Patent:

20030138283, Jul 24, 2003

Filed:

Jan 24, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/053621

Inventors:

Richard O'Brien - Oxford CT, US
Donald DeLuca - Guilford CT, US
Michael Kent - Cheshire CT, US

International Classification:

B43K024/02

US Classification:

401/117000, 401/099000

Abstract:

A writing instrument includes a barrel having a channel with an open end, and a writing element disposed in the channel. The writing element is movable between a retracted position and an extended position. At least a portion of the writing element is resilient and may be resiliently deflected in a direction substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis of the writing instrument. The resilient deflection of the writing element biases the writing element to engage the channel and to retain the writing element in the extended position. Various other features which improve the functioning of the writing instrument or actuator member may be provided separately or in combination. In example, the actuator may be mounted for non-linear movement to extend or retract a writing element. Also a release member may be provided along a side of the barrel to move the writing element out of engagement with the channel.

US Patent:

20040165931, Aug 26, 2004

Filed:

Feb 24, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/785148

Inventors:

Kenneth Cooper - Orange CT, US
Donald DeLuca - Guilford CT, US
Michael Kent - Cheshire CT, US
Richard O'Brien - Oxford CT, US

International Classification:

A46B005/02
A45C013/22

US Classification:

401/006000, 016/430000

Abstract:

The gripping element has a plurality of elevated sections in the form of intercalated shapes. The elevated sections may be smooth or textured to enhance gripping and to reduce slippage of the writing instrument during use.

US Patent:

20100316431, Dec 16, 2010

Filed:

Jan 9, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/863273

Inventors:

Franck Rolion - Saint Georges des Groseilles, FR
Richard O'Brien - Oxford CT, US
Samuel Malinverni - Paris, FR

Assignee:

Societe BIC - Clichy

International Classification:

B43K 29/00

US Classification:

401195

Abstract:

A writing instrument that includes a shaft and an eraser exit device. The eraser exit device includes an eraser protection sleeve that is mobile at least in rotation relative to the shaft so that the eraser can assume a maximum exit configuration and a retraction configuration, and an eraser holder provided with at least a first longitudinal guiding member directly interacting with a first complementary guiding member connected to the shaft so as to prevent any rotation movement between the holder and the shaft, and provided with at least a second guiding member that interacts with a second complementary guiding member connected to the sleeve. The sleeve has a front portion surrounding the rear end of the shaft and a rear portion having an inner guiding portion including the second complementary guiding member.

US Patent:

56344392, Jun 3, 1997

Filed:

Feb 6, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/552085

Inventors:

Richard O'Brien - Ridgefield Park NJ

International Classification:

A63B 6916
A62B 3500

US Classification:

119770

Abstract:

A device to assist someone, such as a parent, in teaching a child to ride a bicycle. The device is a strap to be worn around the child's chest and extending around the back which can be fastened by way of velcro, buckles, or any other well-known fastening device. Two smaller or thinner straps are then attached to the main belt in the back which extend across the back of the belt and terminate in the middle in a ring or handle which can be grasped by the riding instructor. Such a device allows the teacher or instructor to hold the child itself rather then the bicycle and if the bicycle begins to fall it can be let go safely while holding onto the child.