A Closed end - - - Stylus-pen

[CSue]

I'm really jazzed about this! I've been admiring so many others and their closed end pens. So I jerry-rigged seomthing last night and made this. It was so much fun I made a few more today. So, what ya all think? (Stylus point/nib is patent pending.)

 

[CSue]

One things for sure - I need a larger picture!

 

[txbob]

What do I think? I think they're very nice. Very much like the hundred or so I made and sold ten years ago.

What about this device do you think is patentable?

txbob

 

[toolcrazy]

Originally posted by CSue
<br />One things for sure - I need a larger picture!

Did you click on his pic?

Very nice work.

 

[wdcav1952]

Cathy, that is very interesting! I don't know how the pen works, but I like your idea and execution.


BTW, Steve, I don't think Cathy is a boy named Sue. [][]

 

[ahoiberg]

nice job, that's an interesting looking wood.
txbob, i think Csue uses them for electronic devices (PDA's, electronic notebooks, etc...) it's not just a modified nib for a refill but some special material that won't damage the device.

 

[txbob]

Originally posted by ahoiberg
<br />nice job, that's an interesting looking wood.
txbob, i think Csue uses them for electronic devices (PDA's, electronic notebooks, etc...) it's not just a modified nib for a refill but some special material that won't damage the device.

Andrew, yes, I understand that clearly. As I said, I've made and sold a lot of them. The "special material" she uses is wood. Her web site explains it well.

What I would like to know is what could possibly be patentable about her device?

txbob

 

[ahoiberg]

i gotchya bob. apparently she wasn't aware that others have done the same thing.

 

[Jim15]

Looks real nice, Cathy.

 

[CSue]

I didn't really post this here to get into a discussion about the stylus part as much as the closed-end part. I'm sorry if I got your dander up.

The idea of using "wood" isn't quite accurate. I'm well aware of the many varied and different materials and designs used in an effort to make a stylus that will not damage the screens of PDAs and the like. Some clever person patented the process of using Lignum Vit??? wood for the tip of a stylus. I only use Softwoods for the stylus tip. And I only use a certain something in the finish of the tip.

If I ever make a buck off it, or get it patented, then we can talk more.

So, I guess making a closed end thing isn't as much of a big deal as I thought it was.

I still think it's cool. And thank you all for your comments.

 

[txbob]

Hi Cathy,
You didn't get my dander up, you got my curosity up. Knowing what maintenance costs run for patents, I wondered how you could sell enough to justify the costs.

For a stylus tip, I always bought Palm Pilot replacements and cut them off. Did a closed end like yours, glued in the tip. They're lots of fun, and I sold a bunch of them at work. Black and silver Dymondwood seemed to sell the best.

I also looked at the ones on your web site. Nice work! You have a good eye for shape and balance.

txbob

Originally posted by CSue
<br />I didn't really post this here to get into a discussion about the stylus part as much as the closed-end part. I'm sorry if I got your dander up.

The idea of using "wood" isn't quite accurate. I'm well aware of the many varied and different materials and designs used in an effort to make a stylus that will not damage the screens of PDAs and the like. Some clever person patented the process of using Lignum Vit??? wood for the tip of a stylus. I only use Softwoods for the stylus tip. And I only use a certain something in the finish of the tip.

If I ever make a buck off it, or get it patented, then we can talk more.

So, I guess making a closed end thing isn't as much of a big deal as I thought it was.

I still think it's cool. And thank you all for your comments.

 

[wood-of-1kind]

Originally posted by CSue
<br />Ilike. Some clever person patented the process of using Lignum Vit??? wood for the tip of a stylus. I only use Softwoods for the stylus tip.

This stylus thing really peaked my curiousity as well. Very nice website that you have going for you Cathy. I didn't know that one could patent the use of a wood(very hardwood I may add) like lignum vitae? Just wondering if the wood's ability to act as a self lubricant works well at NOT scratching the glass surface of PDA's? I know that you like to use soft woods for your stylus tips.

-Peter-

 

[ahoiberg]

what kind of mandrel did you use to turn the closed end of it?

 

[CSue]

Thanks Bob.

And thank you for all your comments.

ahoiberg, I used a standard mandrel. I shoved it through 1/4" Beall collet chuck to the length I needed. The blank was drilled with 1/4" bit and put on. The only way I've been able to keep the blank from spinning is to insert a 7mm tube - but not all the way and not glued. Then I tape it to the mandrel and use the live center on the tail stock to keep it 'tight.'

I've even done Corian Stylus.