EP3297846A1

EP3297846A1 - Method for production of a pen, preferably a ballpoint pen, and pen, preferably a ballpoint pen, produced with said method

Info

Publication number: EP3297846A1
Application number: EP16719474.5A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Mauro NOBILE
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2015-02-13
Filing date: 2016-02-12
Publication date: 2018-03-28
Also published as: WO2016128937A1

Abstract

Method for production of a pen, preferably a ballpoint pen, comprising: providing first and second eyeglasses temples (10, 20), each one having a front end (11, 21) adapted to be fixed to a frame for eyesight and/or sun lenses, and a rear end (12, 22) adapted to be laid on a user's ear; providing a writing element (30) adapted to deliver and/or transfer ink onto a writing surface; associating said writing element (30) with said first and second temples (10, 20).

Description

METHOD FOR PRODUCTION OF A PEN, PREFERABLY A BALLPOINT PEN, AND PEN, PREFERABLY A BALLPOINT PEN, PRODUCED WITH SAID METHOD

DESCRIPTION

[FIELD OF THE INVENTION]

The present invention refers to a method for producing a pen, preferably a ballpoint pen. The invention also refers to a pen, preferably a ballpoint pen, produced by said method.

[BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION]

As known, although the technological development of the recent years led many people to use predominantly electronic devices (PCs, tablets, smartphones, etc.) for their reading and writing activities, writing tools like ballpoint pens are still extremely common.

Said tools are sometimes produced by very tastefully aesthetic features making them both with a writing tool and a stylish object.

In this context, the Applicant noticed the absence of a method for producing pens, preferably ballpoint pens, which can be easily and quickly carried out giving in the meantime a high design outcome.

[SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION]

The present invention aims therefore to provide a method for producing pens, preferably ballpoint pens, which enables the production of a class object with a peculiar high design appearance.

Another object of the invention is to provide a method for producing pens, preferable ballpoint pens, which can be carried out simply and quickly.

Auxiliary object of the invention is to provide a method for producing pens, preferably ballpoint pens, which enables to re-use some parts of cast-off glasses which would otherwise be of no use.

However it should be noted that the glasses temples used in this invention can also be new, not used yet, and not only temples recovered from cast-off glasses.

[BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS]

Further features and advantages will emerge from the detailed description of a preferred non exclusive embodiment.

Here to follow is the description relating to the attached exemplary non-limiting drawings, wherein:

figure 1 shows an exploded view of a pen produced according to the invention;

figure 2 shows a schematic perspective view of the pen of figure 1 assembled;

figures 3 and 4 show some details of the pen in figures 1-2;

- figure 5 shows a second embodiment of a pen produced according to the invention; figure 6 shows embodiments of an element of the pen according to the invention. The figures show different aspects and embodiments of the present invention and, where appropriate, structures, components, materials and/or similar elements in different figures are indicated by the same reference numbers.

[DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION]

Referring to the attached figures, reference numeral 1 denotes a pen in the whole produced by the method according to the present invention.

Preliminary, it is to be notes that the realization steps of the method according to the invention do not need to be necessarily carried out in the sequence indicated in the description here to follow and/or in the following claims. The sequence in which said realization steps are carried out can be different from the one here described.

The method according to the invention comprises first of all a step of arranging a first and a second glasses temple 10, 20.

As above mentioned, temples 10, 20 used within the present invention are preferably new, not used yet. It is also provided that said temples can be recovered from cast-off glasses.

The first glass temple 10 has a front end 1 1 adapted to be fixed to a frame for eyesight and/or sun lenses, and a rear end 12 adapted to be laid on a user's ear, should the temple be indeed used to realize a glasses frame.

The second glass temple 20 has a front end 21, adapted to be fixed to a frame for eyesight and/or sun lenses, and a rear end 22 adapted to be laid on a user's ear, should the temple be indeed used to realize a glasses frame.

Advantageously, the first and the second temple 10, 20 are adapted to be used, in theory, for the production of the same glasses frame. By way of example, the first and the second temple 10, 20 can be, respectively the right and the left temple for the same glasses temple.

It is to be noted that, within the present invention, the first and the second temple 10, 20 are neither mounted nor connected to an eyesight and/or sun glasses frame.

The first and the second temple 10, 20 contribute to create a support frame for the writing element 30 which will be described later on.

From the front end 11 of the first temple 10 extend one or more expansions 13a, 13b, 13c, transversally to the longitudinal (axial) extension of the first temple 10.

As schematically shown in figure 1, three expansions 13a, 13b, 13c can extend from the front end 11 of the first temple 10.

From the front end 21 of the second temple 20 extend one or more expansions 23 a, 23b, 23 c transversally to the longitudinal (axial) extension of the second temple 20.

As schematically shown in figure 1, three expansions 23a, 23b, 23c can extend from the front end 21 of the first temple 20.

The original task of expansions 13a, 13b, 13c; 23a, 23b, 23c is to allow the assembling of temples 10, 20 to the rest of the frame of a pair of glasses, obtaining a hinge constraint allowing to "close" the glasses, for example to put them in a suitable case.

On the contrary, as later on clarified, within the invention the expansions 13a, 13b, 13c; 23a,

23b, 23c are used to obtain the structure of the pen 1.

From the structural point of view, when the front end 1 1 of the first temple 10 faces the front end 21 of the second temple 20, and the rear end 12 of the first temple 10 faces the rear end

22 of the second temple (as shown in figure 2), the first and the second temple 10, 20 are preferably substantially symmetric to a substantially vertical axis interposed between said temples 10, 20.

The method according to the invention further comprises a step of providing a writing element 30, adapted to deliver and/or transfer ink onto a writing surface.

In one embodiment, the writing element 30 can be a refill for ballpoint pens, provided with a barrel and with a ball rotatably mounted on a respective seat for delivering the ink.

In a different embodiment (not shown), the writing element 30 can be produced as a more traditional ink pen, provided with a barrel and with a tip - devoid of the mobile ball - for delivering the ink onto a writing surface.

In a further embodiment, the writing element 30 can be produced as a pen devoid of the ink barrel, whose tip has to get ink from a separate barrel (e.g. an inkpot) in order to deliver it onto the writing surface.

Preferably on the external surface of the writing element 30 can be one or more writings such as sentences, phrases, names etc. in order to grant a particular aesthetic and/or personalized effect to the product. The writing element 30 is provided with a main body 30a which can have different forms; by way of non limiting example, figures 1, 2 and 5 show a cylindrical form. Figure 6 shows, as an example, some possible options which fall within the scope of the present invention. It is to be noted that the main body 30a can also have further forms not shown in the figures.

Preferably, said writings, having an aesthetic and/or personalization purpose, are realized on the main body 30a.

Advantageously, the writing element 30 is associated with the first and to the second temple 10, 20 for producing the pen 1.

In more detail, a first connecting element 40 is provided.

The connecting element 40 is fixed to the first and second temple 10, 20 at the respective front ends 11, 21.

In particular the connecting element 40 has a first and a second fastening portion 41, 42. The first fastening portion 41 is fixed to the front end 11 of the first temple 10, and the second fastening portion is fixed to the front end 21 of the second temple 21.

Preferably the first fastening portion 41 is fixed to said one or more expansions 13a, 13b, 13c; preferably the second fastening portion 42 is fixed to said one or more expansions 23a, 23b, 23c.

Preferably the first fastening portion 41 has one or more seats 41a, 41b, 41c to house the respective one or more expansions 13a, 13b, 13c.

Preferably the first fastening portion 42 has one or more seats 42a, 42b, 42c to house the respective one or more expansions 23a, 23b, 23c.

By way of example, the fixing between the first fastening portion 41 and said one or more expansions 13a, 13b, 13c can be obtained by means of a screw inserted into properly aligned through holes present both on the first fastening portion 41 and on said one or more expansions 13a, 13b, 13c.

By way of example, the fixing between the second fastening portion 42 and said one or more expansions 23a, 23b, 23c can be obtained by means of a screw inserted into properly aligned through holes present both on the second fastening portion 42 and on said one or more expansions 23a, 23b, 23c.

The first connecting element 40 has preferably a through hole in which the writing element 30 is partially inserted into. In particular, it is the front portion of the writing element 30 to pass through the through hole 43. It is to be noted that the axial extension direction of the through hole 43 is preferably substantially orthogonal to the axial extension direction of the holes where screws 44, 45 are inserted.

In one embodiment (fig. 5), pen 1 is provided with an elongated element 70, adapted to allow the constraint between pen 1 and a substantially flattened structure, like for example the fabric of the pocket of a jacket. Preferably, the elongated element 70 is realized as a clip. Preferably the elongated element 70 cooperates with the first and second temple 10, 20 when, in use, pen 1 has to be attached to the aforesaid substantially flattened structure. Such substantially flattened structure is then interposed between the elongated element 70, at one side, and the first and second temple 10, 20, at the other side.

Preferably the elongated element 70 can extend from the first connecting element 40 towards the rear end of the first and second temple 10, 20.

Preferably the elongated element 70 can be fixed to the first connecting element 40 by means of suitable fixing members, such as, for example, a screw, adapted to pass through a through hole formed at a front end of the elongated element 70, and to engage a respective threaded hole formed in the first connecting element 40.

In an embodiment, the elongated element 70 can be made in one piece with the first connecting element 40, for example by pressing/molding/forging/casting or by machining. It is to be noted that the embodiment shown in figure 5, apart from the presence of the elongated element 70, has the same essential structural technical features of the embodiment shown in figures 1 and 2.

Preferably a second connecting element 50 is provided.

The second connecting element 50 is fixed to the first and second temple 10, 20.

Preferably the second connecting element 50 is fixed to the first and second temple 10, 20 in a position that is closer to the rear ends 12, 22 of temples 10, 20 than the first connecting element 40.

In order to fix the second connecting element 50 to temples 10, 20 the following steps can be performed:

a threaded through hole 14, 24 is formed on each temple 10, 20;

- two threaded holes 51, 52, opposite to each other, are formed on the second connecting element 50;

a step of aligning the threaded hole 14 of the first temple 10 to the threaded hole of the second connecting element 50 is performed;

a step of inserting and tightening a screw in holes 14, 51 is performed;

a step of aligning the threaded hole 24 of the second temple 20 to the threaded hole 52 of the second connecting element 50;

- a step of inserting and tightening a screw in holes 24, 52 is performed.

Preferably a step of associating the second connecting element 50 to the writing element 30 is performed.

To this aim, the second connecting element 50 presents a through hole 53, preferably having an axial extension which is substantially orthogonal to the axial extension of through holes 51, 52.

The writing element 30 is then passed through the through hole 53 of the second connecting element 50.

At the end of the assembling operation, the rear portion 32 of the writing element 30 is at least partly inserted in the through hole 53 of the second connecting element 50.

In the preferred embodiment, the writing element 30 is axially slidable within the through hole 43 of the first connecting element 40 and within the through hole 53 of the second connecting element. Accordingly, the writing element 30 can be driven between an operating position, in which its front portion 31 protrudes from the first connecting element 40, and can thus deliver and/or transfer ink onto the writing surface, and an idle position.

Preferably the idle position is a retracted position, in which the front portion 31 of the writing element 30 does not protrude from the first connecting element 40.

In order to position and maintain the writing element 30 in the operating position and in the idle position, a positioning system 60 is associated to the writing element 30.

The positioning system 60 preferably comprises a resilient element 61, such as for example a coil spring or a cylindrical spring.

The resilient element 61 is mounted so that a first end 61a of the resilient element 61 rests against the first connecting element 40, and a second end of the resilient element 61 rests against an abutment surface 33 formed on the writing element 30.

The positioning system 60 preferably comprises a blocking pin 62, movable between a first position in which it provides an interference fit with the rear portion 32 of the writing element 30, and a second position in which it does provides an interference fit with such portion. As schematically shown in figure 1, the rear portion 32 of the writing element 30 can have a seat 34, realized for example as an annular groove.

When the blocking pin 62 is in the first position, it is inserted in the seat 34 and prevents the writing element from sliding within the through holes 43, 53 of the first and second connecting element 40, 50.

When the blocking pin 62 is in the position, it does not provide an interference fit with the seat 33 and thus allows the writing element 30 to axially slide.

Preferably the blocking pin 62 has an external threaded surface, adapted to cooperate with a threaded hole 54 formed in the second connecting element 50; in order to move the blocking pin between the first and second position, the pin 62 is screwed/unscrewed in the threaded hole 54.

From a use standpoint, the writing element 30 will usually be in the idle position: the blocking pin 62 is in the second position and, under the action of the resilient element 61, the writing element 30 is withdrawn, preferably hiding its tip within the first connecting element 40.

When the writing element has to be brought in the operating condition, the user presses the thrust element 63, counteracting the action exerted by the resilient element 61 and making the tip of the writing element 30 protrude from the first connecting element 40; when the writing element is in this position, the user then moves the blocking pin 62 to the first position, so that is provides an interference fit with the seat 34 and thus blocks the writing element 30 in the operative condition.

In view of the above, pen 1 thus comprises:

a) a first and second temple 10, 20 for glasses, each having a front end 11, 21 adapted to be fixed to a frame for eyesight and/or sun lenses, and a rear end 12, 22 adapted to be laid on a user's ear, wherein the first and second temple 10, 20 are not mounted to said frame for eyesight and/or sun lenses;

b) a writing element 30 associated to said first and second temple 10, 20, said writing element 30 being adapted to deliver and/or transfer ink onto a writing surface.

Preferably, in order to assemble the parts mentioned hereabove, pen 1 further comprises the first connecting element 40.

Preferably pen 1 further comprises the second connecting element 50, in order to complete the mutual constraint between the parts.

Furthermore, the positioning system 60 is further envisaged, in order to bring and maintain the writing element in the operating condition and in the idle condition.

As said above, the first and second temple 10, 20 are part of a structure adapted to support the writing element 30. Such support structure preferably comprises also the first connecting element 40 and the second connecting element 50.

Claims

1. Method for production of a pen, preferably a ballpoint pen, comprising:

a) providing first and second eyeglasses temples (10, 20), each one having a front end (11, 21) adapted to be fixed to a frame for eyesight and/or sun lenses, and a rear end (12, 22) adapted to be laid on a user's ear, wherein said first temple (10) and said second temple (20) are not mounted to said frame for eyesight and/or sun lenses;

b) providing a writing element (30) adapted to deliver and/or transfer ink onto a writing surface;

c) associating said writing element (30) with said first and second temples (10, 20).

2. Method according to claim 1, further comprising:

a) providing a first connection element (40);

b) fixing said first connection element (40) to the front end (11, 21) of said first and second temples (10, 20);

c) associating said writing element (30) with said first connection element (40).

3. Method according to claim 2, wherein each one of said first and second temples (10, 20) has one or more expansions (13a, 13b, 13c; 23a, 23b, 23c) extending at the front end (11, 21) of the respective temple (10, 20), transversally to the longitudinal extension of said respective temple (10, 20).

4. Method according to claim 3, wherein said first connection element (40) has a first fastening portion (41) and a second fastening portion (42), said method comprising:

a) fastening the first fastening portion (41) of said first connection element (40) to the expansion(s) (13a, 13b, 13c) extending from the first temple (10);

b) fastening the second fastening portion (42) of said first connection element (40) to the expansion(s) (23a, 23b, 23c) extending from the second temple (20).

5. Method according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein associating said writing element (30) with said first connection element (40) comprises inserting said writing element (30) into a through hole (43) of said first connection element (40).

6. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising:

a) providing a second connection element (50);

b) fastening said second connection element (50) to said first and second temples (10, 20); c) Nassociating said second connection element (50) with said writing element (30).

7. Method according to claim 6, wherein said second connection element (50) is fastened to said first and second temples (10, 20) in a position closer to the rear ends (12, 22) of said temples (10, 20) than said first connection element (40).

8. Method according to claim 6 or 7, wherein associating said writing element (30) with said second connection element (50) comprises inserting said writing element (50) into a through hole (53) of said second connection element (50).

9. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising associating a positioning system (60) with said writing element (30) for positioning said writing element (30) at least into an operating position, in which it can operate in order to deliver and/or transfer ink onto a writing surface, and into an idle position.

10. Method according to anyone of claims 2 to 5 or according to anyone of claims 6 to 9 when depending on claim 2, further comprising providing an elongated element (70), preferably extending from said first connection element (40).

11. Pen, preferably a ballpoint pen, comprising:

a) first and second eyeglasses temples (10, 20), each one having a front end (11, 21) adapted to be fixed to a frame for eyesight and/or sun lenses, and a rear end (12, 22) adapted to be laid on a user's ear, wherein said first temple (10) and said second temple (20) are not mounted to said frame for eyesight and/or sun lenses;

b) a writing element (30) associated with said first and second temples (10, 20), said writing element (30) being adapted to deliver and/or transfer ink onto a writing surface.