EP1864826A1 - Multifunction writing instrument - Google Patents

Abstract

The instrument has a selection mechanism (22) permitting to select given usage function among six possible usage functions of the instrument. The mechanism has a rotating unit in form of a cylinder (15) which occupies different angular positions with respect to a reference part (21). A part of the angular positions corresponds to selection of one of usage functions obtained by relative rotation between the cylinder and the part (21) around a rotational axis.

Description

The present invention relates to a multifunctional writing instrument intended to fulfill several use functions including at least one writing function and comprising at least one selection mechanism enabling the selection of a function from among said use functions.

There are known writing instruments with several mines, such as mines for ballpoint pens. In some of these instruments, each mine cooperates with a pusher that is assigned to it to be advanced or retracted. There are therefore as many pushers as mines, which makes the construction of the instrument complicated, expensive and unattractive.

In other known instruments, a gravity selection mechanism makes it possible to select a mine by arranging the instrument horizontally with a predetermined face directed upwards. The selected mine is then advanced by pressing on the cap of the instrument. This selection mechanism requires precise positioning of the instrument, thus impractical and unreliable use and manipulation and complicated construction.

The present invention aims to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks and to create a multifunction writing instrument for easy use, uncomplicated construction and accurate and reliable operation.

The instrument according to the invention is characterized for this purpose by the fact that the selection mechanism comprises a rotating member in the form of a barrel capable of occupying different angular positions relative to a reference piece, at least a part of these angular positions corresponding to the selection of one of said use functions obtained by relative rotation between the barrel and the reference piece about an axis of rotation.

These characteristics make it possible to obtain a multifunction instrument of uncomplicated construction, easy use, and precise operation. and reliable, while giving the instrument an original, functional and aesthetic appearance.

According to a preferred embodiment, the instrument is characterized by the fact that it comprises function members slidably mounted in the barrel and capable of being arranged opposite an actuating member by relative rotation between the barrel and the actuating member, the latter being slidably mounted relative to the barrel and being capable of occupying at least a first axial position in which it is capable of acting on the selected function member with respect to of which it is arranged and a second axial position in which the function members are disengaged to allow relative rotation of the barrel and the actuating member.

Thanks to these characteristics, we obtain a simple, precise and reliable construction.

Advantageously, the actuating member is biased by an elastic element towards the barrel towards said first axial position constituting a rest position.

In addition, the function members are biased by elastic means to a rest position in abutment against a stop provided in the barrel.

Thanks to these characteristics, the instrument has a precise and reliable operation and a simple and easy use.

Favorably, the function members are constituted by push rods slidably mounted in bores of the barrel and cooperating at their front end with writing members, such as mines or pencil-case mechanical pencils, fiber or felt pens, pencils or actuators for functions other than writing, the rear part of these push rods being intended to cooperate with the actuating member.

Thanks to these characteristics, the instrument can be adapted to varied and multiple applications without major transformation work.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the actuating member is constituted by a pusher secured to a support and occupying an eccentric position with respect to the axis of rotation so as to cooperate with the function members, said support being integral with rotation and translation of a cap of the instrument, while the cylinder is integral in rotation and in translation of a body of the instrument, the cap and the cylinder being connected to each other so as to allow a relative translation relative to each other and a relative rotation relative to each other when the actuating member occupies the second axial position.

Thanks to these characteristics, the operation and use of the instrument are particularly precise and easy.

The instrument advantageously comprises a shaft mounted along the axis of rotation on the barrel and passing through the support of the pusher, this shaft being housed in the cap and carrying a spring biasing the support and the cap towards said first axial position.

These features ensure exact alignment of the various elements of the mechanism of the instrument allowing a particularly reliable construction.

Favorably, the instrument comprises indexing means arranged to determine rotational stop positions between the actuating member and the barrel, in at least a portion of the stops positions the body of actuation being arranged facing one of said function members.

These characteristics allow a particularly easy and precise use of the instrument.

The indexing means advantageously comprise an indexing disc integral in rotation with said support and arranged at a predetermined distance from the barrel, at least one indexing stud being mounted on the barrel opposite the indexing disk and arranged in such a way as to cooperating resiliently with recesses provided on the indexing disc so as to determine said rotational stop positions.

With this construction, very precise rotational stop positions are obtained, ensuring reliable selection and actuation of the desired function.

A preferred embodiment is characterized in that it comprises six stop positions arranged at angular intervals of 60 °, two stop positions corresponding to the selection and the activation of two ball pens, a stop position corresponding to the selection and the putting into action of a mechanical pencil, at least one corresponding stop position to an open stop position in which the pusher bears against the barrel without no function member is actuated, and at least one closed or rest stop position corresponding to a position in which the pusher is engaged in an empty hole of the barrel.

These characteristics make it possible to obtain a particularly functional instrument and a practical use.

Other advantages emerge from the features expressed in the dependent claims and from the following description explaining the invention in more detail with the aid of drawings which show schematically and by way of example two embodiments.

Figures 1 to 3 are side views of the instrument according to the first embodiment in three different functional positions.

Figure 4 is an exploded view of the different elements of the first embodiment.

Figures 5 and 6 are longitudinal sectional views through the first embodiment.

Figure 7 is a longitudinal sectional view through the second embodiment.

With reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, the multifunctional writing instrument 10 according to this first embodiment comprises a body 11 surmounted by a cap 12.

In a first closed or rest position shown in Figure 1, the cap 12 is disposed as close as possible to the body 11 and elastically biased in an axial direction 14 towards the latter. In this first position, any relative rotation between the cap 12 and the body 11 is blocked. A relative longitudinal translation between the cap and the body in the axial direction 14 is however possible.

In a second selection position illustrated in Figure 2, the cap 12 and the body 11 have undergone a relative longitudinal translation in the axial direction 14 to be distant from each other. In this second position, appears a rotating member in the form of a barrel 15 integral with the body 11, and the cap 12 and the body 11 can be rotated relative to each other about a rotational axis 14a coincides with the axial direction 14.

The barrel 15 is provided on its circumference six function marks 20 visible in this open position. When selection by relative rotation between the body 11 and the cap 12 each of the six marks 20 may be arranged opposite a clip 21 secured to the cap 12 forming a reference index.

The multifunctional writing instrument is thus provided with a selection mechanism 22 allowing the selection of a given use function from among six possible use functions of the instrument.

This selection mechanism comprises, for this purpose, a rotating member in the form of the barrel 15 which can occupy six different angular positions relative to the clip 21, each of these angular positions corresponding to the selection of a function of use obtained by rotation relative to the cap 12 and the barrel 15 around the axis of rotation 14a.

1. 1) position ouverte sans mine,
2. 2) mine à bille pour encre noire sélectionnée,
3. 3) position ouverte sans mine,
4. 4) mine à bille pour encre rouge sélectionnée,
5. 5) position fermée ou de repos aucune mine sélectionnée,
6. 6) porte-mine sélectionné.

Thus, the six angular positions correspond to the following functions:

1. 1) open position without a mine,
2. 2) selected black ink ballpoint,
3. 3) open position without a mine,
4. 4) selected red ink ball mine,
5. 5) closed or rest position no selected mine,
6. 6) selected mechanical pencil.

The six angular positions are regularly distributed at intervals of 60 ° around the central axis 14a and determined by rotational stop or indexing positions, in which one of the function marks 20 is arranged opposite the clip 21.

When the cap 12 and the body 11 are released, it comes closer under the effect of a spring to one another to perform the selected use function, either to remove one or other of the ball bearings or the mechanical pencil of the body 11 (FIG. 3), either to remain in one or the other of the open positions (FIG. 2), or to occupy the closed position or the rest position without the exit illustrated in FIG. Figure 1.

In the position illustrated in Figure 3, the mechanical pencil is out. In this position, a relative rotation between the cap 12 and the body 11 is prevented, against axial translation is possible.

In addition, the cap 12 and the body 11 are not completely brought together as is the case in the position of FIG. 1. As a result, the cap 12 and the body 11 can perform an overtravel in axial translation to be brought closer to each other. a small distance, for example 1.5 mm against the elastic effect of a spring. This overtravel is intended to advance the continuous mine in the mechanical pencil, as is customarily done in mechanical pencils.

The constructive details of this first embodiment are described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6.

The cap 12 is provided with the clip 21 and a cap 30 with a seal 31 in the form of an O-ring. It is integral in translation and in rotation with an actuating member 32 comprising a pusher 33 mounted in a position eccentric on an actuating support 34. The latter is mounted in the cap 12 by means of a locking ring 35 and a locking screw 36. The locking ring 35 comprises for this purpose a slot intended to cooperate with the clip 21 to maintain the latter in position and a projection to lock in rotation the actuating support 34.

A barrel shaft 37, in the form of a screw, passes through the actuating support 34 via a central bore 38 and is screwed into the barrel 15.

This shaft 37 carries a return spring 40 bearing on the screw head 41 and on the actuating support 34 so as to bring the barrel 15 of the cap 12.

Functional members 45, in the form of push rods, are mounted in bores of the barrel 15 and may be arranged facing the pusher 33 by relative rotation between the barrel 15 and the actuating member 32. These actuators function 45 are extended in the body 11 secured to the barrel 15 by extension rods 49 cooperating at their front end with ball bearings 46, 47, for example black and red, or with the mechanical pencil 48.

The function members 45 have a head 50 intended to cooperate with the pusher 33. They are guided inside the barrel 15 by a washer 51 integral with the barrel 15 and subjected to the action of return springs 52. the last bear on the head 50 and the washer 51 to ensure the return of the mines and mechanical pencils inside the body 11 which is provided with a front portion 55 with a front opening 56 through which the tip of the writing instruments can go out. In the retracted position of the mines, the function members 45 rest under the effect of the springs 52 against stops 58 provided in the barrel 15.

This cylinder 15 which is housed at least partially in the cap 12 is surrounded by a socket 57 screwed to the end of the cap 12. The barrel can slide relative to this sleeve, but the latter serves as an abutment member, when the cap 12 is pulled.

The instrument further comprises indexing means 60 arranged to determine rotational stop positions between the pusher 33 and the barrel 15 in which the pusher occupies particular angular positions, for example facing one of said bodies. of function 45.

These indexing means 60 comprise for this purpose a series of pins 61, here six, mounted via springs 62 on the rear face of the cylinder 15. These pins 61 are intended to cooperate with an indexing disc 63 mounted fixed distance from the barrel on the barrel shaft 37 through a shoulder 64 of the latter.

The indexing disk comprises six recesses 65 cooperating elastically with the pins 61 to determine the rotational stop positions.

The pusher 33 passes through the indexing disc 63 through a hole 66 in order to cooperate with the function members 45. Thus, this disc 63 is integral in rotation with the pusher 33 and integral in axial translation with the barrel 15.

The cap 12 and the pusher 33 can be turned relative to the barrel 15 when they are spaced axially from the latter against the action of the spring 40 to the second selection position. In this position, the pusher 33 may be opposite one of the function members 45 of the black ball mine 46, the red ball mine 47 or the mechanical pencil 48. It may also be opposite a empty bore of the barrel to obtain the closed or rest position shown in Figure 1. In addition, it may be arranged facing full surfaces of the barrel to obtain the two open positions in which the barrel is visible on a good part of its length conferring a barrel revolver appearance.

After relative rotation and desired selection, the cap 12 and the barrel 15 are released and come closer under the effect of the return spring 40 in all positions, except the open positions. The pusher 33 then advances the selected mine or pencil through its function member 45.

The second embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7 differs from the first embodiment only in that the function members 45 do not cooperate only with writing members 46, such as mines or mechanical pencils, but also with function actuators 70 other than writing. These functions may be for example a microlampée, a laser pointer, electronic devices transmitters and / or receivers, musical or signaling devices, or mechanical devices, such as screwdrivers.

Thus, one or more function members 45 in the form of push rods, are arranged to control the actuation of one of said functions directly or via an extension rod 49a.

It is understood that the embodiments described above are not limiting in nature and that they can receive any desirable modifications within the frame as defined by claim 1. In particular, the barrel 15 could have a any other number of rotational stop positions, for example 3, 4, 5, 7 or 8. These stop positions could be for the selection of any other function. The arrangement of the functions could be realized according to another rotational succession.

The indexing means 60 of the rotational positions could be designed differently, for example by one or more rods biased radially against a cam-shaped surface provided on the rotating member or the reference piece.

The barrel could be arranged in a rotating manner also with respect to the body 11 of the instrument. The actuating member could be made differently, for example in the form of a trigger mechanism and trigger. The instrument could have a completely different external shape.

Claims (12)

Multifunctional writing instrument intended to fulfill several use functions including at least one writing function and comprising at least one selection mechanism (22) enabling the selection of a function from among said use functions, characterized in that the selection mechanism (22) comprises a rotating member in the form of a barrel (15) capable of occupying different angular positions with respect to a reference piece (21), at least a portion of these angular positions corresponding to the selection one of said use functions obtained by relative rotation between the barrel (15) and the reference piece (21) about an axis of rotation (14a). Instrument according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises function members (45) slidably mounted in the barrel (15) and capable of being arranged facing an actuating member (32) by relative rotation between the barrel (15) and the actuating member (32), the latter being slidably mounted relative to the barrel (15) and being capable of occupying at least a first axial position in which it is capable of acting on the selected function member (45) opposite which it is arranged and a second axial position in which the function members (45) are disengaged to allow relative rotation of the barrel (15) and the actuating member (32). Instrument according to claim 2, characterized in that in the first axial position the actuating member (32) is brought closer to the barrel (15) and in the second axial position the actuating member (32) is remote from the barrel (15). Instrument according to claim 3, characterized in that the actuating member (32) is biased by a resilient member (40) towards the barrel (15) to said first axial position constituting a rest position. Instrument according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the function members (45) are biased by elastic means (52) towards a rest position in abutment with a stop (58) provided in the barrel ( 15). Instrument according to one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the function members (45) are constituted by push rods slidably mounted in bores of the barrel (15) and cooperating at their front ends with members writing devices, such as mines (46, 47) or mechanical pencils (48) for ballpoint pens, fiber or felt pens, pencils or actuators for functions other than the writing, the rear portion (50) of these push rods being intended to cooperate with the actuating member (32). Instrument according to claim 6, characterized in that the actuating member (32) is constituted by a pusher (33) integral with a support (34) and occupying an eccentric position with respect to the axis of rotation ( 14a) so as to cooperate with the function members (45), said support (34) being integral in rotation and in translation with a cap (12) of the instrument, while the cylinder (15) is integral with rotation and translation of a body (11) of the instrument, the cap (12) and the barrel (15) being connected to each other so as to allow a relative translation with respect to the and another relative rotation relative to each other when the actuating member (32) occupies the second axial position. Instrument according to claim 7, characterized in that it comprises a shaft (37) mounted along the axis of rotation (14a) on the cylinder (15) and passing through the support (34) of the pusher, this shaft (37) being housed in the cap (12) and carrying a spring (40) biasing the support (34) and the cap (12) towards said first axial position. Instrument according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that it comprises indexing means (60) arranged to determine rotational stop positions between the actuating member (32) and the barrel (15). ), in at least a portion of the stop positions the actuating member (32) being arranged facing one of said function members (45). Instrument according to claims 8 and 9, characterized in that the indexing means (60) comprise an indexing disc (63) rotatably integral with said support (34) and arranged at a predetermined distance from the barrel (15), at least one indexing stud (62) being mounted on the barrel (15) facing the indexing disc (63) and arranged to cooperate elastically with recesses (65) provided on the indexing disc (63); ) to determine said rotational stop positions. Instrument according to Claim 9 or 10, characterized in that it comprises six stop positions arranged at angular intervals of 60 °, two stop positions corresponding to the selection and activation of two ball-point pens. (46, 47), a stop position corresponding to the selection and actuation of a mechanical pencil (48), at least one stop position corresponding to an open stop position in which the pusher (33) is in abutment against the barrel (15) without any function member (45) being actuated, and at least one closed or rest stop position corresponding to a position in which the pusher (33) ) is engaged in an empty hole of the barrel (15). Instrument according to claim 6, characterized in that the mechanical pencil (48) is arranged in such a way as to obtain an advancement of a mine contained therein by virtue of an overtravel of the actuating member (32). ).

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