Classifications

• • G—PHYSICS
  • G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
  • G09B—EDUCATIONAL OR DEMONSTRATION APPLIANCES; APPLIANCES FOR TEACHING, OR COMMUNICATING WITH, THE BLIND, DEAF OR MUTE; MODELS; PLANETARIA; GLOBES; MAPS; DIAGRAMS
  • G09B21/00—Teaching, or communicating with, the blind, deaf or mute
  • G09B21/02—Devices for Braille writing

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a marking machine comprising a device for inserting Braille characters, as well as a device for inserting braille characters belonging to such a machine.
• marking machine designates any machine making it possible to produce a pattern on the surface of a part, whether by printing, vaporization, deformation or removal of material at this surface.
• a marking machine comprises a frame supporting a drive mechanism of a marking tool, which is for example an engraving head.
• this mechanism allows the movement of the tool relative to the frame. This displacement can for example operate in three directions perpendicular to each other, or in a translation movement combined with a polar movement of type x, teta, z.
• the invention relates more particularly to such a marking machine, which is provided with a braille character insertion device.
• it is first of all to make, in a plate-type support, holes by means of a suitable tool, such as the aforementioned etching head.
• braille characters which are generally made in the form of small balls, are inserted into these holes, by means of the device mentioned above.
• U.S. Patent 5,245,744 in the name of Edgerton.
• US Pat. No. 6,537,071 proposed an apparatus for automatically feeding and inserting Braille characters.
• This device can be directly set in motion by the drive mechanism of the marking machine, after having disassembled the etching head relative to the frame.
• This solution therefore has a disadvantage, related to its implementation inconvenient, since it is necessary to disassemble and then reassemble the head.
• another disadvantage of this arrangement is that it uses combined air to stir the balls.
• US Pat. No. 6,908,009 has proposed a manual tool for inserting braille characters.
• This device comprises in particular a character receiving tank, a gripping handle, as well as mechanical means for inserting characters, so that the latter protrude at a normalized height from the surface of the plate.
• This second solution is also not satisfactory, since it lends itself only to manual use, namely that it can not be associated with a marking machine.
• the invention aims to remedy the various disadvantages of the prior art, mentioned above. It aims in particular to provide a marking machine equipped with a braille character insertion device, which can be implemented simply, quickly and reliably.
• a marking machine comprising a frame, a marking tool, means for moving this tool relative to this frame, a braille character insertion device adapted to be driven by them.
• displacement means characterized in that this machine further comprises disengaging means adapted to confer on the machine at least two configurations, namely a marking configuration in which the marking tool is able to mark a support, and an insertion configuration, in which the insertion device is adapted to insert the characters in this medium, this machine being able to pass from one to the other of these configurations, without detaching the tool compared to the frame.
• the invention also relates to a device for inserting beads, belonging to the marking machine as defined above.
• FIGS. 1 and 2 are side views, illustrating a marking machine according to the invention, comprising a device for inserting braille characters, in positions respectively withdrawn and advanced;
• FIG. 3 is a side view, on a larger scale, illustrating the braille character insertion device, in its withdrawn position corresponding to the arrangement of FIG. 1;
• FIG. 4 is a side view, similar to FIG. 3, illustrating the implementation of this insertion device, in the advanced position corresponding to the arrangement of FIG. 2.
• Figures 1 and 2 illustrate, schematically, a marking machine according to the invention.
• the latter comprises, first of all, in a manner known per se, a framework 2 and a marking tool 4.
• this tool is a cutter 4, shown schematically, which is mounted on the end of a pin 5, itself secured to a spindle support 5 '.
• the cutter is capable of drilling holes in a not shown support, such as a plate.
• the braille character insertion device which will be described in more detail in the following, is then likely to insert such characters in these holes.
• the marking tool is different from a cutter. In these conditions, it is for example a laser, which can also be used to pierce the material, as will be seen in more detail in the following.
• the marking machine of Figures 1 and 2 further comprises a drive mechanism of the tool 4, relative to the frame 2.
• This mechanism which is known per se and is not shown, can move the spindle support 5 ', in particular along the vertical axis, which also ensures the movement of the spindle and the cutter.
• the spindle support 5 ' receives a plate 6, which is hollowed out with an orifice 8, capable of receiving a braille character insertion device, generally designated by the reference numeral 10.
• This device 10 is slidably mounted relative to the plate 6, with a possibility of movement in one of the directions imparted by the movement mechanism.
• this sliding direction of the device is vertical, along the axis Z.
• a locking member of the device 10 is provided, with respect to the plate
• This member which is for example a screw, associated with a handle 11, keeps the device relative to this plate, in at least one withdrawn position and at least one advanced position.
• the device 10 comprises a body 12, to which is attached a reservoir 14, intended for receiving braille characters 16.
• This reservoir is placed in communication with a channel 18, formed in the body 12, which opens itself into a housing 20, extending staggered with respect to the reservoir.
• This dwelling is 20 bordered by a tube 22, made for example of a plastic or metal material.
• This tube can be transparent, or be provided with a transparent window for viewing the level of beads present.
• This pusher 24 for passing a single ball in its upper position, and to perform the impaction of the ball in its lower position, as will be seen in what follows.
• This pusher 24 has a terminal tip 26, on which is formed a flat. This point 26, placed at the bottom in the figures, provides the impingement function of the characters.
• the upper end of the pusher 24, namely that opposite to its tip 26, is received in a tip 28, which is capable of being received in the orifice 8 of the plate 6, with the possibility of vertical sliding as it is possible. saw above.
• the upper wall 30 of the nozzle 28 forms a lid, while a spring 32 is interposed between the lid 30 and the walls facing the pusher 24.
• a screw 34 integral with the pusher, passes through the spring 32 and protrudes, via its head 34 ', outside the cover 30.
• the pusher 24 slides in a guide 36, which is held by means of a screw 38. Moreover, immediately below this guide, it is provided a brewer 40, capable of being set in motion with the pusher and brew braille characters.
• the guide 36 further receives a spring 42, adapted to recall the pusher 24, upwards.
• the housing 20 opens into a circulation tube 44, intended to direct braille characters down.
• a nose 46 is provided at the bottom of the device 10. This nose 46, intended to rub on the character receiving medium, is equipped with a seal 48, made for example of an elastomeric material. In known manner this seal 48, which forms a wear part, is intended to retain the braille character, just before insertion.
• the nose 46 is mounted on a lower guide 50, allowing the sliding of the lower part of the pusher.
• This guide is associated with a spring 52, intended to raise the stirrer 40, after the actual insertion operation.
• the latter illustrates the insertion device 10 in a raised position, namely removed, which corresponds to the marking configuration of the machine.
• the tool 4 is likely to ensure in a usual manner its marking function on the not shown support.
• the insertion device 10 is neutral.
• Figure 1 which also corresponds to that of Figure 3, one can for example make holes on the support, intended to receive braille characters.
• the insertion device 10 it is first of all to slide it downwards, according to the arrow F in FIG. 2. It will be noted that this movement takes place, without dismantling the marking tool 4. After this movement, the device is closer to the support, than the tool, namely that the machine is now in an insertion configuration. In other words, the insertion device is in a working position, while the marking tool is now in a withdrawn position. It will be appreciated therefore that the insertion device 10 can be moved from its withdrawn position to its working position in an extremely simple manner without interference on the marking tool. Then, once the device 10 is in its working position of Figure 2, it is possible to insert the characters 16, moving it through the movement mechanism, which equips the marking machine.
• the device 10 is lowered down the axis Z as illustrated in FIG. 4.
• the nose 46 bears against the support, whereas the endpiece 28 and the pusher 24 continue to descend, under the effect of the movement provided by the plate 6, itself set in motion by the moving means.
• This movement of the tip and the pusher is exerted against the spring 42, which is calibrated so as to allow such a displacement.
• the tip 26 of the pusher 24 then pushes the character 16i down through the seal 48. This allows to punch this character in the hole of the support, which had been arranged beforehand.
• the spring 32 is much stiffer than that 42, so that it exerts no action during the movement of the pusher through the seal 48. In other words, during the descent of the pusher, the latter is integral with the mouthpiece.
• this spring 42 is calibrated so that, at the moment when the insertion force, typically 7 kg, is exerted, this force can raise the pusher 24 and the screw 34 relative to the endpiece 28. In other words, at the time of this action, the head 34 'of the screw 34 has a tendency to detach, with respect to the cover 30 of the nozzle 28.
• means for detecting this relative movement of a type known per se, which are not shown in the figures. In the event that such a movement is not detected, the control software of the machine stops the operation and proposes to the user to make an additional insertion, or continues the operation initiated then, at the end of this last, propose to insert the missing ball (s). This consequently makes it possible to significantly improve the efficiency of the final result.
• the insertion device 10 is removably mounted relative to its receiving plate 6. Under these conditions, it is possible to separate this device 10, then to adapt a handful of grasping, of any suitable type. Under these conditions, this device, associated with its handle, can be implemented so as to perform retouching, ie to replace any missing or damaged characters.
• the marking tool can be a laser, ensuring the piercing of the material.
• the disengaging means are formed by the means ensuring both the stop and the commissioning of the laser. Note that the insertion device does not have to be moved in this embodiment.
• the invention makes it possible to achieve the objectives mentioned above.
• the ball insertion device can be used without have to disassemble the marking tool, relative to the frame of the machine.
• this device is mobile between its positions respectively retracted and advanced, through a very simple and particularly fast maneuver.
• the insertion device according to the invention can be used, either automatically or manually, by associating with a handle. Under these conditions, as seen above, the invention also authorizes the editing of characters.
• the insertion device according to the invention can be used vertically.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Audiology, Speech & Language Pathology (AREA)
• General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Educational Administration (AREA)
• Educational Technology (AREA)
• General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
• Labeling Devices (AREA)
• Printers Characterized By Their Purpose (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

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• 2008
  • 2008-03-21 FR FR0851836A patent/FR2928862B1/fr not_active Expired - Fee Related
• 2009
  • 2009-03-20 EP EP09730461A patent/EP2272057A2/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 2009-03-20 WO PCT/FR2009/050485 patent/WO2009125110A2/fr not_active Ceased

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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