EP2315670B1 - Writing implement with hinged clip - Google Patents

Abstract

Writing implement comprising a tubular body element (21) with a central axis (C) and having an outer surface (21a), and a clip (3) having an arm (31) from which first (33) and second flanges extend towards the body element. The flanges pivot on a pivot shaft perpendicular to the central axis, so that the clip pivots between closed and open positions. The outer surface (21a) has first (23) and second sunken regions either side of a longitudinal plane, and, from these, first (27) and second pins project, both colinear with the pivot shaft. Both the first (33) and second flanges have a portion located in the first (23) and second sunken regions and each comprises a housing (35) in which the corresponding pin pivots.

Description

The present invention relates to a writing instrument comprising a tubular body member extending longitudinally along a central axis and having an outer surface, and a staple having an arm extending substantially parallel to the central axis between one end. forward and a rear end near which a first and a second wing extend towards the body member, said wings being mounted on a pivot axis direction perpendicular to the central axis, and around which the clip pivots between a closed position for which the arm comes into contact with the instrument and an open position.

Staples, also called clips, of this type are known in particular from the document EP1847403 A . The staples thus articulated with respect to the body of the instrument are easier to open and have a generally larger opening angle than the staples connected to the body by a more or less rigid base fixed or integrally formed with the body element. .

Nevertheless, the need to provide a pivot axis very often has disadvantages on the outer dimensions of the pen. Indeed, the pivot axis is usually carried by one or more projections to be located quite clearly outside the tubular body member and thus the staple is strongly prominent, as can be seen in the figures of the document EP1847403 A . To reduce this problem, it has been proposed to provide near the pivot axis portions of the reduced section body as the rear end of the body described in the document. EP1847403 A , or further to provide for the wings to penetrate through openings in the tubular body member to pivot about a hinge within the body. But these solutions have the main disadvantage of reducing the space available inside the tubular element and most often lead to prohibit the presence of a mechanism or an ink cartridge in this portion of the body. This is particularly troublesome when one wants to achieve a retractable tip writing instrument controlled by a back button and the clip must be connected to the body in the rear area thereof.

The present invention therefore aims to provide a clip hinged about a pivot axis, the outer dimensions of which remain limited and while preserving as much as possible the space inside the tubular member of the body on which is mounted this clip.

To this end, the present invention relates to a writing instrument of the aforementioned type, characterized in that the outer surface of the body member has a first and a second recessed area located on either side of a first longitudinal plane passing through the central axis, and from which protrude a first and a second pin both extending collinearly to the pivot axis, and in that each of the first and second wings has an arranged portion in the first and second recessed areas respectively and comprises a housing pivotally receiving the corresponding pin.

With these provisions, the pivot axis passes into the volume defined by the outer surface of the body member. However, the mounting of the staple requires no organ in the interior space of the tubular element constituting this part of the body. The internal space of the latter may even have a constant section over its entire length if the recessed areas have a depth less than the thickness of the tubular element in this region.

On the other hand, the fact that a portion of each of the wings is in these recessed areas makes it possible to immobilize the staple laterally.

• les premier et deuxième pions sont agencés entre un deuxième plan longitudinal comprenant l'axe central et perpendiculaire au premier plan longitudinal, et un plan parallèle audit deuxième plan, qui est tangent à la surface extérieure en regard du bras de l'agrafe ;
• l'axe de pivotement est situé à une distance du deuxième plan longitudinal qui représente entre 20% et 60% du rayon de la surface extérieure, et de préférence 50% de ce rayon ; ces dispositions permettent d'obtenir un compromis avantageux entre l'amplitude de pivotement de l'agrafe, la longueur de ses ailes et l'encombrement de l'ensemble agrafe et élément de corps ;
• les première et deuxième zones en creux présentent une profondeur inférieure à l'épaisseur de l'élément de corps tubulaire ;
• la portion des première et deuxième ailes agencée respectivement dans les première et deuxième zones en creux à une épaisseur sensiblement égale à la profondeur de celles-ci, et chacun des premier et deuxième pions présente une extrémité libre inscrite dans le volume de la surface

In preferred embodiments of the invention, one may also resort to one or other of the following provisions:

• the first and second pins are arranged between a second longitudinal plane comprising the central axis and perpendicular to the first longitudinal plane, and a plane parallel to said second plane, which is tangential to the outer surface facing the staple arm;
• the pivot axis is situated at a distance from the second longitudinal plane which represents between 20% and 60% of the radius of the outer surface, and preferably 50% of this radius; these arrangements make it possible to obtain an advantageous compromise between the amplitude of pivoting of the clip, the length of its wings and the bulk of the clip and body member assembly;
• the first and second recessed areas have a depth less than the thickness of the tubular body member;
• the portion of the first and second wings respectively arranged in the first and second recessed areas to a thickness substantially equal to the depth thereof, and each of the first and second pins has a free end inscribed in the volume of the surface

• les première et deuxième ailes présentent en section transversale un profil adapté pour épouser le profil des zones en creux ;
• les première et deuxième zones en creux sont au moins en partie délimitées par un épaulement, et les première et deuxième ailes présentent un contour adapté pour venir en partie contre l'épaulement correspondant pour au moins l'une des positions ouverte et fermée de l'agrafe ;
• un organe élastique est disposé dans une troisième zone en creux rejoignant les première et deuxième zones en creux, et est adapté pour solliciter l'agrafe vers la position fermée ;
• l'organe élastique comprend une bande recourbée avec une branche en appui sur la troisième zone en creux et une branche en appui contre l'agrafe ;
• la branche en appui contre l'agrafe présente une extrémité recourbée ;
• l'organe élastique est monté avec un jeu de déplacement longitudinal entre l'élément de corps et l'agrafe ;
• au moins l'une des zones en creux de l'élément de corps présente une fenêtre avec laquelle coopère un organe agencé à l'intérieur dudit élément de corps tubulaire.

outside, and preferably tangent to this volume; which improves, among other things, the comfort of handling the instrument;

• the first and second wings have in cross section a profile adapted to match the profile of the recessed areas;
• the first and second recessed areas are at least partially delimited by a shoulder, and the first and second flanges have a contour adapted to partially engage against the corresponding shoulder for at least one of the open and closed positions of the staple;
• an elastic member is disposed in a third recessed area joining the first and second recessed areas, and is adapted to bias the staple to the closed position;
• the resilient member comprises a curved strip with a branch resting on the third recessed area and a branch bearing against the staple;
• the branch bearing against the clip has a curved end;
• the resilient member is mounted with a longitudinal displacement play between the body member and the staple;
• at least one of the hollow areas of the body member has a window with which cooperates a member arranged inside said tubular body member.

This last arrangement makes it possible to take advantage of the presence of the recessed areas which are almost entirely masked by the clip, and of the interior space preserved by this particular assembly, to facilitate the manufacture by molding of the tubular body element.

The body of a writing instrument comprises internal members, whether fixed parts or movable mechanism members, which can be snapped into a housing on the inner surface of the body to immobilize them or limit their movements. The formation of such inner housings in the form of blind holes requires complex molding pins and / or the assembly of several elements to form the body. While the through window can be obtained easily by molding with a movable insert radially relative to the central axis, which serves for example to mold the recessed areas, while remaining invisible on the outside.

• la figure 1 est une vue de côté d'un instrument d'écriture comprenant un corps, un organe élastique et une agrafe selon l'invention, l'agrafe étant en position fermée ;
• la figure 2 est une vue analogue à la figure 1 dans laquelle l'agrafe est en position ouverte ;
• la figure 3 est une vue partielle éclatée de la figure 1 , dans laquelle l'organe élastique est visible;
• la figure 4 est une vue partielle de dessus du corps de la figure 1 ; et
• la figure 5 est une vue en coupe transversale selon la ligne V-V de la figure 1 ;
• la figure 6 représente en perspective une variante de réalisation de l'organe élastique des figures précédentes.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will emerge from the following description, given by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the figures in which:

• the figure 1 is a side view of a writing instrument comprising a body, an elastic member and a clip according to the invention, the clip being in the closed position;
• the figure 2 is a view similar to the figure 1 wherein the clip is in the open position;
• the figure 3 is a partial exploded view of the figure 1 in which the elastic member is visible;
• the figure 4 is a partial top view of the body of the figure 1 ; and
• the figure 5 is a cross-sectional view along line VV of the figure 1 ;
• the figure 6 represents in perspective an alternative embodiment of the elastic member of the preceding figures.

In the different figures, we have kept identical references to designate identical or similar elements.

To the figure 1 is represented a writing instrument 1 comprising a body 2, a staple 3 and an elastic member 4 visible to the figure 3 .

The body 2 extends longitudinally along a central axis C between a front end 7 and a rear end 8. The front end 7 has an opening through which a writing tip, not visible since retracted, can come out. At the rear end 8, the writing instrument has a push button 11 which actuate a mechanism, not shown, output / retraction of the tip.

The body 2 is made, in the embodiment shown, by two parts, a conical nose 12 and a shank 21 screwed on the conical nose.

The barrel 21 constitutes an element of the tubular body on which is mounted articulately the clip 3. Of course, the body 2 could include more elements assembled removably or not. The body 2 could in particular comprise a removable cap for protecting the writing tip, and in this case the body member could be constituted by all or part of this cap. It will therefore be understood that the writing instrument can be a fixed point instrument.

The body member 21 has an outer substantially cylindrical surface 21a and whose radius, a little larger near the back 8, in fact varies very little over the entire length. Section variations are nevertheless possible.

On the other hand, this tubular body element 21 has an inner surface 21b which, in the embodiment shown, is cylindrical and can be easily molded using one or two longitudinal pins. The interior space thus defined makes it possible to house an ink cartridge and, as in the embodiment shown, its exit / retraction mechanism actuated by the push button 11 penetrating into this interior space. For example, it could also be a mine advance mechanism. Many ways to immobilize such bodies in the interior space can be used, but an advantageous solution will be described later.

The body member 21 has near the rear end 8 a first hollow zone 23, better visible at the figure 3 , and a second hollow zone 24 visible at the figure 4 . These first and second hollow zones (23, 24) are disposed on either side of a longitudinal plane passing through the central axis C, of trace coinciding with this axis on the figure 4 and trace P1 visible on the figure 5 . This first longitudinal plane P1 is aligned on the staple 3.

The first and second recessed areas (23, 24) are partially delimited by a shoulder (23a, 24a) which forms a recess at a sharp angle with the outer surface 21a and the bottom of the recessed areas.

The surface of the shoulders (23a, 24a) is inclined, and not at right angles to the outer surface 21a, to allow the withdrawal of inserts or half-shells of the manufacturing mold in one or two radial directions relative to the central axis C.

A third hollow zone 25 is formed between the first two so that all of these three zones form a continuous hollow delimited by the shoulders (23a, 24a) of the first two and shoulder portions (25a, 25b) of the third. The shoulders (25a, 25b) of the third zone are also inclined and form a continuous contour with the shoulders (23a, 24a), so that their molding is facilitated.

The hollow zones (23, 24, 25) have a depth p, measured between their bottom and the volume of the outer surface 21a, which is smaller than the tubular body element 21 in the portion considered, that is to say in the area of the outer surface 21a surrounding these areas. Thus, the hollow areas (23, 24, 25) do not create protuberances on the inner surface 21b, which could reduce the useful volume of the interior space. Of course, it is necessary that the thickness of material on the recessed areas is sufficient to withstand normal mechanical forces in use. Nevertheless, the forces on these areas of reduced surface area are generally much less important than the bending forces that can be experienced by the elongated body member 21 as a whole.

A first pin 27 extends from the bottom of the first hollow zone 23 along a determined axis A which constitutes the axis of pivoting of the staple 3. This pivot axis A extends in a direction perpendicular to the central axis C, but not necessarily secant with the central axis C. As can be seen on the figure 4 the second hollow zone 24 has a second pin 28 similar to the first and extending along the same pivot axis A.

The first and second pins (27, 28) have a cross section, here circular, which should allow the pivoting of a part around them. This section must also provide adequate mechanical resistance to use. Therefore, this section made of plastic material is not negligible compared to the internal and external radial dimensions of the body member 21.

As can be seen at figure 5 , the first and second pins (27, 28) each have a free end formed by a surface (27a, 28a) extending in the extension of the volume of the outer surface 21a. With such free ends (27a, 28a) inscribed in this volume, the external size is absolutely not increased. But in addition, because the surface of these free ends (27a, 28a) is tangent, or at least parallel, to the volume of the substantially cylindrical outer surface 21a, these free ends are inclined towards the clip 3 and allow mounting of it by snapping.

The clip 3 comprises an elongate arm 31 extending between a front end 31a and a rear end 31b in a direction that is approximately parallel to the central axis C when the clip is in the closed position shown in FIG. figure 1 . In a well known manner, the front end 31a has on its underside, facing the body member 21, a protrusion 32 in contact with the body member and near a projection thereof in the closed position.

A first wing 33 extends from the arm 31 of the clip, and in a rear portion thereof, to the body member 21. As visible in FIG. figure 5 a second wing 34, perfectly similar to the first, also extends from the same area of the arm 31 of the clip. The first and second wings (33, 34), however, are arranged symmetrically on both sides. other of the first longitudinal plane P1. It will be noted that the first and second wings (33, 34) extend from the lower surface of the arm 31 and away from the lateral edges thereof, so that the section of this portion of the clip 3 is in Π rather than inverted U. In any event, the space along the pivot axis A of the clip is much smaller than the diameter of the tubular element 21.

Always on the figure 5 it may be noted that the wings (33, 34) have a profile which matches the profile of the first and second recessed areas, at least for their end portion arranged in these recessed areas. The thickness of the wings (33, 34) corresponds to the depth p of the hollow zones. The clip is immobilized in translation in the direction of the pivot axis A, without the ends of the wings protrude from the volume of the outer surface 21a.

As is visible on the Figures 1 and 2 the first wing 33 has a generally triangular outline. This contour is registered with a clearance in the contour of the first hollow zone 23 defined by its shoulder 23a. Thus, the clip 3 can pivot on a predetermined angular sector between the closed position shown in FIG. figure 1 and the open position represented at the figure 2 . In addition, the outline of the wing has complementary shapes to the shoulder 23a limiting the days between these elements. The adaptation between this contour and the shoulder 23a also creates contact zones forming a stop for the closed and open positions of the clip. In the open position, the rear end 31b of the arm may also come into contact with the shoulder 25b of the third recessed zone 25.

Nevertheless, these functions could be fulfilled with wings having a contour substantially different from the generally triangular shape represented. This contour could be closer to a U and the shoulder 23a closer to a V seen from the side, or the contour could approach a semi-ellipse shape according to the desired aesthetic appearance. Of course other contact areas may be provided to limit the movement of the clip, and in particular on the lower face near the rear end thereof.

The first wing 33 finally comprises a housing 35 receiving the pin 27 of the first recessed area 23, pivotally to allow the movement of the clip between the closed and open positions about the axis A. The housing 35 is presented in the form of a cylindrical through hole. The second wing 34 has an identical housing 36. But of course other forms, especially in the form of blind holes, are possible to allow pivoting. A through hole makes it possible to cooperate the entire thickness of each wing (33, 34) with the corresponding pin (27, 28) and makes the created joint more solid. In addition, due to the specific shape of the free ends (27a, 28a) of the pins and the wing profile, a continuous outer surface with the body member 21 is maintained.

As it appears from figures 3 and 5 , the elastic member 4 is disposed between the body member 21 and the clip 3 to urge it elastically to the closed position. More specifically in the embodiment shown, the elastic member 4 is formed by a bent metal strip. An elastic member in the form of a helical spring or a rubber element is of course conceivable.

This elastic member 4 has a first rectilinear branch 41 and a second rectilinear branch 42 arranged in a V and connected by a bent portion. The elastic member is advantageously disposed against the third recessed area 25, which reduces its radial size, but especially to hide between the wings (33, 34) and the arm 31 of the clip. The mounting of the elastic member 4 in the form of a curved strip is facilitated by the flat portion 22 and the lug 29 of the third recessed area 25 against which the first leg 41 abuts. The lug 29 passing through an opening of the first leg 41 advantageously makes it possible to immobilize the elastic member 4 during assembly, but this is not essential. The second branch 42 bears against the lower face of the arm 31 in an area between the pivot axis A and the rear end 31b of this arm. The opening at rest of the elastic member 4 is chosen so that it exerts in this area of the clip an outwardly directed radial pressure which tends to bring the clip 3 in the closed position.

However, according to the preferred embodiment, the elastic member is formed by a metal strip 4 ', visible at the figure 6 , whose shape differs somewhat from the elastic member 4 visible at the figure 3 . For this variant, the two branches (41 ', 42') are solid and of identical shapes. Thus, there is no longer any imposed direction of assembly and the manufacture of the instrument is simplified. Of course, for this variant the third recessed area 25 of the body is devoid of pin 29. The elastic member 4 'is thus mounted more freely, in particular with a set of displacement in the direction longitudinal. The amplitude of this reduced displacement, of the order of a millimeter, may be limited by the front and rear edges of the third recessed housing 25, but also by one or more reliefs of the lower face of the staple. This possibility of displacement is beneficial for the smoothness and regularity of the elastic return of the clip 3 in the closed position. For the same purpose, the free ends (41'a, 42'a) of the branches are both bent. The lower face of the arm 31 has a flat surface portion against which always cooperates a curved end, either the end 41'a or the end 42'a.

The articulated mounting of the clip 3 on the body 2 of the writing instrument makes it possible to obtain, in the open position, a large distance between the front end 31a of the arm and the body, a useful gap for hanging the instrument. on a thick object. This with a constancy of effort to exert on the amplitude of the deflection and on the life of the writing instrument which is very satisfactory that the staples rigidly secured to the body. But in addition, the assembly made according to the invention makes it possible to maintain an internal and external dimensions, as well as a comfort of use that is almost identical to the usual rigidly fixed clips. This is mainly due to the combination of the recessed areas (23, 24) and the constitution of a pivot axis A passing through the volume of the outer surface 21a of the body member 21.

However, it turns out that a more satisfactory compromise between parameters such as the external bulk, the amplitude of the opening and the comfort of use is obtained when the first and second pins (27, 28) are arranged between a second longitudinal plane of trace P2 on the figure 5 which comprises the central axis C and is perpendicular to the first longitudinal plane P1; and secondly, a plane parallel to the second plane, PP trace, which is tangential to the outer surface 21a opposite the staple 3. And more specifically, the pivot axis A is preferably located at a distance d of the second longitudinal plane P2, measured radially towards the staple 3, which represents between 20 and 60% of the radius of the outer surface 21a in the cross section considered. Indeed, a greater distance to the plane P2 requires a greater amplitude of pivoting and reduces the strength of the joint. A distance of about 50%, as in the embodiment shown, is very satisfactory.

For the mounting of a mechanism inside the tubular body 2, it is advantageous to provide one or more windows situated in one of the hollow zones (23, 24, 25) and communicating with the interior space of the body member 21, such as the window 26 visible at the figure 4 . It is then expected that an element inserted into the interior space has a member with a radial elasticity, which snaps into the window 26 when it reaches the corresponding longitudinal position. Thus, an inner molding facility with a spindle of almost constant section is preserved, while obtaining a particularly simple assembly, by insertion, of any known mechanism.

Claims (14)

1. A writing instrument comprising:

   a tubular body element (21) extending longitudinally along a central axis (C) and having an outer surface (21 a), and

   a clip (3) comprising an arm (31) extending substantially parallel to the central axis, between a front end and a back end near which a first and a second flange (33, 34) extend towards the body element, said flanges being mounted onto a pivot shaft (A) in a direction perpendicular to the central axis, and around which the clip pivots between a closed position in which the arm comes in contact with the instrument, and an open position,

   characterized in that the outer surface (21 a) of the body element has a first and a second sunken regions (23, 24), one on each side of a first longitudinal plane (P1) passing through the central axis, and from which protrude a first and a second pins (27, 28) both extending collinearly to the pivot shaft (A),
   and in that each of the first and second flanges (33, 34) has a portion respectively located in the first and second sunken regions (23, 24) and comprises a housing (35, 36) in which the corresponding pin pivots.
2. An instrument according to claim 1, wherein the first and second pins (27, 28) are arranged between a second longitudinal plane (P2) comprising the central axis (C) and perpendicular to the first longitudinal plane (P1), and a plane (PP) parallel to said second longitudinal plane (P2) and tangential to the outer surface (21 a) facing the arm (31) of the clip.
3. An instrument according to either of claims 1 or 2, wherein the pivot shaft (A) is located at a distance (d), from the second longitudinal plane (P2), which represents between 20% and 60% of the radius of the outer surface (21 a).
4. An instrument according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first and second sunken regions (23, 24) have a depth (p) that is less than the thickness of the tubular body element (21).
5. An instrument according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the portion of the first and second flanges (33, 34) respectively arranged in the first and second sunken regions (23, 24) is of a thickness substantially equal to the depth of these regions (p), and each of the first and second pins (27, 28) has a free end (27a, 27b) within the volume of the outer surface (21 a).
6. An instrument according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first and second flanges (33, 34) have a cross-sectional profile that is adapted to fit against the profile of the first and second sunken regions (23, 24).
7. An instrument according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first and second sunken regions (23, 24) are at least partially delimited by a shoulder, and the first and second flanges (33, 34) have a contour adapted to come partially in contact with the corresponding shoulder in at least one of the open and closed positions of the clip.
8. An instrument according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein an elastic means (4; 4') is arranged in a third sunken region (25) connecting the first and second sunken regions (23, 24), and is adapted to bias the clip (3) towards the closed position.
9. An instrument according to claim 8, wherein the elastic means (4; 4') comprises a curved band with an arm (41; 41') pressing against the third sunken region (25) and an arm (42; 42') pressing against the clip (3).
10. An instrument according to claim 9, wherein the arm (42; 42') pressing against the clip (3) has a curved end (42').
11. An instrument according to either of claims 9 or 10, wherein the elastic means (4; 4') is assembled to have longitudinal play between the body element (21) and the clip.
12. An instrument according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the sunken regions (23, 24, 25) of the body element (21) has a window (26) which cooperates with a device arranged inside said tubular body element.
13. An instrument according to claim 3, wherein said distance (d) represents 50% of the radius of the outer surface (21 a).
14. An instrument according to claim 5, wherein each of the first and second pins (27, 28) has a free end (27a, 27b) which is tangential to the volume of the outer surface (21 a).

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