EP2497648B1 - Mechanical writing instrument - Google Patents

Description

Technical area

The present invention relates to a mechanical writing instrument comprising a hollow body intended to house a movable writing member between two positions, an inactive one in which it is disposed inside the body and an active one in which it is at least partially arranged outside the body, to write. This writing instrument also includes
at least one control member arranged to act on the writing member, via at least one gear and a conversion member, arranged to convert a rotational movement of the gear into a movement of translating the writing member, and moving it from its inactive position to its active position in response to a predefined action of a user, and
an elastic member, arranged to store mechanical energy and kinematically connected to the writing member.

Advantageously, the writing instrument may comprise a writing member in the form of a feather, a ball, a felt or a mechanical pencil without departing from the scope of the invention.

State of the art

Writing instruments comprising a gear have already been disclosed, as for example in the patent US 7,097,375 B1 , which describes a mechanical pen meeting the above characteristics and, wherein the gear is constituted by a pinion arranged in engagement with a rack, itself secured to the writing member. The pinion is secured to a wheel arranged to present a portion of its periphery outside the body of the pen, so that a user can act on it to rotate it and move the writing member between his active and inactive positions.

However, it should be noted, beyond the aesthetic considerations, that the arrangement of the wheel on the side of the body of the pen poses problems ergonomics and makes the use of this pen impractical, not only for manipulating the writing device, but also for writing.

In a completely different field, namely that of cosmetics, the patent DE 1457465 describes a makeup utensil comprising a brush enclosed in a hollow body carrying, in its front part, a plug fulfilling different roles since it constitutes both a control member and a cosmetic product reservoir, in addition to the fact that it carries a mirror. The hollow body encloses a first rack, moved by the plug and arranged in engagement with a pinion of fixed axis of rotation, itself engaged with a second rack carrying the brush. The introduction of the plug causes a forward movement of the first rack causing a rearward movement of the second rack, via the pinion. In this movement, the second rack compresses a spring housed in the hollow body, by applying pressure directly on one of its ends. Also, when the cap is removed, it releases the first rack and, therefore, the second rack, to allow the spring to release its energy by acting directly on the latter, to push it towards the front of the hollow body and extract the brush.

However, it should be noted that a makeup utensil does not generally meet the same design constraints as a writing instrument, especially as regards its size and ergonomics. Indeed, such a utensil is rarely used for a long time as can be the case with a writing instrument which must therefore have a minimum of comfort in hand. The volume available to accommodate the output control mechanism may be larger in a makeup utensil than in a writing instrument. Moreover, the brush is not connected here to the reservoir of the product to be applied as is typically the case in a writing instrument. Therefore, the reduced size of the brush, combined with the fact that the tank is independent and offset at the rear of the body of the utensil, leaves available an important place to accommodate the control mechanism, itself relatively bulky . Such a construction is not suitable for the realization of a writing instrument.

Note also that with such a construction, the ejection speed of the brush is directly related to the extraction rate of the plug out of the hollow body, which may eventually lead to a sudden ejection brush.

Disclosure of the invention

A main object of the present invention is to propose a new alternative to the writing instruments known from the prior art, in particular from the point of view of the control of the movements of the writing member, by proposing a kinematic of actuation of these different from the already known cinematics.

For this purpose, the present invention relates more particularly to a writing instrument of the type mentioned above, characterized in that the elastic member is kinematically connected to the writing member via the gear, control member being arranged to allow the elastic member to release at least partially the mechanical energy in the gear, in response to the predefined action, to cause a displacement of the writing member from its inactive position to its active position.

Thanks to these characteristics, the writing instrument according to the present invention makes it possible to extract the writing member in response to a simple manipulation of the user, the latter not being directly related to the race that must go through the writing device to move from its inactive position to its active position.

Preferably, the writing instrument according to the invention comprises a gear train comprising a plurality of mobiles arranged rotatably in the body and defining in particular the gear, the writing instrument further comprising a regulating member arranged to control the speed of rotation of the mobiles. It is thus possible to adjust, during manufacture, the speed of extraction of the writing member out of the body of the writing instrument to provide a spectacular effect and a quality impression.

Advantageously, the conversion member may comprise a rack.

Furthermore, the writing instrument according to the invention may comprise a mechanism for manual and / or automatic winding of the elastic member.

In the case of manual winding, the control member can advantageously play the simultaneous role of a winding member.

Alternatively, the winding member may be separate from the control member. It can be provided that the instrument comprises an additional control member, which may be in the form of a bolt for example, and whose actuation allows for simultaneous reassembly of the elastic member.

An additional elastic member may be provided to ensure the return of the bolt to its rest position.

According to a preferred embodiment, the elastic member is made in the form of a spring housed in a barrel, like the mechanical energy sources used in the field of watchmaking.

Moreover, the body of the writing instrument may also comprise a transparent window, or even a transparent cylindrical portion, through which the kinematics of the extraction of the writing member can be observed.

Brief description of the drawings

• la figure 1 représente une vue de face simplifiée d'un instrument d'écriture, selon un premier mode de réalisation préféré de la présente invention, dans une première configuration;
• la figure 2 représente une vue de face simplifiée de l'instrument d'écriture de la figure 1, dans une seconde configuration;
• la figure 3 représente une vue partielle en coupe d'un instrument d'écriture selon un second mode de réalisation préféré de la présente invention;
• la figure 4 représente une vue en perspective simplifiée d'un détail de construction de l'instrument d'écriture de la figure 3, et
• la figure 5 représente une vue en coupe d'un détail de construction de l'instrument d'écriture de la figure 3, correspondant à la partie repérée par le cercle de cette dernière figure.

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will emerge more clearly on reading the detailed description of two preferred embodiments which follows, made with reference to the appended drawings given by way of non-limiting examples and in which:

• the figure 1 represents a simplified front view of a writing instrument, according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention, in a first configuration;
• the figure 2 represents a simplified front view of the writing instrument of the figure 1 in a second configuration;
• the figure 3 is a partial sectional view of a writing instrument according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention;
• the figure 4 represents a simplified perspective view of a construction detail of the writing instrument of the figure 3 , and
• the figure 5 represents a sectional view of a construction detail of the writing instrument of the figure 3 , corresponding to the part marked by the circle of the latter figure.

Mode (s) of realization of the invention

The Figures 1 and 2 represent the same simplified front view of a writing instrument 1, according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention, in respective configurations of rest and use.

The writing instrument 1 comprises a hollow body 2 having front portions 4, median 5 and rear 6.

The front portion 4 serves to accommodate a writing member 7 ( figure 2 ) in the rest position of the writing instrument, as well as mechanisms making it possible, on the one hand, to maintain it outside the body 2 in the configuration of use and, on the other hand, to allow its back in the body, to switch from the use configuration to the idle configuration.

The front portion 4 carries a control member 8, here having the form of a bolt mounted movable in translation between two extreme positions to release the writing member in the configuration of use, and allow its return) inside the hollow body 2.

The middle portion 5 serves primarily to house a reservoir (not shown) in the rest configuration and is sized to give the body a customary length. The reservoir can be of any known type, in particular an ink tank in the case where the writing instrument is a fountain pen, a ballpoint pen or a felt pen. Alternatively, the tank may also be arranged to house mines when the writing instrument is a mechanical pencil.

The rear portion 6 is intended to contain a mechanism for controlling the extraction of the writing member 7 from the body 2.

Advantageously, the rear portion 6 may be at least partially made of a transparent material to make the control mechanism and its operating kinematics apparent. On the Figures 1 and 2 , the rear portion 6 is formed of a transparent tube which may be glass or sapphire, for example, without limitation.

Furthermore, the rear portion 6 also carries at least one control member 9 here having the shape of a pusher.

By way of illustration, a control mechanism has been represented on the Figures 1 and 2 , comprising two bridges 10 (only one of which is visible) carrying stones 11 defining bearings for mobiles of a gear train similar to a clockwork train.

Indeed, the writing instrument according to the present invention comprises an elastic member, arranged to store mechanical energy and kinematically connected to the writing member 7 via at least one gear. The control member 9 is arranged to allow the elastic member to release at least partially its mechanical energy in the gear, in response to a predefined action of a user, to cause a displacement of the writing member from an inactive position to an active position.

More precisely, the elastic member preferably takes the form of a spring housed in a barrel 12 in a non-limiting manner. Typically, for example, the barrel of the barrel 12 meshes with the pinion of a first mobile 14 of which the wheel meshes itself with the pinion of a second mobile 16. The wheel of the second mobile 16 is here engaged with the pinion of an anchor wheel 18 cooperating with an anchor (not visible) actuated by a regulating member 20 having a high moment of inertia.

The regulating member 20 is arranged to limit the unwinding speed of the barrel 12, in a manner known in particular in striking watch mechanisms. It is also connected kinematically to an organ conversion device (not illustrated) for converting the rotational movement of the wheels of the gear train into a translation movement intended to extract the writing member 7 from the body 2 of the instrument 1.

In particular, it is possible for the conversion member to include a pinion cooperating with a rack integral with the writing member.

So, when, starting from the rest configuration of the figure 1 , the pusher 9 is actuated, it releases the drum of the cylinder 12 which discharges the mechanical energy stored by its spring in the train to cause a displacement of the writing member 7, via the conversion member , and extract it from the body 2 to lead to the usage configuration illustrated on the figure 2 .

The writing member is here represented in the form of a ballpoint pen 22.

Preferably, a locking catch (not visible) is provided to hold the writing member in its active position of the figure 2 that is, to prevent it from retreating into the body 2 when it is used to write.

Furthermore, an additional elastic member (not visible) may be provided to exert a force on the writing member tending to enter the body 2. Thus, when the bolt 8 is actuated, it releases the locking notch , which causes the passage of the writing member from its active position, out of the body 2, to its inactive position under the effect of the force exerted on it by the additional elastic member.

As regards the load of the spring of the barrel 12, several embodiments are possible without departing from the scope of the present invention. Advantageously, provision may be made for a rotating winding member 24 to be arranged coaxially with the control member 9. Thus, a rotation of this winding member in one or both directions acts on the spring of the barrel for reloading, similarly to the winding mechanism implemented in a watch.

Alternatively, it is possible to provide that the instrument comprises an automatic winding mechanism which can then include a oscillating weight moving linearly in the longitudinal direction of the writing instrument.

The figures 3 , 4 and 5 represent different views of a writing instrument 30 according to a second embodiment. This is illustrated here in the form of a fountain pen for illustrative non-limiting.

The figure 3 represents a partial and sectional view of this writing instrument.

The writing instrument 30 comprises a hollow body having front 34, middle 35 and rear 36 portions.

The front portion 34 serves to accommodate a writing member 37 in the rest position of the writing instrument

The middle portion 35 carries a control member 38, in the form of a bolt mounted to move in translation between two extreme positions to release the writing member, in the configuration of use, and allow its return inside. hollow body.

The middle portion also comprises mechanisms making it possible, on the one hand, to maintain the writing member out of the body in the configuration of use and, on the other hand, to allow its return to the body, to switch from the usage configuration to the idle configuration.

In addition, the middle portion 35 serves to house a reservoir 40 in the rest configuration and is sized to give the body a customary length.

The rear portion 36 is intended to contain a mechanism for controlling the extraction of the writing member 37 from the body and carries a control member 42 at its free end, illustrated here in the form of a pusher.

The operating principle of the writing instrument 30 is as follows. A pressure on the pusher 42 releases a toothing secured to one end of a mainspring which causes the movement of a rack, itself secured to the movable writing member 37 and the reservoir 40. The discharge of the Barrel spring therefore causes the output of the writing member out of the body of the pen.

Preferably, a locking catch (not visible) is provided to hold the writing member in its active position, that is to say to prevent it from retracting into the body when it is used to write .

When the user wishes to enter the writing member into the body of the pen, he actuates the bolt 38 by moving it to the right on the figure 3 .

The bolt 38 is secured to a drive finger 44 arranged to act on a support member 45 of the reservoir 40 and make it follow a race equivalent to that of the bolt.

At the same time, the support drives the rack in its stroke, the latter acting on the barrel spring to reassemble it. When the bolt reaches the end of the stroke, the wheel released following the pressure on the pusher 42 is locked again to prevent the barrel from unwinding and ensure the maintenance of the writing member in the body of the pen.

A coil spring 46 is provided to act on the bolt 38 and return it from its retracted position to its rest position when released by the user.

Advantageously, a retractable notch (not shown) may be provided to maintain the writing member 37 in its active position by being arranged in such a way that it is neutralized by the bolt when the latter is actuated to operate the withdrawal. the writing member to its inactive position.

As a nonlimiting indicative, it is expected that the writing instrument 30 according to this second embodiment is closed by a cap (not shown).

The Figures 4 and 5 are simplified perspective and sectional views of a construction detail of the writing instrument 30, more precisely its control mechanism.

The latter comprises a plate 48 defining a frame for all of its components.

A rod 50, in two parts, is integral with the pusher 42 being mounted on the plate so as to be free in translation relative to the latter. The rod carries an actuating finger 52 at its inner end.

The rack 54, integral with the writing member 37, is partially superimposed on the rod 50 for space problems.

Two bridges 56, 57, by way of nonlimiting illustration, are fixedly mounted on the plate 48 to carry bearings for different mobiles of a gear train.

The control mechanism comprises a cylinder 58 housing here two superposed springs 60. Of course, the skilled person may for example use a single mainspring without departing from the scope of the present invention.

The outer ends of the springs 60 are integral with the barrel 62, fixed, while their inner ends are integral with a barrel shaft 64.

On the one hand, the barrel shaft 64 is rotationally integral with a pinion 66, arranged in engagement with a locking wheel 68, this wheel being kept in a locked state by a retaining device advantageously operating in a manner similar to a ratchet ratchet. This retaining device comprises in particular a locking pin 70 intended to be displaced by the actuating finger 52 of the rod 50 to release the locking wheel 68 in response to a pressure on the pusher 42.

On the other hand, the barrel shaft 64 is also integral with a wheel 72 arranged in engagement with a first mobile 74 of a regulation train. By way of nonlimiting illustration, there is shown here a sawtooth gear 76 arranged to cooperate with an anchor 78 to regulate the unwinding of the barrel 58. Of course, as noted above, any other suitable control mechanism, such as an inertial flywheel for example, may be implemented alternatively, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Furthermore, the barrel shaft 64 is also integral with an additional wheel 80 (visible on the figure 5 ) arranged in engagement with the rack 54.

Thus, when the locking wheel 68 is released, by pressing on the pusher 42, the cylinder can be unwound by rotating its shaft 64, the corresponding rotation of the additional wheel 80 having the effect of moving the rack 54 towards the before the writing instrument 30 and to make the writing member 37 leave the body of the instrument.

As mentioned above, the action on the bolt 38 causes the rack to return to its rest position and its simultaneous action on the additional wheel 80, having the effect of rotating the barrel shaft 64 in the opposite direction to raise the the springs 60 of the barrel 58. Thus, the springs 60 are loaded for the next use of the writing instrument 30.

Note also the illustrative presence of an additional helical spring 82 for pushing the pusher 42 into its rest position once it is released by the user.

The foregoing description attempts to describe a particular embodiment by way of non-limiting illustration and the invention is not limited to the implementation of certain particular features which have just been described, for example the forms specifically illustrated and described for the different parts of the body of the writing instrument, or the structure of the control device, in particular of its control train. Similarly, the lock of the barrel shaft could be made directly on the pinion 66 as an alternative to the implementation of a specific locking wheel.

The person skilled in the art will not encounter any particular difficulty in adapting the content of the present disclosure to his own needs, and implement a writing instrument that only partially reproduces the characteristics set forth herein, without departing from the scope of the present invention. present invention. Of course, the present invention is not limited to a fountain pen or a ballpoint pen and may be implemented in any other form of writing instrument compatible with the invention such as for example a mechanical pencil . Thus, when the writing instrument is a mechanical pencil, the structure of the writing member may be any suitable known construction, without departing from the scope of the present invention. As for example, the construction of the mechanical part may be inspired by the teaching of the patent application FR 2 693 953 A1, published January 28, 1994 on behalf of ST Dupont SA.

Furthermore, it will be noted that it is also possible to provide, alternatively, that the rack is fixed while it is the entire control mechanism which is mounted movably in the body of the writing instrument without leaving of the scope of the present invention. In this case, the wheel driven in rotation by unwinding the barrel rolls on the rack to drive a carriage on which the entire control mechanism is mounted. The skilled person will not encounter any particular difficulty for the implementation of such an alternative.

Claims (12)

1. Mechanical writing instrument (1, 30) comprising a hollow body (2) intended to house a writing member (7, 37) which can move between two positions, an inactive position in which it is arranged inside the said body and an active position in which it is at least partially arranged outside the said body, for writing, the said writing instrument additionally comprising
   at least one control member (9, 42) designed to act on the said writing member via at least one gear (14, 16, 80) and via a conversion member (54) designed to convert a rotational movement of the said gear (14, 16, 80) into a translational movement of the said writing member (7, 37) and to move it from the said inactive position to the said active position in response to a predefined action of a user, and
   an elastic member (60) designed to store mechanical energy and kinematically connected to the said writing member (7, 37),
   characterized in that the said elastic member (60) is kinematically connected to the said writing member (7, 37) via the said gear (14, 16, 80), the said control member (9, 42) being designed to allow the said elastic member to at least partially release the said mechanical energy into the said gear, in response to the said predefined action, in order to move the said writing member from the said inactive position to the said active position.
2. Writing instrument (1, 30) according to Claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a wheel set comprising a plurality of wheels (14, 16, 80) rotationally arranged in the said body (2) and defining in particular the said gear, the said writing instrument additionally comprising a regulator member (18, 20, 76, 78) designed to control the speed of rotation of the said wheels.
3. Writing instrument (1, 30) according to Claim 2, characterized in that the said conversion member comprises a rack (54).
4. Writing instrument (1, 30) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a mechanism for automatically retightening the said elastic member (60).
5. Writing instrument (1, 30) according to Claim 4, characterized in that the said automatic retightening mechanism comprises a mass designed to move in a longitudinal direction of the said body.
6. Writing instrument (1, 30) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a manual retightening mechanism for the said elastic member (60) that is designed to reload the said elastic member with mechanical energy in response to a predefined action of a user on a retightening member (24, 38).
7. Writing instrument (30) according to Claim 6, characterized in that the said retightening member is a slide bolt (38) designed to be able to be moved between first and second positions, a rest position and a retracted position respectively, in order to move the said writing member (37) from the said active position to the said inactive position and to simultaneously compress the said elastic member (60).
8. Writing instrument (30) according to Claim 7, characterized in that it comprises an additional elastic member (46) designed to move the said slide bolt (38) from the said retracted position to the said rest position.
9. Writing instrument (1, 30) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the said elastic member is a spring (60) housed in a barrel (12, 58).
10. Writing instrument (1, 30) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a retractable retaining device designed to retain the said moveable writing member (7, 37) in its active position.
11. Writing instrument (1, 30) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the said body (2) comprises a transparent window, or a transparent cylindrical portion, through which the kinematics corresponding to the movement of the said moveable writing member (7, 37) from its inactive position to its active position can be observed.
12. Writing instrument (1, 30) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the said writing member comprises a pen nib, a ball, a felt tip or a propelling pencil.

Images