EP2988951B1 - Writing implement - Google Patents

Description

Technical area

• un corps de préhension tubulaire à l'intérieur duquel il y a un logement pour recevoir une réserve d'encre,
• une pointe d'écriture à une extrémité du corps tubulaire susceptible d'être reliée à une réserve d'encre disposée dans le logement, et
• un mécanisme horloger logé dans le corps de préhension tubulaire.

The present invention relates to the field of writing. More particularly, it relates to a writing instrument comprising:

• a tubular gripping body inside which there is a housing for receiving a reserve of ink,
• a writing tip at one end of the tubular body that can be connected to a reserve of ink disposed in the housing, and
• a clock mechanism housed in the tubular gripping body.

State of the art

There are already in the state of the art, writing instruments, pens or fountain pens connected with the watchmaking domain. In a first purely graphic approach, the gripping body may represent patterns reminiscent of watch elements, such as cogs, needles or watches. Also known are writing instruments, in which the bar, that is to say the rod for hanging the writing instrument in a pocket or pocket, takes the form of a vortex bridge. It has also been proposed to engrave a tourbillon representation on a cap.

In a more fanciful way, it has also been proposed to introduce dummy parts of watch mechanisms into writing instruments. It is not a question of providing hourly information, nor of realizing a functional clock system.

Moreover, there are known pens incorporating electronic watches, but the small size of the electronic movements poses no problem of integration.

FR941683 discloses a pen watch having a watch movement incorporated in the grip body of the pen and whose display of the watch movement comprises a dial located on a round end of the grip body. US 1,709,700 discloses a pen watch whose watch movement is in the pen cap and has a dial visible through an opening in the wall of the cap.

However, until then, the constraints of construction, ergonomics or functionality have, it seems, prevented those skilled in the art from making a writing instrument integrating inside its tubular body a completely mechanical watch movement. The present invention aims to solve this problem.

Disclosure of the invention

• un corps de préhension tubulaire à l'intérieur duquel il y a un logement pour recevoir une réserve d'encre,
• une pointe d'écriture à une extrémité du corps tubulaire susceptible d'être reliée à une réserve d'encre disposée dans le logement, et
• un mécanisme horloger logé dans le corps de préhension tubulaire.

More specifically, the invention relates to a writing instrument comprising:

• a tubular gripping body inside which there is a housing for receiving a reserve of ink,
• a writing tip at one end of the tubular body that can be connected to a reserve of ink disposed in the housing, and
• a clock mechanism housed in the tubular gripping body.

According to the invention, the clock mechanism housed in the tubular gripping body is a mechanical movement comprising an energy source, a sprung balance, an escapement mechanism intermittently transmitting the energy supplied by the energy source to balance spring, and a gear train arranged to drive a display device of a time information. According to the invention, said display device is visible on a circumferential portion of the tubular gripping body at a position between its two ends, the display device comprising display members movably mounted according to an annular path visible on at least part of the circumference around the tubular grip body.

Brief description of the drawings

Other details of the invention will appear more clearly on reading the description which follows, made with reference to the appended drawing in which the figures 1 , 2 and 3A-3D are diagrams illustrating the operating principle of the invention.

Embodiment of the invention

Thus, the present invention relates to a writing instrument, which can be a pen of any type, feather or ball, or a mechanical pencil. Conventionally, the writing instrument according to the invention comprises a tubular gripping body 10 inside which there is a housing for receiving a not shown ink supply, and a writing tip 12 at one end of the tubular body 10 which can be connected to a reserve ink disposed in the housing. A clock mechanism 14 is still housed in the tubular gripping body 10. As will be understood hereinafter, the clock mechanism 14 is capable of providing at least one indication relating to the current time, by displaying the hour and the minute on at least a part of the circumference of the tubular gripping body 10.

The tubular gripping body 10 may have a tubular section of different shapes, such as circular, square, rectangular cylindrical, even more exotic forms such as octagonal, polygonal or other forms even more special.

More precisely, the watch mechanism 14 is a complete and functional mechanical movement, that is to say comprising a source of energy 16, for example the mainspring of a cylinder, a balance-spring 18, a exhaust mechanism, not referenced, intermittently transmitting the energy supplied by the power source 16 to the balance spring 18, and a gear train 20 arranged to drive a display device 22 for displaying a time information, said display device being visible on at least a portion of the circumference of the tubular gripping body 10 at an intermediate position between these two ends.

Naturally, placing all the elements of the clockwork mechanism in the tubular gripping body 10, in particular the display device 22 so that it remains visible, imposes a certain number of construction constraints. In a preferred embodiment, display members are rotatably mounted along an annular path visible on at least a portion of the circumference of the tubular gripping body 10. The display members may have annular or cylindrical portions, flush behind a transparent window formed in the tubular gripping body 10. Indications may be affixed to the side of the annular or cylindrical portions and move next to a fixed index, defining a reading zone. The writing instrument can be arranged so that while a user is writing, the reading area is directly visible. As illustrated, for example, in the Figures 3A-3D , the display members are represented by two rollers, a roll to indicate the hours and a roll to indicate the minutes. The figure 3A illustrates a first roll on the perimeter circumference of which is inscribed the value of the day of time and a second roll on the perimeter circumference of which is inscribed the value of the day of minutes. The reading of the time is done from top to bottom, considering that the upper part is represented by the part opposite to the writing tip 12. The reading zone of the hour is determined by two fixed indexes, making it possible to read that it is "11:30". In a variant illustrated in figure 3B , the principle of reading the time is the same, with the difference that a transparent window formed in the tubular gripping body 10 makes it possible to display only the current time, namely 11:30. According to another embodiment, a left-handed version, figure 3C , or for right-handed, 3D figure , can be envisaged according to a particular inscription of the dates of the hours and minutes on the circumferential part of the rollers. In each of these examples, the display is on a portion of the circumference of the tubular grip body. In the case of writing instruments for which a direction of maintenance for writing is required, in particular fountain pens, the display of the time information may be arranged in such a way as to be visible to the user during the writing. writing.

An opposite configuration could also be envisaged, in which the display members each carry an index which moves opposite a scale affixed to the tubular gripping body 10.

Advantageously, the energy source 16 is a barrel or several coaxial barrels, whose shaft (s) shafts are (are) mounted (s) parallel (s) to the longitudinal axis of the tubular gripping body 10 A manual winding system of the barrel is arranged in the tubular gripping body 10. It is thus possible to provide a knob 24, of generally annular shape, rotatably mounted on the gripping body. tubular 10 and kinematically connected to the (x) barrel (s) to ensure its (their) reassembly. In a variant proposed in figure 1 a second wheel 26 may be disposed on the tubular gripping body 10. This second wheel 26 is capable of being kinematically connected to the display device 22 to perform the time setting. One can also provide a security system to block the rotation of the second wheel 26 and prevent inadvertent movement of the display members. It may be, for example, a pusher which, when actuated, releases a latch that otherwise blocks the rotation of the second wheel 26.

In a variant proposed in figure 2 , the knob 24 is rotatably and translationally mounted at one end of the gripping body 10, on the opposite side to the writing tip 12. It can thus be used for reassembling the barrel (s) and for setting and setting the time of the display device 22.

The wheel 24 is disposed on a control rod 28 disposed in the axis of the gripping body 10 and capable of occupying at least two axial positions, a first for reassembly, and a second for setting the time of the device 22. Thus, in a first axial position, undrawn, the wheel 24 can arm the mainspring. By pulling the control rod 28 into a second axial position, a correction kinematic chain 30 is engaged, making it possible to connect the wheel 24 and the display device 22 to ensure that it is set on time. A disengaging system, type lanternage, can move the display members without breakage or excessive disruption of movement.

As can be seen on the figure 2 which proposes a group of barrels, these can be mounted integral in translation of the control rod 28 and they move axially when the control rod 28 slides in its second axial position, while remaining connected to the rest of the movement.

The different mobiles that form the balance spring 18, the escapement mechanism and the gear train 20 can be arranged along an axis of rotation parallel to that of the tubular gripping body 10. One can then consider a vertical construction of the movement, with a stack of different mobiles. They can then be connected by their axis or by rotatably mounted shafts on integral bridges of the tubular gripping body 10. In such a configuration, the gear train 20 can advantageously integrate a differential to achieve the reduction of the rotational speed of the mobile exhaust and to drive the display members at a speed corresponding to the information they display.

The different mobiles may also be arranged along an axis of rotation perpendicular to that of the tubular gripping body 10. It will thus be possible to have the wheel 20 in line, like a rod movement, by fixing the frame of the movement to the body. tubular grip 10.

One can also have, in the same movement, some of the mobiles arranged along a first axis and some other mobile arranged perpendicularly. One can then provide a return angle between two mobile arranged according to these two axes of rotation.

The skilled person will be able to refine and specify the construction he wants to implement. On this basis, it may have frame and support members forming an independent movement capable of being housed and fixed to the tubular gripping body 10. It may also have the frame and support elements on the tubular gripping body 10 fixed on him, or come with him. The watch movement is then kinematically connected to the display device 22 to drive it.

Those skilled in the art may implement different variants without departing from the general scope defined by the independent claim. In particular, it may implement an automatic winding system comprising a rotatable mass in the tubular gripping body 10, preferably along an axis parallel to the axis of the gripping body. This oscillating mass is kinematically connected to a ratchet mounted on the barrel, in order to arm the mainspring. Advantageously, the movements of the writing instrument during its use are sufficient to implement move the oscillating weight and ensure the winding of the barrel. Even if the configuration is less favorable a priori, one could even consider implementing a moving mass longitudinally along the axis of the gripping body.

Likewise, the mechanical movement may indicate other functions such as the second, the date or a second time zone, displayed by additional display members. Indeed, if the illustrated examples, in particular Figures 3A-3D , present writing instruments with two rollers, a first indicating the hours and a second indicating the minutes, the mechanical movement can indicate other functions such as for example the second on a third roll, the date on another roll or even a second time zone on yet another roll. The escapement mechanism can be Swiss-anchored, mounted on a fixed frame or in a rotating cage, of tourbillon or carousel type.

It will also be noted that an advantageous effect of the invention is that, thanks to the fact that the clock mechanism 14 embedded in the writing instrument is capable of occupying numerous positions in space, particularly in the use phase , the effects of gravity on the sprung-balance assembly are averaged in the different directions, which makes it possible to have a better precision in the movement of the watch movement.

Claims (12)

1. A writing implement comprising:

   - a tubular gripping body (10) within which there is a recess for receiving an ink reservoir,

   - a writing nib (12), at one end of the tubular gripping body (10), able to be connected to an ink reservoir arranged in the recess, and

   - a timekeeping mechanism (14) housed in the tubular gripping body (10),

   wherein said timekeeping mechanism (14) housed in the tubular gripping body (10) is a mechanical movement comprising an energy source (16), a balance and hairspring (18), an escapement mechanism intermittently transmitting the energy supplied by the energy source (16) to the balance and hairspring (18), and a train (20) arranged to drive a device (22) for displaying time information,
   characterized in that said display device being visible on a circumferential portion of the tubular gripping body (10) at a position between its two ends, the display device (22) comprising display members mounted so as to be able to move along an annular path visible on at least part of the circumference about the tubular gripping body (10).
2. The writing implement as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that said display members are mounted so as to be able to move along an axis of rotation which coincides with the longitudinal axis of the tubular gripping body (10).
3. The writing implement as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said display members comprise at least one roller mounted in the tubular gripping body (10).
4. The writing implement as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that said display members comprise a plurality of rollers bearing different time indications visible on at least part of the circumference of the tubular gripping body (10).
5. The writing implement as claimed in one of the preceding claims, in which the energy source (16) is a barrel and characterized in that it comprises a system for manually winding the energy source (16) actuated by a knurled wheel (24) mounted so as to be able to move on the tubular gripping body (10).
6. The writing implement as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that said knurled wheel (24) is mounted so as to be able to move at one end of the tubular gripping body (10), at the opposite end from the writing nib (12).
7. The writing implement as claimed in one of claims 5 and 6, characterized in that it further comprises an automatic winding system comprising a mass which is able to move in rotation in the tubular gripping body (10) and is connected kinematically to a ratchet mounted on the barrel.
8. The writing implement as claimed in one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the train (20) includes a differential to reduce the speed of rotation of the escapement wheel and to drive the display members at a lower speed corresponding to the information which they display.
9. The writing implement as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the wheels of the movement are arranged with an axis of rotation parallel to the axis of the tubular gripping body (10) or with an axis of rotation perpendicular to that of the tubular gripping body (10), with an angled intermediate wheel, if the movement comprises wheels arranged with these two axes of rotation, between two of the wheels arranged with these two axes of rotation.
10. The writing implement as claimed in one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that the knurled wheel (24) for manual winding is arranged on a control stem (28) able to adopt at least two axial positions, a first position for winding, and a second position for setting the time of the display device (22).
11. The writing implement as claimed in claim 10, characterized in that the barrel is mounted secured in translation with the control stem (28).
12. The writing implement as claimed in one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that it comprises a second knurled wheel (26) arranged on the tubular gripping body (10) and able to be connected kinematically to the display device (22) so as to set the time thereof.

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