EP3414107B1 - Mechanical pencil with side button and eraser dispenser and method of assembly - Google Patents

Description

Background of the invention

This disclosure relates to a side-activated mechanical pencil comprising an eraser advance mechanism.

The eraser advance mechanism allows the eraser to exit or to enter inside a barrel of the mechanical pencil, the barrel extending in a longitudinal direction.

To this end, the rubber advance mechanism generally comprises a tube carrying a helical cam and a translation guide cylinder making it possible to transform a rotational movement of the tube into a translational movement in the longitudinal direction of the rubber.

It is understood that the guide cylinder is locked in rotation with respect to the barrel so that it is not driven in rotation with the tube carrying the helical cam.

This locking in rotation of the guide cylinder is generally achieved either by mechanical clamping of one end of the guide cylinder in the barrel and/or by cooperation of at least one groove and one rib carried respectively by one end of the cylinder of guidance and through the barrel or vice versa.

In view of the manufacturing tolerances on parts obtained by plastic injection molding for example, mechanical tightening may prove difficult to achieve and certain parts are scrapped.

Furthermore, the dimensional control of the rib and/or the groove in the barrel can also be difficult to achieve. Indeed, the guide cylinder being generally inserted into the barrel by the end carrying the groove or the rib, respectively the rib or the groove in the barrel has a dimension according to the relatively large longitudinal direction (corresponding to the insertion length of the guide cylinder in the barrel) and a dimension along a relatively small circumferential direction.

In addition, the assembly of this type of mechanical pencil is generally complicated because it is necessary to block certain parts in rotation around the longitudinal direction. This assembly is made even more complex by the addition of a side button to operate a mine advance mechanism.

Indeed, it is often necessary to index the parts in the circumferential or azimuthal direction in order to be able to assemble all the elements forming the mechanical pencil.

Also, the locking in rotation of the guide cylinder around the longitudinal direction as well as the assembly of the mechanical pencil with a side button can prove difficult to achieve in a reliable and simple manner.

US 6,065,889 A describes a side push mechanical pencil.

Subject matter and summary of the invention

The present presentation aims to at least partially remedy these drawbacks.

To this end, the present disclosure relates to a mechanical pencil, according to claim 1, comprising a barrel extending in a longitudinal direction, a lead advance mechanism, a lead reservoir, a side button, and an advance mechanism helical cam rubber, the mine advance mechanism, the mine tank, the rubber advance mechanism and the side button being at least partially housed in the barrel, the mine advance mechanism, the mine tank mines and the rubber advance mechanism being locked in rotation around the longitudinal direction relative to each other and relative to the side button while the side button is locked in rotation around the longitudinal direction relative to the barrel.

Thanks to this arrangement, the rubber feed mechanism is locked in rotation around the longitudinal direction relative to the barrel by means of the side button.

Indeed, the blocking in rotation of the rubber advance mechanism relative to the barrel is achieved by the blocking in rotation around the longitudinal direction of the rubber advance mechanism, of the mine tank and of the mine advance mechanism. relative to each other and relative to the side button, the latter also being locked in rotation around the longitudinal direction relative to the shaft. Thus, indirectly, the rubber advance mechanism is locked in rotation around the longitudinal direction with respect to the barrel. It is therefore understood that the rubber advance mechanism, the mine reservoir and the mine advance mechanism are coupled in rotation with each other. In In particular, the rubber advance mechanism is coupled in rotation with the mine tank and the mine tank is locked in rotation with the mine advance mechanism.

The locking in rotation of the rubber advance mechanism is therefore not achieved by direct cooperation of the rubber advance mechanism and the drum. It is therefore not necessary to provide means for mechanical clamping of the rubber advance mechanism in the barrel and/or grooves and/or ribs in the barrel.

It is understood that the rubber advance mechanism and the mine advance mechanism can each comprise parts which are free to rotate around the longitudinal direction. Also, when at least a part of the rubber advance mechanism or of the mine advance mechanism is blocked in rotation around the longitudinal direction, it will be considered that the rubber advance mechanism or the mechanism of mine advance is locked in rotation around the longitudinal direction.

It is also understood that when two elements are locked in rotation around the longitudinal direction, the elements can pivot relative to each other around the longitudinal direction by a few degrees, for example by a maximum of 2°. Indeed, there may be functional clearances between the different parts in order to allow the insertion of the parts into each other. These functional clearances allow pivoting between two elements relative to each other although these two elements are locked in rotation relative to each other around the longitudinal direction.

The barrel comprises a window extending in the longitudinal direction and the side button comprises an actuating part and an annular ring, interconnected by a rod, the side button being locked in rotation around the longitudinal direction by cooperation in abutment of the stem and the window.

This arrangement allows a simple blocking in rotation around the longitudinal direction of the side button and the barrel. Indeed, the rod is locked in rotation by cooperation in abutment of the rod with the longitudinal edges of the window. Furthermore, the window extending in the longitudinal direction, the side button can be moved in this direction to actuate the mine advance mechanism.

The annular ring may have a substantially spherical outer surface.

It is understood that if the outer surface of the annular ring is extended, a sphere or a substantially spherical volume is obtained. By “substantially” spherical, it is understood that three orthogonal axes passing through the center of the sphere may not be strictly equal. Indeed, the length of a first of the three axes can be between 95% and 105% of the length of a second of the three axes. The shape of the outer surface makes it possible to rotate the lateral button in the barrel during assembly of the mechanical pencil by reducing the risks of the outer surface of the annular ring jamming with an inner wall of the barrel. The outer surface being substantially spherical, a maximum diameter of the annular ring can correspond to an internal diameter of the barrel so as to reduce the play between the annular ring and the barrel, once the annular ring has been inserted into the barrel. It is thus possible to limit the contact surface between the ring and the barrel to a generatrix.

The side button may comprise an annular ring arranged in the barrel and the lead advance mechanism may comprise a clamp support, the clamp support being locked in rotation around the longitudinal direction with respect to the annular ring.

The blocking in rotation around the longitudinal direction of the lateral button with respect to the lead advance mechanism is achieved by cooperation in abutment of the surfaces of the gripper support and of the annular ring.

The mine advance mechanism may comprise a gripper support, the mine reservoir being locked in rotation around the longitudinal direction with respect to the gripper support.

The locking in rotation around the longitudinal direction of the mine advance mechanism relative to the tank is achieved by cooperation in abutment of the surfaces of the gripper support and of the mine tank.

The rubber advance mechanism comprises a guide cylinder locked in rotation around the longitudinal direction with respect to the mine tank.

The locking in rotation around the longitudinal direction of the rubber advance mechanism with respect to the mine tank is achieved by cooperation in abutment of the surfaces of the guide cylinder and of the mine tank.

The mine advance mechanism, the mine reservoir and the eraser advance mechanism can be longitudinally coupled.

It is thus possible to actuate the lead advance mechanism by pressing on the eraser advance mechanism, in particular by pressing on the eraser. It is understood that when two elements are coupled longitudinally, they move together, in the same direction, along the longitudinal direction L.

The longitudinal coupling between the mine advance mechanism and the mine reservoir may have a force greater than a force of the longitudinal coupling between the mine reservoir and the mine advance mechanism.

Thus, when the rubber advance mechanism is pulled out of the barrel, the coupling force between the mine advance mechanism and the mine tank being greater than the coupling force between the mine tank and the mechanism. rubber advance, the coupling between the lead tank and the rubber advance mechanism yields first. It is then possible to fill the tank with mines. It is therefore possible to recharge the mechanical pencil with leads.

This coupling mode is easy to implement.

At least one rotation blocking around the longitudinal direction comprises a rotation blocking system comprising a plurality of ribs, each rib comprising a beveled longitudinal end.

The rotation locking system comprising a plurality of ribs, it is easier to position the various elements angularly relative to each other. Indeed, if the locking system has only one rib, the two elements to be locked can only cooperate in one position. The more the number of ribs increases, the more the number of relative angular positions of the elements so that they can cooperate with each other increases. Assembly is therefore easier.

• fournir un fût s'étendant selon une direction longitudinale, un mécanisme d'avance de mine, un réservoir à mines, un mécanisme d'avance de gomme à came hélicoïdale et un bouton latéral ;
• bloquer le bouton latéral en rotation autour de la direction longitudinale par rapport au fût ;
• insérer le mécanisme d'avance de mine dans le fût et bloquer en rotation autour de la direction longitudinale le mécanisme d'avance de mine par rapport au bouton latéral ;
• assembler le mécanisme d'avance de gomme et le réservoir à mines et bloquer en rotation autour de la direction longitudinale le mécanisme d'avance de gomme par rapport au réservoir à mines ;
• insérer le réservoir à mines et le mécanisme d'avance de gomme dans le fût et bloquer en rotation autour de la direction longitudinale le réservoir à mines par rapport au mécanisme d'avance de mine.

This presentation also relates to a method of assembling a mechanical pencil comprising the steps of:

• providing a shaft extending in a longitudinal direction, a lead advance mechanism, a lead reservoir, a helical cam eraser advance mechanism and a side button;
• lock the side button in rotation around the longitudinal direction relative to the barrel;
• inserting the mine advance mechanism into the barrel and blocking the rotation around the longitudinal direction of the mine advance mechanism with respect to the side button;
• assembling the rubber advance mechanism and the mine tank and locking in rotation around the longitudinal direction the rubber advance mechanism with respect to the mine tank;
• inserting the mine tank and the rubber advance mechanism into the barrel and blocking the rotation around the longitudinal direction of the mine tank relative to the mine advance mechanism.

Assembling the mechanical pencil is relatively easy. Indeed, the lead advance mechanism and the rubber advance mechanism can each be assembled outside the barrel and the rubber advance mechanism can also be assembled to the lead tank outside the barrel.

Thus, after having inserted the side button partially into the barrel, two subassemblies are brought into the barrel. The first sub-assembly is formed by the mine advance mechanism and the second sub-assembly is formed by the rubber advance mechanism and the mine tank.

Furthermore, the locking in rotation around the longitudinal direction does not require the presence of ribs in the barrel. Indeed, the locking in rotation of the rubber advance mechanism relative to the barrel is achieved by the locking in rotation around the longitudinal direction of the rubber advance mechanism relative to the mine tank, itself locked in rotation. around the longitudinal direction with respect to the mine advance mechanism, the latter also being locked in rotation around the longitudinal direction with respect to the side button, the side button being locked in rotation around the longitudinal direction relative to the barrel.

The side button has an operating part and an annular ring, connected to each other by a rod having an axis, the shaft can have a window extending in the longitudinal direction, and the annular ring of the side button can be inserted into the window of the shaft and the side knob can be rotated 90° around the axis of the rod, the side knob being locked in rotation around the longitudinal direction by abutting cooperation of the rod and the window.

Thanks to the shape of the annular ring, it is possible to insert the annular ring in the window, in a configuration in which the annular ring is turned at 90° with respect to a configuration of use of the side knob and then turn the side knob by so that an axis of the annular ring, which was perpendicular to the longitudinal direction when inserting the annular ring into the barrel, is parallel to the longitudinal direction.

The mine advance mechanism, the mine reservoir and the rubber advance mechanism can be longitudinally coupled.

Brief description of the drawings

• la figure 1 est une vue en perspective d'un portemine selon un mode de réalisation du portemine ;
• la figure 2 est une vue éclatée selon une première perspective du portemine de la figure 1 ;
• la figure 3 est une vue éclatée selon une deuxième perspective du portemine de la figure 1 ;
• la figure 4 est une vue agrandie, en perspective, du bouton latéral de la figure 2 ;
• les figures 5A et 5B sont des vues agrandies, respectivement en perspective et en coupe longitudinale, du support de pince de la figure 2 ;
• les figures 6A et 6B sont des vues agrandies, en perspective, d'une première et d'une deuxième extrémité du réservoir à mines de la figure 2 ;
• la figure 7 est une vue agrandie, en perspective, du cylindre de guidage de la figure 2 ;
• la figure 8 est une vue en perspective illustrant le bouton latéral avant son insertion dans le fût ; et
• la figure 9 est une vue en coupe du portemine, le bouton latéral étant inséré dans le fût, le mécanisme d'avance de mine étant préassemblé et prêt à être inséré dans le fût ;
• la figure 10 est une vue en coupe du portemine, le mécanisme d'avance de gomme et le réservoir à mines étant préassemblés et prêts à être insérés dans le fût
• la figure 11 est une vue en coupe du portemine de la figure 1 selon le plan XI-XI de la figure 1 en configuration activée ;
• la figure 12 est une vue similaire du portemine de la figure 1 en configuration de repos.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge from the following description of embodiments of the invention, given by way of non-limiting examples, with reference to the appended figures, in which:

• there figure 1 is a perspective view of a mechanical pencil according to one embodiment of the mechanical pencil;
• there figure 2 is an exploded view from a first perspective of the mechanical pencil of the figure 1 ;
• there picture 3 is an exploded view from a second perspective of the mechanical pencil of the figure 1 ;
• there figure 4 is an enlarged view, in perspective, of the side button of the figure 2 ;
• THE figures 5A and 5B are enlarged views, respectively in perspective and in longitudinal section, of the clamp support of the picture 2 ;
• THE figures 6A and 6B are enlarged views, in perspective, of a first and a second end of the mine tank of the picture 2 ;
• there figure 7 is an enlarged view, in perspective, of the guide cylinder of the picture 2 ;
• there figure 8 is a perspective view illustrating the side button before its insertion into the barrel; And
• there figure 9 is a cross-sectional view of the mechanical pencil, with the side button inserted into the barrel, with the lead advance mechanism pre-assembled and ready to be inserted into the barrel;
• there figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of the mechanical pencil, with the eraser advance mechanism and lead reservoir pre-assembled and ready to be inserted into the barrel
• there figure 11 is a sectional view of the mechanical pencil of the figure 1 according to plan XI-XI of the figure 1 in activated configuration;
• there figure 12 is a similar view of the mechanical pencil of the figure 1 in rest configuration.

Detailed description of the invention

There figure 1 represents a mechanical pencil 10 comprising a barrel 12 extending in a longitudinal direction L, a nose 14 screwed onto a front end 12A barrel 12, a mechanical protector 16, a side button 18, a clip 20 arranged at a rear end of the barrel 12B and a rubber advance mechanism 22.

Subsequently, the terms “front” and “rear” will be understood with reference to these front 12A and rear 12B ends in the longitudinal direction L.

In general, the longitudinal direction corresponds to the direction of the axis L of the barrel, and the radial direction R is a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L. The circumferential direction C corresponds to the direction describing a ring around the longitudinal direction L. The three directions longitudinal, radial and circumferential (or azimuthal) correspond respectively to the directions defined by the coast, the radius and the angle in a cylindrical coordinate system. Finally, unless otherwise specified, the adjectives "inner" and "outer" are used with reference to a radial direction such that the inner (i.e. radially inner) part of an element is closer to the L-axis than the outer (i.e. radially outer) part of the same element .

THE figure 2 And 3 represent two exploded views of mechanical pencil 10 of the figure 1 presented from different perspectives.

The mechanical pencil 10 also includes a lead advance mechanism 24 and a lead reservoir 26.

The mine advance mechanism 24 includes a clamp 28, a clamp ring 30, a clamp sleeve 32, a spring 34 and a clamp holder 36.

The eraser advance mechanism 22 comprises a guide cylinder 38, an eraser holder 40, a tube 42 and an eraser 44.

We will now describe the side button 18 in more detail with reference to the figure 4 . The side button 18 comprises an actuating part 46 and an annular ring 48, interconnected by a rod 50. The annular ring 48 has a substantially spherical outer surface 52 and an inner surface 54 carrying a plurality of longitudinal ribs 56 spaced apart. each other on a regular basis. The spaces between the ribs 56 form grooves 58. It will be understood that the ribs 56 and the grooves 58 are parallel to the axis L of the mechanical pencil 10 when the side button 18 is in the use configuration. In the configuration of use, the axis of the annular ring 48 is parallel to the axis L of the mechanical pencil 10, it coincides with the axis L of the mechanical pencil 10.

It will be noted that in the configuration for use of the side button 18, the rod 50 has an axis A oriented in the radial direction R.

THE figures 5A and 5B represent perspective views, respectively seen from the rear and from the front, of the gripper support 36 of the mine advance mechanism. In the embodiment of figures 5A and 5B , the clamp support 36 comprises, from front to rear, a first cylindrical portion 36A and a second cylindrical portion 36C interconnected by a conical intermediate portion 36B. The clamp support 36 then comprises a third cylindrical portion 36E connected to the second cylindrical portion 36C by a collar 36D.

The third cylindrical portion 36E carries on an outer surface 36F longitudinal ribs 60 spaced apart from each other in a regular manner. The spaces between the ribs 60 form grooves 62. It is understood that the ribs 60 and the grooves 62 are parallel to the axis L of the mechanical pencil 10 when the clamp support 36 is assembled in the mechanical pencil 10, that is to say say when the clamp support 36 is in use configuration.

The ribs 60 and the grooves 62 of the clamp support 36 are configured to cooperate with the ribs 56 and the grooves 58 carried by the inner surface 54 of the annular ring 48 so as to lock the support in rotation around the longitudinal direction L. clamp 36 with respect to the side button 18. Furthermore, an abutment surface 64 of the collar 36D of the clamp support 36 is intended to cooperate with an abutment surface 48A of the annular ring 48.

The clamp support 36 is hollow and has an inner surface 36G of which a front portion 36H bears annular reliefs 66 configured to cooperate with complementary annular reliefs 68 carried by a rear end 28A of the clamp 28 so as to block the clamp 28 in the clamp support 36 in the longitudinal direction L.

The inner surface 36G of the clamp support 36 comprises an intermediate portion 361 which carries oblong-shaped reliefs 70. In the embodiment of the figures 5A and 5B , the rear portion 361 carries eight oblong-shaped reliefs 70 divided into two groups of four reliefs along the longitudinal direction L. Each group comprises four oblong-shaped reliefs 70 distributed uniformly along the circumferential direction C.

The inner surface 36G of the clamp support 36 also includes a rear portion 36J of the clamp support 36 which carries longitudinal ribs 72 spaced apart from each other in a regular manner, in the embodiment of the figures 5A and 5B , four longitudinal ribs 72. The spaces between the ribs 72 form grooves 74. It is understood that the ribs 72 and the grooves 74 are parallel to the axis L of the mechanical pencil 10 when the clamp support 36 is assembled in the mechanical pencil 10, that is to say say when the clamp support 36 is in use configuration.

As shown on the figures 5A and 5B , each rib 60 has on a rear longitudinal end a beveled face 60A.

When assembling the clamp support 28 and the side button 18, the beveled faces 60A allow easier insertion of the clamp support 28 into the annular ring 48 of the side button 18. They allow in particular when the ribs and grooves do not are not correctly aligned to facilitate their alignment and therefore the assembly of the clamp support 28 in the side button 18.

Similarly, each rib 72 has on a rear longitudinal end two bevelled faces 72A.

THE figures 6A and 6B represent perspective views of a front end 26A and a rear end 26B of the mine tank 26. Between these two ends 26A, 26B, the mine tank 26 comprises a tank body 26C of substantially cylindrical shape intended to receive mines and extending in the longitudinal direction L.

As shown on the Figure 6A , the front end 26A of the mine tank comprises, from front to rear, two annular beads 80 and four longitudinal ribs 76 spaced from each other in a regular manner. Each rib 76 has on a front longitudinal end two bevelled faces 76A. The spaces between the ribs 76 form grooves 78. The ribs 76, the grooves 78 and the annular beads 80 are carried by an outer surface 26D of the mine tank.

The ribs 76 and the grooves 78 of the front end 26A of the mine tank 26 are configured to cooperate with the ribs 72 and grooves 74 carried by the rear portion 36J of the inner surface 36G of the clamp support 36 so as to block in rotation around the longitudinal direction L the mine tank 26 with respect to the clamp support 36. In addition, the annular beads 80 of the front end 26A of the mine tank 26 are configured to cooperate with the reliefs 70 of oblong shape carried by the intermediate portion 361 of the inner surface 36G of the clamp support 36 so as to longitudinally couple the mine tank 26 and the clamp support 36. Furthermore, the mine tank 26 has a shoulder 82 intended to abut against a rear abutment surface 36K of the clamp support 36.

When assembling the clamp support 28 and the mine tank 26, the beveled faces 72A of the ribs 72 and the beveled faces 76A of the ribs 76 allow easier insertion of the front end 26A of the mine tank 26 into the third cylindrical portion 36E of the clamp support 28. The beveled faces make it possible in particular when the ribs and the grooves are not correctly aligned to facilitate their alignment, by facilitating the rotation around the longitudinal direction L of the mine tank 26 with respect to the support clamp 28 during their assembly.

As shown on the figure 6B , the rear end 26B of the tank mines 26 has an inner surface 26E carrying four longitudinal ribs 84 spaced apart from each other in a regular manner. Each rib 84 has on a rear longitudinal end two bevelled faces 84A and bears a relief 88 of oblong shape. The spaces between the ribs 84 form grooves 86.

We represented on the figure 7 a perspective view of the guide cylinder 38 of the rubber advance mechanism 22.

The guide cylinder 38 has a front end 38A, a rear end 38C, the two ends 38A, 38C being separated by a body 38B. The front end 38A comprises, on an outer surface 38D, four longitudinal ribs 90 regularly spaced from each other. Each rib 90 has on a front longitudinal end two bevelled faces 90A. The spaces between the ribs 90 form grooves 92. An annular bead 94 is arranged in the grooves 92. The annular bead 94 has a thickness in the radial direction R which is less than a thickness of the ribs 90 in this same radial direction R. The thickness of the ribs 90 is measured in line with the annular bead 94.

The ribs 90 and the grooves 92 of the front end 38A of the guide cylinder 38 are configured to cooperate with the ribs 84 and grooves 86 carried by the inner surface 26E of the rear end 26B of the mine tank 26 so as to locking in rotation around the longitudinal direction L the guide cylinder 38 with respect to the mine tank 26. In addition, the annular bead 94 of the end front 38A of the guide cylinder 38 is configured to cooperate with the reliefs 88 of oblong shape carried by the legs 84 of the rear end 26B of the mine tank 26 so as to longitudinally couple the guide cylinder 38 and the mine tank 26 Furthermore, the mine tank 26 has a shoulder 96 intended to come into abutment against a front abutment surface 38E of the guide cylinder 38.

When assembling the mine container 26 and the guide cylinder 38, the beveled faces 84A of the ribs 84 and the beveled faces 90A of the ribs 90 allow easier insertion of the front end 38A of the guide cylinder 38 into the rear end 26B of the mine tank 26. The beveled faces make it possible in particular when the ribs and the grooves are not correctly aligned to facilitate their alignment, by facilitating the rotation around the longitudinal direction L of the guide cylinder 38 with respect to the tank mines 26 during their assembly.

The body 38B of the guide cylinder 38 is cylindrical in shape and extends in the longitudinal direction L. The body 38B is pierced with two windows 98 extending in the longitudinal direction and diametrically opposite one another. The two windows 98 are configured to receive and guide the eraser holder 40.

The body 38B of the guide cylinder also comprises, between the windows 98 and the ribs 90 in the longitudinal direction L, a pair of elastic tabs 100.

The rear end 38C of the guide cylinder 38 includes an annular abutment surface 102.

As shown on the figure 2 And 3 , the eraser holder 40 has a general "U" shape having two fins 104 interconnected by a base 106. The two fins 104 are configured to slide in the windows 98 of the guide cylinder 38.

Each fin 104 carries, on an inner surface 104A, a lug 108 for locking rubber 44 and, on an outer surface 104B, a tenon 110 configured to slide in a helical cam 112 carried by an inner surface 42A of tube 42. therefore understands that the tube 42 comprises two helical cams 112 nested one inside the other.

We will now describe the method of assembling the mechanical pencil 10 with reference to the figures 8 to 11 .

In the embodiment of the mechanical pencil 10 shown in the figures 1 to 7 , the mechanical pencil 10 is assembled in a certain order described below.

The barrel 12 extending in the longitudinal direction L, the mine advance mechanism 24, the mine reservoir 26, the rubber advance mechanism 22 and the side button 18 are provided.

The mine advance mechanism 24 is assembled by inserting the clamp ring 30 into the clamp sleeve 32. The spring 34 is then inserted between the clamp ring 30 and the clamp sleeve 32. From the rear of the clamp sleeve gripper 32, the gripper support 36 is inserted into the gripper sleeve 32 and through the front of the gripper sleeve 32, the gripper 28 is inserted until the annular reliefs 68 of the rear end 28A of the the clamp 28 with the annular reliefs 66 of the front portion 36H of the inner surface 36G of the clamp support 36.

As shown on the figure 9 , the lead advance mechanism 24 is assembled and ready to be mounted in the mechanical pencil 10.

It is understood that in particular the clamp sleeve 32 is free to rotate around the longitudinal direction L relative to the clamp support 36.

To assemble the eraser advance mechanism 22, the eraser holder 40 is inserted into the guide cylinder 38 and more particularly, each fin 104 is inserted into one of the windows 98 of the guide cylinder 38. The guide cylinder is inserted 38 by its front end 38A in the tube 42. During the insertion of the guide cylinder 38, the elastic tabs 100 are deformed towards the inside of the guide cylinder 38. The studs 110 are then inserted into the helical cams 112 of the tube 42 and the tube 42 is rotated around the longitudinal direction L until the tube 42 passes completely above the elastic tabs 100. Under the effect of their own elasticity, the elastic tabs 100 no longer being forced towards the inside of the guide cylinder 38 by the tube 42, the elastic tabs return to their initial position and block the tube 42 longitudinally between the abutment surface 102 of the rear end 38C of the guide cylinder 38 and the tabs elastic 100. It is understood that the longitudinal blocking can be achieved with negligible play which corresponds to the manufacturing tolerances. The eraser 44 is then inserted into the eraser holder 40 and the tube 42 is rotated around the longitudinal direction L relative to the guide cylinder 38 so that the eraser 44 protrudes slightly from the rear end 38C of the guide cylinder. 38.

The rubber advance mechanism 22 with helical cam 112 is assembled.

It is understood that the assembly of the rubber advance mechanism 22 with the helical cam 112 can comprise variants. For example, the eraser 44 can be inserted into the eraser holder 40 after having arranged the fins 104 in the windows 98.

The front end 38A of the guide cylinder 38 is then inserted into the rear end 26B of the mine tank 26 until the annular beads 94 carried by the front end 38A of the guide cylinder with the reliefs 88 in the shape of oblong carried by the ribs 84 of the rear end 26B of the mine tank 26.

The beveled faces 90A of the ribs 90 of the front end 38A of the guide cylinder 38 cooperate with the beveled faces 84A of the ribs 84 of the rear end 26B of the mine tank 26 in order to align the ribs 90 with the grooves 86 of the rear end 26B of the mine tank 26 and to align the ribs 84 with the grooves 92 of the front end 38A of the guide cylinder 38.

The guide cylinder 38 is therefore blocked in rotation around the longitudinal direction L with respect to the mine tank 26 by the abutting cooperation of the ribs 84, 90 with the grooves 86, 92.

In general, it will be said that the rubber advance mechanism 22 is locked in rotation around the longitudinal direction L with respect to the mine tank 26. However, it is understood that the tube 42 is not locked in rotation around the longitudinal direction L with respect to the mine tank 26.

The guide cylinder 38 is also coupled longitudinally with the mine tank 26 by longitudinal snap-fastening of the annular beads 94 carried by the front end 38A of the guide cylinder. with the oblong reliefs 88 carried by the ribs 84 of the rear end 26B of the mine tank 26.

In general, it will be said that the eraser advance mechanism 22 is coupled longitudinally to the lead tank 26. However, it is understood that the eraser holder 40 and the eraser 44 may not be coupled to the lead tank 26, in the direction in which, when the tube 42 is rotated to move the eraser 44 forward or backward, the eraser holder 40 and the eraser 44 move longitudinally with respect to the lead tank 26.

The assembly formed by the mine tank 26 and the rubber advance mechanism 22 is therefore ready to be assembled in the barrel 12, as shown in the figure 10 .

As shown on the figure 8 , the barrel 12 comprises a window 114 extending in the longitudinal direction L and whose shape and dimensions correspond to a widest section of the annular ring 48 taken along a plane comprising a diameter of the annular ring 48 and comprising the axis L (see figure 4 ).

The side button 18 is shown in broken lines in its configuration of use when the annular ring 48 is inserted into the shaft 12. To insert the side button 18 into the window of the shaft 12, the side button is turned around the axis A of the 90° rod 50 in the position shown in solid lines on the figure 8 , the axis L of the annular ring 48 is therefore perpendicular to the axis L of the shaft 12.

The annular ring 48 is inserted into the window until the side button 18 abuts in the barrel 12. In this position, the annular ring 48 is fully inserted in the barrel 12, the actuating part 46 is out of the drum 12 and rod 50 is in window 114 of the drum. The side button 18 is then turned by 90° around the axis A of the rod 50 so as to align the axis L of the side button 18 with the axis L of the barrel 12.

The side button 18 is therefore blocked in rotation around the longitudinal direction by cooperation in abutment of the rod 50 with the window 114, in particular with the longitudinal edges 114A of the window 114. Indeed, the rod 50 is of cylindrical shape and has a diameter equal to or close to the width of the window 114 (within manufacturing tolerances). It is understood that the barrel 12 has a thickness according to the radial direction R which is less than or equal to a length of the rod 50 along the axis A. Thus, the side button 18 is locked in rotation around the longitudinal direction with respect to the barrel 12.

As shown on the figure 9 , the side button 18, in particular the annular ring 48, is inserted into the barrel 12 through the window 114 of the barrel 12 and the lead advance mechanism 24 is ready to be inserted into the barrel 12 by the front end 12A of barrel 12.

The side button 18 can be arranged at the front of the window 114. The ribs 60 and the grooves 62 carried by the third cylindrical portion 36E of the clamp support 36 are brought into contact with the ribs 56 and the grooves 58 carried by the inner surface 54 of the annular ring 48. If the ribs 60 are not aligned in the circumferential direction C with the grooves 58 or vice versa if the grooves 62 are not aligned in the circumferential direction C with the ribs 56, the beveled faces 60A as well as the elasticity of the spring 34 will allow a rotation of the clamp support 36 around the longitudinal direction L so as to align the ribs 60, 56 with the grooves 58, 62. This rotation can be achieved easily. Indeed, the mine advance mechanism is held, during its insertion into the barrel 12, by a front end 32A of the gripper sleeve 32. However, as described above, the gripper sleeve 32 is free to rotate by relative to the clip carrier 36 so that the clip carrier 36 can rotate about the longitudinal direction L to align the ribs 60, 56 with the grooves 58, 62. The plurality of ribs 60, 56 and grooves 58, 62 makes it possible to reduce the amplitude of the rotation of the clamp support 36 around the longitudinal direction L with respect to the annular ring 48.

When the ribs 60, 56 with the grooves 58, 62 are aligned, the clamp holder 36 can be inserted into the annular ring 48 until the abutment surface 64 of the collar 36D of the clamp holder 36 abuts against the surface. abutment 48A of the annular ring 48 and up to the abutment of an annular shoulder 32B of the front end 32A of the clamp sleeve 32 against the front end 12A of the barrel 12.

The clamp support 36 is locked in rotation around the longitudinal direction L relative to the annular ring 48 by abutting cooperation of the ribs 60, 56 with the grooves 58, 62.

In general, it will be said that the mine advance mechanism is locked in rotation around the longitudinal direction L with respect to the side button 18. However, it is understood that in particular the gripper sleeve 32 is not locked in rotation around of the longitudinal direction L with respect to the side knob 18.

As shown on the figure 10 , The mine advance mechanism 24 is therefore assembled in the barrel 12 and the assembly formed by the mine tank 26 and the rubber advance mechanism 22 is ready to be inserted into the barrel 12 by the rear end 12B of barrel 12.

The mine advance mechanism 24 and in particular the shoulder 32B of the gripper sleeve 32 is held against the front end 12A of the barrel 12 by means of the conical tip 14 which is screwed onto the front end 12A of the barrel 12 and the front end 26A of the mine tank 26 is inserted into the barrel 12.

For example, the assembly formed by the lead tank 26 and the rubber advance mechanism 22 can be held by the tube 42 of the rubber advance mechanism 22.

When the front end 26A of the mine tank is brought into contact with the third cylindrical portion 36E, the ribs 76 and the grooves 78 carried by the outer surface 26D of the mine tank 26 are brought into contact with the ribs 72 and the grooves 74 carried by the rear portion 36J of the inner surface 36G of the clamp support 36. If the ribs 76 are not aligned in the circumferential direction C with the grooves 74 or vice versa if the grooves 78 are not aligned in the circumferential direction C with the ribs 74, the bevelled faces 76A and 72A, respectively of the ribs 76 and 72, will allow a rotation of the mine tank 26 around the longitudinal direction L so as to align the ribs 76, 72 with the grooves 74, 78. This rotation can be done easily. Indeed, the rubber advance mechanism is held, during its insertion into the barrel 12, by the tube 42. However, as described above, the tube 42 is free to rotate relative to the guide cylinder 38 and to the mine container 26, so that the mine container 26 can rotate around the longitudinal direction L in order to align the ribs 76, 72 with the grooves 74, 78.

The insertion of the front end 26A of the mine tank 26 in the third cylindrical portion 36E of the gripper support 36 is carried out until coupling by longitudinal snapping of the annular beads 80 carried by the outer surface 26D of the front end 26A of the mine tank 26 with the reliefs 70 of oblong shape carried by the intermediate portion 361 of the inner surface 36G of the support of clamp 36.

The mine tank 26 is therefore locked in rotation around the longitudinal direction L relative to the gripper support 36 by the abutting cooperation of the ribs 76, 72 with the grooves 74, 78.

In general, it will be said that the mine tank 26 is locked in rotation around the longitudinal direction L with respect to the mine advance mechanism 24.

Similarly, it will be said that the rubber advance mechanism 24 is locked in rotation around the longitudinal direction L with respect to the mine advance mechanism 24. However, it is understood that the tube 42 is not locked in rotation around the longitudinal direction L with respect to the mine advance mechanism 26.

The mine tank is also coupled longitudinally with the clamp support 36 by longitudinal snap-fastening of the annular beads 80 carried by the outer surface 26D of the front end 26A of the mine tank 26 with the reliefs 70 of oblong shape carried by the intermediate portion 361 from the inner surface 36G of the gripper support 36.

In general, it will be said that the mine advance mechanism 24 is coupled longitudinally to the mine tank 26. However, it is understood that in particular the gripper sleeve 32 may not be coupled to the mine tank 26, in the sense that , when the side button 18 is actuated to advance a lead in the mechanical pencil 10, the gripper sleeve 32 does not move longitudinally with the lead tank 26.

Furthermore, it is understood that the clamp support 36 being locked in rotation around the longitudinal direction L with respect to the side button 18, the mine tank 26 and the rubber advance mechanism are also locked in rotation around the direction longitudinal L relative to the side button 18. The side button 18 being itself locked in rotation around the longitudinal direction relative to the barrel 12, the mine advance mechanism 24, the mine tank 26 and the rubber advance mechanism 22 are also locked in rotation around the longitudinal direction relative to the barrel 12. However, it is understood that the tube 42 is not locked in rotation around the longitudinal direction relative to the barrel 12.

Once the lead tank 26 is assembled in the barrel 12, the ring 116 is placed around the mine guard 16 and they are inserted into the nose 14 which is screwed onto the front end 12A of the barrel. The shoulder 32B is pinched between the front end 12A of the barrel 12 and a portion of the nose 14. The mechanical pencil 10 is thus assembled.

It is understood that the order of the assembly operations may vary. In fact, it is possible to envisage assembling the nose 14 on the barrel 12 before inserting the assembly formed by the mine container 26 and the rubber advance mechanism 22. Assembly of the mine advance mechanism 24 and rubber advance mechanism 22 can be made simultaneously on different positions.

However, in the embodiment described, the side button 18 is inserted into the barrel 12 before the insertion of the lead advance mechanism 24 and the lead advance mechanism 24 is inserted into the barrel before the insertion of the assembly formed by the mine tank 26 and the rubber advance mechanism 22.

As can be seen on the figure 11 showing the mechanical pencil 10 in an activated configuration, when the side button 18 is actuated and pushed forward to advance a lead through the mechanical pencil 10, the abutment surface 48A of the annular ring 48 presses forward against the surface abutment 64 of the collar 36D of the clamp support 36, and moves the clamp support 36 forward. The mine tank 26 and the rubber advance mechanism 22 being longitudinally coupled with the mine advance mechanism 24, in particular with the clamp support 36, the mine tank 26 and the rubber advance mechanism 22 also moves forward with clamp support 36.

When the side button 18 is released, under the return force of the spring 34, the mechanical pencil resumes a rest configuration, illustrated on the figure 12 . The rubber advance mechanism 22, the mine tank 26 and the mine advance mechanism 24, in particular the clamp support 36 move together towards the rear of the barrel 12.

It is understood that the rubber advance mechanism 22, the lead tank 26 and the lead advance mechanism 24 being longitudinally coupled, it is also possible to make the activated configuration of the mechanical pencil 10 by pressing forwards on the mechanism rubber advance 22 and then releasing the support.

Mechanical pencil 10 may be refillable. Therefore, the longitudinal coupling between the mine tank 26 and the rubber advance mechanism 22 is dimensioned in such a way that this coupling opposes a coupling force lower than the other longitudinal couplings, in particular this coupling opposes a coupling force longitudinal lower than the longitudinal coupling between the mine advance mechanism 24 and the mine tank 26. Thus, when one pulls rearward on the rubber advance mechanism 22, the longitudinal coupling between the mine tank 26 and the rubber advance mechanism 22 gives way before the longitudinal coupling between the mine advance mechanism 24 and the mine reservoir 26 and gives access to the mine reservoir 26 which can therefore be filled with mines. Next, the rubber advance mechanism 22 is inserted into the barrel 12 and into the rear end 26B of the lead tank 26, as previously described.

To move the rubber 44 forward or backward, the tube 42 is rotated around the longitudinal direction relative to the barrel 12 in one direction or in an opposite direction, the guide cylinder 38 being locked in rotation around the longitudinal direction relative to the shaft 12, the tenons of the eraser holder 40 inserted into the helical cams 112 of the tube 42 will transform the rotational movement of the tube 42 into a longitudinal translational movement of the eraser holder 40 and of the eraser 44, causing the eraser 44.

Although the present description has been described with reference to a specific embodiment, it is obvious that various modifications and changes can be made to these examples without departing from the general scope of the invention as defined by the claims.

Accordingly, the description and the drawings should be considered in an illustrative rather than restrictive sense.

It is understood that the shape of the tank body 26C is not limited to a cylinder. The tank body 26C could have a slightly conical shape. Note also that a cylinder can have a base that is not a circle.

It is also understood that the number and the shape of the longitudinal ribs can vary and is only given by way of example. The same applies to the shapes and reliefs which make it possible to couple the various elements of the mechanical pencil longitudinally.

Claims (11)

1. Mechanical pencil (10) comprising a shaft (12) extending in a longitudinal direction (L), a lead-advancing mechanism (24), a lead container (26), a lateral button (18), and an eraser-advancing mechanism (22) with helical-cam, the lead-advancing mechanism (24), the lead container (26), the eraser-advancing mechanism (22) and the lateral button (18) being at least partially accommodated in the shaft (12), the lead-advancing mechanism (24), the lead container (26), and the eraser-advancing mechanism (22) being locked against rotation about the longitudinal direction (L) relative to each other and relative to the lateral button (18), while the lateral button (18) is locked against rotation about the longitudinal direction (L) relative to the shaft (12), the eraser-advancing mechanism including a guide cylinder locked against rotation about the longitudinal direction relative to the lead container, the shaft (12) including a slot (114) extending along the longitudinal direction (L), and the lateral button (18) including an actuating part (46) and an annular ring (48) which are interconnected by a rod (50), the lateral button (18) being locked against rotation about the longitudinal direction (L) by means of engagement of the rod (50) and the slot (114), and at least one locking against rotation about the longitudinal direction (L) comprising a system for locking against rotation including a plurality of ribs (60, 72, 76, 84, 90), each rib including a beveled longitudinal end (60A, 72A, 76A, 84A, 90A).
2. Mechanical pencil (10) according to claim 1, wherein the lead-advancing mechanism (24) is locked against rotation about the longitudinal direction (L) relative to the lead container (26) and the lead container (26) is locked against rotation about the longitudinal direction (L) relative to the eraser-advancing mechanism (22).
3. Mechanical pencil (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the lead-advancing mechanism (24) is locked against rotation about the longitudinal direction (L) relative to the lateral button (18).
4. Mechanical pencil (10) according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the annular ring (48) includes a substantially spherical outer surface (52).
5. Mechanical pencil (10) according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the lateral button (18) includes an annular ring (48) disposed in the shaft (12) and wherein the lead-advancing mechanism (24) includes a clamp support (36), the clamp support (36) being locked against rotation about the longitudinal direction (L) relative to the annular ring (48).
6. Mechanical pencil (10) according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the lead-advancing mechanism (24) includes a clamp support (36), the lead container (26) being locked against rotation about the longitudinal direction (L) relative to the clamp support (36).
7. Mechanical pencil (10) according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the eraser-advancing mechanism (22) includes a guide cylinder (38) locked against rotation about the longitudinal direction (L) relative to the lead container (26).
8. Mechanical pencil (10) according to any of claims 1 to 7, wherein the lead-advancing mechanism (24), the lead container (26), and the eraser-advancing mechanism (22) are longitudinally coupled.
9. Mechanical pencil (10) according to claim 8, wherein at least one longitudinal coupling is a longitudinal snap-fit.
10. Method for assembling a mechanical pencil (10), comprising the steps of:

    - providing a shaft (12) extending in a longitudinal direction (L), a lead-advancing mechanism (24), a lead container (26), an eraser-advancing helical-cam mechanism (22), and a lateral button (18), the eraser-advancing mechanism including a guide cylinder locked against rotation about the longitudinal direction relative to the lead container;

    - locking the lateral button (18) against rotation about the longitudinal direction (L) relative to the shaft (12);

    - inserting the lead-advancing mechanism (24) into the shaft (12) and locking the lead-advancing mechanism (24) against rotation about the longitudinal direction (L) relative to the lateral button (18);

    - assembling the eraser-advancing mechanism (22) and the lead container (26) and locking the eraser-advancing mechanism (22) against rotation about the longitudinal direction (L) relative to the lead container (26);

    inserting the lead container (26) and the eraser-advancing mechanism (22) into the shaft (12) and locking the lead container (26) against rotation about the longitudinal direction (L) relative to the lead-advancing mechanism (24)

    wherein the lateral button (18) includes an actuating part (46) and an annular ring (48) which are interconnected by a rod (50) having an axis (A), wherein the shaft (12) comprises a slot (114) extending in the longitudinal direction (L), and wherein the annular ring (48) of the lateral button (18) is inserted into the slot of the shaft (12) and the lateral button (18) is turned about the axis (A) of the rod (50) by 90°, the lateral button (18) being locked against rotation about the longitudinal direction (L) by means of engagement of the rod (50) and the slot (114), and wherein at least one locking in rotation about the longitudinal direction (L) comprises a system for locking against rotation comprising a plurality of ribs (60, 72, 76, 84, 90), each rib having a beveled longitudinal end (60A, 72A, 76A, 84A, 90A).
11. Method according to claim 10, wherein the lead-advancing mechanism (24), the lead container (26), and the eraser-advancing mechanism (22) are longitudinally coupled.

Images