EP4253078A1

EP4253078A1 - Writing instruments

Info

Publication number: EP4253078A1
Application number: EP22305393.5A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Georgios Katsikas; Etienne MICHENAUD
Original assignee: BIC SA; BIC Violex Single Member SA
Current assignee: BIC SA; BIC Violex Single Member SA
Priority date: 2022-03-29
Filing date: 2022-03-29
Publication date: 2023-10-04

Abstract

A writing instrument (10) comprising:
-a barrel (12),
-a writing tip (22),
-a writing tip extension-retraction system (20),
- a biasing member, configured to urge the writing tip extension-retraction system (20) towards a second retracted rearward position,
- an actuating system moveable between an engaged position and a released position, configured to maintain the writing tip extension-retraction system (20) in the first extended forward position to lock the latter in this position when it is in its engaged position, and to be disengaged from the tip extension-retraction system (20) so as to enable a displacement of the writing tip extension-retraction system (20) from the first extended forward position to the second retracted rearward position when the button (60) is in its released position, wherein said button is arranged in the barrel so as to be closer from the proximal end than from the distal end.

Description

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates generally to the field of writing instruments. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a writing instrument configured to simplify functionality and improve ease of use.

Background

A typical writing instrument may include one or more writing element disposed within a tubular housing. Examples of a writing element may include a ballpoint pen cartridge, a highlighter nib, a marker nib, a pencil lead, and/or the like. Additionally, the writing instrument may include a cap for protecting the writing element and/or a writing tip thereof, or the writing element may be mechanically displaceable, so that the writing element and/or the writing tip thereof may be moved to a position outside or inside a housing.
In traditional writing instruments that include a cap, the cap may be easily misplaced, which may cause drying of the writing element and/or the writing tip thereof and, thus, a loss of functionality of the writing instrument.
Further, in traditional writing instruments that include a mechanically displaceable writing element and/or writing tip, the traditional writing instruments typically require several complex components and/or complex structures, which results in increased modes of failure and/or increased complexity and cost of manufacture. Additionally, in traditional writing instruments that include a mechanically displaceable writing element and/or writing tip, the traditional writing instruments typically require a user to manually and/or actively displace the writing element out of and back into the housing, by way e.g. of a button, pusher element, and/or the like. Manual and/or active displacement of the writing element by the user requires increased thought, dexterity, and the use of fine motor skills (e.g. being able to isolate and/or move fingers of the hand independent of a palm of the hand) on the part of the user. As such, use of such a traditional writing instrument may be particularly difficult or frustrating for a toddler, a person having certain disabilities, a person wearing gloves, a person simultaneously holding an additional object, and/or the like.
It is desirable to provide a writing instrument that includes structures and/or relationships configured to automatically displace a writing element of the writing instrument, so as to simplify functionality and improve ease of use of the writing instrument.

Summary

In a first aspect, the present disclosure relates to a writing instrument comprising:

a barrel extending along a longitudinal axis,
a writing tip,
a writing tip extension-retraction system configured to slide axially inside the barrel between a first extended forward position wherein the writing tip extends outside the barrel from a writing orifice, and a second retracted rearward position wherein the writing tip is retracted inside the barrel from the first extended forward position along the longitudinal axis,
a biasing member, configured to urge the writing tip extension-retraction system towards the second retracted rearward position,
an actuating system comprising a button moveable between an engaged position and a released position, wherein the button is configured to maintain the writing tip extension-retraction system in the first extended forward position to lock the latter in this position when it is in its engaged position, and to be disengaged from the tip extension-retraction system so as to enable a displacement of the writing tip extension-retraction system from the first extended forward position to the second retracted rearward position when the button is in its released position, wherein the button is arranged in the barrel so as to be closer from the proximal end of the barrel than from the distal end of the barrel.

In some embodiments push button may be arranged in a portion of the barrel that is within 6 cm from the writing orifice.
In some embodiments the actuating system comprises at least two push buttons regularly arranged around the longitudinal axis of the barrel.
In some embodiments, each button is configured so as to protrude from an outer surface of the barrel.
In some embodiments the writing tip extension-retraction system comprises:

a ratchet located within the barrel and configured to move along the longitudinal axis and to rotate around the longitudinal axis, the ratchet comprising a guiding portion,
a guiding ramp formed in an inner surface of the barrel, the guiding ramp being configured to cooperate with the guiding portion of the ratchet to define a stable position for the writing tip extension-retraction system in which it is maintained in the first extended forward position, and an unstable position or the writing tip extension-retraction system in which it is urged towards the second retracted rearward position by the biasing member,
wherein the button is configured to, when moved in its engaged position, rotate the ratchet from the stable position to the unstable position.

In some embodiments, the ratchet comprises a sloped portion configured to cooperate with a sloped portion of the button so as to rotate the ratchet from the stable position to the unstable position.
In some embodiments, the writing instrument comprises a tip component connected to the barrel wherein the tip component defines the writing orifice, wherein the tip component comprises slanted portions adapted to cooperate with slanted portions of the ratchet so as to engage the guiding portion of the ratchet with the guiding ramp when the writing tip extension-retraction system is moved from the second retracted rearward position to the first extended forward position.
In some embodiments, the ratchet comprises a slot configured to that the button is at least partially in the slot when the button is in its engaged position.
In some embodiments, the slot defines a radial portion configured to abut on a stop surface of the button when the button is at least partially in the slot, thereby maintaining the ratchet in the unstable position.
In some embodiments, the button is formed in a single piece of material with the barrel.
In some embodiments, the button is formed in a single piece of material with the barrel and comprises an attachment portion configured to act as a spring and to urge the button towards the released position, and a grip portion configured to protrude from the outer surface of the barrel when the button is in the released position.
In some embodiments, the writing instrument comprises at least 3 buttons regularly arranged around the longitudinal axis.
In some embodiments, the writing instrument comprises 4 buttons regularly arranged around the longitudinal axis.
In some embodiments, the at least one button is configured so that a user exerts a pressure on the at least one button when seizing the writing instrument and moves the button from the released position to the engaged position.
In some embodiments, the writing instrument comprises a clip configured to move the writing tip from the second retracted rearward position to the first retracted forward position, upon press applied by the user forwardly along the longitudinal axis.
In some embodiments, the biasing member comprises a spring which presents one end that abuts on a fixed stop arranged on an inner surface of the barrel, and one opposite end that abuts on a portion of the writing tip extension-retraction system.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an example of writing instrument as per the present disclosure.
Figure 2 is a partial view of figure 1.
Figure 3 shows a perspective view of an example of writing instrument as per the present disclosure in another configuration.
Figure 4 is a partial view of figure 3.
Figure 5 is a detailed cross-sectional view of an example of an element of a writing instrument as per the present disclosure.
Figure 6 is a detailed cross-sectional view of an example of elements of a writing instrument as per the present disclosure.
Figure 7 is a detailed cross-sectional view of an example of elements of a writing instrument as per the present disclosure.
Figure 8 is a detailed view of an example of elements of a writing instrument as per the present disclosure.
Figure 9 is a detailed view of an example of elements of a writing instrument as per the present disclosure.
Figure 10 is a detailed cross-sectional view of an example of elements of a writing instrument as per the present disclosure.

In the figures, the elements in common are designated by identical numeral references.

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, a detailed description will be given of the present disclosure. The terms or words used in the description and the aspects of the present disclosure are not to be construed limiting as only having common-language or dictionary meanings and should, unless specifically defined otherwise in the following description, be interpreted as having their ordinary technical meaning as established in the relevant technical field. The detailed description will refer to specific embodiments to better illustrate the present disclosure, however, it should be understood that the presented disclosure is not limited to these specific embodiments.
In the present disclosure the term "gravity" naturally refers to the newtonian gravitational acceleration created by the earth and the term "gravity direction" refers to the direction of the acceleration which is oriented downwardly with respect to the location where the writing instrument is located.
In a first exemplary embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a writing instrument 10 as shown in figures 1 to 10 of which the description follows. Figure 1 is a perspective view of a writing instrument 10 in a retracted position. Figure 2 is a partial view of figure 1. Figure 3 is a perspective view of a writing instrument in a writing configuration or extended position. Figure 4 is a partial view of figure 3. Figures 5 to 10 illustrate details of the mechanism of the writing instrument 10.
The writing instrument 10 may be a marker, a felt pen, a highlighter, a ball point pen, a permanent or non-permanent marker or any other type of writing instrument with an extension and retraction mechanism for extending and retracting a writing tip of the instrument when necessary.
The writing instrument 10 may comprise a barrel or tubular body 12 having a longitudinal axis X. The tubular body may be a unitary body, or may comprise multiple components. In Figures 2 and 4, the barrel has been withdrawn to show the internal mechanism involved in the present disclosure.
The writing instrument 10 may comprise at a first forward end of the instrument a tip component 14 comprising a writing orifice 14a which is located at the distal end of the tip component 14.
The writing instrument 10 may comprise, at a second opposed rearward end of the instrument, a clip 16 for clipping the instrument onto a support, a piece of clothes etc. The clip may be actuated by a user, e.g. by pressing the latter with a finger (e.g. the thumb) forwardly along the axis X so as to cause extension of the writing tip of the instrument through the writing orifice 14a in a known manner. To be noted that other actuating members may alternatively be used for causing writing tip extension e.g. a push button without a clip. The writing instrument 10 may further comprise in the tubular body a tank for storing a writing ink used by the writing tip. The writing instrument 10 may further comprise a filler cap 18 disposed between the barrel 12 and the clip 16. The clip 16 may be firmly engaged around a protruding end of the filler cap 18 so as to cover the latter. The barrel 12 may extend longitudinally from the tip component 14 toward the rear part of the instrument where the clip 16 is located. The barrel 12 may extend longitudinally in a rearward direction so as to cover as a sheath the internal components of the writing instrument, including a forward end of the filler cap 18 while leaving the clip 16 uncovered.
The writing instrument 10 may comprise, within the barrel 12, a writing tip extension-retraction system or mechanism 20 that is configured to slide axially (along the longitudinal axis X) inside the barrel between a first extended forward position wherein the writing tip 20 extends outside the writing orifice 14a (figures 3 and 4) and a second retracted rearward position illustrated in figures 1 and 2 in which the writing tip 22 has been retracted inside the barrel along an axial rearward direction from the first extended forward position of figures 3 and 4.
The writing tip extension-retraction system 20 may further comprise other internal components such as a nib of which a first end forms the writing tip 22 and a nib holder 26 (e. g. a sleeve surrounding the nib) which may at least partly surround the nib 24 and firmly maintain the latter inside the nib holder 26. The nib is fixed inside the nib holder 26 and the latter is fixed to an inner tube 28 which may contain an ink tank, e.g. through tight engagement or insertion of the second opposed end of the nib into an opened first end of the inner tube 28.
The inner tube 28 extends rearwardly and is configured to move in accordance with the mechanism 20 between a position that is located proximate the rear end of the barrel 12, in the first forward extended position of figures 3 and 4, and a position located beyond the rear end of the barrel 12 in the second rearward retracted position of figures 1 and 2.
The filler cap 18 may be tightly mounted inside a second opposed end of the inner tube 28, e.g. by press-fit, so as to ensure air tight and prevent ink from evaporating. To be noted that the clip can be used as a filler cap: thus, instead of having a filler cap and a clip, one piece may serve for both elements.
The writing instrument 10 may further comprise a biasing member 30 (e.g. a spring) that is longitudinally disposed in the instrument and has two opposite ends along its longitudinal dimension: one end, 30a, may rest against at least one fixed stop 32 that is arranged on an inner surface of the barrel 12 (see figure 5), e.g. under the form of a peripheral inner ridge, and the opposite end 30b of biasing member 30 may press against a rear part of the inner tube 28, here on an outside shoulder 28a thereof. Thus the biasing member 30 is positioned between a fixed part 32 of the barrel and the inner tube 28 so as to exert permanent rearward pulling forces on the latter (in rearward direction R) which tend to pull rearwardly the inner tube 28, and therefore the writing tip extension-retraction system 20 toward the second retracted position of figures 1 and 2
The writing tip extension-retraction system 20 may further comprise a ratchet 40 coupled to the inner tube 28. The ratchet 40 as presented may provide a function of a shock absorber and also of an indexing element so as to control change of configuration of the writing instrument 10.
More specifically, the ratchet 40 may comprise a rearward portion 40b which is provided with a number of recesses 40c formed therein. These recesses 40c provide a damping function to the rearward portion 10b of the ratchet 40 so as to dampen shocks that may occur when the writing instrument 10 switches from one of the first extended forward position or the second retracted position to the other.
The ratchet 40 may also comprise a frontward portion 40a which is configured to control the change of position of the writing instrument 10 as it will be described hereafter.
The frontward portion 40a of the ratchet 40 may be provided with a plurality of slanted portions 47 configured to cooperate with slanted portions 17 of the tip component 14 so as to ensure a proper holding or release of the writing position of the writing instrument 10.
When the writing tip extension-retraction system 20 moves the writing instrument from the second retracted position towards the first extended forward position, i.e. when a user pushes the clip 16, the ratchet 40 is moved forward. The slanted portions 47 of the ratchet come into contact with the slanted portions 17 of the tip component 14. This will cause a rotation of the ratchet around the longitudinal axis X until the ratchet 40 abuts on a plane portion 19 of the tip component 14.
When the user releases the pressure on the writing tip extension-retraction system 20, the biasing member 30 brings back the writing instrument towards the second retracted position. Then, the ratchet 40 cooperates with the barrel 12 to ensure a proper holding of the writing instrument 10 in the writing position.
The frontward portion 40a of the ratchet 40 may comprise guiding portions 44 adapted to cooperate with a guiding ramp that may be formed in the barrel 12.
In the illustrated examples, the guiding portions 44 are formed by slanted portions that protrude radially on the outside of the ratchet 40, and that are slanted on a rearward facing surface as detailed for instance in figure 8 and figure 9. The barrel 12 may then comprise a guiding ramp 50 which can be seen for instance in figures 5 and figure 10, which may comprise a first slanted portion 51, a plane portion 52, and a second slanted portion 53 arranged successively. Once the ratchet 40 has been brought in contact with the tip component 14 and that their respective slanted portions 47 and 17 have cooperated to rotate the ratchet 40 around the longitudinal axis X, the guiding portions 44 will then be aligned with the first slanted portion 51, which will guide the ratchet 40 during its rearward movement resulting from the effect of the biasing member 30. As the guiding portions 44 move along the first slanted portion 51 of the guiding ramp 50, the displacement of the ratchet 40 will be stopped when the guiding portions 44 reach the plane portion 52, thereby maintaining the writing instrument 10 in a writing position. The plate portion 52 therefore cooperates with the guiding portions 44 of the ratchet 40 to define a stable position, while the first slanted portion 51 and the second slanted portion 53 of the guiding ramp define unstable positions with the guiding portions 44 of the ratchet 40.
The writing instrument 10 may further comprise one or more buttons 60 arranged on the barrel 12. These buttons 60 may be formed as tabs that extend from the barrel 12, and that are made in a single piece with the barrel 12 or in a single piece with a component of the barrel 12.
The buttons 60 may comprise an attachment portion 61 which acts as a spring, and a grip portion 62 which may protrude radially on the outer of the barrel 12. In examples, the the grip portion 62 may be offset to the outer surface of the barrel. Such, arrangement may further improve the gripping of the writing instrument. The buttons 60 may be arranged to be able to move, e.g. independently from each other, in a radial direction with respect to the longitudinal axis X. The attachment portion may enable a movement of the buttons in a radial direction with respect to the longitudinal axis X. The buttons 60 may therefore be qualified as push buttons.
The barrel 21 may be provided with one or more buttons 60. The barrel may for instance be provided with 1, 2, 3 or 4 buttons, that may be arranged around the longitudinal axis X, for instance regularly around the longitudinal axis X. By regularly arranged around the longitudinal axis X, we understand here that the buttons are arranged around the axis X such that two consecutive buttons 60 around the longitudinal axis X are separated by a constant angular value. Each of the buttons 60 may extend over a radial sector around the longitudinal axis X. When the writing instrument comprises 2 or more buttons 60, the buttons 60 may be positioned at a same distance from the writing orifice 14a, or at different distances from the writing orifice 14a.
The at least one button 60 as proposed is located in a front portion of the writing instrument 10, so that the user may push on at least one button 60, for example with his/her fingers, when using the writing instrument 10. The at least one button 60 may for instance be closer from the writing orifice 14a than from the rearward end of the writing instrument 10, which may for instance be the rearward end of the clip 16, opposite to the writing orifice 14a. The at least one button 60 may for instance be located between 0 cm and 5 cm from the writing orifice 14a, or may be located between 0.5 cm and 4 cm from the writing orifice 14a, or may be located between 0.5 cm and 4 cm from the writing orifice 14a, or may be located between 0.5 cm and 2 cm from the writing orifice 14a, such locations defining what is usually qualified as a grip distance of the writing instrument, which is the portion where the fingertips of the user seize the writing instrument. Depending on the overall dimension of the writing instrument 10, the at least one button 60 may be positioned in the frontward half portion of the writing instrument 10, or in the frontward third portion of the writing instrument 10, or in the frontward quarter portion of the writing instrument 10, wherein the frontward portion is here understood as the portion of the writing instrument that is adjacent to the writing orifice 14a along the longitudinal direction X.
Upon actuation by the user, the at least one button 60 will be pushed towards the inner volume of the writing instrument 10. The at least one button will then engage the ratchet 40 which rests on the plane portion 52 of the guiding ramp 50. Figure 6 represents a configuration in which the buttons 60 are in a rest configuration, i.e. when no effort is applied, and Figure 7 represents a configuration in which the buttons 60 are pressed by the user and engaged in the ratchet 40. While figure 7 presents a configuration in which all the buttons 60 are pressed, we understand that pressing at least one button 60 is sufficient to engage the ratchet 40.
The ratchet 40 comprises a slot 46 configured to accommodate at least partially the at least one button 60. When the button 60 engages the ratchet 40, a sloped portion 64 of the button 60 will cooperate with a sloped portion 48 of the ratchet 40 so as to further rotate the ratchet 40 (in a clockwise direction in figure 6), in order to engage the guiding portions 44 of the ratchet 40 with the second slanted portion 53 of the guiding ramp 50. We can understand that upon the action of the biasing member 30, this would then tend to bring the writing instrument back to the second retracted position. However, as the button 60 is now inserted within the slot 46 of the ratchet 40, the button 60 will act as a stop to prevent a further rotation of the ratchet 40, and therefore a further rearward movement along the second slanted portion 53. More specifically, if we refer to figure 6, a radial portion 45 of the ratchet 40 will abut on stop surface 65 of the button 60 opposed to the sloped portion 64.
When the user releases its pressure on the button 60, the button 60 disengages the ratchet 40, which will then move along the second slanted portion 53 under the rearward effect of the biasing member 30 to bring back the writing instrument 10 to the second retracted position.
The writing instrument 10 as presented may therefore provide an automatic retraction effect, by providing buttons 60 arranged on a portion of the writing instrument 10 that the user seizes upon uses, which will then automatically bring back the writing instrument 10 back into a retracted position when the user releases the pressure on these buttons 60. The buttons 60 define an actuating system for the writing instrument 10.
The writing instrument 10 as presented may therefore simplify the use of the writing instrument, while presenting a functional and reliable structure.
Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications and alterations are possible, without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. It is also to be understood that such modifications and alterations are incorporated in the scope of the present disclosure and the accompanying claims.

Claims

A writing instrument (10) comprising:
- a barrel (12) extending along a longitudinal axis (X),

- a writing tip (22),

- a writing tip extension-retraction system (20) configured to slide axially inside the barrel (12) between a first extended forward position wherein the writing tip (22) extends outside the barrel (12) from a writing orifice (14a), and a second retracted rearward position wherein the writing tip (22) is retracted inside the barrel (12) from the first extended forward position along the longitudinal axis (X),

- a biasing member (30), configured to urge the writing tip extension-retraction system (20) towards the second retracted rearward position,

- an actuating system comprising a button (60) moveable between an engaged position and a released position, wherein the button (60) is configured to maintain the writing tip extension-retraction system (20) in the first extended forward position to lock the latter in this position when it is in its engaged position, and to be disengaged from the tip extension-retraction system (20) so as to enable a displacement of the writing tip extension-retraction system (20) from the first extended forward position to the second retracted rearward position when the button (60) is in its released position, wherein the button (60) is arranged in the barrel (12) so as to be closer from the proximal end of the barrel than from the distal end of the barrel.
The writing instrument (10) of claim 1, wherein the button (60) is arranged in a portion of the barrel that is within 6 cm from the writing orifice (14a).
The writing instrument (10) of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the actuating system comprises at least two push buttons (60) regularly arranged around the longitudinal axis (X) of the barrel (12).
The writing instrument (10) of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein each button (60) is configured so as to protrude from an outer surface of the barrel (12).
The writing instrument (10) of any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the writing tip extension-retraction system (20) comprises
- a ratchet (40) located within the barrel (12) and configured to move along the longitudinal axis (X) and to rotate around the longitudinal axis (X), the ratchet (40) comprising a guiding portion (44),

- a guiding ramp (50) formed in an inner surface of the barrel (12), the guiding ramp (50) being configured to cooperate with the guiding portion (44) of the ratchet (40) to define a stable position for the writing tip extension-retraction system (20) in which it is maintained in the first extended forward position, and an unstable position or the writing tip extension-retraction system (20) in which it is urged towards the second retracted rearward position by the biasing member (30),

- wherein the button (60) is configured to, when moved in its engaged position, rotate the ratchet (40) from the stable position to the unstable position.
The writing instrument (10) of claim 5, wherein the ratchet (40) comprises a sloped portion (48) configured to cooperate with a sloped portion (64) of the button (60) so as to rotate the ratchet from the stable position to the unstable position.
The writing instrument (10) of claim 5 or 6, which comprises a tip component (14) connected to the barrel (12) wherein the tip component (14) defines the writing orifice (14a), wherein the tip component (14) comprises slanted portions (17) adapted to cooperate with slanted portions (47) of the ratchet so as to engage the guiding portion (44) of the ratchet (40) with the guiding ramp (50) when the writing tip extension-retraction system (20) is moved from the second retracted rearward position to the first extended forward position.
The writing instrument (10) of any of claims 5 to 7, wherein the ratchet (40) comprises a slot (46) configured to that the button (60) is at least partially in the slot (46) when the button (60) is in its engaged position.
The writing instrument of claim 8, wherein the slot (46) defines a radial portion (45) configured to abut on a stop surface (65) of the button (60) when the button is at least partially in the slot (46), thereby maintaining the ratchet in the unstable position.
The writing instrument of any of claims 1-9, wherein the button (60) is formed in a single piece of material with the barrel (12).
The writing instrument of any of claims 1-10, wherein the button (60) comprises an attachment portion configured to act as a spring and to urge the button (60) towards the released position, and a grip portion configured to protrude from the outer surface of the barrel (12) when the button (60) is in the released position.
The writing instrument (10) of any of claims 1-11, comprising three or more buttons (60) regularly arranged around the longitudinal axis (X).
The writing instrument (10) of any of claims 1-12, wherein the button (60) is configured so that a user exerts a pressure on the button (60) when seizing the writing instrument (10) and moves the button (60) from the released position to the engaged position.
The writing instrument (10) of any of claims 1-13, wherein the biasing member (30) comprises a spring which presents an end (30a) that abuts on a fixed stop (32) arranged on an inner surface of the barrel (12), and an opposite end (30b) that abuts on a portion of the writing tip extension-retraction system (20).
The writing instrument (10) of any of claims 1-14, comprising a clip (16) configured to move the writing tip (22) from the second retracted rearward position to the first retracted forward position, upon press applied by the user forwardly along the longitudinal axis (X).