WO2003057505A2

WO2003057505A2 - Writing utensil, writing head for a writing utensil, and production method for a writing head of this type

Info

Publication number: WO2003057505A2
Application number: PCT/EP2002/013784
Authority: WO
Inventors: Oliver Weiss; Michael Gutberlet
Original assignee: H & M Gutberlet Gmbh
Priority date: 2002-01-10
Filing date: 2002-12-05
Publication date: 2003-07-17
Also published as: DE10200618A1; WO2003057505A3

Abstract

The invention relates to a writing utensil for writing or operating writing or working surfaces by transferring a non-physical writing medium from the writing utensil to the writing or working surface. The writing utensil comprises a writing head (1) designed for interacting with the writing or working surface and comprises at least one additional part. This at least one additional part of the writing utensil is structurally identical to a part of a writing device via which a physical writing medium is transferred to the writing or working surface. This results in obtaining a manipulation of the writing utensil close to that of conventional writing devices. An injection molding or deep-drawing step can be used during the production of the writing head (1).

Description

Writing device, writing head for a writing device, and manufacturing method for such a writing head

The invention relates to a writing instrument according to the preamble of claim 1, a writing head according to claim 13 and a production method according to the preambles of claims 14 and 15.

Writing methods in which an immaterial writing medium is transferred from the writing instrument to the writing or working surface are understood to be writing methods in which no material such as ink adhering to the writing or working surface is transferred by the writing instrument. Examples of such writing methods are contact transmission (touch screen, electronic paper) and transmission using electromagnetic waves (light pen, laser pointer, light pen).

Generic writing instruments are known from the market as control elements in the context of such writing methods. Depending on the mode of operation of the underlying writing or working surface, the writing head of the writing device is designed accordingly. These known writing instruments have a writing behavior which differs significantly from conventional writing instruments in which a physical writing medium, for example ink, is transferred to the writing surface. In particular, the support characteristics, i.e. the haptic behavior, of the generic writing instruments are perceived as unusual, which makes handling these writing instruments more difficult. In addition to the haptic behavior, there are also differences in the general handling between the known generic writing instruments and the conventional writing instruments. This hinders the market acceptance of these known writing instruments.

It is therefore a first object of the present invention to develop a writing device of the type mentioned in the introduction in such a way that the writing behavior of such a writing device is at least approximated to that of a conventional writing device.

This object is achieved according to the invention by a writing instrument with the features mentioned in claim 1 and by a writing head according to claim 13.

According to the invention, it was recognized that the presence of a part of the writing device which is identical in construction to that of a conventional writing device suggests to the user that the handling of the writing device suitable for transferring a non-physical writing medium is closer to that of conventional writing devices. In the simplest case, the shaft and the grip part of a known conventional writing device can be used and connected to a writing head which is designed to interact with the writing or working surface by transferring an immaterial writing medium. The user then has the feeling of using a writing device familiar to him from the handling, which is simulated by the structurally identical part. This leads to an approximation of the handling of the writing device according to the invention to that of conventional writing devices.

By using parts that are identical to conventional writing devices, the writing device according to the invention can be manufactured less expensive compared to the production of a completely new writing instrument.

The write head can be designed according to claim 2. Such a writing head is suitable for writing or operating writing or working surfaces, which can be designed as touch screens with magnetic properties or as electronic paper working on an electrostatically based effect.

A design of the write head according to claim 3 has proven to be particularly secure in the transfer of the non-physical writing medium from the writing device to the writing or working surface. Alternatively, depending on the requirements of the writing or working surface or also the conventional writing device to be simulated, a curved surface section can be provided where the writing head comes into contact with the writing or working surface during writing.

Contactless writing is possible with a write head.

In the case of a writing head according to claim 5, in view of the attachment of the writing head to the part which is identical to the part of a conventional writing device, an intermediate part (adapter) having the fastening section can be omitted.

In the alternative embodiment according to claim 6, a writing instrument with a plurality of interchangeable writing heads, which are designed, for example, for writing on different types of writing or working surfaces, can be provided in a simple manner. A writing head according to claim 7 not only has an elegant appearance, but can also be designed in terms of its elastic properties so that it corresponds to that of a conventional ink fountain pen in terms of its tactile writing behavior. Alternatively, the shape of the spring of an ink fountain pen can also only be hinted at by the design of the writing head according to the invention. If desired, the shape or the material selection of such a writing head can nevertheless be used to achieve an elasticity which approximates the writing characteristics of an ink fountain pen holder.

A fastening section according to claim 8 can be easily connected to a shaft which is constructed identically to that of a conventional writing device. In connection with the shaft of an ink fountain pen holder, a writing head with such a fastening section can replace, for example, the ink spring and the ink regulator of the ink fountain pen holder.

With an attachment section according to claim 9, an easily replaceable write head can be realized.

A writing instrument with a writing head according to claim 10 can also be used as a conventional writing device if necessary.

Here, an embodiment of the write head is particularly simple. The material selection of such a writing head can be used to specify an elasticity thereof, by means of which, in addition to a writing characteristic which is well adapted to that of the conventional writing device, Stik also a secure connection of the write head to the writing device and protection of the writing tip of the conventional writing device can be achieved. For this purpose, the write head can be made in particular from multi-component plastic or from a fiber composite material.

An embodiment of the writing head according to claim 12 leads to an automatic suppression of the ink flow of an ink fountain pen when the writing head is attached.

The advantages of the write head according to claim 13 are corresponding to those of the writing device.

Another object of the invention is to provide an inexpensive production method for such a write head. This object is achieved according to the invention by the production method according to claims 14 and 15.

Injection molding or deep-drawing are process steps with which print heads can be produced from materials and with manufacturing tolerances that are sufficient for the above-mentioned requirements for the writing instrument according to the invention. In addition, the manufacturing methods according to claims 14 and 15 are inexpensive and suitable for mass production.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the drawing. In this show: Figure 1 is a plan view of a two spring legs and a mounting portion having a writing head of a writing instrument according to the invention.

Fig. 2 is a section along line B-B in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a section along line A-A in Fig. 1;

4 shows a perspective view of the write head according to FIGS. 1 to 3;

5 to 7 representations similar to FIGS. 1 to 3 of the write head according to FIGS. 1 to 4, in which the two pen nibs are symmetrically pressure-loaded by pressure on a writing surface;

FIG. 8 shows an enlarged detail of FIG. 5 in the area of a

Nib of the printhead (detail Y);

Fig. 9 is an enlarged detail of Fig. 6 in the area of

Nib of the printhead (detail Z);

10 to 12 representations similar to FIGS. 1 to 3 of the write head according to FIGS. 1 to 4, in which the two write spring legs are asymmetrically pressure-loaded by pressure on a writing surface;

13 shows an enlarged detail of FIG. 11 (detail Z) similar to FIG. 9; 14 is a perspective view of an alternative printhead according to the invention;

FIG. 15 shows a view along the longitudinal axis of the write head of FIG. 14 with the writing tip pointing towards the viewer; FIG.

Fig. 16 is a section along line A-A in Fig. 15;

17 to 19 representations similar to FIGS. 1 to 3 of a further alternative write head according to the invention with a separate fastening section;

20 shows a perspective view of the write head according to FIGS. 17 to 19;

Fig. 21 is a perspective view of the write head of Figs. 17 to 20;

22 shows a view along the longitudinal axis of the write head according to FIGS. 17 to 21 with the writing tip pointing towards the viewer;

23 shows a section along line E-E in FIG. 22;

24 to 26 representations similar to FIGS. 1 to 3 of a further alternative write head according to the invention with a separate fastening section; 27 to 29 representations similar to FIGS. 1 to 3 of a pen with a clip-on writing head according to the invention according to a further alternative embodiment;

30 shows a perspective view of the write head according to FIGS.

27 to 29;

31 shows a view of the write head according to FIGS. 27 to 30, in which a receptacle for the nib is turned towards the viewer;

32 shows a section along line A-A in FIG. 31; such as

33 to 35 further alternative push-on write heads.

1 to 4 show a first embodiment of a write head designated overall by 1. This is part of a writing device for writing or work surfaces which can be at least temporarily written or operated by transferring an immaterial writing medium from the writing device to the writing or working surface. Known examples of such writing or work surfaces are a touch screen or a sheet of electronic paper. 4 are not physical features, but serve to clarify the shape of the print head 1.

The write head 1 has the shape of a nib for an ink fountain pen. In contrast to this, the print head 1 is not made of metal, but made of plastic. The print head 1 is manufactured, for example, by multi-component injection molding or by a plastic deep-drawing process. Alternatively, the write head 1 can also consist of a composite material, for example a fiber composite material. The write head 1 is made of plastic at least in the area of the writing tip.

Since the writing head 1 differs from a conventional writing pen only in material, but not in shape, this shape need not be explained in detail. The spherical writing tip 2 of the writing head 1 is composed of two spherical halves, which represent the ends of two spring legs 3, 4 which are movable relative to one another. The end of the write head 1 facing away from the writing tip 2 is designed as a receiving section 5 for insertion into a corresponding receiving device of the writing device. Since the dimensions of the receiving section 5 correspond to those of a conventional pen, the writing head 1 can be inserted into the receptacle of an ink fountain pen and forms the writing instrument with it. 5 to 13 show the elastic behavior of the write head 1 in the case of two different pressure loading states of the writing tip 2. This elastic behavior corresponds to that of a conventional writing pen, so that it is explained only cursively below:

5 to 9 show the writing head 1 with symmetrical support of the writing tip 2 on a writing or working surface 6. In the contact area of the writing tip 2 on the writing or working surface 6, a force acts on the writing tip 2, which is shown in FIGS . 7 and 9 is designated with "F". Due to the elasticity of the spring legs 3, 4, these become light due to the symmetrical pressure load bent upwards, forming a wedge-shaped space 7 opening towards the writing tip 2 with a wedge angle α (see FIG. 8). In the conventional pen, due to the capillary action, this leads to an ink flow in the direction of the writing tip 2. This function is not required for the writing head 1, since no physical writing medium is transferred to the writing or working surface 6 there.

10 to 13 show the writing head 1 with asymmetrical loading of the spring legs 3, 4 by obliquely pressing the writing tip 2 onto the writing or working surface 6, the force F acting in turn in the support area. The spring leg 4 is bent more strongly than the spring leg 3, so that the writing tip 2 can be adapted to the writing or working surface 6 in such a way that an ink flow would also be ensured in the case of the conventional writing pen, even with an inclined support.

The elasticity of the spring legs 3, 4, which corresponds to that of the corresponding spring legs of a pen, results in a haptic behavior of the writing head 1 when writing or operating, which corresponds to that of a conventional writing pen.

14 to 35 show alternative embodiments of writing heads, possibly with further fastening components for attachment to components of writing implements that are identical to conventional writing devices. Components which correspond to those which have already been described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 13 have the same reference symbols and will not be explained again in detail. Unless explicitly referenced to a special selection of paintings - I l ¬

sen, the alternative embodiments have the same material composition as the first described embodiment.

14 to 16 show a second embodiment of the write head 1. In the area of the write tip 2, this differs from the write head

1 of FIGS. 1 to 13 in that no continuous space 7 is formed between the spring legs 3, 4, but that the spring legs 3, 4 are connected to one another in the second embodiment via a material web 8 running parallel to the longitudinal axis of the write head 1 , Along the material web 8 in the upper side of the writing head 1 there is a groove 9 which opens in a wedge shape towards the upper side, so that the writing head 1 in the section assigned to the writing tip 2 is given the appearance of a conventional writing pen. The writing tip

2 also differs from that of the first exemplary embodiment in that it is not designed as a spherical extension, but instead results as a continuous extension of the two spring legs 3, 4.

Via the choice of material for the writing section of the writing head 1 and the thickness of the material web 8, the spring legs 3, 4 can optionally be moved relative to one another by tilting relative to a tilting axis running along the material web 8.

Instead of the receiving section 5 of the first embodiment, the second embodiment of the writing head 1 has an integrally formed screw attachment 10 with an external thread 11 on its end section facing away from the writing tip 2. By means of the screw attachment 10, the writing head 1 of the second embodiment can be inserted into an internal thread of a handle part of the writing instrument which is complementary to the external thread 11. screw, the handle part is identical to that of a conventional screwing device.

17 to 23 show a third embodiment of a write head 1. FIGS. 17 to 20 show the write head 1 inserted into a fastening section 12. FIGS. 21 to 23 show details of the write head 1 of the third embodiment. This (see FIGS. 21 and 23) has a cylindrical basic shape with hemispherically rounded end faces. The base body of the write head 1 has two opposite longitudinal grooves 13 into which correspondingly complementary springs 14 (see FIG. 20) of the fastening section 12 can be inserted.

In a plane running perpendicular to the connecting plane of the two longitudinal grooves 13, the write head 1 of the third exemplary embodiment is divided by a longitudinal slot 15 which extends from the write tip 2 to near the opposite end section of the write head 1, so that two spring legs 3, 4 are formed, which are connected to one another via an end material web 16 facing away from the writing tip 2.

The writing tip 2 has a flat chamfer surface 17 where the writing tip 2 is to come in flat contact with the writing or working surface 6. Because of the longitudinal slot 15, the chamfer surface 17 is divided symmetrically into two partial surfaces.

The choice of material for the print head 1 and its dimensions, in particular that of the material web 16, are such that there is an elasticity of the spring legs 3, 4 when the write head 1 is used, which corresponds to that of a conventional pen as described above with reference to FIGS. 5 to 13.

For receiving the write head 1 of the third embodiment, the fastening section 12 has a receiving recess 18 which is laterally delimited by the springs 14 and is complementary to the shape of the write head 1. Otherwise, the fastening section 12 has the same shape as the write head 1 of the first exemplary embodiment.

24 to 26 show a fourth embodiment of the write head 1. Apart from the fact that the chamfer surface 17 and the longitudinal slot 15 are absent, this corresponds to its outer shape according to the write head 1 of the third exemplary embodiment.

The write head 1 of the fourth exemplary embodiment has a light-emitting diode 19 on the writing tip side and a battery and supply unit 20 connected to the latter. The writing device having the writing head 1 of the fourth exemplary embodiment can therefore be used as a light pen. Alternatively, a laser diode or a photodiode can also be used instead of the light-emitting diode 19, for example. In the latter case, a writing device equipped with such a writing head 1 can be used as a sensor pen (e.g. in the manner of a light pen).

The light-emitting diode 19 and the battery and supply unit 20 of the fourth exemplary embodiment of the write head 1 can be replaced by other functional units for transmitting an immaterial writing medium. The write head 1 of the fourth exemplary embodiment can also consist, for example, of a plastic with magnetic properties. Such a write head 1 is suitable as a writing instrument for magnetic table-sensitive writing, drawing and painting media. Alternatively, the write head 1 of the fourth exemplary embodiment can also consist of an electrostatically acting material. Here, the friction between the material of the write head 1 of the fourth exemplary embodiment and that of the writing device generates or operates the writing device

Writing or working surface with appropriate material selection, an electrostatic charging of the writing head 1. An example of a suitable material combination is a writing or working surface made of plastic and a writing head 1 made of hard rubber. An electrostatically reactive writing or working surface can be operated by means of the electrostatic charge.

The fastening section 12 of the fourth exemplary embodiment corresponds to that of the third exemplary embodiment.

27 to 32 show a fifth exemplary embodiment of a write head 1. This is designed as a plug-on part with an essentially triangular basic shape (compare FIGS. 27, 32), which has a receiving pocket 21 in which the tip of a conventional metallic nib 22 of an ink fountain pen holder can be included. By the

Writing head 1 of the fifth exemplary embodiment protects the writing tip of the conventional writing pen 22 and, as an extension of the writing tip of the conventional writing pen 22, creates the writing tip 2 of the writing device for operating the writing or working surface for transferring the non-physical writing medium.

The receiving pocket 21 is adapted to the conventional nib 22 in a form-fitting manner. The choice of material for the write head 1 of the fifth exemplary embodiment is such that manufacturing tolerances and geo- metric tolerances of the conventional nib 22 can be compensated. In particular, the write head 1 of the fifth exemplary embodiment can be designed with such a high acceptance tolerance that pen nibs 22 of different designs, for example those from different manufacturers, can be accommodated.

Optionally, the receiving pocket 21 can be designed with undercuts which engage around corresponding projections of the conventional nib 22, so that the cry head 1 of the fifth exemplary embodiment is held securely on the conventional nib. In particular, the side walls of the receiving pocket 21, which laterally encompass the spring legs of the conventional nib 22, are shaped such that when the conventional nib is picked up by lateral pressure on the spring legs, they close the ink conduit which promotes the ink of the nib (see interspace 7 in FIG. 8).

To protect the surface of the conventional nib 22, the surfaces of the receiving pocket 21 facing the nib may be made of a softer material than the rest of the writing head 1 of the fifth embodiment. Such an embodiment can be carried out, for example, using two-component technology and can also improve the adhesive force of the write head of the fifth exemplary embodiment on the writing instrument.

33 to 35 show a sixth, seventh and eighth embodiment of a write head 1. These forms of execution have receiving pockets 21, which are complementary to corresponding conventional pens, the writing tips of which can be inserted into the receiving pocket 21, so that analog Relationships result, as in Described in connection with FIGS. 27 to 32. Such conventional pens are, for example, roller or fineliners.

Another aspect that determines the choice of material for the write head 1 and, if appropriate, for the fastening section 12 is, in addition to the elasticity of the material, the aesthetic appearance of the material. Luminous effect materials such as fluorescent plastics can therefore also be used in the choice of material.

Claims

claims

1. Writing device for writing or working surfaces which can be at least temporarily written or operated by transferring an immaterial writing medium from the writing device to the writing or working surface, with a writing head designed to interact with the writing or working surface and with at least one further one Part,

characterized in that

a further part (22) of the writing instrument is identical in construction to a part of a writing device with which a physical writing medium is transferred to the writing or working surface (6).

2. Writing implement according to claim 1, characterized in that the writing head (1) is designed so that it comes into contact with the writing or operating surface with the writing or working surface (6), it being at least where (2) where it is at Writing or operating comes into contact with the writing or working surface (6), consists of plastic, in particular of a multi-component plastic or of a composite material.

3. Writing implement according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the writing head (1) where (2) where it comes into contact with the writing or operating with the writing or working surface (6) comes into contact, has a flat surface section (17) ,

4. Writing implement according to claim 1, characterized in that the

Print head (1) has a radiation emitter (19), in particular a light-emitting diode, and / or a radiation sensor, in particular a photodiode.

5. Writing implement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the writing head (1) is designed as a component with a fastening section (5; 10; 21) which is attached to a complementary fastening section of the part (22) which is identical to the part of the writing device ) can be attached.

6. Writing implement according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by a fastening section (12), via which the writing head (1) can be attached to a complementary fastening section of the part which is identical to the part of the writing device.

7. Writing implement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the writing head (1) and or the fastening section (5; 12) is designed such that it can be attached to an ink fountain pen holder, in particular the shape of the

The print head (1) and / or the fastening section (5; 12) corresponds to the spring of an ink fountain pen.

8. Writing implement according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the fastening section (10) is designed as a threaded section.

, Writing instrument according to one of claims 6 to 8 when referring back to claim 6, characterized in that the fastening section (12) has a receptacle (18) for the writing head (1).

10. Writing implement according to claim 5, characterized in that the

Writing head (1) is designed as a component which can additionally be attached to a writing device (22) with which a physical medium is transferred to the writing or working surface (6).

11. A writing instrument according to claim 10, characterized by a write head which can be plugged onto the writing tip of the writing device (22)

(1).

12. A writing instrument according to claim 11, characterized by a writing head (1) which can be plugged onto an ink spring (22) and which is designed such that it exerts a lateral force on the spring legs of the ink spring (22) in the attached state.

13. Writing head for a writing instrument according to one of claims 1 to 12.

14. Manufacturing method for a write head according to claim 13, characterized by an injection molding step.

15. Manufacturing method for a write head according to claim 13, characterized by a deep-drawing step.