WO2019012348A1

WO2019012348A1 - Writing instrument

Info

Publication number: WO2019012348A1
Application number: PCT/IB2018/054291
Authority: WO
Inventors: Paolo Coppi; Antonio Vincenzo PERRA
Original assignee: Paolo Coppi; Perra Antonio Vincenzo
Priority date: 2017-07-13
Filing date: 2018-06-13
Publication date: 2019-01-17
Also published as: IT201700078532A1

Abstract

Described is a writing device comprising a writing tip (10) which extends along a first direction of extension (Y) and a gripping portion (11) connected to the writing tip (10) and extending along a second direction of extension (X). During an operating configuration, the first direction of extension (Y) is inclined relative to the second direction of extension (X).

Description

WRITING INSTRUMENT SUBMARINE

[0001] This invention relates to the sector of articles for office use.

[0002] More specifically, the invention relates to a writing device.

[0003] Various devices are currently known which are designed to trace graphical marks and write which differ on the basis of the type of writing tip used.

[0004] Pencils fall within the most common writing devices. The term pencil indicates a writing instrument usually consisting of a wooden rod with a graphite core. Pencils allow the writing thanks to their graphite core which releases thin layers of graphite during its sliding on the surface intended for the writing. Disadvantageously, the grip made of wood is not ergonomic and is often uncomfortable. In the long term this drawback can lead to problems of the skin such as, for example, hyperkeratosis, the so- called writers' callus.

[0005] The most commonly used instrument for writing is the pen. This instrument allows the writing by releasing a writing liquid, generally ink, during its passage on the surface intended for the writing. The ink is contained in a special housing and is released by passing through a pen-nib, in the case of fountain-pen, or a writing tip equipped with a ball, in the case of a ballpoint pen. Disadvantageously, the grip of pens is very close to the writing portion from which the writing liquid escapes. This frequently results in the writers soiling their hands or clothes.

[0006] More specifically, left-handed writers who are writing from left to right often adopt inappropriate positions during the act of writing in order to deal with this problem. These compensation positions not only generally lead to a not easily readable handwriting but also affect the health of the user with problems which are not to be underestimated. In fact, an incorrect posture during writing is not only often the source of cervical and rheumatic pains but can, in the case of young writers, generate problems to the spine such as, for example, kyphosis and scoliosis.

[0007] Further, with the arrival of the digital era, writing supports are increasingly

widespread which do not allow the use of traditional writing, such as tablets, smartphones and graphic tablets.

[0008] With regard to these digital devices, special styluses have been developed over the years for interacting with the screen of the device or with a surface designed for converting the analogue signal of the stylus into a digital input. These writing instruments generally have the shape of a pen, extending along a main direction and have at one end a portion configured for writing. Unfortunately, the reduced dimensions of the digital screens are such that the writing devices designed for them are extremely uncomfortable and not very practical to use. [0009] It should be noted, lastly, that all the above-mentioned prior art devices have the drawback of covering the view of what has just been written by the users, very often causing a not very clear writing.

[0010] In this context, the technical purpose which forms the basis of the present invention is to propose a writing device which overcomes the above mentioned disadvantages of the prior art.

[0011] More specifically, the aim of this invention is to provide a writing device which

simplifies and improves the writing experience for the user.

[0012] The technical purpose indicated and the aim specified are substantially achieved by a writing device with the technical features described in one or more of the appended claims.

[0013] The invention proposes a writing device comprising a writing tip which extends along a first direction of extension. The writing device also comprises a gripping portion connected to the writing tip. The gripping portion extends along a second direction of extension which, during an operating configuration, is inclined relative to the first direction of extension.

[0014] In other words, the aim of this invention is achieved thanks to the fact that the

writing axis is inclined relative to the gripping axis, thus allowing a better viewing and a more appropriate posture for the user.

[0015] Further features and advantages of the invention are more apparent in the non- limiting description which follows of a preferred embodiment of a writing device as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0016] - Figure 1 schematically shows a side view of a first possible embodiment of a the writing device according to the invention;

[0017] - Figure 2 schematically shows a side view of a second possible embodiment of the writing device;

[0018] - Figure 3 schematically shows a side view of a third possible embodiment of the writing device;

[0019] - Figure 4 schematically shows a side view of a fourth possible embodiment of the writing device.

[0020] With reference to the accompanying drawings, the numeral 1 denotes in its entirety a writing device according to the invention.

[0021] The writing device 1 comprises a writing tip 10 and a gripping portion 11.

[0022] The writing tip 10 has a direction of extension Y.

[0023] The gripping portion 11 has a direction of extension X.

[0024] In an operating condition the direction of extension X of the gripping portion is

inclined relative to the direction of extension Y of the writing tip.

[0025] The gripping portion 11 is made with a shape configured to allow an ergonomic gripping of the writing device 1 by the user, thus facilitating use. Preferably, the gripping portion 11 has rubber elements designed to facilitate the correct grip of the writing device 1 by the user.

[0026] Preferably, the writing device 1 comprises connecting means 12 configured to

connect the gripping portion 11 and the writing tip 10 and thereby interposed between them. Still more preferably, the connecting means 12 are configured to allow the inclination of the writing tip 10 relative to the gripping portion 11 to obtain a plurality of operating configurations. In accordance with a possible embodiment, the connecting means 12 may comprise a hinge positioned between the writing tip and the gripping portion. In accordance with a possible embodiment, the connecting means may allow a complete rotation of the writing tip with respect to the gripping portion or a rotation of less than 360°.

[0027] Preferably, the writing device 1 comprising locking means 15 configured for locking the writing tip 10 with respect to the gripping portion 11 in each of the operating configurations. For example, the locking means can comprise segmented wheels designed to define a discrete rotation of the writing tip with respect to the gripping portion.

[0028] Even more preferably, the locking means 15 comprise an actuator 100 configured for activating/deactivating the locking means 15 for respectively allowing/preventing the passage of the writing tip 10 from a first to a second configuration. Preferably, the actuator 100, for example a pushbutton, comprises elastic means designed to keep locked the connecting means 12 and, preferably, to move the writing tip to a predetermined operating configuration.

[0029] More specifically, the first configuration may be a configuration wherein the

direction of extension Y is inclined relative to the second direction of extension X according to a first angle of inclination and the second configuration may be an operating configuration wherein the first direction of extension Y is inclined relative to the second direction of extension X according to a second angle of inclination or a rest configuration wherein the direction of extension Y is coaxial relative to the direction of extension X.

[0030] Preferably, the writing tip 10 comprises one of the following: a pencil lead, a pen- nib, a ball-point tip or a capacitive tip stylus.

[0031] In accordance with a particular embodiment, for example shown in Figure 1, the writing tip is connected to the gripping portion and locked in position inclined relative to it at an angle of between 0 degrees and 110 degrees, preferably 43 degrees.

Preferably, the gripping portion 11 has a polygonal cross-section in such a way as to guarantee a stationary gripping, avoiding inconvenient rotations during the act of writing. Still more preferably, the gripping portion 11 has a hexagonal cross- section.

[0032] The gripping portion 11 is configured for containing a tank configured to contain the writing liquid, preferably ink. Alternatively, the writing tip may be made as a ca- pacitive tip, pencil lead or pen-nib.

[0033] The reservoir for the writing liquid is connectable to the writing tip 10 in such a way as to allow the writing tip 10 to release ink during the act of writing.

[0034] The writing device 1, in accordance with the embodiment in Figure 1, has a length of between the 9 cm and 28 cm, preferably equal to 17.5 cm.

[0035] In accordance with a further embodiment, for example shown in Figure 2, there are the connecting means 12 configured for allowing the rotation of the writing tip 10 with respect to the gripping portion 11.

[0036] The writing device 1 of Figure 2 has the locking means 15 configured for locking the writing tip 10 relative to the gripping portion 11 in each operating configuration. More specifically, the locking means 15 comprise at least one segmented wheel configured for keeping the writing tip 10 and the gripping portion 11 mutually inclined in the desired position. Preferably, the locking means 15 comprise the actuator 100 configured for activating/deactivating the locking means 15. In particular the actuator 100 is configured in such a way as to deactivate the locking means 15 following a relative compression by the user.

[0037] The actuator 100 can also comprise the elastic means described above.

[0038] The writing tip 10 has a ball-point tip designed to release ink during writing. Alternatively, there may be a capacitive tip or a pencil lead.

[0039] According to a further embodiment, for example shown in Figure 3, the writing

device 1 comprises two writing tips 10, 20 connected to the gripping portion 11, in such a way that the gripping portion 11 is positioned between the two writing tips 10, 20. Both the writing tips are connected to the gripping portion by the connecting means 12.

[0040] Preferably, the connecting means may allow the complete rotation of the writing tips or a rotation of less than 360°. More specifically, the writing tip 10 can rotate by an angle less than 360° whilst the writing tip 20 can rotate completely on an axis perpendicular to the direction of extension X of the gripping portion 11.

[0041] The gripping portion 11 comprises a housing 16 designed to house the writing tip 20.

[0042] The two writing tips may be equal or different. More specifically, the writing tip 10 may be a ball-point tip and the writing tip 20 may be a capacitive tip stylus configured for writing on electronic devices such as, for example, tablets, handheld devices or smartphones.

[0043] According to a further embodiment, for example shown in Figure 4, the writing tip is a capacitive tip stylus and the connecting means 12 comprise a hinge interposed between the writing tip and the gripping portion. The gripping portion is made by a stem with a circular or oval or rectangular cross section. The length of the stem is preferably equal to 10.8 cm in the case of capacitive pens for smartphones, or 16.2 cm in the case of tablets designed for the placing of signatures, for example in banking institutions. Alternatively, the stem may have a length of up to 18 cm for drawing or writing on larger whiteboards.

[0044] Preferably, the connecting means 12 may comprise two opposite wings which rotate on a fixed pin provided inside them by opposite microsphere means designed to produce the friction necessary to keep the desired angle for drawing the sign.

[0045] The invention achieves the preset aim by providing the user with a writing device which simplifies and improves the writing experience for the user.

[0046] This aim is achieved thanks to the inclination of the axis of the writing tip relative to the axis of the gripping portion of the writing device. In this way the writer can approach the writing surface at various angles without resulting in harmful and inappropriate postures.

[0047] Advantageously, the writing device according to the invention allows the user to not soil hands and clothes during writing.

[0048] Advantageously, the ergonomic and innovative grip limits the risk of problems of the skin such as hyperkeratosis.

[0049] Advantageously, the distance between the writing tip and the gripping area of the writer does not cover the line of writing, limiting in this way orthographic errors.

[0050] Advantageously, the device according to the invention provides an instrument

designed both for writing on digital devices and traditional supports such as, for example, sheets of paper.

Claims

A writing device (1) comprising:

- a writing tip (10, 20) extending along a first direction of extension

(Y);

- a gripping portion (11) connected to the writing tip (10, 20) and extending along a second direction of extension (X);

characterised in that, during an operating configuration, the first direction of extension (Y) is inclined relative to the second direction of extension (X).

The writing device according to claim 1, comprising two writing tips (10, 20) connected to the gripping portion (11), the gripping portion

(11) being positioned between the two writing tips (10, 20).

The writing device according to claim 1 or 2, comprising connecting means (12) interposed between the gripping portion (11) and the writing tip (10, 20).

The writing device according to claim 3, wherein the connecting means

(12) are configured for modifying the inclination of the writing tip (10, 20) with respect to the gripping portion (11) defining a plurality of operating configurations.

The writing device according to claim 4, comprising locking means (15) configured for locking the writing tip (10, 20) with respect to the gripping portion (11) in each of the plurality of operating configurations.

The writing device according to claim 5, wherein the locking means (15) comprise an actuator (100) configured for activating/deactivating the locking means (15) for respectively allowing/preventing the passage of the writing tip (10, 20) from a first to a second configuration.

The writing device according to claim 6, wherein the actuator (100) comprises elastic return means designed to promote the passage of the writing tip (10, 20) from the first to the second configuration.

The writing device according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the first configuration is a first operating configuration wherein the first direction of extension (Y) is inclined relative to the second direction of extension (X) according to a first angle of inclination and the second configuration is a second operating configuration wherein the first direction of extension (Y) is inclined relative to the second direction of extension (X) according to a second angle of inclination.

[Claim 9] The writing device according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the first configuration is a first operating configuration wherein the first direction of extension (Y) is inclined relative to the second direction of extension (X) according to a first angle of inclination and the second configuration is a second rest configuration wherein the first direction of extension (Y) is coaxial relative to the second direction of extension (X).

[Claim 10] The writing device according to any one of the preceding claims,

wherein the writing tip (10, 20) comprises one of the following: a pencil lead, a pen-nib, a ball-point tip or a capacitive tip stylus.

[Claim 11] The writing device according to any one of the preceding claims,

wherein the gripping portion (11) comprises a seat designed to receive at least partly the writing tip (10, 20).