Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B43—WRITING OR DRAWING IMPLEMENTS; BUREAU ACCESSORIES
  • B43K—IMPLEMENTS FOR WRITING OR DRAWING
  • B43K7/00—Ball-point pens
  • B43K7/12—Ball-point pens with retractable ball points
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B43—WRITING OR DRAWING IMPLEMENTS; BUREAU ACCESSORIES
  • B43K—IMPLEMENTS FOR WRITING OR DRAWING
  • B43K21/00—Propelling pencils
  • B43K21/006—Pencil-barrels
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B43—WRITING OR DRAWING IMPLEMENTS; BUREAU ACCESSORIES
  • B43K—IMPLEMENTS FOR WRITING OR DRAWING
  • B43K24/00—Mechanisms for selecting, projecting, retracting or locking writing units
  • B43K24/02—Mechanisms for selecting, projecting, retracting or locking writing units for locking a single writing unit in only fully projected or retracted positions
  • B43K24/08—Mechanisms for selecting, projecting, retracting or locking writing units for locking a single writing unit in only fully projected or retracted positions operated by push-buttons
  • B43K24/082—Mechanisms for selecting, projecting, retracting or locking writing units for locking a single writing unit in only fully projected or retracted positions operated by push-buttons placed on the side
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B43—WRITING OR DRAWING IMPLEMENTS; BUREAU ACCESSORIES
  • B43K—IMPLEMENTS FOR WRITING OR DRAWING
  • B43K25/00—Attaching writing implements to wearing apparel or objects involving constructional changes of the implements
  • B43K25/02—Clips
  • B43K25/028—Clips combined with means for propelling, projecting or retracting the writing unit
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B43—WRITING OR DRAWING IMPLEMENTS; BUREAU ACCESSORIES
  • B43K—IMPLEMENTS FOR WRITING OR DRAWING
  • B43K7/00—Ball-point pens
  • B43K7/005—Pen barrels
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B43—WRITING OR DRAWING IMPLEMENTS; BUREAU ACCESSORIES
  • B43K—IMPLEMENTS FOR WRITING OR DRAWING
  • B43K8/00—Pens with writing-points other than nibs or balls
  • B43K8/003—Pen barrels

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a writing instrument with retractable tip and more particularly to a writing instrument comprising: - a barrel extending along a longitudinal axis between a rear end and a front end provided with an opening, and having a side window; - a movable writing tip between an extended position in which the tip comes out through the opening and a retracted position in which the tip is housed in the barrel; - a movable member connected to the writing tip; and a side button adapted to cooperate with the movable member, which is movable in a substantially radial direction through the window between a first position for which the writing tip is retracted and a second position for which the tip is kept extended.
• This type of writing instrument most often, but not necessarily, consists of a ball point pen, the side button of which has a clip which allows the pen to be hung on a shirt pocket for example.
• the side button When the side button is in the second position, it is generally pushed into the barrel of the pen, so that the clip is not usable, which avoids hanging the pen on a garment while the ball point is still exit.
• the writing tip must be held out sufficiently reliably and firmly so that it does not retract inadvertently, especially if the user exerts significant pressure on the tip or if he drops the pen on a table or on floor.
• document EP-A-0337447 discloses a ballpoint pen with retractable tip of the aforementioned type, in which the side button comprising a clip acts on the movable member provided with inclined ramps to take out the writing tip.
• the side button has at its front end a tab 10a which is housed under a retaining part 13 so as to keep the side button in the depressed position.
• the locking thus achieved can only be obtained by exerting pressure on the front part of the side button, while it is necessary to exert pressure on the rear part of the side button to obtain the unlocking and retraction of The point.
• These particular conditions for actuating the side button are not necessarily known to the user, so that the writing instrument comprising such a mechanism may prove to be impractical to use.
• improper actuation of the side button can cause deformation or wear of the tab 10a and the corresponding parts of the movable member, so that the locking which is carried out with a slightly protruding element, can become unreliable and cause an untimely retraction of the writing tip.
• the present invention aims to overcome the drawbacks mentioned above, by proposing a side button mechanism which allows the writing tip to be held reliably in the extended position while retaining a mode of actuation of the side button which is simple and intuitive.
• the invention relates to an instrument writing device of the aforementioned type, characterized in that the lateral button comprises a guide in which a locking member is movable between an unlocked position and a locking position of said lateral button, in which it engages with a retaining element arranged in the barrel and for which the side button is immobilized with respect to the barrel, said locking member being urged, at least when said side button is in the second position, towards the locking position.
• a movable locking member allows positive and reliable locking of the side button when it is in the second position, that is to say when the writing tip is out.
• the fact that the locking member is biased towards the locking position avoids having to resort to a more or less complex manipulation of the side button to keep the tip in the extended position, because the locking member passes so automatic in the locking position when the side button is moved to the second position.
• the retaining element is integral with the barrel;
• the guide of the side button is a housing extending along the longitudinal axis and having at one end an opening through which the locking member slides along said longitudinal axis to engage the retaining element;
• the locking member has a first end adapted to come into engagement with the retaining element and a second end in contact against the movable member when the lateral button is in the second position, the movable member being urged by a elastic member towards the first end of the locking, so as to urge the locking member towards the locking position;
• the side button has a lug s 1 extending longitudinally which is adapted to engage with a flange of the movable member when said side button is in the second position;
• the second end of the locking member is adapted to move the movable member from a position in which the edge thereof is engaged with the lug of the side button, to a position in which said edge n '
• FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a writing instrument according to the invention, the writing tip of which is in the retracted position;
• - Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1 in which the writing tip is extended;
• - Figure 3 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of the writing instrument shown in Figure 1;
• - Figure 4 is a sectional view along line IV-IV of Figure 3;
• - Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 3 in which the writing tip is partially extended;
• - Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 5 in which the writing tip is extended;
• - Figure 7 is a longitudinal section of a second embodiment of the writing instrument 1 according to the invention;
• - Figure 8 is a view similar to Figure 7 in which the writing tip is extended;
• - Figure 9 is a longitudinal sectional view of a third embodiment of the instrument writing according to the invention;
• - Figure 10 is a view similar to Figure 9 in which the
• FIG. 1 there is shown in perspective a writing instrument 1 of ballpoint pen type comprising a barrel 2 extending along a longitudinal axis X between a front end 2a and a rear end 2b, and a side button 3 which passes through the barrel through a side window 4.
• the pen also includes a writing tip 5 movable along the longitudinal axis X between a retracted position, shown in FIG. 1, in which the tip is housed in the barrel and an extended position, shown in Figure 2, wherein the tip 5 emerges from the barrel through an opening 6 formed at one front end 2a.
• the writing tip is a ball point in the embodiment shown, but it could be a felt tip or a mine from a cartridge including a feed mechanism.
• the barrel 2 comprises a central tubular body 7 provided with a conical tip 8 at its front end and a plug 9 at its rear end.
• a movable member 10 is arranged inside the barrel 2 so as to slide along the longitudinal axis X.
• the movable member has on the front side a recess 11 adapted to receive the rear end of an ink tank 12 the front end of which is fixed to the writing tip 5, so that the movable member 10 is connected to the writing tip 5.
• the movable member could be urged in the same direction by any other elastic member, such as for example a plastic sleeve having slots.
• the lateral button 3 comprises a clip 15 which extends from a base in the extension of the external face of the button towards the front end 2a.
• the button 3 is slidably mounted through the window 4 delimited by a periphery 16 which extends over a certain distance measured in a radial direction relative to the longitudinal axis X and has a rectangular cross section, so that the side button is movable in an essentially radial direction between two positions.
• the button 3 has tabs 17 extending inwards from the barrel along the wall 16 of the window, which guides the sliding of the button through the latter.
• the inner end of the lugs 17 has a projection which cooperates with an inner longitudinal edge of the tubular body 2 to limit the exit of the button, as can be seen in FIG. 4.
• the side button protrudes from the outside surface of the barrel 2 and the clip 15 is fully extended.
• FIG. 6 When the user presses on the outside of button 3, it slides towards the inside of the barrel until it reaches a second position, shown in FIG. 6, in which clip 15 is entirely housed in the window.
• the window 4 is adapted to the length and / or the shape of the clip 15 to receive the latter.
• the outer surface of the button 3 and the clip 15 are then flush with the surface of the barrel, so that the clip can no longer be hung on a garment.
• the clip 15 could only partially penetrate the window to be unusable.
• the barrel 2 has a continuous outer surface over most of its length and thus offers great ease of handling.
• the lateral button 3 cooperates in a known manner with the movable member 10 so as to move the writing tip 5 from the retracted position shown in FIG. 3, to the position output of the writing tip shown in Figure 6.
• the movable member 10 has an inclined ramp 20 against which slides a portion 21 of the side button, as can be seen in Figures 3 and 4.
• an inclined face of the button bears against the inclined ramp of the mobile member 10, which limits the possibilities of play of the mobile member.
• the cooperation between the button and the movable member could be achieved differently, as for example with a lug sliding in a slot inclined relative to the longitudinal axis.
• the side button 3 has a housing 24 which extends along one longitudinal axis X between two open ends.
• the housing 24 also has radial openings on the side opposite to the clip 15 and thus has an openwork configuration.
• the housing 24 forms a guide in which slides along the longitudinal axis X a locking member 26.
• the locking member 26 has the configuration of a rectangular plate which has a first end 27 on the rear side and a second opposite end 28 to the first. The first end 27 of the locking member 25 does not protrude from the guide 24 of the lateral button 3 when the latter is in the first position and during the lateral displacement towards the second position.
• the side button 9 In this position of the locking member 26, called the unlocked position, the side button 9 is therefore free to slide through the window 4, the first end 27 of the locking member also sliding against the wall 16 delimiting the window.
• the locking member 25 assumes a locking position under the action of a stress detailed below.
• the first end 27 engages a retaining element 29, so that the side button can no longer slide outwards despite the force exerted in this direction by an additional spring 23 disposed between the button side and the inner wall of the tubular body 7 opposite the window 4, and possibly by the pressure exerted by the movable member 10 on the inclined face 22 of the side button.
• the displacement of the locking member makes it possible to obtain significant cooperation between the end 27 and the retaining element 29, which ensures reliable maintenance of the side button in the second position, and therefore, reliable maintenance of the writing tip 5 in the extended position, and this without requiring displacement of the lateral button 3 other than the movement in the radial direction.
• the locking member 26 performs a translational movement along the longitudinal axis X towards the rear to assume the locking position in the embodiments shown, however, it is conceivable that the locking member performs a different movement, such as a movement in a radial direction and perpendicular to the movement of the side button, or a pivoting movement about an axis parallel to the direction of movement of the side button.
• the guide in which is mounted the locking member would have a substantially different shape of the housing 24.
• the retaining element 29 is a projection formed in the button 9 of the barrel, which extends longitudinally towards the front end 2a.
• the retaining element could consist of a rim of the movable member with which the first end of the locking member would cooperate.
• the cooperation of the locking member 26 with an element integral with the barrel limits the play between the parts of the mechanism, which increases the reliability of the locking.
• the locking member 20 is biased towards the locking position when the side button 3 approaches the second position.
• the second end 28 of the locking member 26 slightly protrudes from the second opening of the housing 24, second opening which is located between the portion 21 of the side button which comes into contact with the inclined ramp 21 of the movable member 10 during the depressing of the lateral button and the inclined face 22 of the lateral button which comes to bear against the inclined ramp 20 when the lateral button reaches the second position shown in FIG. 5.
• the portion 21 exceeds the lower end of the inclined ramp 20
• the latter comes to bear against the second end 28 of the locking member under the action of the spring 13, and urges the locking member 26 towards its locking position, this is ie the movable member 10 tends to slide the locking member towards the first end 27 thereof.
• the portion 21 of the side button constitutes a lug which extends longitudinally forward and which has an active face corresponding to the outlet of the second opening of the housing 24.
• the lower end of the ramp 20 of the movable member 10 forms a rim with which the lug 21 engages when the side button reaches the second position shown in FIG. 6.
• the cooperation of the lug 21 and the rim of the movable member 10 forms a second locking point of the side button 3 in the second position, and therefore a second locking point of the writing tip in the extended position, in addition to the first locking point formed by the cooperation of the first end 27 of the locking member with the retaining element 29 of the barrel. This keeps the writing tip in a particularly reliable position. To obtain the retraction of the writing tip from the position shown in FIG.
• the writing instrument 1 with an unlocking button 30 which makes it possible to exert an action on the locking member 26 for moving it from the locking position of the side button 3 to the unlocked position, and this against the stress exerted on the locking member towards the locking position.
• the unlocking button 30 is produced by a pin integral with the locking member 26, which extends in a radial direction towards a slot 31 formed in the barrel 2 on the side opposite to the window 4.
• the slot 31 extends along the longitudinal axis X of the barrel.
• the length of the pin forming the unlocking button 30 is adapted so that it protrudes through the slot when the side button 3 is in the second position.
• FIG. 7 A second embodiment of a writing instrument according to the invention is shown in Figures 7 and 8. Most of the elements of this embodiment are identical to the first embodiment and will not be further detailed. It will simply be noted that the housing 24 of the side button 3 has a more closed configuration than that of the previous embodiment. Indeed, for this second embodiment, the housing 24 has only openings at its longitudinal ends. Furthermore, it will be noted that there is no provision in this second embodiment for an additional spring to assist the return of the side button 3 to its first position.
• the inclined ramp cooperation 20 of the movable member 10 with the second end 28 of the locking member 26, then of the portion 21 of the side button, under the action of the compression spring 13, makes it possible to create the radial displacement of the side button 3 to the first position and to maintain it in this position.
• the unlocking button 30 is produced in a substantially different manner compared to the first embodiment, 12 "
• the unlocking button 30 is slidably mounted along the longitudinal axis X in a housing 33 formed in the cap 9 of the barrel.
• the housing 33 has in its wall adjacent to the side button 3 an opening 32 disposed opposite the first end 27 of the locking member 26 when the latter is in the locking position.
• the button 30 has an inner end 34 formed by a pin which comes into contact with the first end 27 and moves the locking member 26 from the locking position to the unlocked position when pressure is exerted, for example with the thumb, on the outer face 30a of the unlocking button which projects at the rear end 2b of the barrel.
• the unlocking button 30 is also formed by a separate part from the locking member 26.
• the unlocking button slides in a radial direction through a passage 36 which crosses the lateral button 3 from its outer face to the housing 24.
• the passage 36 forms an opening allowing to act inside the barrel 2 by means of the unlocking button 30.
• the inner end 34 of the unlocking button has a conical point which forms a cam.
• This inner end 34 cooperates with the locking member 26, and more precisely with an opening 25 thereof, so that pressing the unlocking button by a pressure exerted on its outer face causes the locking member to move from the locking position shown in FIG. 10 to an unlocked position as shown in FIG. 9.
• One mode of similar construction could be achieved by mounting the unlocking button 30 sliding in a radial direction through an opening made in the tubular body 7 opposite the window 4 and with an identical inner end 34 which would also cooperate with the opening 25 of the locking member 26 by making a suitable lateral opening on the housing 24.
• the side button 3 then exerts pressure against the inclined ramp 20 of the movable member 10, which causes a longitudinal sliding of the movable member 10, the ink tank 12 and the writing tip 5 towards the front end 2a of the barrel.
• the side button 3 approaches its second position, that is to say shortly after the position shown in FIG. 5, the portion 21 of the side button exceeds the lower end of the inclined ramp 20, the lower end which then comes into contact with the second end 28 of the locking member 26 and biases the latter towards its first end 27 under the action exerted by the compression spring 13.
• the side button 3 reaches the second position, shown in FIGS.
• the first end 27 of the locking member 26 exceeds the retaining element 29 of the barrel and slides towards the rear end 2b, so that the first end 27 engages with the retaining element 29, thus creating a first locking point.
• the portion 21 of the side button 3 forms a lug which comes into engagement with the lower end of the inclined ramp 20 and thus forms a second locking point of the side button.
• the user exerts either a longitudinal translational force on the unlocking button 30 in the first embodiment, or a pressure on the external face of the unlocking button in the second and third embodiment, which results in a displacement of the locking member 26 from the locking position shown in Figures 6, 8 and 10 to an unlocked position, that is to say a position relative to the side button 3 identical to that shown in FIGS. 3, 7 and 9.
• the unlocked position the first end 27 of the unlocking member is released from the retaining element 29, while the second end 28 pushes the lower end of the inclined ramp 20 and covers the lug 21 of the side button, so that the latter is no longer in engagement with the movable member 10.

Landscapes

• Mechanical Pencils And Projecting And Retracting Systems Therefor, And Multi-System Writing Instruments (AREA)
• Clips For Writing Implements (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=34944843

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (11)

Families Citing this family (11)

Family Cites Families (13)

• 2004
  • 2004-05-04 FR FR0404775A patent/FR2869833B1/fr not_active Expired - Fee Related
• 2005
  • 2005-04-15 BR BRPI0510633-8A patent/BRPI0510633A/pt not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 2005-04-15 EP EP05757254A patent/EP1744909A1/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 2005-04-15 US US11/568,678 patent/US8096722B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2005-04-15 CA CA002565117A patent/CA2565117A1/fr not_active Abandoned
  • 2005-04-15 MX MXPA06012735A patent/MXPA06012735A/es active IP Right Grant
  • 2005-04-15 CN CNB2005800143254A patent/CN100532129C/zh not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2005-04-15 AU AU2005251963A patent/AU2005251963A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2005-04-15 JP JP2007512245A patent/JP4753938B2/ja not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2005-04-15 WO PCT/FR2005/000919 patent/WO2005120861A1/fr active Application Filing
  • 2005-04-25 TW TW094113063A patent/TW200536724A/zh unknown

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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