WRITING INSTRUMENT WITH RESETTING OPERATING UNIT

Abstract

A writing implement includes a housing for receiving a refill, an operating side and a writing side. An adjustment mechanism in the housing has a guide bushing and a cam pin concentrically arranged therein and spring-loaded along the longitudinal axis on the refill, which cam pin engages an end of the refill. The cam pin has at least two locking positions, which are offset along the longitudinal axis. The writing implement includes a control arrangement having a resetting device, a freewheel couplable with an operating unit arranged at the operating side and a cam bushing couplable with the freewheel. The resetting device exerts a resetting force onto the operating unit. The freewheel is a rotatably supported body having a circumferential recess and forms an operative connection in a region with a second body that is rotatably supported and concentrically thereto. One of the first and second rotatably supported bodies is freely rotatable around its longitudinal axis in an angle range and transfers a rotation from the operating unit to the cam bushing outside of this range.

Claims

1. A writing implement, comprising: a housing configured to receive a writing refill along a longitudinal axis, an operating side and a writing side, wherein an adjustment mechanism supported in the housing, having a guide bushing and a cam pin concentrically arranged therein and spring-loaded along the longitudinal axis on the writing refill, which cam pin is engageable with an end of the writing refill, wherein the cam pin is bringable into at least two locking positions, which are offset along the longitudinal axis, and a control arrangement having a resetting device, a freewheel couplable with an operating unit arranged at the operating side and a cam bushing coupled with the freewheel, wherein the cam bushing comprises a gliding surface curved at one side for a contacting surface of the cam pin, wherein the resetting device exerts a resetting force onto the operating unit, wherein the freewheel is a first rotatably supported body having a circumferential recess and forms an operative connection at least in a region with a second body that is rotatably supported and concentrically thereto, and wherein one of the first rotatably supported body and the second rotatably supported body is freely rotatable around its longitudinal axis in a first angle range and transfers a rotation from the operating unit to the cam bushing outside of this first angle range.

2. The writing implement according to claim 1, wherein the resetting device comprises a spring mechanism.

3. The writing implement according to claim 1, wherein the resetting device comprises a cam bushing and a second body that is rotatable concentrically thereto, which rotate the operating unit after a manipulation back into a neutral position, and wherein the cam bushing or the second concentrically rotatable body is spring-loaded.

4. The writing implement according to claim 1, wherein the cam bushing is integrated into the housing in a rotation-proof manner and movable along the longitudinal axis.

5. The writing implement according to claim 1, wherein the guide bushing comprises a first gliding surface in form of a recess and wherein the cam bushing comprises a protrusion that is shaped so as to correspond with the recess.

6. The writing implement according to claim 1, wherein the guide bushing comprises a second gliding surface in form of a recess for receiving a protrusion of the cam pin.

7. The writing implement according to claim 1, wherein the cam bushing comprises a glide surface for a first contacting surface of the second body that is supported concentrically rotatable thereto.

8. The writing implement according to claim 1, wherein the cam bushing comprises two sloped planes that run towards each other.

9. The writing implement according to claim 1, wherein the first rotatably supported body of the freewheel having the circumferential recess comprises a rotation-proof connection with the cam bushing.

10. The writing implement according to claim 1, wherein the first rotatably supported body of the freewheel having the circumferential recess comprises an elastic connection with the cam bushing.

11. The writing implement according to claim 1, wherein the first rotatably supported body of the freewheel comprises a recess and wherein the second rotatably supported body comprises a second protruding contacting surface.

12. The writing implement according to claim 1, wherein the second contacting surface of the second rotatably supported body comprises the shape of a web at the inner side of the operating unit.

13. The writing implement according to claim 1, wherein a neutral position of the operating unit is arranged in the angle range of the recess of the first rotatably supported body of the freewheel.

14. The writing implement according to claim 1, wherein the operating unit comprises a rotating element, an actuation button, a rocker or a slider.

15. The writing implement according to claim 1, wherein the control arrangement having the resetting device is received by the operating unit at the inner side.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] Embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the following drawing figures, wherein like numerals denote like elements, and:

[0034] FIG. 1 shows an overview of an exemplary embodiment of the components of the inner setup of the writing implement according to the invention in a cross-sectional view.

[0035] FIG. 2 shows an exemplary embodiment of an arrangement of a control unit having a resetting device in an operating unit of the writing implement according to the invention.

[0036] FIG. 3 show an exemplary embodiment of an elongate body arranged in the operating unit according to the invention.

[0037] FIG. 4 shows an enlarged view of an exemplary embodiment of a control arrangement having a resetting device in a cross-sectional view.

[0038] FIG. 5 shows an exemplary embodiment of a cam bushing.

[0039] FIG. 6 shows a top view and a lateral view of an exemplary embodiment of a cam pin.

[0040] FIG. 7 shows a view of an exemplary embodiment of a first rotatably supported body of the freewheel having a circumferential recess.

[0041] FIG. 8 shows a partial cross section of an exemplary embodiment of a guide bushing.

[0042] FIG. 9 shows a lateral view as well as a cross section of an exemplary embodiment of a cam bushing according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0043] The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the invention or the application and uses of the invention. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any theory presented in the preceding background of the invention or the following detailed description.

[0044] FIG. 1 shows an overview of an exemplary embodiment of a writing implement according to the invention, whose function is explained step by step in the following figures. In FIG. 1 also an overview of the inner setup of the whole writing implement 2 is shown.

[0045] The writing implement 2 comprises a one-piece or multipart housing 4, into which a writing refill 6 is arranged along a longitudinal axis 8. The writing implement 2 comprises an operating side 10 and a writing side 12. A spring-loaded writing refill 6 is arranged in a hollow space of the housing 4. An operating unit 24 is present at the operating side 10 of the writing implement 2. A cam pin 16 is arranged in the operating unit 24, which cam pin is suitable for receiving the writing refill 6 and for latching into multiple locking recesses. The cam pin 16, the cam bushing 26 and the writing refill 6 together are partially enclosed by a guide bushing 14, around which a spring mechanism 36 is arranged. The spring mechanism 36 exerts a force onto a cam bushing 38, which surrounds the cam pin 16, the cam bushing 26 and the guide bushing 14.

[0046] The guide bushing 14 comprises a first gliding surface 39 in form of a recess, which is exemplarily realized as a slot, which recess receives a correspondingly shaped protrusion 42 of the cam bushing 38. Consequently, the cam bushing is rotation-proof, but is supported to be movable in a direction along a longitudinal axis in the operating unit 24. Furthermore, the cam bushing 14 comprises a second gliding surface 40 in form of a recess, which is exemplarily shaped as a slot, which receives a protrusion 62 of the cam pin 16 and thereby prevents a possible rotation of the cam pin 16, but allows a movement of the cam pin in a direction along a longitudinal axis. A circumferential, sloped plane of the cam bushing 38 borders on a protruding body 32 of an elongate shape, which is integrated into the operating unit 24. Additionally, in a preferred embodiment the protruding elongate body 32 borders on a body of a freewheel 22, which body is supported concentrically to the longitudinal axis 8 that comprises a recess, which extends over a first angle range.

[0047] FIG. 2 shows an enlarged detail view of an arrangement inside an operating unit 24 according to an embodiment of the invention. At its outer side, the guide bushing 14 comprises a gliding ring 60, which abuts against the spring mechanism 36. Furthermore, the guide bushing 14 comprises a first gliding surface 39, preferably in form of a rail-like, elongated recess in the shape of a first slot. Corresponding thereto, the cam bushing 38 comprises a recess 42 in form of a driver cam, which is movable in the gliding surface 39 of the guide bushing 14 in the direction of the longitudinal axis 8 of the writing implement 2. Furthermore, the guide bushing 14 comprises a second gliding surface 40, preferably in form of a second recess in the shape of a second slot. The second slot is capable of receiving a protrusion 62 of the cam pin 16 and thus prevents a rotation of the cam pin 16, wherein the protrusion 62 is movable in a direction along a longitudinal axis in the second gliding surface 40.

[0048] The cam bushing 38 comprises a two-sided, sloped plane 48, 50, which serves as a gliding surface for a first contacting surface 46 of the second body 32, which is supported so as to be rotatable relative to the cam bushing 38 and which is integrated into the operating unit. The second body 32, which is rotatably supported relative to the longitudinal axis 8 and which has a first contacting surface 46 and a second contacting surface 47, is freely rotatable in the first angle range of the first rotatably supported body of the freewheel 22, which first angle range is limited by a recess. A rotational motion of the operating unit 24 exceeding the angle range of the recess 30 of the freewheel leads to entraining the freewheel 22 and thus to a rotation of the cam bushing 26, such that the protrusion 62 of the cam pin 16 enters different locking recesses 56, 58 of the cam bushing 26 through gliding surfaces 28. By this, a movement of the cam pin 16 along the longitudinal axis 8 of the writing implement 2 results, which transfers onto the writing refill 6. Hereby, the cam pin 16 in a slot is secured against a rotation through its protrusion 62 in the guiding bushing 14 (see FIG. 4).

[0049] The rotation of the operating unit 24 may be conducted bidirectionally, wherein a rotation in a first direction pushes the writing refill 6 out of the housing 4 and locks it in an operating position, and the rotation in a second direction releases the locking and places the writing refill 6 in a storage position in the housing 2. A neutral position of the operating unit 24, in which the control arrangement is neither locked nor unlocked, is preferably located centrally between a position of the operating unit 24, in which a locking of the writing refill 6 is conducted, and a position of the operating unit 24, in which the locking of the writing refill 6 is released. In a further embodiment the neutral position may also be placed in another circumferential position.

[0050] FIG. 3 shows a detail view of an exemplary embodiment of an arrangement in a housing of an operating unit 24. A body 32 having an elongate shape having an elongated, second contacting surface 47, is arranged in a part of the housing 4 along the longitudinal axis 8, through which body 32 the body of the freewheel 22 arranged in the operating unit 24 and supported to be rotatable around the longitudinal axis can be moved. At the same time, a short first contacting surface 46 of the elongate body 32 inside the operating unit is guided along gliding surfaces 44 of the spring-loaded cam bushing 38 (see FIG. 2 and FIG. 9) during the rotation of the operating unit 24.

[0051] FIG. 4 show s an enlarged detail view of an exemplary embodiment of a control arrangement 18 having a resetting device 20. By rotating the cam bushing 26 a protrusion 62 of the cam pin 16 glides on a single-sided gliding surface into different locking recesses 56, 58 of the cam bushing 26, preferably in the form of semi-circular recesses. The locking recesses 56, 58 of the cam bushing 26 are offset along the longitudinal axis 8 of the writing implement and resultantly lead to a displacement of the cam pin 16 along the longitudinal axis on actuation of the operating unit 24.

[0052] The cam pin 16 and the cam bushing 26 are partially enclosed by the guide bushing 14, which comprises an elongate first gliding surface 39, preferably in form of a rail-like, elongated slot, in the position of the overlap of cam pin 16 and cam bushing 26. The guide bushing 14 is surrounded by a spring mechanism 36 and a cam bushing 38, wherein the spring mechanism borders on a straight side of the cam bushing 38. Preferably, the latter comprises a protrusion 42, which engages with the first gliding surface 39 of the guide bushing 14 and which is displaceable therein in the longitudinal direction 8. Preferably, the guide bushing comprises a second gliding surface 40 in form of a slot, which is compatible to the protrusion 62 of the cam pin 16. Thus, on the application of a force it is prevented that the cam bushing 38 and/or the cam pin 16 are rotated, but they may still be displaced in a direction along a longitudinal axis. Thus, the spring-loaded cam bushing 38 is arranged in the operating unit 24 in a rotation-proof manner. A force acting onto the gliding surface 44 of the cam bushing 38, exemplarily emanating from an elongated, web-like body 32 fixedly arranged in the operating unit 24 based on the first contacting surface 46, therefore causes the cam bushing 38 to move away in the direction of the longitudinal axis.

[0053] FIG. 5 shows an exemplary embodiment of a cam bushing 26. Preferably, the cam bushing 26 comprises multiple semicircular recesses 56, 58, which are offset along a longitudinal axis 8. The cam bushing 26 preferably comprises a gliding surface 28, which is curved on one side, through which two or more locking recesses 56, 58 are connected, wherein the locking recesses 56, 58 are offset along a longitudinal axis and are capable of receiving a protruding body. On the opposite side, the cam bushing 26 comprises a detent 54, with which a rotation-proof connection with a detent 52 on an inner side of a first rotatably supported body of a freewheel 22 is creatable. The type of connection may be realized diversely. Different kinds of plug-in connections, gluing and soldering connections as well as rotary joints and the such are conceivable.

[0054] FIG. 6 shows a top view and the lateral views of a preferably elongated cam pin 16. The cam pin 16 comprises a protrusion 62, which serves as a rotation lock to the guide bushing 14. Furthermore, the protrusion 62 of the cam pin 16 is positionable in the locking recesses 56, 58. The protrusion 62 of the cam pin 16 moves along the gliding surfaces 28 of the cam bushing 26 and stays in one of the locking recesses 56, 58 of the cam bushing 26, through which the writing refill 6 may be moved to and locked in different positions along the longitudinal axis 8 of the writing implement 2.

[0055] FIG. 7 shows a first body 22 of a freewheel, which body is supported rotatably around its longitudinal axis 8 and has a circumferential recess 30. At the inner side the body 22 comprises a detent 52, which is compatible to the detent 54 of the cam bushing 26. They engage in a rotation-proof connection together. In this regard, this may be a screwing, a plugging, a gluing or a soldering connection or the such.

[0056] The circumferential recess 30 comprises a first angle range of exemplarily 180 around the longitudinal axis of the body 22. The second body 32, which is rotatably supported around the longitudinal axis 8 of the writing implement 2 and arranged at an inner side of the housing 4 of the operating unit 24, is positionable in the circumferential recesses of the first body 22. With a rotation exceeding the angle range of preferably about 90 of the circumferential recess 30, the first rotatably supported, cylinder-shaped body 22 having a circumferential recess 30 is caused to rotate by the second, web-like body 32.

[0057] FIG. 8 shows an exemplary embodiment in a partial cross section of an elongate, tube-like guide bushing 14. It comprises two gliding surfaces 39 and 40, which run along the longitudinal direction 8 of the writing implement 2 and are offset about 180 to each other, preferably in form or a rail-like recess or a slot, which are suitable for receiving a protrusion 42 of a cam bushing 38, as well as a protrusion 62 of a cam pin 16. Preferably, the guide bushing 14 comprises a circumferentially arranged gliding ring 60, which serves for delimiting a spring mechanism 36 and which preferably encloses the guide bushing 14.

[0058] FIG. 9 discloses a lateral view as well as a cross-section of a cam bushing 38 having a sloped plane 48, 50 that runs along both sides. The sloped plane 48, 50 serves as a gliding surface for the first contacting surface 46 at the end of the elongated body 32 that is integrated into the housing of the operating unit 24. Both sloped planes that run onto each other create a common lowermost point 66, which corresponds to the neutral position of the operating unit 24 of the writing implement 2, which neutral position is preferably in a center between the locking position and the release position of the writing refill 6. At a highest point 68 of a sloped plane 48, 50 the cam bushing 38 preferably comprises a protrusion 42, which corresponds to the first gliding surface 39 (see FIG. 2) in the guide bushing 14, such that the cam bushing 38 is integrated in the operating unit 24 in a rotation-proof manner. Opposite the curved side, the cam bushing 38 is preferably of a flat shape and capable of being supported by a spring mechanism 36. By the rotation-proof arrangement of the cam bushing 38 in the operating unit 24, it moves away towards the spring mechanism 36 against the spring force if a force is exerted onto the gliding surfaces 44 of the cam bushing 38 or through a first contacting surface 46 of the second body 32 that is supported rotatably around the longitudinal axis 8 at the inner side of the housing 4 of the operating unit 24. If the force that acts onto the gliding surface 44 of the cam bushing 38 decreases, the second rotatably supported body 32 with the first contacting surface 46 is displaced along the glide surfaces 44 into the common lowermost point 66 of the sloped planes 48, 50 that run onto each other, which also corresponds to a neutral position of the operating unit 24 of the writing implement 2.

[0059] While at least one exemplary embodiment has been presented in the foregoing detailed description, it should be appreciated that a vast number of variations exist. It should also be appreciated that the exemplary embodiment or exemplary embodiments are only examples, and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the invention in any way. Rather, the foregoing detailed description will provide those skilled in the art with a convenient road map for implementing an exemplary embodiment, it being understood that various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements described in an exemplary embodiment without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims and their legal equivalents.