MANUAL DEVICE COMPRISING A REVERSIBLE TIP FOR A CAPACITIVE SCREEN

Abstract

A manual device comprising a body, and at least one reversible tip mounted on the body, the reversible tip comprising a first head, a second head opposite to the first head, a conductive outer casing, an internal part arranged inside the casing, the first head comprising a first pad for a capacitive screen, the first head and the second head being blocked between the internal part and the casing while the internal part is assembled by snap-fitting to the casing, the first head and the second head projecting from the casing.

Claims

1. A manual device comprising a body and at least one reversible tip mounted on the body, the reversible tip comprising a first head and a second head opposite to the first head, the tip being configured to be mounted on the body in a first position in which the first head projects from the body while the second head is stored inside the body or in a second position in which the second head projects from the body while the first head stored inside the body, the tip comprising a conductive outer casing and an internal part arranged inside the casing while the first head comprises a first pad for a capacitive screen, the first head and the second head being blocked between the internal part and the casing, while the internal part is assembled by snap-fitting to the casing, the first head and the second head projecting from the casing.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the second head comprises a second pad for a capacitive screen.

3. A device according to claim 2, wherein the first pad is different from the second pad.

4. A device according to any one of claim 1, wherein the first pad is in electrical contact with at least a portion of the body when the tip is mounted in the first position.

5. A device according to claim 2, wherein the second pad is in electrical contact with at least a portion of the body when the tip is mounted in the second position.

6. A manual device according to claim 1, including a snap-fitting system for mounting the tip in the first position and/or in the second position, said snap-fitting system presenting at least a first portion in relief formed on the casing and at least a second portion in relief formed on the body and configured to co-operate with the first portion in relief by complementary shapes, the casing being in electrical contact with the body at least by means of the snap-fitting system when the tip is in the first position and/or in the second position.

7. A manual device according to claim 1, wherein the casing extends in an axial direction, and in which a head selected from the first head and the second head co operates axially with a first shoulder axially defining a first axial casing portion and a second axial casing portion, said head extending in the first axial casing portion by projecting from the casing.

8. A manual device according to claim 7, wherein said head includes a base forming a shoulder co operating with the first shoulder in such a manner as to establish electrical contact between said head and the casing.

9. A manual device according to claim 8, wherein the base is axially blocked between the first shoulder and the internal part.

10. A manual device according to claim 7, wherein the other head selected from the first head and the second head includes a pad for a capacitive screen, said pad being mounted on the internal part in such a manner as to be in electrical contact with the casing.

11. A device according to claim 10, wherein the casing comprises a skirt, the pad of said other head being fitted at least in part in the skirt and in contact with the skirt.

12. A manual device according to claim 1, wherein the casing and the internal part extend in an axial direction, at least one axial end of the internal part being inserted into a head.

13. A manual device according to claim 12, wherein said axial end co-operates by complementary shapes with all or part of the head.

14. A device according to claim 1, wherein the body extends in an axial direction and presents a first distal end on which the tip is mounted.

15. A device according to claim 14, wherein the body presents a second distal end opposite to the first distal end, the second distal end presenting a writing tip or the equivalent.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0055] The invention and its advantages can be better understood on reading the detailed description of various embodiments of the invention given as non-limiting examples. The description refers to the accompanying sheets of figures, in which:

[0056] FIG. 1 shows a manual device in a first embodiment, seen in perspective, the tip being mounted on the body in a first position;

[0057] FIG. 2 shows the FIG. 2 manual device, the tip being mounted on the body in a second position;

[0058] FIG. 3 is a detailed view of the distal end of the manual device carrying the tip, the tip being disconnected;

[0059] FIG. 4 shows the same view as FIG. 1 in which the tip is shown in an exploded view;

[0060] FIG. 5 shows the same view as FIG. 2 in which the tip is shown in an exploded view;

[0061] FIG. 6 is a partial axial section view of the manual device, the tip being mounted in the first position; and

[0062] FIG. 7 is a partial axial section view of the manual device, the tip being mounted in the second position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0063] An embodiment of a manual device is described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7. In FIGS. 1 and 6, the tip is mounted in the first position, whereas in FIGS. 2 and 7 the tip is mounted in the second position. However, this labeling of a mounting position of the tip as the “first” or “second” position is completely arbitrary. Thus, it could be considered that FIGS. 1 and 6 show the tip in the second position while FIGS. 2 and 7 show the tip in the first position. In which circumstances, the labeling of the heads, pads, etc. should also be interchanged relative to the description given below.

[0064] The manual device 10 comprises a body 12 extending longitudinally in an axial direction X, the body 12 presenting a first distal end 12a and a second distal end 12b that is opposite to the first distal end 12a in the axial direction X.

[0065] The first distal end 12a is provided with a reversible tip 14 while the second distal end 12b is provided with a writing tip, in this example, a ballpoint pen. Naturally, in a variant, the writing tip may be a mechanical pencil tip, a felt tip, or the equivalent. The tip may be stationary, or retractable using any conventional means known by the person skilled in the art.

[0066] The reversible tip 14 extends longitudinally in the axial direction X and includes a first head 16, and a second head 18 that is opposite the first head 16 in the axial direction X. The tip 14 comprises a conductive outer casing 19, in which the first head 16 and the second head 18 are fitted. In this example, the casing 19 is made of plastic, and more particularly of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), filled with carbon black.

[0067] In the first position of the tip 14, in FIGS. 1 and 6, the first head 16 projects from the body 12 while the second head 18 is stored inside the body 12. Conversely, in the second position of the tip 14, in FIGS. 2 and 7, the second head 18 projects from the body 12 while the first head 16 is stored inside the body 12.

[0068] The first head 16 comprises a first pad 20 for a capacitive screen, while the second head 18 comprises a second pad 22 for a capacitive screen. The first pad 20 and the second pad 22 are made of conductive material, in this example out of silicone filled with carbon black. In a variant, and by way of example, the second head comprises an eraser or a friction body rather than a second pad, said eraser or friction body being suitable for presenting the same shape as the second pad 22.

[0069] The first pad 20 is mounted on an internal part 21. The first pad 20 presents a distal end 20a for co-operating with a capacitive screen, this end 20a in this example being substantially in the shape of a hollow hemisphere (see FIG. 6). The end 20a extends a fastener portion 20b that is substantially in the shape of a hollow cylinder. The fastener portion 20b has a collar 20c arranged in the vicinity of the free end of the fastener portion 20b, on the inside of the fastener portion 20b. The collar 20c co-operates by snap-fitting with an annular groove 21c formed in a first axial end 21a of the internal part 21. Thus, the axial end 21a of the internal part is inserted into the first head 16, in this example in the first pad 20. This axial end 21a co-operates by complementary shapes with an inside portion of the first pad 20, in this example with the inside of the fastener portion 20b of the first pad 20.

[0070] The second pad 22 presents a distal end 22a for co-operating with a capacitive screen, this end 22a in this example being substantially in the shape of a hollow hemisphere (see FIG. 7). The end 22a extends a fastener portion 22b that is substantially in the shape of a hollow cylinder. This fastener portion 22b extends axially between the end 22a and a base 22c. The base 22c forms an annular collar projecting radially outwards relative to the fastener portion 22b. The face of the collar of the base 22c arranged on the end of the fastener portion 22b forms a shoulder 22d. In addition, the second axial end 21b of the internal part 21 (which is opposite the direction axial to the first axial end 21a) is inserted in the second head 18, in this example in the second pad 22. This axial end 21b co-operates by complementary shapes with the inside of the second pad 22, in this example with the inside of the fastener portion 22b and the end 22a of the second pad 22.

[0071] In this example, the casing 19 extends in the axial direction X and presents symmetry of revolution about the axis X. The casing 19 presents a first axial casing portion 19a and a second axial casing portion 19b. A first shoulder 19c axially defines the first portion 19a and the second portion 19b. The first and second axial portions 19a and 19b are adjacent. The inside diameter of the first axial portion 19a is less than the inside diameter of the second axial portion 19b. At the other end of the first axial portion 19a in the axial direction X, the casing 19 presents a skirt 19d adjacent to the second axial portion 19b. Thus, in the axial direction X, the casing presents in succession: the first axial portion 19a; the second axial portion 19b; and the skirt 19d. The inside diameter of the second portion 19b is less than the inside diameter of the skirt 19d.

[0072] The casing 19 presents a first portion in relief, in this example an annular groove 23a formed in the inside surface of the second portion 19b. The first portion in relief 23a co-operates with a second portion in relief of the internal part 21, in this example an annular rib 23b, to form a snap-fitting system 23 (or first snap-fitting system) for assembling the casing 19 to the internal part 21 by snap-fitting. The annular rib 23b and the annular groove 23a co-operate by complementary shapes. Naturally, in a variant the rib may be formed on the inside surface of the casing, whereas the groove is made in the surface of the internal part. Thus, the snap-fitting system 23 enables the internal part 21 and the casing 19 to be assembled by snap-fitting.

[0073] The second head 18 extends in the first axial casing portion 19a and it co-operates axially with the first shoulder 19c (see FIG. 7). The second head 18 projects from the first axial casing portion 19a. In particular, in this example, the base 22c , and more particularly the shoulder 22d , co-operates axially with the first shoulder 19c of the casing 19. The second pad 22, and more particularly the fastener portion 22b , extends axially in the first axial portion 19a , while the distal end 22a of the second pad 22 projects from the first axial portion 19a , and therefore from the casing 19.

[0074] The internal part 21 and the casing 19 clamp the base 22c in the axial direction X. Since the internal part 21 is snap-fitted to the casing 19, it causes said base 22c to press against the first shoulder 19c. In other words, the second head 18, and more particularly in this example, the second pad 22, is blocked between the casing 19 and the internal part 21. Since the second pad 22 and the casing 19 are made of conductive materials, this configuration ensures there is electrical contact between the casing 19 and the second pad 22 caused at least by the shoulder 22d co-operating with the first shoulder 19c by pressing thereagainst.

[0075] The first pad 20 is fastened to the internal part 21 by means of the collar 20c engaged in the groove 21c (see FIG. 6). The first axial end 21a of the internal part presenting said groove 21c extends in part in the skirt 19d from the casing 19 in such a manner that the fastener portion 20b of the first pad 20 is radially blocked between the internal part 21 and the skirt 19d. Thus, the collar 20c is blocked inside the groove 21c, and that locks mounting of the first pad 20 on the internal part 21. In other words, the first head 16, and more particularly in this example, the first pad 20, is blocked between the casing 19 and the internal part 21. Naturally, the distal end 20a of the first pad projects axially from the skirt 19c, and therefore from the casing 19.

[0076] The skirt 19d is in contact with the fastener portion 20b of the first pad 20. Since the casing 19 and the first pad 20 are conductive, this configuration ensures there is electrical contact between the casing 19 and the first pad 20.

[0077] In addition, in order to hold of the pads 20 and 22 better, the internal part 21 presents portions 21e, in this example three portions 21e spaced apart in the axial direction X, these portions presenting an outside diameter that is substantially equal to the inside diameter of the corresponding portions of the casing 19 (i.e. the diameters are such that they make fitting possible, said diameters being equal to within plus or minus 1% to 3%). In other words, the portions 21e present a diameter matching the corresponding portions of the casing 19. This enables better blocking of the pads and more robust assembly by snap-fitting. Thus, in general, the internal part 21 co-operates fully or in part with the casing 19 by fitting by complementary shapes.

[0078] In this example, the internal part 21 is made of an insulating material. In a variant, the internal part 21 is made of conductive material and also contributes to providing electrical contact between the first and second pads 20, 22 and the casing 19, although that is not its main function.

[0079] On its outer periphery, the casing 19 presents an annular rib 24a while, on its inside surface the body 12 presents an annular groove 24b. The annular rib and the annular groove 24a and 24b form examples of first and second portions in relief of a snap-fitting system 24 between the tip 14 and the body 12 (or second snap-fitting system). Naturally, in a variant the rib may be formed on the outside surface of the casing, whereas the rib is made in the inside surface of the body. The rib 24a and the groove 24b co-operate by complementary shapes, and they ensure electrical contact between the body 12 and the casing 14 when the tip 24 is snap-fitted to the body 12. Thus, in this example, the first and second pads 20 and 22 are directly in contact with the casing 19, which is itself in direct contact with the body 12, the groove and the rib 24a and 24b of the second snap-fitting system 24, by means of their co-operation, ensuring contact between the tip 14 and the body 12, in such a manner that the pads 20 and 22 are in electrical contact with the body 12. In this example, the body 12 is made of a conductive material, e.g. a plastics material, and more particularly out of ABS (or Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene), filled with carbon black, in such a manner that when the user handles the body 12, the user's fingers are in electrical contact with the pads 20 and 22, which makes it possible to cause the pads to interact with a capacitive screen.

[0080] In order to hold of the tip 14 better in the body 12, the tip 14 is housed in part in a first axial portion 12c of the body and in part in a second axial portion 12d of the body. The first axial portion 12c includes the groove 24b of the snap-fitting system 24. The second axial portion 12d is adjacent to the first axial portion 12c , is arranged on the end of the second distal end 12b of the body 12 relative to the first axial portion 12c,and presents an inside diameter that is smaller than the inside diameter of the first axial portion 12c. The inside diameter of the second axial portion 12d matches at least in part an outside diameter of the tip 14, in this example of the casing 19. The second axial portion 12d thus forms a movement limiter for limiting movement in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction X. This enables the tip 14 to be held better in the body 12 and assembly by snap-fitting to be more robust.

[0081] Although the present invention is described with reference to specific embodiments, it is clear that modifications and changes may be made to those embodiments without going beyond the general ambit of the invention as defined by the claims. In particular, individual characteristics of the various embodiments that are shown and/or described may be combined to make additional embodiments. Consequently, the description and the drawings should be considered in a sense that is illustrative rather than restrictive.