Self-inking stamp and method for opening a cover

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a self-inking stamp with a housing in which a stamp unit coupled to an actuating part that is movable relative to the housing is mounted. The actuating part has a snap-in point for receiving a snap-in hook of a cover of the self-inking stamp. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for opening a cover of such a self-inking stamp and a corresponding use.

[0002] In order to keep a self-inking stamp, for example, in a space-saving delivery position (or transport position) with the stamp plate exposed and at the same time to avoid contamination of the area surrounding the stamp by any stamp ink adhering to the stamp plate, it is known to provide a cover.

[0003] For example, DE 696 04 597 T2 shows a self-inking stamp with such a cover. In a closed transport position, the cover is connected to the actuating part by means of a snap connection between an elastic tongue of the cover and an edge provided as a locking element on the outside of the actuating part. To open the cover, the elastic tongue must be lifted until it disengages from the edge. To do this, the user must be able to grasp the elastic tongue on the side facing the actuating part.

[0004] AT 523 250 A1 (and its corresponding publication CN 112976841 A) provides a more convenient and simpler way to open the cover. The covers proposed therein have two opposing actuating elements in the form of push-buttons. When the push-buttons are actuated, the snap-in hooks, designed as locking lugs that engage on the inside of the actuating part, are moved inward, releasing a locking connection between the upper part and the cover. The disadvantage of this approach is the required mechanical design and the resulting complex manufacturing of the cover.

[0005] WO 2004 / 091923 A1 relates to a self-inking stamp with overprint inking, comprising two removable covers and a release element, which together form a stamp housing. Each cover is assigned a base that supports an ink pad. If one cover is removed, the release element on the base of the removed cover can be pushed downward by pressing down the other cover, thereby activating a turning mechanism of the stamp. The covers thus also serve as actuating parts. Each of the covers can have a snap device that can engage a snap-in point in the release element.

[0006] US 2009 / 0229482 A1 discloses a self-inking stamp with a housing that can be moved relative to a base. A push button on the housing enables the base to be moved relative to the housing. A detachably attachable cover can cover a lower part of the stamp. To secure the cover, it has flexible fastening tabs with openings that can engage with two projections on the housing. To release the fastening tabs, which are locked to the projections, these have recesses into which a user can insert their fingers and pivot the fastening tabs away from the projections.

[0007] It is an object of the invention to provide a simple and convenient way of opening a cover that can be produced easily and inexpensively.

[0008] The invention provides a self-inking stamp of the type mentioned at the outset, wherein a pusher is arranged on the actuating part for releasing a snap hook snapped into the snap-in point. The pusher is movably connected to the actuating part. When actuated, i.e. when pressed, the pusher acts on the snap hook and moves it relative to the snap-in point until the snap connection is released. It thus serves to transmit the force exerted by the user on the pusher to a connecting element of the snap connection, for example to the snap hook. This avoids the user having to grasp the snap hook directly. The pusher can, for example, push a snap hook connected to a snap-in point on the inside of the actuating part inwards and out of the snap-in point.

[0009] The snap-in point generally refers to a part of a functional element for the detachable, simple, form-fitting joining of the cover and the actuating part (or actuating bracket). The snap-in point forms a joining point of the actuating part. It can be designed, for example, as a projection, recess, groove, or opening. The other part of the functional element that creates the snap connection is the snap hook of the cover. When the snap connection is created, the snap hook deforms elastically and then releasably hooks onto the snap-in point. This joining creates a local bond between the cover and the actuating part. The snap-in point accordingly has a partial contour that enables engagement with a snap hook with a corresponding partial contour. For example, it accommodates a projection of the snap hook.The snap connection formed by the snap-in point serves to secure the position of the cover relative to the self-inking stamp as a whole and in particular relative to the actuating part.

[0010] Alternatively, the snap-in point can be provided on an outer side of the actuating part. In this case, the snap-in hook can snap into a snap-in point from the outside, simplifying the manufacture of the snap connection because no parts need to be inserted into the interior of the actuating part. This also allows for a more compact design of the actuating part because no dedicated space needs to be provided for the movement of the snap-in hook.

[0011] The pusher can, for example, be designed as a tilting element. The tilting element enables, in a simple mechanical manner, the force exerted on the pusher from the outside upon actuation in the opposite direction, i.e., outward and away from the self-inking stamp, in order to move a snap hook connected to a snap-in point on the outside of the actuating part outward from the snap-in point, thus releasing the snap connection.

[0012] Such a tilting element can optionally also perform other functions in addition to acting on any snap hook, for example, it can also function as a locking element to limit displacement of the actuating part relative to the housing. In particular, it can thus limit a movement driven by the spring force of a plunger spring accommodated between the housing and the actuating part. For example, to limit the displacement of the actuating part, the tilting element can penetrate or engage in a recess in the housing and, via the connection or mounting of the tilting element on the actuating part and the support of the tilting element in the recess, transmit a counterforce to the spring force of the plunger spring between the actuating part and the housing. For this purpose, the tilting element can, for example, have a hook projection that extends towards the housing.The function and design of a tilting element as a locking element is explained precisely and in detail in AT 522 302 A1.

[0013] The locking element can be configured, in particular, to limit displacement in a first position, which corresponds to a slightly depressed intermediate position for exchanging an ink pad container of the self-inking stamp, and / or in a second position for attaching a stamp plate to a plate carrier of the stamp unit. To exchange the ink pad container, the actuating part can be fixed in a slightly depressed intermediate position. This lifts a text plate from the ink pad and the ink pad container can thus be moved freely, for example to remove it from a side opening provided for this purpose in the housing. To attach a stamp plate to the plate carrier, it is useful to fix the actuating part in a position pushed as far as it will go over the housing, in which position the surface of the text plate protrudes from the impression opening of the housing.The tilting element can therefore fulfil several different functions depending on the condition of the self-inking stamp, so that no separate precautions and components are required for each individual function.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the snap-in point can be provided between a print opening of the housing and the tilting element. In this case, a part or a continuation of the snap-in hook of the cover can be designed such that, when the cover is connected to the stamp, it extends over the edge of the tilting element facing the cover and, for example, rests against it. The snap-in hook thus follows a movement of the tilting element and, when the tilting element is pressed, is pushed outward from the snap-in point on a side opposite and distant from the cover with respect to the tilting axis of the tilting element.

[0015] In a particularly space-saving variant of the self-inking stamp, the snap-in point can be formed by an edge of a recess in the actuating part facing the impression opening of the housing (or closest to it, or at the bottom when the stamp is in use), with the tilting element being countersunk into the recess. The recess can optionally be formed as a cutout, opening, or passage in the actuating part. If the tilting element also functions as a locking element or lock, the recess can be formed by the corresponding lock recess, the edge of which facing the cover thus forming the snap-in point into which the snap-in hook of the cover can hook.The snap hook of a cover, which snaps into the recess at the lower edge, can thus be lifted out of the recess and thus out of the hooking on the actuating part by tilting the tilting element, whereby the snap connection between the cover and the stamp is released.

[0016] Within the scope of the invention, the actuating part can also have two or more snap-in points for receiving corresponding snap hooks. In this case, for example, two or more associated pushbuttons can be arranged on the actuating part, each of which can release a snap hook snapped into the respective snap-in point. For example, a pushbutton can be provided on each of two opposite sides of the actuating part of a self-inking stamp, which pushbutton is associated with a snap-in point and is designed to release a snap hook of a cover snapped into place there. Accordingly, a cover for the self-inking stamp can be provided with snap hooks arranged on each of two opposite sides of the cover. The variants and examples described above can in principle apply to each of the two or more snap-in points or to all snap-in points as well as to any associated snap hooks.

[0017] The invention further relates to a self-inking stamp, wherein an impression opening of the housing is covered with a cover, wherein the cover has a snap hook, wherein the snap hook is received at the snap-in point of the actuating part. The snap hook and optionally the entire cover can be made of a plastic. This ensures the elasticity of the snap hook required for establishing and releasing the snap connection. However, other materials are generally also conceivable, as long as they exhibit suitable elasticity.

[0018] Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for opening a cover of a self-inking stamp, wherein the self-inking stamp has a housing in which a stamp unit coupled to an actuating part which is displaceable relative to the housing is mounted, wherein the actuating part has a snap-in point, wherein a snap hook of the cover is received at the snap-in point, wherein as a result of actuation of a pusher arranged on the actuating part, a snap connection formed by the snap hook and the snap-in point between the cover and the actuating part is released.

[0019] Finally, the invention also relates to a use of a movable pusher arranged on the actuating part of a self-inking stamp for opening a cover, wherein the self-inking stamp has a housing in which a stamp unit coupled to an actuating part displaceable relative to the housing is mounted, wherein a snap hook of the cover is received at a snap-in point of the actuating part, wherein the cover covers an impression opening of the housing.

[0020] The invention will be further explained below using particularly preferred embodiments, to which it is not intended to be limited, and with reference to the drawings. The drawings show in detail: Fig. 1 a front view of a self-inking stamp according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure in a rest position or stamp inking position; Fig. 2 a side view of the stamp according to Fig. 1 ; Fig. 3 a cut of the stamp according to Fig. 1 along line III-III in Fig. 2 ; Fig. 4 a front view of a cover for a self-inking stamp according to Fig. 1 ; Fig. 5 a side view of the cover according to Fig. 4 ; Fig. 6 a top view of the cover according to Fig. 4 ; Fig. 7 a perspective view of the cover according to Fig. 4 ; Fig. 8 a front view of the stamp according to Fig. 1 loosely included in the cover according to Fig. 4 and in a rest position or stamp inking position; Fig. 9 a side view of the stamp and the cover according to Fig. 8 ; Fig. 10 a cut of the stamp and the cover according to Fig. 8 along line XX in Fig. 9 ; Fig. 11 a front view of the stamp according to Fig. 1 and the associated coverage according to Fig. 4 in a delivery or transport position; Fig. 12a side view of the stamp and the cover according to Fig. 11 ; Fig. 13 a cut of the stamp and the cover according to Fig. 11 along the line XIII-XIII in Fig. 12 ; Fig. 14 a perspective view of the stamp and the cover according to Fig. 11 ; Fig. 15 a cut like Fig. 13 in a transition position immediately after the push button is pressed to release the cover and before the stamp returns to the rest position according to Fig. 10 passes over; and Fig. 16 a section of a self-inking stamp and a connected cover according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure in a delivery position or transport position.

[0021] Figures 1 to 3show a self-inking stamp 1 (or stamp for short) in a rest position or stamp-inking position. More precisely, it is a self-inking stamp 1 with overprint inking. The stamp 1 has a housing 2, an actuating part 3 and a stamp unit 4. The actuating part 3 is displaceable relative to the housing 2 in an imprinting direction 5. The stamp unit 4 is arranged in the housing 2 and coupled to the actuating part 3. The stamp unit 4 comprises a plate carrier 6 and optionally a stamp plate 7 mounted thereon. In the rest position shown here, the stamp plate 7 rests against an ink pad 8 in an ink pad container 9, whereby stamping ink is dispensed from the ink pad 8 onto the cliché of the stamp plate 7. To produce an impression, the actuating part 3 is grasped by a user and actuated by pressing it down in the imprinting direction 5 towards a surface to be stamped.In this process, the user overcomes the spring force exerted by the stamp spring 10 or return spring and moves the actuating part 3 with the stamp unit 4 coupled thereto into an imprinting position, in which the cliché passes through an imprinting opening 11 of the housing 2 and deposits the stamping ink onto the substrate. During this process, the stamp unit 4 is rotated about a turning axis 12.

[0022] The ink pad container 9 can be pushed out of the housing 2 transversely to the turning axis 12 and transversely to the printing direction 5 after the actuating part 3 has been pressed slightly downwards in the printing direction 5 into an intermediate position (not shown), in which the stamp plate 7 is lifted from the ink pad 8. In this intermediate position, the actuating part 3 can be fixed relative to the housing 2. For this purpose, locking elements 13 in the form of tilting elements 14 are arranged on the two narrow sides 15, 16 of the actuating part 3. In the illustrated rest position or stamp inking position, the upper side 17 of the tilting elements 14 protrudes outward from the actuating part 3 and thus forms pushers 18 that are easily accessible to the user.Apart from limiting the displacement in the described intermediate position for exchanging an ink pad container 9 of the self-inking stamp 1, the locking elements 13 are also designed to limit and fix the actuating part 3 in a second position for attaching the stamp plate 7 to the plate carrier 6 of the stamp unit 4.

[0023] As in Fig. 3As can be seen, the actuating part 3 has a recess 19 on each of its narrow sides 15, 16, in each of which a tilting element 14 is arranged countersunk. An edge 20 of the recesses 19 facing the impression opening 11 of the housing 2, i.e. the lower edge in the figures, forms a snap-in point 21 on each of the two narrow outer sides of the actuating part 3 for receiving a snap-in hook 22 of a cover 23 of the self-inking stamp 1. These snap-in points 21 are thus provided between the impression opening 11 of the housing 2 and the respectively associated tilting element 14. In order to create space for the snap-in hooks 22, openings 24 are provided in the recesses 19 between the snap-in point 21 and the tilting elements 14. The lower edge of the tilting elements 14 is arranged at a greater distance from the lower edge 20 of the recesses 19 than the upper edge 17 of the tilting elements 14 is from the upper edge of the recesses 19.Within the recesses 19, passages 25 are provided on both sides through which hook projections 26 of the tilting elements 14 can penetrate into the interior of the actuating part 3 and can be introduced into recesses 27 provided for this purpose in the housing and received therein to limit the movement of the actuating part 3 relative to the housing 2 in one of the positions described in detail above.

[0024] Below the snap-in points 21, i.e., between the snap-in points 21 and the impression opening 11 of the housing 2, a ramp 28 is provided on the outside of the actuating part 3, which corresponds to surfaces inclined inwardly from the snap-in points 21. The ramps 28 serve to continuously bend the snap hooks 22 outward over a longer distance when the cover 23 is attached, before they snap inward at the snap-in points 21. The actuating part 3 is thus tapered on the underside in the area of ​​the ramps 28, which facilitates the reception and insertion of the snap hooks 22 via the actuating part 3.

[0025] Figures 4 to 7 show a corresponding cover 23 for the self-inking stamp 1 according to Figures 1 to 3The cover 23 has a base or cover surface 29 and a snap hook 22 on each of the two narrow sides 15, 16. The snap hooks 22 extend essentially perpendicular to the cover surface 29. On each of the wide sides 30, 31, the cover 23 has a side wall 32. The contour of the side wall 32 corresponds to a recess 42 in the actuating part 3 for removing an ink pad container 9 of the stamp 1 (cf. Fig. 11 ). The snap hooks 22 have a bevel 33 on the inner side facing the cover surface 29. The bevel 33 extends from a joining point 34 of the snap hooks 22 from the cover surface 29 outwards. The joining point 34 is the point that, when the snap connection between the cover 23 and the punch is established, is in contact with the associated snap-in point 21 on the actuating part 3 of the punch 1.

[0026] The side 35 of the cover surface 29 facing the self-inking stamp 1 in a transport position has four guide elements 36 provided outside a contact surface 37 of the housing 2 of the self-inking stamp 1. The guide elements 36 each have a bevel 38 that runs substantially parallel to the bevel 33 of an adjacent snap hook 22 and facilitates insertion and centering of the housing 2 in the cover 23.

[0027] Figures 8 to 10 show the punch 1 in a correspondingly centered position in the cover 23 and in a rest position. Due to the centering achieved by the guide elements 36 of the cover 23, the snap hooks 22 are positioned equally on both narrow sides 15, 16 relative to the actuating part 3 and below the ramps 28.

[0028] By pressing down the actuating part 3 from the position in the Figures 8 to 10shown rest position in the cover 23, the snap hooks 22 are first bent outwards along the ramps 28 until they finally snap into place at the snap-in points 21 as soon as the Figures 11 to 14 The transport position shown is reached. In this transport position, the impression opening 11 of the housing 2 is covered with the cover 23. The snap hooks 22 of the cover 23 are received at the snap-in points 21 of the actuating part 3. This creates snap connections 39 between the cover 23 and the actuating part 3 on the two narrow sides 15, 16.

[0029] The upper end 40 of the snap hooks 22 extends over the lower edge 41 of the tilting elements 14. The push buttons 18 formed by the tilting elements 14 on the actuating part 3 are thus designed to release a snap hook 22 snapped into the snap-in point 21 onto the Fig. 15This figure illustrates the disclosed method for opening the cover 23 of the self-inking stamp 1 described in detail above. As a result of actuation of the two pushers 18 arranged on the actuating part 3 in the form of the two tilting elements 14, the snap hooks 22 of the cover 23 are pressed outwardly by the lower edge 41 of the tilting elements 14, and the snap connections 39 formed by the snap hooks 22 and the snap-in points 21 between the cover 23 and the actuating part 3 are released. In this way, the movable tilting elements 14 arranged on the actuating part 3 of the self-inking stamp 1 can be used to open the cover 23.

[0030] In the Fig. 16In the self-inking stamp 43 shown, the snap-in points 44 are provided on the inside of the actuating part 45. Pushers 48 are arranged on the actuating part 45 on both narrow sides 46, 47 of the stamp 43. In this example, the pushers 48 are each formed as part of a tilting element 49. The tilting elements 49 are each movable, in particular pivotable, about an axis 50. Within the scope of this disclosure, the person skilled in the art can also provide other mountings for the pushers 48. For example, the pushers 48 can alternatively be connected to the side walls 51, 52 of the actuating part 45 via deformable tabs. Fig. 16 The tilting elements 49 shown also function as locking elements, analogous to the tilting elements 14 of the first embodiment. It is entirely conceivable to provide alternative push buttons without any additional function.

[0031] By actuating the pushers 48, the snap hooks 53 of the cover 54, which are snapped into the snap-in points 44, can be pushed inward and pushed out of the snap-in points 44 until they are released. This separates the snap connection 55 between the cover 54 and the plunger 43, and the cover 54 can be removed from the plunger 43.

[0032] The Fig. 16 The section shown is - unlike in Fig. 12 for Fig. 13indicated - not through the center of the punch 43, but offset parallel to the turning axis of the punch unit 56. The snap hooks 53 can, for example, be provided on both sides of the turning axis, so that two and a total of four snap hooks 53 are formed on the cover 54 on each side 46, 47. The housing 57 of the punch 43 has recesses 58 in the area of ​​the snap hooks 53, which are designed to temporarily accommodate the snap hooks 53 when the cover 54 is released. In this way, the cover 54 can be fixed to the housing 57 of the punch 43 during the opening process until the actuating part 45 has been displaced far enough away from the cover 54 by the influence of the punch spring 59 relative to the housing 57 that the snap hooks 53 are exposed. In addition, the mutually facing inner sides of the snap hooks 53 can be designed to rest frictionally against the housing 57.These measures have the advantage that the cover 54 is not flung uncontrollably from the plunger 43 when the cover 54 is opened. Furthermore, in this arrangement, the snap hooks 53 simultaneously fulfill the function of the guide elements 36 of the first embodiment, namely centering the housing 57 in the cover 54 when it is inserted into the cover 54.

Claims

1. Self-inking stamp (1) with a housing (2) in which a stamp unit (4) coupled to an actuating part (3) displaceable relative to the housing (2) is mounted, wherein the actuating part (3) comprises a snap-in point (21) for receiving a snap-in hook (22) of a cover (23) of the self-inking stamp (1), characterized in that a pusher (18) for releasing a snap-in hook (22) snapped in at the snap-in point (21) is arranged on the actuating part (3).

2. The Self-inking stamp (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the snap-in point (21) is provided on an outer side of the actuating part (3).

3. The Self-inking stamp (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the pusher (18) is formed as a tilting element (14).

4. The Self-inking stamp (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the tilting element (14) also functions as a locking element for limiting a displacement of the actuating part (3) relative to the housing (2).

5. The Self-inking stamp (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the locking element is configured for limiting the displacement in a first position, which corresponds to a slightly depressed intermediate position for exchanging an ink pad container (9) of the self-inking stamp (1), and / or in a second position for attaching a stamp plate (7) to a plate carrier (6) of the stamp unit (4).

6. The Self-inking stamp (1) according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the snap-in point (21) is provided between an impression opening (11) of the housing and the tilting element (14).

7. The Self-inking stamp (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that the snap-in point (21) is formed by an edge (41), facing an impression opening (11) of the housing, of a recess (19) in the actuating part (3), the tilting element (14) being arranged recessed in the recess (19).

8. The Self-inking stamp (1) according to one of the claims 1 to 7, characterized in that an impression opening (11) of the housing is covered with a cover (23), wherein the cover (23) comprises a snap-in hook (22), wherein the snap-in hook (22) is received at the snap-in point (21) of the actuating part (3).

9. Method for opening a cover (23) of a self-inking stamp (1), the self-inking stamp (1) comprising a housing (2) in which a stamp unit (4) coupled to an actuating part (3) displaceable relative to the housing (2) is mounted, wherein the actuating part (3) comprises a snap-in point (21), wherein a snap-in hook (22) of the cover (23) is received at the snap-in point (21), characterized in that a snap connection formed by the snap-in hook (22) and the snap-in point (21) between the cover (23) and the actuating part (3) is released as a result of actuation of a pusher (18) arranged on the actuating part (3).

10. Use of a pusher (18) mounted on the actuating part (3) of a self-inking stamp (1) for opening a cover (23), wherein the self-inking stamp (1) comprises a housing (2) in which a stamp unit (4) coupled to an actuating part (3) displaceable relative to the housing (2) is mounted, wherein a snap-in hook (22) of the cover (23) is received at a snap-in point (21) of the actuating part (3), wherein the cover (23) covers an impression opening (11) of the housing.