Turning device for a self-inking stamp
Patent Information
- Application Number
- EP2024720719
- Authority / Receiving Office
- EP · EP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2023-04-14
- Filing Date
- 2024-04-12
- Publication Date
- 2026-02-18
AI Technical Summary
Existing turning devices for self-inking stamps face reliability issues when attempting to retain the actuating part within the housing after removal of the turning axis, leading to potential disintegration and hindering the self-inking function.
A self-locking retaining device is introduced, featuring a positive safety gear with a locking element that blocks movement beyond a stop, ensuring the actuating part remains secured regardless of spring force, contamination, or material changes, and can be manually released when necessary.
The self-locking retaining device reliably prevents unintentional release of the actuating part, maintaining the self-inking stamp's functionality and allowing for secure storage and transportation of the turning axis, enhancing user safety and operational reliability.
Smart Images
Figure AT2024060146_17102024_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] Turning device for a self-inking stamp
[0002] The invention relates to a turning device for a self-inking stamp and a method for using the same. The turning device comprises a housing and an actuating part, the actuating part being connected to the housing and displaceable relative to the housing. The actuating part is designed to support and entrain a turning axis for an impression tool. The turning device has a retaining device which, when the turning axis is removed from the actuating part, makes it difficult for the actuating part to become detached from the housing. The turning device has neither an impression tool nor an ink pad nor a turning axis and is therefore not a complete stamp per se. The support and entrainment of the turning axis can be ensured, for example, by corresponding axis bearings in the actuating part. The actuating part is often bow-shaped, for example in the form of an actuating bow.
[0003] Such turning devices have the advantage of allowing for the latest possible customization of stamps: a generic turning device without an impression tool (e.g., a plate carrier or a type unit) can be manufactured, delivered, and stored in comparatively large quantities. This opens up all customization options, and customization can be carried out close to the end user and immediately before acceptance, or by the end user themselves, who receives the impression tool separately and assembles it with the turning device. This allows, for example, a standardized turning device to be manufactured and kept in stock regardless of international differences (e.g., different date formats for type units for Europe or North America).
[0004] A further advantage of such turning devices is that the impression tool can be replaced. Due to the material used, the impression tool is generally subject to aging and therefore has a limited service life of, for example, 10 to 15 years. In order to ensure a predefined minimum service life when delivering a self-inking stamp with a turning device and an impression tool, it may be necessary to renew the impression tool in advance, i.e. to replace it with a newer impression tool. Such a renewal can be carried out at regular intervals, for example, once a year, when stocks are in stock. First, a turning axis is removed from the self-inking stamp and then the impression tool is replaced. However, once the turning axis is removed, the actuating part can easily become detached from the housing, causing the turning device to fall apart into its individual parts.In particular, a stamp spring between the actuating part and the housing, which is responsible for the return of the actuating part after an impression, can cause such a release.
[0005] Known turning devices already allow such an exchange and attempt to address the problem described above, but are associated with various disadvantages:
[0006] EP 3 489 023 Bi shows several different variants of self-inking stamps and corresponding turning devices. To prevent the actuating part from being easily pulled out of a receiving channel in the housing, a guide system comprising a guide track and a guide knob is provided. The guide knob is resilient and can be deformed or deflected during assembly of the turning device, so that it snaps into the guide track. The guide track is limited by two end stops. This is intended to prevent the actuating part from being easily pulled out of the guide channel. The guide knob described in the prior art can also yield in the other direction - as expressly disclosed for assembly. Although the guide knob makes it more difficult to release the actuating part from the housing because it creates a certain amount of resistance, it does not reliably prevent it.
[0007] In an alternative variant, also disclosed in EP 3 489 023 Bi, the release of the actuating part from the housing when the turning axis is removed can be actively blocked by the user actuating a lock. The lock can fix the self-inking stamp in different positions, e.g. in a pressed-down transport position or in a position for changing the ink pad, and is therefore naturally designed to be self-releasing so as not to hinder use of the stamp. A disadvantage of this variant is that the active actuation of the lock can be forgotten. A further disadvantage is that the lock can easily release unintentionally (more or less by itself due to slight vibrations during handling) and then the actuating part jumps out of the housing due to the spring preload of the stamp spring.
[0008] For self-inking stamps where the turning spindle is not removable, a retaining device may be provided for another purpose, such as changing an ink pad. These different retaining devices are located at a different location and are designed as manually activated locks, as they would otherwise impede the self-inking function of the stamp during normal operation. Examples of such different retaining devices are shown in WO 2023 / 019285 Ai and WO 2010 / 085828 A2.
[0009] It is an object of the invention to eliminate or at least mitigate the disadvantages of the prior art. In particular, the reliability of retaining the actuating part in the housing when the reversing spindle is removed is to be increased.
[0010] This object is achieved according to the invention in a turning device of the type mentioned above in that the retaining device is designed as a lock, which is self-locking. The retaining device corresponds to a positive-locking safety device.
[0011] Compared to the knob known from the prior art, a lock has the advantage that it cannot become unintentionally loose and that any movement in the locking direction beyond the lock is reliably blocked or limited. In particular, the lock limits the range of movement of the actuating part relative to the housing. For example, a lock can reliably prevent the actuating part from becoming loose, regardless of the spring force of the plunger spring, any impulse when releasing the actuating part from a depressed position, the friction of a knob surface (which may be reduced by contamination), manufacturing fluctuations or subsequent material changes (e.g. changes in dimensions, elasticity and surface) over time. Failure of the lock solely through the application of force in the locking direction (i.e.in the direction of movement, parallel to which the actuating part is displaceable relative to the housing) is therefore impossible or at least not possible without destruction. The retaining device can be specifically designed to retain the actuating part in a retaining position. Fixing the actuating part in other positions, for example in a transport position or a cushion changing position, can be achieved by other means. Because the lock is self-locking, its function does not have to be actively actuated and activated. The lock disclosed here is therefore safer than the known self-releasing lock, the activation of which can be overlooked (e.g. not actuated), can be faulty (e.g. not actuated sufficiently) or can fail (e.g. released by vibration).
[0012] The restraint device comprises, for example, a stop and a retaining element that rests against the stop in a retaining position, wherein the retaining element is designed as a self-locking locking element. The locking element blocks or prevents movement beyond the stop. The locking effect is achieved by a positive connection between the retaining element and the stop.
[0013] In particular, the locking element can absorb a spring force of a stamp spring in the retaining position, wherein the stamp spring is arranged between the housing and the actuating part and is configured to return the self-inking stamp from an impression position to an inking position. This means that the stamp spring can still be at least partially compressed in the retaining position. The spring force then preloads the locking element against the stop. The locking element can be configured, in particular dimensioned, to reliably absorb at least this force. The inking position is the position of the self-inking stamp in which an impression surface of the impression tool is pressed against an ink pad in the stamp housing to ink the impression tool – this is the eponymous self-inking.
[0014] In the retained position, the actuating part is optionally located further away from the imprint position than in the inking position. In other words, the retained position is located "above" the inking position. The actuating part can therefore only reach the retained position when the turning spindle is removed and / or when the ink pad is missing. Otherwise, i.e., when the self-inking stamp is ready for use, the actuating part is blocked in the inking position, cannot be moved further out of the housing, and cannot reach the retained position. This prevents the lock from hindering the use of the self-inking stamp, and in particular, its self-inking.
[0015] The locking element can optionally be mounted so that it can move transversely to the locking direction, in particular with a spring. A movable locking element allows for intentional, manual release of the locking element if the actuating part is to be released from the housing. The locking element can be moved into a release position by the user, thereby releasing it from the stop, for example, by moving it transversely to a direction of movement of the actuating part.
[0016] The locking element can have a locking surface which rests against the stop in a retaining position, and a rear side opposite the locking surface, wherein an outer edge of the rear side can have a chamfer. During assembly of the turning device, when the actuating part is brought together with the housing, the locking element can be guided along the chamfer to slide into the release position. This simplifies assembly because the locking element does not have to be specifically moved into the release position. As soon as the actuating part reaches a retaining position, the locking element, due to its self-locking property, returns from the release position to its rest position. In this position it assumes its locking function and can no longer be guided back over the stop without actively releasing the lock.
[0017] In one embodiment of the disclosed turning device, the stop is formed in the housing, in particular on an inner side of the housing, and the locking element is connected to the actuating part. The locking element can thus be arranged on an outer side of the actuating part. This advantageously enables actuation of a movable locking element in a direction from the outside to the inside, i.e., from an outer side of the self-inking stamp.
[0018] In this embodiment, a bearing receptacle can optionally be arranged in the actuating part for the turning axis, in a direction parallel to the actuating direction, between the locking element and a print side of the housing. This arrangement of the bearing receptacle relative to the locking element allows the above-described arrangement of the retaining position relative to the inking position to be achieved, with the associated advantages.
[0019] The locking element can, for example, be made essentially of plastic and preferably supported on a metal support in the locking direction. The locking element can, for example, be manufactured in one piece with a plastic component of the actuating part. The shape and dimensions of the locking element can be used by a person skilled in the art to achieve the desired mobility and resilience.
[0020] The disclosure also relates to a self-inking stamp with a turning device according to one of the variants described above, with an impression tool accommodated therein, and with a turning axis extending through the turning device and the impression tool. The turning device also has the above-mentioned advantages as part of an assembled and, for example, operational self-inking stamp, as soon as the impression tool is to be changed on the self-inking stamp and, for this purpose, the turning axis is removed, for example.
[0021] Finally, the disclosure also relates to a method for disassembling a turning device according to one of the variants described above, wherein, within the scope of this method, the lock is released by a force applied transversely to the actuation direction, and when the lock is released, the actuating part is detached from the housing parallel to the actuation direction. The prior art does not provide for releasing a lock with a force applied transversely to the actuation direction, because any resistance provided instead of a lock can be overcome by a correspondingly increased force parallel to the actuation direction, or any self-releasing lock can be overcome by omitting actuation of the lock.
[0022] 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:
[0023] Fig. i is a vertical section of a self-inking stamp with a turning device, an impression tool and a turning axis, in an inking position;
[0024] Fig. 2 is a vertical section of the turning device according to Fig. 1 with the turning axis removed and without the impression tool, in a retaining position;
[0025] Fig. 3 is an enlarged view of section III of Fig. 1;
[0026] Fig. 4 is an enlarged view of section IV of Fig. 2;
[0027] Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the actuating part of the turning device according to Figures 1 and 2;
[0028] Fig. 6 is an exploded view of the actuating part according to Fig. 5;
[0029] Fig. 7 is a sectional front view of the self-inking stamp according to Fig. 1 in an imprinting position; and
[0030] Fig. 8 is a sectional front view according to Fig. 7, with opened securing elements and a partially removed turning axle.
[0031] Fig. 1 shows a self-inking stamp 1 with a turning device 2. The turning device 2 comprises a housing 3 and an actuating part 4. The actuating part 4 is connected to the housing 3 and is movable relative to the housing 3. The actuating part 4 is designed to support and carry a turning axis 5 for an impression tool 6. The turning axis 5 is received and supported at each of its two ends in a bearing receptacle 7 of the actuating part 4.
[0032] The impression tool 6 has the turning axis 5 passing through it and is mounted so as to be rotatable about its longitudinal axis. This means that the turning axis 5 runs through the turning device 2 and the impression tool 6. A pad container 8 with an ink pad 9 is accommodated in the housing 3. In the inking position shown in Fig. 1, a cliché of the impression tool 6 is pressed into the ink pad 9 and is thus wetted with stamping ink. For this purpose, the actuating part 4 is pre-tensioned by means of a stamp spring 10 between the housing 3 and the actuating part 4 in the direction opposite to an actuating direction 11 (upwards in Fig. 1). The stamp spring 10 is designed to return the self-inking stamp 1 from an impression position (not shown) to an inking position. In the position shown in Fig.i In the inking position shown, there is no risk of the actuating part 4 becoming detached from the housing 3 because the turning axis 5 passes through the actuating part and the housing 3 and thus connects them, and because the spring force of the stamp spring 10 is diverted from the actuating part 4 via the turning axis 5, the impression tool 6, the stamp pad 9, and the stamp pad container 8 back to the housing 3. To actuate the self-inking stamp 1, it is placed with an impression side 12 on a substrate to be printed and then, by exerting force on the actuating part 4 in the direction of the actuation direction 11, against the spring force of the stamp spring 10, the actuating part 4 is moved together with the impression tool 6 in the direction of the impression side 12, whereby the impression tool 6 is turned and finally the inked cliché is pressed against the substrate (corresponds to the impression position).During the entire process, the self-inking stamp 1 can be held by the handle 13 of the actuating part 4.
[0033] If the impression tool 6 in such a stamp is to be replaced, the turning axis 5 can be removed from the side. For this purpose, openings 14, 15 can be provided and accessible in at least one side wall of the housing 3 or covers 16, 17 of such openings 14, 15 can be temporarily opened. The turning axis 5 can then be pushed or pulled in the direction of its longitudinal axis out of the bearing receptacles 7 of the actuating part 4. This also removes the turning axis 5 from the impression tool 6, so that the impression tool 6 is subsequently detached from the housing 3. This state, with the turning axis removed and without the impression tool, is shown in Fig. 2. To install a different impression tool, it must be inserted back into the housing 3 and then the turning axis 5 must be inserted through the housing and the actuating part 4 and the new impression tool.
[0034] Fig. 2 shows a retaining position of the turning device 2. Release of the actuating part 4 from the housing 3 is prevented and thus blocked by a retaining device 19, designed as two locks 18. The retaining device 19 is self-locking.
[0035] The structure and arrangement of the retaining device in the retaining position is shown enlarged in Fig. 4. For comparison, the same section in the dyeing position is also shown enlarged in Fig. 3. The retaining device has a stop 20 and a retaining element 21 which rests against the stop 20 in a retaining position. The retaining element 21 is designed as a self-locking locking element 22. In the retaining position (Figs. 2 and 4), the locking element 22 absorbs a spring force of a plunger spring 10. The locking element 22 is movable transversely to the locking direction and is spring-mounted.
[0036] In the illustrated embodiment, the locking element is arranged on a thin, curved tab 23. The tab 23 extends into a recess in the actuating part 4, initially against the actuating direction 11, and is then bent outward by 90°, so that the locking element 22 engages at a right angle below the stop 20. The locking element 22 is connected to the actuating part 4 via the tab 23. The tab 23 is essentially made of plastic and, due to its thickness and material, is deformable and can, in principle, be bent further in the direction of its bend or straightened more in the opposite direction. However, the underside of the tab 23 rests on a support 24. The support 24 prevents bending of the tab 23 in the actuating direction 11. The support 24 is the lower edge of an opening 25 in a metal frame 26, which forms part of the actuating part 4, as can be seen in more detail in Figures 5 and 6.The support 24 is therefore made of metal.
[0037] The stop 20 is formed in the housing 3, more precisely on an inner side 27 of the housing 3. The actuating part 4 can have two legs 28, each of which is received and guided in a channel 29 provided for this purpose in the housing 3. The retaining device can be formed from a stop 20 on an inner wall in each of the two channels 29 and corresponding retaining elements 21 on each of the two legs 28. Each leg 28 has its own metal frame 26. The metal frames 26 can be manufactured as sheet metal parts and snapped onto a plastic core 30 of the actuating part 4 during assembly (see Fig. 6).
[0038] During assembly of the turning device 2, the legs 28 of the actuating part 4 are inserted into the channels 29 of the housing 3. To ensure that the retaining element 21 does not block this process, a chamfer 33 is provided on the outer edge of a rear side 32 opposite the locking surface 31 of the locking elements 22. This chamfer 33 can slide off a corresponding chamfer 34 at the entrance to the channel 29 upon insertion and lift / press the corresponding locking element 22 away from the support 24 into a release position. The raised locking element 22 slides along the inner side 35 of the channel 29 until it snaps into place under the stop 20. To release the actuating part 4 from the housing 3, the locking element can be lifted manually, e.g. using a pointed object, and simultaneously pulled over the stop 20, after which it is held in the channel by the inner side 35. This process must be repeated for both legs 28.As can be seen from a comparison of Figures 1 and 3, which show the inking position, and Figures 2 and 4, which show the retaining position, the actuating part 4 is further away from the impression position in the retaining position than in the inking position. This means that in the retaining position, the actuating part is further "up" than in the inking position. To achieve this relative arrangement of the two positions, the bearing receptacles 7 in the actuating part 4 for the turning axis 5 are arranged in a direction parallel to the actuating direction 11 between the locking element 22 and an impression side 12 of the housing 3.
[0039] Figures 7 and 8 illustrate the removal of the turning axis 5 from the turning device 2 in an impression position. In this case, a displaceable securing element 36 formed by the cover 16 on at least one side of the housing 3 is moved from a securing position covering the turning axis 5 (see Fig. 7) into a release position allowing access to the turning axis 5 (see Fig. 8). This temporarily opens and releases the opening 14. The turning axis 5 can then slide out of the bearing receptacles 7 through the opening 14 parallel to its longitudinal direction. As soon as the turning axis 5 has been completely removed from the actuating part 4 and the housing 3, the impression tool 6 is no longer held in the housing 3 and can be removed from the turning device 2. If the handle 13 is then released, the actuating part 4 moves under the action of the stamp spring 10 into the position described in connection with Fig.2 shown and described retention position.
Claims
Claims 1. Turning device (2) for a self-inking stamp (1), comprising a housing (3) and an actuating part (4), wherein the actuating part (4) is connected to the housing (3) and is displaceable relative to the housing (3), wherein the actuating part (4) is designed to support and carry a turning axis (5) for an impression tool (6), wherein the turning device (2) has a retaining device (21) which, when the turning axis (5) is removed from the actuating part (4), makes it difficult for the actuating part (4) to be released from the housing (3), characterized in that the retaining device (21) is designed as a lock, wherein the lock is self-locking.
2. Turning device (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that the retaining device (21) has a stop (20) and a retaining element (21) which rests against the stop (20) in a retaining position, wherein the retaining element (21) is designed as a self-locking locking element (22).
3. Turning device (2) according to claim 2, characterized in that the locking element (22) in the retaining position absorbs a spring force of a stamp spring (10), wherein the stamp spring (10) is arranged between the housing (3) and the actuating part (4) and is designed to return the self-inking stamp (1) from an impression position into an inking position.
4. Turning device (2) according to claim 3, characterized in that the actuating part (4) is further away from the impression position in the retaining position than in the coloring position.
5. Turning device (2) according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the locking element (22) is mounted so as to be movable transversely to the locking direction.
6. Turning device (2) according to claim 5, characterized in that the locking element (22) is spring-mounted.
7. Turning device (2) according to one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that the stop (20) is formed in the housing (3) and that the locking element (22) is connected to the actuating part (4).
8. Turning device (2) according to claim 7, characterized in that the Stop (20) is formed on an inner side (35) of the housing (3).
9. Turning device (2) according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that a bearing receptacle (7) in the actuating part (4) for the turning axis (5) is arranged in a direction parallel to the actuating direction (11) between the locking element (22) and a print side (12) of the housing (3).
10. Turning device (2) according to one of claims 2 to 9, characterized in that the locking element (22) is made essentially of plastic.
11. Turning device (2) according to claim 10, characterized in that the locking element (22) is supported on a support (24) made of metal in the locking direction.
12. Self-inking stamp (1) with a turning device (2) according to one of claims 1 to 11, with an impression tool (6) received therein and with a turning axis (5) running through the turning device (2) and the impression tool (6).
13. Method for disassembling a turning device (2) according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the lock is released by a force applied transversely to the actuating direction (11) and when the lock is released, the actuating part (4) is released from the housing (3) parallel to the actuating direction (11).