Pen

Abstract

The invention relates to a pen, comprising a refill having a working end, a casing, an electrical connection device, a cover device, a first movement device for moving the refill relative to the casing between two positions, namely a) a first position, in which the working end of the refill is situated in the casing, and b) a second position, in which the working end of the refill protrudes from the casing, and a second movement device for moving the cover device relative to the electrical connection device between two positions, namely a) a first position, in which the cover device exposes the electrical connection device, and b) a second position, in which the cover device covers the electrical connection device. According to the invention, it is provided that the first movement device is locked to prevent movement of the refill relative to the casing when the cover device is in the first position relative to the electrical connection device.

Description

[0001] PEN

[0002] The invention relates to a pen, comprising a refill having a working end, a casing, an electrical connection device, a cover device, a first movement device for moving the refill relative to the casing between two positions, namely a) a first position, in which the working end of the refill is situated in the casing, and b) a second position, in which the working end of the refill protrudes from the casing, and a second movement device for moving the cover device relative to the electrical connection device between two positions, namely a) a first position, in which the cover device exposes the electrical connection device, and b) a second position, in which the cover device covers the electrical connection device. Pens of the type mentioned in the introduction are known. The electrical connection is used, for example, for data transmission or for charging a rechargeable battery provided in the pen. In many regions, a USB-C port is prescribed as the electrical connection in this case. This applies, for example, to the EU Economic Area from the end of 2024. On the electronic device side, said connection is a socket according to the “Universal Serial Bus Type-C Cable and Connector Specification” standard of the USB 3.0 Promoter Group. Such sockets consist of a recess having a centrally arranged tongue which bears electrical contacts on both sides. Particularly in the case of a pen that is stored in bags together with other belongings, this recess can become clogged with dirt and dust, which prevents reliable electrical contact. For this reason, the cover device is provided. In the case of such a pen which has a locking tensioning mechanism for retracting and extending the refill - as is customary in the case of ballpoint pens, for example - this is compounded by the fact that actuation of the locking tensioning mechanism leads to longitudinal displacement not only of the refill, but also of other internally arranged components. If the associated electrical or electronic circuit is part of these internal components, and if the recess in the casing for inserting a charging plug into the socket, for example, is not large enough to allow this relative movement, the forces exerted when retracting and extending the refill may adversely affect or damage the electrical or electronic circuit.

[0003] In view of the above problems, the object of the invention is to avoid such adverse effects on internal components of the pen when the first movement device is actuated.

[0004] According to the invention, in the case of a pen of the type mentioned in the introduction, the stated object is achieved in that the first movement device is locked to prevent movement of the refill relative to the casing when the cover device is in the first position relative to the electrical connection device.

[0005] In other words, when the electrical connection device is not covered by the cover device, but instead is exposed and therefore the possibility exists that a cable or the like is connected to the electrical connection device, the aim is to prevent the electrical connection device from being displaced within the casing and thus to prevent parts of the casing from hitting against the cable or the like that is connected to the connection device. This is because such impacts could lead to reaction forces that adversely affect or damage internal components of the pen.

[0006] According to the invention, the locking of the first movement device to prevent movement of the refill relative to the casing may be achieved in any way. However, it is preferably provided according to the invention that the second movement device comprises a stop, which in the second position of the cover device is situated in the path along which a detent runs as the refill moves from the first to the second position, said detent being coupled to the refill in the longitudinal direction of the pen.

[0007] In other words, by hitting against the stop, the detent prevents actuation of the first movement device for extending the refill, and therefore also no internal components of the pen can be displaced.

[0008] The detent may be attached to an insert, which is coupled to the refill in the longitudinal direction of the pen but is displaceable relative to the casing.

[0009] The insert may serve a variety of additional purposes, for example holding the refill, accommodating a rechargeable battery or a battery, accommodating an electrical or electronic circuit, and so on.

[0010] According to the invention, preferably the casing comprises the stop.

[0011] As a result, it is not necessary to provide an additional component for stopping the detent.

[0012] According to the invention, the second movement device can be actuated in any way. However, according to the invention, preferably an actuation device of the second movement device is provided, which is rotatable relative to the casing about the longitudinal axis of the pen and is coupled to the cover device in the direction of rotation.

[0013] When the actuation device is rotated relative to the casing about the longitudinal axis of the pen, the cover device is displaced between the two positions, namely the first position, in which it exposes the electrical connection device, and the second position, in which it covers the electrical connection device.

[0014] According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the detent is coupled to the actuation device of the second movement device in the direction of rotation about the longitudinal axis of the pen and is displaceable relative to the casing in the longitudinal direction of the pen. As a result, when the actuation device and thus the second movement device is actuated, the detent is moved in the direction of rotation so that either it is situated in front of the stop - as seen in the longitudinal direction of the pen - and therefore is not displaceable in the longitudinal direction of the pen, or it is situated alongside it and therefore can be displaced in the longitudinal direction when the first movement device is actuated.

[0015] According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the detent hits against the cover device when the second movement device is actuated.

[0016] The rotary coupling of the detent to the cover device can thus be achieved in a particularly simple manner.

[0017] The first movement device may be a locking tensioning mechanism, as is customary in the case of ballpoint pens.

[0018] Finally, according to the invention, it is preferred that the electrical connection device is a socket.

[0019] The invention will be explained in greater detail below on the basis of a preferred embodiment and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0020] Fig. 1 shows a schematic view of a pen according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, in two different operating positions,

[0021] Fig. 2 shows a partially cut-away view of the pen according to Fig. 1 ,

[0022] Fig. 3 shows the rear casing part of the pen according to Fig. 1 ,

[0023] Fig. 4 shows an actuation device of the pen according to Fig. 1 ,

[0024] Fig. 5 shows an insert of the pen according to Fig. 1 , and

[0025] Fig. 6 shows the actuation device according to Fig. 4 and the insert according to Fig. 5 in the assembled state. The pen shown in the drawings includes a front casing part 1 , embodied as a grip piece, and a rear casing part 2, embodied as a tubular shaft. The two casing parts 1 and 2 are securely connected to each other, for example by screwing.

[0026] The pen additionally includes an actuation device 3, which is embodied as a stopper and is rotatable relative to the casing parts 1 and 2 about the longitudinal axis L of the pen. A refill 4 having a working end 41 is arranged in the casing.

[0027] Also located in the casing 1 , 2 is an insert 5, which accommodates the refill 4 and an electrical circuit (not shown). Both the refill 4 and the electrical circuit are displaceable with the insert 5 inside the casing 1 , 2 along the longitudinal axis L.

[0028] In order to move the insert 5 with the refill 4 and the electrical circuit in the longitudinal direction of the pen, use is made of a movement device 6, which in the case of the pen shown in the drawings is embodied in the form of a locking tensioning mechanism. Locking tensioning mechanisms have long been used to move the refill in ballpoint pens for example, and therefore the movement device 6 will not be described in greater detail.

[0029] A button 7 is used to actuate the movement device 6.

[0030] In order to connect the electrical circuit to an external device, use is made of an electrical connection device 8, which in the case of the pen shown in the drawings is embodied as a USB socket.

[0031] The rear casing part 2 is formed with a stepped wall thickness, so that a stop 21 is formed. The step is denoted by reference number 22.

[0032] In addition, the rear casing part 2 has ribs 23 for connection to the actuation device 3.

[0033] An opening in the rear casing part 2 is denoted by reference number 24.

[0034] The actuation device 3 is provided with a clip 31 and with ribs 32 that fit together with the ribs 23 of the rear casing part 2. As a result, the actuation device 3 can be coupled to the rear casing part 2 in the axial direction, but can remain rotatable relative to the rear casing part 2 about the longitudinal axis L.

[0035] A cover device 33 in the form of a shield is formed on the actuation device 3. The insert 5 has a carrier 52 which carries a detent 51 in the form of a flange, as well as a further flange 53. In the assembled state, the detent 51 and the flange 53 couple the cover device 33 to the insert 5 in the direction of rotation about the longitudinal axis L. The insert 5 is thus coupled to the actuation device 3 in the direction of rotation, but is still longitudinally displaceable within the casing 1 , 2. The actuation device 3, the stop 21 , the detent 51 and the flange 53 form a movement device for the cover device 33.

[0036] The insert 5 is biased in the rearward direction by means of an elastic element, such as a spring (not shown).

[0037] Fig. 1a shows the pen with the movement device 6 in a first position, in which the working end 41 of the refill 4 is situated in the casing 1 , 2. In Fig. 1a, the other movement device 3, 21 , 51 , 53 is also in the first position, in which the cover device 33 exposes the opening 24 and thus the electrical connection device 8. In this position, actuation of the movement device 6 is not possible because the detent 51 hits against the stop 21 when an attempt is made to press the button 7 and thus move the insert 5 in the direction of the longitudinal axis L.

[0038] The situation is different in the position shown in Fig. 1b. In the position shown in Fig. 1b, compared to the position shown in Fig. 1a, the actuation device 3 is rotated relative to the casing 1 , 2 so that not only does the clip 31 lie over the opening 24, but also the cover device 33 covers the electrical connection device 8. Only in this position of the movement device 3, 21 , 51 , 53 can the insert 5 and thus the refill 4 as well as the electrical connection device 8 be axially displaced, because the detent 51 does not hit against the stop 21.

[0039] When the electrical connection device 8 is exposed and therefore a plug might be connected thereto, the above construction prevents the electrical connection device 8 from being displaced relative to the opening 24 and prevents the plug or the like from possibly hitting against the edge of the opening, which could lead to damage to the plug, the electrical connection device 8 or the electrical circuit in the insert 5. Instead, the possibility of axial displacement of the electrical connection device 8 exists only in the position in which the cover device 33 covers the electrical connection device 8, and therefore no plug or the like can be plugged into the electrical connection device 8. The plug, the electrical connection device 8 and the electrical circuit are therefore protected against such adverse effects and damage. The features of the invention that are disclosed in the above description, the claims and the drawing may be essential both individually and in any combination for implementing the invention in its various embodiments.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Pen, comprising a refill (4) having a working end (41), a casing (1 , 2), an electrical connection device (8), a cover device (33), a first movement device (6) for moving the refill relative to the casing between two positions, namely a) a first position, in which the working end of the refill is situated in the casing, and b) a second position, in which the working end of the refill protrudes from the casing, and a second movement device (3, 21 , 51 , 53) for moving the cover device relative to the electrical connection device between two positions, namely a) a first position, in which the cover device exposes the electrical connection device, and b) a second position, in which the cover device covers the electrical connection device, characterized in that the first movement device (6) is locked to prevent movement of the refill (4) relative to the casing (1 , 2) when the cover device (33) is in the first position relative to the electrical connection device (8).

2. Pen according to claim , characterized in that the second movement device (3, 21, 51 , 53) comprises a stop (21 ), which in the second position of the cover device (33) is situated in the path along which a detent (51) runs as the refill moves from the first to the second position, said detent being coupled to the refill (4) in the longitudinal direction of the pen.

3. Pen according to claim 2, characterized in that the detent (51) is attached to an insert (5), which is coupled to the refill (4) in the longitudinal direction of the pen but is displaceable relative to the casing (1 , 2).

4. Pen according to claim 3, insofar as it refers back to claim 2, characterized in that the casing (1, 2) comprises the stop (21).

5. Pen according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by an actuation device (3) of the second movement device (3, 21, 51 , 53), which is rotatable relative to the casing(1 , 2) about the longitudinal axis (L) of the pen and is coupled to the cover device (33) in the direction of rotation.

6. Pen according to claim 5, insofar as it refers back to claim 2, characterized in that the detent (51) is coupled to the actuation device (3) of the second movement device (3, 21 , 51, 53) in the direction of rotation about the longitudinal axis (L) of the pen and is displaceable relative to the casing (1 , 2) in the longitudinal direction of the pen.

7. Pen according to claim 6, characterized in that the detent (51) hits against the cover device (33) when the second movement device (3, 21, 51, 53) is actuated.

8. Pen according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first movement device (6) is a locking tensioning mechanism.

9. Pen according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electrical connection device (8) is a socket.

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