Gripping piece for a fountain pen and fountain pen having such a gripping piece

Abstract

The invention relates to a gripping piece (5) for a fountain pen (1), having a sleeve (6) for receiving an ink conductor (7) plus nib (9) and an element (8) for connecting to a fountain pen shaft (2). The invention also relates to a fountain pen (1) having a fountain pen shaft (2), a fountain pen lid (3) and a gripping piece (5) with ink conductor (7) and nib (9) arranged thereon. For easier exchanging of the ink conductor (7) and the nib (9) arranged thereon, the invention proposes a rotary ring (16) which can be rotated with respect to the sleeve (6) of the gripping piece (5) and a clamping ring (17) within the rotary ring (16), the rotary ring (16) being coupled to the clamping ring (17) in such a manner that when the rotary ring (16) is rotated, the clamping ring (17) can be displaced in the axial direction (x) between a first open position (Pi), in which substantially no clamping force (FK) acts on the ink conductor (7) plus nib (9), and a second closed position (P2), in which a clamping force (FK) acts on the ink conductor (7) plus nib (9).

Description

[0001] Grip for a fountain pen and fountain pen with such a grip

[0002] The invention relates to a grip for a fountain pen, with a sleeve for receiving an ink feed including a nib and an element for connection to a fountain pen shaft.

[0003] Furthermore, the invention relates to a fountain pen with a fountain pen shaft, a fountain pen cap and a grip with an ink feed and a writing nib arranged thereon.

[0004] Fountain pens are pen-shaped writing instruments developed hundreds of years ago that allow ink to be transferred to writing paper using a metal nib. The liquid ink contained in an ink reservoir flows through a so-called ink collector by capillary action to the tip of the nib, where it is absorbed by the paper when it touches it. A fountain pen consists of a fountain pen barrel, a fountain pen cap, possibly with a clip attached to it, and a grip with an ink collector and attached nib. The ink collector carries the nib and is usually inserted into a sleeve of the grip. The ink collector can also be housed in an additional nib housing ("collector") or be made as one piece with it, which can be located in the grip.The ink reservoir can be a separate ink cartridge or the fountain pen barrel itself. If the ink reservoir is a separate ink cartridge, the ink tube (and any nib barrel) has a projection for connecting the ink cartridge. If the fountain pen barrel itself is the ink reservoir, which is refilled via a piston mechanism, there is no need for a projection on the ink tube and nib barrel. The fountain pen barrel, the fountain pen cap, and the grip can be made of plastic, metal, or even wood.

[0005] For example, EP 0 943 455 A2 shows a fountain pen of conventional construction with a tubular nib shaft and a grip with an ink guide arranged therein, on the front end of which the writing nib is attached, as well as an ink cartridge which is placed on the rear end of the ink guide.

[0006] US 1,257,804 A and DE 418 471 C also describe similar fountain pens of this well-known design.

[0007] GB 734 709 A discloses a fountain pen with a specially designed nib and ink guide with capillary ink storage spaces.

[0008] If the nib needs to be changed because it needs to be replaced with a different or new nib, cleaned, or sharpened, it usually has to be pulled out of the fountain pen's grip by hand, along with the ink feed. The nib can then be removed from the ink feed and replaced or cleaned. During the changing process, the fingers of the person doing the changing or any tool used usually become dirty. Furthermore, the use of tools such as pliers can damage the fragile nib or ink feed.

[0009] The object of the present invention is therefore to create the aforementioned grip for a fountain pen, as well as a fountain pen with such a grip, which can facilitate or assist the changing of the nib and the ink feed. The design should be as simple and cost-effective as possible. Disadvantages of known fountain pens should be avoided or reduced.

[0010] The object of the invention is achieved by an above-mentioned handle, wherein a rotating ring is provided which can be rotated relative to the sleeve and a clamping ring is provided within the rotating ring, wherein the rotating ring is coupled to the clamping ring in such a way that when the rotating ring is rotated, the clamping ring can be moved in the axial direction between a first, open position in which essentially no clamping force acts on the ink guide including the nib, and a second, closed position in which a clamping force acts on the ink guide including the nib. The novel mechanism arranged in the handle enables a rotational movement of the rotating ring to change between the second, closed position in which the ink guide including the nib arranged in the sleeve is fixed, and the first, open position in which the ink guide including the nib is loosely arranged in the sleeve.In the second, closed position, the clamping ring exerts a clamping force in an essentially radial direction on the ink feed, securing the ink and nib in the grip sleeve. In the first, open position, the clamping ring exerts no clamping force on the ink feed, and the ink and nib can be easily removed or detached from the grip sleeve. Changing between the two positions is achieved by simply turning the rotating ring with your fingers, without having to touch the nib or ink feed. This greatly minimizes the risk of the user's fingers getting ink dirty, and virtually eliminates damage to the ink feed and nib during the changing process. Provided the components of the mechanism are suitably designed, simple and cost-effective production is possible.Since the mechanism only affects the grip of the fountain pen, existing fountain pens can also be provided with the grip designed according to the invention particularly easily and inexpensively.

[0011] The present invention can also be implemented if a spring housing is provided for receiving the ink guide including the writing nib, which spring housing is arranged in the sleeve of the grip.

[0012] According to a further feature of the invention, the spring housing is pressed into the sleeve of the grip or can be made integrally with the sleeve. Of course, the spring housing can also be connected to the sleeve in another way, for example, by screwing it into the sleeve.

[0013] Advantageously, the rotating ring is connected to the sleeve via a continuous thread. Such a continuous thread provides a way to allow rotation of the rotating ring without axial displacement of the same relative to the sleeve of the grip.

[0014] If the rotating ring has an internal thread and the clamping ring has a complementary external thread, and a locking element is arranged on the sleeve or on the spring housing to prevent the clamping ring from rotating relative to the rotating ring, a corresponding axial displacement of the clamping ring can be achieved upon rotation of the rotating ring. Provided the clamping ring and any other elements are appropriately designed, a force can then be exerted on the ink guide and nib in a radial direction upon rotation of the rotating ring and the resulting axial displacement of the clamping ring.

[0015] The locking element can, for example, be formed by a pin, which is anchored to the sleeve or spring housing and can be arranged axially in a bore in the clamping ring. The pin thus prevents rotation of the clamping ring relative to the sleeve or spring housing of the handle and simultaneously allows axial displacement of the clamping ring relative to the sleeve or spring housing by the pin protruding deeper or less deeply into the bore. Such an implementation of the locking element is relatively simple and cost-effective.

[0016] To achieve the radial clamping effect on the ink guide and nib, the rotating ring and / or the clamping ring have a variable diameter in the axial direction, so that the inner diameter of the sleeve can be changed when the clamping ring is axially displaced relative to the rotating ring. When the rotating ring is rotated in one direction, the inner diameter is increased in the first, open position of the clamping ring, while when the rotating ring is rotated in the opposite direction, the inner diameter is reduced in the second, closed position of the clamping ring.

[0017] The rotating ring will usually be made of a suitable metal or a suitable plastic.

[0018] If the outer surface of the rotating ring has a surface texture or coating, this can make it easier to operate or rotate the rotating ring with the user's fingers. The structure of the outer surface of the rotating ring can be roughened, grooved, checkered, or similar. Suitable coatings include plastics or ceramic materials.

[0019] If the clamping ring is made of elastic material, a more gentle application of the clamping force to the ink guide and nib can be achieved.

[0020] Alternatively, the clamping ring can also be made of solid material, which can be more advantageous for some ink guide materials in order to still achieve a good clamping effect on the ink guide in the second, closed position of the clamping ring.

[0021] According to a further feature of the invention, an annular clamping element made of elastic material can be arranged on the inside of the clamping ring. This additional clamping element then exerts a radial clamping force on the ink guide upon axial displacement of the clamping ring into the second, closed position. In addition to the rotating ring and the clamping ring, the annular clamping element represents an additional part of the mechanism for clamping the ink guide in the sleeve of the grip.

[0022] By appropriate design of the annular clamping element, it can be arranged freely within the clamping ring or coupled to the sleeve or the spring housing.

[0023] If a spring element is provided on the sleeve or nib housing, the spring force of which acts in the axial direction on the ink feed and nib, an automatic "ejection" of the ink feed and nib can be achieved in the first, open position of the clamping ring. This means that when the rotating ring is turned in the direction that moves the clamping ring into the first, open position, the ink feed and nib can be uncoupled or detached from the sleeve without the user having to touch the nib and ink feed. This can largely prevent the user's fingers from becoming dirty. The spring element can, for example, be formed by a helical spring that is placed in a suitable place between the ink feed and sleeve or nib housing.Instead of a coil spring, other designs of spring elements, such as blocks made of elastic material, can of course also be used.

[0024] The object of the invention is also achieved by a fountain pen mentioned above, whose grip is designed as described above. With such a fountain pen, the ink feed and nib can be changed much more conveniently and easily. For further advantages achieved in this way, please refer to the above description of the grip.

[0025] The invention is explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0026] Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional fountain pen;

[0027] Fig. 2 is a sectional view of a first embodiment of a grip according to the invention for a fountain pen in a first, open position in which the ink guide including the nib is loosely arranged;

[0028] Fig. 3 is a sectional view of the handle according to Fig. 2 in a second, closed position, in which the ink guide including the writing nib is fixed in the handle;

[0029] Fig. 4 is a sectional view of a second embodiment of a grip according to the invention for a fountain pen in a first, open position in which the ink guide including the nib is loosely arranged;

[0030] Fig. 5 is a sectional view of the handle according to Fig. 4 in a second, closed position, in which the ink guide including the writing nib is fixed in the handle;

[0031] Fig. 6 shows a sectional view of a third embodiment of a grip according to the invention for a fountain pen in a first, open position, in which the ink guide including the writing nib is loosely arranged in a nib housing in the grip; and

[0032] Fig. 7 is a sectional view of the handle according to Fig. 6 in a second, closed position, in which the ink guide including the writing nib is fixed in a nib housing in the handle.

[0033] Fig. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a conventional fountain pen 1. The fountain pen 1 usually consists of a fountain pen shaft 2, a fountain pen cap 3, which may be provided with a clip 4, and a grip 5. The grip 5 is usually connected to the fountain pen shaft 2 via a corresponding thread and the fountain pen cap 3 is also screwed onto the grip 5. Corresponding snap-in connections are also possible. The fountain pen shaft 2, the fountain pen cap 3 and the grip 5 are usually made of metal or plastic. Other materials, such as wood or combinations of various materials are also possible. The grip 5, which may have indentations for the user's fingers, contains a sleeve 6, which serves to accommodate an ink feed 7 and the nib 9 arranged on it.The ink guide 7 has an extension 10 on the opposite side of the nib 9, which can be coupled to an ink container 11, for example, an ink cartridge. Instead of an ink cartridge, a piston mechanism can also be provided, whereby the ink is sucked into the ink container 11 (not shown). In this case, no extension 10 would be arranged on the ink guide 7, since no ink cartridge is necessary, which is coupled to the extension 10. The ink guide 7 carries the nib 9 and is usually inserted together with it into the sleeve 6 of the grip 5. The ink guide 7 can also be arranged in an additional nib housing 27 ("collector") or be manufactured in one piece with it, which can be arranged in the sleeve 6 of the grip 5. In the case of an additional nib housing 27, this has, for example, an opening at the bottom through which the extension 10 of the ink guide 7 protrudes.An ink container 11 can be coupled to this extension 10 (see Fig. 6 and 7). The liquid ink contained in the ink container 11 flows via the ink guide 7 by capillary action to the tip of the nib 9 and is absorbed by the writing paper when it comes into contact with the writing paper. A connecting element 8 for connection to the fountain pen shaft 2 is arranged on the sleeve 6 of the grip 5. This connecting element is usually formed by an external thread 15 onto which a correspondingly complementary internal thread 14 on the fountain pen shaft 2 can be screwed. Instead of the thread, corresponding snap-in connections can also be provided and the fountain pen shaft 2 can be pushed onto the sleeve 6 of the grip 5.To connect the fountain pen cap 3 to the grip 5 or the fountain pen shaft 2, a corresponding internal thread 12 can also be provided on the fountain pen cap 3 and a complementary external thread 13 on the grip 5 or the fountain pen shaft 2. Here, too, instead of the threads, corresponding snap-in connections can be provided, and the fountain pen cap 3 can be plugged onto the sleeve 6 of the grip 5 or the fountain pen shaft 2 connected to the grip 5.

[0034] To change the nib 9, because it is to be replaced with a different or new nib 9, cleaned or ground, the nib 9 together with the ink feed 7 must be pulled by hand out of the sleeve 6 of the grip 5 of the fountain pen 1. The nib 9 can then be removed from the ink feed 7 and replaced or cleaned. During the changing process, the fingers of the user of the fountain pen 1 or any tool used, such as pliers (not shown), usually become dirty. Furthermore, the fragile nib 9 or the ink feed 7 can be damaged, especially when tools are used.

[0035] Fig. 2 shows a sectional view of a first embodiment of a grip 5 according to the invention for a fountain pen 1 in a first, open position Pi, in which the ink guide 7 together with the nib 9 is loosely arranged. In this embodiment of the grip 5, a rotating ring 16 is provided which can be rotated relative to the sleeve 6 of the grip 5. The rotating ring 16 can be connected to the sleeve 6 via an endless thread 19. When the rotating ring 16 rotates relative to the sleeve 6, the rotating ring 16 does not change its position in the axial direction x. A clamping ring 17 is provided inside the rotating ring 16, the rotating ring 16 being coupled to the clamping ring 17 in such a way that when the rotating ring 16 rotates, the clamping ring 17 can be moved in the axial direction x.

[0036] This can be achieved by providing the rotating ring 16 with an internal thread 20 and the clamping ring 17 with a complementary external thread 21. In Figure 2, the clamping ring 17 is in the first, open position Pi, in which essentially no clamping force FK acts in the radial direction r on the ink guide 7 including the nib 9. In this first, open position Pi, the ink guide 7 including the nib 9 can be removed from the sleeve 6 with the internal diameter Di or simply "ejected" by turning the handle 5.

[0037] Fig. 3 shows a sectional view of the grip 5 according to Fig. 2 in the second, closed position P2, in which the ink guide 7 together with the writing nib 9 is fixed in the grip 5 or its sleeve 6. By rotating the rotating ring 16 relative to the sleeve

[0038] 6 of the grip piece 5, the clamping ring 17 is moved in the axial direction x until it is deflected inwards by the inwardly converging part of the rotating ring 16 and thereby exerts a clamping force FK in the radial direction r on the ink guide 7 including the nib 9. The rotating ring 16 and / or the clamping ring 17 has a variable diameter in the axial direction x, so that when the clamping ring 17 is moved in the axial direction x, the inner diameter Di of the sleeve 6 is variable. In the second, closed position P2, the ink guide

[0039] 7 together with the nib 9 is fixed in the sleeve. Even when the grip 5 is turned, the ink guide 7 together with the nib 9 remains fixed in the sleeve 6.

[0040] In order to achieve the clamping force FK in the radial direction r, the clamping ring 17 must be made at least partially of elastic material in this embodiment.

[0041] If a spring element 25, for example a helical spring 26, is provided on the sleeve 6, the spring force FF of which acts in the axial direction x on the ink guide 7 including the writing pen 9, an automatic "ejection" of the ink guide 7 can be achieved in the first, open position PI.

[0042] On the outside, the rotating ring 16 can have a surface structure 28 or a coating 29 to make it easier to rotate the rotating ring 16 with the user's fingers. Fig. 4 shows a sectional view of a second embodiment of a grip 5 according to the invention for a fountain pen 1 in a first, open position P1, in which the ink guide 7 together with the nib 9 is loosely arranged. Fig. 5 shows a sectional view of the grip 5 according to Fig. 4 in the second, closed position P2, in which the ink guide 7 together with the nib 9 is fixed in the grip 5. Again, the rotating ring 16 has an internal thread 20 and the clamping ring 17 has a complementary external thread 21. To prevent rotation of the clamping ring 17 relative to the rotating ring 16, a locking element 22 is arranged, which is formed by a pin 23, which pin 23 can be arranged in a bore 24 in the clamping ring 17 in the axial direction x.When the clamping ring 17 is moved in the axial direction x, this clamping ring 17 is deformed accordingly by the shape of the rotating ring 16 with a variable inner diameter and, in the second, closed position P2, exerts a clamping force FK in the radial direction r on the ink guide 7 including the nib 9 (see Fig. 5). In this embodiment too, the clamping ring 17 must be made at least partially from elastic material. The spring elements 25 or helical springs 26 are compressed and exert a spring force FF in the axial direction x on the ink guide 7 including the nib 9. As soon as the clamping force FR no longer acts on the ink guide 7, it is ejected or pushed out of the sleeve 6 by the spring forces FF (see Fig. 4 in the first, open position P1).

[0043] Fig. 6 shows a sectional view of a third embodiment of a grip 5 according to the invention for a fountain pen 1 in a first, open position P1, in which the ink guide 7 together with the nib 9 is loosely arranged in a nib housing 27 in the grip 5. Fig. 7 shows a sectional view of the grip 5 according to Fig. 6 in the second, closed position P2, in which the ink guide 7 together with the nib 9 is fixed in a nib housing 27 in the grip 5. In addition to the sleeve 6, a nib housing 27 ("collector") is located on the inside of the sleeve 6 or can be manufactured in one piece with the sleeve 6. In the case of an additional nib housing 27, this has a channel or an opening which encloses the extension 10 of the ink guide 7 in order to be able to hold an ink container 10 in the form of an ink cartridge.If the fountain pen 1 is refueled directly in the fountain pen shaft 2, without the use of an ink cartridge, the ink feed 7 does not need to have an extension 10 and the nib housing 27 does not need to have a channel for the extension 10. In this case, only an opening at the bottom of the nib housing 27 is necessary to allow ink to flow from the interior of the fountain pen shaft 2 into the ink feed 7. Here, too, the rotating ring 16 has an internal thread 20 and the clamping ring 17 a complementary external thread 21. To prevent the clamping ring 17 from rotating relative to the rotating ring 16, a locking element 22 is provided, which is formed by a pin 23, which pin 23 is anchored here in the nib housing 27 and can be arranged in a bore 24 in the clamping ring 17 in the axial direction x.On the inside of the clamping ring 17 there is also an annular clamping element 18 made of elastic material which deforms accordingly when the clamping ring 17 is moved in the axial direction x and, in the second, closed position P2, exerts a clamping force FK in the radial direction r on the ink guide 7 including the nib 9. In addition to the rotating ring 16 and clamping ring 17, the annular clamping element 18 represents an additional part of the mechanism for clamping the ink guide 7 in the sleeve 6 of the grip piece 5. By appropriately designing the annular clamping element 18, it can be arranged freely within the clamping ring 17 or coupled to the sleeve or the nib housing (not shown).

[0044] The present invention enables a simple and rapid replacement of the ink guide 7 together with the nib 9 of a fountain pen 1. To do so, only the rotating ring 16 on the grip 5 of the fountain pen 1 needs to be turned so that the clamping ring 17 is moved into the first, open position Pi and releases the fixation of the ink guide 7 in the sleeve 6 of the grip 5.

Claims

Patent claims:

1. Grip (5) for a fountain pen (1), with a sleeve (6) for receiving an ink guide (7) including a nib (9) and an element (8) for connection to a fountain pen shaft (2), characterized in that a rotating ring (16) which is rotatable relative to the sleeve (6) and a clamping ring (17) is provided within the rotating ring (16), wherein the rotating ring (16) is coupled to the clamping ring (17) in such a way that when the rotating ring (16) rotates, the clamping ring (17) is displaceable in the axial direction (x) between a first, open position (Pi), in which essentially no clamping force (FK) acts on the ink guide (7) including the nib (9), and a second, closed position (P2), in which a clamping force (FK) acts on the ink guide (7) including the nib (9).

2. Grip (5) according to claim 1, characterized in that a spring housing (27) is provided for receiving the ink guide (7) together with the writing nib (9), which spring housing (27) is arranged in the sleeve (6).

3. Handle (5) according to claim 2, characterized in that the spring housing (27) is pressed into the sleeve (6) or is made in one piece with it.

4. Handle (5) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the rotating ring (16) is connected to the sleeve (6) via an endless thread (19).

5. Handle (5) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the rotating ring (16) has an internal thread (20) and the clamping ring (17) has a complementary external thread (21), and a locking element (22) is arranged on the sleeve (6) or on the spring housing (27) to prevent rotation of the clamping ring (17) relative to the rotating ring (16).

6. Handle (5) according to claim 5, characterized in that the locking element (22) is formed by a pin (23), which pin (23) can be arranged in a bore (24) in the clamping ring (17) in the axial direction (x). I. Handle (5) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the rotating ring (16) and / or the clamping ring (17) has a variable diameter in the axial direction (x), so that upon axial displacement of the clamping ring (17) relative to the rotating ring (16), the inner diameter (Di) of the sleeve (6) is variable.

8. Handle (5) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the rotating ring (16) is made of metal or plastic.

9. Handle (5) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the rotating ring (16) has a surface structure (28) or a coating (29) on the outside.

10. Handle (5) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the clamping ring (17) is formed from elastic material. II. Handle (5) according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the clamping ring (17) is formed from solid material.

12. Handle (5) according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that an annular clamping element (18) made of elastic material is arranged on the inside of the clamping ring (17).

13. Grip (5) according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that a spring element (25) is provided on the sleeve (6) or on the spring housing (27), the spring force (FF) of which acts in the axial direction (x) on the ink guide (7) together with the writing spring (9).

14. Handle (5) according to claim 13, characterized in that the spring element (25) is formed by a helical spring (26).

15. Fountain pen (1) with a fountain pen shaft (2), a Fountain pen cap (3) and a handle (5) with ink guide (7) and writing nib (9) arranged thereon, characterized in that the handle (5) is designed according to one of claims 1 to 14.

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