Pocket Stamp Shell Housing With Spring Hinge and Hook Latch

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pocket stamps are complex in design, unreliable in opening and closing mechanisms, and difficult to manufacture with a wide range of sizes, often requiring multiple parts and complex assembly processes.

Innovation Solution

A pocket stamp with shell-shaped housing parts hinged together, featuring a spring-biased hinge joint and a secure yet easy-to-operate latching mechanism using hooks and locking bars, allowing for a robust, reliable, and simple manufacturing process with minimal parts, suitable for various sizes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a pivoting connection is used between the stamp plate and holder to allow the stamp plate to rest on the holder in the stamping position, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases due to the need for stable yet movable connection mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of stamping operationVSAvoidcomplexity of moving parts
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the stamp plate and holder into a single integrated component, eliminating the need for separate pivoting connections. The stamp plate is formed as one piece with the holder, directly providing structural support while maintaining the ability to rest on the holder during stamping operations. This merging approach resolves the contradiction by achieving ease of operation without adding device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If multiple parts and complex assembly processes are used to achieve a reliable opening and closing mechanism, then reliability is improved, but ease of manufacture worsens due to increased manufacturing complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereliability of opening mechanismVSAvoidease of manufacturing process
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The housing parts are designed as integrated components with latching features built into the single-piece structure. The opening and closing mechanism relies on the inherent geometry of the merged housing parts rather than separate latching components, achieving reliable operation while simplifying manufacturing to a single molding process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The housing parts are designed to automatically latch and unlatch through their own structural features when moved between positions. The integrated design allows the mechanism to self-regulate its opening and closing actions without requiring external actuating components or complex assembly, thereby improving reliability while maintaining ease of manufacture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of manufacture

If a simple bail-type latch is used to hold the lid and can together, then ease of manufacture is improved, but reliability worsens due to the unreliable latching

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of manufacturing latching mechanismVSAvoidreliability of closed position
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The latching mechanism is integrated directly into the housing parts themselves, with latching features formed as part of the molded structure. This eliminates the need for separate bail-type latch components while providing reliable engagement through the interlocking geometry of the merged housing design, simultaneously improving both ease of manufacture and reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Reliability

If hooks and locking bars are used to create a secure latching mechanism, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity of closed positionVSAvoidnumber of latching components
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The hooks and locking bars are integrated into the housing parts as built-in features rather than separate components. The latching reliability is achieved through the geometric interlocking of the merged housing structures, eliminating the need for additional discrete latching parts while maintaining secure engagement in the closed position.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The design provides a robust, reliable, and easy-to-use pocket stamp with a secure opening mechanism, suitable for a wide range of sizes, and is simpler and more cost-effective to manufacture, ensuring long service life and efficient stamping performance.

Implementation Method 1

two shell-shaped housing parts (4, 5) connected to one another in an articulated manner

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHinge: Hinge

Implementation Method 2

spring-biased hinge joint

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring: Spring

Implementation Method 3

latching mechanism using hooks and locking bars

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical Fastener: Mechanical Fastener

Data Source

PatentEP2212118B1Pocket stamp
Publication Date: 2011.03.16 COLOP STEMPELERZEUGUNG SKOPEK GMBH & CO KG
  • EP2212118B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2212118B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2212118B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a pocket stamp (1) comprising a housing (2), which is configured in the shape of a case (3) having two articulated, shell-shaped housing parts (4, 5), which can be displaced from a closed position, in which they are detachably connected to one another, into an open position, in which a die plate (24) accommodated in one of the housing parts (4) and protruding over the edge thereof is present in the operating or impression position thereof, in which the other housing part (5) is offset toward the rear in relation to the die plate (24), wherein in one housing part (5) at least one detent element (10) in the form of a hook (18) is provided and in the other housing part (4) a detent element (16) in the form of a ledger (20) cooperating with said hook (18) is provided, one of the detent elements (16) being resiliently movable.