Patent Grant
12049099
The present invention pertains to a projectable and retractable writing tool in which a tip is projectable and retractable through an opening of a shaft cylinder in conjunction with a movement of a tip holder.
Patent Document 1 (JP-U-H05-85683) discloses an anti-sway device for a leading edge of a writing tool. In the structure of the anti-sway device, a concave groove is provided at a suitable position of the leading edge of the writing tool, and an elastic O-ring, whose outer diameter is almost the same as an inner diameter of a leading edge of a shaft cylinder, is fitted into the concave groove. According to this anti-sway device, in a pencil type or knock type of writing tool, rattling sound, which may be caused by a contact between the leading edge of the writing tool and a leading-edge hole of the leading edge of the shaft cylinder at the time of writing, can be prevented.
Patent Document 2 (JP-U-H05-93884) also discloses an anti-sway device for a leading edge of a writing tool. In the structure of the anti-sway device, an engagement step is provided at a leading edge of a shaft cylinder, and an elastic ring, whose inner diameter is slightly smaller than an outer diameter of the leading edge of the writing tool, is engaged with the engagement step. According to this anti-sway device, since the elastic ring locks the leading edge of the writing tool, rattling at the time of writing can be prevented even if there is a gap between a leading-edge inner diameter of the shaft cylinder and the leading edge of the writing tool.
Patent Document 3 (JP-A-2013-220602) discloses a writing tool in which a writing element is slidable in a front and rear direction with respect to a shaft cylinder and a writing tip of the writing element is projectable through an opening of the shaft cylinder. An annular member is arranged around an outer periphery of a leading edge portion of the writing element, and an inside surface of the shaft cylinder in the vicinity of the opening is provided with a substantially spherical surface with which the annular member can come into contact. The annular member is fixed to the writing element via a spring, and thus is biased forward. When the writing element is projected, the annular member closely contacts with the inside surface of the shaft cylinder because of an elastic force of the spring. Thus, rattling at the time of writing can be prevented.
Patent Document 4 (JP-A-2019-111657), which has been filed by the present applicant, discloses four types of structure as a projectable and retractable writing tool which can prevent rattling of a tip.
<First Type of Patent Document 4>
In addition,
In addition,
The projectable and retractable writing tool 110 according to the first type shown in
A tip holder 113, which is movable in an axial direction of the shaft cylinder 111, is contained in an inside of the shaft cylinder 111. A tip 114 as a writing element is fixed to a front end of the tip holder 113. The tip 114 is projectable and retractable through the opening of the shaft cylinder 111 in conjunction with a movement of the tip holder 113, as shown in
As shown in
In particular as shown in
The tip holder 113 is provided with the spring fixation assisting portion 113f in order to assist in fixing the coil spring 116 to the second collar portion 113c.
In addition, in particular as shown in
The annular member 115 is provided with four slits (cutout elements) 115s as a cutout. As shown in
In addition, as shown in
Furthermore, the projectable and retractable writing tool 110 according to the first type is provided with a second coil spring 112 (second elastic member) in order to automatically retract the tip holder 113 when a retracting operation for the tip 114 (for example, a pushing operation of a push button provided on a rear end portion of the writing tool in order to release a locking mechanism that can maintain a projected state of the tip 114) is carried out. The second coil spring 112 is fitted into between a shoulder portion provided on the inside surface of the mouthpiece portion 111d and the first collar 113b of the tip holder 113 such that the second coil spring 112 surrounds an outer periphery of the coil spring 116.
The second coil spring 112 may be fixed to the inside surface of the mouthpiece portion 111d or may be free (in a state wherein neither member is fixed thereto). Alternatively, the second coil spring 112 may be fixed to the first collar 113b of the tip holder 113.
The projectable and retractable writing tool 110 of the first type as described above operates as follows.
When not in use, the tip 114 (writing element) of the projectable and retractable writing tool 110 is retracted as shown in
During a transition from the retracted state shown in
In addition, since the tip holder 113 and the annular member 115 are connected via the coil spring 116 such that the tip holder 113 and the annular member 115 are movable relatively to each other, it can be assured that the distal portion 113d of the tip holder 113 can be effectively grasped in a rattling-free (play-free) manner even if no high-precision dimension management is applied to a degree of reduction of the inner diameter of the annular member 115 or the like.
Thereafter, when a retracting operation for the tip 114 (for example, a subsequent pushing operation of the push button provided on the rear end portion of the writing tool) is carried out, a locking mechanism not shown is released, so that the tip 114 (writing element) of the projectable and retractable writing tool 110 is returned to a retracted state shown in
During a transition from the projected state shown in
<Second Type of Patent Document 4>
The projectable and retractable writing tool 120 of the second type is provided with a cylindrical resin spring part 126e, instead of the coil spring 116 in the projectable and retractable writing tool 110 of the first type. In the resin spring part 126e, six pairs of substantially semicircular slits facing up and down and six pairs of substantially semicircular slits facing left and right are formed alternately in the axial direction. Thus, the resin spring part 126e can expand and contract in the axial direction.
The resin spring part 126e is integrally molded with an annular member 125. The annular member 125 is provided with four slits 125s as a cutout, in substantially the same way as the annular member 115 in the projectable and retractable writing tool 110 of the first type.
According to the projectable and retractable writing tool 120 of the second type, substantially the same functions and effects are achieved as according to the projectable and retractable writing tool 110 of the first type. That is to say, the mouthpiece portion 111d and the annular member 125 (the contact surface 125t) cooperate with each other such that the distal portion 123d of the tip holder 123 can be grasped in a rattling-free (play-free) manner.
<Third Type of Patent Document 4>
In the projectable and retractable writing tool 130 of the third type, a collar member 132 (a first collar portion 133b and a second collar portion 133c) is fixed to a rear end of the coil spring 112 (a second elastic member) of the projectable and retractable writing tool 110 of the first type, and a rear end of the coil spring 116 (an elastic member), whose front end is connected to the annular member 115, is fixed to the collar member 132, instead of the second collar portion 113c of the tip holder 113. According to the projectable and retractable writing tool 130 of the third type as well, substantially the same functions and effects are achieved as according to the projectable and retractable writing tool 110 of the first type. That is to say, the mouthpiece portion 111d and the annular member 115 cooperate with each other such that the distal portion 133d of the tip holder 133 can be grasped in a rattling-free (play-free) manner.
In addition, according to the projectable and retractable writing tool 130 of the third type, the annular member 115 need not to be fixed to the tip holder 133, and thus existing refills for replacement including conventional tip holders may be used as well.
<Fourth Type of Patent Document 4>
In the projectable and retractable writing tool 140 of the fourth type, a collar member 142 (a first collar portion 143b and a second collar portion 143c) is fixed to a rear end of the resin spring part 126e (a second elastic member) of the projectable and retractable writing tool 120 of the second type, and a rear end of the resin spring part 126e (an elastic member), whose front end is integrated with the annular member 125, is fixed to the collar member 142, instead of the second collar portion 123c of the tip holder 123.
According to the projectable and retractable writing tool 140 of the fourth type as well, substantially the same functions and effects are achieved as according to the projectable and retractable writing tool 120 of the second type. That is to say, the mouthpiece portion 111d and the annular member 125 cooperate with each other such that the distal portion 143d of the tip holder 143 can be grasped in a rattling-free (play-free) manner.
In addition, according to the projectable and retractable writing tool 140 of the fourth type, the annular member 125 need not to be fixed to the tip holder 143, and thus existing refills for replacement including conventional tip holders may be used as well.
According to the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 (JP-U-H05-85683) and Patent Document 2 (JP-U-H05-93884), the O-ring or ring is so radially deformable that the effect of preventing the rattling may be not sufficient. In addition, the writing tip may stick to the O-ring or ring, which may deteriorate a smooth retracting movement of the writing tip that has been projected.
On the other hand, according to the technique disclosed in Patent Document 3 (JP-A-2013-220602), in order to enhance the effect of preventing the rattling at the time of writing, it is necessary to properly manage a dimensional relationship between an inside surface of the annular member and an outer periphery surface of the writing tip. For example, if a gap size between the outer periphery surface of the writing tip and the inside surface of the annular member is larger than a gap size between the outer periphery surface of the writing tip and an inside surface of a leading edge portion of the shaft cylinder, the effect of preventing the rattling at the time of writing cannot be obtained. Thus, high dimensional precision is required, which may be a problem in productivity.
In addition, in the structures of the first and fourth types of Patent Document 4, the two kinds of coil springs 112, 116 are used in combination. These coil springs 112, 116 may be hooked on each other during an assembly operation and/or a replacement operation for a refill, which may impair the smoothness of these operations. Furthermore, when the coil springs 112, 116 are contracted in conjunction with a projecting or retracting operation of the tip holder 113, 143, the coil springs 112, 116 may become entangled, which may result in operational failure.
On the other hand, in the structures of the second and third types of Patent Document 4, it is difficult to increase the degree of expansion and contraction (amount of deflection) of the resin spring part 126e, which may result in less design flexibility.
The present invention has been made based on the above findings. The object of the present invention is to provide a projectable and retractable writing tool which can prevent rattling of a tip at the time of writing and thus can achieve a stable writing feeling while there is less fear of operational failure.
The present invention is a projectable and retractable writing tool including: a shaft cylinder having an opening at a front end thereof, a tip holder contained in an inside of the shaft cylinder and movable in an axial direction of the shaft cylinder, a tip fixed to a front end of the tip holder to be projectable and retractable through the opening of the shaft cylinder in conjunction with a movement of the tip holder, an annular member loosely fitted onto an inner periphery of the opening of the shaft cylinder to be movable in an axial direction of the shaft cylinder with respect to the shaft cylinder, and an elastic member capable of connecting the tip holder and the annular member such that the tip holder and the annular member are movable relatively to each other, wherein a contact surface is formed on at least a part of an outer periphery of the annular member, the contact surface being configured to come into contact with a part of an inside surface of the shaft cylinder in conjunction with a movement of the tip holder toward a front end side thereof, a cutout is formed at a part of the annular member such that an inner diameter of the annular member is reduced when a load is received by the contact surface, a guide surface is formed on the part of the inside surface of the shaft cylinder, the guide surface being configured to come into contact with the contact surface in conjunction with the movement of the tip holder toward the front end side, and the contact surface is configured to receive the load from the guide surface in conjunction with the movement of the tip holder toward the front end side.
According to the present invention, the contact surface of the annular member receives the load from the guide surface of the shaft cylinder in conjunction with the movement of the tip holder toward the front end side, which reduces the inner diameter of the annular member due to existence of the cutout of the annular member. In this manner, the shaft cylinder and the annular member cooperate with each other such that the tip or the tip holder can be grasped in a rattling-free (play-free) manner.
In addition, according to the present invention, since the elastic member can function as a “knock spring,” it is not necessary to use a separate coil spring for the knock spring in combination. According to this feature, the number of parts can be reduced, an assembly operation can be facilitated, and the fear of operational failure can be remarkably reduced.
A grasping portion of the annular member that can grasp the tip or the tip holder is located more forward than the contact surface of the annular member (there is no grasping portion located radially inward of the contact surface). According to this feature, the tip or the tip holder can be grasped on the more forward side, and thus the tip or the tip holder can be grasped more effectively in a rattling-free (play-free) manner.
Preferably, a stopper element is provided on the shaft cylinder and/or the annular member and is configured to define a movement limit of the annular member on a rear side thereof. In this case, an excessive movement (in particular, a dropout) of the annular member can be effectively prevented.
Preferably, the cutout is a plurality of cutout elements arranged at regular intervals in a circumferential direction of the annular member, and each of the plurality of cutout elements is a slit extending in an axial direction of the annular member. In this case, the inner diameter of the annular member can be reduced in a circumferentially well-balanced manner.
In addition, in this case, it is more preferable that a rear end of the slit is located more forward than the elastic member. According to this feature, even if the annular member is deflected due to existence of the slits, it is possible to maintain a stable connection between the elastic member and the annular member.
Preferably, the contact surface has a tapered shape toward the front end side, and the guide surface also has a tapered shape toward the front end side. Preferably, the contact surface has a frustoconical surface, for example. In this case, preferably, the guiding surface is a concave frustoconical surface. Alternatively, preferably, the contact surface has a convex curved surface which is rotationally symmetric about an axis. In this case, preferably, the guiding surface is a concave curved surface or a concave frustoconical surface which is also rotationally symmetric about an axis but has a curvature gentler than that of the convex curved surface.
In addition, preferably, the elastic member is a coil spring.
In addition, preferably, the annular member and the elastic member are fixed to each other, the elastic member is capable of connecting to an annular collar of the tip holder, and the elastic member is also capable of moving away from the annular collar of the tip holder. In this case, the annular member and the elastic member are held only by the shaft cylinder, and thus existing refills for replacement including conventional tip holders may be used.
In addition, preferably, the contact surface and the guide surface are always in contact with each other. In this case, it is avoided that the annular member and the inner surface of the shaft cylinder repeatedly contact with and separate from each other every time the projecting or retracting operation for the tip is carried out. Therefore, the projecting or retracting operation is stable, which offers a smooth feeling of operation (no discomfort) to the user.
In addition, preferably, the annular member is projected from the opening of the shaft cylinder in a front direction thereof. In this case, the tip or the tip holder can be grasped with a longer range, and thus the tip or the tip holder can be grasped more effectively in a rattling-free (play-free) manner.
In addition, in this case, it is more preferable that a projection amount (length) of the annular member from the opening of the shaft cylinder in the front direction is smaller than a movable range of the annular member in the axial direction. According to this feature, even when the annular member is pushed to be retracted into the opening of the shaft cylinder, the annular member is still within the movable range in the axial direction, and thus it is prevented that the annular member is undesirably dropped out or the like.
In addition, preferably, an operation part for the projecting or retracting operation of the tip or a rear portion of the shaft cylinder is provided with a soft material member. When the conventional structure is adopted for a thermochromic writing tool, the tip or the tip holder may rattle due to vibration at the time of rubbing a written brushstroke, which may result in fear of generating noise. However, according to the above feature of the present invention, there is no such fear. Thus, it is recommendable that the structure of the present invention is adopted for a thermochromic writing tool.
In addition, preferably, a knock member is provided in a slidable manner in a front and rear direction with respect to the shaft cylinder, wherein the tip is configured to be moved in a front and rear direction to be projected from or retracted into the opening of the shaft cylinder alternately whenever the knock member is moved in a front direction thereof, and wherein the annular member is configured to be rotated with respect to the shaft cylinder whenever the knock member is moved in the front direction thereof. According to this feature, the annular member is rotated in conjunction with the movement (operation) of the knock member in the front direction thereof, i.e., the user can visually recognize the rotation of the annular member. Thereby, the user can be offered a visual fun.
In addition, the present invention is also applicable to only a shaft cylinder for the above projectable and retractable writing tool. That is to say, the present invention is a shaft cylinder for a projectable and retractable writing tool, the shaft cylinder being capable of containing a tip holder such that the tip holder is movable in an axial direction, a tip being fixed to a front end of the tip holder, the shaft cylinder having an opening at a front end thereof, through which the tip is projectable and retractable in conjunction with a movement of the tip holder, the shaft cylinder including: an annular member loosely fitted onto an inner periphery of the opening of the shaft cylinder to be movable in an axial direction of the shaft cylinder with respect to the shaft cylinder, and an elastic member capable of connecting the tip holder and the annular member such that the tip holder and the annular member are movable relatively to each other, wherein a contact surface is formed on at least a part of an outer periphery of the annular member, the contact surface being configured to come into contact with a part of the inside surface of the shaft cylinder in conjunction with the movement of the tip holder toward the front end side, a cutout is formed at a part of the annular member such that an inner diameter of the annular member is reduced when a load is received by the contact surface, a guide surface is formed on the part of the inside surface of the shaft cylinder, the guide surface being configured to come into contact with the contact surface in conjunction with the movement of the tip holder toward the front end side, and the contact surface is configured to receive the load from the guide surface in conjunction with the movement of the tip holder toward the front end side.
According to the present invention, the contact surface of the annular member receives the load from the guide surface of the shaft cylinder in conjunction with the movement of the tip holder toward the front end side, which reduces the inner diameter of the annular member due to existence of the cutout of the annular member. In this manner, the shaft cylinder and the annular member cooperate with each other such that the tip or the tip holder can be grasped in a rattling-free (play-free) manner. In addition, according to the present invention, since the elastic member can function as a “knock spring,” it is not necessary to use a separate coil spring for the knock spring in combination. According to this feature, the number of parts can be reduced, an assembly operation can be facilitated, and the fear of operational failure can be remarkably reduced.
With reference to the attached drawings, we explain three embodiments of the present invention.
In addition,
Furthermore,
The projectable and retractable writing tool 10 according to the first embodiment shown in
A tip holder 13, which is movable in an axial direction of the shaft cylinder 11, is contained in an inside of the shaft cylinder 11. A tip 14 as a writing element is fixed to a front end of the tip holder 13. The tip 14 is projectable and retractable through the opening of the shaft cylinder 11 in conjunction with a movement of the tip holder 13, as shown in
As shown in
In the present embodiment, as shown in
In addition, the annular member 15 is fixed to a front end of a coil spring 16 (an example of an elastic member). The coil spring 16 surrounds the second collar portion 13c of the tip holder 13 and the tip 14 in a loosely fitted state (with a slight gap). A rear end of the coil spring 16 is always pressed by (not fixed to) the proximal portion 13a of the tip holder 13. Thereby, the coil spring 16 connects the tip holder 13 and the annular member 15 such that the tip holder 13 and the annular member 15 are movable relatively to each other. In addition, as shown in
The annular member 15 is made of resin (for example, polyacetal, polypropylene or polyethylene) or made of metal (for example, brass).
In addition, as shown in
In addition, as shown in
In addition, the annular member 15 of the present embodiment is provided with three slits (cutout elements) 15s as a cutout. As shown in
Thus, when a load is received by the first frustoconical outer surface 15b (contact surface), an inner diameter of the annular member 15 is configured to be reduced flexibly, and when the load is released, the inner diameter of the annular member 15 is configured to be elastically returned to an original dimension thereof.
On the other hand, as shown in
Thus, in conjunction with a movement of the tip holder 13 toward a front end side thereof, the first frustoconical outer surface 15b (contact surface) is configured to receive a load from the first frustoconical inner surface 11ib (guide surface) and a load from the second frustoconical inner surface 11id (guide surface), respectively.
Herein, the coil spring 16 of the present embodiment has also a function of automatically retracting the tip holder 13 when a retracting operation for the tip 14 (for example, a sliding operation of an operational part provided on a lateral surface of the writing tool in order to release a locking mechanism that can maintain a projected state of the tip 14) is carried out. That is to say, the coil spring 16 is configured to function as a knock spring. (An operation load thereof is about 50 gf to 300 gf (about 0.49 N to 2.94 N). For example, an operation load from a state not in use (
The projectable and retractable writing tool 10 as described above operates as follows.
When not in use, the tip 14 (writing element) of the projectable and retractable writing tool 10 is retracted as shown in
When a projecting operation for the tip 14 (for example, a sliding operation of an operational part provided on a lateral surface of the writing tool) is carried out, the tip 14 (writing element) of the projectable and retractable writing tool 10 is brought to a state shown in
In the state shown in
The reduced inner diameter is adapted to correspond to the outer diameter of the tip 14. That is to say, the reduced minimum inner diameter (for example, about 2.35 mm to 2.45 mm) is of such a size that it allows a smooth sliding of the tip 14 (for example, Φ 2.5 mm) in a axial direction thereof while achieving an effective anti-vibration effect of the tip 14 in a radial direction thereof. In addition, even if the outer diameter of the tip 14 is smaller than Φ 2.5 mm (for example, Φ 2.4 mm) or larger than Φ 2.5 mm (for example, Φ 2.6 mm), the same (the same-sized) annular member 15 can achieve a similar effective anti-vibration effect. That is to say, the projectable and retractable writing tool 10 of the present embodiment is compatible to different types of refills having different refill diameters with regard to the anti-vibration effect, which can improve convenience for a user.
Herein, according to the present embodiment, a movement limit of the annular member on a front side thereof is defined by a contact between the second frustoconical outer surface 15d and the second frustoconical inner surface 11id. That is to say, in the present embodiment, the second frustoconical outer surface 15d of the annular member 15 and the second frustoconical inner surface 11id of the shaft cylinder 11 are configured to function as a stopper element for defining the movement limit of the annular member on the front side thereof. However, such a stopper element can be omitted.
Subsequently, when the projecting operation for the tip 14 (for example, the sliding operation of the operational part provided on the lateral surface of the writing tool) is continued, the tip 14 (writing element) of the projectable and retractable writing tool 10 is brought to a state shown in
Thereafter, when the projecting operation for the tip 14 (for example, the sliding operation of the operational part provided on the lateral surface of the writing tool) is completed, the tip 14 (writing element) of the projectable and retractable writing tool is brought to a state shown in
Herein, even when the stopper element for defining the movement limit of the annular member 15 on the front side thereof functions, if a dimension of the small inner diameter cylindrical surface 15ia of the inner periphery surface of the annular member is enough smaller than the outer diameter of the tip 14 (if a diameter difference therebetween is 0.05 mm or more (see paragraph 0081)), since the tip holder 13 and the annular member 15 are connected via the coil spring 16 such that the tip holder 13 and the annular member 15 are movable relatively to each other, it can be assured that the tip 14 is effectively grasped in a rattling-free (play-free) manner even if no high-precision dimension management is applied to a degree of reduction of the inner diameter of the annular member 15 or the like.
Thereafter, when a retracting operation for the tip 14 (for example, another sliding operation of the operational part provided on the lateral surface of the writing tool) is carried out, for example a locking mechanism not shown is released, so that the tip 14 (writing element) of the projectable and retractable writing tool 10 is brought again to the state shown in
During a transition from the projected state shown in
In addition, during the above course of the projecting operation and the retracting operation for the tip 14, the contact surface of the annular member 15 (the first frustoconical outer surface 15b) and the guide surface of the shaft cylinder 11 (the first frustoconical inner surface 11ib) are always in contact with each other.
As described above, according to the projectable and retractable writing tool 10 of the present embodiment, when the contact surface (the first frustoconical outer surface 15b) of the annular member 15 receives the load from the guide surface (the first frustoconical inner surface 11ib) of the shaft cylinder 11 in conjunction with the movement of the tip holder 13 toward the front end side, the inner diameter of the annular member 15 is reduced due to the existence of the slits 15s of the annular member 15. In this manner, the shaft cylinder 11 and the annular member 15 cooperate with each other such that the tip 14 can be grasped in a rattling-free (play-free) manner. Furthermore, according to the projectable and retractable writing tool 10 of the present embodiment, although the stopper element for defining the movement limit of the annular member 15 on the front side thereof functions, due to the fact that the dimension of the small inner diameter cylindrical surface 15ia of the inner periphery surface of the annular member 15 is enough smaller than the outer diameter of the tip 14 (due to the fact that the diameter difference therebetween is 0.05 mm or more (see paragraph 0081)), since the tip holder 13 and the annular member 15 are connected via the coil spring 16 such that the tip holder 13 and the annular member 15 are movable relatively to each other, it can be assured that the tip 14 can be effectively grasped in a rattling-free (play-free) manner even if no high-precision dimension management is applied to a degree of reduction of the inner diameter of the annular member 15 or the like.
In addition, according to the projectable and retractable writing tool 10 of the present embodiment, since the three slits 15s as a cutout are arranged at regular intervals in a circumferential direction of the annular member 15 and each slit 15s extends in the axial direction of the annular member 15, the inner diameter of the annular member 15 can be reduced in a circumferentially well-balanced manner.
In addition, the contact surface of the annular member 15 (the first frustoconical outer surface 15b) and the guide surface of the shaft cylinder 11 (the first frustoconical inner surface 11ib) are a frustoconical outer surface and a frustoconical inner surface which correspond to each other. Thus, the contact surface of the annular member 15 can receive the load in a circumferentially well-balanced manner, so that the inner diameter of the annular member 15 can be reduced in a circumferentially well-balanced manner. Like this, it is preferable that the contact surface of the annular member 15 (the first frustoconical outer surface 15b) and the guide surface of the shaft cylinder 11 (the first frustoconical inner surface 11ib) have tapered shapes toward the front end side. A tapered contact surface may have a convex curved surface which is rotationally symmetric about an axis, and a tapered guide surface may have a concave curved surface or a concave frustoconical surface which is also rotationally symmetric about the axis but has a curvature gentler than that of the convex curved surface.
In addition, it is possible to adjust elasticity (easiness of reduction of the inner diameter) of the annular member 15 by suitably changing the number of the slits 15s, the sizes of the slits 15s and/or the shapes of the slits 15s. In addition, it is also possible to adjust elasticity (easiness of reduction of the inner diameter) of the annular member 15 by changing a material and/or a thickness of the annular member 15.
In addition, according to the projectable and retractable writing tool 10 of the present embodiment, the annular protrusion 11ih is provided in the inner periphery surface of the shaft cylinder 11 in such a manner that the movement limit of the annular member 15 on the rear side thereof is defined. Thereby, an excessive movement (in particular, a dropout) of the annular member 15 on the rear side thereof can be effectively prevented.
In addition, according to the projectable and retractable writing tool 10 of the present embodiment, a grasping portion of the annular member 15 that can grasp the tip 14 (a portion having the reduced minimum inner diameter) is located more forward than the contact surface (the first frustoconical outer surface 15b) of the annular member 15 (there is no grasping portion located radially inward of the contact surface). According to this feature, the tip 14 can be grasped on the more forward side, and thus the tip 14 can be grasped more effectively in a rattling-free (play-free) manner.
In addition, according to the projectable and retractable writing tool 10 of the present embodiment, the rear end of each slit 15s is located more forward than the coil spring 16. According to this feature, even if the annular member 15 is deflected due to existence of the slits 15s, it is possible to maintain a stable connection between the coil spring 16 and the annular member 15.
In addition, according to the projectable and retractable writing tool 10 of the present embodiment, the contact surface of the annular member 15 (the first frustoconical outer surface 15b) and the guide surface of the shaft cylinder 11 (the first frustoconical inner surface 11ib) are always in contact with each other. According to this feature, it is avoided that the contact surface of the annular member 15 and the guide surface of the shaft cylinder 11 repeatedly contact with and separate from each other every time the projecting or retracting operation for the tip 14 is carried out. Therefore, the projecting or retracting operation is stable, which offers a smooth feeling of operation (no discomfort) to the user.
In addition, according to the projectable and retractable writing tool 10 of the present embodiment, the annular member 15 is projected from the opening of the shaft cylinder 11 in a front direction thereof. According to this feature, the tip 14 can be grasped with a longer axial range, and thus it can be assured that the tip 14 is grasped more effectively in a rattling-free (play-free) manner. In addition, the feature that a part (annular member 15) for achieving an anti-vibration effect for the projectable and retractable writing tool 10 is provided can be visually appealed to users. Furthermore, with respect to appearance in the vicinity of the front end of the projectable and retractable writing tool 10 under the state wherein the tip 14 has been projected, a smooth shape can continue from a rear side toward a tip end, which can improve aesthetics thereof.
In addition, according to the projectable and retractable writing tool 10 of the present embodiment, a projection amount (length) of the annular member 15 from the opening of the shaft cylinder 11 in the front direction is smaller than a movable range of the annular member 15 in the axial direction. According to this feature, even when the annular member 15 is pushed to be retracted into the opening of the shaft cylinder 11, the annular member 15 is still within the movable range in the axial direction, and thus it can be effectively prevented that the annular member 15 is undesirably dropped out or the like.
In addition, in the projectable and retractable writing tool 10 of the present embodiment, it is preferable that a knock operation part for the projecting or retracting operation of the tip 14 or a rear portion of the shaft cylinder 11 is provided with a soft material member (rubbing member) for a thermochromic writing tool. When the conventional structure is adopted for a thermochromic writing tool, the tip (or the tip holder) may rattle due to vibration at the time of rubbing a written brushstroke, which may result in fear of generating noise. However, according to the structure of the present embodiment, there is no such fear. Thus, it is recommendable that the structure of the present embodiment is adopted for a thermochromic writing tool.
In addition,
As shown in
As well as the projectable and retractable writing tool 10 according to the first embodiment, A tip holder 23, which is movable in an axial direction of the shaft cylinder 21, is contained in an inside of the shaft cylinder 21. A tip 24 as a writing element is fixed to a front end of the tip holder 23. The tip 24 is projectable and retractable through the opening of the shaft cylinder 21 in conjunction with a movement of the tip holder 23.
As shown in
In the present embodiment, as shown in
In addition, the annular member 25 is fixed to a front end of a coil spring 26 (an example of an elastic member). The coil spring 26 surrounds the second collar portion 23c of the tip holder 23 and the tip 24 in a loosely fitted state (with a slight gap). A rear end of the coil spring 26 is always pressed by (not fixed to) the proximal portion 23a of the tip holder 23. Thereby, the coil spring 26 connects the tip holder 23 and the annular member 25 such that the tip holder 23 and the annular member 25 are movable relatively to each other. In addition, the annular member 25 is movable in the axial direction of the shaft cylinder 21 with respect to the shaft cylinder 21, in conjunction with a movement of the tip holder 23 and thus in conjunction with expansion and contraction of the coil spring 26.
The annular member 25 is made of resin (for example, polyacetal, polypropylene or polyethylene) or made of metal (for example, brass).
In addition, as shown in
In addition, as shown in
In addition, the annular member 25 of the present embodiment is provided with three slits (cutout elements) 25s as a cutout. As shown in
Thus, when a load is received by the first frustoconical outer surface 25b (contact surface), an inner diameter of the annular member 25 is configured to be reduced flexibly, and when the load is released, the inner diameter of the annular member 25 is configured to be elastically returned to an original dimension thereof.
On the other hand, an inner periphery surface of the shaft cylinder 21 in the vicinity of the opening thereof includes: a small inner diameter cylindrical surface 21ia (Φ 3.7 mm, an axial length thereof being 1.2 mm); a first frustoconical inner surface 21ib (an axial length thereof being 1.1 mm) as a guide surface having a tapered shape; a medium inner diameter cylindrical surface 21ic (Φ 4.95 mm, an axial length thereof being 1.3 mm); a second frustoconical inner surface 21id (an axial length thereof being 1.2 mm) as a guide surface having a tapered shape; a large inner diameter cylindrical surface 21ie (Φ 6.3 mm, an axial length thereof being 1.5 mm); and an annular protrusion 21if (a minimum aperture diameter thereof being Φ 6 mm) as a regulatory element; in this order from a front side thereof.
Thus, in conjunction with a movement of the tip holder 23 toward a front end side thereof, the first frustoconical outer surface 25b (contact surface) is configured to receive a load from the first frustoconical inner surface 21ib (guide surface).
Herein, the coil spring 26 of the present embodiment has also a function of automatically retracting the tip holder 23 when a retracting operation for the tip 24 (for example, a sliding operation of an operational part provided on a lateral surface of the writing tool in order to release a locking mechanism that can maintain a projected state of the tip 24) is carried out. That is to say, the coil spring 26 is configured to function as a knock spring. (An operation load thereof is about 50 gf to 300 gf (about 0.49 N to 2.94 N). For example, an operation load from a state not in use (
The projectable and retractable writing tool 20 as described above operates as follows.
When not in use, the tip 24 (writing element) of the projectable and retractable writing tool 20 is retracted as shown in
When a projecting operation for the tip 24 (for example, a sliding operation of an operational part provided on a lateral surface of the writing tool) is carried out, via the coil spring 26, the annular member 25 is moved forward and pressed toward the front side of the inside surface of the shaft cylinder 21. Then, the first frustoconical outer surface 25b (contact surface) receives a load from the first frustoconical inner surface 21ib (guide surface), and thus the inner diameter of the annular member 25 is reduced due to existence of the three slits 25s of the annular member 25.
The reduced inner diameter is adapted to correspond to the outer diameter of the tip 24. That is to say, the reduced minimum inner diameter (for example, about 2.35 mm to 2.45 mm) is of such a size that it allows a smooth sliding of the tip 24 (for example, Φ 2.5 mm) in a axial direction thereof while achieving an effective anti-vibration effect of the tip 24 in a radial direction thereof. In addition, even if the outer diameter of the tip 24 is smaller than Φ 2.5 mm (for example, Φ 2.4 mm) or larger than Φ 2.5 mm (for example, Φ 2.6 mm), the same (the same-sized) annular member 25 can achieve a similar effective anti-vibration effect. That is to say, the projectable and retractable writing tool 20 of the present embodiment is compatible to different types of refills having different refill diameters with regard to the anti-vibration effect, which can improve convenience for a user.
When the projecting operation for the tip 24 (for example, the sliding operation of the operational part provided on the lateral surface of the writing tool) is completed, a position of the tip holder 23 is locked, and thus a projected state of the tip 24 is maintained until a retracting operation for the tip 24 is carried out thereafter. In this state, the length of the coil spring 26 in the axial direction thereof is 9.9 mm (shortened by 10.1 mm), and the reduced inner diameter of the annular member 25 is maintained by a restoring force of the coil spring 26. Thereby, the tip 24 can be grasped in a rattling-free (play-free) manner.
Herein, since the tip holder 23 and the annular member 25 are connected via the coil spring 26 such that the tip holder 23 and the annular member 25 are movable relatively to each other, it can be assured that the tip 24 is effectively grasped in a rattling-free (play-free) manner even if no high-precision dimension management is applied to a degree of reduction of the inner diameter of the annular member 25 or the like.
Thereafter, when a retracting operation for the tip 24 (for example, another sliding operation of the operational part provided on the lateral surface of the writing tool) is carried out, for example a locking mechanism not shown is released. Then, by means of an action (restoring force) of the coil spring 26, the tip 24 is returned to the retracted state shown in
During a transition returning to the retracted state shown in
In addition, during the above course of the projecting operation and the retracting operation for the tip 24, the contact surface of the annular member 25 (the first frustoconical outer surface 25b) and the guide surface of the shaft cylinder 21 (the first frustoconical inner surface 21ib) are always in contact with each other.
As described above, according to the projectable and retractable writing tool 20 of the present embodiment as well, when the contact surface ((the first frustoconical outer surface 25b) of the annular member 25 receives the load from the guide surface (the first frustoconical inner surface 21ib) of the shaft cylinder 21 in conjunction with the movement of the tip holder 23 toward the front end side, the inner diameter of the annular member 25 is reduced due to the existence of the slits 25s of the annular member 25. In this manner, the shaft cylinder 21 and the annular member 25 cooperate with each other such that the tip 24 can be grasped in a rattling-free (play-free) manner. Furthermore, since the tip holder 23 and the annular member 25 are connected via the coil spring 26 such that the tip holder 23 and the annular member 25 are movable relatively to each other, it can be assured that the tip 24 can be effectively grasped in a rattling-free (play-free) manner even if no high-precision dimension management is applied to a degree of reduction of the inner diameter of the annular member 25 or the like.
In addition, according to the projectable and retractable writing tool 20 of the present embodiment as well, since the three slits 25s as a cutout are arranged at regular intervals in a circumferential direction of the annular member 25 and each slit 25s extends in the axial direction of the annular member 25, the inner diameter of the annular member 25 can be reduced in a circumferentially well-balanced manner.
In addition, the contact surface of the annular member 25 (the first frustoconical outer surface 25b) and the guide surface of the shaft cylinder 21 (the first frustoconical inner surface 21ib) are a frustoconical outer surface and a frustoconical inner surface which correspond to each other. Thus, the contact surface of the annular member 25 can receive the load in a circumferentially well-balanced manner, so that the inner diameter of the annular member 25 can be reduced in a circumferentially well-balanced manner.
In addition, it is possible to adjust elasticity (easiness of reduction of the inner diameter) of the annular member 25 by suitably changing the number of the slits 25s, the sizes of the slits 25s and/or the shapes of the slits 25s. In addition, it is also possible to adjust elasticity (easiness of reduction of the inner diameter) of the annular member 25 by changing a material and/or a thickness of the annular member 25.
In addition, according to the projectable and retractable writing tool 20 of the present embodiment as well, the annular protrusion 21if is provided in the inner periphery surface of the shaft cylinder 21 in such a manner that the movement limit of the annular member 25 on the rear side thereof is defined. Thereby, an excessive movement (in particular, a dropout) of the annular member 25 on the rear side thereof can be effectively prevented.
In addition, according to the projectable and retractable writing tool 20 of the present embodiment as well, a grasping portion of the annular member 25 that can grasp the tip 24 (a portion having the reduced minimum inner diameter) is located more forward than the contact surface (the first frustoconical outer surface 25b) of the annular member 25 (there is no grasping portion located radially inward of the contact surface). According to this feature, the tip 24 can be grasped on the more forward side, and thus the tip 24 can be grasped more effectively in a rattling-free (play-free) manner.
In addition, according to the projectable and retractable writing tool 20 of the present embodiment as well, the rear end of each slit 25s is located more forward than the coil spring 26. According to this feature, even if the annular member 25 is deflected due to existence of the slits 25s, it is possible to maintain a stable connection between the coil spring 26 and the annular member 25.
In addition, according to the projectable and retractable writing tool 20 of the present embodiment as well, the contact surface of the annular member 25 (the first frustoconical outer surface 25b) and the guide surface of the shaft cylinder 21 (the first frustoconical inner surface 21ib) are always in contact with each other. According to this feature, it is avoided that the contact surface of the annular member 25 and the guide surface of the shaft cylinder 21 repeatedly contact with and separate from each other every time the projecting or retracting operation for the tip 24 is carried out. Therefore, the projecting or retracting operation is stable, which offers a smooth feeling of operation (no discomfort) to the user.
In addition, according to the projectable and retractable writing tool 20 of the present embodiment as well, the annular member 25 is projected from the opening of the shaft cylinder 21 in a front direction thereof. According to this feature, the tip 24 can be grasped with a longer axial range, and thus it can be assured that the tip 24 is grasped more effectively in a rattling-free (play-free) manner. In addition, the feature that a part (annular member 25) for achieving an anti-vibration effect for the projectable and retractable writing tool 20 is provided can be visually appealed to users. Furthermore, with respect to appearance in the vicinity of the front end of the projectable and retractable writing tool 20 under the state wherein the tip 24 has been projected, a smooth shape can continue from a rear side toward a tip end, which can improve aesthetics thereof.
In addition, according to the projectable and retractable writing tool 20 of the present embodiment as well, a projection amount (length) of the annular member 25 from the opening of the shaft cylinder 21 in the front direction is smaller than a movable range of the annular member 25 in the axial direction. According to this feature, even when the annular member 25 is pushed to be retracted into the opening of the shaft cylinder 21, the annular member 25 is still within the movable range in the axial direction, and thus it can be effectively prevented that the annular member 25 is undesirably dropped out or the like.
In addition, in the projectable and retractable writing tool 20 of the present embodiment as well, it is preferable that a knock operation part for the projecting or retracting operation of the tip 24 or a rear portion of the shaft cylinder 21 is provided with a soft material member (rubbing member) for a thermochromic writing tool. When the conventional structure is adopted for a thermochromic writing tool, the tip (or the tip holder) may rattle due to vibration at the time of rubbing a written brushstroke, which may result in fear of generating noise. However, according to the structure of the present embodiment, there is no such fear. Thus, it is recommendable that the structure of the present embodiment is adopted for a thermochromic writing tool.
In addition,
As shown in
Specifically, as shown in
In the present embodiment, the flange portion 25j is configured to function as a stopper element for defining a movement limit of the annular member 25′ on a rear side thereof. Thus, no annular protrusion is provided on the inner periphery surface of the shaft cylinder 21′.
According to the projectable and retractable writing tool 20′ of the third embodiment, substantially the same functions and effects are achieved as according to the projectable and retractable writing tool 20 of the second embodiment.
<Supplemental Explanation of Refill>
The projectable and retractable writing tool 10 of the first embodiment is a writing tool including: the shaft cylinder 11; a refill (writing body) contained in the shaft cylinder 11; and a projection and retraction mechanism that causes a tip 14 of the refill to project from and retract within the opening of the shaft cylinder 11.
An example of refill is supplementary explained with reference to
For example, the pen tip 61 has a structure consisting of only a ball point pen tip made of metal, which holds a ball at a front end thereof in a rotatable manner, or a structure consisting of a combination of such a ball point pen tip and a pen tip holder made of a synthetic resin, which holds a rear outer surface of the ball point pen tip. A spring configured to press forward the ball at the front end is contained in an inside of the pen tip 61. For example, the spring has a structure wherein a rod part is provided at a front end of a compression coil spring and a front end of the rod part contacts with a rear surface of the ball. When the ball is not used for writing, the ball sealingly contacts with an inwardly-facing front-edge inner surface of a front end of the ball point pen tip. Thereby, ink leakage and ink evaporation from the front end of the pen tip 61 is prevented.
<Supplemental Explanation of Rear End Portion of Shaft Cylinder 11>
For example, the shaft cylinder 11 of the present embodiment consists of: a front shaft 3 having a tapered cylindrical shape (see
For example, as shown in
The elastic material for forming the friction part 53 is preferably an elastic synthetic resin (rubber, elastomer), for example, a silicone resin, an SBS resin (styrene-butadiene-styrene copolymer), a SEBS resin (styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene copolymer), a fluorine-based resin, a chloroprene resin, a nitrile resin, a polyester resin, an ethylene propylene diene rubber (EPDM), or a mixture of two or more rubber elastic materials, or a mixture of a rubber elastic material and a synthetic resin, or the like.
Preferably, the elastic synthetic resin constituting the friction part 53 is not an easy-to-wear elastic material (for example, an eraser or the like), but a hard-to-wear elastic material which generates almost no wear debris (for example, eraser shavings) when friction occurs. In addition, the friction part 53 may be provided on an outer surface at a rear end portion of the shaft cylinder 11 in various manners. For example, the friction part 53 made of an elastic material may be provided on the outer surface of the rear end portion of the shaft cylinder 11 or on the outer surface of the rear end portion of the rear shaft 5, by a press-fitting, an engagement, a threadedly engagement, a fitting, an adhesion, a two-color molding, or the like. Furthermore, the entire shaft cylinder 11 or the entire rear shaft 5 may be integrally made of an elastic material.
<Supplemental Explanation of Knock Member 8>
With reference to
For example, the knock member 8 is obtained by a molded body made of a synthetic resin (for example, a polycarbonate resin). For example, the clip 83 is obtained from a molded body made of a synthetic resin (for example, a polycarbonate resin) or a metallic material (for example, stainless steel). The knock member 8 and the clip 83 may be integrally made of a synthetic resin.
As shown in
Regarding how to assemble the knock member 8, the base part 81 of the knock member 8 is inserted into the first elongated hole 41 of the intermediate shaft 4 from the rear end (opened part) of the first elongated hole 41 while the shaft part 82 of the knock member 8 is inserted into the intermediate shaft 4. Subsequently, In order that the first elongated hole 41 of the intermediate shaft 4 and the second elongated hole 51 of the rear shaft 5 are radially communicated with each other (radially overlapped), while the inner surface of the rear shaft 5 is fitted onto the outer surface of the reduced diameter part of the intermediate shaft 4, the base part 81 of the knock member 8 is inserted into the second elongated hole 51 of the rear shaft 5 from the front end (opened part) of the second elongated hole 51. Thereby, the intermediate shaft 4 and the rear shaft 5 are connected (the outward protrusion 44 of the intermediate shaft 4 and the inward protrusion 54 of the rear shaft 5 are engaged after riding over each other), and the slide hole extending in the front and rear direction is formed by the first elongated hole 41 and the second elongated hole 51, and the knock member 8 is in a state of projecting radially outward from the slide hole. The knock member 8 is slidable in the front and rear direction along the slide hole.
The rear shaft 5, whose rear end is fixed to the friction part 53, is connected to the rear end portion of the intermediate shaft 4, so that the friction part 53 is always fixed to the rear end of the shaft cylinder 11. In addition, the front shaft 3 and the intermediate shaft 4 are detachably threadedly engaged with each other, so that the refill 6 is replaceable at any time.
<Supplemental Explanation of Projection and Retraction Mechanism>
The projection and retraction mechanism of the present embodiment is a side-slide type projection and retraction mechanism using a rotating cam mechanism, which includes: the knock member 8 as described above; the projection and retraction rotating member 7 configured to move in the front and rear direction to cause the pen tip 61 to project from or retract within the opening of the shaft cylinder 11 and configured to cause the refill 6 (and thus pen tip 61) to rotate, every time the knock member 8 is moved forward; the cam part 43 as described above which is provided in the shaft cylinder 11 and is able to engage or disengage with the projection and retraction rotating member 7 depending on a position of the knock member 8; and a knock spring 12 (for example, a compression coil spring) provided in the shaft cylinder 11 and configured to bias the refill 6 rearward.
The projection and retraction mechanism of the present embodiment is a double-knock type projection and retraction mechanism in which the knock member 8 is operated (pressed) to move (slide) forward both for a pen tip projection operation and for a pet tip retraction operation.
<Supplemental Explanation of Thermochromic Ink>
In the present embodiment, it is preferable that the thermochromic Ink is a reversible thermochromic ink. As the reversible thermochromic ink, there are various types, which includes: a heat-decoloring type that decolorizes by heating from a color-developing state; a color-memory holding type that alternately holds a color-developing state or a decoloring state in a specific temperature range; or a heat-coloring type that colorizes (color-develops) by heating from a decoloring state and returns to the decoloring state by cooling from the color-developing state. These types may be used individually or in combination.
As a coloring material contained in the reversible thermochromic ink, for example, a reversible thermochromic pigment is preferably used, in which a reversible thermochromic composition is encapsulated in a microcapsule, the reversible thermochromic composition including at least the following three essential components: (a) an electron-donating color-developing organic compound; (b) an electron-accepting compound; and (c) a reaction medium that determines an occurrence temperature of a reaction (color reaction) in which the above two components are chemically linked.
<Supplemental Explanation of Rotation of Refill 6>
As described above, according to the present embodiment, every time the knock member 8 is moved forward, the refill 6 (and thus the pen tip 61) is rotated while the pen tip 61 is moved in the front and rear direction to project or retract through the opening of the shaft cylinder 11. Such a writing tool, whose pen tip 61 is rotated, is popular in the market because wear of the pen tip 61 can be equalized.
When the ridges 71 of the projection and retraction rotating member 7 are moved forward, the projection and retraction rotating member 7 presses the refill 6 forward according to abutment relationship between the abutment parts 73 and the projection pieces 63b of the tail plug 63. Then, the pen tip 61 is projected outward from the opening of the shaft cylinder 11.
At the deepest position of the knocking operation of the knock member 8, the rear ends of the ridges 71 get out of the cam grooves 43b, and move (fall) into the bottoms of the cam teeth 82a of the knock member 8. Thereby, the projection and retraction rotating member 7 slightly rotates circumferentially (see
Subsequently, when the knock member 8 is returned to an original position thereof by the rearward biasing force of the spring body, the rear ends of the ridges 71 move (fall) into bottoms of the cam teeth 43a of the cam part 43. Thereby, the projection and retraction rotating member 7 further rotates circumferentially (see
Next, from the pen tip projection state (see
At the deepest position of the knocking operation of the knock member 8, the rear ends of the ridges 71 ride over tops (teeth) of the cam teeth 43a of the cam part 43, and move (fall) into the bottoms of the cam teeth 82a of the knock member 8. Thereby, the projection and retraction rotating member 7 slightly rotates circumferentially (see
The abutment state between the projection pieces 63b of the tail plug 63 and the abutment parts 73 of the projection and retraction rotating member 7 is shown in
The abutment parts 73 on the front surface of the projection and retraction rotating member 7 abut on the projection pieces 63b of the tail plug 63 at the rear end of the refill 6, while the plurality of protrusion parts 72 on the front surface of the projection and retraction rotating member 7 are inserted into the plurality of gaps 63c between the projection pieces 63b of the tail plug 63 at the rear end of the refill 6 so that the protrusion parts 72 are circumferentially engaged with the projection pieces 63b. Thereby, when the projection and retraction rotating member 7 rotates circumferentially, the refill 6 also rotates circumferentially.
As described above, according to the present embodiment, the abutment parts 73 on the front surface of the projection and retraction rotating member 7 are configured to cause the tail plug 63 at the rear end of the refill 6 to rotate. However, any other way of transferring a rotational force from the projection and retraction rotating member 7 to another portion of the refill 6 may be adopted. For example, a plurality of projection pieces may be integrally formed on the rear end of the refill 6 without being provided with the tail plug 63.
<Supplemental Explanation of Rotation of Annular Member 15, 25, 25′>
When the refill 6 is rotated with respect to the shaft cylinder 11, 21 by a pressing operation of the knock member 8, the annular member 15, 25, 25′ connected to the refill 6 via the coil spring 16, 26 is also rotated with respect to the shaft cylinder 11, 21.
Herein, the front end of the coil spring 16, 26 is fixed to the annular member 15, 25, 25. Thus, the front end of the coil spring 16, 26 does not slide on the inside surface of the annular member 15, 25, 25′ so that there is no fear of the front end of the coil spring 16, 26 damaging the annular member 15, 25, 25′. In addition, when the annular member 15, 25, 25′ connected to the refill 6 via the coil spring 16, 26 is rotated with respect to the shaft cylinder 11, 21, the refill 6 and the coil spring 16, 26 are integrally rotated. Thus, the rear end of the coil spring 16, 26 does not slide on the tip holder 13, 23 so that there is no fear of the rear end of the coil spring 16, 26 damaging the tip holder 13, 23. In addition, since the refill 6, the annular member 15, 25, 25′ and the coil spring 16, 26 are integrally rotated, there is no fear of obstruction against a smooth rotation of the refill 6 (and thus the pressing operation of the knock member 8). Furthermore, the rotation of the annular member 15, 25, 25′ can be visually recognized, thereby the user can be offered a visual fun.
<Rotational Direction of Refill 6 and Winding Direction of Coil Spring 16, 26′>
According to the above explained embodiments, the rotational direction of the refill 6 is clockwise as seen from the rear end side. On the other hand, the winding direction of the coil spring 16, 26 is anticlockwise (that is to say, the coil spring 16, 26 has a left-handed helix (extends anticlockwise from a volute tongue: see
However, if the rotational direction of the refill 6 and the winding direction of the coil spring 16, 26 are the same, when the refill 6 is rotated, he tip holder 13, 23 (a coil spring abutment portion thereof) can push the rear end of the coil spring 16, 26, so that the connection between the tip holder 13, 23 and the coil spring 16, 26 may be strengthened (for example, it might be as if they got engaged with each other), which may advantageously facilitate to transfer a rotational force of the refill 6 to the annular member 15, 25, 25′.
It is also preferable that the coil spring abutment portion of the tip holder 13, 23 is provided with a concave and/or convex portion or the like which may strengthen its connection with the rear end of the coil spring 16, 26.
<Round Chamber of Inner Periphery Surface of Annular Member 15, 25, 25′>
As explained with reference to
Similarly, as explained with reference to
Similarly, as explained with reference to
Furthermore, as shown in
Similarly, although illustration is omitted, instead of providing the first frustoconical inner surface 25ib of
Similarly, although illustration is omitted, instead of providing the first frustoconical inner surface 25ib of
<Another Manner of Cutout>
According to the above explained embodiments, the slits 15s, 15s′, 25s (cutout elements) are provided as a cutout. That is to say, the cutout is formed to penetrate the annular member 15, 15′, 25, 25′ from the inner periphery side thereof to the outer periphery side thereof.
However, the cutout is not limited to such a manner, but may be formed as a thin wall portion thinner than its surroundings (wherein a portion of the thickness is removed). For example, a thin wall portion may be left at an area corresponding to each of the slits 15s, 15s′, 25s.
As shown in
In addition, the annular member 15″ of the modified example is provided with three thin wall portions (cutout elements) 15t″ as a cutout. As shown in
According to the modified example as well, when a load is received by the first frustoconical outer surface 15b″ (contact surface), an inner diameter of the annular member 15″ can be reduced flexibly, and when the load is released, the inner diameter of the annular member 15″ can be elastically returned to an original dimension thereof.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020-211780 | Dec 2020 | JP | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/JP2021/046938 | 12/20/2021 | WO |
| Publishing Document | Publishing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| WO2022/138533 | 6/30/2022 | WO | A |
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6095706 | Hashimoto | Aug 2000 | A |
| 20200331285 | Kozaki | Oct 2020 | A1 |
| 20220126623 | Fukumoto | Apr 2022 | A1 |
| Number | Date | Country |
|---|---|---|
| H05-85683 | Nov 1993 | JP |
| H05-93884 | Dec 1993 | JP |
| 2013-220602 | Oct 2013 | JP |
| 2019-111657 | Jul 2019 | JP |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20240042790 A1 | Feb 2024 | US |
