EP0025865B1 - Multi-colour writing implement - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a multicolor pen, with at least two writing positions that can be optionally brought into a writing position exposing the writing tip on the one hand and into a non-use position covering the writing tip within a protective sleeve on the other hand, each of which is part of a single pen and rigid from an elongated handle piece, provided with the respective writing tip of the individual writer in question are of outstanding design, the individual individual writers being able to be plugged together.

In a known multi-color writer of this type (DE-U-7 912481), the recess of each individual writer receiving the writing tip of a different individual writer is provided on the end face opposite the writing tip of the individual writer in question, so that the individual single writers can be plugged together in such a way that a relatively long rod is formed, from the free end of which a writing tip still protrudes, which if necessary must be covered by a separate cap or the like in the non-use position.

From DE-A-2 514 041 a multi-color pen is known in which the protective caps of a number of individual pens are detachably formed with one another on their peripheral surfaces and / or their end faces by a plug-in or snap connection, as a result of which the individual pens are relatively bulky when not in use Bundles can be combined. Neither the multi-color recorder according to DE-U-7 912481 nor that according to DE-A-2 514 041 form a largely compact, easily transportable unit when not in use, in which the writing tips reliably dry out against the influence of dirt, without the aid of additional cover caps or the like etc. are protected.

Furthermore, multi-color pens are known in which the individual pens, which generally consist of ballpoint pen refills or the like, are accommodated within a single housing, the outer design of which corresponds to a conventional fountain pen or a conventional single ballpoint pen, and alternately in the use position or out again by means of a relatively complicated mechanism the position of use can be pulled back into the rest position within the housing. In the case of these multicolor recorders, the number of writing devices, each with a defined color, is therefore predetermined and, owing to the limited space available within the housing, can practically not be increased beyond four or at most six writing devices. The housing must be made relatively thick, which affects the writing comfort. If, on the other hand, to avoid these disadvantages, individual pens in a particular color are used, the disadvantage arises that these individual pens are relatively bulky and difficult to handle, both during transport and when they are placed on a desk or the like, in particular separate caps or the like are required to cover the nibs.

The invention has for its object to provide a multi-color recorder in which the individual writing devices still form an easily transportable unit when not in use, the nibs should be reliably protected against dirt, drying out, etc., but there is the option, optionally To combine two, four or even color pens with even more different colors in the simplest way from corresponding single pens.

According to the invention, this object is achieved in a further development of the multi-color pen of the type mentioned at the outset, in that each individual pen is provided at its end facing away from the writing device that is permanently connected to it with a laterally projecting attachment, which serves as a protective sleeve for the writing device of an adjacent, directionally opposite to has individual recess arranged serving individual recess.

Particularly preferred embodiments of the invention result from the subclaims.

As a result of its design, the multicolor pen according to the invention enables two, four or more individual pens to be put together to form a multicolor pen, in which an easily transportable unit is initially formed when not in use. The individual writing devices or writing nibs are each received in the recesses of the approaches of the neighboring individual writers, so that reliable protection of the various writing nibs is ensured. The individual recorders can also be put together in such a way that they result in a flat arrangement and can, for example, be easily placed on a desk or the like. It is characteristic of the multi-color writer according to the invention that the end of the end of a particular single writer facing away from the writing tip of an adjacent single writer and, at the same time, »thickened« serves at the same time by means of its recess as a cap for the writing tip of the neighboring single writer. The color of the ballpoint pen refill or the like of the individual writer in question is expediently indicated in that the individual writing devices have a section with a smaller diameter than the handle and a stop shoulder for the attachment of the adjacent handle, following the respective handle from which they protrude Has section with a smaller diameter of the respective writing device of the color of the writing means of the respective writing device, as is the subject of a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention.

• Fig. 1 Ein erstes Ausführungsbeispiel des erfindungsgemäßen Mehrfarbschreibers in zusammengestecktem Zustand;
• Fig. 2 die Einzelschreiber des in Fig. 1 gezeigten Ausführungsbeispieles in auseinandergenommenem Zustand;
• Fig. 3 das in Fig. 1 und 2 gezeigte Ausführungsbeispiel in zusammengestecktem Zustand in der Draufsicht;
• Fig. 4 das Ausführungsbeispiel der Fig. 1 bis 3 in »auseinandergeklapptem« Zusammensteckzustand;
• Fig. 5 ein weiteres Ausführungsbeispiel des erfindungsgemäßen Mehrfarbschreibers in der Draufsicht;
• Fig. 6 das Ausführungsbeispiel von Fig. 5 in »auseinandergefaltetem« Zusammensteckzustand.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in detail below on the basis of the schematic drawing. It shows:

• Fig. 1 shows a first embodiment of the multi-color pen according to the invention in the assembled state;
• Fig. 2 shows the individual writer of the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 in a disassembled state;
• Fig. 3 shows the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2 in the assembled state in plan view.
• Fig. 4 shows the embodiment of Figures 1 to 3 in the "unfolded" plug-in state;
• 5 shows a further embodiment of the multi-color pen according to the invention in plan view;
• Fig. 6 shows the embodiment of Fig. 5 in the "unfolded" mating condition.

As can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the multicolor recorder shown there has two individual recorders 14, 16, each with a pen 10, 12 with a writing tip, which are designed to be pluggable. Each pen 10, 12 rigidly protrudes from an elongated handle 18, 20 of the individual pen 14, 16 in question. The end of each individual pen 14, 16 facing away from the pen 10, 12, which is firmly connected to it, is provided with a laterally projecting attachment 22, 24, which serves as a protective sleeve for the pen tip or the pen of an adjacent, directionally opposite to the relevant individual pen 14 arranged single writer 16 serving recess 26. The respective pen 10, 12 can be snapped into the respective recess 26 of the attachment 24, 22 of the adjacent individual pen 16, 14. The respective pen 10, 12 in turn can be inserted into the recess 26 of the adjacent individual pen 16, 14 assigned to it in at least two positions rotated relative to one another. This makes it possible to give the multicolor pen the "compact form" shown in Fig. 1, in which the multicolor pen can be carried in the pocket, etc., but also the "unfolded" form shown in Fig. 4, in which the writing instrument can easily be placed on a desk or the like. This "flat position" is of course not as significant in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, in which the multicolor pen consists of only two individual pens 14, 16, as in the embodiment of FIGS. 5 and 6, in which the multicolor pen consists of four individual writers, as can be easily seen from the schematic drawing. Here, the compact position shown in FIG. 5 can be implemented as well as the "flat position" shown in FIG. 6.

The individual pens or writing devices 10, 12 can of course, for example, be ballpoint refills, as in the exemplary embodiment shown, but can also be fiber pen or writing or lead refills. The individual pens 10, 12, as can be seen in the drawing, have a section 28, 30 with a smaller diameter than the handle 18, 20 and a stop shoulder 32 following the respective handle 18, 20 from which they protrude , 34 for the extension 24, 22 of the adjacent handle 20, 18. Because the section 28, 30 with the smaller diameter of the respective pen 10, 12 has the color of the writing medium of the respective pen, it is also possible, when the multicolor pen is plugged together, to easily recognize which color the writing medium of the individual pen 14, 16 Has. As an alternative to this, the same purpose can also be achieved in that the entire part of the respective pen 10, 12 protruding from the respective grip piece 18, 20 has the colors of the writing means of the respective pen or respective writing device.

In the exemplary embodiment shown, the grip pieces 18, 20 and lugs 22, 24 of the various individual recorders 14, 16 also have peripheral surfaces 36, 38, 40, 42 that are complementary to one another and ensure a smooth, tight abutment of the assembled individual recorders. The grip pieces 18, 20 consequently have a square cross section in the exemplary embodiment shown. In the area of the lugs 22, 24, the individual recorders 14, 16 have both the respective lug and the rectangular cross-section comprising the respective handle base. Finally, it should also be noted that the pens 10, 12 can be accommodated with a sealing seat in the respective recesses 26, as a result of which reliable protection of the writing tips is ensured both against dirt and against drying out, etc.

The grips 18, 20 can advantageously also have an octagonal cross section, just as the individual recorders 14, 16 in the region of the lugs 22, 24 can have both the respective lug and the octagonal cross section comprising the respective grips base. At In this exemplary embodiment, it is possible, for example, to combine eight individual writers in a ring, leaving an opening in the middle.

Claims (17)

1. A multi-colour writing instrument, comprising at least two elongate writing means of different colour each provided with its respective writing point and being adapted to be brought optionally (a) into a writing position exposing the writing point and (b) into an inoperative position in which the writing point is covered inside a protective sleeve, each writing means being part of an individual writing instrument and being formed so as to project rigidly from an elongate barrel of the associated individual writing instrument, the individual writing instruments being adapted to fit in one another, characterised in that each individual writing instrument (14, 16) has a laterally projecting attachment (22, 24) at its end remote from the writing means (10, 12) connected thereto, each attachment having a recess (26) which serves as a protective sleeve for the writing means of an adjacent individual writing instrument (16) disposed in the reverse direction to the associated individual writing instrument (14).

2. A multi-colour writing instrument according to claim 1, characterised in that each writing means (10, 12) is adapted to be accommodated with a snap-fit in the associated recess (26) of the attachment (24, 22) of the adjacent individual writing instrument (16,14).

3. A multi-colour writing instrument according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that each writing means (10, 12) is adapted to be inserted in its associated recess (26) in the adjacent individual writing instrument (16, 14) in at least two relatively offset positions.

4. A multi-colour writing instrument according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the writing means (10, 12) are ball-point refills.

5. A multi-colour writing instrument according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the writing means (10, 12) are fibre-tip refills.

6. A multi-colour writing instrument according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the writing means (10, 12) are pencil refills.

7. A multi-colour writing instrument according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that each writing means (10, 12) comprises a barrel (18, 20) from which there projects a section (28, 30) of a smaller diameter than the barrel (18, 20), followed by a shoulder (32,34) for abutment in the attachment (24, 22) of the adjacent barrel (20,18).

8. A multi-colour writing instrument according to claim 7, characterised in that the smaller-diameter section (28, 30) of each writing means (10, 12) has the colour of the writing point of the associated writing means.

9. A multi-colour writing instrument according to claim 7, characterised in that all that part of each writing means (10, 12) which projects from the associated barrel (18, 20) has the colour of the writing point of the associated writing means.

10. A multi-colour writing instrument according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the barrels (18, 20) and attachments (22, 24) of each individual writing instrument (14, 16) have matching peripheral surfaces (e. g. 36, 38, 40, 42) which enable the assembled individual writing instruments to fit snugly and compactly together.

11. A multi-colour writing instrument according to claim 10, characterised in that the barrels (18,20) are of rectangular cross-section.

12. A multi-colour writing instrument according to claim 11, characterised in that the barrels (18,20) are of square cross-section.

13. A multi-colour writing instrument according to claim 11 or 12, characterised in that the individual writing instruments (14, 16) have a rectangular cross-section in the region of the attachments (22, 24), such cross-section including both the respective attachments and the respective barrel bases.

14. A multi-colour writing instrument according to claim 10, characterised in that the barrels (18,20) are of octagonal cross-section.

15. A multi-colour writing instrument according to claim 14, characterised in that the individual writing instruments (14, 16) have an octagonal cross-section in the region of the attachments (22, 24), such cross-section including both the respective attachments and the respective barrel bases.

16. A multi-colour writing instrument according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the writing means (10, 12) are adapted to be accommodated with a sealing fit in the associated recesses (26).

17. A multi-colour writing instrument according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that four individual writing instruments (18, 20) adapted to be fitted together and writing in different colours are provided.

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