Writing instrument having a movable protective sleeve
AssigneeSociete BIC
InventorArnaud Bez
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A writing instrument that includes a barrel extending along a longitudinal axis (A) and a tip mounted at the front of the barrel, further including a protective sleeve for the tip, the sleeve being mounted coaxially on the barrel and movable relative to the barrel between a protective position where it covers the tip and a retracted position where it exposes the tip to allow writing. The sleeve includes an inner wall which includes a helical cam engaging with a guide element formed on the barrel so that the sleeve is movable in translation combined with rotation.
Claims20
A writing instrument comprising a barrel extending along a longitudinal axis and a tip mounted at the front of the barrel, further comprising a protective sleeve for the tip, the sleeve being mounted coaxially on the barrel and movable relative to the barrel between a protective position where it covers the tip and a retracted position where it exposes the tip to allow writing, the sleeve having an inner wall which comprises a helical cam engaging with a guide element formed on the barrel so that the sleeve is movable in translation combined with rotation, the sleeve further comprising on its inner wall a detent element capable of engaging with a retaining element formed on the barrel so as to prevent the sleeve from being detached from the barrel, the retaining element forming a retaining tooth having an apex as well as a first face and a second face arranged on each side of the apex,
- wherein the sleeve comprises a locking element distinct from the detent element and which is capable of engaging with one among the retaining element and the detent element so as to rotationally lock the protective position of the sleeve.
A kit comprising a barrel and a protective sleeve to be mounted on the barrel for assembly of a writing instrument comprising a tip mounted at the front of the barrel, the sleeve being adapted to protect the tip and to be coaxially mounted on the barrel and movable relative to the barrel between a protective position where it covers the tip and a retracted position where it exposes the tip to allow writing, the sleeve having an inner wall which comprises a helical cam engaging with a guide element formed on the barrel so that the sleeve once mounted is movable in translation combined with rotation, the sleeve further comprising on its inner wall a detent element capable of engaging with a retaining element formed on the barrel so as to prevent the sleeve from being detached from the barrel, the retaining element forming a retaining tooth having an apex as well as a first face and a second face arranged on each side of the apex, the writing instrument comprising at least one locking element distinct from the detent element and which is capable of engaging with one among the retaining element and detent element so as to rotationally lock the protective position of the sleeve, the inner wall of the sleeve comprising a first wall portion in which is formed at least a portion of the helical cam and generally having a first diameter and further comprising a second wall portion generally having a second diameter larger than the first diameter, the guide element of the barrel being arranged facing the second wall portion in a mounting position of the sleeve where the sleeve is engaged on the barrel and ready to be snapped into place thereon.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.