DE102011052331A1 - Writing device has cartridge that is pressed on writing pad or moved back into housing when trigger mechanism is pressed or when high clamping force of one or more fingers on triggering mechanism is released - Google Patents

Abstract

The writing device has a pen housing for carrying out hand-guided movements. A cartridge (2) is pressed on a writing pad or moved back into the housing when a trigger mechanism (3) is pressed or when the clamping force higher than writing force, of one or more fingers on triggering mechanism is released. The trigger mechanism is tripped by the press jerk of the thumb, index finger or middle finger, index finger.

Description

All documents cited in the present application are incorporated by reference in their entirety into the present disclosure (= incorporated by reference in their entirety).

The present invention relates to a writing device, its use for the control of the writing posture and its use for diagnosis, for training in and for the treatment of neuromotor disorders, in particular graphomotor disorders.

State of the art:

The term "graphomotorics" generally includes all processes that lead to the production of graphic characters by hand and a suitable writing instrument on a substrate. These include, above all, the tone regulation (muscle tension) and force dosing in the pen position and the correct body and sitting posture. Neuromotor disorders usually lead to graphomotor disturbances as the writing process is a very complex process that requires independent coordination of hands, touch and visual perception. Writing is one of man's most demanding co-ordination services.

Primary and preschoolers often have difficulty handling pens and learning to write. The same is generally true of people with motor disorders, such as those with a stroke, who need to re-learn writing. The sources of error are manifold and range from the cramping of the hand over a wrong leadership of the writing instrument to the application of high axial and radial pressures.

5 to 10% of all kindergarten and preschool children have difficulty holding and manipulating the pen, and thus graphomotor difficulties. Too strong gripping of the pen and / or excessive pressure on the desk pad leads to cramped writing and, for example, to rapid fatigue and / or poor typeface. There are now approaches to support the diagnosis and therapy of such motor disorders ( EP 2 182 423 A2 ).

In general, such disorders and difficulties are diagnosed only to a limited extent with the aid of medical devices. It absolutely requires the experience of the therapist in the optical observation of the writing process of the patient. In order to support the therapy, exercise forms are used on which the patient has to trace certain forms, which are then evaluated. In any case, error correction is verbally performed by the attending therapist and requires the patient to perform a transfer such that the therapist's recommendations are implemented in a renewed therapy step. For this purpose, especially preschoolers, that is the age at which the writing process is learned, are often unable to do so.

From the DE 10 2005 031 432 For example, a fluidic stylus for acquiring neuromotor data is known. This has a fluid-filled chamber, which preferably has a first annular or spiralfömigen section and a second channel-shaped portion. In this case, the fluid pressure within the fluid chamber corresponds to a force occurring during a hand-guided movement. Via a pressure sensor, the fluid pressure is detected and converted into an electrical signal for a data processing unit. By using several pressure sensors, radial forces and acceleration values can be determined, but a clean separation of these two forces is only possible by means of a computational algorithm, since the fluid pressure in the chamber is determined by both types of force. Axial forces can also be determined via the pressure sensor at the end of the channel-shaped end of the fluid chamber, but again not clearly separated from radial or acceleration forces. The measured data is transmitted to a data processing unit which may be integrated in the pen or provided as an external component. In this data processing unit, the determined data are stored and evaluated after transmission to a computer by means of appropriate software by the therapist. Afterwards, possible disturbances are discussed in conversation with the person from whom the data originates, and if necessary, recommendations for action on the therapy are given. Immediate feedback to the patient during data collection is not possible.

Writing devices or writing systems are for example from the DE 102 41 328 , of the US 5,247,137 or German utility models DE 20 2005 017 936 and DE 20 2007 002 778 known. All of these known writing devices are suitable for acquiring biometric data, but have no possibility of direct feedback.

From the DE 20 2005 019 142 U1 a pen is known, which provides the patient with too high pressure on the writing pad feedback in the form of a light signal, however, the signal is limited to a high contact pressure on the countertop. Studies have shown that the causes of graphomotor weaknesses lie in the grip position. In some cases, for example, the pin is strongly clamped and yet no great force is exerted on the desk pad. In the above embodiment, this case results in no signal. When using this pen, it has also been shown that the patients perceive the glow as positive and therefore deliberately press the pen too tightly onto the writing pad. Another disadvantage is that the patient is distracted by the light signal from writing and thus can quickly lose concentration. In addition, the patient can ignore the light signal and continue the writing process with undiminished high grip or imprint force.

In newer forms of therapy nibs are used, which is bent too tightly on the pad, the spring and thus no longer writes fine, which is also a form of feedback. For fillers, the same effect is observed. However, as the Füllfederspitze is destroyed when too tight pressure, this therapy is often dispensed with.

When using springs for therapy, only the pressure on the writing surface is considered. It is also disadvantageous that the typing feel created when using a pen differs significantly from that produced with other commonly used writing instruments (rollerball pen, ballpoint pen, felt-tip pen, etc.), making transfer difficult in everyday writing situations.

Task:

The object of the present invention was therefore to provide a simple technical device that does not have the disadvantages of the prior art. With this device, the graphomotor problems of users can be specifically and simply treated without technical infrastructure at home. Furthermore, it should be possible with this device graphomotor operations, e.g. Writing without supervision in an effective way to train.

Solution:

This object is achieved by a writing instrument with integrated mechanically triggered interruption of the writing process at too high a clamping force, preferably realized by an axial position change of the writing lead, i. if the clamping force is too high, the cartridge / lead is pulled into the pen, or the cartridge / lead is pressed into the pen if the clamping force is too great. A letter is thus no longer possible.

Detailed description:

• a) ein Schreibstiftgehäuse zur Durchführung handgeführter Bewegungen,
• b) eine Patrone/Mine
• c) einen Auslösemechanismus,

dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass bei einer zu hohen Klemmkraft von einem oder mehreren Fingern ein Auslösemechanismus ausgelöst wird und damit die Patrone/Mine in das Gehäuse zurückbewegt wird oder bei Aufdrücken auf eine Schreibunterlage in das Gehäuse gedrückt wird.The present invention relates to a writing device comprising

• a) a pen housing for carrying out hand-guided movements,
• b) a cartridge / mine
• c) a triggering mechanism,

characterized in that at a high clamping force of one or more fingers, a triggering mechanism is triggered and thus the cartridge / mine is moved back into the housing or pressed onto a writing pad in the housing when pressed.

In the context of the present invention, the formulations "cartridge", "mine" or "cartridge / mine" not only the two options cartridge or mine but also each other embodiments and accordingly for the sake of simplicity representative of "cartridge / mine / spring or other Schreibstoffvorräte "used. In one embodiment of the present invention, cartridges and / or leads are used.

The present invention further relates to the use of this device.

The advantage of the device according to the invention is based on the fact that it gives a simple feedback to the user for a misconduct. In this case, the pin leads to a fixed terminals to a suspension of the letter. This has several advantages or effects. As a result, users are forced to deal with the graphomotor problem and can not ignore it when performing tasks. As soon as a limit value, which was previously determined in the diagnosis, is exceeded, the mechanical limit value of the mechanical system in the pen causes the lead to be withdrawn or pressed into the pen so that writing is no longer possible. In other words, if the user exceeds a predefined limit, the user can not continue writing, and must explicitly address the motor problem. The pin is constructed in a preferred embodiment so that the finger, which exerts the highest clamping force on the pin, the mechanism triggers. As a rule, and a most preferred embodiment, this is the index finger. However, the system can also be constructed so that the thumb and / or the middle finger trigger the mechanics.

The present invention may in principle be described as either selectively retracting / depressing the lead actively (eg, by a spring or other resilient member), or merely "moveable" by releasing its fixation and locking it Consequently, pushed by the imprint force in writing attempt into the housing. The force exerted on the writing pad force is not the decisive factor in the context of the present invention. Only too strong terminals of the pen is sufficient in the context of the present invention to trigger the mechanism and cause a "disappearance" of the mine (immediately or in the attempt to continue writing). In the context of the present invention, in one variant, it is so that an excessive clamping force of a single finger is sufficient to actuate the triggering mechanism. In this variant, not all fingers have to exceed a limit value. This means that e.g. a snap mechanism can also be triggered by a single finger. If the clamping force is too high, a previously existing non-positive or frictional axial fixation of the lead in the pin is canceled.

In other variants of the present invention, only too high clamping forces of two or more fingers trigger the triggering mechanism.

At the writing position, the cartridge / mine is extended and you can write normally with the pen. If the clamping force becomes too great, the triggering mechanism, e.g. a snap connection, dissolved, and the cartridge / mine is displaced by an elastic element, such as a spring in the pin. Alternatively, instead of retracting the cartridge / lead with a spring, it is possible for the cartridge / lead to be pressed into the pen by the contact force on the writing pad. In order to enable the writing again, the clamping handle must be solved in any case, and thus also the hand be loosened.

In addition, the mine must be brought back to a starting position. Thus, another advantage is that the inventive system, the long-lasting cramping of the hand is prevented, and the hand must first be relaxed before it can be written again.

One possibility of additional direct feedback to the user is optical feedback. This can be achieved, for example, by a contact inside the pen, which is triggered by the cartridge / lead moved into the pen. As a result, preferably at the end of the pin, a lamp, preferably an LED lamp, can be switched. It is also possible to move an indicator out of the end of the pen by moving the cartridge / lead into the pen.

For motivation in children, for example, offers the visual feedback in the form of a sad face. However, only colors, e.g. Red or black to provide feedback to the user.

Furthermore, in a variant of the present invention, additional acoustic and / or haptic feedback can take place.

In the cartridge / mine system, in one embodiment, different sized snap connections are integrated over the circumference. Depending on how the lead is inserted into the pin, another snap action acts on the system. The strength of the snap connections determined in the subsequent application of how large the clamping force must be, so that the mechanism is triggered. This allows the pen to be adapted to the different strength of the graphomotor disturbance.

However, the clamping system, which leads to the release of the mine / cartridge in the pen, but can also be realized via another spring system, for example via a steel spring or an elastomer serving as a resistor. It is only important that the adjustability is ensured directly on the pin or by the exchange of individual components. As a result, the size of the clamping forces of the user can be addressed directly.

• 1. Es gibt nur eine aktive Schnappverbindung, die alleinig auslöst.
• 2. Es gibt mehrere Schnappverbindungen und alle müssen ausgelöst werden.
• 3. Es gibt mehrere Schnappverbindungen und eine vorher definierte, d.h. eingestellte, Anzahl muss ausgelöst werden, um die Mine verschwinden zu lassen.
• 4. Es gibt mehrere Schnappverbindungen und bereits die Auslösung einer einzelnen reicht aus, um die Mine verschwinden zu lassen.

Snap devices which can be used in the context of the present invention are all based on the same principle and differ essentially only in the stiffness of the elastic element. In an embodiment as a bending beam, the different stiffness would be achieved, for example, by a variation of the moment of resistance or of the material. When assembling the optionally different items can then be selected which of these individual elements is active. As a result, the characteristic of the system can be adjusted specifically. In the context of the present invention, preference is given to selecting from four design variants:

• 1. There is only one active snap connection that triggers alone.
• 2. There are several snap connections and they all need to be triggered.
• 3. There are several snap connections and a previously defined, ie set, number must be triggered to make the mine disappear.
• 4. There are several snap connections and the triggering of a single one is enough to make the mine disappear.

In a variant of the present invention, the force required to trigger the mechanism is variably adjustable on the device. So that this does not happen by chance, the adjustment can be locked and / or covered.

• a) Von Außen wird durch ein bewegliches Teil im Gehäuse der Schreibvorrichtung, z.B. einen Knopffortsatz, ein bewegliches Teil eines elastischen Elements, das mit der Patrone verbunden ist und der Arretierung der Patrone relative zum Gehäuse dient, soweit eingedrückt, dass der bewegliche Teil des elastischen Elements in das Gehäuse gedrückt wird und die Patrone nicht mehr arretiert ist. Die Patrone wird dann entweder durch eine Feder o.ä. direkt in das Gehäuse gezogen oder beim Aufdrücken auf die Schreibunterlage in das Gehäuse gedrückt, so dass kein Schreiben mehr möglich ist. Das bewegliche Teil im Gehäuse kann dabei Teil eines größeren Bauteils sein, dass sich an einer Stelle verbiegen, d.h. eindrücken lässt. (vgl. 1, 2)
• b) In einer anderen Variante wird durch ein bewegliches Element, z.B. in Knopfform, dass mittels einer Feder, insbesondere einer Spiralfeder, mit der Patrone verbunden ist, durch eine Öffnung des Gehäuses geführt, so dass der Nutzer dieses Element mit mindestens einem Finger greift. Bei zu festem Druck wird dann die Feder soweit eingedrückt, dass das Element vollständig in das Gehäuse eingedrückt wird, wodurch seine Arretierungsfunktion verloren geht und die Patrone beweglich wird, so dass kein Schreiben mehr möglich ist. (vgl. 3)
• c) Angelehnt an Variante b) kann statt statt einer Feder bzw. Spiralfeder eine elastische Biegevorrichtung verwendet werden. (vgl. 4)

In the context of the present invention, various practical embodiments of the trigger mechanism are conceivable. By way of example, three variants are shown:

• a) From the outside by a movable part in the housing of the writing device, such as a button set, a movable part of an elastic member which is connected to the cartridge and the locking of the cartridge relative to the housing, pressed so far that the movable part of the elastic Element is pressed into the housing and the cartridge is no longer locked. The cartridge is then either by a spring or similar. Pulled directly into the housing or pressed when pressed onto the desk pad in the housing, so that no more writing is possible. The movable part in the housing can be part of a larger component that can bend at one point, ie can be pressed. (see. 1 . 2 )
• b) In another variant, by a movable element, for example in button shape, that by means of a spring, in particular a coil spring, is connected to the cartridge, passed through an opening of the housing, so that the user engages this element with at least one finger. If the pressure is too strong, the spring is pushed in so far that the element is completely pressed into the housing, as a result of which its locking function is lost and the cartridge becomes movable so that writing is no longer possible. (see. 3 )
• c) Based on variant b) instead of a spring or coil spring, an elastic bending device can be used. (see. 4 )

In the context of the present invention, any other practical embodiments of the trigger mechanism (variations) are possible and encompassed by the present invention, as far as they cancel the detent cartridge / mine at too high a clamping force and the cartridge / mine then no longer in a position that the Allowed writing remains.

Such embodiments / variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art starting from the present invention and the already described variants a), b) and c), so that a more detailed representation is not required.

The writing device according to the invention is ideal for controlling the writing posture or for controlling the grip position of the respective user. As a result of this check, in a variant of the present invention, the writing device according to the invention can be used or used in the context of a diagnosis or therapy procedure. In another variant of the present invention, the writing device according to the invention can also be used for non-therapeutic purposes.

If the writing device according to the invention is used in a method for diagnosis and therapy, it makes it possible for the therapist to set a suitable spring force depending on the user and to provide as a therapy unit. The writing device according to the invention can be individually adapted to the respective user and their learning progress by the adjustability of the limit force, from which the system interrupts the writing process.

The writing device according to the invention makes it possible to perform therapeutic steps in the treatment of neuromotor disorders without the direct participation or presence of a therapist, for example in the familiar home environment of the user. When performing exercises to improve his writing skills, the user receives immediate feedback on mistakes in pressing the pen. Depending on the severity of the neuromotor disturbance, the therapist may introduce the reference values to the ideal values in several steps in order to give them, especially in children, the important sense of achievement as they progress, if improvement is to be seen, but further efforts are nevertheless required , Thus, the user can be gradually strived to achieve the ideal values.

In a corresponding manner, the writing device according to the invention enables the training of writing, engraving, surgical techniques etc. independently and without the direct supervision of a control person.

The writing device according to the invention is therefore also excellent for beautiful writing / calligraphy training.

The device according to the invention does not have to be designed for writing on paper, but various further embodiments and applications are conceivable in which only the cartridge / lead is exchanged or adapted. The cartridge / mine may include, in variations of the present invention, elements selected from the group consisting of ballpoint pen refills, pen nibs, felt-tip refills (tips), plastic tips, metal tips or, optionally, special pieces specially made for the particular purpose. Examples are: Design of the cartridge / mine applications pen refill Therapy, beautiful writing, accurate writing filler spring Therapy, beautiful writing, accurate writing Mine fiber (nspitze) Therapy, beautiful writing, accurate writing Plastic metal tip LCD's, graphic tablets, carving, engraving, surgeon's touchscreens

Since the three-finger grip is generally used for all these applications and with all these configurations of the cartridge / mine, with the device according to the invention a training for the improvement can be carried out for all these applications. In addition, for example: for engraving, a metal tip that recoils when the contact pressure is too high is an advantage that should not be underestimated.

• – beim Malen oder Zeichnen, wodurch besonders akkurate Strichführungen ermöglicht werden,
• – für Schnitz- oder Gravurarbeiten, wodurch besonders akkurate Ausarbeitungen ermöglicht werden,
• – bei der Chirurgenausbildung, wodurch das genau dosierte Schneiden mit dem Skalpell geübt werden kann,
• – bei Grafiktabletts oder LCD-Bildschirmen, wodurch ebenfalls besonders genaue Darstellungen ermöglicht werden.

The device according to the invention can accordingly be used in methods for the diagnosis and therapy of neuromotor or graphomotor disorders or problems in the hand-guided movement of a writing device by a user,

• - while painting or drawing, allowing for particularly accurate strokes,
• - for carving or engraving, allowing for particularly accurate work
• - in the surgeon training, whereby the exactly metered cutting with the scalpel can be practiced
• - For tablets or LCD screens, which also allows very accurate representations.

Preferred is the use in methods for the diagnosis and therapy of graphomotor disorders or problems.

The present invention has been described essentially with regard to the control or monitoring of the writing posture; in the case of a variation of the penpoint tip, however, the same explanations apply mutatis mutandis to the chosen embodiment, e.g. painting or similar - The above statements are not limited in their meaning according to meaning on writing instruments in the strict sense.

For the various applications of the writing device according to the invention can thus be made by simply changing the mechanical resistance / spring forces an accurate, optimal adjustment, whereby the writing device according to the invention is extremely versatile.

The various embodiments of the present invention, e.g. but not exclusively those of the various dependent claims may be combined with each other in any manner.

The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the figures.

Brief Description:

The drawings are not necessarily to scale. For the sake of clarity and ease of illustration, some features of the invention may be exaggerated in size or in schematic form, and accordingly, some details of conventional or known elements may not be presented. In the case of several identical components / components in a drawing, not all of them were marked, but in each case not more than three, for reasons of clarity.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

 Pen housing

2

 Cartridge / refill

3

 trigger mechanism

3a

 elastic element / spring

4a

 Clamping force small

4b

 Clamping force big

Fig. 1:

1 shows a device according to the invention in the writing position. It is shown that only a small clamping force 4a is exercised. The elastic element 3a is not pushed in (or just a little way), so that the triggering mechanism is not triggered; the writing is possible.

Fig. 2:

2 shows the device 1 in the error position. A large clamping force was exerted on the trigger mechanism, triggering the trigger mechanism. From the outside, a button extension made a button extension of the elastic element 3a so far pressed in that the button extension of the elastic element 3a was pressed into the case and the mine 2 no longer locked. The mine 2 is now pressed into the housing by pressing it so that writing is no longer possible.

3:

3 shows a variant of the present invention, which is shown on the left side, that only a small clamping force 4a is exercised. The feather 3a is not pushed in (or just a little way), so that the triggering mechanism is not triggered; the writing is possible. On the right side of 3 is shown to have a large clamping force 4b acted on the spring so that the triggering mechanism was triggered. The feather 3a was compressed, the button slide into the case and locked the mine 2 no more. The mine 2 is now pressed into the housing by pressing it so that writing is no longer possible.

4:

4 corresponds to 3 , with the difference that now instead of a spring 3a an elastic bending device 3a is used.

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• EP 2182423 A2 [0005]
• DE 102005031432 [0007]
• DE 10241328 [0008]
• US 5247137 [0008]
• DE 202005017936 [0008]
• DE 202007002778 [0008]
• DE 202005019142 U1 [0009]

Claims (9)

Writing device comprising a) a pen housing ( 1 ) for carrying out hand-guided movements, b) a cartridge / mine ( 2 ) c) a triggering mechanism ( 3 ), characterized in that at a too high clamping force of one or more fingers, a triggering mechanism ( 3 ) and thus the cartridge / mine ( 2 ) in the housing ( 1 ) is moved back or when pressed onto a writing pad in the housing ( 1 ) is pressed. Writing device according to claim 1, characterized in that in addition to the movement of the cartridge / mine an optical, acoustic and / or haptic, feedback occurs. Writing device according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the pressing pressure of the thumb, forefinger or middle finger, preferably index finger, triggers the triggering mechanism. Writing device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the device is designed such that the cartridge / mine is interchangeable. Writing device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the force for triggering the spring mechanism on the device can be variably adjusted. Writing device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that adjustment of the release force takes place directly on the pin or by the exchange of individual components. Writing device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the triggering mechanism is a spring mechanism. Use of a writing device according to one of claims 1 to 7 In methods for the diagnosis and therapy of neuromotor or graphomotor disorders and / or problems in the hand-guided movement of a writing device by a user, or - in calligraphy / calligraphy training, - while painting or drawing, - for carving or engraving, - for tablets or LCD screens, - at the surgeon training. Use of a writing device according to one of claims 1 to 7 for checking the writing posture or in a method for diagnosing and / or treating neuromotor disorders, in particular graphomotor disorders.

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