EP2183987A1 - Cigar cutter - Google Patents

Abstract

The cutter (1) has blade modules (4, 5) moved between closed and open positions, in which blades (19, 23) of the modules close and release a cutting opening (3) of a case (2), respectively. A locking mechanism is moved to a locked state for maintaining the modules in the closed position and to an unlocked state for authorizing movement of the modules to the open position. The modules are displaced with respect to each other from the closed position until an actuating position. The mechanism is moved between the states during passage from the closed position to the actuating position.

Description

Technical field of the invention

The present invention relates to a cigar cutter.

State of the art

The document US 5,937,523 discloses a cigar cutter comprising two movable blades between a closed configuration, in which they close the cutter opening of the cigar cutter, and an open configuration, in which they release the cutting aperture. A latch keeps the blades in the closed configuration. To cut a cigar, it is necessary to move the lock downwards, which has the effect of letting the blades in open configuration under the action of a spring, then to press the blades.

The user must change the position of his hands during use. The use of the cigar cutter is therefore not easy and fast.

In the aforementioned document, the blades have a rotational movement relative to each other. There are also cigar cutters in which the blades have a translation movement relative to each other, and in which one encounters the same difficulties of handling a lock.

Summary of the invention

A problem that the present invention proposes to solve is to facilitate the use of a cigar cutter. In particular, an object of the invention is to provide a cigar cutter in which the blades can be unlocked easily and quickly.

The solution proposed by the invention is a cigar cutter comprising a housing having a cutting opening, a first blade module and a second blade module movable relative to said housing between a closed configuration, in which the blades of the blade modules closing said cutting opening, and an open configuration, wherein the blades of said blade modules release said cutting opening, a locking mechanism being adapted, in a locked state, to hold said blade modules in said closed configuration and, in an unlocked state, to allow said blade modules to pass into said open configuration, characterized in that said blade modules are able to move one towards the other from said closed configuration to an actuation configuration, said locking mechanism being adapted to move from the locked state to the unlocked state and vice versa during the transition from the closed configuration to the actuation configuration.

With these features, the user can move the locking means from their locked state to their unlocked state only by pressing the blade modules to bring them closer to each other. After this unlocking, the blade modules can take their open configuration, for example under the action of a spring. The user can then press the blade modules again to cut a cigar. During these manipulations, it is not necessary for him to change the position of his hands. The use of the cigar cutter is fast and easy.

According to a particular embodiment, the first blade module comprises at least a first tab received in a first port of the housing and the second blade module comprises at least a second tab received in a second port of the housing.

Advantageously, said first orifice and said second orifice are adjacent and communicate by a slot.

The slot allows cooperation between the first tab and the second tab to form the locking mechanism.

Preferably, said second tab has a rib which penetrates into said first orifice through said slot.

Advantageously, said first tab comprises a first toothed sleeve and a second toothed sleeve movable in rotation and in translation relative to the first toothed sleeve.

Preferably, the first toothed sleeve has six teeth separated by six slots, the second toothed sleeve having three pairs of teeth separated by three slots.

Advantageously, in said closed configuration, the rib cooperates with the second toothed sleeve to maintain said closed configuration.

Preferably, when moving to the actuation configuration, the rib cooperates with the second toothed sleeve to rotate relative to the first sleeve and allow to move to the open configuration.

The aforementioned features are an exemplary embodiment of the locking mechanism.

Advantageously, said first orifice has two other ribs.

According to one embodiment, a game is present at a free end of said first tab.

The game allows the displacement of the closed configuration to the actuation configuration.

Brief description of the figures

• la figure 1 est une vue en perspective d'un coupe-cigare selon un mode de réalisation de l'invention,
• la figure 2 est une vue éclatée, en perspective, du coupe-cigare de la figure 1,
• les figures 3 et 4 représentent, en perspective, deux pièces du mécanisme de verrouillage du coupe-cigare de la figure 1,
• les figures 5 et 6 sont deux vues en coupe du coupe-cigare de la figure 1, respectivement en configuration fermée et en configuration ouverte.

The invention will be better understood, and other objects, details, features and advantages thereof will appear more clearly in the following description of a particular embodiment of the invention, given solely for illustrative purposes and not limiting, with reference to the accompanying drawings. On these drawings:

• the figure 1 is a perspective view of a cigar cutter according to one embodiment of the invention,
• the figure 2 is an exploded view, in perspective, of the cigar cutter of the figure 1 ,
• the Figures 3 and 4 represent, in perspective, two parts of the locking mechanism of the cigar cutter of the figure 1 ,
• the figures 5 and 6 are two sectional views of the cigar cutter of the figure 1 , respectively in closed configuration and in open configuration.

Detailed description of an embodiment of the invention

The cigar cutter 1 shown on the figure 1 comprises a housing 2 of substantially parallelepipedal shape, of small thickness, in the middle of which is a cutting opening 3. The cigar cutter 1 also comprises a first blade module 4 and a second blade module 5.

The blade modules 4 and 5 can slide relative to the housing 1. On the figure 1 they are shown apart from each other in an open configuration. In this configuration, the blades of the blade modules 4 and 5 release the cutting aperture 3, in which it is possible to insert the end of a cigar. By bringing the blade modules 4 and 5 closer to one another, the user can move their blades in the cutting aperture 3 to cut in particular the end of the cigar or any other section.

With reference to Figures 2 to 6 The structure and operation of the cigar cutter 1 is described below in more detail.

The housing 2 comprises two half-shells 6 of complementary shape, between which is arranged a housing 7. The half-shells 6 are fixed to one another by screws 8.

The housing 7 has four orifices 9 to 12, of circular section, and extending parallel to each other. As can be seen in particular on the figure 5 , the orifices 9 and 10 are separated by a wall 14, while a slot 15 allows communication between the orifices 11 and 12. The casing 7 also comprises a central slot 13.

The first blade module 4 comprises a support 16, in the form of an elongate bar, as well as two tabs 17 and 18 fixed perpendicularly to the support 16. The first blade module 4 also comprises a blade 19 fixed to the support 16. The blade 19 is substantially flat and has a cutting edge arcuate. As shown by figures 5 and 6 , the tabs 17 and 18 can slide respectively in the orifices 10 and 11 of the housing 7, while the blade 19 can slide in the slot 13. figure 2 represents additional assembly details of the first blade module 4, which do not require a detailed description.

Similarly, the second blade module 5 comprises a support 20 and two lugs 21 and 22 fixed perpendicularly to the support 20. The second blade module 5 also comprises a blade 23 fixed to the support 20. As shown by FIG. figures 5 and 6 , the tabs 21 and 22 can slide respectively in the orifices 9 and 12 of the housing 7, while the blade 23 can slide in the slot 13.

Each lug 17, 18, 21, 22 has a central orifice 28, in which a spring 24 is arranged. Each spring 24 is also guided by a rod 25 which has a head 26 received in a receptacle 27 formed in the casing 2. spring 24 is supported on the one hand on the head 26 and on the other hand at the bottom of the central orifice 28.

Thus, the four springs 24 have the effect of pushing the blade modules 4 and 5 away from each other, in the open configuration of the figure 6 . The cigar cutter 1 also includes a locking mechanism, described below, which allows the modules to blade 4 and 5 close together, in a closed configuration shown in FIG. figure 5 .

As can be seen in particular on the figure 2 , the tabs 17 and 21 have a relatively simple structure, their function being mainly to guide the displacement of the blade modules 4 and 5 relative to the housing 2. On the contrary, the structure of the legs 18 and 22 is more elaborate because, in addition to their guiding function, they form the locking mechanism that keeps the blade modules 4 and 5 in the closed configuration.

The tab 22 comprises a first part 29 fixed to the support 20, and a second part 30 fixed to the first part 29. The part 30 has a rib 31 which protrudes, through the slot 15, into the orifice 11 of the casing 7. rib 31 can cooperate with the lug 18. This embodiment in two parts facilitates the manufacture and allows a suitable choice of material for each piece.

The lug 18 comprises a rod 35 fixed to the support 16. The rod 35 has, on the opposite side of the support 16, a flange 36 in which is formed a slot 37 opposite the slot 15. The lug 18 also comprises, surrounding the rod 35 and successively from the support 16, a cylinder 32, a first toothed sleeve 33, and second toothed sleeve 34 and a spring 42. The cylinder 32 and the first toothed sleeve 33 are fixed relative to the rod 35, by force insertion. . On the contrary, the second toothed sleeve 34 can slide along the rod 35 and rotate around it. The spring 42 biases the second sleeve 34 to the first toothed sleeve 33.

The first toothed sleeve 33 is shown in perspective on the figure 3 . It comprises six teeth 38 distributed in a circle and separated by slots 39.

The second toothed sleeve 34 is shown on the figure 4 . It has three pairs of teeth 40, separated by three slots 41 distributed at 120 ° from each other. Each pair of teeth 40 has a first tooth 43 and a second tooth 44. As can be seen from FIG. figure 4 the tooth 43 is inclined towards the tooth 44, which is inclined towards a slot 41.

In the orifice 11 of the housing 7 are also two ribs not visible in the figures. These ribs extend longitudinally about the same length as the rib 31 in the configuration of the figure 5 . These two ribs form, with the rib 31, a set of three ribs distributed at 120 ° from each other.

The operation of the cigar cutter 1 is as follows.

In the closed configuration shown on the figure 5 , the rib 31 and the ribs of the orifice 11 pass through three slots 39 of the first toothed sleeve 33 and abut against the second toothed sleeve 34, each on a tooth 43. Under the effect of the springs 24, the ribs push on the second toothed sleeve 34, and the latter is not in mesh with the first toothed sleeve 33. The cooperation between the ribs and the teeth 43 rotates the toothed sleeve 34 until the ribs reach the bottom of the teeth 43. cooperation between the ribs and the second toothed sleeve 34 thus prevents, on the one hand, the rib 31 from sliding to the right of the figure 5 and, on the other hand, the second toothed sleeve 34 to slide to the left of the figure 5 . Thus, the blade modules 4 and 5 can not move under the effect of the springs 24 and are maintained in the closed configuration of the figure 5 .

Since the closed configuration shown on the figure 5 , the user can press the blade modules 4 and 5 to bring them closer to one another, until an actuation configuration not shown. This displacement is possible thanks to the game J which exists at the ends of the legs 17 and 18. Alternatively, a game also exists at the ends of the legs 21 and 22.

During this movement towards the actuating position, the second toothed sleeve 34 moves to the right of the figure 5 until released from the rib 31 and the ribs of the orifice 11. In addition, under the action of the spring 42, the teeth 38 of the first toothed sleeve 33 cooperate with the teeth 43 and 44 of the second toothed sleeve 34 and rotate the latter until the teeth 43 and 44 are offset by 60 ° relative to the teeth 38.

When the user simultaneously releases the pressure he exerted on the blade modules 4 and 5, they will move in opposite directions under the action of the springs 24. During this movement, the ribs come into abutment on the second toothed sleeve 34, but this time at the teeth 44, due to the above 60 ° rotation. Then, the ribs grow on the teeth 44 to disengage the two toothed sleeves. The second toothed sleeve 34 can then rotate until the ribs and slots 38 are aligned with the slots 41. By virtue of this alignment, the aforementioned cooperation between the ribs and the second toothed sleeve 34 is eliminated, which allows the blade modules 4 and 5 to move to the open configuration shown on the figure 6 . The slot 37 of the rod 35 allows the rib 31 to pass beyond the collar 36.

We can see on the figure 6 that the lugs 17, 18, 21 and 22 have shoulders which abut on the housing 2, thus defining the position of the blade modules 4 and 5 in the open configuration.

In the open configuration, the user can place the end of a cigar or other section in the cut opening 3. Then he can press the blade modules 4 and 5 to bring them closer to each other. another and cut the end of the cigar with the blades 19 and 23. During this movement, the alignment of the slots 41 with the slots 39 is maintained by the ribs of the orifice 11. The rib 31 can therefore iron the left side (according to the view of the figure 5 ) of the second toothed sleeve 34.

By continuing to press the blade modules 4 and 5, the user reaches the operating position. This causes, in a manner similar to that described above, a rotation of the second sleeve 34. The teeth 43 are therefore again facing the ribs. In other words, the cigar cutter 1 is again in the closed configuration.

It is understood from the above that when the ribs of the orifice 11 and the rib 31 are opposite the teeth 43, the transition to the open configuration of the figure 6 is prevented. In other words, the locking mechanism is in a locked position. If the user presses the blade modules to move to the actuating position, the second sleeve 34 rotates and it is the teeth 44 which are found opposite the ribs. The transition to the open configuration is then possible. In other words, the locking mechanism is in an unlocked position.

If, since the open configuration, the user presses the blade modules 4 and 5 to go to the closed configuration and then to the actuation configuration, the second sleeve 34 turns again and it is again the teeth 43 which are found again. next to the ribs. The locking mechanism is again in a locked position.

Although the invention has been described in connection with a particular embodiment, it is obvious that it is not limited thereto and that it comprises all the technical equivalents of the means described and their combinations if they are within the scope of the invention.

Claims (10)

A cigar cutter (1) comprising a housing (2) having a cutting opening (3), a first blade module (4) and a second blade module (5) movable relative to said housing between a closed configuration, wherein the blades (19, 23) of the blade modules close said cutting aperture, and an open configuration, in which the blades of said blade modules release said cutting aperture, a locking mechanism being adapted, in a locked state, to maintain said blade modules in said closed configuration and, in an unlocked state, to allow said blade modules to pass into said open configuration, characterized in that said blade modules are adapted to move towards each other from said closed configuration to an actuation configuration, said locking mechanism being able to pass from the locked state to the unlocked state and vice versa during the passage of the conf closed iguration to the actuation configuration. A cigar cutter according to claim 1, wherein the first blade module (4) comprises at least a first tab (18) received in a first port (11) of the housing and the second blade module (5) comprises at least one second tab (22) received in a second port (12) of the housing. A cigar cutter according to claim 2, wherein said first port and said second port are adjacent and communicate through a slot (15). A cigar cutter according to claim 3, wherein said second tab (22) has a rib (31) which enters said first port (11) through said slot (15). A cigar cutter according to one of claims 2 to 4, wherein said first leg comprises a first toothed sleeve (33) and a second toothed sleeve (34) movable in rotation and translation relative to the first toothed sleeve. A cigar cutter according to claim 5, wherein the first toothed sleeve has six teeth (38) separated by six slots (39), the second toothed sleeve having three pairs of teeth (40) separated by three slots (41). A cigar cutter according to claim 5 or 6 taken in combination with claim 4, wherein, in said closed configuration, the rib (31) cooperates with the second toothed sleeve (34) to maintain said closed configuration. A cigar cutter according to claim 7, wherein, when moving to the actuating configuration, the rib (31) cooperates with the second toothed sleeve (34) to rotate relative to the first sleeve (33) and allows switch to the open configuration. Cigar cutter according to one of claims 4 to 8, wherein said first port has two other ribs. Cigar cutter according to one of claims 2 to 9, wherein a game (J) is present at a free end of said first tab (18).

Images