JPH04234700A - Cartridge for lead of lead pencil - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To facilitate loading of a lead of a pencil by providing an opening to be engaged as a set with a lead housing chamber of a feeding pencil at one end. CONSTITUTION: A partition wall 12 integral with a body of the cartridge 11 along a center forms a chamber 13 having leads 14 of a pencil. An assembly 16 has an arm member 17 including arms 17a, 17b, is elastically connected by a lateral beam 17c, and connected to the arm 17b at a lateral tab 19 with an oblique surface 18. An actuator knob 20 and a discharge port 21 are formed at a lowermost bottom. In the case of filling leads in a lead housing chamber 30 of a pencil 31, the port 21 is moved along the wall 12, the arm 17b is moved leftward to open a gate 19 to pass the lead to the chamber 30. The leads can be supplied all or in a desired number to the pencil.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention This invention relates to a refill cartridge for a dispensing pencil, and more particularly to a refill cartridge for dispensing pencil lead and for discharging such lead directly into the dispensing pencil storage chamber. Regarding such cartridges.

Description of the Prior Art Dispensing pencil leads are generally sold in containers, and in order to load them into the dispensing pencil storage chamber, the leads must be removed one by one or poured from the container into the chamber. . This loading operation is somewhat complicated and often leads to broken or missing leads. Sekiya Patent No. 4,811,842 describes a pencil lead container designed to overcome these drawbacks.

In this device, a vertically movable actuator is employed to open a gate or window at the top of the container while this same actuator ejects a single pencil lead from the container through the window. Although this device appears to overcome some of the drawbacks discussed above, it has certain drawbacks of its own.

First, one operation of the actuator moves the core one time.
I can only publish books. This evacuation of the lead into the pencil storage chamber is somewhat time consuming and labor intensive. moreover,
The structure of the Sekiya patent is somewhat complex and costly as a disposable cartridge for packaging and selling the lead.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The apparatus of the present invention is a pencil lead cartridge having an opening at one end adapted to matingly engage an opening in a dispensing pencil lead chamber.

In the normal, non-actuated state of the cartridge, the wick is prevented from passing through this opening by the blocking gate member. When discharging the lead into the pencil storage chamber, the gate is moved laterally by a mechanical actuation to open the gate.
It is possible to send all or as many leads in the cartridge to the pencil chamber as desired.

It is therefore an object of the invention to facilitate the loading of pencil lead from a storage cartridge into a pencil storage chamber.

A further object of this invention is to provide an improved pencil lead cartridge for storing and ejecting lead into a pencil lead storage chamber.

Other objects of the invention will become apparent from the description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring to FIGS. 1-5, a preferred embodiment of the invention is shown. Cartridge 11, which may be made of transparent plastic material, has a rectangular shape. A septum 12 integrally formed with the body portion of the cartridge and running substantially along the center thereof defines a chamber 13 in which a pencil lead 14 is contained.
form. Slidingly attached to the body of cartridge 11 is assembly 16 . The assembly has a longitudinal branched arm member 17 formed by an arm portion 17a and an arm portion 17b, which are resiliently coupled together by an interconnecting crossbar 17c and typically a second Although in the position shown, they can be bent relative to each other as shown in FIG. The assembly 16 further has an inclined surface section 18 which interconnects with the arm 17b at a substantial transverse tab section 19 forming a gate to the core. An actuator knob 20 and an outlet 21 are formed at the bottom of the assembly 16 . Assembly 16 is slidably retained in the body portion of cartridge 11 by tabs extending from both sides thereof and slots 24 formed in the side walls of the body portion.
They form a pair and fit together.

While stored, the wick 14, as shown in FIG.
is retained in chamber 13 and prevented from exiting the chamber by gate portion 19 of assembly 16. When discharging the lead into the lead storage chamber 30 of the pencil 31, the mouth 21 enters the opening 30a of the chamber and engages it in pairs. The mouth is pushed downwardly against the chamber 30 or the actuator knob 20
is pushed upward to move arm 17 upward, as shown in FIG. This moves the inclined surface 18 along the partition wall 12, thereby moving the arm portion 17b in the direction of the arm portion 17a.

This in turn moves the gate portion 19 laterally, opening the gate and allowing the wick to pass from the mouth 21 into the chamber 30.

6, 6A and 6B, a second embodiment of the invention is schematically illustrated.

In this embodiment, cartridge 11 is made of a flexible material, such as a suitable flexible plastic. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 6A, gate member 19 prevents wick 14 from exiting the cartridge when the cartridge is in its normal condition. As shown in FIG. 6B, when the cartridge is pressed down, the gate member 19
moves to allow the wick to exit the cartridge.

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 7A, a third embodiment of the invention is shown. In this embodiment, gate 19 is normally in the position shown in FIG.

When the actuator knob 20 is pressed inward, as shown in FIG. 7A, the gate opens and the wick 14 can exit the cartridge.

Referring to FIGS. 8 and 8A, a fourth embodiment of the invention is shown. In this example, the gate 19 is
As shown in FIG. 8, the wick 14 is prevented from exiting the cartridge. As shown in Figure 8A, when actuator knob 20 is pushed forward, arm 17 is carried along ramp 18 and moved laterally to a position where core 14 can exit the cartridge.

Referring to FIGS. 9 and 9A, a fifth embodiment of the invention is shown. In this embodiment, the wick is prevented from exiting the cartridge by a gate 19, as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 9A, when the knob actuator 20 is actuated, the gate is moved to allow the wick to exit the cartridge.

With reference to FIG. 10 and FIG. 10A, the sixth aspect of the present invention
An example is shown. In this embodiment, the wick is prevented from exiting the cartridge by a gate 19, as shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 10A, when the actuator 20 is actuated, the gate is pivoted to open the passageway and allow the wick to exit the cartridge.

With reference to FIG. 11 and FIG. 11A, the seventh aspect of the present invention
An example is shown. In this embodiment, the wick 14 is prevented from exiting the cartridge by a gate member 19, as shown in FIG. The mouth portion 21 of the cartridge is slidably attached to the body portion of the cartridge. When the mouth part is pushed in the direction of the body part when discharging the lead into the pencil chamber, this mouth part slides in the direction of the body part of the cartridge, and the gate member 1 is hingedly connected to the mouth part.
9 is moved laterally by fingers 33, ejecting the wick 14, as shown in FIG. 11A.

Referring to FIG. 12 and FIG. 12A, the eighth aspect of the present invention
An example is shown. In this embodiment, the wick is prevented from exiting the cartridge 11 by a gate 19, as shown in FIG. When the cartridge is pushed against the entrance of the pencil storage chamber, the arm 34 of the cartridge pushes against the slidingly mounted mouth portion 21 and the twelfth
Open the gate and eject the wick as shown in Figure A.

With reference to FIGS. 13 and 13A, the ninth aspect of the present invention
An example is shown. As shown in Figure 13, gate 19 prevents the wick from exiting the cartridge. The mouth portion 21 of the cartridge is integrated with a flexible web structure 36, which is slidably attached to the body portion of the cartridge 11. When the mouth portion is pressed against the opening of the pencil chamber, the web structure operates to open the gate 19 and release the lead, as shown in Figure 13A.

Referring to FIGS. 14 and 14A, the first embodiment of the present invention
An example of 0 is shown. In this invention, gate 19
is integrated with a flexible web structure 36 that is attached to the body of the cartridge 11. Actuator 20 has a prong that engages gate 19. As shown in FIG. 14, if the cartridge is not activated, gate 1
9 remains closed, retaining the wick 14 within the cartridge. When the actuator 20 is pressed down, the gate 19
is opened by web structure 36 to eject the wick, as shown in FIG. 14A.

Referring to FIG. 15 and FIG. 15A, the first embodiment of the present invention
One embodiment is shown. In this example, gate 1
9 is integrated with a flexible arm 17. As shown in FIG. 15, when the cartridge is not actuated, the arms 17 are resiliently pushed together to keep the gate 19 closed and trap the wick 14 within the cartridge. 1st
5A, actuation of actuator knob 20 causes gate 19 to move relative to camming surface 17 formed on the body portion of cartridge 11, thereby causing arms 17 to unfold.

Gate 19 then opens to allow the wick to exit the cartridge.

Referring to FIGS. 16 and 16A, the first embodiment of the present invention
Two embodiments are shown. In this example, gate 1
9 is in its normal position as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 16A, when the actuator knob is pushed inward, the gate opens to allow the wick 14 to exit the cartridge.

Referring to FIG. 17, a thirteenth embodiment of the present invention is shown. This embodiment is very similar to that of FIGS. 1-5, except that the assembly 16 is incorporated into the body of the cartridge and is slidably attached to the body portion of the cartridge. Bulkhead 12 to actuator knob 40
This means that the person is wearing a This device operates in essentially the same manner as the first embodiment, with septum 12 being moved relative to gate portion 19 to open the gate and release wick 14.

This end result is obtained by a relative sliding movement between the septum and the gate part 19, as in the first embodiment, but in this case the relative movement is obtained by pressing down on the knob 40.

Although the invention has been described and illustrated in detail, this is by way of example only, and not limitation, the spirit and scope of the invention being limited only by the following claims.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a preferred embodiment of the invention. FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional elevational view of the preferred embodiment. FIG. 3 is an end view of the preferred embodiment with a partial cut away. FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the preferred embodiment taken along the plane indicated by 4--4 in FIG. FIG. 5 shows in elevation a cross-sectional view of the preferred embodiment used to discharge lead into the pencil chamber. 6, 6A and 6B are schematic diagrams of a second embodiment of the invention. 7 and 7A are schematic diagrams of a third embodiment of the invention. 8 and 8A are schematic diagrams of a fourth embodiment of the invention. 9 and 9A are schematic diagrams of a fifth embodiment of the invention. FIGS. 10 and 10A are schematic diagrams of a sixth embodiment of the invention. FIGS. 11 and 11A are schematic diagrams of a seventh embodiment of the invention. FIGS. 12 and 12A are schematic diagrams of an eighth embodiment of the invention. FIGS. 13 and 13A are schematic diagrams of a ninth embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 14 and 14A are schematic diagrams of a tenth embodiment of the invention. FIGS. 15 and 15A are schematic diagrams of an eleventh embodiment of the invention. FIGS. 16 and 16A are schematic diagrams of a twelfth embodiment of the invention. FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram of a thirteenth embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, 11 is a cartridge, 12 is a partition wall, 13 is a chamber, 14 is a pencil lead, 16 is an assembly, 17 is an arm member, 19 is a tab portion, 20 is an actuator knob, 2
1 is a mouth, 22 is a tab, 24 is a slot, 30 is a chamber, 33
is a finger, 34 is an arm, 36 is a web structure, 37
is the cam surface.

Claims (7)

[Claims] [Claim 1] A cartridge for storing pencil lead and discharging such lead into a pencil lead storage chamber, comprising: a chamber for storing pencil lead; and a cartridge for discharging the lead. an ejection means having an opening therein, said opening adapted to matingly engage an opening in a pencil lead storage chamber; a gate means positioned in a path between the ejection means and the opening to prevent pencil lead stored in the chamber from reaching the opening; means for driving said gate means out of said path such that said gate means is ejected into a storage chamber, said driving means being responsive to a force applied between an opening of said ejection means and an opening of said storage chamber. The cartridge is activated in response. 2. A cartridge for storing pencil lead and discharging such lead into a pencil lead storage chamber, the cartridge comprising: a main body portion having a chamber therein for storing the pencil lead; an assembly; and means for movably mounting the assembly in the body portion, the assembly including an ejection means having an opening formed therein for ejecting a lead, the ejection means being a pencil. means for matingly engaging a lead storage chamber of the body portion, and further positioned in a path between the chamber of the body portion and the ejection means opening so that a pencil lead stored in the chamber can be inserted into the chamber. gating means for preventing the pencil lead from reaching the aperture; and driving the gating means from the path to allow the pencil lead to reach the aperture and be ejected from the ejection means. and means including said ejection means for said ejection means, said drive means being actuated in response to a downward force of said ejection means on said pencil chamber, thereby causing movement of said assembly relative to said body portion of said cartridge. causing the cartridge. 3. The means for driving the gate means includes an elongated bifurcated arm member having a pair of arms joined together by a resilient crossbar; a tab formed on one free end of the cartridge and extending substantially laterally therefrom; further comprising a septum along the body portion of the cartridge, the arm member being on one side of the septum; 3. The other side of the septum forms a chamber for the pencil lead, and the one of the arm members is laterally driven by the septum in response to the movement of the assembly. Cartridge as described. 4. The ejection means includes a port adapted to engage in mating with an entrance to the pencil lead storage chamber, the gate being responsive to a downward force of the port on the pencil lead chamber. 3. The cartridge of claim 2, wherein the cartridge is moved by: 5. The cartridge of claim 2, wherein the assembly further includes an actuator knob for sliding movement within the body portion. 6. The cartridge of claim 2, wherein said drive means is operated in response to sliding movement of said assembly. 7. A cartridge for storing pencil lead and discharging such lead into a pencil lead storage chamber, the cartridge comprising: a main body portion having a chamber therein for storing the pencil lead; an assembly mounted on the body portion, the assembly comprising: an ejection means having an opening formed therein for ejecting the wick; and a passageway between the chamber of the body portion and the ejection means opening. gate means for preventing pencil lead positioned and stored in said chamber from reaching said opening; and gate means for allowing said pencil lead to reach said opening and be ejected from said ejection means. and means for driving said gate means out of said path, said driving means being actuated in response to relative movement and having a set of arms connected together by a resilient cross beam. the gate means includes a tab formed on one free end of the arm and extending substantially laterally therefrom; and a septum along the body portion of the cartridge; an arm member on one side of the bulkhead;
the other side of the partition forms a chamber for the pencil lead;
The cartridge, wherein the one of the arm members is moved laterally by the septum in response to the relative movement.