US1372296A - Pencil - Google Patents

Description

C. R. KEERAN.

PENCIL.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 18, 1920-.

Patented Mar. 22, 1921.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEABLES 3.1mm, 0E GHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR T0 AUTOPOIN'I PENCIL COI- PANY, OI CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION 01 ILLINOIS.

PENCIL.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patent d Mj 2 2 1921 Continuation of application Serial No. 291,494, filed April 21, 18 19. This application, filed November 18,

1980. Serial No. 485,085.

5 IlllllOlS, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Pencils, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a pencil equipped with propelling mechanism interiorl of its body, and operable by meansexteriorly thereof, for advancing into operative position a lead at one end, and an eraser at the other end. v

For its objects, my invention aims to provide an improved and simplified lead propellin mec anism; to use the same mechanism ior propellin an eraser; to accommodate in the cool body a relatively long lead; to provide a ma azine of ample ca- 0 paoity for reserve lea s; to devise a combined lead and eraser ropellin mechanism capable of 118%,Wli3l011t mo iiication, with pencils either of the magazine or non-magazine types; and, generally, to strengthen the construction, reduce the number of parts and arrange them in a more compact relation, and cheapen the cost of manufacture of the pencil.

- The general construction of the present pencil is similar to the ones disclosed in my pending applications, Serial Nos. 213,241 and 272,054, and, to some extent,this application is concerned with suh'eot matter divided out of the former. his invention, however, exhibits certain distinct improve -ments over my previous constructions, particularly as to details of manufacturin and assembling, It is to be understood, t lorefore, that the-pencil to be herein described embodies many of the features claimed in my co-pcnding applications aforesaid as well as certain other" improvements which will be hereinafter desorlbed and claimed. Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawing, wherein are shown certain exomplifications of this invention, as follows:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal section through a pencil having a solid body,- as distinguished from one which is formed with a hollow tubular body, the operating parts being shown in elevation;

2 is a similar view through a pencil hav n a hollow tubular body, the operating parts lng shown mostly in section;

Fig. is an enlarged detail, in ion itudinal section, exhibitin theparts in t e upper end of the panel the propelling pluner being shown as retracted close to as lines 6--6 of and lines 7--7, 8-8, ELIILi Q- -Q of Fig. 3; and

Fig. 10 is a etail-illustrating a modified form of connection between the plunger and eraser late.

In t e use presentl to be made of the terms upper and .ower, it should be understoodthat I am referring to the encil as 1t ispointed in use,that is, wit the eraser end up, and the writing end down. It may be stated at the outset that the body oi" the pencil may be' of metal, wood,

or any other material suitable for the pur pose. Certain of the Jresent improvements are especially adapted to pencils in which wood, fiber, or some other appropriate substance is used for the makin of a relatively solid body, as distinguished from tubular bodies which are gcniirally made of metal. As, illustrative oi a desirable construction. I have shown in Fig. 1 a pencil whose body plunger 11 may be regarded as formed of woe fiber, or some analogous material, and provided with a central bore adapted to receive a tube 1% extending for the major portion of the body, propelling mechanism being housed within the tube. At its lower extrcmity the tube may be reduced as at 13 so as to pass through a ferrule 14 to connect with a tip 15, to which it is secured in any convenient manner. As shown in Fig.1, the walls of the ferrule are tapered in conformity with the tapered lower end of the pencil and with'the sides of the tip as well, the surfaces of these three parts being preferably arranged in flush relation so. as to present a smooth-and neat appearance. According to this, construction, the ferrule overlies the lower end of the pencil body and affords an abutment for the larger end of the tip which may take on the form of 'a' truncated cone. A bore is formed within the tip 16 (see Fig. 5 for this feature) to provide a passage of proper size to frictionally engage the lead being used in the pencil.

The tube 12 which is arranged centrally within the pencil body is non-rotatably secured therein by a friction fit or otherwise. Throughout its lower portion the tube is provided with internal ribs 17, preferably in the form of flutings, which may terminate as at 18 just short of the shoulder 19 (see Fig. 5) that results from reducing the tube end to form its lower extremity 13. These flutings may conveniently be formed by the use of appropriate rollers, or by the action of a die, the purpose being to deform the tube walls sufficiently to provide internal ribs extending longitudinally thereof, it being preferred that the ends of these flutings should merge into the body of the tube in such a manner as to present beveled or rounded surfaces. A threaded plunger 20 is arranged centrally within the tube, having a lateral fin 21.projecting between two of the fiutings, the relation of the parts being such that the several fiutings act to guide the plunger in longitudinal movements, but prevent its rotation, within the pencil body. The beveled or rounded ends of the fiutings are intended to facilitate movement of the plunger and its fin into correct operative relation within the tube. When the plunger has traveled to its lowermost position, as indicated in Fig. 5, the fin 21 will abut the shoulder 19 at the reduced end of the tube, and be clear of all the flutings therein; it may then, and then only, be freely rotated within the tube.

As already stated, the tube 12 is im'movably arranged within the pencil body. The ferrule abutting the tip and overlying the lower end of the body acts to hold the tube in correct position relative to the pencil at that end. At its other end,'however, I secure the tube in place by means of a cap 22 which is placed over the upper end of the body with its sides offset, as shown, to provide an upper part that is externally threaded to receive-in fiush relation with the body a collar 23; the' lower portion 24 of the sides of the cap, by reference, lies flush with the collar, and wit the body as well, which is suitably recessed for this purpose. The upper side of the cap is centrally apertured to receive the upper extremity of the tube 12 whose end may be conveniently upset or hammered down as at 25 to overlie the cap. Through the medium of the ferrule and tip which is suitably constricted as at at the lower end and the cap at the other end, the tube is firmly secured against longitudinal movement within the body.

The pencil, as exhibited in Fig. 1, is characterized by one feature of importance which :is novel, as far as I am aware, in a pencil having a solid body, that is, a body formed of wood, fiber, or other material suitable for producing a 'non-shell-like structurethis being a magazine for reserve leads. To embody this in the present pencil I have arranged in the body a number of slots 26 extending downwardly from the upper end thereof as far as desired, preferab y to a pointnear the lower end, so as to provide chambers each of sufficient length to receive two leads, end to end. In the drawing, these slots are represented as four in number, and are cut in radial fashion from the central opening that receives the tube 12. When the tube is fitted into the pencil, these slots become closed on all four sides, as viewed in cross section (see Fig. 9), and when the cap 22 is arranged in place the upper ends of these slots are likewise closed, in part at least. Access to the chambers of the magazine is obtained through a suitable opening formed in the top side of the cap. which, in the form shown, has a central circular portion occu ied by the tube and four slotted portions 2 radiating therefrom, each in register withone of the slots 26. Such an opening, best shown in Fig. 7, presents four holes permitting leads to pass in or out of the four magazine chambers, as required, the collar 23, together with its associated parts, acting normally to prevent loss of these reserve leads in case the pencil should be inverted.

In arranging the threaded connection between the collar and cap it is important that these parts last mentioned should not be permitted to turn together. To prevent this, slits 28 may be arranged in the upper end of the bed in line with grooves 28- formed interiory of the cap (see Fig. 8). keys 29 of suitable formation being extended radially within the grooves to lock with the cap so as to prevent its rotation relative to the body. In practice the formation and assembly of the parts in this manner may be very expeditiously accomplished, and on this account this construction possesses special advantages.

Referring again to the collar 23 which is threaded to the cap 22, it will be noted that I have inturned its upper end to provide a flange 30 which affords on its upper surface a bearing for a sleeve 31 which acts as a retainer for an eraser 32. At its upper end the sleeve is provided with a flange 33 which grips .the eraser, and interiorly is formed with threads 34 which, by preference, are square-cut in cross section, as clearly appears in Figs. 3 and 4. The lower end of ampere Y the sleeve is formedwith a wall in abut ting relation to the flange 30 of the collar 23, an opening bein formed therein for renewing the enlar ed upper end of a sleeve of other features certain modifications,

presently to be described, are exhibited. The sleeve 36 extends within the tube 12 and is internally threaded as at 38 (see Fig. 2) to coiiperate with the threads of the plunger 20 so as to transform the sleeve rotary movements into longitudinal movements of the plunger.

As a means of connection between the collar 23 and the eraser sleeve, two sug ested constructions are shown. In Fig. the end wall 35 of the sleeve is formed with a de pending thimble 39 having a shoulder as at 40 adapted to on age with the inturned flange 30 of the col ar 23, and also to afiord a rest against which may seat a washer all which may be conven entl secured in place by upsettin or sprea ing the lower end of the thim l8 as at 42 in under lying relation to the washer. According to the construction shown, the eraser sleeve is non removably secured to the collar 23 but is free to rotate thereon so as to im art turning movements to the sleeve 36. nether forin of connection between the eraser sleeve and collar 23 is shown in Fig. 4, wherein the end wall 35 does not directly en age the sleeve 36, but cooperates instead with a bushing 43 whose upper end 44 may be upset or spread over as shown, and which is formed with a shoulder 45 affording a rest for a washer 46 which underlies the flange 30 of the collar 23, the washer being held in place by an upset 47 at the lower end of the bushing. The effect of the connection shown in Fig. 4.15 precisely the same as in Fig. 3 and need not be further dwelt upon. y

In the connection between the eraser sleeve and collar 23, whether formed as e1 Fig. 3 or per Fi 4., I employ an assemlily which is simple, dependable, and readil at tachable as a unit to the upper end 0 the pencil; it assures .at all times an operative connection with the sleeve '36 by which the lead propelling mechanism is actuated. These parts the eraser sleeve and its associated, collar c'onstitute what may be termedthe head of the pencil, which with the sleeve 36, and lunger 20 therein, may be freely removed rom the body whenever refilling is required. a I

A threaded plate 48 is arranged within tlie eraser sleeve having a connection therewith eraser. up sufficiently to require re lacement, the worn down piece 15 remove and a screw' that is relatively loose, this being accomplished conveniently by formin threads on the plate having a 's i-g t lon itudinal play'within the eraser sleeve. The upper side of the plate, which may be slotted as at 4:9, lies in abutting relation to the eraser so as to force it outwardlywhenever the plate is turned relative to the eraser sleeve. Iprefer that the under side of the plate shou d be provided with a hollow boss 50 interiorly threaded to receive the upper .end of the plun r 20 whenever it is re tracted suliicient y for this purpose. To facilitate re 'ister of the plunger threads with those within the boss 50, the plate 48 is arranged for sli ht play, as already explained, but supp ementary to this, or inde' pendently thereof, other means for the same purpose may be employed such as the formation of elite 51 extending upwardly from the lower end of the boss to provide sections which may be sprung-outwardly as required to permit'the lunger end to move across the boss threa s until a re 'stration is effected therewith. Preferab y the depth of the boss threads is reducedtoward its lower end to facilitate such movement of the plunr prior to registration'of its threads with t ose interiorl of'the boss. v, y a

After three ing the lunger end into the boss, the parts may be urtherrotated, with the result thatlthe plate being-locked non rotatably to the plunger, both of these parts are movcclupwardly to force out'the eraser. This rotativc movement may be continued as far as necessary to advance the eraser the distance desired, whereupon the parts should be rcversely rotated to disengage the plunger from the plate. This engaging action of the plunger relative to the plate is facilitated by the loose threaded connection between the plate and the eraser sleeve, which results in a minimum of friction between these parts, and tends accordingly to induce disenga ment therebctween rather than between t c plun cr end and the late; or if pressure he applied to the end 0 the eraser so asto develop a friction between the threads of the eraser sleeve and plate which exceeds that obtaining between the plateand pli1nger,the eraser sleeve may be then rotated so as to uare-cut as Y propel the plunger downwardly, this latter element tending to disengage? itself freely from the plate, and leaving t e plate in a vanced henever the eraser has been used ready described, as will be apparent by rat osition, to properly support the its erence to Fig. wherein these two parts,

, detached from the associated mechanis'm,,are

shown in detail.

erence. other than round, and the proximate end 54,of the plunger to which the numeral turned, thisaction resulting in a propulsion nection with the remaining figures.

55 ,isapplied is formed in a manner to cooperate therewith, the purpose being that these parts-the plate and plan r-shall engaged. In all other respects these parts may be constructed and .operated as pre-- viously described. In theformv shown m Fig. -l0, the-plunger, when retracted sufliciently, will direct its end 54 into the socket 53 so asto lock therewithin to hold the plate 52 against I rotation when the sleeve 31 is of the eraser. This alternative construction shown in Fig. 10 is typical of. several that might be resorted to where it is not desired to use a threaded connection, such as is shown in Figs. 3.and 4.

The means for propelling the eraser in each of the constructions described makes use of the plunger which acts also to propel the lead. Reference-to Figs. 3 and t will disclose the provision upon the upper side of the plate 48 of a plurality of fine projecting points 56 adapted to bite into the bottom end of the eraser so as to lock the eraser non-rotatably to the plate. By use of such aconnection, the eraser may be propelled in either; direction simply by applying pressure. toits upper end such as to hold stationary the eraser and plate 4.8 while .a turning}.movement is imparted to the sleeveg3l, ion by holding this sleeve 31' stationarywhile bearing down upon the eraserhend with a rotary. movement, the effect in either. case being to induce relative rotation between the sleevetand plate therewithin Such eraser propelling movements, it should be noted, may be effected with entire independence of the plunger. p The preceding description has been concerned in large part with a pencil having a relatively solid body, as distinguished from a hollow tubular body such as is generally formed ofmetal. This invention is applicable, however, to a pencil having a tubular body such as is exhibited in Fig. 2, in which the operating parts are in all respects the same as those dBSCHbGd in 0211- ccordingly the same reference numerals have been applied to the corresponding parts,

and it is unnecessary to specifically advert to them again.

Referring now to the construction shown in Fig. 2, the body, designated as 60, is tubular in form, being provided. with a tapered lower end 61 having at its extremity a tip 62 which may conveniently be con- In this construction the plate designated as 52 isprovided on,1ts underside with a socket 53, shapedby pref-i nectedto the tube 12'within the body. In the construction shown, the shoulder on the upper end of the tip abuts'the lower extremity of the pencil so as to prevent an up ward movement of the tube therewithin. In the region where the taper commences, I have arranged a brace plate 63 which affords .a-bottom for the magazine of the pencil which, by preference, is divided into four compartments (see Fig. 6) through the use of partition members each designated by the numeral 64. Each of these partition members may consist of radially disposed Walls 65 connected by an arc-shaped wall 66 extending from near the upper end of the pencil down to the brace plate 63. In practice, I prefer to form these partition members of some material that is light, thin, and slightly resilient, such as aluminum, so that they may be sprung into place and be held firmly therein against movement bytheir own spring action.

In Fig. 2 I have shown the upper ends of the reserve leads, designated as 67, as protruding through the cap that is secured to the upper end of the body. This result is attained by having the chambers of the magazine of proper depth to project the topmost leads into position where they may be grasped whenever the head is removed from the pencil. It should be noted in this connection that the collar 23 forming part of the head is arranged to provide a chamber above the cap such that the reserve leads may protrude from the body end and receive protection at the same time.

In connection With the present pencil, whether made of wood, metal, or other material, I have devised a pocket clip which is exceedingly simple in its construction and in the manner of its attachment to the pencil body. As will be seen by reference to Fig. 1, the clip designated as 70 is of the conventional form, being curved toward the pencil at its upper end as at 71, from which extends in nearly right angular relation thereto a tongue 72 which lies inside of the lower portion 24 of the cap (see Fig. 8). The cap and body may each be suitably recessed to accommodate the tongue in the manner described, the recess 'in the body terminating in a sort of shoulder 73 which cooperates with the lower end of the tongue to hold the clip from moving downwardly. It will be noted that at the upper end of the tongue is a head 74 adapted to lie within an annular chamber formed interiorly of the cap, this channel facilitating the punching of the recess for the tongue and the two grooves 28 By preference the tongue 72 In use of the pencil, the head, together with the sleeve 36 and plunger 20, are re moved from the pencil whenever new leads are required. After inserting a lead of proper length into the upper end of the tube 12, the parts are replaced so as to become operative for propelling the lead. It will be noted that the lead inserted into the tube tends to drop through to the lower end of the pencil where it is held by friction in the constricted, passage through the tip. In replacing ,the head upon the pencil, the plunger should, course, be guided into the tube, after which its fin 21 is automatically directed intoone of the longitudinal slots therein'formed between two of the flutings 17. By rotating the head the plunger may be advanced to propel the lead; when ad vanced to its limit the plunger -fin lies within the clearance below the flutings, permitting the plunger to revolve with the head. This action is desirable in that it affords an indication of conditions interiorly of the pencil, and is preferable .tothe usual construction in which the parts bind when their limit of movement has been reached. To retract the plun er again, the head may be removed from t e pencil which is then inverted, this operation causing the plunger to slide out; access in the magazine is afforded at the same time enabling the user to refill the pencil in themanner explained.

I claim; 1. A pencil having means within its body for propelling a lead, actuatingmeans therefor, includin a collar detachably secured to the body and a sleeve adjacent to the collar operatively connected with the propelling means within the. pencil, and means independent of' the connection with the propelling means for locking the sleeve to the collar to establish a freely rotatable but inseparable connection therebetween, substantiallyas described. I

2. A pencil having means within its body for propelling a lead, and actuating means therefor consisting of a collar and sleeve ar ranged end to end, the former stationary and the latter rotatable with respect to the body, and means providing a freely rotatable and inseparable connection between the collar and sleeve invisible when the parts are assembled upon the pencil,- the sleeve being operatively connected to the lead propelling means, and the collar being detachably secured to the'pencil body, substantially as described. I p I 3. A pencil having means within its body for propelling a lead, and actuating means therefor including a collar and sleeve ar ranged end to end, the former stationary and the latter rotatable with res and an inseparable but free y rotatable con-- nection between the collar and sleeve consisting of an end wall on each,one being t to the body,

4. A pencil having means within its body for propelling a lead, and actuating means,

therefor including a collar detachably' secured to the body and a sleeve rotatably secured thereto having connection with the lead propelling means, and aconnection between thecollar and sleeve consisting of an end wall on each, one having a central aperture and the other being formed with a thimble extended through the aperture and provided with a shoulder, and a washer adjacent the collar wall on its side remote from the sleeve and resting against the shoulder, the thimble end being upset upon the washer to secure the parts permanently together in a freely rotatable relation, substantially as described.

5. A pencilhaving means within its body for propelling a lead, the body being hollowed. to provide a magazine for reserve leads in the form of a c amber open upon one end of the body, the chamber being adapted to receive the major portion of a reserve lead whose end remains protruded beyond the body, and actuating means for the lead propelling means arranged exteriorly of that same end of the body, and means for detachably securing the actuating means in place, there being within said securing means an extension chamber within which the protruding end of the reserve lead may lie, substantially as described. 6;. A pencil having means within its body for propelling a lead, and exteriorly of its 'first of which. is threaded and the second of which is-tubular with its walls deformed to provide flutings longitudinally thereof, and a third part having a threaded engagement with the first part and arranged for travel longitudinally of both parts, the third part having an element projecting laterall be? tween the flutings of the second part, all

ere-

by rotation of the first part induces a nonrotatable travel of the third part, substantially as described.

8. Ina pencil, lead propelling mechanism including two relatively rotatable tubular parts, one interiorly threaded and telescoped within the other whose walls are deformed to provide a longitudinal fiuting, and a third part adapted, for longitudinal travel having means for engaging with the threads of the one and for cooperating with the fiuting of the other whereby relative rotation between these latter two parts induces a longitudinal travel of the third part, substantially as described.

9. A pencil having in its body lead propelling mechanism including in combina tion a non-rotatable tube Whose walls are formed to provide longitudinal flutings internally thereof, a plunger arranged for longitudinal travel within the tube to propel a lead in advance of itself, means extending to the exterior 01 the pencilbody mounted for rotation within the tube and having a threaded connection with the plunger therein, and a member on the plunger adapted to lie between certain of the flutings to hold the plunger against rotation during its propul- 'sionthrough the tube, substantially as described.

10. In a pencil, lead propelling mechanism including two relatively rotatable tubular parts, onehaving its walls deformed for a portion of its length to a cross-sectional form other than round, and the other being interiorly threaded and telescoped within the undeformed portion of the first part, and a third part adapted for longitudinal travel within both parts having means for engaging with the threads of the one and having means for cooperating with the walls of the other to oppose rotation relative thereto whereby relative rotation between the first two parts induces a longitudinal travel of the third part, substantially as described.

CHARLES R. KEERAN.

Witness:

EPHRIAM SHUNING.

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