US1447677A - Pencil - Google Patents

Description

J. F. LINDBERG PENCIL.

FILED AUG. 21. 1920.

Patented Mar. 6, E923.

ca rn STATS Parana rattan oaarca.

JOHN F. LINJDBERG, 0F CHICAGO,-ILLINOIS.

PENCIL.

Application filed August 21, 1920. Serial No. 405,036.

My invention relates to pencils mploying mechanism for positioning their leads or leasing rod an other rods of marking material.

The invention has for its general object the improvement and simplification of the mechanism for effecting forward or feeding movement of the marking element of the pencil. An important characteristic resides in a manuallv operated clutch which is interrelated with the marking element in a manner to enable the clutch to force projecting movement of the marking element when the clutch is operated and permit inward movement of this element. This clutch is supplemented by means which serve to hold the marking element in its projected position. i

Vhen the invention is embodied in a pencil the marking element is in the form of a rod of marking material such as graphite, such a rod being herein termed a lead irrespective of the material of which it is made. The lead (by which term I marking material) is not well adapted for A engagement by any feeding device, which would be apt to weaken or break it. I therefore supplement th lead by a follower rod within and'movable longitudinally ofthe pencil casing, this follower rod being preferably merely in separable pushing relation with the inner end of the lead whereby the pencil may readilv be resupplied with lead. The aforesaid means for holding the lead in its" projected position, therefore, preferably includes a gripping or pinching device operating directly upon the lead and an airtomatically operating clutch acting directly upon the follower rod, whereby inward and outward movement of the lead and the folfore the casin lower rod are both prevented. The manually operable clutch that effects projecting movement of the lead is desirably provided with an actuating rod whereby this clutch may be operated from the exterior of the pencil casing, this clutch having a spring for automatically placing it in released position when the actuating rod isreleased.

mean any rod of automatic clutch then functlo The automatically operating clutch is provided with a spring for eflecting its automatic application to the follower rod and is also provided with a releasing rod that is manually operable from the exterior of the casing. Both clutches are desirably in the form of- IIDOS that, in effect, surround the follower ro A positioner is preferably provided that has engagement with the red has cam connection with the to afford adjustment for the to prevent or permit it from pencil casin releasing rod functioning.

I will explain my invention more fully by reference to the accompanying drawing showing the preferred embodiment thereof and in which Fig. 1 is an axial sectional view of a pencil made in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention, the pencil being adjustedfor use; F 2 illustrates, on a larger scale, structure shown in Fig. l with the manually operable clutch in the position it occupies when it is being operated to effect the feeding movement of the lead; Fig. 3 shows the elements illustrated in Fig. 2 with the manually operated clutch automatically restored by its spring and the automatically operating clutch released by the adjustment of its releasing rod, the actuating spring of the ning to release this clutch; Fig. 4: is a View in elevation of the upper part of the structure with a component element of the casing removed to illustrate one manner of. manufacture and assembly; and F i line 55 of Fig. 2.

Like parts are indicated by similar characters of reference throughout the difi erent figures. 1 The casing of the pencil may have a variety of forms and may be of any suitable construction. The casing illustrated includes a hollow ylinder 1 having openings? and 3 therein within which clutch mechanism may be inserted laterally of the casing beg is completed bythe addition thereto of a jacket or sheath 4 that is assemthe upper portion of the g. 5 is a sectional View on bled in tight engagement with the cylinder 1 so as to form'therewith a unitary! element.

plug 5 is in tight fit with and within the upper end of the cylinder 1; a plug 6 is in tight fit with and within the lower end of the cylinder 1; and plugs 7 and 8 are in tight fit with and within the lower end portion of the cylinder 1 and between the plugs 5 and 6. The casing includes the lower cylindrical .end portion 9 in threaded connection, at its upper end, with the lower end of the jacket 5 4 that extends below the cylinder-*1. The

casing portion 9 is desirably conically tapered at the writing end of the instrument to simulate the sharpening of a wooden pencil. A sleeve 10, with a conical exterior to surface, is received in the conical end of the casing portion 9. The bore of the sleeve 10 is fixedly assembled with the guiding tube 11 that is co-axial with the pencil casing. Space intervenes between the guiding tube 15 and the wall of the casing portion 9 to enable this casing portion to serve the purpose of a magazine to hold spare leads 12 that are use-able in the pencil. The leads may readily be removedfrom their magazine element 9 by unscrewing this element from the jacket 4 for the casing. Each of these leads is adapted for sliding fit within the bore of the guiding tube 11. The lower end of this guiding tube is slotted, as indicated at 11',

to form a gripping or pinching device to engage the lower end of the lead that is in the guiding tube whereby this particular lead is prevented from dropping out of the pencil casing inasmuch as the lower end of the fol- 39 lower rod 13, that is employ ted to effect the feeding movement of the lead, preferably has only abutting and pushing engagement with the inner end of the lead. The gripping pressure exerted by the lower end of the guiding tube is sufficiently light to permit of the feeding movement of the lead and the insertion of a fresh lead through the lower end of the pencil casing into the tube 11. However. it is preferred to load the pencil by 49 passing the lead into the upper end of the guiding tube whose bore is flared at its upper end to facilitate the insertion of the lead into the top.

The follower rod 13 has sliding fit within 4 the bores formed in the plugs 6, 7 and 8 that are, co-axial with each other andwith the bore of the guiding tube 11 with which said follower rod al o has sliding fit. Theautomatically .operable clutch 14 is disposed 0 within the opening 2 between the plugs 7 5 action of a clutch spring 15. The plug 8 serves as an abutment for the lower end of said spring and the lower end of the releasing rod 16 constitutes a fulcrum upon which the ring clutch 14 is rocked by the spring 15.

The rod 13 forms a supplementing part of the marking element structure. being formed of metal to withstand the operation of the clutches. The clutch 14 normally serves to hold the follower rod 13 against material up ward movement so that this follower rod serves as an abutment fofi the lead 12 that is within the guiding tube 11 whereby the inward movement of this lead is normally prevented. The manually operable clutch 17 is desirably also in'therformofa ring through which the follower rod 13 also passes, this clutch being normally released from effective engagement with the follower rod by means oft'he spring 18. The lower end of this spring has the plug 6 for its abutment and the upper end of the spring normally presses the clutch 17 fully against the bottom facelof the plug 8 as illustrated in Figs. 1, 3 and 4. \Vhen the lead is to be further proj ected from the writing end of the structure, the actuating rod 19, which may be operable from the exterior of the casing in a manner to be set forth, is inwardly moved against one side of the ring 17 to tilt this ring to engage it with the follower rod and thereafter to move this ring downwardly in company with the follower rod to effectthe-desired forward or feeding movement of the lead which feeding movement is preferably about a sixteenth of an inch for each operation of the feeding clutch 17. The feeding movement of the follower rod is permitted by the automatically operated clutch ring 14 as is obvious. When the feeding clutch 17 has been operated the actuating rod 19.is released whereupon the spring 18 forces the clutch 17 into the releasing position illustrated in Figs. 1, 3 and 4, the automatic clutch 14 at once operating to prevent inward movement of the follower rod.

lVhen said follower rod is moved upwardly, as for example when the pencil is to be reloaded, the releasing rod 16 may be moved upwardly, in a manner to be set forth, whereupon the clutch 14 is moved against the bottom face of the plug 7 as illustrated in Fig. 3, by means of its spring that then operates as a releasing spring. The follower rod may now be readily moved inwardly either through the agency of a lead forced inwardly through the writing end of the pencil structure or when the .casing portion 9 is separated from the balance of the casing. After the pencil has been reloaded the releasing rod 16 is restored to its normal position to enable the clutch 14 automatically to function to prevent the inward movement of the follower rod while permitting its forward feeding movement. 5

Any suitable means may be employed for making the clutches operable from the exterior of the casing. In the embodiment of the invention illustrated the upper end of the actuating rod 19-is engageableby a. button 20 movable longitudinally of the casing.

\Vhenever this button is pressed inwardly as by tapping itupon a table or by means of the thumb, the clutch 17 is actuated to effect feeding movement of the lead. The outer end of the releasing rod 16 desirably operated, engaging. the follower rod to subthe writing has an abutment in the form of a cap 21 which houses the button 20. This cap is provided with a. cam slot 22 in its skirt. The cam pin 23 is carried by the casing and,enters the cam slot. The cap is rotatable upon the upper end of the cylinder 1 to bring it into or out of pressing engagement with the releasing rod 16. When the cap is in its outermost posit-ion the automatic clutch 14 is released, Fig. 3. When the capis in its innermost position the releasing rod positions the clutch 14 to enable it to be automatically operated by its spring.

While I have herein shown and particularly described the preferred embodiment of my invention I do not wish to be limited to the precise details of construction shown as changes may readily be made without departing from the spirit of my invention, but having-thus described my invention I claim as new and desire .to secure by Letters Patent the following V 1. A pencil including a casing; a marking element, in the formof a rod formed of marking material, within and movable lon gitudinally of the casing whichis open at the Writing end of the pencil to permit of the projection of the forward end portion of the marking element; a follower rod within and movable longitudinally of the casing,

said follower rod being engageable with the inner end portion of said'marking element; a clutch within the casing and manually operable y( f'rom the exterior of the casing, said 0111 ch, normally disengaged but when operate engaging the follower rod to sub- Sequentl effect its forward movement to cause projecting movement of the marking element and permitting reverse movementof this rod; and an automatically operating clutch within the casing and interrelated ing element, in the form of a. rod formed of ma-rklng materlal, within and movable longitudinally of the casing which is open at the projection of the forward end portion of the marking element; a follower rod within and movable longitudinally of the casing, said follower rod being engageab e with the inner end portion of said-marking element;

a clutch within the casing and provided with an actuating rod manually operable, from the exterior of the casing. said clutch, when sequently effect its forward movement to cause projecting movement of the marking element and permitting ;re"erse movement of this rod; and an automatically operating clutch within the casing and interrelated with the follower rod to prevent material return movement thereof, this automatically operating clutch being provided with a reend of the pencil to permit of marking element,

.ing

leasing rod. that is manually operable from the exterior of the casing.

3. A pencil including a casing; a marking element, in the form of arod formed of marking material, within and movable longitudinally of the casing which is open at the writing end of the pencil to permit of the projection of the forward end portion of the marking element; a follower rod within and movable longitudinally of the casing, said follower rod being engageable with the inner end portion of saidmarking element; and a clutch within the casing and provided with an actuating rod manually operable from the exterior of the casing, said clutch, normally disengaged but when operated, engaging the follower'rod to efiect its forward movement tocause projecting movement of the marking element and subsequently permitting reverse movement of this rod.

4'. A pencil including a casing; a marking element, in the form of a rod formed of marking material, within and movable longitudinally of the casing which is open at the writing end of the pencil to permit of the projection of the forward end portion of the 'marking element; a follower rod within and movable longitudinally of the casing, said follower rod being engageable with the inner end portion of said marking element; a clutch within the casing and provided with'an actuating rod manually operable from the exterior of the cas ingfsaid clutch, normally disengaged but when operated, engaging the follower rod -to effect its forward movement t o cause pro- .clutch is released. with the follower rod to prevent material return movement thereof. v

e ,2. A pencil including acasing; a mark- 5. A pencil including a casing; a marking element, in the form of a rod formed of marking'material, within and movable longitudinally of the casing which is open at the writing end of the pencil to permit of the projection of the forward end portion of the marking element; a follower rod within and movable longitudinally of the casing. said follower rod being engageable with the inner end portion of said marking element; and a clutch within the casing and provided with an actuating rod manually operable from the exterior of the easing, said clutch, when operated. engaging the follower rod to effect its forward movement to cause projecting movement of the this clutch being in the form of a ring surrounding the follower rod and provided with a spring for releasing it when the actuating rod is released.

6. A pencil. including a casing; a markelement. in the form of a rod formed of marking material. within and movable longitudinally of the casing which is open at the'writing end of the pencil to permit of the projection of'the forward end portion of the marking element; a follower rod within and movable longitudinally of the casing, said follower rod being engageable with the inner end portion of said marking element; a clutch within the casing and provided with an actuating rod manually operable from the exterior of the casing, said clutch, when operated, engaging the follower rod to effect its forward movement to cause projecting movement of the marking element, this clutch being in the form of a ring surrounding the follower rod and provided with a spring for releasing it when the actuating rod is released; and a device, carried by the casing, in gripping.

engagement with the marking element to hold it in its projected position when the clutch is released.

7. A pencil including a=casing; a marking element, in the form of a rod formed of marking material, within andmovable longitudinally of the casing which is open at the writing end of the pencil to permit ing it when the actuating rod is released;

and an automatically operating clutch within the casing and interrelated with the follower rod to prevent material return movement thereof, this automatically operating clutch being provided with a releasing rod that is manually operable from theexterior I of the casing, this automatically operating clutch being in the form of a ring surrounding the follower rod and having a spring for effecting its clutching engagement with the follower rod when the releasing rod is not operated, said releasing rod normally holding the automatically operating clutch in position to function.

8. A pencil including a casing; a marking element, in the form of a rod formed of marking material, within and movable longitudinally of the casing which is open at the writing end of the pencil to permit of a the projection of the forward end portion of the marking element; a follower rod within and movable longitudinally of the casing. said follower rod being engageable with the inner end portionof said marking element; a clutch within the casing and provlded wlth an actuating rod manually operable from the exterior of the casing, sald clutch, when operated, engaging the follower rod to effect its forward-movement to cause projecting movement of the mark ing element, this clutch being in the form ofa ring surrounding the follower rod and provided with a spring for releasing it when the actuating rod is released; and an automatically operating clutch within the casing and interrelated with the follower rod to prevent material return movement thereof, this automatically operating clutch being provided with a releasing rod and being in the form of a ring surrounding the follower rod and having a spring for eifecting its clutching-engagement with the follower rod when the releasing rod is not operated, said releasing rod normally holding the automatically operating clutch in position .to function; and a positioner 'engageab'le with the releasing rod and in cam connection with the casing to prevent or permit the functioning of the automatic clutch.

9. A pencil including a casing; a marking element in the form of a rod formed of marking material, within and movable longitudinally of the casing which is open'at the writing end of the pencilto permit of the'projection of the forward end portionof the marking element; a follower rod within and movable longitudinally of the casingsaid follower rod being-engageable' with the inner end portion of said marking element; a ring clutch surrounding the follower rod within the casing and manually operable from the exterior of the casing to effect forward movement of the follower rod to cause projecting movement of the marking element; and a spring for automatically releasing said clutch.

10. A pencil including a casing, amarking element, in the form of a rod formed of marking material, within and movable longitudinally of the casing which is open at the writing end of the pencil to permit of the projection of the forward end portion of the marking element; a follower rod within and movable longitudinally of the casing, said follower rod being engageable with the inner end portion of said marking element; a ring clutch surrounding the follower rod within the casing and provided with an actuating rod manually operable from the exterior of the casing toelfect forward movement of the follower rod to cause projecting movement of the marking element; and a spring for automatically releasing said clutch.

11. A. pencil including a casing; a. marking element, in the form of a rod formed of marking material," within and movable longitudinally of the casing'which is open at the writing the projection of the forward end portion of themarking element; a follower rod within and movable longitudinally of the casing, said follower rod being engageable' with the inner end portion of said marking" element; a friction clutch engaging the foling element; and

lower rod within the casing and manually operable from the exterior of the casing to effect forward movement of the follower rod toca-use projecting movement of the marka spring for automatically releasing said clutch.

12. A pencil including a casing; a marking element, in the form of a rod formed of marking material, within and movable longitudinally, of the casing which is'open at the writing end of the pencil to permit of the projection of the forward end portion of the marking element; a follower rod within and movable longitudinally of the. casing, said follower rodbeing engageable with the inner end portion of said marking element; a friction clutch engaging the follower rod within the casing and provided with an actuating rod manually operable from the exterior of the casing to effect forward movement of the follower rod to cause projecting movement of the marking element; and a spring for automatically releasing said clutch.

13. A pencil including a casing; a. marking element, in the form of a rod formed of marking material, within and movable loIr gitudinally of the casing which is open at the writing end of the pencil to permit of the-projection of the forward end portion of the marking element; a follower rod witliin and movable longitudinally ofcthe casing, said follower rod being engageable with the inner end portion of said marking element; a clutch within the casing and manually operable from the exterior of the casing, said clutch, when operated, engaging the follower rod to effect its forward movement to cause the writing end of the projecting, movement ofthe marking element and subsequently permitting reverse movement of this'rod; and a clutch in holding engagement with the follower rod, there being a releasing element for' the latter clutch in cam connection with a portion of the casing. a

' 1 f. A pencil including a casing; a marking element, in the form of a rod formedof marking material, within and movable longitudinally of the casing which is open at pencil to permit of the projection of the forward end portion of the marking element; a follower rod within ,and movable longitudinally of the casing. said follower rod being engageable with the inner end portion of. said marking element; a clutch within the casing andmanend of the pencil to permit ofv connection with a &

ually operable from the exterior of the casing, said clutch, when operated, engaging the follower rod to effect its forward movement to cause projecting movement of the marking element and subsequently permitting reverse movement of'this rod; a clutch in holding engagement with the follower rod; clutch, there .being a releasing rod actuating element in cam connection with a portion of the casing.

15, A pencil including a casing; a mark ing element, in the form of a rod formed of marking material, within and movable 'longitudinally of the casing which is open at the writing end of the pencil to permit of the' projection of the forward end portion of the marking element; a follower rod within and movable longitudinally of the casing, said follower rod being engageable with; the inner end portion of said marking element;

a clutch within the casing and manually opengagement with the follower rod, there being a releasing element for the latter clutch in cam connection with a portion of the casing.

16. A pencil including a casing; a marking element, in the form of a rod formed of marking material, within and movable longltud'inally of the casing which is open at the writing end of the pencil to permit of the projection of the forward end portion of the marking element; a follower rod within and movable longitudinally of the casing, said follower rod being engageable with the inner end portion of said marking element; a clutch within the casing and manually operable from the exterior of the casing. .said clutch, when operated, engaging the follower rod .to effect its forward movement to cause projecting movement of" the marking element and subsequently permitting reverse movement of this rod; a clutch provided with a spring for bringing it into holding engagement with the follower rod; and a releasing rod for the latter clutch, there being a releasing rod actuating element in cam portion of the casing.

17. A pencil including a casing; a marking element, in theform of a rod formed of and a releasing rod for the latter the inner end portion of said marking ele- .ment; and a clutch in holding engagement with the follower rod, there being a releasing element for the clutch in camconnection with a portion of the casing.

18. A pencil including a casing; a marking element, in the form of a rod formed of marking material, within and movable 1ongitudinally of the casing Which is open at the writing end of the pencil topermit of the projection of the forward end portion of the marking element; a follower rod Within and movable longitudinally of the casing,

said follower rod being engageable with the inner end portion of said marking element; a clutch in holding engagement with the follower rod; and a releasing rod for the clutch, there being a releasing rod actuating element in cam connection with a portion of the casing. a

19. A pencil including a casing; a marking element, in the form of a rod formed of marking material, within and movable longit-udinally of the casing which is open at the writing end of the pencil to permit of the projection of theforward end portion of the marking element; a follower rod withing element, in the form of a rod formedof marking material, within and movable longitudinally of the casing which is open at the writin end of the pencil to permit of the projection of the forward end portion of the marking element; a follower rod within and movable longitudinally of the casing, said follower rod being engageable with the inner end portionpf said marking element; a clutch provided with a spring for bringing it into holding engagement with the follower rod; and a releasing rod for the clutch, there being a releasing rod actuating element in cam connection with a portion of thecasing. Y

21. A pencil including a casing; a marking element, in the form of a rod formed of marking material, within and movable longitudinally of the casingwhic-h is open at the writing end of the pencil to permit of the projection of the forward end portion of the marking element; and a clutch in holding relation to the rod of marking material to prevent return movement thereof, there being a releasing element for the clutch in cam connection'with a portion of the casing. I

22. A pencil including a casing; a marking'element, in the form of a rod formed of marking material, within and movable lon; gitudinally of the casing which is open at the writingend of the pencil to permit of the project-ion of the forward end portion of the marking element; a follower rod within and movable longitudinally of the casing, said followenrod being engageable with the inner end portion of said marking element; a clutchwithin the casing and manuallyoperable from the exterior of the casing, said clutch, when operated, engaging the; follower rod to effect its forward movement to-cause projecting movement of the marking element and'subsequently permitting reverse movement of this rod; and an automatically operating manuallyreleasable clutch Within the easung and interrelated with the follower rod to prevent material return movement thereof.

In witness whereof, ll hereunto subscribe my name this nineteenth day of August A;

JOHN F. LINDBERG.

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