US1547092A - Pencil sharpener - Google Patents

Description

' July 2.1, 1925.;

F. W. BENTON PENCIL SHARPENER Filed Aug, 25, 1924 btou my Patented July 21, '1925.

FRANK W. BENTON, 0F WILSON, NORTH CAROLINA..

PENCIL SHARPENER.

Application led' August 25, 1924. SeraI No. 734,083.

To @ZZ whom it may concern.'

Be it known that I, FRANK W. BENTON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Wilson, in the county of Wilson and State ot North Carolina, have invented new and useful Improvements in Pencil Sharpeners, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to pencil sharpeners, and one object of the invention is to provide a pencil Sharpener which will eXert a longitudinal cutting action at a proper angle for a desired taper on the wood body and lead oi the pencil while the pencil is being rotated, whereby the efficiency of cutting action ot a pen knife, as in skilled hand sharpening, may be secured with a still greater degree ot accuracy of cut, the eX posed portion ot the lead taper-pointed to an exact degree, and liability of breaking the point during the sharpening action reduced to the minimum.

A further object/,of the invention is to provide a novel type of cutting mechanismV embodying a reciprocatory cutting blade movable in an arcuate path across the end of the pencil to be sharpened and also in a path inclined to the plane of the pencil, whereby an eflicient combined draw and shear cut action of the blade is obtained.

A still further object ofthe invent-ion is to provide novel trigger-operated means for actuating the cutting blade.

A still further object ot the invention is to provide a pencil sharpener embodying a. casing having portions forming an enclosure for the trigger-operated blade-actuating mechanism and a receptacle for the shavings, which casing portions and trigger member of the blade actuating mechanism simulate generally in form and arrangement the barrel, stock and trigger of a pistol, thereby producing a Sharpener which may be easily handled and operated and at the same time constitutes a novelty.

The invention consists of the features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts, hereinafter fully described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawing,`in which Figure l isa central longitudinal section through the Sharpener, showing a pencil fitted in position for sharpening. Y

Figure 2 is a horizontal transverse'sectionon line Q-Qof Figure 1. Y

Figure 3 is a Vtransverse. section on line 3-3 of Figure'l. f

Figure 4 is a top plan view of a portion ot the sharpening chamber of the device.

Figure 5 is a bottom plan view of the shavings receptacle.

Figure 6 is a transverse section on line 6 6 of Figure l.

Figure 7 is a perspective view of the parts of the sharpening `device per se.

Figure`8 is an enlarged detail section on line 8 8 of Figure l. Y

In carrying my invention into practice, I provide an enclosing casing l having a longitudinally extending portion orchamber 2 and a depending portion 3 disposed at the rear of such portion 2 and communicating at its upper end with the base thereof. This casing l may be made of any suitable material, and, as shown, the portions 2 and 3 are shaped to simulate the general form and appearance ot the barrel and stock of a conventional type .of pistol.

The portion 2 provides a chamber or receptacle to receive the end ot the pencil to be sharpened and to enclose the sharpening mechanism, while the portion 3 forms a chamber or receptacle for the wood shavings and particles of lead removed from the pencil in the sharpening action. An outlet 4lis provided at the base of the shaving receptacle 3 for the discharge of the accumulated shavings at proper times, and this outlet is adapted to be normally closed by a sliding door or cover 5,

The front wall of the chamber 2 is provided with an opening tor the passage ot a support or holder 6 for the pencil 7 to be sharpened. This support or holder comprises a longitudinally split tube, capable of expansion and contraction. and adapted to be normally held contracted bv a coiled contractile sprintr 8. The side walls of the `tube carry pins or studs 9 which extend at their outer ends through openings in the side walls ot the chamhciI 2 and are headed to holdthem from dis-- placement. The pins or studs 9 are lecseliv fitted in the openings in the walls ot chamber 2 for sliding movement, whereby 'the holder 6 is adapted `for free and ready e.\'

pansion and contraction to receive and grip pencils of different diameters and shapes.

' while permitting the held pencil to be turned or rotated therewith.

Sharpening mechanism is provided within the chamber 2 for acti'onupon'the inserted end of thepencilk?. This sharpening mechanism comprises a blade holder or support 10 comprising a bar or lever having an arm 11 pivotally mounted as at 12 upon a crossbar 13 fixed within the forward end of the casing, the pivotal connection 12 adapting the holder 10 to swing in an arcuate path in a general direction longitudinally of the casing and also transversely thereof. The bar 10 has its upper surface formed to provide an inclined seat 14 for a cutter blade 15 having a convexly curved cutting edge 1G. Openings 17 are provided in the blade for engagement with dowel pins or lreys 1S on the bar 10, and between said openings 17 the blade is provided with an opening 19 for passage of a fastening screw 20, adapted to engage a threaded opening 21 in the bar 10, whereby the blade may be accurately seated and firmly secured in position. This construction also permits of the ready and convenient substitution of a new blade for one which has been chilled by long service, as will be readily understood. ylhe blade 15 is held by the bar 10 at a proper cutting angle inclined to the axis of the pencil, so that the blade in one direction of motion in each of its oscillations, or reciprocations in a curved path, will sharpen the end of the pencil wood and taper the exposed lead point to a desired and exact degree, For the purpose of guiding the bar 10 and blade 15 in an accurate working path, and holding the edge of the blade with the desired pressure against the surface of the pencil, a guide 22 is provided comprising a bar or rail fixed at its ends to the bottom and top portions of the chamber 2, said bar or rail being segmentally curved in an arc conforming to the arc of motion of the blade.

Extending between the cross-bar 12 to the rear wall of the chamber 2 and through a cross-piece or abutment 23 disposed in the chamber 2 is a guide rod 241- on which is slidably fitted an actuating traveler 25, and encompassing the rod 2e between the abutment 23 and the traveler 25 is a coiled retracting spring 2G. The traveler 25 is adapted to impart working motion to the blade holder 10 and to this end is coupled thereto by apitman or connecting rod 27, the construction being such that when the traveler 25 is moved rearwardly on its working motion the holder will also be moved rearwardly on its working motion, in which operation the spring 26 will be compressed, for shifting. the traveler and blade holder forward or on their return motion back to starting position. The traveler 25 is carried by a slide plate 28 fitted for movement upon the bottom of the chamber 2 above a slot 29 therein, the slide 28 being slotted for the downward passage of the base of the traveler therethrough. A trigger-shaped actuating member or finger-piece 30 depends from the base of the traveler and is apertured for the passage of a cross-pin or key 31 extending across the walls of the slot 29 and detachably holding the traveler 25 and slide 28 in position. while permitting the same to have free sliding motions. A guard 32 encloses the linger-piece 30 and is fixed to the base of the chamber 2 and front of the receptacle 3, said guard serving to protect the fingerpiece 30 from contact with extraneous objects and possible injury, and these parts simulating the guard and trigger of a conventional type of pistol, whereby a novel type of pencil Sharpener simulating the general appearance of a pistol is produced. Formed in the bore of the chamber 2 so as to come immediately above the end of the pencil which is being sharpened is an cbservation opening 33 normally closed by a transparent slide or cover 34. movable under pressure of the finger in guideways 35 to cover and uncover said opening 83. rllhrough this transparent cover when closed, the working action of the sharpening mechanism may be observed as to guide the operator in the manipulation of the sharpening mechanism and pencil so as to secure the best working results. `When the cover 341 is opened yaccess is also afforded to the interior of the chamber 2 for the purpose of making such repairs as may be needed from time to time and also to permit of the removal of an old blade and substitution of a new blade therefor.

1n the operation of the device, the end of the pencil to be sharpened is inserted in the holder 3 so as to overlie and lie in the path of the cutting blade 15, and the exposer projecting portion of the pencil is held in one hand of the operator, while the other hand of the operator grasps the receptacle 8, which thus acts as a grip member. The forefingcr of the hand gripping the receptacle 3 is then engaged with thevfinger-piece 30 and, while the pencil is leing rotated the linger-piece 30 is drawn upon to slide the traveler 25 backward, thereby moving the cutting` blade 15 on its cutting motion.

1n this operation the spring 25 is compressed, so that upon release or relaxation of Vlinger pressure on the finger-piece at the end of the working operation the spring 26 will expand and return the parts of the cutting mechanism to normal position. By turning or rotating` the pencil 7 after each cutting action and successively oscillating the cutting blade in the manner described, the new surfaces of the end of the pencil presented for action thereon by the cutting blade will be successively cut. when required the operator may also shift the pencil inwardly or feed it forwardly, so that the length of the surface to be sharpened and degree of its taper may be regulated as desired, the operations described being continued until the end of the pencil is sharpened and its lead pointed to suit the At intervals` operator. It will be understood, of course., that the sharpening operation being carried out is in constant sight of the operator through the transparent panel 34, thus enabling him to accurately gage and control the work. An important feature of the 'in-- vention resides in the Jfact that by means of the construction described a pencil may be easily, conveniently and accurately sharpened to any degree desired by the operator and without grinding or tearing the wood of the pencil or breaking the point of the lead, as the cutting blade in its action will simulate the cut made by a sharp penknife handled by an expert Sharpener. It will be observed, further, that the blade in its working motion cuts in two directions, that is, both longitudinally and transversely ot the pencil, or, in other words, eects both a draw cut and a shear cut, whereby al rapid and clean cutting action is ensured with a minimum degree of wear and tear upon the blade.

I-Iaving thus fully described my invention, I claim:

1. In a pencil Sharpener, a casing, means carried by the casing Jfor rotatably supporting a pencil, a sliding traveler in the casing, a pivotally7 mounted oscillatory cutter blade, an inclined and arcuately curved guide for guiding said blade in an inclined plane in its oscillations, a pivotal connection between the blade and the traveler, a finger-piece for sliding the traveler in one direction, and a spring-compressed by suchmovement of the traveler for sliding it in the reverse direction.

2. In a pencil sharpener, a casing, means carried by the casing for rotatably supporting a pencil, a longitudinal guide in the casing, a traveler slidably mounted to reciprocate on said guide, a pivotally mounted cutter blade, an arcuately curved and inclined guide member for guiding the blade in an inclined plane inits oscillations, a connecting rod between the traveler and the cutter blade, a linger-piece for sliding said traveler in one direction, and a coiled spring encompassing the guide and adapted to be compressed by the movement of the traveler in such direction for moving said traveler in the reverse direction,

3. In a pencil Sharpener, an .oscillatory cutting blade, a sliding traveler pivotally coupled to the blade, a manually operable member for sliding the traveler in one direct-ion to transfer cutting motion to the blade, and a spring compressed by such movement of the traveler for reversely sliding the traveler and retracting the blade.

4. In a pencil Sharpener, a stationary guide rod, a pivotally mounted oscillatory cutter blade, a reciprocatory traveler slidable on the rod, a connecting rod between the traveler and blade, a finger-piece manually actuable for moving the traveler and blade in one direction, and a spring about the rod tensioned by such movement of the traveler Jfor imparting reverse motion to the traveler and blade.

5. In a pencil Sharpener, a casing having an end wall provided with an opening therein, a longitudinally split expansible and contractible pencil supporting tube extending through said opening, studs carried by the sides of the tube and loosely engaging the sides of the casing, and pencil sharpening means disposed in said casing.

6. A pencil Sharpener comprising a casing formed in simulation of a pistol barrel or stock and embodying a longitudinal portion forming a sharpening chamber and a depending portion communicating therewith and forming a shavngs receptacle, the latter being in communication with said chamber and having an outlet, a tubular pencil support at the front of the chamber adapted to permit insertion and rotation of a pencil, sharpening means disposed in said chamber, means including a trigger-like projection for operating said sharpening means, and a closure for the outlet of the shavings receptacle.

In testimony whereof I ax my signature.

FRANK W. BENTON.

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