US1830043A

US1830043A - Lead pencil

Info

Publication number: US1830043A
Application number: US581054A
Authority: US
Inventors: Merrall C Vail
Original assignee: Wahl Co
Current assignee: Wahl Co
Priority date: 1922-08-11
Filing date: 1922-08-11
Publication date: 1931-11-03
Anticipated expiration: 1948-11-03

Description

M. C. VAlL LEAD PENCIL Nov. 3, 1931.

Original Filed Aug. 11. 1922 irrt Patented Nov. 3, 1931 UNITED STATES l PATENT N o1-FICE MERRALL c. vAIL, or ATTLEBORO, MASSACHUSETTS, Assrerivon,Y BY MEsNn ASSIGN- MENTS, TO THE WAHL COMPANY, OF CHICAGO; ILLINOIS, A CORPORATON DELAWARE LEAD PENCIL y p Application led August 11, 1922, Serial No. 581354. Renewed June 29, 1927.

`This invention relates to an improved type of a metallic pencil adapted to be easily operated and automatically opened at a predetermined time in a lead ejecting operation.

It is an object of this invention to provide a metallic pencil so constructed that the ejecting mechanisms within the pencil casing will be automatically released at the time a lead ejecting plunger reachesy the tip of the pencil casing.

It is also an obj ect of the invention to provide a pencil having a screw operated mechanism therein adapted toibe moved longitudinally within a casing to cause outward feeding of the lead until one of a pair of tele escoping members comes into contact with the inner walls of the tapered end of the pencil casing thereby permitting a plunger. to discharge the remaining leadfrom the casingr and which mechanism causes a release of theJ lead feeding mechanisms. from the pencil casing upon further operation thereof.v

It is a further object of this invention to provide a metallic pencil having a feed screw provided with a chamber for holding extra leads, said chamber adapted to be closed by means ofan eraser. y

It is furthermore an object of this invention to provide a pencil whereina screw operated7 longitudinally 'movable' member has a lead carrying, spring controlled Sleeve, slidably engaged therewith and adapted to cio-act with the pencil casing to cause a plunger secured to said movable member to project through said sleeve to discharge the lead therefrom when said lead is practically used u pAnother object of this invention is the construction of a pencil wherein a lead is adapt# ed to be advanced or retracted by means of a feed mechanism which is adapted to be automatically released from a-pencil casing by the continued turning of the feed mechanism head after a lead has been discharged by means of a plunger working through a spring controlled lead holding sleeve when said sleeve engages 'a stop.

Itis an important object of this invention to provide a metallic pencil of improved simple construction wherein resilient means is provided to cause release of a lead feed mechanism 4as a unit from the pencil casing after a lead holder forming a part of said feed mechanism' hasbeen advanced into p0- sition against the inner walls of the tapered end of the' pencil casing.

Other and further important vobjects of this invention will be apparent from the disclosures in the drawings and specification.

. The invention (in a preferred form) is il-V lustrated' in the drawings and hereinafter more fully described.

On the drawings:

VFigure 1 is an enlarged longitudinal section. of apencil showing parts in elevation and embodying the principles of this invention.

Figure 2 is va similar section showing the feed mechanism advanced into its` furthermost'position to cause release from the casing into the dotted line position.

Figure?) is a fragmentary longitudinal section of the upper end of the pencil with the cap removed. i

Figure Llis a fragmentary longitudinal section of the lower end of the pencil showing the mechanisms in position. just beforedischarge of the lead.

Figure 5 is asimilar section showing the mechanisms just after the discharge of the lead with the spring compressed ready to move the feed mechanisms into the dotted lin position of Figure 2.

Figure 6 is an enlarged section taken on line 6-5 of Figure 2.

Figure 7 is an enlarged transverse section taken on line 7-7of Figure 2.

As shown on the drawings:

Thev pencil comprises a metal tube or casing l-having an integral conical tip 2 at one end. The other or upper end of the casing 1 is providedwith a number of slots 3 affording a plurality of resilient clips 4 the ends of which are spun inwardly to afford a bead 5. The bead 5 is adapted to be resiliently sprung into a peripheral groove 6 of a cup or holder 7 having a slot 8 therein to permit an A iso a detent 11 adapted to slidably engage in the holder slot 8 to permit the holder to be rotated with the cap.

Rigidly secured to the apertured inner end of the eraser holder 7 is the open end of a feed screw 12 having a chamber 13 therein for holding extra leads 14. The feed screw 1 2 has threaded engagement with a nut member 15 to which the ends of a pair of U- shaped outwardly

bent leaf springs

16 and 17 are brazed or soldered. The

springs

16 and 17 are positioned at substantially right angles to each other and have the bights thereof rigidly secured together by solder or other suitable means.

' Secured to the bights of the

springs

16 and 17 is the inner end of a plunger or rod 18 which is axially aligned with the feed screw 12 and projects axially into l a cylindrical sleeve or tube 19 the inner end of which is also rigidly secured to the overlapping portions of the

springs

16 and 17. Disposed within the tube 19 is a coiled spring 2O which seats against the flanged inner end 21 of a sleeve 22 having telescoping engagement with the tube 19. The spring 2O acts to hold the sleeve 22 projected so that normally the sleeve flange 21 is held in contact with the turned in edge of the tube 19 as illustrated in Figure 4. The other or outer end of the slidable sleeve 22 is provided with an integral flange 23 adapted for co-action with the inner surface ef the tip 2 of the pencil casing as hereinafter more fully described. Rigidly secured in the outer end of the slidable sleeve 22 is the inner end of a tube or sleeve 24 for holding the innerend of a piece of lead 25. The outer end of the lead holding sleeve 24 is provided with slots 26 to permit gripping of a lead 25 which projects out through the open end of the pencil casing tip 2 as illustrated in Figures 1 and 4.

The operation is as follows:

Vith the pencil parts assembled as illustrated in Figure 1, the lead 25 held by the slotted lead holding sleeve 24 is positioned with the Writing end thereof in the opening of the pencil tip 2. The lead is adapted to be fed outwardly as needed by rotating the cap which in turn causes rotation of the eraser holder 7 and the lead magazine screw 12. Rotation of the screw 12 causes longitudinal sliding movement of the

springs

16 and 17 which frictionally engage the walls of the pencil casing 1 and consequently prevent rotation of the nut with which the screw has threaded engagement. A movement of the nut 15 along the screw is thus effected thereby advancing the plunger 18 and the tube 19 through the casing. The writing end of the lead is thus gradually projected out of the tip 2 as required.

As the lead is used up the longitudinally movable mechanism `gradually advances toward the tip of the pencil when the cap 10 is rotated. The spring 2O holds the sleeve 22 projected as shown in Figure 1. When the flange 23 of the sleeve 22 comes into contact with the inner walls of the tapered tip 2, the longitudinal movement of said sleeve 22 is arrested. lith a continued rotation of the cap 10 the

springs

16 and 17 together with the tube 19 and the plunger 18 continue to advance from the position illustrated in F igure 4 into that of Figure 5. TWhen this occurs the tube 19 telescopes over the sleeve 22 and the plunger 18 slides through the lead holding sleeve 24 thereby automatically forcing the unused stub of the lead 25 out of the slotted sleeve 22 through the open end of the pencil tip 2.

As the stub of lead is ejected by the telescoping action of the tube 19 and the sleeve 22 the spring 20 is compressed against the inner flange 21 of the sleeve 22 and as a result has a. reaction against the

springs

16 and 17 After the discharge of the stub of lead, a continued turning of the cap 10 causes a still further compression of the spring 2O sufficient to automatically force the lead feed mechanism free from engagement with the retaining bead 5 of the resilient clips 4 into the dotted line position of Figure 2.

The lead feed mechanisms are thus released as a unit from the pencil casing 1. The cap 10 is now removed from engagement with the slotted eraser holder 7 thus adording access to the eraser 9 which is pulled out of said holder 7. One of the extra leads 14 in the chamber 13 of the feed screw 12 is thus adapted to be removed and secured in the lead holding sleeve 24. The extra leads remaining in the screw chamber 13 are prevented from falling out by means of the eraser 9 which when in place in the holder 7 acts as a plug or stop for the opening of the chamber 13.

The lead feed mechanisms may now be inserted back into the pencil casing 1 and pushed inwardly forcing the resilient clips 4 outwardly to permit the bead portions 5 thereof to spring into the groove 6 of the eraser holder 7 as illustrated in Figure 1, thereby locking the lead feed mechanism in operating position within the pencil casing.

If desired the pencil may be operated witliout the cap 10 by simply turning the eraser holder 7. When the lead feed mechanisms are released from engagement with the pencil casing 1 the nut portion 15 of the

spring members

16 and 17 has been advanced to the inner end of the feed screw 12. The screw 12 .should therefore be turned in a reverse direction with respect to the nut 15 into the position shown in Figure 1 before the lead feed mechanism is reinserted into the pencil casing.

Attention is directed to the fact that the feed screw 12 may be rotated in one direction to cause further projection of the lead 25 or in an opposite direction tocause retraction of the lead.

I am aware that numerous details of construction of this invention may be varied through a wide range without departing from the principles of this invention and I' therefore do not purpose limiting the patent granted otherwise'than necessitated by the prior art.

I claim as my invention:

l. A pencil comprising a casing, a lead feed unit releasably held therein, and means forming a part of said lead feed unit adapted to coact with said casing to cause release of the lead feed unit from said casing by a movement of the leadV feed mechanism in the lead discharging direction.

2. A pencil comprising a casing, a lead feed unit releasably held therein, and telescoping mechanism carried by said unit and adapted to coact with said casing at the eX# treme `of the lead discharge movement to cause release of said lead feed unit from the casing. v

3. A pencil comprising a casing, a lead feed mechanism operatively and releasably held in said casing, a plunger carried by said lead feed mechanism for advancing the lead, and means supported on said lead feed mechanism adapted to co-act with said casing whereby said lead feed mechanism first discharges the lead and then said lead feed mechanism is released from operative engagement with said casing.

4. A pencil comprising a casing, a lead feed mechanism operatively and releasably held therein, and means adapted to be moved by said lead feed mechanism into engagement' with said casing to cause discharge of the stub of a stick of lead and release of said lead feed mechanism from operative engagement with the casing.

5. A pencil comprising a casing, resilient members frictionally engaged therein, a screw member for advancing the resilient members through the casing, a plunger secured to said resilient members and movable therewith, a tube also secured to said resilient members and enclosing said plunger, a sleeve telescoped in said tube, a spring in said tube for holding the sleeve projected, and a lead holder secured in said sleeve.

6. In a pencil of the class described, the combination with a pencil casing tapered at one end to form a tip, of a lead feeding unit operatively and releasably held in said cas-v ing, and means adapted to be advanced by said lead feeding unit into co-acting relation with the casing tip to first cause discharge of the stub of a stick of lead and then to release said lead feeding unit from Voperative engagement with said casing.

7 A pencil comprising a casing, a lead feed unit therein comprising a first part rotatable with relation to the casing, said casing having means engaging said first part, and a second part normally non-rotatable with relation tothe casing but longitudinally movable ltherein uponrotation of said first part, said' second part vcarrying means adaptedl to coactwith a portion of the casing and cause release of the leady feed unit from said engaging means bya movement of the second part inthe lead discharge direction.

8. A pencil comprising a casing,a lead feed unit thereinfcomprising a first part rotatably associated with the casing, said casing having means engaging said first part and a second part arranged to feed lead longitudinally of said casingluponvrotation of said first part,

and means coacting with said second part and A said casing to cause release ofthe lead feed unit from said engaging'means whenv said second part has substantially reached its limit of lead discharging travel. $9.- In a pencil a casing, a lead feed unit therein comprising a lead feed actuating member rotatably associated with the casing, said casing having means engaging said mem ber and a plunger movable longitudinally in said casing upon rotation of said actuating said Acasing,a lead propeller movable longi tudinally in the casing upon rotation of the actuating member, a release means associated with the propeller and including a fresiliently held release member Vmounted for longitudinalmovement with relation to said propeller, and means carried by the casing for causing longitudinal movement of-said member with relationl to said propeller at sub'- stantially the forward limit of movementof the propeller, so as to cause release ofthe lead feeding parts from the casing and permit their Withdrawal therefrom by a straight lon'- gitudinal pull. Y Y Y f Y 11. Amechanical pencil comprising a casing, a lead feed unit therein, said casing'having means for operatively engaging said unit, and means forming a part of said lead fee'd unitadapted to coact with saidv casing 'and lead feed unit to'cause the release of the lead feed unit-from operative engagement with said casing during the linal projection only of the feeding unit.

12. In a mechanical pencil the combination of a casing, a feed unit removable from the casing for loading, and having a head rotatably engaging the casing, a feed screw carriedby the head, a lead carrier threadedly engaging the screw and carrying a tube enclosing a plunger, a second tube within the first mentioned tube and having a flanged end, a spring coiled in the first tube between you yllo

CTI

the flange and the upper portion of the tube, the second tube having a part adapted to engage a fixed part of the casing during the final projecting of the lead and a lead gripping sleeve carried by the second tube.

13. A mechanical pencil comprising a barrel and a movable lead propelling member operatively engaged by the barrel, said propelling member having telescoping sleeves adapted'to be shifted relatively during the fina-l projecting movement of the propelling member, and means for resisting relative movement of said sleeve whereby said propelling member is released from operative engagement with said casing.

14. A mechanical pencil comprising a barrel and a tip and a movable lead propelling member operatively engaging the barrel, said propelling member having coneentrically disposed tubular members normally maintained yin fixed relation and adapted to be shifted relatively during the feeding movement, and means for resisting relative movement of said sleeve whereby said propelling member is released from operative engagement With said barrel.

15. A pencil comprising a casing, a lead feed actuating member rotatably mounted in said casing, a lead propeller movable longitudinally in the casing upon rotation of the actuating member, means carried by said propeller and movable relative thereto, and means for resisting the movement of said first mentioned means whereby the lead feeding parts are released from said casing upon movement of said actuating member.

16. A pencil comprising a casing, a lead feed actuating member rotatably mounted in said casing, a lead propeller movable longitudinally in the casing upon rotation of the actuating member, means carried by said propeller and movable relative thereto, means for resisting movement of said first mentioned means, and means carried by the casing for causing longitudinal movement of said first mentioned means with relation to said propeller at substantially the forward limit of movement 'of the propeller,so as to cause release of the lead feeding parts from the casL ing and permit their Withdrawal therefrom by a straight longitudinal pull.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name.

MEHR-ALL C. VAIL.