US2216780A - Mechanical pencil - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 8, 1940. H. c'KLAGGES 2,216,780

" v MECHANICAL 'PENCIL Filed Nov, 18, 193'7 3 Sheets-Sheet 3.V

Patented Oct. 8, 1940 PATENT, oFFlc-E MECHANICAL PENCIL Henry C. Klagges, Collingswood, to The Esterbrook Steel Pen N. J., assigner Manufacturing Co., Camden, N. J., a corporation of New Jersey Application November 16 Claims.

My invention relates to mechanical pencils of the type in which lealds,

usually of appreciable length, are automatically fed from a self-con- `tained reservoir into a tubular element, or lead guide,l which may be centrally disposed, and are advanced to writing position through said tubu.

lar element or lead guide step-by-step operations in what may be termed of a movable member operatively associated with means kwithin the pencil casing and cooperating with said tubular element through Which the lead is fed.

One object of my invention is to provide simple and efficient mechanism for advancing the lead to writing position and for locking the lead when so positioned.

A further object of my invention is to provide a mechanical pencil -of the above type with mechaother point for clamping the same after it has been projected to proper writing position.

A further object of my invention is to provide a lead propelling mechanism for pencils wherein the means serving to advance the lead includes a pair of tubular elements concentrically arrangedk with respect to each and in close frictional engagement; each of said tubular elements having a limited movement forward' and backward toward and from the writing end of the pencil, and one ofsaid tubular elements having slight movementindependently of the other, and wherein devices 4are provided so that when said tubular lead feeding means moves forwardthe lead will be moved forward therewith,

feeding means retracts or lead will be held against ment and in the desired writing A further object of my and when said tubular is moved backward, the such retractive moveposition.

invention is to provide lead feeding means ofl the above described type wherein friction devices for clamping the lead are associated with the lead-feeding means and are caused by the movem ent of the lead-feeding means to move alternately to lead-gripping and releasing positions.

A further object of my a mechanical pencil for the leads is part in which a storage of the operating means and invention is to provide in which a continuous passage extends between such storage chamber and the writing end of the Q pencil, with an intern-al frictionally mounted tube for passage of the .le being movable with the age chamber to advance ads: such internal tube tube carried by the storthe lead; cooperating chamber 18, 1937, Serial No. 175,337

(Cl. 1Z0-17) with such latter tube to clamp thelead in writing position, and cooperating with clamping jaws to insure their gripping engagement with the lead at a point above the writing end of the pencil.

A further object of my invention is to provide 5 a pencil of the above type with mechanism including a pair of concentrically arranged recipro- 'caible sleeves or tubes through the central one of which the lead is passed and by which the lead is frictionally gripped at all times and when at rest is further gripped by wedging means, with means for reciprocating the sleeves or tubes and for effecting movement of one with respect to the other, and with clutching jaws s'o mounted as-to be frictionally actuated by the reciprocative movement of the outer sleeve'or tube; such jaws engaging andholding the lead from movement with the sleeves when the latter are retracted, and wherein said jaws are automatically disengaged from the lead when movement is imparted to the sleeves to advance a lead.

A still further object of my invention .is to provide a pencil of the above-mentioned type wherein one of said concentric sleeves or tubes, the inner one, is provided with means for gripping the lead a* all times; to provide means, when said sleeve is at one extreme end of one offits reciprocative movements, to wit: in writing position, to further grip the lead, and further to provide 'means to retard the forward movement of vsaid 30 inner tube or sleeve with respect Ito the outer tube or sleeve.

These and other features 'of my invention are more fully described here after; reference being had to the accompanying drawings, more or less r diagrammatic in character, in which:

Figure 1 is a. view in elevation, partly` in section, of a mechanical pencil within the scope of my invention.

Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation, on a larger scale, 40 i of the forward or writing end of my improved.' pencil, suilicient tofillustrate the lead-feeding and lead-arresting mechanism; the parts being' shown in the position of use with the lead in writing position.

Figs..3, 4 and 5 are diagrammatic views, on a still larger scale, showing steps in the operation y of advancing or feeding the lead. A

Fig. 6 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 2. and. on the same scale, showing the parts inthe advanced position at the end of the lead-feeding movement and before retraction of the parts to leave the lead in the writing position.

Fig. 'I is a cross-sectional view on the line VII-VII. Fig. 2-

.in section,

Figs. 8 andh 9 are cross' sectional views on the lines VIII-VIII and IX-IX, Figs. 6 and 2, re-

spectively. f Figs. 10 and 11 are longitudinal sectional views of the concentrically arranged lead advancing tubes or sleeves, in separated condition, and

s Fig. l2 is a detached perspective view, partly of the sleeve carrying the lead-arresting and clamping jaws or dogs.

The pencil structure includes a casing in which the mechanism is housed; a tubular cap for imparting reciprocative movement to such mechanism and a tip which, in addition to providing the conventional nish for the writing end of the pencil serves to retain the mechanism within the casing.

The tip at the writing end of the pencil casing is tapered and has an opening through which the concentrically arranged lead-carrying tubes or sleeves project; only one of said tubes being visible and such tube having an outer tapered end which conforms to the taper of 'the tip, and having an internally tapered wall which may have a different angle. Within the outer tube or sleeve I provide an inner tube or sleeve with a tapered and split end, and the lead passes through this inner tube and its split end; the outertapered portion of the latter having wedging` engagement with the inner tapered surface of the outer tube. Means are provided for forcing the split end oi the inner tube or sleeve against the inner tapered wall of the outer pro- Jectible tube. or sleeve and lby such arrangement the split end of 4the inner sleeve is caused to grip and hold the lead with respect tothe outer 'tube and in writing position. The outer tube or sleeve is attached to a member whlchis capable of endwise movement within the pencil casing while the inner tube or sleeve frictionally engages the outer tube or sleeve. This movable member has a passage therethrough leading from the magazine or reservoir in which the leads are stored; such passage being aligned with that of the inner tube or sleeve into which such leads pass. The inner sleeve or tube is in frictional engagement with the outer sleeve or tube and such engagement may be increased at its inner end by slitting the same and outwardly expanding the wall portions between such slits. It is also provided with means for frictionally gripping the forward end of the lead, so that when the inner and outer tubes or' sleeves are moved forward the lead, through the frictional engagement therewith, will be moved forward and, with Iboth inner and outer tubes or sleeves, projected' through the tapered tip at the end of the pencil. After the lead is so projected and the tubes or sleeves retract, the inner split tube clamps the lead and holds it'in writing position. Associated with the pair of concentrically arranged tubes or sleeves are gripping or clamping means whichserve to clamp or grip the lead and hold it in the advanced position after .the tubes or sleeves start to retract, so that in such reti-active movement'the inner sleeve or tube can move along the lead to permit its split end to get a new frictional grip thereon whereby, when the concentrically arranged tubes or sleeves are again moved forward, an additional portion i of lead will be carried with them and together projected from the tapered end of the pencil casing l i ln the pencil mechanism illustrated in the draw ings, 2i represents the outer shell or casing, and

22 the tapered tip at the enel of tapered tip end being threaded the same; such at @im for en `frictional engagement with 2,216,780 l gagement with a tubular element 23 having a shoulder 23a which engages a seat 2|l Within the end of the casing, and the tubular element 23 having a threaded projectingend 23b to which the threaded portion 22 of the tapered tip 22 of the pencil is secured. Y

Within the pencil casing I provide a shell 25, which provides a lead reservoir and may be connected in any suitable mannerwwith a tubular member 26 at its lower end@ and between a shoulder 2E ofsaid element 26 and the member 23 at the lower end of the casing, a coiled expansion spring 21 is arranged. The shell 25 may be provided with a shoulder 25a, and a screwring 2|b adapted to the pencil casing serves to position said shell 25 centrally within the outer casing 2i during movements against the tension of the coiled spring 2L The tubular member 2t which forms the bottom of the lead reservoir is provided with a plurality of bores indicated at 25h and 25C; the bore 25b forming part of the lead guide while the lower bore 26 is larger and may be internally threaded for the reception of the threaded end of a sleeve or tube 3B, which extends to and through the tapered tip 22, and whose outer end is preferably tapered at the same angle as said tip. In lieu of a threaded connection for these parts, they may be secured together by a force rit, or otherwise. I

Concentrically mounted with respect to the outer tube or sleeve 3Q, is an inner tube or sleeve 3i, which may be said to float within said outer tube or sleeve; said inner tube having both ends split to provide ngers and providing a continuation of the lead guide 25h of the member 213. The lower split end of theinternal sleeve or tube Si, indicated at Si, is slightly tapered and lies in engagement with the inner tapered wall of the end of the outer sleeve or tube 30, when the parts are in the writing position.` The fingers at the upper split end of the inner tube or sleeve 3l,

indicated at 3lb, may be expanded to a slight ex-V The tubularme'mber 23 is bored, preferably centrally of the seme, for the passage of the sleeves or tubes 30 and 3|, and this member is additionally bored to provide an internal annular beveled outer surfaces of a' pairof resilient clamp- -shoulder 23c to form camming contact with the ing or gripping jaws or dogs 35, carried by spring ingers 35a forming part of a sleeve 36 which surrounds the outer sleeve or tube 30; such jaws being positioned so Aas to automatically spring apart when released from camming contact with said shoulder 23. 'I'he sleeve 35 is internally bored in two diameters; the larger bore providing the spring fingers carryingthe jaws or dogs 35, and a slightly smaller bore forming walls 36a flanking the spring ilngers, which walls are in said outer tube or sleeve 30 so that when the latter is moved, the

Asleeve 36 moves with it. Additiouallmthe inner surfaces of the gripping jaws or dogs may be notched for better engagement with the lead when brought into engagement with the same to arrest its rearward movement as the tubes 30 and .3i are retracted by the spring 21 upon release of pressure upon the means serving to impart longitudinal movement to the internally disposed operating mechanism.

lThe tip 22 is provided with an internal shoulder 22b which serves as an abutment to limit moveforming a closure for the lead reservoir, and such ment of the sleeve'36, in one direction, that is to say, when the internal operating mechanism is advanced to move the tubes 30 and 3|, and whereby the lead may be carried forward by the inner sleeve or tube 3|, said sleeve 36 moves with the outer tube 30 until its movement is arrested by the shoulder 22", while the outer tube 30 with the internal tube 3| continue movement totheir limit.

The .tubes 30 and 3| are slotted at 30 and 3|", respectively, for th gripping jaws 35; the slots of the inner tube 3| having squared upper ends 3|d to engage the upper ends of said jaws which thereby serve as abutments to limit the movement of the inner tube, and when this stage is reached, the inner tube halts while the outer tube continues its` limited movement.' In the present instance the lower reduced end 26 of the tubular member 26 engages the reduced upper end 23'l of the tubular member 23, on the inner tube and all danger of deforming the spring fingers carrying the jaws 35. This extra movement of the outer tube with respect to the inner tube is slight and its extent is indicated in Figs. 5 and 6, wherein it will be noted that its outer tapered end 30. has moved beyond the clamping fingers at the-end 3 `of the-inner tube 3|; the engagement of.thesame with the lead halting thelatter in the position indicated.

The upper end of the reservoir shell is preferably enclosed by a tubular cap or member 40 which serves as the operating element and when of composition material it may have an inner liner or sleeve of metal, as indicated at 4|to insure proper engagement with the upper end of the reservoir shell. This shell may carry a plug plug may carry an eraser, indicated at I2.

Operation of pencil to effect feeding of the lead Considering the lead actuating mechanism in the position indicated inA Figs. 2 and 3, where the lead is in the writing position, it will be observed that, as the outer tube 30 is' positively connected with the tubular member 23 forming the bottom of the lead reservoir, the-retracted position of said member under the influence of the coiled spring 21, holds said tube 30 in the retracted position, with its internal tapered end wall in engagement with the tapered portion of the split end 3|l of the inner tube 3| which, in turn, has the lower end walls 3|e of its slots 3|e in engagement Vwith the under side of the gripping jaws which, in turn, have their cam faces engaged by the shoulder 23c of the intermediate bore of the member 23 mounted-in the lower part of the pencil casing. It will be apparent, therefore, that the lead is now held between the conning jaws at the end 3|'of the inner tube or sle'eve 3| and by the gripping jaws 35 and, by reason of the fact that'the cam faces of the gripping jaws and the cam faces of the inner tapered surface lat the end of the outer tube or sleeve 30 are at the same angle, there is no unequal pressure upon the lead and it is held at the separated points indicated.

As noted, the rear or upper end of the inner tube or sleeve 3| is in close frictional engagement with the inner end of the outer tube 30 fixed to the member 26, hence, in the initial movement of said member 26 and the outer tube 30, the inner tube dicated in Fig. 4, and the position of these tubes withA respect to each otheris the same at the end of such partial movement as it is when the lead is in the writing position as indicated in Figs. 2

thus avoiding pressure 3| moves withv said outer tube without.A change in their relative position; a' .condition ini tubes telescopically tudinally of the casing for supporting and proand 3. In like manner, the sleeve 36 carrying the gripping jaws 35 is in frlctional engagement with the outer tube 30 and moves with it and by reason of the resiliency of said jaws and their inherent tendency to spring outwardly, their longitudinal movement with the tube 30 carriesthem away from engagement with the shoulder 23c of the member 23;r thereby releasing the lead which isl the clamping jaws at the forcarried forward by ward end 3| of the inner tube or sleeve 3|.

Upon further movement of the actuating mechanism, the lower end of the sleeve 36 comes to rest against the abutment formed by the shoulder 22b in the tip 22, and upon stillfurther movement, the inner or upper end walls 3|d'of the slots 3|c of the inner tube 3| engage the upper ends of the fingers 35, thereby arresting the movement of the inner tube and the lead irictionally held in the tapered split end 3|* of the same. Continued movement of the actuating mechanism moves the outer tube 30 with relation to the arrested inner tube 3|; s'uch movement carrying the tapered inat suchend only, at the termination of one complete forward movement of the actuating mecha- From the foregoing description,` therefore, it will be seen that in the initial part of the movement-for effecting feed of the lead, the outer tube 30; the inner tube 3|; the lead, and the sleeve 36 carrying the gripping jaws 35, move together for a short period; then, as the operative movement continues, the motion of the sleeve` 36 is arrested by the abutment the tip 22; and following this the motion of the inner tube and the lead stops while the movement of the outer` tube continues to a vpredetermined stop. Upon release of the actuating mechanism and its retraction by the spring 21, the sleeve 36 carrying the jaws 35 is carried back by its frictionalfengagement with the'outer tube 30 which brings said jaws into engagement with the shoulder 23c of the member 23; such engagement causing said jaws to move into gripping contact with the lead and arrest its movement. As the retractive -movement continues, the outer tube 30 carries the inner` tube 3| back or inwardly by reason of its `frictional engagement therewith at the inner or upper end; flexed end 3 |a over the lead; such'inner tube coming to rest when thelower end walls 3 |e of its slots 3 abut the under surface of the gripping jaws or dogs 35. Upon further retractive movement, the

. outer -tube 30 slides over the inner tube 3| and finally comes to rest when the internal tapered wall at the end of the same abuts the tapered end 3|* of the inner tube and locks the'end of the leadA therein. The lead will now be in a preferred embodiment of my improved pencil understood that modificamechanism, it will be tions may be made therein with the scope of my invention, all of which is deemed to be within Ithe terms of the appended claims.

I claim: v

l. A mechanical pencil comprising a casing, reciprocating means associated therewith including a' plurality of concentrically arranged mounted and movable longiformed by the shoulder- 22h in moving the jaws at its tapered tinuous with the pelling the lead; one of said tubes being conreciprocating means and arranged for movement with respect to the other, and devices carried by the endsof said tubes for clamping said lead adjacent the writing point of the pencil when said propelling means is at one extreme end of its movement.

2. A mechanical pencil comprising` a casing, a tapered tip at one end of the same, reciprocating means associated therewith includinga plurality of concentrically arranged tubes telesco'pically mounted and movable longitudinally ofthe casing 'and projectingthrough said tip for supporting and propelling the lead; one of said tubes being continuous with the reciprocatsng means and arranged for movement with respect .to the other, and devices carried by the ends of said tubes for clamping said lead adjacent the writing point of the pencil when said propelling means is at one extreme end of its movement.

3. A mechanical pencil.compr,ising a casing, reciprocating means associated therewith including a plurality of concentricallyk arranged tubes telescopically mounted and movable longitudinally of the casing :for supporting and p-ropelling the lead; one of said' tubes being continuous with the reciprocating means and movable wth and'independently of the other, and de. .vices carried by the ends of said tubes for clampingA said lead adjacent the writing point oi the pencil when said propelling means is at one eX- treme end of its movement.

4. A mechanical pencil including a casing through which a section of lead is guided, a

tubular member slidable within'the casing and having a tapered end portion projecting through the same; said tapered end portion having a tapered bore, a tube Within said first-named tubular member and forming portion oi a lead passage; said internal tube having a plurality of tapered gripping fingers, means for holding said gripping fingers against the tapered bore4 of the first-named tubular member to grip said lead at the writing end of the pencil; said internal tube being in frietional engagement with the iirst-named tubularmember, and means for reciprocating said tubular members. 'a

5. A mechanical pencil including a casing havingatip at its lower end through which a section of lead is guided, a tubular member reciprocable within the casing and having a. tapered portion projecting through said tip, said tapered portion having a tapered bore, a tube Within; said mst-namedtubular member and forming part of a lead guiding tube; said internal tube being in frictional engagement with the outer tubular member and having a plurality of tapered gripping fingers, means for holding said gripping iingers against the tapered bore of the rst-named tubular member to grip said lead at the writing end of the pencil, a sleeve slidably mounted on said outer tubular member and in frictional engagement therewith; said sleeve carrying a pair of resilient gripping jaws for contact with the lead and the inner and outer tubular members being slotted for the passage of said jaws, 'and means for holding said jaws in engagement with the lead when the latter is projected through the internal tube and is disposed in writing position.

6. A mechanical pencil including a. casing having a tip at lts lower end through which a section of lead is guided, a tubular member reered portion projecting -the lead gripped through said tip; saidA aeicjreo tapered gripping fingers, means for holding said gripping fingers against the tapered bore of the first-named tubular member to grip said lead at the Writing end of the pencil; a sleeve slidably mounted on said outer tubular member and in frlctional engagement therewith; said sleeve carrying a pair of resilient gripping jaws for contact with the lead and, the tubular members being slotted for the passagefof said jaws, means for holding said jaws in engagement with the lead when the latter is disposedin writing'position, and means for limiting feeding movement of said internal tube with respect to the outer tubular member.

Y '7. In a mechanical pencil, the combination of a casing, a tubular member -tting one end of the same and associated lwith a tapered tip, a re- `ciprocable shell within the casing affording a compartment for storing leads, a tubular member carried by said shell and having a lead passage, a tube secured to the last-named tubular member and vprojecting through said tip, an inner tube concentrically mounted with respect to the nist-named tube and providing a lead passage substantially continuous with that of the tubular member; the lower end of Said inner tube being split to provide clamping fingers ferI the lead adjacent the writing end oi the pencil and the upper end of said tube being split for frictional engagement with the inner wall of the outer tube; each of said tubes having oppositely disposed slots in their walls, resilient gripping iingers disposed in said slots adjacent to the path of the lead, a sleeve carrying said'gripping fingers and in frictional engagement with the outer tube; the latter having tapered inner walls at its outer end to engage the tapered gripping ngers of the inner tube through which the lead passes and hold them in` clamping engagement' with the lead;4 resilient means for holding the parts with in the writing position; movement of the reciprocable shell carrying the outer tube against the action of said resilient means rst eiecting movement of the outer tube together with the inner tube and later eil'ecting further .movement of the outer tube in relation to the inner tube, and means effective on retraction of the outer tube to bring said resilient gripping jaws into engagement with the lead to halt thesame in a projected position and permit' the arranged tubular parts are i'urther retracted.

8. In a mechanical pencil, the combination of a casing, a tubular member fitting one`end of the same. a tip engaging said tubular member and confining the same to the casing, a shell l reciprocably mounted within the casing and affording a compartment for storing leads, a. tubular member closing the end oi' said compartment and having a lead passage, a tube secured -to said tubular member and projecting through the tip at the end oi.' the casing, an innertube concentrically mounted with respect to the first-mentioned tube and providing a lead lpassage substantially continuous with that of the tubular member; the lower vend of said inner tube being split toA provide clampingnngers for the lead adjacent the writing end of the pencil and the upper end of said tube being split for frictional engagement withV the inner wall of the outer and first-mentioned tube; each of said concentrically arranged tubes having oppositely -disposed slots in their walls, resilient gripping lingers adapted to pass throughsaid slots and having engaging faces aracent to the path ofthe lead, a sleeve in frictional engagement with the outer tube and carryingsaid gripping lingers; said outer tube having tapered inner walls adjacent its outer end adapted to engage the tapered gripping fingers of the inner tube through which the lead passes and-hold them in clamping engagement with the lead, a spring for holding the parts with the lead grippedinthe writing position; movement of the 'lead-storage chamber carrying the outer tube against the' action of said spring first effecting movement of the outer tube together with the inner tube and later eecting further movement of the outer tube in relation to the inner tube, means effective on retractive movement `of the outer tube to bring said resilient gripping jaws into engagement with the lead to halt the same in the projected position and permit the inner tube to ride up on the same as the concentrically arranged tubular parts are retracted by the spring, and means for limiting forward movement of the sleeve carrying the gripping jaws.

9. In'a mechanical pencil, the combination of a casing, a shellreciprocably mounted within the casing and aiording a compartment for storing leads, a tubular member closing the end of said compartment and having a lead passage, a tube secured to said tubular member and pro- `iecting through the end of the casing, an innery tube concentrically mounted with respect to the `fusti-mentioned' tube and providing a lead passage substantially continuous with that of the tubular member; the lower end of said inner tube being split to provide clamping fingers for the' lead and the upper end of said inner tube being split for frictional engagement with the inner wall of the outer andrst-mentioned tube; each of said concentrically arranged tubes having ppositely disposed slots in their walls, resilient gripping ngers adapted to pass throughd said slots and havingengagin'g faces adjacent to the of the lead; a sleeve in frictional' engagement with the outer tube and carrying said gripping lingers; said outer tube having tapered inner walls adjacent its outer end adapted to engage the tapered .gripping lingers of the inner tube through which the lead `passes and hold them in clamping engagement with the lead, a spring for holding the parts with the lead gripped in the writing position; movement of the lead-storage chamber carrying the outer tube against the action of said spring ilrst effecting movement of the outer tube together with the inner tube and later effecting further movement of the outer tube in relation to the inner tube; and means .effective on retractive movement of the outer tube to bring said resilient gripping -Jaws into engagement with the lead to halt the same in the projected position and permit the inner tube to ride up on the same as the concentricaliy arranged tubular parts are retracted by the spring, the end walls oi' the slots of said inner tube engaging the gripping. Jaws at each end of the.

reciprocative movements oi.' the latter.

10. A mechanical pencilcomprising'a casing' having an abutment adjacent the writing end'of the same, a reciprocable shell forming a lead A storage compartment within the casing and havthe said ing a tubular extension projecting through casing at the writing tip end of the same;

the influence of said and propelling the lead; one of said cluding aA plurality of being disposed may be effected by reciprocation of the shell, a

spring between the casing abutment and the reciprocableshell to eiect movement ofthe latter in one direction; movement in the opposite direction being effected manually, cooperating parts carried by the tube within the tubular extension to eiec't movement of the lead upon.

imparting movement tothe shell; said parts under the influence of the spring locking the lead within the inner tube at the end of the tubular extension, and means movable with the tubular extension for holding the lead against retractive ,movement as thetubular extension and inner tube are retracted after the lead has been fed forward by said inner tube.

ll. A mechanical pencil comprising a casing having a tubular member tting the bore of the same adjacent the writing end thereof and forming an abutment, a reciprocable shell forming al lead storage compartment within the opposite end of the sion passing through said -tubular member; said reciprocable shell vhaving a lead passage, a tube within said tubular extension and in irictional engagement therewith whereby joint movement of said parts may be effected by reciprocation ot the shell; 'said inner tube forming acontinuationof the lead passage, a spring between the tubular member abutment tting the bore of the casing and the reciprocable shell to effect movement of the latter in one direction; .movement in the opposite` direction being effected manually, co-

- operating tapered'parts carried by t'the inner tube to effect movement of the lead upon imparting movement to'the shell; said -parts under the iniluence of the spring locking tapered end of the inner tube at the `end of the extension which has a tapered cooperating surface and means movable with the tubular extension for lholding the lead against retractive movement as the tubular extension and 'inner tube are retracted after the lead has been fed forward by said inner tube; v y

l2. A mechanical pencil comprising a casing, a reciprocating member associated therewith including a plurality of concentrically arranged tubes movable longitudinally of the casing under reciprocatingmember for supporting tubes being connected to the reciprocating mem-- ber for direct movement thereby and the other being disposed internally of the first-mentioned tube and having movement with and independently thereof, and cooperative means carried by said tubes for clamping the lead adjacent to the casing and having -a tubular exten-v the lead within the writing point thereof when said propelling means is at oneA extreme end of its movement.

13. A mechanical pencil comprising a casing, a. reciprocating member associated therewith. in-

eoncentrically arranged tubes movable longitudinally of the casing under the innuence of said reciprocating member for supporting and propelling the lead; one of said tubes being connected to the reciprocating'member for direct movement thereby and the other internally of the first-mentioned tube and having movment with and independently thereof, cooperative means carried by said' u tubes for clamping the lead adjacent to the writing point thereof when said propelling means is at one extremeend of its movement; said propelling means being manually actuated in one.

direction, and' a spring for returning said propeiling means and causing the cooperative tube parts to grip 'the lead. v

` 14. A mechanical pencil comprising a casing,

` a reciprocating member associated therewith including a plurality of concentrically arranged tubes movable longitudinally of the casing'under the influence of said reciprocating member for supporting and propelling the lead; one of said' tubes being connected to the reciprocating member for direct movement thereby and the other being disposed internally of the flrstmentioned tube and having movement with and independently thereof, cooperative means carried by said tbes for clamping the lead adjacent to the writing point thereof when said propelling `means is at one extreme end of its movement, and a sleeve slidably mounted on the tube connected to the reciprocating member and in frictional engagebeing disposed internally of the first-mentioned tube and having movement with and independently thereof, cooperative means carried by said tubes for clamping the le'ad adjacent to the writing point thereof when said propelling means is at one extreme end of its movement, a sleeve slidably mounted on the tube connected to the reciprocating member and in frictional engagement therewith; said sleeve carrying a pair of resilient gripping jaws for contact with the lead at a point remote from the writing tip end of the pencil andthe innerand outer tubes being slot-V ted for the passage of saidljaws; said lead-propelling means being manually actuated ,in one direction, and a spring for returning said propelling means and causing the cooperative tube parts and said gripping jaws to grip the lead;

the engagement by said jaws being in advance 'y of the clamping action of the cooperating tube parts. l

16. A mechanical pencil comprising a casing,

reciprocating means associated therewith .in-

cluding a plurality of concentrically arranged tubes telescopically mounted and movable 1ongitudinally of the casing for supporting and propelling the lead; one of said tubes being contin' uous `Yrwith the reciprocating means and movable with and independently ofthe other, and co' operative `devices carried by the ends\of said tubes for clamping the lead adjacent the writing' point oi the pencil when said propelling means is at one extreme end of its movement; the devices oi' the inner tube maintaining constant frictional engagement with the lead.

. HENRY C. KLAGGES.

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