US2243109A - Mechanical pencil - Google Patents

Description

May 27, 1941. J. P. LYNN MECHANICAL PENCIL Filed April 29, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

May 27, 1941. LYNN MECHANICAL PEN IL Filed April 29, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented a -27, v1941.

creams MECHANICAL HINGE John P. Lynn, Chicago, Ill... assignor to Dar-- Lite Pencil Company, Melrose Park, Iii, a corporation of Delaware ap STATES PATENT FFlE 1 Application April 29, 194e, Serial No. 332,255

(at. Nil-17) 32 Claims.

This invention relates to mechanical pencils, and more particularly to the type of pencil which employs reciprocably operable lead feeding mechanism which acts to advance the lead by a step by step movement.

It is an object of this invention to provide an improved mechanical pencil which is so constructed that certain of the difficulties, which have been heretofore encountered in the operation and use of pencils of this type. are eliminated.

A further object of this invention is to provide a mechanical pencil which not only per-- forms more satisfactorily in use but also is of a simplified and improved construction and is one,

the parts of which are capable of being manufactured by less expensive manufacturing operations and are capable of being more readily assembled at a reduced cost.

As a feature of this last stated object, the pencil of this invention is so designed. and constructed that the high degree of precision which has heretofore-been essential in the construction and assembly of the parts for the production of a commercial pencil, is materially reduced, with the result that the construction of this invention may be made by the usual operating methods :now

in vogue in the pencil industry generally, without incurring the danger of producing pencils which are inoperative or which operate imperfectly.

These and other objects are contemplated for this invention, as will be apparent from the more detailed description of the construction, operation and advantages of the illustrative examples hereinafter more fully'set forth.

Many attempts have been made in the past to produce a satisfactory commercial pencil employing reciprocable mechanism for feeding the lead by a step by step movement. However, due to the inherent characteristics of this type of feeding mechanism. certain mechanical deflciencies inevitably have been encountered, with the result that pencils of this type have not attained the success which their theoretical facility of operation merits. I The fundamental and practical difliculty which has been encounmovement of the clutch, and to promptly and definitely disengage the lead at the extreme lower position of the clutch. Furthermore, the clutch. is required to return to its original retracted position while in a disengaged condition and with- -out liability of engaging or frictionally contacting the lead in any manner which might result in the unwanted retraction of the already advanced lead, or the retraction of "the'following lead which has not yet become engaged in the tip orifice. This action of the clutch. must take place completely automatically and solely through the operation of the parts and must be caused to occur by a simple reciprocating movement of an actuating member which is usually at the top of the pencil and usually operated by the thumb of-the user.

One of the difliculties heretofore encountered has resided in the inability to produce the necessary automatic clutch operation of the type above described, and this in turn has resulted from the inability to 'provide clutch actuating mechanism which is foolproof and which invariably operates without fail to hold the clutch in lead feeding engagement with the lead for the entire lead-feeding stroke, and to release and to remain out of engagement with the lead for, the entire return stroke of the clutch.

Accordingly, a more specific object of this in vention is to provide a new and improved mesh-- anism involving the clutch and the clutch actuating means which at all times assures the desired and intended operation of the clutch in the manner above described.

In prior constructions, pencils of this type have usually employed a clutch composed of a pluraltered in all pencils of this type is that of proper- 1y aligning the reciprocal parts in the manner necessary to'the proper and timely engagement and release of a lead feeding clutch. Pencils of this type have usually employed a clutch which is required to grip the lead when the clutch is I in a retracted position, to remain in gripp relationship therewith throughout the lead feeding ity of clutch fingers having lead-engaging surfaces which are capable of being compressed, by means of a clutch actuating sleeve, into lead gripping engagement. In such instances, the clutch actuating sleeve has been also called upon to maintain the clutch fingers in engagement with the lead during the feeding stroke thereof and, at the completion of the lead feeding stroke,- to release the clutch usually by having its movement arrested by engagement with a stop, whereby to permit the clutch to continue its advancing'movementso as to free itself of the constricting influence'of the sleeve and to permit its disengagement and release of the lead. These prior art mechanisms required the clutch and the sleeve tobe returned to their original positions without, however, permitting the sleeve to assume a position'relative to the clutch, during such return movement, in which the actuating sleeve would exert a constricting influence on the clutch members. If such accidental and unwanted relationship should inadvertently occur, it is apparent that an unwanted retraction of the lead to become broken. Furthermore, the lead must be fed and advanced so that its forward end may be projected through the lead orifice at the extreme tip of the pencil, which requires that the lead feeding mechanism be maintained in alignment with the tip orifice itself. This requirement is all the more difficult of attainment because instead of thelead guide tube leading to and terminating in the tip orifice as in the. conventional mechamcal pencil feed, in this step by step construction the lead leaves the lead tube and clutch and then enters the tip orifice. In other words, there is a gap between the end of the clutch and the tip orifice which is bridged by the lead stick only. That this requirement is extremely demanding is emphasized by the fact that the tip orifice must exert a fricional drag on the lead itself, which necesfitates that the tip orifice have a close engagement with the lead and this fact eliminates any possibility of clearance at the location of the tip orifice. Hence, the alignment must be relatively exact as no oppcrtimity is afforded to provide tolerance by an enlarged orifice at the tip.

In addition to the foregoing, the delicacy of this problem is further evidenced by the fact that the automatic operation of the clutch actuating sleeve and the clutch must depend upon the establish'ment of relatively balanced forces which are required for the operation of the clutch ac,-

Y tuating sleeve during the reciprocatory movement of the clutch feeding mechanism. That is to say, during the lead feeding stroke the force which causesthe clutch sleeve to remain in position and to maintain the clutch in engagement with the-lead must be unimpaired and at the same time sufiicient at all times to prevent the accidental disengagement of the clutch during the feeding stroke. On the other hand, an opposite force must be established which operates to return the clutch sleeve to its original position on the return stroke of the mechanism, which, in turn, must be sufficiently-strong to avoid the liability of the clutch sleeve assuming the unwanted clutch engaging relationship to the clutch. These forces are opposite forces and may be influenced or entirely overcome by unwanted or unintended friction between the parts. or they may be altered or. impaired by dirt, wear or other conditions which maybe met during the normal operationand use of the pencil.

In the past, effort has been made to meet the problem of alignment by providing a multiplicity of aligning surfaces in order to attain accurate alignment of the parts functioning to feed the lead. This method of approach, however, has involved certain additional disadvantases resulting from the fact that perfect alignment of shoes which have made it almost impossible to 'maintain the required balance. of forces upon which the successful operation of the pencil depends. In other words, -slight misalignment oi the engaging surfaces between the stationary pencil parts and the clutch actuatingisleeve'is apt to cause unwanted friction which sometimes entirely overcomes the required operating forces, with the result that in-use' the clutch may either let go of the lead too soon or, on the other hand.

the clutch may engage the lead on the return stroke to cause an unwanted retraction of the lead. Having provided the guiding surfaces and encountered the unwanted frictional disturbances mentioned, some constructions have provided other means, in one instance a latch and in another a return spring, to more securely hold in position a clutch locking member during one or both of its directions of travel. It is obvious that such procedure merely strengthens one of two opposing forces which does not'infallibly solve the problem.

Furthermore, in previous constructions the parts which include, respectively, the stationary surfaces which contact and guide the surfaces of. the reciprocating parts, and the lead orifice, are usually supplied in two or more assembled parts which make it necessary to attempt to align the bores ofthose parts with each other. Consequently, alignment of the reciprocating parts, delicate in itself, has also depended on alignment of guiding surfaces for those parts.

With this understanding of the problems involved in the production of a pencil of this type, it may be stated that a further object of this invention is to provide a mechanical pencil of the step by step feeding type in' which the parts which serve to actuate the .lead are held in and are guided by the tip itself, with the result that the tip, which may be constructed as a single integral member provided with a lead orifice, may be formed by a single machining'operation to provide a single guiding surface in accurate alignment-with the tip orifice, and in which the single guiding surface 'so provided is solely depended upon for aligning and locating the lead feeding mechanism.

Furthermore, it is a feature of this invention to provide for the aligning of the. lead actuating mechanism by a single surface in the tip, as aforesaid, by causing the aligning engagement to take place between the aligning surface and a portion of the lead feeding mechanism which is removed from the clutch as well as the clutch actuating sleeve. or, in other words, a portion which is removed from those parts which must be delicately adjusted and actuated for the automatic clutch operation. This feature results in a construction wherein a clutch and a clutch actuated sleeve are held in the tip in spaced relation to the walls of thebore of the tip, whereby no friction can occur therebetween, nor can the operation thereof be influenced by dirt, wear or other disturbing influence.

Another feature of this invention relates tothe novel construction of clutchand clutch actuatsuch a large number of surfaces'has been impossible without resorting to prohibitive manufacturing'cbstx Furthermore, the use of a multiplicity of aligning surfaces has introduced into the pencil structure unwanted frictional resisting sleeve in which the clutch actuatingsleeve is mounted on and frictionally carried by the clutch itself and at the same time is spaced from the surfaces of the stationary parts ofthe pencil. This feature results in the clutch actuating sleeve at all times being 'carriedin the proper associated relationship with ,the clutch and avoids the necessity for maintaining delicately balanced forces heretofore inherent in this type recess for the lead leading from that portion of the clutch sleeve which engages and actuates the clutch fingers. As a resuit, whenever the clutch sleeve is free to move with the clutch in either direction of travel-that is to say, whenever its movement is not arrested by a positive stop built into the pencil constructionthe sleeve necessarily is caused to'move bodily with the clutch without permitting. any relative movement therebetween such as would result in the imperfect operation of the pencil.

The nature of this invention and the simplicity and utility of its construction, as well as the soundness of the principles employed, will be apparent to those skilled in the art from a study of the illustrative disclosure of the preferred forms thereof illustrated in the accompanying drawings and hereinafter described in detail.

In the drawings- Figure 1 is an enlarged view of a pencil, partly in cross section, constructed in accordance with one preferred embodiment of this invention.

Figure 2 is an enlarged cross sectional view illustrating the tip and operating mechanism of the tip embodied in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure ,2 except that the lead actuating mechanism is in its maximum retracted position instead of the forward lead feeding position as shown in Figure 2.

shank I4 is preferably provided with a cylindrical surface which receives the lower portionof a pencil barrel or body 2|, substantially as shown in Figure 2. The barrel may be formed of any suitable construction but is here illustrated as comprising a metallic lining member 22 and an exterior decorative shell or covering 23. It is apparent, however, that the barrel may be made entirely. of metal or of a non-metallic material as may be desired.

The upper portion of the barrel is provided with an internal bore of relatively large diameter which terminates at its lower end, with an internal tapered surface 24, which, in turn, terminates in a lower cylindrical surface 25 which engages the cylindrical surface 28 on the lower portion of the tip shank. At the base of the tapered surface 24, on the inside of the barrel, a shoulder Figure 4 is an exploded view of various parts 4 constituting the lead feeding mechanism.

Figure 5 is a cross sectional view taken on the line 55 of Figure 2 and looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 6 is a cross sectional view taken on the line 36 of Figure 2 and looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure '7 is an elevational view of the tip and integral shank therefor illustrated in Figure 1.

Figure 8 is a cross sectional view of the tip,

lower portion of the barrel, and lead actuating mechanism of a somewhat modified form of the present invention.

Figure 9 is a cross sectional view of a further modified form of this invention; and

Figure 10 is a still further modification which is similar to the construction shown in Figure 9, with the exception, however, that the body and tip are made integrally in a single piece.

Referring to the drawings, and particularly to Figures 1 to 7 thereof, it will be noted that this illustrative embodiment of the invention comprises a tip 10 having a tapered exterior surface II and a slotted end I2 provided with a tip orifice H in which the lead is frictionally held and through which the lead is projected to writing position. In this form of. the invention, the tip is provided at its upper portion with an upwardis extending. shank [4 provided with screw threads I! for a purpose hereinafter described. The tip and shank are provided with a central bore I 8 preferably, but not necessarily, of cylindrical formation, which communicates at its lower end with a second bore II, as shown in Figure 2. Inasmuch as the cylindrical bore I1 is of less diameter than the bore IS, a stopsh'oulder I8 is provided, for a purpose hereinafter more fully described. The bore l'l preferably terminates at its lower end with converging wall surfaces l9, which provide a funnel-shaped toward the pencil orifice i3.

' tainlng the barrel and the tip of the pencil in 26 is provided which, when the barrel is on the tip, is positioned adjacent the lower portions of with the shoulder 26 on the interior of the barrel, whereby when said nut is screwed up tightly, the barrel is clamped between the end 29 of the nut and the shoulder 30 of the tip located at the base of the shank. It will be apparent that the exterior surface 28 at the base of the shank may be machined in definite concentric relationship to the outside tapered surface of the tip, whereby an accurate alignment'of the tip and tapered portion of the barrel may be readily produced. It should be noted that while alignment of the tip and barrel is desirable for proper exterior appearance of the pencil, precise alignment of the tip and barrel, with respect to their internal surfaces, is not required for proper functioning of the mechanism of this invention.

i The sole necessary guiding influence for the reciprocating parts is within the tip and such parts as extend upward from the tip may be free of guiding influence with the barrel and freed surface contact with the nut 21. It will be apparent that this construction serves to provide a firm holding and clamping means for mainassembied relation and at the same time permits the tip to be removed by merely turning the tiprelative to the pencil barrel. When turns ing the tip on and off of the nut, it is preferable to exert pressure on the nut in maintaining it on the shoulder 26, as hereinafter more fully described, so as to maintain the nut against rotation relative to the barrel, whereby the tip may be screwed on and ofl of the nut as desired.

The upper'portion of the nut 21 is preferably of a special construction, as represented in Figure 2, whereby it serves as a seat for the spring 3| without, however, exerting any guiding influence on the lead guide tube to be presently described. Accordingly, the nut is provided with a central orifice 32 which is of substantially larger diameter than the lead guide tube which passes therethrough, so that no holding or aligning influence is exerted by the nut on the lead guide tube. Furthermore, it is to be noted that the skirt 28 of the nut is somewhat longer than the corresponding threaded portion of the shank The lower portion of the upwardly extending of the tip so that when the nut and the tip are firmly screwjogether in tight holding engagement with the barrel, a' space 33 is provided between the base of the head of the nut and the upper edge of the shank of the tip. The purpose and utility of this space will be described more fully below.

Mounted in the upper end of the barrel is a cylindrical member 34 which may be formed of metal and'which serves as a spare lead magazine. This magazine is preferably provided with a base member 35 which terminates in a downwardly extending portion 36 having an internal thread 31 therein into which is threaded the upper end of the lead guide tube 38. .This base member is preferably provided with a dished upper surface 39 terminating in a slightly'enlarged recess 40 which serves to cause the leads to succesively feed one after the other into the lead guide tube when the pencil is employed in normal operation. The base member is also provided with a shoulder 4i which serves as the upper seat for the spring ill. The base is con-, nected to the magazine 34 by any suitable means, as by crimping in the manner represented at 42.

The magazine is also preferably provided with an inwardly Projecting ridge 43 which serves tohold the spare leads 44 out of close engagement with the walls of the magazine, par-.

ticularly .at the bottom thereof, so as to maintain them in a position which causes them to more readily move into the recess 4| and adjust themselves in aligned position-for automatic feeding into the lead guide tube.

The lead guide tube 38 has a bore capable of receiving lead sticks successively, one after another, and extends downwardly in the manner shown in Figure 2 through the enlarged opening 32 of the nut and projects into the bore. I; of the tip. The lead guide tube is preferably provided with slots at its extreme end which'extend partially up the length thereof so as to constitute a plurality .of clutch fingers. In consequence, the lower end of the lead guide tube is referred to herein as the "clutch" as distinguished from the lead guide tube itself, but it is to be understood that this construction may be formed of two separate parts suitably connected together, or may be formed integrally from a single tube of metal, as herein illustrated.

The clutch fingers at their ends are preferably somewhat thickened, as at 46, andare provided with serrated inner surfaces in the usual manner, whereby good gripping of the lead may be obtained when the clutch fingers are pressed inwardly toward the lead. Furthermore, the

clutch fingers are sprung slightly outwardly whereby their normal tendency is to remain'in a position in which they'are free from engagement with a lead positioned therebetween, but whereby their resiliency is such that the clutch fingers are subject to being compressed inwardly.to eifect the desired gripping of the lead. The thickened portion 45 ofthe clutch fingers are preferably tapered outwardly and downwardly, as shown at 46, for suitable cooperation with the clutch actuating sleeve 41 in a manner hereinafter more fully described.

Mounted within the bore is of the tip is the reciprocating guiding and spacingsleeve 40 which is provided with an external surface 4! fittingwithin the bore It of the tip and an internal surface ll which receives and'locates the lead guide -tubewhereby to maintain the same in proper alignment within the tip bore. The upper poriii ' ing sleeve is moved downwardly to its maximum tion of the guiding and spacing sleeve 44 is pref- 5 l-Il which are clearly shown in Figures 2 and 4, which slots receive the wings "-52 formed at diametrically opposed locations on the exterior of the lead uide tube". Theslots ll-ll are preferably made of a width relative to the thickness of the wings 52-", whereby a slight fric-- tional drag is provided therebe'tween, so that reciprocation of the lead guide tube causes a corresponding reciprocation of the guiding and spacing sleeve throughout the extent of its possible travel.

The upper edge of theguiding and spacing sleeve is provided with an outwardly extending shoulder 53 which is adapted to abut the upper edge of the tip shank when theguiding and spaclower position. The upper edges of the shoulders 53 are also adapted to engage the underside of the nut 21 when the guiding and spacing sleeve is moved through the space to its maximum upward position. The lower end of the guiding and spacing sleeve is preferably, but not necessarily, provided with a conical recess 54 which is adapted to receive and center the clutch actuating sleeve 41 when the latter is in engagement therewith, by cooperation with the conical tapered uppe edge II of the clutch actuating-sleeve 41. These conical surfaces are formed at such an angle that no wedging action between-these I parts can occur.

As clearly shown in Figures 2 and 3, the clutch and clutch actuating sleeve assembly which ishere illustrated comprises a clutch, actuating sleeve 41 formed at its upper end with'a cylindrical surface it which has an internal diameter substantially the same as that of the lead guide tube. The remaining portion of the clutch actuating sleeve is provided with an enlarged bore 51 which provides clearance for the expansion of ,the clutch fingers under their inherent resiliency when the clutch sleeve is moved upwardly relative to the clutch. The lower portion of the bore 5'! terminates in an outwardly flaring tapered surface 58 which is given an angularity' corresponding to that of the. outwardly tapering surfaces 46 of the clutch fingers, whereby when the clutch is moved into the clutch actuating sleeve these surfaces come into engagement and, through their wedging action, exert'a constricting influence on the clutch fingers to cause the spring fingers to grip the. lead. The tapered surfaces 46 and II are so formed as to exert a definite tendency on the clutch actuating sleeve to maintain the clutch fingers in compressed or clutching engagement throughout the entire downward stroke, or, in other words, until the clutch actuating sleeve is definitelyv and positively removed from its constricting relationship to the clutch fingers by means of its engagement with the stop shoulder II in 'the bore of the tip. It is to be particularly noted that the clutch actuating sleeve 41 has an external diameter substantially lea than the diameter of the bore of the tip in which it is disposed, whereby the clutch actuating sleeve is free to reciprocate within the tip without deriving any alignment from the tip bore and without having any frictional engagement therewith. Furthermore, the clearance is suillcient to avoid any such engagement or interference due to the presence of dirt or other foreign particles.

It is also to be observed (see Figure 3) that when the lead feeding mechanism is' inits maximum retracted position, the clutch fingers 4| are in gripping engagement by virtue of the fact that they have been moved upwardly into the bore 51 of the clutch actuating sleeve and that the upper end of the clutch actuating sleeve has, in turn, been moved into the conical recess 54 of the guiding-and'spacing sleeve 48, and that all of these parts have been brought to rest by virtue of the fact that the collar 53 at the upper end of the guiding and spacing sleeve has been brought into abutment with the lower surface of the nut 21. t

With the parts so related, further upward movement thereof is prevented and the tension of the spring 3|, which is tending to urge the parts further upwardly, is exerted through the various abutting and wedging surfaces to hold the clutch fingers in intimate and firm gripping relationship on the lead.v On the other hand, when the lead guide tube is thrust downwardly by virtue of a propelling thrust being applied to the lead magazine from'the upper end of the pencil,

the initial downward movement of the lead guide tube causes the guiding and spacing sleeve 48 to move bodily with it through the frictional dragging action of the wings 5252 in the slots 5 l-'5l.

As a consequence, the forward movement of the lead guide tube causes its own bearing and supporting member to be moved forward with it so as to eliminate the otherwise unavoidable 'necessity of causing the lead guide tube to project beyond its bearing surface an increased amount. By virtueof this construction, an accurate and satisfactory alignment of the lead guide tube is maintained through the instrumentality of' a engagement with the bottom of the slots and all downward movement is finally arrested.

At this point, however, the downward movement of the clutch. beyond that of the clutch actuating sleeve 41, is sufiicient to release the clutch fingers from the constricting influence of the clutch actuating sleeve, whereby the clutch fingers, through their inherent resilience, are

free to move outwardly within the clearance 51 of the clutch actuating sleeve and to thus disengage the lead so as to be entirely free therefrom It is to be particularly noted that upon 'the release of-the clutch fingers from engagement with the lower surface 58 of the clutch actuating sleeve, that the clutch fingers are free to spring outwardly by their inherent resilience and that inasmuch as the friction surface It at the upper portion of the clutch actuating sleeve engages the clutch at a point below the upper extremity of the slots between'the fingers, the outward movement of the fingers causes a positi've-spring frictional gripping action to occurbetween the upper portion of the'clutch member and the friction surface 56 of the clutch actuating sleeve. This positive spring frictional grip binds and holds the clutch actuating sleeve in that position relative to the clutch which it occupies at the time theclutch releases the lead, or. in-other words, in the position illustrated in Figure 2, whereupon, by an upward movement of the parts, the return movement of the lead guide tube and clutch immediately exerts a corresponding return movement on the clutch actuating sleeve, with the result that the single guiding bearing surface which is mounted in the tip itself and which, through reciprocation,

is enabled to guide and support the lead quide tube throughout a greater portion of its length than would otherwise be possible. Furthermore, the reciprocating guiding and spacing sleeve avoids the necessity of an unduly long guiding and bearing surface such'as would otherwise project downwardly into the tip an amount which would interfere with the intended and desired operation of the clutch actuating sleeve.

It will be apparent that upon the continued downward movement of the lead guide tube. after the same has traveled a distance equal to the space 33 between the base of the nut and the top of the tip shank, the shoulder 53'on the upper edge of the guiding and spacing sleeve 48 will abut and be arrested by the upper edge of the tip shank. At the time this occurs, however, the wings 5252 of the lead guide tube are spaced somewhat above the base of the slots 55 5l-5l, whereby the lead guide tube with its wings is free to continue its downward movement, notwithstanding the fact that the guid ingand spacing sleeve has come to rest. Before same is moved upwardly at the same rate, with the avoidance of any accidental clutching engagement between the clutch fingers and the lower end clutch actuating sleeve. In consequence, the clutch fingers'are maintained in disengaged relationship to the lead throughout its entire upward movement, or, in other words, until such time as the guiding and spacing sleeve 48 abuts the lower portion of the nut and the upper end of the clutch actuating sleeve abuts the lower portion of theguiding and spacing sleeve. When the parts have .been so arrested, the clutch fingers, through their continued return movement, are once more forced into the lower portion of the clutch actuating sleeve to again effect and maintain a firm gripping action on the lead whereby the parts are in proper position for the next feeding stroke.

the wings reach the base of the slots, however, 69

continued downward movement of the lead guide tube next causes the base of the clutch actuating sleeve 41 to abut against and be stopped by the stop shoulder la within the bore of the tip, so that the clutch actuating sleeve is caused to remain stationary during the final downward movement of the lead guide tube and the clutch. The stopping of the clutch-actuating sleeve also occurs before the wings on thelead guide tube reach the bottom of the slots 5I 5 so that the lead guide tube is free to undergo a further downward movement which ultimately brings the a It will further be noted that" ing sleeve is free from guiding relationship with It will be noted particularly \that the clutch actuating sleeve of this invention affords an entirely automatic and foolproof device for causing a gripping and release between the clutch and the lead in a positive, satisfactory manner as required for pencils of this type. r

the clutch actuatthe bore of the tip or any other stationary part of the pencil, but on. the contrary, that it is free to travel with the lead guide tube throughout the extent ofits movement and is maintained in operative position thereon by a spring frictional grip which exerts a positive holding action both on the downward and return strokes.

It will further be noted that the spacing and guiding sleeve 48 serves as the sole guiding 'means for the reciprocating lead feeding parts, and

. that this sleeve is located within the tip itself parts to their final advanced position shown in Figure 2, in which position the wings are in spect to the tip.

and is given-an increased guiding influence by virtue. of its reciprocatory movement with re- It is to be understood that the upper end of the pencil mechanism is .held in position within the upper portion of the barrel of the pencil by the lead magazine is removed from the tip the maximum possible distance, whereby any minute variations that may inadvertently andoccasionally occur may be taken up within the relatively great length therebetween, bending or binding stresses being localized at any one point such as would impair or interfere with the operation of the functioning of the mechanism to feed the lead 'may be accomplished even if the walls of the magazine are out of contact with the walls of the pencil barrel. That is, the magazine portion may float with respect to the inner surface of the barrel without adversely afiecting the m'eeding mechanism. However, for easy location of the cap member 80, which contacts the top of the magazine for actuating the stroke, it is preferablev that the magazine have contact with the pencil barrel.

It will further be noted that by virtue of the employment of a metal lining for the barrel, relatively accurate alignment of 1 the barrel throughout itslength, with respect to the tip, can

' be more readily maintained, which minimizes any difliculty that may otherwise occur through warpa'geor bending of non-metallic barrel parts.

' It is to be understood further'than any suitable cap member 60 may be employed on the upper endof the pencfl, which, for convenience, may be in the'form of an eraser or a finishing cap, and which will have abutting engagement with the lead magazine whereby a downward thrust imparted thereto by the operator may be,-

which will avoid any pencil. Furthermore,'proper-- the tip. The member H is of somewhat modivirtue of its enlarged central opening 32, avoids any contact with the lead Guide tube, whereby the aligning influence of the reciprocable guiding and spacing sleeve is not impaired or interfere'd with, as the lead guide tube is free to assume such position with respect to the nut as may be required for the proper alignment of the lead guide tube with respect to the reciprocating guiding and spacing sleeve.

Referring now to the modification shownin Figure 8, it will be noted that the parts are substantially the same, except that a tip I0 is provided without an upwardly extending shank thereon. However, in addition to the bores I. and II, respectively, in the tip, a third enlarged and threaded bore II is provided which is adapted to receive a holding member H having threads If at the base thereof engaging with the threads of fled construction in that it is of greater length than the nut 2'! and is provided with a shoulder II which engages the tapered surface 14 provided in the barrel 1!. The upper portion of the shoulder 13 forms a seat for the compression spring I. in substantially the same manner as that illustrated in the other modification of the invention. Here, again, however, the member is provided with an enlarged bore 11 which is of a diameter substantially greater than the outside diameter of the lead guide tube I8, whereby the member does not exert any aligning or guiding influence on the lead guide tube. In this form,

in .turn, imparted through the lead magazine to the lead guide tube.

It will also be observed that when no lead is in the pencil, so that the upward movement of the pencil parts is not arrested by the constrict ing and gripping action of the clutch fingers, the parts will be free to move further upwardly only, however, until the wings 5252 will be arrested by engagement with the lower surface abutment of the nut member 21. In this connection it will be noted that the height of the wings is greater than the space between the shoulder I3 of the guiding and spacing sleeve 48 and the lower surface of the nut 21, so that when the wings are arrested by the lower surface of the nut, as above indicated, the wings will not move out of the slots, which would necessitate dismantling the pencil for the reinsertion of the wings in the slots.

In addition to the foregoing, it will be noted that the lead-propelling mechanism may be assembled as a unit and inserted into the barrel of the pencil from the upper end thereof and caused to project from the lower end ofthe bar-- rel so as to readily receive the tip. With the lower end of the mechanism projecting from the 1 barrel, the tip may be placed in proper position,

and when a slight pressure is exerted on the upper end of the mechanism so as to hold the nut 21 in firm engagement with the shoulder",

anchoring member I II.

also, there is a reciprocating guiding and spacing sleeve 19 together with a clutch actuating sleeve 80. The reciprocating guiding and spacing sleeve 19 is guided and aligned entirely by the surfaces It of the tip bore which can be accurately machined with respect to the tip orifice l3 located at the base thereof. Similarly, the clutch actuating sleeve is maintained in the bore of the tip, out of guiding relationship with the surfaces It thereof, so as to function in the manner described in connection with the modification illustrated in Figures 1 to '7, inclusive.

Referring now to the modification illustrated In'Figure 9, it is to be noted that this form of the invention comprises a pencil tip I00 and a pencil barrel lOi which may be assembled in end to end abutment substantially as shown. The pencil tip is provided with a central bore I 02 which communicates at its lower portion with a lower bore I 03 and at its upper end with an enlarged bore I. The bores II! and I03 in this modiflcation are substantially the same as the bores I 6 and II, respectively, of the modification illustrated in Figure 1 and provide therebetween a stop or step as shown. Furthermore, the bore I03 terminates in a tip orifice III! for frictionally engaging the lead as it projects from the tip.

The upper enlarged bore I of the tip is internally threaded and serves to receive a tip This member is prowhich engages the shoulder I provided on the interior of the barrel III. This shoulder is located at the bottom of the bore I" in the barrel, which extends upwardly as shown in the drawings and terminates in an enlarged bore I I0 adjacent the tip thereof.

The lead-propelling mechanism of this modification diflers somewhat in oonstruction from the corresponding mechanism illustrated in Figure l, and yet the essential features of this invention are likewise embodied in this form. Here, however, the lead magazine is provided by means of a cylindrical member ill which is constructed vided with a flange I01 to fit within the bore I09 of the barrel and which is provided at its lower end with a funnel-like or tapering base H2 which leads into the lead guide tube H3. l

The lead guide tube H3 may be formed as an integral part of the lead magazine III or, if

preferred-it may be formed as a separate part and attached thereto by any suitable means. The lead guide tubei i3 extends downwardly and is preferably provided at its lower end with threads 4 by which it is connected to the clutch member H5. Other form of attachment could be employed if desired. a

The outside diameter of the clutch member H5 is slightly larger than the outside diameter of the lead guide tube, whereby a stop shoulder H6 is provided by the upper edge of the clutch. 'I he clutch, it will be noted, is formed from a tubular member which has a reduced outside diameter adjacent its lower portion, as shown at III. Furthermore, it is provided with a plurality of. longitudinal slots 9 which divide the tube into a plurality of resilient gripping fingers,

substantially as in the other modifications. It

will be particularly noted that the slots H9 extend upwardly on the clutch member beyond the upper limit of the reduced portion 1, whereby into the clutch sleeve;

A clutch sleeve I22 is provided, disposed in surrounding relationship to the clutch and with the upper portion of its cylindrical surface in engagement with the surface I20 which consti-. tutes a spring friction grip between the clutch and the clutch sleeve. Byvirtue of the reduced diameter at III on the clutch member, the lower portion of the clutch sleeve is left free from engagement with the clutch when the clutch is projected beyond the clutch sleeve, as when the clutch is pushed to its maximum advanced position. 1n the advanced position, it is to be understood that the inherent resiliency of the clutch fingers causes them to spring outwardly to release their gripping engagement with the lead, while at the same time causing the clutch sleeve 7 It is to be noted that theupper edge Ili of the clutch sleeve comes into abutment with the reciprocating spacing and aligning sleeve I23 when the parts are in the maximum retracted.

position. It will further be noted that thereciprocating spacing and aligning sleeve I23 is brought into abutment with the bottom edge I26 of the tip anchoring member I06 when the parts are in the maximum retracted position.

The upper surface of the flange I01 of the.

' member I06constitutes a seat for the compresto be frictionally gripped at the spring friction surface I20 which remains in engagement with the upper portion of the clutch fingers.

Achacent the upper edge of the clutch is a reciprocating spacing and aligning sleeve I24 which is preferably formed as a split bushing or ring of the construction'shown in the drawings. This ring is provided with a longitudinal slot I24,

which constitutes the split therein, which is oi! sufficient width to permit the ring .to be sprung slightly inwardly so as to cause it to have a constricting frictional engagement with .the exterior of the lead guide tube. lnassembling the pencil,

- the frictional engagement between the reciprocating spacing and aligningsieeve I23 should be greater than any possible friction between the exterior of said sleeve and the interior of the sion spring E21 which is seated at its upper edge on the collar I28, which is preferably provided with a conical upper surface which closely engages the portion il2'of the lead magazine.

'A shoulder I30 is provided at the top of the pencil between the bores I09 andI III of the barrel, which is' adapted to receive the shoulder I8l of the enlarged and I32 of the lead magazine which forms the inward stop for the mechanism when a lead-advancing thrust is applied to the 7 upper end I33 of the pencil.

The upper edge I34 of the clutch mechanism forms a stop limiting the outward movement of the pencilwhen no lead is positioned between the clutch fingers. Normally, the upward movement is arrested by the clutch fingers being wedged into the clutch sleeve and the .parts beingbrought to rest in the positionshown in Figure 9 of the drawings. However, when the inward movement of the clutch fingers is not restricted by a piece of lead, the upward movement can continue for a slight additional amount until the stop 404 is brought to rest by engagement with the under surface of the reciprocat ing spacing and aligning sleeve I20.

In this form, as in the other forms, it is to be noted that the member I06 has an enlarged bore which does not contact or ,exert any aligning influence on the lead guide: tube. Furthermore, the clutch sleeve is out of contact with the bore surface of the tip as well as all other stationary parts of the pencil. The clutch sleeve, on the other hand, is carried frictionaliy by the clutch itself and is held to move therewith in the desired manner by means of a spring frictional gripping action betweenthe interior sm'face of the clutch sleeve and the resilient outwardly sprung clutch fingers. It further will be noted that the entire alignment of the operating mechanism adjacent the tip of the pouch is effected by a single guiding means, the exterior of which is guided in a portion of the tip itself,-whereby it may be accurately aligned with the tip orifice and whereby ,the parts are mounted in a manner to be free from possible misaiigning influences by any other part of the pencil. Furthermore, it is to be v bserved that in this form, asin the other forms, the spacing and aligning member reciprocates, whereby a spacing and aligningrelationshm is maintained between the member I23 and the lead guide tube bore I 02 of the tip.- By this construction, the

reciprocating spacing and aligning sleeve is caused to move with the lead guide tube in both directions of -movement throughout the extent of its possible travel.

throughout a substantial portion of the reciprocation movement. Thus, an unwanted projection of-the'lead guide tube and clutch beyond the spacing and aligning sleeve I20 isavoided.

Referring now. to the modification shown in Figure 10, the internal mechanism is somewhat the same as that illustrated in connection with Figure 9 and accordingly the parts whichare similar have been given corresponding reference numerals. One difference in this formresides in the unitary construction of the tip and barrel which, for identification, is given the numeral I40 on ,the drawings. In this form,I- the entire generally, to a avoids any mechanism be inserted from the open upper end'of the barrel and. by suitable turning movement, is locked therein by the threaded engagement between the threads on the member I and-the threads III in the bore of the pencil body. modification is included as an illustration of the adaptability of this invention,

pencil having a unitary body construction and, therefore, it is to be understood that any of the m shown in the other to illustrate all such possible modifications.

Another difference illustrated in Figure 10, resides in the connection between the upper end of the lead guide tube and the lower end of the lead magazine, which, it will be noted, provides a slight relative transverse movement of the lead guide tube relative to the axis of the lead magazine. This construction permits the lead guide tube to take the exact aligned position which is provided for it by the spacing and aligning sleeve I28 and interference to such alignment by the confining influence of the barrel on the lead magazine, in those instances where the guiding surface of the barrel portion of the body may not be absolutely accurately aligned with the bore-in the. tip portion of the pencil.

, As shown in Figure 10, the lead guide tube may 'beformed of a cylindrical meta1 sleeve I" having a base member Ill therein having adished upper surface and a central orifice I62 somewhat similar to the construction shown in Figures 2 and 3. The cylindrical sleeve I" may be crimped or otherwise attached to the base member, as shown at I53. The base member has a recess I" in its lower portion in which a sleeve I 55 is threaded substantially as. shown in the drawing.

The sleeve is preferably provided with an internal recess I56 adjacent its upper end, whereby to provide a space I" between the shoulder of the sleeve and the inner face-of the recess of the base member iii. The sleeve III is adapted to surround the lead guide tube Ill, but inasmuchas the opening in the sleeve is larger than the external diameter of the lead guide tube, the lead guide tube is free to have slightlateral movement with respect to the sleeve. The lead guide tube is preferably provided with a flange I" at the top thereof which. loosely fits within the space "1, whereby the lead guide tube is disposed in substantial alignment with the orifice I82 in the base member. The upper end of the lead guide tube may taper slightly outwardly to form a funnel-like end whereby the leads will be fed therein without liability of being stopped by the edgeof the lead guide tube.

The orifice II! inthe base member is preferably made slightly larger than otherwise so as to provide the proper feeding action for the leads,-

withstanding the slight displacement of the upper edge of the lead guide tube, as may some: times occur when the pencil is assembled. The flange on the upper end'of the lead guide tube is engaged at top and bottom so that the lead guide tube is held against axial displacement with reof the lead guide tube and the lead magazine is made possible.

It is to be understood be employed which will be equivalent to the means shown, and therefore the invention should be construed as covering all forms which provide for a slight lateral movement between the lead guide tube and thelead magazine.

From the foregoing, it will be observed that the entire alignment of the lead guide tube, clutch and other parts of the mechanism which operate to feed the lead, are guided and aligned entirely by thespacing and aligning sleeve I23, without any interference whatsoever by any other portion of the pencil, including the lead magazine.

It is to be understood that thisconstruction, which provides for a connection between the upper end of the lead guide tube and the base of the lead magazine in a manner which permits slight axial displacement of the lead guide tube,

may be applied to any one or all of the other modifications of this invention as shown in the other figures of the drawings.

'It is to be further understood that the orifice II! in the base member III is tobe provided with a diameter which permits the proper feeding of leads'notwithstanding the slight possible misalignment referred to, but at the same time should not be made so large as to make it possible for two leads to enter the orifice at the same time or otherwise becomes stuck or jammed therein.

It is apparent that in all of these modifications the reciprocating guiding and spacing sleeve can be given any degree of'reciprocation that may be preferred, depending upon the particular operation desired. By way of example, the clutch actuating sleeve 41 in the modification shown in Figures 1 to '7, shortened and the reciprocating guiding and spacing sleeve correspondingly lengthened, whereby the clutch member may be caused to project beyond the guiding and spacing member that other means may the minimum amount, as desired. In this way, the actual guiding andaligning member for the reciprocating parts is brought much closer to .the tip orifice than would otherwise be possible,

.while at the same time avoiding any interference with the novel and improved clutchand clutchactuating assembly which is herein disclosed.

It is to be understood that this invention is not to be limited to the construction disclosed in the accompanying drawings, as other forms and arrangements of parts are contemplated for will be apparent to those this invention, as skilled in this art. It is, therefore; intended to include all forms which are properly equivalents of the illustrated examples and which properly come within the scope of the appended claims.

In view of the fact that the improvements herein disclosed do not depend upon the pencil body being formed of a separable barrel and tip, the invention is not to be limited to such construction. when a it will be defined as such in the claims; and when 'a barrel which is removable from the tip is re- 'ferred to, it will be referred to as a barrel. On the-other hand, in the broader claims which are. intended to include an integrally formed tip and barrel, as well as separable barrel and tip construction, the portions, respectively, will be defined as the "tip portion and the barrel portion" of the. pencil body, which expressions are intended to include the specified'portions, irrespective of whether the pencil body is made in two parts or whether it is made integrally, as illustrated in Figure 10.

What is claimed is:

1. A mechanical pencil, comprising a pencil body having a tip portion and a barrel portion,

inclusive, may be somewhat removable tip is referred to,

, pencil comprising a lead guide tube, lead gripping means mounted for reciprocation with said lead guide tube and an actuating sleeve for said grip-- ping means, and a spacing and aligning sleeve disposed in the body of said pencil having aligning engagement with said lead guide tube and having aligning engagement with said first-- named bore, said lead gripping means and actuating sleeve being disposed for reciprocation in said first-named bore and being spaced from the I interior surface thereof.

2. A mechanical pencil, comprising a pencil body having a tip portion and a barrel portion, said tip portion having a lead orifice at the end thereof and having a guiding bore in proximityto said orifice, the barrel portion of said bodyhaving a bore therein communicating withsaid first-named bore, lead propelling mechanism mounted for reciprocation in, the body of said pencil comprising a lead guide tube, lead gripping means mounted for reciprocation with said lead guide tube and an actuating sleeve for said gripping means, and a spacing and aligning sleeve disposed in the body of said pencil having aligning engagementwlth said lead guide tube and having aligning engagement with said firstnamed bore, said lead gripping means and actuating sleeve being disposed for reciprocation in said first-named bore and being spaced from the interior surface thereof, said spacing and aligning sleeve having frictional engagement with said lead guide tube and being adapted to reciprocate therewith in said first-named bore for a portio of the travel of said lead guide tube.

3.- A mechanical pencil, comprising a barrel and a removable tip, said tip having a lead orifice at the end thereof and having a guiding bore formed therein in proximity to said orifice, a barrel having a bore therein disposed in communication with said bore of said tip when said barrel is held in assembled relationship with said tip, lead propelling mechanism mounted for reciprocation in said barrel and tip comprising a lead guide tube, lead gripping means mounted for reciprocation with said lead guide tube and an actuating sleeve for said gripping means, a spacing and aligning sleeve disposed in said tip having aligning engagement with said lead guide tube and having aligning engagement with the bore in said tip, said lead gripping means actuating sleeve being disposed for reciprocation in said first-named bore and being spaced from bore said tip, said lead gripping means actuating sleeve being disposed for reciprocation in said first-named bore and being spaced from the interior surface thereof, and means for holding said barrel and tip in assembled relation, said spacing and aligning sleeve having frictional engagement with said lead guide tube and being adapted to reciprocate therewith in said firstnamed bore for a portion of the travel of said lead guide tube.

5. A mechanical pencil, comprising a pencil body having a.tip portion and a barrel portion, saidtip portion having a lead orifice at the end thereof and having a guiding bore in proximity to said orifice, the barrel portion of said body having a bore therein communicating with said firstnamed bore, lead propelling mechanism disposed forreciprocationin the body of said pencil comprising a lead guide tube, lead gripping means mounted for reciprocation with said lead guide tubeand an actuating sleeve forsaid gripping means, and a spacing and aligning'sleeve disposed in the body of said pencil having aligning enga ement with said lead guide tube and having aligning engagement with said first-named bore, said lead gripping means and actuating sleeve being disposed for reciprocation in said first-- named bore and being spaced from the interior surface thereof, said clutch having lead gripping portions and a friction surface removed from said lead gripping portions, said clutch actuating sleeve having a portion for actuating said lead gripping portions of said clutch and a friction surface, said friction surface of said clutch and said friction surface of said clutch actuating sleeve being adapted for frictional, gripping .en-

, gagement when said clutch gripping portions are released by said clutch actuating sleeve, whereby said clutch actuating sleeve is retracted by the retracting movement of said clutch.

6. A mechanical pencil, comprising a pencil body having a lead orifice at the tip portion thereof and a bore extending therethrough, lead propelling mechanism mounted for reciprocation in said bore adapted to project the lead through a said orifice, saidlead propelling mechanism comthe interior surface thereof, and means for holding said barrel and tip in assembled relation,

4. A mechanical pencil, comprising a barrel and a removable tip, said tip having a lead orifice at the end thereof and having a guiding bore formed therein in proximity to said orifice, a barrel having a bore therein disposed in communication with said bore of said tip when said barrel is held in assembled relationship with said tip,

lead propelling mechanism mounted for reciprocation in said barrel and tip comprising a lead prising a lead guide tube, a plurality of outwardly sprung lead gripping fingers separated by longitudinal slots and each having a lead-engaging portion, an actuating sleeve for said fingers mounted thereon and having a finger-constricting portion and a friction surface independent of said finger-constricting portion, said friction surface being mounted on said fingers above the lead gripping portions thereof, and said friction surfaceof said actuating sleeve being adapted to be frictionally gripped and carried by said fingers when the finger-constricting portion of said actuating sleeve is out of engagement with said fingers.

'7. In a mechanical pencil, in combination, a tubular barrel, a tubular memberlongitudinalLy reciprocable therein and having a lower portion formed as a slender lead guide tube, a'tip having a bore and a lead orifice concentric therewith, a tip anchoring means in the lower end of the barrel for connecting said tip to said barrel, said tip anchoring means having a bore substantially largerithan the diameter of the lead guide tube which passes therethrough, a spring fingered clutch carried by the lower end of the lead guide tube for reciprocation therewith, a clutch actuating sleeve for said clutch, a longitudinally reciprocable spacing and aligning sleeve for said lead guide tube, said spacing and aligning sleeve being guided solely by the engagement of its outer longi tudinal wall with the inner wall 01' the tip bore,

and the longitudinal walls or the lead guide tube,

the spring fingered clutch and the clutch actuating sleeve being. disposed in spaced relationship with respect to the bore 01' the tip. 4

8. In a mechanical pencil, in combination, a

tubular barrel, a tubular member longitudinally reciprocable therein and having a lower portion formed as a slender lead guide tube, a tip. having a bore and a lead orifice concentric therewith, a tip anchoring means in' the lower end of the barrel for connecting said tip to said barrel, said tip anchoring means having a bore substantially larger than the diameter 01' the lead guide tube which passes therethrough, a spring fingered clutch carried by the lower end' of the lead guide tube for reciprocation therewith, a clutch actuating sleeve for said clutch, and a spacing and aligning sleeve for said lead guide tube 'within the tip and mounted slidably on the lead guide tube lower portion or .the sleeve and being'oi a size to adapt it for constricting the clutch fingers when said sleeve is forced over 'said fingersand for providing clearance ion the 'clutchfingers to spring outwardly when .the clutch actuating sleeve is not in position to constrict the clutch fingers, and the smaller bore being located above the larger bore and being 01' the proximate-size of the tube from which the fingers are termed,

said sleeve being reciprocable between upper and lower stops and in all positions disposed with its smaller bore below the top of said slots, whereby spring frictional contact between said spring fingers and the inner wall 01' the smaller bore of the clutch actuating sleeve is established for holding said sleeve against dislodgment and is exerted in all relative positions of said clutch actuatingsleeve, with respect to said clutch. which are assumed during the operation oi said lead feeding mechanism.

12. A.mechanica1 pencil, comprising a pencil body having a barrel portion and a tip portion, a lead orifice in said tip portion, a bore extending through said barrel and tip portions and communicating with said lead orifice, lead ieeding mechanism mounted in said bore and adapted to ating sleeve being disposed in spaced relationship with respect to the bore of the tip.

9. In a mechanical pencil, in combination, a tubular barrel, a tubular member longitudinally reciprocable therein and having a lower portion formed as a slender lead guide tube, a tip having a bore and alead orifice concentric therewith, a

tip anchoring means in the lower end of the barrel for connecting said tip to said barrel, a spring fingered clutch carried .by the lower end of the lead guide tube for reciprocation therewith, a clutch actuating sleeve,1'or said-clutch, and a longitudinally reciprocable spacing and aligning sleeve for said lead guide tube, said spacing and aligning sleeve being guided solely by the engagement 0! its outer longitudinal wall with the inner wall of the tip bore, and the lon-' gitudinal walls of the lead guide tube, the spring fingered clutch and the clutch actuating sleeve being disposed in spaced relationship with respect to the bore of the tip.

10. In a mechanical pencil, in combination, a tubular barrel, a tubular member longitudinally reciprocable therein and having a lower portion formed as a slender lead guide tube, a tip having a bore and a lead orifice concentric therewith, a tip anchoring means in the lower end oi the barrel for connecting said tip to said barrel, a spring fingered clutch carried by the lower end of the lead guide tube for reciprocation therewith, a clutch actuatingsleeve for said clutch, and a spacing and aligning sleevei'or said lead guide tube within the tip and mounted slidably on the lead guide tube, said spacing'and aligning sleeve being held in alignment solely by engagement of its outer longitudinal wall with the inner wall of the tip bore, and the longitudinal walls' oi the lead guide tube, the spring fingered clutch andthe clutch actuating sleeve being held in spaced relationship withrespect to the bore of the tip.

' 11. In a mechanical pencil, lead feeding mechanism comprising a clutch having spring fingers which normally spring outwardly, said flngers being formed by'slots or substantial length cut longitudinally in a tube, and a clutch actuating sleeve surrounding the clutch for cooperative association with said clutch, said clutch sleeve having two bores, the larger of which being in the reciprocate therein, including a lead guide tube. a clutch and a clutch actuating sleeve, and a sleeve havingspacing and aligning engagement.

with said lead feeding mechanism and mounted for reciprocation in said bore.

13. A mechanical pencil, comprising apencil body having a barrel portion and a tip portion,

a lead orifice in said tip portion, a bore extending through said. barrel and tip portions and communicating with said lead orifice, lead feed-' guide tube and having aligning engagement with a said bore, said spacing and aligning sleeve being adapted to reciprocate in said bore and adapted to reciprocate relative to said lead guide tube. a 1

14. A mechanical pencil, comprising a pencil body having a barrel portion and a tip portion, a leadorfice in said-tip portion, a bore extending through saidbarrel and tip portions and communicating'with said lead orifice, lead feeding mechanism mounted in said bore and adapted to reciprocate therein, -including a lead guide tube, a clutch and a clutch actuating sleeve, a spacing and aligning sleeve for said lead guide tube and having aligning engagement with said bore, said spacing and aligning sleeve being ,adapted to reciprocate in said bore and adapted to reciprocate relative to said lead guide tube, and means establishing frictional engagement between said lead guide tube and' said spacing and aligning sleeve whereby said spacing and aligning sleeve will reciprocate with said lead guide tube.

15. A mechanical pencil, comprising a pencil body having a barrel portion and a tip portion, a lead orifice in said tip portion, a bore extending through said barrel and tip portions and communicating with said lead orifice, lead feeding mechanism mounted in said bore and adapted to reciprocate therein, including a lead guide tube, a clutch and a clutch actuating sleeve, a spacing and aligning sleeve for said lead guide tube and having aligning engagement with said bore, said spacing and aligning sleeve being adapted to reciprocate in said bore and adapted aligning sleeve whereby ed to reciprocate therein,

to reciprocate relative to said lead guide tube, means establishing frictional enga ement between said lead guide tube and said spacing and i said spacing and aligning sleeve will reciprocate with said lead guide tube, and stop means in the bore of said pencil limiting the reciprocating motion of said spacing and aligning sleeve in both directions of movement.

tube and having aligning engagement with said bore, said'spacing and aligning sleeve being adapted to reciprocate. in said bore and adapted to reciprocate relative to said lead guide tube, said spacing and aligning slee've having a slot therein, and said lead guide tube having means connected thereto extending into said slot and establishing frictional engagement with said spacing and aligning sleeve, whereby said spacing and aligning sleeve is caused to reciprocate with said lead guide tube.

1'7. A mechanical pencil comprising a pencil body having a barrel portion and a tip portion, a lead orifice in said tip portion, a bore extending through said barrel and tip portions and communicating with said lead orifice, lead feeding mechanism mounted in said here; and adapted to reciprocate therein, including a lead guide tube, a clutch and aclutch actuating sleeve, a'spacing and, aligning sleeve for said lead guide tube and having aligning engagement with said bore, said spacing and aligning sleeve being adapted to reciprocate in said bore and adapted to reciprocate relative to said lead guide tube, said spacing and aligning sleeve having a slot therein and said lead guide tube having means connected thereto extending into said slot and establishingfrictional engagement with said spacing and aligning sleeve whereby said spacing and aligning sleeve is caused to reciprocate with said lead guide tube, and stops in the bore of said pencil for limiting the'movement 01' said spacing and aligning sleeve in both directions.

18. A mechanical pencil, comprising a barrel and a removable tip, said tip having a lead orifice in the end thereof and having a bore communicating with said orifice, said barrel having a bore in communication with the bore 20. A mechanical pencil of the construction defined in claim 4, further characterized in'that said lead guide tube is adapted to have reciprocatory movement relative to said spacingand aligning sleeve.

21. In a mechanical pencil in combination, a tubular barrel, a tubular member longitudinally reciprocable' therein and havinga lower portion iormed as a slender lead guide tube, a tip having a bore and a lead orifice concentric there-, with, a tip anchoring member in the lower end of the barrel for connecting said tip to said 7 barrel, said tip anchoring member having a bore substantially larger than the diameter of the lead guide tube which passes therethrough, a spring fingered clutch carried by the lower end of the lead guide tube for reciprocation therewith, a clutch actuating sleeve for said clutch, and a spacing and aligning sleeve for the lead guide tube, said spacing and aligning sleeve being aligned solely. by-the engagement of its outer longitudinal wall with the inner wall of the tip bore, and the longitudinal walls of the lead guide tube, the spring fingered clutch of said tip, a tip anchoring member in the bore said tip bore and having a portion for limiting said reciprocatoiy movement by engagement with the spaced portions or said tip anchoring member and tip, respectively.

19. A mechanical pencil of the construction defined in claim 2, further characterized in that said lead guide tube'is adapted to have reciprocatory movement relative to said spacing and aligning sleeve.

and the clutch actuating sleeve being disposed in spaced relationship with respect to the bore of the tip.

22. In a mechanical pencil, in combination, a. tubular barrel,-a tubular member longitudinally oreci'procablc therein and having a lower portion formed as a slender lead guide tube, a tip having a bore and a lead orifice concentric therewith, a tip anchoring member in thelower end .of the barrel for connecting said tip to said barrel, said tip anchoring member having a bore substantially larger than the diameter of the lead guide tube which passes therethrough, a spring fingered clutch carried by the lower end of the lead guide tube for reciprocation therewith, a clutch actuating sleeve} for said clutch, and a spacing and aligning sleeve within the tip andfor the lead guide tube, said spacing and aligning sleeve being held in by engagement of its outer longitudinal wall with the inner wall of the tip bore, and the iongitudinal walls of the lead guide tube; the spring fingered clutch and the clutch actuating sleeve being disposed in spaced relationship with respect to the boreof the tip.

23. In a mechanical pencil, in combination, a tubular'barrel, a tubular member longitudinally reciprocable therein and having a lower portion formed as a slender lead guide tube, a tip hav-. ing a bore and a lead orifice concentric therewith, a tipanchoring member in the lower end of the barrel for connecting said tip to said barrel, a spring fingered clutch carried by the lower end of the lead guide tube for reciprocation therewith, a clutch actuating sleeve (or said clutch, and a spacing and aligning sleeve for the lead guide tube, said spacing and aligning sleeve being aligned solely inner ..wall of the tip bore, and the longitudinal walls of the lead guide tube, the spring fingered clutch and the clutch actuating sleeve being disposed in spaced relationship with respect to the bore of the tip.

24. In a mechanicalpencil, in combination, a tubular barrel, a tubular-member longitudinally reciprocable therein and having a lower portion formed as aslender ead guide tube, a tip having a bore and a lead orifice concentric therewith, a tip anchoring member in the lower end or the barrel i'or connecting said tip to said alignment solely. I

by the engagement of its outer longitudinal wall with the said tip portion barrel, a spring fingered clutch carried by the lower end of the lead guide tube for reciprocation therewith, a clutch actuatingsleeve for said clutch,'and a spacing and aligning sleeve for said lead guide tube within the tip and mounted on theiead guide tube, said spacing andalignheld in spaced relationship'with respect to thebore of the tip. g

25. A mechanical pencil, comprising a pencil body having a tip portion and a barrel portion, said tip portion having a lead orifice therein and a bore communicating with said orifice, and said barrel portion having a bore communicating with the bore in said tip portion, lead feeding mechariism mounted for reciprocation in the bores of said tip and barrel portions'comprising a lead guide tube, a clutch having a clutch actuating sleeve, said clutch actuating sleeve being adapted to reciprocate relative to said clutch, anda spacing and aligning sleeve for said lead guide tube and having aligning engagement with the bore ofsaid tip, portion and being adapted to reciprocate relative to said bore and relative to said lead guide tube, said lead guide tube' having frictional engagement with said spacing and aligning sleeve of sufilcient holding force to cause said spacing and aligning sleeve to reciprocate with said lead guide tube throughout theextent of its possible travel, and said clutch actuating sleeve having frictional engagement with said clutch of sumcient force to cause said clutch actuating sleeve to reciprocate with said clutch through the extent of its possible travel.

26. A mechanical pencil, comprising a pencil body havin a tip portion and a barrel portion, said tip portion having a lead orifice therein and .a bore communicating with said orifice, and

said barrel portion having a bore communicating with the bore in said tip portion, lead feeding mechanism mounted for reciprocation in the bores'of said tip and barrel portions comprising a lead guide'tube, a'ciutch having clutch actuating sleeve, said clutch actuating sleeve being adapted to reciprocate relative to said clutch, a spacing and aligning sleeve for said lead guide tube and having aligning engagementwith the bore of said tip portion and being adapted to reciprocate relativefitosaid bore and relative to said lead Blflde tube, said lead guide tube having frictional engagement with said spacing and aligning sleeve of sumcient holding force to cause said, spac and aligning sleeve to recipmcate with said d guide tube throughout the extent of its possible travel, and said clutch actuating sleeve. having frictional engagement with said clutch of'sufiicient force to cause said clutch actuating sleeve to reciprocate with said clutch through the extent of its possible travel, and stops in the bore of said pencil body limiting the travel of said spacing and sleeve and said clutch actuating sleeve, respectively.

27. A mechanical pencil, comprising a pencil body having a tip portion and a barrel portion, having a lead orifice therein and a bore communicating with said orifice, and said barrel portion having a bore communicating with the bore in said tip portion, lead feeding mechanism mounted for reciprocation in the bores of said tip and barrel portions compris ing a lead guide tube, a clutch having a clutch the bore or said tip -portion and being adapted to reciprocate relative to said bore and relative to said lead guide tube, said lead guide tube' having frictional engagement with said spacing and aligning sleeve of sufficient holding force to cause said spacing and aligning sleeve to reciprocate with said lead guide tube throughout.

the extent of its possible travel, and said clutch actuating sleeve having frictional engagement with said clutch of suiiicient force to cause said clutch actuating sleeve to reciprocate with said clutch through the extent of its possible travel, said spacing and aligning sleeve and said clutch actuating sleeve being adapted to have and to end abutment whereby said spacing and aligning sleeve arrests the movement of said clutch actuating sleeve in one direction of movement.

28. A mechanical pencil, comprising a pencil body having a tip portion and a barrel portion, said tip portion having a lead orifice therein and a bore communicating with said orifice, and a said barrel portion having a bore communicating with the bore in said tip portion, lead feeding mechanism mounted for reciprocation in the bores of said tip and barrel portions comprising a lead guide tube, a clutch having a clutch actuating sleeve, said clutch actuating sleeve being adapted to reciprocate relative to said clutch, and a swing and sleeve for said lead guide tube and having aligning engagement with the bore of said tip portion and being adapted to reciprocate relative to said bore and relative to said lead guide tube, said lead guide tube having frictional engagement with said spacing and aligning sleeve of sufiicient holding force to cause said spacing and sleeve to reciprocate with said lead guide tube throughout the extent of its pomble travel, said clutch actuating sleeve having frictional engagement with saidclutch said clutch actuating sleeve to reciprocate with said clutch through the extent of its possible travel, said spacing and aligning sleeve and said clutch actuating sleeve having cooperating conical, non-wedging surthereon.

29. In a mechanical pencil, in combination, a tubular barrel, a lead magazine longitudinally reciprocabie therein and a lead guide tube connected to reciprocate with said lead magazine, a

tip having, a bore and a lead orifice concentric therewith, means in the lower end of the barrel for connecting said tip to said barrel and having a bore therein substantially larger than the diameter of the lead guide tube which passes therethrough, a spring fingered clutch carried by'the lower end of the lead guide tube for reciprocation therewith, a clutch actuating sleeve for said clutch, and a spacing and aligning "sleeve for said lead guide tube within the tip and mounted on the lead guide tube, said spacing and aligning sleeve being held in alignment solelyby engagement of its outer longitudinal wall with the inner wall of the tip bore, and the longitudinal walls of'the lead guide tube, the spring fingered clutch and the clutch actuating sleeve being disposed in spaced relationship with respect to the bore of the tip, the connection between said lead magazine and lead guide tube providing for slight variations in alignment therebetween while holding the same against relative axial movement.

30. A mechanical pencil, comprising a 'pencil body having a lead orifice at the tip portion thereof and a bore extending therethrough, lead propelling mechanism mounted for reciprocation in said bore adapted to project the lead through said orifice, said lead propelling mechanism comprising a lead guide tube, a clutch and a clutch tions of movement of said clutch.

31. A mechanical pencil, comprising a pencil body having a lead orifice at the tip portion thereof and a bore extending therethrough, lead propelling mechanism mounted for reciprocation in said bore adapted to project the lead through said orifice, said lead propelling mechanism comprising a lead guide tube, a clutch and a clutch actuating sleeve, said clutch comprising a plurality of outwardly sprung lead gripping fingers separated by longitudinal slots 35 and each having a lead-engaging portion, said clutch actuating sleevebeing mounted on said clutch and having a finger-constricting portion and a friction surface independent of said fingerconstricting portion, said friction surface being mounted on said clutch above the lead gripping portions of said fingers, and said friction surface of said clutch actuating sleeve being adapted to be frictionally gripped and carried by said clutch.

'32. A mechanical pencil, comprising a pencil body having a tip portion and a barrel portion, said tip portion having a lead orifice therein and a bore communicating with said orifice, said barrel portion having a bore communicating with the bore of said tip portion, leadfeeding mechanism disposed for reciprocation in the bores of said tip and barrel portions comprising a lead guide tube, a clutch and a clutch actuating sleeve mounted in operative association with said clutch, said clutch actuating sleeve being adapted to reciprocate relative .to said clutch, and a spacing and aligning sleeve for said lead guide tube and having aligning engagement with the bore of said tip portion, said clutch and clutch actuating sleeve being disposed in the bore of said tip portion but held in spaced relation with respect to the surface thereof by said spacing and aligning sleeve, and said spacing and aligning sleeve and said clutch actuating sleeve having cooperating conical non-wedging surfaces on theiradjacent ends whereby said spacing and aligning sleeve arrests the movement of said clutch actuating sleeve in one di-

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