US2491061A - Variable grip-tip pencil with screw feed - Google Patents

Description

.Dec. 13, 1949 M; E-S AVOIE VARIABLE GRIP-TIP PEflCiL WITH SCREW FEED Filed Oct. 2, 1947 IN V EN TOR.

Patented Dec. 13, 1949 VARIABLE GRIP-T1111" PENCIL WITH SCREW EED Mark E. Savoie, Cleveland, Ohio Application October 2, 1947, Serial No. 777,423

3 Claims. (Cl. 120-18) My invention relates in general to mechanical Pencils which grip the leads and in particular to a mechanical pencil adapted to receive any one of many leads of numerous diameters and to grip the lead received under pressure.

Since the introduction of thin leads for use in mechanical pencils, it became necessary for users of mechanical pencils to carry two pencils in their pockets if they desired to use a pencil with a thin, lead and a pencil with a thick lead. In the past mechanical pencils have been constructed to use a lead of only one diameter. My invention corrects the inefficiency of the common type of mechanical pencil which are limited to the use of only one diameter lead. My new and useful grip-tip mechanical pencil will hold either a thin lead or a thick lead or any one of many leads of numerous diameters. Therefore, an object of my invention is the provision of a mechanical pencil adapted to receive and hold in writing position any one of many leads of numerous diameters and shapes without interchanging the pencil tip or lead chamber.

Another object of my invention is to provide a mechanical pencil with a lead chamber of resilient material having axially extended fingers extending. outwardly beyond the pencil tip with griptip portions on the extended fingers for gripping any one of many leads. of numerous diameters and shapes under pressure and in writing position.

A further object of my invention is to provide axially extended fingers extending outwardly beyond the. pencil tip and having cam portions disposed externally of the pencil tip and arranged to cooperate with the pencil tip upon axial move mentof the extended fingers. in an inward direction into the pencil tip for radially contracting the grip-tip portions of the extended fingers to grip a lead. inserted between the extended fingers under DIIeSsure and in writing position.

A still further object of my invention is to-provide a clamping device which clamps a lead externally of the pencil tip, under pressure exerted,

by a, spring disposed within the pencil barrel and urging the clamping device to clamp a lead of any diameter.

A further object of my invention is a provision.

of spring means for urging a. clamping device in a mechanical pencil into clamping position on a, lead off any diameter either 3.6 or 46 thousandths ofan inch in diameter and'oi either round, square or triangular cross-section.

A still further object ofmy invention is to provide spring means which urges the clamping device in the mechanical pencil to clamp on the lead of any diameter and to provide a guage for limit ing the axial movement of the axially extended fingers.

Another object of my invention is to provide a lead feed screw mechanism which propels lead out of the lead chamber and between the grip-tip portions of my grip-tip mechanical pencil and into writing position.

For a further object of my invention I have pro-' vided a. mechanical pencil which is simple in construction, convenient in operation, durable, free from derangement of parts and which firmly grips a lead of any diameter under pressure.

Other objects and a fuller understanding of my invention may be had by referring to the following description and claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 of my drawings is a longitudinal sectional view, showing the assembled construction of my new grip-tip mechanical pencil;

Figure 2 is a, fragmentary cross-sectional view of my grip-tip portions. gripping a lead of larger diameter than shown in the Figure 1;

Figure 3 isv a cross-sectional view along the line 33 of Figurev 1;

Figure 4. is a cross-sectional view along the line 4-4 of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view along the line 5-5' of Figure 1;

Figure 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view along, the line 66 of Figure l Figure '7 is. a prospective view of the eraser support press member;

. Figure 8. is. a. prospective view of the lead feeding screw sleeve;

Figure 9 is a View of the. spring member;

Figure 10 is a prospective view of the spring guide member;

Figure 11. is a. prospective View of the free washer which. rides between the lead feeding screw sleeve and the. lead chamber toprevent the lead. feeding screw sleeve turning the lead chamber v therewith Figure 12: is a. prospective View of the locking slleeve which. locks. the. manually operable press means in. the pencil. barrel;

Figure- 13. is a. plan view of the threaded lead ejection screw; and,

Figure. 114' is a. prospective view of the lead. chamber with a portion thereof shown. in cross section to. better illustrate the internal. threaded portion which. engages the lead. propelling. screw.-

My' new}. useful' and novel grip-tip mechanical; pencil" is constructed in a pencil barrel I!) having a hollow pencil tip i fastened to one end thereof. The pencil barrel l5 may be constructed of any suitable material, such for example as metal or plastic. The hollow pencil tip is preferably constructed of metal; however, other suitable materials as plastics may be used. To better describe the new features and operations of my grip-tip mechanical pencil, I have designated the pencil barrel ID as having an eraser end I3 and a pencil tip end M. The pencil barrel is generally in the shape of a hollow cylindrical tube. The pencil tip II has a fastening portion I! which may be threaded into the pencil tip end M of the pencil barrel Ill, as is shown in the drawings, or which may be fastened to the pencil tip and I4 by other suitable means. The pencil tip I has a shoulder l8 disposed internally of the pencil tip end I4 of the pencil barrel ill. I have provided the small end of the pencil tip with a pencil tip cam portion l9.

In my assembled grip-tip mechanical pencil, the lead chamber 25, illustrated in Figures 1 and 14, extends through the hollow pencil tip II. This lead chamber 25 is disposed coaxially with the pencil barrel I0 and is reciprocally movable axially in an inward direction and in an outward direction relative to the hollow pencil tip A spring member 26 is disposed within the pencil tip end M of the pencil barrel l0 and is assembled with the lead chamber 25 to urge the lead chamber 25 in the inward direction. I have provided a manually operable press mechanism 21 which is associated with the lead chamber 25 and the spring member 26 and a guide member 45 to axially move the lead chamber 25 against the urging of the spring member 26 in the outward direction. The manually operable press mechanism 21 includes an eraser support press member 50, a lead feeding screw sleeve 55, a lead feeding screw 40 and a washer 49. This manually operable press mechanism 21 is disposed in the eraser end H! of the pencil barrel l0 and extends therefrom. An eraser 28 may be carried by the manually operable press mechanism 21. An eraser cap 29 is fitted over the eraser 28 and is disposed to enclose that portion of the manually operable press mechanism 21 extending from the eraser end |3 of the pencil barrel H! to provide a neatly finished grip-tip mechanical pencil. I do not limit the construction of my manually operable press mechanism 2'! as assembled with the axially movable lead chamber 25 and the spring member 26 to the specific construction illustrated in my drawings and specifically described in my description. I have found it preferable to construct these parts of metal; however, it is possible that they may be constructed of other materials.

The lead chamber 25 which is illustrated best in Figure 14 of my drawings. has axially extended fingers 35 which may be extended outwardly beyond the pencil tip I l, as is illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, when the grip-tip mechanical pencil is assembled. These axially extending fingers 35 terminate in grip-tip portions 36 which engage any one of the many leads of numerous diameters which may be inserted in or received by the lead chamber 25. Each of the axially extended fingers 35 has a cam portion 31 to cooperatively engage the pencil tip cam portion |9 When my grip-tip mechanical pencil is assembled the cam portion 31 and a grip-tip portion 36 of the axially extended fingers 35 are disposed externally of the hollow pencil tip The lead chamber 25 and the extended fingers 35 are constructed of a resilient material whereby the axially extended fingers 35 tend to radially spread the grip-tip portions 36 for receiving any one of the many leads of numerous diameters. When the lead chamber 25 is axially moved in the outward direction to move the axially extended fingers 35 in the outward direction beyond the pencil tip II, the axially extended fingers spread the grip-tip portions 36 to receive a lead. Upon releasing the manually operable press mechanism 2'1, the spring member 26 axially moves the lead chamber 25 and thereby the axially extended fingers 35 in an inward direction relative to the pencil tip The cam portions 3'! cooperatively engage the pencil tip cam portion I9 to radially contract or draw the grip-tip portibns 36 together for gripping the inserted lead under pressure.

I have also provided the lead chamber 25 with an internal thread portion 38 to threadably receive a lead propelling screw 49. I have provided a spring engagement flange portion or member 39 externally of this lead chamber 25. In my drawings I illustrate the spring engagement flange portion 39 as being constructed independently of the lead chamber 25 and mounted thereon by a press fit. This spring engagement flange portion or member 39 has a spring engagement flange shoulder 4| against which one end of the spring member 25 abuts. When my grip-tip mechanical pencil is assembled this spring engagement flange shoulder 4| faces the pencil tip A spring guide engagement portion 42 of the spring engagement flange portion or member 39 extends axially along the lead chamber 25 from the spring engagement flange shoulder 4| and toward the pencil tip When the spring member 26 abuts the spring engagement flange shoulder 4| this spring guide engagement portion 42 is disposed within the spring member 26.

A guide member 45 illustrated in Figure 10 has a spring engagement flange 45 on one end thereof. A guide portion 41 of this guide member 45 extends from this spring engagement flange 46 for insertion in the spring member 26. When my grip-tip mechanical pencil is assembled the spring engagement flange 46 abuts against the shoulder |8 of the pencil tip II, which is disposed internally of the pencil tip end M of the pencil barrel Ill. One end of the spring member 26 abuts against this spring engagement flange 46. The guide portion 41 extends toward the spring guide engagement portion 42 of the spring engagement flange portion 39. The lead chamber 25 slidable extends axially through this guide member 45. The spring member 26, abutting the lower spring engagement flange 46 of the guide member 45 and the spring engagement flange shoulder 4| of the upper spring engagement flange portion 39 urges the spring engagement flange portion 38 away from the guide member 45. This urging by the spring member 26 to separate these parts urges or moves the lead chamber 25 in the inward direction relative to the pencil tip H to move the axially extending fingers 35 inwardly to radially contract the griptip portions 33 for gripping a lead inserted in the lead chamber. The manually operable press mechanism 2! can move the lead chamber in the outward direction until the spring guide engagement portion 42 on the lead chamber 25 abuts the guide portion 41 of the guide member 45. This abutting of the spring guide engagement portion 42 against the guide portion 41 of portion 43.

.5 the guide member '45 limits outward movement; of the axially extended fingers 35 to a predetermined distance.

The manually operable press mechanism 21 which extends out of the eraser end [3 of the pencil barrel l has a lead feeding screw sleeve 50 which extends over the lead propelling screw 49.. The lead propelling screw 49 has a flat end The lead feeding screw sleeve 59 has a non-cylindrical internal surface formed by a fluted portion 58 to cooperate with the flat end portion 43 to turn the lead propelling screw 49 when the lead feeding screw sleeve 50 is turned. A washer 49, illustrated in Figures 1 and 11, separates the lead feeding screw sleeve 50 from the spring engagement .fiange portion 39 which is carried by the lead chamber 25. This -washer 49 eliminates the friction between the end of the lead feeding screw sleeve 50 and the :lead chamber to retard turning of the lead chamber 25 when the lead feeding screw sleeve 51! is rotated or turned. I have provided the lead feeding screw sleeve 59 with a support flange 52 which may be fastened to the lead feeding screw sleeve by a press fit. A stop edge flange 53 extends about this support flange 52. This stop edge flange 53 has an outside diameter substantially equal to, but less than the inside diameter of the pencil barrel.

A locking sleeve is inserted in the eraser end l3 of the pencil barrel l0 and has a roughened portion 56 to .lockingly engage the internal surface of the eraser end I3 of the pencil barrel Hi. This locking sleeve 55 loosely fits over the support flange 52 and is adapted to abut the stop edge flange 53.

The urging of spring member 26 urges the lead chamber 25 and thereby the lead feeding screw sleeve 50 toward the eraser end 13 of the pencil barrel I0. This urging by the spring member 25 1 is limited by the abutting of the stop edge flange 53 and the adjoining end of the locking sleeve 55. I have also provided the locking sleeve 55 with an end flange 5-! to engage the end of the pencil barrel at the eraser end 13 thereof to make a neat appearing finished product.

Disposed about the lead feeding screw sleeve 50 and within the locking sleeve 55 isan eraser support press member 69. This eraser support press member has a fluted end portion 6! which frictionally engages the lead feeding screw sleeve 5n for turning the lead feeding screw sleeve 5!]. Th s eraser support press member extends axially outwardly from the eraser end is of the pencil barrel l9 and supports the eraser 2B in the end thereof. This eraser support press member 69 provides storage space for extra leads of different diameters. The eraser 28 is removable to provide access to this storage s ace. The fluted end portion 51 abuts the support flange 52 and frictionally engages the fluted portion 58 on the lead feeding screw sleeve 5!] to move the lead feeding screw sleeve. The lead chamber 25 is moved axially outwardly of the encil tip I i when the eraser support press member 60 is pressed inwardly of the eraser end 13 of the pencil barrel Ill. The eraser cap 29 enc oses the eraser support press member 69 and extends over the eraser end l3 of the pencil barrel Ill to neatly complete my grip-tip mechanical pencil.

My new and useful grip-tip mechanical pencil is easy to operate and will tightly grip leads of different diameters under pressure. To insert a lead into the grip-tip mechanical pencil the operator simply holds the pencil barrel I 0 and 6 axially presses on the eraser cap 29. This pressing on the eraser cap 29 causes the manually operable press mechanism 21, including the eraser support press member 69, to extend the axially extended fingers 35 outwardly of the pencil tip H. At this time the spring member 26 is compressed and the spring guide engagement portion 42 abuts-the guideportion 41 of the guide member -45. These guide portions and engagement portions cooperate to limit the axial movement of the axially extended fingers 35 out of the pencil tip H to a predetermined distance. The resiliency of the lead chamber 25 and axially extended fingers 35 causes the grip-tip portions 35 to expand radially for receiving a pencil lead.

Upon releasing pressure against the eraser cap as relative to the pencil barrel 1!) the spring member 26 urges the manually operable press mechanism 2.? toward the eraser end l3 of the pencil barrel. The spring member 25 presses against the spring engagement flange portion 39 on the lead chamber 25 to axially move the lead :ehainber in an inward direction to draw the axially extended fingers 35 into the pencil tip H. The :cam portions 3 cooperatively engage the pencil tip cam bearing portion 19 upon movement of the axially extended fingers 35 in the inward direction to radially contract the grip-tip portion 36. The inserted pencil lead is gripped under pressure by the grip-tip portions 36. The urging of the spring member '26, operating in conjunction with the cooperation of the cam portion hi on the axially extended fingers and the pencil tip camzportion I 9, regulates the pressure exerted by the grip-tip portions 36 on the inserted pencil lead.

-When the pencil lead has worn down, the user of the pencil may turn the eraser cap 29 relative to the pencil barrel to axially propel a new portion of the lead to writing position. Turning the eraser cap 29 relative to the pencil barrel causes the eraser support press member it to turn the lead feeding screw sleeve 5c. The lead propelling screw 40 is turned by the lead feeding screw sleeve 50 and relative to the lead chamber .25 to axially propel the inserted lead from the chamber 25 and through the grip tip portions 35 of the "axially extended fingers 35.

Leads of the ordinary thin. lead variety or the thick lead variety in common use may be inserted and used in my new grip-tip mechanical pencil. In my description and claims I speak or" using any one of many .leads of numerous diameters in my grip-tip mechanical pencil. When a person wants to use a fine lead in the grip-tip mechanical pencil, he may. If the person wants to use a heavy lead in my grip-tip mechanical pencil he may take the fine lead out and insert the heavy lead. In my drawings 1 have illustrated a fine lead inserted in my grip-tip mechanical pencil in Figure .1 and a heavy lead inserted in my grip-tip mechanical pencil in Figure 2.

Although I have described my invention in its preferred form with a certain de ree of particularity, it is understood that the present disclosure of the preferred form has been made only by way of example and that numerous changes in the details of construction and the combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

What is claimed is:

1. In a mechanical pencil adapted to receive any one of many leads of numerous diameters,

lengths and shapes said mechanical pencil having a pencil barrel and having a pencil tip fastened to the pencil barrel, the provision of, a lead chamber of resilient material having axially extended fingers extending outwardly beyond said pencil tip and terminating in grip-tip portions, said axially extended fingers of resilient material being normally divergent and tending to radially spread the grip-tip portions for receiving any one of said many leads of numerous diameters, lengths and shapes said axially extended fingers having cam portions disposed externally of said pencil tip and arranged to cooperate with the said pencil tip upon axial movement of the axially extended fingers in an inward direction into the pencil tip for radially contracting the griptip portions, a spring engaging flange member fastened to said lead chamber and extending thereabout, a guide member abuttin the inner end of the pencil tip and disposed about said lead chamber, said members each having surface portions facing each other, spring means between said surface portions, said spring means within said pencil barrel urging said lead chamber and said axially extended fingers in said inward direction to radially contract the grip-tip portions for gripping the inserted lead under pressure, a lead propelling screw threaded into said lead chamber for axially propelling a lead from said lead chamber and between said axially extended fingers, and manually operable press means frictionally engaging the lead propelling screw to thread the same through the lead chamber and also abuttable against said spring engagement flange member to axially move the lead chamber against the urging of the spring means to axially move the extended fingers in an outward direction to permit the grip tip portions to radially spread.

2. In a mechanical pencil adapted to receive any one of many leads of numerous diameters, lengths and shapes said mechanical pencil having a pencil barrel and having a pencil tip fastened to said pencil barrel, the provision of, a lead chamber of resilient material having axially extended fingers extending outwardly beyond said pencil tip and terminating in grip-tip portions, said axially extended fingers of resilient material being normally divergent and tending to radially spread the grip-tip portions for receiving any one of the many leads of numerous diameters, lengths and shapes said axially extended fingers having cam portions disposed externally of said pencil tip and arranged to cooperate with said pencil tip for radially drawing the grip-tip portions together upon axial movement of the axially extended fingers in an inward direction into the pencil tip, a spring engaging flange member fastened to said lead chamber and extending thereabout, a guide member abutting the inner end of the pencil tip and disposed about said lead chamber, said members each having surface portions facing each other, and spring means between said surface portions, said spring means within said pencil barrel urging said lead chamber and said axially extended fingers in said inward direction to radially contract the grip-tip portions for gripping the inserted lead under pressure, and manually operable press means associated with said lead chamber and extending outwardly from said pencil barrel for axially moving said lead chamber against the urging of the spring means to move the axially extended fingers in an outward direction beyond said pencil tip a predetermined distance thereby permitting grip-tip portions to radially spread, one of said members having a guide portion to abut the other of said members for limiting movement of the axially extended fingers in the outward direction to a predetermined distance.

3. In a mechanical pencil adapted to receive any one of many leads of numerous diameters, the provision of a pencil barrel having a pencil tip on one end thereof, a lead chamber providing resilient lead-gripping fingers extending outwardly beyond the pencil tip, said lead-gripping fingers being'normally divergent and tending to radially spread themselves, said lead-gripping fingers having cam portions disposed externally of the pencil tip and engageable therewith, said lead chamber having flange means extending thereabout and disposed within said pencil barrel, said pencil tip having guide means with an opening therein through which the lead chamber extends, spring means abutting the flange means and the guide means and urging the flange means away from the guide means to urge the cam portions of the lead-gripping fingers in engagement with the pencil tip to radially contract the lead-gripping fingers, a lead propelling screw threaded into said lead chamber and threadable coaxially therethrough to propel a lead outwardly from said lead chamber and between said leadgripping fingers, and manually operable means frictionally engaging the lead propelling screw to thread the same through the lead chamber REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 215,521 Hoffman May 20, 1879 1,445,856 Sonneborn Feb. 20, 1923 2,106,389

Blake Jan. 25, 1938

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