US2494967A

US2494967A - Mechanical pencil

Info

Publication number: US2494967A
Application number: US29245A
Authority: US
Inventors: Herbert W Sams
Original assignee: Scripto Inc
Current assignee: Scripto Inc
Priority date: 1948-05-26
Filing date: 1948-05-26
Publication date: 1950-01-17
Anticipated expiration: 1967-01-17

Description

jam. W9 1950 H. w. SAMS MECHANICAL PENCIL ll/ in.'4448355551111inurl. 1. l l

lhwentor W. ams

Filed May 2e, 1948 lllllllllllllllll Il (Ittornegs Herbe-ri Patented Jan. 17, 1950 "OF F il CE '-MEcHANIcAnPENcIL Herbert `W. Sams,z Atlanta, ...Gam assignor to Scripta.Inc.,a..corporation feorga lAplvlication"May1726, 1948, Serial LN @29,245

-19 Claims.

This invention'relates to mechanical pencils and more particularly to `means foractuating the .lead Vfeed mechanisms `offsuch; pencils.

In the construction of mechanical pencils of the type comprising -a lead feed mechanism housed ina barrel and operated from-a ferrule "'tted on the top end ofthe vbarrel,A one of the zprincipal problemsis the provisionof a1-simple, eiicient'means' -for connecting the operating.- fer- 'rule for actuation, of Y ther leadfeed mechanism.

Usually the operating ferruleis alsoiused-.to carry -an eraser` so that provision-must be made for .removing the ferrule. easily Whenever 'it isde- `Vsired toreplace-a Wornf4 eraser.- Also, the-means for connecting .the voperating ferrulevvith the lead feed mechanism-should :provideiorrestraining reverse movement of Lthelead -feedf-mechanism iunder Writing pressure While still permitting easy actuation of .the lead feed mechanism. from-.the operating ferrule for=forward-or reverselmovement.

.According .to .the .presentinvention .the above purposesare accomplished ina particularlyeffective manner by theqprovision of a cap. member formed for disposition. over-the top end :of the pencil barrel to retain-the. operating `ferrulein place and connect this ferrule :fonactuationof the lead feed mechanism. Briefly.- described-the cap memberprovided according to thepresent invention comprises Na base -portion for-med -for engagement with the lead feed mechanism .and Wing portions depending from the base-portion to overlie the side yofthe barreladjacentfits top end.

These Wing 'portions are formed "with bosseslf `..theleadguide tube `2l. ,'.Referenceis made to adapted -for frictional contact with theoperating ferrule so that the lead feedmechanismmaybe driveny from the operating ferrule, and* they wing portions are further arranged so-that theycare pressed in frictional vcontactwith the side ofthe barrel-adjacent its -topiend `by theoperatinguferrule to restrain reverse movementof the lead -feed mechanism underwriting. pressureras described more in detail .below rin-1connection .with-.tbe

`accompanying drawing illustratingrthe present invention, in which:

Fig. 1 is a sideelevation;` partly insectionpofza fmechanical pencil incorporatinga cap, member arranged laccordingto the present invention;

Fig.f2 is a fragmentarysectional detail of .the

.used according `to the;V arrangement.'illustratedxin (erizo-18) Figs 1 -to;v3,.. inclusive, forscon-necting the operatri-ngf -ferrule `with thef lead. feed mechanism;

- Fig.- 5. is fa. fragmentary. sectional detail. correspondinggenerallyto.V Fig. 2, vlout illustratinga .g5 modified form of cap member. embodying the presentinvention; Fig. 6 is a section taken on the line .f6- e6 *Eig. 5;

- Fig. -7 is..a.,sidel.1elevation `ofthe cap member 'rlosused according touthearrangement illustrated in yFigs..5 and; Y

-Fig...8vis Aa fragmentary sectional detail correspondinggenerallyi to .-Figs.. 2-and \5,- .butshowing a further alternative.arrangementofra cap memberembodyingthe .present invention;

`.Fig..-9 isv-'a vsection-taken .ont the line 9-'9 in ..-Fig.=8 and,

Fig. 10 is.\a-:sidef.elevation\. of l the 1 cap. .member k.used-.according tothearrangement shown in Figs. l20 8 and 9.

.The-.mechanical.pencil shownI in Fig. 1 ofthe `drawing .-iszofthe same-general type disclosed in v.the copendingapplicationof Blanchard D. Smith, ,Serial-No. 634;271,'1ed December 11, .1945, and

comprisesa;.barrel..25 housing` a lead feed mecha- .n-ism indicated4 generally by the numeral Z'. The lead feed( mechanism -e 26 .comprises a longitudiunallyslotted leadguidev-tube Z'Land a lead-gripping. andejecting mechanism. 28. :The leadgrip- ...ping and ejecti-ngt-mechanism 28 includesa" propelling .membersZS formedwithexternal screw threadsengaginglinternal screw threads 30-in v'thebarrel 25101: feeding movement` of lead.k Slat 'the Writing end ofthe barrel .25..upon rotation -of 140 "reta-inedin"the-'barrel' 25 by an assembly cap. 32

*xe'dover' the top endof 'the barrel 25'by dimpling 'ort-he like-as-indicated at`33. The lead guide "-tubefZleeXtends slightlyfrom the top endof the "barrel-F-'throug-h-a'central aperture at`34 in the fklaassembly cap 32,1and 'the-"guide tubeZl is formed with ears struck out below the assembly cap Vfltso'that.thergui'de tube is retained in the barrel 125:pbut is free; forxrotation" (compare Fig. '2)

caplmember formed-.according to the prescent. invention ispdisposed-.over thefassembly cap'f32 .eat the.: topgendlofthecbarrel 25. Thisk cap. member @36 :comprises .aobase'portion f3l formed: for .engagementY ewith the -Yextending -end .-of fthe lead gguidetube -:2l, and-=wingz portions V38 :depending s Ironrfthe base portolr'lfto .-overlie: theasideoff the barrel 25, i. e., the assembly cap 32, adjacent its top end. For engagement with the lead guide tube 21, the base portion 31 of the cap member 36 is formed with a central aperture 39 tting over the lead guide tube 21 and having a protruding lug portion 40 shaped to engage the longitudinal slot in the guide tube 21, so that the guide tube 21 is keyed for rotation with the cap member 32. Above the base portion 31, further ears 4| are struck out on the guide tube 21 to retain the cap member 36 in place on the top end of the barrel 25.

As previously mentioned, the depending wing portions 38 are formed with bosses 42 adapted for frictional contact with the operating ferrule 43 which retain the operating ferrule 43 in place jacent these lateral side edges, so that it is the at the top end of the barrel 25 and connect it v through the cap member 36 for driving the lead feed mechanism 26. In the form of a cap member illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive, of the drawing, the bosses 42 are centrally disposed on the wing portions 38, and four wing portions 38 are preferably provided so that the bosses 42 are regularly spaced circumferentially 90 apart. The top end of the operating ferrule 43 may be arranged, as shown, to carry an eraser 44, if desired.

The wing portions 38 are further formed with a transverse curvature differing from the curvature of the exterior surface of the barrel 25, or assembly cap 32, adjacent its top end. In the form of cap' member 36 illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive, of the drawing, the wing portions 38 are formed with a greater transverse curvature, i. e., are formed on a smaller radius, than the exterior surface of the barrel 25, so that the Wing portions 38 are disposed for frictional contact with the side of the barrel 25 adjacent their lateral side edges, and are centrally spaced from the side of the barrel 25 (compare Fig. 3).

As mentioned above, the bosses 42 are centrally disposed on the wing portions 38, so that they are consequently located at the above noted point of central spacing of the wing portions 38 from the side of the barrel 25. As a result, when the operating ferrule 43 is fitted on the top end of the barrel 25, frictional contact with the bosses 32 causes the wing portions 38 to be forced inwardly against the side of the barrel 25 so that the wing portions 38 are pressed adjacent their lateral side edges in frictional contact with the side of the barrel 25. This frictional contact on the barrel 25 imposes a drag on operation of the lead feed mechanism 26 so that the tendency for reverse movement of the lead feed mechanism 26 under writing pressure when the pencil is in use is effectively restrained. The manner in which the wing portions 38 are formed according to the present invention with a curvature differing from that of the barrel 25 provides a spring action for effecting the above described frictional contact with the side of the barrel 25 which maintains the frictional contact substantially uniform despite the tolerance which must be allowed in manufacturing operations.

A modied form of cap member 45 arranged according to the present invention is illustrated in Figs. 5 tov 7, inclusive, of the drawing. As in the case of the rst embodiment described above, the cap member 45 comprises a base portion 46 and depending wing portions 41. The base portion 46 in this instance is generally rectangular and is formed with an aperture 48 having a protruding lug portion 49 engaging the lead guide central section of the wing portions 41 that is pressed in frictional contact with the side of the barrel 25 when the operating ferrule 43 is in place. Preferably, the wing portions 41 are extended laterally a sucient distance to allow the bosses 50 to be regularly spaced circumferentially apart. 'I'his arrangement enhances the spring action of the wing portions 41 when they are pressed in frictional contact with the side of the barrel 25 by the operating ferrule 43.

An alternative arrangement of the embodiment just described is illustrated in Figs. 8 to 10, inelusive, of the drawing, in which the cap member 5| is formed with a base portion 52 having an aperture 53 shaped with a protruding lug portion 54 for engagement with the lead guide tube 21, and depending wing portions 55 formed with a transverse curvature less than that of the barrel 25, but extending laterally on only one side. This arrangement further enhances the spring action of the wing portions 55 but involves a somewhat more complicated construction. As in the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 5 to 7 of the drawing, the wing portions 55 are formed with bosses 56 adjacent their lateral side edges for frictional contact with the operating ferrule 43, and the wing portions 55 are preferably extended laterally a distance sucient to allow the bosses 56 to be regularly spaced circumferentially 90 apart.

I claim:

1. In a mechanicalpencil of the type comprising a lead feed mechanism housed in a barrel and operated from a ferrule tted on the top end of said barrel, a cap member associated with said lead feed mechanism for actuation thereof, said cap member being formed for disposition over the top end of said barrel and having depending wing portions disposed to overlie the side of said barrel adjacent its top end, and said depending wing portions being formed with bosses adapted for frictional contact with said operating ferrule, whereby said lead feed mechanism may be driven from said operating ferrule and said wing portions are pressed in frictional contact with the side of said barrel by said operating ferrule for restraining reverse movement of said lead feed mechanism under writing pressure.

2. In a mechanical pencil of the type comprising a, lead feed mechanism housed in a barrel and operated from a ferrule fitted on the top end of said barrel, a cap member disposed over the top end of said barrel for retaining said operating ferrule in place, said cap member having a base portion formed for association with said lead feed mechanism and having wing portions depending from said base portion to overlie the side of said barrel adjacent its top end, and said wing portions being formed with bosses adapted for frictional contact with said operating ferrule, whereby said operating ferrule frictionally grips said bosses for driving said lead feed mechanism and said wing portions are pressed in frictional contact with the side of said barrel by said operating ferrule, and said operating ferrule is deformed for frictional Contact with said barrel, for restraining reverse movement of said lead feed mechanism under writing pressure.

3. A mechanical pencil comprising a barrel, a lead feed mechanism housed in said barrel, a cap member disposed over the top end of said barrel, and an operating ferrule fitted on the top end of said barrel over said cap member, said cap member having a base portion formed for keyed engagement with said lead feed mechanism and having wing portions depending from said base portion to overlie the side of said barrel adjacent its top end, and said wing portions being formed with bosses adapted for frictional contact with said operating ferrule, whereby Said lead feed mechanism may be driven from said operating ferrule and said wing portions are pressed in frictional contact with the side 0f said barrel by said operating ferrule for restraining reverse movement of said lead feed mechanism under writing pressure.

4. In a mechanical pencil of the type comprising a lead feed mechanism housed in a barrel and operated from a ferrule fitted on the top end of said barrel, a cap member disposed over the top end of said barrel for connecting said operating ferrule with said lead feed mechanism for operation thereof, said cap member having a base portion formed for keyed engagement with said lead feed mechanism and having wing portions depending in a symmetrical pattern from said base portion to overlie the side of said barrel adjacent its top end, and said wing portions being formed with bosses regularly spaced circumferentially and adapted for frictional contact with said operating ferrule, whereby said lead feed mechansm may be driven from said operating ferrule and said wing portions are pressed in frictional contact with the side of said barrel by said operating ferrule for restraining reverse movement of said lead feed mechanism under writing pressure.

5. In a mechanical pencil of the type comprising a lead feed mechanism housed in a barrel and operated from a ferrule tted on the top end of said barrel, a cap member disposed over the top end of said barrel for connecting said operating ferrule with said lead feed mechanism for operation thereof, said cap member having a base portion formed for engagement with said lead feed mechanism and having wing portions depending in a symmetrical pattern from said base portion to overlie the side of said barrel adjacent its top end, said wing portions being formed with a transverse curvature differing from th-e curvature of the exterior surface of said barrel adjacent its top end, whereby said wing portions are partially spaced from the side of said barrel, and said wing portions being further with bosses positioned on said wing portions at a point spaced from said barrel and adapted for frictional contact with said operating ferrule, whereby said lead feed mechanism may be driven from said operating ferrule and said Wing portions are pressed in frictional contact with the side of said barrel by said operating ferrule for restraining reverse movement of said lead feed mechanism under writing pressure.

6. In a mechanical pencil of the type comprising a lead feed mechanism housed in a barrel and operated from a ferrule fitted on the top end of said barrel, a cap member disposed over the top end of said barrel for connecting said operating ferrule with said lead feed mechanism for operation thereof, said cap member having a base portion formed for engagement with said lead feed mechanism and having transversely curved Wing portions depending from said base portion to overlie the side of said barrel adjacent its top end, said wing portions being formed with a greater curvature than the exterior surface of said barrel adjacent its top end, whereby said wing portions are disposed for frictional contact with the side of said barrel adjacent their lateral side edges and are centrally spaced from the side of said barrel, and said wing portions being further formed with centrally positioned bosses adapted for frictional contact with said operating ferrule, whereby said lead feed mechanism may be driven from said operating ferrule and said wing portions are pressed in frictional Contact with the side of said barrel by said operating ferrule for restraining reverse movement of said lead feed mechanism under writing pressure.

'7. In a mechanical pencil of the type comprising a lead feed mechanism housed in a barrel and operated from a ferrule tted on the top end of said barrel, a cap member disposed over the top and of said barrel for connecting said operating ferrule with said lead feed mechanism for operation thereof, said cap member having a base portion formed for engagement with said lead feed mechanism and having wing portions depending from said base portion to overlie the side of said barrel adjacent its top end and extending laterally with a transverse curvature less than the curvature of the exterior surface of the barrel adjacent its top end, whereby said wing portions are spaced from the side of said barrel adjacent their lateral side edges, and said wing portions being further formed with bosses positioned adjacent their lateral side edges and adapted for frictional contact with said operating ferrule, whereby said lead feed mechanism may be driven from said operating ferrule and said wing portions are pressed in frictional Contact with the side of said barrel by said operating ferrule for restraining reverse movement of said lead feed mechanism under writing pressure.

8. A cap member as defined in claim 7 and further characterized in that said wing portions extend laterally at both sides sufficiently to allow said bosses to be regularly spaced circumferentially apart.

9. A cap member as defined in claim '7 and further characterized in that said wing portions extend laterally at only one side a distance sufficient to allow said bosses to be regularly spaced circumferentially 90 apart.

HERBERT W. SAMS.

No references cited.