US2496495A

US2496495A - Pencil pointer

Info

Publication number: US2496495A
Application number: US654699A
Authority: US
Inventors: John E Riker
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1946-03-15
Filing date: 1946-03-15
Publication date: 1950-02-07
Anticipated expiration: 1967-02-07

Description

J. E. RIKER PENCIL POINTER Filed March l5a 1946 f. m@ TM U Patented F eb. 7, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE f 3 Claims.

This invention relates to pencil sharpening devices, and particularly to a device for pointing pencils especially adaptable for use by a draftsmen.

Heretofore, the operation of sharpening or pointing a pencil has been objectionable because it required two hands to point the pencil, was time consuming and usually made it necessary for the draftsman to change his position or stance to avoid getting the particles of graphite on the drawing sheets. When long lines were being drawn, such as by the use of straightedges or triangles, the sharpening operation usually required the repositioning of the drafting tools before completing the lines. As a result of all these difficulties, the draftsman tended to sacrifice quality of workmanship rather than sharpen and point his pencil as often as he should.

An important object of this invention is to provide an improved device for sharpening or pointing which can be operated by one hand without requiring the draftsman to shift his position or release the drafting tools and which considerably reduces the number of movements and conserves time.

Another object of this invention is to provide a novel pencil pointing device which will provide either a conical point or a wedge-shaped point as desired with a minimum amount of effort. A further object of this invention is to provide a novel device of this character which is economical to construct and assemble and which may be located in a readily accessible position on the drafting table or other nearby support.

More specifically, an important object of this invention is to provide a novel pencil pointing device Which by stroking a pencil in one plane will produce either a wedge-shaped or conical point depending upon how the pencil is held and manipulated. A feature of the invention is the provision whereby both faces of a wedge-shaped point may be cut in the same stroke of the pencil. Another feature of the invention is the provision of novel means for constraining the pencil as the point thereof is drawn through the device to a movement in one plane for producing the proper angle for the sides of a conical point. A further .feature oi the invention is the provision and location of wiping means which enables the draftsman to finish the sharpening stroke by drawing the point over the wiping substance.

Various other objects, advantages and meritorious features will become more fully apparent from the following specication, appended claims and accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a pencil point-L` ing device embodying the present invention,

Figure 2 is a cross sectional view along` line 2-2 of Figure 1,

Figure 3 is a top view of aV portion of the device showing the manner of removingr the coversof the dust collecting receptacle,

Figure 4 is a vertical longitudinal sectional: view through the device along line 4 4 of Figure L showing in dotted outline the positionsof the pencils to obtain either a wedge-shaped or conical point,

Figure 5 is a vertical cross sectionA view of the device along line 5-5 of Figure 1and Figure 6 is an enlarged sectional view` of one` end of the device along line 6 6 of Figurel 4,

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings, the device is constructed for` removable attachment to the top of; av drafting. table or nearby support. For this purpose it; is; provided with a base lil provided at the opposite ends thereof with apertures l2 to facilitate attachment. The major portion of the length of the base intermediate the end sections thereof supports the elongated receptacle of general rec:- tangular formation. Two correspondingly shapedside walls l4-l4 extend parallel to one another along the opposite sides of the base as shown in Figure 2; Two correspondingly shaped end walls lli- I6 complete the assembly of the receptacle. Each end wall is provided with an upwardly open-,- ing V cut in which are supported the endsl ol,"k the; members carrying the pencil point sharpening` means. l

Extending the length of thev receptacle on substantially the longitudinal median line thereof and in spaced relation to theA side Walls and they bot-l tom thereof are two members z8 and 20.. These members extend at an angle to one anotherl to form a V shaped groovev or channel opening through the top of the device as shown in Figs. 2 and 5. The V cuts in the end walls of the receptacle receive the ends of the members I8 and 20 and assist in supporting the two members at the desired angle. The ends of the channel contain corresponding triangular or wedge-shaped blocks 22-22 having the inclined faces thereofl extending at the same angle as the members I8 and 20. These wedges are received in the channel with their apexes pointed downwardly toward the base l0. A bolt member 24v or anyl other Suit;- able securing means extends vertically through each of these wedges 22-22 and is threadably engaged inthe base member in the manner-.indicated in Figs, 2 and 4. An intermediate welll 26 may be provided for supporting the mid-sections of the members I8 and 20. The wall 26 is shorter in height than the end Walls and may be generally triangularly shaped as shown in Fig. 5 and provided with an approximately upwardly opening V-shaped groove for receiving and supporting the bottom edges of the members I8 and 20.

The two members I8 and 20 are provided with cutting surfaces on their inside faces which produce the desired point on the pencil when the latter is pulled or drawn in one or more strokes through the V-shaped channel between the members. These cutting surfaces are shorter than the lengths of the members and are ar ranged in alternate staggered relationship. Any suitable means may be used for forming the cutting surfaces. As shown in the illustrated embodiment of the invention two

steel le sections

28 and 30 are employed. Each iile section extends 'for a portion of the length of the channel andthey are arranged in alternate staggered relation to one another. The inside face of each member opposite the le carried by the other member is smooth providing a fiat guiding surface. The pencil point as it is drawn through the channel is opposed on one side with a sloping cutting surface and on the other side with a smooth inclined surface. In place of the metal les shown, there may be substituted other types of cutting surfaces such as abrasive stones having the same general shape and relation of the les illustrated herein. It is understood that where the term file is used herein it is applicable to any suitable cutting surface which will sharpen the point of a pencil.

Referring speciiically to the illustrated embodiment of the invention herein, each

le section

28 or 30 is constructed with a length equal substantially to one half the distance of the channel. One le 28 is carried on the member I8; the other file 30 is carried on the member 2U. The iirst iile 28 occupies the left half of the channel as viewed in Fig. 1, and the other iile 30 occupies the right half of the channel as lviewed on the same figure. The inside face portion of each member opposite a file section is smooth.

It is preferred that each flle be mounted in its respective member with the cutting face thereof substantially iiush with the inside face of the member. Where metal file sections are used, as in the'present embodiment of the invention, this is preferably accomplished by cutting a recess in the inside face of each member of a depth equal l to the size and thickness of the le and embedding the file section therein. This is the condition illustrated in Figs. 2 and 5. The cuttingl face of each file will then extend flush with the: face of the member in which it is carried.

For best cutting operations, it is preferred tomount each

file section

28 and 30 in its respective member so that the bottom edge thereof substantially meets the plane of the inside surface of the other member. This constrains the inserted end of the pencil in the channel so that the extreme end of the point is brought into Contact with the teeth of the file section at whatever angle the pencil may be held. The most desirable angle for mounting the members I8 and 20 in order to form Wedge-shaped and conical points is approximately twelve degrees to the vertical. The angle therefore between each le cutting face and the opposed smooth surface is approximately twentyfour degrees. This, it has been found, is the most satisfactory angle for making either a conical point or a wedge-shaped point.

A narrow opening or slot is provided between the adjacent bottom edges oi the members I8 and 20 through which the graphite cuttings or particles removed from the pencil points fall to the bottom of the receptacle. This is accomplished by chamfering the lower marginal portion of each smooth surface section of the members and also the area below each iile section. A chamfered or beveled marginal portion on the smooth area of the member I8 is indicated at 32 in Figure 4. A chamfered portion below the le on the same member is indicated at 34. The member 28 is similarly chamfered and when the two members are assembled together they cooperate to form a narrow slot between the lower adjacent edges of these members as shown in Figures 2, 5 and 6. This slot is referred to by reference numeral 38. The slot opens into the base of the receptacle and the graphite cuttings or dust fall therethrough to the bottom I0.

To prevent the dust from escaping from the :receptacle until it is desired to empty the same, removable closure members are provided for sealing the upper openings of the receptacle which `extend along the opposite sides of the members I8 and 20. As shown, two such closure members or covers 38 and 40 are provided which have a .slidable interiitting engagement with the side walls III- I4 and the outer faces of the two mem- 'bers I8 and 20. These cover members are capable of being slid from either end of the device in 4the manner illustrated in Figure 3. Any other .suitable form of closure means may be used if Idesired.

Wiping means is provided for cleaning the point -of the pencil at the completion of the sharpening operation. This wiping means may be any yieldable substance such as cotton batting. It is 'preferably located in one end of the channel or 'trough between the members I8 and 20, and 'preferably at that end at which the draftsman usually completes his pointing stroke. As shown, :a wedge-shaped piece of cotton batting 42 or other `suitable material is located at the right hand end `of the channel as viewed in Figures l and 4.

Two diierent types of pencil points may be :formed by this device. The wedge-shaped type is made by inserting the pointed end of the pencil at one end of the channel and holding it in upright vertical position as shown in dotted outline at 44 in Figure 4. The pencil is drawn through the 'channel to the other end thereof while maintaining it in vertical position and without rotation. One or more strokes of this character may be made. At the completion of the last stroke the point may be drawn over the cotton batting 'wiping it clean.

To make a conical point, the point of the jpencil is introduced into one end of the channel .at an angle preferably of approximately 45. It .is drawn through the channel at this angle and .simultaneously spun or rotated by the fingers `of the hand. A pencil pulled through the chan- -nel in this manner is indicated in dotted outline at 46 in Figure 4. At the nish of the last lstroke, the point may be wiped clean by drawing 'the point across the cotton batting. In making either the wedge-shaped or conical point the -depth at which the pencil enters the channel may be controlled by the ngers of the draftsfinan. If the pencil is held in the normal posi- @tion between the rst and second fingers of the hand it may be drawn through the channel by a back hand motion and the depth controlled by the first joint of the second or middle nger.

The device is also c-apable of pointing all types of draftsmens compasses. When pointing smaller types of these instruments, it may be necessary to remove one of the

covers

38 or 40. This will provide clearance for the other leg of the compass to move through the opening in the top of the receptacle left by the cover.

All the parts of the device, with the exception of the file surfaces and the attaching elements such as the bolts, are preferably made of plastic material.

What I claim is:

1. A device for pointing pencils comprising, in combination, an elongated opened top receptacle, a pair of members substantially the same length as the receptacle, means mounting said members in the opened top of the receptacle in spaced relation to the bottom thereof and with the members disposed at an acute angle to one another to form an upwardly opening V- shaped channel along which the pointed end of a pencil may be drawn, a pencil pointing file on the inside surface of one of said members and extending for substantially one-half the distance of the channel, a second pencil pointing ile on the inside surface of the other member and extending for substantially the remaining half of the channel in alternate staggered relationship to the first mentioned file, the inside surface portion of each member opposite the file of the other member being smooth to provide a flat guiding surface for the pencil points drawn therethrough, and the lower ends of said members being shaped to provide an elongated slot in the base of the channel through which the particles removed from the pencil points fall to the bottom of the receptacle therebelow.

2. A device for pointing pencils comprising, in combination, an elongated opened top receptacle including side walls, end walls, and a bottom, a pair of members of substantially the same length as the side walls of the receptacle, means mounting said members longitudinally in said receptacle in spaced relation to the side walls and the bottom thereof and at an acute angle to one another to form an upwardly opening V-shaped channel through which the point of a pencil may be drawn, a pencil pointing ille mounted on the inside surface of one of said members in substantially flush relationship with said last surface and extending from one end of the channel to the middle thereof, a pencil pointing le mounted on the inside surface of the other member in substantially flush relationship to said last surface and extending from the middle 0f the channel to the opposite end thereof, the inside surface portions of each member opposite to the le of the other member being smooth to provide a at guiding surface for the pencil point drawn therethrough, means forming a narrow slit between the bottom adjacent edges of said members through which particles removed from the pencil point fall to the bottom of the receptacle, a closure member covering the space between the upper edge of each member and the adjacent side wall of the receptacle, and means providing endwise slidable movement of each closure member to expose the space covered by the same. i

3. A device for pointing pencils comprising, in combination, an elongated receptacle of substantially rectangular formation including a bottom and upright parallel side walls and parallel end Walls, a pair of members of non-metallic material of substantially the same length as said receptacle, a metal le section embedded on the face of one member and extending for substantially one-half the length thereof, a similar metal file section embedded on the face of the other member and extending for substantially one-half the length thereof, means supporting said members on the end walls of said receptacle so that the members extend on the longitudinal median line of the receptacle and at an acute angle to one another to form an upwardly opening V-shaped channel extending the length of the receptacle, said means supporting the members in spaced relationship to the side walls and the bottom of the receptacle and with the file sections on the inside of the channel in alternate staggered relation to one another, the portion of the inside face of each member opposite to the file section of the other member being smooth to provide a flat guiding surface, the lower edge of each smooth portion of each member being chamfered to form a narrow slot along the base of the channel through which the particles removed from the pencil points fall to the bottom of the receptacle, an open ended horizontal guiding track formed by the upper edge of each member and the upper edge of the adjacent side Wall, and a closure element slidably tting each track and capable of endwise slidable movement therein 'to expose the space normally covered thereby.

JOHN E. RIKER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,238,340 Poe Apr. 15, 1941 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 190,181 Switzerland Sept. 16, 1937