IMPROVEMENTS IN LEAD AND CRAYON HOLDERS
Year: 1880

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Henry Johnson, of 47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, in the
County of Middlesex, Gentleman, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
LEAD AND CRAYON HOLDERS." A communication from abroad by Joseph
Reckendorfer, of the City, County, and State of New York, United States of
America,
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Henry Johnson at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 24th November 1880.
JOHN HENRY JOHNSON, of 47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, in the County of Middlesex,
Gentleman. "IMPROVEMENTS IN LEAD AND CRAYON HOLDERS." A communication
from abroad by Joseph Reckendorfer, of the City, County, and State of New York,.
United States of America.
This Invention relates to lead and crayon holders, in which jaws are by action of
a spring caused to close upon the lead and are caused to open by pressure exerted
by hand against the stress of the spring.
ሰ
In order to construct a holder in which the lead grasping device consists of one
or more jaws connected with the handle and entering openings in the longi-
tudinally movable lead containing tubes, the Invention is carried out in the
following manner :-
The tubular case or handle may be of any ordinary or suitable construction, as,
for example, it may be composed principally of wood with a sheet metal tapering
nozzle or front end. Within the case is the lead containing tube or receiver, which,
unlike the automatic holder now in general use, does not terminate at the front in
spring jaws, but is a plain sheet metal tube throughout of a size to easily receive
the lead. The front end of the tube is centred in and preferably projects beyond
the nozzle, and the said tube is made capable of sliding a certain distance lengthwise
in the handle. To this end it may be provided with a head or cap which projects
beyond the rear end of the handle, and may either fit within or upon the same.
In either case the tube may by means of the cap or head be removed
back and forth in the handle, its movements beyond the prescribed point in either
direction being restrained by any suitable and well known means.
Attached to the interior of the handle on opposite sides of the lead tube or
receiver are jaws whose free front ends by spring action are caused to close toward
[Price 6d1

page_text: one another.
The spring action may be obtained, for example, by forming the jaws
of steel or other suitable spring metal, and making them self closing upon the tube.
At those points on the tube with which when the tube is in its normal position the
gripping ends of the jaws are in contact are formed openings through which the
jaws have access to the interior of the tube and close upon and grasp the lead
contained therein. When the parts are in this position the lead will be held in any
desired position by the jaws. On the other hand to release the jaws the cap is
pressed forward; this moves the tube forward, and the jaws which are fixed to the
handle are consequently withdrawn from the opening and caused to ride upon the
solid part of the tube; their hold on the lead is thus released, and the latter, so long
as the cap is pressed forward, is free to be moved back and forth in the tube.
If the tube be now drawn in the opposite direction the jaws will again drop into
the opening and again project into the interior of the tube. This last named movement
of the tube may be effected automatically by slanting or bevelling the edges of the
openings towards the rear, thus forming inclines over which the jaws travel. When
the tube is pushed forward the jaws ride up on these gentle inclines, and their
spring force will suffice when the pressure on the cap is relaxed to draw back the
tube and permit them to again enter the openings. In lieu of or in addition to this
arrangement a spiral spring of sufficient capacity may be interposed between the
cap and the handle, which spring compressed by the forward movement of the cap
will by its recoil when pressure on the cap ceases bring the parts back to their
normal position. In lieu of two jaws one jaw only, or even three or more of small
size, entering the tube at various points, may be employed, but it is preferred to use
two jaws as hereinbefore described.
The construction and arrangement of the lead receiving tube may be varied
considerably; for example, it may consist of two parts, the one longitudinally
moveable as before, and the other fixed to or formed on the nozzle; in this case a
space is left between the adjoining ends of the two parts, which is the opening
through which the jaws act on the lead. When the tube is pushed forward its
front end advances between and spreads apart the jaws.
It will be found of advantage to make the slits or openings undercut with an
opening of this shape; the jaw that works in the opening will when the tube moves
back be forced by the inclined front edge to take hold of the lead.
According to a modification of the preceding arrangements the longitudinally
moveable lead containing tube or receiver and its enclosing sheath or handle are
combined with jaws attached to and carried by the tube and provided with side
lips or flanges which enter ✓ shaped or equivalently formed grooves or slots in the
handle, whereby the jaws when moved in one direction will be caused to close on-
the lead, and when moved in the opposite direction will be permitted to release the
lead.
The holder consists of a sheath or handle with tapered nozzle, a longitudinally
moveable lead receiving tube, a cap attached to the tube and fitting the rear end
of the handle, and a spring which serves to retract the tube, and thus hold the jaws
normally closed, the tube being pushed forward against the stress of the spring by
pressing on the cap. The rearward movement of the tube may be limited in
various ways, as, for example, by the engagement of the jaws and the nozzle. Upon
the front edge of the tube are jaws, which tend to spring apart when not under
pressure, and which are provided with side tips or flanges that enter and engage
V shaped or equivalently formed slots or grooves in the nozzle. The jaws are
pulled back by the spring, so that their side lips or flanges will be brought into the
narrowing portions of the slots, with the effect of closing the jaws, and causing
them to grasp the lead; when, on the other hand, the jaws are moved forward.
against the stress of the spring, their lips will be brought into the wider portions,
and will thus permit the jaws to separate and release the lead.
In lieu of slots the nozzle may have grooves, and these grooves of wedge like or
tapering form may be formed in or on any suitable portion of the interior of the
front portion of the handle. While it is preferred to use two grooves or slots and

page_text: two pairs of lips or flanges, yet one groove or slot and one pair of lips may be alone
employed, in which case the part which grasps the lead may be an expansible tube
split on one side, with lips or flanges on the edges of the slit to engage the tapering
groove or slot in the handle.
The holder may be so arranged as to permit the cap to rotate independently of
the tube to which it is attached, as it not unfrequently happens that persons
ignorant of the mode of operation of the "automatic holder" attempt to move the
jaws by twisting the cap, with the result often times of twisting and breaking the
tube, but by making the cap capable of rotating the liability of injury to the tube
is obviated.
On the rear end of the tube is mounted a concave-convex washer, secured thereon
by swaging or upsetting the end of the tube. This end of the tube is then inserted
in the cap, the latter being formed with an annular internal offset or groove
opposite the point to which the washer comes. The latter is then by suitable tools
flattened or spread out so that its edge will enter the groove. Under this arrange-
ment the cap and tube must move together lengthwise, but the cap at the same
time can be freely turned without tending to impart any movement to the tube.
The spring rests at one end in a cup like bearing piece, loosely encircling the tube,
and at the other end bears against the disc. It will thus be practically unaffected
by rotary movements of the cap.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said John Henry Johnson in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 20th
May 1881.
JOHN HENRY JOHNSON, of 47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, in the County of Middlesex,
Gentleman. "IMPROVEMENTS IN LEAD AND CRAYON HOLDERS." A communication
from abroad by Joseph Reckendorfer, of the City, County, and State of New York,
United States of America.
The said Invention relates to lead and crayon holders, in which jaws are by the
action of a spring caused to close upon the lead, and are caused to open by pressure
exerted by hand against the stress of the spring.
And in order that the said Invention may be fully understood, I shall now
proceed more particularly to describe the same, and for that purpose shall refer to
the several Figures on the annexed Sheet of Drawings, the same letters of reference
indicating corresponding parts in all the corresponding Figures.
In Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4 of the accompanying Drawings is represented a holder,
in which the lead grasping device consists of one or more jaws connected with the
handle, and entering openings in the longitudinally movable lead containing tubes.
Figure 1 is a perspective view of the complete holder, with the case or handle
broken away at the front and rear to uncover the interior working parts.
Figure 2 is a longitudinal central section of the same, the plane of the section
being centrally through the jaws, which are closed; Figure 3 is a like section, with
the jaws open; Figure 4 is a view of the lead containing tube or receiver detached,
in order to show more plainly the opening therein, through which the jaws act on
the lead. A is the tubular case or handle, which may be of any ordinary or suitable
construction, but in the present example is assumed to be composed principally of
wood, with a sheet metal tapering nozzle or front end a.
Within the case is the
lead containing tube or receiver B, which, unlike the automatic holder now in
general use, does not terminate at the front in spring jaws, but is a plain sheet
metal tube throughout of a size to easily receive the lead. The front end of the
tube is centered in and preferably projects beyond the nozzle a, and the said tube
is made capable of sliding a certain distance lengthwise in the handle A. To this
end it is in the present instance provide with a head or cap b, which projects
beyond the rear end of the handle, and may either fit within or upon the same.
The latter arrangement is shewn in Figure 2, and the former in Figure 3. In
either case the tube may, by means of the cap or head, be moved back and forth in
the handle, its movements beyond the prescribed point in either direction being
restrained by any suitable and well known means.
Attached to the interior of the handle on opposite sides of the lead tube
or receiver are jaws C, whose free front ends by spring action are caused to
close toward' one another. The spring action is obtained in this instance by
forming the jaws of steel or other suitable spring metal, and making them self
closing upon the tube. At those points on the tube with which when the tube is
in its normal position the gripping ends of the jaws are in contact, are formed
openings c, through which the jaws have access to the interior of the tube, and
close upon and grasp the lead d contained therein, as indicated in Figures 1 and 2.
When the parts are in this condition the lead will be held in any desired position
by the jaws. On the other hand in order to release the jaws the cap b is pressed
forward; this has the effect of moving the tube B forward, and the jaws, which are
fixed to the handle, are consequently withdrawn from the opening c, and caused to
ride up on the solid part of the tube, as indicated in Figure 3; their hold on the
lead is thus released, and the latter, so long as the cap is pressed forward, is free to

page_text: be moved back and forth in the tube. If the tube be now drawn in the opposite
direction the jaws will again drop into the openings c, and again project into the
interior of the tube. This last named movement of the tube may be effected
automatically by slanting or bevelling the edges of the openings c towards the
rear, as indicated at c¹, Figure 4, thus forming inclines, over which the jaws travel.
When the tube is pushed forward the jaws ride up on these gentle inclines, and
their spring force will suffice, when the pressure on the cap bis relaxed to draw
back the tube, and permit them to again enter the openings. In lieu of or in
addition to this arrangement a spiral spring d¹ of sufficient capacity may be
interposed between the cap and the handle, which spring compressed by the forward
movement of the cap will by its recoil when pressure on the cap ceases bring the
parts back to their normal position. In lieu of two jaws one jaw only, or even
three or more of small size entering the tube at various points, may be employed,
but it is preferred to use two jaws, as shewn in the Drawing.
The construction and arrangement of the lead receiving tube B may be varied
considerably, as indicated, for instance, in Figure 5, which is a longitudinal central
section of the front part of a holder. In this arrangement the tube consists of two
parts B, B1, the former B longitudinally moveable as before, and the latter B¹ fixed
to or formed on the nozzle a; a space is left between the adjoining ends of the two
parts, which is the opening through which the jaws C act on the lead. When the
tube B is pushed forward its front end advances between and spreads apart
the jaws.
When the arrangement previously described is adopted, it will be found of
advantage to make the slits or opening c undercut, as shown in Figure 6, at c²,
with an opening of this shape the jaw that works in the opening will when the
tube moves back be forced by the inclined front edge c² to take hold of
the lead.
..
In Figures 7, 8, 9, and 10, is shewn a modified form of holder, in which the
longitudinally movable lead containing tube or receiver and its enclosing sheath or
handle are combined with jaws attached to and carried by the tube, and provided
with side lips or flanges, which enter V shaped or equivalently formed grooves or
slots in the handle, whereby the jaws when moved in one direction will be caused
to close on the lead, and when moved in the opposite direction will be permitted to
release the lead.
Figure 7 is a perspective view of the holder; Figure 8, a longitudinal central
section of the same.
Figure 9, a perspective view of the front or nozzle end of the sheath.
Figure 10, a like view of the front portion of the lead receiving tube.
A is the sheath or handle with tapered nozzle a; B is the longitudinally
movable lead receiving tube; C is the cap attached to the tube, and fitting the.
rear end of the handle; b is the spring which serves to retract the tube, and thus
hold the jaws normally closed, the tube being pushed forwards against the stress of.
the spring by pressing on the cap C. The rearward movement of the tube may be
limited in various ways, in this instance it is limited by the engagement of the
jaws and the nozzle a. Upon the front edge of the tube B are jaws D, which tend
to spring apart when not under pressure, and which are provided with side lips or
flanges c that enter and engage V shaped or equivalently formed slots or grooves d
in the nozzle a. The jaws are pulled back by the spring b, so that their side lips
or flanges c will be brought into the narrowing portions of the slots d with the
effect of closing the jaws, and causing them to grasp the lead e, as shown in
Figure 7.
When on the other hand the jaws are moved forwards against the stress of the
spring b their lips will be brought into the wider portions of the slots d, and will
thus permit the jaws to separate and release the lead.
In lieu of slots the nozzle a may have grooves, and these grooves of wedge like
or tapering form may be formed in or on any suitable portion of the interior of the
front portion of the handle. While it is preferred to use two grooves or slots and

page_text: two pairs of lips or flanges, yet one groove or slot and one pair of lips may be alone
employed, in which case the part which grasps the lead may be an expansible tube
split on one side with lips or flanges on the edges of the slit to engage the
tapering groove or slot in the handle.
In Figures 11, 12, and 13, is represented an arrangement which admits of the
C rotating independently of the tube B to which it is attached.
cap
It not unfrequently happens that persons ignorant of the mode of operation of
the "automatic holder" attempt to move the jaws by twisting the cap, with the
result oftentimes of twisting and breaking the tube. The arrangement shown in
the Figures referred to is intended to prevent this.
On the rear end of the tube B is mounted a concave-convex washer e, secured
thereon by swaging or upsetting the end of the tube, as shewn in Figure 12. This
end of the tube is then inserted in the cap C, the latter being formed with an
annular internal offsett or groove opposite the point to which the washer e comes.
The latter is then by suitable tools flattened or spread out, so that its edge will
enter the groove f, as shewn in Figure 12. Under this arrangement the cap and
tube must move together lengthwise, but the cap at the same time can be freely
turned without tending to impart any movement to the tube. The spring b rests
at one end in a cup like bearing piece g loosely encircling the tube, and at the other
end bears against the disc e; it will thus be practically unaffected by rotary move-
ments of the cap.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of the said
Invention, and the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried into
effect, I would observe in conclusion that what I consider to be novel and original,
and therefore claim as the Invention secured to me by the hereinbefore in part
recited Letters Patent is,--
1. The combination with the sheath or handle, and the longitudinally moving lead
containing tube of one or more lead holding jaws inside of and connected with the
sheath, and extending into the interior of the tube through one or more openings
therein, so as to have contact with the lead, and operated by the tube according to
the direction of its movement to clamp and to release the lead, substantially as
hereinbefore described.
2. The longitudinally movable lead tube or receiver having undercut jaw,
admitting slots or openings in combination with the handle and the jaws attached
to the said handle, substantially as herein before described.
3. A lead or crayon holder in which the case or handle is combined with longi-
tudinally movable expansible lead holding jaws provided on contiguous edges with
laterally projecting lips, which enter and engage one or more wedge like or tapering
slots or grooves in the case, substantially as and for the purpose herein before
described.
4. The pressure cap and longitudinally moveable lead containing tube or stem
connected by a washer or flange on the tube which enters a corresponding annular
groove in the cap, so that the cap may be free to turn without imparting a like
movement to the tube, all substantially as herein before described.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Henry Johnson, have to this my
Specification set my hand and seal, this Seventeenth day of May, One
thousand eight hundred and eighty one.