Improvements in Pencil Sharpeners.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 1st Sept., 1851-Accepted, 24th Oct., 1891
JUMI LEIN
Improvements in Pencil Sharpeners.
A communication from abroad by JAMES ORLANDO BROOK BANK, of Driftwood,
in the State of Pennsylvania, United States of America.
I, WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON, F.C.S., M.I.M.E., of the Agency for
Foreign Patent Solicitors, 6 Lord Street, Liverpool and 6, Bank Street,
Manchester, both in the County of Lancaster, and 323 High Holborn in the
County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
The aim of this invention is to produce a small and inexpensive device for
sharpening both lead and slate pencils.
In the accompanying drawings,―
Figure 1 is a perspective view of the sharpener.
Figure 2 is a cross-section of the same on the line 2-2.
Figure 3 is a top plan view in the direction indicated by the arrows in Figures 1
and 2.
Figure is a side elevation looking in the direction indicated by broken arrows
in Figures 2 and 3.
Figure 5 is a bottom plan view looking in the direction indicated by the double
arrows in Figure 2.
Referring to the drawings,―
A represents a metallic block or body having in its upper side a deep longitudinal
groove or channel a, of diminishing width towards its bottom, or, in other words,
with converging side walls. One of these walls is preferably vertical and the other
inclined, as shown.
Through one side of the block is formed an opening, and in this opening is
secured, by screw e, a flat blade or cutter, d, one edge of which is projected through
and slightly beyond the inner face of the wall, somewhat after the manner in which
a plane bit is projected beyond the face of the stock or body. The edge of the
blade is arranged in a position inclined or oblique to the vertical.
In making use of this cutter, the end of the pencil is inserted and repeatedly
drawn through the channel in an inclined position, with its tapered end resting on
one side against the vertical wall, and on the other side, against the opposite wall,
subject to the action of the blade. After each cut, the pencil is given a slight
rotary motion. By continuing these actions, the wood and lead may be rapidly
and smoothly cut away without danger of fracturing the lead.
The length and taper of the point may be varied as desired by simply changing
the angle at which the pencil is presented to the groove.
It will be noticed that the blade acts with a draw or shear cut, and that the
point receives support opposite the edge of the knife from the opposing wall.
In the lower side of the body is formed a longitudinal V-groove g, and in the
surfaces of this groove is formed a series of transverse obliquely disposed cutting
teeth h, somewhat similar to those of a file. The teeth on each side are parallel
but in oblique relation to those on the opposite side. They serve to reduce and
sharpen the end of the pencil lead, or of a slate pencil drawn through the groove
in an inclined position. The convergence and oblique relationship of the teeth on
the opposite sides of the groove cause them to cut rapidly and clearly.
As an additional means of pointing pencils, it is proposed to provide the body on
its flat side with file teeth as shown in Figure 1.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to me by
my foreign correspondent, I declare that what I claim is :-
1. In a pencil sharpener, the body having the V-groove therein, and the cutting
blade projected through one of the walls of said groove.
.
2. In a pencil sharpener, the body having the groove therein, in combination
with the cutting blade having its cutting edge extended through one side of the
groove in a position oblique to its length.
3. The pencil sharpener, having the internal groove, the cutting blade therein,
and the outside groove with the series of converging teeth therein.
Dated this 31st day of August 1891.
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Agents for the Applicant.