An Improved Pencil Sharpener and Clamp for same.
Year: 1890

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Pencil Sharpener and Clamp for same.
A communication from abroad by EDWIN STANDISH DRAKE, of 105, Middle Street,
Portland, Maine, in the United States of America.
I, PHILIP MIDDLETON JUSTICE of 55 and 56 Chancery Lane, in the County of
Middlesex, Fellow of the Institute of Patent Agents 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 :-
This Invention relates to an improved pencil sharpener and to a clamp or clip
which is especially adapted for holding same to a table desk or the like.
To clearly explain the nature of this Invention reference is made to the accompanying
drawing in which :-
Figure 1 is an elevation of the sharpener or pencil secured to a table or the like by
the improved clamp.
Figure 2 is a sectional view of same on the line
x Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a plan view of a portion of the machine and,
Figure 4 is a small perspective view shewing the manner of using the
sharpener.
The sharpener consists of a flat stand or base a adapted to rest upon a table bor
the like from which base rise posts c c connected by a bar d. In the bar is secured a
length of metal rack e the teeth of which engage with a pinion f carried by a block or
holder I. This pinion is secured to or forms part of a sleeve / which in turn is secured
to a spring clip i formed of elastic arms as shown all of which are retained in
a hole in the holder g by means of a wood or metal bushing k and washer 1.
The holder is threaded on the bar d and is capable of movement to and fro on
same so that a pencil held by the clip i will be rotated by means of the rack and
pinion as the portion to be pointed travels across the face of the inclined file surface m.
The bar d is pivoted in the posts c so that the hand as it works the holder g backwards
and forwards can rock the bar and holder and thus vary the pressure of the point
upon the face of the file. The base is preferably formed with a cut out or hollowed
portion n which will retain the dust and powder falling from the face of the file. The
holder g may be of an elongated rectangular shape instead of circular as shown and
may carry two or more clips i side by side so that a number of pencils may be
sharpened at the same time if desired. Where a flat or chisel point is desired the
holder g may simply carry a flat spring in the hole in same in place of a rotating clip
so that a pencil may be worked to and fro on the face of the file until one face is
reduced and then reversed to reduce the other face.
It is obvious that the holder g may be rocked upon the bar d instead of with it provided
the teeth of the rack and pinion are suitably formed on the arc of a circle so as to
maintain their proper engagement when the holder is moved along the shaft and
rocked thereon.
A spiral spring may be coiled around the end of the bar d in one of its sockets in
the posts c so as to keep the pencil from off the face of the file and to assist in relieving
the cut as the pressure on the pencil is lightened.
It is obvious that the device above described may be simply laid upon a table or
the like when in use or be held in the hand but where it is desired to secure it in place
the clamp shown and hereinafter described may be employed. This consists of two
members o o each formed preferably of a piece of stout wire bent into substantially
the form shown, though this may vary somewhat. One end is bent so as to enter a
hole P in the base of the sharpener, which it is desired to secure to a table or the like.
It is sufficient for this end to lay in the hole p but where desired it may pass through.
to the back and be secured in place by a nut."

page_text: "'
The other end is formed into a hook 7. These two hooks must be drawn together
and their shouldered portions s be held in contact with the table b by some spring
device. An ordinary rubber band has been found very suitable for this purpose
but any suitable spring may be employed or even a string tape or wire if there is
sufficient spring in the arms of the clamp members o to answer the purpose.
The parts s of the clamps where they grip, the table are preferably notched as shown
in Figure 2 to afford better hold. In some cases the connection between the members
may be dispensed with if the end of the member is fitted tightly into the base and
prevented from turning so that it may be sprung open to allow of the edge of the
table or the like being inserted between the base and the shouldered portion. Or a
spring may be combined with each member so that it will be drawn up against the
table or support and in this case also the connection r is not required.
The two members co-operate to form a very rigid fastening not easily displaced by
jars or strains.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the 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 combination of a bar, a rocking holder travelling
thereon, and carrying a pencil holder, and a file arranged transversely to the length of
the pencil, substantially as described.
2. In a pencil sharpener, the combination of a rock bar, a holder travelling thereon
and carrying a pencil holder, and a file arranged transversely to the length of the
pencil, substantially as described.
3. In a pencil sharpener, the combination of a rock bar, a holder sliding to and fro
thereon and carrying a pencil holder rotated by contact with said bar, and a file
arranged transversely to the length of the pencil, substantially as described.
4. In a pencil sharpener, the combination of a rock bar, having a rack thereon, a
holder sliding to and fro on said bar and carrying a pencil holder having teeth to
engage the rack on the bar, and a file arranged at right engles to the length of the
pencil, substantially as described.
5. A pencil sharpener consisting of a base or stand, a rock bar suitably mounted
thereon and having a rack, a holder sliding to and fro on said rock bar and carrying
a pencil holder having a gear connection with the rack on the bar, and a file arranged
on said stand parallel with the shaft but in a position transverse to that of the pencil,
substantially as described.
6. The combination with a base a of a clamp consisting of two pieces of metal rod
or wire, bent into substantially the form shown, one end of each being adapted to be
secured to said base and the shoulder portion of each being held against the base of
the support by a spring or by other means which will draw the ends together
substantially as described.
7. The combination with a base a of a clamp consisting of two pieces of metal rod
or wire bent into substantially the form shown, one arm of each piece being adapted
to take hold of the base and the other to overlap the edge of the support and take hold
of its under side and a spring to hold the wires against the support, substantially
as described.
Dated this 20th devy of Anvil 1890