Improvements in Pocket or Note Book Pencils or Pencil Holders.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 16th Sept., 1890
Complete Specification Left, 16th June, 1891-Accepted, 1st Aug., 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Pocket or Note Book Pencils or Pencil Holders.
I, ALFRED STEPHEN KING, of The Châlet, Thorpe next. Norwich, in the
County of Norfolk, Wood Buyer and Surveyor, do hereby declare the nature of
this invention to be as follows:-
The object of this invention is to provide means whereby pencils or pencil holders
may be immediately and securely attached to pocket or note books and between
the leaves thereof, thus indicating the position or "place" where the last or any
notes were entered in the book, when it is required to refer thereto, or to add other
notes in the book. In addition to its ordinary functions, the pencil or pencil holder
thus forms a book marker.
upper
In carrying my invention into practical effect I provide or attach to the end
of the pencil or pencil holder a small hook or curved strip of metal or an equivalent
clipping or holding device of just sufficient size to hold or clip on to the top edge of
the leaves of the note or pocket book, and on the cover or back of the book if desired.
Dated this 16th day of September 1890.
CASTLE SMITH,
Per F. W. Golby,
"Invention " Office, 54, Fleet Street, London, E.C.,
Agent for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Pocket or Note Book Pencils or Pencil Holders.
I, ALFRED STEPHEN KING The Chalet, Thorpe next Norwich Wood Buyer &
Surveyor, 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 invention relates to certain improvements in or appertaining to pencils,
pencil cases or holders, crayons writing styles, or other like writing or tracing
instruments, & the object of such improvements is to provide simple, and as a rule,
inexpensive means whereby a pencil or article of like description may be readily
secured to or detached from the leaves of a pocket book, note book or the like,
being attachable to any of the leaves of the book, & thereby being especially useful
as a book mark. My invention also serves for attachment to single sheets of paper,
as drawing paper, thin cards and tablets whereby the pencil can be readily found
when required, and the degree mark easily detected when such is set opposite the
attaching device.
This device provides means for firmly attaching a pencil & such like to one or
more leaves of paper. To this end the attaching device which consists of a spring
hook, or spring controlled hook, variously held, is tightly sprung on to the pencil,
holder, or equivalent, and thereby is capable of clipping the thinnest leaves of
paper.
To serve to prevent the point of the hook, clip, or clasp from catching against
loose articles when placed loose in the pocket, the point has as little projection as
practicable, and when the writing instrument allows of it, I preferably provide a
depression, or recess, to almost entirely receive the point, so as to afford the greatest
protection compatible with its purpose. The points are so shaped that they may
enter between the leaves of a book without damage to same, that is without dragging

page_text: down, or piercing the edges of the leaves; to ensure this, they are wedge shaped,
or bevelled on the inside face & preferably less so on the outer face, and sideways
are rounded off. I attach the hook at the top, or as near the top of writing
instrument as possible, within the limits of the several devices shown in the
drawings, in order that the tip of pencil may project as little as possible from the
edge of book, & thereby avoid liability to catch against adjacent objects in the users
pocket.
I do not purpose my invention for attaching pencils to thick substances, as the
edges of vest pockets, or thick covers of books (it will only do for thin paper covers)
as the point of the clips being necessarily delicate in order to admit of properly
entering between the leaves of books, and being also of very small projection so as
not to catch against articles when placed loose in the pocket; are quite unsuited for
slipping over, and clipping to thick substances. The clasps would be destroyed if
it were attempted to so apply them.
It is obvious that a much greater projection of point of hook would be required
to facilitate attachment to vest pocket and other thick substances, also that a blunt
point would be necessary, & that the hook need not be sprung quite on to the
ferrule or writing instrument; therefore I cannot attach my hooked writing
instrument to thick substances.
In the drawings: :-
Figure 1 is a front view showing one way of applying my improved attaching
device to lead pencils. The point, b, of hook, B, is sprung on to the pencil A
in a recess D, formed by the slit in ferrule C being widened and rounded off where
near the point of hook.
Figure 1 shows the shape of the piece of metal before being bent into the device
shown in Figure 1.
Figure 2 is a simpler form of ferrule in which the point of hook lies on the outer
circumference of ferrule.
Figure 2 is a pencil with reduced top a, to receive ferrule C, as in Figures 1 2,
3 and 21.
Figure 3 is a modification of Figure 1 having spiral grooves E, to enable it to be
screwed to the pencil.
Figure 4, is a combination pencil and eraser holder, into the top end of which is
inserted either clipping device Figure 4* or Figure 4b together with the india rubber
eraser G.
Figure 4ª is a hook, the root of which, 61, is in the form of a ring to spring clip
into one of the internal grooves e, in Figure 4 which grip the eraser G.
Figure 4, has indented root, devised to clip into internal grooves c³, in
Figure 4. The indents are marked ³.
Figure 5 is another form of pencil rubber holder having depression D for point
of hook, b, and indents c³ for gripping rubber G.
Figures 6, 6" 6b and 6° show the details of a third modification of Figure 4, the
ferrule C having slots into which the catches 6 of clipping device, Figure 6º, are
sprung.
Figure 7 shows an ordinary lead pencil A, with cap c attached to the end, the
root of hook, see Figure 7, may be soldered in the cap which is screwed or
clipped on to pencil A.
Figures 7 and 7° show front and side views of a clip for soldering externally to
a cap as in Figure 7, or to ordinary lead pencil cases.
Figures 8 & 9 show side view & section respectively of a bone tipped pencil with
the hook screwed, or cemented into the boring F in the centre of same, and a
recess D in the side to receive the point b of the hook.
Figure 10 is a section showing a slight modification of Figures 8 & 9 and has a
channel D turned round the entire circumference, and is of assistance when the root
of hook is screwed into the boring F.
Figure 11 shows a section of an ordinary lead pencil with lead L laid in the
ordinary channel within about half an inch of the top end, in order that the hook

page_text: may be screwed, cemented or driven into the remainder of the groove. When the
hook is driven in, I prefer to spike the root ', or to widen it so as to prevent its
being easily withdrawn. The recess D can be effected by compression, and is
optionally made as shown, or carried round the circumference, as in Figure 10.
Figure 12 shows a device for another wire clip; a groove is made across the top,
& continued rather more than half an inch down the back, & at the bottom end the
root of hook, b¹, is turned inwards, so as to keep the hook in the pencil.
Figure 13 is an ordinary pencil with hook attached having spiked roots (three in
this case) driven into the end of pencil. The pencil A is depressed at D to receive
point of hook.
Figure 14 shows a lead pencil having a saw cut F, or deep groove, cut across the
top end to receive wide root of hook, b', which may be cemented or wedged in
its place. The annular depression D for the point of hook enables the saw cut to
be made without the adjustment which would be required for an oval depression, as
in Figures 11 & 13, in which cases a corresponding circular channel would also be
preferable to the oval sinking.
-
Figures 15 and 16 show side view and section of a pencil holder with rimmed
cap c; having flanged and split ferrule C sprung into cap, see c¹. The hook B is
formed in one with the ferrule C and presses at the point into depression D. The
pressure of the hook can be increased, by turning cap c so that the indent e³
presses
on the top of hook; or by likewise turning the wedge shaped cam 2 on to the rim
of cap.
Figures 17 and 17ª show front view and section of another pencil holder having
slit ferrule which is sprung into the cap, as in Figure 15. The hook is straight and
spring held, and is held at its heel 2 by a spiral spring 63. The heel is inserted
through slot in ferrulé, and the top of hook has a shoulder 66 which serves as a
pivot on the top of slot. The hook B being straight, when it is inserted in the
leaves of a book is practically parallel with them.
Figure 18 shows the method of attaching my improved writing instrument to a
leaf or leaves of a book.
Figure 19 shows how the invention may be utilized by architects, draughtsmen
and others for attachment to sheets of drawing paper, and thereby enabling the
degree mark, M, when printed on the back of pencil, that is on the opposite side to
the hook, to be immediately discerned.
Figures 20, 20, 21, and 22 show detachable devices, wherein, the hook, cap,
and ferrule, may be made in one, as Figure 22, or the hook and cap, and ferrule
made separately as in Figures 20 & 20" and which appear as Figure 21 when bent
and attached to pencil A. The cap c is provided with tongues to be turned and
inserted in grooves or slots H.
Figures 23 24 and 25 show devices for cap and hook made in one, and attached
to pencil A. This is effected by providing cap c with tongues c which are bent
down & inwards, so as to clip into indents in pencil A, see c in Figure 24.
The
cap in Figure 23 has two tongues, and in Figure 24, three tongues, but four or even
five can be provided according to requirements.
A is the pencil or style as in Figure 4 &c.
B is the hook, as Figure 1, &c.
C is the pencil holder, pencil case ferrule or equivalent, as Figures 1, 4, &c.
D is depression, recess or circular channel to receive point of hook as Figures 1,
13, 14 &c.
E is screwing, or internal spiral ridge on ferrule, as Figure 3.
F is channel, groove, boring or saw cut to receive root of hook, as Figures 9, 12,
14, &c.
G is india rubber eraser, as Figs. 4, 5, &c.
His slot in ferrule as Fig. 20, &c.
L is lead in pencil, as Figure 11.
M is degree mark on pencil as Figure 19.
a is shouldered reduction in pencil as Figure 2ª &c.

page_text: is point of hook as Figure 1, &c.
61 is root of hook as Figures 4b, 7ª &c.
62 is heel of hook, as Figures 16 & 17*.
68.is spiral spring to hook as Figure 17*.
64 is catch on ends of hook as Fig. 6º, &c.
1,5 indents on root of hook, Figure 4.
66 is shoulder on top of straight hook Fig. 17".
c is cap to ferrule, or pencil &c. as Figs. 7, 15 &c.
cis rim to cap as Fig. 15.
cis cam on rim as Figure 15.
c is indent in cap as Figures 15 & 16.
c is an internal annular groove in holder as in Figure 4.
c is an indent in ferrule to hold india rubber as in Fig. 5.
c is a tongue on cap, as Figures 20, 21, &c.
In providing the upper end of pencils, pencil holders, cases styles and the like
with my invention, I preferably use spring steel or brass in order to obtain the small
flexible or spring controlled hooks or clips B, which I so form that they may readily
be hooked on to the edges of the leaves of books &c. The hook lies along the side
of pencil or equivalent, and may spring from the adjacent side of the pencil, as in
Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 & 7, or from the opposite side thereof, as in Figures 12 & 16;
or from the end or middle thereof, as in Figures 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14 and 19; or
from within, as in Figure 17"; or from a cap as in Figures 20, 7, 21, 22, 23, 24 &
25; or be externally soldered on to or beneath rim of cap to pencil &c. In many
cases, especially when adapting the invention to a pencil or crayon; a steel or brass
ferrule of such a size & shape that it fits tightly on to the end of a pencil, &c.; forms
one of the best mediums of attachment, as Figures 1, 21, &c. This ferrule may be
split longitudinally, as in Figures 1, 2, 15, &c., so that its own elasticity tends to
keep it on the pencil; or in some cases the ferrule C, or cap c may be screwed on
to the pencil, being to this end conveniently provided with an internal spiral ridge,
as in Figures 3 & 7.
The ferrule may be open at both ends prior to attachment to the pencil, &c. as in
Figures 1, 2 & 3, or it may be closed at its upper end as in Figures 15, 17 & 21 by
a plain or ornamental cap or tip.
The cap may be formed in one with the cylindrical body C as for example, in
Figures 22 & 21, or may be a separate piece attached to such body as in Figs. 15,
17 & 20 in which latter case the cap & hook are formed in one piece. The cap and
book in one piece as in Figures 23 & 25 may be clipped on to indents in the end of
pencil, &c., in the manner indicated in Figure 24.
When the ferrule as in Figures 1, 2, &c. is applied to an ordinary pencil; its
bottom edge projects slightly beyond the surface of the pencil & thus presents a
small shoulder which is liable to catch the edges of the leaves of the book, &c.,
when the pencil is secured thereto; to remedy this defect the body of the ferrule C
may be cut away or rounded off in the neighbourhood of the hook, as in Figures 1,
3 & 21. I prefer, however, when supplying pencils or the like with detachable
hooked ferrules such as described, to reduce the diameter of the upper end of pencil
&c., either by compression or otherwise, as seen in Figure 2ª so that the exterior
surface of the ferrule C is flush with the body of the pencil to which it is applied, as
seen in Figures 1, 2, 3 &c. The reduced ferrule also has the further advantage
that it takes up less room when lying in a hook.
A further advantage arising from cutting away the ferrule as in Figures 1, 1ª,
3, 20, 21 & 22, is that a recess is provided for largely receiving the point of hook,
& thereby tending to protect the point from catching against articles when placed
loosely in the pocket. Again, in the hardening and tempering of the steel, it is of
great assistance to be able to bend the hook into or through the break D in
Figures 1, 1 3 &c. thereby ensuring a sufficient pressure by the hook when attached
to the pencil so as to enable it to clip firmly on to the thinnest paper.
Figure 6 shows a separate hook, so shaped that provision is made for bending it

page_text: well between the two catches, 64, in order to give the requisite pressure when
attached to the ferrule as in Figure 6.
I provide circular channels, oval depressions, & hollows in pencils, &c. in order to
protect the hook as far as practicable, see Figures 7, 8, 10 14, &c.
The hooked ferrules, caps & holders, I construct in a variety of ways, they
being stamped or otherwise formed out of thin sheet metal, & bent to the required
shape. Ferrules, as in Figure 1ª can, by mocking the hooks, be economically cut
out of a ribbon of sheet metal. Figure 22 could not so well be cut out of ribbon
steel, as the cap & hook spring from the middle.
It will be obvious that other forms of hooks or clips could be employed, for
instance, a rimmed cap, as in Figure 7 could have its rim slit in several places, to
admit of its being clipped on to the end of a pencil, especially if an annular channel
were impressed or otherwise formed, to receive the clipping rim.
The hook itself could be formed of wire permanently inserted into a pencil or
crayon, by being screwed into the body thereof, or by otherwise twisting or bending
a wire in or on to the pencil, or the like.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my inven-
tion, & the manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is :
1. A writing or tracing instrument of the kind described, having a spring hook,
clip or clasp at or near its upper end, adapted in the manner described to enter
between, and to hook or clip on to the edges of one or more leaves of a book or the
like, substantially as hereinbefore set forth and illustrated.
2. The detachable cap, tip or ferrule adapted to fit on to the end of a writing or
tracing instrument of the kind, & for the purpose described, and having a spring
hook or clip lying along, or adjoining its exterior, adapted to clip on to one or more
leaves of paper.
3. The arrangement of a straight hook with point adapted for entering between
the leaves of a book or the like-lying against the side of a hollow pencil case or
similar instrument, or against a hollow tip or ferrule fitted on the end of said
instrument; and of a spring device in the interior of said ferrule or case connected
with the heel of the hook, and serving to press or direct the point of the hook
inwards, substantially as described and shewn.
4. The arrangement of spring hooks of the kinds, & for the purpose described,
having the point of same lying in a depression, recess, or annular channel in pencil
ferrule holder or case, serving to protect said point from catching against loose
objects.
5. The various arrangements of spring hooks, spring hooked tips, caps and
ferrules, each constructed as a whole substantially as shown and described.
Dated this the 12th day of June 1891.
ALFRED S. KING.