IMPROVEMENTS IN PENCIL CASES, PENHOLDERS, COMBINED PEN AND PENCIL CASES, TOOTHPICKS, SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, AND OTHER SIMILAR A D'TISH IN
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Edmund George Johnson, of the Firm of S. Mordan and
Company, of City Road, in the County of Middlesex, Manufacturers, for the
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN PENCIL CASES, PENHOLDERS, COMBINED PEN
AND PENCIL CASES, TOOTHPICKS, SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, AND OTHER SIMILAR
A D'TISH IN"
Sealed the 23rd June 1876, and dated the 3rd April 1876.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Edmund George Johnson at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 3rd April 1876.
EDMUND GEORGE JOHNSON, of the Firm of S. Mordan and Company, of City
Road, in the County of Middlesex, Manufacturers. "IMPROVEMENTS IN PENCIL
CASES, PENHOLDERS, COMBINED PEN AND PENCIL CASES, TOOTHPICKS, SURGICAL
INSTRUMENTS, AND OTHER SIMILAR ARTICLES."
The object of this Invention is to construct pencil cases, penholders, toothpicks,
combined pen and pencil cases, surgical instruments, and other similar articles, in
such manner that they shall be readily opened by using one hand only.
I will now by way of example describe a pencil case constructed according to the
Invention. For this purpose I arrange two tubes or slides working telescopically
one within the other, the inner one of which has a longitudinal slot to permit the
travel of a downwardly projecting stud or pin on a collar or flange at the lower
extremity of the outer tube or slide. Within this inner slotted tube I fix two bent
flat springs placed one over the other, the lower one of which is secured by a rivet
or otherwise to the tube or slide, and has a hole at its upper part; the upper spring
presses on the lower spring, and it has a nose or projection which takes into a second
hole on the lower spring; this upper spring projects beyond the butt or seal end of
the pencil case, and is furnished with a knob or button. On the lower part of the
inner tube or slide there is also a flange or collar, and between this flange or collar
and the one on the outer tube I insert a spiral spring.
Now when it is desired to close the pencil case, the outer tube is slidden or
pushed over the inner tube, and carrying its Hange or collar with it causes the
downwardly projecting pin or stud thercon to travel in the longitudinal slot, and
on reaching the end of its travel to enter the hole in the lower flat spring, and
to remain locked therein until it is desired to release it by opening the pencil
case.

page_text: When it is desired to open the pencil case, the knob or stud on the upper flat
spring must be pressed on with the thumb or nail, and this pressing action forcing
down the lower spring, the stud on the upper collar or flange being thereby released,
the spiral spring expands and drives forward the outer tube or slide which also
carries the pencil point with its lead.
A spiral slot in the inner tube permits the pencil point being drawn therein
when the pencil is to be closed, but this is of ordinary construction. An outer casc
covers the whole arrangement.
This Invention may be applied in obviously similar manner to toothpicks, pencil
holders, surgical instruments, and other similar articles.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Edmund George Johnson, in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
29th September 1876.
EDMUND GEORGE JOHNSON, of the Firm of S. Mordan and Company, of City
Road, in the County of Middlesex, Manufacturers. "IMPROVEMENTS IN PENCIL
CASES, PENHOLDERS, COMBINED PEN AND PENCIL CASES, TOOTHPICKS, SURGICAL
INSTRUMENTS, AND OTHER SIMILAR ARTICLES."
The object of this Invention is to construct pencil cases, penholders, toothpicks,
combined pen and pencil cases, surgical instruments, and other similar articles, in
such manner that they shall be readily opened by using one hand only.
I will now by way of example describe a pencil case constructed according to the
Invention. For this purpose I arrange two tubes or slides working telescopically
one within the other, the inner one of which has a longitudinal slot to permit the
travel of a downwardly projecting stud or pin on a collar or flange at the lower
extremity of the outer tube or slide. Within this inner slotted tube are two bent
flat springs placed one over the other, the lower one is secured by a rivet or
otherwise to the tube or slide, and has a hole at its upper part; the upper spring
presses on the lower spring, and has a nose or projection which takes into a second
hole in the lower spring. This upper spring projects beyond the butt or seal end of
the pencil case, and is furnished with a knob, button, or pusher. On the lower
part of the inner tube or slide is a flange or collar, and between this flange or collar
and the one on the outer tube is coiled a spiral spring.
When the pencil case is to be closed or shut the outer tube is slidden or pushed
over the inner tube, and as it carries its flange or collar with it causes the
downwardly projecting pin or stud thereon to travel in the longitudinal slot, and
on reaching the end of its travel to enter the hole in the lower flat spring, and to
remain locked therein until released by opening the pencil case.
When it is desired to open the pencil case, the knob, stud, or pusher, on the upper
flat spring must be pressed on with the thumb or nail, and this pressing action
forcing down the lower spring, the stud on the upper collar or flange is released,
and the spiral spring expands and drives forward the outer tube or slide which
carries the marking point with its lead.
A spiral slot in the inner tube permits the marking point being drawn therein
when the pencil is to be closed, but this is of ordinary construction.
case or tube covers the whole arrangement.
An outermost
This Invention may be applied in obviously similar manner to tooth picks, pencil
holders, surgical instruments and other similar articles.
I now proceed with reference to the accompanying Drawings to describe pencil
cases constructed according to the Invention.
Figure 1 is an elevation of a pencil case in its shut or closed position; and
Figure 2 is an elevation of the same, in its open or elongated position. Figure 3 is
a vertical sectional elevation of the pencil case showing it locked or closed, and

page_text: Figure 4 is an elevation partly in section showing it open or unlocked. These two
last Figures are on a larger scale thau Figures 1 and 2. A, is the outer tube or slide,
and B the inner tube or slide which works telescopically within the other or outer
tube. The inner tube B has a longitudinal slot b to permit a downwardly project-
ing pin or stud a on the collar or flange H secured to the outer tube A, to travel
therein. C, D, are flat springs inside the inner tube and placed one above the
other, as seen in Figures 3 and 4 and also in the detached fragmentary view at
Figure 5. The upper spring C terminates at its inner end in a nose or projection c
and at its outer end in a button, knob, or pusher E. The under flat spring D is
pierced with a hole to admit the pin or stud a, and to retain it therein when the
pencil case is closed or shut. The spring C is secured at its upper end, or end
nearest the the butt or scal end of the pencil case, to a block or piece h. On the
outer tube A, there is also a collar or flange G, and between these collars or flanges
G and H is a spiral spring
Now, supposing the pencil case to be closed, as seen in Figures 1 and 3, and it be
desired to open it, all that has to be done is to press the knob, button, or pusher E
with the thumb, and as this pusher E is secured to the spring Cits nose c forces
down or depresses the under flat spring D, and the stud or pin a being released as
this spring D is depressed, the spiral spring f which was compressed during the
locked position now expands and drives forward the outer tube or slide A, which
carries the tube y with the ordinary marking point arrangement and its lead.
When the pencil case is to be closed the outer tube A is slidden or pushed back-
wards over the inner tube B, and as this outer tube retires and carries with it the
collar H which holds the pin a, on arriving at the end of its travel the pin a will
enter the hole d in the lower flat spring D and will remain locked therein until it
be intended to open the pencil case again when, of course, the pressing action must
be again repeated. J is a spiral slot in the inner tube B into which the pin or stud
on the marking arrangement or pencil point travels when the pencil case is being
closed or opened, but this arrangement is of the ordinary construction. Z is an
outermost tube or case which encloses the whole system or arrangement.
Figures 6 and 7 are views showing another arrangement or modification of the
Invention. Figure 6 is a sectional elevation of the pencil case in its closed position
and Figure 7 is an elevation of the same, partly in section, in its opened position.
Similar letters of reference indicate similar parts to those shown in the arrange-
ment in Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5. Here the two springs C, D, are dispensed with
and a bent spring & forming a catch is employed. It is screw threaded at its lower
end so as to be screwed into (or otherwise fastened to) the spiral slotted tube g
which carries the marking or pencil point, and at its upper end it is furnished with
a head or projection which is inclined, tapered, or bevelled on one side. Near
the lower end of the inner tube B is fitted a bush j which has an orifice or eyes, to
admit the head of the spring / when to be retained in its locked or closed position.
E is the button, knob, or pusher for effecting the opening operation like that
herein-before described in the first arrangement. Between the knob E and the bush
jis an annular piece m serving as a second pusher. The first pusher or knob E is
flanged and abuts against the upper part of the pusher m and also against a cap or
ferrule n, which is soldered or shrunk on, and keeps the pieces m and E in place.
When this pusher m is depressed by the knob E an eye m¹ in said pusher presses
on the head of the spring catch &, and causes it to enter therein, and the spring
becoming straightened the further the inclined head leaves the upper face of the
bush on which it rested, as it arrives at the opposite side of the eye of the bush
it becomes unlocked and free to fall, and the spiral spring f, now expands and
drives it forward and brings forth the pencil point. A second spiral spring p, placed
between the second pusher m and the bush j, restores the knob E and annular piece
m to their normal position after the thunb has been withdrawn.
The above arrangements, although described as applied to pencil cases, may bo
applied in like manner to tooth picks, surgical instruments, and other similar articles.

page_text: Having now described the nature of the said Invention and in what manner the
same may be performed, I declare that I claim,-
The construction of pencil cases, pen holders, combined pen and pencil cases,
tooth picks, surgical instruments, and other similar articles having at one end a
kuob, button, or pusher, that'on pressure being applied thereto they shall be readily
opened as set forth, and substantially as shewn in the annexed Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said Edmund George Johnson, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Eighth day of September, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and seventy-six.
Witnesses,
G. EDMONDS,
41, City Road :
C. CLACKSON,
29, Englefield Rd.,
Southgate Rd.
EDMUND G. JOHNSON. (L.S.)