IMPROVEMENTS IN " HOLDERS FOR KNIFE BLADES, PENCIL LEADS, AND OTHER ARTICLES
Year: 1883

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Henry Johnson, of 47 Lincolns Inn Fields, in the
County of Middlesex, Gentleman for an Invention of IMPROVEMENTS IN
"
HOLDERS FOR KNIFE BLADES, PENCIL LEADS, AND OTHER ARTICLES"
Communicated to him from Joseph Reckendorfer a person residing in 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 27th February 1883.
"
"
JOHN HENRY JOHNSON of 47. Lincoln's Inn Fields in the County of Middlesex
Gentleman IMPROVEMENTS IN HOLDERS FOR KNIFE BLADES, PENCIL LEADS,
AND OTHER ARTICLES a communication to me from Joseph Reckendorfer a
person residing in the City County and State of New York United States of
America
The first portion of this invention relates to that class of Knives and analogous
articles in which a sliding blade or its equivalent (such as a tooth pick, button-
hook or other flat article which can be contained in small compass like a knife
blade) capable of freely moving back and forth in a case or handle within pre-
scribed limits so as to drop by gravity in one direction or the other according to
which end of the case is held uppermost, is combined with a spring locking device
adapted to lock the blade in its advanced or retracted position; and it is
characterized by the combination with the foregoing instrumentalities.of a longi-
tudinally movable spring-controlled pressure cap constituting a prolongation of the
handle and adapted when moved against the stress of its controlling spring, to
disengage the blade from the locking.device.
Within the case or handle of a holder constructed according to this Invention is
fastened a metallic tube which forms a support and guide for the cylindrical tang
or shank of the blade adapted to slide freely back and forth therein; the rear
portion of the shank is reduced to the form of a comparatively slender stem which
Price 1

page_text: "
extends rearwardly between Jaws. These Jaws can side rengunwise i
tube the extent of their movement being limited by means similar to those employed
in connection with the sliding lead carrying tube of the well known "Automatic
pencil for a like purpose. The jaws which are provided with external swells or
inclines like the jaws of an "Automatic" pencil have a spring action and normally
stand, apart, they are forced together so as to grasp stem by being drawn back against
a part of the tube which is a device similar in function to the tip or nozzle of an
"Automatic" pencil. The jaws are normally held in a closed condition by means
of a spiral retracting spring confined between the end of tube and the head of a
pressure cap fastened on the rearwardly projecting end of the tubular stem that
carries the jaws which pressure cap projects from the rear of case and can be pushed
inwardly by hand against the stress of the spring far enough to release the jaws when
it is desired to loose their grasp on the knife blade stem. In the said stem are cut
notches at the points, where the jaws meet it at its two extremes of movement by
which means the blade can be locked in either its advanced position or its retracted
position. For the purpose of limiting the range of movement of the blade, the
stein at its rear is provided with a pin which projects through between the stems
of the jaws into a longitudinal slot of proper length formed in the tube.
To project the blade from the case the instrument is held point downwards and
the pressure cap is pushed in. This causes the jaws to release the blade and the
latter drops by gravity until the pin on the stem of the blade comes against the
front end of the slot in the tube. Pressure is then removed from the cap, the spring
retracts it, and the jaws consequently close on the stem entering the rear notch
and locking the blade in its advanced position. To retract the blade the samę
operation is performed but whilst holding the point of the instrument uppermost..
In lieu of the special form of locking mechanisin employed other forms-some of
which are hereinafter indicated-may be employed.
"
By "pressure. cap' is intended any spring-controlled longitudinally movable
prolongation of the handle arranged in, the same position and operating when
pressed forward against the stress of the spring to effect the release of the blade or
its equivalent.
The instrument can for example be a double-ended combination instrument in
which the device at one end will serve as the pressure cap for the device at the
other. An arrangement for this purpose constitutes the next portion of these
improvements and consists.as follows:-
The case or handle is divided into two parts which I will call A and B. The
part A contains the knife and the part B contains the lead. The two are capable
of longitudinal movement, with respect to one. another, and the part A telescopes
into the part B. The outer end of B is tapered and contracted to form a tip or
nozzle; within, the, part B is the longitudinally movable lead-containing tube
terminating at its front end in clamping jaws which, when the lead tube is drawn
back, are caused by the tip or nozzle to close upon the lead.
.
The tube at its rear passes freely through a thimble fast. to the part B of the
case and is drawn back by a retracting spring confined between the head of said
thimble and the head of a short cylinder into which the end of the tube, is soldered.
The said cylinder fits and is adapted to slide in the part A of the case. The lead
containing tube is kept from being drawn back too far by a stud in it which
brings up against a washer on the front of thimble.
In the part A is fastened a flattened blade-containing tube in which is the blade
so arranged that it can freely slide therein so.as to drop by gravity in one direction
or the other according to which end of the instrument is held uppermost. Its
movements are confined to prescribed limits by a stud which is attached to and
projects through the tube and extends into and through a slot formed in and
lengthwise of the shank of blade. In order to lock the blade in place at either
extreme of its movement the slot terminates at each end in a hole of a diameter
greater than the width of the slot; and the part of the stud', which is to engage in
these holes is made of a like shape and size its other part.being flat and of a size to
F

page_text: pass meely rough the stov
UL
Sprang
secured to the exterior of the tube and the spring presses the stud into the tube so
as to cause its cylindrical part to snap into the holes when they are brought
opposite to them In order to press back the stud so as to bring its thin flat part
into the path of the slot and holes and thus release the blade the stud is made of a
length to extend entirely through from one side to the other of the tube and its
projecting end is beveled. Upon the side of the tube from which the bevelled end
projects is mounted in guides a longitudinally movable slide whose outer end
normally extends up to the bevelled end of the stud and is correspondingly bevelled
so that when the slide-bar is pushed forward it will press back the stud and thus
release the knife blade. The rear end of the slide bar passes freely through the
head of a thimble attached to the part A and extends back into and is soldered to
the beforementioned cylinder which thus rigidly connects the lead tube and the
slide bar. Between said thimble and, the adjoining head of said cylinder is inter-
posed a retracting spring by which the slide bar is held normally just out of
engagement with the spring controlled locking stud.
As a part of the instrument there may be provided a removable cap which will
fit upon either end, and which is put upon the pencil-end when the knife-end is to
be used, and vice versa.
In order to project the knife blade, the part A is held lowermost and pressure is
applied from the end B with the effect of pushing forward, the slide bar and
consequently unlocking the blade which as soon as released falls until it is arrested
by the locking stud bringing up against the rear end of the slot. Pressure is then
removed and by the spring action the slide-bar is retracted and the cylindrical
part of the locking stud pushed into the hole at the rear of the slot thus locking
the blade in place. To withdraw the blade the same operation is performed but
holding the other end uppermost. The lead is advanced and withdrawn in a
similar way.
J
In lieu of the "automatic" lead-holding mechanism other types of lead-holders
can be combined with the knife end.
In this case the lead holder consists of what is commonly known as an
"Artist".
pencil that is to say: the part B (which telescopes into the part A) contains a
lead containing tube fastened to it and terminating in spring jaws which normally
stand apart and are operated to close upon the lead by a tip or nozzle which screws.
upon the outer end of the part B. To the inner or rear end of the part B is
fastened a slide bar and between the end of the part B and the head of thimble in
the part A through which the slide-bar passes is a retracting spring.. By pushing
the part B against the stress of the spring the slide-bar is moved in a direction
to cause the locking mechanism to release the knife blade. The arrangement of the
knife part of the instrument is substantially the same as that hereinbefore. last
described the only difference being that the bevelled end of the slide bar acts
against the bent up end of a spring strip that carries the locking stud instead of
against a bevel on the locking stud as in the said preceding arrangement.
The special devices combined in the instrument can be varied in other ways; for
example the knife-blade and its locking mechanism can be dispensed with and an
"automatic" pencil movement can be employed at each end so that the instrument
will in effect be a double-ended "automatic" holder.
'
In this case the adjoining ends of the two parts A B of the case are separated
by an interval sufficient to receive two retracting springs and this intervening
space is covered by a central sleeve into which the inner ends of the parts A and B
enter.
The lead tube may if desired be continuous from one end to the other of the
instrument and is provided at each end with grasping jaws which are acted on
by the tips on the outer ends of the parts A and B respectively.
The lead tube is made fast by one or more thimbles to the central sleeve the
said thimbles constituting a partition on opposite sides of which are retracting
springs each of which is confined between the partition at one end and the inner

page_text: end of the parts A or B at the other. The parts A and B are of course longi-
tudinally moveable independently of one another with respect to the lead tube and
central sleeve to which it is attached.
The outward movement of the parts A B is limited by a washer in the front
portion of each part which brings up against a stud on the lead tube. At a central
point in the lead tube is a plug or filling which prevents the lead in the one half.
of the tube from dropping into that portion of the tube devoted to the other lead.
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
30th July 1883.
i
"
"
JOHN HENRY JOHNSON of 47 Lincolns Inn Fields in the County of, Middlesex,.
Gentleman IMPROVEMENTS IN HOLDERS FOR KNIFE BLADES, PENCIL, LEADS,
AND OTHER ARTICLES a communication to me from Joseph Reckendorfer a.
person residing in the City County and State of New York, United States of
America .
:
The first portion of this Invention relates to that class of holders for knives and
like articles in which a sliding blade or its equivalent (such as a tooth pick, button-
hook, pencil, pen or other tool which can be contained within the compass of the
holder) capable of freely moving back and forth in a case or handle within
prescribed limits so as to drop by gravity in one direction or the other, according
to which end of the case is held uppermost, is combined with a spring locking
device adapted to lock the blade or other article in its advanced or retracted
position; and it is characterized by the combination with the foregoing instru-
mentalities of a longitudinally moveable spring-controlled pressure cap constituting
a prolongation of the handle and adapted when moved against the stress of its
controlling spring, to disengage the blade or other article from the locking device.
This portion of the Invention is illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 of the
accompanying drawings, the instrument shewn as combined with the holder being
a knife blade
LI
Figure 1 is a longitudinal central section of the instrument, with the knife blade
protruding from the case
Figure 2 is a like section with the blade retracted within the case; in this
Figure the pressure cap is shewn pushed forward far enough to permit the jaws to
open
A is the case or handle of any suitable configuration and material. Within it is
fastened the metallic tube B which forms a support and guide for the cylindrical
tang or shank of the blade C adapted to slide freely back and forth therein; the
rear portion of the shank is reduced to the form of a comparatively slender stem
which extends rearwardly between jaws b. These jaws can slide lengthwise in the
0

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tube B the extent of their movement being limited by means similar to those
employed in connection with the sliding lead carrying tube of the well known
Automatic" pencil for a like purpose. The jaws which are provided with external
swells or inclines like the jaws of an "Automatic "pencil have a spring action and
normally stand apart; they are forced together so as to grasp the stem x by being
drawn back against the part à of the tube B which is a device similar in function
to the tip or nozzle of an "Automatic" pencil. The jaws are normally held in a
closed condition by means of a spiral retracting spring e confined between the end
of the tube B and the head of a pressure cap f fastened on the rearwardly projecting
end of the tubular stem that carries the jaws, which pressure cap projects from the
rear of case A and can be pushed inwardly by hand against the stress of the spring
far enough to release the jaws when it is desired to loose their grasp on the knife
blade stem In the said stem are cut notches y at the points where the jaws
meet it at its two extremes of movement by which means the blade can be locked
in either its advanced position (Figure 1) or its retracted position (Figure 2) For
the purpose of limiting the range of movement of the blade; the stem at its rear
is provided with a pin or projection g which projects through the stem of the
jaws b into a longitudinal slot h of proper length formed in the tube B
When the tube B projects beyond the jaws as shewn in the drawing and the
shank or tang of the blade is enlarged so as to fit the bore of the same then the
blade is held when exposed or in its advanced position outside of the jaws and is
more firmly supported than if the tube were not so extended
To project the blade from the case the instrument is held point downwards and
the pressure cap. is pushed in. This causes the jaws to release the blade and the
latter drops by gravity, until the pin g brings up against the front end of the slot h.
Pressure is then removed from the cap, the spring retracts it, and the jaws con-
sequently close on the stem x entering the rear. notch y and locking the blade in
its advanced position. To retract the blade the same operation is performed but
whilst holding the point of the instrument uppermost
S
The stem instead of being the tang of a knife blade may carry a tooth pick
button hook or the like or it may be provided with or formed as a pencil or a pen'
holder which like the blade will, when released from the locking mechanism, move
freely within prescribed limits in one direction or the other in the holder according
as it is desired to cover or uncover the point or end of the instrument
In lieu of the special form of locking mechanism employed other forms some of
which are hereinafter indicated-may be employed
By "pressure cap "is intended not only the special form of cap shown, but any
spring-controlled longitudinally moveable prolongation of the handle arranged in
the same position and operating when pressed forward against the stress of the
spring to effect the release of the blade or its equivalent
1
The instrument can for example be a. double-ended combination instrument in
which the device at one end will serve as the pressure cap for the device at the
other. An arrangement for this purpose constituting the next portion of these
improvements is represented in Figures 3 and 4
Figure 3 is a longitudinal central section of the instrument, with the blade
protruding and the lead withdrawn
Figure 4 is a similar section in a plane at right angles to the plane of the
section in Figure 3, with the lead protruding and the blade retracted
In these Figures, A. B. is a divided case or handle; A contains the knife and B
contains the lead. The two are capable of longitudinal movement with respect to
one another and the part A telescopes into the part B. The outer end of the
part B is tapered and contracted to form a tip or nozzle a; within the part B is the
longitudinally moveable lead-containing tube C terminating at its front end in
clamping jaws b, which, when the lead tube is drawn back, are caused by the tip
or nozzle a to close upon the lead x
The tube at its rear passes freely through a thimble c fast to the part B of the
het ween the lead of the
.

page_text: thimble c and the head of a short cylinder d into which the end of the tube is
soldered. The said cylinder d fits and is adapted to slide in the part A of the case.
The lead containing tube C is kept from being drawn back too far by a stud e* on
it, which brings up against a washer on the front of the thimble c
LI
In the part A is fastened a flattened blade-containing tube D in which is the
blade E so arranged that it can freely slide therein so as to drop by gravity in oné
direction, or the other according to which end of the instrument is held uppermost
Its movements are confined to prescribed limits by a stud e which is attached to
and projects through the tube. D and extends into and through'a slot f formed in
and lengthwise of the shank of the blade E. In order to lock the blade in place at
either extreme of its movement the slot terminates at each end in a hole f¹ of a
diameter greater than the width of the slot, and the part of the stud e which is to
engage in these holes is made of a like shape and size, its other part é¹ being flat
and of a size to pass freely through the slot f. The stud is mounted on the end of
a spring arm g secured to the exterior of the tube D, and the spring presses the
stud into the tube so as to cause its cylindrical part to snap into the holes fl when
they are brought opposite to them. "In order to press back the stud so as to. bring
its thin flat part el into the path of the slot f and boles f¹ and thus release the
blade, the stud is made of a length to extend entirely through from one side to the
other of the tube D and its projecting end is bevelled as indicated at, e. Upon
the side of the tube from which the bevelled end e projects is mounted in guides h
a longitudinally moveable slide whose outer end normally extends up to the
bevelled end e² and is correspondingly bevelled as indicated at 2, so that when the
slide bar is pushed forward it will press back the end e² and thus release the knife
blade. The rear end of the slide bar passes freely through the head of a thimble j
attached to the part A and extends back into and is soldered to the cylinder d
which thus rigidly connects the lead tube and the slide bar. Between the thimble j
and the adjoining head of the cylinder d is interposed a retracting spring k by
which the slide bar is held normally just out of engagement with the spring-
controlled-locking-stud e.
As a part of the instrument there may be provided a removeable cap / which
will fit upon either end, and which is put upon the pencil-end when the knife-end
is to be used, and vice versa
.
In order to project the knife blade, the part A is held lowermost and pressure is
applied from the end B with the effect of pushing forward the slide bar and conse-
quently unlocking the blade which as soon as released falls. until it is arrested by
the locking stud bringing up against the rear end of the slot f. Pressure is then
removed and by the spring action the slide-bar is retracted and the cylindrical part
of the locking stud pushed into the hole f¹ at the rear of the slot, thus locking the
blade in place. To withdraw the blade the saine operation is performed but
holding the end A uppermost The lead a is advanced and withdrawn in a similar
way
.
In lieu of the "Automatic" lead holding mechanisin other types of lead-holders
can be combined with the knife end. Figure 5 represents in longitudinal central
section a modification of this kind
In this modification the lead holder consists of what is commonly known as an
"Artist " pencil that is to say the part B (which telescopes into the part A)
contains a lead containing tube C fastened to it and terminating in spring jaws b
which normally stand apart, and are operated to close upon the lead by a tip or
nozzle a which screws upon the outer end of the part B. To the inner or rear end
of the part B is fastened the slide bar i and between the end of the part B and the
head of thimble in the part A through which the slide-bar passes is a retracting
spring. By pushing the part B against the stress of the spring, the slide-bar is
moved in a direction to cause the locking mechanism to release the knife blade.
The arrangement of the knife part of the instrument is substantially the same as
that illustrated in Figures 3 and 4 the only difference being that the bevelled end
of the slide bar acts against the bent-up-end 'g' of the spring strip g that carries

page_text: the locking stud, instead of against a bevel on the locking stud as in the Figures
last preceding.
The special devices combined in the instrument, can be varied in other ways for
example, the knife-blade and its locking. mechanism can be dispensed with and
an "Automatic" pencil movement can be employed at each end so that the instru
ment will in effect be a double-ended "Automatic" holder. Such a modification
is represented in longitudinal central section in Figure 6
In this instrument the adjoining ends of the two parts, A. B., of the case are
separated by an interval sufficient to receive two retracting springs kk' and this
intervening space is covered by a central sleeve F into which the inner ends of the
parts A and B. enter »>
The lead tube C may if desired be continuous from one end to the other of the
instrument, and is provided at each end with grasping jaws b which are acted on
by the tips a on the outer ends of the parts A and B respectively
The lead tube is made fast by one or more thimbles j to the central sleeve, the
said thimbles constituting a partition on opposite sides of which are retracting
springs each of which is confined, between the partition at one end, and the
inner end of the part A or B at the other The parts A and B are of course longi-
tudinally moveable independently of one another with respect to the lead tube C
and central sleeve F to which it is attached
The outward. movement of the parts, A. B., is limited by a washer 8 in the
front portion of each part which brings up against a stud t on the lead tube
At a central point in the lead tube is a plug or filling y which prevents the lead
in the one half of the tube from dropping into that portion of the tube devoted to
the other lead
In the preceding modifications although I have shown a knife blade and a
pencil yet it will be understood that I do not limit myself to these instruments
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 herein before in part
recited Letters Patent is:-
First. The following elements in combination-namely, First, the case or
handle; Second, the shank or tang of the knife or other article; Third, the spring
controlled locking mechanism; Fourth, the spring controlled longitudinally
moveable pressure cap; and, Fifth, the device for preventing the tang and knife
or other article from dropping out of the handle, these parts being constructed
and operating substantially in the manner and for the purposes herein before
described
Secondly. In combination with a spring controlled locking mechanism and a
Jongitudinally moveable pressure cap, I claim the tang of a knife or other article,
the device for preventing the tang from dropping out of the handle, and a tube
projecting beyond the locking device in which a part of the tang fits and is
supported; intending to claim none of these elements separately, but only the
combination of all of them, substantially in the manner hereinbefore described
Thirdly. A divided case or handle having its parts longitudinally movable
with respect to one another, and distinct grasping mechanisms-one for each part
of the handle-connected together, and adapted each to engage the lead or other
device contained in its part of the handle, in combination with retracting-spring
mechanism which normally holds the parts of the sheath in a position in which
the grasping mechanism will engage the devices to be held by them, substantially
as herein before set forth
Fourthly. The lead tube and grasping jaws and the releasing slide-bar,
connected so as to move back and forth bodily and together, combined with the
two-part case or handle, the knife-blade (or other instrument), knife-holding (or
other instrument holding) tube, locking mechanism, and retracting springs, sub-
.
-

page_text: L
stantially as herein before described and illustrated in Figures 3 and 4 of the
accompanying drawings
Fifthly. The double-ended "Automatic" lead and crayon holder, constructed
substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 6 of the
accompanying drawings
Sixthly. The combined holder for a knife and lead or other instruments,
constructed substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 5 of
the accompanying drawings
In witness whereof I the said John Henry Johnson have to this my
Specification set my hand and seal this thirtieth day of July-.One thousand
eight, hundred and eighty three."