IMPROVEMENTS IN PENCIL SHARPENERS, SUCH IMPROVED PENCIL SHARPENERS BEING APPLICABLE FOR USE FOR ALL KINDS OF PENCILS
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Abram Charles Herts, of Bloomsbury; in the County of
Middlesex, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN PENCIL SHARPENERS, SUCH
IMPROVED PENCIL SHARPENERS BEING APPLICABLE FOR USE FOR ALL KINDS OF
PENCILS." A communication from abroad by John Herts, of New York, in the
United States of America.
Sealed the 19th January 1877, and dated the 25th July 1876.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Abram Charles Herts at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 25th July 1876.
ABRAM CHARLES HERTS, of Bloomsbury, in the County of Middlesex. "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN PENCIL SHARPENERS, SUCH IMPROVED PENCIL SHARPENERS BEING appli-
CABLE FOR USE FOR ALL KINDS OF PENCILS."
This Invention has for its object improvements in pencil sharpeners, such im-
proved pencil sharpeners being applicable for use for all kinds of pencils.
Hitherto great inconvenience and annoyance has been experienced from the
liability of the pencil sharpeners hitherto in use to break the point of the pencil
when made, and it has therefore been found a matter of difficulty to obtain a point
of the requisite fineness and delicacy for drawing and other such like purposes.
Now I propose to obviate such disadvantages in the following manner:-I make
a case either of wood, metal, glass, vulcanite, or any other suitable material, and
preferably in the form of a miniature jack plane, but such case may be made in
any other suitable and appropriate form. Such case is provided at its top with a
handle of any suitable design, and has in its centre a suitable and convenient open-
ing, into which I insert a blade of suitable dimensions somewhat resembling the
blade or knife of a jack plane. Such blade or knife I fix therein by means of an
adjustable screw, and when such blade or knife requires sharpening it is only neces-
sary to slightly loosen such adjustable screw, when the blade or knife at once drops
out, and may be readily put in order on any ordinary oil stone.
The operation of my Invention is as follows:--Hold the pencil, crayon, or other
implement to be sharpened firmly and at a convenient angle on the edge of a tablo
or desk or other suitable support, take hold of the pencil sharpener by the handle,
and plane the end of the pencil, bearing on it lightly, and at the same time slowly
turn it round in order to form a point to the same. Care must be taken in order
to avoid breaking the lead or other substance to keep the pressure on the rear end
of the plane, and to obtain a longer or shorter level at the point it is only neces-
sary to hold the pencil at a lesser or greater angle.
By the use of my improved pencil sharpener points of all the necessary grada-
tions, both as to stoutness or fineness, as also in length, may be made with tho
Pavice 271

page_text: utmost facility, at the same time that all risk of breaking the same, and the
annoyance and loss of time consequent thereon, is entirely avoided.
My improved pencil sharpener is particularly adapted for use for crayons and
slate pencils, as well as for the ordinary black lead pencils.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by the
said Abram Charles Herts in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 25th January
1877.
ABRAM CHARLES HERTS, of Bloomsbury, in the County of Middlesex.
"IM-
PROVEMENTS IN PENCIL SHARPENERS, SUCH IMPROVED PENCIL SHARPENERS. BEING
APPLICABLE FOR USE FOR ALL KINDS OF PENCILS." A communication from abroad
by John Herts, of New York, in the United States of America.
This Invention has for its object improvements in pencil sharpeners, such improved
pencil sharpeners being applicable for use for all kinds of pencils.
Hitherto great inconvenience and annoyance has been experienced from the
liability of the pencil sharpeners hitherto in use to break the point of the pencil
when made, and it has therefore been found a matter of difficulty to obtain a point
of the requisite fineness and delicacy for drawing and other such like purposes.
Now I propose to obviate such disadvantages in the following manner-I make
a case either of wood, metal, glass, vulcanite, or any other suitable material, and
preferably in the form of a miniature jack plane, but such case may be made in any
other suitable and appropriate form commensurate with carrying out the objects of
this Invention. Such case is provided at its top with a handle of any suitable
design, and has in its centre a suitable and convenient opening, into which I
insert a blade of suitable dimensions somewhat resembling the blade or knife of a
jack plane. Such blade or knife I fix in such case by means of an adjustable screw,
und when such blade or knife requires sharpening it is only necessary to slightly
loosen such adjustable screw, when the blade or knife at once drops out and may be
readily put in order on any ordinary oil stone.
The operation of my Invention is as follows:-Hold the pencil, crayon, or other
implement to be sharpened firmly and at a convenient angle on the edge of a table
or desk, or other suitable support, take hold of the pencil sharpener by the handle,
and plane the end of the pencil, bearing on it lightly, and at the same time slowly
turn it round in order to form a point to the same. Care must be taken in order to
avoid breaking the lead or other substance to keep the pressure on the rear end of
the plane, and to obtain a longer or shorter bevel at the point it is only necessary
to hold the pencil at a lesser or greater angle.
By the use of my improved pencil sharpener points of all the necessary gradations,
both as to stoutness or fineness, as also in length, may be made with the utmost
facility, at the same time that all risk of breaking the same, and the annoyance
and loss of time consequent thereon, is entirely avoided.
My improved pencil sharpener is particularly adapted for use for crayons and slate
pencils, as well as for the ordinary black lead pencils.
Having thus particularly described and ascertained the nature and operation of
the said Invention, I would have it understood that what I claim is the making an
improved pencil sharpener substantially in the manner and for the purposes herein-
before described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Abram Charles Herts, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty-fifth day of January, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven.
A. C. HERTS.
(L.S.)