Improvement in Holders for Pencil Cases, Knifeblades, Penholders, Toothpicks, and other similar Articles.
Year: 1885

page_text: Improvement in Holders for Pencil Cases, Knifeblades,
Penholders, Toothpicks, and other similar Articles.
I, JOSEPH APPLEBY of 36 Lancaster Street, Birmingham in the County of
Warwickshire, Manufacturer's Foreman do hereby declare the nature of my
invention for HOLDERS FOR EVERPOINTED PENCILS, KNIFEBLADES BUTTON HOOKS
AND THE LIKE to be as follows:-
The object of this invention is to construct holders or instruments for containing
pencil cases (the so-called ever-pointed pencils) knife blades penholders, toothpicks
and other similar articles in such manner that the same part which is acted on by
the thumb or finger for throwing the movement out by a positive action shall also
serve to draw it in by a positive action irrespective of the position in which the
holder is held in the hand that is to say whether with the open end downwards or
upwards or in any intermediate slanting position.
For convenience of description I will describe my invention as applied to an
ever pointed pencil.
The upper end of the holder is provided with a cap in which is contained a
helical spring which I will call the stronger spring, this latter on being compressed
acts upon the end of a tube which I call the conducting tube or movement carrier
which is provided with two longitudinal slots, one near to the rear or upper end and
the other nearer to the front, the front slot is made sufficiently long to allow the
pencil "movement" to move backwards and forwards the required distance, a pin
is fixed in the rear end of the pencil movement which pin passes through this slot,
this said slot is provided with a short "lock" at each end for the purpose of
holding the pencil movement in its advanced or withdrawn position by means of
the pin in the said pencil movement.
The rear or upper slot in the conducting tube is provided for a pin to work
in which pin is fixed to a ferrule to which one end of a second helical spring
is attached, this second spring I call the weaker spring when it is acted upon
by the aforesaid stronger spring in the cap it serves to draw the movement
in or to force it out, the other or lower end of the weaker spring is connected to
a socket which allows a flat bolt connected to the rear end of the movement to
pass inside the weaker spring and to move freely within its prescribed limits, the

page_text: end of this bolt is provided with a suitable stop to prevent its passing through the
said socket.
Outside the aforesaid conducting tube is fitted an outer tube or sleeve which is
fixed to the cap, this outer tube has a wide longitudinal slot running down nearly
to its lower or front end, the rear or upper end of this wide slot instead of being
cut square is cut obliquely for the purpose of pushing the pin of the movement
out of the upper rear lock into the longitudinal part of the slot of the conducting
tube, the other end of the aforesaid wide slot terminates abruptly in a narrow slot
cut obliquely, this narrow oblique slot being cut from one side of the wide slot
leaves part of the end of the wide slot square which forms at tooth or catch, the
front of this tooth forming one side of the narrow oblique slot already described,
to allow this tooth to slightly rise and fall part of the outer tube is cut or
'cracked" which forms a spring if desired this spring tooth may be formed from a
separate piece of metal and fixed to the outer tube.
'
The action of the mechanism is as follows, when the movement is in its with-
drawn position and it is desired to project it or throw it out pressure is applied to
the cap say by the thumb thus compressing the stronger spring and at the same
time pushes forward the outer tube to which the cap is fixed the forward
movement of the outer tube also compresses the weaker spring, the pin of the
ferrule to which it is connected passes through the rear slot of the conducting tube
and is rivetted or fixed to the outer tube, thus the movement of the outer tube
being acted upon by the cap must move forward the ferrule of the weaker spring
with it as far as the slot will allow, the pin of the movement is in the rear lock
of the front slot of the conducting tube, being kept in position by a slight twist
which has been given to the weaker spring, as the pressure is continued the
oblique rear end of the wide slot in the outer tube is brought against the pin of
the movement and the oblique angle forces it out of the lock into the longitudinal
part of the slot, the tension on the weaker spring is then released shooting forward
the movement and giving sufficient impetus to carry the pin into the front lock,
the bolt connected to the end and passing through the weaker spring allows the
movement to continue until it is locked, the slight twist in the weaker spring being
sufficient to carry the pin into the lock.
The movement is now in its advanced position, when the pressure is released
from the cap the action is as follows the outer tube is brought back to its normal
position by means of the stronger spring, the spring tooth on the outer tube
hereinbefore described is raised by the movement pin which is now in the front
lock and passes over it the back of the tooth being suitably bevelled underneath
to allow it to do so as the said outer tube is carried back by the pressure of the
stronger spring it stretches the said weaker spring by means of the pin connected
to the ferrule at the rear end, this weaker spring remains stretched as long as the
movement is required in its advanced position.
When it is required to return the movement to the interior of the case all that
is necessary is to apply a slight pressure to the cap which advances the outer tube
sufficiently to move the pin of the movement out of the front lock in the
conducting tube slot, this is done by means of the oblique part of the aforesaid
spring tooth forming part of the narrow oblique slot already described when this
pin is forced out of the front lock the tension of the weaker spring immediately
draws the movement into its withdrawn position by means of the connecting bolt,
the pin of the movement is carried into the rear lock of the conducting tube slot
by the twist in the weaker spring.
A modified and simpler mode of construction is to attach the front end of the
weaker spring to the movement instead of using a connecting bolt as hereinbefore
described, the rear slot in the conducting tube is made longer so as to allow the
cap and outer tube to move the required distance, pressure is applied to the cap in
the usual manner until the pin of the movement is carried into the front lock of
the conducting tube by means of the oblique end of the wide slot of the outer

page_text: tube the pressure is then released the stronger spring carries the cap and outer
tube back to their normal position and at the same time stretches the weaker
spring, a slight pressure on the cap will bring the movement back to its withdrawn
position in the manner hereinbefore described.
The whole of the mechanism as hereinbefore described is provided with an outer
case which may be of any ornamental design and through which the pressure cap
projects the required distance, the front end of this outer case is soldered or
otherwise fixed to the front end of the conducting tube.
The application of my invention to other like holders for knifeblades button
books other writing instruments and materials &c differs in no essential respect
from its application to ever pointed pencil cases hereinbefore described.

page_text: .
Penholders, Toothpicks, and other similar Articles.
I JOSEPH APPLEBY of 36 Lancaster Street, Birmingham in the county of
Warwick, Foreman, do hereby declare the nature of my invention for IMPROVE-
MENT IN HOLDERS FOR PENCIL CASES, KNIFE BLADES, PENHOLDERS, TOOTHPICKS
AND OTHER SIMILAR ARTICLES and in what manner the same is to be performed,
to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement:—
The object of this invention is to construct holders or instruments for containing
pencil cases (the so-called) everpointed pencils) knife blades penholders, toothpicks
and other similar articles in such manner that the same part which is acted on by
the thumb or finger for throwing the "movement" out by a positive action shall
also serve to draw it in by a positive action irrespective of the position in which
the holder is held in the hand that is to say whether with the open end downwards
or upwards or in any intermediate slanting position.
I will now proceed to describe my invention as applied to an everpointed pencil
case and for that purpose will refer to the several figures on the annexed sheet of
drawings; the same letters of reference indicating corresponding parts in all the
corresponding figures.
Figure 1 represents a pencil movement or lead holder to the end of which a flat
bar or bolt (a) is fixed, a small spiral spring (b) slides freely within prescribed
limits over this said bolt, but cannot be separated from it as it is prevented by the
socket or ferrule (c) and a suitable stop pin at the end of the bolt (a), there is also
another socket or ferrule (d) at the other end of the spiral spring (b) which carries
a pin (e) there is also another pin (f) in the rear end of the pencil movement.
Figure 2. is a metallic tube which I call the movement carrier which is provided
with two longitudinal slots the slot (h) nearer to the front end has a short turn or
lock at each end (i. i) the slot (c) which is nearer to the rear end is straight. The
pencil movement Figure 1 is intended to slide easily in this conducting tube and
the pin (f) passes through the front slot (h) and the pin (e) passes through the
rear slot (c).
The upper end of the case or holder is provided with a pusher cap (m Figure 4)
in which is placed a spiral spring (o) which is considerably stronger than the
spring (b figure 1.) already described, I call the spring (o) the stronger spring and
the spring (b) the weaker spring, the former on being compressed acts upon the
end of the said conducting tube, the front slot of which is made sufficiently long to
allow the pencil movement to slide backwards and forwards the required distance
the short turn or lock (i) is for the purpose of holding the pencil movement either
in its advanced or withdrawn position by means of the pin (f) in the movement
the pin (e) which is fixed to the ferrule (d) of the weaker spring passes through the
slot (k) and when the weaker spring is acted upon by the stronger spring the said
weaker spring serves to draw the pencil movement in or force it outwards.
Figure 3. represents an outer tube or sleeve and which may be called the
operating tube, it is fitted outside the said conducting tube (Figure 2) and the

page_text: pusher cap (m) is fixed to one end, as shewn in figure 4., this said outer tube or
sleeve has a wide longitudinal slot (g) running down nearly to its lower or front
end, the rear or upper end of this slot is cut obliquely at (n) for the purpose of
pushing the pin (f) out of the rear or upper lock (1) into the longitudinal part of
the slot (h); the other end of the said wide slot (g) terminates abruptly in a narrow
slot (p) also cut obliquely, this narrow slot (p) being cut from one side of the wide
slot leaves part of the end of the wide slot square as at (r) which forms a tooth or
catch (8) and to allow this tooth (s) to rise and fall slightly, part of the outer tube
or sleeve is cut or "cracked" (t) which forms a spring; if desired this spring tooth
or catch may be formed from a separate piece and fixed to the outer tube or
sleeve.
Figure 4. shews the said outer tube or sleeve with cap (m) and the conducting
tube and pencil movement in position, the pin (e) passes through the outer tube and
is rivetted or otherwise fixed to it.
Figure 5. is a sectional view of figure 4. shewing the position of the two
springs (o) and (b) the pencil movement being in its withdrawn position the
springs (o) and (b) both being in their normal positions.
Figure 6. is a view of the same combinations, but shews the pencil movement in
its advanced position the pusher cap and outer tube having been pushed forward
which has brought the pin (e) to the front end of the short slot (k).
Figure 7 shews a sectional view of Figure 6; it will be seen that the stronger
spring is compressed the weaker spring (b) is at rest, but the bolt (a) is withdrawn
from it as far as the stop will permit.
Figure 8. shews the combination as in figures 6 and 7 with the pencil movement
still in its advanced position, but the pressure has been withdrawn from the
pressure cap and the stronger spring (o) has been allowed to expand, and in doing
so has pulled the pin (e) to the upper or rear end of the slot (k) which is shewn by
dotted lines) and at the same time it has caused the weaker spring (b) to be drawn
out or expanded as shewn in Figure 9, the tension of the weaker spring is now
upon the pencil movement and is ready to pull it inwards when the pin (f) is
released from its locked position, Figure 9 also shews a section of the outer case
which may be of metal or other suitable material, the front of which is fixed to the
front end of the said conducting tube, and the pressure cap (m) slides within the
rear end of the said outer case.
Figure 10. represents the finished pencil case.
The action of the mechanism is as follows:-when the movement is in its
withdrawn position as shewn in Figs. 4 and 5. and it is desired to project it or
throw it out pressure is applied to the cap (m) say by the thumb while the case is
held in the hand, thus compressing the stronger spring (o) and at the same time
pushing forward the outer tube or sleeve to which the cap (m) is fixed this forward
movement also compresses the weaker spring (b) by means of the pin (e) which is
connected to the said outer tube until the said pin (e) is pushed to the front end of
the slot () the pin (f) of the pencil movement is in the rear lock (i) of the
slot (h) of the conducting tube, being kept in this position by a slight twist given
to the weaker spring which always has a tendency to carry the pin (f) into the
lock the pressure being continued the oblique end of the wide slot (n) is brought
against the pin (f) and the oblique angle forces it out of the lock into the
longitudinal part of the slot (h) the tension on the weaker spring is then released
shooting forward the pencil movement and giving it sufficient impetus to carry the
pin into the front lock the bolt (a) allows the pencil movement to continue its
forward motion until it is locked.
This position is shewn in Figures 6 and 7.
The pencil movement is now in its advanced position and when the pressure is
released from the cap (m) the outer tube is brought back to its original position by
the expansion of the spring (o) the spring tooth or catch (s) on the outer tube is
raised as it passes over the locked pin (f) the said pin or back of the tooth being
slightly bevelled to allow it do so-the expausion of the spring (o) causes the

page_text: weaker spring (b) to be stretched or expanded as shewn in figure 9. and this weaker
spring remains stretched as long as the movement is required in its advanced
position.
When it is required to return the movement to the interior of the case all that is
necessary is to apply a slight pressure to the cap (m) which advances the outer tube
sufficiently to move the pin (f) out of the front lock (i) by means of the oblique
side of the spring tooth (s) when the pin (f) is forced out of the front lock (i) the
tension of the weaker spring (b) immediately draws the movement into the interior
of the case by means of the connecting bolt (a) and the pin (f) is carried into the
rear lock (i) as shewn in figure 4.
A modified and simpler mode of construction is to attach the front end of the
weaker spring to the movement instead of using a connecting bolt as herein before
described, the rear slot in the conducting tube is made longer so as to allow the cap
and outer tube to move the required distance, pressure is applied to the cap in the
usual manner until the pin of the movement is carried into the front lock of the
conducting tube by means of the oblique end of the wide slot of the outer tube the
pressure is then released the stronger spring carries the cap and outer tube back to
their normal position and at the same time stretches the weaker spring, a slight
pressure on the cap will bring the movement back to its withdrawn position in the
manner hereinbefore described.
The whole of the mechanism as hereinbefore described is provided with an outer
case which may be of any ornamental design and through which the pressure cap
projects the required distance the front end of this outer case is soldered or
otherwise fixed to the front end of the conducting tube.
The application of my invention to other like holders for writing instruments,
and materials, knifeblades penholders toothpicks and other similar articles, differs
in no essential respect from its application to ever pointed pencil cases hereinbefore
described.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is
1. The combination with the longitudinally moving outer tube or sleeve Figure 3.
of the weaker spring (b) and the sliding bolt (a) whereby the pencil movement may
be shot forward beyond the limits of the said spring without being separated from
it as herein before described.
2. The combination with the stronger spring (o) of the weaker spring (b) whereby
the expansion of the former spring causes a tension to be put on the latter spring
for the purpose of withdrawing the pencil movement as berein before described.
3. The combination with the stronger spring (o) of the weaker spring (b) whereby
the compression of the former spring compresses the latter spring for the purpose
of projecting the pencil movement as hereinbefore described.
4. The combination of the pin on the movement with the slot in the conducting
tube and the spring tooth in the longitudinally moving outer tube or sleeve with
the two unequal springs.
J. N. MILLIGAN,
Agent.