Improvements in Lead Pencils.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 20th July, 1892-Accepted, 20th Aug., 1892
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Lead Pencils.
I JAMES YATE JOHNSON of 47 Lincolns Inn Fields in the County of Middlesex
Gentleman do hereby declare the nature of this invention which has been commu-
nicated to me from abroad by The Eagle Pencil Company of the City County and
State of New York in the United States of America and in what manner the
same is to be performed to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement :—
The pencil to which this invention relates is one intended to be charged with a
number of lead points or short lengths of lead which can be successively used as
occasion demands. This is not broadly new. The "Automatic Pencil and Stop-
Gauge" pencil which have been for years on the market can be used for that
purpose and as a matter of fact in the daily use of such pencils the lead sticks in
these pencils not infrequently breaking up into short lengths which are held in the
lead receptacle and can be protruded therefrom for marking purposes just as
though they were a single long lead stick instead of being short pieces.
The oject of this invention is to provide a cheap and efficient construction of
pencil containing a lead receptacle or magazine which is self closing so as to retain
therein the lead points with which it is charged and which is adapted to be opened
by a suitable instrument to permit the withdrawal of these lead points one at a
time. This withdrawing instrument in this pencil is the tip or grasping device
which holds the lead point for writing or marking purposes the tip being removeable
and being formed like nippers which will not only open the self closing end of the
magazine but will receive and take hold of the lead point nearest to it in the
magazine for the purpose of withdrawing it therefrom. The lead point when thus
grasped is held in the tip in position for writing purposes.
All that is needed after
that is to withdraw the tip from the magazine and to fit it point outward upon the
sheath or body of the pencil. The pencil will then be ready for use.
The nature of the invention and the manner in which the same is or may be
carried into effect will be understood by reference to the accompanying drawing in
which
•
Figure 1 is an external view of a pencil embodying the invention.
Figure 2 is a view of the tip detached.
Figure 3 is a longitudinal axial section of the pencil the section being taken on
a line parallel with the plane in which Figure 1 is viewed.
Figure 4 is a view partly in section of the pencil when the tip is reversed and
inserted in the self closing mouth of the lead receptacle or magazine so as to expand
the same and to receive the foremost lead point from the magazine.
Figure 5 is a longitudinal axial section of a modified form of the pencil.
The pencil case or sheath A may be made of any suitable form and material.
Within it is the tubular receptacle or magazine a intended to receive within it a
number of lead points or short lengths of lead introduced point foremost into it
from the front end at which end it has a self-closing mouth formed in this instance
of a split prolongation of the receptacle a having a bell-shaped contracted mouth
which can be spread open by an instrument inserted into it but which normally is
closed to prevent the escape of the lead points 1. Upon the front end of the
pencil is fitted a removable tip B made of hard rubber brass or other suitable
material.
This tip has jaws which will grasp and hold a lead point inserted between them
and which can also be inserted whenever desired into the bell mouth of the tube b
to open it and when in that position to receive and withdraw from the magazine
the foremost lead point therein. It will be understood that this invention is not

page_text: :
limited to the particular construction of the tip shewn. It may be variously
fashioned and constructed for the purposes indicated. It is preferred however to
construct it substantially as described in the Specification of, United States Letters
Patent No. 345,865 of July 20th 1886 for Rubber Tip Attachment for lead pencils-
comprising two jaws pivoted or equivalently connected at a point a between their
ends to form in effect two, pairs of jaws c d so connected that the closing of the
one set will tend to open the other set-the jaws c being to receive the lead and he
jaws & being to fit on the pencil sheath and the jaws being in addition tapered at
the front so that they will form a conical nozzle which can enter the bell month of
the tube and can then be expanded to open that mouth.
"
When the tip is in the position shewn in Figure 1 the jaws d are on the stem or..
sheath A and when thus placed are spread apart with the result of closing the
jaws e firmly on the lead point inserted between them. When this point is used up
and it is desired to replace it by another point the tip is removed from the pencil
and is reversed and the pencil being held front end downwards the conical nozzle
of 'the tip is inserted in the bell mouth of tube b and is then expanded by pressing
together the outer jaws d-with the result of opening the magazine and permitting
"the foremost lead point therein to drop down in between the jaws c.
The parts
::
:
are shewn in this position in Figure 4. Then releasing pressure on the outer jaws d
the inner jaws c close upon the lead point therein, the mouth of the tube b closes
and the tip is withdrawn carrying with it the lead point and is then replaced upon
the pencil in the position shewn in Figure 1.
In the pencil represented in Figures 1 to 4 the lead points are introduced into
the magazine from the front end of the pencil.
In the pencil shewn in Figure 5 however they are intended to be introduced into
the magazine from the rear end of the pencil for which purpose the magazine at
that end has a self closing mouth similar to that in front at b.
In this pencil it is intended that the tip shall take its lead points from the front
tube as before but manifestly the magazine can be closed permanently at the front
end and the lead points can be both introduced into and withdrawn from the
magazine by the rear tube . This remark applies to either form of pencil shewn
in the drawing, but in such case instead of arranging the lead points in the magazine
butt end foremost as represented in the drawing they should be arranged therein
point foremost.
The tip shewn in Figure 5 is similar in general construction to that shewn in
Figures 1 to 4 but as it is intended to be inserted into the pencil it is modified in
shape accordingly so that it will enter and fit a socket A' formed for its reception:
in the front end of the pencil sheath. In this tip is inserted a block of rubber r
between the jaws d so as to cause the lead holding jaws to normally close and the
arrangement of parts is such preferably that when the tip is seated in its socket
the front end of the socket as shewn will extend beyond the pivot point a¹ and
upon the jaws e thus positively closing them upon the lead.
The pencil shewn in Figure 5 is provided with a removeable rubber or equivalent
tip and point protector 1 which can at will be placed either upon the rear end of
the pencil to cover the magazine opening at that point or upon the front end of the
pencil to cover the tip when the latter is not in use.
It will be understood that the invention is not limited to the special details of
construction hereinbefore set forth since manifestly the same can be varied in a
number of particulars without essentially departing from the invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion, and in what manner. the same is to be performed I declare that, what I
claim is
First. A lead pencil provided with a receptacle or magazine for lead points the
said receptacle or magazine having a self-closing mouth and a tip adapted to open
the magazine and to receive one of the lead points therefrom substantially as
~~hereinbefore set forth +

page_text: Second. A lead pencil provided with a self closing receptacle or magazine for
lead points in combination with a removable and reversible tip adapted to open with
its lead holding end the self closing mouth of the said receptacle or magazine and
to take hold of and withdraw one of the lead points therefrom substantially as and
for the purposes herein before set forth.
Dated this 20th day of Iul 1905
J. H. JOHNSON & Co.,
Agents.