GB2075429A

GB2075429A - Pencil case

Info

Publication number: GB2075429A
Application number: GB8112293A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1980-04-28
Filing date: 1981-04-21
Publication date: 1981-11-18
Also published as: GB2075429B

Abstract

A pencil case which presents the pencils as an upstanding array comprises a rectangular tray 10 with a pivoted lid portion 12 acting as a carrier for at least two rows of pencils. When the array is lowered into the tray, a second, sliding lid portion 18 overlies projecting parts of the pencils to hold the case shut. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Pencil case The invention relates to pencil cases and has for its object to provide an improvement therein.

In particular, the object of the invention is to provide a pencil case which when opened will present the available selection of pencils (or pens or crayons) in an ideal manner.

According to the invention, there is provided a pencil case including a shallow rectangular tray with an element constituting a part of a lid thereof pivotally connected to the tray about a horizontal axis, said element forming a carrier for at least two rows of pencils (or pens or crayons) and which when fully raised stands upright to present said pencils (or pens or crayons) as an upstanding array, a further element constituting the remainder of the lid of the tray being a sliding fit in oppbsitely disposed grooves in the sides of the tray and being arranged to overlie portions of the pencils (or pens or crayons) projecting from the element forming the carrier so that it holds the latter in its closed condition.The elements which constitute the lid of the tray will preferably be transparent, and the overall thickness of the element which constitutes the carrier for the at least two rows of pencils (or pens or crayons) will preferably be such that it leaves space in the bottom of the tray for items such as set squares and a protractor). The tray may be formed with an additional compartment alongside the main compartment into which the array of pencils (or pens or crayons) can be lowered, this being closed by a slidable closure element. The slidable closure element will preferably be constituted by a transparent plastics ruler.

In order that the invention may be fully understood and readily carried into effect, the same will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a pencil case embodying the invention in closed condition, Fig. 2 is a similar view of the case in open condition, Fig. 3 is a sectional view on the line 3-3 in Fig.

2, and Figs. 4 to 9 are views which will be referred to when describing various possible modifications.

Referring now to the drawings, the pencil case there illustrated includes a shallow rectangular tray 10 with an element generally indicated 12 constituting a part of a lid of the tray and pivotally connected to the tray about a horizontal axis near one end.

The element 12 forms a carrier for two rows of pencils (or pens or crayons) and when fully raised stands upright to present the pencils (or pens or crayons) as an upstanding array. As shown in Fig.

3, the element 12 is composed of a central wall 14, an outer wall 1 6 of a transparent plastics material, and a narrow retainer element 17 on the inside. The arrangement is such that, as shown in the drawings, two rows of pencils (or pens or crayons) can be located in the element 12, one row being located between the central wall and the outer transparent wall, and the other row being located between the central wall and the retainer element. When the element 12 is fully raised as shown in Fig. 2, the pencils (or pens or crayons) are presented as an upstanding array.

The arrangement illustrated in Fig. 2 comprises an array of differently coloured pencils which are visible through the transparent outer wall 1 6 and an array of differently coloured "felt tip" pens on the inside.

As previously stated, when the element is pivoted downwards so that its transparent outer wall 1 6 is substantially flush with the side walls of the tray 10, the element constitutes a part of a lid of the tray. A further element 1 8 which constitutes the remainder of the lid of the tray is a rectangular sheet of transparent plastics material and is a sliding fit in oppositely disposed grooves 20 in the sides of the tray. As shown in Fig. 1, the element 1 8 is arranged to overlie portions of the pencils (or pens or crayons) projecting from the element 1 2 so that the latter is held in its closed condition.

The overall thickness of the element 1 2 is such that its leaves space in the bottom of the tray for items such as a set square and a protractor as will be seen in Fig. 2. A forward portion of the tray, that is to say that part which is to be enclosed by the lid element 18, is available for the storage of such thicker items as an eraser, a pencil sharpener, compasses and dividers etc.

The case illustrated has an additional compartment 21 alongside the main compartment, this being closed by a further slidable closure element 22 slidable in guides 24.

The closure element 22 is made of a transparent plastics material and in fact is constituted by a transparent plastics ruler. This additional compartment can be used for the storage of various items which cannot be contained in the main compartment, for example a fountain pen.

Thus there is provided a pencil case which presents the available selection of pencils (or pens or crayons) in an ideal manner. The illustrated embodiment has been made largely of wood but it will be understood that if preferred it could be made entirely of synthetic plastics materials.

Various modifications may be made. For example, it will be understood that the element 12 could be constructed to have more than two banks of pencils (or pens or crayons) but in this case of course access for withdrawal might be somewhat impaired. It will of course be understood that instead of the location surfaces for the pencils (or pens or crayons) being smooth as shown in Fig. 3 at least one surface could be contoured as shown in Fig. 4 or Fig. 5 or Fig. 6. Furthermore the element could be moulded in a synthetic plastics material in such a way that each pencil (or pen or crayon) is received in a separate cavity or barrel (and these may be entirely separate one from another as shown in Fig. 7, or two or more cavities may be interconnected as shown in Fig. 8).In this case, there could be a slidable sleeve or stop within each cavity or barrel to act as an adjustable stop to compensate for pencil wear, each sleeve or stop being adjustable in position by means of a length of rod (or possibly a pencil) pushed through the barrel concerned when aligned with a respective hole in the basal wall of the tray as illustrated in Fig. 9. The lid element 1 8 could be replaced by a roll slider element constructed of slat elements in the manner of the cover for a roll top desk, the slider element moving into a space beneath the tray when opened.

It will be advantageous if, when the carrier element for the pencils (or pens or crayons) is raised the front row thereof can fall slightly forwards of the rearmost row to enable the pencils (or pens or crayons) of the front row to be more easily grasped by the user. This may in fact be brought about by arranging for the articles in the front row to be held rather loosely so that in being lifted away from the bottom of the tray they are able to fall forwards very slightly relative to the row behind them.

In view of the fact that space beneath the element 12 is restricted, the base of the tray 10 may be formed so that the various items within it can be precisely located in position.

Claims

1. A pencil case including a shallow rectangular tray with an element constituting a part of a lid thereof pivotally connected to the tray about a horizontal axis, said element forming a carrier for at least two rows of pencils (or pens or crayons) and which when fully raised stands upright to present said pencils (or pens or crayons) as an upstanding array, a further element constituting the remainder of the lid of the tray being a sliding fit in oppositely disposed grooves in the sides of the tray and being arranged to overlie portions of the pencils (or pens or crayons) projecting from the element forming the carrier so that it holds the latter in its closed condition.

2. A pencil case according to claim 1, in which the elements which constitute the lid of the tray are transparent.

3. A pencil case according to either one of the preceding claims, in which the overall thickness of the element which constitutes the carrier for the at least two rows of pencils (or pens or crayons) is such that it leaves space in the bottom of the tray for items such as set squares and a protractor).

4. A pencils case according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the tray is formed with an additional compartment alongside the main compartment into which the array of pencils (or pens or crayons) can be lowered, this being closed by a slidable closure element.

5. A pencil case according to claim 4, in which the slidable closure element is constituted by a transparent plastics ruler.

6. A pencil case constructed, arranged and adapted to be used substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated by the accompanying drawings.