US2478437A - Combined lead pencil and eraser - Google Patents

Description

W W49. H. E. TEMPLE ED LEAD PENCIL AND ERASER Filed Sept. :71.

COMBIN H 5 INVENTOR. Hl/PH/W t. TEMPLE Patented Aug. 9, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,478,437' 'JQQMBWED LEAQ Q LAN E E J Hiram Earl Temple, Los Angeles, Calif.

Application September 17, 1'945 ,--Serial No. 616,731

3 Claims. 1

This invention relates to a combined lead pencil and eraser.

Heretofore various types of lead pencils have been provided in which a structure was used to permit the replacement of lead. Various struc-' tures. have also been made in which a limited length of eraser can be replaced and fed out of the pencil as it requires replacement, Most of the structures of this general type are complicated and the supply of eraser included in them is quite limited. It is the principal object of the present invention, therefore, to provide a mechanical pencil in which refillable lead and an eraser may be carried and fed therefrom by the use of a simple, inexpensive structure.

The present invention contemplates the provision "of a mechanical pencil structure having a tubular body member-within which a tubular eraser is enclosed and partly through which erase-r a lead pencil lead 'extendsfthe body structure carrying clamping means at one end to hold the lead in a set position and clamping means at the opposite end to hold the eraser in a set position.

The invention is illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a view in section and elevation showing a pencil embodying the present invention with parts broken away for the sake of Clearness.

Fig. 2 is a view in transverse section through the pencil structure as shown on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a view in side elevation showing the completely assembled pencil.

Fig. 4 is a view in end elevation showing the end of the pencil carrying the eraser.

Fig. 5 is a view in central longitudinal section through a modified form of the pencil structure as generally seen on line 5-5 of Fig. 3 and shows the central tube removed.

Fig. 6 is a view in end elevation showin the end of the pencil in which the lead is carried.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, l indicates an outer tubular body member. One end of this body member receives a tubular fitting l I. This fitting is pressed onto a cylindrical extension l2 thereof and abuts against an annular shoulder l3. Projecting beyond this shoulder is a threaded portion M, The end of the threaded portion I4 is fitted with a pair of longitudinally extending yieldable jaws l which are substantially arcuate in section and combine to form a central bore it through which a pencil lead I! extends. The outer faces of the jaws l5 are tapered as indicated at l8. Extending over these jaws is a tubular pencil tip 19, which has a centrally tapered bore 20 agreeing substantially with the'tapered faces I8 of the jaws. The upper end of the member I9 is threaded, as indicated at 2|, and receives a threaded extension M of the member H. 'The fitting H is-formed witha central bore 22 to accommodate the pencil lead i1. This bore is of sufficiently greater diameter to also accommodate a center tube 23. The centertube 23 is fixed in the end of the fitting I l and as shown in Fig. 1 extends substantially thelength of the pencil. 1 Fitted over the tube 23 is a tubular eraser 24. The outsidediameter of this. eraser is suchas to fit snugly within the outer tubular body. member 'lll,.and this central bore 25 is such as-to fit over the, central tubular member. 23. It'is to be understood, however, that the eraser 24. is intended to slide longitudinally so that a working end of it may project beyond the end of the pencil for use.

Formed at the opposite end of the tubular body member ID from that carrying the fitting II is a threaded portion 26 which receives a ferrule 21. This ferrule has a cylindrical portion 28 formed with a threaded bore to engage the threaded portion 26 and an inwardly tapered portion 29 which engages tapered faces 30 of yieldable clamping jaws 3|. The jaws 3| are here shown as being formed as extensions of the tubular body member In. These jaws are arcuate in cross-section and conform to the outer circumference of the eraser 24, thus, when the ferrule 21 is tightened down against the jaws 3|, the eraser will be gripped and will be held against the longitudinal movement.

By reference to Fig. 5 of the drawing, it will be seen that the ferrule 21 engages the end of the body portion [0, by friction only, thus eliminating the threaded connection between the ferrule and the body portion. It will also be seen in Fig. 5 that the central tubular member 23 has been eliminated and that the pencil lead extends directly through the bore 25 of the eraser 24.

In operation of the present invention the pencil is assembled either as shown in Fig. l or in Fig. 5. When it is desired to adjust and set the lead I! the tip portion l9 may be advanced by rotating it with relation to the threaded extension M of the fitting II. This will relieve binding pressure against the yieldable jaws I6 and allow the pencil lead I! to move longitudinally. When the pencil lead has been moved to a desired position the tip member it) may be tightened on the fitting so that the jaws i5 grip the lead and hold it against longitudinal movement, When it is desired to adjust the eraser 2d, the ferrule 2? may be advanced to relieve pressure upon the jaws 3!. This will allow the eraser to be moved longitudinally to a desired position after which the ferrule 27 may be forced to set the jaws 3i hold the eraser.

Attention is directed to the fact that the central tubular member 23 does not perform any feeding action of the eraser but serves as a backing so that when the jaws 3i are clamped against the eraser, the eraser will not collapse, but will be held between the jaws and the tubular member 23.

It will thus be seen that the structure here disclosed provides a simple and inexpensive pencil within which long refillable leads may be carried as well as an unsually long length of eraser within the same pencil structure, without producing a pencil which is objectionably long and cumbersome.

While I have shown the preferred form of my invention, it is to be uncerstood that various changes may be made in the combination construction and arrangement of parts, by those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit of the invention as claimed.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A pencil structure comprising a tubular body member of usual pencil length, lead receiving and gripping means at one end thereof, a plurality of longitudinally extending jaws at the opposite end thereof, a tubular eraser mounted within the tubular body member and snugly fitting within the same, the center bore of said eraser being designed to accommodate pencil lead, and a ferrule longitudinally movable upon said jaws to hold the eraser in position.

2. A pencil structure comprising a rigid tubular body member fitted with lead gripping means at one end thereof and with a plurality of gripping jaws at the other end thereof, said jaws being of arcuate section and being circumferentially spaced, the outer faces of said jaws being longitudinally tapered, a tubular eraser slidably fittin within the tubular body member and having a central opening to accommodate a pencil lead, and a sleeve sliding over the tapered faces of the gripping jaws to frictionally engage a pencil lead around the circumference thereof and hold it against longitudinal movement.

3. A pencil structure comprising a rigid tubular body member fitted with a pencil lead holding means at one end thereof, a plurality of iongitudinally extending yieldable jaws of arcuate section at the opposite end thereof, the inner faces of said jaws agreeing with the inner diameter of the tubular body member, a tubular substantially non-deformable eraser fitting Within the tubular body member and extending beyond the ends of the jaws, the central bore of said eraser being designed to accommodate a longitudinally extending pencil lead, and a sleeve telescoping over and cooperating with the yieldable jaws to temporarily hold the eraser against longitudinal movement.

HIRAM EARL TEMPLE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,176,141 Heisler Mar. 21, 1916 1,580,183 Veillette Apr. 13, 1926 104595162 Rouse Feb. 2, 1937

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