US2840042A - Mechanical pencil - Google Patents

Description

June 24, 1958 c. ANDoNov MECHANICAL PENCIL Filed June 11, 1952 lll lll/l /Illll Il MII United States Patent O MECHANICAL PENCIL Christ Andonov, Gary, Ind.

Application June 11, 1952, Serial No. 292,886

2 Claims. (Cl. 1Z0-143) This invention relates to pencils of the propel-repel type wherein a graphitc writing material is caused to advance or retract upon the operation of a hand knob.

More particularly, this invention contemplates the provision of a multiple-lead pencil in which four different colors of writing material are available for use in a single pencil housing. There are at present several commercial embodiments of such a plural-lead pencil available on the market. However, these are generally quite expensive and suffer the disadvantage that the lead is propelled iu an axis not parallel with the axis of the pencil which causes some discomfort and a tendency for the pencil to pivot in the writers hand as the lead becomes worn. A

further limitation generally present in such plural-leadpencils is that the leads are ejected by a manual sliding type plunger which does not allow a generally infinite adjustment of the lead length. Yet another disadvantage often found in the present commercial embodiments is sive automatic pencil whichmay be completely controlled.

through the manipulation of a single knob at the upper end of the instrument.

It is an object of this invention, therefore, to provide a novel pencil which allows the use of a different colors of lead.

A further object of this invention is to provide a multi-colored lead pencil that requires no manipulation other than that available from the thumb and fore-v nger.

Yet another object of this invention is to- Vprovide a,

multi-lead pencil which permits thewriting lead to be expelled parallel to the axis of the pencil.

Still a further object of this invention is 'the provision of a multi-lead pencil wherein the writing material rn'ay be expelled and retracted bythe mere rotation ofa ycontrol knob conveniently placed at the instrument. f l

A further feature of the present invention is the proviplurality of upperV end'l of` the Y Y6o sion of a multi-lead writing pencil which comprises an plural lead writing instrument in which the various component parts are not dependent upon ratchets or other detent arrangements generally found unsatisfactory from the point of view of durability.

Other objects and features of this invention will more fully appear from the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings which illustrate a single embodiment thereof.

On the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side view of the pencil of my invention in its assembled condition; Y

Figure 2 is an expanded cross-sectional view of my pencil as shown in Figure 1, and taken along the lines lI-II of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the pencil shown in Figure 1 and is identical to the construction shown in Figure 2 except that the working parts are in the colorchanging position;

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the lines IV-IV of Figure 2, and discloses the construction utilized in the propelling and repelling of the writing leads; and

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the lines Vv-V of Figure 3, and shows the general arrangement of the clutching mechanism utilized for operation of the desired lead.

As shown on the drawings:

As shown in Figure l, the pencil of my invention coml prises generally a pencil having a housing portion 1,V a

generally conical point 2 and an operating knob 3. A'

graphitc writing lead or other suitable cylindrical writing material is propelled, as indicated at V4, from the tip 2."

As may be more clearly seen in Figure 2, the tip 2 is offset from the longitudinal axis of the pencil bodyV as a whole in order that my novel indexing mechanism generally discussedbelow may be utilized. As furtherV seen from this view the housing portion V1 interconnects with the tip 2. This connectionv may be threaded, or any other type of suitable rigid connection such as Vpress t, glue, or soldering.

A'n indexing head or member 5 is rotatably mounted Within the housing barrel 1 and comprises a cylindricaly member having a plurality of axial bores 6. y It is to be understood, of course, that any number of such bores could be utilized, and that the num-ber arbitrarily chosen as 4 in the present application is merely indicative of the general arrangement.

other permanent means.

resilient spring 11 is positioned between this head and the bearing' 9. U

- ing element 13 is iixedly placed. As may be seen from indexing arrangement wherein the colors, or writing leads,

not in use are rendered completely inoperative andare fully enclosed in a position wherein no soiling or other Y injury may occur to the writer or his clothes.

Still a further feature of this invention is the provision -70 A further object of the present Vinvention is the profortable position for writing and prevents any rotation of the pencil in the writers hand.

vision of an extremely durablevand ruggedly constructed the showing in Figure 5, vthis clutching element has a generally cylindrical exterior surface and a polygonal interior surface. While the clutching member 13 is vdisclosed as having a cylindrical exterior surface it is convtemplated that in heavy duty installations the exterior4 surface could be serrated to provide amore positive grip between the surface of the member lvand the bore of j the indexing head 5.

The cap 3 is provided with a pin 14 having a round .head 15 thereon. `A reduced diameter portion indicated at *16 is Vof. a polygonal cross-section which conforms to the cross-section of the interior surface of the clutching member 13 to Vprovide a rotary drive connection between the cap 3 and the indexing head member 5 when the portions 16 and 13 are erigagedl A spring 17 is positioned The indexing head is rigidly Vsecured to a pin 7 by means of an embedded head 8 or'v The pin 7 is in turn rpassed" through a bearing 9 which isAsemi-permanently xed to'the tip 2, preferably by means of a very tight press tit.` AVV vhead 10 is formed o n the right hand end of pin 7 anda] between the head 15 andthe clutch member 13 and tends to maintain the head 15 at the lower disengaged position in the bore 12. In the assembly of the device the stern 14 ,is placed `in-the 'borerrwith the head 15 at 'the lower portion of the bore 12, the spring-17 andmember 1.3 are insertedY around the stem 14 and the clutching member 13 is then pressed into therbore 12 in a tight-tit.A This clutch membermay be soldered orglued, dependingaupon the materials utilized in the pencil, or may be otherwise ixedly securedas above suggested. `The cap .3 is then forced upon the end ofthe stem y14. in a secure position.

Into each of the bores 6 a Icommercially standard pencilpropel-repel mechanism is inserted. These mechanisms are maintained in position in the tubes by means ofthe roughened 4or knurled surfaces 18. :Each of the propel-repelmechanisms comprises a lead carrying tube 19 surrounded by a helical strip 20. Each of the tubes 19.is slitfrom end to end inside of the helical strip and a `.generally well known lead carrying member having projections 21 is reciprocably mounted within the tube. The projections 21 cooperate with the edges of thestrips 20 to reciprocate the lead upon rotation of the tube 19 with respect tothe helical strip 20. The helical strip 2t) is tixedly secured to the roughened member 13 and is thereby fixed securely to the indexing head 5.

Inorder to produce relative rotation between the tube 19 andthe helical strip 2i? the tube is squared at its upper end as indicated at `22 and as clearly indicated in .Figure 5. The squared clutch Vportion 22 cooperates with an actuating means in the form of a gear 23 which is supported for rotation about its own axis by a yoke support fixed to the housing 1 as indicated at 24 and as clearly Vshown in Figure 4. The gear 23 has an annular groove 25 formed in its exterior surface, and teeth26 are machined into the root of the groove. T he teeth 26 cooperate with a ring gear 27 which is integral with cr firmly axed to the cap 3. The sides of the groove 25 in the rgear member 23 cooperate with the sides of the ring gear 27 to maintain the gear 23 in a fixed axial posif tion relative to the cap 3.

At the tip `end of the pencil the tubes 19 are arranged to align with depression 29 in the tip 2. This arrangement positively retains the indexing head in its yadjusted angular position with one of the tubes 19.,facing the lead aperture `30.v

The operation of the invention may Vbe clearly seen from `a consideration of Figures 2 and 3. In Figure 2, the .pencilis shown in its operative condition with the lead 4 from one of the tubes 19 projected into aposition of use. In this position it will be noted that the gear 23 is in .engagement with the square clutch` portion 22 of the tube 19, thereby connecting the tube for simultaneous rotative movement. Since the gear 23 is maintained in axial alignmentwith the tube 19, which is aligned with the lead aperture 30 by means of the yoke 24, `rotation of the cap 3 will cause the gear 23 to rotate in the same'direction as the cap. This rotation will cause relative movement between the tube 19 and the .fixed spiral Strip 20 thereby causing reciprocation of the lead V propelling members 21 which in turn causes the lead 4 to beexpelled through the aperture a bore'30. Y It s noted that in the position shown in Figure`2'th four tubes 19 are maintained in the recesses 29 by spring 11, thereby preventing rotation between the indexing head 5 and the tip V2. When it is desired to change colors 'or different leads it'isnecessary to rotate the indexinghead 5.until a different tube 19 is in `alignment with theslead aperture 30. This is done by pulling the knob 3 up wardly and then rotating it 90 until a new tube 19 is in axial alignment with the opening 30. As is .shown-in portion 22 becomes disengaged from the gear member .4 tated in either direction. Since the square chuck portion 16 is now located within the polygonal cavity in the chuck member 13, the rotational movement given the cap 3 will be imparted to the-chuck member 13 and from thence to the indexing head 5. Upon arrival of the desired lead carrying tube 19 to a position in alignment with the lead aperture 30, the cap is released. When released, the spring 11 forces the tubes 19 into the recesses 29 and the spring 17 forces the cap 3 downwardly so that the gear member 23 is in driverelation with the square clutch portion 22 of the tube 19 which is in alignment with the lead dispensing aperture 30. With the parts in this position rotation of the cap 3 will, as above stated, cause the lead to be propelled from the tube 19 into the aperture 30 and outwardly into operative position. Itis, of course noted that in operation it is necessary to retract the individual leads 4 back into the tubes 19 in order to rotate the `indexing head 5 without damage to the leads.

From the above description it will be readily apparent that the present invention provides a substantially improved multiple-color writing instrument utilizing a sim ple, extremely durable and very compact mechanism which requires no rditicult manipulation with the lingernails in its operation.

It willbe understood that modifications and variations may be elected without departing from the scope of the novel concepts of the present invention.

Iclaim as my invention:

l. In combination in a multilead pencil, a tubular housing, anfolset tip xedly secured tosaid housing, an index member coaxially rotatably mounted within said housing, said index member having a plurality of bores peripherally spaced about the rotational axis of said index member at 'the same radial distance from the central axis of Asaid housing, said tip having an axial bore positioned the same distance from the said central axis as the said plurality of bores, a lead propel-repel mechanism in each of said bores and having a clutch member and operable upon rotation of said clutch member to reciprocate a'lead secured therein, a cap reciprocably and rotatably carried kby 'said housing, actuating means in said cap reciprocable therewith and rotatable relative thereto for operative engagement with the clutch member of a 7o Figure 3 when the cap 3 is moved upwardly the squared 23 and the tubes 19 become disengaged from the recesses selected one of said vmechanisms in alignment with the bore in said 4tip when said cap is reciprocated toward said tip into a rst positon, means locking said index member against rotation relative to said housing when said cap is Vin Vsaid tirstposition, means on said housing for cooperation with said actuating means to maintain said actuating means in axial alignment with the bore of said tip, cooperating gear teeth on the external periphery of p said actuating means and the internal periphery of said cap whereby rotation of said cap will rotate said actuating means to rotate said clutch member when said cap is in saidtirst position and said actuating means is in engagement with said clutch member, and means connecting said p cap to said index member for rotation thereof to change thefselected mechanism'in alignment with the bore of saidL-tipfsaid lastnamed means being operable only when said capis moved away from said tip into a sccond positon in which actuating means is out of engagement with said clutch member. Y

'.2. In combination in a multilead pencil, a tubular housing, an offset tip iixedly secured to said housing, anV

index member coaxially rotatably mounted within said housing, said index member having a plurality of bores peripherally spaced about the rotational axis of said'index member at the same radial distance from the central axis .of'said housing, said tip having an axial bore positioned the same distance from the said central axis as the said plurality of bores, atlead propel-repel mechanism in each of said bores and having a clutch member and oper- `able upon rotation of said clutch member to reciprocate ajleadlsecured therein, a cap reciprocably and rotatably carried by said housing, actuating means in said cap re-A ciprocable therewith and rotatable relative thereto for operative engagement with the clutch member of a selected one of said mechanisms in alignment with the bore in said tip when said cap is reeiprocated toward said tip into a rst position, means locking said index member against rotation relative to said housing when said cap is in said first position, means connecting said cap to said locking means for unlocking said index member v when said cap is reciprocated away from said tip into a second position in which said actuating means is out of engagement with said one mechanism, gear means on the periphery of said actuating means for cooperation with gear means on the internal surface of said cap rotating` y new, 6 anism in alignment with the bore of said tip, said last named means being operable only when said tip is in said second position in which said locking means is disconnected and in which said actuating means is out of engagement with said clutch member.

References Cited in the le of this patent Y UNITED STATES PATENTS 876,223 Newma et a1. Jan. 7, 190sv 1,789,760 Kiedrowski Ian. 30, 1931 1,858,881 Caruana May 17, 1932. 1,917,144 Morris-s July 4, 1933 2,123,810 Severin July 12, 1938 2,690,738 Andanov Oct. 5, 1954 FOREIGN PATENTS 615,295 Great Britain Ian. 4, 1949

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