US2865330A - Writing instrument - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 23, 1958 E. R. swANK WRITING INSTRUMENT 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 26, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet Dec. 23, 1958 E. R. swANK WRITING INSTRUMENT Filed Nov. 2s, 1954 nited States Patent 'i WRITING INSTRUMENT EverettTR. Swank, Hayward, Calif. `-ApplicationNovember 26, 1954, Serial No. 471,269

fClaims. (Cl.4 1Z0-17) Thisinvention relates `toiimproved -automatic'writing Linstruments including, particularly, automatic pencils.

I` am awareof variousy commercial makes and models of sfo-called automatic pencils which incorporate pushbutton or similar manual controls which must be actuated totfeed and retractthe writing lead into and out of writing position.

Itis a principal object of the present invention to provide aniautomatie pencil which eliminates entirely conventional push-button or Similar manually actuated con- 4itrolsandto provide, instead, a pencil which is co-nstructed .to both .feed and retract thewriting lead into and out of writing position merely through application of pressure `or thrust against the writing point end of the pencil, or against the writing tip o-f the lead itself.

Another object `is to provide a pencil having the ad- :vantage above mentionedand in .which the lead feed mechanism is constructed to uniformly advance the tip of thewriting lead 'to a predetermined distance beyond .thetpencil point upon one or more actuations of the feed :mechanism .and regardless of the previously extended length of the writing ,lead prior to actuation `of said feed mechanism. `ln vthis regard, the manner .in which the feed mechanism is actuated in the present pencili. e.,

`simply by pressing the pencil point against a :stationary object suchas a `table surface to cause `retraction of the .point-finsures the tip end of the lead retracting into the `beyond the desired predetermined distance of extension irrespective of the number of times the feed mechanism may be successively actuated.

A furtherobject is to provide a pencil of` the character above mentioned and in which the writing lead is maintained in extended or writing position by a supporting mechanism that is resiliently spring biased against retraction and, hence, functions `to absorb shock and extraordinary thrust forces exerted against the lead tip during writing use. Such an arrangement has the advantage of reducing the likelihood of lead breakage due to shock forces exerted against the lead tip, and, in general, also provides for a lsmoother writing performance of the pencil.

Another object of the invention is to provide an automatic pencil incorporating a lead feed mechanism in conjunction with a reserve lead magazine insert, `the latter including an eraser unit formed of resilient shock absorb- Y ent material arranged to cushion shock forces imparted to said feed mechanism.

Another. object of the `invention is to provide a novel magazine insert for containing an eraser and a reserve i supply `of writing leads within the casing body.

`tional view of the pencil showing the parts in operating condition.

2,865,330 Patented Dec. 23, 19.58

'ice

`Other further objectsand advantages of the-*present invention will become apparent upon readingthe followingspecification and referring to the accompanying draw- `ings Ain-whichsimi1ar characters of reference represent corresponding parts in each'of theseveral views.

In the drawings z' Fig.`l is a view'inside elevation ofthe pencil showing most of the portions thereof broken away in section.

-Fig. '2 isan enlarged, fragmentary, longitudinal l'seca first Fig. 3 is the same as Fig.` 2 showing the relative location of parts in a second operating condition.

fFig.' 4 is the same as Fig. 2 showing the relative location `of parts in athird operatingcondition.

Fig. 5 is the same as Fig. 2 showing the -relative location of parts in a fourth operating condition.

Figf6 `isthe `same as Fig. `Zeshowing the relative location oflpartsin a fth operating condition.

'Referring now more specically to the drawings, the `reference numeral 1 designates a tubularpencil casing for housingthe operatingparts ofthe pencil mechanism. LA

rtubularmagazine insert 2 for containing a reserve sup- ,plyofwritingleads 3 is slidably disposed within 'casing 1. Oneend of `magazine 2 is closed or plugged by a convenrtional eraser 4 formed with an annular lshoulder 4a and Ithevmagazine is normally maintained in proper position within the-casinglby a centrally apertured screw cap6 'through which the outer end of eraser 4 pro-jects. Itis observed that shoulder 4a ofthe eraser establishes a cushion between cap 6 and the outer end of insert hv2, which, as' will more fully appear,'functions as a 'shock 'absorber for the lead feed mechanismof the pencil. The

forward or'inner end of magazine Z terminates in acrestricted funnel-shaped bore 7-the funnel-shaped por- -tion of the magazine serving as a hopper Ito guide the writing leads into the magazine bore and thence intothe feed 4mechanism of the pencil as the length of writing .lead Within'the feed mechanism is progressively shortened and advanced during writinguse.

The reciprocable means for supporting `thelead during "writing use and fo-r controlling feed and retraction `of the writing lead is shown as comprising a tubular sleeve or barrel 8 mounted slidably in a barrel. receiver 13 for slidably receiving and supporting a length of writing lead 3a. The forward end of barrel 8 is provided with alead engaging collet 9 which can be actuated to releasa- :bly frictionally clamp the writing lead 3a against slidable retractable movement within barrel V3 during normal `riting use. More specifically, collet 9 is shown as comprising a split collar formed as an integral end extremity l of the barrel 3 and defining annular cam surfaces "11 proportioned to nest within and be engaged by seat 12 of barrel receiver tube 13. The split collar clamping jaws of collet 9 are made of spring material normally biased to spring open from clamping engagement with lead 3a'. The rearward end portion of barrel 8 `is provided Lwith a .pair of spaced annular abutment shoulders 14 and 16 disposed to opposite sides of an apertured partition washer or membrane 17 through which lbarrel 3 slidably extends. Annular shoulder 1.6 is mounted for slidable reciprocation within chamber 18 formed in the end of magazine 8 forwardly of funnel-shaped bore 7. lThe shoulders 14 and 16 being disposed to either .side of partition 17 for abutment thereagains't function to limit the extent of permissible reciprocable movement of the barrel in either direction.

The barrel receiver `tube or sleeve 13 as above indicated is mounted slidably on barrel 8. `A helical spring 2, and particularly when shoulder latter against retractable movement ment with groove ceiver, move from A retractor sleeve 33 is also mounted slidably within Y tional split sleeve type lead 3 engaged against cam surfaces 11 of collet 9 to thereby restrain retractable movement of the lead 3a during ordinary writing use. Said helical spring 19 also provides a resilient coupling or connection between barrel 8 and receiver 13 whereby retractable movement of the re- Vceiver will also cause corresponding retraction of the barrel during a cycle of operation to be later described. Mounted 011 the receiver 13 is a rigid or stationary annular abutment 22 yand a slidable abutment washer 23 between which said abutment members is mounted an expansion spring 24. When the operating parts are in their normal extended position of use as shown in Fig. 16 is firmly abutted against partition washer 17, spring 24 functions to exert anpadditional spring force against receiver 13 tending to urge seat 12 of said receiver against the clamping jaws of collet 9 to maintain said jaws firmly frictionally clamped against lead 3a and to thereby restrain the during normal writing use.

Abutment washer 23 is slidably mounted on a portion of the barrel receiver of reduced diameter which establishes an annular shoulder 26 for limiting relative slidt able movement between the washer and the receiver 13 in one direction as shown in Fig. 6, for example. Relative slidable movement between washer 23 and receiver 13 in the opposite direction is limited by a split retaining ring 27 engaged within an appropriate annular groove formed in the body of the receiver 13. The only function of retaining ring 27 is to provide ease of assembly of the parts within the pencil casing and said retaining ring do-es not function in any material respect during subsequent operation of the assembled mechamsm.

Formed in the body of the barrel receiver 13 rearwardly of retaining ring 27 are a pair of spaced, annular grooves 28 and 29 for locking engagement with the jaws 30 of a split sleeve locking collet 31 having its base end securely crimped as at 32 with partition wa;her 17 to prohibit relative movement between said collet and washer. As will more fully hereinafter appear, during one cycle of operation, the locking collet 31 is moved from engagement within groove 29 into engage- 28 to temporarily restrain extendible movement of receiver 13 while other components of the feed mechanism, releasably interconnected with the reretracted to extended position.

casing 1 and slidable with respect to barrel receiver 13. The base end of retractor sleeve 33 is of larger diameter than its forward body portion to estabilsh an abutment shoulder 34 which is adapted to abut against a complementally proportioned annular seat 36 formed as an integral portion of casing 1. The inner surface of shoulder 34 is also proportioned to abut against shoulder 22 on receiver 13 whereby retractable movement of retractor 33 will cause corresponding retraction of receiver 13 as will more fully appear hereinafter.

The forward or outer end of retractor 33 terminates in a centrally apertured tapered point 37, truncated conical shape in cross-section, which defines the writing end tip of the pencil structure. 4Point 37 is formed with a central bore which is proportioned to .receive a convene retainer 38 for frictionally engaging the writing lead 3a.

The spring tension of retainer 38 can be and is adjusted to insure extendible movement of the lead with the retractor and relative to barrel 8 and receiver 13 during one cycle of operation of the mechanism to bemore fully explained hereinafter. Further, the frictional clamping engagement continuously exerted by retainer v 38 is also sufficient to prevent the ing through and dropping o-ut from the apertured point `when the length of lead 3B becomes so short that it adj vances to a point forward of clamping collet 9 whereat,

lead from freely slidof course, no clamping force can be exerted against the lead by said collet.

The retractor sleeve 33 is normally biased to its extended position by expansion spring mounted over the rearward portion of the barrel receiver 13 and the spring jaw portion of locking collet 31, and with its opposite ends engaging said locking collet and the slidable abutment washer 23. In this connection, it is noted that the outer circumference of washer 23 abuts against the base end of retractor sleeve 33 whereby the force ot' spring 35 is normally transmitted through the washer 23 to the retractor slide 33. It is observed that spring 24, previously mentioned, and which is mounted on the barrel receiver with its opposite ends abutting against the front face of washer 23 and abutment shoulder 22 carried adjacent the forward end of the receiver, to some extent equalizes the force of spring 35 acting on the rearward face of said washer. It is important, however, that the force of spring 35 be greater than the force of spring 24 whereby the slidable washer 23 is at all times biased toward abutting engagement with the base end of retractor 33.

A lead guide sleeve 39 base portion 41 frictionally ward end of receiver slidably mounted on the for- 13, and retractable therewith, and

. having also a reduced diameter forward portion 42 retainer 38. By providing sleeve support for the lead substantially throughout its entire length vwithin the pencil structure, the likelihood of lead breakage within the engagement of collet 9 mechanism, with consequent likelihood of jamming, for all practical purposes, is eliminated.

The operation of the above described mechanism will now be described. Referring to Fig. 2, it may be assumed that the working parts are in nrrmal position as they would be during ordinary writing use and with the tip end 3b of the writing lead 3a extended beyond pencil point 37 in writing position. If it is desired to retract the lead tip 3b within the centrally aperturd pencil point 37, a user need only apply sufficient pressure or axial thrust against the lead tip 3ID and point 37 to retract the parts far enough to effect release of the lead clamping action of collet 9 normally tending to restrain the lead against retraction. The most convenient way v for a user to apply thrust to the lead tip to cause retraction thereof is to manually hold the pencil in normal writing position and push downwardly on the pencil with the lead tip in Contact against a stationary object, such as, for example, a table surface. In amplification of the foregoing and assuming that the working parts are in their normally extended position yas shown in Fig. 2, axial thrust or pressure applied against the tip 3b of the writing lead will, by virtue of the frictional clamping with said lead, cause barrel 8 and receiver 13 to correspondingly retract rearwardly within casing 1 against the force of spring 24.

Retractable movement of the barrel and barrel re ceiver will also result in the jaws 30 of locking collet 31 being forcefully disengaged from groove 29, and result in the un'grooved body portion of the receiver moving slidably between the collet jaws 3i) (as shown in Fig. 3). It is observed that so long as axial thrust or pressure is applied only against the tip 3b of the writing lead, only the barrel 8 and barrel receiver 13 will be caused to rcv tract slidably within the casing and until such point whereat shoulder 14 `on the barrel abuts partition washer 17 to thereby limit further retractable movement of said Y `barrel relative to the casing. Retractor sleeve 33 will n'ot having an enlarged diameter asoman thrust `applied against `tl'iefpoint37 willcausesleeve 33 `to retract against theforce of spring35.

`Referring particularly to Fig. 4, the operating parts are shown in the following condition of operation: Lead tip 3b is shown retracted within the apertured point 3,7 of the pencil. Retractable movementof the leadas above explained, will have caused the barrel 8 to retract the point whereat shoulder 14 abuts partition member 17.

Receiver `13 is also shown as having been retracted relative to the locking jaws 30 of locking collet 31. It may be observedat this time that o-nce annular shoulder `14 has been' moved into abutting engagement with partition washer 17, continued axial thrust applied to the lead will force said lead through the closed jaws `of collet 9 until such timeas collar 2 2 of receiver 13 is contacted by the interior surfaces of shoulder 34 of the retractor, where- `upon release `of thecollet jaws 9 willoccur. More spelatter with consequent `releaseof clamping action against qthe lead `3a.

Once `collet 9 has `been caused to open in the above manner, release of axial thrust or pressure against point V317 will permit all ofthe parts to return to their normal extended positions (as shown in Fig. 2) under influence of the springs 19, Z4 and 35, but with the lead tip 3b retracted within point 37. It` is contemplated, iof course, that the lead tip 3b would ordinarily be `retracted within the pencil point 37 in -the above described manner when theipencil is not in writing use to prevent accidental breakage of the tip and for convenience in carrying the pencil on ones person.

When it is desired to advance the lead tip `3b from its retracted position to its `normal extended or writing position, the operation is as follows: Axial thrust or force sufficient to overcome the combined spring forces of expansion springs 24 and 35 is applied tothe pencil point 37. Again this pressure can b e most conveniently applied by a user pushing the pencil point forcefully into contact with a writing table surface or other stationary object. Under thrust 'so applied to point 37, retractor sleeve 33 will initially retract a short distance against the force of spring 35 to a point whereat the interior surfaces of shoulder 34 carried by the retractor will abut against shoulder 22 carried by receiver 13 as already described. Continued retractable movement of retractor 33 will also cause corresponding .retractable movement of receiver 13 against the combined forces of springs 24 and 35. Once again rearward movement oreceiver 13 will ca use jaws 30 of locking collet 31 to be forcefully disengaged from groove 29 and continued retraction of said receiver will result in the ungrooved body portion of the receiver moving slidably kbetween the collet jaws 3i) (as `shown in Fig. 4)

. into ultimate engagement with groove Z3 (as shown in Fig. 5). Additionally, retractable movement ofrece-iver 13 will, through `resilient spring coupling 19, cause the barrel 8 to retract until such point whereat shoulder 14 will abutagainst partition washer 17. On'ce shoulder 14 is abutted against partition washer 17, retraction of shoulder 34 against collar 22 will cause seat 12 of the receiver to move away from the jaws of collet 9 and permit the same to spring open as also above explained. in spite of the fact, however, that the clamping pressure of collet 9 against lead 3e is relieved during the initial stage of retractable movement of the barrel receiver, the lead 3al will, nevertheless, continue to retract within the casing corresponding to continued retraction of point 37 o f retractor sleeve 33 in which the `tip end 3b of the lead is `16 disposedandmaintained in frictional engagement by retainer sleeve38.

After the retractor 33, has been' retracted `suiliciently far to cause grooveZS of the receiver to retract into slidable engagement .with the jaws of locking collet 31, `the `inal cycle of feed operation is instituted by releasing pressure against point 37 of the retractor whereby springs 24 and 35 will bias the operating parts of the mechanism back to their normalextended positions of use in the following sequence and manner:

Release of pressure against point 37 permits spring 35, by virtue of its engagement with slidable Washer 23, `t0 slidably urge said retractor and point to extended position. During the major portion of the movement of Vretractor `33 from its retracted to extended position, jaws 30 of locking collet 31 will remain engaged within groove 28 of barrel receiver 13 and thereby temporarilymaintain said receiver and barrel in their retracted positions until retractor'33 has moved to a point just short of its fully extended position. In this regard, during the major portionof the `extendedmovement of the retractor, the slidable washer 23 will slidably move along over the body of receiver 13 and to a point `whereat said washer will abut against shoulder 26 provided on said receiver as shown in Fig. 6. 1t is observedthat when washer `23 is Vmoved into engagement with shoulder Z6, the forceof spring 35 will Athen be transmitted directly to the barrel receiver and this force in conjunction with the already existing force of spring 24, also tending to urge the barrel receiver into extended position, is sufficient to o-vercome the clamping action of collet 31 within groove 23 of the receiver. in this regard, Fig. 6 discloses the 4relative positions of the parts at the moment retractor 33 has moved to its nearly fully extended position and whereat slidable washer 2 3 has moved into abutting contact against shoulder 26 o f the barrel receiver.

It is also to be observed that lead 3a, by virtue of its `frictional engagement within retainer ysleeve 38 carried in point `37, will advance with retractor 33 from its retracted position (as shown in Fig. 5) to its near fully extended position (as shown in Fig. 6). It is important to further note that this advancement of the lead with the retractor is relative to barrel 8 and receiver 13 which are maintained in retracted position by locking collet 31 during this cycle of movement. lMoreover, slidable extendible movement of lead 3a within barrel 8 is permitted by virtue of the fact that theclamping jaws of collet 9 are maintained in spring biased open position at this stage of operation and hence, collet 9 does not exert any clamping action tending to restrain extendible movement of the lead relative to the barrel 8.

Referring again to Fig. 6, it is seen that at the moment that the slidable washer 23 abuts against shoulder 26 of receiver 13, the retractor 33 will continue to advance under force of spring 355 to its fully extended position whereat shoulder 34 of the retractor will abut against interior shoulder 36 of the casing (as sho-wn in Fig. 2). At the same time and as above indicated, the combined forces of springs 24 and 35 ,will operate `to forcefully advance groove 23 formed in receiver 13 o-ut of locking engagement with the jaws of collet 31. Immediately upon the release or" collet 31 from groove28, the `force of spring 19 will cause seat 12 to re-engage cam surfaces 11 of collet 9 and cause the latter to frictionally `clamp the body of lead ,3a. Simultaneously, spring 24 will spring bias receiver 13 backto its fully extended position with the clamping collet maintained in clamping engagement with lead 3a. This latter movement will, in turn, advance the tip 3b of the lead through and` beyond point 37 to its extended writing` position (as shown `in Fig. 2).

When all of the parts have moved to` their normal extended positions, thelead feed cycle of `operation-is completed and it .isbeleved evidentV that whenever desenseo sired, the lead tip 3b can be retracted within point 37 simply by applying axial thrust or pressure thereto as hereinabove explained with particular reference to Fig. 3. Similarly, the lead can thereafter be advanced to its writing Vposition simply by pushing the point 37 of the pencil against a stationary object to cause the point to retract and then extend in the manner also hereinabove described in detail.

As to the amount of force that is required to retract the lead tip 3b within the pencil point, and the amount of force required to cause full retraction of the retractor sleeve 33 during the lead feed cycle, as hereinabove explained, it is appreciated that these forces may be adjustably varied through preadjustment of the spring forces 19, 24 and 35. However, although the amount of force which one may customarily exert in pressing a pencil lead into writing contact against the Writing paper or other surface varies considerably among dfferent individuals, it would nevertheless appear that seldom would the axial thrust or pressure applied against the lead tip be expected to exceed 11/2 to 2 pounds during ordinary use. Accordingly, I have found it very satisfactory to adjust the collet clamping force of springs 19 and 24 to restrain slidable retraction of the lead against axial thrust applied thereto up to about a maximum of three pounds pressure, at which time the lead will first resiliently yield and then retract within the supporting mechanism as hereinabove explained.

Furthermore, although the amount of thrust required to overcome the combined resistance of springs 24 and 35 to effect full retraction of retractor 33 during the lead feed cycle may be varied considerably, I have found it satisfactory to adjust the tension of springs 24 and A35 to permit full retraction of retractor 33 to a point whereat groove 28 of barrel receiver 13 is locked within collet jaws 30 upon application of approximately 5 pounds pressure.

As previously indicated, magazine 2 for containing a reserve supply of writing leads is removably insertable within the upper body portion of casing 1. It is contemplated that replacement magazine inserts complete with new eraser and a reserve supply of leads can be manufactured and sold as separate components as a convenience to owners or users of the pencils in replenishing writing leads and replacing eraser tips.

A novel feature and advantage of the magazine insert 2 is that the upper end of the magazine chamber is plugged or closed by rubber eraser 4 having an annular shoulder la which in turn provides a cushion of shock absorbent material between cap 6 and insert 2. Shock forces applied to the operating mechanism of the pencil will be transmitted in part at least through the magazine insert to the shock absorbing cushion 4a of the eraser. This shock absorbing feature reduces likelihood of injury to the mechanim or breakage of the writing leads within the mechanism due to shock forces occasioned through ordinary handling and use of the pencil.

The funnel-shaped bore 7 also as above indicated provides a means for guiding reserve leads 3 into the bore of barrel 8 as the writing lead 3a becomes progressively shortened due to ordinary wear or breakage. In View of the fact that the pencil is held substantially vertically in ordinary writing use, each reserve lead piece will advance under influence of gravity from the magazine chamber through barrel 8 to a point whereat collet 9 engages the forward end of the lead, whereupon the lead is thereafter controlled and fed through aperturned point 37 through operation of the collet and other operating parts and assemblies hereinabove described.

Although it is contemplated that the present invention will have particular utility in providing automatic pencils of the character above described in some detail,

- it is nevertheless appreciated that substantially the same f mechanical features and principles of operation hereinabove explained, could, within the ordinary skill of the art, be adapted and utilized to provide other types of automatic writing instruments, such as, for example, ball-point pens o1- similar instruments that employ elongate, cylindrical writing styles generally equivalent to the cylindrical writing lead of a pencil of the character described.

Although the invention has been described in some detail by way of illustration and example, it is understood that certain changes and modifications may be practiced within the spirit of the invention as limited only by the scope of the claims appended hereto.

I claim:

l. A pencil comprising: a tubular casing; a barrel mounted slidably lengthwise within said casing for slidably receiving and supporting a lengthv of lead; clamp means carried by said barrel for releasably clamping said lead against slidable retractable movement within said barrel during normal writing use; a barrel receiver tube mouted slidably on said barrel; clamp actuating means carried by said receiver tube and slidably movable therewith into and out of engagement with said clamp means for causing clamping and unclamping of said lead; a retractor sleeve mounted in said casing for slidable movement relative thereto and relative to said barrel receiver tube; said retractor sleeve including a centrally apertured tapered point dening the writing point of said pencil projecting slidably outwardly beyond the end of said casing and through which said lead can be slidably extended and retracted; frictional lead gripping means in said point normally engaging lead projected therethrough and having a weaker lead clamping power than the lead clamping power of said clamp means; spring means normally biasing said tapered point to extended position; means including separable abutment means between said retractor sleeve and said barrel-receiver tube for causing movement of said clamp actuating means carried by said receiver tube away from said clamp means to cause deactuation of said clamp when said retractor sleeve is moved toward its retracted position against the force of said spring means; locking means for releasably securing said receiver tube in retracted position during at least a portion of the movement of said retractor sleeve and point from their retracted positions toward their extended positions under influence of said spring means and whereby the lead frictionally engaged by said gripping means in said point is caused to advance with said point an increment of extended movement relative to said barrel and said deactuated clamp means, means including said spring means for deactuating said locking means upon movement of said retractor sleeve from its retracted position to its ear fully extended position; and means including said spring means operable upon deactuation of said locking means for moving said clamp actuating means carried by said receiver tube into engagement with said clamp means and for moving together said receiver tube and barrel from their respective retracted positions to their extended positions relative to said point to slidably advance and extend the writing end tip of said lead through the apertured extended point of said retractor sleeve against the frictional lead clamping power of said gripping means engaging said lead.

2. A pencil comprising: a tubular casing; a barrel mounted slidably lengthwise Within said casing for slidably receiving and supporting a length of writing lead; a clamping collet having spring jaws normally biased to open position for releasably clamping said lead against slidable, retractable movement within said barrel during normal writing use; a barrel receiver tube of shorter length than said barrel mounted slidably on said barrel; a collet jaw seat carried by said receiver tube and slidably movable with said tube into and out of engagement with said collet jaws for causing clamping and unclamping of said jaws against the lead; rst spring means nort. mally biasing the seat of said receiver tube into clamping Aengagement twith `saidr collet jaws; agvretractor sleeve -frictional lead gripping means in said tapered-fpoint norw mallys engaging said `lead-projected therethrough and having a weaker lead clamping-power than the lead clamping power of said clampfcmeans; second spring means normally biasing saidt tapered point toxextended position; stationary means in saidtcasing, abutmentmeans provided on said barrel and engageable against said -stationary means within said casing for limiting the per missible extent of retractable movement of said barrel; separable abutment means between said retractor sleeve and said barrel receiver tube and upon engagement of said stationary means with the first mentioned of said abutment means for causing said seat of said receiver tube to move away from said collet jaws and release from clamping engagement with said lead during retractile movement of said retractor sleeve against the force of said second spring means; locking means for releasably securing said receiver tube and said barrel in retracted positions during at least the major portion of movement of said retractor sleeve and point from their retracted positions toward their extended positions under inuence of said second spring means and whereby the lead frictionally engaged by said gripping means in said point is caused to advance with said point an increment of extended movement relative to said barrel and said deactuated clamp means; means including said rst and second spring means for deactuating said locking means upon movement of said retractor sleeve from its retracted position to its near fully extended position; and spring means including said rst spring means operable upon deactuation of said locking means for moving the collet seat of said receiver tube into engagement with said collet jaws for clamping said lead and for moving simultaneously said receiver tube, said barrel and the lead clamped within the barrel from their respective retracted positions to their respective extended positions relative to said point whereby the writing end tip of said lead is advanced through the apertured extended point of said retractor sleeve against the rictional lead clamping power of said gripping means engaging said lead.

3. A pencil according to claim 2 and wherein said abutment means comprises a stationary partition mounted in said casing and formed with an aperture slidably receiving said barrel, said abutment means provided on said barrel comprising an abutment shoulder mounted on said barrel forwardly of said partition for abutment against said partition to limit the extent of permissible lretractable movement of said barrel within said casing.

4. A pencil according to claim 2 and wherein said abutment means comprises a stationary partition mounted in said casing and formed with an aperture slidably receiving said barrel, said abutment means provided on said barrel comprising an abutment shoulder mounted on said barrel forwardly of said partition for abutment against said partition to limit the extent of permissible retractable movement of said barrel within said casing; and wherein said irst spring means comprises a helical spring mounted on said barrel with its opposite ends engaging said partition and the inner end of said barrel receiver tube mounted on said barrel.

5. A pencil comprising: a tubular casing; a barrel mounted slidably lengthwise within said casing for slidably receiving and supporting a length of writing lead; a clamping collet having spring jaws normally biased to open position for releasably clamping said lead against slidable, retractable movement within said barrel during normal writing use; a barrel receiver tube of shorter length than said barrelmountedtslidablv on saidbarrel;

`iaycolletijaw seat carried.` by` said .receivertubeaand slid- .:ably movable with said tube into` and out engagement v.with said collet .jaws for causingtelampingand unclamping of `said jaws against the lead; a shoulder:` provided on said barrelspaced inwardly fromrfthe inner end of said receiver tubeyatrst expansion springtbetweenl said `shoulder and the` innerend` of said receiverttubenormally biasingr theiseat of said receivertube` intorclamping engagement with said `collet jaws; ai stationary transverse partition mounted in said. casing spaced to theY inward side of said shoulder,.engageable ,withsaid shoulder to limit;,therpermissibleextent of retractable :movement of `#said barreltwithinA saidcasing; afretractor sleeve mounted in said casing for slidable movement relative thereto and relative to said receiver tube; said retractor sleeve including a centrally apertured, tapered point dening the writing point of said pencil projecting slidably outwardly beyond the end of said casing and through which said lead can be slidably extended and retracted; frictional lead gripping means in said tapered point normally engaging lead projected therethrough and having a weaker lead clamping power than the lead clamping power of said clamp means; an apertured washer mounted slidably on said receiver tube with its outer periphery engageable against the inner end of said retractor sleeve; a second expansion spring mounted between said stationary partition and said Washer normally spring biasing the latter into engagement against the inner end of said retractor sleeve and normally biasing said retractor sleeve including said tapered point to extended position; said washer correspondingly retractable with said retractor sleeve against the force of said second spring; a washer abutment shoulder provided on said receiver tube toward the retractor sleeve side of said washer; mutually engageable means provided on said barrel receiver tube and said retractor sleeve for causing said receiver tube to retract corresponding to retractable movement of said retractor sleeve and washer to thereby cause the collet seat carried by said receiver tube to move away from engagement with the collet jaws upon abutment of the shoulder carried by said barrel against said stationary partition; locking means for releasably securing said receiver tube in said barrel in retracted position during at least a major portion of the movement of said retractor sleeve from its retracted position toward its extended position under inuence of said second expansion spring and whereby the lead frictionally engaged by said gripping means in said tapered point is caused to advance with said tapered point an increment of extended movement -rela tive to said barrel and said deactuated clamp means; said locking means releasable from locking engagement with said receiver tube upon transmittal of the expansion force of said second spring to said receiver tube; the space between said slidable washer and the abutment shoulder on said receiver tube when both said retractor sleeve and said receiver tube occupy their fully retracted positions being equal to the distance that the retractor sleeve moves from its retracted to near fully extended position, whereby When said retractor sleeve moves into near fully extended position from its retracted position said washer will move slidably over said receiver tube into contact with said abutment shoulder and thereby transmit the expansion force of said second spring to said receiver tube and cause release of said locking means; a second abutment shoulder provided on said receiver tube adjacent said seat; a third expansion sprlng mounted between said second abutment shoulder and said washer normally biasing said receiver tube toward extended position; said rst and third expansion springs operable upon release of said locking means to move the collet seat of said receiver tube into engagement with said collet jaws for clamping said lead and for moving simultaneously said receiver tube, said barrel, and the lead clamped within the barrel from their respective retracted positions to their respective ex,

1l tended positions relative to said tapered point whereby the writing end tip of said lead is advanced through said apertured extended point of said pencil against the frictional lead clamping power of said gripping means engaging said lead.

6. A pencil according to claim 5 and wherein said locking means comprises a locking collet having spring locking jaws normally biased to closed position against the body of said receiver tube; the body of said barrel receiver tube retractable slidably between said jaws; an annular groove formed in the body of said receiver tube located to register with and be releasably engaged by said locking jaws when said receiver tube is moved slidably through said jaws into retracted position; said locking jaws disengageable from said groove upon transmittal of the expansion force of said second spring to said receiver tube.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS TM 70,598 Eagle Pencil Co. Sept. 15, 1908 2,166,751 Cooper July 18, 1939 2,311,906 Leistenschneider Feb. 23, 1943 2,436,437 Koch Feb. 24, 1948 2,469,411 Robbins May 10, 1949 2,561,113 Hallbert July 17, 1951 2,645,204 Bross July 14, 1953

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