US1762318A - Magazine pencil - Google Patents

Description

ORNEY INVENIOR. ,A ma

A. WOELM MAGAZINE PENCIL Filed March 20. 1926 June 10, 1930.

Patented June 10, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ALFRED WoELM, or BERLIN, GERMANY, AssIeNoR, :BY MEsNE ASSIGNMENTS, 'ro PENCIL MECHANISM CORPORATION, A coRPoRATIoN or NEW YORK MAGAZINE PENCIL Application led March 20, 1926, Serial No. 96,802, and in Germany June 26, 1925.

This invention relates to step-by-step mechanical pencils and more particularly to pencil mechanisms of the type which are adapted to feed forward step-by-step a succession of leads received from a lead magazme.

In general, the object of my invention is to provide a step-by-step pencil which is simple and economical of manufacture and assembly and which will operate with ease and certainty.

A more specific object of fthe invention to provide a. step-by-step magazine pencil of the type which may be operated by the depression of an exteriorly accessible member, such as a pencil cap, which has a minlmum number of parts and in which the parts co operate with eiiiciency and certainty.

Another object is to provide a step-by-step pencil wherein the operating parts are pos`1- tively aligned.

Still another object is to provide an 1mproved pencil wherein the parts are so arranged as to minimize the danger of breakage of the lead when excessive pressure 1s applied to its writing end. u

Other objects of the invention will 1n part be obvious and will in part appear hereinaiter.

The invent-ion accordingly comprises an article of manufacture possessing the features, properties and the relation of elements which will be exemplified in the article hereinafter described and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the claims.

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal section of one form of pencil constructed in accordance with the invention;

Fig. 2 is a transverse section along the lines 2--2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a top view of the bottom supporting element for the lead strips; i0 Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the same;

- of a modified form of my invention.

Fig. 5 shows the carrier ring in said elevation;

Fig. 6 is a top View of the same; and

Fig. 7 is a side elevation, partly in section,

Referring to the drawing; l is the outer shell or casing with a pointed or conical lower end 2. Within this shell is slidably arranged the inner tube 3 which is detachably connected with the cap Il, preferably by means of screw threads. With the inner tube 3 is connected the carrier or cam ring 5, the conical bore 6 of which is adapted to actupon a cone-shaped portion of the fingered upper end of the tubular lead gripping and guiding member 7. This gripping member 7 is reciprocable within the cam ring, and the lower end 8 thereof is guided within the bore 9 of an anchor piece 10. The diameter of the bore is reduced at 9 to provide a shoulder which serves as an abutment to limit the downward movement of the member 7. The anchor piece 1() is secured in the conical lower end oi the casing 1 in any suitable manner, and in the present instance, by having the tip 11 of the pencil casing screwed into it. The inner tube 3 and-the carrier or cam ring 5 are here shown as being secured together, but they may be formed in one piece provided openings are left therein through which the guide bars may slide as hereinafter described.

A spring 12 is compressed between the carrier or cam ring 5 and the anchor piece 10, and is held under tension by reason of the plate 13 which lies above the cam ring and acts as an abutment to limit the upward movement of the gripping member 7 and the cam ring.

In the present instance the plate 13 forms the bottom of the lead magazine or chamber, and is secured to the upper ends of parallel guide bars 14. In the disclosed embodiment these bars 14 are formed integral with the plate 13, and are operatively secured to the anchor piece 10 by the fact that the contracted or reduced portions 15 of these arms lie in recesses 16 in a centering flange formed at the upper end of the anchor piece l0.. The arms 1,4; are sprung into the recesses and 100 reason of their inherent resiliency. The p ate 13 is thus sup orted Aon the anchor piece 10 and is secured t creto.

The bars or strips 14 not `only support the plate 13 but also serve for the parallel guidance, with a low or gentle frlction, of the carrier ring 5, and consequently of the inner tube 3 connected with it. The carrier ring is, in this embodiment, provided with recesses 17 adapted to engage and slide alon the aforesaid bars or strips 14. Instead o providing the art 5 with the' grooves 17, I may use suitab y-shaped and placed vertical openings adapted to slide over the bars 14. Ur I may use the modification illustrated by Fig'. 7 wherein the plate forming the bottom of the magazine space forms the upper end of ,a c lindrical piece whose lower end is closed y the anchor piece, and wherein lugs formed on the carrier ring slide in guide slots formed in the cylindrical piece.

As will be seen, there is provided in .this modification an anchor-piece ln provlded with indentations 21, into which fit protuberances 22 in a hollow cylindrical piece 24 which extends downwardly from the plate 13. In .the sides of the member 24 there are formed slots 25 into which lugs 26 on the carrier ring 5m extend, the carrier ring being connected with the inner tube 3 by means of 18m, which parts are generally similar to the corresponding parts in the exemplication shown in Fig.l 1.

The size and shape of the opening 6V "l through the carrier ring 5, and the size and shape of the gripper fingers are referably such that the Whole of the mem r 7 may be passed longitudinally through the opening 6 providing no lead is between the fingers.

While I may. depend entirely on the inherent resiliency of the gripper fingers to spring apart and open out whenever they are not coerced by the carrier-ring, I now `prefer to use an auxiliary spring ring or spreader 18, the normal tendency of which is to force the finger apart.

My improved pencil operates in the following manner:

When the parts of the pencil are in the normal postion of rest, and there is a lead between the grippers, by depressing the cap 4, the inner tube 3 (or other connecting member) and the carrier ring 5 secured thereto are displaced axially or longitudinally. The ring 5 with its conical bore 6 carries the gripping member 7 and the lead strip along with it until the lower end 8 of the gripping member abuts against the shoulder at 9', whereupon the downward :movement of the gripping member .and the lead ceases. DuringI the further depression of the cap 4 the conical bore 6 slides off the correspondingly-formed upper portions of the lead feedin device and the gripper ingers spring apart y reason of the' resiliency inherent therein, or under the urge of the spreading ring 18, and the gripping pressure on the lead is thus released. The downward movement of the carrier ring is stopped when the ring abuts with its lower edge against the upper portion of the anchor piece 10. When the cap 4 is released, it, and the inner tube 3 and carrier ring 5, are moved back under the urg of the sprmg 12.

The spread out gers of the tubular gripping member 7, by reason of itslight weight and the force required to so coerce the fingers as to cause them to close, will float ahead of the carrier ring until the fingers abut against the under side of the plate 13, and their upward movement is arrested. The upward movement of the carrier ring and the parts connected therewith continues until the openin 6 in the ring 5 has been forced over the thickened ends of the gripper lingers and they have been forced against and again grip the lead, but at a higher point thereon, so as to hold it in writing position.

In my improved pencil the following are some of the novel features to be found, to wit:

A tubular `magazine part at the lower end whereof there is formed, or securedthereto so that the assembled parts become a unit, a carrier ring adapted to Vcarry and at'times to force closed the :lingers of an unattached ngered lead gripping and guiding member which the ring surrounds;

A self-centering anchor piece detachably secured in the pointed lower end of the pencil shell or casing, and which has a stepped bore therethrough the lower part whereof guides the lead in .transit from the magazine to the delivery end of the pencil and the upper part whereof guides the lower endof vthe lead guiding and gripping member the downward motion whereof is limited by the step in the bore, the rim of the upper end of the piece having openings formed therein adapted to have inserted therein, and to hold, the lower ends of a pair of guiding arms;

The use of a pair of guiding'arms, passing through openings or slots in the carrier ring, to support a lead plate and anchor it to the anchor piece, the arms not only guiding the magazine part, but preventing rotation thereof withinthe pencil shell; and,

The use of a floating unattached fingered lead guiding and gripping unit reciprocable inside a reciprocable carrier ring which closes the fingers when they strike an abutment in their upward path and permits them to open when they strike an abutment in their downward path, thus acting alternately to propel the lead and to clamp the lead in position for writing. Y

I have above described a practical means of actuating the lead in a mechanical eneil which eliminates many of the defects 1nher- 4 l 5 ent in mechanical pencils previously developed, but it will be apparent that the elements of the device herein disclosed are susceptible of modification in their characteristics, proportions and relative arrangement. It is accordingly to be understood that I reserve the privilege of resorting to the embodiment of the essential features of my present improvements in numerousv other structural forms as may fairly be comprehended within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

l. In a magazine pencil wherein a tubular magazine part is reciprocable within an outer shell: an assemblyl comprising a magazine unit, a tubular self-centering anchor piece, a lead supporting plate, and guiding anchoring arms securing said plate to said anchor piece, and a spring compressed between said anchor piece and said magazine unit, the

- whole held in assembled relation by reason of the tension of said spring.

2. In a magazine pencil having a tubular shell the lower end whereof is tapered, and within which a tubular magazine unit is reciprocable: a carrier ring forming a part of the magazine unit; a tubular self centering anchor piece detachably secured in the tapered lower end of the shell; an unattached, fingered, tubular lead guiding and gripping member, the fingered end whereof lies in, and is adapted to be closed in by being forced into said carrier ring, the lower end of said gripping member guided in an enlarged diain-eter part of the bore through said anchor piece and the end of which forms an abutment to limit the downward movement thereof; a horizontally disposed pierced plate lying in said magazine unit above said carrier ring, the rim thereof joined to and supported from said anchor piece by means of a spaced parallel pair of arms passing through and slidable in openings in said carrier ring, said plate adapted to form a bottom to the magazine space of the pencil and an abutment in the path of said unattached gripping member; and a spring compressed between said anchor piece and said carrier ring.

3. In a magazine pencil having a tubular shell the lower end whereof is tapered, and within which a tubular magazine unit is reciprocable: a carrier ring forming a part of the magazine unit; a tubular self-centering anchor piece detachably secured in the tapered lower end of the shell an unatta'ched, lingered, tubular lead guiding and gripping member, the fingered end whereof is resiliently spread out; and is reciprocable and lies in, and is adapted to be closed inl by being forced into said carrier ring, the lower end of said gripping member guided in an enlarged diameter part of the bore through said anchor piece and the end of which forms an vabutment to limit the downward movement thereof; a horizontally disposed,

pierced, plate lying in said magazine unit above said carrier ring, the rim thereof joined to andsupported from said anchor piece by means o a spaced parallel pair of arms passing through and slidable in openings in said carrier ring; said plate adapted to form a bottom to the magazine space of the pencil andan abutment in the path of said unattached gripping member; and a spring compressed betwen said anchor piece and said carrier ring; said spring normally forcing said magazine unit towards its upward limit of travel, Aand the carrier ring to force the gripper fingers closed.

4. In a magazine pencil comprising an outer shell, a tubular member reciprocable within said outer shell and providing the side-walls of a lead magazine, means providing a bottom for said magazine, said bottom arranged to permit the passage of lead strips successively downwardly therethrough, the combin'ation of a carrier cam ring connected to said reciprocable member and positioned beneath said bottom, a tubular lead-guiding and gripping member carried by, and reciprocable 1n, said carrier cam ring, the upper end` of said gripping member being split to form a plurality of resilient lead-gripping fingers, and means providing stops for said gripping member in its upward and downward path.

5. In a magazine pencil comprising an outer shell and a tubular magazine member reciprocable within said shell, the combination of a tubular lead-guiding and gripping member the upper end of which is split to form a plurality of outwardly spring-pressed lead-gripping fingers, the outer surfaces of said fingers being tapered outwardly, a carrier cam ring secured to said magazine member and arranged to surround and to support said fingers, means providing a stop whereby the upward movement of said gripping member is limited to permit said cam ring to press said fingers inwardly against the lead, and means providing a stop to limit the downward movement of said gripping member after the same has been carried downwardly by the cam ring for a predetermined distance whereby further downward movement of the cam ring will permit the fingers to release their grip on the lead.

6. In a magazine lead pencil comprising a tubular member and a bottom plate cooperating to provide a lead magazine, said plate being formed with an opening to permit the passage of leads therethrough, the combination of a longitudinally movable lead guide tube formed at itsupper end with a plurality of grippers extending toward said opening for the reception of lead therebetween, and means operative upon said grippers to cause the same to grip and release lead at successive periods of operation for the propulsion of lead therethrough.

7. In a magazine pencil comprising' an outllO er shell and a tubular magazine member rewardly against a lead in the pencil, and means ci rocable within said shell, the combination o a reciprocable lead guide tube formed at its upper endinto a plurality of fingers having elongated lead-gripping surfaces, means carried by said magazine member for supporting and operating said fingers to propel lead strips step-by-step downwardly through said pencil, said fingers being adapted to receive leads directly from said magazine.

8. In a magazine pencil, the combination of y a reciprocable lead guide Vtube formedv at its upper end into a plurality of fingers having a longitudinallly movable carrier cam ring, the inner surfaces of said ring conforming to the outer surfaces of said fingers.

13. In a pencil mechanism, the combination of a longitudinally movable carrier cam ring of a longitudinally movable member formed A with an opening therethrough, an unrestrictedly iioating'tubular lead-gripping member adapted to be supported upon the periphery elongated lead-gripping surfaces, a carrier\9f the openin in said longitudinally movable ring arranged to surround and to support said lingers, the outer surfaces of said fingers and the inner surfaces of said ring being in cam relation,`means to actuate said carrier ring to cause reciprocating movement of said i lguide tube, and means to limit said reciprocating movement of said guide tube.

gers, the inner surfaces of said ring being tapered `so as toconform with the outer surfaces of said fingers, lmeans to limit theupward movement of said tubular' member to permit said cam ring to presssaid fingers into limit the downward movement of said tubular member after the same has been carried downwardly by the cam ring for a predetermined distance.

10. In a step-by-step pencil comprising a casing, the combination of a longitudinallyvv movable lead-propelling unit positioned within said casing and comprising a plurality of outwardly spring-pressed lead-gripping ngers and a lead guide tube extending downwardly therefrom; a carrier member extending about said unit and adapted to serve'as a support for said fingers, means to limit the upward and downward movement of said unit, and means to move said carrier member longitudinally.

11. In a step-by-step pencil, the combination of a longitudinally movable lead-guiding tube formed at its upper end into a plurality of outwardly spring-pressed lead-gripping fingers, and means to cause said ngers to grip and release leads at. successive periods in the operation of the pencil.

12.' In a pencil mechanism, the combination of a longitudinal movable lead-guidingv and gripping member formed at its upper end into a plurality of outwardly spring-pressed griping fingers, the outer surfaces of said fingers eing tapered outwardly and upwardly, and

. 15. In a step-by-steppenc, the combination of a longitudinally movable member formed with an opening therethrough, a leadgripping unit extending through and beneath said opening and freely supported upon said member, the periphery of said opening and the outer surface of a portion of said unit be'- ingin cam relation, means providing upper and lower stopsv for said unit, and means for reciprocating said longitudinally movable member.

16. In a step-by-step pencil comprising a casing, thecombination of means providing a magazine, a carrier cam ring positioned beneath said magazine, means for reciprocatin said carrier cam ring, a floating leadgripping member arranged to be supported by said carrier cam ring in a position immediately beneath said magazine for the vreception of leads directly therefrom and to be brought by said ring into operative gripping engagement with a lead in the pencil, upper` and lower stops for said gripping member, and resilient means to cause said gripping member to release the lead when said carrier cam ring yis withdrawn therefrom. y

17. In a magazine pencil comprising an outer shell and a tubular member reciprocable within said shell, means including the upper portion of said tubular member to provide a lead magazine arranged to permit the passage of a plurality of leads successively downwardly therefrom, a carrier ring secured to said tubular member, a lead-gripping and guiding member formed at its upper end int-o a plurality of outwardly springpressed fingers adapted to float upon said carrier ring or to be pressed inwardly upon a lead thereby, saidl rip ing and guiding member being longituina ly movable by said ciprocable within said shell, the combination of an anchor piece secured in the bottom of said shell by means of said tip, and formed with a lead-guidin bore, a bottom plate cooperating with sai tubular member to pro vide a lead magazine in the up r end of the pencil, and a pluralit of resi 'ent arms extending downwardly rom said bottom plate to said anchor piece, said anchor piece and said arms being formed with means for detachably securin said late on said anchor ieee, and meanszflieneat said plate to propel ead through the bore in said anchor piece inl response to the reciprocation of said tubular member.

19. In a magazine lead pencil comprising an outer shell and a longitudinally movable inner tube fitted within the same, the combination of an anchor piece secured within the lower portion of said shell, a bottom plate cooperating with said inner tube to provide a lead magazine, said plate being formed with an opening to permit the passage of leads therethrough, a plurality of arms extending downwardly from said plate and having recesses formed therein intermediate the ends thereof, and a member forming a part of said anchor piece and provided with grooves for the reception of the recessed portions of said arms.

20. In a magazine pencil comprising a casing, the combination of means provding a lead magazine, said means including a bottom plate formed with an opening therein, an

anchor piece detachably secured at the bottom of said casing, a pair of resilient arms extending downwardly from said plate, an arm-securing member carried by said anchor piece, and means detachably to secure said arms to said member.

21. In a magazine pencil comprising a casing, the combination of an anchor piece secured in the lower part of said casing and formed with a bore to permit the passage of leads therethrough, the upper portion of said bore being widened for the reception of a lead guide tube, a longitudinally movable lead guide tube extending into the widened portion of said bore, a plurality of outwardly spring-pressed lead-gripping fingers formed at the upper end of said guide` tube, means to limit the upward movement of said guide tube, and a longitudinall movable member adapted to carry said ngers upwardly ahead of itself and to thrust the fingers into gripping engagement with the lead at the end of their upward movement.

22. In a step-by-step pencil, the combination of alongitudinally-movable lead-guiding tube formed at one end into a plurality of outwardly spring-pressed lead-gripping ngers, a longitudinally-movable carrier member formed with a recess therein adapted to receive said fingers, the outer surface of said fingers and the inner surface of said recess bein in cam relationship, and exteriorly accessi le means connected with said carrier member for reci rooating the same.

23. In. a stepy-step pencil, the combination of a longitudinally-movable lead-guiding tube formed at one end into a plurality of outward] -sprin -pressed lead-gripping fingers, a ongitu 'nally-movable carrier member formed with a central opening therein adapted to receive said fingers, the outer surface of said fingers and the inner surface of said central opening being in cam relationship, exteriorly accessible means secured to said carrier member for reciprocating the same, and means including said carrier member to cause said fingers to propel a lead stepby-step through said pencil.

24. In a step-by-ste pencil, the combination of a lead guide tu e formed at its upper end into a plurality of outwardly spring pressed ngers, a carrier member for said fingers, the outer surfaces of said fingers and the inner surface of said carrier member being arranged in cam relationship, a spring tending to force said carrier member against said fingers, exteriorly accessible means to move said carrier member against the pressure of said spring, and means to limit the upward and downward movement of said tube.

25. In a step-by-step pencil, the combination of a longitudinally-movable lead-propelling unit comprising a plurality of outwardly spring-pressed lead-gripping fingers and a lead guide tube extending downwardly therefrom, a carrier member for said fingers, the outer surfaces of said lingers and the inner surfaces of said carrier member being in cam relationship, a spring tending to force the carrier member upwardly against said fingers, exteriorly accessible means to move said carrier member downwardly, and means to limit the upward and downward movement of said unit.

26. In a step-by-ste pencil, the combination of a longitudina ly-movable lead-gripping unit comprising a plurality of outward ly spring-pressed lead-gripping fingers and a lead guide tube extending downwardly therefrom, and means to thrust said lingers normally into firm grippin engagement with the lead, to move said ngers downwardly while in gripping engagement with the lead, to permit the release of said fingers, and to move the same upwardly to re-grip the lead at a higher point.

27. In a mechanical pencil comprising a casing member and a pencil tip connected therewith, the combination of a carrier cam rin movable longitudinally with respect to sai tip, and a lead-guiding and gripping unit freely supported thereon.

Ill

28. Ina 'step-byrstep pencil, the combina# tion of an exteriorly accessible longitudinally 'annular member movable with the longitudinally movable member, and a lead-gripping unit comprising a plurality of lead-grlpplng jaws formed at the upper end thereo said unit extending through and beneath said annular member and being adapted to be operated to propel a lead step-bystep through a pencil in response to the operation of said longitudinally movable member.

30. In a step-by-step pencil the combination of a'casing, a reciprocable pencil cap, an annular member, means to secure said annular member to said pencil cap for movement therewith, and a plurality of leadfgrippers extending through and beneath said annular member and adapted to be operated to propel a lead step-by-step through the pencil in response to the depression 0 said pencil cap.

3l. In a step-by-step pencil, the combination of a casing member, an anchor piece, a tubular member movable relatively to said anchor piece, a hollow cylindrical member :s connected with said anchor piece, a carrier ring positioned beneath said magazine and above said anchor piece, said Ahollow cylindri.

cal member being formed with longitudinal slots, and said carrier ring being formed with lugs extending into said slots, means for connecting said longitudinally movable tubularv member with sald lugs, and a plurality of lead-grippers supported on said carrier ring and adapted to be operated thereby to grip and propel a lead step-by-step through the penci 32. In a step-byfstep pencil, the combination of a reciprocable lead-guiding and -grip'- ping unit comprising a plurality of jaws, and a reciprocable carrier rin adapted normally to support said .jaws an to press the same into gripping engagement with la lead in the pencil, and, when reciprocated, to operate said jaws to propel the lead step-by-step through the pencil, the bore in said rlng being adapted to pass the gripping unit. there lthrough when no lead is within the pencil.

33. In a step-by-step pencil, the combination of a casing, a tubular member reciproca-- ble in the upper end of said casing, a perforated plate secured to said casing and cooperating with said t-ubular memberto provide a lead magazine, a reciprocable lead grippin and -guiding unit comprising a plurality o jaws, and a reciprocable carrier ring adapted to normally support said jaws and to press the same into grlpping engagement with a lead in the pencil, and, when reciprocated, to operate said jaws to pro el the lead step'by step through the pencil, t e bore grippingunit therethrough when no lead is viding a limit to the upward movement of said carrier ring when no lead is between said jaws.

in said carrier ring being adapted to pass the `within the pencil; said perforated plate proan increased diameter chamber above the lower bore, a reciprocable lead-gripping and -guiding unit extending into said chamber, the shoulder at the bottom of said chamber serving to limit the downward movement of the gripping and guiding unit, and means for reciprocating the gripping and guiding unit and for causlngthe same-to grip and propel a lead step by step through the pencil. 35. In a step-by-step pencil, the combination of a reciprocable lead-gripping unit comprising a plurality of lead-grippers having resilient arms, a spring tending to spread said grippers in co-operation with said resilient arms, means `to limit the upward and downward movements of said grippers, a reciprocable gripper-operating member adapted normally to maintain said grippers in engagement with the lead and adapted when reciprocated to move said grippers longitudinally between their limits of movement, to release said grippers and permit the same to spring apart when in av downward position, and to clamp said grippers against a lead when in an upward position, and means for reciprocating said gripper-operating mem? ber.

. 36. In a magazine pencil comprising a cas- 1ng, the combination of a tubularvmember serving to provide the side walls of a lead magazine, `a centrally perforated circular member fitting within said tubular member and providing the bottom of said magazine, downwardly extending resilient arms secured to said circular member, and means for detachably securing said arms to said casing.

ing, the combination of a longitudinal mov- 37. In a magazine pencil comprising a casling means ada ted to be operated in re onse v to the longitudmal movement of said tu ular member to propel a lead through the pencil.

38. In a magazine pencilcomprising a casing, the combmat-ion of means providing a lead magazine, said means including a bottom plate formed with an opening therein, an anchor piece detachably secured at the bottom of said casing, a pair of arms extending downwardly from the sides of said plate, and means detachably to secure said arms to said anchor piece.

39. In a step-by-step pencil comprising a casing, the combination of atip member secured to said casing and formed with a leadguiding bore therethrough, an exteriorly accessible longitudinally movable member, an annular member movable longitudinally in response to the longitudinal movement of the longitudinally movable member, and a plu rality of lead-grippers extending through and beneath said annular member and adapted to be operated to propel a lead step-bystep through said tip in response to the operation of said lon itudinally movable member.

40. In a stepy-step pencil, the combination of an exteriorly accessible longitudinally movable member, an annular member, and a plurality of lead-grippers extending through and beneath said annular member and adapted to have longitudinal movement imparted thereto by said exteriorly accessible member through the medium of said annular member and to be operated to grip and release a lead at predetermined periods in their cycle of movement to propel a lead step-bystep through the pencil.

41. In a step-by-step pencil comprising a casing, the combination of a reciprocable pencil cap, an annular member reciprocable with said pencil cap, and a plurality of lead-grippers extending through and beneath said annular member, said annular member being adapted to impart longitudinal movement to said grippers and to impart lead-gripping action thereto at predetermined periods in their movement to propel a lead step-by-step through the pencil 1n response to the depression of the pencil cap.

42. In a step-by-step pencil, the combination of a longitudinally movable annular member, a lead-gripping and -feeding unit extending through said annular member and comprising a plurality of grippers, a recess in said annular member, and a spring fitting into said recess and adapted to impart longitudinal movement to said annular member for causing said grippers to grip a lead in the pencil. e

In testimony whereof I aiiix my signature.

ALFRED WOELM.

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