US2281208A - Thumb tack dispensing device - Google Patents

Description

Ap 1942- R. scHwARzKoPF 2,281,208

THUMB TACK DISPENS ING DEVICE Filed May 4 1941 (I I 6" a f- VIA 471 AWI/ t ////l/////,

" a i ii iiiiiii' Willi INVENTOR R050? 30/? I r ATTORQEY Patented Apr. 28, 1942 UNETED STATES FA'EENT @FFIQE 3 Claims.

This invention relates to article dispensing devices and more particularly to a device for dispensing thumb tacks. Thumb tacks are used for a plurality of purposes and are generally sold in quantity in boxes. The large head of the tack invariably locates the same in rest position with the point thereof extending upwardly with the result that in grasping the tack, when lying either alone or grouped with other tacks, the point invariably pricks the thumb or forefinger. One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a thumb tack dispensing device facilitating the manual grasping of a thumb tack. Another object is to provide a dispensing device for thumb tacks adapted to present a succession of thumb tacks for successive easy and ready grasping by the thumb and forefinger of a hand. Other objects and advantages will be apparent as the invention is more fully hereinafter disclosed.

In accordance with these objects I have devised a thumb tack dispensing device comprising a base member provided with an inclined thumb tack delivery chute T-shaped in cross-section having a length adapting the same to receive a plurality of tacks, the bottom of the said chute being provided with manually operative means to effect the successive discharge of the plurality of tacks from the said chute in such manner as to provide for the ready grasping of the tack between the thumb and forefinger of the hand.

As one specific embodiment of the present invention, but not as a limitation thereof, the ar rangement shown in the accompanying drawing which is particularly adapted for use by architects and draftsmen, will be described and illustrated.

Referring to the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of the said specific embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a front view of the same;

Fig. 3 is a top view of the same;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged partial section along plane 4-4 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged partial section along plane 5-5 of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 6 is a perspective View of one element of the invention.

The thumb tack dispensing device illustrated in the drawing comprises a base member B which is preferably comprised of solid material such as wood or molded plastic and which preferably also is rectangular in section and provided with two adjacent sides lying at right angles to each other. Means, such as car flaps l-l and 2-2 on the said two sides respectively, is also provided to secure the base B to either a vertically or horizontally sustained wall or surface W, thereby to locate the third or angularly disposed side of the base B in a position inclined to the horizontal. The particular angle of inclination of the third side of base B may be varied widely without essential departure from the present invention, but should be at least sufiicient to provide for the gravity fall of tacks along chutes C, C and C" provided inthe face thereof.

Chutes C, C and C" are T-shaped in crosssection and extend substantially the full length of base B between the opposite side edges thereof located at different horizontal levels. The depth and section of chute C (CC") is adapted to providefor the relatively free gravity fall of thumb tacks T, preferably point end up, along the said chute to the bottom or discharge opening thereof.

The bottom or discharge opening of chute C (C'-C") is closed by means M manually operative to effect the successive and controlled dis- 2 charge of the tacks T disposed in chute C in a position adapting the same to be grasped between the thumb and forefinger of a hand. This means M may be widely varied without essential departure from the present invention. For the field of use contemplated, it is desirable to arrange the discharge means M so that each tack as discharged from the chute C may be grasped between the thumb and forefinger of the hand with the minimum of time and effort. The means M as illustrated is designed to meet this particular condition.

As shown the means M comprises a curved spring leaf member I2 located in the lower or discharge end of chute C in a position to form in rest position an upwardly curved continuation of the bottom of the chute C, closing the chute C against the free fall of thumb tacks therethrough, and extending beyond the end of the chute a sufiicient distance providing for the manual depression of the leaf member l2 to a position providing for a substantially straight line continuation of the bottom of the chute C and for the gravity discharge of a tack T therealong from the chute C.

To accomplish this result the means M is formed substantially as indicated in Fig. 6, essentially as a reverse bend leaf spring with the two leaf members l2 and I4 spaced apart by curved section 15 a sufiicient distance relative to the curvature of spring leaf 12 to permit depression of leaf E2 to a position approximately parallel to leaf [4. Insofar as its spring action is concerned the spring member, per se, is old and well known in the art. However, to facilitate the manual operation of the spring leaf [2 from rest or closure position a (Fig. 5) to open or discharge position 1) (shown in dotted line) I have provided a finger engaging extension l3 on the end thereof. As indicated in the drawing, the bottom leaf member I4 also is provided with a flange extension l5 provided with an opening 16 to facilitate the securing of the spring in position by screw H in the base B.

To facilitate the manual grasping of each tack T as released for discharge from the bottom of chute C by manually depressing spring I2 to position b (Fig. 5) the surface of base B at the bottom end of each chute C is provided with a finger cut-out section F, substantially as indicated, having a depth at least sufficient to expose the point l8 of thumb tack T. With the arrangement shown the spring I2 may be depressed to tack discharging position by engaging the crooked forefinger in extension l3 and the thumb of the same hand may at the same time be placed in cut-out section F to engage the point 18 of tack T and to slide the tack T to position X on the leaf extension and thence to a position where the forefinger can be raised to engage the tack head.

To facilitate the insertion of tacks T in chutes C, C, C, the top or entrance end of the chutes are provided with cut-away sections I0, substantially as indicated in the drawing.

To prevent the inadvertent discharge of tacks T from the top or entrance end of chutes C, C,

C", removable closure members H are provided therefor.

From the above description and the specific embodiment given it is believed apparent that many modifications and adaptations may be made of the present invention without essential departure therefrom and all such are contemplated as may fall within the scope of the of the following claims.

What 1 claim is:

l. A thumb tack dispensing device comprising a base member provided with at least one inclined chute of inverted T-shape cross-section having a size, shape and configuration approximating but larger than that of thumb tacks disposed therein and a length several times the diameter of a tack, the bottom of said chute being closed by a manually operative tack discharging means, said tack discharging means comprising a curved spring leaf member sustained in the discharge end of said chute to provide a closure therefor when in rest position and in spring depressed position to permit the gravity fall of tacks from the said chute.

2. A thumb tack dispensing device comprising a base member provided with at least one inclined chute of inverted T-shape cross-section having a size, shape and configuration approximating but larger than that of thumb tacks disposed therein and a length several times the diameter of a tack, the bottom of said chute being closed by a manually operative tack discharging means, said tack discharging means comprising a reversely bent shaped spring leaf member, one portion of said leaf member being curved outwardly away from the other portion of said leaf member, the end of the first named portion being provided with a finger engaging extension and the other portion of said leaf member being provided with an outwardly extending flange extension at right angles to the outside surface thereof.

3. The combination of claim 1, wherein said base comprises a block of solid material triangular in section with two adjacent sides thereof at substantial right angles to each other and wherein the said chute is located on and recessed in the third said side.

ROBERT SCHWARZKOPF.

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