Marker-counter device

Claim 1

A combination marker-counter device comprising an elongate outer casing having a window, a counter mounted in said outer casing along one side and spaced between the ends thereof and having numerical indicia presented exteriorly through said window, an operating member on said counter projecting interiorly of said outer casing toward the opposite side thereof and shiftable longitudinally thereof to operate the counter and change the numerical indicia, an inner casing located longitudinally within said outer casing extending along and in opposite directions beyond said counter and longitudinally shiftable relative to said outer casing between extended and retracted positions, a transverse extension on said inner casing and movable therewith longitudinally of said casings for actuating engagement with said operating member on shifting of said inner casing to its retracted position, resilient means urging said inner casing toward its extended position, a lead holder internally of said inner casing for movement therewith and projecting exteriorly of said inner and outer casings for presenting a lead to a surface to be engaged, said lead holder being mounted in said inner casing for movement therewith and longitudinally extensile and retractile movement relative thereto, and additional resilient means urging said lead holder toward a limiting position of retractile movement, forcible engagement of a lead with a surface serving to effect relative shifting between said inner and outer casings for said actuating engagement with said counter-operating member.