Improvements in Fountain Pens.
Year: 1888

page_text: Improvements in Fountain Pens.
We JOHN TORRANCE WILOOx, of Leominster, Massachusetts, Mechanic and
ALBERT WARREN WILLIAMS, Manufacturer of Leominster, Massachusetts, United
States of America, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in
and by the following statement:-
Our invention relates to that class of pens known as fountain pens, and it consists
in certain novel features, as hereinafter fully set forth and claimed, the object being
to produce a more effective and otherwise desirable article of this character than is
now in ordinary use.
The nature and operation of the improvement will be readily understood by all
conversant with such matters from the following explanation.
In the accompanying drawing,
Figure 1 is a side elevation of a fountain pen embodying our improvements the
pen proper and lower portion of the body or holder being shown in section.
Figure 2 is an enlarged front elevation of the pen proper detached.
Figure 3 is an enlarged vertical longitudinal section of the pen proper taken on
the dotted line x, x, Figure 2.
Figure 4 is a side elevation showing the application of the improvement to another
form of pen, the upper portion of the body or holder and bulb being shown in section.
Figure 5 is a vertical longitudinal section of the lower portion of the pen shown in
Figure 4; and
Figures 6 and 7 are sectional views showing modifications of the improvement.
Like letters and figures of reference indicate corresponding parts in the different
igures of the drawing.
In Figure 1 A represents the body or holder of the pen, and B the pen proper,
oth of these parts being composed of the composite material or vulcanite known in
he arts and to the trade as hard rubber."
$6

page_text: The holder is hollow or provided with a reservoir 40, and is closed at its upper end,
its lower end being left open to receive the pen proper.
The pen proper Figures 2 and 3 consists essentially of the "point" f, retainer
and plug 9.
The retainer z and point are integral or formed in one piece, their upper portions
being united and shaped so as to constitute a short tubular stock 15, in which the
plug is disposed.
The point is tapered and provided with a slit i which opens outward centrally
through its "nib" or extreme lower end and extends upward to a terminal hole t in
the usual manner.
The retainer, which is somewhat shorter than the point and also tapered, is bent or
curved inward to bring its lower end in close proximity to the rear face of the point.
The plug is preferably composed of hard rubber and is disposed within the pen
proper just above the hole t. It may however, be placed in the lower portion of the
holder, if desired, in certain forms of the pen, and perform the same functions.
A diagonally arranged hole or duct 45, is formed in the plug, the lower end of said
duct being preferably so disposed as to open contiguous to the hole t, thereby causing
the ink passing from the reservoir 40, through said duct to be delivered directly to
the point f. The duct may, however, be formed at the centre of the plug as shown in
Figure 7, or at one side, as shown in Figure 6, or in any other suitable position, if
desired.
The retainer z, serves to increase the capillary action of the pen proper and enable
it to hold or retain a larger quantity of the ink than would be possible without its the.
In Figure 1, the pen proper B, is shown as detachable from the body or holder
A, but it is sometimes formed integral therewith as shown in figures 4 and 5, the
plugs g, in such case being employed in substantially the same manner as in Figure 1.
In preparing the pen shown in Figure 1 for use, the pen proper B, is removed
from the holder A, the holder inverted, the reservoir 40, filled with ink and the pen
proper again inserted in the holder.
The pen shown in Figure 4 is provided with an elastic bulb D, the upper end of
the body A, being open and inserted in the neck of said bulb. To fill its reservoir 40),
the bulb is compressed, the pen proper B inserted in the ink and the bulb permitted
to expand, the bulb being left in position on the body when the pen is in use.
The stock 15, of the pen proper may be inserted in the holder A as shown in
Figures 1 and 6 or the holder inserted in said stock, as shown in Figure 7 by a slight
change in the construction of the parts.
In constructing the pens, ordinary hard rubber tubing has been found to be
convenient and well adapted for the purpose; but the holder A may be made of other
material than hard rubber if preferred.
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A cap or guard C is provided for the pen in the usual manner, the upper and lower
portions of the holder shown in Figure 1 being reduced to receive it, as seen at r.
It will be understood. that in the claims 66
a point" has reference to the part f,
"a retainer" to the part z, "a holder" to the part A, and a stock" to the part 15.
In place of hard rubber, any other composite or vulcanite materials of a similar
nature may be employed but the rubber has been found most desirable on account of
its cheapness, great durability, and the case and facility with which it may be worked.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention and in what manner the saine is to be performed we declare that what
we claim is :-
First. The holder A closed at its upper end and provided with the reservoir 40 ;
the pen proper B, having the curved retainer z and tapered point provided with the
slit and the plug g disposed in said pen proper and provided with the duct 45 said
point and retainer being composed of hard rubber or similar material and formed
integral or in one piece, and all constructed, combined and arranged to operate
substantially as described.

page_text: Second. The elastic bulb D in combination with the body A provided with the
reservoir 40 point fretainer z and plug g having the duct 45 said point and retainer
being composed of hard rubber and formed integral or in one piece substantially as
described.
Third. The combination of a point, a retainer and a stock said point and stock being
composed of hard rubber or similar material and formed integral or in one piece,
substantially as set forth.
Dated this 20th day of November 1888.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London,
Agents for the Applicants.