Improvements in Reservoir or Fountain Pens.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 22nd May, 1889
Complete Specification Left, 22nd Feb., 1890-Accepted, 22nd Mar., 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Reservoir or Fountain Pens.
I, EDMUND LACON, of Nether Wallop Vicarage, Stockbridge, in the County of
Hants, Clerk in Holy Orders do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
The object of this invention is to produce a reservoir or fountain pen which is
simple in construction and in which the ink is not likely to clog and cease flowing as
in a great number of pens at present in use.
The invention further relates to means
whereby the quantity of ink in the reservoir is easily and quickly ascertainable.
According to this invention, I construct the pen with an outer cylindrical case of
vulcanite or similar material and provide two or more longitudinal slits or openings
therein. Within this outer case, 1 place a glass or other transparent tube or ink
container and affix it to the inside of the outer case by mastic or similar composition
to prevent ink passing between the tube and outer case. One end of the said outer
case is internally threaded, and into this the pen section screws, the other end is solid
and is provided with a small air channel leading from the end of the glass or other
transparent tube to the circumference of the said solid end where it is covered by a
spring valve closed by means of a ring sliding up and down on the outside of this end
of the pen.
The pen section is made with a small channel leading from the reservoir to the nib.
On the top of the nib I place an ink conductor passing halfway more or less through
the channel of the pen section and communicating with the reservoir by means of the
said channel. This ink conductor is grooved on its under side so that the ink may
flow therealong by capillary attraction. A small hole is pierced through near the
point of the conductor for admission of air and to prevent corrosion.
When the ink flows slowly, the ring at the end of the pen is slid along, thus slightly
releasing the spring valve and opening a passage through the air channel into the
reservoir, causing the admission of air therethrough and a flow of ink consequent on
the atmospheric pressure.
CASTLE SMITH,
Per F. W. Golby,
"Invention" Office, 54, Fleet Street, London, E.C., Agent for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Reservoir or Fountain Pens.
I, EDMUND LACON, of Nether Wallop Vicarage, Stockbridge, in the County of
Hants, Clerk in Holy Orders, 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 :-
The object of this invention is to produce a reservoir or fountain pen of simple
construction and not likely to become clogged by the ink. The invention further
relates to means for enabling the quantity of ink in the reservoir to be easily and
quickly ascertained.
In the accompanying drawings, Fig. 1 represents in side elevation a pen constructed
in accordance with my improved method; Fig. 1ª being a side elevation of the cap."
Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the pen with the cap attached; the pen being shewn as

page_text: rotated a quarter revolution relatively to the position illustrated in Fig. 1. The air-
valve in Fig. 1 is closed; such valve being in Fig. 2 partly open. The means for
enabling the quantity of ink in the reservoir to be ascertained are shewn in Fig. 1,
but not in Fig. 2. Fig. 3 is a transverse section on the line 3-3 in Fig. 1; Fig. 4
being a transverse section on the line 4-4 in Fig. 2. Figs. 5, 5ª and 5° are respectively
a plan, a side elevation and an end elevation of the nib. Fig. 6 is a plan of the under
side of the ink-conductor. Fig. 7 is a side elevation of the nib-section carrying the
nib and the ink-conductor; Figs. 7 and 7 being respectively a vertical section and
an end elevation corresponding with Fig. 7. Fig. 8 is a vertical section shewing the
spring air-valve on the end of the pen; the ring by which it is closed or permitted
to open being removed and shewn separately in Fig. 8".
The outer cylindrical envelope or case a is constructed of vulcanite or similar
material. It is preferably provided with one, two or more longitudinal slots or
openings, such as a*. I usually employ two slots arranged opposite one another as
shewn in Fig. 3. The cap a¹, whilst the pen is in use, may be placed on the end a¹*
of the pen.
When placed on the nib-section 6, it enables the pen to be carried in the
pocket without injury or inconvenience. The end of the cap is perforated. Within
the outer case a is placed a glass or other transparent tube or ink-container a²; the
case and tube being united by mastic or cement to prevent ink passing between them.
The nib-section b screws into one end of the outer case; the other end a¹* of the case
being solid and having a small air-channel a³ leading from the end of the glass or
other transparent tube or reservoir to the spring air-valve a', which is closed by means
of a ring a adapted to slide on the end a* of the pen. The nib-section b is made
with a small channel 6 leading from the tube or reservoir a² to the nib b². Above
the nib is placed a tube c, which forms the ink-conductor, and passes through, but
does not completely fill, the channel 6¹. An ink-conductor reaching only part of the
way through the channel may, however, be used, if preferred. The ink-conductor is
made of vulcanite or similar material, and may be flattened on its under side. It bears
elastically against the nib. The nib-section is preferably cut away at 6*, as indicated,
in order that flexure of the ink-conductor may be permitted.
Ink flows from the reservoir to the nib through the ink-conductor c and along the
channel 6. When the ink flows too slowly, in consequence of the air in the reservoir
becoming attenuated, the spring-mounted air-valve a is released (by sliding the
ring a outwards) and communication to the atmosphere opened. The rear end of the
nib is turned down, as shown in Fig. 5b, in order to prevent ink or air flowing under
the nib.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I claim :-
1. The improved reservoir or fountain pen constructed or operating substantially
as described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
2. The improved reservoir or fountain pen provided with means for supplying the
nib with a continuous flow of ink, and comprising a tubular holder a a², a cap a¹, a
nib-section b formed with a channel 6' for the passage of ink and for holding an ink-
conductor, an ink-conductor c for conducting ink to the nib 62, an air-passage a³ in
the end of the holder for effecting communication between the ink-reservoir and the
atmosphere, and an air-valve a by which such passage may be closed or opened as
desired.
3. In a reservoir or fountain pen, the employment of a transparent ink-holder
enclosed within an envelope provided with a slot or slots wherethrough the extent to
which the reservoir is charged may be observed.
4. In a reservoir or fountain pen, the combination, with a nib b³, of an ink-
conductor c, a channel 6¹ and an ink-reservoir, substantially as and for the purpose
set forth.

page_text: 5. In a reservoir or fountain pen, the combination, with a nib 63, of an ink-
conductor c, a channel 6, an ink-reservoir and an air-valve a*, substantially as and
for the purposes set forth.
6. In a reservoir or fountain pen, the combination, with a nib b³, of an ink-
conductor c, mounted in a nib-section b, the latter being formed with an opening 6*
which permits flexure of the ink-conductor to take place, substantially as set
forth.
Dated this 92nd dor of Fahruary 1800.
G. G. M. HARDINGHAM,
191, Fleet Street, London, E.C., Agent for the Applicant.