mprovements in Fountain Pens or Pen Holders.
Year: 1885

page_text: mprovements in Fountain Pens or Pen Holders.
I FERDINAND S. BARTRAM of the City County and State of New York
United States of America a Citizen of said United States of America and now
residing at No 149 William Street in said City of New York Merchant do hereby
declare the nature of my invention for IMPROVEMENTS IN FOUNTAIN PENS OR
PENHOLDERS to be as follows:-
1st A Hollow cylindrical case of hard rubber or other suitable material, closed at
the upper end and provided with a Cap or cover fitted to either end of said case
by turning a shoulder or shoulders on the same said case having its open end for
the space of about 2 inches slightly larger than the remainder of the bore of said
Case.
2nd An outer case of larger circumference and more than enough larger to admit
the sliding within of the first mentioned case which is to be held in position in the
centre of said larger case by strips or sections of cork wood or other non-conducting
inaterial and permitting the free passage of air between said inner and outer case
thus neutralizing the heating and consequent expansion of air and ink within the
inner case by the act of holding the same in the hand when in act of writing.
3rd A collar of similar substance about of an inch in thickness and fitting
closely within the inner case and held by friction. This Collar has a Central or
main aperture of two differing diameters from either side or surface longitudinally
with said inner case and running into each other near the centre of said Collar.
The aperture having the smallest diameter having its surrounding solid substance
perforated independently with one or more small holes which run through to the
larger aperture near the centre of said collar. The side of the collar having the
smaller aperture is the front side or nearest the open end of the case. The back or
larger aperture beveled from its junction near the centre outward to conform to
the extreme end of that portion of the feeder which slides back and forth through
it when necessary to regulate the quantity of ink to the capacity of the pen. or to
shut it off altogether when the pen is not in use.

page_text: 4th The Feeder above mentioned This may be constructed of of one or more pieces
of hard rubber or other material of varying circumferences vizt the pointed end
extending down the nibs of the pen and conformed thereto and having one or more
small projections opposite where the pen rests upon it also a transverse hole near
said projections by which means the whole feeder may be operated up or down
within the case. The feeder at the entrance to case is of sufficient circumference
to allow a pen to be placed upon its periphery or surface and slid into the open end
of the case where it is held by friction partly and partly by means of one or more
bifurcated forks or springs made integral with said feeder opposite where the pen
rests or attachable thereto and assisted if necessary by one or more spiral springs
placed between the bifurcated prongs or forks and the body of the Feeder all
tending to press upward gently against the pen and follow it when in action.
The feeder is about 2 inches in length. Near its centre is a crown or bell shaped
section with its larger end turned inward toward the ink reservoir through which
the smaller, diameter of the feeder passes and is held to it by a screw when not
made integral with it, This crown shaped section has its outer edges serrated and
points punctured when necessary (transversely) to admit more air to that portion
of the case in front of the stationary Collar before described. Back of this and
attached to the feeder is a round section of hard rubber or other material of
sufficiently small circumference to admit it through the central aperture in said
Collar. The extreme end of this Section is enlarged to correspond with the larger
aperture in the back portion of the collar and close it tightly when the Feeder is
drawn forward or outward a little from the case by the projections or hole hereto-
fore described. This Feeder is also 'slotted upon its surface next the pen in this
wise commence at a place near the end and continue to a corresponding place near
the other end but not allowing the slot to extend the entire length of the feeder at
either end Both ends should be solid and the groove copressing from the place
of commencement to the centre of the same "The shape of, the groove may be
rectangular but having its bottom preferably of V shaped section thus .
5th A self filling device consisting of a rubber tube closed at its upper end of
zig zag conformation upon its sides or similar to the bellows of an Accordian and
fixed within the inner case at its open end or bottom which has a small orifice
This tube is arranged to move up and down said inner case so as to exhaust the air
by compression and when drawn upward while the lower end is held in a vessel of
ink the ink rushes up to fill the vacuum thus created and the case is thus filled.
It may be operated by a longitudinal slot in the case and connected to a band or
other device for moving it at will and then fastened in position again. The outer
case may be omitted when this is used as the slot admits a free circulation of air
about the rubber tube which forms the reservoir.
Various other modifications may also be made in the Feeder & Collar heretofore
described without sacrificing the principles of my invention. By means of this
moveable Feeder a greater or less supply of ink may be had as required for larger
or smaller pens with the ink always under perfect control a feature which I believe
is not possessed by any other Fountain Pen yet invented. The ink may also be
shut off completely when the pen is not in use.
Figure 1-Complete Pen.
Figures 2 and 3, are modifications of the same also shewing in what manner the
Feeder and its accompaniments may be adapted to cases of other manufacture at
the least expense, the Feeder being, inserted at the open end of any hollow tube
and held by the friction of the Bulk Head "F" against the inner walls or bore of
the case.
Figure 4 Sections of Feeder out of use,
5 Cap or Cover for Pen fitting either end of Case.
"
6 & 7 Front and back sections of Collar within Case.
»>
Sections of ando of innon and outar
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page_text: Improvements in Fountain Pens or Pen Holders.
I FERDINAND S. BARTRAM a citizen of the United States of America residing
at 149 William St. in the City of New York in the County of New York and
State of New York in said United States of America do hereby declare the nature
of my invention for IMPROVEMENTS IN FOUNTAIN PENS AND FOUNTAIN PEN
HOLDERS and in what manner the same is to be performed and to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
My invention pertains to that class of Fountain Pens having a tubular or hollow
case closed at its upper end or which is closed by an air tight fitting cap or plug,
and may be filled or charged with ink at the lower or open end or at a joint in said
case near its open end, always providing for the admission of air only at the lower
or open end of said tubular case.
The heterogeneous constituents and varied character of the numerous inks and
writing fluids of commerce are largely instrumental in producing the failure of so
many of the Fountain Pens heretofore invented, it having been repeatedly
demonstrated that a pen which may write ordinarily well with one kind of ink,
proves a complete failure when charged with some other kind or mixture, owing
to the difference in their composition, specific gravities and consequent flowing
properties.
After some years devoted to experiments and experience in their construction
I believe I have been successful in securing and maintaining absolute control over
both air and ink under whatever conditions, in a Fountain Pen to be constructed
mainly as is herein described.
Fig. 1 of the accompanying Drawing shows the pen complete.
Fige 2 & 3 are modifications of the same also showing in what manner the
Feeder and its accompaniments may be adapted to cases of other manufacture at
the least expense, the Feeder being inserted at the open end of any hollow tube
and held by the friction of the Bulk Head "F" against the inner walls or bore of
the case.
Fig. 4 is a cap or cover which may be placed upon either end as required and for
which no claim is made.
Fig. 5 is a top longitudinal view of the Feeder whereon the pen rests near the
point showing the course of the open channel for conveying ink to the pen from
the Reservoir.
Fig. 6 shows the bottom line of the long and short channels of said Feeder at a
lateral view.
Figa 7 & 8 show the front and back transverse ends of the Bulk Head "D" in
Fig. 1.
Figs 9 & 10 are transverse ends of the outer Case "A" where it rests upon bars
or sections of cork wood or other substance inserted between the two cases as
hereafter described at x, y, in Fig. 1.
Fig. 11 is a lateral view of the Safety Collar.
Fig. 12 is a lateral view of the Spur Ring marked E in Fig. 1 and shown more
distinctly in Fig. 12.

page_text: For a more detailed description of the different parts, suppose "A" to be the
outer Case which is a hollow thin tube of hard rubber, celluloid, or other suitable
material, preferably of a non heat conducting substance, open at both ends and
shorter than the inner case "B," extending only between the two shoulders formed
on " "B" to secure a rest for the Cap-Fig. 4. To the inner surface of "A" or outer
surface of "B" are attached some strips or sections of cork wood or other non
heat conducting substance which are designed to keep the two cases from contact,
except at the rests of cork wood or similar substance and so permit the free
circulation of air between them. Thus the ink in the inner case is protocted from
the varying temperatures communicated from the hand when the pen is in use and
prevents the expansion of air (when the Reservoir is nearly empty) which drives
the residue of ink downward in other Fountain cases to blot the paper.
"B" the inner or main case is tubular in form, constructed of hard rubber
celluloid or other analogous material and closed at the upper end by a tightly
fitting plug or cap "B" which may be removed when the rubber Self Filler "H"
is to be used as will be hereafter described.
"C" the Feeder, is constructed of any suitable material, preferably of hard
rubber or celluloid and partially pointed to conform to the nibs of the pen, but with
the upper surface where the pen rests, left intact or parallel with the main
body of the same. Its circumference near and immediately back of the point where
the pen rests is smaller than the bore of the case so that the pen may be inserted
quite easily between them where it is held at the point by the aid of a bifurcated
section of said Feeder (see Co) thus forming an elastic spring which point or
projection rests within and against the inner surface of the case or bore of the tube
and serves to press upward, always keeping the feeding point of said Feeder against
the nibs of the pen and insuring its perfect action. This spring may be made of
metal or other suitable substance and attached to said Feed Bar in any substantial
manner so that it can be renewed without renewing the Feed Bar.
"C1" is that portion of the Feeder called the Stem, extending backward through
the Safety Collar " D" Bulk Head "F" and Regulator "G," beyond which it
terminates, having its extremity beveled or turned at C* to conform to a seat in
the ring H✶ through which ink passes from the Reservoir "H" and which serves..
as an incidental "shut off" to the downward passage of ink should an obstruction
lodge within the regular shut off formed by the Regulator "G" within the Bulk
Head "F" as will be hereafter described. This incidental shut off is serviceable
also when very short pens are used requiring the Feeder to be pushed backward
almost to the verge of the inner Case "B." This stem is made integral with
the main body of the Feeder or may be attached thereto in any substantial manner.
It is of tubular form preferably, to give it both a sliding or longitudinal and a
rotary motion within the case. The former that it may be adjusted more rapidly
to either position with reference to the kind of pen to be used and the ink supply,
the latter that when nearly closed at "G," "F" the Regulator "G" may be drawn
home to its seat within "F" by a slight turn at Cand closed with greater security.
It may be operated with the thumb and finger at C or by the thumb nail within
one or more depressions in the surface of the Feeder made transversely but which
do not project above the surface of that part of the Feeder. They may be seen at z
in Fig. 1. A short section of a screw thread C is formed upon that portion of the
stem seen within the Bulk Head in Fig. 1 to enable it to be revolved within the
inner surface of the front perforation of the Bulk Head seen in Fig. 7 which is
provided with a screw thread to correspond.
Cs is an ink trough for conducting ink from the Reservoir "H" to the pen j
and vice versa. It consists of a single channel cut in the upper surface of the
Feed Bar whereon the pen rests and is closed at both ends so that when the Feed
Bar is lying horizontally, ink may be placed within it without running out. I am
aware that a patent has been issued for an ink duct in a Fountain Pen consisting
of one or more longitudinal grooves and fissures which are open at both ends or
extend the entire length of the bar, and bear no resemblance to the plain channel

page_text: .
invented by myself which extends but a portion of the way upon its surface and
stops in the solid parts or ends of said Feed Bar. The advantage of having the
channel extend but a part of the way upon the Feed Bar is, that when the pen is
at the writing angle, ink is held within the channel at the solid end or point of
the Feed Bar by the pressure of the pen over and upon it, until released by raising
the nibs as in the act of writing, whereas in a channel having no stop at its lower
end ink is liable to run out when the pen is held perpendicularly.
The channel which I have constructed commences back of the point of the Feed
Bar near C✶ and continues along its surface nearest the pen, through the Safety
Collar "D" and along the surface of the stem C¹ through the Bulk Head "F" to
the front base of the Regulater "G" where it stops.
C³ is an auxiliary or additional channel for conveying ink from the Reservoir to
the main channel of the Feeder and vice versa. It is of tubular form commencing
near the point in the Feeder channel marked C3*, extending downward to a line
nearly parallel with the center of the stem C₁ thence backward on same line
(underneath the open channel) through said stein C¹ to a point below the termi-
nation of the open channel C2 where it again connects at an upward angle with
said channel or trough C2 on the surface of the stem. This tube perforins various
functions in connection with the open channel and also independently of it.
Should an ink clot or other obstruction lodge within the trough C underneath the
Bulk Head "F" or Safety Collar "D" the pen will continue to be supplied by this
tube alone. When an unusual quantity of ink is needed for. coarse pens or India
ink is used for drawing purposes it is an essential factor. It is also largely instru-
mental in furnishing an additional inlet and air passage for the rapid return of ink
to the Reservoir when the pen is inverted and in draining backward any surplus
ink that may accumulate about the sides of the Feeder when the pen has been in
long continued use.
CCs are small transverse perforations or air vents upon the under surface of
the Feeder into the open channel above and are of value in releasing ink from the
channel when the pen is in action.
C7 C7 are ink grips protruding from the lateral surfaces of the Feeder "C" as
shown in Fig. 5, serving to retain any surplus ink that may flow down outside the
channel where it will be held by them until the pen nibs are raised by action,
when it will pass underneath the pen and to the point as needed.
D is that portion of the Feeder back of the pen whose circumference dilates
backward from the main body of the Feeder into a crown or bell shaped con-
figuration, nearly filling the bore of the case. This enlargement may be made
integral with the main body of the Feeder or in a separate section as shown in
Fig. 11. Its largest circumference or backward edge is serrated or perforated
transversely or both sufficiently only to admit air and retain any surplus ink which
might escape from the Bulk Head or overflow in the Stem channel C, hence I call
it the Safety Collar as marked "D" in Fig. 1. It is perforated longitudinally
through its upper surface where the open channel of the Feeder C³ passes
through it.
E, Fig. 1, shown more distinctly in Fig. 12, is a lateral view of the Spur Ring
which I have devised to hold the heel of the pen from moving backwards or side-
ways when in action. It is made of any suitable substance preferably of hard
rubber in form of an ordinary ring cut from tubing leaving it wide enough upon
one side to form upon it a projecting spur forward and inclined downward slightly
so that the pen may rest upon it and against the inner surface of the case when
inserted in position as seen in Fig. 1. This ring is held by friction within the
case allowing the Feeder "C" to move freely in any direction through it without
disturbing the pen: The Spur may also be made of a separate piece of any-suitable
material and attached. to the front surface of the Ring as a matter of economy in
material.
i
i
F', is termed the. Bulk. Head, is of cylindrical. form and may be made integral
with.the.case or of.separate substance, inserted within it, and held.there snugly by
:

page_text: friction. It has one main longitudinal perforation near the centre of its front face
(seen in Fig. 7) which extends a portion of the way therethrough where it is met
by a perforation from the opposite or back side of larger diameter (see Fig. 8:)
This perforation is enlarged or beveled backward to form an air tight fitting seat
into which the Regulator "G" may be drawn to shut off the ink supply or graduate
it by methods hereinafter described. Around the front principal perforation
(Fig. 7) are one or more small longitudinal perforations or air passages independent
of the main one through which the Feeder Stem C₁ passes or moves. These
perforations extend but a part of the distance through the Bulk Head "F" where
they are lost or open 'into the backward larger diameter heretofore described and
shown in Fig. 8. These perforations are designed for the admission of air within
the Bulk Head and thence upward to the Reservoir to replace the vacuum caused
by the downward flow of ink when the pen is in action.
G, the Regulator is a demi coniform piece of hard or soft rubber or any suitable
material of a circumference and conformation corresponding to the inner backward'
surface of the Bulk Head "F" which is firmly fixed upon the stem. C¹ by a'
screw thread or pivot and whose function as before stated is to open graduate or
close according to its proximity to and within the Bulk Head "F" at Fig. 8 both
the ink and air supply by the longitudinal, or rotary motion, or both, of the
Feeder "C" when operated at C with the thumb and finger. This Regulator with
its enlarged base also resists to a considerable extent the full pressure or gravity of
the bulk of ink within the Reservoir, dispensing it downward more gradually and
equally and affording greater facility for the influx of air upward.
H is a self filling device of soft rubber or other analogous material which obviate
the necessity of the ordinary and separate filler or dropper used for filling the
Reservoir. It is of tubular zig zag conformation closed at the upper end and
suspended at the lower end within a ring or stay held by friction against the inner
surface of the case as seen at H* Fig. 1. Its operation is as follows. By removing
the upper portion of the case at B¹, with an ordinary lead pencil or rod it is to. bo
forced downward until the folds are compressed, which exhausts the air from it,
then with the open end at section "K" within a vessel of ink if the pencil be
withdrawn the filler returns to its normal shape and ink enters the vacuum within
it. The tube may also be filled in the ordinary manner at section "K" or at the
open end by withdrawing the Feeder "C" or the tube may be removed and the
case still serves the purpose of an ordinary ink Reservoir. The perforation within
the ring H* is fitted to receive the extremity of the Feeder Stein as has been'
heretofore described.
J is an ordinary pen in position: The operation may be thus briefly described.
When ink has been injected into the Reservoir by either of the methods provided;
the Feeder may be moved upward or downward by the thumb nail at Z, Fig. 1
until the requisite quantity of ink required for the pen to be used is attained
according to its flowing propensity, when the ink passes by gravity between the
Regulator and its seat in the Bulk Head where it is met by the air pressing upward
through the perforations at CB also seen in Fig. 7, and also by air passing downward
with the ink into the channel C and tube C³ to the pen. Ink cannot become
sluggish in the Reservoir but is kept in a constant state of ebullition when the pen
is in action by the series of miniature air bubbles passing through it to the
condensing chamber from the perforations Cs hereinbefore described. When it
is desired to shut off the ink supply a slight turn of the Feeder at C+
accomplishes it.
C
Fig. 2 shows a less expensive construction or modification of Fig. 1 whereby the
Safety Collar "D," Vertical Self Filler H, Ring H*, and Spur Ring "E," may be
omitted, its operation remaining the same, and with many varieties of inks it works
as well as Fig. 1.
Fig. 3-shows other modifications whereby, the Safety Collar "D" may be used
with the Spur Ring "E" without the Regulator "G" or stops or screw thread Co
as shown in Fig. 6 The Safety Collar "D" may also be omitted in either of

page_text: the figures shown herein and the pen will still do good service. The pen may
also be made and used without the Bulk Head "F," Filler H, Ring: H* and with
the Spur Ring "E," but is not adopted to so general a variety of uses.
It is evident that other slight changes may be made in the form and arrange-
ments of the several herein described parts without departing from the spirit and
scope of my invention hence I do not wish to limit myself to the precise
construction herein set forth.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is
1. For a Fountain Pen, a duplex or cylindrical case surrounding an inner case
and ink reservoir, and supported within, by sections or rests of cork wood or other
suitable material arranged to afford a free passage for air between the inner surface
of the outer case and outer surface of the inner case for the purposes herein
expressed.
2. An ink trough for a Fountain Pen consisting of an open longitudinal channel
in a bar having a stem. Said channel being closed at both extremities and formed
in the surface of the bar next to the under surface of the pen for the purpose of
conveying ink from the Reservoir to the pen and from the pen to the Reservoir
substantially as hereinbefore described.
3. A Feed Bar for a Fountain Pen having its latter circumference reduced to
about midway of its length to form a Stem, said stem having a longitudinal tubular
ink conduit near its center, connecting at angles with the upper or open channel of
of the Feed Bar and Stem substantially as herein specified and for the purposes set
forth.
4. A Feed Bar for a Fountain Pen with a parallel body or surface for the pen of
sufficient diameter to be inserted easily within the case between which surfaces the
pen may rest and having its circumference back of the pen convexed into a crown
or bell shaped configuration toward the inner circumference of the Case and having
said bell shaped edge serrated or perforated transversely as required for the necessary
admission of air to the Reservoir and as and for the other purposes herein described.
5. In a Fountain Pen the Feed Bar "C," having a point resting against the
under surface of the pen and supported by a spring C for exerting an elastic action
to maintain a gentle pressure of the point of the Feed Bar against the under surface
of the pen under all conditions as herein specified.
6. A. Bulk Head in a Fountain Pen Case between the Reservoir and the pen and
through which a portion of the Feed Bar passes. Said Bulk Head being designed
for the dispensing of ink to the Feed Bar and Pen, and for the independent admis-
sion of air to the Reservoir. Said Bulk Head being adjusted or constructed within
the case substantially as herein described and for the purposes hereinbefore
specified.
7. In a Fountain Pen, a Regulator and Stop, consisting of a movable Feed Bar
having a channel and graduated or convexed Stop or Plug affixed to said bar, in
combination with a wall or Bulk Head, adjusted or constructed within the Case.
between the Reservoir and pen, having a recess through which said bar passes
and a backward convexing seat within and back of said recess into which said plug
or stop is drawn. Said Feed Bar being operated by its exposed part at the open
end of the case by sliding or rotating on both, within the case, for the purpose of
increasing decreasing or stopping entirely the supply of ink to the pen. Said bar
having upon a portion of its surface a section of a screw thread conforming to and
moving within a similar one, cut within said recess for the purpose of. better securing
said bar and Regulator firmly within its seat, all substantially as herein before
described and for the purposes set forth.
8. In a Fountain Pen a stop to shut off the supply of ink from the Reservoir
consisting of a movable Bar within the Case having a channel in said bar in com-
bination with a Ring fixed within the case near the lower end of the Reservoir,

page_text: Said bar having its extreme back ward or inward end beveled to fit a corresponding
seat within said ring and operated at its exposed end by revolving or sliding said
bar backward to and within its seat in said Ring substantially as hereinbefore
described and for the purposes specified.
9. In a Feed Bar for a Fountain Pen one or more transverse perforations or air
vents upon its under surface near its point extending upward into the ink channel
and a larger lateral perforation near the point and one or more depressed notches in
its under surface cut transversly, by the aid of which for in conjunction with the
larger perforation, said Feed Bar may be operated in either direction for the
purposes berein before specified.
.
10. Upon a Feed Bar for a Fountain Pen one or more ink grips upon its outer
lateral surfaces near the point substantially as herein before described and for the
purposes specified.
11. In a Fountain Pen a Spur Ring adjusted within its walls or bore and
consisting of a Ring to which is attached a projection or Spur between the upper
surface of which and under or inner surface of the tube or Case the backward
portion of the pen may rest.
12. In a Fountain Pen a Self Filling Device consisting of a flexible tube hollow
and closed at its upper end and moved longitudinally and vertically within
the Case, being fixed at its lower end and operated to expel air from and draw ink
upward within itself as herein before described and for the purposes set forth.
13. In a Fountain Pen the combination of the outer Case A with inner case B,
Feed Bar C, C, C and C₁*, with ink channels Cand, C3 and screw thread Co, ink
grips C, air vents C8 and C³, Regulator G, Bulk Head F, Safety Collar D, Spur
Ring E, Self Filler H, Ring H* Pen j Perforation C, Depressions Z, all or either
of which to be arranged for joint operation substantially as described and for the
purposes specified.
Dated this 19th day of August, A.D. 1885, in the City, County and State of