IMPROVEMENTS IN WRITINGETTERS
Year: 1882

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Moritz Fischer of Halle on the Saale in the Kingdom
of Prussia German Empire for an invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN WRITING
LETTERS PATENT to Moritz Fischer of Halle on the Saale in the Kingdom
of Prussia German Empire for an invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN WRITING
AND DRAWING PENS AND IN HOLDERS FOR SAME
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Moritz Fischer at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 29th April 1882.
MORITZ FISCHER, of Halle on the Saale, in the Kingdom of Prussia, German
Empire, "IMPROVEMENTS IN WRITING AND DRAWING PENS AND IN HOLDERS FOR
SAME
"
This Invention relates mainly to a variety of improvements in penholders, for
the purpose of making the same answer to every desirable exigency of penmanship.
One part of my Invention relates to the peculiar form of the slit of any pen-
holder, wherein the pen is put and held. The lower part of the wood, or other
material which forms the slit is step or stair shaped on both sides, the middle
forming a narrow arch. This arch fits into the concavity of any pen, from the
largest down to the least, so called drawing-pen. The sides of the pen then rest
against one of the steps-according to the breadth of the pen. By this means any
pen of any shape will equally fit into the said slit. Instead of the steps or stairs,
the sides of the under frame may be undulatory shaped, or the slit may be shaped
as a wedge on both sides; the narrow middle arch will always keep hold of the
pen, and the sides of the latter find space in the slit. If the middle part of the
slit is too wide to keep the pen well secured, the latter may be additionally fastened
within the slit by a screw entering from below and bearing against the lower
surface of the pen, or by a lever, one arm of which consists of a pin bearing
against the pen, the other arm being supported by a spring. On loosening the
screw or lifting the lever-pin, the pen will easily fall out of the slit or may be
pulled out without any exertion. The same effect may be obtained by using an
elastic plate or spring for holding the pen, the said plate forming the under part
of the slit in the pen holder. A tongue formed out of the metal-husk of the pen-
holder, and having a nose or pin on its free end, bearing upon the elastic plate

page_text: or
serves to press down the elastic plate, and thereby to let the pin loosely fall from
the slit. Instead of the tongue and nose, a pin provided upon the upper part of
the husk and extending inwards, may as well be applied. The same screw
spring lever in combination with the penholder to fasten the pen, may also be
arranged to press upon an elastic tongue inside the hollow husk, instead of upon
the pen directly. The said elastic tongue then bears upon the pen, or a pencil,
and keeps the same in position. As soon as the screw or lever is loosened, the
pen or pencil readily falls from the pen-holder, or into the hollow husk of the
saine.
Another part of my Invention consists in the application of a ring, or several
rings, to the handle of any penholder; the said ring or rings are made to turn
upon a rivet, and are put upon a finger or several fingers, or upon the trunk of
the hand or arm, and secured there by convenient means. The purpose of such
rings is to fasten the penholder to a crippled hand or crippled fingers, which
otherwise are unable to hold or manage a penholder; thereby the benefit of
writing is procured to many persons who are unable to write by the deficiencies
of their hand. If one ring only is applied to a penholder it may serve as well to
accustom the middle finger to which the said ring is secured into a proper position.
The use of one of such rings is therefore of great importance for writing scrolls.
Another improved construction of penholder, consists in forming the slit of the
pen holder by two plates bearing against each other by the pressure of one or two
spiral springs. The said plates may be lifted from each other by two little pins
acting upon the squeezing plates, whereby the pen is set free again.
Another improvement consists in arranging the front piece of a pen holder,
The under
which carries the pen, to turn upon a rivet like the blade of a knife.
side of the husk is open and the pen folds into the said husk, like the blade into
the handle of the knife. A spring upon the upper surface of the pen holder serves
to keep the front piece and pen in position.
A little button serves to manage the
folding piece.
Another improvement consists in fastening the pen in a slot which is formed by
two jaws acting against each other. One of the said jaws slides in the other by
means of a pin, the under side of which carries a rack. A screw catching into said
rack makes the said jaw withdraw from or act against the other jaw, thereby
opening or closing the slit. The loose jaw may also be made to turn upon a rivet,
a screw being arranged to press it against the other jaw. Or the loose jaw may
be arranged to act against the other by means of a spring or springs to hold the
pen elastically. The pen holder may also consist of a wood or hollow metallic
handle cleft in the middle to a certain extent of its length. The two elastic halves
which reciprocally form the slit between them, are pressed towards each other by
a screw, or by a ring fitting upon a cone formned to the fore end of the holder.
Another part of my Invention consists in holding the pen in a pen holder which
acts like a pair of nippers, the jaws of the nippers clasping the pen between them
when the legs of the nippers are pressed against each other. The said legs are
accordingly kept together by suitable means, such as screws, springs, sleeves, or the
like, which effect an adjustable pressure and keep the pen elastically fastened
between the jaws. A similar construction consists of tongs which hold the pen,
when the legs are spread asunder, and which let the pen loose, when the said legs
are pressed against each other. The spreading is equally effected by a variety of
convenient means, such as screws, springs, an elastic core or a wedge, or several of
such means applied at a time.
Another improvement consists in holding the pen by means of a ring which acts
upon the pen by the pressure of a spring forming part of, or attached to the said
ring. The said ring in combination with the husk or core of the pen holder, forms
the slit to hold the pen, and effects the pressure upon the latter. On pressing the
spring down, the pen is allowed to fall freely from the slit. A variety of auxiliary
devices may be applied in combination with the said ring to adjust the same to
the penholder, or to make the same more or less tight for acting upon the pen.

page_text: Another feature of my Invention consists in providing means for giving to the
front piece of a pen-holder which holds the pen an oblique direction. For this
purpose, the said front-piece may either be made to turn upon a rivet to receive an
up and down, or a horizontal side motion, two screws serving to adjust the said
piece in its desired position. Or the front piece may be combined to the handle of
the penholder by means of a spiral spring, or an elastic core, three screws radially
arranged, serving to give the flexible front piece any desired direction.
Three screws may also be applied to bold the pen directly between them, two of
the said screws being arranged opposite each other, the third one bearing upon the
rear end. The front piece of the penholder may further be arranged to take an
oblique position by securing it in the husk of the penholder by means of an
eccentric ring. On turning the said front piece, the ring will force it into a
sloping direction as desired.
Another important feature of my Invention consists of the following contrivance
to hold the pen. The fore end of a metallic husk, which is arranged in a handle
of any kind, is cleft in a manner that two, three, or more tongues are left; one of
said tongues is bent at right angles in the height of the other tongues and bent again
to extend down to the base of the other tongue within the husk. The said twice
bent tongue forms, together with one or more of the other tongues, the slit into
which the pen is put. The husk has a screw thread cut below the said tongues,
and a hollow conical shell with female screw is secured upon the said thread. The
more the said shell is screwed down, the more will the three or several tongues be
pressed against each other by the front aperture of the shell, and the firmer they
will grasp the pen. This construction allows equally of putting into the same
penholder pens of any size or shape, all of them being firmly grasped and held by
the adjustable shell.
On unscrewing said shell, the pen will readily fall out of the penholder.
A variety of modifications may be applied to this construction, in forming
auxiliary tongues to the two or several tongues aforementioned; the principal
feature remaining the same; that the tongues, one of which at least must be bent
are pressed towards each other by a hollow tapering shell.
The husk and shell which carry the pen, may be arranged in combination with a
hollow handle and secured within the same when out of use; various means may
serve to draw the husk and shell into the interior of the handle, a screw and nut,
a rack and pinion, a slot and set screw, or a spiral spring or elastic (rubber) core
being the best means to effect this purpose.
My Invention also relates to arrangements in combination with a penholder to
put the pen into a slit on several sides of the holder, If, for instance, I provide
several concentric rings, the distance between every two of which forms a slit to
receive a pen, the latter may be put into any part of such circular slit or slits.
Or I form two, three, or four slits opposite to each other, by surrounding the
peculiarly shaped fore end of the handle with a metal husk, the core thus forming
several slits with the surrounding husk.
Of course, only one of the said slits will be applied at a time, but if one slit is
worn out, the penholder may still be used with the other slits.
The same effect may be obtained by securing into the front part of the handle,
surrounded by the metal husk, four elastic angles of sheet metal; between the said
angles, I insert a wedge, which presses the legs of the said angles towards the
surrounding busk; the pen is held between the said legs and husk, the pressure
being adjustable by the wedge.
My Invention also relates to proper means for retaining a sufficient quantity of
ink within the hollow arch of the pen while writing, in order to avoid too frequent
dipping into the ink. The said device consists of a metal tongue formed like a
shovel in its forepart; the flat rear end being squeezed into the hollow of the pen
by suitable means, such as a screw, a lever, or the like, which at the same time
helps to hold the pen. The said metal tongue may also be formed to the under
part of the metal husk and bear with its fore end from below against the pen.

page_text: Another improvement consists in providing a gigantic pen holder, being composed
of a number of hollow metal tubes, which contain all articles which may be used
in penmanship, as pen holder, inkstand, pencil, knife, rubber, a roll of paper, seal
and sealing-wax, and even more if desired. The said articles are secured by proper
means within the single tubes which fit one upon another and may be pulled
asunder as required.
Another feature of my Invention consisting in providing a variety of devices
for securing the pen within the slit of the pen holder, said devices consisting
essentially in set screws or levers, actuated by springs to effect an elastic pressure;
said devices may be employed in combination with any of the constructions which
form part of my Invention, and they may be exchanged among each other, all being
constructed essentially for the same purpose.
And, finally, my Invention consists in providing the metal husk of a penholder
with a deep cleft, which parts the husk in a manner that the upper half is
elastically pressing against the lower half, thus holding the pen firmly grasped
within the slit between the two halves.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Moritz Fischer in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 28th October
1882.
MORITZ FISCHER of Halle on the Saale in the Kingdom of Prussia, German
Empire "IMPROVEMENTS IN WRITING AND DRAWING PENS AND IN HOLDERS FOR
SAME
"
My said Invention relates to a variety of improvements in penholders for the
purpose of making the same answer to every desirable exigency of penmanship
In the accompanying drawings Figures 1 to 18 show a variety of modifications
of the construction of a pen holder in which pens of any breadth and concavity
may be placed and elastically secured.
Within the hollow fore-end of a penholder made of wood or any other suitable
material, concentric rings, preferably of brass or other elastic metal not subject to
corrosion by the ink, are placed forming circular slits between them. I prefer to
make these rings all in one, thus forming a spiral wound up and elastic in itself.
The small pens will fit into the slits near the centre the larger and broader pens
near the periphery. The spiral may as well be formed out of the metal husk or
shell surrounding the handle, Fig. 3: and it is not necessary that it be wound in
more than one turn. In Figs 4 and 5 said spiral is inserted into a tapering recess
or husk of the handle The more the spring be pressed inwards, The more the
slits will close up and act a pressure upon the pen. The elasticity of the latter
may thereby be adjusted as convenient.
The wound up spiral may as well consist of other suitable material, such as
wood paste board, horn ebonite or the like, and the slits between the several turns
may be contracted by a wedge inserted in the centre Fig: 6 and 7 which may be
screwed down through a plate with a female screw. Fig: 8. and 9. or drawn
inwards by a spiral spring arranged in the upper part of the hollow handle as
shown in Fig: 10.
The metal spring may be wound either to the right or to the left and the steps
project outwards or inwards. Fig: 11 and 12. In Fig 13 and 14 the spiral
shaped slit in which the pen is to be secured; is worked only into the front plate
of the holder a hollow space being left free behind said plate. The spiral spring or
rings may be either loosely put into the hollow fore part of the holder, or be
secured by a traversing pin; Figure 15, or a separate mouthpiece into which the
spiral shaped slits are formed may extend with a solid projection into the hollow
front part of the handle and be secured by a pin. Fig: 16. 17. Fig: 18 shows a
penholder made of one piece of wood ebonite or other suitable material.
spiral shaped slits to receive the pen, are worked directly into the material of this
holder; the mode of practising the slits into the material may be varied according
to the nature of the material and may be performed by stamping pressing burning
or casting. In the centre a core may be left in place or it may be cut away, in the
former case it may serve to fix upon it the little tube of a drawing pen.
The
In Fig 19 to 27 I have shown a variety of modifications all of them constructed
upon the same principle of arranging a sheet metal spring or springs, or equivalent
elastic blades of other suitable material within the hollow forepart of a pen holder
All these modifications serve, as may be clearly seen from the sectional views
accompanying each figure to put a writing pen into the several slits formed
between the springs and the surrounding husk, or between the varying turns of
the springs The shape of these springs or elastic blades may be further varied
into an unlimited number of suitable forms, all of them serving to provide slits for
holding pens of different breadth and concavity.

page_text: In Fig 28 to 48 I have shown how the spiral spring may as well be employed by
inserting it into the holder in the other direction edgeway down. The spring is
kept in place either by its own elasticity or by a traversing pin. The pen is held
by elastic pressure of the wound up spring between the latter and the surrounding
husk. The spring blade may be either of uniform breadth or of gradually
increasing breadth or of other suitable shape. A vast variation of forms may be
given to the springs and turns of the springs of this arrangement as well as to
those of the former. The spiral may likewise be formed in one piece with the
metal husk of the holder, one stripe, or tongue of which husk is turned inwards
and wound up to a spring. In Fig: 44 to 45 I have shown a holder of this
description; The metal husk is inserted into a recess of the handle but it may as
well surround the wood. Figures 46. 47, 48 show similar constructions with a
wire spiral spring employed instead of a sheet metal spring.
As I have stated before, the main object of this part of my Invention is to
provide several slits in one holder, in order to enable the writer to use at
convenience pens of a different breadth and concavity. But the arrangement of a
number of slits in one holder allows at the same time of the use of tongues of
sheet metal or other suitable material which tongues serve to retain an ample
quantity of ink and to feed it to the writing pen A tongue of this kind is shown
in Figure 49. The pen is put into one slit of the spiral and the tongue into
another slit below, so that it will bear against the concave under-side of the pen
and there retain the ink. But the tongue may as well be placed on the upper-side
of the writing-pen, or two tongues, one below and the other above, may at the
same time be employed. The tongues of this kind may be conveniently shaped, for
instance they may be twisted, as shown in Fig. 50, in a manner, that, inserted in a
slit below the pen, they bear upon the upper part of the same. By the variety of
slits in the holder, these tongues are adjustable to any length and shape of pens.
Instead of metal-tongues, ordinary writing-pens may serve as well in some
instances.
Fig 51 shows, how a slotted metal-husk may be formed inside to a suitable
spring to receive the pen. A vast variety of shapes may be given to the lap of the
husk, which projects inwards and is wound up to form a slit or slits.
Another part of my invention relates to a peculiar form of the slit of any
penholder. A variety of constructions, all showing this peculiar form of the slit, is
shown in Figures 52 to 56, and 69 to 78. The slit is formed between an inner
arched surface and a lower surface or core, the middle part of which is convex and
the sides of which are shaped in the form of steps. The narrow arch of the core
fits into the concavity of any pen, from the largest down to the least so-called
drawing-pen. The sides of the pen rest against one of the steps, according to the
breadth of the pen. By this means any pen of any shape will equally fit into the
said slit and by the steps the pen is prevented to slide in a sideward direction.
In Fig 52 the slit of this kind is formed by metal husks inserted in the hollow
fore-part of a pen-holder. In Fig 53 two such step-shaped slits are arranged
opposite each other, and as well I may arrange three or four such slits of equal or
varying size, in one holder. Fig 55, 56 and 57 show the slit worked directly into
the material of the holder. The circular bore may serve to put a pencil-lead or the
tube of a drawing pen into it. In Fig 69 and 70 the metal husk has laps or winks
stamped into the form of a step-shaped core and bent inside the husk to form the
slit. Fig 71 and 72 show penholders with the new step-shaped slit; the metal-
husks of these holders are arranged one in another in a manner, that the outer, or
the inner shell may be turned. In turning, the pen is thrown out of the husk by
means of the steps of the core, which push the pen sidewards. Additional spiral-
springs, Fig 73, 74, 75, may be employed in the holders of this kind.
In Fig 77 and 78 the step-shaped core, which forms the slit with the surrounding
husk, is formed by an elastic spring-plate, acting a pressure from below and thereby
securing the pen.
All these modifications of the step-shaped-slit may be provided with additional

page_text: means to hold the pen secured in the slit, if this be found desirable or necessary;
screws, elastic levers, or tongues may be applied for acting a supplementary pressure
upon the pen, or to bent the elastic core down, when the pen is to be thrown out
of the holder.
Another feature of my invention consists of the following contrivance to hold
the pen. The fore-end of a metallic husk, Fig 57, 58 (the latter being a perspective
view) is slotted in a manner, that two, three or more tongues are formed; one of
said tongues (62, Fig 58) is bent at right angles in the height of the other tongues
and then hent again to extend down to the base of the other tongues, within the
husk. The said twice-hent tongue 62 forms, together with one or more of the other
tongues, a slit into which the pen is put. The husk has a screw-thread formed
below the said tongues and a hollow, conical shell with a female screw is secured
upon the said thread. The more the said shell is screwed down, the more will the
three or several tongues be pressed against each other at the front-aperture of the
shell. This construction allows equally of putting into the same pen-holder pens
of any size and shape, all of them being firmly grasped and held by the adjustable
shell. On unscrewing said shell, the pen will readily fall out of the pen-holder.
The double bent of the one tongue may also extend outwards, instead of inside the
husk, and form a slit with an extension of the other tongue or tongues of the husk,
Fig 59, or such tongues may be bent down in the middle of the husk, Fig 60, 61,
all to the saine effect of grasping the pen between them. A variety of modifications
may be applied to this construction in giving to one or to several tongues of the
husk, various shapes and directions to suit different purposes; the principal feature
remaining the same: that the tongues, one of which at least must be bent, are
pressed towards each other by a hollow, tapering shell. In Fig 62 to 68 I have
shown several modifications to the same principle. The metal-husk, slotted to form
elastic tongues, is inserted into a hollow recess of a pen-holder, and one or several
of the tongues are bent into suitable shapes to form slits with the surrounding
wood, or between each other, to grasp the pen and hold the same elastically
secured.
Another part of my invention consists in holding the pen in a pen-holder which
acts like a pair of nippers, the jaws of which clasp the pen between them, when
the legs of the nippers are pressed against each other, which may be done by screws,
springs, sleeves, or the like, which effect an adjustable pressure and keep the pen
elastically fastened between the jaws. Such devices are shown in Fig 79 to 82, 94
and 95. A similar construction consists of tongs which hold the pen, when the legs
are spread asunder and which let the pen loose, when the said legs are pressed
against each other. The spreading of the legs may be equally effected by a variety
of convenient means, such as screws, springs or the like, as shown in Fig 83.
to 93. Another part of my invention consists in the application of a ring or several
rings, to the handle of any pen-holder, as shown in Fig 96 to 99. The said ring or
rings are arranged to turn upon a rivet and are adjusted upon a finger, or several
fingers, or upon the trunk of the hand, or arm, and secured there by suitable
means. The purpose of such rings is to fasten a pen-holder to a crippled hand or
crippled finger which, otherwise, are unable to hold or manage a pen-holder. If one
ring, only, is applied, as indicated in Fig 96, it may serve as well to accustom the
middle-finger, to which the said ring is secured, into a proper position. The use of
such a ring, therefore, is of great importance in writing-schools.
Another feature of my invention consists in the application of an elastic lever in
combination with a pen-holder of any kind, for the purpose of better securing the
pen in the slit and of letting the pen drop easily from the holder, when desired, by
releasing the pressure of the said lever. In Fig. 100 to 122 I have shown a variety
of modifications in the application and construction of said lever, which pivots on
a tenon provided outside or inside of the holder. The rear-arm of the lever is
supported by a spring and the fore-arm is bent to act a pressure either directly
upon a pen, or upon an elastic tongue shaped to bear upon a pencil or the like,
Fig 100 to 100. Besides the variations indicated in Fig 100 to 122 of the

page_text: drawings, the arrangement of the lever and springs may further be varied to a vast
extent and in a variety of combinations with almost any kind of pen-holders.
Having thus fully described my said invention, what I claim is:
First: A spiral of metal or other suitable material, formed into the material of or
applied in combination with a pen-holder, into the turn or turns of which spiral
the writing-pen, or several pens, and tongues are inserted, substantially as
described and with reference to Fig 1 to 27.
Second. The arrangement of a spiral-spring in combination with a pen-holder
with reference to Fig 28 to 51.
Third. The peculiar step-shaped slit for holding pens in pen-holders, substantially
as described and with reference to Fig 52 to 56, and 69 to 78.
Fourth. The slotted husk of a pen-holder, forming tongues, one or several of
which are bent to form a slit or slits to receive the pen, in combination with a
screw-shell or hollow handle, substantially as described and with reference to
Fig 57 to 68.
Fifth. The construction of a pen-holder in the shape of nippers or tongs, the legs of
which are either compressed or spread by suitable ineans, to hold the pen,
substantially as set forth and with reference to Fig 79 to 95.
Sixth. The arrangement of an adjustable ring or rings in combination with a pen-
holder, to secure the latter to the hand, or arm, substantially as described and
with reference to Fig 96 to 99.
Seventh. The arrangement of an elastic lever, or levers, in combination with a pen-
holder to act a pressure upon the pen, or pencil, or the like, substantially as
described and with reference to Fig 99 to 127.
In witness whereof I, the said Moritz Fischer, have hereunto set my hand
and seal this Twenty fourth day of October in the year of Our Lord One
thousand eight-hundred and eighty-two.
MORITZ FISCHER
(L.S.)

page_text: FIC.28. FIC.29. FIC.30. FIC.31. FIC.32. FIC.33. FIC.34. FIC.35. FIC.36. FIG.37. FIC.38. FIC.39. FIC.40. FIC.41. FIC.42. FIC.43, FIC.44.FIC.45. FIG. 46. FIC.47. FIC.48. FIC.49. FIC.50 FIC.SI, FIC.52. FIC.53 FIC.54.
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