IMPROVEMENTS IN WRITING INSTRUMENTS.
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Francis Ward Monck, of 15, Southampton Row, London,
in the County of Middlesex, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN WRITING
INSTRUMENTS.
"
Sealed the 1st June 1880, and dated the 3rd December 1879.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Francis Ward Monck at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 3rd December 1879.
FRANCIS WARD MONCK, of 15, Southampton Row, London, in the County of
Middlesex. "IMPROVEMENTS IN WRITING INSTRUMENTS."
These improvements refer chiefly to that class of writing instrument known as a
reservoir or fountain penholder and pen, but some of the improvements I also
apply to such instruments with pencil points instead of nibs, and to instruments
with either nibs or points requiring to be dipped in writing fluid.
In carrying out my first named Inventions I form the whole or part of the
holder into the reservoir, either by forming the holder itself of metal or other
material to contain the ink, or by inserting within the holder a tube of india
rubber or other suitable material. In some instances I form the lower or pen end
of this reservoir into a separate chamber or tank, with a small aperture connecting
the two either directly or by a short duct; or I form this tank as a separate portion
attachable to the reservoir. At or above the end of the reservoir or tank (as the case
may be) I place a pen carrier, which is attached to either the holder or the tank by
a pivot or pivots or other fastening capable of allowing the pen carrier and pen to
have a "see-saw" action, or the tank itself may be so attached to the reservoir or
holder. By means of this "see-saw" action the pressure of the nibs of the pen in
writing moves the back of the pen and carrier, so that by connecting the carrier or
the pen with a small valve or loose plug placed at the mouth of the tank or reservoir,
or between the two, the flow of the ink towards the pen is regulated. I can also
connect the carrier or pen with one or more other valve or plug placed upon or in
the reservoir or tank to admit air, and assist the flow of ink. By another
arrangement applicable to each class of instrument named at the commencement,
the reservoir or the tank being wholly or partially made of india rubber or other
flexible material, this "see-saw action is inade to bear upon the flexible side or
end of the reservoir or tank, the pressure thus caused producing a flow of ink.
"
Another arrangement is forming the holder in two parts, and attaching them
by means of flexible material, or attaching the tank by such means, so that the

page_text: slight bending or pressing of the pen holder when in use will reduce the capacity of
the reservoir, and cause a flow of ink; and in order to keep the pen holder when
not under pressure in position I prefer to use a small spring. With this arrange-
ment I can, if desired, form the lower part of the reservoir itself into a pen nib or
pencil point; and I can also apply it to dipping pens, the depression of the holder
causing a vacuum, so that when dipping into the ink pot the ink will rush up into
the reservoir. I obtain the same action as the above without entirely severing the
two parts.
Another way of causing a flow of ink is by creating a vacuum; this I effect by
forming in the end or side of or within the reservoir a flat diaphragm or depression
of india rubber or other flexible material, which is pressed outward by means of a
rod actuated by the tank or the pen, and the return of this diaphragm or depression
into its normal position causes the ink to flow; or I create a vacuum, and obtain
the same result, by forming the reservoir of thin metal, a portion of its sides being
flattened so as to give way to the pressure of the writer's fingers; or a convexity
is formed upon the side capable of being pressed inwards, and springing into
position again; or the holder may be made of thin metal, having one or more flutes
therein. I also cause the ink to flow by perpendicular pressure of the nibs of tho
pen; this pressure forcing up into, through, or out of the reservoir, a plug or a rod.
carrying a plug or valve fitting into or over the apertures for ink and air, or arins
attached to the rod will open valves at the apertures; or by forming one or both
ends of the reservoir of an elastic or flexible material the perpendicular pressure
forcing such part against an impediment within or upon the holder, or forcing the
tank or pen piece against the flexible part causes the ink to flow, or in the case of
a dipping pen causes the ink to be sucked up.
Another arrangement, applicable to each class of instrument named at the
commencement, is to form the holder upon the telescopic principle, one tube
working within the other; or by a sliding plug pressing upon the reservoir, so that
perpendicular pressure from the pen end will cause the ink to flow; or I obtain
the telescopic pressure by the action of a pin working in a slot drawing the one
part of the tube within the other. In some cases I admit air into the reservoir to
assist the flow of ink by means of a tube placed within the reservoir, the end
exposed to the air being opened and closed by the action of the pen.
Another part of my Invention consists in arrangements by which I obtain a flow
of ink by finger pressure, and this I do by forming an indent or a sinking in the
side of the reservoir with a metal spring bearing upon rods passing through the
inside, or along the outside in a longitudinal indent, or in a separate tube within
or without, and which rods work the plugs or valves over the air and ink holes.
Instead of the metal spring I sometimes use india rubber or other flexible material
inserted into the sinking; or I use a stud, either exposed or covered, working by
pressure or within a slot; or I open the valves by a pivotted lever worked by the
finger; or I force the ink out of the reservoir by the above arrangement without
the use of rods, valves, or plugs; or I employ a pivotted lever bearing upon the end
of an inner india rubber tube. These arrangements may be applied to the writing
action, and also to dipping pens.
Another of my Inventions, applicable to each class named at the commencement,
consists of forming the reservoir of india rubber or other flexible material encased
in metal, the edges of the metal being made not quite to meet, or inade to overlap,
as preferred, so that pressure of the fingers grasping the penholder will cause the
ink to flow, or the metal casing may be within the flexible tube; or I make the
inner tube of any suitable material, the other one being made to give to pressure,
as described, and acting upon valves or plugs; or I form the outer case at one end
like a crayon holder; or I place within the tube a strip or strips of metal bent over
to give a sugar tong action, all of which arrangements cause the ink to flow by
pressure.
Another arrangement is to attach at the back of the tank, and fitting into the
reservoir, a tubular projection cut away on its under side so that the writing action

page_text: of the pen will cause it to press downwards at the back and make the ink
to flow.
Or I expel the ink by forming the back of the tank into a short split tube,
which may or may not terminate in one or more strips of spring metal turned
5 down centrally towards the reservoir, the whole or end of which is of flexible or
elastic material, so that writing or perpendicular pressure when brought to bear upon
the split tube or strips presses them upon the reservoir and causes the ink to flow.
This arrangement I also use for filling dipping pens; or I obtain the same result by
forming these strips on an outer case to the reservoir, or by placing a split cap or
one or more bent springs over the end of the reservoir; or instead of a flexible
inner tube the end of the reservoir can be slit into several strips, and those strips
bent inwards closely round a rod, so that the writing action will cause the rod
slightly to force open the strips, and cause the ink to flow; two or more sets of
these strips may be used to impede the flow.
Another arrangement is an air tube down the inside of the reservoir terminating
at the lower end with a pierced plate or valve; below is a plug kept in position by
a spring, perpendicular pressure will force this back and allow the ink to flow, or
these parts may be reversed by placing the valve or spring at the upper end of the
reservoir with a rod connecting them with the pen carrier, and with this arrange-
ment I apply either perpendicular or writing pressure.
Another arrangement
applicable to each class of instrument is to place a short piston within a short tube,
either outside or within 'the reservoir, connected by a rod to the pen carrier, so that
the pen pressure works the piston, and driving air either in or out causes a flow of
ink; to assist the working of this piston I use a spring.
With all these arrangements I sometimes use the tank itself as an ink pencil,
and a pin, either fixed or moved by the finger or by perpendicular or writing
pressure, to keep the ink hole clear.
Where I use a sliding or revolving valve to close the ink holes I prefer to form
the valves of flat pieces, with holes through them, arranged so that writing or
pressure brings the holes opposite one another.
One form of tank I use is divided longitudinally into two or more chambers, all
leading towards one vent at the end nearest the pen nibs. The sides of the tank
may be parallel for a certain distance, but formed so that the bottom of the tank
is wider than the part next the pen, and these sides, as also the divisions, are bent
over on their upper edge to hold the pen, and to help to retain the ink within the
tank the end of the tank nearest the nib is rounded, and may be notched to receive
the nib.
Or I form the divisions across the tank with apertures to allow the ink to pass,
the object of the divisions in either case being to impede the ink. I may also form
the pen carrier as a hinged lid to the tank, writing action opening this lid and a
spring reclosing it. And this lid may be formed double so as to act as a casing to
the pen, with holes or slits to allow the passage of ink. With this latter form the
lid may or may not be fixed to the tank. Or I secure the pen by forming the tank
so as to allow the pen or its carrier either to slide on or within the tank for per-
pendicular pressure. For writing pressure I slide the pen in grooves in the tank,
such grooves being formed to allow the " see-sa w action of the pen. Another form
of the tank is to make it into two parts (a top and bottom one), the edges of the
one part being curled over so as to grasp the turned over edges of the other part,
and so form a spring closing the parts together and allowing writing action to
open them.
"
For dipping instruments, where I require to fill the tank without using any of
the before nained arrangements for dipping, I attach the tank to the holder or to
the pen piece, so that pressure of the pen point, or a stud or a lever, when in the
act of dipping, will part the tank and pen piece, and enable the tank to fill.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Francis Ward Monck in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 2nd June
1880.
FRANCIS WARD MONCK, of London, in the County of Middlesex. "IMPROVEMENTS
IN WRITING INSTRUMENTS."
These improvements refer chiefly to that class of writing instrument known as a
reservoir or fountain pen holder and pen, but some of the improvements are also
applicable to such instruments with pencil points instead of nibs, and to instru-
ments having eithor nibs or points, and requiring to be dipped in writing fluid. In
carrying out my first named Inventions I form the whole length of the holder or a
part thereof into a reservoir to contain the writing fluid either by forming the
holder itself of metal or other material, or by inserting within the holder a tube of
india rubber or other suitable material.
I will now proceed to describe my soveral improvements in reservoir or fountain
pens by aid of the accompanying Drawings.
Figure 1 shows an instrument in which the lower or pen end of the reservoir (a)
is formed into a separate chamber or tank (b), with a small aperture connecting
the two at (c). Above the end of the tank (b) is placed a pen carrier (d) pivotted
at (e) so that the pressure of the nibs of the pen in writing will cause a see-saw or
rocking action to the pen and carrior; this action opens and closes tho valve at (c),
which is connected to the back of the carrier (d) by means of the rod (m), and
allows the ink to flow into the tank and feed the pen, the spring (8), throwing the
valve back into position.
The reservoir and tank may if preferred be connected by a small tube or duct
instead of as shewn at (c). The tank may be formed separate from and attachable
to the reservoir, and the pen carrier may be upon the reservoir or the tank, as
desired.
I can also connect the carrier (d) with one or more other valves (c), Figure 2,
upon or in the reservoir to admit air, or the valves may be upon or in the tank.
Instead of valves I can use plugs to regulate the flow of ink or admit air.
Figure 3 shews an arrangement by which the rocking action of the pen and
carrier (d) causes the pressure of the rod (¹) upon the flexible end of the reservoir
(a) to force the ink into the tank.
Another improvement consists in forming the reservoir into two or more parts
connected by a piece of flexible material, as at (g), Figure 4, so that the slightest
bending of the penholder when in use will reduce the capacity of the reservoir and
cause a flow of ink.
A small spring (h) may be attached to stiffen the holder when in use, and kcep
it rigid when not in use.
Or the two parts of the reservoir may be only partially severed; or I can join
the tank to the reservoir by flexible material, and obtain the same result. The
assisting spring may be placed internally or externally.
This form of instrument is also applicable to dipping pens, the depression of the
holder causing a vacuum, so that when dipping into the ink pot the ink will be
sucked up into the reservoir.
Figure 5 shews an arrangement by which I obtain a flow of ink by placing in
the end or sido of or within the reservoir a diaphragm or depression of flexible
material (i), which is pressed outwards, as shewn by dotted lines, by means of the
rod (m), which is actuated by perpendicular pressure of the tank or the pen, or it
may be pulled inwards by writing pressure; the return of the diaphragm (i) into
its normal position or the pull inwards causes the ink to flow; or it may be pressed
downwards by writing or perpendicular pressure, the diaphragm or depression
being situated upon or within any portion of the reservoir.

page_text: Or I can create a vacuum and cause the ink to flow by forming the reservoir of
thin metal, a portion of its sides being flattened or a convexity being formed upon
its sides capable of being pressed inwards by the writer's fingers, and springing
into position again, or the holder may be made of thin metal having one or more
flutes thereon.
Figure 6 shews an arrangement for causing the ink to flow by perpendicular
pressure of the nibs of the pen; this pressure forces the plug (j) into the back of
the chamber containing it, and opens the ink hole (c), at the same time driving
back the valve (1) and exposing the air hole underneath it, and thus causing the
ink to flow.
The pen carrier may be kept in position by a sliding stud or any other suitable
means. An independent air hole may be dispensed with.
Figure 7 shews another application of perpendicular pressure, in which is an
inner flexible tube arranged so that the pressure from the pen end will collapse
this tube, leaving the rod (m) stationary, so that the ink will flow through the hole
at (c2), which is kept closed by the plug on the rod when there is no pressure. By
the use of the rod (m) the hole is always kept clear. This form may be used as a
dipping pen, as by its reaction after pressure it will suck up the ink.
Figure 8 illustrates an instrument upon the telescopic principle; the tube (a)
works within an outer tube (n). At the back of the inner tube (a) is a piece of
elastic material (o) arranged so that when the inner tube is pressed back, and the
elastic material thereon collapsed, the opening into the tank will be released from
the plug (c), and the ink will flow, the elastic material (o) throwing the tube back
into position. Instead of the elastic material I can place a spring at the end of the
inner tube and admit air by holes at (p.) (P) which are brought opposite one
another by the pressure of the pen.
The same result may be obtained by causing the back of the pen carrier in its
sliding action to come in contact with the elastic lower end of the inner tube, or
by fastening the pen to the tank, and the tank to end of rubber tube.
Instead of the telescopic action being produced by the pressure of the pen
sometimes prefer to use a pin and slot actuated by the finger.
I
In some cases I admit air into the reservoir to assist the flow of ink by means of
a tube, as seen at (9), Figure 9, placed within the reservoir. The end (c) is exposed
to the air and opened and closed by the rocking action of the pen working the small
valve (r) placed under the spring (s), keeping it up to its work. For perpendicular
pressure to open and close the air hole I pass a rod (m), Figure 10, down the reser-
voir, one end attached to the pen carrier, the other working the two plugs (1, 2),
so that pressure will open these valves, and air rushing up the tube from the exposed
end (t) will cause the ink to flow through an opening at the lower end of the reser-
voir. The reservoir may be divided into several sections with plugs on the rod, as
at (u). Another way in which I obtain a flow of ink is by finger pressure, and this
I do by forming an indent or sinking in the side of the reservoir with a metal
spring bearing upon rods passing through the reservoir and working valves or plugs
over the ink and air holes; these rods may be in a separate tube or in a longitudinal
indent outside the reservoir. Instead of the metal spring I sometimes use a flexible
material inserted into the sinking, or I use a stud working by pressure or sliding in
a slot; or I open the valves by a pivotted lever bearing upon the end of an inner
india rubber tube.
A flow of ink may also be obtained by forming the reservoir of flexible material
encased in metal, the edges of the metal being made not quite to meet, or clse made
to overlap, so that the fingers grasping the pen holder will cause a pressure upon
the flexible tube, or the flexible tube may be outside and the other within it; or a
portion of the outer case may be constructed like a crayon holder; or I make the
outer tube (v), Figure 11, capable of giving to pressure and acting upon rods (m)
5 & valves or plugs (c); or I place between the outer tube and inner flexible tube a
strip or strips of metal (w), Figure (12), attached at one end of the tank (d) and
.

page_text: bent over, as shewn, to give a sugar-tong action when the action of writing moves
the tank.
Another arrangement is to attach at the back of the tank a tubular projection (x),
Figure 13, cut away on its under side and fitting over the flexible end of the inner
reservoir (a), so that the action of the pen will cause (a) to press upon the reservoir
and expel the ink.
Figure 14 shews another arrangement for expelling the ink by forming the back
of the tank (d) into a short split tube terminating in the strips of spring metal (y)
which grip the flexible end of the reservoir (a), so that either writing or perpon-
dicular pressure will expel the ink, and may also be used for refilling the reservoir;
or I can reverse this arrangement by placing the strips (y) upon the end of the
outer case, and causing the tank to press them down upon the reservoir by either
writing or perpendicular action. Instead of a flexible inner tube the end of the
reservoir (a), Figure 15, can be split, as at (2, 2), into several strips bent inwards
closely round the rod (m), so that the writing action will cause the rod (m) slightly
to force open the strips (s) and allow the ink to flow; two or more of these sets of
strips may be used.
Another arrangement, shewn at Figure 23, is an air tube (g) down the inside of
ne reservoir terminating at the lower end with a pierced plate or a valve (c).
Below is a plug (u) kept in position by a spring (8); porpendicular pressure will
force this back and allow the ink to flow, or these parts may be reversed by placing
the valve & spring at the upper end of the reservoir, with a rod connecting them
with the pen carrier. With this arrangement either perpendicular or writing
pressure may be applied.
Figure 16 shews an arrangement by which a short piston (m) works within the
tube (k) by the action of the pen, and drives the ink out of the hole at (c); the same
action of the pen also opens the valve at (c). I use the spring to assist the action.
The same result will be obtained by reversing the piston and placing it at the other
end of the reservoir. One form of tank I use is divided longitudinally into two or
more chambers, as seen in cross section and plan at (d), Figures 17 and 18, each
leading to the one outlet at the end (A). The divisions and sides are bent over at
their top, and one side (B) extended to form a rest for the pen. The end of the
tank is rounded at (A) aud sunk to receive the nibs of the pen; or I form the
divisions across the tank as seen at Figure 19, the object of the divisions in either
case being to impede the flow of ink.
Another form, shewn at Figure 20, is forming the pen carrier as a lid hinged to
the tank at (e), so that writing actions opens this lid, a spring closing it as at (S),
and this lid may be formed double, so as to act as a casing to the pen; or I secure
the pen by forming the tank so as to allow the pen or its carrier cither to slide on
or within the tank for perpendicular pressure. For writing pressure I slide the pen
in grooves in the tank, such grooves being formed to allow the "sec saw" action
of the pen.
Or I make the tank in two parts, the edges of one part being curled over so as to
grasp the edges of the other part, and so form a spring closing the parts together,
and allowing writing action to open them slightly.
In all cases where I admit air into the reservoirs I do so either direct or by a tube,
and when I use rods passing through the reservoirs I can, if I desire it, encase them
in a separate tube.
When I use a sliding or revolving valve to close the ink and air holes I prefer to
form the valves of flat pieces with holes through them, arranged so that writing 5
pressure brings the holes opposite one another.
With all the foregoing arrangements I sometimes use the tank itself as an ink
pencil, and a pin, either fixed or moved by the finger or by perpendicular or writing
pressure to keep the ink hole clear, may be used when desired. To form flexible
tubes I sometimes use thin material with a spring within or without thereof, instead 5
of the tubes being of india rubber or such like material.

page_text: For dipping instruments, where I require to fill the tank without using any of
the before described arrangements for dipping I attach the tank, as shewn at
Figure 21, with the pen clip A pivotted to it at (e), so that pressure of the pen point
when in the act of dipping will part the tank and pen piece and enable the tank to
fill the spring bringing them back into position, or I can pivot the tank to the pen
piece, as at Figure 22, and move it by the pressure of the finger upon a lever (B).
Those arrangements, illustrated in Figures 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 14, and 16, are
applicable to instruments with pencil shaped points instead of nibs.
Having thus described the nature of the said Inventions, and the manner in
which they are to be carried into effect, I claim, without limiting myself to these
precise details, the several improvements in writing instruments commonly known
as reservoir or fountain pens and pencils, that is to say, certain arrangements of
mechanism and of parts coinbined with the pivotting of the pen carrier or the tank to
the holder, so as to assist and to obtain a flow of writing fluid from a reservoir within
the penholder, and other arrangements of mechanism, and of parts to assist and
obtain a flow of writing fluid by perpendicular pressure of the pen or pencil point,
or by finger pressure, or by the action of writing; also certain arrangements to draw
up ink into such reservoirs, and other arrangements to increase the supply of writing
fluid to pens requiring to be dipped therein, as herein more fully set forth and
specified.
In witness whereof, I, the said Francis Ward Monek, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this First day of Junc, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and eighty.
FRANCIS WARD MONCK. (L.S.)