Improvements in and relating to Fountain Pens.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 12th Apr.. 1898-Accepted, 15th Oct, 1898
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Fountain Pens.
I, FRANCIS CASHEL BROWN, of 168, Broadway, in the City of New York, Borough
of Manhattan and State of New York, United States of America, Manufacturer,
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:—
This invention relates to fountain pens, and, as is well known, difficulties are
encountered in regulating the flow of ink from the fount to the nib of the pen
in accordance with, or in proportion to the consumption of the ink.
One of the objects of my invention lies in the provision of means whereby the
flow of ink to the nib of the pen can be varied from a minimum to a maximum
flow by correspondingly increasing the flow of air to the fount.
There is a further inconvenience in fountain pens, in that, when the pen is
not in use for some time, especially when the nib of the pen is exposed to the
drying influence of the atmosphere, the ink at the nib of the pen and at the end
of the feed ducts, or at the outer end of the feed bar or bars dries up, and.
prevents a free flow of ink to the nib of the pen when writing is resumed,
necessitating the shaking of the pen, and therethrough the shaking out of a
quantity of the ink from the fount sufficient to re-establish the free flow of ink
to the nib of the pen.
The further object of my invention lies in the provision of means whereby a
considerable volume of ink, comparatively speaking, is constantly held in rear
of the nib of the pen, the flow of which to such nib is controlled by the pressure
exerted upon the pen points, so that the moment the pen is held in position for
writing and pressure is applied to the pen points, sufficient ink is caused to flow
thereto at once to maintain the pen in operation, thus avoiding the shaking of
some of the ink out of the fount.
In fountain pens as now more generally constructed it is necessary to use a so-
called, standard pen, that is to say, a pen having a nib and shank of given length,
there being no provision made for the use of pens of different lengths of nib
or shank.
The further object of my invention lies in the provision of means whereby
pens of different lengths can be used.
Finally, as is well known, in that class of fountain pens in which the pen
support is adapted to be projected from and retracted into the fount through the
medium of a radial pin on the stem of the pen support extending through a
spiral slot in a fixed sleeve into a straight slot in the fount, the metallic pin
speedily wears or cuts the edge of said spiral slot and hangs or becomes locked

page_text: against motion, necessitating the removal of the sleeve and the substitution of
a new one, I have found that this difficulty can be overcome by the use of a
solid ellipsoidal block rigidly secured to the stem of the pen support, and I have
furthermore found that this ellipsoidal guide for the stem can be made of the
same material as the stem and fount, i.e., hard rubber, thereby avoiding the
corrosive action of the ink thereon. The construction last above described
constituting a further object of my invention.
But that my said invention may be fully understood, I will describe the same
in detail, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which―
Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a fountain pen illustrating means
for regulating the supply of air to the fount through the agency of the stem of
the pen support.
Figure 2 is a like view illustrating also means whereby pens of different lengths
can be fitted on the pen support, together with means for more effectually regu-
lating the flow of ink to the nib of the pen, both figures also showing the solid
ellipsoidal guide on the stem of the pen support.,
Figure 3 is a like view of a fountain pen of that construction in which the
pen support is held in a removable nozzle, said pen support being adjustable in
the nozzle, illustrating means for regulating the flow of air to the fount similar
to those shown in Figs. 1 and 2.
Figure 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3, illustrating the means shown in Fig. 2
for varying the supply of air to the fount, and the means for more effectually
regulating the flow of ink to the pen.
Figures 5 and are fragmentary top plan views of the pen, support shown in
Figs. 1 and 2 respectively, and
Figures 7 and 8 are cross sections on lines x- and y-y of said Figures 1
and 2, respectively.
Referring to Figs. 1, 5 and 7, F indicates the fount that has screwed into its
upper end a sleeves in which is rotatively fitted a socket piece s to which is
secured a spirally slotted sleeve S for the upper end of the stem h of the pen
support H, said stem being provided with an ellipsoidal guide block whose
under face is concaved to correspond with the convexity of the stem H and is
rigidly secured thereto. This guide block h¹ may be made of metal, but I prefer
to make it of hard rubber, whereby I obtain equally as smooth contacting surfaces,
while the materials are of the same degree of hardness and density, thereby
insuring not only a substantially frictionless operation of the pen support, but
at the same time avoiding the corrosive action of the ink on the guide, as
hereinabove stated.
The pen support proper at the lower end of the stem consists of a solid
cylinder h², the upper face of which is flattened nearly to its inner end and is
provided with an outwardly projecting tongue h between which and said flattened
portion ³ the shank of the pen P is seated, a portion of the cylinder h² on opposite
sides of the tongue being of reduced cross-section to form shoulders h for the
edges of the pen shank 7. At its outer end the pen support H is reduced or
attenuated into a tongue that fits underneath the nib of the pen more or less
close to its point, said tongue constituting the under feed bar, while the retaining
tongue constitutes the top feed bar, the cut-away portion on each side thereof
forming air ducts h that extend back farther than the air ducts h, hereinafter
referred to.
Through these air ducts sufficient air is supplied to the fount to cause a normal
flow of ink to the nib of the pen for ordinary use, means for increasing the flow
of ink to the said nib, when this is desirable or necessary from any cause, being
provided, as will be presently explained.
In rear of the outer attenuated end or under feed bar portion 46 of the pen
support H, the cylindrical portion is grooved for some distance towards its inner
end on opposite sides of a central longitudinal rib 8 diametrically opposite the

page_text: central line of the flattened portion or pen seat, whereby two air ducts h³ are
formed, to convey air to the fount.
With a view to regulating the volume of air supplied to the fount, and there-
through the volume of ink to the pen, the cylindrical inner end of the pen
support H fits snugly a contracted portion f near the lower or outer end of the
fount F, so that by retracting the pen support more or less into the fount by
revolving the spirally slotted sleeve S, a greater or less length of the two air
ducts his caused to communicate with said fount, thereby correspondingly
increasing the flow of ink to the nib of the pen, as will be readily understood.
In Figure 1 I have shown the pen support H in its normal position, and in
Figure 2 in a position in which the air ducts h are in communication with the
fount to increase the flow of ink to the pen.
In the described construction it is necessary to employ standard pens, that is
to say, pens of a given length of nib and shank.
The object of forming the air ducts h on opposite sides of a central rib h³
is to provide a bearing for the pen support in the contracted portion f of the
fount F to prevent the pen support H from wabbling in writing.
I have herein before stated that one of the objects of my invention is the pro-
vision of means whereby pens of different lengths can be used in a fountain
pen, with or without the means for regulating the supply of air to the founť.
This is not possible in the construction of pen support described in reference to
Figures 1, 5 and 7, and in order to attain this object I so construct the pen
support that the seat for the pen can be lengthened, within certain limits, as
shown in Figures 2, 6 and 8, in which I have also illustrated means for regulating
the flow of ink to the nib of the pen in accordance with the consumption of the
ink, by regulating the supply of air to the fount.
To these ends I omit the cylindrical portion of the pen support H in rear or
at the inner end of the air. ducts h and fit onto the stem h of the pen support H
a sleeve H that has formed thereon an upper retaining and feed bar or tongue h
adapted to project toward the nih of the pen, said sleeve being slotted longitudi-
nally on opposite sides of such bar or tongue for the reception of the end of the
pen shank and for the purpose of determining the position of the pen on its
seat. The sleeve H is fitted snugly on the stem. h so as to be held thereon by
frictional contact, and it is obvious that by adjusting said sleeve towards and from
the inner end of the air ducts h, the length of the seat for the pen P can be in-
creased or decreased at will, within certain limits, thus admitting of the use
of correspondingly longer or shorter pens.
Of course in this construction the flow of air to the fount can also be regulated
by retracting the pen support H more or less into the fount, as described in
reference to Figs. 1, 5 and 7.
With a view to controlling the flow of ink to the nib of the pen in accordance
with the consumption of the ink, I form a longitudinal groove in the upper
flattened face or pen seat h³, in which groove I arrange a thin elastic feed-con-
trolling tongue T secured at its inner end only within said groove, and having
its outer end turned upward in perpetual contact with the under face of the
nib of the pen P. This feed controling tongue T may have its inner end secured
in any well known or desired manner within the inner end of its groove, and may
be made of any suitable elastic or resilient material, as spring metal. In practice
I prefer, however, to make the tongue T of a thin strip of hard rubber and
secure the inner end thereof in the groove t by frictional contact only.
It is readily seen that when the pen is in use and the nib subjected to alternate
pressure and. relaxation of pressure, the outer end or the outer portion of the
tongue T will partake of these movements, thus keeping up constant friction and
capillary attraction, allowing only a certain quantity of the ink to flow to the
underside of the nib, which quantity will necessarily depend upon the amplitude
of the movements of the pen and tongue, i.e., upon the degree of pressure exerted
upon the pen points. On the other hand, in starting to write after the pen has
°

page_text: been out of use for some time, the moment the pen is placed in position for
writing, a body of ink will accumulate in rear of the up-turned portion of the
tongue, while a portion of such ink will flow along the sides of the tongue to the
underside of the nib of the pen, and the moment pressure is applied to the pen
points a sufficient quantity of ink will be supplied to the pen to start the writing,
thus obviating the disagreeable necessity of shaking a portion of the ink out of
the fount.
In Figures 3 and 4 I have shown my improvements in so far as they relate to
the means for regulating the supply of air to the fount, and the means for con-
troling the flow of ink to the pen and for adjusting the length of the seat for
such pen, in their application to that class of pens in which the pen support is
secured within a nozzle that is detachable from the fount. In Figure I have
shown the construction of pen support H described in reference to Figure 1,
the same symbols of reference being used to indicate corresponding parts, the
only difference being in that the stem of the pen support is shortened, the shank h
projecting into the pen being beveled off inwardly, for well known purposes.
The nozzle N is detachably connected with the fount F in the usual manner, and
has a contracted internal bearing f for the pen support H, which latter is held
in said bearing by frictional contact so that it can be pushed in and out as desired,
for the purpose of controling the supply of air to the fount, as above set forth.
In Figure 4 I have shown the construction of pen support described in reference
to Figures 2, 6 and 8, applied to a detachable nozzle N, the same symbols of
reference being here also employed to indicate corresponding parts shown and
described in reference to said Figures 2, 6 and 8, the stem of the pen support H
being likewise shortened into a tapering or beveled shank . In all other respects
the construction shown in Figures 3 and 4 is the same as that shown in Figures 1
and 2, respectively, and will therefore need no further description.
As is well understood, in the construction of Figures 1 and 2, the fount is
filled by retracting the pen support thereinto, while in the construction shown in
Figures 3 and 4 the fount is filled by removing the nozzle N.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. In a fountain pen, the combination with the fount and pen support, of
means for varying the amount of air to be supplied to said fount, for the purpose
set forth.
2. In a fountain pen, the combination with the fount and the pen support, of
means for varying the amount of air supplied through the support to said fount,
for the purpose set forth.
'
3. In a fountain pen, the combination with the fount and the pen support, of
means adapted to be operated from without the fount for varying the amount
of air to be supplied thereto, for the purpose set forth.
4. In a fountain pen, the combination with the fount having at or near its
lower end a contracted bearing, of a pen support having a cylindrical upper
or rear portion fitting said bearing practically fluid tight and provided with a
longitudinal air duct or ducts in front of said cylindrical portion, said support
displaceable longitudinally in its said bearing to bring a greater or less length
of air duct or ducts into communication with the fount, for the purpose set forth.
5. In a fountain pen, the combination with the fount having at or near its
lower end a contracted bearing, of a pen support having an upper or rear cylin-
drical portion fitting said bearing practically fluid tight and provided with a
longitudinal air duct on opposite sides of a central rib forward of said cylindrical
portion, said support displaceable longitudinally in its said bearing to bring a
greater or less length of air ducts into communication with the fount, for the
purpose set forth.
6. In a fountain pen, the combination with the fount having at or near its outer

page_text: end a contracted bearing, of a pen support adapted to be projected from and
retracted into the fount, said support having a lower or outer enlarged portion,
the upper or inner part of which is cylindrical in cross-section and fits said bear-
ing practically fluid tight and provided with a longitudinal air duct or ducts
in front of said cylindrical part and with a pen seat diametrically opposite said
duct or ducts, whereby a greater or less length of the latter can be brought into
communication with the fount by a displacement of the support in one or the
other direction, for the purpose set forth.
7. In a fountain pen, the combination with the fount provided in its upper end
with an internal longitudinal groove and a spirally slotted sleeve projecting into
and revoluble in said grooved end of the fount, of a pen support provided with
a stem whose upper end fits loosely in said sleeve, and an ellipsoidal guide rigidly
secured to said stem and projecting through the groove in the sleeve into the
groove in the fount, for the purpose set forth.
8. In a fountain pen, the combination with the fount provided in its upper
end with an internal longitudinal groove and a spirally slotted sleeve projecting
into and revoluble in said grooved end of the fount of a pen support provided
with a stem whose upper end fits loosely in said sleeve and an ellipsoidal guide of
hard rubber rigidly secured to said stem and projecting through the groove in
the sleeve into the groove in the fount, for the purpose set forth.
9. In a fountain pen, the combination with the fount, of a pen support pro-
vided with a pen seat that is adjustable as to length, for.the purpose set forth.
10. In a fountain pen, the combination with the fount, of a pen support pro-
vided with a retaining device and with a seat for the pen, which seat is adjustable
as to length, for the purpose set forth.
11. In a fountain pen, the combination with the fount, of a pen support pro-
vided with a pen seat, and a sleeve having longitudinal slots in its outer or forward
end for the reception of the rear end of the pen shank, said sleeve displaceable
longitudinally of the support to lengthen the pen seat, for the purpose set forth.
12. In a fountain pen, the combination with the fount, of a pen support pro-
vided with a seat for the pen and with an under feed bar projecting from its
forward or outer end, of a sleeve provided with a forwardly projecting top feed
bar and with longitudinal slots for the reception of the rear end of the pen shank,
said sleeve displaceable longitudinally on the support to lengthen the seat for
the pen, for the purpose set forth.
.
13. In a fountain pen, the combination with the fount having at or near its
lower end a contracted bearing, of a pen support having a cylindrical rear
extension, a forwardly projecting top feed bar, a seat for the pen and an air
duct on opposite sides of a central rib diametrically opposite said pen seat, and a
sleeve on the support extension fitting the fount bearing practically fluid tight,
said sleeve displaceable longitudinally on said extension and provided with a
forwardly projecting top feed bar and with longitudinal slots on opposite sides
of said bar for the reception of the pen shank, for the purpose set forth.
14. In a fountain pen, the combination with the fount, of a pen support and
means for controlling the flow of ink to the nib of the pen, comprising an elastic
tongue the outer free end of which is in perpetual contact with the underface of
the nib of the pen, for the purpose set forth.
15. In a fountain pen, the combination with the fount, of a pen support and
means for controlling the flow of ink to the nib of the pen, comprising an elastic
tongue of hard rubber the outer free end of which is in perpetual contact with
the underface of the nib of the pen, for the purpose set forth.
16. In a fountain pen, the combination with the fount having at or near its
lower end a contracted bearing, of a pen support having a cylindrical portion
fitting said bearing practically fluid tight, a forwardly projecting underfeed bar
forming part of a flattened seat for the pen, a longitudinal groove in said seat,
an elastic tongue in said groove, the free outer end of which lies in contact with
the underside of the pen; a top feed bar projecting forwardly over said tongue

page_text: and pen, and a longitudinal air duct or ducts extending from the under feed bar
to the inner cylindrical portion of the support, which latter is displaceable longi-
tudinally in its bearing to bring a greater or less length of an air duct into
communication with the fount, for the purpose set forth.
Dated this 19th day of Anil 1908
JENSEN & SON,
77, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Patent Agents.