Improvements in Fountain Pens.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 24th Aug., 1897-Accepted, 16th Oct., 1897
Improvements in Fountain Pens.
I, WILLIAM WASHINGTON STEWART (Fountain Pen Manufacturer) of 117,
Montague Street, Brooklyn, Kings County, State of New York, United States of
America, 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:-
My invention relates particularly to fountain pens in which a tubular handle
or reservoir closed at the upper end is used and wherein suitable ducts are provided
at the lower end of the pen to convey ink to the pen nib and to admit air to the
reservoir.
In fountain pens of this description wherein air and ink are combined, so to
speak, at the lower end of the pen so that air is admitted to the reservoir and the
ink is allowed to be fed to the pen nib, the air naturally forms itself into bubbles
or globules on its passage to the reservoir. These globules naturally conform in
size to the conduit or channel through which they have to pass, in view of which
it will be obvious that the globules in themselves form means for obstructing
the flow of ink through the conduit in which they are contained. Principally
for this reason great difficulty has been experienced heretofore in providing a
fountain pen which will meet all requirements.
The object of my invention is to overcome these and other difficulties heretofore
experienced and to provide simple and efficient means for controlling and regu-
lating the flow of ink and for providing against the liability of the pen "sweating"
when not in use, as will be hereinafter more fully explained.
To this end my invention consists in the novel arrangement and combination
of parts hereinafter described and claimed.
In the accompanying drawings wherein like letters represent corresponding
parts in the various views
Figure 1 is a side view looking in the direction of the arrow in Figure 2, of
a pen embodying my invention; the cap having been removed;
Figure 2 is a central longitudinal sectional view of the same on the line 2-2
of Figure 5, with the cap in place;
Figure 3 is a top detail view of the feeder-bar;
Figure 4 is a detail longitudinal sectional view of the nozzle;
Figure 5 is a transverse sectional view of the pen on the line 5-5 of Figure 2;
Figure 6 is a detail side view of the controlling obstruction and its connection ;
Figure 7 is a detail longitudinal sectional view of sufficient number of parts
of a fountain pen to illustrate a modified form of my invention;
Figure 8 is a detail top view of a pen nib which is preferably used in the
construction illustrated in Figure 7;
Figure 9 is a side view looking in the direction of the arrow; Figure 10, of a
modified form of pen embodying my invention.
Figure 10 is a side view of the same partly in section and taken at right angles
to the representation in Figure 9.

page_text: Figure 11 is a transverse sectional view on the line 11-11, Figure 10;
Figures 12 and 13 are side and end views respectively of a modified form of
non-circular obstruction plug to be hereinafter more fully described.
The objects of my invention are attained by providing what I term an obstruc-
tion plug of different contour from the transverse form of the conduit in which it
is contained, thus, in the fountain pen illustrated in Figures 1 to 8 inclusive, a
fountain pen having an angular or non-circular conduit is shown, which is
provided with an obstruction plug which is circular in cross-section, whereas in
Figures 9 to 13 inclusive a fountain pen is illustrated wherein the conduit is
circular in cross-section, and the obstruction plug is angular or non-circular in
cross-section.
Reference is first had to the pen illustrated in Figures 1 to 8 inclusive wherein
the holder or reservoir A is preferably closed at the upper end and is adapted
to connect with a nozzle B by screw-threads a or otherwise. Within the nozzle B
may be maintained a feeder-bar C, which, in the present instance, is shown as
comprising a body portion which preferably fits friction tight in the nozzle B
and is adjustable therein. From this body portion of the feeder-bar projects a
slitted finger b, which, in the present instance, bears upon the underside of the pen
nib D, as shown in Figure 2. The slit in the finger of the feeder-bar is in
communication with the recesses c c¹. The feeder-bar is provided with a non-
circular or angular bore or ink conduit d (see Figure 5) which preferably
terminates in the flaring mouths to better control the bubbles and thereby
control the flow of ink through the bore or conduit d, as will be hereinafter more
fully explained.
It will be observed that the recess c extends on but one side of the slitted finger
of the feeder-bar and that the other side is plane. By this means I am enabled
to hold to one side out of the path of the main slit in the feeder finger any bubbles
which may pass along said slit and which, if allowed to remain therein, would
choke the same and prevent the free flow of ink to the pen nib. Within the
angular bored is contained a globular mechanical obstructing piece which
preferably consists of a rubber ball e, having a diameter sufficient to make contact
with the walls of the bore or conduit, so as to establish a nucleus for the flow of
ink. This ball e may be mounted upon a wire or support f that projects within
the handle or reservoir and is provided with means for preventing the withdrawal
of the obstructing ball or piece entirely from the pen. In the present instance
this means consists of forming the end of the wire f into a hook 9 after the same
has been passed through a sleeve h carried upon a plug i adapted to be secured in
the upper end of the holder. The wire f may pass through the ball e to form a
hook-like shank j at the lower end by which the user of the pen is enabled to
adjust the ball within the bore. It will be observed that by this means the
mechanical obstruction or ball may be adjusted within the bore or may be entirely
removed therefrom for the purpose of filling the pen without removing the nozzle.
In small pens it may be found desirable to construct the pen as shown in Fig. 7,
wherein the feeder-bar C is dispensed with and the heel k of the pen D is entered
into the angular bore d of the nozzle B so as to divide said bore, the wire / with
ball m thereon acting to control the flow of ink to the pen.
Having described the construction of this form of fountain pen embodying my
invention, I will now proceed to describe the operation thereof. The pen illustrated
in Figs. to 6 may readily be filled by withdrawing the ball e from the bore by
means of the hook-like extension ; sufficiently far to expose the mouth of said
bore. The ball is then replaced in the bore when the pen is in condition for use.
In operation ink and air pass in opposite directions through the apertures formed
between the corners of the angular bore and ball e and the lower end of the pen.
The ink passes to the recess c¹ from which it is fed to the pen nib as required.
The air passing to the rear of the ball or obstruction e forms into globules or
bubbles, each of which is of about the same diameter as the ball e and passes up

page_text: the ink conduit or bore to the reservoir. It will be readily understood that if the
bore d were circular instead of angular, each of the air bubbles would fill the bore
and no control of the flow could be had. Various means have been devised hereto-
fore to either destroy or otherwise get rid of these bubbles, but by my invention
I am enabled to utilize them to automatically control the flow of ink to the pen
nib. The ball e is a mechanical obstruction which performs the same function
as one of nature's bubbles retained against movement. It is in a sense a bubble
which may be maintained at the lower end of the bore and is at all times under
control of the user, so that it may be adjusted in the bore to give a greater or less
flow of ink to the pen. The enlargements d' d in the feeder-bar C and in the
nozzle shown in Figure 7 are in the nature of valve seats and act at times with
the bubbles to restrain the flow of ink. For instance, a film or bubble having
been invoked within the reservoir behind the enlargement ³, will be prevented
from being forced through the bore d by the weight of the ink behind the bubble,
but will be retained against the enlargement as against a valve seat and prevent
the too ready flow of ink through the bore. In small pens the mechanical
obstruction, may, if desired, be dispensed with entirely and the enlargements in
the nozzle answer to maintain bubbles in a fixed position in the bore to control
the flow of ink.
It will be observed that the pen can properly ventilate itself at all times and
thereby prevent all liability of "sweating." That is to say, when the pen is not
in use, there is no liability of the expansion of air within the holder causing air
bubbles, with the ink which forms a component part thereof, being forced out
through the bore and around the pen nozzle, as heretofore, because the air within
the holder at all times may escape through the apertures formed between the
surface of the bubbles (and of the obstruction e) and the corners of the bore.
My invention is of particular value in large pens where a considerable flow of
ink is required because of the absolute control and regularity of the flow without
liability of the pen sweating," "bleeding or dropping ink, which heretofore
could not be had.
66
وو
The second form of fountain pen embodying my invention is illustrated in
Figures 9 to 13 inclusive, wherein the reservoir A, nozzle B, screw-thread
connection al, feeder-bar C, pen nib D, are or may be provided as in the construc-
tion illustrated in Figures 1 to 8 inclusive. However, the feeder-bar in this case
is provided with the bore or ink conduit d, which is circular in cross-section
and preferably terminates in flaring mouths 12 similar to those provided in
the construction hereinbefore described. Within the circular bore d is contained
an obstruction plug e, which is independent of the feeder-bar and which is non-
circular in cross-section at a portion of its diameter, and terminates at its upper
end within the conduit. This plug is contained within the conduit at or near
the lower end thereof, and is preferably provided with an extension or finger
piece f, by which it may be adjusted in the conduit d or withdrawn therefrom.
This plug is of sufficient diameter at portions thereof to make contact with the
walls of the bore or conduit so as to establish a nucleus for the flow of ink.
The pen may be readily filled by withdrawing the obstruction plug e* from the
bore by means of the finger piece or hook-like extension fx, and when the pen
is filled, the obstruction plug is replaced in the bore and the pen is ready for use.
In operation the ink and air pass in opposite directions through the apertures
formed between the corners of the obstruction plug and the walls of the circular
bore. The ink is fed to the slit in the finger 6 of the feeder-bar and thence to
the pen as required. The air passing to the rear of the obstruction plug e* has a
tendency to form into a globule of about the same diameter as the obstruction plug.
It will be readily understood that if the obstruction plug were circular instead of
non-circular in cross-section and of smaller diameter than the conduit, an air
bubble at the rear of the obstruction plug would form a seal against the flow of
ink and air in opposite directions, and a control of the flow could not be had.

page_text: The obstruction plug e maintains a bubble near the lower end of the conduit
and under ordinary circumstances would tend to choke the flow of ink and air
in opposite directions, but the fact that the plug is non-circular in cross-section
preferably where it contacts with the walls of the conduit, allows of the ready
How of ink, and air in the opposite direction. In other words, the tendency of
the bubble at the rear of the obstruction plug e is to form a globule or semi-
globular film, and a space is formed between said film and the angular or non-
circular obstruction plug which forms a nucleus for the influx and efflux of air
to and from the reservoir, and the portions of said obstruction plug which contact
with the walls of, the conduit constitute a nucleus for the flow of ink to the pen
nib.
66
It will be observed that by this form of my invention the obstruction plug forms
a controlling means for the flow of ink and air which is entirely independent of
the feed to the pen nib from the feeder finger of the feeder-bar, and that the pen
can properly ventilate itself at all times and thereby prevent all liability of
sweating," because the air within the holder at all times may escape through the
apertures formed between the surface of the bubbles and the obstruction plug e*.
Thus assuming that a bubble has a tendency to rise in the conduit d when the
pen is not in use, it will travel as far as the obstruction plug and there be retained,
at the same time allowing the air to escape between the obstruction plug and the
film.
It will be observed that the single conduit of pens made in accordance with my
invention forms practically an extension of the reservoir and constitutes in itself
a reservoir of considerable proportions,, which may be readily drawn upon for a
supply of ink to the pen nib.
It will likewise be observed that by my invention I am enabled to provide an
efficient pen, which is simple in construction and wherein there is little liability
of the parts getting out of order, and wherein there are no minute channels or
passages which are liable to become choked and render the pen inoperative. .
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. In a fountain pen, the combination of an angular ink conduit in communica-
tion with the pen and with the open air, and a mechanical obstruction contained
in the path of said conduit and leaving unobstructed openings at the corners
thereof.
2. In a fountain pen, the combination of an angular ink conduit in communica-
tion with the pen and with the open air, and an adjustable obstruction contained
in the path of said conduit and leaving unobstructed openings at the corners
thereof.
3. In a fountain pen, the combination of an angular ink conduit in communica-
tion with the pen and with the open air, and an adjustable and removable
obstruction contained in the path of said conduit and leaving unobstructed
openings at the corners thereof.
1
4. In a fountain pen, the combination of an angular ink conduit in communica- 4
tion with the pen and with the open air, and a ball contacting with the walls of
said conduit and adjustable therein.
5. In a fountain pen, a feeder-bar having an angular bore extending there-
through, said bore being entirely surrounded by the walls of said feeder-bar and
in open communication with the reservoir and with the air, a feeder finger
extending from said feeder-bar and contacting with the pen nib to convey ink
thereto from said angular bore and means for controlling the flow of ink to said
bore.
6. In a fountain pen, a feeder-bar having a slitted feeder finger for conveying

page_text: ink to the pen nib and a recess formed on one side only of the feeder finger, said
recess being in communication with the slit in the feeder-bar.
7. In a fountain pen, the combination of a non-circular ink conduit in
communication with the pen nib and with the open air and a globular mechanical
obstruction contained within said conduit.
8. In a fountain pen, the combination of an ink conduit in communication with
the pen nib and with the open air, and a non-circular obstruction plug contained
within said conduit at or near the lower end thereof and terminating therein.
9. In a fountain pen, the combination of an ink conduit circular in cross-
section, the said conduit being in communication with the pen nib and with the
open air and a non-circular adjustable obstruction plug contained within said
conduit at or near the lower end thereof and terminating therein.
10. In a fountain pen, the combination of an ink conduit circular in cross-
section, said conduit being in communication with the pen nib and with the open
air and a non-circular adjustable and removable obstruction plug contained
within said conduit at or near the lower end thereof and terminating therein.
11. In a fountain pen, the combination of an ink conduit circular in cross-
section, said conduit being in communication with the pen nib and with the open
air and a non-circular obstruction plug contacting with the walls of said conduit
at or near the lower end thereof and terminating therein.
12. In a fountain pen, a feeder-bar having a slitted feeder finger projecting
therefrom and an ink conduit circular in cross-section, the said conduit being
entirely surrounded by the walls of said feeder-bar and in communication with the
reservoir and with the open air, and a non-circular obstruction plug independent
of the said feeder-bar contained within said conduit at or near the lower end and
terminating therein.
041 .
.
1007
A. M. & WM. CLARK,
53 Chancery Lane, London, Chartered Patent Agents.