Year: 1881

page_text: We THOMAS ALFRED HEARSON of Greenwich in the County of Kent and
WARREN WILLIAM DE LA RUE THOMAS ANDROS DE LA RUE ERNEST DE LA
RUE and HUGO WILHELM HEINRICH MÜLLER Plaintiffs in the action between
Thomas Alfred Hearson and others and The Grapho Pen Company and others,
seek leave to amend the specification of Letters Patent N° 1419 of 1881 as shown
in red ink in the copy of the original specification hereunto annexed and marked
with the letter "A."
Our reasons for making this amendment are as follows:-
Because in the combination claimed in the first claiming clause, unless the inner
end of the air tube is fitted into a chamber that is closed with the exception of a
small air hole at the bottom, the combination is not of sufficient value to induce us
to retain any claim thereto-and also
Because the combination of a barrel pen with a flexible sheath or nozzle is not of
sufficient value to induce us to retain any claim thereto.

page_text: AND
In the matter of the opposition of the India Rubber, Gutta Percha and
Telegraph Works Company Limited, thereto.
AND
In the matter of the Opposition of the Grapho Pen Company Limited, Gibbard
Richard Hughes and Thomas Carwardine thereto.
I allow the Specification filed in pursuance of the said Letters Patent to be
amended in the manner proposed.

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Thomas Alfred Hearson, of Greenwich, in the County
of Kent, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN RESERVOIR PEN-
HOLDERS."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Thomas Alfred Hearson
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 31st March 1881.
THOMAS ALFRED HEARSON, of Greenwich in the County of Kent, ❝ IMPROVE-
MENTS IN RESERVOIR PENHOLDERS "
This Invention has for its object to simplify and otherwise improve the
construction of reservoir penholders.
The body of a penholder made with one modification of the improvements
consists as usual of a tube made of ebonite or other suitable material. A plug
secured by wedging or screwing closes the upper end of the holder but has attached
to it a small air tube the outer end of which is open, whilst the inner end
extends down inside the holder to a point at such a distance from the writing point.
as will correspond to a fluid head necessary to cause the ink to flow in a proper
manner. With the arrangement described the fluid head will be constant until.
the ink in the holder is almost exhausted. On the inner end of the air tube there
is placed a delicate check valve to prevent the passage of ink out through the air
tube when the penholder is in the pocket or under other circumstances. The check.
valve may conveniently consist of a tubular piece of thin rubber drawn upon the.
end of the air tube but with a projecting flattened part open or slit at the extreme:
end. In the lower end of the body tube there is fitted a hollow piece to receive
the pen or nib which may be of steel or gold or other suitable metal or material.
The hollow pen piece terminates in an elastic hollow nozzle made of rubber or other
suitable material, and the extreme point of this nozzle is perforated for the pro-.
trusion of the points or nibs of the pen. The pen which may be made like an
ordinary steel pen, so far at least as regards the points, is placed inside of the
elastic nozzle with only its extreme points projecting; and when the instrument is
used in writing the action of pressing the pen points on the paper causes them to
separate and to slightly stretch the opening in the elastic nozzle, thereby forming
an exit passage for the ink.
i
According to a second modification the air tube is not attached to the plug, but
is connected to the side of the main tube through which an inlet for the entrance
of air is provided near the upper or plug end. By a further improvement the inner
end of the air tube is made to project into a cell or cavity which has a fine
perforation formed in its lower end for the passage of air from it into the ink
reservoir. This cell may be used either with or without the check valve on the.
inner end of the air tube its purpose being to temporarily retain ink which
expansion of air inside the reservoir by warmth may force out of the reservoir.
The ink thus acted on is not forced out at the pen point, but finds its way into the
cell, whence it cannot easily get into the air tube because of the end thereof
projecting into the cell.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Thomas Alfred Hearson in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 29th September 1881.
26
THOMAS ALFRED HEARSON of Greenwich in the County of Kent IMPROVE-
MENTS IN RESERVOIR PEN HOLDERS "
According to this Invention I form a reservoir pen holder of 1. A hollow stem
or holder which serves as a reservoir for the ink as is usual.-2 A pen covered
with the exception of the points of its nibs with a flexible sheath or nozzle made
of india rubber or other suitable material which can be fitted fluid tight into or
around the lower end of the holder so that ink may pass from the holder into the
interior of the nozzle.-3 A small air tube extending down from a plug by which
the upper end of the ink holder is closed or from the upper closed end of the
holder into the interior of the holder and having its lower end surrounded by a
hollow chamber at the bottom of which is a small outlet for the admission of air
into the ink holder. The sheath or nozzle embracing the nibs of the pen prevents
the escape of ink at the pen end except when the pen is used for writing when by
the action of pressing the pen points upon the paper the nibs are caused to separate
and so form a passage for the ink-The chamber surrounding the lower end of the
air tube serves to prevent the escape of ink through the air tube for should any
ink get into the chamber through the aperture at its lower end this ink would not
flow into the air tube when the reservoir pen holder was reversed (that is held
pen upwards) but since the air tube projects into the chamber the ink would
collect at the then lower end of the chamber around the exterior of the end of the
air tube or if the reservoir penholder were to get heated by being held in the
hand or otherwise the chamber would form a temporary receptacle for the ink
that would otherwise be expelled by the expansion of air which would take place
in the holder.
The lower end of the air tube with the hollow chamber surrounding it extends
down inside the holder, to a point at such a distance from the writing point as will
correspond to a fluid head necessary to cause the ink to flow sufficiently fast by
this arrangement the fluid head will be constant until the ink in the holder is
almost exhausted.
Although-in-all eases I prefer that the inner end of the-air tube-should-project
into-a-chamber surrounding it yet the pen holder might be made without this
chamber.
The Drawing annexed shews a reservoir pen holder constructed according to my
Invention
Figure 1 is an exterior view of the reservoir pen holder Figure 2 is a longi-
tudinal section of the same and Figure 3 is a longitudinal section on a larger
* scale of the pen covered with its sheath or nozzle-Figure 4 is a back view of the
pen.and Figure 5 shows on the saine scale a section of the sheath or nozzle. A is
the hollow stem forming the ink holder.-Into one end of this holder is screwed a
pen holding piece B-this pen holding piece has a hole formed centrally through it
to receive the upper or barrel part of the pen-The pen piece B is removable for
the purpose of refilling the holder with ink-C is the pen-the barrel or upper
part of this pen is cylindrical, to be received into the hole in the pen holding

page_text: piece B-D. is the sheath or nozzle which will stretch over the exterior of the
pen C.-
it is formed of thin india rubber or other suitable material so that it will readily
stretch and bend, the upper end of the sheath or nozzle is shown to be turned
into the interior of the barrel but this is not essential-the opposite end of the
nozzle is closed with the exception of a fine hole or slit and the nibs of the pen
project slightly through this hole or slit as shown at Figure 3. E is a plug by
which the upper end of the holder is closed an air hole is formed through this
plug and into it is cemented the end of a small tube G to form a continuation of
the air passage The inner end of the air tube is inserted fluid tight into a bag
or chamber H and projects into this chamber, a small hole serving as an air inlet
is also formed in the lower end of the chamber as shewn at Figure 2-The air
tube is made to incline somewhat to one side of the hollow ink holder A as shewn
at Figures 2 and 2× so that the chamber H may come close to this side and leave
a larger space on the opposite side of the chamber H for the free upward passage of
air bubbles-The objects gained by the use of the bag or chamber H are clearly
explained above.-The inner end of the air tube with the hollow chamber
surrounding it extends down inside the chamber to a point at such a distance from
the writing point as will correspond to a fluid head necessary to cause the ink to
flow sufficiently fast so that the fluid head may be constant until the ink in the
ink holder is almost exhausted. I is a cap by which the pen end of the reservoir
penholder is protected when the pen is not in use-The ink-holder and the plugs
at its ends are preferably made of ebonite but they might be made of other
material
Having thus described my Invention I would state that I do not confine myself
to the precise form of pen shewn or to the method described of obtaining an ink
tight joint between the holder and nozzle as the pen may be variously shaped so
long as it can be surrounded by a thin flexible sheath or nozzle and fitted fluid
tight to the end of the ink holder. But I claim
First. The combination consisting of an ink holder carrying at one of its ends
a pen enclosed within a thin flexible nozzle with the exception of the points of
its nibs whilst the opposite end of the holder is closed with the exception of a
small air tube projecting inwards from it the inner end of which air tube is or-is
not fitted into a chamber that is closed with the exception of a small air hole at
the bottom substantially as herein before described.
Second. The--eombination of a barrel pen with a flexible sheath--or--nozzle
substantially-as--described so that the barrel--of-the-pen-with--the--sheath--or
nozzle-surrounding it may be inserted fluid tight into the end-of-an--ink
holder.
Third. The combination with the inner end of the air tube of a reservoir pen of
a chamber into which the inner end of the air tube enters such chamber having a
small hole at the bottom to allow air to pass from it into the interior of the ink
holder.
In witness whereof I the said Thomas Alfred Hearson have hereunto set
my hand and seal this Thirtieth day of August in the year of our Lord
THOMAS ALFRED HEARSON. (L.S.)

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Thomas Alfred Hearson, of Greenwich, in the County
of Kent, for an
Invention of 'IMPROVEMENTS IN RESERVOIR PEN-
HOLDERS."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Thomas Alfred Hearson
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 31st March 1881.
THOMAS ALFRED HEARSON, of Greenwich, in the County of Kent. " IMPROVE-
MENTS IN RESERVOIR PENHOLDERS."
This Invention has for its object to simplify and otherwise improve the
construction of reservoir penholders.
The body of a penholder made with one modification of the improvements
consists as usual of a tube made of ebonite or other suitable material. A plug
secured by wedging or screwing closes the upper end of the holder, but has attached
to it a small air tube, the outer end of which is open, whilst the inner end
extends down inside the holder to a point at such a distance from the writing point
as will correspond to a fluid head necessary to cause the ink to flow in a proper
manner. With the arrangement described the fluid head will be constant until
the ink in the holder is almost exhausted. On the inner end of the air. tube there
is placed a delicate check valve to prevent the passage of ink out through the air
tube when the penholder is in the pocket or under other circumstances. The check
valve may conveniently consist of a tubular piece of thin rubber drawn upon the
end of the air tube, but with a projecting flattened part open or slit at the extreme
end. In the lower end of the body tube there is fitted a bollow piece to receive
the pen or nib, which may be of steel or gold or other suitable metal or material.
The hollow pen piece terminates in an elastic hollow nozzle made of rubber or other
suitable material, and the extreme point of this nozzle is perforated for the pro-
trusion of the points or nibs of the pen. The pen, which may be made like an
ordinary steel pen, so far at least as regards the points, is placed inside of the
elastic nozzle with only its extreme points projecting, and when the instrument is
used in writing the action of pressing the pen points on the paper causes them to
.מ
11

page_text: separate and to slightly stretch the opening in the elastic nozzle, thereby forming
an exit passage for the ink.
According to a second modification the air tube is not attached to the plug, but
is connected to the side of the main tube, through which an inlet for the entrance
of air is provided near the upper or plug end. By a further improvement the inner
end of the air tube is made to project into a cell or cavity which has a fine
perforation formed in its lower end for the passage of air from it into the ink
reservoir. This cell may be used either with or without the check valve on the
inner end of the air tube, its purpose being to temporarily retain ink, which
expansion of air inside the reservoir by warmth may force out of the reservoir.
The ink thus acted on is not forced out at the pen point, but finds its way into the
cell, whence it cannot easily get into the air tube because of the end thereof
projecting into the cell.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Thomas Alfred Hearson in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 29th September 1881.
THOMAS ALFRED HEARSON, of Greenwich, in the County of Kent.
MENTS IN RESERVOIR PEN HOLDERS."
"IMPROVE-
According to this Invention I form a reservoir pen holder of, 1, a hollow stem
or holder which serves as a reservoir for the ink, as is usual; 2, a pen covered,
with the exception of the points of its nibs, with a flexible sheath or nozzle made
of india rubber or other suitable material which can be fitted fluid tight into or
around the lower end of the holder, so that ink may pass from the holder into the
interior of the nozzle; 3, a small air tube extending down from a plug by which
the upper end of the ink holder is closed, or from the upper closed end of the
holder into the interior of the holder, and having its lower end surrounded by a
hollow chamber, at the bottom of which is a small outlet for the admission of air
into the ink holder. The sheath or nozzle embracing the nibs of the pen prevents
the escape of ink at the pen end except when the pen is used for writing, when by
the action of pressing the pen points upon the paper the nibs are caused to separate
and so form a passage for the ink. The chamber surrounding the lower end of the
air tube serves to prevent the escape of ink through the air tube, for should any
ink get into the chamber through the aperture at its lower end, this ink would not
flow into the air tube when the reservoir pen holder was reversed (that is, held
pen upwards), but since the air tube projects into the chamber, the ink would
collect at the then lower end of the chamber around the exterior of the end of the
air tube, or if the reservoir penholder were to get heated by being held in the
hand or otherwise the chamber would form a temporary receptacle for the ink
that would otherwise be expelled by the expansion of air, which would take place
in the holder.
The lower end of the air tube with the hollow chamber surrounding it extends
down inside the holder to a point at such a distance from the writing point as will
correspond to a fluid head necessary to cause the ink to flow sufficiently fast; by
this arrangement the fluid head will be constant until the ink in the holder is
almost exhausted.
Although in all cases I prefer that the inner end of the air tube should project
into a chamber surrounding it, yet the pen holder might be made without this
chamber.
The Drawing annexed shews a reservoir pen holder constructed according to my
Invention.
Figure 1 is an exterior view of the reservoir pen holder; Figure 2 is a longi-
tudinal section of the same, and Figure 3 is a longitudinal section on a larger
scale of the pen covered with its sheath or nozzle; Figure 4 is a back view of the
pon, and Figure 5 shows on the same scale a section of the sheath or nozzle. A is
the hollow stem forming the ink holder. Into one end of this holder is screwed a
pen holding piece B; this pen holding piece has a hole formed centrally through it
to receive the upper or barrel part of the pen. The pen piece B is removable for
the purpose of refilling the holder with ink. C is the pen; the barrel or upper
part of this pen is cylindrical, to be received into the hole in the pen holding
piece B; D is the sheath or nozzle which will stretch over the exterior of the pen C;
it is formed of thin india rubber or other suitable material, so that it will readily
stretch and bend; the upper end of the sheath or nozzle is shown to be turned
into the interior the barrel, but this is not essential; the opposite end of the
nozzle is closed, with the exception of a fine hole or slit, and the nibs of the pen

page_text: project slightly through this hole or slit, as shown at Figure 3; E is a plug by
which the upper end of the holder is closed; an air hole is formed through this
plug, and into it is cemented the end of a small tube G to form a continuation of
the air passage. The inner end of the air tube is inserted fluid tight into a bag
or chamber H, and projects into this chamber, a small hole serving as an air inlet
is also formed in the lower end of the chamber, as shewn at Figure 2. The air
tube is made to incline somewhat to one side of the hollow ink holder A, as shewn
at Figures 2 and 2×, so that the chamber H may come close to this side and leave
a larger space on the opposite side of the chamber H for the free upward passage of
air bubbles. The objects gained by the use of the bag or chamber H are clearly
explained above. The inner end of the air tube with the hollow chamber
surrounding it extends down inside the chamber to a point at such a distance from
the writing point as will correspond to a fluid head necessary to cause the ink to
flow sufficiently fast, so that the fluid head may be constant until the ink in the
ink holder is almost exhausted; I is a cap by which the pen end of the reservoir.
penholder is protected when the pen is not in use. The ink-holder and the plugs
at its ends are preferably made of ebonite, but they might be made of other
material.
Having thus described my Invention I would state that I do not confine myself
to the precise form of pen shewn, or to the method described of obtaining an ink
tight joint between the holder and nozzle, as the pen may be variously shaped so
long as it can be surrounded by a thin flexible sheath or nozzle, and fitted fluid
tight to the end of the ink holder, but I claim,
First. The combination, consisting of an ink holder carrying at oue of its ends
a pen enclosed within a thin flexible nozzle, with the exception of the points of
its nibs, whilst the opposite end of the holder is closed with the exception of a
small air tube projecting inwards from it, the inner end of which air tube is or is
not fitted into a chamber that is closed, with the exception of a small air hole.at
the bottom, substantially as herein before described.
Second. The combination of a barrel pen with a flexible sheath or nozzle,
substantially as described, so that the barrel of the pen with the sbeath or
nozzle surrounding it may be inserted fluid tight into the end of an ink
holder.
Third. The combination with the inner end of the air tube of a reservoir pen of
a chamber into which the inner end of the air tube enters, such chamber having a
small hole at the bottom to allow air to pass from it into the interior of the ink
holder.
In witness whereof, I, the said Thomas Alfred Hearson, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Thirtieth day of August, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and eighty one.
THOMAS ALFRED HEARSON.: (L.S.)