An Improved Combined Inkstand and Perpetual Calendar.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 6th Aug., 1890-Accepted, 8th Nov., 1890
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Combined Inkstand and Perpetual Calendar.
DAVID SMITH SEMPLE of Portland House, Portland Place Brighton Writer 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:
The object of my invention is to obviate the disadvantages and harassment caused
by the inkstand and calendar being separate articles, and to dispense with the com-
plicated chronological tables in use to find a given date. I overcome such drawbacks
by combining a perpetual calendar and inkstand into one article, and so improving
both, in the manner hereinafter described, as to produce a compact and useful article,
to be called "The Calendar Inkstand."
To obtain a large receptacle for ink 1 do away with the present form of wooden
and metal inkstands, with the inkbottle sitting on it. Instead I make the stand and
inkbottle in one piece, in any desired shape, or pattern, of metal, glass, porcelain,
earthenware, or other suitable material.
In appearance it is like such inkstands with the bottle sunk flush with the stand.
My new form of inkbottle differs however from ordinary inkbottles in this respect,
that there is no opening at the top, and that it contains several beneficial novelties
awanting in other inkstand bottles. The inkstand also contains some novelties.
As illustrated in the accompanying drawings of which Fig. 1 is a vertical section,
Fig. 2 a plan, and Figs. 3 and 4 corresponding views of a modified form of the
calendar, a trough A round, square, or shaped like the letter U, projects in front of,
and communicates with the bottle B. A clip C to hold announcements, and other
documents, for temporary preservation, or reference, or to place papers in, that are to
be copied, to leave the hands and desk free, is riveted or otherwise fixed to the back
of the bottle B. Two oblong narrow cavities D something like those in ordinary
inkstands, in which pens, pencils, and ruller, may lie, are made one at each side of
the bottle. The sides of the trough A are made thick, so that a small circular hole
may be made on one side of the trough, to hold a brush E on which to wipe pens ;
and another hole on the other side of the trough, for the lever, or screw F after-
mentioned to work in. For the purpose of preventing the fingers being covered
with ink, by taking too deep dips from the trough, a small tongue G of metal,
caoutchouc, gutta-percha, or other suitable material, is hinged to the front edge of
the trough, and which tongue is raised or lowered by a lever, or screw F loosely
pivoted at the back of the tongue, and working through the hole before mentioned at
the side of the trough.
When the bottle is full, the tongue is raised, and as the ink decreases, the tongue
is lowered, and so at whatever depth the ink may be in the bottle and trough, that for
the dip of the pen, will always be the required depth. To prevent the pen lifting
smudge, the end of the tongue is turned up, and a small slit g made at the turn,
sufficient to take in the point of the pen. A rim a is made round the top of the
trough, to allow of the tongue being screwed or pressed up tight thereto, when the
inkstand is not required.
When more than one kind of ink is used, the bottle may be divided into as many
sections, as may be required, a trough for each section being provided.
I make two forms of the calendar H and either may be fixed to the inkstand, of
which they are the covers. These covers are made of metal, or other suitable
material, in any desired shape, or pattern, and are fixed on the inkstand with a slope
towards the trough, for easy reference.
Affixed to the sides of the covers are four-or more if required-small projections
or pockets h which may be of any shape, or pattern, to hold pieces of india-rubber,
and sealing-wax, and pens, or pencils, upright.

page_text: One of these covers H as shewn at Figs. 1 and 2 forms a daily indicator, and has
on its face at the top on the left hand side, the words "No. of Month ;" and on the
right band side, the words "Days in Month." Underneath is a slit 1 through which
the number of each month; the name of each month; (contracted to first three
letters in the long names) and the number of days in each month, are shown on a
roller thus, taking the first month in the year as an example, thus 1. Jan. 31.
the bottom of the cover is another slit J through which the name of each day in the
week, is also shown on a roller j. In the space between there are two almost square,
oval, or other shaped openings K K through which the number of each day is
shown.
:
At
Underneath the opening K on the left, a roller k is placed at the head, and another
roller at the foot, to which is attached a strip of linen, flexible metal, or other
suitable material, with the figures "1, 2, 3," and the words "Day of Month"
thereon. Underneath the opening K' on the right, a roller is placed at the
head, and another roller at the foot, to which is attached a similar strip with the
figures "1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 0, thereon. This arrangement I adopt to get large
figures into small space, and so do away with the long strips presently in use in
.perpetual calendars. The same principle of showing large figures in a small space
can also be worked out with two pivoted discs. The disc to the left being divided
into four equal sections, one section containing the figure 1; the next the figure 2;
the third the figure 3; and the last the words "Day of Month." The disc to the
right will show the figures "1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 0, on its margin.
The other cover H of the inkstand as shewn at Figs. 3 and 4 forms a daily,
weekly, and monthly perpetual indicator, and register of dates, showing any
given day, of any year, past, present, or future, all in one cover. This cover
has on its face the same information as the other cover vist, at the top, on the left
hand side, the words "No. of Month ;" and on the right hand side, the words "Days
in Month." Underneath is a slit I through which the said information about the
months, is shown, on a roller.
The space on this cover between the above roller i and the roller j at the foot,
immediately after described, is occupied with the fixed figures 1 to 31 inclusive. The
Gaures hoing in the

page_text: said right hand opening, to the date wanted. When the date is from 10 to 31, turn
the rollers k kat said left hand opening, to first figure, and the rollers k³ ³ of said
right hand opening, to the other figure, of the date wanted.
To set the daily, weekly, and monthly perpetual calendar, and register of dates,
turn the monthly roller to the current month, or month wanted; and the weekly
roller to the line commencing with the day on which the month began. On doing
this, the whole days both for a week, and month, will be indicated for the past,
present, or future. Each day as it arrives to be indicated by pushing a guide L-of
which there is one for each line of figures-to the date wanted.
To enable any date to be ascertained without consulting chronological tables, I
purpose publishing a list giving the day of the week when each month commenced,
for a number of years.
To.the bottom of my invention may be fixed a receptacle for paper, and envelopes.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare what I
claim is :-
-
First. The combination with an inkstand of a perpetual calendar, substantially as
herein described.
Second. The mode of and means employed for regulating the dip, into the
inkbottle.
Third. The mode of and means employed for holding writing requisites, by means
of a clip, and pockets, attached to inkstands.
Fourth. The mode of and means employed to economise space & material in
calendars, by dividing the days of the month into two parts, and working them in
conjunction, to obtain date.
Fifth. The mode of and means employed for obtaining a daily, weekly, and
monthly perpetual calendar, and register of dates, for ascertaining any given day, in
any year.
Dotad this Sirth day of A monct 1800
D. S. SEMPLE.