Improvements in Ink-stands.
Year: 1893

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Ink-stands.
1 CARL ROBERT SÖDERSTRÖM Sacri Minesterii Candidate of Norsjö in the
Kingdom of Sweden 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 :-
In the use of inkstands it is often forgotten to shut up the cover of the inkstand
when the writing is done whereas it is known that the inkstand need not be open.
for a long time before the ink partly in consequence of dust or the like, partly by
evaporation or alteration in the composition of the ink caused by the atmospheric
air, grows thick and unfit for use.
My invention is intended to prevent the inconvenience just mentioned by shutting
up the inkstand automatically the very moment the person writing puts the pen on
a holder or a balance for this purpose attached to the inkstand or the writing set..
The arrangement is shown in the accompanying drawings where Fig. 1 is a side
elevation and Fig. 2 a plan view of the improved inkstand.
a is the inkstand of any suitable form which is loosely inserted in a case b
conforming in shape to the inkstand. To the latter is attached a balance consisting
of two rods cl and c³ of equal length and connected to each other by a stay d, this
balance being movable on two pivots el e² projecting from the sides of the case. The
fore ends of those rods are provided with notches or recesses or any other suitable
arrangement in order to receive a penholder so that it may rest comfortably thereon
whilst the posterior ends of the rods are rigidly connected to each other by a cross
piece f to which is attached one or two small weights g¹ g².
From the casing extends upwardly a vertical support to the level of the upper
edge of the inkstand and to this support the cover of the inkstand is fixed by
means of hinges. The cover is provided with a crank lever k turned backwards
and movably jointed to the cross piece f by means of a link l.
The arrangement and weights of the parts are such that when the fore end of the
balance is unloaded, the balance and the cover connected thereto will take the
position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1 in consequence of the weights attached to.
the posterior end of the balance, and the cover will be thus raised. When however
the writing being done the fore end is loaded with the penholder, this end will be
lowered and the opposite one raised whereby the cover is brought down to the
mouth of the inkstand and covers it. The cover may have as shown in Fig. 1 on.
the inside a cushion m of cork, rubber, felt or the like in order to produce a good
closing. The balance instead of being attached to the casing of the inkstand may
of course be applied to the ink container itself. The ends of the balance may
on either side of the pivots be curved and rivetted to each other in which case
the fore end must be provided with a shell or cap for receiving the penholder
whilst the cross piece at the posterior end is omitted. The arrangement may be
applied to writing sets containing two inkstands or more in such manner that
the covers are closed when the penholder is taken away from the balance or placed
on it.
It is not necessary to employ the penholder itself as balancing load but
this is of course the simplest and most practical manner.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is :-
In inkstands the arrangement on the inkstand itself or on a casing surrounding
it of a two armed lever or balance movable on pivots, the posterior weighted end
of this balance being mouchly ininted to th

page_text: that the cover when the fore end of the balance is unloaded will be open whilst
when the end before mentioned is loaded for instance with a pen holder, the cover
will be pressed against the mouth of the inkstand.
Dated this 29th day of August 1893.
R. HADDAN,
Herbert Haddan & Co.,
18, Buckingham Street, Strand, London, Agent for Applicant.