Improvements in Inkstands.
Year: 1890

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Inkstands.
We, JOHN HEBERLING, Gentleman, MYRON WALTER SPRAGUE, Manufacturer, and
JAMES RUSSELL AUSTIN, Broker, all of Rochester in the County of Monroe, 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 :-
This invention relates to ink-stands of the kind generally known as fountain stands,
in which the writing fluid is driven up through a tube to a fountain cup. One of
the objects of the invention is to protect the air compression chamber against changes
in temperature tending to cause overflow and irregularity of supply.
Another object of the invention is so to balance the pressures that the operator can
fill the cup and supply his pen by a gentle force downward, the parts automatically
resuming their normal position and emptying the cup when the pen is raised. The
construction also is such that there is no necessity for "ground" joints, or packing
for the cover of the stand, expense being thus materially reduced and convenience
and cleanliness promoted. The fountain cup may be supplied either momentarily or
it may be kept filled if desired, and should the stand be accidentally overturned, there
is no escape of ink from its reservoir.
The invention will be described under certain modifications, with reference to the
accompanying drawings, in which corresponding parts are marked as far as possible
with similar reference numerals.
Fig. 1 is a central vertical section of an inkstand according to this invention.
Fig. 2 is a similar section shewing a modified construction.
Fig. 3 is a detailed side elevation partly in section shewing a modification of some
of the parts shown in Fig. 1.
Fig. 4, is a central vertical section of an ink-stand with collapsible bell.
Fig. 5 is a similar section shewing the parts in a different position..
Fig. 6 is an elevation shewing the locking of the fountain cup in its depressed
position.
0
Fig. 7 is a perspective shewing the collapsible bell, the tubular stem, and the
fountain cup.
Figs. 8 and 9 are central vertical sections of ink-stands of modified form.
Fig. 10 is a plan of the piston diaphragm, or valve.
1 is the body of an inkstand which may be of any desired size or pattern made of
metal glass, porcelain, or other suitable material inclosing an ink reservoir 2 and
closed by a cover, or cap 3.
In the centre of the cover, is formed a socket terminating below the cap with an
inwardly turned collar 5. Through this can freely slide the tubular stem 6 of the
fountain funnel or cup 4 having enlarged portion 7.
Attached to the stem 6 is the inverted open mouthed compression cup, or bell 10,
which can be adjustable upon a threaded portion of the stem and secured by a lock-
nut 12.
This hell has its open end just within the mouth of a central well 13, recessed in the
bottom of the reservoir 2. The tubular stem 6 extends downward a little lower
than the open end of the bell, and is shod at it extremity with a rubber or other
elastic collar 15.
The mouth of the well
slightly flared to admit the bell readily and is made with
shallow slots giving passage for ink from the reservoir to the well.
The reservoir being supplied with ink, the cover is applied and the bell descending

page_text: A very slight pressure upon the cup 4 causing the bell to descend a little farther
produces sufficient compression of the air in the bell to raise ink to fill the cup 4, and
when the pressure is relieved the parts rise to their normal position emptying the cup.
The slight thrust resulting from the insertion of a pen into the cup is sufficient to
raise ink enough to fully charge without overcharging the pen.
The cup 4 may be kept charged with ink by forcing it down and holding it down
by any suitable means, for example by means of a tooth 16 projecting from the stem
which can be turned to engage under a small bracket 17 on the cap. The engaging
surfaces of 16 and 17 may be helically inclined so that by farther turning the stem the
elastic collar 14 can be pressed against the bottom of the well making a tight
joint.
The bell 10 constitutes a species of float as well as an air compressing chamber, by
which the stem and its parts are sustained. For this construction may be substituted
as shewn in Fig. 2 a piston head 18, fixed upon the tubular stem, and the reservoir
may be of the same diameter as the well. The piston head 18 nearly fits the well
closely enough to sustain the column of ink driven up to the cup, and when the cup
is filled its tubular stem is closed by its open end bearing on a cushion 21, at the
bottom of the well, thus retaining the ink in the cup as long as the stem is held
depressed. In order that the rise and fall of the ink may be substantially uniform the
wall of the well is made with vertical channels 20. extending from the top down to a
point somewhat above the bottom of the well. As the piston 18 moves along the
channeled portion of the chamber the fluid beneath it is merely displaced flowing
freely along the channels to the other side of the piston but when the piston has
passed the lower ends of the channels 20. it drives the ink up to the cup which
is filled when the end of the tubular stem abuts against the cushion 21. In this
construction the stem and plunger are raised by a light spring 22, and the stem may
be locked in its depressed position by means such as have been described with reference
to Fig. 1. bell 10 shewn in Fig. 1, may be used in the reservoir shewn in Fig. 2,
instead of the piston 18. The slots formed in the mouth of the well 13 of Fig. 1
extending a little below the plane where the mouth of the bell 10, normally stands
permit ink to pass into the well, as the ink is gradually consumed. The vertical
channels 20 of Fig. 2 serve a similar purpose.
In the construction shown in Fig. 1 the descent of the bell compressing the air
within it causes a slight increase of space within the reservoir, and at the same time
a small quantity of ink is withdrawn to fill the cup. In order to admit the small
quantity of air to fill the increased space of the reservoir and to allow unobstructed
escape of this air when the bell rises again and ink returns from the cup to the well
and yet to close the reservoir against escape of ink should the stand be overturned the
construction shewn in Fig. 3 may be adopted.
In this form there is a socket 23, in which the neck 24 of the tubular stem 6
fits almost closely. In the neck 24 are cut several vertical channels 27 the lower ends
of which are a little above the collar 25, and their upper ends are high enough
to be exposed when the collar 25 bears against the lower surface of the
socket 23.
In this position the channels 27 give no passage to or from the interior, the
collar 25 closing the socket, as the cup is depressed the channels 27 admit the
quantity of air required until when the cup reaches its lowest position the upper
extremities of the channels are within the socket and are closed. When the cup rises
the reverse action takes place, the channels 27 being open during its ascent but
closed just before the collar 25 seats against the under surface of the socket. Thus
in both positions of the cup the stand is practically sealed tight, and no ink can
escape should it be overturned while at the same time channels are provided for the
admission and emission of air every time the cup, is depressed and allowed
to rise.
Referring now to the modified forms shown in Figs. 4, 5, 6 and 7.
The tubular steun 6, has attached to it an elastic collapsible vessel 9, with a com-
paratively rigid but elastic open neck or mouth 11. The collapsible vessel 9 is

page_text: secured on the stem 6 airtight by nuts 12. The stem also carries a washer 14,
hearing against the lower surface of the socket bearing 5 thus closing the reservoir
against accidental escape of ink.
The reservoir 2, being partly filled with ink, the cover is applied submerging or
partly submerging the collapsible bell 9, and producing therein a compression of air
ink rising in the neck 11 far enough to submerge the open end of the tubular
stem 6. The bell 9 under these conditions tends to rise by its own buoyancy, until
the neck 11 is raised from the bottom of the reservoir permitting ink to flow from
the latter into the well 13.
When the cup is pressed downward the neck 11 seats upon the bottom of the
reservoir forming a practically tight joint, which prevents passage of ink. A further
depression of the cup causes partial collapse of the elastic bell 9, compressing the air
therein and forcing ink up the tubular stem 6 into the cup, and the elastic collar 15,
seats upon the bottom of the well and closes the stem, thus retaining ink in the cup
as long as this position of the parts is preserved. The ink may be caused to flow
up to the cup and down from it every time the pen is dipped, or the cup may be
kept charged. To effect this the cap 3 is provided with a set screw 16, having an
eccentric collar, which may be milled, and which, by turning the screw may be
engaged with a collar 17 on the tubular stem. The eccentric edge of the screw while
engages over the collar 17 also pushes it down as the screw is turned thereby
forcing the yielding collar 15 against the bottom of the well and making a tight
joint.
The washer 14 may be applied to the stem 6, as by passing it over corrugation 19*
ou the stem.
Referring now to Figs. 8 9 and 10, the bell 10 descends within the well 13, for a short
distance, but its mouth is above the open end of the tubular stem 6 and does not
make contact with the sides of the well.
Upon the lower end of the tubular stem 6 is fitted a piston diaphragm 19, of a
diameter to fit closely within the well 13, at the same time permitting an un-
obstructed rise and fall of the cup, and a slight degree of vertical play is allowed
to the diaphragm, between the collar at the end of the stem and the mouth of the
bell 10 so that when the cup ascends the bell rises off the diaphragm, as shewn in
Fig. 8 but when the cup descends the mouth of the bell float is seated on the diaphragm
making a close joint with it.
There are openings through the diaphragm as shown by Fig. 10 within the area
enclosed by the open mouth of the bell.
The reservoir 2, being supplied with ink, the pen with a slight downward pressure
in the cup causes it to descend seating the mouth of the bell upon the piston
diaphragm 19, and pushing it down within the well 13. Ink is thus caused to flow
through the holes in the diaphragm, producing a compression of air within the
bell, which forces ink up the tubular stem to the cup. When the pen is removed
from the cup, the bell rises off the diaphragm allowing communication between the
reservoir and the well 13, as shown by the arrows in Fig. 8.
The packing ring on the lower end of the stem 6 may in this construction be
dispensed with.
The well 13 may be lined with suitable material, such as hard rubber, such that
its interior surface can be readily and cheaply polished for the fitting of the piston
diaphragm to it with little friction.
According to the modification shewn in Fig. 9 for the sunk well 13 is substituted
a cup 13 which may be of hard rubber glass or other suitable material fixed to
the bottom of the reservoir. For the piston diaphragm is substituted a valve ring 19
which fits within the cup 13 and overlies passages 20 into the cup from the ink
reservoir. The bell 12 is ground into the cup 17 or otherwise fitted therein in such
manner as to prevent leakage between the cup and the bell.
The reservoir being charged with ink above the top of the cup well 13, upon the
descent of the pen cup and float the ring valve 19 closes the passages 20, and
ink is therefore caused to ascend the tubular stem. As the pen cup rises, a slight

page_text: lift is given the ring valve 19 so that ink can flow to the cup 13, to maintain the
supply.
In the construction shewn in Fig. 9, the cup 4 for the pen moves within an
enlarged socket 21 which is formed in the cover and has an inwardly turned flange 22,
at its upper end. A collar 23, on the tubular stem takes the place of the packing
ring or collar 14 shewn in Fig. 8.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we
claim is :-
1. In a fountain ink-stand, the combination with a suitable reservoir, of a pen
or fountain cup, having a tubular stem which is moveable through the lid of the
reservoir and which carries an open inverted cup, or bell acting as a float and air
compressor, substantially as described with reference to Figs. 1 and 3.
2. In a fountain ink stand of the kind above referred to, the substitution for the
float bell of a piston attached to the stem of the pen cup and operating in combina-
tion with grooves in the sides of the reservoir and with a spring, substantially as
described with reference to Fig. 2.
"
3. In a fountain ink stand of the kind above referred to, the substitution for the
float bell of a collapsible inverted vessel substantially as described with reference to
Figs. 4, 5, 6 and 7.
4. In a fountain ink-stand of the kind above referred to in combination with the
bell float, and a perforated piston diaphragm having limited vertical play upon
the end of the tubular stem, substantially as described with reference to Figs. 8
and 9.
Dated this 15th day of Anvil 1900
ABEL & IMRAY,
Agents for the Applicants.