Improvements in Fountain Pens.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 3rd Feb., 1892
Complete Specification Left, 25th Feb., 1892-Accepted, 16th Apr., 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Fountain Pens.
We HENRY AUGUSTUS WALKE, of Columbus, County of Franklin, State of
Ohio, Manufacturer, and CHARLES DOUGLAS DAVIS of Washington, District of
Columbia, United States of America, Attorney at Law do hereby declare the
nature of this invention to be as follows:-
Figure 1 is an elevation of a pen of the construction.
Figure
a longitudinal central section thereof.
Figure 3 is a transverse section on the line x-x of Figure 2, and
Figure 4 a detail view partly in elevation and partly in section of a section or
part of the air tube I use in my pen. Figs. 5 and 5ª detail views described herein.
Similar letters of reference indicate like parts throughout the several figures.
The holder is, as usual with pens of the class to which the invention pertains,
made in two parts or sections united by a screw-joint at i. The upper longer
section A is made tubular or hollow, and hermetically closed at its upper end, and
the lower section B is likewise made tubular, but is open from end to end.
Contained within the latter section is the lower section E of a two part air-tube,
which section E has the same length as the holder-section containing its and has
such diameter at its upper portion for about one half its length as to tightly fit the
bore of said holder section, while, for the remainder lower half of its length, its
diameter is reduced to form an annular space with the wall of the holder-section B,
in which space is placed the pen point C and the ink conductor D, both of the
usual construction. By flattening the upper, larger portion of the section E, for
its entire length a space d forming an ink duct to convey ink from the reservoir to
the conductor D will be left between such flattened portion and the adjacent
concave interior surface of the holder section B.
For about one third its length from its upper end downward, the air tube
section E has as great diameter internally as can be given it without breaking into
the ink duct d while for the remainder of its length its internal diameter is decreased..
Within the latter and having such diameter as to fit it so tightly as to form a
fractional joint therewith, is the lower end of the other air tube section F, whose
length is such that it projects up into the reservoir fabove the upper end of the
holder section B. The upper end of the section F is closed, but its lower end is.
open. Externally its shape at its lower end for a comparatively short distance,
sufficient however to form a joint as above described, is cylindrical, when its
diameter is abruptly reduced, from which point upward for about one half its
length it is made tapering, gradually increasing in diameter, until it has the same
diameter as the portion forming the joint from which point to its upper end it is
again cylindrical. An opening e perforates the wall of said upper section F, just
above the shoulder formed by its reduction in diameter, through which small
bubbles of air can pass from the interior of said section into the space between it
and the lower section E, thence through such ink as the reservoir may contain into
the space therein above such ink, and relieve the partial vacuum which may exist
in consequence of the outflow of ink.
The operation of my pen as above constructed is as follows: The reservoir f
being filled, and the pen used, ink will pass from said reservoir through the duct d
to the conductor D from which the ink is conveyed in consequence of capillary
attraction and the motion of the pen to the paper. Upon lifting the pen from the
In its
paper and stopping its motion the flow of ink will immediately cease.
passage from the reservoir, when in use the flow of ink is controlled by the two
part air tube E and F, through which, by means of the opening E air is discharged

page_text: in small bubbles into the reservoir. If the ink does not pass to the pen point freely
enough in consequence of the formation of a partial vacuum, the flow will be
expedited by the admission of air into the space in the reservoir above the ink,
while if it flow too freely, the inward passage of air bubbles will tend to check
its flow.
The section F of the air tube is made adjustable in the other section so as to
enable different rates of flow to be effected simply by adjusting said section farther
in the section E, or farther out, so as to change the position of the opening e and to
vary the size of the space around the same. The latter will occur because of the
tapering portion of said section, for, as will be obvious, when raised, the space will
be formed by the walls of the section E and the smallest portion of said section F,
while when lowered, a portion of greater diameter will with said wails, form
the space.
The result upon the flow of ink by lowering the upper section is to produce a
light flow, as by lowering the opening e the air bubbles passing therethrough will
have a longer distance to pass through the body of ink in the reservoir, and there
will be a retardation of said bubbles, while in consequence of the reduction of the
space between the walls of the two sections, as above described, the volume of air
will be diminished as only small bubbles thereof will form and ascend to the space
in the reservoir above the ink, causing, of course, a lighter pressure upon the latter.
By raising the section F, exactly opposite conditions will ensue so that the flow will
be heavier. Owing to the form of connection between the parts E and F, the
adjustment of the latter can readily be effected.
When the quantity of ink in the reservoir is considerably diminished and the
same is nearly empty, with pens as ordinarily made, the outflow of ink increases
owing to the pressure of the large volume of air in the reservoir.
With my pen
this objection is obviated by preventing the too free admission of air to the latter.
This is accomplished by the provision of the large tubular cavity g in the air tube
section E, which forms a cup containing from five to twenty drops of ink apart
from that in the duct b, through which the air bubbles have to pass, before reaching
the reservoir, being thereby retarded, as they would not, were no such cup provided
so that the air could enter the reservoir directly.
It will be seen from the foregoing that the gist of the invention consists in as
perfectly as possible regulating and controlling the admission of air to the ink
reservoir, for as will be readily understood, this is an important factor to be taken
into consideration in making a successfully operating fountain pen.
Besides its important function as an air controlling device, the lower section E
of the air tube, also, together with the lower holder section B operates to provide
means for securing the pen point and conductor in place and in forming the ink
duct d.
Quite an important advantage accruing from the separation and independence of
the ink duct d and the air tube is the fact that foam composed of ink and air cannot
form in the ink duct to obstruct the free outflow therethrough of ink as is the case
in those forms of pens where the outflowing ink and inflowing air have both to use
the same channel or duct.
Besides being most satisfactory in operation the pen is exceedingly simple in
construction, so enabling it to be cheaply made and sold and not liable to get out of
order. Its parts are easily accessible for cleaning and repair should the latter be
necessary.
As shown in Fig. 5, the feed-bar may be formed integral with the lower section
of the air-tube and arranged to bear upon the under side of the pen-point if desired.
Dated this 3rd day of February 1891.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Fountain Pens.
We, HENRY AUGUSTUS WALKE, a citizen of the United States, residing in
Columbus, County of Franklin, State of Ohio, Manufacturer, and CHARLES
DOUGLAS DAVIS, of Washington, District of Columbia, United States of America,
Attorney at Law 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 fountain pens of the class having tubular holders which
constitute reservoirs from which the ink is automatically supplied to the pen point
during the act of writing.
The objects we have had in view have been to produce a pen whose supply of ink
to the point shall be uniform, while in use, and which shall be automatically cut off
and leakage prevented, immediately upon the removal of the pen from the paper;
to so regulate and control the supply of ink to the point that the same may be
increased or diminished at the will of the user so that a greater or less quantity of
ink may be used, as desired, and finally to provide means to prevent too great a
flow when the reservoir is nearly empty, which, with pen as ordinarily constructed,
occurs because of a too free admission of air into the reservoir, so that an excessive
pressure is caused upon the ink therein.
These objects we attain by the pen having the construction, and combination of
parts hereinafter specified and illustrated in the drawings filed with our Provisional
Specification, in which :-
Fig. 1 is an elevation of a pen of the construction.
Fig. 2 a longitudinal central section thereof.
Fig. 3 is a transverse section on the line - of Figure 2, and
Fig. 4 a detail view partly in elevation and partly in section of a section or part
of the air tube we use in the
pen.
Figs. 5 and 5 are detail views described herein.
Similar letters of reference indicate like parts throughout the several figures.
The holder is, as usual with pens of the class to which the invention pertains,
made in two parts or sections united by a screw joint at i. The upper longer
section A is made tubular or hollow, and hermetically closed at its upper end, and
the lower section B is likewise made tubular, but is open from end to end.
Contained within the latter section is the lower section E of a two part air-tube,
which section E has the same length as the holder-section containing it and has
such diameter at its upper portion for about one half its length as to tightly fit the
bore of said holder section, while, for the remainder lower half of its length, its
diameter is reduced to form an annular space with the wall of the holder-section, B,
in which space is placed the pen point C and the ink conductor D, both of the
usual construction. By flattening the upper, larger portion of the section E, for
its entire length a space d forming an ink duct to convey ink from the reservoir to
the conductor D will be left between such flattened portion and the adjacent
concave interior surface of the holder section B.
For about one third its length from its upper end downward, the air tube
section E has as great diameter internally as can be given it without breaking into
the ink duct d while for the remainder of its length its internal diameter is decreased.
Within the latter and having such diameter as to fit it so tightly as to form a
fractional joint therewith, is the lower end of the other air tube section F, whose
length is such that it projects up into the reservoir fabove the upper end of the
holder section B. The upper end of the section F is closed, but its lower end is
open. Externally its shape at its lower end for a comparatively short distance,
sufficient however to form a joint as above described, is cylindrical, when its
diameter is abruptly reduced, from which point upward for about one half its length

page_text: it is made tapering, gradually increasing in diameter, until it has the same diameter
as the portion forming the joint from which point to its upper end it is again
cylindrical. An opening e perforates the wall of said upper section F, just above
the shoulder formed by its reduction in diameter, through which small bubbles of
air can pass from the interior of said section into the space between it and the lower
section E, thence through such ink as the reservoir may contain into the space
therein above such ink, and relieve the partial vacuum which may exist in con-
sequence of the outflow of ink.
The operation of our pen as above constructed is as follows: The reservoir f
being filled, and the pen used ink will pass from said reservoir through the duct d
to the conductor D from which the ink is conveyed in consequence of capillary
attraction and the motion of the pen to the paper. Upon lifting the pen from the
paper and stopping its motion the flow of ink will immediately cease. In its passage
from the reservoir, when in use the flow of ink is controlled by the two-part air
tube E and F, through which, by means of the opening E air is discharged in small
bubbles into the reservoir. If the ink does not pass to the pen point freely enough
in consequence of the formation of a partial vacuum, the flow will be expedited by
the admission of air into the space in the reservoir above the ink, while if it flow
too freely, the inward passage of air bubbles will tend to check its flow.
The section F of the air tube is made adjustable in the other section so as to
enable different rates of flow to be effected simply by adjusting said section farther
in the section E, or farther out, so as to change the position of the opening e and to
vary the size of the space around the same. The latter will occur because of the
tapering portion of said section, for, as will be obvious, when raised, the space will
be formed by the walls of the section E and the smallest portion of said section F,
while when lowered, a portion of greater diameter will with said walls, form the
space.
The result upon the flow of ink by lowering the upper section is to produce a
light flow, as by lowering the opening e the air bubbles passing therethrough will
have a longer distance to pass through the body of ink in the reservoir, and there
will be a retardation of said bubbles, while in consequence of the reduction of the
space between the walls of the two sections, as above described, the volume of air
will be diminished as only small bubbles thereof will form and ascend to the space
in the reservoir above the ink, causing, of course, a lighter pressure upon the latter.
By raising the section F, exactly opposite conditions will ensue so that the flow
will be heavier. Owing to the form of connection between the parts E and F, the
adjustment of the latter can readily be effected.
When the quantity of ink in the reservoir is considerably diminished and the
same is nearly empty, with pens as ordinarily made, the outflow of ink increases
owing to the pressure of the large volume of air in the reservoir. With our pen
this objection is obviated by preventing the too free admission of air to the latter.
This is accomplished by the provision of the large tubular cavity g' in the air tube
section E, which forms a cup containing from five to twenty drops of ink apart from
that in the duct b, through which the air bubbles have to pass, before reaching the
reservoir, being thereby retarded, as they would not, were no such cup provided so
that the air could enter the reservoir directly.
It will be seen from the foregoing that the gist of the invention consists in as
perfectly as possible regulating and controlling the admission of air to the ink
reservoir, for as will be readily understood, this is an important factor to be taken
into consideration in making a successfully operating fountain pen.
Besides its important function as an air controlling device, the lower section E,
of the air tube, also, together with the lower holder section B operates to provide
means for securing the pen point and conductor in place and in forming the ink
duct d.
Quite an important advantage accruing from the separation and independence of
the ink duet d'and the air tube is the fact that foam composed of ink and air cannot
form in the ink duct to obstruct the free outflow therethrough of ink as is the case

page_text: in those forms of pens where the outflowing ink and inflowing air have both to use
the same channel or duct.
Besides being most satisfactory in operation the pen is exceedingly simple in
construction, so enabling it to be cheaply made and sold and not liable to get out
of order. Its parts are easily accessible for cleaning and repair should the latter
be necessary.
As shewn in Fig. 5, the feed bar may be formed integral with the lower section
of the air tube and arranged to bear upon the under side of the pen point if
desired.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what.
we claim is :
1. The combination of a reservoir holder closed at its upper end and open at its
lower end, and having a lower tubular section secured in its open end, an air tube
fitted in this latter section and communicating with the ink reservoir, an independent
ink duct formed between the air tube and holder and leading to the pen-point, and
a pen-point clamped between the air-tube and holder, and a conductor, substantially
as and for the purpose described.
2. The combination in a fountain-pen, of a reservoir holder closed at its upper
end and open at its lower end an air tube fitted in the holder and communicating
with its interior, and another air-tube having its lower open end inserted in the said
air-tube and its upper end extending into the reservoir, an air opening being formed
in this latter tube above its lower end and communicating with the space between
the two air-tubes, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
3. In a fountain-pen the combination of a reservoir-holder an air tube fitted in
the open end of said holder and communicating with its interior, another air tube
having its lower open end fitted adjustably in the said air-tube and its upper closed
end extending into the reservoir, the latter air-tube being provided with an air
opening above its lower end communicating with the reservoir, as and for the
purpose described.
4. In a fountain pen, in combination with a suitable ink reservoir, an air con-
trolling device communicating with the latter consisting of a tube having a bore of
greater and less diameter, and a second tube, secured in the latter part of said bore
and communicating with said bore, substantially as described.
5. In a fountain pen, in combination with a suitable reservoir, an air controlling
device consisting of a tube having a bore greater and less diameter, and a second
tube having a cylindrical portion tightly fitting the less diameter of the bore, and
an abruptly reduced and upwardly tapering portion, and having an opening
communicating with its interior and with the bore of the other section, substantially
as described.
6. In a fountain-pen, the combination of a reservoir holder, an air controlling
device consisting of an air tube inserted in the open end of the holder and com-
municating at its upper end with the reservoir, and another tube having its lower
end open and fitted snugly in the upper end of the other tube and also having a
portion of its body reduced in diameter between its ends, an air-opening being
formed in this latter tube, substantially as described.
7. In a fountain-pen, the combination of a reservoir holder, an air tube fitted in
the open end of the holder and communicating with the reservoir thereof, a cavity g
being formed in its upper end, another air-tube in the first mentioned air-tube,
having its bore in communication with the bottom of said cavity, as and for the
purpose set forth.
8. In a fountain pen, in combination with the two part tubular holder, the air
tube within the lower part of said holder a portion of its length reduced in diameter
to form with the wall of such holder part a space for the reception of the pen point,
substantially as described.
9. In combination with a fountain pen an air controlling device consisting of a

page_text: tube having a bore of greater and less diameter, and a second tube secured
adjustably in the latter part of said tube and communicating with its bore through
a suitable opening, and the air duct formed by flattening the surface of said first
tube, substantially as described.
Dated this 25th day of February 1899
H. A. WALKE,
By L. W., per F. B.
C. D. DAVIS,
By L. W., per F. B.