Improvements in Self-feeding or Fountain Pens.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 18th Aur., 1889
Complete Specification Left. 12th Aug., 1889-Accepted, 14th Sept., 1889
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Self-feeding or Fountain Pens.
I JOHN JAMES RIDGE, M.D. of Carlton House, Baker Street, Enfield Middlesex
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows :-
I use a tubular reservoir to contain ink, one end closed the other open at the
open end are two concentric cylinders one or the other having a longitudinal groove
or slit for the purpose of an airway the central cylinder holds a wick (in accordance
with my patent No. 9346 of 1886) & this conveys ink to a nib which is inserted
between the cylinders or between the outer cylinder & the reservoir: the reservoir or
case may be made of such a size that the outer cylinder may be dispensed with or
may be outside the case. A protecting cap fits on to either end.
11 1000
JOHN JAMES RIDGE.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Self-feeding or Fountain Pens.
I, JOHN JAMES RIDGE, M.D., of Carlton House, Baker Street, Enfield, Middlesex
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:
I take a tube (A Fig. 1) of glass, metal vulcanite or other suitable material, closed
at one end, open at the other, for the purpose of holding a supply of ink. The
open end is closed by a plug composed as follows:-first a piece of vulcanized
india rubber tubing (B fig. 1) about three quarters of an inch in length & fitting the
tube tightly. Inside this is a cylinder of vulcanite or other suitable material which
has a narrow slit or groove, or both, along its whole length, which is about half an
inch, sufficient to admit air into the tube A. A pen-nib (C) is inserted between the
cylinders B & D. Within the cylinder D is a wick of cotton or other suitable
material consisting of sufficient strands to fill or nearly fill the lumen of the cylinder D.
The free end of this wick when wet with ink adheres to the under surface of the nib
& conveys the ink thereto. A cover (F) of metal or other suitable material fits over
the tube A at either end.
Another form is shown in Fig. 2. Here the case (A) is of metal, or other
suitable material. Inside this is placed a glass tube (B) closed at one end, & between
the open end & the case A a pen-nib (C) is inserted. Within the open end of B is
placed a split tube (D) of india rubber or other suitable material, & within this a
wick as in Fig. 1. The tube B & the pen-nib fit in the case A with sufficient
friction to prevent their falling out. A short tube (H) fits over the end of the tube
farthest from the nib & a small cap (G) fits within the projecting part of H & can be
A similar tube fits on the other
removed to see if the glass tube B is empty or not.
end of A but is flush with its end: a cap fits on this to protect the nib & can be
placed on the other end when the pen is in use.
Another form is shown in Fig. 3.. Here the case (A) is of vulcanite or other
suitable material. It is closed at one end; into the other a short tube (B) of vulcanite
or other suitable material fits with a screw-thread. The outside diameter of B is the
same as that of A, but the inner diameter is smaller being of sufficient size to admit
a pen-nib (C) & a tube (D) split or grooved, or both, as in Fig. 1, containing a free
wick (E). The free end of B is bevelled or hollowed out in the interior as shown.

page_text: Having now particularly described & ascertained the nature of my said invention &
in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I claim is :-
1. A free or loose wick consisting of several strands for the purpose of supplying
ink to writing nibs.
2. The removable cylinder or cylinders one of which is split or grooved, or both,
forming with the wick a plug allowing the ink to flow slowly from the reservoir &
the air to enter as required.
3. The bevelled outer cylinder screwed into the reservoir.
4. The combination of all these parts for the purposes of a fountain pen,
substantially as described.
Dated this Tenth day of Angust 1889
JOHN JAMES RIDGE,
Applicant.