IMPROVEMENTS IN INK- STANDS, METALLIC PENS AND PENHOLDERS, AND OTHER INSTRUMENTS AND APPLIANCES USED IN WRITING AND MARKING."AL SPFICATION
Year: 1862

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to George Welcb, of Biriningham, in the County of
Warwick, Manufacturer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN INK-
STANDS, METALLIC PENS AND PENHOLDERS, AND OTHER INSTRUMENTS AND
APPLIANCES USED IN WRITING AND MARKING."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said George Welch at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 14th
August 1862.
I, GEORGE WELCH, of Birmingham, in the County of Warwick, Manufacturer,
do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
INKSTANDS, METALLIC PENS AND PENHOLDERS, AND OTHER INSTRUMENTS AND
APPLIANCES USED IN WRITING AND MARKING," to be as follows:-
In making inkstands according to my Invention, I suspend the ink vessel
by means of a chaiu, or other flexible support, from a tripod stand, the three
supports holding pens. I also combine a date dial and racks for pens on
stands for ink vessels. Where it is wished to have red ink as well as black
ink in the same inkstand, I close the opening by which the black ink is
supplied to the ink vessel by means of a hollow stopper which constitutes the
red ink holder. The ink vessel may either be used with or without a wood or
other frame having a recess to receive pens. When the stand has a handle to
lift it by, the said handle is jointed to the stand, so that it may be turned aside

page_text: to give access to the red ink. I also attach to the wooden or other stand in
which an ink vessel is placed supports for holding pens in a nearly vertical
position, the said supports prevent the pen from inking anything when it is
placed in the inkstand after it has been used, the points of the pens being
either supported over the ink vessel or resting on a piece of wood or other
soft substance.
In making metal pens according to my Invention, I rivet or otherwise fix a
corrugated spring tongue on the back or upper side of the nibs, between which
spring tongue and the pen a largo quantity of ink collects when the pen is
dipped into ink and is delivered to the point of the pen as required when the
pen is being used. Or instead of the said corrugated spring tongue, a coil of
wire may be fixed on the concave side of the pen with the same effect. The
corrugated spring tongue and coil may be used in combination when the pen
is held in an ordinary holder.
.
In making penholders according to my Invention, I indicate upon the barrel
of the holder the places at which the thumb and two fingers should be placed
in writing, the said places being indicated either by roughening, or impressing,
or engraving, the other parts being left plain, or by leaving the said places
plain, and roughening, impressing, or engraving the other portions. The barrel
of the penholder may be made to slide on an ever-pointed pencil case, so that
by sliding the said barrel upon the pencil case, the point of the pencil may be
exposed and the pencil may be used for writing, and the point of the pen
protected. The other end of the pencil case may have a piece of india-rubber
fixed on it, and have a sliding cap for covering and uncovering the india-
rubber. An ordinary blacklead pencil may be used in place of an ever-pointed
pencil case.
For a penholder for the pocket I cause the pen to be propelled out of and
drawn into the holder by means of a tube within the holder, the said tube
having an oblique or helical slot, in which a stud connected with the piece
carrying the pen engages, the said stud also engaging in a straight longitudinal
slot in the holder. By giving a rotatory motion to the said tube, the pen may
be moved out of or drawn into the holder.
My said Invention consists further in making a pen wiper and retainer of
a series of about three sheet metal springs arranged nearly in the form of an
inverted hollow cone. The said springs are covered at their lower ends with
cloth or other absorbent material. When a pen has been used it may be
introduced into the hollow cone, and on being withdrawn it is wiped free from
ink. Or the pen may be left in the wiper till wanted again. The wiper may
be conveniently attached to a letter weight. The conical springs described

page_text: may be inserted in an inkstand, and thus constitute à retainer, which prevents
the
pen
from being struck against the bottom of the inkstand, and also prevents
it from taking up too much ink.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said George Welch in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
10th February 1863.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, GEORGE
WELCH, of Birmingham, in the County of Warwick, Manufacturer, send
greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Fourteenth day of August, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-two, in the twenty-sixth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the
said George Welch, Her special licence, that I, the said George Welch,
my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said
George Welch, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any
time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter
during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use,
exercise, and vend within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN INKSTANDS, METALLIC PENS AND PENHOLDERS, AND OTHER INSTRUMENTS
AND APPLIANCES USED IN WRITING AND MARKING," upon the condition (amongst
others) that I, the said George Welch, my executors or administrators, by
an instrument in writing under my, or their, or one of their hands and
seals, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said Inven-
tion, and in what manner the same was to be performed, and cause the
same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar
months next and immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
•
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said George Welch, do hereby declare; the
nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed,
to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following state-
ment thereof, that is to say :-
My Invention consists of the improvements herein-after described and
illustrated in the accompanying Drawings, in inkstands, metallic pens and pen-
holders, and other instruments and appliances used in writing and marking.
In making inkstands according to my Invention, I suspend the ink vessel by

page_text: means of a chain or other flexible support form a tripod stand, the three
supports holding pens. I also combine a date dial and racks for pens on stands
for ink vessels. Where it is wished to have red ink as well as black ink in
the same inkstand, I close the opening by which the black ink is supplied to
the ink vessel by means of a hollow stopper which constitues the red ink holder,
The ink vessel may either be used with or without a wood or other frame,
having a recess to receive pens. When the stand has a handle to lift it by, the
said handle is jointed to the stand, so that it may be turned aside to give access
to the red ink. I also attach to the wooden or other stand in which an ink
vessel is placed, supports for holding pens in a nearly vertical position; the said
supports prevent the pen from inking anything when it is placed in the inkstand
after it has been used, the points of the pens being either supported over the
ink vessel or resting on a piece of wood or other soft substance. I also make
inkstands of two concentric tubular vessels, in the interior of which the ink
vessel is situated. Access to the ink vessel is obtained by openings in the
cylindrical vessels, which openings can be made to coincide or not at pleasure.
In making metallic pens according to my Invention, I rivet or otherwise
fix a corrugated spring tongue on the back or upper side of the nibs, between
which spring tongue and the pen a large quantity of ink collects when the pen
is dipped into ink and is delivered to the point of the pen as required when the
pen is being used. Or instead of the said corrugated spring tongue, a coil of
wire may be fixed on the concave side of the pen with the same effect. Or sido
flaps may be turned inside the pen, between which and the concave side of the
pen a large quantity of ink collects. The corrugated spring tongue and coil
may be used in combination when the pen is held in an ordinary holder.
In making penholders, according to my Invention, I indicate upon the barrel
of the holder the places at which the thumb and two fingers should be placed
in writing, the said places being indicated either by roughening, or impressing,
or engraving, the other parts being left plain, or by leaving the said places
plain, and roughening, impressing, or engraving the other portions; or I cut
out or pierce parts of the holder at the places where the thumb and fingers
should be placed in writing. The barrel of the penbolder may be made to
slide on an ever-pointed pencil case; the point of the pencil may be exposed,
and the pencil be used for writing and the point of the pen protected. The
other end of the pencil case may have a piece of india-rubber fixed on it, and
have a sliding cap for covering and uncovering the india-rubber. An ordinary
black-lead pencil or penholder handle or stick may be used in place of an ever-
pointed pencil case,
For a pen or pencil holder for the pocket I cause the pen or pencil to be

page_text: propelled out of and drawn into the holder by means of a tube within the
holder, the said tube having an oblique or helical slot, in which a stud con
nected with the piece carrying the pen or pencil engages, the said stud also
engaging in a straight longitudinal slot in the holder. By giving a rotatory
motion to the said tube the pen or pencil may be moved out of or drawn into
the holder.
My Invention consists further in making a pen wiper and retainer of a
series of about three sheet metal springs, arranged nearly in the form of an
inverted hollow cone. The said springs are covered at their lower ends with
cloth or other absorbent material. When a pen has been used it may be
introduced into the hollow cone, and on being withdrawn it is wiped free from
ink; or the pen may be left in the wiper till wanted again. The wiper may
be conveniently attached to a letter weight. The conical springs described
may be inserted in an inkstand, and thus constitute a retainer which prevents
the pen from being struck against the bottom of the inkstand, and also
prevents it from taking up too much ink. I also construct pen retainers and
wipers in such a manner that the pen is held in a vertical position between
a yielding or spring surface and a fixed surface; or between two yielding or
spring surfaces.
Ilaving explained the nature of my Invention, I will proceed to describe,
with reference to the accompanying Drawings, the manner in which the same
is to be performed.
Figure 1 represents in elevation an inkstand made according to my Inven-
tion. The said inkstand consists of a tripod stand a, b, c, to which the
perforated metal cup d is suspended by a chain e. In the said metal cup d
the ink vessel g fits. Each of the supports a, b, c, of the tripod stand has a
hollow projecting piece f on it, into which a pen can be inserted and held in a
nearly vertical position, as represented. Or the metal cup & may be made
without a handle, and supported from the tripod by three chains.
d
Figure 2 represents, in front elevation, a combined inkstand, date dial, and
racks for pens, made according to my Invention. The combined instrument
consists of a base or foundation plate h supported on feet. In front of the
foundation plate h is a depression in which the ink vessel i is placed. At the back
of the plate h of the instrument the date dial k is fixed. On either side of the
foundation plate h, and near the front thereof, a rack / is supported, and at the
back, and nearly in the same plane as the date dial k; two other racks similar
to the racks l, l, are fixed: On the said racks pens can be placed and supported
horizontally. I prefer to make the combined instrument wholly of metal
except the ink vessel i.

page_text: Figure 3 represents, in front elevation, an inkstand for black and red inks
made according to my Invention. This inkstand consists of a cylinder m,
having a dipping cup n, n, at each end. The said cylinder m constitutes a
reservoir for the black ink, which is supplied to the dipping cups n, n. The
opening at o at the top of the cylinder m, by which the said cylinder is supplied
with ink is closed by means of a hollow stopper p, which constitutes the red
ink holder. The parts m, n, and p may either be supported on the stand 9,
having recesses for receiving pens, or they may be used without any stand.
The stand 9 may either have a handle at either end or a handle in the centre
to lift it by; in the latter case the said handle is jointed to the stand, and is
turned aside to give access to the red ink vessel p.
Figures 4 and 5 represent, in elevation and plan respectively, another
inkstand made according to my Invention. This inkstand resembles that
represented in Figure 3, excepting that no red ink vessel is used therewith,
the opening in the reservoir m, through which the ink is supplied being in this
case covered by a sliding tube r, the said tube carrying at its top a plate s,
having recesses or corrugations in its upper surface, in which pens can be
placed, as represented in Figure 5. The said tube r is open jointed, and clips
with a gentle pressure the cylinder m. When the cylinder or reservoir m
requires a supply of ink or cleaning, the tube r is moved along the said
reservoir so as to uncover the opening therein, and is afterwards restored to the
position represented.
Figure 6 represents in elevation, and Figure 7 in plan, another inkstand
constructed according to my Invention. It consists of two concentric
cylindrical vessels t, u, the outer one t being fixed to the support v, and the
inner one u being capable of rotating. The ink vessel w is situated in the
centre of the tubular vessels. In the front of the fixed tubular vessel t, an
opening 2 is made, and a similar opening is also made in the inner tubular
vessel u. When the parts are in the respective positions represented, the
openings in the tubular vessels coincide, and access to the ink vessel can be
obtained, but by turning the inner vessel u part of a revolution, the uncut part
of the said vessel u comes opposite to and closes the opening in the outer
vessel t, and access to the ink vessel is thereby prevented. The inner vessel u
is turned by means of a rod y rising from it, the said rod having a milled head
or button at its top. By this arrangement the thickening of the ink caused
by evaporation, and the entry of dust is more or less prevented. I fix in the
upper part of the outer vessel t a series of retainers and wipers marked 2, 2,
for wiping.and supporting pens 3 in a nearly vertical position. These retainers
and wipers are herein-after more fully explained.

page_text: My improvements in metallic pens are illustrated in Figures 8, 9, 10, 11, 12,
and 13 of the Drawings. Figure 8 represents in front elevation, and Figure 9
in side elevation, a metallic pen with one of my improvements applied thereto;
Figure 10 represents in front elevation, and Figure 11 in side elevation, the
pen separately. 5 is the pen, on the back or upper side of the nibs of which
a corrugated spring tongue 6 is fixed, the said tongue having the curvature
represented. The spring tongue 6 is fixed to the pen by its upper end being
passed through and clinched upon a raised bar 7 on the back of the
When the pen is dipped into ink, a large quantity collects between the back
of the pen 5 and corrugated tongue 6, which ink is delivered to the point of the
pen as required in writing. In place of the tongue 6 a coil of wire 8, as
represented in Figure 12, may be fixed on the concave side of the pen. The
corrugated spring tongue 6 and coil 8 may be used in combination when the
pen is held in an ordinary holder.
pen.
Figure 13 represents in back elevation and section another fountain pen
made according to my Invention. In this pen side flaps or pieces 10, 10, arc
turned back nearly against the under or concave side of the pen, and form
channels (see the sectional view), in which a quantity of ink collects, which is
supplied to the point of the pen as required.
My improvements in guide penholders are illustrated in Figures 14,
15, 16, 17, 18, 19, and 20 of the Drawings. Figure 14 represents in
front and side elevation the barrel or metal part of a penholder of the kind
described made according to my Invention, and Figure 15 represents the
blank from which the barrel, Figure 14, is made; Figure 16 represents the
said barrel fixed upon a stick or handle. In the said barrel or holder,
Figure 14, elliptical piercings or openings 11, 12, 13, are made at the places
where the thumb and two fingers should be placed in writing. When the
holder is placed upon the stick or handle 14, Figure 16, portions of the said
handle are exposed through the said piercings 11, 12, 13, and thus the proper
positions for the thumb and fingers on the holder in writing readily obtained.
Instead of piercing the holder, as described, the positions for the thumb and
fingers may be indicated only on the holder. This I effect either by
roughening the holder at the proper places, as represented in Figure 17, or by
chequering, as represented in Figure 18, or by engraving or impressing, as
represented in Figure 19, the other parts of the holder being left plain. Or
the said places may be left plain, and the other portions roughened, impressed,
engraved, or ornamented, as illustrated in Figure 20.
My improvements in sliding penholders, combined penholders and pencils,
and combined penholders, pencils, and india-rubber are illustrated in Figures

page_text: 21, 22, 23, 24, and 25 of the Drawings. Figure 21 represents in side
elevation a combined penholder, pencil, and india-rubber constructed accord-
ing to this part of my Invention, the pen being in a position for writing; and
Figures 22 and 23 represent other elevations of the same, shewing the point
of the pencil exposed for writing. The stick or handle 15 is an ordinary,
pencil, and the penholder 16 is an open-jointed tubular holder, which is
sprung upon the pencil or handle 15, but is capable of being readily moved
upon the pencil or handle, and fixed in the position in which it is placed.
The sliding of the holder 16 into either of the positions represented in Figures
21, 22, and 28, is effected by a gentle pressure of the fingers. When in the
position Figure 21 the pen can be used, the point of the pencil being protected,
and when in the position Figure 22 and 23 the pencil can be used, the point of
the pen lying flat upon the pencil or handle, and thus preventing it from injuring
the band. At the opposite end of the pencil 15 to that at which the penholder
is situated a piece of india-rubber 17 is fixed, the said rubber being held in a
spring metal tip 18 by a rivet 19, the said metal tip being fixed on the end of
the pencil by springing it thercon. A sliding cap may be used for covering
and uncovering the india-rubber 17. Instead of an ordinary blacklead pencil,
as represented in Figures 21, 22, and 23, 'an ever-pointed pencil case may be
used with the sliding holder, as represented in Figure 24, or a short solid
stick may be used with the sliding holder, to enable it to be carried in the
pocket, as represented in Figure 25. The sliding holder 16 and tip 18 for
holding the india-rubber may be combined with an ordinary penholder handle
or stick.
Figures 26, 27, 28, and 29 represent a rotary penholder for the pocket
constructed according to my Invention; Figure 26 being an elevation, the
pen being drawn into the holder; Figure 27 is the same, partly in section, the
pen being propelled from the holder; and Figure 28 is the same, with a
portion removed, the pen being drawn into the holder; Figure 29 represents
a portion of the same. This penholder consists of two tubes, 20, 21, the inner
tube 21 having an oblique or helical slot 22 made in it, the said tube being
capable of rotating, and the outer tube or case 20 having a straight longi-
tudinal slot 28 made in it, the said tube or case 20 having no rotation with
respect to the pen. The tube 21 has a cap 24 at top, and a nozzle 25 at
bottom, the said cap and nozzle bearing respectively against the top and
bottom of the outer tube or case 20. The pen 26 is carried by the tubular
piece 27 (shewn separately in Figure 29), a stud 28 on the said piece engaging
in the oblique or helical slot 22 in the inner tube, and also engaging in the
straight longitudinal slot 23 in the outer tube or case 20. By the engage-

page_text: ment of the stud 28 in the straight slot 23 the rotation of the piece 27 carrying
the pen is prevented. By giving a rotary motion to the tube 21 by turning
the cap 24, the stud 28 is carried along the helical slot 22, and made to rise
or fall in the longitudinal slot 23, and the pen is thereby moved out of or
drawn into the holler. For a pencil holder an ever-pointed pencil is used in
place of the pen and tubular piece carrying it, Figure 29. In this case the
slot 22 may be so short as to pass not quite once round the tube 21.
My improvements in pen wipers and retainers are illustrated in Figures 6,
30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, and 36 of the Drawings. Figure 30 represents in
elevation and plan one form of pen wiper and retainer constructed according
to my Invention. This pen wiper and retainer is made of a series of four
sheet metal springs 29, arranged nearly in the form of an inverted hollow
cone. The said springs 29 may be covered at their lower ends with cloth or
other absorbent material. When a pen has been introduced into the hollow
cone, as illustrated in Figure 6, on being withdrawn it is wiped free from ink;
or the pen may be left in the retainer till wanted. One or a series of the
retainers, Figure 80, may be supported in an ink vessel, so as to prevent the
pen from being struck against the bottom of the iuk vessel, and from taking
up too much ink. Or a series of the said retainers may be arranged in
recesses in the base of an inkstand. Or they may be attached to a wooden or
other stand in which an ink vessel is placed, the said retainers preventing tho
pen from inking anything after use. The points of the pens in the retainers
may either be supported over the ink vessel or rest on a piece of wood or
other substance.
Figure 31 represents in plan another form of pen wiper and retainer con-
structed according to my Invention. In this form of my Invention the
retainers and wipers are arranged radially on a circular disc; 30, 30, are
helical springs pressing outwards curved plates 31 carried by the said springs.
The springs work on guide rods 32 fixed in a central boss 33. Opposite each
of the said plates 31 a fixed curved plate 34 is situated. The said fixed
plates 34 are secured to the inner edge of the disc. By introducing a pen
between the two plates 31 and 34 the plate 31 is pressed inwards, and the
belical spring 30 compressed, the elasticity of the said spring retaining the pen
securely in an upright position. The disc is covered by a plate, openings
being left for the entrance of pens, and the said disc may be supported on a
foot of the form represented in Figure 33.
Figure 32 represents in plan a modification of the wiper and retainer,
Figure 31; and Figure 33 is an elevation of the same. In this modification
the retainers and wipers consist of springs 35, having the form represented,

page_text: into the outer or widest loop of which springs the pens are inserted and held
in an upright position by the elasticity of the said springs. The inner ends of
the springs are fastened to the centre of the disc. The disc of the retainers
or wipers, Figure 32, is supported on a foot 36, Figure 33.
Figure 34 represents in end elevation, and Figure 85 in plan, another form
of retainer and wiper made according to my Invention; Figure 36 is a side
elevation of a portion of the same. To the block or support 37 a piece 38
having a series of semicircular projections 39 made on its face is fixed. To
the front of the said semicircular projections 39 a series of flat springs 40
having at their summits plates 41 of a curved figure are fixed, each of the
said curved. plates 41 being opposite a semicircular projection 39. The
concave side of the curved plates 41 is presented to the convex surface of the
projections 39, as represented in Figure 35. On introducing a pen between
the projection 39 and curved plate 41, the said curved plate is forced outwards,
and the pen is held securely in an upright position by the elastic plate 41
holding it between itself and the projection 39. The pen wipers and retainers
may be used alone, or be combined with an inkstand or writing desk; or
they may be used as paper weights.
Having now described the nature of my Invention, and the manner in
which the same is to be performed, I wish it to be understood that I do not
limit myself to the precise details herein described and represented, as the
same may be varied without departing from the nature of my Invention; but
I claim as my Invention,――
Firstly, the improvements in inkstands, or combined inkstands and pen
supports, herein-before described and illustrated in Figures 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7
of the accompanying Drawings.
Secondly, combining or arranging a date dial, inkstand, and racks for pens,
in the manner herein-before described and illustrated in Figure 2 of the
accompanying Drawings.
Thirdly, the improvements in fountain pens, herein-before described and
illustrated in Figures 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13 of the accompanying Drawings.
Fourthly, the improvements in guide penholders, or penholders on which
the proper places for the thumb and fingers are made, herein-before described
and illustrated in Figures 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, and 20 of the accompanying
Drawings.
Fifthly, the improvements in sliding penholders, combined penholder and
pencil, and combined penholder, pencil, and india-rubber, herein-before
described and illustrated in Figures 21, 22, 23, 24, and 25 of the ac-
companying Drawings.

page_text: Sixthly, combining or arranging the parts of a pen or pencil holder for the
pocket, in the manner herein-before described and illustrated in Figures 26,
27, 28, and 29 of the accompanying Drawings.
Lastly, the improvements in pen wipers and retainers or supporters, herein-
before described and illustrated in Figures 6, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 85, and 36
of the accompanying Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said George Welch, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Seventh day of February, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-three.
Witness,
RICHARD SKERRETT,
Clerk to George Shaw,
Birmingham.
GEORGE WELCH. (L.S.)