Year: 1886

page_text: Date of Application, 2nd Nov., 1886
Complete Left, 2nd Sept., 1887
Complete Accepted, 2nd Dec., 1887
I, SAMUEL AUGUSTINE DE NORMANVILLE of 26 Gloucester Road, Kensington in the
county of Middlesex, Gentleman do hereby declare the nature of this Invention to be
as follows:
The object of my invention is the construction of an improved fountain or reservoir
pen, in which certain objections, more or less attendant on such pens as heretofore
usually constructed, are overcome.
Such objections consist mainly :-first, in the formation of a dry space at or near
the end of the writing point, when a pen is not in use, which causes difficulty in
commencing to write. (This difficulty arises principally in those pens making use of
a flexible nib, from the necessity of allowing the points of the nib to project beyond
the actual ink containing parts of the instrument), secondly in, the necessity for the
use of a separate instrument for filling the reservoir; and thirdly in the want of some
effective means of dealing with the overflow of ink caused by expansion of the
contained air, due to increase of temperature.
The principal parts of my improved fountain or reservoir pen are, an elastic
reservoir enclosed in a tube or case, an ink supply tube, a writing nib, a cap to retain
an overflow of ink, an outer hood or cover to protect the nib when not in use, and in
certain cases a short wire within the writing nib and supply tube.
The outer case is a thin tube closed at one end. A tubular elastic reservoir, also
closed at one end, is contained within the said outer case. A small hole may be
provided in the outer case to allow for the passage of air on inserting or withdrawing
the said reservoir.
An ink supply tube is securely fixed within the open end of the elastic reservoir
preferably by a metallic collar, serving a purpose hereinafter mentioned.
The pen proper, which forms one of the principal features of my invention, is
formed of two half tubes, each of semi-circular section and of equal or parallel
dimensions for part of their length, but tapered to a point for the remaining part, so
that when these two half tubes are brought together they form an enclosed tube,
having a cylindrical part, which fits securely into the aforesaid ink supply tube and a
D
017

page_text: conical part tapering to a point, consisting of two independent members, which form
the actual writing nibs. A shoulder, or other device, may be provided within the
supply tube or upon the aforesaid half tubes to prevent the latter being pushed too
far into the former. Such nibs, as at present described, would possess little or no
elasticity and no separating movement. To provide this elasticity, and separating
movement in the nibs when writing, I cut a transverse slot into the said half tubes at
right angles to their longitudinal plane of conjunction, and at or about the termination
of the conical and commencement of the cylindrical part. This slot is of such width
and depth as to leave intact in each piece a short slip of curved section of sufficient
length and narrowness to give the required elasticity, the chords of the said curved
slips being so inclined to each other as to give, the aforesaid required separating
movement when writing.
A tubular cap fits into the open end of the outer case, which abuts against a
shoulder or other device thereon.
The reservoir, by means of the aforesaid collar, fits, (but not airtight) into the
inner end of the said cap, the nibs projecting through an opening in the outer end of
the same so formed as to fit around them with moderate tightness, and the length of
the
cap
is such that the aforesaid slot is just within it.
A short wire having its end bent round, is pushed into the supply tube as far as
the commencement of the reservoir and held therein by the spring of its bent end,
the other end of the wire is contained within the nibs and reaches nearly to the
writing point. A protecting hood or cover is fitted over the nibs when not in use,
such cover being fitted on the other end of the pen when writing, after the method
usually adopted in reservoir pens.
A perforation for the escape of air is provided in this cover, preferably in the side
of same at such a point that it is closed by the advancing edge of the overflow cap
just as the cover is pushed fully home.
The action of the apparatus is as follows:-To fill the pen the overflow cap with the
pen and reservoir attached is taken from the case and the cap removed from the
reservoir, the nibs are dipped into ink submerging the aforesaid slot, the reservoir
squeezed and then released, when the ink will rise therein, as will be well understood.
Reservoir pens have heretofore been constructed with elastic reservoirs to be
filled in this manner, and I therefore lay no separate claim to such particular action.
When the reservoir is filled the cap is replaced and both returned to the case, and
the pen is ready for use.
The aforesaid slot not only furnishes the nibs with the required elasticity, but it
forms the opening for admission of air to the reservoir to supply the place of ink
withdrawn in writing.
The ink is supplied to the nib points by the pressure of the column extending from
the said points to the aforesaid slot and air hole. As soon as this column is slightly
reduced in height an air bubble enters the slot and rises to the top of the reservoir,
while an equivalent amount of ink descends. The air finds its way to the air hole in
sufficient quantities through the perforation at the upper end of the case and through
the various joints, which should not fit too tightly.
The use of the before mentioned wire, which should lie against one side of the tube
is to provide angular capillary passages to ensure the descent of the ink without at
any time interfering with the ascent of an air bubble. Ink always remains in the
extreme point between the nibs sufficient to commence writing and coming into
immediate contact with the paper ensures certainty in starting without shaking,
jerking, or moistening the point. This result cannot be attained in any pen having a
separate ink tube or conductor apart from the nibs as such must necessarily stop short
of the extreme point of the pen.
When the air in the reservoir becomes heated some ink may be expelled from the
slot, but will remain in the overflow cap, until from contraction of the air it is drawn
again into the reservoir, or if the pen is in use, such ink will flow down into the nibs.
In any case no ink can escape from the pen and cause annoyance by soiling the
fingers, or pocket or interior of the cover.

page_text: While still adhering to the essential principles of my invention as above described,
I may modify the construction of my improved pen in several ways. Thus for
example, when the writing nibs are circular, I may make them project eccentrically
from the holder, so that the correct way of holding the instrument will be manifest
thereby, or I may make the split tube and nibs of a semicircular (instead of circular)
section when placed together with the flat side underneath towards the paper, or of a
flattened triangular form in section, or of a square, or diamond, or lozenge form in
section. In all such cases the half tubes will be slotted across in such manner that
the portions left uncut will have their planes (if plane) or their chords (if of curved
section) inclined to each other in the manner and for the purposes before described.
In the case of tubes of angular section the short wire aforesaid may be dispensed
with, as the internal angles of the tube and nibs form capillary passages for the
descent of the ink, the air bubbles passing up in the centre.
The nibs may be merely split for the bending and separating movement and an
airhole provided separately, instead of combining both these functions in the aforesaid
slot, and such splits may be either parallel with the main division or transverse, or a
combination of these, so long as the nibs are left supported on flexible slips of suitable
elasticity and inclined to each other as before described; or the conical or tapering
portions of the nibs may be formed separately with flexible tail pieces to secure them
by any suitable means in proper position relatively to the end of the ink supply tube.
The main advantages of my improved pen may be summarized as follows: On
account of the peculiar form of the nibs they are always kept wet to the extreme ends,
so that the pen starts writing at once as before described. The pen may be laid or
carried in any position without fear of an escape of ink, while it can be readily filled
without soiling the fingers. There are no valves requiring to be opened before
using and liable to clog or get out of order and the pen is easily cleaned by dipping
the nibs in water and squeezing the elastic reservoir a few times, while the interior of
the actual writing portion is readily accessible.
Dated this 1st day of November 1886.
AMBROSE MYALL, C.E.,
Agent for the Applicant.

page_text: I, SAMUEL AUGUSTINE DE NORMANVILLE of 26 Gloucester Road, Kensington, in
the county of Middlesex, Gentleman, 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 :-
The object of my invention is the construction of an improved fountain or reservoir
pen, in which certain objections, more or less attendant on such pens as heretofore
usually constructed, are overcome.
Such objections consist mainly ;-first, in the formation of a dry space at or near
the end of the writing point, when a pen is not in use, which causes difficulty in
commencing to write; this difficulty arises principally in those pens making use of a
flexible nib, from the necessity of allowing the points of the nib to project beyond
the actual ink containing parts of the instrument; secondly, in the necessity for the
use of a separate instrument for filling the reservoir; and thirdly, in the want of some
effective means of dealing with the overflow of ink caused by expansion of the
contained air, due to increase of temperature.
The principal parts of my improved fountain or reservoir pen, are, an elastic
reservoir enclosed in a tube or case, an ink supply tube, a writing nib, a cap to
retain an overflow of ink, an outer hood or cover to protect the nib when not in use,
and in certain cases, a short wire within the writing nib and supply tube, but I do
not necessarily combine the whole of these parts in the same pen as will be herein-
after explained.
In the accompanying two sheets of drawings, Fig. 1 is a longitudinal section, about
twice the actual size of a pen, constructed according to one method of carrying out
my invention, and with the nib exposed for use, Fig. 2 is an external view of the pen
when closed; Figs. 3 and 4, represent respectively, to an enlarged scale, an end
view of the writing nib, and a cross-section of the same through the line a a in
Fig. 1.
Fig. 5 is a longitudinal section of a pen constructed according to my invention, in
a modified form, and Figs. 6, 7 and 8, represent respectively, to an enlarged scale,
an end view of the form of writing nib used in such modified pen, a cross section of
the same through the line 6 6 in Fig. 5, and a plan of the upper side.
Figs. 9 to 15 represent views, to about twice the natural size, of nibs shewing
further modifications in form, and Figs. 16 and 17 are detached views of the nozzle K
in Fig. 5.
Similar letters of reference are used to denote similar or corresponding parts
throughout the figures.
Referring to figs. 1. 2. 3 and 4. the outer case is a thin tube A, closed at one end.
A tubular elastic reservoir B, also closed at one end, is contained within the case A.
A small hole A¹ may be provided in the case A to allow for the passage of air on
inserting or withdrawing the reservoir B. An ink supply tube is securely fixed
within the open end of the reservoir B. The pen proper, which is one of the principal

page_text: features of my invention, is formed of two members D, D¹, each consisting of a half-
tube of semi-circular section and of equal or parallel dimensions for the greater part
of their length, but tapered to a point for the remaining part, so that when these
two half tubes are brought together they form an enclosed tube, having a cylindrical
part which fits securely into the tube C, and a conical part E, tapering to a point,
consisting of two independent members, which form the actual writing nibs.
A ledge F is provided in the tube C to prevent the nibs D, D', being pushed too
far into the tube C, but a shoulder may be formed on the nibs, or any other suitable
device employed, to effect the same purpose.
The nibs D, D', as at present described, would possess little or no elasticity and no
separating movement, when writing.
To provide these requirements, I cut a transverse slot H into the half tubes D, D¹,
at right angles to their longitudinal plane of conjunction. This slot is of such width
and depth as to leave intact in each piece, a short slip J, J', of curved section, of
sufficient length and width to give the required elasticity, and the chords of the said
curved slips, as represented by dotted lines in Fig. 4, being inclined to each other, the
aforesaid required separating movement, when writing, is obtained in a manner well
understood in the construction of writing nibs.
The removable end K of the case A has the end of reservoir B, containing the
tube C, fitted into it, and a tubular cap L, fits into the outer end of the piece K, a
shoulder L' being formed on the said cap to abut against the edge of the piece K, the
nibs D, D project through an opening in the outer end of the said cap L, so formed
as to fit around them with moderate tightness, and the length of the cap is such, that
when pushed in to the shoulder L, as shewn, the slot H is just within it.
A short wire M, having its end bent round, is pushed into the tube C, as far as the
commencement of the reservoir B, and held therein by the spring of its bent end,
the other end of the wire is contained within the nibs D, D', and reaches below the
slot H.
A protecting hood, or cover, N, is fitted over the nibs when not in use, as shewn in
Fig. 2, such cover being fitted on the other end of the pen when writing, as shewn in
Fig. 1 after the method usually adopted in reservoir pens. A perforation N¹ for the
escape of air, is provided in this cover, preferably on the side of same at such a point
that it is closed by the advancing edge of K, just as the cover is pushed fully home.
The action of the apparatus is as follows: to fill the pen the piece K, with the
nibs D, D', cap L and reservoir B attached, is taken from the case A and the cap L
removed, the nibs are dipped into ink, submerging the slot H, the reservoir squeezed
and then released, when the ink will rise therein, in a manner well understood.
Reservoir pens have heretofore been constructed with elastic reservoirs to be filled in
this manner, and I therefore lay no separate claim to such particular action.
When the reservoir is filled, the cap L is replaced, and the reservoir &c. returned
to the case A, and the pen ready for use.
The slot H, not only furnishes the nibs D, D', with the required elasticity, but it
forms the opening for admission of air to the reservoir B to supply the place of ink
withdrawn in writing. The ink is supplied to the nib points by the pressure of the
column extending from the said points to the slot H.
As soon as this column is slightly reduced in height, by the action of writing, an
air bubble enters the slot and rises to the top of the reservoir, while an equivalent
amount of ink descends. The air finds its way to the opening H through a perfora-
tion P in the piece K.
The use of the wire M, which should lie against one side of the tube C, is to
provide angular capillary passages to ensure the descent of the ink, without interfering
with the ascent of an air bubble.
When the air in the reservoir becomes heated, some ink may be expelled from the
slot H, but will remain in the cap L, until from contraction of the air it is drawn
again into the reservoir, or if the pen is in use, such ink will flow down into the nibs.
In any case no ink can escape from the pen and cause annoyance by soiling the
fingers, or pocket, or interior of the cover N. If desired the writing nibs D, D¹, may
.

page_text: be made to project eccentrically from the cap L, instead of centrally as shewn, so that
the correct way of holding the instrument will be manifest thereby.
In the modified form of pen shewn in Figs. 5, 6, 7 and 8, the apparatus, though
still adhering to the essential principles of my invention, as above described, is
simplified in construction, the elastic reservoir B, being dispensed with, while the nibs
resemble in appearance an ordinary writing nib. The case A forms the ink reservoir,
it is closed at the upper end and has a tubular nozzle K screwed into the lower end,
this nozzle carries the overflow cap L, and has the ink supply tube C fitted into it,
which carries the nibs D, D¹; a ledge is provided to prevent the nibs being pushed
too far into the tube C, but a shoulder may be formed on the nibs instead, if preferred.
The cap L may abut against a ledge L or may be provided with an external shoulder,
as shewn in Fig. 1. The nibs when placed together form a closed semicircle in
cross-section, as shewn in Figs. 6 and 7, for the greater part of their length, while
the outer end is the same shape as an ordinary nib (as shewn clearly in Figs. 5 and 8),
with the exception that it forms a closed chamber up to the extreme point. The
reservoir A is filled by unscrewing the nozzle K, and pouring in ink, with this
exception, the node of using the instrument and its novel action are precisely the
same as that described in connection with the pen shewn in Figs. 1. 2. 3 and 4.
In practice I prefer the form of nibs shown in Figs. 5, 6, 7 and 8, and such nibs
may advantageously he fitted to the previously described pen, but I may make the
split tube and nibs of a flattened triangular form in section, or of a diamond, or
lozenge form in section. In all such cases the half tubes will be slotted across in such
manner, that the portions left uncut, will have their planes (if plane) or their chords
(if of cuved section) inclined to each other in the manner and for the purposes before
described.
Fig. 9 is a cross section through the slot H, Fig. 10 is a side elevation and Fig. 11
a plan of a nib of flattened triangular form, its principles of construction being
identical with those previously shewn and described.
The nibs may be merely split for the bending and separating movement and an air-
hole provided separately, instead of combining both these functions in a slot H, and
such splits may be either parallel with the main division, or transverse, or a combina-
tion of these, as long as the chambered nibs are left supported on flexible slips of
suitable elasticity, and inclined to each other, as before described.
Fig. 12 is a plan of the top, and Fig. 13 a plan of the underside of a nib, having
parallel longitudinal slits h, h, on the top and transverse slits h¹ h¹ on both the top and
underside, to give the required elasticity and separating action, while the air is
adınitted through a hole . Fig. 14 is a plan of the top, and Fig. 15 a plan of the
underside of a nib having parallel longitudinal slits h, h, in both the top and under-
side, an air hole ² being provided as in the previous figures. In nibs constructed in
this manner, the wire M may sometimes be dispensed with, as the internal angles of
the tube and nibs form capillary passages for the descent of the ink, while the air
bubbles pass up in the centre.
The two members D, D¹, of the writing nib, although described as made separately,
may, if desired, be united at their innerends, and fitted directly into the mouth of the
elastic reservoir B in Fig. 1, or into the tubular nozzle K, in Fig. 5, thus dispensing
with the necessity of the tube C.
My improved writing nib may be made with slits only, as shewn in Figs. 12. 13.
14. and 15, and without any air hole h2 and in this form can be fitted to an ink
reservoir wherein the air is admitted through a central tube fixed in the upper end of
the said reservoir and terminating within the nibs, at the same place as the slot H, or
air hole would be formed.
Such central air tube is a well known device, in connection with reservoir pens.
The overflow cap L may be applied to reservoir pens fitted with ordinary writing
nibs and an ink supply tube with an air hole in the lower part of such tube, by
causing it to enclose the tube and nib just below the level of the said air hole, the
opening in the end of the said cap being modified to suit the form of the particular
nib and tube to which it may be applied.

page_text: The flexibility of the nibs is controllable to a certain extent by slightly with-
drawing the cap L, so as to embrace them at a lower point.
The best position of the slot H varies according to the internal calibre of the nibs,
being further from the writing point in nibs of small calibre.
As shewn in Figs. 16 and 17 which are a part elevation and end view respectively
of the nozzle K, one or more grooves Q may be cut across the screw threads of the
nozzle to allow any ink which collects in the threads to pass into the reservoir,
instead of being squeezed out of the joint when screwing the said nozzle into
place.
The main advantages of my improved pen may be summarized as follows: on
account of the peculiar chambered form of the nibs they are always kept wet
internally to the extreme ends, so that the pen starts writing at once, as before
described, while the pen may be laid or carried in any position without fear of an
escape of ink.
There are no valves, requiring to be opened before writing, and liable to clog or
get out of order, and the pen is easily cleaned by dipping the nibs in water and
squeezing the elastic reservoir (when this is employed) a few times, while the interior
of the actual writing portion is readily accessible, by removing the cap L and then
withdrawing the two halves D, D', of the nib from the tube C.
I make no claim to the use of any special form of reservoir or holder in the con-
struction of my improved fountain pens, but having now particularly described and
ascertained the nature of my said invention, and in what manner the same is to be
performed, I declare that what I claim is :-
(1). In a fountain or reservoir pen, a writing nib consisting of two semi-tubular
members, cut or split to give the elasticity and separating movement required in
writing, constructed substantially as herein described and shewn with reference to
Figs. 1, 5, 6, 7, 8 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15, of the accompanying drawings.
(2). In a fountain or reservoir pen, a tubular cap L to enclose the writing nibs
and retain any overflow of ink therefrom, substantially as herein set forth.
(3). In a fountain or reservoir pen, a tubular cap L to enclose and adjust the
flexibility of the writing nibs, substantially as herein set forth.
(4). In a fountain or reservoir pen, the grooves Q in the screw of the nozzle K,
substantially as and for the purposes herein described and shewn, with reference to
Figs. 16 and 17 of the accompanying drawings.
(5). The improved fountain or reservoir pen, constructed substantially as herein
described and shewn, with reference to Figs. 1. 2. 3 and 4. of the accompanying
drawings.
(6). The improved fountain or reservoir pen, constructed substantially as herein
described and shewn, with reference to Figs. 5, 6, 7 and 8 of the accompanying
drawings.