AN IMPROVED SELF- CONTROLLED RESERVOIR PEN
Year: 1886

page_text: I, JAMES WARNER MAJOR 28 Newcombe Street Heavitree, Exeter Grocers
Assistant, do hereby declare the nature of my invention for "AN IMPROVED SELF-
CONTROLLED RESERVOIR PEN" to be as follows:--
The invention consists of apparatus comprising large hollow tube containing ink,
india rubber bulb, small tube holding same and on which and on the large tube
aforesaid, the india rubber is kept firm by two steel bands at the points of junction.
The small tube is screwed into a piece of brass fitting tight into fore part of the
penholder; underneath the tube aforesaid is a small leather washer to prevent ink
from being forced up the screw; underneath said washer is a brass partition with
a very fine hole pierced in the centre. On the other side of partition, a piece of
brass juts out on which a conductor which brings ink to the nib of the pen is
fitted, with a screw; also, with leather washer to prevent leakage. On the top of
the large tube above mentioned is fitted a vent which is screwed into said tube,
and is also fitted with washer, thereby making every part airtight except the fine
hole aforesaid. The top part of vent which conceals the nature of vent when in
use can be unscrewed.
A round piece of india rubber with small slit in the middle is fitted tightly
inside the bottom part of vent protector: and, when the pen requires filling the
following operations are necessary, namely to extract the nib of pen and insert
the point of conductor above mentioned into slit in the india rubber inside the
case which will now close tightly round the hole in the conductor, thereby pre-
venting the ink from escaping while it is poured in at the top. Afterwards,
unscrew vent at top, which can be replaced when sufficient ink has been poured in.
The bulb can be pressed through hole cut in outside case by the forefinger
while writing. I cover the top of bulb with ornamental piece of metal which also
prevents wear on the bulb; and, when inside apparatus has been fixed in pen-
holder there is no occasion to disturb it unless necessary for occasional cleaning.
Top part of penholder can be separated from body by unscrewing the tube on
which india rubber is fastened: also, conductor under nib of pen can be unscrewed,
though this would only be necessary, for cleaning.

page_text: •
I JAMES WARNER MAJOR, of 28 Newcombe Street, Heavitree, Exeter, Grocers
Assistant, do hereby declare the nature of my invention for AN IMPROVED
SELF CONTROLLED RESERVOIR PEN, and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement :-
My Invention has reference to that class of pens known as reservoir or fountain
pens, and has for its object the more perfect control of the flow of the ink, and
more especially the overcoming of the various objections which are incident to this
class of pen; and, in order that the distinguishing features of my Invention may
be the better understood I have appended the accompanying sheet of drawings.
Figure 1 represents the device with the various parts detached. Figure 2, is a
vertical sectional view of said device with all the parts connected together and
ready for use. Figure 3 is a view of the same, with the conductor and nib-holder
detached; and Figure 4 is a cover, shield, or guard which encircles or covers the
nib and other working parts of my improved pen, which cover bears against
a shoulder on the holder rendering the whole when in position, of uniform
diameter.
Referring to Figure 1, A is an elevation of the cap, countersunk or made hollow
to receive the valve, which opens or closes the vent or air passage C shewn in
section Figure 2; said cap is provided with an exterior screw thread, for the
purpose of being screwed into the ink reservoir or tube B. In the interior of the
aforesaid reservoir or tube is a longitudinal groove b, in which 'is recessed, and free
to move, a fine wire attached at one end to the vent valve D, and terminating at
the other end in small knob h projecting beyond the surface of the tube, at
which part a short slot is cut to enable the wire to be moved a limited distance
for the purpose hereinafter described.
At the lower end of the reservoir tube is a short neck, to which is attached the
rubber, bulbous, or other tube E. The lower end of the rubber bulb or tube afore-
said is attached to the square tube which is rounded at its upper end—both
ends being secured by the metal rings e e.On to the lower end of said 'square tube
is fixed a small metal cap G pierced with a fine hole i for supplying the writing
fluid to the conductor H, which cap can be readily removed to be cleaned. The
square tube F aforesaid which is fitted with a rubber washer g. Figure 2 as far
as the shoulder f fits in the tube B as shewn in Figure 2.
H is the hollow conductor before mentioned serving to conduct the ink or other
fluid to the nib through the hole shown at x, at the point thereof. y is the space
in which is inserted an ordinary nib, the position of which is represented at z,
Figures 2 and 3.
تداء ملك
It will be seen on reference to Figure 3, that the operations of supplying ink to
the nib and of actuating the air vent, are performed almost involuntarily by the
thumb of the writer pressing gently upon the stud or button d. Figure 3, upon
which, the fluid is impelled along the channel of the conductor to the nib, and by

page_text: the gentlest movement forward of the forefinger upon the small knob h the vent is
opened; the return of the vent valve to its seat being automatically effected by a
small spiral spring as shewn at c. Figure 2.
From the foregoing it will be observed that until the pen is held in the hand in the
position for writing, no.ink is at the nib, inasmuch as its flow is checked, firstly by
the withdrawal of the fluid from the nib on relieving the pressure in the stud or
button d, and secondly by the vent C being closed, but the moment the instrument
is in position for writing the slight pressure of the thumb upon the said stud or
button d, forces sufficient fluid forward to fill the nib. It is not however
necessary to keep the vent open constantly whilst writing, but to operate it only
when it is observed that the flow of the fluid is less rapid than is suited to
existing requirements. Both of the foregoing operations are therefore performed
by the fingers of the writing hand; the use of the other hand for actuating the
valve, as is the case with pens of a similar type hitherto introduced being in the
device according to my Invention quite unnecessary. Thus, the flow of the ink
being entirely under the control of the writer,. there is no possibility of its
dropping from the nib, nor does it dry up and choke the perforation of the cap G
as it is held in suspension between that part and the conductor which keeps the
fine hole moist and open.
I wish it to be understood that I make no reservation as to the particular
material or materials to be used in the device according to my Invention, but
construct it of any non-corrodable substance.
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
Firstly. In a fountain or reservoir pen, the special device, according to my
Invention, and the means for and method of controlling the flow of fluid to the
nib, substantially as herein described and illustrated in the accompanying sheet of
drawings.
. Secondly. The adoption of the bulbous or other tube of rubber E, substantially
as and for the purposes herein described and illustrated in the accompanying
drawings.
Thirdly. The use of a vent valve and connecting pin or wire, substantially as
herein described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
JAMES
STEVENSON,
Gray's Inn Chambers,
20, High Holborn, London, W.C.,
Agent for Applicant.