Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 2nd Feb., 1898-Accepted, 19th Mar., 1898
I, HENRY WILLIAM SHEFFIELD ADAIR, of 10, Fourth Avenue, Hove, in the County
of Sussex, '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:-
My invention relates to multiple inkstands, i.e. inkstands in which several
bottles of different kinds or colours of ink are contained and each bottle covered
by a separate lid. The object of the invention is to prevent the accidental or
unintended dipping of the pen by the writer into the wrong ink bottle and to
ensure that such a mistake can not occur. In carrying out my invention I provide
a box-like case in which are contained the several bottles of different inks, for
example black, red and blue, each being suitably secured in position and covered
by a separate hinged flap or lid and I employ a suitable system of slides and levers
inter-connected in such manner that no two lids can be open at once, and the act
of opening any one will serve to close any other then open.
I will describe my invention in reference to the accompanying drawings which
illustrate a triple inkstand. Fig. 1 is an internal front elevation with the ink bottles
removed and all the lids closed, showing the controlling levers and parts in normal
position. Figs. 2, 3 and 4 are similar elevations showing respectively the three
lids severally open, and the consequent change of position of the interconnecting
parts and levers. Fig. 5 is a section on line X Y of Fig. 4 and Fig. 6 is a section on
line Y Z of Fig. 3 showing in each case one lid open.
Similar letters refer to similar parts in all of these figures.
B is the box-like stand or case and A¹ A² A³ represent respectively three separate
hinged lids covering three ink bottles such as I Figs. 5 and 6. The lids are each
provided at the centre of the inner side near the hinges with short downwardly
curved levers E which levers are severally connected by links e with the respective
slides S1 S2 S3 working vertically in open fronted grooves G formed in the back of the
case, and each slide carries one or more pins projecting slightly into the case. The
end slides S¹ S³ each have two pins 8 813 respectively, and the middle slide S² has
but one pin 8. These slide pins are interconnected in the following manner.
the lower part of the case is centred at a long lever L, the ends 12 of which
work between the pins 8 sands of the end-slides S¹ and S³. Shorter levers L¹ L²
are centred between the slides S¹ S², and S2 S3 respectively, the engaging
ends and 15 of which are suitably formed as illustrated and operate at the
required times on the pins of the several slides.
At
Assuming all lids to be closed the parts are in the position of Fig. 1 (the
levers are capable of taking two positions as L', shown hard and dotted).
Should lid A¹ be opened as will be seen on reference to Fig. 2 the slide S¹ is raised
by the lever E and link e; its pins & s¹ raise the ends 113 of levers L L' depressing
their respective other ends, to depress pins 82, and 12 to depress pin 8, thus
automatically closing lid A² or A³ should either be open. If now, the lid A¹ being
open, the lid A² be opened its slide pin 82 on rising raises the two inner ends + 1³
of levers 1 L2 depressing at the same time their outer ends 13 and 1° and so

page_text: drawing down the slides S¹ S3 and closing the lid A¹, the parts taking the position
shown in Fig. 3. In the same manner if now A³ or A¹ be opened the pins upon
their respective slides S¹ S³ will operate in a similar manner the interconnecting
levers so as to draw down the slide of the open lid, and so it is plain that the act
of opening any one lid will serve to close any other lid then open, and this system
may be extended to any desired number of lids. I am aware that the system and
arrangement of interconnecting levers above described may be varied and the same
result attained, but that which I have specified is simple and efficient.
In order to hold the ink bottles in position a top slide T is provided having
openings in which each bottle rests, or the bottles may be held in any suitable way.
A front hinged flap T¹ is provided to enclose the whole, and complete the
inkstand.
4+
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:-
1. A multiple inkstand having separate hinged lids covering each ink bottle
arranged and interconnected in such manner that the opening of any one lid serves
'to close any other lid then open, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
2. In a multiple inkstand such as above referred to the combination with separate
hinged lids covering each ink bottle of slides, levers and interconnections thereto,
all arranged and adapted to operate substantially in the manner and for the purpose
herein described and illustrated in the drawings.
Dated this 2nd day of February 1898.
For the Applicant,
J. C. CHAPMAN,
Chartered Patent Agent, 70, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.