IMPROVEMENTS IN RESERVOIR OR FOUNTAIN PEN-HOLDERS."
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Daniel Higham Sparling, of Oldham, in the County of
Lancaster, Bachelor of Arts and Clerk in Holy Orders; for an Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN RESERVOIR OR FOUNTAIN PEN-HOLDERS."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Daniel Higham Sparling at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 8th September 1881.
DANIEL HIGHAM SPARLING, of Oldham, in the County of Lancaster, Bachelor-
of Arts and Clerk in Holy Orders. IMPROVEMENTS IN RESERVOIR OF FOUNTAIN
PEN-HOLDERS."
My said Invention relates to the class of penholders arranged to contain a
quantity of ink capable of being supplied to the pen during use so as to dispense
with the necessity of dipping. I prefer to make my improved holders in two parts
arranged to slide telescopically, either one or both of the said parts being made
hollow so as to form an ink reservoir. Under one form of my Invention I construct
the lower part of the holder hollow and the upper part solid. The hollow part is
provided with an ordinary pen and a contracted communication is established
between the hollow holder and the pen. The upper solid part slides into the lower
tube and is packed air tight, either by means of a rubber plunger at the end or by
a stuffing gland at the top of the tube. The holder when put together acts upon
the principle of a syringe. The packed solid part having been pushed down to
the bottom of the tube the lower orifice is plunged into the ink and the solid part
is then drawn up so as to fill or nearly fill the tube with ink. The atmospheric
pressure prevents the ink from running out, and the hereinbefore referred to small
orifice feeds the pen, which is thus kept continuously supplied with ink. To assist
the flow I may in some cases bore the solid part throughout its length and screw
a cap upon the top, the said cap covering a small air port which may be uncovered
when desired to admit air above the ink column, or as the ink column decreases
the solid part may be thrust further down so as to force the ink towards the pen.
In lieu of the said solid part a plunger, plunger-rod, and pressure knob may be
used. By another modification both parts of the holder may be made hollow and
arranged to slide telescopically and air tight, together forming a chamber of larger
capacity than that herein before described, or shortening the length of the holder so
as to render it more suitable for carriage in the pocket.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent and of
an Order of the Lord Chancellor filed by the said Daniel Higham Sparling
in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 22nd March 1882.
DANIEL HIGHAM SPARLING, of Oldham, in the County of Lancaster, Bachelor
of Arts and Clerk in Holy Orders. "IMPROVEMENTS IN RESERVOIR OR FOUNTAIN
PEN-HOLDERS."
My Invention relates to the class of pen holders arranged to contain a quantity
of ink capable of being supplied to the pen during use so as to dispense with the
necessity for dipping. I prefer to make my improved holders in two parts arranged
to slide telescopically, either one or both of the said parts being made hollow so as
to form an ink reservoir. Under one form of my Invention I construct the lower
part of the holder hollow, and the upper part solid. The hollow part is provided
with an ordinary pen and a contracted communication is established between the
hollow holder and the pen. The upper solid part slides into the lower tube and is
packed air tight either by means of a rubber or other suitable packed plunger at
the end or by a stuffing gland at the top of the tube. The holder when put
together acts upon the principle of a syringe. The packed solid part having been
pushed down to the bottom of the tube the lower orifice is plunged into the ink
and the solid part is then drawn up so as to fill or nearly fill the tube with ink.
The atmospheric pressure prevents the ink from running out and the pen is fed
through the hereinbefore referred to small orifice so as to be kept continuously
supplied with ink. To assist the flow I may in some cases bore the solid part
throughout its length and screw a cap upon the top, the said cap covering a small air
port which may be uncovered when desired to admit air above the ink column, or
as the ink column decreases the solid part may be thrust further down so as to
force the ink towards the pen. In lieu of the said solid part a plunger-rod and
pressure nob may be used. In another modification both parts of the holder may
be made hollow and arranged to slide telescopically and air tight, together forming
a chamber of larger capacity than that herein before described, or shortening
the length of the holder so as to render it more suitable for carriage in the
pocket.
And in order that my Invention may be fully understood I have attached
hereunto a Sheet of Drawings marked with letters of reference and illustrative of
some of the forms in which my improved penholder may be made. Referring to
the said Drawings, Fig. 1 is an outside view and Fig. 2 a longitudinal section of
one form of my penholder. In the said Figs., a is a tube which acts as a reservoir
for ink, and 6 is a solid rod which slides within the said tube and is packed with
any suitable material c so as to act as an air tight piston. One end of the said tube
is closed by means of a plug d, which is formed to retain a pen e in the holder.
An aperature fleads from the interior of the holder to this pen. The holder can be
charged with ink in the manner hereinbefore mentioned, and will supply the ink
to the pen through the aperture f. The piston rod 6 can be fixed by means of a
set screw g so as to permit of the holder being carried in the pocket, but this screw
may be dispensed with if not considered to be. necessary. A modification of the
penholder is illustrated by Figs. 3 and 4. In this example the piston rod b is
formed with an air passage h, which serves to establish a communication between
the exterior of the tubular reservoir and an opening near the outer end of the rod.
"The said outer end is fitted with a metal cap i, which is formed with a small port
or orifice, seen at k in Fig. 4. The said cap can be turned upon the end of the rod
so as to open or close the mouth of the passage h in order that air may be admitted

page_text: into the reservoir whenever it is necessary to create a flow of ink. Fig. 5
represents a further modification, wherein an air inlet valve opening inwards and
kept closed by means of a spring is substituted for the revolvable cap. The flow of
ink can be regulated by pressing upon the said spring. Instead of having the
spring on the outside as shewn, it may be applied to the interior and manipulated
from the outside by a small presser knob. Figs. 6 and 7 represent a pocket
penholder. In this example the penholder is provided with a removable sheath m
to protect the pen. The piston rod is attached to a tube n which slides on the
outside of the tubular reservoir a, but this part of the holder may be made in
accordance with either of the examples previously described if preferred. To cut
off the supply of ink I may form the plug m in two parts, and by means of a
projecting pin o (shewn at Fig. 8) I may rotate one of the parts so as to interrupt
the continuity of the passage f and thus stop the flow of ink. Other modifications
may be made so long as the reservoir and sliding piston are retained.
Having now fully set forth and indicated the nature of my said Invention and
the manner in which I carry the same into practical effect, I would have it to be
understood in conclusion that I claim,-
First. The fountain penholders constructed and acting substantiall as set forth
and indicated herein before and in and by the accompanying Drawings.
And, Secondly. A fountain penholder formed with a tubular ink reservoir in
which slides a piston, or packed plunger, or rod, so that the reservoir can be
charged by drawing the piston rod outwards and the ink be supplied to the pen
by pressing on the piston or by admitting air, substantially as set forth and
indicated.
In witness whereof, I, the said Daniel Higham Sparling, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Sixth day of March, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty-two.
30
Signed, sealed, and delivered
in the presence of
EDWARD K. DUTTON,
41, John Dalton St.,
Manchester,
(Agent for the Patentee).
D. HIGHAM SPARLING. (L.S.)