Improvements in Fountain Pens.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 28th July, 1896-Accepted, 29th Aug., 1896
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Fountain Pens.
I, CARL JULIUS RENZ, (Clergyman), of 213-215 83rd Street, in the City of
New York, County and State of New York, United States of America, do hereby
declare the nature of my 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 to provide a fountain pen so constructed that it
will write to the last drop of ink, without danger of leaking, and in which the
flow of ink can be easily and instantly regulated to suit the writer, or stopped
entirely, enabling the pen to be carried point down in the pocket with perfect safety.
A further object of the invention is to construct a pen having the advantages above
set forth in an exceedingly simple, durable and economic manner, and furthermore
to provide a means whereby, should the ink at the pen point or adjacent to the
same become in any manner dry, the flow of ink may be instantly started the
moment that the pen is placed in position to write.
The invention consists in the novel construction and combination of the several
parts, as will be hereinafter fully set forth and pointed out in the claims.
Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this
specification, in which similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts
in all the figures.
Figure 1 is a side elevation of the pen closed ;
Figure 2 is a side elevation of the pen, the point being uncapped;
Figure 3 is a longitudinal section through the major portion of the pen, the
feeder being in position to admit the writing fluid to the point of the pen ;
Figure 4 is a longitudinal section through the pen in its entirety, illustrating the
feeder in position to close communication between the ink chamber and the point
of the pen;
Figure 5 is a transverse section taken practically on the line 5-5 of Figure 4;
Figure 6 is a similar section taken on the line 6-6 of Figure 4;
Figure 7 is a transverse section taken on the line 7-7 of Figure 4;
Figure 8 is a plan view of the feeder removed from the pen;
Figure 9 is a bottom plan view of the aforesaid feeder; and
Figure 10 is a longitudinal section through the feeder, taken practically at a
central point.
In carrying out the invention a barrel A is constructed of suitable size, adapted
as a reservoir for the ink, and the said barrel at its upper end is closed by a cap B,
which is held in the barrel by frictional contact, or through the medium of screw
threads, as illustrated, and the cap B is preferably provided with an air vent 10,
as shown in Figure 4, the barrel being filled with ink upon the removal of the
aforesaid cap.
A plug is either screwed into the lower end of the barrel, or held liquid-tight
therein by frictional contact, and the said plug is hollow and is provided between
its ends with an exterior collar 11, serrated or otherwise roughened to facilitate
the removal of the plug from the barrel of the pen. The bore of the said plug
is reduced at its upper or inner end, forming a vent opening 12, and at its outer
end the plug is preferably interiorly threaded to receive a nozzle D exteriorly
threaded to meet the threads of the plug, but the nozzle and plug may be connected
in a fluid-tight manner by frictional contact if so desired. When the plug is

page_text: secured in the barrel the collar 11 of the same will engage with the bottom portion
of the barrel, as shown in Figures 3 and 4.
The fountain pen is provided with a feeder E and a nib or pen E, the nib or
pen E' being adapted to be introduced into the nozzle D, the said nozzle being
tubular; and the feeder E is adapted for engagement with the pen or nib, and
is of such length that it will extend through the nozzle and through the
plug C into the ink-receiving chamber of the barrel A, as shown in both
Figures 3 and 4.
The feeder E comprises a body e, a shank e¹ and a head e, the latter being at
the inner extremity of the shank. The shank is circular in cross section, as is
likewise the body e, but the aforesaid body is of greater diameter than the shank,
and is made to taper in direction of its outer end. The point 12 of the body of
the feeder is flattened upon its under face, and is of less thickness than the
remaining portion of the body, as shown in Figures 9 and 10. The point 12 has
a number of perforations 13 made therein, and is provided upon its upper face
with a series of grooves 14, extending longitudinally of the, aforesaid feeder, the
grooved portion of the point being adapted to be brought substantially in close
contact with the under face of the pen or nib E'. The perforations 13 constitute
air passages, by means of which the ink is forced to the elevated or ribbed
surface of the top of the point of the feeder formed by the grooves 14, and
the ink will be compelled to flow on both sides of the point of the feeder at the
top to the extremity of the same, ready for distribution through the medium of
the nib or pen E..
The body portion e of the feeder has a series of basins 15 made therein
transversely at the top and bottom, the bottom basins being immediately below the
top basins, and each top and bottom basin is connected through the medium of an
opening or aperture 16, as is best shown in Figure 10. These basius serve as
reservoirs for the ink, and the ink is retained in the said basins air-bound by the
aforesaid openings or perforations 16, being withdrawn by suction due to opening
or closing the pen point when the pen is to be used, since as shown in Figure 4,
the feeder is held firmly yet removably in the nozzle D, and by screwing the
nozzle upwardly the head of the feeder will be carried in direction of or away
from the vent opening 12 in the plug through which the shank of the feeder is
loosely passed. When the feeder is drawn outward from the barrel, a washer 17
attached to the shank of the feeder at the head, will be brought more or less
closely against the inner end of the plug C, regulating the supply of ink from the
reservoir of the barrel to the feeder, and when the said washer is brought in close
engagement with the plug C, as shown in Figure 4, the supply of ink to the
feeder will be entirely cut off, so that the pen may be carried point downward, or
carelessly handled with impunity, yet there will be sufficient ink air-bound in the
basins 15 to admit of a letter of ordinary length being conveniently written without
a further supply, and the ink in the basins being air-bound will not flow to the
pen point unless the said point is pressed upon the paper upon which the letter is
to be written.
At each side of the feeder groove 18 (Figure 5) is made, which serves to
admit air to the feeder and to effect the flow of ink along the same to its point;
.and if in practice it is found desirable, near the inner end of the body of the
feeder an annular basin 19 may be formed, and an opening 20 made in this basin,
extending from top to bottom of the feeder. While in the drawings the shank e¹
of the feeder is shown as provided with a spiral groove 21, the said groove may be
omitted if in practice it is found desirable and simply a channel 22 formed in the
inner end of the body, of the feeder, to admit of the writing fluid being conducted
to the basins of the said feeder.
The pen or nib E is ensured a proper position upon the feeder by reason of
the inner end of the pen or nib being brought in engagement with a saddle 23
formed upon the upper face of the said feeder, as is particularly shown in Figure 4,
and a loose collar 24 is mounted upon the shank e₁ of the feeder, and within the

page_text: plug C, so that when the pen is brought to writing position, the collar in sliding
along the shank will force the ink contained in the basins 15 to the point of the
pen in the event that the ink should become dried and will not flow of itself to
such point; and if a single downward movement of the pen is not sufficient to
accomplish this result, on moving the pen quickly forward and backward the
collar will accomplish said result.
It is evident that by reason of the adjustment of the feeder to and from the
barrel of the pen, the ink may be made to flow more or less freely to the point
or nib of the pen, and that the supply of ink may be entirely cut off when desired,
thus enabling the pen to be carried point down without danger of spilling any of
the ink that may remain between the barrel and the nib, owing to the ink in the
various basins 15 being air-bound until forced to flow to the point of the pen
either by the action of the sliding collar 24, or by the flexing of the nib of the
pen. By pushing or carrying the feeder inward the vacuum space is reduced, and
by air pressure the ink is forced to the point of the feeder and the nib of the pen;
and by drawing the feeder outward the vacuum space is enlarged, and through
suction the ink is withdrawn from the point of the feeder and the nib of
the pen.
The longitudinal air-vents 18 are not at the exact centre of the feeder, being
rather below it, and connect with the lower basins, whereby the air pressure serves
to force the ink upward into the upper set of basins. The sliding collar 24 may
be dispensed with, if so desired, although it is preferably used, and in such event
the body section of the feeder will be made much larger than illustrated.
Having thus particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what [
claim is,
1. A fountain pen constructed substantially as herein shown and described.
2. In a fountain pen, a feeder provided at its under side with cavities, and a
longitudinal groove on each side connecting said cavities, and passages for
conducting the ink from the lower to the upper surface of the feeder, substantially
as described.
3. In a fountain pen, a barrel having an apertured partition therein reducing
the diameter of the barrel, and a feeder mounted to slide through said partition,
extending within and without the barrel, whereby when the feeder is moved in one
direction a vacuum space in the barrel is reduced, and whereby through air
pressure the ink is forced out from the barrel, and upon moving the feeder in a
contrary direction said vacuum space is enlarged and through suction the ink is
retained in said barrel, as set forth.
4. In a fountain pen, a barrel, and a feeder adjustable in the said barrel, the
feeder being provided with a valve arranged to regulate the supply of ink from
the barrel to the feeder upon the adjustment of the latter, as and for the purpose
specified.
5. In a fountain pen, a feeder provided with basins for the reception of ink, said
basins being connected by grooves, the point of the feeder adapted for engagement
with the nib of the peu being apertured, as and for the purpose specified.
6. In a fountain pen, a feeder comprising a body and a shank of less diameter
than the body, the body having a tapering form and provided with top and bottom.
basins, corresponding basins at the top and bottom being connected, as and for the
purpose specified.
.
7. A feeder for fountain pens, of tapering shape and provided with basins at top
and bottom, grooves connecting the basins at the top, and openings passing
through the basin portion of the feeder from top to bottom, as and for the purpose
specified.
8. A feeder for fountain pens, provided with series of basins at the top and 'at.
the bottom, sundry of the basins at top and bottom being in registry, and all of the
basins having openings made therein, extending through from top to bottom, and

page_text: the feeder being further provided with a series of longitudinally located grooves,
as and for the purpose specified.
9. A feeder for fountain pens, provided with basius at top and bottom and
openings extending through the basin portions of the feeder, the said feeder being
provided with a shank of less diameter than the basin portion, and a collar loosely
mounted on the said shank, as and for the purpose specified.
10. A feeder for fountain pens provided with basins at top and bottom and
openings extending through the. basin portions of the feeder, the said feeder being
provided with a shank of less diameter than the basin portion, and a collar
loosely mounted on the said shank, together with a fixed collar adapted at
predetermined times to shut off the supply of ink from the barrel of the pen to
the feeder when the feeder is connected with the barrel, as and, for the purpose
specified..
11. In a fountain pen, the combination, with a barrel having an exit opening
for the ink, and a nozzle adjustably connected with the barrel, of a nib carried by
the said nozzle, a feeder the body, of, which is located in the nozzle, the body
portion of which feeder extends along the bottom of the nib practically in.engage-
ment therewith, the said body being provided with upper and lower connected
basins, and means, substantially, as described, for supplying ink from the barrel to
the feeder, as and. for. the. purpose set forth.
12. In a fountain pen, the combination, with a. barrel, a nozzle adjustable in the
barrel, the said barrel being. provided with an outlet for the ink in communication
with the nozzle, of a.nib located in the said nozzle,.a feeder the body of which is
secured within the nozzle, the said feeder having top and bottom basins and
apertures connecting the same, the apertures extending to the point of the feeder
which is adapted for engagement with the aforesaid nib, the feeder being provided
with a shank extending loosely through the outlet of the barrel and into the barrel,
and a sliding collar mounted on the shank of the feeder, as and for 'the purpose
specified.
13. In a fountain pen, the combination,, with a barrel, and a nozzle.adjustable in
the barrel, the said barrel being provided with an outlet for the ink in communi-
cation with the nozzle, of a nib located in the said nozzle, a feeder the body of
which is secured within the nozzle, the said feeder having top and bottom basins
and apertures connecting the same,, the apertures extending to the point of the
feeder which is adapted for engagement with the aforesaid nib, the feeder being
provided with a. shank. extending loosely through the outlet of the barrel and into
the barrel, and a sliding collar mounted on the shank.of the feeder, the inner end
of the shank of the said feeder being arranged to close or partially close the outlet
of the said valve, as and for the purpose specified.
14. In a fountain peu, the combination,, with a. barrel having an apertured
partition, of a sliding feeder having its inner end. projecting through the said
partition and provided with an enlargement or head for closing the aperture
therein, said feeder being provided with cavities, longitudinal grooves and passages
for conducting the ink from the lower to the upper surface of the feeder, and a
nozzle fitting tightly on the feeder over the cavities. and movable with the feeder,
substantially as described.
15. In a fountain pen, the combination, with a barrel having an apertured
partition, of a feeder having an enlargement or head at its inner end for closing
the aperture of said partition; said feeder having cavities on opposite sides connected
by transverse apertures and provided with longitudinal grooves, and a nozzle fitting
tightly
on the feeder over the cavities and connected with the barrel to have
endwise movement,, whereby the feeder can be slid in and out, substantially as
shown.and described.
16. In a fountain pen, the combination, with a barrel and a hollow plug fitting
in the end of the barrel, and having the bore of its inner end reduced, of a feeder
having au enlargement or head at its inner end for closing the inner end of the plug,
and provided with cavities in opposite sides connected by apertures, and with

page_text: longitudinal passages, and a nozzle fitting tightly on the feeder over the cavities
thereof and connected with the plug to have end wise movement therein, substantially
as shown and described.
17. In a fountain pen, the combination, with a barrel, and a nozzle adjustable in
the barrel and adapted to receive a nib, of a feeder carried by the nozzle, having
connected top and bottom basins for the reception of ink and openings for the
circulation of air, the said feeder being provided with a valve at one end adapted
in the adjustment of the nozzle to close the ink outlet in the barrel of the pen, as
and for the purpose specified.
18. In a fountain pen, the combination, with a barrel and a nozzle adjustable in
the barrel and adapted to receive a nib, of a feeder carried by the nozzle, having
basins for the reception of ink and openings for the circulation of air, the said
feeder being provided with a valve at one end, adapted in the adjustment of the
nozzle to close the ink outlet in the barrel of the pen, and a collar mounted to slide
on the said feeder, between the basin portion thereof and the aforesaid valve, the
collar serving to force the ink to the outer extremity of the feeder, substantially as
set forth.
Dated this 28th day of July 1896.
CARL JULIUS KENZ,
By A. M. & Wm. Clark,
53 Chancery Lane, London, Chartered Patent Agents.