Improvements in and relating to Inkstands.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 27th Oct., 1896-Accepted, 12th Dec., 1896
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Inkstands.
1, JOHN THOMSON, of No. 190 Carlton Avenue, in the City of Brooklyn,
County of Kings, and State of New York, United States of America, Engineer,
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 inkstands, and has for its object to provide a simple,
cheap and effective stand, and to these ends my invention consists in a stand
embodying the features of construction substantially as hereinafter more particularly
pointed out.
In the accompanying drawings, wherein I have illustrated the preferred
embodiment of my invention:
Fig. 1, is a vertical central section illustrating the construction and operation of
the device;
Fig. 2, is a similar view of a slightly modified construction; and
Fig. 3, is a plan of the latter.
My invention relates more particularly to that class of inkstands wherein there
is a reservoir containing the ink, a dip-well extending down into the reservoir, and
means whereby the ink from the reservoir may be forced into the dip-well for use
and withdrawn therefrom into the reservoir when not in use, and the object of my
present invention is to provide an inkstand which shall be simple and cheap of
construction; that shall be practically instantaneous in its operation, and that shall
preserve the ink in the best condition.
While the principles of my invention may be embodied in various forms and
shapes, I have shown in the accompanying drawing a practical construction well
adapted for the purposes intended. The inkstand comprises a reservoir B, which
may be of glass or other similar material, and which is provided with an enclosing
plate or cover C, preferably of hard rubber, secured in the reservoir in any
suitable way, but fitting it, so as to form a practically air-tight joint. The
enclosing plate is provided with a dip-well D, preferably having an extended
tube E, reaching nearly to the bottom of the reservoir, and if desired the reservoir
under the tube may be recessed, as shown at B', Fig. 1.
Mounted on the plate is a cylinder H, and this may be separate and secured to
the plate, as shown in Fig. 1, or as preferred, it may be made integral with the
plate, as shown in Fig. 2. Arranged to move in the cylinder is a plunger or
piston J, which may also be of rubber or similar material. In order to maintain
an air-tight joint against the head of ink in the dip-well, the cylinder H, is
preferably provided with a relatively small opening L, and the plunger is of
relatively heavy material, so that it will not be forced upward by the air pressure
due to the head of ink in the dip-well. In the construction illustrated in Fig. 1,
the plunger J, is made conical to fit a conical bearing in the bottom of the cylinder,
while in the construction shown in Fig. 2 the end of the plunger is provided with
a conical projection j, fitting a conical opening in the plate, and around the
projection is a recess, from which extends a perforation P, forming an air-vent
or passage. Preferably this perforation P, is relatively small at its lower end and
opens into a larger passage or central bore N, in the plunger, which extends to the
upper end thereof, and it is adapted to be covered by the finger when necessary or

page_text: desirable. In the construction shown in Fig. 1, the vent hole or passage P, is in
the joint-making face of the plunger, while in Fig. 2, the vent hole is above this
surface, and therefore, is the generally preferred construction. The plunger J, is
preferably round; fits closely in the cylinder H; makes an air-tight joint at the
opening L, and, if there is any wear, the plunger can be turned to grind the
wearing faces and produce an accurate fit.
With this general description of the construction of the device, the operation
will be readily understood.
In order to supply the reservoir with ink, it must be filled through the
dip-well and its tube, the displaced air escaping through the opening L, the
plunger, of course, being slightly elevated or withdrawn, when no ink will remain
in the ink-well. Replacing the plunger in the cylinder, and tightly covering the
central bore, at R, by the finger, it will act like a pump, compressing the air and
forcing the ink from the reservoir up through the tube into the dip-well to any
desired height, where it is maintained by the air-tight joint between the plunger
and cylinder, closing the vent P. The plunger being seated, the vent P, is sealed,
and as no air can escape, the head of ink in the dip-well will be maintained, but by
slightly lifting the plunger, this seal will be broken and the dip-well will at once
be emptied. To again refill it, the plunger may be withdrawn, as to a position
shown by dotted lines, and either quickly depressed, or more slowly by placing the
finger over the bore N, preventing the escape of the air, until it is reseated;
which will force the ink from the reservoir into the dip-well, and maintain it as
before.
If it is desired to discharge the ink in the dip-well outwardly, as for cleaning,
this can be done by simply holding the plunger to its seat and turning the
inkstand upside-down, when the ink in the well will run out, the ink in the tube and
reservoir being maintained in place by the air pressure.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1st. An inkstand comprising a reservoir, an enclosing head, a dip-well, a
cylinder mounted on the head, and a piston arranged in the cylinder, having an
air passage whereby when the piston is down ink will be supplied to the dip-well
and maintained therein and the air passage mechanically closed, substantially as
described.
2nd. An inkstand comprising a reservoir, an enclosing head having a dip-well
with a tube reaching towards the bottom of the reservoir, a cylinder mounted upon
the head and provided with a piston or plunger, the cylinder having an opening
and the plunger having a conical seat fitting the opening, and a vent extending
through the plunger, substantially as described.
3rd. In an inkstand, the combination with a reservoir, of an enclosing head
having integral therewith a dip-well and cylinder, and a plunger fitting the cylinder
and provided with a vent, substantially as described.
4th. In an inkstand, the combination with the reservoir and head having a
dip-well and cylinder and provided with a conical opening, of a plunger having
a conical projection fitting the opening, and an air-vent above the projection
extending to the upper end of the plunger, substantially as described.
Dated 27th October 1896.
PHILIP M. JUSTICE,
55 Chaucery Lane, London, Chartered Patent Agent.