US2581740A - Fountain pen - Google Patents

Description

R. T. WING FOUNTAIN PEN Jan. 8, 1952 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 27, 1946 JNVENTOR. assed 1 Jan. 8, 1952 R. T. WING 2,581,740

FOUNTAIN PEN Filed March 27, 1946 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN V EN TOR.

WIN

FOUNTAIN PEN 4 Sheet 4 Filed March 27, 1946 INVENT0.R I fizmseldlgg/ w III Patented Jan. 8, a 1

emme, Bill-:42 1; 2;

This. invention relates to v fountains pens and; element is utilized for adjusting hedmftingmen; has-to dotmoreuparticularly. with a; fountain pennibitg e'effectany, desired line Width;wgthm; ts; which will. operate successfully Withlndiai ink. range. f and is, therefore, capablev of being employedtas; Otherand;furtherlobjectsofsmminventiorgvlqill; a drafting pen. Itfurtherrelates to aynovels be apparent as the detailed descriptionpro, drafting pen nibrand: to'.a penniowhichcan be gresses. v used in place of theidrafting nibifor writing or Referringitoithe drawings; lettering. a Fig'iirejl'v istan elevationalgview ofe. a; fountain Referenceistmadeeto my copendingappiication pen: inJaccordance.with my; invention;

Serial No, 26',898;1filedvMayo 13, 19.48, forming; a. i Fig; Z isanenlarged; longitudinal, .sectionala division of the present application andidisclosing view'takenzaiong 'line Z.-'2 -vfFig., 1;; and: claiming certain subject. matter. disclosed Fig. 3-tis identical with Fig. zuexce t that the.

n pp on nib'adjiisting and cleaner tongue isshowm in its.

oneof the primary. objects-.ofzmy. inventiontis. 55 1; etm t a mgng toprovide means effective :to obviate or :ofise.t. the Fig. 4 1's 2, view similar :to-Fi'gszands 3 except; t ndency oflndia k kly to clogi he capillary. that inthis instance the pen' nib" and overflow f dchann whi n ssa lys p e n governor are-shown in tIieir-re'tracte'd positio' fountaini-pense-thusmaking'itlpossible t provide. Fig 5 'a m e qn m mg s t o a fountain pen which will operate-successfully view fit hatlpdrtiohlbfafh ipn-of:Figg'r hibh withthati-ikind of:mk,.onwith-;any.zothert ink.. 2,0,, i r qa ir i b nr g ;;1 jnlifsivq Another objectis :to provide ajsuccessfnlg fqun- Fig 6 transversezsectional .v wt a tain rulingipen. v.- v v i gzg i .7 A further object is to provide a fountain ruling. 7 transverse Sectional.viewdtakenvalo penwhjch canfeasilyibekept in'continuoysmp- '7' bf g-5' I i eration :for. relatively;1ong; periods;and;which, also, v. is readily.adaptedgfonquickaadjustmenttasitosline fif' fig y 91 1 91? 93, k Still another object is to provide; at drafting? 9 1s aniedg wlseqetall'vigw orrulingpen nib which canbe used successfully; as a. component part of: mysnewj fountain vpen.

An additionalobject; issto provide.a;fiexible. pen nibv of smalL diameter suitable for, writing andf'letteringand .whichisnottdisposedto chatter Another object. .is to provide atfiexible muntaim n a .M V pen nibwhich issuitableifornwritingand :letter- 3 51 1?? 5 9K??? ing' and which can be. used inmnnew fountain iHETJ? qifi n li. i pen in place of the drafting.nib.,-' dmal ?9!9 ?1 'z fi tt;

I have found; that. by ,providinga suitable; cleaner elementvwhieh isxmounted. in and movable. i -:1 en lengthwise of: the. capillary feed: channel; it; is. 4o loneine 147 151.4923 possible and practicable to clear said. channel; RQIP PQMQ 7 1!? c fi filfli whenever-it becomes obstructedbyireason of the 50 ink 'congealing orrpartially-s congealing' theriein; a. w i t z "?a fi setiionj atenal ne iea andby virtue of such-provision I am able-to ipro: fir-15 9 l duce a fountain p'eniwhich can= successfullyrbe Fi 3 W QSV -TITSG sggltign t algenalong line a l e iszi al ew: t n: 9 but-wii ine ai1= on 49. 2 e199;

used with India'ink-andthe like. i i 5;.o g 151.;

Incarrying out my invention I prefer: to utilize l 11 t ans er e. QQWQQ; aken QlQPQEJWQ a novel arrangementwhich brings aboutsaimovenrt- 7;Qf. 14,1

ment of the cleaner 'elementralon'g thevfeedn chane, Fig..- l'missatt gnsvdrgse sea ion iaikie gai ll,-, 7 nel-in'response to pressuresappliedetolthe end OfiEigH14,.butillustmtinaazmodificatio of the pen nibthus enabling a user to quickly; nthfii ea n prin sfl ihfilifiilifil-EFHQI'PEQ 0f and-"easflv-clearthe feedrchannel whenever: it; nib...are disposed in: parallel in the hprizontal;. becomesclogged. p n 'I'- also prefer; in carrying. out my inventionyto. Fig. 18. is, atransverse; section taken; alongline; employ-acnovel-construction wheremithelcleaner- IBe-VIBLYoflEiELH; a 1

Fig. 24 is a greatly enlarged transverse sectional view taken along line 24-44 of Fig. 20..

The pen structure of Figs. 1 to 9, inclusive, comprises an elongate barrel I, into the rear end of which is screwed a cup-like piston 2 (see Fig. 5). Mounted in the forward end of the barrel I and normally assuming the position in which it is shown in Figs. 2 and 3 is an overflow governor andieed element 3 having a lengthwise bore 4 extending from the front end thereof to the point 5 and proportioned to receive snugly the shank of a pen nib 6, which is shown in detail in Figs. 10-19, inclusive.

The governor 3 has a considerable number of radial fins 1 spaced apart to form intervening narrow capillary cells 8 which constitute, jointly, an auxiliary reservoir for the reception and storage of ink which may be forced out of the main reservoir in excess of what is requiredfor writing.said cells being operative, whenfilled, to feed out the stored ink to the nib. Extending from end to end of the governor on the upper side thereof, as viewed in Fig. 2 is a narrow radial slot 9. This can beseen in the sectional views, Figs. 6 and '7.v Slot 9 functions as a capillary conduit through which from the reservoir I is conveyed to nib 6 and also to the capillary cells 8. Governor 3 has a rearwardly extending shank I] which is bored axially to receive a breathertube or fill stem l2, the front end of which is slidably telescoped in said bore. Projecting forwardly from tube l2 and anchored thereto is a sheet metal tongue [3, shown edgewise' in Fig. 9. Tongue I3 is secured to tube 12 by means of a laterally extending lug M which projects through anopenihg in the wall of said tube. This lug also serves to break up "any obstruction due to congealed ink or foreign matter in that part of slot 9 which extends along the shank H. An-

other lug l projecting laterally from'tongue I13 also functions to break up obstructions in slot'9. Tongue l3 has adaterally extending portion IB which is designed to enter'a slot 46 (see Fig. in the shank of the pen nib and is effectiveto breakup obstructions therein whenthe pennib is moved rearwardly as hereinafter described. Tongue l3-also has a portion I! which lies in slot 9'above the'Shankof the pen nib and serves to break upobstructions inslot 9 near the open edge thereof. Tongue 13 further includes a long', narrow portion'l8 which lies within the pin nib and extends lengthwise thereof. Thisportion serves both'to break up obstructions inside the pen nib and also to effect line width'adjustments of the nib when the nib is of the type shown in Figs. to 24-which is a drafting or ruling nib. Breather tube or fill stem I2 extends allthe way to the rear of the pen, (see Fig. 5) and nor-' mally abuts the inside of the end wall of piston Z. A'valve I9 is fixedly mounted on tube l2 and forms an abutment for helical spring 20 which, in turn, pressesforwardly against governor 3.

The valve I9 forms a part of the subject matter of my co-pending application, Serial No. 655,07? filed March 18, 1946, which has matured into Patent No. 2,509,465, dated May 30, 1950. It has no essential significance so far as the present invention is concerned, although it is used in conjunction therewith.

As previously stated, the fountain pens of the present invention are designed primarily for use with India ink which has a distinct tendency to congeal rather quickly and, for that reason, is indisposed to continue to flow freely and continuously in a channel of capillary dimensions.

To meet that situation, the pen of Figs. 1 to 9 issodesigned that by pressing inwardly on'the nib, the latter is caused to recede, together with governor 3, as clearly illustrated in Fig. 4. During this operation cleaner tongue l3 remains stationary while the governor and nib move relativelythereto. The rearward movement of the governor is opposed by spring 20 which operates to return the governor and nib to normal position as soon as the retractive pressure on the nib is removed. The backward and forward movement of the governor and nib relatively to the stationary cleaner tongue serves to stir up the partially congealed ink in the capillary feed channelsof both the governor and the nib and this causes the ink again to flow. In using. the pen the operator from time to time, as required, presses the end of the nib against some convenient firm surface.

The nib 6 is depicted in detail and will now be described. But before entering upon such description, it should be explained that this is a writing or lettering nib andnot a drafting nib, and that the primary underlying object is to provide a .pen ofvery small dimensions laterally, which will write without chattering and which will spread at the pointiif shading is desired) and whichis. rugged enough to withstand.

being pressed into the barrel without suffering impairment, and is adapted to accommodate thecleaner tongue.

For purposes of description, nib 6 may concvenientlybe considered ascomprising three major parts, namely: a, frontportion 30, a resilient in-,. termediate portion 3| and a rigid shank portion 32. Fig. 10 is a view looking downwardly on the nib, as it is held when writing; and it will be seen from inspection ofthis view and of the sectional view, Fig. 15, that the front portion 30 has a vertical slit 33 which divides said front portion symmetrically and constitutes an ink feed channel. The two nib sections or blades 34 and35 which result from slittingthe front portion are of solid cross-section, as shown in Fig. 15. Said. blades are preferably formed at their ends as shown in Fig. 19, from which it will be seen that there is a narrow contact. surface or writing point at36 and a relatively broad contact surface at 31. The blades are so formed in order to provide a fine writing point at 36 and a broad writingpoint at 31.

In use it is generally desirable that the blades- 34 and 35 spread apart in response to writing,

pressure just as an ordinarynib spreads when writing. But if the present nib, being very small laterally (the shank is about one-sixteenthinch diameter), were...constructed. in the in Figs.10 to 19.-

I-Iowever, it is not essential that. this feature be retained. .That is to say,,the end of thenib could, if desired, be so formed as to, provide two identicalwriting points.

manner of an ordinary pen nib, it would, chatter very badly. and would for that reason be quite unsatisfactory. To meet that situation, I have provided a resilient intermediate. portion 31 which is so consrtucted that it permits the nib to. flex and the blades to spreadand yet is, so rigidv laterally at the place where rigidity is needed that chattering is avoided. Putting. the matter. another way, I obtain the effect of a non-chattering broad mid-portion within small. dimensional limits. To achieve that end, I twist the nihninetyv degrees at the point 39, and I form thetwo blades. at the intermediate portion 3| into fiat springs, or the equivalent, as best illustrated in Fig. 17 The two leaf springs 40 and 4| are, respectively, continuations of blades 34 and 35; and said springs are so disposed as to the planes in which they. lie, flatwise (see Fig. 17;), that they have components of fiexure laterally, in opposite directions. In other words, when writing pressure is applied to theend of the nib, spring 40 has a component of flexure in the direction indicated byarrow 42, while spring 4| has-a component of fiexure inthe direction of arrow 43; but the principal componentsof fiexure are in the directions indicatedby the arrows 44 and 45-Which is to say, nearly vertical. Thus, springs 49 and 4t-willyield to writing pressure and produce a desirable degree of spreading of the nib at the writing point, yet each of said springs is so wide in the horizontal plane-that chattering is avoided, whilexat the same time the springs are confined within a very constricted area cross-sectionally. This results from the fact that the springs are positioned one above the other-which is made possible by the ninety degreetwist at 33.

The flatwise planes of springs 40 and 4| as viewed in Fig. 17 are disposed at angles A and B to the horizontal plane-which angles may be, for example, fifteen degrees each, depending upon the extent to which it is desired that the blades spread apart in response to writing pressure. Angles A and B may be anything from zero, as shown in Fig. 17a, to say forty-five degrees. If said angles are of zero magnitude, the blades will not spread in response to writing pressure. On the other hand, if said angles are too large, there may be a tendency for the pen to chatter. Moreover, by making said angles larger, the widthwise dimension of the springs is incidentally decreased, if the over-all diameter of the nib is to be kept within a specified limit, and that, of course, would tend to detract from the non-chattering characteristic of the nib. Generally speaking, angles A and B of fifteen degrees each, or somewhat less, are satisfactory when it is desired to produce a nib which will spread; but there is nothing Particularly critical about that angular value. If it is desired merely to realize flexibility without any spreading at the point of the nib, the springs 40 and 4| may be disposed one above the other in parallel horizontal planes as depicted in Fig. 17a.

The cross-sectional view of Fig. 16- is taken at a point where blades 34 and 35 are undergoing twist. From that point rearwardly the blades gradually change in cross-sectional configuration until they assume the rectangular form of springs 40 and 4 l.

The shank 32 of the nib has a lengthwise slot 46 (Fig. for accommodation of the cleaner tongue l3see Fig. 4. And said slot extends forwardly to the point 41 where it connects with an axia1 bore 48 which is of suflicient size, crosssectionally, at all points to clear the cleaner tongue. In each of the cross-sectional views of Figs. 16, 1 7, 17a and is cleaner tongue 13 is shown;

:it is to. be noted that when using. the nib of Figs. 104130.19, tongue. 13'v does not function tospread the blades of the. nib except as an moi? dent to. clearing obstructions. It performsits nib adjusting function only when using a drafting nib such as that of Figs. 20 to 24, inclusive.

Nib E. is'prvented from rotating. by, means of a pin 49 which is secured. in the governor. and is flattened to ent'erslot 46.

Movement of tongue, 43 to effect adjustment of a drafting nib-v accomplished by partially unscrewing piston 2--'-see Fig. 5. Tube 1.2 is thus causedto recede under the pressure exerted by spring 20, andv this. efliects a corresponding retraction oi. tongue (3. l'n referring to the vertical plane as respects thepen nib of Figs. 10-19, I mean the plane. along which Fig. 14 is taken; and in. referring to the horizontal plane. I mean the. plane along which Fig. 13 is taken.

The drafting. nib. 19. illustrated in Figs. 20. to 24 may be substituted for thelettering nib 6 of Figs. row 19. The. nib 19. includes a forward portion 83. and. a shank portion 32' substantially identical with theshank 32 ofnib 6. The various reference nmnerals applied to the. shank 3.2 correspond to those applied to the shank 32. but with prime indications.

The'iorwa'rd portion of nib 19 is divided lengthwise. by nib slits 86 to form a pair or: complementary: tines or blades 83 and 84 similar to those ofa conventional. ruling pen. Blade 83 is milled to a reduced thickness at 85150 render said blade resilient laterally, so. that the two. blades can easily be spread apart at the front end for varying the width of line produced by the nib. Bore 82 is tapered at its forward end as shown in Fig. 21, and the tongue I3 engages the two sides of bore 82 in the manner of a wedge. Bore 82 is of rectangular configuration at section 22, as shown in Fig. 22, being thus conformed to the rectangular cross-section of the tongue.

Tongue I3 serves also as a means for breaking up any obstruction in the ink feed channel between the blades, and it does so by passing between the blades in response to a retractive move, ment of the nib effected by pressing the nib inwardly of the barrel, as described in connection with the nib 6.

I claim:

1. A fountain pen comprising an elongate barrel, a feed element mounted in the front end or said barrel and movable lengthwise thereof to a limited extent, a spring n rma ly holdin said feed element in its forwardmost position, a pen nib mounted in and carried by said feed element and normally projecting from the front end of said barrel, a cap in threaded engagement with the rear end of said barrel, an elongate member telescopically connected at its front end with said feed element and extending rearwardly through said barrel and engaging said cap at its rear end. said spring continuously urging said elongate member rearwardly, and a tongue-like member anchored to the forward end of said elongate member and extending forwardly therefrom, said nib having an axial passageway through which the forward portion of said tongue-like member passes, said nib and feed element being retractable against the opposition of said spring in response to pressure applied to the front end of the nib.

2. A fountain pen comprising an elongate barrel, a feed elirintinounted in the front end of said barrel and movable lengthwise thereof to a limited extent, a spring'normally holding said feed element in its forwardmost position, a pen nib projecting from the front end of saidbarrel and seated in a bore in said feed element extending lengthwise from the front end thereof, said feed element having a radial slit extending lengthwise from end to end thereof and communi'cating with said nib, said slit constituting an ink feed channel for conveying ink to said nib, a tongue-like member disposed in said slit and movable lengthwise thereof, the forward end of said tongue-like member extending lengthwise through said nib to a point near the front end thereof, a breather tube telescopically connected to the rear end of said feed element and extending rearwardly therefrom through said barrel, a piston threaded to the rear end of said barrel and acting as an abutment for the rear end of said tube, said tongue-like member being anchored to said tube and movable therewith, said spring continuously urging said tube rearwardly.

3. A pen comprising a barrel having an ink reservoir, an overflow ink governor .slidably mounted in said barrel, a pen nib carried by said governor and having an ink feed channel connected in ink feeding relation to said reservoir and governor, a spring urging said governor. and nib forward, a cleaner element having at least a portion extending. in .said feed channel, and means restraining said cleaner element against movement upon rearward movement of said governor and nib eifected by application of pressure upon said nib, whereby said cleaner element is effective to clear said channel of obstructions.

4. A pen comprising a barrel having an ink reservoir, an overflow ink governor vslidably mounted in said barrel, a pen nib carried by said governor and havingan ink feed channelcon nected in ink feeding relation to said reservoir REFERENCES CITED The following references are of recordin the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Date Number Name 427,444 Smith May 6, 1890 576,949 Carver Feb. 9, 1897 586,979 Spencer July 27, 1897 758,934 Purdy May 3, 1904 1,242,062 Solemink Oct. 2, 1917 1,501,761 Everson July 15, 1924 2,128,456 Dusenbury, Sr. Aug. 30, 1938 2,195,430 Shea Apr. 2, 1940 2,289,998 Salz July 14, 1942 2,360,297 Wing Oct. 10, 1944 FOREIGN PATENTS Y Number Country Date 322,353 Germany June 28, 1920

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