US3023737A - Writing instrument - Google Patents

Description

March 6, 1962 x, G, MARSAN WRITING INSTRUMENT 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan, 2, 1959 INVENTOR. JULIAN GUTIERREZ MARBAN ATTO March 6, 1962 .1. G. MARSAN 3,023,737

wRTING INSTRUMENT Filed Jan. 2, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. JULIAN GUTlERREZ MARBAN Y ATTggEY FIG. 8

United States Patent O 3,023,737 WRITING INSTRUMENT Julian Gutierrez Marban, Havana, Cuba (6233 Brookview Ave., Edina, Minneapolis, Minn.) Filed Jan. 2, 1959, Ser. No. 784,486 9 Claims. (Cl. 1Z0-42.16)

This invention relates to writing instruments and has special reference to a fountain pen of the double reservoir type, having valves which normally seal at least one of the reservoir sections from access to the atmosphere.

More particularly, this invention pertains to a fountain pen including a barrel having a first valve dividing the interior thereof into auxiliary and primary reservoir sections, a writing element mounted on the forward end of the barrel, and a second valve within the barrel between the auxiliary reservoir section and the writing element, there being reciprocal means within the barrel and connected to the valves, the means being movable in a tirst direction for closing die first valve, and in a second direction for sequently closing the second valve and opening the first valve.

in the usual type of fountain pen, it is necessary to allow for the controlled entry of air into the reservoir to replace the fluid used during writing. Because of the difference in weight, the air rises above the writing fluid in the reservoir and remains thereabove regardless of the position in which the fountain pen subsequently may be held.

The air thus present in la fountain pen reservoir is affected by the same inuences as free atmospheric air, and it will expand or contract if subjected to uctuations in temperature and/ or pressure. Ordinarily, an environmental change which causes contraction of air will not adversely affect la pen, and in certain instances it may prove beneficial -by drawing into the reservoir any excess uid which might be in the expansion chambers or fluid channels of the feed bar.

On the other hand, a decrease in barometric pressure or an increase in temperature may easily cause an undesir- 'able condition in the usual fountain pen should it be held in a position resulting in isolation of air in the closed end of the reservoir. Under lthese conditions a quantity of fluid, equal to the increase in air volume, will be forced from the reservoir and into the expansion chambers of the feed. If the expansion chambers are not of sufficient capacity, a portion of this uid will drip from the instrument into the cap or blot the writing surface or soil the users hands or clothing. It has been observed that this is a particularly vexing problem in air travel in which extremes of temperature and pressure changes are encountered in relatively short periods of time. Of course, if the pen is positioned point upwardly when the above described expansion occurs, the excess air in the reservoir will readily escape through the feeding passageways Without causing difficulty.

It has been observed that a large percentage of users are not aware of or do not understand the above outlined phenomenon of air expansion in the uid reservoir, and should a pen be found flooded they assume that it is defective and return it to the manufacturer for adjustment or replacement. This causes a great deal of needless inconvenience to the users and expense for the manufacturers since the pens are completely up to standards in a large majority of cases.

Furthermore, in filling the usual pen, it is necessary to completely immerse the point and feed in a body of fluid to insure that the reservoir is properly filled. Thus, after completing the filling operation a substantial amount of iiuid usually adheres to the point and feed and it is necessary to remove this residual fluid with a cloth or tissue to prevent it from blotting the writing surface or soiling ICC the users hands during subsequent use of the instrument. Also, the excess fluid in the expansion chambers should be removed to permit proper functioning thereof immediately after filling.

These problems have long been recognized in the art, and numerous suggestions and proposals have been made for their solution. For example, it has been proposed in the past to provide a substantially air tight point protector or cap to prevent the expansion of air in the reservoir even though it should be subjected to an increase in temperature or a decrease in pressure. However, if the unvented cap is removed under such conditions and if at that time the pen is held flat or in a point-down position, a quantity of uid may suddenly be expelled from the writing element.

Accordingly, it is a principal object of this invention to provide a fountain pen which is not subject to the loss of fluid as a result of temperature or barometric pressure changes.

Another object of this invention is to provide a fountain pen having a large but controlled uid capacity.

A further object of this invention is the provision of a fountain pen which may be readily filled with a large quantity of writing fluid but which is always in condition for immediate and clean writing even though subjected to extreme and rapid changes in ambient temperature and pressure.

An additional object of this invention is to provide a fountain pen having a primary uid reservoir which is normally isolated from the atmosphere except during the filling operation.

A still further object of this invention is the provision of a fountain pen having a normally sealed primary reservoir and a normally vented auxiliary reservoir from which fluid is withdrawn during writing but which may be readily replenished from the primary reservoir by simple manipulation.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a fountain pen which has the characteristics mentioned above and which eliminates the necessity of immersing the writing element in fluid during the filling operation.

An additional object of this invention is the provision of a fountain pen having a large fluid reservoir divided into two sections, and manually operable valve means to control communication between said sections and 4the writing element.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a fountain pen having a divided reservoir and a common member for filling the reservoir sections as well as controlling communication between the reservoir sections and the writing element.

Further and additional objects of this invention will be apparent from the following description when taken with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE l is a longitudinal sectional view of a fountain pen embodying this invention and illustrating the arrangement of parts as conditioned for writing or storage;

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary sectional view of the forward portion of the embodiment of FIGURE 1, showing a change in position of the parts as conditioned for lling or transferring iluid between the reservoir sections;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary sectional view of the forward portion of the embodiment of FIGURE 1, showing another change in position of the parts -as conditioned for flushing or draining the reservoir sections;

FIGURE 4 is a developed view showing di'agramatically the structure incorporated in the embodiment of FIGURE l to selectively lock the parts in the positions illustrated in FIGURES l, 2 and 3;

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view taken along the line 5--5 of FIGURE l FIGURE 6 is a sectional view taken along the line 6 6 of FIGURE l;

FIGURE 7 is a perspective View of the bulb portion of the forward valve of the embodiment of FIGURE l;

FIGURE 8 is a longitudinal sectional view of another embodiment of this invention and showing the arrangement of parts as conditioned for writing or filling and;

FIGURE 9 is a fragmentary sectional view of the forward portion of the embodiment of FIGURE 8 illustrating a change in position of the parts as conditioned for transferring -uid between the reservoir sections.

Referring first to FIGURES 1 through 7 of the drawings, the fountain pen therein illustrated includes an outer barrel 10 formed of a substantially unbreakable rigid plastic or metal having good dimensional stability and a lustrous and long wearing surface, and an open ended inner barrel 11. For the reasons outlined hereinbelow, the inner barrel 11 preferably is molded of a relatively resilient plastic material. The outer barrel 10 consists of a rear cylindrical barrel portion 12 which is telescoped over and removably secured to the threaded area adjacent the open forward end of the inner barrel 11, together with a gripping section 13 threadedly secured to the inner barrel 11 in axial abutting alignment with the rear barrel portion 12. It is desirable to employ an adhesive or the like on the threads between the gripping section 13 and inner barrel 11 in order to prevent inadvertent disassembly thereof.

Mounted on the gripping section 13 is a forwardly projecting writing element 14, which comprises a substantially non-corrodible metallic pen point 15 threadedly secured on the forward end of the gripping section, and a feed bar 16 partially enclosed within the point. The feed bar is provided with a capillary fissure 17 communicating with the writing tip 18 through the usual slit 19. An axial bore 20 in the forward end of the gripping section 13 is adapted to frictionally receive the reduced shank portion of the feed bar 16, the fit between the shank portion and the bore 20 being quite close in order to hold the feed bar 16 in the correct feeding relationship with the pen point 15 as well as to seal the bore 20 to prevent the egress of fiuid therethrough.

Communication between the interior of the gripping section 13 and the fissure 17 is provided through an outlet 21 formed by a longitudinal bore extending to adjacent the forward end of the feed bar 16. While not necessary for the satisfactory functioning of this embodiment, it may be desirable to insert into the outlet 21 a conduit 22 which communicates with the fissure 17 through a forward transverse aperture 23. As described in more detail hereinafter, the rearward end of the conduit preferably is ground or otherwise tapered to form a frustum of a cone as illustrated in FIGURES 1, 2 and 3. However, a fiat end surface will serve most satisfactorily.

In order to accomplish the objectives of this invention, it is necessary to divide the interior of the pen into separate fiuid sections. For this purpose, a first valve is pro` vided within the barrel of the pen dividing the interior thereof into the necessary reservoir sections, an auxiliary reservoir section 24 and a primary reservoir section 25. While it is apparent that the valve may be formed in various ways, it is shown in the embodiment of FIGURES l through 7 to include a first wall portion 26 and a sealing member such as the first gasket 27. The wall portion 26 of the valve is formed at the open forward end of the inner barrel 11 as an inwardly extending annular ring having tapered forward and rearward edge portions and providing a passageway 28 between the reservoir sections 24 and 25. The gasket 27 is formed of a semi-resilient material and is adapted to sealably and slidably engage the passageway 28 to close the valve and isolate the primary reservoir section 25. Although other configurations ymight be readily employed, it is deemed desirable to form several transverse annular ridges 29 around the periphery of the gasket portion 27 in order to provide a plurality of individual seals with the passageway 28.

It is understood, of course, that the materials used in the gasket 27, inner barrel 11 and various other parts subject to `Contact with writing fluid, are selected from niaterials well known to those in the art as being non-reactive with the constituents of the usual writing fiuid. Y

The primary reservoir section 25 is desirably several times larger in volume than the auxiliary reservoir section 24, serving as a sealed fluid storage area of a size limited `only by the desired external dimensions of the barrel 10 and to some extent by the filling method utilized. In contrast, the size of the section 24 is relatively limited and its volume is preferably calculated to insure that it is functionally balanced with the capacity of a series of transverse annular expansion chambers 30 in the feed bar 16. As herein employed, the term functional balance indicates that the expansion chambers of the feed bar are at least equal to if not greater in volume than the maximum amount of fiuid which can be forced from the auxiliary reservoir over the most adverse temperature and/or pressure conditions that the pen is likely to encounter in normal usuage.

The second valve is positioned within the barrel 10 forwardly of the first valve and between the auxiliary reservoir section 24 and the writing element 14. This Valve includes a second wall portion 31, formed by the rearward end of the feed bar 16, and `a resilient closure element or second gasket 32 adapted to seal against or otherwise cooperate with the second wall portion to close the outlet 21. As described heretofore, a conduit 22 is mounted in the outlet 21 and forms a part of the valve in this embodiment since, in effect, it is merely an extension of the second wall portion 31.

In order to assure the forming of a positive seal between the gasket and wall portion of the second valve, the rearward end of the conduit 22 is tapered toward its inner circumference to correspond to a tapered recess 33 in the lower surface of the 'resilient gasket 32. Thus, a seal may be effected between these annular tapered portions as well as between the end of the conduit 22 and the inner transverse surface of recess 33. Also, the tapered surfaces assist in properly aligning the gasket 32 and the conduit 22 when they are brought into sealing engagement.

One of the important features of this embodiment is the provision of a single common member for filling the pen and for actuating the valves to control liuid communication between the reservoir sections and the writing element. This feature is accomplished by the use of an elongated filling member 34 which is coaxially mounted for longitudinal movement within the barrel 10 and which defines an internal passage 35 extending from a uid discharge 36 within the primary reservoir to a fluid intake 37 positioned beyond the end of the inner barrel 11. As illustrated best in FIGURE 1 of the drawings, the filling member extends forwardly of the fluid discharge 36, through the passageway 28 and into the auxiliary reservoir n section 24.

The forward end of the filling member 34 may be closed by a swedging or forming operation, or sealed by means of the plug 38 which is frictionally mounted on and carried within the auxiliary reservoir 24 by the filling member 34. The second gasket 32 is axially aligned with the filling member 34 and connected thereto by hollow, fiexible pulb portion 39 which is attached, in turn, to the plug 38. The assembly of the filling member, plug, bulb and second gasket is illustrated in detail in FIGURE 7. For convenience in manufacture and assembly the bulb portion 39 and the second gasket 32 are formed as an integral unit, although it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other mounting arrangements may be employed. To complete the movable assembly the first gasket 27 is mounted on the filling member 34 rearwardly of the second gasket 32 and its associated parts, and is frictionally retained thereon by means of a rigid plastic or metal insert 40.

Positioned within the open rearward end of the inner barrel 11 is a semi-resilient closure disc 41 having a central aperture adapted to slidably receive the filling member 34, the aperture being dimensioned so as to prevent leakage of fiuid from around the lling member. The disc 4l abuts an internal shoulder 42 within the mouth of the inner barrel 11, and is tightly held thereagainst by a locking cylinder 46 which is threadedly or otherwise secured within the open end of the inner barrel 11. A collar 44 having diametrically opposed projections 45 and 45a is mounted on the filling member 34 exteriorly of the inner barrel 11. As outlined here below, the collar 44 serves as a portion of the structure providing for controlling the movement and position of the filling member 34.

FiGURE 4 diagrammatically illustrates the lockug cylinder 46 which includes on its inner surface a pair of diametrically opposed recessed tracks adapted to slidably receive the projections 45 and 45a of the collar 44. It will be noted that the tracks not only define a pre-determined pattern of travel for the projections but also provide a plurality of stops for selectively locking the filling member and associated gaskets in any one of the three positions illustrated in FIGURES 1, 2 or 3. In the writing and storage position shown in FIGURE l, the projections abut the rearward surfaces 47 and 47a of the longitudinal track portions; in the filling and transferring position of FIGURE 2 they abut the upper surfaces 4S and 48a of the lower transverse track portions; and in the flushing position illustrated in FGURE 3 they abut the rearward surfaces 49 and 49a of the offset L shaped track portions. To insure retention of the filling member in any one of the three positions, a resilient coil spring 57 is mounted between the upper surface of the closure disc 4l and the lower surface of the collar 44.

Although various alternate arrangements may readily be employed it will be noted that, for convenience and ease in the assembly of the collar 44 and locking cylinder 46, the longitudinal track portions extend through the lower edge of the locking cylinder.

ln normal use, a substantial part of the filling member 34 is subject to constant contact iwith writing fiuid and it should be fabricated of a non-corrodible metal alloy such as stainless steel, palladium silver or the like. Furthermore, it may be desirable to treat the rearward end of the filling member with a non-wettable substance, such as a silicone compound, to prevent the adhesion thereto of residual fluid subsequent to its immersion for filling purposes.

Sealing means comprising a plastic or rubber disc 5t? is disposed within the longitudinal bore of a push button 51 and adapted to seal the fluid intake 37 during normal use of the instrument. The push button 51, having an enlarged intermediate shoulder 52, is longitudinally movable in bore 53 of the rear barrel portion 12 and retained therein by an internal shoulder 54. To insure proper closure of the fluid intake 37, a coil spring 55 of less strength than spring 57 is mounted between the shoulders 52 and 55. Thus, the push button 51 is normally urged toward the intake sealing position. As stated heretofore, the rear barrel portion 12 is removably threaded to the inner barrel 11, and includes an internal annular stop 56 to prevent inadvertent disassembly of the rear barrel portion 12, the push button 51 and spring 55 upon their removal as a unit from the balance of the writing instrument.

As can best be determined from FIGURE 5 the forward end of the longitudinal bore of push button 51 may be of a square configuration and of a size to receive a square neck portion 58 on the collar 44. Thus, by depressing and manually rotating the push button, a user may selectively move the projections 45 and 45a of the collar 44 into or out of any one of the three track portions described above.

During normal writing use as well as storage of the pen, the filling member 34 is in the first position illustrated in FIGURE l, with the projections 45 and 45a of the collar 44 abutting the rearward surfaces 47 and 47a of the longitudinal track portions of -the locking collar 46. ln this position, the first valve is closed and the second valve opened whereby the primary reservoir section is isolated but the auxiliary reservoir section is in communication with lthe point through outlet 21. Thus, even under the most severe temperature and/or pressure conditions, the first valve will prevent escape of any air or fluid from the primary reservoir. And because the expansion chambers 30 in the feed bar 16 will retain the maximum amount of fluid which might be forced from the auxiliary reservoir, the heretofore relatively common difiiculty of leakage is eliminated.

The primary feature of this invention is to prevent direct communication between the primary reservoir 25 and the writing element 14, and to accomplish this feature it is necessary to arrange the parts so that movement of the reciprocal means (filling member) toward the second position shown in FIGURE 2 sequently causes the second valve to close and the first valve to open. Thus, during normal use of the pen only one valve is open at any one time and the continuous isolation of the primary reservoir 25 effectively prevents expulsion of Huid therefrom into the writing element regardless of temperature or pressure conditions.

To sequently close the second valve and open the rst valve and establish communication between the reservoir sections, while they are isolated from the Writing point, it is merely necessary to press forwardly on the push button 51 until the shoulder 52 abuts against the stop 56. The valves then assume the second position in which the second gasket is shifted rearwardly relative to the first gasket by virtue of the deformation of the bulb portion 39. As may be determined from 4the drawings, the passageway 28 is substantially longer in length than the first gasket 27 and a fluid and air tight seal is maintained therebetween as long as any portion of the gasket is within the passageway. Since the gasket normally is positioned at the rearward end of the passageway in the first position the first valve is effectively closed during a substantial portion of the forward movement of the filling member toward the second position and until after the second valve is closed. Thus, when the filling member is intermediate the first and second positions described above, both valves are closed and the reservoir sections are isolated from each other and from the writing element.

The filling member 34 may be locked in the forward position shown in FIGURE 2 by appropriately rotating the push button 51 so that projections 45 and 45a or the collar 44 enter the transverse track portions of the locking cylinder 46. In this position, the reservoir sections may be re-charged with writing fluid by removing the unit consisting of the rear barrel portion 12 and its associated parts from the balance of the pen. This exposes the rearward end of the filling member 34- which then may be dipped in a body of writing fluid, and by partially evacuating the barrel a charge of fluid is drawn thereinto through fiuid intake 37, passage 35 and iiuid discharge 36.

It will be obvious that various methods may be employed for the purpose of evacuating the barrel for filling and ushing purposes. One such method would be to form the inner barrel 11 of a resilient material such as polyethylene to allow transverse `deformation thereof upon the application of squeezing pressure by the user. It may be pointed out that in this particular embodiment, it would be necessary to squeeze the inner barrel several times to insure that a full charge of fluid is drawn into the reservoir sections.

In order to keep the wall of the inner barrel 11 as thin as possible, the interior surface thereof is provided with a series of longitudinally extending reinforcing ribs 59 as best illustrated in FIGURE 6. 'It will readily be under stood by those familiar with the art, that the ribs not only assist the inner barrel in returning to its original shape after the application of squeezing pressure by the user, but also prevent any undesirable axial displacement of the inner barrel.

After the filling has been completed, the pen is conditioned for subsequent use merely by telescoping the rear barrel portion 12 over the inner barrel 11 and attaching it thereto as described previously.

The valves may assume a third position, which is considered the flushing position, as best illustrated in FIG- URE 3. In this position, the first and second valves are open simultaneously so that both reservoir sections are in communication with the atmosphere through outlet 21. In this position the projections 45 and 45a of the collar 44 abut against the rearward surfac 49 and 49a of L shaped track portions of the locking cylinder 43. Thus, the flushing of the barrel can be completed readily by removing the rear barrel portion 12 and its associated parts, and by temporarily closing the uid intake 37 with a finger or the like while simultaneously squeezing the inner barrel 11.

During normal writing use the auxiliary reservoir 24 may be replenished from time to time by moving the valves to the second position while the pen is positioned with the point downwardly toward the writing surface. The force of gravity will cause fluid to flow from the primary reservoir 25 through passageway 28 and into the auxiliary reservoir 24, while air from the auxiliary reservoir is simultaneously entering the primary reservoir from the auxiliary reservoir as the transfer of uid therebetween is accomplished.

It is understood, of course, that this embodiment, as well as the embodiment described below, is adapted to receive a cap or point protector (not shown) of the usual type in order to prevent evaporation of the writing fluid from the point and feed bar during periods when the instrument is not in use.

The embodiment disclosed in FIGURES 8 and 9 is basically similar in construction and operation to the ernbodiment described above, except that the valves are not directly controlled -by the filling member. This embodiment includes a barrel 65 having forward and rearward portions 66 and 67 threadedly secured in a coaxial relationship, and a writing element 68 projecting forwardly of the barrel. The writing element 68 is threadedly or otherwise secured to the forward end of the barrel, with the feed bar being partially enclosed within the pen point and having a shank portion pressed into the open forward end of the barrel. The feed bar 81 is provided with a capillary fissure 69 communicating with the writing tip 70 through the usual slit 71, and an outlet 72. Mounted in the outlet 72 is a conduit 73 which is adapted for communication with the fissure 69 through a forward transverse aperture 74. As in the case of the first embodiment, the conduit 73, in effect, forms an extension of the rearward end or wall of the feed bar 81.

Arranged for limited longitudinal movement within the barrel 65 and relative to the writing element 68 is a fluid unit 75 which is divided into a primary reservoir section 76 and an auxiliary reservoir section 77 by means of the first wall portion 78. While various arrangements may be employed, the first wall portion 78 is preferably adhesively secured within the fluid unit. As shown best in FIGURE 9, this wall portion includes a central aperture 79 which is tapered outwardly toward the rearward end of the unit and which provides a passageway between the reservoir sections. The forward end of the fluid unit is shown as being Vclosed by a disc 80 having an opening which is adapted to slidably and sealably engage that portion of the conduit 73 which extends rearwardly of the feed bar 81 and into the auxiliary reservoir section 77. Accordingly, it is evident that the conduit 73 forms a second wall portion between the auxiliary reservoir section and the writing element, as well as an extension of the outlet 72 in the feed bar 81.

In order to selectively control communication of fluid through the passageway 79 and outlet 72, there is provided gasket means (generally designated by the numeral 82) supported for longitudinal movement within the fluid unit relative to the above defined wall portions. The gasket means 32 includes a resilient rearward seating segment 83 within the primary reservoir section, a resilient forward seating segment 84 within the auxiliary reservoir section, and substantially rigid operating means 85 connected to and movable with the gasket portions.

As is obvious from the drawings and the above description, the rearward seating segment 83 and the first wall portion 7S form a first valve for controlling fluid communication between the reservoir sections, with a second valve being formed between the auxiliary reservoir and the writing element by the conduit 73 and the forward seating segment 84. Since the first Valve normally should be closed in order to isolate the primary section 76, a resilient member 86, such as a non-corrodible plastic or metal coil spring, is mounted between the wall 78 and the forward seating segment 84.

The fluid unit may be furnished to the user as an inexpensive throw-away type of cartridge merely by sealing the opening in the disc with a diaphragm adapted to be pierced by the rearward end of the conduit 73. However, the embodiment shown in FIGURES 8 and 9 is of the refillable type, in that it includes a filling member 87 having a longitudinal passage extending from a uid discharge 88 within the primary reservoir to an extei-nal fuid intake 89 positioned beyond the rearward end of the duid unit. Furthermore, in order to eliminate` the use of the filling mechanism within the barrel of the pen, it is desirable to mold the fluid unit 75 of a resilient plastic, such as polyethylene. Thus, for filling purposes, the duid unit may be subjected to a squeezing pressure by the user.

Sealing means comprising a plastic or rubber disc 90 is disposed within the longitudinal bore of the push button 91 and adapted to seal the fluid intake 89 during normal use and storage of the instrument. The push button 91, having an enlarged intermediate shoulder 92, is longitudinally movable in bore 93 of the rearward portion 67 and retained therein by an internal shoulder 94. To insure proper closure of the fluid intake, a coil spring 95 is mounted between the shoulders 92 and 94 as illustrated in FIGURE 8. Thus, the push button 91 normally is urged toward the intake sealing position. As mentioned heretofore, the rear barrel portion V67 is removably threaded to the forward barrel portion 66, and includes an internal annular stop 96 to prevent inadvertent disassembly of the rear barrel portion 67, the push button 91 and the spring 95 upon their removal as a unit from the balance of the writing instrument.

During normal writing use, the forward and rearward seating segments 84 and 83 of the gasket means are in the first position illustrated in FIGURE 8. In this position, the first valve is closed and the second valve opened whereby the primary reservoir section is isolated but the auxiliary reservoir section is in communication with the writing element through outlet 72. Thus, even under the most severe temperature and pressure conditions, the rst valve will prevent escape of any air or fluid from the primary reservoir 76. And because the expansion chambers 97 in the feed bar 81 will Vretain any fluid which might be forced from the yauxiliary reservoir, the heretofore relatively common difficulty of leakage is eliminated.

As pointed out heretofore, the primary feature of this invention is to prevent direct communication between the primary reservoir 76 and the writing element 68. To accomplish this feature it is necessary to arrange the parts so that movement of the uid unit 75 toward the second 9 position shown in FIGURE 9 sequently causes the second valve to close and the first valve to open. Thus, the primary reservoir 76 is continuously isolated from the writing element.

To move the fluid unit to the second position it is merely necessary to press forwardly on the push button 91, which forward movement is transmitted by the filling member to the fiuid unit by virtue of the intermediate shoulder 98 which abuts against the rearward end of the uid unit. To accommodate movement of the fluid unit between the two positions, resilient means 99 is provided to urge the uid unit toward the first position. This resilient element 99 preferably comprises a coil spring mounted between the rearward end of the feed bar 81 and the forward end of the writing unit 75. A washer 100, slidable with respect to the conduit 73, may be interposed between the forward end of the fiuid unit 7S and the coil spring 99. The coil spring 99, of course, should be somewhat stronger than the spring 95 in order to insure proper positioning of the various parts upon removal of pressure on the push button 9i.

During movement of the fluid unit 75 from the first position toward the second position, the forward seating segment 84 abuts the rearward end of the conduit 73, thus closing outlet 72 and preventing further forward movement of the gasket means with the fluid unit. Upon further forward motion of the uid unit from this intermediate position, the gasket means is shifted rearwardly relative to the wall portion 7S thereby opening the first valve to allow communication between the reservoir sections through the passageway 79. Because of the action of the spring 86, the second valve remains closed as long as the first valve is open.

To fill the embodiment above described, it is necessary to unscrew and remove the assembly comprising the rear barrel portion 67, push button 9'1 and associated parts, from the forward barrel portion 66. This exposes the rearward end of the filling member 87 and the iiuid intake 89. The fluid intake may then be inserted in a body of writing fluid and the fiuid unit squeezed several times to insure that a full charge of huid is drawn thereinto. Each time it is so squeezed, a portion of the air remaining therein is evacuated through the filling memlber, thus allowing atmospheric pressure to force a corresponding amount of fluid into the primary reservoir. If it is desired to fill the auxiliary reservoir section with fiuid after at least a portion of the primary reservoir has been filled, the instrument may be positioned point downwardly and the valves actuated by manual movement of the fluid unit to the second position. The fluid intake can then be reinserted into the body of fiuid to complete the filling of the primary reservoir.

Various methods may be utilized for limiting the rearward movement of the fluid unit 75 within the pen barrel 65, but in this embodiment the coil spring 95 is adapted for this purpose.

During normal writing use of the instrument, fiuid is withdrawn from the auxiliary reservoir 77 through the outlet 72, from where it is transferred to theslit 71 through the transverse aperture 74 and fissure 69. The auxiliary reservoir may be replenished from time to time during writing merely by operating the push button 91 to sequently close the second valve and open the first valve while the point is positioned downwardly toward the writing surface. In addition to the effect of gravity, it has been observed that the rearward end of the fluid unit 75 may be deformed inwardly to a limited extent, and the pressure thus created within the primary reservoir assists in the transfer of iiuid to the auxiliary reservoir.

It is understood that although only two embodiments are illustrated and described herein, the invention is not to be limited thereto as many modifications may be made without departing from the true spirit and scope of this l 10 invention. Accordingly, this invention is not to be limited to the embodiments described above, and it is contemplated, by the appended claims, to cover any such modifications which fall within its true spirit and scope.

I claim:

l. A writing instrument comprising a barrel, a writing element on the forward end of said barrel, a first wall portion within said barrel dividing the interior thereof into auxiliary and primary reservoir sections and defining a passageway between said sections, a second wall portion Within said barrel and defining an outlet for directing communication between said auxiliary reservoir section and said writing element, reciprocal means coaxially mounted within said barrel and movable through said passageway between a first position and a second position, a first gasket carried by said reciprocal means and sealably engaging said passageway when said reciprocal means is disposed in said first position and during movement of said means to a position substantially intermediate said rst and second positions, a second gasket carried by and movable with said reciprocal means between said first position spaced from said outlet and said intermediate position sealably engaging said outlet, and a resilient member restraining said second gasket in sealing engagement with said outlet during movement of said reciprocal means from said intermediate position to said second position to withdraw said first gasket from said passageway and allow communication between said sections through said passageway externally of said reciprocal means.

2. A writing instrument comprising a barrel, a writing element on the forward end of said barrel, a first wall portion within said barrel dividing the interior thereof into auxiliary and primary reservoir sections and defining a passageway between said sections, a second wall portion within said barrel between said auxiliary reservoir section and said writing element and defining an outlet therebetween, reciprocal means coaxially mounted within said barrel and extending through said passageway, said reciprocal means being smaller in diameter than said passageway and movable through said passageway between a first position and a second position, a first gasket carried within said barrel by said reciprocal means and sealably engaging said passageway when said reciprocal means is disposed in said first position and during movement of said means to a position substantially intermedi- -ate said first and second positions, a second gasket carried by said reciprocal means forwardly of said first gasket, said gasket being movable within said reciprocal means between said rst position spaced from said outlet and said intermediate position sealably engaging said outlet, and a resilient member restraining said second gasket in sealing engagement with said outlet during movement of said reciprocal means from said intermediate position to said second position to withdraw said first gasket from said passageway and allow communication between said sections through said passageway externally of said reciprocal means.

3. A writing instrument comprising a barrel, a writing element on the forward end of said barrel, a first wall portion within said barrel dividing the interior thereof into auxiliary and primary reservoir sections and defining a passageway between said sections, a second wall portion Within said barrel between said auxiliary reservoir section and said writing element and dening an outlet therebetween, reciprocal means coaxially mounted within said barrel and extending through said passageway, said reciprocal means being smaller in diameter than said passageway and movable therethrough from a first position to an intermediate position and from said intermediate position to a second position, a first gasket carried by said reciprocal means and sealably engaging said passageway when said reciprocal means is disposed in said first and intermediate positions and between said first and intermediate positions, a second gasket carried by said reciprocal means forwardly of said rst gasket, said second gasket being movable with said reciprocal means between said first position spaced from said outlet and said intermediate position sealably engaging said outlet, and a resilient member restraining said second gasket in sealing engagement with said outlet during movement of said reciprocal means from said intermediate position to said second position to withdraw said first gasket from said passageway and allow communication between said sections through said passageway externally of said reciprocal means only while said sections are isolated from said writing element.

4. A writing instrument comprising a barrel, a writing element on the forward end of said barrel, a first wall portion within said barrel dividing the interior thereof into auxiliary and primary reservoir sections and defining a passageway between said sections, a second wall portion within said barrel between said auxiliary reservoir section and said writing element and defining an outlet for directing communication therebetween, reciprocal means coaxially mounted within said barrel extending through said passageway and terminating rearwardly of said outlet, said reciprocal means being smaller in diameter than said passageway and movable from a first position to an intermediate position and from said intermediate position to a second position, a first gasket within said barrel mounted on said reciprocal means and sealably engaging said passageway when said reciprocal means is disposed in and moving between said first and intermediate positions, a second gasket within said auxiliary reservoir and mounted on said reciprocal means forwardly of said first gasket, said second gasket being of greater diameter than said outlet and movable with said reciprocal means between said first position spaced from said outlet and said intermediate position sealably engaging said outlet, said first gasket sealably engaging said passageway and said second gasket sealably engaging said outlet when said reciprocal means is disposed in said intermediate position, and a resilient member urging said second gasket into sealing engagement with said outlet during movement of said reciprocal means from said intermediate position to said second position, said first gasket being withdrawn from said passageway during movement of said reciprocal means from said intermediate to said second position to allow communication between said sections through said passageway externally of said reciprocal means while said sections are isolated from said writing element.

5. A writing instrument comprising a barrel, a writing element on the forward end of said barrel, a first wall portion within said barrel dividing the interior thereof into auxiliary and primary reservoir sections and defining a passageway between said sections, a second wall portion within said barrel between said auxiliary reservoir section and said writing element and defining an outlet therebetween, elongated reciprocal means coaxially mounted within said barrel extending through said passageway and Vterminating rearwardly of said outlet, said reciprocal means being smaller in diameter than said passageway and movable therethrough from a first position to an intermediate position and from said intermediate position to a second position, a first gasket within said barrel mounted on said reciprocal means and sealably engaging said passageway when said reciprocal means is disposed in and moving between said first and intermediate positions, a second gasket within said auxiliary reservoir and mounted on the forward end of said reciprocal means, said second gasket being of greater diameter than said outlet and movable with said reciprocal means between said first position spaced from said outlet and said intermediate position sealably engaging said outlet, said first and second gaskets sealably engaging said passageway and said outlet when said reciprocal means is disposed in said intermediate position, and a resilient member urging said second gasket into sealing engagement with said outlet during movement of said reciprocal means from said intermediate position to said second position, said first gasket being withdrawn from said passageway during movement of said reciprocal means from said intermediate to said second position to allow communication between said sections through said passageway externally of said reciprocal means only while said sections are isolated from said writing element.

6. A writing instrument comprising a barrel, a writing element on the forward end of said barrel, a first Wall portion within said barrel dividing the interior thereof into auxiliary and primary reservoir sections and defining a passageway between said sections, a second wall portion within said barrel between said auxiliary reservoir section and said writing element and defining an outlet therebetween, a filling member reciprocally mounted within said barrel and providing a fluid passage extending from within said primary reservoir section to a fiuid intake positioned beyond the rearward end of said barrel, said filling member being smaller in diameter than said passageway and movable therethrough from a first position to an intermediate position and from said intermediate position to a second position, sealing means closing said fiuid passage, a first gasket carried by said filling member and sealably engaging said passageway when said filling member is disposed in and between said first and intermediate positions, a second gasket carried by said filling member forwardly of said first gasket, said second gasket being removable with said reciprocal means between said first position spaced from said outlet and said intermediate position sealably engaging said outlet, and a resilient member urging said second gasket into sealing engagement with said outlet during movement of said filling member from said intermediate position to said second position to withdraw said first gasket from said passageway and allow communication between said sections through said passageway externally of said reciprocal means, said barrel having provision for permitting partial evacuation thereof whereby fluid will be drawn thereinto through said passage upon rendering said sealing means inoperative and immersing said fiuid intake in a body of fiuid.

7. A writing instrument comprising a barrel, a writing element on the forward end of said barrel, a first wall portion within said barrel dividing the interior thereof into auxiliary and primary reservoir sections and providing a passageway between said sections, a second wall portion within said barrel forwardly of said first wall portion and defining an outlet, a conduit positioned in said outlet for directing communication between said auxiliary reservoir section and said writing element, a filling member supported for longitudinal movement in said barrel between rearward and forward positions and providing a passage extending from within said primary reservoir section to a fiuid intake positioned beyond the rearward end of said barrel, sealing means closing said passage, a first gasket mounted on said filling member and movable therewith relative to said passageway, said first gasket being disposed a predeterminedrdistance within said passageway and sealingly engaging said first wall when said filling member is in said rearward position, a second gasket resiliently mounted on said filling member forwardly of said first gasket and spaced less than said predetermined distance from said outlet, said filling member and said gaskets being movable together in a forward direction urging said second gasket against said conduit thereby closing said outlet to isolate said auxiliary reservoir section, said second gasket shifting rearwardly relative to said filling member after abutting said conduit thereby permitting further movement of said filling member to said forward position and withdrawal of said first gasket from said passageway to allow transfer of fiuid between said sections while they are isolated from the writing element, and a resilient spring member acting upon said 13 barrel and said lling member and urging said member toward said first position, said barrel being laterally resilient for permitting partial evacuation thereof whereby uid will be drawn thereinto through said passage upon rendering said sealing means inoperative and immersing said fluid intake into a body of fluid.

8. A writing instrument comprising a barrel, 'a Writing element mounted on the forward end of said barrel, a fluid unit mounted for limited longitudinal movement within said barrel between first and second positions relative to said writing element, a first wall portion within said fluid unit dividing the interior thereof into auxiliary and primary reservoir sections and providing a passageway between said sections, a second wall portion at the forward end of said tiuid unit and defining an outlet between said auxiliary reservoir section and said writing element, and gasket means supported for movement Within said uid unit relative to said wall portions, and a resilient member urging said gasket means in a direction to close said passageway during movement of said fluid unit and said gasket means from said first position to a position intermediate said first and second positions, said gasket means closing said outlet and shifting relative to said wall portions during movement of said fluid unit from said intermediate position toward said second position thereby opening said passageway to allow communication between said reservoir sections while they are isolated from the writing element.

9. A writing instrument comprising a barrel, a writing element mounted on the forward end of said barrel, a fluid unit mounted for limited longitudinal movement within said barrel between first and second positions relative to said writing element, a rearward portion extending from said iluid unit to a position beyond said barrel, a first wall portion within said uid unit dividing the interior thereof into auxiliary and primary reservoir sections and providing a passageway therebetween, a second wall portion at the forward end of said uid unit and defining an outlet, a fluid conduit slidably received in said outlet and providing communication between said auxiliary reservoir section and said writing element, gasket means supported for longitudinal movement within said uid unit relative to said wall portions, said gasket means having forward and rearward seating segments, and a resilient member urging said gasket means in a direction to dispose said rearward seating segment in and close said passageway during movement of said iiuid unit and said gasket means from said iirst position to a position intermediate said iirst and second positions, said forward seating segment abutting said fluid conduit and said gasket means shifting rearwardly relative to said wall portions during movement of said fluid unit from said intermediate position toward said second position and sequently sealing said outlet and opening said passageway to allow fluid communication between said reservoir sections while they are isolated from said writing element.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,868,165 Hammond July 19, 1932 2,603,188 McKay July 15, 1952 2,762,337 Beckwith Sept. l1, 1956 2,874,679 Zepelovitch Feb. 24, 1959 2,914,028 Martin Nov. 24, 1959 FOREIGN PATENTS 251,496 Germany Oct. 3, 1912 6,570 Great Britain May 3, 1915 529,534 Italy July 23, 1955 1,020,257 Germany Nov. 28, 1957

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