US3077185A - Writing implement - Google Patents

Description

Feb. l2, 1963 L. c. HANSEN WRITING IMPLEMENT @NN NS wQ NQ NN wm. wm ww Nw INVENTOR. Ow WMM l! luk nwh! w Y le lullin Feb. 12, 1963 Filed Sept. l1, 1956 9/ a@ 4d ad L` C. HANSEN WRITING IMPLEMENT 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. om /wm BY.

Feb. 12, 1963 f c. HANSEN WRITING IMPLEMENT 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Sept. 1l, 1956 INVENTOR. @gw

Feb. l2, 1963 c. HANSEN WRITING IMPLEMENT 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 @mv QW mmv Mm.

IN V EN TOR.

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bm Nm MW www n lrfI islnite ttes 3,077,185 WRHWG EMPLEMENT Lewis C. Hansen, Fort Madison, Iowa., assigner to W. A.

Shealfer Peu Company, Fort Madison, Iowa, a corporation of Delaware Filed Sept. 11, 1956, Ser. No. 6il9,l16 1li Claims. (Cl. 1242.l3}

This invention relates to writing implements and more particularly to writing implements of the fountain pen type.

In the construction of the usual type fountain pen employing a liquid writing fluid it has usually been necessary to provide such implements with a cap if the implements are to be carried in the pocket or handbag of the user. The caps have been considered necessary in order to prevent accidental spilling of the writing iluid wit-h attendant soiling of the clothes of the person carrying the implement. Furthermore, fountain pens are generally constructed so that the caps are provided with pocket clips so that when the implement is carried it will be in the point up position. Under certain circumstances this has not been wholly satisfactory since after long periods in the point up position, the writing iluid may ydry or drain away from the writing tip so that the implement will not immediately write when applied to the writing surface. Furthermore, the caps that have been used iu the past offer the further disadvantage that they may become separated from the implement and lost, vf/hereafter it is practically impossible for the implement to Ibe carried by the user lwithout soiling the clothes.

It has been proposed in connection with the so-called ball point pen writinfI implements to provide a device in which the point of the implement can be reuacted into the main body portion thereof whereby the implement may readily be carried by the user without concern over the soiling of clothes. However, such structures have not been feasible in connection with fountain .pens employing liquid writing fluid since the liquid fluid in most types of constructions tends to leak from the point upon changes in temperature or barometric conditions.

Accordingly, it is an obiect of this invention to provide a fountain pen in which it is not necessary to ernploy the usual type of cap for concealing the writing point when the implement is not in use.

A further obiect of this invention is the provision of a fountain pen which may be carried by the user in a point down position in order that the writing point will always be ready for immediate transfer of fluid upon use.

A still further object of this invention is the provision of a capless fountain pen which may be readily carried in the pocket or in a handbag without danger of prematurely discharging Writing fluid from the implement.

A still further object of this invention is the provision of a novel construction which may be readily adaptable to many types of implements that have been previously sold commercially.

A still further object of this invention is the provision of improved means for feeding writing fluid in a fountain pen from a reservoir to a forwardly disposed writing tip.

An additional object of this invention is the provision of improved means for forcefully filling the capillary reservoir of a fountain pen.

Further and additional objects will appear from the following description, the accompanying drawings and the appended claims.

In one form of this invention an improved fountain pen is provided having a capillary reservoir disposed within a barrel assembly with a writing element and a filling tube `disposed forwardly of the reservoir and eX- tensible through an open forward end of the barrel assembly. More particularly, a caples-s fountain pen is provided in which a writing element is shiftable relative to and through the open forward end of a barrel assembly wherein the open end is normally lsealed by a yieldab-le element and a filling tube is coaXially mounted with the writing element and shiftable between positions forwardly and rearwardly of the writing element. The writing element and ii-lling tube are spaced apart to define a capillary space therebetween extending longitudinally `from the capillary reservoir to the writing tip. Means is also 'provided for `forcefully filling the capillary reservoir with writing fluid by the successive actuation of a telescoping pneumatic assembly. As indicated above, this invention is readily applicable to a number of different types of constructions that have been suggested in the prior art. For example, this invention is readily adaptable to a device having an extensible `filling tube such as is disclosed in Lynn P. Martin application Serial No. 256,897, led November 17, 1951, now Patent No. 2,769,- 427, and more particularly to an implement having a pneumatically collapsible sac of the character disclosed in Martin United States Patent No. 2,610,612, dated September 15, 1952. However, the invention has particular applicability in those Writin-g implements that are` provided with a so-called capillary mass type reservoir and such an implement is Idisclosed in the copending application of Craig R. Sheafier, Serial No. 319,031, tiled November 6, 1952, now Patent No. 2,784,699. As is known, capillary reservoirs are freely vented to the atmosphere at their rearward ends and it is not necessary to provide expansion chambers because of the fact that writing iluid is not expelled therefrom due to barometric or temperature changes. Thus the capillary type reservoirs are essentially free from leakage under ordinary conditions of use and are therefore particularly suitable for use in connection with the provision of a capless type fountain pen of the character contemplated by this invention. Y

For a more complete understanding of this invention reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings wherein:

PIG. l is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of the forward end of a fountain pen incorporatingr the novel features of the invention with the various parts illustrated in their closed or normal positions;

FIG. 1A is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of the rearward portion of the embodiment of FIG. 1; FIG. 2 is a transverse sectional View of the embodiment of FIG. 1 taken on the line 2 2 of FIG. l;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the latching element forming a part of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a transverse sectional View of the embodiment of FIGS. l and 1A taken on the line 4 4 of FlG. 1A;

FIG, 5 is a transverse sectional View of the embodiment of rFlG. 1 taken on the line S--5 thereof;

JFlG. 6 is a transverse sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. l taken on the line --d thereof;

FlG. 7 illustrates in enlarged longitudinal section the forward portion of the embodiment of FIG. 1 with the writing element partially shifted to the writing position;

FIG. 8 illustrates the embodiment of FIG. 1 in cnlarged longitudinal section with the writing element in an overextended position;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged partial longitudinal sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. l with the writing element in the writing position;

PEG. 10 is an enlarged partial longitudinal sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 illustrating the operating mechanism for extending and retracting the writing tip;

.FEG. 11 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of the forward portion of the embodiment of FIG. 1 with the filling tube extended;

Fifa llA is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of the rearward portion of the -embodiment of FIG. 1 with the writing tube in the extended position; and

FlG. 12 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of the rearward portion of the embodiment of FIG. l with the force filling mechanism actuated.

Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to FIGS. l and 1A, a fountain pen 20 is illustrated having a main barrel portion 22 with a capillary reservoir unit 2d disposed therein. A sleeve 26 is slidably mounted on theV main barrel portion 22 to selectivelyl expose or conceal a writing element 28 which extends forwardly from and is integral with the reservoir unit 24. At the forward end of writing element 255 a writing tip Si) having the conventional longitudinal slit therein is employed. A filling tube 32 is coaxially mounted within the writing element 23 and adapted for longitudinal movement for purposes and in a manner to be explained in greater detail hereinafter. The outer diameter of filling tube 32 and the inner diameter of writing element 28 are so selected that a space 3d exists between the two elements which is of capillary dimensions and continuous over the lentire length of the filling tube and writing element. Thus, a capillary writing fluid path is provided between the rearward end of the writing element 2S and the writing tip 39.

ri`he fluid reservoir is defined by the barrel portion 22, a rearwardly disposed annular plug 36 having apertures 53 therein and a forwardly disposed plug stl which is threaded into the forward end of the body Z2. The space thus defined is filled with a capillary mass 42. Any one of many well known capillary masses may be employed. `For example, the space may be filled with woven gauze, a helically wound film having spaces between adjacent layers, or a plurality of small spheres having capillary dimensions therebetween, as is described in the Craig R.. Sheaffer patent set out above.

The writing element 28 has a rearwardly disposed flange de which is secured in the plug di) by a collar d6 in threaded engagement therewith. As clearly illustrated in FIG. 6, the plug itl slidably supports the inner filling tube 3?; and at the point where the filling tube passes through the plug itl the filling tube is formed with a plurality of recesses or splines 418 which will insure the passage of writing fluid from the reservoir 24 to the writing tip 3l).

The sleeve 26 encloses the writing tip 39 when the fountain pen is not in use, as illustrated in FIG. l. The forward open end i) of the sleeve 2.6 is normally closed by a flexible seal 52. The seal S2 has a plurality of radial slits extending outwardly from the center thereof whereby the seal may be deformed to pass the writing element 28 and filling tube 32 therethrough. The sleeve 26 is formed of two parts, a gripping section S4 which is threaded into a barrel section 56. The juncture of the gripping section 54 and barrel section 56 is ornamented by a metallic ring 5S. The barrel section 56 is slidably mounted on the main barrel portion 22 and a shell 60 is mounted on the main barrel portion 22, sad shell being formed of metal or other suitable material. The main barrel portion 22 has a reduced outer diameter at its forward end whereby an annular recess 62. is defined which receives the rearward portion of the barrel section 56 of sleeve 26. Thus, the sleeve 26 may be axially shifted on the main barrel portion 22 to expose the writing tip 3d in a manner which will be described hereinafter.

Referring now to FIG. 7, the first step in the actuation of the mechanism is illustrated. When the writer wishes to expose the writing tip 36 for use he presses the main barrel portion 22 and sleeve 2o together in a familiar manner compressing coil spring 3S. In axially shifting the sleeve Z6, a cylindrical element 6d having a tapered forward end do engages the inner surface of resilient seal 52 spreading the furcated portion 65 thereof to permit passage of the writing element therethrough. The cylindrical element 64 is normally urged forwardly slidably on writing element 23 by a coil spring 74 which is cornpressed between a collar lll formed on cylindrical element 6d and a stop 7o. The forward position of cylindrical element 64 relative to writing element 28 is established by the tapered ring 65 fixed on the forward end of writing element The collar 76 formed on cylinder 6d will abut against a shoulder '72 formed in the gripping section 5d to limit forward movement of the cylindrical element with writing element 23 relative to sleeve 26. Spring stop 76 is secured in collar 46 which is in turn carried by plug d@ forming a part of the main Ibody portion 22.

The second step in the actuation of the writing element to a writing position is illustrated in FIG. 8. Further relative axial movement of the main body portion 22 and the sleeve 26 further compresses spring SS and causes the writing element E@ to protrude beyond the open forward end of gripping section 54 through seal 52 which has been spread as described above. Coil spring 7d is compressed by this further motion and the sleeve Z6 is moved to a point t here resilient detents 7d formed in latching sleeve 3d pass into an annular recess dll formed in an annular insert 82 which forms a part of and moves with sleeve 2o. FEhe latching element Se is formed of spring steel or similar material and is clearly shown in perspective in FlG. 3. As can be seen in FIG. 3, the cylindrical latching element 8d has a plurality of longitudinal slits formed therein to denne detents 7d and additional portions are formed outwardly to provide resilient faces 86 which will maintain the latching element Sd in desired positions within the sleeve 2o by selective engagement with the insert d2 or the forward edge 49 of collar lid.

ln axially shifting the sleeve 2d rearward during the rst step described above motion of the latching element tiriis initially frictionally prevented by the interference of ring 93 and resilient faces iid of latching element 3d until the rear edge of the cylindrical latching element 3d abuts the forward edge i7 of the large portion of the collar do, imparting a forward motion to the latching element d4.

Further forward motion of sleeve 26 and the cylindrical latching element 84 causes the resilient faces Sd of the latching element 54 to be depressed inwardly by the ring 3, exerting pressure upon the small diameter section 45 of the collar 46.

As shown in FIG. 8, rearward movement of sleeve 26 effects engagement of detents 78 in recess Sil. Upon' manual release of sleeve 26, coil spring S8 urges sleeve 26 forwardly, causing detents 78 to engage the rearward edge of recess Si). Thus, further forward movement of sleeve 26 carries latching element 8d forward to a point, where the forward edge thereof abuts stop 76, which, as already described, is fixed in plug di?, and the rearward edges 87 of the resilient faces S6 of latching element S4 move to a position forward of the small diameter 45 of the collar i6 and also move inwardly contacting the small diameter cylindrical portion 77 of the stop 76. Thus, the sleeve is restrained against further forward movement under the influence of the spring 88, and the writing tip 3b remains exposed for use. The writing element is illustrated in the writing position in FlG. 9 with the detents in engagement with the rearward edge of recess Sii and the forward edge 9i) of latching element 84 abutting the stop '76.` The springs 74 and d8 are thus maintained', under compression while the writing element 28 is in the writing position. As shown in PEG. 10, when conditioned,AV

for writing, or when in the oxerextended position, the: rearward edges 87 of the resilient faces 36 of the latchf ing element 34 contact the forward edge 49 of the small diameter portion i5 of the collar 46.

When it is desired to retract the writing tip to the sealed position, the sleeve is once again manually actuated to produce the overextension of the writing element illustrated in FlG. 8 and the overextension of the latching element iid illustrated in FIG. l0. A slidable sleeve 92 is disposed within insert mounted on sleeve 26 and movable between predetermined limits. rille limits are determined by the rearward liange 91 of insert 82 and a ring 93 which is forced within the forward end of insert 82. Overextension of writing element 28 forces detents 73 inwardly as they slide forwardly onto sleeve 92 and thus sleeve 92 rides rearwardly with the detents 78 of latching element ddto a point where the sleeve 92 abuts rearward flange 9d. As the forward edge 9b' of sleeve 84 remains in abutment with stop 7-5, further forward movement of sleeve Zo produces relative rearward movement of the latching sleeve d whereby detents 78 slide onto flange 91. rl`hus, release of the sleeve will return the parts to the positions illustrated in FlG. 1. Subsequent manual actuation of the sleeve 25 and barrel portion will again position the writing element for use in the manner already described.

To facilitate filling the capillary reservoir 24, the lilling tube 32 is extensible relative to the writing element 23. The extension of filling tube 32 is accomplished by the mechanism disposed in the main barrel portion 22 rearwardly of the reservoir 24. A shaped plug 94 is inserted in the rearward end of filling tube 32 and a coil spring 96 normally urges the plug 94 and consequently the filling tube 32 forwardly relative to the main body portion 22, reservoir 2dand writing clement 2S fixed thereto. The coil spring 9e is compressed between a collar g8 formed on plug 9d and an apertured annular ring 1Gb secured against a shoulder l'f. formed in the main body portion 22. An operating pin 102 is slidably mounted in a central aperture in ring fritti and is secured to plug 9d. Pin lil?. an enlarged threaded portion lll-i which is in engagement with a correspondingly threaded insert lilo secured in a telescoping tube N8. Tube 10S has a decorative cap llt) secured to the rearward end thereof by machine screw 32 whereby the tube ll'i and cap il@ may be manually rotated and actuated together.

As illustrated best in FIG. 4, the plug lltltl is provided with a plurality of vent holes lil-l'. The central aperture in plug loll is generally square and the pin 152 has .a corresponding cross section. The plug llll is fixed in the main barrel portion 22 and thus the pin lill, plug 94, and filling tube are restrained against rotation relative to the main body. Rotation of cap il@ thus produces relative axial movement of the cap and the pin im because of the threaded engagement of the parts, and this axial movement produces a forward extension of the filling tube 3?. under the influence of spring 96.

FIGS. ll and 11A illustrate the preferred embodiment of this invention with the lling tube 32 in the extended position. in the fully extended position, as can Ibe seen in HG. 11A, the enlarged threaded portion litri of pin itt?, engages plug ldd, limiting forward motion ot' the filling tube 32 under the influence of spring 96. Further rotary motion of cap 1lb will provide rearward movement of the cap and tube lille whereby the tube is freed from threaded engagement with pin M2. When so freed, the cap and tube are immediately urged rearwardly by compressed coil spring llo to a position where further rearward movement is prevented by engagement of a lianged portion ll of tube ltS .against a shoulder l2@ formed in the main barrel portion ZZ.

A. circular sealing ring 122 is disposed in a recess in the main barrel portion 22 and engages tube 19E to provide a pneumatic seal. Thus, as the tube 10S moves rearwardly to the position shown in FIG. l2 the expansion of the chamber defined thereby causes partial collapse of a resilient iiexible sac 124 which surrounds spring 96 and plug 94. Sac 124 is ot a generally cylindrical shape sealed at its rearward end in plug lll@ and at its forward end in plug 9d. Tous, as the tube 108 moves rearwardly and the sac l2@ is partially collapsed, air is drawn into the space 126 created thereby and this air is drawn upwardly through the filling tube 32 through a transverse aperture 12S formed in the filling tube and through a plurality of vent apertures 38 formed in the rearward plug 36. Thus, tluid is drawn upwardly through tube 32 and into the capillary mass 42 where it remains in capillary suspension. The tluid will move forwardly in the capil lary mass 42 upon successive depressions of cap 110 whereby the capillary mass may be completely charged with fluid by a plurality of actu'at-ions of the cap;

The pen is then reconditioned for writing by reversing 'the steps described above. The cap litt is forced inwardly toward the main body portion 22 and threaded Iinto engagement with pin lill. Rotation of cap llo draws filling tube 32 rearwardly to the position illustrated in FiG. 9 and the pen is in condition for writing. Then, Ias already described, the Writing element may be shifted between the concealed and the writing position by selecit-ive operation of the barrel and sleeve mechanism.

A pocket clip 23? :of a conventional type is provided and is secured in the metal shell 6d in a conventional manner.

Various changes and modifications of the basic structure described herein will immediately appear to one 'skilled in this art. For example, the advantages of the unique forced filling device described above may be employed with conventional fountain pens and with fountain pens which do not employ an extensible filling tube. However, it will appear that the full advantages of this forced hlling ltechnique are obtained in a lountain pen using a capillary reservoir and an extensible filling tube.

Also the concept of ytwo concentric cylinders, one of which comprises a writing element to provide improved -tluid feeding and `the other, a iilling tube, may be employed with other forms or reservoir types and filling mechanisms. The use of the capillary space between the two elements for fluid feeding may also clearly be employed in other fountain pen structures.

The various means described above are clearly exemplary and only one particular embodiment of the invention. Other nib means, reservoir means, mechanical means for extending and retractng the writing point, mechanical means for extending and retracting the filling tube, pressure means for filling the reservoir, and the like may be provided without departing from the rspirit and scope of this invention. For example, while the gener-al discussion above refers to a rearwardly vented reservoir, it will be apparent that this language is properly construed to include any longitudinal reservoir means vented at a point opposite the writing tip whereby writing iiuid may be discharged to the tip, irrespective of the possible 'tortuous shape of the reservo-ir or `any connecting tubes yor passages.

Without further elaboration, the foregoing will so fully explain the character of my invention that others may, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt the same for use under varying conditions of service, while retaim'ng certain features which may properly be said to constitute the essential items of novelty involved, which items are intended to be defined and secured to me by the following claims.

l claim:

1. A fountain pen comprising a barrel assembly having an open forward end, a cartridge unit disposed within said barrel assembly, said cartridge unit including a iluid reservoir having means therein defining communicating capillary spaces and rearwardly disposed vent means, a forwardly extending filling tube of noncapillary dimensions in iluid communication with ysaid reservoir, said vent means providing communication between said resace-aise ervoir and said fil-ling tube, =a tubular writing element having `a writing tip coaxial with and surrounding said filling tube, said filling tube and writing element being substantially yaxially aligned with said open forward end and spaced apart yalong the entire length thereof to define a generally cylindrical longitudinal capillary path therebetween from said reservoir to said writing tip, and means mounted in said barrel for partially evacuating said reservoir, said means defining a chamber rearwardly disposed in said barrel assembly and in communication with said vent means, said chamber having means defining a passage to 'the atmosphere, a flexible member dividing said chamber into a first space in communication with said vent means and filling tube and a second space in communication with said passage, telescoping pneumatic ycylinder means for closing said passage, partially evacuatiug said second space, spring means normally urging said telescoping cylinder cans to the extended position, and manual control means to selectively lock said telescop ing cylinder means in the collapsed position.

2. A fountain pen comprising a barrel assembly, a cartridge unit disposed Within said barrel assembly, said cartridge unit including fa fluid reservoir having means therein defining communicating capillary spaces and rearwardly disposed vent means, a forwardly extending gen erally cylindrical filling tube of noncapillary dimensions i-n communication with lthe rearward portion of said reservoir, land a generally cylindrical writing element having a forward writing tip coaxial with and surrounding said lling tube to define la generally cylindrical capillary fluid path therebetween for feeding fluid from the forward end of :said reservoir to said writing tip, and means mounted in said barrel for partially evacuating said resrvoir, said means defining a chamber rearwardly disposed iu said barrel A'assembly and in communication with said vent means, said chamber having means defining a passage to the atmosphere, a flexible member dividing said chamber into a first space in communication with said Vent means and a second space in communication with said passage, telescoping pneumatic cylinder means for closing said passage and partially evacuating said second space, spring means normally urging said telescoping cylinder means to the extended position, and manual control means to selectively lock `said telescoping cylinder means in the collapsed position.

3. A fountain pen comprising a barrel assembly, a fluid reservoir within said barrel assembly having means therein defining communicating capillary spaces and rearwardly disposed vent means, a forwardly extending generally cylindrical filling tube of noncapillary dimensions in communication with the rearward portion of said reservoir and axially movable in said barrel assembly, a generally cylindrical writinfr element having a forward writing tip in fluid communication with said reservoir, and means mounted in said barrel for partially evacuating said reservoir, said means defining a chamber rearwardly disposed in said barrel assembly and in communication with said vent means, said chamber having means defining a passage to the atmosphere, a flexible member dividing said chamber into a rst space in communication with said vent means and a second space in communication with said passage, telescoping pneumatic cylinder means for closing said passage, partially evacuating said second space and spring means normally urging said telescoping cylinder means to the extended position, and manual control means to selectively lock said telescoping cylinder means to said filling tube in the collapsed position.

4. A fountain pen cartridge unit for receiving, storing and feeding Writing fluid comprising a fluid reservoir, a forwardly extending generally cylindrical filling tube in fluid communication with said reservoir for receiving writing fluid and filling said reservoir, a generally cylindrical writing element having a writing tip coaxial with and surrounding said filling tube, said filling tube and writing element being substantially axially aligned and closely fitting but spaced apart along the entire length thereof to define a generally cylindrical longitudinal capillary path therebetween from said reservoir to said writing tip, said filling tube and said writing element being axially shiftable relative to one another, and means for producing limited relative axial movement between said filling tube and said writing element, said capillary path comprising a fluid feed path between said reservoir and said writing tip irrespective of the relative positions of said writing element and said filling tube.

5. A fountain pen cartridge unit for receiving, storing and feeding writing fluid comprising a fluid reservoir, a forwardly extending generally cylindrical lling tube in fluid communication with said reservoir for receiving writing fluid and filling said reservoir, a generally cylindrical writing element fixed to the forward end of said reservoir and extending forwardly therefrom having a writing tip coaxial with and surrounding said filling tube, said filling tube and writing element being substantially axially aligned and closely fitting but spaced apart along the entire length thereof to dene a generally cylindrical longitudinal capillary path therebetween from said reservoir to said writing tip, said filling tube and said writing element being axially shiftable relative to one another, and means for producing limited relative axial movement between said filling tube said writing element, said capillary path comprising a fluid feed path between said reservoir and said writing tip irrespective of the relative positions of said writing element and said filling tube.

6. A fountain pen comprising a barrel assembly having an open forward end and a cartridge unit disposed within said barrel assembly, said cartridge unit including a fluid reservoir, a forwardly extending generally cylindrical fi ling tube in fluid communication with said reservoir and having external dimensions substantially less than the outside diameter of said barrel assembly, and a generally cylindrical writing element having a thin wall with inside dimensions slightly greater than said filling tube and having a writing tip coaxial with and surrounding said filling tube, said filling tube and writing element being substantially axially aligned within said open forward end and spaced apart along the entire length thereof to define a generally cylindrical longitudinal capillary path therebetween from said reservoir to said Writing tip, said filling tube defining an internal filling passageway between said reservoir and the forward end of said filling tube and being axially shiftable relative to said writing element between a forward filling position in which the forward end of said lling tube is forwardly of said writing tip and a rearward position in which said forward end is within said writing element, said writing element and said filling tube being shiftable together relative to and through said open forward end between and extended position beyond said barrel assembly and a concealed position within said barrel assembly.

7. A fountain pen comprising a barrel assembly having an open forward end and a cartridge unit disposed within said barrel assembly, said cartridge unit including a fluid reservoir having means therein defining communieating capillary spaces and rearwardly disposed veut means, a forwardly extending filling tube of noncapillary dimensions in fluid communication with said reservoir and having external dimensions substantially less than the outside diameter of said barrel assembly, said vent means providing communication between said reservoir and said filling tube, and a generally cylindrical writing element having a thin wall with inside dimensions slightly greater than said filling tube and having a writing tip coaxial with and surrounding said filling tube, said filling tube and writing element being substantially axially aligned with said open forward end and spaced apart along the entire length thereof to define a generally cylindrical longitudinal capillary path therebetween from said reservoir to said writing tip, said filling tube defining an internal filling passageway between said reservoir and the forward end of said filling tube and being axially shiftable relative to said barrel assembly and writing element between a forward filling position in which the forward end of said filling tube is forwardly of said writing tip and a rearward position, said writing element and said filling tube being shiftable together relative to and through said open forward end between an extended position beyond said barrel assembly and a concealed position within said barrel assembly.

8. A fountain pen comprising a barrel assembly having an open forward end, a cartridge unit disposed within said barrel assembly, said cartridge unit including a fiuid reservoir having means therein defining communicating capillary spaces and rearwardly disposed vent means, a forwardly extending filling tube of noncapillary dimensions in 4fluid communication with said reservoir and having external dimensions substantially less than the outside diameter of said barrel assembly, said vent means providing communication between said reservoir and said filling tube, a generally cylindrical writing element having a thin wall with inside dimensions slightly greater than said filling tube and having a writing tip coaxial with and surrounding said filling tube, said filling tube and writing element being substantially axially aligned with said open forward end and spaced apart along the entire length thereof to define a generally cylindrical longitudinal capillary path therebetween from said reservoir to said writing tip, and means mounted in said barrel for partially evacuating said reservoir, said means defining a chamber rearwardly disposed in said barrel assembly and in communication with said vent means, said chamber having means defining a passage to the atmosphere, a flexible member dividing said chamber into a first space in communication with said vent means and a second space in communication with said passage, and means for partially evacuating said second space.

9. A fountain pen comprising a barrel assembly having an open forward end, a cartridge unit disposed within said barrel assembly, said cartridge unit including a fiuid reservoir having means therein defining communicating capillary spaces and rearwardly disposed vent means, a forwardly extending Ifilling tube of noncapillary dimensions in fluid communication with said reservoir and having external dimensions substantially less than the outside diameter of said barrel assembly, said vent means providing communication between said reservoir and filling tube, a generally cylindrical writing element having a thin wall with inside dimensions slightly greater than said filling tube and having a writing tip coaxial with and surrounding said filling tube, said filling turbe and writing element being substantially axially aligned with said open forward end and spaced apart along the entire length thereof to define a generally cylindrical longitudinal capillary path therebetween from said reservoir to said writing up, and means mounted in said barrel for partially evacuating said reservoir, said means defining a chamber rearwardly disposed in said barrel assembly and in communication with said vent means, said chamber having means defining a passage to the atmosphere, a -fiexible member dividing said chamber into a first space in communication with said vent means and a second space in communication with said passage, and telescoping pneumatic cylinder means for closing said passage, partially evacuating said second space.

l0. A fountain pen comprising a -harrel section, a cartridge unit disposed within said barrel section, said cartridge unit including a fluid reservoir having means therein defining communicating capillary spaces and rearwardly disposed vent means, a forwardly extending filling.

tube of noncapillary dimensions having external dimensions substantially less than the outside diameter of said `barrel assembly in fiuid communi-cation with said reservoir through said vent means, said vent means providing communication between said reservoir and said filling tube, and a generally cylindrical writing element having a thin wall with inside dimensions slightly greater than said filling tube and having a writing tip coaxial with and surrounding said filling tube, said tube and writing element being spaced apart along the entire length thereof to define a generally cylindrical longitudinal capillary path therebetween from said reservoir to said writing tip, body sleeve means mounted on said barrel portion to comprise a barrel assembly having an open forward end, said writing element and 'filling tube being axially shiftable together relative to and through said open forward end between an extended position beyond said lbarrel assembly and a concealed position within said barrel assembly, said filling tube being longitudinally shiftable relative to said writing tip between a forward filling postion and a rearward position within said writing element, and means mounted in said barrel for partially evacuating said reservoir, said means defining a charn- Aber rearwardly disposed in said barrel assembly and in communication with said vent means, said chamber having means defining a passage to the atmosphere, a flexible member dividing said chamber into a first space in communication with said vent means and a second space in communication with said passage, telescoping pneumatic cylinder means for closing said passage and partially evacuating said second space, spring means normally urging said telescoping cylinder means to the extended position, and manual control means to selectively lock said telescoping cylinder means in the collapsed position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,362,948 Teague et al Nov. 14, 1944 2,610,612 Martin Sept. 16, 1952 2,640,216 Gottlieb .lune 2, 1953 2,649,074 `Burchett Aug. 18, 1953 2,724,366 Miessner Nov. 22, 1955 2,769,427 Martn Nov. 6, v1956 2,784,699 Sheaffer Mar. l2, 1957 FOREIGN PATENTS 21,631 Great Britain of 1908 822,691 France Sept. 27, 1937

Claims (2)

1. 4. A FOUNTAIN PEN CARTRIDGE UNIT FOR RECEIVING, STORING AND FEEDING WRITING FLUID COMPRISING A FLUID RESERVOIR, A FORWARDLY EXTENDING GENERALLY CYLINDRICAL FILLING TUBE IN FLUID COMMUNICATION WITH SAID RESERVOIR FOR RECEIVING WRITING FLUID AND FILLING SAID RESERVOIR, A GENERALLY CYLINDRICAL WRITING ELEMENT HAVING A WRITING TIP COAXIAL WITH AND SURROUNDING SAID FILLING TUBE, SAID FILLING TUBE AND WRITING ELEMENT BEING SUBSTANTIALLY AXIALLY ALIGNED AND CLOSELY FITTING BUT SPACED APART ALONG THE ENTIRE LENGTH THEREOF TO DEFINE A GENERALLY CYLINDRICAL LONGITUDINAL CAPILLARY PATH THEREBETWEEN FROM SAID RESERVOIR TO SAID WRITING TIP, SAID FILLING TUBE AND SAID WRITING ELEMENT BEING AXIALLY SHIFTABLE RELATIVE TO ONE ANOTHER, AND MEANS FOR PRODUCING LIMITED RELATIVE AXIAL MOVEMENT BETWEEN SAID FILLING TUBE AND SAID WRITING ELEMENT, SAID CAPILLARY PATH COMPRISING A FLUID FEED PATH BETWEEN SAID RESERVOIR AND SAID WRITING TIP IRRESPECTIVE OF THE RELATIVE POSITIONS OF SAID WRITING ELEMENT AND SAID FILLING TUBE.
2. 10. A FOUNTAIN PEN COMPRISING A BARREL SECTION, A CARTRIDGE UNIT DISPOSED WITHIN SAID BARREL SECTION, SAID CARTRIDGE UNIT INCLUDING A FLUID RESERVOIR HAVING MEANS THEREIN DEFINING COMMUNICATING CAPILLARY SPACES AND REARWARDLY DISPOSED VENT MEANS, A FORWARDLY EXTENDING FILLING TUBE OF NONCAPILLARY DIMENSIONS HAVING EXTERNAL DIMENSIONS SUBSTANTIALLY LESS THAN THE OUTSIDE DIAMETER OF SAID BARREL ASSEMBLY IN FLUID COMMUNICATION WITH SAID RESERVOIR THROUGH SAID VENT MEANS, SAID VENT MEANS PROVIDING COMMUNICATION BETWEEN SAID RESERVOIR AND SAID FILLING TUBE, AND A GENERALLY CYLINDRICAL WRITING ELEMENT HAVING A THIN WALL WITH INSIDE DIMENSIONS SLIGHTLY GREATER THAN SAID FILLING TUBE AND HAVING A WRITING TIP COAXIAL WITH AND SURROUNDING SAID FILLING TUBE, SAID TUBE AND WRITING ELEMENT BEING SPACED APART ALONG THE ENTIRE LENGTH THEREOF TO DEFINE A GENERALLY CYLINDRICAL LONGITUDINAL CAPILLARY PATH THEREBETWEEN FROM SAID RESERVOIR TO SAID WRITING TIP, BODY SLEEVE MEANS MOUNTED ON SAID BARREL PORTION TO COMPRISE A BARREL ASSEMBLY HAVING AN OPEN FORWARD END, SAID WRITING ELEMENT AND FILLING TUBE BEING AXIALLY SHIFTABLE TOGETHER RELATIVE TO AND THROUGH SAID OPEN FORWARD END BETWEEN AN EXTENDED POSITION BEYOND SAID BARREL ASSEMBLY AND A CONCEALED POSITION WITHIN SAID BARREL ASSEMBLY, SAID FILLING TUBE BEING LONGITUDINALLY SHIFTABLE RELATIVE TO SAID WRITING TIP BETWEEN A FORWARD FILLING POSITION AND A REARWARD POSITION WITHIN SAID WRITING ELEMENT, AND MEANS MOUNTED IN SAID BARREL FOR PARTIALLY EVACUATING SAID RESERVOIR, SAID MEANS DEFINING A CHAMBER REARWARDLY DISPOSED IN SAID BARREL ASSEMBLY AND IN COMMUNICATION WITH SAID VENT MEANS, SAID CHAMBER HAVING MEANS DEFINING A PASSAGE TO THE ATMOSPHERE, A FLEXIBLE MEMBER DIVIDING SAID CHAMBER INTO A FIRST SPACE IN COMMUNICATION WITH SAID VENT MEANS AND A SECOND SPACE IN COMMUNICATION WITH SAID PASSAGE, TELESCOPING PNEUMATIC CYLINDER MEANS FOR CLOSING SAID PASSAGE AND PARTIALLY EVACUATING SAID SECOND SPACE, SPRING MEANS NORMALLY URGING SAID TELESCOPING CYLINDER MEANS TO THE EXTENDED POSITION, AND MANUAL CONTROL MEANS TO SELECTIVELY LOCK SAID TELESCOPING CYLINDER MEANS IN THE COLLAPSED POSITION.

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