US3806264A - Stylus with pressurized recording medium supply means and means for controlling the dispensing of recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

A recording medium dispensing device which may be used as a three-dimensional glyph producing stylum or a two-dimensional record producing stylus or pen (either nib type or stylographic type) having one or more pressurized recording medium containers and control means for individually controlling the dispensing of recording medium from the containers, and having separately controllable withdrawing means for withdrawing previously dispensed recording medium from the recording volume or surface.

Description

United States Patent 1191 Munz Apr. 23, 1974 [54] STYLUS WITH PRESSURIZED RECORDING 595,361 12/1897 Andrew 401/35 MEDIUM SUPPLY MEANS AND MEANS 2 ar er FOR CONTROLLING THE DISPENSING DP 2,669,225 2,195 4 shomouu RECORDING MEDIUM 1,839,817 A 1/1932 Walker 401/107 [761 111mm" 8"" 3 2 i m: FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 947,933 1/1949 France 401/45 [22] Filed: Dec.l0, 1971 21 App]. 20 035 Primary Examiner-Lawrence Charles Related U.S. Application Data [57] ABSTRACT [63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No. 762,114, Sept. 24,

1963 Pat 3,627,451 V A recording medium dispensing device wh1ch may be used as a three-dimensional glyph producing stylum or 52 U.S. c1. 401/256, 401/35 a two-dimensional rewrd Producing stylus of P 51 Int. Cl B431: 1/06, B43k 27/10 ther n typeor stylographic yp havingyone or more 58 Field of Search 401/231-237, Pressurized .recofding mediumwmaim" and control 401 /256 257, 221, 265, 266, 5 means for individually controlling the dispensing of y recording medium from the containers, and having [56] References Cited 4 separately controllable withdrawing means for with- UNITED STATES PATENTS drawing previously dispensed recording medium from I the recording volume or surface. 1,415,718 5/1922 Cantos 401/45 2,130,978 9/1938 White 401 45 22 Claims, 21 Drawing Figures PATHHEUAPR 23 1974 8 O6; 264

SHEET 5 0F 8 sor-Y FIG.I5.

FIG.I4.

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1 STYLUS WITH PRESSURIZED RECORDING MEDIUM SUPPLY MEANS AND MEANS FOR CONTROLLING THE DISPENSING OF RECORDING MEDIUM CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This application is a continuation in part of copend- .ing US. patent application Ser. No. 762,114 filed Sept. 24, 1968, now US. Pat. 3,627,453, issued Dec.

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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to styli, including nib pens and stylographic pens, for making two or three di- 7 mensional permanent or transient traces, such as writ- Further, the present invention relates particularly to styliof the kind described above which also include withdrawing means whereby said traces, whether two dimensional or three dimensional, may be with drawn from the recording surface or volume. Such a withdrawing means will hereinafter alternately be called an extractor. The present invention solves the problem, raised in my prior c'opending application and. unanswered. by the prior art, of providing pressurized ink supply means within styli of the kind described above, which supply. means are capable of coacting with manually or automatically operable control means for controlling the dispensing of ink mother-recording me.- dium therefrom. The present invention also answers the problem of equipping such styli with trace withdrawing means, the provision of such trace withdrawing means being absent from the prior-art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Generally, then the present invention provides compact, simple, and inexpensive means for forming two and three dimensional glyphs, or traces, of selectable color, and withdrawing or extracting the same from the for manual rendering of such glyphs or traces, or maybeoperated by servo mechanical means to produce tel eglyphs, and the like.

Another object of the invention is to provide styli as described hereinabove which comprise manually or automatically operable control means for individually controlling the dispensing of ink or other. recording medium from saiddispensing means.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a stylus of the kind described hereinabove which,

within the compass of a cylinder which may be conveniently held in the hand, contains a plurality of pressurized supply cartridges, each containing recording medium of a different color, and in addition, also includes manually operable control means for controlling the discharge of recording medium from said cartridges individually, and at the same time: contains at least th pickup orifice of traceextracting means.

A further object of the present invention is to provide atuomatically operable lstylus means for use in teleglyphs and the like, which stylus means are light and compact, and therefore can be actuated to describe the contours of glyphs by cheap and simple servomechanism means. I Still another object of the present invention is to provide automatically operable teleglyphic stylus means which are capable of dispensing a a plurality of recording media under the control of valves which are operable by'cheap and effective means consuming little power in either digital or proportional control operations. l a

A further object of the present invention is to provide a nib pen containing a plurality of pressurized, rechargeable ink cartridges and having a single control member by means of which any one of said ink cartridges may be selected for the dispensing of ink, either momentarily or in graduatedfashion and the width of trace may be altered by spreading the nibs.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a stylographic pen containing a plurality of pressurized ink containers and including means whereby ink may be dispensed from a selected one of said cartridges.

Another objectof the present invention is the provision of a stylus especially adapted for use in glyph recording in which the recording medium dispensing tip terminates in an aperture of controllably variable diameter.

Other objects of the invention will in part be obvious,

and will in part appear hereinafter.

The present invention, accordingly, comprisesthe features ofv construction, combinations of elements,

and arrangements of parts, which willbe exemplified in the constructions hereinafter set forth, and the scope of the invention will be indicated in the claims.

For a fuller understanding of the nature of objects of BRIEF DESCRIPTION OI THE DRAWINGS In the drawings: V FIG/l is a longitudinal cross-sectional view, partially broken away, of an ink dispensing cartridge for use in the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a complete ink dispensing cartridge taken on a section line corresponding to line 22 of FIG. 1. 1

FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of a complete cartridge taken along a line corresponding to line 3-3 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of a complete cartridge taken along a section line corresponding to line 4--4 of FIG. 1.

tridges.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a complete cartridge taken along a section line corresponding to line 5-5 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a side view, partially-in section, of a stylus barrel assembly according to the present invention, showing the manner in which cartridge of the type of FIGS. 1 through 5 are mounted therein.

FIG. 7 is an end view of a complete stylus barrel assembly taken from the end indicated by line 7-7 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 8-8 of FIG. '6

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a complete stylus barrel assembly taken alonga line corresponding to line 9-9 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 10 is a side view, partially in section, ofa syringe adapted for recharging the cartridge of FIGS. 1 through 5 with a recording medium. I

FIG. 11 is a side view, partially in section, of the vacuum pump section of the trace extracting means of an embodiment of the present invention which also includes the stylus barrel assembly of FIG. 6.

FIG. 12 is a side view, partially in section, of the tip end of a nib pen according to the invention illustrating the manner in which the manually operable control means is used to dispense ink from one of the cartridges.

FIG. 13 is a side view, partially in section, of the tip end of a nib pen according to the invention, illustrating the manner in which the manually operable control means is used to spread the outer leaves of the nib for greater line width.

FIG. 14 is a side view of the tip end of the nib open according to the invention.

FIG. 15 is a sectional view taken along line l5-l5 of FIG. 12, showing the feed rate lock.

FIG. 16 is a side view, partially in section, of the tip end of a stylographic pen according to the invention.

FIG. 17 is an end view ofa complete pen of the type shown in FIG. 16, taken as indicated by lines l7-17 of FIG. 16.

FIG. 18 is a side view, partially broken away, of the tip end of a glyph-producing stylus according to the invention.

FIG. 19 is a side view, partially in section, of avariable diameter tip for a glyph-producing stylus according to the invention.

FIG. 20 is a side view, partially in section, of a variable diameter tip for a glyph-producing stylus according to the invention.

FIG. 21 is a side view partially in section of a stylus barrel assembly for use in telegraph recording devices, showing electrical means according to the invention for controlling the dispensing of ink from one of the car- DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS the charging valve, and the dispensing valve are maintained together in cooperative relationship by means of a generally cylindrical shell 15 which may, for instance, be fabricated from brass tubing. For clarity of illustration, cartridge 10 is shown in FIG. 1 with its center section broken away, and shell 15 is shown in three parts.

It is to be understood, however, that in a complete cartridge as used in connection with the present invention shell 15 will generally be a substantially continuous cylinder the surface of which is, in general, broken only by vent holes, a pressure-gauging window, and inwardly pressed protrusions, all of which are described hereinbelow.

. Referring now to the central portion of cartridge 10, it may be seen that reservoir 11 generally comprises a resilient sac 20 which terminates at either end in unitary flange members 21 and 22. As shown in dashed lines, the central, generally cylindrical portion of sac 20 is of substantially equal cross section throughout in its undistendedstate. When sac 20 is fabricated said central portion is in the from shown by the dashed lines. Sac 20 may be made of rubber or some other resilient material, and if made of. rubber may be vulcanized when'its central portion takes the form shown in the dashed lines. In any event, the central portion of sac 20 is so constructed that its natural tendency is to collapse to the form shown in dashed lines and when the central portion of sac 20 is distended as shown in FIG. 1, or to a greater degree, by charging it with a recording medium throu'ghcharging valve 12, the recording medium will be maintained under pressure by the tendency of the sac to resume the form shown in dashed lines in FIG. 1.

A pair of rigid, substantially identical retainers 25 and 26, which may be of suitable plastic material, surround the extreme ends of the tubular portion of sac 20 as shown in-FIG. 1. Retainers 25 and 26 may, for instance, each be fabricated in two halves, which halves are then cemented together, or otherwise fastened, after being so placed together as to form a generally toroidal figure enclosing the tubular portion of sac 20.

As may best be seen in FIG. 1, sac 20 and retainers 25 and 26 are maintained inplace within shell 15 by inwardlypressed projections 28, 29, 30, and 31. As will be apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art, projections 28, 29, 30 and 31, and additional ones of such projections, are formed after the reservoir assembly comprising sac 20 and retainers 25 and 26 are emplaced within shell 15. Suitable tooling for locating the reservoir assembly within the shell (the ends of which are not yet upset) and for forming said projections will be provided by those having ordinary skill in the art without the exercise of invention.

As indicated in FIG. 1, the portion of shell 15 be tween said projections may be provided with one or more vent holes 34 to avoid the building up of a vacuum between shell 15 and sac 20 assac 20 collapses upon the dispensing of portions of the recording medium via dispensing valve 13-. In addition, a pressure gauging window 35 passes through shell 15 at a location approximately halfway between retainers 25 and 25. The function of window 35 is described in detail hereinafter.

As may now be seen in the upper portion of FIG. 1, charging valve 12 comprises those parts located in the upper end of shell 15, above flange 21. i

The active parts of charging valve 12 include disk 40, through the outer edge of which are formed a plurality of notches, or passages, 41, 41, 41", 41" (FIG. 3), a resilient seat ring 42, and resilient biasing members 45, 46, and 47. Biasing members 45, 46, and 47 permit slight movement of disk 40 within the central aperture 50 of a ring 51 (FIG. 3). Seat 42 is located within the aperture 55 of a ring 56, and maintained against motion away from disk 40 by an additional ring 57. In the course of assembly, biasing members 45, 46, and 47 may be fastened, as by cementing, to the outerside of flange 21, and disk 40 cemented to the opposite end of biasing members 45, 46, and 47. Thus, the disk and biasing members may advantageously be cemented to flange 21 before the reservoir assembly is secured within tubular shell 15. Disks 51, 56, and 57, and seat 42 may advantageously be cemented together to form a single integral member before assembly into shell 15.

According to one preferred method of assembly, this integral member may also be cemented to flange 21 in such manner that no leakage can takeplace across the joint between ring 51 and flange 21, before the reservoir assembly is inserted into'shell 15.

In addition to the valve itself, charging valve 12 also comprises a seal assembly whereby the charging tube 60 (dashed in the upper portion of FIG. 1, see also FIG. may be temporarily sealed to the input end of the charging valve, thereby avoiding recording medium leakage during charging of the reservoir with ink or other recording medium. The sealing assembly includes a resilient seat 61 having a. central aperture 62 which is aligned with the central apertures of disk 57 and seat 42. The sealing assembly also includes a resilient secondary seal 65 which itself includes an inner, reentrant skirt 66, and a rigid, generally cylindrical stiffener 67. According to apreferred embodiment the sealingassembly maybe assembled in the upper end of shell .as follows. After the reservoir is affixed within shell 15 by means of the above said projections, and the main valve assembly including ring 57 disposed thereupon in the manner indicated hereinabove, or otherwise, and while shell 15 is still of uniform cross section throughout its upper end, seat 61 and secondary seal 65 along with its stiffener 67 areinserted into the upper end of I shell 15. The upper end of shell 15 is then upset in the .recording medium under pressure in the reservoir strongly tends to close the charging valve against-leakage by pressing upwardly on disk 40 as shown in FIG. 1, and thereby forcing disk 40 against seat 42 and closing passages 41, 41', 41", and 41, The function of resilient biasing members 45, 46, and 47, among others is to exert sufficient pressure against disk 40 in the closing direction so as to maintain the charging valve closed (except when the cartridge is being charged)- even at low reservoir pressures, when the central portion of sac 20 has assumed the form shown in dashed lines in FIG. 1.

Going now to the lower portion of FIG. 1, it may be seen that dispensing valve 14 generally includes those 4 parts which are located within the lower end of shell 15 pushed inward, thereby lifting disk off seat 77 and permitting the egress of recording medium from the reservoir via passages 76, 76" and thence between disk 75 and seat 77. When unactuated, disk 75 is maintained in sealing contact with seat 77 by the pressure of the recording medium in the reservoir impinging upon its outer face, and also by the force exerted by diaphragm 80 resulting from its stiffness, and thus its tendency to maintain its flat configuration as shown in FIG. 1.

As may be seenby comparison of FIGS. 1 and 4, disk 75 closely fits aperture of ring 86, and is movable therewithin undercontrol of actuator 81. Ring'shaped,

, resilient seat member 77 is maintained in operative position with respect to disk 75 by disks 8 8 and -89.

The aperture of ring-shaped seat 77 is in communication via the aperture of ring 89 with the central aperture 93 in generally ring-shaped member 94, member 94 departing from ringshape by reason of a passage 93' extending from central aperture 93 to its outer edge, as best seen in FIG. 5. As may be seen by comparison of FIGS. 1 and 5, a dispensing aperture 96 is provided in shell 15 in registration with arm 93 of aperture93 in member 94.

Stem 78 extends through the central apertures of seat 77 (also ring 88) ring 89 and member 94, and also through the central aperture of a'ring 98, ring 98 being provided at one face with a depression-9910 permit diaphragm 80 and actuator 81 to be pressed inwards of cartridge 10, thereby opening dispensing valve 13.

As may be seen in each of FIGS. 1 through 5 a paint stripe 100 or the like extends substantially throughout the length of cartridge 10 on the side thereof remote from dispensing aperture 96. Stripe 100 is useful as ex plained hereinafter, in so orienting the cartridge when insertedin a stylus barrel assembly according to the invention that the recording medium dispensed via dispensing aperture 96 enters a common dispensing chamber described hereafter.

'During assembly, according to a preferred embodiment, rings 86, 88, 89 and 98, and seat 77, member 94, and diaphragm 80 are cemented or otherwise-sealed together in fluidtight relationship as shown in FIG. 1. Thus, a unitary, leakproof valve bodystructure is provided which is easily fabricated fro-m a plurality of simple, inexpensive parts. In additon, during assembly according to a preferred embodiment, stem 78, which is first affixed to disk 75, is inserted into said valve body assembly and sealed to the inside of the diaphragm 80, whereafter actuator 81 is sealed to the outside of diaphragm 80, whereafter actuator 81 is sealed to the out 7 upset, in the well-known manner, thereby forming lip 102 and its central aperture 103 and bringing the upper face of ring 86 as seen in FIG. 1 into sealing contact with the lower edge of flange 22 of sac 20.

As will now be apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art, dispensing valve 13 is so constructed, and so maintained in fluidtight contact with flange 22, that when dispensing valve 13 is unactuated the pressure of the recording medium within sac 20 urges disk 75 downwardly upon resilient seat 77, thereby blocking passages 76, 76" and preventing the leadage of recording medium from the lower end of cartridge 10. However, when actuator 81 is pressed upward into cartridge disk 75 is thereby raised from seat 77, and recording medium is thus enabled to pass from sac through the aperture in ring 86 and passages 76, 76", and thence beneath disk 75 and through the central aperture in seat 77 and the central aperture in disk 89 to the central aperture 93 in member 94, whence the recording medium passes through arm 93 of opening 93 to dispensing aperture 96 in shell 15 and out through dispensing aperture 96.

Thus, as described hereinabove, cartridge 10 is capable of storing recording medium under pressure and dispensing recording medium by way of dispensing aperture 96 under control of actuator 81, and is also capable of being recharged with recording medium under pressure by means of a simple syringe via charging valve 12.

When cartridge 10, or a cartridge, or the like expression is used hereinafter, such expressions are to be understood to refer to the cartridge embodiment of FIGS. 1 through 5, and the details discussed in connection therewith will not be extensively reviewed hereinafter, though it is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the particular cartridge embodiment of FIGS. 1 through 5.

Reference is now had to FIGS. 6 through 9 which disclose a stylus barrel assembly 104 embodying the present invention. While the stylus barrel assembly of FIG. 6 is shown as having a portion of its length removed for clarity of illustration, it is to be understood that a stylus barrel assembly according to the present invention, including that illustrated in FIG 6, generally constitutes a single elongated unit. i

As best seen in FIGS. 6 and 8, the main portion of the stylus barrel assembly is the barrel body 105. Barrel body 105 serves to support three cartridges 106, 107, 108 (of the type hereinabove designated by the reference numeral 10) in cooperative relationship. That is to say, cartridges 106, 107, 108 are disposed in corresponding close- fitting bores 110, 111, 112 extending substantially throughout the length of barrel body 105.

' In a preferred embodiment of stylus barrel assembly 104 cartridge receiving bores 110, 111, 112 are of sufficiently large diameter so that the wall between the outside edge of each of these bores and the cylindrical surface of the barrel body 105 is of minimum thickness consistent with the practically necessary strength and rigidity of barrel 104, while the wall or web between the closest points of adjacent bores is also no thicker than is necessary to impart sufficient rigidity to barre assembly 104.

In addition to cartridge receiving bores 110, 111, 112 an additional bore 115 extends throughout the length of barrel body 105 and lies substantially along the axis of barrel body 105. The function of bore 1 15, hereinafter sometimes called the extractor bore, will be'explained hereinafter.

As may be seen in FIG. 6, openings or windows are provided in the outer wallsof bores 110, 111, 112 where are so located as to'be' aligned with the windows of cartridges 106,107, 108 corresponding to window 35 shown in FIG. 1 when cartridges 106, 107, 108 are properly positioned within their corresponding bores. Thus, the two windows 117 and 118 shown in FIG. 6 will be aligned with the corresponding windows-or openings in cartridges 107 and 108, the edge of window 35 of cartridge 108 being seen through window 118 in FIG. 6, and a corresponding window in the barrel body adapted for cooperation with the window 35 of cartridge 106 being located substantially immediately behind window 118 on the opposite side of barrel body I as shown in FIG. 6.

Referring now to FIG. 6, it may be seen that a short, cylindrical body 120 is affixed to the lower end of barrel body 105. Accordingto the present invention body 120 is joined to barrel body 105 in a fluidtight'manner, asiby cementing, throughout their abutting surface.

Body 120 is formed of at least partially resilient material, and three bores extend through body 120 in alignment with bores 110, 111, 112 of barrel body 105, the bores in body 120 being slightly smaller in diameter than bores 110, 111, 112, thereby assuring that when cartridges 106, 107, 108 are forced into their corresponding bores in body 120 during the assembly of barrel 104, the lower ends of these cartridges will be fluidtightly gripped by body 120. In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the lower ends of cartridges 106 107, 108 may, of course, be permanently cemented into their corresponding bores in body 120, thereby assuring a complete fluidtight seal throughout their contacting surfaces.

In addition to the bores containing the lower ends of cartridges 106, 107, 108, body 120 also contains a chamber 121 which is of generally cylindrical configuration, and coaxial with body 120, but, as shown in FIG. 6, does not extend entirely through body 120 to its lower surface.

I As may best be seen in'the lower portion of FIG. 6, chamber 121 is of sufficient diameter so that its outer cylindrical wall intersects each one of the cartridge receiving bores over a small area, and thus each one of the cartridges projects slightly into chamber 121. Thus, a small portion of the outer wall of cartridge 106 can be seen in FIG. 6 to project through the outer wall of chamber 121. It follows that the lines designated by the reference numeral 122 in the lower portion of FIG. 6 are edges, or lines of intersection, which are common to chamber 121 and the bore 122 in body 120 containing the lower end of cartridge106. The bore 123 containing the lower end of cartridge 107 may also be distinguished in the lower portion of FIG. 6. The third bore in body 120 which receives the lower end of cartridge 108 is not shown in FIG. 6 by reason of the cross section selected for purposes of illustration As may also be seen in the lower portion of FIG. 6, the cartridges are so oriented that their dispensing apertures are included in the small portion of their surfaces which project into chamber 121. That is to say, the dispensing aperture 125 of cartridge 106 (corresponding to aperture 96 of cartridge 10 as shown in FIG. 1) and the dispensing aperture 125 of cartridge 107 (also corresponding to aperture 96 of FIG. 1) are both directed into chamber 121 when these cartridges are properly located in barrel assembly 104. The dispensing aperture of cartridge 108 will, of course, also be directed into chamber 121.

summarizing the above, it may now be seen that body 120 is so constructed and arranged that when cartridges 106, 107, 108 are properly installed in its cartridge receiving bores, the dispensing apertures of all three cartridges are directed into common chamber 121, and a leakproof seal is formed between each cartridge and its corresponding bore such that no fluid leakage can occur between cartridge and bore. It follows that while recording medium can be omitted into common chamber 121 through the dispensing apertures of the cartridges, the only egress from chamber 121 is either through extractor bore 1 or through the tip feed bore 128 the upper end of which passes through the lower wall of common chamber 121. Comparing the lower portionof FIG. 6 with FIG. 9, it may be seen that a short, cylindrical member 13.0, designated herein the tip support, is affixed to the lower end of body 120, and is substantiallycoaxial therewith. To prevent leakage of tip feed bore 128 at the interface between body 120 and tip support 130, body 120 and tip support 130 are sealed together at their common face,

through they may be joined either by this sealing means acting as a cement or 6, the may end of tip feed bore 128 in tip support 130 is enlarged in diameter and internally tip such as those shown and described hereinafter. Also, as may best be seen in FIG. 9, three bores 131, 132, 133 extend lengthwise through tip support 130 and provide access to the actuators of their corresponding cartridges, the actuators of cartridges 106, 107, and 108 being designated 134, 135, and 136, respectively.

As may best be seen in FIG. 6, the lower end of tip feed bore 128 in tipsupport 130 is enlarged in diameter and internally threaded to receive an externally threaded tube 138, hereinafterdesignated the tip feed tube. Tip feed tube 138 is shown broken off at itsouter end in FIG. 6 because its configuration and length will vary depending upon the tip tobe employed with barrel 104, and supported upon tip-support 130. a

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the upper end of barrel body 105 is provided with a cap 140. Cap 140 is pro- 1 vided with a threaded nipple 141 having an internal body 105. Cap 140 may be secured to the upper end of barrel body 105 by means of a well-known bayonet lock arrangement including lugs such as that designated by the reference numeral l48formed as part of or affixed to theupper end of barrelbody 105 and 00- operating grooves in theinterior surface of the cylindrical flange portion of cap 140, this bayonet lock ar rangement being resiliently loaded by gasket 145. Thus, it may be seen that when cap 140-is secured to the top endof barrel body 105 by said bayonet lock arrangement, extractor bore llfii communicates directly with inner bore 142 of nipple 141 by way ofbore 146 in gasket 145. By this means it is made possible, as explained hereinafter, to connect a vacuum source to extractor bore 115 by way of nipple 141, and thus withdraw undesired amounts of recording medium from common chamber 121, tip feed bore 128, tip feed tube 138, and, in come cases, to withdraw or extract traces already laid down. In order to avoid the formation of a vacuum which could interfere with the feeding of recording medium, it may be desirable in some instances to provide a bleeder passage such as that designated by thereference numeral 150 in cap 140. Bleeder passage 150 may, depending upon the viscosity of the particular recording medium used in a given application and other variables, take the form of a capillary passage which is sufficiently fine so that its flow impedance is (see FIG. 7) extend through cap 140. Whencap 140 is locked on the end of barrel body by meansof the saidbayonet latch arrangement, bores 15.2, 153,154 are aligned with the upper endsof cartridges 106, 107, 108, thus permitting these cartridges to be charged with recording medium under pressure by means of a simple syringe of the type shown in FIG. l0, even when these cartridges are mounted in barrel assembly 104 and cap is secured to the top end of barrel body 105.

Because of the construction of charging valve 12 in cluding itssealing' arrangement (FIG. 1), it is possible to charge the cartridges of the invention by means of an extremely simple squeeze bulb syringe comprising merely filler tube 60 and bulb 155, as shown in FIG. 10. If, as in the usual application of the present invention, it is desired to charge'cartridges 106, 107, 1 08 with recording mediaof different colors, then itmay also be found desirable to employ three different syringes, all

of the simple type shown in FIG. 10. g

In charging any one cartridge, filling tube 60 ofasyringe may be immersed in a quantity of recording mediumand bulb squeezed and allowed to resumeits normal "form, whereafter filler tube 60 is thrust downward into the seal arrangement at the upper end of the cartridge (as shown in dashed lines in FIG. 1). Exertion of only a small amount of force tending to push filler tube 60 against seat-61 will effectively form a fluidtight seal therebetween, while any air escaping from betweenfiller tube 60and seat 61 will tend to increase the pressure of residual air in the space between filler tube 60 and stiffener 67, thereby tending to increase the tightness of the seal between skirt 66 and filler tube 60. Upon squeezing bulb 155 the pressure of recording 1 medium upon the upper surface of disk 40 will be in creased, thereby forcing disk 40 downward against the action of biasing members 45,46, -47,and the action of anyresidual pressure in sac 20, and .thus opening passageways for the immission of recording medium into sac 20 under the lower edge of seat 42, through passages 41, 41", into the outer portion of aperture 50 around resilient biasing members 45, 46, 47, and thus into the main body portion of sac 20 via the bore through the center of flange 21.

When the walls of sac 20 are properly proportioned, and of correctly selected materials, and bulb 155 is sufficiently filled from the body of recording medium, it

' will be possible to raise the pressure of the recording medium with which sac 20 is charged by a preselected amount, thus causing sac 20 to expand outward. By the provision ofa window like window 35 of FIG. 1 in each of the cartridges 106, 107, 108, and the provision of associated windows 117, 118, 119 (not shown in FIG. 6), the person charging a cartridge may judge when he has filled that cartridge to the proper pressure level by squeezing bulb 155 only until the sac within that cartridge can be seen to have expanded sufficiently. to touch the inner wall of the cartridge shell just inside the window corresponding to window 35 of FIG. 1. This process may be facilitated by painting on the outside of the cartridge a fluorescent band having the same shape as window 35 but being somuch larger than the window 35 that its inner edge is just equal to the contour of window 35. By this means the pressure in the sac can be. accurately judged by squeezingv bulb 155 until the fluorescent band has just disappeared. From the above, then, it may be seen how the use of cartridge charging means having an elaborate regulator is obviated by the construction of the cartridge of the invention.

If, at the end of the filling process, any considerable quantity of recording medium escapes between seat 61 and filling tube 60, it may be seen by examination of the upper portion of FIG. 1 that the presence of this pressurized fluid between filling tube 60 and stiffener 67 merely serves to press skirt 66 more firmly in contact with filling tube 60, thereby preventing leakage of the recording medium.

When any one cartridge has been fully charged, slightly releasing bulb 155 will reduce the pressure immediately outside disk 40, thereby causing disk 40 to return firmly to its seat, sealing the pressurized recording medium within sac 20. The filling tube 60 may then be slightly withdrawn from contact'with seat 61, and bulb 155 completely released, thereby withdrawing all of the excess fluid from the passage above disk 40 and from the space within stiffener 67. Filling tube 60 may then be fully withdrawn, and any remaining small amounts of recording medium within the passage above disk 40 and within the spacer 67 will be maintained within charging valve assembly 12 by the reentrant skirt member 66, whereat this small remaining amount of recording medium will dry out or evaporate.

It is a particular feature of the cartridge of the invention that any air which has become entrapped in sac 20 during charging may be eliminated by the simple expedient of inverting the barrel assembly, or the entire stylus or pen including the barrel assembly, and depressing the actuators of the individual cartridges (corresponding to actuator 81 of FIG. 1), either directly or by means of the individual dispensing controls described hereinafter, until a small amount of recording medium of the colors corresponding to each of the cartridges is seen to be immitted from nipple 141.

FIG. 11 shows a simple vacuum pump of the kind which may be used as the vacuum source for the extractor system of a stylus embodying the present invention. This vacuum pump, generally designated by the reference numeral 160, is of simple construction such as will be occur to those having ordinary skill in the art without the exercise of invention, and will be described only briefly.

The principal parts of pump are the cap 161, the wall 162, and the base 163. A generally cylindrical boss 164 is affixed to the inside of cap 161 as generally shown in FIG. 1 1. A rolling diaphragm is affixed to boss 164 and wall 162 by means of leakproof joints 166 and 167 of ring-shaped configuration. Wall 162 is afflxed to base 163 by leakproof joint means 168 of generally circular configuration. Access pipes 169 and 170 are affixed in suitable holes in the top of base 163 by leakproof sealing means. Thus, it may be seen that wall 162, the top of base 163, rolling diaphragm 165, and the bottom of boss 164, along with the leakproof joints between these several parts, cooperate to form an expansible chamber 171 to which access may be had only be means of access pipes 169 and 170. A coil spring 172 having approximately the diameter of wall 162 is affixed to the top of wall 162 by meansnot shown, and also is affixed to cap 161 by means not shown. Thus, coil spring 172 normally biases cap 161 into its uppermost position as shown in FIG. 11. Cap 161 is also pro vided with one or more vacuum relief holes 173. Short lengths of suitable semirigid walled hose 174 and 175 extend from access pipes 169 and 170. respectively, to their associated check valve 176 and 177. The permitted direction of flow of check valve 176 and 177 is as indicated by the arrows thereon. A hose line 178 extends from the side of check valve 177 remote from access pipe 170 to a sump adapted to contain recording medium extracted from common chamber 121, or from the volume or surface upon which a glyph or other record is being made. Such a sump may be a simple glass container, or hose 178 may extend directly to a sink drain. A second hose line 179 is provided which extends from the side of check valve 176 remote from access pipe 169 to a demountable, leakproof coupling 180. Coupling 180 is adapted to coact withnipple 141 at the upper end of barrel assembly 104, and to th at end, hose line 179 is made as light as possible consistent with the requirement that it not be collapsed by interior vacuum. Hose line 179 may be of transparent plastic material to render easy the checking of the operation of the extractor system, and the checking of the expulsion of air from the cartridges at the time of charging, as described hereinabove.

While nipple 141 is shown as threaded in FIG. 6, and coupling 180 is described as cooperating therewith, it is to be understood that nipple 141 may alternatively be adapted for coaction with a well-known quick release coupling, and such a coupling may be substituted for the threaded coupling 180 of FIG. 11. Thus, the stylus of the invention may be operated in two modes, vis, (1)

with hose line 179 continuously connected to the upper end of barrel. assembly 104, or (2) with hose line 179 13 and the fluid therein forced out through pipe 170, hose 175, check valve 177, and hose line l78 to the associated sump. When cap 161 'is released, the upward bias exerted by spring 172 tends to increase the volume of chamber 171, thus drawing a vacuum therewithin.

posted via tip feed tube 138 may be withdrawn to chamber 171 in the same manner. Thus, if the tip attached to nib support 130 is that of glyph-depositing stylus, the extractor system of the present invention as shown in FIGS. 6' and 11 may be employed to withdraw a complete glyph trace, or selected parts thereof. In addition, if a nib pen tip is secured tov tip support 130 (FIG. 6), the color of ink'employed may be expedi tiously changed by withdrawing the ink of a first color from chamber 121,'and from the nib via tip feed tube 138, by operation of pump 160 (FIG. 11.), and then depressing the actuatorof the cartridge containing ink of desired new color (usually via intermediate feed control means). It will also be apparent to those having ordinaryskill in theart that the extractor system of FIGS. 6 and 11 maybe advantageously employed when a tip of the stylographic type is affixed to tip support 130 (FIG. 6).

The recording medium withdrawn to chamber 171 will, of course, be passed to the above-described sump upon the next depression of cap 161, at which time vacuum will again be drawn in chamber 171, and additional recording medium maybe extracted via extractor bore 115, hose 179, etc.

As may be understood from the above, a complete stylus system according to the present invention may comprise, by 'way'of example, abarrel assembly according to F IG.-. 6, including one or more cartridges according to FIG. 1, a pump aridho se lines according to FIG. 11, and a tip such as those described hereinafter.

A cartridge, barrel assembly, filling syringe, and pump according to the invention having been described in detail hereinabove, the following descriptions of tips embodying the invention will show and describe only so much of these earlier described parts as is necessary, it being understood that these earlier described constructions are particularly adapted for use with the nibs debarrel assembly of the'kind shown in FIG. 6.

Tip assembly 200 generally comprises a coupling section 201 adapted for attachment to barrel assembly 104, a control section 202 and a nib section 203.

Coupling'section 201 includes an internally threaded sleeve 205 whereby coupling section 201 may be mounted on tip support and, by means of a suitable lock washer 206 may be made relatively nonrotatable with respect to barrel assembly 104. Couplings section 201 also comprises three bores 207, (only one shown) which are of thesame diameter as the bores 131, 132,.

133 of FIG. 9, and are in register therewith when coupling section 201 is locked onto tip support 130 by means of threaded collar 205 and'lock washer 206. Each of the resulting channels, e.g., the channel comprising bores 132 and 207, contains a plurality of balls, such as 208, 209, 210, by means of which operating force may be transmitted to the actuator (81, FIG. 1) of the corresponding cartridge.

Coupling section 201. also includes a short bore 215 into which a short stub of the tip feed tube 138 of barrel assembly 104 projects, and a gasket 216 for providing a'tight seal to the lowerend of tip feed tube 138. Gasket 216 bears sealingly against the upper end of extension pipe 217. Extension pipe 217 is molded into the body of coupling section 201, and maintained against rotation with respect thereto by a plurality of lugs218, 219. The lower end of extension pipe 2l7;.is provided with a circular flange 220 the function of which will be described hereinafter. The lower face of the main body of coupling section 201 is provided with three recesses 221 (only one shown) which are equiangularly spaced about the axis of the stylus and which coact with a ball detent mechanism in control section 202 in a manner hereinafter to be described.

'by. staking or jamming said threads or in other wellknown manners. The relative dimensions of extension pipe .217, flange 220, and disklikefmember. 230 are such that disklike member 230 is able to be rotated about extension pipe 217. That is to say, member 230, 7

when assembled, is rotatable about the'axis of tip-assembly 200'in such manner that coupling section 201 may be held in the hand and member 230 turned with respect to coupling section 201. During such rotation these parts are retained in close contact with each other over interface 232. As will be apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art, detenting ball 233 and its resilient biasing member 234 are deposited in their socket in the upper surface of member 230 before member 230 is assembled onto extension pipe 217. Thus,member 230 maybe locked into any one of three angular positions about the axis of tip assembly 200 by turning it until detenting ball 233 drops into a corres'ponding one of sockets 221.

'As shown in FIG. 12, passage 235 through disklike member 230 of control section 202 is aligned with bore 207 of coupling section 201 and bore 132 of tip support 130 when detenting'ball 233 is in one of the three sockets 221. As explained hereinabove, there are three bores 207 passing through the body member'205 of coupling section 201, and each of these bores 207 is aligned with a corresponding bore, i.e., 131, 132, 133, respectively, when coupling section 201 is locked in place on tip support 130. These three bores or passages 207 are equiangularly spaced about the axis of symme try of coupling section 201, and are so related to the three sockets 221 that passage 235 of disklike member 230 can be aligned with any one of the three bores 207 and locked in alignment therewith by means of the ball detent arrangement 221, 233, 234 by manually turning disklike member 230 with respect to coupling section 201, and with respect to the entire barrel assembly 104. By this means one of the three cartridges contained in barrel assembly 104 may be selected for the dispensing of recording medium to nib 203, in the manner hereinafter to be described.

As may be seen in FIG. 12, parts 230 and 231 of control section 202 abut along a plane 240. These two parts are joined together, as by cementing, along plane 240 after control section 202 and certain other parts described hereinafter are assembled.

Referring now'in detail to control section 202, it may be seen in FIG. 12 that this section comprises, in addition to body parts 230 and 231, a cylindrical plunger 241 adapted to be slidably disposed in a cylindrical passage 242 which will be aligned with passage 235 in part 230 when parts 230 and 231 are cemented together, a nib feed tube 245, and a rotatable and slidable control shaft 250 having a control head 251 at one of its ends and a ring 252 at its other end by which the shaft and head may be manipulated by the user of the pen, and

' the color and quantity of ink fed to nib 203 by way of nib feed tube 245 thereby controlled.

Nib feed tube 245 is provided with a circular flange 246 at its upper end, and a circular gasket 247 is provided between flange 246 and the above-described flange 220, whereby nib feed tube 245 may be turned about its axis with respect to extension pipe 217 without leakage of recording medium. Nib feed tube 245 is affixed to part 231, and prevented from rotation with respect thereto, by one or more rivets 253 passing through its flange 246, or other means which will occur to those having ordinary skill in the art. As shown in FIG. 12, nib feed tube 245 isbent rearwardly at the place designated by reference numeral 254, thus clearing control shaft 250. At the place generally shown by the reference numeral 254, tube 245 is bent downwardly, again becoming parallel to its upper portion near flange 246, and bearing upon the back portion of shoulder 255. According to a preferred embodiment, shoulder 255 is provided with a slight relief (not shown) which receives this offset portion of tube 245 and engages it firmly in order to steady the open bottom end portion of tube 245. In addition, tube 245 passes between a pair of ears 256 and 257 raised on the inner surface of shoulder 255, and is secured between these ears in an appropriately designed slot by means of a wire, band,- or the like 258 the ends of which are secured to ears 257 and 257, for instance, by the resilience of band 258. Thus, nib feed tube 245 is rigidly mounted in, and irrotatable with respect to, part 231, and is of such configuration that its open lower end 260 (FIG. 14) is maintained parallel to the backs of the leaves of nib assembly 203, and at such a distance therefrom that the recording medium which it feeds to the nib assembly is normally maintained in position between its lower end and the backs of the leaves by capown axis, pull it outward of part 231, or both in order illary attraction and surface adhesion, in the wellknown manner.

As may be seen by comparison of FIGS. 12 and 13, control shaft 250 is slidably and rotatably mounted in a close fitting passage 285 in the wall of part 231. Thus, the user of the pen may turn control shaft 250 about its to control the color and quantity of recording medium dispensed to nib 203 as described hereinafter. A coil spring 266 is provided which, being entrapped between a flange 267 at one end of control head 251 and the inner surface of the wall of shoulder 255, tends to maintain control shaft 250 in its inward position such that control ring 252 bears against the outer surface of part 231. Coil spring 266,- however, is not attached to flange 267, and thus control shaft 250 is free to rotate independently of coil spring 266.

Control head 251 is provided with two integral ears 270 and 271, and with a pin 272 (FIG. 13), the purpose ofall of which will be explained below. In addition, a

.well 274 is provided in the inner surface of shoulder 255 (FIGS. 12. and 15), and serrations 275 are provided along a portion at least of the wall of well 274. Serrations 275 are adapted to coact with pin 272, as

urged by spring 266, in order to maintain head 251 at any desired angle with respect to its own axis of rotation.

Referring now to FIG. 12, taken in conjunction with FIG. 6, the manner in which the quantity of recording medium dispensed to nib 203 via nib feed tube 245 will be made apparent-That is to say, balls 208, 209, 210, and others not shown, are of the correct diameter and number to take up the space between the actuator of the cartridge from which recording medium is to be dispensed (see 135, FIG. 6) and the top surface of plunger 241. Thus, it may be seen that upward urging of plunger 241 as shown in FIG. 12 controls the dispensing of recording medium from said cartridge.

As may also be seen in FIG. 12, plunger 241 is adapted to be thrust upward by finger 270 of control head 251. In fact, the orientation of control shaft 250 as seen in FIG. 12 is such that finger 270 is thrusting plunger 241 into its uppermost position, i.e., the position in which recording medium is dispensed from the associated cartridge at its maximum rate. In addition, control shaft 250 'is in its leftmost position and therefore it may be seen that locking pin272 (FIG. 13;) is in engagement with one of the serrations 275 (FIG. 15), as urged by spring 266, and therefore plunger 241 is locked in its uppermost position and recording medium is being dispensed from the cartridge assembly associated with bore 132 of tip support at its maximum rate, as shown in FIG. 12'. It is also to be noted that pin 272 is sufficiently short so that, by pulling slightly outward on ring 252, finger 270 may be turned into engagement with plunger 24] while at the same time pin 27 2 does not engage serrations 275. Thus, it will be apparent that plunger 241 may either be briefly raised by rotating ring 252 about the axis of control shaft 250 or may be locked in a deflected position by rotating ring 252 about the axis of control shaft 250 and then thrusting ring 252 toward the body of control section 202, thereby engaging pin 272 with an appropriate one of serrations 275. That is to say, the amount of recording.

- 17 Also, as may clearly be seen in FIG. 12, there is but one plunger 241, in one bore 242. However, by rotating control section 202 with respect to. the remainder of the stylus, as described hereinabove, and locking control section 202 in one of the three angular positions defined by the ball detent'mechanism 221, 233, 234,

plunger 241 may be aligned with any one of three bores parent by reference to FIG. 12, it is a particular feature of this embodiment that the cartridge selection cannot be changed during dispensing of ink from one cartridge, That is to say, plunger 241 is above the face of control section 202 abutting coupling section 201 at all times during the dispensing of ink from a particular cartridge, and therefore plunger 241 will lock in the corresponding bore of coupling section 201, e.g., bore 207. This being the case, it will be clear that ring 252 must so turn that finger 270 is withdrawn'from the bottom control section 202 can be substantially turned with respect to coupling section 201. If, however, plunger 241 is withdrawn slightly below abutting surface 221, control section 202 may yet be turned with respect to coupling section 201 because, due to the spherical shape of ball 210, the turning of control section 202 far enough to throw any pair .of bores 235 and 207 out of alignment will merely raise the balls slightly, and the size of the balls isso selected that in that situation pressure will not be exerted on the actuator of the corresponding cartridge. 7

Referring now to nib section 203, as shown in FIGS. 12, 13, and 14, it may be seen that this section generally comprises a main leaf 280, a pair of secondary leaves 281 and 282, a T-shaped spreader 283, and a pair of leaf springs 284 and 285. Main leaf 280 is secured to a pair of lugs 286 and 287 by means of rivets, or the like, generally designated by the respective reference numerals 288 and 289. Lugs-286 and 287 may, according to a preferred embodiment, be integral with part 231 and disposed within and at substantially opposite sides of the lower end thereof. The secondary Fleaves 281 and 282 are pivotably mounted on the outer ends of rivets 288'and 289, respectively. Thus, leaves 281 and'282 are capable of assuming the narrow line position shownin FIG. 12 or the wide line position shown in FIG. 13. However, leaves 281 and 282 are resiliently biased toward their mutually contacting narrow line position (FIG. 12) by leaf springs 284 and 285, the upper ends of leaf springs 284 and 285 beingreceived in suitable slots in the lower side of shoulder 255, and the lower ends of leaves 284 and 285 being received in slots in the'upper ends of leaves 281 and 282. Main leaf 280 is provided with at least one nib slit of the well-known kind, and in addition may be provided with suitable feed holes or feed channels, as may secondary leaves 281 and 282, all such being provided of plunger 241,'i.e., no ink is being dispensed, before I 18 the other end of T-head 296 is disposed in a recess 296 in secondary leaf 281. V As may be seen by comparison of FIGS. 12 and 13, secondary leaves 281 and 282 may be spread to assume the wide line position of FIG. 13 by manipulating ring 252. In order to accomplish the spreading of the secondary leaves to the wide line position, ring 252 must first be turned about the axis of control shaft 250 through approximately 180, thus entrapping the top of spreader 283 between fingers 270 and 2710f controlhead 251. As explained above, ring 252 must first be pulled outward slightly from control section 202 .in order to free pin 272 from serrations 275. When ring 252 has been turned and spreader 283 isentrapped between fingers 270 and 271, then ring 252 may be pulled outward from control section 202., compressing spring 266, until, as shown in FIG. 13, the long arm of spreader 283 bears against stop pin 298, which is affixed to the upper end of main leaf 280. Ring 252 may then be rotated approximately 180 about the axis of control shaft 250, and control shaft 250 allowed to re turn within controls'ection- 202 in response to the urging of spring 266, whereafter nib section 203 will remain in its wideline state as shown in FIG. 13 but at the same time ring 252 may be used to control the dispensing of recording medium from one of the cartridges at a time, as described hereinabove. Additional slight recesses analogous to recess 297 mayybe provided on the insidesurface of secondary leaves 281 and index mark 301 is set opposite index mark 300. The

alignment of index mark 300 with any one index mark 301 will, of course, correspond to a locked state of ball detent mechanism 221, 233, 234.

The stylus or pen of FIG. 12 through 15 may be provided with a .flexible hose connection to avacu'um pump of the kind shown in FIG. 11, so that the ink of a first color may be substantially completely withdrawn from-nib feed tube 245, extension pipe 217, tip feed tube 138, common chamber 121, etc., all as shown and described hereinabove.

Reference is now had to FIGS. 16 and 17 of the drawings which disclose a multicolor stylographic pen embodying my invention. In general, thestylographic pen of this embodiment-comprises a barrel assembly 104 of I the kind shown in FIGS. 6 through 9 (shown in part only) and a tip assembly 310. In this embodiment tip feed tube 138 (see FIG. 6) is used directly as the writing tube, such writing tubes being well known in the stylographic pen art. The body 31 1 of tip assembly 310 is provided with a bore or passage 312 which is of such diameter as to .surround tip feed tube 138 in close fitting'relationship when barrel assembly 104 is interfitsecondary nibs 281 and 282 are in their narrow line position as shown in FIG. 12 one end of the T-head 296 contacts the inner surface of secondary leaf 282 while ted with tip assembly 3l0 and tip support is screwed into 'the internally threaded collar at the upper' end of body 120, said lock washer being of a selected thickness such that when tip assembly 310 is tightened onto barrel assembly 104, tightly clamping lock washer 313 therebetween, then bores 131, 132, 133 in tip support 130 are aligned with three corresponding passages 315 in body 311, the function of which will hereinafter be described.

Each of the bores 131, 132, 134 in tip support 130 is provided with a longitudinally slidable member 320. Each one of the three longitudinally slidable members 320, hereinafter called spools," is an integral assembly including a central rod or shaft which extends from the outer end of its bore, e.g., 132, and is just long enough to touch actuator, e.g., 135, without thereby causing the dispensing of recording medium from the associated cartridge when its outer end if flush with the outer end of its bore. This shaft is equipped with two or more disks orflanges which are of such diameter that the shaft is maintained substantially concentric with its associated bore while at the same time being free to slide therealong. As will now be apparent, one spool 320 is inserted in each bore 131, 132, 133 and maintained there by inverting barrel assembly 104 while tip assembly 310 is being affixed thereon.

Comparing FIGS. 16 and 17, it may now be seen that -tip assembly 310 includes three actuator assemblies 321 each having a pushbutton dispensing control 325 and a hollow ring 322 which is rotatable about body 311 in order to expose only one pushbutton dispensing control 325 at a time for actuation, hollow ring 322 being, according to one preferred embodiment, resilient and slightly smaller in diameter than the corresponding portion of body 311 so that it tends to grip body 311 and remain emplaced in the position in which it is manually set.

Through one actuator assembly 321 is hereinafter discussed, it will be understood that the other two actuator assemblies 321 are substantially identical therewith. Further, it is to be noted that the practice of designating substantially duplicate assemblies and parts by the same reference numeral, where this will conduce to clarity, is adopted here as elsewhere hereinabove.

Considering the single actuator assembly 321 shown in section in FIG. 16, it may be seen that this assembly generally comprises control 325 which terminates at its inner end in a rigid plate 326, a sac 327 which may, for instance, comprise one end of a short section of flexible walled tubing, a suitable cavity in body 31 1 for containing sac 327, etc., a sealed, rolling cuff arrangement generally designated by the reference numeral 328 at the upper end of sac 327, a finger 329 sealed into said rolling cuff arrangement and adapted to extend through bore 315 and contact spool 320 for actuating the same, and a proper relief hole 330 near the upper end of said cavity. A vent passage 333 extends throughout the length of control 325 and through the wall of sac 327. Sac 327 is of such construction, and rendered sufficiently resilient, as by vulcanizing or like process, so that it normally forces plate 326 toward the outer side of its associated cavity, a suitable relief bore 334 being provided to facilitate this action. Also, the construction of sac 327 and its association with finger 329 is such that finger 329 normally lies very slightly within the top end of bore 315. Finger 329 is sealed to sac 327 only at its lower end, as indicated by the reference numeral 335. Thus, when the air pressure within sac 327 (normally ambient because of passage 333) increases,

rolling sleeve assembly 328 unrolls in the well-known manner, thrusting finger 329 upward and thus raising spool 320 and bringing about the dispensing of recording medium from the associated cartridge. This increase of pressure within sac 327 is brought about by the user of the pen, who presses inward on control 325, at the same time closing bore 333. Since the construction of sac 327 is such that it is normally maintained open, as explained hereinabove, the closing of passage 333 by the users finger causes the entrapment of air within sac 327, and the depression of control 325 thus raises the pressure of air within sac 327, unrolling sleeve 328 and raising finger 329 as described hereinabove, and thus raising spool 320 and bringing about the dispensing of recording medium'from the associated cartridge. As will occur to those having ordinary skill in the art, a spring or other resilient means may be sealed within the lower portion of sac 327 tomore strongly bias sac 327 intoits open state, and thus bring about a greater sealing pressure against-the finger depressing control 325, if needed. I

While the device of FIG. 16 and 17 provides for the dispensing of recording medium by fingertip control, it will now be apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art that means may be provided whereby an outer, slidable, resiliently biased section of tube 138 may be arranged to control the dispensing of recording medium from a selected one of'the three cartridgesin response to writing pressure.

Reference is now had to FIGS. 18 through 20 which disclose a multicolor, variable trace diameter glyph stylus adapted for use with the barrel assembly 104 of FIG. 6 and the extracting pump of FIG. 1 1, and particularly suited for use in connection with the manually operated glyph apparatus disclosed in my prior patents and applications.

As best seen in FIG. 18, this glyph stylus generally comprises a control section 340, an extension or stylus pipe 341, and a tip 342, all described in detail hereinafter.

Control section 340-is in general analogous in construction and arrangement to tip assembly 310 of the stylographic pen of FIGS. 16 and 17, departing therefrom most particularly in that its main body 345 (analogous to body 311 of FIG. 16) terminates in a flat end 346 provided with a threaded central bore 347in which a threaded end 347 of stylus pipe 341 is secured.

Otherwise, the operative parts of control section 340 may be substantially identical with those of tip assembly 310 of FIG. 16. In particular, control section 340 is equipped with a selection ring 348 and three pushbutton dispensing controls 349 (one shown), analogous to previously described ring 322 and pushbutton dispensing controls 325 respectively. The three pushbutton dispensing controls 349 are associated with three actuator assemblies substantially like actuator assemblies 321 of FIG. 16, and these actuator assemblies coact with corresponding cartridges in a barrel assembly 104, in the manner completely disclosed and described hereinabove.

As will now be clear to those having ordinary skill in the art, the barrel assembly 104 (see FIG. 6) connected with and coacting with control section 340 of the device of FIGS. 18 through 20 may be provided with an extractor pump, or suction pump, of the kind shown in FIG. 11, thus making it possible to extract glyph traces by way of glyph pipe 341 and tip assembly 342. 1

21 Referring now to FIG. 18, it may be seen that tip feed tube 138 is not of sufficient diameter to bear the cantilever strains involved in displacing the stylus extension through a glyph-supporting mass such'as described in my prior application. Therefore, stylus pipe 341 is pro vided, which is of considerably greater diameter and rigidity than tip feed tube 138. Tip feed tube 138 projects into a bore 350 at the upper end of stylus pipe 341, which bore contains a gasket 351 for effecting a seal between tube 138 and pipe 341. The bore of tube 138 and the aperture of washer 351 communicate directly with the inner bore 352 of stylus pipe 341. Through bore 352 may besomewhat larger than the bore of tube 138, considerations of stylus pipe rigidity will, in general, dictate that the cross-sectional area of these two bores does not vary greatly.

Stylus pipe 341 is preferably equipped with graduations 353 of the kind and for the purpose shown and described in my prior applications. In addition, stylus pipe 341 is provided with a sliding collar 354 including a guide pin 355 adapted to slide in a groove 356 in one side of the stylus pipe. Collar 354 is provided with suitable tapped holes such as' 357. and 358 whereby the glyph stylus may be coupled to a quantitative positioning, apparatus, including 'protractors and graduated slides of the kind shown and described in my prior applications. j

Going now to FIG. 19, which shows tip assembly 342 in detail, it may be seen that the lower end of stylus pipe 341 is provided with external threads ,360. In addition, the lower end of stylus pipe 341 is provided with a stepped tip 361, 3,62.

Threads 360 are interengaged with the internal threads 365 of a tip body 366.

Asmay be seen by comparison of FIGS. 19 and 20, a hollow tip shell 367 is secured to the end of tip body 366, as by rivets 368 and 369. A plurality of inwardly projecting lugs 370 are located near the upper end of tip shell 367.

A plurality of substantially identical, resilient leaves 375 are in part contained within tip shell 367, and in part project through an opening 376 in the lower end thereof.

Each leaf 375. hasat its top end an ear 377 which is overturned toforma'generally cylindrical member having a passagetherethrough. A common wire ring 378 passes through the passages of all the ears'377, thereby hinging all of the leaves 375 to a common, circular pivot. The pivoted upper ends of leaves 375 and hinge pin wire 378 are maintained in position by means of said lugs 370..Thus, leaves 375 are hinged at their upper ends with their lower ends projecting through opening 376 in tip shell 367. Just inside opening 376 a the set of leaves 375 is surrounded with a closed coil spring band 380, the coil spring band380 being maintained in this position by a coacting plurality of V- shaped guides 381. I

Having described the mechanism of tip assembly 342 in detail, the mode of its operation may now be understood. That is to say, the generally circular orifice defined by the coacting lower ends of leaves 375 may be adjusted over a wide range of diameters, in a manner analogous to that of a camera iris, by twisting tip body 366 with respect to stylus pipe 341. Thus, it will be clear from FIG. 19 that the more completely threads coacting set of leaves 375. It will also be clear, how-- I ever, that thrusting tip member 362 into the assembly of leaves 375 will increase the diameter of the aperture defined by the bottom ends of leaves 375. Thus, the diameter of the tip end of tip assembly 342 may be varied at the will of the operator by twisting tip body 366 about the axis of stylus pipe 341, and thus altering the degree of engagement of the end of stylus pipe 341 with tip body 366. I

It will be evident from the above that the particular embodiment FIGS. 18 through 20 is a highly advantageous apparatus for efficiently achieving the purposes of the glyph forming apparatuses of my prior applications. In particular, this embodiment makes it possible to insert glyph traces of selected colors, remove the width of such glyphtraces, and extract the same all with the same simple, .cheap, convenient apparatus, thus rendering the three-dimensional volumetric drawing, data representation, and recording'systems of my previous applications extremely useful and efficient.

Reference is now had to FIG. 21 which shows the lower end of a barrel assembly 104, such as that shown a in FIG. 6, equipped with compact and economical electrical signal responsive control means for controlling invention, the barrel assembly- 104 of the embodiment of FIG. 21 will be identical to that of FIG. 6, except as indicated by comparison of FIG. 21 and FIG 6. It is to 360 of stylus pipe 341 engage threads 365 of tip body 366, the further tip member 362 will be thrust into the be further understood that, while only one electrical control assembly 400 is shown in FIG. 21, a barrel assembly 104 of the embodiment of FIG.21 will include three control assemblies 400, each located in one of the bores 13], 132, 133 (FIG. 9) and each coacting with an actuator 134, 135, 136(FIG. 9).

Electrical control assembly 400 generally comprises a piezoelectric crystal'401 a fulcrum bar 402 affixed to the top of piezoelectric crystal 401, a second fulcrum bar 403 rigidly mounted to the tip support by means of cantilever 404, a lever 405 arranged to rockable about the apex of fulcrum bar 402 and about the apex of fulcrum bar 403, and a strut 406 pivoted at its lower end to lever 405 and retained within a small depression or socket in actuator at its upper end.

Piezoelectric crystal 401 is mounted in bore 132 in slidingfit relationship, and is affixed .to the wallsof bore 132 only near the bottom surface of tip support 130. Also, piezoelectric crystal 401 is so cut, and so provided with, e.g., plated on electrodes, all as well known to those having ordinary skill in the art, that in response to signals on leads 408 and'409 it expands in its vertical dimension as shown in FIG. 21. When, in response to applied electrical signals, piezoelectric crystal 401 expands it forces fulcrum bar 402 upward as on lines 408 and 409, and thus to control the dispensing of recording medium from the cartridge associated with actuator 135. I

Thus it may be seen that a barrel assembly 104 of the type contemplated in FIG. 21 may effectively be used

Claims (22)

1. In a glyph-trace dispensing implement, a control section, a nib section comprising a main leaf secured to and extending from said control section, first and secondary secondary leaves each mounted to said main leaf for pivoting about respective spaced axes essentially normal thereto and in surface-to-surface contact therewith, all said leaves conjointly forming a dispensing edge for trace material, a control shaft mounting in said control section, for axial translation between first and second positions and mechanism operated by and in response to translation of said control shaft from first to second position of translation, to simultaneously pivot said secondary leaves in respectively opposite directions relatively to said main leaf to thereby vary the effective length of said dispensing edge; said mechanism comprising: a T-shaped spreader bar comprising an integral head and stem and pivoted to said main leaf, the ends of said head engaging said secondary leaves, respectively, and pivoting said secondary leaves by and in response to pivoting of said bar, and operating means fixed with said shaft and engaging the stem of said bar to pivot the same relatively to said main leaf.

2. The implement of claim 1, and pipe means connecting said common chamber to a vacuum source for extracting recording medium from said chamber.

3. The implement of claim 1, said control shaft having one end projecting to the exterior of said control section for manual operation thereof.

4. The implement of claim 1, means carried by said control section yieldingly urging said secondary leaves in opposite directions of pivoting, to one of their limiting positions, there being a plurality of notches in and along one edge of one said secondary leaf and into which the corresponding end of said head engages to thereby releasably hold said secondary leaves in a corresponding selected position of pivotal adjustment.

5. The implement of claim 1, said control shaft also being rotatable from a first to a second rotational position, said operating means comprising a pair of ears fixed to said shaft in spaced relation therealong, said ears encompassing between them, the free end of said stem, to pivot said bar as aforesaid, only when said shaft is in its said second rotational position.

6. The implement of claim 1, a feed tube for trace material fixed with said control section and having an open end in feeding contact with said leaves for dispensing trace material thereto, a supply conduit in communication with said feed tube to supply trace maerial thereto, valve means in said conduit, a first ear fixed with said shaft, and operating means between said first ear and said valve means to effect operation of the latter between open and closed positions by and in response to axial translation of said control shaft.

7. The implement of claim 6, said control section comprising a generally cylindrical section mounting said leaves at its one end, said cylindrical section having a central longitudinal axis and a transverse wall closing its end remote from said leaves, there being an opening through said wall and forming a portion of said supply conduit, said operating means comprising a plunger slidably guided through said opening for movement parallel with said axis, said first ear when said control shaft is in a first rotational position, engaging and axially shifting said plunger to open said valve means.

8. The implement of claim 1, said shaft also being rotatable about its axis, a feed tube for trace material fixed with said control section and having an open end in feeding contact with said leaves for dispensing trace material thereto, a supply conduit in communication with said feed tube to supply trace material thereto, valve means in said conduit, said mechanism including a first ear fixed with said shaft and in the form of a cam, rotation of said shaft when in first translational position, effecting opening of said valve means by and in proportion to rotation of said shaft between first and second rotational positions.

9. The implement of claim 8, said mechanism also including a second ear fixed with said control shaft and in axially spaced relation with said first ear, said ears encompassing between them the free end of the stem of said bar, when said shaft is in second rotational position.

10. The implement of claim 9, said valve means being yieldingly urged to closed position against the action of said first ear, operating means between said first ear and said valve means, said ear being free of said operating means when said control shaft is in said second rotational position.

11. The implement of claim 10, and spring means effective on said control shaft and yieldingly urging the latter to its said first translational position, said spring means being tensioned by and in response to movement of said control shaft to its said second translational position, thereby pivoting said secondary leaves as aforesaid when so translated and when in its said second rotational position.

12. In an implement for dispensing glyph trace material, a generally cylindrical control section having a longitudinal axis, a dispensing nib for trace material carried by and projecting from said control section at one end thereof, a coupling section, a disk section fixed with said control section and interposed between said coupling section and said control section to interconnect the same, glyph trace material reservoir means including a dispensing valve means, conduit means extending from said valve means to said nib, and including aligned openings through all said sections, a control shaft mounted in said control section for translation relatively thereto, operating means for said valve extending in and along said openings, actuating means fixed with said control shaft and engaging said operating means, to actuate said valve means by and in response to translation of said shaft from a first to a second position.

13. The implement of claim 12, said valve means being yieldingly urged to closed position against the action of said actuating means, translation of said control shaft to second position freeing said actuating means from said operating means, thereby effecting closure of said valvE means.

14. The implement of claim 13, means connecting said coupling section to said disk section, for relative pivoting about said axis, said aligned openings being radially offset from said axis, said operating means including a plunger movable in and along said openings, the end of said plunger nearest said valve means, being moved by said actuating means, in response to movement of said control shaft to its first position of translation, to extend across the interface between said disk section and said coupling section, thereby preventing relative pivoting therebetween, about said longitudinal axis.

15. The implement of claim 14, translation of said control shaft to second position effecting movement of said actuating means free of said plunger, to effect positioning of said plunger within the opening in said disk section, thereby freeing said coupling section for rotation about said axis relatively to said disk section.

16. The implement of claim 15, there being a plurality of openings in and through said coupling section, circumferentially spaced about and radially offset from said axis, and each comprising conduit means to a respective one of a plurality of discrete supplies of trace material, each said conduit means including a respective one of a plurality of valve means, each said opening in said coupling section being registrable with the opening through said disk section, by and in response to rotation of said coupling section as aforesaid, and detent means between said disk section and said coupling section, releasably holding said coupling section with any selected opening therethrough in registration with the opening through said disk section.

17. The implement of claim 16, said detent means comprising a ball fitting a recess in one of said disk and coupling sections and engageable in a selected one of a plurality of sockets in the other of said sections.

18. The implement of claim 12, said control shaft also being rotatable about its axis, said nib being adjustable to vary the effective dispensing width thereof, mechanism effective on said nib to vary the dispensing width thereof, and actuating means carried by said shaft to operate said mechanism by and in response to translation of said shaft.

19. The implement of claim 18, said actuating means being operably engageable with said mechanism to vary the effective dispensing width of the nib, only when said shaft is in a first rotational position, rotation of said shaft to a second position freeing said actuating means from said mechanism.

20. The implement of claim 19, said acutating means being effective on said operating means when said shaft is in its said first translational position, rotation of said shaft when in first translational position effecting corresponding rotation of said actuating means, and opening said valve means in proportion to rotation thereof, and locking means releasably securing said shaft in any one of a plurality of positions of rotational adjustment thereof.

21. The implement of claim 20, said locking means being effective when said shaft is in its said first position of translation only, movement of said shaft out of said first position of translation automatically rendering said locking means ineffective.

22. The implement of claim 20, said locking means comprising a well in said central section, coaxially of said shaft, there being serrations in and along the cylindrical wall of said well, and a pin fixed with the contiguous end of said shaft, eccentric to the axis thereof, said pin engaging in a selected one of said serrations to releasably hold said shaft in a selected position of rotational adjustment.

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