US2619070A - Ink feed and overflow collector means for fountain pens - Google Patents

Description

M. S. BAKER Nov. 25, 1952 INK FEED AND OVERFLOW COLLECTOR MEANS FOR FOUNTAIN PENS Filed Sept. 19, 1946 Patented Nov. 25, 1952 YOUNITED ysTA'rIJs PATENT oFFlcE INK FEED AND OVERFLOW COLLECTOR MEANS FOR FOUNTAIN PENS Marlin S. Baker, Janesville, Wis., assignor to The Parker Pen Company, Janesville, Wis., a corporation of Wisconsin I Application September 19, 1946, Serial No. 697,867

(Cl. 1Z0-50) n 3 Claims.

My invention relates to fountain pens, and it has to do particularly with ink feed and overow collector means therefor.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide improved ink feed and overflow collector means for fountain pens of the type disclosed in my Letters Patent No. 2,223,541 granted on December 3,1940.

Another object is to provide ink feed and overflow collector means for fountain pens of the foregoing character adapted for use of less expensive nibs, the arrangement being such that less material is required for the nib so that gold nibs may be employed at a much reduced cost.

Still another obiect is to provide an improved nib and nib mounting for fountain pens of the type having ink feed means and overflow collector means enclosed by a shell except for the writing point of the nib.

An additional object is to provide an arrangement of the foregoing character wherein the nib anchorage is closerto the nib point providing a more positive support for the nib.

A further object is to provide a feed, shell, collector and nib unitwherein the feed unit is retained completely concentric with respect to the shell at all times, and the nib may be mounted in proper predetermined relationship with respect to the feed without cramping and resultant misadjustment thereof. 4 A further obiect is to provide a nib mounting wherein lateral vibration of the nib is eliminated and writing under all conditions of use is improved.

Anotherl object is to provide ink feed and collector means for fountain pens of the foregoing character which reouires the use of a minimum number of parts of simplified construction, which are easy to assemble and disassemble, which do not nget out of adjustment, and which may be manufactured and maintained in service at less cost.

Y- An additional object is to provide integral ink feed and overflow collector means for pens of the foregoing character which permits the use of ink collector cells of greater capacity thereby increasing theloverflow capacity of the pen.

vA further object is to provide an ink feed, overflow collector unit and nib mounting wherein the flow pattern of ink to the nib point is greatly simplified.

Other objects and advantages will become obvious as this description progresses, and by reference to the drawing wherein:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of one form of fountain pen embodying my invention;

FFig. 2 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view or" the front end portion ofthe pen shown in Figxl; f

Fig. 3 is a section taken substantially online 33ofFig.2; Y

Fig. 4 is a section taken substantially online 4-4ofFig.2;and 'j Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the writing nib employed. i y

The pen shown in the drawing includes a barrel I0 with a forwardly extending shell II at the forward end. The barrel I0 and shell II are detachably secured together by a sleeve-like connector I2 havingv a threaded portion I2a adapted to be screwed into the forward end of the barrel and a threaded portion I2b adapted to be screwed into the rear end of the shell I I. A clutch ring I3 adapted for attachment of a closure cap (not shown) is mounted on the connector I2V between the barrel I0 and shell I I.

The barrel I0 houses an ink reservoir in the form of a flexible sac I4 carried by an inner reduced end portion I2cV of the connector I2. `The ink sac reservoir I4 is adapted to be filled with ink by collapsing and expanding it as is customary with ink reservoirs of thistype. Any'su-itable form of filling mechanism may be employed for collapsing the ink sac I4, but I preferably employ the type disclosed in my pending application, Serial No. '627,440, filed November 8', 1945; 'This is a so-called multiple stroke type of filling mech-ianism which, as will be well understood by those skilled in the art, includes an air breather tube I5 having one end disposed in the reservoir- I4 and the other end connected with the -ink feed channel which will be described more in detail hereinafter. Brieily, the filling mechanism comprises a reciprocable end button I6 constantly urged in an outward direction by spring I1. vThe end button I6, at its forward end, supports an annular cam member IBa'which is adaptedto engage the cam surface I8a of a lever I8 pivotally connected at its outer end with a barrel-carried part I9 and pivotally supporting a presser bar 2D at its forward end adapted to engagevthe side wall of the sac I4. As more particularly explained in my said application, Serial No. 627,440, the foregoing arrangement is such that when the end button I6 is depressed, the button-carried cam member ISa rides along the cam surface I8a of the lever I8 and moves the front end ofthe latter inwardly toward the axis of the barrel I0 to collapse the sac I4. Upon release of the button I6, the spring I'l returns it to its outermost position releasing the presser bar 20 and lever I8 to permit the sac I4 to expand under its own inherent expandibility. The camway I8a is so shaped, as more particularly explained in my said application, Serial No. 627,440, that, when the button I6 fully returns to its outermost position, the lever I8 and presser bar 20 are Vmoved slightly inward to slightly collapse the sac I4; and finally; when the end cap 2I is-appliedto the-rear-endof This invention has to do particularly Withthe feed and overflow ink collector means which is fed with ink from the sac I4;

unit having a comparatively large overflow ink collector section 22 and a reduced integral feedv bar section 23 of cylindrical cross-sections projecting forwardly therefrom. The collector section 22 has an annular :body with a plurality of circumferential 'nnss 24 defining a plurality: of circumferential, longitudinally-spaced; capillary cells' 25. 'Ihecollector'section 22" is'further. provided with a reduced rearward annular extension26 "which is slip-fitted Within and' supported by the forward portion of the connector sleeve IZA. Thelreduced connector extension 25- provides-` av shoulder 2T' which. isadapted to abut the frontend ofthe connector sleeve I2 thereby positioning the collector section 22' at a predetermined position within Athe shell II. When the collector section 22' is so positioned, the feed bar'section. 23`ispositioned with its front end extending to-an opening 28 formed in the front endoftheshell II.

Forink 'feed purposes, the collector section 22 and the feed bar section 23`are provided with a longitudinal, capillary ink feed duct' or fissure 29'i'of' approxirnately"l five thousandths (.005'!) inch iny widthf and extending from the rear end ofVA the'l r-educed collector section 25 to a point spaced'i slightly f'rornb the forward end" of the fedbar section 23. Thefeed duct 2911s located thefru'pper side of' the collector and.` feed bar unit audit-intersects the ns24` and the capillary# cells 275" formed thereby. In. this. Way, the capillary` cells 25 constituting a capillary overowf space are constantly in. connection with them feed channel 29' to receive ink. tendingV to flowthroughthe latter in excess of that required for' writing purposes, as4 more particularly ex;- pla-i'ned in: myr saidv PatentV No. 2,223,541'. The feed-duct 2-9' at the rear end of the collector section is: out' entirely across the diameter thereof, and thel width of? such d'uctA is maintained constant by a pin 30' when the collector section 22 is: t'ted into the connector sleeve I2.;

Air isr admitted to the ink'reservoir I4 by way of thev ink collector cells 25, as explained' in my 'saii--V Patent No'. 2,223,541, and to that end the underside ofthey feed bar section 23Y is provided withV a-re'ct'angularlyeshaped air channel 3 I-which extend's'rearwardly through the collector section 22 intersecting all ofthe fins 24 and capillary cellsV 25 at a point diametrically opposite the feed duct 292 In' Writing, ink is delivered to the writing swirface'by way ofa shell-mounted nib 32. The nibf-3`25 is providedV with a cylindrical shank porti'on- 32a, and a writing end portion 32h sltted longitudinally at 32C. The shell IIY is provided with an enlarged chamber Ila adapted to receive the collector section 22 with its chamber Wall slightly spaced from the periphery ofY such collectorv section, and itis further provided with a. reduced substantially cylindrical bore I Il) connec'tfngthe chamberA IIa with the shell opening 2-8'; The nibshank 32a isv of a diameter adapted tof'trr snugly within the cylindrical shell bore H11,y the underside of such niby shank' being According to my; invention, this structure takesV the form of av 4 notched at its rear endk so as not to obstruct the airpassage 3.I. The-fnib 32`is ofsuch length thatits shank 32a projects rearwardly beyond the forward shell bore IIb into abutting relation with the forward end of the collector section-v22-and,Y whenvso engaged, its writing point 3'2'17'` projects'through the shell opening 28 slightly beyond the forward end of the shell I I with the nib-slit'32c directly above and connected to the forward end of* the feed duct 29. The cylindrical* shell' bore I Ib above and in alignment withrthe'slitted writing end portion 32h of the nib slightly recessed to provide, with the adjacent surface of the nib, a fine capillary space 34 corresponding substantially to the space 56 above; thefnib ofi` the pen disclosedI irnmy.H Patent No5.. 2,223,541. This: space 34. is connected. with the capillary feed duct 29-by1way of-rthenib slit 32'c;and alsofby'wayof a pierce 35. in the 'upper wall ofA the nib shankv rearwardlyof the-inner end of theslittedportionv of the'nib. f

The collector`r section 22 is' provided with an axial bore 36 extending from the extreme rear end thereof to a point near the foremost capillary cells'25; The bore^36 is formed with multiple'diameters, therearmost diameter 36a being largest and the'foremostV diameter 36h being the smallest. The' mid-diameter portion 36e of the bore 36 is adapted to receive and support the front end of the breather tube I5 thereby connectingthe interior of the ink reservoir I4'with the* forward bore portion 36h and the feed duct 29'. The feedv duct Ztl-intersects the bore portion 36o and, in this Way, the ink' reservoirY I4 isv connected by'way' ofthe breather tube- I5 with the ink feed-*duct 29sintermediatetheendsof the latter for multiple stroke filling purposes, such, for example, as explained in my said Patent No.` 2,223,541 and. the Dahlberg- Patent No. l,9,04;358, issued April 18, 1933.

The breather tube I5, with the greater diameter'portion 36aV ofy the bore 35, forms an annular capillaryA space 3'IV of larger dimension than the feed duct 29, and this space 31 serves the purpose of a primary ink passage corresponding `to the primary ink passage` 39 of my said Patent'No. 2,223,541'. Therearportion of the feedl duct 29, from its rear end to a point slightly forward of the rearmost capillary cells 25, is-Y connected with the primary inkfeed passage 31Y forA air and ink feed control purposes as will be understood from my said patent.

It is believed that the operation of my invention will readily be understood from thef foregoing description. Briey, ink flows from the reservoir to theslit 32C in the writing end 32o of the nib 32 by way of the feed ducts 31 and 29. Air is fed to the reservoir for release of ink therefrom by way of the air passage 3|, the rearmost capillary cells 25. and thel feed ducts 29 and 31'. Ink` is. also deposited. in the capilla-ry space 34 above the nib by wayvfof the nib slit 32e andperce 35. As explained in my said Patent No. 2,223,541, whenan unbalanced pressure condition exists in the reservoir I4 of a character causing more ink to be fed than is required for writing purposes, the excess ink flows into the capillary cells 25 preventing flooding of ink at the Writing point of the-pen. When this occurs and the capillary cells 25 are filled with ink, the flow of air to the reservoir I4 isblocked and no more ink is fed from the reservoir until the cells are emptied. The cells may be emptied either by writing out thek ink therefrom or by the restoration of a normal. pressure condition within the reservoir I4, thereby causing the ink from the cells 25 to be drawn back thereinto.

A pen embodying my invention presents many advantages. The use of a separate feed bar is eliminated. The feed means from the reservoir i4 to the nib 32 is an integral unit. The integral collector and feed bar sections permit the use of a continuous, longitudinal ink feed duct which provides a very simple ink flow pattern from the reservoir I4 to the writing point of the nib. This arrangement reduces the number of parts required. It also eliminates the necessity of adjustment and precision fitting of separately constructed parts. The integral arrangement greatly facilitates manufacture of the feed and collector structure as well as maintenance, and it insures long periods of operation without the necessity of repair or adjustment. It eliminates the necessity of making provision for support of the nib by the collector section in relation to the feed bar section; and, in so doing, it enables the use of a deeper feed duct and, in turn, deeper capillary cells, providing greater overflow capacity for the collector. It eliminates the necessity of precision mounting of the nib with respect to both the collector section and the shell. By supporting the nib in the shell, it may more readily be adjusted in relation to the feed. The amount of material required for the nib is reduced thereby effecting a considerable saving in material, particularly Where gold nibs are employed. The nib may be firmly and accurately positioned by the shell in y voir and having a series of circumferential fins I on its periphery defining capillary ink storage cells and a central axial bore terminating short of the forward end thereof, a reduced feed bar section extending forwardly from the front end of said collector section, said unit having a capillary ink feed slit of uniform width extending continuously throughout the entire length of said collector section and along said reduced feed bar section substantially to the forward end thereof, said slit intersecting said cells and extending into said central bore in communication therewith throughout the length of the bore and an air channel extending from the forward end of said feed bar section through said collector section to near the rear end thereof and intersecting all of said ns, and an air breather tube having one end mounted directly in an opening directly into said central bore intermediate the ends thereof and forming with the rear portion of the bore an annular ink feed passage communicating with said slit throughout the major portion of the latter and opening at the rear end of the unit into said reservoir.

2. In a fountain pen having a barrel with an ink reservoir therein, an integral ink feed and overflow ink collector unit comprising a collector section adapted to be connected at its rear end to the barrel in communication with the ink reservoir and having a series of circumferential ns on its periphery defining capillary ink storage cells and a central axial bore terminating short of the forward end thereof, a reduced feed bar section extending forwardly from the front end of said collector section, said unit having a capillary ink feed slit of uniform width extending continuously throughout the entire length of said collector section and along said reduced feed bar section substantially to the forward end thereof. said slit intersecting said cells and extending into said central bore in communication therewith throughout the length of the bore, the depth of said slit opposite rearmost of said cells being less than the depth opposite the remainder of the cells, and an air channel extending from the forward end of said feed bar section through said collector section to near the rear end thereof and intersecting all of said ns, and an air breather tube having one end mounted directly in and opening directly into said central bore intermedlate the ends thereof and forming with the rear portion of the bore an annular vlnx feed passage communicating with said slit throughout the maJor portion of the latter and opening at the rear end of the unit into said reservoir.

3. In a fountain pen having a barrel with an ink reservoir therein, a multiple stroke filling mechanism for lalternately expanding and contracting said reservoir, an integral ink feed and cver-iiow ink collector unit comprising a collector section adapted to be connected at its rear end to the barrel in communication with the ink reservoir and h-aving a series of circumferential fins on its periphery defining capillary ink storage cells and a central axial bore terminating short of the forward end thereof, a reduced feed bar section extending forwardly from the front end of said collector section, said unit having a capillary ink feed slit of uniform width extending continuously throughout the entire length of said collector section Vand along said reduced feed bar section substantially to the forward end thereof, said slit intersecting said cells and extending into said central bore in communication therewith throughout the length of the bore and an -air channel extending from .the forward end of said feed bar section through said collector section to near the rear end thereof and intersecting all of said fins, an air breather tube having one end mounted directly in and opening directly into said central bore intermediate the ends thereof and forming with the rear portion of the bore :an yannular ink feed passage communicating with said slit throughout the major por-tion of the latter and opening lat ythe rear end of the unit into said reservoir.

MARLIN S. BAKER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,633,896 Kovacs June 28, 1927 2,223,541 Baker Dec. 3, 1940 2,255,093 Ziegler Sept. 9, 1941 2,283,333 Martin May 19, 1942 2,375,770 Dahlberg May 15, 1945 2,410,423 Brinson Nov. 5, 1946 2,417,861 Dahlberg Mar. 25, 1947 2,521,657 Severy Sept. 5, 1950

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