US2119307A - Inkstand - Google Patents

Description

Patented May 31, 1938 v.;-

UNITED STATES PATENT oFFlc INKSTAND Application September 16, 1936, Serial No. 100,965

5 Claims. (Cl. 1Z0-63) the cup 2| as illustrated in Fig. l and may be My invention relates to inkstands.

The object of my invention is to provide an inkstand in which air may be automatically drawn into'the reservoir by means which first draws a supply of air intov the Well above the surface of the ink therein by an upward movement of the dip-cup or by a diaphragm which covers the inkwell to provide a sealed chamber formed above the ink in the well, and which when lowered will compress the air trapped therein and cause it to force ink therefrom into the dip-cup of the stand and support it therein.

A further object is to provide a construction in which a dip-cup is used and into which the ink is delivered at a point above its bottom and after it has become filled, the surplus ink delivered to the dip-cup will be automatically drawn back into the reservoir, thereby trapping a deflnite amount of ink in the ink-cup maintained at a definite height therein.

Referring to the drawing which forms a part of this specification:

Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional View of an inkstand embodying my invention, disclosing ink trapped in the ink-cup.

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view in. which the tube which extends into the ink in the reservoir is adjustable to permit the height of ink in the ink-cup to be varied and to adjust its lower end relative to the bottom of the reservoir.

Fig. 3 is a modification of the construction shown in Figures 1 and 2, in which construction the trapping chamber has no bottom; the ink being held in the dip tube directly by the con1- pressed air in the reservoir.

I0 indicates the body of an inkstand which may be made of glass or other suitable material, and II is the ink-well reservoir for-med therein.

'Ihe upper inner side of the well is increased in diameter at I3 to provide an annular shoulder I4 which supports a disc I5 made of hard rubber or other ink resisting material.

I6 indicates a circular cover having depending a flange I'I which fits closely in the top of the body portion and its lower edge clamps the outer edge of a soft rubber diaphragm I8 onto the edge 0f the plate or disc I5 to firmly hold it in position.

'Ihe diaphragm is preferably formed with its inner and outer edge portions made of greater thickness than the intermediate part I8', as illustrated, to permit the portion I8 to stretch easily when the dip-tube I9 is raised in the act of drawing air into the reservoir chamber II.

The dip-tube comprises a tube 20 which may be formed integral with the upper part forming constructed to carry a smaller tube `22 which extends therethru and is adjustable Vtherein to regulate the height of ink in the cup.

In Fig. 3 the trapping chamber is not used, the

ink being supported by the compressed air in the reservoir. y

In Figures 1 and 2, anv air vent passage `23 is provided which extends from above the diaphragm to a point below the same and serves to admit air into the reservoir to permit the air pressure to equalize and prevent the air from expanding in the reservoir due to barometric changes or by reason of the air therein being heated by exposure to the sun, thus increasing the pressure in the reservoir and causing the ink to be forced therefrom thru the dip-tube. The passage 23 is finger controlled, it being closed during the operation of filling the ink-cup in the downward movement thereof, or if desired, it may be closed in both directional movements.

The `plate I8 serves to carry the weight of the movable parts in normal use of the stand.

The upper portion of the dip tube is formed with inclined sides as illustrated and serves to support a pen-holder in position to close the opening and to support a pen in the ink ready for immediate use.

The device operates as follows:

Referring to Fig. 3, the parts are shown in their normal position of rest.

To ll the ink-cup the dip-tube is raised which causes the air in the reservoir to be rareiied and air from without is drawn therein thru the central tube which on being lowered, compresses the air in the reservoir above the surface of the ink therein and forces ink into the dip tube where it is held for use. into the tube by said operation depends upon the distance that the dip-tube is raised and the amount of ink that is in the reservoir at the time of operation.

I n the gures shown in which the ink-cup comprises a trapping chamber into which the ink flows from its upper side, the air may be introduced into the reservoir as described for supplying ink to the chamber shown in Figure 3, in which case the air vent is closed during the operation of raising and lowering the dip-tube, but I prefer to raise the dip tube' with the air vent open to admit air to the reservoir therethru, and to close the vent during the downward movement of the dip-tube to compress the air in the reservoir and force the ink therefrom thru the tube and into the ink-cup.

The amount of ink delivered l It will be observed that by the use of the air vent all surplus ink forced above the top of the dlp-cup in its filling operation, will oW back into the reservoir as the compressed air therein escapes thru the vent opening.

The cost of making the inkstand is low and in use it functions perfectly.

Having thus described my invention I claim as new:

1. An inkstand comprising a body portion having a reservoir formed therein, a dip-tube comprising a trapping chamber located adjacent to its lower end and a tube extending therefrom to the lower side of the reservoir, a exible diaphragm connected to the dip-tube in air tight relation and held above the reservoir to form a closed chamber, means for preventing the downward movement of the dip-tube and diaphragm below its normal position of rest; the construction being such that air may be drawn into the reservoir by raising the diaphragm from its normal position of rest and ink forced thereby into said trapping chamber during its downward movement.

2. The construction defined in claim l, together with; said dip-tube having an air-vent passage extending from above the diaphragm to below the diaphragm in normal open communication with the reservoir and the atmosphere.

3. An inkstand comprising a body portion havi ing a reservoir therein, a dip-tube comprising a trapping chamber located adjacent to its lower end and a tube extending therefrom to the lower side of the reservoir, a flexible diaphragm connected to the dip-tube in air-tight relation and held above the reservoir to form a closed chamber, a plate of stiff material held below the diaphragm to support it in its normal position and to protect it from ink, said dip-tube having an air-vent passage adapted for nger control and extending from a point above the diaphragm to a point below the diaphragm to op'en communication between the reservoir and outer atmosphere.

`4:. The construction defined by claim 3, together with; said diaphragm having its inner and outer marginal edges increased in thickness relative to its intermediate portion to permit easy movement of the diaphragm and to strengthen the said edge portions.

5. An inkstand comprising a body portion having a reservoir formed therein, a dip-tube comprising a trapping chamber located adjacent to its lower end and a conduit extending therefrom to the lower side of the reservoir, a ilexible diaphragm connected to the dip-tube in air tight relation and held above the reservoir to form a closed chamber, means for preventing the downward movement of the dip-tube and diaphragm below its normal position of rest; the construction being such that air may be drawn into the reservoir by raising the diaphragm from its normal position of rest and ink forced thereby into said trapping chamber during its downward movement.

FRANK vM. ASHLEY.

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