Marking devices

Oct. 10, 1961

3,003,183

S. N. ROSENTHAL

MARKING DEVICES

Filed Aug. 12, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 1

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ATTORNEYS

Oct. 10, 1961

3,003,183

S. N. ROSENTHAL

MARKING DEVICES

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United States Patent Office

3,003,183

Patented Oct. 10, 1961 * ΛΛ1 1«!

MARKING’DEVICES

Sidney N. Rosenthal, Belle Harbor, N.Y., assignor to Speedry Chemical Products, Inc., Richmond Hill, N.Y.

Filed Aug. 12,1959, Ser. No. 833,260 1 Claim. (CI. 15—566)

The present invention relates to marking devices more particularly of a type wherein different applicator nibs and different ink supplying reservoirs or carriers are removably assembled with a barrel or casing.

An object of the invention has been to provide a marker in which expendable nibs, as of felt or the like, and ink carriers can be employed with a rugged and durable casing in a manner to minimize leakage of ink and vapor as well as deterioration of the nib, both prior to and after the device is applied to its intended uses.

A further object of the invention has been to provide a marker wherein the ink is supplied to the nib from a capsule or cartridge type of carrier which is conveniently stored and marketed with its contents in sealed condition but which can be unsealed for use and, by means of a valve controlled discharge opening, can effectively protect the ink contents of the cartridge from depletion or impairment by leakage or evaporation through said opening.

It is also an object of this invention to provide for quick and easy replacement or substitution of nibs so that a worn nib may be replaced by a fresh one; or a nib having its constituent fibers covered with an ink deposit of one color may be replaced by another if the device is to be used in applying markings of a different color. Similarly, a spent cartridge is replaced by a fresh one, or a cartridge carrying one color or type of ink is readily replaced by another charged with a different color or type of ink.

A marking device capable of affording the above and other advantages in manufacture, merchandising and use includes in general a cartridge or carrier for free flowing ink provided at one end with a discharge opening which is normally closed by a spring biased valve and which is initially protected against accidental unseating or opening of said valve by a removable seal. Said cartridge with the seal removed, is mounted in a barrel or casing which also supports a nib holder in such position that the inner end of a suitably absorbent nib slidably mounted therein comes opposite and unseats the valve when pressed inwardly, thus to release ink into the inner end of said nib. Means are provided for protecting inner end portions of the nib from direct fiber compressing impact with the valve so as to maintain optimum capillarity in the nib. Means are also provided for interposing a drag of frictional resistance to wholly free endwise movement of the nib in the bore of the nib holder sufficient to inhibit valve opening movement merely from normal or reasonable marking pressure in use while permitting valve opening movement when sufficient pressure for that purpose is applied through the nib. Said means may also serve to steady and releasably retain the nib in its operative position. Means are also provided for limiting the extent of valve opening movement of the nib with minimum compressive effect on its fibrous absorbent structure.

One embodiment of my invention is illustrated in the drawings appended to this specification and wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a view on enlarged scale in central longitudinal section of a lower portion of the barrel or casing and a part of the middle portion thereof with an ink carrying cartridge mounted therein and in its condition prior to removal of the initially sealing end cap;

FIGURE 2, a view on enlarged scale in central longitudinal section of an upper portion of the barrel attached to the upper end of said middle portion and with a nib and nib holder in operative position;

FIGURE 3 an exploded view of the component parts of the device shown in FIGURES 1 and 2;

FIGURE 4 a view in elevation of an ink carrying cartridge as initially sealed and indicating in dotted lines the removal of the sealing cap to expose a portion of the spring pressed ball valve at the discharge end of said cartridge; and

FIGURE 5 is a transverse section on the line 5—5 of FIGURE 2.

Referring to the drawings, a marker according to my invention and as there shown includes a three part casing or barrel having a middle portion or section 1® and end portions 11 and 12. The end portion 11 is threaded to engage the upper end (as seen in FIGURE 3) of the middle portion 10; and the other end portion 12 is threaded to engage the lower end of said middle portion 10. The parts so assembled provide in effect a vapor and ink confining shell, casing or barrel which houses an ink carrier and a nib and nib holder when operatively assembled in relation to the ink carrier.

A nib holder 13 is threaded at 14 to engage interior threads 15 in the upper end of middle section 10 of the barrel. As seen in FIGURE 2, said nib holder is conveniently tubular in shape with its central bore open at both ends and slightly tapering from its inner (lower FIGURE 2) end opening toward its outer end opening. A peripheral flange 16 is knurled to provide a finger grip by which to turn the holder 13 into and out of barrel engaging position. A gasket 17 of a plastic or other suitable material is arranged at the outer side of flange 16 and a similar gasket 18 at the inner side of said flange 16. Thus, when the holder 13 is screwed into place, gasket 18 is compressed between said flange 16 and the outer (upper) end edge of the middle section 1®. Also, when the end piece 11 is screwed into place, gasket 17 is compressed between flange 16 and an interior shoulder 19 of said end piece 11.

A nib 20 of felt, or the like, and preferably rectangular in cross section, is mounted to slide endwise in the bore of holder 13. Nib 20 carries a foot or contact plate 21 having a portion which straddles or extends across a portion of the inner end surface of the nib leaving other portions thereof freely exposed to receive ink from the carrier. Said foot plate presents a flat hard surface for operating contact with a ball valve as hereinafter described.

Also, near said inner end of nib 20, are laterally projecting spring arms 22 disposed at an angle to the nib axis and conveniently provided by the free end portions of a metal pin, or the like, which has an intermediate portion extending transversely through an inner end portion of said nib 20. Each of said arms 22 projects in a direction and to an extent to bring its bearing end beyond the inner end face of nib 20. Said nib is readily assembled for use in the bore of holder 13 by inserting its outer end into and through the inner end of said bore and then pushing said nib to operative position approximately as seen in FIGURE 2 with the free ends of arms 22 bearing yieldingly against the surface of said bore of holder 13 and thereby releasably retaining said nib therein.

Ink is supplied to nib 20 from an ink carrier 23 which, when in condition for use, presents its outer (upper in FIGURE 2) end discharge opening 34 in position opposite the inner end of nib 20. The ink carrier is, in general a hollow cylinder of malleable metal, as aluminum, fitted with a spring pressed valve, as ball 24 of corrosion resistant material, which seats in said discharge opening. When the parts are assembled in condition for use, a portion of said ball is exposed in position for a substantially point contact with the opposed flat or plane surface of foot plate 21. . With this arrangement, ink is released from the ink carrier 23 into nib 20 by pressing the latter inwardly to a sufficient extent to unseat ball 24.

In its initial commercial form, or before being condi70

3,003,183 tioned for use, the carrier body 23, which includes at its outer end an outwardly protruding ball and spring housing or nipple 25, also has a sealing cap 26 integral with said housing and which extends from and effectively covers said end opening and the bail valve 24. However, the wall of said carrier is weakened along a line, as 27 defining approximately the junction between said housing 25 and sealing cap 26. As seen in FIGURES 1 and 4, cap 26 is dislodged from sealing position by lateral pressure exerted against an outer end portion thereof. The removal of cap 26 exposes the ball valve 24 for actuation by endwise inward pressure applied to and through nib 20 and foot plate or contact clip 21 when the parts are assembled as seen in FIGURE 2.

The carrier or cartridge 23 receives a charge of ink through its open inner (lower FIGURE 1) end which is thereafter sealed by a press fit plug 28. A peripheral channel adjacent said inner open end of carrier 23 provides an inwardly projecting shoulder or seat 29 to limit the extent of inward movement of plug 28. An outwardly exposed annular shoulder 30 is also formed in the wall of carrier 23 in position to seat against a cooperating shoulder 31 provided by the open end edge of portion 12 of the barrel.

The parts are so formed and dimensioned that the inner relatively restricted end of carrier 23 fits snugly into the open end of the lower barrel portion 12; and, in general, the remaining or outer end portions of carrier 23 fit snugly in the bore of the middle section 10 of the barrel.

As seen in FIGURE 1, ball 24 is pressed into position to close the discharge opening 34 in housing 25 by spring 32 which is seated against an annular flange 33, conveniently formed, as by drawing or peening, between said housing 25 and the main body portion of carrier 23.

When the parts are assembled, as seen in FIGURE 2, a yielding gasket 35 of felt, or the like, is positioned within barriel part 10 to embrace housing or nipple 25. The inner end of holder 13 bears against said gasket 35 to provide a tight joint by which leakage through the threaded connection 14—15 is obstructed. Said gasket also provides a stop or cushion to limit the extent of inward move ment of nib 20 which occurs when the inner or free ends of arms 22 come against the outwardly exposed face of gasket 35. The parts are so arranged and proportioned that arms 22 will engage gasket 35 only after nib 20 has been pressed inwardly far enough to unseat ball 24.

As seen in FIGURE 1, a gasket 36 of plastic or the like is provided at the joint between barrel parts 10 and 12.

From the foregoing description, it is evident that an embodiment of applicant’s invention provides in portable form and size a practical marking tool or instrument which is capable of manufacture and marketing with substantial economy; and which in use permits reliable and unimpaired performance even after extended periods of nonuse.