Browning Hook & Eye Co. v. Tri-Eye Hook & Eye Co.
Browning Hook & Eye Co. v. Tri-Eye Hook & Eye Co.
Opinion of the Court
The patent in suit is No. 678,096 to Tillie J. Browning for a “hook” of the sort that is used in connec
“The hook is also provided with a loop S: hut, unlike in the preferred form, the loop is on a level with the shank.”
The prior art shows hooks arranged to be stitched to the garment at the forward end, in addition to the main fastening at the rear eyes, but not in the way indicated by Browning. In Bates and Collins (489,520), Shearer (552,783), Malyon (562,314), and Macey (Design 30,464) additional attaching eyes similar to those at the rear are provided in front, extending laterally beyond the shank and unsightly in appearance. In Smith (501,303) there is an attaching eye or loop located between the shank wires, but it is not at the forward end of the shank, being located halfway back from the forward end of the bill and in a position where it cannot be sewed to the garment without stitching through both plies of the goods. In Killinger (485,389) there is an attaching eye at the forward end of the tongue. Of this device the patentee testifies:
"This loop (attacking eye) has no direct connection witk tke skank member, and is entirely unsupported except by tke hump member (tongue). * * * The upward strain of the engaging eye would draw up tke shank and bill relatively to tke hump member and depress tke latter relatively below tke level, of tke skank, in which position tke hump member would be functionless. Worse than that, the skank and bill would be drawn up at a considerable angle to the garment to which the kook is sewed and would thus produce a wide and unsightly gap between tke two garment sections.”
Examination of the Killinger patent indicates that this criticism is well-founded.
The device of the patent involves a small improvement, but it seems to be useful, and, so far as is shown, is not anticipated. Infringement is manifest, since, as is indicated above, the patent is not confined to a transverse loop at the level of the bill. It is un
Infringement is charged of several claims. As I construe the patent, the first claim covers defendant’s device, and it would seem unnecessary on the hearing of a preliminary injunction to go further into the case. It may be however, that the Court of Appeals will reach a different conclusion as to this claim, although they might be satisfied that some other claim or claims are infringed. But appeal would not bring those other claims before them for construction. Therefore, in order that the whole case may go up, infringement is found as to all the claims on which complainant relies. The device is so simple and the record here is so full that possibly a decision of the case upon appeal from the order may. terminate the litigation without subjecting parties to the expense of a trial in court, or final hearing on pleadings and proofs.
Complainant may take injunction under claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 14, IS, 17, and 18.
Injunction will be suspended for 30 days to allow defendant to arrange its business in conformity therewith.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- BROWNING HOOK & EYE CO. v. TRI-EYE HOOK & EYE CO.
- Status
- Published