Alvord v. Smith & Watson Ironworks
Alvord v. Smith & Watson Ironworks
Opinion of the Court
Kj s S“ p . ' c j ^ £ n t-3 & “ ff 3 a> secured certain letters pi bered 807,109, upon a ho to be the original and fit illustrated by the follown of the invention claimed: ™ * % S' SÍ O rj o S. 3 ® 3 g-crq ° o Or c r* ft p Crq i-J O i — < ¡3 srcra O h re „ <5 O cel Q ' O) ffl (I Oo C ‘ 2 (5 n a * r-b CD H-* B. c** ^ to g. fj-$ " g B ¡3* > — 1 w a <-+■ ¡3 P Cn. o o sf p n a B n> P* 2 3 § s rt üí 3 w C-p* i
The drum arrangement is carried on a shaft, journaled in bearings at, the shaft being supplied with a gear C, which by other suitable gearing is connected with the engine. 'This gear carries a friction-cone c, and, one end of the drum being provided with a friction-band d, the drum is caused to revolve with the shaft by bringing the friction-band d into engagement with cone c by a thrust imposed by the device of which Corbett claimed to be the inventor, and thus the drum is utilized, through means of rope or wire cable, for drawing, hauling into place, or lifting objects of great weight. The drum is released when the
So far as the drum and its mechanism are concerned, including the slot in the shaft and the key and collar, there is no present claim for invention. It is only to the device for the operation of this drum mechanism that the claim pertains.
Corbett's specific invention consists of the carrier I, threaded on the end of the shaft B, to the outer end of which is bolted a flange-plate this flange-plate forming a shoulder i on the inside of the carrier opposite the end of the shaft. This carrier is sometimes called a sleeve, either designation being appropriate, as some one or more of its elements is taken into account.
A nut /2, referring to figure 3, is journaled in the flange-plate which has a shoulder p opposed to and facing shoulder i formed by the flange upon the sleeve. Between these shoulders are interposed two disks or washer-plates, between which are roller-bearings. The rollers are held in place by a spreading-ring p, which has but the one purpose. 'Ihe plates are of very hard material. The nut P is internally threaded, and is locked against rotation by means of clamp K, which, having an arm k, is secured to some part of the frame. This nut So adjusted is called the fixed screw member. It does not revolve with the shaft, although carried on it, but the carrier or sleeve revolves about and outside of it, and always with the shaft. Within the threaded cavity of this fixed screw member is' inserted a screw B on the outer end of which is adjusted a lever with which to operate the screw. This is called the active screw member. A socket is provided in the inner,end of the screw, in which is inserted a pin V. This pin co-operates with another or floating pin Ia, and the latter with the thrust pin H which extends through the center of the shaft longitudinally free to rotate, and engages the key G, extending crosswise through the slot b, and is thus brought into engagement with the drum. In operation, the lever is thrown forward, which advances the active screw member, and through the pins V, le, and H, the drum friction-band is thrust upon the friction-cone, and locked, thus enabling it to take the coil of the cable and draw the load desired. When the screw is advanced, the shoulders of the fixed screw member are drawn back against the shoulders of the sleeve or carrier, and the latter, revolving with the shaft, causes friction at the shoulders. By reason of the great power exerted by the fixed screw member on the thrust, the friction becomes so intensified at the shoulders and at the contact of the pins as to 'generate heat to such an extent sometimes as to cause a welding, and, to provide against heating, the roller-bearings were introduced, and the thrust-pin divided into-three or more parts, which seems to have solved the problem. In unlocking the mechanism, the lever is simply thrown back to place.
“In a foisting or logging device the combination with the main bearings; the shaft journaled in said bearings and having an attaching end; a driving friction-wheel mounted on said shaft; a drum mounted'on said shaft; a driven friction-wheel locked against rotation relatively to said drum, said driving and driven friction-wheels being adapted to be brought into frictional engagement by an axial movement of one of them; thrusting devices in the attaching end of the shaft, extending from without the bearing to within the bearing; and a connection between said thrust devices and the one of the friction-wheels free to move axially into engagement; of an apparatus mounted on the attaching portion of the shaft for actuating said thrust devices, comprising a carrier attached to the shaft; a relatively fixed screw member mounted on the carrier, the carrier being arranged to receive the axial thrust of said screw member; means for locking said relatively fixed screw member from rotating with the carrier; an active screw member operating in connection with the relatively fixed screw member, and adapted to exert a thrust on said thrust devices.”
No. 2 is a repetition of the first, with an additional element in words, "And a roller-bearing between said relatively fixed screw member and •the carrier.”
No. 5 has the additional element, “And a loose pin interposed between said active screw and said thrust devices.” -
No. 12 varies the last part of No. 1 to read as follows:
“Of an apparatus mounted on the attaching portion of the shaft for actuating said thrust devices comprising a screw member fixed against axial movement relatively to the shaft, said screw member being mounted outside of the bearing, the shaft being free to rotate without rotating the screw member; and an active screw member arranged to operate with said relatively fixed «crew member for exerting thrust on the thrust devices.”
The alleged infringing device consists in a nut, circular in form, screwed on the end of the shaft and revolving with it, which extends beyond the circumference of the shaft, forming a shoulder outside of it. The fixed screw member extends beyond the shaft in which the active screw member is adjusted, co-operating with a thrust-pin extending through the shaft and forming an engagement with the drum device. Ihe fixed screw member also extends back, in a sleeve arrangement or carrier, over the circular nut, and, closing in on tha shaft, forms a shoulder opposing the shoulder on the nut. Between these shoulders are two disks, and between these roller-bearings like those in the Corbett patent. The circular nut, as stated, revolves with the shaft, but within the sleeve of the fixed screw member, which latter remains stationary, thus reversing the order as found in the Corbett patent, where the nut or sleeve revolves about the fixed screw member. When the fixed screw member is brought into engagement with the thrust-pin and drum by means of a lever adjustment, as in the Corbett patent, the shoulder of the fixed screw member is brought into engagement with that of the circular nut, and the latter revolving and the other not causes friction at the point of contact, which the disks and roller-bearing device interposed are designed to obviate.
Preliminarily, it is not to be questioned that the Smith & Watson Iron Works has been manufacturing the alleged infringing device. It is submitted, however, that it is manufacturing for E. Turney, that E. Turney pays $50 for each machine, and immediately sells to the company for $60, and that the company utilizes the same upon its logging engines. • But the testimony of Smith, who was called as a witness for defendants, leads to the conclusion that the ironworks is manufacturing by permission of Turney, and pays Turney a royalty for each machine manufactured. Such is the virtual effect of the arrangement to which Smith testifies, and to call it by any other name would not change the relationship.
The defense of anticipation requires an inquiry respecting the state of the prior art at the time of Corbett’s alleged invention. The last-named patent, No. 760,089, pleaded as anticipatory of the Corbett device, cannot be so considered, for the reason that its date is subsequent to the date of Corbett’s application. By reference to the two patents, it will be found that Turney made application September 4, 1903, and his patent was issued May 17, 1904, while Corbett’s application bears date November 4, 1903, and his patent December 12, 1905. Thus, while Corbett’s patent issued later than Turney’s, his application was prior to the latter’s patent.
“And the patent offered in evidence or the printed publication,” says the Supreme Court, “will be held, to be prior, if it is of prior date to the patent in suit, unless the patent in suit is accompanied by the application for the same, or unless the complainant introduces parol proof to show that his invention' was actually made prior to the date of the patent, or prior to the time the application was filed.” Bates v. Coe, 98 U. S. 31, 33 (25 L. Ed. 68).
“An application prior to the patent in suit can have weight only if there has been some actual use of the invention, so that there may be elements of publicity. Bnch an application cannot be said to be a part of the prior art unless this element of publicity is present.” Thomson-Houston Electric Co. v. Ohio Brass Co. (C. C.) 130 Fed. 542, 546.
And so, jn a later case, it is concluded that:
‘ “Under the authorities, the date when the patent is actually issued, rather than the date when the application therefor was filed, determines whether or not it anticipates another patent.” General Electric Co. v. Allis-Chalmers Co. (C. C.) 190 Fed. 165, 170.
See other authorities there cited.
The next Turney patent for friction-clutch, No. 680,900, involves a construction similar to the first as it relates to the nut and the adjusting screw member, but it has an improvement, consisting of a complex mechanism, whereby the adjusting screw may be advanced by retarding its revolutions, and released by accelerating its movement to greater rapidity than the rotation of the shaft, and may be so regulated while the shaft is in motion as to pay out the cable on the drum at the desired rate of speed. The principle involved in the locking device is the same as in the former patent, with the added improvement for effectuating the locking and unlocking and regulating the paying out of the cable while the shaft is in motion.
Turney’s patent No. 728,521 for clutch-operating mechanism also covers an invention of the same type, in so far as the fixed and active screw members are carried by a frame affixed to the bed of the engine, and not by the shaft, the primary distinction between the two later patents as compared with the two earlier.
Another device, called the “Standard Friction Device,” which is characterized as very old and having been in use prior to Corbett’s invention, has been brought into the case. This device, like the last two patents of Turney, carries the fixed and active screw members by independent attachment. In it there is a shaft-nut, with a shoulder, and the thrust-nut, which is the fixed screw member, extends back of the shaft-nut, with a shoulder also, so that when the thrust screw is advanced the shoulders are brought into frictional contact. 'Ihe evidence shows that, so great is the friction generated at the face and point of contact between the shoulders and the end of the thrust screw with the thrust pin, a welding heat is sometimes generated, in the heavy logging that is now carried on, which constitutes a very great objection to the operation of the device. s
Now, a comparison of the Corbett device with these devices reveals a marked advance in the art in several particulars: First, the thrust nut and screw are carried on the shaft and as a part of it; second, they do not revolve with the shaft, which eliminates the necessity of retarding the screw member in order to set the screw, or of stopping the engine or accelerating the screw member in order to unlock the drum; third, it affords ample convenience and facility for lubricating; and, fourth, the friction is largely eliminated by the disks and roller-bearings between them, and by the introduction of a loose pin or pins between the active screw member and the thrust-pin. All these cannot be regarded as having been suggested by the prior art. Hence I conclude that there has been no anticipation as it respects the Corbett patent.
The next question is a more difficult one, and pertains to the invention itself. It is, Who was the original and first inventor of the broad and essential distinction, that is to say, the manifest and obvious ad-
There lias been intimation that Corbett .surreptitiously and in bad faith obtained his patent in contravention of the prior rights of Turney. This feature will be dealt with as we go forward with the examination of the main question.
Corbett was the manager of the Willamette Ironworks (later the Willamette Iron & Steel Works), which was engaged, among other things, in the manufacture of logging engines and locking devices for logging purposes. Turney was, for a long time, employed by the company in selling the locking devices, at a salary of $20 per week and a commission. Indeed, all the experimental work upon Turney’s several devices was done at the company’s shops, except as it relates to his last patent, No. 760,089. The drawings for this were made by Harry Turney, the son of E. Turney, at the Turney residence.
Recurring again to the Corbett device, the patent was issued December 12. 1905, and the application was filed November 4, 1903. From certain exhibits contained in the record, consisting of drawings showing the device, and upon which the patent was probably based, it is quite certain that Corbett had evolved his device some time prior to June 20, 1903. A shop file-mark on the drawing shows this date, and the evidence shows that it was completed some time earlier, but how much does not appear. Eater drawings bear date August 11, 1903, which were completed some time earlier than that. These drawings show a completed device, and practically the device that Corbett patented. So it may be said that his invention dates back to June 20, 1903, and not later than August 11th of that year. E. Turney claims that he heard nothing of Corbett’s invention until long after his (Corbett’s) application was filed, namely, some time in 1904 or 1905. But lie frankly admits that he is confused as to dates, and does not claim to state them accurately, except where the records fix them for him. Turney is evidently mistaken as to the time of his first knowledge of Corbett’s device, which was early known as the “Universal Friction Device,” for it is in evidence that Corbett began manufacturing his device even prior to filing his application for patent, which, as we have seen, was November 4, 1903. Further than this, the Willamette Iron & Steel Works
We come now more particularly to the device No. 760,089. The principle is invoked on the part of the plaintiffs that the date of the filing of the application must be taken as the time when the invention is constructively reduced to practice, and therefore the burden is cast upon the party claiming an earlier invention of showing that such invention was actually made prior to that date. In the present controversy, however, the defendants have introduced patent No. 760,089; and, not only this, they have introduced the file-wrapper (which was done, under leave of the court, after the evidence had been closed), showing that the application for such patent was filed September 4, 1903, an earlier date than the filing of Corbett’s application. Applying the rule, therefore, which plaintiffs invoke, the burden is cast back upon them to show that Corbett’s invention was evolved prior to the date of Turney’s application. This makes the legal issue clear.
E. Turney testifies that he had all his work done in making friction devices at the Willamette Iron & Steel Works, excepting the gear, referring to the device in 760,089, which he made at a little shop of his own. He and his son started getting out the drawings in 1902, and the work ran into 1903. He and Corbett were friendly, and he discussed his ideas with regard to improvements freely with Corbett. Defendants’ Exhibit G, which is one of the drawings made during the development of his device, represents the first drawing in the course, with others introduced. This he showed to Corbett along in the fore part of 1903. Exhibit H does not show the device covered by patent No. 760,089, but Exhibit I does. A blueprint of this latter was sent to his attorneys for applying for patent. His son made the drawing “along about the latter part of 1903.” Turney showed the drawing to Corbett before sending the blueprint to his attorneys. “That was along in the latter part of 1903, somewheres along in there.” Corbett approved of the device, and said it was “just what we had been trying to get.” Turney further states that he first found out that Mr. Corbett was making an application for a patent somewhere along in 1905. With respect to the time he showed the drawing to Corbett, it was “anywhere from ten months to a year, o'r something like that, after that.” In fact, the witness says, “Corbett saw all my drawings and approved of them.” When asked if there was ever any dispute between them respecting the devices covered by the two patents, he answered :
*159 “There wíls a dispute there over it all the time. * * * I told him he had no right — he had nothing there; it was simply my part of my patent. He said we would see, and he meant we would see when ho got his patent.”
Harry Turney testifies in effect that he made the drawings for the device, patent No. 760,089. They were made at the residence of his father and himself. He and his father showed them to Corbett first along in the spring of 1903. He showed Corbett a blueprint of device marked “Exhibit G.” He showed Exhibit H to Corbett along about the same time, and Exhibit I about the time of applying for patent, but before. Corbett thought the idea was all right, but said nothing about having invented an improvement of his own. The first time witness heard of the “Universal” was probably in the winter of 1903-1904. The drawings were around the shop, and the device was being manufactured. Corbett did not talk to him about any dispute.
Mr. Charles E. Mack, who was in the employ of the Willamette Iron & Steel Works at the time, testifies that the device shown in patent No. 760,089 was first brought to his attention by Harry Turney, at the Turney residence, prior to the issuance of the patent, but he “couldn’t say how long it was.” He remembers the fact of Corbett having drawings made in the Willamette shop as represented in patent No. 807,109, and saw them on the drawing-board. This was about the same time he was informed of the Turney invention. He saw the Turney drawings first, hut does not know when the Corbett tracings were drawn. He is under the impression that the experimental work was done on the Turney device first. On further examination witness states he saw tracings “G” and “H” some time in the spring of 1903. He also saw Exhibit I, hut could not fix the day or month, hut it was in warm weather of the same year, within two or three months after seeing the first drawings.
Analysis of the testimony is attended with much uncertainty as to the particular time when Turney had arrived at a clear and intelligent idea of his alleged invention, that is, as to just when he had sufficiently evolved his concept to reduce it to a definite and perfected device. He and his son and Mack seem to agree that the earlier tracings were gotten out some time in the spring of 1903. These were Exhibit G and Exhibit H. But Exhibit I, according to the statements of Turney and his son, was the one of final development. It is this of which the blueprint was made, and shown to Corbett, and transmitted to Tur-ney’s attorneys for procuring the patent. The son says the blueprint was made of “G,” but in this he is probably mistaken, for it does not appear that a blueprint was made of more than one of them, and that was most likely of Exhibit I. Turney says his son made the drawing Exhibit I “along in the latter part of 1903, somewheres along in there,” and that Corbett approved of the device, and said it was just what he had been trying to get. Further he says he first knew of Corbett’s application along in 1905, which was anywhere from ten months to a year after he showed Corbett the drawing, which corroborates his statement that it was along in the latter part of 1903 that he showed the blueprint to Corbett. Harry Turney thinks they showed “G” and “H” to Corbett along in the spring of 1903, and Exhibit I about the
Resting the controversy here, it would yet be far from clear as to who first conceived the device comprising the broad and primary idea of the invention. But the doubt, to my mind, is satisfactorily and conclusively resolved by the fact that Turney did not embody the idea in his claims under his patent. Turney and Corbett undoubtedly consulted much together during all the time that these inventions were in course of development. Turney was, as we have seen, in the employ of the Willamette Company, and undoubtedly had access to Corbett’s drawing-room, and in all probability saw all the drawings with reference to the Corbett patent as they were being developed. Turney says that Corbett saw all his drawings and approved them, thus showing a condition of confidence and trust between them. If that condition existed relative to the Turney device, it is fair to presume that it existed as to the Corbett device also. Corbett is dead, and is not here to testify, and we get only one side of the case. Notwithstanding the confidential relations, Turney says, “There was a dispute there over it all the time.” If this be so, it speaks against Turney’s position, for he says he knew nothing of Corbett’s application until in 1905. Furthermore it shows that Turney had full and ample notice of Corbett’s claim. Yet, having that notice, he failed to broaden the claim under his patent to include the device, as Corbett did. Mr. Justice Bradley, who was a most learned and profound patent jurist, in Miller v. Brass Co., 104 U. S. 350, 352 (26 L. Ed. 783), says:
“But it must be remembered that tbe claim of a specific device or combination, and an omission to claim other devices or combinations apparent on the face of the patent, are, in law, a. dedication to the public of that which is not claimed. It is a declaration that that which is not claimed is either not the patentee’s invention, or, if his, he dedicates it to the public.”
Further illustration of the principle is to be found in Hutchinson v. Everett et al. (C. C.) 26 Fed. 531.
Considering the relations that existed between these parties at the time, it is highly probable that Turney knew of Corbett’s invention, and was willing to concede it to him, and his action in not claiming the device accords perfectly with that idea. Turney was working out new mechanical ideas all the time, and obtaining patents from the government, and it is fair to presume that he was not dedicating any of his inventions to the public. The device unquestionably was apparent on the face of the patent, and yet he did not apply for a reissue. Had his claims included the device, a contest would have been brought on by the filing of Corbett’s application for patent, and the matter would have, been settled before the Commissioner of Patents; or had he ap
Another fact which tends to strengthen the view thus entertained is that Turney and his son and Corbett entered into a contract for a combination of certain elements of the Corbett device with certain of those of Turney’s invention, forming another contrivance called the “Turbett.” The contract is of date August 31, 1906, a date subsequent to the issue of all of the patents. At that time both parties were fully apprised of what each was claiming, and yet the Corbett patent was made a subject of the agreement, and thus Turney recognized its entire validity. Other acts of Turney might be mentioned conducing to the same inference and conclusion, but it is unnecessary to extend the inquiry. 1 am impelled irresistibly to the conclusion that Tur-ney was not the original and first inventor of the device, but that Cor-bett was.
“That whereas the said parties of the first part are the owners of certain inventions and letters patent of the United States relative to what is known as the E. Turney & Son Combination Friction Device, and the said party of the second part is the owner of certain inventions and letters patent, known as the Willamette Universal Friction Device; and, whereas the parties hereto have agreed to combine the use of the said inventions and manufacture a friction device for logging and hoisting engines which shall be a combination of the two said patents, and shall be known as the ‘Turbett Friction Device’ ui)on the conditions and respective rights and interests of the parties as hereinafter mentioned: It is now therefore mutually agreed, between the parties that the minimum selling price of the said new device embodying such combination of the two patents before mentioned and which is to be known as the ‘Turbett Friction Device’ shall be sixty ($60.00) dollars and the maximum price shall be seventy-five ($75.00) dollars until otherwise mutually agreed between the parties hereto.
“The interests of the respective parties in the said Turbett Friction Device shall be as follows: The party of the second part shall have the right to manufacture the said device at the Willamette Iron & Steel Works, Portland, Oregon, and lor all of the said devices so manufactured and placed upon engines manufactured by the Willamette Iron & Steel Works after the Gth day of July, 1906, the said party of the second part shall pay or cause to be paid to the said parties of the first a royalty of five ($5.00) dollars for each and every one so manufactured, placed and sold.
“It is further understood and agreed between we the parties hereto that for any and all of the said devices manufactured and sold by the said party of the second part to be placed on any other engines than those manufactured by the Willamette Iron & Steel Works after the 6th day of July, 1906, the said party of the second part shall pay or cause to be paid to the said par-lies of the first part a royalty of ($10.00) dollars for each and every one of the said devices.
*162 “The said parties of the first part shall have the full right to manufacture the said Turbett Friction Device and shall pay to the said party of the second part five ($5.00) dollars royalty for each and every one manufactured, sold and placed upon engines, except as hereinafter provided.
“It is further understood that the provisions herein defined as determining the payment of royalties shall not apply to the sale of the Turbett Friction Device by one of the parties hereto to the other, but they may be sold to each other at any reasonable price agreed upon, but all sales to third parties shall be subject to the payment of the royalties as hereinbefore mentioned.
* * * * * * * . * * *
“It is hereby mutually understood and agreed between the parties hereto that the above combination of the said two patents and the manufacture therefrom of the Turbett Friction Device is for the mutual benefit of the parties to this contract and that neither of the parties hereto without the written consent of the other shall háve the right to sell or dispose of any rights, interests or property therein whatsoever or hire or let any interest or right in the said Turbett Friction Device to any person, company or corporation whatsoever without the mutual consent of the other in writing.”
The clauses omitted provide for an accounting between the parties and its binding effect upon them, their heirs, etc.
Some controversy seems to have arisen, and the contract resulted as a settlement of their differences.
Turney seems to be impressed that both devices, namely, No. 728,521 and No. 760,089, were the subject of the contract on the part of himself and his son, while it is claimed, on the other hand, that it is the former device only that was in contemplation. 'The terms of the contract show, however, that the combination was of two patents, and not three, and, taking the entire testimony into account, there can scarcely be a doubt that these two were the Turney patent No. 728,521 and the Corbett patent No. 807,109. Several machines had been made in pursuance of the composite device before the contract was entered into, and it is a matter of moment to ascertain the elements of such device, and which of them were taken from the Turney device and which from Corbett’s. This is settled by Turney’s own testimony, as follows:
“Q. I see. Now, then, when did tbis discussion — when was the first Tur-bett device made? A. That was made along in 1906; well, along in July some time. Q. Xes. As a matter of fact, this contract was dated bach to July 6th, to take in the first one, was it not? A. That is about the size of it, yes. Q. At the time this contract was made, the Willamette were selling the Universal Friction Device, were they not? A. They were. Q. Now, in your combination, ‘E. Turney & Son Combination Friction Device,’ as it was on the market, the fixed screw member was attached to the frame, was it not? A. Xes. Q. In the Universal device, the fixed screw member was carried by the shaft, was it not? A. Xes, it was. Q. Now, the combination or composite device, which made the Turbett device, put the Universal feature, that is, the fixed screw member, on the shaft? . A. Xes. Q. And that was what made the combination device that you called the Turbett? That is, you had the followup mechanism that had been previously used on the E. Turney & Son combination friction device? A. All right. Q. And you had the fixed screw member mounted on the shaft, which was the essential feature of the Universal device? A. All right. Go ahead. Q. That made the composite device? A. Xes. Q. And that was the Turbett? A. That was the Turbett device.”
So that the composite device consisted of Turney’s holding device, that is, the mechanism that operated to hold the thrust fast after it had been set up by the applying device, and allowed the lever to be released
Much stress is placed upon the last clause of the contract above quoted as evincing a purpose that all the parties should cease to manufacture under the patents intended to he comprised by the negotiations; but to my mind it does not bear that interpretation. It is agreed thereby “that the above combination of the said two patents and the manufacture therefrom of the Turbett Friction Device is for the mutual benefit of the parties,” and it is further stipulated that neither of the parties, “without the written consent of the other, shall have the right to sell or dispose of any rights, interests or property therein whatsoever.” The word “therein” obviously relates to the Turbett Friction Device, a composite product of the two patents, and not to the Turney and Corbett devices, or either of them, or any other, and the language of the clause has reference solely to this device, so that there is no contractual inhibition of either party against manufacture and sale under their respective inventions. The inhibition is against either party disposing of any interest in the Turbett device. Nor do I conceive the operation and effect of the contract to be an equitable transfer from either party to the other of any rigid or interest in his patent. It is tantamount to a license of each to use certain elements of the patent of the other for constructing the 'Turbett, and to that extent and in that way only.
Now, the. device which is being manufactured by Smith & Watson Iron Works is the Turbett Friction Device without the follow-up or holding mechanism taken from the Turney invention. This device, as previously described, differs from the Corbett device only in that the circular nut affixed to the end of the shaft revolves with the shaft, but within the sleeve of the fixed screw member, which latter remains stationary. while in the Corbett device the nut or sleeve revolves about and outside of the fixed screw member, which is not a functional difference, but a mechanical equivalent only. The device, therefore, infringes the Corbett patent. Not only does it infringe such patent, but the Turneys are precluded from any sale or disposition of any interest therein by the very terms of the contract in question, and are also precluded by
The injunction should be decreed as prayed. The accounting is a 'matter for further inquiry.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- ALVORD v. SMITH & WATSON IRONWORKS
- Cited By
- 1 case
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- Published