BRIDGEPORT MFG. CO. V. WILLIAM SCHOLLHORN CO.
793
the weight beam and the platform. It therefore follows that, to transmit its weight units, the platform must have two separate, individual connections,-one with the weight scale, of a fixed relativity to both; the other with the computing beam, but of shifting or changeable relativity thereto. An analysis of the operation of this scale, it is submitted, shows that in this type the weight units emanate from the platform in two separate, defined, individual paths, respectively, and in such separate paths adjust themselves to the arc of the beam at the end of their path, and this without refiex action on the other path, while in the Culmer device the weight units emanate from the platform by a single path, which, by the intercommunicating flexible joint, is the necessary resultant from the reflexed effects of the varying divergence of the arcs of the connected intercommunicating scale and weight beams. The incipient division of the weight by means of the two separate rods, and the absence of a connecting rod with a flexible joint between the scale and the weight beam, show to our mind a different construction-one involving different principles and means-from Culmer. While the end sought for in both mechanisms may be the same, yet the menns employed are essen tinIly and functionally different. We are therefore of opinion infringement has not been shown, and the bill must be dismissed. BRIDGEPORT MFG. CO. v. WILLIA:\l SCHOLLHORN CO. et al. (Circuit Court, D. Connecticut. June 17, 1898.) PATENTS-LIMITATION OF CLAIMs-FmOR ART.
'l'he Broadbrooks patent, No. 329,133, for an improvement In nippers, It valid at all. must, In view of the prior art, be narrowly construed; and It Is not Infringed by a fiat-nosed plier, which is not a cutting nipper, and in which the pivotal portions of the levers are parallel with their sides, and not at right angles to the jaw.
This was a suit in equity by the Bridgeport Manufacturing Company against the William Schollhorn Company, John J. Henderson, and Frank J. Schollhorn for alleged infringement of a patent for an improvement in nippers. Schrieter, Van Iderstine & Mathews, for complainant. Robinson & Fisher and John K. Beach, for defendants. TOWN-SEND, District Judge. The defendant corporation herein was complainant, and the complainant corporation herein was defendant, in Schollhorn v. Manufacturing Co., 84 Fed. 6'74, in whicb complainant's patent, No. 427,220, to Bernard, was held to be valid, and infringed by defendant, and an injunction was granted. In that case, patent No. 329,133, granted to Broadbrooks in was set up by defendant as an anticipation of complainant's patent, and was purchased by defendant, which bas filed this bill, alleging of said patent. It does not appear that complainant ha.li:mauufaoor intends to manufacture, under tbe patent in suit. 'l'\1p (\'lJv
794
88 FEDERAL RJl1PORTER.
proof of its 'utility during the 12 years of its life is the sale of 4.0() tools manufactured thereunder between 1894 and 1897, and prior to its purchase by complainant. The defendant's tool has been on the market since 1890, and it manufactures from 100 dozen to 12li dozen thereof per week, and it never had any notice of claim of in· fringement until after said purcha.se by complainant. The patentee of the patent in suit testifies that he would never have known that anybody was infringing, except for the correspondence with the present complainant. The defenses are noninfringement, in view of the limitations stated in the claim, and shown by the file wranper and by the prior art, and invalidity on various grounds. It will be necessary to consider only the defense of noninfringement.
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NEWTON ST. BY. CO. V. A.MERICAN STREET-CAR A.DVERTISING
co. 795
The single claim, as finally allowed, was as follows: ''The herein-described nippers, consisting of two levers pIvoted together. and each provided In their jaw ends with coincident slots or recesses forming side bars, the bars of one lever being lapped between and close to the Inner sides of those of the other lever, all arranged substantially as described, whereby a passage Is provided through the nippers at right angles to the jaws, and In line approximately midway between the sides thereof, as let forth."
The patent is for a specific constroction of an article of manufaoture. The prior art showed such a cutting nipper outside, or at the side, of the nipping jaws, and the pivoted recessed levers, as shown in the drawings of the patent in suit, and lapped levers, as covered by the claim. The construction covered by the claim practically amounts to the same thing as the. old familiar hand nipper, with a hole bored through it; and such a hole, extending through a vice, was shown in the prior art. The earlier Lewis patent sufficiently illustrates the position of the patent in suit. That the Lewis patent covers every essential feature of the patented nipper appears from a comparison of the specifications, and from the admissions of complainant's expert. Lewis describes the two jaw levers having their upper ends forked as in Broadbrooks'. Broadbooks says: ''The two jaw levers, A and B, have their upper ends forked, the prongs of the lever, B, being passed between the prongs of lever, A, and the prongs are then pivoted together by means of two rivets, C,-one In each pair of prongs,or by a single rivet, C', passed through all four prongs, as shown In Fig. 3."
This is the Lewis construction, and by means of it in each tool "an opening or recess is formed between the sides of the levers at the pivot or pivots, thus permitting of passing a rivet or wire between the [cutting] edges of the blades, and between the sides of the levers." If the eomplainant be limited to a narrow construction, the defendants do not infringe; for their flat-nosed plier is not a cutting nipper, and the passage between the pivotal portions of the levers is parallel with the sides of the levers, and not at right angles to the jaw. If complainant be permitted the expanded construction contended for, its patent is void, in view of the prior art. Let the bill be dismissed.
ST. RY. CO. v. AMERICAN STREET-CAR ADVERTISING CO.
(CirCUit Court of Appeals, First Circuit. July 19, 1898.) No. 230. PATENTS-CONSTRUCTION AND INFRINGEMENT-ADVERTISING RACK FOR STREET CARS-
The Randall patent, No. 380.696, for an advertising rack for street cars. If disclosing any Invention whatever, must be very narrowly construed, and is not Infringed by a structure which is not a complete article In itself, adapted to be readily attached to the car. 82 Fed. 732, reversed.
Appeal from the Circuit Court of the United States for the District of Massachusetts.