Patent of the Day: Door Bell
Suiter Swantz IP takes a look back at past inventions and inventors with our Patent of the Day.
On this day in 1893, Charles M. Burgess was granted U.S. Patent No. 502,612 for a DOOR-BELL.
An excerpt from the patent states:
Be it known that I, Charles M. Burgess, a citizen of the United States, residing at New Britain, in the country of Hartford and State of Connecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Door-Bells, of which the following is a specification.
My invention relates to improvements in door bells; and the objects of my improvement are simplicity and economy in construction and general efficiency in operation.
While I have described my device as a door bell, it is evident that the same mechanism may be employed in a portable call bell without any material modification.
By my improvements I cheaply produce an efficient door bell which will give a series of strokes in rapid succession, and which may be sounded as long as the operator may desire. By providing the sliding hammer with only one head for sounding the bell, I am enabled to speed up the hammer shaft so as to give an efficient blow and at the same time allow a sufficient interval between the strokes to give a clear ring to the bell, which would not be the case if the hammer revolved at the same speed and made two strokes of the bell at each revolution.
I am aware that prior patents show a revolving hammer or hammers in connection with a train of gearing for operating a hammer in sounding a bell, and the same is hereby disclaimed.
Suiter Swantz IP is a full-service intellectual property law firm, based in Omaha, NE, serving all of Nebraska, Iowa and South Dakota. If you have any intellectual property questions or need assistance with any patent, trademark or copyright matters and would like to speak to one of our patent attorneys please feel free to contact us.
Patent of the Day: The Making of Pot Ash and Pearl Ashes
Suiter Swantz IP takes a look back at past inventions and inventors with our Patent of the Day.
On this day in 1790, Samuel Hopkins was granted U.S. Patent No. X1 for THE MAKING OF POT ASH AND PEARL ASHES.
Hopkins was a Philadelphia Quaker who later moved to New Jersey. He was living in Philadelphia when the patent was granted. The patent was signed by President Washington, Attorney General Randolph and Secretary of State Jefferson. The original document is in the collections of the Chicago Historical Society.
Potash was America's first industrial chemical. It is an impure form of potassium carbonate mixed with other potassium salts. Until the 1860s it was solely derived from the ashes of hardwood trees and certain other plants. Potash was a leading industrial alkali from antiquity until the close of the nineteenth century, when it was finally abandoned for most uses in favor of soda (sodium carbonate). It was essential for making soap and glass, dyeing fabrics, baking, and making saltpeter for gunpowder. Today it is principal ingredient in fertilizers.
Hopkins also received two other patents for preparation of flour of mustard. During the fourteen year term of the first patent, potash sold at two hundred to three hundred dollars a ton, and over this period more than 90,000 tons, worth at least twenty million dollars, were exported from the United States. The United States remained the world's leading producer of potash until the 1860s. At that time, potash began to be mined from rich natural deposits in Germany.
Suiter Swantz IP is a full-service intellectual property law firm, based in Omaha, NE, serving all of Nebraska, Iowa and South Dakota. If you have any intellectual property questions or need assistance with any patent, trademark or copyright matters and would like to speak to one of our patent attorneys please feel free to contact us.
Patent of the Day: Air-Refrigerating Apparatus
Suiter Swantz IP takes a look back at past inventions and inventors with our Patent of the Day.
On this day in 1885, Oliver Josolyne Ellis was granted U.S. Patent No. 323,304 for a AIR REFRIGERATING APPARATUS.
An excerpt from the patent states:
Be it known that I, Oliver Josolyne Ellis, a citizen of England, residing at Dartford, in the county of Kent, England, have invented a new and useful improvement in Air-Refrigerating Apparatus (for which I have made application for a patent in Great Britain, dated April 20, 1885, No. 4,882,) of which the following is a specification.
My invention relates to an arrangement of a steam-cylinder, an air-compressing pump, and a air-expanding cylinder and their valves in combination with coolers and with a condenser and an air and circulating pump, constituting altogether an air-refrigerating apparatus having certain peculiarities in the details of construction and arrangement whereby I secure simplicity consistently with efficiency and economy, as I will explain, referring to the accompanying drawings.
Suiter Swantz IP is a full-service intellectual property law firm, based in Omaha, NE, serving all of Nebraska, Iowa and South Dakota. If you have any intellectual property questions or need assistance with any patent, trademark or copyright matters and would like to speak to one of our patent attorneys please feel free to contact us.
Patent of the Day: Umbrella Hat
Suiter Swantz IP takes a look back at past inventions and inventors with our Patent of the Day.
On this day in 1954, John P. Kwake was granted U.S. Patent No. 2,684,483 for a UMBRELLA HAT.
An excerpt from the patent states:
This invention relates to protective coverings and particularly to a hat structure adaptable for use as a covering to protect the wearer from rain, sleet, snow, and the like.
From time immemorial those exposed to rain and the like have relied for protection from the elements on various types of clothing, such as hats and head coverings of various types. While such devices serve a certain purpose, they are usually inadequate for complete protection insomuch as they are not constructed to provide a surface covering the entire body and, moreover, permit the said rain to impinge upon the face, the neck and other portions of the body. In order to obviate this condition, it has likewise been customary to use umbrellas, parasols, and the like, which provide such a broad protective surface but have the disadvantage of being bulky, of being separate articles requiring separate handling, and of being subject to being lost, misplaced, or otherwise unavailable when use is desired.
To provide at the same time an article of wearing apparel not ordinarily subject to being lost, but having a broad protective surface for protection from the elements, it has been suggested in the past that features of hats or head coverings be combined with the features of the umbrella. However, such attempts have had little practical success, inasmuch as such contrivances are either too bulky to be worn as a hat, or, if not, too inadequate in serving as a protection from the elements.
Consequently, it is the object of this invention to provide a combined hat and umbrella having a large protective surface but still light and comfortable for use as an article of wearing apparel.
Again it is the object of the invention to provide such a combined hat and umbrella which, when not in use, can be reduced to a rolled up compact article, easily carried in the purse or the pocket as a small compact article of goods offering a minimum inconvenience to the carrier.
Further it is the object of this invention to provide the aforesaid article with means adapting it to simple affixation to the head, in order that it may adhere thereto and not become inadvertently removed by wind, bumping, or further accidental manner.
Suiter Swantz IP is a full-service intellectual property law firm, based in Omaha, NE, serving all of Nebraska, Iowa and South Dakota. If you have any intellectual property questions or need assistance with any patent, trademark or copyright matters and would like to speak to one of our patent attorneys please feel free to contact us.
2017 NSBA Business Law Seminar
On Friday, September 8th, Jon Horneber of Suiter Swantz IP will speak at the NSBA Business Law Seminar. Jon will discuss patents, utility models, and trade secrets, compare the licensing of IP technologies to entering a joint venture, and discuss trademark license agreements and franchising agreements.
CLE Program Hosted by IP Section of NSBA
On Thursday, August 24th, Shane Thielen of Suiter Swantz IP will present at the CLE program hosted by the IP Section of the NSBA. Shane will present a 2017 IP Case Law Review, which will include a concise review of holdings and ramifications of major copyright, trademark, and patent cases.
You can register for the CLE here.
NMotion Demo Day
Several Suiter Swantz IP attorneys will be in attendance at the NMotion Demo Day on August 10th. Suiter Swantz IP is once again a proud sponsor of the NMotion accelerator program and enjoyed getting to know and working with several of this year’s teams.
Several Suiter Swantz IP attorneys will be in attendance at the NMotion Demo Day on August 10th. Suiter Swantz IP is once again a proud sponsor the NMotion accelerator and enjoyed getting to know and working with several of this year’s teams.
Five startups with showcase their companies and the work they’ve accomplished over the past 90 days. Demo Day will be held at the Rococo theatre in Lincoln, NE. Tickets can be bought online.
Patent of the Day: Game
Suiter Swantz IP takes a look back at past inventions and inventors with our Patent of the Day.
On this day in 1927, George H. Renz was granted U.S. Patent No. 1,637,278 for a GAME.
An excerpt from the patent states:
My preset invention has reference to a game apparatus for either indoor or outdoor use.
An object is the provision of a game apparatus which not only requires an amount of skill in the playing thereof but which affords healthy exercise to the players, inasmuch as all of the muscles are brought into use in the playing of the game.
More specifically, the improvement comprises a manually operated means for holding a sphere to be projected at a board or target, the said means adapted to be removably clamped on the hand, over or under the foot of the player, and being of such construction as to render the accurate projecting of the sphere difficult, and wherein both the body, arm and leg muscles of the players are thoroughly and effectively exercised in the playing of the game.
Suiter Swantz IP is a full-service intellectual property law firm, based in Omaha, NE, serving all of Nebraska, Iowa and South Dakota. If you have any intellectual property questions or need assistance with any patent, trademark or copyright matters and would like to speak to one of our patent attorneys please feel free to contact us.
Suiter Swantz IP Opens South Dakota Satellite Office
Suiter Swantz IP, an Omaha-based patent law firm, is excited to announce that we have established a satellite office in Brookings, SD. The office will serve Sioux Falls, SD, Brookings, SD, and the surrounding areas. Our team is excited to assist the strong and growing entrepreneurial community in the Brookings and Sioux Falls region. The office is currently located in the Research Park at South Dakota State University. To speak with one of our patent attorneys please call (402) 496-0300 or email us at info@suiter.com.
Address:
2301 Research Park Way
Brookings, SD 57006
Patent of the Day: Automatic Blackboard Eraser
Suiter Swantz IP takes a look back at past inventions and inventors with our Patent of the Day.
On this day in 1939, Gordon C. Farmer was granted U.S. Patent No. 2,167,296 for an AUTOMATIC BLACKBOARD ERASER.
An excerpt from the patent states:
This invention appertains to new and useful improvements in the general art of brushing and scrubbing, and more particularly to an apparatus whereby blackboards can be cleaned in an easy and convenient manner.
The principal object of the invention is to provide an attachment for blackboards in the form of a power drive erasing apparatus which can be set in operation by the throw of a switch, thus eliminating the drudgery of manually cleaning blackboards.
Another important object of the invention is to provide an automatic apparatus of the character described, which is positive-acting in operation, and wherein the erasing elements can be conveniently replaced and the other details of the mechanism easily repaired in the event of the development of defects.
Suiter Swantz IP is a full-service intellectual property law firm, based in Omaha, NE, serving all of Nebraska, Iowa and South Dakota. If you have any intellectual property questions or need assistance with any patent, trademark or copyright matters and would like to speak to one of our patent attorneys please feel free to contact us.
Apple Patents Solution to Soggy Pizza
Apple, Inc. is world-renown in the technology field, and famous for their innovation in smartphones and tablets. Deeply involved with all things intellectual property, it is no surprise Apple boasts a robust patent portfolio. Despite the fact that the company continues to file patents on cutting-edge technology, Apple’s most popular patent, and perhaps their most interesting, was recently granted: the reinvented pizza box.
In the 1800’s, bakers in Naples used stufas, copper containers with pointed lids, to transport small pizzas to those on the street. When pizza took off in America, the first licensed New York pizzeria, Lombardi’s, sold pizzas at room temperature. Early pizzerias sold pizza that was rolled into a cone that could be reheated on furnaces, while others sold pizza in paper bags. In the 1950’s, paperboard bakery boxes became the popular mode of pizza-transport. However, paperboard boxes suffered from poor durability. In the 1960’s, Domino’s made the greatest step in pizza-box innovation when they created the cardboard pizza box as we know it today. Now, many believe Apple has revolutionized pizza transportation.
The newly patented pizza box, titled simply “CONTAINER” (US20120024859 A1), is the newest innovation in pizza box design. According to Apple’s patent, CONTAINER is designed to keep pizzas “fresh and crisp and hot for an extended period of time.” The patent lists Francesco Longoni, Apple’s had of food services, as the inventor.
To keep the crust crispy, the pizza box has several features including “a moisture channeling feature integrally formed in the lid,” “a plurality of openings,” and “a path by which … moisture … is expelled from the food [and] transported out of the container.” The bottom of the container also contains “concentric ridges that provide structural support for the container and elevates a food item from the bottom surface.” The new pizza box is used by Apple employees to carry personal-sized pizzas from the Apple Park Café to their desks without the risk of the pizza crust becoming soggy.
Unlike the standard pizza box, Apple’s CONTAINER is circular, has a hinge on the side, and is constructed from a single piece of material. The patent cites environmental concerns as the inspiration for the innovative box saying “due to environmental concerns, and in order to reduce the amount of consumption of materials, what is needed is a container that is adaptable for use in a wide variety of applications.” The pizza box can be made from recyclable materials, such as molded fiber.
The pizza container quickly became a popular staple in Apple’s office culture. Apple food service employees even signed a pizza box and placed it at a memorial for Steve Jobs following his death in 2011. The pizza box has gained popularity online after it was featured in Wired’s exclusive look at Apple’s new headquarters in Cupertino.
The Wired article credits the pizza box to Apple’s infatuation with innovation. Apple believes that perfection in the work environment will inspire its employees to match that effort in the products they create. They encourage those creating the environment at every level to aspire for high levels of quality and innovation.
Despite its popularity with employees and attention from the internet, Apple has no plans to launch the pizza box commercially. But, who knows? The perfect pizza box may just inspire the next big Apple product.
Suiter Swantz IP is a full-service intellectual property law firm based in Omaha, NE, serving all of Nebraska, Iowa, and South Dakota. If you have any intellectual property questions or need assistance with any patent, trademark, or copyright matters and would like to speak to one of our patent attorneys please feel free to contact us.
Patent of the Day: Ice Cube Tongs
Suiter Swantz IP takes a look back at past inventions and inventors with our Patent of the Day.
On this day in 1934, Alfred H. Ackerson was granted U.S. Patent No. 1,967,731 for ICE CUBE TONGS.
An excerpt from the patent states:
This invention relates to tongs for use in picking up and handling ice cubes, sugar cubes, nuts, sweetmeats, and other articles of similar nature and size.
In the preferred embodiment of the invention, I provide a miniature tongs having a tubular body portion provided with an actuating stem extending therethrough, the stem having a button or large head at one end thereof, ad having a grooved collar at the other end. The stem is reciprocally mounted within the tube, and is normally maintained in position by a coiled spring confined within the body portion and extending about the stem.
The tong members comprise a pair of pivotally mounted tongs which are disposed at the lower end of the tubular body portion, and have integral cam surfaces engaging in the grooved collar for moving the tongs into open and closed position upon movement of the collar. The coiled spring normally tends to maintain the tongs in closed position.
The grooved collar is preferably adjustable with respect to the stem, in order to provide for engaging articles of varying size with the tongs. However, since the tongs have a relatively large ratio of movement with respect to the movement of the collar, this being on the order of 25 to 1, this adjustment may be omitted. The wide range of movement of the tongs is made possible by the relatively short lever arm extending between the camming surface and the pivot of the tongs on the collar.
The ends of the tongs are preferably sharply pointed, and the spring is of sufficient strength to force the ends to bite into the surface of the engaged article and to urge the tongs to closed position. An annular flange on the tubular body portion provides a grip for the fingers of the operator, and the enlarged head or button on the stem is engaged by the thumb or palm of the hand when it is desired to compress the spring to open the tongs.
One of the primary objects of the present invention is to provide a pair of pivotally mounted tong members having camming engagement with a movable collar, wherein the ratio of movement of the tongs with respect to the movement of the collar is relatively great.
Another important object of the invention is to provide, in tongs of the type described, a spring which normally maintains the tongs closed, and which is compressed in opening the tongs and is of sufficient strength to force the ends of the tongs into gripping engagement with the desired article when the spring is released from compressed position.
Another object of the invention is to provide a simple tong construction, having relatively few moving parts, which need not be accurately machined or aligned, and which may be readily taken apart and reassembled.
A further object of the invention is to produce tongs of small and compact size, neat in appearance, economical in design, and which has no part susceptible to any substantial wear or strain.
Suiter Swantz IP is a full-service intellectual property law firm, based in Omaha, NE, serving all of Nebraska, Iowa and South Dakota. If you have any intellectual property questions or need assistance with any patent, trademark or copyright matters and would like to speak to one of our patent attorneys please feel free to contact us.
