CONSOLIDATED SAF.ETY VALVE CO. t1. ASHTON VALVE CO.
pi
have made affidavits for the complainant in direct conflict with those read by the defendant. Such testimony is entitled to but slight consideration, and at this late day the cause should not be reopened to receive it. We see no reason why the complainant is not entitled to the usual decree. It would not be wise, in our judgment, to instruct the master in advance as to the course he shall pursue. Both parties will be fully protected by exceptions to his report, and, should the m,aster be in doubt, he can, if he desires to do so, apply at any time to the court for instructions. The motion for a rehearing is denied. WALLACE, J., concurs.
CONSOLIDATED SAFETY VALVE Co. v. ASHTON VALVE Co. and others. (Two Cases.)1 «(Ji;rcuit Oourt, D. Massachusetts. January, 1886.) In a bill filed more than a year after the patent expired, an injunction was asked against the use or sale of infringing devices, should any be found in defendant's possession, and also against the use of the tools and paraphernalia of infringement made during the life of the patent for the purpose of infringement. Held, that the bill was not for diSCOVery in aid of a SUlt at law, but was a bill for discovery and relief, and as such within the decisions in Root v. Railway 00., 105 U. B. 189, and Lord v. Whitelwad. 24 Fed. Rep. 801. J. SAME-RICHARDSON VALVE-PATENT No. 85.963. On motion for preliminary injunction, complainant relied on the decision of the supreme court sustaining the Richardson patent. Oonsolidated Valve 00. v. Safety Valve 00., 113 U. B. 157; B. C. 5 Bup. Ct. Rep. 513. Held, that if applicable to the present case, that decision would, of course, be conclusive; but, there being a doubt whether defendants' device came within it, a preliminary injunction was refused. 1. PATENTS FOR INVENTIONs-BILL IN EQUITy-ExPIRED PATENT.
8.
SAME-OFFICERS OF CORPORATION AS DEFENDANTS·
.A. demurrer by two of the defendants, officers of the corporation defendant, based upon the ground that they had no connection with the alleged infringement, overruled.
In Equity. Thomas W. Clarke, for complainant. James E. Maynadier, for defendant. COLT, J. The bill in equity No. 2,164, brought upon patent No. 58,294, granted to George W. Richardson, which expired September 25, 1883, is not a bill for discovery in aid of a suit at law, but is a bill for discovery and relief, and as such it falls within the decisions of Root v. Railway 00., 105 U. S. 189, and Lord v. Whitehead, 24 Fed. Rep. 801. Equitable jurisdiction iB Bought to be sustained on the ground that the bill seeks relief, by way of injunction, against 1 Reported by
Charles C. Linthicum, Esq., of the Chicago bar.
820
FEDERAL
REPO:&TEB.
the use or sale by the defendants of any of the valves embodying the invention, should any be found in their possession, and also against the use of the tools and paraphernalia of infringement made during the life of the patent for the purpose of infringement. In a bill in equity, brought more than a year after the patent has expired, we do not see how an injunction can be granted under the allegations of the bill in respect to the matters prayed for, and we do not think the cases cited by plaintiff's counsel sustain his position. For these reasons the demurrer of the defendants must be sustained, and the bill dismissed. The bill in equity No. 2,165, brought upon patent No. 85,963, dated January 19,1869, granted to George W. Richardson, prays for a preliminary injunction. The complainant relies upon the decision of the supreme court, sustaining the Richardson patents. Consolidated, Valve Co. v. Safety Valve Co., 113 U. S. 157; S. C. 5 Sup. Ct. Rep. 513. We recognize the binding authority of that decision, and, if applicable to the present case, it is, of course, conclusive. But upon this point we have a doubt. There is much going to show that the supreme court construed the Richardson patents to cover a valve in which the outlet from the huddling-chamber was smaller than the inlet, and that this was one of the main features of the invention. In the case before us the outlet is larger than the inlet. Whatever opinion the court may come to upon a full hearing on the merits of the case, we do not think the complainant's right to a preliminary injunction so free from doubt that the court should grant it. Under these circumstances the motion must be denied. The demurrers of two of the defendants, Ashton and Reed, officers of the defendant corporation, based upon the ground that they have no connection with the alleged infringement, are overruled. It is clear that they are proper parties to the bill.
NORTON DOOR CHECK & SPRING Co. v. ELLIOTT PNEUMATIO DoonCHECK Co. and others. (Oircuit OOU'I't, D. Massachusetts. December 4, 1885.) PATENTS FOR INVENTIONS-INFRINGEMENT-MACHINES FOR CLOSING DOORS WITHOUT SLAMMING.
Patent No. 144,926, to F. H.Richards, November 25,1873, for improvement in door-sprmgs, and No. 251,790, granted to Lewis C. Norton, January3, 1882, for improvement in door-checks, compared with Elliott's patent, and held, that the second claim of the Richards patent is infringed thereby, butthat the first claim of the Norton patent is not infringed thereby.
In Equity. Chauncey Smith and Geo. O. G. Coole, for complainants.