OONSOLIDATED STORE SERVICE 00.
v.
WHIPPLE.
27
to something other than the mere novelty of the device, it loses its evidential force. 2. Even if the Colby device is to be sustained as valid, the prior art is so close to it that its scope must be narrowly limited. The defendants' device does not contain a spring attached either to the stem or to the key. It is attached to a hollow nut or threaded .cylinder, which moves with the rotation of the key, and saves the grinding of the spring ends in the annular grooves, or against the annular shoulders, and performs the same function in a somewhat different way. Unquestionably, if the Colby patent could be held to be a pioneer patent, one requiring a broad construction, we should hold that the latch spring contained in the Colby patent is seen in the defendants' device. But the Colby patent must be limited to the particular form shown, and in this view there is a distinguishing difference in that the spring in the defendants' device is not attached to either the key or the stem. It is held in position inside of the stem in a different way,-a way which enabled the inventor to prevent the friction of the spring end against the stem or the stem arbor during the rotation of the stem arbor. This is enough to escape infringement. The learned judge at the circuit held otherwise. An examination of his opinion satisfies us that he gave much too wide a scope to the object and the result of the Colby patent, and that the benefits which he pointed out are due wholly to its connection with the Church movement in a stem winding and setting watch. Of course, Colby would be entitled to any benefit which might come from the use of his device in a stem-set watch, although he might never have contemplated its use in such a watch. But the argument that his device must have novelty and invention in it because of its extensive use must fail when it is seen that the extended use finds its explanation in the novelty and utility of the Church movement, with which it is sold, and not in anything either novel or strange in the mechanism of the Colby stem. The decree is reversed, at the cost of the aDpellees, with instructions to dismiss the bill.
CONSOLIDATED STORE SERVICE 00. v. WHIPPLE et aL (Circuit Court, D. Massachusetts. June 18, 1896.) No. 491. 1. P ATENTS-VAJ,IDJTY OF INFRINGEMENT. The Osgood patents, No. 351,851, for a store-service apparatus, and No. 293,192, for a cash-CaT system, held valid and infringed, the former as tQ claim 1, and the latter as to claim 2. 2. SAME. . The Osgood patent, No. 290,190, for a cash car, held not infringed ail to claim 4.
This was a suit in equity by the Consolidated Store Service Company against Wayne Whipple and others for alleged infringement
28
75
FEDERAL REPORTER.
of certain patents relating to store-service apparatus and cash-car systems. Frederick P. Fish and Charles Neave, for complainant. John Hillis, for defendants. CARPENTER, District Judge. This is a bill in equity to restrain an alleged infringement of the first claim of letters patent No. 357,851, issued February 15, 1887, to Edwin P. Osgood, for storeservice ap:P3Jl'atus; the second claim of letters prutent No. 293,192, issued Februaxy 5, 1884, to Byron A. Osgood and Edwin P. Osgood, for cash-car system; and the fourth claim of letters patent No. 290,190, issued December 11, 1883, to Edwin P. Osgood, for cash car. The proof shows that the invention claimed in the patent first above named was made in August, 1881, and the application was tiled June 7, 1883. The claims alleged to be infringed are as fol. lows: "(i) In a cash-car apparatus, a wire stretched horiZontally between fixed supports at each end and in the described relation to the cashier's desk, in combination with a freely-moving car held below the wire on wheel hangers, to which it is rigidly connected,. the wheels thereof being fitted to run one behind the other on the wire, whereby the car is held rigidly against oscillation longitudinally of the way, the whole moving structure being thus adapted to be impelled as a solid body from one end of the way to the other in either direction by the momentum imparted by a single impulse or push, substantially as described." "(2) In combination with the wires and supporting bar or ring of a cashcar system, an arresting stop or a spring buffer adapted to receive and hold the car." "(4) The spring catch E, attached to the body of the car, and provided with the handle G, as described."
The device which is covered by the first claim is a carrier, or receptacle for articles to be transported, rigidly fastened to two wheels, and so constructed with a track that it may be suspended beneath and propelled on the track by means of the wheels. I do not find in the evidence any device which can anticipate or control this claim, and it seems to me entirely clear that it is infringed by the carrier used by the respondents. The second claim covers a spring with two arms extending parallel with the track, between which the car runs at the end of the track, and by which its motion is arrested. I find in the record no anticipation of this device. The respondents use a single spring, carried on the carrier . and parallel with the track, and bearing against an enlargement of the track at the point where it is desired to stop the carrier. This seems to me to be plainly covered by the claim, as it brings about the same result and in the same way. 'I'he fourth claim is for a spring cat.ch with a hooked end by which the carrier is fastened at the end of its journey, and provided with a handle by which it may be released and also propelled on the track. This device and the manner of its operation are thus described by the inventor: "To the top pieces A', are fixed,by means of screws b, the spring catches E, these catches having a hooked end, i, which passes under and hooks over
THE ROSALIE.
29
an inclined stop, 11, set upon the track J. A preferably elastic stop, fl, receives the impact of the spring catch to arrest the car, and the inclined stop prevents the return. A handle, G, is fixed to the spring catch, so that it may be grasped by the hand and drawn down, the operator at the same time retaining his hold upon the handle to give the car the proper impetus."
The handle has, as it seems to me, two motions in relea'sing and propelling the car. It is moved, first, downward to release the curved end of the spring from the stop, and then immediately for· ward to propel the car. The device used by the respondents con· tains no catch for holding the car at the end of its path. It is held by the friction of the spring carried by the car and bearing against the projection on the track; and a single horizontal motion imparted to the handle moves the car forward and at the same time depresses the spring so as to release the car. The same result is accomplished, but in a different way. I conclude that the respond. ents do not infringe this claim. There will, therefore, be a decree for the complainant as to the first and second claims, and that the respondents do not infringe the fourth claim. THE ROSALIE.! ENSIGN et al. v. DIMON. (District Court, N. D. California. September 17, 1895.) No. 11,007.
1.
MARITIME LIENs-MATERIAL FURNISHED IN HOME PORT-OWNERS PRO HAC VICE.
Where materials were furnished for the use of a vessel, upon the order of a company which had possession of her under a contract of purchase,. and which was, therefore, the owner pro hac vice, in the port where such company had its principal place of business, by material men who either knew the company's relation to the vessel, or were in possession of the avenues of information, and of facts sutlident to put them on inquiry, held, that credit must be considered to have been given to the company, and that, consequently, no lien was created. The AlvITa, 63 Fed. 144, distinguished. The mere fact that persons furnishing materials in the home port, on the order of the owner pro hac vice, "suppose" that the vessel is good for the purchase price. is not of itself sufficient to create a lien.
2.
This was a libel in rem, by E. J. Ensign and J. R McGuffick, against the steamer Rosalie, for materials furnished for the use of the steamer. ; H. W. Hutton, for libelants. Walter G. Holmes, for claimant MORROW, District Judge. A lien in the sum of $75.90 for oils and paints furnished by the libelants for the use of the steam1
Rehearing pending.