The San Francisco call., 1897-03-12
Philip Hinkle Sells for a Song
a Machine Valuable
as a Mine.
He WAS ALMOST PENNILESS
AND WANTED MONEY.
Owners of Passeng r.L:fters Infring.
ing on the Device Will Be
Forced to Pay

lteeH years ago IHLlp I1iuhic, IAc
pioneer elevator-builder of San Francisco,
invented and patented the use of an over
balance in connection with an elevator
cage, which is destined TO build UP for
tunes for five prominent business men of
this State. Every electric elevator manu-
featuring com pany in America, according
TO the present owners of the patent. has
infringed upon Mr.. Hinkle's patent, and
in consequence surprise Is in store for
them.
The inventor of the mechanism, Philip
Hinkle, came to this State at any early
date. Being a machinIst by nature as
well as by trade, he opened factory for
the construction of mining machinery.
For time he prospered, but as compe.i-
tion became greater and greater as the
State developed he found that with his
limited capital he was unable to cope with
weather. manufacturers, and he finally
became bankrupt.
While searching for employ ment one
day he chanced to pass a building on San
some street in which was being con-
structed the first elevator used in this
City. He became interested in its opera
tion, and on investigation, finding that no
elevators were manufactured On this coast,
decided to make his livelihood building
them. In this work he became associated
with A. j. McNicoll, and in a few years
they were the owners OF factory and the
employers of a small army of men. For
tune favored Hinkle. and in 1881 he was
accredited with being The possessor OF
over $3.50 900.
In. 1882 he invented the overweight
counterbalance mechanism, and, although
at that time there was but little use for his
contrivance, most elevators being run by
hydraulic pressure. he knew that when
other powers supplanted water his fortune
was made. The machine. it is claimed,
will save half the expense of runniug any
passenger carrier raised and lowered with
cables. This Mr.. Hinkle was aware of,
and he patiently waited for the day 10
come when his contriyance would be in
demand.
About that time, however, he took the
fatal sep of his life. He was then 72
years of age, gray-haired, and his face was
fnrrowed with the lines of care. He be-
came enamored of young girl employed
IN the house where he was residing, and
within few months after the first meet
ing he spoke OF marriage to the young
woman. She knew that he was wealthy,
accepted him, over fifty years her senior,
and they were married.
The wedding was solemnized in gor-
reous style. Sparkling wines and glitter
ing tokens were lavished on the guests by
the hands OF the aged and wealthy groom,
but at the end the old man found that he
had been deceived. The bride was sur
rounded by host o. designing women,
and Hinkle was soon drawn into the
meshes they laid for him. He was de-
prived OF most of his patents. drawn in to
the courts as the defendant in a divorce
suit inst gated by his wife and victimized
by many.
In order to save portion of his prop
erty he signed it away to men he supposed
were his friends, but again was he de-
ceived. Lawsuit followed lawsuit. and in
the end he was the street-old miser-
able. deserted and penniess.
He had nothing left him but his ele-
yator patent, but in his sorrow he forgot
this and elevator manufacturing com pa
MES, appreciating lis value, used it, and
now it is said that it is in use on over half
the elevators in existence.
A few months ago H. a. Webber and
c. NJ. Weymann, who are employed in
local elevator manufacturing company,
concluded to investigate the history Of the
overba ance mechanism. They were
aware OF the fact that all of the largest
manufacturing companies in America
used The strange device" and marveled
that no one appeared to claim q roy atty or
file an injunction. Attorney John L.
Boone, prominent as patent lawyer, was
consulted and ne informed the investiga-
tors that Philip Hinkle of this City was
the owner OF the patent.
Hinkle was found, and, although aware |
OF the value of his machine. he parted
with his patent for a few hundred dollars
He needed the money and knew full we'll
that in his present financial condition it
would be useless for him 10 fight for his
rights in the courts OF law.
Last evening papers incorporating the |
overweight counter balance elevator COM
pany were placed on file. The company
was incorporated with LOCO, 900 capital |
stock and John L. Boone, II. l.. Webber
C. M. Weymann, Charles J. Armbruster
and c. Bennett as kholders lis OBJ.
ject, the papers state is to manufacture
elevators for passenger and other pur-
poses
1--WE will not manufacture elevators at
present" said Attorney J. l. Boone yes
terday afternoon, "but we intena to lay a
royalty on every elevator that infringes on
our rights under this patent. We will Law
a royalty of half of the amount our con.
trivance saves the owners of the elevators. |
This will not only include the future but
we will collect atty for two years back
as far back as the statutes of limitation
will allow us-and in case of refusal to
pay the royalty on the part of any ele-
vator-owner we will bring suit and enioin
him from using our conI-ivance.
There are 700 elevators in San Francisco
alone and taxing the elevators OF the
United States into considerati n, almost
half of which infringe on our patent, the
royalty we are entitled to will amount to
very large sum of money, just how large
il is i'm possi bic at the present to state"
The inventor of the contrivance, now
over fourscore years OF age, was glad to
hear that his invention would prove
profitable to its purchasers. His mfsfor-
tunes OF life have not made him envious
OF the good luck and prosperity of others.
----------
Music at Holy Cross.
The music at Holy Cross Church, on Eddy
street. will be of an excentionallY fine order