Case Name: ESTATE OF P. D. BECKWITH, INC., v. RILEY et al.
Court: United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio
Jurisdiction: United States
Decision Date: 1914-12-07
Citations: 220 F. 173
Docket Number: No. 27
Parties: ESTATE OF P. D. BECKWITH, INC., v. RILEY et al.
Judges: 
Reporter: Federal Reporter
Volume: 220
Pages: 173–173

Head Matter:
ESTATE OF P. D. BECKWITH, INC., v. RILEY et al.
(District Court, N. D. Ohio, W. D.
December 7, 1914.)
No. 27.
Patents <&wkey;328 — Validity and Inebingement — Heating Stove.
The Beckwith patent, No. 931,374, for improvement in heating stoves, is for a combination of old elements, but which, acting together, accomplish improved results, and discloses invention; also held infringed.
In Equity. Suit by the Estate of P. D. Beckwith, Incorporated, a corporation, against Zura Riley and others, for infringement of letters patent No. 931,374, for improvement in heating stoves, granted August 17, 1909, to Arthur K. Beckwith. On final hearing. Decree for complainant.
Harry C. Howard, of Kalamazoo, Mich., for complainant.
Bradford & Hood and Miller, Shirley & Miller, all of Indianapolis, Ind., for defendants.

Opinion:
KILEITS, District Judge.
The court finds the three claims of the Beckwith patent in suit valid. The field undoubtedly is narrow, and the elements old, but they seem to have been brought together, through the application of definite mechanical skill, into such combination that they act substantially as one organization effecting a distinct improvement.
The defendants' structure infringes. Nathan v. Howard, 143 Fed. 889, 75 C. C. A. 97; Vrooman v. Penhollow, 179 Fed. 297, 102 C. C. A. 484.