Case Name: LANE BROS. CO. v. WILCOX MFG. CO. et al.
Court: United States Circuit Court for the Southern District of New York
Jurisdiction: United States
Decision Date: 1905-11-01
Citations: 141 F. 1000
Docket Number: No. 8,665
Parties: LANE BROS. CO. v. WILCOX MFG. CO. et al.
Judges: 
Reporter: Federal Reporter
Volume: 141
Pages: 1000–1000

Head Matter:
LANE BROS. CO. v. WILCOX MFG. CO. et al.
(Circuit Court, S. D. New York.
November 1, 1905.)
No. 8,665.
Patents—Invention—Door Hangers.
The Lane patents, No. 422,305, for a wheel for door hangers, and No. 426,390, for a door hanger, are void for lack of patentable invention, and the latter also for anticipation.
In Equity. Suit for infringement of letters patent No. 422,305, for a. wheel for door hangers, granted to William J. Lane February 25, 1890, and No. 426,390 for a door hanger, granted to the same patentee April-22, 1890. On final hearing.
A. Parker Smith, for complainant.
Herbert A. Heyn and Bond, Adams, Pickard & Jackson, for defendants.

Opinion:
HOLT, District Judge.
I think that the complainant's patents for door hangers, No. 426,390, and for a wheel for door hangers, No. 422,-305, are invalid for lack of patentable invention. The patent for door hangers was, in my opinion, anticipated by the patents to Doan, Prindle, Stevens, and Richards, and the patent for a wheel by the patents to Ewing, Ward, Martindale, McAleenan, and Righter. The design patent, in my opinion, is invalid, because the design attempted to be patented has no peculiar configuration or ornamentation which enhances its saleable value. It is nothing but an attempt to obtain a design patent for the shape of a mechanical structure.
My conclusion is that the bill should be dismissed, with costs.