Court Opinion

ID: 9306163
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-12-02 17:17:08.870886+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T17:13:55.044608
License: Public Domain

Bütlbb, J.
The plaintiff sues for infringement of patent No. 879,-644, dated March 20, 1889, — “interfering device for horses.” The claim is as follows:
“The interfering device, consisting of the pendant made of rubber, wood, or other suitable material, loosely jointed to the strap passing around the leg of a horse, substantially in the manner shown, and for the purposes set forth. ”
The answer attacks the patent, and denies infringement. To support the former appeal is made to the slate of the art. From this source it appears that interfering devices are of great antiquity, and of various forms, all having the same object, — protection of the leg, and spreading the stride. One of the earliest was the “boot,” made of leather or oilier pliable substance, padded, and fitted to the leg, — the main purpose of which was to protect the leg. Even this, however, was supposed to exert some influence on the step. Following it came various other contrivances, the dominant object of which was to produce a wider step, — called “spreading.” All these devices are still employed. Borne consist of a. strap strung with balls of wood, gum, or other similar material, made to buckle around the log, above or below the pastern-joint. These balls stand out a little further than the “boot.” Others consist of a strap with leather loops attached to the outward side, two to five inches long. These loops at first are still', standing out horizontally, and are struck more readily than the “'boot,” or balls. After a little use the loops hang, though not perpendicularly. Others are made of bands of platted straw, of gum pipe, and similarly pliable substances, and so fitted to the leg that the two ends form a “striker.” It is unnecessary to extend the enumeration. The object in all eases is to protect the leg, and induce a wider step. By this means it is sought to cure the vice of interfering. The projection on the strap is called a “striker.” A strap with pendent chain, or rope, has long been used to prevent kicking in the stall. This is attached to the leg in the same manner as the other devices. The chain Is of various lengths, usually a foot or more.
The defendant has also shown, (if the testimony is credible,) the use of an interfering device made of a strap and pendent striker, loosely hung. The witnesses testify to having seen it used at a race-course near Norristown. One witness testifies to having seen a similar device, — the pendant being of gum or wooden balls, — at the stable of Mr. llitner. in the same vicinity. One witness, a harness-maker, in Philadelphia, testifies that he assisted to make a number of similar devices, for a farrier, the strikers of which consisted of gum pipe — illustrated by an exhibit in proof. Another testifies that he saw these in the shop-window when made. The witnesses who testify to the devices used near Nor-ristown, speak of a period 20 years past; and the saméis true fifth?* witnesses who testify to the Philadelphia device. The plaintiff called a number of persons, familiar with the general subject, who say they never saw any such devices. This does not, however, disprove their existence. I should hesitate to disregard the testimony of the plaintiffs witnesses, or to accept the suggestion that these devices were experiments *384merely. Yet I would hesitate to declare the patent invalid on this testimony. The case may be put on safer ground. In view of the other devices shown — about whose existence there is no question, — it seems clear that the slight change in form which the plaintiff made did not require invention. He simply altered the “striker” front a horizontal to a perpendicular position. He found it standing out laterally, and loosened it so as to hang. This was all. Surely no invention was required to do it. Any mechanic to whose line the work belonged (or indeed any handy person, though not ft mechanic) could do this. The idea or conception that this change might be beneficial, Avas not patentable. The question is simply, Avas invention required to make the change? In my judgment it Avas not. The kicking device exhibited a method of doing it. This device indeed required nothing but shortening the chain to make it correspond in every essential respect Avith the plaintiff’s. Applying this to a horse in motion, instead of one standing in his stall, is not even a new use. If uoav it would be analogous to the old. Patents are constantly overturned for want of invention, Avhere its absence is not so clear. The later volumes of reports are full of such cases; eight are contained in the last issue—132 U. S. It is sufficient to cite a few of them. Hollister v. Manufacturing Co., 113 U. S. 59, 5 Sup. Ct. Rep. 717; Thompson v. Boisselier, 114 U. S. 1, 5 Sup. Ct. Rep. 1042; Pennsylvania R. Co. v. Locomotive Engine Safety Truck Co., 110 U. S. 490, 4 Sup. Ct. Rep. 220; Bussey v. Manufacturing Co., 110 U. S. 131, 4 Sup. Ct. Rep. 38; Gardner v. Herz, 118 U. S. 180, 6 Sup. Ct. Rep. 1027; Weir v. Morden, 125 U. S. 98, 8 Sup. Ct. Rep. 869; Holland v. Shipley, 127 U. S. 396, 8 Sup. Ct. Rep. 1089; Aron v. Railway Co., 132 U. S. 84, 10 Sup. Ct. Rep. 24; Day v. Railway Co., 132 U. S. 98, 10 Sup. Ct. Rep. 11; Roemer v. Bernheim, 132 U. S. 103, 10 Sup. Ct. Rep. 12; Watson v. Railway Co., 132 U. S. 161, 10 Sup. Ct. Rep. 45. It is said by some of the plaintiff’s Avitnesses that his striker taps the leg to Avhich it is attached, as well as the other, and his counsel urge this as important. The specifications say nothing about it, but ascribe the device’s superiority to the fact that it strikes the opposite leg, by a “sAvinging tangential motion.” The claim also is silent on the subject. The counsel (as Ave understand) concede that the device would be old but for the capacity to perform this additional function. If that is true the patent is clearly void, because the claim embraces devices that Avill not perform it; and is therefore too broad. But aside from this, the tapping of the leg referred to, is unimportant. Every device used strikes and rubs the leg to which it is attached. Whenever the projection is hit by the opposite leg the bloAV is communicated to the other. The effect must necessarily be similar to the supposed tapping. I would rather sustain the patent than overturn it, (I feel this inclination in all cases,) but the proofs will not allow me. The bill must be dismissed, with costs.