Portman v. Cappon

The following opinion was filed December 6, 1910: ViNJE, J. The plaintiff alleged a want of repair of the machine and'an improper construction of the chuck thereof, by reason of which the dowel pointer could not be securely fastened, but would become loose and be thrown therefrom when the shafting revolved. There was no evidence that any part of the machine other than the chuck and dowel pointer was out .of repair, and the only evidence as to these parts being out of repair was that the shank of the latter was a trifle worn. But it is evident from the description of the chuck, and shank of the dowel pointer, set out in the statement of facts, — showing that the diameter of the shank increased toward the end, while that of the hole in the chuck decreased and was appreciably diminished by the screwing on of the nut, — that a slight wear of the shank would not permit it to come out when the nut was on. The chuck and dowel pointer are in evidence, and a careful examination of them shows that it is physically impossible for the dowel pointer to come out as long as the nut is on the chuck. It follows that even if the shank of the dowel pointer was a little worn, which is questionable, it did not affect its being securely held in the chuck when the nut was on. The only witness who testified that the machine was improperly constructed, said it was so “because the chuck I do not think would be secure when held by a nut pressed back on the shaft as that nut is.” “I would still say I would not think it would hold even if it had been run for ten years and it had always held the dowel.” For reasons already stated, this testimony is completely nullified by the construction of the chuck, and shank of the dowel pointer, and must be disregarded. There was no other evidence of improper construction or of a want of repair of the machine. It was urged, however, by counsel for plaintiff that the nut came off [130] at the time of the accident and that it did so owing to a defective'condition of the machine. The only evidence that could in any sense be said to support such a claim was the testimony already quoted. But testimony that the chuck would not be secure when held by a nut pressed back on the shaft falls far short of supporting the claim that the nut itself was liable to come off, or did come off, when the machine was in operation, especially in view of the undisputed fact that the shaft revolved to the left and the nut turned to the right. Under such circumstances the operation of the machine would tend to tighten, not loosen, the nut. The plaintiff testified that a couple of hours before the accident the defendant’s foreman, Schroeder, assisted him in removing a tool from the chuck that had become so securely fastened that he could not get it out; that the foreman then wrapped some paper around the shank of the dowel pointer, inserted it in the chuck, and screwed the nut on tight. The foreman admits that he took the tool out for plaintiff, but denies that he put the dowel pointer in. He testified that when he went away the dowel pointer was out, and the nut was lying on the frame of the machine, a little to the left and about four inches back of the end of the chuck. The testimony is that the nut was first seen in the place described by the foreman a few minutes after the accident. Plaintiff’s case must rest upon the fact that the foreman put the dowel pointer in the chuck and screwed the nut on tight, ■ and upon the further undisputed fact that the nut was off shortly after the accident. This raises the question as to whether or not there is any evidence to sustain a finding that after the nut was screwed on tight it had come off during the operation of the machine. As we have already stated, there is no such evidence, and if there were it would be contrary to physical laws in view of the construction of the machine. But even if it were conceded that the nut did come off, there would be no liability on the part of the defendant, [131] for tbe plaintiff-testified that the foreman serewed the nut on tight, and the undisputed evidence is that during an operation of over five years it had never come off before. The nut, chuck, and thread were in good repair, were not worn or loose, and if the nut came off after it was screwed on tight it was a result that no one could foresee — a pure accident for which no one was responsible. Wickert v. Wis. Cent. R. Co. 142 Wis. 375, 125 N. W. 943. It follows that the order of the trial court vacating the order directing a verdict for defendant and granting plaintiff’s motion for a new trial was erroneous. 'By ihe Gouri. — The order of the circuit court is reversed, and the cause remanded with directions to enter judgment for defendant. A motion for a rehearing was denied February 21, 1911.