Parsons Non-Skid Co. v. E. J. Willis Co.

LACOMBE, Circuit Judge. [1] The main reliance of the defense is the Clark English patent, 18,003 of 1897. It is conceded that this patent and testimony concerning it were in the record before the Circuit Court of Appeals of the Seventh Circuit in Excelsior Supply Company v. Weed Chain Tire Grip Company (July, 1911) 192 Fed. 35. It is not disputed that the English patent was discussed in the briefs filed in that case. Under these circumstances it would seem that the decision of the Court of Appeals sustaining the validity of the Parsons patent and construing its claims should be followed at circuit here. Warren v. City of New York (C. C. A. Second Circuit, April 10, 1911)187 Fed. 831. [2] Aside, however, from this rule of practice, it is not perceived that upon the record here made the position of the Clark English pat-ént in the prior art, is materially changed. Inspection of that patent shows that Clark was concerned with a nonslipping band or contrivance to be affixed to the pneumatic tires of bicycles. He points out expressly that the plates, which with the links fit snugly around the tire, shall become imbedded sufficiently in the jacket of the tire, so as to prevent all shifting of the band upon the tire. This is the exact reverse of the operation of the Parsons device. Clark also points out how this imbedding may be effected with the tires to which his device is applied, and with such tires his method of imbedding is successful. The whole teaching of this English patent is for the production of a band imbedded to prevent slipping. That is all the art would learn from his patent. It does not change its teaching to show experimentally (conceding for the purpose of the argument that defendant in this case has so shown) that when the Clark band is applied to a kind of tire different from those with which Clark was concerned, to a tire so large, so thick, compact, and rigid, that it is not possible to imbed Clark’s band in it, such band, not being thus so secured, will move or “creep.” Complainant may take interlocutory decree in the usual form for injunction and accounting.