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J/'EDERALREPORTER.
FARMERS' FRIEND MANUF'G CO.
v.
CHALLENGE CORN-PLANTER
CO.
(Oircuit Court, W. D. Michigan, S. D.
January 16,1885.)
PATENTS FOR .LNVENTIONS-REISSUE No.10,155-CoRN-PLANTER. Heissued letters patent No. 10,155, issued to the J!'armers' Friend Manufacturing Company as assignee of Michael Hunstetler, OD July 11, 1882. is not for the same invelltioll covered by the original letters, and is invalid.
In Equity. Wood If Boyd and E. W. Withey, for complainant. Stem If Peck and Edward Taggart, for defendant. BAXTER, J. This is a bill to enjoin an alleged infringement ot reissued letters patent No. 10,155, issued to the complainant, as assignee of Michael Hunstetler, on July 11, 1882. We have not the time to enter upon a fnll discussion of the facts of the case, and hence will content ourselves with a simple announcement of the conclusion to which we have arrived on one question made and relied on by the defendant. In a former suit, prosecuted by the complainant in this court against the Waite Manufacturing Company, for an alleged infringement of the same reissued letters patent, we rendered a decree in complainant's favor, affirming their validity, and ordered an account of the damages. This, of course, would be conclusive of this case on that point if the facts of the two cases were the same j but the defendant did not intrdduce in the former case any testimony in support of its defenses. The decree made therein was predicated upon the prima facie case made by the production of complainant's said reissued letters patent and proof of the alleged infringement; but here the defendant comes with full proof. Among other testimony, it has put in evidence a copy of the originalll3tters patent, and insists that upon comparison thereof with the reissued letters patent it will appear that the latter is not for the same invention covered by the former. The first claim of the original patent is in these words: (1) In a llayingthe rear main fraII}e mounted on supporting wheels. thl! front runner-frame hinged or pivoted to the main frame, and operated by an elevating and depressing lever pivoted to the main frame. having its front end slotted and connected to the runner-frame by a bolt passing through said slot. in combination with the shaft, A. and lifting hand-lever, D. rigidly attached to said shaft, for elevating, depressing, and controlling the runner-frame, substantially as herein set forth. A reissue was applied for and obtained, in which the foregoing claim was expanded into the four following claims: (1) In a corn-planter having the rear main frame mounted on supporting wheels and the front runner-frame hinged or pivoted to the main frame. the combination of a foot-treadle and a hand-lever adapted to be used in conjunction or independently for the purpose of elevating or depressing the runners. 8ubstantildly as herein set forth. (2) In a corn-planter having the rear main frame mounted on supporting wheels and the front runner-frame hinged or
THE EDITH GODDEN.
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pivoted to.the main frame, a foot-treadle for elevating or depressing the runner-frame. in combination with a hand lock-lever. the foot-treadle and handlever adapted to be used in conjunction for forcing and locking the runDPrs into the ground or lifting and locking them out of the ground. substal1iaally as herein set forth. (3) In a corn-planter having the rear main frame mounted on supporting wheels and the front runner-frame hinged or pivoted to the main frame. a foot-treadle for elevating or depressing the runner-frame. in combination with a hand-lever rigidly connected therewith. that either handlever or treadle may be used for forcing the runners into the ground or lifting them out of the ground. sUbstantially as herein set forth. (4) The combination. in a corn-planter having the rear main frame mounted on supporting wheels and a front runner-frame hinged or pivoted to the main frame. of a foot-treadle for elevating the runner-frame. and a hand-lever for elevat· ing or depressing the same, both arranged to move simUltaneously when either is acted upon by an operator. The foregoing first claim of the original patent ought, in view as well of its own terms as of the correspondence relating thereto, which passed between the office and the inventors' solicitors, shown by the file-wmpper, to be restricted to the specific combination therein described. This was all to which the inventor was entitled, (everything else having been anticipated by others.) Thus construed, the defend· ant's planter is not an infringement of the original patent. This was conceded by complainant's expert in his testimony and by coun· sel in the argument of the cause. Brit defendant's planter is, as they contend and as the court concedes, an infringement of the reissued patent. The reissue is not, as we think, for the same invention covered by the original letters, and is invalid. Complainant's bill will -be dismissed, with costs.
THE I EDITH GODDEN.
(District (loure, S. D. New York.
January 80, 1885.)
PBRSONAL INJURIES - LIABILITY OF SHIP-OWNER TO SAILOR FOR INJURIES RECEIVED IN CONSEQUENCE OF INADEQUATE MACHINERy-MODERN .APPLIANCES -MARITIME LAW AS DISTINGUISHED FROM THE MUNICIPAL.
Ship-owners, in furnishing modern appliances for the convenience of the ship, such as a steam-winch, in connection with a derrick, for loading and unloading, are held to the strictest rule of diligence and care as to the sufficiency of such appliances. If inadequate for the purpose designed, or to which they are put by authority of the owners, the latter will be held liable to a seaman injured by reason of such inadequacy. The ancient maritime rule, limiting a seaman's compensation to wages and expenses of cure, should not be extended to these modern conditions and appliances, not strictly belonging to the navigation of the ship, for which these limitations were never designed; but, as regards accidents from such causes, the analogies of the municipal law should be followed. On the steamer E. G. a dct"rick was used, in connection with a steamwinch, for the purpose of loading and unloading. At Port 1\-faria, Jamaica, a fruit boat, taken aboard the day previous, being an old long-boat, and weighing about IX! tons, was being lowered away by this means, but as it was swung over the rail, the hook which held the derrick in Dlace broke. anrl the boom