US Patent: 1,252
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Mode of making boxes for axles and gudgeons
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Patentee:
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Isaac Babbitt (exact or similar names) - Boston, MA |
Manufacturer: |
Not known to have been produced |
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Patent Dates:
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Granted: |
Jul. 17, 1839 |
Reissue Information: |
Reissued as AI33 (Sep. 04, 1840) |
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Jeff Joslin Isaac Babbitt on Findagrave.com Wikipedia biography of Isaac Babbitt
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Description: |
At first glance this patent does not look particularly interesting: it describes a method of making journal boxes, especially for the axles of railroad-cars. Almost as an afterthought, however, it specifies an alloy to use, of "about 50 parts of tin, five of antimony, and one of copper". Yes, this is the original specification of what is now known as Babbitt metal. Contrary to what you might read elsewhere, the patent does not cover the composition of the alloy; that was a serious oversight by Mr. Babbitt and his attorneys. Mr. Babbitt subsequently obtained patents for Babbitt metal in Great Britain (1843 patent GB-184,309,724) and Russia.After being amended by an 1840 disclaimer to fix a conflict with an earlier patent, this patent's sole claim reads as follows : "The making of the boxes for axles and gudgeons, in the manner above set forth; that is to say, by the casting of hard pewter, or composition metal, of which tin is the basis, into said boxes, they being first prepared and provided with rims, or ledges, and coated with tin, as herein described and made known."The patent was extended 7 years, and so ran until 17 July 1860.The inventor was a jeweler and silversmith. He was a brother of the elder Charles in the well-known and inventive father and son jewelers Charles Babbitt and Charles L. Babbitt; Isaac served an apprenticeship under his brother, who was 13 years older. |
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