US Patent: 826X
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| Machine for making combs
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Patentee:
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| Phineas Pratt (exact or similar names) - Saybrook, CT |
| Manufacturer: |
| Not known to have been produced |
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Patent Dates:
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| Granted: |
Mar. 05, 1808 |
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Jeff Joslin
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Description: |
| See also patents X200 and X245. Because of the Patent Office fire in December 1836, little is known about this patent. Patent drawings and specification are lost, although we do know that the patent describes a circular-sawing machine for cutting comb-teeth in a piece of ivory, usually elephant ivory. It proved to be an important invention that contributed to Connecticut becoming a major center of ivory manufacture.From the first session of the 17th Congress, the Committee of the Judiciary reported on a petition of Abel Pratt: "That the petitioner sets forth in his petition that Phineas Pratt, his father, about the year 1800, invented a new and useful improvement in machines for making combs; that, afterwards, on the 5th of March, 1805, he obtained letters patent, securing to him the exclusive right thereto for the term of fourteen years; but that the said Phineas Pratt was too poor to carry on the manufacture of combs to any considerable extent; that afterwards, the said Phineas Pratt, by deed of assignment, bearing date the 25th day of March, 1808, for the consideration of the sum of $500, conveyed the said patent right to the petitioner, who is the son of the said Phineas Pratt. The petitioner then states this transfer to have been made as a sort of patrimony, as his father was unable to give him any pecuniary assistance. He also represents himself as being poor, and unable, for want of funds, and the scarcity of elephants, and the consequent high price they bore until lately, to profit by this machinery; and, therefore, prays that Congress may pass a law to extend to himself the patent right for another fourteen years."Your committee are aware of no reason which would warrant them to recommend an extension of the patent to the petitioner. Want of funds for the purpose of extensive business is no novelty. It has been felt by all classes, in a greater or less degree, within the last fourteen years, and no one can plead an indemnity from its effects. The patentee has had all such indulgence as the Government has thought it prudent to extend to other patentees; and, if this patentee has had equal justice dealt out to him, it is all he ought to expect. The Government has granted no patent right for this machinery to any other person, by which the profits of the petitioner have been diminished or interrupted, or given him any other sort of pretext to complain. Your committee, therefore, beg leave to recommend the following resolution: Resolved, That the prayer of the petitioner be not granted." |
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