The radio dealer (Apr-Sept 1922)

74 THE RADIO DEALER July, 1922 THE PORTABLOOP The only practical antenna for apartments, offices and congested districts. Order a sample now. $10.00 List. 212 Central Avenue Some Patent Facts Does a New Invention Have to Be All New? By FRED H. BOWERSOCK In the " New York Times " I doubt very much if there is a single member of the so-called patent bar — or, so far as that is concerned, any one else conversant with patents, the mode of their procurement and die uncertainty of the protection afforded thereby — who would contend that manifold " patent law weaknesses " do not exist, but the patent laws are not so weak as some lawyers allege. One lawyer has said : " There are thousands of patents which have been granted many years ago which have never been commercialized, particularly having mechanical elements as their basis, which parts of such mechanical elements may in these later days be used to advantage in conjunction with improvements. Such a mechanical element or the whole device, at the period when the patent was granted, may then have been impractical for the purpose for which it was patented, but which patent, or element of which, in conjunction with improvements made today, with our changing conditions, might be very profitably commercialized." This is all undoubtedly true. " But," this lawyer continues, " by reason of that element or device already having been patented, even though the patent had expired, cannot be incorporated with the improvement of the later day, and claims secured therefor, thus discouraging the laterday inventor, in that he is unable to perhaps secure a strong or ' merchantable ' patent on the perfected device." An article, device or machine, to be patentable^ must be " new and useful," but this does not mean that every element entering into the composition of the whole must be the creation of the inventor. It is inconceivable that any machine successfully operable for any useful purpose could be constructed without the utilization of mechanical principles and means for carrying them into practical effect both of which were old and probably well known — possibly at one time covered by a patent or patents — long prior to conception of the real invention embodied in the improved machine. It is not even necessary that the combination which constitutes the machine include a single new element, for it is a well settled principle of patent law that " a new combination of old ele RECEIVERS REWOUND AND REPAIRED Any make, copper wire, any resistance Work guaranteed Commissions to Dealers MONTCLAIR RADIO CO. J72 Bloomfleld Arenue Montclair, N. J. Elco Radio Supply Co. Manufacturers' Distributors 2728 Broadway, New York City Moss Radio Company Jobbers in Radio Sets and Equipments 202 West 23rd Street New York City Phone Watkins 5078 WANTED Jobbers and Distributors We are manufacturing a Combination RheostatAudion Bulb Socket easily fastened inside to the panel, including neat controlling Rheostat knob. All furnished as one Unit. List price, $2.20. We will also furnish prices and photos on our latest type of Skeleton Variometers on Moulded Base, and Receiving Sets selling from $5 up. Ajax Radio Corporation 536 So. 10th Street NEWARK, N. J.