I've searched Torit, I've searched the pat#, I've searched Torit and the pat#.. nothing. The threaded end is 1/4-28 with a 3/32 hole the other end has a 1/8 hole. The knurled pieces at the ends do not seem to unscrew.
OK.. what is this thing
- Thread starter Jland
- Start date
four.cycle
Well-known member
B_Bimmer
Well-known member
The knowledge of some on this board is truly incredible.
four.cycle
Well-known member
The secret for finding information when all you have is a patent number (or patent date) to work with:
If it is a hand tool and you have either a patent number or patent date, go to datamp.org - the Directory of American Tool and Machinery Patents.
In most cases, if it is an American-made hand tool, your search has ended. (datamp.org also lists many Canadian and European patents as well.)
If your datamp.org search is fruitless:
GIYF = Google is your friend.
Type in the patent number and hit the search button.
Most of the time you'll get a hit right away that will lead you to "Google Patents".
Sometimes the first few entries will appear totally unrelated to what you're searching for. Keep working down the list of Google search results until you see something that looks like what you're searching for. In most instances, it will take you to a "Google Books" entry (which is where I found the image above.)
If you get to a "Google Books" entry:
To clear that yellow highlighting off the screen, click "clear search" at the top right-hand side of the small window. You can enlarge the images, but only to a point where they're almost readable.
You may have the option of downloading the document (top right - "download PDF".. In the case above, it was "The Official Gazette of the United States Patent Office Vol. 342 January 1926" (a 101MB *.pdf file).
If you cannot find what you're looking for using datamp.org or Google, go back to Google and change your search parameters.
For example, you might try searching for:
"Carew's patent nippers"
or
"patent Hitt 1891"
Sometimes you may need to do multiple searches using different search parameters before you find what you're looking for.
Bear in mind that not all tools are marked with the correct patent dates. There are many vintage tools which inexplicably have the wrong patent date forged into the handles.
I have found very few instances where I was unable to ascertain the patent number, name of inventor, and patent date. Some are quite challenging, but perseverance usually results in finding the information.
If it is a hand tool and you have either a patent number or patent date, go to datamp.org - the Directory of American Tool and Machinery Patents.
In most cases, if it is an American-made hand tool, your search has ended. (datamp.org also lists many Canadian and European patents as well.)
If your datamp.org search is fruitless:
GIYF = Google is your friend.
Type in the patent number and hit the search button.
Most of the time you'll get a hit right away that will lead you to "Google Patents".
Sometimes the first few entries will appear totally unrelated to what you're searching for. Keep working down the list of Google search results until you see something that looks like what you're searching for. In most instances, it will take you to a "Google Books" entry (which is where I found the image above.)
If you get to a "Google Books" entry:
To clear that yellow highlighting off the screen, click "clear search" at the top right-hand side of the small window. You can enlarge the images, but only to a point where they're almost readable.
You may have the option of downloading the document (top right - "download PDF".. In the case above, it was "The Official Gazette of the United States Patent Office Vol. 342 January 1926" (a 101MB *.pdf file).
If you cannot find what you're looking for using datamp.org or Google, go back to Google and change your search parameters.
For example, you might try searching for:
"Carew's patent nippers"
or
"patent Hitt 1891"
Sometimes you may need to do multiple searches using different search parameters before you find what you're looking for.
Bear in mind that not all tools are marked with the correct patent dates. There are many vintage tools which inexplicably have the wrong patent date forged into the handles.
I have found very few instances where I was unable to ascertain the patent number, name of inventor, and patent date. Some are quite challenging, but perseverance usually results in finding the information.
Private Lugnutz
Well-known member
DATAMP is good and if it doesn't have the patent it will automatically send you to the US Patent and Trademark Office site. But USPTO has a very easy and effective search tool. Go to USPTO.gov, click on Patents, click on Search for Patents, scroll down to Searching PDF Image Patents (Since 1790), click on View Patent Full-Page Images, and type your patent number in the search field. Or just go to the Sticky at the top of the Vintage Board. I posted a link in the handy tips and links section there that will take you directly to the USPTO search page.
Link to the patent for your piece on the USPTO site is here.
Link to the patent for your piece on the USPTO site is here.