Antique US Patent Model 1856 Steam-Engine Valve-Gear (06/18/2011)

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Antique US Patent Model 1856 Steam-Engine Valve-Gear

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Antique US Patent Model 1856 Steam-Engine Valve-Gear

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Sold Date: 06/18/2011
Channel: Online Auction
Source: eBay
Category: Fraternal, Political, Organizations

An Original American Patent Model Offering
circa 1836-1890s
From US PATENT MODEL FOUNDATION GALLERIES

Submitted by its hopeful inventor, this is the actual model that 19th century patent examiners relied upon to award a patent. Each one-of-a-kind patent model is from the original U.S. Patent Office collections circa 1836 - late 1800s when inventors had to submit models with their patent applications. To conserve space, they were to be no more than 12 inches square. Each model represents a specific, patented invention, identified by its own patent number, and is the only such one in existence. Today, these diminutive models are seen mostly in private collections and prestigious institutions such as the Smithsonian, and are highly prized by astute collectors worldwide. If you aren’t familiar with patent models (sometimes confused with salesmen samples) scroll to the bottom of the page to learn about these curious, one-of-a-kind icons of 19th century American ingenuity.

Each model comes with a Certificate of Authenticity and parchment copies of its patent and claims suitable for framing. As with any historical item from the 1800’s, signs of age and wear are common and are considered part of a model’s charm.

Please review item carefully and ask us any questions before bidding, as items are not returnable unless not as described.

Patent: 015,576 Steam-Engine Valve-Gear
Patented: August 19, 1856
Inventor: Edward S. Renwick
From: New York, NY – New York County
Model Size-inches: 12 x 7 x 14
Material: Mahogany
Tags: Original Patent Tag

This Model:

This is a rather large patent model and a very intricate one, made from mahogany. It has a six page patent—two sheets of drawings and four pages of claims—which I can’t pretend to fully understand; however, I do know that this is an exceptional mechanical model. It is missing some small parts, and if you felt so inclined, since this model is wood you could probably do a little restoration work if you wanted; however, this is truly an excellent looking model as is and, with its interesting visual appeal and its original patent tag, this is a wonderful model any collector would be very proud to display.

Patent Excerpt:

“My invention has reference to those steam engines in which the supply of steam from the boiler is cut off after the piston has accomplished a certain portion of its stroke, so as to permit the steam acting upon the piston to exert upon the latter the power which the steam gives out in expanding during the remainder of the stroke. In order to enable such engines to work to the best advantage it has been customary for many years to arrange the valve motion, which actuates the valves and thus regulates the admission of steam, in such manner that the steam valve can be closed at different portions of the stroke of the piston so as to effect the cutting off of the supply of steam from the boiler sooner or later, as may be found best suited to work the steam to the best advantage.

“The object of my invention is to effect the cutting off of the supply of steam from the boiler at any desired portion of the stroke by machinery, which is simple in its construction and can be managed with ease, and which at the same time possesses the advantages of opening and closing the valve with as great speed as the proper working of the engine will admit.”

Original drawings and patent claims, as seen in this listing, can also be viewed at the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office website http://patft.uspto.gov Type in the patent number, A copy of it will also be sent with your model, along with a Certificate of Authenticity. Trivia! The faded, red-colored tape attached to the tag was of the type widely used by 19th century government officials to bundle papers and the like. It gave rise to the famous expression "government red tape" still in use today.

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