Antique US Patent Model 1879 Timber-Joint

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Antique US Patent Model 1879 Timber-Joint - A way to stengthen joint for rafters

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Antique US Patent Model 1879 Timber-Joint - A way to stengthen joint for rafters

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Sold Date: 09/17/2011
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 theactual 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.

Models come with a Certificate of Authenticity and parchment copies of 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 questions before bidding, as items are not returnable unless not as described.

Patent: 218,920 Timber-Joint
Patent Date: August 26, 1879

Inventor: Cyrus Bramble
From: Lodi, NY – Seneca County
Model Size-inches: 12 x 3 x 7
Material: Mahogany
Tags: Original Patent & Receiving Tags

This Model:

This is a fascinating way to join or splice rafters. It employs a special cut that increases their strength when two members are joined, and removes stress upon the connectors used to fasten the laterally. It’s a very interesting patent to read, and a sweet little model that will be fun for anyone who collects models, but especially those who are into construction or DIY stuff. Building type models are rare, and with its original patent and receiving tags, and beautiful mahogany construction, this one is a steal.

Patent Excerpt:

“The design of my invention is to enable rafters, or other like portions of the frame of a building, to be so connected together as to insure an increase in strength, and to relieve from strain the pins, nails, or bolts employed for confining said parts together laterally; and to this end it consists in the peculiar construction of the splice or joint, substantially as and for the purpose hereinafter specified.”

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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U.S. PATENT MODELS – 1836 TO NOW

A Patent Model is the actual invention prototype, which, by law, an inventor was once required to submit to the U.S. Patent Office, in Washington, when seeking a patent. The law stated that the model was to be no larger than 12 inches square, thus patent models are all miniature devices, which greatly adds to their appeal.
These models were required for a little more than a half-century, circa 1836 to approximately 1890. Models were sent with patent drawings and specifications, which included the invent...