UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT DECISIONS ON-LINE

The alleged invention, protected by letters patent No. 161,757, dated April 6, 1875, issued to James C. Covert for "improvement in clasps or thimbles for hitching devices" did not involve such an exercise of the inventive faculty as entitled it to protection.

This was a bill filed by James C. Covert against Joseph B. and George H. Sargent in the Circuit Court of the United States for the Southern District of New York for infringement of letters patent No. 161,757, dated April 6, 1875, issued to complainant for "improvement in clasps or thimbles for hitching devices," upon which a final decree was entered adjudging the patent to be good and valid, that the defendants had infringed the same, and that complainant should recover of the defendant Joseph B. Sargent the sum of $750, and of the defendant George H. Sargent $250, and costs. From this decree an appeal was taken to this Court.