Melville Fuller

“ This is thus described in the specification: 'A represents a thimble of any suitable dimensions, provided on one side with a nut or enlargement, a, having a hole through it with female screw threads. The thimble, A, is fastened on the rope, B, at any desired place, by means of a sharp-pointed screw, C, x, which passes through the thimble at the nut, a, and the rope. ”

“ We cannot perceive, in the recognition of the fact that facility of penetration is greater in a sharpened point than in a blunt one, any such evidence of invention as is sufficient to sustain this patent. Moreover, the Wiard screw, which is rounded at its end, is shown to enter the rope when screwed down hard, and, in respect of the engagement between the rope and the socket or thimble, to operate in the same way as the patented thimble ”

“ We are of opinion, upon this record, that the alleged improvement was such a one as would have occurred to any one practically interested in the subject, and that it did not involve such an exercise of the inventive faculty as entitled it to protection. ”