Stanley Matthews

“ On this appeal it is argued, on behalf of the appellants, that this construction of their patent is too narrow; and it is now contended that the detachment of the piston and piston-rod is not an essential part of the description and claim of the invention patented. We cannot, however, but agree with the circuit judge that the language of the specification limits the first claim to a combination in which the piston and piston-rod are detached from each other. In describing his invention in the introductory part of the specification, the patentee manifestly divides it into two parts. ”

“ When the crank has passed the center of the stroke, the steam admitted by the movement of the valve-ring presses the piston up, and throws up the bell. The tube connection allows the bell-crank to move freely upward after the piston has reached the end of its stroke, cut off the steam, and open the exhaust-port. The return swing of the bell is followed by the same action of the parts. N is a small set-screw in the tube G, the end of which enters a groove, or acts against a flat side of the rod, E, to prevent the piston-rod from turning. Any other suitable device may be adopted for the purpose. ”

“ The piston-rod, F, works through a stuffing-box at one end of the cylinder, which is closed, and it carries a cross-head, C, which works on a fixed guide-rod, H. The other end of the cylinder is open to the atmosphere. At the closed end of the cylinder there is a valve-box or steam-chest, K, which receives a steam-pipe, c, from the boiler, and has a steam-port, a, leading to the cylinder, and an exhaust-port, b, leading to the atmosphere. ”