William Burnham Woods

“ Besides, it appears from the evidence that before Bailey's patent was applied for, relief-valves were in common use, both on land and at sea. They were commonly used on the steam feed-pumps of steam-ships. These pumps were usually fitted with nozzles for the attachment of hose, so that the feed-pump could, in case of need, be used as a steam fire-engine. It is therefore plain that in this state of the art Bailey could not obtain a valid patent for applyin a similar valve to a portable steam fire-engine. ”

“ If there is any qualification of this rule, it is that if a new and different result is obtained by a new application of an invention, such new application may be patented as an improvement on the original invention ”

“ The specification then minutely described an automatic relief or safety-valve, and added: 'To enable the valve to be screwed down to bring all practical pressure upon the pump and hose in the trial of an engine, there is a hole, d', drilled through the upper part of the screw-cap, D, and valve-stem, d. When the valve is down in its seat, for the reception of a pin, by the insertion of which the valve-stem and cap can be connected rigidly, so that by slightly turning the cap the valve may be screwed down close to its seat. ”