United States Supreme Court Cases & Opinions

U.S. Supreme Court

Thomson Spot Welder Co. v. Ford Motor Co., 265 U.S. 445 (1924)

Thomson Spot Welder Company v. Ford Motor Company

No. 120

Argued December 5, 1923

Decided June 2, 1924

265 U.S. 445

Syllabus

1. The question whether an improvement in the arts involved invention or only mechanical skill is a question of fact. P. 265 U. S. 446.

2. The rule in this Court to follow concurrent findings of fact made by the district court and the circuit court of appeals unless clear error is shown should not be strictly applied in a case brought here by certiorari to settle a conflict between decisions of two circuit courts of appeals concerning the validity of a patent for an invention. Id.

3. Patent No. 1,046,066 issued December 3, 1912, to Thomson Electric Welding Company, assignee of Harmatta, for improvements in electric welding, viz., for the process known as "spot welding," whereby sheets or plates of metal are welded together in spots, in lieu of riveting --is void for want of patentable invention. P. 265 U. S. 448.

281 F.6d 0 affirmed.

Certiorari to a decree of the circuit court of appeals affirming a decree of the district court which held void a patent and dismissed a bill for infringement.

Page 265 U. S. 446