California State Railroad Museum Patent Collection, 1863-1980

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Summary

Title:
California State Railroad Museum patent collection
Dates:
1863-1980
Abstract:
The California State Railroad Museum Patent Collection contains original and photocopies of patents documenting an invention. The patents are primarily for railroad related subjects and are generally dated from 1863-1941.
Extent:
1 Linear Feet 1 record carton
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], CSRM Patent Collection, MS 863, California State Railroad Museum Library & Archives, Sacramento, California.

Background

Scope and content:

The California State Railroad Museum Patent Collection contains original and photocopies of patents documenting an invention. A patent for an invention is the grant of a property right to the inventor, issued by the United States Patent and Trademark Office. The patents are primarily for railroad related subjects and are generally dated from 1863-1941. Included are photocopies of patents granted to AJ (Andrew Jackson) Stevens, Henry J. Smalls and Stephen Uren.

Andrew Jackson "AJ" Stevens was the Master Mechanic of Southern Pacific from 1869 to 1888. The railroad build 74 locomotives of Steven's design from 1872 to 1888. Stevens was granted 24 patents for various steam locomotive and maritime devices. His many patents include patents for valves, furnaces power steering, hoisting crane and an apparatus for burning petroleum.

Henry J. Small, the Master Mechanic after AJ Stevens and the Railroad Superintendent of Master Power, has many patents credited to his name, including a patent for a car brake and a train number indicator for locomotives. Stephen Uren, an Assistant Foreman Blacksmith, has eight patents in his name. The patents are for a device for forming links, apparatus for converting scrap into bar steel, machine for making nuts as well as a slot making attachment for bolt heading machines.

Biographical / historical:

A patent for an invention is the grant of a property right to the inventor, issued by the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Generally, the term of a new patent is 20 years from the date on which the application for the patent was filed in the United States or, in special cases, from the date an earlier related application was filed, subject to the payment of maintenance fees. U.S. patent grants are effective only within the United States, U.S. territories, and U.S. possessions. Under certain circumstances, patent term extensions or adjustments may be available.

The right conferred by the patent grant is, in the language of the statute and of the grant itself, "the right to exclude others from making, using, offering for sale, or selling" the invention in the United States or "importing" the invention into the United States. What is granted is not the right to make, use, offer for sale, sell or import, but the right to exclude others from making, using, offering for sale, selling or importing the invention. Once a patent is issued, the patentee must enforce the patent without aid of the USPTO.

There are three types of patents:

1) Utility patents may be granted to anyone who invents or discovers any new and useful process, machine, article of manufacture, or composition of matter, or any new and useful improvement thereof;

2) Design patents may be granted to anyone who invents a new, original, and ornamental design for an article of manufacture;

3) Plant patents may be granted to anyone who invents or discovers and asexually reproduces any distinct and new variety of plant.

General information concerning patents. (2020, February 26). Retrieved March 25, 2020, from https://www.uspto.gov/patents-getting-started/general-information-concerning-patents

Acquisition information:
Collection has accrued since 1981 through multiple donations.
Arrangement:

Arranged alphabetically by the patent holder's last name.

Accruals:

Future additions are expected.

Physical location:
Statewide Museum Collections Center, Nook
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Library Archives Staff
Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2025-12-12 17:01:45 +0000 .

Access and use

Restrictions:

Collection is open for research by appointment.

Terms of access:

Copyright has not been assigned to the California State Railroad Museum. All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Librarian. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the CSRM as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by the reader.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], CSRM Patent Collection, MS 863, California State Railroad Museum Library & Archives, Sacramento, California.

Location of this collection:
111 I Street
Sacramento, CA 95814, US
Contact:
(916) 323-8073
Library.CSRM@parks.ca.gov
Website