...that the inventor of the electric motor was a blacksmith named Thomas Davenport? Described as "a brilliantly unsuccessful inventor", Davenport invented the first rotary electric motor. In 1836 he headed out -- on foot -- from his Vermont home to file a patent application at the Patent Office in Washington, D.C. By the time he got there, he had squandered away his money and couldn't afford the $30 filing fee so he turned around and went home. When he later mailed in his application with money he'd raised, the Patent office was destroyed in a fire. He did finally get credit for his invention on Feb. 5, 1837.
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| Number | Title | Issue Date |
| 7462108 | Golf swing practice simulator A practice golf swing device which permits the swinger of a golf club to hit a variable height replica golf ball that is fixedly attached to a universally pivoting arm (swivel arm) that moves in direct proportion to the swing path and speed of the golf club. The mot... | 12/09/2008 |
| D577168 | Bailing bucket | 09/16/2008 |
| 7285054 | Golf skill development and practice device An apparatus for developing and practicing golf skills that is readily portable and which can be used in a relatively restricted or confined areas is provided. The apparatus includes a shot indicator mounted on a vertical shaft which is caused to rise on the vertica... | 10/23/2007 |
| 7284618 | Method and a device for automated control of coil pipe operations An apparatus and automated control of the apparatus for use in coiled pipe operations is provided. The apparatus includes a mobile rig or trailer that carries a tower having attached thereto a reel of coiled tubing and a standard coiled tubing injector. The tower is... | 10/23/2007 |
| 7264039 | Apparatus for cleaning heat exchanger plates and a bulk material heat exchanger using the same An apparatus removing material accumulated on the exterior surfaces of adjacent heat exchanger plates arranged side-by-side in a spaced relationship in a bulk material heat exchanger and a bulk material heat exchanger incorporating the apparatus is provided. In one ... | 09/04/2007 |
| 7252429 | Rotary fluid agitator A rotary fluid agitator is provided. The rotary fluid agitator essentially comprises a fluid conduit that is positioned vertically within a storage tank holding a quantity of fluid, such as a drilling fluid. At least one nozzle is attached to the fluid conduit for j... | 08/07/2007 |
| 7240887 | Book holder A book holder for supporting and protecting an article of reading material is provided. The book holder includes a spine, a pair of cover panels, each of the cover panels is hingidly to the spine permitting the pair of cover panels to be rotated into an open positio... | 07/10/2007 |
| 7181807 | Rope clamp A clamp for securing a section of rope or the like is provided. The clamp includes a link having two side members connected at a first end by a cross member and attached at an opposite end at an apex. A ring is slidably attached to the link and a finger extends from... | 02/27/2007 |
| D531357 | Lotion applicator | 10/31/2006 |
| 7124975 | Cord organizer and method of using the same A cord organizer and method of using the same is provided. The cord organizer is used for storing, handling and transporting cords or the like, such as electrical extension cords. The cord organizer includes a base for coiling a cord around by forming successive loo... | 10/24/2006 |
| 7121033 | Gun lock A firearm barrel lock for preventing the accidental or unauthorized discharge of a firearm is provided. The barrel lock includes a dummy cartridge that is adapted to be received by a cartridge chamber of a firearm, a shaft that is insertable down the bore of the fir... | 10/17/2006 |
| 7093649 | Flat heat exchanger plate and bulk material heat exchanger using the same A flat heat exchanger plate typically used in a bulk material heat exchanger is provided. The flat heat exchanger plate is designed to operate under a negative internal pressure to eliminate depressions or dimples that are typically formed into the sides of these ty... | 08/22/2006 |
| 7065840 | Load binder A load binder for use in connection with a typical tie strap for securing a load for transport is provided. The load binder includes elements that are conformable to the shape of a particular load and which prevent the tie down from twisting upon itself. The load bi... | 06/27/2006 |