Smith-Lee Bottle Cap Patents
Although they are best known for their typewriter business, the Smith brothers had a variety of additional business interests. Three of the Smith brothers, Wilbert, Monroe, and H.W., partnered together to form the Smith-Lee Company, which produced sanitary caps for milk and cream bottles.
Alexander Brown Patents
Alexander Brown worked with the Smith brothers from 1878 to 1904. Brown initially worked as a lathe operator for W.H. Baker & Co. Firearms. When William Baker left the business, L.C. Smith elevated Brown to the position of lead designer. Brown and Wilbert Lewis Smith shared a firearms patent, making him one of two Smith brothers to hold a patent. Alexander Brown later convinced the brothers to shift their attention to typewriters and designed their Smith Premier typewriters. When L.C. Smith and his brothers left the Union Typewriter Company in 1904, Brown stayed on as president of Smith Premier. His interests extended beyond typewriters and firearms. Over his expansive career, Brown also patented a number of bicycle, electrical system, communication system, automotive, and farm-related inventions.
- Kinyon and Brown Rotary Churn 1881
- Breech Loading Fire Arm 1882
- Fire Escape 1883
- Gun Lock 1883
- Electric Fire Arm 1884
- Lock Mechanism for Concealed Hammer Guns 1886
- AT Brown and WL Smith Safety Catch for Gun Locks 1886
- Breech Loading Shotgun 1887
- Type Writing Machine 1888
- Air Gun 1888
- Cleaner for Type Writing Machines 1889
- Type Cleaner 1890
- Cleaning Attachment for Type Writing Machines 1890
- Type Writing Machine 1890
- Matting Machine 1890
- Type Writing Machine 1891
- Vehicle Tire 1892
- Type Writer Cabinet 1892
- Brown and Stillman Pneumatic Tire for Vehicles 1892
- Ribbon Mechanism for Type Writing Machines 1893
- Lipe and Brown Velocipede 1893
- Ejector Mechanism for Breakdown Guns 1894
- Type Writer Inking Ribbon 1894
- Vehicle Tire 1895
- Type Making Machine 1896
- System for Electrical Communication 1898
- Switching Apparatus 1899
- Type Writing Machine 1900
- AT Brown Gearing 1902
- Power Transmitting Mechanism 1902
- Gas Engine 1902
- Driving Mechanism for Bicycles or Like Vehicles 1903
- Type Writing Machine 1905
- Propeller 1906
- Power Transmitting Mechanism 1906
- Transmission Gear 1906
- Lipe and Brown Changeable Gear 1906
- Type Writing Machine 1906
- Power Transmitting Mechanism 1908
- Brown and Briggs Type Writing Machine 1908
- Brown and CE Tomlinson Type Writing Machine 1908
- Brown and JH Barr Type Writing Machine 1908
- Type Writing Machine 1908
- Type Writing Machine 1908
- Gearing 1909
- Type Writing Machine 1909
- Type Writing Machine 1909
- Type Writing Machine 1909
- Type Writing Machine 1909
- Type Writing Machine 1909
- Type Writing Machine 1909
- Type Writing Machine 1909
- Type Writing Machine 1909
- Type Writing Machine 1910
- Type Writing Machine 1911
- Electric Exchange System 1911
- Type Writing Machine 1912
- Type Writing Machine 1912
- Type Writing Machine 1913
- Lubricant Retaining Means 1913
- Type Writing Machine 1913
- Type Writing Machine 1914
- Type Writing Machine 1914
- AT Brown Gearing 1914
- Kippen Brown and White Multiple-Compartment Coin Controlled Vending Machine 1915
- Type Bar Antifriction Bearing 1915
- Motor Agricultural Machine 1916
- Traction Machine 1917
- Transmission Gearing 1918
- Recording Machine 1919
- Computing Machine 1919
- Gear Grinding Machine 1920
- Gear Grinding Machine 1920
- Force Pump 1920
- Computing Machine 1921
- Motor Agricultural Machine 1921
- Motor Agricultural Machine 1921
- Agricultural Machine 1922
- Gear Shifting Mechanism 1923
- Gear Shifting Mechanism 1923
- Tractor Plow 1923
- Motor Agricultural Machine 1923
- Motor Vehicle 1923
- Agricultural Machine 1923
- Air Cooled Internal Combustion Engine and Electric Generator Plant 1923
- Friction Clutch 1924
- Internal Combustion Engine 1924
- Pivotal Bearing 1925
- Apparatus for Casting Engine Cylinders 1925
- Tractor Frame for Agricultural Machines 1926
- Mower Bar Construction 1928
- Antifriction Bearing 1929
- Agricultural Machine 1930
- Type Bar for Type Writing Machines 1900
- Electric Exchange System Reissued 1922
Burns Lyman Smith Patents
The only son of L.C. Smith, Burns Lyman Smith focused his business efforts on the fledgling automotive industry. Burns focused on producing automotive wheels and held patents for both the wheels he invented, and for many of the manufacturing processes involved in their production.
- Spoke Wheel for Vehicles 1916
- Process of Heat Treatment for Castings 1920
- Apparatus for Casting Hollow One Piece Spoke Wheels 1920
- One Piece Cast Metal Wheel and Method of Making the Same 1921
- Cushion Wheel for Motor Vehicles 1923
- Vehicle Wheel 1923
- M Wightman assignor to BL Smith Mechanical Air Cushioning Device 1937
- Platen and Method of Manufacturing the Same 1940
Carl Gabrielson Patents
Carl Gabrielson first became involved with the Smith brothers while they operated Smith Premier within the confines of the Union Typewriter Company. When L.C. Smith and his brothers became unhappy that the other members of the Union Typewriter Company would not allow them to begin producing a “visible” writing machine, they recruited Gabrielson to join their new company. Gabrielson was the lead designer for the new L.C. Smith & Brothers Typewriter Company and designed their first machines and a number of later models.
- Type Writing Machine 1900
- BC Stickney and C Gabrielson Type Writing Machine 1901
- J Felbel and C Gabrielson Type Writing Machine 1901
- J Felbel and C Gabrielson Type Writing Machine 1902
- Felbel and C Gabrielson Type Writing Machine 1902
- Type Writing Machine 1903
- Type Writing Machine 1903
- Type Writing Machine 1904
- WL Smith and C Gabrielson Type Bar Cushion 1905
- Paper Feeding Device For Typewriters 1906
- Type Writing Machine 1907
- Type Writing Machine 1907
- Type Writing Machine 1907
- Type Writing Machine 1907
- C Gabrielson and WH Stearns Type Bar Cushion 1908
- Type Writing Machine 1908
- Type Writing Machine 1909
- C Gabrielson and FC Stanley Platen Brake for Type Writing Machines 1910
- Type Writing Machine 1911
- H De Wallace and C Gabrielson Electric Water Heater 1913
- Tabulating Mechanism for Type Writing Machines 1914
- Platen Position Indicator 1916
- Platen Position Indicator 1916
- Card Holder for Type Writing Machines 1917
- Type Writer Platen Release Mechanism 1917
- Card Holder for Type Writing Machines 1919
- Milling Machine 1921
- Typewriting Machine 1923
- Snap Guage 1923
- Adjustable Arbor Support for Milling Machines 1924
- A Meldrum C Gabrielson ETAL Limit Snap Guage 1924
- Reverse Line Spacing Device for Typewriting Machines 1926
- Typewriter Platen for Index Cards 1926
- A Meldrum C Gabrielson and AJ Hoffman Cast Metal Vehicle Wheel 1926
- Platen Clutch 1927
- Drilling Machine 1928
- Card Platen for Typewriters 1929
- Type Writing Machine 1931
- Type Writing Machine 1931
- Stencil attachment for Typewriting Machines 1932
- Type Writing Machine 1933
- Type Writing Machine 1934
- Means for Inking Type Impressions 1934
- C Gabrielson ET AL Typewriting Machine 1937
- C Gabrielson ET AL Typewriting Machine 1937
- Type Writing Machine 1938
- Type Writing Machine 1934
Rose/Standard/Corona Typewriter Company Patents
Beginning with Frank Rose’s original patents for what would become the Standard Folding Typewriter, and later the Corona Model No. 3, the patents related to these companies led to some of the greatest portable typewriters of the era. The Corona Typewriter Company employed a number of innovative designers in the years leading up to their merger with L.C. Smith & Brothers Typewriter Company. Many of these men later worked for L.C. Smith & Corona Typewriters and established the firm as a leader in both office and portable typewriter technology.
- FS Rose Escapement Mechanism for Type Writers 1910
- FS Rose Type Writer 1913
- Petermann Bar Mechanism for Type Writing Machines 1913
- Petermann Keyboard 1913
- Petermann Carriage for Type Writing Machines 1914
- Petermann Type Writing Machine 1914
- MW Hazen and Petermann Type Writing Machine 1914
- MW Hazen Type Writing Machine 1914
- Petermann Carriage Lock for Type Writing Machines 1916
- Petermann Type Writing Machine 1916
- Petermann Key Lever Construction for Type Writing Machines 1917
- Tucker Dirand Type Writing Machine 1917
- FS Rose Type Writing Machine Reissued 1915
- FS Rose Escapement Mechanism for Type Writers Reissued 1915
- Petermann Typwriting Machine 1914
- Petermann Typewriting Machine 1914
- Petermann Line Spacing Mechanism for Typewriting Machines 1914
- Petermann Platen Shift for Typewriting Machines 1914
- Petermann Platen Shift 1914
- Petermann Ribbon Mechanism for Typewriting Machines 1914
- Petermann Platen Shift 1914
- Petermann Platen shift for Typewriting Machines 1914
- Petermann Typewriting Machine 1914
- MW Hazen Feed Mechanism 1914
- MW Hazen Platen Shift 1914
- Petermann Universal Bar Mechanism 1916
- Petermann Typewriting Machine 1916
- Petermann Dead Key Attachment for Typewriting Machines 1916
- Petermann Label Holder for Typewriting Machines 1917
- CP Mosher Typewriting Machine 1917
- BW Tucker Typewriting Machine 1917
- CP Mosher Typewriting Machine 1918
- EG Latta Typewriting Machine 1918
- P DE Clamecy Typewriting Machine 1918
- P De Clamecy Typewriting Machine 1918
- EG Latta Typewriting Machine 1918
- BW Tucker Typewriting Machine 1918
- P De Clamecy Typewriting Machine 1918
- BW Tucker Typewriting Machine 1918
- BW Tucker Typewriting Machine 1918
- BW Tucker Typewriting Machine 1919
- P De Clamecy Foldable Typewriting Machine 1919
- P De Clamecy Foldable Typewriting Machine 1919
- Petermann Typewriting Machine 1919
- HM Seagers and SH Drake Stand 1919
- JE Simpson Line Ruling Device for Typewriting Machines 1919
- BW Tucker Typewriting Machine 1919
- P De Clamecy Typewriting Machine 1919
- P De Clamecy Typewriting Machine 1919
- P De Clamecy Collapsible Typewriting Machine 1920
- P De Clamecy Collapsible Typewriting Machine 1920
- FH Armstrong Typewriting Machine 1921
- Petermann Typewriting Machine 1914
- EL Harmon Typewriting Machine 1922
- Petermann Typewriting Machine 1922
- LB Bridges Folding Typewriting Machine 1922
- FH Armstrong Type Writing Machine 1922
- EL Harmon Typewriting Machine 1922
- FH Armstrong Typewriting Machine 1923
- FH Armstrong Typewriting Machine 1922
- FH Armstrong Typewriting Machine 1923
- P de Clamecy Typewriting Machine 1923
- FH Armstrong Typewriting Machine 1923
- EL Harmon Typewriting Machine 1923
- Petermann Typewriting Machine 1923
- H McD Brown Typewriting Machine 1924
- AB Ely Oil Can 1924
- AB Ely Escapement Mechanism 1925
- CH Bradt Supporting Means for Typewriting Machines 1925
- Petermann Typewriting Machine 1926
- AB Ely Typewriting Machine 1926
- FH Armstrong Typewriting Machine 1926
- HA Avery Typewriting Machine 1926
- AB Ely Typewriting Machine 1926
- EG Latta Ribbon Mechanism Reissued 1918
- EG Latta Typewriting Machine Reissued 1918
Leroy H. Smith Patents
Although he did not design any of the firearms sold by W.H. Baker & Company Firearms, it is worth showing that all of the Smith brothers were successful businessmen. Of the five brothers, only two actually held patents and both were for firearms-related items. The family’s eldest son Leroy, who left his brothers’ business in 1880, went on to found Ithaca Gun Company. Collaborating with their former partner W.H. Baker, Leroy Smith held patents related to innovations for breech-loading shotguns. Similarly, Wilbert Lewis Smith shared a firearms patent with Alexander Brown.
- C Pierce and LH Smith Lock Mechanism for Breech Loading Guns 1887
- Breech Loading Gun 1888
- Breech Loading Gun 1888
- Breech Loading Fire Arm 1889
Smith Corona Patents
Coming out of World War II, Smith Corona expanded rapidly and accumulated hundreds of patents over the course of the next 60-plus years. These patents ranged from typewriters to word processors, an assortment of appliances, and even thermal printing technology. Though the collapse of the typewriter market severely hurt the company, these patents and the company’s history of innovation has helped it to recover and move forward in the expanding thermal label market.
- Cleveland Office Machine Escapement Disengagement and Automatic Engagment Mechanism 1984
- Baron Integral Locking Device For a Typewriter 1992
- Jalbert Multi-Bar Encoding Apparatus Utilizing Acoustic Energy
- Rimbey Acoustic Transmission Member
- Longrod et al Cartridge Ribbon Lift Apparatus
- Longrod et al Acoustic Member Mounting Means for Use in Typewriters
- Jalbert Acoustic Encoding Apparatus
- Pajer et al Encoding Apparatus Utilizing Acoustic Waves of Controlled Initial Polarity
- Longrod Ribbon Driving Mechanism
- Shattuck et al Ribbon Cartridge Handling Apparatus
- Smith Reverse Tab Control System for Typewriters
- Smith Halfspace Control System for Electronic Typewriter with Correction Register
- Blanchard et al Encoding Apparatus Having an Acoustic Member with Mirror-Image Tabs
- Longrod Ribbon Drive Clutch
- Blanchard Automatic Work Correcting System
- Gray One-touch Character Correction and Replacement System
- Adams et al Spelling Error Finding Feature Including an Electronic Spelling Dictionary
- Curley Right Margin Zone Hyphenation
- Compact Spelling-Check Dictionary
- Duncan et al Dictionary Memory with Visual Scanning from a Selectable Starting Point
- Mueller Tape cassette for Metering Correction Tape Feed
- Cappotto Ribbon Tensioning Mechanism
- McRae et al Punctuation Check Feature for an Electronic Typewriter
- McRae et al Memory Typewriter with Count of Overused Words
- Mueller et al Ink Ribbon and Correction Tape Cassette Compatibility
- Blanchard et al Thesaurus Feature for Electronic Typewriters
- Mueller et al Plural Cassettes Having Compatibility Arrangement
- Curley Plain Paper Cartridge for Facsimile Machine
- Curley Thermal Paper Cartridge for Facsimile Machine
- Martinez Ribbon Cassette with Integral Paper Guide
- Curley Facsimile Paper Supply Cartridge System
- Martinez Ribbon Cassette with Integral Paper Guide
- Martinez Thermal Print Head Control Mechanism
- Baron et al Integral Locking Device for a Typewriter
- Cappotto Cassette Having Compatibility Arrangement
- Pearce et al Label Printer and Tape and Ink Ribbon Cartridge for Use Therein
- Cappotto et al Ribbon Cassette
- Mueller et al Ribbon Cassette
- Mueller et al Ribbon Cassette
- Salinas et al Label Printer
W.H. Baker Firearms Patents
These were the patents that started it all. From 1877 to 1951, when the last surviving brother H.W. Smith passed away, the five Smith brothers found enormous success in their various business pursuits, and it all began with a handful of patents held by William H. Baker. Baker’s patents for a breech-loading shotgun led to the formation of their first successful business, W.H. Baker & Company. Even though Baker split with L.C. Smith in 1880 and sold his interest in the business, he helped to launch the brothers’ careers and deserves credit for his contribution to our company’s history.