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A Much-needed Inquiry into Patent Procedure.
Page 76
Page 77
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wE are glad to see that the whole subject of the granting of patents is now undergoing investigation. In our opinion such an inquiry is by no means too early, for the situation during recent years has been almost farcical. It has been our misfortune to have to make a weekly scrutiny of all patents granted, with a view to finding those of particular interest to readers of Tlte Commercial Motor, and we have been astonished to note the ease with which patents have been obtained for so-called inventions which have been really common practice for as long as we can remember.
It is scandalous that the Government has continued for so many years to accept money for the -granting of patents for machines which were obviously unworkable—money for which many a poor inventor has had to make real sacrifices. Almost weekly we find specifications concerning what used to be known as perpetualmotion machines, but which are now referred to by another title nqt quite so comprehensive but meaning practically the same thing. Most of the devices referred to are claimed to possess the interesting property of developing more energy than is put into them.
In the absence of some method of splitting atoms and utilizing the enormous power which is said to be bound up in each, we fail to find any justification whatever for encouraging such futile effort and the consequent waste of time, both of officials and of those who bring forward the ideas. We suggest that the officials concerned could be much more profitably employed or their number reduced: STUDYING the negotiations and events of the past few weeks in connection with railway purchases of existing bus companies, one cannot fail to be struck by the foresight of certain bus operators who have in the past spread their activities over various areas, particularly in the case of concerns owning small fleets. These owners very often worked small districts between those of larger companies. In this way they have obtained strategic positions which are now worth several thousands of pounds when it comes to the question of the railway company obtaining an interest in road transport in the area concerned.
DRIVING from Southend to London last week, we reached a point on a fairly steep down-grade where there was only room for two lines of traffic. We began to pull out to pass some slow-moving vehicles in front, but saw three others coming up the hill towards us, so drew in again, but no such discretion was exercised by the driver of a light lorry which passed us at quite 35 m.p.h., headed straight for the ascending vehicles and just managed to cut in front of us, almost scraping wings. It was the narrowest escape from a head-on colli sion, which would have involved four or more vehicles, that we have seen for years, and we were very pleased to be able a later to stop the offending driver and obtain La name and address of his employer, with whom we have taken up the matter. It is useless to expect the ordinary police to deal with such examples of dangerous driving, for the culprit has usually vanished.
MANY of our readers will probably have noticed that, during the past few weeks, the London County Council has issued an appeal for tenders to be submitted for a large number of new tramcars to replace certain old rolling-stock at present in use. "What happens to the old cars?" is a thought that probably passes through the minds of many, and an answer is forthcoming in the fact that a number of the tramcars is being sold for use as bungalows, summer-houses am' sports dressingrooms. Some of the cars on offer are about 20 years old and one wonders, in view of the chameleon-like conditions Of passenger road transport, whether the' new vehicles will have as long a life! Two decades may see the complete, demise of the tramcar.