Re: Researching Packard Patents at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office

Posted by Jeff On 2009/6/7 11:50:15

Hi guys, to respond to GreenDragon's post, I have done much USPTO research, but let's face it - with Packard you are looking at an enormous task. They had sooo many patents issued. I do remember your article, Russell, and enjoyed it very much. I figued more would be uncovered, but I haven't heard any rumbling out there.

I did do a program for our club, but it morphed into a complete overview of Packard's SAE papers. Some years later I was urged to go ahead and write it up for The Packard Cormorant, which I did. It was published a couple of years ago. What's funny, not one comment was heard either good or bad. <crickets chirping>

There is indeed a wealth of information out there, if one is ready for the work. I think I will have to wait on this one till I am retired, but I am planning to narrow the focus for upcoming research: the patents of Bill Allison, the inventor of Torsion-Level. He was a very prolific engineer before, during and after Packard, filing with the USPTO as late as the 90s just prior to his passing. I would like to interview his surviving family, and try to get the essence of the man on paper, but I am not sure who to turn to for that.

Jeff

(see y'all in Branson in 2 weeks!)