The following is an
example of the general story that appears in all of the references below. This
one is from The Galveston Daily News, Sunday Morning, September 12, 1982, page
7-C
Patent library is
well-stocked
RALEIGH, N.C. — A foldable cardboard casket and a fishing
rod that lights up as a fish takes the bait are among inventions listed in the
U.S. Documents Department at North Carolina State University's D.H. Hill
Library.
"There are somewhere in the neighborhood of 4.5 million
patents," said Stuart Basefsky, assistant librarian at the facility.
Because it is "the foremost documents section in the Eastern United
States." he said people often used it to see if an idea had already been
patented by someone else.
“It makes it Quite interesting," Basefsky said. They
tend to be a little bit paranoid. They're afraid someone will find out what
they have in mind."
The facility, under the guidance of Jean Porter is one of 36
Patent Depository libraries nationwide and lists every patent granted since
1790. The lists are contained on some 7,500 reels of microfilm.
Basefsky says searching for a patent can be an inventive
experience in itself because of the vagaries of the filing system.
Some patents are easy to find. Fish lures are filed under
"artificial baits" and toothbrushes are filed under
"dentifrices."
However, bicycles are filed under "occupant-propelled
type land vehicles" and a hammer designed to reduce stress on the elbow
found its way into the category of handles, Basefsky said.
The foldable cardboard casket was invented by Roger J.
Patridge of Tipton, Mich., and James S. Callaway of Napoleon, Ohio; Norman
Betros Jr. of Cold Spring, N.C., has a patent on a round chess board. And
Edward M. Greer of Beverly Hills, Calif., is responsible for the fishing rod
with a bite indicator.
Many companies use N.C. State's files to obtain copies of
patents to see what their competition is doing, Basefsky said.
"We get requests all the time," he said. "One
of our biggest services is the copying of patents. We do a tremendous amount of
patent copying in the region. It's the only place you can get patent copies
from Atlanta to Washington, D.C."
The library also offers a large selection of inventions from
foreign countries. "About 40 percent of all the U.S. patents are things
that have been invented in foreign countries first," Basefsky said.
"You have about a 50-50 chance of finding foreign patents here because
they (inventors) come here to protect themselves in this country."
Basefsky said in exchange for making their inventions public
the government offered people 17 years of protection. For an additional fee,
patents can be maintained for longer periods.
Sample of stories around the country:
Roswell Daily
Record Friday, September 17, 1982, Roswell, New Mexico
...way into the
category of Basefsky The
foldable cardboard casket invented by Roger was here to... ...protect
themselves in this Basefsky said
in exchange for making their inventions public the government... ...meone
It makes it quite Basefsky They
tend to be a little bit Theyre afraid someone...
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Galveston Daily
News Sunday, September 12, 1982, Galveston, Texas
...of 4V2 million said
Stuart Basefsky assistant
librarian at the facility Because it is the foremost... ...someone else
makes Jt Quite Basefsky said
They tend to be a little bit paranoid Theyre... ...on some reels of
microfilmBasefsky says searching
for a patent can be an inventive experience...
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Winchester Star
Wednesday, November 24, 1982, Winchester, Virginia
...4tt million
patents," said Stuart Basefsky,
assistant librarian at the facility. Because it is "the
foremost... .... "It makes it quite interesting," Basefskysaid. "They tend to be a little
bit paranoid. They... ...7,500 reels of microfilm. Basefsky says searching for a patent can
be an inventive experience...
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Joplin Globe
Sunday, October 24, 1982, Joplin, Missouri
...*4 million
patents,’’ said Stuart Basefsky,
assistant librarian at the facility. Because it is “the foremost... ....
“It makes it quite interesting.’’ Basefskysaid.
“They tend to be a little bit paranoid. They... ...7,500 reels of
microfilm. Basefsky says
searching for a patent can be an inventive experience...
Refine
Results by:
Cumberland NewsT
uesday, September 14, 1982, Cumberland, Maryland
...*2 million
patents,” said Stuart Basefsky,
assistant librarian at the facility. Because it is “the foremost... ....
“It makes it quite interesting,” Basefskysaid.
“They tend to be a little bit paranoid. They... ...7,500 reels of
microfilm. Basefsky says
searching for a patent can be an inventive experience...
Refine
Results by:
Fayetteville
Northwest Arkansas TimesSunday, September 19, 1982, Fayetteville,
Arkansas
...; z million
patents,’’ said Stuart Basefsky,
assistant librarian at the facility. Because it is “the
foremost... ...makes it quite interesting," Basefsky said. “They tend to be a little
bit paranoid. They... ...7,500 reels of microfilm.Basefsky says searching for a patent can be an inventive
experience...
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Frederick News
Post Tuesday, September 14, 1982, Frederick, Maryland
...4VS million
patents,” said Stuart Basefsky,
assistant librarian at the facility Because it is "the... ...“It
makes it quite interestmg,” Basefsky said.
"They tead u rtf' a little bit paranoid... ...of mic'i. I'm . Basefsky says searchmg for a patent can
be an inventive experience...
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Eureka Times
Standard Tuesday, September 21, 1982, Eureka, California
...4'*^ million
patents.-' said Stuart Basefsky.
assistant librarian at the facility Because it th "the... ...* 7,5Utl
reeds of micreifilm Basefsky says
searching for a patent can be an inventive e... ...the* category of
handle's,Basefsky sale! The
foldable cardboard casked was mvente*d by Koge...
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Bedford Gazette
Tuesday, September 14, 1982, Bedford, Pennsylvania
...someone It makes it
quite Basefsky They tend to
be a lit tle bit Theyre afraid... ...contained on some reels of Basefsky says searching for a pa tent
can be an inventive... ...way into the category of Basefsky The foldable cardboard casket
was invented by Roger Palridge of...
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Hanover Evening
Sun Saturday, September 18, 1982, Hanover, Pennsylvania
...> million
patents,” said Stuart Basefsky,
assistant librarian at the facility Because it is “the foremost... ....
“It makes it quite interesting,” Basefskysaid.
“They tend to be a little Bit paranoia. They... ...7,500 reels of
microfilm. Basefsky says
searching for a patent can be an inventive experience...
Refine Results by:
Fort Walton
Beach Playground Daily News Saturday, October 9, 1982, Fort Walton
Beach, Florida
...>* million
patents,” said Stuart Basefsky,
assistant librarian at the facility. Because it is “the foremost... ....
“It makes it quite interesting,” Basefskysaid
“They tend to be a little bit paranoid. They... ...7,500 reels of
microfilm.Basefsky says searching
for a patent can be an inventive experience...
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Farmington Daily
Times Sunday, October 3, 1982, Farmington, New Mexico
...% million
patents," said Stuart Basefsky,
assistant librarian at the facility. Because it is "the... ...makes
it quite interesting," Basefsky said.
"They tend to be a little bit paranoid... ...7,500 reels of
microfilm. Basefsky says
searching for a patent can be an inventive experience...
Refine Results by:
Hillsdale Daily
News Thursday, September 23, 1982, Hillsdale, Michigan
...4^ million
patents,” said Stuart Basefsky,
assistant librarian at the facility. Because it is “the foremost... ....
“It makes it quite interesting,” Basefskysaid.
“They tend to be a little bit paranoid. They... ...7,500 reels of
microfilm. Basefsky says
searching for a patent can be an inventive experience...
Refine Results by:
Colorado Springs
Gazette Telegraph Saturday, October 16, 1982, Colorado Springs,
Colorado
...4% million
patents,” said Stuart Basefsky,
assistant librarian at the facility. Because it is “t|ie... .... “It makes
it quite interesting,” Basefsky said.
“They tend to be a little bit paranoid. They... ...7,500 reels of
microfilm. Basefskysays searching
for a patent can be an inventive experience...
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