Handbook N-P - Fulton County Public Library

Pa
Tests are now under way at a western aircraft factory to determine proper alloys that will
be used in manufacture of conventional airplane mufflers, designed by Harold Masterson,
Rochester, sheet-metal worker. Coipyrighted blueprints, protect the local designer until alloy tests
are completed, after which time Masterson will be able to secure a complete protective patent.
Interest in the muffler is also being shown by a leading automobile manufacturer, Masterson
stated.
In explaining his invention, Mr. Masterson said, “The muffler is attracting attention
because of its lightness and simplicity. When used on automobiles, the weight averages less than
four pounds and can be manufactured at approximately half the price of present mufflers.
“On airplanes, the exhaust gasses and flames are entirely eliminated and the muffler may
be attached directly to any fuselage without danger of fire. The only audible sound from an
airplane at 1,000 feet, when fitted with this muffler, is the propeller flutter, and when used on an
automobile, explosion impulses cannot be detected at a distance of three feet.
“Nothing can be disclosed as to design of muffler, as tests are now being conducted for
defense interests. However, I might say that it is an old principal, slightly modified, and put into
practical use.”
[The News-Sentinel, Wednesday, July 23, 1941]
MILLER BROS. RECEIVE PATENT ON JACK PRESS
Otto and Hugh Miller, owners of the Miller Bros. Garage and Service Station, this city,
today received a patent right, No. 2267662, from the Patent Office, Washington, D.C., on their
recent invention which is known as “Miller’s Universal Jack Press.”
The device, designed primarily for use in garage and machine shops, practically doubles
the present duties of the hydraulic jack press. The local inventors are building the new jack press
in both bench type and floor type models.
Several of the new presses have already been sold and now that the patent rights are
secure, the local garagemen plan to speed up production of the Universal Jack Press, providing, of
course, if the steel needed in its construction can be secured.
[The News-Sentinel, Monday, December 29, 1941]
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Neffcovator, Inc. - Grave digging machine mfgr. Machine patented by Dean O. Neff of
Rochester.
Roger Neff, Dean’s nephew, designated to handle marketing through distributors.
Thatchmaster - Machine to thatch lawns. Patent issued in 1973 to Dean O. Neff of
Rochester. The machine, to be manufactured and sold by Brinley-Hardy Company in Louis ville,
Ky.
Samuel Heffley was not a mechanic but was more of a business financier. He obtained
rights to an idea for a wagon axle skein and boxen (old plural for boxes) as well as an attached
band box sand protection. He had this patented and it was called “Heffley’s Truss and Sand Band
Skein.” Grandfather was still using the common skein same as Studebaker at South Bend, but
Heffley’s skein was really something in this sandy area. Locally Mr. Heffley was not too willing
to let his competitiors have his patent skein. In due time Mr. Heffley sold out to Snyder and
Dillon. Mr. Snyder had been Grandfather’s top woodworker and again Mr. Dillon was more of a
financier than a mechanic, so eventually Heffley Wagon Works became known as John G. Hill
and Son, manufacturers of fine handmade wagons, buggies, and sleighs, with full right to use the
Heffley patents, however, the real estate and buildings remained a part of the Heffley estate until
1920 when my father and I bought it at 1014 Main Street.
[Hill Family, Clarence F. Hill, Fulton County Folks, Vol. 1, p. 187]