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Manufacturers Index - Rowley & Hermance Co.
Patents
This page contains information on patents issued to this manufacturer.

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Patent Number Date Title Name City Description
55,570 Jun. 12, 1866 Improved machine for sandpapering wood-work Joseph H. Wonderly Williamsport, PA This type of sander—known as a column sander, elbow sander, table sander, or bracket arm arm sander—is used to flatten and smooth doors and window sash.
The inventor was operating a sawmill, Potter & Co., until 1869 when the senior partner died and the business was dissolved. He then moved to Grand Rapids where he operated a sawmill there and then in 1879 he established the Kent Furniture Mfg. Co. The 1880 Rowley & Hermance catalog shows the "Williamsport Sand-papering Machine" on page 36, and the illustration matches this machine in overall layout, though not in any details. It is likely that Rowley & Hermance inherited this machine from a predecessor firm, A. T. Nichols, who had financial ties with inventor Joseph Wonderly. The successor to Rowley & Hermance, the American Wood Working Machinery Co., continued to manufacture this evening, and touted it as the "Improved Nichols Patent Sand Papering Machine", although the patent was expired by that time and so American is not listed as a manufacturer on this patent.
81,361 Aug. 25, 1868 Improvement in machines for cutting panels F. D. Green Williamsport, PA The assignee company was a planing mill. At least one dovetailing machine whose patent was assigned to Zimmer was manufactured by local firm Rowley & Hermance.
82,803 Oct. 06, 1868 Improvement in machines for boring window-blinds Lyman S. Colburn Oberlin, OH Seen in 1882 and 1890 Rowley & Hermance catalogs.
93,534 Aug. 10, 1869 Improvement in mortising-chisel Carl Hinz San Francisco, CA "The object of my invention is to provide an improved chisel, to be used for cutting mortises designed for receiving pulleys, or other pieces of mechanism, which require a shallow mortise cut around the main one for the purpose of receiving the flange, or other device, by which the pulleys are attached to the timber; and consists of a mortising-chisel, having a shorter adjustable one above it, and placed far enough from it to give the desired width of shallow mortise. By adjusting the shorter chisel, any desired depth or width of shallow mortise can be given, the whole being performed at one operation, with great accuracy and celerity."
This chisel was seen in both the 1882 and 1890 Rowley & Hermance catalogs: "Patent Frame Mortise chisel. We here present an entirely new and novel Chisel for Mortising in Sash Pulleys. ... Price, $10.00". Rowley & Hermance was a manufacturer who also sold complementary products from smaller makers. We have not seen a surviving example of this mortising chisel, but we have seen a surviving blind-slat wiring machine from the same inventor, and bearing that inventor's name. Thus, the most likely scenario is that Carl Hinz manufactured his patent mortising chisel and blind-slating wireng machines, which were resold by Rowley & Hermance Co. But we list Rowley & Hermance as a "manufacturer" also because we are uncertain who actually manufactured these items.
99,212 Jan. 25, 1870 Improvement in clamp Jacob S. Ladow Mechanicsville, NY An example of this patent is seen in the January 1894 Manning, Maxwell & Moore catalog, page 532. There is no maker's name but the patent date is clearly legible. We found a later version in a 1925 Yates-American catalog and then in a 1905 Y-A catalog where it was labeled as the "R & H Special Heavy Door Clamp". On page 34 of the 1882 Rowley & Hermance catalog is the same artwork as in the MM&M catalog except that the right side casting has the words "LADOW'S PAT. / ROWLEY & HERMANCE MNFRS / WILLIAMSPORT".
105,244 Jul. 12, 1870 Improvement in machine for sharpening the teeth of saws Harford J. Perkins Williamsport, PA Inventor Perkins was a partner of Willis J. Perkins in Perkins & Co. The assignee was partner in sawmill machinery maker Snyder Brothers. This machine was seen in an 1882 Rowley & Hermance catalog, marketed as the "Climax Saw Gummer and Filer". It is uncertain if they actually manufactured the machine, though. An 1875 ad for Union Iron Works, Wm. H. Hiner & Co., says that they are manufacturers of Perkins' Saw Gummer.
114,542 May. 09, 1871 Improvement in journal-boxes Seth C. Ellis Jersey City, NJ This journal box was adjustable so that it could be tightened when the Babbitt bearing was worn. See also patent 219,851. These patents have been observed on a Rowley & Hermance "Sweepstakes" planer-matcher, and the patent date is listed on numerous other machines seen in Rowley & Hermance catalogs.
"This invention consists in a novel construction of a journal-box with two oppositely-inclined caps, which are secured in place by set-screws, and which, when free from control of said screws, will adjust themselves in such position on the journal as to be efficient in securing the same without producing excessive friction thereon. If also consists in adjustable abutment-plates employed in connection with such caps, or with other movable bearings or portions thereof for the purpose of securing such bearing or portions very positively and firmly without producing unnecessary pressure thereon."
118,448 Aug. 29, 1871 Improvement in feeding devices for sawing-machines Luther W. Green Williamsport, PA
120,594 Nov. 07, 1871 Improvement in dovetailing-machines George Zimmer Williamsport, PA This patent date was seen in 1897 Rowley & Hermance catalog on an "Improved Sash Dovetailing Machine", and this patent seems to be the only one that fits. It helps that the inventors are from the same town as Rowley & Hermance.
    Improvement in dovetailing-machines Oscar J. Pennell Williamsport, PA  
122,774 Jan. 16, 1872 Improvement in panel-raising machines John H. Millspaugh Williamsport, PA Seen in the 1883 Rowley & Hermance catalog as the "Patent Adjustable Panel-Raiser", marked with this patent date plus that for patent 125,618.
125,618 Apr. 09, 1872 Improvement in cutter-heads Edwin A. Rowley Williamsport, PA See also patent 122,774.
128,064 Jun. 18, 1872 Improvement in clamps James H. Phillips Troy, NY This patent sash clamp was seen in an 1890 catalog from Rowley & Hermance.
132,854 Nov. 05, 1872 Improvement in machines for slitting boards Albert T. Nichols Norfolk, VA This patent date was seen in an 1897 Rowley & Hermance catalog on a "Nichols' Patent Double Edger".
137,022 Mar. 18, 1873 Improvement in sawing-machines Albert T. Nichols Williamsport, PA This is a sliding-arbor tablesaw; compare, for example, to patent 128,472.
141,163 Jul. 22, 1873 Improvement in sawing-machines Albert T. Nichols Williamsport, PA This patent date was seen in an 1897 Rowley & Hermance catalog on a "Nichols' Patent Double Edger".
148,490 Mar. 10, 1874 Improvement in edging-machines Albert T. Nichols Williamsport, PA This patent date was seen in an 1897 Rowley & Hermance catalog on a "Nichols' Patent Double Edger".
150,989 May. 19, 1874 Improvement in pin and dowel machines Burdick Uriah Travis Sunbury, PA An 1890 Rowley & Hermance catalog shows a "Eureka pin making and pointing machine" that bears an (invalid) patent date of "May 19th, 1876". The machine is clearly labeled, "Rowley & Hermance, Manufacturers". The only patent we can find that fits is this one, even though the layout of the machine is substantially different. It appears that Rowley & Hermance modified the design by "folding" the mechanism to make it more compact.
155,103 Sep. 15, 1874 Improvement in edging-machines Albert T. Nichols Williamsport, PA
    Improvement in edging-machines Oliver H. Young Williamsport, PA  
157,134 Nov. 24, 1874 Improvement in sash-dovetailing machines George Zimmer Williamsport, PA This patent date was seen in an 1897 Rowley & Hermance catalog on a "Improved Sash Dovetailing Machine".
    Improvement in sash-dovetailing machines Oscar J. Pennell Williamsport, PA  
160,957 Mar. 16, 1875 Improvement in machines for relishing tenons Edwin A. Rowley Williamsport, PA
161,810 Apr. 06, 1875 Improvement in machines for relishing tenons and cutting wedges John H. Millspaugh Williamsport, PA Seen in an 1882 Rowley & Hermance Co. catalog.
164,276 Jun. 08, 1875 Improvement in machines for making fence-pickets Ebenezer B. Rowe Chicago, IL This machines forms the ornamental head of fence pickets. The machine is shown in an undated Hall & Brown catalog, as their "Standard Picket Header".
    Improvement in machines for making fence-pickets Peter C. Dufour Chicago, IL  
    Improvement in machines for making fence-pickets Hillary Dufour Chicago, IL  
166,887 Aug. 17, 1875 Improvement in sawing-machines Albert T. Nichols Williamsport, PA Invention is a belt-tensioning mechanism for a sliding-arbor tablesaw.
179,944 Jul. 18, 1876 Improvement in mitering-machines Albert T. Nichols Williamsport, PA
RE7,871 Sep. 04, 1877 Improvement in circular sawing machines Albert T. Nichols Williamsport, PA
200,749 Feb. 26, 1878 Improvement in spring draft-tugs Albert T. Nichols Williamsport, PA A draft-tug is used to connect to something being towed, such as a wagon. This patent is of interest because the inventor patented woodworking machinery that was manufactured by Rowley & Hermance.
201,624 Mar. 26, 1878 Improvement in planing-machines William R. Norris Fort Ann, NY Seen in the 1883 Rowley & Hermance catalog. The machine in the drawing is clearly labeled "W. R. Norris".
207,181 Aug. 20, 1878 Improvement in blind-wiring machines Carl Hinz San Francisco, CA The inventor subsequently patented an improved blind wiring machine in patent 239,782, and then manufactured that one for a time before selling it to Rowley & Hermance. We have not been able to confirm that Hinz also manufactured this earlier design, but it seems likely.
219,851 Sep. 23, 1879 Improvement in journal-boxes Seth C. Ellis Jersey City, NJ This journal box was an improvement on patent 114,542. These patents have been observed on a Rowley & Hermance "Sweepstakes" planer-matcher and several other machines from the same maker.
"My present invention embodies two novel features, by which the inclined sliding sections of the cap are adjusted in a better and more convenient manner, and a more uniform and equalized bearing is obtained on the journal..."
239,782 Apr. 05, 1881 Blind-wiring machines Carl Hinz Philadelphia, PA Seen in an 1890 Rowley & Hermance catalog, labeled as "The Boss Double Blind Wirer". The catalog illustration shows the Rowley & Hermance name on the machine, but the only surviving example we have seen bears the name "Carl Hinz". At this point our best guess is that Hinz manufactured these items, but other scenarios are also plausible.
261,274 Jul. 18, 1882 Journal-box Frederick H. Sweet Williamsport, PA Inventor Fred Sweet was working for Rowley & Hermance but left about the time of this patent application to join Millspaugh Brothers, which then changed its name to Williamsport Machine Co.
262,323 Aug. 08, 1882 Machine-table Edwin A. Rowley Williamsport, PA This exact jointer design appeared in the 1883 Rowley & Hermance catalog, "Patent Pending".
263,074 Aug. 22, 1882 Device for straining scroll-saws Frederick H. Sweet Williamsport, PA
263,752 Sep. 05, 1882 Mortising-machine Algernon S. Bangs Augusta, ME This patent date was seen in an 1897 Rowley & Hermance catalog on a "Improved New Style Power Mortisers". The machine in the patent is described as "a machine for cutting mortises in window-frames for the reception of sash-cord pulleys".
This patent was improved in patent 294,389.
264,421 Sep. 12, 1882 Bevel-gage Frederick H. Sweet Williamsport, PA
265,887 Oct. 10, 1882 Molding-machine Frederick H. Sweet Williamsport, PA
501,892 Jul. 18, 1893 Slat-tenoning machine Calvin D. Marsh Williamsport, PA
501,521 Jul. 18, 1893 Saw-table Calvin D. Marsh Williamsport, PA This invention is to "provide a simple and cheap construction and arrangement of parts for raising and lowering the table top." This patent date was seen in an 1897 Rowley & Hermance catalog on a "Self-Feeding Rip Saw Table".
506,249 Oct. 10, 1893 Chip-breaker for woodworking machines Calvin D. Marsh Williamsport, PA This patent date was seen on a Rowley & Hermance machine pictured in the book "Planers, Matchers and Molders in America" by Chandler W. Jones. It was also seen in an 1897 Rowley & Hermance catalog on an "Anti-Vibratory Chip-Breaker".
    Chip-breaker for woodworking machines Charles F. Overhiser Williamsport, PA  
513,192 Jan. 23, 1894 Outside molding machine Calvin D. Marsh Williamsport, PA This patent date was seen in an 1897 Rowley & Hermance catalog on a "Side Setting Device (moulder & flooring machines)".
533,996 Feb. 12, 1895 Chip-breaker for woodworking-machines Calvin D. Marsh Williamsport, PA
    Chip-breaker for woodworking-machines Charles F. Overhiser Williamsport, PA  
556,015 Mar. 10, 1896 Molding or sticking machine Calvin D. Marsh Williamsport, PA
556,684 Mar. 17, 1896 Door or blind clamping machine Calvin D. Marsh Williamsport, PA