Welcome! 

Register :: Login
Manufacturers Index - Witherbee Igniter Co.; Wico Electric Co.

Witherbee Igniter Co.; Wico Electric Co.
New York, NY; West Springfield, MA, U.S.A.
Company Website: http://www.wipac.com/about-wipac/history.aspx
Manufacturer Class: Steam and Gas Engines

Patents
This page contains information on patents issued to this manufacturer.

Submitting Patent Information

If you find a patent number or patent date by this manufacturer that is not on this list, please contact the Site Historian.


Key to Links for Patent Information

USPTO = U.S. Patent Office . Images of the actual patent can be viewed on the U.S. Patent Office web site but a special TIFF viewer must be installed with your browser in order properly work. More information on how to configure your computer to view these patents can be found at TIFF image Viewers for Patent Images.
DATAMP = Directory of American Tool And Machinery Patents . A sister site to VintageMachinery.org with information on patents related to machinery and tools. A much easier user interface than the USPTO's for finding information on machinery patents.

Patent Number Date Title Name City Description
748,534 Dec. 29, 1903 Electric generator for intermittent currents Malcolm P. Ryder White Plains, NY This patent date was seen on a "Wico" brand igniter, Model O1, from Witherbee Igniter Co., and this patent is the closest match we have found.
"My invention relates to an electric generator for intermittent currents capable of general use, but specially adapted for service upon locomobiles, gas-engines, &c., in which it is desirable to supply a powerful spark for the purpose of igniting an explosive charge."
793,117 Jun. 27, 1905 Storage-battery jar Thomas S. Witherbee Jersey City, NJ This is the only patent we have found that was grnated to Thomas S. Witherbee, who has been credited as the inventor of the portable storage battery. This patent covers construction of an automotive-type lead-acid battery, with a box-shaped casing holding the plates and a gasketed lid preventing spillage. A cleverly designed vent is a key component of the patent. The patent specification is not explicit, but previous storage batteries usually used a glass container to hold the batteries—the acid electrolyte would eat holes through most other materials. Witherbee's batteries used vulcanized hard rubber for the "jar" (casing) and lid, with soft rubber for the gasket. So far as we know, Witherbee Igniter Co. was the first to use these materials in a storage battery.
880,974 Mar. 03, 1908 Gas-engine igniter Albert N. Classon Rutland Township, IL Original application filed 20 Apr., 1906. Divided and this application filed 07 Oct., 1907.

The patent date "March 6 1908" has been seen on a Wico igniter from Witherbee Igniter Co.; that is not a valid issue date. This patent and its companion, patent 881,058, are our best guess as to the patents used by the Wico igniter; the only other possibilies we have found are patents 880,650 and 881,009.
881,058 Mar. 03, 1908 Operating mechanism for magnetos Albert N. Classon Rutland Township, IL The patent date "March 6 1908" has been seen on a Wico igniter from Witherbee Igniter Co.; that is not a valid issue date. This patent and its companion, patent 880,974, are our best guess as to the patents used by the Wico igniter; the only other possibilities we have found are patents 880,650 and 881,009.
888,195 May. 19, 1908 Timer Walter W. Robinson West New York, NJ "My invention relates especially to electric contact breakers for sparking circuits of automobiles, and the like, and has for its object the provision of a simple and effective interrupter wherein the defects of the use wipe-contact circuit interrupters are obviated... my invention consists in the combination with a casing provided with one or more contact pieces, of a loose ring of less diameter than the chamber within the casing, and a roller carried by a rotatable member adapted and arranged to move the ring in an eccentric orbit, all of which will be hereinafter first fully described..."
1,160,491 Nov. 16, 1915 Battery Phelps Brown Springfield, MA
1,300,922 Apr. 15, 1919 Igniter Phelps Brown Springfield, MA
1,307,342 Jun. 24, 1919 Igniter Phelps Brown Springfield, MA An igniter "of the reciprocatory armature type", which conventionally used an magnet a pair of armatures that alternately reciprocate between a pair of cores. One armature completes a magnetic circuit when it is at one particular end of its movement and the other one breaks that circuit. The reciprocating movement, and resulting collision with the core, was objectionably loud. The improvement is to use only one armature, replacing the other armature with a permanent shunt path that has an air gap that offers higher reluctance that the armature when it is at the end of its travel. Thus, the flux alternates between the shunt path and the armature.
1,307,343 Jun. 24, 1919 Igniter Phelps Brown Springfield, MA A reciprocatory armature type igniter conventionally uses a cam that forces the armature into engagement with a magnetic core; the movement is independent of engine speed and thus the spark intensity is independent of speed, which is a major advantage of this type of igniter. This patent is a companion to patent 1,307,342, and aims to further reduce audio noise by providing resiliency at the end of the reciprocating motion by using springs.
1,335,119 Mar. 30, 1920 Holding means for magnets Terrence G. Louis Springfield, MA The assignee company, Witherbee Igniter Co., changed its name to Wico Electric Co.
1,427,718 Aug. 29, 1922 Actuating mechanism for magnetos Phelps Brown Springfield, MA Improvements to patent 1,307,343.
1,472,545 Oct. 30, 1923 Actuating mechanism for magnetos Phelps Brown Springfield, MA
1,472,546 Oct. 30, 1923 Trip finger for magnetos Phelps Brown Springfield, MA
    Trip finger for magnetos Ira E. Hendrickson Springfield, MA  
1,488,975 Apr. 01, 1924 Magneto Phelps Brown Springfield, MA A reciprocatory armature type igniter needs a strong initial force to pull the reciprocatory armature away from contact with the magnet's poles, and this was conventionally done with a sudden high-speed movement using a hammer, which created objectionable noise. This improvement uses the igniter's own electromagnetism to force the armature away; as soon as the armature is not touching the poles the force drops. Choke coils are used to extend the time during which the armature accelerates so that it can attain the required speed.
1,489,382 Apr. 08, 1924 Igniter Phelps Brown Springfield, Hampden County, MA This patent covers what became known as the Wico Model EK magneto. The patent provides an alternate, and better, approach to solving the problem described in patent #1,488,975. Rather than trying to achieve a "practically instantaneous" movement of the armature to break the magnetic circuit, a more gradual movement is used; as soon as the magnetic circuit is broken the force increases rapidly to move the armature quickly to the other end of its travel. An electromagnet provides that moving force, and a pair of electrical contacts, the "breaker points". A capacitor, or condenser, is connected across the breaker points "in the usual manner". The points are alternately moved apart and together by an eccentric that is on, or directly driven by, the motor crankshaft. In short, this has all the components (except for the distributor as needed for a multi-cylinder engine) of an ignition system as used in virtually all gasoline engines from the 1920s until the development of the electronic ignition system.
    Igniter Harold H. Clark Springfield, Hampden County, MA  
1,490,171 Apr. 15, 1924 Magneto Ira E. Hendrickson Springfield, MA This patent applies to "magnetos of the ethype wheeren a reciprocating armature moves into and out of engagement with magnetic poles to vary the flux in a magnetic circuit and by such variations to cause the generation of electricity in a suitable winding. The invention is particularly concerned with mechanism for actuating the armature..."
1,517,948 Dec. 02, 1924 Magneto Phelps Brown Springfield, MA
    Magneto Ira E. Hendrickson Springfield, MA  
1,517,997 Dec. 02, 1924 Magneto Terrence G. Louis Springfield, MA
1,532,799 Apr. 07, 1925 Magneto Terrence G. Louis Springfield, MA Improvement to patent 1,517,948.
    Magneto Harold H. Clark Springfield, MA  
    Magneto Ira E. Hendrickson Springfield, MA  
    Magneto Phelps Brown Springfield, MA  
1,540,603 Jun. 02, 1925 Interrupter mechanism Harold H. Clark Springfield, MA
1,555,548 Sep. 29, 1925 Breaker-point mechanism and method of operating the same Phelps Brown Springfield, MA This mechanism tackles the problem of sparking contact points fusing metal particles from one contact onto the other, which decreased contact surface and increases resistance, which leads to more sparking and the rapid deterioration of the points. This invention provides a "percussive blow" when the points are brought together in an attempt to peen the misplaced metal particles. The patents specification says that the force of the blow must be carefully judged to flatten the point surfaces without causes breakage or excessive wear.
    Breaker-point mechanism and method of operating the same Harold H. Clark Springfield, MA  
    Breaker-point mechanism and method of operating the same Terrence G. Louis Springfield, MA  
    Breaker-point mechanism and method of operating the same Ira E. Hendrickson Springfield, MA  
1,557,976 Oct. 20, 1925 Magneto Phelps Brown Springfield, MA This patent provides an improved magneto housing, mounting, and lubrication.
    Magneto Terrence G. Louis Springfield, MA  
1,576,439 Mar. 09, 1926 Magneto Terrence G. Louis Springfield, MA
1,578,637 Mar. 30, 1926 Magneto Phelps Brown Springfield, MA
1,579,331 Apr. 06, 1926 Magneto Terence G. Louis Springfield, MA
1,634,135 Jun. 28, 1927 Ignition apparatus Phelps Brown Springfield, MA
1,643,636 Sep. 27, 1927 Magneto-actuating mechanism Phelps Brown Springfield, MA
1,658,028 Feb. 07, 1928 Armature-actuating mechanism for magnetos Phelps Brown Springfield, MA Improvement to patents 1,489,382, 1,490,171, 1,517,948, 1,517,997, and 1,532,799. It is also an improvement to patent 1,488,975.
1,674,050 Jun. 19, 1928 Magneto Terrence G. Louis Springfield, MA
1,674,094 Jun. 19, 1928 Armature-actuating mechanism Phelps Brown Springfield, MA Improvement to patent 1,517,948.
1,700,677 Jan. 29, 1929 Magneto Ira E. Hendrickson West Springfield, MA Improvement to patent 1,634,135.
291,292 Jul. 09, 1929 Magneto Phelps Brown Springfield, MA
    Magneto Terrence G. Louis West Springfield, MA  
1,722,703 Jul. 30, 1929 Distributor Terrence G. Louis West Springfield, MA This distributor improvement is especially suitable for use in "distributors of the type in which the distributor arm moves back and forth between a pair of contacts." The improvement essentially consists in making the contact out of a coil spring, but in a manner different from that used in patent 1,411,787.
1,734,918 Nov. 05, 1929 Magneto Walter S. Robinson Jr. Springfield, MA
1,736,441 Nov. 19, 1929 Magneto Ira E. Hendrickson West Springfield, MA
1,746,378 Feb. 11, 1930 Magneto Phelps Brown Springfield, MA Improvements to the magneto of patent 1,674,094.
    Magneto Terrence G. Louis Springfield, MA  
1,763,098 Jun. 10, 1930 Magneto Terrence G. Louis Springfield, MA
1,803,543 May. 05, 1931 Magneto Phelps Brown Springfield, MA Ignition system for engines of the type shown in patent 1,736,441.
1,827,323 Oct. 13, 1931 Magneto Terrence G. Louis West Springfield, MA
317,498 Nov. 24, 1931 Magneto Phelps Brown Springfield, MA Magneto for the engine of US patent 1,736,441.
1,858,404 May. 17, 1932 Magneto Terrence G. Louis West Springfield, MA
1,864,246 Jun. 21, 1932 Impulse coupling Ira E. Hendrickson West Springfield, MA
325,844 Sep. 06, 1932 Magneto Terrence G. Louis West Springfield, MA
1,904,308 Apr. 18, 1933 Magneto Kenneth A. Harmon Springfield, MA
1,932,978 Oct. 31, 1933 Magneto Terrence G. Louis West Springfield, MA
1,970,327 Aug. 14, 1934 Magneto Terrence G. Louis West Springfield, MA
2,016,982 Oct. 08, 1935 Magnetoelectric machine William Bradford , England
2,043,042 Jun. 02, 1936 Magneto Kenneth A. Harmon West Springfield, MA
    Magneto Ralph W. Crocker West Springfield, MA  
361,600 Nov. 03, 1936 Magneto Kenneth Allen Harmon West Springfield, MA
    Magneto Ralph W. Crocker West Springfield, MA  
2,074,545 Mar. 23, 1937 Magneto Kenneth A. Harmon Springfield, MA
    Magneto Terrence G. Louis West Springfield, MA  
365,249 Apr. 06, 1937 Ignition apparatus Kenneth Allen Harmon Longmeadow, MA
    Ignition apparatus Terrence G. Louis West Springfield, MA  
365,250 Apr. 06, 1937 Ignition apparatus Terrence G. Louis West Springfield, MA
    Ignition apparatus Kenneth Allen Harmon Longmeadow, MA  
365,554 Apr. 20, 1937 Magneto Kenneth Allen Harmon Longmeadow, MA
    Magneto Terrence G. Louis West Springfield, MA  
2,091,924 Aug. 31, 1937 Ignition timing means Kenneth A. Harmon Springfield, MA
2,101,392 Dec. 07, 1937 Electric generator Kenneth A. Harmon Springfield, MA
2,110,321 Mar. 08, 1938 Magneto William F. Borgerd Chicago, IL
    Magneto William Otto Bechman Chicago, IL  
    Magneto Kenneth A. Harmon Longmeadow, MA  
374,130 May. 31, 1938 Electric generator Kenneth Allen Harmon Longmeadow, MA
2,137,875 Nov. 22, 1938 Magneto Kenneth A. Harmon Longmeadow, MA
2,150,688 Mar. 14, 1939 Magneto Terrence G. Louis West Springfield, MA
2,189,003 Feb. 06, 1940 Humidifier Kenneth A. Harmon Longmeadow, MA
387,167 Feb. 27, 1940 Magneto Terrence G. Louis West Springfield, MA
2,232,451 Feb. 18, 1941 Magneto Kenneth A. Harmon Longmeadow, MA
    Magneto Ralph W. Crocker West Springfield, MA  
2,232,452 Feb. 18, 1941 Magneto Kenneth A. Harmon Longmeadow, MA
2,233,946 Mar. 04, 1941 Magneto Kenneth A. Harmon Longmeadow, MA
2,246,587 Jun. 24, 1941 Dynamoelectric machine Kenneth A. Harmon Longmeadow, MA
398,024 Jul. 15, 1941 Magneto Kenneth Allen Harmon Longmeadow, MA
2,262,531 Nov. 11, 1941 Impulse coupling Kenneth A. Harmon Longmeadow, MA
    Impulse coupling Orlo A. Powell West Springfield, MA  
2,262,532 Nov. 11, 1941 Dynamoelectric machine Kenneth A. Harmon Longmeadow, MA
2,282,581 May. 12, 1942 Ignition means for radial engines Kenneth A. Harmon Longmeadow, MA
2,300,117 Oct. 27, 1942 Magneto Kenneth A. Harmon Longmeadow, MA
2,306,549 Dec. 29, 1942 Automatically adjustable cam-operated ignition circuit breaker Terrence G. Louis West Springfield, MA
410,036 Jan. 12, 1943 Automatically adjustable cam-operated ignition circuit breaker Terrence G. Louis West Springfield, MA
410,037 Jan. 12, 1943 Magneto Kenneth Allen Harmon Longmeadow, MA Improvements to Canada patent 398,024.
2,318,659 May. 11, 1943 Distributor Robert V. Atwood Springfield, MA
    Distributor Sidney K. Smart Longmeadow, MA  
2,352,894 Jul. 04, 1944 Magneto Kenneth A. Harmon Longmeadow, MA
    Magneto Sidney K. Smart Longmeadow, MA  
2,364,140 Dec. 05, 1944 Magneto Kenneth A. Harmon Longmeadow, MA
2,378,705 Jun. 19, 1945 Ignition system and magneto therefor Kenneth A. Harmon Longmeadow, MA
    Ignition system and magneto therefor Robert V. Atwood Springfield, MA  
2,388,994 Nov. 13, 1945 Centrifugal spark control mechanism for flywheel magnetos Russell E. Phelon West Springfield, MA
2,392,500 Jan. 08, 1946 Magneto Russell E. Phelon West Springfield, MA
433,184 Feb. 19, 1946 Magneto Kenneth Allen Harmon Longmeadow, MA
    Magneto Sidney Kilbourn Smart Longmeadow, MA  
2,427,573 Sep. 16, 1947 Magneto Russell E. Phelon West Springfield, MA
2,431,547 Nov. 25, 1947 Magneto Stanley R. Ellingham Springfield, MA This patent number was seen on the nameplate of a Wico Model X magneto.
    Magneto Allen L. Brownlee West Springfield, MA  
445,656 Dec. 16, 1947 Ignition system Kenneth Allen Harmon Longmeadow, MA
    Ignition system Allen Lester Brownlee West Springfield, MA  
2,433,715 Dec. 30, 1947 Ignition apparatus Sidney K. Smart Agawwam, MA
    Ignition apparatus Allen L. Brownlee West Springfield, MA  
2,433,757 Dec. 30, 1947 Distributor Kenneth A. Harmon Longmeadow, MA
2,433,881 Jan. 06, 1948 Stator mounting for flywheel magnetos Albert I. Alstrom Longmeadow, MA
2,433,887 Jan. 06, 1948 Ignition apparatus Allen L. Brownlee West Springfield, MA
2,433,888 Jan. 06, 1948 Distributor Allen L. Brownlee West Springfield, MA
446,455 Jan. 27, 1948 Flywheel magneto Allen Lester Brownlee West Springfield, MA This magneto is primarily intended for outboard motors.
    Flywheel magneto Albert Icilius Alstrom Longmeadow, MA  
2,446,761 Aug. 10, 1948 Combined magneto and alternator Kenneth A. Harmon Longmeadow, MA
2,447,727 Aug. 24, 1948 Flywheel magneto Albert I. Aistrom Longmeadow, MA
    Flywheel magneto Allen L. Brownlee West Springfield, MA  
2,451,675 Oct. 19, 1948 Distributor Kenneth A. Harmon Longmeadow, MA
2,458,336 Jan. 04, 1949 Field magnet unit for flywheel magnetos Allen L. Brownlee West Springfield, MA
453,917 Jan. 04, 1949 Magneto Allen Lester Brownlee West Springfield, MA The patent covers a modular structure for a magneto, in order to simplify manufacture.
    Magneto Stanley Robert Ellingham Springfield, MA  
454,896 Mar. 01, 1949 Magneto Russell Eastmen Phelon West Springfield, MA
2,464,779 Mar. 15, 1949 Breaker point mechanism Allen L. Brownlee West Springfield, MA
    Breaker point mechanism Albert I. Alstrom Longmeadow, MA  
2,470,467 May. 17, 1949 Stator unit for flywheel magnetos Allen L. Brownlee West Springfield, MA
2,487,095 Nov. 08, 1949 Mounting for Stators of Flywheel Magnetos Allen L. Brownlee West Springfield, Hampden County, MA This patent was improved by patent #2,528,700.
    Mounting for Stators of Flywheel Magnetos George F. McGrevy West Springfield, Hampden County, MA  
2,528,687 Nov. 07, 1950 Arrangement of stator-platemounted elements of a flywheel magneto Allen L. Brownlee West Springfield, MA
    Arrangement of stator-platemounted elements of a flywheel magneto Terrence G. Louis West Springfield, MA  
2,528,698 Nov. 07, 1950 Centrifugal governor, particularly for varying the timing of ignition Terrence G. Louis West Springfield, MA
2,528,700 Nov. 07, 1950 Fastening means for the stator plates of flywheel magnetos George F. McGrevy West Springfield, MA Improvements to patent 2,487,095.
477,526 Oct. 02, 1951 Field magnet units for flywheel magnetos Allen Lester Brownlee West Springfield, MA
2,573,196 Oct. 30, 1951 Brake-holder control mechanism Kenneth A. Harmon Longmeadow, MA
2,577,680 Dec. 04, 1951 Control mechanism for the brake holders of automotive vehicles Glen A. Guernsey West Springfield, MA
    Control mechanism for the brake holders of automotive vehicles Kenneth A. Harmon Longmeadow, MA  
2,583,466 Jan. 22, 1952 Flywheel magneto Allen L. Brownlee West Springfield, MA
2,583,485 Jan. 22, 1952 Control mechanism for brake holders Glen A. Guernsey West Springfield, MA
    Control mechanism for brake holders Kenneth A. Harmon Longmeadow, MA  
481,142 Feb. 12, 1952 Stator units for flywheel magnetos Allen Lester Brownlee West Springfield, MA Flywheel magneto for small engines, e.g., for scooters and bicycles or small outboard motors, where space within the flywheel is very limited.
2,591,353 Apr. 01, 1952 Electrical switch Glen A. Guernsey West Springfield, MA
    Electrical switch Kenneth A. Harmon Longmeadow, MA  
2,594,155 Apr. 22, 1952 Brake-holder control mechanism Kenneth A. Harmon Longmeadow, MA
    Brake-holder control mechanism Glen A. Guernsey West Springfield, MA  
487,500 Oct. 21, 1952 Combined magnetos and alternators Allen Lester Brownlee West Springfield, MA Flywheel magneto with alternator for small engines, e.g., for scooters and bicycles or small outboard motors, where space within the flywheel is very limited; the alternator is for powering a lamp.
    Combined magnetos and alternators Glen Alan Guernsey West Springfield, MA  
2,622,215 Dec. 16, 1952 Impulse coupling Joseph J. Piekarski Westfield, MA
    Impulse coupling John L. Baillargeon Springfield, MA  
2,637,416 May. 05, 1953 Control mechanism for brake holders Arthur H. Green East Longmeadow, MA
    Control mechanism for brake holders Glen A. Guernsey West Springfield, MA  
495,799 Sep. 01, 1953 Flywheel magnetos Allen Lester Brownlee West Springfield, MA Flywheel magneto for high-speed engines as in outboard motors, lawn mowers, mopeds, scooters, and chainsaws. The patent is an improvement on Canada patent 374,130; that patent's design was found to be suitable only at 3000 RPM or less, due to extra sparks, called "maverick" sparks, which that design emits at high speeds.
2,727,410 Dec. 20, 1955 Motor-generator gearing Albert I. Alstrom Longmeadow, MA
2,731,540 Jan. 17, 1956 Electric cigarette lighter Arthur H. Green East Longmeadow, MA
    Electric cigarette lighter Glen A. Guernsey West Springfield, MA  
2,756,356 Jul. 24, 1956 Field magnet unit for flywheel magnetos Allen L. Brownlee Westfield, MA
    Field magnet unit for flywheel magnetos Terrence G. Louis North Haven, CT