Primarily Petroliana Shop Talk Forums Shop Talk Petroliana Forums General Petroliana Discussion Fry 17 External Pump - Why External?

Ah. Each new bit of information is like another piece to a puzzle. one thing I found interesting about the tag on the pump is that is simply says "Patented" I have seen threads about other pumps where people have a whole series of patent dates as the patent is renewed. The fact that there is no actual patent date makes me wonder if the pump was being produced after the patent application was filed but before the patent was approved. I know a patent would keep competitors at a distance, but a patent pending really keeps them guessing since they could not know what is covered under the patent until it is actually filed and approved. I suppose it doesn't much matter since it is what it is, but it is a point of interest to know just where it stands in the evolution of the design, simply because it stands out, so to speak.

A 50/50 mix of acetone and automatic transmission fluid is what I use to help get corroded or rusty parts removed. It takes a while for the 2 parts to mix.

50/50 mix of coca cola and ATF is what I use.

OK! I really get it now. I guess whenever I saw one of these pumps without a base, I just figured the base was missing or abandoned/discarded from rusting away. Interesting that a manufacturer would make it the customer's problem to figure out how to elevate the thing, but if it was common practice and there was little or no competition, that's just the way it was. I appreciate everyone for sharing, and helping me to learn what a truly wonderful find this thing is. Thank you!

Jack,

The reference to your previous article in 'CTO' on the Fry pumps and accessories would be of great interest. Can you advise of the issue that this article appeared.

Thank you,

Walt K. in PA

Ditto Jack Sim. I have an early Fry 17 and would like to learn more about it. How can we obtain a copy of your article?

John L.

Originally David Cole who also writes articles for CTO wrote an article about this series of pumps. His claim was that it was the first visible made and sold. I had always felt the Fleckenstein made the first visible. Fleckenstein claims to have patented it in 1911, but I have never been able to find the patent. Actually Fleckenstein was a minor so the patents could not be in his name and most were issued to his mother.
I started writing articles about the Fry pumps, Mr. Cole wrote another article. Over the years he wrote two article and I wrote three. Unless I find information that backs up Fleckenstein claim, I agree with Mr. Cole, Fry made the first visible as we know it.
I will look up the articles over the weekend and post the issue dates. Scott Anderson also wrote a small article for PCM that sheds some light on when the Fry was introduced.

A little information about patents.
Something with a number of patent numbers on it usually means the item is covered by a number of patents, each patent for a different piece of the item.
Patent Pending means that a request for a patent has been sent to the patent office and they are awaiting approval. I have seen instances of where the patent was not issued until as much as eight years after the request.
Once a patent is submitted to the patent office anybody can look at it, so it doesn't keep anybody guessing.
Some pump companies never bothered to request a patent for anything.
If you look up a patent, the date it was issued is not important. The date it was submitted is the most important thing. Now try and determine how long it took the inventor to design, and make one and then write the lengthy patent request before submitting it.

Jack Sim

Hello Jack,
Can the articles be posted here for those of us that do not have access to the older additions of those magazines; since you are the author ?
Thanks,
Dave

Yes. This is why I found it interesting that my pump tag simply says "Patented". No date or patent number... Yes. A Patent Pending can offer more protection than a Patent since a patent application can be rejected or revised, in the mean time it can keep competitors cautious about what aspects of the patent might get them into trouble for infringement. It can keep them guessing even if they know the full scope of the patent application... until it the Patent is actually granted in its final form.

Also...the patent info is on the iron pattern. When I worked in a foundry we made items that had patent info on them and those patterns were 30-40 years old. It simply doesn't mean that the individual item is that old...just the patent. Does this make sense ? Knowing the evolution of the Fry pumps helps give the years that a certain pump was produced. Dave

It does make sense. Some patents are so good that, as long as they are renewed, are iron clad for decades. I know of a patented product that had been in production since 1952. It was upheld in a reverse engineering patent infringement case 40 years later. I am sure it is still on the market today. A concept can't be patented, but when the specs are that good, regardless of technological evolution, or obsolescence, they cant be beat!