It is conceded that the damages for which the court rendered its decree were allowed for the infringement of the first claim only of the Rosner patent, which, therefore, is alone to be considered upon this appeal. The invention covered by this claim was described as follows in the specification:
'This invention consists in combining with a set of permutation wheels or tumblers, constructed each of a rim and center, an arrangement of bolts or equivalent devices, which fasten and unfasten said rims and centers by the use of a key inserted through holes in the cams in the wheels, by which said bolts or equivalent devices are operated, the effect being to enable the relative position of the rims and centers to be changed so as to make a new combination, by moving the driving pins to different positions relatively to the slots in the wheels. It further consists in the arrangement of parts as hereinafter described. * *
'Prior to my invention, in order to change the combination, where a single set of wheels only was used, made up each of a center hub and rim, the wheels had to be removed from the lock, and adjusted by hand and then replaced. I obviate this difficulty by the following arrangement: Opposite the center or hub, q, of each wheel, and located in the outer rim, I place a locking device or bolt, r, which, when forced in against the said center or hub, holds the same firmly in place with the outer rim; but, when thrown out, disengages said parts, and allows the centers to turn free while the rims remain stationary. Against the locking device or bolt, r, rests a cam or eccentric, s. Through each or all of these cams, and also through the back plate of the lock, is inserted a key, P, Fig. 6, by turning which it will be seen that said locking or fastening device may be forced in or drawn out at pleasure. When the key is inserted, and the fastening device thrown back, it will be seen that the rims of the wheels are held stationary by the key, while the centers may be turned to any different position by the spindle, thus setting the lock to a new combination. * *
'The nevelty in the first part of my invention consists in the combination of the fastening devices, r, with the wheels, constructed of three parts each, an outer rim and a center or hub composed of two parts, secured together, so that by inserting the key the parts composing the wheels may be loosened, and the outer rims held stationary, while the centers or hubs are turned to a different position by the action of the spindle, to rearrange the combination, and then the parts locked in place again, and all accomplished without removing the wheels themselves from the lock. In all prior locks with a single set of wheels, (each wheel made up of a rim and center hub,) so far as I am aware, the wheels had to be removed from the lock, and the combination changed by hand. * *
'What I claim, and desire to secure by letters patent, is, '(1) in a permutation lock, in combination with a set of wheels consisting each of an outer ring or rim and a central disk or hub, a set of fastening devices or bolts, r, r, which is made to fasten or unfasten said parts composing the wheels, by the insertion of a key through each or all of the wheels, whereby the combination of the lock may be changed, substantially as herein specified.'