Saturday, December 22, 2012

The Miller-Chapman Security Auto-Theft Signal System, Patent 1,343,709








As a few of you know, I am in the process of finishing a book entitled Stealing Cars: Technology and Society form the Model T to Gran Torino. Recently I purchased what is described below on Ebay. The 1920s were one high point in stolen car activity, and there were numerous devices that were sold to deter thieves. The table below lists related patented equipment, and illustrates just how complex any history of technology can be.

The creation of Earle E. Chapman of Los Angeles, the "Vehicle Shackle" was one of numerous types of wheel and tire locks that  were patented during the 1910s and 1920s. Apparently there were 34 different sizes to accommodate a broad range of tire dimensions. The one I have is  marked B1.




Patent #
Issue Date
Title
Inventor Name
Assignee
1108156
1914-08-25
Chock for vehicle wheels
H. D. Ells
Edward E. McKee
1230799
1917-06-19
Automobile lock
F. Scholly
1304785
1919-05-27
Hobble for motor vehicles
J.J. McDade; F.P. Donnelly
1325307
1919-12-16
Lock for automobiles
T.A. Reeder
1326688
1919-12-30
Wheel chock
V.N. Perry
1337568
1920-04-20
Automobile lock and traction device
Shannon S. Q.; Randall, Herman P.
Randall; Shannon
1343709
1920-06-15
Vehicle-shackle
Chapman, Earle E.
Chapman, Earle E.
1347262
1920-07-20
Automobile-lock
Eichorn, Frederick C. H.
James, Burke W.; Albert, Eichorn H.
1348960
1920-08-10
Automobile-lock for disk wheels
Saegesser, Albert W.
LIBERTY AUTO LOCK CO
1351644
1920-08-31
Wheel-lock
Ignaz, Hadinger
Ignaz, Hadinger
1353117
1920-09-14
Wheel-lock
Thompson, Charles E.
Thomas, Hill J.
1353541
1920-09-21
Automobile-chock
Fred, Retterer
Fred, Retterer
1361108
1920-12-07
Automobile-lock
Soleau, Charles J.
Soleau, Charles J.
1362955
1920-12-21
Safety-lock for vehicles
Miller, Arthur E.
Miller, Arthur E.
1367086
1921-02-01
Lock
Paddleford, Oliver M.
Paddleford, Oliver M.
1371691
1921-03-15
Automobile theft-signal
Lawrence, Klinker
Lawrence, Klinker
1385461
1921-07-26
Theft-warning automobile-lock
Mcdonald, John K.
THEFT WARNING AUTO LOCK CORP
1388322
1921-08-23
Wheel-lock
Michael, Branco
Michael, Branco
1394219
1921-10-18
Wheel-lock
Raddick, David J.
Graf, Siegfried
1408133
1922-02-28
Auto theft signal
Ochs, Ralph J.; Hodes, Carl E.
Ochs, Ralph J.; Hodes, Carl E.
1411886
1922-04-04
Automobile wheel attachment
Mackey, Huggins Claude; John, Cline Calvin
Mackey, Huggins Claude; John, Cline Calvin
1415401
1922-05-09
Vehicle lock
Wingate, Rollins; Seymour, Clinton K.; Sargent, John A.
Wingate, Rollins; Seymour, Clinton K.; Sargent, John A.
1418534
1922-06-06
Side chain shackle for automobile wheels
Chapman, Earle E.
MILLER CHAPMAN COMPANY
1424106
1922-07-25
Automobile theft signal
H.M. Lake; O.C. Betry
1444161
1923-02-06
Vehicle lock
Arnold, Frederick A.
Arnold, Frederick A.
1445750
1923-02-20
Auto safety device
Carey, George F.
Carey, George F.
1447053
1923-02-27
Automobile wheel lock
Elmer, Trimm Leslie
Elmer, Trimm Leslie
1453882
1923-05-01
Auto lock
Mchugh, James N.
Mchugh, James N.
1463387
1923-07-31
Shackle for automobile wheels and spokes
Chapman, Earle E.
MILLER CHAPMAN COMPANY
1469772
1923-10-09
Auto-theft signal
Chapman, Erale E.
MILLER CHAPMAN COMPANY
1470662
1923-10-16
Automobile lock
William, Barnett
William, Barnett
1472155
1923-10-30
Wire-rope shackle for automobile wheels
Chapman, Earle E.
MILLER CHAPMAN COMPANY
1476467
1923-12-04
Lock for automobile wheels
Saegesser, Albert W.
Saegesser, Albert W.
1481537
1924-01-22
Vehicle lock
Carney, George A.
Carney, George A.
1483687
1924-02-12
Wheel lock
Shepard, John W.
Shepard, John W.
1485595
1924-03-04
Shackle for automobile wheels and spokes
Chapman, Earle E.
MILLER CHAPMAN COMPANY
1500924
1924-07-08
Theft warning signal or wheel lock for vehicles
Chadwick, William E.; Creighton, John A.
Gustavus, Edward Westberg
1503210
05/25/1922
Auto lock and traction device
S.Q. Shannon
Donald R. Morrison
RE14956
1920-10-12
Automobile theft signal
H.D. Ells
H.G. Miller
RE15428
1922-08-08
Locking device for automobile wheels
A.M. Cummings


5 comments:

  1. I came across your blog while trying to find info on the very same Miller-Chapman device you have pictured above. I was curious if you could tell me a ball park figure on it's worth/value or if you could point me in the direction where I could find out.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Did you ever find the value for that wheel chack I have one too

      Delete
    2. No, never did find out a value for it.

      Delete
  2. bonjour,
    je possède le même cadenas "patented 25 1914", et j'aimerais avoir des informations sur cet objet et sa valeur. Il a sa clef corbin et fonctionne parfaitement.
    Merci si vous pouvez m'aider
    Cordialement
    Nicole Pillot 45 faubourg Saint-Andoche 71400 AUTUN FRANCE

    ReplyDelete