From the Rolls-Royce experimental archive: a quarter of a million communications from Rolls-Royce, 1906 to 1960's. Documents from the Sir Henry Royce Memorial Foundation (SHRMF).
Report discussing modified steering controls and issues surrounding carburetter patents.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 30\2\ Scan100 | |
| Date | 17th September 1932 | |
| CHASSIS TYPE. -2- Previous item No.16 referred to is:- Modified steering controls - EV{Ivan Evernden - coachwork}1/17.9.32. and How soon may we expect to see samples? He. reported that a set of these controls will be fitted to Peregrine when it goes to France on the 5th November. He. will arrange with Mr. H.{Arthur M. Hanbury - Head Complaints} the exact time and place for him to see the car. Bignall's Corner at 12. noon November 4th was provisionally arranged. Previous item No.17 referred to is:- R.R. Expanding carburetter and the question of Stromberg patents - W/H.18.6.31. and T/R/18.9.31., i.e., do we infringe ? R.{Sir Henry Royce} reported that with regard to the slow running device on the R.R. expanding carburetter the question has been carefully gone into, and the opinion of Mr. Champneys of Messrs. Claremont, Haynes obtained, the opinion is that the device we propose to use is outside the very narrow patent held by Stromberg. With reference to the S.U. type of guide used for the air valve of the R.R. semi-expanding carburetter, R.{Sir Henry Royce} states that Mr. Skinner of the S.U. Company has said that he will be pleased to give R.R. permission to use the control guide provided we acknowledge the fact. The form of acknowledgment has not been defined but it is thought that a small nominal royalty is what Mr. Skinner has in mind. H.{Arthur M. Hanbury - Head Complaints} stated that he has looked into the S.U. patent, which has about 8 years to run, and he cannot see that the air valve guide is claimed as a feature, or is protected by the patent specification in question, in which case we are not compelled to obtain permission for its use. R.{Sir Henry Royce} proposes to elucidate this point on the next occasion he sees Mr. Skinner. Rg.{Mr Rowledge} asked R.{Sir Henry Royce} to negotiate with Mr. Skinner and obtain a permanent settlement of the question regarding the use of the control guide and if any payment is necessary a sum up to £100 could be expended. The settlement must be definite and for ever, and with no possibility of the question arising again. The payment, if any, must be in the form of a lump sum, and not in the form of royalty on output. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} pointed out that the semi-expanding carburetters being made by us at present apparently do infringe the Stromberg patents. As the design will be altered after the first few it was decided to take no action. | ||