U.S. Patent Office Archive · 1837–1915

Buffalo Pitts U.S. Patent Index: From U.S. Patent No. 542 (1837) to 20th-Century Traction Engineering

For nearly eight decades, the competitive edge of the Pitts works rested on continuous patent protection across four mechanical families: grain separation, steam traction drive trains, road compaction rollers, and early internal-combustion tractors.

1. Landmark Patent Categories

• Grain Threshing & Separating (1837–1908): Beginning with U.S. Patent No. 542 (Dec. 29, 1837) by John A. and Hiram A. Pitts for the combined thresher and grain separator, followed by patents on oscillating straw shakers, adjustable chaffer sieves, and pneumatic stackers.

• Steam Traction Engines: Patents covering spring-mounted rear axles, compensating differential gearing, Friction clutch mechanisms inside the band flywheel, and double-cylinder valve gear layouts.

• Road Rollers & Aviation Experiments: See our dedicated breakdowns on Steam Traction Patents (/patents-steam-tractors.html), Steamroller Patents (/patents-steamrollers.html), and Early Aviation Patents (/patents-aviation.html).

Buffalo Pitts U.S. Patent Index: From U.S. Patent No. 542 (1837) to 20th-Century Traction Engineering

1. Landmark Patent Categories

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