Nikola Tesla U.S. Patent 514,169 - Reciprocating Engine Patent Wrapper Page 7

52 of either the objects of applicants unvention nor of the me ans described in the claims for accomplishing it. The claims express and we believe correctly, the law of isochronous vibration as applied to an engine. This so far as the record shows was never thought of before. Claim 1, for example, contains as elements a cylinder, pis ton and spring connected with the piston, but these are claimed only when related in the specific manner pointed out. No such relations exist in the engin es End, mit mcompet stati of the references. Claim 5 and 6 are rejected as functional, but we submit that they are legitimate method claims, Applicant is the first to conceive of the idea of controlling the rate of reciprocation by the vibration of a spring. Springs have been connected to reciprocating pistons for time out of mind, but never in such way as to control their rate of reciprocation. The ordinary function of a spring connected with a piston is not to control its rate of reciprocation and what applicant à ces has not been done by the springs used heretofore. Claim 6 seems to be still less open to the criticism of being functional. We have to request a reconsideration of the case on its mer it s. Respectfully, -3fibong com artiya for th Linta