Today In Diner History. . .

On this date in 1938, Allendale, New Jersey resident, Irving B. Cooper received patent number 2107854 entitled "Vehicle Body Construction." Though he filed on April 21, 1937 it wasn't until the following February when the patent was issued. This patent specifies an arched floor, preventing the floor from sagging once everything is installed. It also mentions the numerous other structural improvements. The entire patent and accompanying drawings may be viewed on the Google Patent website.

According to page 239 of "American Diner Then & Now" by Richard J. S. Gutman, Mr. Cooper, "...was vice president in charge of design and production for the diner division" of Paterson Vehicle Company. This is the company that built diners under the name Silk City Diner.


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Today In Diner History. . .

On this date in 1939, Allendale, New Jersey resident, Irving B. Cooper received patent number 2145919 entitled "Vehicle Body Construction." Though he filed on April 27, 1938 it wasn't until the following February when the patent was issued. This patent described a welded steel frame and other improvements to a diner car's structure. The entire patent and accompanying drawings may be viewed on the Google Patent website.

According to page 239 of "American Diner Then & Now" by Richard J. S. Gutman, Mr. Cooper, "...was vice president in charge of design and production for the diner division" of Paterson Vehicle Company. This is the company that built diners under the name Silk City Diner.


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Today In Diner History. . .

On this date in 1893, Worcester, Massachusetts resident, Thomas H. Buckley received design patent number 23011 entitled "Design For A Lunch-Wagon Body." The entire patent and accompanying drawings may be viewed here on the Google Patent website.


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Today In Diner History. . .

On this date in 1893, Worcester, Massachusetts resident, Thomas H. Buckley received patent number 489893 for a "Lunch-Wagon." Though it should be noted that one-half was assigned to Ephraim Hamel, of Lynn, Massachusetts. Below is a quote from that patent document.

"The front and rear ends walls A², and A³, are provided with stained glass windows a⁹, fitted to swing inwardly, and the lights of the doors a², are also stained glass, and consequently with such construction lettering can be, and is ground thereon, to indicate and announce the character of the wagon and some of the general articles of food constituting the bill of fare, and which can be readily read from outside both day and night. . ."

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Today In Diner History. . .

On October 21, 1930, Wilfrid H. Barriere was issued Patent #1779082. Shown below is the first paragraph excerpted from the patent.

This invention relates to improvements in vehicles of the general type commonly designated as "night lunch-carts" or "diners". In such vehicles, provision is made for cooking and serving food in somewhat limited quarters.

View the entire patent here.


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A Look Back on September 12th

9/12/2007
On this date in 2007 Doc's Little Gem Diner closed due to a kitchen fire. After repairs, this 1950's Fodero diner reopened a little over two months later.

9/12/1939
On this date in diner history, Nicholas Caracasis of Roslindale, MA received Patent number: D116621 for his diner design. The design and accompanying text may be seen here.


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Today in Diner History. . .

On this date in 1937 Bertron G. Harley received three patents:

#2,089,058 - "This invention relates to portable restaurants known as "diners" and to building structure peculiarly adapted for housing the same. It also relates to improved features of knock-down construction for small buildings in general and to means for ventilating their interiors." View the entire patent here.

#2,089,059 - "This invention relates to portable restaurants known as diners and to buildin structure peculiarly adapted for housing the same and alalogous structures and is an improvement on the portable sectional diner shown and described in an application filed by me June 4, 1934, Serial No. 728,897." View the entire patent here.

#2,089,060 - "The invention relates to ventilating means for portable restaurants known as "diners" and is a continuation in part of an application filed by me June 4, 1934, Serial No. 728,897. It also relates to ventilating means for knock-down construction for small buildings in general and to means for ventilating their interiors." View the entire patent here.


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Today in Diner History. . .

On this date in 1938, Bertron G. Harley was issued patent #D110417 for his diner design. View the entire patent here.


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Today in Diner History. . .

On this date in 1937, Bertron G. Harley was awarded design patent #D110000 for his diner design. View the entire patent here.


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Today In Diner History. . .

On this date in 1893, Worcester, Massachusetts resident Charles H. Palmer was issued patent number 497598, titled "Lunch-Wagon."

The entire patent may be viewed using Google Patent search.


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Today In Diner History. . .

On this date in 1894, Worcester, Massachusetts resident Thomas H. Buckley was issued design patent number 23011, titled "Design for a Lunch-Wagon Body."

The entire patent may be viewed using Google Patent search.


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Today In Diner History. . .

On this date in 1905, Glens Falls, New York resident Albert H. Closson was issued patent number 780265, titled "Night Lunch-Wagon." Here is a quote from the patent.

"The object of the present invention is to provide an improved commodious kitchen and dining-room which is mounted on wheels to permit of easy transportation and which may be easily and conveniently entered by pedestrians from the street, as well as to furnish a booth from which persons standing on the outside may be readily served with lunches."

The entire patent description with accompanying drawings may be viewed using Google Patent search.


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