38

McLean

’

s Patent

On Feb. 23, 1926, Robert J. McLean of New York City was granted U. S. Patent

Number 1,574,497 for his

“

Combination Tool.

”

The patent was assigned to Sloan

& Company, a New York corporation. McLean

‟

s claims relate to the pivoting

segments which lock in place by contacting a stop-pin and thus serve as the

handle for

“

a helically formed member

”

(corkscrew). Although his invention

discusses cap lifters, box openers, nail removers and key blanks, these are not

part of his patent claims.