• Born: 7 Apr 1843, Richmond VA

  General notes:

Jeweler

  Events in his life were:

• He worked circa 1866 as a jeweler in New York City NY
  Originally left in charge of the New York office of SIMPSON, HALL, MILLER & Co when their father returned to Wallingford to become treasurer of that business, George and Charles Jr. neglected the business in favor of establishing their own jewelry company.

• He was issued patent number 296, 287 on 1 Apr 1884
  
  GURDON W. HULL AND CHARLES B. YALE, OF WALLINGFORD, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNORS TO SIMPSON, HALL, MILLER & CO., OF SAME PLACE.
  
  TABLE-CASTER OR OTHER ARTICLE OF TABLE-SERVICE.
  
  SPECIFICATION. forming part of Letters Patent No. 296, 287, dated April 1, 1884.
  Application filed February 18, 1884. (No model.)
  
  To all whom it may concern,
  Be it known that we, Gurdon W. Hull and Chas. B. Yale, of Wallingford, in the county of New Haven and State of Connecticut, have invented a new Improvement in Table-Casters and other Articles of Table-Service; and we do hereby declare the following, when taken in connection with accompanying drawings and the letters of reference marked thereon, to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same, and which said drawings constitute part of this specification, and represent, in—
  Figure 1, a front view of a caster-handle; Fig. 2, a vertical section, showing the introduction of the letter; Fig. 3, the same, showing the letter secured; Fig. 4, the letter detached; Fig. 5, the invention as applied to a pitcher; Figs. 6 and 7, modifications.
  This invention relates to an improvement in casters, spoon-holders, and various articles of table-service made from metal. Purchasers of these articles often desire that they be marked with some initial, monogram, emblem, or other distinctive character. Particularly is this the case with hotels, restaurants, societies, &c.
  The object of our invention is to construct metal articles of table-service so that such initials, monograms, or whatever it may be, may be attached according to the desire of the purchaser, and in such construction of articles, as more fully hereinafter described, our invention consists.
  We first represent the invention as applied to the handle of a caster. These handles are usually made open, and across the opening from side to side parallel bars a b are formed in the process of manufacture. Upon the corresponding faces of these bars we form a longitudinal groove, d. These bars, like the article in which they are applied, are made from metal of a ductile character. The letter, monogram, or whatever it maybe, is prepared corresponding to the distance between these bars— say the letter H, as seen in Fig. 4. The thickness of this letter should correspond substantially to the groove in the bars.. It is set, say, into the tipper groove, as seen in Fig. 2, one side of the lower groove being turned away sufficiently to permit the lower end to enter. Then, when entered, the sides of the groove are closed upon the letter, as seen in Fig. 3, so as to hold it firmly and as seen in Fig. 1.
  Letters may be kept in stock by the dealer, so that he may readily apply the letter desired by the customer; or monograms, emblems, &c, may be prepared with special reference to the article and wishes of the customer, and introduced by the manufacturer, his stock being held blank subject to the introduction of such monograms or letters as orders may come to him. The bars by which the letter is secured form an ornamental part of the handle, equally ornamental whether the letter or monogram be applied or omitted, so that its omission does not detract from the article. These grooved bars may be applied to other articles of table-service— say a pitcher, as seen in Fig. 5— the bars a b being placed upon the side of the pitcher and made ornamental, the surface between the bars being ornamented, as shown, so that whether the letter or monogram be applied or not, the bars form a tasteful ornament on the side of the pitcher. The grooves in any case are formed as before described, and so that the letter, monogram, or whatever it may be, may be introduced at pleasure and firmly secured. Owing to the ductility of the metal these letters or monograms may be changed at any time and others substituted therefor, whereas if marks are engraved or otherwise made substantially an integral part of the article, then such marks being permanent detract from the, article when ownership of the article is changed.
  Instead of introducing the letter, as described, first into one groove, then the other, it may be introduced from one side and slide into the grooves into its proper position and hold by friction; or, instead of fixing the letter or monogram by means of such grooves, the article to which it is to be attached may have screw-holes tapped into it, as seen in Fig. 6, and the letter have a corresponding hole through it, as seen at e, Fig. 4, and then a screw introduced through it. The letters being all drilled to a standard, any letter may be applied as occasion may require.
  Instead of making the letter a firm fixed part of the article, it may be hung thereon, as seen in Fig. 7, the letters being provided with hooks/, and the bar or whatever it may be constructed with a groove, ft, corresponding to said hook, so that the hook engaged in this groove will retain the letter in that position.
  It will be evident that in case of the grooves they may be made horizontal, perpendicular, or inclined.
  These illustrations are sufficient to enable those skilled in the art to apply my invention to various articles of table, toilet, and other service.
  We claim—
  1. Metal articles of table and like service, provided with means, substantially such as described, for removably and interchangeably attaching initials, monograms, &c, substantially as specified.
  2. Metal articles of table and like service, constructed with the grooved parallel bars a b and fitted to receive letters, monograms, &c, substantially as specified.
  
  Gurdon W. Hull
  Charles B. Yale
  
  Witnesses:
  Henry Martin
  W. P. Lightfoot