VALVE SPRING COMPRESSOR pat. 2 119 128

[GJG]

Patent No 2 119 128 was filed on June 14, 1937 by Ira J. Clark and issued on May 31, 1938. The Clark-Feather CF-12 was rapidly modified (without model number change) and the second evolution is identified here as CF-12-1. Through the years, five evolutions were made by other tool makers or by Clark for them. Blue Point (Snap On) sold copies of all evolutions: CF-12 (~1938), CF-12-1 (~1939), CF 12A (~1946), CF-49 (~1953), CF 49A (~1962) and an irrelevant "CF-49B" (not a Clark but a copy of Zim 122). [Dates from Snap-On catalogs]

The photos on pages 17 and 44 of the Willys MB/Ford GPW manual TM 9-1803A (24 Feb. 1944), are not of a Wilde No 675 but of the CF-12 (no curve on upper lever and long shackle; same thing on fig. 3 of the Wilde instructions sheet). The army had other suppliers since part number 41-L-1410 is printed on the original box of the Wilde. So, the CF-12, CF-12-1, CF-12A and their clones should be period correct.

THE FIVE EVOLUTIONS:

1- Clark-Feather CF-12: the original compressor by I.J. Clark in 1938; long bent screw, 2 pairs of straight shackles of dissimilar length, small handle with ribs.

2- Clark-Feather CF-12-1: (stamped CF-12) note the curves on the upper lever and on the long shackle hinge, which are straight on the CF-12 and on the patent drawing, larger handle with ribs.

3- Clark-Feather CF-12A: note curve of the bottom jaw instead of an angle.

4- Clark-Feather CF-49: flat riveted lower jaw fork (like the Sunnen; more space to replace locks), short straight screw on new shaft, outside straight long shackle, large handle without rib.

5- Clark-Feather CF-49A: last evolution of the Clark-Feather (9¼"x 2 3/8" opening), compact, lightweight and elegant design, low profile upper jaw, long straight screw pinned on new L end of the long shackle which is shorter and inside, one piece stamped lower jaw.

CLARK'S CLONES DOCUMENTED (there are certainly others out there…):

CF-12: Blue Point CF-12.
CF-12-1: Blue Point CF-12-1; Wilde 675; New Britain VL-151; French reproduction 115A (2018).
CF-12A: Blue Point CF-12A; OTC A-100; Cornwell VT-24.
CF-49: Blue Point CF-49; Lisle CF-49; Wilde 695; OTC A-150, Cornwell VT-124, New Britain VL-151, Matador 563.
CF-49A: Snap-On CF-49A; Herbrand VL-540; Lisle CF-49A; New Britain VL-151;
Cornwell VT-124A; Mac CF-49A; Kennedy VT-49; Indestro CF-49A; Napa OTC;
Blackhawk VT1002; Wilde 695A; Duro Chrome CF-49A; Toledo 304185; Bonney RC-120;
Cal-Van 578; Matco CF-49A.

POPULAR COMPRESSORS NOT FOLLOWING CLARK PATENT:
1- K-D 700: (Harry W. Kulp and Martin C. Dellinger) "K-D Mfg. Co.", "Lancaster, PA.",
"Pat. 2,533,121", "Made in U.S.A.": 6 fingers on the knob, short screw (left hand threads) pushing against upper jaw, 1950 patent.
2- Sunnen EL-100: (Sunnen Products Co. St. Louis, MO, Pat Pend Made in U.S.A.); (patent 2,491,738: filed april 25, 1945; published dec. 20, 1949); spring on screw, flat lower jaw fork (more space to replace locks), lever type (no scissor action), 12" long.
3- New Britain VL-150: (Sunnen style with pivoting screw bracket) ; New Britain also made a type CF12-1, a type CF49 and a type CF49A, all three with model number VL-151.
4- Craftsman: (#1 clone of VL-150 and #2 similar to VL-150 but with CF-12 style lower jaw).
5- Zim No. 122: (April 13, 1943, patent 2,316,646 by Zim Manufacturing of Chicago): both jaws formed, one shackle and lower jaw pulled by a short screw on sliding shaft. Clones: Blue Point CF 49B, Goodson CF-122 (those two should not have CF in their part number).
6- Zim No. 126: same patent as above; one shackle, flat lower jaw, left hand screw pushing on upper jaw as the K-D 700; very simple but cheap looking.

N.B.: The Toledo 304185 (CF-49A clone), Goodson CF-122 (Zim 122 clone), French reproduction 115A (CF-12-1) and Matador 563 are probably still made.

by Gaétan J. Gagnon, updated 2023-10-25

Below: Photos of Blue Point CF-12-1, Wilde no 675, the five evolutions and other popular compressor.

[Howard]

Amazing what you can learn on this Forum.
Thanks, GJG!
H
PS Can we have your name, please?