 The Backus Novelty Company was an early maker of mechanical locking clamps and other novelties in Smethport, Pennsylvania. According to the Virtual Historic Smethport & McKean County Project, the Backus Corporation was incorporated in 1906 with Robert W. Hilton, John M. Hilton, and J. C. Backus as directors and equal owners. Their purpose was the manufacture of hat & coat locks and other mechanical novelties. The exact name of this company is unclear. It is variously referred to as "Backus Manufacturing Company", "Backus Corporation", and stamped on some of the locks or keys, "Backus Novelty Co." Don Stewart (RIP, editor and publisher of the Key Collectors Journal), said in the Apr/May 1983 issue (Vol. V, No. 4): One of the most interesting of the unusual locks manufactured during the early part of this century is the "Locking Clamp." For its time, it was probably one of the most versatile locks ever invented. The inventor was not limited in his imagination when describing its many uses. This diversity of uses has led to many arguments among collectors as to its proper use. This is one case where everyone is right. 
The first patent for a locking clamp was issued to L. C. Tingley
of Providence, Rhode Island on March 26, 1912, Patent No.
1,021,343.
Tingley's basic patent did not achieve much success as his imagination
was limited. He could envision the clamp used only as a towel bar
clamp or for robe and garments when left in an automobile.
This lock operated with a rachet mechanism to close and a standard
bit type key to release. The key enters from the side of the base.A few years later John Clayton Backus of the Backus Novelty Co., Smethport, Pennsylvania acquired the rights to the Tingley clamp. He then proceeded to re-invent the ultimate clamp. This much-improved locking clamp was issued Patent No. 1,156,739 on October 12, 1915. The success of the Backus clamp lies in the imagination and promotion skills of its inventor. In his patent papers Backus illustrates several uses and lists many more in his text, everything from the original towel and garment clamp to an automobile radiator core clamp. Among his more interesting applications was a spark lever and throttle lock. |
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His first product was the "lightning check system" first announced in
this 1899 McKean County Miner article (see original):
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| Comparison of Backus Novelty Keys | Backus Novelty Coat and Hat Lock (Green's Cigar Store, Seattle, Washington) | Backus Novelty Hat Lock (Ozark Baths) Cast iron plunger and removable hook |
Hex Locking Brolly Stand (Library Bureau, Chicago) |
