George Selden's 1895 Patent for a Road Engine
George Selden's 1895 patent describes a 'road engine,' a precursor to the automobile, focusing on a combined engine and vehicle design.
Original patent title: “Road-engine”
George Selden's 1895 patent describes a 'road engine,' a precursor to the automobile, focusing on a combined engine and vehicle design. Granted to George B. Selden in 1895.
Key facts
Coverage
What does this patent actually cover?
This patent, granted in 1895, outlines a 'road engine' which integrates a motive engine with a vehicle chassis. The design focuses on the overall structure of a self-propelled carriage. It details components like the engine, its connection to the wheels, and steering mechanisms, aiming to create a functional automobile.
The gap
What does this patent NOT cover?
- Does not cover modern internal combustion engines with specific fuel injection systems.
- Does not cover electric vehicles or hybrid powertrains.
- Does not cover specific safety features like airbags or anti-lock brakes.
- Does not cover advanced navigation or infotainment systems.
- Does not cover specific materials used in modern vehicle construction.
These exclusions are unique to PatentBrief — derived from the actual claim language, not patent-office boilerplate.
What made this novel
The noveltynoveltyThe requirement that an invention be different from anything publicly known before its priority date.Read more → lay in combining the engine and vehicle into a single, patentable concept, rather than just patenting the engine itself. It aimed to cover the entire self-propelled carriage.
The Patent Drawing
Schematic visualization of the patent's claim structure. Hand-drawn diagrams in progress for each landmark patent.
Where you've seen this
Real-world examples
George Selden's 'Road Engine' prototype
Early automobile designs inspired by the concept
Why it matters
The bigger picture
This patent is historically significant as one of the earliest attempts to patent the concept of a complete automobile. George Selden's patent became a focal point in early automotive patent disputes, particularly involving Henry Ford.
Granted
November 5, 1895
Market context
Who's building on this
Companies in this space
Given the patent's age and the evolution of automotive technology, no modern companies are directly building on this specific patent. Its relevance is historical, influencing the foundational concepts of the automobile.
Market impact
Selden's patent created significant legal battles in the early 20th century, impacting the business strategies of nascent automobile manufacturers. It highlighted the importance of broad patent claimsclaimsThe numbered statements at the end of a patent that legally define what the inventor owns.Read more → in emerging industries.
Claim 1 — Plain English
What this patent covers
This patent, granted in 1895, outlines a 'road engine' which integrates a motive engine with a vehicle chassis. The design focuses on the overall structure of a self-propelled carriage. It details components like the engine, its connection to the wheels, and steering mechanisms, aiming to create a functional automobile.
The clever bit
The novelty lay in combining the engine and vehicle into a single, patentable concept, rather than just patenting the engine itself. It aimed to cover the entire self-propelled carriage.
What it does not cover
- Does not cover modern internal combustion engines with specific fuel injection systems.
- Does not cover electric vehicles or hybrid powertrains.
- Does not cover specific safety features like airbags or anti-lock brakes.
- Does not cover advanced navigation or infotainment systems.
- Does not cover specific materials used in modern vehicle construction.
PatentBrief Score
Impact Score
Early stage
Citation count
0/40
No citations yet
Claim breadth
0/20
Narrow claimsclaimsThe numbered statements at the end of a patent that legally define what the inventor owns.Read more →
Recency
0/20
Older than 20 years
Assignee scale
20/20
Major company or institution
PatentBrief Impact Score — based on citation count, claim breadth, recency, and assignee scale. Not a legal assessment.
Heuristic Value Estimate
What this patent might be worth
$1K – $4K
Midpoint $3K · expired or expiring · industry ×0.9
Heuristic only — blends forward/backward citation counts, claim scope, time remaining, litigation history, and CPC-derived industry baseline. Real valuations need a professional appraisal.
Concepts involved
Cite this patent
(1895). George Selden's 1895 Patent for a Road Engine (U.S. Patent No. 549,160). U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/549160/selden-automobile-patent
Auto-generated from the patent record. Double-check author order and the issue date against the official USPTO document before submitting.
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Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What does George Selden's 1895 Patent for a Road Engine cover?
George Selden's 1895 patent describes a 'road engine,' a precursor to the automobile, focusing on a combined engine and vehicle design.
Who owns patent US 549160?
George B. Selden owns this patent, granted in 1895.
When does this patent expire?
This patent has expired and is now in the public domain — anyone can use the invention freely.
What problem does this patent solve?
This patent is historically significant as one of the earliest attempts to patent the concept of a complete automobile. George Selden's patent became a focal point in early automotive patent disputes, particularly involving Henry Ford.
What does this patent NOT cover?
Does not cover modern internal combustion engines with specific fuel injection systems.
Patent monitoring