The device pictured, while portable, is nothing whatsoever like a “window airconditioner” - it doesn’t sit in the window, for starters, but has a large apparatus “near” the window containing all the mechanicals.
If that’s what he patented, it’s understandable that the “large appliance manufacturer” didn’t feel any obligation to pay him royalties for a true window unit.
“If that’s what he patented, it’s understandable that the “large appliance manufacturer” didn’t feel any obligation to pay him royalties for a true window unit.”
Drawings for Utility Patents frequently don’t resemble the commercial product because such patents are issued on the strict uniqueness of how they work and not on their final appearance. Patents issued on the unique appearance of a devices are called Design Patents (i.e., the shape of a Coke bottle).
I remember our first window unit. It was York that my father bought in 1950. There is little or no difference in that old York then in a unit you would buy today.
Only today, they are a bit smaller and lighter.