The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-12-18


An improved spirit level has a stud set in
the liquid pocket to change the shape of
the air bubble causing it to fatten and
lengthen, and allowing the use of the level
IN very accurate work.
Stumps can be burned out of the ground
by new machine which has an adjustable
the stump at a focus, causing the stump to
take fire even in strong wind Or If the wood
is wet.
Billiard cushions are hardened on the face
by a Western mans invention, having a
small strand of spring wire nodded into
a strip of canvas covering it and extending
into the cushion
Canadian woman has secured a patent
on keyboard for pianos and organs. having
The scale printed on the face of the keys
together with the staff and sharps and flats,
TO show the note corresponding to each key
Oh the instrument.
Flies will not bite horses legs If a newly
designed net is used, consisting of "a band,
TO be attached to the leg, with d number of
cords suspended at intervals, to strike
against the leg as the horse walks, and
brush the flies off.
Vessels can he easily removed from sand
bars by new apparatus, consisting of an
endless chain of buckets to be attached to
the sides of the vessel and driven by engines,
-N~-
until the ship floats free
For use n Tightening tent ropes a strip of
wood has two holes bored in one end to bend
the rope nearly S-shape as it passes
through, with a third hole in the opposite
end to receive the end of the rope after II is
passed around pin in the ground
In an improved journal for car axles a
pocket is provided in the top of the journal
10 hold a reserve supply of cooling and lubri-
eating fluid, which is discharged by the fus-
iEg of plug in the outlet when the bearing
becomes heated from lack of lubricant.
A handy tool for carpenters use is a nail
holder, for starting nails in corners and
places where the fingers cannot hold them
easily, a steel punch having a pair of jaws
attached to its face to grasp the nail and
hold it while the hammer is driving IL.
In a new bicycle-propelling mechanism the
crank shaft carries toothed wheel meshing
in second wheel mounted on shaft close
TO the crank shaft, the power being applied
TO the face of the rear wheel by means OF a
friction wheel carried by the rear shaft.
To prevent the spread of poisonous gases
from the explosion of giant powder in mines
a composition composed of wheat -four, salt
and soda is mixed with the powder, the
burning of the mixture in the explosion
neutralizing the poison in the powder gas.
Drawbridge openings can be automatically
closed by a new safety gate, formed of a
pivoted bar set on a post at one side of
the bridge and operated by a system of
levers to close across the opening when the
draw opens and open again as the draw
closes.
A Chicago woman has patented a foot
rest attachment for use on steam radiators,
having a cushioned frame pivoted on arms
at either end of the radiator to swing into
"a horizontal position at CONVENIENT
height for the feet to rest on while being
warmed.
Pens can be adjusted at any desired angle
in a new holder, which has the pen socket
mounted on a ball set in a clamping head,
so it can be moved in the position desired
and held fast by turning screw at the
opposite end of the holder to lock the Jaws
in the head.
tobacco pipe has been patented which
has two bowls formed in a single square
block, with a hole in each side for the in
sertion of the pipe STEM the bowls belng
used alternately, Sc that the heat from one
dries the other out and causes current of
fresh air TO pass through 1t.
A new toy is formed of tube, with one
end bent at right angles, and provided with
a cone-shaped spring, which holds a ball in
place on the end of the tube a current of air
blown through the tube raising the ball in
The air and suspending it there as long as
the air is accurately directed.
Tickets are easily handled by a new pock-
ct case, having a central receptacle in
which the tickets are placed. with spring
wall on one side which presses them 70 the
opposite side. and into a slot in slldlng
yoke the latter being moved outward to
discharge each ticket in turn.
To prevent elevator cages from doing dam
age when the cable breaks the bottom of the
we'll is extended below the lowest floor and
has a number of bars arranged around II TO
extend into the path of tthe car, being held
there by springs 10 spread slowly as the car
drops, breaking the force OF the fall
A New Yorker has patented neat-look-
ing gear case, consisting of a rubber tube,
split on its inner face and stretched over
the chain and sprocket wheel. with spread
ers TO open the tube as il runs around the
wheels allowing it to close over the chain as
a. passes from one sprocket TO the other.
\ handy device for plumbers use in form
ing wiped joints is made of a fiat piece of
tin or other flexible material which can be
shaped as desired, with a backing or nom
conducting material which prevents the heat
from burning the hand, ring being pro-
vided at either end to slip over the fingers.
A AIissourian has designed an enameled
bed which folds up when not in use, the side
bars being hinged at the head and foot to
swing the foot against the head when closed
with hinged brackets on the head, which
swing out at right angles 10 rest on the
floor and prevent the bed from tipping oVer
A Minnesota woman has patented hat
box which will protect ladies' hats from
carnage during shipment, a bracket being
suspended from the side of the box with
vertical extension at the end, carrying an
expansion ring, 70 At in the crown OF the
hat and hold II out Of contact with the box
An improved valve for bicycle tires ~
formed of tube extending into the tire on
one side, and having cone-shaped shoulders
at either end. with stem in the lube haN-
head t.n Oh anil ~, a ern the cones.