matthewleechen/300YearsOfBritishPatents huggingface dataset:
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE PREPARATION OF FLAX AND OTHER FIBROUS SUBSTANCES
Year: 1853

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by William Watt at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 19th October
1853.
I, WILLIAM WATT, of Glasgow, in the County of Lanark, North Britain,
Chemist, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS
IN THE PREPARATION OF FLAX AND OTHER FIBROUS SUBSTANCES" to be as follows:-
My improvements consist in taking flax straw after it has been deprived of
the greater part of its soluble and other matters, binding the fibre to the boon
or pith, and after it has undergone the process of wet rolling and subjecting it
to a weak acid solution, or to chlorine in any of its forms, or to any of these
conjoined, for the purpose of improving the quality of the flax. After being
steeped in this way the acid is removed by washing and again rolling. I find
the flax straw produced without fermentation, and as described in the Specifi-
cation of my previous Patent of 22nd of May 1852, to suit this process best,
and I prefer the use of either hydro-chloric or sulphuric acid alone, as being
least expensive. I treat hemp or other fibrous substances in a similar manner.
AN IMPROVED GONIOMETRIC PRO- TRACTOR, OR INSTRUMENT FOR SETTING OUT AND MEASURING ANGLES AND OTHER GEOMETRIC FIGURES
Year: 1853

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Charles Gordon at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition,
on the 17th February 1853.
I, CHARLES GORDON, of the City of Washington, in the District of
Columbia, United States of North America, do hereby declare the
nature of the said Invention for "AN IMPROVED GONIOMETRIC PRO-
TRACTOR, OR INSTRUMENT FOR SETTING OUT AND MEASURING ANGLES AND
OTHER GEOMETRIC FIGURES," to be as follows:
The body or base a, a, is for the action of the meridian c, c, which
has a parallel movement at right angles either north or south, or it
may be reversed and become the base, when a, a, would be the
meridian. Attached to c, c, is, a parallel rule a, x, with a fixed
semicircle inverted, with the proper subdivisions of degrees laid
down, which acts upon a vernier attached to c, c, the meridianal
limb by which any angle in a circle is given. The attachment
c, c, has two parallel actions, and secured to the base a, a, by the
clamps o, o, and to the meridian c, c. c, c, is secured to a, a, by
clamps on e, e; thereby forming a combination susceptible of six
distinct parallel movements, all of which, and every part of the com

page_text: bination, I claim as my true original Invention (a parallel rule or
seinicircle not original); but I do claim the peculiar attachment as
displayed in the Drawing herewith, and all the parts thereof, of the
scientific and mathematical constructions.
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF BOOTS
Year: 1853

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by Thomas Ovans at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition and De-
claration, on the 25th January. 1853, pursuant to the 9th
section of the Patent Law Amendment Act, 1852.
I, THOMAS OVANS, of the City of Dublin, Shopman, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
MANUFACTURE OF BOOTS" to be as follows:
My Invention consists in the application to that part of boots
which covers the instep extending in front from the toe leather to
above the instep, and backwards on each side so far as may be found
convenient, of elastic web, corrugated elastic leather, or other material
possessing like elastic qualities, of whatever description, in lieu of
leather or cloth as heretofore in use; said clastic material to be of
such width as to admit, when expanded, of the free ingress and egress
of the foot, whereby ease is given more particularly to the instep,
and generally to the whole of the foot, besides ensuring a tight.
though easy fit to the foot, and dispensing with any necessity for
buttons or lacing.
I would observe I am aware an elastic web has been applied

page_text: to the sides of boots for the purpose of dispensing with lacing, and I
am also aware that a strip or band of india-rubber or elastic web
has been applied to shoes across the lower part of the instep in
lieu of a tie or buckle; but I wish it to be distinctly understood
that what I claim as my Invention is, the application to boots of
clastic web, corrugated elastic leather or other material possessing
like elastic qualities covering the whole of the instep and extend-
ing backwards.
In witness whereof, I, the said Thomas Ovans, have hereunto
set iny hand and seal, this Twenty-fourth day of January,
Taken and acknowledged by Thomas
Ovans (party hereto) at Dublin,
this Twenty-fourth day of January,
One thousand eight hundred and
fifty-three, before me,
GEE L. CATHCART,
THOMAS (L.S.) OVANS.
A Master Extraordinary for Ireland of
Her Majesty's High Court of Chancery
in England.
IMPROVEMENTS IN PROPELLING VESSELS
Year: 1853

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Benjamin Rankin at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
16th August 1853.
my In-
I, BENJAMIN RANKIN, of 1, College Street, Islington, in the County
of Middlesex, Gentleman, do hereby declare that the nature of
vention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN PROPELLING VESSELS" to be as follows:-
This Invention has for its object a better form of propeller, and
consists of applying the half of a flat disc at an angle across one side
of the propeller shaft, in place of the parts of screws and other forms of
propellers heretofore employed.
Speci
IMPROVEMENTS IN DISTILLING
Year: 1853

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by John Bald and Charles
Maitland at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with
their Petition, on the 30th August 1853.
(Void by reason of notice to proceed not having been given within the
time prescribed by the Act.)
We, JOHN BALD, of Carsebridge Distillery, Alloa, in the County of
Clackmannan, North Britain, Distiller, and CHARLES MAITLAND, of the
same place, Brewer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN DISTILLING " to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to the so arranging the apparatus of distilla-
tion that the "analyser" may be connected with the "low wine still"
or spirit still, or in any way connecting an analysing or distilling
column or continuous analyser with the common still or stills, for the
purpose of making spirits direct from the wash. This system of dis-
tillation may be effected without the use of any condenser in connection
with the analyser if spirits of a low strength are wanted. But if spirits
of a high strength are to be made, then the condensers, purifiers, re-
finers, or rectifiers must be added to give a condensing, purifying, or
rectifying power, and enable the operator to produce the required

page_text: strength of spirits. The special object of the Invention is to retain the
low wine or old still copper flavour, together with all the known advan-
tages of the "patent continuous stills" as regards speed, continuity of
distillation, and economy of fuel.
IMPROVEMENTS IN ELASTIC SPRINGS
Year: 1853

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Peter Gaskell at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
6th July 1853.
(Void by reason of notice to proceed not having been given within the
time prescribed by the Act.)
I, PETER GASKELL, of Manchester, in the County of Lancaster,
Manager, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN ELASTIC SPRINGS" to be as follows:-
For a spring to support any given weight, say a carriage body,
shafting working in pedestals or bearings, or any substance requiring
elasticity, I propose to take a solid bearing of wood, metal, or any
convenient material, and cut it across in or about the centre; then bore
a hole in one of the said parts, and fix to the other part a plug to fit
into the said hole; then fill the hole partly with india-rubber or similar
elastic substance, so that the plug or pin being put into the hole, and
the body to be supported requiring elasticity being fixed on the top of
the said bearing, will spring by the elastic force of the substance in the
hole aforesaid; or I propose to make a slide in the form of a wedge,
passing between two outer plates, with an india-rubber or elastic band

page_text: encircling the said wedge and plates, or, in other words, encircling the
three plates, the two plates being connected at the top part, which may
be fixed in any convenient manner, and the body requiring elasticity--
as, for instance, a carriage-body being fixed to the wedge or plate
passing between the two connected plates aforesaid, the elastic band
binding the three plates together will give and a or yield to the
pressure or weight it has to support, and thus form a perfect tho' novel
spring; this spring will work exactly the same as the slide valve of an
engine.
IMPROVEMENTS IN OBTAINING MOTIVE POWER
Year: 1853

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Frederick Lipscombe at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, ou
the, 10th May 1859.
I, FREDERICK LIPSCOMBE, of 283, Strand, in the County of Middlesex,
Water Filter Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN OBTAINING MOTIVE POWER" to be as
follows:-
I heat the whole or any portion of the channel or channels conducting
the steam from a boiler or other vessel for the generation of steam to
the cylinder of an engine, or other point where the effective force of the
steam is to be exerted, to a temperature above the temperature of the
steam in the boiler, so that when the steam is passing through the
heated channel it imbibes a portion of the heat and expands.
IMPROVEMENTS IN COMBINING METAL PLATES FOR SHIP BUILDING, AND OTHER ENGINEERING CONSTRUCTIONS
Year: 1853

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Henry Batchelor at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
29th January 1853.
(Void by reason of notice to proceed not having been given within
the time prescribed by the Act.)
I, HENRY BATCHELOR, of Glasgow, in the County of Lanark,
North Britain, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN COMBINING METAL PLATES FOR SHIP
BUILDING, AND OTHER ENGINEERING CONSTRUCTIONS," to be as follows: -
This Invention relates to the construction of iron ships and
vessels, boilers, tanks, bridges, and other receptacles and frame-
works, by combining together two or more thicknesses of metal
plates crossing each other at right angles, or at some other inter-
mediate angle. The plates are laid face to face, and are rivetted or
otherwise connected together in the ordinary manner, forming a
species of duplex or triple plate. By this arrangement, as the
plates may be employed in large erections, they are easily handled
and the work is materially increased in strength, owing to the
favourable angle of the plates bringing the strain across the strongest

page_text: direction of the fibre. This diagonal system of construction
obviously offers advantages in point of strength in various classes
of metal framework and other structures.
AN IMPROVEMENT IN MAKING INDIA- RUBBER SOLUTION FOR WATERPROOFING CLOTHS OR OTHER ARTICLES WITHOUT THE OFFENSIVE SMELL PRODUCED BY THE USE OF NAPTHA, TURPENTINE, OILS &c
Year: 1853

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Gustavus Gidley and John
Bell Muschamp at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents,
with their Petition, on the 19th October 1853.
(Void by reason of notice to proceed not having been given within the
time prescribed by the Act.)
We, GUSTAVUS GIDLEY, 39, Great Chart, Hoxton, and JOHN B.
MUSCHAMP, Claremont House, Kensington, do hereby declare the
nature of the said Invention for "AN IMPROVEMENT IN MAKING INDIA-
RUBBER SOLUTION FOR WATERPROOFING CLOTHS OR OTHER ARTICLES WITHOUT
THE OFFENSIVE SMELL PRODUCED BY THE USE OF NAPTHA, TURPENTINE,
OILS, &c." to be as follows:-
We procure a vessel in the shape of a bell, composed of iron or any
other wire interwoven like the meshes of a nett; into this we put the
quantity of rubber required; we then sett fire to one of the pieces; in a
short time the oil or fatty matter exudes through the holes into a
receiver placed under. We then take twelve pounds and put it into an
irou or other vessel, place. it over a fire, adding india-rubber, gutta
percha, or any gums we may require; after it is dissolved we add sul-

page_text: phur and common salt or saltpetre, the quantity of which will depend
upon the nature of the work required. We then spread it upon the
cloth, and, if required on both sides, we place it upon a table heated,
which draws it through. We then proceed to put on our different
colours.
IMPROVEMENTS IN COOKING APPARATUS
Year: 1853

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by John Little at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 7th March
1853.
(Void by reason of notice to proceed not having been given within the
time prescribed by the Act.)
I, JOHN LITTLE, of Glasgow, in the County of Lanark, North Britain,
Ironmonger, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN COOKING APPARATUS" to be as follows:-
This Invention consists in so constructing a kitchen range, ship
galley, or apparatus for cooking, baking, or boiling, that a great
economy of space and fuel, and extreme simplicity of details, are com-
bined with efficiency of action. The apparatus consists of a casing of
cast or malleable iron, or other material, internally lined with fire-brick
or other material, or it may not be lined, and forming an oven or
cooking chamber. In a convenient part of this is placed the fire grate,
either divided off from the oven by a partition or wire screen, or entirely
left open. The oven is thus heated by the fire being inside or partially
inside of the oven or cooking chamber. The casing is formed with a
double top, the intervening space forming the flue, partitions being so

page_text: placed as to direct the heat to all parts, and finally to the chimney,
situated at a convenient part of the top or end of the range, which is
fitted with a damper in the usual way; or the casing may have only a
single top without a flue, and the fire may have only one part of it, or
the whole, brought into contact with the oven. The fire, thus placed
within or partially within the oven or cooking chamber, may or may not
have a wire or shade or other apparatus to lessen the heat when
required, or to protect the oven from ashes or dust. A boiler or boilers,
hot closets, and other apartments, which may be subdivided, are so placed
as to be heated either from the flue or from the fire. The smoke is
carried of by a chimney placed in a convenient situation on the top,
back, or end of the range, into which chimney a damper is inserted for
regulating the heat in the usual way. The cooking apparatus, kitchen
or ship range or galley, may be made in various sizes, shapes, and
forms, square, round, oblong, or rectangular,-with one or more ovens,
boilers, heating and steam closets, or other conveniences, connected with
it. There may be apparatus for conducting heated air or water to any
part of the house or ship with which it may be connected, as likewise
a jack for roasting, operating either by heated air or by the instru-
mentality of a spring.
-
These arrangements may be variously modified, but the main features
of the Invention are, the having the grate placed, as it were, in the
oven, or partially in the oven or cooking chamber, whereby the latter is
heated, and whereby a great amount of space is obtained, and heating
power, along with simplicity of detail and general efficiency.
IMPROVED MEANS OF CUTTING, CARVING, ENGRAVING, PIERCING, OR EMBOS- SING METALLIC OR OTHER SURFACES
Year: 1853

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Thomas Woodcock at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
15th October 1853.
(Void by reason of notice to proceed not having been given within the
time prescribed by the Act.)
I, THOMAS WOODCOCK, of Barnsbury Road, in the County of Mid-
llesex, Carver, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"IMPROVED MEANS OF CUTTING, CARVING, ENGRAVING, PIERCING, OR EMBOS-
SING METALLIC OR OTHER SURFACES," to be as follows:-
My Invention of improved means of cutting, carving, engraving,
piercing, or embossing metal or other surfaces has for its object to
cut, carve, engrave, pierce, or emboss plates, rollers, blocks, or surfaces
of various kinds and for various purposes, such, for instance, as cutting
or engraving blocks, plates, or rollers for calico or other surface
printing or embossing. The Invention is also applicable to carving
wood or stone for architectural or other ornaments, or for piercing or
perforating any peculiar pattern or design on metal or other plates, or
for embossing metal or other surfaces. The drill, graver, cutter, punch.
or other tool for cutting or otherwise operating upon the surface to be
cut or engraved may be actuated by any known means or contrivance

page_text: in connection with the motive power, and forms no part of the Invention,
which simply relates to a plan of withdrawing the tool from the work
when it is not intended to operate upon the same, as, for instance, when
any portion of the surface is to be left plain while other parts are to be
cut away. This object is effected by means of a powerful electro-
magnet in combination with a pattern or design, prepared in a peculiar
manner, and so arranged that it will form part of an electric circuit, of
which the cutting, tool, the electro-magnet, a galvanic battery, and
suitable conducting wires, and also a metal tracing point to trace out
the design on the pattern plate, form part. Certain portions of the
pattern plate, cylinder, or roller are made of metal or some good
conductor of electricity, and other parts are made of some non-
conducting substance, such as wood, ivory, gutta percha, glass, or other
suitable substance. The metal tracing point, which forms part of the
electric circuit above mentioned, will, in passing over the various parts
of the pattern, make and break the circuit, and, consequently, alternately
magnetize and demagnetize the induced magnet, which will, therefore,
either attract or release the metal tool. Both the pattern and the surface
to be operated upon may have a slow progressive motion communicated
to them under the tracer and cutting tool, or these latter may be made
to move while the surfaces remain stationary, or both may be made
moveable if required. For piercing or embossing, the electro-magnet,
instead of acting direct on the tool, may be made to open or shut the
steam valve of a small cylinder, the piston of which will act on the
punch, and force it down when required, that is, when steam is admitted
to the cylinder.
AN IMPROVEMENT IN CANISTERS
Year: 1853

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by John Ames Gilbert at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
19th May 1853.
(Void by reason of notice to proceed not having been given within the
time prescribed by the Act.)
I, JOHN AMES GILBERT, of Clerkenwell, in the County of Middlesex,
Japanner, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "AN
IMPROVEMENT IN CANISTERS" to be as follows:-
Whereas in all canisters as now made the bottoms, being of metal,
scratch and otherwise injure the counters. Now, my Invention has
been specially designed to obviate these inconveniences, and at the
same time my improved canister will be found more durable. To effect
these objects I form a flange or ring to the ordinary metal bottom, and
fill it in with cork, gutta-percha, or other suitable material, which will
not be likely to scratch a polished surface on being placed upon or
drawn along it. From the yielding nature of the additional bottom
the canister will not become bulged or indented at bottom, and will
consequently be found to last longer.
AN IMPROVED CEMENT FOR RESISTING MOISTURE AND DAMP
Year: 1853

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Joseph Wiggins at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on
the 25th January 1853.
(Void by reason of notice to proceed not having been given within
the time prescribed by the Act.)
I, JOSEPH WIGGINS, of Horner Street, Lambeth, in the County of
Surrey, Experimental Chemist, do hereby declare the nature of the
said Invention for "AN IMPROVED CEMENT FOR RESISTING MOISTURE AND
DAMP" to be as follows:
The object of this Invention is to manufacture a cement which
may be applied to walls. for resisting the passage of moisture or
damp through them, and also to the caulking of ships and to other
analogous uses. In manufacturing this cement I take slacked lime,
and submit it to the action of heat to reduce it to a granular state.
I then mix therewith powdered glass, and, if thought desirable, any
suitable pigment. This mixture I introduce into a boiling mixture
of tar and grease, and I add thereto ox blood or other gluten and
common resin.
I do not confine myself exclusively to these materials, but intend
to use such of them or of their equivalents as will produce the

page_text: desired result. The cement when required to be used I heat under
a charcoal fire to bring it to a liquid state, and by means of a brush
apply it to the surface to be coated.
IMPROVEMENTS IN SCUTCHING FLAX AND HEMP
Year: 1853

page_text: (This Invention received Provisional Protection, but notice to proceed
with the application for Letters Patent was not given within the
time prescribed by the Act.)
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by John Nelson and David
Boyd at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with their
Petition, on the 8th December 1859.
We, JOHN NELSON, of Selby, in the County of York, and DAVID
BOYD, of the same place, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN SCUTCHING FLAX AND HEMP" to be as
follows:-
A flax scutching machine, constructed of iron, wood, or other mate-
rials, worked by steam or other motive power, and consisting of wheels
or drums to which are attached or connected knives or blades, by the
operation of which retted flax straw is left a clean fibre, at a great
saving of labour. For this purpose a suitable holder is placed so as to
bring the flax or hemp between two wheels, each having five or other
convenient number of beaters, having thereon knives or blades. The
beaters of the two wheels succeed each other in their action, and so
that the two sides of the flax or hemp are alternately beaten and acted
on by the knives or blades on the respective beaters.
AN IMPROVEMENT IN CASES FOR HOLDING CARDS
Year: 1853

page_text: time prescribed by the Act.)
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Alexander Bain at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
22nd November 1853.
I, ALEXANDER BAIN, of Paddington, in the County of Middlesex,
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "AN
IMPROVEMENT IN CASES FOR HOLDING CARDS" to be as follows:-
In addition to the usual opening for placing cards in a case, I make
a slit or opening at bottom, and regulate the breadth of the opening
according to the thickness of the card. In one side of the case I fit a
pointed presser free to be moved up and down in a slot in the side of
the case. The presser is retained at the top of the slot by a piece of
vulcanized caoutchouc, or other suitable spring. Inside the case, and
on the side opposite that to which the presser is fitted, I fix a spring,
which keeps the cards close against the opposite side of the case ready
to be operated upon by the presser as hereafter explained. When it is
desired to take a card from the case, the presser is pushed down the

page_text: slot in the side of the case, when the point catches hold of one card and
protrudes part of it ready to be entirely withdrawn by hand; the presser
on being released is drawn back to its original position by the vul-
canized india-rubber spring, while the spring inside the case will have
brought up another card ready to be acted upon as before explained.
Although I have described the slot for the exit of the card being made
in the bottom, it might be made in the side or other convenient part of
the case.
A NOVEL CONSTRUCTION OF APPARATUS TO BE USED AS A CHEST EXPANDER, AND AS A UTERINE OR ABDOMINAL SUPPORTER
Year: 1853

page_text: the 7th June 1853.-A communication.
(Void by reason of notice to proceed not having been given within the
time prescribed by the Act.)
T, ALFRED VINCENT NEWTON, of the Office for Patents, 66, Chancery
Tane, in the County of Middlesex, Mechanical Draughtsman, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention for "A NOVEL CONSTRUCTION
OF APPARATUS TO BE USED AS A CHEST EXPANDER, AND AS A UTERINE OR
ABDOMINAL SUPPORTER," to be as follows:-
The principal object of this Invention is to arrange a brace for the
shoulders and other parts of the human body, so as to afford a firm and
yet elastic support without obstructing the circulation or interfering
with any of the vital functions or the movements of the limbs. To
this end the Inventor provides a bent strip of metal (by preference
plate steel) which passes from the back of the wearer just below the
shoulder blades, under the armpits, and terminates in pads, which rest
upon the patient's body near the clavicle. Attached to or forming
one piece with this clastic frame is a central bar, which takes a down-

page_text: ward direction in the line of the patient's spine. This bar is jointed
by means of a pivot to a similar bar, forming part of an elastic frame,
composed of a strip of steel, which passes round the body immediately
above the hip, and terminates about opposite the centre of the iliac
region, either by two pads, or in a plate which bears against the body.
These frames are made so that they shall pass round the body, and
only press upon it where pads are provided to intercept the pressure.
These pads are placed at the terminations of the frames as already
noted, and also at opposite sides of the spinal column. The central bar
composed of two parts, as already stated, while permitting of no lon-
gitudinal extension while the apparatus in in use, will allow of a slight
forward and backward play, and by its joint will offer no resistance to
the lateral motion of the body. If thought desirable, straps may be
passed over the shoulders from the pads at the back of the upper frame
to the pads which form the terminals of that frame, but this is not
assential for keeping the apparatus in place.
IM- PROVEMENTS IN PLOUGHS
Year: 1853

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by William Henham at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
29th March 1853.
(Void by reason of notice to proceed not having been given within the
time prescribed by the Act.)
I, WILLIAM HENHAM, of East Peckham, in the County of Kent,
Farmer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IM-
PROVEMENTS IN PLOUGHS" to be as follows:
-
I crank both arms of the axle, and fix the wheels on the cranks so
that the plough may remain as nearly upright as may be when at
work, and when one wheel is in a furrow and the other on level.
ground.
In turn rest ploughs I crank the shaft of the coulter, or the coulter
itself, and make it to cut both at front and back. It may be turned
round in the beam of the plough, and work on whichever side thereof
may be required.
CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING BRAID
Year: 1853

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by William Ashton and William
Bretherton Harvey at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents.
with their Petition, on the 2nd September 1858.
(Void by reason of notice to proceed not having been given within the
time prescribed by the Act.)
We, WILLIAM ASHTON, of Manchester, in the County of Lancaster,
Machinist, and WILLIAM BROTHERTON HARVEY, of Salford, in the same
County, Braid Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR
MANUFACTURING BRAID" to be as follows:-
Our improvements apply to ordinary machinery or apparatus for
manufacturing braid, and consist of a certain novel and peculiar com-
bination or arrangement of the "roses" or notched discs which actuate
the braiding spindles, whereby we produce or manufacture a peculiar
pattern or style of braid not hitherto manufactured. In ordinary
braiding machines the leading "roses," or those which return the
spindles forming the edge of the braid, have hitherto been made larger
than the other "roses," and other combinations or arrangements have
been made. Our Invention consists in forming all the "roses" of the
same size, except the two leading "roses," which we form smaller than

page_text: the rest, and with a smaller number of notches. By the use of this
combination or arrangement we produce a braid of a pattern not
hitherto manufactured, which said combination has never before been
used.
IMPROVEMENTS IN TREATING WOOL, SILK, FEATHERS, AND OTHER ANIMAL MATTERS, FOR SOFTENING AND OTHERWISE IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF THE SAME
Year: 1853

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Francis Montgoniery
Jennings at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with
his Petition, on the 14th May 1853.
(Void by reason of notice to proceed not having been given within the
time prescribed by the Act.)
I, FRANCIS MONTGOMERY JENNINGS, of Cork, in the Kingdom of
Ireland, Manufacturing Chemist, do hereby declare the nature of the
said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN TREATING WOOL, SILK, FEATHERS,
AND OTHER ANIMAL MATTERS, FOR SOFTENING AND OTHERWISE IMPROVING
THE QUALITY OF THE SAME," to be as follows:-
In carrying out this Invention I take any one of the animal matters
to be operated upon, say wool, in its raw or partly manufactured state,
and first steep it in a saponaceous solution, more or less alkaline, and
holding waxy, resinous, fatty, oily, or gummy substances in solution
or suspension. I next submit the saturated wool to an acid solution, or
the vapor of an acid, so as to unite with the entire or part of the
alkali of the soap or saponaceous substances, and thereby set at liberty
all or any of those substances taken up by the staple; or I liberate
them by impregnating the staple with an acid or soluble salt in the

page_text: first instance, and then immersing it in the solution. By this means
the fibres of the staple may be impregnated or imbued, or the surfaces
covered, by all or any of the waxy, resinous, fatty, oily, or gummy sub-
stances, the acid uniting with the entire or part of the alkali of all or
any of those substances, or, in the case of suitable salts, used either
before or after the saponaceous matter, by double decomposition, libera-
ting all or any of those substances in combination, and permitting then
to combine mechanically with the fibres, and thereby soften and other-
wise improve their quality. The staple may then be washed in water,
or water containing a little acid or alkali or soapy substance. All or
any of those solutions or substances may or may not contain dyeing
matters, provided that it does not interfere with any of the ordinary
processes of dyeing, so that the dyeing matters may be thrown down
along with the other substance in, on, or between the fibres or inter-
stices. In carrying out these improvements I prefer to suspend any
of those substances which are long, and allow the solutions thereby to
act more fully or freely between them.
The mode of applying the Invention to the treatment of other animal
matters, as hair, silk, feathers, furs, and skins of animals, dressed or
undressed, will be the same as that described with relation to wool.
IMPROVEMENTS IN SHEARS
Year: 1853

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by John Louis Beloud; Samuel
Camile Beloud, and George Guyatt at the Office of the Com-
missioners of Patents, with their Petition; on the 20th September
1853.
(Void by reason of notice to proceed not having been given within the
time prescribed by the Act.)
We, JOHN LOUIS BELOUD, SAMUEL CAMILE BELOUD, and GEORGE
GUYATT, all of Greek Street, Soho, in the County of Middlesex,
Cutlers and Surgical Instrument. Makers, do hereby declare the nature
of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN SHEARS" to be as
follows:-
-This Invention consists in an improved mode of: constructing shears
or such like cutting instruments, with a view to render them cheap,
durable, easy of repairs, and capable of adjustment, according to the.
nature of the work they are required to perform. Hitherto the legs
of these instruments have been formed of solid steel, which has ren-
dered them difficult to manufacture, and consequently expensive, and
further those parts of the legs at which the pin or fulcrum is has been
formed flat, so that when in use the cloth or other material frequently
becomes jammed between these parts, and renders the instrument
f

page_text: difficult to use. Now the object and intention of this Invention is to
remedy these objections by constructing the shears or other like cut-
ting instruments in the following manner:-Instead of making the
legs of the shears of one and the same piece of metal, as commonly
practised, such parts are formed of two separate pieces; that is to say,
the outer parts upon which the handles are formed are cast in a mould,
and the inner and cutting edges thereof, as also that part through
which the pin or fulcrum passes, are formed of plates of tempered
steel screwed to said castings, and further. the surfaces. of the fulcrum
or centre are formed convex, thus
Œ
instead of flat, and the
legs round the centre or fulcrum are formed with projecting pieces or
shields, which cover the joints of the shears, and prevent the jamming
of the material between the said convex surfaces during the cutting of
the material, and serve also to steady the legs whilst in action, so as to
prevent them from twisting. Another improvement in the construc-
tion of shears consists in connecting the legs thereof together by
means of a long pin, one end whereof has a screw cut or formed
therein, upon which fits a collar, which, when screwed against the shears,
is retained in that position by a tightening screw passed through the
neck of said collar. It is further proposed to apply a small roller to the
under side of the lower leg of the shears to enable them to be moved
more easily when, in use, and to apply a spring between the upper &
lower legs of the shears to assist in opening the jaws thereof.
By thus constructing shears or such like cutting instruments it will
appear evident that in order to repair the cutting edges thereof when
worn out it is only necessary to remove the steel plates, and substi-
tute new ones; whereas with shears or such like cutting instruments
as hitherto constructed it would be necessary to have an entirely new
pair.
IMPROVEMENTS IN COMBINING INDIA-RUBBER WITH OTHER MATTERS FOR WRITING, MARKING, AND DRAWING
Year: 1853

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Charles Goodyear at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
30th August 1853.-Partly a communication.
I, CHARLES GOODYEAR, of Avenue Road, St. John's Wood, in the
County of Middlesex, do hereby declare the nature of the said In-
vention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN COMBINING INDIA-RUBBER WITH OTHER
MATTERS FOR WRITING, MARKING, AND DRAWING" to be as follows:-
This Invention consists of combining plumbago (black lead) with.
india-rubber and sulphur, and subjecting the same to heat in order to
produce a change by which a compound is obtained, which, when made
up into pencils or other forms, is suitable for writing, marking, and
drawing.
Im- PROVEMENTS IN CLOCKS OR TIME-KEEPERS, AND PARTS CONNECTED THEREWITH
Year: 1853

page_text: 3rd September 1853.
(Void by reason of notice to proceed not having been given within the
time prescribed by the Act.)
I, EBENEZER DOBELL, of Hastings, in the County of Sussex, Watch-
maker, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "Im-
PROVEMENTS IN CLOCKS OR TIME-KEEPERS, AND PARTS CONNECTED THEREWITH,"
to be as follows:-
The Invention relates to so arranging parts in connection with time-
keepers that a series of such time-keepers, being connected together by
an electric current, may, at certain periods, be set to uniform time..
In place of the minute wheel being caused to rotate by the friction
of a spring, as at present, I apply a pair of discs carrying friction
surfaces of leather, or other suitable material; one of these plates being
attached to the minute wheel, the other being capable of rotating with
the "centre wheel," and of sliding thereon, so as to be in friction
contact with or be free of the other disc on the minute wheel. Contact
of these friction wheels is maintained by the end of a spring lever,

page_text: whose other end is capable of being acted upon by another lever
carrying a piece of soft iron placed opposite to an electro-magnet,
which, when acted upon by an electric current, draws the piece of soft
iron, by which one of the discs may be removed from friction contact
with that on the minute wheel. The disc on the minute wheel is
formed with a triangular recess in its periphery to receive a wedge-
formed piece carried by a spring lever, so that when at any given time
the point of the recess in the disc should be exactly opposite the point
of the wedge on the spring lever, and the electro-magnet is at such
time made magnetic, the lever before mentioned, in connection with
one of the lises, will remove that disc so as to release the minute
wheel, and the lever carrying its wedge-shaped end will at the same
time be released to fall into the wedge-shaped recess in the minute
wheel; and should a slight variation have taken place in the time of
the clock since the last regulation this will at once be set right. Then
so soon as such adjustment has been effected the electric current will
be broken, and the time-piece or series of time-pieces in the circuit
will proceed as usual. I propose that the setting shall take place at
any given time every twelve hours. I also propose to use for this pur-
pose any one of a series of electric wires used at other times for general
telegraphic purposes. And in order that the parts of the clock may not,
at times when not required, he acted upon by the passing of electric
currents for other purposes through such wire, I arrange the lever, in
connection with the sliding friction disc, so that it may be capable of
being acted upon only at the times previously determined upon as
those when the adjustments shall take place.
A NEW MODE OF FASTENING BUTTONS TO GARMENTS, AND AN IMPROVED BUTTON, AND ALSO IN MACHINERY FOR MANUFACTURING THE SAME
Year: 1853

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Benoit Perreyon at the
Office of the Commissioners, of Patents, with his Petition, on the
24th January 1858.
(Void by reason of notice to proceed not having been given within the
time prescribed by the Act.)
I, BENOIT PERREYON, of 39, Rue de l'Echiquier, Paris, France, and
of 4, South Strect, Finsbury, London, Tailor, do hereby declare the
nature of the Invention for "A NEW MODE OF FASTENING BUTTONS
TO GARMENTS, AND AN IMPROVED BUTTON, AND ALSO IN MACHINERY FOR
MANUFACTURING THE SAME," to be as follows:-
The Invention consists, first, in machinery for manufacturing buttons.
Secondly, an improved method of fastening buttons to garments.
Figures 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, and 7, represent the different parts of the
machinery to form the shank.
Figures 9, 15, and 16, represent part of the machinery for making
the buttons.

page_text: Figures 4, 11, 12, 13, 14, and 14", represent the buttons when made,
and the various parts forming the Invention.
In order to fasten the buttons to garments the shank of the button
is introduced into a slit cut in the garment and fastened to an under
button provided with an open shank or hook, as shown in Fig. 4.
CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF SALT
Year: 1853

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by John Gillow at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 23rd
December 1853.
I, JOHN GILLOW, junior, of Northwich, in the County of Chester,
Salt Proprietor, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention
for "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF SALT" to be as
follows:-
My Invention consists in evaporating the brine by means of steam
generated in a boiler, of which the pan containing the brine forms the
upper part or cover, such boiler being fitted with any number of fire
boxes so placed therein as to be surrounded by water.
The boiler may be of any convenient form, with fire boxes extending
into it to a suitable depth, with a flue or passage behind them for the
conveyance of the heat from the fires, so that it may pass along under-
neath the bottom plate of the boiler, & heat the stratum of water
contained between such plate and the bottom plate of the brine pan, the
fire boxes heating the water being immediately over them, and the

page_text: steam from the whole of such water being made to act upon the bottom
plates of the brine pans. Or the boiler may be constructed with other
arrangements of the fire boxes and flue or flues.
The fire boxes are constructed in the usual manner and inserted in
the lower part of the boiler, but at a sufficient height to have a stratum
of water below them, as well as above and on each side of them. They
are also connected together by means of wrought iron tye rods or
bolts.
There are also tye rods or bolts fixed at intervals between the bottom
plate of the brine pan and the same plate of the boiler, in order to
strengthen those plates, so that they may sustain the pressure to which
they may be subjected.
The brine pan may be extended on each side beyond the width
of the boiler in order to increase the amount of surface to be
evaporated.
IMPROVEMENTS IN BRAKES FOR RAILWAY CARRIAGES AND OTHER VEHICLES
Year: 1853

page_text: with the application for Letters Patent was not given within the
time prescribed by the Act.)
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Thomas Scaville Truss at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on
the 16th December 1853.
I, THOMAS SEAVILLE TRUSS, of Cannon Street, in the City of London,
Mechanical Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Inven-
tion for "IMPROVEMENTS IN BRAKES FOR RAILWAY CARRIAGES AND OTHER
VEHICLES" to be as follows:-
My improvements consist in the following arrangements :-A drum
is keyed on to the centre of each axle-tree with flanges on each side
projecting above the surface of the drum, a double-ended connecting
rod going from axle to axle, with brasses in the ends bearing on the
axles. The connecting rod ends are she-joints, with the drum working
in the same; a lever bearing upon a pin is attached to the connecting
rod, with a weight on the end of the long lever; one end of the lever
connecting itself by means of a nut, screw, and joint to a strap going
round the drum, the interior of the strap being four inches, or there-

page_text: abouts, from the extremity of the bearing part of the drum; that four
inches being filled up with howler or other similar wood. The other
end of the strap is connected by means of a pin to the top of the
connecting rod close to the drum. Each end of the connecting rods
is alike.
A small roller being attached to the weight of the long connecting
rod, this roller works in an inclined slot, in a bar which passes under-
neath the framing of the carriage, supported by small rollers in brackets;
this rod has two slots to bring in action both of the long levers. Each
end of the levers is in the form of a hook, by which the brakes are
coupled by means of a small shackle.
The mode of working this brake may be varied considerably, as by
using links, racks, and pinions, with a chain connecting to the long
lever, by which the weight is raised or the brake applied.
I sometimes work the lever by means of a double rack and pinion
under the carriage, making it double action, so that whichever way
the carriage is turned the brake is always right for action; or by
means of a nut and screw and suitable levers attached thereto.
IMPROVEMENTS IN GARMENTS, AND IN SEWING OR UNITING THE SEAMS OF THE SAME
Year: 1853

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Donald Nicoll, of the firm of H. J. and
D. Nicoll, of 114, 116, 118, and 120, Regent Street, for the In-
vention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN GARMENTS, AND IN SEWING OR UNITING
THE SEAMS OF THE SAME."
Sealed the 6th October 1853, and dated the 11th April 1853.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Donald Nicoll at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on
the 11th April 1853.
I, DONALD NICOLL, of the firm of H. J. and D. Nicoll, of 114, 116,
118, and 120, Regent St., do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN GARMENTS, AND IN SEWING OR UNITING
THE SEAMS OF THE SAME," to be as follows:
The first part of my improvements in garments is in coats, paletots,
and such like articles of male apparel, and consists in inserting under
the arms of such garments what is called in the trade a syc piece, which
is a piece of cloth or other material of the form of an inverted cone, the

page_text: base of which is the scam which attaches the arm to the coat, termi-
nating in a point some three or four inches from the base. In some
coats this piece may be made of the same kind of cloth as the rest of
the garment; but I propose to make it of india-rubber, or india-rubber
webbing, or of other similar elastic material, for heavy coats, such as
riding, driving, and sporting coats. The effect of the insertion of this
piece is, that a cross seam in the waist of a coat may be dispensed with.
My second improvement in garments relates to attaching trousers
and waistcoats together without using shoulder braces, and is as follows:
-To an ordinary waistcoat I attach three brace ends by sewing or
otherwise; one of these is fixed to the back, and the others to the sides
of the waistcoat. They are buttoned to the trousers as ordinary braces
are, and support the trousers in a similar manner; the difference being,
that they do not go over the shoulders.
The third part of my improvements consists in a peculiar mode or
method of uniting the seanis of garments, and is as follows:-The edges
or ends of the fabric are brought close together, edge to edge; and
between the outer and the inner surfaces a piece of cloth or other
material is placed, covering the seam at the parts of junction of the two
edges; these are then sewn together in two lines, equidistant from the
actual seam or join, and this forms a seam not requiring turning in or
doubling, as is usual. I reserve a right to vary the details.
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF SUSPENSION BRIDGES
Year: 1853

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Henry Palfrey
Stephenson at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents,
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Henry Palfrey
Stephenson at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents,
with his Petition, on the 11th August 1853.
(Void by reason of notice to proceed not having been given within
the time prescribed by the Act.)
I, HENRY PALFREY STEPHENSON, of Thurloe Place, West,
Brompton, in the County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
THE CONSTRUCTION OF SUSPENSION BRIDGES" to be as follows:-
This Invention of improvements in the construction of suspen-
sion bridges relates more particularly to that description of chain
suspension bridge known as the taper chain principle, and has for
its object to render the structure more rigid, firm, and secure.
The first improvement relates to the transverse girders, which
are made of two strips of wrought iron having wooden filling
pieces between them. These filling pieces may be either conti-
nuous or divided into a series of cubical blocks. The wrought iron
plates are connected together by bolts, and a girder thus formed
will be found to possess a great amount of stiffness.

page_text: The longitudinal or roadway beams are constructed in a some-
what similar manner with wooden filling pieces between wrought
iron strips. I also propose, in some cases, to make the longitu-
dinal or roadway beams in a tubular form, either square or of
other suitable shape. They may also be made gutter shaped with
wooden filling pieces.
The diagonal supporting rods are secured at their ends to the
longitudinal beams, either by passing the said ends through
wrought iron boxes placed at the sides of the beams, or by passing
the ends through the centre of the beams, and securing them by
means of nuts placed below.